Five Towns Jewish Home 06.27.24

Dear Readers,

With all the frightful pro-Hamas rallies, it’s rare for a news story involving protests to bring me some sort of satisfaction. But I was actually pleased with what happened in Los Angeles on Sunday. Seeing it in the national (and international) news only made me happier.

This past Sunday, around 200 pro-Hamas protesters held a demonstration outside Adas Torah, in the heart of the frum community of Pico-Robinson in Los Angeles. Relatives of ours who live in L.A. sent us videos in real time of protesters outside their home. Rather than cower, the frum community quickly mobilized and made a counter-protest, ultimately driving the pro-Hamas protesters from the neighborhood. In the ensuing days, the mayor and governor as well as President Biden condemned the proHamas protesters. Why? Because they were protesting outside of a shul, which indicates that their cause is not just about Gaza but supports Jew hatred in general.

Although some of the pro-Hamas protesters were radical Muslims calling for intifada, many were white, yuppie types. They were students who thought that instead of studying they should be screaming and marching. Now their pictures and videos have been splashed over the internet. They woke up that morning thinking –with their warped minds – that they were doing something good by siding with the “in” cause of the day, and by the time they went to bed, they were condemned by the President of the United States as vicious Jew haters.

Perhaps the next yuppie considering driving his runs-on-vegetable-oil Volkswagen to a proHamas protest will think about what happened in L.A. They will ask themselves if they are ready to be labeled a pro-Hamas Jew hater. And

perhaps the next student considering donning a keffiyeh and a watermelon shirt to attend a proHamas rally instead of attending class will think about what happened in L.A., and they will ask themselves if in their heart they truly want to align themselves with a pro-terror, anti-Jew bunch of losers.

I do not think that this will make pro-Palestinian protests fade away. There is way too much hate out there – from people who really hate us – that will ensure that these rallies aren’t going to dissipate. But perhaps it’s time for the people who aren’t really involved, who are just mimicking their radical friends, who are just following the herd, to wake up and recognize that their actions have consequences. If you join an anti-Jew rally, you are proclaiming to the world that you hate Jews. Is that really who you are? Is that really who you want to be? Is that what you want your children to emulate and become?

Once you make the move to join a proHamas protest, you can’t proclaim innocence when you’re outed to the world as an antisemite and a friend of terror.

The Jews in Los Angeles who came out in counterprotest were smart and brave. They showed the group of terrorist-loving individuals that they peacefully but loudly disagree with their sentiments. And they didn’t just peacefully disagree – they sang, they danced, and they cheered Am Yisrael Chai. And eventually, they drove those protesters out of their neighborhood.

Sometimes, the only option is to stand up and push back against the hate emanating from the sores of society – whether they look like a terrorist or a yuppie.

Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman, MANAGING EDITOR ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

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Scattered ThunderStorms

Dear Editor,

My husband and I took a nice long Shabbat walk. The heat was so intense, and we needed water as we felt overwhelmed by the intensity of the sun. We passed a house that said “lichvod Shabbos, please take a cold water bottle”; someone left a cooler filled with cold water bottles on their front lawn for people on their Shabbos walks to enjoy. It was so nice and a beautiful kiddush hashem. Thank you to whoever did this; it was much appreciated.

A Far Rockaway Couple

Dear Editor,

I’ve been enjoying Barbara Deutsch’s articles and greatly appreciate her observations, insights and wisdom. I’m quite sure that the entire TJH readership joins me in wishing Barbara tremendous mazal and bracha as she begins a new, exciting chapter in her life, with her move to Yerushalayim.

Dear Barbara, I hope you’ll continue writing your column from your new home. May your move go smoothly, and may we all soon join you there in Yerushalayim Habenuya! Hoping and praying to hear only besurot tovot from all Acheinu kol bais Yisrael! Very best, Miriam Liebermann

Dear Editor,

Perhaps the most transformative emotions of Shabbos are realized through Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz’s Lecha Dodi. One must wonder why the first stanza says shamor and then zachor when the

Torah lists zachor first. The answer can be that shamor and zachor were said at once. However, there’s still an argument to put zachor first as it appears earlier in the Torah.

Perhaps from a mussar point of view, the emphasis here is giving a philosophy on how to improve. First take care of the negative areas, of what must be guarded, and then you will be more prepared to tackle the positive necessities, a sur mei’rah approach.

From a Talmudic point of view, it may be said that this is referencing the gezeret shava of zachor to shamor, with shamor being the point of emphasis to teach laws relating to zachor.

Finally, from a machshava point of view, it can be emphasizing that Shabbos is a bris, a shemirah for us. We know that the kibbutzim that held Shabbos on October 7 were not touched. From there, we trace back to the miracle of Shabbos, through zecher leyitziat Mitzraim, a time where we saw open miracles that testified to the miracle of creation.

Steven Genack

Dear Editor,

I was vehemently opposed to congestion pricing. However, I recently changed my mind, and now favor it.

There is much to be said about the MTA’s long history of mishandling their funding and poor budgeting and management. I am not convinced that funds coming from congestion pricing will change this system. However, not having this funding immediately will inevitably cause Continued on page 14

numerous inconveniences for many of us who commute on the LIRR to/from NYC.

You may recall several years ago, when the MTA had a budget crisis, that they proposed shutting weekend service on the Far Rockaway line. Keep in mind that the Far Rockaway line is considered a “branch” line, or what I call the “shmatte” line. The main lines such as Babylon, Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma get longer trains, newer trains and more frequent service than we do. When there’s a snowstorm, flooding, electrical outage or other emergency, our neighborhood line is lowest priority to be fixed. You may have already noticed an increase in using the old 1970’s era trains with the postered masking taped seats, and the 1970’s stink. With the lack of congestion price funding, you may expect service reductions and more old trains on our line.

Another important area affected is Access-A-Ride, the shared-ride service for disabled. I know some who regularly rely on this service. The service is rapidly declining, already. They have fewer drivers and vans available. The trip from the Five Towns to a doctor’s appointment in NYC adds an extra 1-2 hours since the van needs to pick up or discharge other passengers that are not necessarily in a straight direction to or from your destination. Without the funding from congestion pricing, this service will further decline, or could be eliminated completely.

If you deeply care about at least these two areas, I urge you to write to Governor Hochul to restore congestion pricing as soon as possible. I agree that this is not a comfortable option for many. But the alternative will be worse. While congestion pricing occurs, hopefully, they can tweak how it works to make it fairer and more efficient for everyone.

Daniel Feldman

Dear Editor,

I was born and raised in New York.

Like many Jews who call America home, we’ve enjoyed a decent, safe quality of life, despite its problems.

Thanks to the policies of President

Biden and woke politicians, America is no longer the country we’ve come to know, in particular with its safety. Thousands of migrants pour in from South American countries, and we have no clue who they are, thanks to the border crisis. It got to the point where I’ve been told to avoid the Rosevelt Field mall, due to car robberies by Venezuelan gangs. In the entire decade I’ve been commuting there, this has never been an issue.

One may contemplate the need to make aliyah due to rising domestic crime and terrorism. However, Israel suffered terribly from October 7, and it’ll only get worse with tensions happening now from Hezbollah.

I’m not sure which is worse: These gangs from Venezuela murdering people in New York creating domestic terrorism, or Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinians murdering and kidnapping innocent Israelis, and sending in rockets.

Which one is the best of the bad?

Sincerely,

Both are bad

Dear Editor,

choices

I believe it is time to end the tete-atete with Anonymous, as he again, refuses to or for some reason is afraid to identify himself. Unfortunately, he is wrong when he argues that the validity of his opinions “derive solely from the content” of his letter rather than who writes it. When you are taking strong opinions, as he does regarding important political questions of the day, who writes is as important as what is written. Obviously, he and I will never agree.

Moreover, he must have a terribly overactive ego to compare himself to gedolei Torah or the malach who wrestled with Yosef. If he wants to stay anonymous that is obviously his choice but don’t ask readers to validate anything he writes.

Getting to the real reason, I wrote my first letter regarding this issue. I think it would be appropriate for the editor to explain the paper’s policy regarding anonymous letters.

Mark E. Spund

Terror Attack In Dagestan

Terrorists struck two synagogues, two churches, and a police post on Sunday in Russia’s Dagestan Republic, murdering fifteen police officials and four civilians. The city of Derbent and the province’s capital, Makhachkala, were targeted in the attack, which has yet to be claimed by any terrorist organizations.

According to Russian law enforcement agencies, the militants were “adherents of an international terrorist organization.” Six terrorists were killed.

Some of the militants were named, including Gadzhimurad Kagirov, a former mixed martial arts fighter, along with the son and nephew of Kagirov’s cousin, Magomed Omarov, the head of the Sergokalinsky district. Sergei Melikov, the head of Dagestan, announced that Omarov had been removed from his position and kicked out of the United Russia party, which is one of the leading parties in the country’s parliament. Additionally, an investigation into Omarov will be conducted.

Following the deadly series of attacks, three days of mourning were declared in Dagestan, according to Melikov, who promised that the victims’ families would receive financial assistance.

Christians are a small minority group in Dagestan, and there are even fewer Jews in the province. As part of the attack on an Orthodox Church in Derbent, a priest named Father Nikolay was murdered. Earlier in the day, a security guard was shot dead at a cathedral in northwest Makhachkala. Nineteen others sheltered at the cathedral and are now safe.

According to the Russian Jewish Congress, a synagogue in Derbent and another one in Makhachkala were attacked. The Derbent synagogue was raided forty

minutes prior to evening prayers by terrorists who “set the building on fire using Molotov cocktails,” the RJC added. Police and security officials stationed outside the synagogue were killed.

“As far as is known, there were no worshipers in the synagogues at the time of the attack, and there are no known casualties from the Jewish community,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.

According to Yad Vashem, the Jewish community in Dagestan is part of the Mountain Jews, who descend from Jewish communities who lived in areas of Azerbaijan and Russia’s Caucasus for centuries.

Synagogues in Dagestan have been guarded by security personnel since October when a mob of pro-Palestinian rioters stormed Makhachkala Uytash Airport in an effort to stop a passenger plane that had flown from Tel Aviv from landing. Some attackers waved Palestinian flags. At least ten individuals were wounded during the airport attack.

A police traffic post was also attacked in the province’s capital, killing “Dagestan Lights” police department head Mavludin Khidirnabiev and other law enforcement officials.

“Unknown persons made attempts to destabilize the social situation. Dagestan police officers stood in their way. According to preliminary information, there are victims among them,” said Melikov earlier, adding that officials are in the process of identifying the terrorists.

Some Russian officials have blamed Ukraine and NATO for Sunday’s attacks, although others, such as Russian senator Dmitry Rogozin, dismissed those assertions, claiming that attributing all terror attacks to Ukraine and NATO could cause Russia “big problems.” A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said that any claims that Ukraine and NATO were responsible for the attacks are “ridiculous.”

Assange Reaches Plea Deal

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Justice

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Department that will allow him to go free after spending five years in a British prison.

Assange was charged with criminal information with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information. A letter from Justice Department official Matthew McKenzie to U.S. District Judge Ramona Manglona of the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands said that Assange would appear in court this week to plead guilty; the DOJ expects Assange will return to Australia, his country of citizenship, after the proceedings.

In 2009, Chelsea Manning, a military intelligence analyst, worked with Assange to disclose tens of thousands of activity reports about the war in Afghanistan, hundreds of thousands of reports about the war in Iraq, and hundreds of thousands of State Department cables and assessment briefs of Guantanamo Bay detainees using the WikiLeaks website. It was the largest publication of classified information in American history.

For the past five years, Assange was held in the high-security Belmarsh Prison in the London area. He had previously spent seven years in self-exile in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He was forcibly carried out of the embassy and arrested in April 2019. Assange has been

fighting extradition to the U.S. for more than a decade.

Manning was sentenced to 35 years in a military prison, but that sentence was commuted by Obama in the final days of his presidency in 2017. Manning was subsequently held in contempt of court for nearly a year after Manning refused to answer questions for a grand jury.

Barcelona Not for Rent

Barcelona is becoming unaffordable for residents. Now, authorities are attempting to soften real estate prices by barring apartment rentals to tourists by 2028.

The city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, said that by November 2028, Barcelona will scrap the licenses of the 10,101

apartments currently approved as shortterm rentals.

“We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona’s largest problem,” Collboni explained.

The boom in short-term rentals in Barcelona, Spain’s most visited city by foreign tourists, means some residents cannot afford an apartment after rents rose 68% in the past 10 years and the cost of buying a house rose by 38%.

Spain’s Socialist housing minister, Isabel Rodriguez, supports Barcelona’s decision.

“It’s about making all the necessary efforts to guarantee access to affordable housing,” she posted on X.

No new tourist apartments have been allowed in the city in recent years. The local government has ordered the closure of 9,700 illegal tourist apartments since 2016, and close to 3,500 apartments have been recovered to be used as primary housing for local residents.

Protests Rock Kenya

As protests roil Kenya, concerning reports emerge of protesters going missing.

The protests have spread across the country and have been dubbed the “7 Days of Rage,” calling for a “total shutdown” of Kenya on Tuesday. The protesters say they want to “occupy” parliament. The demonstrations stem from proposed tax increases in the Finance Bill 2024.

Organizers have called on all Kenyans to participate in the nationwide strike.

“Gen Z are granting all hardworking Kenyans a day off,” read a widely circulated poster.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindami urged protesters to remain peaceful and warned against the destruction of property.

“Protesters must not obstruct, block, vandalize, or otherwise destroy any private or public property,” Kindami said at a media conference in Nairobi.

Footage of a demonstrator being forcibly taken into a SUV have rattled and concerned Kenyans.

The Law Society of Kenya’s President, Faith Odhiambo, described the incident

as an abduction and accused intelligence officers of misconduct.

“Evidently, this was not an arrest as the police did not identify themselves or engage in any conversation prior to the arrest to inform him of his rights,” wrote the president of Law Society of Kenya Faith Odhiambo in a statement. “These criminals pretending to exercise police authority must be stopped.”

Over 1,300 Die During Hajj

Intense heat killed more than 1,300 Muslim pilgrims who had been making their way to Mecca, which is Islam’s holiest city, as part of this year’s Hajj.

Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel, the health minister of Saudi Arabia, said on Sunday that, of the 1,301 people to have died thus far, 83% were unauthorized and made the journey to Mecca by foot. Ninety-five people were brought to hospitals, the minister added, and some were brought via air to medical facilities in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Over 660 Egyptians died during this year’s Hajj, only thirty-one of whom were authorized to make the pilgrimage, two Egyptian officials said. More than 50,000 Egyptian pilgrims were authorized to make the trek to Mecca this year.

Tens of thousands of unauthorized pilgrims were expelled by Saudi officials, but a number of unauthorized visitors, the majority of whom came from Egypt, were able to reach Mecca. Some came on foot, while others arrived through travel agencies. Sixteen travel agencies have had their licenses revoked for illegally transporting Muslims who didn’t have necessary visas, according to officials. Authorized pilgrims were able to stay in local hotels.

Around 165 Indonesians died during the pilgrimage, as well as 98 Indians and dozens of individuals from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Malaysia, the Associated Press reported. Additionally, two United States citizens were also killed during the journey.

According to the Saudi National Center for Meteorology, in locations in and

20 around Mecca, temperatures reached 117 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the event. Many people fainted or vomited from the intense heat.

All physically and financially capable Muslims are obligated to go on the fiveday Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, at least once in their life. Some pilgrims spend their lives saving up money to make the trek. Although Saudi Arabia has made several efforts to prevent fatalities, many Muslims continue to die each year during the Hajj. In 2015, 2,400 Muslims were killed in a stampede in Mecca, marking the deadliest disaster in the history of the Hajj.

More than 1.83 million Muslims made the journey to Mecca this year, including 222,000 Saudis and 1.6 million individuals from 22 other countries.

M15 Alert to Detract from Partygate?

In January 2022, the UK’s MI5 security service agency issued an alert, accusing British lawyer Christine Ching Kui Lee of acting “covertly in coordination” with the Chinese Communist Party and of being

“involved in political interference activities in the UK.”

Lee had made donations to members of parliament, including former MP Barry Gardiner, who received over $600,000 from Lee from 2014 to 2020. The money Lee donated to politicians allegedly came from officials in China and Hong Kong who sought to interfere in the United Kingdom’s politics.

However, recently, Gardiner, a Labour MP who served in the House of Commons from 1997 to 2024 and chaired the now-defunct Chinese in Britain All-Party Parliamentary Group, claimed that the alert was a political ploy meant to divert the public’s attention away from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Partygate scandal when Johnson and other members of the Conservative Party came under fire for hosting several gatherings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Partygate controversy forced

Johnson to resign in 2022.

Just one day after Johnson issued an apology to the House of Commons for Partygate, the MI5 issued the alert against Lee, whom they accused of being a Chinese spy.

A friend of Lee forwarded a text to her from Gardiner in which the former MP said that “many people” have said that “they believe the reason for putting out the story when they [the security services] did was to detract attention from Boris’ Partygate apology.” The London-based Investigatory Powers Tribunal is reviewing Gardiner’s assertions, although, as of last Monday no evidence has been given to support the former lawmaker’s claims.

“I had never believed that the Security Services would be overtly party political in that way…. What has also been suggested to me is that the Security Services may have wished to ‘pick a fight’ or to ‘detract attention’ from something else and that we were simply collateral damage,” said a part of Gardiner’s text, which was read to the court by Lee’s attorney.

The MI5 accused Lee, who was a part of Gardiner’s All-Party group, of orchestrating “financial donations to political parties, Parliamentarians, aspiring Parliamentarians and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals.”

“Ms. Lee denies the allegations and is taking legal action against the Security Service with her son, Daniel Wilkes, who lost his job with Mr. Gardiner following the alert, arguing that issuing the alert was unlawful and interfered with their human rights,” reported the PA news agency.

Although the MI5 accused Lee of being a spy, she didn’t technically do anything illegal. When she made the donations, there was no law in the UK banning individuals from acting as agents for foreign parties such as the Chinese Communist Party. A UK foreign agents law will likely come into effect in late 2024.

Gardiner has claimed that he didn’t derive any personal benefit from Lee’s donations and that the money was reported appropriately and determined to be from a legitimate source.

Turks and Caicos Changes Firearms Law

Turks and Caicos, an archipelago nation in the British Overseas Territories, has made changes to its firearm laws in

an effort to accommodate the five U.S. citizens who were recently arrested for bringing ammunition into the country.

The revision was made after a group of U.S. lawmakers came to the territory, requesting that local authorities drop the charges, noting that the arrested Americans hadn’t intentionally brought ammunition into Turks and Caicos.

Before the revision, the mandatory minimum sentence, barring “exceptional circumstances,” for those convicted of bringing firearms or ammunition into the islands without police prior authorization is twelve years of prison time and a fine.

On June 14, the nation’s House of Assembly made changes to the law, making it so that courts may choose to either fine or imprison a convicted individual, except for in exceptional cases when they may levy both a fine and a custodial sentence, according to officials.

“The amendment was introduced to address concerns about the rigidity of the previous sentencing framework, which mandated both imprisonment and financial penalties for all firearms offenses, regardless of the specific context or severity. This often resulted in disproportionately harsh sentences that did not always fit the nature of the crime or the circumstances of the offender,” said Turks and Caicos House of Assembly member Edwin Astwood.

However, the mandatory minimum prison sentence has not been reduced from 12 years, said Sheena C. Mair, an attorney for Sharrita Shinese Grier, a U.S. national who awaits trial. Grier, from Florida, claims that she had no knowledge of the two rounds of ammunition that were at the bottom of her luggage when she entered the territory. Grier was released on bail and will not be allowed to leave Turks and Caicos until she is tried.

Brian Hagerich, another one of the arrested Americans, was released and is now home in the U.S., following the suspension of his 52-week sentence. After paying a $6,700 fine, Hagerich was freed, according to his lawyer, Oliver Smith.

Another convicted U.S. citizen, Tyler Wenrich, was given a prison sentence and a fine of $9,000 after pleading guilty.

Ryan Tyler Watson, who allegedly brought five rounds of ammunition into the country, also pleaded guilty. On

22 Friday, he was given a suspended thirteen-week sentence and a fine of $2,000, although he won’t have to serve any time in prison “as long as he doesn’t commit any crimes and keeps the peace in the TCI within 9 months” and “is now allowed to leave … as he’s now cleared with the justice in the TCI,” a court spokesperson said.

A seventy-something-year-old Texan, Michael Lee Evans, pleaded guilty to possessing seven 9mm rounds of ammunition. It is currently unclear whether Evans has yet to be sentenced.

Blackouts in Ecuador

State-wide blackouts swept through Ecuador last week, leaving hospitals, homes, and an important subway system,

along with the country’s seventeen million residents, without electricity.

“The outages we had today were due to a lack of investment in maintenance, new electrical transmission, and the protection of the electrical transmission infrastructure,” said Roberto Luque, the country’s Public Infrastructure Minister.

By late Wednesday, power was back up for 95% of Ecuadorians.

Two hospitals in Quito, the South American country’s capital, lost power during the nationwide blackout, one of which was a medical center for children.

The two facilities used electricity from a backup generator during the blackout.

Two other hospitals were impacted in Guayaquil, the country’s biggest city, although they were also able to use their own generators.

The blackout came at a bad time for residents in Guayaquil, as they grappled with 90-degree weather without being able to rely on air conditioners, fans, or running water.

According to Mayor Pabel Muñoz of Quito, the blackout was so “significant” that it shut down the city’s subway system, even though the subway uses “an isolated (electrical) system.”

In April, Daniel Noboa, the president of Ecuador, issued an energy emergency

declaration, ordering eight-hour statewide power pauses as the nation dealt with a drought. The blackout that took place on Wednesday had no connection to the energy emergency in April, according to Luque.

“The outages we had in April were due to lack of investment in new [power] generation and in maintenance of the [power] we have,” the minister added.

Arrests After Greece Forest Fire

Thirteen members and passengers of a yacht crew were detained on Saturday by officials from Greece, following the launching of fireworks that purportedly started a forest fire on Hydra, an island in Greece.

“The arrests come after allegations

that the forest fire was sparked by fireworks launched from the yacht on Friday night,” said an official, adding that the arrested individuals were detained at a marina in Athens.

The forest fire consumed a portion of Hydra’s only pine forest in Bisti, a remote area on the island. Fire officials got control of the fire early that day.

Hydra is a popular destination for tourists and people who take yacht rides. The island is in the Saronic Gulf and sits southwest of Athens, the capital city of Greece.

The island’s mayor, George Koukoudakis, reacted to the news of the fire, saying, “We are outraged. If it’s true, it is something that really saddens me.”

On Saturday, firefighters fought against many wildfires raging in Greece and its islands which had been stirred by gale-force winds.

S. Korean Lithium Battery Factory Fire

At least 22 individuals died on Monday as a result of a fire at a South Korean lithium battery factory, according to officials. Twenty of the victims were citizens

24 of other countries, with most hailing from China, while two were Korean, said Kim Jin-young, a Hwaseong Fire Department official.

The fire started at approximately 10:31 a.m. local time and was put out by firefighters at around 3:10 p.m. The factory, owned by battery manufacturer Aricell, was located in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, approximately 50 kilometers southwest of the country’s capital city, Seoul.

Seven others were injured, with two sustaining serious injuries. Burned bodies were recovered during officials’ rescue mission, while one individual passed away from cardiac arrest, according to Kim. Rescue officials had trouble identifying the victims, as the facility’s worker’s directory was burned, he said.

Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, commanded the Interior and Safe-

ty Ministry and the head official of the fire department to “make all-out efforts” to save those in the factory by “mobilizing all available personnel and equipment.”

Although lithium-ion batteries are used in many everyday devices, including computers, cameras, phones, and EVs, they are flammable. If the batteries are used improperly, are old, or were manufactured poorly, the batteries could be dangerous.

Toxic Moonshine in India

The death toll from tainted liquor in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has reached 53, officials say, and is likely to rise, with many others in critical condition. The victims were sickened by drinking a bootleg alcohol with a high content

of methanol.

Rajat Chaturvedi, the police superintendent in the Kallakurichi District, where the past week’s deaths have occurred, said 98 people had been hospitalized. “The dead and hospitalized people are mostly daily wage laborers,” he said.

The first death from drinking local alcohol sold in small pouches for about 50 cents, Chaturvedi said, was reported last Wednesday. The village of Karunapuram was the worst hit, with more than a dozen victims receiving last rites in a mass cremation Thursday.

Consumption of tainted alcohol has caused several mass-casualty events across India in recent years. In some states that prohibit alcohol, people turn to smuggled or unregulated liquor. Elsewhere, villagers choose the bootleg product because of its lower price.

Last year, at least 22 people died from consuming similar toxic local alcohol in two other districts of Tamil Nadu. The latest mass casualty has put the state’s government under pressure from opposition leaders as well as from the state’s high court. Opposition lawmakers, who arrived at the assembly dressed in black, called for the resignation of Tamil Nadu’s chief minister, M.K. Stalin.

Stalin announced an investigation

headed by a retired judge and ordered police across the state to crack down on the homemade liquor trade.

The man accused of making this past week’s batch of poisonous alcohol has been arrested, along with his wife and at least one other person, according to police officials. The Kallakurichi District’s top civilian official has been transferred, while several police officers have been suspended. (© The New York Times)

Trash Talk

More balloons filled with trash were sent from North Korea to its southern counterpart on Monday, in a tit-for-tat exchange that has heightened tensions between the neighbors.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said a suspected balloon was seen flying in northern Gyeonggi Province, which

borders Seoul, around 9 p.m. local time.

About 100 of the balloons fell inside South Korean regions, most of which were found in north of Gyeonggi Province and capital Seoul with “no hazardous substances” found so far.

South Korean police told citizens not to touch the balloons and to report any sightings to authorities.

Now, South Korea is saying that it may restart loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts at the border — which it had

paused for the last few years — adding whether Seoul resumes the loudspeakers is “up to North Korea’s actions.”

“Our military is ready to immediately start anti-North Korea propaganda broadcasts, and will operate with flexibility according to the strategical and operational situation,” said the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Tuesday.

North Korea has sent over 1,000 balloons toward the South since May, which it calls reprisals for South Korean

clearly warned not to do, it’s only natural that you will find yourself dealing with something you didn’t have to,” she said.

The balloons that were sent from North Korea contained soil, cloth, wastepaper, and damaged clothes from a South Korean brand.

China’s Moon Mission a Success

On Tuesday, China’s Chang’e-6 lunar module returned to Earth, successfully completing its historic mission to collect the first ever samples from the far side of the moon in a major step forward for the country’s ambitious space program.

“The Chang’e-6 lunar exploration mission has been a complete success,” said Zhang Kejian, head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), from the control room.

The successful mission is a key milestone in China’s “eternal dream” – as articulated by Chinese leader Xi Jinping – to establish the country as a dominant space power and comes as a number of countries, including the United States, also ramp up their own lunar exploration programs.

Xi hailed the mission as “another landmark achievement in building a strong country in space and science and technology.”

Beijing plans to send astronauts to the moon by 2030 and build a research base at the lunar south pole – a region believed to contain water ice. The U.S. also hopes to establish a base there.

activists flying leaflets that contain materials critical of the regime of its leader Kim Jong Un.

On Thursday, a South Korean advocacy group flew 20 large balloons carrying thousands of anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets and USB sticks with South Korean entertainment toward North Korea. A day later, on Friday, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, warned of “trouble” ahead.

“When you do something you were

Scientists still have to analyze the probe, but it is expected to have returned to Earth with up to 2 kilograms of moon dust and rocks from the lunar far side, which will be analyzed by researchers in China before being opened for access by international scientists, according to the CNSA.

The samples were collected using a drill and robotic arm from a location within the sprawling South Pole-Aitken basin, found on the moon’s far side, which is never visible to Earth. An ascender then lifted them off the lunar surface and transferred them in lunar orbit to a re-entry vehicle, which then traveled

back to Earth after separating from its lunar orbiter.

Chang’e-6 left Earth on May 3.

The far side of the moon appears differently than the side facing the Earth. On the far side, there are no lunar maria, dark plains of cooled lava that pockmark much of the moon’s near side. Instead, the far side appears to show a record of impact — covered in craters of different sizes and ages.

“It’s a gold mine … a treasure chest,” said James Head, a professor of planetary geosciences at Brown University, who together with European scientists, collaborated with Chinese scientists analyzing samples from the Chang’e-5 mission that returned near-side samples. “International scientists are totally excited about the mission,” he said.

Last year, India landed its first spacecraft on the moon, while Russia’s first lunar mission in decades ended in failure when its Luna 25 probe crashed into the moon’s surface.

In January, Japan became the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon, though its Moon Sniper lander faced power issues due to an incorrect landing angle. The following month, IM-1, a NASA-funded mission designed by Texas-based private firm Intuitive Machines, touched down close to the lunar south pole.

China is scheduled to launch its Chang’e-7 mission to the lunar south pole region in 2026, while Chang’e-8 will be launched in 2028 to carry out tests aimed at utilization of lunar resources in preparation for the lunar research station.

Brazil Deports Palestinian

After the United States warned Brazil that a “Hamas operative” was traveling to the South American country, authorities there deported the Palestinian man and his family.

Muslim Abuumar was traveling with his wife, son, and mother-in-law. They were detained on Friday as they attempted to enter the country. They were flown back to Doha two days later.

“The request came from the US De-

partment of State,” a Brazilian senior federal police officer said. “It was proven before a judge that (Abuumar) was deeply involved with Hamas.”

According to an injunction filed by Abuumar’s lawyer, Bruno Henrique de Moura, the Palestinian family was detained by police on entry at Guarulhos airport without a warrant. It said they were coming to visit his brother who lives in Brazil.

Abuumar, 37, is executive director of the Asia Middle East Center, and his wife is Malaysian and his children Malaysian-born.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has condemned the Israeli response to the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel in which more than 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

The Palestine Liberation Organization has had a representative in Brasilia since Brazil recognized Palestine in 1975. Lula’s government allowed a Palestinian embassy to be built in the Brazilian capital in 2010 at the end of his second term as president.

Two Soldiers Mourned

Two IDF soldiers were murdered in a Hamas mortar attack on Thursday, June 20. A day later, funerals were conducted for both fallen heroes.

Sgt. First Class (res.) Omer Smadga, a twenty-five-year-old from Ganot Hadar, and Sgt. First Class (res.) Saadia Yaakov Derai, a twenty-seven-year-old from Jaffa, both served in the IDF’s Alexandroni Brigade’s 9203rd Battalion.

“Omer, we can’t believe that we are standing in front of your grave,” said Liat, the mother of Smadga who was buried in a military cemetery close to Netanya. “We were so proud of you, that you fought and stood your ground, and you won, and you served in full. On October 7, that cursed day, you were immediately called up. You

30 didn’t hesitate for a second, you put on your uniform and went up north.

“When you were called up to reserve duty again, we were very afraid. My stomach turned over,” she added, “I had a very bad feeling. Every day, I texted you and asked for a sign of life. You were courageous and heroic, and you fell as a hero.”

Oren Smadga, the fallen soldier’s father and a judo champion, said, “We heard from the commanders what really happened there; we saw a commander who was shattered and pained. Here I say to you soldiers, hold your head up high, stay as strong as you can, continue to amp up, and don’t stop until we win.”

On Thursday morning, Oren Smadga had celebrated his 54th birthday and received birthday wishes from his son, who tragically passed away later that day.

Smadga’s funeral was attended by Netanya Mayor Miriam Feinberg, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, MK Eli Dallal, and other officials. Smadga leaves behind his parents, as well as a younger brother and sister.

The other fallen soldier, Derai, was laid to rest in Holon’s military cemetery. He was a rabbinical student in Shirat Moshe Yeshiva in Jaffa. Derai leaves behind his father and mother, five siblings, his wife Racheli, as well as Halleli, his

two-year-old daughter, and Yinon, his one-year-old son.

“You taught the love of the people of Israel. You were willing to give your life for Israel,” said his widow in her eulogy. “You said you couldn’t stay at home in the air conditioning when soldiers were getting killed. You went out to fight and didn’t come home.”

Derai’s parents live in Eli, a settlement in the West Bank. His mother, Laly, is a news expert, social activist, and member of the Central West Bank’s Binyamin regional council.

“We have a holy mission – to seek union between community and the individual,” said Derai’s mother. “We seek unity and equality, in the army and private life. You proved it’s possible to combine the two.”

“As a squadron commander you cared for your soldiers, you were like a father to them,” said Haim Derai, the fallen soldier’s father, adding that his son was as “gentle as a feather” and “knew the entire Torah.”

“You were sharp in wisdom and in the Talmud. A wonderful child,” his father added.

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, Health Minister Uriel Busso, Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, and MKs

Boaz Bismuth, Galit Distel Atbaryan, and Amit Halevi attended Derai’s funeral.

As a result of the same attack that killed Smadga and Derai, three others sustained serious injuries. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, which the terror group said was carried out at a military post near the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City.

Since the start of Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza, which was launched in response to the tragic October 7 massacre, 314 Israeli soldiers have been killed.

Hamas Skimmed $1B in UN Aid

For years, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency sent millions of dollars each month to the Gaza Strip to pay employees and support hospitals, schools and other infrastructure, according to a new lawsuit. The money was wired from New York, where the agency has an office, to the West Bank, where financial institutions loaded some of that cash onto trucks to be driven across Israel to Gaza.

The suit, filed Monday in federal court in Manhattan, said some of those dollars ended up funding the military operations of Hamas, the Islamist group that has controlled Gaza for nearly 20 years and has pledged to erase the Jewish state. The money trail is at the heart of the case against seven current and former top UNRWA officials who are accused of knowing that Hamas siphoned off more than $1 billion from the agency to pay for, among other things, tunneling equipment and weapons that aided its attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

About 100 Israeli plaintiffs — including at least one who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, others who survived the attack, as well as the estates of some who died — are seeking unspecified financial damages. They claim that UNRWA is liable because it helped fund Hamas, which the United States and other countries deem a terrorist organization.

UNRWA has been sued several times since the attacks, with some cases claiming that the agency has abetted Hamas and others attempting to cut off UNRWA’s funding. The case filed on Monday

goes further, describing how the plaintiffs believe agency money ended up in the hands of Hamas and how the terrorists used its resources in the attack on Israel.

The suit says that in Gaza, unlike other places the agency operates, UNRWA pays its 13,000 local employees in U.S. dollars that must be changed into shekels, the Israeli currency that is used in Gaza, by Hamas-affiliated money-changers who take a cut for the organization.

The lawsuit faces many hurdles, particularly the question of whether a treaty affords the U.N. officials immunity. But if the case proceeds, it could allow other victims of Hamas attacks to seek damages from the U.N. Even if it fails, the suit could pressure nations donating money to UNRWA to reassess their support.

(© The New York Times)

Court Orders Charedi Draft

On Tuesday, the High Court of Justice ruled unanimously that the government must immediately draft charedi yeshiva students into the military. The court said that there is no legal framework to continue the decades-long practice of granting them exemptions from army service.

In 2023, the government instructed the army not to begin drafting charedi men into the army after the law allowing for blanket military service exemptions expired. This week, the court ruled that the government’s move was illegal.

The court did not tell the government how many students they need to draft at this time, indicating that the process can be gradual. It did say, though, that it has to start now.

The court ruling also permanently barred the state from funding charedi yeshivas for students who are studying in them in lieu of military service, asserting that those funds were bound up in the terms of the IDF service exemptions which now no longer exist.

Noting the massive number of young charedi men until now exempt from military service – more than 63,000 – the court wrote, “Non-enforcement of the provisions of the Security Service Law creates severe discrimination between

those who are required to serve” and those who being exempted from army service.

“In these days, in the midst of a severe war, the burden of inequality is more acute than ever — and requires the promotion of a sustainable solution to this issue,” the court declared.

In June 2023, the clauses in the Law for Security Service allowing for blanket military service exemptions for charedi yeshiva students expired, meaning that

the IDF was entitled to conscript anyone eligible for military service, including charedim.

The government passed a cabinet resolution immediately before the exemptions clause expired, telling the IDF not to begin drafting such men for another 10 months while it formulated and passed a new law reinstating the exemptions. After October 7, the government did not get around to passing that law.

In its decision, the High Court stated

1724 was issued without authority and is void,” the court ruled.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, whose petition led to Monday’s High Court ruling, said that the court’s decision meant the government must begin immediately drafting all 63,000 ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students eligible for military service.

“This is a historic victory for the rule of law and the principle of equality in the burden of military service,” said the organization.

“We call on the government and the defense minister to implement the decision without delay, to comply with the High Court’s order, and to work immediately to draft [charedi] yeshiva students,” it added.

Hezbollah Storing Weapons at Airport

Hezbollah is storing weapons and missiles at Lebanon’s international airport in Beirut, according to Lebanese whistleblowers.

The Telegraph reported that the Iranbacked terror group is using the Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport to store a variety of weapons, including ballistic missiles, unguided artillery rockets, and laser-guided anti-tank guided missiles.

A highly explosive and toxic white powder known as RDX is also being stored at the airport.

But Hezbollah is denying the revelations. Lebanon’s Hezbollah-affiliated Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh held a press conference at the airport in response to the report, dismissing the “ridiculous” allegations.

that the June 2023 resolution delaying the draft of charedi yeshiva students had exceeded the government’s authority and was unlawful.

“We determine that there is no legal basis for avoiding the recruitment of yeshiva students at this time; that the state must act to enforce the Law for Security Service on yeshiva students; that there is no legal authority to continue transferring the [financial] support for these students; and that government resolution

Speaking to the British daily, an airport worker said that the weapons arrive at the airport on flights from Iran in “mysterious large boxes.”

“When they started to come through the airport, my friends and I were scared because we knew that there was something strange going on,” he said, adding that the situation was “extremely serious.”

According to the whistleblowers, the shipments from Iran have increased

34 dramatically since the start of the war in Gaza, leading to fears that the airport could become a military target if war erupted between Israel and Hezbollah.

“If they keep bringing in these goods I’m not allowed to check, I really believe I’ll die from the explosion or I’ll die from Israel bombing ‘the goods,’” one of the whistleblowers said. “It’s not just us, it’s the ordinary people, the people coming in and out, going on holiday. If the airport is bombed, Lebanon is finished.”

One of the whistleblowers also said he sees Wafiq Safa, a top Hezbollah commander and interlocutor with Lebanese security forces, come to customs frequently since October 7, and that he has close ties with the customs managers.

“I feel like if we don’t do what they say, our families will be in danger,” the whistleblower said.

Hezbollah’s Hamieh said on Sunday that his office was in the process of filing a lawsuit against The Telegraph over the report, adding that details of the lawsuit would be “announced later.”

“We have been aware of this for years, but we are unable to do anything without international legal action,” a security source at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said. “We are handtied to do what we’d really like, which is to close the airport and have all the weapons and explosives removed.”

Israel has in the past accused Iran of using direct flights to Lebanon to transfer equipment and arms to Hezbollah and also said the terror group hides underground precision missile production facilities close to Beirut’s international airport.

Since October 8, Hezbollah-led forces have attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border on a near-daily basis, with the group saying it is doing so to support Gaza amid the war there.

14 Years for Ben-Gvir Plot

and 10 months in prison this week.

The 24-year-old who has been described as a “prominent Hamas operative” has been in and out of jail for years. He was arrested two years ago along with four other members of the cell.

In addition to their plan to murder Ben-Gvir, who now serves as Israel’s national security minister, they had concocted several other terror plots in East Jerusalem.

“Rashak planned with others to carry out attacks against Israelis in which the defendant and his accomplices would kidnap Israeli soldiers for the purpose of prisoner exchange transactions, carry out shooting attacks against the security forces, as well as kill a Knesset member about whose route they collected information,” the indictment read.

Rashak’s cell had monitored BenGvir’s home in Kiryat Arba and logged the hours when he left his home, in particular by foot.

Rashak was said to have worked to obtain funds to purchase weapons and ammunition, as well as to recruit people, including to carry out a shooting or suicide bombing at the May 2023 Jerusalem Day parade.

“We welcome the sentence handed down by the court, which reflects the severity of the suspect’s actions,” a spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office said. According to prosecutors, the gravity of Rashak’s crimes became even more evident in light of Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre.

Rashak is not the only person to want Ben-Gvir dead. In March 2023, Israel Police arrested an Arab who wanted to kill the minister. Only six months later, the Shin Bet arrested five suspects who were allegedly recruited by Iran to murder Ben-Gvir and former Knesset member Yehudah Glick. In April, Shin Bet agents foiled a plot to kill Ben-Gvir using a rocket-propelled grenade. According to authorities, the cell also planned to attack Ben-Gurion Airport, the government complex in Jerusalem, Israel Defense Forces bases, other sensitive sites, and the town of Kiryat Arba.

at the dam on Sunday, the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office said. The swollen Blue Earth River is also cutting through the west side of the dam. On Monday, authorities said the 114-year-old structure is in danger of “imminent failure.”

“We do not know if it will totally fail or if it will remain in place, however, we determined it was necessary to issue this notification to advise downstream residents and the correct regulatory agencies and other local agencies,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook on Monday.

Nearby residents who are in immediate danger have been notified, but there is no evacuation order in place for the county. The dam is near the city of Mankato, about 90 minutes from Minneapolis, and home to 45,000 people. Blue Earth County has nearly 70,000 residents in total.

Governor Tim Walz noted that the dam’s structural integrity “has been a question for a long time.”

“The removal of the dam has been a question that’s been up there,” Walz said.

Heavy rain leading to severe flooding across southern Minnesota left “entire communities under feet of water” Walz said on Saturday.

“Across the state, intense rain has had catastrophic effects. Flooding has left entire communities under feet of water, causing severe damage to property and numerous road closures,” the governor said.

The governor mobilized the state’s National Guard on Sunday as flooding continued.

In Madelia, a southern Minnesota town, sewage-filled flood waters swept through several neighborhoods over the weekend. Residents said they had to band together to save each other and their homes.

Dali Leaves Baltimore

Three months after the Dali cargo ship struck and destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the vessel is finally on its way to Virginia. Since the fatal incident in which six people were killed, the ship’s crew had been confined to the ship. But on Monday, eight of the 21 crew members were able to go back home.

Two other crew members have also been cleared to return overseas.

The ship will be undergoing repairs in Norfolk, Virginia. Four crew members stayed on the ship to assist a relief crew during the Dali’s voyage to Norfolk. After the journey is complete, they will join the seven remaining crew members, who must stay in the U.S. indefinitely.

The Dali’s crew members, including 20 from India and one from Sri Lanka, had been stuck on the Dali since March 26.

While repair efforts continue, new details have emerged in a federal probe into what caused the deadly disaster.

Investigators have zeroed in on a piece of the Dali’s electrical system, which failed moments before the ship crashed into the bridge, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a Monday update.

The update follows a preliminary report published last month, which said two circuit breakers on the Dali tripped, triggering a nearly ship-wide electrical blackout about three ships’ lengths from the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Minnesota Dam Failing

Authorities in Minnesota are becoming increasingly concerned as the Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County began to break down. Debris began accumulating

Much of the Midwest was underwater on Monday. One person died in South Dakota. Flooding also destroyed businesses, healthcare facilities and homes in Iowa, said Governor Kim Reynolds, who declared a state of emergency in 21 counties.

“Businesses are shuttered. Main streets have been impacted,” Reynolds said. “Hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities were evacuated. Cities are without power, and some are without drinkable water.”

Ten Commandments Required in Louisiana

Last week, on July 19, Louisiana became the first U.S. state to require displays of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms in the state. But this week, the state was sued by nine families with children in public schools. The complaint said that displaying the Ten Commandments violates the First

Rashid Rashak, the leader of a Hamas terrorist cell that had planned to kill Itamar Ben-Gvir and carry out a series of other attacks, was sentenced to 13 years

36 Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and “simply cannot be reconciled with the fundamental religious-freedom principles that animated the founding of our nation.”

In signing the Louisiana law, Governor Jeff Landry said displaying the Ten Commandments would help expand faith in public schools.

“If you want to respect the rule of law, you’ve got to start from the original law-giver, which was Moses,” he said.

The plaintiffs said the law violates the First Amendment’s prohibition against state establishment of religion.

They also said the law violates the First Amendment’s free exercise clause by pressuring parents and children to accept the state’s favored religious message.

“It is our children’s right” to decide what views to accept, plaintiff Darcy Roake, a minister in the Unitarian Uni-

versalist Church whose husband is Jewish and also a plaintiff, said on a conference call with reporters.

Guns are Public Health Crisis

This week, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy declared gun violence a public health crisis. He called on the nation to address it with the same intensity used to reduce deaths and injuries from tobacco and motor vehicle crashes.

Murthy’s announcement was the first time that a surgeon general issued a pronouncement in connection to firearms deaths.

Deaths caused by guns rose to a three-decade high in 2021, driven by increases in homicides and suicides. In 2022, 40 percent of firearms deaths were homicides.

“I want people to understand the full impact of firearm violence in our country, and I want them to see it as a public health issue,” Murthy said. “I know it’s been polarizing and I know it’s been politicized, but if we can see it as a public health issue, we can come together and implement a public health solution.”

As of 2020, firearm-related injuries had become the leading cause of death for children and adolescents ages 1 to 19 in the United States. Gun-related deaths for youths exceed those from vehicular accidents, cancer and heart disease.

“This isn’t just a law and order policing problem. We need a more public health approach to reducing and preventing gun violence,” said Alexander McCourt, who researches gun laws at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

This is not just an American problem, but data from the World Health Organization shows that the United States has a firearm-related death rate 11.4 times higher than 28 other high-income nations. U.S. children up to age 14 accounted for 90 percent of all firearm-related injuries in that age group across the 29 countries in the study.

The surgeon general’s advisory notes that high-schoolers exposed to school shootings are 20 percent more likely to steer clear of school because of safety concerns compared with peers not exposed to shootings.

“I remember meeting with a group of high school students telling me that when they go for walks in their neighborhood, they hear gunshots all the time, and it makes them worry about walking in their own neighborhoods,” Murthy said.

The report calls for a public health approach to reducing firearm violence. The advisory advocates for increased funding of gun violence research to inform prevention strategies, which include community violence interventions. These interventions involve “credible messengers and practitioners” who prevent violent conflict by disseminating resources within communities, including health-care and employment services, according to the surgeon general’s advisory.

“We’ve taken on difficult public health challenges that were complicated … and by taking a thoughtful scientific public health approach, we were able to make real progress,” Murthy said.

Worried About Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier, a U.S. volcano in Washington state, sits 2.7 miles above

sea level. Despite the fact that it hasn’t had a major eruption in a millennium, some scientists are losing sleep over what might happen if the volcano explodes.

“Mount Rainier keeps me up at night because it poses such a great threat to the surrounding communities. Tacoma and South Seattle are built on 100-footthick ancient mudflows from eruptions of Mount Rainier,” said volcanologist Jess Phoenix, a Union of Concerned Scientists ambassador.

However, scientists aren’t afraid of the lava that would be emitted during a hypothetical eruption, because such lava wouldn’t be able to reach civilian areas. Rather, they’re worried about lahar, a fast-flowing mixture of water and volcanic rock created by the quick melting of ice or snow during an eruption. These flows gather debris as they travel through valleys and drainage channels, proving to be extremely deadly.

“The thing that makes Mount Rainier tough is that it is so tall, and it’s covered with ice and snow, and so if there is any kind of eruptive activity, hot stuff … will melt the cold stuff and a lot of water will start coming down,” Seth Moran, a Vancouver-based research seismologist at USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, explained. “And there are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people who live in areas that potentially could be impacted by a large lahar, and it could happen quite quickly.”

The most fatal lahar incident in the past few decades took place in November 1985. The Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which is in Colombia, erupted, consuming the town of Armero with mud, rocks, lava, and icy water. In only a few moments, more than 23,000 people were killed.

The issue with Mount Rainier is that it has around eight times more snow and ice than Nevado del Ruiz at the time of its eruption. Thus, in the event of a lahar, there could be an even more deadly outcome. Lahars can be caused by volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or landslides.

“There’s the knowledge now that the volcano is potentially capable of doing it again. And then we’re in this world of it could happen at any time,” Moran said.

“Should it be the same size, then it’s 10 minutes to the nearest places where people are living, and 60 minutes to the nearest large communities. And those are

short time frames.”

In 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey established a lahar detection system at Mount Rainier. Since 2017, the system has been enhanced. Last March, around 45,000 Washington students took part in the world’s largest lahar evacuation drill; residents can technically evacuate in forty-five minutes.

TikTok Defends Itself

On Thursday, TikTok made several assertions in a court filing, railing against legislation that threatens to ban the social media platform from the United States. TikTok claims that the legislation violates the First Amendment and that a previous deal between it and the government had been unfairly rejected.

President Joe Biden signed a law in April, that would effectively ban TikTok from the U.S. if the platform’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, refuses to relinquish ownership of TikTok. However, TikTok has claimed that it is “not possible technologically, commercially, or legally” for its parent company to divest from the platform – especially not by Biden’s January 2025 deadline.

“Even if divestiture were feasible, TikTok in the United States would still be reduced to a shell of its former self, stripped of the innovative and expressive technology that tailors content to each user,” TikTok claimed. “It also would become an island, preventing Americans from exchanging views with the global TikTok community.”

According to the company, the anti-TikTok legislation would ban the types of data-sharing agreements that are needed to share TikTok videos from outside the U.S. to the platform’s 170 million American users.

U.S. officials have expressed concern over the possibility of ByteDance selling U.S. user data and intelligence to the Chinese government, although the government has yet to put forth proof that U.S. TikTok user data is accessible to China. TikTok has claimed that no user data has

ever been shared with China.

In its filing, TikTok claimed to have held years-long talks with the U.S. government to reach a fairer deal. However, TikTok says it didn’t hear back from the government after September 2022, despite having reached a draft agreement. In March 2023, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) told the company that “‘senior government officials’ demanded divestment without explaining why the Agreement was insufficient,” TikTok asserted in its filing.

TikTok, in challenging the law’s legality, has cited the more lenient draft agreement in an effort to portray the legislation as unnecessary and overly strict. Alongside TikTok’s filing was the 103-page draft agreement.

The company has also promoted Project Texas, a plan meant to address the U.S. government’s concerns without forcing ByteDance to divest from the platform. As part of the plan, the U.S. government would be allowed to pause or shut down the TikTok app if the company goes against a set of outlined rules. For example, the government would be allowed to hire experts to inspect TikTok’s code. According to the company’s filing, TikTok has chosen to spend $2 billion putting Project Texas into effect. Christopher Simkins, a former CFIUS official, has said that TikTok national security threats “would be reduced to a LOW level” if Project Texas is put into effect.

Bowman Defeated

Rep. Jamaal Bowman lost his Democratic primary on Tuesday to Westchester County Executive George Latimer, marking the first defeat for a member of the House “Squad” of progressive lawmakers.

Pro-Israel groups backed Latimer, who ran for the seat in New York’s 16th Congressional District. Money poured in from those who supported Latimer in this race, which, according to ad tracking firm AdImpact, was the most expensive House primary on record.

Bowman was first elected to the House in 2020 after unseating Demo -

cratic Rep. Eliot Engel in the primary. Latimer, 70, a Democratic political fixture for decades who entered the race at the urging of pro-Israel groups, argued that Bowman’s vocal opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza and his combative political style were out of step with the electorate, which includes a significant Jewish population in Westchester.

Bowman had called for a ceasefire in Israel just days after the October 7 attacks. In mid-November, he told a gathering of pro-Palestinian supporters that reports of attacks against women during the Hamas massacre were “propaganda.” He later apologized for the comment. In January, J Street – a liberal pro-Israel group that previously backed Bowman – rescinded its endorsement of the congressman, citing broad “differences between us in framing and approach.”

Latimer celebrated his victory on Tuesday night by telling supporters, in a clear jab at Bowman, that the results meant “we turn a page and we say that we believe in inclusion of everybody in our representation.”

Bowman conceded defeat on Tuesday.

“We musn’t ever stop. This race was never about me and me alone. It was never about this district and this district alone,” Bowman said. “It was always about all of us. Now our opponents, not opponent, may have won this round at this time, in this place. But this will be a battle for our humanity and justice for the rest of our lives.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders had rallied for Bowman before the primary.

“This election is one of the most important in the modern history of America. It really is,” Sanders said on Saturday. “Because this election is not about Jamaal vs. Mr. Latimer. This election is about whether or not the billionaire class and the oligarchs will control the United States government.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also campaigned for Bowman.

“We are going to show [expletive] AIPAC the power of the [expletive] South Bronx,” Bowman said on Saturday.

Latimer is seen as a shoo-in for the general election in the deep-blue district, which would have backed Joe Biden under the current lines by 45 points in 2020. Former Scarsdale Mayor Miriam Flisser was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Lost in the Woods

Lukas McClish set out on a three-hour hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains on June 11. But his family became concerned when he didn’t show up for dinner days later, on June 16. Contacting the authorities, a massive search was mounted for the 34-year-old Californian man who had gotten lost in the mountains.

McClish was finally found last Thursday – ten days after he set on his hike – when a drone found him in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park and home to towering ancient coast redwood trees.

“There were multiple reports of witnesses hearing someone yelling for help, but the location of that person was hard to establish,” said Cal Fire.

McClish was found with “no major injuries and was reunited with his family,” according to the sheriff’s office.

McClish said he was “tired and a little sore” after his ordeal. “I lost my voice,” he added.

Living for ten days without any provisions was a challenge.

“I left with just a pair of pants, and my pair of hiking shoes, and a hat,” he recounted. “I had a flashlight, and a pair of

folding scissors, like a Leatherman tool. And that was about it.”

He attributed his survival to drinking lots of water from creeks and waterfalls he found as he hiked through the park each day, calling for help.

“I just make sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but then after, getting close to the end of it, my body needed food and some kind of sustenance,” McClish said.

Seeing the number of search and rescue workers who worked to find him was “really humbling,” he said. “It was an awesome experience.”

That lesson wasn’t lost on him.

Wild Thang is World’s Ugliest

Wild Thang is officially the worst. The canine won the World’s Ugliest Dog contest last week against a bevy of other less-than-attractive hounds.

The event took place at the Sonoma Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, about 38 miles north of San Francisco.

Wild Thang, an eight-year-old Pekingese from North Bend, Oregon, had entered the contest for the past five years but only took home the top trophy this time.

When he was younger, Wild Thang contracted distemper, a virus, from another puppy. The other dog did not sur-

vive. Wild Thang managed to hold on, but he suffered permanent damage.

The winner of the contest took home a cash prize of $10,000. He also has the chance to be featured on a limited edition of a can of Mug Root Beer.

Rome took home the second prize in the contest; Daisy Mae won third.

Seems like every dog has its day, even if it’s ruff.

Oldest Living Siblings

571 years – that’s the magic number.

The Overall sisters of Farmington, Missouri, are now the world record holders for the highest combined age of six living siblings.

“We’ve all been fortunate,” said Doris Griffith, one of the sisters who now holds the record.

Doris is 94 years old. The other siblings include Norma Jacob, 101; Lorene Kollmeyer, 98; Maxine Cole, 97; Margaret Norton, 90; and Elma Jennings, 88.

Their total ages combined add up to 571 years, 293 days and counting, according to Guiness World Records.

The sisters were inspired to try for the record after learning of a group of siblings who set the record for having the combined highest age of 12 living siblings, according to the Columbia Missourian

The Overall sisters worked with other family members to submit various forms of proof, including birth and marriage certificates, videos and photos and witness statements from people who could confirm their ages.

The family sent in “at least” 100 documents before they received verification.

The sisters were born to Stanley and Ethel Overall in Farmington, Mo., and had one older brother, Stanley Overall Jr., who died in a 2003 bicycle accident at age 81.

The sisters have stayed close over the years and often went on trips together to places like Washington, D.C. They also enjoy wearing matching t-shirts with their birth order on them when they go out.

“They each have a wonderful sense of humor and possess the ‘gift of gab,’” shared Norton’s son, Pat Adams.

Kollmeyer, Norton and Jennings, all born in July, also continue a tradition

that their mother started and get the whole family together to celebrate their summer birthday.

Jacob lives in Ohio in a memory care facility. The rest of the siblings live in Missouri. The sisters stay active; Cole takes fitness classes and Griffith walks nearly a mile every day.

Jennings told Guinness World Records that she and her sisters “never stayed mad” at each other for long throughout their lives.

The sisters also attribute their ages to family genes. “We’ve all been fortunate, I guess,” Griffith said. “To have such long, good lives.”

They’re enjoying it in the long run.

Graduating at 105

Virginia Hislop, also known as Ginger, is now a proud holder of a diploma. The 105-year-old received her master’s degree from Stanford University last week in an educational journey that began more than 80 years ago.

When Ginger began her educational pursuit in 1936, she planned to get her bachelor’s degree in education, which she did in 1940, and obtain her master’s degree so she could teach.

According to the university, Hislop started on her master’s degree. But just after completing her coursework and before turning in her final thesis, her then-boyfriend George Hislop got called to serve in World War II.

George Hislop was a student at Standford and in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps when he got the call, prompting the pair to get married and Virginia Hislop to leave campus before graduating.

Eighty-three years later, Virginia Hislop returned to Stanford to finish what she started and received her graduate degree.

When she rose from her seat during last Sunday’s ceremony in her cap and gown, the crowd roared with applause.

“My goodness,” she said. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”

Live long and prosper.

Around the Community

The Yeshiva of Far Rockaway’s Annual Siyum

67 Boys Completed Mesechta Bava Metzia

Photo credit: Yossi Kohn

The guest speaker was Rabbi Dovid Fordsham, rav of Bais Medrash of Lawrence

Netzach Wins MYHSAL Varsity Softball Championship

Congratulations to the MYHSAL Varsity Softball Champion Netzach Knights.

The Knights, sponsored by Capri, were crowned champions after defeating Darchei in a resounding 3-0 shutout. The Knights went through Heichal Hatorah in the first round and then traveled to Deal, NJ, to knock off the favorited #1 seeded Hillel Heat in the Semis to set up a local championship showdown with Darchei. Led by Coaches Reich, Davidson and Hershkowitz, the Knights jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the

first inning, tacked on another run in the third and never looked back. The Knights Defense was dominant, just as they’ve been all season long. Championship MVP was awarded to Star pitcher Avi Kurtz, who was tremendous from the mound, carving through Darchei’s lineup with 7 strikeouts, leading the Knights to a shutout championship victory for the second consecutive year. Netzach Hatorah will look to build upon this remarkable stretch of athletic success, a true testament to the boys hard work and determination.

Mercaz Academy Senior Trip

The sixth grade at Plainview’s Mercaz Academy spent their secondto-last day of elementary school on an exciting Senior Trip. The day began with the Mercaz seniors davening and hopping on a bus to the Five Towns, where they played miniature golf and tested their strength and speed in batting cages. After working up an appetite, they lunched at a backyard barbecue at the home of their teacher, Rabbi Moshe Rubel, featuring hamburgers, hotdogs, and fixings.

The seniors’ attention then turned to the Israel Chesed Center, an organization

that unifies many grassroots assistance initiatives for Israel. They learned that the organization had purchased, packed, and distributed over 100 tons of gear to IDF bases, as well as clothing and Chanukah gifts for displaced Israelis. The Mercaz sixth graders, always eager to do what they can to help Israel in her time of need, did what they could by tying tzitzit to be distributed to Israeli soldiers.

The day continued with a trip to the ropes course and zip lines at Adventure Park, where a wonderful time was had by all, and concluded (much later!) at Sababa Pizza in Plainview.

Shana Miller of Woodmere Raises $10,000 in Bat Mitzvah Campaign

To mark her bat mitzvah earlier this month, Shana Miller of Woodmere, NY, embraced her new responsibilities as a Jewish adult and rallied family and friends to raise more than $10,000 for A DI (adi-israel. org), Israel’s network of specialized rehabilitative care for those living with and touched by disability. Wanting to personalize her campaign, Shana chose to “twin” with an ADI resident named Inbal Agai, who is also becoming a bat mitzvah this year, and geared her efforts towards furthering Inbal’s advancement.

Working together with her parents, Abby and Steven Miller, and ADI’s Coordinator of Marketing, Development and Special Projects Dov Hirth, Shana constructed a campaign so compelling that she surpassed her initial $5,000 fundraising goal in record time. With her bat mitzvah still weeks away, Shana decided that she “had to go bigger,” and baked up a plan to sell cakes, cookies and other confections to double her impact and ensure that Inbal would continue to receive the therapies and experiences needed to make her next developmental leap.

“My cousin, Sefi Fleischman, has been

volunteering at ADI Jerusalem since he was 14 years old and has continued after his army service, and I’ve always been so inspired by ADI’s mission and Sefi’s dedication to the cause. When it came time to choose a bat mitzvah Project, it was a no-brainer for me – it had to be ADI,” explained Shana. “From the very beginning, I felt very determined. This was my opportunity to really make a difference, and I knew that we could count on our family and community to help us reach our goal.”

In addition to the familial connection and inspirational inclusive vision, Shana was drawn to ADI’s crucial wartime efforts and wanted to empower Israel’s most vulnerable citizens during uncertain times.

“ADI’s Bnei Mitzvah Campaigns allow young women and men to transform their special day into a platform for performing the ultimate act of kindness – providing peers who can’t walk, talk or even breathe on their own a chance to live better, happier and more fulfilling lives. Over the last eight months, these campaigns have become more important than ever,” said Elie Klein, ADI’s Director of Develop-

ment for the U.S. and Canada.

“Day after day, ADI provides its residents and special education students with the consistent positive engagement and specialized developmental exercises necessary to promote growth and safeguard their emotional wellness. We are so grateful to incredible young leaders like Shana who enable us to continue providing our ADI family members with the tools and programming they need to stay happy, healthy and whole. This is what becoming a bat mitzvah is all about!”

Just ahead of Shavuot, the Miller family hosted a bake sale extravaganza that featured everything from cheesecakes to flower bouquets to raffles tickets for restaurant vouchers, with all of the proceeds going towards Shana’s campaign for ADI. Just as Shana predicted, the community stepped up and bought out the bake sale, driving her fundraising grand total up to $10,800. But Shana still isn’t interested in calling it quits and now has her heart set on reaching a baker’s dozen – her new goal is $13,000.

“As an educator with a background in special education, I’m thrilled to see my daughter talking about disability inclu-

sion with her friends and going above and beyond to make others feel accepted,” said Shana’s mother, Abby Miller, Associate Principal at the SKA High School for Girls. “It’s very impressive when 12-yearolds are so inspired that they donate $36 and $50 of their own money, and it gives me hope that we can all work together to include everyone and give the most vulnerable among us as rich a life as possible.”

To donate to Shana’s campaign, please visit https://adi-il.org/campaign/shana-millers-twinning-bat-mitzvah.

A Majestic Milestone

The Pre-1A classes of the Ganger Early Childhood Center at TAG finished the year with a Celebration of Anticipation. The Talmidos sang beautiful songs about emunah and achdus and each talmidah received her own Tehillim. Mazal tov!!

An Important Message From Ralph Wigs

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At the graduation siyum made by Rambam seniors Eitan Greenberg, Shlomo Inoyatov, Dani Roth and Aryeh Leib Pam

Co-Valedictorian Joshua Aminov delivers his address

Rambam Mesivta Valedictorian Michael Gordon delivers his address at graduation this week

HANC Middle School’s

HANC Middle School’s eighth grade graduation took place on June 19 in the gym of our illustrious Yeshiva. The gym was adorned with balloons and a “2024” arch. The graduates looked extremely proud as they walked down the aisle, and their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were certainly shepping a lot of nachat. The graduation began with a “walk down memory lane.” Baby pictures of the graduates were projected on the huge screen and then a montage of the Middle School years caused some tears.

After the procession and the anthems, Pras Hitztaynut award recipients Maya Nof and Jeremy Zeitlin delivered the invocation. They spoke about two types of leadership styles, that of Moshe Rabbeinu and Calev. Following the invocation, Mrs. Morey, the Assistant Principal, offered words of greeting. She explained that the world needs the students’ optimism, now more than ever. Next came,the chairperson of the Board of Education, Dr. Debra Alper. She spoke about when Moshe sought Hashem’s help in dealing with Bnei Yisrael, Hashem told Moshe to appoint 70 elders so that he would not have to be alone. Dr. Alper added that we should surround ourselves with virtuous and wise friends who will give us emotional

support and also lead us to elevate our own actions. David Alper, one of the Torah Umada Award recipients, discussed two different types of solutions to problems, namely technical and adaptive. He did this through the lens of how the Jews complained in Shemot and Behaalotcha and Moshe’s reaction each time. Interspersed through the program were four videos, which showcased what advice the graduates would give an incoming Middle School student, the graduates’ favorite memories of HANC Middle School, pivotal learning moments from Middle School and one word the students would use to describe HANC Middle School. Nili Brukner, Torah Umada award recipient, spoke about the difference between selfless people and selfish people. Rabbi Hecht, principal, spoke about the importance of knowing that each person has a power inside of themselves and limitless potential. Next, came the distribution of diplomas.

The evening concluded with a benediction delivered by Joshua Kohen, Kaleb Lerner and Yehuda Weissman, who were Pras Hitztaynut award winners. They spoke about the importance of listening to the adults in our lives and doing Mitzvot in the best possible way. We wish all of the graduates and their families much bracha and hatzlacha!

Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato Named “Legislator of the Year” by New York State Police

New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato was honored with the distinction of being named “Legislator of the Year” by the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers (NYSTPBA), the union that represents the men and women who serve in the State Police. The union unanimously voted to give the Assemblywoman the award and cited her as “a staunch advocate for New York State Troopers and all law enforcement.”

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the men and women who protect and serve our State each and every day. You are all heroes, and I thank you for your service,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato.

“It’s my privilege to make sure you and your families are supported, to ensure that you have the proper resources to keep our State safe, and to safeguard your pensions. I’m so proud to be your partner and look forward to continuing our work together,” the Assemblywoman said as the room of over 350 State Police Officers gave her a standing ovation.

“At the Thirteenth Annual New York State Trooper PBA Awards Dinner, we were proud to present the Assemblywoman with this award due to her courage, friendship, and dedication to our issues,” said NYSTPBA President Charles W. Murphy. “Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato has been a staunch advocate for the needs of the New York State law enforcement community and is truly unafraid to support the PBA at all times! She has made a difference and we applaud her dedication to public safety and bringing new resources to veterans and 9/11 first responders.”

During the ceremony, the union’s leadership stated how Pheffer Amato doesn’t give “lip service” like other elected officials but actually passes laws that benefit law enforcement. The Assemblywoman was responsible for a 24% increase in funding for the NYS Police and codified the heart disease presumption benefit which guarantees permanent coverage for any heart-related illness for all uniformed officers in New York.

Did you know?

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on the planet. It covers more than 30% of the Earth’s surface.

Around the Community

HANC High School Graduation Honorees

The Hebrew Academy of Nassau County is proud to announce the Class of 2024 Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Principal Rabbi Eli Slomnicki proudly remarked, “We take great pride that our honorees have benefited from a complete K-12 HANC education! Our valedictorian, Sigal Holzman, has distinguished herself both in General Studies and Limudei Kodesh, creatively synthesizing passion for the humanities and Torah scholarship exemplifying an ideal HANC student. Salutatorian Joseph Grunfeld is a Torah U’madda scholar, whose pursuit of knowledge sets a tone of aspiration for his peers.”

Sigal Holtzman has always stood out as wise beyond her years. She is a creative force who possesses a natural thirst for knowledge and a genuine soul. To put it lightly, she is simply a gem of a human being and a scholar in its truest form.

If you knew the real Sigal, you would know that she enjoys studying a diverse array of topics for the pure love of learning, often enrolling in AP courses “for fun.” Never one to shy away from hard work, the caliber of her courseload demonstrated a true commitment to intellectual curiosity. Throughout her time at HANC, Sigal challenged herself with the most rigorous load of Scholars, Honors, and AP-level courses, and to no one’s surprise, she rose to the occasion. She was also in our most selective and advanced level Judaic studies program, even pursuing the Chidon Ha-Tanach. Her hard work and dedication earned her a designation as an AP Scholar, and an induction into the National Honor Society in her junior year, for which she was

elected the Co-President. She furthered her intellectual pursuits by attending the Critical Thinking & Legal Studies program at the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute in the Summer of 2021. Additionally, she is a recipient of the NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence.

Sigal’s strong work ethic is matched by an unwavering determination. A lifelong competitive tennis player, Sigal brought her love of the game to HANC, re-establishing the Girls’ Varsity team after a lengthy hiatus. She brings the same competitive spirit to the Mathletes team, as well as the Debate team, where she consistently placed in the top two in each of her debates.

Sigal is to poetry as water is to life; where you find one, you will find the other. She finds poetry gives her a connection to others through the seemingly insurmountable force of time. As Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Poetry Club, Sigal brought an outlet to her peers at a time when not many clubs were able to resume due to lingering pandemic restrictions in the 2020-2021 school year. Through her keen use of prose (in her favorite font of Times New Roman), Sigal’s poetic passion has benefitted the entire school community.

One thing that is paramount to Sigal is gaining new perspectives. She interned at the office of Shimon Hahn Law Firm & Notary in the summer of 2023. In this capacity, Sigal gained invaluable insight into the legal field. As someone with a strong interest in cognitive neuroscience, she plans on building upon this by investigating the ways in which experiences shape memory and preventing neurodegeneration.

Sigal will begin studying Psychology this Fall at Brandeis University.

Salutatorian Joey Grunfeld is an exceptional student who possesses a remarkable passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He has consistently demonstrated a strong aptitude for STEM subjects and a relentless dedication to academic excellence. He exhibits an exceptional ability to grasp complex scientific concepts, solve intricate mathematical problems, and apply his knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Joey has been a member of the Engineering program since ninth grade and will graduate having taken 6 of our most difficult AP courses. His performance on the subsequent exams earned him the designation of AP Scholar with Honor. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and has been on both the General and Judaic Studies Honor Rolls every quarter of his high school career. Additionally, he was recognized as a Commended Student for his performance on the PSAT/NMSQT and is a recipient of the NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence.

What sets Joey apart is his unwavering commitment to extracurricular ac-

tivities related to STEM. He has been an integral part of both the school’s Robotics team, and the Robotics Club, where he served as co-chair. Over the years he has excelled in designing and building robots, demonstrating both technical expertise and innovative problem-solving skills. Additionally, Joseph has actively participated in numerous engineering competitions and fairs. He has participated in the VEX robotics competition and the Capstone project offered by the Center for Initiatives in Jewish education (CIJE). Joey, an avid Lego builder, has more than 30 sets in his collection. From skyscrapers to police stations, you name it, he has built it. His passion for engineering led him to pursue summer STEM programs at The Cooper Union three years running. His fascination with bridges and trains is second to none. He even knows the entire NY Subway system by heart. Joey also served as chairperson of the Astronomy club, was the captain of the Torah Bowl team, and is President of the teen minyan at his shul.

After spending next year at Yeshivat Migdal HaTorah in Israel, Joey plans to study Civil Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Salutatorian Joey Grunfeld

Valedictorian Sigal Holzman

Tomchei Shabbos recognizes Rabbi Glazer’s HAFTR Middle School graduating students who dedicated themselves to this chessed this year. Student Noah Stieglitz received a plaque of appreciation for his commitment to this cause.

Important TOH Zoning Hearing This Week

Five-Story Buildings Planned in Lawrence

On Tuesday, July 2, The Town of Hempstead is planning on voting on the rescinding of zoning changes made in 2019 but will be grandfathering in some of the largest projects proposed. This is an opportunity for concerned citizens to speak up and let the Town know they do not want the grandfathered projects.

Among the most significant of the projects is the project located at the Lawrence Post Office property, where a number of five-story buildings will be developed containing hundreds of apartments. A similar project is being planned in Redfern.

Transit Oriented Development, Business and Townhouse Overlay Zoning changes were made in 2019, spearheaded by Bruce Blakeman, and has had growing opposition along the way. Many residents are concerned about the hundreds of units that are set to be built in Lawrence and Inwood, areas which have not had many multi-family units in the past. Additionally, residents are concerned about traffic, as people in these buildings will not be provided with ample parking spots as they are supposed to be using the transit on the railroads or bikes for their transportation. This will create a surplus of cars lining the streets in the area. Additionally, as most people will own cars, it will create huge traffic snafus

as multitudes of people will be driving on the area roads each day.

In 2019, the Town Board approved three zoning districts to be built on 73 acres (about 1,000 rental apartments), with insufficient communication with affected neighborhoods.

The original zoning was changed because of one engineer report in 2019. Recently, a second engineering report was commissioned by TOH and said the opposite of the first report. There should never be a change of zoning without two engineering reports. It seems no due diligence was done. The new report apparently refutes the original report, hence the probable rescinding of the zoning at the hearing this week. There would be an adverse impact on infrastructure, traffic, environment and quality of life.

At a minimum the concerned residents feel that going forward two reports should always be required, maybe three, and they must concur. Additionally, school boards should be part of the decision-making process when deciding such projects. Developments have an enormous impact on the school district.

The only way to stop this project is for the community to show up this week at the Hempstead Meeting on July 2, 2024.

While the developments start near the Village of Lawrence borders, residents and civic groups expect our elected

officials to protect our safety and quality of life. But the TOH failed us in 2019. Thank you to the current administration for taking this seriously and ordering the NEW engineering report. Every proposed development will have a negative domino effect.

Residents are strongly opposed to all the overdevelopment projects upon the Village of Lawrence, Additionally, one must be aware of the Rockaway development in Far Rockaway right over the 878. There are about 1,500 apartments built there on Mott Avenue.

Deputy Mayor Paris Popack has been fighting over-development in our community for seven years.

“The excessive building must STOP!” she said. “If building in these three districts is allowed, it will cause increase in crippling traffic, unavailable street and lot parking, strain on local infrastructure (sanitation, utilities, sewer systems), increase taxes, toxic fumes and environmental pollution, strain on emergency and safety services, burden on the schools and impossible evacuations. We must remain suburban, not urban. Our health, safety and quality of life are at risk.”

Former Mayor of Lawrence Martin Oliner noted, “We have traditionally fought Governor Hochul on her desire to bring low-income housing to Long Is-

land and to bring multi-family housing to our area. This proposal in Lawrence will bring 300 units to our community. We cannot allow this to happen. The way it is being proposed right now is detrimental to the neighborhood.”

He added that residents need to attend the Town of Hempstead meeting this week to ensure that the Town does not move forward with the proposal.

Jacqueline Handel, Lawrence Civic Association President, added, “We are surrounded by developments along the LIRR including, Far Rockaway (Mott Avenue), proposed Inwood development by Redfern Avenue in North Lawrence and the Pearsall development in Cedarhurst on Rockaway Turnpike. Other concerns are The Woodmere Club, and the new Amazon building on Rockaway Turnpike. We are looking at thousands of apartments and with that cars! Has the Town of Hempstead tested evacuations in our area?”

After two moratoriums granted by the Town of Hempstead in the past two years, the community hopes they will rescind ALL zoning changes on the 73 acres. This is serious to their health and these proposed developments will harm them and their way of life. The Town of Hempstead must listen to their voters and rescind ALL zoning.

Kindergarten boys celebrated their siddur play at Siach Yitzchok last week

Final Week of 5TLL

It was the final week of the season this past Sunday, and the games were exhilarating as the teams vied for a spot in the World Series! All the boys received 5TLL 2024 Yearbooks with fun 5TLL games, sponsor’s directory, picture montages, and more. The World Series games took place the next night, Monday, June 23rd and each division’s champions earned their trophies.

Playoff Recap

K/P Baseball & Soccer Highlights

K/P Baseball: Avi Langer had a stunning moment for Tikva Fire, smashing a beautiful 2-run double down the line to ignite the scoreboard. Shua Berkovsky’s heroic dive for Marciano Pediatric Dentistry was a tooth-and-nail effort, saving crucial runs with a sensational stop at third. Yerucham Moshayev’s towering 3-run shot for LBL was a grand slam moment, putting them in the driver’s seat. Zach Pearlman played the perfect game for Marciano Pediatric Dentistry, orchestrating a crucial out at shortstop. Moshe Wasser hustled his way to victory for John’s AutoMotive, beating out the throw with an infield hit to take the lead.

K/P Soccer: Wieder Orthodontics defeated Maidenbaum 2-0 in the soccer championship in a close game where both teams played really well. While it was a total team effort, Yaakov Grossman led the offense, scoring the only 2 goals of the game along with great defense led by Ruby Wieder and shut down goal play by Shauli Bauman.

1st/2nd Soccer: Nojo Promo & Maidenbaum matched up for the 1st/2nd soccer end of season tournament championship. NOJO Promo led by Benji Blumenthal and Shlomo Obadia let up zero goals against a strong Maidenbaum team, as they won the championship game 2-0.

Minors (1st-3rd) Baseball Highlights

1st Grade: Spray Foam Insulation, the #8 seed pulled off another surprising win, insulating themselves from defeat with home runs from Yumi Erlichman, Dovi Jakubowitz, and Yehuda Hellman to head to the World Series. Shlomo Wieder’s walk-off single was a cut above for Elegant Lawns, mowing down Marciano Pediatric Dentistry with a thrilling finish.

2nd Grade: Abie Edler’s home run spree for Graze was a graze-y display of power, propelling them to victory over Executive Dry Cleaners. Extreme Vent Cleaning blew away John’s AutoMotive with an impressive 18-4 win, leaving their opponents in the dust with back-to-back homers. Tikvah Fire blazed past Dr. Fluency in a fiery matchup, fueled by Yehoshua Terline’s explosive performance.

3rd Grade: CG Flooring floored Bayrock Insurance with Binyamin Parness and Yehuda Eichhorn’s home run heroics. Molly’s Jewelers continued their stellar season with an easy 10-4 win behind Ezra Donowitz’s 3-run homer.

Majors (4th & up) Baseball Highlights

4th Grade: Tikvah Fire heated up the

competition with a nail-biting 5-4 victory over Newman Dental, fueled by Moshe Hildeshaim’s clutch hit. Elegant Lawns continued their fairy tale season, mowing down Bathtique with stellar catches and hitting to head to the World Series where they’ll face the #2 seeded Tikva Fire.

5th Grade: DOMA earned a victory over Five Town Landscape with Shauli Nathan’s stellar pitching performance. CG Flooring dominated all around, scoring 18 runs on offense and letting up zero runs on defense as they will face off against a strong DOMA team in the World Series.

6th Grade: Wieder Orthodontics straightened out Carving Block with a solid 8-3 win, led by Benjamin Haas’s base-clearing triple and Lipa Bender’s striking performance. They will match up against a very talented Carving Block team in the World Series.

7th/8th: Grade Maidenbaum cleaned up against Bathtique with Yair Horowitz’s power-packed performance, securing their spot in the World Series. JNT brushed aside Wieder Orthodontics with a 10-7 victory, overcoming challenges to seal the win with a spectacular catch.

World Series Recap

Minors (1st-3rd) Baseball Highlights

1st Grade: In a thrilling match, Elegant Lawns emerged victorious with a commanding 19-6 win over Spray Foam Insulation. MVP Gav Prince sealed the game with a game-ending double play that highlighted their stellar performance.

2nd Grade: Tikva showcased their dominance with a powerful offensive display, defeating Extreme Vent Cleaning 16-10. They surged ahead with a dynamic start, scoring 7 runs in the first

inning and continuing to showcase their batting prowess with monster home runs. Despite Extreme Vent’s attempts to mount a comeback, errors proved costly in the end.

3rd Grade: In a stunning upset, the 7th seed CG Flooring dealt a crushing blow to the previously undefeated Mollys Jewelers, winning decisively with a score of 17-4.

Majors (4th & up) Baseball Highlights

4th Grade: Dovid Schattner took center stage as MVP for Tikva Fire, delivering a standout performance with 5 strikeouts and a spectacular sliding grab that made it into SportsCenter’s top ten plays. Tikva Fire secured an impressive 8-0 victory over Elegant Lawns.

5th Grade: CG Flooring prevailed over Doma in a fiercely contested match, emerging triumphant with a 10-7 victory. The game was marked by exceptional defensive plays and stellar batting performances from both teams.

6th Grade: Weider grabbed an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, but Carving Block’s Benjamin Haas narrowed the gap with a crucial base-clearing triple. Despite the initial challenge, Weider maintained their composure and pulled away to win 8-3. Lipa Bender of Wieder was named MVP for striking out the final 5 batters and contributing significantly with 2 doubles and 4 RBIs.

7th/8th Grade: Maidenbaum staged an impressive comeback against JNT to secure the championship title. Despite trailing 5-1 early on, Maidenbaum’s resilient offense rallied to take control of the game, ultimately winning in convincing fashion.

Boots for Israel

By Jeremy Uliss

When Yeshiva Har Torah fifth grader Georgie Gelnick won a raffle’s “Principal for the Day” prize, she chose principles over parties by requesting from Mrs. Sara Duani, Interim Associate Principal, that the school host Boots for Israel for one of its popular “Sole-idarity” boot-packing events.

Most students would have opted for recess, screening movies in the auditorium, or pizza and ice cream parties, noted BFI founder Yakir Wachstock during a brief interview with the busy “new principal.” For Principal Gelnick, however, the pursuit of chesed comes as naturally as walking and is even in her genes.

Georgie is the great-granddaughter of distinguished philanthropists Eugen and Jean Gluck (zt”l). Not only did she honor her lineage by following in their colossal footsteps, she also held the event on the anniversary of her great-grandmother’s yahrzeit.

The couple rose from the ashes of Auschwitz to become a testament to the

American Dream and, most notably, a credit to the Jewish People by helping others’ dreams come to fruition. The bar has been set quite high for Georgie by her entire family: the Glucks as well as Peyser/Rifkin families, who are devoted pillars of the global Jewish community and champions of chesed enterprises like Boots for Israel. Their collective legacy of altruism demonstrates that descendants stand upon the shoulders of their ancestors not to merely remain idle but to continue walking in their ways.

The event itself was a success, but the meaning with which Georgie imbued her time in charge reflects the ideal image toward which the Jewish people strive. “Because one of you was able to do this, every one of you has the power to do this,” Principal Duani told the entire fifth grade. Even though the event was initially supposed to be exclusive to girls, Mrs. Duani decided to include the entire grade in order to honor the insight and share the inspiration of Georgie’s decision.

Is there a better way to generate the

aliyah of a soul than by protecting the feet of the protectors of Israel? Echoing this sentiment when asked by Yakir if she wanted to record a message how others can help Am Yisrael, Georgie replied in the spirit of her great-grandparents: “If you really want to help, go for it. Don’t let anyone say you can’t do it, because you definitely can.”

Almost a century earlier, young Eugen Gluck faced the horrors of Auschwitz and made a vow: “I’m going to survive this. And I’m going to show you how human beings are supposed to treat each other.”

Addressing the assembly, Georgie may have become Principal Duani’s competition when replacing homework with the “assignment” of making someone else smile. With the thunderous cheering from Georgie’s classmates that shook the YHT lunchroom, where the 220 boots packing event took place, it was evident that she received an A for the day.

For more information on volunteering or hosting your own event, please visit

https://www.bootsforisrael.com. For donations and sponsorship opportunities, go to thechesedfund.com/ bootsontheground/bootsforisrael. Also, follow our trail on Instagram @bootsforisrael, Facebook page, or email us directly at BootsforIsrael@YIHolliswood. org.

Jeremy Uliss, a corporate psychologist living in NYC, can be reached at JJUnicorpEnterprises@gmail.com.

More than 400 Graduate Touro School of Health Sciences

Touro University School of Health Sciences awarded over 400 hundred degrees at a commencement ceremony held earlier this month, at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville, New York. Students earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level degrees in a range of fields including physician assistant, speech and language pathology, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, industrial-organizational psychology, general psychology, clinical mental health counseling, and applied behavioral analysis. Eleven stellar students were selected to receive the prestigious Maimonides Award for demonstrating the highest professional ideals of a practitioner of the health sciences.

“Graduates, today we celebrate your achievements, perseverance, and resilience as you embark on your professional careers in the health sciences field. As you move forward on your chosen career path, always remember how proud the faculty and staff at the School of Health Sciences are of you and how deeply invested we are in your success,” said Dr. Steven Lorenzet, Dean of the School of

Health Sciences. Maimonides Award Winners

Ever since her child was helped by an occupational therapist, Occupational Therapy program graduate and Touro Maimonides Award winner Chaya Henig has dreamed of becoming an OT herself and giving back to others who are navigating similar challenges. “I knew that I couldn’t be the only parent who struggled with finding the right help for their child, so I was happy to share the research I’ve found along the way, and even created a platform filled with online resources, books and OT practices that can enhance the level of care provided,” said Henig.

Living in Borough Park, Brooklyn, and currently working at the sensory gym where she completed her Touro fieldwork, Henig evaluates children for a wide range of skills including emotional/ behavioral, cognitive, visual motor, fine motor, and gross motor skills and creates individualized treatment goals and plans for which she collaborates with parents.

“The Touro School of Health Sciences provided me with a rich educational foundation that I leverage daily. My dream is to run a private practice serv-

ing the pediatric and adult populations, and continuing to educate schools and parents about an array of sensory needs so that issues can be identified and addressed early on, which can have a positive impact on a child for their lifetime,” said Henig.

Alice Zinger, a Speech and Language Pathology Program graduate and a Touro Maimonides Award winner, said, “I’ve always been passionate about the field of speech and communication. While communication is a seemingly simple act, it has the power to transform someone’s life. Just look at children who have overcome a lisp, stroke survivors who have regained their ability to speak, and the elderly who reconnected with their loved ones, who will will attest to that in

a heartbeat. So, now that I’ve completed my degree, I’m really looking forward to entering a field dedicated towards helping others find their voice. My dream career would be working in a private practice, targeting adults and children with stutter and voice disorders,” said Zinger. Additional Maimonides award winners included Christopher Auguste of the Occupational Therapy program; Jack Nowak and Jan Isaac Ortega of the Physical Therapy program; Hailey Sturek of the Nursing program; Kurt Kaczmar of the Physician Assistant Program; Zahava Hurwitz of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program; Allison Maron of the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program; and Kimberly Colichio of the Behavior Analysis Program.

Around the Community

IVDU School for Special Education Wins First Place

In an unprecedented win for Special Education and inclusion, a team of five 10th graders from the Marilyn and Sheldon David IVDU Boys Upper School recently won first place in the “Engineering and Schools” category. The win was at the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education’s (CIJE) Innovation Day 2024 for their invention of a device that facilitates discrete communication between students and staff.

IVDU is an Orthodox network of schools in New York for boys and girls. The school serves students from kindergarten to age 21 with mild-to-moderate learning, social, and developmental delays.

It operates under the aegis of Yachad, an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish individuals with disabilities and their families.

Launched in 2001, CIJE is a nonprofit dedicated to enriching Jewish education at more than 200 Jewish day schools and yeshivot across 18 U.S. states, via handson STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) learning.

Following a year of coursework as part of CIJE’s two-year Scientific and Biomedical Engineering high school curriculum, students are invited to participate in Innovation Day. This competition encourages them to identify a daily object or process that could benefit from refinement. Working in teams, students are tasked with conceiving and designing a functional model to solve their identified challenge, using engineering principles and coding.

CIJE’s recent Innovation Day 2024 drew over 1,400 students from 43 U.S.

schools to three separate locations, including the American Dream Meadowlands shopping and entertainment complex, in Rutherford, New Jersey, where the IVDU students presented their inventions to a group of judges and guests.

This was IVDU’s first time entering the competition and the first time a Special Ed school competed in Innovation Day.

“We don’t view IVDU as a Special Ed school,” said CIJE’s Vice President of Development Philip Brazil.

“To us, it’s just one of our schools. Knowing IVDU, the accomplishment is even greater.”

The project solves a common challenge encountered in most schools, where students and staff are frequently disrupted by intercom announcements. The IVDU boys’ device facilitates quiet, direct communication between staff and individual students, via pre-programmed messages that are frequently exchanged in school settings. Resembling a pager and built into students’ desks, the equipment operates independently of Wi-Fi — protecting it from being hacked, and freeing schools from having to grant students internet access.

The IVDU boys’ creation was one of over 500 prototypes presented at Innovation Day. They passed two rounds of judging to win first place in “Engineering in Schools,” one of 14 award categories.

Along with a second IVDU team that entered the competition with a different invention, the boys began working on their prototype around Sukkot time.

They had the help of STEAM director and teacher Dovid Teitelbaum, who initiated

IVDU’s participation in the competition, and the support of science teacher David Ackerman, who assisted with visual presentations. Additionally, history and public speaking teacher Sarah Greenberg coached them on their oral presentations.

“I am so proud of all of them,” said Greenberg. “Most stayed after school and worked on their inventions during their free time. Their win was just icing on the cake.”

Greenberg expressed that the boys got to experience success and are using it to springboard forward.

“After they won, the boys began dis-

cussing potential inventions for next year. CIJE Innovation Day gets IVDU students excited about learning.”

Head of IVDU Schools Rabbi Michoel Druin noted, “At IVDU schools, we work hard to provide our students with suitable opportunities to enter and compete in the mainstream world. To our delight, their hard work and the dedication of our staff led our team to win first place. Like it says in Masechet Megillah, ‘Yagati u’matzati, taamin — If you put in effort, you will find success.’”

In Rabbi Simcha Horowitz’s third grade at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, Abie Keilson’s siyum on Mishnayos Berachos was joined by R’ Avrohom Bender, menahel; his father, Dr. Yair Keilson; his brother; and his grandfather, Mr. Ronald Lowinger, president of the Yeshiva

New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and her mother, Queens County Clerk and former Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer, joined Rabbi Yaakov Bender at the Yeshiva Darchei Torah groundbreaking of the Beis Medrash, classrooms and residence hall last week. The Assemblywoman stated how proud she is of the multi-faceted education the boys receive at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, and she looks forward to the school’s continued growth and success!

Around the Community

HANC HS Celebrates the Class of 2024

On Monday evening, June 17, the 11th of Sivan, HANC High School celebrated its Fiftieth Commencement before an audience of proud family members, guests, administration and faculty. The ceremony took place at The Space in Westbury, New York.

The program opened with Gila Mathias leading the tefillah for the hostages followed by a video presentation featuring Administrators, rebbeim, morot and teachers, reflecting on the Class of 2024 over the past four years, as well as heartwarming messages to the graduates.

Following the processional, the National Anthem and the Hatikvah were led by Chazan Yosef Karavani, proud father of Graduate Maya Karavani. Rabbi Eli Slomnicki, principal of the High School, then welcomed guests and graduates and introduced salutatorian Joey Grunfeld who delivered the invocation.

HANC’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Aaron Malitzky, congratulated the Class of 2024 on their excellent record of accomplishments in academics, athletics, and chesed.

Mrs. Marie Palaia, Associate Principal, greeted the graduates with a congratulatory message reminding students to strive for excellence and to find balance in their lives.

In her outstanding and creative valedictory address, Sigal Holtzman encouraged her classmates to continue making positive choices based on the foundations each student received while at HANC.

Additionally, Sigal expressed her hakarat hatov to her beloved school, family, and friends and thanked them for their support in bringing the class to this milestone.

Chazan Karavani returned to the stage to perform a Tribute to Tzahal. Accompanied by the orchestra which included Rabbi Judah Hulkower, Chazan Karavani riveted the audience with a heartfelt rendition of Mi Shebeirach L’tzahal.

Ms. Tziporah Zucker, Assistant Principal, delivered a heartwarming message reminding students to continue their work for the tzibbur beyond high school.

Ms. Zucker then introduced the class speaker Dara Bernstein who animatedly reflected on four years of high school with humor, nostalgia and genuine love for her friends and her HANC experience.

Highlighting a letter from a young American-turned chayal written to Rav Herschel Schechter, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University, Rabbi Slomnicki charged the graduates to fulfill their aspirations within the context of serving Klal Yisrael.

He concluded by telling the graduates that the equation to success is to synthesize the values learned at HANC as bnei and bnot Torah and added that ultimate success is –you, our Graduates, as the embodiment of Am Yisrael Chai!

Rabbi Slomnicki, Mrs. Palaia, and Ms. Zucker distributed diplomas to the graduates who were also greeted by Director of Student Life, Rabbi Daniel Mezei and

Deans of Students, Mr. Adam Brick and Mrs. Allison Hus. The graduates received from the Parent Council The Koren Illustrated Tehillim, The Magerman Edition. Graduates were also gifted with The Journey to Your Ultimate Self: An Inspiring Gateway into Deeper Jewish Thought through the Lens of the Weekly Parashah

by Rabbi Shmuel Reichman.

Following the recessional a beautiful collation was enjoyed by all the guests. Mazal tov to all the graduates and their families! Wishing the HANC High School Class of 2024 much success and hatzlacha in their future endeavors.

Third year talmidim of Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid of Yeshiva Darchei Torah who are leaving to learn in Eretz Yisrael are seen here at a seudas preidah at the home of their Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender. Also shown: Rav Avrohom Bender, a menahel in the elementary school.

Through a Challenging Year, Mercaz Academy Graduates Were Buoyed by Faith

The second graduating class at Mercaz Academy in Plainview presented a program full of faith and music as they reflected on the lessons they learned during the course of the year and in this post-October 7 world.

The sixth grade students spoke about the extra tefillot they recited for Israel on that day that are still part of their daily tefillah. They cited the emunah that has supported them throughout the year, their firm belief that Hashem has a plan for all of us. This lesson, they explained, was revealed by their Torah learning, citing Avraham’s challenges and Ruth’s belief as she entered an unknown world with Naomi.

Students also called attention to how much they had learned over the course of the year. In addition to their classroom studies in general and Judaics, the sixth graders stepped outside of their private concerns to care for all of k’lal Yisrael through thought and action. They learned their strength as they gathered donations

and performed mitzvot on behalf of the people of Israel, as well as their power as they wrote letters to politicians in the United States seeking support for the land of Israel.

These thoughts were punctuated by beautiful musical performances by the students, accompanied by Mercaz Academy’s music teacher, Craig Resmovits.

Mercaz Principal Rabbi Kalman Fogel addressed the graduates, pointing out that in that week’s Torah portion, Beha’aloscha, the princes donated first wagons that would be utilized by the Levi’im for everyone, followed by sacrifices for their own individual tribes. Why were the wagons first, he asked? Because we must care for others before caring for ourselves. These graduates exemplified this truism in their senior year at Mercaz Academy.

Along with the diplomas and gifts, Rabbi Fogel and Rabbi Moshe Rubel, the sixth grade rebbe, delivered personal messages for each student based on their

Living Emunah for Teens 3

by Rabbi David Ashear

Don’t Miss Your Chance

Imagine the three-day hike that Avraham Avinu took with Yitzchak, heading to the Akeidah. Step by step, Avraham was coming closer to the death of his son, a tzaddik, for whom he had waited so long and raised with so much love and care. Avraham knew this was what Hashem had commanded him to do, and therefore, he accepted it. But that doesn’t mean it was anything but excruciatingly hard for him.

What good did that hardship do? It created one of the greatest merits in all of Jewish history. For thousands of years, every Rosh Hashanah, Hashem remembers Avraham’s challenge and, so to speak, gets up from His Throne of Judgment and sits on His Throne of Mercy. Millions and millions of Avraham’s children are benefiting from the challenge he accepted on himself.

David HaMelech faced a lifetime of family discord, betrayals, and wars. Why couldn’t Hashem just let him reign in peace? It was because the intense pressure on David pushed him closer and closer to

Hebrew names – a moment of divine inspiration for their parents – and how those names reflect each student’s character. Following the moving program, the

graduates descended from the stage to celebrate with families, staff, and friends. Mazal tov to Mercaz Academy’s second graduating class!

Hashem. From those experiences came Sefer Tehillim, songs to Hashem. For the rest of history, the Jewish people have sung those songs to give us courage when we need it, and express our gratitude when blessings come our way.

So many of the chapters of Tehillim describe situations we would consider to be terrible, and yet every one of those chapters expresses David’s trust and reliance on Hashem. We could never say, “Sure he had emunah. He was a king! He had everything he wanted!” It was precisely because of his troubles that he reached great heights and was able to write the words that still comfort us today.

We see from Avraham and so many other stories of our Avos and gedolim that no one goes through life without tests and troubles. The factor that turns these difficulties into merit and blessing is our reaction.

Most people’s first instinct is to complain. But when we move past that first instinct and accept the situation as Hashem’s will, the challenge becomes “Kodesh Kodashim.” It becomes a place in time where we are surrounded by the

Shechinah, standing right in Hashem’s Presence, just as the Kohen Gadol was when he entered the Kodesh HaKodashim on Yom Kippur.

This perspective doesn’t pop into our minds on its own. It comes from a decision we make to use our challenge to elevate ourselves rather than letting it bring us down. Doing this turns hardship into a precious form of avodas Hashem.

Let’s consider how we would think if, instead of spiritual treasure, a person were in a position to gain millions of dollars. Every time he accepted a difficult situation in his life with emunah, the direct deposit would be in his account the next day. Imagine how angry he would be at himself if he allowed negativity to take control of his thinking. Somewhere along the line, he would realize, “My negative attitude is not making the situation any better, and worse yet, I’VE LOST MILLIONS!”

Life brings us one situation after another. Each of them is a one-time opportunity to climb to a new height. Nobody asks for these challenges, but once they come, why waste the chance to grow from them?

Make It Real: Take one situation you have in your life right now that you find troubling and think about it. What is one small change you can make in your perspective that might help turn the problem into an opportunity to grow?

Reprinted from Living Emunah for Teens 3 by Rabbi David Ashearwith permission from the copyright holder, ArtScroll Mesorah Publications.

The 10 Commandments of Marriage

By Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, LMFT

What are the best ways to have a long and successful marriage?

As a marriage and family therapist, I believe the Torah provides timeless guidance on how to improve a marriage or transform a good marriage into a great one.

One of the Torah’s sources for success can be seen in what occurred at Har Sinai, where Hashem (the Chosson) gave us the 10 Commandments (the ring) on Har Sinai (chuppah). Marriage is indeed similar to the bond between Hashem and the Jewish people.

The Symbolism of the 10 Commandments

In marriage, the ring (the 10 Commandments) symbolizes the long-term commitment between husband and wife. Similarly, the ring represents the bond between G-d and the Jewish people. Adhering to these commandments ensures that the world has meaning and continues to flourish, whereas breaking the commandments leads to societal decay.

Guiding Principles of a Good Marriage

Dr. John Gottman, the world’s leading marriage researcher, highlights this bond in his book “The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work.” He believes that a successful marriage is guided by principles or “commandments” that renew the vibrancy and closeness between couples. His book outlines the principles I share with my clients.

Just as the two tablets are divided into

five “Thou Shalt Nots” and five “Thou Shalts,” there are two categories of “commandments” in marriage:

1. Avoiding damaging behaviors such as criticism and contempt.

2. Focusing on positive, nurturing words and actions.

The “Thou Shalt Nots” of Marriage

To protect and preserve the relationship, couples must avoid behaviors that damage it. Insulting, judging, or blaming each other causes unnecessary stress and harm. Those who insinuate or embarrass each other deplete their emotional savings accounts, causing lasting damage to their relationship. No one likes being criticized, blamed, or belittled, especially in the close daily contact of marriage, which necessitates a high level of sensitivity and understanding.

The “Thou Shalts” of Marriage

To make a marriage great, couples must also fulfill the “Thou Shalts.” These commandments are built upon positive, nurturing behaviors and words that are caring and empathetic. They encourage couples to empathize and find the good in one another. According to Gottman, the “Thou Shalts” include:

 Deepening your understanding of your spouse’s inner world.

 Enhancing fondness and admiration.

 Spending quality time together.

 Accepting each other’s influence.

The following principles can also be helpful:

Soften your approach to arguments. Be less confrontational in your responses.

Use a soft and tender tone to make your spouse feel secure. Avoid criticism at all costs; spouses cannot connect when they tear each other down.

Validate your spouse’s feelings instead of criticizing.

Show understanding. Put yourself in your spouse’s shoes and listen intently. Communicate that you see the problem from their perspective and frame the issue as a shared problem by agreeing, “This is our problem.”

Be willing to compromise. The relationship is far more important than the issue.

Give your spouse attention and affection. Communicate statements like “I’m here and I’m not leaving.” Point out the positive changes your spouse has made in your life.

Seeking Help

For those who have tried to keep the marital commandments but are still in distress, it is valuable to read more about healthy marriages, take courses, and, when necessary, seek marriage therapy

to help improve the most important relationship in your life.

Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, LMFT, is a renowned therapist and author specializing in helping couples overcome their challenges and enhance their relationship and intimacy. He also treats individuals with trauma and addiction and practices EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and IFS. He maintains offices in Cedarhurst and Brooklyn. To make an appointment, please call 646-428-4723, email danielschonbuch@gmail.com or visit www.danielschonbuch.com.

A Man of Kindness Remembering Mr. Yaakov Goldfeder, a”h

By N. Halpern

Growing up in Sh’or Yoshuv in the 1980s, it felt like there was a clear link to previous generations.

Reb Shlomo Freifeld was a devoted student of his Rebbe, Rav Yitzchok Hutner, who himself was a talmid of the Alter of Slabodka. No matter how many students Reb Freifeld had, and no matter how wide his reputation grew, he always considered himself to be a humble student of his own rebbe. In turn, Reb Freifeld’s students had that same devotion to him.

Although there were always colorful characters around – certainly adding

flavor – Reb Freifeld had many highly successful talmidim who built their families and homes in their rebbe’s orbit.

As children growing up in that environment, we observed these talmidim and learned from them. From some of them, we learned how to tell a good joke; from others, we learned how to ask a sharp question on Chumash; and from others, we learned how to fahrbreng.

Yaakov Goldfeder was one of those talmidim, and I learned important life lessons from him.

As a child, when I think back to see -

ing my grandfather, Reb Freifeld, Yaakov Goldfeder was usually within a few feet of him. He always seemed cool and collected, in a dapper suit and tie. As a founding member of Hatzalah, he even seemed calm when racing off for a call. Back then, there were only a handful of Hatzalah members in Far Rockaway and whenever there was a call, it seemed like Benji Brecher and Yaakov Goldfeder were on it.

But my most vivid memories of Mr. Goldfeder are from shul on Shabbos. Back then, Sh’or Yoshuv’s beis medrash was relatively small, with tables and shtenders packed tightly like a shteibel Every table was kind of like its own neighborhood. For years on end, the same people would sit at a table, the only question was whether a person would arrive early enough not to be stuck in a corner seat –it provided somewhat of an incentive to come on time. Each week, it was usually the same mixture of adults and children at each table. The next table over may have been less than five feet away, but it would have a totally different personality, especially if there were a few shtenders squeezed between the two tables.

Pretty much every Shabbos morning, Rabbi Shmuel Brazil or Rabbi Yehoshua Kurland would daven for the amud. And we loved it…almost as much as we loved when Mr. Gold came in; we would race to shake his hand so that some of his cologne would rub off on us. There was enough to go around.

Yaakov Goldfeder sat a mile away from us in a neighborhood on the east end of the shul. There was a good 10 feet separating us. He would travel to our area periodically to pull a lollipop out of his suit pocket to give to some eagle-eyed kid (there was no candy man in shul). He seemed to get more joy out of the transaction than even the recipient of the lolli. We would watch the whole

process – from when he would stick his hand into his pocket until the very end when he would make the arduous journey back his shtender while securing his suit lapel in place.

We didn’t only hear him when his radio crackled with a call; we also heard him whenever he sang. He had a unique voice that stood out. His voice wafted into our section. Whereas many of us enjoyed a good niggun and after years of being together – in a room with great acoustics – we could do some intricate harmonies, Yaakov stuck to the tune; I can’t imagine what his harmonies would have sounded like. But he always sang, and it became just as much a part of the melodic soundtrack as Rabbi Sitnick and Rabbi Stone’s fervent davening.

It wasn’t until many years later that I finally understood the depths of Mr. Goldfeder’s singing.

One winter Shabbos, when many people were away, I was going through the motions in shul. There was a chazzan who was shlepping and droning on. When the chazzan started the slowest and most annoying song during kedusha, there was no way that I was going to sing along with him. I was going to stay silent in protest, and maybe spot a fellow suffering shul-goer whose gaze I could catch for a good eyeroll.

But in my peripheral vision I saw and heard Mr. Goldfeder singing enthusiastically. I recall thinking, “You know what, terrible chazzan? It’s going to be you and Mr. Goldfeder. You happy now? Enjoy your duet.”

After kedusha, Mr. Goldfeder walked over to me, as if he knew exactly what was going through my mind. Strange, he’s not the guy that I was going to commiserate with. With a pleasant smile, Mr. Goldfeder leaned into me and said into my ear, “The Rebbe [Rabbi Freifeld] used to say that sometimes the biggest chessed you

can do is help out a struggling chazzan.” With a smile, he gently encouraged me, “Sing along. Help this chazzan out.”

I don’t love mussar, but he didn’t say it in a mean-spirited way. He said it in the gentlest respectful way – as if I was his peer and he was sharing his belief system with me.

Although that conversation took place more than two decades ago, I am reminded of it almost every Shabbos.

Many times, in shul, I’m not in a mood of singing. Sometimes because I am tired and many times because the chazzan is, well, shlepping and droning on. My natural inclination is still to issue a silent objection by not singing along. It’s not so mean – after all, most people don’t sing along anyway. What usually happens though is that within a few seconds, that conversation with Mr. Goldfeder pops into my head and I force myself to sing along with the chazzan. (“Here we go…I guess we are singing ‘Lemancha’ for the seven thousandth time.” )

For the past many years, when this happened, I would think of Mr. Goldfeder, amazed at how much that little interaction stuck with me. After all, I know – firsthand – that I don’t usually take mussar very well.

I think the reason that it stuck with me comes down to one word: respect. When Mr. Goldfeder gave me that admonition, I felt like he told me that, despite me being much younger than him, he respected me and wanted to share something meaningful that could raise me up and make me a better person. I don’t know, maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I’m telling you, I can’t shake

ence for me – palpable humiliation. Even though we were going to people I knew, it was a terrible feeling to be a shnorer. Then we got to Yaakov Goldfeder’s house.

He opened the door and with a million-watt smile stuck out his hand and gave a shalom aleichem to this meshulach, as if this man was the most important person in the world. Mr. Gold-

With a smile, he gently encouraged me, “Sing along. Help this chazzan out.”

it – every week that conversation pops into my head and compels me to join the chazzan, no matter how not in the mood of singing I am.

But that’s not the only time I think of Mr. Goldfeder. I also think of him on another occasion that is often difficult.

My father once asked me to take a meshulach from Israel to some houses in Far Rockaway. It was an eye-opening experi-

feder brought us to his table and quickly grabbed glasses of water and cookies. With his hands crossed over each other and a fluttering smile, he asked the meshulach many questions about his life –not to size him up but just out of human interest and concern. He then gave him a nice check.

As we were leaving, I turned to Mr. Goldfeder at the doorway and comment-

ed about how he was certainly mechazek this man. Without pause, he replied, “The Rebbe taught us how to treat Yidden!” In the Five Towns, it can be difficult with meshulachim sometimes. When a meshulach comes to my door, I try to channel how Mr. Goldfeder treated the meshulach that day many years ago. No, I don’t get within 90% of how nicely he treated that man, but if I am able to even reach 10%, I am doing better than I otherwise would do.

I am sure that Mr. Goldfeder’s family, the hundreds of people that he rescued as a Hatzalah member, and the countless people that he was kind to all have cherished memories of him. I know that he was an integral part of a brotherhood of men who grew up in the ‘60s and found their way to Reb Shlomo Freifeld. He was a pillar of the Far Rockaway community for more than fifty years. Their recollections of him are certainly more vast than mine. But to me, a sign of how unique he was is the fact that two quick interactions are still seared so deeply in my mind and heart, and, in a way, are some of the most meaningful life lessons that I have been taught. May he be a meilitz yosher for his family, the Five Towns community, and all of Klal Yisroel.

Post Office Trivia

In honor of National Postal Worker Day on July 1, let’s see what you know about the U.S. Postal Service

1. When was the United States Postal Service (USPS) founded?

a. 1775

b. 1792

c. 1823

d. 1901

2. Although the USPS has no official motto, what is its unofficial motto, which is engraved on the Farley Post Office in NY City?

a. “Delivering for America”

b. “Service with Integrity”

c. “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”

d. “Connecting People and Communities”

3. Approximately how many ZIP codes are there in the United States?

a. 1,000

b. 30,000

c. 80,000

d. 130,000

4. What does ZIP in ZIP Code stand for?

a. Zone Improvement Plan

b. Zone Information Plan

c. Zonal Infrastructure Program

d. Zonal Information Process

5. Who was the first Postmaster General of the United States?

a. Alexander Hamilton

b. Benjamin Franklin

c. Thomas Jefferson

d. John Adams

6. Approximately how many pieces of mail does the USPS deliver per day?

a. 2 million

b. 17 million

Riddle Me This

What happens if you rearrange the letters in “THE POST OFFICE”?

c. 54 million

d. 152 million

Answers: 1-A 2-C 3-B 4-A

5-B

6-D

Wisdom Key:

5-6 Correct: Neuman?

2-4 correct: You are mediocre, like the post office!

0-1 correct: You are post-post office!

Answer: Nobody gets their mail.

Going Postal

The post office is very careful nowadays. When they get a package marked “Fragile,” they throw it underhand.

- Milton Berle

Let’s turn inflation over to the post office. That’ll slow it down.

- Mo Udall

Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the post office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don’t they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the postmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?

- Steven Wright

Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for [the holidays].

- Johnny Carson

The post office is raising the price of stamps again. I heard that and said to myself, “If only there was an inexpensive electronic way of communicating.”

- David Letterman

The post office actually achieves its mission. I wish we could say the same of the CIA.

- Barry Eisler

The way I understand it, the Russians are sort of a combination of evil and incompetence...sort of like the post office with tanks.

- Emo Philips

It is so much worse to be a mediocre artist than to be a mediocre post office clerk.

- Rudolf Bing

From the outside, the CIA seems pretty exotic, but from the inside, it’s a big bureaucratic place. Think “post office with spies.”

- Barry Eisler

I’ve never seen a weirder group of people than at the post office. It looks like people are crawling out from under rocks to go to the post office.

- Sebastian Maniscalco

You know you’re a fool when what you’re doing makes even the post office seem efficient.

- Joshua Cohen

Mailbox Musings

Does anyone else have trouble remembering whether the postal abbreviation for Maine is MA, MI, or MN? Or is it just me?

Torah Thought

Parshas Shlach

By Rabbi Berel Wein

This week’s parsha raises the ageold issue of human behavior –altruism over personal interest and gain. While we all pay lip service to the concept and ideal of altruism when dealing with public affairs and the general good, we all remain human beings. The Talmud long ago posited that “a human being is first and foremost closest and prejudiced to one’s own self and interests.”

The conflict between the general good of many and the private benefit to the few or even to one individual is the stuff of politics, government, power and influence. It is the basic motif in all hu-

man existence and history. Our sense of rectitude and conscience is constantly buffeted by self-interest and personal factors and reckonings. We are born as selfish, grasping individuals, and the challenges in life that follow all revolve around our ability to recognize and modify this basic human instinct.

One may say that all of the commandments and laws of the Torah come to enable us to counter this instinct that is part of us from the moment of our birth. This is what the rabbis meant when they taught us that the “evil instinct” – the innate selfishness and purely self-interested nature of humans – is with us

from our first breath on this earth. The struggle to include others – family, community, fellow Jews and human beings generally – into our worldview is the story of our lives and existence.

The Torah attributes Avraham’s victory in this struggle, and it is he, above all others, who is seen as our father and role model, the founder of G-d’s people.

One of the explanations offered by the commentators to the negative behavior and damning report regarding the Land of Israel is that the spies –

the leadership so that one is unable to distinguish between public good and one’s private interests.

Even worse, many times, the private interest of the leader is disguised as being the public good. Dictators have always stated that “I am the state!” The great prophet Shmuel is characterized in the same category as Moshe and Aharon because of his selflessness in leading the Jewish people. The tragedy of the spies, and of the Jewish people of that generation generally, is this inabil-

This

has always been a plague of communal leadership, when hubris and self-service dominate the sight of the leadership so that one is unable to distinguish between public good and one’s private interests.

who were the leaders of their tribes –were aware that when the Jews entered the Land of Israel, new leaders were to be chosen and they, the Jews, were in jeopardy of losing their titles and positions of power and influence. This awareness preyed upon their minds and prejudiced their view of the Land of Israel. Their perceived personal gain and position overwhelmed the general good of the people they were supposed to serve. This has always been a plague of communal leadership, when hubris and self-service dominate the sight of

ity to rise over personal interests and view the general picture of Jewish destiny and accomplishment.

Like many a leader blinded by one’s own agenda of ideas and events, the spies soon descended into falsehoods and slander to make their case. The tragedy in cases such as this is that the people often follow this flawed leadership, bringing calamity upon one and all.

We should always be wary of the true motives of those who profess to lead us for the alleged public good.

Shabbat shalom.

From the Fire

Parshas Shlach

We Will Surely Succeed!

By Rav Moshe Weinberger

Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

When we last saw our heroes in last week’s parsha, we were left with a feeling of optimism. Moshe said, “We are traveling to the place about which Hashem said, ‘I will give it to you’” (Bamidbar 10:29). We were on the cusp of entering and building Eretz Yisroel. We are therefore heartbroken when we read, in Parshas Shlach, the spies’ report and the people’s reaction to it: “But the nation that dwells in the land is mighty, the cities are great and extremely fortified, and we saw the children of giants there” (ibid. 13:29).

The people broke out into raucous complaining against Moshe and against entering Eretz Yisroel, such that no one even had the opportunity to offer a dissenting opinion. They would not even let Yehoshua speak or be heard. First, this was because he was so closely associated with Moshe. He was considered unreliable because he was part of “the establishment.” And second, they would not listen to Yehoshua because they said, “Can the one with his head cut off speak?!” (Sota 35a). In other words, because Yehoshua had no sons who would inherit the land (Rashi) or fight to conquer it, what right did he have to voice an opinion regarding whether or not the Jewish people could conquer the land.

There was only one person who was even able to cause his voice to be heard amid the cacophony of voices criticizing Moshe and Hashem. That was Calev, who was looked at as one of “the people,” rather than a member of the establishment: “And Calev silenced the nation to [hear about] Moshe” (Bamidbar 13:30). And what was his message? He stood on a bench to make himself heard (Sota 35a) when he called out: “We can

surely ascend and take possession of it, for we can surely succeed in doing it!”

How did Calev succeed in at least making himself heard when no one else could? What made him different?

We know that Rashi quotes the explanation that the nation listened to him because he kept the strength of his faith concealed, acting as if he agreed with the other spies. The people quieted down for him because he pretended as if he was about to speak against Moshe. But the Torah also says something else about Calev with which we can further understand how he was able to make himself heard where others could not.

The pasuk says that “My servant Calev, because he was possessed of a different spirit…” (ibid. 14:24).

What was this “different spirit”? Calev took a different approach than one would expect. The spies levied many specific and apparently well-founded claims to support their contention that the people could not conquer Eretz Yisroel. They cited the hardiness of those

who dwelled in the land, how well their cities were fortified, the unusual nature of the produce, and the fact that the land seemed to consume its inhabitants. Yet Calev failed to address even one of these seemingly legitimate concerns. He simply cried out, “We can surely ascend and take possession of it, for we can surely succeed in doing it!”

He must have sounded like some sort of messianic dreamer to his fellow spies, like an ideologue worthy of being dismissed. Why was his the only message that was heard?

Oftentimes, smaller people get lost in minutia, losing sight of the bigger picture, getting caught in the weeds of the small details. Anyone who has tried to make peace between two long-time friends or a married couple during a fight understands this. If one descends into the details of the multitude of claims each one has against the other, he and they will never emerge. The only way to lead them out is to show them a shining example of the love they used

to share. The only way forward is to jump onto a bench and use that different spirit to completely change people’s perspective.

The majority of people can focus on various details, on certain nuts-andbolts issues. And the Jewish nation relies on such people to get things done – to address day-to-day management of the good things that have been built and to turn visionaries’ plans into reality. But there are rare individuals who can gaze above the details and the obstacles beyond which the realistic people cannot see. The Jewish people would have nothing in this world if it were not for visionaries like Calev.

We would never have yeshivos, game-changing developments, or any truly positive institutions in klal Yisroel if it were not for the people who looked beyond what is to see what must be. The reality is that we need the people who can focus on the small details, but nothing would happen without those precious Jews who throw aside all objections, logistical obstacles, and details and simply insist that it can be done. They, together with the nuts-and-bolts Jews who come on board afterward, work together to bring that vision to a reality.

May we all merit to see the ultimate partnership of the dreamers and the realists in causing the arrival of Moshiach and the ultimate redemption – and with it, the building of the third Beis HaMikdash soon in our times!

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.

Delving into the Daf

Eliyahu HaNavi Zachur La’Tov

By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

Often, the Gemara faces a halachic question that it can’t resolve. In that situation, the Gemara declares, “Tayku!” The simplest explanation of that word is that the question should stand. The Tosfos Yom Tov offers a variant explanation which has become very popular. He suggests that Tayku is an acronym for Tishbi Yetaretz Kushyos V’Abayos –Eliyahu HaTishbi will answer these unresolved questions when Moshiach comes speedily in our days.

Fascinatingly, the Gemara (Bava Metzia 114b) records an incident where Rabba Bar Avuha asked Eliyahu HaNavi a question, and Tosfos says we do not follow his answer! Tosfos then enumerates other halachic rulings of Eliyahu that we do not follow. Tosfos wonders at this. Indeed, one could suggest that “Lo baShamayim hi,” and we should not follow Eliyahu HaNavi’s rulings at all. Tosfos does not entertain this possibility. The Chasam Sofer suggests that when Eliyah HaNavi takes an angelic form such as his appearance at a bris milah, we would not follow his rulings. However, in Bava Metzia and elsewhere, where Eliyahu took a corporeal form, he is to be treated as an eminent sage, and we would follow his rulings just as we would a living Torah scholar.

Rabba Bar Avuha asked Eliyahu HaNavi about a scenario where Beis Din enforces a monetary judgment and confiscates the debtor’s assets. Do they leave the debtor with some essentials such as cows to plow with? (According to some Rishonim) Eliyahu HaNavi answered there is a way to derive that law from the Torah that some of the debtor’s assets are exempt from collection. Yet, Rabbeinu Tam rules that those assets are not exempt from collection. If Rabba Bar Avuha asked Eliyahu this question, then we should accept his answer. Tosfos explains that Eliyahu was not deciding the halacha. The question has sages on both sides of the issue. The real question was what could be the Torah source of that law? Eliyahu answered what the source could be but didn’t mean to favor one side

of the issue over the other side.

Rabba Bar Avuha then asked Eliyahu HaNavi why he was standing in a non-Jewish cemetery. He reasoned that since Eliyahu is a kohen he cannot stand there. Eliyahu HaNavi responded that gentile graves do not transmit tumah via ohel. Again, Tosfos says that we rule against Eliyahu HaNavi! Gentile graves should be treated the same as Jewish ones. (The Rema sug-

sation with Rabba Bar Avuha to ascertain why Rabba Bar Avuha was not proficient in the laws of Taharos. (That’s one possible explanation of Tosfos.)

Tosfos cites yet another example where we do not follow Eliyahu HaNavi’s explicit ruling. After Rebbe Akiva was murdered by the Romans, Eliyahu HaNavi took upon himself the mitzvah of burying the martyr. Someone asked Eliyahu, “How could you

When Eliyahu took a corporeal form, he is to be treated as an eminent sage, and we would follow his rulings just as we would a living Torah scholar.

gests that kohanim be strict and follow Tosfos’s opinion. (See “A Grave Matter” by this author for a fascinating story connected to this halacha.) Again, Tosfos is bothered by why Eliyahu’s specific ruling is not followed. Tosfos suggest that Eliyahu HaNavi did not mean to actually rule on this issue; he was simply trying to initiate a conver-

bury Rebbe Akiva? Aren’t you a kohen?” Eliyahu HaNavi responded that righteous tzaddikim do not transmit tumah even after their passing. Tosfos says this ruling should not be followed. Indeed, the Pischei Teshuva quotes this very Tosfos to rule that a kohen cannot become tamei meis even to a tzaddik. Again, Tosfos wonders why we

do not follow Eliyahu HaNavi’s clear ruling. Tosfos explains the real reason Eliyahu HaNavi was burying Rebbe Akiva was that no one else wanted to. It was dangerous to bury a man executed by the government. Therefore, Rebbe Akiva was a meis mitzvah, and even a kohen is allowed to bury a meis mitzvah. Eliyahu HaNavi felt that this answer would have slighted Rebbe Akiva to suggest that no one wanted to bury him. Instead, he suggested that Rebbe Akiva was so righteous that he was above the laws of tumah. Eliyahu did not expect his ruling to be followed.

Then, Tosfos records a fascinating incident which provides an alternate answer to the last two questions. The real reason that Eliyahu HaNavi was allowed to stand in a cemetery and bury Rebbe Akiva was that, in fact, he was not a kohen! Tosfos cites Eliyahu Rabba that suggested that Eliyahu HaNavi was a descendant of the children of Leah. Eliyahu HaNavi himself responded that, in fact, he is from Shevet Binyamin! He even cited his lineage. They countered that in Melachim (11) Eliyahu HaNavi told a woman to bake bread for herself and her son. However, he asked that he should be given the first small loaf. They suggested, “Weren’t you asking for a small loaf first because you wanted the widow to separate challah? As a kohen is entitled to challah.” Eliyahu responded, “No. I asked for a small loaf because that child was Moshiach ben Yosef. I wanted to hint to him that when the time comes, I will arrive first to herald the arrival of Moshiach ben Yosef.”

Why didn’t Eliyahu HaNavi want to admit that he was not a kohen? Tosfos suggests an answer. The time for Moshiach should come soon, and we will be able to ask Eliyahu himself.

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.

Idon’t know when our grandson Elly told us he was pursuing semicha. As an undergraduate at Yeshiva University, it sort of seemed to my uninitiated mind that all the boys followed a set road of continuing Torah studies, and when they graduated, they went on to work in their chosen money-making careers. If they can afford to, some become educators.

Is semicha a natural outgrowth of spending two years in Shaalvim , YU, and then finishing graduate school with a degree in psychology, for this hardworking and earnest – even as a child – young man?

At the program, Elly was reunited with a number of former classmates who thanked him for access to his school notes; without them, they said, they would have never passed.

We never dreamed that we would be granted the honor of celebrating with our family at a joyous milestone, Chag Hasemicha.

The endless war, the horror of the imprisoned hostages, and the growing body count of chayalim who are not much past bar and bat mitzvah age has painted this year a dark one. It is time to welcome light, the celebration of ordaining 150 young men into the anointed cohort who help share and explain the mesorah of the Jewish nation, our rabbis.

At YU, wives, parents, grandparents and loved ones filed into the ancient auditorium. The vaulted ceiling and aging walls enveloped the crowd. Alumni remarked that nothing had really changed since their time climbing the stairs and sitting in the well-worn seats. There were too many speeches and many of them long. The hard-working air conditioner froze the people in their perfect-for-a hotsummer-day attire.

Not surprisingly, given that this was an old building intended for boys, the bathroom for women was hard to find as it was located deep within the bowels of the building.

School of Thought

Protected By All Types of Soldiers

By Barbara Deutsch

My husband Bob, a “legend” in DRS, greeted many musmachim who were his former young students. In their high school lives, many had lacked motivation and direction. Who are these now marvelous young men saying hello with hugs and

ing ceremony. The musmachim sat in the audience facing the cadre of senior YU rabbis, fronted by Rabbi Herschel Shachter and Rabbi Mordechai Willig, on the stage. The master of ceremonies invited the senior rabbis to stand, easier

By educating and developing a love and practice of Torah, we preserve what is essential to stay strong and united.

fond memories? They are the young men stepping up and into their rabbinic future as a leader for Klal Yisroel

A mother of a former student of Bob’s approached him and shared that her rabbi son, now a Head of School in Florida, writes many essays and gives many speeches. To this day, he attributes it to the writing skills he learned as a freshman in Bob’s long-ago English class.

I was surprisingly moved by the clos-

for some more than others, and welcome their newly minted colleagues into their vaulted circle.

The look of humility and respect reflected in the eyes and smiles of the senior rabbis for their talmidim, now colleagues, set the tone for a future that I have lived as an educator who considers herself a lifelong learner.

Every year, my teacher colleagues and I leave our students with an import-

ant message: always be open to learning. Find a teacher for yourself; in this way, a teacher can become a student and the student can become the teacher. Pirkei Avot, “Asai lecha rav.”

As the newly minted young rabbis stood and accepted their responsibilities, they turned to face an audience of proud wives, parents, grandparents and friends who basked in their new glory.

In order for us to survive as a nation and as a people, the simple gesture of welcome and equality in a loving and caring culture of inclusion is what perpetuates the mesorah. Our legacy does not take the form of material or even tangible things. Rather, by educating and developing a love and practice of Torah, we preserve what is essential to stay strong and united.

When a society, in a smooth and proactive way, makes room for new generations of leadership, we survive.

When people ask us if we are nervous or excited about upturning our lives and moving to Israel at our age, our response is “No, it’s too much work to think about it!”

That’s not really true – we are thrilled. Yet, our minds are always filled with the nagging worry about the plight of our greater Jewish family fighting for our survival in Israel.

At the Chag Hasemicha , we witnessed the fruit of the training of our spiritual arbmy.

As we go forward with our next steps, I say, I am not retiring. I am moving on confident that a new and talented generation of educators is waiting to fill the position.

We are so proud of Elly.

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.

The Wandering Jew West Virginia

By Hershel Lieber

If the Western portion of Virginia would not have seceded from the Confederate States of America during the Civil War, the United States of America would presently have only for ty-nine states. I am glad it did vote to become a separate entity, so that we could add another destination to the long

list of states that we visited. In 1998, we only drove through a small section of West Virginia on the way to Cincinnati, but in 2012, we designated this part of the Appalachian Mountains for a memorable five-day journey.

wetlands and scenic beauty. We stayed at what was called the Canaan Valley Resort, but it was a far cry from what one imagines a resort to look like. We were okay with the small and dimly lit room because what we really came for was the

We were okay with the small and dimly lit room because what we really came for was the outdoors, its attractions and adventures.

sphere that was so relaxing. We passed dried riverbeds, piles of cut trees, weather-beaten shacks and barns, bales of hay, and grazing animals. We were surrounded by lush greenery of every sort everywhere we went. We then scaled the massive rocks and were rewarded with the gushing falls. We didn’t rush anywhere; we just took our time driving and stopping wherever we found an attractive landscape to observe and to photograph.

It was Sunday, September 2, the day before Labor Day, when we arrived in Charleston, the State’s capital. We only stayed overnight and did not go touring the next morning. Instead, we drove directly to the Canaan Valley in the Allegheny Mountains, an area known for its

outdoors, its attractions and adventures.

On Monday, we woke up to the sight of young fawns foraging near our cabin. We planned a lighter day with the main feature a visit to the Blackwater Falls. While driving, we were surrounded with scenery that was so rural and an atmo -

Tuesday, we went exploring the wilderness of the Monongahela National Forest. We were told that up until this morning there were constant thunderstorms and heavy rain in the entire area. Baruch Hashem, we were treated to lots of sunshine and pleasant weather. We drove up to a mountain rim and we took a one-hour hike through uninhabited and possibly untrampled sections of this naturally preserved woodland. Most roads were unpaved, and the place was deserted. We drove up to Seneca Rocks, which is one of the state’s best landmarks for

Canaan Valley landscape

Horse farm along Route 119

mountaineering. No, we did not do any rock climbing, rather we had a peaceful picnic at the base of this nine-hundredfoot formation.

Our next stop was the Smokey Hole Caverns, where we took an hour-long expedition. The caves have many exceptional features, such as the world’s largest ribbon stalactite, a sparkling room of a Million Stalactites with the world’s

second highest cave ceiling, and a crystal coral pool. We were awed by witnessing Hashem’s fingerprints in every twist and turn we made.

On the way back to our lodge, we stopped at Harper’s Old Country Store for some drinks. The makeup of the store was straight out of a 19th century general store, which carried everything needed in sparsely populated areas. Besides food and utensils, the store carried farming materials, hardware, and rifles. We chatted with the two owners who were dressed in checkered shirts and baseball caps and spoke with the distinct Appalachian English dialect.

The next morning, we went bird watching with a guide, except we didn’t see any birds! The stroll turned into a nature walk about the surrounding flora and the occasional fauna – a bit on the dull side. After the walk, we checked out of our lodge and drove to Elkins. When we arrived at the motel that we booked, we nearly fainted. The appearance of the building was straight out a horror movie. We quickly turned around and found a nearby Best Western and checked in. We did not do much that afternoon except check out the town’s main street which had buildings dating back to the late 19th century and an antique railroad station.

Our last day was Thursday. We filled the day with many activities. We drove along Route 119 which was lined with pastoral scenery of farmlands and pastures. Cows and horses dominated the landscape with intermittent red roofed barns and field with bales of hay. We stopped at the Eastern Hardwood Sawmill to watch the shaping of trees into lumber. We walked along a boardwalk in the middle of a cranberry bog surrounded by trees and flowers. We stopped in Lewisburg and walked around the gentrified Main Street.

Our next expedition was to the Beckley Coal Mines. The mine operated from 1889 through 1953. The restored passageways and vintage tracks gave us a picture of the importance of this industry to the state’s economy, as well as the hardships and dangers involved in mining this rock.

Our final stop was in Charleston, where we spent the night. We visited the State Capitol Building and took a river walk along the banks of the Kanawha River. We topped off the evening at the Charleston Labor Day Fair. The loud music, fast food, and spinning rides were really not entertaining for us, but we enjoyed watching other people and their children savoring the exciting at-

mosphere.

We hardly slept that night as we had to be at the airport before 5 a.m. We were safe and sound in our house by 9 a.m. and started to prepare for Shabbos. All in all, it was a very relaxing trip which left us with memorable moments etched in our minds.

Hershel Lieber has been involved in kiruv activities for over 30 years. As a founding member of the Vaad L’Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel he has traveled with his wife, Pesi, to the Soviet Union during the harsh years of the Communist regimes to advance Yiddishkeit. He has spearheaded a yeshiva in the city of Kishinev that had 12 successful years with many students making Torah their way of life. In Poland, he lectured in the summers at the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation camp for nearly 30 years. He still travels to Warsaw every year – since 1979 – to be the chazzan for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for the Jews there. Together with Pesi, he organized and led trips to Europe on behalf of Gateways and Aish Hatorah for college students finding their paths to Jewish identity. His passion for travel has taken them to many interesting places and afforded them unique experiences. Their open home gave them opportunities to meet and develop relationships with a variety of people. Hershel’s column will appear in The Jewish Home on a bi-weekly basis.

With Pesi at Smokey Hole Cavarns

Pesi at Blackwater Falls

Goats were only some of the domesticated animals we encountered

Seneca Rocks in the background

Harper’s Old Country Store

On track in Elkins

Monongahela National Forest

Tehila Bollag From Catholicism to Judaism

By Eliyahu RosEnBERg

Tehila’s heart raced as she walked down her basement steps. There her mother stood, doing laundry in solitude. As she walked towards her mother, fearful thoughts filled the girl’s mind. Tehila, who was in her early twenties at the time, had heard horror stories of people who had been in the same situation as her, whose relationships were

In Her Words…

shattered after they shared the same news that she was about to share with her mother.

She didn’t know how her devoted Catholic parents would react to her announcement. Would they be angry? Sad? Disappointed? Confused? Or would they be happy and support her through this next chapter of her life? Despite the fact

The Torah is a precious, precious gift from hashem. a nd through the Torah, i myself learned how to live and become the best person that i could be.

When i converted to Judaism, it didn’t matter if anyone was Jewish in my family or not. it really felt like my neshama was saying, ‘Tehila, thank you. Thank you for bringing me home.’

growing up, i really felt that being Catholic was a hobby. it was just fitting g-d into my schedule when it was convenient for me. Judaism, on the other hand, is about revolving my entire life around hashem. a ny decision that i make, all my relationships, any money that i spend, any food that i eat – it all really comes down to the bottom line, which is hashem.

that she had been, as of late, going off the Catholic way that she was raised on, Tehila loved her parents deeply. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt them.

Mother and daughter locked eyes. Although fear directed her to keep quiet, Tehila knew she had to say something.

“Mama?” Tehila murmured, speaking to her mother in Polish. Her mother looked up, concern etched upon her face.

“Yes? What’s wrong?” her mother replied, staring at her nervous daughter.

Tehila looked at her mother, her mind racing as fast as her heart.

“I think…I think I’m going to convert to Judaism,” she said.

* * *

Tehila Bollag was nine years old when she was brought to her first confession. The little girl, with her blond hair and green eyes, stood before the priest, ready to recount all the “bad” things she had done. But when she opened her mouth to confess her wrongdoings, young Tehila’s mind went blank. What misdeeds had she committed? What sins does a nine-year-old have, anyway? She hadn’t the slightest idea of what to say, so the little girl started making stuff up, using her childish imagination to concoct a list of sins she had never committed.

Perhaps Catholicism was always just a game for Tehila, one that she wanted to stop playing when she entered teenagerhood. Throughout her childhood,

she struggled to connect to her religion and failed to see its importance in her life, despite the fact that her parents put quite an emphasis on their faith.

When Tehila was a baby, her family moved from her birthplace, Warsaw, Poland, to Chicago, where she lived until she converted to Judaism. When she was a child, Tehila and her parents were regulars at their local Roman Catholic church, where they would pray for an hour every Sunday morning. During the week – every morning and night –Tehila and her father would get on their knees and pray together for five to ten minutes. Although she went to a secular public school five days a week, Tehila, on Saturdays, would go to Polish school, where she would learn Polish for two hours, after which a nun would come and teach the class about Catholicism. Basically, religion was an important part of her life when she was growing up.

“I was never the type of person to resent where I came from. I just never connected to it. And growing up, I really tried to connect. I would sit in church, and I would open up the prayer book they had,” Tehila recounted. “I would flip through the pages, and I would try to follow along while sitting in mass. But I never connected to it.”

It was at age seventeen that Tehila decided to never go back to church; it just didn’t seem to her like the right thing to do. She was an independent teenager and a hard worker, working three different jobs at the same time and making a nice amount of money.

After buying herself a car, Tehila started telling her mother every Sunday that she was going to church. But instead of going, Tehila would drive around town for an hour and then come back home.

“One of those Sundays, I remember driving around, and I had a real conversation with G-d,” Tehila recalled. “And I said, ‘G-d, I love you and I really want to connect to you, but I don’t believe going to church is my way of doing it. I’m going to be my own person, I’m going to live life on my own terms, but I’m not going to church and I won’t be religious anymore.’ And that is when I went ‘off the derech,’ I say.”

And so, for the next two years, Tehila lived life on her own terms. She continued working hard and she also had a great deal of fun, enjoying Chicago’s vibrant nightlife with her friends. But eventually, she found that her life had been reduced to a “success game,” wherein she strove to impress others with her material possessions – how nice her car, watch, and clothing were and how much money she spent at fancy places, for example. There was little that was rewarding about her life, but she lived it anyway.

“Looking back at my story, I realize that Hashem placed me in the right place at the right time,” Tehila said. “At seventeen years old, I might have let go of Hashem, but He didn’t let go of me.”

* * *

Tehila was first exposed to Jews when she was 19-years-old after she began working in the Illinois village of Skokie. Three years later, she started making Orthodox Jewish friends.

“I didn’t know they were Orthodox at the time until they religiously started disappearing on Friday nights. And I was like, ‘What is going on?’ These were

people my age,” said Tehila. “And while I was heading out on Friday night to hang out with my friends, my Orthodox Jewish friends said, ‘I’m going to spend time with family.’”

Tehila’s frum friends started telling her all about Shabbos, kashrus, and the yomim tovim, and she was intrigued, to say the least. Wanting to learn more about the fascinating lifestyle of Orthodox Jews, Tehila decided to go to a kiruv class that was down the block from her downtown Chicago home – hashgacha pratis, as she likely wouldn’t have gone if the class wasn’t local. Of course, Tehila’s decision to go to the class was motivated by curiosity, but as she learned more and more about Judaism, she found herself wanting to experience more of what Yiddishkeit has to offer.

Soon after, Tehila was invited to a Purim party hosted by a Chicago-based kiruv organization known as Project 613.

“I was in a society based on success: how you dress, what car you drive, how much money you have. And I walked into the doors of this person’s house – who I didn’t even know – and I said, ‘Whoa.’ They were successful people, don’t get me wrong. But, they didn’t have furniture in their living room because they opened it up to host people. And I said, ‘Wow, this is what success really is,’” recalled Tehila.

“And then I saw a party; how they really have a good time and how they take something physical and they bring spirituality into it. That’s what I saw through Purim. I had a sense of community, and it was just so amazing to be part of something like that. I felt so welcomed,” she added. “And really, my first step into Judaism was after experiencing that. After going to that Purim party, I got a little glimpse, a little taste of what Torah and Judaism was. it really catapulted my life slowly in a different direction.”

Tehila’s ultimate goal, as a Catholic, was to remove herself from the physical and cling to the spiritual, but at the same time, Catholicism was just a small part of her life. With the secular society she had been living in, her goal was to attach herself to physical success and discard the spiritual. But in Judaism, the aim, in her eyes, was to blend the physical and spiritual; to live a life of elevating physical actions and making them holy. And that resonated deeply with Tehila.

“Growing up, I really felt that being Catholic was a hobby. It was just fitting G-d into my schedule when it was convenient for me. Judaism, on the other hand, is about revolving my entire life around Hashem. Any decision that I make, all my relationships, any money that I spend, any food that I eat – it all really comes down to the bottom line, which is Hashem,” she said.

As is the case with many geirim , it wasn’t necessarily logic that convinced Tehila to convert. Rather, she felt some deep, perhaps indescribable feeling that, by embracing Judaism, she was bringing her neshama home. And so, little by little, she found herself adopting more and more Jewish practices. Having moved closer to the Jewish community, Tehila started keeping kosher and began dressing in a more tzinius manner. At the same time, she continued attending kiruv classes.

For her entire life, Tehila wanted to connect to G-d but had no idea how to go about doing that. On Rosh Hashanah, she went to shul for the first time and realized that Judaism was her way of building a relationship with Hashem. Convinced that this was the path for her, she called the Beis Din and told them she wanted to convert.

On May 30, 2022, Tehila became a Jew.

* * *

Tehila stood in the basement in front of her mother.

“I think…I think I’m going to convert to Judaism,” she had just confessed. Immediately, her mother’s expression transformed from one of concern to one of relief. She had been expecting far worse news.

With a big smile on her face, she looked at Tehila and gleefully said, “Oooh! You’re going to be rich!” It wasn’t the response Tehila was necessarily looking for, but she was happy, nonetheless. She started laughing, relieved that her mother was, in her own supportive way, excited for the next chapter of her daughter’s life.

Tehila’s father was also supportive. After she told him that she wanted to become a Jew, he said, “You know what? I have no problem with Jews. I think they do too much, but I have no issue with them.”

Tehila’s parents continue to be supportive of her journey till this very day. Her parents came to her wedding, and they admire her husband, whom she met shortly after she finished the conversion process. Tehila’s mother even stayed in her apartment for a few days and was very respectful of her daughter’s religious practices, making sure to only use plastic, to be careful where to put dishes, and to only buy kosher food items.

“Baruch Hashem, Hashem was with me every step of the way, and I really feel so lucky,” Tehila said. “They say that every convert’s neshama was at Har Sinai, and we all received the Torah. When I converted to Judaism, it didn’t matter if anyone was Jewish in my family or not. It really felt like my neshama was saying, ‘Tehila, thank you. Thank you for bringing me home.’”

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

Dear Navidaters,

I’m wondering if you’d be able to give me some guidance on a problem I’ve been having. Baruch Hashem, I am happily married, but unfortunately, I have friends who are struggling to find their match. These single friends are putting me as a reference on their resumé and asking to be set up, but the problem is I personally don’t believe these girls are ready to get married. They’re serial daters and will get really excited about having a date but then blow it off for the most ridiculous reasons. They just date and date with no end in mind. When I ask them what they want, they don’t even have any idea. A lot of them have opened up to me about struggling with commitment issues. So my question is, what would you say I should tell these friends? I would love to kindly tell them I think they should take a break from dating so they can figure out what they really need and want from a long-term relationship, but I don’t know how/if it’s even something it’s my place to say. I was personally told to make a list of very specific things I want in a spouse and that led me to my husband! I’d love to suggest that to my friends, but I don’t want to be insensitive or rude. I just really want my friends to be happy and find their person. For reference, we’re all in our mid-twenties.

Thank you Ariella*

The Rebbetzin

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

You are a caring, careful, and aware friend. I would not take on the role of advisor at your age and stage. If a friend confides in you, you may suggest a dating coach, mentor, or therapist. I don’t think you will be heard by young people in their twenties, even if they indicate they want your advice. If they do indicate that they want your input, gently float some ideas for them to consider and direct them to someone seasoned.

Your friends may have gotten the same direction you did (from seminary teachers, mentors, and others) but they didn’t absorb it the way you did. They may misconstrue what you mean by your list; hopefully it meant qualities, depth, middos, personality and values, not just pro -

fessional achievement and current settings. Sometimes list-making is confused with a menu of choices, and young women select the most attractive ones, unaware that people grow into them through a process. You are so right when you say that some daters have expectations and fears that they are not even aware of. Many need to look in the mirror and move maturely from there.

Stick to your role. Be a reference on a resume only and don’t give unsolicited input.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

Hi Ariella, thank you for writing in with this common question. Lots of married friends of singles go through ex-

actly the same thing as you are, and I am sure they will appreciate reading about it.

There are two issues here, one is the issue of you being a reference for people you cannot vouch for. The other issue is feeling you must talk to your friends about their lackadaisical attitude towards their dating life.

I will address the former first. Please speak to these friends and tell them that you do not feel comfortable being a reference for anyone at this time. Place the blame on your busy schedule, or not being readily available for phone calls due to your work schedule, or any other excuse you can think of.

This brings us to the second issue: should you talk to them about the patterns you are seeing in their personal and dating life? I know the feeling of urgency to get involved and help these friends wake up to reality – the reality that time is passing by and these friends are simply self-sabotaging their opportunities

Folks need to learn their lessons on their own, through trial and error.

(the best and most opportunities they will get are when they’re young!). I understand from your perspective that getting involved feels like an itch you need to scratch; however, I recommend you simply stay quiet and allow them to work through this time in their lives by themselves. There is nothing you can say that will make them change; they will simply resent you for it. They will say (or think) you do not understand because you are already married and simply cannot un-

derstand what it is like to be single. At this point, they will have to live life until they come to a fork in the road and are forced to face the reality of the mistakes they have made and learn how to progress in the future.

Move forward in your friendship with these friends as you always have. When they ask for advice, go all out and give over your thoughts in a loving and caring way.

The Single

Tzipora Grodko

Dear Ariella, I’m going to say something a bit blunt, and I hope it doesn’t come across as offensive. Just because you got married, doesn’t mean you’re now an expert and understand the nuances, difficulties, and complexities your friends are experiencing. Especially in such a sensitive field, I don’t think any feedback can be receptive if it’s not presented with tremendous compassion and humility. I would almost encourage you

to “plead the fifth” and encourage them to speak to a therapist or coach. If they really ARE making poor choices, it seems like they will need professional guidance. Personally, I think that would be the ideal route to take. If they refuse, I wouldn’t claim to “know” their issue but rather present it as a question. For example: Do you think maybe you’re terminating dates too soon? Are you concerned that you might not even know what you’re looking for?

Questions invite insight and, when presented with compassion and humility, can lead to healthy change and support.

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Let’s try to summarize the situation.

You were very fortunate to have found your life partner fairly early in the dating process. Some of your friends have not been so fortunate. And, because they have not been blessed with early success like you

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Dear Ariella,

Thank you for writing! It’s always awkward to be a reference for someone you wouldn’t recommend. You’re in an uncomfortable position, being that you don’t think your friends are serious about commitment. You have a few options.

1. Make a polite boundary without

have been, you have decided that there must be something wrong with them and with their approach to dating.

Unless your friends actually ask you for dating advice, it would be wise to keep your opinions to yourself. Sometimes, folks need to learn their lessons on their own, through trial and error.

You can certainly ask a friend who lists you as a reference, “What would you like me to say if anyone asks me what you are looking for?”

And then, your role as a good friend, is to sing your friends’ praises to anyone who calls about them but definitely NOT to insert to your opinion that they’re not ready to get married!

For example, you might choose praises appropriate for different friends, like: “My friend Rachel is gorgeous, inside and outside. She has an incredible sense of humor and always makes me laugh. She is the most enthusiastic person I have ever met. She is very charitable, personable, and volunteers for so many worthy causes. She has a very deep commitment to Torah and Israel. She makes the most incredible dishes. She is so economical.”

If these single girls are your friends, then, obviously, you, personally, have found that they have wonderful, ad -

Just because you got married, doesn’t mean you’re now an expert and understand the nuances, difficulties, and complexities your friends are experiencing.

mirable qualities. When asked for a reference, please extol those qualities!

And, if someone asks you, “Why isn’t she married yet?” simply reply, “I don’t know. She’s really special. I guess she hasn’t met her bashert yet,” rather than inserting your opinion about why you think the friend isn’t yet married.

Prepare to celebrate, and make sure that you have a bridesmaid dress ready for her wedding!

much expla - nation. “I don’t have the time right now to devote to these calls. I can’t be a referral anymore. I’m so sorry about this.”

2. Tell each friend your predicament. While you want to remain a reference, you feel torn because it doesn’t seem like

they are commitment minded.

3. Ask what they are looking for in a partner. If they truly can’t come up with any qualities, you can tell them that you aren’t comfortable remaining a reference.

4. Do nothing and hope that the right guy will make all the seeming commitment issues go away.

This whole reference thing is a little hokey and nonsensical. No one would put anyone down as a reference who would have anything negative to say.

If you do choose to be honest, I advise staying away from direct advice,

like “don’t date until you’re more serious.” You may want to open up that conversation with open-ended questions. And remember, just because a friend confides in another about a commitment issue, or any issue really, doesn’t mean that when the right one comes along she would reject him. Girlfriends talk. Another truth is that if being a reference makes you feel compromised or uncomfortable, you can back out with kindness.

These situations are never easy.

Sincerely, Jennifer

Parenting Pearls

It’s the Little Things That Matter

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

As I remarked to the pediatric nurse, “Those who like working with children, really enjoy working with children. Those who don’t want to work with children, really don’t want to work with children.” From her smile, I could tell she agreed with me. She explained that for her it was the innocence

of children that she appreciated.

She’s not the first pediatric provider that has agreed with this sentiment. Children have a certain something to them that is endearing and pure. They think and act differently than adults, and it’s these differences that give them such charm. For those who recognize

their special traits, children are a refreshing change.

I’ve often found it both fascinating and educational to see how different pediatric providers set up their space to match the needs of their younger clients. Doctors, therapists and others that provide services to children modify their offices, programs and methods to meet the unique needs of kids. When possible, I try to bring my children to see pediatric specialists, rather than general providers. It’s the small adjustments that make a meaningful difference in a child’s comfort and feelings of safety.

Unfortunately, we were reminded of this once again when our little one was sent to the hospital. What was initially thought to be simple suturing required more advanced care. The transfer from a regular emergency department to a pediatric emergency department showed me a vivid contrast between the two, and I could see the ways various providers interacted with my little one. It was clear what a major difference small changes made. For example, the children’s emergency department gave each young patient their own room; the regular hospital left my child’s stretcher in the hall where he heard patients screaming. Everything from the brighter room and uniform colors to the Pedialyte ice pops and smiling staff were child-friendly.

Children – once thought to be merely smaller adults – are a distinct group. Everything from their less developed brains to their smaller size gives them different needs from adults. As parents, keeping in mind our child’s unique needs, and making minor adjustments, can help tasks go

smoother and better ensure their emotional needs are met.

Say It With a Smile

While everyone is sensitive to body language, children can be very dependent on non-verbal cues. Babies lack language and rely completely on tone of voice and other cues. A doctor once looked at my daughter and in a mock stern voice said, “Don’t come back.” She looked petrified until I explained, “He’s saying you’re fine, and you don’t need to come back again.” Even children that are fluent speakers may not comprehend the more advanced language of adults. They, too, will rely heavily on non-verbal messages.

Keep language simple and on their level. After too many words, little ones are lost and older kids will simply tune out the speaker. While we want to expand their vocabulary, emotional or important discussions are not the time for language lessons. Using basic words that are easy for them to understand will help them assimilate the information. “Less is more” certainly applies when it comes to explaining complicated matters to children.

The unknown can be frightening, and children are less familiar with the world around them. It’s best to use speech that won’t scare or confuse a child. Obviously, we shouldn’t make running in the street sound cute and friendly, but doctor’s visits, trips to new places and most unfamiliar experiences can be described in a less intimidating manner. We can also tell them what to expect in advance, making them aware and less fearful.

Take an extra dose of patience before speaking to children and be prepared to

answer questions. Patience is challenging but crucial when interacting with children. They will fight taking medicine, scream that they don’t want to leave or ask “why” incessantly. Often, they intensely resist what they’re afraid of. Keeping this in mind can be helpful for adults; they’re not trying to be difficult, they are simply scared or confused.

We can make them more comfortable by answering their questions. Additionally, their questions help give us insight into what they’re thinking, better enabling us to understand them and meet their needs.

The Decor

Watching them transfer my little guy to his bed in the pediatric emergency department, I noticed they had given him a junior mattress. Rather than looking swallowed up by an adult-sized space, he was comfortable in an appropriately-sized bed.

Until their late teens, kids are physically smaller people. The world, by necessity, is designed for adults. We can try to make their living space easier for them to maneuver. For example, step stools can help them safely reach sinks and higher shelves. Booster seats give toddlers a comfortable seat at the table. Purchasing specialty sized items for everything can be a

fortune, but there are less expensive, small changes we can do to make the space more inviting.

On Shavuos, I noticed how many kids chose sprinkles and other colorful toppings for their ice cream, ignoring the duller ones such as chocolate chips. Kids like bright, colorful things. Pediatric staff often wear brightly colored clothing and

or item less frightening. Animal themed notebooks were the key to getting one of our children focused on schoolwork. Fun sheets on their bed, a colorful alarm clock, and other changes can make a space more child-friendly.

Kids like stickers and other prizes. I’m often surprised by how much a child will do to get a small trinket. Doctors and

It’s the small adjustments that make a meaningful difference in a child’s comfort and feelings of safety.

brighten up their tools to make them more appealing to their younger clients.

Children like what’s fun and familiar; this includes characters or other pictures. Pediatric spaces often have characters or animal prints on the walls. In the emergency department, I noticed we were in the “sea turtle” room. It’s easy to find –just go past the crab and then the octopus; it’s right there. Stickers and drawings can be used to liven up and make an area

therapists will often use these to reward a hesitant youngster. These small treats are helpful at providing an immediate reward. Young children can’t delay gratification, and this provides an instant compensation for their behavior. Additionally, it takes time to develop the concept of intrinsic rewards. A young child is unable to understand the need to do something for its own value, and they’ll refuse doing something they don’t want to do, despite

it being to their ultimate benefit. Stickers can also be used to make an item more exciting. Notebooks for challenging subjects and medical equipment (when it won’t damage the device) are among the useful places you can stick a sticker. Similarly, colorful Band-Aids are like stickers for boo-boos.

While this article mentioned only a few examples, there are far more. Beyond specific examples of how to make our young ones more comfortable, we need to be tuned into our child and appreciate their unique needs and way of thinking. It’s often the subtle adjustments we make that can create a more welcomed environment for our favorite young person.

I’d like to give a yasher koach to the emergency department at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, our schools’ teachers and to the numerous individuals in our community that work with children daily, improving their young lives and ensuring a better future.

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.

A Safe Summer Outfitting Your Camper

For a Wholesome Experience

BY RaBB i DR. DOvi D FOx an D DEBB i E FOx, LCSW

Summer camps offer children a refreshing alternative to year-round pressures and also offer parents a welcome respite from some of the challenges of family life. Parents entrust the camp staff with the social, emotional, and religious upkeep of their children through providing fun activities, camaraderie, constructive growth, and education within a Torah atmosphere. Most campers head off to camp exuberantly and return exhilarated and exhausted. A great Jewish camp experience leaves lifelong memories.

In addition to equipping your child with the supplies, clothing and treats which are needed to adapt to the camp schedule, you will want to outfit your camper with some psychological supplies as well. Be sure to speak with your child, determining that they wish to attend camp, that they will be with some familiar friends, and that they know that they are expected to maintain the same level of respectfulness to adults and authority as you expect of them at home. Assure that they will adhere to camp rules, will attend activities, will take part in prayer and learning schedules, and will abide by the directives of their division heads and counselors.

Some children need no reminder to maintain their middos tovos while away from home. Others need sobering pre-briefing that the relative independence of being away from home does not mean that “anything goes” or that their conduct can be less obedient or less compliant when rules are set. A wholesome camp is well run and structured and is not tolerant of children who are wild, destructive, bullying, or who refuse to participate in the program. Educate your camper, possibly reviewing with

him or her in advance the camp program and schedule, the rules and expectations, the dress code, and other standards which the camp will make available to you.

Some children are anxious about going away. This can take the form of apprehension that something will go wrong, or someone will get hurt, or it can take the form of worry about being lonely or homesick, or it can emerge as specific fears of another child with whom they do not get along or a counselor who they don’t want to interact with. At times, your child may have had an unpleasant experience, and this generates their uneasiness about being at camp. Listen to your child. Talk with him or her. Validate their feelings but also explore the basis for and origin of those feelings. When you can reassure them, clearly do so. When you need to inquire about something they are uneasy about, do so. If a child gives a strong and objective

are educated about appropriate speech and vocabulary when talking to children and about appropriate interactions with children. It is also important that you have these discussions with your camper. Make it clear to them that if they are ever uncomfortable with what someone says or does, they will have a point-person in the camp whom you might help select with whom they can discuss an unwanted or uneasy encounter. The use of off-color humor or

Pre-camp and post-camp, stay close with your child and let them know that they can trust you, be open with you, and can turn to you always.

explanation about why they are nervous, seek consultation either from a key figure in the camp administration or discuss your concern with a trusted expert.

Most of our Jewish camps participate in a structured training of all counselors and staff to safeguard the welfare of each camper. They are instructed to be vigilant for any signs of bullying or of signs that other children are not including a child in bunk activities or discussions. Camp staff

conversations does not belong in camp. Sarcastic remarks about a camper’s looks, clothing, intelligence, or other personal features or qualities do not belong in camp. Kidding happens. Teasing sometimes happens. Name calling, insults, taunts, threats or obscene words or gestures should not be happening. If your child is at times prone to being the aggressor, you must have a talk with him about this, saying that it is not tolerated in camp. If your child is

sometimes the victim of ridicule, give them the reassurance that they can be in touch with you, and identify a responsible person, even an older camper who is familiar to your child, with whom they can check in. Speak with your child about body hygiene and about body privacy. Body areas which are meant to be clothed are not meant to be touched by others. Showering is private, modesty in dressing and undressing is always maintained, and no games whether among groups or with just one other person should ever involve conversation about or activities involving anyone’s physical features. Summer is a time for relaxation but is not for relaxing our laws of tznius, morality or halacha. If your child is relatively mature, have a mature discussion with him or her. If your child is still impressionable and vulnerable, have an age-appropriate discussion with him or her that will not confuse or alarm them. But have a discussion. Pre-camp and post-camp, stay close with your child and let them know that they can trust you, be open with you, and can turn to you always.

S’meichim b’tzaesam v’sassim b’voam – let them go and return with joy and happy memories!

Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox is the Director of Chai Lifeline Crisis and Trauma Services. Debbie Fox, LCSW, is the founder and director of Magen Yeladmim International and Project Safe Camp.

Mind Hack Homesickness is Just a Little Headache

By Nate Davis

he bags are packed. Your kid has a new hockey stick, minifridge, air conditioner, ATV, and whatever else kids bring to camp these days. And he’s ready to go. There’s only one problem: “stuff” doesn’t heal homesickness.

If your kid is going to camp for the first time, especially if he is young, he is very likely going to experience some level of homesickness; some kids more, some kids less, but they all get it, unless you are doing a bang-up job as a parent and they are thrilled to be away from you.

So, for the kid who is going to be a little sad for a day or two, not to worry. It’ll pass. But what do you do if you know that your son/daughter is the type to have a prolonged bout of homesickness?

Here’s a helpful message to give them: Homesickness is just like any other sickness that you get from time to time. Imagine you have a headache when you go on a chol hamoed trip with the family. The headache bothers you, but you still enjoy the pizza or the park or the go-carts. It’s just that you are a little uncomfortable. Eventually, the headache goes away, and you end up having a great time on the trip. When you look back at the chol hamoed trip, you don’t even remember that you had a headache.

It’s the same thing with camp—in-

stead of HEADACHE sick, you may be HOME sick.

You will still enjoy the canteen, the night activities, the fireworks, and being away from your annoying brother/sister.

Just like when you have a headache it eventually goes away, even though you can’t pinpoint the moment that it happens, homesickness works the same way.

es himself to that all-consuming thought of homesickness. If you can create space between your child and his/her homesickness, they will start allowing other experiences in. Once they do that, those other experiences will eventually drown out the thoughts of homesickness.

The reason the other experiences will drown out the homesickness is because

Homesickness is just

like any other sickness that you get from time to time.

It will eventually go away, even though you won’t be able to pinpoint when it dissipated.

So, when you are feeling homesick, say to yourself, “I am feeling sick right now. And that is not a good feeling. But even though I am ‘sick,’ I’m going to try to enjoy myself the best that I can.”

The reason that this message is helpful is because homesickness can become all-consuming and create a fatalistic and helpless mindset. That’s why it lingers. Fatalism and hopelessness tend to stay past the invite. In a sense, the kid attach-

those experiences are moments of presence and consciousness. It’s no secret that presence and consciousness beat anxiety and fear every time. This is why there is such a push towards mindfulness today. With all of the anxiety and fears that people have, it’s a whack-a-mole to try to silence each one; the only option is to shift the mind into a state of pure presence. Negative emotions thrive off the past and future and die in the present.

Mark Zuckerberg once explained that the reason he has hobbies like judo and extreme water sports is because it forces him to be totally focused on the present

moment, thus forgetting about all of the things that can weigh him down mentally. He acknowledged that although many people get that through meditation and breath work, he has a hard time doing that, so he does these other activities which force him to be present.

Our kids may not necessarily have the tools to practice mindfulness (neither do I or many other adults). But this method is a bit of a mindfulness-hack, because if the child digests the message, they will challenge themselves to “live in the now” despite their homesickness.

You can even make a game out of it. Tell your son, “On the first opportunity that you have to go to the canteen, I want you to go get a big ice cream and I want you to sit down and eat it, and while you are eating it, I want you to think about how delicious it is. Think about the crunch of the sprinkles, the sweetness of the hot fudge, the sugar cone…everything.” Wait, but what about my homesickness? It’s OK…you can still enjoy an ice cream with a headache; you can still enjoy an ice cream with your homesickness!

Hopefully this message will work, and your child will have a great summer filled with amazing experiences and growth. And, yes, you worked really hard getting your kid off to camp – go enjoy an ice cream cone with sprinkles and hot fudge; savor the sweetness and the crunch.

Health & F tness

Keeping Kids Healthy in Sleepaway Camps

By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

Summer is here, and many kids are heading off to sleepaway camp. It’s an exciting time where they can develop independence, make new friends, and enjoy various activities. Camp will afford them more freedom with their food choices, so it’s important to help them maintain healthy eating habits and stay active. This article will cover ways to ensure your kids live a healthy lifestyle during their time at camp.

Balanced Meals

Camps typically offer structured meal plans designed to provide balanced nutrition for all campers. These meals give your child the energy they need, help maintain a healthy weight, and keep them feeling satisfied. However, with an abundance of not so healthy food options available, it’s important to guide kids in making nutritious choices during their meals. One effective way to do this is by creating a healthy plate

with your child, showcasing the nutritious foods they can enjoy at camp. Here are some tips to help your kids choose a variety of foods from all food groups:

1. Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are important for their health. Encourage kids to fill half their plate with vegetables at every meal and select fruit for dessert or snacks. This can be done by challenging your child to create the most colorful plate and veggie art by designing faces on plates using fruits and vegetables.

2. Healthy Carbohydrates : Whenever possible, encourage your child to choose whole grain options over refined grains. These include whole wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain pasta. For example, your child can use whole wheat bread for hamburger buns instead of regular buns.

3. Lean Proteins: Protein is essential for growth, muscle repair, and

overall health. Your child should include at least one protein at each meal. Examples of good sources of protein are chicken, turkey, beans, lentils, and fish.

4. Dairy : Dairy products provide calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients that support bone health. Vitamin D and calcium can be found in Greek yogurt and low-fat milk which can be eaten at breakfast. For kids who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, options like soy milk, almond milk, or lactose-free milk can provide similar nutritional benefits.

Here are a few examples of healthy meal ideas your child can follow in camp:

1. Breakfast

a) Many camps offer sugary cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Fruit Loops. Instead, pack your child whole grain, high-fiber cereal or oatmeal packets. If available, adding fruit to the cereal or oatmeal can make breakfast more filling.

b) If the camp offers low-fat yogurt or eggs, these are great options. Your child can mix fruit into the yogurt and enjoy the eggs with whole grain toast. c) If your child wants to indulge in less healthy options like waffles or pancakes, they should limit this to just a few times a week. If they do indulge, they should be mindful of their food choices for the rest of the day and aim to keep them balanced.

2. Lunch

a) Lunch can be the trickiest meal for eating healthy at camp, as typical offerings include pasta, pizza, grilled cheese, lasagna, and fried fish. However, there are strategies to make healthier choices.

i. Encourage your child to fill their plate with vegetables from the salad bar, if available. For protein, they can opt for tuna, hard-boiled eggs, or low-fat mozzarella cheese.

ii. If the options are primarily unhealthy, allow your child to have a small portion of one of the unhealthier items. If there is no salad bar or vegetables available, ask the kitchen staff for a plate of cut-up vegetables for the camper’s table. iii. If the camp lacks these healthy options, your child can bring packets of tuna and canned vegetables like string beans, baby corn, and hearts of palm from home. Brown rice cakes can be a substitute for whole-grain bread.

3. Dinner

a) Dinner usually includes a protein option, and most times regular grilled or baked chicken is available for gluten-free campers. Your child should aim to fill their plate with protein, vegetables, and whole grains or healthy carbs like sweet potatoes. b) Hot dogs are very unhealthy and should be limited to once a week. French fries should be limited to 1-2 times a week.

At the end of the day, tell your child not to stress about the food options at camp. They should make the best choice from the available options, and remember that their time in camp is temporary. Some kids may be reluctant to try new healthy foods. If this happens, encourage your child to explore new foods offered at camp. Camps often introduce foods that kids may not typically eat at home, providing an opportunity for them to be adventurous with their choices. Here are some ways you can promote this:

1. Starting at Home: Try to bring in a new fruit, vegetable, protein, or other food option into your home every other week. This can help with exposing them to new foods, making it less daunting to try new foods at camp. Introduce new foods gradually and in small portions. Encourage your child to take just a bite or two to start with. This reduces pressure and allows them to become familiar with the taste and texture over time. When your child is at camp, they will be more comfortable trying new foods.

2. Lead by Example: Show excitement for trying new foods yourself. When children see adults enjoying and appreciating different foods, they are more likely to follow. They will remember the excitement of trying new foods, which can motivate them to do so at camp.

3. Be Patient: Understand that it

may take several exposures to a new food before a child develops a taste for it. Before camp, continue to offer opportunities to try different foods. This can help make them more comfortable to try new foods when they are at camp.

Healthy Snacks

Some camps allow children to bring snacks to keep in their bunk. If permitted, encourage healthier choices such as fresh or freeze-dried fruits, nuts (if

may not be interested in everything offered. Here are a few ways to promote participation:

1. Highlight the Benefits: Emphasize the importance of staying active for their physical health and overall well-being.

2. Set a Positive Example: Be excited about physical activity yourself. When children see adults enjoying sports and outdoor activities, they are more likely to follow suit.

Remind them that while occasional treats can be enjoyable, focusing on nutritious snacks will help maintain their energy levels and overall well-being during their time at camp.

allowed by the camp), popcorn, rice cakes, pretzels, granola bars, or whole grain snacks. Even though kids may still crave less healthy snacks like cookies and candy, it’s crucial to discuss moderation and balance. Remind them that while occasional treats can be enjoyable, focusing on nutritious snacks will help maintain their energy levels and overall well-being during their time at camp. You can allow one less healthy snack to be brought to camp to avoid making them feel restricted. Provide your kids with options within healthy parameters, such as choosing between different types of whole-grain snacks or dried fruit to include in their snack box. This way, they can feel they have more control over their snack choices.

Canteens pose a tremendous challenge for both children and adults alike. Most camps stock their canteens with the usual array of chips, candy, ice cream, and sometimes pizza and fries. Ices will be the best option or low-fat frozen yogurt, if available. Teach your campers that pizza, fries and ice cream should be once or twice weekly indulgences, not daily purchases.

Staying Active

Your child will have the opportunity to participate in various physical activities such as swimming, canoeing, archery, and other sports. While encouraging your child to engage in as many activities as possible is ideal, some kids

ceptable, lack of sleep can have various consequences including mood swings, irritability, reduced energy for activities, increased injury risk, and mental health concerns. Emphasize the importance of sleep and encourage your child to follow the camp’s schedule. To promote quality sleep:

1. Consistent Bedtime: Establish a consistent bedtime for your child to follow most nights. Your child can pick a time they can go to sleep that they can easily stick to.

2. Wind Down Time: Begin the routine 30-60 minutes before bedtime to allow your child to transition from active play to relaxation. This can include quieter activities such as reading, drawing, or listening to calming music.

3. Limit Screen Time: Minimize screen use at least 30-60 minutes before bedtime to avoid disrupting melatonin production

3. Explore Their Interests: Discuss with your child the different activities available at camp. Talk to them about which ones they find most exciting or interesting and encourage them to try new activities they may not have experienced before. Even if they participate for ten minutes in a sport, that is better than not participating at all!

4. Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate your child’s achievements, whether they participated in a new activity or learned a new skill. Positive reinforcement encourages them to keep exploring and growing.

Hydration

Given the increased heat and physical activity at camp, staying hydrated is crucial to prevent dehydration. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day and with each meal. Consider packing cases of water, ordering them for the bunks, or providing fun refillable water bottles to promote hydration. Many camps have water stations, so remind your child to refill their water bottle frequently. Encourage water as the primary beverage and discourage sugary drinks.

Getting Enough Sleep

Adequate sleep is essential for your child’s energy and overall health. Camps typically have scheduled lights-out times to ensure kids get enough rest. While occasional late nights are ac -

4. Create Comfortable Environment: Since controlling the sleep environment at camp can be challenging, ensure your child is prepared for nighttime comfort. Pack ear plugs and eye masks to block out noise and light and consider a clip-on fan if air conditioning is unavailable. Provide comfortable bedding suitable for varying temperatures, such as a heavier blanket for cooler nights and a lighter one for warmer evenings.

Sending your child to sleepaway camp is an exciting milestone for independence and adventure. With the different food options available, it’s important to guide them towards making healthy choices. Camps provide balanced meals that support energy levels and overall satisfaction. Encouraging kids to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy helps ensure they get the nutrients they need. While camps may also offer less healthy snacks, teaching moderation is key. Alongside nutritious meals, encouraging participation in camp activities, staying hydrated, and establishing a relaxing bedtime routine are essential for their well-being at camp.

Aliza Beer is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail. com, and you can follow her on Instagram at @alizabeer

In The K tchen

Fried Rice Cakes

By Naomi Nachman

Enjoy a delicious yet unfussy supper of mouthwatering fried rice and perfectly cooked jammy eggs. Thank you to Chef Dini Klein who shared this recipe with me on Kosher.com. We had a blast making this together on the set of my show. It is a great way to use up leftover parve rice.

Ingredients

◦ 2 cups prepared rice or any other leftover grain

◦ 3 eggs

◦ 2 tablespoons all-purpose, or whole wheat flour

◦ ½ teaspoon kosher salt

◦ ¼ teaspoon pepper

◦ ½ teaspoon garlic powder

◦ ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

◦ Canola oil for frying

◦ Optional add ins: ½ cup freshly chopped herbs or finely chopped roasted vegetables For Assembling

◦ Jammy eggs (recipe follows)

◦ Store-bought kimchi

◦ Chopped scallions

◦ Chili flakes

◦ Shredded nori (or furikake seasoning)

Preparation

Prepare the Jammy Eggs

1. Fill a medium pot halfway with water and add a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil.

2. Carefully lower in the eggs and boil for exactly seven minutes, if you like your egg jammy yet slightly runny. (Go for nine minutes if you like it fully hard-boiled but still creamy.) Immediately remove from the water and plunge into the ice-water bath. Let cool for three to four minutes before peeling.

Prepare the Rice Cakes

1. Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl until combined.

2. Heat one to two tablespoons of oil in a large non-stick frying pan and scoop 1/4-cup-sized cakes.

3. Flatten with a spatula and fry until golden on both sides, three to four minutes per side. Remove to a plate and continue with remaining rice cakes.

To Serve

1. Top each rice cake with some store-bought kimchi and a jammy egg and finish with scallions, chili flakes, and finely cut nori flakes or furikake seasoning.

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.

Fd for Thought

Bridge

SBy Nati Burnside

am Eriske opened Bridge Turkish & Mediterranean Grill in 2010, but it was very different back then. Situated in Long Branch and not kosher, Eriske had heard that he might have an audience if his place were kosher.

After Hurricane Sandy, in 2015, Eriske moved the restaurant to Highland Park. But it wasn’t until 2019 that he took the plunge and became kosher. Since then, the restaurant has been popular with people driving from all over central New Jersey to get the only kosher Turkish cuisine money can buy.

So when a spot opened up on Cedar Lane in Teaneck in late 2023, Eriske jumped at it.

“It is our goal to bring genuine Turkish food to our kosher friends throughout New Jersey,” said Eriske with confidence. “It was only logical to expand to Bergen County. We have been very gratified with the warm welcome we have received by our new neighbors in Northern New Jersey, Rockland County, and New York City.”

As it turns out, the kosher consumer is willing to travel quite a bit to experience a cuisine that they’d otherwise have no access to.

When I was invited to check out the new location in Teaneck, I immediately ordered the Bridge Combination. This is a platter of the five Mediterranean appetizers on the menu, and it really is the best thing to order as soon as you sit down as a kind of entry into the culture. There are three types of filo dough rolls on the platter. Slgara Boregi are filled with a mixture of ground beef and lamb along with onions, tomatoes, parsley, and green peppers. They’ll remind you of Moroccan cigars, but with a deeper flavor due to the vegetables. Next are the Avocado Rolls which are stuffed with avocado (obviously), onions, tomatoes, cilantro, fresh peas, and carrots. The smooth filling and the crispy dough are a nice complement to each other. The last type was actually my favorite on the platter. The Potato Rolls may have had

fewer ingredients than the others (just potato, carrot, and onion), but the herbs used for seasoning made for a great flavor profile. These don’t resemble the bland potato cigars you might be familiar with that are just mashed potatoes and dough.

The other two occupants of the platter are some Falafel and Mucver. The falafel will be familiar to you other than the shape. The Turkish version is more like a pancake, but it tastes just as good. Speaking of pancakes, Mucver are zucchini pancakes, and they are really quite tasty with some shredded carrot and dill mixed in. Dipping any of these options into the tahini is up to you, and your mileage may vary depending on personal taste. That said, they are all good on their own.

If you’re looking for something else to share (a smart idea when trying new foods), order the Bridge Karisik Pide. A pide is a form of flatbread even if it’s not quite that flat due to the edges of the dough being folded over to prevent the contents from escaping. This one is stuffed with ground beef and lamb along with peppers and onions. It comes to your table sliced and is ideal for sharing. The soft dough can be either cut with your fork or lifted by hand, and the filling packs a real punch of flavor.

The most common entree on the menu is the Doner Kebab, otherwise known as the Gyro. These are long flat strips of meat that are shredded off of a spit and served alongside a bunch of options to add to your bite, which include chickpea rice, Turkish bulgur, house salad, a roasted plum tomato, sumac onions and cilantro, and some pita chips. All of those options can really enhance your meal as each one has a different flavor or texture for you to experience alongside the gyro. But you might just want to eat the gyro on its own as the unique flavor accomplished by grinding beef, lamb, and herbs down before searing it on the spit is something unique. The mouthfeel will also grab you as interesting with each strip being tender on one side and crispy on the other. It’s their signature item for a reason.

If you want to lean into the lamb a bit more, I won’t blame you. I’d suggest you order the Kuzu Tandir. Served on a similar type of platter as the gyro, this dish is essentially a pile of pulled lamb leg that is super tender from being baked until it fell off the bone. It is topped with a mound of crispy onions which add a nice crunch given the soft meat. But while the platter comes with a few of the same things as the gyro, there are two extra sides here that warrant mention. A healthy dollop of the house hummus and slices of charred jalapeño make this everything you want it to be. If you can get some lamb, onion, and jalapeño on your fork and drag it through that hummus…mission accomplished. The spiciness of the pepper and the creaminess of the hummus make this one of the best bites I’ve had in a while. The hummus was so good that I contemplated ordering a full side of it even though I was in the middle of my meal at the time.

In case you have somebody in your

party who might not be as adventurous, I suggest the Tavuk Plrzola. This is a dark meat chicken kebab that would be recognizable to almost anyone and is sure to please whoever eats it. The crispy exterior and tender interior make for a great combination; it also comes with house salad, chickpea rice, Turkish bulgur, and a roasted plum tomato. There’s enough chicken for the most timid member of your group to just stay there if need be.

If you’ve left room for dessert, order the Baklava. It’s made in house and is a great end to your meal as the flavors in previous courses don’t lean on sweetness. The dough comes out crisp and slightly crunchy, the sweetness of the silan is not overbearing, the cream is light and smooth, and the pistachio flavoring provides that signature nuttiness. Taking a bite of this will finalize your cultural experience.

Bridge is a great place to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. I’d suggest that you find your way there, whether it’s in Teaneck or Highland Park. Hopefully it isn’t a Bridge too far.

Bridge Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine

461 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ

(201)-357-4405

BridgeTeaneck.com

RCBC (Rabbinical Council of Bergen County)

Bridge Turkish & Mediterranean Grill

315 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park, NJ (732)-418-9000

BridgeRestaurantHP.com

Vaad Hakashruth of Raritan Valley

Mind Y ur Business

Boost Your Marketing Game

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 gathered tips from five business leaders on how you can take your marketing game to the next level.

Breaking Through T he Clu TT er

a manda holmes, Ceo of Chet holmes i nternational

In 2007, when my father, Chet Holmes, originally released his book, The Ultimate Sales Machine, he had built a marketing infrastructure at a time when the internet wasn’t really something that marketers were doing a lot with. Back then, the average company was on seven different marketing mediums to promote their business. Now, with social media channels and paid advertising sites, we’re on an average of thirteen marketing mediums. We’re doing double the amount of work for a fraction of the results. My father used to talk about how there are 40,000 commercial messages hitting your prospect every day. But, that was before 3.8 billion people decided that they needed to have a voice on social media. There are 3.8 billion social media pages online today. Just on Facebook alone, there are around 9 million users promoting their businesses with Facebook Ads. The clutter factor has gotten so high. If you’re saying, “I wonder why my prospects don’t hear me. I wonder why I’m not getting responses when I call them or do marketing. Why aren’t they responding?” It’s because of the clutter factor. So, you really have to know who you’re speaking to, and you have to speak to them specifically, because when you market to everyone, you market to no one. Think about where your message is landing, so that you are actually speaking to where they are, instead of just speaking out into the universe.

e duC aT ion-Based Marke T ing

Ted Miller iii, Ceo of Training Mastery 3

The world is sick and tired of being sold to. But, if you base your marketing approach on information, you’re not going to the same place millions of others are, using weird marketing techniques with neurolinguistic patterning to convince someone to do something they shouldn’t do. Instead, you’re going to someone’s high-level thinking, at the frontal cortex. You’re making them say, “Wow, I didn’t know that.” And then the brain logically goes, “Well, if I’ve got new information, I need to make a new decision.” And that can change your world, because people feel like they’re self-enrolling into your product or service, rather than being sold to. And so, they’re walking into your world versus feeling like they’ve been tricked in through some kind of marketing technique. It’s the one thing that has consistently worked for me. Nearly any time anyone has a problem getting more new clients, I can almost always rely on education-based marketing. Whether it’s for B2B (Business To Business), B2C (Business To Consumer), or B2G (Business To Government), some of the biggest moves I’ve made have all been achieved through utilizing this strategy.

Most marketing success stories are about failing and earning trust over time.

CreaT ive Brand Triggers

l eslie Zane, President of Triggers® Brand Consulting

When I was starting out as a young marketer, working at the Johnson and Johnson’s baby products company, Johnson’s Baby, I noticed that every ad we put out just featured moms with their babies. I had recognized that dads were getting more involved in caregiving. And when a dad walked down the street pushing a baby carriage, moms’ heads would turn. So, I marched into my boss’s office and said, “I have the idea that is going to turn around the baby products business. Let’s put the first father in a Johnson and Johnson’s baby shampoo commercial.” And he said, “You’re crazy. You know that it’s moms who buy these products, not dads. None of our research shows anything about what you’re saying.” But that didn’t stop me. I kept on advocating for it. My performance review that year said, “Leslie is too passionate about putting fathers in advertising, and this is an executional concern, not a strategic one.” But again, it didn’t stop me. And I think they finally just relented out of sheer exhaustion, and they put the first father in a baby shampoo commercial. It was the highest scoring commercial in Johnson and Johnson’s history, and products started flying off the shelf. I had discovered my first trigger. That’s what that image of a dad washing a baby’s hair was. It was a trigger, a cognitive shortcut packed with positive associations about the company, like, the progressive perspective, the sweet father, and the wonderful juxtaposition of the strong male body against the tender, tiny infant. All of those associations came rushing into the mind and got added to the Brand Connectome (a network of cumulative memories and associations that get connected to a brand over time). That’s just one example of how looking outside the box can help you discover unique triggers that will create a direct connection between the unconscious mind and revenue growth.

The Power of Ti M e

s eth g odin, Marketing guru, e ntrepreneur, speaker, and Best- s elling author

In 1983, a man came to my office and told me, “I have a great idea for a product. It’s a headband that allows you to use your brain to control a video game. And I’m going to spend my entire marketing budget on one episode of ‘The Cosby Show.’ I’m going to run one ad, one time, and it’s going to cut through the market like a hot knife through butter.” I told him, “If that’s your plan, and that’s the only ad you can afford to run, then you’ve picked too big of a project.”

Many small businesses pick too big of a project to launch with. You need to pick a small enough product, where you can identify your smallest viable audience to whom you can consistently and persistently show up again and again in your marketing, in order to make a reliable impression. Because, if you have made the stakes so high that you’re already out of it and it doesn’t work the first time, you might as well not even bother. Look at major successful companies like Google or Twitter. They were both seen as failures in their first year. Most marketing success stories are about failing and earning trust over time.

digi Tal r e M arke T ing

Beryl Trachtenberg, founder and Ceo of e lite Media Trax i nc.

Remarketing, in most cases, is an integral part of any digital marketing campaign that you run. People don’t buy on the first click, just like people don’t convert to a sale on the first introduction. If you shake somebody’s hand at a networking event, you’re not necessarily going to be doing business with them. You need to talk to them again to build a relationship and trust. So, if a person comes to your website and then they leave, you need to find a way to continue the conversation, just like you would in any other kind of sale. Remarketing gives you that capability, where you can follow that person who visited your website and send them materials to lead them back to you. If you’ve ever looked up a pair of shoes online, and then seen that same pair of shoes follow you in ads on every website you visit for the rest of your life, that’s remarketing in action. It gives you the ability to stay top of mind for those prospective customers. When it’s annoying, it’s annoying. But, it’s worth the risk of being a little annoying, because when it works, it actually works very well. And people appreciate it when you can reconnect with them.

Notable Quotes

“Say What?!”

You don’t bum rush a Jewish neighborhood and run up on a synagogue. That’s not protesting a policy; that’s protesting a people… I have no problem with people protesting policy. You cannot protest a people. That is not a protest. That’s a pogrom, and that has to stop.

- CNN’s Van Jones responding to the pro-Hamas protest in front of a shul in Los Angeles

Here’s a basic difference between the Trump and Biden Administrations regarding Israel, Hezbollah and Iran:

Trump: would message Hezbollah and Iran that if war breaks out with Israel, Iran will be bankrupted and Israel will be fully armed with no limits placed on its defense.

Biden: messages Israel that if war breaks out with Hezbollah and Iran, Israel should not expect the type of U.S. support it received when Iran launched missiles against Israel several months ago.

That pretty much sums it up.

- Former Ambassador David Friedman

Past social media posts from when I was younger do not reflect my current views. Period. I support this Administration’s agenda – and will continue my communications work focused on our climate and environmental policies.

- Biden administration official Tyler Cherry, who was recently promoted to an associate communication director at the White House, disavowing prior social media posts in which he called for the end of capitalism, the police and “the occupation of Palestine”

He spent his life looking over his shoulder, but he forgot to look both ways before crossing the street.

- A police officer, after a Genovese mobster known as Tony Cakes, 86, was struck and killed by accident in Brooklyn this week

Together, we stood up to the communists, Marxist, and fascists to defend religious liberty like no other president has ever done.

And I have the wounds all over my body. If I took this shirt off, you’d see a beautiful, beautiful person. But you’d see wounds all over, all over me. I have taken a lot of wounds, I can tell you. More than I suspect any president ever.

You know, in history – and I’ve read, I love the, I love this stuff – but, in history, they say Andrew Jackson was treated the worst. President Andrew, he was a great general and a very good president. And Abraham Lincoln was second worst. Now he had a civil war. So, you know, you sort of think that was understood. And now they’re rewriting the books. Trump was treated the worst, Andrew Jackson second, and Abraham Lincoln third. But I definitely took top spot.

- Donald Trump speaking at the Faith and Freedom Conference

A fact-checking website called Snopes, which usually leans further left than a one-legged roller blader, just branded as false the explosive idea that Trump once called neo-Nazis in Charlottesville “very fine people.” Wow. What’s next? A 2024 exposé about this young, up-andcoming singer called Elvis Presley? …. It’s only taken the left seven years to finally cop to the fact that the “very fine people” hoax was actually a hoax. Which, coincidentally, is the same amount of time it takes Joe Biden to find his way out of a walk-in closet. But for the corporate press, this might actually be fast-breaking news.

- Greg Gutfeld, Fox News

Expect Jake and Dana [in the presidential debate] to push January 6th like a hot dog cart up Sixth Avenue. Because of Joe’s disastrous policies, that’s all they got. So if you are voting against Trump due to this insurrection narrative, ask yourself this: Did I fall for the “very fine people” narrative, too, and all the other hoaxes we’ve detailed on this show? Like Crossfire Hurricane, the fake laptop, the…tape, on and on and on.

- Ibid.

It is getting a little crazy these days… The probability that a homicidal maniac will try to kill you is proportional to how many homicidal maniacs hear your name. They hear my name a lot, and I’m like, OK, I’m on the list.

- Elon Musk at a Tesla shareholder meeting this week

We [Tesla] actually did have two homicidal maniacs in the last roughly seven months, come to aspirationally try to kill me and a bunch of other people, so it’s not just me, and there wasn’t an actual issue that they articulated – they were just, you know, in the homicidal maniac career.

- Ibid.

I will endeavor to stay alive.

- Ibid.

The attorney general’s case in New York, frankly, should have never been brought. And if his name was not Donald Trump, and if he wasn’t running for president – I’m the former AG in New York – I’m telling you, that case would have never been brought. And that’s what is offensive to people.

- Former Democrat governor of New York Andrew Cuomo, in an interview with Bill Maher

I think you need to go back and tell whoever is running your organization, “We just gave more money to a Jew.” That cannot be a good plan for you. You gotta come up with a better plan.

- Jerry Seinfeld shutting down a pro-Hamas heckler at a show this week, a few days after a similar incident took place at another one of his shows

I just make sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but then after, getting close to the end of it, my body needed food and some kind of sustenance.

- Lukas McClish, 34, upon being rescued after being lost for 10 days in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains

We know there was once a president that wanted to make AIPAC register, and he ended up shot.

- Candace Owens, who was fired by the Daily Wire for her Jew hatred, suggesting that AIPAC was behind the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy Jr when discussing Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) efforts to have AIPAC registered as a foreign agent

My goodness. I’ve waited a long time for this.

- Virginia “Ginger” Hislop, 105, upon obtaining her master’s degree from Stanford Graduate School of Education last week, upon completing her final thesis which got sidetracked by World War II

Political Crossfire

The Myth of MAGA Isolationism

Conventional wisdom holds that the GOP is split into two factions: A Reaganite wing that still holds on to old ideas of U.S. leadership on the world stage and a populist MAGA wing that is deeply skeptical of U.S. global leadership and wants to retreat into a fortress America.

That conventional wisdom is dead wrong. In fact, the opposite appears to be true: Populist MAGA Republicans are actually more supportive of strong U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs than establishment Republicans.

That is the shock finding of a new poll from the Ronald Reagan Institute of American opinions on foreign policy and national security. The good news, the survey finds, is that amid today’s global chaos, “Americans of all political stripes want our country to stand up to the tyrants in Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing as well as the terrorists in the Middle East.”

But hidden in the cross-tabs is a stunning breakdown of the foreign policy views of MAGA and non-MAGA Republicans. The Reagan Institute asked GOP voters, “Do you consider yourself a supporter of the Make America Great Again, or MAGA, movement?” Nearly two-thirds said yes, while a third said no. The result is perhaps the most in-depth study of the foreign policy views of MAGA Republicans.

And on every metric measured - from support for NATO, Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, to concerns about democracy, human rights, China and U.S. leadership - those self-identified MAGA Republicans are more hawkish, and less isolationist, than their non-MAGA GOP brethren.

U.S. Leadership

Americans of all political persuasions say that politicians should prioritize problems at home over foreign affairs, the Reagan Institute poll finds, including both MAGA (70 percent) and non-MAGA Republicans (68 percent).

By Marc A. Thiessen

But this does not mean they want the United States to withdraw from the world.

Quite the opposite: a 51 percent majority of MAGA voters believe the United States should be “more engaged and take the lead” on foreign policy, while just 39 percent say the United States should be “less engaged and react to events” – a 12-point spread in favor of U.S. leadership.

By contrast, only 48 percent of non-MAGA Republicans support more U.S. engagement, while 44 percent say we should be less engaged.

When asked if “the U.S. has a moral obligation to stand up for human rights and democracy whenever possible in international affairs,” 73 percent of MAGA Republicans agree we do, compared with 69 percent of non-MAGA Republicans –including a 40 percent plurality of MAGA voters who “strongly agreed” compared with just 33 percent of non-MAGA Republicans. And a 79 percent supermajority of MAGA voters also “strongly agree” that “a strong U.S. military is essential to maintaining peace and prosperity, both at home and abroad,” compared with 66 percent of non-MAGA Republicans.

The NATO Alliance MAGA voters also disproportionately support NATO.

A 53 percent majority say they hold a favorable view, slightly higher than non-MAGA Republicans (50 percent). A 63 percent majority of MAGA voters agree that “protecting freedom and democracy on the continent” is an important benefit of being in NATO (compared with just 49 percent of non-MAGA Republicans) while 73 percent of MAGA voters say “checking the Russians so that they do not acquire more territory and power” is important (just 60 percent of non-MAGA Republicans say that).

There is also strong support for the collective defense enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. When asked if they would support “the U.S. responding with military force if a NATO ally in Europe was attacked” fully 69 percent of MAGA Republicans said they would (versus 63 percent of non-MAGA Republicans).

However, MAGA voters support for defending allies plummeted 23 points to 46 percent if that country is not meeting

its commitment to spend 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense. Even then, MAGA voters were slightly more supportive of defending the underspending ally than non-MAGA Republicans (43 percent). Bottom line: Trump was fully in line with his MAGA supporters when he declared in March he will “100 percent” remain in NATO but will insist that allies carry their weight when it comes to military spending.

Ukraine

Seventy percent of MAGA voters agree it is important to the United States that Ukraine win the war with Russia (versus 64 percent of non-MAGA Republicans). Further, a 51 percent majority of MAGA Republicans believe Russia is currently winning the war, but only 8 percent want Russia to prevail (the trope that MAGA voters want Russia to win is a myth). And despite misgivings about Biden’s management of the war, a 47 percent plurality want to continue sending weapons to Ukraine.

Notably, after hearing a series of arguments explaining the benefits of aiding Ukraine – including the fact that almost 90 percent of U.S. military aid stays in America creating jobs for U.S. workers; that aid allows us to weaken Russian military capabilities without risking American lives; and that supporting Ukraine is crucial for upholding the principle of national sovereignty and the right of nations to secure their borders – support among MAGA voters rose 8 points to 55 percent. It increased just 2 points among non-MAGA Republicans.

The Israel-Hamas War

MAGA voters are significantly more supportive of Israel than non-MAGA Republicans.

A 72 percent supermajority of MAGA Republicans agree that “Israel has a right to continue military action in Gaza until it has removed the threat posed by Hamas.”

Only 65 percent of non-MAGA Republicans agreed. And 75 percent support the United States sending weapons to Israel (including 52 percent strongly), compared with 57 percent of non-MAGA Republicans (only 29 percent strongly).

China and Taiwan

MAGA voters are far more concerned about Chinese aggression against Taiwan than non-MAGA Republicans: 71 percent say they are concerned with China’s isolation of Taiwan, compared with 59 percent of non-MAGA Republicans; 67 percent support “increasing U.S. military presence near Taiwan” to deter a Chinese invasion (55 percent of non-MAGA Republicans); and 59 percent support “increasing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan” to help deter China (49 percent of non-MAGA Republicans).

MAGA voters also express more concern about China’s human rights violations than non-MAGA Republicans; China’s military buildup; China’s unfair trade practices; China overtaking us as the world’s No. 1 superpower; and China surpassing the United States as the world’s biggest economy.

TikTok

This is where the two Republican fac -

tions really diverge: 63 percent of MAGA voters want to ban the social media app, while just 30 percent of non-MAGA Republicans do – a 33-point split. When told that “TikTok is owned by a Chinese company that is closely connected to the Chinese government” and that China could “use TikTok to gather personal in-

Most important, the narrative of a schism in the GOP between the “internationalist” Republican establishment and “isolationist” Trump supporters is false. The real division inside the GOP is between the MAGA movement and the neo-isolationists who aspire to succeed Trump in leading it – politicians

The narrative of a schism in the GOP between the “internationalist” Republican establishment and “isolationist” Trump supporters is false.

derstands his base better than his erstwhile sycophants. He knows that MAGA voters don’t want the United States to pull back from the world; they want a president who will restore American strength and lead on the world stage. Keep in mind, when Trump first ran in 2016, he didn’t promise to withdraw from the world; he promised to win . As he put it at a June 2016 rally, “Folks, we don’t win anymore…. We don’t win on trade. We don’t win with the military. We’re gonna knock the hell out of ISIS, by the way. We have no choice.”

formation about American citizens and to influence U.S. public opinion,” MAGA support for banning the app rises to 67 percent. By contrast, support for a ban among non-MAGA Republicans still does not reach a plurality, much less a majority (43 percent support banning it, while 47 percent are opposed) when presented with this information.

What can we learn from these numbers?

like Sen. J.D. Vance (Ohio), Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.). They don’t actually represent what MAGA Republicans believe about foreign policy. Neither do lawmakers such as Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) who voted against Ukraine aid out of fear of offending Trump and MAGA voters. They are all like cats bringing their master a dead mouse he does not want.

And – no big surprise – Trump un-

And knock out ISIS he did. He also bombed Syria (twice), killed Iran’s terrorist mastermind Qasem Soleimani, launched a cyberattack on Russia, approved an attack that killed hundreds of Russian Wagner mercenaries, armed Ukraine with Javelin missiles and warned he would unleash “fire and fury like the world has never seen” if North Korea continued to threaten the United States.

The record is clear: Trump is not an isolationist. And now, thanks to the Reagan Institute poll, we know that neither are his followers.

© 2024, Washington Post Writers Group

Should American Jews Abandon Elite Universities?

By Bret Stephens

The notable fact about the anti-Israel campus demonstrations is that they are predominantly an elite phenomenon. Yes, there have been protests at big state schools like the University of Nebraska, but they have generally been small, tame and — thanks to administrators prepared to enforce the rules — short-lived. It’s Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Penn, Harvard, Columbia and many of their peers that have descended to open bigotry, institutional paralysis and mayhem.

Two questions: Why the top universities? And what should those on the other side of the demonstrations — Jewish students and alumni most of all — do about it?

Regarding the first question, some argue that the furor over the campus protests is much ado about not much. The demonstrators, they say, represent only a small fraction of students. The ugliest antisemitic expressions occasionally seen at these events are mainly the work of outside provocateurs. And the student protesters (some of whom are Jewish) are acting out of youthful idealism, not age-old antisemitism. As they see it, they aim only to save Palestinian lives and oppose the involvement of their universities in the abuses of a racist Israeli state.

There’s something to these points. With notable exceptions, campus life at these schools is somewhat less roiled by protest than the media makes it seem. Outside groups, as more than one university president has told me, have played an outsize role in setting up encampments and radicalizing students. And few student demonstrators, I’d wager, consciously think they harbor an anti-Jewish prejudice.

But this lets the kids off the hook too easily.

Students who police words like “blacklist” or “whitewash” and see “microaggres-

sions” in everyday life ignore the entreaties of their Jewish peers to avoid chants like “globalize the intifada” or “from the river to the sea.” Students who claim they’re horribly pained by scenes of Palestinian suffering were largely silent on Oct. 7 — when they weren’t openly cheering the attacks. And students who team up with outside groups that are in overt sympathy with Islamic terrorists aren’t innocents. They’re collaborators.

How did the protesters at elite universities get their ideas of what to think and how to behave?

They got them, I suspect, from the incessant valorization of victimhood that has been a theme of their upbringing and which many of the most privileged kids feel they lack — hence the zeal to prove themselves as allies of the perceived oppressed. They got them from the crude schematics of diversity, equity and inclusion training seminars, which divide the world into “white” and “of color,” powerful and “marginalized,” with no regard for real-world complexities — including the complexity of Jewish identity. They got them from professors who think academic freedom amounts to a license for political posturing, sometimes of a nakedly antisemitic sort. They got them from a cheap and easy revision of history that imagines Zionism is a form of colonialism (it’s decidedly the opposite), that colonialism is something only white people do, and that as students at American universities, they can cheaply atone for their sins as guilty beneficiaries of the settler-colonialism they claim to despise. They also got them from university administrators whose private sympathies often lie with the demonstrators, who imagine the anti-Israel protests as the moral heirs to the anti-apartheid protests and who struggle to grasp (if they even care)

why so many Jewish students feel betrayed and besieged by the campus culture.

That’s the significance of the leaked images of four Columbia University deans exchanging dismissive and sophomoric text messages during a panel discussion in May on Jewish life on campus, including the suggestion that a panelist was “taking full advantage of this moment” for the sake of the “fundraising potential.”

Columbia placed three of the deans on leave. Other universities, like Penn, have belatedly moved to ban encampments. But those steps have a grudging and reactive feel — more a response to Title VI investigations of discrimination and congressional hearings than a genuine acknowledgment that something is deeply amiss with the values of a university.

At Harvard, two successive members of the task force on antisemitism resigned in frustration. “We are at a moment when the toxicity of intellectual slovenliness has been laid bare for all to see,” wrote Rabbi David Wolpe in his resignation announcement.

That’s the key point.

More dismaying than the fact that student protesters are fellow-traveling with Hamas is that with their rhyming chants and identical talking points, they sound more like Maoist cadres than critical thinkers. As sociologist Ilana Redstone, author of the smart and timely book “The Certainty Trap,” said Monday, “higher education traded humility and curiosity for conviction and advocacy — all in the name of being inclusive. Certainty yields students who are contemptuous of disagreement.”

And so the second question: What are Jewish students and alumni to do?

It’s telling that the Columbia deans were caught chortling during exactly the

kind of earnest panel discussion that the university convened presumably to show alumni they are tackling campus antisemitism. They were paying more lip service than attention. My guess is that they, along with many of their colleagues, struggle to see the problem because they think it lies with a handful of extremist professors and obnoxious students.

But the real problem lies with some of the main convictions and currents of today’s academia: intersectionality, critical theory, postcolonialism, ethnic studies and other concepts that may not seem antisemitic on their face but tend to politicize classrooms and cast Jews as privileged and oppressive. If, as critical theorists argue, the world’s injustices stem from the shadowy agendas of the powerful and manipulative few against the virtuous masses, just which group is most likely to find itself villainized?

Not even the most determined university president is going to clean out the rot — at least not without getting rid of the entrenched academic departments and tenured faculty members who support it. That could take decades. In the meantime, Jews have a history of parting company with institutions that mistreated them, like white-shoe law firms and commercial banks. In so many cases, they went on to create better institutions that operated on principles of intellectual merit and fair play — including many of the universities that have since stumbled.

If you are an Ivy League megadonor wondering how to better spend the money you no longer want to give a Penn or a Columbia — or just a rising high school senior wondering where to apply — maybe it’s time to forgo the fading prestige of the old elite for the sake of something else, something new. © The New York Times

Forgotten Her es Israeli Ace Pilots

By Avi Heiligman

Airmen with at least five aerial victories are given the coveted title of ace. The first air aces emerged in 1915 during World War I when pilots began to try and knock enemy planes out of the sky. Since then, planes, training and tactics have changed considerably, but the goal for air superiority remains the same. Tales of aerial battles have been told of brave pilots that have shown great skill while becoming a flying ace.

Modern fighter jets flying at supersonic speeds have changed the way aerial dogfights are conducted. Rarely do we see two planes flying at each other with guns blazing. Usually, it is one pilot getting a signal that an enemy plane is in the vicinity who will launch an airto-air missile in an attempt to bring it down. Some modern planes have had exceptional kill ratios, especially McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The 4 th generation fighter has racked up an aerial kill record of over 100 planes shot down with not a single F-15 being lost in aerial combat. Many of the victories

were won by the Israeli Air Force. The first F-15 ace was Avner Naveh.

Israel received her first three F-15 Eagles in December 1976 and first saw action in 1978. A year later, F-15 Eagles shot down four MiG-21 belonging to Syr-

It isn’t common for non-pilots to be awarded the title of an ace with most being achieved as gunners during World War II. Some fighter jets are configured to have another officer in the backseat working the many systems of the plane

Then, after a pass, they used full afterburner to destroy more helicopters on the ground with the blast from the jet exhaust.

ia. Later in 1979, Nevah brought down two more MiG-21 fighters. In June 1982, Nevah shot down three more planes – a MiG-21 and two MiG-23 fighters over Bekaa Valley in Lebanon using Sparrow missiles. In 1985, he was given credit for 1.5 planes as he shared credit for one of the planes with another pilot.

while the pilot does the actual flying. Two Israeli airmen accomplished the feat of becoming an ace while flying as backseaters. Roy Manoff was the navigator for F-4 Phantom pilot Shlomo Egozy. They were flying with Squadron 107 on October 6, 1973 – the day the Yom Kippur War broke out. They

were on a mission in the Sinai looking for Egyptian Mi-8 helicopters dropping off commandos. They destroyed four of these helicopters by shooting at the rotary wings and despite being low on ammunition prevented others from taking off. Then, after a pass, they used full afterburner to destroy more helicopters on the ground with the blast from the jet exhaust.

Manoff ended the war with seven confirmed kills, and Egozy also became an ace with eight enemy kills. A few days into the war, Manoff was credited for two more victories when he was flying with pilot Yiftach Spector. They destroyed two MiG-21s – one with cannon fire and the other with an AIM-9D missile. Many IAF pilots like Egozy preferred using cannons when in sight of an enemy target, and he destroyed three more enemy planes using cannons.

Itzchak Amitay was another F-4 Phantom navigator that earned ace status while sitting in the backseat of a fighter jet. His first victory was on February 12, 1973, together with pilot

Amnon Gurion while on patrol over Egyptian airspace. They saw a MiG21 flying at low altitude and fired two AIM-9 missiles at the enemy plane. The Egyptian pilot aggressively avoided the missiles and destabilized his own plane, causing it to crash.

Amitay earned three more kills on October 6 with pilot Ben-Ami Peri, and they scored three hits on Mi-8 helicopters. On these missions, the pilot flies the planes and shoots the missiles while the navigator has a visual on the targets and is on the lookout for threats like enemy aircraft or incoming missiles. It

takes perfect coordination between the pilot and navigator of an F-4 to successfully eliminate targets.

On the seventh day of the Yom Kippur War, Amitay had to eject from his plane due to a technical failure. He had to wait until October 19 to get another opportunity to become an ace. That day, he was flying with pilot Roni Holdai, call sign Tiger 1, when they tracked two Egyptian Sukhoi Su-7 fighter jets. Tiger 2 claimed one of the planes. As for Holdai and Amitay, they saw the parachutes of the two Egyptian pilots near the Suez Canal. They continued

tracking the other Su-7 and shot at it with an AIM-9 missile. However, they couldn’t verify that the plane was hit, and it wasn’t until they reached base that intelligence confirmed their kill –the fifth for Amitay.

While this action of Tiger 1 and Tiger 2 was happening, Israeli ace of aces, Giora Epstein, shot down another Su-7 from his Nesher. This was one of Epstein’s incredible 17 kills – the most for a jet pilot in history and the leading pilot ace since World War II.

Most air battles are not drawn out, and it takes incredible skill and deter -

mination to shoot down even one plane. There have been close to fifty Israeli airmen that have a total of five or more aerial victories. These airmen’s heroics are often relegated to the back pages of history books, if they are mentioned at all, making 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.

Yiftach Spector

Giora Epstein

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Nearly 27 years ago, on June 27, 1997, a first-time British author rolled out her first novel, which she wrote in longhand because she couldn’t afford a typewriter. The book was a success beyond imagining: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone stormed the world and made J.K. Rowling richer than the Queen. (No exaggeration.) Rowling’s world of magic and Muggles, Hogwarts, and Hagrid enchanted a generation of readers, inspired high school and college quidditch teams, and grossed billions at the box office.

You probably don’t associate Harry Potter with taxes. But if you consult the unlikely Venn diagram with circles representing “Harry” and “the IRS,” you’ll find a surprising sliver of overlap. It has nothing to do with the millions of pounds of taxes booksellers and film studios paid on Harry’s royalties, movie rights, and subsidiary sales. Instead, it’s all about the invisibility cloak.

In Harry Potter’s world, an invisibility cloak is a rare and valuable garment that makes its wearer, well, invisible. Skilled seamstresses spend hours weaving them from the hair of the Demiguise, a magical creature whose coat renders it invisible. A wizard who can’t afford that particular item can enchant an ordinary cloak with a Disillusionment Charm or Bedazzling Hex.

Your Money Spellbound

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

In the tax world, clever attorneys and accountants work (and bill ) even longer hours trying to weave invisibility cloaks for their clients’ income. Skilled writers weave them from obscure Latin phrases, five-dollar words, and legal shell games. Alternatively, they can enchant an ordinary business or investment asset with

three-page form, which is as close to magic as you’ll find in the IRS’s woefully underfunded bureaucracy. Even something as pedestrian as a 401(k) can act as an invisibility cloak while you’re growing your savings for retirement.

Some tax wizards get even more ambitious, trying to hide income for -

In the tax world, clever attorneys and accountants work (and bill) even longer hours trying to weave invisibility cloaks for their clients’ income.

a powerful Offshorium Charm or Expellitaxus Hex.

Sometimes, the tax wizard’s spell is just intended to pay less, along with maybe cutting audit risk. For example, restructuring your sole proprietorship to an entity taxed as an S corporation can minimize employment tax and cut your audit risk from as high as %2 (for high-grossing businesses filing Schedule C) to under %0.1 (for S corps). And you can sometimes do it simply by filing a

ever. Tucking your stocks in a British Virgin Islands corporation, then owning that entity through a Cayman Islands LLC, then making that LLC the beneficiary of a Cook Islands trust, then making a Maltese corporation the trustee can make your ownership as hard to find as a prophecy hidden in the Vaults of Mystery. But if you don’t report that income, the Sorting Hat can still send you to Azkaban.

Sadly, invisibility cloaks don’t last

forever. In Harry Potter’s world, the magic wears off over time, and the cloaks themselves are vulnerable to damage from spells. The same is true with taxes. For decades, Switzerland led the world of numbered bank accounts, paying what some account holders treated as magic tax-free interest. (The “magic” turned out to be a simple frauduloseum spell, but who’s counting?) In 2007, a disgruntled UBS banker named Bradley Birkenfeld started blowing the whistle on his U.S. clients, which eventually shredded Switzerland’s secrecy cloak. (Birkenfeld spent 31 months in jail but walked away with a $104 million reward. Fair trade?)

Go ahead and lift a pint of butterbeer to Harry Potter on his anniversary. But don’t ask the wizard and his Hogwarts pals to hide your income. Instead, bring it to us. Our strategies won’t impress the Ministry of Magic. But they win House Cup points where it really counts—with the IRS!

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.

You May Get Cold

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You may get cold, but you can warm up!

Do you remember heated pools? I don’t –n ot from when I grew up. Blue lips were more my summer condition.

Nowadays, people complain if the pool temp is less than 86 degrees – it’s too freezing to go in!

Who even knew anyone with a heated pool years ago? For that matter, who knew anyone with their own pool, at all?

In the summer you would go upstate to a bungalow colony. There was one main room with at least one hi-riser in it. That

And If you weren’t familiar with someone in your circle before the summer, you certainly were quite close after it.

Summer groups became familiar with each other’s methods of discipline and levels of tolerance. And of course, each other’s entire wardrobe. After all, what you weren’t wearing usually sat drying out on the clothesline.

Rainy days were often a blessing. It meant no waiting for the bungalow’s one shower!

Sunny days meant more hours in the pool, which ultimately meant more hours of blue lips.

Blue lips were more my summer condition.

means at least two people were at every cooking demonstration.

Meals were often eaten outside on the porch or inside on the screened-in porch. Or right there in the kitchen area, along with the beds, pajamas, and sleeping duo.

If you were lucky, you had another bedroom or two for the rest of the gang.

Kids spent most of their time playing games in “the circle,” the big, round, grassy area that every hut bordered on. No – it didn’t feel like an infringement on your privacy. It was more like having multiple extra babysitting hands.

Everyone felt like one big, very big, happy family spending the summer together.

It’s not the color of your lips but the kicking from your hips that makes an awesome swimmer. And it’s the movement

and effort of your body that will warm the corners of your heart and give you the summer of your life wherever you are.

And bikes would lay strewn on the path, which meant someone was late for dinner and had to go running – a common phenomenon.

But this also left a grand opportunity for everyone else in the circle to have a chance on the bike without the kid having to struggle with letting it go.

Today, there are summer communities instead of bungalows . The flypaper, the fans, and the oppressive indoor heat have all been replaced by AC and exterminators.

There’s almost nothing to complain about. But when did that ever stop anyone?

So, whether your lips are red , white or blue, remember to keep treading water.