Five Towns Jewish Home 06.06.24

FIDF Evening of Solidarity

Fish Tank Produces Real Winners

Dear Readers,

e turn around, and it’s June. Or, at least, that’s what it feels like. In the car this morning, I asked my kids if they felt like the year flew by. At first, I got some shrugs – after all, it was the morning and some people were still blearyeyed – but then, the consensus among them was that, yes, the year really flew by. They’re taking finals and regents now, when just a few weeks ago, they were wondering if this school year would ever end.

Next week is Shavuos, and I feel as if Pesach was just yesterday. How could so many days have gone by without me even noticing?

But the truth is, we do observe the days going by. When we’re busy, we tend to become involved in the day-to-day minutiae and the obligations that need to be completed for each day. It seems like we’re in a revolving door of wake-up-go-to-work-doerrands-take-care-of-the-family-do-bedtime-go-to-sleep, and it’s then when the time seems to fly by.

But when we look back, and see all that has been accomplished over these past few months and weeks, we can understand that although the time has flown by, we have concretized those moments with the things we managed to take care of and achieve.

Sometimes, it’s the big things in life that

demonstrate how far we’ve come.

This year has, unfortunately, been a year filled with sorrow and heartache. But most of us have changed since October 7 in a formidable way. Whether it’s in a spiritual sense, connecting to our Creator on a deeper level, or it’s physically being there for others and helping our fellow Jews, there are many ways in which one can tally how they have changed over the past few months.

And then there are also the smaller ways in which we’ve made strides this year. Each person, in their own way, can see how they’ve changed in other ways, too, over the past months. Sometimes, it’s with regards to work, or relationships with family or friends, or within themselves – they see how this year has helped to make them into who they are.

From Pesach until Shavuos, we count the days, but, as the saying goes, we need to make sure that our days count. By looking back and examining the past few weeks, we can tally and determine how we have elevated and transformed our lives with our actions – both big and small – to become better, more whole individuals.

Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman, MANAGING EDITOR ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

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Dear Editor,

Prejudices and anti-Semitism do not die but hibernate. Witness the case of Spain. A country occupied for seven centuries by Islamic Moors now rushes to recognize a never existent Palestine that proudly boasts no Jews will be allowed in its areas.

Spain who ignominiously expelled Jews in 1492, now 532 years later, supports the expulsion of Jews again; now from large portions of the Land of Israel. How shocking!

Certainly, Jews who intends to visit Spain should reconsider their travel plans, as I am.

Sincerely,

Henry Moscovic

Dear Editor,

Permit me to belatedly question a puzzling incident related in your tribute to R’ Dov Wolowitz, z”l (May 9 issue).

The article states that one year, R’ Dov arrived to Lakewood several days after the start of the z’man. He had been implored to remain at a kiruv camp, where his talents literally saved the spiritual lives of the campers. R’ Dov’s kesher with the campers often led them to transfer from public school to yeshiva. With Elul arriving early that particular year, R’ Dov chose to stay at camp despite the fact that this made him arrive late to Lakewood.

According to the narrative, HaRav Aharon Kotler was incensed at R’ Dov’s choice. “A z’man is a z’man,” thundered Rav Aharon.

This does not square with halacha. It is clear that if one can save a physical life by missing yeshiva, he must miss yeshiva. How, then, can saving spiritual lives be any less valuable? We sometimes have to bypass what we want to do in favor of what Hashem wants us to do.

Further, the episode also does not correspond with a story that I heard from my

rebbe, HaRav Yechiel Perr, one of Rav Aharon’s finest talmidim. Rav Aharon once insisted that Rav Perr embark on a fundraising trip, despite the fact that it meant missing critical days of yeshiva. When my rebbe asked Rav Aharon why he had to go, the answer was: “Vayl du kenst, because you can,” that is, because Rav Aharon knew that this particular talmid possessed the requisite skill to successfully accomplish this particular mission, despite the fact that he would lose days of learning.

My rosh yeshiva told me that Rav Aharon would tell the bochurim: “I am not saying you should never close your Gemara, but I am saying that you should do so reluctantly.” This approach – valuing Torah study above all but knowing that in the real world, sometimes other tasks take priority – is a lesson I imbibed from my rebbe for half a century.

Given this contradiction, and knowing that Rav Aharon put infinite value on bringing Jews closer to Judaism, I can only surmise that something is missing from the story told by R’ Dov Wolowitz. I would be eager to hear a clarification from anyone with access to the facts of this encounter between R’ Dov and Rav Aharon. Avi Goldstein Far Rockaway, NY

Dear Editor,

There was a custom that existed in some shuls, going back some time, where they would put ostrich eggs on top of the Aron HaKodesh. It was based on the notion that the focused ostrich stare can cause the chicks to hatch, imparting the lesson that prayer to G-d must come with intense focus and concentration.

It may be posited as well, that prayer can help one reach the pinnacles of the Aron HaKodesh. This is based on the verse (Tehillim Continued on page 14

Continued from page 10 81:11), “…Open your mouth wide and I will fill it,” and the Gemara says this is going on Torah (Berachos 50a). It may be said that to reach the “page,” level of 50 in Berachos and surpass the highest level of 49, prayer is a necessary tool.

Besides the power of prayer by which to request to be filled with the greatest understanding of the Torah, there is certainly a level of hishtadlus to put in. No one says that a daf Gemara comes easy. My late relative, Rav Avrohom Genechovsky, zt”l, who had the Torah on his fingertips with a true love for the Torah, noted that to reach the sweetness of the Torah takes time. He says it can be bitter and difficult in the beginning, but once the initial barriers are broken, it’s pure beauty and song.

A key element to the Oral Law is the understanding of it. My uncle, Rabbi Genack, notes in his sefer that Rav Elchanan Wasserman was once talking in learning with the Griz, and Rav Elchanan said that maybe they should look inside the Gemara because of the idea that letters themselves bring wisdom. The Griz responded that such an idea only applies to the Written Law and not the Oral One. When it comes to the Written Law, even if you don’t understand the meaning of the words, one still gets rewarded for saying them. But when it comes to the Oral Law, saying the words brings no fulfillment of the mandate; the only way to fulfill its requirement is by understanding the meaning and concepts.

One piece of advice that the Chazon Ish gave to reach the depths of learning was quoted by Rav Avigdor Miller, zt”l. The Chazon Ish said to learn a piece of Gemara twelve times without looking at any of the Rishonim or Acharonim on the page, but rather to analyze it based on one’s own understanding. He said that by using this method a person will ultimately come to ask the same questions of the Rishonim and Acharonim. Rav Gustman, zt”l, was known to read the Gemara without first looking at Rashi and Tosafot in order to see the sugya through fresh eyes and come to his own understanding and questions before looking at the commentators.

The wonder of Shavuos is that it’s preceded by Bamidbar. In Bamidbar there’s a counting of all of Israel, cementing the notion that we are all individuals that are part of a nation. My first cousin, Rabbi Yaakov Nagen (Genack), notes that each person has their own letter in the Torah, and we are always changing and thus changing our letter. Most importantly though, as the Zohar says, “G-d, Israel, and the Torah are One,” which accentuates the idea that we need to mimic G-d and be a nation of one as well. Obviously, the potential is there, and we can merge

with G-d and His intellect through cleaving to focused prayer and learning in depth. Steven Genack

Dear Editor,

I feel compelled to respond to the first letter in the “Letters to the Editor” section of your most recent (5/30/24) issue, which was critical of my 5/23/24 letter. The criticism was made that “if you are going to write a letter setting forth strong political opinions, you should not be afraid to sign your name. Sending an anonymous letter lessens the impact of your argument.”

According to that logic, the content of an argument does not have merit on its own, but rather derives value solely from the person who makes the argument. If the person who wrote the 5/30/24 letter is influenced by superficialities rather than by substance, does that mean that he would, for example, purchase athletic equipment (such as a pair of sneakers) simply because it has been endorsed by a sports celebrity? Does it mean that he would purchase apparel or an accessory for a female relative simply because it is a brand-name item from a well-known designer? Does it mean that he gives credence to the opinions of the “talking heads” of the media simply because they are “television personalities,” rather than analyzing the content of their opinions?

The fact that a letter writer requests anonymity could mean nothing or could be on the basis of many different factors. For example, the letter that had appeared in the 5/23/24 issue which has been objected to because the writer was “Anonymous” could have originated from someone in the inner circle of “Jihad Joe” or “Schumer, the Schemer/Scammer” or “Nattering Nadler.” Or it could have originated from your next door neighbor even. Or anonymity may have been requested because what was important was the message itself, rather than the messenger (so that it was not necessary for the ego of the letter writer to be stoked by seeing their name in print).

One Who is impressed by the Content of a Letter, Rather than by the Name of the Letter Writer

P.S. These past few days, we see further evidence of the duplicity of Jihad Joe, the Traitor. This is the same Joe Biden who proclaimed publicly that the Iranian regime would never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, but now carries (heavy) water for the Iranians by reportedly seeking to prevent the British, French and Germans from even condemning Iran. No concrete action has been taken by the U.S. in the face of further uranium enrichment by Iran. Perhaps serious attempts at “regime change” in Iran would be a solution, but Jihad Joe, the Traitor, would likely not acquiesce in this.

A Jewish Female Mexican President

Claudia Sheinbaum, 61, won the Mexican presidential election this week, succeeding President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and becoming the country’s first Jewish president. Sheinbaum won around 58.3% to 60.7% of the vote, according to the National Electoral Institute’s president, with her Morena party keeping its majorities in both houses of Congress.

“I promise that I am not going to let you down,” said Sheinbaum, a scientist who is part of the same party as López Obrador, who was ineligible for reelection due to term limits. She will begin her six-year term on October 1. Mexican presidents are only allowed one term.

Sheinbaum’s main competitor, Xóchitl Gálvez, another woman, won around 26.6% to 28.6% of the vote, while Jorge Álvarez Máynez won somewhere between 9.9% to 10.8%.

“As I have said on other occasions, I do not arrive alone,” Sheinbaum said in her victory speech. “We all arrived, with our heroines who gave us our homeland, with our mothers, our daughters, and our granddaughters.”

“Of course, I congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum with all my respect who ended up the winner by a wide margin,” López Obrador said of his successor. “She is going to be Mexico’s first (female) president in 200 years.”

Gálvez, a former senator and tech entrepreneur, said in her concession speech, “I want to stress that my recognition [of Sheinbaum’s victory] comes with a firm demand for results and solutions to the country’s serious problems.”

Sheinbaum campaigned on continuing the policies of her predecessor, while Gálvez promised to address Mexico’s crime issue.

Sheinbaum is a Nobel Prize-winning

climate scientist who received her PhD in energy engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In 2000, she began a six-year term as the Secretary of Environment under López Obrador while he was Head of Government of Mexico City, a position similar to a mayor in the U.S. Sheinbaum also served as Head of Government of Mexico City, from 2018 to 2023, resigning to seek the Morena party’s nomination for president.

Around 100 million Mexican citizens are registered to vote. About 60% voted in the election.

Former Thai PM Indicted

Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister of Thailand, has been charged with violating the country’s strict lese majeste law. According to a statement issued by officials last week, Thaksin was indicted for insulting the monarchy during a 2015 interview with South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

Thaksin, 74, was the country’s prime minister from 2001 to 2006, when he was thrown out of office as part of a military coup. In August 2023, after spending fifteen years in self-imposed exile, Thaksin came back to Thailand. Upon his return, Thaksin was arrested and sentenced to eight years in jail for conflict of interest, abuse of power, and corruption, although his sentence was eventually decreased to one year in prison. In February, he was released on parole after spending six months in a police hospital.

Due to these new lese majeste charges, the former prime minister will have to appear in court before the Office of the Attorney General on June 18. Since the indictment, Thaksin has reiterated his support for the monarchy and has denied any wrongdoing.

Some suspect that Thaksin’s return was triggered by a deal he might have reached with Thailand’s conservative and pro-royalty establishment. However, Thaksin denies that theory and has insisted that he returned to Thailand to spend time with his family during his retirement.

Although Thaksin was well-liked among rural and working-class voters, conservatives and upper-class voters generally disliked him.

“The charge is politically driven; there’s no other way to put it,” said political science professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University. “They see him as a threat. He didn’t serve a day in jail which caused consternation because it was a double standard, and he wields influence over the Pheu Thai party in government.

“It’s an indictment and a reminder to Thaksin of who has real power in Thailand,” he added.

Thailand has, over the past few years, come under fire for its very strict lese majeste laws, which ban citizens from criticizing the king, queen, and heir apparent. Those who violate the rules can receive decades of prison time. Over the past few years, hundreds have been charged.

Thaksin’s return comes amid a time of great political division in Thailand.

ANC’s Big Losses

For the first time, the African National Congress (ANC) party of South Africa

failed to win an outright majority in the recent elections. Having won 40% of the vote last week, down from 57% in 2019, the ANC will have to form a coalition with another political party in order to stay in power.

The ANC, the party of Nelson Mandela, has won an outright majority in every election since South Africa broke free of apartheid thirty years ago. Despite the country’s freedom from the white minority’s control, South Africa is still an imbalanced country with high unemployment, rising crime rates, water and electricity shortages, and government corruption.

“The ANC has in some ways imploded in the form of its former president, Jacob Zuma. The rise of the MK is certainly the biggest story of this election,” noted Tessa Dooms , a director at South Africa’s Rivonia Circle think tank.

Jacob Zuma, an eighty-two-year-old

convicted former ANC leader, recently formed the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which won around 15% in the elections, making it the country’s third-largest party. Zuma was president until 2018 when he was forced to resign amid corruption allegations. In 2021, Zuma was convicted of corruption after he failed to present himself in front of the court. Zuma has alleged that President Cyril Ramaphosa is responsible for his convictions. Although his convictions ban him from running for president, he still possesses a great deal of political power.

Now, the ANC is considering the prospect of forming a coalition with the MK party. However, Duduzile Sambudla, an MK member and the daughter of Zuma, has indicated that although her party could potentially form a coalition with the ANC, “the MK is not willing to go into a coalition with the ANC of Ramaphosa.”

“I think the ANC suddenly having to be accountable rather than having majority after majority will be an exceptionally good thing for South Africa,” opined Professor David Everett at Wits School of Governance.

Everett explained, “There are two factions in the ANC. The one led by President Ramaphosa is much more concerned with the state of the economy and

quite likely to look to the Democratic

ance,” a white-minority opposition party which won around 22% of the vote. The ANC could also form a coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters, a radical left-wing party that is also led by a former ANC leader, Julius Malema.

“To go into a coalition with your sworn enemies in the EFF and MK, you are asking for politics to dominate everything, as they try to wreck the ANC even more and take it over,” Everett said.

Up until now, a coalition government has never existed in South Africa’s federal government.

Iceland’s New President

Halla Tomasdottir was declared the winner of Iceland’s presidential election

on Sunday, beating former prime minister Katrin Jakobsdottir whom critics said was too political for the post.

Tomasdottir is the CEO of The B Team, a global non-profit co-founded by UK business tycoon Richard Branson to promote business practices focused on humanity and the climate. She is also the founder of Audur Capital, an investment firm created in 2007 aimed at promoting feminine values in the financial sector.

The role of president in Iceland is largely ceremonial, acting as a guarantor of the constitution and national unity. The president does have the power to veto legislation or submit it to a referendum.

Tomasdottir, who came second in an earlier bid for the presidency in 2016, received much broader support than opinion polls had suggested in the run-up to this year’s vote.

Tomasdottir is set to be the second woman to serve as Iceland’s president in a country of 380,000 people.

Whale Hunting In Japan

Kyodo Senpaku, the company of Japanese whale fanatic Hideki Tokoro, has

constructed and released its newest $48 million whale-hunting “mothership,” the Kangei Maru, which will succeed its predecessor, the Nisshin Maru, a controversial boat that anti-whaling activists have described as a “floating slaughterhouse.”

Built with advanced drones meant to kill whales, the Kangei Maru is larger, faster, and more capable than the Nisshin Maru, with Tokoro’s new ship possessing the ability to travel long distances and for long periods.

“Whales are at the top of the food chain. They compete with humans by eating marine creatures that should be feeding other fish,” said Tokoro. “We need to cull whales to keep the balance of the ecosystem – it’s our job and mission to protect oceans for the future.”

Some activists and marine conservation groups disagree with Tokoro’s statements and say that whales help protect

the environment.

“Whales are not just consumers in ocean ecosystems. They recycle a ton of nutrients into the environment which helps stimulate plant-life growth,” said Ari Friedlaender, a marine ecologist. “Humans have a very long history of killing whales and have not done a good job of being able to sustainably harvest animals. There is no way to sustainably harvest a wild animal like that.”

Whale hunting has been illegal since 1986 when the International Whaling Commission (IWC) enacted an international ban on whaling, in an attempt to prevent whales from going extinct. However, Japan, Norway, and Iceland rejected the ban and have continued whale hunting. While Ireland has pledged to stop whale hunting this year, Japan and Norway continue to this very day.

Since 1986, Japan has claimed it allows whaling for “scientific research.” In 2018, Japan left the IWC after the organization refused to permit the East Asian country to continue commercial whale hunting. Currently, Japan permits its citizens to hunt three species of whales, including sei whales, minke whales, and Bryde’s whales, and is expected to also allow fin whale hunting soon.

“Japan is no longer party to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and can argue that it is no longer bound by provisions and constraints,” noted Australian National University international law professor Donald Rothwell. “Within its waters, it has the absolute authority to control the management of living resources – and that includes whales.”

Some are concerned that Japan will try to hunt whales in Antarctica’s Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, which would be illegal under international law.

“Commercial whaling is not profitable,” Tokoro said, rejecting concerns that the Kangei Maru will be used to hunt whales in the Antarctic. “It will take 50 days to get to the Antarctic and back, and we are not confident we can make a profit by paying the wages of employees and fuel for 50 days. However, I will go only when the government orders me to go… Until then, I will not go commercial whaling at all.”

Whale meat is an uncommon delicacy in many places.

China Lands on the Moon

China successfully landed a lunar lander on the far side of the moon Sun-

day morning, the country’s space agency announced, taking the mission one step closer to bringing back the first sample from the part of the moon that earthlings never see.

The Chang’e-6 unmanned probe touched down on the moon’s South Pole-Aitken basin at 6:23 a.m., China’s National Space Administration said in a statement.

The agency released a video taken by the landing camera as the probe touched down. In the video, the surface of the moon, pockmarked with craters, gets closer and closer as the lander descends.

Chang’e-6 is the second mission to have touched down on the far side of the moon. Its predecessor, Chang’e-4, made history as the first to do so in 2019.

The far side of the moon is distinct from the near side, where the United States, China and what was then the Soviet Union have gathered samples. It has a thicker crust, more craters and fewer maria, or plains where lava once flowed. It’s unclear why the two sides of the moon are so different; the samples collected by Chang’e-6 could provide some clues.

The South Pole-Aitken basin, a massive impact crater about 1,600 miles wide, is among the largest in the history of the solar system. That material, if it can be retrieved, could help scientists learn more about the history of the moon’s insides.

Chang’e-6 lifted off on May 3 from the Wenchang space site on Hainan Island in southern China. It reached the moon on May 8, China’s space agency said, and orbited it for several weeks before touching down. The descent took about 14 minutes, and the probe used cameras and 3-D laser scanning to avoid obstacles as it landed, the agency said.

The probe will collect samples for about two days, gathering rocks and soil from the lunar surface and also drilling down into the ground to collect subsurface samples, the agency said. (© The New York Times)

Modi Declares Victory

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narenda Modi declared victory in India’s general election. Although Modi clinched another term, his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may not win an outright majority, forcing the party to form a coalition to form a government.

Before votes were counted, Modi and the BJP were hoping for a supermajority of 400 seats in the 543-seat lower house of parliament.

Once the vote count got underway, it became clear that an alliance of opposition parties had performed better than some analysts expected.

Modi called this year’s election results “historical” on a post on X.

Early results suggest that Modi’s BJP

may have to rely on coalition partners to form a government. Those partners include dozens of right-wing parties from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a BJP-led group that has been in power since his first election in 2014. Without a supermajority, BJP will not be able to change the constitution, something that opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said voters had decided against. Critics had feared the supermajority would give Modi an unstoppable mandate to further enshrine his Hindu-nationalist agenda, deepening India’s move away from its secular foundations. He had been using Islamophobic language during the election campaign, making Indian Muslims nervous.

Commenting on gains made by opposition candidates in the bellwether state of Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi said the public “has done a miracle…looking at the attack on the constitution and democracy. They protected the constitution.”

No Wealth Flaunting in China

Last month, China’s Cyberspace Administration, the national internet reg-

ulator, announced a campaign against influencers who “create a ‘wealth-flaunting’ persona, deliberately showcasing a luxurious life built on money, in order to attract followers and traffic.”

Last week, Wang Hongquan was a target of that crackdown. The influencer had claimed that he owned seven properties in Beijing and that he never left the house in an outfit worth less than 10 million yuan ($1.38 million). He would post videos of his numerous maids, Hermes handbags, and expensive sports cars. But on Tuesday, his account on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, was inaccessible to his 4.3 million followers. Searches returned an error message saying it had been blocked “due to violations of Douyin’s community guidelines.”

The Douyin accounts of other online influencers who posted similar content, such as Bo Gongzi (Young Wealthy Lord Bai), with 2.9 million followers, and Baoyu Jiajie (Abalone Sister), with 2.3 million followers, were also blocked.

This is not the first time that Chinese authorities have tried to police what goes on online to combat social trends. In 2022, officials issued a “code of conduct” prohibiting livestream anchors from “displaying or hyping a large number of luxury goods, jewelry, cash and other assets.”

A PM for Haiti

Amid the violence and chaos that has engulfed the nation, Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council tapped former Prime Minister Garry Conille to return to the position during the government’s transition period, council president Edgard Leblanc Fils said last week.

Conille was chosen by consensus after the council conducted hearings of candidates.

Conille briefly served as prime minister from 2011 to 2012 during the presidency of Michel Martelly. He is currently the UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

His appointment is a key step in the reconstruction of Haiti’s government, following the ouster of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry earlier this year. The new prime minister and the nine-member council must also select a cabinet and eventually lead Haiti to new elections.

Since February, gangs have taken over cities and roads. The international airport in Port-au-Prince had been shut down for months, along with the seaport, breaking vital supply lines for food and aid. Swarms of foreign nationals raced to leave the country once the violence ensued.

The violence erupted while Henry was in Kenya to secure its commitment to a multinational security mission meant to bolster Haiti’s national police. But the then-leader was unable to return to the country amid the bloodshed, and ultimately announced his resignation in March.

The inauguration of the CARICOM-backed presidential council in April has since allowed Haiti to resume planning for the much-delayed foreign mission. That foreign mission, led by Kenya, is now expected to arrive sometime in June.

Port-au-Prince remains largely cut off from the outside world. Across the nation, nearly 5 million people in Haiti are suffering from acute food insecurity and are suffering from the trauma of violence.

Amnesty for Separatists in Spain

Spain’s parliament approved a landmark law Thursday that grants amnesty to Catalan separatists involved in the illegal October 2017 independence referendum, a reprieve that could apply to hundreds of people, including Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan leader who has been living in self-imposed exile

for seven years.

The measure had met with resistance from opposition parties in recent months and led to widespread anger and huge demonstrations in cities around Spain, with opponents denouncing it as a ploy by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to remain in power. Sánchez brokered the amnesty deal with the Catalan separatist party Together for Catalonia after his own party fell short of a majority in July’s general elections.

Cries of “traitor” could be heard from several lawmakers in parliament when Sánchez cast his vote on Thursday.

Spain’s judges now have two months to apply the new law, although its opponents vowed to continue trying to block it. Some argue that the measure violates the constitution’s principle of equality because it is unfair to other people facing legal proceedings.

The regional president of Madrid, Isabel Ayuso, said in a radio interview Thursday that her government would take steps to hinder implementation of the new law and present an appeal on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.

Pablo Simón, a political scientist at Carlos III University in Madrid, said that judges could also bring legal challenges if they considered granting general legal

amnesty to be discriminatory.

“Each judge has different criteria,” Simón said, adding that they could also appeal for intervention from the European Court of Justice “if they consider that giving a general legal pardon is discriminatory,” in which case, “the law could be paralyzed.”

The amnesty law applies to people involved in the Catalan independence movement, which came to a head in October 2017, when the region’s separatist government, led by Puigdemont, ignored Spanish court orders and moved ahead with a referendum.

Although Sánchez’s government has already granted pardons to the political leaders and activists who were jailed, the amnesty goes a step further. It will dismiss cases against people who are facing prosecution on a wide range of charges, including misuse of public funds to finance the 2017 referendum; civil disobedience; and resisting authority by participating in riots that prevented Spanish law enforcement from gathering evidence.

The only exceptions to the new amnesty legislation are cases relating to terrorism. (© The New York Times)

The Maldives Bans Israelis

The Maldives announced this week that it will ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country due to the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The presidential office of the Indian Ocean island nation, known for its luxurious resorts and endless white sand beaches, made the announcement on Sunday.

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu resolved to impose the ban following a recommendation from the cabinet, according to a press release.

The country’s laws will be amended, and a cabinet subcommittee will be established to oversee the efforts.

Following news of the ban, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended Israelis avoid travel to the island and “for Israeli citizens staying in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help.”

Muizzu said that he is appointing a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs and is setting up a fundraiser to “assist our brothers and sisters in Palestine” with UNRWA. He will also conduct a nationwide rally under the slogan “Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin,” which means “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”

“Together with the government and people of Maldives, I call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to violence and unhindered humanitarian access,” Muizzu posted on X last week.

Around 515,000 people live in The Maldives, the smallest country in Asia. It is the smallest Muslim-majority country by land area and is the ninth-smallest country in the world by area.

Less Hate in Saudi Schools

According to a study published last week by IMPACT-se, which monitors educational curricula in the Middle East, school textbooks in Saudi Arabia are increasingly portraying Israel and Zionism in a more positive light.

Textbooks for the 2023-2024 school year no longer teach that Zionism is a “racist” European movement and no longer deny the historical Jewish presence in the region.

“It’s a small step that shows a change of narrative towards Israel and showcases more tolerance and openness,” said Nimrod Goren, who heads Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.

It also does not call Israel an “enemy state,” although there are references to the “Israeli occupation.” The curriculum is fully committed to the Palestinian cause.

When it comes to maps, the word “Israel” is not there. At the same time, the name “Palestine,” which previously covered the entirety of Israeli territory, has now been removed, the report highlights.

“It indicates that if the Saudis are heading towards normalization, they are doing it all in line with the model of the UAE and Bahrain,” Goren explained, referencing diplomatic ties established with the two Gulf monarchies in the framework of the Abraham Accords in 2020. Goren is also a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington.

He notes that prior to the Abraham Accords, the UAE and Bahrain both gradually moved towards tolerance for the Jewish state, leading to a “warm peace” and cultural cooperation between Israel and those two states.

Saudi Arabia’s gradual opening began about a decade ago, Goren said. “The process resembles what the UAE and Bahrain were doing in the decade before the Abraham Accords, a very slow, gradual move that reflects tolerance and normalization of engagement, making it a more routine in terms of public perception,” he said.

“The UAE, for example, very much

32 played the card of religious tolerance, with the construction of the Abrahamic Family House,” Goren added, referencing a building encompassing a mosque, a church and a synagogue in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi inaugurated in 2023. “That was an easy entry point to showcase a better perception of Israelis and Jews.”

Saudi textbooks now do not espouse blatant antisemitism. In the past, students in Saudi Arabia were immersed in hate and incitement in their schoolbooks.

“Examples which have since been removed included the characterization of Jews as treacherous individuals, and Qur’anic verses teaching that Jews turned into monkeys.”

Yedidya Azugi, HY”D

Since the start of Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza, 292 Israeli soldiers have been tragically killed. The latest casualty took place on Thursday when 21-year-old Staff Sgt. Yedidya Azugi was murdered while engaging in combat with Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip. Azugi was from Revava and fought in the Paratrooper Brigade’s 101st Battalion.

According to the Israel Defense Forc-

es, 300 terrorists have been eliminated since Israel’s recent expansion into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza which is Hamas’s final stronghold. Fighting has also been taking place in the north of the Strip, including in Jabaliya, where terror operatives and weapons have been found.

On the same day that Azugi was killed, the IDF conducted more than fifty airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip, which killed two terrorists who were stationed in a building in northern Gaza. An arms cache was also found in central Gaza.

In Rafah, the IDF has found explosives, anti-tank missile launches, uncovered tunnel shafts, an ammunition depot, and more, according to a statement issued by the army on Thursday. On that same day, terrorists fired rockets at Nirim, triggering alarms. According to Army Radio, one projectile landed in an uninhabited area near Israel’s southern border.

Last Tuesday, three soldiers were killed in a booby-trapped Rafah tunnel shaft.

Although the United States has been critical of Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza, the U.S. has yet to complain about Israel’s seizing of the Philadelphi Route on the Gaza-Egypt border.

“When [Israel] briefed us on their plans for Rafah, it did include moving along that corridor and out of the city proper to put pressure on Hamas in the city,” said John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, adding that he doesn’t know whether the entire route was captured but is nonetheless maintaining that Israel’s operation, thus far, is limited in scope.

2 Soldiers Die in Car Ramming

Last Thursday, Staff Sgt. Eliya Hilel, 20, and Staff Sgt. Diego Shvisha Harsaj, 20, died after suffering severe wounds from a car ramming attack that took place near Nablus.

Both were infantrymen in the Kfir Brigade’s Nahshon Battalion.

Following the attack, which occurred near Itamar at one of the entrances to Nablus, the IDF said it launched a manhunt for the suspect, with a large number of forces involved in the pursuit. The terrorist had turned himself over to the Palestinian Authority’s security forces, after fleeing into Nablus.

Local leader Yossi Dagan decried the attack, saying the terrorist should not have been able to escape “unhindered” into PA territory.

“I again call on the government to continue with full force in carrying out offensive operations in villages to locate terrorists and gather weapons,” he said in a statement.

The attack came hours after Hamas terrorists in the West Bank opened fire at a nearby Israeli town.

Since Hamas’s massacre on October 7, IDF troops have arrested more than 4,000 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including more than 1,700 affiliated with Hamas. According to the

4 Hostages Declared Dead

According to the IDF, Chaim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Nadav Popplewell are no longer alive. The four men had been kidnapped on October 7.

The IDF said that they told the families of the men “who were brutally abducted to the Gaza Strip on October 7, that they are no longer alive and that their bodies are held by the Hamas terrorist organization.”

The decision to pronounce them dead was based on intelligence and was confirmed by a Ministry of Health expert committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Religious Services and the Chief Rabbi of Israel.

Chief spokesperson for the IDF, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said, “Their loved ones were killed a few months ago during Hamas captivity in Gaza, and their bodies are still being held by Hamas. We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during an operation there against Hamas.”

In May, Hamas said Popplewell, an Israeli-British citizen, had died from wounds following a strike by Israeli fighter jets on his place of detention over a month earlier.

Hamas kidnapped more than 250 people on October 7. Of the 120 who are still being held in captivity, Israel believes that 41 are dead.

Nadav Popplewell, 51, had been kidnapped from his home’s safe room in Kibbutz Nirim, along with his mother, Channa Peri, who has since been released. His older brother, Roy, was murdered on October 7.

Amiram Cooper, 84, was one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was kidnapped together with his wife, Nurit, who was released from Hamas captivity after 17 days.

Yoram Metzger, 80, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was kidnapped from his home along with his wife, Tamar, who was released

36 from Hamas captivity after 53 days. He was one of the founders of the Nir Oz Winery.

Chaim Peri, 80, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was kidnapped from the safe room in his home while protecting his wife. He had taught at schools in the area and at Sapir college. He was also one of the founders of the Nir Oz Winery.

Iran Behind Attacks On Israel Embassies

Iran is responsible for organizing several terrorist attacks on Israeli embassies in Europe which were carried out by criminal networks, the Mossad said last week in a report that was later corroborated by Sweden’s Säpo security service.

Daniel Stenling, the head of Säpo

counterintelligence, has warned that future Iran-orchestrated attacks on Swedish soil are very likely.

Earlier this year, an explosive – likely a hand grenade – was discovered in the Israeli embassy in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, forcing the Swedish national bomb squad to destroy the explosive device. Authorities later determined that the attack was carried out by Sweden’s Foxtrot crime group, which, according to the Mossad, attacked at Iran’s command.

Israel has accused Rawa Majid, the leader of Foxtrot, of collaborating with Iran for several months. Majid, who is nicknamed “the Kurdish Fox,” escaped from Turkey to Iran in September 2023 to flee international law enforcement and Iraqi security forces.

On May 17, the Rumba crime ring, led by Ismail Abdo, targeted Sweden’s Israeli embassy in another attack ordered by Iran.

“Iran operates many criminal organizations in Sweden and Europe in general while taking advantage of the relative advantage of each and sometimes the rivalry between them,” the Mossad said, adding that Iran provides funding and orders to Foxtrot and Rumba, two crime groups that have been scrutinized by European intelligence agencies.

“Iran has previously used violence in

other countries in Europe with the aim of silencing critical voices and perceived threats to its own regime,” Säpo stated.

“To carry out these security-threatening activities, the Iranian regime has on occasion made use of criminal networks.”

The agency added, “The security police can confirm that this also happens in Sweden. In Sweden, the Security Police has in recent years dealt with several concrete cases where assassination plans linked to Iranian security services were averted, where, among other things, criminal networks were used as proxies.”

Dolev Yehud, HY”D

Israeli officials initially thought that Dolev Yehud, a 35-year-old volunteer medic, had been kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. However, on Monday, the IDF confirmed that Dolev was tragically murdered during the massacre, with his body just recently being identified in Israel.

Dolev, who worked as a volunteer with Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah, lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz with his wife Sigal and their children, seven-yearold Raz, six-year-old Yotam, and fouryear-old Ron. On October 16, Dolev’s wife gave birth to a baby girl, whom she named Dor.

Dolev died a hero, trying to protect his kibbutz from the terrorists.

“He told me to stay in the safe room, to be calm,” his wife said of him. “He asked me to stay calm and try to work on my breathing as much as I can.”

Dolev’s 28-year-old sister, Arbel Yehud, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 and has been held captive in Gaza ever since.

According to the founder and head of United Hatzalah, Eli Beer, Dolev was someone who “always acted for the sake of others and provided aid and assistance to all, even people he did not know.” His family and friends described Dolev as a fan of comedy whose favorite Jewish holiday was Purim.

Of the 251 people who were kidnapped on October 7, 120 remain in the Gaza Strip. On the day of the massacre, when Hamas invaded southern Israel, the terror group murdered more than 1,200 people.

Iranian Military Advisor Killed

Saeed Abiyar, an advisor to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Syria, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Syrian city of Aleppo early Monday morning.

Israel has not commented on the killing.

Abiyar is the first member of the IRGC to be reported killed by Israel since April, when Israel is suspected to have bombed the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus, killing several commanders, including the top IRGC commander in charge of relations with Syria and Lebanon.

The Islamic Republic retaliated to that attack by launching a barrage of drones and missiles toward Israel, most of which were intercepted. Israel fired back, targeting a major Iranian military airbase near the city of Isfahan.

Iran has deployed military advisors to Syria in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since civil war broke out there in 2011.

Former President Ebrahim Raisi was killed last month in a helicopter crash along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials. Iran is now in the process of electing a new leader.

Dr. Pepper is Second Best

Which do you prefer: Coke or Pepsi? It turns out that Coke is the top soda in the United States. But now, Pepsi, which used to be in second place, has been overtaken by Dr Pepper.

Dr Pepper inched ahead of Pepsi as the number two soda brand in the country in 2023, according to market share data from Beverage Digest, a trade publication.

Coke doesn’t need to be too concerned

38 by the competition. Last year, the brand took 19.2% of the soda market in the U.S. by volume. Dr Pepper and Pepsi both had 8.3%, with Dr Pepper technically ahead. After that came other brands owned by Coca-Cola: Sprite came in at 8.1% and Diet Coke at 7.8%.

Founded in 1885 in Waco, Texas, Dr Pepper preceded both Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Although Coca-Cola and Pepsi dominated the fizzy drink market in the 20th century, Dr Pepper had a small but devoted following in the South. In the 1970s, it marketed itself to a national audience as a unique flavor. Over the years, it has gained traction with a national audience.

Today, Dr Pepper is experimenting with new flavors. The brand introduced Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream last year, which was a “standout success.” It has also rolled out trendy limited-time flavors, like Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut.

It’s possible that Pepsi wasn’t focused on beating Dr Pepper in the market because it was concerned with building its other brands. Unlike Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper, Pepsico has a massive food business — its sprawling portfolio includes Quaker, Frito-Lay and more. And when it comes to beverages, it seems to be focused on its zero sugar lines rather than classic Pepsi.

Dementia Delinquencies

Long before people develop dementia, they often begin falling behind on mortgage payments, credit card bills and other financial obligations, new research shows.

A team of economists and medical experts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New

York and Georgetown University combined Medicare records with data from Equifax, the credit bureau, to study how people’s borrowing behavior changed in the years before and after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a similar disorder.

What they found was striking: Credit scores among people who later develop dementia begin falling sharply long before their disease is formally identified. A year before diagnosis, these people were 17.2% more likely to be delinquent on their mortgage payments than before the onset of the disease, and 34.3% more likely to be delinquent on their credit card bills. The issues start even earlier: The study finds evidence of people falling behind on their debts five years before diagnosis.

“The results are striking in both their clarity and their consistency,” said Carole Roan Gresenz, a Georgetown University economist who was one of the study’s authors. Credit scores and delinquencies, she said, “consistently worsen over time as diagnosis approaches, and so it literally mirrors the changes in cognitive decline that we’re observing.”

The research adds to a growing body of work documenting what many Alzheimer’s patients and their families already know: Decision-making, including on financial matters, can begin to deteriorate long before a diagnosis is made or even suspected. People who are starting to experience cognitive decline may miss payments, make impulsive purchases, or put money into risky investments they would not have considered before the disease.

The problems are likely to only grow as the American population ages and more people develop dementia. The New York Fed study estimates that roughly 600,000 delinquencies will occur over the next decade as a result of undiagnosed memory disorders.

That probably understates the impact, the researchers argue. Their data includes only issues that show up on credit reports, not the much broader array of financial impacts the diseases can cause.

(© The New York Times)

Atlanta’s Water Troubles

On Friday, two water main breaks erupted in Atlanta, leaving the city with disruptions in its water service. Many of the pipes in the Southern city are around a century old. One of the pipes that failed was installed in 1910, while another dated to 1930.

For the next few days, residents were

told to boil their water and the city was under a water state of emergency.

“What we have found, in digging and digging and digging and looking at pipes, we are repairing pipes from 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and our infrastructure is crumbling,” Atlanta Chief Operating Officer LaChandra Burks said at a Monday afternoon city council meeting.

The breaks and repairs left parts of the city without water, forcing businesses to temporarily close, including the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola. Some events had to be cancelled.

City officials plan to partner with federal teams to assess how to improve the city’s infrastructure. These improvements will not prevent water main breaks, but they will allow for quicker repairs.

By Monday, the boil water advisory was lifted, although schools were closed.

Atlanta is not alone in needing to deal with crumbing infrastructure. In the United States and Canada, around 260,000 water main breaks cost $2.6 billion each year, according to a December 2023 study from Utah State University. Most water mains seem to fail after around 53 years; 33% of U.S. and Canadian water mains are over 50 years old.

Manchin Leaves Dem Party

Senator Joe Manchin of Virginia officially left the Democrat Party last week, registering as an independent. On Monday, he clarified that he is “not running for any office.”

“I’m not running for any office, political office. I’ve been very clear about that,” he reiterated, insisting that his decision to become an independent had nothing to do with running for Senate or governor

ahead of the August 1 filing deadline.

He added, “I have not – I never leave any, you never leave any political opportunity and walk away from that, so you always have options, because life is full of surprises. But I have no intention of running for political office.”

Manchin announced last year that he will not be seeking reelection.

He explained that he decided to become an independent now so he could “have time under [his] belt” with the in-

dependent label before he leaves the Senate, noting that having the letter “D” by his name had become “toxic” in his home state, which President Donald Trump carried by nearly 40 points in 2020.

“It’s hard to go back home with the brands being so toxic as they are. My state’s flipped so much as it has, even having a D brand — knowing that Joe is just Joe Manchin from West Virginia, they don’t look at me as a Democrat or a Republican — but on that, by hav-

didn’t seem too surprised at his switch of political affiliations, adding that President Biden “understood” why he made this choice.

“I explained the dynamics of my state and the people I represent do not connect today with the Democratic Party and especially the policies of the National Democrat Party,” he said.

Manchin has not made clear who he will vote for in November. He added that he hopes that Biden moves more toward the political center.

“Right now I want to see, I want to see the Joe Biden I’ve known for 37 years come back to where the Joe Biden had started from: always in the center, center-left, maybe, but always in the center to make a deal. I think he’s been pulled too far by his staff to the far left. And I’m hoping and praying I can push him back.”

Biden Needs Young Voters

According to a recent poll by NPR/ PBS NewsHour/Marist, President Joe Biden could have a problem when it comes to young voters.

Biden leads former President Donald Trump by 4 points with voters under 45 in a head-to-head matchup. But when third party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West and Jill Stein are included, Trump jumps 8 points ahead of Biden in the age group.

The trend is true when broken down by Gen Z and Millennials as well, with Biden leading Trump by 6 points in a head-to-head matchup but losing ground once other candidates are included.

Gen Z and Millennials are also the least likely to say that they are “definitely” voting in the presidential election.

ing a D brand, they still label you and it makes it a little bit more challenging to get through,” he said.

“I’ve been thinking and planning this for a long time. I thought the time was right, now as I’m going to transition into private life, I wanted to make sure I could be an honest broker. And say, ‘Oh, he just did it because you’re moving into something else.’ No, I did it while I’m still a senator.”

Manchin noted that his colleagues

Young voters are concerned with Biden’s views on the economy and immigration, despite Biden eliminating large amounts of student debt in an effort to woo young voters.

“Where they end up is a question still,” Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, noted. “This is the unsatisfied, unattached, disliking-of-the-candidates group. So it’s not that they’re racing to Trump; they’re just

not where Biden’s had this group in the past.”

Still, Biden may not have to be so concerned. In general, third party candidates poll higher prior to elections than they perform on Election Day.

Thursday’s poll shows that the presidential race remains close, with Biden at 50% among registered voters nationally and Trump at 48%. The numbers are unchanged from early May, suggesting that Trump’s ongoing trial hadn’t changed opinions.

FBI Takes on Zombie Computers

Last week, the FBI announced that it had dismantled a huge network of zombie computer devices which were used for cybercrimes in an operation dubbed Operation Tunnel Rat.

The world’s largest botnet, spread across 190 countries, included an army of 19 million infected computers that were leased to hackers for cybercrimes.

The network enabled financial fraud, identity theft and access to child exploitation materials around the world, according to a statement issued on Wednesday

by

FBI Director Christopher Wray. Other violations tied to the botnet included bomb threats and cyberattacks, likely leading to billions of dollars in victim losses, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.

The botnet was tied to more than 613,000 IP addresses located in the U.S., authorities said. Botnets are created when cybercriminals install malware on computers or other connected devices and harness them for nefarious activities, creating a zombie army of devices whose owners are usually unaware of what is happening.

Law enforcement seized internet equipment and assets, and levied sanctions against the alleged administrator of the botnet, YunHe Wang, as well as co-conspirators.

Wang, a Chinese citizen, was arrested in Singapore on May 24, charged in con-

nection with allegedly deploying malware and creating and operating a residential proxy service known as “911 S5.” He is awaiting extradition.

Authorities also seized luxury goods including expensive cars and watches worth $4 million, as well as more than $29 million in cryptocurrency and about $30 million in real estate in Singapore, Thailand, Dubai and elsewhere, plus 22 domains.

The scheme began in 2014. Millions of compromised residential Windows computers were used. Wang amassed millions of dollars by offering cybercriminals access to these infected IP addresses for a fee.

Residential IP addresses became compromised when users downloaded certain free software or virtual private network apps, which unknowingly contained malware associated with the botnet onto their devices.

SCOTUS Rules in Favor of NRA

In a unanimous Supreme Court decision authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Thursday, the court ruled that the National Rifle Association (NRA) “plausibly alleged that [then-New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria T.] Vullo violated the First Amendment by coercing DFS-regulated entities to terminate their business relationships with the NRA in order to punish or suppress the NRA’s advocacy.” In other words, the NRA might be correct in accusing Vullo, the DFS Superintendent, of threatening to blacklist the organization if it exercises its power of free speech.

“The judgment of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is vacated, and the case remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion,” the Supreme Court declared. The second circuit had previously dismissed the case.

“Six decades ago, this Court held that a government entity’s ‘threat of invoking legal sanctions and other means of coercion’ against a third party ‘to achieve the suppression’ of disfavored speech violates the First Amendment,” the court added.

According to the NRA, Vullo, under the command of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, manipulated banks and insurers into cutting off ties with the rifle organization. Vullo allegedly made “backroom threats” against those who wouldn’t sever ties with the NRA and promised leniency and proper treatment for those who would. The NRA filed a lawsuit in 2018 to find out whether it’s legal for a government regulator to issue regulatory threats against regulated entities for dealing with a controversial speaker.

“As superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, Vullo allegedly pressured regulated entities to help her stifle the NRA’s pro-gun advocacy by threatening enforcement actions against those entities that refused to disassociate from the NRA and other gun-promotion advocacy groups,” the court said on Thursday.

Trump Trial Ends

Former president and current GOP presumptive nominee Donald Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records last week.

Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11. As of now, it is unclear whether prosecutors would seek a prison sentence for Trump or if he would just be punished with a fine or probation. Trump is not able to appeal the verdict until after the sentencing.

Despite his conviction, Trump can continue running for president. It is currently unclear how much his conviction could sway the 2024 presidential election, but according to an ABC News/ Ipsos poll, just 4% of Trump supporters said they wouldn’t support him if he’s convicted of a felony, while 16% said they would reconsider their backing of the former president if he’s convicted.

If he is placed under house arrest, Trump would continue doing rallies and campaign events, albeit virtually, according to his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. Either way, Trump will most likely challenge the conviction by appealing to higher courts, such as the Supreme Court.

Trump has asserted that the trial was “‘rigged” and has condemned the judge and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin

44 Bragg for promoting what the former president calls a political witch hunt. The defense took issue with Judge Juan M. Merchan’s ties with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, both of whom were clients at the judge’s daughter’s firm. However, Merchan insisted that he has the “ability to be fair and impartial.” Additionally, Trump was bothered by the gag order that prohibited him from discussing certain individuals who were relevant to the case.

Kick Back and Relax

Study Finds recently published a ranking of the top five most relaxing cities in the United States. So, where should you go if you want to chill? In the top spot is Minneapolis,

Minnesota, where the average salary is higher than the national average and the cost of living is two percent lower than the average in metropolitan areas. The job market is steady, but not too demanding, and, according to FinanceBuzz, 73% percent of Minneapolis residents sleep seven or more hours each night. Yoga is very popular in Minneapolis, where there are plenty of yoga studios.

The second most relaxed U.S. city is Madison, Wisconsin. Surrounded by lakes and filled with engaging activities and events, Madison, the state’s fastest-growing city, is home to about 300,000 people. Madison, when compared to America’s 100 biggest cities, has the most amount of public parks per capita. Additionally, Wisconsin’s public school system is considered the 11th best in the United States.

In third place is Irvine, California, which is less than an hour away from Los Angeles. Residents of Irvine tend to work fewer than thirty-nine hours per week, while 23% of Irvine workers work from home. The city’s air quality and sunshine are also fantastic.

Boulder, Colorado, nabbed the fourth spot, providing an incredible experience to hikers, cyclists, and rock climbers. The city is quiet, and its air is clean; the clos-

est airport is fifty miles away.

The fifth most relaxed city in the U.S., according to the ranking, is Portland, Oregon, which boasts the country’s tenth lowest poverty rate. Many professional jobs are available in the city, with many residents working remotely. Additionally, a large percentage of people who live in Portland get seven or more hours of sleep at night. Hiking trails, lakes, and music venues are popular destinations for some of Portland’s half-a-million residents.

WAPO Editor Leaves

On Sunday, minutes after Will Lewis, CEO of The Washington Post, informed employees that the newspaper’s executive editor, Sally Buzbee, was being replaced, managers gathered on a conference call to hear from her one last time.

Buzbee told them that a new organizational structure created by Lewis — effectively splitting the Post newsroom and opinion section into three smaller divisions — didn’t work for her. She added that Lewis was pushing for aggressive moves to turn around the Post and asked editors to reserve judgment for now.

The stunning call added to the growing tension between the newsroom and Lewis, who has set about remaking the Post since he started in January.

When Lewis revealed his plan to separate the Post’s newsroom into segments, he said Buzbee could run one of them, according to a person with knowledge of the interactions. Buzbee chafed at the idea, according to two people familiar with her thinking.

The reorganization would have been an effective demotion for Buzbee, who had been in charge of all news content.

The structure adds a division focused on service and social media journalism under the supervision of a new editor, which would have pulled a large portion of the Post’s editorial output out from under Buzbee’s supervision.

On Sunday, Lewis told Buzbee that he was appointing another person to her job, according to a person with knowledge of the talks.

Lewis is temporarily replacing Buzbee with Matt Murray, former editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal. Murray will run the Post’s newsroom as executive editor through the election, at which point he will transition to run the division focused on service and social media journalism.

A new editor, Robert Winnett, will take over the company’s core coverage areas after the election. For the past decade, Winnett has run news operations at The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph.

David Shipley will continue to run the Post’s opinion section. All three will report directly to Lewis.

Murray was introduced to the Post’s newsroom Monday, in a town-hall meeting.

He wasted no time familiarizing himself with the Post’s newsroom. On Monday, he began taking meetings in Buzbee’s old office, hours after her sudden departure. Her nameplate has already been removed.

In a statement Monday, The Washington Post Guild said that it was “troubled” by Buzbee’s sudden departure and the lack of diversity in the Post’s top ranks. (© The New York Times)

Did you know?

He Keeps on Trucking

Doyle Archer is no quitter. The 90-year-old is now the holder of the Guinness World Record for the oldest truck driver.

Archer has been driving trucks for

46

more than 60 years and has clocked around 5.5 million miles behind the wheel. He currently works for Coomes Inc.; he’s been there for the past 20 years.

He has driven across 48 states and through all five provinces in Canada. Just recently, he was named a “Million Mile Safe Driver” after traveling one million miles without any incident.

“It has provided the opportunity to see many things that I wouldn’t have otherwise got to see. I’ve got to meet a lot of people from many different parts of the world,” he said.

Archer nabbed the award at the age of 90 years and 55 days old.

“I do not plan to retire any time soon,” the nonagenarian told Guinness World Records. “As long as my health holds, I will keep driving. I do not have the word retire in my vocabulary.”

He has been married to Lois for the past 70 years. The great-grandfather of 26 said his career has taken him all across the country, hauling all sorts of different cargo.

“Anything you can haul in a truck, I have hauled it,” he said.

We hope he never runs out of gas.

36 Marathons, 36 Days

Sophie Holmes is accomplishing a lot more than many others twice her age, despite being told she wouldn’t live past age 16.

The 32-year-old recently completed a whopping 36 marathons in 36 days, setting the record at the Edinburgh Marathon.

Holmes was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was four months old. She raised more than $25K for the disease from the 36-36 challenge, which began with the London Marathon.

She is the first person with the disease to complete 36 marathons in 36 days.

Cystic fibrosis causes mucus in the lungs and, at age four months, doctors said Sophie would not live past her teen years.

Holmes shared, “My determination to survive and thrive and to defy the odds has been born probably from as young as I can remember.

“When I turned 19, I was unfortunately told I only had two years to live. But the naïve 19-year-old me was not going to let that happen. So I started chasing after these big goals.

“When I then started to get better, they were like, maybe you won’t make 30. So when I turned 30, I decided I wanted

to celebrate by running 30 marathons in 30 days.”

Her dream was pushed off because of Covid. Last year, she thought of the 36 races in 36 days when she planned her marathon schedule.

“Last year, I got in to London [Marathon] for this year and the Edinburgh Marathon and the idea was reborn because I was like, ‘I wonder how many days are in between both of these races?’

“I first calculated it as 35. So I started telling everyone that I was going to run 35 marathons in 35 days and then my coach recounted the days and said, ‘Well, actually we are going be running 36.’”

What’s one more race when you’re doing so many?

Pig Yoga

Oink! I mean, om.

A yoga studio in Massachusetts is offering patrons the opportunity to perform downward dog poses alongside cute little piglets.

Beyond Yoga & Wellness owner Ashley Bousquet teaches piglet yoga. Customers are encouraged to interact with the snouted animals while practicing their yoga poses. These classes are almost always sold out within hours.

“During the class, you have piglets causing mischief and running on you, on top of you or cuddling with you,” Bousquet said. “It’s super cute.”

Other animals like rabbits are also around.

Practicing yoga with animals can produce unexpected benefits. If done with shelter animals, it may even encourage adoptions, said Rebecca Purchase of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell.

“Is yoga stressful to animals that join? It can be if it’s not the right animal,” Purchase said. “But for animals that really thrive being around people and getting to socialize with them, it absolutely can be a benefit.”

Like a pig in a puddle.

Lost and Found

Thirty-three years ago, Nick Chowdhury was fishing in Comox Marina on Vancouver Island when he put his wallet down on some of the rocks.

“I hopped over the edge of the dock onto the breakwater rocks. As I started walking, my wallet, which was in my front pocket, was sticking out of my shorts. So I looked at a spot and I remember holding my wallet and gently putting it down thinking, ‘This is the spot, I gotta remember this.’”

But a rock is probably not the safest place for a wallet, and when Chowdhury came back hours later to claim his wallet, it was lost.

“I had everything in there: my birth certificate, my status card, social insurance card – everything that was me was in that wallet,” he recalled.

Chowdhury gave up on ever finding his wallet and slowly replaced all the lost items.

Fast forward to 2024. Jamie Lee was recently digging in the rocks at the marina with his friends when he found something unexpected.

“I told my friends, ‘Guys, I just found someone’s wallet.’ I picked it up, opened it, and it was super crusty. There were holes in it, and it was hard to open,” the fourteen-year-old said.

Jamie’s father, Bill, gently pried open the wallet and found Chowdhury’s ID in it. He searched for Chowdhury on Facebook and told him that they had found the long-lost wallet.

“I was blown away,” Chowdhury said.

Bill Lee delivered the wallet to Chowdhury.

“It’s like a blast from the past,” Chowdhury said. “In fact, I was recently thinking of going again and bringing my kids. Back then I wasn’t driving, so I rode my bike and everything was in my pockets. But now I’m going to drive out and leave anything that’s valuable, like wallets, in the car.”

Sounds like a rockin’ plan.

Around the Community

HAFTR Walks with Israel

This past Sunday, HAFTR proudly participated in the annual Israel Parade on 5th Avenue in New York City, demonstrating their unwavering support and dedication to Israel. As a committed participant for over 40 years, HAFTR made an especially strong showing this year, with an impressive contingent of 1000 attendees, likely one of the largest groups in the entire march. This year, more than ever, was a year to “show up.” In light of the current challenges and the ongoing struggles Israel has faced since October 7, HAFTR recognized the importance of a strong presence. The community knew that their participation would send a powerful message of solidarity and support, not just to Israel but to the world. This was a pivotal moment to reaffirm their commitment and to ensure that Israel knows

it never stands alone.

From Early Childhood to High School, along with a significant number of parents, HAFTR’s presence was highly visible. The theme, “Israel, You Will Never Walk Alone,” resonated deeply with the HAFTR community, fellow parade participants, and spectators alike. Wearing blue shirts with yellow lettering for the hostages, HAFTR members embodied a message from Rabbi Nachman of Breslov: “Every place I go...I go to Eretz Yisrael,” perfectly aligning with the parade’s spirit.

The parade saw participants from every level of HAFTR’s educational spectrum, from Early Childhood through High School, along with a large number of parents. HAFTR’s theme for this year’s parade, “Israel, You Will Never Walk Alone,” resonated powerfully with the

HAFTR community, other parade participants, and spectators. This message of solidarity and support for Israel was further emphasized by the blue shirts worn by HAFTR participants, adorned with yellow letters symbolizing the yellow ribbons worn for the hostages. The shirts bore a fitting message from Rabbi Nachman of Breslov: “Every place I go...I go to Eretz Yisrael,” encapsulating the spirit of the parade.

As they marched proudly down 5th Avenue, HAFTR students chanted “Am Yisrael Chai” (The Nation of Israel Lives) and “Bring Them Home,” their voices echoing through the streets and energizing the crowd. Spectators were moved by the passionate display of unity and support, joining in the chants and showing their support for Israel. The students, emboldened by the overwhelming re -

sponse from the crowd and themselves, felt a profound sense of pride in their heritage and their role as supporters of Israel.

HAFTR’s participation in the parade was not just about showing up in large numbers; it was about demonstrating a deep, unwavering commitment to Israel. The community’s dedication was evident in every step taken, every chant shouted, and every banner waved. HAFTR’s strong presence at the parade was a powerful statement of their love and steadfast support for Israel, showcasing the strength and unity of the HAFTR community. This year, their presence was more than a tradition—it was a vital act of solidarity, ensuring that Israel knows it will never walk alone.

HALB at the Parade

This year, the Israel Day on Fifth was especially meaningful and important. Hundreds of HALB students, teachers, faculty and parents marched in solidarity. Earlier this year, students and staff sent letters to recovering soldiers at Beit Levenshtein Hospital in Israel. As a thank you, the soldiers

signed an Israeli flag and sent that back to HALB along with a banner with the hospital logo. In addition to the parade banner, HALB marched with the flag and the hospital logo the entire time, which meant so much to the soldiers and doctors in Israel. Am Yisrael chai!

Assemblyman Ari Brown with Assemblyman Lester Chang, County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and Presiding Officer of the Leg. Howard Kopel

Ari

County Executive Bruce Blakeman at the Israel Day Parade

Sid Rosenberg, Presiding Officer of the Leg. Howard Kopel, Bridge Chairman Shlomo Nahamais, Assemblyman Ari Brown, County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Leg. Mazi Pilip, and Michael Fragin

Assemblyman

Brown with famed radio personality, Sid Rosenberg

Councilman Gennaro

Governor Hochul and New York representatives at the Israel Day Parade

Plainview’s Mercaz Academy Stands With Israel

One-hundred-sixty students, parents, lay leaders, and staff members at Mercaz proudly marched in the Israel Day parade on Fifth Avenue, showing their support for Israel with flair and creativity. Mercaz Academy students –trained by Sharon Stochel and directed by Debra Gold, Mercaz Academy’s Director of Admissions – danced along the parade route, waving blue and white pompons as they led the Mercaz contingent up the Avenue. Marchers carried a beautiful banner designed and painted by Mercaz art teacher Mrs. Liz Danziger, who also designed the bright orange t-shirts that read, “One people, one heart.” The Mercaz Academy marchers

shared their love for Israel with enthusiastic crowds as they do every year but were particularly eager to show public support for their homeland during these troubling times. The New York Police Department kept the parade safe for marchers and onlookers alike, and the Mercaz contingent made sure to thank the mem-

bers of New York’s

route.

No matter the circumstances, Mercaz Academy will always join the United States in standing with Israel. We look forward to next year’s parade, which we hope will take place at a time of lasting peace in Israel.

MTA proudly joined Yeshiva University schools to march up Fifth Avenue in support of Israel.

Finest on the parade

Yachad family at Israel Day on Fifth

OU EVP and COO Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, NCSY COO Daniel Gordon, and OU-JLIC National Director of Development Pinny Rosenthal at Israel Day on Fifth

NCSY staff and participant at Israel Day on Fifth

OU EVP Rabbi Moshe Hauer and National Director at OU’s Community Projects and Partnerships Rabbi Simon Taylor at Israel Day on Fifth

A Chaplain Visits Eitz Chaim Around the Community

In honor of Memorial Day, Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim hosted Chaplain of the United States Air Force, Rabbi Levi Welton, who addressed the students with words of inspiration and encouragement of expressing our hakaras hatov to the United States and its soldiers. Rabbi Levi Welton was based in Dover AFB, located in Delaware, where they transport much of the needed ammunition to Israel. Rabbi Welton also spoke about some of the challenges he faced as an obser-

vant Jew in the military and throughout boot camp while maintaining his core

values and the respect he receives while making a kiddush Hashem.

HAFTR’s Evening of Generation to Generation

This past week, the third grade students of HAFTR hosted their annual M’Dor L’Dor: Generation to Generation evening, a cherished event at HAFTR Lower School that brought together parents, grandparents, and even some great-grandparents. The inspirational evening showcased family history and heritage, filled with pride and poignant moments.

The highlight of the evening was the students’ presentations of meaningful family objects. Organized into five categories: Documents, Shabbat & Chagim, Jewelry & Clothing, Daily Mitzvot, and Household Items – the students worked on this project all year with their teachers. They learned effective history research skills such as writing (including museum labels), curating, and interviewing. This endeavor was also cross-curricular and featured a great deal of Hebrew

programming. Each student shared a photo of their chosen object, explaining its significance to their family. These objects ranged from heirlooms to everyday items, each with a story that connected past generations to the present. The history of each object, as narrated by the students, underscored the deep ties within families and the importance of preserving these memories.

Adding an artistic touch to the evening, art teachers Royce Maron and Naomi Elterman guided the students in creating family seals. These seals were crafted to represent each family’s unique history and identity. The students took great pride in showing off their handmade seals, which were displayed alongside their presentations.

After guiding their families through the gallery of displays, the participants were seated for the ceremony. The eve -

ning commenced with a recitation of Tehillim for Israel. Lower School Principal Dr. Josh Gold delivered a meaningful speech, emphasizing the difference between inheritance gained through work and that which is passed down through lineage.

The main program featured the students performing a selection of meaningful songs, accompanied by Janet Goldman on the piano. The songs expressed gratitude for the past and hope for the future, capturing the essence of the evening’s theme. The students’ heartfelt singing and the emotional connection they shared with their families were evident and moving.

To conclude the evening, the students sang “Am Yisrael Chai” while holding glow-in-the-dark letters spelling out the phrase. This powerful visual display was met with enthusiastic cheers and ap -

plause, creating a triumphant and joyous end to the event. The celebration underscored the resilience and enduring spirit of the Jewish people.

Parents remarked that “Generation to Generation is a highlight each year.” The students eagerly embrace the opportunity to share their stories and uphold the mesorah of Judaism. This evening was not only a celebration of family heritage but also a reaffirmation of the students’ commitment to carrying forward the lessons and values of their faith. Thank you to all who helped make the evening a great success. Thank you to the third grade teachers who made this evening possible: Ms. Noffar Amenu, Mrs. Allison Elfassy, Ms. Shelby Lebo, Mrs. Adina Markowitz, Mrs. Daniella Nierenberg, Mrs. Deena Schwebel, and Mrs. Shayna Ungar.

Shulamith School for Girls marching in the Israeli Day Parade

5TLL Week 7

It was another beautiful day at the 5TLL by FM Home Loans this past Sunday! At the entrance to the fields, Chickie’s and Rita’s set up sales booths, offering everyone the chance to enjoy refreshing Italian ices and hot chicken sandwiches.

K/P Baseball & Soccer Highlights

K/P Baseball: For Sr Whee, Michoel Ruzohorsky showcased stellar fielding skills, throwing out several batters, and Shimon Frischman and Yaakov Reuvel hit impressive home runs. Eliyahu Dancykier of John’s AutoMotive secured a grand slam, while Joseph Feldman went 3 for 3 with 2 homers and Yehuda Aryeh Jacobson sealed the victory with a walk-off 2-run homer. Naftali Jacobs displayed prowess in hitting and fielding, contributing a homer and numerous putouts for Wieder Orthodontics. Yoel Nagelberg, Meir Zlotowitz, and Akiva Weisman showed excellent batting skills, scoring multiple runs. Ahron Waldman made notable plays at third base for Rita’s.

K/P Soccer: Wieder Orthodontics dominated with a 7-1 victory. Yaakov Grossman scored 6 goals, supported by Reuven Polinsky’s goal. Jason Bauman excelled in goalkeeping, while Ruby Wieder exhibited solid defense.

1st/2nd Soccer: Maidenbaum clinched a 2-1 victory over Wieder Orthodontics. Akiva Kahana and Harry Gertner contributed to the win, with Gertner scoring a stunning long-range goal.

Minors (1st-3rd) Baseball Highlights

1st Grade: Gavy Kestenbaum’s homerun led Barbacoa to a narrow 17-16 win over Mittman Electric. Wieder Orthodontics and The Jewish Home combined for over 40 runs, but Wieder came out on top 2321. Elegant Lawns scored 19 in their win over Marciano Pediatric Dentistry.

2nd Grade: Aryeh Rosenberg’s game-saving double play secured a tie for John’s Automotive against Extreme Vent Cleaning. Wieder Orthodontics edged past Maidenbaum 15-14, with Donny Baruch’s clutch hit.

3rd Grade: Avi Gelnick showcased stellar defense for Signature Coverage, helping secure an 11-9 victory over Marciano Pediatric Dentistry. Naftali Schrieber’s grand slam powered BayRock Insurance to a 24-15 win against Target Exterminating. Rafi Bauman’s triple kickstarted Molly’s Jewelers, leading to a 7-5 victory over Emerald Health Care. Shimon Hersh

made the Card Arcade Play of the Day with an incredible running catch. Majors (4th & up) Baseball Highlights

4th Grade: Dovid Melman’s heroic slide secured a homerun for ARG, despite their 3-2 loss to Tikvah Fire. Bathtique triumphed over Built By Nate 8-1, thanks to Shalom Zlotnick and Tzvi Zev Mittel’s stellar defensive plays.

5th Grade: Tani Benderly and Azriel Goldberg’s homerun led CG Flooring to a 4-1 victory over BayRock Insurance. DOMA clinched a 10-6 win over Hamaspik, with Tzvi Rosenberg’s crucial homerun breaking a tie. Five Towns Landscape narrowly defeated Marciano Pediatric Dentistry 5-2.

6th Grade: Yisroel Mann’s two homeruns led Carving Block to an 11-4 victory over Sliced. Wieder Orthodontics was all smiles as they scored 15 in their win over Maidenbaum.

7th/8th Grade: Wieder Orthodontics and Maidenbaum battled fiercely, with Maidenbaum clinching a 7-6 win in the last inning. Simcha Hersh’s stellar performance secured the victory, batting 4 RBIs and pitching 4 strikeouts.

Men’s Basketball It was the last game of the regular season this past Sunday. Chaim Tobaly hit a few threes and Ari Ivry, back from Israel, went off in the 1st half to lead Piu Bello to the victory and the 4th seed. Future Care Consultants nearly pulled off an upset against the #2 seeded Town Appliance, but Aaron Azose was able to ice the game with free throws. Nussie Felder and Yoni Bobker dominated in the 2nd half, leading Island Roofing to the victory.

5TLL Game of the Week

In 3rd grade Baseball, Elegant Lawns and JNT matched up in this week’s game of the week. JNT jumped out to a 4-0 lead and had the momentum, but Elegant Lawns did not give up. Heading into the final innings, Elegant pulled together a few runs, managing to tie the game into the final inning. With runners on 1st & 2nd, Elegant Lawns knocked a single to score in the game-winning run.

YUHSG Class of 2024 Graduates

As of this week, the Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) has given the world another stellar group of young women in the class of 2024. These seniors graduated on Wednesday, June 5 at Lamport Auditorium on the campus of Yeshiva University.

This recent senior class experienced a whirlwind last semester at Central, complete with Senior Seminar sessions, internships offering real-world work experience all over the five boroughs and Long Island, and annual celebratory events like the Senior Dinner, held at Central the evening of May 28, and the senior retreat to Camp Kaylie immediately after.

The evening began with remarks from Associate Principal, Ms. Leah Moskovich. “The class of 2024 will surely be missed,” Ms. Moskovich said. “They are an outstanding group of students. They are the future leaders of the Jewish community, without a doubt. I am so proud of each and every one of their accomplishments.”

After the procession of graduates, Mr. Andrew “Avi” Lauer, YU’s Vice President of Legal Affairs, Secretary and General Counsel, welcomed the attendees to Yeshiva University and recited the Mi Shebeirach for the chayalim and a perek of Tehillim. Central’s Head of School, Ms. Bracha Rutner, gave divrei bracha and introduced a video message from YU

Did you know?

“These young women have been defined by powerful moments in their high school journey – from bonding despite Covid restrictions, to their incredible ruach, they have inspired us all by combining their strengths,” Ms. Rutner said. “Mazal tov, class of 2024!”

Among those honored at the ceremony were valedictorian of the class of 2024, Gitty Kahn, and salutatorians Samantha Burger and Abigail Keehn. Other graduates honored were Dalyah Levy, who was the recipient of the Kefer Shem Tov award, and Gabi Zahavi, who was the recipient of the Chesed Award. The Excellence in Jewish Studies award went to Aviva Kessock, with Talia Frankel and Leora Strauss honored with the Yeshiva University Book Awards. Keira Kahn was named the recipient of the YUHS Leadership and Middot Award, and Triple C Awards were given to Tani Fish, Lois Rifkin, and Meira Schuck. New York State Student Achievement Awards were given to Naava Belsky and Sydney Gejerman.

The ceremony was followed by a dessert reception in Weissberg Commons, where the students celebrated their milestone with their families, as well as Central administrators and faculty, who expressed their pride in what this group of young women have accomplished over the past four years. Congratulations, class of 2024!

Big Sibs Bowling Trip

By Evie Shusterman

After a full year of learning and bonding together, the Big Sib program had its final event of the year. On May 16, the seniors and their freshman sibs went to Woodmere Lanes for an afternoon of bowling and camaraderie. Both the big sibs and little sibs had a great day catching up, discussing the highlights of their school year, and hearing about each other’s summer plans. Seniors offered advice on closing out the year and insights into preparing for end-of-the-year assignments and finals. Between frames, everyone enjoyed pizza,

drinks, and plenty of snacks.

This activity, along with the other programming throughout the year, has offered an opportunity for genuine mentorship, growth, and fun. A huge thank you to Mr. Hirt, Dr. Klestzick, and Mrs. Naor for organizing the event, as well as The Camp Scholarship Fund, an organization that raises money to help children go to sleepaway camp, which sponsored this event. The Big/Little Siblings program had an incredible year and fostered a true sense of belonging among students. We can’t wait to see the fun activities in store for next year!

The First Descendant In 4 Generations to Have Tefillin

This Sunday morning was extra special, and it wasn’t because of the heartfelt Shacharis, or the shiur and delicious breakfast that we have each Sunday. BJX leader and founding board member, Mr. Sruli Werdiger, was honored with helping Sam – for the very first time – put on his very own pair of tefillin and tzitzis. Sam, who attended Fort Hamilton Public High School, took upon himself a commitment to put on Tefillin and Tzitzis for the rest of his life. Sam

attended our leadership program for unaffiliated public high school students and it was life changing for him. He was presented with this beautiful, priceless gift. He is the first person in his family to wear tefillin since his great-great-grandfather before the war. Sam said he feels tremendous joy and a sacred responsibility to bring back these mitzvos for himself and his future descendants. He now wants to get his father a pair of tefillin!

President Rabbi Ari Berman.

Arky Staiman Visits HAFTR

This last week, HAFTR Middle School students were treated to an amazing guest speaker: Arky Staiman, the famous IDF Instagram soldier who told the world to “rock the house on Shabbat.” Arky, as he is affectionately called, made an indelible impression on our students. His humorous and serious anecdotes about life in Israel, serving in the IDF in Gaza as a member of Yasar (the body retrieval unit), and as a Jew in today’s world were very inspiring. The

students gained a newfound appreciation for the sacrifices that IDF chayalim make daily for Israel and their families. During his meaningful speech, he gave the students five goals: develop physical and mental health, develop your personal relationship with Hashem, strengthen their family bonds, and develop your gift and share it with others. All departed the talk on a positively inspired high.

MTA’s Yeshiva Fellowship Boasts

Huge Accomplishments

MTA instituted the Yeshiva Fellowship program to encourage talmidim to take on extra learning and grow from the experience. This program requires real dedication and hasmada to the talmid’s learning and is therefore not something that everyone feels comfortable taking on. The talmidim who commit to the learning do so on their own time, be it during lunch, night seder, Friday night learning in neighborhood shuls, or Shabbos day. This year, the Yeshiva Fellowship program members committed to learning several extra perakim of the iyun mesechta being covered. Additionally, each talmid attended chaburos with Rabbeinu Harav Schachter, shlita, which covered those perakim. In addition to these com-

mitments, about 30 talmidim took voluntary bechinos on the perakim to check their understanding of what they have been learning.

Almost one quarter of the student body at MTA took part in the Yeshiva Fellowship program this year. Many of those talmidim will be mesayem the entire iyun mesechta they have been learning. Some of the talmidim learned enough perakim on their own to be awarded a beautiful, personalized shtender.

MTA thanks Rabbi Netanel Danto for heading up this very successful program, and to Rabbi Chaim Axelrod, Rabbi Baruch Pesach Mendelson and Rabbi Rafi Pearl for being grade advisors for Yeshiva Fellowship. This is a truly unique program that the yeshiva is extremely proud of.

Shulamith Kindergarten celebrated Yom Yerushalayim

Village of Cedarhurst Secures a Grant for a New Garbage Truck

Thanks to the support of Presiding Officer Legislature Howard J. Kopel, the Village of Cedarhurst has been awarded Community Revitalization Program Grant, enabling the purchase of a new International CV515 Garbage Truck.

The new garbage truck will be instrumental in maintaining cleanliness in the shopping areas and park, making the process more efficient and safer for our employees. Additionally, it will expedite the unloading of trash at the recycling/

transfer station at Sanitary District 1, saving valuable time. It does not duplicate or replace any of the solid waste services provided by Sanitary District 1. Custom-built to meet the Village’s specific needs, the truck incorporates the latest safety features and is designed for driver comfort and ease of use. The journey from placing the initial order to delivery took nearly two years, underscoring the Village’s commitment to securing top-quality equipment to provide the best service to its residents.

R-L: Cedarhurst Trustee Israel Wasser, Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock, Presiding Officer Legislature Howard J. Kopel, Cedarhurst Trustee Myrna Zisman and Cedarhurst Trustee Daniel Plaut.

Lag B’Omer at YCQ

On Tuesday, May 28, students in YCQ’s elementary school marked Lag B’Omer with Color War and a fun filled day at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Four teams in each grade participated in relay races, Kahoot trivia games, cheers, hakarat hatov speeches, divrei Torah, and other friendly competitions.

The Junior High School had a memorable day of activities as well. The sixth and seventh grade went to Cunningham Park, while the eighth grade girls headed to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to ride bikes. The eighth grade boys had a fun day of their own at Dave & Busters.

Back at YCQ, Early Childhood students had their own Lag B’Omer festivities including an inflatable bonfire (with real marshmallows!) and other fun activities to celebrate the legacy of Rebbe Shi-

Once back at school, the students were treated to a special BBQ picnic lunch. They enjoyed freshly grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, and grilled chicken in the YCQ yard. Thank you to Morah Shirly Pourad-Kaikov and Mr. Jacob Grossman for organizing such an outstanding day where every student had the chance to shine.

The festivities continued into the evening with a meaningful Chagigat Bnot Mitzvah for our sixth grade girls. Students spoke about the meaning of their Hebrew names and the mitzvot they will be taking upon themselves. Mothers and grandmothers came to celebrate, and each girl received a picture with her namesake and a siddur. Thank you to Morah Leemor Abraham for organizing such a beautiful and unforgettable event.

JEP/Nageela Appoints Rabbi Chaim Gitelis as Director of Development

“The fact that this boy has anything to do with Judaism is amazing. The fact that he wants to observe Shabbos is a tribute to your work. That’s why I called to give you a $500 donation. Please share this with your staff.”

The 2024 Summer season is upon us, and Camp Nageela is experiencing one of its largest enrollments ever. With close to 200 campers, we are gearing up for what is sure to be an amazing and inspiring summer. With so many parents looking for more of a connection to their Jewish roots for their children, the Board of JEP of Long Island and Camp Nageela feels that we must not turn them away. Yet, with tremendous growth there also comes a greater budget.

With this in mind, the Board of JEP/

Nageela proudly announces the appointment of Rabbi Chaim Y. Gitelis as its Director of Development. Rabbi Gitelis’ hiring marks a significant step forward for JEP/Nageela as it expands its team to further support its work as a nationally-renowned kiruv organization.

“Rabbi Gitelis’s desire to move from a successful career as an attorney to helping build the future of Judaism is a testament to his dedication,” said R’ Dovid Shenker, JEP’s director.

“Rabbi Gitelis is a dynamic and creative leader who brings significant skills and experience, as well as great enthusiasm, to serve JEP’s mission and fulfill our organizational goals,” said Michael Schick, President of JEP.

Wendy Turetsky, Chairperson of the Board, agreed: “We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Gitelis to our team. His di-

verse background and enthusiastic approach make him the perfect fit for this role. I am confident he will bring positive energy and strategic thinking to advance our efforts and expand JEP’s service to the community.”

With over a decade of professional experience, Rabbi Gitelis brings extensive knowledge and passion to his new role. His experience as an attorney has equipped him with the strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities necessary for this role.

“I am eager to begin my journey as JEP/Nageela’s Director of Development,” says Rabbi Gitelis. “JEP has an incredible mission, history, and reputation, and I am excited to dedicate my work to the organization’s future. I look forward to immersing myself in and connecting with the communities served by JEP, helping to

build a strong, sustainable future for the institute and future generations.”

To recommend a camper for Camp Nageela or for more info contact Rabbi Gitelis at Chaimg@jepli.org.

mon Bar Yochai.

Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg, rav of K’hal Lev Avos, in North Woodmere at the hachnosas Sefer Torah in memory of Dr. Heshy Blobstein, z”l, on Sunday

The petting zoo came to visit Lev Chana last week, and students got the chance to pet and feed the farm animals

Mrs. Kalish’s second graders at Yeshiva Darchei Torah made weather vanes in the Yeshiva’s CIJE Science Laboratory

Photo credit: Gabe Solomon

On Sunday, June 2, Congressman Tom Suozzi, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and Congressman Dan Goldman, along with Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of American hostage Omer Neutra, and the family of Itay Chen, held a press conference calling for the immediate release of Omer Neutra and all American hostages held by Hamas

Fish Tank Competition at Shulamith

The Shulamith School for Girls held its third annual Fish Tank competition, culminating in a fantastic showing of talent and great collaboration among students and their groups at this year’s finale.

The seventh grade students left the audience and judges in awe with their unwavering dedication and hard work. They showcased their inventions, presented their business plans, and confidently discussed their products. Witnessing the girls bring their engineering design process to life and create their working prototypes was a testament to their talent and perseverance. The final round, featuring eight groups with innovative business plans and products, ended with a thrilling tie for the first-place winners, a first in our competition’s history!

Congratulations to our winning

New York State’s $75.5 Million STEM

Program Set to Benefit Jewish Day

Schools and Students

The New York State budget recently passed with historic funding allocations for nonpublic schools, including yeshivas and Jewish day schools in New York. The budget includes $470 million for nonpublic school funding, an increase of $90 million from the previous year, and specifically increased the STEM allocation from $73 million to $75.5 million. In a year where security was a major advocacy focus for schools, the state legislature made a point to invest in STEM funding, ensuring that schools will keep investing in the education of all students.

thanks to the strong advocacy efforts of Teach NYS, who helped champion this first-in-nation program into existence in 2017. Legislators recognized the importance of STEM education for yeshivas and Jewish day schools in their districts and responded to the collective call for funding.

“New York legislators recognize the importance of a well-rounded education regardless of whether students attend public or nonpublic schools,” says Newman.

teams:

1st place: The N.W.G, created by Esther Krohn, Orly Munk, Perel Schreck, and Esti Wind

1st place: The Judesk, created by Meira Grushko, Tamar Tepper, and Sophie Tuchman

2nd place: Handy Cane, created by Caylie Hersh, Amalya Roberts, Ahuva Stawis, and Michal Stern

3rd place: The Desk Buddy, created by Penina Abittan, Shalva Friedman, Elisheva Jacobs, and Yael Stahl

Honorable mention is The Rush Bag, created by Lulu Neuman and Shushu Gade

Thanks to Mrs. Rina Korman (program creator) for leading this project.

Special thanks to our panel of judges, Ms. Beth Ruck, Mrs. Chana Schwartz, Ms. Rachel Ash, and Mrs. Naomi Benun.

This funding has enabled yeshivas and Jewish day schools such as Torah Academy for Girls (TAG) to expand their STEM curriculum to include robotics and engineering for middle and high school students. “The STEM funding has really helped us grow and ensure that we’re able to teach the next generation of students,” says Chesky Newman, parent and board member of TAG.

Newman says TAG parents are thrilled that the school can provide such a rigorous STEM curriculum. The best part? This funding is enhancing education without costing parents a dime.

Students are responding positively to the enhanced programming as well. “Interest in STEM has really expanded over the years in direct connection to the funding we’ve received and has allowed us to implement some new programs,” Newman adds.

The program impacts schools’ bottom line – teacher salaries – and the results are clear: schools are experiencing higher teacher retention than in previous years.

The continuity of this funding is

In addition to this incredible funding, new Teach NYS partnerships have emerged to offer Master’s in Ed degrees for STEM teachers at participating member schools. Teachers can now earn subsidized graduate degrees through SUNY Empire, Gratz College, and most recently, Touro University. The MEd programs will cost from under $10,000 to $13,000 each, representing a savings of up to 54% off the regular tuition price, depending on the teacher’s chosen program.

The program benefits participating schools as well, since employing member schools will qualify for a partial salary reimbursement from NYSED’s STEM program for each teacher that graduates from any of these programs. Many employing schools will finance these degrees for their STEM teachers. In return, they will collect annual partial salary reimbursements – ranging from $20,000 to $45,000 – for each teacher, enhancing education offerings while bringing in additional revenue.

For more information about this program, visit teachcoalition.org/mastersprograms.

Shulamith Nursery celebrated a Shabbat workshop with family and friends

SKA Graduation Awardees

Shira Ellenberg, Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls Valedictorian of the Class of 2024, is a well-rounded, outstanding student. In addition to her academic achievements, Shira is the 12th grade student council representative, an SKA school ambassador and a Shalom Task Force Purple Day Fellow. Shira is the captain of the math team and a member of the volleyball team. Shira has also contributed to the SKA parsha press as editor in chief. Shira’s rigorous academic schedule included honors classes and numerous APs, including AP Calculus BC, AP Psychology, AP US Government and Politics, AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, and AP World History. Always seeking out chesed opportunities, Shira tutors students in various subjects and volunteers for IShine. Shira was an inductee to the Re’ut National Honor Society and is on the Principal’s Honor Roll. In addition, Shira is a National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student. Next year, Shira is studying in Shaalvim for Women in Israel followed by Macaulay Honors College at Queens College.

Aliza Tokayer is Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls’ Salutatorian of the Class of 2024. Throughout her years at

SKA, Aliza Tokayer has been a dedicated student and active member of her class.

Aliza has taken AP World, AP Chemistry, AP English Language, AP Psychology, and AP Computer Science A. She has also been an active member of the Israel Action Committee, Model Congress, and the RISE club. Aliza is a two-time national finalist in Chidon HaTanach and has also received the Excellence in Tanach award in her sophomore year. Aliza has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll throughout her years at SKA and was inducted into the Re’ut National Honors Society in her junior year. Additionally, Aliza is a frequent volunteer at her shul in Brooklyn and is a volunteer at iShine. Aliza will be attending MMY for seminary and Stern College for Women.

Elizabeth Naiman is Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls’ Salutatorian of the Class of 2024. Elizabeth has been an involved and committed student at SKA throughout her four years. Elizabeth’s rigorous course selection included AP World History, AP U.S. History, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC and AP Physics 1. Elizabeth is a member of the principal’s honor roll and was inducted into the Re’ut National Honor Society. She has received the Long Island Amer-

ican Chemical Society award, as well as a National Merit Scholarship Program Commended student. Elizabeth was a dance head in SKA’s Production 2024 and a participant in the RISE program. She was a staff writer for SKAppenings and competed in the Jerusalem Science Contest. Over her years at SKA, she was a dedicated volunteer at Friendship Circle. Elizabeth will be attending MMY in Israel next year and Queens College.

Molly Fuchs, the 2024 Keter Shem Tov awardee of SKA, has consistently demonstrated thoughtful and caring qualities throughout her high school experience. Involved in many extracurricular activities, Molly demonstrates her commitment to the school community and beyond. Molly is on the yearbook committee, creating the humor pages, plays on the SKA hockey team, contributes to the school newsletter, SKAppenings and is an SKA ambassador. Molly is also involved in chesed opportunities. She volunteers for iShine and Tomchei Shabbos. Exhibiting her sense of desire to make a positive change on the lives of others. Next year, Molly will be spending a year in Israel at Tiferet, then Touro’s Landers College for Women.

Eliana Zachter, the 2024 Keter Shem

Tov awardee at SKA, served as a head of Science Olympiad, designed a STEM project through the MAGIC program, was published in the Anthology of Poetry for Young Americans, and was an Ambassador for Tehilim 150. She is also a member of “RISE” and a participant in Halacha Yomi. Eliana was involved with E2K Math and Science in 10th and 11th grades. Eliana was chosen by her peers to receive the Middot Award for Outstanding Character in 9th, 10th and 11th grade. Eliana is devoted to chesed and helping others and volunteers at IShine weekly. She also went on a mission trip to New Orleans in 11th grade to aid those in need. The summer after 10th grade, Eliana traveled to Israel on NCSY GIVE which focused on performing chesed while touring the land. Eliana qualified for Principal’s Honor Roll in 9th 10th and 11th grade and the Re’ut National Honors Society in 11th. She plans to study at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim after graduation and then attend the honors program at Stern College for Women.

Mazal tov to all the SKA graduates of the Class of 2024!

Shira Ellenberg

Molly Fuchs

Elizabeth Naiman

Eliana Zachter

Aliza Tokayer

Many thanks to the students at TAG and Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim who came to volunteer to help JCCRP distribute food to 300 Holocaust survivors in Far Rockaway

3, 2, 1… Blastoff at YOSS!

The yearlong program of math and science enrichment at the Abraham and Sara Silber Middle School at Yeshiva of South Shore concluded with a blast for 6th grade E2K participants! Learning the answers to Mrs. Pinsky’s question, “Why does the rocket go up?” involved learning a bit of aerodynamics, particle physics, fluid dynamics, and Newton’s laws of motion. The boys built and launched their rockets, several of which exceeded the height of the building!

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato was thrilled to be able to attend Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Annual Bike-a-thon on Reads Lane. The Assemblywoman cheered on the students as they raced around the block and had a wonderful time.

Mercaz Academy’s Lag B’Omer

Mercaz Academy students, teachers, administrators, lay leaders, and their families enjoyed the PTA’s Annual Lag B’Omer Barbecue and Bonfire. Bounce houses filled with laughing children dotted the spacious green as older students played sports with the many teens who return to the barbecue year after year. Members of the PTA and friends manned the barbecue, flipping and serving hundreds of hamburgers and hotdogs along with salad, tater tots, and all the fixings to families of current students as well as the many families whose children have long since moved on to middle school and high school. Under the careful supervision of the Plainview Fire Department, the bonfire roared and sparkled, lending

a mesmerizing backdrop to the action all around.

Lag B’Omer marked the conclusion of the mourning period for the students of Rabbi Akiva, after which most resume their regular haircuts. At the Mercaz event, haircutting served a communal goal – students had the opportunity of donating at least eight inches of hair to Zichron Menachem, an organization that makes wigs for sick children in Israel. Five brave and generous Mercaz students opted to perform this mitzvah, and their adorable bobs (with assistance from a professional stylist) serve as badges of honor in the school hallways.

The evening ended with cookies, juice, and many memories of lighthearted fun.

‘Tes Totty Ties’ at Morah Tamara’s nursery class in Yeshiva Darchei Torah

Rav Zevi Trenk, menahel of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, using a sefer Neviim to excite the Yeshiva’s nursery talmidim about the upcoming yom tov of Kabbolas HaTorah. Each boy got an “aliyah” and was shown the letters of his name inside the scroll.

Morah Mergi and Morah Stein’s first grade classes at Siach Yitzchok are learning about summer safety! Thank you, Mr. Momo Brecher, parent of Tzvi Brecher in the first grade, for bringing the Hatzalah bus to talk about safety with the boys.

HALB’s M’dor L’dor

The fourth grade girls at HALB celebrated their history and connections to those who came before them at the M’dor L’dor dinner and

FIDF Five Towns and Greater South Shore Evening of

More than 400 Five Towns and Greater South Shore-area Friends of the IDF (FIDF) supporters gathered Wednesday night for the “2024 FIDF Five Towns and Greater South Shore Evening of Solidarity” at The Sands to raise funds for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers during their greatest time of need. The sold-out event served as a powerful demonstration of solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of IDF soldiers on the frontlines who are risking their lives to restore security in Israel and bring home the hostages, after the horrendous massacre on October 7 and the ongoing attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah.

Benjamin Brafman, a renowned and illustrious criminal defense lawyer, was the event honoree. The emcee was Izzy Ezagui, an IDF decorated squad commander, who lost an arm in combat and returned to the battlefield.

Guests at the event were honored to hear from Sgt. Maj. (Res.) Hannah, a Lone Soldier from France, who served as

a combat paramedic in Gaza. Sgt. Maj. (Res.) Hannah moved to Israel to serve in the IDF when she was 17. Today, she is the only woman in her unit, bravely engaging in combat and saving lives on the battlefield.

“Every day, I use the life-saving medical equipment FIDF provides to treat injuries and save the lives of our soldiers. This includes plasma, oxygen, blood warmers and monitors,” she said. “My team even received a new, fully stocked, FIDF combat ambulance, our moving emergency room, that sped our soldiers to helicopters or to hospitals while we treated them inside.”

The keynote speaker was Major (Res.) Yadin from Sayeret Matkal, one of the IDF’s most elite special forces units, who received an urgent call at 6:30AM on October 7 summoning him to immediately deploy with his team. Within an hour, Major Yadin and his fellow commandos were on a daring rescue mission to save hostages at kibbutzim in the South.

“The 7th of October was the most

performance last week. It was a beautiful night as daughters, mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers came to celebrate together.

Solidarity

by Andrea

horrific day for Jews since the Holocaust. And in the darkest time, what we Jews did, is unite, put our differences aside and unite as one strong nation and stand together,” said Major (Res.) Yadin. “Our mission is not finished, we will keep fighting to bring back the hostages, and we will keep fighting this terror and evil that is spreading around the world.”

Event VIP’s included Israeli Naval Attaché to Washington, D.C., Guy Barak; FIDF National Board Member and Long Island Chairman, Ronny Ben-Josef; FIDF South Shore Chapter Founders, Jay and Malky Spector; National Board Member, Daniel Benedict; FIDF CEO, Steven Weil; FIDF National Director, Major General Nadav Padan; FIDF Vice President of the Northeast Region, Galit Brichta; FIDF Long Island Director, Orna Sheena; FIDF Long Island Associate Director, Stephanie Feit; and Executive Director, Northeast Affinity Groups, Pninit Cole.

Designated by the IDF, FIDF is the sole organization in the United States

that is authorized by the IDF to raise funds for the soldiers’ humanitarian needs. As the IDF’s official partner, FIDF is the fastest and most direct way to support IDF soldiers. The organization acts according to the requirements of the IDF’s Manpower Directorate in responding to needs deemed most urgent by the IDF. Since the start of the war, funds have been directed to lifesaving medical supplies such as operational ambulances, blood plasma and countless medical devices, as well as hygiene kits for soldiers in the field, aid for thousands of bereaved families, rebuilding bases that were destroyed on October 7th, and emergency support for Lone Soldiers. Most recently, FIDF has committed to funding an $85 million initiative for soldiers and veterans in need of PTSD and mental rehabilitation support. Additional funding was committed to rebuilding bases that were destroyed on Oct 7th, and to supporting bereaved families.

FIDF CEO Steven Weil, Benjamin Brafman, Maj. Yadin, Sgt. Major. Hannah, Israeli Naval Attache to Washington, D.C. Guy Barak, FIDF Long Island Chairman Ronny Ben-Josef

Photos

Klerides

Israeli Naval Attaché to Washington, D.C, Guy Barak, Lynda Brafman, and Benjamin Brafman. Benjamin Brafman speaking

Yom Yerushalayim Experience

The audience in a packed venue at the Great Neck Synagogue (GNS) for a community-wide celebration on the eve of Yom Yerushalayim, June 3, was mesmerized by an hour-long talk, with striking photographs, by the eloquent Daniel Luria, Ateret Cohanim’s global spokesman, vastly knowledgeable on the world of Jerusalem, with a focus on urban land reclamation initiatives.

(L-R) Elie Cohen, GNS President; Rav Aharon Samekhov, Beit Baruch Chai, Bukharian Jewish Community of Rego Park; GNS Rabbi Dale Polakoff; Daniel Luria; GNS member and Ateret Cohanim Executive Council member, Dr. Paul Brody, program initiator and emcee; his wife and son Drora & Joey Brody; and Dr. Jim Frisch, GNS Assistant Executive Director.

Gan Chamesh End-of-Year Torah Celebration

Gan Chamesh celebrated the end of the year with a grand Torah parade celebration. As the children continue to count “up” to Shavuos, Z’man Matan Toraseinu, we celebrated the beautiful foundation of Torah that has been laid for each child in Gan Chamesh this year. Our celebration emphasized that each child is a living Torah, an ambassador of Torah and a proud guarantor of Hashem’s Torah. May the children’s precious Torah learning and mitzvos hasten the coming of Moshiach, bimheira b’yameinu!

Lag BaOmer in New Jersey

“M i k’amacha Yisrael!”

There might have been more comfortable ways to spend Lag B’Omer, which fell on Memorial Sunday, than sweltering in the intense heat of the pounding sun’s rays of a New Jersey cemetery.

That’s what made the spectacle in Floral Park Cemetery in South Brunswick all the more significant and inspiring.

But this was not only during the day.

Starting from Motzei Shabbos, throughout the whole night, thousands of people from all different walks of life

flocked to the cemetery from all areas of New York, New Jersey and even other states and countries.

All came to daven in the zechus of the Bobover Rebbe, Rav Naftali, zy”a, who once made a mysterious comment alluding to his connection to Rabi Shimon on Lag B’Omer.

The piercing cries of the yehi ratzon, recited after Tehillim every 15 minutes or so, swept all those who entered into the uplifting atmosphere.

Yehi ratzon that the tefillos should all be accepted, amein!

Photo Credit: Captain Fred Shaw

Touro Celebrates Achievements of 600 Graduates at 50th Annual Commencement

Amidst the backdrop of war and rising antisemitism around the world, Touro University graduated nearly 600 students last Sunday at the 50th Annual Commencement Exercises, held at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. The mood was at once somber and festive as many families, friends and faculty came directly from the Salute to Israel Parade. It was a day to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people while celebrating the individual and collective achievements of the graduates and offering hope for the future.

In his message to the graduates, Touro University President Dr. Alan Kadish shared his insight on responsibility and freedom. “We know that we are required to say, ‘The world was created for me.’ That is not meant to make us feel egotistical; it is intended to make us feel responsible. we are required to see every one of our actions impacting not only ourselves, but also our communities and the world at large… your choices and the things that you contribute—especially at this turbulent time—truly matter,” said Dr. Kadish.

“As graduates, you are free from the day-to-day responsibilities of classes and maintaining your grades. You are free now – free to work for your families and

communities… free to help Klal Yisroel… and free to build a better world,” continued Kadish.

Numerous awards were presented for community service as well as high academic achievement in math, accounting, biology, finance, psychology, computer science, political science and more. The 2024 Alumnus of the year award was presented to Morris Oiring, a leader and innovator in the healthcare industry. Founder of the Oiring Group and longtime COO of Pleet Homecare, Oiring is paying it forward with scholarships to help the next generation of Touro students succeed.

Speaking Out Against Antisemitism

Congressman Mike Lawler received an honorary degree and served as keynote speaker. His words resonated with the audience of hundreds and he was stopped throughout the speech for applause.

Lawler, who introduced the antisemitism awareness bill in Congress, began his speech with a quip, that got a laugh from the crowd, “Rashida Tlaib is sorry she couldn’t join us today.”

He then turned serious, “Touro University has equipped each and every one of you with the skills, knowledge, and

experience necessary to make your own mark in the world. However, it’s not just the degrees and certificates we all celebrate today, but also the character, values, and sense of community you have cultivated during your time here,” said Lawler.

“These challenges of antisemitism test our ideas and they compel us to question which way is the best path forward. But it is precisely in these moments, that we must act with moral clarity and conviction.”

“The rampant antisemitism we’ve seen across the country since the horrific attacks on October 7 is abhorrent and must be condemned wherever it rears its ugly head. As the representative of the 17th Congressional District of New York – home of the one of the largest Jewish communities in America – I will never be silent and never back down. It’s why I’ve led the fight to stand up for our Jewish community here in America and combat antisemitism and Jew hatred,” continued Lawler.

“Recently, we passed my bill, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, through the House of Representatives, which aims to stop the pervasive antisemitism we’ve seen on other college and university campuses across the country. We will not tolerate antisemitism and Jew hatred anymore — and in the same way they would crack down on racism or bigotry of any kind, they must do so with antisemitism.”

Lawler affirmed his support for the state of Israel to thunderous applause and encouraged graduates to look to the future with the courage to surmount the unique challenges of our times. He received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Future is Bright for Touro Grads

The Touro graduates are headed for careers in top firms in technology, finance, accounting, cybersecurity and more. Many will enter graduate and professional schools in law, medicine, dentistry and psychology, where they have acceptance rates of over 95%. Others will pursue health science careers as physical and occupational therapists, physician assistants and pharmacists through Touro’s Integrated Honors Pathway.

One of the valedictorians, Bracha Gluck of Touro’s Lander College for Women, shared her thoughts on attending a Jewish institution as well as her personal wisdom for the future.

“At Touro, there was a seamless integration of our Jewish identity with our higher education. I never felt divided over being both academic and Jewish. It is for this reason that I am excited to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a doctor in the Touro University system at New York Medical College. Especially during these past few months, Touro’s voice of Jewish pride stands as a powerful beacon of hope and guidance, setting an institutional example of how we should approach our own personal lives,” said Gluck.

Other valedictorians included Ariel Goodstein and Chana Birnbaum of Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences. Goodstein is headed to Harvard Law School this fall and Birnbaum, who is currently conducting rheumatology research, plans for a career in the medical field.

Valedictorians Dov Brodkin and Ariel Goodstein

L-R: Touro President Dr. Alan Kadish, keynote speaker Congressman Mike Lawler, Alumnus of the Year Moshe Oiring

Yom Shalom at HANC

It has been weeks of joy and celebration in HANC’s Early Childhood Center in West Hempstead. Our new Sheiraynu, named by Morah Shani, nursery aleph culmination program focused on what the children learned this year. They were so proud of all of their accomplishments. The four-year-old students performed in their Yom Shalom ceremony, which served as a moving up and end of the year celebration. As the parents and grandparents of the nursery bet entered the auditorium, there was a tremendous sense of excitement in the air. Reflecting the theme of “Building Blocks of Growth,” for the nursery bet (4 year old children) the stage was adorned with large primary colored blocks that were decorated with pictures of what they are thankful for. As the children walked up on the stage in pairs to give introductions to the next song, they added another block that illustrated the theme of the next musical number. Performing a delightful mix of Hebrew and English songs, accompanied by the ECC music teacher, Morah Kayli Joseph, the children expressed their gratitude to Hashem for everything that He has bestowed upon them. The children have all grown in tre-

mendous ways, physically, educationally and emotionally, and their many accomplishments were reflected in their Yom Shalom Ceremonies. As Morah Trudy Rubinstein, Director of HANC’S Early Childhood Center, stated, “It is such a bittersweet moment; we are extremely proud of all of the growth and accomplishments of all of our students, but we must say goodbye to our oldest students. Although we will miss them at the ECC, we know that they will transition beautifully into kindergarten.”

HANC wishes to thank the dedicated ECC staff for providing their students with a loving, nurturing environment in which to learn and grow and for all of their efforts to make this past year of learning so exciting and meaningful for their young students. Hakarat hatov also goes to Morah Kayli Joseph, for writing some of the songs that the children sang and for accompanying them so beautifully on her keyboard. Additional thanks go to the PTA for providing the yummy treats that added icing on the cake for the darling yeladim, which left them with extra sweet memories of their year in the HANC Early Childhood Center.

The Ganger Early Childhood Center at TAG celebrated the completion of Sefer Vayikra with a special Siyum. The talmidos reviewed the parshios and their parsha songs and received a yummy treat.

Wines of the World for Shavuos

By Gabriel Geller, WSET III

First, a note about the title. Shavuos is the celebration of Matan Torah. The Torah is eternal, and the Jewish people have maintained their attachment and observance of Torah for thousands of years, wherever in the world they found themselves. B”H, nowadays we have kosher wines from most of the world’s prime wine regions. Kosher wines from Italy, France, California, and of course, Israel, are also a testimony that, wherever Jewish people go, they bring and remain faithful to the Torah and its laws. While we all aspire for our redemption in our homeland, it is also fitting to rejoice for Shavuos with kosher wines from different regions throughout the world. While its wine industry is a modern iteration, Eretz Yisrael is considered one of the most ancient wine-producing countries. Fueled by a respect for tradition and passion for innovation, Israeli wineries such as Shiloh make some of the most intriguing wines. Shiloh’s brand-new Chenin Blanc is a great example, with a great balance between the grape’s typical pear and stone fruit aroma, with the complexity and viscosity resulting from the aging in oak barrels.

One of the oldest and most winemaking countries is Italy. A growing number of high-quality kosher wines are made in all of the traditional regions, including Tuscany, Piedmont, and Sicilia, to name only a few. In Tuscany’s Chianti appellation, there are two fully kosher, Jewish-owned wineries: Terra di Seta and Cantina Giuliano. Terra di Seta makes Chianti Classico wines that have won worldwide critical acclaim every year. More recently, they have added a flagship wine named Guiduccio, which is a Super Tuscan, a blend of both local Tuscan varieties such as Sangiovese and international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Superbly complex and laden with Italian character, it is a wine well befitting a yom tov table. Different in style but quite delicious too, the Magnificus is another Super Tuscan to put on your radar. It is made by Villa Mangiacane, a landmark Italian estate that is Jewish-owned, as well. Cantina Giuliano, the realization of a dream combining family legacy and Jewish tradition, makes a terrific Vermentino. It is a refreshing white wine loaded with citrus and herbaceous notes that will accompany Shavuos dairy and fish dishes beautifully.

From Spain, there is the Cohen-Ale-

ta family of Elvi wines, who has revived Jewish winemaking more than 500 years after the expulsion of the Jews. Famous for their great Rioja and their estate-produced and grown wines Clos Mesorah and EL26, Elvi also makes the Herenza White, a great value under $20 for a delightful and unique white wine with lime, white peach and straw notes with pleasant bitter lemon peel characteristics on the finish. A must-try with baked salmon. We could go on and on, but our last stop will be in the New World, specifically in South Africa. There, the talented hus-

Communicate to Connect: Shalom Task Force Pilots

New Shalom Workshop

Shalom Task Force is excited to launch its pilot of Communicate to Connect, a new Shalom Workshop program. Communicate to Connect is an interactive program grounded in Torah and evidence-based psychological teachings, designed to support engaged and newly married couples in building a solid foundation for their relationships. This two-session workshop covers key topics such as the Healthy Attachment Cycle, Trust, Effective Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Financial Management. One of the goals of this program is to

make it a communal norm for engaged and newly married couples to have the opportunity to learn healthy relationship skills.

The most recent workshop was graciously hosted by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Nisanov of Kehilat Sephardim Ahava Achim in Queens. At this two-session event, couples learned essential relationship skills and how to support each other effectively. This understanding was fostered through a series of interactive exercises and activities that help develop a stronger, more connected relationship.

Learning Shavuos Night with SKA

It has been another incredible year of learning at SKA. Throughout the year, our students have continued to develop their dedication to and love of learning Torah lishma, not only in the classroom, but also on our students’ own time together with our Beit Midrash fel-

lows.

We are excited for our capstone women’s learning event for the entire community on Shavuot night. Hundreds of alumni and SKA students join with women from the community each Shavuot to learn together and celebrate our con-

band-and-wife duo Josh and Chana Rynderman of ESSA Wine Co. have raised the quality bar to new heights. Their Petit Verdot is perfect to experience this lesser-known variety with your fleishig Yom Tov meals. Bold yet round and velvety, the ESSA Petit Verdot showcases notes of ripe blueberries, purple plums, and tobacco leaves with big tannins to match a juicy roast.

Chag sameach, l’chaim!

Participants praised the workshop, highlighting the value of its interactive elements and the depth of understanding it provided. One couple noted that “understanding the structures of how human needs develop” was particularly insightful. Another shared, “The interaction between chosson and kallah, as opposed to only lecture, was great.” Many couples expressed their enthusiasm for applying what they learned, with one stating, “It’s something I look forward to using in my relationship,” while another appreciated a deeper perspective, saying,

“The focus on what’s going on behind the scenes is very helpful.”

Shalom Task Force’s mission is to foster healthy and safe relationships and a supportive community. This program highlights the importance of providing couples with the tools and knowledge to build lasting, supportive relationships. If you would like to bring this program to your community or register for an upcoming workshop, please contact Shalom Workshop at education@shalomtaskforce.org.

nection to Torah and its relevance to our lives. With a variety of shiurim to choose from, over the course of the night, there is something for everyone.

This event beautifully exemplifies the Torah learning that takes place in SKA, and we welcome this opportunity to share it with the community. We look forward to learning with you this Shavuot at the HALB Hirt Family Campus in Woodmere as we prepare for Kabbalat haTorah together.

An Excerpt: Living Emunah on Parnassah

by Rabbi David Ashear

Give In

Tzemach is a singer and bandleader who entertains at simchos for a livelihood. On one occasion, he was hired by the mother of the bride to play at her daughter’s wedding. As he and his men were setting up their equipment at the wedding hall, another band came in lugging their equipment.

“What are you doing here?” Tzemach asked.

“We were hired to provide the music for this wedding,” Yonasan, the other bandleader, replied.

“By whom?” Tzemach asked.

“Mr. Rubin, the father of the bride.”

The baal simchah saw the two groups facing off and joined them. After a brief conversation, they figured out what had happened. Mr. Rubin had asked his wife to book a band but had forgotten, so he hired one as well.

“I’m terribly sorry for the mix-up,” Mr. Rubin said, embarrassed. “Would one of you agree to forfeit the gig and let the other band play? I’ll pay you something for your trouble.”

The two bandleaders agreed to work it out on their own.

“Well,” Tzemach said. “We were here first, so I think you should leave.”

“I don’t think so,” Yonasan replied. “We came to play music. We’re not leaving.”

The two men glared at each other.

One of Tzemach’s musicians pulled him aside. “I know that the lead singer of the other band has a daughter in the hospital and their medical bills are very high. Maybe we should let them perform because he really needs the money,” he suggested.

Tzemach was moved by the man’s compassion. “Okay,” he told Yonasan. “We’ll leave. You stay and play.”

But to his surprise, Yonasan changed his tune. “No, you can play.” He had just become aware that Tzemach had a large family and needed the parnassah. Back and forth they went, each man telling the other that he wanted to give in.

“I have an idea!” one of the musicians said. “Since we’re all here anyway and have no other booking tonight, let’s all play together and split the fee.”

Instead of a four- or five-piece band, they now formed a nine-piece band!

When the baal hasimchah saw them setting up, he said, “I’m sorry, I can’t afford to pay both groups.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Tzemach said. “We worked it out.”

The music that night was on another level. There was such joy in the hall, and everyone commented on the lively music. The musicians played as though they had been practicing together for years.

One man in the crowd said out loud, “What a waste of money it is to hire such a large band.” He had no idea of the

High School Graduation

Shulamith High School celebrated its 6th annual graduation ceremony on Monday night. The evening highlighted the accomplishments of the newest alumni, while also keeping focus on the ongoing heartache of the hostages in Eretz Yisrael, exemplified by the poignant decision made by the entire graduating class to decorate their caps with “bring them home” messaging.

SHS Valedictorian, Dina Kolodny, has challenged herself throughout her high school journey, partaking in every academic opportunity available. She holds

self-sacrifice that was involved in having that group standing up there that night.

The notes and tunes must have gone straight up to Shamayim and given nachas ruach to Hashem because of the great sacrifice each side was willing to make.

The zechus of “being mevater,” giving in and avoiding machlokes, is beyond comprehension.

A man once went to Rav Shteinman, complaining about his neighbor. Rav Shteinman told him, “Turn away and give in.”

The man came back another time and said, “It’s getting much worse.”

Rav Shteinman told him, “Give in again. There is no limit to giving in.”

The gadol then proceeded to tell him a story to give him chizuk

When Rav Itzele from Ponevezh left the Slabodka Yeshivah, the Alter from Slabodka began looking for a replacement to be the rosh yeshivah. He offered the position to Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, although he was very young. Rav Isser Zalman worried that his widowed mother-in-law would feel bad if her son, who was much older and equally qualified, wasn’t given the position. So he asked if both he and his brother-in-law, Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein, could take the position together. His request was granted.

A few years went by, and it became

an astonishing spectrum of knowledge, holding court at Mock Trial and blowing out the competition in College Bowl. Dina’s acting abilities took center-stage this year in her key role at the SHS Production. She plans to attend Midreshet Lindenbaum this fall, followed by Macaulay Honors at Baruch College.

Our Salutatorian, Leorah Shetrit, combines academic excellence with a full array of hobbies, extracurricular activities, and acts of chessed. She shines in the classroom, on the production stage, and while creating intricate and breath-

clear that these two great rabbis had very different styles of learning. It was not beneficial for the yeshivah to have them share the position of rosh yeshivah. Rav Isser Zalman handed the position to his brother-in-law and established a new yeshivah elsewhere. That yeshivah eventually moved to what today is known as the famed Beis Medrash Govoha, the Lakewood Yeshivah.

Rav Isser Zalman went on to become a towering Torah scholar, and every beis midrash in the world uses his masterpiece, Even HaEzel. In his new yeshivah’s location, he merited to meet Rav Aharon Kotler, who became his son-inlaw. Rav Shach also learned in that yeshivah and developed a close connection to Rav Isser Zalman. A major part of the Torah world that exists today emanated from Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer. He gave up a very prestigious position to honor someone else and he only gained as a result.

We never lose by being mevater

taking artwork. Leorah maintained consistent commitment to Friendship Circle, enhancing the lives of everyone she interacted with. Leorah plans to attend Michlalah and Macaulay Honors at Queens College .

The Keter Shem Tov honor is awarded to a student who exemplifies selflessness, kindness, inclusivity, and respect to all whom she encounters. The awardee is chosen by her peers and faculty, and the recipient is revealed at the graduation ceremony. Adina Traube, this year’s Keter Shem Tov, has embodied these quali-

ties throughout her high school years. Through her positivity, friendship, and humility, she has made every classmate feel accepted and honored. Adina plans to attend MMY next year, followed by Stern College.

Congratulations to all of our wonderful graduates. We are so proud of your achievements and character, and we know you will continue to make us proud as you take your extraordinary qualities into the world.

Shulamith

Adina Traube

Dina Kolodny Leorah Shetrit

Senior Gedolei Yisrael to Address Klal Yisrael at Historic “Kabbolas

Shabbos”

Gathering at The Prudential Center this Sunday

By Chaim Gold

If you want to engage in hatzalas nefashos, saving lives, not just the lives of others but your own spiritual life, you should be at the Prudential Arena this Sunday, 3 Sivan/June 9, for Dirshu’s Kinnus Olam HaTorah. It is there that Klal Yisrael will collectively be mekabel Shabbos by undertaking to start learning hilchos Shabbos in Dirshu’s daily Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program.

The greatest zechus that a person can have to bring with him to the upcoming Yom Tov of Kabbolas HaTorah when we are all seeking ways to strengthen our bond with Torah and with Hashem is Kabbolas Shabbos!

The Sephardic Torah giant, HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen, zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Porat Yosef, said, “Shabbos is more important than anything else! If one doesn’t learn hilchos Shabbos, he can transgress d’Oraisahs – Torah mandated prohibitions. Learning hilchos Shabbos is literally hatzalas nefashos.”

The spectacular Kinnus Olam HaTorah promises to be a maamad, a tremendous maamad of chizuk, kabbolas ol malchus shomayim and kabbolas ol haTorah. Leading Gedolei Yisrael from both Eretz Yisrael and America will address the event live and via video, giving over the daas Torah and guidance as to how we should conduct ourselves during these difficult times. They will tell us what the call of the hour is and what every Yid can do to invoke rachamei shomayim

The massive Prudential Center will not only be open for men but for women as well. After all, Kabbolas Shabbos is a family affair, and behind every home where the men and the bachurim are learning hilchos Shabbos, there is a wife and mother serving as the backbone on the home front, ensuring their success and cheering them on.

The Kabbolas Shabbos maamad of chizuk at the Prudential Center will feature a combination of live and video addresses exclusively for the maamad featuring luminaries such as the venerated Roshei Yeshiva of the Slabodka Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita. The participants will be able to daven together with the gaon, tzaddik and mekubal, HaRav Shimon Galei, shlita, and will be there in the room with him as he inspires us to new heights in advance of Kabbolas

HaTorah. We will be able to prepare for Shavuos with a powerful, practical message and guidance from HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Lakewood Mesivta and Telshe, who will stand at the podium and convey the “Call of the Hour” to Klal Yisrael.

We will be inspired by messages from the great American Rabbanim and Poskim, HaGaon HaRav Hillel David, shlita, Rav of Kehillas Yeshiva Shaarei Torah, Yoshev Rosh of the Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Umesorah, and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel, HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Staten Island, HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Miller, shlita, Rosh Kollel of the Kollel Avreichim of Toronto and Av Beis Din of the Beis Horaah of Lakewood, and HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, shlita, senior Skverer Dayan.

The powerful addresses of the Gedolei Eretz Yisrael, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva, the Sanzer Rebbe, shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Avraham Salim, Nasi of the Shas Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, will certainly move and inspire the listeners to bring the true bracha and shemira of Shabbos into their homes.

In addition, we will be treated to hear from Gedolim closer to home, powerful and inspirational Rabbanim such as HaRav Shimon Spitzer, shlita, HaRav Dovid Ozeri, shlita, Rav of the Yad Yosef Torah Center, HaRav Zev Smith, Maggid Shiur for Dirshu and Irgun Shiurei Torah, and Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, Nasi Dirshu.

The uplifting, moving music and heartfelt singing by the renowned mezamrim, R’ Zanvil Weinberger, R’ Hershel Weinberger, R’ Baruch Levine, and R’ Naftali Kempeh, accompanied by the Shirah Choir and Frelich Orchestra are sure to strengthen the message of the bracha of Shabbos.

Creating a “Shabbos Yid”!

Most important, however, is the ultimate objective of this historic gathering. To follow and heed the call of the Gedolei Yisrael who represent the entire spectrum of Torah Jewry to encourage and ensure that every observant Jew, whether he is a ben yeshiva or kollel yungerman, a businessman or professional, should undertake to learn hilchos Shabbos. What better opportunity than right now, erev Shavuos, when the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program begins Chelek Gimmel of Mishnah Berurah with the start

Dirshu World Siyum at the Prudential Center, 2020

of hilchos Shabbos while simultaneously, Dirshu’s popular, new Amud HaYomi program is in the middle of Masechta Shabbos?!

Shabbos is the source of all bracha When we keep Shabbos properly and arouse awareness of the myriad halachos that we encounter every single Shabbos, we are empowered to be careful not to transgress melachos d’oraysah and d’rabbanan, Torah mandated commandments and Rabbinic mandated prohibitions. In this way, we can bring bracha and shemira not only to our own families but to the entire Klal Yisrael!

Those who attend this historic gathering led by the Gedolei Hador, the einei ha’eidah, will never be the same! You will come out a Shabbos Yid, a Yid who wants to truly bring the bracha of Shabbos into your home and the shemira of Shabbos to all of Klal Yisrael.

Yidden of All Types…On the “Same Page”

One hundred years ago, when the great gaon and tzaddik Rav Meir Shapiro proposed the concept of learning a Daf Yomi of Gemara, he gave a transformative speech that echoes until this very day. In that famed speech, Rav Meir Shapiro explained how Klal Yisrael would benefit from individuals learning the same daf world over each day, “When Yankel the businessman from Warsaw will meet his friend Moshe from Krakow at the annual yerid, the business show in Leipzig, what will they talk about? They will talk about the same daf of Gemara that they learned that morning. They will be on the ‘same page.’”

Similarly, it is amazing to see how today, Jews who meet one another – be it in shul, on the street or even waiting at a bus stop – stop to discuss a difficult halacha in the Mishnah Berurah from that day’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, or a fascinating practical psak halacha issued by HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l, HaGaon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, or HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner,

HaRav Shimon Galei imparting divrei chizuk at the Dirshu Amud HaYomi Siyum, 2024

zt”l, that they saw in the incredible Biurim U’Musafim section of Dirshu’s edition of the Mishnah Berurah Avreichim, bochurim, and baalei batim throughout the world all find a common language in the daily Daf HaYomi B’Halacha.

The Key to Shemira is Shabbos

In advance of the previous machzor of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha when the program began learning hilchos Shabbos, the venerated Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh, HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, zt”l, was asked to give over a message. He said, “It is well known that from a lack of knowledge of hilchos Shabbos, a person can transgress Torah mandated prohibitions. It is so important to learn Mishnah Berurah daily! Learning Mishnah Berurah daily is mamesh hatzolas nefashos!”

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita, of Bnei Brak has been enthusiastically encouraging everyone to begin hilchos Shabbos this Erev Shavuos. He said, “Chazal teach us that he who learns halachos every day is assured a place in Olam Habaah. When it says ‘every day,’ Chazal didn’t intend it to just mean every day, rather they meant it to include ‘the entire day.’ When a person learns halacha every day,” the Rebbe exclaimed, “his entire day is different! Certainly, when a person’s every action on Shabbos is controlled by halacha, his entire Shabbos is different!”

Klal Yisrael so desperately needs shemira today and the key to that shemira is Shabbos! It is in our hands! That is what the Gedolei Yisrael, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, taught us. That is what the Vizhnitzer Rebbe and Rav Reuven Elbaz taught us. Now, all we have to do is be mekabel Shabbos!

Let us all come together at the Prudential Center this Sunday night, just two days before Shavuos, and let us, k’ish echad b’lev echad, be mekabel Shabbos!

For last-minute reservations, please contact: 929-522-1121 or visit DirshuSiyum. org.

As Village of Lawrence Deputy Mayor, a 29-year resident, and long-standing community activist and leader, it is my duty to keep you informed about matters that could significantly impact our community. Today, I write to share some troubling thoughts regarding the upcoming election for the Village of Lawrence Mayor on June 18, 2024.

As we look to the future, there are a wide variety of issues that could impact our quality of life.

It’s been correctly suggested that the most insidious of these is…overdevelopment.

Everyone recognizes that continued, unrestrained overdevelopment in our community will have severe consequences, including increased traffic congestion, decreased safety, strain on public services and utilities, an unsafe evacuation route, and diminished quality of life for residents in Lawrence and the surrounding villages.

Voice N tes

What the Lawrence Election is Really About

By Deputy Mayor Paris Popack

As a citizen and elected official, I have been fighting overdevelopment in the community for seven years (way before becoming a mayoral candidate) to help us all live a safe and fulfilling suburban life, and I will continue to do so. Throughout these years, I have consistently organized many Town Hall community meetings and spent personal resources to publicize them in order to alert the public to this threat.

To be clear, I am not opposed to development that is well-planned, which can be accommodated by the infrastructure, that is considerate of neighbors, not an undue burden on neighborhood services and institutions, and proven to not further exacerbate our unbearable traffic congestion.

What I am opposed to is overdevelopment, irresponsible development, and harmful development. Development that puts personal profit ahead of the community interests and is oblivious to neighbors and neighborhoods is wrong.

To prevent that kind of destructive

overdevelopment, our community needs better communication and regional planning among the Five Towns villages, the Town of Hempstead and New York City (Queens). I intend to remedy this insofar as I come to the table with no agenda other than the interests of the Village of Lawrence and its residents, no personal financial interest and no personal obligations, past or present, to real estate developers or politicians in City, State, Town or County government. I am ready to fight for our homes and demand other entities respect our legitimate needs and concerns.

As I said and have written before, and as I hope to continue to demonstrate, I love Lawrence and am dedicated to maintaining the character and quality of our Village. It is crucial that we elect a mayor who is committed to serving the public good and who will make decisions in the best interests of all residents, not just a select few. We must carefully consider the character, values, track record and intentions

of each candidate before casting our votes in the upcoming election.

Let’s all come together to safeguard the future of Lawrence and ensure that it remains a vibrant and thriving community for generations to come. Together, we can do it, and I am asking for your support to VOTE Row “A” Paris Popack for Mayor, on June 18.

Paris Popack, a wife, mother, businesswoman, community activist and global philanthropist is the recipient of the Assemblywoman Missy Miller’s Women of Distinction Award. She is the current Village of Lawrence Deputy Mayor, Village of Lawrence Trustee, Lawrence Country Club Centennial 2024 Chairperson, Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department Memorial Day Parade Co-Coordinator and Sponsor, former Lawrence Country Club Park Commissioner, and Immediate Past President of the Lawrence Civic Association.

TJH Centerfold

D-Day Trivia

1. On what date did D-Day take place?

a. June 6, 1944

b. June 8, 1944

c. July 6, 1944

d. August 8, 1944

2. Which beach was not one of the five landing areas on D-Day?

a. Omaha

b. Gold

c. Juno

d. Swordfish

3. Who was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force during D-Day?

a. General George Patton

b. General Dwight D. Eisenhower

c. Field Marshal Bernard

Montgomery

d. General Omar Bradley

4. What was the primary objective of the D-Day invasion?

a. To capture Berlin

b. To destroy the German navy

c. To capture Normandy

d. To enter Japan

5. What weather condition was crucial for the timing of the D-Day invasion?

a. Clear skies for air support

b. Calm seas for landing crafts

c. A full moon for visibility and low tide for obstacles

d. Rain, to provide cover for troops

6. How many Allied troops were involved in the initial D-Day landings?

a. 20,000

b. 156,000

c. 300,000

d. 2 million

Answers: 1-A 2-D 3-B 4-C 5- C 6-B

Wisdom key:

5-6 correct: Salute!

3-4 correct: That is a respectable amount of knowledge.

0-2 correct: Sorry that World War II did not take place on TikTok.

Riddle Me This

You see me once in June, twice in November, but not at all in May.

What am I?

Answer: The letter “e”

Dearest College Graduates,

On behalf of our entire community of Centerfold readers, we want to congratulate you on this momentous occasion of having to start paying off your astronomical student loans…I mean on this occasion of graduating college. The world eagerly waits for your insights on Anaxarchus, Democritus, Leucippus and Nausiphanes. It is understandable that you may now feel like an elite member of society, after all, you are no longer in the lowly company of uneducated not-college certified common folks like the following:

• Bill Gates (Microsoft)

• Steve Jobs (Apple)

• Michael Dell (Dell)

• Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook)

• Barry Diller (William Morris)

• Richard Branson (Virgin Air)

• Centerfold Commissioner (You are staring at it)

• Mary Kay Ash (Mary Kay Cosmetics)

• Andrew Jackson (6th President of the U.S.)

• Steven Spielberg (DreamWorks)

Anyway, best of luck. You are going to do great, especially with your Office-Max-made diploma. Just make sure to always take yourself seriously, be insulted often, and never ever laugh at the silly things the Centerfold Commissioner says to you.

Sincerely,

The Centerfold Commissioner (Master’s degree from School of Hard Laughs)

You Gotta Be Kidding Me!

David and Joseph were torn. On the one hand, they were great students, who always got As. Organic chemistry was a tough class, but they studied hard and were well prepared for the final exam, which was to start at 6:00 PM. But then they won tickets to the NBA finals game 7, which was also at 6:00 PM. How could they give up on the opportunity to go to an NBA Finals game?

They went to the game and missed the exam. But they had a plan.

The following morning, they walked into their professor’s office and said, “Professor, you would never believe what happened. After studying for the exam for three days straight, we decided to take a break and go out to eat. We knew that the exam was at 6:00 PM so we made sure to leave the restaurant at 5:00 PM, which provided ample time for us to get back in time for the exam. But as we were driving, our tire blew out. Our car almost careened out of control, but we were lucky to come to a stop on an embankment. When the police arrived, they told us that we were lucky to be alive. Unfortunately, it took three hours to get our car towed and get the tire fixed. It’s a horrible way to end the year. We can’t believe we missed the exam.”

The kind professor thought this over and then agreed that they could make up the final on the following day. The two guys were elated and relieved; their plan had worked. The next day they arrived at the professor’s office to take the exam. He placed them in separate rooms and handed each of them a test booklet and told them to begin.

They looked at the first problem, which was something simple about free radical formation and was worth 5 points. “Cool,” they thought, “this is going to be easy.” They did that problem and then turned the page. They were unprepared, however, for what they saw on the next page.

It said: (95 points) Which tire?

Torah Thought

Parshas Bamidbar

By Rabbi Berel Wein

Ihave always been fascinated why this book of the Torah and this week’s Torah reading is called Bamidbar –in the desert. The rabbis of the Midrash have stated that the lesson involved here is that the Torah only remains in a person who empties all other causes from one’s midst and is as open and unoccupied as is the desert.

Nevertheless, there may be other insights that may be gleaned from the use of the desert as the backdrop for the events

and laws contained in this fourth book of the Torah. One of these different insights has to do with the ability of water to transform a barren desert into a productive place of lush fields and orchards. Here in Israel, the Negev desert that began fifty years ago just south of Chevron has now expanded many kilometers far south of Beersheba. This is due to the national water carrier system and other means of bringing water to that area of our country. Literally, the desert has

bloomed in fulfillment of the ancient prophecies of Isaiah.

Water can overcome the arid dryness and barrenness of the desert of the Negev. In California, desert valleys have been transformed into America’s vegetable basket by systems of water diverted from the Colorado River. Again, in that case, water was the key to transforming a desert into a garden and orchard. There are plans afloat all over the world to transform deserts into arable land. However, fresh water is a valuable and

like the water that represents it, has this enormous regenerative power. The book of Bamidbar will, in its narrative of the many sad and tragic events that befall Israel in its sojourn in the desert, constantly reminds us of the powers of water/Torah to restore the Jewish people to a purposeful existence with greatly productive achievements in spite of all of its failures and backsliding.

No matter how bleak and barren the desert landscape in which we currently find ourselves, we should always be cog-

No matter how bleak and barren the desert landscape in which we currently find ourselves, we should always be cognizant of the ability of Torah to refresh and renew us.

oftentimes scarce commodity, and the struggle to discover and harness more of it for agricultural and human use is a continuous effort.

Throughout the books of the prophets of Israel as well as within the Talmud, the Torah itself is metaphorically compared to and even called water. Just as water has the ability to convert desolate and nonproductive desert land into a veritable Garden of Eden, so too can Torah fill the void in our hearts and souls and make us productive holy people. Torah,

nizant of the ability of Torah to refresh and renew us. The Jewish people are an old nation, and yet our powers of rejuvenation have never waned. We were and are constantly nourished by the waters of Torah irrespective of whatever desert we found or find ourselves in. The choice of Jewish tradition to call this book of the Torah by the name of Bamidbar – in the desert – is meant to convey to us this message of hope, constant redemption, and rebirth.

Shabbat shalom.

From the Fire

Parshas Bamidbar In the Name of Shame

By Rav Moshe Weinberger

Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

Tosafos explain (Megilla 31b) that Parshas Bamidbar is always read on the Shabbos before Shavuos.

One of the focal points of our parsha is (Bamidbar 2:2) “The Jewish people camp each person by his division, by the flags of his father’s house, they camped corresponding to and surrounding the Tent of Meeting.” In the desert, the Jewish people camped with the Mishkan in the central position, the Levi’im in the middle circle, and the other tribes in the outer circle. If this is a focal point of the parsha which is read just before Shavuos, we must understand how our encampments and flags are central to properly receiving the Torah.

There is an often-overlooked pasuk in which the Torah identifies the purpose of the giving of the Torah on Shavuos. The pasuk (Shmos 20:17) says, “And Moshe said to the nation, ‘Do not fear because Hashem [has come] in order to lift you up, nasos, and in order that fear of Him should be upon your faces so that you will never sin.’” Rashi explains that the Hebrew word “nasos” means “lifting up and greatness, as in the pasuk (Yeshayahu 62:10) says, ‘Lift up a flag.’” We therefore see that the purpose of Sinai was to lift us up so that we will attain a fear of G-d which will help us avoid sin.

In what way does fear of G-d help us avoid sin? The Gemara (Nedarim 20a) says, “‘In order that the fear of Him should be upon your faces,’ refers to embarrassment, ‘so that you will never sin,’ teaches that embarrassment brings to fear of sin... Anyone who has the trait of embarrassment will not soon come to sin and if someone lacks the trait of embarrassment, his parents certainly never stood by Mt. Sinai.” We see from here that the critical “takeaway point” from the Sinai experience was attaining the quality of embarrassment, which is

the key to the self-motivation to avoid sin. In fact, Chazal tell us that this trait (embarrassment) is one of the hallmarks of a Jew (Yevamos 79a).

We might have thought that the quality of embarrassment is a good thing but is tangential to a Jew’s nature. These teachings, however, demonstrate that the attainment of the quality of embarrassment is an essential part of the purpose of the Sinai experience and what it means to be a Jew.

What, then, is the source of the quality of embarrassment? The Alter of Novardok, in his essay “The Essence of Truth,” explains the foundation of the trait of embarrassment through the story of Eliyahu Hanavi on Har Carmel. At that time, during the reign of Achav and Izevel, the worship of the Baal was rampant among the vast majority of the Jewish people, even though the people believed in and served Hashem as well. Achav’s wife, Izevel, had all of Hashem’s prophets executed. The only survivor was

Eliyahu who, in his zeal to uphold G-d’s honor, decreed a famine in the land which lasted three years.

After three years, the people begged Eliyahu to rescind the decree and end the famine. He agreed, on the condition that they hold a “showdown” between the prophets of the Baal and he, Eliyahu, to demonstrate the falsity of Baal worship. They agreed, but before the “contest” between the 450 prophets of the Baal and Eliyahu began, he gave the Jewish people the following introduction (Melachim 1:18:21): “How long will you dance on two sides of the fence?! If Hashem is G-d, go after Him! And if Baal is, go after him!” Rashi explains that the two sides of the fence are the two thoughts regarding who G-d is.

The Alter of Novardok explained that the purpose of Eliyahu’s introduction was to sensitize them to the fact that Divine service and Baal worship are mutually exclusive; the two cannot coexist. He wanted to infuse them with hargashas ha’setirah,

a feeling of contradiction. They must realize that the worship of Hashem and Baal cannot coexist. They cannot have it both ways. In response to Hashem’s demonstration on Mt. Carmel that only He is G-d, and not the Baal, the Jewish people responded enthusiastically (Id. at 39), “Hashem Hu ha’Elokim; Hashem Hu ha’Elokim, Hashem is G-d! Hashem is G-d!”

The root and foundation of the trait of embarrassment is the feeling of cognitive dissonance one experiences when he realizes that he is living a contradictory life. When one realizes that, he feels embarrassed to continue deluding himself into thinking that he can “have it all.” Why do people think they can live this double life? Chazal say that (Shabbos 31b) “the wicked know their path ends in death.” Chazal also teach (as quoted by the Alter Rebbe in Tanya 11) that “the wicked are full of regrets.” Why do people continue sinning even when they know it is wrong and that they will not profit from it in the long term? It is because they only know this intellectually, but lack hargashas ha’setirah, a feeling of contradiction. The do not feel embarrassed by sinning because they lack a conscious awareness that the way they live and what they know to be true are mutually exclusive. The Gemara (Shabbos 119b) says, “Yerushalayim was only destroyed because people had no embarrassment in front of one another.”

To give some more modern examples, we have people who use their iPhone as a siddur and say, sincerely, in Shemoneah Esrei, “Forgive us our Father for we have sinned!,” and then half an hour later, the same person is looking inappropriate pictures and videos on that same iPhone, may Hashem protect us. Another person cries over the spilled blood of a precious Jewish soldier killed by terrorists in Eretz Yisroel, and the very same day, he humil-

iates his wife and children, which Chazal teach us (Avos 3:14) is like spilling blood! We have women who believe sincerely and wholeheartedly in Hashem but who walk into shul wearing skirts that do not even approach their knees. To give a more extreme example, we have all heard stories of rebbeim who teach children the Aleph Beis, how to read the Torah and daven, and after class they murder these children by molesting them. Let us consider the man who sponsors the Choshen Mishpat kollel in the mornings, who studies halachic civil law every day, but when he goes to work he fails to disclose the money he earned off the books for tax purposes, he steals from a gentile, or enters into contractual agreements with no intention of fulfilling his part of the bargain unless the other side forces him to. How can we live such contradictions?!

Each one of us has something that he is guilty of, some way in which he or she is living a double-life. We are not embarrassed because we lack that hargashas ha’setirah, feeling of contradiction. Our job as Sinai Jews is to at least feel embarrassed about what we are doing wrong, which is an important first step even if we haven’t yet mustered up the courage to change. Then we must align our lives

more and more with Hashem and less with the “other side.”

Rav Yaakov Galinsky offers a humorous parable to illustrate the contradictions with which we live. He tells a story of a gentile in the shtetl who sees another gentile friend of his leaving a shul. He asks his friend what he is doing in the Jews’ shul, and the friend answers him that he dresses up as a Jew, walks around in shul saying, “Tzedakah, tzedakah,” and the Jewish people are merciful and give him plenty of money. He probably makes more money without all the work and sweat that his friend endures! Liking his friend’s idea, the man learns what to say, proceeds to obtain the necessary clothing and goes to shul the next day asking for tzedakah, and the people respond generously! Pleased with his success, he continues going from shul to shul, collecting, but he notices another collector in one of the shuls who is doing noticeably better than he was. He asks the man his secret. The man tells him that he is a Ger Tzedek, a convert, and that Jewish people have a special feeling for converts. Noting the Hebrew word for convert, he begins saying, “Tzedakah for a Ger Tzedek!” Indeed, people begin giving him even more than before.

As the man continues collecting, he sees another person collecting even more successfully. People do not just give him their spare change; they give him bills! So he approaches this person and asks him why everyone is so generous with him. He explains that he was a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov and that Jewish people have a special feeling for the descendants of tzaddikim. Noting the Hebrew expression for a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov, the man begins attempting to collect the next day, “Tzedakah for a Ger Tzedek, a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov!” Needless to say, his luck runs out.

We live with contradictions as preposterous as this swindler. We must begin recognizing that we are living a life of contradictions. Once we feel that, we will feel embarrassment and will then be able to change.

The trait of embarrassment is why it was not enough that Hashem told us on Har Sinai, “I am Hashem your G-d.” He also had to tell us, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” We must recognize that we cannot dance on both sides of the fence, between the two ideologies of Yiddishkeit on one hand and some other power to which we are beholden on the other. We must see the fact that there is a

contradiction. We cannot serve Hashem one minute and then our other masters the next minute. If we work now in these days leading up to Shavuos to cultivate the sensitivity to be embarrassed by our live’s contradictions, we will then be worthy of the tremendous covenant entrusted to us at Sinai and we will prove that we are people whose ancestors indeed stood at Sinai to receive the Torah.

As the pasuk says in this week’s parsha, the center of the Jewish camp is the Mishkan, Hashem’s dwelling place. We must ensure that all aspects of our lives surrounding that center are consistent with it. With Hashem’s help, may we merit to receive the Torah and attain the sensitivity to be embarrassed by any inconsistency in our lives which contradicts our Divine service. May we then merit the day when we can cry out for a final time, without any embarrassment or shame, “Hashem Hu haElokim, Hashem Hu haElokim; Hashem is G-d! Hashem is G-d!”

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.

Think. Feel.Grow.

What is the Deeper Purpose of Shavuos?

By Rabbi Shmuel Reichman

We experience life through the medium of time. Each new moment brings with it new opportunities as we ascend through this journey of time. Amidst these constantly moving waves of time, the chagim are specific and set points that carry with them unique energy. Each holiday presents us with the chance to tap into and experience the theme inherent to that point in time. Before we delve into the specific theme and uniqueness of Shavuos, we must first understand time in general.

Circles in Time

The widely accepted understanding of time is that it moves in a straight line. Hashem created our world of space and time, and since its inception, time has been moving inexorably forward. Along this line of time is the past, present, and the future. If we were to move backward along this line, we could peer through history and find Avraham Avinu at the Akeidah, Moshe Rabbeinu receiving the Torah, and the Rambam writing the Mishneh Torah. Our current experience is taking place in the middle of the line, and if we could move forward along the line, we would see events that have not yet occurred. However, there is a major contradiction to this theory.

There is a piyut in the Pesach Haggadah (Sefer U’v’chen V’amartem) that describes how Avraham Avinu served matzah to the three malachim who visited him because it was Pesach at that time. Rashi (Bereishis 19:3) quotes this opinion and says that Lot served matzah to the malachim as well when they came to Sodom. How can this be? The mitzvah of matzah originates from the events of yetzias Mitzrayim, which would not occur for another two hundred years!

In order to understand why Avraham

and Lot served their guests matzah before the miracles of Pesach occurred, we must develop a deeper understanding of time.

Time does not move along a continuous, straight line; it circles around in a repeating yearly cycle. As the Ramchal explains, Hashem created thematic cycles of time, and each point in the year contains unique spiritual energy.

This deep understanding transforms our perception of time. We don’t celebrate freedom each year on the fifteenth of Nissan because that’s when the Jews were freed from Egypt; rather, the Jews were redeemed from Egypt on the 15th of Nissan because that is z’man cheiruseinu, the time of freedom. This power of freedom allowed the Jews to escape the slavery of Mitzrayim, and this is why Avraham and Lot ate matzah long before yetzias Mitzrayim occurred. Matzah represents freedom, and Avraham and Lot tapped into the spiritual

energy of freedom present at that point in time. Rather than commemorating a historical event, they were tapping into the deep energies of time already inherent at that point in the circle. So too, when we celebrate each holiday, we do not simply commemorate a historical event; we tap into and experience the deep energies inherent at that point in time. Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkos, and all the chagim give us the opportunity to access unique spiritual energies in time.

However, even the circle analogy is limiting. If time were indeed a circle, each point of the year would simply be a repetition of that point from the previous year, from the previous lap around the circle. That would be pointless. We do not seek to re-experience the past each year. Our goal is to expand upon what we have created year after year, so that each time we return to that same point on the circle, we

are on a fundamentally different level. Each Rosh Hashana must be higher than the previous one: each Pesach, a new Pesach; each Shavuos, a new Shavuos, etc. Through our growth and ascension, we convert the two-dimensional circle into a three-dimensional spiral, traversing along the same circle to ever greater heights. We maintain circularity while achieving ascension.

Re-Experiencing Shavuos

Once we understand the concept of time, and the distinct opportunity and importance of tapping into the unique theme of each point of time in the systematic process of ascension, we must delve into the specific theme that Shavuos presents. What is the power and potential inherent in this time of the year, and how can we harness it to grow along our ascending, spiraling path?

On Shavuos, there is a custom to stand during the Torah reading. Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (Harirei Kedem Vol 2) explains that we stand during Torah reading on this day because we are recreating the experience of Matan Torah, when the entire Jewish People stood around Har Sinai to receive the Torah. On Shavuos, we do not simply remember what once occurred; we relive the experience as we tap back into the power of kabbalas ha’Torah, receiving and accepting the Torah. We do not simply repeat this process each year; rather, we reaccept the Torah on an entirely new level, as fundamentally higher beings, growing through each revelation of Torah. Kabbalas ha’Torah this year is at the same point along the circle as last year, but one rung higher on the spiral. We are truly receiving the Torah anew, in a new dimension of time and spiritual energy.

If Shavuos is the time of kabbalas

ha’Torah, to truly understand what we are trying to experience on Shavuos, we must first understand what Torah is. Some may refer to the Torah as a history book; others may think of it as a book of law or a source of Jewish wisdom. While these are all true, they only scratch the surface of the Torah’s true nature. Torah is not simply a guide to living a life of truth within this world; it is the blueprint and DNA of the world itself. Our physical world is a projection and emanation of the deep spiritual reality described in the Torah. This is the meaning behind the famous Midrash, “Istakel b’Oraisa u’bara alma – [Hashem] looked into the Torah and used it to create the world.” (Bereishis Rabbah 1:1). Torah is the spiritual root of existence; the physical world is its expression.

Imagine a projector: the image that you see on the screen emanates from the film in the projector so that everything you see on the screen is simply an expression of what’s contained within the film. So, too, every single thing that we see and experience in the physical world stems from the spiritual root – the transcendent dimension of Torah. To illustrate further, the trees you see outside originally stemmed from a single seed. Similarly, each and every one of us originated from a zygote,

half a male and half a female genetic code. From that single cell ultimately manifested a fully developed and expressed human being. You are the expression of your original seed, just like the world is the expression of its original seed and root, the Torah. Thus, the world in which we live is an avenue to the spiritual; we can access the spiritual, transcendent world through the physical world because the two are intimately and intrinsically connected.

To relate to this concept, think of the way in which other human beings experience and understand you. All they can see of you is your physical body. They cannot see your thoughts, your consciousness, your emotions, or your soul. All they can see are your actions, words, facial expressions, and body language, i.e., the ways in which you express yourself within the world. They cannot see your inner world, but they can access it through the outer expressions that you project. The same is true regarding human beings trying to experience Hashem and the spiritual. We cannot see the spiritual; we cannot see what is ethereal and transcendent, only that which is physical. However, we can use the physical to access the spiritual; we can study the Torah’s expression in this world to understand its spiritual root.

The Gift of Torah

Hashem gave us the Torah in order to guide us on our spiritual journey in this world. Shavuos is therefore not a call to be transcendent, angelic beings, lofty and perfect, beyond the struggle innate within the human condition. This is not permission to deny our humanity and restrict our sense of self. This is a calling to be human, to be the ultimate human, to bring transcendence and spirituality into this world. We don’t aim to escape this world; we aim to transform it. Kedushah is not transcendence or escapism; it’s marrying transcendence with the immanent. This is what Torah teaches us: how to uplift our physical experience and connect it to the spiritual. When implemented correctly, Torah enables us to uplift every aspect of our worldly experience to something higher, holier, and more meaningful. Our mission is to make this Shavuos the next step in our evolutionary spiral through time. We must not only reaccept what we have already accepted, we must take it to the next level, the next rung of the ladder. We do not simply remember, we build; we do not repeat, we ascend. May we be inspired to accept the Torah this Shavuos with all of our heart, commit to living a life of Torah truth, and endlessly

pursue higher and deeper perceptions of the physical world as an expression of a spiritual reality.

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

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

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

Ashepherd deserts his flock for a quick break. While he is gone, a wolf eats one of the sheep. To determine if the shepherd is liable, we evaluate whether the shepherd could have fought off the wolf had he been there. Rav Sheishes wonders, why do we only take the normal circumstances into account? Dovid HaMelech was miraculously able to fight off a lion and a bear attacking his flock. Can’t the owner of the flock claim a miracle would have occurred? If the shepherd had not shirked his duty, Hashem might have miraculously given him the ability to fight off the predator. The shepherd should therefore be liable to pay restitution no matter what the evaluation concludes.

The Gemara (Bava Metzia 106) retorts that if the owner merited having a miracle occur for him, a miracle could have occurred even if the shepherd was not present, just as it occurred to Rebbe Chanina ben Dosa. Rebbe Chanina ben Dosa’s goat miraculously returned to its owner carrying a dead lion over its horns.

Yet the Gemara does not reject the notion that miracles cannot occur for the common man; indeed, Tosfos say that through tefillos, even otherwise ordinary individuals can merit to have miracles happen to them.

An interesting question presents itself. The Gemara discusses two miracles – the one that occurred to Dovid HaMelech, where he miraculously killed a lion and a bear, and the other, seemingly greater one that occurred to Rebbe Chanina ben Dosa, whose goat was able to kill a lion. Why didn’t Dovid HaMelech merit to have the greater miracle occur to him?

My father, Rabbi Yaakov Sebrow, shlita, answered that Hashem wanted Dovid HaMelech to kill the lion and bear himself to inspire him to kill Goliath. In fact, this is exactly what the midrash says about Esther. Hashem hinted to

Delving into the Daf

It’s a Miracle

By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

two people who understood and took the hint. One of them was Dovid HaMelech.

The midrash says that Dovid HaMelech took the hint that Hashem helped him miraculously kill a lion and a bear. Dovid said to himself: “Hashem would not have performed this miracle for me

Rebbe then decreed a fast and had Rebbe Chiya and his sons daven for the tzibbur. The Gemara relates that when they recited “Mashiv HaRuach” together, the wind blew. When they recited “Morid HaGeshem” together, it started raining. They were about to say “Mechayeh

Every individual’s prayer is powerful.

unless there was a reason.” He then offered his services in killing Goliath. Every individual’s prayer is powerful. The Gemara earlier recounts that the prayers of tzaddikim can be especially powerful (ibid. 85b). Rebbe asked Eliyahu HaNavi, “Is there any group of tzaddikim alive who, when praying together, would bring Moshiach?” Eliyahu answered, “Rebbe Chiya and his sons.”

Meisim” together when their prayer was miraculously disrupted by a fiery bear. Alas, Moshiach did not come.

Tosfos wonder how Rebbe could appoint Rebbe Chiya to be the chazzan, as elsewhere the Gemara noted that Rebbe Chiya could not pronounce some of the words correctly. Rebbe Chiya did the best he could at his own prayers. Still, when it comes to public prayer, we

should not appoint a chazzan who cannot pronounce all of the words correctly.

The Brisker Rav expressed incredulity at Tosfos’s question. “Is there any loftier goal than bringing Moshiach? This is what Klal Yisrael pined for over countless generations! We daven for this every day – that Mashiach should come and redeem us from our trials and tribulations. If Rebbe knew the secret how to bring Moshiach, is it possible to tell him to refrain simply because Rebbe Chiya wouldn’t pronounce a few words correctly? Even regarding the recitation of Shema, which is a biblical mitzvah, it is an accepted halacha that if someone was not careful in the pronunciation of the words, he has still fulfilled his obligation. Certainly, regarding the issue of choosing a chazzan, which is just a rabbinic law, we should be lenient for the sake of bringing Moshiach! Especially, since this law of which chazzan to choose is only l’chatchilah. Post facto, any chazzan is acceptable.”

The Brisker Rav said that we see from here how important it is to follow even the minutest details of halacha. If halacha precludes Rebbe Chiya from being chosen as chazzan, Rebbe would have abandoned his plan to bring Moshiach. Even the loftiest goals do not justify violating halacha.

This is an argument that comes up repeatedly. There are always those who posit that halacha should bend or be violated outright for one lofty ideal or another. But unless the halacha allows for violation, such as in imminent pikuach nefesh, we must adhere to halacha.

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.

With Shavuos fast approaching, it is certainly worthwhile to review some pertinent halachos.

Some people have the custom to sleep on Erev Shavuos in order to be able to stay up the entire night on Shavuos. The Mogen Avrohom (OC 290) quotes the Sefer Chasidim that when Erev Shavuos falls on Shabbos, it is forbidden to say that one is resting so that he or she can be awake for the night of Shavuos.

Grass and Trees in Shul

There is a minhag mentioned by the Ramah in Shulchan Aruch (OC 494) to place grass, flowers, and trees in shul on Shavuos. One explanation for this is found in the words of the Levush (Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe).

It commemorates the grass that surrounded Har Sinai at the time of Matan Torah. As the verse states, “the sheep and flocks may not graze…” The indication is that grass grew there. It is a worthwhile minhag to continue because it helps us relive the experience at Har Sinai—an experience that we actually go through once again.

Headlines Halacha

Shavuos

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Another explanation is that it commemorates the bringing of the Bikkurim, the first fruits, which were made from baskets woven and decorated from and with grasses and flowers (Ziv HaMinhagim).

Another explanation is that Moshe Rabbeinu was saved on the banks of the Ye’or which had grassy knolls (Chiddushei HaRim – the Gerrer Rebbe).

The Brisker Rav explained that the decorations are a minimum form of decoration and show us that the only means in which one can acquire Torah is if we are satisified with the minimum and not pursue luxuries and other forms of consumption. Grasses are mentioned in this vein in the Gemara Eiruvin 22a by Rabbi Adda Bar Ahava (Moadim L’Simcha p. 402).

The Minhag of Milchigs

The Ramah mentions that it is the custom to split the meal on Shavuos, where the first half of the meal is comprised of dairy foods and the second half is comprised of meat foods. Although it is no longer the custom to split the meal, we do have the custom to eat dairy foods on

Shavuos. The reason for this custom is to remind us that when we received the Torah we were taught the laws of preparing the meat in the proper, kosher manner. Since we were unable to this immediately, we consumed only dairy foods at the time.

Waiting for Nightfall

Although generally we are permitted to bring in Shabbos or yom tov slightly earlier than is required, in regard to Shavuos, the custom is not to pray immediately but to wait for nightfall. The reason is that we want to count the Omer completely and perfectly. Doing so would entail making sure that the last day is complete.

Staying Up All Night

Although the custom is not mentioned in the Talmud nor in the Shulchan Aruch, the custom has developed in Klal Yisroel to remain awake the entire night of Shavuos and to study Torah. The Seforim HaKedoshim explain that one who stays up all night studying Torah merits “Gilui Shechina” revelation of Hashem’s Divine Presence on that night.

The Kaf HaChaim (OC 494) writes that women who have the custom of counting the Omer can indeed partake in perfecting the Tikkunim involved in the mitzvah of Sefiras ha’Omer by learning at night as well. Other poskim explain that there was no minhag for the women to stay up as well.

No Bloodletting or Testing

The Talmud (Shabbos 129b) tells us that a celestial damager was sent out against the nation of Israel on the day before Shavuos. Its name was T’voach. By virtue of Klal Yisroel having accepted the Torah, they saved themselves from the destructive fate of T’voach. On the eve of Shavuos, we do not engage in any form of bloodletting because of the dangers involved. Indeed, the sages forbade doing so on every erev yom tov on account of Shavuos. The minhag is cited by the commentators (Darchei Moshe CM 468:3) and the custom in Klal Yisroel is to avoid it unless there is medical need.

Shavuos Davening

The Shacharis and full Hallel of yom tov are recited.

The Piut of Akdamus

The Piut (supplication poem) was written by Rav Meir Ben Yitzchok Shliachtzibbur, a Rishon that is often quoted by Rashi and Tosfos (see, for example, Rashi on Tehillim 73:12 and Tosfos RH 11a). It is a double Aleph Bais poem that describes the greatness of the Creator of the world, the nature of Malachim, and the loftier stature that the nation of Israel has above the angels themselves. One section of it describes how, kavyachol , Hashem is longingly desirous of Klal Yisroel learning Torah and desires their prayers. It ends with the statement that who hear (and absorb the depth and meaning of the piut) will merit to be among that group that will merit fantastic miracles on the great day.

The reading of the Aseres HaDibros takes place on the first day of Shavuos. This is followed with Mussaf and the Birkas Kohanim. On the second day, Megillas Rus is read before the reading of the Torah.

Why We Read Megillas Rus

There is a debate among the poskim as to whether our custom to read the Megillah of Rus on Shavuos is a full-fledged obligation or a minhag. The reason why we read the book of Rus is to teach us that

Torah is only given through hardship and poverty (Yalkut Shimoni 596). Another reason is that the entire episode took place during the Zman HaKatzir – and Shavuos is known as Chag HaKatzir too.

A third reason is so that we will have read all three parts of the Tanach on the day of Matan Torah (Otzer HaMinhagim).

Yizkor

On the second day of yom tov (the first day in Eretz Yisroel) after the Torah is read, a special prayer of Yizkor is recited as is done on all second day yomim tovim. We daven for and pledge tzedakah in the merit of those in our family who have passed on. It is the custom in Klal Yisroel for everyone who still has both parents to leave the shul during the recitation of Yizkor.

Yom Tov Halachos

Like on Shabbos, there exists a prohibition of performing melacha on Yom Tov. The admonition against certain melachos should be used as a means of coming closer to Hashem as well. What is melacha exactly, and how can it be used as a tool for greater closeness to G-d?

Melacha is not defined as work, necessarily. Melacha is defined as a certain,

specific type of creative act. More precisely, melacha is defined as the specific creative acts that were necessary to create the Mishkan, the resting place for Hashem’s concentration of the Shechina Presence here on earth.

Our refraining from such creative acts on Shabbos and yom tov is the collective flag of the Jewish people. Just as any nation is proud and salutes its national flag, so too is the observance of Shabbos and the holidays the flag of the Jewish people. The flag symbolizes and embodies our belief that the world was created for a purpose by a kind and benevolent Being who rewards good and punishes evil. A focus on this idea will cause us to become ever closer to Him. Mere contemplation of it when we refrain from melacha achieves this end.

While the definition of melacha is the same for both Shabbos and yom tov, the Torah made some exceptions for yom tov. The Torah states that actions that are necessary for people to eat are permitted on yom tov. This is called “ochel nefesh.” Not all actions, however, are permitted for ochel nefesh purposes. If the food preparation could have been done with equal freshness and results before yom tov, and one had the time opportunity to

do it then, then it may only be done with a shinui on yom tov itself. There are some melachos on yom tov that are forbidden or very different even when it comes to food preparation.

It is also important to know that one may never do melacha on yom tov during a bain hash’mashos – twilight that immediately followed a yom tov. Why is this so? Because we do not know exactly when the day changes from one to the other. It is forbidden to do melacha on yom tov for another day. Thus we might be doing melacha on yom tov for another day which is forbidden. One is also, of course, not permitted to perform any melacha on the first day of yom tov for the second day of yom tov – even if the preparations involve no melacha. This is called hachana and something in which we must be very careful. The yom tov is very special and acts performed on it must be limited only to the needs of that yom tov. May it be Hashem’s will that we merit a complete and full Kabbalas HaTorah this year!

This article should be viewed as a halachic discussion and not practical advice. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com.

My Israel Home The Happy Warrior

By Gedaliah Borvick

My daughter is in the final stages of her social work degree and is currently doing fieldwork in Lod. I recently picked her up from her Lod office, which is located on Hubert Humphrey Street. Looking at the street sign hearkened me back to my youth, when it seemed that all Jews were Democrats. We were so entrenched in the Democrat Party that my father was actually invited to Jimmy Carter’s presidential inauguration ceremony. Even though that was over 40 years ago, the support has endured, as 70% of American Jews have consistently voted Democratic.

Jews have been strongly associated with the Democratic Party ever since the days of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, which was his solution to the deepest economic depression in U.S. history. As new immigrants and a racial minority, the New Deal’s public welfare and social legislation resonated so deeply with Jews that by the 1940 election, FDR received 90% of the Jewish vote. The Democrats’ civil

liberties and individual rights platform were aligned with American Jewry’s values, and many Jews played a prominent role in the African Americans’ civil rights movement.

Hubert Humphrey was the mayor of Minneapolis from 1945 until 1948, and then served as Minnesota’s senator from 1949 until he was elected vice president in 1964 under President Johnson. In 1968, Humphrey ran for president and lost to Richard Nixon. He returned to the Senate in 1971 and served there until he passed away in 1978.

Humphrey’s domestic political identity was in line with FDR’s liberalism and New Deal principles. In fact, Humphrey’s nickname, “The Happy Warrior,” was an allusion to both his infectious optimism and his indefatigable efforts on behalf of minorities.

Throughout his career, Humphrey was a strong supporter of Israel and the American Jewish community. Often referring to Israel as “this tiny democratic state in the Middle East,” he admired the

country’s values and stood squarely with Israel during her most difficult times.

Owing to his deep friendship with the Jewish state, Hubert Humphrey became a confidant of Israel’s leaders, including prime ministers Golda Meir and Menachem Begin.

One of many examples that highlights his staunch support for Israel was in 1975 after the United Nations General Assembly disgracefully adopted a resolution that linked Zionism with racism. Speaking in the Senate, Humphrey declared that “the charge of racism against Israel is so manifestly absurd one’s first reaction is not even to dignify the charge with substantive response. But recent discussions and inquiries make it clear that there is much ignorance and confusion about the nature of Israeli society, the result of massive propaganda efforts designed by Israel’s adversaries to support their absurd charges.”

He minced no words when stating that the “sinister implications” of the resolution “only add obstacles to the strug-

gle for peace in the Middle East and… threaten the usefulness of the United Nations itself.” Humphrey’s words were unfortunately prophetic, as these sinister implications have been realized globally. Sadly, antisemitism has also become more commonplace and virulent on the domestic front, even among American Jewry’s historical allies, whose civil rights causes were championed by the Jews. We are fortunate that there are brave Democratic leaders who support and are concerned for Israel. However, during these challenging times, American Jewry feels the void that has existed ever since Hubert Humphrey and his moral compass left the national stage.

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome. com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com.

Hubert Humphrey and Golda Meir in 1970

Helping People Heal Relief Resources Guides and Supports Those on Their Mental Health Journey

By Pinchos Friedlander

Years ago, nobody talked about mental health. People dealt with their issues quietly, often with shame, and furtively searched for mental health professionals to assist them in their mental health journey. But twenty years ago, things changed. That’s when Rabbi Binyomin Babad founded Relief Resources, an organization geared solely toward helping people in the Jewish community find the most capable and appropriate mental and emotional health professionals for them. With an extensive database and utmost professionalism, people feel comfortable leaning on Relief’s referrals, knowledge, and advice when it comes to finding the proper professional to care for them and their family.

Dealing with emotional illness is brutal. Unfortunately, it’s also way more common than think. Relief fields calls from around 2,500-3,000 patients a month, seeking their advice. Baruch Hashem, today, there is a lot which can be done to cope with and even cure many disorders. However, finding the right professional to guide a person along the journey is vital. And so, getting a good referral is essential. Binyomin Babad shares a shocking statistic. From the over 8,000 practitioners in Relief’s database, only about 20 percent are really good at what they do. The other 80 percent range from mediocre to poor – and at the lowest extreme, dangerous. That’s why coming to Relief and obtaining their advice is so important – to help patients navigate the maze and find the right professional for them. While all medical practice requires acuity, mental health is an especially delicate art, because it is so abstract. There are generally no tests or scans you can give a patient which will clearly indicate what they are suffering from and what is the best course of treatment. Yes, there are known conditions and symptoms, but the devil is in the nuances and details, and that’s what separates the boys from the men. Top therapists shared with Babad that they acquired most of their knowledge from actual experience, as they began practicing, not from what they learned in school. Babad shares that the best practitioners are those who are al-

ways learning. A therapist who feels he or she “got it” is a therapist Relief will be wary of.

Finding the Right Match

But that’s not all. There is more to mental and emotional health referral than just weeding out the subpar therapists and sending people to those who are most competent. A worthy referral service is more like a shadchan. Doctor and patient simply have to be a good fit for each other. Therapy, especially, is not like physical medicine, in which it doesn’t really matter much whether or not you can connect with your doctor. A lot depends on the relationship between the therapist and the patient. And then there is also the issue of religious outlook, which can be a problem when the two are not on the same page. Relief’s sensitivity to the needs of the frum community helps them guide people to the right place. Additionally, some therapists are great at helping patients deal with some issues but are not proficient at handling other issues.

And it can be case by case, too. Babad recalls a therapist who worked well with some of his clients but was terrible with others. After much detective work, analyzing the wealth of data available to them, Relief recognized a pattern. They realized that if the therapist was dealing with a self-motivated patient, he could direct them in the right path very skillfully. However, if the person was not motivated, he could not push them to move them along. That just wasn’t his thing.

In another situation, a therapist did well with teenagers, but the parents of the teens didn’t connect with him. Eventually, Relief realized that the therapist fit very well with someone who went along with his treatment with utmost trust, but he could not handle the “backseat driver” patients – or their parents – who would inundate him with their own theories and suggestions.

Often, the therapists themselves find it helpful to have Relief referring them the right patients whom they can best help.

Don’t Do This Yourself

There are times when Relief finds itself dealing with

complicated situations because people didn’t get proper referrals initially or extrapolated from one referral to another, on their own. Babad recalls with irony a psychiatrist, Dr. Cohen, who was literally the top in his field for postpartum depression. A man called Relief and mentioned that he wanted to go to Dr. Cohen. “Who told you to go to him?” they asked him. The man had heard that Relief had recommended Dr. Cohen for his sister-in-Law. Yes, they were recommending him – for postpartum depression, but not for men.

In another incident, an educator was referring people for therapy to a psychiatrist he heard Relief recommended. When Relief found out about it, they were horrified. The man was a complete non-believer and having young, vulnerable bochurim go to him for therapy could be very damaging. Relief was referring people to him for medication only.

Babad stresses that it’s important for each person to call Relief directly and receive their own referral. Don’t just take hearsay and use it for yourself.

Things Change

In order to make sure that the recommendations they are making are sound, Relief spends time learning about each therapist and doctor in their database. Babad points out that sometimes new therapists reach out to Relief for an interview, before they gain experience. He calls them “green bananas,” as they have not yet ripened to their full potential. In general, Relief recommends that new therapists not interview with Relief until they gained some experience. It often happens that, with time, the “banana” ripens, and these therapists begin to build up a good reputation. It’s at that time when they should connect with Relief and show them what they can offer. Conversely, sometimes, providers move down on Relief’s list. It could be that their deficiencies begin to show over time. Other times, a therapist may get burnt out and lose the energy and zest needed to stay on top of their game. Another issue that comes up is when the practitioner gets too flooded with patients and then neglects to give each one his proper attention.

These are all issues that Relief understands and works to ensure that their therapist database is fresh and accurate.

Relief’s philosophy is to base their recommendations on evidence, not on theories. They don’t believe in going with their gut. They get actual feedback from patients and use that to go forward. Babad shares that there are some modalities that he doesn’t quite understand, and yet he looks at the facts and knows whether or not they work, for whom they usually work, and how effective they are. For this reason, there are no clinicians on Relief’s staff. The inevitable slant their training will influence would compromise the objectivity Relief is looking for. In addition, the nature of the field is that there are certain biases. Not all approaches in therapy are the same. There are different modalities (about 40) and different general approaches. The two overarching approaches in therapy are Freud’s psychoanalysis, which is about discussing the patient’s childhood, to unearth the underlying trauma and to heal it at its source. Then there’s the newer CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) approach, which is more practical and forward-thinking. Within these two

umbrellas, there are many sub-categories. Not everyone teaches and subscribes to the same approaches, though there are therapists who are trained in multiple modalities. Through experience, Relief has strong data which allows them to see what modalities tend to work best for which cases. A therapist is likely to see things through the prism of his or her training and may be blind to its limitations. Relief is there to help guide people towards the best practitioner with the best approach for their issue. Relief once interviewed a newly trained young therapist, and during the interview, she was asked what she would do if a patient came to see her whose condition wasn’t really a perfect match for her training. “If Hashem sent it to me, it’s a sign this case is meant for me” was her reply. Needless to say, Relief didn’t share her outlook on that.

An Array of Issues

Babad reveals that the mental and emotional illness rate in the frum community roughly parallels that of the broader public. He notes that anxiety tops the chart by far. Trauma is another significant struggle facing our community. In fact, most of the so-called “kids at risk” are victims of trauma. Sometimes, it’s because they grew up in a dysfunctional or abusive home. In other cases, they may have been the victims of molestation. With girls, that is the culprit in the majority of cases, Babad has found. With boys, their trauma can present in other ways, including difficulties in school.

But Relief has, sadly, seen it all. From bipolar disorder to depression, to schizophrenia, to addictions, to eating disorders, marital, behavioral issues, and more, people are suffering from so much – many quietly bearing the burden alone.

Some cases are more complicated than others and require higher levels of care. Often, seeing a therapist once a week is not enough. More drastic action is needed. Eating disorders, for example, require a whole team of therapists, nutritionists and doctors to handle all aspects of the situation. Although severe issues are thankfully more rare, each case of these takes up a lot more of Relief’s time, and so they end up dealing with these cases more frequently.

Babad notes that in recent years there has been a rise in addictions. He says that the addiction is usually only the outer layer of the problem. It typically comes from a deep pain the addict is trying to mask by self-medicating. Once they overcome the addiction itself, they need to deal with the underlying emotional issue which caused it in the first place.

In some extreme cases, there is no choice but to hospitalize a patient. This is mainly when the patient is in danger of harming themselves or others. Relief will do everything they can to prevent a patient from needing the psych ward, as that is really not a good place to be.

The best practitioners are those who are always learning.

But unfortunately, a patient needs to be hospitalized in order to get the proper treatment. At this point, Relief’s role will be to try and get them out of the psych ward as soon as safely possible, by setting them up with the proper care.

I once heard a cynical comment: the more therapists there are for any given field, somehow there are more diagnoses for that condition. Babad concedes that some diagnoses, like ADHD, are overly identified. He recalled an incident with a certain rosh yeshiva who made a large chanukas habayis event upon completing a new campus for his yeshiva. A prominent psychologist was at the event, and the rosh yeshiva went over to him. “Doctor,” he chided him good-naturedly, “if I had been a kid today, none of this could have happened. I would have been medicated, my energy would have been restrained, and I could never have gotten all this done.”

But Babad points out that it’s often the laymen who over-diagnose. People hear about a certain condition but don’t fully understand it and then take on that condition as their own. Take anxiety, for example. Everyone experiences some anxiety in life, and so if they see someone who’s a bit more anxious than usual, they think that is anxiety which requires a therapist.

There is Hope

Even with the darkest conditions, people have turned their lives around. Babad shares a story of a rebbe who was secretly suffering from severe depression. He had a family to support, a daughter coming back from seminary, and the entire family was in danger of collapsing. Relief was able to send him to the right people, and the man got his life back and a family was saved. Now, every time that family makes a chasuna, they send Relief an invitation. “It’s all because of you,” they say.

It’s moments like these that make it all worth it.

And this rebbe is far from the only one who Relief has helped in their mental health journey. Relief gets many, many thank you letter and emails, and some people come over to Babad in person, attesting to lives saved, families preserved, and dignity restored.

It’s hard to know for sure whether our zeides and bubbas in Europe had less emotional issues than we do today. Although they didn’t go to therapy, perhaps it just wasn’t available. And divorce was almost unheard of, but sometimes a spouse (or two) and their families suffered terribly.

Still, there seems to be a rise in the amount of people going for therapy in recent years. Along with population growth has come an awareness of the importance of going for help.

A Rav’s Support

Back in the day, going to a secular-trained therapist for help with emotional or psychological issues was looked at with much suspicion in the Torah community. This was because the psychological philosophy of the time attacked religion. But times have changed. The modalities and attitudes in the field have shifted. When people ask Babad which rabbanim support Relief’s work, his response is, “Whichever rabbanim you go to – from YU to the right of Satmar.” Not only do rabbanim approve of their work, but they often refer people to Relief or to specific therapists. In fact, many times, a person’s rav will be the one to push the patient to attend much-needed therapy when the patient is hesitant to go. Additionally, the rav may also become part of the healing process, such as when someone is suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The patient may first have to hear from a rav they trust about certain areas of halacha, that it’s OK to do as the therapist suggests.

Some rabbanim actually turn to Relief for guidance on the separation of their roles. They want to know when they can and should handle a situation on their own with their mispallelim and at what point they should refer them to a professional.

Babad says that one rosh yeshiva advised his student, “You need to see someone who the letters after his name doesn’t spell ‘shlita.’”

A Necessary Extpense

It’s no secret. Therapy is expensive. Especially once a therapist gets a name out, they can charge a pretty penny for each session. For someone who needs multiple sessions or more, the price tag adds up fast. What if they can’t afford that money? Are there chessed organizations that help with funding for therapy?

Babad reveals that there is no organization that covers the cost of therapy across the board. The reason for this is simply that it can become a bottomless pit. No organization can afford such an undertaking. He recalls a certain organization that once approached them and offered to cover the costs for anyone in their community who required the aid. Well, it didn’t take very long before they came back. “We had no idea you are getting this many calls from our community,” they said. The load was simply too much for them to handle.

That being said, there are organizations that help specific niches, for example, Keren Ezer Lanefesh, which helps bachurim and girls. If Relief is aware of an organization which will help the specific individual they are in touch with, they will refer them there, if they qualify.

A lot depends on the relationship between the therapist and the patient.

Perhaps in the “olden days” people were better at handling life. They sweated it out, with a stiff upper lip, and moved on. They stayed in marriages that seemed functional but were not perfect. Growing up in a more sheltered, insulated environment, our generation may have less stamina to deal with challenges that come our way. In this vein, Babad says that parents and educators need to teach children how to cope with life and not fall apart from every knock that comes their way. This is a crucial life skill.

As therapy is expensive, it’s good to know when a patient can move on from their therapist. Relief follows up with their patients to see whether or not they’re making enough progress and what should be the path forward. Additionally, Relief refers people to therapists who are in demand. These practitioners are happy to have their clients leave them once they are on the mend. They are grateful that their clients were able to heal from their challenges and are looking forward to helping others who may be suffering.

nspiration Nation

SShabbos Kestenbaum Why This Jewish Student is Suing Harvard

By Eliyahu RosEnBERg

habbos Kestenbaum was on a tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau when he received news of his acceptance to Harvard University. Standing just fifty feet away from the gas chambers where countless Jews had been murdered, the 22-year-old boy, upon receiving his offer of admission, felt a whirlwind of emotion brewing deep within him.

He was, on the one hand, elated to be living at a time when Jewish people had a place in, what he believed to be, “the top

In His Words…

echelons of academia.” But on the other hand, Shabbos Kestenbaum, an Orthodox Jew, also felt a great deal of tension. There he was, standing at a site where countless Jews, just eighty years prior, had been disgraced and murdered – just for being Jewish.

While Auschwitz represents the Jewish nation’s lowest point in modern history, at that moment, Shabbos Kestenbaum felt as though his acceptance to Harvard was a testament to how much society had

Be proud to be Jewish. This is a defining moment not just in our lifetimes, but for the Jewish people and in Jewish history. a nd now is the perfect opportunity to stand up, to be counted, and to say that we are not going anywhere.

i will always be here fighting for Jews who don’t have a voice or feel intimidated or scared. a nd whether i’m a student or not, i will always be shabbos Kestenbaum. a nd i will always be using my platform to fight for the Jewish people and the Jewish community.

i made a decision that day that i am not going to change my behavior, my attitudes, or my actions to accommodate other people’s bigotry, hatred, and discrimination. i am not the problem, i have nothing to apologize for. it is the antisemites – it is those who have such an unvarnished hatred for Jewish people who should be put in the spotlight and held accountable.

changed with regard to the way it views the Jewish people. No longer are we, the Jewish nation, lowly in the eyes of society; on the contrary, we are now respected and treated as equals by the nations of the world – or so Shabbos thought.

“I was really excited and passionate, not just about learning from other cultures and backgrounds and beliefs, but also believing that I could contribute to that conversation; I could show them my Orthodox background and what makes me so passionate about my religion,” Shabbos explained. “But very quickly, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to do that.”

For the past two years, Shabbos Kestenbaum has been studying Jewish theology and Holocaust studies as a graduate student at Harvard Divinity School and is expected to graduate in the coming weeks. And while graduation is usually supposed to be a time of pride and celebration, Shabbos finds himself in an unsettling and ironic situation: the university that is awarding him a master’s degree is the same institution he is now suing for antisemitism.

* * *

Harvard is the oldest and arguably most prestigious university in the country. A highly selective Ivy League institution with a reputation unrivaled by any other university in the United States, Harvard is where hundreds of thousands of prospective students dream of attending. But now, to many people, Harvard has lost its glamour. In recent months, Harvard has faced intense criticism for failing to protect Jewish students from campus antisemitism, with some even charging the university with promoting the mistreatment of Jews.

A few months after the October 7 mas-

sacre, Harvard University made headlines when its then-president, Claudine Gay, asserted in testimony to Congress that calls for the genocide of Jews may violate the university’s code of conduct, “depending on the context.” Her failure to condemn antisemitism led to calls for her ouster and a subsequent investigation into her academic integrity. Although Claudine Gay eventually resigned from her position, Harvard and other elite universities have remained in the spotlight, as encampments and anti-Israel riots continue to erupt on campus. Many Jewish students now feel unsafe and have been mistreated, discriminated against, and harassed by their professors and fellow students. Worst of all, however, is the fact that Harvard and other colleges, through denial and inaction, have only made the situation worse.

“On the night of October 7…thirty-four student groups representing more than 1,000 students put out, what they called, an ‘emergency statement,’ to blame Jews for the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. These were our classmates. These were people we sat next to in class. In some cases, these were our professors,” Shabbos said. “That was on October 7. So, there was no post-October 7. We were immediately thrust into this position of having to defend not just our right to be at Harvard but to also defend the Jewish people.”

A few months later, an employee of Harvard claimed that the Jewish people orchestrated 9/11 and threatened Shabbos Kestenbaum with physical harm, forcing him to hire private armed security outside his house for a few days. Harvard has yet to fire that employee.

But, as Shabbos explains, Harvard has

been antisemitic for years before October 7. For instance, around two years ago, during Shabbos’ first month at the university, the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee invited Mohammed El-Kurd, an antisemitic figure who has accused the Jewish people of committing genocide against the Palestinians, has alleged that the “Israeli occupying Forces” have internalized the ways of the Nazis, and has called for the normalization of terrorism against Israel, to speak at the campus.

“Harvard, rightly or wrongly, disciplines speech literally all the time. They make it their business to regulate and to prohibit speech that they find offensive or derogatory to minority groups. It’s just how they operate,” explained Shabbos.

“So we felt it was really weird that he [Mohammed El-Kurd] was invited to speak at Harvard for a second time. So we went to the president and we went to DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] and we went to the administrator, saying, ‘Well, hang on. If you’re going to discipline speech if it’s offensive to minority groups, then you should apply that standard to the Jewish people.’ And the answer we got was, ‘What do you want us to do? He has a First Amendment right,’” Shabbos recalled. “That is blatantly discriminatory. That is objectively antisemitic. And, as we will prove in court, that is illegal.”

According to Shabbos, swastikas were being drawn on campus. And during the college’s “Israel Apartheid Week,” protestors displayed offensive Holocaust imagery, comparing the suffering of Jews during the Holocaust to the Jewish people’s alleged mistreatment of the Palestinians today. After October 7, a number of students and professors downplayed the massacre, deflecting blame onto the Jewish state. But the university couldn’t be bothered. Instead of tackling the issue of antisemitism head-on, Harvard chose to look the other way.

According to Shabbos Kestenbaum, at

the university’s peak, Jews made up 25% of Harvard’s student population. Now, in 2024, only 4% of Harvard students are Jewish. At the same time as the number of Jewish Harvard students has declined over the years, the number of Harvard students who are against democracy and Western culture has increased significantly, Shabbos speculates.

“If you look at the protests today at Harvard, those who chant ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ ‘Palestine will be Arab,’ ‘Free Palestine from the river to the sea,’ these people – and I can say this because I know who they are and I’ve had conversations with them – are not academically or intellectually sophisticated,” Shabbos explained.

“Their arguments are very elementary and very juvenile. It’s very difficult for me to say that they got into Harvard based on their academic merits because they just have so few. These are people who are professional agitators or social activists masquerading as academics.”

These antisemitic Harvard students are not only against the Jewish people and Israel, says Shabbos Kestenbaum, but they’re also against the United States of America, with many protestors – both students and professors – cheering and chanting, “Intifada, intifada, come to America.” As Shabbos points out, does it not occur to these people that the last time the intifada came to America was on September 11?

Shabbos Kestenbaum, who has recently testified about campus antisemitism in front of Congress, never expected to sue Harvard, nor did he ever want to. But, in his mind, he doesn’t really have any other choice.

“It’s so bizarre, but it’s also such a bad indictment, not just to Harvard, but to the state of higher education in the United States, where in order for Jews to receive equity, equality, and justice, we have to sue them! That’s so outrageous,” he lamented.

“I realized after October 7 that the antisemitism here at Harvard is so pervasive and so systemic, that they are not willing

to change, or they’re unable to. The only way for them to change is if a court of law forces them to.

“So, we’re alleging all sorts of violations: Number one, a breach of contract. Number two, diminished educational opportunities. Number three, breach of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act,” he added. “I told my lawyers before we filed it in January, ‘Look, if Harvard were to change, if they were to implement policies to combat antisemitism, if they were to discipline their students, if they would come out forcefully against Jew-hatred – then I’m not going to file this lawsuit, because I don’t want to do it… And we’ll just toss it out if Harvard proves at a minimum that they’ll do something about it.’ And they just didn’t. To this day, Harvard hasn’t done anything. So the lawsuit, unfortunately, is really necessary.”

When Shabbos Kestenbaum was forced to hire armed security to protect him from the threat of physical violence, his parents

urged him to come back home for a little while. But he decided to stay put, knowing that a retreat would only bring satisfaction to the antisemites.

“I made a decision that day that I am not going to change my behavior, my attitudes, or my actions to accommodate other people’s bigotry, hatred, and discrimination. I am not the problem; I have nothing to apologize for. It is the antisemites – it is those who have such an unvarnished hatred for Jewish people who should be put in the spotlight and held accountable,” Shabbos declared.

“Don’t do anything differently. If you wear a kippah, keep your kippah on. If you wear a Star of David necklace, wear that Star of David necklace. Don’t be intimidated or scared or embarrassed… This is a defining moment, not just in our lifetimes, but for the Jewish people and in Jewish history. And now is the perfect opportunity to stand up, to be counted, and to say that we’re not going anywhere.”

This article is based on a podcast, “Inspiration For the Nation,” hosted by Yaakov Langer. To catch more of this conversation, you can watch it on LivingLchaim.com or YouTube.com/LivingLchaim or listen wherever you listen to podcasts (just search for “Inspiration For The Nation”) or call our free hotline: 605-477-2100.

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

Thank you for taking the time to help me. My family and I love your column. I come from a family of professionals. My father, my brothers and brothers-in-law are all actuaries and lawyers, and that’s just what I have been surrounded by.

I’m 26 and have been dating for three years and most of the guys I’m set up with either say they have Amazon businesses, life coaching, or cryptic things like “dabble in real estate,” or some have trade jobs like plumbing or construction. I am told that these guys can do very well but I can’t help it that as soon as I hear what they do I am turned off based on their profession. I have tried going out with these kind of guys but I can never fully give it my all because I’m not into their profession. My parents say I’m being too picky. They argue that because I’m a tutor and haven’t even gone to college it’s not something I “should be picky about.”

I am wondering what I can do in this situation because I’m not getting any younger and I really do want to get married. Am I right in waiting it out until a guy with a more professional profession who has the things I’m looking for comes around?

The Panel

The Rebbetzin

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

It seems to me that you are getting suggestions that don’t match your interest in a professional because you stand out in your family as an exception to the rule. The others have pursued professions and have credentials which generally lead to more secure, higher paying jobs and careers that require credentials and education, unlike entrepreneurship which takes a lot of energy and time to build up into substantial businesses. I clearly understand that you want the security and earning potential of a professional with a clear career path.

However, those men generally look for someone who is ambitious as well. Tutoring as a profession is neither de -

pendable nor a full-time occupation which is what people do when they don’t have family obligations. You may have struggled in school or don’t love it. Nonetheless, if you can tutor, you can master material and transmit the information and skills to someone else. You are capable of doing more with yourself in terms of occupation/profession.

Invest in career exploration and advisement with a qualified professional to figure out your interests and shadow some people in those fields. It’s worth putting in the time and effort, not merely for shidduchim but for your own self-actualization.

Life is a process, and sometimes in our frum world, girls are pushed too early into deciding what they will do and whom they will marry shortly after the gap year. Don’t feel like you are in a pressure cooker. Figure out who you are, what makes you feel fulfilled, and go for it. You will be a better marriage partner

for a young man who is a professional, which seems to be what you want.

Having had the time to see who is out there who is being suggested as dating partners, you have learned a lot about your preferences. Now learn about yourself and go out there and succeed. Don’t let lack of success in school hold you back. You will be more confident and a better dater because of your accomplishments.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

I understand your concern and can appreciate your respect for those in certain academic fields of work. The thing is, though, the tide has turned when it comes to college. As you see in the news,

Dating is not like picking an item off a menu.

college in general is a sticky place. Even when people graduate college, it is not a shoo-in for a great job. There are also those who have gone to college, have great jobs, excel in their high profile professions, and are terrible husbands. You really have to sit down with yourself and assess what it is you want in life. Dating is not like picking an item off a menu. When you are in the dating world, you can’t rely on receiving exactly what you have ordered or found online based on reviews before the date. I have heard so many stories of men who went to college for things like law and finance

who ended up starting businesses and becoming very successful in that route.

The bottom line is you must have respect for the guy you will marry, so nobody on this column can tell you not to care and “get over it.” But who says you can only respect a doctor or a lawyer? You are telling that to yourself. If you change your perspective, things around you will change. Do some research into other fields of work so that you can understand that there are many jobs your man can have and be successful. Also always remember, “Behind every great man is a supportive wife.” Look inward about what you can do to encourage the guy you are dating, no matter what his specific field of work is, so that he can be the best version of himself. Good luck with everything!

The Single

Tzipora Grodko

Ithink the most important question is: what’s behind your desire for someone who is a professional? Does it make you feel safe and secure? Do you feel a higher level of respect? Does it increase your interest and pride? Many men can be

educated and successful without the investment of college due to their skill set and hard work. Understanding your value behind that specific criteria will help you understand its significance and enable you to make healthy choices leading to the right spouse, ensuring you don’t get lost in the details and can attract the husband, father, and best friend you are seeking.

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Afamous neurosurgeon called a plumber to fix a leaky faucet. The plumber easily fixed the problem in 15 minutes, and said, “That will be $250.”

The surgeon was shocked, and exclaimed, “That’s ridiculous! Even I, in my profession, don’t make $1,000 an hour!”

The sympathetic plumber replied, “Yes, I understand. Before I switched to plumbing, I was also a neurosurgeon.”

Yes, yes, I know, that’s a very old joke. But, behind every oft-repeated joke there is a kernel of truth.

Your aspirations seem reasonable

and are easy to understand: You’re seeking a partner who will be respected and who can offer you financial security. Clearly, you are focused on these goals because your relatives are all educated professionals, and you hope that you and your husband will fit in and be respected by them. And, you are intelligent enough to realize that it’s important for married couples to have financial stability in their lives.

(Just as an aside, I don’t know much about guys who are in Amazon businesses or life coaching, but when someone says that he “dabbles in real estate,” it usually means that he’s unemployed.)

Let me share some of my own experiences. First, I knew this guy who owned a pizza store. He always seemed to smell like pizza dough, but he was one of the most popular, generous, well-liked fellows in shul. He was bright, funny, and had more common sense than most people. His wife and children were friendly, happy, and popular.

Second, I knew this other fellow who was a brilliant, distinguished professor at a major, prestigious university. He was the most pompous buffoon that I had ever met, and no one liked him. We pitied his miserable family.

What’s my point? In today’s world, the emphasis on formal education is shifting, in both Orthodox and secular communities. Note how your own noticeable intelligence and tutoring success clearly demonstrate that ac -

Thank you for being an avid reader and for writing into the column!

I wish I had the “answer,” and I want to begin with saying that I don’t. My personal opinion

If you are attract- ed to men

with degrees and who have higher education, then that is what you are attracted to. You are certainly entitled to have this on your “non-negotiable” list. I don’t think this is a matter of right and wrong. I would hate to see you lose out on wonderful men because they have different goals and a different life path than a “professional.” Some of the brightest people out there have not pursued higher schooling for a myriad

ademic credentials aren’t the sole measure of capability.

Please consider a partner who can support you financially and emotionally, rather than focusing primarily on education. Look for someone who shares your values and aspirations and who is “able” and “stable.” You want to avoid an unstable individual who has been jumping from school to school, place to place, job to job, and shul to shul.

You are clearly worried about your highly educated family respecting your future husband. But, understand that if you find a mate who you, yourself, can respect for his intelligence, honesty, and integrity, and is a good husband and a good father, then your family will be very happy for you and respect him as well.

And, when you are able to afford expensive clothing and luxurious vacations with your plumber-husband, do not feel a need to explain that he used to be a neurosurgeon.

of reasons, many valid. They are free to start their career paths without any loans. They are often incredibly driven and are very successful.

I would encourage you to keep an open mind and continue dating men without degrees because you truly never know when you feel that chemistry and respect and click.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Figure out who you are, what makes you feel fulfilled, and go for it.

Parenting Pearls Clothing Conundrums

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

Summer is coming, and the kids are getting prepped. Weeks ago, my kids started asking, “How much longer till camp starts?” They are also informing me of their extensive “I need this for camp/summer” list. It’s amazing how much kids “need” for an eight-week period, and most of the requests are for clothes. You could easily, but mistakenly, think the entire purpose of summer was to have an excuse for a second wardrobe.

Unfortunately, along with these requests can come items that don’t fully meet our family’s standards. While each family has their own standards or comfort level, too often, kids want what they can’t have – all while claiming everyone else has it. The tension level quickly rises, and frustration sets in.

This issue exists with everything from technology to choice of music, but clothing is a major source of disagreement. It may be the price, style, cut or simply the choice of words splashed across the front.

Tzinius is among the more difficult topics. Educating our children to dress

and act in a way befitting the precious treasures they are is crucial, yet hard to convey in an article. The initial impressions our children have of tzinius sets the stage for their future perception of this middah. Sadly, many young adults have false assumptions, thinking it’s merely a “don’t” list and focused exclusively on externals.

While tzinius in dress may be a prominent part of this article, we are not limiting the discussion to their wardrobe choice. Tzinius is how we act and what we expose ourselves to. Beyond clothing, tzinius is the general way we live our lives.

This article isn’t here to dictate to parents any particular standard; our community has many rabbonim to guide us. The intent is that parents should take the time to ensure that any item they purchase meets their family’s standards and those of where they will be spending their summer. Obviously, this is easier when they are in a camp or other environment that is in sync with their family’s ideals.

The Attitude

Tzinius is one area that is so easily misunderstood. Tzinius is not because our bodies are dirty, nor is it to make us feel hot under all weather conditions. I don’t even want to put in print some of the nasty reasons erroneously given for tzinius, but it’s certainly not because we are shameful. It’s truly unfortunate that so many have such a negative view of this beautiful aspect of Judaism.

Tzinius should be taught from a positive perspective. Our children are royalty and should feel the dignity that comes with dressing the part. It is beneath our children to walk around dressed below their worth. It may not always be easy, especially in the summer, but if we can at least give them a positive feeling, then we’ve accomplished great things. We need to know what is halacha and what’s not so we can properly educate our children in the emes. Too often, our assumptions are incorrect, and just because others do or don’t do something doesn’t indicate a knowledgeable p’sak.

As crucial as maintaining tzinius is,

everything needs to be balanced. While we want to inculcate in our children a “ta’am ,” and sensitivity to tzinius, we also don’t want to make them feel the mitzvah is a burden. Children can get very upset being forced to hold a certain standard. It’s wise to find out if this is actual halacha and something we really need to impose on that particular child.

The Minhag Hamakom

The easiest place to start is checking out the rules and norms for where your child will be spending their summer. Most camps have a dress code and regulations regarding other items, such as phones and spending money. It’s wise to follow these guidelines even if children insist “nobody else does.”

Beyond the official rule book are the informal standards. This can refer to anything from not wearing expensive name brands to the type of bags the kids bring. Children will feel more comfortable when they don’t stand out in a way they perceive as negative.

Often, the rules don’t seem to make sense, but they are generally written with an awareness of the needs of campers. For example, camps may regulate which snacks may be brought in. Perhaps this is because of a severe allergy, or maybe it’s because the kids swap snacks and they want foods with similar hechsherim.

Words I want to include a few words on, well, words. Many items of clothing have writing on them – especially shirts. Some of them are very cute or clever and make the garment more fun for the kids to wear. Just like we need to check the graphics on a t-shirt before purchase, we also need to make sure the words are something we’d like to appear on our child’s body.

We may not always be aware of the meaning behind the wording, and it’s easy to misunderstand the shirt’s intent (if a shirt could have intent). Some clothing bears very tacky phrases. The wording may be too mature for the child’s age, or perhaps it is something obnoxious or simply rude.

It’s important to double check the phrasing. I’ve often seen words that – at first glance – seem innocent, but actually have a second meaning. It may be a religious reference (not Jewish) or supporting causes that don’t align with your family’s worldview.

Often, the wording is a brand name. Usually, there is nothing wrong with the actual brand’s name, although I’ve

Location, location, location. People naturally read words when they see them, and their attention is diverted in that direction. Make sure the writing is in a location that you are OKwith people staring at.

The Environment

The warm weather is more relaxed and is a healthy time to unwind. Chil-

Our children are royalty and should feel the dignity that comes with dressing the part.

seen some surprising exceptions. Brand name clothing is often a status symbol. My elementary school, as well as many other institutions, ban these items as they can make other children feel jealous. Make sure your child’s camp permits visible brand name logos before you invest the money.

dren (and adults) work hard throughout the year, and it’s beneficial to have this time to enjoy the outdoors and the more carefree environment.

As parents, we work the entire year ensuring our child’s growth and providing them with the love and security they need for these crucial years of de -

velopment. This is one task from which we never take a vacation. Children are very affected by their peers. Know where your child is and with whom they will be spending their time. The summer is more relaxed, but our children still need to be in a healthy environment. Additionally, some locations are fine during the day but have a different crowd at night. Technology poses the same risks, irrelevant of the season. It’s prudent to be aware of which technology your child is exposed to, both their own and those belonging to their peers. Ensure that everything meets your family’s standards. Now is a time when families can enjoy the beautiful weather and the fresh air. As the great outdoors beckons, a few simple precautions will ensure a smooth transition for everyone. Visit a park, go for a hike, or simply walk around the block with your child. Now is the perfect time to build those warm childhood memories.

Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.

School of Thought

Being Jewish is Not Black and White

By Etti Siegel

Have you noticed how children say “everyone” and “no one” and get so embarrassed over a small event? It is normal for children to see life as blackand-white extremes, with no gray. This is called concrete thinking, and in some cases, cognitive distortion.

Dr. Douglas Barnett, a clinical psychologist at Wayne University who specializes in child and family psychology, explains that this is how children organize their observations and feelings about the world around them. This begins at about ages 6-8 and tends towards categories of good and bad. They also talk in extremes, like, “I never get to play,” or “She never listens to me.”

The experts tell us to challenge the extremes by countering with a challenge or a further exaggeration. So if a child says, “I hate macaroni,” you can answer, “Really? You hate it?” and have them clarify. Or you can say, “Yes. Macaroni is bad. We should put macaroni in jail,” which usually has them laughing as they work on restating their complaint in more sensible terms.

But my concern is what happens inside our children.

They hear a lot of great hashkafa in school, through Chumash, Mishnayos, Navi, yahadus, and halacha. They hear stories on CDs and hear and read many motivational stories and books about gedolim. For many children, this is wonderful and beneficial.

Some children, however, hear and process what they are told and taught differently, and it can be easy for us adults to miss. They can categorize what they hear into unrealistic conclusions of “that is good,” and since I am not like that, “I am bad.” These negative thinking patterns can cause anxiety, and depression, and make them feel unlovable.

“Some amount of cognitive distortion is normal,” says Jeff DeRoche, LCSW, a clinical social worker. “We all make thinking mistakes. It’s when that kind of thinking is chronic and entrenched that the thoughts are likely doing a number on a child’s emotional life. I’ve never seen someone suffering under the weight of any kind of behav-

ioral health problem who isn’t making cognitive errors quite regularly” (ChildMind.org).

Maybe my information is only anecdotal, but from talking to many people over the years and reading many articles in many publications on the topic, it seems to me that too many children who grow up struggling with their level of religiosity struggle with being seen as “bad.”

Something we are not sharing enough is that the mistakes we make are not able to destroy the good we do. The bad does not cancel out the good. Rabbi Yitzchok Breitowitz shares Rambam’s commentary (Avos 4:22) that Hashem keeps a separate list of good deeds that get a reward and bad deeds that will have accountability. They do not cancel each other out. When a person does good, Hashem sees. Even if a person makes a mistake, this does not determine the person’s character. Failure does not summarize a person’s whole being.

There is a story about the Gra, who was once in prison together with a Jew who was a convicted murderer. When some bread was brought to the cell, the murderer proceeded to eat without netilas yadayim. The Gra told the murderer that he was obligated to wash his hands before eating bread. When his cellmate responded that he was guilty of far greater sins than neglecting netilas yadayim and could not imagine that washing would make any difference to the Al-mighty, the Gra responded that one has nothing to do with the other. One may be guilty of the most heinous of sins, but G-d still desires that whatever good one can do, one must do. The good remains. (See Rabbi Dovid Eliach, HaíGaon, vol. II, pp. 560-564, where many stories of this nature are recorded)

We need to help our children understand that Hashem made us imperfect, but we are His, and He loves us.

Rabbi Yonah Sklare wrote an article in Mishpacha magazine, “Not in Hashem’s Name,” (issue 993) that spoke of Hashem’s loving essence. “We learn from Ramchal that the highest conception we can have of Hashem is as tov u’meitiv. He is good, and He desires good. Any other con-

ception that is either not loving or that doesn’t inspire love is the deepest corruption of who He is.” The response to the well-written article surprised me. Many wrote to the magazine that the article was life-changing for them.

A reader named Meira shared how it has “…been such a struggle for me to relate to Hashem, and I feel like my relationship was pretty much how he described that of many talmidim: paying off a punishing figure. His article about Hashem as the Source of Love is a fundamental teaching that I felt was lacking. I can’t describe to you how I mamash feel this is revolutionary for me. I really feel like I was starving for such an article.” Other responses were similar.

This is our failure. We need to personally understand how Hashem loves us, and we need to pass this message on to our children.

Maybe in yesteryear people were motivated to be good by the scary teacher who yelled at them or by the fear of punishment. Now, children crave attention and love. It is true in school, and it is true in life.

Our children need to hear how good they are and that their mistakes don’t define them. They need to know we love them unconditionally, and we learn to do that from Hashem, Who loves us unconditionally.

Shavuos is coming. This is an important time to talk about Hashem choosing us from all the other nations and making us His. Bask in the concept that Hashem loves us and share that wonderful feeling and knowledge with your family!

References:

https://mishpacha.com/not-in-hashems-name/ https://www.metroparent.com/parenting/advice/ helping-big-kids-find-gray-area-and-nuance-in-theirthinking/

https://childmind.org/article/how-to-change-negative-thinking-patterns/

Health & F tness Vitamin D: “The Sunshine Vitamin”

By Tehila Levine-Soskel, RDN, CDN

Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin,” as it plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. This fat-soluble vitamin is unique as it can be synthesized by the body with sunlight exposure. Although this vitamin is available through sun exposure, a deficiency of vitamin D is a common issue, affecting around a billion people worldwide.

Vitamin D is crucial as it helps proper growth and development of bones and teeth.

It is a fat-soluble vitamin, as it does not dissolve in water. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver, muscle and fatty tissue. In addition to the sun, you can obtain vitamin D from food sources and supplements to ensure you are meeting adequate levels.

While there are numerous crucial functions of vitamin D, the absorption of calcium and phosphate is crucial. Your body absorbs calcium better when there is vitamin D, with significantly less absorption with the lack of vitamin D. Vitamin D is most commonly known for its role in maintaining healthy bones. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become brittle and thin. Osteoporosis can help be prevented by maintaining adequate vitamin D levels. More so, vitamin D helps facilitate a healthy immune system.

Ensuring you are getting enough vitamin D is essential for the development and growth of bones and teeth. Furthermore, water is essential for our bodies to function. Our bones need proper hydration in order to stay healthy. Did you know that water makes up around 60% of our body weight? Regulating our body temperature and lubricating our body and joints are just two of the many functions of water in our body. Unfortunately, dehydration can lead to osteoporosis and many other musculoskeletal conditions. Common symptoms of dehydration are

constipation, headaches, muscle cramps, dry eyes and mouth, and decreased urine output. Being mindful to drink enough water is key.

According to some research, vitamin D may play a part in fighting certain diseases. There have been studies that have linked an increased risk of multiple scle -

enhance immune function. According to some studies, those who spend more time outdoors have a stronger immune response than those who spend more time indoors.

Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels has been associated with a decrease in the risk of depression. Vitamin D plays an

Your body absorbs calcium better when there is vitamin D.

rosis with low levels of vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D have also been associated with an increased risk of heart diseases like heart failure and stroke. Regarding the immune system, individuals who lack vitamin D may also be at an increased risk for autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the fresh air outdoors helps

integral role in our bodies with regards to immune function, bone health, and well-being. Make sure to get outside regularly to naturally increase your vitamin D levels while reducing the risk of vitamin D deficiency-related health issues.

Obtaining adequate vitamin D from the sun may be more difficult in certain

situations. For example, if you are not outdoors enough or if live in a highly polluted area, you may have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, therefore including food sources of vitamin D are important. Vitamin D deficiency symptoms include bone pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, and other pain. The treatment for vitamin D deficiency is usually with supplements, although you should speak with a healthcare professional for the best recommendation for you. Consuming a diet full of vitamin D-rich foods can help increase your levels. Some food sources include egg yolks, fatty fish, fortified cereals, milk, and yogurt.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin D is 600 IU for individuals 1 to 70 years old and 800 IU for individuals over 70 years old. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting to take supplementation.

Vitamin D is required for numerous aspects of our health, from supporting our immune system to strengthening our bones to promoting mental and cardiovascular health. Although it is readily found in some food sources and through sun exposure, many individuals present with a vitamin D deficiency. Understanding the importance of vitamin D and taking proactive measures to ensure you are meeting adequate levels can lead to many health benefits and help prevent numerous diseases. Reach out to a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for a personalized plan for you based on your individual needs.

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.

Transitional Objects, Yesterday and Today

By Miriam Liebermann, MSW

The Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi, in a recent article, points out that Eliyahu HaNavi, before ascending to Heaven in a storm, left behind a transitional object for Elisha, his surrogate son, his protégé. It was his aderes, his cloak. Wrapped in his beloved teacher’s cloak, Elisha felt comforted, consoled and, most important, encouraged to move on. The cloak gave him the confidence, imbued him with the qualities of the original wearer of this garment.

I’m a big proponent of transitional items. When we relocated several years ago, I brought our furniture with us, along with other household adornments. I have many items that had belonged to my dear mother, along with items from my mother-in-law and both of my grandmothers. Although they have all “moved on” to a better world, I’m still connected to them, and that feels right. I so enjoy using the little embroidered tablecloths that my mother-in-law would gift me on a regular basis. I wrap myself in my mother’s shawls and feel her warmth and car-

ing. I so enjoy the woolen throws tossed over the couches that were gifted to me by Barbara, a beloved neighbor of many years. These precious items enable me to transition, to journey on, feeling rooted, secure, confident and connected.

I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of conducting “Tzipisa l’Yeshua” Tambou-

so strongly held onto, the faith that the redemption was just over the horizon.

There are other items that play a major role in our homes, particularly those connected to our Shabbos observance, that would be considered transitional objects.

The candles that we kindle so faithfully as we usher in the holy Shabbos, these

I wrap myself in my mother’s shawls and feel her warmth and caring.

rine Workshops for the last five to six years. I share with the workshop participants how these tambourines connect us to Miriam Haneviah and the righteous women of that generation. Connecting to these instruments imbues us with the courage and determination of those women, the hope and the faith that they

are the candles that had been kindled by our mothers, Sarah, Rivkah, Rochel and Leah. Although generations have passed, we hold tight to the faith, to the belief in our Ribbono shel Olam, as did they. We transition from one generation to the next, making sure to bring these precious candles along with us.

The Lechem Mishneh, the two challos that grace our Shabbos table, are reminiscent of the double portion of manna which we had received in the desert in honor of the Shabbos. We don’t discard our past, not at all. We bring it along with us, we segue into the present, and G-d willing, into the future, using these transitional objects to anchor us, to keep us grounded.

This may be an intriguing topic to discuss with our progeny. Would you perhaps have an item or two of sentimental value, or perhaps even of monetary value, that keeps you connected to an earlier generation? Do give this some thought. And perhaps, as you’re seated around the table with your progeny, drinking in the joy and nachas, initiate a discussion on this topic. See where it takes you.

JWOW! is a community for midlife Jewish women which can be accessed at www.jewishwomanofwisdom.org for conversation, articles, Zoom events, and more.

The spring graduation ceremonies have been headline news. At college ones, in particular, dreaded events of pomp and circumstance have claimed the attention of the entire world.

For some reason, an acetate, ill-fitting, too short, usually blue or burgundy “gown” topped by a “mortarboard,” a four-square hat topped with a dangling tassel, is the dress code. Creatively ambitious men and women often decorate the flat top of the hat with a unique design or message.

On the same day this week, we went to two magnificent graduations: our great-granddaughter Dalia’s from pre-K and our grandson Judah’s from YU. (Using the adjective magnificent for graduation is an oxymoron for me, but they were.)

That night, we left for Israel for our granddaughter Penina’s wedding on Sunday.

According to our grandson, Uncle Yoav, Dalia goes to the “Harvard” of pre-Ks in Queens; everyone calls it that. Standing in the back behind the “reserved for proud Moms or Dads, only one seat per immediate family,” we watched our four-year-old sing her heart out. Even from our spots in the back, we could see the nervous tension in her shoulders.

Every child sat at attention focused on the teacher leading the chorus of voices. Every child – some more enthusiastically than others – lifted their hands and stamped their feet to the beat of the music. In a time-honored tradition, the children sang songs that reviewed the lessons learned, which noted the progress they had made throughout the year – each child from his or her start point.

I have attended about a thousand of these very same programs, both for my own family and in the schools where I have taught and led. They all made me cry with pride.

School of Thought

Graduates Big and Small

By Barbara Deutsch

At the end of the program, someone commented that the kids in the pre-K had probably worked on the program all year. In my head, I commented, pre-K school learning is how to work, sing and play together.

They are four years old.

Perhaps because of my love and many years of working with adoles -

you believe that with hard work, all good things will come to be.

At the YU graduation, the graduates are deemed ready for the world they have been promised. Sadly, this year, graduations from large numbers of college campuses have turned into spectacles of hate displaying obscene banners when it comes to Israel and the Jewish

These kids are true believers with goals and dreams that have not been dashed by disappointment and regret.

cents who are 11 to 14, I have also always maintained that the best graduation is the one from Middle School. Listening to their heartfelt divrei Torah , cantatas, and the speeches of the graduates one cannot help but be moved. These kids are true believers with goals and dreams that have not been dashed by disappointment and regret. Their innocence and purity makes

people. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I do know that I was surprised that there were no demonstrations or shouting voices. It was beautiful. YU hit a grand slam.

There is much I could say about the event, but I will highlight two things that stood out: first, a tribute to the fallen YU alumni soldiers featuring their bios and a memorial candle. A few of the

martyr families spoke, which included a few who were former students of mine at the Yeshivah of Flatbush.

It was not sad. According to their families, the chayalim’s heroism and commitment to their beloved Israel justified their loss. Everyone cried.

Second, Sen. John Fetterman, the senator from Pennsylvania, was the Presidential Medal recipient; he is a giant in stature and in his commitment to justice for Israel. After he spoke, Mordechai Shapiro sang, Am Yisroel Chai, as Rabbi Willig and Rabbi Schachter, gedolim, danced and sang with him and many of the graduates in an energetic circle; the audience laughed and cried.

Our Toronto children, Meredith and Jonathan, Judah’s proud parents, commented that it felt so freeing and joyful to be in a place of total acceptance where “everyone knows your name” and what you stand for. A place where you can believe that all will be fine and you will be accepted without prejudice.

Amen.

We feel good that by graduating from YU, Judah is well aware of what is in front of him and what he needs to do, to travel his world as a Jew.

Now in Israel, I take time to enjoy the memory of that day. I pray that when Dalia is old enough to move to real school, the world will be a safe place with no prejudice. Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that she knows the words of “I’m Proud to be a Jew.”

Sing loud, Dalia. Sing louder.

Mrs. Barbara Deutsch is currently the associate principal at HANC 609 and a longtime reflective educator, parent, grandparent, and new great-grandparent. Even after all these years, she still loves what she does and looks forward to working with kids every single day.

In The K tchen

Buttery French Toast Crepe

By Naomi Nachman

I always love creating dairy recipes, and I’m so excited to be partnering with Breakstone’s Butter for this one. This recipe is the perfect breakfast dish inspired by the classic French toast. It has all the butter flavor and milk that you would find in French toast – all prepared as a delicious crepe and cooked in real butter. (Bonus

that this recipe is also gluten free!)

Ingredients

◦ 6 eggs

◦ 6 Tablespoons potato starch

◦ 1/2 teaspoon salt

◦ 1/2 cup water or milk

◦ 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

◦ 1 tablespoon sugar

◦ 1 stick unsalted Breakstone’s Butter, divided

◦ Your choice of jam

◦ Crushed nuts

◦ Confectioners’ sugar

◦ Fresh fruit

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Beat well (preferably using a hand mixer or use an immersion blender).

2. Heat a 9-inch nonstick frying pan or crepe pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and swirl around pan to coat.

3. Pour enough batter into the pan to just cover it, about one-third cup. Cook until the top is just set and the crepe is cooked through. Remove from pan to cool.

4. Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter for frying if necessary.

5. Once crepes are all cooled, spread a crepe with desired amount of jam and sprinkle with nuts and roll up.

6. Garnish with fresh fruit, and confectioners’ sugar.

Prepare Ahead: This recipe can easily be doubled. Store crepes in the freezer between layers of parchment paper.

Cook’s Note: It’s very important to use a 9-inch crepe pan for this recipe, and to treat well. Use it for nothing besides crepes, and wash it with warm water and soap, using your fingers. Don’t use a harsh brush that can ruin the surface.

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.

Best Bites of Kosherpalooza top Fd for Thought

Kosherpalooza went back for seconds and didn’t disappoint. The largest kosher food event of the year took over the Meadowlands Exposition Center on Thursday, May 30, as over 4,000 people made the trip to be a part of everything kosher.

Only open for seven hours to the public, Kosherpalooza featured cooking and baking demos, panels about different topics around the kosherverse, cooking and cocktail competitions for those in the industry, the ability to meet famous cookbook authors, games for attendees, and (of course) food and drink booths featuring samples and giveaways.

With so much to do and so little time, many people had to choose which of the entertainment options to take advantage of and which things they just needed to pass on. Even so, some booths were popular enough that waiting in line might have been a tough call. Or the booth you were looking for might be out of something before you got there.

I trekked through the almost 100 booths trying to sample everything on the menu over the course of the day. There was pretty much something for everybody. Food and drink. Fish and meat. Desserts and appetizers. Bread and gluten-free options. With restaurants, caterers, and kosher food brands of all types, there were a lot of options on the floor that day.

With the dairy on one side and the meat on the other

By Nati Burnside

(pareve offerings were sprinkled throughout), navigating everything was a lot easier than some other events. Still, it was easy for even the most organized attendees to miss plenty with so much going on.

Then there’s everybody who could not take the day off of work or lived far enough away that the commute just didn’t really make sense.

If you fall into any of those many categories…read on. Here are my top five best bites of Kosherpalooza 2024:

5.Cinnamon Bun iCe Cream, m atan’s Creamery (Bergenfield, New Jersey)

As I mentioned, thousands of people took off from work to attend KosherFest for fun.

Some people working on advanced degrees may even have taken off of school to attend for fun. But only one person took off of school to work at KosherPalooza.

Meet Matan Moskowitz. He’s the 14-year-old owner of

Matan’s Creamery, and he was there (with his parents in tow) to get his ice cream into the hands and mouths of the people at the show. With a booth right in front and a badge labeling him Kosherpalooza’s Youngest Foodie, his ice cream drew quite the crowd.

Moskowitz started making his own ice cream five years ago when his grandmother gifted his family an ice cream maker. He went from walking around the neighborhood with free samples to selling small containers in front of his house pretty quickly.

Soon though, he needed a hechsher in order to take the next step. That’s how he ended up partnering with Grand & Essex Market in Bergenfield, his local kosher supermarket. He now makes his ice cream on their premises, and you can find it in the freezer section there.

In addition, if you live in the Teaneck area, you can order it online, and it will be delivered to your house. He currently makes five flavors, my favorite of which was the cinnamon bun. It had a really good balance of cinnamon spice with the sweetness you would expect of ice cream.

“A lot of people like cinnamon buns, so I decided it would be unique as a signature flavor,” said Moskowitz of his unusual choice of flavor.

Moskowitz hopes to grow his business in the coming years. He’s obviously got plenty of time.

4.

smoKed BrisKet, leil shishi diner and Catering (Monsey, New York)

Leil Shishi had one of the largest booths at Kosherpalooza. But with many offerings, the star of the show was the smoked brisket at their carving station. With a good mix of seasoning and smokey flavor, the line for samples was often wrapped around the corner into the next aisle.

Leil Shishi was able to have enough product for the masses as they use a special smoker that can complete the process in only five hours. And they certainly needed it given the number of people who wanted to get just a single slice of the tender meat they were putting out.

topped with sliced dried sausage, imitation cheddar cheese, beef bacon bits, and a drizzle of garlic mayo. Trust me, it tasted even better than it sounds. But… who is The Pizza Guy?

That would be Volvie Matyas. Like many recent owners at Kosherpalooza, he found himself out of a job during Covid. He saw the explosion of the pizza catering business in parts of the Jewish community over Instagram and wanted to bring a similar business to Monsey.

“I had a passion for pizza, inspiration from Instagram, and some time on my hands,” said Matyas about starting his own business.

Two years in, The Pizza Guy is catering pizza (both meat and dairy) of all types all over the tristate area.

2.The diner itself is only open on Thursday and Friday in Monsey, but Leil Shishi has branched out into the catering world and has started taking jobs all over the country.

Owner Sruli Goldberg has taken everything up a notch in recent years and what was a small Shabbat takeout counter is now ready for the big time.

“The goal is great fresh food every Thursday and Friday,” Goldberg said proudly. “But also, we are open wherever and whenever for all of your simchas, whatever you need.”

They offer all kinds of fleish catering from a more heimish menu to more elegant modern selections. It no longer has to be leil shishi for you to get yourself some Leil Shishi.

3. sausage pizza, the pizza guy (Monsey, New York)

One thing that pretty much everybody tasted at Kosherpalooza was the meat pizza from

So how did she figure out what to use for her projects?

“A lot of trial and error,” she said with a smile. “Depending on the specific ingredients, different candy either works or doesn’t. So I just started trying things.”

Astoeats is now a year old and has about 15 products. The “sour spheres” are freeze dried versions of colored sour candies. But there’s everything from Laffy Taffy to cotton candy and from pareve ice cream sandwiches to Airheads.

You can find their products on their website, in select grocery stores, and on Amazon.

1.sour spheres, a stroeats (Newark, New Jersey)

Sometimes you walk into a kosher food show, and you see a product that is new. Then there are times when a product appears to be from the future.

That was the case with Astroeats, the newest innovation in candy. Their freeze-dried candy samples not only drew a line but also had people buying bags of the products to take home.

Owner Sarah Newhouse was sent home from Israel as her seminary basically disbanded during Covid a few years ago. She spent plenty of time at home scrolling through various social media apps until she finally came across something that struck her fancy: videos of people freeze drying candy. You don’t need any experience making the candy because the basic idea was to freeze dry candy that already existed. But one thing you do need is a machine. And the machine she

ChiCKen fingers and sauCes, flavor on Board (Monsey, New York)

Meat boards are one of the big trends in the kosher world these days. Plenty of places offer many different types. From deli to charcuterie and from chicken to beef jerky, there are many types to choose from.

But Flavor on Board aims to take it one step farther. They make every type of board you can think of. Meat? Obviously. But they also have fish boards, cheese boards, salad boards… they’ve got 100 types.

Owner and Chef Mo Gluck chose to bring four types of chicken fingers from one of their most popular boards to prove a point. With Flavor on Board shipping all over the country, some people think the chicken fingers won’t be crunchy upon arrival.

But all four types (Cap’n Crunch, Rice Krispy, Cornflake, and Pretzel) were definitely still at the top of their game. Add in the sauces, and people with 100 options in the room were forming a huge line all day to get their hands on them.

Flavor on Board prides itself on their customer

“Every message gets answered,” said Gluck. “There’s a choice for everybody on our website, and if anything

Mind Y ur Business

Strategizing for Success

This column features business insights from a recent “Mind Your Business with Yitzchok Saftlas” radio show. The weekly “Mind Your Business” show – broadcasting since 2015 – features interviews with Fortune 500 executives, business leaders and marketing gurus. Prominent guests include John Sculley, former CEO of Apple and Pepsi; Dick Schulze, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Best Buy; and Beth Comstock, former Vice Chair of GE; among over 400+ senior-level executives and business celebrities. Yitzchok Saftlas, president of Bottom Line Marketing Group, hosts the weekly “Mind Your Business” show, which airs at 10pm every Sunday night on 710 WOR and throughout America on the iHeartRadio Network.

Since 2015, Yitzchok Saftlas has been speaking with leading industry experts on the “Mind Your Business” show, sharing insightful business and marketing strategies.

In this article, we’ve assembled essential tips from five business experts on how to develop and implement master strategies for achieving your company’s vision.

Set Diver Se Goal S

Norm Trainor, Founder and C eo of t he Covenant Group

Human beings are intentional. “Intention” comes from the same root as the words “desire,” “plan,” and “aim.” This suggests that goal setting is an inherent trait in all people. In fact, research shows that the average human being spends around 40%80% of their time thinking about the future, and that’s tied specifically to the goals we develop. But, when most people think about goals, they think about one or two specific outputs or objectives. They think, “I need to lose X amount of weight” or “I need to make X amount of money.” But, I believe that one of the keys to successful goal setting is establishing clear goals that spread across each of the five most important aspects of our lives: health/wellbeing, family, relationships, work, and community. Ideally, we have a goal attached to each of those five aspects. However, human nature tends to make us focus on just one or two areas that we consider to be the major pain points or areas of interest in our lives. We need to establish separate goals that touch on each of the five areas in our lives.

Plan F or the l onG -t erm

Keita Demming, Director of Development & i nnovation at t he Covenant Group

Most people fall short of achieving their vision because they’re not prepared to pay the smaller price today for a bigger return tomorrow. To put it simply, if I decide that in order to get in shape, I am not going to have ice cream right now and that I’m going to have an apple instead, that’s an example of a short-term cost for a long-term gain. This is a hard thing to do, especially when our goals are intangible . The more intangible the goal is, the harder time people have paying the upfront costs for it. People are most comfortable with things that are personal, immediate, and certain. They’re less comfortable with things that are organized, deferred, and a gamble. Things that are organized, deferred, and a gamble tend to be the things that redefine and help you make leaps in your life. So, you need to ask yourself, “What are the long-term goals that I can develop to service my desired future?” By always thinking ahead towards our desired future, we can ensure that every action we take brings us closer to those long-term gains.

Jerel Benjamin, CEO Of ProfitGOLD Group

For business owners who are trying to achieve their company’s vision, it’s important to realize that 85% of the population cannot visualize their vision. So, with that reality, you also have to realize that only 15% of your team will really be able to take your vision and know what needs to happen next. The other 85% are going to need some direction. That’s something that we business owners always forget. We feel like everybody understands it. “You know your part in the vision. You know your job title. Now, go.” And then, we get frustrated when they don’t go in the direction that we expected them to. It’s because we didn’t articulate the steps. Now, that doesn’t mean we need to micromanage. You don’t need to give them steps 1-100. But, most people would at least love to get steps 1-5, so they can start moving in the direction required to fulfill their parts in your vision. Even though they see themselves in the vision, that doesn’t mean they necessarily know which foot to put in front of the other.

The first thing we do as leaders, when we’re trying to empower a team, is we say, “My definition of excellence as we move towards this vision is,” and we define excellence as it relates to their role. Now, you’ve not only given them practical steps to take, but you’ve also created space to add their own genius and creativity. You’ve told them what excellence means as it relates to what they do. Now, they can start moving in that direction, owning what’s happening, and they don’t need you to restart their fire on those practical, tactical steps.

r evi Sit YoU r Strate GY

Bob Caporale, Business Strategy a dvisor

One thing that I often see happen with businesses is that if they have any kind of strategic process at all, they generally only revisit that strategy once a year. They tend to say, “We’re going to refresh our strategy on an annual basis.” And I think that’s a mistake, because if you’re only looking at your strategy once a year, especially if you’re only doing it for the purpose of presenting it to your executives, then you’re never going to be able to pivot when you need to. You have to look at your strategy and revisit it on a regular basis. Exactly how often can vary from strategy to strategy and business to business, but I would say to at least review your strategy on a monthly basis. Whatever size business you have, most businesses will hold a monthly staff meeting and a lot of those staff meetings only look backwards. They only ask, “How did we perform?” Add a section to that meeting where you’re also pulling out your plan and saying, “Okay, how does this translate into what we said we would do? How do we need to pivot based on that strategy?” Regularly reviewing with your team like that can make a big difference. But, to do that, you also have to give your employees the permission to plan. So often in business, we’re just reacting, trying to get the next sale and everything else. And all that’s important. But a lot of times, employees don’t feel like they can take four hours a week, or even four hours a month, to go off site to whiteboard things, come up with fresh ideas, and revisit their strategies. That permission needs to happen inside of companies if you want to be able to pivot. Otherwise, you could end up stuck year to year, not moving at all.

Pre Pare F or the Unex Pe C te D

Chuck Garcia , C eo of Climb l eadership i nternational

I have found that we overestimate the value of planning. I’m not saying it’s bad to plan, but any general will tell you that the battle plan never survives the first shot. I feel that we underestimate two things. One is the importance of self-correction and adapting when things do not go as planned. Two is our temperament. How do we behave in adversity? If things don’t go according to plan, people are going to notice how you respond. They don’t notice your planning, because they don’t see your planning. What they do see is how you act and react. When you react by blaming someone else because the plan didn’t work, you’re not solving the problem. You’re only exacerbating it.

As a human being, you will encounter life-defining challenges. How are you going to act and react when those moments come to greet you? It’s your choice. You need to be prepared for the things you can’t predict. Think about the enormity of that. I remember there was once a massive storm in Hudson Valley. There was eight inches of rain in two hours. Who could have predicted that? It was the storm of a lifetime. But how did people react? It was wonderful. F.E.M.A. (Federal Emergency Management Agency) came out with the policemen and firemen. It was a phenomenal reaction, because they were trained to do it. We’re not trained to react to a sudden blizzard or flood. We need to train ourselves and our employees to be ready for what we can’t predict, so that when it happens, it’s going to be just another day without worries. a rtiCU

Notable Quotes

“Say What?!”

Today, jury selection began in the Hunter Biden trial. To make sure that it was a jury of his peers, they are looking for people who were given phony jobs in Ukraine, smoked crack in a sensory deprivation tank…

- Greg Gutfeld, Fox News

Over the weekend Biden was seen cycling with Hunter in Delaware. It’s part of his new workout program called “Not dying.”

– Ibid.

Mexico has elected its first female President. Her name is Claudia Scheinbaum. That’s right, you know, of the Tiawana Scheinbaums.

– Ibid.

You should try her gefilte fish tacos.

- Ibid.

But her first order of business is getting her daughter to marry a doctor.

– Ibid.

Americans can tell the difference between Trump and Biden. One is facing a sentence; the other can’t complete one.

– Ibid.

If you’re out protesting for a couple of hours wearing [a keffiyeh], you have to go all the way and spend an afternoon running errands wearing [a burqa]. You can’t side with the people who ruthlessly oppress women without at least getting a taste of what you’re supporting.

- Bill Maher, HBO

You want a cause? Because I totally got one for you, apartheid, yeah, apartheid, the thing you’ve been shouting about with Israel for months, never mind that Israeli Arabs are actually full citizens. … [T]oday, right now, hundreds of millions of women are treated worse than second-class citizens. When you mandate that one category of human beings don’t even have the right to show their face, that’s apartheid, and it goes on in a lot of countries.

– Ibid.

We’re rebuilding a $60 ZILLION bridge in Baltmur!

- Pres. Biden, putting on a fake accent and fudging the numbers just a tad, while talking to black voters at a campaign event

What do you think he would’ve done on January 6 if Black Americans had stormed in?

- Joe Biden during a campaign rally in Philadelphia

Are you okay? Are you alright? You’re not hurt are you? I said, “Are you okay? Did you fall on your head or something?”

- Ibid., when asked by a reporter if he would complete a second term if reelected

If they can do this to a businessperson like Donald Trump, they could do it to anybody in New York and a lot of businesses. A lot of people are concerned that there is no rule of law.

- Billionaire CEO John Catsimatidis talking about the Trump verdict on “Mornings with Maria”

We’re tainting our brand, a 200-year brand.

- Shark Tank host and venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary talking about the Trump verdict

I’m flying 90,000 feet above that, saying four years from now, both of these guys are gone. And what did we do to our brand? That’s what I’m thinking about.

- Ibid.

What the Democrats have done in New York is like something that would happen in Pakistan or Brazil. It’s something that America would sanction another country for engaging in election interference.

- Sen. Tom Cotton on “Meet the Press”

Indeed, great damage was done today to the public’s faith in the American legal system. If a former President can be criminally convicted over such a trivial matter – motivated by politics, rather than justice – then anyone is at risk of a similar fate.

- Tweet by Elon Musk

Dear university students in the United States of America, you are standing on the right side of history.

- Tweet by Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei

Dear university students in the U.S., my advice to you is to become familiar with the Quran.

- Ibid.

If the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism is claiming you’re on the right side of history, it means you’re a useful idiot on the wrong side of history.

– Rep. Richie Torres (D-NY) in response

I do not plan to retire any time soon. As long as my health holds, I will keep driving. I do not have the word retire in my vocabulary.

- Doyle Archer, 90, of Kansas, who was just certified by Guiness World Records as the oldest active truck driver in the world

Anything you can haul in a truck, I have hauled.

- Ibid.

“Welp, 250 Years Wasn’t A Bad Run,” Says George Washington Looking On From Heaven - Babylonian Bee headline

Trump Sentenced To Four Years Of Confinement In Small Oval Room in Washington, D.C. - Ibid.

Seriously though, stop making fun of Biden. He’s without pier amount world leaders!

- Tweet by Uri Kurlianchik, after the makeshift Gaza pier that Pres. Biden commissioned for $360 million broke apart due to high tide

I just couldn’t even believe that she was in California. I thought it was a prank. Like, it’s still hard to wrap my brain around. Took the package to the drop off without knowing that our dear cat was inside!

- Carrie Clark, a cat owner who found out that her lost cat had snuck into an Amazon return box and ended up in an Amazon warehouse

I wanted to dedicate this emotional moment to my friend Matan Mordechai Lior, who was cruelly murdered on October 7, while helping whoever he could with supreme heroism to save many live.

- Israeli climber Ran Krauss speaking with Israel’s Channel 12 upon becoming the eleventh Israeli to reach the summit of Mount Everest

Subverting Democracy and the Fate of the Jews Political Crossfire

The last eight months have shaken the faith of many American Jews in the future of their community. The surge in antisemitism, especially on college campuses, has shattered any illusions we might have had about ensuring that Jew-hatred would be confined to the fever swamps of the far right and left in U.S. society. But as grievous as that threat to their safety may be –and the gravity of that peril cannot be overestimated – the Jewish community should also be pondering just how secure they can be in an America whose democratic norms and the rule of law can no longer be relied upon.

The prosecution and now the conviction of former President Donald Trump in a New York City courtroom on dubious charges and via a judicial process that is, at best, questionable, forces us to ask that question.

To broach this topic and consider the consequences of a partisan prosecution of both a former president and the choice of the Republican Party for the 2024 election, one needn’t be an admirer of Trump or even be planning to vote for him in November. Trump is a singular figure in American political history and has broken all sorts of precedents with his behavior and speech – before, during, and after his presidency. But at this point, the same can be said of his opponents, who seem to believe that his allegedly unique awfulness not merely permits but obligates them to break rules and precedents in their efforts to stop him from governing while he was president, to prevent his re-election, and now, to thwart him from gaining a second term in 2024.

Any discussion of which side is worse in this debate can be attributed to the type of “whataboutism” that involves justifying things that shouldn’t be jus -

By Jonathan S. Tobin

tified. But suffice it to say that when he took office in 2017, he rejected the idea of having his administration pursue criminal charges against his opponents, in particular, his 2016 Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. In what for him was a relatively rare instance of rising above feuds, Trump rightly understood that following up on the irresponsible rhetoric about “locking her up” that was heard at his campaign rallies was the last thing the country needed, regardless of whether a partisan prosecutor could have resurrected charges about her violating the rules about the handling of classified information.

But his opponents, outraged at the thought of Trump sitting in the White House, did not reciprocate. They promoted the Russia collusion hoax – a conspiracy theory about Trump being a Russian agent for whom Moscow supposedly stole an election – for years and then impeached him on a partisan charge of withholding foreign aid to

Ukraine. Silicon Valley oligarchs that control the virtual public square and major media outlets then conspired to suppress stories about corruption charges against the family of his 2020 opponent.

All of this was done because of the conviction that Trump was an opponent of democracy, though there was no evidence of any efforts on his part to behave in this manner while president. But his reaction to the 2020 vote seemed at least in part to confirm the claims that he was not prepared to accept an election loss. While he can be blamed for the events that led to the disgraceful Capitol Riot on Jan. 6, 2021, it was no insurrection, and, though he behaved recklessly and without grace, he peacefully left office that month.

It is possible that the Republican Party might have been prepared to choose an alternative to Trump in 2024, but once Democrats began efforts to confiscate his income, throw him off

the ballot and then jail him on a raft of charges that were not just flimsy but politically motivated, the chances of the GOP moving on from him were over. Convinced – and not without reason –that what was going on was a campaign of lawfare, akin to the sorts of bills of attainder (in which the British parliament and crown had historically legislated against specific individuals) specifically prohibited by the U.S. Constitution, his party rallied around him.

Burning Down Democracy to Save It

Undaunted by the idea that they were essentially burning down democracy to supposedly save it, Democratic prosecutors, cheered on by their party base, moved ahead. The most dubious of those charges was the case brought against him in a New York state court. In this instance, a prosecutor who had gained election by promising to jail Trump conjured up an unprecedented indictment involving not only murky legal theories but also a state trial on federal election law. It did involve a disgraceful (though not necessarily illegal) hush money payment by Trump. While designed to humiliate the ex-president, it was also conducted in such a blatantly unfair manner that it did nothing to undermine support for him. The pre-ordained guilty verdict is unlikely to be sustained in the appellate courts but, like the trial, it constitutes a form of election interference that both parties would denounce as the stuff of banana republics or President Vladimir Putin’s Russian regime if it were happening elsewhere.

None of this represents a reason to vote for Trump or President Joe Biden. Still, the effort to imprison an American political leader, no matter how contro -

versial, in this manner is a crossing of the Rubicon that could have devastating consequences going forward. At this point, it no longer matters who did what to whom first. The only thing to be considered is that Democrats are trying to imprison the leader of the GOP and that it is unlikely that Republicans will refrain from playing the same game in the future, especially if, as the polls currently indicate, they return to power in January 2025.

What does this have to do with the fate of American Jewry?

Like all Americans, Jews have a stake in the preservation of their country’s democratic form of government. What made the United States a haven in the history of the Diaspora was its particular brand of constitutional democracy based on the ideal of equal justice under the law. That allowed Jews to ascend to leadership positions in virtually every sector of American society, secure in the belief that there were no religious tests to constrain them and that the rule of law protected them in a way it had never consistently done elsewhere. America wasn’t a Jewish utopia, but it did provide an opportunity for freedom

without requiring Jews to give up their identity, faith or interests.

On the surface, the Trump drama and the backlash it is causing may not seem to have anything to do with the Jews. But if the United States is, as it might be, on the verge of no longer being a place where we can count on the rule of law as well as one with a political culture in which the major parties will seek to jail each other’s leaders, then even a cursory knowledge of Jewish history would teach us that Jews will no longer be safe from persecution.

A Surge in Antisemitism

The post-Oct. 7 surge in antisemitism has already shaken confidence in the Jewish future. A form of left-wing Jew-hatred – rooted in toxic ideas like critical race theory and intersectionality – has created a new orthodoxy in academia by which Jews and Israel could be smeared and delegitimized as “white” oppressors and undeserving of rights. The willingness of mainstream corporate media outlets to normalize this new antisemitism remains deeply troubling. Their willingness to treat

prejudicial canards about Zionism being a form of racism – a blatant lie that has its roots in Marxist and Soviet propaganda of the past – as something that decent people should agree to disagree about has resulted in Jews being marginalized, shunned and endangered.

If you add this factor of newly fashionable antisemitism to a toxic brew of political instability caused by the anti-Trump lawfare campaign, it’s possible to imagine a scenario where the sort of Jew-hatred on college campuses spreads with unimaginable consequences. The strife at academic institutions, which is part of a broader battle over the future of America and the West, again illustrates that the Jews are always the canaries in the coal mine. We can’t know where all this will end, but in an atmosphere of this sort of political strife, it isn’t unreasonable to wonder about scenarios in which American Jews will be targeted in ways that seemed unimaginable not that long ago. The only reason I can give for optimism is that I’m reasonably sure that the vast majority of Americans don’t want any of this. They may be bifurcated in their politics and distrust people

on the other side of the political aisle. But if there is anything that I’ve learned in my travels around the country in the last eight years, it is that most Americans don’t want their politicians to be at each other’s throats and oppose extremism of all kinds. The talk of “civil war,” which was given full expression in a recent dystopian film of the same name, seems easy to imagine among the chattering and governing classes yet abhorrent to the overwhelming majority of people they hope to influence and rule. The conviction of Trump on the most unreasonable and openly partisan charges against him may mean that there is no turning back. In spite of that, reasonable people must urge their political leaders to step back from the abyss. The surge in antisemitism is a warning to Jews and non-Jews alike that ideas essentially at war with American exceptionalism pose an immediate danger to our society. If we are now to add a new political norm whereby those who lose elections must fear prosecution, regardless of their actions, then it is entirely possible that the era when Jews could regard America as a safe place could well be over. (JNS)

Political Crossfire

Daines Looks to Turn Around the GOP’s 2022 Senate Debacle

There is an almost irrational exuberance on the right over the 2024 elections. President Biden is so unpopular, and Democrats are in such a panic-driven “freakout,” that many assume victory is all but inevitable.

But when it comes to control of the Senate, Republicans would do well to recall what happened in the 2022 midterms. Then, as now, the Senate map was tilted in their favor, and Biden was one of the most unpopular presidents since World War II. Republicans expected a red wave to sweep them back into power. Instead, they watched as Biden turned in one of the best first midterm performances of any president since John F. Kennedy.

The mastermind behind this epic disaster was Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), whose mismanagement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee – wasting nearly $180 million on consultants and self-promotion while he vacationed in Italy aboard a luxury yacht – left the NRSC’s coffers virtually empty in the final months of the campaign. The committee had to cancel ad buys in critical swing states and take out $13 million in loans

By Marc A. Thiessen

in September just to cover its operating expenses. And Scott’s failure to intervene in the primaries left Republicans with a slate of unelectable candidates who lost winnable races in state after state.

Now, after leaving the NRSC $20 million in debt and Democrats with an expanded majority, Scott has announced he will run for Senate GOP leader. His candidacy gives new meaning to the term “failing up.”

There won’t be a Republican majority to lead unless Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) – the man left to clean up Scott’s mess – succeeds where Scott disastrously failed. And the new NRSC chairman has a warning for his fellow Republicans: If the GOP blows it again, they won’t get another chance to win Senate control for a decade or more.

In an interview in Daines’s campaign offices, he pointed out that in 2024, the GOP is defending no seats in states Biden won, while Democrats are defending three in states Donald Trump won in 2020 (Montana, Ohio and West Virginia) and five in states Biden won by 5 points or less (Wisconsin, Pennsylva-

nia, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan). Add to this the surprise candidacy of former Maryland governor Larry Hogan (R) –who was recruited by Daines’s chief of staff, Darin Thacker, the old-fashioned way, by a heartfelt letter urging him to run – having put a Democrat-held seat in play, and that’s nine good pickup opportunities.

But after November, Daines warned, the opportunities dry up.

“I’m a Procter & Gamble exec from 13 years,” he said. “They teach you how to think and lead strategically” and “look out over the horizon” to assess opportunities and risks. So he looked at the Senate map for 2026. “It started to get real quiet that night when I saw there were zero red states … with Democrats up [for reelection] in ’26,” he said. Then he looked at 2028. “It even got quieter: It was zero.”

In other words, he said, if Republicans fail to take back the majority this cycle, “we likely stay in the minority through 2030.”

The drought could actually last longer, he explained, if Democrats win the Senate, the House and the presidency – some-

thing that is unlikely but not impossible given their recent record of upset wins. Then, he said, “the filibuster is gone.” The only reason it survived Biden’s first two years, when Democrats had unified control of government, is because two Democrats – Sens. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) – saved it.

“Both are retiring,” he said. Without the filibuster, Democrats could pack the Senate by making D.C. and Puerto Rico states, which could result in “four Democrat senators in perpetuity added to the mix.” They could ram through H.R. 1, which would allow them to rewrite federal voting rules to favor their party. That means “no more voter ID requirements” and “mail-in ballot elections everywhere.” Finally, he said, they could pack the Supreme Court with additional justices who would uphold their power grab. He is determined to make sure that does not happen. Unlike Scott, who failed to intervene in the primaries, Daines made sure the GOP nominated the most electable candidates in key states. “When you look at election cycles … filing day is as important as election day,” he said.

“So we weren’t afraid to get involved – in some cases, aggressively – in primaries because the stakes are too high to sit back and just kind of watch it all unfold.”

Daines worked to find what he called “winsome conservatives” with Reaganesque qualities who could “appeal beyond just the Republican base, and also to independent voters, [who] will decide these tight elections.

“The nation’s yearning for that,” he said. “Winners make policy; losers go home.”

An early Trump supporter, Daines worked with the former president to secure his endorsement of those candidates. Trump endorsed Gov. Jim Justice over Rep. Alex Mooney in West Virginia, and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy over Rep. Matt Rosendale in Montana, as well as former representative Mike Rogers in Michigan, David McCormick in Pennsylvania (whom he had passed over for Mehmet Oz in 2022) and businessman Eric Hovde in Wisconsin.

His recruiting record is not perfect. In Ohio, Democrats have repeated their successful 2022 strategy of backing “poison pill” MAGA candidates, spending over $2.5 million to boost Trumpbacked Bernie Moreno with ads calling

him “too conservative for Ohio.” The RealClearPolitics average has the Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown up by 5 points in a state where Trump is leading by 10.

And in Arizona, Republicans nominated the disastrous Kari Lake – a poster child for the GOP’s 2022 midterm failure – who lost a winnable governor’s race. Lake is so unpopular that far-left Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego is leading her

seat to secure the majority outright.

In his home state of Montana, Daines predicts, “Trump is going to win by 15 to 20 points,” which will benefit Sheehy in his bid to unseat Sen. Jon Tester (D). And in Ohio, Trump’s 10-point lead could boost Moreno. In Michigan, “Biden’s got real problems,” not just with Arab American voters in Dearborn but also with the United Auto Workers, whose members are “very concerned [about]

In other words, he said, if Republicans fail to take back the majority this cycle, “we likely stay in the minority through 2030.”

by 7 points in the RCP average in a state where Trump is leading by 4.

Despite those setbacks, the GOP is far better positioned to make gains this year thanks to Daines. The race in West Virginia is “all but over,” he said, which means that, barring unexpected GOP losses, there will be at least a 50-50 Senate. Republicans would only need to flip one more

what’s happening right now with these crazy green initiatives coming from the Biden administration, mandating EVs.” And, Daines said, “nobody had Maryland on their dance card.”

In addition, Daines said, Biden has a growing problem not just with swing voters but also with his own base. “These Senate races on election night may come

down to 1 or 2 points. You start looking at where Biden and the Democrats are struggling right now with minority voters, including African Americans and Hispanics, and also Jewish voters. I think if you add that up, it becomes a real problem for the Democrats.”

If he pulls it off, Daines will be an instant contender to lead the new Senate majority. Trump has already thrown his support behind him. But right now, he said, “Truly, I’m not aspiring to be leader. I’m focused on getting the majority back.

“The stakes could not be higher, and failure is not an option,” he added.

“It’s going to be important, when President Trump wins, that we have the ability for this new Senate majority to work closely and well with the new administration,” he said. “I can play in that position in many different ways, and I’m focused here on winning the majority, and then policy wins once President Trump’s elected with the Republican majority of the Senate.”

This much is certain: If the guy who wins the Senate majority jumps in the race for leader, the guy who lost it two years ago has no chance.

© 2024, Washington Post Writers Group

Political Crossfire

Russian Gains Push White House to Revisit Some Red Lines

To combat Russia’s advances in Ukraine, President Biden is considering two tough new countermeasures: punishing China for supplying key technology to Moscow and lifting limits on Ukrainian use of U.S. short-range weapons to attack inside Russia.

These moves would represent a significant escalation of Biden’s carefully calibrated policy of supporting Ukraine while seeking to avoid direct confrontation with Russian President Vladimir Putin or his key ally, China’s Xi Jinping. The fact that such moves are being considered now shows the administration’s growing concern about Ukraine’s vulnerability on the battlefield.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken telegraphed a tougher stance after recent visits to Beijing and Kyiv. While in Beijing, he told the BBC in late April that China was “helping fuel the biggest threat to Europe” since the fall of the Soviet Union and indicated that the United States was weighing new sanctions against Chinese companies and financial institutions.

Blinken then visited Kyiv and heard firsthand accounts of Russia’s recent gains near Kharkiv and elsewhere in eastern Ukraine. What he heard worried him enough that he urged administration colleagues to re-examine the prohibition on Ukraine firing American artillery and short-range missiles into Russia, U.S. officials told me and, separately, other journalists.

The threat of new sanctions against China is especially delicate because it comes at a time when both countries have been trying to stabilize their relationship. But U.S. officials are troubled that Beijing, while technically adhering to its pledge not to supply weapons to Moscow, has become the biggest enabler of Russia’s defense sector and its

By David Ignatius

full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

China’s growing assistance is clear in a report by Nathaniel Sher for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. By analyzing international customs data, Sher found that China was Russia’s largest supplier of 50 “high priority” dual-use items. The customs data also showed that China’s share of Russia’s imports of these goods had risen from 32 percent in 2021 to 89 percent last year.

Blinken told the BBC that these dual-purpose items “are being used to help Russia on what’s an extraordinary crash course effort to make more munitions, tanks, armored vehicles, missiles” –even though China continues to refrain from “provision of actual arms.” The secretary said China was supplying about 70 percent of Russia’s imports of machine tools and 90 percent of its imported microelectronics.

China is also providing Russia with satellite technology that can be crucial for communications and targeting in the Ukraine battlespace, according to the Royal United Services Institute, a British foreign policy think tank.

Xi has maintained his own balancing act since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, less than three weeks after he and Putin had declared a “no limits” partnership. China publicly called for a ceasefire, but Putin pleaded for weapons. They were ready for delivery when Biden called Xi to warn him that the United States would respond – drawing what officials told me was an angry riposte from Xi asking whether Biden was threatening him.

Since that showdown, Xi has refrained from direct weapons shipments. But U.S. officials said the Chinese leader directed Liu He, former vice premier and one of Xi’s most trusted negotiators with the West, to oversee quiet help for Russia’s war effort. At the same time, China has sent peace feelers to Ukraine and its European backers about an eventual settlement.

Ukraine’s vulnerability has increased partly because of the long delay in U.S. weapons shipments. While House Republicans dithered, Ukraine was forced to consider retreat. And many weapons the United States had hoped would bolster Ukraine – such as M1 Abrams tanks, HIMARS missile systems and F-16 fight-

er jets – proved vulnerable to Russian drones, electronic jamming and air defenses, respectively.

U.S. officials worry that Russia is massing troops and equipment just across the border inside Russia for its assault on Kharkiv and other cities in eastern Ukraine. U.S. artillery and short-range missiles could strike these targets without threatening deep strikes into Russia. But, for now, the United States restricts their use to inside Ukraine, so they aren’t able to strike the big Russian logistical and troop-marshalling centers just over the border. But that may be changing, as other NATO countries press Biden to loosen controls.

The loudest call for strikes inside Russia came last week from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “The front line is more or less the border line, and if you cannot attack the Russian forces on the other side of the front line because they are on the other side of the border, then of course you really reduce the ability of the Ukrainian forces to defend themselves,” Stoltenberg told a NATO parliamentary meeting Monday in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“The right to self-defense includes the right to strike legitimate military targets outside Ukraine,” Stoltenberg added.

The NATO parliamentary group meeting in Sofia joined him in endorsing “lifting some restrictions on the use of weapons.”

We might be nearing another inflection point in Ukraine. As China leans harder into its partnership with a newly dominant Russia, Biden is weighing whether to deepen his alliance with Kyiv. This would bring new risks, but it would make sense if it could bolster a wobbly Ukraine and rebalance the negotiating table, which is where this war must eventually be settled.

Forgotten Her es The Heroism of the Frogmen

By Avi Heiligman

Combat swimmers are often referred to as frogmen and are trained in underwater combat. Using breathing gear such as SCUBA or other underwater breathing equipment, they perform tasks ranging from scouting, intelligence, sabotage, and mine and obstacle clearing, among many roles. Navies worldwide employ frogmen, and over the years, they have performed many missions. Over the years, some of their missions and operators have been revealed to the public. Here are some of the frogmen’s stories.

Divers in combat go back to ancient Greece and Rome when swimmers would use crude snorkels to swim underwater to reach an object. Modern technology brought a new age to underwater breathing, and by World War II, many of the main belligerents had diving units. Italian frogmen staged several raids on Allied shipping to varying degrees of success. German frogmen were sent out during the Normandy campaign to destroy Pegasus Bridge, but they could not achieve their goals against the British-held bridge. After the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River in March 1945 by the American First Army, German frogmen were tasked with swimming eleven miles in an attempt to destroy the bridge. Searchlights caught them swimming towards the bridge, and two were killed, with the rest being captured. Two others had died of hypothermia.

Allied frogmen fared a lot better than

the Germans. In the years leading up to the war, inventors came up with new types of rebreathers, and the U.S. raised several units of frogmen during the course of the war. The first American to be trained as a combat diver was John Spence. He had been a diver on a battleship in the 1930s performing underwater maintenance with a tethered air source attached to his helmet. Someone called him a frogman during his training with the OSS, and the name stuck. He was sent to England to help with the war effort. A planned mission to attack a German submarine base was scrubbed due to concerns that the Germans would be alerted that a full scale invasion was about to occur. Instead, he joined British commandos on raids into France and rescued stranded Allied airmen.

The need for frogman units became pressing after the bloody landings at Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands in November 1943. Due to faulty intelligence, the landing craft got stuck on the reef, and Japanese gunfire caught the landing marines in a firestorm of deadly bullets. Frogmen were then trained to chart shorelines, and soon groups were sent into battle.

There have been several American frogmen units through the years. The more well-known units include Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDU), and the OSS Maritime Unit as the primary combat divers during World War II. In 1961, the Navy SEALs were created, and

in the 1980s, a counterterrorism unit, SEAL Team Six, was formed.

Allied planners of the D-Day operation knew that the Germans had planted thousands of obstacles on the beaches to prevent landing ships from getting too close to the shore. During high tide, these steel posts would be under water, and the landing craft would get stuck trying to maneuver. The NDSU was among the first men to assault Normandy, and they were tasked with opening sixteen gaps in the beach defenses. The German fire raining down on them was so great that some of them men used the beach defenses as cover. By the day’s end, thirteen gaps had been breached. The day ended with a high cost for the American frogmen; 31 NDCU members were killed on D-Day, and another 60 were wounded.

Ensign Lawrence Karnowski was the officer in charge of the NDCU-45 unit that assaulted Omaha Beach on D-Day. Despite very heavy artillery and gunfire, he led his unit in clearing a fifty yard gap. The rising tide then threatened to drown one of his men that had been wounded. He rescued the sailor and returned by himself to place more explosives in the beach defenses. After the tides made that job impossible for a time, Karnowski then began tending to the wounded sailors of his NDCU unit. For his bravery in action on D-Day, he was awarded the Navy Cross.

The UDTs were very active in the Pacific Theater of Operations and went

on missions in the days leading up to invasions of the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and many other landing. They charted coastlines, blew up obstacles, and were often asked to perform other tasks. Two days after the landing at Iwo Jima, UDT 12 answered the call to clear war debris off the coastline so that more landing craft could land.

After World War II, UDTs were involved in several operations including the Korean and Vietnam wars. NASA employed frogmen from UDTs to meet astronauts as they splashed down from Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space capsules at the end of a spaceflight.

Today, frogmen play a very important role in naval operations. Over the years, they have added to their capabilities and have assisted in operations from sabotage and surveying to salvage missions and locating missing objects or people. Israeli frogmen have many responsibilities within the IDF and went on many missions in the current war with Hamas. While the work of frogmen worldwide doesn’t get publicized often, their dedication to the job and the risks they take make them 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.

A memo drawn by Krakowski weeks after D-Day, detailing the landings

ENS Lawrence Karnowski and members of CDU-45

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SERVICES SERVICES

MAJOR APPLIANCE REPAIR

Servicing Washers , Dryers , Refrigerators , Dishwasher, stoves

All work guaranteed. Call 718 3762288

VACUUM SALES AND REPAIR

All areas call Max Flam 718-444-4904

THE LEATHER SHOPPE

The spot for all your custom leather Judaica. Tallis/tefillin bags, lulav and esrog bags, havdallah sets, challah covers, shtenders, pesach sets, matzah/afikomen bags.  WhatsApp: (732) 523-0007 or email: theleathershoppe732@gmail.com for a full catalog. We ship.

MY MOTTO IS DON’T WAIT TO buy real estate

Buy real estate and wait Your realtor for life 516-784-0856 Alexandra at Realty Connect USA

PEACEFUL PRESENCE STUDIO

Men’s private yoga, Licensed Massage & Holistic Health Guidance 436 Central Ave, Cedarhurst Info. & free video training www.peacefulpresence.com 516-371-3715

GERBER MOVING

FULL SERVICE MOVING Packing Moving Supplies

Local Long Distance. Licensed Insured 1000’S Of Happy Customers Call Shalom 347-276-7422

HANDYMAN AVAILABLE

For big or small jobs, Sheetrock, carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing, install & repair appliances Call Ephraim at 347-593-4691

MANAGEMENT STAFF WILL ASSIST

you with:

* Obtaining Medicaid and Pooled Income Trust

* In-home Assessments, Individual and Family Counseling

* Securing reliable home care assistance

* Case and Care Management services

Dr. S. Sasson, DSW, LCSW (718) 544- 0870 or (646) 284-6242

HAIR COURSE:

Learn how to wash & style hair & wigs. Hair and wig cutting, wedding styling Private lessons or in a group Call Chaya 718-715-9009

ZEVIZZ WOODTURNING JUDAICA  Challah knifes, batei mezuzah, besamim holder, kiddish cups, havdalah candle holders, yad for sefer torah, pens, stenders, bowls and more  952-356-2228

HOUSES FOR SALE

DON’T GET STUCK WITH A TWO STORY HOUSE YA KNOW, IT’S ONE STORY BEFORE YOU BUY IT BUT A SECOND STORY AFTER YOU OWN IT! Call Dov Herman For An Accurate Unbiased Home Inspection

Infrared - Termite Inspection Full Report All Included NYC 718-INSPECT

Long Island 516-INSPECT www.nyinspect.com

LAWRENCE

5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath Center Hall Colonial. Prime Location in Lawrence. Formal Dining Room, Formal Living Room, Den, Kitchen, Bedroom + Full Bath on the 1st Floor. Second Floor

- Master Bedroom - Full Bath, plus 3 Additional Bedrooms and Full Bath. Gas Heating, Basement with Lots of Storage and Utilities. Lot Size 76X122. Great Corner Property. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-2988457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

HOUSES FOR SALE

LAWRENCE

Stunning One of a Kind Mid Century Modern 6 Bedroom, 6.5 Bath, Contemporary Ranch. Resort Style Home on Over an Acre of Property in Back Lawrence. Incredible Views, Regulation Size Tennis Court - Deco Turf. IG-Gunite Pool, Low Taxes, 5318 sq. ft. of Main Floor Living Space. Plus 5000 sq. ft. Basement With Very High Ceilings. Call Mark 516-298-8457 for more details Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457  mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

CEDARHURST JUST LISTED

Magnificent renovated 4 bedroom 3 bathroom in SD#15, new roof, windows, plumbing + electric, gas cooking, new marble bathrooms, marble kitchen with stainless steel appliances, LED lighting, security cameras and speakers throughout the home, custom closets, outdoor patio, 1 car garage, near all. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

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HOUSES

SALE HOUSES FOR SALE HOUSES FOR SALE 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!

NORTH WOODMERE

Stunning Split, 5 Bedrooms With 3 Full Baths. Custom Features Throughout. Well Maintained Home. Hardwood Floors, Granite Counters in kitchen, Formal Living Room and Dining Room, Den, Full Finished Basement. Relax in the Private Backyard With Inground Pool. SD#14. A must see! Close To All Houses of Worship Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

Charming Colonial on beautiful tree lined street in the heart of Old Woodmere. Home features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, kitchen, dining area, living room, full basement. Relatively new heating system + hot water tank. Large & beautiful backyard. Great for entertaining. Close to all. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

Woodmere just listed 3 bedroom 2 full bathroom hi-ranch in sd #15 with central air-conditioning , gas heat, 2 car garage, eat-in-kitchen, l/r, d/r, den, hardwood floors, minutes to transportation , shopping, and houses of worship Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

New to the market renovated 3 bedroom 2 full bathroom ranch home with a full finished basement in the heart of Woodmere, sd#15, on a lot size 90x118, gas heat, central air conditioning, garage, new windows, roof, siding, appliances, lighting, kitchen and bathrooms. Eat in kitchen with 2 sinks, 2 dishwashers, double oven, island, lots of cabinets and storage. Spacious renovated basement with lots of storage, washer dryer and utilities, minutes to the railroad, shopping and houses of worship. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

Beautiful, brick, colonial boasting 5 bdr 3.5 Bth in pristine condition. Excellent location, near all! Move right in! RCUSA 516-512-9626

WOODMERE

Spacious home within school district 14 with exquisite upgrades and central air conditioning, splendid kitchen with dual sinks, five bedrooms. Main level encompasses a spacious great room, office space, complementing the formal living and dining areas. Unfinished basement, detached garage. Expansive lot, measuring 80 x 100. Conveniently located near shopping, railroad, restaurants and places of worship.

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

NORTH WOODMERE

Meticulously maintained fourbedroom, two-bathroom home on an expansive corner. Main floor: entrance foyer, generously sized bedroom, a full bath, attached two-car garage. On the next level: sophisticated formal living room with cathedral ceilings, eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, sleek black banisters, hardwood floors. Third floor: master suite, two additional bedrooms, and another full bath. Lower level: cozy den with brick fireplace, laundry facilities, ample storage space, and utilities. New heating system, central air conditioning, custom closets throughout, inground sprinkler system. Conveniently located near parks, shopping centers, and houses of worship, and situated within SD#15 with low taxes. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

Welcome to this stunning residence situated on a tranquil residential street in Lawrence SD#15. This spacious and flawlessly maintained home boasts 4 to 5 bedrooms. Bright, airy living room with vaulted ceilings, skylights and wet bar. Central air conditioning, elegant quartz countertops, eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, main floor den with fireplace, master bedroom with bathroom snd dressing room, Jacuzzi tub, three other bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Inground sprinklers, lush landscaping, alarm system. Spacious playroom. Two-car garage. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

HEWLETT

New to the market 4 bedroom home sd# 14 living room with fireplace, den, bedroom, full bathroom, eat-in kitchen, dining room on the 1st floor. Upstairs has 3 bedrooms full bathroom, laundry room, finished basement with a cedar closet, storage, utilities. hardwood floors, 200 amp service, alarm, one car garage, easy access to schools, shopping center, transportation options, restaurants and places of worship.

OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY JUNE 9 1:00-2:30PM 1610 MOFFITT AVENUE

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

NORTH WOODMERE

New to the market magnificent 5 bedroom 3 full bathroom split level. Bright & sunny, living room with vaulted ceilings, formal dining room, eat-in-kitchen, den with fireplace, sunroom, 2 car garage, gas heating, central air conditioning, master bedroom with en-suite, hardwood floors, in ground sprinkler system, plus so much more.

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

HEWLETT-WOODMERE

School district. New to the market. 4 bedroom 3 full bathroom home features living room with a fireplace, formal dining room leading out to the deck, eat-in-kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, 2 dishwashers, double oven, new microwave, primary bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, plus 3 additional bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, large family room, central air conditioning, gas heat, in-ground sprinklers, hardwood floors, modern high hat lighting, custom window treatments, driveway has recently been done, 2 car garage, beautifully landscaped plus so much more.

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

LAWRENCE

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HOUSES FOR SALE HOUSES FOR SALE HOUSES FOR SALE HOUSES FOR SALE

WEST HEMPSTEAD

Introducing a stunning new construction home. Nestled in a picturesque neighborhood. Large windows, open-concept layout that merges the various living spaces. The expansive living room is bathed in natural light, thanks to the windows that offer great views of the surrounding area. Gourmet kitchen with top-of-theline stainless steel appliances, sleek cabinetry, expansive center island with a breakfast bar. Ample counter space and a well-designed layout. Wonderful dining area providing. Large glass doors, spacious patio. Luxurious master suite with a spacious bedroom, a lavish ensuite bathroom and a large walk-in closet. Additional bedrooms. High-end finishes, premium flooring, and custom details throughout.

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International

WOODMERE

Spacious home within school district 14 with exquisite upgrades and central air conditioning, splendid kitchen with dual sinks, five bedrooms. Main level encompasses a spacious great room, office space, complementing the formal living and dining areas.

Unfinished basement, detached garage. Expansive lot, measuring 80 x 100. Conveniently located near shopping, railroad, restaurants and places of worship.

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

Introducing a stunning 14-side hall colonial home in the Hewlett Woodmere School District. Formal living room, formal dining room, den with a skylight. Eat in Kitchen, two sinks, a double oven, a warming draw and a microwave. First floor bedroom, a full bathroom and laundry room. Two-car garage. Upper level has four bedrooms, two full bathrooms. Finished basement with playroom, storage and utilities. Well-groomed exterior with porch adjoining the master bedroom. Hardwood floors and back patio. Central air conditioning, inground sprinkler system, alarm system. Close proximity to schools, shopping centers, restaurants, and transportation options.

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

LAWRENCE

New to the market 5 bedroom

3.5 bathrooms prime location with a lot size 77x130 features an eat-inkitchen, formal dining room , main floor den , formal living room with vaulted ceilings, finished basement, 2 car garage, gas heat, central air conditioning, in ground sprinkler, alarm call for more details.

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

1st showing spacious bright and sunny 5 bedroom 3 full bathrooms in school district 15. Features an expanded gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, 2 sinks, double oven, warming drawer, great counter space, central air conditioning, gas heat, 2 of the bathrooms are new, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, in ground sprinkler, gas line for the barbeque, 2 car garage and minutes to all.

Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

Classifieds

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003

LAWRENCE

New to the market 2 bedroom 2

full bathrooms top floor elevator building, 24 hr doorman, open concept, totally renovated kitchen, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, 2 dishwashers, island, 2 new bathrooms, terrace, central air conditioning, u/g parking, high hats throughout, custom closets minutes to shopping, railroad, park, and houses of worship Mark Lipner

Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

New to the market studio co-op apartment, elevator building, high ceilings, low maintenance, laundry room on premises, minutes to the railroad, shopping, restaurants and houses of worship. $130K Mark Lipner

Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

HEWLETT

Totally renovated 1 and 2 Bedroom, Apartments with washer/dryer, kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances. Recessed lighting, hardwood floors, storage in basement. Close to RR, shopping, and houses of worship. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

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. $179k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

LAWRENCE

New to the market spacious 1 bedroom 1.5 bathroom condo, elevator building, central air conditioning, garage parking, 24hr doorman, many closets, kitchen with granite countertops, generous counter space, washer/dryer, minutes from shopping, park, transportation and houses of worship Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

LAWRENCE

New to the market 1 bedroom 1.5-bathroom condo apartment, elevator building, 24 hr doorman, central air conditioning, washer/dryer, u/g parking, terrace, many closets, social room, gym, library minutes to shopping, restaurants, transportation and houses of worship. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

LAWRENCE JUST LISTED

This amazing two-bedroom two full bathroom condo Features a luxurious lifestyle in the beautiful city of Lawrence. What more could you ask for? The building has a 24-hour doorman and elevator access, with a social room, library, washer/dryer inside the unit, and terrace. Plus, the added benefit of having a live-in super to ensure maximum safety and security! And don’t forget about your new kitchen complete with a gas stove, refrigerator, microwave, and even two dishwashers! The living room and dining room are spacious and have recessed lighting installed throughout. Both bedrooms feature lots of closet space for storage. To top it off, there’s even garage parking available to make your life just that much easier! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. Please call for a private showing Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

Classifieds

1500SF LOFT OFFICE

(formerly Shmuel Flaum Architect)

2 store/offices; ~600sf each 2 Cedarhurst offices; ~100sf each Starting at $650 Also… Large Parking Lot & Storage available Utilities, Internet & Parking incl. with some Kosher kitchen – Minyan Next to LIRR - No broker fee

Call/text/Whatsapp:  516-206-1100

Reach Your Target Market

Classifieds

CEDARHURST

2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment, private entrance, washer/dryer, central air conditioning, freshly painted, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, garage parking, stainless steel appliances, great courtyard, minutes to the railroad, shopping, restaurants, park and houses of worship. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@ bhhslaffey.com

HEWLETT

Welcome To Luxury Living in The Heart of Hewlett! This Spacious 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom Condo Boasts in Unit Separate Laundry For Ultimate Convenience. Enjoy Lovely Courtyard Views from Your Private Terrace. With Elevator Access and A Doorman, Experience The Epitome Of Comfort In This Prestigious Building. 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

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

SPECIAL ED TEACHER

HASC seeks Special Ed Teachers for our Early Learning Program. Candidates must possess NYS Professional License. Warm, supportive and enjoyable working environment. Competitive Pay! Please e-mail resume to jobswd@hasc.net

BOOKKEEPER

Excellent growth potential, Frum environment, Excellent salary & benefits. Email resume to: resumetfs1@gmail.com

JH ELA AND MATH teachers for ‘24-’25 school year. M-Th, PM hours, strong support, curriculum and material provided, excellent salary. Far Rockaway area. Teachersearch11@gmail.com.

Classifieds

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003

HEAD ENGLISH, AFTERNOON Teaching Position  Zareinu is hiring for the 24-25 school year.  Looking for a qualified teacher to teach a modified English curriculum!  for a small group of 4th and  5th grade girls in Far Rockaway.  Great Pay!    Warm environment!     Great administrative support!      Email resume: jlepolstat@zareinu.org or call 516-993-2142

HEAD MORAH, MORNING POSITION   Zareinu is hiring for the 2425 school year.  Looking for a qualified head Morah afternoon position! Looking for a qualified teacher to teach a modified Limudie Kodesh curriculum.    for a small group of 4th and 5th grade girls. Great Pay! Warm environment!    Great administrative support!     Email resume: jlepolstat@zareinu.org or call 516-993-2142

HEAD ENGLISH, Afternoon Teaching Position  Zareinu is hiring for the 24-25 school year. Looking for a qualified teacher to teach a modified English curriculum!  for a small group of 3rd  grade girls in Far Rockaway. Great Pay!    Warm environment!     Great administrative support!      Email resume: jlepolstat@zareinu. org or call 516-993-2142

ASSISTANT TEACHER, MORNING AND AFTERNOON POSITIONS Join our Specialized team at Zareinu. Looking for a warm and caring teacher assistant to work with an experienced teacher in a small 3rd and 4th grade girls’ class in a Beis Yaakov in Far Rockaway. Great Pay! Great Opportunity! Warm environment with administrative support! Email resume: jlepolstat@zareinu.org or call 516-993-2142

SEEKING ASSISTANT TEACHERS For elementary General Studies classes for ‘24-’25 school year. Candidates should have skills to take over for teachers if needed. M-Th, PM hours, strong support. Far Rockaway area. Send resume to teachersearch11@gmail.com.

MDS REGIONAL NURSE

5 Towns area Nursing Home management office seeking a Regional/Corporate level MDS Nurse to work in our office. Must be an RN. Regional experience preferred. 2-3 years MDS experience with good computer skills required. Position is Full Time but Part Time can be considered. Great Shomer Shabbos environment with some remote options as well. Email: officejob2019@gmail.com

GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

Seeking Home care PT, OT, SLP therapists in Brooklyn, Nassau, Queens. Competitive rates. Email resume to apply@linkhometherapy.com.

SEEKING ELA TEACHER

Teaching position for Gr. 6. Mon.-Thurs., afternoon hours. Far Rockaway/5T area. Great salary, warm, supportive environment. Training in our curriculum is provided. Teachersearch11@gmail.com

BNOS MALKA ACADEMY

In Queens is seeking teachers and assistants for the upcoming academic year. Kodesh, general studies, gym, art, Computers, Preschool. Send resume to rungar@bnosmalka.org

A YESHIVA IN QUEENS is looking for an experienced part/ full time secretary, 2-year-old morah, kindergarten morah, kindergarten morah assistant and Pre-1A English teacher for the 2022-2023 school year. Nice and timely pay. Please email resume to mshelt613@gmail.com or call/text 718-971-9799.

THE GURAL JCC

Early Childhood Center is hiring Assistant Teachers for the 2024-2025 school year, and Camp Staff over 16-years-old for Summer, 2024. Please send resumes to JCC.Nursery@guraljcc.org or call (516) 239-1354.

REGENTS EXPERT

Tutoring regents in Algebra and Geometry A Darchei Torah instructor. Guaranteed results Text 347-491-8045 WhatsApp 347-767-1755

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

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

YESHIVA DARCHEI TORAH

In Far Rockaway is looking for secular studies teachers for grades 5-8. We are a warm, professional, supportive and collaborative environment offering a competitive salary. Monday-Thursday - 5th grade-1:20-4:30          6th-8th grades 2:30-5:30

Send resumes or inquiries to mleff@ darchei.org

MISC.

SHMIRAS HALASHON

Text 516-303-3868 with a time slot of your choice to be careful on lashon hara. Be a part of the 1,000 people for klal yisroel!

Astronomers estimate that our solar system includes millions of asteroids occupying a belt between Mars and Jupiter. That’s fine, as long as they mind their own business. But sometimes, they get curious and nose their way out of their belt to check us out. On April 9, NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies discovered a car-sized chunk of rock they named Asteroid 2024 GJ2 on course to pass through our atmosphere— closer to us than many satellites—just two days later. That’s not a lot of time to get Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck loaded up in a rocket with a nuclear bomb to destroy it and save us all!

Earth isn’t always so lucky. A century ago, a meteor broke up with nuclear force over Russia’s Tunguska Forest, flattening an estimated 80 million trees. Amazingly, no one was killed. And astronomers routinely discover comets and asteroids that could strike with the same apocalyptic force that took out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

But what if 2024 GJ2 hadn’t passed harmlessly by? What if it had struck the earth, with the same power that many asteroids bring to flatten an entire city? What would our friends at the IRS have done?!?

Your Money Close Call

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that the doomsday preppers at the IRS have a well-established disaster plan.

The Internal Revenue Manual, which is the IRS’s “staff instruction manual,” outlines comprehensive continuity planning requirements for all sorts of emergencies, including “natural disasters, accidents, technological failures, workplace

collecting taxes within 30 days of the strike. They might be authorized to make cash grants to survivors or buy assets destroyed in the disaster (and even pay off any outstanding bank loans or mortgages). IRS employees could be reassigned to any job “regardless of and without any effect on the current positions or grades of the employee.”

is substantially unimpaired, enforced collection of delinquent taxes will be continued.” Ouch!

What actually happens if a chunk of space rock takes out Washington or another major city?

The tax code gives you plenty of breaks if your own stuff gets taken out from space. You can deduct unreimbursed damage caused by a meteor strike or other sudden, unexpected, or unusual event, so long as Uncle Sam officially designates the strike as a federal disaster. You’ll have to reduce the amount of your loss by $100, then by 10% of your adjusted gross income. Then, you’ll report the remaining amount on Form 4864

violence, and terrorism.” The goal, in all cases, is “to ensure the continuation of IRS mission essential functions under all circumstances.” And Section 25.16.1, updated just last June, lays out pages of disaster assistance and emergency relief program guidelines.

So, what actually happens if a chunk of space rock takes out Washington or another major city? The plan assumes that the IRS will resume assessing and

At one point, the Manual even appeared to give delinquent taxpayers a “Get Out of Jail free” card. “On the premise that the collection of delinquent accounts would be most adversely affected, and in many cases would be impossible in a disaster area, the service will concentrate on the collection of current taxes,” it said. Of course, that rule would apply only in the disaster area: “However, in areas where the taxpaying potential

None of us like paying taxes—but you don’t have to wait for an asteroid strike to pay less. The real answer, of course, is planning. And if “continuity planning” is the answer for the IRS, tax planning is the answer for us. So call us before disaster strikes, and see how much you can save!

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.

Braving the Unknown

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

Do you think there are UFOs?

How about ETs wandering around?

Well, I think we are about to experience the presence of a UFO: Undeniably Fantastic Omnipresence.

And we’ll all sense it through ETs –Engrossing Torah.

This coming week, the holiday of Shavous will arrive. We have been navigating slowly toward it, counting the days till its landing, for 7 weeks.

We have been taking a journey from afar. From light years away – when we were enslaved and unaware of our Creator’s presence.

But, with this final landing, we will descend upon the earthly awareness that G-d handed us the best “how to” book to navigate this planet. We will completely focus our energy on it. And we will strive to become more aware of its genius. We will do this by sinking our minds

and energy into the manual. With renewed vigor, we will tap into the guidance and wisdom it holds, through a night of scavenging through some new territory, braving the darkness to find the light.

We will continue on our voyage. And then, suddenly, we will experience a glimpse of light on the horizon. The light will grow stronger as daylight and enlightenment fuse. And we will feel a greater clarity emerging.

Through this act we will feel less alien! We will get more comfortable and connected with ET (Engrossing Torah).

And thus, we will be inspired to get closer and closer to the UFO (Unbelievably Fantastic Omnipresence).

As the saying goes: “There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” So keep reviewing your instruction manual!

Have a meaningful Shavuos!