Five Towns Jewish Home - 5-26-22

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May 26, 2022

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42 Spirited Lag B’Omer Celebrations Around Town

56 Thousands Join in Celebrate Israel Parade

72 Community Comes Out for CIMBY PAGE 39 & 144

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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

4

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5 ‫בס״ד‬

FOUNDING PRINCIPAL

This Wednesday night

THANK YOU TO

MRS. YARMAK

FOR ALL THE LESSONS SHE HAS TAUGHT US AND EVERYTHING SHE HAS DONE FOR SHULAMITH

1395 BEECH STREET | ATLANTIC BEACH, NEW YORK

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Expressing Our


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

6

Dear Readers,

M

emorial Day should be summed up in two words: gratitude and appreciation. It’s not just a day that signals the beginning of the summer season, when we can start wearing white and firing up the barbecue grill. For families across the United States, it should be a day of remembrance and commemoration. It’s a time to honor and appreciate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. I remember speaking with a veteran last year before Memorial Day. He felt so sad as he lamented the fact that for so many Americans, Memorial Day is just a vacation day to the beach. He recalled the soldiers he knew personally who had lost their lives defending our freedom. And it hurt him that this day wasn’t being utilized for what it had been intended. In our community, most of us don’t personally know people who fought in any wars. But we are the recipients of their service. If not for those who defend our liberties on the battlefield, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted in the United States. Even more than that, many of us are descendants of Holocaust survivors. Did we ever ask our grandparents or great-grandparents what they felt like when the American soldiers entered the camps to liberate them? Can you imagine their overflowing gratitude for those

young American soldiers who risked their lives to halt the Nazi war machine? Behind those soldiers, though, there were tens of thousands of soldiers who had died so those members of the armed services could make it to the gates of Auschwitz. At least 29,000 Americans died in the invasion of Normandy. And that was just one battle. More than 400,000 American soldiers died in World War II. We owe it to those hundreds of thousands of soldiers to take a moment this weekend and talk about their sacrifice. One Memorial Day, a neighbor of mine organized a small ceremony for the block during which a Gold Star Mother who had lost her son spoke about her child and the sacrifice he made for the nation. My children were so moved by her words, and it truly brought home the messages of appreciation and gratitude we should have for those who died defending our nation. The Villages of Lawrence and Cedarhurst organize a Memorial Day Parade every year. Unfortunately, not enough people come out to commemorate the day as the marchers head down Central Avenue. If you can, take your family to the parade and ceremony this year. It will make your Memorial Day much more meaningful. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER

publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman, MANAGING EDITOR ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Shoshana Soroka, EDITOR

editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Nate Davis Editorial Assistant Nechama Wein Copy Editor Rachel Bergida Berish Edelman Mati Jacobovits Design & Production Gabe Solomon Distribution & Logistics P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857 Classified Deadline: Monday 5:00PM classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003 PAYMENT VIA CREDIT CARD MUST BE SUBMITTED ALONG WITH CLASSIFIED ADS The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not neces­sarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

Shabbos Zemanim

Weekly Weather | May 27 – June 2

Friday, May 27 Parshas Bechukosai

27

28

29

30

31

1

2

Scattered ThunderStorms

AM Showers

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Cloudy

PM Showers

71° 61°

69° 61°

69° 62°

72° 63°

75° 64°

74° 63°

70° 60°

Candle Lighting: 7:59 pm Shabbos Ends: 9:07 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 9:30 pm


7

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

8

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

8

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll Community Happenings

8 42

NEWS

98

Global

14

National

32

That’s Odd

38

ISRAEL

Israel News

28

The Pebble in the Pond by Rafi Sackville

100

JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Wein on the Parsha

90

How to Achieve World Peace by Rav Moshe Weinberger

94

Hearing Within the Darkness by Rabbi Shmuel Reichman

96

Delving into the Daf by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

98

PEOPLE Rudy Rochman Connects Jews from the Four Corners of the World

102

TJH Speaks with Paris Popack, Coordinator of the Memorial Day Parade

108

Early Heroes of the IAF by Avi Heiligman

134

HEALTH & FITNESS Resumes by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn

116

17 Nutrition Myths Debunked by Aliza Beer, MS RD

118

FOOD & LEISURE 124

The Aussie Gourmet: Crockpot Brisket LIFESTYLES

116

Teen Talk

110

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW

112

Parenting Pearls

120

JWOW!

122

Your Money

142

Then and Now by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS 143

HUMOR Centerfold

Dear Editor, Thank you so much for addressing the extremely important topic of eating disorders in your recent Teen Talk column. This column is a fantastic addition to your excellent paper. Teens today are really struggling in many areas and deserve these issues to be addressed intelligently and sensitively. We believe that Rabbi Drandoff was both informative and sensitive in his twopart response. However, as a pediatrician and eating disorder expert, we have several important thoughts to add. Firstly, eating disorders have a wide range of presentations. Unfortunately, parents have been falsely reassured by professionals who are not sufficiently experienced with or knowledgeable of eating disorders. Parents have been told, for example, that their child was not “thin enough” to have an eating disorder. Parents are a child’s best advocate and must feel empowered to speak up if they feel that something is not right. In addition, eating disorders are frequently accompanied by cognitive distortions, which may make it impossible for the child to articulate what is wrong and be receptive to input and treatment. This is why parents must seek professional help. Finally, it can be really difficult to find appropriate resources to better understand eating disorders, including risks for them, their onset, and their signs and symptoms. As such we would like to share some vital resources. We recommend NEDA (https://www. nationaleatingdisorders.org) including their invaluable Screening Tool. The Eating Recovery Center (eatingrecoverycenter.com) which includes a list of helpful resources and websites. The book, “When Your Teen has an Eating Disorder: Practical Strategies to Help Your Teen Recover

From Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating,” is also recommended. For information on school programs for prevention, awareness, and education, visit Atzmi.org. For all treatment referrals, contact ayeleth.org. We have also just recorded a podcast episode together discussing eating disorder prevention, awareness and resources. It will IY”H be released next month on the JOWMA podcast. Thank you again for addressing eating disorders sensitively and informatively. We hope that these resources will help guide families to get appropriate help. Sincerely, Alisa Minkin MD, Host of JOWMA podcast Marcy Forta EdD MBA Director and Founder, Atzmi Dear Editor, I was astounded to see the “Chicken Soup isn’t enough” NYC Health ad in your paper this weekend. How could you accept such an ad? It is essentially stereotyping Jews. In such a PC environment no less. I sent a complaint to the NYC Health Department. But ultimately you share the blame for allowing it to print in your publication. A Reader Dear Editor, I greatly enjoy the cartoons that adjoin Mrs. Rosenwald’s column each week. She does a great job at finding cartoons that are funny and appropriate. Best regards, Shlomo Mechlovitz To the Editor, In reply to Mr. Goldstein’s letter: Yes, Continued on page 12

88

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

126

Biden Seeks a New Opening in a Rattled Asia by David Ignatius

130

To Counter Putin’s Aggression in Ukraine, Look to Ronald Reagan by Marc A. Thiessen

131

Biden’s Attack on an “Ultra-MAGA Agenda” is a Mega Blunder by Marc A. Thiessen

132

CLASSIFIEDS

136

Do you own an American flag?

56 44 %

YES

%

NO


9

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

END OF

SUMMER

PROGRAM

Come Join Our Staff!

Make a difference in the life of a child or teen with a developmental disability. Make connections and friendships to last a lifetime. Enjoy summertime activities, gorgeous outdoor campgrounds, and much more!

Boys: Staff : Aug 25- Sept 1 Camp Kaylie

Girls: Staff: Aug 23-31 Camp Nageela

Reward yourself by working or volunteering with children and teens with developmental disabilities in Ohel Bais Ezra's End of Summer program.

For more information and to set up an interview: (718) 686-3475 camps@ohelfamily.org


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

10

‎‫נ ְהִ י‬‎‫ע ל ַי‬ ָ ‎‫ע ׂשּו‬ ֲ ‎‫ז ְכ ַ ר ְי ָה‬‎‫ אֲנ ִי‬‎‫קֹו ל ִי‬‎‫שׁ מְעּו‬ ִ ‎‫בא ב‬‎‫לתשעה‬‎‫קינה‬‎‫מתוך‬‎—

A TIME FOR LEARNING: COUNTING UP TO SHAVOUS

‫יום שכולו תורה‬ MARKING THE SHLOSHIM OF RABBI ZECHARIAH WA L L E R S T E I N ‫זצ"ל‬

MAY 31, 8 pm – JUNE 1, 8 pm ‫אור לב׳ סיון תשפ״ב‬


11 ‫בס״ד‬ MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

THE VIRTUAL PROGRAM: • Hosted by Charlie Harary • Siyum Mishnayos • Talmidim & yedidim will pay homage to Rabbi Wallerstein’s tireless dedication to every nefesh in klal yisroel by sharing personal recollections and shared experiences. • Lectures by world-renowned speakers: Rabbi Yossi Bensoussan Rabbi Elinatan Bitton Mrs. Jackie Bitton Rabbi Lazer Brody Mr. Moshe Caller Rabbi Moshe Elefant Rabbi Reuven Epstein Rabbi Eytan Feiner Rebetzin Aviva Feiner Rabbi Gil Freiman Rav Gavriel Friedman Rabbi Binyomin Ginsberg Rabbi Yisroel Grossberg

Mr. Charlie Harary Rabbi Reuven Ibragimov Rabbi Simon Jacobson Rabbi YY Jacobson Rebetzin Vital Kalmanovitz Mrs. Chaya Aviva Katz Rabbi Paysach Krohn Dr. David Lieberman Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff Rav Aaron Lopiansky Rabbi Yisroel Majeski Rabbi Eli Mansour Rabbi Ezra Max

Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi Rabbi Yosef Palacci Rabban Gamliel Rabinowitz Rabbi Yisroel Reisman Rabbi Sholom Rubashkin Rabbi Fischel Schachter Mrs. Shira Smiles Rabbi Mordechai Twerski Rabbi Eliezer Wallerstein Mrs. Malkey Wallerstein Rabbi Moshe Weinberger

View the expansive speaker line-up on the website.

ONLINE OR BY PHONE FOR THE 24 HOURS OF THE ‫יום השלושים‬ RABBIWALLERSTEINLEGACYFUND.ORG Over the 24 hours of Rabbi Wallerstein's Shloshim, be a part of learning in his memory and securing his legacy. Access to the shiurim is free to all, but please consider

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making a contribution at rabbiwallersteinlegacyfund.org or via our 24-hour hotline at 718.540.5703. With your help, we can reach the 6.3 million dollar goal by June 1st.

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TUNE IN FOR ‫התורה‬‎‫קבלת‬ P R E PA R AT I O N ‫ נ ש מ ת‬‎ ‫ל ט ו ב ת‬ ‫זצ"ל‬‎‫יצחק‬‎‫בן‬‎‫הכהן‬‎‫שמעון‬‎‫זכריה‬‎‫ר׳‬


Continued from page 8

S H a lO m Ta S k FO r C e

You Are NoT ALoNe Confidential 888.883.2323 Call. Text. Whatsapp Hotline Call our Confidential Hotline to discuss any issues about relationships or domestic abuse. We provide a listening ear to all. Our referrals help our callers gain access to helpful resources, including legal assistance, counseling, and safe shelters. For more information and to speak with a trained advocate, please visit www.shalomtaskforce.org.

No oNe Deserves To Be ABuseD

Art clAsses r Achel Painting Series with

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

12

WHO: Girls 1st-3rd Grade WHEN: SUNDAYS: 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 6/12 TIME: 9:30am-11:00am LOCATION: Far Rockaway PRICE: $140 All supplies included HSPC accepted For more information call Rachel: 917-750-9816

Ukraine is a humanitarian crisis, which was avoidable, if our NATO allies did not become dependent on Russian energy, if the Biden administration did not declare war on the production of American oil and natural gas which is driving the price of oil higher and higher which in turn is financing the Russian military, and if the White House was proactive and not reactive with Russia. Shouldn’t our country take care of our own problems, for example, instead of handing Zelensky hundreds of billions of dollars to secure the borders of Ukraine, why not first secure the American-Mexican border? What about the shortages of baby formula? Should American parents have anxiety attacks when the shelves are bare of baby food, but those who entered illegally into Texas are handed can of formula after can? The difference between the 1930s and 2022 is that Jews had nowhere to go to; no country offered refuge to the millions of European Jews and the gates to Mandatory Palestine were closed by the British. Jews were trapped. Nowhere to run to. In contrast, more than five million Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed by their neighboring countries of Poland, Rumanian, Moldova, Slovakia, and Hungary. Peter Katz Dear Editor, How critical is it to understand your self-worth and what are the consequences if you don’t? Phrased in more biblical terms, in Bechukotai, why are the laws of Erchin placed after mentioning the blessings and curses that occur depending on whether you follow the chukim or not? The Torah’s message: have strong self-esteem and know who you are individually and spiritually, and you are more likely to choose correctly. In the spiritual realm, HaRav Avigdor Nebenzal points out, based on the Zohar (3:29b), “All souls originate from under the Throne of Glory.” In essence, we “are” totally spiritually beings. From a psychological point of view, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, zt”l, notes, “Low self-esteem is a delusion, and it can cause people to have many maladjustments in life.” Therefore, the Torah is giving a crucial message: know your worth in order to succeed in life. Steven Genack Dear Editor, I had a carpenter in my apartment re-

cently. Unlike many, he was punctual and completed the work in a timely fashion. And he went above and beyond the call of duty, filling in little holes in the kitchen that I didn’t even see and when some plaster fell from my bedroom ceiling at around 11:30 p.m. with a resounding crash (due to some energetic children that have no bedtime; it seems that the apartment above me is a playground). He filled it in the next day. He was friendly, accommodating, never complained, and his set price didn’t change and was reasonable. Could you imagine? I offered him unlimited access to my fridge and snacks and as they say, “It was a pleasure doing business with him,” and I happily handed him a bottle of wine from my closet as an extra token of my appreciation. In reflecting on the situation, I mused to myself how a little kindness goes such a long way. It doesn’t take a lot – a smile, a kind word, an offer to help – to light up another human being. It made the whole experience of turning the apartment upside down to paint so much easier and pleasant. It wasn’t difficult to have him in the house. He actually enhanced my experience of the day. Not by doing anything spectacular. Mostly by just being friendly and accommodating – it seems like it would be so easy to make a difference in all of our lives by following that strategy. Maybe because I viewed him not just as a painter but a human being working hard to support his family. As the Torah says, mitzvah goreret mitzvah, one mitzvah leads to another; his friendliness leads me to be friendly to others. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Nastiness begets nastiness. People are rude or unpleasant to us, and we tend to respond in kind. Don’t reciprocate arrogance and ignorance of others whether it’s friends, neighbors, coworkers, political affiliations, or bosses. Instead of waiting for others to be the agents of kindness in our lives, we should take the initiative. We should make a proactive choice to be the agents of kindness in the lives of others. It doesn’t take a lot – a smile, a kind word, an offer to help – to light up another human being. Whenever I pass a senior, no matter the time, I will stop for a few seconds to give a warm greeting. You have no idea what you do with this simple act of kindness. You make their day! You recognized them as a human being! You create a ripple effect, leading to many small kindnesses throughout our days and our communities. What a great deal – high reward and low cost! Israel Root


Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan

ִ ‫אוֹ ָצר ִו‬ ‫יהי ֶט ֶרף ְב ֵב ִיתי‬ ,‫וּ ְב ָחנוּ נִ י נָ א ָבזאֹ ת ָא ַמר ה' ְצ ָבאוֹ ת‬ ֲ

:‫תפילת השל"ה כפי שהעתרתי עליהם‬

ֹ

‫בילדיכם‬

r will receive Each and every dono ” personally a “Nachas Certificate imon Galai shlit”a From Maran HGR’ Sh

‫על נ פ ש‬

‫ַעל נֶ פֶ ׁש‬

ּ‫צֶ ֱאצָ ֵאינו‬

‫מסע הקודש‬ ‫של עמוד התפילה מרן‬

‫הגר"ש גלאי‬

‫שליט"א‬

‫לוילנא‬

‫שפ"ב‬

‫ער"ח סיון ת‬

Each name will be m entio ned indiv idual ly!

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‫קו‬ ‫העפת‬ ‫רי‬

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Vilna

13


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

14

The Week In News

WE WOULD LIKE TO

Thank our Corporate Sponsors

Biden Visits S. Korea

On the topic of North Korea, Yoon said, “The door to dialogue remains open. If North Korea genuinely embarks upon denuclearization in partnership with the international community, I am prepared to present an audacious plan that will vastly strengthen its economy and improve the quality of life for its people.” Meanwhile, Biden also said that the U.S. has offered COVID-19 vaccines to North Korea but has “gotten no response.” “With regard to whether I would meet with the leader of North Korea, that would depend on whether he was sincere and whether it was serious,” Biden added.

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In his first visit to South Korea since taking office, U.S. President Joe Biden restored the U.S.’s previous policy towards the region. According to the New York Times, the policy – a return to the pre-Trump days – means “more deterrence, more collaboration with allies, and more skepticism of Pyongyang, but it may not mean more progress resolving one of the world’s most intractable standoffs.” The report added that although Biden sees former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “courtship” of North Korea as an “embarrassing spectacle,” he does not believe that his own policy will result in a real breakthrough. At a news conference in Seoul, South Korea, Biden said, “The alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States has never been stronger, more vibrant or, I might add, more vital.” Biden also expressed support for the continued presence of American troops in South Korea, saying that their presence is “emblematic of our strength and our continuing strength and the durability of our alliance and our readiness to take on all threats.” South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol was inaugurated less than two weeks ago. Just before Yoon’s joint news conference with Biden, the two delegations met for several hours, discussing various regional issues. Following a one-on-one meeting, the presidents said their nations would work to combat climate change and to ensure that “the Indo-Pacific is a free and open area.” Yoon, for his part, said, “President Biden and I see eye-to-eye on so many fronts.”

New PM Down Under

Australia on Saturday announced the victory of Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese, ending nine years of conservative rule Down Under. Although Albanese won the election, it is not clear if his party will have the 76 seats required to form a government. Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the research group the Climate Council, noted that Australians had one thing one their minds. “Millions of Australians have put climate first. Now, it’s time for a radical reset on how this great nation of ours acts upon the climate challenge,” she said. Both Greens candidates and Independents demanding emissions cuts far above current commitments also did well in the elections. Speaking to his supporters on Saturday night, outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had called Albanese to congratulate him, adding, “I’ve always believed in Australians and their judgment, and I’ve always been prepared to accept their verdict.” Albanese told citizens, “I will work every day to bring Australians together. And I will lead a government worthy of the people of Australia. I can promise all Australians this: no matter how you voted today, the government I lead will respect every one of you every day.” Referring to his background as a child


15

CEDARHURST

FIRE DEPARTMENT

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

SUNDAY

MAY 29, 2022

10:00AM

DOVID HAZIZA

LINE THE STREETS AND WATCH THE PARADE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Joseph and Paris Popack

Village of Cedarhurst · Village of Lawrence · The Storch Agency International Gourmet Glatt · The Cindy Grosz Show · Overpass · Signature Bank Amazing Savings · Staffpro · Dunkin Donuts Wall's Bake Shop · Syd Mandelbaum of Rock & Wrap It Up For more parade info: cedarhurst.gov

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

L AW R E N C E


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

16

of a single mother on disability benefits, Albanese said that he hopes his victory will show Australians that “the doors of opportunity are open to us all.” “Every parent wants more for the next generation than they had,” he asserted. “My mother dreamt of a better life for me. And I hope that my journey in life inspires Australians to reach for the stars.” During his term as prime minister, Albanese intends to rebuild relations with foreign leaders, including Pacific Island leaders. On Tuesday, Albanese plans to travel to Tokyo with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, for talks with Quad members from the U.S., India, and Japan. The Labor party has promised to cut emissions by 43% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Albanese also supports raising minimum wage by 5.1%, though he cannot impose such a change and can only recommend it.

A Legal Ivory Trade? Zimbabwe has been working on protecting its elephant herds. Now, it is seeing the fruits of its efforts. Hwange National Park is overflowing with the an-

imals, which sometimes roam outside the park’s boundaries to feast on vegetation.

Zimbabwe is now home to around 70 percent of the continent’s elephants. Zimbabwe’s situation is markedly different than its neighbors’, who have seen their elephant herds’ numbers declining. This week, Zimbabwe is bringing officials from 15 countries to meet in Hwange National Park to discuss legally trading ivory. The 100,000 elephants that call Zimbabwe their home are too many for the country to support. Additionally, officials find themselves working to protect vast stockpiles of ivory they can’t sell to raise funds for either conservation work or to support communities affected by the growing elephant numbers. “These are pertinent issues that are difficult to address in a balanced manner,” Tourism and Environment Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu noted. Zimbabwe last week urged Europe-

an ambassadors to allow a one-off sale of $600 million worth of elephant ivory, kept in a warehouse outside central Harare. International trade in ivory and elephants has been banned since 1989 under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). One-off sales were allowed in 1999 and 2008, despite fierce opposition. Countries in southern Africa say the ban prevents them even from supporting each other’s conservation efforts, for example, by moving elephants from Zimbabwe to countries that want to repopulate. The conference brings together countries likely to support a legalization move, including China and Japan, where ivory is highly prized. Kenya and Tanzania, which fear legalization will encourage more poaching, were not invited. But the island nations of Seychelles and Madagascar, which have no elephants, are attending. A collection of 50 anti-ivory trade organizations issued a statement warning that opening the ivory market would decimate the African herd, which in some regions is near extinction. “The conference is sending a dangerous signal to poachers and criminal

syndicates that elephants are mere commodities, and that ivory trade could be resumed heightening the threat to the species,” they said.

Billionaire Boon

It’s been a good few years for those with hefty bank accounts. According to analysis released by Oxfam, 573 people have become billionaires since 2020. That means that a new billionaire was minted about every 30 hours, on average, so far since the pandemic. The report, which draws on data compiled by Forbes, looks at the rise of inequality over the past two years. It is timed to coincide with the kickoff of the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, a gathering of some of the wealthiest people and world leaders.


17

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Auction book Printed & Distributed by LSMedia 718-513-9885


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

18 Billionaires have seen their total net worth soar by $3.8 trillion, or 42%, to $12.7 trillion during the pandemic. A large part of the increase has been fueled by strong gains in the stock markets, which was aided by governments injecting money into the global economy to soften the financial blow of the coronavirus. Much of the jump in wealth came in the first year of the pandemic. It then plateaued and has since dropped a bit, Max Lawson, head of inequality policy at Oxfam, noted. On the other side of the spectrum, Covid was not good to many people. More than 263 million people were pushed into extreme poverty this year, as soaring food prices gnaw at those who earn the least. “I’ve never seen such a dramatic growth in poverty and growth in wealth at the same moment in history,” Lawson said. “It’s going to hurt a lot of people.” There were opportunities for those to earn money over the past few years. Billionaires in the food and agribusiness sector saw their total wealth increase by $382 billion, or 45%, over the past two years, after adjusting for inflation. Some 62 food billionaires were created since 2020. Meanwhile, the net worth of their

peers in the oil, gas and coal sectors jumped by $53 billion, or 24%, since 2020, after adjusting for inflation. Forty new pandemic billionaires were created in the pharmaceutical industry, which has been at the forefront of the battle against Covid-19 and the beneficiary of billions in public funding. The tech sector has spawned many billionaires, including seven of the 10 world’s richest people, such as Telsa’s Elon Musk, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Microsoft’s Bill Gates. These men increased their wealth by $436 billion to $934 billion over the past two years, after adjusting for inflation. Oxfam wants the rich to get hit with taxes to help those struggling with poverty. It is calling for a temporary 90% tax on excess corporate profits, as well as a onetime tax on billionaires’ wealth. The group would also like to levy a permanent wealth tax on the super-rich. It suggests a 2% tax on assets greater than $5 million, rising to 5% for net worth above $1 billion. This could raise $2.5 trillion worldwide. Most governments have not embraced wealth taxes. In the U.S., pushes to levy taxes on the wealthiest Americans have not gain traction in Congress.

Quad Tackles Illegal Fishing

The U.S., Japan, Australia, and India will unveil at the Quad summit in Tokyo a new maritime initiative to end illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. The initiative will use satellite technology to create a tracking system for illegal fishing from the Indian Ocean to the South Pacific. It will work by connecting surveillance centers in India and Singapore. According to the Financial Times, the initiative will enable the Quad countries to monitor illegal fishing even when the boats have turned off their transponders. The report follows an announcement earlier this month by U.S.-Indo Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell that the United States would soon announce plans to fight illegal fishing in the U.S. Several Indo-Pacific countries have said that Chinese vessels violate their exclusive economic zones, causing environmental damage and economic loss.

Fijat Canoski. Three other former officials serving at the time of the demolition were also sentenced, while another three were acquitted. This is the fourth time Gruevski has been convicted since leaving office in 2016 after nearly a decade in power. His first sentencing, in 2018, was to two years in prison for unlawfully influencing Interior Ministry officials. His second sentencing was in 2020, and he received one-and-ahalf years in prison for orchestrating violence against political opponents in 2013. The third sentencing was last month, when he was handed seven years for using party funds to add to his own wealth. Two more cases are pending against him – for corruption, election irregularities, and abuse of office. Despite the jailtime hanging over him, in 2018, Gruevski fled to Hungary before his first sentence could be carried out. The Republic of North Macedonia is located in Southeast Europe and borders Kosovo, Serbia and Greece. It achieved independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and has a population of around 1.8 million people, the majority of whom are Christian.

Mustard Shortage in France

Jail for Former Leader of N. Macedonia

Former Prime Minister of North Macedonia Nikola Gruevski has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Gruevski illegally ordered the 2011 demolition of a multimillion-dollar residential and business complex owned by a former political ally who became an opponent. According to the Skopje Criminal Court, the demolition was an “act of political revenge” against then-leader of the Party for European Future (PEI)

French shoppers are facing a mustard shortage. The scarcity is caused due to a lack of mustard seeds needed to produce the product, caused by a mix of severe drought in Canada, poor harvests in France, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. As a result of the shortage, mustard prices in France have risen by 10%, and some stores are struggling to restock. According to BBC, Canada, a main source of France’s mustard seeds, suffered a severe drought last year which harmed crop yields in the west of the country. And in France itself, mustard seed harvests have fallen short of expectations for three years in a row, due to weather conditions. Originally, French producers had hoped to import additional mustard seeds


19

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

22

from Russia or Ukraine, but this is no longer possible due to the war the countries are waging. Luc Vondermaeson, managing director of France’s third-largest mustard manufacturer La Reine de Dijon, said that production is 20-25% lower than normal. Speaking to BBC, he added, “The market is totally empty. Everything has been booked and we have difficulty obtaining seeds.” Pass the ketchup, please.

Sweeping AntiIsrael Law in Iraq

A new law set to come into effect in Iraq will make it very difficult for people in Iraq to reach out to Jews around the world. The new law will impose a death sentence upon any citizen who communi-

cates with Israelis in any way. The bill will apply to all Iraqi citizens, foreigners visiting Iraq, and Iraqis abroad, and will extend to Israeli-linked organizations and online communication via social media. Titled “Banning Normalization and Establishment of Relations with the Zionist Entity,” the bill strictly forbids “contact and communication of any kind and means with the occupying Zionist entity, its nationals, and representatives, whether individuals or institutions or organizations, for any reason.” The bill, which was introduced by anti-Western Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, also forbids the “promotion of any ideas, ideologies, principles, or Israeli or Zionist conduct, in any form,” with transgressors facing potential “execution or lifelong imprisonment.” On a more practical level, the bill bans any form of “financial or moral assistance” to Israel or any institution affiliated with it, raising concerns for Iraqi Jews living in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan — once home to a vibrant Jewish community that has largely relocated to Israel since its establishment. Jews once comprised 40 percent of Baghdad’s population, according to a 1917 Ottoman census. But after the creation of

Israel in 1948, regional tensions skyrocketed and anti-Semitic campaigns took hold, pushing most of Iraq’s Jews to flee. The roughly 150,000 Jews still in Iraq during the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948 fled fast: by 1951, 96 percent were gone.

Shakeup in Lebanon

The Hezbollah terror group and its allies lost their majority in the recent election in Lebanon, giving the forces of reform a chance at government. In last week’s election, the Lebanese reformists took 13 out of the parliament’s 128 seats, nabbing seats from Hezbollah’s allies, which won 62 seats compared to their 71 seats in 2018. Hezbollah itself, however, held onto its own seats. The younger reformists were founded

in late 2019, amid a national crisis that has led to the Lebanese pound losing 90% of its value. According to the United Nations, 75% of Lebanese live below the poverty line. Najat Saliba, one of the newly-elected lawmakers of the reform forces “Taqqadum” (Progress), said, “Look what they’ve done to us – no electricity, water, they took away our money and they’ve buried us under garbage. If they couldn’t do anything for 60 years, they won’t be able to do anything in the future either! “We will veto every single one of the corrupt projects of the representatives of the parties.” Marc Daou, another of the newly elected Taqqadum-MPs, said that the country “needs to get a grip” on illegal arms. He added, “We need a financial and an economic recovery plan to be able to save this country, because our economic crisis is very deep.” As the economy continues to spiral, the new parliament does not have much time to convene and start the process of appointing a new prime minister and forming a new government. But with no parliamentary majority that traditional factions can use to assume power together, experts believe a political deadlock is possible.


23

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Don’t Just Say Ani Maamin.

We All Need A Morah Like This In Our Lives

LIVE ANI MAAMIN. The Meron tragedy sparked a movement that has inspired tens of thousands...

ANI MAAMIN TWO POWERFUL WORDS. Words that speak volumes. Words that have carried us through the ages. ‫לעילוי נשמת‬

‫הבחור החשוב נפש יקרה‬

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‫ז״ל בן שלמה עמו״ש‬

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,‫מּונה ְׁשלֵ ָמה‬ ָ

‫ֶּב ֱא‬ ,‫רּואים‬ ִ ‫ֲאנִ י ַמ ֲא ִמין ּבֹורא ַּומנְ ִהיג ְלָכל ַה ְ ּֿב‬ ֵ ‫א יִ ְת ָּבַר ְך ְׁשמֹו הּוא‬ ‫ּבֹור‬ ֵ ‫ֶׁשַה‬ .‫ַי ֲע ֶׂשה ְלָכל ַהַּמ ֲע ִׂשים‬ ְ‫עֹוׂשה ו‬ ֶ ְ‫וְ הּוא ְל ַבּדֹו ָעָׂשה ו‬ I am steadfast in my absolute belief

that the Creator, blessed is His Name, that is brought into existence, and that He creates, and will create alone created, all that is created.

creates and guides all

,‫ה ְׁשלֵ ָמה‬

ָ ‫ֲאנִ י ַמ ֲא ִמין ֶּב ֱא‬ ,‫מּונ ידּות ָּכ ֽמֹוהּו ְּבׁשּום ָּפנִ ים‬ ‫ְ ׁשמֹו הּואָי ִחיד וְ ֵאין יְ ִח‬ ְ ‫ּבֹורא יִ ְת ָּבַרך‬ ֵ ‫ֶׁשַה‬ .‫ ָהָיה הֹוֶ ה וְ יִ ְהיֶ ה‬,‫ל ֹקינּו‬ ‫ּדֹו ֱא‬

‫וְ הּוא ְל ַב‬ I am steadfast in my absolute belief that the Creator, blessed is One, and there is no uniqueness like is His Name, His in any way, and forever having existed, He existing, and continuing alone is our Lord, to exist.

,‫מּונה ְׁשלֵ ָמה‬ ָ

‫ֲאנִ י ַמ ֲא ִמין ֶּב ֱא‬ ,‫ַי ִּׂשיגֽ ּוהּו ַמ ִּׂשיגֵ י ַהּגּוף‬ ‫ וְ ל ֹא‬,‫ר ְך ְׁשמֹו ֵאינֹו גּוף‬ ַ‫ּבֹורא יִ ְת ָּב‬ ֵ ‫ֶׁשַה‬ .‫יֹון ְּכָלל‬

‫וְ ֵאין לֹו ׁשּום ִּד ְמ‬ I am steadfast in my absolute belief that the Creator, blessed has no corporeality, is His Name, nor can any material qualities be ascribed and there is nothing to Him, at all that is comparable to Him.

,‫מּונה ְׁשלֵ ָמה‬ ָ ‫ֲאנִ י ַמ ֲא ִמין ֶּב ֱא‬

.‫הּוא ִראׁשֹון וְ הּוא ַא ֲחרֹון‬

I am steadfast in my

‫ּבֹורא יִ ְת ָּבַר ְך ְׁשמֹו‬ ֵ ‫ֶׁשַה‬

absolute belief that the Creator, blessed is the very first and the very last [to exist]. is His Name,

,‫מּונה ְׁשלֵ ָמה‬ ָ ‫ין ֶּב ֱא‬

NEW!

‫ֲאנִ י ַמ ֲא ִמ‬ ,‫ְל ַבּדֹוָראּוי ְל ִה ְתַּפ ֵּלל‬ ‫ּבֹורא יִ ְת ָּבַר ְך ְׁשמֹו לֹו‬ ֵ ‫ֶׁשַה‬ .‫זּולתֹוָראּוי ְל ִה ְתַּפ ֵּלל‬ ָ ‫וְ ֵאין ְל‬

I am steadfast in my absolute to Him alone is it appropriate belief that the Creator, blessed to pray, and it is inappropriate is His Name — to pray to any other. ,‫ְׁשלֵ ָמה‬ I am steadfast in my

‫מּונה‬ ָ ‫ֲאנִ י ַמ ֲא ִמין ֶּב ֱא‬

.‫יאים ֱא ֶמת‬ ִ ‫ֶׁשָּכל ִּד ְב ֵרי נְ ִב‬

absolute belief that

all the words of the

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· She was a sheltered Yerushalmi girl who became one of America’s most renowned educators. · She proudly wore the uniform of Bais Yaakov — even though she was the school principal! · She joyously sang and danced her way through the schools she helped create in Chicago and Lakewood.

In memory of Dovi Steinmetz z”l ‫לע״נ יששכר דוב בעריש ז"ל ב"ר שלמה נ"י‬

I

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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

INSPIRING JEWS ... ONE BOOK AT A TIME


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

26

“That’s one scenario with potentially those in the middle [opposition] trying to mediate but not enough to impose an agenda,” the Arab Reform Initiative’s Houry told Al Jazeera. Lebanon’s prime minister is a Sunni, and the government is divided along the country’s multitude of religious sects and different political forces in parliament. This fragile power-sharing system can quickly lead to paralysis. “Lebanon is a very difficult country to govern, and it has a very divided parliament,” Houry noted.

UN: Over 100M Forcibly Displaced

The war between Russia and Ukraine has caused the number of displaced persons worldwide to rise above 100 million

for the first time ever, the United Nations (UN) said on Monday. According to the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, “The number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution has now crossed the staggering milestone of 100 million for the first time on record, propelled by the war in Ukraine and other deadly conflicts.” UNHCR added that this “alarming” number should push the world to end the conflicts causing the displacement. The numbers were around 90 million at the end of 2021. Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February, over eight million people have been displaced within Ukraine, and more than six million have fled the country. According to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, “One hundred million is a stark figure – sobering and alarming in equal measure. It’s a record that should never have been set.” He added, “This must serve as a wakeup call to resolve and prevent destructive conflicts, end persecution and address the underlying causes that force innocent people to flee their homes.” But, he said, “The international response to people fleeing war in Ukraine has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Pakistan’s Imran Khan Blames U.S.

Pakistan’s Imran Khan on Monday reiterated his claims that the United States had orchestrated his ouster. According to him, “anti-Americanism” is growing in Pakistan as a result of “all this becoming public.” Khan has made similar claims for nearly two months but has yet to provide evidence backing them up. In an exclusive interview with CNN – his first with an international news organization since the April ouster – Khan called for a nationwide rally protesting his removal and vowed to run again for office in the next elections. He told the news outlet, “Whenever the next elections take place, not only will we run, but I can predict that this will be the biggest party in Pakistan’s history, because people are so incensed and feel insulted that these criminals have been foisted upon us.” He also claimed that Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, met with Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington in March and told him that Khan should be dismissed from power in the confidence vote or else “Pakistan will suffer consequences.” Khan supposedly pressed for Lu to be fired for interfering in Pakistan’s domestic affairs, as well as “for bad manners and sheer arrogance.” A U.S. State Department spokesperson told CNN that “there is no truth to these allegations.” When asked for proof of his claims, Khan said there were note-takers from both the U.S. and Pakistan at the meeting. Meanwhile, Khan claimed that the relations between his country and the United States became strained after U.S. President Joe Biden took office. Biden has not spoken with Khan since taking office last year. “I had perfectly good relationship with the Trump administration,” Khan told CNN. “It’s only when the Biden administration came, and it coincided with what was happening in Afghanistan. And for some reason, which I still don’t know, I never, they never got in touch with me.”

Iranian IRGC Official Assassinated

Iranian Col. Hassan Sayad Khodayari, a senior member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) who was killed in Tehran on Sunday, had planned kidnappings and other attempts to attack Jewish and Israeli targets worldwide, Hebrew media reported. Khodayari was shot five times while sitting in a car by two unknown gunmen who fled on a motorcycle, Iranian state media claimed. The IRGC blamed the killing on the U.S. and Israel. Al Jazeera quoted an Iranian official as warning that those responsible “will pay a heavy price.” No one has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack. Asked about it by Channel 12 News, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White) refused to comment, saying simply, “The State of Israel is very strong. I’m not addressing all the various reports that appear in all sorts of places.” Channel 12 also reported that Khodayari was behind an attempt by Iranian operatives to lure Israeli businesspeople, former defense officials, and academics abroad and possibly kidnap them. He was also behind a reported plot to kill five Israelis in Cyprus and served in Syria under the Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was also killed. In addition, an Iranian security source claimed Khodayari played an “important” role in Iran’s military industry, “especially when it came to drones,” the Times of Israel said. Channel 12 News added that one of the operatives under Khodayari’s direction was Mansour Rasouli, an IRGC member who was planning an attack on an Israeli diplomat in Turkey, a journalist in France, and an American general stationed in Germany.


27

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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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Ukraine’s First War Crimes Trial

A Ukrainian court on Monday sentenced a 21-year-old Russian soldier to life in prison for killing a civilian in the first war crimes trial since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. During the trial, Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin pleaded guilty to shooting 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in the head after being ordered to do so. Shishimarin told the court that an officer insisted that Shelipov, who was speaking on his cellphone, could have revealed their location to Ukrainian forces. Before delivering the verdict on Monday, the court said that Shishimarin had “committed a criminal offense” according to international humanitarian law. “[Shishimarin] saw a civilian on the pavement, Oleksandr Shelipov,” the court

said. “Shishimarin knowing that Shelipov is a civilian and is unarmed and does not pose any threat to him fired several shots at Shelipov from his AK-gun. “The cause of Shelipov’s death was a shot in the head that resulted in crushing of the skull,” the court added. Shishimarin admits that he killed Shelipov but says that he regrets the murder. His lawyer says he was under stress from the war and felt pressure from his commander. “I was nervous the moment it happened. I didn’t want to kill,” the 21-yearold said. “But it happened and I do not deny it.” He confronted Shelipov’s widow and apologized for her loss. She asked him rhetorically, “Did you come to defend us? From whom? Did you defend me from my husband you killed?” “We were ordered to come with the column,” Shishimarin answered. “What will follow I did not know.” Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin is “concerned” about Shishimarin and will seek ways of assisting him Meanwhile, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the world to enact “maximum” sanctions

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against Russia. Among the sanctions Zelensky urged are an oil embargo, blocking all of its banks, and cutting off trade with Russia completely.

Hijacking – 50 Years Ago

Fifty years after Arab terrorists hijacked the Belgian Sabena Airlines flight 571, Israel’s Defense Ministry has published the military’s official logbook from event. The documents detail the chain of events, exactly as they occurred in real time on May 8-9, 1972, when members of the IDF’s Sayaret Matkal commando unit stormed the plane and took down the terrorists. Shortly after Sabena flight 571 took off from Vienna to Tel Aviv, terrorists Ahmed Awad, Abed al-Aziz Atrash, Theresa Khalsa and Rima Tannous – members of the Black September terrorist group – rushed the cockpit, armed with explosives and pistols. The logbook details, “A report was received of hijacking ‘Sabena’ and of it landing in Lod, Moshe was ordered to land in Lod.” The plane landed at 5:15 p.m. The terrorists demanded the release of 315 terrorists in exchange for the plane’s 97 passengers and crew members – and “Operation Isotope” ensued. The pilot of the flight, Captain Reginald Levy, told the control tower officials, “Take them very seriously. If they do not receive a power unit immediately, they will take off immediately.” The terrorists in question were imprisoned in Ramle, which is near Lod, and the hijackers insisted that the swap should not take long. Israeli officials, however, convinced the hijackers that there was an issue with the plane and that mechanics would need to take a look at the aircraft before it could take off. The hijackers

then agreed to both the mechanics and the refueling, but at 10:30p.m., Levy warned, “The hijackers informed me of an explosive device that will explode in one hour. Everything must be sorted out within 60 minutes.” He added, “We do not want to fly, but I am pressured to take off.” Eventually, the hijackers agreed to have the plane fixed in the morning, when a Red Cross representative would be available to facilitate a prisoner swap. Levy informed the hijackers that Israel had agreed to the swap and that “they promised me they will send food and technicians to repair the plane.” One hijacker, “Captain Rafat,” responded, “Okay, thanks.” At 4:20p.m., “mechanics” dressed in white overalls boarded the plane. Bursting through five openings, the commandos shot and killed the two male hijackers and captured the two female hijackers. Some of the details of the operation are still censored due to security concerns. Although this was not the first hijacking by terrorists, it was the first time in which Israeli forces were able to conduct a rescue operation.

Jordan: No Jewish Prayers on Temple Mount

Jordan on Sunday slammed an Israeli court’s ruling that Jewish teenagers who recited the “Shema Yisrael” prayer on the Temple Mount were within their rights to do so. According to a statement by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, “The decision allows extremists to hold ceremonies at the Al-Aqsa compound.” It continued, “The ruling is legally null and void according to international law, which does not recognize the authority of the Israeli judicial system on occupied Palestinian territories from 1967, including East Jerusalem.” The ruling is “a gross violation of in-


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ternational decisions relating to Jerusalem, including resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council, which all clarify that the status quo must be maintained in the holy city,” it added. Traditionally, Jews have not been allowed to pray on the Temple Mount. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas responded to the court ruling by calling on the U.S. to “intervene urgently to stop the Israeli attacks on our people and their sanctities.” But Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office noted, “There is no change, nor is any change planned, on the status quo of the Temple Mount. The Magistrate Court’s decision is focused exclusively on the issue of the conduct of the minors brought before it and does not constitute a broader determination regarding freedom of worship on the Temple Mount. With regard to the specific criminal case in question, the government was informed that the state will file an appeal to the District Court.” The Sunday ruling, handed down by Judge Zion Saharay, said that bowing down and reciting a prayer were not sufficient cause to curtail freedom of religion, especially in light of Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai’s statements last month that police would ensure freedom of religion for “all residents of the country and the territories,” including on the

Temple Mount. Channel 12 News reported police officials as denying the statement and accusing the judge of twisting Shabtai’s words. That report quoted an unnamed police official as saying, “When the commissioner speaks about freedom of worship, he does not refer to the Temple Mount, where the status quo determined by government policy and High Court rulings over the years is maintained. This is a case of a distorted interpretation of his remarks.” Meanwhile, the State Attorney’s office has promised to appeal the ruling.

Meretz MK Won’t Drop Out

Meretz MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi on Sunday announced that she would recant her decision to bolt the coalition and would vote with the government. Her decision to drop out last week deprived the coalition of its equal footing

with the opposition, bringing it down to just 59 MKs out of the Knesset’s 120. Zoabi’s reversal followed a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) and several cabinet ministers and mayors. In a joint video announcement with Lapid and Nazareth’s Mayor Ali Sallam, Zoabi said, “Because my mission is to serve the local authorities and to bring about accomplishments to address the needs of the Arab community, I will support the coalition.” She added, “The alternative to this government will be [MK Itamar] BenGvir as police minister, and I want to prevent that alternative.” Lapid praised her decision, saying, “We have put this disagreement behind us and are returning to government work.” Still, Bennett government is working on shaky ground, as they are holding onto a very slim majority after Idit Silman of the Yamina party left the coalition last month.

Covering Veterans’ Tuition Costs

New legislation passed this week in the Knesset will help IDF veterans as they pursue their higher degrees. Now, tuition scholarships for veterans will be covered up to 75% for those who served in the armed forces. Initially, the coalition sought to cover two-thirds of combat veterans’ tuition, and Likud refused to offer its support — first insisting that it didn’t want to give the coalition a parliamentary victory and then clarifying that it would only do so if the bill was amended to cover 100 percent of former soldiers’ college costs. In the past, the government has paid for two-thirds of tuition for veterans. The decision not to fully fund the scholarships intentionally leaves space for student self-funding, in order to create a sense of obligation for recipients to finish school. Despite Likud’s reluctance, coalition leaders decided to move forward with the vote on Monday evening, daring the

opposition parties to vote against such a popular bill. As the vote neared, though, the 60-MK coalition appeared not to have enough votes to get it through, given reported refusal from the coalition’s Islamist Ra’am faction and MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi (Meretz) and rebel MK Idit Silman (Yamina) to back the measure. Moments before the vote was to be held, however, Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced that he was prepared to meet Likud halfway so that the bill would cover 75% of combat veterans’ tuition costs. Opposition chairman Benjamin Netanyahu’s party then convened an emergency meeting during which it agreed to accept the proposal. At the conclusion of the sit-down, Netanyahu invited in a group of veterans lobbying for the bill, and they all filmed a video in which the ex-soldiers thanked the Likud for its support. Shortly before the vote was held, Gantz took to the plenum podium to explain his decision to compromise. “I decided to put an end to it. My goal is not to harm the Likud,” he said. “My offer is good and serves the entire Israeli society… I am not prepared for politics to harm the IDF.” The broadly popular tuition scholarship program, called “MeMadim LeLimudim,” or “From Uniforms to Studies,” provided a two-thirds tuition scholarship for former combat troops, and other designated soldiers, toward earning an academic degree. An initiative of former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, the scholarships started in 2016 and are intended to make educational opportunities more accessible to soldiers without means. Among the non-combat soldiers covered by the new law are troops from economically disadvantaged homes, Druze and Arab soldiers, “lone soldiers” who serve without immediate family in Israel, and new immigrants. Funding was initially provided by private donor organizations, but in order to cut down on conditions imposed upon the grants, the government, led by Gantz, wanted to fund the scholarships through the Defense Ministry. To be part of the defense budget, the scholarships needed to be approved by law.

More Jail for Prison Escapees A court on Sunday sentenced six security prisoners, including convicted terrorists, to five more years in prison


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following their escape last year from the Gilboa Prison in northern Israel. The six were recaptured following a two-week manhunt. Five of the terrorists are members of the Islamic Jihad terror group, while the sixth, Zakaria Zubeidi, is a member of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah.

In addition to the five-year additions to their sentences, the six were handed eight-month suspended sentences and fines of 5,000 NIS each. Four other prisoners who helped the six escape were handed four years of additional prison and fines of 2,000 NIS each. The Hamas terror group responded to the sentences by calling them “a continuation of the aggression and violations of the occupation against our heroic prisoners.”

Smuggling Weapons from Iran to Hezbollah

The son-in-law of the late Iran Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani is smuggling weapons to Hezbollah, the IDF says. According to the report, Sayyed Reza Hashim Safi a-Din, who is married to Soleimani’s daughter, oversees an operation to smuggle weapons from Iran to Hezbollah using civilian flights via Syria. The IDF warned that the operation endangers civilians at Damascus airport. The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee tweeted, “As part of his role, Hashim Safi a-Din monitors Hezbollah’s activities with the Shiite

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population, communicates with prominent figures in Lebanon, and oversees media relations. “His son, Reza Safi al-Din, is married to the daughter of Qassem Soleimani, and visits Iran several times a month, where his wife lives.” While he is there, al-Din coordinates the smuggling of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah, “using the infrastructure, resources and a network of activists he heads,” Adraee noted. This operation, he added, is “endangering civilians” by smuggling via civilian flights to Damascus International Airport in order to “maintain secrecy.” “The Hezbollah terrorist organization exploits the state of Lebanon and its citizens for terrorism that serve Iranian interests,” Adraee added.

Hamas Terror Plot Foiled

This week, Shin Bet and Israel Police said they had uncovered an active Hamas terror cell in East Jerusalem that had been planning a series of attacks, including an attack against MK Itamar Ben Gvir. The five men planned a shooting attack against Ben Gvir and other Israeli targets, as well as kidnappings of Israeli soldiers, and a bombing attack on the Jerusalem light rail using a drone. The cell was led by Rashid Rashak, “a prominent Hamas operative, a resident of the Old City of Jerusalem,” security officials said. He is also accused of establishing a network of Hamas supporters who led recent clashes on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount last month. Authorities seized a drone that was intended to be armed and used in an attack on Jerusalem’s light rail. After committing the attacks, members of the cell were planning to hide out in Hebron or Jenin to avoid detection. Security officials arrested the five terrorists last month. They were charged with several terror offenses, according to indictments published on Tuesday. The other three suspects were named as Mohammed Salima, Hamza Abu Naab, and Safian Ajlouni.

Tornado Rips Through Michigan

One person was killed on Friday when a powerful tornado ripped through a northern Michigan town. Roofs were ripped off buildings, and car were overturned by the strong winds. Additionally, more than 40 people were injured as the twister tore through the town of Gaylord, whose governor declared a state of emergency in the aftermath of the storm. “It took out an insane amount of buildings and just jeopardized so many lives,” said Jordan Awrey, a Gaylord city council member. “The town is devastated.” The tornado touched down in a bustling part of the city, home to shops, restaurants and retail stores – some of which were destroyed. Photos of the damage show streets littered with debris, businesses with roofs and walls torn off, and cars completely flipped over. Roads were also blocked by downed trees and powerlines. “It is a busy downtown area, and it went right through it,” noted Lt. Jim Gorno of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, describing the aftermath as “catastrophic.” Michigan averages just 15 tornadoes per year. Still, Gaylord doesn’t get tornados often. “It’s northern Michigan, it’s very rare we get a tornado,” said Gabe Awrey, a resident and the council member’s brother.

Operation Fly Formula The first shipment of imported baby formula arrived on Sunday in the United States. The shipment is part of “Operation Fly Formula” and aims to relieve the severe infant formula shortage


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across the U.S. The formula arrived via military aircraft flying from Germany’s Ramstein Air Base to Indiana and included the equivalent of up to half a million eight-ounce bottles. Three formulas – Nestlé Health Science Alfamino Infant, Alfamino Junior, and Gerber Good Start Extensive HA – were included in the shipment. All three are hypoallergenic formulas for children with cow’s milk protein allergies.

On Saturday, the Department of Agriculture promised that “additional flights will be announced in the coming days.” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted, “Typically, the process to transport this product from Europe to U.S. would take two weeks. Thanks to Operation Fly Formula, we cut that down to approximately three days.” On Sunday afternoon, the White House announced that another shipment is expected to fly into Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on a FedEx plane this coming week.

In a Sunday tweet, U.S. President Joe Biden said, “Folks, I’m excited to tell you that the first flight from Operation Fly Formula is loaded up with more than 70,000 pounds of infant formula and about to land in Indiana. Our team is working around the clock to get safe formula to everyone who needs it.” Last week, Biden signed the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022, which aims to ensure that, in times of crisis, families can use benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – also known as WIC – to buy formula products outside what is normally designated for the program. WIC purchases around half of all infant formula in the U.S.; around 1.2 million infants receive formula through the program. The Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 received overwhelming bipartisan support, passing 414-9 in the House and unanimously in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., praised its passage, saying, “It’s rare that we have unanimity in the Senate on important measures, and I wish we had more, but this is one of these important issues and I’m glad we’re acting with one voice.” The baby formula shortage came

about through a conflux of issues. The primary cause of the shortage, though, came about when the government shut down Abbott Nutrition’s factory in Michigan on February 17 after it was reported that some children had gotten ill and died after consuming formula produced at the site. Although the government has said that the factory will be reopening, it will take weeks for formulas to be produced and be on shelves for consumers.

Monkeypox Comes to the U.S.

There is no need to panic, officials say. At least seven people are now confirmed to have monkeypox in the United States. Still, the risk for contracting the virus remains low. “This is not COVID,” Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology at the CDC, said during a media

briefing on Monday. There is one confirmed positive case in Massachusetts. There is one presumptive positive case in New York, one in Washington state, two in Utah and two in Florida. The CDC said that the government is in the process of releasing some vaccines from its national stockpile. There is no need to vaccinate the general public against monkeypox, officials said. Rather, those vaccines will be used among a small number people who have been exposed. The virus, a less-transmissible cousin of smallpox, is passed through close contact with another person, including hugging, touching or prolonged face-to-face contact. Symptoms begin with fever, headache and muscle aches. Lymph nodes swell. Within a few days of developing a fever, patients develop a rash which often begins on the face. The illness generally lasts 2-4 weeks.

RIP NYC Payphones Monday marked the end of an era for New York City’s last public payphone. The city removed the payphone, which

Terror in Texas

A

mere two days before summer break, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, was plunged into mourning when an 18-year-old gunman slaughtered 19 children and two adults on Tuesday. The gunman was killed by law enforcement officers during the attack. Salvador Ramos had shot his grandmother before embarking on the murder spree. She is expected to survive. On his way to the school, Ramos crashed his car into a ditch and then walked to the elementary school armed with a rifle, body armor, and a backpack. Once there, the gunman marched into classrooms and eventually emptied his rifle into children and teachers in a classroom. Sadly, 19 children and two adults were killed in Ramos’ shooting spree. At least 13 children and an adult were injured in the attack. Ramos had barricaded himself in a classroom as U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents surrounded him as he shot at law enforcement officials.

Xavier Lopez was one of the victims on Tuesday. The ten-year-old boy was lauded at the school’s honor roll ceremony mere hours before the attack. “He was funny, never serious and his smile,” Felicha Martinez, Xavier’s mother, recalled about her son. “That smile I will never forget. It would always cheer anyone up.” Amerie Jo Garza, 10, also lost her life on Tuesday. Her father, Angel Garza, had been frantically attempting to locate his daughter after news of the shooting came out. On Wednesday morning, he posted a heartrending post to Facebook. “Thank you everyone for the prayers and help trying to find my baby. She’s been found. My little love is now flying high with the angels above,” Garza posted. He urged, “Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you Amerie Jo. Watch over your baby brother for me.” Tuesday’s tragedy marks at least the 30th shooting at a K-12 school in 2022.

So far in 2022, there have been at least 39 shootings in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, resulting in scores of senseless deaths. This week’s shooting is the deadliest shooting at a school since the Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut in 2012 that left 26 people dead, including 20 children between 6 and 7 years old. President Joe Biden addressed the shooting in emotional remarks from the White House on Tuesday evening, saying, “I had hoped when I became president I would not have to do this again.”

He stated, “There’s a lot we don’t know yet. There’s a lot we do know. Parents who will never see their child again, never have them jump in bed and cuddle with them. Parents who will never be the same. To lose a child is like having a piece of your soul ripped away.” Biden implored lawmakers to “turn this pain into action” as he went through some of the mass shootings since the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which occurred when he was vice president.


The effort to replace public pay telephones across the city kicked off in 2014 when the de Blasio administration solicited proposals to reimagine the offering. Officials selected CityBridge to develop and operate LinkNYC kiosks, which offer services such as free phone calls, Wi-Fi, and device charging. The city began removing street payphones in 2015 to replace them with the LinkNYC kiosks. There are nearly 2,000 kiosks across the city. “Just like we transitioned from the horse and buggy to the automobile and from the automobile to the airplane, the digital evolution has progressed from payphones to high-speed Wi-Fi kiosks to meet the demands of our rapidly changing daily communications needs,” Commissioner Matthew Fraser said. The last public pay telephone will be displayed at the Museum of the City of New York as part of an exhibit looking back at life in the city before computers.

A Plot to Kill Dubya

According to the FBI, an ISIS-linked operative in the United States was plotting to kill former President George W. Bush before being arrested. The scheme was uncovered through the work of two confidential informants. The suspect, based in Columbus, Ohio, said he wanted to assassinate Bush because he felt the former president was responsible for killing many Iraqis and breaking apart the country after the 2003

U.S. military invasion, according to the FBI search warrant application. He had traveled to Dallas in November to take video of Bush’s home and tried to recruit a team of like-minded individuals who would be smuggled into the country through the Mexican border to assist in the murder. A lot of the FBI’s intel had come from WhatsApp messages from the plotter’s phone. The suspect had been in the United States since 2020. He had an asylum application pending. In response to the report, Freddy Ford, chief of staff for the Office of George W. Bush, said, “President Bush has all the confidence in the world in the United States Secret Service and our law enforcement and intelligence communities.” In November 2021, the suspect revealed to the FBI insider the plot to assassinate Bush and asked the confidential source if he knew how to “obtain replica or fraudulent police and/or FBI identifications and badges” to help carry out the killing, and whether it was possible to smuggle the plotters out of the country the same way they came in after their mission was complete. The plotter claimed to be part of a unit called “Al-Raed,” meaning “Thunder,” that was led by a former Iraqi pilot for Saddam Hussein who had been based out of Qatar until his recent death. As many as seven members of the group would have been sent to the U.S. to kill President Bush. The suspect’s job was “to locate and conduct surveillance on former president Bush’s residences and/or offices and obtain firearms and vehicles to use in the assassination.”

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The U.S. Forest Service is suspending prescribed burns while it conducts a review of its practices after noting that some burns had burned out of control, contributing to sweeping wildfires. The decision came one month after a prescribed burn, which aimed to reduce wildfire risk, spread out of control in New

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38 Mexico and morphed into the largest wildfire currently blazing in the U.S. In a statement, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said that the Service will conduct a 90-day review of protocols, decision support tools, and practices ahead of planned operations this fall. He explained, “Our primary goal in engaging prescribed fires and wildfires is to ensure the safety of the communities involved. “The communities we serve, and our employees deserve the very best tools and science supporting them as we continue to navigate toward reducing the risk of severe wildfires in the future.” According to Moore, “In 99.84 percent of cases, prescribed fires go as planned,” but wildfires are becoming increasingly extreme due to climate change and drought. In a statement, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said, “It is critical that federal agencies update and modernize these practices in response to a changing climate, as what used to be considered extreme conditions are now much more common — the situation unfolding in New Mexico right now demonstrates without a doubt the grave consequences of neglecting to do so.” Prescribed burning is the intentional, controlled application of fire to a forest. It is sometimes used to reduce fuel loads as a wildfire prevention tool. Other times, it is used to maintain forest types and can help to control the spread of diseases found in flora.

Prison for Sons of Panama Pres.

A New York court on Friday sentenced two sons of a former Panama president to three years in prison. The sentence, issued against Luis Enrique and Ricardo Martinelli, sons of former Panama President Ricardo Martinelli, also included a fine of $250,000. The brothers were sentenced on charges of corruption linked to the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Prosecutors had originally requested a sentence of 9-11 years.

The Martinellis, who pleaded guilty in December after being extradited from Guatemala to the U.S., had been accused of having received $28 million in bribes from the construction group, $19 million of which allegedly passed through U.S. accounts. Meanwhile, Panama is demanding that the pair face charges there in another corruption scandal. The brothers’ father, Ricardo Martinelli, is also accused in the case. Grupo Odebrecht is Latin America’s largest construction conglomerate. It started out as a small family construction group in the 1940s founded by Brazilians of German origin. It grew quickly, and at its peak, around 2010, the company had 181,000 employees across 21 countries. Its focus is on building large projects, such as Caracas’ metro, a port in Cuba, and much of the infrastructure used by Brazil in the 2014 World Cup, including some of the stadiums. Odebrecht is one of the firms that have been caught in Operacao Lava Jato, Brazil’s corruption probe into the state oil giant Petrobras. Dozens of companies acknowledged paying bribes to politicians and officials in exchange for contracts with Petrobras. In June 2015, the group’s chief executive, Marcelo Odebrecht, the grandson of its founder, was arrested. Since then, he and dozens of other company executives have been jailed. In 2016, all of them signed deals with Brazilian investigators, agreeing to confess to crimes and to identify corrupt officials in exchange for shorter prison sentences. An international taskforce of investigators is looking into bribery in 10 countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. In December 2016, Odebrecht signed a leniency deal with authorities in the U.S. and Switzerland, agreeing to pay $2.6 billion in fines for its past mistakes – the largest sum of its kind in the world.

extends from Greenwich Village in Manhattan to Borough Park in Brooklyn.

The maps were drawn by the court’s outside expert, Jonathan Cervas, and are more competitive than previous maps drawn by the Democratically-controlled state Legislature, which were later thrown out by an appeals court. The redistricting process, which is carried out once every ten years, will see New York lose one of its 27 congressional districts. The maps will be used starting with the 2022 midterms. The judge, Patrick McAllister, had until Friday to formally approve the new maps. New Yorkers sent in over 3,000 comments asking for changes to the maps, but no hearings about the complaints were held – partly in an attempt to allow candidates enough time to campaign in their new districts. Meanwhile, some voting rights groups have urged New York to postpone the primaries.

Steep Sneaks

Redistricting Again A rural New York judge has approved maps that will replace earlier redistricting maps found to be in violation of New York’s Constitution. The new maps set political district boundaries in New York, giving Democrats less of an advantage than they had previously hoped for. The 10th Congressional District has been redrawn and now

Think that sneakers have become so expensive? You’re right – especially if you’re going to be encasing Balenciaga’s newest offering on your feet. The Paris High Top Sneaker Full Destroyed is being hawked on the company’s website as the coolest shoes. Yup, this sneaker may have a whop-

ping $1,850 price tag attached, but it looks like it should be thrown in the trash. The shoes are supposed to look like they’ve been shredded and destroyed. “It is finished with distressed canvas and rough edges, affecting a pre-worn look,” the website states. The word “Balenciaga” is written on the side of the sneaker as if someone wrote it with a pen. Is variety something you crave while wearing overpriced footwear? Don’t worry. These sneaks come in two colors: white or black. Pick your poison.

Never Too Late

It’s never too late to graduate. This week, Mae Beale received her college degree. Beale is no spring chicken; she was 82 years old when she walked across the stage to accept her diploma. Lest you think that Beale has been twiddling her thumbs for the past few decades, she has been busy. Beale worked as a licensed practical nurse for many years. Now, she has an event planning business. Going to school for her degree in business management was done in effort to grow her business. She was working as a nurse at Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid when she was inspired to make event planning her new career. “My supervisors thought I had something special,” she said. “When I was working at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, I organized some large events and everybody was impressed with it, so I started coordinating their IT information conferences.” Beale turned 82 on Tuesday and then got her birthday present on Wednesday: her bachelor’s degree. Live and learn.


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

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Beer Diplomacy

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

Mac Attack

Don Gorske is a person of habit. In fact, when he says he’s going to stick to something, he sticks to it like glue. Take his Big Mac habit, for instance. Gorske, 68, passed a major milestone this week when he celebrated 50 years of eating McDonald’s Big Macs almost every day. Gorske has held the record for most Big Macs consumed in a lifetime for more than two decades. On Tuesday, he hit the half-century mark of eating the iconic sandwich made of two patties, three buns and special sauce, according to a statement from Guinness World Records. Gorske was first recognized for the distinction in 1999, when the organization said he had already eaten 15,490 Big Macs. Guinness updated Gorske’s record in August, noting his new official lifetime number reached 32,340 Big Macs. Months later, Guinness said Gorske has only missed 8 days of chowing down Big Macs in 50 years. In a video tweeted this week by Guinness, Gorske says he bought his first three Big Macs on May 17, 1972. His taste buds immediately fell in love, Gorske said. “I said right there that I’m going to probably eat these the rest of my life.” Eating Big Macs daily is not for the faint of heart. Gorske makes sure to keep meticulous records of his habit and collects the cartons and receipts. He also keeps a running tally on calendars. For now, Gorske says he averages around two Big Macs a day. “I’m not a type of person that tries new stuff,” he acknowledged. “When I like something, I stick with it all the time.” Back in 2011, Gorske was honored for reaching 25,000 Big Macs consumed at his hometown McDonald’s. The sign beneath the golden arches that day read: “Congrats Don Gorske 25000 Big Macs.” Gorske, a retired prison guard, said back then, “I plan on eating Big Macs until I die.” If it doesn’t kill you first.

What better way to show your support for something than to toast it with a beer? A small brewery in Finland has launched a NATO-themed beer to mark the Nordic country’s bid to join the Western military alliance. Olaf Brewing’s OTAN lager features a blue label with a cartoon version of a beer-drinking medieval knight in metal armor emblazoned with NATO’s compass symbol. The beer’s name is a play on the Finnish expression “Otan olutta,” which means “I’ll have a beer,” and the French abbreviation for NATO, which is “OTAN.” NATO has two official languages, English and French. CEO Petteri Vanttinen said that the craft brewery’s ad hoc decision last weekend to start producing the beer was motivated by “worries over the war in Ukraine” and its consequences for Finland. Finland and Sweden recently submitted an application to join NATO at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. Olaf Brewing said its new beer also honors the eastern Finnish town of Savonlinna, the brewery’s base located a few dozen kilometers from Finland’s border with Russia. “Our small hometown Savonlinna has always lied in the borderlands between East and West. Many battles have been fought in the town area and at St. Olafs Castle,” the brewery said in a Twitter post. Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, the longest of any European Union member. Vanttinen described the new lager as having “a taste of security, with a hint of freedom.” We’ll drink to that.


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home


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Around the

Community Dancing in the Rain at Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island’s Spirited Lag B’Omer Celebration


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Around the Community

Lag B’Omer at Siach Yitzchok

PHOTO CREDIT: MORDECHAI HAHN PHOTOGRAPHY


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Women of Wonder

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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

In memory of Alana Karp a''h


Around the Community

A Barbecue on the Roof

Mrs. Shoshana Ayzin’s 3rd/4th grade CAHAL class at Shulamith didn’t let the rain stop them from enjoying Lag B’Omer. They turned off the lights, had an indoor “bonfire,” and made delicious s’mores to celebrate the day!

Lag B’Omer at MAY

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o, it was not Tevye describing the scene that took place this past Lag B’Omer but Shira Chatzinoff, who beautifully orchestrated this major undertaking to serve all

TAG elementary and junior high talmidos, with the help of many TAG mothers. A little rain and mist did not spoil the fun and enjoyment.

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very yom tov has its own unique flavor, and at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, every yom tov is celebrated in its own unique way. Last week, Lag b’Omer was celebrated at MAY – times 3. To start off the week, on Monday, the Student Government sponsored an all-expenses paid, schoolwide trip to Nickelodeon Universe at the American Dream Mall. Talmidim and rebbeim boarded coach buses for a fun-filled, bonding opportunity that also served as a well-deserved respite from a rigorous z’man. On Wednesday, the Mesivta also had their annual outing to Grant Park for a morning of softball, basketball, tennis or just enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful weather. Everyone was

treated to a pizza lunch and returned to Yeshiva for afternoon classes. Lastly, the Mesivta had leibidigeh dancing on Lag b’Omer day, courtesy of 12th grader, Netanel Hematian, who served as DJ and created a tremendous ruach for the bochurim of the Mesivta. “We work hard, and we play hard!” commented Rabbi Yossi Bennett, S’gan Menahel. “A big yasher ko’ach goes to our super G.O. and to Rabbi Avromi Meyer, our Student Activities Coordinator, for organizing these trips. These types of outings – good, wholesome fun – offer opportunities for the Torah learned inside the Bais Medrash to extend and permeate other aspects of our talmidim’s lives – even trips!”


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Around the Community

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

Over 2,200 people gathered in Lawrence High School on Lag B’Omer to hear divrei Torah and hisorerus from Rav Moshe Weinberger and music by Eitan Katz

HAFTR ECC Celebrates Lag B’Omer

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n preparation of Lag B’Omer last week, the students at HAFTR Early Childhood learned about Rabbi Akiva and his 24,000 students, who were not being kind to one another, so they were punished and the punishment came to an end on Lag B’Omer (33rd day of the Omer). The most important lesson they learned from this is the one Rabbi Akiva taught us; “V’ahavta l’reiacha kamo-

cha.” To celebrate the special occasion, the Early Childhood classes made edible bonfires and yummy smores! In preparation of Shavuot, in a joint science lesson, the students learned about the metamorphosis of a butterfly. They have been observing the four phases of a butterfly in their classroom habitats and released their butterflies last week.

In honor of Lag B’Omer, Lev Chana students participated in a Bike-a-Thon for FD Now. The children had a blast


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

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Around the Community

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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Spirited dancing at the Lag B’Omer celebration at the White Shul in Far Rockaway

The talmidos of the Ganger Early Childhood Center at TAG welcomed back Morah Music for an amazing and interactive Lag B’omer concert

At the Mesivta Shaarei Chaim Lag B’Omer Celebration at the Wolfson Home


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home


Around the Community

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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In honor of Lag B’Omer, Gesher students were treated to an exciting handson drumming circle led by the wonderful Mr. Finnegan of Your World Drum Circles. The children each got their own drums and learned how to create lively beats to the tune of Lag B’Omer music.

Hundreds Attend Lag B’Omer Event in Jamaica Estates

Members of the Orthodox Israel Coalition joined together on a unified float at the Celebrate Israel Parade

A

shul with color war? The young Israel of Jamaica Estates celebrated another year of energized youth programming with its 35th annual Color War! Beginning on Yom Ha’atzmaut, three weekends of fun and games including YIJE’s Medutathon Relay, Bubble Ball, Laser tag and Minute to Win, complemented by art projects, dramatic presentations and a chidon all surrounding this year’s Pirkei Avot-inspired team names of Namer (Leopard) and Nesher (Eagle). The three week program organized by YIJE Youth Director Jacob Herskowitz was highlighted by the annual community Lag B’Omer celebration, co-sponsored with the YI of Holliswood. Cen-

tered around a bonfire and hundreds of friends, community members of all ages enjoyed the evening in Cunningham Park in a relaxed environment with music and barbecue as the Color War games continued in the background. Even the parents got into the fun as they assisted the kids in a 50-foot tug of war! The Lag B’Omer event was sponsored by Lois and Lenny Brafman who initiated the annual event more than 30 years ago. The amazing medurah was built and maintained by Michael Warshaw. The three week Color War competition culminated with a Shabbat luncheon for the kids with Rabbi and Mrs. Lerner and an afternoon of final Shabbat events led by the YIJE youth department staff.

Did you know? Oklahoma has the most barbecue restaurants per capita, ahead of Georgia at number two, with one for every 5,000 residents. Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim enjoys Lag B’Omer at Citi Field


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Around the Community

HAFTR Hosts Lag B’Omer on the Lawn

By Sophia Mastey

F

or the first time ever, HAFTR High School held a “Lag B’Omer Bonfire on the Lawn.” Lag B’Omer celebrates the ending of a deadly plague that killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva’s students. It is customary

to commemorate this day with singing, dancing, and gathering around bonfires. On Wednesday evening, May 18, students and faculty joined together on the yeshiva high school’s front lawn in anticipation of this exciting program. HAFTR also graciously opened its doors to students from NCSY, who also helped

PHOTO CREDIT: NAFTOLI GOLDGRAB PHOTOGRAPHY

celebrate the night. There was so much excitement and energy. In addition to Lag B’Omer, HAFTR was in the middle of running student government elections and used this event to announce the winners of the primaries. Although those participating in the election arrived at the event with nerves on

At Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Lag B’Omer Hadlaka

edge, the dancing, singing, and divrei Torah lit up the night and eased the tension. The entire evening was filled with love and good company and gave students a chance to support their candidates. Thank you to our Mashgiach Ruchani, Rabbi Blinder, who led this event and inspired participants with his meaningful words.

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Aish Kodesh held a Lag B’Omer Youth Hilula for fathers and sons last week at the Lauer home. Fathers and sons enjoyed master storyteller R’ Yitzy Erps, a bonfire, music, and a delicious dinner.


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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Around the Community Hundreds of community members joined together at Chabad of the Five Towns’ Lag B’Omer Family Fun Day in Cedarhurst Park


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

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Around the Community The students and faculty of HAFTR marched proudly in the Celebrate Israel Parade

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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From Shabbaton to Parade, 500 Bnei Akiva Teens & Staff Celebrate Israel

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cross the country this past weekend, tens of teens and staff from New York boarded a bus alongside hundreds who flew or embarked on daylong bus rides from multiple cities across the U.S. and Canada – all headed to meet both old friends and new friends at one destination: Bnei Akiva’s annual Israel Day Parade (IDP) Shabbaton in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York City. After two years without Bnei Akiva’s biggest Shabbaton and the annual NYC parade, the Bnei Akiva Chanichim and Tzevet were overflowing with excitement, ready to reconnect, immerse themselves in the camp environment and support Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael, and Torat Yisrael. Participants arrived at the beautiful Moshava IO campgrounds late Thursday evening and were welcomed with a barbecue. The energy from teens and Tzevet alike was palpable. It was a wonderful reunion with friends from the Moshavot, Mach Hach, Bnei Akiva leadership programming – both online and offline – and past Shabbatonim. Bnei Akiva’s national team, community Shlichim and Bogrim-active alumni, arrived in Pennsylvania, too, with more than 500 individuals

in attendance. The theme for the parade and Shabbaton was “together again” – mirroring the epic Bnei Akiva reunion that took place. With a high-level and immersive experiential learning programming, the teens explored four of Tanach’s reunions – Moshe and Aharon, Shevet Binyamin and Am Yisrael after Pilegesh B’Giva, Yosef and his brothers, and Rachel and her children. The teens also enjoyed a “Human Museum,” a comic book drawing workshop with Bnei Akiva Boger, Andrew Galitzer, and camp activities – from tree climbing to volleyball to high ropes and more. Shabbat was especially meaningful, with beautiful tefillot run by the teens, a delicious oneg, Bnei Akiva’s classic Slow Shira, and time to rest and catch up with one another. The end of Shabbat was marked with a stunning Havdalah and an exciting “Kachol V’lavan” fireworks show. Teens and tzevet held onto the feeling of Shabbat during a Melava Malka – and then said, “Layla tov,” ready for their full day ahead. “Through our Shabbatonim and the experiential chinuch, specifically through their actual Torah learning– youth are instilled with strong values and a com-

mitment to Medinat Israel as part of their religious identity. By creating positive experiences around supporting Israel, our teens become strong advocates for Israel for the rest of their lives, many taking on critical leadership roles in our communities,” said Rav Shaul Feldman, Executive Director, Bnei Akiva of the U.S. & Canada. Early on Sunday morning, the Bnei Akiva Chanichim and Tzevet boarded buses and headed to Manhattan to march in the Celebrate Israel Parade alongside thousands of other Israel supporters. In teal shirts and with blue & white pompoms and tens of signs in hand, the group headed up Fifth Avenue, proudly display-

ing their support and love of Israel. They ended their march on the Upper East Side with pizza and then headed to their buses and airports to begin their journeys home. Following a ruach-filled weekend, even the teens’ departure was filled with positive energy. In just a month’s time, they will reconvene for the summer – many at a Moshava sleepaway camp, Moshava Ba’ir day camp as staff, or in Israel on Mach Hach BaAretz. For more information about Bnei Akiva year-round and summer programming, visit www.bneiakiva.org.


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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Around the Community HALB Schools Celebrate Israel


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Around the Community Students at Rambam marching at the Celebrate Israel Parade

HANC High School marched in the Celebrate Israel parade

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Shulamith students at the Celebrate Israel Parade


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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Around the Community

Rabbi Brafman Visits HAFTR

Braiding and Bonding

O H

AFTR alumnus Reb Dovid Brafman visited his alma mater HAFTR Middle School. He spoke with the eighth grade boys and gave them chizuk to stay attached to their rabbeim because they truly care. Rabbi Brafman said, “Until today, I might not remember everything Rabbi Kirsch and Rabbi Siff taught me all those years ago, but their love, care, and devotion to me is still with me today – and is only stronger! Only now can I appreciate what my rabbeim did for me!” The boys were then zoche to get individual chizuk and brachot from this shining HAFTR alumnus star.

Rabbi Brafman, son of locals Ben and Lynda Brafman, was a star student in many areas at HAFTR and was quite the actor in high school. Rabbi Brafman found his true calling as an educator and founded and built and now runs and leads Toras Aharon, one of the most sought after chadarim (elementary schools) in the Yerushalayim/Ramat Eshkol area. The school is named after Rabbi Brafman’s uncle Rabbi Aharon Brafman, famed menahel of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, and brother of Mr. Ben Brafman. HAFTR and Rabbi Brafman’s parents should continue to be so proud and have much nachas!

n Thursday night, May 12, 180 moms and teens gathered at the Young Israel of Woodmere for a New York NCSY The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ) for Moms post Mother’s Day Challah bake. Members of the YIW, Irving Place Minyan, and other shuls in the Five Towns community came together with TJJ Moms and teens from across Long Island, including Merrick, Bellmore, Syosset, Plainview, and Dix Hills, to bond over bread! The evening was kicked off by NY NCSY Director of Family Engagement and founder of Nechallah, Nechama Kamelhar, who began the process of preparing the dough and speaking about

profound way, and bonding with other Jewish moms through the ongoing journey. Colette highlighted just a few of the programs she has been involved in with her NCSY teens, including paint nights, watching friends repel down buildings

the special impact the TJJ for moms has throughout the year through programs and events for moms, teens, and families. As the dough was rising, Rabbi Shalom Axelrod spoke about the special mitzvah of challah and our reliance on G-d for our food. Rabbi Shay Schacter greeted participants from all across Long Island. The full room then heard from Colette Paul, who went to Israel with TJJ for Moms in 2018. She spoke about how her life has been influenced by her experience of being in Israel in the summer of 2018 and most especially the journey that began after she returned back to New York. Ms. Paul shared her experiences of being raised in a home where her family celebrated the Jewish holidays, had their family traditions, and attended Hebrew School. Through TJJ for Moms, she and others learned the meaning behind different prayers and how important it is to instill Jewish values and carry on the traditions to her children. She also spoke about having the opportunity to travel for eight days with a group of Jewish women to Israel and how her connection to Judaism has been deepened in the most

to fundraise for NCSY, menorah lighting on Chanukah, Tashlich in Oyster Bay, and hearing from inspirational speakers throughout the year. Colette described how her teens participate in the Jewish Student Union clubs run by NCSY at their public high schools and how they have become involved in Jewish campus life while away at college. She expressed gratitude for the incredible gift NCSY has given Jewish mothers by being able to continue to learn together and pass on their knowledge and passion to their children and future generations to come. The full crowd then kneaded their dough and braided their challah and spent time bonding before the evening wrapped up. Requests have poured in for additional challah bakes and community events with TJJ for Moms. TJJ for Moms expresses deep gratitude to the YIW and its leadership for opening its heart and doors, and to Gourmet Glatt for generously sponsoring ingredients and supplies to make close to 400 challahs, and to all who volunteered and participated in this special evening!

Mosholu Rebbe Visits the Five Towns For Pesach Sheni

By Shabsie Saphirstein

I

t is not every day that a tzaddik leaves his quarters to venture into other cities. On Sunday evening, May 15, the Mosholu Rebbe of Boro Park joined the Five Towns and Far Rockaway community for a Pesach Sheni tisch that emphasized achdus, reconnection, and exuded pristine kedushah. It is widely known that those who were impure through contact with a meis or were far away during the korban Pesach on the 14th of Nissan were afforded a second chance to fulfill the ritual on Pesach Sheni, one month later. This opportunity is unique and does not appear by other Yamim Tovim. Can you hear the shofar a month after Rosh Hashanah? How about shaking the lulav and esrog after Succos? The dining room table at the Feder residence in Woodmere was adorned

with the most elegant silver Judaica befitting the holy Rebbe. As the tisch progressed, adults and children from all backgrounds of religious Orthodox Jewish faith looked on with awe as the Rebbe shared matzah, fish delicacies, drinks of l’chaim, and other traditional foods with attendees. “The highlight was standing hand in hand rejoicing in the sound of Chassidishe niggunim,” said one youngster about the heart-warming experience. “It was living the ruach of Pesach Seder table all over again,” commented another attendee. The Rebbe was also available for private meetings where scrumptious red apples were distributed to those who sought the Rebbe’s blessing and advice. Pesach Sheni is a day filled with possibility and opportunity. We daven that the g’eulah will fast approach and that the day will be a cause for major celebration.


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Around the Community

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n Sunday, May 15, Chaverim of the Five Towns and Rockaways held its annual Car Seat Safety inspection. We would like to thank Shulamith School for Girls and the staff who graciously allowed us to use their parking lot at the last minute. We were pleased to have the following officials, NY State Police SGT James Walters, TPR Ron Gallo, and TPR Dan Ahlgrim, who checked over 35 car seats and replaced 10 car seats which had expired. We also had TPR Raoul Allen who ran a Seat Belt Convincer which simulates a low impact 5-10 mph vehicle collision to stress the importance of wearing

a seat belt. Many young children were impressed and said that it showed them how important a seat belt is. While, in general, over 75% of caregivers feel confident that they know how to use their seats correctly, we found a 93% misuse rate among the seats checked- seats that were either installed improperly or being used incorrectly. We are so proud to have been able to give over lifesaving education to all those who participated! We had over 20 people who came by without cars and took our information to sign up for the next car seat event (stay tuned by following us on social media or by email see below). We would like to thank Bubble Bum for sponsoring a Travel inflatable Car Booster Seat and for Cross River for sponsoring the car seat for our raffle. The winners of our raffles were Ayala Skolnick (car seat) and Esther Dewick (booster seat). Congratulations! Chaverim would like to thank Deputy Inspector Daniel Gluck, Commanding Officer, and the rest of the Nassau County Auxiliary Police Fourth Unit for their

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Chaverim Car Seat Event

tireless efforts in helping out with anything and everything that our community needs. We would like to thank Councilman Anthony D’Esposito of Hempstead for stopping by and giving us much support. Chaverim of the Five Towns and Rockaways would like to thank our dedicated members Pinchas Lipsky and Naftoli Feitman for helping out on a very hot day. We would also like to thank Avram Pultman, Nesanel Woodriff, and Eli Silver for all of their help. A special thanks goes out to our sponsors Cross River, Tech613, Luxury Connections and Westwood Realty. Please patronize our sponsors as we couldn’t have done this event without their help.

MAY Arista Induction and Awards Night

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ast Thursday evening, Mesivta Ateres Yaakov held its annual Arista Honors Installation and Awards Night, at which tribute was paid to the myriad accomplishments of the MAY Talmidim. MAY’s Arista program is particularly special, as it commemorates Rabbi Elchonon Zomber, z”l, a MAY alumnus and past veteran teacher. The Zomber family graciously endowed the MAY Arista Society in his honor. Consistent with MAY’s emphasis on developing all of each talmid, excellence in many areas was recognized: Limud HaTorah, Tefilah, Midos, Academics,

Athletics, Extracurricular Activities and Community Service. Awards were presented to over 100 students for excellence and progress in these areas. Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, Rosh HaYeshiva, introduced the program, focusing on the small acts of greatness performed by MAY talmidim that can often go unnoticed. He noted how the Mesivta not only engenders these acts but also tries to publicly recognize them. After installing the 2022-2023 Student Government, Rabbi Yaffe was joined by General Studies Principal Rabbi Sam Rudansky and S’gan Menahel/Assistant Principal

Rabbi Yossi Bennett in presenting the awards of the evening. Rabbi Rudansky commented, “The evening serves as an opportunity to recognize those students who excel in different areas of the high school experience. That may be academics for some, community service, extracurricular activities and even athletics for others. It’s an evening of tremendous nachas for parents and grandparents.” The evening closed with the induction of close to 70 Arista honors students and lots of pictures and nachas being shared. Mazal tov!

Please email us at info@chaverim5t. org to receive our “baby on board” safety decal which also has our number on it, just in case “our Chaverim keychain” gets locked in the car. Please feel free to request one. For more information or to sign up please visit us on the web http://chaverim5t. org/book-online. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/chaver im.f ivetowns.3, Twitter: @Chaverim5T, Instagram: @chaverim5t/ or by contacting us by email info@chaverim5t. org or on our info-line 516.331.1460. As always, please contact us if you are having car trouble. Chaverim of the Five Towns and Rockaways is ready to assist! Call the helpline (718) 337-1800.


Around the Community

Finding Our Inner Balance: Mental Health Awareness Week at SKA

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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HANC’s Samuel and Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School marched in the Celebrate Israel Parade

What a Season for 5 Towns Hockey

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he spring season of Five Towns Hockey concluded on Monday night, May 23. The season, which spanned from early February through late May, finished with a wild and crazy night of championship games. First up, the second and third grade division saw the # 1 seed battling it out with the # 3 seed. In a game that was much closer than the score would indicate, the # 1 seed, led by MVP Gavriel Levine, were crowned champions after a 5-1 win. The second game of the night saw the # 1 seed matched up against the # 2 seed

in the fourth and fifth grade division. MVP Moshe Neuman’s hat trick cemented the 5-3 victory for the # 1 seed. And, in the final game of the night, a true heavyweight bout, the # 1 seed beat the # 2 seed 2-1 and took home the championship trophies in the sixth, seventh and eighth grade division. Boaz Kahn was outstanding in goals and was named the MVP. Congratulations to all the players for giving their all in the Championship games and for making it a very memorable Championship Monday.

ay has been designated as Mental Health Awareness month, and several programs outside of school about managing emotions have been made available to teachers and students of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, including a session about managing mental health during the gap year in Israel. SKA students were presented with an extraordinary week-long program devoted to mental health awareness. Organized by SKA’s Guidance Department, each day of the week beginning on Monday, May 16, was dedicated to mental health issues faced by students, based on suggestions made by the SKA student Mental Health Awareness Committee. The concept was initiated last year at SKA by two students who wanted to bring awareness and discussion to the issues that were on students’ minds. The program was an enormous success, paving the way to this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2.0. The kickoff event of the week in school had a panel of students presenting to faculty and the entire student body what it is like to be “on the other side of the desk,” while dealing with mental health challenges. The student panelists read passages submitted anonymously by other students about issues they face every day in school, such as anxiety, impulsivity, relationships with teachers and friends, etc. Later the same day, noted Registered Dietician Mrs. Dalia Abbot spoke to each grade about body image and self-esteem. One of the highlights of the week’s programming was the excursion the next day to the Malverne theater to see the outstanding movie Encanto which deals with anxiety, perfectionism, emotional regulation and the pursuit of self-discovery; the themes and how they relate to teenagers today were then explored on Wednesday in discussion groups in school, facilitated by homeroom teachers and guidance staff. In the afternoon, students had the opportunity to pick from three different therapeutic environments: therapy dogs, a mindfulness and meditation room, and a beading exercise. Each grade had the opportunity to celebrate a meaningful Lag B’Omer in

the evening with their friends and grade level advisors in school (9th grade), the Ellenberg home (10th grade), Judaic Studies Principal Mrs. Kaminetsky’s home (11th grade) and the Jacobowitz home (12th grade), enjoying glowing bonfires, inspirational Jewish music and delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. The freshmen also took the opportunity to write letters to their 12th grade selves of what they hoped to achieve in the next three years of high school. The SKA cafe and hilarious faculty-student games on Lag B’Omer on Thursday served as a break from the rigors of school and as a chance for students to connect with each other. Our pre-Lag B’Omer speaker, Rabbi Aryeh Cohen, had infused us with the joy of living with emunah and his words reverberated throughout the day. Friday’s experiential art project rounded off the SKA Mental Health Week in a very positive way. Many students commented throughout the week on how they felt validated for their concerns and their issues acknowledged. SKA’s Mental Health student produced newsletter was launched this week, showcasing challenges faced by teenagers and bringing awareness and communication in our school. Our sincere thanks go to SKA’s Guidance Department, Ms. Lisa Fogel, Mrs. Yael Fischman and Dr. Chana Renov, Director of Student Programming Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky and Assistant of Programming, Mrs. Yafa Storch, Dean of Students Mrs. Shira Englander, the SKA faculty members who helped facilitate the week, and the many SKA student committee members for their work in organizing this enlightening and special week.


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Around the Community

DRS Track Team Wins Championship

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RS prides itself on its plethora of student activity and team offerings. At DRS, if a student has an idea for a new team or club, the administration work hard to make it happen. This year, DRS established a track team, competing with other Jewish and Public schools in the local area. On May 15, in Overpeck County Park located in Leonia, N.J, the DRS Wildcats came to have fun and win: both happened! Cap-

tain Mordechai Kahn came away with 1st place in the 100m and 2nd place in the 200m. Junior Manny Medows came away with 1st place in the 400m. Freshman Mendy Markus took 2nd place in the 1600m. Congratulations to the winners and to the entire team for coming to each meet with honor and respect and giving their all.

Author and Mom Visits HANC

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n May 23, the Nursery Bet students at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County in West Hempstead had a visit from our own HANC parent, Mrs. Ariella Prince Guttman, mom of HANC student Amalia Guttman. Mrs. Guttman recently authored the book, Wherever You’ll Be, and read it so beautifully to all of the Nursery Bet

5TLL Week 7

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TLL players took the field for another amazing day of baseball! It was a double-header week this Sunday with the boys enjoying 2 games of baseball instead of 1. There was a surprise guest as well – Mr. 5TLL – the new, official league mascot who brought even more joy and excitement to the games! Thank you to FM Home Loans and all of the amazing team sponsors! K/P Baseball & Soccer Highlights • K/P Baseball: They may be young, but these youngsters have been showcasing some serious skills this season and displaying great potential, all while having a great time! Simcha Rostker of Alpert Financial showed off some impressive athletic ability when he scooped up a tough grounder and tagged home with the bases loaded for the CLUTCH force out at the plate to end the inning and strand all runners. • K/P Soccer: The boys continued to improve their soccer skills and enjoyed another great Sunday of soccer. Shua Sod of Hewlett Auto Body was relentless in his pursuit of the soccer ball. 1st/2nd Soccer: KolSave and Maidenbaum fought it out in another tough game with KolSave just barely pulling away with the 3-1 victory!

Minors (1st-3rd) Baseball Highlights • 1st Grade: Eliyahu Ruzohorsky of Stone Group made an incredible defensive play to prevent Maidenbaum from tying the game with the bases loaded. Stone Group would go on to win 10-8. Game MVP Binyamin Gordon of Gourmet Glatt played a brilliant all-around game, helping his team narrowly defeat Believe & Achieve 11-8. Shalom Rubin of Maidenbaum hit a grand-slam. Jonathan Weiner hit a walk-off single for Island Roofing! • 2nd Grade: Island Roofing and Stone Group played a tough game, with neither team able to hold onto a lead. Dov Beren of Stone Group hit a clutch 2-run single in the bottom of the last inning to tie the game! Ezra Mishaan of Island Roofing showed off his gold glove with some incredible de-

fensive plays! Game MVP Noam Cohen led Island Roofing to a 3-1 victory in their 2nd game of the double-header with a 2-run double in the 2nd! • 3rd Grade: Executive Dry Cleaners, led by another AMAZING performance from Akiva Meir Hildeshaim, held on to win 7-6 over 5 Towns Central in a tight contest. Moshe Geizhals came ready to play Sunday! He hit a 2-run HR and a game ending grand slam to lead Stone Group to a 15-8 victory over Rubinstein Law Firm. Majors (4th & up) Baseball Highlights • 4th Grade: Zevi Kaplan put his name in the Cy Young race, with another amazing performance on the mound – pitching 3 scoreless innings for Built By Nate in their win over Stone Group! Island Roofing escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bot-

students. She explained her reason for writing the book and the special relationship that exists between her and her daughter. The children had the opportunity to ask questions and share their opinion of this wonderful story. We look forward to seeing many more works from this special author.

tom of the last inning to pull off the 6-4 win over Maidenbaum. • 5th Grade: CNSLT and Alpert Financial got locked in a pitcher’s duel. CNSLT managed to score 1 run in extra innings to win 1-0! Gourmet Glatt narrowly defeated Meaningful Minute 6-5 and Island Roofing played a great game, winning 11-0. • 6th-8th Grade: Aryeh Eckstein of Alpert Financial pitched a great game on the mound, leading his team to the 15-3 victory! Sperling Production won both games of the double-header, moving up to 3rd place in the standings. 5TLL Plays of the Day Dovid Feigenbaum of Island Roofing made an incredible defensive play! Akiva Gross of Stone Group showed off his amazing reflexes with a quick snag of a hard hit baseball! Binyomin Gordon of Gourmet Glatt hit a clutch 3 run home run to take the lead! 5TLL Game of the Week After many hours of baseball, two teams still remained on the field at Lawrence Middle School, locked in a tight contest with the sun setting in the distance. Island Roofing and Built By Nate went back and forth but were tied as the game headed to extra innings. Betzalel Ingber of Island Roofing hit a walk-off single to win the game 9-8!


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Around the Community

Massive kabbolas ponim event with the children of the cheder

Chanukas Habayis of Beis Yisroel Duvid, a new shtiebel on 17th avenue

A kabbolas ponim with the bachurim of the Gerer yeshivos

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Visiting with the Skverer Rebbe shlit”a

he Gerer community in America remains under the thrall of an incredible few days which they were privileged to spend with the bechor of the Gerer Shlit”a, who was sent especially by his father to attend a dinner for the Gerer Talmud Torah in Boro Park, to spend elevated moments of chizuk within the various Gerer communities in the Tri-State Area, and join the community in expanding and building new infrastructure for Torah and chassidus. Arriving early Tuesday morning, Rav Avrohom Mordechai came straight to Mesivta Beis Yisroel on Sixteenth Avenue, where he davened Shachris with the bachurim, and later greeted each and every one individually. In the afternoon, a special event was held for the boys of the Gerer cheder, where they were addressed by the Rebbe’s son, Rav Hershel Rottenberg, the rov of chassidei Ger

Reb Shloime Werdiger, chairman of the board of Agudath Israel and Nosi of Ichud Mosdos Gur, visiting with Rav Avrohom

Hanochas even hapinah for the new shtiebel on 53rd street

Havdallah at the home of R’ Moshe Eckstein in Montebelo

in America, the boys then sang niggunim in honor of the guest. A brand-new shtiebel is being built at the corner of 18th Avenue and 53rd Street to serve residents of the area, and Rav Avrohom Mordechai joined a hanachas even hapinah, laying the cornerstone for this shtiebel. Here he spent time with the mispalelim, expounding upon the rich history of the Gerer chassidus in America, and how this shtiebel is one more link in this chain. Tuesday night found the Rebbe’s son at the opening of a new shtiebel on Seventeenth Avenue. It is called Beis Yisroel Dovid, in the name of one of the most important figures in the Gerer Chassidus, Rav Yisroel Dovid Rosset, zt”l, rov of the chassidim in Haifa for more than half a century, and the ba’al makri during the teki’os on Rosh Hashanah. He was niftar earlier this year, and did not leave any children behind. Reb

The massive crowd at the dinner

Yisroel Dovid Weitz, a nephew of the Gerer Rebbe, ardent supporter of the Gerer mosdos, and lifelong talmid of Rav Yisroel Dovid, dedicated this shtiebel in his memory. Wednesday morning, Rav Avrohom Mordechai visited the Kollel Avreichim in Boro Park where he spent time with the yungeleit who represent the next generation of talmidei chachomim of Ger in America. He delivered divrei chizuk in the area of limud haTorah, and was introduced by the Rosh Kollel, Ha’Gaon Rav Meir Wideslovsky. He davened mincha in the home of R’ Yanky Klein, a great supporter of the Gerer institutions around the world. Wednesday night, Lag Ba’Omer, he presided over a massive hadlakah in the courtyard of the Rachmastrivka Talmud Torah in Boro Park, where thousands of Gerer Chassidim streamed from all over for an unforgettable evening of joy and

The hadlakah, on Lag Ba’Omer evening attended by thousands

Kevi’as mezuza at the home of R’ Yanky Klein, benefactor of Gerer institutions

spirituality. Following the event, he departed for Monsey, where he would spend Shabbos. He visited the Admorim of Skver and Viznitz, where he was received with the utmost honor in recognition of his holy lineage and his representation of his illustrious father. Sunday evening, the dinner was held for Talmud Torah Imrei Emes at the Eminence Ballroom in Boro Park—an event that will long remain in the memories of all those in attendance. Rav Avrohom Mordechai distributed almonds, and a newly reprinted sefer from his ancestor and namesake, the Imrei Emes of Gur—sent especially from the Gerer Rebbe for each and every chossid. He delivered a keynote address on the incredible growth of the chassidus in America, and expressed tremendous pride in the connection that the chassidim of all ages feel toward the Rebbe

shlit”a, despite the physical distance. An oral farher on large portions of shas was administered live by the Gerer Rov, and by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yisroel Moshe Olewski, to the bachurim and cheder talmidim—leaving all those in attendance deeply impressed at the mastery and command that they exhibited. It should be noted that this has been a project of the Gerer Rebbe shlit’a for two decades; bringing back the concept of Yidden who would master the entire Shas by heart. That this could be taking place in America is nothing short of miraculous, and the Rebbe’s son noted as much. These whirlwind days of building and nurturing will be remembered for a long time to come, as the revered guest and emissary, and scion of the holy dynasty of Ger, departs back to the court of his father, the Gerer Rebbe shlit”a.

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Thousands of Gerer Chassidim Spend Uplifted days with Revered Guest Rav Avrohom Mordechai Alter, shlit”a, Special Emissary of his father, the Rebbe Shlit”a


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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Around the Community

Scenes from the Beit Medrash Hachaim Vehashalom Inaugural Dinner

Memory Day at YKLI

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t is hard to believe that more than 70 years have passed since the liberation from the concentration camps. Many of us have heard stories from our parents and grandparents about the Holocaust, and most of those stories have been vivid and gut-wrenching, particularly when voiced by a survivor. Over the past couple of decades, though, we have become more aware that the She’aris Ha’pleita Jews – those who are a living symbol and remembrance of that tekufa – are quickly fading away. We hear about Holocaust denial in various parts of the world, and it hits us at our core. We cannot, and must not, remain silent. Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandl zt”l, warned us about this not even ten years after the Holocaust. Rav Weissmandl predicted that the world would eventually deny what happened to Klal Yisrael during that awful period of history, and he demanded that we ensure that the memories of the tremendous churban of Klal Yisroel enter into the fabric of our existence, and become an integral part of our lives. The Novominsker Rebbe, zt”l, along with other gedolim, mandated that we recapture the memories and place the churban of Klal Yisrael into a Torah perspective. It is imperative that we inform our children about what happened to us and that we instill within them the appropriate way that a Torah Jew is meant to view this dark period of history. As the years continue to slip by, there is a tendency to forget, as time itself disconnects us from the horrific events that took place. It is with this very directive from our gedolim that Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island incorporates meaningful lessons and projects about the Holocaust, culminating in what has become known to our talmidim as “Memory Day.” Our younger talmidim record family

memories, and create family trees, to develop an understanding and appreciation of what we lost at the hands of the Nazis, yemach shemam v’zichram. Our older talmidim begin by reading memoirs and books written by Holocaust survivors. The boys then write heartfelt reports, expressing their individual understanding of the horrendous events that took place, focusing on the poignant lessons they learned, based on what they internalized from these memoirs. For many years, our 6th grade read Mrs. Esther Bella Schonkopf’s story, “There Are No Words.” This was especially meaningful, as Mrs. Schonkopf, a”h, was a great-grandparent of several YKLI students, and she has spoken with, and visited, our talmidim, and shared her experiences with them firsthand. The projects that the talmidim create for Memory Day are combined into an elaborate, thematic exhibit, creating an aura that is both somber and uplifting. Gates that evoke barbed wire are used to display the Lucite-framed artwork. Beautifully drawn wooden plaques hang from the ceiling, attached to each other with more wire, creating a cascading wall of heart-wrenching art. Drawings, family trees, poetry, and prose from grades 1-8 fill the room, portraying youthful innocence attempting to grasp the severity of the Holocaust. Our younger grades tour the exhibit on Memory Day, as each teacher walks his or her class through the display, creating an age-appropriate experience for each set of students. This year, our three oldest grades were privileged to hear Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld, shlit”a, of the Star-K, speak in detail about his own father – a survivor, who was niftar very recently – and his experiences during the Holocaust. Rabbi Kurcfeld spoke about his father’s early

childhood in pre-war Europe, the intense hardships his father endured – still as a child during the war – and how his father rebuilt his life following the war, after finally finding only a couple of surviving relatives. The yeshiva has received many wonderful notes from parents following Memory Day, many of which were particularly thankful for the direct yet delicate way in which YKLI ensured that our talmidim always remember. One parent, as part of her note, mentioned that “if our boys don’t realize it now, they will ultimately come out of YKLI with a deep and intense feeling for what happened during the Holocaust. Yes, they will have knowledge of facts, but they will also have more empathy, compassion, and sensitivity to their fellow members of Klal Yisrael, with a deep appreciation for those who came before them, who died al kiddush Hashem.” The life lessons gained on Memory Day at YKLI are everlasting, and it is an experience that moves both students and faculty beyond words. We cannot change what happened to us all those years ago, but we can certainly do our part to be sure that we will NEVER FORGET.


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Around the Community

MAY 11th Grade Trip to Lakewood

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n recognition of 100% of his shiur learning a full hour seder every day of Pesach Bein HaZmanim, this past Thursday, Rabbi Yehoshua Robinson, 11th

grade Rebbe at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, brought his shiur on a full day trip to South Jersey. After spending a few hours at Six Flags Great Adventure, the bochurim were

led over to Bais Medrash Govoha, fondly known as Lakewood, visiting a number of the Batei Midrashim, and concluding with a private audience with the Lakewood

Rosh HaYeshiva, HaRav Gershon Ribner, shlit”a. It was a very special and unique experience, from which talmidim returned exhausted but extremely inspired.

HANC’s Francie Goldberg Receives Young Pioneers Award

Shulamith ECC Marvels at the Wonder of Hashem’s Creations

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ANC Plainview’s Francie Goldberg has been selected as a recipient of The Jewish Education Project’s 2022 Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award. Francie Goldberg is HANC Plainview’s Director of Admissions and Marketing and School Librarian and is one of five award recipients. She and the other educators are being recognized for their innovative work in early childhood education, Jewish arts programming, teen empowerment, family education, and social emotional learning in greater New York. “I am honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award. As a two-time microgrant recipient and frequent participant in The Jewish Education Project’s professional development programming, I have had the opportunity to bring Judaism to life for my students under the guidance of this amazing organization,” Goldberg said. “This year’s group of Young Pioneers Award recipients are incredible

educators who are reimagining what is possible in Jewish education in the 21st century,” said David Bryfman, CEO of The Jewish Education Project. “They see possibility and opportunity in every challenge and obstacle they encounter. The Jewish Education Project is so proud to recognize these educators for their incredible effort, dedication, and creativity.” The award recipients will each receive a $1,000 professional development stipend. This is the 11th group of educators from greater New York City to receive the award. The Young Pioneers Award is named for Robert M. Sherman, the CEO of The Jewish Education Project from 2007 until July 2019. Since 2012, the Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award has recognized 55 Jewish educators from greater New York that push the boundaries in Jewish education. Recipients work in Jewish educational spaces ranging from traditional school settings to camps, seminaries, and private foundations.

he children at Shulamith ECC have become chick experts. Ask a Shulamith ECC student questions about the lifecycle of chicks, and she will be able to answer with full confidence and an impressive vocabulary. The experience of caring for chicks has taught the children so much in every curriculum area and has helped them truly understand the wonders of Hashem’s creations. It all began four weeks ago when Farmer Tom delivered two tiny chicks cheeping in their brooder and some chicken eggs ready to be placed into an incubator. The children were fascinated. They were full of questions and observations. The teachers were ready with a library of non-fiction, informational books about chicks. As soon as questions arose the common refrain became “let’s look it up.” They even had the opportunity to candle the eggs and observe the chicks growing inside. Over the course of the month, under the careful supervision of Morah Tova, our chick expert, the children have had the opportunity to watch the tiny chicks develop into gangly adolescents and the eggs hatch into adorable little chicks. The children held the chicks and measured them and marveled at their unbelievably fast growth. They took polls and

made graphs in order to determine what to name the chicks. They made pictures for the chicks and wrote books about them. Some of the classes even made a birthday party for the baby chicks as soon as they hatched! As the chicks began to outgrow the brooder, it was time for them to return to the farm where they would have much more room to grow and play. Although it was hard for the children to let them go, they understood that the chicks were growing up and it was time. Their loving teachers well understand the children’s feelings since that is what they, as teachers, feel every year as they say goodbye to their beloved students to let them move on to an older grade. What a wonderful, hands-on learning experience at Shulamith ECC!


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Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh Annual Dinner

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e’re all familiar with the many yeshivos that hold dinners honoring major donors to their institutions. There are also dinners that bestow honors on a longtime menahel or rosh yeshiva, a veteran mechanech or deserving parents of a student. There are “Harbatzas Torah” awards, and “Kesser Shem Tov” awards, and “Grandparents of the Year” awards. But what kind of yeshiva holds a dinner in which its own talmidim, past graduates and current students alike, are the honorees? A yeshiva like Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh (YZA). Under Rabbi Shaya Cohen’s dynamic leadership, YZA has been educating and inspiring talmidim in Torah and mussar for over three decades. And over those years, it has grown from a fledgling mossad into a venerable Far Rockaway/ Five Towns institution and has become a springboard to success for ever-growing numbers of young, aspiring bnei Torah. YZA’s upcoming annual dinner will take place on June 8 in Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence, featuring the musical magic of Beri Weber. It’s billed as an evening of “Paying Tribute to Our Talmidim, Past and Present,” and given the Yeshiva’s approach to chinuch, the theme makes perfect sense. When asked to pinpoint the essential ingredient in the yeshiva’s success in transforming the lives of hundreds of young men over the last three decades, Rabbi Cohen says simply, “I believe the greatest influence on a talmid comes not from the respect the talmid shows the Rebbe – which, of course, he must show – but out of the loving relationship that exists and out of the respect the Rebbe shows the talmid. Rabbi Cohen cites the Rambam’s words that “just as the talmid is obligated to show honor to the Rebbe, so must the Rebbe show respect for the talmid and

draw him close,” and, he observes, the reason respect is so critical is because “respect validates the talmid, it means there’s something there to respect.” And when a talmid feels validated, that produces happiness and the sky’s the limit to what he can accomplish. YZA’s beautifully landscaped campus in the quiet neighborhood of Bayswater, a short drive from anywhere in the Five Towns, is currently home to upwards of sixty talmidim in its Beis Medrash, along with a growing Kollel of fourteen avreichim. Is there a particular profile of the YZA talmid? Rabbi Cohen’s response is typically incisive: “To profile our student body you’d need sixty articles – and we’re proud of it, too.” He cites the Rashi in Chumash that says Moshe asked Hashem to appoint a leader who could deal with and address the needs of each and every Jew. “Not of a family of ten, a classroom of twenty or a school of five hundred or a thousand,” Rabbi Cohen notes, “but for a Klal Yisroel of millions of souls. And the first priority in a leader was someone who could deal with each one as an individual. In our own way, on our own level, that’s our goal.” There are, of course, certain common denominators, he says, among YZA talmidim. “There’s a certain happiness – they exude a Simchas HaChaim. It’s really a very happy place. There’s a lot of respect for individuality here, and a lot of expression of individuality, and that’s a very emotionally healthy thing.” At the heart of the yeshiva’s success are the close-knit relationships between Rebbe and talmid. Rabbi Cohen recalls how a recent visitor to the yeshiva during morning seder was amazed to see that every Rebbe in the yeshiva was learning with different talmidim throughout the entire seder.

“Every talmid is getting personalized attention, which is crucial because it allows the Rebbe to guide a talmid in knowing not only what can be said in learning, but also what cannot be said, which is at least as important. The shiurim here are not lectures, but interactive learning sessions during which any talmid can speak up and ask and argue. This is a group of highly intelligent young men and so the learning is intellectual and individualized.” Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe, YZA’s dedicated administrator, observes that “the Chinuch we provide is amazingly well-rounded. In addition to the regular sedorim devoted to mastering Gemara in-depth in the classic Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim approach, every day of the week, there’s another opportunity for the boys to broaden their Torah horizons. Besides the regular night seder, there is a variety of other evening shiurim in halacha, derech Hashem, Chumash and Navi.” And then there are the special sessions with Rabbi Cohen, on another topic every day of the week. Each of them, he explains, “is a very open environment in which they’re free to ask anything and in fact, they do. They hold back nothing, and that creates a very positive, constructive atmosphere.” On Sunday evenings, there’s a chaburah to learn the topic of bitachon in depth. On Mondays, it’s a session on hashkafa. Early Tuesday evenings, there’s a chinuch training session for the entire yeshiva, even the bachurim, because, Rabbi Cohen says, “it’s great for parents-to-be to be exposed to these concepts and in any event, most of the boys would like to be able to go into chinuch at some point.” Wednesday mornings feature a shiur on Shir HaShirim, which the Chaburah has already gone through four times. Moshe Plotkin, a YZA alumnus and a well-regarded Five Towns thera-

pist, gives a weekly Chaburah on dating for the talmidim as well. Rabbi Cohen stresses that “the programs are very much focused on Tachlis. By the time a talmid leaves here he has hopefully become familiar with a wide range of issues he will need to deal with in life. They leave with a real hashkafa.” The YZA approach of respect for individuality and individualized chinuch has worked wondrous results, and the proof is in the large numbers of alumni who are quick to credit the Yeshiva with the success they’ve found in a variety of callings. They, in turn, reciprocate what they’ve received by taking on a very significant role in supporting the Yeshiva financially and being actively involved in its programs for the community, like the weekly shiurim on bitachon that Rabbi Cohen gives as part of Priority-1’s Eliezer Institute. A very significant percentage of YZA’a graduates have entered fields that enable them to benefit the Klal. Currently, for example, its alumni are serving as rebbeim in leading local mosdos hachinuch like HALB, Darchei Torah, and South Shore. At the same time, a number of well-regarded psychotherapists practicing in the Far Rockaway/ Five Towns area are also former talmidim of YZA. It’s no coincidence that the yeshiva’s alumni gravitate to careers that are dedicated to helping other Jews. After all, Rabbi Cohen points out, “through all the other programs we’re involved in such as Teach-toReach, which is our initiative for training teachers in how to really connect with students, and our involvement in the issue of at-risk kids, the Chevra here get a real sense of what it means to care about and be committed to helping Klal Yisroel, a feeling of achrayus for other Jews. They get confidence that Klal Yisroel can be helped and that they have what to contribute to it. Some of the guys never dreamt of becoming mechanchim, but now they’re seriously interested in doing so.”

The upcoming dinner will also give the Yeshiva the opportunity to pay honor to four of its outstanding talmidim who recently received a coveted semicha after being rigorously tested by Rav Moshe Heinemann, rav of Agudas Yisroel of Baltimore, head of the Star-K kashrus agency and one of America’s leading poskim. And, Rabbi Cohen adds, “Rav Heinemann told me that he is very impressed with the yungeleit we send to him to be tested for semicha.” Like many of YZA’s talmidim, the four musmachim hail from diverse points around the country and the world and are already serving the community in a variety of posts: Rabbi Eli Davidson, from Monsey, is a sho’el u’meishiv in YZA; Rabbi Josh Leyton, from Los Angeles, is a rebbe in Yeshiva Darchei Torah; Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz, from Eretz Yisroel, is a community askan; and Rabbi Mordechai Schuler, from the Five Towns, is now a rebbe in YZA. The renowned patron of Torah and kiruv, Rabbi Dov Wolowitz of Lawrence, calls YZA “the Five Towns’ best-kept secret.” But it’s a secret that has gotten out, and by now has spread far and wide. As its alumni have begun to settle everywhere in Far Rockaway and the Five Towns, people have taken note of “the YZA difference” that is so readily apparent in these Bnei Torah and the beautiful frum families they are raising. Dr. David Simai, a Five Towns pediatrician, says that he can tell when one of YZA’s alumni comes into his office for an appointment “just from the way he speaks to his wife and his children.” Rabbi Jaffe says that the administration of a leading local yeshiva recently commented that “when our Yungeleit come in to register their kids, they can tell the difference. It’s obvious from the way they show respect for others. “And that,” Rabbi Cohen adds, in a succinct summation of YZA’s uniqueness, “has much to do with having respect for yourself.”


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paying tribute to our talmidim

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Yeshiva Darchei Torah second graders began affixing their beautiful 39 Melachos posters in the Yeshiva hallway in preparation for the culmination of a year of learning about the melachos of Shabbos

Color War at BBY The Champion Torah Bowl Team at Shulamith had their celebratory luncheon at Central Perk last week. Divrei Torah were given by Kayla Etra, Sophia Dashiff, Yardena Lifshitz, Ahuva Krengel and Talya Rockoff. Congratulations again to an incredible Torah Bowl season.

Chai Lifeline Moms Enjoy Restorative Break at Mothers Retreat

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n May 22-23, more than 50 Chai Lifeline mothers of children with serious illness from across the New York region came together for a special moms retreat. The two-day getaway was held at the beautiful Camp Simcha campus in Glen Spey, NY. The mothers enjoyed special workshops, fun performances, and delicious food. “The moms retreat is all about connections, connecting to each other and connecting to the magic of Camp Simcha,” said Chai Lifeline Director of New York Volunteer Services Faige Yudkovsky. “Most of all, the mothers can connect to their children’s experience in Camp Simcha firsthand.” Built into the retreat were special groups and activities with therapeutic benefits. From sessions by Chai Lifeline Director of Clinical Services Dr. Cheryl Book to yoga and nature walks, the pro-

gram was designed for deep restoration. “The relaxation and laughter, the camaraderie, and the delicious food, all brought me to a much better place,” said one mother. “I enjoyed every minute of the beautifully coordinated program, put together with so much love. It was way beyond what the doctor ordered.” “This retreat truly exemplifies the essence of Chai Lifeline,” said National Director of Client Services Rabbi Mordechai Gobioff, MSW. “Networking families in a safe and nurturing environment with cutting edge programming, all with care, sensitivity, and professionalism.” Chai Lifeline is a leading children’s health support network providing social, practical, and financial assistance to children and families confronting illness, crisis, and loss. Learn more at www.chailifeline.org.

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olor War 5782 brought with it tremendous excitement and energy at Bnos Bais Yaakov. Teams Eretz Yisroel, Shabbos, Gevurah, and Shemittah dressed in their team colors and had a packed day of fun and games. While first and second grades ran relay races in the basement and had a hunt in the yard, grades 3-8 headed to Flushing Meadows Park for sports and a cookie treat. After a pizza lunch and team time, the girls convened in the Ateres Nechama Liba Simcha Hall, and each grade put on its own performance. Third graders on each team sang a cheer, fourth graders executed a march, fifth graders performed a song-dance, and sixth graders put on a performance of their choice. The captains presented their costumes, and the seventh grades performed dances. Finally, the teams presented their banners and theme songs. Throughout, the girls showed incredible achdus and beautiful middos! Congratulations to the winning team: Team Gevurah! But of course, everyone was a winner because they all had so much fun! Thank you to Morah Shulamis Feldberger for directing the event and to all the many

moros who chaperoned the girls until late Wednesday night so that they could prepare! Thank you as always to our amazing PTA for helping to sponsor this event. We are so proud of ALL our BBY students for doing such a fantastic job!


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Fourth grade TAG students interviewed Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato from her office in Albany in preparation for their New York State Fair project

The students at HANC ECC learned about a variety of artists and then painted their own artwork in their own style

The Five Towns Joins Dor Yeshorim in Protecting Future Generations

Mr. AM Schwartz, Rabbi Yosef Eckstein, Mr. SY Scher, and R’ Boruch Ber Bender

Mr. Moshe Wolfson and Rabbi Yosef Eckstein, founder of Dor Yeshorim

he Five Towns community joined Dor Yeshorim on Monday evening, May 16th in support of the ongoing mission of protecting future generations. The event took place in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Moshe and Arielle Wolfson who welcomed an exclusive group of doctors and community activists. Hosted by the Wolfsons, Dr. Moshe and Suri Lazar, and Mr. Boruch Ber and Suri Bender, it was an evening filled with information and inspiration which fostered a deeper understanding of Dor Yeshorim’s incredible achievements and goals. Mr. Avrohom Moshe Schwartz, Dor Yeshorim’s Director of Project Management, thanked all those who took the time to attend. Mr. Schwartz emphasized that the evening reflected a joint collaboration to expand Dor Yeshorim’s abilities and serve Klal Yisroel’s needs to the fullest extent. Dr. Berish Rubin, PhD, serves on Dor Yeshorim’s Medical Advisory Board. He

gave a passionate presentation covering the genetic needs of the Jewish community and Dor Yeshorim’s far-reaching efforts and successes. As a member of the Department of Biological Sciences of Fordham University, his background and expertise lent gravitas to the evening. His address was followed by a personal testament from Dr. Eli Lazar about the importance of Dor Yeshorim’s brand-new hearing panel. As a well-known member of the community, Dr. Lazar’s perspective portrayed the importance and impact of this newly developed testing panel. In the weeks ahead, Dor Yeshorim will be unveiling new advances to assist in their tireless pursuit of healthy generations for Jewish communities of every background and around the world. The Five Towns event proved to be an auspicious step towards an expanded future for Dor Yeshorim as we share the impact of tireless research and development made possible by our global donors.

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Did you know? A city in Uruguay set a Guinness World Record in 2017 for hosting the largest barbecue ever – they grilled 16.5 tons of meat for a total of 14 hours


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Around the Community

The Late Dr. Eli Schussheim of EFRAT C.R.I.B. Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at Jerusalem Conference By Hadassah Bay

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undreds of people gathered at the InterContinental New York Times Square Hotel in Manhattan last Sunday for the 2022 Arutz Sheva-Israel National News Jerusalem Conference. Conference speakers and participants focused on a number of burning issues on the agenda related to Jerusalem and Israel. The event was attended by senior representatives of Jewish communities across the U.S. as well as government ministers and dignitaries from Israel. Prizes were awarded to individuals for outstanding public service, including the Lifetime Achievement

Award, which was presented to Chagai Godschmidt, CEO of EFRAT C.R.I.B. (The Committee for the Rescue of Israel’s Babies), on behalf of the late Dr. Eli Schussheim, z”l, founder and chairman of EFRAT who passed away last June. Dr. Schussheim was lauded “for over 40 years of working tirelessly and with great self-sacrifice to save the lives of Jewish babies in Israel by empowering their mothers through financial, emotional and physical support.” The emcee continued, “Your efforts, conducted with all your heart, mind and soul, continue to bear fruit while transforming Israeli society through the close to 81,000 lives saved.” Nir Salomon, Executive Director of EFRAT, added

that “there is no doubt that Dr. Schussheim’s tireless efforts have changed Israeli society for the better by empowering women and fighting poverty at the most basic level.”

spective that no textbook alone could provide. Our girls made us proud with the interest they took

with the topic at hand and with their impeccable behavior and derech eretz as we traveled back in time.

L to R: Dudu Saada, Executive Director of B’Sheva; Chagai Goldschmidt, CEO of EFRAT; and Dudi Finkler

Shulamith Explores Colonial History

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n Thursday, May 12, the fifth grade of Shulamith had the opportunity to look back into history as they toured Old Bethpage Restoration Village, located on Long Island. The girls were able to experience the way people lived in the 18th and 19th century in Colonial America. Some of the highlights were the one-room schoolhouse, the Moon Inn, the variety store, and, of course, seeing the different animals on the farm. This trip enhanced our history curriculum which focused on colonial history. The opportunity to physically experience what they learned in class adds a reality per-

TTI Announces All New Virtual Master’s Degree Program in Education

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aemen University/TTI’s world renowned master’s degree program in Special Ed and General Ed has now become even more accessible to the public! TTI strives to constantly make changes to better accommodate their students, while never compromising on the quality of education. It’s what has made them the most trusted and well-known program for a master’s degree in General and Special Education for over 20 years. After many months of hard work and preparation, the master’s program is now available to be taken completely online, via Zoom. The hours of the live classes are on Sundays from 9:00 am to 1:15 pm, making it the perfect option even for those working full time jobs. Independent modules and assignments can be done on one’s schedule as needed. There are

two tracks to choose from: the childhood track, for certification for first through sixth grade, and the early childhood track, for certification for newborn through second grade. Students can always take minimal additional coursework to acquire certification in both tracks. The program leads to general and special education certifications, which proves useful, as different jobs may require different certifications. Much like the in-person classes until now, the program has high standards and prepares students well for careers in education. Employers recognize TTI students as well trained and educated employees, and in a recent email from a large education agency, a well-known director wrote, “I have to let you know that when I walk into any room to observe my therapists, my top ones are

consistently the ones who earned their master’s degree from Daemen University through TTI. It is a great credit to you that you can deliver such high quality education while never compromising on standards of hashkafa. Kol hakavod!” While the costs of obtaining a master’s degree may be a deterrent to some, TTI has worked to alleviate those costs as well. With current loan forgiveness programs of up to $17,500, as well as TEACH grants, a significant sum or even complete tuition can be covered! As an alternative certification program, there is a great deal of fieldwork included in the program. A benefit of the fieldwork requirement is that it allows students to apply what they have learned in their classroom studies in real life. An even better bonus is that students can apply their hours at their

workplace towards those requirements – in other words, if one is working a job in an applicable track, they can complete fieldwork hours while getting paid for it! A transitional B certification is another big draw for students considering a master’s in education. After only four months attending the master’s program, students can apply for transitional B certification, which allows them to be considered certified teachers in their field. The icing on the cake is knowing that TTI stands behind their students from beginning to end and will guide them through any questions or concerns that may arise. It’s why they are the most respected, well-known program in the industry, and why thousands of graduates refer others to the program as well.


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he Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls is proud to announce Gabriella Herman and Atara Sicklick as Valedictorians, Yael Shtern as Salutatorian, and Mimi Altmark and Ilana Moskowitz as Keter Shem Tov awardees. Valedictorian: Gabriella Herman President, SKA Student Council; Captain of Math Team; Science Olympiad; Debate Team; Soccer Team. Gabriella will be attending Shalavim and Stern College for Women Honors Program. Valedictorian: Atara Sicklick Editor of Parsha Press; PSAT National Merit Scholarship commendation; ACS High School Chemistry Award; Member, SKA Student Council; Mem-

Gabriella Herman, Valedictorian

Atara Sicklick, Valedictorian

ber, Debate Team; Captain of Basketball team. Atara will be attending Shalavim and Stern College for Women Honors Program. Salutatorian: Yael Shtern Editor in Chief of Parsha Press; Captain of Torah Bowl; Head of Choir; SKA School Ambassador; Recipient of Nassau County District Attorney SHIELD Award.

5 Towns Flag Football

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his past Friday was week 8 of FM Home Loans Five Towns Flag Football. It was also quarter final and consultation games, with next week being the semi-finals and championship games. In the Pre-1A division under the direction of Rabbi Jeremy Fine, the boys worked on their throwing and defensive skills, and they have made great progress since the beginning of the season and are ready for real leagues next year! In the first grade division, the Giants defeated the Patriots with great defensive plays by Jacob Fox. And the Jets defeated the Broncos. In the 2nd grade division, the Patriots defeated the Vikings with Gershon Felder’s touchdown and interception! The Jets defeated the Broncos. In the 3rd and 4th grade division, the Eagles defeated the Jets. The Vikings defeated the Patriots with Avi Frand’s

touchdown. The Broncos defeated the Giants. The Raiders defeated the Panthers. The Steelers defeated the Seahawks. And the Packers defeated the Falcons. In the 5th and 6th grade division, the Seahawks defeated the Patriots with Sam Spira’s short catches and interception. And the Broncos defeated the Packers. In the 7th and 8th grade division, the Patriots defeated the Vikings with Dovid Soniker’s amazing catching. And the Jets defeated the Eagles. All participants received Rita’s Ices and sublimated flag football sweatshirts sponsored by FM Home Loans. It was incredible. Looking forward to the Championship next week. Registration for the fall season is almost closed, with 50 spots left in the league. www.5townsflagfootball.com

Yael Shtern, Salutatorian

Mimi Altmark, Ilana Moskowitz, Keter Shem Tov awardee Keter Shem Tov awardee

Yael will be attending MMY and Stern College for Women Honors Program. Keter Shem Tov: Mimi Altmark Voted by her peers for her kindness and middot. Editor in Chief Yearbook; Head of TTYL (Turning Tefila into Your Life); Production-Dance; SKA School Ambassador; Member, Israel Awareness Committee. Mimi will be attending Michlalah and Touro College.

Keter Shem Tov: Ilana Moskowitz Voted by her peers for her kindness and middot. Honor Society and Principal’s Honor Roll; Captain of Torah Bowl; Volleyball Captain; Middot Award Winner 2019 and 2021; Writer, SKappenings and Parsha Press. Ilana will be attending Michlalah and Queens College Scholars Program.

HALB Genius Hour Showcase

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his year, HALB middle school students participated in a pilot program called Genius Hour which was sponsored by a grant from the Legacy Heritage Foundation in partnership with the MIT Teacher Tech Institute. Under the guidance of Mrs. Aliza Feder, Mrs. Susan Rose, Dr. Caroline Toumazatos and Mr. Josh Walas, every middle school student was given one period a week to delve into any topic that interested them. They had to research and learn about the topic, and then create an origi-

nal artifact that is a culmination of their knowledge and efforts. Each of the topics and projects also incorporated a connection to a Judaic Studies theme. The purpose of this initiative was to cultivate and promote in our students an intrinsic interest in learning and a curious perspective on the world, which will carry through to other topics and disciplines. Students did an incredible job and were proud to showcase their hard work to their parents and peers.

Did you know? Both Memphis, TN, and Kansas City, MO, claim the title of Barbecue Capital of America

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SKA Awardees


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Around the Community

An Evening of Inspiration

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he title of the event certainly proved true, as over 300 women joined together to attend the Evening of Inspiration held on May 17 th in the TAG Social Hall. The response from the attendees was enthusiastic and appreciative as Rabbi YY Jacobson captivated his rapt audience with his inspiring speech. This idea of this event was conceived at a Women’s League Board Meeting in the summer, when Nataly Magendzo offered to organize the event. She not only was able to procure such a well known speaker as Rabbi YY Jacobson, she also assembled a team of motivated and devoted mothers who joined her in making this event a financial success. More importantly, it provided such a powerful shiur which left such a deep impression on so many. Many thanks to Racheli Blumenkrantz, Sylvia Fuksbrumer, Soshie Hirth, Rivkah Katznelson, Naomi Newman, Allyson Perkal, and

Amanda Waltuch. Thanks to Sarah Leah Shapiro who videoed the shiur. Mrs. Soshie Hirth, the Women’s League Liaison, opened the evening by thanking the many sponsors and those who were responsible for the event. A kapital of Tehillim was recited as a z’chus for the cholim. Rabbi Meyer Weitman, the Dean of TAG, introduced Rabbi Jacobson who presented an impactful, illuminating speech which left the women with valuable insights about their roles in raising children today. Here are a few samples of the reactions from those who were fortunate to attend this special evening. “I was overwhelmed by the powerful shiur by Rabbi Jacobson last night. His authentic and brilliant understanding of the most essential role of parents inspired me beyond words. Rabbi Jacobson spoke about the parents’ goal to influence our children and participate in

helping them make their own life decisions as opposed to exerting power over them which is fleeting. He stressed the importance of working on ourselves in a deep, mindful way to become better parents. I can’t wait to listen to the shiur again.” -Leslie Sklar, TAG parent “Rabbi Y.Y gave such a captivating and deep talk about parenting in today’s world. He addressed the core focus that mothers need as they raise children in today’s unique generation. This is the space of time right before Mashiach where we have the difficulty as well as the privilege to heal intergenerational patterns of trauma. It was clear that our job as mothers in this generation is to keep the attachment and security of children at the forefront of our parenting. When we interact with our children, we need to look within and make sure that we are not coming from a place of control or pride. The more we

work on developing ourselves, the more we make room to connect with our children with a healthy attachment. This will provide the validation and attachment needed to raise them into confident and secure menschen in klal Yisroel.” -Mrs. Michal Simon, LCSW, TAG parent “Rabbi YY Jacobson is an inspiration! Working in chinuch and being a mommy and there was still so much to gain from the lecture. It wasn’t just abstract principles but ‘concrete’ ideas.” -Mrs. Etty Slansky, Pre-school Morah Elementary teacher, South Shore Yeshiva, TAG parent “Rabbi Jacobson’s shiur was a gift of a lifetime for the parents. I truly believe the mothers of young children in the audience can be impacted for many years and can possibly save a child’s life in the future from his incredible wisdom and ap-

proach to parenting... His words and tools were so powerful and a must for all parents”. -Mrs. Lori Eidliz, Shulamis parent “Rabbi Jacobson shiur was a great impact on every parent in the audience. We give so much power to influences on social media and all around us, we need to focus on what kind of influences we can be as parents. And in order for our influence to be meaningful we need to have an attachment with our children first. Amazing and inspiring class!” -Mrs. Shoshana Saltzberg, special ed teacher, South Shore Yeshiva

Out of the Box, Beyond the Classroom Shabbaton for Makor College Experience Participants

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passion for innovation and creative thinking that improves lives: it’s a core component of the Makor philosophy. And for thirteen participants in Makor’s nationally acclaimed College Experience Program, this concept recently assumed a whole new dimension. Makor Care and Services Network is a professional non-profit agency servicing individuals with intellectual or physical challenges and their families. Makor’s broad spectrum of support, care, and services includes early intervention services, specialized residential homes for different ages, community habilitation programs, and respite programs, among many others. Makor’s dedicated team of professionals, including its Director of Clinical Innovation, Dr. Stephen Glicksman, actively explores evidence-based innovations in programming for enhanced quality of life.

One of the most remarkable programs innovated by Dr. Glicksman is the Makor College Experience, a multi-year, non-degree program on the campus of Yeshiva University for young men with intellectual disability. The trailblazing program promotes independence while empowering participants to gain new skills and explore opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, the program gives participants an unparalleled venue of integration with the community, as the students enjoy classes and dorm life much like any other students on campus. “In addition to the skills the students learn, the sense of inclusiveness that the program fosters is of inestimable value,” says Dr. Glicksman. “It changes the way these young men perceive themselves, and influences everyone on campus.” Moving beyond the four walls of the classroom, Makor recently arranged a magnificent Shabbaton event for 13 pro-

gram participants. The Shabbaton was graciously hosted by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Menachem and Adina Penner and family in Cedarhurst, New York. Rabbi Penner is an active advocate and champion of individuals with disabilities; he is also the Max and Marion Grill Dean of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University, where the Makor College Experience takes place. This is the third year that the Penners have opened their home to the program members, and it keeps getting better. “The Shabbaton was wonderful,” Dr. Glicksman enthused. “The camaraderie of the guys, the spirited zemiros, the overwhelming hospitality of the Penners and other host families, the warm welcome of Kehilas Bais Yisroel, the delicious meals, and the divrei Torah that the students prepared...everything was just out of this world.” At Shalosh Seudot, attendees enjoyed

a surprise guest appearance by renowned speaker Micah Kaufman who shared his inspirational story, while encouraging the students to increase their chesed activities. The students’ enthusiastic feedback was off the charts. “It was fantastic! I loved the davening,” Yehoshua Fineberg exclaimed. His friend, Avromi Mermelstein, added, “The food was great. I loved singing on Shabbos, and I loved staying by our hosts.” Both Fineberg and Mermelstein will graduate from the program in June, making this Shabbaton even more heartfelt and meaningful as they will soon be leaving campus life behind. It has been a memorable and cherished time in their lives, and after four years of study, the alumni-to-be are excited about entering the workforce and, indeed, the next chapter of their lives.


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Around the Community

DRS Excels at Mock Trial

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n this year’s annual New York State High School Mock Trial Tournament in Nassau County, the DRS Mock

Trial Team, led by captains Ephraim Boczko and Ari Zelefsky and co-captains Zeeshe Gross and Yoni Sheinman, saw tremendous success. In each of its six mock trial matches, DRS’s team of three attorneys and three witnesses either performed as the Prosecution or Defense, engaging in legal debates in regard to this year’s case, which involved an allegedly fraudulent investment scheme. After advancing past the regular season, DRS advanced to the round of eight teams, where they played against Rambam Mesivta High School. This match proved difficult, and included many intense debates, but, once again, DRS emerged victorious. The final four was the most challenging

round of the playoffs. DRS played as the Prosecution against Massapequa High School, whose mock trial team is highly accomplished. DRS certainly did not lose without a fight, but, in the end, Massapequa had an edge over DRS and won. While DRS did not proceed to the final round of the tournament, this year was still a huge success. The performance of this year’s DRS Mock Trial Team is tied for the best in DRS history. The members of the team have gained highly valuable skills and lessons in public speaking, critical thinking, improvising, and leadership. Many participants regard the mock trial competition as a highlight of their high school experience.

Beautiful spring days provide a great opportunity for Kulanu middle school students to learn about the fundamentals of gardening

Ukraine Refugee Students Receive STEAM Education at Israeli Middle School By Sharon Gelbach

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s an Israeli town with one of the highest percentages of new immigrants, it was only natural that Kiryat Yam would attract refugees from Ukraine who have been streaming to Israel in the last couple of months. One of the most important elements of helping these families process their trauma and settle is ensuring that their children’s education can finally resume. Kiryat Yam’s low socio-economic index means that local students are more academically challenged in comparison to their counterparts in the center of the country. But it’s here that kindergarten children are being taught how to build and even program simple robots, enabling them to gain rudimentary familiarity with technology in preparation for studying STEAM (science, tech, engineering, art, math) subjects in the future. “Through our robotics programs in kindergartens, and continuing at the D. Dan & Betty Kahn STEAM Center at the Rodman school, we provide under-resourced children with an extra boost from the youngest age possible, so that they’ll gain the tools and the

Did you know? John Fugitt spent a year eating at 365 barbecue spots to research his book, “100 Best Barbecue Restaurants in America.”

confidence to pursue higher education and fulfilling careers,” remarked Dan Green, CEO of World ORT. Green was speaking on May 16 to World ORT delegates who, for the first time in over two years, convened in Israel to experience firsthand the extensive work of World ORT and meet students who are directly impacted by it. During a packed visit to Kiryat Yam, between meetings with the mayor and high-level municipal and educational representatives, delegates got an upclose view of the natural progression of World ORT’s STEAM education in action. After watching five-yearolds playing with robots they’d built and programmed, the group met middle school students at the D. Dan & Betty Kahn STEAM center’s robotics lab who were delighted to show off the robots they’d built and coded from scratch. ORT America board member Barbara Siegel, of Woodmere, was one of the delegates who was able to meet and chat with students. “Seeing firsthand the passion and excitement of ORT students for the robots they built from ideation to conception was exciting, impressive, and heartwarming. I believe this will lead to fulfilling careers that bring them self-worth and an opportunity to give back to humanity with greater impact,” she said. As an added value to the program, students who have gained a basic level of proficiency are encouraged to mentor their peers, thereby acquiring additional skills that will serve them well as they go forward. Technion graduate Natalie Korlick, a resident of Kiryat Yam and originally from Russia, is one of the instructors at the STEAM center. “I remember when an interest in science was considered nerdy. Today it’s become cool. Everyone wants to learn robotics.”

ORT America board member Barbara Siegel and her husband, Jerry, of Woodmere were thrilled at the opportunity to take part in the World ORT mission

Korlick, who also works as a math and science tutor, says that academic gaps are evident in almost all students from all grades. “It’s as if they lost an entire year,” she says, referring to the sporadic, long-distance schooling during covid. “This year, they have to work extra hard to catch up.” If that’s true for the students at Rodman, it’s all the more so for the Ukrainian students who’ve seen their whole world turned upside down, and who must adapt to a new country, language and mentality. “Helping these kids who have been through so much and who arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs is exactly what we’re about,” said Conrad Giles, who has served as World ORT President for the last six years. “We couldn’t be happier that our programs are being used to help get them on track to a better future.”


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home


Around the Community

YSZ Hosts a Pre-Shavuot Mother Daughter Breakfast

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, commemorated Jewish American Heritage Month last week during a celebration on Capitol Hill

YCQ Honors Faculty Members

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onday, May 16, The YCQ PTO, honorees, and guests gathered in the YCQ Dining Hall to honor departing faculty members Mrs. Ellen Orlanski, Mrs. Darlene Picciano, Rabbi Michael Ribalt, and Ms. Jenni Chubak at the annual YCQ PTO Supperette. Mrs. Julie Faska, Co-President of the YCQ PTO, remarked, “This time of year is always bittersweet, as we say goodbye to beloved faculty, but we also enjoy an evening full of friendship.” Friends, colleagues, students, and families of the honorees were all in attendance. Rabbi Mark Landsman, principal, Ms. Odelia Schlisser, JHS assistant principal of secular studies, Rabbi Moshe Hamel, JHS assistant principal of Judaic studies, and Mrs. Melissa Cohen, elementary assistant principal of secular studies, spoke about the impact each honoree had on YCQ during their career. “It was with mixed emotions that we had the great pleasure, privilege, and honor to pay tribute to Mrs. Ellen Orlanski for her nearly thirty years of devotion, dedication, passion, and commitment to the students of YCQ,” Rabbi Mark Landsman noted. “We used the opportunity to express our gratitude for her years of service, as well as wish her

much continued success in her aliya to Eretz Yisrael.” Ms. Odelia Schlisser enthused, “The warmth and camaraderie were palpable. I feel privileged to have worked with Mrs. Picciano, JHS Science Teacher, who has dedicated her life to the school, and is moving on to a new chapter.” “Rabbi Ribalt, Elementary School Assistant Principal of Judaic Studies, is a living kiddush Hashem always growing in Torah and Mitzvot. He is dedicated to the chinuch of our children and always seeks the most innovative and best techniques to help them grow,” stated Rabbi Moshe Hamel. “We wish him much success as Head of School at Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva.” “Mrs. Chubak, Grade 2 General Studies Teacher, is a patient, nurturing, creative teacher who always goes above and beyond for her students,” Mrs. Melissa Cohen expressed. “She is an extremely dedicated teacher who is always coming up with new ideas to keep her class interesting and has had a huge impact on all of her students and YCQ.” The YCQ PTO Superette Committee did a wonderful job creating a beautiful event. YCQ thanks Mr. Aaron Kessler, Mrs. Jen Jaffe, Mrs. Melissa Stock, Mrs. Eliana Langbaum, and Mrs. Vered Besalel.

morning of inspiration, flower arranging fun! YSZ HS for Girls hosted a beautiful mother-daughter breakfast for their current and incoming freshmen this Sunday morning in honor of the upcoming holiday, Shavuot. The room was decorated with beautiful springtime flowers and a festive breakfast spread. Mrs. Zerykier, the Menahelet, opened the event by appreciating the power of women to build their families. She spoke about how Megillat Ruth is read on Shavuot to inspire all of Klal Yisrael to live lives committed to Torah. There is so much that we can learn from Ruth. Ruth gave up a life of luxury and royalty to take on Torah and Mitzvot. While she may have initially abandoned a life of luxury, she embodied true royalty of chessed, tzniut and kedusha and merited becoming the mother of the greatest royal family, Malchut Beit David, the House of King David, and one day to Mashiach. The program continued with a mother-daughter music video made by the student choir and a floral arrangement class, given by a local florist, Estebelle Flowers. Mothers and daughters learned

some great tips about how to cut, hydrate, and arrange flowers. They laughed, enjoyed each other’s company, and went home with some exquisite bouquets.

Assemblyman Ari Brown Honors Cedarhurst Fire Chief

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ssemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst) presents an official Assembly Citation honoring 1st Fire Chief Thomas J. Foy for his service with the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department at the firehouse’s 140th Annual Installation Dinner. The fire department was established in the late 1800s and services the towns of Lawrence and Cedarhurst in Nassau County. With the help of more than 80 volunteer firefighters, the department continues to be a vital pillar to the Long Island community. “Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of public safety not only to Cedarhurst but to small towns throughout New York state,” Brown said. “Thank you to Chief Foy for the countless hours he has invested in the care and safety of our neighbors. He is undoubtedly deserving of this promotion. I’m confident under his leadership the department will continue to thrive.”


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Around the Community PHOTOS BY GABE SOLOMON

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he groundbreaking ceremony for Yeshiva Har Torah’s second campus, which will house the school’s Early Learning Center, grade N-2, took place on Thursday, May 19. Yeshiva Har Torah is a private, Orthodox Jewish elementary school for boys and girls in Queens, New York. The new campus will be constructed on the grounds purchased in 2020 from the Temple Torah congregation. The Early Learning Center will be state-of-theart and purpose-built for the school’s youngest students. It will include a 1.75acre campus and building complete with 15 custom-built classrooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, library, sensory gym, makerspace, unique teaching kitchen, and much more. The new facility, designed by Combined Resources, led by Salvatore Ferrara, is expected to open in September

2023. The Temple Torah congregation will continue on as tenants under its existing leadership. “This new campus will not only allow more students to experience YHT’s welcoming halls, inviting atmosphere, and inspiring energy. It will also ensure that every student in the school continues to have access to spaces and resources that support the highest quality, 21st-century general studies and Jewish studies program,” said Rabbi Gary Menchel, Rosh HaYeshiva/Head of School of YHT since 1995.

Before the pandemic, a visionary group of 45 families kicked off the campaign and pledged over $2M for the school expansion. Fundraising efforts were restarted in 2021, and YHT recently surpassed $6M in fundraising, with more needed. More than 120 families, parents, grandparents, alumni parents, and friends of the school have since joined the Capital Campaign. The campus will fill a need. Demand for a YHT education has outgrown the capacity of the school’s current campus, built in 2005 and expanded in 2012. Con-

struction of the new campus will allow YHT to repurpose space in its current facility to increase educational offerings for older students as well. The groundbreaking ceremony included a Lego show, student performances, Lag B’Omer celebration with smores, and more! YHT’s community currently serves more than 420 Jewish families from a variety of backgrounds from across Queens and Long Island.

Shulamith Tribute Dinner, Wednesday, June 1 Expressing Our Hakarat Hatov for Mrs. Yarmak

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he embodiment of a lifelong learner, Mrs. Yarmak completes a career in education that began almost five decades ago. Known for using both formal and informal learning strategies, Mrs. Yarmak believed in continuous development and growth in perfecting her craft. A staunch proponent of strong education for girls who would be future mothers, community leaders, and professionals, Mrs. Yarmak focused her career on ensuring that her students received the love and education to which she believed they were entitled. Though Mrs. Yarmak’s original plan did not include education, Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, had a different idea. In 1972, Mrs. Yarmak’s first students were introduced to a teacher that would stay with them always. Teaching a full day at HiRoc in Monsey, both kodesh and

chol, Mrs. Yarmak learned the challenges and rewards of teaching. Though Mrs. Yarmak may not remember every lesson plan she wrote, she remembers every student she taught; more than that, she remembers what made each of her students special and unique. With an ever-present welcoming smile, boundless patience, and an acute awareness of the needs of both faculty and students, it is no surprise that after only five years of teaching, Mrs. Yarmak was then offered the position of Assistant Principal of both Limudei Kodesh and Limudei Chol in Shulamith Brooklyn. During this time, Mrs. Yarmak worked to create and maintain a culture of support and positivity with the entire school community – grandparents, parents, students, faculty, board members, and other administrators. Though no longer in the

classroom, Mrs. Yarmak never conceded her steadfast belief that Hashem had a plan for each child and that each student had a special role to fill and it was the school’s job to ensure that students were equipped to find their unique purpose. In 2000, Mrs. Yarmak was chosen to lead the new Shulamith of Long Island, which began with 54 pioneer students. Mrs. Yarmak approached the challenge with gusto and excitement and took it on as a bracha. Her infectious optimism and treatment of every student as if they were her own helped make the school a tremendous success, growing exponentially to its current population of over 700 students! She brought the school from a tiny building on Irving Place to its current beautiful location on Cedarhurst Avenue, fulfilling the parents’ and her dream for the school. Working to make sure that

there were never any cracks in Shulamith through which students may fall, all Shulamith students felt the love and appreciation under Mrs. Yarmak’s care. Mrs. Yarmak’s contribution to Shulamith is a memory that will never dim, as her vision continues to guide Shulamith School for Girls. Please join us on Wednesday, June 1 as we pay tribute to our founding principal, Mrs. Joyce Yarmak, by going to www.shulamithdinner.org or calling 516-564-1500, ext. 613 to place your ad and make reservations.

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Yeshiva Har Torah Breaks Ground on New Early Learning Center


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Around the Community

New! Rav Moshe on Chumash Vol 2 By Rabbi Avraham Fishelis • Adapted by Rabbi Avrohom Biderman • Published by ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications

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uring his lifetime, thousands of Jews flocked to hear Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, the acknowledged Torah leader of the generation, speak. His depth and breadth of knowledge, his understanding of Torah and of human nature, and his awesome humility all came through clearly in his shmuessen and derashos. Rabbi Avraham Fishelis, z”l, was a talmid muvhak (devoted student) of Rav Moshe, as well as a menahel at his yeshivah, Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem. In his multivolume Hebrew Sefer Kol Rom, he presented insights from thousands of Rav Moshe’s shmuessen and derashos. ArtScroll’s Rav Moshe on Chumash has adapted Sefer Kol Rom into a flowing English work. These pieces on the Chumash contain gems of hashkafah and Jewish thought, insights and life lessons. This new sefer is perfect for the Shabbos table or to be savored by anyone looking to be inspired once again by the gadol hador. The divrei Torah are short, practical, and easy to repeat. The first volume covered Sefer Bereishis and Sefer Shemos. The brand new ArtScroll volume covers Vayikra, Bamidbar, and Devarim. The following are a number of excerpts from the new sefer on this week’s parashah, Bechukosai. Walking the Walk If you will go in My decrees (26:3). The Torah generally refers to “performing” decrees or “safeguarding” them. Why does it sometimes use the term teileichu, “you will go”? There are times when a person with noble spiritual goals sets out to achieve them in his own unique way, but his method might be contrary to the Torah. Hashem is saying, “Go in My decrees; follow the well-trodden path of those who preceded you, without changes or leniencies, because that is how you will truly bring honor to the Torah.” In the very first pasuk of Tehillim, King David says, Praiseworthy is the man “who has not walked” in the counsel of the wicked. Wicked people know that if they want to successfully influence others, they cannot suggest acts that are blatantly sinful. Instead, they try to convince people that the “old-fashioned ways” are no longer relevant, and they

have new ideas that will make the world a better place. “Walking in their ways” means being ensnared in their trap, the first “step” toward spiritual disaster. For example, some people try to draw young men away from full-time Torah study by contending that if they were to become Torah-observant professionals or businessmen, they would be successful in inspiring others to observe mitzvos. Although those making the argument may be sincere, this is actually “the counsel of the wicked.” In reality, the way to attract others to Torah observance is by bolstering our own Torah study, Divine service, and fear of Hashem. Another reason the pasuk refers to “going” is that our Torah study and observance must accompany us – go with us – wherever we are. We must use every opportunity to learn Torah, no matter where we are – even thinking Torah thoughts when no texts are available – and we must follow the Torah’s many laws in all our dealings and interactions. Another lesson is based on Rashi’s explanation that go in My decrees refers to toiling in Torah study. To go in a specific path indicates forethought and consistency. A person cannot decide that he can learn proper Torah behavior by simply watching and copying those around him. He must actively go in the way of Torah, studying a great deal and making certain that he clearly understands what he studies, in order to know how to act properly. Some people suggest that since we now have an abundance of printed Torah works, there is no need for yeshivos. Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, we are told (Kiddushin 66a) that King Yannai became heretical the moment he entertained the suggestion of the wicked Elazar ben Poriah that there is no need for Torah Sages because Torah study could be continued by using written works. We need yeshivos and their rebbeim to transmit the Torah and to guide their students to properly understand the many printed works. It is impossible for a person to fully immerse himself in two pursuits; one invariably yields to the other. Since we can truly acquire Torah only by going in its ways, and a person going in a specific way is completely on that path, it is wonderful that we have kollelim that enable young

men to continue their studies even after marriage. Freed from the need to pursue careers, they can immerse themselves completely in their studies and develop into great Torah scholars. How Does the Rain Become Yours? Then I will provide your rains in their time (26:4). The Gemara (Berachos 35a-b) notes an apparent contradiction between two pesukim in Tehillim. One (24:1) says, “To Hashem belongs the earth and all that is in it,” while the other (115:16) says, “The heavens are Hashem’s, but the earth He has given to mankind.” Does the earth continue to belong to Hashem, or did He give it to mankind? The Gemara explains that the earth is Hashem’s before we recite a brachah (blessing), but once a person makes a brachah, Hashem gives it to him, i.e., He allows us to enjoy His world as if it is our own. Indeed, the Gemara there teaches that if a person benefits from this world without making a blessing, he has unlawfully benefited from Temple property. While we can apply this concept to food and certain other benefits over which we recite a brachah, it would seem that every pleasure that does not require a brachah, such as rain, continues to belong to Hashem. How, then, can our pasuk refer to “your” rains? To resolve this question, let us explore a different one: How is it that infants,

who cannot recite a brachah, are allowed to eat? Although an employer pays his worker only after the job is done, he provides the employee meals so that he will have the energy and the state of mind to do his job better. Even if something arises after the meal preventing the employee from doing his job, he need not pay for his meal since he was prepared to work at the time he ate. This proves that whatever the employee ate actually belonged to him. Hashem provides a child’s food for a similar reason; He is investing in the child’s future service. This, then, is another way for a person to acquire something from Hashem. The Rambam (Hilchos Shemittah V’Yovel 13:13) writes that anyone who has been inspired to shun the mundane affairs that occupy most people, and instead devotes himself to serving Hashem and the pursuit of His knowledge, is like a member of the tribe of Levi, and becomes “Hashem’s portion.” In our pasuk, Hashem is speaking to a person who follows His decrees and observes His commandments and performs them. Since this person is fully committed to His service, the rains that come are truly “his,” provided by the Employer Whom he stands ready to serve. The Best of Both Worlds You will eat your bread to satiety (26:5). The Torah already said that there would be abundant crops, which would lead to having plenty of food. Rashi explains that “you will eat your bread to satiety” is an additional blessing: You will eat only a small amount, and the food will be “blessed in your innards” so you feel satiated. But if we have enough food anyway, what is the benefit of this blessing? Someone with spiritual aspirations does not want to be busy with physical pleasures. While he takes proper care of himself, he understands that preoccupation with such pleasures steals time from his spiritual pursuits and draws him into further indulgence, luring him from Torah and fear of Hashem. Thus, the blessing here is that a person will be able to spend less time on his physical needs while being fully satiated.


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

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Centerfold

Shootin’ the Breeze To ensure perfect aim, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target. Murphy’s Law of Combat: Never forget that your weapon was manufactured by the lowest bidder. The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other [guy] die for his. A Purple Heart just proves that were you smart enough to think of a plan, stupid enough to try it, and lucky enough to survive.

Why does the Air Force need expensive new bombers? Have the people we’ve been bombing over the years been complaining? Military justice is to justice what military music is to music. Army food: the spoils of war. If at first you don’t succeed, call in an airstrike. Our bombs are smarter than the average high school student. At least they can find Kuwait.

Riddle Me This At the beginning of World War I, the uniform of the British soldiers included a brown cloth cap. As the war went on, the British officials became more and more concerned about the growing number of soldiers suffering from head injuries. They decided to replace the

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ries grew even more, although the intensity of the battles was the same before and after the change. Why did the number of head injuries per battalion increase even though all the soldiers were wearing metal helmets instead of cloth caps?

Answer: The number of head injuries increased because the number of deaths decreased. Before metal helmets, if a soldier was shot in the head by a bullet or a piece of shrapnel, it would penetrate his cloth cap and kill him. This would have been registered as a death, not a wound. After metal helmets were introduced, the bullets caused injuries rather than deaths. Therefore, the number of head injuries increased while the number of deaths decreased.

OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

cloth cap with a metal helmet. However, to their surprise, the number of soldiers with head inju-


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1. Memorial Day was originally made to memorialize fallen soldiers from which war? a. Revolutionary War b. World War I c. Civil War d. Vietnam War 2. About two dozen towns across the United States claim they were the first to celebrate Memorial (or Decoration) Day. In 1966, Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson by proclamation designated one place as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Which place was that? a. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania b. Waterloo, New York c. Fargo, North Dakota d. Arlington, Virginia 3. Memorial Day was once called by another name. What was the former name? a. Decoration Day b. Military Remembrance Day c. Remembrance Day d. Freedom Day 4. According to federal guidelines, how should the U.S. flag be

flown on Memorial Day? a. At half-staff all day b. At full-staff c. At half-staff in the afternoon d. At half-staff until noon 5. Bugle calls are musical signals that announce scheduled and certain non-scheduled events on an Army installation. During the Civil War, a U.S. general thought the bugle call signaling bedtime could use a more melodious tune, so he wrote the notes for a bugle call that is played at military funerals and at Memorial Day celebrations. Which bugle call is that? a. Taps b. To the Color c. Retreat Call d. Ode to the Lost 6. By law, which of the following are Americans supposed to do on Memorial Day? a. While flying the U.S flag they must comply with the flag flying guidelines (which you may or may not know...no giveaways here) b. If they place too much

sauerkraut on their hotdog, they must first offer the excess kraut to another before discarding it c. Pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to remember and honor the fallen d. While visiting a military cemetery, they must place a flag on a grave

Answers: 1-C; 2-B; 3-A; 4-D; 5-A; 6-C Wisdom Key: 5-6 Correct: I know what you will be doing on Memorial Day at 3PM— observing the national moment of silence. Remembering those who fought and died so that we can live in freedom is a good thing. 2-4 Correct: Not bad, you can brush up a bit, though. Start with observing the moment of silence at 3PM on Memorial Day. 0-1 Correct: You, too, should observe the 3PM Memorial Day moment of silence, celebrating the lives lost defending your right to know nothing about how we memorialize their ultimate sacrifice.

A drill sergeant had just chewed out one of his cadets.

The cadet replied, “Not me, Sarge… No sir!

As he was walking away, he turned to the cadet and said,

“I promised myself that when I got out of the Army I’d never stand in another line!”

emoH hsiweJ eht | 5102 ,92 rebOtcO

You Gotta Be Kidding Me! “I guess when I die you’ll come and dance on my grave.”

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Memorial Day Trivia

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torah thought

Parshas Bechukosei by rabbi berel Wein

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his week’s Torah reading marks the end of the book of Vayikra. This, the third book of the Torah, is replete with laws, commandments, and descriptions of Temple services. It is also the book that contains the fundamental principles of human relationships, as envisioned by the Torah and Jewish tradition. It is a book about holiness but

not only about ritual holiness or Temple service but also the holiness of human beings and human relationships. The great principle of the Torah is included in this book: to be able to love and treat another human being as one can love oneself and wish to be treated by other human beings. It is this balance between ritual practice and exalted

social and psychological values that in many ways characterize the essence of Judaism and of traditional Jewish life. By combining these two facets of the commandments granted to us on Mount Sinai, Judaism asserts its eternity, its service to our Creator, and to the human beings that he created. Though we often divide the commandments that appear in this book into two separate sections – those that relate to G-d and those that relate to our fel-

generations that even though the narrative story of the Jews and of Judaism is vitally important, that story can never be communicated in a meaningful and eternal fashion without the observance and study of the laws and commandments that form such a basic part of Jewish life. The future of the Jewish world is determined by loyalty to tradition and observance of commandments. As important as knowledge of history is – and I consider it to be very important – his-

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OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

History alone can never preserve us.

low human beings – in reality it is only in the totality of the two taken together that one can see and experience the true nature of Judaism and Jewish life. Since both sections are equally commanded, so to speak, by the total, they are not to be viewed as two distinct sections of Jewish life, but, rather, as the two components that create the totality of Jewish life and our eternal existence. With the exception of the story of the tragedy of the sons of Aaron, the entire book of Vayikra is free of narratives. This is unique, for the other four books of the Chumash contain a great deal of narrative. The commentators note this exception and state that one of the reasons for this is to emphasize to all later Jewish

tory alone can never preserve us. There are many great schools in the world that teach and delve into the history of past civilizations and great empires. The studies may be fascinating and increase our sense of scholarship, but they do nothing to revive those civilizations and empires that have passed from the scene, never to return. It is only through the actual enactment and discipline of commandments on a daily basis that we can be confident that the narrative of the Jewish people will continue and grow. It is in this knowledge that we are strengthened by this moment of completion of this holy book of the Chumash Vayikra. Shabbat shalom.


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T H E S E V I S I O N A R I E S H AV E A L R E A DY S T E P P E D F O R WA R D . W I L L YO U J O I N T H E M ?

MR. & MRS. BERISH & HANNAH FUCHS

THE BIVETSKY FAMILY SHAAR HATORAH

MR. & MRS. YUSSIE & SUSAN OSTREICHER

RESIDENCE HALL AND TORAH CENTER

‫ה ליב ע”ה‬-‫לע”נ שלום ראובן בן ארי‬

MESIVTA BEIS MEDRASH BUILDING

ANONYMOUS

MESIVTA BEIS MEDRASH

ANONYMOUS Residence Hall Cornerstone

ANONYMOUS

‫לע”נ נחמן יהודה בן יעקב דוד ע”ה‬ ‫ואשתו לאה בת יהודה אשר ע”ה‬ ‫ולע”נ יעקב ליב בן שלמה ע”ה‬ MR. & MRS. MOTTY & HADASSA JACOBOWITZ

Beis Medrash Vestibule Entrance

MR. & MRS. URI & ESTHER KAUFMAN

‫לע”נ הרה”ג ר‘ דוד בן הרב אברהם בנדר זצ”ל‬ ‫והרבנית בתיה חיה בת הרב יעקב הלוי ז”ל‬ ‫לע”נ זעליג בן מרדכי ע”ה‬ ‫לע”נ משה אלעזר בן נטע שלום ע”ה‬ ‫לע”נ דוד בן משה ע”ה‬ ‫הר‘ משה נתן בן יחזקאל ע”ה‬ ‫וישראל בן אברהם ע”ה‬ ‫ לע”נ‬The children, bochurim,

and all 45 neshamos of the Miron tragedy, Lag Baomer 5781

Dedicated by Mr. & Mrs. Yaakov & Rivky Jacobovitch

MR. & MRS. CHAIM & BRACHA SCHULHOF MR. & MRS. NISSAN & SARAH GITTY PROFESORSKE

‫לע”נ ישראל הלוי לעווין ע”ה‬ ‫ואלישבע בתיה קפלן ע”ה‬

Dedication of Rosh Kollel’s Office

Promenade Vestibule

‫לע”נ חוה בת דב ע”ה‬

Entranceway to Mesivta Beis Medrash Building

Camp Oraysa Sports Complex

THE BLOOM FAMILY

‫לע”נ ר‘ ישראל‬ ‫בן ר‘ בנימין הכהן ע”ה‬

MR. & MRS. CHAIM SHOLOM & RIVKY LEIBOWITZ Associate Dean’s Office

THE SCHRON FAMILY

MEMORIAL EXHIBIT TO THE YESHIVOS OF PREWAR EUROPE

GYMNASIUM WING

MR. & MRS. BENZION & MIRIAM HEITNER

MR. & MRS. DOVID & LEAH BRECHER

MR. & MRS. BENJAMIN & JUDY LANDA

MR. & MRS. YITZCHOK & SHOSHANA GANGER

MR. & MRS. SHMULI & MIRIAM MENDEL

Sha’ar of New Beis Medrash

‫לע”נ משה אריה בן שמואל יצחק‬ ‫הלוי פריעדמן ז”ל‬

MR. & MRS. NACHUM & HENNY FUTERSAK

Basketball Court in Elementary School Gym

Dedication Wall Mesivta Beis Medrash Building

MR. & MRS. CHAIM & ROCHELLA TREITEL

MR. & MRS. NASSAN & DEVORAH TREITEL

Gymnasium Wing

Preschool Cornerstone

MR. & MRS. ALON & CHANIE GOLDBERGER

MR. & MRS. NACHMAN & ESTHER GOODMAN Entrance of Beis Medrash Building

Sha’ar of New Beis Medrash

MR. & MRS. MENASH & MIMI ORATZ

DEDICATED ANONYMOUSLY

NAYMAN FAMILY

Lobby, Mesivta Beis Medrash Building

Cornerstone, Mesivta Beis Medrash Building

Ner Tamid

In Memory of Mrs. Marta Schron ‫ע” ה‬

MR. & MRS. MOTTY & HADASA MENDELSOHN

DR. & MRS. YOSSI & ZIVIA SCHWARTZ

MR. & MRS. URI & DEVORAH DREIFUS

DEDICATION OF CAMP ORAYSA CAMPUS

MESIVTA OTZAR HASEFORIM

MR. & MRS. SHIA & ELANA OSTREICHER Beis Medrash Building Vestibule

Mr. & Mrs. Tzali & Chana Shira Gutman Mr. & Mrs. Simcha & Shani Applegrad Mr. & Mrs. Ari & Aliza Haas Mr. & Mrs. Barry & Paula Bokow Mr. & Mrs. Moshie & Naomi Horn Mr. & Mrs. Berel & Sherry Daskal Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo & Kayla Horowitz Mr. & Mrs. Binyomin & Leah Einhorn Mr. & Mrs. Menachem & Elisheva Jacobowitz Mr. & Mrs. Naftoli & Chani Einhorn Mr. & Mrs. Mordechai & Shana Jacobs Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Mimi Fragin Mr. & Mrs. Jeff & Tamar Landy Mr. & Mrs. Evan & Chaya Sara Genack Mr. & Mrs. Yosef & Vivi Moskowitz Rabbi & Rebbetzen Chaim Aryeh Zev & Avigail Ginzberg Mr. & Mrs. Yitzy & Rivky Orbach Mr. & Mrs. Samuel & Beverly Goldberger Mr. & Mrs. Ephram & Ilana Ostreicher

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‫לע”נ מוהר”ר יחיאל מיכל‬ ‫בן ישראל יהודה ע”ה‬


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From the Fire Parshas Bechukosai

How to Achieve World Peace by rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

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OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

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arshas Bechukosai begins by painting a picture of a perfect world, a world as it could be. It describes images of a physical world of peace, security, and tranquility. According to the pesukim, this ideal world will exist within the laws of nature. The Torah describes no miracles. In the midst of this section, however, the Torah describes something that sounds almost supernatural. The pasuk (Vayikra 25:6) says, “I will remove the wild beasts from the land and a sword will not pass through your land.” There is a dispute between Rabi Yehuda and Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai with regard to whether this promise will be fulfilled at the end of time by natural or supernatural means. The Midrash in the Sifra (Bechukosai 2) says as follows: “And I will remove the wild beasts from the land,” Rabi Yehuda says that this means [Hashem] will remove them completely from the world. Rabi Shimon [Bar Yochai] says that it means that [Hashem] will remove their tendency to cause harm. Rabi Shimon says, “What is the greater praise of Hashem? That He removes animals which cause harm or that animals which normally cause harm are present but that they no longer cause harm? Certainly [His greatest praise is when He brings about] a time when animals which normally cause harm are present but that they no longer cause harm. This is what the pasuk (Yeshayahu 11:6-8) refers to when it says, ‘And the wolf will lie down with the lamb ... the cow and the bear will graze together ... and a child will play over a snake pit and over the eye of an adder and a weaned child will extend his hand.’ This teaches that a Jewish child will be able to stretch out his hand into

the viper’s nest and remove the venom from its mouth.” Rabi Shimon brings a strong proof that the nature of the wild beasts will change in the times of Moshiach. The prophet Yeshayahu explicitly tells us that the nature of carnivorous animals will change such that they will live in peace with tame and peaceful animals, and even children. According to the Ramban, Rabi Yehuda reads the pasuk which says, “And I will remove the wild beasts from the land,” according to its simple, natural meaning. The nature of the animals will not change. Rather, they will simply be absent from the land. As we see from experience, when a place is heavily populated and civilized, wild and dangerous animals simply find other places to live. Rabi Shimon, however, is not satisfied with this naturalistic explanation. According to the Ramban, he explains that the pasuk means that the evil within the carnivorous animals will be removed. According to Rabi Shimon, when

mankind does teshuva, obliterates the reality of sin in the world, and returns the world to its state before the sin of Adam, then evil, aggression, and venom will automatically be removed from the animal kingdom as well. The world is a reflection of the spiritual state of its pinnacle, mankind. Therefore, when man rectifies himself, the world will automatically follow. As Rav Chanina ben Dosa (Brachos 33a) says, “It is not the snake that kills, but rather, sin that kills.” Therefore, when man removes the “evil beast” from within himself, then evil will be removed from the animals of the world as well. The Ramban, the master of the inner meaning of the Torah, concludes that he prefers Rabi Shimon’s explanation over Rabi Yehuda’s. The Rambam, however, explains the nature of the age of Moshiach differently. As a rationalist, the Rambam always chooses a natural explanation of the pesukim whenever possible. Here, too, he explains (Mishna Torah, Hilchos Melachim 12:1) that in the times of Moshiach,

“The world will continue in its natural state.” He therefore explains that the seemingly supernatural prophecy in Yeshayahu, “And the wolf will lie down with the lamb,” should be interpreted allegorically to mean that the aggressive nations of the world will live together with the Jewish people in peace. The Ra’avad, who is connected to the secrets of Torah like the Ramban, argues with the Rambam, pointing to the pasuk in this week’s parsha, “And I will remove the wild beasts from the land,” to show that the evil nature of the wild beasts will change, just as Rabi Shimon says in the Sifra as explained by the Ramban. This would therefore imply that the Rambam sides with Rabi Yehuda in holding that the nature of the animals will not change in the times of Moshiach. The Radvaz, however, defends the Rambam from the Ra’avad’s proof from our parsha. He says that the pasuk regarding the removal of the wild beasts from the land should also be interpreted allegorically to mean that the evil and wild people will be removed from the land of Israel in the times of Moshiach. Indeed, we find that evil people are referred to as “wild beasts” when Yaakov says (Bereishis 37:33), upon seeing the blood-soaked multi-colored coat brought by his sons, that Yosef had been consumed by a “wild beast,” which alludes to the wicked people of Egypt and the wife of Potifar, who attempted to seduce Yosef to sin. So, too, the Radvaz explains that in the times of Moshiach, the wild and wicked children of Yishmael who live in the land of Israel, who are called (Bereishis 16:12) “perah adam,” animalistic men, will be removed from the land.


natural ability and potential to rid itself of evil both internally in terms of sin, and externally, in terms of ridding the land of wicked people. Rabi Yehuda/the Rambam’s explanation is the first stage. Once man does his part to rid the world of evil, the world will be ready for the second stage, Rabi Shimon/the Ramban’s world in which the evil within mankind will be trans-

Muslim world right now. They want to skip the first stage and make peace with those who still actively want to destroy the Jewish people as well as the entire civilized world. Whether the wild animals come from Syria, Iran, or Chechnya, they must first be obliterated. We can only achieve the peaceful world described by the Navi Yeshayahu after those who do evil are destroyed.

The world is a reflection of the spiritual state of its pinnacle.

formed. If we try to skip over the first stage in which we obliterate evil from the world, including the people who behave like wild animals and inhabit the land of Israel, it is doubtful that we will ever reach the ideal world in which all of mankind can live together in peace. This is the foolishness of the Western ideal of diplomacy. They believe that they can make peace with the Arab and

We also find this two-stage process reflected in the pesukim in Tehillim (108:10 and 60:10). In the first pasuk, we say, “Plishtim, I will shout [in victory].” This alludes to our victory over the “Palestinians.” In the second pasuk, however, we say, “Plishtim, join me.” Which one is it? Do we want victory over them or for them to join us in peace? The answer must be that there are two stag-

es. In the beginning, the only rational approach is to vanquish those who try to harm us with a complete victory. Only after that can we attain the second stage in which we can call out to the children of Yishmael in friendship. We can only make peace with that nation after we have removed the wild and sinful nature from them and from within ourselves. It bespeaks the foolishness of the Western nations of the world that they delude themselves into believing they can make peace without first achieving victory over the animalistic nations who want to destroy us. May we merit to see our leaders in Eretz Yisroel and the rest of the world begin to take the evil of the nations which terrorize the world seriously and begin to fight that evil in earnest so that we can reach the time of “And I will remove the wild beasts from the land,” when peace and the knowledge of Hashem will fill the world.

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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

In actuality, however, the difference between Rabi Shimon/the Ramban/the Ra’avad on one hand and the Rambam and the Radvaz on the other becomes less stark when one considers how the Rambam concludes his explanation of the times of Moshiach. He writes (Hilchos Melachim 12:5): “At that time, there will be no more famine or war, nor jealousy or envy... The world will involve itself in nothing but the knowledge of G-d alone.” While the Rambam characterizes his explanation of the end of times as completely natural, it is difficult to imagine a more miraculous world than the one described by the Rambam! We must therefore explain as follows. The difference between the Rambam/ Rabi Yehuda and the Ramban/Rabi Shimon is not whether or not mankind will experience a spiritual transformation. We see that both approaches agree that, in the end, mankind attain a spiritually elevated state of dedication to the service of Hashem. Rather, the difference must be that according to the Rambam/ Rabi Yehuda, this transformation will take place gradually, and not all at once. According to this view, mankind has the

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.

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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

Self-Mastery Self-Mastery Academy Academy

Hearing Hearing Within Within the the Darkness Darkness by rabbi Shmuel reichman by rabbi Shmuel reichman

2828

OctOber OctOber 29, 29, 2015 2015 | the | the Jewish Jewish Home Home

W W

hen Yaakov Avinu is finally rehen Yaakov finally reunited withAvinu Yosef is after twenunited with Yosef after twenty-two years of separation, in ty-two years of as separation, in what can only be imagined an intensely what can only be imagined as an intensely emotional scene, Yaakov embraces Yosef, emotionalonscene, Yaakov embraces46:29). Yosef, sobbing his neck (Bereishis sobbingquoting on his neck (Bereishisexplains 46:29). Rashi, the Midrash, Rashi, the Midrash, that as quoting Yaakov embraced Yosefexplains for the that time as Yaakov embraced Yosef for saythe first in twenty-two years, he was first time in twenty-two he was saying k’rias Shema. What years, is the meaning of ing k’rias What the meaning of this? WhyShema. not wait untilisafter this joyful this?emotional Why not wait untilwith after joyful and reunion histhis long-lost and to emotional son pray? reunion with his long-lost sonThe to pray? answer often given is that Yaakov answer often given is that Yaakov wasThe overcome by intense emotion and was overcome by intense emotion and wanted to channel this emotion toward wanted tothrough channelreciting this emotion toward Hashem k’rias Shema. Hashem through reciting Shema. However, there may be a k’rias deeper layer However, there may be a deeper layer here as well. hereThis as well. practice of reciting Shema at This practice of reciting Shema at seemingly puzzling moments occurs seemingly once again puzzling in Parshasmoments Vayechi. occurs Before once again in Parshas Vayechi. Before Yaakov’s death, he gathers his children Yaakov’s death,and he attempts gathers his children to his bedside to tell them to his and bedside attempts tell them when how and Moshiach willtoeventually when and how Moshiach will eventually come (Bereishis 49:1). However, as the come (Bereishis However, as the Gemara explains,49:1). at that very moment, Gemaralost explains, at his thatnevuah very moment, Yaakov access to (prophYaakov toto his nevuah ecy) andlost wasaccess unable reveal this(prophsecret.

When this happened, he was gripped by When this happened, he was gripped by fear, worried that perhaps his inability to fear, that perhaps his inability to shareworried his prophetic knowledge was due share his prophetic knowledge due to a spiritual deficiency in one of was his chilto a spiritual one of his dren; perhapsdeficiency one of hisin children waschilnot dren; perhaps one ofthis his children was not worthy of receiving information. worthy of receiving information. Immediately, in this order to relieve this Immediately, in order to relieve this concern, the Shevatim (tribes) declared concern, the“Shema ShevatimYisrael, (tribes) Hashem declared in unison, in unison,Hashem “ShemaEchad!” Yisrael,Only Hashem Elokeinu, after Elokeinu, Hashem Only after this declaration did Echad!” Yaakov understand this his declaration Yaakov understand that inability did to see the keitz ha’yamthat(the his days inability to see thewas keitz ha’yamim of Moshiach) not due to imlack (theindays Moshiach) was not due to a his of children but rather because a lack in did his children ratherthese because Hashem not want but to reveal seHashem did not want to reveal thesethen secrets at this point in time. Yaakov crets at thisout point time. Yaakov then proclaimed loud,in“Baruch shem kevod proclaimedle’olam out loud, “Baruch shem kevod malchuso va’ed.” (Pesachim 56a) malchuso va’ed.”of(Pesachim 56a) What isle’olam the meaning this exchange? What thebrothers meaningassuage of this exchange? How did is the Yaakov’s How did by thereciting brothers assuage concerns Shema? HowYaakov’s did this concerns reciting didchilthis prove thatbythere wasShema? no lackHow in his prove In that there was no lack his children? order to address theseinquestions, dren? In order tothe address theseconcepts questions, let us delve into spiritual of let us delve into the spiritual concepts of seeing and hearing. seeing and hearing.

Seeing and Hearing Seeing and Hearing The spiritual concept of seeing is the

spiritual concept of seeing is i.e., the ideaThe of observing something as it is,

in a completely static state, lacking any in a completely static lacking any movement. When you state, see a picture, you movement. Whenimage you see a picture, you grasp the entire instantaneously. grasp thenoentire image There’s process of instantaneously. constructing or There’s no ofyour constructing or building theprocess picture in mind; everybuilding the picture inonce, your mind; everything is just there, at without any thing is just there, at once, without any effort. effort. The spiritual concept of hearing, in The spiritual concept of hearing, in comparison, reflects a process; a movecomparison, process; a movement throughreflects time; ana evolutionary proment through an evolutionary progression; one time; of effort, concentration, gression; one ofofeffort, and organization parts. concentration, When you hear and organization of parts. When you hear someone else speaking, you must collect someone else of speaking, you must collect all the pieces sound together and then all the piecesthem of sound and then reconstruct intotogether a connected picreconstruct into aso connected ture within them your mind that you piccan ture within your mind so that can grasp their meaning. (When youyou read a grasp their youyou read a sentence ormeaning. witness a(When process, are sentence or witness a process, you are experiencing the spiritual concept of experiencing the spiritual concept of “hearing,” despite the fact that you are “hearing,” using your despite “eyes.”) the fact that you are using your “eyes.”) Hearing is a process of creating oneHearing is a processparts. of creating ness out of fragmented Whenoneyou ness out of fragmented parts. When you listen to someone talk, one word by itself listen to someone talk, word byIfitself lacks meaning and is one forgotten. you lacks another meaningfew andwords, is forgotten. If you hear it still means hear another few to words, it still nothing and fades memory. Themeans words nothing The words from theand pastfades exist to in memory. a pool of knowledge frommemory the pastin exist inmind. a poolYou of knowledge and your wait until

the end of the sentence to give shape and the end oftothe give that shape and meaning thesentence pool of to words creatmeaning to the pool of words that created that sentence. When you finally finish ed that sentence. When you finally listening to the sentence, you mustfinish then listening tointo the your sentence, youand must then reach back memory look at reach back into memory and look the sentence as ayour whole; only then doesat it the a whole; only then does it gainsentence meaningasand clarity. gainSpeech meaning andonly clarity. exists within time, where Speech exists only within time, where there’s a sequence of one word after anthere’s If a sequence one word after another. someone of spoke all the words other. someone spoke the words at once,If you wouldn’t hearallanything; it at once,just youbewouldn’t hear anything; it would noise. [At Matan Torah, would just be noise. [Atall Matan Torah, Hashem originally spoke ten dibros at Hashem originally spoke all ten dibros at once. This is because Hashem does not once.within This istime, because does not exist so inHashem that case, speech exist within time, so in that case, as well did not exist within time.]speech Thus, as well did not exist within time.] Thus, listening entails gathering disparate pieclistening entails This gathering es into oneness. is whydisparate the wordpiecShees into oneness. This is why also the word Shema, which means “listen,” means to ma, whichasmeans also means to “gather,” we see“listen,” when the pasuk says “gather,” as we see when the pasuk saysI “Va’yeshama Shaul es ha’am” (Shmuel “Va’yeshama Shaul esthat ha’am” (Shmuel 15:4). This can’t mean Shaul “heard”I 15:4). Thisbefore can’t mean Shaul “heard” the nation war; itthat means that Shaul the nation before war; itbefore meanswar thattoShaul “gathered” the nation pre“gathered” the nation before war to prepare for battle. pare for battle.

Clarity and Confusion Clarity and Confusion In addition to “static versus process” addition to “static versus process” andIn “clarity versus creating clarity,” there


97

By saying Shema, Yaakov was expressing his recognition that all the years of darkness and pain that he experienced were ultimately leading toward this moment of revelation and clarity.

Shema, Yaakov was expressing his recognition that all the years of darkness and pain that he experienced were ultimately leading toward this moment of revelation and clarity (Maharal, Gur Aryeh, Bereishis 46:29). This also explains why the brothers responded to Yaakov by proclaiming Shema. To eliminate Yaakov’s concerns, they declared in unison, “Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad.” Only after this declaration did Yaakov understand that his inability to see the keitz ha’yamim was not due to a lack in his children, but rather because Hashem did not want to reveal these secrets at this point in time. How did the Shevatim eliminate Yaakov’s concern by reciting Shema? Shema represents the idea of creating oneness out of disparate parts, just like listening involves gathering all the different words and pieces into a collective whole. At first, Yaakov was concerned that there was a lack in his children as individuals, but this concern was alleviated once he was assured of their spiritual purity. However, even once it was clear to Yaakov that there was no lack in his children, he thought that perhaps they were only pure as individuals, but not as a unit, as a collective whole. In other words, maybe they were twelve independent and separate Shevatim, unable to unite and harmonize as a single, cohesive unit. The brothers therefore proclaimed, “Shema Yisrael.” We, the twelve Shevatim of Klal Yisrael, are united as a collective whole: “Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad.” Just like Hashem is absolute oneness, so too we are a single nation, a col-

of Moshiach? Hashem did not want to eliminate our free will; He wanted us to live in a world where we have to listen! To hear in the darkness, to build toward Moshiach, without knowing when, where, or how it will take place, to embark on a genuine

The

journey of “Shema Yisrael.”

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is the author of the bestselling book, “The Journey to Your Ultimate Self,” which serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is an educator and speaker who has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. He is also the founder and CEO of Self-Mastery Academy, the transformative online self-development course based on the principles of high-performance psychology and Torah. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. To invite Rabbi Reichman to speak in your community or to enjoy more of his deep and inspiring content, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com.

Journey to your Ultimate Self Expand your spiritual and intellectual horizons with this accessible and inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish wisdom.

R A BBI SHMUEL R EICHM A N

is an author, educator, and speaker who has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. He received semichah from Yeshiva University’s RIETS and is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. Haskamos and praise from Rabbi Asher Weiss, Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, Rabbi Zev Leff, and Rabbi Akiva Tatz.

To Order or Learn More, Go to ShmuelReichman.com Mosaica Press books are available for purchase online or at your local Jewish bookshop.

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We can now return to our original questions. Why did Yaakov recite Shema

lective whole. With this, it became clear that Yaakov did not lose his nevuah due to a lack in his children as individuals or due to a lack in their unity but rather that Hashem had chosen not to reveal these secrets at this point in time. The question is, why did Hashem not want the Shevatim to know the timing and details

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Hearing within the Darkness

as he embraced Yosef, instead of fully experiencing this emotional reunion? The answer is that he did fully experience this emotional reunion precisely through his recitation of Shema! Shema represents the concept of process, of hearing in the darkness, of recognizing that one day all the pieces will come together. By saying

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

are several other fundamental differences between the concepts of seeing and hearing. Seeing is more reliable, while hearing is always questionable. This is why the Hebrew word for seeing, “re’iyah,” shares the same root with the word for proof, “raayah.” Witnesses must see an event with their own eyes; hearing isn’t enough (or at least doesn’t carry the same weight). As the saying goes, “seeing is believing”; when you see something, it is far more convincing than hearing about it. Furthermore, seeing occurs outside of oneself; in other words, your experience of sight is perceived as something external, not something occurring within you. If you look at someone, you don’t perceive them to be inside of you but rather to be outside of you. Hearing, on the other hand, is something that you perceive as taking place within you. Let’s try to explain this. Hearing is a very difficult process; it requires memory and reconstruction of many different parts. It takes place within you; you have to put the words together yourself, one small fragment at a time. When you’re listening, words are received in small pieces, and you need to reconstruct it inside your head. You recall the fragments and create the picture or sentence inside of your head. This is why hearing is so subjective, because each person is reconstructing their own picture inside their own mind. This is, of course, why no two people ever hear the same thing. If you’ve ever been to a shiur or lecture with a friend, you know that you usually come out with different perceptions. This is because, during the reconstruction phase, we project our own worldviews and perceptions onto the words that we’re trying to reconstruct. We therefore end up reconstructing what we think the person said or meant, instead of reconstructing what was actually meant by the original speaker. This is also why so many mistakes can occur during the learning process. The goal of hearing and learning is to get past the words that are being spoken and get back to the inner meaning behind them. You might think a word refers to one thing, while the speaker uses that very same word for something else entirely. Genuine listening requires negating our own ego and ownership over truth and understanding what the speaker truly means. This is true of all forms of communication, especially in relationships.


Delving Delving into the Daf into the Daf

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Still Waters Waters Run Run Deep Deep Still by rabbi Avrohom Sebrow by rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

2020

OctOber 29, 2015 | the| the Jewish Home OctOber 29, 2015 Jewish Home

t t

here are over 700 brands of bottled water currently on the here are over 700 brands of marbotket water in thecurrently United States. Each tled on the marbrand ket claims to offer the States. perfect Each water in the United taste. In ancient times, wouldwater have brand claims to offer theone perfect assumed that there was choice of taste. In ancient times, oneno would have water. Whatever wellwas the no water carrier assumed that there choice of drew his water from, was the water water. Whatever well that the water carrier you drank. However, thatwas wasthe not necdrew his water from, that water essarily theHowever, case. you drank. that was not necThe the Gemara essarily case. in Yevamos (78b) relates anGemara incidentin that took place during The Yevamos (78b) rethe rule of Dovidthat HaMelech. There was lates an incident took place during a famine EretzHaMelech. Yisrael dueThere to the was lack the rule ofinDovid rain. Dovid HaMelech theorized that aoffamine in Eretz Yisrael due to the lack there three sins that theorized could possibly of rain.are Dovid HaMelech that be theare cause of the (a)possibly idolatry, there three sinsdrought: that could (b)the immoral promiscuous behavbe cause ofand the drought: (a) idolatry, ior,immoral or (c) the and failure of people tobehavfollow (b) promiscuous through their pledges forto charity. ior, or (c) with the failure of people follow Afterwith threetheir years of thorough investhrough pledges for charity. tigation, Dovid HaMelech concluded After three years of thorough investhat Klal Dovid Yisrael HaMelech was free of concluded these sins. tigation, Realizing that he could ascertain that Klal Yisrael was free not of these sins. the reasonthat that he Hashem the Realizing couldwas notcausing ascertain famine, hethat turned to thewas Urim v’Tumim. the reason Hashem causing the

It turns out that there were two causes the famine: first reason as a Itfor turns out thatThe there were twowas causes punishment forThe thefirst fact reason that King for the famine: wasShaul as a was not eulogized as befitting punishment for the properly fact that King Shaul a tzaddik of his stature. Theas second reawas not eulogized properly befitting was as a punishment the comason tzaddik of his stature. Thefor second reaplicity Shaul had causing son wasthat as aKing punishment forinthe comthe death members the of plicity thatofKing Shaul of had innation causing Givonim. the death of members of the nation of The Gemara states that we don’t find Givonim. anywhere that Shaul killedfind any The Gemara statesactually that we don’t Givonim. that Rather, hisactually culpability stems anywhere Shaul killed any from a different event: Under his inGivonim. Rather, his culpability stems struction, the city of Nov was annihifrom a different event: Under his inlated for what perceived to beannihia rebelstruction, the he city of Nov was lion against authority.toThe lated for whathis he perceived be apenalty rebelfor someone whoauthority. rebels against a king is lion against his The penalty death. Ultimately, however, King Shaul for someone who rebels against a king is was held accountable for this grievous death. Ultimately, however, King Shaul error, since, in fact, the of was held accountable for inhabitants this grievous Nov were rebelling against him. error, since,not in fact, the inhabitants of Kingwere Shaulnot wasrebelling already forgiven Nov againstand/or him. punished this aveirah. However, the King Shaulfor was already forgiven and/or sin had an effect, for which punished forunforeseen this aveirah. However, the King Shaul was held accountable. sin had an unforeseen effect, for which that the Givonim KingRashi Shaulexplains was held accountable.

would supply wood and water to the city of Novsupply for usewood on the altar. The would and water to Gemara the city states that, theThe inhabitants of Nov for useinonreturn, the altar. Gemara of Novthat, would with bread states in supply return,them the inhabitants and water. When thethem city with of Nov was of Nov would supply bread annihilated, the Givonim had and water. When the cityno oflonger Nov was a source of sustenance. Givonim annihilated, the GivonimSeven no longer had perished. Seven King Shaul was asubsequently source of sustenance. Givonim held responsible for their deaths subsequently perished. King Shaulsince was he (wrongly) eliminated source of held responsible for their the deaths since their provisions. he (wrongly) eliminated the source of actual text of the Gemara, theirThe provisions. though, is a bit peculiar. theGemara, Givonim The actual text of If the provided to Nov, why didGivonim the resthough, is water a bit peculiar. If the idents of water Nov provide in the return? provided to Nov, water why did res(Rashi,ofinNov fact,provide appearswater to have a difidents inhad return? ferent text in the Gemara, for had he simply (Rashi, in fact, appears to have a difstates text that in thethe residents of for Novheprovided ferent Gemara, simply the Givonim with food. suffered states that the residents of They Nov provided from a lack ofwith food, but They they had their the Givonim food. suffered own water.) from a lack of food, but they had their is a fascinating Maharsha that ownThere water.) explains Gemara differently There isthe a fascinating Maharsha than that Rashi. When the Gemara statesthan that explains the Gemara differently “they provided them with food andthat waRashi. When the Gemara states ter,” itprovided doesn’t mean that Nov “they them with food provided and wa-

the Givonim with food and water. Rather, Givonim it means with that the provided the foodGivonim and water. Raththeitcity of Nov food and provided water. So er, means thatwith the Givonim whycity didofthe Givonim perish in fact, the Nov with food and if, water. So theydid hadthe their own food and water? The why Givonim perish if, in fact, Divine the The Givthey hadmerit theirthat ownensured food andthat water? onim had food andensured water stemmed Divine merit that that the from Givthe fact suppliers of onim hadthat foodthey and were waterthe stemmed from food and water people who served the fact that theyto were the suppliers of Hashem. mitzvah. When food and This waterwas to their people who served there were no was longer anymitzvah. ovdei Hashem Hashem. This their When to supply, they no longer had Hashem a Divine there were no longer any ovdei merit to support own well-being. to supply, they notheir longer had a Divine Lacking this merit, Givonim sufmerit to support theirthe own well-being. fered economically. TheyGivonim were sosufimLacking this merit, the poverished that seven of their members fered economically. They were so imapparently that starved to death. Shaul poverished seven of theirKing members was held liable for their deaths since he apparently starved to death. King Shaul deprived them for of their merit. was held liable their source deaths of since he We see from greatofmerit in deprived them ofhere theirthe source merit. supporting people engaged in merit mitzvos. We see from here the great in Some of thepeople Givonim only lived on acsupporting engaged in mitzvos. countof of the thisGivonim merit. On thelived flip side, we Some only on acsee that the depth Divine judgement count of this merit.of On the flip side, we is awesome. A person can be held acsee that the depth of Divine judgement countable forA the suffering of held an indiis awesome. person can be ac-


99 Yisrael were bemoaning the fact that they had to pay for water that was rightfully theirs anyway. The Gemara in Yevamos (108b) has a different application of that verse. It is well known that water is a metaphor for Torah. Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav that the verse can be applied to the following incident.

ever, the plain meaning of the verse doesn’t seem to be a parable with this homiletic interpretation. The Midrash says that the pasuk in Eichah was referring to water from a well owned by Jews. Presumably, it was dug with much exertion and expense. A person can certainly feel indignant at having to spend money to acquire

They indignantly complain, “Why should we have to buy our own water?”

The Romans imprisoned Rebbe Akiva. A halachic question arose that no one could answer. They had to pay a man four hundred zuz to somehow get into the prison and ask Rebbe Akiva the question. To get their “water” – namely the Torah – they had to pay a fee. Rav felt that the scholars felt indignant in having to pay for their own Torah. How-

something that he already worked so hard for and already owned. However, why should a person feel indignant at having to pay money to acquire Torah knowledge from the greatest sage of the generation? Rebbe Akiva acquired his Torah knowledge through his very own toil and selfless devotion. The Torah seeker shouldn’t feel indignant in pay-

ing for something that he never worked for and never attained. A professional would have no issue in paying a consulting fee to discuss a matter with a professional with more experience than himself. Yet, the Gemara describes Rebbe Akiva’s Torah as meimeinu, our water. HaGaon Rav Henoch Leibowitz, zt”l, pointed out that we see from this Gemara that the Torah is everyone’s birthright. Clearly, Rebbe Akiva attained a level of Torah scholarship that surpassed others in his generation. Yet his loftiest levels of Torah are still called “ours.” We have an inborn right to the loftiest stratospheres of Torah knowledge as much as we have a right to water that we drilled deep into the earth through clay and rock to get to.

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

vidual that was only indirectly caused by his taking a z’chus away from that individual. However, the Aruch L’Ner understands our Gemara according to the simple reading; the residents of Nov did, in fact, provide food and water to the Givonim in return for their wood and water. Why did the Givonim need water in return? Their water was not fit for human consumption. The Givonim needed Nov to provide them with bottled potable water to survive. Not all the water that is sold on the market comes from a natural spring. PepsiCo Inc.’s Aquafina bottled water is made with tap water. Likewise, Coca-Cola Co.’s Dasani is produced from purified water sourced from public reservoirs. Although this isn’t news to some consumers, many people are blindsided by this revelation. They indignantly complain, “Why should we have to buy our own water?” Interestingly, this statement sounds similar to the statement in Eichah (5:4) of “Meimeinu b’kesef shasinu – Our water we drank for money.” The literal understanding of the verse is that the B’nei

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.

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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

Israel today

The Pebble in the Pond by rafi Sackville

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One of my students naively explained how being a Twitter subscriber to a celebrity gave her a feeling of closeness that, for all intents and purposes, does not exist.

Rafi Sackville, formerly of Cedarhurst, teaches in Ort Maalot in Western Galil.

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I mention all of this because of the plethora of incidents occurring among the student population I work with. Incidents of bullying, trolling, and inappropriate messaging have become the norm. I conducted a survey among my 11th graders by administering a questionnaire that rated their level of interaction on social media. One of the questions asked was: to what degree would you bully someone/anyone? To the amazement of the class, one student’s rating was borderline criminal. Ironically, he is quietly spoken and popular with everyone. Who would have known or guessed? I asked him to provide an example of his behavior. He did. I won’t describe what he actually did (it involved comments inappropriate enough to make the color black blush). The reaction by his peers was overwhelmingly negative. When asked how they’d feel if they knew their “attacker” was this young

man, they said they’d laugh it off as nothing more than a joke – which is not at all surprising, because who would take his actions seriously when they know who he is? Unfortunately, the world in which we live is full of faceless and nameless trolls unknown to their victims. In other words, if you know someone well, you are less likely to be affected by their online shenanigans than if you don’t. If we apply the pebble in the water parable, we should “water-proof” ourselves against meaningless trolls. Yet we don’t. My 10th graders have a group WhatsApp account for general messages. One such recent dialogue suddenly turned dark. The subject matter is not important. What is pertinent to this discussion is the fact that once the dialogue became heated, one of my female students voiced a fair, but strong opinion. In reply, a student, someone who had never spoken a word to this girl before, a boy she only knew existed by sight, posted a message telling her to do away with herself. The girl was stricken. She took his stupidity seriously. She couldn’t come to school the following day; she couldn’t function for a week; she needed psycho-

logical consultation. Despite pointing out to her that her attacker was not worth his weight in salt, she could not be consoled. She even agreed he was not worth the bother. She said that having her name and the comment flying around cyberspace was what hurt her most. Her sentiments cannot be dismissed. This is the cyber-plague individuals across the world have to deal with on a daily basis. Seven years ago, my wife and I were invited to a television studio to be interviewed about our attempts to secure legal rights for our sons who were all in a special educational framework. Accompanying the interview was an article in the newspaper the following day. A day after this, I was called by a close friend bemoaning the terrible content in the comment section of the article. Some had labeled us some very unpleasant things. My friend considered this an outrage. I told him not to sweat it as I never read the comments section, and I never took them seriously. “How could I not?” he asked me. I told him all about the pebble in the pond. He was somewhat mollified but not convinced. In the real world, nothing has changed. The circles closest to the landing pebble in the pond must remain our main focus in life. Last November, on the 26th anniversary of Rabin’s death, I gave a talk to a class of 12th graders on the pebble parable. They heard me out, but I felt as if the horse had already bolted from the barn. For them, it doesn’t matter where the pebble lands. Whether the lines are well-defined or blurry makes no difference to them. They should be able to discern the difference. Shouldn’t we all? I’m sure you’ll agree.

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he morning after the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in November 1995, I walked into a class of angry 12th graders. I was 38 years of age, and despite having found my feet in my chosen profession, I felt uncertain how to deal with such a crisis. Yet, there I was, first lesson of the day with a group of kids on the brink of being drafted into the army, the country in crisis, and no one knowing how to react because who does after such a tragedy? One of the girls suggested we all march to the Knesset and demand reform. Her classmates were in agreement. Her suggestion was obviously flawed; what influence can budding 18-year-olds have in the world of politics? What I told my students then is something I learnt from a very wise man, Rabbi Chaim Bar-On, a former neighbor of mine. He told me that with the world becoming smaller due to inter-connectedness, people had begun to place too much emphasis on areas in their lives in which they had no influence. As a result, their efforts had little effect. He explained that whereas we should view our influence seriously, we would serve ourselves better where we to concentrate our efforts exclusively where it counts. He likened it to throwing a pebble into a pond. The pebble’s splash creates well-defined circles close to where it lands. These circles are our immediate family and close friends. Emphasize those people in our lives and work hard on those relationships, he told me. The further away from the pebble’s entrance into the water, the less definition and thus the less importance we should place on such relationships. How, he asked me, can we have influence over ill-defined and blurry circles of human interaction? This is one of the main problems facing the world today: social media has found society placing undue value on distant, faceless relationships. The problem is only getting worse.


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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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Finding the Lost Souls Rudy Rochman Connects Jews from the Four Corners of the World By Tammy maRk

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OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

Raise a banner to gather the lost of Israel and gather us together from the four corners of the earth... - Yishayahu 11:12

R

udy Rochman envisions the Jewish future closer than most. Rochman, a Jewish and Israel rights activist, is the executive producer of the upcoming We Were Never Lost documentary series, a project dedicated to portraying the stories and struggles of lesser known or disconnected communities of Jews around the world. The first season of the documentary will highlight communities in countries across Africa, each with their own distinctive histories, with the first episode centered on the Igbo Jewish community in Nigeria. Rochman doesn’t consider them “lost” and is determined bring them out of obscurity. “The Igbo people are a people with a rich history, diversity and a lot of culture and have had very similar experiences that other Jewish communities have had around the world,” explains Rochman. “They are believed to be descendants of a tribe of Israel, specifically of Gad. There is a large community within the Igbo population that has either preserved elements of their Jewish culture or heritage, or has come back to their Jewish culture or heritage. Some of them

are even now second generation born, where all they know is being Jewish.”

The Storytellers Become the Story

At the age of 28, Rochman has faced formidable challenges on both the physical and intellectual battlefields. An IDF sniper and Ivy League student, he is bold, passionate and confident in his convictions, yet measured, articulate and calm in his demeanor. These attributes serve Rochman well on his mission and have been tested numerous times, especially in July 2021 as he was held captive in a Nigerian prison. When Rochman and his crew, Director Noam Leibman of Kavana Films and Producer and Emmy-nominated journalist David Benaym, applied for visas to visit Nigeria as filmmakers, they knew there were risks associated with travel in the region. They took necessary precautions and set out, eager to connect with the Igbo Jews and learn about their unique existence. After many years of having promoted Jewish pride, Rochman was mystified by this gap in knowledge and determined to fill in the blanks. Rochman, Leibman and Benaym spent two days in the Igbo community where they were welcomed with open arms. Video footage


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Igbo praying in Nigeria 

Celebrating with the Torah in Nigeria 

 Putting on tefillin in Nigeria

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from the visit depicts passionate and proud Igbo Jews singing Hebrew songs, praying, wrapping tefillin and participating in various Jewish practices. The filmmakers found them to be devout, intelligent and charismatic. But the good times swiftly came to an end. “After two days of having some of the most beautiful experiences we’ve ever had, we were taken captive by the Nigerian government,” shares Rochman. On the morning of July 9, 2021, a dozen or so heavily armed men in black ski masks arrived at their hotel, insisting that Rochman, Leibman and Benaym come with them. They announced that they were from the Department of State Services (DSS) of Nigeria and that the filmmakers were “invited” to a quick meeting and would be returned back to their hotel shortly. Rochman and his crew complied, leaving their phones and passports behind. It was Friday, and the filmmakers were anticipating spending Shabbat with the Igbo Jewish community. “Of course, we were coming in with no bad intentions, and we were innocent the entire time, so we didn’t think much of it – we thought we’d just come in for an hour and answers some questions,” recalls Rochman. Unbeknownst to them, when the Israeli men first arrived in Nigeria, they aroused suspicions, and rumors began to proliferate. Photographs were circulated online along with a fabricated story of the purpose of their visit. They were suspected of being Mossad agents with intention of becoming involved in a political conflict related to the Nigerian-Biafran civil war fought in the region in 1970. The Torah the men had brought as a gift to the community was cited as a show of support for the separatist movement. The interrogations began; Rochman, Leibman and Benaym were accused of everything from missionary work to espionage. The men

cooperated fully with the authorities, reiterating they had come for apolitical reasons and had nothing to hide. They eventually realized they were being held indefinitely and would not be making it back for Shabbat. Crestfallen and distraught, they scrambled and managed to obtain to the bare minimum, making Kiddush and hamotzi on a grape and some crackers. They spent Friday night on the holding cell floor. Early the next morning, the three men were rushed into a van with no further information given. After a treacherous nine-hour drive, they were dropped at the DSS headquarters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Told they were not officially being arrested, they were nonetheless physically forced into the next holding cell, a “cage” as Rochman describes it. “Literally a cage; it was a circular room in which you could maybe take three or four steps in each direction, behind bars.” Hence, the storytellers became the story; Rochman describes the ordeal like a dismal scene out of movie. For five nights, they had no lights, no air conditioning and no beds. They were sweating and surrounded by filth, bugs and bottles of waste, with bread and crackers to survive. When the morning light would peek through, they could see the desperate last messages of former captives scrawled on the cell walls. As the grim reality of the situation set in, Rochman’s IDF survival skills kicked in. From calculating how he could possibly grab and unlock a guard’s phone, to working to convince their captors to contact Chabad of Nigeria for kosher food – and praying that Chabad would understand who was requesting it – Rochman was constantly thinking of any which way to survive and alert the outside world to their predicament. Rochman recalls, “Finally, after five days there, the Israeli Ambassador managed to come with one of the consulates from the American Embassy to see us. This is the first time we made contact. They told us they were doing everything they could to get us out, that they were trying with diplomatic means and that they were in communications with our families – which was a breath of fresh air that people knew where we were, and that at least our families knew.” Food was arranged to be brought in from Chabad. “Day six was the first time we had a real meal, and we were finally allowed to shower,” Rochman says. Still, he clarifies that the “shower” actually consisted of filling the prison’s soiled communal all-purpose bucket with cold water to pour over their heads. Throughout the ordeal, Benaym was left without a vital medication which was back at their hotel; a week without it could prove life-threat-


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  Rudy Rochman in Nigeria

 Rochman, Benaym and Leibman upon their release

“It made me realize that it didn’t matter that I was born in

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OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

France or grew up in Miami…what mattered was that I was a Jew.”

ening. After much delay, Benaym – a French national – was finally released under the custody of French Embassy for medical treatment. He was brought back for continual questioning at the facility where Rochman and Leibman remained. The men were subsequently transferred to a bigger cell with two additional cellmates – one being a known terrorist from Boko Haram, Nigeria’s deadly militant Islamist group. Danger now surrounded them from all angles. They remained in horrific conditions in complete fear of the unknown, with no indication of how or when their nightmare would end. Never formally arrested, they were denied access to legal representation while the Nigerian government tried everything to find evidence to against them. Rochman and Leibman miraculously held their own throughout. Ultimately, salvation came seemingly in the blink of an eye. With U.S., French and Israeli embassies advocating on their behalf, Rochman, Leibman and Benaym were ultimately released after three long weeks. Within the course of a day, they were freed from captivity and returned to Israel by morning. Rochman recalls how the severe isolation had impacted him, that upon his sudden arrival home the sunlight and every bit of stimulation felt overwhelming. Not fully apprised of the series of events that transpired, the men credit all involved for their tireless efforts and prayers --- including their families, worldwide supporters and the Chabad of Nigeria. The three are now bonded for life, still fiercely dedicated to the We Were Never Lost project. “We stayed strong in there. We never gave up. We never thought that we wouldn’t make it out. We stuck together,” says Rochman.

I Am a Jew

Rochman is no stranger to diverse cultures. Born in France, his grandparents hailed from different countries – Morocco and Algeria on one side and Poland and Belgium on the other. All had fled to France to avoid persecution. Rochman’s family has lived in Israel, Florida and California, and he recalls the times throughout his life he was labeled by various identities depending on the circumstances – “the French kid,” “the Ashkenazi kid,” “the Sephardi kid” or “the American kid.” “The way I see it, every single Jew has a displaced experience that was forced upon us. Before Morocco and Algeria, we were in Spain or we were in Italy – so it’s not really where were from, it’s the experience that we previously had in the long chapters of experiences that we’ve

had in displacement.” He notes, “Because I grew up in so many different places, and I kind of rejected being identified by where I was born, or where I grew up, or where I lived or what passport I had, or where my grandparents were born – which were all different answers to the questions I had – I felt that there should be something that is more than just a superficial answer based on where you were born, but an answer really connected to the core of the identity that I was a part of and the collective that I belonged to,” explains Rochman. Although the awareness was gradual, it was a pivotal moment that made a big impact. “When I was seven years old,” Rochman shares, “I went through a traumatic anti-Semitic experience where I, my mother and my brother were kicked off a bus for being Jewish. Once that happened, it sort of made everything very clear. “It made me realize that it didn’t matter that I was born in France or grew up in Miami…what mattered was that I was a Jew, and being a Jew wasn’t just choosing to believe in something – it was being a descendant of an ancient civilization, a family that has a culture, a language, an identity, a spirituality, a national component, a connection to a land and everything else. That kind of what woke me up to asking deeper to questions that allowed me to find answers that I needed in order to grow.”

A Fighter on Campus

Rochman encourages all Jews to proudly identify with Israel as their true homeland, no matter where they were born or live. Rochman certainly does; having lived in Israel as young boy with his parents, he returned back in 2011 when he served in the IDF and made Aliyah officially in 2019. “When I leave Israel, I feel like I’m holding my breath. I feel like a fish out of water and have to hold my breath, but I can only do it for a certain amount of time. When I come back into Israel, I feel like I can take a deep breath, of finally being at home and in the environment that I belong in. “ Rochman’s resilience was honed in Israel as he served as a sniper in the Paratroopers Brigade, an elite combat unit of the Israel Defense Forces. He continues to serve as a reservist, training one month each year, with active reserves every fourth year. “It was a very difficult experience,” he says about serving in the army. “Not only physically – which was beyond difficult – but you’re also giving up your freedom and becoming a number – and that’s not easy for any free individual to do.” He adds, “I think anyone who is going there for the right intentions of helping a greater collective and defending our home and our people, you realize that it’s way more important than the individual rights and benefits that you had. This is a short period where this is what it needs to be – and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.” After the IDF, Rochman returned to the States and went on to face a different type of battleground on the college campus. He began his


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Missing Puzzle Pieces

 Rudy brings the light of Torah to all corners of the world

praying from photocopies of a siddur. Rochman recently presented his story to a packed house in Woodmere, New York, and shared a preview of the footage taken in Nigeria. The audience was captivated by video clips of the Igbo Jews practicing familiar rituals with tremendous fervor and joy – proving Rochman correct in the power of the visual image. Rochman, Leibman and Benaym traveled to Uganda in January to film the second installment of the series. Rochman made sure to keep this trip more discreet, not releasing any media until their return. The filmmakers engaged with the Abayudaya Jewish community there, visiting their shul and Hebrew school. They also witnessed a traditional Jewish wedding, including essential and familiar elements like the chuppah and the breaking of the glass – even dancing to “Hashem Melech,” the upbeat song by Israeli superstar Gad Elbaz. Rochman muses, “I always realized that we’re different puzzle pieces all of one image and that rather than trying to put those puzzle pieces together, we’re trying to stack them on top of each other and that was a huge problem with the way I understood Israel. When I visited the communities in Nigeria, it made me realize that there are too many puzzle pieces missing for us to even know how to fit them together. “In my opinion, we will never be one complete image without bringing in the other pieces of the puzzle which are still missing,” says Rochman. He views the future through a new lens. “I had a realization that they need to come back home for us to be who we are; it’s not that we fix our home and then they come back – we can’t fix our home without them back,” he says.

When the morning light would peek through, they could see the desperate last messages of former captives scrawled on the cell walls.

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The Symbol of the Sudra

Rochman wears a printed scarf around his neck that can easily be mistaken for a fashion statement or accessory for his adventures. It

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Rochman often visits several cities across the globe in the course of a week, working to empower others to stand proud in their Jewish heritage. One of Rochman’s primary focuses these days is the furtherance of his We Were Never Lost project. “When I first found out about the Tribes of Israel in Africa, and that I had never heard about before, it sort of created a shock. I wanted to look more into this and reveal these stories to the world,” he explains. Eventually, a few social media videos evolved into a documentary series. Rochman doesn’t see himself as a filmmaker, however. He cites the example of the movie Blackfish exposing issues at SeaWorld, which eventually facilitated change in that realm. “I use the creation of a film as a tool to communicate a message to a generation. What I’m really trying to do is to create social revolutions and move the world forward. With film, you can make or break an industry or an idea, and we’re trying to use film in a positive way to bring light to something that needs to happen.” As a social media influencer with an interactive and international following, Rochman is using his platforms to share the plights of the Igbos and other communities that he believes must be brought into the consciousness of Jews around the world. He is working to raise both awareness and funds for the We Were Never Lost film project, as well as directing charity drives to supply the Igbo community with much-needed religious articles. Rochman observed the sparsity of religious items amongst the community members, who are at times

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

studies simultaneously at UCLA and Santa Monica College in California. After a short time, he realized how strong the growing anti-Israel movement was. But what was more concerning to him was how weak he observed the pro-Israel movement to be. “We were not engaging with the next generation political and intellectual class. We were not leading the conversation, we were not creating coalitions, we were not doing anything. That’s when I realized that we were the problem.” Rochman did a Google search to see what was considered the most anti-Semitic school in North America and found New York City’s Columbia University listed as number one that year; Rochman headed east. “I made the decision of transferring there to prove it could be done – and do it in the hardest of places so that no one else could have an excuse but also to create a model of how to be an activist in this generation. Of course, there are a lot of things that I learned along the way that I didn’t come in knowing that definitely gave me a lot of tools and skills for life. “The reason I chose Columbia was to go to the darkest of places and spread light, as really an example of how others can do it in places that might be a little less dark.” Rochman faced immediate opposition. “When we first got there, nobody had ever been exposed to any sort of pro-Israel voice or Jewish opinions or Jewish empowerment, so the reaction was very harsh,” he recalls. “Spitting as us, coming to our table where we were giving out bracelets and rip them up and taking our flag and scolding us and accusing us of all sorts of horrible things, but with time it stared to be part of the norm that we also had our space.” Rochman absolutely believes change can happen. “It was a constant war zone. We were constantly being attacked and harassed and put down – whether from professors, the administration, the student groups on campus. It’s not like that anymore at Columbia,” he notes. “The beautiful thing about a campus is that every four years you have a fresh new slate of students… If you start activisms on X year and you do it for 2 years, half the student body has been conditioned or exposed to this new idea of Israel.”


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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 Rochman speaking at an event in the Five Towns

46

OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

 Receiving the Enlight Unite Humanitarian Award from Gad Elbaz and Producer Victoria Zirkiev

is actually a head covering with a deeper meaning and long history. “It’s called a sudra,” explains Rochman. “It’s written in the Talmud where it describes different elements of Jewish clothing, from the four cornered garment of tzitit to tefillin and to the sudra. The Jews have been wearing sudra for thousands of years, if you look at any depiction or illustration of the Rambam, Rashi, Rabbi Akiva, Baba Sali – they all have their sudra either as a hood or as a turban around their heads. The way that we eventually got into the kippah is that the Jews in Europe minimized the sudra into a head covering and hid it under a hat.” This eventually became widespread for the Jews in Muslim countries as well, explains Rochman. “Personally, I have pictures of my great-great-grandfather with the sudra on his head. I always grew up with these images, so it was very familiar to me, and my family was always very connected to it.” He adds, “As a part of my work to decolonize and to help our people be the proudest version of themselves and the truest version of themselves, I realized that reviving this part of our ancient clothing can be done in a way that’s very empowering and inspiring and makes people feel like they’re a part of something when they’re wearing it – and not just doing it from a spiritual way, which I also do, but doing so in a way of reuniting Am Yisrael and to connect through something that we could wear every day.” So passionate about the Jewish people and the many facets of Jewish life, Rochman can nonetheless zero in on what most energizes him. “Everyone sees different problems in the world, and that’s a response and a reaction to their eyes that’s in tune with their soul – and their soul is telling them that this is a problem,” he relates. “We all have a different purpose. I feel that my purpose is to understand what is hurting Am Yisrael and what is preventing us from moving forward, what does moving forward even look like and where do we need to go – and to apply those answers into practical solutions in order for us to move forward. That’s what I would say I’m most passionate about and what I was able to find my tikkun in.” He continues, “What keeps me motivated is my nature of being optimistic always – I know we’re going in a better direction. I look at what we have, not only what we don’t. I’m very appreciative of the things we have. The way I see it is that I actually am constantly feeling the pain of Am Yisrael – the suffering we’ve gone through throughout history, the suffering we’re going through now and the suffering that we’re going to go through if we don’t correct. When you have the power to take

action to correct – you have to. I see that as a responsibility. It’s not a choice. It’s something I must do, and there’s a reason why I’m able to see it and very few people are able to.” Rochman returns regularly to speak at college campuses and is often asked his best advice for Jewish youth going forward. “I would say ‘empower, narrate, protect’ – meaning empower yourself to give yourself the tools to be strong in every aspect, narrate the story of Israel in a way that tells our story, and make sure that any movement that exists against Israel is exposed for what it is.” “Number two is, we all have our own strengths. It’s not the only cause, and everyone has gifts they were given and talents that they have. Everyone has the ability to work on themselves to acquire more talents and apply those talents and gifts to the problems that they see. Be open and attuned to those problems potentially evolving with time and apply your skills to the problems – in my opinion that’s the best advice I could give to someone.” While he believes everyone may have their own path in terms of contribution, Rochman maintains that all Jewish people should be concerned with their fellow Jews near and far and sees it clearly as both a national and religious obligation. “For thousands of years, we’ve been talking about the tribes of Israel that were disconnected. In our prayers every morning we mention it. In the Torah it says that in the times of Moshiach the tribes of Israel will reunite from the four corners of the earth. Historians very clearly document that there was a spilt amongst the tribes and many of them went into displacement. It’s not like it’s not a fact that they exist – it is a fact. Any Jew that prays says every single day that we need to try to bring the tribes of Israel back home – so it’s very strange to me that we’re not putting into practice what we talk about.” He continues, “I think we’ve turned something that’s supposed to have kavana – a daily reminder, affirmations, and putting positive energy and meditating to remind us of who we are and keep us on track – has turned into just reciting words.” Rochman attributes this detachment to disconnection from the Hebrew language and other factors of displacement. “In terms of the tribes, they’re a part of Am Yisrael,” he asserts. “If they were to have come home first, and created a strong and healthy community and society, and were choosing to live in the diaspora, and the Jews of today in the diaspora were suffering in Europe and North Africa and the Middle East, we would definitely expect them to come to our help and to recognize us…so it’s important that we work hard to rebuild that connection and help them in the ways that we would have wanted them to help us,” he says. “It’s important that we realize that we are the last generation who doesn’t know who they are.” To learn more, visit www.wewereneverlost.com.


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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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TJH Speaks with Paris Popack, Coordinator of the Memorial Day Parade

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OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

Paris, the parade has been around for a while. When was the first Memorial Day Parade in the Five Towns? The Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department Memorial Day Parade started 103 years ago, in 1919. How did you become involved? As Lawrence Civic Association president in 2019, I felt it was important to get involved in the parade. It seemed to be a good fit since I love the community, am a passionate patriot, and have experience managing community events. Blessings from the LCFD Fire Department, Lawrence Mayor Alex Edelman and Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock gave me the green light to move forward. How has the parade evolved in the past few years? The parade has grown to approximately 70 entrant groups. And how many people do you have marching every year? About 200 people march in the parade. Who can we expect to be marching

this year? We have an exciting line up, including a pipe and drum band, the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department members and trucks, the Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion #339, Veterans, the Aviation

ple come out and line the sidewalks. This is a wonderful opportunity to salute the volunteer Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department and to honor our fallen military heroes, who died fighting for our liberties, and to show respect to their

It is a day to pause, remember,

families left behind. Attendee feedback over the years has been incredibly positive.

How do you deal with the weather – many years it’s been rainy on the day of the parade. We plan for all contingencies. We march in all weather, rain or shine, and soldier on. Last year, we marched in light rain. We feel that if the soldiers can defend us in all weather, the least we could do is keep the parade alive in all weather. Hopefully, the weather will be sunny this year.

What do you tell people to remind them about coming out to the parade? People should come out for the parade because we are all neighbors who should join in honoring those who gave their lives for our country. To show patriotism and appreciation is a noble value.

Will there be any changes to the parade this year? We are planning a few surprises. We are happy to announce the addition of a children’s bike parade in the parade. We are calling on Five Towns kids ages 5-12 to ride their decorated trikes, bikes, wagons and scooters (no motors).

and give thanks to honor those men and women who gave their lives for us to live in peace. High School AFJROTC, local schools and organizations, antique and exotic cars, a Mariachi band, David Haziza singing “Hallelujah,” an Uncle Sam stilt walker, local elected officials, and more. It will be memorable for all ages, young and old – an event not to be missed! Are you happy with the crowd turnout? We would love to see even more peo-

Do you have any interesting stories that you had while organizing the parade or while the parade was enroute? We have discovered many veterans who felt honored to be included and remembered in this parade and ceremony. Each one is a hero whose stories are incredible, full of history and bravery.


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

 JoMarie Capone, Village of Cedarhurt Deputy Mayor and Assemblyman Ari Brown, and Trustee Myrna Zisman

All riders must wear a helmet and be escorted by a parent/guardian throughout the parade route. Limit to the first 50 kids. Pre-registration is required by calling (516) 239-4600 ext. 103, Mon-Fri 8:30-3:30. The parade ends at the park. What happens at Cedarhurst Park at the end of the parade? At the end of the parade, there is a patriotic heart-warming ceremony in Andrew J. Parise Park in Cedarhurst. Lawrence High School sings the National Anthem, we salute and recognize the veterans, and local elected officials give brief, meaningful speeches. A printed program lists ceremony and parade information plus the event sponsors.

It is a collaborative team effort from the Villages of Cedarhurst and Lawrence. The Parade coordinators are JoMarie Capone of Cedarhurst and myself, Paris Popack of Lawrence. Personally, it helps to have my event assistant, Henya Storch, my supportive husband Joseph, and my family encouraging me in this exciting effort. They are always by my side. How many veterans are there in the Five Towns? We would like to hear from as many veterans and families of veterans and hope they will accept the invitation to call us and register to march or ride in one of our celebrity cars. They or their families should call (516) 295-5570. Veteran Syd Mandelbaum, a child of Holocaust survivors and commander of the American Legion Post #339, says, “From Atlantic Beach to the Five Towns, Lynbrook and Valley Stream there are about 150 veterans. We are always looking and finding more.” Memorial Day has become a day about barbecues, but it’s truly

Paris Popack, left, and Henya Storch

a sad day, if we think about all the people who were lost fighting for our freedom. What are your thoughts on that? We agree it is a day to pause, remember, and give thanks to honor those men and women who gave their lives for us to live in peace. The parade is produced with all ages in mind, so everyone can give respect and celebrate our great country. Many families and groups initiate the summer season with barbecues after attending the parade and services. It is our hope that that is the order of this day. Five Towners are lucky to have a local event in our main shopping/business district, and we don’t have to travel far, into the city, to attend the parade. The Sunday parade is in the morning, so there is plenty of time for barbecuing and shopping. Should Jews, as a People who are makir tov, make an effort to come out to these types of events? Yes, Jews who are makir tov should make a concerted effort to come out to this one-hour parade and ceremony,

from start to finish, because it is an opportunity, individually and collectively, to say “thank you” to America and to the fallen soldiers for allowing us to live in freedom. Paris, we cannot wait to see you on Sunday at the parade. Thank you for all the effort you expend into making this a wonderful event for the community.

The LCFD Memorial Day Parade will be held Sunday, May 29, 2022, starting at 10 a.m.

emoH hsiweJ eht | 5102 ,92 rebOtcO

You’re involved in other community endeavors. How do you manage to put together such a big event every year? Although the parade and the ceremony are about an hour, the behind-thescenes work to produce the event entails many months of detailed planning.

Route: Frost Lane and Central Avenue in Lawrence, down Central Avenue 94

to the Cedarhurst Memorial Plaza in Andrew J. Parise Park


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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teen talk

by by Mrs. Mrs. c. c. Isbee Isbee

Dear Teen Talk,

Teen Talk ,

a new colum n in TJH, is ge ared towards th e teens in our com munity. A nswered b rotating ro ya ster of tea chers, reb clinicians beim, , and peers (!), teens w hearing a ill be nswers to many que stions they had percolatin g in their minds and wishe d they ha d the answ ers for.

2

OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

We always had a home computer for my family to use. A few months ago, my parents bought an iPad for us, as a supplement, since the home computer is often taken up by me or my siblings for school assignments, email correspondence, or the internet. We have a filter on the computer and designated timeframes, as well, so that we don’t abuse our time on it. My parents are reasonable and very strict at the same time about our computer usage. Our iPad has the same restrictions, except for one difference: Instagram. At first, I glanced at it for a few seconds. Now, I’m enthralled with it. I could look at Instagram for my whole designated timeframe. Looking at pictures and watching videos of other people’s lives is very alluring for me. Seeing where they spend their family vacations or the clothing or jewelry they purchase gives me some sort of high. Recognizing who they pose with in the pictures keeps me very engaged. I just want to see more, more, and more. I actually prefer perusing Instagram over surfing the internet! The problem is that I realize I get moody after I go off. I also notice that I get jealous of the people that post their goods and experiences. Recently, on Chol Hamoed Pesach, I came to the realization that it’s truly problematic for me. I had a beautiful first days. We hosted my cousins from out of town for yom tov. We also had other guests join us for the sedarim. On the first day of chol hamoed, my family went bowling and had so much fun just being together. That night, I went on Instagram and saw firsthand all the amazing activities people were doing during their vacations. Their experiences looked so much better than mine. I am embarrassed to say this, but I became crabby to my cousins. I resented that we were so busy hosting and feeding them. I secretly wished I could have done something more dynamic than helping my parents cook and clean and giving up my bed. I know the only way to deal with this problem is to stop or even delete Instagram. I just can’t. I’m addicted. Is there something else I can do to combat this problem? I would appreciate an honest and timely response. Thank you, Miri

D

ear Miri, Not many teens would admit, let alone recognize that this is a problem. Unfortunately, what you are facing is a sign of our times. Adolescents and adults, alike, struggle with this issue. In January 1986, I traveled to California with my family for a week. We were so excited to experience the recording of a TV show as part of the studio audience. The experience for me was very different than had I

watched it on a television. There were many tapings to sit through till the performance was deemed perfect. The studio was dark and dingy surrounded by pipes and wires, while the stage was much smaller than I imagined it to be. Furthermore, once I sat through the filming, I wasn’t even interested in watching it a few months later, as it was a most tedious event for me to

go through. This is a “mashal” to what Instagram really is. What you see on the screen is very different to what is truly happening. You have no idea what is going on “behind the scenes.” They’re only posting the glamourous segments of their lives, not the difficult parts. In this day and age, anyone can “doctor-up” any photo or video to the point of making something ugly into


111

cantata started off with a person declaring in a most haunting voice, the famous saying, “Those who say don’t know, and those who know don’t say.” I remember seeing my dear father, Harav Yonasan Binyamin Halevi Jungreis, zt”l, waiting enthusiastically by the door for my arrival home from camp, escorting me into the kitchen, and asking me with great interest to share with him the lessons I learned over my summer vacation. I repeated that verse over to him, and we discussed the powerful message it carries. Until he was niftar, two years ago, he would often remind me of that saying and emphasize its chochmah. “Chayala,” he would say, “We have to always remember and keep true to that mehalech (way of life). That’s the yesod (foundation) of Am Yisrael.” My beloved mother, Rebbetzin Goldie Jungreis, often tells me, “Less is more.” The less we expose our lives to others, the more kavod (respect) we receive from others. She

Perusing Instagram is a choice only you can make but knowing the pitfalls and falsehoods it conveys may make you less likely to be fascinated by it. models this ideal, and I can personally attest to its truth. You prefer going on Instagram rather than the internet because it’s exciting for you to see what your peers are experiencing. The fact that people you follow are familiar to you makes it seem all the more possible that their ventures and belongings are easily attainable. After all, if they have the designer clothes and thrilling adventures, you should, too. Actual famous people, such as celebrities or newsworthy individuals, are far removed. Because of our adherence to the Torah, we do not envy, nor attempt to emulate, them.

3

Mrs. Chayala Isbee is a long-time educator and school counselor at Bais Yaakov of Baltimore.

With much respect, Mrs. Isbee

emoH hsiweJ eht | 5102 ,92 rebOtcO

is found only in a matter concealed from the eye).” Amazing experiences, such as vacations or parties, should be cherished and not publicized for all to see. Material possessions should definitely be utilized and enjoyed and not advertised. This saying proves that sensitivity towards others’ feelings is supreme, and one who keeps quiet about his accomplishments or riches will be the recipient of tremendous bracha. I was fortunate to attend Camp Bnos for a few summers during my teenage years. They were known for their outstanding cantata performances. Every “Three Weeks”

I must point out that there are beautiful shiurim and meaningful stories that are posted on Instagram. I also recognize the need of certain professions and businesses who advertise on this medium to ensure parnassah. Perusing Instagram is a choice only you can make but knowing the pitfalls and falsehoods it conveys may make you less likely to be fascinated by it. Understanding that bracha comes by way of keeping our possessions hidden and not showing them off will surely prevent you from being overtaken by Instagram. Together with your determination to do what is right and your now TRUTHFUL perception of what is advertised, may Hashem help guide you to the clearest path to shleimus (completion). Every year, at the seder, we declare, “Kol dichfin yaisai v’yaichol, Kol ditzrich yaisai v’yifsach (All who are hungry, let them come and eat. All who are needy, let them come and celebrate Pesach with us).” You and your family are modeling the treasured lessons of the Haggadah. The core of true simchas Yom Tov is providing for, sheltering, and feeding others. You are fortunate that you are able to host family and others that are in need, in your own home. Giving to others, so they can enjoy, is the highest form of simcha and enriches one’s character. We continue the seder by saying, “Hashata hacha, l’shana habaah b’arah d’yisrael. Hashata avdei l’shana habaah bnei chorin (Now we are here; next year may we be in the Land of Israel. Now we are slaves; next year, may we be free).” In the zechus of you and your family fulfilling the mitzvah of hosting in your home, may you greet Moshiach and experience the ultimate fulfillment of being in Eretz Yisrael bimheira v’yamenu Amen.

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

a beautiful site. When you see the picture of the ideal family on the perfect vacation, it’s so easy to believe that it is EXACTLY as you see it. Just remember, you didn’t see the events (i.e. family tension, money disputes, emotional breakdowns, etc.) that ensued moments before and after that photo was taken. There is an old saying, “There’s more than meets the eye” and that cannot be truer than with Instagram. We start every morning with the tefillah of “Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov (how goodly are your tents),” where we proclaim to Hashem the essence of Klal Yisroel which is tzinius – dignity. When the Jews lived in the Midbar, the doors and windows of the tents purposely did not directly face the neighboring tents. It was set up this way to preserve their privacy. Why should I look at what is going on by my neighbors? Do I need to know their business? Would I feel good about them knowing what is going on in my home? This tefillah also teaches us the importance of not flaunting what we have or acquire. If someone has a large, sparkling diamond, it would make the most sense to keep it under the radar. In Gemara Baba Metziah, Rabbi Yitzchak says, “Ain ha’bracha metzuyah elah b’davar hasamui min ha’ayin (blessing

Are you a teen with a question? If you have a question or problem you’d like our columnists to address, email your question or insight to editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com, subject line: Teen Talk.


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

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Dating Dialogue

What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LcSW of the Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

My family has a very diverse background. None of us kids are the same religiously but all of us are close, including one of my sisters who has chosen a very unorthodox feministic path. She is in med school and studies Gemara. I am the most run-of-the-mill in my family, and although I am 24, I have only gone out twice. Honestly, I think my family

seems too weird on the outside for me to ever get the kind of guy I want. I really want to marry into a run-of-the-mill yeshivish family to have the kind of home to go to for yom tov, Shabbos, etc. but how important is that really for me to hold onto when my family is the way we are? At what OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

point should I remove things from my list of must-haves in order to get dates? Any thoughts would be appreciated. -Tamar*

Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any

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particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.


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The Panel the rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

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amar, you have valid values. Don’t give up on them just because the frum world likes to fit people into boxes. It’s easy for shadchanim to make matches for people who fit into the box, so don’t focus your efforts on well-meaning shadchanim who are overburdened and generally specialize in “types.” Hashem has someone for you who will appreciate the diversity of your family. The fact that your family works is a tribute to understanding, communication and respect for differences. These are strengths, not weaknesses. Celebrate the variety of your family members and call attention to it. You are looking for someone who values and respects this quality, and this is some

thing that is valued by people. Demonstrate confidence and pride. You may want to play with a fresh, creative title for your resume: Tamar Klein, Diva of the Diverse Dynasty, or the Bais Yaakov Maidel with Mosaic Mishpacha. No one will forget a resume or subject line that is eye-catching in style and substance. More than one mother has told me, “All the resumes look the same. I picked up on the one that was different and looked into it. It piqued my interest and eventually it worked.” Get yourself some agents who know you in communities where there is diversity. In other words, small- and medium-size out-of-town communities where you can visit friends, spend a Shabbos, and meet people. And build up your confidence in yourself and your values. You will be a stronger, better mate for going through this process, perhaps.

the Shadchan Michelle Mond

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the Single Tzipora Grodko ear Tamar, People and environments may

the Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler

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ver the past two years that I’ve been writing this column, I’ve become so saddened by the plight of exceptional, wonderful young women, who would clearly make wonderful wives and mothers, who are having trouble getting dates. I’d like to address your situation specifically, and then, generally, the similar predicament faced by many of our single women today.

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cause you to believe that unspoken rules will determine what you deserve and will receive. This is false. The same G-d that personalized the details of your life is the same G-d that will deliver the perfect husband catered towards your needs and desires. In fact, the Torah specifically indicates how important it is for people to recognize that a person’s quality should not be compromised by their background. For example, Tzipora’s father was a priest, and she married the greatest leader of all time – Moshe. Avraham’s father was an idol worshiper, and he married Sara, who became the mother of the Jewish people. Continue to hope for the lifestyle you dream for, understanding that G-d has no limits and doesn’t play according to societies rules and expectations. Anytime someone challenges this belief is another opportunity for you to strengthen this muscle, increasing more emunah and bitachon into your life. Is it easy? Most definitely not. Will it enhance the quality of your life? Absolutely. Stay hopeful!

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he first thing you must do is recognize the good in your life. Do you know how many people with diverse families do not appreciate and/ or respect each other? There are families who could not be more similar who have a hard time getting along. The fact that your family is so different and yet still remains close is a huge deal that must be celebrated. I’m so sorry for what you are going through. You feel that you are judged unfairly in the shidduch circus. Allow me to put something into perspective: the kind of boys who would turn you down because of a diverse family are not someone you would be happily married to. So why date them? I often meet girls like Breindy Cohen*. These are girls who tell me they go out so often and end up feeling down, because after all the dating, all they get is dead ends. You and Breindy could be in the parsha for the same amount of time; the only difference is your challenges. Her challenge is dating too much, feelings of uncertainty, worries about turning down the wrong one, trying to avoid a jaded mentality. Your challenge in this tekufah is barely dating, which can make one feel lonely, unsettled, and insecure about all the things which might be hindering their shidduchim. Please recognize that everyone has their own unique sets of challenges in shidduchim and know you are not alone. Official shadchanim are not the only people who can set you up. Practically speaking, make relationships with families in your community. Build relationships with young couples who are your type, travel to different communities, and accept invitations out for meals. Go to Shabbatons and meet people organically. It will make a world of a difference. Not only will you feel less lonely, but networking will enhance future prospects, much more than waiting by the phone ever will.

“Perfect” families that seem so ideal are often merely better at hiding their problems.


OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

Specifically, in your case, you need to get over what you perceive as your negative family background. Virtually every family has some challenges, or some skeletons in their closets. “Perfect” families that seem so ideal are often merely better at hiding their problems. So, in many respects, these families who seem to be absolutely “perfect” are kind of scarier than families who acknowledge their problems and successfully deal with their issues. I urge you to not shy away from telling shadchanim and references that your sister has taken a different path and that you and your family are proud of the fact that you all, nevertheless, love, accept, and support her. You can transform a perceived nega-

tive into a positive by showing how your family is lovingly handling the situation. (In addition, it certainly helps to have a doctor in the family.) And, cross out almost all of the pre-requisites on your matrimony check list. The only really important stipulation is that your date not be judgmental or close-minded. Now, generally, the following suggestions are certainly not applicable to all young women, and I am not implying that you, Tamar, are lacking in any way, but I hope that some single women find these suggestions helpful. First, don’t just sit back and pray for the phone to ring. Go to Shabbos meals with single or married friends. Show up in shul. Be

seen. Second, ask friends, relatives, and co-workers for referrals. Third, periodically call your local shadchanim, and say pleasantly, “I’m calling to remind you, that I’d love to meet and date someone.” Send them a cookie platter every so often, thanking them for keeping you in mind. Remember that you are asking for them to help you, and it’s important for them to think of you often. After a date, even if it was not successful, send a small gift, thanking the shadchan for her efforts on your behalf. Fourth, it’s import to project self-confidence and self-reliance. Read books like Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. Meet with dating coaches for helpful advice. Fifth (and I hope that no readers are insulted by this suggestion), invest in

Starting with opening up your dating pool may be the way Mr. Right will be able to swim right up to you.

an attractive wardrobe. Invest in a makeover. Invest in cosmetic dentistry. Tamar, please remember that you don’t need a lot of dates – just the right one who will not say “No” to you merely because of your sister. Good luck!

Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

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ear Tamar, Thank you for writing! I’m so sorry you find yourself in this position. And I’m so sorry that this phenomenon of exclusion and Darwinian-like mindset prevents so many wonderful people from getting dates. I’ve read all the panelists’ responses, and I agree with all the suggestions and encourage you to follow through. Getting out there, networking, setting your resume apart, and most of all accepting and embracing your beautiful family are all of paramount importance. Hashem does not guarantee that all families will practice Judaism identically. We know that, above all else, we are supposed to love each other and not judge one another. Many families struggle with this and re-

ject each other or simply don’t remain close due to religious differences. Your family is a model family in my book, a family that chooses love and acceptance, warmth and open-mindedness over what the neighbors think, a family that any person with good Jewish values and morals would want to join. You need to know this. A “run of the mill yeshivish family” may not accept someone from your background. You need to be realistic about this, and you may benefit from loosening the grip on your expectations and desires. Are you rejecting guys from more diverse backgrounds? If you won’t date guys from

non-yeshivish backgrounds, are you engaging in the same discriminatory behavior as all the families rejecting your resume? The time to remove the yeshivish “must haves” is now. Open things up a bit. Allow more opportunities to enter your life. Remove this blockage (at least it feels like a blockage to me). Let’s consider the beautiful potential of you marrying someone with a more diverse background who shares your current hashkafa, more or less. Potentially, you stand to benefit from the bond you would have over your common ground; a mutual understanding of your pasts, where you come from and what you want to create together as a couple and one day as a family unit. There would likely be understanding there that you may not share with someone from a strictly yeshivish background. I am not suggesting you don’t date yeshivish guys, only that opening up your “must haves” to include guys from varying back-

grounds may ultimately lead you to your bashert. What we should never give up from our list of “must haves” is kindness, mentschlechkeit, and someone who has the qualities of an excellent husband. What really matters is being with someone who will take care of you when you have a cold, who will try to make you laugh when you’re sad, who will hold your hand when you’re sitting on the couch, and who will listen when you had a fight with your best friend and say, “I’m sorry that happened.” As nice as it is to believe that marrying someone from a certain “kind of family” is the answer, it may be the very thing holding you back. Maybe Hashem has something so much greater in store for you! Starting with opening up your dating pool may be the way Mr. Right can swim right up to you. All the best! 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. She also teaches a psychology course at Touro College. 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.

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Dr. Deb

Resumes by Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

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was chatting with my daughter-in-law in Ramat Beit Shemesh as I always do on Friday mornings here; I have a bit of a conversation with all seven of those dear to my heart over there. She was telling me about how she was enjoying playing shadchan to her friend’s father some time after her friend’s mother had passed away. She had a woman in mind – both, mind you, are in their seventies – for this man to meet. He was, and is, presumably, a very nice guy, and he and his late wife had had a wonderful marriage as far as my daughter-in-law knew. He was a respected professional, still working, as was the person my daughter-in-law wanted to introduce to him. Well, I love happy-marriage stories because that is not what I generally encounter in my day-to-day life, so I was listening with pleasure. She went on to say that the two of them dated for a bit and apparently enjoyed each other when, all of a sudden, the woman wanted to end the relationship. I was disappointed in the story but was startled at the next chapter. Along came another prospect for this man, and my sweet daughter-in-law, wanting to be helpful, made a suggestion once again. But something had changed for the man for he now requested a resume with a picture on it. My daughter-in-law did not approve, but, being me, I could see both sides of the argument. I’m guessing that he was probably flooded with suggestions and needed some way to…. To what? To save time? Where was he going? To create a convenient decision tree? But how would those pictures really be of help? At any rate, I was a bit undecided. Or so I thought. Then, long after we got off the phone, our conversation passed through my mind – and I felt cringy. That was unexpected. Interesting. On a rational, analytical level, I didn’t seem to have an opinion, but as I put myself in someone else’s shoes and imagined

what it would be like, it just felt cringy. My first reaction was, “Uch!” Now, you have to understand: Therapists are people, too. Not only that, we should bring our feelings into our awareness because that’s extremely helpful when trying to support and guide people in a healing direction. In my opinion, everyone benefits when they are aware of their own feelings – as opposed to their thoughts – in any given case. The feelings come from somewhere; they have an origin that is meaningful, so they shouldn’t be brushed off. They could, of course, later on be challenged in any internal dialogue a person has with themselves. But a dialogue is exactly that: It presents both, or many, sides of an issue. So, again, putting myself in the shoes of someone who was in later years and wanting to date, what, exactly was wrong with the picture on the resume? The first thing that came to my mind was my stomach. See, Covid knocked me out of the park. I was down for almost two weeks, unable to eat at all, feeling like I was going to die. I wasn’t hospitalized, thank G-d, and didn’t have trouble breathing. But my energy was totally gone, and eating was the biggest chore of my life. I remember that on one of the in-between days, I proudly told my daughter that I had managed to take a good half hour to force down a muffin. “Ima,” she pointed out, “one muffin in the course of a day is not eating.” So, when the viral particles had a run for their money, and the healing enveloped me, I ate. And ate. And ate. What fun! But not only was it fun: There was a hidden agenda going on inside me, and when I faced it, it was too late. I realized that if I ate, it meant I was alive, not dead. These things don’t have to make sense, you know. They make emotional sense in some rightbrained way. So I spent the month of September 2021 eating my heart out and, of course,

gained some weight. And then kept enjoying all this for the next eight months, adding more pounds. Looking in the mirror, my stomach started to seem awfully large, although most people didn’t notice it. But that’s how we women can be. So it was only natural that the first thing that came to mind when I was thinking of this poor woman having to produce a picture was the highly unpleasant notion of someone of the male persuasion analyzing my looks. OK, I realize my picture is on the top of this page. But no one is scrutinizing it, judging it, mulling over if it is “good enough.” That’s the difference that makes a difference. I then asked myself, “What if I had never gained the extra weight?” And you know what? Still, “ugh.” The thought of being gawked at was just appalling. From a frum perspective, this really makes sense. We are taught to be tzinius in not only our dress but also in our behavior, our values, and our attitudes. Dina was scolded for going out to check out the neighborhood. In my work with younger marrieds, there is a transition from singlehood to marriage that can be difficult for both men and women because suddenly, all, or most, bets are off when it comes to everything they’d been taught about tzinius. Kal v’chomer, we’re talking about people who aren’t even married yet, and somehow, they have to juggle the idea of tzinius with the idea that someone is scrutinizing their physicality. How can that muster anything but a “yuck”? And then we take it a step further to people who have raised families, are most likely grandparents, and have a career which is possibly a passion of the mind. And that all boils down to a picture of what

they look like? What about what’s inside of them? Does that appear in the content of the resume? How? How can it possibly? Makes no sense. Recently, one of my live webinars in Zoom-land was on the topic of whether a couple can just fall in love. In preparing for this talk, I was reading a book that mentioned the research of Arthur Aron, the love researcher who was at one time here at Stony Brook. He was talking about a piece of research with college students that he contrived: People would ask very deep questions about the other person, taking turns, followed by looking into each other’s eyes for four minutes. Somehow, they would fall in love. In his original experiment, four of these pairs actually got married. So as I was presenting this material, the thought came to me: Yeah, and then? I wonder what the follow up would be on how happy these people were over time. Sure, romance is a “thing,” a happy, fun thing. So is a good dessert and forbidden drugs. But what is it that marriages, solid, happy, fulfilled marriages – as this man himself had apparently had – are made of? I decided that the best place for romance is after the marriage. Build up the kindness, respect, admiration, and generosity in the marriage and love will surely follow. Then, if you want to go bungie jumping together or whitewater rafting to add some excitement, go for it. But let’s put all the elements into the right order. Take pictures of your sweetheart after you know they’re the one.

Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. If you want help with your marriage, begin by signing up to watch her Masterclass at https://drdeb.com/myw-masterclass.


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Health & F tness

17 Popular Nutrition Myths Debunked by Aliza beer MS, rD, cDN

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here is a lot of bad advice about health and nutrition on the internet and on social media. Anybody can share diet advice and information, regardless of whether science supports what they say. Thus, much misinformation about nutrition and dieting is available, which can cause tremendous confusion and even be harmful. Only registered dietitians are the nutrition experts who have the proper scientific education and training to promote health and nutrition-related information. As a dietitian, I want to debunk many of the popular nutrition myths one can find online.

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OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

Popular Nutrition Myths Myth #1: Calories in vs. calories out is the only thing you need to lose weight and be healthy. Although creating a calorie deficit, burning more energy than you consume is important for weight loss, but it isn’t the only factor. When it comes to your health, not all calories are created equal. If you eat foods high in saturated fat and processed sugar, your cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation levels will likely increase. Similarly, eating unhealthfully can lead to metabolic syndrome, a set of conditions that increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The source of the calorie is just as important, if not more, than the calorie. Eating nutritious foods like lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and fibrous carbohydrates will help you lose weight, keep it off, and leave you feeling energized and motivated. Myth #2: You should eat under 1000 calories/day to lose weight. In most cases, a diet under 1,000 calories per day is not heathy or sustainable. Very low-calorie diets have been proven

to slow your metabolism and negatively impact your hunger hormones. Instead, find a calorie range where you can still lose weight but are able to maintain the amount and feel energized. Myth #3: Zero sugar sweeteners are healthy. Artificial sweeteners may have negative health outcomes. These can include Equal, Sweet’ N Low, Splenda, and Sweet One. They can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Additionally, they can lead to increased appetite, sweet cravings, cavities, headaches, and stomach issues. Myth #4: Eat negative calorie foods to lose weight. There is no such thing as negative-calorie foods. Negative calorie foods are believed to be foods that take more energy to digest than the calories they provide. They include celery, grapefruit, lemon, lime, apple, lettuce, cabbage, and broccoli. People believe that you can lose weight by eating a lot of “negative calorie” foods. However, there is no reputable research that shows

that these foods require more energy to digest than the calories they provide. Instead, focus on eating a well-balanced diet with all different fruits and vegetables, proteins, fats, and carbs. Myth #5: High fat foods aren’t healthy. Our bodies rely on fat for energy, heart and brain health, and vitamin absorption. There are many types of fat that are considered healthy and can be a great addition to your diet. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like olive oil, avocados, and nuts, as well as fish and flax seeds, are extremely healthy and can provide many nutritional benefits. True, these fats are very high in calories, but instead of eliminating them, consume these healthy fats consistently and in moderation. Avoid saturated fats like fatty meats and hydrogenated oils like shortening and margarine. Myth #6: Juice cleanses are healthy. Although juice cleanses can lead to weight-loss in many cases, it is often only short-term weight loss due to loss of water

weight. The juices are also stripped of any fiber during the juicing process and often contain tremendous amounts of sugar that may leave you feeling energetic, followed by a crash. Many people want to do a juice cleanse to “detoxify their body.” However, our bodies are very good at detoxifying on their own and do not need a juice cleanse to do so. Myth #7: Acai bowls are a good meal. Acai bowls have become super popular in recent years, and many people gravitate towards them for a quick meal. Although acai is filled with a lot of antioxidants, acai bowls usually contain a lot of calories and sugar. Acai bowl stores usually add a lot of toppings like Nutella, nut butter, nuts, seeds, honey, and fruit. These add up and can equal a tremendous number of calories and sugar, without the person realizing it. Additionally, there isn’t a lot of protein in an acai bowl, which makes it a poor meal replacement. Opting for a smoothie with a set ingredient list and making sure to include protein, fiber, and not a lot of sugar will be a much healthier alternative. An example of a healthy smoothie includes: protein like pea protein, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or collagen, a low-sugar fruit like berries, greens like kale or spinach, unsweetened almond milk, and PB2. Adding in some fiber, chia seeds or flax seeds is a good choice. Frozen zucchini or cauliflower can also be added to make your smoothies even creamier. Myth #8: You should detox regularly. There is no such thing as detoxing! A well-functioning body contains a kidney and a liver, which both detoxify by getting rid of toxins. Similarly, skin and lungs are both detoxifying every day. Our bodies are designed to detoxify themselves and do not need help detoxifying. “Detoxing” through fasting, water fasting,


119 nothing wrong with gluten. A gluten-free diet is not healthier than a diet that contains gluten. Many gluten-free foods contain a lot of added calories and other ingredients to replace the gluten. Therefore, if you don’t have an issue with gluten, choose whole-grain foods like wholewheat bread. Myth #14: Bread is bad for you. Contrary to popular belief, bread is not inherently fattening. However, not all breads are created equal. Refined-white

snacking/binging, but intermittent fasting eliminates that whole scenario. So if you eat a well-balanced three meals and a snack or two within the 8-hour window, then the 16-hour fasting period may help accelerate weight loss to a degree. Myth #17: You can eat whatever you want after you exercise. Many people think that putting in time in the gym entitles them to eat whatever they want. Firstly, you can’t fuel your body with junk food and expect it to perform.

When it comes to your health, not all calories are created equal.

In order to be successful in the gym, you need to eat a clean, nutritious diet. Secondly, we usually burn a lot less calories in the gym than we think we did. If you burned 500 calories in the gym and then eat a burger, you consumed more calories than you burned. On one hand, you should never have to earn your food by ex-

There is so much information online about nutrition and health, which can sometimes make it difficult to differentiate between what is true and what is not. The best way to determine if a piece of information is true is to research if it’s backed by science. If something sounds too good to be true, it’s most likely a nutrition myth. People share misinformation about health and nutrition very often over social media, which can be difficult to verify. Getting your advice from reputable sources like dietitians and medical professionals will ensure the information you receive is scientifically accurate, thereby allowing you to live a healthy lifestyle. 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

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bread is highly processed and can spike your blood sugar and insulin levels. You can opt for whole-grain bread like high-fiber bread, multigrain sourdough, and Ezekiel bread. These breads are high in fiber, which will help you feel full and satisfied. Whole-grains are also linked to a decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Regardless of your health goals, the right kinds of bread have a place in a well-balanced diet. Myth #15: Protein can be unlimited. Many people believe that as long as they are eating lean proteins, protein is unlimited. However, an adult only needs 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Therefore, nobody should be eating unlimited protein, regardless of your goals. When a person eats too much protein, protein is converted and stored as fat. When too much protein is consumed, the kidneys are overworked, which can lead to ketosis, when the body burns fat for fuel. Myth #16: You can eat whatever you want when you intermittent fast. Intermittent fasting is a when you fast for a period of the day and eat for the other period of the day. A typical intermittent fast entails 8 hours of eating and 16 hours of fasting. Many people believe that when they fast, they can eat whatever they want during the period of eating and still lose weight. If you break your fast with candy, burgers, French fries, and pizza, you won’t lose weight. If a person consumes more calories than their body burns during their eating window, they won’t lose weight. Intermittent fasting can help achieve weight loss by curbing night snacking. Many people struggle with late night

ercising, and on the other hand, you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. A combination of a moderate exercise routine and a healthful diet will help you reach your goals.

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juice-cleansing, using herbal treatments, supplements, or following diets of strictly fruits and vegetables can be very dangerous and lead to stomach issues, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and electrolyte imbalances. Instead, take care of your body by feeding it healthy foods and staying active, and allow your body to do the detoxing. Myth #9: Carbs make you gain weight. Firstly, carbs are our bodies’ preferred source of energy. Without carbs, we won’t have energy to do anything. Eating a moderate amount of healthy carbs that are high in fiber can be very beneficial for your health. It is best to focus on wholegrain carbohydrates and starchy root vegetables, as opposed to refined carbs like white-bread. Myth #10: Salt is bad for you. Although eating too much salt can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, our bodies need salt to function. Not eating enough salt can lead to hyponatremia, a condition that occurs when the sodium in your blood is too low. This can lead to nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Salt, in appropriate amounts, can help you stay hydrated, balances electrolytes, and supports a healthy central nervous system. Oftentimes, people overdo it and consume a lot of salt. For healthy individuals, it is recommended to consume less than 2,300mg of sodium daily. Myth #11: Fiber supplements can replace fiber from food. Although fiber supplements can be helpful for some people with constipation, they do not replace fiber from food. Fiber from foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and legumes have other health benefits and cannot be compared to fiber in the form of a powder or pill. Myth #12: Snacking is bad for you. For many people with long-work days or busy schedules, snacks can ensure they stay energized and consume enough food. Not all snacks are created equal. Fruits and vegetables, hardboiled eggs, nuts, and other high-fiber snacks can be included in a healthy diet. It is best to opt for snacks from a tree or a lean source of protein, instead of a snack from a bag. Try to stay away from bars and chips and opt for a square of dark chocolate or a handful of nuts instead. Nutritious snacks can reduce overeating at meals and can be helpful when eating a meal isn’t possible. Myth #13: Gluten is bad for you. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Aside for people who are gluten intolerant or celiac, there is


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Parenting Pearls

Well Visits by Sara rayvych, MSed

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t’s that time of year again when parents make sure their children’s well visits are up-to-date and ready to submit to their camp of choice. Medical forms, along with the standard array of permission slips, are part of the pre-camp experience for parents. People often act surprised when they hear my children routinely go for their well visits. It seems many people associate well visits as something you do just to keep your child in school. Their assumption is that if my kids aren’t in school then they obviously must not go to the doctor. I won’t go in depth into the frustrating myths that exist about homeschooled children – the assumptions that homeschooled kids aren’t vaccinated, don’t take antibiotics, and never receive medical care. Each family – whether private, public, or home educating – tries to make the best healthcare decisions for their family. But with these common misconceptions, you can understand why many people are shocked my kids visit their pediatricians (and dentists) routinely. While many of the ideas shared in this column are topics you might see elsewhere, I try to focus on what you might not see covered somewhere else. I could spend my time writing about how important it is to monitor your child’s weight, check their blood pressure, and see how

much they’ve grown. As important as these and many similar discussions are, I will leave that to another author. Today, I’d like to focus on a lesser thought aspect of well visits.

Don’t Miss a Thing Let’s start with the more obvious benefits. Most parents know their child very well. Despite this knowledge, there is always a chance something can be missed. There are many things that are not generally visible or easy for a layman to recognize. For example, my toddler had his well visit, and the doctor’s staff used some fancy technology to check his vision. I tried to be polite and not laugh knowing they had little chance of getting such a little kid to look into the device long enough to get any real measurements. Unsurprisingly, they didn’t get a good reading. I wasn’t laughing when the doctor pulled me aside and said that despite the poor testing conditions, their little gizmo had picked up a potential vision problem. Upon her recommendations, we soon visited a pediatric ophthalmologist. As I left the ophthalmologist’s office, I called her to thank my pediatrician for catching what ended up being a serious vision discrepancy. Just like I couldn’t have known he had a vision issue (there were no other

symptoms), there are a myriad of other problems that parents don’t have the tools or technology to pick up on. All those annoying screenings that are done can have a purpose. As an example, a friend shared with me how her child’s pediatrician picked up on a slight discrepancy in her daughter’s numbers that indicated the beginning stages of an eating issue. Baruch Hashem, they were able to immediately address her daughter’s disordered eating at an early phase rather than waiting till the problem had progressed. It can sometimes be tough to know whether what your child is experiencing is something that will pass or requires an intervention. Your child’s well visit can also be both the opportunity and the wakeup call that something needs to be looked into further. The well visit is a chance to monitor not only your child’s physical health but also their mental health, which is no less important. Especially during times of increased stress, you’ll want their health care provider on board and monitoring your child. Questionnaires and screenings will include a mental health portion. It can make a tremendous difference in the health of a child if potential problems, especially emotional ones, are caught early on. In some cases, a child may open up to a physician rather than a parent about

issues they’re experiencing. Many parents find it helpful to come with a prepared list of questions or issues to discuss. Having it written down in advance helps prevent the inevitable forgetfulness that occurs during appointments.

Getting to Know Each Other Well visits are a time for your child to get to know their physician and become comfortable with him/her. This is the main opportunity for your child to meet this individual when they’re not sick, hurt, or feeling gross. Their doctor, similarly, gets the chance to become familiar with your child and their personality, especially when they’re feeling more like themself. A child benefits from being comfortable speaking with their personal physician. A scared, untrusting child won’t as accurately convey their true feelings and level of pain as a child that communicates well with their doctor. Additionally, when the family physician understands their patient’s usual temperament, the doctor is better able to catch nuanced changes when they occur. A few years ago, my son was hospitalized, and his usual pediatrician was on vacation when the emergency occurred. My usually inquisitive and talkative child was in such pain that he remained quiet


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Building Trust It’s more than just knowing the pa-

tient; it’s building a relationship of trust between the parents and their family’s medical providers. I can’t tell you how many times over the years it’s made a difference that the one answering our questions knew us as parents. Doctors who knew us were more comfortable trusting our judgment – especially over the phone – and more willing to work with us during thornier problems.

treatment was able to be. I’m reminded of an appointment I had years ago for my then-newborn. I had seen this same specialist for a few previous newborns, and she remembered me well. I reported a number of concerning behaviors I was seeing in my infant. Naturally, the baby refused to display any of the symptoms in front of the expert. As many parents know, a child could wail for

In some cases, a child may open up to a physician rather than a parent about issues they’re experiencing.

I personally feel this trust is perhaps the biggest difference I’ve noticed between the times we’ve had our usual provider versus a substitute during an emergency, such as urgent care. My children just didn’t get the same level of care as when the doctor trusted us and our input. It’s my personal opinion that the better the doctor knew us, the more targeted the

hours at home in pain, only to smile and laugh when in the presence of the doctor. Despite my neonate’s lack of cooperation, the doctor reassured me that she believed me when I described the baby’s behavior at home. This was truly important since I was explaining to this professional why my well-growing, heavy for his age nursling was having concerning feeding

problems. Normally, it would be seen as preposterous that a baby was not eating well yet gaining weight. If she had just looked at the numbers and the baby’s numbers, she would’ve said he was fine and sent me home. By trusting my input, she correctly diagnosed his posterior (and not obvious) tongue tie that was, in fact, causing serious feeding problems. In turn, I’ve found that the more I knew and trusted the healthcare provider, the more comfortable I was discussing any concerns or hesitations I had. Ultimately, this led to better treatment plans for my child. While we know there are three partners in the creation of a child, there are far more in the raising of a child. Having a trusting relationship with a physician who knows your child makes that journey one step easier. Daven for good health, and don’t forget to send in those forms!

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and mostly slept. The on-call doctor at the hospital had the wisdom to notice his patient’s silence and called me out of the room to inquire if this was normal. Only after hearing about my son’s usual demeanor was he able to appropriately judge the severity of my son’s pain. This is something his normal doctor would have immediately recognized. I prefer to look at well visits as more than just a height and weight check. I try to see this as an opportunity for our doctor to get to know our family and our family to get to know the doctor. This is an opportunity for your doctor to stay in touch with your children and their needs. Children grow so fast that you want their health care providers to be as up to date as possible on where they are in all aspects of their development. I like to know that when I call with a question the doctor has met that child recently. This is important not only when it comes to your child’s physical health but their emotional health, as well. This becomes even more crucial, in my opinion, as children reach their teenage years.

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 RayvychHome school@gmail.com.

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jewish women of wisdom

Boredom is Not Fatal by rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz

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one daughter recalls five copies of Little Women and at least three of the Wind in the Willow on our Brooklyn shelves. As grandmothers, we seek quality experiences with our grandchildren. We want not only all parties to enjoy, laugh and make memories, we also want more of a lasting impact than fun experiences together. We want our interactions to have

can be delegated. One daughter has offered to bring unique toys she has access to. But it’s on us to keep the school-age children content in our homes. The babies and toddlers who are unfamiliar with the environment and schedules often give the parents a hard time. Having new games for the bigger kids after napping will keep some engaged. The

My own daughter implemented this strategy to the point that her daughter would complain at age four, “I am bored, and I DO NOT want options.” preschoolers may need a fresh set of Playmobil or two to keep them busy. Even a full stock of multiple sets of Magnatiles won’t necessarily be interesting enough. They have them at home, and they have them at preschool. New dolls and carriages, trucks, a new dollhouse and figurines, puppets and a puppet theater, and costumes provide hours of creativity that can happen with cousins. Lots of cheap top hats and pompoms will prompt shows that the kids will prepare and eventually perform. This is a great resource for those long rainy yom tov days. A new board game is sedentary, but

JWOW! is a community for midlife Jewish women which can be accessed at www. jewishwomanofwisdom.org for conversation, articles, Zoom events, and more.

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impact on character development, intellectual development, and Jewish values development. Ideas, situations, dilemmas, and Torah could be part of the conversations. But how to do it? Obviously, there are different strategies for different ages. And the numbers have to be manageable. If we are hosting or sharing a space for a big yom tov with grandchildren of all ages, we are obviously going to plan for times for each age group or groups of two or three. If are hosting, we are responsible for the maintenance of peace and atmosphere. Some purchases

you may not be left with all the pieces by the time yom tov is over. Newly published books and the holiday magazines provide the teens and their parents with resources for time out. There isn’t much time for engagement when there are so many in one space. But you can take a stroll with a grandchild or two. Talking about what they are currently reading and what was the latest program at school are good openers. We can follow up with questions like: what did you like about that? We want the conversations to be more than reportorial. Sharing a bit about what is going on in our own lives, minds, jobs, hobbies, projects, and bedside reading demonstrates that we want to share our own interests, too. Intentionality is in order if you want to really discuss things. Talking about one’s parents is not hard. “Did I ever tell you about the time when…?” is a good opener to pique a grandchild’s interest beyond perusing photo albums together. It’s neither our obligation nor our responsibility to provide boredom busters for our grandchildren. But it’s smart for management of yom tov and to promote relationships.

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y late mother used a declarative tone to address children in the family with this statement. She would challenge them to find creative ways to entertain themselves when the “I’m bored” complaint was heard. It was often followed by a comment such as, “You are smart. You can find yourself something to do.” Not each kid liked to hear it. As a parent, I agreed with this approach. It’s not the responsibility of a parent to entertain children. Learning to handle their own occupation is a process, however. I would give my children a list of age- appropriate options and suggest that they pick one. They would sometimes get a written list. Alternatively, they could come up with their own ideas. My own daughter implemented this strategy to the point that her daughter would complain at age four, “I am bored, and I DO NOT want options.” However, when it came to the grandchildren, my mother learned to be proactive more often than didactic. She had a store of old toys like all grandmothers do. But she also kept a bag of novelty items from a local discount store hanging in a hall closet, filled with cheap toys and games for visiting grandchildren, great nieces and nephews, and children of talmidim of my father’s. There were always quality books to read in the “book room” and the cheapies for taking home. She would also buy her favorites from the street vendors in Manhattan. That’s why


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In The K

tchen

Crockpot Brisket Serves 8

by Naomi Nachman

On a busy workdays you can put this up in the morning in your crockpot, and dinner will be ready for you when you come home!

Ingredients

◦ 3 tomatoes, halved ◦ 3 stalks celery, chunked ◦ 8 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered ◦ Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt, to taste ◦ 3-4-lb. second-cut brisket ◦ 1 cup red wine ◦ 1 cup ketchup ◦ 1 cup water

Preparation

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1. Place all the vegetables in the bottom of a large crockpot, and season with spices. Season brisket on all sides with spices, and place on top of vegetables. 2. Mix wine and ketchup in a bowl and pour over meat and vegetables. Set crockpot to high and cook for 6–7 hours. 3. Remove meat from the crockpot and slice. If it’s very soft, you can just pull it apart with two forks. 4. To serve: Place meat on platter and place potatoes around the meat. If you have a fleishig immersion blender, blend the remaining vegetables in the crockpot to make gravy and pour it over the meat.

Styling and photography by Sina Mizrahi

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.


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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

In 2020, America experienced its largest annual increase in homicides ever, assaults are up, mass shootings are up. Voters’ focus is safe streets – not making women swimming safe for men. - Bill Maher

One of the things I say in response to the media… I will absolutely leave the Court when I do my job as poorly as you do yours. – Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in a CSPAN interview

Some business news: it’s been a rough couple of months for the economy, and I saw that yesterday was the stock market’s worst day in over two years. Yeah, stocks fell so fast, the oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling at CNBC. — Jimmy Fallon

This is really the moment when it is decided whether brute force will rule the world.

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-President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a video address to the World Economic Forum in Davos

Comparing saving 630,000 lives per year with the murder of 3,000 in a day is probably the most asinine and insulting take I’ve ever seen on Twitter, and that’s saying a lot. You should apologize to the families of 9/11 victims for using their loved one’s deaths for propaganda. – Tweet by political commentator Jennifer Greenberg responding to a Washington Post article on Friday, titled “Roe’s impending reversal is a 9/11 attack on America’s social fabric”

Russian elections are rigged. Political opponents are imprisoned or otherwise eliminated from participating in the electoral process. The result is an absence of checks and balances in Russia, and the decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq— I mean, of Ukraine. - Former President George W. Bush, who led the invasion into Iraq in 2003, in a speech last week

Well, here’s what I can say: nobody on the right accused the man who tried to kill Scalise and shot Republicans at the baseball practice of representing the Democratic Party. We’re better than that. Nobody accused the person who was a Bernie supporter, who attacked Republican congressman at the baseball game, of representing the mainstream of the Democratic Party. I find that headline offensive. This is why I don’t read Rolling Stone. - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Newsmax responding to a Rolling Stone article titled, “The Buffalo Shooter Isn’t a ‘Lone Wolf.’ He’s a Mainstream Republican”


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We hear a lot from big corporations like Disney when they want a virtue-signal down in Florida about [inappropriate] education to young kids, but not a word from them about the oppression of millions of Afghani women in Afghanistan - Piers Morgan, after interviewing the Taliban spokesman on Sky News

They raised him, educated him, made him capable, made him a pilot, which was expensive. They see people in their neighborhood playing with their grandchildren and feel like they should also have one. – The lawyer for Sadhana and Sanjeev Prasad of India, explaining why they are suing their son who does not have children

They said they didn’t marry their son off so that they can live alone.... So they said that in the next year, either give us a grandchild or give us compensation. - Ibid.

I made my feelings known to the league as soon as I saw the schedule. We have always requested the league take the Jewish High Holy Days into consideration when formulating our schedule. Not sure why it happened this year.

Imagine I proposed a Housing for All Bill in Congress. Then imagine you, me, and a million of our friends took action and occupied empty houses nationwide. They couldn’t ignore us. No one has ever done anything like this. That’s why it’s going to work. - Washington Democratic congressional candidate Rebecca Parson in a campaign video

– Giants owner John Marra talking about his team being scheduled for a home game this Rosh Hashana

At the end of the day, this was a government failure; it’s not a White House failure. - MSNBC’s Chuck Todd

- Don Gorske, 68, of Wisconsin who holds a Guinness World Record for eating the most Big Macs (32,340 over 50 years; he only missed 8 days from his two-a-day schedule)

It is what it is. It’s just a lifestyle he’s chosen. - Mary Gorske, 68, talking about her husband’s artery-clogging accomplishment

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I’m not a type of person that tries new stuff. When I like something, I stick with it all the time.

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Maybe I would’ve died. But psychologically, they never would’ve broken me.

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- Former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia on trumped up charges and served three, in his first interview since being released from Russian prison in a prison swap last month

First, I learned to be a proud Jew, not to hide our Judaism. When I spoke in the Security Council, I put my kippah on my head, and I read from the Bible. My colleagues in Jerusalem and the minister of foreign affairs told me, “Danny, what are you doing? You know it’s the Security Council.” I told them, “Exactly.” First, we speak about of Biblical rights to the land, then we speak about international law and other issues. When you respect the tradition in the Jewish religion, you get respected. - Israel’s former ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon in an interview at the Arutz Sheva Jerusalem Conference last week

I wanted him to know what he said was triggering. - Isaiah Lee, explaining why he jumped on the stage and assaulted a comedian last month

You know, when we talk about the children – I know for this group – we all believe that when we talk about the children of the community, they are a children of the community. – Vice Pres. Kamala Harris at a conference

I didn’t know what he was going to do, but I knew I was going to protect myself. I’m a fighter. I’m going to defend myself. - Virginia Morrison, 70, of Florida, talking to local reporters after she shot and killed an intruder who broke into her home

It’s one of the most extreme things I’ve ever seen. It’s so extreme it’s like hanging from the wing of an airplane while everyone is sitting inside. – Nic Von Rupp, a big-wave surfer, talking about bodysurfers who ride monster waves without a board

When it comes to the gas prices, we’re going through an incredible transition that is taking place that, G-d willing, when it’s over, we’ll be stronger and the world will be stronger and less reliant on fossil fuels when this is over. - President Joe Biden, celebrating high gas prices, during a press conference in Japan


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Political crossfire

Biden Seeks a New Opening in a Rattled Asia by David Ignatius

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resident Joe Biden is traveling this week to Asia to project U.S. diplomatic and economic power in a region that has been rattled by the blunders of America’s two most powerful rivals, Russia and China. Outrage about Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine is a global phenomenon, Biden administration officials believe. The unprovoked attack by President Vladimir Putin rocked Europe, but it also sent shockwaves through Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan, which have rushed to aid Kyiv. China, deeply embarrassed by Russia’s assault, has seen its influence diminish in Europe and Asia. China is having its own internal troubles at the same moment that its chief ally is caught in a war of attrition in Ukraine. President Xi Jinping’s campaign to create “common prosperity” has backfired, administration officials believe. Chinese growth is slowing, capital is fleeing the country. and internal dissent is increasing – even as a new wave of the pandemic has Shanghai and other major cities in lockdown. “This is an opportunity for the United States to get off the back foot,” says Stephen Hadley, who served as national security adviser for President George W. Bush. “Putin has delivered a strategic blow to Russia by his failed effort to absorb Ukraine, and Xi by his policies has derailed the Chinese juggernaut.” Biden’s trip to Asia will offer a powerful tableau of the United States’ greatest global strength, which is its network of partnerships with strong democracies. Biden is scheduled to visit with South Korea’s new president and then with the leaders of India, Japan and Australia, who are America’s partners in the socalled Quad. Because Ukraine will be on every-

one’s mind, the usual gaps between transatlantic and Asia-Pacific policies might be dissolved by common opposition to aggression. “These may be two theaters, but there’s one operating system strategically,” argues Kurt Campbell, who coordinates Asia policy for the National Security Council. Biden’s Asia trip will launch a twomonth roadshow of diplomacy in which Biden will take his case for global partnerships to leaders from Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Because it’s a moment when both Beijing and Moscow are suffering from severe, self-inflicted problems, administration officials feel that they have the wind at their backs for a change. China’s recent economic difficulties form an unexpected backdrop for the trip. Reversals in the property, technology and financial sectors, plus new covid-19 lockdowns, led International Monetary Fund economists to lower their growth forecast for China this

year to 4.4 percent. Some analysts think growth will actually be much slower, and that at current rates, the Chinese economy might not surpass that of the United States by the end of this decade, as many had expected – or perhaps not ever. Kevin Rudd, a China scholar and former Australian prime minister, summarized Beijing’s difficulties in a speech this month to the Asia Society, which he heads. Xi tried to dictate “common prosperity,” by cracking down on highflying tycoons. The resulting economic turmoil was so great that in recent months, the economic buzzword for newly centrist Chinese officials has become “stability,” Rudd wrote in his prepared remarks. Investors were already fleeing Chinese stocks and bonds when the pandemic struck again this year, shattering Xi’s zero-covid policy. For a country that touts the managerial competence of its authoritarian system, it’s not a pretty picture. ` Biden plans to announce a new In-

do-Pacific Economic Framework, which will seek to establish common digital standards, supply-chain cooperation and other shared norms. It’s not a “trade agreement” like the Trans-Pacific Partnership that Democrats abandoned in 2016, ceding the field to China, which quickly created its own multilateral group. But the IPEF, as the administration has dubbed it, provides what one official calls “an affirmative, positive economic vision for the most strategically consequential region of the world.” Administration officials expect that at least 10 Asian countries will agree to join the IPEF negotiations. That will include India, a regional powerhouse, as well as other major Asian economies. The IPEF isn’t as broad as the TPP was, but one former trade official notes that it’s “a mechanism for getting the U.S. back to the table, to engage, to show leadership on issues that matter.” That’s a step forward from the trade phobia that has rattled the administration. A shadow over the Asia trip will be North Korea. U.S. officials fear that President Kim Jong Un might be planning a missile launch, or even a nuclear test, during Biden’s visit to the region. A nuclear test would provoke a full-blown crisis with Pyongyang, even as Kim struggles to contain a covid outbreak that one official said is “tearing through the country.” A sign of Beijing’s disorientation in this moment of upheaval: When the White House warned Beijing this week about the possible North Korean test and proposed a common effort to help deal with the covid outbreak there, sources say the Chinese didn’t respond. They were, so to speak, on the back foot.

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To Counter Putin’s Aggression in Ukraine, Look to Ronald Reagan by Marc A. thiessen

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from the grip of an expansionist Russia. He also worked with Pope John Paul II to funnel millions of dollars to the Solidarity movement in Poland, laying the groundwork for that country’s liberation from Soviet domination. Now, in Ukraine, a new generation of freedom fighters is defending their land from Russian expansionism. For months, President Biden slow-rolled arms shipments to Kyiv, terrified that stronger U.S. support would be “provocative” and could cause “World War III.” As Putin’s forces committed unspeakable atrocities against Ukrainian civilians, President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded for arms, asking: “What is NATO doing? Is it being run by Russia?” Only after two months and thousands of unnecessary deaths did Biden agree to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons necessary to roll back Russian forces. Today, Congress is moving forward with a nearly $40 billion package of military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine

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istration tempted Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine. So this is a good moment to reflect on some important lessons from Reagan on how to confront and reverse Putin’s unprovoked aggression. Reagan assumed the presidency in the wake of our withdrawal from Vietnam. Then, as now, Americans had no appetite for sending U.S. troops to fight in distant lands. He needed to figure out a way to roll back Soviet expansionism without committing American ground forces to every global flash point. So, he forged the Reagan Doctrine, which recognized that there were brave men across the world willing to fight their own wars of liberation. Given American weapons, training and intelligence, as well as financial, diplomatic and humanitarian support, they could free their nations from Russian domination. By providing such assistance, Reagan helped freedom fighters from Central America to South Asia unshackle their countries

that would make Reagan proud. The package passed the House 368 to 57, and the Senate voted 81 to 11 to proceed toward final passage. The good news is that the bill has broad bipartisan support. The bad news is that Reagan’s fellow Republicans made up all the “no” votes. Shamefully, the political arm of the Heritage Foundation, one of Reagan’s favorite think tanks, lobbied hard against the aid package, declaring that it “takes money away from the priorities of the American people and recklessly sends our taxpayer dollars to a foreign nation.” This is the same argument the left made against funding the Reagan Doctrine in the 1980s. In his farewell address to the 1992 GOP convention, Reagan called on his fellow Republicans to reject the “new isolationists” who “insist that our triumph [in the Cold War] is yesterday’s news, part of a past that holds no lessons for the future.” We must never go back, he said, to a world “where our leaders told us that standing up to aggressors was dangerous.” For many who remember the Reagan years, those words still ring true. We have muscle memory from the Cold War. A Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that majorities of those 40-and-older support increasing military aid to Ukraine. But just 38% of young Republicans, who grew up in the post-Cold War era, support boosting military aid, and 52% are opposed. Which means the Young America’s Foundation has its work cut out reminding a new generation that, in Reagan’s words, “a violation of human rights anywhere is the business of free people everywhere.” Bring them here to the Reagan Ranch.

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rriving at the Reagan Ranch in California’s Santa Ynez mountains is like stepping back in time to the 1980s. The 40th president’s Western White House is privately owned by the Young America’s Foundation, which invites high school and college students to visit and learn about the Reagan legacy. There are no exhibits or velvet ropes. Everything remains as it was when the Reagans lived here, from Nancy’s handwritten instructions for operating the TV remote to the jar of “Brim” freeze-dried coffee in the kitchen. Returning to the 1980s feels like a relief at a time when our nation appears to be reliving the 1970s. Inflation is at a 40-year high, the economy is contracting, gas prices are skyrocketing, a U.S. ally has been overthrown by Islamist radicals, and an expansionist Russia has invaded one of its neighbors. It’s practically the second coming of the Carter administration. So it’s comforting to be in a place, however briefly, where it is always “Morning in America.” My visit happened to coincide with that of the late president’s son, Michael Reagan, the longtime conservative radio host and author. He brought his grandchildren – President Reagan’s great-grandchildren – on their first visit to the ranch to bury their cat, Sticky, in the family pet cemetery. I ask Michael what his father would have done about Ukraine. “It would never have happened if he were president,” Michael says. He’s right. Not far from here, at the Reagan presidential library, a Reagan quote is emblazoned on a sign: “We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then that tyrants are tempted.” The weakness of the Biden admin-


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Political crossfire

Biden’s Attack on an “Ultra-MAGA Agenda” is a Mega Blunder by Marc A. thiessen

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ith his approval ratings hitting new lows, President Joe Biden has come up with a new strategy to save his party from a historic shellacking in November’s midterm elections: attacking Republicans for their “ultra-MAGA agenda.” Not since Hillary Clinton dismissed Trump voters as “deplorables” has a political attack line bombed so badly. The GOP is embracing Biden’s new catchphrase, emblazoning it on T-shirts and using it in fundraising emails. Unlike Clinton’s blunder, the “ultra-MAGA” attack is apparently the culmination of a six-month research project led by Biden adviser Anita Dunn and the left-wing Center for American Progress Action Fund. If it took the administration and its allies six months to come up with a strategy this bad, it’s little wonder they can’t figure out how to control inflation or the southern border. Biden’s attack on the “ultra-MAGA agenda” is based on a critical misunderstanding of why Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. Americans didn’t vote against Trump’s agenda; they voted against Trump. His agenda was extremely popular. In September 2020, 56% of registered voters told Gallup that they were better off under Trump than they were four years earlier – a stunning number considering that we were in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, triggered by the worst pandemic since 1918, and followed by the worst racial unrest since the 1960s. That’s significantly higher than Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan when they won reelection. Yet unlike those presidents, Trump did not win a second term. Americans approved of Trump’s policies, but they did not approve of him.

So when Biden attacks the “ultra-MAGA agenda,” millions think: Things were pretty good under the “ultra-MAGA agenda.” Before the pandemic hit, inflation was low, gas was cheap, people were working, wages were rising, the econo-

der that a Post-ABC News poll in February found that just 17% said they are better off now under Biden than they were before he took office – and that was before inflation hit 8.5%. So running against an “ultra-MAGA agenda” is a mistake.

By making Trump his foil, Biden is only making Trump stronger going into 2024.

my was growing, the border was secure, crime was under control, the United States was an energy superpower, our adversaries across the world feared and respected us – and there were no shortages of baby formula. None of that is true today. Little won-

But Biden’s strategy is even worse than that. Not only is he attacking “MAGA Republicans,” he’s trying to make the election a referendum on the man he calls “the great MAGA king” – Trump. This is yet another unforced error. Democrats know deep down that they are going to

experience historic losses in November. If they know they are going to get crushed at the polls, why would they try make the election a referendum on Trump? When they do lose, it won’t just be a defeat for Democrats – it will be a victory for Trump. Campaigning against the “MAGA king” means losing to the “MAGA king.” By making Trump his foil, Biden is only making Trump stronger going into 2024. Worse still, Biden’s new campaign is based on a lie. To define the “ultra-MAGA agenda,” Biden has latched onto a plan introduced by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), which suggests that all Americans should pay some income tax “to have skin in the game.” Biden has used this to assert that “congressional Republicans” want to raise taxes on half the country. He even claimed that “the majority of Republicans buy on to Scott’s plan.” That is patently untrue. Virtually no Republicans in Congress have endorsed Scott’s plan. Biden’s claim got him “Three – nearly Four – Pinocchios” from The Post’s Fact Checker. In other words, Biden’s “ultra-MAGA” attack is both dishonest and inept. So why is he doing it? Simple: He is running against the “ultra-MAGA agenda” because he can’t run on his own. When voters think of the “Biden agenda,” here is what comes to mind: the worst inflation in 40 years; the worst crime wave since the 1990s; the worst border crisis in American history; record-high gas prices; a record labor shortage with 11.5 million unfilled jobs; shortages of baby formula – and a president who appears to be completely overmatched by these problems. If that’s the best Biden can do, he’d better get ready for Americans to vote for the “ultra-MAGA agenda” in droves.

(c) 2022, Washington Post Writers Group


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The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

Forgotten Forgotten Her Her es es

Early Heroes of the IAF by Avi Heiligman by Avi Heiligman

From left - Giddy Lichtman, Modi Alon, From left - Ben Giddy Lichtman, Modi Alon, and David Gurion and David Ben Gurion

1010

OctOber OctOber 29,29, 2015 2015 | the | the Jewish Jewish Home Home

A

s the Israeli War of Independence s the Israeli War of Independence began in 1948, the call went out began in 1948, the call went out for experienced pilots to fly for experienced pilots to fly planes for the newly formed Israeli Air planes for the newly formed Israeli Air Force (IAF). Some pilots had been flying Force (IAF). Some pilots had been flying with the Hagana’s air wing and others with the Hagana’s air wing and others had been trained in the Royal Air Force had been trained in the Royal Air Force during World War II, but it also included during World War II, but it also included the many volunteers that filled the ranks the many stvolunteers that filled the ranks of the 101st Squadron. It was the first Isof the 101 Squadron. It was the first Israel fighter unit, and they scored some inrael fighter unit, and they scored some incredible victories while flying World War credible victories while flying World War II relics, hand-me-downs and knockoff II relics, hand-me-downs and knockoff aircraft. aircraft. The IAF’s first mission was on May The IAF’s first mission was on May 29, 1948 to stop Egyptian forces from 29, 1948 to stop Egyptian forces from advancing on Tel Aviv. Four pilots – Lou advancing on Tel Aviv. Four pilots – Lou Lenart, Eddie Cohen, Modi Alon and Lenart, Eddie Cohen, Modi Alon and Ezer Weizman – flew in Avia S-199 fightEzer Weizman – flew in Avia S-199 fighter planes but experienced problems while er planes but experienced problems while attacking the enemy column. Their guns attacking the enemy column. Their guns jammed, the bomb bay doors weren’t jammed, the bomb bay doors weren’t functioning properly, and Eddie Cohen’s functioning properly, and Eddie Cohen’s plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Still, plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Still, the other three pressed on the attack and the other three pressed on the attack and inflicted minimal damage. However, the inflicted minimal damage. However, the damage to the Egyptian Army’s morale damage to the Egyptian Army’s morale was so high, as they thought many more was so high, as they thought many more Israeli planes were about to attack. The Israeli planes were about to attack. The Egyptian forces dispersed, and Tel Aviv Egyptian forces dispersed, and Tel Aviv was safe from this ground attack. was safe from this ground attack. The plane that the pilots flew in was The plane that the pilots flew in was the Avia- S-199. It was a Czech knockoff the Avia- S-199. It was a Czech knockoff of the Me-109 (Messerschmitt-109, the of the Me-109 (Messerschmitt-109, the

Modi Alon, right, with David Ben Gurion Modi Alon, right, with David Ben Gurion

main fighter of the German Air Force of main fighter of the German Air Force of World War II). The irony of the planes World War II). The irony of the planes was that Me-109 was one of the enemy’s was that Me-109 was one of the enemy’s main weapons, and Spitfires and Hurrimain weapons, and Spitfires and Hurricanes were the best British planes. The canes were the best British planes. The Egyptians were equipped with the BritEgyptians were equipped with the British planes, while the Israelis were barely ish planes, while the Israelis were barely able to patch a few S-199 with old Messable to patch a few S-199 with old Messerschmitt parts. Several crashed in trainerschmitt parts. Several crashed in training, and only four planes were serviceable ing, and only four planes were serviceable for that first fight. for that first fight. A few days later, on June 3, Modi Alon A few days later, on June 3, Modi Alon scored the first two aerial victories in IAF scored the first two aerial victories in IAF history. The Egyptians had been bombing history. The Egyptians had been bombing Tel Aviv, and up until that point, they had Tel Aviv, and up until that point, they had no interference from any Israeli fighter no interference from any Israeli fighter planes. Alon flew in his S-199 and surplanes. Alon flew in his S-199 and surprised the Egyptians’ C-47 bombers and prised the Egyptians’ C-47 bombers and their two fighter escorts flying in British their two fighter escorts flying in British Spitfires. In front of an astounded Israeli Spitfires. In front of an astounded Israeli populace that came out to watch this air populace that came out to watch this air battle, Alon downed both bombers. The battle, Alon downed both bombers. The public had been unaware of the Israeli public had been unaware of the Israeli fighters, and Alon became a hero of the fighters, and Alon became a hero of the local population. Alon scored his third local population. Alon scored his third victory against a Spitfire on July 3. In Ocvictory against a Spitfire on July 3. In October, he was killed when his Avia crashed tober, he was killed when his Avia crashed due to a malfunction. due to a malfunction. Gideon “Giddy” Lichtman was IsraGideon “Giddy” Lichtman was Israel’s second pilot to earn an aerial comel’s second pilot to earn an aerial combat victory. Lichtman had fought for the bat victory. Lichtman had fought for the U.S. during World War II in the Pacific U.S. during World War II in the Pacific and came to Israel as a Machal pilot. His and came to Israel as a Machal pilot. His score came on June 8 against an Egyptian score came on June 8 against an Egyptian

The 101 Fighter Squadron The 101 Fighter Squadron

Spitfire whose pilot, Jamal Nasser, bailed Spitfire whose pilot, Jamal Nasser, bailed out and was captured by Israeli ground out and was captured by Israeli ground forces. forces. Lichtman later said about the aerial Lichtman later said about the aerial dogfight: “I’m trying to keep up with him, dogfight: “I’m trying to keep up with him, flying in close formation. I don’t know the flying in close formation. I don’t know the country. We have, at most, 40 minutes of country. We have, at most, 40 minutes of fuel. And instead of circling away from fuel. And instead of circling away from the sun, he’s circling into the sun. I’m at the sun, he’s circling into the sun. I’m at full throttle, and I can’t keep up with him. full throttle, and I can’t keep up with him. I’m at about 12,000 feet, and he’s way I’m at about 12,000 feet, and he’s way ahead of me and way above me …Through ahead of me and way above me …Through the dust and the haze, I see a shadow, and the dust and the haze, I see a shadow, and it’s an Egyptian Spit. He sees me. By this it’s an Egyptian Spit. He sees me. By this time, we’re heading south over the Meditime, we’re heading south over the Mediterranean. We got into a wild dogfight.… terranean. We got into a wild dogfight.… I follow him down, shooting after him. I follow him down, shooting after him. Then I check my fuel gauge, and it’s on Then I check my fuel gauge, and it’s on empty.” empty.” Many of the pilots that served with Many of the pilots that served with the 101 Squadron weren’t Jewish, and the 101 Squadron weren’t Jewish, and this was the case with Canadian Denny this was the case with Canadian Denny Wilson. He was a skilled pilot from HamWilson. He was a skilled pilot from Hamilton, Ontario, who had considerable exilton, Ontario, who had considerable experience during World War II, with two perience during World War II, with two kills during the global conflict. One of the kills during the global conflict. One of the reasons he chose to fly for Israel in 1948 reasons he chose to fly for Israel in 1948 was that he had seen the horrors of Berwas that he had seen the horrors of Bergen-Belsen during his war experience and gen-Belsen during his war experience and knew he could do something to help the knew he could do something to help the fledgling Jewish state. fledgling Jewish state. During the Israeli War of IndepenDuring the Israeli War of Independence, Wilson flew in newly acquired dence, Wilson flew in newly acquired Spitfires and downed two Egyptian Spitfires and downed two Egyptian

planes on December 31, 1948. One was planes on December 31, 1948. One was downed over a patrol over the Sinai, while downed over a patrol over the Sinai, while the other was on the return flight to base. the other was on the return flight to base. Another time he was flying in the Spitfire Another time he was flying in the Spitfire on a reconnaissance mission and picked on a reconnaissance mission and picked up radio communications that an enemy up radio communications that an enemy plane was in the vicinity. Although neiplane was in the vicinity. Although neither plane was carrying ammunition, ther plane was carrying ammunition, Wilson caused the Egyptian pilot to panic Wilson caused the Egyptian pilot to panic and bail out, causing the plane to crash. and bail out, causing the plane to crash. The pilots that joined the Israeli Air The pilots that joined the Israeli Air Force came to defend the new nation Force came to defend the new nation and help it survive against superior Arab and help it survive against superior Arab air forces. The planes they had were ruair forces. The planes they had were rudimentary, and oftentimes the ground dimentary, and oftentimes the ground crews had to hide the planes among orcrews had to hide the planes among orange trees. As the war progressed, the ange trees. As the war progressed, the IAF obtained more and better aircraft, IAF obtained more and better aircraft, which led to a better balance in air suwhich led to a better balance in air superiority. There were several other pilots periority. There were several other pilots who scored air-to-air kills in addition to who scored air-to-air kills in addition to the ones mentioned in this article, and the ones mentioned in this article, and many of them continued to help the IAF many of them continued to help the IAF after the war to help the air force evenafter the war to help the air force eventually become the formidable force it is tually become the formidable force it is today. today.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contribuAvi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes tor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for fuyour comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at ture columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com. aviheiligman@gmail.com.


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HEWLETT - WOODMERE House for Sale Expanded Ranch 4 beds 2 bath 8,700 sq ft lot. Taxes 16k. Asking 875k DM Yehoshua 917-923-0011 Woodmere Beautiful Spacious and updated 6 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath 4 Level Colonial located in the heart of desirable Old Woodmere! This lovely home with high ceilings features beautiful hardwood floors, stunning gas fireplace, finished basement, granite kitchen w/stainless steel appliances, cozy screened in porch overlooking great backyard! Close to all, including LIRR.$1,298,000 Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com FAR ROCKAWAY Renovated 3bd, 1.5 bath duplex in house in Neilson area. Many closets. Dishwasher + 2 sinks. Backyard access, driveway parking. W/D hookup. $2600 + utilities. Call/text 347 804 7367 HEWLETT NEW TO THE MARKET 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom colonial, open floor plan, large eat-in kitchen, formal living room and dining room, main floor den and playroom, master bedroom suite w/full bath& sitting room/nursery close to the schools, railroad, shopping and houses of worship $899K. 1361 Kew Avenue By Appointment Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE Beautiful & Spacious 2 Bedroom Apartment Across From The Golf Course. Elevator Building, Updated Kitchen, Gas Cooking, Granite Countertops, Washer/Dryer In Unit, High Ceilings, Great Closet Space, Storage in Basement, Close To RR, Shopping & Houses Of Worship.$349K Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com HEWLETT TWO 3 BEDROOM 2 BATH CO-OPS with central air conditioning, terrace, washer/dryer, hard-wood floors, recessed lighting, magnificent kitchens, ss appliances, l/r, d/r, close to the railroad, shopping, and houses of worship. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

COMMERCIAL INDIVIDUAL OFFICE SPACES AVAILABLE IN GREAT LOCATION. Rental fee includes electricity, taxes, internet, cleaning and parking. Large corner office $950 mo. Smaller interior office $625 mo. Please respond to 516-902-8006. LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! 500-7000 Square feet gorgeous office space with WATERVIEW in Inwood! Lots of options. Tons of parking. Will divide and customize space for your needs! Call 516-567-0100 SF MEDICAL OFFICE SPACE Available, Reception Area, Waiting Room, Kitchenette, 2 Consult, 4 Exam Rooms, 2 Bathrooms, 30 Car On-Site Parking, For Lease …Call Ian 516-295-3000 www.pugatch.com

EAST ROCKAWAY: Retail Stores on Busy Corner, 1000SF& Up Available, Great High Visibility Location, For Lease… Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698

SUMMER RENTAL BEAUTIFUL FAR ROCKAWAY Summer 3 bedroom Apartment Rental Great location, AC, skylights, bright and beautiful. Call or text (323) 868-8484 for details

APT FOR RENT 4TH GRADE GENERAL STUDIES p.m. position and 6th grade social studies position available at BYQ for 2022-2023 year. If you are passionate about teaching in a nurturing environment for teachers and students alike, please send your resume to byqapplicants@byqueens.org HEWLETT TOTALLY RENOVATED 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments with washer/dryer, kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances. Recessed lighting, hardwood floors, storage in basement. Close to RR, shopping, and houses of worship. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hatha-way Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

FOR SALE 133 Combs Ave, Wo o d m e r e, N Y Classic center hall c o lo n i a l, b u i l t i n 2 0 07 . 7 b e d r o o m s , 4 .5 b a t h s Property over 10k sq ft Full finished basement Asking 1.799M

FOR RENT

Beautiful Woodmere home available for rent July & August. Six large b e d r o o m s u p s t a i r s , 3.5 baths. Newly expanded and renovated. Great yard, quiet block, walk to all! $7 .50 0 / M t h

LEAH SCHEININGER REALTY CONNECT USA

NMLS 2012660 Licensed by The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. nlmsconsumeraccess.org 1400 Old Country Rd Suite 206N, Westbury, NY 11590, (212) 318-9432, Guaranteed Rate, Inc. NMLS 2611 3940 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60613 (866) 934-7283 • rate.com Equal Housing Lender www.rate.com/privacy

C: (516) 884-6530 @leahscheininger_realtor Lscheininger@realtyconnectusa.com


Classifieds

139

APT FOR RENT

APT FOR RENT

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

FAR ROCKAWAY: House For Rent. On Beach 12th. 3 1/2 bedrooms. Just renovated, Central HVAC,LR/DR, Finished basement.. $3300/m Call Raphael 917-822-1726

CEDARHURST 1,2 and 3 bedroom apartments, totally renovated, private entrance , central air condi-tioning, hardwood floors, washer/dryer, garage parking, dishwasher, recessed lighting, private playground, close to railroad, park, shopping and houses of worship. Call for more details Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

Gesher (located in Cedarhurst is looking for a part-time Rebbe beginning in January for First Grade boys. · Approximately a half-hour a day, Monday through Friday · Small group lessons · The goal of the Rebbe is to provide faster paced exposure to higher level kriah and chumash skills · Curriculum support provided · One-on-one private pay tutoring opportunities may also be available. Please email your resume to jobs@gesher-ecc.org or contact (516) 730-7377 to set up an interview.

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT A multi-tasker needed for general office work. The ideal candidate is someone who is detail-oriented, responsible, and can take ownership. Looking for someone who is eager to learn, and expand his/her skill set while possessing the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Experience with Excel required. Five Towns location. In-office position only, not remote. Please send resume to 5tpart.timecareer@gmail.com

5 TOWNS BOYS YESHIVA SEEKING ELEM GEN ED TEACHERS Excellent working environment and pay. Only lic/exp need apply. Email resume to yeshivalooking@gmail.com WOODMERE totally renovated bright and sunny 1 bedroom corner unit apartment with a washer/dryer. Features quartz countertops, ss appliances, recessed lighting, bathroom with chrome fixtures, close to the railroads, shopping and houses of worship. Call for details Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

HELP WANTED Special Care seeks patient Male or female com/hab worker 5:30-7:30 P.M. for 7-year-old boy with autism in Bayswater, full or partial coverage. 718-252-3365 ext: 102 or renay@specialcarefor.com

NEW YESHIVA IN QUEENS SEEKING SECRETARY Must be detail-oriented, have great organizational skills, able to multitask. Experience in school programs a plus. Send resume to: office@yeshivatbneitorah.org or call/text: 347-351-4573

Large shul seeking a full-time executive director. Please email resume and salary requirements to execdirectorapplication@gmail.com

Whether buying or selling real estate get... Give me a call today!

516-298-8457 Licensed Associate Broker, G.R.I.

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

I am proud to be recognized as a top Berkshire Hathaway network agent for 2021. Top 1/2 of 1% of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network agents nationwide!

OPEN HOUSE SUN 5/29 - 12:00PM-2:00PM

562 SUNSET DRIVE, WOODMERE 5BR, 5BA with IGP on a lot size of 111x107, F L/R & D/R, Tremendous Den w/ Fplc, EIK w/SS Appliances, New outside with Stone and Stucco, New pavers, Roof & CAC, 10 Zone Heat. $P.O.R.

OLD WOODMERE

JUST LISTED! Beautiful & Spacious Colonial, 6 Bedroom 3.5 Bath on 4 levels, CAC, High Ceilings, HW Floors, Gas Fplc, Fin Bsmt, Granite Kitchen w/SS Appliances, Screened Porch $1,298,000

Co-Ops:

WOODMERE

5BR, 4Bath Split level home well maintained, Spacious home in SD #14, Updated EIK, F D/R & L/R, MBR with Custom Full Bath & Jacuzzi Tub, CAC, HW Floors, High Hats, Close To all$995,000

WOODMERE

WOODMERE

Great home on a cul-de-sac, SD #15, 4BR, 3 Moce Right In, Breathatking Woodmere Full Bathrooms, Gas Heat, CAC, EIK, Granite home with over 7,100 SF of Living Space, Countertops, SS Appliances, F D/R, MBR Suite Chef’s Kitchen w/Island, 2 Sinks, 2 Dishwashers, 2 Ovens & Radiant Heat, F D/R, w/Jacuzzi Tub, LG Den to a park like backyard with a new Pergola. Close to all. $P.O.R. F L/R w/ Fplc, Den, Library, IGP, $P.O.R.

Cedarhurst Hewlett Hewlett Hewlett Hewlett Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence Woodmere Woodmere

HEWLETT

5BR, 3Bath Colonial, Open Floor Plan, Large EIK, F L/R & D/R, Den, MBR Suite w/Full Bath & Siting Room/Nursery, Close to all. $899,000

Homes:

1BR 2BR 3BR 2BR 3BR 2BR 2BR 1BR 2BR 3BR 2BR 2BR

• • • • • • • • • • • •

1BA 2BA 2BA 2BA 2BA 2BA 1BA 1BA 2BA 3BA 1BA 1BA

$219k $189k $300k $479k $309k $449K $299K $325K $349K $P.O.R. $199k $349k

And many more...Call for details!

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Rentals:

Hewlett Hewlett

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5BR • 2BA 6BR • 7BA 6BR • 5BA 3BR • 2BA 4BR • 3BA 8BR • 5BA 5BR • 4BA 4BR • 3BA 4BR • 4BA 6BR • 4BA 5BR • 3BA 2BR • 1BA 1BR • 1BA

1BR • 1BA 2BR • 2BA 3BR • 2BA 1BR • 1BA

$949k $P.O.R. $P.O.R. $899k $949k $P.O.R. $870k $599k $P.O.R. $P.O.R. $999k $2,700/monthly $2,025/monthly

$2,025/monthly $2,995/monthly $3,695/monthly $2,025/monthly

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003


The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

140

Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

NATIONAL FRUM PUBLICATION SEEKING WRITERS FOR FEATURE ARTICLES. Writers should be able to pitch ideas for articles to editor. Not seeking opinion pieces or reflective essays. Submit resume and samples of writing to: layoutdesignersearch@gmail.com

BUSY PUBLICATION SEEKING FREELANCE COPY EDITOR. Flexible hours.Work from home. Must be easygoing person with good work ethic. Needs to be able to work with a team. Position has potential for growth. layoutdesignersearch@gmail.com BOOKKEEPER Excellent growth potential Frum environment Excellent salary & benefits Email resume to: resumetfs1@gmail.com Please put position title and FTJH in subject line General Studies teaching positions for elementary grades available for ‘22-’23 school year, due to simchas/scheduling. Mon.-Thurs., afternoon hours. Far Rockaway/5T area. Competitive salary, warm supportive environment. Teachersearch11@gmail.com. Experience in not-for-profit Jewish organizations is a plus. Excellent part-time opportunity with competitive hourly compensation. Candidate will work with the director in developing budget and fundraising initiatives and generating reports to present to our Board of Directors. Resumes to info@legacy613.org

Reach Your Target Market

Classifieds

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER STAFF NEEDED IN LAWRENCE In the anticipation of the opening of 2 additional classrooms (1 infant, 1 toddler), the Gural JCC’s Early Childhood Center is actively looking for full-time and part-time staff to fill these positions currently & in the Fall, 2022. Interested and qualified applicants should e-mail resumes and references directly to JCC.Nursery@guraljcc.org or call (516) 239-1354

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

JOIN OUR TEAM! NurNursing Home Management Company in Brooklyn Looking to fill the following positions: Administrative Assistant MS office suite proficiency required AdminAssistant experience required WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED FULL TIME SHULAMITH EARLY CHILDHOOD is looking to hire a full time teacher assistant for the current school year. Please email resume to earlychildhood@shulamith.org

CAHAL is seeking Assistant Teachers for the 2022-23 year to work in CAHAL classrooms for students with special education learning challenges in the Five Towns and Far Rockaway. An ideal candidate will have or be working towards a degree in Special Education or other related field. Some prior teaching experience with children is preferable. Call 516-295-3666 or send resume to shira@cahal.org.

CAHAL is seeking a highly motivated Rebbe for the 2022-23 year to teach a 1st grade class for students with special education learning challenges in the Five Towns. The ideal candidate will have or be working towards a Masters in Special Education and have some prior teaching experience with young children. Call 516-295-3666 or send resume to shira@cahal.org.

MISC GEMACH ZICHRON YEHUDA In memory of R’ Yehuda Aryeh Leib ben R’ Yisroel Dov We have a library of books on the subjects of loss, aveilus, grief, & kaddish. We have sets of ArtScroll Mishnayos to assist with finishing Shisha Sidrei Mishna for Shloshim or yahrtzeit. Locations in Brooklyn, Far Rockaway, & Lakewood. Email: zichronyehuda@yahoo.com

Due to expansion and growth, IVDU Five Towns is seeking talented professionals to join our warm and collaborative team for the 22-23 school year. Located in North Woodmere, our special education school supports students with diverse learning needs. Enjoy a competitive Due to expansion and growth, IVDU Five Towns seeking talented professionals to ajoin our salary, ongoing professional development and aiswarm supportive environment. Considering MDS REGIONAL NURSE: warm and collaborative career with IVDUteam 5 Towns? Email your resume and cover letter to seplowitzs@ou.org . for the 22-23 school year. Located in North Woodmere, our

5 Towns area Nursing Home special education school supports students with diverse learning needs. Enjoy a competitive management office seeking a salary, ongoing professional and a teacher warmwith supportive environment. F/T Special Ed Teacher: development Full time special education prior experience working with Considering Regional/Corporate level MDS Nurse preschool/elementary school age students teaching Literacy, Math etc. Minimum of 5+ years classroom . career with IVDU 5 Towns? Email your resume and cover letter to seplowitzs@ou.org to work in our office. experience needed. Experience working with students with an ASD diagnosis a plus. Email resume to Must be an RN. Regional experience seplowitzs@ou.org preferred. 2-3 years MDS experience with good computer skills required. F/T Special Ed Teacher: Full time special education teacher with prior experience working with Position is Full Time but P/T Special Edschool Rebbe: age Dailystudents teaching responsibilities may include Kriah,etc. Yahadus, Parsha and Chumash. preschool/elementary teaching Literacy, Math Minimum of 5+ years classroo Part Time can be considered. Prior classroom teaching and special ed experience required. Email resume to seplowitzs@ou.org experience needed. Experience working with students with an ASD diagnosis a plus. Email resume to Great Shomer Shabbos environment seplowitzs@ou.org with some remote options as well. P/T Speech Therapist: Prior experience working with students with ASD and or other special Ed Email: officejob2019@gmail.com experience a must. Knowledge of AAC a plus. Email resume to seplowitzs@ou.org

Girls elementary school in the five P/T Special Ed Rebbe: Daily teaching responsibilities may include Kriah, Yahadus, Parsha and Chumas towns is seeking warm, dynamic, Prior classroom teaching and special ed experience required. resume to seplowitzs@ou.org P/T Occupational Therapist: Special Ed and elementary school Email experience preferred. Email resume to experienced preschool teachers for seplowitzs@ou.org the school year beginning September 2022. Competitive salaries and P/T Speech F/T Therapist: Prior experience working with students with ASD and other special Ed Assistant Teachers & Paras: Excellent opportunity for graduate students, obtainor ABA Supervision benefits. hours and or meet Special ed fieldwork requirements as well. Prior experience a plus. Email resume to experience a must. Knowledge of AAC a plus. Email resume to seplowitzs@ou.org Please email resume to job.preschool. seplowitzs@ou.org director@gmail.com


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MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home


142

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

Your

Injury, Meet Insult by Allan rolnick, cPA

OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home

b

6

Money

ack in the day, investors looking to realize gold-plated dreams on Wall Street spent hours poring through newspapers and magazines to sniff out promising stocks. By the 1980s, though, many investors grew tired of picking their own and turned management over to mutual funds. Peter Lynch became the iconic celebrity manager after first joining the company as an intern (after caddying for Fidelity executives). Today, the Investment Company Institute reports that Americans have $25 trillion socked away in funds, and there are actually more funds than individual stocks listed on the three major stock exchanges. But mutual funds have an expensive Achilles heel for investors who don’t feel like sharing their gains with Uncle Sam. A recent lawsuit shines a light on just how badly their pooled structure hurts you. It turns out mutual funds are the only investment where you can lose money and wind up still paying taxes! Let’s say the XYZ Growth Fund bought stock in a buzzy startup called Microsplat in 2016 when it was trading at just $20/share. In 2020, the fund made Money Magazine’s “10 Hot Funds to Buy Right Now” list. You picked up a copy at your dentist’s office, thought XYZ Growth looked good and bought in when Micros-

plat was trading at $80. But for some reason, the Robinhood crowd soured on Microsplat, and the price started to fall. XYZ’s managers decided to dump their holdings at $60/share. That’s still a nice gain for the fund. The managers patted themselves on the back and headed out for a steak dinner on

These sorts of distributions are especially common in choppy or falling markets, when investors spook and dump their fund shares, forcing managers to sell stocks to raise cash to pay redemptions. Now CNBC reports that three investors have sued Vanguard Group for set-

The managers patted themselves on the back and headed out for a steak dinner on your dime.

your dime. But you lost 25% of your stake (the difference between the $80 that Microsplat was trading at when you bought into the fund and the $60 when managers sold). What’s even worse, at the end of the year, XYZ will report $40 of capital gains for each share, then send you a 1099-DIV reporting your share of that gain. Even though you didn’t profit from it before you invested. Even though you lost money on the trade! Suddenly diving into the pool isn’t so much fun, is it?

ting off just such a stampede. The plaintiffs held shares in Vanguard’s target-date retirement funds, or TDFs. Vanguard offers two classes of TDFs: an institutional class with a $100 million minimum and a retail class with smaller minimums but higher fees. But back in 2020, Vanguard lowered the minimum on the institutional class to just $5 million. That prompted investors who could meet the new minimum to flee the retail class for the lower-fee institutional class. And that, in

turn, forced Vanguard to sell 15% of the retail fund’s holdings to cash them out, unlocking millions of dollars in gains – and triggering millions in taxes. Now those plaintiffs are arguing Vanguard’s decision violated their fiduciary responsibility to their investors. Separately managed accounts may be one alternative, especially in taxable accounts. SMAs let you hire a manager to assemble a portfolio of individual stocks from the ground up. There are no embedded capital gains like there are in mutual funds. You’ll enjoy more control and transparency over your portfolio than with funds and more flexibility to sell or make charitable gifts of individual securities. Here’s your bottom line: Taxes don’t just happen. Your investment choices play a big role in your overall tax bill. So call us to help you understand the tax consequences and let us help you make smart choices!

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.


143

Life c ach

MAY 26, 2022 | The Jewish Home

Then and Now by rivki D. rosenwald esq., LMFt, cLc, SDS

N

-“Met him on a Zoom.” -“What, really? You’re lucky if you can see the car going by. How’d you see him at all?” -“I noticed his great qualities with LinkedIn.” -“How can you tell that much about a person from the way he closes a clasp?” -“Do you want to try Instagram?”

with a criminal?” -“Huh?!” -“Huh?!” Is there a shortage of words? After all, why are they using old words? Can’t they come up with something new and original to describe the things that are new and original? But, then again, maybe they are get-

Can’t they come up with something new and original to describe the things that are new and original?

ting more bang for the buck? I mean, let’s take the word “google.” How often was it being used? Maybe once in a while when people talked about a baby. “Oh, look how cute he is. He’s googling already.” “When do babies start to google?” “Is your baby googling yet?” After all, there wasn’t much more you could do with that word. But today, people are using “google” almost every second. The word use is ex-

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.

91

-“Nah, I’ll stick with Nescafé.” -“What’s that sound?” -“Oh, it’s a TikTok.” -“Really it sounded like a whole performance.” -“No, it’s just a TikTok.” -“I friended him.” -“Really? You never left the house. How’d you become friends?” -“Through Facebook.” -“Why would you want to be friends

ploding. Who doesn’t use Google?! That’s pragmatic word use! If a word exists, why let it be so limited in use?! Computers and social media have created many opportunities. And one of them is not letting old words go to waste. So let’s be a little less critical of the double usage. Let’s be more understanding and appreciative of those who saw an opportunity to give words a second chance, more exposure, and a way to really keep showing up in our vernacular. And let’s be tolerant of those who are not up on the new use of these words. Because they are holding down the fort for the old usages. Together, they are maximizing the opportunities for these words. And let’s applaud those who came up with this great idea. They should have their own podcast!

emoH hsiweJ eht | 5102 ,92 rebOtcO

ew ideas and technologies don’t use new terms; they reuse old ones. Words and terms get recycled. Not a problem if you’re moving with the times. But, can you imagine what it feels like for someone who isn’t? They hear a phrase and can’t follow what you’re saying. Twitter: used to be what a happy word would do TikTok: was the sound a grandfather clock made Instagram, Instastory, Instacart: all that “Insta” would be referring to a type of coffee you didn’t have to brew Facebook: would probably refer to the identifying pages of a criminal album LinkedIn: would be what you’d be checking if someone else closed your necklace for you. “Are you sure it’s LinkedIn?” YouTube: would probably be some kind of a put down. You brute, you creep, you tube Podcast: likely some kind of technique for casting your fishing rod Zoom: how fast a race car goes Can you imagine talking to someone unfamiliar with the new uses of these terms? Here’s how a conversation could go:


in all of g in ic r p y a d Best every Long Island! & s n e e u Q , Brooklyn DAY!

much

(

The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022

144

VERY E S T C U D O R NEW P

Free Parking Over 150 Spaces!

Prices Good Sunday, May 29th through Friday, June 3rd, 2022

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Keilim Mikveh on Premises | Pre-Shabbos Buffet Every Thursday & Friday! Savings Plaza | 11 Lawrence Lane, Lawrence, NY | (516) 371-6200 | info@kolsavemarket.com | /kolsavemarket Hours: Sunday-Tuesday: 7am-8pm | Wednesday: 7am-10pm | Thursday: 7am-11pm | Friday: 7am- 5pm We reserve the right to limit quan��es. No rain checks. Not responsible for typographical errors.


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CLASSIFIEDS

18min
pages 136-141

Your Money

3min
page 142

Then and Now by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

3min
pages 143-144

Early Heroes of the IAF by Avi Heiligman

9min
pages 134-135

Biden’s Attack on an “Ultra-MAGA Agenda” is a Mega Blunder by Marc A. Thiessen

3min
pages 132-133

To Counter Putin’s Aggression in Ukraine, Look to Ronald Reagan by Marc A. Thiessen

4min
page 131

Biden Seeks a New Opening in a Rattled Asia by David Ignatius

4min
page 130

Notable Quotes

5min
pages 126-129

The Aussie Gourmet: Crockpot Brisket

1min
pages 124-125

Parenting Pearls

7min
pages 120-121

JWOW

4min
pages 122-123

17 Nutrition Myths Debunked by Aliza Beer, MS RD

10min
pages 118-119

Resumes by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn

6min
pages 116-117

Teen Talk

8min
pages 110-111

TJH Speaks with Paris Popack, Coordinator of the Memorial Day Parade

5min
pages 108-109

Rudy Rochman Connects Jews from the Four Corners of the World

21min
pages 102-107

Delving into the Daf by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

10min
pages 98-99

Hearing Within the Darkness by Rabbi Shmuel Reichman

12min
pages 96-97

The Pebble in the Pond by Rafi Sackville

5min
pages 100-101

How to Achieve World Peace by Rav Moshe Weinberger

8min
pages 94-95

Rabbi Wein on the Parsha

2min
pages 90-93

Centerfold

4min
pages 88-89

That’s Odd

8min
pages 38-41

Israel News

9min
pages 28-31
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