Five Towns Jewish Home 11.21.24

Dear Readers,

Iwas recently speaking with a young girl who shared that her teachers oftentimes tell her stories about gedolim and the herculean efforts that they make in order to serve Hashem. The teen observed, “I just can’t do that. I can’t be like them. Does that mean that I am not living my best life because I am not a tzadekes?”

I thought about that young person’s comment, and it made an impression on me. Of course, she is living her best life; she is doing what she has to do, working hard to do what’s right. Most of us are striving to live our best lives (between carpools, dinner, work, and laundry). We try our hardest, we may slip up at times, but most of us are striving to be good and to do good.

But we are often given a message that we need to do something exemplary in order to really feel like we are on the right path. I don’t think, though, that this message is given maliciously, it’s just that in order to excite our minds, we need that sensationalism. Hearing about how “Chavi helped her mother watch the kids” is simply not going to move our brainwaves as much as “Chavi baked and delivered 1,500 challahs to old ladies each week during Covid!” Wow! Chavi is amazing! She’s great! She’s beyond unbelievable! Now our brains are

firing…although we feel that we can never be as amazing as this human chessed powerhouse.

In a world where over-the-top has become the norm, the mundane, unsung acts that people perform each day become overlooked and ignored. But as parents, we can help our children see that their everyday acts of avodas Hashem are just as valuable as the striking performances that make headlines in speeches and newspapers.

Being a kind, genuine friend is an admirable trait. Acting like a mensch during class and at recess is important. Thanking your teacher and rebbe for their lessons and thoughtfulness is praiseworthy. Going to minyan each day, remembering to say Asher Yatzer, holding yourself back from juicy gossip… These are small acts, things we almost forget are important because we are expected to do them so frequently, and yet, these are what build our character and define who we truly are.

When it comes to the big picture in life, it’s the humdrum acts that become who we are, that shape our core, and develop us into the people we are meant to be.

Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

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Dear Editor,

The recent election gave the Democrat Party a tremendous blow. In contrast, the former president and his party picked up an overwhelming landslide victory. Whether the Democrat Party will recoup from this downfall and/or will split up remains to be seen.

It is the radical left-wing of the party who cannot accept the catastrophic loss. It is in total shock and is searching high and low to find out whether this is based on any shenanigans by the Republican Party. It still doesn’t want to see that its ideology, policies, lies and misleading press led to its disaster. It is still bitter and is fighting just for the fighting’s sake!

But there is also a big section—the socalled middle-of-the-road group—who feels it got betrayed by its own party; these members want to start anew and adhere to the will of the people. Some of them even felt the need to leave and change their party affiliation.

To get out of this mess, it may be best if the party splits apart and each section goes its own separate way.

The leaders of the party were entrusted by the people to serve them and not THEMSELVES!

It is time to start a new page!

Heinz Mayer

Dear Editor,

When I (somewhat) jokingly asked friends whether I was the only Orthodox Jew in our neighborhood who had voted for Kamala Harris, the incredulous response confirmed the premise of my question.

While the election is over, and I will of course pray for Donald Trump’s suc-

cess as our next president, I do believe it would be helpful to explain why I voted for the “Mamale.” At its essence, my vote was not for Harris but against Trump; I could not bring myself to choose as our leader a man who has shown such disdain for our democracy.

Specifically, Trump tried to undermine the will of the people by overturning the free and fair 2020 election. He certainly bears some blame for the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. He has repeatedly called our press “enemies of the people,” a term one would expect to hear from a dictator and demagogue, not from an American politician. He recently hinted that he would not mind if a gunman targeted the CNN and MSNBC reporters covering his campaign. And more, and more.

His personal moral character is far from sterling, the details of which are not appropriate for a family newspaper. After Trump’s 2016 victory, I asked a rebbe of mine for whom he had voted. He replied that he had voted for Trump. I then noted that in the 1970s, when word began to circulate about President John F. Kennedy’s dalliances, one of my rabbeim had asked rhetorically: “If his wife cannot trust him, how could the country trust him?” The speaker of those words was this very rebbe who had now voted for Trump! I am sorry, but character matters. Alongside his personal moral failings, Trump was known in the business world for not paying suppliers and for serial suing anyone who challenged him.

According to former aides, while president, Trump repeatedly insisted that the loyalty of government employees was to Continued on page 14

him, not to the United States. This is the antithesis of what we should expect from our president. And he has repeatedly disparaged veterans, including the war hero John McCain, whose service Trump dismissed with the horrid comment that he prefers servicemen who were not captured to those who were.

I am especially concerned with Trump’s view on Russia and Ukraine. Trump seems not to understand that Russia is the clear aggressor. Further, Trump evidently has not considered that if we abandon Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s next attack may well be upon a NATO member country such as Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania, all former Soviet republics, all viewed by Putin as legitimate takeover targets. Whereas the United States is obligated by our NATO status to defend fellow members with our military, an attack on these nations would obligate us to commit our men and women to go to war against Russia!

Trump also has been wishy-washy on our commitment to Taiwan. He has indicated that as with other alliances, he views our obligation to defend Taiwan as transactional. Translation: if the Taiwanese do not pay us for their defense, we will not defend them against China. We know that China seeks hegemony in the Far East, and we know that this hegemony would pose a grave danger for that region’s democracies. Trump does not seem to agree or care.

Still, had I voted on issues alone, I would have voted for Trump. During his first term, he did achieve significant accomplishments, including the degrading of ISIS and the signing of the Abraham Accords. And he has been a true friend to Israel.

However, we were not voting for the president of Israel; we were voting for the president of the United States. And while I certainly would not vote for an anti-Israel candidate, Harris, despite the clamor from Jewish Trumpists, is most certainly pro-Israel. Being a supporter of Israel does not mean one must endorse all of Israel’s actions, and one should be able to support Israel’s war with Hamas and Hizbullah while simultaneously lamenting the terrible loss of life among Gazan

civilians, including so many children.

In his speech to the country on the Thursday after the election, President Biden exhibited all the class that Trump, after his 2020 loss, could not conjure within himself. Biden committed to accepting the election results, confirmed that he had called Trump to congratulate him, and affirmed a desire to effect a smooth transition. As Biden explained so well, the American experiment in democracy has as its core the peaceful transfer of power. It is sad that Trump, in his self-absorption, has not learned this lesson.

Avi Goldstein

Far Rockaway, NY

Dear Editor,

In response to the young woman who wrote into the Navidaters column in your Parshas Lech Lecha issue: I’m sorry that your plan of a spontaneous invitation for a Shabbos meal, while in shul on Simchas Torah, did not come to fruition.

You were left feeling lonely and dejected and raise the question of what can be done in our community to address this sensitive topic. I think that “the panel” and Jennifer answered using concrete suggestions with sensitivity and compassion.

An initiative titled “Be My Guest” was launched at the White Shul approximately a year ago, which was spearheaded by Chaya Feldstein and her dedicated committee. With their goal of singles (in any circumstance) to be able to create friendships with shul and community members, they try to match single guests and host families for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals.

Rabbi Paysach Krohn graciously addressed the community, as the guest speaker at this opening event. He imparted halacha, practical advice and stories of compassion and sensitivity to educate our community on the topic of Hachanasas Orchim, the Crown of Chesed.

Bez”H, on Monday evening, January 6 at 8:15pm, the White Shul will host the second event of “Be My Guest” entitled “Caring & Sensitivity: an Approach to Hachanasas Orchim.” Introductory remarks will be given by Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Tehillim will be led by Rabbi Motti Neuberger, and Rabbi Paysach Krohn will return to deliver words of wisdom

and chizuk.

Both men and women are encouraged to attend this important event!

For more information kindly reach out to Bemyguest@whiteshul.com. I have benefited from this initiative over this past year, and I’m so grateful!

A Repeat Guest

Dear Editor,

Since 2019, the party line was it would require a $15 toll for Congestion Pricing to raise $15 billion. This would help fund the MTA $51 billion 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan. Now five years later, Governor Hochul claims that the same $15 billion can be found with a $9 toll. She proudly boasts that this 40% reduction in the price will save commuters and taxpayers a significant amount of money. How do you justify the change in math five years later? No details were provided at Hochul’s press conference to explain this.

The MTA Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey periodically raise bridge and tunnel tolls. It will be the same with MTA Congestion Pricing before reaching $15. So much for truth in advertising. .

Sincerely,

Larry Penner

Former Director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management

Dear Editor,

Prior to the elections, I told a few people in my shul that the way they vote would clearly define if they view themselves as a Jewish American or an American Jew. American Jews care about Israel immensely and they will vote for the candidate that would support the safety of Israel. This was Trump. Those voting for Harris consider Israel as another country in the world that coincidentally has Jews. Another reason, as I have heard from a few of them, is that Israel would do whatever it needs to do and, in the end, Congress would support backing Israel regardless of the president’s influence. Of course, we have seen many times, previously, how ridiculous this reasoning is.

Now that Trump has won, I have been attacked with a crazier accusation from about 2 or 3 people. If the only reason that I voted for Trump is that I prioritized Israel over America, then I am a disloyal American. Why don’t I move to Israel?

I responded that whether you are Jewish or not, it is smart and prudent to support America’s best and most reli-

able ally. Israel has consistently helped the U.S. in numerous ways, and it has been the only stable democratic country in the Middle East. There has not been a single Israeli terrorist that ever harmed an American. Does it make more sense to send money to terrorist organizations and countries such as the PLO, Gaza and Iran, as we have been doing for the past several decades? What have we received in return besides hatred and violence towards America and Americans?

As a Jew, Israel is a fundamental aspect of Judaism. Fortunately, America allows freedom of religious expression, so my prioritizing Israel is my means of practicing my Jewish religion. I have numerous family members in Israel. How is my prioritizing Israel any different from a Haitian who prioritizes his home country, especially if he has family members there? Does this priority make someone unamerican?

I sense that there are many others among our readership who have this convoluted thinking. This has nothing to do with voting for Trump. These people have no strong steadfast loyalty to Israel’s security, regardless of who the U.S. president is. Despite the thinking that Congress will support Israel, such people don’t care when they don’t. After all, the majority of the Democrats in Congress, including two notable Jews, don’t care about Israel’s security. How often have such people written protest letters to Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer?

Within the first week after election Trump has placed some smart strong supporters of Israel in various cabinet positions. By Pesach 5785, I would like at least one of my accusers to tell me, with or without a personal apology, that Israel is safer than it is now. I’m not expecting any huge Pesach miracles.

Daniel Feldman

Dear Editor,

My parents were paying thousands of dollars extra in tax for years. Many people don’t know this, but if you live in NYC and are 65 or older and have an income up to $58,399, you may be able to pay only half of your taxes for the house. It’s called SCHE (Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption). My parents used to think that their combined gross income is more than $58,399, but it turned out that the “income” for this law is adjustable gross income, which is less than the total income.

HaTorah chasa al mamonam shel Yisroel.

M. Rosen

S. Africa Battles Illegal Miners

In an effort to force illegal miners to emerge to the surface, the South African government has stopped the flow of supplies, such as food, water, and medication, to the underground mines.

The move, which has prompted public concern over the hundreds of remaining miners’ wellbeing, was made to end the illegal mining industry, which the government has battled unsuccessfully for years.

“We are stopping and preventing food and water to go down there as a way of forcing these illegal miners to resurface because what they are doing is criminality,” said Athlenda Mathe, a spokesperson for the police.

Miners could spend months underground and travel up to 4 kilometers beneath the surface. However, conditions in the mines are very poor and are getting worse due to the lack of necessary supplies.

The decision to withhold essential supplies to the miners prompted an investigation into the police on Friday by the South African Human Rights Commission.

Authorities recovered the decomposed remains of one miner, police said. Three miners who have emerged have suggested that up to 4,000 workers may still be in the mines. On Friday, Tebello Mosikili, a deputy national commissioner for the police, said he could not vouch for or dismiss the report but noted that 1,187 miners have thus far come to the surface.

According to Meshack Mbangula, the head of the community-based organization Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), food and water supplies have been halted for the past three months. Johannesburg-based mining monitoring company Benchmarks Foundation’s lead researcher, David Van

Wyk, said the remaining miners may be in critical condition.

“At this point, they are starving, becoming dehydrated, and breathing toxic dust. They’re going to come out very weak and ill when they do come up,” noted Van Wyk.

“Cutting off food and water supplies – with what can only be described as malicious intent, a vindictive act – without a strategy for directly and indirectly engaging with these mineworkers is not helpful,” stated South Africa’s Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), adding it that was “extremely concerned” that the move “may end in a tragedy.”

According to Van Wyk, illegal mining has become popular because South Africa has around 6,000 mines that big companies abandoned and the illegal miners “have no recourse” or other abilities “so they go down the mines and do the only thing they are capable of doing, which is working in those mines.”

Most of the mined minerals are “sold to the black market and international illicit mineral traders,” SAFTU said. South Africa’s Minerals Council claims that each year the country loses over $1 billion due to illegal mining.

On Wednesday, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the Minister in the Presidency, declared that he wanted to smoke the “criminals” out of the mines.

Many of the workers are poor and in desperate need of work, said Mametlwe Sebei, the head of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa, adding that the industry is set in “horrific conditions” and is often controlled by organized criminal groups.

To fix the issue of illegal mining, some have suggested decriminalizing the industry and making it safe so as to give thousands of impoverished workers a job. Others claim that the government needs to make sure that abandoned mines are closed.

France To Free Lebanese Terrorist

Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a pro-Palestinian Lebanese terrorist, was arrested forty years ago for playing a role in the

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1982 killings of Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov and U.S. military officer Charles Robert Ray, who were both murdered in Paris. Since then, Abdallah has been serving out a life sentence in France. But now, a French court wants to free the man.

“In (a) decision dated today, the court granted Georges Ibrahim Abdallah conditional release from December 6, subject to the condition that he leaves French territory and not appear there again,” said prosecutors, who added that they would appeal the decision and try to keep Abdallah in prison.

Abdallah, who killed Ray and orchestrated Barsimantov’s murder, was a part of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Marxist-Leninist group designated by the U.S. and E.U. as a terrorist organization. In the late 1970s, Abdallah, a Lebanese Christian, started his own terrorist group called the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF), a pro-Syrian and anti-Israel Marxist organization that was behind four fatal attacks in the 1980s.

The United States, which is a civil party in the case, is against Abdallah’s release. Lebanese officials, on the other hand, have persistently called for his freedom. Since 1999, Abdallah, who is now

73 years old, has been eligible to apply for parole. He was denied eleven times. In 2013, the court said it would free him, a move that was quickly reversed by then-interior minister Manuel Valls.

To this very day, Abdallah maintains he was a “fighter,” not a “criminal,” and shows no signs of regretting his actions.

Russia Updates Nuclear Doctrine

On Sunday, U.S. President Joe Biden granted Ukraine permission to strike targets deep inside Russia with American-made weapons. Two days later, Russian President Vladimir Putin updated Russia’s nuclear doctrine, declaring that Moscow will consider aggression from any non-nuclear state – but with the participation of a nuclear country – a joint attack on Russia.

Supposedly, Ukraine had fired the U.S.-made ATACMS missiles into the Russian region of Bryansk. The attack, if confirmed, would mark the first such use by Ukraine since Biden gave the green light.

The Russian government had previously signaled that the U.S. approval would be a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine, now 1,000 days old.

In a phone call with reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted the changes mean that “the Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression using conventional weapons against it and/or the Republic of Belarus.”

“An important element of this document is that nuclear deterrence is aimed at ensuring that a potential adversary understands the inevitability of retaliation in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation or its allies,” Peskov said.

Russia has escalated its own campaign against Ukraine in recent days, blanketing the country with drone and missile attacks that seem aimed in part at destroying civilian energy infrastructure as winter approaches.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, it has lowered the threshold under which it would consider using nuclear weapons.

In a 2020 update to the nuclear doctrine – before the war began – Putin said Moscow reserves the right to use nuclear weapons “when the very existence of the state is threatened.”

But changes outlined in September this year appeared to lower that threshold, saying Moscow could use nuclear weapons when facing “a critical threat to its sovereignty.”

Tuesday’s decree refines the circumstances in which Russia might resort to nuclear weapons. It essentially restates and makes official the terms set out in September’s proposed revision, which said Moscow would consider any assault on it supported by a nuclear power to be a joint attack. This updates the list of conventional weaponry whose launch might constitute a critical threat, and specifies an attack on Belarus would be viewed on an equal footing to Russia.

Measles is Spreading

According to a statement by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday, 2023 saw a 20% rise

in measles cases, with about 10.3 million people contracting the deadly disease.

The year had a death toll of around 107,500, which mostly includes young children, a figure that the WHO and the CDC said was “unacceptable,” considering measles is easily prevented with one or two doses of a highly effective vaccine. The first dose is 93% effective, while the second dose is 97% effective.

Measles has mostly been eradicated from the world, with 82 countries seeing no cases over the past half a century. However, due to misinformation about the vaccine’s safety, some have elected to skip vaccinating their children, thus creating a major uptick in cases. Additionally, poorer countries may have a difficult time accessing the vaccine.

According to the WHO and CDC, 83% of children received their first measles vaccine dose in 2023, while just 74% got their second dose. In all, over 22 million kids were not vaccinated. In the U.S., the measles vaccination rate dropped to 92.7% for kindergarteners in the 2023-24 school year.

In 2024, the U.S. has seen 266 confirmed cases of measles and 16 outbreaks as of November, the CDC said. Globally, there was a 60% increase in the number of major measles outbreaks in 2023, with 57 countries experiencing significant outbreaks, as opposed to just 36 countries in 2022. Almost half of the outbreaks took place in Africa.

2023 also had an 8% drop in measles deaths compared to 2022 because the outbreaks occurred in places where children were well-fed and had access to health care. According to research, malnourished or diseased children who have weak immune systems are more at risk of dying from measles. According to the CDC, up to 3 out of every 1,000 children who get measles could pass away from respiratory and neurologic complications.

Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, watery eyes, and a rash of red spots. The disease, however, could cause lifelong issues, especially in babies and children. For example, measles can cause pneumonia, brain damage, and blindness.

“Measles vaccine has saved more lives

than any other vaccine in the past 50 years,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General. “To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunization for every person, no matter where they live.”

“I think we have a very short memory of what it is like to hold a child who has been paralyzed with polio or to comfort a mom who’s lost her kid from measles,” said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. “We need to remember that the reason we have these childhood vaccines is to make sure that we are the strongest, the healthiest that we can be as a community.”

Interpol Red Alert Scam

New details are emerging about an international scam used by at least twenty

fugitives to fraudulently remove themselves from the criminal list of Interpol, the international police organization, thus allowing them to go undetected by authorities.

The Red Notices are Interpol’s ways of notifying other nations about fugitives so that those countries can be on alert and ensure that, if such criminals enter their land, the fugitives will be promptly located, arrested, and extradited to the country where they’re wanted.

This past summer, officials exposed a scam that took fugitives’ names off the Red Notice list, thus allowing the criminals to escape to other countries undetected.

One of the scams involved thirty-nineyear-old drug trafficker Tarik Kerbouci. Kerbouci was wanted by France, but he escaped the country before officials had the chance to arrest him. His name was put on Interpol’s Red Alert arrest flag, after which he was arrested in Dubai. France then asked Dubai to extradite Kerbouci, only to find out that the drug trafficker was somehow removed from Interpol’s list and was released from custody in Dubai. Eventually, French officials discovered that Kerbouci somehow escaped to the country of Moldova.

The investigation that ensued there-

after exposed what had transpired in that and at least twenty other incidents where names of fugitives magically vanished from the Red Notice list. Fugitives would pay off corrupt officials to remove the Red Notices by abusing a system meant to defend the rights of political prisoners and those seeking asylum. To protect persecuted individuals, Interpol does not permit Red Notices against those officially registered as asylum seekers.

According to Moldova’s chief anticorruption prosecutor, Veronica Dragalin, Interpol’s liaison office in the country’s capital, Chisinau, and immigration officials were involved in the scam. Another former senior Interpol official from Moldova is also suspected of playing a role in the scheme.

Dragalin said that Kerbouci and other fugitives got the Red Notices against them removed by convincing Interpol’s office in Lyon, France, that they were seeking asylum in Moldova, despite the fact that none of the fugitives had ever been there. The requests were “entirely fraudulent,” made possible thanks to corrupt Moldovan immigration officers who would create fake documentation, and the Interpol office in Chisinau, which would certify the requests as genuine.

According to Viorel Cernauteanu, the police chief of Moldova, the fugitives or their lawyers would request that the Interpol headquarters in Lyon remove their Red Notices because they’re seeking asylum in Moldova. Their requests would be accompanied by forged documentation from immigration officers in Moldova, certifying the authenticity of the fugitives’ request.

Officials started realizing something was amiss when the scam’s participants started getting sloppy. For example, each of the involved fugitives requested asylum in Moldova but said their addresses were in Dubai. Additionally, each of them used almost the exact same wording in their request. At times, according to Dragalin, corrupt officials wouldn’t provide the needed fake documentation, and so fugitives handed in documents in the name of the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration that were obviously forged.

Several suspects were arrested, including Viorel Tentiu, the head of the office in Chisinau, who was detained in June. That same month, the Moldovan house of former justice minister Vitalie Pirlog was raided.

The ISS is Leaking

NASA is becoming increasingly concerned about a leak in a Russian module in the International Space Station. While Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, acknowledges the issue, it disagrees with NASA about the problem’s severity and cause.

In order for the space laboratory, which is the size of a football field, to

safely host a team of astronauts, it must be pressurized and filled with breathable gasses.

Five years ago, in 2019, leaks were initially discovered in a tunnel that connects the Zvezda, a room for Russian astronauts, with a docking port frequented by spacecraft bearing gifts such as cargo and supplies. Now, the leaks have, according to the United States, become too problematic to ignore. The U.S. views the problem as the space station’s greatest

operations are safe — but they can’t prove that to our satisfaction,” Cabana said. “And the U.S. believes that it’s not safe, but we can’t prove that to the Russian satisfaction.”

A September meeting between the U.S. and Russia was successful, according to Cabana, but it did not resolve the disagreements between the two parties. Thus, the U.S. has moved to appoint independent experts to assess the problem and report back to the two space agencies, though Russia has yet to do the same.

In the meantime, the crew has adopted certain precautionary measures, including sealing off the leaking segment except when cargo arrives at the dock, in which case, the module is opened but the hatch that separates the U.S. and Russian areas of the station are shuttered, according to Michael Barratt, a NASA astronaut.

“We’ve taken a very conservative approach,” Barratt said. “It’s not a comfortable thing, but it is the best agreement between all of the smart people on both sides — and it’s something that we as a crew live with.”

According to a statement by NASA released Thursday, the cracks that are likely causing the leaks are “very small, not visible with the naked eye, and have brackets and pipelines near them, making it difficult to get diagnostic tools into these areas.”

one, as it could potentially endanger the crew, a new report from NASA’s Office of Inspector General revealed.

According to NASA astronaut and ISS Advisory Committee chairman Bob Cabana, while NASA “has expressed concerns about the structural integrity of the (leaking module) and the possibility of a catastrophic failure,” Roscosmos “does not believe catastrophic disintegration … is realistic.”

“The Russians believe that continued

Cabana added that the U.S. and Russia disagree about what’s causing the issue. Russia says that vibrations – perhaps caused by certain mechanical systems, including those used for energy storage –are taking a toll on the ISS’s walls, leading to a phenomenon of “high cycle fatigue.” U.S. officials, on the other hand, say that other factors are at play, including mechanical stress, environmental exposure, and “residual stress.”

Both parties agree that the module where the leak is may have to be permanently closed if the leak rate goes to an “untenable” level. However, NASA and Roscosmos disagree on what could be considered “untenable.”

Saudi Executions

More than 100 foreigners were executed in Saudi Arabia this year, the highest number ever recorded.

The latest killing took place on Saturday after a Yemeni national was convicted of smuggling drugs into the Gulf kingdom. It brings the number of foreigners executed in the Middle Eastern country this year to 101.

This is almost three times the number last year and in 2022.

Jeed Basyouni, who heads Middle East anti-death penalty advocacy for the NGO Reprieve, said overall, including Saudi nationals in the figures, the number of executions in the country was on track to exceed 300 for the year.

“This is an unprecedented execution

crisis in Saudi Arabia,” Basyouni noted. “Families of foreign nationals on death row are understandably terrified that their loved one will be next.”

The oil-rich nation executed the third-highest number of prisoners in the world after China and Iran in 2023, according to Amnesty International.

In September, it was reported that Saudi Arabia had carried out its highest number of executions in more than three decades, surpassing its previous highs of 196 in 2022 and 192 in 1995.

The nationalities of foreigners executed include 21 from Pakistan, 20 from Yemen, 14 from Syria, 10 from Nigeria, nine from Egypt, eight from Jordan and seven from Ethiopia. There were also three each from Sudan, India and Afghanistan, and one each from Sri Lanka, Eritrea and the Philippines.

In 2022, Saudi Arabia ended a threeyear moratorium on the execution of drug offenders. Executions for drug-related crimes have boosted this year’s numbers.

There have been 92 so far this year –69 of them of foreigners.

Venezuela Frees Prisoners

The presidential election in Venezuela in July was hotly contested, as many pointed out that the incumbent, Nicolas Maduro, controlled most of the media and institutions. His opponent Edmundo Gonzalez was forced to flee to Spain and request asylum after electoral authorities announced, without evidence, that Maduro had won. Subsequently, protests broke out across the country, and the Maduro administration initiated a crackdown on dissent in an operation titled Operation Tun Tun. Thousands of people were arrested. Human Rights Watch has said there are “credible” reports of 24 people being killed during the crackdown on the protests.

This week, the government released 50 people who had been arrested from the Tocoron prison; 20 others were released from three other prisons.

More releases could be on the way, with Venezuela’s Attorney General saying Friday it would review the cases of more than 200 people detained during the protests.

One person who had been arrested died while in custody.

Multiple countries have refused to recognize Maduro’s victory.

Maduro – a follower of “Chavismo,” the left-wing populist ideology named after his predecessor Hugo Chávez – is set to begin his third consecutive six-year term in January.

Japanese Princess Dies at 101

Japanese Princess Yuriko, the wife of wartime Emperor Hirohito’s brother and the oldest member of the imperial family, died on Friday at the age of 101.

Yuriko was born in 1923; she married Prince Mikasa at the age of 18 a few months before the start of World War II. Mikasa was the younger brother of Hirohito and the uncle of current Emperor Naruhito.

She recounted living in a shelter with

her husband and their baby daughter after their residence was burned down in the U.S. fire bombings of Tokyo in the final months of the war in 1945. The couple had five children together. Her husband and her three sons are no longer alive.

Yuriko’s death reduces Japan‘s rapidly dwindling imperial family to 16 people, including four men, as the country faces the dilemma of how to maintain the royal family while conservatives in the governing party insist on retaining male-only succession.

The 1947 Imperial House Law, which largely preserves conservative prewar family values, allows only males to take the throne and forces female royal family members who marry commoners to lose their royal status.

The youngest male member of the imperial family, Prince Hisahito — the nephew of Emperor Naruhito — is currently the last heir apparent, posing a major problem for a system that doesn’t allow empresses.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, Yuriko was active before suffering a stroke and pneumonia earlier this year. She would exercise in the morning while watching a daily fitness program on television and read multiple newspapers and magazines. She also enjoyed watching news and baseball on TV. On sunny days, she sat in the palace garden or was wheeled in her wheelchair.

Iran Tries to Assassinate Irwin Cotler

According to reports, Irwin Cotler, a Jewish jurist and former Canadian justice minister and attorney general, was the target of a foiled assassination attempt by

Iranian agents. The attempt was thwarted by Canadian officials, who had warned Cotler of the imminent threat of assassination within 48 hours.

Two suspects were being tracked by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who could not confirm or deny whether the alleged attempted assassins were arrested or were still in Canada.

Since October 7, the RCMP elected to protect Cotler 24/7 with armed guards and armored vehicles. In 2008, Cotler be-

Coup Plot in Brazil

According to Brazilian police, five officers were involved in planning a coup to overthrow the government following the 2022 elections. Supposedly, they wanted to kill President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

According to the investigation, the coup plotters also planned to kill Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Police recently arrested four military officers and one police officer.

The police said that five arrest warrants have been carried out, as well as three search and seizure warrants along with other measures, including seizing the suspects’ passports and preventing them from contacting others.

“The objective was to prevent the inauguration of the legitimately elected government and undermine the free exercise of democracy and the authority of Brazil’s judiciary,” Judge Alexandre de Moraes said. “These actions, peaking between November and December 2022, were part of a broader plan to carry out a coup d’état.”

The developments on Tuesday followed statements by two top Brazilian military leaders who declared to police earlier this year that former President Jair Bolsonaro presented them with a plan for him to remain in power after the 2022 election, which he lost. However, both refused and warned him they would arrest him if he tried it, according to judicial documents released in March. Khamenei

is Sick

came a sworn enemy of Iran when he began insisting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps should be recognized as a terror group. A strong supporter of Israel, Cotler condemned the International Criminal Court for seeking arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas officials, which he said serves as a “false moral and legal equivalence.”

“Because the ICC, which I have been a longtime supporter of and remain a supporter of, is being prejudiced in this way,

it ends up regrettably prejudicing not only the international justice system in singling out the Israeli leadership but also contributes to the overall weaponization of international law and international institutions,” Cotler said.

The attempt on Cotler’s life may be tied to a recent Iranian plot in New York, where operatives were supposed to abduct and assassinate an Iranian-American journalist. The FBI informed him that his name came up in the investigation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 85 years old. On Sunday, it was reported that he was gravely ill. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was secretly

chosen to take over his father.

A report by Iran International suggests that Mojtaba could assume the role even before his father’s death.

The supreme leader is traditionally selected by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body elected every eight years by the public but vetted by the Guardian Council, whose members are directly or indirectly appointed by the supreme leader.

Speculation over Khamenei’s successor intensified in May after a helicopter crash involving former President Ebrahim Raisi, who had been considered the frontrunner for the role. While Raisi had not denied ambitions for the position, the crash is believed to have altered the political landscape.

Mojtaba Khamenei, a cleric like his father, was born in Mashhad and is married with two children. He served in the Iran-Iraq War during the 1980s, forging ties with individuals who would later become prominent figures in Iran’s security apparatus, including Hossein Taeb, a senior official in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Over the years, Mojtaba has drawn international attention. In 2019, the United States accused him of collaborating closely with the IRGC and the Basij, a paramil-

itary volunteer force under the IRGC, to further his father’s destabilizing regional ambitions.

Within Iran, Mojtaba has faced allegations of suppressing dissent. In 2009, he backed Taeb, then the Basij commander, in the violent crackdown on Green Movement protesters. He was also targeted by demonstrators during the protests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who died in custody after being detained by the morality police for allegedly failing to properly wear her hijab.

Critics in Iran say that Mojtaba lacks the religious credentials and managerial experience to succeed his father. Some clerics and commentators have dismissed the idea of dynastic succession as un-Islamic, likening it to monarchy.

There are other people who are possible candidates to take over for Khamenei, including cleric and politician Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri and cleric Ali Reza Arafi. Former President Hassan Rouhani and Sadeq Larijani, the former judiciary chief, have also been named as having ambitions for the role.

Families of Oct. 7 Victims Sue Iran

On Sunday, relatives of those killed in the October 7 massacre and those murdered in the war that ensued thereafter filed a lawsuit against Iran in a United States federal court in Washington, D.C., referencing several uncovered documents that prove the Islamic Republic played an integral role in orchestrating October 7, the tragic day when the Hamas terror group stormed southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others, over 100 of whom remain in Gaza.

The plaintiffs referenced a document

from a meeting held in 2022 by several Hamas officials, including then-leader Yahya Sinwar and Khalil al-Hayya. The document spoke about a potential defense agreement between Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the event of war. Hamas specifically requested a monthly payment of $7 million each month from Iran, which would help the terror group carry out the October 7 attacks.

The lawsuit also singles out Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

One document shows that Hamas’ then-political leader, Ismail Hainyeh, told Sinwar that the terror group should boost its relationships with Iran, Hezbollah, and Syria and should also focus on “strengthening our ties with Russia and forming strong relationships with Algeria, while simultaneously maintaining our existing ties with Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt.”

“It has been concluded that a clear message must be conveyed to A-Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah that if Iran or the resistance in Lebanon would face a war in the future, we, the Hamas Movement and the Al-Qassam, are fully prepared to participate, in full force, in those battles,” says one of the documents. “Moreover, in that

same message, if a confrontation erupts between us and the occupation [Israel] on the future of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa, and if an open confrontation results…what is needed is for the Axis of Resistance to intervene, headed by the [Hezbollah] and other factions [Iraq, Yemen, and Syria].

“It is up to the [Islamic] Republic to decide whether to participate, and we haven’t set this as a condition for it, but it is of paramount importance that the [Hezbollah] take an active role,” wrote Marwan Issa, Hamas’ third-in-command, who was later killed by Israel.

Issa’s plans materialized, with Hezbollah and the Houthis joining in on the fighting.

Another document shows that Iran paid Hamas terror chiefs somewhere between $12 million to $48 million. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified financial compensation.

This isn’t the first time families of October 7 victims have sued Iran. In February 2024, 67 people sued the Islamic Republic over its “direct responsibility” in orchestrating the October 7 massacre.

U.S. Honors Pilots Who Helped Israel

In April, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel in response to the killing of two senior army generals in a Damascus strike that Tehran blamed on Israel. Israeli air defenses intercepted the missiles. A U.S.-led coalition of regional forces including British and French warplanes, worked with the Israelis to help provide cover. A few missiles made it through the defenses, causing very minor damage at an air base, while a young Bedouin girl was seriously injured by falling shrapnel from an interception.

Recently, the U.S. Air Force honored pilots, aircrews and support personnel who helped thwart the massive Iranian-led rocket and drone attack on Israel.

Airmen from the 494th Fighter Squadron and 494 Fighter Generation

Squadron were recognized for their activities in intercepting the hundreds of attack drones and rockets fired by Iran and from Yemen at Israel on April 13-14. The ceremony was held at Britain’s Royal Air Force Lakenheath station. For the first time, a woman serving in the American Air Force was decorated with a Silver Star, the force’s third-highest award for valor.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Lacie Hester is the first woman in the U.S. Air Force to receive the honor and only the 10th woman in the Department of Defense to have the decoration.

F-15E jets from RAF Lakenheath were “vital during the fight that intercepted and engaged aerial threats” and “fought in the largest air-to-air enemy engagement in over 50 years,” a statement said.

The jets, which are based in the UK but had been deployed to the U.S. Central Command’s region of responsibility, which includes Israel, flew 154 sorties during the night.

The ceremony saw Air Force members receive “two Silver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses with the valor device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses with the combat device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars Medals, seven Air and Space Commendation Medals and seven Air and Space Achievement Medals,” the statement said.

The pair of stars went to F-15E instructor pilot U.S. Air Force Maj. Benjamin Coffey and Hester.

“The team engaged the enemy multiple times throughout the night despite having severe aircraft emergencies and while under falling debris at the expeditionary base caused by hostile fire from the enemy,” the statement said.

“Additionally, at great personal risk, Coffey and Hester engaged low-altitude one-way attack UAVs in the complete darkness of night with the air-to-air gatling gun of the F-15E after they expended all their air-to-air missiles,” it explained.

“We all fell into an execution rhythm: call, shoot, and confirm the target was destroyed before we moved on to the next task we had to accomplish to keep everyone safe,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy Causey, the 494th Fighter Squadron commander.

Hamas Out of Qatar

According to an Arab diplomat, senior members of the Hamas terror group are no longer hanging out in Qatar, having been sent to Turkey when the U.S. pres-

sured Doha to stop hosting the group. The Hamas mission in Qatar, which opened in 2012, is still open.

“The leaders of Hamas that are within the negotiating team are now not in Doha,” Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday.

Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, had led months of fruitless negotiations for a truce in the Gaza war but the Gulf state said earlier this month it was pausing its mediation efforts.

“The mediation process right now… is suspended unless we take a decision to reverse that which is based on the positions of both sides,” Ansari said on Tuesday.

“The office of Hamas in Doha was created for the sake of the mediation process. Obviously, when there is no mediation process, the office itself doesn’t have any function,” he added.

A senior Hamas leader insisted on Monday that “no one has asked us to leave” and dismissed reports of members relocating to Turkey, where many of them have families and already spend significant time, according to the Arab diplomat.

“Leaders from different levels in the political echelon in Hamas make coordinated visits to Turkey from time to time,” the Hamas official said.

In April, Qatar said it was re-evaluating its mediation role during an impasse in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, prompting several group members to leave for Turkey — only to return two weeks later at the request of the United States and Israel.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with government ministers and top defense officials to discuss the hostage crisis.

According to a poll aired by Channel 12 news last week, 69 percent of Israelis said they support a hostage deal that would end the war, compared to 20% who prefer continuing fighting.

It is believed that 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in 2014.

by Israel in southern Lebanon reportedly include guided anti-tank missile systems, such as Metis, Konkurs, Fagots, and Saggers. These weapons were found less than a kilometer inside of southern Lebanon.

Additionally, according to the report, 60-70% of the weapons seized by Israel during the beginning of the operation were Russian-made.

U.S. Sanctions Settlement Org.

This week, the Biden administration sanctioned the Amana association, the settlement movement’s main development organization.

Amana is a key organization within the settler movement that has funded and assisted the establishment of numerous cities and villages in Judea and Samaria.

While the impact of the move was likely blunted by this month’s election of Donald Trump, who may well reverse such sanctions, it still sends a signal to other Western countries that have already followed the U.S. in imposing similar sanctions against Israelis in the area for the past year. Amana was already sanctioned by the UK and Canada earlier this year.

Hezbollah Has Russian Weapons

According to the Wall Street Journal, IDF soldiers have found loads of Russian weapons in Hezbollah’s possession in southern Lebanon.

Some of the weapons were manufactured as recently as 2020, such as Kornet anti-tank missiles, which were transport-

ed from Russia, through Syria, and into southern Lebanon in recent years.

According to the report, Israeli military leaders were aware that Hezbollah possessed Russian-made weapons, but the ground operation allowed Israel’s defense establishment to uncover the extent to which Russian-made arms were supplied to Hezbollah.

Israel has not been able to access areas of southern Lebanon since 2006 and was not aware of Hezbollah’s capabilities,

thinking that the terror group possessed Soviet-era weapons, which were less sophisticated. Now, Israel is finding more advanced, newer, and larger numbers of Russian weaponry in southern Lebanon, which have allowed Hezbollah to continue to attack Israel, military analysts told the Wall Street Journal.

Kornet anti-tank missiles are frequently used in attacks against IDF soldiers.

Other Russian-made weapons seized

The sanctions block any Amana assets based in U.S. and crucially prevent U.S.-based institutions, including Israeli banks, from providing services to the organization. They also bar U.S. citizens and organizations from donating to it.

Along with Amana, the U.S. State Department announced that Binyanei Bar Amana, a subsidiary of the association, had been designated by the Treasury Department, along with a smaller outpost construction firm, Eyal Harei Yehuda, and three individuals accused of

44 providing assistance to other sanctioned individuals or organizations, or of being directly involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Former ambassador to Israel David Friedman immediately criticized the sanctions, accusing the Biden administration of “interfering in an entirely domestic Israeli zoning issue.”

The head of the Yesha umbrella settlement organization, Yisrael Ganz, also condemned the sanctions, accusing the administration of “strengthening the axis of evil” and acting “against the Bible.”

In total, 17 individuals and 16 entities have been sanctioned through an executive order signed by U.S. President Joe Biden last February, which allowed the U.S. to target those “destabilizing” Judea and Samaria.

Stop Sitting Around

Sitting all day isn’t good for you, even if you do spend time at the gym.

An eye-opening study was published on Friday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Researchers looked at data from almost 90,000 people who wore an accelerometer for a week and compared their sedentary and active time with later diagnoses of conditions like stroke, heart attack and heart failure in later years.

Not only was more sedentary time associated with greater risk for cardiovascular disease, but the data was able to show a general guideline for what might count as too much sitting, according to the study.

According to recent study author Dr. Ezim Ajufo, a cardiology fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, “Our findings really emphasize the importance of avoiding excess sitting… whether or not you’re physically active.”

“We would really recommend that as many people as possible avoid sitting

more than 10.6 hours a day,” Ajufo said. “That’s not a hard and fast threshold, but we think it’s a reasonable first step for guidelines and public health intervention.”

Scientists caution that this study was not as far-reaching as could be, as it included mainly people of white and European ancestry. It also was observational, which means that while it can make associations, it can’t prove that the sitting was the cause of the heart disease.

Researchers advise that people should add movement into their day, walking around every half hour or after they finish an important task.

Ajufo noted that it’s important to walk around to break up the periods of sitting and not just getting your exercise at the end of the day.

“Sometimes we think we can completely make up for some of the unhealthy behaviors we have … by going out and going for a run,” she said. “What we can say from the findings is that moderate to vigorous physical activity – so that’s running, a brisk walk – is not sufficient to neutralize the harmful effects of sitting.”

Russian Hacker Brought to U.S.

Evgenii Ptitsyn is accused of administering the sale, distribution and operation of Phobos, a type of ransomware that has been used in more than 1,000 ransomware attacks on public and private organizations. The 42-year-old Russian was extradited from South Korea to the U.S. to face charges in connection to a ransomware gang that allegedly extorted more than $16 million from victims around the world.

Last year, ransomware operatives using Phobos extorted a North Carolina-based children’s hospital for about $100,000 and a California-based public school system for about $300,000, according to the indictment.

Along with his co-conspirators, Ptitsyn — who was known by the online handles “derxan” and “zimmermanx” at times — developed Phobos and offered access to the ransomware to other crim-

inals in exchange for fees from successful ransomware attacks.

Ptitsyn made his initial court appearance in the District of Maryland on November 4.

The Justice Department has been making an effort to combat the rampant plague of ransomware, which has caused many millions of dollars in losses for American companies, schools and hospitals.

“The Justice Department is committed to leveraging the full range of our international partnerships to combat the threats posed by ransomware like Phobos,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Evgenii Ptitsyn allegedly extorted millions of dollars of ransom payments from thousands of victims and now faces justice in the United States thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of law enforcement agencies around the world — from the Republic of Korea to Japan to Europe and finally to Baltimore, Maryland.”

Cybercriminals extorted a record $1.1 billion in ransom payments from victim organizations around the world last year despite U.S. government efforts to cut off their money flows.

Arthur Frommer Dies

Millions of people relied on his advice when they wished to travel and explore the world. This week, pioneering travel guidebook writer Arthur Frommer died at the age of 95.

Frommer was born in Virginia in 1929 and attended Yale Law School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His love of travel and languages inspired him to write and self-publish a guidebook for fellow GIs. That guidebook became so popular that he decided to write a guidebook for the masses: “Europe on $5 a Day.”

He founded Frommer’s in 1957. The company began as a series of guidebooks, then expanded through the decades to include online content, newsletters, podcasts and more. He continued to write, travel, publish, speak at conferences and give interviews into his 90s.

For Frommer, travel was more than just sleeping in nice hotels.

In an essay titled “How Travel Changed My Life,” he wrote: “Travel has taught me that despite all the exotic differences in dress and language, of political and religious beliefs, that all the world’s people are essentially alike. We all have the same urges and concerns, we all yearn for the same goals.”

In 2012, Google bought the Frommer’s brand, only to sell it back to Arthur a year later.

Arthur’s daughter Pauline Frommer is the co-president of FrommerMedia and editorial director of Frommer’s Guidebooks.

“Throughout his remarkable life, Arthur Frommer democratized travel, showing average Americans how anyone can afford to travel widely and better understand the world,” she wrote in the announcement of her father’s death.

“Travel makes it impossible to pay no heed to the sufferings of others simply because they are far away,” Arthur wrote in “How Travel Changed My Life.” “It erases distance and makes you a more sensitive citizen of the world, yearning for peace everywhere.”

Kamala Spent $1.5M in 15 Weeks

Vice President Kamala Harris spent a remarkable $1.5 billion in her hyper-compressed 15-week presidential campaign. But in the days since losing to President-elect Donald Trump, her operation has faced questions internally and externally over where exactly all that cash went.

Despite her significant financial advantage, Harris became the first Democratic presidential candidate to lose the national popular vote in two decades, ceding every battleground state.

Her cash-rich campaign spared no expense as it hunted for voters — paying for an avalanche of advertising, social-media influencers, a for-hire door-knocking operation, thousands of staff, pricey rallies, a splashy Oprah town hall, celebrity concerts, and even drone shows.

It was a spree that averaged roughly

$100 million per week.

Since her loss, the Harris operation has pressed supporters for more cash with desperate-sounding solicitations, stirring fears about postelection debts.

The biggest expense during the race was advertising. Between July 21 and Oct. 16, financial records show that the Harris campaign spent $494 million on producing and buying media, a category that includes both television and digital ads. The total sum through the election is said to be closer to $600 million.

Yet starting in October, her campaign was actually narrowly outspent on broadcast television by Trump, according to data from ad-tracking service AdImpact.

The campaign’s spending decisions were documented in Federal Election Commission records and interviews with 15 Harris campaign officials and close allies, most of whom insisted on anonymity. The Biden and Harris campaigns collectively raised about $2.15 billion, two people said.

Trump and the Republican Party together raised $1.2 billion, one person with knowledge of the figure said.

Patrick Stauffer, the Harris campaign’s chief financial officer, said there had been no outstanding debts or overdue bills as of Election Day.

Donations made after the election to the “Harris Fight Fund” are being funneled to the Democratic National Committee, officials said.

Though Harris had been on the ticket from the start, her advisers discovered that the Biden operation had done virtually no research on her strengths and weaknesses. Her operation spent more than $12 million on polling from July 21 to mid-October, records show.

Other major costs included $111 million in online ads seeking donations, at least $100 million transferred to battleground-state parties, $70 million on mail and nearly $28 million to produce the merchandise that people were ordering. The campaign spent a significant sum — about $50 million — for paid doorto-door canvassers. (© The New York Times)

Obesity on the Rise

A new study projects that in 2050, nearly 260 million people in the United States will have obesity and/or will be overweight, 43.1 million of whom are predicted to be children and teenagers.

The research, which was conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and published in the Lancet medical jour-

nal, relies heavily on past trends and thus may be inaccurate if the future doesn’t follow in the footsteps of the past.

The study noted that obesity and being overweight – two conditions defined respectively by a BMI of over 30 or between 25 and 29.9 – are the causes of an increasing number of early deaths and disabilities in the United States. Over the last thirty years, obesity rates for adults and older teenagers doubled. From 1990 to 2021, rates of obesity and overweight have increased more in teenage and young adult women than in men. The study also noted that in 2016, healthcare costs incurred because of obesity ranged from $261 billion to $481 billion.

Additionally, the research indicated that obesity and being overweight particularly impact states in the south, such as Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and Kentucky, where obesity rates are higher than in other states. From 2021 to 2024, Colorado and New Mexico saw the biggest increases of all.

In Texas, in particular, over 50% of men, ages 15 to 24, have obesity or are overweight, while in Mississippi, twothirds of older teenage females are overweight or obese, and 80% of adult women are overweight or obese.

“Our analysis lays bare the decades-long failure to tackle the growing overweight and obesity epidemic in the U.S.,” said Emmanuela Gakidou, one of the authors of the study and the co-founder of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

Dr. Marie Ng, another study co-author and an affiliate associate professor with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, addressed the issue of obesity medications, noting that such treatments are costly and not widely available despite rising demand. Ng noted that obesity prevention is essential.

The epidemic can be slowed with healthy meals at school, regulations on unhealthy foods, programs that increase the availability of fruits and vegetables, and safer and more walkable neighborhoods, which will allow people to get exercise, according to the study. Some advocate for the U.S. to implement taxes on sweetened beverages, a measure adopted

by over 40 countries and a few cities in the United States, including Philadelphia and Oakland. Similar taxes have been shown to discourage people from buying such drinks and can lead to a decrease in calorie, sodium, and sugar consumption.

Hochul Implements Congestion Pricing

After shooting down the MTA’s congestion pricing plans last June, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has brought the controversial initiative back to life despite widespread opposition to the idea from members of both political parties and from incoming President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to end Hochul’s plan within a week of him taking office.

Hochul’s new congestion pricing plan, which will begin on January 5, fines those traveling below Manhattan’s 60th Street. However, the tolls Hochul is introducing will be cheaper than the ones originally proposed by the MTA last March.

Most drivers will soon have to pay $9, as opposed to the $15 that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposed. Taxis and black car services driving in the area will have a per-ride surcharge of 75 cents, down from $1.25. Ubers and Lyfts will be charged $1.50 instead of $2.50. Additionally, small trucks and charter buses will have to pay $14.40, as opposed to $24, and larger trucks and tour buses will be charged $21.60 instead of $36.

Hochul’s decision to revive congestion pricing in New York City, which was announced Thursday, will help fund the MTA without overly-burdening New Yorkers, the governor said. According to the MTA, the funds will lead to subway service and safety improvements.

“New Yorkers can count on new train cars, more reliable service, and cleaner air, all thanks to Gov. Hochul’s leadership,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, adding that the program will reduce traffic and thus allow ambulances and police to better handle emergencies.

Drivers who make less than $50,000

48 a year will, each month, get a 50% discount after their tenth toll.

“No New Yorker should have to pay a penny more than necessary,” Hochul declared.

Congress has threatened to stop congestion pricing in Manhattan by introducing potential funding cuts and litigation. In response, Hochul said, “I’m not sure why the critics would want to take money away from New York… If they’re willing to hurt their own constituents for political gain, that’s very disturbing.

“We’re following the same approach for this congestion pricing plan as before. Our environmental analysis was deemed appropriate in prior litigation, and we believe other federal judges will uphold it,” added Hochul.

Spirit Declares Bankruptcy

On Monday, Spirit Airlines declared bankruptcy. The airline, known for its ultra-low fare costs, faces several overwhelming challenges. In the first half of 2024, Spirit lost $360 million, which was almost four times more than its reported losses during the same period last year. According to the company’s previous filings, it has $3.1 billion in long-term debt.

To make matters worse, Spirit tried to merge with other airlines, such as Frontier Airlines and JetBlue. However, when JetBlue attempted to purchase Spirit, a federal judge intervened, ruling that the merger would violate antitrust laws.

As Spirit Airlines works to restructure its debt, the airline will continue to operate as usual.

“Guests can continue to book and fly without interruption and can use all tickets, credits, and loyalty points as normal,” the airline stated.

It isn’t rare for U.S. airlines to declare bankruptcy and then become stronger. In the past twenty-five years, the majority of top airlines, including American Airlines, United, and Delta, have filed for bankruptcy at some point. However, it is very possible that Spirit will be purchased by another airline or have no choice but to liquidate.

According to Spirit, its bankruptcy and ongoing negotiations with creditors will enable the airline to have less debt and more financial flexibility in early 2025, which will thus “position Spirit for long-term success and accelerate investments providing guests with enhanced travel experiences and greater value.”

During the bankruptcy process, the airline’s operations will be funded by the $300 million that creditors recently gave Spirit.

According to the company’s filing, it employs around 13,000 full- and parttime workers, along with 8,000 independent contractors and temporary employees. Its second largest creditor is the U.S. Treasury Department, which used taxpayer money to give Spirit an unsecured loan of $136 million in 2020 and 2021 as part of an initiative that helped airlines function during the pandemic.

Now that it’s declared bankruptcy, Spirit might have another chance at merging with another airline, especially now that the next president will be Donald Trump, whose government may be much more relaxed than the Biden administration about antitrust laws.

On Monday, Spirit said it would, “in the near term,” be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. On Wednesday, its shares fell 59% and then another 18% on Friday.

Spirit’s cheap fares have been a double-edged sword. Their fares are far less expensive than major airlines’, but many passengers lodge complaints after flying with Spirit.

an old glass bottle with something curled up inside.

He and his colleagues fished the bottle out of its hiding place, called the lighthouse keeper, and congregated at the bottom of the structure to inspect their discovery. Inside the bottle, which was stoppered with rusted wire wrapped around an old cork, was a note handwritten in cursive.

How old, exactly, became clear when they drilled away the cork and pulled the note through the bottleneck using two cables. The date on the header: Sept. 4, 1892.

“We were shaking, especially me,” said Barry Miller, the lighthouse keeper for Corsewall Lighthouse who raced over last month when the workers told him what they had found. “I couldn’t keep my hands still, and I read the note out to the other guys.”

Was it a love letter, a disgruntled complaint, or someone’s final goodbye? “We all swore ourselves to silence if it was a treasure map,” he joked.

If not as lucrative as a treasure map, the note turned out to be more relevant to their work, at least: It was a 132-year-old missive, written in ink, from former engineers and lighthouse keepers who were installing a new Fresnel lens and lantern at the top of the tower.

“By great coincidence, we were working on the very lens which they had installed,” Miller said, adding, “It was a direct communication from them to us.”

allowing passengers to spend up to four years visiting over 140 countries – all while avoiding the United States.

The Tour La Vie trip offers a variety of extended stays aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, including a one-year “Escape from Reality” cruise, a two-year “Mid-Term Selection” cruise, a three-Year “Everywhere but Home” option, and the four-year “Skip Forward” trip.

“We came up with this marketing campaign before we even knew who would win. Regardless of who would have won, you would have half of the population upset,” CEO Mikael Petterson said. “Quite frankly, we don’t have a political view one way or the other. We just wanted to give people who feel threatened to have a way to get out.”

Message in a Bottle

After two centuries of faithfully guiding sailors around a blustery headland in southwest Scotland, the lighthouse needed some attention.

Ross Russell, a mechanical engineer, was helping refurbish the Corsewall Lighthouse in the village of Kirkcolm when he peeked into the cavity in a wall of the old structure. That’s when he saw it:

When the note was written, Queen Victoria was Britain’s monarch and U.S. President Grover Cleveland would soon return for a second term. Russell, 36, said the bottled message gave him a sense of being connected to the past: “It almost sent shivers up your spine, because you knew that what he was reading out had been written 132 years ago.”

Perhaps the note was intended for future workers, hidden as it was in the walls behind a cupboard. The crew had dismantled the cupboard only to check some beams, part of an inspection of the heavy lens. “We could have easily missed it,” Russell said. (© The New York Times)

Cruise Away from Trump

Devastated that Donald Trump won the White House? Want to escape under your covers for the next four years? We have the answer for you.

Florida-based cruise company Villa Vie Residences recently announced the launch of its Tour La Vie program,

While prices start at just under $40,000 per year, single-occupancy cabins for the full four years start at $256,000, with double-occupancy running up to $320,000 for the trip. All food and drinks are included in the price, as well as WiFi and medical visits. Housekeeping is provided weekly and laundry service is bi-weekly, each with no additional cost, while alcohol is only included at dinner.

You won’t be staying in one place for long. Passengers will get the chance to spend a month in the Caribbean, before embarking on a four-month South American journey featuring two Panama Canal transits, two World Wonders, the Chilean Fjords, an Antarctic sail-by, Carnival in Rio and an eight-day endeavor into the Amazon River.

While onboard, passengers will be able to cast absentee ballots if they want to help sway the midterm or presidential elections in the upcoming years.

We wish you smooth sailing.

Can’t Wait to Get Away

If a cruise isn’t to your liking and Trump’s victory is triggering to you, consider moving to Italy.

Ollolai, a small village on the Italian island of Sardinia, has been trying to persuade people to move to its bucolic

streets. Now, following the elections in the U.S., the city launched a website for would-be American expats, offering up homes for as little as a dollar.

“Are you worned (sic) out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities?” the website asks. “It’s time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.”

Mayor Francesco Columbu says that the website was specifically created to attract American voters in the wake of the presidential elections.

“We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all,” he says. “We can’t of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fasttrack procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village; they are our winning card.”

There are three types of homes on offer: free temporary homes to certain digital nomads; one-euro homes in need of renovations; and ready-to-occupy houses for prices up to 100,000 euros ($105,000).

In the past century, Ollolai’s population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,300 with only a handful of babies born each year. Many families left the village during tough economic times, in search of work and better lives.

Over the last few years, the population has further dropped to barely 1,150 residents.

“Of course, we can’t specifically mention the name of one U.S. president who just got elected, but we all know that he’s the one from whom many Americans want to get away from now and leave the country,” Columbo said.

Since November 5, the town hall’s website has been flooded with 38,000 requests of information on houses, mostly coming from the United States.

Ciao!

A Remote Paradise

The town is also trying attract digital nomads.

Roberto Tangianu/Sardegna Live Ollolai has previously tried to lure new residents with appealing housing schemes.

In 2018, as first reported by CNN, the town hall started selling dilapidated empty homes for one euro. Then it went on to rent empty working spaces for a symbolic one euro.

Lastly, starting last year, it launched a “work from Ollolai” program for digital nomads. So far four Americans have been hosted in fully equipped dwellings for a symbolic one euro. In return, they had to create something for the community, like an artwork or book.

The town hall pays to rent the homes from local families for the remote workers, paying roughly 350 euros per month for multi-floor, two-bedroom dwellings. Utilities, bills and council taxes are also covered.

But revival plans have not been going as well as local authorities had hoped. Since 2018, only 10 homes have been sold for one euro and renovated, says Columbu.

“The village remains half empty, we still have about 100 unoccupied cheap homes potentially on sale, ready to move in. We have mapped and listed them all, and soon photos will be online for buyers to take a look at.”

Ollolai

Most buildings are located in the historical center and come in varying sizes.

They’re picturesque old farmers’ and shepherds’ dwellings made from local granite rocks. Some turnkey properties are even furbished and equipped with modern comforts.

Did you know?

Around the Community

Meaningful Hafrashas Challah at Shulamith

On Tuesday night, the Shulamith family joined together in The Seawane Club for a very special Hafrashat Challah event. Over 500 mothers and daughters from grades 1-8 united through tefillah and song to daven and do mitzvot for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael. The beautiful evening was filled with inspiration and chizuk, as we

said Tehillim and wrote letters to the soldiers. We made the bracha of Hafrashat Challah on our dough with Morah Benun and answered “Amen” together.

Mrs. Ginsparg welcomed us with a dvar Torah and Tehillim, and Mrs. Munk led us in the tefillah for the hostages. After everyone made a bracha, Shimi Adar led us in an uplifting and heartfelt

Kumzitz, which concluded in dancing proudly to celebrate our incredible Am Yisrael!! The amazing ruach and achdut filled the room that night and will fill our hearts forever!

Thank you to the SWO, Hafrashat Challah Committee, The Seawane Club and to everyone that was able to participate! In the zechut of the tremendous

achdut and tefillot of Shulamith, may Hashem protect our soldiers, return our captives, send refuot and yeshuot to all in need and bring peace and joy to Eretz Yisrael and all of Klal Yisrael, with Mashiach! Am Yisrael chai!

Mid-Season Update: The Thriving 5 Towns Hockey League

As we reach the halfway point of the season, the 5 Towns Hockey League is buzzing with excitement and competitive spirit. This year, the league has proven to be a fantastic platform for young athletes to showcase their skills, develop teamwork, and, most importantly, have fun. From the very first ball drop, it was clear that this season would be one for the books. Each game has been a nail-biter, with many teams battling it out in close matchups that keep parents on the edge of their seats. The competitive nature of the league has led to intense rivalries and unforgettable moments, making every game a must-see event. The league has seen a remarkable turnout this season, with more kids participating than ever. Young players are not just honing their hockey skills but also building lasting friendships and learning valuable lessons about sportsmanship and perseverance. Coaches and

parents alike have noted the positive energy surrounding the games, as kids are genuinely enjoying themselves on the floor.

One of the highlights of this season has been the number of closely contested games. Whether it’s a last-minute goal, a spectacular save, or a hard-fought overtime battle, each match has been filled with excitement. The unpredictability of the outcomes adds to the thrill, as teams fight for every point in the standings. Players are stepping up, showcasing their talent and determination, which makes for some unforgettable hockey.

The 5 Towns Hockey League isn’t just about the games; it’s about the community. Families gather to support their teams, fostering a sense of camaraderie and local pride. The atmosphere at the rinks is electric, with cheers and encouragement echoing throughout the stands. This community support plays a crucial

role in motivating the players and enhancing their experience. As we look forward to the second half of the season, the excitement is palpable. Teams are gearing up for the playoffs, and every game counts. Coaches are strategizing, and fans are ready to rally behind their

YCQ Needs Community Support for Gym

Over a year ago, the YCQ gym experienced a sprinkler malfunction, which led to unexpected flooding. At the time, the yeshiva used all available resources to dry and clean the space, unaware that moisture had seeped beneath the tiles and remained there undetected. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until the floor began to lift that the true extent of the damage was discovered. Since the end of September, students have missed out on using the gym they love, because the floor had to be removed. Now, the entire space is in urgent need of restoration.

This unexpected situation wasn’t something that could have been planned or budgeted for, so YCQ is reaching out to

the broader Queens community for help to fund these much-needed renovations. Your support, no matter the size, will directly impact the future of our gym and ensure that our students have access to the opportunities that make YCQ so special.

The importance of education outside of the classroom cannot be overstated when it comes to the development of our children. Students are relying on you to provide them with these opportunities to thrive and grow. Please answer the call from the students of Yeshiva of Central Queens.

The campaign ends on Monday, November 25, so please donate today at weareycq.com

teams. With so much talent on display and the competitive spirit running high, the remainder of the season promises to be just as thrilling as the first half. Here’s to a fantastic second half of the season— let the games continue! www.5townssports.com

Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen visits Yeshiva Darchei Torah

Lev Chana Intergenerational Day

Lev Chana kindergarten students had a wonderful time at their Intergenerational Day celebration! Students were so excited to welcome

their grandparents to Lev Chana. They sang songs and worked on fun projects together. It was a very special day for everyone!

Talmidim at Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim fulfilled the pasuk of, “V’nishmarten me’od l’nafshoseichem,” as they learned CPR and first aid.

Experiential Learning at HALB

The fourth graders at HALB spent the day at Jones Beach to study the wind. Learning in the classroom is fun, but getting outside to experience it is even better!

Siddur Party at YOSS

On Monday, the first grade talmidim at Yeshiva of South Shore celebrated a very exciting milestone – they each received their very own personalized siddur. Our Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Mordechai Kamenetzky, addressed the boys imparting the chashivus of tefilla and how it builds our relationship

with Hashem. The boys then sang some songs and had a dance with their rebbeim and the Menahel, Rabbi Avraham Robinson, as we all shared in their simcha and excitement! IY”H each boy will treasure their siddur and daven from it for years to come!

Preparing for Thanksgiving at HANC

Preparing for Thanksgiving was our focus at HANC’s Early Childhood Center in West Hempstead. Each class learned about the history of the holiday and what the Native Americans did for our country. They also discussed what they are thankful for, and their responses were adorable: our families, Hashem, our grandparents, our Legos and Magnatiles, just to name a few. Then each class created Thanksgiving turkey bulletin boards, with each paper feather depicting the people and other items for which they are grateful. The yeladim then put their fine motor skills to work, creating beautiful table decorations and centerpieces for their family’s Thanksgiving table.

Getting ready for the upcoming Thanksgiving Feast kept HANC’s young-

Did you know?

est students very busy with many projects, both in the classroom and in the kitchen! The students created headdresses out of paper and feathers, adding lots of color to their Native American headpieces. To replicate the beaded necklaces worn at the time of the first Thanksgiving, the students painted wooden beads in an array of colors, and then using their fine motor and patterning skills, they strung them into their own festive necklaces to wear at the feast.

No Thanksgiving would be complete without the requisite delicious traditional foods. Each class baked or cooked a dish or dessert that would be shared at their grade’s upcoming feast. During the course of the three days leading up to the holiday, the hallways were filled with fra-

The first major sneaker company was Converse, which was founded in 1908.

grant scents. Each class prepared a food item for the grade-wide Thanksgiving Feast. Some of the dishes included: turkey shaped cookies, cornbread, pumpkin pies, pumpkin muffins, and cooking cranberry crunch and cranberry sauce.

When the big day arrives, the tables will be festive, with turkey plates and lovely decorated centerpieces that the children created, and each class will bring their delicacy for all to taste at the feast. The children will arrive wearing their headdresses and necklaces and the teachers will be wearing Pilgrim hats. After communal singing of the holiday songs that they learned in class, the students will be treated to a delicious meal, all of which was baked with tremendous joy and excitement by their young peers. Not

to worry, our wonderful Hebrew teacher is teaching the children so many Hebrew words in conjunction with the instruction of Thanksgiving!!

HANC Early Childhood Center Director, Mrs. Trudy Rubinstein, remarked, “This year the children will use their creativity to decorate their own turkeys at the feast. The children will replicate a turkey out of a donut, fruit loops and linguini as the feathers and candy eyes. We are so excited to see the finished turkeys–gobble, gobble!”

At the conclusion of the day, the children will be so proud to take all of their Thanksgiving projects home, which will bring great joy to their families and will enhance their own Thanksgiving feasts this year and for many years to come.

TAL Staff Development Day

While the students of TAL Academy enjoyed a day off on Veteran’s Day, TAL (Torah and Language) Academy faculty took a turn sitting on the other side of the classroom for a day of staff development. It was especially exciting as TAL welcomed the teachers of HANC’s (Hebrew Academy of Nassau County) lower elementary department to join in an important, collaborative program.

TAL is privileged to have Dr. Lydia Soifer, a renowned language pathologist and teacher trainer whose methodology and insight is sought by numerous schools nationwide, as part of their administrative staff. Dr. Soifer delivered an informative workshop to both school’s faculty members titled, “Let Me Ask You a Question...” on how to utilize different types of questions in the classroom to maximize participation and learning.

After the lecture, teachers from both schools divided into smaller groups to

discuss specific ways that they could bring these methods into their classrooms. Two schools with a shared mission, using their shared experiences to give their students an incredible education, will undoubtedly benefit the students at both schools. Overall, it was an eye-opening and educational session that the faculty of both schools are excited to apply in the classroom.

Building Stronger Family Bonds: Parent Tips

By Malka Miller, M.Ed

One of our kids pushes and makes fun of his siblings. My husband says he’ll probably grow out of it, and I shouldn’t worry about it. Do you think this is something to be concerned about?

That’s a great question, and one many parents grapple with because we all grew up with a fair amount of teasing and sibling rivalry. Consequently, it may seem like it’s just part of growing up. However, parents sometimes dismiss aggressive behavior as harmless sibling rivalry, hoping kids will “grow out of it.”

Renowned psychologist John Gottman, however, points out that the way a child interacts within the family is a strong predictor of their future ability to get along with their peers.

While children may outgrow certain behaviors as they mature, the foundation of respect and empathy laid in their early years will continue to shape their interactions with others. These foundational skills will influence their ability to form healthy relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and contribute positively to society.

If you ignore aggressive behavior it can lead to social and emotional problems such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. Children learn by observ-

ing their parents and siblings. If aggressive behavior is allowed, it can become a pattern.

What are some practical tips for parents to create a positive and respectful home environment?

 Set Clear Boundaries: Establish expectations for respectful behavior.

 Teach Empathy: Encourage your child to understand how their actions affect others.

 Model Positive Behav-

ior: Demonstrate respectful communication and conflict resolution.

 Seek Professional Help: If the behavior persists or worsens, consider consulting with a professional coach, who can provide strategies for effective communication and conflict resolution within the family

By setting the standard of respect in your home and by modeling empathy within the family, you can create a home environment where every member feels valued, respected, and safe. This foundation of empathy will not only strengthen family bonds but also equip your children with the social and emotional skills they need to thrive in the world.

For more information you can reach Malka Miller at info@myteammagic. com and on her website Myteammagic. com.

All’s Well that Ends Well

HAFTR Learns About Hachnosas Orchim

Last week, the youngest members of the HAFTR family took part in a fun and meaningful Parashat Vayiera activity that combined hands-on learning with timeless Jewish values. Led by Morah Fran, the children explored the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim through an interactive tent experience.

The activity recreated Avraham and Sarah’s open tent, teaching the children how to be kind, grateful, and welcoming hosts. They also learned the importance of being good guests by showing appreciation and respect when visiting others. Through stories, songs, and role-playing, the students learned the importance of

caring for others and making everyone feel special—whether hosting a guest or being a considerate guest themselves.

HAFTR Early Childhood’s approach to Jewish learning infuses Torah values with age-appropriate, engaging activities, helping children internalize lessons in a way they’ll remember. The smiles, laughter, and thoughtful questions from the students were a testament to their excitement and understanding.

This creative and immersive learning opportunity reflects HAFTR’s dedication to nurturing middot and fostering a love for Torah and kindness in its youngest learners.

Mr. Roy Avidor New

GM

at The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya

We are delighted to welcome Roy Avidor as the new General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya!

Roy brings over a decade of leadership in the international hospitality industry, with a proven track record of operational excellence.

Most recently, Roy served as Director of Operations at the Sheraton Grand Tel Aviv, where he oversaw daily operations across multiple departments, always ensuring the highest standards of service. Prior to that, he held management positions at Celebrity Cruise Line and Isrotel Hotel Chain.

Roy’s extensive background in luxury hospitality, combined with his passion for service, makes him the perfect addi-

tion to our team and to his newest position as General Manager.

At the Friendship Circle, we are blessed to see the power of unity on display every day. We watch as the seeds of meaningful, life-long relationships are sowed. We see acquaintanceships blossom into beautiful friendships. And we witness the transformational effects of companionship; the simple, yet beautiful reality of how friendship could bring happiness to a person’s life and so much light to the world.

The Friendship Circle is about bringing joy and a sense of true belonging to everyone in our community—and that includes children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities, for whom we offer a gamut of exciting programs.

Our kids count down the days until our next weekly and monthly programs. Our participants love the warmth and inclusiveness of our exciting holiday events—from our Chanukah parties to our Pesach experiences. And children wait around all week, excited for the day when their dedicated teen volunteers come to visit, giving an hour of fun to the kids and a much-needed break to the families. At our events, laughter fills the room, and smiles are everywhere.

Some of the children in our programs are in public school and don’t have many Jewish friends. But the Friendship Circle provides a supportive, fun environment for those kids, giving them the opportunity to make Jewish friends and learn about their heritage.

At the Friendship Circle, we believe that everyone needs a friend. And with your help, we’ll be able to ensure that

everyone has one. On November 25 and 26, we’ll be hosting our annual matcha-thon, a 36-hour fundraiser in which every donation is doubled thanks to our sponsors. We hope to raise $250,000, an ambitious goal that will enable us to continue running all our incredible programs. With your generosity, we could transform lives and change the world.

If you’re interested in donating to our campaign, please visit causematch.com/ friendship. And if you have any questions, please feel free to contact batsheva@chabad5towns.com. We’re looking forward to a successful campaign and another amazing year at the Friendship Circle!

Roy Avidor GM

Photo by Vladik Svyshch

MAY Open House 2024

The children at Gan Chamesh internalized the meaning of the parsha as they learned about Rivka’s kindness and dramatized drawing water from a well much like she did

It was standing room only at the Mesivta Ateres Yaakov Open House this past Sunday, as the yeshiva hosted close to 170 prospective students, along with their parents, all eager to learn about what Ateres Yaakov has to offer. The day’s program was an opportunity to educate parents and students about the yeshiva’s unique mission, objectives, and resources.

It was an exciting and educational experience that included an elaborate Student Fair, informative panels, video presentations, engaging dialogue, shiurim from rabbeim, sports challenges, raffles, a catered lunch, prizes, competitions and more.

Upon arrival, attendees were warmly greeted by the MAY hanhalah, its talented and dedicated faculty, and scores of student and parent volunteers. Guests were ushered into the Student Fair, held in the yeshiva’s expansive gymnasium where a multitude of booths, manned by current Ateres Yaakov talmidim, described the school’s myriad extracurricular programs

and activities.

Following the Student Fair, the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, addressed the enormous crowd in the Mesivta’s Bais Medrash. He explained that “the goal in our Mesivta extends far beyond the high school years” and that “the ultimate purpose is to build better husbands, fathers and ovdei Hashem. Therefore, literally everything that occurs within the yeshiva is aimed at facilitating that goal.” Rabbi Yaffe concluded his remarks by clearly explaining each phrase of the Mesivta’s slogan “Rabbeim for Life. Education for Life. Torah for Life.” Rabbi Yaffe’s address was followed by an emotionally charged, informative video presentation that immersed the guests virtually into the Mesivta experience.

Following the video presentation, the students then enjoyed a science presentation with 9th grade science teacher Mr. Pinchas Fiber, a stimulating shiur delivered by 9th grade rebbe Rabbi Yoseph Lorbert, and a Q & A About MAY moderated by the Menahel Rabbi Yossi Bennett. The afternoon concluded with a delicious

Morah Elana’s class in

Torah went fishing and made letters out of foam for the letter F

Chinese buffet and a grand raffle!

Parents attended three panel discussions presented by Limudei Kodesh faculty, General Studies faculty, and current MAY Parents. Prospective parents asked panelists a variety of questions and received enthusiastic responses.

“There are many excellent local options,” Rabbi Yaffe explained in his Welcome Address, “Each school has its own emphasis and areas in which it excels. MAY is uniquely outstanding in that it excels in Limudei Kodesh, Limudei Chol and in extracurricular activities. With our expansive, state-of the-art campus, there is always something exciting going on, but never impeding the personal attention and long-lasting relationships that help students of all capabilities succeed.”

One parent noted, “The warmth in MAY was palpable. It’s clear that the rabbeim are very sincere and have a very strong emotional connection with their talmidim and truly care about their success.”

The MAY talmidim really made the event a success. Visitors challenged Ateres

Yaakov talmidim in ping-pong, football and basketball while being cheered on by friends. The ample Torah L’shma opportunities were represented by regulars of the Post-Shacharis Mishnayos Shiur, 12th grade Advanced Bikiyus, voluntary Night Sedarim, and Bein Hazmanim Learning Programs. The Mesivta’s Student Government, Arista, Extracurricular Activities, Clubs, Ruach and Recharging booths were represented by the MAY students showcasing the myriad opportunities and activities the Mesivta provides for its talmidim. Athletics and Competitions were represented by various members of the Mesivta’s football, basketball, hockey, softball and Torah bowl teams who were happy to display the school’s jerseys and many championship trophies!

Applications for the 2025-2026 z’man are now being accepted. For more information contact the Mesivta at (516) 374-6465 or visit their website at www. ateresyaakov.com.

Yeshiva Darchei

Around the Community

Israel Needs You, More Than Ever

By Moshe Bodner & Jeff Eisenberg

November 22 represents 412 days since we were attacked. Over the past 412 days, Am Yisrael has lost over 2,000 kedoshim. 101 hostages – dead and alive – remain in captivity in Gaza. Our IDF soldiers are fighting on many fronts – fierce battles in Gaza and Lebanon on a daily basis, and full-time defense of our citizens in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Yehuda V’Shomron, and cities and towns all over Israel.

Unfortunately, as of today, over 800 IDF soldiers have been killed during the past 412 days. Our most dreaded weekly task occurs every Monday morning when we painfully add new fallen heroes to our wall of Giborim. Last Monday was mild; only 2 of our brothers fell the previous week. This past week was excruciating as we added 16 chayalim to our holy Wall of Heroes. Next week will add more.

Moments after hanging pictures of the most recent casualties, we welcomed

Itzik and Re’i Fitusi into the Chesed Center. The Fitusi family has its roots in Gush Katif and surrounding communities. Itzik was raised in Atzmona, while his wife, Inbal, grew up in Ganei Tal. Inbal’s grandparents were among the original “mitnachlim” in Neve Dekalim. Following their marriage, Inbal and Itzik settled in Moshav Katif, and lived there until 2005 when they were evicted from their home during the Disengagement from Gaza.

Itzkik and Inbal have lived in Talmon ever since, where they continued to raise their 4 sons:

 Yair Zvi – a soldier in the elite Egoz unit, currently serving in Lebanon;

 Ohad – a member of Yamas, the Border Police tactical unit, currently serving in Hebron;

 Re’i Daniel – currently serving in the Golani Intelligence forces; and

 Yishai – an officer in Golani Unit 13, who fought bravely defending the Gaza Envelope on October 7.

On October 7, Yishai, a fighter in the

13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, fell in battle at Nachal Oz, less than 2 miles from his former home in Moshav Katif.

His brother, Re’i, immediately reported to his Golani unit and then took over for Yishai in Unit 13. He then transferred to a Golani intelligence unit, and has been serving in the North for over a year.

Yishai spent his recent week off from the army in the United States, raising funds to purchase gear for his unit. One of his last stops before returning to Israel was at the Chesed Center, where Itzik and Re’i paid tribute to Yishai, and the other 797 fallen soldiers on our Wall of Heroes.

Re’i then shared with us that his Golani unit, like many others, is desperately in need of gear. He came to the right place! Re’i left the Chesed Center with duffel bags full of raingear, thermals, fleeces and tactical backpacks, and on his return to Israel, received helmets, vest and fire-resistant uniforms from our team in Israel. They also left us with a very clear message: “We continue to believe that only the return of settlement to Gaza will bring security to the State of Israel.”

But for now, it is our chayalim who are bringing security to the Land of Israel.

Re’i and his unit were scheduled to re-deploy on the Lebanese border on November 22. We wish them luck in their mission and pray for their safety, and the safe return of all of our chayalim

Nearly 14 months into a devastating war, it’s about more than prayer. Re’i and his unit are but one example of the tens of thousands of soldiers who are in desperate need of gear. From socks and thermals to helmets, drones and night-vision goggles, our IDF heroes are counting on us to help them.

Lat week,16 of our best fell in battle, protecting Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. Let’s make sure that our chayalim are properly looked after and that every soldier has the gear he needs to do his job.

Itzik pointed out that the “roshei teivot” (acronym) of the name Yishai is “Yachad Shivtei Yisrael,” the Torah’s pre-condition to fulfill our responsibility to coronate the Al-mighty is the unity of the tribes of Israel. How can we dream of a unified approach that will lead to the Redemption?

Only through loving our fellow Jew as we love ourselves. By taking responsibility for those who have taken responsibility for us!

It is our responsibility to help protect the chayalim!

Many people have generously donated money, been on a mission, sent gear and much more. Every person we meet feels proud and tells us how much they have done for the war effort. Unfortunately, these stories date back four months or seven months, or even 12 months. Our help in this most unprecedented war is not something that we check off a box and be “yotzei.”

The needs are endless! Our mission is to save one more soldier, prevent four new orphans and another young widow. Whatever you have already done is not relevant to our brothers who need help right now.!

We are commanded to love our fellow Jew as we love ourselves. Ask yourself, “If I was going into battle today, what would I buy for myself?” and then go out and buy it for a fellow Jew, an IDF soldier, who is putting his life on the line to defend our Homeland and our great nation.

Moshe Bodner and Jeff Eisenberg are the co-founders of the Israel Chesed Center, the largest private humanitarian organization established in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, to assist soldiers, displaced families and security response teams in Israel.

The Israel Chesed Center is located at 1315 Peninsula Blvd., Hewlett. For more information visits www.israelchesedecenter.com or contact israelchesedcenter@gmail.com.

Ithik and Re’i Fitusi at the Israel Chesed Wall of Heroes

JSL Fall: Week 7 Recap

The JSL had another thrilling week, brought to you by FM Home Loans, showcasing the best from every player. With clutch plays and standout performances, each game was packed with excitement. Here are the highlights from the action-packed week!

JSL Juniors

K/P Hockey: Gerber Bedding took the win over Smash House, finishing 9-4, with Gavriel Feinsod looking unstoppable as he netted an impressive six goals to lead his team. Bright Futures put on a dominant display against Growtha, securing a 13-1 victory with Refael Rosenberg adding two goals and two assists. Posh Home + Bath defeated 5 Towns Central 4-1, thanks to Yehuda Cohen’s standout performance in goal, making save after save to keep his team on top. In a tight matchup, SR Whee managed to edge out 5 Towns Landscaping with a narrow 10-9 win, where Yaakov Gross shined by scoring a hat trick.

K/P Soccer: Maidenbaum came out strong with a decisive 11-1 win over Hewlett Auto Body, boosted by Yosef Gitelis’s

incredible goalkeeping skills that kept the game firmly in their control. Better Image Contracting dominated against Future Care Consultants, pulling off a 21-2 victory with Shua Bakaski lighting up the scoreboard, scoring an incredible 18 goals to lead his team to victory.

Football: Newman Dental fought hard to take an 8-5 victory over Beautox_ AL, with Daniel Grabie stepping up, scoring two touchdowns and making three big interceptions. Rides to Fly held on for a close 7-5 win over Tikva Fire, with Shua Abrams making a game-sealing interception that helped secure the win.

Hockey

1st Division: PlumbPro came out on top over Seasons Express with an 8-4 victory, led by Izzy Knobel’s hat trick. Town Appliance edged past John’s Automotive in a high-scoring 14-10 battle, where Yaakov Kret took control and netted an incredible 10 goals. Simcha Day Camp won against Wolf Phone Repairs by a score of 6-4, featuring Jacob Mermelstein who scored four goals in the victory.

2nd/3rd Division: S.I.N.G. Enter-

tainment and Built By Nate ended in a 2-2 draw, with Yumi Erlichman making an amazing sliding goal-line save and Yosef Rand showing his skills on offense. Gabriel Prince scored both goals for S.I.N.G. PIP Printing secured a 10-6 win over Maidenbaum, with Baruch Areman leading their defensive effort. SR Whee and The Gallery had a well-fought game that ended in a 4-4 tie.

4th/5th Division: Target Exterminating shut out Town Appliance 3-0, with Willy Farber scoring all three goals. Goalie Avi Krigsman had a shutout in net. Marciano Pediatric Dentistry and Smash House tied 3-3, with Uri Treitel playing strong defense, Teddy Schwartz scoring his first goal to tie the game, and Eli Benedek adding two more goals. Russo’s Pharmacy got a 7-3 win over Bluebird Insurance, with Gavriel Levine scoring four goals, Pinny Weinstein adding two, and Aaron Marmorstein chipping in one. Goalie Aharon Zeidel’s performance helped secure the victory.

6th/8th Division: NY Custom Closets secured a 7-4 win over Tikva Fire, with Shmaya Weinberger disrupting Tikva’s rhythm and setting up his teammates for scoring opportunities. Goalie Gavriel Levine backed up the effort with an amazing glove save, helping seal the victory. Wieder Orthodontics put on an offensive clinic, as they had control from start to finish in an 11-1 victory over Seasons.

Basketball

3rd/4th Division: In the 3rd/4th Division, Russo’s Pharmacy came out on top in a close 12-10 game over Wieder Orthodontics, with Jonathan Singer’s clutch defensive plays making the difference. Posh Home + Bath rolled to a 23-3 victory against Marciano Pediatric Dentistry, led by David Bauman who scored a standout 10 points. John’s Automotive earned a solid 12-3 win over Better Image Con-

tracting, with Zachary Emanuel and Avi Schiowitz making key plays throughout the game to secure the victory.

5th-7th Division: Sperling Productions secured a commanding 26-6 victory over DJ_CP. Binyamin Weissman Photography defeated Smash House 33-23, with game MVP Ezra Fricker leading his team to victory.

Men’s Basketball Town Appliance squeezed past Emporio 61-59, with Ephraim Wieder leading with 15 points. Yoni Bobker put up a strong 19-point effort for Emporio in a losing effort. Maidenbaum got a 65-48 win over Wieder, with Yitzy Gross scoring 24 and Ariel Melool adding 19. Judah Dvir kept Wieder competitive, leading all scorers with 26 points. Community Testing Center overpowered SR Whee 76-55 as Shelby Rosenberg dominated with 29 points. Despite the loss, Max Orlofsky of SR Whee finished with 24 points on eight 3’s. Growtha edged out Rides to Fly 68-66, with Aaron Azose stepping up as the game-changer, scoring 26 points. Hewlett Auto Body secured a solid win over Future Care Consultants, with Yoni Eichler scoring 25 points. Aron Newman added 21 points, including five 3’s, to help seal the victory.

Game of the Week: In an intense battle, Smash House edged out Newman Dental with a tight 5-4 win that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Asher Grabie came through in the clutch, tying the game just when it mattered most, while Akiva Greenspan powered through with four goals, showing skill and determination. As the final minutes ticked down, Jonathan Skaist stepped up with critical saves, sealing the victory for Smash House. The back-and-forth action and last-minute heroics made this a game to remember, earning its place as the Game of the Week!

The Siach Yitzchok annual Chinuch Melava Malka was addressed by the Menahel Reb Dovid Sitnick, shlita

Celebrating Shabbos at HAFTR

This past week, HAFTR came alive with the beauty and unity of Shabbat, as students from Early Childhood through High School participated in engaging and meaningful activities that brought the warmth of Shabbat to life.

The celebrations began on Tuesday with a lively Shabbat-themed lunch, sponsored by the PTA. Students joined together in song, setting the tone for the special week ahead.

In Early Childhood, the youngest learners created beeswax candles and baked their own challahs, filling the air with the delightful scents of fresh bread and scented candles.

The Lower School hosted its much-anticipated Challah Bake, drawing over 200 families for an evening of connection and community. Led by Ms. Tova Zucker, Associate Principal and Head of Judaic Programming, the event featured PTA President Danna Kalter taking challah in a moving moment, joined by IDF chayalim Efraim Abrams and Izzy Sicherman, who recited prayers for the chayalim. Families also prayed for cholim and chatufim, designed personalized salt shakers, and enjoyed Shabbat songs per-

formed by students.

In the Middle School, the annual cholent cookoff was a highlight, with students showcasing their culinary skills. Judges David from SmashHouse and Matthew from Bean and Berry evaluated 13 crockpots of cholent based on taste, aroma, and presentation. The week concluded with an uplifting 8th grade Shabbaton, bringing 8th graders together for a meaningful Shabbat experience.

High School students also celebrated in style. The girls participated in their own challah bake, while the boys engaged in discussions about the values and halachot of Shabbat, deepening their appreciation for this cornerstone of Jewish life.

These events were made possible through the hard work of PTA Presidents Danna Kalter and Farrah Blinder, and Shabbos Project Committee Chairs Rachel Farber and Chaviva Libin, along with the enthusiastic participation of students, families, and staff.

The week was a beautiful reminder of the power of Shabbat to inspire achdut and ruach across the entire HAFTR community.

Rabbi Joey Haber Addresses BYAM Mothers

On Monday November 11, the mothers of Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam were treated to a wonderful evening at the home of Mrs. Adina Chafetz. The exquisite home, adorned with colorful artwork, was the perfect venue for a beautiful evening. The women enjoyed some time to shmooze, along with some delicious salads, sushi and desserts!

The highlight of the evening was the speech given by Rabbi Joey Haber, a popular and inspiring speaker. Rabbi Haber delivered much wisdom as he gave the women in attendance practical advice on how to run a joyful, Torah home. Rabbi Haber delineated four main points to help guide the mothers, which he explained as having a home that is fun, chill, “cool” and one that ultimately provides the children with the understanding that they so badly need in this current generation. Rabbi Haber gave practical advice and encouraged the mothers to ask questions to maximize the impact of his message.

No question was too small, and everyone left with both food for thought, as well as down-to-earth ideas to incorporate and add some new dimensions to their roles as parents of Bais Yaakov girls.

The evening concluded with a raffle of some amazing prizes. All in all, the evening was a success, an opportunity to socialize, munch and learn all while supporting a wonderful school!

Imbuing Confidence in Our Students at YOSS

What’s the best part of you?

That’s the question the third grade class at Yeshiva of South Shore tackled this week, inspired by Wendy Ewald’s book The Best Part of Me. Ewald’s book features real kids writing about the parts of themselves they’re proud of, from their strong hands to their sparkling eyes. Our class loved the idea and got right to work, creating their own stories celebrating what makes each of them unique!

Throughout the week, students picked a feature they felt best represented them and shared why it’s special. Some wrote

about their smiles that light up their family’s day, while others chose their feet that help them run, dance, and play. With every journal entry, we saw students not only discovering their own strengths but also learning to appreciate the unique qualities of their classmates.

We’re excited to display their finished pieces for our school community, giving everyone a chance to see the amazing diversity in our classroom. These heartfelt reflections remind us all to appreciate the qualities that make each of us one-of-akind!

Last week, Lev Chana students built Avraham’s tent to better understand the parsha and how Avraham and Sarah did hachnasat orchim

Central Remembers the Tree of Life Synagogue Massacre

By Michal Heimowitz

October 27 marked six years since the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. The antisemitic attack killed 11 people, injured six, and is the deadliest attack on Jewish people in U.S. history.

Students Demand Action (SDA) at Central, a chapter of Everytown, a national organization to combat gun violence, held a ceremony in front of the school honoring the lives lost. The ceremony began with the founder of the chapter, Michal Heimowitz, giving an introduction about the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting. Eleven Students Demand Action members spoke about each of the eleven people that were killed at the synagogue. In addition, yahrzeit candles were lit in memory of each victim: Irving Younger, Melvin Wax, Rose Mallinger, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Jerry Rabinowitz, Joyce Fienberg, Rich-

ard Gottfried, Daniel Stein, Cecil Rosenthal, and David Rosenthal.

Lana Bahn, a member of Students Demand Action at Central, said, “I was really moved by the memorial. The fact that I along with some other members of the SDA club had the opportunity to bring awareness and understanding to others made it so clear how important these kinds of events are.”

Hannah Austin, another member of Students Demand Action at Central, shared, “It was truly one of the most special things I’ve done. I think remembering those who we lost is really important.”

The ceremony concluded with a video that Michal had made with Congressman Richie Torres earlier in the week, where Representative Torres called on the students of Central to be the “Maccabees of the modern world,” reiterating that he’s staunchly committed to combating antisemitism alongside the students.

Veterans Day at Rambam

The Veterans Day Assembly at Rambam was a tremendous success, leaving a lasting and meaningful impression on the entire school community. The event began with the Rambam band setting a respectful and patriotic tone by playing the national anthem. Thank you to Benny Feder and Mark Khaimov for creating this meaningful atmosphere.

Gershon Brill (senior) then introduced the guest speaker to the audience declaring: “Today is Veterans Day in which we acknowledge with gratitude those who have served our country and fought to preserve our freedoms and our democracy. Veterans represent self-sacrifice, courage, loyalty and principle. It’s my privilege to introduce a veteran of the

Korean War who has the best virtues of an American veteran. Please give your attention to my good friend John Shaud.”

Sergeant John Shaud is a 91-year-old veteran and the President of the West Hempstead Historical Society. Sergeant Shaud comes from a distinguished family of veterans, including his great-uncle Major General Daniel E. Sickles. Sergeant John Shaud shared stories from his time in the Air Force during the Korean War. He also recounted the moving tale of the four chaplains and spoke fondly of his friend in the IDF. Despite not being Jewish, Sergeant Shaud thoughtfully prepared his speech geared for a Jewish audience.

Gershon Brill, who invited Sergeant Shaud to speak, expressed his grati-

tude, saying, “It’s really amazing what Rambam can do. When I met John and started building model aircraft with him, I never imagined he would become part of the Rambam family. Now he has more plaques than me!”

Sergeant Shaud was deeply touched by the warm reception he received. “I enjoyed having the privilege of speaking at your school,” he said. “I’m so touched by your classmates, principal, and teachers. I’m honored by the plaque given to me and that you asked me to share my military experiences. Your classmates all shook my hand, and I felt so privileged. You made Veterans Day very special for me.”

The assembly was an amazing success, leaving a lasting impact on every-

Mrs. Leah Girnun, YOSS Principal, Recognized as a Leader in Education

Mrs. Leah Girnun, the esteemed Elementary Principal of General Studies at the Yeshiva of South Shore (YOSS), was selected to address the 40th Annual Conference of Religious and Independent School Educators (RISE). This recognition underscores her exceptional leadership and dedication to fostering educational excellence.

New York State Education Department officials and leaders of the Jewish Education Project, after a comprehensive visit to YOSS, chose Mrs. Girnun to discuss the crucial topic of collaboration between private and public schools. As New York State continues to implement the concept of substantial equivalency, the need for effective partnerships between

these two sectors has become increasingly important.

At the RISE Conference, Mrs. Girnun, in collaboration with Dr. Ralph Marino, Jr., Superintendent of the Hewlett-Woodmere School District, presented a groundbreaking model of successful collaboration between a public school district and a yeshiva. Their presentation, “Courageous Leadership: Private and Public School Partnership for the Benefit of ALL Students,” highlighted the shared challenges faced by both sectors and demonstrated how cooperation can lead to significant improvements in student outcomes.

By leveraging the strengths of both public and private schools, Mrs. Girnun and Dr. Marino have created a partner-

ship that benefits all students. Their innovative approach has inspired educators and policymakers alike, showcasing the power of collaboration to create inclusive and effective learning environments.

Mrs. Girnun’s selection as a speaker at the RISE Conference is a testament to her expertise and commitment to educational excellence. Her leadership at YOSS has undoubtedly contributed to the school’s success and has set a high standard for educators across the state.

Mrs. Girnun is a highly respected educator with a proven track record of success. As the Elementary Principal of General Studies at YOSS, she has been instrumental in creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for young students. Her dedication to her

students, combined with her innovative teaching methods, has made her a beloved figure among the YOSS community.

one involved and serving as a remarkable Kiddush Hashem.

Shulamith ECC constructed an Ohel Avraham in conjunction with the parsha

Rabbi David Lau, former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, visited Chazaq at its headquarters in Queens

Values and Achievement Celebrated at SKA

Last Wednesday evening, SKA proudly inducted the members of the National Re’ut Honor Society. Each inductee had the opportunity to explore and express her personal growth journey through a creative endeavor connected to this year’s theme: A Value Driven Life. Each creation allowed the inductees to reflect on their high school experiences but also demonstrated their ongoing commitment to growth, leadership, service and character. Their

presentations were displayed on trifold boards and parents, grandparents, fellow students and administrators viewed their exhibits via a gallery walk. While creating the trifolds, the inductees were immersed in reflecting on the important moments that helped them achieve their current goals; in addition, they depicted how their essential values will help guide them to the next phases of their lives. Mazal tov to all of the inductees and their families.

Mercaz Academy’s “Special Someones” Shabbat Event

Grandparents and “special someones” streamed into Mercaz Academy last Friday for a special Erev Shabbat program, much to the delight of the entire student body. These very special visitors picked up bags of crafting material and met their students in an assigned classroom to work on the craft together, braiding their own havdalah candles and creating besamim balls studded with cloves.

With their projects completed, Mercaz students offered their grandparents and other special people personalized tours of the school, pointing out their classrooms, their displayed artwork and writing, and introducing teachers and other staff as they made their way to the cafeteria for the conclusion of the program.

After a recital of Tehillim for the safety of Israel led by principal Rabbi Kalman Fogel, these treasured visitors were treated to a moving musical performance by the Mercaz students, led by music teacher Craig Resmovits on keyboards. The

children sang the classic Shabbat songs of Sholom Aleichem and Ma’ein Olam Haba, and added Acheinu for our brothers and sisters in Israel, with pure voices, pure hearts, and a sweet solemnity that made their audience very proud.

The program ended with beaming students offering a warm goodbye to their beloved visitors, grateful for this chance to welcome them into their lives at school.

Boaz Elani Appointed General Manager of Sheraton Grand Hotel Tel Aviv

Boaz Elani has been named the new General Manager of the Sheraton Grand Hotel Tel Aviv, a prestigious property within the global luxury Marriott portfolio.

Bringing extensive expertise in luxury hospitality, Boaz most recently served as the General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya, also part of the Marriott group. During his three-year tenure, he successfully navigated the hotel through two major challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Israel. His steadfast dedication to exceptional service significantly enhanced guest satisfaction, solidifying the hotel’s reputation as a premier destination.

“I am honored by Marriott’s trust in me and thrilled to join the Sheraton Grand Tel Aviv team,” said Boaz. “This hotel holds a distinguished place as one of Israel’s finest and most iconic. Following its comprehensive renovation, we are committed to delivering unmatched experiences for our guests and continuing its tradition of excellence.”

The Sheraton Grand Tel Aviv, overlooking the Mediterranean, features 320 beautifully redesigned rooms, including premium, deluxe, and club accommodations, along with luxurious suites. Guests staying in club-level rooms enjoy exclusive access to the 18th-floor lounge, offering breathtaking sea views. The recent renovations incorporate modern

aesthetics with natural, seaside-inspired materials, creating a serene and inviting ambiance.

The hotel boasts a range of worldclass amenities, including a newly updated beachfront pool, a popular sushi bar open to both guests and the public, and a renowned gourmet breakfast. Its versatile meeting spaces and state-of-the-art conference halls have garnered international acclaim, earning it the 2024 World MICE Award for Best Event and Conference Hotel.

In line with Marriott’s global commitment to sustainability, the Sheraton Grand Tel Aviv has held Green Key Certification since 2014, highlighting its dedication to environmentally responsible practices.

With Boaz Elani at the helm, the Sheraton Grand Tel Aviv is poised to further elevate its status as a premier destination for both leisure and business travelers.

Boaz Elani GM Sheraton Grand

Photo credit Vladik Svyshch

Mercaz Academy Sheimos Project

Although Mercaz Academy, a Jewish day school for toddlers through sixth grade in Plainview, is only in its third year, the school building’s history reaches back decades. During those years, as is natural in a place of Torah study, sheimos – holy relics, including books and other papers with Hashem’s name that are worn out or unusable – has been accumulating in the basement of the school. To be precise, sixty-five boxes worth of sheimos, as well as an old Aron Kodesh, were languishing in the basement.

Chairman of the Board Gary Katz decided it was time to bury the sheimos, and Executive Director Seth Alexander, with help from Julian Galvis, the school’s custodian, brought the boxes up from the basement in the first step of the journey.

A group of current and former parents (and a former student) gathered to move the material out to the parking lot. Diane and Howard Rabin, former parents

who own a potato processing plant in Cutchogue, had a hole dug on the property where the sheimos would be buried. Along with the Rabins, more school parents as well as Rachel Alayev, Mr. Katz, and Mr. Alexander, loaded the material into five SUVs and headed out to Cutchogue, where the sheimos was committed to the earth.

“My wife, Shelley, had a beautiful thought,” said Mr. Katz. “She pointed out that the burial of the dead is called a ‘chesed shel emes,’ a Hebrew phrase that means ‘true loving-kindness.’ It refers to acts of compassion and kindness performed for someone who has died, and is considered the highest form of charity. Like burying the dead, burying sheimos is an act that invokes grace and compassion for others, without expectations of reciprocity.”

Mercaz Academy thanks all the volunteers who helped in the performance of this mitzvah.

Rambam Rhetoric Wins Model Congress Competition

By Daniel Stein

Last Wednesday, our own Rambam Rhetoric team competed in a Citron Model Congressional Debate Invitational. There was major pressure on the team to deliver considering the impressive showing from the Rhetoric team last year. Our own Rhetoric Ravens prepared by researching proposed laws on everything from presidential social media to billboard bans. They even submitted their own legislation creating high speed railroads to connect urban

Veterans Day Ceremony Honored in the Village of Cedarhurst

At Andrew J. Parise Park, the Veterans Day ceremony began at 11 a.m., marking the historic moment when World War I ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was renamed in 1954 to honor all who have served in the U.S. military.

shared their reflections, emphasizing the courage and dedication of veterans in defending our nation’s freedoms.

and rural communities. When the actual competition came, competitors took turns giving moving speeches on the legislation. In the end, when the awards were announced, there was an air of worry until it was announced that Henach Barningham (junior) and Daniel Stein (senior) both tied for first place, getting perfect ballots from their judges! However, no victory is permanent, and the Rhetoric Ravens will now move on to preparing for a World Schools Debate on autonomous AI.

Mayor Benjamin Weinstock said, “Today is a day to honor our nation’s veterans. It’s not a day of mourning but a day of respect and gratitude, and we gather here for that purpose. To all the veterans present, we say to you, you are a part of that group of special people who, generation after generation have dedicated themselves to building a nation that is stronger, freer and a little more perfect.”

Syd Mandelbaum, Commander of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339, and Frank Santora, Commander of the John J. Oliveri VFW Post 1582,

Local Official Hon. Ari Brown, NYS Assemblyman and Deputy Mayor of Cedarhurst paid tribute to veterans with his presence and words of gratitude. The ceremony included an invocation by Deacon Tom Costello from the Roman Catholic Parishes of the Five Towns and concluded with a benediction from Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, followed by a moving performance of “G-d Bless the USA” by the LHS Vocal Ensemble.

The Village of Cedarhurst extends its heartfelt thanks to the Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339 and the John J. Oliveri Post 1582 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the LHS Vocal Ensemble for their dedication in organizing this meaningful tribute. Their commitment ensures that the sacrifices of veterans will always be remembered and honored.

Eleventh grade talmid Daniel Isakov giving a chaburah in Yeshiva Nishmas Hatorah

Chessed Trips

Last week, DRS students took part in grade-wide Chessed Trips. The tenth graders visited Yad Leah, an organization that started humbly with just a few suitcases of clothing delivered by hand. It has since expanded to shipping full containers of clothing to those in need in nearly 30 communities throughout Israel. The boys spent time

packing boxes of clothing.

Meanwhile, the juniors took part in a profoundly meaningful act of chessed shel emes. They cleaned a cemetery and joined together to form a minyan at a levaya for a meis mitzvah, performing this rare and selfless mitzvah with reverence and care

Beatie Deutsch Inspires HAFTR

This past week, HAFTR Middle School had the honor of welcoming internationally acclaimed marathon runner Beatie Deutsch, whose inspiring story captivated students and staff alike. Known as the “Marathon Mother,” Mrs. Deutsch shared how she discovered her passion for running while balancing the demands of raising five young children.

Mrs. Deutsch recounted her journey from a non-runner to a world-class athlete, emphasizing how perseverance and faith helped her overcome challenges. Running in knee-length skirts and with her hair covered, she explained how her dedication to Jewish values allowed her to turn her passion into a powerful Kiddush Hashem—sanctifying G-d’s name. Her message resonated deeply as she encouraged students to be proud “ambassadors of Hashem,” standing strong in their beliefs even when it feels out of place or different.

She inspired the audience to reflect on their own talents and passions, urging them to channel their strengths toward meaningful goals. She left students motivated to dream big and push their limits.

Shabbos Week Celebrated at YUHSG

November is an exciting but busy time for students and faculty alike at the Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central), and a hectic schedule gives observing Shabbos every week additional significance. Inspired by The Shabbos Project, which celebrates global Shabbos observance on November 15 and 16, Central named the week of November 11 “Shabbos Week at Central.”

The energy in the room was tangible as students connected with Mrs. Deutsch’s words, feeling empowered to embrace their individuality and lead lives filled with purpose and positivity. Her visit underscored HAFTR’s commitment to fostering resilience, determination, and Jewish pride in every student. The Middle School students left the event inspired to take on their challenges, ready to run their personal “marathons” with courage and faith.

The week was coordinated by Central’s F.I.R.E (Friends Inspiring Religious Experiences) Fellows and the group’s advisor, Programming Director and Judaic Studies faculty member Mrs. Yael Axelrod.

“We wanted to do something that made students excited about Shabbos, and give them an opportunity to learn more about it,” Mrs. Axelrod said. “Our F.I.R.E. Fellows worked hard to organize events to ensure that we had something happening every day – from the Monday morning panel to the culminating Shabbos party on Friday, which included dancing, singing, and a choir performance.”

Senior F.I.R.E. Fellows Gabrielle Boriskin, Hannah Fink, Amy Morris, and Ava Reschke spearheaded the efforts. “Once the F.I.R.E Fellows heard about Shabbos week, we immediately jumped on the amazing opportunity and started planning,” Hannah said. “The F.I.R.E Fellows love when Mrs. Axelrod comes to us with our next mission. We all worked together to make sure that this week was the best week. We made sure that everything was perfect, down to putting the last tea light in the perfect hiding spot for the scavenger hunt.”

The Monday morning panel, “Why Shabbos is Hype,” featured Learning Specialist Mrs. Kathy Gold, History Department faculty member Mrs. Saritte Wolkenstein, and Judaic Studies faculty member Mrs. Rebecca Teper discussing the importance of their Shabbos practices. On Tuesday, a lunch chaburah with Mrs. Axelrod and the screening of a Shabbaton highlight video marked the day. Wednesday brought a pre-Shabbos scavenger hunt, with the class of 2027 winning the grand prize. On Thursday, Central’s Cooking Club sponsored a babka straw bake sale, with all proceeds going to Chicken for Shabbos, a charitable organization supporting families in need in Israel. Shabbos Week was capped off by a schoolwide Shabbos party on Friday, with Friday Night Oneg’s hosted by Central families that evening in Brooklyn, Queens, West Hempstead, and Woodmere. All events promoted a core message: the power of observing Shabbos.

“Part of the mitzvah of keeping Shabbos is preparing for it,” Mrs. Axelrod continued. “Thinking about it, considering how we want to keep it or celebrate it, and getting excited for its arrival. Having the week that comes before to focus on Shabbos is significant. Shabbos is an oasis in time, a chance for us to disconnect from our busy lives and reflect on what is most important to us.”

The students agree: “Our goal for the week was to enhance the Central community’s Shabbos by feeling little bits of that Shabbos magic throughout the week,” Hannah said. “It has been so nice to watch the entire school enjoy all of our fun events. Having our ideas come to fruition is the absolute best feeling.”

Gesher Supports the Chayalim

Yeshivath Gesher started an amazing new program! The program is called “Chayal of the Day.” Every week, our classes put pictures of specific chayalim up in our classrooms, and they have an amazing opportunity to learn, sing, or write letters in the zechus of the day’s dhayal. Classes then send pictures,

videos, and letters of the merits that they have been doing to the “Chayal of the Day” liaison, Shifra Tropper, and she then sends them directly to the mother or wife.

May Hashem provide protection for all the chayalim!

Names, Not Numbers Launch at YTM

Recently, Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe eighth graders participated in the opening event of this year’s Names, Not Numbers Project, created so that young people can meet and interview Holocaust survivors.

The event began with Rabbi Don Pacht, menahel, introducing the talmidim to the project and explaining why it was so important for them to get involved in recording and preserving these survivors’ stories as they are the last generation to still be able to meet face to face with them.

Rabbi Yaakov May, menahel emeritus, followed by sharing his thoughts on the importance of this program and

Rambam Classic Film Club Trip to 1954 Best Picture Winner

by David Mastour

This past Wednesday, the Rambam Classic Film Club held its first screening of the year. After lunch, the club departed for the Great Neck Public Library. On the journey, Mr. Hillel Goldman, head of the Classic Film Club and principal, gave out a list of the American Film Institute’s top 100 American Films of all time, having the students check off those that they’ve seen. While most had seen E.T., The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, and more, the students were shown a glimpse of all the great movies that await them! Little did they know they’d soon be checking off another film in just a few hours. Congratulations to Zeke Newman (sophomore) for having seen over forty movies on the list!

After entering the Library, the Rambam Men were awestruck as they walked around in awe of its beauty and vast selection. The students then went to the room where the screening was taking place. The film in question was…drumroll…On the Waterfront (1954), directed by Elia Kazan and written by Bud Schulberg. The film won Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Leading Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Film Editing in its year.

cultural significance of the film. Foster Hirsch is a professor of film and theater at Brooklyn College and has authored sixteen books. His most recent book, Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties, which was being sold at the screening, explores a decade of change for both Cinema and the world. Hirsch explained the historical context of the film, with Kazan and Schulberg having given information to the House Un-American Activities Committee regarding who attended the Communist Party conferences of the thirties. This was a legacy that they could never outlive, and On the Waterfront acted as a sort of vindication of their behavior.

The film explores the idea of testimony, as well as corruption, honesty, and fear. He also discussed the magnificent lead performance by Marlon Brando, particularly focusing on the famed “Taxi Scene,” and how he pioneered a form of acting, known as “The Method,” which involved the use of the whole body and personal introspection.

through several stories related how very important it is for them to hear the words of these survivors in person. A clip by Mrs. Tova Rosenberg, the founder and head of the national Names, Not Numbers, was then screened along with a video of a survivor’s story.

Mrs. Shoshana Soroka, a professional journalist and editor of The Jewish Home, spoke to the talmidim about interviewing techniques. This was followed by four student testimonials. The entire event was professionally filmed and will be used when the talmidim involved create their own documentary based on their interviews. This documentary will be shown to the community at large in the spring.

After the movie, which was treated to thunderous applause at its conclusion, and a short tea break, author and professor Foster Hirsch spoke on the artistic and

Upon departure, the students expressed their thoughts of the film on the bus, each having gotten the opportunity to check one more film off their lists: number nineteen. This turned out to be an incredible experience, and the Classic Film Club thanks Mr. Goldman, Foster Hirsch, and the Gold Coast Arts Center for making it happen. The students can’t wait for Hitchcock Day in March!

A Typical Lunch at HALB

How does lunchtime look for you?

At HALB, Mr. Altabe, Lower School Principal, spent lunch time playing chess with a student while everyone else watched with excitement! And of course, the meal ended with everyone singing Acheinu after benching as usual.

Chai Lifeline Celebrates Hope and Healing at December 17

National Gala

Chai Lifeline, the Jewish community’s leading children’s health and crisis support network, will host its National Gala on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Pier Sixty in New York City. This year’s gala theme, “Shining Together,” reflects Chai Lifeline’s mission to uplift and unite all those impacted by serious illness and crisis, from the sick child to every family member and the broader community, providing strength and hope in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Chai Lifeline will honor Rabbi Chaim and Chavie Bruk, co-CEOs of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana and proud Chai Lifeline parents, with the Champions of Hope Award. Based in Bozeman, Montana, the Bruks have dedicated their lives to supporting their community and family. Their personal connection to Chai Lifeline is deeply meaningful: their daughter, Zeesy, was born with a rare genetic disorder that has led to developmental delays and seizures, making her childhood challenging yet filled with hope. Thanks to Chai Lifeline’s unwavering support, including the life-changing experiences at Camp Simcha, a medically supervised overnight camp for children with serious medical needs, Zeesy and the Bruk family have found a transformative source of strength and belonging.

The Maimonides Medical Achievement Award will be presented to Dr. David J. Hackam, Pediatric Surgeon-inChief and Co-Director at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Dr. Hackam, of Baltimore, Maryland, is a globally recognized

surgeon and researcher whose pioneering work in pediatric surgery has brought significant advances in the treatment of complex surgical disorders in newborns. His groundbreaking research on necrotizing enterocolitis has paved the way for new therapies and patents, offering hope to families affected by this devastating illness.

“Our distinguished honorees exemplify Chai Lifeline’s commitment to providing compassionate support, expert guidance, and a vital community to families in need,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “This gala enables us to come together, celebrate our achievements, recognize remarkable leaders, and renew our dedication to bringing light and hope to families who rely on our support.”

The gala will also feature a special musical performance by acclaimed Israeli singer-songwriter Shmuel.

The Chai Lifeline National Gala is more than an evening of celebration—it is a call to action. Funds raised will support Chai Lifeline’s essential services, including case management, crisis intervention, financial assistance, insurance advocacy, counseling, meals, transportation to medical appointments, i-Shine afterschool programming, Camp Simcha, and more, all offered at no cost to families.

For more information, tickets, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit www. chaidinner.org.

TJH Centerfold

Nike Trivia

1. What percentage of the sneaker market share does Nike, which was founded 50 years ago, have?

a. 25%

b. 40%

c. 60%

d. 75%

2. The famous Nike logo, a solid swoosh, was designed by Carolyn Davidson, a student at Portland State University. How much was she paid for creating the iconic logo?

a. $35

b. $350

c. $3,500

d. $30,500

e. $350,000

c. Famed college basketball coach Bobby Knight’s famous rallying call to his players

d. What Michael Jordan said before hitting the jump shot against the Utah Jazz, resulting in an NBA championship

4. What type of machine was used to make the first pair of Nikes?

a. 3-D printer

b. Lazer cutting machine

c. Waffle maker

d. Grinding machine

5. What was the original name of the Nike company?

a. American Sneaker Corp.

b. Nikeology

3. What was the inspiration for the Nike slogan, “Just Do It”?

a. The words that Buzz Aldrin said to Neal Armstrong right before Armstrong stepped onto the moon

b. Serial killer Gary Gilmore’s last words before he was executed

c. 1998

d. 2002

7. After Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan gifted his sneakers to a Utah Jazz ball boy. How much were those sneakers sold for at auction in 2023?

a. $400,000

b. $750,000

c. $1.2 million

d. $2.2 million Answers:

Wisdom Key:

c. Slick Sneakers

d. Blue Ribbon Sports

6. In which year did the first Air Jordans come out?

a. 1985

b. 1992

6-7 correct: I am not coming to your house for waffles; you definitely tried creating your own sneakers with them.

3-5 correct: Your Jordans didn’t give you so much lift.

0-2 correct: You are an Adidas guy – if you are going to wear ugly sneakers, at least wear On Clouds.

Winning Sneaker Brands

Sole Survivors – Guaranteed to outlast your gym membership.

The Couch-to-Fridge Flyers –Because your cardio starts in the kitchen.

Air Procrastinators – Built for running...tomorrow.

Toe-Trappers – Perfect for awkwardly catching furniture legs.

Slip-and-Dies – For rainy days when grip is a luxury.

Lace Houdinis – Always untying themselves at the worst times.

Velcro Victory 7s – For when you’ve given up on laces altogether.

The Squeaky Steppers – Announcing your arrival with every step.

Sole Screamers – The shoes that make every floor sound like a haunted house.

The Midlife Crisis Classics – Flashy enough to prove you’re still cool.

The Dust Collectors – Pristine because they never leave the box.

The Trip Trainers – For mastering the art of stumbling gracefully.

The Tight-Squeeze 12s –Order your size... and regret it instantly.

The Overcommitters – Built for a marathon, used for coffee runs.

The Slip-N-Pray – Grip so bad, every step is a leap of faith.

The Croissant Runners – Soft, flaky, and never meant for real activity.

You Gotta Be Kidding Me

Two guys are walking through a forest looking for deer, when all of a sudden, a giant bear jumps out and stares them down. One guy stops, opens up his backpack and laces up a pair of running shoes.

His buddy looks at him and says, “What are you doing? Are you crazy? You can’t outrun the bear!”

The guy replies, “I know. All I have to do is outrun you!”

Riddle me This

Dave, who works at a butcher’s shop, wears size 10 shoes. He is 6’2” and his waist is 40”. What does he weigh?

Answer: Meat

Torah Thought

Parshas Chayei Sara

By Rabbi Berel Wein

Finding the right mate has always been a complicated and potentially hazardous matter. It remains so today. Just ask any parent in our current society who has marriageable age children, and you will, in all probability, hear a tale of angst and frustration about the inequities of life and the illogic of it all. In this week’s parsha, Avraham faces the task of finding a wife for Yitzchak. His main concern is that the prospective

bride be from his extended family and not from the Canaanite women.

Jewish tradition has always viewed the family as being an important component in choosing a proper mate. Though family certainly cannot be the only criterion, it certainly is an important one. The rabbis taught us that the speech and language of a child is always a reflection of the speech and language of the father and mother of that child. People who are

raised in serene and loving home environments, homes of tradition and Jewish values, usually grow up to be serene, self-confident and proud Jews. Children who are raised in dysfunctional family environments have great hurdles to overcome to achieve self-worth and a productive life.

Both the Canaanites and Avraham’s family in Aram were pagans. But Avraham’s family had the stability and a minimum code of morality, traits that were lacking in the more permissive and licentious Canaanite society. This was the curse of the Canaanite society, and

there were husbands and wives that would bring to me money to distribute to the needy of the community and caution me not to allow their respective spouses to become aware that they had done so. Sometimes there were halachic or overriding family issues present that even forced me not to accept the donation. But I was always saddened by such situations. Eliezer’s testing of Rivkah was correctly done in order to spare the couple possibly ruinous disputes in their future life together. And since in the house of Avraham and Sarah kindness of spirit and generosity of action and

Only a spouse that also espoused those ideals could bring to Yitzchak happiness and serenity.

Avraham felt that this factor would be impossible to ever truly overcome.

Eliezer, the loyal servant of Avraham, adds another requirement to the search for the mate of Yitzchak. Innate kindness and goodness and the willingness to sacrifice one’s own comforts for the sake of others is part of the makeup of Yitzchak. He was raised in a house where concern for the welfare of others was the everyday norm. A husband and wife have to be on the same page when it comes to this issue.

I recall that in my years as a rabbi

behavior were the fundamental norms of their family life, only a spouse that also espoused those ideals could bring to Yitzchak happiness and serenity. The Canaanite society that tolerated and even exalted the societies of Sodom and Amorah could not produce a suitable mate for Yitzchak. The Torah tells us that Yitzchak loved Rivkah. Love is based on character traits and shared values and not only on physical beauty and attraction. That is what makes its achievement so elusive for so many.

Shabbat shalom.

From the Fire

Parshas Chayei Sara Blood, Sweat, and Tears

By Rav Moshe Weinberger

Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

It is very difficult to understand why Avraham insisted on paying so much to buy Me’aras Hamachpela, the cave of Machpela, in which to bury Sara. Efron had offered to give it to him as a gift (Bereishis 23:11). The people even called him a “prince of G-d” (ibid. 6) Why not accept their gift? Hashem had already told him (ibid. 15:7) that he would inherit Eretz Yisroel. Avraham knew that Me’aras Hamachpela would ultimately be his in any case. While it is true that “One who hates gifts will live” (Mishlei 15:27), since Me’aras Hamachpela had already been promised to Avraham, it was not truly Efron’s to give. It is especially difficult to understand according to the Gemara (Bava Metzia 87a) which explains that the 400 shekalim paid by Avraham Avinu were not ordinary shekalim. They were large shekalim worth about 100 times the value of regular shekalim. According to this, Avraham paid the equivalent of 40,000 shekalim. Why was this necessary?

Perhaps we can understand Avraham’s motivation based on a teaching by Rav Aharon Soloveitchik, zt”l. Rav Aharon quotes the Mishna (Bava Metzia 38a): “If

one deposits his produce with his friend [to guard], even if they will be lost, he may not touch them.” In other words, the Mishna teaches that if someone is guarding another person’s produce and that produce begins to rot, he may not sell the produce in order to give the proceeds to the owner nor may he exchange the produce for a fresher replacement in order to return non-rotten produce to the owner. Why is this?

Rav Kahana, in the Gemara, explains, “A person wants one portion of his own [property] more than nine portions of his friend’s [property].” Rashi explains that one wants his own portion more than another’s because “it is more precious to him because he toiled for it. He wants the one portion that remains from it [that did not become rotten] more than nine portions of others that would have been purchased with the proceeds of his produce which would have been sold [before they became rotten].”

What does Rashi’s comment add to Rav Kahana’s explanation of the Mishna? Rav Aharon Soloveitchik explains that Rashi was bothered by the following question:

Even if the guardian had exchanged the produce for money or for fresher produce, it would still be his, not another person’s! Whatever produce or money one receives in exchange for his own produce still belongs to him. It would not be considered part of the “nine portions of his friend’s.” Rav Aharon therefore explains that Rashi answers this question by showing that there are two types of ownership: (i) legal title; and (ii) emotional ownership.

In the first type of ownership, legal title, it makes no difference whether one has the produce he grew himself, money obtained in exchange for that produce, or fresher produce. It all belongs to the person and is considered “his own portion.” If one assumes that Rav Kahana is discussing this type of ownership, it would be very difficult to understand why a person would distinguish between the produce one grew himself or money/produce one obtained in exchange for such produce.

But Rashi’s explanation of Rav Kahana makes it clear that Rav Kahana was discussing the second type: emotional/ spiritual/psychological ownership. This is created when one toils to earn some -

thing. After a person has invested months preparing the ground, plowing his soil, planting, watering, and harvesting his crop, the produce he obtains is precious to him became he poured his blood, sweat, and tears into it. A small portion someone worked for with his own effort is worth more to him than nine portions grown by someone else even if he has legal title to it. That is why Avraham Avinu insisted on purchasing Me’aras Hamachpela himself even though he already had legal title to it. He longed to have a portion in Eretz Yisroel to which he had emotional title, not just legal title. He wanted to ensure that the land of Israel would always be so precious to him, his children, and his grandchildren that they would never be willing to relinquish it.

This is reflected in the double meanings of the two words for money: damim and kesef Damim means money, but it also means blood. A person pours his blood, his very life-force, into earning a living. So when he spends that money on something, it is very precious to him. He has emotional title to it. And in addition to meaning “money,” kesef means “longing.”

A person feels a stronger longing and connection to the money he worked to earn and those things he has purchased with that money than things which are much more valuable that he never purchased himself. Avraham wanted to spend his hard-earned money to acquire Me’aras Hamachpela so that the Jewish people would have an everlasting bond with Eretz Yisroel that is emotional and spiritual, not simply economic.

The Kedushas Levi, zy”a, teaches this same concept in remarkable way, commenting on the pasuk (Bereishis 21:10), “G-d, Elokim, has made joy for me.” He asks why Sara used the name of G-d which implies strict justice, Elokim, when she said that Hashem gave her joy with the birth of Yitzchak after so many years. She should have said that Hashem (using the four-letter name of G-d which implies His attribute of kindness) gave her joy!

The Kedushas Levi answers that normally, when young people have children immediately after marriage, they feel a moderate level of joy. But when a person prays and cries for children year after year and then Hashem finally gives him or her children, the joy is immeasurable. Sara was saying that G-d’s attribute of strict justice, which caused her to wait many years to have children, ultimately caused her to have tremendous joy which she never would have felt if Hashem had originally exhibited His attribute of kindness and given her children at a young age. A person values and rejoices in that which he acquired through great toil, effort, and tears much more than anything he obtained easily.

When someone has davened for something for years, his stake in it is so much greater. That is why Chana’s prayers for her son Shmuel Hanavi were so powerful. The Gemara (Brachos 31b) teaches that Shmuel became ill because he had shown some level of disrespect to Eli, the Kohein Gadol, by teaching halacha in Eli’s presence. While Shmuel was at death’s door, Chana pleaded with Eli Hakohein to intervene in the upper worlds to save her son. He told her there was nothing he could do but pray that G-d grant her another child after Shmuel’s death. But she refused to hear of this. She told him (Shmuel I 1:27), “I prayed for this child.” Chana had invested years of prayer and tears into Shmuel Hanavi’s birth. No other child could have possibly acted as a substitute. Chana’s love, prayer, and insistence allowed Eli Hakohein to draw down salvation from Above, and Shmuel lived. We know Shmuel grew up to anoint Dovid Hamelech as king. So in the end, Moshiach, great-grandson of

Dovid Hamelech, will ultimately come into the world in the merit of the prayers and tears of Shmuel’s mother Chana.

A Mother Needs to Cry

A young Gerer chassidic man named Leibish from New York went to study in the Gerer yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel before the

husband to ask him to intercede on behalf of her son, my step-brother. But the Rebbe simply said, ‘Nu, what can we do. Hopefully G-d will help.’ Dumbfounded, the Rebbetzin left, wondering why the Rebbe would not help her son from the horrible fate that surely awaited him in the Polish army.

“The next day, her mother, the Imrei

He wanted to ensure that the land of Israel would always be so precious to him, his children, and his grandchildren that they would never be willing to relinquish it.

Pnei Menachem, zt”l, the previous Gerer Rebbe, had become Rebbe. At that time, he was still the rosh yeshiva in Yerushalayim. Leibish was recognized by everyone as the top boy in the yeshiva. He had exemplary character traits, and he was the brightest and most diligent student, a pride of his parents and the yeshiva.

At one point in the year, his parents went to visit the yeshiva, and Leibish’s father went to speak to the rosh yeshiva, the Pnei Menachem, looking forward to the praises he would surely hear about his son. When he met the Pnei Menachem, he introduced himself, but the rosh yeshiva simply acknowledged his greeting and said that it was good to meet him. Thinking perhaps that the rosh yeshiva had not realized who his son was, he added that his son was Leibish. The Pnei Menachem responded, “Yes, I know. Very good to meet you.” Brokenhearted, this father was at a loss. He knew how great his son was. Why was the rosh yeshiva not singing Leibish’s praises to him?!

He therefore asked the rosh yeshiva, “Rebbe, please tell me if there is some problem with Leibish. I do not want you to protect me from any negative news. If there are any issues, please tell me what they are, and I would be happy to speak with Leibish about it.”

But the Pnei Menachem answered: “No, do not worry. There are no problems. He is doing very well. But let me tell you a story.

“I have a step-brother (the Pnei Menachem’s father, the Imrei Emes, zy”a, was widowed several times, so the Pnei Menachem had a number of step-brothers). At one point, he received notice that he would be drafted into the Polish army. This was horrible news, so his mother, my father the Imrei Emes’s Rebbetzin, approached her

Emes’s mother-in-law, came to the Rebbe determined not to take ‘no’ for an answer. When she approached the Rebbe, he told her, ‘Do not worry. Your grandson will not be drafted.’ Confused by the difference between what the Rebbe had told her daughter and what she had just heard, she asked, ‘But why did the Rebbe not tell my daughter the good news yesterday?’ The Rebbe answered that ‘A mother needs to cry.’ He

did not want to give her too much hope the day before because it was her tears after she spoke with the Imrei Emes that brought down her son’s salvation from Heaven.

“When the Pnei Menachem finished telling this story to Leibish’s father, he concluded: ‘Why do you think your son is so successful in everything he does in yeshiva? It is because of your and your wife’s tears and davening for his success. If I told you how well he was doing, you would stop worrying and stop davening. A mother needs to cry. Leibish needs your davening in order to continue succeeding.’”

Our people are still crying, suffering, davening, and dying. May all of the tears and davening of all of the generations finally constitute full payment for Eretz Yisroel and Yerushalayim. May Hashem clear away all of the filth so that every street, every alleyway, of Yerushalayim will be ours and ours alone in which we will be able to fully reveal the honor of Heaven with the coming of Moshiach, may he come very soon in our days.

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

One in a Million

By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

The Rema’s cryptic comment, the final one in Ohr HaChaim, has sparked centuries of contemplation. He states, “Some say that one is obligated to increase in joy and feasting on the 14th of Adar I; however, this is not our practice. Nevertheless, one should increase their feasting slightly to satisfy the stringent opinions. ‘But the good-hearted has a continual feast’ (Proverbs 15:15).”

The first part of the comment is clear enough. In leap years, there are two months of Adar. Purim is celebrated in the second Adar. Should there be any celebration on the 14th of Adar Rishon? It is a machlokes. The Rema, therefore, advises some increase in feasting. However, why did the Rema add the verse from Mishlei: “But the good-hearted has a continual feast”?

The Aruch HaShulchan explains that perhaps the reader is hesitant to follow the Rema’s advice. He is reluctant to engage in meaningless partying. After all, some opinions state there is no reason for any increase in feasting during Adar Rishon. Therefore, the Rema is informing us that the main pathway towards avodas Hashem is through simcha. The individual should intend that his increase in feasting is to ensure that his avodas HaShem that day is done with joy. Therefore, even if it turns out that the halacha follows the opinion that there is no particular reason to increase feasting on Adar Rishon, he still accomplished something. Now his regular, daily avodas Hashem will be with simcha! It is considered a mitzvah celebration, as long as that is his intent.

Rebbe Akiva Eiger is quoted as offering a brilliant explanation of the Rema’s comment. The Gemara in Bava Basra (145a) offers a homiletic interpretation of “But the good-hearted has a continual feast.” The Gemara says this refers to one who studies Mishna. In certain ways, the study of Mishna is easier than Gemara. Opinions are succinctly stated. Therefore,

when one is studying Mishna, he can be described as good-hearted.

The Mishna states in Megilla, “There is no difference between Adar Rishon and Adar Sheini except the reading of the megilla and matanos l’evyonim.” Tosfos in Megilla (6a) opines that the Mishna implies that one should also rejoice in Adar Rishon. Rejoicing isn’t listed as one of the differences between the two months. Yet, the Gemara states that the similarities between Adar Rishon and Adar Sheini are that one may not fast or have a eulogy on the 14th of either month. The implication is that they are indeed different regarding rejoicing. Do we follow the implication of the Mishna or the implication of the Gemara? The Rema comments, “But the good-hearted has a continual feast.” One should follow the Mishna!

The Baalei Mussar offer a different explanation of the pasuk, “But the good-hearted has a continual feast.” Everyone constantly makes choices about

to practice patience. One might think, “What a fantastic chance I have to work on being more patient!” Someone who masters the ability to reframe will experience a life filled with joy, much like being at an endless celebration.

Rabbi Zelig Pliskin was leading a discussion on this very idea of embracing

One can choose to appreciate what they have or dwell on what they feel is missing.

how to perceive their lives. One can choose to appreciate what they have or dwell on what they feel is missing. Moreover, any situation can be viewed in both a positive and negative light. Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, shlita, illustrates this with the example of someone stuck in a long line. Instead of focusing on the frustration of waiting and seeing it as a waste of time, the person could use this time constructively. Rabbi Yisrael Salanter pointed out that changing a negative trait can take a lifetime. Therefore, this waiting period could serve as a perfect opportunity

happiness even in the most challenging situations. Suddenly, a gentleman in the crowd raised his hand, his brow furrowed with confusion. “Rabbi,” he exclaimed, “are you suggesting that when I find myself stranded on a rainy night with a flat tire, I’m expected to feel joyful and proclaim, ‘Yay! Hashem has blessed me with the opportunity to change a flat tire!’? That seems impossible! Surely, only one in a million people could ever attain such a mindset at that moment!”

In that instance, Rabbi Pliskin experienced a remarkable display of Divine

providence unfolding right before him. The very person seated next to the initial questioner, eager to respond, stood up and spoke with sincerity. “Actually,” he began, his voice steady, “I had a strikingly similar experience just the other day.” The audience leaned in, curiosity piqued. “I was returning from my doctor’s appointment after my hernia surgery. After a long struggle with recovery, my doctor finally cleared me to lift heavy objects once more.”

With a glimmer of inspiration in his eyes, he continued, “As I drove home, my car suddenly got a flat tire. Instead of sinking into frustration or despair, I cried out joyfully, ‘Baruch Hashem! I am truly fortunate to be able to change this tire and lift heavy items all by myself!’” The room breathed in his words, feeling the weight of his experience transform into something uplifting. But the first audience member, still wrestling with disbelief, couldn’t help but interject, “That’s the one in a million!”

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.

Headlines Halacha

The New S Epidemic That Has Taken Over

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

It has all the hallmarks of an epidemic, spreading from school to school, from class to class, and from neighborhood to neighborhood. It is plaguing ten-yearold girls and even those as young as seven or eight.

Yes, the S Epidemic is here and is causing major anxieties in the neshamos of our precious young girls. It is a battle for the very neshama of our children and their emotional well-being.

Young girls ages 7-13 are obsessed with Sephora and its products. Foundation, creams, gels, face masks, facial peels, Drunk Elephant products – the ultimate in gashmius for even third graders!

It is clear as day that young girls do not need to spend time, money, and emotional energy and angst on makeup or skincare products at their age. The new trend is undermining the hard efforts of our Torah teachers.

One Sephora employee is quoted as saying, “I have seen elementary and middle school girls in [school] uniforms,

who purchased maybe 500 dollars worth of products.”

The culprits are the influencers, TikTok videos, and social media.

So What is the Solution?

The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (4:1) teaches: “Who is honored? One who honors others.” If your daughter feels pressure to wear makeup or use certain beauty products to be “cool,” share with her the wisdom of Ben Zoma, who understood that true honor comes from how we treat others, not from external appearances.

The Alter of Kelm teaches that seeking others’ approval through superficial means is like “drinking salt water to quench thirst” – it only increases the craving. Have a gentle conversation about why she thinks these products are important. Often, the underlying worry is about fitting in or being liked.

The Ramban, in his famous letter to his son, emphasizes that true beauty emerges from speaking gently and treat-

ing all people with respect. Ask her why her friends like spending time with her. Is it because she’s kind? Funny? A good listener? These qualities align with what the Torah considers true beauty.

Decoding Beauty Marketing

Young girls are especially vulnerable to beauty advertising messages.

The Chofetz Chaim warns against being swayed by the superficial desires that others instill in us. As it says in Pirkei Avos (4:21): “Jealousy, desire, and honor remove a person from the world.”

Help your daughter become more ad-savvy by discussing:

• The Mesillas Yesharim teaches that advertising creates artificial desires that distance us from our true purpose

• Rav Dessler explains in Michtav M’Eliyahu that the more we chase material desires, the more enslaved to them we become

• The Vilna Gaon teaches that what appears perfect on the outside often conceals emptiness within (like filtered

photos)

• Rav Volbe in Alei Shur discusses how media manipulation can slowly erode our values

Practical Protection Strategies

The Rambam teaches in Hilchos De’os that maintaining physical and spiritual health requires establishing healthy boundaries. Consider:

• Creating “ad-free zones” in your home where beauty marketing can’t reach

• Making a game of spotting manipulative marketing tactics

• The Orchos Tzaddikim’s teachings on cultivating genuine self-worth

Social Media Awareness

Rav Dessler would likely have viewed social media as one of the greatest tests of our generation regarding artificial desires. Consider:

• The Peleh Yoetz’s teachings about protecting our eyes and minds

• Having open discussions about filtered images through the lens of “midvar

sheker tirchak ” (distance yourself from falsehood)

• The Ramchal’s guidance in Mesillas Yesharim about avoiding situations that challenge our values

• Setting healthy boundaries based on the principle of “making a fence around the Torah”

Building Real Self-Confidence

The Maharal of Prague teaches that each person is a unique creation with a divine purpose. Instead of focusing on appearance-based activities, encourage:

• Torah study and middos development

• Chesed projects that build true selfworth

• Activities that develop her unique talents (as the Ramban describes)

• Leadership opportunities in tzedakah projects

• Skills that serve others

The

“Must-Have”

Product Myth

This will be one of the greatest challenges of parenthood. When your daughter feels pressure to buy specific beauty items, share the wisdom of the Dubner Maggid who often used parables to explain how marketing creates artifi-

cial needs. You can possibly discuss the Alter of Novardok’s teachings about freedom from social pressure; Rav Yerucham Levovitz’s insights on discovering our true desires; the Chazon Ish’s guidance on making decisions independently; and the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings about finding joy in simplicity.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

The Rambam provides clear guidelines about maintaining physical and spiritual health. You can start by establishing family guidelines based on:

• The laws and spirit of tzinius

• The Shulchan Aruch’s emphasis on moderation

• The Rambam’s health guidelines

• The principle of “kedoshim tihiyu” (you shall be holy)

Dealing with Peer Pressure

The Gemara (Sanhedrin 109b) teaches about the importance of maintaining our values even when surrounded by contrary influences. Help your daughter by:

• Studying stories of Chumash role models like Sarah and Rivka

• Building friendship with those who share Torah values

• Understanding the Mishna’s teach-

ing: “In a place where there are no leaders, strive to be a leader”

Leading by Example

Parents should embody the teaching of “v’halachta b’drachav ” (walking in Hashem’s ways):

• Modeling the middah of histapkus (contentment) taught by the Orchos Tzaddikim

• Expressing gratitude based on “Who is rich? One who is happy with their portion”

• Avoiding negative self-talk, as we are created b’tzelem Elokim

• Celebrating spiritual achievements over physical appearance

Empowering Critical Thinking

Guide your daughter with questions rooted in mussar teaching:

• “Does this align with my role as a bas Yisrael?”

• “Am I being influenced by the yetzer hara of comparison?”

• “What would my role models from Torah think about this?”

• “Does this bring me closer to or further from my true purpose?”

Remember: the Mishkan’s beauty was not in its gold and silver, but in

how it elevated the spiritual. Similarly, true beauty comes from developing our middot and living with purpose. As the Kotzker Rebbe taught, “All that glitters is not necessarily gold, and all gold does not necessarily glitter.”

The strongest protection against materialistic influences is a deep connection to Torah values and understanding of our true worth as children of Hashem. Help your daughter understand that her worth isn’t determined by products she owns or how she looks but by her middos and ma’asim tovim (good deeds).

A Final Thought

The Gemara tells us that before Shlomo HaMelech built the Beis HaMikdash, he first wrote Shir HaShirim, teaching us that true beauty must be understood in its spiritual context. Similarly, help your daughter see that her true beauty lies in her neshama and the unique light she brings to the world through her mitzvos and middos tovos.

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

A Light Extinguished Remembering Rabbi Yehoshua Kalish, zt”l

By R ABBi yA iR Hoffm A n

With profound sorrow, we remember a giant of Torah, compassion, and humanity,our beloved Moreinu HaGaon HaRav Yehoshua Kalish, zt”l, whose pure soul returned to its Maker on Motzei Shabbos, leaving our community bereft of one of its brightest lights.

A Man of Many Dimensions

How does one capture the essence of a man who contained multitudes? A scholar who completed Shas forty times yet remained humble enough to laugh with children. A leader who carried the weight of communal responsibility, yet made each person feel as though they were the only one who mattered. A father and grandfather, rebbe and rabbi, whose pride in his family, his students, and congregants radiated like sunshine, warming all who came near.

Early Years and Dedication to Torah

His journey in Torah began in his youth, when he made the courageous decision to dedicate his life entirely to learning, foregoing the conventional path that others

expected. As his cousin Rav Mordechai Willig recalled, in the mid-1960s, when pressured to attend college, the young Yehoshua declared with conviction, “I will learn, I don’t need the things that people aspire to.”

This determination led him to the hallowed halls of the Mir Yeshiva, where he studied under giants like Rav Chaim and Rav Nachum, before receiving his semicha from Beit Medrash Govoha in Lakewood.

A Living Sefer Torah

Rabbi Kalish was not merely a repository of knowledge, though his mastery of Torah was legendary. He was a living embodiment of Torah’s teachings – a walking Kiddush Hashem whose every action reflected the divine wisdom he studied so devotedly. His favorite masechta was Beitzah, which he completed one hundred times, finding in its pages the delicate balance between the spiritual and material worlds that he himself mastered so beautifully. In his final days, he completed a remarkable achievement – a sefer containing insights on every single daf of Shas.

Leadership

and Teaching

For twenty-eight years, he served as the beating heart of the Harborview Beis Medrash in Lawrence, while simultaneously inspiring countless talmidim as Rosh Mesivta at the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. His Daf Yomi shiur at Shaaray Tefilah, which he maintained for over four decades, was not merely a lesson in Gemara, it was a masterclass in how to live as a Jew.

Dedication to Teaching

His dedication to Torah teaching knew no bounds. Each year in Camp Mogen Avrohom, on Tisha B’Av between Mincha and Maariv, he would deliver a six-anda-half-hour shiur on Ma-

seches Moed Katan. Those who participated in these marathon sessions emerged transformed, many becoming leading talmidei chachamim in their own right.

Character and Middos

In his personal conduct, he exemplified the highest ideals of middos tovos. As Rav Moshe Brown remembered, “I don’t think in all the years, I never saw him get angry.”

His son-in-law testified that he lived by the principle of “Mah Hu rachum, af attah rachum ,” just as Hashem is merciful, so too was Rabbi Kalish merciful. There was no pretense about him – he simply wanted to know “what’s the din , what’s the halacha,” always maintaining absolute integrity in every situation.

A Heart of Chessed

His chessed knew no bounds. How many almanos and yesomim found comfort in his counsel? How many troubled souls found peace through his guidance? He possessed that rarest of combinations – a brilliant mind paired with an enormous heart. He saw the divine spark in every person he met, treating each one as a chelek Eloka mimaal, a portion of the Divine. Even the person who talked the most in shul was met with love; his occasional “Sha!” came from a place of deep caring rather than irritation.

Joy in Life and Final Days

The simchas ha’chaim that characterized his life never left him, even in his final days. During his last Sukkos with his family, even while battling illness, his energy and excitement remained undimmed. On his last night when he could still speak, he sang Shabbos zemiros with joy. Even in his final battle with illness, he remained the same Rabbi Kalish – not a word of complaint passed his lips. His acceptance was absolute. He clung to life with determination while showing no fear of death, demonstrating the same steely resolve that had characterized his entire life’s journey.

The Void Left Behind

The void he leaves behind is immeasurable. Who will replace his Torah? Who will replicate his chessed? Who will show us how to balance profound scholarship with boundless love for every Jew? As his son so

Rabbi Kalish with Rabbi Perr, zt”l

poignantly expressed, “A permanent goodbye is much too painful,” but we take comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he touched and transformed.

Impact on Community

In the words of Lawrence Mayor Sam Nahmias, Rabbi Kalish was not only a teacher but a guide and friend to all who sought his counsel. His commitment to fostering community, his inspiring teachings, and his genuine care for each person were the hallmarks of his life’s work. Whether through his lectures, personal guidance, or acts of kindness, Rabbi Kalish exemplified the values we all strive to uphold.

Legacy of Love

The depth of his impact on his family was profound and multi-generational. His nine-year-old grandson is heartbroken, not because he lost a distant patriarch, but because he lost someone who truly loved him. This was the essence of Rabbi Kalish – his ability to make everyone feel truly loved and valued.

As his son Rav Daniel eloquently expressed, “Every child, every einekel, walked around with such pride –a pride in having a father and grandfather who was a servant of Hashem, a lomed Torah, a lover of Yidden.”

A Marriage of Mutual Respect

The relationship between Rabbi Kalish and his beloved wife was one of extraordinary mutual respect and pride. His children recall how their mother would

beam with pride, saying, “My husband’s a lomed Torah.” This pride was contagious, spreading through the family and community like a holy fire, energizing and elevating all who came into contact with it.

Dedication to Students

His dedication to his talmidim was legendary. At Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, he treated each student as his own child. Later, in Waterbury, he embraced his students as his own grandchildren, hugging and kissing them with genuine love. This wasn’t mere sentiment –it was a deep, authentic connection that transformed lives. As one colleague noted, “Every person who came across you felt like a million dollars.”

Personal Growth and Authenticity

The intensity of his devotion to learning was matched only by his commitment to implementing Torah values in daily life. Once, after arriving late to Maariv because he had been listening to a Mets game, he made a personal resolution never to listen to a game again – such was his dedication to growth and self-improvement. Yet this strictness with himself never translated into harshness toward others. As his son-in-law Rav Elya Roth noted, there was “no shtick” about him – just an unwavering commitment to truth and yashrus.

Beyond Local Borders

His care extended beyond his immediate community. In his final days, he worried deeply about the hos -

tages and soldiers in Israel, carrying the burden of Klal Yisroel in his heart until the very end.

As his son beautifully expressed, he is surely now in Shamayim, engaging in passionate Torah discourse with the Chofetz Chaim, Rav Akiva Eiger, and Rav Meir Simcha.

The End of an Era

His passing marks the end of an era, an era where Torah scholarship of the highest order walked hand in hand with the deepest love for every Jew. As Rav Efrati, the shul’s rav, noted so poignantly, “Nafla ateres rosheinu ,” the crown of our head has fallen. Yet in his passing, as in his life, Rabbi Kalish continues to teach us. For just as his last conscious moments were spent singing zemiros Shabbos, so too does his legacy continue to sing – in the hearts of his family, in the minds of his students, and in the deeds of all those who seek to emulate his extraordinary example.

Motzei Shabbos, as we mourned his passing, the power went out in the entire neighborhood, as if to signal that a great light had been extinguished. But Rabbi Kalish’s true power – his Torah, his middos, his love for every Jew – can never be extinguished. It lives on in his children, his talmidim, and in every life he touched. May his holy neshama serve as a melitz yosher for his family, his community, and all of Klal Yisroel. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration, pushing us to strive harder, to learn more deeply, and to love more completely.

Yehi zichro baruch.

A Light Unto Nations

The Enduring Legacy of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z”l

By Sivan Rahav-Meir

Four years have passed since the loss of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z”l, and one year since the outbreak of the Iron Swords conflict. In these turbulent times, we can only imagine the wisdom he might have shared, the guidance he would have offered. His voice is profoundly missed, especially now when his words could have offered clarity and hope. This longing to “hear” his perspective propelled me on a journey…

To Be a Jew is a booklet that was born from a deep desire to find meaning in the current historic moment. Distributed freely across the globe, with over a quarter of a million copies printed in Hebrew and English – and soon to be available in additional languages — it shares the timeless lessons of Rabbi Sacks with all who seek them. Below is a small selection of his enduring wisdom; for the full booklet, available as a free download, visit sivanrahavmeir. com/to-be-a-Jew.

On his yahrzeit, the 20th of Cheshvan, may these words be an elevation for his soul and a source of strength and faith for us all in these challenging days.

Growth That Arises From Crisis

Every tragedy in Jewish history was followed by a new wave of creativity. The destruction of the First Temple led to the renewal of the Torah in the life of the nation, exemplified by the work of Ezra and Nehemiah. The destruction of the Second Temple led to the great works of the oral tradition, Midrash, Mishnah and the two Talmuds. The massacres of Jewish communities in northern Europe during the First Crusade led to the emergence of chasidei Ashkenaz, the German-Jewish pietists.

The medieval encounter with Christianity led to a renewal of Bible commentary. The meeting with Islam inspired a renaissance of Jewish philosophy. The Spanish Expulsion was followed by the mystical revival in Safed in the sixteenth century. The greatest catastrophe of all led to the greatest rebirth: a mere three years after standing eyeball to eyeball with the angel of death at Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen and Treblinka, the Jewish people responded by their greatest collective affirmation of life in two thousand years, with the proclamation of the state of Israel.… Jews [do not] give way to defeat or despair. They are the people of hope.

The Chinese ideogram for “crisis” also means “opportunity.” Perhaps that is why Chinese civilization has survived for so long. Hebrew, however, is more hopeful still. The word for crisis, mashber, also means a “childbirth chair”. The Jewish reflex is to see difficult times as birth pangs. Something new is being born.

(Rabbi Sacks, Future Tense, p. 54, 55)

We cannot change the past, but by remembering the past we can change the future. And though we cannot bring the dead back to life, we can help ensure that they did not die in vain.

(Ibid. p. 88)

Where is Man?

When I first stood at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the question that haunted me was not, “Where was G-d?” G-d was in the command, “You shall not murder.” G-d was in the words, “You shall not oppress the stranger.” G-d was saying to humanity, “Your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.” G-d did not stop the first humans eating forbidden fruit. He did not stop Cain committing murder. He did not stop the Egyptians enslaving the Israelites. G-d does not save us from ourselves. That, according to the Talmud, is why creating man was such a risk that the angels advised against it. The question that haunts me after the Holocaust, as it does today in this new age of chaos, is “Where is man?”

(Rabbi Sacks, Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas, p. 7)

Everything Has a Purpose

Life is meaningful. We are not mere accidents of matter, generated by a universe that came into being for no reason and will one day, for no reason, cease to be. We are here because a loving G-d brought the universe, and life, and us, into existence – a G-d Who knows our fears, hears our prayers, believes in us more than we believe in ourselves, Who forgives us when we fail, lifts us when we fall and gives us the strength to overcome despair. The historian Paul Johnson once wrote: ”No people has ever insisted more firmly than the Jews that history has a purpose and humanity a destiny.”

(Rabbi Sacks, Ceremony & Celebration, p. 22)

Each Person Has a Mission

G-d enters our lives as a call from the future. It is as if we hear him beckoning to us from the far horizon of time, urging us to take a journey and undertake a task that, in ways we cannot fully understand, we were created for. That is the meaning of the word vocation, literally “a calling,” a mission, a task to which we are summoned

We are not here by accident. We are here because G-d wanted us to be and because there is a task we were meant to fulfill. Discovering what that is is not easy and often takes many years and false starts.

(Rabbi Sacks, Studies in Spirituality, p. 24)

Shabbat: A

Palace in Time

Shabbat. The day of rest when we give our marriages and families what they most need and are most starved of in the contemporary world, namely, time. While making a television documentary for the BBC on the state of family life in Britain, I took the person who was then Britain’s leading expert on childcare, Penelope Leach, to a Jewish primary school on a Friday morning.

There she saw the children enacting in advance what they would see that evening around the family table. There were the five-yearold mother and father blessing the five-year-old children with the five-year-old grandparents looking on. She was fascinated by this whole institution, and she asked the children what they most enjoyed about the Sabbath. One five-year-old boy turned to her and said, “It’s the only night of the week when Daddy doesn’t have to rush off.” As we walked away from the school when the filming was over, she turned to me and said, “Chief Rabbi, that Sabbath of yours is saving their parents’ marriages.”

(Rabbi Sacks, Morality, p. 73)

A Spiritual Response to Terrorism

The first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion, said, “In Israel, to be a realist you have to believe in miracles.” For Jews, faith is as necessary as life itself. Without it, the Jewish people would simply not have survived.

In 2001, after the Oslo peace process had broken down and the suicide bombings had begun, I told the then Israeli ambassador: “In the past, Israel’s enemies have tried to put it in a military crisis and failed. Then they tried to put it in a political crisis and failed. Now they are about to put it in a spiritual crisis, and they may succeed.”

That, ultimately, is what twenty-first-century terror is about, and Israel has been its most consistent target. The suicide bombings brought war from the battlefront to the buses of Haifa, the shops of Tel Aviv and the restaurants of Jerusalem. There were times when Jewish parents sent their children on the school bus not knowing whether they would see them alive again. The missiles of Hezbollah and Hamas placed two-thirds of Israel – the north and south – within their range. As I write, there are seven-yearold children in Sederot who have only known safety in a bomb shelter. The delegitimation of Israel among some media, academic and NGO circles has left its people feeling abandoned and alone. The aim is to intimidate and create despair, and it needs immense resources of faith and courage not to be affected. That is the spiritual crisis.

(Ibid. pp. 18–19) Sivan Rahav-Meir is a primetime news anchor with weekly broadcasts on television and radio. Her “Daily Thought” has a huge following on social media, with hundreds of thousands of followers, translated into 17 languages. She has a weekly podcast on Tablet, called “Sivan Says” and has published several books in English. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband Yedidya and their five children.

The Wandering Jew San Francisco

By Hershel Lieber

We flew from Las Vegas and landed at 11 AM in Oakland, California, on Friday, November 3, 2004. We were picked up by Yakov and driven to his apartment in San Francisco, where his wife Shaindel prepared a quick lunch. Yakov then drove us to a basement apartment where we would stay for Shabbos. We quickly unpacked, and I still had a chance to run to the mikvah. We dressed for Shabbos and rushed to shul.

A little background is now in order. Our first trip to Kishinev, Moldova (formerly part of the Soviet Union) was in the summer of 1993. We spent a week at a Jewish summer camp teaching and connecting with both the boys and girls who were students of the Vaad L’Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel’s yeshivos. Our next trip was in April of 1996 when we went to teach and inspire the students over the yom tov of Pesach. Both times we met Moshe R., who was the yeshiva’s manager, and

we developed a relationship with him. Moshe’s daughter, Shaindel, who started her journey towards Yiddishkeit at the yeshiva’s girls’ division, was at that time already a student in Denver’s Bais Yakov High School. We met her when she started to come to us during school breaks and spent a Pesach with us in Boro Park. We introduced her to our friends, Rabbi Shlomo and Miriam Stern.

Shlomo had met her father, who encouraged him to find her a shidduch. To make a long story short, the Sterns introduced her to a bachur named Yakov who was studying to become a rabbi in a yeshiva in Monsey. Shaindel and Yakov met the first time in our home, and it did not take too long until we all stood under the chupah during their chasunah. We made their Shabbos sheva brachos

and were very involved with the Sterns as they progressed in building their future and creating a family. Both Yakov and Shaindel were very talented and endowed with the ability to connect and inspire people. Yakov eventually took a position as an assistant rabbi in San Francisco’s Adath Israel Synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Yakov Traube. By the time we arrived in 2004,

Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background Pesi in front of a San Francisco streetcar

they had two boys and a baby girl.

Back to the shul. On that Shabbos, I was asked to daven kabbalas Shabbos, and then we went to Yakov and Shaindel’s apartment, where we joined other guests at a lavish Shabbos seudah that spanned over three hours. The food was

vided the answers. Their well-behaved children, Mendy and Avrumi, inherited their parents traits of maturity and sociability, which made it possible for us to develop a bond with them over that Shabbos. That evening was a nachas experience for us as we delighted in the

Being in San Francisco without riding the historic streetcar is like being in Paris and not going up the Eiffel Tower.

delicious and was accompanied with zemiros and divrei Torah. The conversation was nonstop! Stories and humor were the themes of the night. I, of course, was interested in how Orthodox Jewish life was able to exist in America’s most liberal city, and Yakov pro -

company of Shaindel, Yakov, and their lovely children.

The next morning after davening, the shul sponsored a Shabbos seudah for the congregants where I was asked to speak about our personal experiences traveling to the Soviet Union in the late seven-

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary

Chinatown’s artistic treasures A prison cell in Alcatraz

ties and early eighties. The stories were quite captivating, especially when I traveled there alone between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and was arrested by the KGB. (That intriguing story I had written about in a previous article.) Instead of a Shabbos nap, we took a two hour walk to the Golden Gate Park, which was followed by Mincha/Maariv and Havdalah. On Motzei Shabbos, we checked into the Carlton Hotel and walked over to the nearby Chinatown which was attractively lit up and enchanting. The streets, shops and eateries were bustling with people, and there was a feeling of excitement in the air!

Sunday and Monday were our tour -

ing days in San Francisco, and we did see practically everything that Frisco has to offer. After davening on Sunday, we ate breakfast at Yakov and Shaindel and then headed out for a day of sightseeing. Yes, being in San Francisco without riding the historic streetcar is like being in Paris and not going up the Eiffel Tower. We rode the celebrated trolley car, climbing and descending the steep streets toward the historic Fisherman’s Wharf. There, we strolled past the stalls displaying the daily catch of dozens of types of fish and shellfish. It was exciting, even though many species are not suitable for the kosher diner.

Our next expedition was a tour of the

famed island prison, Alcatraz. We traveled there by boat and walked through the renowned penitentiary using a headset which explained all aspects of the infamous jail. Alcatraz housed America’s most notorious offenders from 1939 through 1963. The most famous of all was Al Capone. The strong currents and cold water around the island made escape almost impossible. Yet, in 1962, three men escaped from the prison, but their fate is an unknown mystery which has never been solved. Prison life there was harsh, and we were able to see and sense how incarceration in Alcatraz constituted a miserable existence for criminals.

After returning from the island, we took a taxi towards Chinatown where we stopped for a pita and falafel sandwich at Sabra Grill and once more strolled around those lively streets. That evening, Yakov and Shaindel took us to Berkeley where we treated them to dinner at Raphael’s, an upscale Italian Restaurant which was under his hashgacha.

Monday was our final day in San Francisco. Yakov and Shaindel took us across the famed Golden Gate Bridge. Crossing many bridges over the years, I thought that this bridge would not have any special meaning to me. I was wrong.

The Golden Gate Bridge, which was inaugurated in 1937, is acclaimed for its grace and beauty. Its tremendous towers, sweeping cables and unique reddish col-

or and its position in San Francisco Bay make it the most photographed bridge in the entire world. We truly enjoyed driving across it, but unfortunately did not succeed in getting any good photos.

Our next stop was the Muir Woods National Monument, where we were able to walk and marvel at the ancient forest of redwood trees. Some of the trees are over a thousand years old and over 250 feet tall. The trails were easy to walk, and the views were amazing. We stopped at a rest area where we ate a picnic lunch in the shadow of those giant trees. Actually, it was a bit cold there, but we were warmed by the graceful natural surroundings.

We then headed back to the city where we shopped for some gifts for our children. This was followed by a late dinner at Sabra Grill, and then we made our way to the airport where we took the red-eye to JFK. We were lucky that the flight was pretty empty, so we were each able to spread out over three seats and enjoy a five-hour slumber. What a pleasure! We arrived home invigorated and fulfilled from all aspects of our trip. We had visited with Uncle Ben and Jean in Las Vegas, explored the beauty of Zion National Park, spent time with Yakov and Shaindel, and took in all the sights of San Francisco. We covered a lot in nine days and created everlasting memories for years to come.

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 Yakov, Shaindel and children in San Francisco

With Mendy and Avrumi

With Yakov and Shaindel at Raphael’s in Berkeley

Every morning during the summer, I would watch as a homeless woman cleaned up after herself after a night on a bench near the makolet where she slept.

She keeps all of her belongings in an overstuffed shopping cart near her side. Homeless Lady looks bedraggled but put together. She wears broken slip-on shoes that long ago were whole.

Homeless Lady is always reading: books, newspapers, probably anything she can get her hands on.

With cooler weather approaching, she moved herself to the Bezalel Building close to where we go to Ulpan. I think the merchants supply her with leftover food and drink. Maybe she uses the facilities in the Ulpan to clean up.

One morning, I noticed that her shoes had fallen apart completely. She flapped around in them for a few days before she taped them with some flimsy material that she must have gotten from somewhere.

The next day, she was back to flapping.

I don’t know why I got so attached to this woman and her survival; I just know that she is stuck in my head. I have learned that the misrad in charge of the homeless have the identity and location of each one of them and that the homeless have access to all the benefits of food and shelter. They live this way because they want to.

School of Thought

Homeless in Israel

By Barbara Deutsch

I have a pair of ancient, original Ugg slippers that are made with sturdy soles and real shearling. Our daughter Rachel advised me that they are ready for the scrap heap. The Uggs had made the aliyah cut and even the follow up purge; they still had integrity and were comfortable and cozy.

I decided to give Homeless Lady my slippers. Before I gave them to her, I thought about it and wondered if they were

how did she get to this low place?

I feel bad that the Uggs that I gave her were not new and pristine; giving them to her saved them from the garbage. Yet, when I spot her walking around wearing them, I think it’s okay.

Our great-grandson Eliezer turned one last week; he started walking a week later. Ez is a strong and solid little boy, and he

Two days ago, I dropped them beside her as she sat reading on a step in the warm sun.

too old to give away. Still, the Uggs are still better than what she had and have thick soles. They are ratty but sturdy.

Two days ago, I dropped them beside her as she sat reading on a step in the warm sun. I whispered in my Ulpan-trained Hebrew, “These are for you.” As I walked away, I spied her examining them, turning them from side to side in her veined hands.

Later, during our Ulpan break, I saw her wearing them.

The image of the Homeless Lady continues to haunt me and I keep wondering about her life on the street. Who is she and

is a handful to carry around. His mom is petite and strong.

Eliezer had been cruising for a while; getting around by moving from object to object. It sometimes got scary when the objects were not so stable. He could rely on his knees for the times that he was limited with access to footholds or was not ready to let go to bridge the gap.

When did it hit him that he was ready to let go and walk?

Since the beginning of the chaggim, more and more tourists have been coming. The summer was a tough time for the

season as Israel lacked travelers save for camp groups. The holidays brought families and crowds, so we got to see family and old friends.

A very good thing.

During the many delicious dinners that we shared with friends old and new, we were asked time and time again, “Where did you find the courage to make the big move at your senior age? “Weren’t you afraid of leaving it all behind?”

Like Eliezer, we just did it.

That does not mean that life here is easy or without pain. We miss our family and dear friends and try our best to be available and connected with them. Yet, life’s challenges and the bureaucracy so engrained in the Israeli mentality can wear you down.

And I wonder where is the line that separates our life’s journey from that of Homeless Lady?

Maybe next time I see her I’ll ask her name.

Barbara Deutsch is the former associate principal at HANC, middle school principal at Kushner, and Dean of Students at Yeshiva of Flatbush. A not-retired educator, she is trying to figure out life in Israel through reflections on navigating the dream of aliyah as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Nation

Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser From Waves to Wisdom

By Eliyahu RosEnBERg

In some ways, he was your typical “hardcore progressive liberal atheist.” Young Yom Tov Glaser protested wars, hated rules, and thought only wanting to marry a Jew was, in his words, “racist.” Once or twice, the teenager even stormed college lecture halls and covered his body in ketchup (a symbol of blood) in protest of the Gulf War. He was something of a rebel, an

In His Words…

“interesting soul,” as he puts it.

But, in other ways, the boy was one of a kind. Born a free spirit, Yom Tov Glaser grew up secular in the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, a paradise where it seemed like summer all year round. Brentwood was a place where Yom Tov enjoyed near-total freedom and security, eleven zip codes away from the nearest criminal.

Feel your clothing right now. Just feel the fibers on your skin. Feel the air on your face and the chair supporting you. you’re being told, ‘ i love you’ every single moment by hashem.

only inasmuch as you love yourself can you love your neighbor. Meaning, it’s not just a command to love him as you would love yourself. no, it’s giving you a big secret about personal growth. To the extent that you love yourself is the extent you can love someone else.

i still mountain bike about 14 hours a week. i still surf; i just surfed last week in a shdod. a nd nothing’s changed. if anything, i’ve only added. i’ve added deep spirituality, deep meaning, and crazy richness.

The son of a wealthy businessman, Yom Tov grew up in a mansion, swarming with housekeepers. There was no helicopter parenting. There were no rules. There was just freedom.

Freedom was all he was used to. Thus, when public school became too restrictive, Yom Tov decided to stop going. He was only in fifth grade, yet he couldn’t tolerate class. Every single day, his teacher threw him out, because he would, in his words, “destroy the teachers’ class plan.” Something about school—about public school specifically—seemed untrue to the young boy. In fact, he felt almost allergic to the secular lessons he was bombarded with. He craved something more in life than boring lessons about history and math. With time, his attendance dwindled. In fact, whenever Yom Tov would show up to school, his fifth grade teacher would call him “Sleepy.” The boy’s droopy eyes and exhausted face gave it away that he had been up all night. Eventually, Yom Tov decided to stop going to school altogether, instead choosing to devote his life to the activities he was most passionate about; hobbies that, to him, felt meaningful.

“I wound up mountain biking, surfing, and skateboarding,” Rabbi Glaser recalls. “I also got a guitar and became the lead singer and lead guitar player of a band. At eleven years old, I was playing high school parties. And I was doing that for twelve years straight. I was in the ocean six to eight hours a day for

twelve years straight! If there were no waves that day, I would be in the mountains, mountain biking for four, five, six hours, as a kid.”

That was Rabbi Glaser’s life until he reached the age of twenty-three, when his father went bankrupt. At that point, Yom Tov’s brother Sam bought him tickets to Israel and the next professional surfing tour in France, Spain, and Portugal.

“The only reason he never sent me to Israel before that, he said, was because he knew I’d never come back. And boy was he right,” Rabbi Glaser says.

The trip transformed Yom Tov Glaser’s life and convinced him to embrace Orthodox Judaism. In fact, he fell in love with Israel so quickly that he decided to stay in the Holy Land instead of going on that year’s surfing tour in France, Spain, and Portugal. His transformation was almost instant, because he knew instinctively that he had found the truth he had been searching for all his life.

He soon moved to Israel and became a rabbi and spiritual mentor. Since then, Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser has devoted his life to teaching the world about Yiddishkeit, becoming a teacher at Aish HaTorah and a world-renowned speaker known for his fascinating talks on spiritual topics, as well as his popular “The Possible You” seminar.

“I still mountain bike about 14 hours a week. I still surf; I just surfed last week in Ashdod. And nothing’s

changed. If anything, I’ve only added,” explains Rabbi Glaser. “I’ve added deep spirituality, deep meaning, and crazy richness. I have a big family, thank G-d, with lots of grandchildren, which is really funny because I would have been voted number one to never get married or have kids.”

In fact, anyone who knew Rabbi Glaser as a child would have never imagined him embracing the Orthodox Jewish lifestyle. How could someone who couldn’t even tolerate simple restrictions be expected to adopt a lifestyle that has 613 commandments?

As Rabbi Glaser explains, he real -

ized that all the so-called “restrictions” of Judaism aren’t actually limiting, but empowering. Take Shabbos, for example. Shabbos wouldn’t be the special, holy experience it is, if not for its laws. By refraining from doing certain things, you’re making Shabbos the holiest, most peaceful day of the week.

The Torah also contains many laws about how to treat our fellow Jews. And rather than being restrictive, those halachos enable us to build better relationships with others and with ourselves.

“There was a kamikaze pilot in Pearl Harbor who was coming to crash his

plane into an aircraft carrier to blow it up. The soldiers on the aircraft carrier were running out of the way,” recounts Rabbi Glaser. “And as the kamikaze pilot was about to hit, he saw one soldier just froze. All the other soldiers were running so they wouldn’t get hit, but one soldier was going to get hit. The soldier froze and he just looked up, and he realized he’s going to die.”

As the plane drew closer to the aircraft carrier, the pilot saw the fear in the soldier’s eyes. And in that moment, the kamikaze pilot saw himself in the man he was about to kill. It was then that the pilot realized that at the end of the

day, he and the soldier were no different from one another. They were both human beings created by G-d. And in that split second, the Japanese pilot pulled his plane up and he flew away, sparing the aircraft carrier and the soldier’s life.

“The last word of ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ is ‘kamocha’ — as yourself. It’s not just a commandment to love others as you would love yourself,” explains Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser. “No, it’s giving you a big secret about personal growth. To the extent that you love yourself is the extent you can love others. Indeed, only inasmuch as you love yourself can you love another person.”

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

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

I am dating an incredible guy after 7 years of pretty terrible dating experiences.

Everybody is so happy for me and waiting for me to finally give the go ahead for him to propose. There is one thing that is stopping me, and to be honest, it seems so trivial. He is shorter than me. I never imagined dating a guy shorter than me, let alone marry a guy shorter than me.

The story of how we met is on its own pretty miraculous. We were seated at the same table at a Shabbaton, and we had the most amazing conversations. Since I came late due to losing my apartment keys (only to find them in the same spot I’m sure I checked 5 times before being 15 minutes late), I only realized how short he was after we talked a lot and he stood up to help clear when the meal was over.

How can I get over this? Is there anything you can do to help?

Thank you!

Shalva*

The Panel

Dear Readers,

We want to offer YOU an opportunity to be part of the discussion! Please email us at MichelleMondShadchan@gmail.com, subject line “reader’s response,” if you would like to participate in the new “A Reader’s Response” columnist spot. We will send you a question and publish your answer in an upcoming Navidaters edition. Looking forward!

Michelle, the “Shadchan”

The Rebbetzin

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

Shalva, there is nothing the dating column panelists can do to help. We cannot magically make him taller. We can reassure you that if all else meets your needs, you can set aside the picture in your mind and commit.

You are mature in realizing the yad Hashem in your initial encounter and experience. Count your blessings and go forth. Don’t get fixed on an external factor if all else is a fit and you are attracted to him. You can do this. We cannot do this for you.

To help yourself, you may want to write a list of all his wonderful qualities and the height gap on the other side. Marriage is for living, not for photos. But you have to bite the bullet.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

Thanks for writing in! The story you’ve shared about how you met is inspiring. It shows how Hashem’s ways are truly miraculous. You acknowledge the hashgacha (Divine providence) involved and find him to be an exceptional match for you aside for the aspect of his height.

I encourage you to practice making him “taller” in your eyes. By focusing on the positive aspects of him, your relationship, and how well the two of you get along, you will be able to quiet the voices in your head that are telling you taller is better.

As any married friend would confide, there will always be aspects to a potential

match that you will have to get used to. I can tell you dozens of stories of couples who said they specifically did not want “enter-make-it-or-break-it-here” in a guy, and ended up marrying a guy with exactly that thing. How did these couples make it work? There is one underlying thread that can make this successful: an ayin tovah and focusing on the good. Write down a list of all the amazing things this guy has, and whenever you are second-guessing it, refer to this list.

Before you get engaged, please make sure you are 100% comfortable with his height and can think positively about the two of you together. Once you are able to do that, you will be in a great place!

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Late at night, when a couple discusses areas of deep concern and need to make decisions about serious issues, it doesn’t matter what color eyes they have or how tall or how short they are. What matters is that they share the same values, goals, and aspirations. What matters is that they respect each other’s ability to analyze and discuss important issues and appreciate each other’s respective opinions.

What matters is that they can remain calm and respectful despite different perspectives, and even disagree, but with warmth, humor, and love.

You may have misplaced your apartment keys, but it sounds like you’ve found a young man with the key to your heart. In the grand scheme of sharing a life together, a height disparity is not a “big” problem.

Reader’s Response

Hannah Heller, Baltimore, MD Teacher & Women’s Health Educator

Dear Shalva,

You are so blessed to have found that special person with whom you really click and feel a strong connection. Just like meeting him was a chance occurrence, so is your connecting with someone you may not have thought to consider. He has already shown strong middot by voluntarily getting up to help clear the table. You may have felt frustrated about temporarily losing your keys. From your description, it sounds like your conversation with him helped you relax and let go of your stress.

You may have misplaced your apartment keys, but it sounds like you’ve found a young man with the key to your heart.

Think about what exactly you are afraid of and if avoiding that is really more important than being married to someone you love. I know of couples where the wife is taller, and they are very happy together. Just think: it will be another reason for him to look up to you!

Wishing you great success and hope we will all be able to soon say mazal tov to both of you and your families.

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Dear Shalva,

First, I want to acknowledge how meaningful it is that you’ve found someone so incredible after years of difficult dating experiences. It’s clear that this relationship holds something very special, and your story of how you met feels almost magical. It sounds like this connection was built on deep conversations and shared values—qualities that truly sustain a lasting partnership.

I also want to validate your feelings about height. It’s okay that this detail is something you’re struggling with, even if

it feels triv- ial on the surface. Height can carry meaning for us—it might reflect cul - tural ideals, personal expectations, or even how we imagine relationships “should” look. These feelings don’t make you shallow; they make you human.

Sometimes, when something feels “off” about a partner, it can reflect a deeper uncertainty, but other times, it’s simply a way our mind tries to grapple with stepping outside our comfort zone. You’ve

been through seven years of difficult dating, and allowing yourself to trust and embrace a truly good relationship can be daunting—especially when it challenges an expectation you’ve held for a long time.

I encourage you to reflect on what this height difference means to you. Does it challenge how you see yourself in a relationship or how others might perceive you? Does it bring up questions about protection, femininity, or roles within a partnership? Are you not physically attracted to him? Whatever the answer, it’s important to be gentle with yourself as you explore it.

Lastly, remind yourself of what you’ve already built together. It sounds like this man offers qualities you’ve been longing for—someone who sees and appreciates you, who shares deep and meaningful

Marriage is for living, not for photos.

conversations, and who inspires joy in your life. Over time, as you focus on those parts of the relationship, this concern may begin to feel smaller.

You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Give yourself the space to reflect, trust your feelings, and allow yourself to be guided by what truly makes your heart feel safe, cherished, and seen.

Sincerely,

Jennifer

Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.

School of Thought

By Etti Siegel

Dear Parents,

It’s me, Etti. This time I’m writing to you, the parents of the wonderful children we all work with in school, to ask you to think about an issue I am seeing in classroom after classroom, school after school. More than ever we are seeing children who are scared to be called on in class, scared to get the wrong answer, scared to try. There have always been children in our classes who felt this way, but master teachers were able to coax them out of their fear and get them to attempt some work. In today’s world, there’s a lot of pressure on kids to succeed, and parents often go out of their way to prevent them from failing. But the truth is, failure is an inevitable part of life, and if kids don’t learn how to deal with it, they can end up struggling with anxiety and frustration and often just give up when things get tough. And this is what I, and the teachers and providers I talk to, are seeing in higher and higher numbers. Lots and lots of refusal to try.

Success isn’t just about winning all the time – it’s about bouncing back from failure. There are so many examples from all walks of life that we can share with our kids. Think about Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, zt”l, who had to work from being an all-American boy from Chicago to become the gadol he ultimately grew into. Even when he was struck with Parkinson’s later in life and it became more and more difficult for him, he persevered in his learning, fundraising, and giving shiur. We have stories of Rabbi Akiva who started learning aleph-bais at 40, of Moshe Rabbeinu with his “kvad peh,” a speech impediment… and the list is long. And it is not only in Torah that we see how failure leads to success. Every area that demands excellence requires perseverance through failure. Think about Michael Jordan, considered one of the best athletes ever, who has openly talked about how important losing was to his success. He’s not alone, as this is a common sentiment among athletes. They talk about how failure taught them resilience and perseverance, two skills that helped push them forward and ultimately succeed. For kids, not learning how to fail can lead to them feeling crushed when things don’t go as planned, whether it’s a bad grade, a missed opportunity, or something else. When kids fail, they often feel frustrated or disappointed. It’s really hard for parents to watch their kids fail. But here’s the thing: kids need to fail in order to learn. When parents hover too much or try to “fix” everything, it prevents kids from developing the problem-solving skills they need to face challenges on their own. It’s

all about finding the right balance – being supportive but also giving kids the space to handle things themselves.

As parents, the first step is showing empathy – don’t just brush off their feelings with “it’s okay, you’ll do better next time.” Instead, acknowledge how they’re feeling. Say something like, “I see you’re upset, and I understand how hard you worked for this.” It helps kids feel seen and understood and that can make it easier for them to move forward.

Success isn’t just about winning all the time –it’s about bouncing back from failure.

Parents should also model how to handle failure. Share your own stories of setbacks or disappointments. For example, if you didn’t get something you wanted or lost out on an opportunity, talk about it with your child. Show them that failure is a natural part of life, and it’s okay to be disappointed, but the important thing is to keep going.

Instead of just focusing on how to avoid mistakes in the future, parents can turn failure into a teachable moment. Ask your child what they think went wrong and how they can approach things differently next time. For example, if a child didn’t do well on a test, you can talk about different ways they might study next time or how they could ask the teacher for help. Peer pressure adds another layer of stress, especially for older kids. It can be really hard to see friends having fun without you, or to feel like you’ve been left out. It’s important to teach kids that sometimes things happen in life that are out of their control, and that it’s okay to feel hurt, but they don’t need to react impulsively or make the situation worse. Sometimes, the best response is to

accept the situation and move on.

I am trying to teach students about “good mistakes,” the mistakes we learn from, and the mistakes we make that others make, too. We are human, and mistakes are part of our DNA. I go school to school teaching our devoted educators about building a culture of error, a safe place where mistakes are celebrated, and a sign that with some help, we can put the child on the right track. When we are always battling on behalf of our children, when we do their homework and projects for them so they can be the best, when we fight their fights and call everyone on their behalf to make the world easier and nicer for them, we are hurting our children. Instead of fighting for them, we should be their cheerleaders. We should tell them that they can do it, and if they can’t, that’s okay, too, as long as they put in their best efforts. We should share the unbelievable feeling that comes when you try and try, and get so frustrated, and finally succeed. It is the best feeling of all! And we should allow our children to feel that success.

In the end, teaching kids how to fail is about building resilience. Kids who learn how to cope with failure are more likely to keep trying, to solve problems, and to handle life’s challenges with confidence. And while it can be tough to watch them struggle, it’s an important part of growing up—and it sets them up for success in the long run.

Please, parents, let them fail, so they can succeed.

Sincerely,

- Etti

answering

Parenting Pearls The Seal of Truth

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

Chosamo shel Hakadosh Baruch emes, the seal of Hashem is truth. Midvar sheker tirchak, distance yourself from falsehood.

I could write paragraphs just of quotes extolling the virtue of honesty. With the number of teachings devoted to stressing truthfulness (and avoiding the opposite), one would think that maintaining the utmost of honesty would be unquestionable.

The sad reality is that this beautiful middah can be challenging. While most individuals would be appalled by the

idea of outright lying, there are small ways that falsehood can creep in. A general discussion on honesty is beyond the scope or purpose of this article, but I wanted to bring up the topic of children and honesty.

Inculcating this middah into our children is a high priority and certainly something parents prioritize. This is not intended to be mussar for parents, nor a halachic guide. I simply want to bring up a discussion on some of the ways parents can set the stage for a lifetime of emes in the next generation.

Honesty and Development

Children are continuously growing and changing, and their ability to differentiate between truth and falsehood develops similarly.

It’s important to differentiate between lies and fantasy. Children lack an understanding of the world around them and have very fertile imaginations. A child might really think it’s possible that a unicorn can share their ice cream cone with them. This isn’t truthful, but they’re not lying; they are truly unable to separate reality from fantasy. I remember the difficulty I had explaining to a young girl that unicorns were not real and had never existed, as she kept insisting they were extinct. We can gently help children understand the difference between reality and fantasy, but we shouldn’t accuse them of lying or being a “bad child” (a phrase that has no place in parenting).

Very young children generally don’t lie. You can ask a guilty toddler if they did something wrong and they’re likely to confess. They’re beautifully innocent and don’t realize they can say it wasn’t them. Enjoy this phase.

Once children exit this phase, they may see lying as a way to avoid getting into trouble or upsetting their parents. They also will try to give the answer they think their adults want to hear – truthful or otherwise. They are too young to comprehend the morality of honesty versus falsehood, and we need to remember this fact when educating

them on the importance of honesty. As children get older, they begin to understand the difference between right and wrong. They often have some ability to recognize if their actions are correct, and they are capable of feeling guilty when they misbehave. Like younger children, lying may still be seen as a way to get out of trouble or avoid hurting or disappointing their parents. They may claim they studied when they didn’t or deny using foul language even though they recognize the reality is otherwise. Even with this greater awareness of proper actions, they still lack the maturity of an adult and a full understanding of both the severity of lying and the full consequences of their actions. While teens may appear like adults, their brains are still developing, and their thought processes don’t match their appearance. Understanding the level and limitations of their cognitive abilities can help us better address falsehood when it crops up.

Leading By Example

As always, we are our child’s main teacher. We may not stand in front of their classroom, but they are still closely watching our actions. We need to model what we want them to follow, not rely on mere words.

We interact with others in full view of our children, and we need to be conscious of this. Our actions and speech should be in line with our values, in both obvious and subtle ways. When we

praise others, it should be for actions we would be proud were our own children to imitate and not otherwise.

We all know the situation: we say something in a vague way, it’s kind of true but very misleading. This may be the most common way the average person dances around the truth. Few people are outright liars, and most of us appreciate a life of truthfulness. It’s not my place to judge what any person says, but it behooves us to think twice before speaking to ensure our speech matches our middos.

Years ago, we were visited by a relative my children rarely saw. In an offhand manner, she told them she would bring a particular gift when we would next get together. It was two or three years later before we saw her again, and one of the first things my son asked was if she brought the gift. She was shocked – I wasn’t. Children are very literal and take us at our word. If we say we are taking them to the park at five on Shabbos afternoon, they will be waiting at the door by 4:59. You are likely to have received ten reminders before this. If we say we will give them a prize for saying Shema each night, they expect it as soon

as they’ve finished the required recitations.

We have to be careful when speaking to our children. They will hold us to anything we say and see us as less than truthful if we don’t keep our word – even if we never meant it seriously. As parents, we should only say what

I’d still like to provide a few pointers.

Lying is a serious offense but calling a child a “liar” or any other nasty name only pushes them away. After all, how can we expect better behavior from a child that is nothing but “a liar”? Alternatively, we can expect better choices

Understanding the level and limitations of their cognitive abilities can help us better address falsehood when it crops up.

we intend to do and know we can realistically accomplish. It’s tempting to “promise” things we can’t provide, but children remember (and hold it against their parents).

Parenting Pointers

Setting children on the path of truthfulness is a challenging topic. While not a complete response to this discussion,

from a sweet, holy child that made a mistake and wants to improve.

Children should be praised for telling the truth. This is especially true when it involves a child acknowledging having done the wrong thing. Children may see lying as an easy means of avoiding trouble. It takes a lot of inner strength to not take that route. Children often lie to prevent getting

into trouble but need to learn that, ultimately, they benefit from the truth and don’t lose out. Parents need to make clear the importance of telling the truth, and the child should see some concrete benefit from doing the right thing. We certainly don’t want them to feel punished for their honesty. When possible, the consequence/punishment should be minimized, eliminated or otherwise adjusted, with the child being told clearly that you are proud of them and making this change due to their honesty.

Throughout our interactions with our precious children, we need to remember they are still growing and lack a full understanding of both their actions and of moral behavior. They will make mistakes as they continue on their path of becoming true avdei Hashem . May Hashem give us the wisdom to guide them honestly.

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.

Health & F tness

Osteoporosis: Prevention and Management

By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when bone density or bone mass decreases. The bone becomes thinner and more porous and is therefore more susceptible to breaking. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, more than 53 million people in the U.S. either have osteoporosis or are at high risk of developing it due to low bone mass.

Testing for It

One way bone health can be assessed is by measuring bone mineral density. A bone mineral density (BMD) test can detect osteoporosis and predict the risk of bone fracture. The most common tool used to measure BMD is called dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). DXA is painless, non-invasive, uses low doses of radiation, and is the most accurate way to measure BMD.

Prevention

Preventing osteoporosis involves a combination of lifestyle factors that focus on maintaining strong bones and minimizing the risk of bone loss. The most effective way to prevent osteoporosis is by engaging in physical activity and ensuring adequate nutrition. Additionally, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake can further protect bone health. It is important to take preventive measures to inhibit osteoporosis and keep our bones strong as we age. Bottom of Form

Physical Activity

Physical activity is important for maintaining strong bones throughout life, as it helps stimulate bone formation and maintain bone mineral density (BMD). Regular exercise plays a key role in preventing osteoporosis by promoting the development of peak bone mass during

childhood and adolescence and helping to preserve bone density as we age. While physical activity generally benefits bone health, it’s important to engage in weight-bearing and resistance exercises to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures, particularly in older adults.

Weight-bearing exercises are those that force you to work against gravity, and they are especially effective at stimulating bone growth. In addition to walking, hiking, and dancing, other excellent weight-bearing activities include tennis, pickleball, jogging, and jumping rope. These activities not only help build bone strength but also improve balance and coordination, which are important for preventing falls that may lead to fractures.

Resistance exercises, such as weightlifting, using resistance bands, or performing bodyweight exercises like squats and lunges, are also highly beneficial for bone health. These activities help increase muscle mass, which in turn helps to protect bones by reducing the risk of falls and supporting bone remodeling.

For older adults or those with limited mobility, lighter exercises like yoga and walking can be beneficial. These low-im-

pact activities help improve flexibility, balance, and strength, which can reduce the risk of falls and support bone health over time.

Calcium

About 99% of the body’s calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it provides strength and structure. Throughout life, bones undergo continuous remodeling—a process where old bone is broken down and new bone is formed. Adequate calcium intake ensures that bone formation is able to be broken down and reformed, thereby maintaining bone density and strength. When dietary calcium in the body is used up, the body starts drawing calcium from bones to maintain vital functions such as muscle contraction and nerve signaling. If this keeps happening over time it can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Therefore, consistent calcium intake, particularly during bone-building years (childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood) and in older age is important for preventing osteoporosis and preserving bone health.

Calcium requirements are highest for children and adolescents, who are grow-

ing and building bones, and for older adults, who are losing bone density. The recommended dietary intake for calcium for children 9 to 13 years old and teens 14 to 18 years old is 1,300 milligram per day. The recommended amount for adults is 1,000 mg per day but increases to 1,200 mg per day for women ages 51 and up and for men 71 and older.

Calcium can be found mainly in dairy products. One cup of milk contains approximately 300 milligrams of calcium which is about a third of the recommended dietary intake for calcium for most adults. Foods fortified with calcium such as cereals, soy milk, and other plant-based beverages and orange juice also provide one third or greater of the recommended amount needed a day. Smaller amounts of calcium are naturally present in plant-based foods such as legumes, leafy greens, and nuts.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in assisting calcium and other nutrients in doing their job to support bone health. It allows the intestines to absorb the calcium that was consumed, ensuring that there is enough calcium available for building and strengthening bones. Without adequate vitamin D, calcium absorption is significantly reduced, leading to calcium being pulled from bones to maintain necessary blood levels, ultimately weakening bone density. A deficiency in vitamin D can result in conditions such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, which weaken bones; it is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis. By maintaining optimal vitamin D levels, individuals can enhance calcium absorption, improve bone mineralization, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, particularly in older adults.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance

for vitamin D varies by age to support bone health and overall well-being. For infants up to 12 months, the RDA is 400 IU (10 mcg) per day. Children and teens aged 1-18 years need 600 IU (15 mcg) daily. Adults aged 19-70 years also require 600 IU (15 mcg), while those over 70 need 800 IU (20 mcg) daily to account for reduced skin synthesis.

Sources of Vitamin D

Vitamin D can actually be received through two different ways: diet and sunlight.

Most people actually receive most of their vitamin D needs from sunlight. Researchers suggest that most people need between 5 and 30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 AM and 3 PM, at least twice per week, to receive the proper amount of vitamin D. However, there are different factors that can prevent that from happening. Firstly, UV rays are harder to access in places that are colder and further away from the equator. In addition, those with darker skin pigmentation have decreased UV light absorption, which reduces the ability to receive vitamin D. Lastly, the efficiency of vitamin D synthesis declines with age along with the fact that older adults spend less time outdoors.

Only a few foods are naturally good sources of vitamin D. These include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and fish liver oil. Smaller amounts are found in egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver. Additionally, some mushrooms grown in UV light can be a good source of vitamin D. Most cow’s milk is fortified with vitamin D in the U.S., but other dairy products like ice cream and cheese are not. Fortified orange juice, soymilk and other plant-based beverages and breakfast cereal can all contribute to dietary intake of vitamin D, although amounts added vary significantly between products.

A vitamin D supplement can be recommended depending on dietary intake and sun exposure, but this should be discussed with a health professional such as your doctor or dietitian.

Populations at Risk

Certain populations are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis due to biological, hormonal, and lifestyle factors. Postmenopausal women are particularly vulnerable because of the great decline in estrogen levels that occurs after menopause. Our bones go through a process in which they break down and then form anew. Estrogen slows down the bone from breaking down. Without enough

estrogen, bone breakdown outpaces bone formation, leading to a net loss in bone mass and an increased risk of fractures. Therefore, specifically postmenopausal women should take care to increase their calcium and vitamin D intake.

Other at-risk populations include old-

2. Cheese and mushroom omelet with whole-grain toast and a glass of fortified orange juice.

Lunch

1. Grilled salmon with a spinach and kale salad sprinkled with shredded cheese.

Weight-bearing exercises are those that force you to work against gravity, and they are especially effective at stimulating bone growth.

er adults, as aging naturally reduces bone density and the body’s ability to absorb calcium and synthesize vitamin D. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and low physical activity further increases the risk.

Osteopenia

Osteopenia is a condition characterized by lower-than-normal bone mineral density (BMD) but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. It serves as a warning sign that bones are becoming weaker and at greater risk of developing osteoporosis if no preventive measures are taken. Individuals with osteopenia often have no symptoms and may only discover it through a routine bone density test. Risk factors for osteopenia are similar to osteoporosis, which include aging, hormonal changes (such as reduced estrogen levels in women), inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Strategies to slow or stop bone loss include adopting a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Early intervention in cases of osteopenia can help preserve bone health and prevent progression to osteoporosis.

Meals High in Calcium

and Vitamin D

Incorporating meals rich in calcium and vitamin D can support bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. Here’s an example of a day’s menu:

Breakfast

1. Smoothie made with fortified milk, banana, berries, and chia seeds topped with almond butter.

2. Tuna sandwich on whole-grain bread with lettuce, tomato, and onions.

Snack

Greek yogurt with berries and sliced almonds.

Dinner

1. Broccoli and brown rice or quinoa along with lentil soup.

2. Grilled chicken breast with a side of mashed sweet potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts with a cup of almond milk.

Osteoporosis is a preventable and manageable condition that significantly impacts bone health. By understanding its causes and taking proactive measures, individuals can reduce their risk of developing this bone disease. Key strategies include regular physical activity, particularly weight-bearing and resistance exercises, which stimulate bone growth and improve strength. Adequate nutrition, specifically ensuring sufficient calcium and vitamin D intake, is equally important for maintaining bone density and preventing fractures. While sunlight exposure and dietary sources can meet vitamin D needs for many, supplements may be necessary for those at risk of deficiency. With a combination of healthy lifestyle choices and medical guidance, individuals can strengthen their bones, enhance their overall health, and lead active lives well into older age.

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

Friday Night Short Ribs

By Naomi Nachman

I’m back from my travels and back to my weekly cooking demos on Gourmet Glatt Instagram stories. This is a recipe I recently made, and I had to share here. My family and friends went crazy over this recipe. I called them Friday Night Short Ribs because I often serve them on Friday night in the winter.

Ingredients

◦ 5 pounds short ribs (about 12 pieces)

◦ 4 cloves garlic, crushed

◦ 1/3 cup orange juice

◦ 1 tablespoon tomato paste

◦ 1/3 cup honey

◦ 1/3 cup soy sauce

◦ ½ cup barbecue sauce

◦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt

◦ ½ cup your favorite spice blend

(I used Citrus and Spice by Simply Gourmet Rivky Kleiman)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Coat each piece of short rib all over with the spice blend.

Sear all the ribs on all sides on a medium-high heat, and place in ovenproof dish.

Mix garlic, orange juice, honey, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour sauce over the meat and cover well with tinfoil.

Bake for three hours.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Chef’s Note: This dish can be made in advance and frozen. You can also do this with any chuck roast or brisket.

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.

30 Years of Fundraising Films

How Jewish Video Production Has Changed

BY DAVi D JASSE

The tools may have changed, but the mission remains the same: fundraising films are there to engage audiences, inspire emotions, and ultimately drive donations. Over 30 years, I’ve seen Jewish video production evolve from helicopters and DVD masters to drones and instant review links. The journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and along the way, I’ve learned critical lessons about what makes fundraising videos truly effective.

When I started in the early ‘90s, video production was a different world. My first editing system cost $80K, and the cameras we used were upwards of $50K. For my first major project with Sh’or Yoshuv, I rented a helicopter to capture aerial footage—a visionary idea from Rabbi Leiner long before drones existed. Fast forward to today: drones have replaced helicopters, editing software is accessible to anyone with a laptop, and we post videos online for review instead of shipping DVDs.

But while the technology has advanced, the fundamentals haven’t changed. At the core of every successful fundraising film is a human touch—compelling interviews, authentic stories, and emotional content that connects with viewers on a deep level. As Chazal teach us, “Words that come from the heart, enter the heart.” This is as true for video as it is for any form of storytelling.

The Shift in Video Length and Delivery

Attention spans are shorter than ever. For online audiences, videos can be as brief as 10 seconds—amazing that a campaign message can be distilled to that length. The digital sales funnel now requires multiple formats: a short, engaging clip to hook viewers, a 1:30 piece to drive interest, and a longer video to anchor the event itself.

That said, a good story always has room to breathe. I remember a project for Aish Kodesh where the review committee asked for a 7-minute film. When they came to view the cut, it was 17 minutes. They told us, “It’s perfect as it is. We love it.” When storytelling is done well—whether through film, a speaker, or a rabbi’s presentation—it

captivates, pulls us in, and becomes truly memorable.

Honoree videos remain a staple, allowing honorees to convey gratitude and highlight their stories. Often, they save honorees from giving long, unpolished speeches. One client even remarked, “The video was amazing, but then the honoree got up and ruined it by speaking.” A polished 2-minute honoree video always beats a rambling 20-minute speech.

Competing for Attention

In today’s world, we have to look at a film 10 seconds at a time. If any segment isn’t clearly communicating something valuable, you’ve got to pull it. I always tell my editors, “Less is more,” and “When in doubt, leave it out.” Online audiences click away quickly, and even at live events, if a video loses its impact, attendees disengage and pick up their phones. It’s part of the challenge we embrace—crafting films that hold attention and drive action.

The Role of Expertise

Despite advances in AI and editing tools, nothing replaces the human touch. Being great at interviews, understanding storytelling, and using music and silence effectively are critical. A successful video isn’t just about capturing moments; it’s about understanding your audience and crafting a narrative that inspires them to act.

Social Media and Crowdfunding

WhatsApp and social media have revolutionized how nonprofits share their messages. Vertical videos, ultra-short formats, and captions are now essential for mobile viewers. Crowdfunding has further highlight-

ed the importance of personal connections. As much as marketing is the backbone of crowdfunding, people give because their neighbor or friend asks them, not just because of the cause.

The Mission Remains

Whether it’s an aerial shot of Sh’or Yoshuv’s property or a drone capturing Ohel’s new building, the assignment is the same: tell an emotionally powerful story that compels donors to give. In a world where giving is as easy as tapping a button, creating videos that inspire action is more important than ever.

The tools have changed dramatically, but the fundamentals of fundraising remain constant. It’s about people helping people and the stories that connect us. And while we marvel at the miracles of modern technology, it’s the human heart that remains the key to successful storytelling—and to opening wallets, whether through a click, a tap, or even a wave near a machine.

David Jasse is the owner and creative director of DMJ Studios located in Cedarhurst, NY.

David working at the 2013 Siyum Hashas

With his team filming a segment

Mind Y ur Business

5 Critical Digital Marketing Tips

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 key insights from 5 digital marketing experts on how to run effective and optimized online campaigns.

The ImporTance of DIgITal m arke TI ng a manda holmes, ceo of c het holmes International

So many companies still do the majority of their business through referrals and cold calling. But the marketing and sales world has really evolved beyond that. Let’s look at the automotive industry, for example. A little over 10 years ago, the average person that was buying a car went to 6 different dealerships before making a buying decision. Today, they go to 13 websites and only 1.8 dealerships. They are so knowledgeable about what they’re buying that they walk into a dealership and know more than the salespeople a lot of the time.

If we’re talking B2B (Business to Business), the average consumer will look at 5 different pieces of content before making a purchase or even deciding to talk to a salesperson. Social media has also made a big difference. Eighty percent of consumers would rather talk to someone on social media than reach out to a salesperson. So, we really have to adapt our marketing to the way that people want to interact in their buying process today.

perfec TI ng Your Surve YS mark Trencher, founder of nishma r esearch

Think about why someone would respond to your survey. There are two primary reasons. Number one, if it’s discussing something that interests them. Number two, if it doesn’t look too hard to complete. So, it’s important to try and make your surveys easy to fill out. Putting them online makes it much more likely for most demographics to fill the surveys out. But, if you’re looking for really accurate data, make sure you also give people an opportunity to explain their opinions. I always get very disappointed when there’s no option to type in why I am selecting certain ratings on a survey. So many companies just ask for your star rating and that’s the end of the survey. My concern is that this affects the quality of the data, as a star rating doesn’t give us much reliable information to go on. We all know that some of the ratings on Amazon are biased. That’s why an organization like Fakespot emerged, which looks at the ratings and says, “We think that 10% of the ratings are not fake,” giving you a better idea of how accurate the data is.

Eighty percent of consumers would rather talk to someone on social media than reach out to a salesperson.

u n Der STan DI ng g oogle aDS

Beryl Trachtenberg, founder and ceo of e lite media Trax Inc.

There are a lot of companies and people who are interested in advertising on Google, but they see it as a very large expense. Between the actual ad spend, hiring an agency, account setup fees, and management fees, you’re looking at tens of thousands of dollars before you can even really see if it works or not. What I tell people who don’t have that type of budget is that there are three main things that they need to learn about in order to test the waters and see if Google Ads is for them.

Number one is understanding keyword selection, the match types, how keywords match, etc. Number two is to also understand that there are your search term reports and your keywords. So, let’s say I’m advertising Nike sneakers with “Nike sneakers” as a phrase match. That can include any other words before or after the keyword. For example, “black Nike sneakers,” or “Nike sneakers for men.” So, what you want to do is, as you go along based on your keyword selection, look at your search term reports. Also, make sure you’re hitting the right keywords and build on negative keywords from the negative keyword lists from your search term report. Number three is to understand that your ads matter. People think they should just throw their ad out there, take Google’s suggestions, and hope for the best. But really think about your ad. Think about what the person is putting into the search bar. Think about the intent behind the search. And then, write an ad that captivates and leads a person to want to click on your ad and come to your website.

c

reaTI ng c omple T e h uman prof I le S moshe hecht, founder and ceo of hatch

When I was the CEO of a crowdfunding organization called Charidy, I started to recognize a real unmet need for many organizations. On average, our clients’ campaign sizes were around a million dollars. One of the benefits of raising a million dollars shouldn’t just be raising that million, but also getting thousands of new donors into your database. Yet, many times, roughly 9-10 months after their campaigns ended, I would ask the organizations, “How has the year been going by with you maximizing and monetizing all of these new constituents?” Unfortunately, 9 times out of 10, they would say, “You know what? We haven’t really tapped into that base. It’s interesting, we have data on them, but we don’t have enough data on them. We have their names, their email addresses, their phone numbers, and maybe the amount they gave, but we don’t have the necessary information that can inform a greater relationship, a greater size gift, or deeper engagement.”

Now, there are actually hundreds of data points available on most people on the internet. If you do a Google search on someone, you’ll find a lot of information. The key is bringing all that data together to create, what we call at Hatch, a “complete human profile.” We gather information from roughly 40 different public sources, like the IRS, the FEC, the SEC, different social data, live news, and live tweets. When you put that together, an organization can visualize what was before, maybe this one or two-dimensional line in a CRM, as a three-dimensional individual, where they can learn their preferences, lifestyle, and so on.

DIgITal n e T work I ng

Debra Jasper, founder and ceo of m indset Digital

The first thing people do when they’re considering doing business with you is usually looking you up online. That’s why you need to have a powerful online presence. If you want to connect with someone that you’ve never met in person, they might not be ready to go golfing or grab lunch with you yet, and that’s where platforms like LinkedIn can be a really powerful asset. LinkedIn, which is the world’s largest professional network, is a great tool to help you make those early connections. And so, once that initial connection has been made, it’s not just about having your profile nicely prepared for whenever they look you up but also fostering further engagement whenever you can. For example, maybe comment on their posts or send them a “happy birthday” message – anything that helps you stay top of mind virtually in the same ways we used to do in person.

Notable Quotes

“Say

What?!”

Some Democrats are finally waking up and realizing that woke is broke.

- Maureen Dowd, The New York Times

So it’s post-mortems galore, watching the media point fingers at everyone but themselves. But really it’s just a massive misdirection in an effort to save what’s left of their credibility…. The media is like the creep who kills [someone] and then volunteers to lead the search party.

– Greg Gutfeld, Fox

We’ve obligated just recently and pushed out the door another $8 billion in security assistance for Ukraine – that was in September – another almost half a billion dollars just a few weeks ago, and President Biden has committed to making sure that every dollar we have at our disposal will be pushed out the door between now and January 20.

- Sec. of State Anthony Blinken assuring the press that the U.S. is spending all that it can on Ukraine before the new administration takes over

The main issue with Matt Gaetz is that he used his office to prosecuite his political opponents and authorized federal agents to harass parents who were peacefully protesting at school board meetings. Oh wait, that’s actually Merrick Garland, the current attorney general.

- Vice President-elect JD Vance

I mean it’s—I would describe it as G-d-tier level trolling to just trigger a full-on China Syndrome to own the libs in perpetuity.

- Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) talking about Trump’s cabinet picks so far

Back in June, I stood up on behalf of hardworking families and simply said no. No to a new $15 congestion toll that at that particular time was just too much. You heard me correctly It was $15 and now it is $9, that is a 40% reduction. This lower toll will save daily commuters nearly $1,500 annually, and that kind of money makes a big difference for our families.

- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (who put the NYC congestion pricing on hold indefinitely in June, and much to nobody’s surprise decided to go ahead with it once the elections were over) claiming to SAVE drivers money by charging $9 to enter Manhattan

I was going to rob you and then kill you but I’ve decided to only rob you, which means I have saved your life.

- Tweet by The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh pointing out the idiocy of Hochul’s gaslighting

I’m calling on Leader Schumer to bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC [International Criminal Court which issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders], which the House already passed on a bipartisan basis. If he refuses to act, the Senate Republican Majority will. We will stand with Israel and make this and other supportive legislation a top priority in Congress.

-Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD)

So to my allies in Israel and Jewish people around the world, my message to you is this: Reinforcements are on the way.

- Ibid.

His threat is not just towards new arrivals and undocumented families. His threats are also against Black families…. We’re going to protect undocumented individuals. We’re going to protect Black folks, Brown folks, Asian folks. The city of Chicago will be better, stronger and safer despite who’s in the White House.

- Chicago Mayor Johnson asserting somehow that Trump’s plan of cracking down on illegal aliens is a threat to black Americans

The people rendered their verdict on all this lawfare on last Tuesday, one week ago. And like I have worked on for years and years and years, the whole country came together. Working class people all over came together and they rejected what’s going on in this court and what’s going on with President Trump.

- Conservative firebrand Steven Bannon—who was jailed for 4 months for asserting executive privilege and refusing to testify in Congress about private conversations with Trump— speaking to reporters after a court hearing in New York last week

The lawfare of Tish (Letitia) James and Alvin Bragg and Jack Smith and Merrick Garland has been rejected by a landslide by the American people.

– Ibid.

So the one thing I have to say to Merrick Garland, Lisa Monaco, Jack Smith, Tish James, Alvin Bragg: You wait, the hunted are about to become the hunters. Thank you very much.

- Ibid.

Summers are gone… On the East Coast, where you have four seasons, we’re down to maybe one or two.

- Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment Serena McIlwain, addressing the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference

Department of Government Efficiency Identifies 525 Government Workers who Haven’t Done any Work for Years.

- Headline in The Babylon Bee

The Fattest, Sickest Country on Earth Concerned New Health Secretary Might Do Something Different.

- ibid.

President Biden and his administration are the ones to blame for not bringing the hostages back home. The one who forced Israel to return to two hundred and more trucks a day after the first hostage deal – imposed a death sentence on the hostages and we cannot define it in any other way. This should be said to the Americans to their face.

- Former head of Israel’s National Security Council, Colonel (ret.) Giora Eiland Eiland, in an interview with Channel 13 News

President Biden told me that if we go in, we will be alone. He also said that he would stop shipments of important weapons to us. And so he did. A few days later, [U.S. Secretary of State Antony] Blinken appeared and repeated the same things and I told him — we will fight with our nails.

- Prime Minister Netanyahu addressing the Knesset this week

The left has lost their minds. Keep screaming, keep yelling, because I’m coming!

– Incoming Border Czar Tom Homan on a recent podcast when asked about the left’s hysteria

Elon has his own multibillion network. He can find you if you’re a senator or governor that put one of these contracts in your state, and he can start publishing the information about the subcontractors. He can put you in the spotlight so your constituents see every day on X what you did and what you’re not doing about it, squeezing their heads like teenage pimples.

- Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary talking about Elon Musk and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)

[Kamala would have won] if she were a 6’4” white man from Arkansas or Florida, if she could chew tobacco and carry a shotgun and talk about football and being a white guy.

- Joe Scarborough

The problem with Dems is that they do want that 6’4” man, but they want him on the women’s swim team.

– Greg Gutfeld

Russia is prepared to assist and support anything that would stop the killing of civilians and prevent the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

– A Russian government official declaring that Russia is willing to help broker a deal between Israel and Lebanon…because Russia really does not like senseless killing

I didn’t know it could happen again.

- Josephine Cartwright Snyder, 96, who married Bernard Snyder, 98, after they met in their Austin, Texas, retirement community

Israel Today Trump 2.0 Means the End of Ambivalence About Israel

The American people just returned the most pro-Israel president since the founding of the modern Jewish state to the White House. And he has chosen a foreign policy team that indicates that his second term will be at least as unabashedly pro-Israel and opposed to the forces seeking the Jewish state’s destruction as his first was. What’s the response from some liberal American Jews and the groups that claim to represent them? No, thank you.

There were, of course, reasons for voters—both Jewish and non-Jewish—to oppose Trump. Differences over domestic issues as well as partisan loyalties have relegated Israel’s security and even the fight against antisemitism to a secondary priority for many Jewish voters. But the vocal dismay of left-wing Jews about the picks he has made for his next administration is indicative of the split not just between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans. It is a gulf between those who think Americans have the right and even the duty to override the verdicts of Israeli democracy and save the Jewish state “from itself” and those who believe Israelis have the right to decide the issues of war and peace for themselves.

That’s the upshot of comments coming from some Jewish groups in response to the president-elect’s naming of people like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as U.S. ambassador to Israel, real estate mogul Steven Witkoff as special envoy to the Middle East, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as ambassador to the United Nations, and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) as national security advisor.

Saving Israel from Itself?

A New York Times article , which

By Jonathan S. Tobin

highlighted the angry and derisive comments of Jewish critics of Israel, made clear that “liberal Jewish voters” have “ample reason to fear the naming of pro-settlement, pro-Netanyahu officials to top foreign policy posts in the new administration.”

Part of this is an extension of the debate about just how much or how little Jewish voters moved to the right in the 2024 presidential election—a question about which both sides of the argument are operating with sketchy evidence. But the crux of it is a continued attempt by some on the Jewish left to revive a dispute about the Middle East peace process that has been rendered irrelevant by the last quarter century of history and conclusively shelved by the events of Oct. 7, 2023 and its aftermath.

Israeli Jews were once almost evenly split about the merits of “land for peace” and two-state solution proposals for ending the conflict with the Palestinian Arabs during the 1990s period of post-Oslo Accords euphoria. But since

the terrorist war of attrition, known as the Second Intifada, literally and metaphorically blew up hopes for peace, the creation of a Hamas terrorist state in Gaza after the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from that territory and then the barbarism of Oct. 7, the constituency for such schemes has shrunk to political insignificance.

Israelis, even many of those on the political left, have finally accepted that the Palestinians have no interest in peace if it means accepting the legitimacy of a Jewish state, no matter where its borders might be drawn.

Palestinians, who are undaunted by the destruction and death brought to their people by Hamas’s decision to launch a war on Oct. 7 and buoyed by the growth of the worldwide movement dedicated to destroying Israel in its wake, have rendered the chances of a two-state solution in the foreseeable future to approximately zero. Even if the government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to

be replaced by one led by his political opponents, their policies toward the terrorists of Hamas and Hezbollah as well as their Iranian paymasters would be no different than that of the current coalition.

But that is an understanding that has eluded liberal American Jews, who are eager to let the Times use them as a cudgel against both Trump and Israel.

Questions Have Been Answered

Throughout the recently concluded presidential election, Trump’s Jewish critics and even some who supported him could argue, with some justice, that there were no guarantees that a second administration would be as pro-Israel as the first. There was the chance that the people he appointed to major posts would lack the fervor for the U.S.-Israel alliance that motivated key players in his first term, like his ambassador to Israel David Friedman or White House senior advisor/son-in-law Jared Kushner.

That claim was based on his mercurial nature, transactional approach to policy matters and the fact that some within his inner circle, like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, were no friends of the Jewish state.

But it didn’t take long after Trump’s decisive defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris for that thesis to be debunked.

With Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as secretary of state, Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and Waltz, Huckabee, Witkoff and Stefanik in charge, there is no longer any question whether the second Trump administration will take a very different, far more pro-Israel position than the stands of the Biden/Harris administration that it is replacing.

Biden and his team of Obama administration alumni running foreign policy for the last four years took an ambivalent position toward Israel’s post-Oct. 7 war on Islamist terrorists. They voiced lip service for the Jewish state’s right to self-defense along with continued arms shipments. But they also continually second-guessed Israel, backed slanders about the Israel Defense Forces “indiscriminately” killing Palestinian civilians, slow-walked those arms deliveries and pushed for a ceasefire that would have granted victory to Hamas. That’s not even counting the administration’s outrageous efforts to intervene in Israeli politics and topple Netanyahu’s government, which won a majority in the last Knesset elections held in November 2022.

There will be none of that under Trump with a team that has consistently voiced support for allowing Israel the latitude and the wherewithal to achieve victory over Iran’s proxies and rightly declaring that Hamas bears sole responsibility for all of the Palestinian casualties that were incurred by the war that it started.

Will that, as the Times and leftwing Jews fret, mean a green light to Netanyahu to “annex” Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria that are outside the 1967 armistice lines? Netanyahu would probably prefer to avoid that fight, since it would be a distraction from his efforts to focus the world on stopping Iran. It would also change nothing on the ground, since Israeli law already applies there. But even if it does, will that reduce the already nonexistent chances for peace?

The fallout in the Arab world from the post-Oct. 7 support for Hamas in the West as well as among Palestinians might make a revival of efforts to expand the 2020 Abraham Accords peace deals that Trump championed—and normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia—less likely.

But if there is any hope of expanding the circle of peace, it will come from a perception of Israeli strength that will be bolstered by an administration in Washington that is determined not to have the sort of “daylight” between it and Jerusalem that was routine under Obama and Biden. That is exactly what the second Trump administration appears set to do.

Jews Against Israel?

Those quoted by the Times have a point when they say most American

Jews didn’t vote for Trump. Exit polls that sought to focus on the Jewish vote are by no means reliable and, predictably, those that were sponsored by Democrats or left-wing groups were more likely to show that Jewish voters stuck with Kamala Harris. Yet it’s also clear

mythical two-state solution or their acceptance of the media’s false narrative about events in Gaza. But that was a trend that has been building on the left long before Trump came along to confound his Jewish detractors with pro-Israel policies.

not because of it.

Israeli Jews were once almost evenly split about the merits of “land for peace” and twostate solution proposals for ending the conflict with the Palestinian Arabs during the 1990s period of post-Oslo Accords euphoria.

They may have preferred it if a Democrat, rather than Trump, had moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and pursued policies predicated on promoting rather than downgrading the alliance. Some American Jews may cling to the delusion that they understand the Middle East better than most Israelis. But the attempt to inflate partisan differences into a worldwide Jewish schism that rests on opposition to Trump or Netanyahu is more a figment of the left-wing Jewish imagination than anything else.

that the vote for Trump in places with large Jewish populations and among those most committed to Jewish identity did demonstrate a shift to the GOP driven by concerns over left-wing antisemitism after Oct. 7.

That’s a trend that groups like the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, which purports to represent Jewish community relations councils around the country and tilts hard to the left, ignored. They spent the campaign helping to promote partisan conspiracy theories about Trump being a fascist or a “white Christian nationalist” determined to strip Jews of their rights while also treating Israel’s security during a war for its existence as a second-tier issue. Their attempt to claim that Stefanik, the most forthright critic of the post-Oct. 7 surge of antisemitism on college campuses, is somehow an ally of Jew-haters is equally risible.

The left-wing J Street lobby, which portrays itself as “pro-peace and pro-Israel,” has showed in the year since Oct. 7 that it is primarily interested in delegitimizing Israel’s government and acting as a tacit ally of the worst sort of anti-Zionist and antisemitic groups. Yet the Times lets it and its leader Jeremy Ben-Ami put forward the idea that American Jews who are ignorant about or indifferent to the realities of the conflict with the Palestinians will disavow ties to Israel and create “a fundamental break” with Israel.

As the Times and its left-wing sources insist, there are some American Jews who might be prepared to break with Israel because of their devotion to the

Even if Democrats won a majority of Jewish votes, albeit smaller than in the recent past, the notion that most Jews’ objections to Trump center on his pro-Israel policies is another left-wing myth. There’s every reason to believe that Jews who voted for Harris did so in spite of Trump’s pro-Israel record,

Trump has answered the questions about whether his second term will be as pro-Israel as his first. That doesn’t silence other debates about his policies or his return to the presidency. But those trying to gaslight us by claiming that being a true friend to the Jewish state is against the interests of the Jewish people or somehow promoting antisemitism are telling us more about their own intellectual and moral bankruptcy than they are about him.

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate).

Political Crossfire

The U.S. Marines’ Biggest Fight Right Now is Internal

“Marines,” proclaim their recruiting ads, are “The Few. The Proud.” Nowadays, they also are: The Fractious. Their hymn (“From the halls of Montezuma …”) says Marines are “First to fight.” Today, for a number of senior Marines – including 22 retired four-star generals – the fight is intramural.

It concerns the U.S. Marine Corps’ future. And its understanding of itself, which is rooted in the past century, in major battles in major wars: e.g., Belleau Wood (1918), Iwo Jima (1945), the Tet Offensive (1968), Fallujah (2004). The Corps’ intensely practical, and perhaps perishable, élan is at stake in the heated debate about how Marines fit into the nation’s security strategy.

In March 2020, the USMC announced Force Design 2030, a 10-year plan to reconfigure the Corps and shrink it by 12,000 (currently there are 174,500 Marines) to conform to a national defense plan primarily – too much, critics of Force Design contend –focused somewhat on Russia but mostly on China. To that end, Force Design involves eliminating all the Corps’ tank battalions and bridging companies, reducing from 24 to 21 the number of infantry battalions, reducing the number of artillery battalions from 21 to five, and deactivating a number of aviation (helicopter and fixed-wing) squadrons.

Force Design envisions a USMC transformed for assisting the Navy to control seas, and to deny access to seas, by an adversary’s – China’s – naval forces. Hence the shedding of components intended for sustained land operations. For example, about 90 percent of the Corps’ approximately 450 tanks have already been transferred to the Army.

By George F. Will

The principal architect of Force Design, now-retired commandant Gen. David H. Berger, said the Corps’ future depends on a willingness “to discard legacy things.” Force Design’s critics say the Corps’ essential utility is being discarded.

The Corps’ diminished fleet of amphibious warships, combined with Force Design’s other curtailments, mean, critics say, that the Corps cannot be what it has been: a rapid-response force for crises anywhere. Neither can it be ready to meet various needs of U.S. combatant commanders and allies.

The current commandant, Gen. Eric M. Smith, is correct in his planning guidance, released in August, that “as the war in Ukraine continues to demonstrate, the cycle from development to procurement to obsolescence in both hardware and software is lightning fast on a modern battlefield.” But this, too, is correct: Ukraine’s fight for survival

demonstrates, as does Israel’s, the continuing relevance of warriors holding weapons.

And with two regional wars raging, the United States, while planning for China’s challenge, cannot discount the possibility of a multifront war. Then, Force Design’s “light, lethal and austere” (Smith’s words) China-centric USMC – shaped for surveillance, reconnaissance and ship interdiction – would be far from optimal.

Gary Anderson, former chief of staff of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, writing for RealClearDefense in August, said the Corps is transforming itself “from a robust combined arms team into a combination of light infantry and coastal artillery.” This is not what will be most urgently needed if there are two major regional conflicts.

Anderson said the Force Design Corps will be unable to quickly deploy “a potent combined arms team replete

with armor, artillery, aviation, and assault engineers.” Instead, Force Design “has the Corps buying anti-ship missiles for use in a blue water fight that will likely never happen.” And retired Gen. Paul K. Van Riper, an astringent critic of Force Design, questioned whether Marines who fire an anti-ship missile can quickly escape in the minutes before an enemy’s counterattack.

Writing in the National Interest, Jim Webb, former Democratic U.S. senator from Virginia, who was awarded Silver and Bronze stars and the Navy Cross for heroism in Vietnam combat, said Force Design will undo the Corps’ value “as the one-stop guarantor of a homogenous tactical readiness that can ‘go anywhere, fight anybody, and win.’” Force Design’s Corps will be, he wrote, specialized for “short-term, high-tech raids against Chinese military outposts on small, fortified islands in the South China Sea.” This will disqualify the Corps for the kind of challenges it has often faced and is “ignoring the unpredictability of war.” Webb also wrote: “The war you get is rarely the war that you game.”

The Corps, which produces hard people in soft times and vows to be “most ready when the nation is least ready,” has often had its nature and function questioned. President Harry S. Truman, a World War I Army artillery officer, called the Corps “the Navy’s police force” with “a propaganda machine almost equal to Stalin’s.”

He said that in August 1950. One month later, he found the Corps came in handy at Inchon.

Political Crossfire

A Party of Prigs and Pontificators Suffers a Humiliating Defeat

By Bret Stephens

Astory in chess lore involves the great Danish-Jewish player Aron Nimzowitsch, who, at a tournament in the mid-1920s, found himself struggling against the German master Friedrich Sämisch. Infuriated at the thought of losing to an opponent he considered inferior, Nimzowitsch jumped on the table and shouted, “To this idiot I must lose?”

It’s a thought that must have crossed the minds of more than a few liberal pundits and Democratic eminences late Tuesday, as Kamala Harris’ hopes for winning the presidency began suddenly to fade.

How, indeed, did Democrats lose so badly, considering how they saw Donald Trump — a twice-impeached former president, a felon, a fascist, a bigot, a buffoon, a demented old man, an object of nonstop late-night mockery and incessant moral condemnation? The theory that many Democrats will be tempted to adopt is that a nation prone to racism, xenophobia and rank stupidity fell prey to the type of demagoguery that once beguiled Germany into electing Adolf Hitler.

It’s a theory that has a lot of explanatory power — though only of an unwitting sort. The broad inability of liberals to understand Trump’s political appeal except in terms flattering to their beliefs is itself part of the explanation for his historic, and entirely avoidable, comeback.

Why did Harris lose? There were many tactical missteps: her choice of a progressive running mate who would not help deliver a must-win state like Pennsylvania or Michigan; her inability to separate herself from President Joe Biden; her foolish designation of Trump as a fascist, which, by implication, suggested his supporters were themselves quasi-fascist; her overreliance on celebrity surrogates as she struggled to articulate a compelling rationale for her candidacy; her failure to forthrightly repudiate some of the more radical positions she took as a candidate in 2019, other than by relying on stock expressions like “My values haven’t changed.”

There was also the larger error of anointing Harris without political competition — an insult to the democratic process that handed the nomination to a candidate who, as some of us warned at the time, was exceptionally weak. That, in turn, came about because Democrats failed to take Biden’s obvious mental decline seriously until June’s debate debacle (and then allowed him to cling to the nomination for a few weeks more), making it difficult to hold even a truncated mini-primary.

But these mistakes of calculation lived within three larger mistakes of worldview.

First, the conviction among many liberals that things were pretty much fine, if not downright great, in Biden’s America — and that anyone who didn’t think that way was either a right-wing misinformer or a dupe. Second, the refusal to see how profoundly distasteful so much of modern liberalism has become to so much of America. Third, the insistence that the only appropriate form of politics when it comes to Trump is the politics of Resistance — capital R.

Regarding the first, I’ve lost track of the number of times liberal pundits have attempted to steer readers to arcane data from the St. Louis Federal Reserve to explain why Americans should stop freaking out over sharply higher prices of consumer goods or the rising financing costs on their homes and cars. Or insisted there

was no migration crisis at the southern border. Or averred that Biden was sharp as a tack and that anyone who suggested otherwise was a jerk.

Yet when Americans saw and experienced things otherwise (as extensive survey data showed they did), the characteristic liberal response was to treat the complaints not only as baseless but also as immoral. The effect was to insult voters while leaving Democrats blind to the legitimacy of the issues. You could see this every time Harris mentioned, in answer to questions about the border, that she had prosecuted transnational criminal gangs: Her answer was nonresponsive to the central complaint that there was a migration crisis straining hundreds of communities, irrespective of whether the migrants committed crimes.

The dismissiveness with which liberals treated these concerns was part of something else: dismissiveness toward the moral objections many Americans have to various progressive causes. Concerned about gender transitions for children or about biological males playing on girls’ sports teams? You’re a transphobe. Dismayed by tedious, mandatory and frequently counterproductive diversity, equity and inclusion seminars that treat white skin as almost inherently problematic? You’re racist. Irritated by new terminology that is supposed to be more inclusive but feels as

if it’s borrowing a page from “1984”? That’s doubleplusungood.

The Democratic Party at its best stands for fairness and freedom. But the politics of today’s left is heavy on social engineering according to group identity. It also, increasingly, stands for the forcible imposition of bizarre cultural norms on hundreds of millions of Americans who want to live and let live but don’t like being told how to speak or what to think. Too many liberals forgot this, which explains how a figure like Trump, with his boisterous and transgressive disdain for liberal pieties, could be reelected to the presidency.

Last, liberals thought that the best way to stop Trump was to treat him not as a normal, if obnoxious, political figure with bad policy ideas but as a mortal threat to democracy itself. Whether or not he is such a threat, this style of opposition led Democrats astray. It goaded them into their own form of anti-democratic politics — using the courts to try to get Trump’s name struck from the ballot in Colorado or trying to put him in prison on hard-to-follow charges. It distracted them from the task of developing and articulating superior policy responses to the valid public concerns he was addressing. And it made liberals seem hyperbolic, if not hysterical, particularly since the country had already survived one Trump presidency more or less intact.

Today, the Democrats have become the party of priggishness, pontification and pomposity. It may make them feel righteous, but how’s that ever going to be a winning electoral look?

I voted reluctantly for Harris because of my fears for what a second Trump term might bring — in Ukraine, our trade policy, civic life, the moral health of the conservative movement writ large. Right now, my larger fear is that liberals lack the introspection to see where they went wrong, the discipline to do better next time and the humility to change.

© The New York Times

If any doubts remained about the motives of the Amsterdam thugs who last week terrorized and assaulted Israeli soccer fans in droves, an investigation in The Wall Street Journal should settle the questions.

It wasn’t merely a reaction to provocative behavior by some of those fans. It wasn’t just overflowing anger over the war in the Gaza Strip. It was something altogether darker.

“Maccabi supporters had traveled to the Dutch capital for a match with local team Ajax on Thursday night,” the newspaper reported, referring to the Tel Aviv, Israel, club. “Little did they know that, earlier in the day, they had become a topic of discussion on popular messaging apps, where users were calling for a Jodenjacht, or ‘Jew Hunt.’”

Jew hunt: Grotesque as the phrase is, it can no longer surprise.

It is what the graffiti on a wall in an Oslo, Norway, metro station promises: “Hitler started it. We finis[h]ed it.”

It is a wave of antisemitic hate crimes in Chicago, including antisemitic flyers “with rat-poison like pellets” found in Lincoln Park in April, a Jewish man shot while walking to his synagogue in West Rogers Park in October, and two Jewish students at DePaul University assaulted by masked men last Wednesday.

It is a long succession of assaults — sometimes with sucker punches, other times with cars, more recently with an attempted child abduction — against Hasidic Jews in New York City.

It is the alleged gang [assault] near Paris in June of a 12-year-old Jewish girl by teenage boys “uttering death threats and antisemitic remarks,” according to a report from Agence France-Presse.

It is the arson attack Monday on an Amsterdam tram — a follow-up to last week’s mayhem — with rioters in black yelling “Kanker Joden” — “cancer Jews.”

It is what a Hamas terrorist was doing

Political Crossfire

A Worldwide “Jew Hunt”

By Bret Stephens

Oct. 7, 2023: “Dad, I’m calling you from the phone of a Jew. I just killed her and her husband, with my own hands I killed 10.”

Notice what these attackers aren’t saying. They aren’t expressing themselves in the faddish language of anti-Zionism.

dam pogrom. The media are rarely shy about calling out certain kinds of hate crimes as racist. Yet, for days, the word “antisemitic” was either put inside quotation marks or attributed to Dutch officials when talking about the violence. The identity of the attackers has been treated

They are, like generations of pogromists before them, simply out to get the Jews.

They aren’t denouncing Israeli policy or speaking up for Palestinian rights. They aren’t trying to make careful distinctions between Jews and Israelis. They are, like generations of pogromists before them, simply out to get the Jews — a reminder, if one was needed, of the truth often attributed to Maya Angelou: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”

Which makes it even more remarkable how strenuously some people initially tried to obscure the nature of the Amster-

as a mystery, or a secret, beyond delicate references to people with “a migration background,” in the words of Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

A great deal of attention has also been paid to some Israeli fans who pulled down a Palestinian flag, vandalized a taxi and, in Hebrew, chanted ugly anti-Arab phrases. There’s no excuse for any of that. But rowdy English soccer fans in Germany have been known to celebrate German war casualties. Somehow it doesn’t lead to a frenzy of organized violence.

Nor does it add any light to provide the “context” of the war in Gaza as a way of trying to understand what happened in Amsterdam. No decent person would explain anti-Asian attacks in the United States by observing that attackers might be angry about, say, China’s human-rights abuses or its biosafety standards.

Yet so many supposedly decent people are quick to try to account for the evil that is done to Jews through reference to the evil (as they see it) that Jews do to others. As Leon Wieseltier pointed out years ago, this type of reasoning is not an explanation for antisemitism. It’s the essence of antisemitism.

Antisemitism in Europe has now reached the point where the future of many of its Jewish communities is now seriously in doubt. I’m not sure most Europeans understand what a civilizational catastrophe this represents — albeit less for Europe’s Jews, most of whom will find other places to go and thrive, than for Europe itself. The fate of societies that become “Judenfrei” free of Jews has not, historically, been a happy one.

The United States is still a long way from this point, thanks to a larger and more politically confident Jewish community, along with a national culture that traditionally has generally admired Jews. But that culture is also under growing threat today, whether from Hamas’ fellow travelers in the Ivy League and the publishing world; Louis Farrakhan’s admirers in the Black community; or the alt-right inveighing, with a sinister wink, against “globalists” and “neocons.”

Americans (and not just Jews) should beware: If we stay on this path, the Jew hunt of Amsterdam may be upon us, too, and sooner than we think.

© The New York Times

Forgotten Her es Canadian World War II Heroes

By Avi Heiligman

Although the United States entered World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, their neighbors to the north had been fighting in the war for over two years. Following the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, Great Britain soon entered the war. Canada declared war on September 10. By the end of the war in 1945 about 10 percent of the Canadian population had served in its armed forces. Some of these servicemen have incredible stories of bravery and courageousness on the battlefield.

Leo Major was born in Massachusetts, and his family moved to Montreal when he was just one. At the age of 19, Major joined the Canadian Army and served with Régiment de la Chaudière. The regiment was attached to the Canadian 3rd Division which landed at Juno Beach on D-Day. It was on D-Day that the exploits of Major began. He singlehandedly captured a German armored halftrack, killed the enemy soldiers, and recovered important documents, secret codes and equipment in the vehicle. A few days later, he encountered a four-man German patrol. One of the Germans threw a phosphorous grenade at him, which took out one of Major’s eyes but that didn’t stop him from wiping out the patrol.

Refusing to be evacuated to England for his injuries, Major solidified his legendary status during the Battle of the Scheldt in the Netherlands. A company of green soldiers (recruits new to battle)

had gone missing on a patrol, and Major went alone to look for the unit. He saw some of the missing recruit’s equipment and realized that they had probably been captured. Coming across two German soldiers, Major captured one of them and used him as bait to capture the other. Soon, around 100 Germans surrendered to the Canadian although some were killed by SS troops nearby. Major killed three Germans during the battle and took the 93 remaining Germans back to the Canadian lines. On the way, he ordered a tank to fire on the SS troops. He refused the Distinguished Conduct Medal as it was to be personally awarded by General Montgomery whom Major apparently called “incompetent.” Major eventually received the medal for attacking a city that led to its capture the next day and earned a second Distinguished Conduct Medal for actions during the Korean War.

Sergeant Ernest “Smokey” Smith was a Victoria Cross recipient from British Columbia. He was a member of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, which was attached to the 1st Canadian Division for the Sicily and Italian campaigns. They participated in brutal battles, including the Battle of Ortuna which saw the Canadians defeat the German 1st Parachute Division in December 1943. In the fall of 1944, the Canadians were advancing on the Savio River in northern Italy. Smith’s unit soon faced a counterattack by three Mark V Panzer tanks and about 30 German soldiers. He disabled one tank by us-

ing a PIAT anti-tank launcher and killed four Germans while protecting a wounded buddy. Another German tank was sent to wipe out Smith’s position so he used another PIAT to take out the threat. After that, he took his wounded friend to safety and provided him with medical assistance. The Germans were still attacking, so Smith went out again and in total took out three Panzer tanks and other German vehicles. Finally, the Germans retreated. Smith later said about the encounter, “They must have figured there was a whole army there because they could have wiped me out in no time if they’d known I was practically all by myself.”

Among the 1.1 million Canadians that served in the military during the war, there were approximately 17,000 Jews in their ranks. Montreal native Moe Hurwitz may have been the most decorated Jewish Canadian of the war. A good boxer, the talented athlete also excelled at hockey but turned down an NHL tryout to join the army. Hurwitz was with the Canadian Grenadier Guards and earned the Military Medal during the Battle of Falaise Road in August 1944. His troop encountered a fortified enemy position, and Hurwitz dismounted from his tank to attack. During the fight, an enemy self-propelled gun exploded, and he found himself under a tree. He got to his feet, picked up a light machine gun, and led the assault to flush out the fortified position. In total, the Canadians killed 15 enemies, captured 31 and destroyed elev-

en anti-tank guns. This assault opened up a large gap in the German lines, and Hurwitz’s actions were credited with the capture of a city.

In September 1944, Hurwitz was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for actions during the Battle of the Scheldt. Hurwitz’s small force came upon their objective but found the railroad station to be held by a large number of German soldiers. In the ensuing firefight, Hurwitz dismounted from his tank and along with two other Canadians cleared a few buildings. Then, by himself and armed only with a pistol, he attacked and destroyed two machine gun nests. Later, he knocked out a German 88mm anti-tank gun. In this battle he took 25 prisoners and allowed his troop to take the railroad station where they captured another 150 Germans. In October, he was severely wounded in a firefight and was captured by the Germans. Tragically, he did not survive his wounds and is buried in the Netherlands.

The courage and bravery shown by these Canadian servicemen are rarely written or talked about in the media. These Forgotten Heroes were very much part of the war effort to defeat fascism.

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.

Sergeant Ernest Smokey Smith

Cpl. Leo Major

Moe Hurwitz

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Life C ach

Find the Silver Lining

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

I’m ready for bed. My eyes are closing. I’m wiped!

Two weeks ago, I was energized and ready to keep going. What happened?

Someone turned out the lights… Outside!

Did you ever notice how that “clock change thing” really seems to work? You look outside, the day seems to be coming to an end, and you’re suddenly dragging your feet.

But it’s only 5 p.m.!

And where did they hide all that light? It doesn’t seem it was moved to the morning. Because, when you wake up in the a.m. to find it, it’s still quite dishearteningly dark out!

They literally stretched the night out.

When does that ever happen that you want something to be larger, taller, more abundant, and just with a flip of a switch it occurs. These are usually the things fairy tales are made of!

Can that work with other things such

as the money you’ve been saving? Or the guy you’ve been dating? Or the food that you’re serving?

How does that work that – poof – in one fell swoop the night stretches longer?!

As if winter isn’t dreary enough… As fall ebbs, you’re suddenly a walking

But wait, maybe we’re looking at this wrong.

Maybe, with no place to go and not so much to do, people want to feel tired earlier. Maybe, they want to cuddle up with a good book and a blanket a lot earlier. Maybe they want their kids feeling sluggish and going to bed much earlier?!

Seasons give time for different experiences.

clothing line for half your wardrobe. And with that, you’re still usually freezing outside, because who really thought it was that cold before they got out?!

You’re not even getting out as much. The parks, the beach, the pools – so much is closed.

You need darkness to set in early on top of it – like a hole in the head?!

I’d even venture that’s a definitely!

But, maybe, when the air outside is starting to “freeze up” this way, it is a good season to play “the floor is lava”! That is to say, a good time to get on the couch more, to snuggle up with your family more, to just slow down and appreciate quality time together more. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a plan at hand.

Seasons give time for different experiences. They cause us to do things differently, and maybe that’s not so bad.

We may feel emotions that are “opposites” to what we think we’re ready for, but who knows?!

So, maybe it’s time to “warmly” embrace the “cold,” to “energetically” embrace the “slower” pace, and to “light”heartedly accept the “dark.”

It’s always great to try and find the silver lining! And remember it’s always darkest before the dawn.

Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail.com. A book is the ultimate apparatus.