Five Towns Jewish Home - 12-30-21 by Yitzy Halpern

December 30, 2021

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers,

ast week, the Academy of the Hebrew Language announced that its word of the year for 2021 is tirlul, which means “lunacy.” I think we can all agree that 2021 was a bit of a tumultuous year. We all breathed a subconscious sigh of relief when 2021 popped up on our calendars. We thought that we would magically be able to come back to some sort of normalcy in contrast to what was 2020. But 2021 didn’t present “normalcy” to us. Instead, at many times, we felt as if we were being swung side to side, up and down, forward and backward. Politically, we were grappling with a new administration with different priorities and values. Physically, we were dealing with masks and mandates and vaccines and boosters. And financially, we were seeing the repercussions of how interconnected the world’s economy is and how, ultimately, we are all dependent on each other and on national policies. There were many events this year that challenged us and that shook us to our core. When we tried to understand them, we were left with questions – way more questions than answers. Perhaps, though, that is the message that we can take from this past calendar

year. We are always searching for “normal.” We want world events to make sense to us. We want to be able to plan our lives and map them out as we go along. But when we are put into circumstances that feel out of control, we are reminded that we live in a world in which “control” is a mere illusion. We may feel as if we’re driving the car, but the car is being driven by a Driver Who knows the road, Who knows the destination, and Who navigates all the bumps on the journey. In fact, what may look like bumps in the road are put there deliberately by that Driver for our benefit, although we may not understand how they are there for our advantage. Knowing that there is a Driver in charge should make us feel more centered and more calm. It should give us the yishuv ha’daas to know that, although we can’t make sense of where we’re heading and what we’re going through, there’s a Master Plan. With Hashem’s help, we hope that this year will bring us clarity and understanding and perhaps even a better sense of “normal.” Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Contents Letters to the Editor

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

Community Happenings

NEWS Global 12

108

National

That’s Odd

2021 Year in Review

ISRAEL Israel News

A New Knesset Lobby

22 80

JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Wein on the Parsha

Misplaced Mercy by Rav Moshe Weinberger

Delving into the Daf by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

PEOPLE The Wandering Jew

Jewish Aces of the Air by Avi Heiligman

118

HEALTH & FITNESS We Want to Be Heard by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn

104

Foods to Life You Out of the Blues by Aliza Beer, MS RD

108

FOOD & LEISURE The Aussie Gourmet: Top of the Rib Wine Roast

112

LIFESTYLES Teen Talk

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by

110

Jennifer Mann, LCSW

100

Parenting Pearls

110

Dear Editor, Illinois just became the sixth state to divest from Unilever. The Illinois Investment Policy Board voted 7-0 “to add Unilever to its prohibited entity list” (Jerusalem Post, 12/23/21). We encourage the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Federation, which both issued statements applauding Illinois, to use their formidable resources to put pressure on Unilever to either rid itself of Ben and Jerry’s or reverse Ben and Jerry’s policy. Unilever, by its inaction, is cooperating with the “terrorists in suits” (Jerusalem Post, 2/4/19) who created, promoted, and financed the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) strategy to destroy Israel. Assisting these terrorists in the promotion of their campaign is tantamount to aiding and abetting terrorism. Silence is not an option. Lynne Bursky-Tammam and Nessim Tammam Yom Hashoah Mobilization Committee Dear Editor, There’s a children’s book called Pete the Cat. Pete is a “cool” cat who doesn’t need to win and enjoys the pleasantries of life. One time, he faced a great challenge and upon passing the test, the narrator chimed in saying, “You gotta be scared to be brave.” It reminded me of another film where the main character’s test in life was whether he would take a risk. In the last scene, he takes a risk and gains

his “portion” in the Heavens. Next time you have a challenge remember, “You gotta be scared to be brave.” Steven Genack Dear Editor, I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Deb for her insightful articles. She’s my “go to” article every week, and she never disappoints. Her recent articles “Are We Traumatized?” and “Stockholm Syndrome” were especially appreciated in these turbulent times. Thank you for a wonderful publication! Sincerely, Joan Schutz Dear Editor, Drip, drip, drip watch as your tax dollars go down the drain. The United States Secret Service recently admitted that almost $100 billion in CARE COVID relief fund benefits have been lost to fraud. One wonders how many more billions have been lost to waste, fraud and abuse out of several trillion dollars Washington spends on thousands of other programs each year. In the rush to get CARE COVID-19 money out the door, it appears that everyone forgot to check and verify the eligibility for recipients of funding. Congress just passed a bill that President Biden signed authorizing Uncle Sam to increase our national debt by another $2.5 trillion from the present $29 trillion. Isn’t it about time we spend the Continued on page 10

Covid Means Respect by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

126

HUMOR Centerfold 68 POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

113

Biden’s Foreign Policy by David Ignatius

116

The Navy SEALs by David Ignatius

117

CLASSIFIEDS 120

Do you keep your photos in albums?

Yes

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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Continued from page 8

ATTENTION 5T RESIDENTS!

WHAT?

same amount of energy to recoup $100 billion and more of lost funds before borrowing even more? Besides a National Debt Clock, we need to add a National Federal Fraud Clock. It should be placed behind the podiums in the chambers of both the House and Senate as a reminder. Sincerely, Larry Penner Great Neck, NY

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Dear Editor, Do you find it disturbing that our unelected health officials make pronouncements regarding COVID-19 that sound so authoritative while brimming with such confidence, only to reverse themselves months or even weeks later? Are you as frustrated as I am at the lack of accountability? I was thinking back to last year when the pandemic began. We were told by the people who “follow the science” that COVID could be found almost everywhere, even on surfaces. Do you remember how paranoid we all were, wiping down all our Amazon packages, letting our mail sit in the box for days outside, and not being able to find a Clorox wipe in any store for months on end? Then magically this all went away in late 2020 when the CDC announced that the virus is mainly airborne, transferred person to person and the chance of catching it through contact with a surface was miniscule. As recently as last summer President Biden told us, in his push for universal vaccination, that “you’re not going to get COVID if you have these vaccinations.” Dr. Fauci similarly declared that if people got vaccinated, they wouldn’t have to worry about catching COVID. We now know that the vaccines have little to no effect on one’s chances of getting infected with COVID or transmitting it to someone else. Then, in early 2021, the FDA approved a COVID vaccine produced by Johnson and Johnson. 17 million people took the vaccine. Less than 10 months later, due to concerns

over blood clots, the CDC no longer recommends people get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, stating that everyone should opt for the mRNA vaccines only. I wonder how those 17 million people feel now. These are but a few of the many examples of things our health “experts” either were wrong about or reversed course on. Has there been any reckoning for being wrong on so many things? Have we ever gotten an apology from any of our “experts” for all the false information they have purveyed throughout this pandemic? Have you at least noticed our infectious disease experts, with their ignorance exposed to all, modifying their approach to include a dose of humility with their latest pronouncements? The answer to these questions is a resounding NO, NO, NO! Perhaps you are like me and found the ruse about COVID on surfaces annoying, had low expectations on the performance of the mRNA vaccines and did not take the J&J vaccine. If so, you likely emerged from all this relatively unscathed; but consider a more ominous scenario which may already be underway: As each new COVID variant emerges, the pressure from our health experts increases on the public to add booster shots. Israel is already on their 4th shot. What if by next year when we are on our 5th or 6th shot, we are hit with this headline: “New data emerges that shows perpetual boosting is harmful to the human body.” What do we do then?! Jason Stark Dear Editor, I was in awe of your article on MK Rabbi Avraham Ravitz. Not only was it well-done but there were so many stories and anecdotes about Rav Ravitz that I truly felt sorry that I was not able to meet him in person and see his work in the Knesset. We need more leaders like him – those who are dedicated to Torah values and willing to stand up against any anti-Torah sentiment that attempts to dislodge our mesorah. Sincerely, Bracha Kirtel

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

Every Shul, an entire farm.

Dear Five Towns & Far Rockaway Communities, With tremendous Siyata Dishmaya and with Klal Yisroel’s unwavering support, thousands of farmers, and over 51% of privately farmed agricultural land in Eretz Yisroel, is keeping Shmitah this year. These brave farmers started a year of incredible sacrifice. They took on the commitment to carryour burden and keep the sacred mitzvah of Shmitah on our behalf. The year ahead will be long.It will be hard. But they can do it — because they trust that Klal Yisroel will come through to share the sacrifice with them. Around the Five Towns, hundreds of our community members have already shown their support, and many have even taken the extraordinary step of partnering with individual farmers. In addition, a number of shuls are uniting their members and mispallelim to support a full farm, vineyard or moshav this year joining over 200 shuls across the country.

• Agudath Israel of the Five Towns • Agudath Israel of Long Island • Agudath Israel of West Lawrence • Bais Medrash of Lawrence

• Bais Tefila of Inwood • Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid • Congregation Aish Kodesh • Congregation Bais Ephraim Yitzchok

• Congregation Nesiv HaTorah • Congregation Shaaray Tefila • K’hal Zichron Moshe Dov (Steins) • Shaare Emunah - Sephardic Cong. Of The Five Towns

Baruch Hashem, these pioneering groups generated much-needed support for their partner farmers, yet that sum is only a small fraction of the more than $66 million needed to ensurethat the thousands of remaining farmers can make it through the year. Each member who joins a shul partnership earns legal partnership in the land and halachic partnership in the farmer’s mitzvah. Additionally, your kehillah becomes a recognized co-owner of the farm with a sign inscribed on the property. If you would like to become a partner with our nation’s Giborei Koach through a shul partnership, please reach out to your Rav, call us at 847-834-9424 or email akagan@kerenhashviis.org. As we begin anticipating the month of Shvat and the celebration of Tu' B'shvat, these farmers will be standing idle — their heads bowed in tefillah but held high. They are honored to be our shluchei mitzvah, and with their pride, they daven for the strength to continue, for the fortitude not to falter, for the ability to stay strong in their commitment. Let’s show the heroic Shomrei Shmitah that we stand with them, that we share their struggle and support their sacrifice. Gain the incredible zechus of “v’tzivisi es birchosi” and let the merit of your mitzvah stand with you. With appreciation for your continued support,

Aaron Kagan

Regional Coordinator for Keren Hashviis

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

Russia Dissolves Human Rts. Group

The Russian Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the dissolution of Memorial International, the oldest human rights group in the country, over alleged violations of a law on foreign agents. But critics say the move is politically motivated and is retribution for the group’s efforts to shine a light on Soviet-era repression as Russian President Vladimir Putin cracks down on opposition groups and dissent. Memorial was founded in the late 1980s, not long before the fall of the Soviet Union, and is considered Russia’s preeminent human rights organization. “The real reason for Memorial’s closure is that the prosecutor’s office doesn’t like Memorial’s work rehabilitating the victims of Soviet terror,” Memorial International’s lawyer, Tatiana Glushkova, asserted. Agnès Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, denounced the ruling as heart-breaking. “Another blow to civil society in #Russia or what is left of it. Most likely it will not stop here. But if they have closed #Memorial, they cannot silence you or anyone else who stand for fundamental freedom and independent scrutiny,” she tweeted. Rachel Denber, deputy director of the Europe and Central Asian division of Human Rights Watch, noted, “Memorial had been doing the same work for 32 years. They haven’t changed. What’s changed, obviously, is the Russian gov. Question is, and how much more will it change? How far will repression go?” Denber said that for over 30 years Memorial worked to “commemorate

victims of Soviet repression, preserve truth about The Great Terror, & promote open debate.” During the Great Terror, also known as the Great Purge, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin waged a ruthless campaign to root out those perceived as disloyal or a threat. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed. The Kremlin in recent years has engaged in a broad crackdown on civil society. The Russian government has targeted human rights groups, activists, opposition figures, civil rights lawyers, and journalists with harassment and imprisonment. But in public, Putin, a former KGB operative, has endeavored to downplay Soviet crimes. In fact, in a June 2017 interview, the Russian leader complained that “excessively demonizing Stalin is a means to attack Soviet Union and Russia.”

Removing Tiananmen Massacre Memories

Two Hong Kong universities removed monuments commemorating the Tiananmen massacre on Thursday, just one day after another university did the same. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) removed a Goddess of Democracy statue, and the Lingnan University removed a relief sculpture. One day earlier, Hong Kong University removed a famous statue commemorating the same event. “The University never authorized the display of the statue on its campus, and no organization has claimed responsibility for its maintenance and management,” CUHK said on Friday. The 8-meter-tall Pillar of Shame, which depicts 50 torn and twisted bodies piled on top of each other, was made by Danish sculptor Jens Galschioet to symbolize the lives

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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lost during the military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Each year on June 4, members of the now-defunct student union would wash the statue to commemorate the massacre. The city, together with Macao, were the only places on Chinese soil where commemorations of the crackdown were allowed. Lingnan University said that it “reviewed and assessed items on campus that may pose legal and safety risks” and “removed” them “in the best interest of the University.” In 1989, thousands camped for weeks in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, calling for greater political freedoms. However, in June of that year, the military arrived and soldiers opened fire, killing what the Chinese government claims were 200 civilians and several dozen security personnel. Other sources claim the number of casualties was hundreds more. The dismantling of the sculpture came days after pro-Beijing candidates scored a landslide victory in Hong Kong legislative elections, following amendments to election laws allowing the vetting of candidates to ensure they are “patriots” loyal to Beijing.

Turkey Investigates Istanbul Municipality

Turkey is investigating hundreds of staff members at the Istanbul municipality, sparking criticism from its mayor. The staff members in the opposition-run municipality have been accused of ties to terrorist groups. On Sunday, Turkey’s Interior Ministry said on Twitter that 455 employees of the Istanbul municipality and related companies were being investigated on suspicion of having ties to Kurdish terrorists. The probe also included over 100 people who were allegedly connected to leftist and other groups. Speaking to reporters, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said, “Our business is not with anyone’s munic-

ipality. Our business is with the fight against terror, and we have to keep Turkey on alert.” Soylu emphasized that those being investigated are “not just those who clean and sweep the streets.” Since a failed 2016 coup, Turkey has investigated and tried tens of thousands of people accused of militant links in a crackdown which rights groups say has been used as pretext to quash dissent. The government has said its actions are necessary given the gravity of the threats faced by Turkey. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said, “You give a number (of suspects) and make a judgement and then launch an investigation. What sort of an investigation is it? If you have reached a decision, then take them by the ear to prison.” Imamoglu is from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and is seen as a potential challenger to President Tayyip Erdogan.

Flight Returned to China Mid-Air Delta Airlines on Monday said that new COVID-19 cleaning require-

ments at the airport in Shanghai, China, forced a flight from Seattle to turn around mid-air. The turnaround prompted a protest from the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, California.

The company said that the new rules at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport “require significantly extended ground time and are not operationally viable for Delta.” According to Chinese media reports, the mid-air rerouting left passengers with expired U.S. visas and COVID-19 test results. The San Francisco consulate confirmed that many U.S.-China flights have been delayed or canceled in recent days, including a flight which was more than halfway to its destination when it turned around. According to the statement, the consulate “had made a stern representation to the airline.” According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, both China Airlines

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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and EVA Air have cut the number of flights to Shanghai over new disinfection procedures. On December 24, Delta also announced it would be forced to cut 90 flights, citing both coronavirus and severe weather in some areas of the country. A spokesperson noted, “Delta teams have exhausted all options and resources — including rerouting and substitutions of aircraft and crews to cover scheduled flying — before canceling. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their holiday travel plans. Delta people are working hard to get them to where they need to be as quickly and as safely as possible on the next available flight.”

S. Korea: A Pardon for Former Pres.

Under the auspices of Mount Sinai Beth Israel

South Korea’s government has pardoned the country’s former President Park Geun-hye. Park, 69, was serving 22 years in prison for corruption, the country’s Justice Ministry said on Friday. According to Park Kyung-mi, a spokesperson for South Korea’s presidential office, current President Moon Jae-in took the former President Park’s worsening health condition into consideration when deciding whether to grant a pardon. Pres. Moon also hopes that the pardon will allow for a new era of unity and harmony. In 2018, former Pres. Park was found guilty on multiple counts of abuse of power, bribery, and coercion. She was sentenced to 24 years in prison, but her sentence was commuted to 20 years after a retrial. In January 2021, the country’s highest court upheld the 20-year sentence, and Park faced an additional two years for a 2018 election-meddling conviction. In 2019, she underwent surgery while in prison. On Friday, speaking through her lawyer, Park apologized “to the people for causing so much concern,”

adding, “I will concentrate on getting treated and try to thank the people myself in the earliest time possible.” Park, who will be freed on December 31, also thanked Pres. Moon and the government for her pardon.

Polish Pres. Vetoes Media Law

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday vetoed a law which would have blocked the U.S. Discovery media group from operating in the country. Critics of the government had said the law was aimed at silencing dissent. Explaining his decision, Duda said the bill would have hurt Poland’s reputation as a place to do business. The bill had passed Warsaw’s lower house when Duda vetoed it, granting a win to the Poles protesting against its passage. Had it passed, it would have forced Discovery to give up its stake in Poland’s TVN broadcaster, by means of banning non-European outlets from owning a share of 50% or more in a Polish broadcaster.

Tea for Oil

Iran has agreed to accept Ceylon tea in payment for a Sri Lankan oil debt valued at $251 million. “In recent negotiations, we reached a written deal to reimburse Iran’s debt and interest on it in the form of a monthly shipment of tea produced in Sri Lanka,” the head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization said. Alireza Peyman-Pak is quoted as saying that “a deal was reached

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

on Tuesday, according to which Sri Lanka will export tea to Iran every month to settle a $251 million debt for Iranian oil supplied to Sri Lanka nine years ago.” In 2016, Ceylon tea made up nearly half of Iranian consumption, although that has declined in years. The barter deal will allow sanctions-hit Iran to avoid having to use up scarce hard currency to pay for imports of the widely consumed staple, Peyman-Pak noted. “Iran and Sri Lanka have great potential to develop mutual trade,” he said, adding that Iran’s non-oil exports to the country are valued at less than $100 million a year. Sri Lankan Plantation Industries Minister Ramesh Pathirana said the deal “will not violate any UN or U.S. sanctions since tea has been categorized as a food item under humanitarian grounds.” Iranian banks that have been blacklisted under U.S. sanctions will not be involved in the transaction.

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Following closely behind Iran and Hamas, the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s “Global Antisemitism Top Ten List” for 2021 lists the BBC in spot number 3. The head of the center, Rabbi Marvin Hier, said that while people might assume the organization would put neo-Nazi groups on the list, “the BBC is there because when a globally recognized organization allows antisemitism to creep into its reporting, it makes it all the more insidious and dangerous. “The decision to place the BBC at No. 3 came after months of intense debate and discussion,” he said. Hier noted the antisemitic attack in London’s Oxford Street last month when a group of men made Nazi salutes and chanted anti-Israel slogans at a bus filled with Jewish teenagers celebrating Hanukkah. “The BBC falsely reported that a victim on the bus used an anti-Muslim slur. But what was heard on tape

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was a distressed Jewish man speaking in Hebrew appealing for help.” The center condemned former BBC journalist Tala Halawa, who tweeted antisemitic statements such as “Hitler was right.” Hier also cited the tweet made by senior BBC producer Alaa Daraghme captioned: “An Israeli settler ramming a Palestinian man near the Lions’ Gate.” “In fact, the car drove onto the pavement after an attempt by Palestinians to lynch the Jewish driver,

12/15/21 2:41 PM

who lost control of the vehicle,” Hier said. The original tweet had been posted when there was “some confusion” over the incident, a BBC source said. Daraghme later clarified what happened in another tweet. In response to being ranked third on the list, a BBC spokesman has responded by saying, “Antisemitism is abhorrent. The BBC strives to serve the Jewish community, and all communities across our country, fairly with accurate and impartial reporting.”

Deadly Ferry Fire

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Bangladesh. The fire began while passengers on the three-story vessel slept. According to witnesses, the fire began in the engine room, which may have already been ablaze when the vessel left Dhaka late on Thursday. Although the ferry was licensed to carry 420 people, survivors reported that it was overcrowded, and one official estimated that up to 700 people had been on board when it left Dhaka. Moinul Islam, a local police chief, said that an unknown number of people jumped overboard, and the death toll may yet rise as many are in the hospital’s burn units. He added, “We have sent some 100 people with burn injuries to hospitals in Barisal.” Local district administrator Johar Ali noted, “The fire went on for four or five hours before it was doused. The entire [ferry] has been gutted. But they managed to bring it to the shore.” Golam Sadek, head of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, said, “It is a new ship. It was constructed in 2019 and it has its fitness cleared until 2022.” It is common to see ferries capsize in Bangladesh. Passengers are loaded on to poorly maintained boats, with poorly trained crews, often way above the vessel’s rated capacity. Hundreds have drowned in the country’s rivers in the past 10 years. The fire that engulfed the ship this week added to the terrible tragedy. Nearly 30% of Bangladesh’s 170 million people commute through river routes. Those who use the rivers are generally poor Bangladeshis. The government has mostly ignored their plight and has turned a blind eye to lax safety standards aboard the ferries. As such, it is generally the poor and those without political connections who suffer in these types of tragedies.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu Dies Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an Anglican cleric who won the Nobel Peace Prize and a South African native who was a prominent anti-apartheid leader, died this week at age 90. In a Sunday statement confirming Tutu’s death, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent condo-

lences to Tutu’s family and friends, calling him “a patriot without equal.”

Ramaphosa added that Tutu was “a man of extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid. He was also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world.” In 1990, former South African President F. W. de Klerk released Nelson Mandela from prison and took other steps to facilitate the country’s transition to multi-racial democracy. Tutu served from 1996 until 1998 as chair of the new government’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which brought to light injustices committed under the apartheid regime, offering amnesty to the perpetrators and restitution to the victims under the principles of “restorative justice.” Even after his retirement from official positions, Tutu remained active. He clashed publicly with several of Mandela’s presidential successors and was vocally pro-Palestinian. He made several pro-Holocaust comments during his lifetime. Attorney Alan Dershowitz noted that Tutu “minimized the suffering of Jews during the Holocaust. He said that getting killed in gas chambers was an easy death compared to apartheid. He said that Jews claimed a monopoly on the Holocaust.” Dershowitz added that “he demanded that Jews forgive the Nazis for killing them” during a 1989 visit to Yad Vashem. Responding to Tutu’s death, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said, “He was larger than life, and for so many in South Africa and around the world his life has been a blessing. His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies.” Former U.S. President Barack Obama, who in 2009 awarded Tutu the Presidential Medal of Freedom, said after Tutu’s death that he was a “mentor, a friend, and a moral com-

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

pass.” In addition to his Presidential Medal of Freedom and the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize, Tutu in 2012 was awarded a $1 million grant by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation for “his lifelong commitment to speaking truth to power.” In 2013, he received the Templeton Prize for his “life-long work in advancing spiritual principles such as love and forgiveness which has helped to liberate people around the world.” A seven-day mourning period is planned in Cape Town before Tutu’s burial, including a two-day lying in state, an ecumenical service and an Anglican requiem mass at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. Cape Town’s Table Mountain will be lit in purple, the color of the robes Tutu wore as archbishop.

The Art Mecca of the Middle East Qatar has announced an ambitious plan to expand its public art program, ahead of its hosting the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

The Qatar Museums, a state-run organization which includes many of the country’s cultural institutions, has said it will display over 40 new and commissioned works by Qatari and international artists in public spaces in the capital of Doha, as well as surrounding cities.

According to a press release, the plan is to turn the local landscape into “a vast outdoor art museum experience.” Qatar Museums’ Director of Public Art Abdulrahman Ahmed Al-Ishaq said, “As the rest of the world turns their eyes on Doha, we thought one of the best ways to introduce ourselves and create a dialogue would be through art in the public sphere. “All the artwork we’re showcasing will fit within the context of Doha and Qatar. It will be placed

strategically or territorially to reflect something about our country,” he added. “The aesthetics of both artworks complement their selected locations.” Al-Ishaq also emphasized, “Having local artists showcase their work was a must for us. This is an opportunity to shed some light on the wealth of talent from Qatar and its neighboring countries and give them the platform they deserve.” Noting that the program’s new additions will bring the total number of works displayed to 100, he said, “Since the very start, we’ve been working towards bringing art outside of museum walls.” He added, “Looking ahead, we want Qatar to become the region’s main art hub – the art Mecca of the Middle East.” Included in the displays are Tom Claassen’s “Falcon” outside the Hamad International Airport, Bruce Nauman’s “Untitled (Trench, Shafts, Pit, Tunnel and Chamber),” and Isa Genzken’s monumental “Two Orchids.”

Compensation for Tragic Loss

The Gross family, whose daughters Avigayil and Yael were killed in a 2014 pesticide disaster, is set to receive 3.5 million NIS ($1,130,199) in monetary compensation. According to journalist Lia Spilkin, the compensation will be paid by the exterminator, as well as by the clinic where the girls were examined after the pesticide poisoning but whose representative determined that it was a virus that would pass. In January 2014, Yael, 2, and Avigayil, 4, died after exterminator Yosef Zvi Barko sprayed a chemical in their Jerusalem apartment, using it as a pesticide to kill cockroaches. The girls’ brothers, ages 5 and 7, were seriously injured from the fumes and re-

quired hospitalization. Their parents suffered moderate injuries. Although the family brought their children to the clinic after they complained of nausea and headaches and told the doctors that their home had been treated with pesticides, the clinicians ignored the possibility that their children had been poisoned by the gases emitting from the pesticides. In 2017, the Jerusalem District Court convicted Barko of two counts of manslaughter and four counts of grievous bodily harm. As part of a plea bargain, Barko, who admitted to committing the offenses, was sentenced to three years in prison and committed to pay immediate compensation totaling 200,000 NIS ($64,563) to the family.

Officer Cleared in Sniper’s Death

An IDF probe examining the death of Border Police officer Barel Hadarya Shmueli earlier this year concluded that his death was the result of a “professional error,” not of negligence. The results of the probe were released on Monday and shared with Shmueli’s family. They included several errors in how the IDF responded to the riot itself, but cleared the officers involved and disputed the claim that the cause of Shmueli’s death was restrictive open-fire regulations. In the summary of its investigation, the IDF wrote, “The decision to move and set up along the border according to plan, based on past experience and intelligence information, when the rioters were right next to it and its disadvantages outweighed its advantages, was a professional error in retrospect. The use of live, deadly weapons by the rioters next to the ‘Wall of Courage’ was not expected.” The probe added, “The open-fire policies and rules of engagement allowed for freedom of action to hit the primary and incendiary rioters, and indeed significantly more shots were fired compared to during previous riots.” Other errors included keeping the

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

troops along the wall after Shmueli was shot and after rioters attempted, twice, to steal soldiers’ weapons. The report also praised the officers for acting with “noteworthy coolness of spirit and self-control,” as well as praising the medical treatment Shmueli received after he was hit. In their response to the findings, Shmueli’s family said, “Barel is gone and the commander of the Northern [Gaza] Brigade (Col. Yoav Bruner), the person who was responsible for the area, received a promotion after this event and now, in the internal military investigation, gets a citation.” The “citation” refers to the October appointment of Bruner as commander of the Paratroopers Brigade in October. The protocols for riot response have been changed since Shmueli was killed in August. Soldiers are now stationed in safer shooting positions.

Israel to Invest $1B in Golan Heights Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett opened Sunday’s Cabinet

meeting about the Golan Heights with news of the government’s decision to invest significantly in the region’s development.

“Zionism from its inception to the present day is characterized by points in time that the leadership seizes an opportunity and takes it to advance the interests of the State of Israel,” Bennett said. “This is our moment and the moment of the Golan Heights. A combination of factors led us to direct investments of about one billion shekels to the area.” Bennett added, “The plan approved today comes a considerable delay of years and aims to double the settlement in the Golan Heights. To that end, we will strengthen the city of Katzrin with two new neighborhoods and prepare two new settlements – Asif and Matar.” Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar

(New Hope) said, “Today, the order of the day is the development momentum of settlement in the Golan, rural and urban at the same time. This is an opportunity to move forward with all our might on this issue.” Sa’ar continued, “We bring to the best of my knowledge the most extensive development plan for settlements there has been in the Golan Heights with a realistic goal of doubling the settlement within a few years. “The goal is to encourage sustainable demographic growth in the Golan and Katzrin Regional Council localities with a goal of doubling the population within five years,” Sa’ar said. “The move will include planning, marketing and development of residential housing units and development of supportive geographical growth, economic development to create employment and improve employment and diversifying jobs and improving the quality of life that will also contribute to attracting a new population to the Golan Heights: Education. Regional infrastructure. Personal security. And more.”

1.1M+ Israeli Children Live in Poverty

Over 2.5 million Israelis, including over 1.1 million children, live in poverty. Another 932,000 households – 31.6% of all households – live in a state of economic distress, according to a recent survey. According to Latet, an Israeli aid organization, the portion of households at risk for poverty reached 23.6% in 2021, up from 14% prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. These households belong to the “poor middle class,” the report said. The report also showed that 651,900 Israeli households (22.1%) lack essentials such as housing, education, healthcare, and food and are thus considered living in poverty. This percentage is lower than 2020’s

29.3%, but still “high,” Latet said. Over the course of the pandemic, the “middle class” shrank from 58.3% prior to the pandemic to 48.3% in 2021. In addition, around 630,000 households suffer from food insecurity, including around 300,000 who suffer severe food insecurity. Nearly 800,000 children are affected. Latet noted that 77% of households seeking assistance who were surveyed in the study no longer have enough money to purchase sufficient food; 45% said children had to miss meals or eat less per meal. Latet’s report, which surveyed respondents from among the 80,000 receiving assistance from the organization, also found that over 80% suffered severe financial harm from the pandemic, with 10% saying they had no permanent housing and 22.9% saying they were at risk of losing their housing due to inability to pay rent. Nearly 70% said they had to skip buying medication or seeking medical help due to insufficient finances. According to Latet CEO Eran Weintraub, “The serious consequences of the economic crisis are reflected in the formation of a new ‘poor middle class.’ A quarter of the population, affected by the economic crisis, failed to recover and reached the poverty line and were in real danger of falling below it.” He noted, “The ongoing erosion of the middle class and the fact that hundreds of thousands of families are at risk of falling into poverty threatens the resilience of Israeli society and economy.”

Standing Up for Homesh Yeshiva

Thousands of people from around Israel joined a protest in memory of Homesh yeshiva student Yehuda Dimentman, demanding that the yeshiva he studied in be legalized, not razed, following his murder. The protesters, numbering an estimated 5,000 to 15,000, were led by Dimentman’s widow Ettya and his father.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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Held at the conclusion of the traditional shivah week of mourning for the young yeshiva student, the march began in Dimentman’s hometown of Shavei Shomron and continued to the yeshiva where he studied. It followed the exact route he had traveled with two friends on the day he was murdered by Arab terrorists as he traveled home from yeshiva. A memorial service was held at the conclusion of the march, attended by mourners as well as Knesset members and other public figures. Yigal Dilmoni, the director of the Yesha Council, spoke at the march, saying, “For the past 15 years, since the Expulsion [from Gush Katif], the yeshiva students continued to learn here. This is the status quo of this place – yeshiva students arriving here to strengthen the site, to strengthen the settlement enterprise.” He emphasized, “The government must not award a prize to terrorism. The yeshiva must be legalized. “Route 60 that leads right here – a route that has historic significance to the Jewish People – must be secured in an organized manner. We will reinforce the yeshiva of Homesh, and we call on the government to regularize the status of the community.”

Deri to Resign

Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Thursday announced that MK Aryeh Deri, who chairs the Knesset’s Shas party, has signed a plea bargain admitting to two tax-related crimes. As part of the plea bargain, Deri also agreed to pay a fine of 180,000 NIS ($58,015). Following the agreement, Deri will resign from the Knesset, to be replaced by Rabbi Yossi Taib, who served as MK during Deri’s time as Interior Minister. “I thank the Master of the World that these seven years of torturous investigations have come to a close. These years have been unbearably hard for my family and myself,” Deri said. “The investigation began with a great tumult and with grave suspi-

cions raised of terrible wrongdoings – and ended, in the words of the Attorney-General, Dr. Avichai Mandelblit, with ‘not even a little mouse out of this case.’” He continued, “With regard to the disputes over taxes, I have decided to take responsibility for mistakes that were made, without any criminal intent, in order to put this matter behind me and avoid the necessity of an entire legal process.” Deri concluded, “I wish to thank my attorney, Navot Tel Tzur, for his devoted work. I will continue to focus on my work for the public interest and will lead the Shas movement with all my strength and faith.”

A 4th Shot

Prof. Jacob Lavee became the first person in Israel to receive a fourth Covid vaccine when he was jabbed on Monday at the Sheba Medical Center. “I did this with a full, full heart for two reasons — first, to protect myself,” the Israeli heart surgeon said. “And no less important, my desire to avoid transmitting the disease to our patients.” Lavee was the first of some 150 health workers at the hospital outside Tel Aviv participating in the study to get the vaccine. “I am definitely the first in Israel,” he said but noted that some immuno-compromised people had already received a fourth shot in some countries and conceded it was possible that others have illegally obtained additional vaccines. The health workers who received the fourth dose had also been among the first people to receive the third dose and had a lower level of antibodies than their coworkers. He expressed, “Do not fear the vaccine. It’s effective, it’s for the benefit of our future. Go get vaccinated.” Sheba’s Prof. Gili Regev-Yochay, a lead researcher in the experiment, said the start of the process was “an exciting moment.” “This study is expected to shed light on the additional benefit of giving a fourth dose, and lead us to un-

derstand whether and to whom it is worth giving a fourth dose,” she added. “There are many questions so it’s important to conduct this in a serious manner. It could be that we’ve reached a maximum and a fourth shot will not give much. That’s what we’re checking. In a few more days we’ll know if it’s safe and effective.” The Sheba Medical Center said that under the study, 6,000 individuals will be given a fourth shot. The study, the first of its kind in the world, is being carried out in conjunction with the Health Ministry and has been approved by the government’s senior panel on human medical trials. Last Tuesday, the Health Ministry’s expert advisory panel had already signed off on distributing a fourth dose to those over the age of 60, along with others at risk. The program was delayed as authorities noticed that with the Omicron variant people are 50% to 70% less likely to need hospitalization than those with the Delta strain.

Congresswoman Carjacked

Democratic Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania was carjacked at gunpoint last Wednesday afternoon, in broad daylight as she was walking to her car. The carjacking occurred in south Philadelphia’s largest park, following a business meeting. Two armed men demanded Scanlon’s keys. One drove off in her car; the other followed in a dark colored vehicle. Scanlon’s spokesperson, Lauren Cox, noted, “Wednesday afternoon, at around 2:45 p.m., Congresswoman Scanlon was carjacked at gunpoint in FDR Park following a meeting at that location. The Congresswoman was physically unharmed.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

“She thanks the Philadelphia Police Department for their swift response and appreciates the efforts of both the Sergeant at Arms in D.C. and her local police department for coordinating with Philly PD to ensure her continued safety.” Cox added that Scanlon’s personal belongings, including her government-issued ID and phones, were stolen during the carjacking. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, “I’m appalled to learn of this violent crime that was perpetrated against my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon. Everyone deserves to feel safe in our city, and sadly, as we know, that hasn’t always been the case this year. It’s disheartening, and quite frankly infuriating, that criminals feel emboldened to commit such a reckless crime in the middle of the day in what should be a place of tranquility and peace – one of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks.” On the night of the carjacking, Scanlon’s blue Acura MDX was located in Delaware about 45 miles from where the incident occurred. Five suspects were found inside the vehicle.

America Was on the Move

The Redfin real estate organization has published a report on how lockdowns and working from home have changed the way Americans buy and sell houses. According to the Manistee News Advocate, “This past year, home-sale prices hit the highest median of all time, the number of homes for sale fell to an all-time low, and there was record demand for second homes.” Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather added, “The ongoing pandemic, including its seismic effect on the U.S. economy and the way Americans live and work, has made 2021’s housing market anything but typical. Remote work, low mortgage rates, a shortage of building materi-

als, and wealth inequality that has allowed an influx of affluent Americans to buy vacation homes, to name just a few factors, have come together to create a historic year for real estate.” He noted, “Buyers paid more for homes, bought sooner than they planned, searched outside their hometowns or all of the above. This year’s frenzied housing market has been one for the books—but it may become more balanced in 2022.” According to Redfin, the typical U.S. home sold for nearly $400,000, and the national median home-sale price hit $386,000 in June, an alltime high and up 24.4 percent year over year. In addition, home supply dropped to its lowest level in history, with just 1.38 million homes for sale nationally in June, on a seasonally-adjusted basis. At the same time, Redfin said, “the typical home sold in just 15 days, the lowest median days on market in history and down from 39 days in June 2020.” “The speed of the market is due partly to the supply problem, which has led buyers to pounce on homes as soon as they are put on the market.” As a result of this, over 60% of homes went off the market in two weeks, and 56.5% – a record high – were sold for above list price. Redfin noted that 31.5% of users – nearly one-third – were looking to move to a different metropolitan area in the first quarter of 2021. This number, it said, represents an alltime high, as well as a 26% rise from the one year earlier.

Pentagon Cuts Cost-of-Living Stipend for Many

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced last week that troops in 15 metropolitan areas and 21 non-metropolitan counties in the continental U.S. will lose their costof-living allowance beginning on January 1, 2022. According to Stars and Stripes, the change will strip approximate-

ly 48,000 troops of the Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance (CONUS COLA). At the same time, approximately 6,000 service members will retain their stipends, for which the Pentagon has allocated $8.5 million. Included in the 2022 list for those receiving benefits this year are 20 non-metropolitan counties and six metropolitan areas, among them New York City, Staten Island, and Long Island; Boulder, Colorado; San Francisco, California; and Nantucket, Massachusetts. Areas in which non-housing costs exceed 8% above national average are not eligible for COLA stipends. Among the locations cut from the list are Boston and Worcester, both in Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area.

Truck Drivers to Canada Need to Be Vaxxed

American truck drivers crossing the U.S.-Canada border will soon be required to be vaccinated, and some are concerned the requirement could contribute even more to a crippling supply chain crisis. Canada is set to require “essential service providers, including truck drivers,” to be fully vaccinated upon entry into the country, starting January 15, 2022. Truck drivers entering the U.S. will face a similar requirement one week later, on January 22. Last Wednesday, during a roundtable with northern-border state truck drivers, Montana’s Sen. Steve Daines warned, “These overreaching vaccine mandates will shutter Montana businesses and force Montanans out of work. It’s going to hurt our Montana trucking businesses and make this inflation and supply chain crisis even worse.” Daines added, “It has made no sense to me. Why the President kept the northern border locked down and the southern border wide open? Canadians have a vaccination rate of about 80%. On the southern border, like when the Haitians were flooding

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

across, it was less than one percent.” He noted, “Creating carveouts for some companies and not others shows how arbitrary and senseless this mandate really is. I am doing all I can to reverse this mandate and look forward to the Supreme Court taking this issue up.” Steve Hanson, general manager of Hanson Trucking, said, “We pull probably 12 to 14 loads a day in and out of Canada. The concern that drivers have to be vaccinated to come back into the United States – get into Canada and come back here – is a big concern as far as our employment goes. As with any small business in Montana, two to three people can break a business quick.” He added that 99% of his drivers had received the vaccine and called himself “lucky.” But he said that “some drivers have done it under protest” and the “biggest driver behind that protest is because it’s a mandate.”

two years ago; 144 passed away from the virus the year before that. According to CDC figures released early this week, there are seven states with high flu activity in the U.S., including Washington, D.C.: New Mexico, Kansas, Indiana, New Jersey, Tennessee, Georgia and North Dakota. It’s important to take precautions to prevent becoming ill with the flu. “Cover your cough. Wash your hands. Stay home if you’re sick,” Brammer advises. “If you do get flu, there are antivirals you can talk to your doctor about that can prevent severe illness and help you stay out of the hospital.”

Miami Dolphins’ Winning and Losing Streak

Flu Back with a Vengeance

If you didn’t get the flu last year, be prepared. Although the U.S. flu seemed to have taken a year off last year, the virus is back in full swing this season. At least two children have died from the flu this season. Last year’s flu season was the lowest on record, likely because COVID-19 measures – school closures, distancing, masks and canceled travel – prevented the spread of influenza, or because the coronavirus somehow pushed aside other viruses. “This is setting itself up to be more of a normal flu season,” said Lynnette Brammer, who tracks flulike illnesses for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The childhood deaths, Brammer said, are “unfortunately what we would expect when flu activity picks up. It’s a sad reminder of how severe flu can be.” Last year, when the flu season was very light, only one child died. In contrast, 199 children died from flu

When the Miami Dolphins won the New Orleans Saints on Monday 20-3, they managed to play their way back to the postseason picture. The victory made a bit of NFL history for the team. They are now the first team in NFL history to have a seven-game losing streak and a seven-game winning run in the same season. The last time the Dolphins won seven successive games was back in 1985. With 22 players out due to Covid-19 protocols, the Saints handed Ian Book his NFL debut at quarterback, but the 23-year-old had a tough evening as the Dolphins defense racked up eight sacks against him. While Book struggled – he completed 12 of 20 passes and threw two interceptions – Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle’s rookie season goes from strength to strength. With 10 receptions in Monday’s game, Waddle is now on 96 catches this season and just five shy of the all-time rookie record of 101 – set by Anquan Boldin in 2003 with the Arizona Cardinals. “As far as importance, I wouldn’t say it’s like something I got my mind focused on,” Waddle told the NFL website, when asked about Boldin’s record. “I’m all for it as long as it

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

comes with some wins. It would obviously be pretty cool, ‘cause NFL is a special league so anything in this league to have a record in is always big.” Waddle has also weighed in with five touchdowns this season, including one in Monday’s game. On Monday, the NFL had 96 of its players test positive for Covid-19. With an additional 10 positive tests among players over the weekend, a total of 106 players have been placed on the league’s Reserve/Covid-19 list since December 25.

WeDash at DoorDash

If the CEO of DoorDash shows up at your door with dinner for the night, don’t be surprised. DoorDash is asking its employees – even its CEO – to again make a delivery at

least once a month. The on-demand food delivery company in the New Year will reinstate a program, called WeDash, that it had paused during the pandemic. DoorDash launched WeDash in 2013, when it started operations. Its founders said they wanted to engage the company in community and philanthropic efforts from the outset. “As the company grew, the founders wanted everyone to experience different parts of the product so we could get closer to all our audiences and understand how the product works,” DoorDash explained. “By engaging as a Dasher, supporting a merchant, or shadowing a customer experience agent, employees learn first-hand how the technology products we build empower local economies, which in turn helps us build a better product,” the company said. The program, which extends to all non-delivery employees including engineers and senior executives, will return in January. Granted, some employees are not excited to deliver pizzas. “This is a valued program we’ve had since the company’s beginnings,” DoorDash said.

Thousands of Flights Cancelled

More than 2,800 flights were canceled as of Monday as Covid cases surge across the globe. Of the more than 2,800 canceled flights, around 1,000 were within, into or out of the United States, according to FlightAware. Almost 11,000 flights are delayed. Globally, airlines canceled more than 6,000 flights over the holiday weekend. In the United States, more than 1,200 flights were canceled and more than 5,000 were delayed on Sunday alone as staff and crew called out sick. The cancellations come at the busiest time of year for air travel. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said it screened millions of people each day over the holiday weekend, peaking at 2.19 million travelers on Thursday, December 23. On Wednesday, more people passed through TSA checkpoints than on the same day in 2019. Alaska Airlines, which canceled 133 flights of 19% of its operations on Monday, attributed its cancellations and delays on winter weather in the Pacific Northwest. The airline said it canceled almost 250 mainline flights scheduled to arrive or depart from Seattle Sunday. As of Monday afternoon, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has the most delays and cancellations in the world, according to FlightAware. “We’re working as quickly as possible to get all our affected guests rebooked on other flights, while operating safely,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement. United Airlines said last week it had to cancel hundreds of flights because it lacked enough crew members to safely fly all of its scheduled routes. “The nationwide spike in Omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation,” said a United memo.

European airlines are also experiencing a small number of cancellations amid record-breaking numbers of Covid-19 cases in several European nations. A British Airways spokesperson said on Monday that the airline had canceled “a number of flights due to operational constraints” a nd is instead using larger aircrafts, where possible, to get customers to their destinations. According to tracking website FlightAware, 46 flights from British Airways were canceled on Monday. Virgin Atlantic said that flying continues “as scheduled,” noting the exception of one of their London Heathrow – New York JFK rotations which saw cancellations on December 21. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said that due to “a sharp drop in bookings” the airline will have to cancel 33,000 flights from mid-January to February 2022 or 10% of the group’s winter flight schedule.

No More Passenger Play in Teslas

Tesla will no longer allow video games to be played on its cars’ touchscreens when the vehicles are in motion. The decision, made Thursday, comes in response to an investigation of the feature by federal safety regulators. In a Thursday statement, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) spokesperson said, “Following the opening of a preliminary evaluation of Tesla’s ‘Passenger Play,’ Tesla informed the agency that it is changing the functionality of this feature. In a new software update, ‘Passenger Play’ will now be locked and unusable when the vehicle is in motion.” “Passenger Play” became available to drivers in December 2020. Although it was intended for passengers, drivers were also able to play while the car was being driven, documentation from the investigation showed.

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Prior to December 2020, the gameplay was enabled only when the vehicle was parked. NHTSA noted that even if only passengers are playing the games, they “may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.” The agency added, “NHTSA constantly assesses how manufacturers identify and safeguard against distraction hazards that may arise due to faults, misuse, or intended use of convenience technologies, including infotainment screens.”

Kim Potter Found Guilty

Former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter has been found guilty of first- and second-degree man-

slaughter. Daunte Wright, 20, was fatally shot by Potter during a traffic stopturned arrest in Minneapolis’ Brooklyn Center suburb. During the stop, the officers discovered that Wright, who is Black, had an arrest warrant for a weapons violation, as well as an order of protection against him, and they tried to detain him. However, during the struggle, Potter shot Wright instead of Tasering him, and Wright crashed into an oncoming vehicle, injuring three people. Attorneys for Potter, 49, requested that she be released on bail until sentencing, but the judge denied the motion, ordering that she be taken into custody. In her ruling, Hennepin County District Court Judge Regina Chu said, “I cannot treat this case any differently than any other case.” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison thanked jurors for their “careful attention and deliberation.” Turning to law enforcement officers, Ellison said the verdict “restores trust, faith and hope” because it “shows that those of you who enforce the law are also willing to live by it.” “We hold you in high regard. We

also hold you to high standards. We don’t want you to be discouraged,” Ellison said. Attorneys for the Wright family said, “If we are ever going to restore the confidence of Black and marginalized Americans in law enforcement, we need to have accountability and a commitment to listening and to creating meaningful change.”

Timber Co. Returns 125 Acres to Tribe

A Washington state timber company announced last week that they would return, for free, 125 acres of land to a Native American group. The Port Blakely Companies, which operates in the United States and New Zealand, returned 125 acres of tidelands and two miles of coastline to the Squaxin Island Tribe. The area in question restores the tribe’s access to Puget Sound. The Sound is home to some of the most plentiful shellfish areas in the state, a fact that Port Blakely said was a “key reason” why the tribe’s ancestors “made it home for thousands of years.” The land will not be developed and will instead serve ceremonial purposes. The Squaxin Island Tribe has also signed a separate agreement to purchase another 875 acres of forestland from the company. The purchase price of those acres has not been disclosed. Port Blakely acquired the land in an 1854 treaty. Port Blakely U.S. Forestry President Mike Warjone said, “Just an acknowledgment about the place would ring hollow if the only owner of record was still around, and the people it was stolen from were alive and well and right up the street. The obvious thing to do was simply give it back. Frankly, I feel a little like, why didn’t we think of this earlier? …. It’s about time.” Squaxin Island Tribal Chair Kris Peters shared, “We are honored and grateful to reclaim these lands and

for the return of the shoreline. The Squaxin people lived and stewarded this very land and waterway for thousands of years before it was taken from us in the mid- to late1800s.” He added, “I can’t wait to drum, and sing, and dance out on those beaches, just like our people did hundreds, and thousands of years ago.”

Quarantine Decreasing

People who have Covid-19 can leave isolation after five days if they are no longer experiencing symptoms, U.S. health officials said, cutting the previously recommended period in half. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that following the initial five-day isolation period, people with Covid-19 should wear a mask for another five days when around other people. Previous guidelines required people who have tested positive for the virus to isolate for 10 days. Covid-19 cases are expected to soar in the U.S. following the holidays. Shorter isolation and quarantine periods will allow people to return to work or to school sooner, potentially helping reduce widespread disruptions that could close schools or snarl supply chains. Although Omicron is on the rise, studies show that symptoms are less severe than the Delta variant, especially for people who have been vaccinated and received booster shots. As such, public health officials have felt pressured to ease their stance on when infected or exposed people can return to their routines. Last week, the CDC shortened its isolation guidance for health-care workers, saying those with mild or moderate Covid-19 could return to work after seven days with a negative antigen test. The CDC’s shift in guidance was motivated by science showing that the majority of coronavirus trans-

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mission occurs early in the course of the illness, in the first day or two before the onset of symptoms and the two to three days that follow, the agency said. The CDC also updated its recommended quarantine period for people who have been exposed to Covid-19. For individuals who are unvaccinated, or for those who are eligible for a booster shot but haven’t yet received one, the agency recommends a five-day quarantine followed by strict use of a mask for five more days. However, if a five-day quarantine isn’t feasible, an exposed person should wear a well-fitting mask, such as an N95, at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure. Individuals who have received a booster shot don’t need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days, the CDC said. If symptoms occur, individuals should quarantine until a negative test confirms that they don’t have Covid-19.

Harry Reid Dies at 82

Senator Harry Reid led the Senate Democrats for more than a decade. This Tuesday, he died at the age of 82 after battling cancer for four years. Reid was known to be tough; he led the Democrats without bombast, yet pushed through legislation that were hard-fought, including the passage of Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, an economic stimulus package following the 2007-08 recession, and the Dodd-Frank financial reforms. Critics of Reid pointed to his 2013 push to alter Senate rules to make it easier to confirm Obama’s judicial nominees. Those rules, though, helped Donald Trump to confirm supreme court nominees with a simple majority. In his defense, Reid told the New

York Times Magazine, “They can say what they want. We had over 100 judges that we couldn’t get approved, so I had no choice. Either Obama’s presidency would be a joke or Obama’s presidency would be one of fruition.” Reid did not always fight clean. During the 2012 presidential race between Obama and Mitt Romney, Reid announced on the floor of the Senate that Romney had not paid taxes in 10 years: an unfounded and ultimately debunked claim spurred by Romney’s refusal to release a full set of tax returns. Asked if he regretted the charge, Reid said, “Romney didn’t win, did he?” Reid blasted Trump when the New York developer, as a presidential candidate, criticized Hillary Clinton’s health. Reid replied that Trump was in no position to criticize because he “is 70 years old, he’s not slim and trim, he brags about eating fast food every day.” In December, Reid called Trump “amoral” and “the worst president we’ve ever had”. The people of Nevada stood squarely behind Reid, bucking national demographic trends in 2016 to reject Trump. In 2018, voters threw out incumbent Republican senator Dean Heller. Efficacy behind the scenes became a trademark for Reid, who won loyalty from colleagues for his willingness to bestow credit and cede the limelight. “I know my limitations,” Reid told the New Yorker in 2005, the year he took leadership of the Democrats in the Senate. “I haven’t gotten where I am by my good looks, my athletic ability, my great brain, my oratorical skills.” Asked in March last year what he thought of Washington since his retirement, Reid shrugged, “I just shake my head is all I can do.”

2nd Life Sentence for Poway Shooter John T. Earnest, who admitted to a shooting at a San Diego area synagogue that killed one and injured three others in 2019, has been sentenced to a second life sentence. Earnest was sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison in federal court on Tuesday after previously

pleading guilty to a 113-count indictment that included hate crime and weapons violations, according to a Department of Justice news release. He was previously sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole following a plea agreement in state court.

Lori Gilbert Kaye was killed in the shooting on the last day of Pesach in 2019 when Earnest, who was 19 at the time and armed with an AR-15 style rifle, entered the crowded Chabad of Poway synagogue and began shooting. Earnest also admitted to setting fire to a mosque in nearby Escondido just weeks before the shooting. “The defendant targeted his victims because he hated the Jewish community and Muslim community, hatred that has no place in our society and hatred that will never, never win,” said Randy Grossman, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California. “The defendant and his hatred have been silenced. He will spend the rest of his days and die in prison, while he languishes behind bars.” Prosecutors noted that a manifesto written by Earnest and posted on the internet shortly before the attack was found during the investigation in which Earnest made many anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim statements, including, “I can only kill so many Jews” and “I only wish I killed more.”

Cash Box Postmarked November 10, 2020, Vinod Menon discovered the cardboard box while sifting through a pile of mail in his office. The box was large – around the size of a toaster – and had been sitting in the mail pile for months. Addressed to the “Chairman, Physics Department,” it had $90 worth of postage on it.

Menon, who was the chairman of the physics department at City College of New York, was shocked when he finally opened the unassuming package.

In it, the physics professor discovered cash – lots of it. In fact, the box was full of $50 and $100 bills, totaling a whopping $180,000 “It was a complete shock — I know a lot of academics and I’ve never heard of anything like this,” the 49-year-old said. “I didn’t know if the college accepted cash, so I didn’t know if they’d keep it.” A letter accompanied the cash, explaining the donor’s motivations but not his or her identity. “Assuming that you are bit curious as to why I am doing this, the reason is straightforward,” wrote the donor, who said he or she “long ago” took advantage of the “excellent educational opportunity” of attending both Stuyvesant High School and earning a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics at City College, which helped lead to “a long, productive, immensely rewarding” scientific career. He or she wanted to help needy students attend the college. The note was unsigned, and the name on the return address, Kyle Paisley, was not listed as a graduate in the college’s records. College officials contacted authorities to ensure the cash didn’t come from nefarious sources. After police determined that the cash was not connected to criminal activity, CUNY Board of Trustees voted to formally accept the thousands of dollars in cash. “That is absolutely astonishing, $180,000 in cash in a box,” said the board’s chairman, William C. Thompson, in introducing the vote earlier this month. For now, the funds will be used to gift two full scholarships each year and should last for more than a decade. In the spirit of the donation, he said, the fellowship would require the students to “give back in some way,” perhaps by peer mentoring. Talk about a big bang for your buck.

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A Bite and a Bike

Two McDonald’s locations in China have announced that they are testing in-store exercise bikes. A video of a woman sitting on a stationary bike while eating a hamburger at McDonald’s recently went viral. The company confirmed that the bikes have been installed as seats at locations in Guangdong and Shanghai. McDonald’s China said the bike seats are part of the company’s ”Upcycle for Good” initiative, which aims to promote sustainability. The company said the exercise bikes generate electricity that customers can use to charge their cellphones and other devices. It also serves as a means of helping customers stay healthier while eating fast food. McDonald’s may expand the program to other stores in the near future. For now, we would suggest staying away from McDonald’s – and then there won’t be much of a need for a bike.

$25K to Ditch Tech

The Kahlua Coffee Liqueur company really wants you to stay away from technology. The liquor brand is offering $25,000 to couples in the U.S. who can stay away from internet-based technology. The “Kahlúa Stir Up Your Routine” dare will last for 30 days. To make sure that couples were able to stay off the social media

sauce, Kahlua will make them take and pass a polygraph test before they can claim their cash winnings. Aside from the lucrative prize, the winning couple will also receive a “Kahlúa Kit” on wheels, which appears to be a metal bar cart filled with 30 nights of activities, including Kahlúa Espresso Martini mixes, cooking challenges, and feng shui guides. Detailing its motivation behind the campaign, Kahlúa said it’s issuing this challenge because nearly half of Americans “admit” that they spend “five to six hours on their phones daily,” which the brand claimed is equivalent to almost nine years spent on mobile devices. The coffee liqueur, which is owned by Pernod Ricard, is reportedly hoping to encourage couples to spend more time with each other with this 30-day challenge. Sounds like a real coffee break.

A Souvenir from Space

The first Emirati astronaut brought an Israeli flag with him when he traveled to the International Space Station in 2019. This week, Hazzaa al-Mansoori gifted the flag to Israeli officials during a visit to the Israeli pavilion at the Expo 2020 in Dubai. “This is a gift for all Israelis,” al-Mansoori said. “I am happy to be here and to give the Israeli flag as a gift to the people here and to the public in Israel.” The astronaut’s trip — the first by an Arab to the International Space Station — came nearly a year before Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to normalize diplomatic ties as part of the United States-backed Abraham Accords. In October, Israel and the United Arab Emirates finalized an agreement to collaborate on a number of space projects, including a joint launch of the “Beresheet 2” mission to the moon, Israel’s attempt — its

second — to land an unmanned spacecraft on the lunar surface by 2024, when the countries expect to plant their flags alongside each other. The Beresheet 2 mission is being coordinated by the Israeli non-governmental organization SpaceIL. The UAE has its own successful space program, launching the “Amal,” or “Hope,” space probe to Mars earlier this year. Sounds like a gift that’s out of this world.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Ryan Wasson gave his brother, Eric, a gag gift 34 years ago and now the joke’s on him. More than three decades ago, Ryan gave his brother a box of Life Savers candy, knowing that Eric didn’t like them. But Eric didn’t eat the candy. Instead, he saved the box of candy so he could gift them to his brother the next year, starting a tradition that has been kept since that year. “Neither one of us will give up because we’re brothers. We can never give up,” Ryan said. “If you ask which one has ever done the best as far as giving these, we’re both going to say it’s ourself. We’re never going to give in.” The brothers said their annual gifting has gotten creative, with elaborate pranks involving family, friends, coworkers and even the local sheriff’s office. “They melted one year, so they look pretty sad. So we’ve got the original box and then we’ve got a

new box…. The old ones are pretty sad. I wouldn’t try those,” Eric Wasson added. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

A Tasty TV

When watching TV, viewers can see what’s going on and can hear what the characters are saying. But one thing hampers their experience: they can’t taste the food that’s being prepared on the screen. Now, a professor at a Japanese university is attempting to help viewers with their tasting sense as they watch their favorite programs. Homei Miyashita, an associate professor in the School of Science and Technology at Meiji University, said his “Taste the TV” invention uses a combination of 10 flavors to create the taste of the food pictured on the screen. The flavor is dispensed onto a film that slides onto the screen, allowing viewers to experience the taste of the food they are seeing. Miyashita is envisioning giving viewers who cannot travel the ability to taste and sample flavors from around the world. “I am thinking of making a platform where tastes from all over the world can be distributed as ‘taste content.’ It’s the same as watching a movie or listening to a song that you like,” he explained. “I hope people can, in the future, download and enjoy the flavors of the food from the restaurants they fancy, regardless of where they are based in the future.” Sounds like an acquired taste.

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Around the

Community Madraigos Hosts Rav Sholom Kamenetzky

n Sunday morning, December 26, Madraigos was privileged to share words of chizuk delivered by Rav Sholom Kamenetzky, shlita, Rosh HaYeshiva, Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, to a standing-room only crowd of clinicians serving the local Five Towns/ Queens, Brooklyn communities, and beyond. Attendees were also given the unique opportunity to network with geographically focused colleagues in order to strengthen relationships, share ideas, and expand their own professional referral base. Rav Kamenetzky’s opening remarks were deliberate and heartfelt as he addressed real concerns affecting mental health professionals in our society today. The Rosh HaYeshiva empathized with the challenges facing a Torah-observant therapist in that it is filled with overwhelming demands of one’s time and energy coupled with the inherent complex struggles, both on an emotional level and a professional one. However, he stressed that a therapist’s job is to be a shaliach of Hashem and that this role is needed now more than ever. With a dignified and thorough understanding of current halachic, clinical, and societal issues facing our community, the Rosh HaYeshiva then responded to specific questions submitted by attendees prior to the program. In addressing how best to achieve a professional and family-life balance, the Rosh HaYeshiva expressed that in order to maintain an effective, vibrant career of serving the critical needs of clients, clinicians should fo-

cus on staying positive, healthy, and upbeat. Rav Kamenetzky also urged clinicians to strive to see any tzara in an objective way. He said, “Staying objective doesn’t make you cold or numb, it helps you do your job effectively.” Other questions focused on topics such as “How to uphold one’s commitment to halacha while serving the needs of clients,” “How to help clients overcome spiritual challenges after suffering from pain and loss,” and “How to guide parents in showing love and support for their children despite behavior they don’t condone.” Rabbi Dov Silver, Founder and Executive V.P., Madraigos, commented, “We are extremely pleased with the strong participation from clinical professionals in the community who came to learn and grow from our renowned speaker, Rav Kamenetsky. He elevated us with awe-inspiring words of chizuk, his wellspring of knowledge, and gems of guidance for clinicians who are on the front lines facing the most challenging questions on a daily basis.” Shaindy Bondi, a therapist with a busy private practice in the Five Towns, remarked, “You made everyone’s day by bringing Rav Sholom. This was an incredibly unique opportunity.” In response to positive feedback like this and requests for additional local networking events, Madraigos’ clinical team will explore options for the near future. For updates and more information, please contact Mindi Werblowsky, LCSW,

Clinical Director at mwerblowsky@madraigos. org or 516-371-3250 x 112. To learn more about Madraigos’ programs and services, please visit, www.madraigos.org. With appreciation to Cross River for their tremendous ongoing support, Madraigos is dedicated to its mission of bringing programming for educators, clinicians, parents, and teens to educate, strengthen, and guide the community. We’d like to acknowledge the sponsorship by the Digital Citizenship Project for this Q & A program.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Parasha at Shulamith ECC

CAHAL congratulates the entire HAFTR team for winning the CIJE Robotics Competition last week. Special congratulations to Akiva Cunningham and Rafi Sabri.

Multiplication Madness in Third Grade

OSS’s third graders have begun their marvelous math unit on Multiplication. We’ve discussed how multiplication is just repeated addition, and so technically, if you can add, you can multiply. The multiplication symbol represents “groups of”, so what better way to create groups than with a crowd favorite – candies. The students used dice to roll a multiplication equation and had oodles of fun practicing grouping their candies correctly on a math mat. When they were done building a variety of arrays, everyone got to eat their Oodles! We also learned about arrays and how they can help solve just about any multiplication sentence. We read the book Amanda Bean’s Amazing

Dream A Mathematical Story, by Cindy Neuschwander and found so many arrays in the illustrations. While calculating all the different math problems Amanda had, she realized that multiplying really is a much quicker way to solve problems than adding. Inspired by the book and beautiful illustrations, the classes created their own city of arrays and monsters with an array full of eyes. Playing array war was another way to reinforce building arrays correctly and competitively. Multiplication doesn’t have to be all about memorization and timed tests – it’s about making it memorable for YOSS students!

t Shulamith ECC, we are committed to best practices and research driven educational methods. Since research proves that young children learn best through hands-on active learning experiences, the teachers at Shulamith ECC incorporate this into every curriculum area, both Limudei Kodesh and the secular curriculum. Parashat hashavua is no exception. The continuing weekly saga of the Jewish people is brought to life through hands-on, active learning experiences. The kindergarten children at Shulamith ECC are fascinated to learn about Bnai Yisrael’s experiences in Mitzrayim. It is, however, difficult for 4- and 5-year-olds to relate to the concept of slavery. In order to help the children understand, the morot brought a brick into the classroom and placed it on the science table. The children were curious about the brick and proceeded to examine it using their scientific tools of investigation. The morah encouraged them to try to lift the heavy brick and prompted them to think about how it would feel to lift piles and piles of heavy bricks without rest. They also had the opportunity to try to create their own bricks using

soil and straw. At first, this was tremendous fun, as which child doesn’t like to play with mud? However, it soon became frustrating when the dried bricks fell apart and had to be remade if anything was to be built with them. The children soon came to empathize, even just a little bit, with the difficulties faced by the Jewish slaves. As we travel on the winding journey to Pesach, the children at Shulamith ECC will be well prepared to thank Hashem for the wonderful gift of freedom that Hashem granted us from slavery and set us on the path to receive the holy Torah.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

Around the Community

North Shore Packs for Israel’s Pantry Packers

ollowing its success in Jerusalem at fusing charity with a fun experience for both locals and tourists, Pantry Packers has recently launched a pilot program in the United States. The food distribution arm of Colel Chabad, Pantry Packers provides a platform for thousands of volunteers to prepare food staples and packages that are distributed to needy families around Israel. Through a highly professional and organized approach in a stateof-the-art packing warehouse in Jerusalem dedicated by the Luxenberg and Zuckerman families of Great Neck, the program has become a sought-after stop for many families and groups looking for a meaningful addition to trips to Israel. As the past two years of pandemic have severely limited travel abroad, the decision was made to bring the Pantry Packers experience to the U.S. New York’s North Shore Hebrew Academy (NSHA) was the first to take part in the new program, where over the course of a recent school

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NSHA Students volunteering for Pantry Packer

day students packed over one ton of rice which was then distributed to needy families in the New York area. Rabbi Menachem Traxler, who founded and continues to run Pantry Packers in Jerusalem, was on hand for the pilot event. “The continuing pandemic has been extremely trying for our efforts because the needs have only expanded while our core of volunteers from the diaspo-

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ra Jewish community has almost dried up. But as this crisis continued, we began hearing from friends and contacts in America who missed the volunteering opportunity that allows children to feel a real sense of fulfillment and know that their hard work is immediately helping others.” Jamie Lassner, Director of Student Programming at NSHA, described the day as both exciting and

deeply meaningful. “Several members of our community have visited and have participated in Pantry Packers chessed programs in Israel, and the NSHA Middle School Family is humbled to be the pilot program outside Israel. G-d willing, through the success of this program, many others will be launched at schools all over the world, so it’s particularly meaningful to see how our efforts here at NSHA can be the paradigm for multi-dimensional chessed programs in Israel and abroad.” The on-site packing activity is accompanied by a campaign to raise funds to continue feeding Israel’s needy families, supported by Colel Chabad, Israel’s longest running social services organization, since 1788. To date, over $8,000 was raised by NSHA students and families in their local campaign. The boxes of packed rice were delivered to Tomchei Shabbos of Queens, where it was included in the food boxes distributed to 325 families each week.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Siyum at Yeshiva Mercaz Hatorah Of Belle Harbor

hanukah at Mercaz Hatorah of Belle Harbor was memorable for both the rabbeim and talmidim. A mesiba was held on the fourth night of Chanukah. One of the highlights of the mesiba was a siyum on mesechta Bava Kama, which was learned last year,

made by a talmid, Sholom Teichman. Sholom represented many other bochurim who were mesayeim as well. This year, the Yeshiva is learning mesechta Kiddushin. Many bochurim committed to complete the entire masechta Kiddushin. To that end, there is a voluntary bekiyus

Junior Girls Inspired by Bat-Galim Shaer By: Erin Merrill

unior girls at HAFTR High School were fortunate to hear inspirational words from Mrs. Bat-Galim Shaer, a woman whose son was tragically murdered in 2014. On Tuesday, December 14, Asara B’Tevet, HAFTR girls, along with students from Stella K. Abraham (SKA) and Shulamith High School, traveled to the Young Israel of Woodmere to hear Shaer’s story. Bat-Galim Shaer is the mother of Gilad Shaer, who was one of the three Israeli yeshiva students murdered in June of 2014. She spoke about the devastating loss

of her son and the impact it had on her. Along with her husband, Shaer founded Sonshine, a program created in their son’s memory to promote unity and connection among the Jewish people. An essential lesson she emphasized during her speech was that even though her loss was tragic, it brought Jews together from Israel and America. She emphasized the importance of having this unity, not only during times of challenge, but during times of peace. While Shaer suffered an unfathomable loss, she expressed the comfort of knowing that her tragedy led to the unity of Am Yisrael.

shiur, given by Rabbi Aaron Chaim Lapidus, before Shacharis, so that they can achieve their goal. Before the mesiba, many bochurim were farhered on mesechta Kiddushin. All the boys who were mitztayein received a gift at the mesiba. The ruach at Mercaz Hatorah

this year is strong, and the bochurim attest to experiencing the best matzav in yeshiva to date. The boys are performing as serious bnei Torah. The pictures of the boys dancing illustrate the achdus and geshmak that exemplifies the Belle Harbor experience.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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Trailblazing All Mishnah Platform Released for New Mishnah Yomi Cycle By Chaim Saller

ll Mishnah. For so many across the Jewish world, that name conveys an entire message. Users of All Daf and All Parsha, the two Torah platforms that have transformed the lives of so many, understand the magnitude of the revelation of a new All Torah platform. Yes, it marks the rollout of a new free app that allows users to access the greatest Torah resources on the Mishnah with the most contemporary, technologically advanced user experience. But the All Mishnah app and its accompanying website can be a destination even for those who have not been users of the previously released platforms. “All Mishnah is a platform where anyone can find top-tier content on the Mishnah,” Rabbi Moshe Schwed, who heads the All Torah initiatives

for the OU, shares. “Similar to All Daf and All Parsha, it will feature high-quality content in the most user-friendly format, giving users a one-of-kind experience when they use it. But perhaps most importantly, it can empower those learning Mishnah Yomi with the tools and resources they need to achieve their goal.” Mishnah Yomi is a program in which participants learn two Mishnayos each day and complete the entire Shisha Sidrei Mishnah in less than six years. The next cycle of Mishnah Yomi is set to begin December 25, and the release of All Mishnah comes just in time. Mishnah Yomi has been a popular program for decades, but with the ever-growing enthusiasm around Daf Yomi, its Mishnah counterpart has seen an explosion of new participants. For some, the notion of a daf each day may seem overambitious, and they view Mishnah Yomi

as a more sustainable undertaking. For others, including many Daf Yomi learners, Mishnah Yomi affords them the opportunity to learn the portions of Torah not covered in Talmud Bavli, including most of Zero’im and Taharos. Additionally, many see it as a chance to cultivate a Torah bond with their children, as two Mishnayos each day is an attainable goal for the younger generation as well, and it allows them to create a family experience of daily Torah learning. Whatever the motivation, Mishnah Yomi has given so many Torah learners a connection to thousands of others, across the globe, who are learning the same two Mishnayos as them each day. “All Mishnah will open a path for learners of all levels to make daily Mishnah learning part of their lives,” explains Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union. All Mishnah can transform Mishnah Yomi for learners of all levels. Debuting at the beginning of the new six-year cycle, All Mishnah, and its multifaceted features, can enable Mishnah Yomi to become an attainable achievement for learners everywhere. The core of the All Mishnah platform is the premier shiurim on each Mishnah, delivered by leading talmidei chachomim and noted speakers. Included on the roster of maggidei shiur are Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, Rabbi Zecharia Resnick, Rabbi Joel Padowitz, with many additional shiurim currently in the pipeline, to be added in the coming months. Additionally, shiurim for children, delivered by Rabbi Fishel Schachter, are available through the Mishnah Reshonah system, which has been incorporated into the All Mishnah app. Another popular resource, Time 4 Mishnah, a part of the Time 4 Torah network, will be integrated into All Mishanah as well. Being that the Mishnah-learning demographic includes children, who would also benefit greatly from the resources of All Mishnah, a call-in phone line is available via Mishnah Reshonah, (929-299-6700) allowing access to many of the platform’s benefits without the need of internet

use. While the phone system has launched with limited content, the goal is to expand the system with time, to eventually contain content from across all the platforms. Aside from the audio shiurim, the app will include the actual text of the Mishnah with a premium English translation. For this, the OU has been working with ArtScroll to bring the best in English Mishnah resources to All Mishnah, and app users will be able to access the Yad Avraham Mishnah by ArtScroll directly within the app. While All Daf and All Parsha were created with the most cutting-edge technological advances, the new All Mishnah app has been completely remade, to assure that users experience the most up-to-date features and interface available. The player page has been entirely revamped, and numerous features, tailored for Mishnah learning, have been integrated into the app. The app will include a daily Mishnah calendar, in which users will be able to keep track of their progress through the Mishnah Yomi program. This customizable feature allows one to easily remain organized and in control of their daily commitment. One especially useful feature that is set to be implemented in All Mishnah, albeit not during the initial launch, is an interactive signup utility for yahrzeits or other initia-

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

Around the Community tives. This feature will allow friends and family members to coordinate the learning of mesechtos in someone’s memory, in an easily trackable registry within the app. Users will be able to mark their Mishnah as “done” when they complete their learning, and anyone part of the group will be able to track the progress towards the collective goal. All Mishnah joins the venerable All Torah family of apps, which has been introduced last year but has already made an indelible impact on the Jewish world, becoming the goto source for premium resources on Shas and the Parsha – all completely free of charge. The first app, All Daf, has over 50,000 downloads and 1.7 million hours learned, making All Daf one of the most popular Torah resources across the globe. All Daf is a onestop destination for the Daf Yomi shiurim of the most sought-after maggidei shiur around the world, including Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Rabbi Sruly Borenstein, Rabbi Eli Stefansky, Rabbi Shalom Rosner, Rabbi

Shloime Schwartzberg, Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, Rabbi Zecharia Resnik, Rabbi Eli Mansour, and numerous others. Thousands of supplemental clips – covering history, background information, Navi, and halachic aspects of each daf – add clarity and a robust dynamic for learners of Daf Yomi. In addition to the audio and video content, thousands of pages of references and source material assure an excellent learning experience for anyone using the platform. Earlier this year, OU premiered the second app, All Parsha, which, with nearly 20,000 downloads already, is quickly catching up to its daf counterpart. As a comprehensive parsha app, thousands enjoy its exclusive content, turning to the app or website to enhance their parsha understanding and prepare them for uplifting Shabbos table conversation. Among the internationally acclaimed speakers are Rabbi Yissacher Frand, Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky, Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro,

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, and Rabbi Yaakov Trump. A special section of women speakers is very popular as well, featuring Mrs. Michal Horowitz, Esther Wein, Shira Smiles, Shira Hochheimer, and others. New content is often added, such as the recent introduction of a weekly message by media personality Yisroel Besser, and the imminent addition of noted Mir Yeshiva maggid shiur Rabbi Moshe Ahron Friedman. Besides the content, the many useful features – including the widely heralded personal shnayim mikrah tracker – have made the app the one-of-a-kind phenomenon it has grown to be. All Mishnah, the third app in the family, builds on the success of the previous apps, and is set to make waves in an almost uncharted field. With its prestigious speakers, first-rate resources, and advanced features, it will quickly become the destination of choice for anyone learning a Mishnah. Over time, the All Mishnah library is set to expand, eventually

having a full line of shiurim and resources on the entire Shisha Sidrei Mishnah, allowing anyone learning a Mishnah to utilize the app in their learning. Currently, however, at launch, the primary focus is optimized around learners of Mishnah Yomi, giving them all the tools they need to become a part of the increasingly expanding membership of this pivotal program. “Mishnah Yomi is a doable, easy commitment that can change a person’s life,” Rabbi Schwed concludes. “Whether it’s done independently, or as a companion to Daf Yomi, it has the power to give someone a sense of fulfillment in Mishnah learning, while feeling a connection to a greater Torah community, across communities and across continents. And now, with the launch of All Mishnah, being a part of this has never been more attainable.” Download the new, free All Mishnah app, as well as the All Daf and All Parsha apps, from your app store, or visit allmishnah.org/yomi.

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community Mazal tov to the Shulamith first graders on their Chagigat Siddur

OU CEO Rabbi Menachem Genack was invited to present a shiur to STAR-K staff members in December. Pictured L-R: STAR-K President Dr. Avrom Pollak; Rabbi Genack; STAR-K Rabbinic Administrator HaRav Moshe Heinemann; and OU Executive VP Rabbi Moshe Hauer.

HANC M’Dor L’Dor

Central Mother-Daughter Melava Malka

n Thursday, December 23, the Nursery Bet children at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County Early Childhood Center had a beautiful M’DOr L’Dor program for their grandparents. Grandparents (and special visitors) from across the world attended the program physically or enjoyed the livestream option. The room was custom decorated by our own Morah Rena Maryles with beautiful artwork that delineated the theme of the program: “Strong Roots Make Beautiful Leaves.” The grandparents were invited to join and daven with the children. The next part of the program was especially meaningful for everyone. The children had prepared special grandparent songs which described the unique bond that exists between grandparents and grandchildren.

The grandparents were then asked to join the children as they created a family tree together. We thank all of the parents for sending in pictures of all of their family members. All of the children’s grandparents worked with their grandchild to create an extraordinary family tree which will be such a meaningful keepsake of the day. As the grandparents were leaving, they received a tote bag decorated by their grandchild that contained chocolate treats of Hugs and Kisses! A tremendous hakarot hatov to our music teacher, Morah Esti and the exceptional Nursery Bet Morot for all of their hard work preparing the children: Morah Caryn, Morah Noa, Morah Lauren, Morah Rena, Morah Shoshanna, Morah Sara and Morah Danielle. Thanks to the attentive IT department as well.

ver 250 students, faculty and staff members, and mothers attended the annual Central Mother-Daughter Melava Malka last Motzei Shabbat. The theme of the evening was “Anu B’Yachad,” togetherness, and was an evening supporting Yachad Long Island, an organization near and dear to Central. The evening began with a delicious Melava Malka spread and a chance for mingling and reuniting of families across the grades. Ms. Bracha Rutner opened the evening with words of Torah, gratitude, and encouragement for the unity of our Central community to grow and thrive. Seniors and Yachad Club Heads Yaira Goldress and Hadassah Chait shared words of divrei Torah and shared their recent experiences with Yachad, both on Yad B’Yad this summer and throughout the school year.

Senior Eliana Brand, Mrs. Aliza Gewirtz, and Mrs. Yael Axelrod introduced the chessed project for the event, which was making blankets for students at Long Island Ivdu! Mothers and daughters cut, tied, and designed warm fuzzy blankets, which will be delivered in the coming days to the Yachad students. The evening concluded with the feature student performance, in the Central Playhouse, “Anu B’Yachad,” organized by senior Talia Feldman and Ms. Leah Moskovich! The performance included piano pieces played by sophomore Channah Yurovsky and junior Abby Harris, a choir performance, a dance number, a poem about unity in Central, and a faculty grammen song. The room was filled to capacity with love, support, laughter, and Central unity. Thank you to our generous family sponsors for making this event possible.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

Around the Community

Last week, Reishis Chochma, the nursery division of Siach Yitzchok, began learning Alef-Bais. The occasion was marked by a visit from the menahel, Reb Dovid Sitnick, shlita, and the two kindergarten rebbeim, Rabbi Yisroel Kviat and Rabbi Moshe Binyomin Smilovich, shlita. May the boys have tremendous hatzlacha!

The YOSS Mechina robotics team finished in 3rd place in this year’s very competitive CIJE Robotics Tournament

The Sun Will Rise Again!

fter months of practice and hard work, Production, one of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls’ most exciting events of the year, finally arrived! On motzei Shabbat and Sunday evening, December 25 and 26, The Sun Will Rise Again was performed at the Hirt Family Campus to a full house of family members, friends, and SKA faculty. The story of Rabbi Akiva and his wife Rachel was beautifully told through inspiring harmonies from the choir, elegantly crafted dances and ballet, creative musical numbers, and a dramatic sign language presentation, all highlighted by the 3-D computer staging which lent a special dimension to the performance. The SKA Band, which contributed so much to Production, was outstanding. Both shows ended with a “finale” as all the girls of Production came back

on stage and sang. Every student involved in this year’s Production, in whatever capacity, really had their moment to shine! Since over 200 girls participate in Production, connections were formed across the grades, making Production

a wonderful bonding experience. Our thanks go to Mrs. Terri Wagner, Mrs. Lauren Sider, Mrs. Lani Zoldan, Mr. Ari and Mrs. Nes Blau, Mrs. Chani Kanowitz, and Mrs. Suzy Libin, who, with the help and support of SKA Principals Mrs. Bluma Dre-

bin and Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, Associate Principal Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft, Dean of Students Mrs. Shira Englander and Director of Student Programming and Admissions Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, helped make Production 2021 one of the best ones yet!

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

CMY Melava Malka

t’s hard to think of a better way to start a week than to come to the Machaneh Yisrael Melavah Malka! This past Motzai Shabbos, the night was cold, but the boys who came out to see their counselors, friends, and camp staff could feel the warmth and excitement! The boys came out by the hundreds and, boy, were they not disappointed. We had time to reminisce with our counselors, our rebbeim and our camp friends about our favorite parts of summer 2021 while being treated to pizza and soda. When we saw the brand-new reunion video, it brought back all the AMAZING memoires of the great sports, swimming, trips,

learning, and much more we do every day in camp. Needless to say, it also jogged our memories of the unusually funny antics by Rabbi Haber and Rabbi Zezy Fuld. Immediately after the video concluded, there was a grand raffle for an electric scooter, air hockey table, foosball table and much more. No one went home empty handed, though. All boys went home with a copy of the new camp video. Of course, as promised, everyone who signs up by January 7 th will receive our amazing new SWAG CUP that entitles you to 4 free Slurpies at Seasons Express. Baruch Hashem, we were able to give many cups out at our Melaveh Malka.

We were all ready to go home when Rabbi Fuld got on the microphone and announced that there was still more….The Shnitzel guys were there! There were some wacky games where they had kids drink from baby bottles, attached band aids to people’s faces, and much, much more. So many crazy prizes were given out, like the 8-foot cash poll, a giant inflatable

alien, scooters, JBL Speakers, and other out of this world prizes! If you would like to learn more about Camp Machaneh Yisrael, our MAXX program, CIT programs, or our amazing Dynanite program, please call at 516-962-3030 or email the camp at cmysummer@gmail.com.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Virtual Evening of Celebration

he Evening of Celebration’s theme is “Partners,” as the Yeshiva will pay tribute to the special chinuch partnership that exists between the parents and the Yeshiva. The event will also feature six awards to six individuals and families who have partnered with the Yeshiva. This week we are pleased to feature two of them: Mr. and Mrs. Motti and Yael Guttman Kesser Shem Tov Award

Motti and Yael Guttmann personify dedication to both their family and their community, an extension of what they absorbed from their childhood homes. Motti’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin and Miriam Guttmann, instilled in their children a strong sense of family and the importance of passing on the precious mesorah their own parents preserved both during and after the war years in Europe. They especially emphasized to their children the importance of combining dikduk b’mitzvos with the highest standards of yashrus, as well as performing chessed without fanfare or public recognition. They derive tremendous nachas from their grandchildren’s growth in Torah—at mosdos both here and in Eretz Yisrael. With his parents’ encouragement, Motti learned at Yeshiva Mercaz HaTorah in Eretz Yisrael and was later zocheh to be meshamesh Rav Chaim Kreiswirth, zt”l, during his visits to the U.S. Today he is a dedicated mispallel at Kehillas Bais Yehuda Tzvi in Cedarhurst and cherishes his and his family’s relationship with its rav, Rav Yaakov Feitman. He also values his kesher with Rav Berish Friedman

and Rav Moshe Plutchok and counts himself as a talmid of noted mashpia Rav Yochanan Cohen. Motti is an accomplished attorney specializing in both restructuring and healthcare law. He uses his expertise in these areas to offer legal assistance and advice to those in need and does his best to guide and assist young professionals beginning their careers. Yael credits her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Charles and Dvorah Knoll, with inculcating a lifelong sense of responsibility and hakaras hatov toward their children’s schools and yeshivos. The Knolls were active in the establishment of several of the now-thriving mosdos in Passaic, N.J. and served on the board of Manhattan High School. A doctor and musmach of Rav Gedaliah Schorr, zt”l, Dr. Knoll also imparted to his children the message of using one’s abilities to benefit the Klal. Following this lead, Yael dedicates her time and talents to her children’s schools in many capacities; she also helps organize various programs at local shuls and at chessed organizations. Motti and Yael are devoted parents to their five children and are reaping much nachas as they watch their son Avi thrive as an eleventh grader at Mesivta Chaim Shlomo. From the day Avi joined the Yeshiva, when he was given a warm, personal reception by the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender, the Guttmanns have felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for what is truly a special and unique experience. Their son is cherished as a valued member of the Yeshiva and is gaining in so many ways. They are amazed at the talmidim’s drive to grow in learning and their level of respect and derech eretz during every part of the day. With their generations-deep commitment to investing in mosdos haTorah, the Guttmanns share their perspective: “With his leadership of Darchei Torah, Rabbi Bender, shlita, transformed our community into a true makom Torah. Like the yeshivos of old, it adds a beautiful dimension and sets the tone for the entire neighborhood.” With their beautiful hashkafos and sterling example, the Guttmanns are most fitting recipients of this year’s Kesser Shem Tov Award.

Mr. and Mrs. Shumy and Rivkah Reichmann Hakoras Hatov Award

Shumy and Rivkah Reichmann have created a home that is dedicated to growth in Torah and middos tovos and to maximizing one’s individual kochos. The Reichmanns’ commitment to the chinuch of their children is evidenced by their devotion to the Yeshiva’s success, and they are thus most fitting recipients of this year’s Hakoras Hatov Award. The Reichmanns exemplify the ideals of Yeshiva Darchei Torah. Their dedication to creating a Torahdike’ home infused with true Jewish values is a legacy they carry on from their parents, Shiu and Lisa Reichmann and Chaim and Risie Finkelstein, as well as their grandparents, Hashi and Marika Reichmann, Louis and Jeanie Stern, Sidney and Gabby Finkelstein, Suzie Werner a”h, and ybl”c Shimon Werner, who were and are known for their chesed, concern for others and k’vius ittim laTorah. Shumy, a native of Queens, attended Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah, where he forged a close kesher with Rav Zelik Epstein zt”l, after whom his youngest son is named. Today he carries on that connection as a member of Shaar HaTorah’s alumni committee and remains close with Rav Kalman Epstein, Rav Sholom Spitz, and Rav Yaakov Grossman. He also strongly values the guidance and support he receives from his rebbeim at Yeshivas Ner Yisrael of Baltimore, including Rav Tzvi Berkowitz and Rav Boruch Neuberger. Today, he is a valued member of Bais Medrash of Flatbush, under the leadership of Rav Hershel Zolty, and a Managing Director at Harbor

Group International. Shumy’s eishes chayil Rivkah balances her role as a very involved mother with her responsibilities as associate director of Camp Simcha Special, a position she has held for close to twenty years. In that capacity she serves as a role model of chesed to her family and her community. The Reichmanns feel privileged to have formed a special relationship with Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva, whose tailor-made guidance in chinuch habanim is most precious to them. Shumy and Rivkah are the proud parents of Refael and Tzvi, currently talmidim at Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, as well as Bracha, Shlomo, and Aharon Zelig. They personally attest to the way Rav Bender and his exceptional staff have embedded into the very walls of the Yeshiva an atmosphere of giving and a focus on what can be done to ensure that each talmid will best utilize his kochos. Both Rav Zevi Trenk, menahel of the Mesivta, and Rav Shimon Dachs, principal of the Mesivta (and this year’s Leadership in Chinuch awardee), are readily available to evaluate and address every need of the talmidim. The Reichmanns feel truly privileged that their children are part of what is at once a worldclass yeshiva and, at the same time, a mossad that recognizes the value and potential of every boy. As parents, Shumy and Rivkah also stand out in their focus on investing their all in their children’s hatzlacha. They are outstanding supporters of the Yeshiva’s goals, and we are proud to present them with this year’s Hakoras Hatov Award. The Evening of Celebration will also honor Mr. and Mrs. Chaim and Bracha Schulhof, Guests of Honor; Mr. and Mrs. Jake and Rochel Walden, Parents of the Year; Rabbi and Mrs. Shimon and Chanie Dachs, Leadership in Chinuch Award; and a special presentation will be made to Rabbi Joel Beritz. To place a journal ad or to make a gift, call 718.868.2300 ext. 310; email dinner@darchei.org; or visit Partners.Darchei.org.

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The Many Possible Healthcare Careers for Frum Women Touro College Panel Showcases How Women can Succeed While Balancing Careers in Medicine and Health Sciences with Jewish Life

hoosing a career in medicine means a lifetime of satisfaction for people who want to make a difference for others. Healthcare fields are growing, so opportunities abound, and salaries are lucrative. With so many rewards, why are these choices daunting for women, especially frum women? Media depictions of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals focus on crises and long hours away from home. Rarely do we hear about healthcare professionals going home to cook dinner for their families, shop for yom tov clothing, or attend shiurim. Women who want to raise large families and participate in communal life must search hard to find role models in medicine and healthcare. To provide a more realistic sense of how frum women succeed in careers in the medical and health science fields, Touro College presented a program for young girls and women that featured women who are integrating communal, professional, and personal roles. Six Touro health science students and alumni spoke about their experiences—from undergrad through grad school and beyond. Their professions included medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing. The women discussed all aspects of their careers – why they chose their particular fields, how to ace the schooling, challenges and opportunities and potential for work life balance. Many spoke of the opportunities Touro provided to ease their paths throughout their educational journeys – from kosher food, an academic schedule based on the Jewish calendar to a community of frum students on the medical and dental school

L-R: Yael Bree Greenberg, 4th year medical student; Racheli Sambrowsky, 3rd year dental student; Diana Safier, physician assistant; Dr. Miriam Knoll, radiation oncologist; Dassie Nelkenbaum, nurse; Bracha Schoenblum, physical therapist; Yocheved Teitelbaum, occupational therapist

campus that offers Shabbatonim, pre-yom tov gatherings, Torah classes .and the supportive network of frum students in the therapy programs who develop study partnerships and deep friendships. As frum women, they described how they are able to balance multiple priorities – including marriage, raising children and communal involvement – and enjoy their careers all at the same time. Real Women Share their Stories Yael Bree Greenberg, a fourth year medical student at Touro’s New York Medical College, shared that medicine is a “great career for those who love science, love people and aren’t scared of spending many years in school.” She pointed out that medical training is a long-term commitment. Students can expect to spend 12 years earning their undergraduate degrees, medical degrees and completing residencies. However, she said, “if you have a vision of your long-term goal, you can do it, and you’ll be happy doing it.” Greenberg is married with a

Did you know? The ball that’s dropped in Times Square on New Year’s used to be made of wood and iron. It’s now made of Waterford Crystal.

baby and currently applying to anesthesiology residency programs. Racheli Sambrowsky is a thirdyear dental student at Touro College of Dental Medicine. She described dentistry as a field with enormous opportunity for growth. “You have to make fast decisions, think on your feet, problem solve. At the end of the day, there is nothing more gratifying than a patient thanking you for stopping their pain or fixing their smile,” she said. Dassie Nelkenbaum, an Emergency Room nurse at Maimonides Medical Center, is passionate about nursing, which she describes as “the art of caring in science.” The job is intense, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Achieving Work Life Balance One concern that may hold women back from careers in health sciences is the potential for work-life balance. Several of the panelists countered that misconception, pointing out that their fields offer opportunities to shift between full and part time work throughout a career. Bracha Schoenblum, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, owns a private practice in Woodmere and has four children. She said, “You can work in a hospital full-time or part-time. You can have your own practice or work for someone else. You can work in places that you probably haven’t considered. Companies hire physical therapists with expertise in ergonomics. Per-

forming arts organizations need PTs also. Your strengths will guide you to the areas you love.” Diana Safier has been a family medicine physician assistant for the last seven years. A mother of five who got married at the start of college, she chose PA because it enabled her to “get where I wanted to go in just two years. I knew I wanted to treat patients, but I did not want the stress of running my own practice.” She loves her job and works part-time, allowing her time to care for her family and volunteer in the community, including running a gemach. “PA is a flexible field; you can work full-time or part-time and change specialties at any time.” Yocheved Teitelbaum, an occupational therapist, pointed out the many different settings in which OTs can work, including hospitals, rehab facilities, schools, and sensory gyms. “I love OT because it’s a dynamic field where you have a chance to interact with people all day, helping them at vulnerable times in their lives. It’s a flexible career in that it’s possible to work part-time, switch to different settings mid-career and achieve work life balance,” she explained. Dr. Miriam “Mimi” Knoll of Cedarhurst, a board certified radiation oncologist and mom of four children who also co-founded the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOWMA) offered words of advice. “Every woman comes to the decision about how to lead her life in her own unique way. From mentoring scores of young women, I can tell you there isn’t one answer for everyone.” She encouraged young women to explore their passions, find what is most meaningful to them, and believe in themselves. “Your responsibility is to do what speaks TO YOU. Throughout your career, make sure to keep checking in with that little voice in your head. It’s the voice that tells you, I want to develop my talents, to make the world a better place, to give back to the world and make a difference,” said Knoll. For more information on Touro’s medical and health science programs, visit www. touro.edu.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

Around the Community

New Programs and Initiatives at MTA

TA is excited to share new programs and opportunities that have either been launched this year or will be initiated next year. “Excellence is more than an achievement; it is a mindset,” shared Head of School Rabbi Joshua Kahn. “While we are proud of the excellence we have achieved, our goal is to continually reflect on who we are and how we can continue to enhance the MTA experience for our talmidim.” The innovative new initiatives include: • Exclusive YU Scholarship for MTA Graduates – Part of what makes MTA unique is that it is the Yeshiva University boys high school. This partnership provides many MTA talmidim with an 8-year educational growth experience. MTA is thrilled to announce that Yeshiva University is offering an annual $5,000 scholarship to all MTA graduates! (This scholarship cannot be combined with any other scholarships offered directly by YU).)In addition, all MTA seniors can get a head start on their college education by taking courses at YU free of charge during senior year. The yeshiva’s late afternoon program for seniors mirrors the college schedule and allows for more choice and seamless integration between college and high school courses. • MTA Masmidim Program – MTA is excited to launch a new Mas-

midim program for the 2022-2023 school year! The program will provide the opportunity for a small chaburah of 6-8 talmidim per year to undertake a more rigorous Torah learning program, including an additional Bekius seder, enhanced Night Seder, Friday morning Shiur, and a weekly chavrusah with a member of the YU Kollel. This select group will be part of our top shiur, while the additional learning opportunities will enable them to push themselves further, as well as benefit from a uniquely warm and personal environment. Talmidim who are accepted into the Masmidim program will be eligible for an additional Masmidim scholarship. • New Electives – This year, MTA expanded its electives program to include an Entrepreneurship track

that begins in 10th grade, Computer Science and Coding, Graphic Design, and an enhanced Scientific Engineering track headquartered in the Innovation STEM Lab. • Athletic Center Renovation – An important part of the MTA experience for talmidim is the opportunity to be physically active, have recreational activities, and participate in team sports. Whether it’s during gym or joining MTA’s athletic teams, many talmidim gain skills they can use both on and off the courts. Plans are currently underway to renovate the gym, creating a brand-new athletic center, which will enhance the yeshiva’s athletic experience. The new space will allow the yeshiva to host even more meaningful programs and events. • Enhanced Dorm Experience –

MTA’s dorm program ensures the happiness, growth, and success of the yeshiva’s talmidim while living on campus and includes weekly dorm dinners, dorm Night Seder, exclusive programming, Friday morning breakfast and chaburahs, regular Shabbatonim, trips, and more. MTA also offers the opportunity for seniors to spend 2-3 nights per week in the dorm, where they participate in additional limud Torah programming and learn b’chavrusah with freshmen who dorm. The MTA dorm isn’t just a place to sleep; it’s a true community with plenty of opportunities to learn, bond, and grow. • Afternoon Seder – Under the leadership of Rabbi Ezra Wiener, Rosh Beis Medrash, and Rabbi Schenker, Associate Principal, MTA has already launched an afternoon seder for seniors who are interested in devoting either elective or free time to enhanced Talmud Torah. The talmidim, who span the full range of shiurim, participate in either chaburah learning with Rabbi Wiener and Rabbi Schenker or chavrusah learning with their peers. “These incredible new initiatives and programs will truly strengthen the overall experience that MTA provides for our talmidim,” said Rabbi Kahn. “We look forward to sharing our progress and creating even more ways to enhance our MTA community.”

Shabbat Table Parsha Questions at YCQ

he weekly printed newsletter of Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ), The YCQ View, started an Elementary School sensation this past October, with the introduction of a worksheet column called “At the Shabbat Table by Rabbi Ribalt.” The list of parsha questions originated as a quarter page of suggested conversation starters for discussion at the family Shabbat dinner table. The weekly newsletter column has evolved into a full page and will soon be available to YCQ families to download before Shabbat. A lot of work goes into creating each column. The questions must be appropriate for students in Grade 1 through Grade 5 and should facilitate intergenerational discussion. When asked how he develops the questions, Rabbi Michael Ribalt, YCQ Assistant Principal, Judaic Studies, Elementary Division, replied, “I use a variety of resources. I look through the pesukim and try to find the most important ideas from the parsha,

and cross reference them with the Judaic Studies Achievement Test (JSAT) Chumash Knowledge standards that are prepared by the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. In addition, I search a variety of websites that highlight parsha ideas such as aish.com and Ohr Sameach (ohr.edu).” “Success of the program is measured by the number of conversations of Torah shared at the Shabbat table. The more the children are engaged in Torah learning, and therefore submit their answers to the questions, the more connected they are to Torah and mitzvot,” continued Rabbi Ribalt. Rabbi Ribalt observed, “I’m astonished by how many submissions we are receiving in the short period of time we have worked on this project. It’s so nice to see the number of submitted worksheets explode over the past few weeks, and iy”H, we will have even more in the future. In addition, some students have started using the Parsha Mailbox outside my office to write

in questions about Shabbat, whether halachic, or hashkafic. It is such a pleasure to be able to respond to each of these questions and give our YCQ students the opportunity to be even more involved with the mitzvah of Shabbat.”

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Ezra Academy and BJX Team Up for Shabbaton

his past Shabbos, Ezra academy joined the Brooklyn Jewish Xperience (BJX) for a Shabbaton in Midwood, Brooklyn. Rabbis Yitzchok and Moshe Fingerer, co-founders of BJX, opened up their shul, programming, and hearts to the seniors of Ezra Academy. This was extremely meaningful to the seniors as their grade Shabbaton, a staple in the Ezra experience, hasn’t taken place for the past two years. Making sure they had this opportunity (at least) one more time was very important to all. Following school on Friday, the students arrived at their hosts’ homes, community members who work with BJX in their efforts. Everyone met at the BJX shul for heartfelt and energetic davening. All of the staff and students were graciously hosted by Rabbi Dr. Avi and Fraidy Waldman for the seudah. Rabbi Moshe Fingerer and family joined and shared beautiful divrei Torah as well as inspiring stories. After the seudah, an oneg was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Feiger. The oneg was filled with singing and nosh as well

as words of chizuk from Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer and Mr. Feiger. Walking back to the hosts was a pleasure as the warmth of the evening’s events overpowered the evening chill. The following morning, davening again took place at BJX, which, true to its style and natur,e was filled with energy and meaning. Rabbi Yitzchok shared some divrei Torah, and a hot kiddush was enjoyed as well. The students were then broken up into groups and enjoyed being hosted by community members for the afternoon seudah. This is a great oppor-

tunity for the students to get to meet people from different backgrounds and experiences who live lives of Torah and yiras Shamayim, while the host gets to meet the students and hear about their journey to follow the same path. Everyone met back at BJX an hour before Mincha to relax and hang out in their game room. This was followed by Mincha and then to the last host of Shabbos, Mr. and Mrs. Zevy and Devorah Friedman. A beautiful spread was provided for seuda shelishit and a parting mes-

sage from Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer. When Shabbos was over, Maariv was said and then a musical havdalah was led by Ariel Adar. This went straight into singing and dancing, which was the perfect culmination to an amazing Shabbos. From start to finish, Shabbos was amazing. A special thank you to Rabbis Yitzchok and Moshe Fingerer and the entire BJX community. As one of our students said, “They opened their hearts to us, and treated us like a family, even though that was their first time meeting us.”

Google & HANC

n recognition of the International Week of Coding, the sixth grade classes in HANC’s Samuel and Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School in West Hempstead participated in an innovative computer programming opportunity. Several weeks ago, HANC’s computer science instructor and Educational Technology Coordinator Mrs. Aimee Goldenberg registered her name with Google to participate in their “Ignite Experience Program” during the Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) of 2021. The “Ignite Experience Program” is designed to give students exposure to Google professionals and connect them with people who have experience in speaking to the applications of computer science. Mrs. Goldenberg’s goal was for the HANC students to better understand the opportunities available to them in technology and be inspired enough to pursue a computer science education and career. It also offers students a taste of coding through SCRATCH, a high-level block-based visual programming language. The HANC administration and staff were thrilled when they heard that Mrs. Goldenberg was selected by Google to connect her students to this virtual event. In anticipation of this exciting

opportunity, the students compiled a myriad of questions that they had about the realm of computer science. The Google engineer with whom HANC was matched, Ms. Jessica Colnago, first spoke to the students about their personal career goals and educational journey and then took questions from the group. Ms. Colnago also stressed that the main point is to just try it, to not be afraid of failing, breaking things (especially in the case of robots), or getting things wrong. Curiosity and a desire to learn more are really common characteristics among all the employees in Google.

Ms. Colnago then facilitated a Coding activity in “SCRATCH,” a high-level block-based visual programming language and website. The students had the opportunity to code an interactive presentation with characters called “sprites,” and then added animation, sound and backgrounds to their project. There were approximately forty-five students in the lunchroom coding their projects. When the session was over, one of their teachers reported, “The students had so much fun. They did not want to put their Chromebooks away to eat lunch!”

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

Around the Community

In gratitude to the brave officers of the NYPD 101 Precinct for protecting us 24/7/365, JCCRP brought the officers delicious lunch from Traditions to thank them for their holiday season sacrifice. Pictured here is community affairs Officer Blanchette, who surprised JCCRP executive Moshe Brandsdorfer with a certificate of appreciation.

Parent-Son Learning at MTA

A Siddur Celebration at Cahal

fter a great deal of hard work and anticipation, Morah Deena Schwartz’s first grade CAHAL class at BBY had much to celebrate. They practiced and performed alongside their peers and were so excited to receive their first siddurim. Mazal tov to the girls and their families. May all their tefillos be answered l’tova.

n Sunday, December 19, MTA parents, talmidim, and rebbeim enjoyed a meaningful morning of learning together at the yeshiva’s Parent-Son Learning program. The event, which began with a lively Shacharis minyan, featured guest speaker Rabbi Shay Schachter, followed by parent-son chavrusahs and shiurim with MTA rebbeim.

“It’s an incredible feeling to watch mothers and fathers learning together with their sons,” said Associate Principal Rabbi Shimon Schenker. “It’s such a privilege to give parents a taste of the unbelievable learning their sons experience every day in yeshiva. We truly appreciate the dedication of our amazing parents, talmidim, and rebbeim, who always make talmud Torah a top priority.”

Did you know? Japanese eat long noodles on New Year’s to signify a long life

Athletics at HALB can now be viewed on Livestream so everyone can watch the game from wherever they are. HALB students manage the camera and the live play-by-play to keep viewers at home up-to-date on all HALB sports. Go Lions!

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

HALB’s Lev Chana students are working on their word families

Eric Carle , the author for the month of December, brought out the creativity of Gesher first graders

Commemorating the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Kelemer, zt”l, at HANC

ast Thursday morning, HANC Middle Schools had the opportunity to hear about Rabbi Yehudah Kelemer, zt”l. With this week commemorating Rabbi Kelemer’s first yahrzeit, it was an opportune time to learn about him. The program began with words from Rabbi Hecht, Middle School principal. Rabbi Hecht spoke about his personal connection to Rabbi Kelemer. Rabbi Hecht discussed Rabbi Kelemer’s quality of humility. Rabbi Kelemer was always there for everyone and always made everyone feel more confident than they had before they spoke to him. Rabbi Hecht explained how one time Rabbi Kelemer came to visit his son in the hospital. He came and said that he was in the hospital visiting someone else, and he just wanted him to know that he was thinking of him. The next speaker was Rabbi Mordechai Harris. Rabbi Harris told

the students about the time that his mother was sitting shiva in Florida. It was already 6:30 in the evening, and most of the people had already come for the day. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and it was Rabbi Kelemer. The story would have been amazing if he took time out of his busy day to fly down to Florida. What made the story even more amazing was that Rabbi Kelemer didn’t fly – he drove 22 hours each way to Florida. Rabbi Harris also spoke about the fact that Rabbi Kelemer was an incredible talmid chochom. One night, Rabbi Kelemer was giving a class to Rabbi Harris and some of his friends. One of his friends asked Rabbi Kelemer where he was because it seemed very noisy. Rabbi Kelemer explained that he was driving up to Canada. Rabbi Harris said that typically when rebbeim, morot and teachers are giving classes, they have notes and everything

in front of them. Rabbi Kelemer was driving to Canada with nothing in front of him and giving a class. Rabbi Harris told the students that if they could take one message from Rabbi Kelemer’s life, it would be to make every moment count like Rabbi Kelemer did. The next speaker was Rabbi Joshua Goller, an alumnus of HANC and the current rabbi of the Young Israel of West Hempstead. Rabbi Goller told a fascinating story that really captured Rabbi Kelemer. He said that Rabbi Kelemer was once giving a class during the week between Mincha and Ma’ariv. He was talking about Shabbat and that you cannot do things on Shabbat that cause pain. One person from the back of the shul raised his hand and said that he feels one should not be able to learn on Shabbat because for some people it is stressful and causes them pain. The people in shul were shocked. Rabbi

Kelemer simply told the person what an amazing question he asked, and, in fact, a talmid chochom had asked that question and he wanted to show him after Ma’ariv inside the sefer. The program concluded with Rabbi Dworetsky reminiscing about his first tea in West Hempstead. It was for the new families, and Rabbi Kelemer was speaking to them. He was there together with Rabbi Goller, and he told everyone that if they ever needed anything, even at three in the morning, they should feel very comfortable to call. Rabbi Dworetsky concluded by announcing to everyone that the recently-started Mishna Yomi Shiur in HANC would be named in memory of Rabbi Kelemer as the Rabbi Kelemer Mishna Yomi program at HANC Middle School.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

CHILDREN NEED LOVE

INTRODUCING

Special Children Need Special Love

The Special Children’s Center of

FIVE TOWNS

The Center’s signature love is here, offering families unparalleled respite programs for children with special needs.

For enrollment, staff and volunteer applications, contact:

732.367.0099 // fivetowns@thecenterny.org

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Local Philanthropist Honored for Generous Gift to Touro’s New York Medical College

oseph Popack, an investor who has made his home in Lawrence for nearly three decades, recently received the New York Medical College (NYMC) Israel S. Kleiner Award together with his wife Penina (Paris). This award recognizes their efforts to establish the Miriam Popack Chair in Bioethics and the Holocaust at Touro College and University System’s NYMC. The endowed chair, one of the first of its kind in the nation, is designed to ensure that medical ethics lessons from the Holocaust are taught to generations of students in the medical, dental and other health professions. Mr. Popack talks about the gift, his philosophy of giving, and his mother, whose memory he honored with this gift.

The gift will endow a chair in bioethics and the Holocaust at NYMC. What prompted you to make this gift and why do you feel it’s important to educate future doctors about these issues, especially in today’s world? My family and I were close to the Grand Rabbi of Lubavitch, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of blessed memory. His teachings regarding ethics, morality, and care for humanity guide all that my family and I undertake, and this is a project that fits those goals. It is critically important to teach lessons from the Holocaust to students in the medical and health professions – lessons that in the years to come will impact their ethical conduct and responsible healthcare practices, especially as anti-Semitism rears its head again. This initiative is also important to Touro, which is the largest Jewish institution of higher learning in the U.S. Do you have a personal philosophy when it comes to philanthropy? Can you share that? I like to take the lead on projects that are exceptional, that are deeply significant, and that could have a real impact on people’s lives. The far-reaching influence can be exponential. Politicians around the world have power to decide the fate and destiny of many people, on an individual and societal level. I think of President Vladimir Putin, who in many ways protects religious freedom for Jews in Russia. When he was a child, he had a Jewish teacher who was exceptionally kind to him, and he never forgot that. Because of this one woman, thousands of Russian Jews, so many years later, had a more secure life. I’m proud to support one of the first national initiatives to educate doctors and health professionals so they can learn the lessons of the Holocaust and incorporate them into their own practice to ultimately create a better, healthier and more ethical world. What are some of the lessons that doctors

and healthcare professionals should learn from the Holocaust? Our medical students today are being educated in the same scientifically oriented system developed by the Germans, starting in 1840. The German public health sector and their clinical medicine were highly politicized and influenced by the economics of the day. In the past thirty years or so, medicine in the United States has also been highly politicized and greatly influenced by economics. So, there’s reason to look at what happened in the past and what’s going on now, and to fund a new kind of research and education. After the end of World War II, there was a trial of major war criminals and twelve subsequent trials of different groups of people. The first of those was the Doctors’ Trial. The judges at the Nuremberg Medical Trial developed a ten-point code to govern the research of human subjects, where the subject must volunteer. You cannot force anyone to volunteer for human-subject research. Part of the Nuremberg code is you must have the informed consent of the patient. Many physicians in this generation and future generations will benefit from learning this history and its connection to current events. Ultimately, patients will benefit. This endowment also includes a course showing how the Holocaust continues to have contemporary ramifications in the ways in which the power of medicine and the promise of scientific progress can be used to subvert basic human rights. The course will give medical students strategies and techniques to mitigate those risks in order to improve society. You made this gift to NYMC in honor of your mother, Miriam Popack, of blessed memory. Can you share some memories of your mother? What was most important to her? My mother was a devoted longtime educator and a licensed social worker. She worked in various schools with a population that we refer to now as “kids at risk.” She volunteered in the evenings for years as a phone therapist on a crisis management hotline. My siblings and I knew that at certain times at night, she’d go into her room, and we wouldn’t disturb her or knock on her door until she finished her shift on the hotline. Many times, she told us about the cases, without the names, of course. She wanted to involve us in her chessed, get our ideas, and most importantly, show us how to help others. There were six kids in my family. We all learned from my mother that a great way of becoming fulfilled in your own life is by reaching out to help others. Remembering the Holocaust was extremely important to my mother, who lost family members in the Shoah. With Holocaust denial going on in the world today, we need to educate doctors to have

Penina and Joseph Popack with Touro President Dr. Alan Kadish

an empathetic attitude toward patients and to put them first. You’re on the Board of Trustees of Touro’s New York Medical College. What prompted your involvement with the medical school? What is your role at NYMC? Like most other people who get involved with organizations and institutions, it’s the relationships with people that encouraged me to come aboard. I was close to Touro’s founder, Dr. Bernard Lander, whose dream it was to open a medical school. I knew that one day I’d get involved, and I did so when I felt I could make a real contribution. I’ve been investing in real estate for fifty-one years, and I joined the board and real estate committee at NYMC where I share my experience and knowledge to help guide them with their campus real estate operations. I do this because I love the people at NYMC, especially the leadership, including the president, Dr. Alan Kadish, who accomplishes so much and who is incredibly humble. And of course, the NYMC chancellor, Dr. Edward Halperin, who is a model of dedication and professionalism. Dr. Halperin is the inaugural holder of the bioethics chair. Under his stewardship and scholarship, I am confident that this initiative will be incredibly successful. The NYMC professors are the most amazing doctors – the cream of the crop—and they’re turning out highly dedicated, caring and well-trained physicians. What organizations besides those in the Five Towns do you support? My background is Chabad so naturally I’m involved with many Chabad-related charities. I believe in their mission – regardless of your level of religious observance, it is important to reach out, do good deeds, and make the world a better place. Currently, I’m the chairman of the board of Tzivos Hashem and its subsidiary, the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn. I am also on the board of directors of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education and on the board of directors of Chabad on Campus, which has approximately 350 branches at colleges across America. Education and outreach are key in ensuring that

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

Around the Community the next generation retains the Jewish values we all hold dear. And of course, Touro’s Machon L’Pamasa is another very worthwhile cause. This is a program that helps support people who haven’t previously had exposure to higher education. It offers them the personal attention they need to learn professions in a warm environment so they can support their families. I’ve seen those students, and they’re motivated, and the staff there is dedicated to their success. I really wanted to be part of that, so I set up a scholarship fund for these students. Anyone at Machon L’Pamasa who is serious and has an issue with tuition should get help. I don’t want that to be a barrier to these students getting an education and, ultimately, a career.

In all my endeavors, I work hand in hand with my wife. We are a team. In Israel, we work with Kolel Chabad which helps feed people in need throughout the country, and we support Chabad educational institutions in Israel. We also restore Jewish cemeteries in Russia and the Ukraine. What advice do you have for young professionals today who are beginning to think about philanthropy and giving? Meet the people the organization impacts on a daily basis. If you’re thinking about funding a soup kitchen, sit at the table and get to know the people they are serving, find out where they are coming from. Discover what interests you on a personal level, find your passion and get involved. Just like

your investments, diversify your charitable portfolio, and get involved in a number of projects that you deem worthwhile. What about time for family? Taking care of yourself and your family is a top priority. When my children want to talk to me, I make the time, no matter what else is going on at work or with other projects. At work, I have one phone that is only for my wife. I call it the “red phone,” and when it rings, I know it’s my wife and I stop everything and answer it. I set up my office phone system with her as the most important caller. When my life is balanced, I can help others. Yes, with G-d’s help, you can be successful and charitable and achieve the work-life balance you desire.

Community Voter Registration Drive

group of Five Towns community residents is spearheading a new effort to register area voters and drive up turnout in local races, including school board and budget elections, with a focus on voter turnout in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District (District 14). “Our community needs better representation at every political level, starting with the school boards,” said Brian Ross, a Woodmere resident. Organizers maintain that increased community registration and

voting in local elections and budget referenda will lead to direct benefits to community members and private schools in the Five Towns, including in areas such as school transportation, public safety, infrastructure, and property taxes. “The time to sit idly by and simply complain is over – it is time to act and work toward improvement and change,” said Toba Singer, a Hewlett resident and one of the group’s organizers. “We are citizens and community members. It is our right to vote and show our local elected officials

that we care and we are engaged.” The group is planning registration drives over the next several weeks throughout the Five Towns, where they will guide residents through the one-minute registration process and provide links for residents to register on their own. The first event is planned for this Friday and Sunday morning, December 31, 2021, and January 2, 2022 from 7-10am in the lobby of Young Israel of Woodmere, at 859 Peninsula Boulevard. The group also hopes to reach new voters — adult children 18 or

older—who may be studying abroad or out of state. “It’s important for each and every voter, especially our youngest voters, to understand the impact that his or her vote can have. Registering is the first step in showing you care about community policy,” said Jonathan Katz, a Woodmere resident. For more information or to get involved, residents can email the organizers at registerSD14@gmail. com. Residents can also register themselves at https://voterreg.dmv. ny.gov/MotorVoter.

A Friend Indeed By Mordechai Kastlebaum

lal Yisrael is renowned for its chessed institutions. There is a phone number to call for practically any need under the sun – food, money, clothing, medicine… We take care of our own and we go out of our way to go above and beyond with any chessed we perform. It is for this reason that Chaverim has become a household name for almost 20 years. Chaverim embodies everything we value as a kindness-loving people. Boosts, flats, car and house lockouts, out-of-gas calls and various other types of chessed calls like missing children or power outages. Let’s face it – fixing a flat tire or jumpstarting a car are not exactly the glamourous chassadim that make headlines. Yet, we are lucky to have in the Five Towns and Rockaways a team of dedicated volunteers who are not looking to make headlines. They are simply a group of 90-plus kindhearted people of all different ages, trying to help their fellow Jews in their time of need, no matter how mundane that need may be. Their team is ready to help with any situation or crisis. Indeed, it is this grassroot, back-to-the-

basics approach to chessed that has made Chaverim beloved around the country and in our community. Please take part in Chaverim’s one-week fundraising campaign that is happening right now.

The funds raised will help upgrade members’ equipment and improve communications and service throughout the region. Donations can be made at Chaverim5T.org

DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

A Winning Team

hanks to the amazing team of Naomi Newman, Evy Guttman, Nataly Magendzo, Amanda Waltuch, Rachelle Tepper and Esti Dancziger, TAG’s recent T.E.A. M UP event was a smashing success in every sense of the word. Over one hundred devoted mothers and faculty members gathered in the home of our gracious hostess, Mrs. Pazit Cohen, to hear from our panel of exemplary principals. While the focus was on meeting and hearing from our newest additions to our hanhala, we were pleased to have some of our veteran excellent principals and assistant principals join us as well. Since no one can top Mrs. Batya Krasnow TAG’s veteran outstanding Limudei Kodesh Jr. High Principal as moderator, we were honored to have her serve in that role yet again. Our panelist consisted of the following professionals. Mrs. Rivky Keilson, veteran assistant principal of the Ganger Early Childhood Division, represented our youngest talmidos. Mrs. Jenny Gulkowitz, our new Elementary School General Studies Principal, Mrs. Tova Ackerman, our new Jr. High General Studies Principal, and her new assistant Principal, Mrs. Chaya Gibber. The High School was represented by Mrs. Rivi Schiffer, who has taken over as principal for General Studies. Each of them, through their an-

swers to some really thought-provoking questions, was able to share their enthusiasm, care, and concern for each student as well as goals for their students with the rapt audience. With a touch of humor, some practical advice, and empathy for how difficult it is raising children these days, they shared, they cared, and they described some new programs now at TAG which will benefit our girls. The most important message conveyed throughout the evening was to encourage parents to reach out to them, to share their concerns, and to work together to make sure each talmidah in TAG not only reaches her potential but feels good about herself. As always, our famous soup bar is such a welcome treat on a cold night., and many took home the recipe cards that were prepared. Of course, the delicious dessert bar was a big hit, and the parents were happy to spend time socializing with each other even after the program was completed. You never leave a T.E.A. M UP event without a memento gift, and this year was no exception. While we hope we will not need the handy practical ice scraper for too many times this winter, it is reassuring to know that we have one in our glove compartments if needed. The message on the scraper is one we can all agree with, especially after such an evening: “There’s SNOW place like TAG!”

Central Views “Radium Girls”

entral’s AP Chemistry class, along with other AP Science students, and accompanied by Mrs. Miriam Chopp and Mrs. Shulamith Biderman, enjoyed the Stern College Dramatics Society production of “Radium Girls” at Yeshiva University. The Radium Girls were female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with self-luminous paint in the 1920s. “Radium Girls” is a play that tells the story of these young women who heroically made the public aware of the dangers of radiation poisoning, most of them ultimately losing their lives due to the ingestion of radium and the unsafe industrial conditions that caused this to happen. Penina Feldman, a junior from West Hempstead, said, “Going to see Radium Girls was such a wonderful

experience. It was nice to see women just like us perform about science. We are grateful to have had bonding time with our classmates and teacher.” The actresses included Central’s very own graduate Leah Goykadosh (Central ‘19) playing many pivotal roles, and Miri Biderman (Central ‘19), Head of Costume and Set Design. Chemistry teacher Mrs. Miriam Chopp said, “This tragic story of unsuspecting factory workers exposed to toxic levels of radium shows us the double-edged sword of scientific discovery, corporate profit, and public safety.” Special thanks to Menachem Lewin and Mrs. Fried for arranging the tickets and transportation, and for Stern College for continuing to foster such a wonderful relationship with our students.

Did you know? The Pacific island of Tonga is the first nation in the world to ring in the New Year

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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Around the Community

Welcome Winter

Upreaching at IVDU LI

t’s official – winter has arrived, and the temperature has already gotten COLD! At HAFTR Early Childhood, we have been keeping busy learning about and creating interesting projects for the new season. The children are mindfully working and practicing skills while putting in so much effort. We are working on transforming our classroom into a winter wonderland. We started our winter unit learning all about the changes that winter brings us and to our animal friends as the weather gets very cold. We have been talking about bears and how they get very tired and sleep in the winter and how it’s called hi-“bear”-nation! For the days when it’s too cold to leave the toasty

confines of our school building, we act like bears in our cave. T3 even created their own snow by shaving up ice cubes to make a refreshing vanilla snow ice cream.

his week, IVDU LI joined the three other IVDU branches in an Upreaching fundraising campaign, with the goal to increase the types of therapies offered by the school. Thanks to the amazing efforts put in by the staff and families of IVDU LI, we exceeded our goal! Money raised will be utilized for enhancing our wonderful sensory gym, bringing in pet therapy, and assisting in going out for equine therapy. IVDU currently offers Speech Therapy, Play Therapy, Counseling, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in our stateof-the-art sensory gym. IVDU LI is looking forward to expanding our therapies with all of your help!

Shevach Students Inspired to “Climb Higher”

hevach High School enjoyed its annual Shabbaton on Parshas Vayechi, at the Lake House Hotel and Resort in upstate New York. Under the leadership of Shevach Menaheles Mrs. Shulamith Insel, the Shabbaton planning left no detail unattended to. Mrs. Debbie Meltzer, Shabbaton coordinator, and Mrs. Devorah Kovitz, Shevach Educational Administrator, worked tirelessly to ensure that students and staff alike would enjoy inspirational lectures, fun activities, delicious meals and comfortable accommodations. Mrs. Insel introduced the Shabbaton theme of “Mi Yaaleh B’Har Hashem.” She vividly delivered the message that life is intended to be an uphill journey with challenges and tests along the way. As we climb our own mountains, we are faced with tiny pebbles, jagged rocks, and sometimes even large boulders threatening to block our path. We are fearful of stumbling. We must remember, however, that these very obstacles are but stepping stones deliberately placed to bring us closer to our goal. They are but opportunities to get us ever closer to Hashem. They are handcrafted and custom designed so that each of us can reach

our fullest potential. By constantly climbing and pushing ourselves to keep on striving, we will iy”H reach and remain standing firmly B’Har Hashem. Throughout Shabbos, the Shevach students were fortunate to have several respected rabbanim share their insights and lessons with the students. Rabbi Paysach Krohn told a story of a baal teshuva who came to the realization that to reach the top of the mountain, one has to rid himself of “baggage.” Dovid Hamelech teaches us that we should not be burdened with false values in this world but rather we should strive to figuratively get to the top of the mountain in our lives. Rabbi Akiva Grunblatt, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, shared that the more sincerity and commitment one puts into a mitzvah, the exponentially greater it becomes. This is learned from the Gemara which credits Rav Chia, with ensuring that Torah would not be forgotten from Klal Yisrael. Rav Chia did not merely teach orphans but personally did all the preparatory steps himself – from planting and harvesting flax seeds, making nets, trapping and slaughtering deer, to preparing and writing the parch-

ment. This made it totally l’shem Shamayim and deserving of much siyata dishmaya. Rabbi Avrohom Swerdloff, Maggid Shiur of Yeshiva Telshe Riverdale, spoke about the tremendous power of tefillah, especially when one realizes that salvation can only come from Hashem. He presented the example of a merchant on the road who is afraid of rain as he has no protection or cover. When he turns to Hashem with a complete heart to hold back the rain, his tefillah has such an awesome power, that even the Kohain Gadol on Yom Kipur is concerned with its repercussions on the farmers. In the words of the students, “A highlight of the Shabbaton is always the teachers’ panel and this year was no different.” Many staff members shared personal reflections and anecdotes on their ‘Climbing the Mountain of Hashem’ and the feeling expressed was: “Shevach staff members are true role models of inspiration in avodas Hashem.” Shevach’s seniors were totally involved in every aspect of the Shabbaton. Students and staff alike greatly enjoyed their original Shabaton theme song, their riveting video on the theme, their humorous skit,

their beautiful choir and their lovely dance. An eye-catching logo for the Shabbaton was even created. Ninth through eleventh grades also contributed to the Shabbaton. Divrei Torah were sprinkled throughout the Shabbos, delivered by a freshman, a sophomore, and a junior. In addition, every class either performed a dance or presented an entertaining video. After the Motzei Shabbos class performances and a delicious melava malka, the school was treated to a sensational concert by Shaindy Plotzker, followed by an emotional kumsitz. The students came away feeling that this Shabbaton was truly one to remember. Kudos to Shevach Senior Shabbaton heads: Yael Itshakov, Adina Krikheli, Suri Meltzer, Chaya Praeger, Racheli Sillman, and Shaindel Faiga Stahler, and G.O. heads; Miriam Shira Chanales, Kayla Hoch, Leah Sdayeb, Nechama Feintuch, and Malka Neuman, for their herculean efforts in making this Shabbaton so special. A wonderful Shabbos was enjoyed by all. Students left inspired to truly climb their individual mountain, and have the fortitude to stay on the top throughout their lives.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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Centerfold

Predictions for Mark Zuckerberg will reveal in 2022 that he was joking when he renamed Facebook the worst name in the world, Meta. Instead, he will call it Facebook…which will cause people to throw up in their mouths again.

cians will still tell you that they are ( fixing the problem (riiiight…by approving another few Amazon warehouses).

Pres. Joe Biden will learn how to read his speeches off of the teleprompter so he doesn’t always sound like he is trying to say, “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.”

Kyle Rittenhouse will start a coffee company and market it on conservative talk radio.

Everyone in New York City will wake up on January 2nd and say, “Thank G-d, de Blasio is no longer mayor!” Another 42 restaurants will open in the Five Towns (because, after all, don’t we need variety?). You will spend a total of 250 hours stuck in Rockaway Turnpike traffic and the politi-

Vice President Kamala Harris will continue to make former Vice President Dan Quayle seem smart.

Chris and Andrew Cuomo will start a garbage can cleaning business. Trump will launch two more social media platforms because the four that he launched in 2021 were reaaaaally successful. Dr. Anthony Fauci will reveal that if you wear 24 masks then you don’t have to get the seventeenth booster shot, but if you

did get the seventeenth booster shot, then you only have to quarantine for sixteen days from the fourteenth day that you first noticed your symptoms but if you didn’t get the seventeenth booster shot but have a “Thank you Dr. Fauci sign” on your front lawn… then you are really crazy and must get a life now! Bernie Sanders will announce his 2024 bid for president, making him the oldest person to run for president… by 80 years. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will announce that they still won’t go back to England and still don’t want to perform any royal duties and everyone in England will say, “Good riddance, because you are most certainly rubbish.” Nancy Pelosi will retire and become her wax figure at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

The 30,2015 2021 TheJewish JewishHome Home| |DECEMBER OCTOBER 29,

2021 Sports Roundup Trivia 1. Who had the highest batting average in the MLB last season? a. Trea Turner b. Juan Soto c. Bryce Harper d. Starling Marte 2. Who was the MVP of the 2021 Super Bowl? a. Rob Gronkowski b. Tom Brady c. Mike Evans d. Ndamukong Suh 3. Which team won the 2021 NBA Finals? a. Atlanta Hawks b. Milwaukee Bucks c. LA Lakers d. Houston Rockets e. NY Knicks (are they still even a team?) 4. Match the player with the money earned in 2021: Conor McGregor $130 million LeBron James $107.5 million Dak Prescott $96.5 million Lionel Messi $180 million 5. Which athlete made $30,000 from actually playing his sport and $90,000,000 from endorsements etc.? a. Kevin Durant

b. Roger Federer c. Tiger Woods d. Phil Mickelson 6. How many no-hitters were there in the 2021 MLB season? a. 3 b. 5 c. 9 d. 17 Answer Key: 1. A 2. B 3. B 4. Conor McGregor $180M; Lionel Messi $130M; Dak Prescott $107.5M; LeBron James $96.5M 5. B 6. C Scorecard: 5-6 correct: You are a big winner! Not as big as Roger Federer, though. 3-4 correct: You are middle of the pack. If you were an athlete, you’d only make around $107.5 million per year. 0-2 correct: I guess you preferred to watch Covid press conferences over sports. “Oh…we have a triple mask, quadruple vaccine, mandatory quarantine lockdown regulation…. Let’s see, will he announce it? Yes! Yes! Yes! Put it in the books! Wow, what a press conference!”

You Gotta Be Kidding Me! A man who had too much to drink decided to walk home on New Year’s Eve. A policeman stopped the man and asked where he was going. “I’m on my way to a lecture,” the man replied. The cop suspiciously asked, “Who gives lectures on New Year’s Eve?” The man answered: “My wife.”

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

Torah Thought

Parshas Va’eira By Rabbi Berel Wein

any of the Torah commentaries point out that unlike our forefathers, Moshe, in this week’s opening verses to the Parsha, did not accept that G-d’s promises of redemption for the Jewish people had not yet been fulﬁlled. In G-d’s response to this, we sense a veiled criticism of our great teacher and leader Moshe. Heaven responded to Moshe by saying that he enjoyed a higher and diﬀerent relationship to the Revelation from

G-d than those original founders of the Jewish people. Because of this state of elevated Revelation, Moshe’s complaint was unnecessary. Moshe should have realized that Heaven has its own timetable, and that its promises will always be fulﬁlled, but not necessarily according to the time schedule established by human beings. It is diﬃcult to understand the attitude in Moshe’s statement to Heaven that Hashem had not yet freed the

Jewish people from Egyptian bondage. Moshe certainly realized through his powers of Revelation that he had experienced, and through the commitments made to him and to the Jewish people about redemption, that Heaven was aware of the promises and that there was no need to be prompted by Moshe to fulﬁll its commitments. However, Moshe, like all leaders, was subject to public pressure, complaints and hostility directed towards him by the Jewish taskmasters after

not most, of the Jewish people in Egypt did not believe Moshe’s promises that they would soon be delivered from Egyptian slavery. Even after the series of plagues and punishments visited upon the Egyptians, most of the Jews still did not believe in their coming redemption. In contending with this psychological and emotional state of mind by a large part of the Jewish people, Moshe necessarily turns the Heaven for help. He has no doubt that the redemption from Egyptian slavery will

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His courageous words to Heaven, which seem like a complaint, are, indeed, but an expression of the greatness of his character and the forcefulness of Moshe’s leadership.

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the decree of the Pharaoh to withhold straw from them, while demanding the same number of bricks to be produced. These complaints by the people were deeply disturbing to Moshe. He deﬂects the criticism directed towards him and, instead, holds Heaven accountable for the situation. Moshe, himself, has no doubt as to the eventual outcome and the inevitable redemption of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Unlike Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, though, he was subject to popular opinion in the mood of the Jewish people, whom he had to convince that redemption would, in fact, take place. According to the Midrash, many, if

shortly take place. However, he must bring the masses of Israel along with him in this belief and faith. Because of his great modesty and humility, Moshe does not rely upon his own powers of persuasion to accomplish this task, and he turns to Heaven in an almost provocative fashion. He implores G-d to hasten the process of the delivery of the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage. His courageous words to Heaven, which seem like a complaint, are, indeed, but an expression of the greatness of his character and the forcefulness of Moshe’s leadership. Shabbat shalom.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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From the Fire Parshas Va’eira

Misplaced Mercy By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

rom the outset, our parsha seems to send mixed messages. On one hand, it begins (Shemos 6:2), “And G-d, Elokim, spoke, va’yedaber, to Moshe,” using the word for speech implying a harsh tone and the Divine name implying strict justice – din. But the pasuk then quickly switches gears and continues, “And He said, va’yomer, to him, ‘I am Hashem, YKVK,’” using the word for speech implying a soothing tone and the Divine name implying lovingkindness and mercy – rachamim. The Zohar explains that immediately after Moshe challenged G-d regarding the Jewish people’s suffering (ibid. 5:22-23), “Why have You hurt this nation?... From the time I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has harmed this nation,” Hashem meant to convey to Moshe that there were two very different but simultaneous processes going on. On the one hand, Hashem used the words “And G-d, Elokim, spoke,” to show that He was acting with din with the Egyptians – that they were about to suffer the consequences for their cruelty. But Hashem was also telling Moshe that He was acting completely differently with the Jewish people. He said, “I am Hashem, YKVK,” to show that all of the Jewish people’s suffering was about to come to an end, that within their suffering, He was preparing to treat them with great mercy. The Jewish people’s redemption was at hand. That is why

He then used the four expressions of redemption (ibid. 6:6-7), “I will take out... I will redeem... I will take...” and “I will bring.” But when Moshe relays this message to the Jewish people, the Torah says (ibid. 9), “They did not listen to Moshe because of their shortness of breath and the hard labor.” Based on this, Moshe makes an argument to G-d using an a fortiori, kal vachomer deduction, to argue that Pharaoh will also not listen to him (ibid. 12): “If the children of Israel did not listen to me, how will Pharaoh listen to me?” The commentaries have great difficulty with Moshe’s logical derivation. Let us understand one basis for this difficulty. It would have been understandable if Moshe was commanded to deliver the same message in the same tone to both the Jewish people and Pharaoh. It would then make sense to ask, “If my own people will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh?” But Moshe was commanded to send a completely different message to each recipient. The Arizal explains that Hashem’s message of din was meant for Egypt, and His words of encouragement and love were meant for the Jewish people. On the one hand, He told Moshe and Aharon (ibid. 13) “concerning the children of Israel” with the message of strength, compassion, and redemption quoted above. But “concerning Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, [they were commanded to tell him] to take the Jewish peo-

ple out from the land of Egypt.” Hashem told Moshe to deliver messages appropriate for each recipient. The beleaguered Jewish people desperately needed encouragement, hope, and love – rachamim. We needed to hear the four expressions of redemption. We need to hear that we had a bright future in Yerushalayim and in Eretz Yisroel, a land ﬂowing with milk and honey. Our Egyptian oppressors, however, needed words of rebuke, plagues, and punishment – din. The ability to encourage and strengthen the Jewish people is so important that in the introduction to the Zohar it says that a person may only enter the chamber of Moshiach if he knows how “to turn darkness into light and to make the bitter sweet.” One must know the way of rachamim. He must see the good in the Jewish people in order to encourage them. That is the way Hashem wants His leaders to act in order to strengthen us. But the wicked must be dealt with using strict justice, rebuke, and “a strong hand and an outstretched arm.” Unfortunately, the world has completely confused these two approaches. When it comes to the Jewish people, they speak with din, judging the Jewish people’s eﬀorts to live and protect themselves in the harshest possible light. They condemn the only democracy in the Middle East, beset by animalistic terrorists on all sides, and from within, at every opportu-

nity. The leaders of the United States calls every Arab civilian casualty in Israel’s war against the animals who hide among their own women and children an “outrage” and calls on “all sides to show restraint.” But when it comes to terrorists and backward Islamic extremists, they speak with a soft voice, with kid gloves, afraid to oﬀend the delicate sensibilities of murderers. The reality that our world does not understand today is that when one shows compassion to the wicked, this will not “turn darkness into light and make the bitter sweet.” Although much of the world makes itself blind, we have seen that this rachamim only strengthens evildoers by showing them that good people are weak and will do nothing to stand up for justice and righteousness. The only way we can turn darkness into light is by seeing the goodness in other Jews, encouraging them, and treating them with rachamim. May we merit to treat each other right and may we see much more than ten plagues visited upon those who work to destroy us with the arrival of the complete redemption, may it come soon in our days!

Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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Delving into the Daf

When Purim Was on Pesach By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

lthough the events of the Purim story transpired over a lengthy period of time, the main action occurred over a few days. The Megillah specifically states that Haman’s letters stating that the Jewish nation should be decimated were sent out on the 13th of Nissan. Mordechai responded by asking Esther to immediately request an audience with Achashveirosh. Esther agreed on the condition that the Jews in Shushan fast for three days. The exact timeline at this point is not so clear. The Gemara states that the threeday fast occurred on Pesach. Mordechai’s directive to fast caused the Jews to override the prohibition against fasting on the first day of Pesach. The Beis Yosef cites an opinion that fasting on Chol Hamoed is biblically forbidden. Yet, the Gemara did not mention that this prohibition was overridden during the times of the Purim miracle. One possible interpretation of the Gemara is that the Jews fasted on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Nissan. They only fasted on one day of Pesach, namely the 15th of Nissan. They did not fast on the 16th of Nissan, which is considered Chol Hamoed according to Torah law. There are some issues with this approach. If the letters only went out on the 13th of Nissan, how did the Jews know to fast that same day? Moreover, the rule is that when one accepts a fast that is not calendared, he must do so during the Mincha prayers before the fast. To fast on the 13th, they would have had to accept the fast during Mincha on the 12th. Some suggest that the first day of the three-day fast was only a partial fast. They began fasting mid-day on the 13th of Nissan when Mordechai proclaimed a fast. The first day of the fast was not considered a halachic fast since it was not a whole day and was not accepted the day before. The Alshich suggests that Mordechai knew in advance of the decree

even before the letters were sent out. While some have suggested that Haman’s lottery took place on the 13th of Nissan, that is not written in the Megillah. The Alshich suggests that the lottery was made earlier in the month, and on the 12th of Nissan, Mordechai proclaimed that the next three days, the 13th, 14th, and 15th, would be fast days. People were able to accept this fast during Mincha on the 12th of Nissan. The problem with this approach is that it appears from the Gemara (Megilla 16a) that the fast extended to the 16th of Nissan. Haman went to call Mordechai to parade him through the streets as directed by Achashveirosh. Mordechai was studying with his students the laws of kemitza. Had the Beis Hamikdash been standing, the korban omer from newly grown barley would have been brought on the 16th of Nissan, the second day of Pesach. Kemitza is performed by a kohen who takes a handful of grain from the korban omer. Mordechai was specifically studying these laws with his students. Since they, unfortunately, could not bring the korban omer that day, they were studying its laws instead. (Rashi) This event, therefore, took place on the 16th of Nissan. The Gemara states that when Mordechai returned from being paraded

through the streets, he went back to his sackcloth and fasting. It is clear he was fasting on the 16th of Nissan. The Rashash surmises that this issue forced Rashi to declare that the three-day fast took place on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of Nissan and did not start on the 13th. Why didn’t the Gemara declare that the fast overrode the law against fasting on Chol HaMoed, the 16th day of Nissan? (According to the Torah law, the 16th day of Nissan is actually Chol HaMoed.) The Rosh Yosef says it is evident that Rashi is of the opinion that one may fast on Chol HaMoed at least biblically. According to Rashi, we can say that the Jews found out about the harsh decree on the 13th of Adar together with everyone else. Therefore, Mordechai decreed that there should be a fast for the next three days starting on the 14th. Everyone accepted the fast on the 13th of Adar during Mincha. Still, the pasuk says clearly that Esther approached Achashveirosh for an audience on the third day. Most assume this means the third day of the fast. If the fast was on the 14th, 15th, and 16th, that means that Esther first approached Achashveirosh on the 16th of Adar. Yet that can’t be! Rashi says that Haman was hanged on the 16th of Adar (or the night immediately following the day of the 16th). Yet, Achashveirosh’s sleep needed to be disturbed the night

after Esther, for the first time, invited Haman and him to a party. In fact, the Gemara says this is one of the reasons why Achashveirosh couldn’t sleep. He thought Esther and Haman were plotting against him. One must conclude that, according to Rashi, Esther approached Achashveirsoh, not on the third day of the fast, but on the third day after the decree, the 15th of Adar. There is a Medrash that states that the night Achashveirosh couldn’t sleep was Pesach night. The Chida says that it must be according to Rashi, that the medrash is talking about the rabbinic second night of Pesach, the night when Jews in the Diaspora observe a second seder. The Rashash defends those who say the fast was on the 13th, 14th, and 15th. While it is true that Mordechai fasted on the 16th as well, that was a personal fast. Most, if not virtually all, of the Jews were not fasting on the 16th of Nissan. Mordechai, however, continued to fast until the decree was annulled. (The Aruch L’ner suggests the fasts only took place during the day. They were able to eat at night and were thus able to observe the Pesach seder.) However one calculates the days of the three-day fast, it is clear that the main events in the Purim story happened over Pesach. The letters with the harsh decree were sent out on the 13th of Nissan. Haman was already hanged on the 16th of Nissan. The Mishna Berura (490:2) writes that it is appropriate on the second day of Pesach to make a remembrance for Esther during the yom tov meal. This will serve to recall that Haman was hanged on the second day of Pesach.

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 Wandering

Jew

Tucson, Arizona By Hershel Lieber

With Rabbi Yisroel Becker at the Chofetz Chaim Shul

was inspired to write about our 2015 trip to Tucson in light of having just returned this week from a two-week vacation in Arizona. During this trip we spent our time mainly in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area. Still, we went for a day to Tucson to visit our friends Rabbi Yisroel and Rebbetzin Esther Becker. The story of our friendship began three days before Purim in March 2015 and continues to the present day. The Beckers stayed at our home a few times. We shared simchos with them and were there during times of grief. We got to know some of their children, and Pesi and Esther speak on the phone from time to time. We feel privileged to have a connection with such special people. Let me go back to the beginning. I was in middle of an extremely overwhelming tax season that began in January of 2015. I needed a break, even though it meant doubling up on work when I would return. Being that Purim was starting on Wednesday night, most of the weekend would not be very conducive to meet with clients and finalize their taxes. This would be a perfect time for a one-week break. Being that we

With Rebbetzin Esther Becker

The Purim seudah at the shul

were previously in Phoenix, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon, we decided to spend our time in Tucson. I made some inquiries and found out about Rabbi Becker and called him in the hope that he would invite us for Shabbos meals. The rabbi and

that we, too, should join. So far, we were doing quite well as far as our eating arrangements. The city also had a kosher delicatessen and grocery, as well as a bakery which were under his hashgacha, which limited the need to bring along much in food.

The climate and the terrain kept on changing as we climbed over 9,000 feet toward the summit.

rebbetzin were extremely gracious in their invitation, so we booked a hotel room not far from them and their shul. Rav Yisroel also informed me that the night of Megillah leining there would be a bar mitzvah in the shul, and he would get us invited to the affair. He also made note that the shul’s Purim seudah takes place the next afternoon with the participation of the entire membership and said

After reserving our flights and a hotel room, I worked on an itinerary covering the sights and attractions that we could see. Then we sat back and waited patiently for Sunday, March 1, the day we flew into Phoenix airport. After arriving, we picked up the rental car and drove for under two hours to Tucson. We checked into the Embassy Suites, unpacked, ate

the sandwiches that we took along, and called it a night. In the morning, I went to the Chofetz Chayim Shul and met Rabbi Becker for the first time. It was during the year of aveilus after my mother, a”h, and I had to say kaddish and preferably daven as the shliach tzibbur at every tefillah. That morning, someone had yahrtzeit and I could not daven at the amud but had the minyan I needed to say kaddish. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we began our activities by driving to nearby Oracle to see the Biosphere. Biosphere was an experimental research facility constructed to test the viability of people living in a closed ecological system. The people who were involved in this test had to produce their own food and maintain their needs without any outside assistance. The experiment was initiated to explore whether people could support and maintain life within an enclosed area in outer space. Eight people lived there for two complete years between 1991-1993 and another seven for ten months in 1994. For the most part, these missions failed but a lot of knowledge was gleaned from this research. This was a fas-

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and the highlight of Shacharis was the bar mitzvah aliyah for Dovid Badalov. The Badalovs are part of small group of Bukharian Jews who live in Tucson, many of whom are traditional. The Badalovs are a religious family, and Dovid eventually went to the Yeshiva of St. Louis. After davening, we still managed to take a morning tour of the University of Arizona and visit the Museum of Miniatures. We returned and got ready to go to shul for Megillah leining. Rav Yisroel meticulously read the Megillah loud and clear. After breaking our fast, we joined members of the shul and other guests for the bar mitzvah seudah of Dovid Badalov. We were seated with people who we just met for the first time, and yet we had a marvelous time. The evening was highlighted with Bukharian customs and their special spicy foods. Every family mem-

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On top of Mount Lemon

ber spoke at the affair and presented gifts to Dovid. This was followed by dancing, accompanied with traditional instruments and music. When the music and dancing began, I had to step out since I was in my year of aveilus. Nevertheless, it was a great way to start the Purim festivities. Purim morning included Megillah leining. After our usual Purim breakfast of cream cheese and lox on black Russian bread, we were essentially free. There were no mishloach monos to send, other than the one that we took over to the Beckers. There were no children, grandchildren, or other visitors coming to see us. The streets were bereft of costumed revelers, and other than giving some money to the rav on behalf of the poor, we were not besieged by tzedakah collectors. It was kind of weird! We took the opportunity to drive up to Mount Lemon. The climate and the terrain kept on changing as we climbed over 9,000 feet toward the summit. There was a twenty-degree change in the temperature from the mountain base to the top. We started out in the desert, passed an elevation with just rocks and boulders, drove through a pine forest, and reached our destination at a ski resort with a

Hiking at Sabino Canyon

landscape covered in snow! The trip to the top took over an hour. It was a beautiful experience, but so un-Purim like. When we returned, we took a short nap and then went to shul for Mincha, which was followed by the Purim seudah. Both the Rav and Rebbetzin were costumed, as were a number of guests. I donned a traditional Bukharian robe, which one of the people draped onto me. There was singing and dancing with lively music, and a magician entertained the attendees. The food was delicious and in abundance, and the atmosphere was charged with simcha. It was a lovely way to celebrate the yom tov. After Maariv, Rebbetzin Esther gave us a tour of the beautiful, state-of-the-art mikvah which was recently built through her efforts. On Friday, we went to Sabino Canyon. We took the tram up to the top and hiked down for a total of four miles. It took us two hours. Then we readied ourselves for Shabbos. Both Shabbos meals we ate at the Beckers. There was only one young man who joined us on Friday night, and we were entirely alone with them on Shabbos morning. These seudos were the perfect opportunity for us to get to know them and hear

Hiking at Sabino Canyon

how they created the shul and the community that they were leading. Rav Yisroel is a talmid of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim and, together with Rebbetzin Esther, has been at the forefront of Jewish life in Tucson for well over forty years. They built a modern synagogue building which serves as their base in spreading Yiddishkeit. Every aspect pertaining to the needs of a kehillah is under their guidance. Davening, Torah classes, kashrus, mikvah, celebrating holidays and facilitating Jewish milestones is part of their lifetime mission on behalf of the community at large. They mentor their congregants by providing counseling and giving advice, while empathizing with each individual. We were so impressed with them and feel blessed to count them as our friends. Our trip to Tucson, like many

Dressed in a Bukharian robe on Purim

journeys that we took over the years, had a lasting impact and a continuous influence on our lives.

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

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Israel Today

A New Knesset Lobby By Yochanan Sternberg

n a first for the Knesset, the Eretz Hakodesh Party of the WZO, which represents the Jews of chutz laaretz, started a Knesset lobby last week to strengthen Israel’s bond with the Jews of the Diaspora. At a special gathering held by MK Pindrus (Yahadut HaTorah) together with Rabbi Pesach Lerner, chairman of Eretz Hakodesh, the new lobby was announced with the goal of strengthening and appreciating the efforts of organizations that work to protect our mesorah and true Jewish identity in the Diaspora, as well as strengthening the Jewish connection felt by the younger generation around the world in order to fight the terrible assimilation that is destroying Jewish communities. Despite recent tensions bet ween the government and the opposition, the gathering was attended by members of both groups. They all expressed their support for this new lobby and announced their participation for the purpose of continuing their work with representatives of the organizations in order to strengthen the Jewish identity of those living in the Diaspora. The MKs and organization representatives thanked Rabbi Lerner, who traveled to Israel in order to participate in the event, for the vital work that his organization is doing to strengthen the bonds between the State of Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora, which is being done in cooperation with the Orthodox organizations. They also expressed their appreciation for his organization’s important achievements within the World Zionist Organization and in the Mosdot Haleumim, Israel’s National Organizations (the WZO, Jewish Agency and KKL-JNF). Among the participants in the gathering were Diaspora Minister Nachman Shai (Labor), MKs Michal Shir and Tzvi Hauser of Tikvah Chadashah, MK Sharon Rofeh-Ofir of Yisrael Beiteinu, MK Nira Shpak of Yesh Atid, MK Betzalel Smotrich and Michal Waldiger of Hatziyonut Hadatit, MK David Bitan of the Likud, MKs Uriel Buso and Michael Malkieli of Shas, and MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev of Yahadut HaTorah. Also participating was Mr. Yaakov Hagoel, who is the chairman of the WZO and acting chairman of the Sochnut (Jewish Agency). Also attending were leaders of organizations

that work to strengthen Yiddishkeit among the Jews of chutz laaretz, including Rabbi Avi Berman, director of the OU in Israel; Rabbi Yehuda Weinberg and Rachel Moore of Aish HaTorah; Rabbi Yosef Friedman of Project Inspire; Rabbi René Gutman of the Conference of European Rabbis; Rabbi Eli Naiditch of Chabad; Rabbi Zecharya Greenwald of The Yeshiva and Seminary Coalition for Bnai Chul, Mrs. Stephanie Strauss of Yeshiva University Israel, Rabbi Paysach Freedman of Chaim V’Chesed, and Mrs. Leah Aharoni of Am Echad. There were also members of Eretz Hakodesh in attendance, including Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz, Israel director of Eretz Hakodesh and director of Diaspora-engagement at the WZO; Mr. Steve Rosedale, a member of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors on behalf of Eretz Hakodesh; and Rabbi Binyamin Aizenstark of Nefesh B’Nefesh. MK Pindrus began the proceedings, noting, “The goal of this gathering is to show who is truly working to save the Jewish nation and who can truly represent the Jews of the Diaspora. That is why we have invited the central organizations that work for the Jewish nation.” During the course of the gathering, a number of people spoke about the challenges that are on the agenda. One of the speakers who stood out was Mrs. Aharoni of Am Echad, which was founded by Rabbi Moshe Sherer, z”l. She thanked the members of the lobby for giving her the opportunity, for the very first time, to present significant data trends among Jewish youth in the diaspora to members of the Knesset. She said that in recent years there have been two major trends: A reduction among the Reform and Conservative movements, and an increase and connection to authentic Jewish identity. “This is reflected,” she said, “in intergenerational gaps. While 70% of Jews who are 65 or older identified as Reform or Conservative, only 37% of the younger generation – ages 18 to 30 – identified with those movements. We see the opposite of this when it comes to the strengthening of the Orthodox, with three percent of the over-65s identifying as such, versus 17% of the younger generation. “Alongside this welcome statistic, however, there is also the worrying growth among those

L-R Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Chairman, Eretz Hakodesh , Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz, Israel Director, Eretz Hakodesh, MK Moshe Gafni, and MK Yitzchok Pindrus

Minister Nachman Shai and MK Yitzchok Pindrus

MK Yitzchok Pindrus

Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz and Rabbi Pesach Lerner

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who are unaffiliated as a result of Reform’s decline, going from 22% among those 65 and older to 40% among those under 30.” Mrs. Aharoni also presented the figures of shuls in the Diaspora that have closed down in recent years. She said that since 2001 25% of Reform temples have been shuttered, while Chabad shuls have grown by 300% in that time. She also presented data that shows that there is a direct correlation between the level of identity with Yiddishkeit and the level of connection with Israel. Youth belonging to the Orthodox community replied in overwhelming numbers as being fully opposed to the BDS movement and about feeling a connection with what happens in Israel. This shows how important mesorah is when it comes to connecting the youth to both Israel and the Jewish nation. A dramatic moment took place when, after this data was presented, the attendees began to discuss it, and Diaspora Minister Shai said that he wants to stress the position of the Diaspora Ministry in desiring to strengthen all parts of the Jewish nation, and it accordingly invests heavily in the activities of the organizations involved in these areas. In response, MK Michal Shir asked why then

does the ministry and the government see the liberal movements in a positive light when they are the ones who are supporting assimilation

“It is clear to all of us,” he said, “whether they are present here or not, that the only way to combat assimilation is to strengthen the connection with the Jewish identity.”

and intermarriage. “You mentioned the problem of assimilation,” she said, “but there are a number of movements that actually encourage it. Therefore, when you create a dialogue with those

movements, you must bring up the issue of assimilation and point out that they have to speak less positively about intermarriage. If an American youth didn’t receive a Jewish education at home, and if he didn’t meet an organization that works to strengthen his Jewish identity, he will be completely severed from his connection with the Jewish nation.” At the conclusion of the gathering, MK Pindrus announced that the Knesset members would be working together to continue helping the organizations that work to strengthen Jewish identity around the world as well as to solve the issues raised by the organizations. “It is clear to all of us,” he said, “whether they are present here or not, that the only way to combat assimilation is to strengthen the connection with the Jewish identity. We have seen today a number of organizations that invest major funds in strengthening Jewish identity around the world, with the approximate total of money spent reaching two billion shekels annually. Anyone who truly cares about the future of the Jewish nation must strengthen these organizations and utilize them. We will continue with such meetings in order to understand how to bring more and more Jews to connect with the authentic Jewish identity.”

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BY TJH STAFF

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

any hoped that 2021 would bring for them a year filled with clarity and calmness. But this year proved to be its own rollercoaster, with twists and turns, ups and downs.

As we take a look back, we endeavor to walk you down memory lane and give you a glimpse of the year that was. But, after much thought, we decided not to focus on the challenges that we endured. Instead, we tried to give you a brief overview, TJH-style, of what took place the past twelve months and bring a smile or two to your face as you remember that there were some interesting, exhilarating, momentous, and even confusing events that made up the year 2021.

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2021 CAME & WENT

Jeff Bezos

It was 1994, on a cross-country road trip from New York City to Seattle, when Jeﬀ Bezos founded Amazon. What began as an online bookstore has since taken on a life of its own, becoming ubiquitous to almost every home and business in the United States and in many countries around the world. Now worth approximately $1.75 trillion, Amazon made Bezos a household name and catapulted him into the top ten richest people in the world. On February 2, Bezos announced that he would be stepping down as the company’s chief executive; in July, he said he would be handing over the reins to Andy Jassy. Jassy grew up in Scarsdale, NY, and is Jewish.

Hand Over Head

Never has a hand over the head become more scrutinized. But when attorney David Schoen held his hand over his head every time he stopped to take a drink of water during President Trump’s impeachment trial in February, America began to wonder. In due time, Schoen made clear that Orthodox Jews cover their heads while eating and drinking and saying a blessing. Asked by CNN why he wouldn’t just wear a yarmulke, Schoen answered, “I just wasn’t sure if it was appropriate, frankly. I didn’t want to oﬀend anyone.”

SpaceX Crew Dragon

After spending ﬁve months in space, the four astronauts aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon soared back into the Earth’s atmosphere and landed with a splash into the Gulf of Mexico on May 2. NASA’s Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Soichi Noguchi, an astronaut with Japan’s space agency, had boarded their Crew Dragon capsule on Friday afternoon from the International Space Station and spent all night aboard the 13-foot-wide, fully autonomous capsule as it conducted a series of engine burns and maneuvers to prepare itself for reentry. The mission marked the end to NASA and SpaceX’s landmark mission, dubbed Crew-1, which set a record as the longest time in space – over 5 months – by a crew that launched aboard an American-built spacecraft. Glover remarked about the mission, “I looked out the window and saw the Earth from 250 miles up. I will never forget that moment...It wasn’t about the view. It was how the view made me feel...the Earth is amazing.”

Juneteenth

Also known as Black Independence Day, President Joe Biden officially declared Juneteenth a federal holiday this year, to be annually celebrated on June 19. The holiday is now the 12th legal public holiday and the first one created since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in 1983. Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans. On that day in 1865, Union soldiers led by Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in the coastal city of Galveston, Texas, to deliver General Order No. 3, officially ending slavery in the state. At the signing ceremony of the new holiday, Biden declared, “Juneteenth represents not only the commemoration of the end of slavery in America more than 150 years ago, but the ongoing work to have to bring true equity and racial justice into American society, which we can do.”

Inflation

It’s time to hold onto your wallets, folks. According to U.S. Labor Department numbers published on December 10, the annual inﬂation rate for the United States is 6.8% for the 12 months ended November 2021 – the highest since June 1982 and after rising 6.2% previously. The next inﬂation update is scheduled for release on January 12, 2022. Perhaps the biggest indicator that prices are on a runaway train with no brakes is Dollar Tree’s recent announcement that all items in their stores will now cost $1.25. That’s a 25% jump in prices. It had been selling products at the $1 price point for 35 years.

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2021 CAME & WENT

Naomi Osaka

Grappling with mental health issues, tennis superstar Naomi Osaka announced on July 31 that she would be withdrawing from the French Open, one day after she was fined for not appearing at a press conference. Osaka stated that she needed to skip the conferences for her mental health; the heads of four of the Grand Slam tournaments noted that players need to meet with the press following their matches. She later wrote in an article in Time magazine, “Perhaps we should give athletes the right to take a mental break from media scrutiny on a rare occasion without being subject to strict sanctions. It’s O.K. to not be O.K.” The 24-year-old player has been ranked No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association and is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles as well the first player from Japan to reach No. 1.

Bitcoin

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele is all about Bitcoin. In September, the Central American country became the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender. In November, the young leader said that his country plans to build the world’s first “Bitcoin City,” funded initially by bitcoin-backed bonds. The city would be powered geothermally from a volcano and would not levy any taxes except for a value added tax. Bitcoin City would feature a central plaza designed to look like a bitcoin symbol from the air. “This is going to make El Salvador the financial center of the world,” Bukele declared.

Keystone Pipeline It was ten years in the making, but on June 9, the Keystone XL pipeline was oﬃcially no more. TC Energy, the Canadian company behind the project, announced that it would terminate the project that aimed to carry oil from the tar sands of Canada into the United States. Environmentalists brought out party hats to celebrate the end of a project they vowed would wreak havoc and destroy the country. The American Petroleum Institute, the oil and gas industry’s largest trade group, expressed disappointment over the news. President Biden had cancelled the necessary permits needed for the pipeline earlier in the year.

Texas Power

As three severe winter storms swept the United States in February, Texas suffered from freezing temperatures. But it wasn’t just the drop in Fahrenheit that created the crisis that aﬀected 4.5 million homes and businesses in the Lone Star state. As the weather became colder, power lines snapped and the power grid froze, and electricity failed across the state. Residents were left shivering in the cold, many without heat, water, or food. More than 210 people were killed directly or indirectly from the power failure that took weeks to ﬁx.

Angela Merkel

S t a lw a r tly leading her country for 16 years, Angela Merkel became the face of Germany on the world stage. But in September, the 67-year-old leader announced she would be stepping down as chancellor of Germany at the end of the year. During her tenure, Merkel was regarded as the leader of the European Union and led Germany through varied crises, including the global ﬁnancial crisis, the migrant problem, and tackling Covid-19. She also was seen as a reassuring ﬁgure on the continent, especially as Britain left the European Union.

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2021 CAME & WENT

Bibi & Bennett

It was an event that no one would have ever predicted: the curtain fall for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But after 12 years of leading Israel and representing the Jewish State on the world stage, Bibi reluctantly – kicking and screaming – handed over the reins to his former aide, Naftali Bennett. Bennett’s coalition seemed equally inconceivable to survive. His party won a mere seven seats, and he cobbled together a coalition from eight diﬀerent parties, including United Arab List, the ﬁrst Palestinian party to join a government. Speaking in October, Netanyahu stormed about Bennett, “He has the title, but he is not a real prime minister. It’s not only pathetic – it’s dangerous. He has no achievements and no ideology. He is not a leader. Everything is fake.” Regardless of what Israelis think of the coalition, Bennett’s gover n ment i s forging ahead with its varied agenda, intent on moving Israel as far left as Israelis can swallow.

Grumpy Gloves Leave it to Bernie Sanders to make a presidential inauguration during a pandemic even more miserable. Before President Biden took the podium to be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on January 20, Sanders unceremoniously took his seat oﬀ to the side, wearing a thick parka, a blue mask, and huge, brown, knitted mittens. The mittens were gifted to the senator from Vermont by a teacher who likes to knit mittens and gloves. With his crossed arms and legs and a scowl that emitted from behind his glasses and mask – along with the manila envelope that he was holding – Sanders made sure to broadcast his curmudgeon-y image for all of America to see.

King Cuomo

Oh, you know, the higher they are, the harder they fall. But Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York State, was so high up that he refused to leave. Despite myriad scandals that threatened to take him down, King Cuomo held fast to his throne of power until August 10, when he announced that he would be resigning in 14 days. In a 22-minute televised address, Cuomo told New Yorkers after eleven minutes of sharing his political opinions, “I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside.” He made sure to assert, “In my mind, I’ve never crossed the line with anyone. But I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn.” He left the reins of New York State with Kathy Hochul, the ﬁrst female to lead the Empire State.

Simone Biles

It was a case of the “twisties,” Simone Biles said. That was her reason for leaving her teammates in the lurch in the Olympics in Japan – and essentially handing the Russian gymnasts the gold. It was the first time since 2008 the U.S. did not win gold in that segment. Biles, the reigning all-around Olympic gold medalist and one of the faces of the American contingent in Japan, left the team final after a disappointing vault performance. She later said she was feeling “good” physically and only returned to perform at the final event, nabbing just a silver and a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. Later in the year, Time magazine named Biles 2021 Athlete of the Year.

Liz Cheney

Although Liz Cheney insists she is a committed Republican, the GOP in Wyoming doesn’t think so. In November, they formally passed a resolution to no longer recognize her as a member. This is not the ﬁrst time Liz wasn’t made to feel welcome in her party. Her vociferous and constant jabs at President Trump forced House GOP colleagues to remove her from her leadership position in the party; before the demotion she was the House Republican Conference chairwoman. After she voted to impeach Trump, the Wyoming Republican party had her formally censured in February. “I love my party and its history and its principles. But I love my country more. And I will do all I can to defend her,” Cheney said in November.

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2021 CAME & WENT

January 6

We all breathed a sigh of relief when we turned the calendar on 2020, hoping that 2021 would be a less stressful year. But 2021 came in with a bang – literally – when hundreds of people converged on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The mob sent Congresspeople to huddle under their desks in fear of the group who were armed with cameras, phones, fur pelts, horns, and podiums and who had wanted to interrupt the counting of electoral votes that would formalize President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Since then, at least 727 people have been charged in connection to the mobbing, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi continues to hold the United States hostage by waving the “insurrection” ﬂag at every high-proﬁle speech she gives.

Biden’s Approval Ratings

When Biden entered the Oval Oﬃce on January 20, 2021, he came in with sunny approval ratings, ranging between 54% to 57%. Ninety-one percent of Democrats approved of the new president; only sixteen percent of Republicans were happy with him. But December saw more dismal numbers for the commander-in-chief. A recent national poll found that only 48% of Americans approve of the job he’s done over the past eleven months; a full 48% disapproved; the rest were not sure. The economy was clearly on Americans’ minds. Sixty-nine percent of Americans disapprove of how Biden is handling inﬂation. On top of this, 57% of Americans disapprove of Biden’s handling of the ongoing economic recovery. Only 41% of Americans support the Build Back Better bill. Lastly, recent polls indicate that 61% of Americans, including 65% of independents, think the country is heading in the wrong direction. The bright side for Biden? Vice President Kamala Harris has an approval rating as low as 28%, so it looks like Americans are happier with their president than their veep.

Afghanistan

2021 will go down as the year when the United States left Afghanis in the clutches of the Taliban. Yes, we ended a 20-year war, but the messy pullout and the fact that no U.S. troops were left to keep some semblance of order guaranteed that the Taliban would take over Afghanistan. The bloodthirsty group took mere days to conquer cities and gather in the capital with their guns and gulags. Thousands of Afghani citizens, desperate to leave, headed to the airport, only to be thwarted by the Taliban at every turn. The U.S. left barely intact; a suicide bomber at the airport killed 13 U.S. servicemembers and dozens of Afghanis. He had been let out of prison by the Taliban three days before the attack. On August 31, the U.S. oﬃcially left Afghanistan. Speaking with the American people, President Biden asserted, “My fellow Americans, the war in Afghanistan is now over.” He added, “I give you my word: With all of my heart, I believe this is the right decision, a wise decision, and the best decision for America.”

Megxit

Meghan and Harry decided to oﬃcially leave the UK this year, announcing their move across the pond on January 8 and saying that they would step back as senior members of the royal family. Buckingham Palace conﬁrmed the decision on February 19, 2021, and said that the Duke and Duchess would relinquish their royal titles and duties. Granted, Harry and his B-list actress wife thought that their departure would produce more tears, but alas no one seemed to care that they decided to move to Hollywood. And so, they spent the year attempting to generate publicity, sitting for what was supposed to be a tear-inducing interview with Oprah in March. In November, it was reported that Meghan had been cold-calling U.S. senators and using her title to persuade them to vote for certain legislation.

Meta

Goodbye, Facebook. Hello, Meta. Perhaps Mark Zuckerberg should have consulted with a few people before deciding to change his company’s name to Meta on October 28. The name change was greeted by amazement, then by incredulity, then by scorn. According to CEO Zuckerberg, “Today we are seen as a social media company, but in our DNA, we are a company that builds technology to connect people, and the metaverse is the next frontier just like social networking was when we got started.” Name change or not, the company is the largest social media platform globally with 2.85 billion monthly active users worldwide. India has the most FB users with over 260 million; followed by the U.S. (180 million); Indonesia (130 million); Brazil (120 million); and Mexico (84 million).

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2021 AROUND THE WORLD

Egypt

Connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, the Suez Canal is a mere 120 miles long. But something went wrong on March 23, when a massive cargo ship ran aground in the canal, blocking the vital waterway and disrupting shipping worldwide. Finally, a full six stressful days later, the container ship was dragged off the banks of the channel and refloated. And the world’s shipping system went back to normal – or whatever that is, considering today’s major supply chain issues.

Haiti

On July 7, armed hitmen burst into Haitian President Jovenel Moise’s bedroom and gunned him down, leaving his wife wounded. A recent report noted that Moise may have been killed because he took on the drug cartels, ostensibly compiling a list of drug traffickers to give to the U.S. to help stem the tide of drugs into and through his country.

Myanmar

The military takeover of Myanmar was swift. On February 1, the army seized power and prevented Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party from a second term in office. Nationwide peaceful protests ensued; the military quashed them with deadly force, killing around 1,300 civilians. In December, Suu Kyi was convicted by the military courts of incitement and sentenced to two years in prison.

Mexico

Mexico City was plunged into mourning on May 3, when an overpass carrying the Line 12 of the Metro train system collapsed. The last two cars of the train fell onto the street below,

killing 26 people and injuring 79 others in what was the Metro’s deadliest accident in almost fifty years. Residents said that the train was plagued by scandal since its inception and that the cars would squeak and clatter, forcing conductors to slow down while driving the trains.

Afghanistan

For the past twenty years, the United States battled to keep the Taliban from ruling Afghanistan. Alas, in August, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the United States would be unilaterally withdrawing all U.S. troops from the country, resulting in chaos and an immediate – mere days after his announcement, on August 15 – takeover by the Taliban. Photos of throngs of people desperate to leave Afghanistan – even hanging onto

airplanes as they lifted off the ground – tore at people’s hearts. Although the Taliban vowed to turn another page and rule the nation more democratically, it was apparent from the start – with their beheadings, murders, assaults, and destruction – that Taliban tyranny would be the rule of the land.

Japan

The Summer 2020 Olympics began a bit late this time around – on Friday, July 23, 2021. And even while it opened to mostly empty seats, Japanese locals were mainly against the Olympics coming to their country. In fact, just a few weeks before the Games, one of its biggest sponsors, Toyota Motor Corp., pulled its Japanese TV ads lest it be forever bound to the event. Even so, the show must go

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2021 AROUND THE WORLD

South Africa

Here we go again. A new variant – called Omicron – of the coronavirus we have been battling for two years was detected in a lab of Botswana and South Africa on November 22. The World Health Organization was notified on November 24. Health officials note that the Omicron variant spreads faster than the Delta variant, although Omicron appears to present with much milder symptoms than its slower-spreading sister variant.

Belarus

on, and the United States came out on top, leading the world with 113 medals – including 39 golds. China nabbed 88 medals, 38 of them gold, and the Russian Olympic Committee earned 20 gold medals with a total of 71 medals by the time the Olympic torch was passed to Paris for the next Games.

China

This July, China celebrated 100 years of the Communist Party of China (CPC). At the ceremony on July 1, outstanding Party members were honored with the July 1 Medal, the highest honor in the CPC. The country celebrated in grand style to mark the centenary. Speaking in front of 70,000 people in Tiananmen Square, leader Xi Jinping vowed that if foreign countries dare to bully, oppress, or subjugate China – “anyone who

dares to try – will find their heads bashed bloody against a great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people.”

United States

Ninety-eight people lost their lives in the tragic collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South building in Surfside, Florida, in the morning hours of June 24. Four people were rescued from the rubble, and yet, despite rescue crews’ valiant efforts to find signs of life, tens of people were never found. Many frum people were in those buildings and lost their lives that day. Investigators noted that there was degradation in the structural support of the building; residents said they heard cracking noises moments before the horrific event.

Most passengers on Ryanair flight 4978 weren’t that concerned when they heard the flight from Greece to Lithuania was being diverted to Minsk on May 23. But journalist and dissident Roman Protasevich knew that he wouldn’t be sightseeing when the plane touched the ground. He was wanted on a variety of charges in Belarus and was arrested upon landing, in what many noted was a “state-sanctioned hijacking.” After spending time in detention and under house arrest, Protasevich once again addressed his followers online in July, asserting that he was never tortured, a common refrain many dissidents repeat after they have been arrested.

Russia

Putin is not inviting Alexei Navalny to his next birthday party. In fact, he’d prefer never to see the activist again. Back in 2020, Navalny fell into a coma after being exposed to a chemical nerve agent on a return flight to Moscow, forcing his plane to land in Germany. Putin denied any connection to the poisoning. After spending time recuperating in Germany, Navalny flew back to Russia on January 17 and was subsequently arrested. On February 2, he was sentenced to more than two years in prison. On October 20, Navalny was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought from the European Union. Yup, that would definitely make Putin want to invite him to his next party.

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2021 BY THE NUMBERS

$1.4 Million

A record amount of fines were levied against unruly airline passengers this year. Flight crews reported more than 5,200 cases of unruly passengers to the FAA since January 1. Oh, if thousands of dollars in fines isn’t enough to deter drunk or angry passengers from lashing out at fellow flyers and flight attendants, consider this: the FAA announced this week that passengers that exhibit unruly behavior may also be reported to the TSA, which may remove them from the privileged TSA PreCheck. “If you act out of line, you will wait in line,” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson warned.

$1.2 Trillion Yup, that’s trillion, with a T. On November 15, President Biden signed a more-than-$1 trillion infrastructure bill into law. Included in the law was $550 billion in new funds for transportation, broadband, and utilities. According to the President, Americans should be assured that with this trillion-dollar package, “your life is going to change for the better.”

On January 13, President Donald Trump became the ﬁrst president in U.S. history to be impeached twice, as a House majority voted to charge him with inciting an insurrection by his supporters in the events of January 6. On February 8, Trump’s impeachment trial began; by February 13, he was acquitted by the Senate. Seven Senate Republicans voted with the Democrats to impeach No. 45 this second time around.

$700 Million In what may be the richest naming rights deal in sports history, in November, Staples Center in Los Angeles announced that it will be renamed Crypto.com Arena in a record-setting deal with the Singaporean company. The home of the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers, with 20,000 seats ﬁlled with fans on most nights, had been called Staples Center since October 1999.

6.8% Hear your bank account groaning? It’s probably the massive inflation numbers that have been steadily climbing over the past year. In November, U.S. inflation reached a nearly four-decade high. The consumer-price index – which measures what consumers pay for goods and services – rose 6.8% in November from the same month a year ago. That was the fastest pace since 1982 and the sixth straight month in which inflation topped 5%. The so-called core price index, which excludes the often-volatile categories of food and energy, climbed 4.9% in November from a year earlier. That was a sharper increase than October’s 4.6% rise, and the highest rate since 1991. Looking for a new car? Fuhgeddaboudit! The increase in prices for new vehicles, which came in at 11.1% in November, was the largest on record, as were those for men’s apparel and living room, kitchen, and dining room furniture. A 7.9% surge in fast-food restaurant pr ic e s l a s t month marked the sharpest on record too.

$103,410,000

You can always count on a Picasso to bring in the big bucks. Pablo Picasso’s Femme assise près d’une fenêtre was the most expensive work of art sold at auction this year – and the only one to break the $100 million mark. The brightly colored portrait had previously been sold at auction in London in 2013 for $44.7 million.

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2021 BY THE NUMBERS

50 Years, 11 Months On the morning of Sunday, May 23, Phil Mickelson’s manager texted the golf player before the PGA Championship: “Phil, I’m getting too old for this, but you aren’t. Let’s get this done.” Mickelson, in turn, hit it out of the park (we apologize for using shifting metaphors here) when he became the oldest player to win a major golf championship at almost 51 years old on a windy day at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Later, Mickelson said of the scene, “Slightly unnerving, but exceptionally awesome.”

87 Days For almost three months, the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma spewed red lava, covering 1,000 hectares of land across the Spanish island. What started erupting on September 19 forced the evacuation of thousands of residents on the popular European destination. For 87 days, the fiery molten rock flowed down towards the sea, destroying around 3,000 buildings in its way. Fields of thick, black hardened lava entombed banana plantations, ruined irrigation systems, and cut off roads. Finally, on December 24, scientists declared the eruption to be over.

$177 Million

$302 Billion 2021 was a great year to be Elon Musk. The CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX’s net worth surged to more than $300 billion in October, making him the ﬁrst person on the planet (and beyond!) to reach that milestone. Want to know how much $300 billion is? Well, it would take a long time to count, so consider that it’s greater than the GDP of nations such as Finland, Chile, and Vietnam.

963,309 Acres It’s possible that a delayed worker from Pacific Gas and Electric Company may have been the one to have been majorly responsible for the largest non-complex fire in California history. On July 13, a PG&E maintenance worker noticed that a tree had fallen on power lines and started a small fire. He attempted to put out the fire, without success. Eventually, what started small ballooned and resulted in 963,309 burnt acres before the Dixie Fire was contained on October 25. Aside from destroying over a thousand buildings, one firefighter died from the raging flames. Smoke from the blaze could be seen as far east as Utah and Colorado.

90 Years Old On October 13, actor William Shatner became the oldest person to head to space. Considering that only a few have ventured so far out, Shatner is certainly lucky to have enjoyed that 10-minute, rocket-powered ride to the edge of space, pushing his 90-year-old body through crushing g-forces that some describe as “face-bending.” Speaking after the experience while standing on terra ﬁrma, Shatner exulted, “Everybody in the world needs to do this!” In amazement about the vastness and awesomeness of the universe, Shatner added, “I hope I never recover from this. I hope I can maintain what I feel now. I don’t want to ever lose it. It’s so much larger than me and life… It has to do with the enormity, and the quickness, and the suddenness of life and death.”

Although fashion tycoon Serge Azria purchased his Malibu home in 2013 for $41 million, 2021 saw him more than double – or even triple on his investment (dare we say quadruple?!). The sale of the seven-acre, two-plot residence sold for a whopping $177 million, making it the biggest property deal in California’s history and the most expensive home sold this year.

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202 1 WIN N ERS & LOSERS

WINNERS Sunisa Lee

Tom Brady

After Simone Biles summarily left the Olympics, Sunisa No “Year in Review” section in the Lee jumped in and nabbed the gold at the Olympic Games. past who-knows-how-many years The 18-year-old proved her skills in uneven bars with a would be worth its salt withscore of 15.300, besting all other competitors by choosing out mentioning Tom Brady. a routine with the highest degree of difficulty. She scored a On February 7, in what was very strong 14.600 on billed as the Super Bowl vault and remained solfor the ages, Brady led the id enough on the balance Tampa Bay Buccaneers beam to edge into lead with past quarterback Pata 13.833 score. She scored rick Mahomes and the 13.700 with her floor routine. Kansas City Chiefs Lee was crowned the new Olymto secure his unprecedented seventh championship ring. The 43-yearpic women’s all-champ on July 29, old secured his seventh Lombardi Trophy – two more than any player in earning a coveted gold medal and NFL history and one more than any other NFL franchise has achieved. a warm place in Americans’ hearts. On December 23, Brady announced his new clothing line with its very own signature color – Brady Blue. The bright blue color is intended to “inspire fearlessness, resilience, and confidence towards achieving peak performance,” Brady tweeted.

Biggest Mouth

Edward Durr

Sam Ramsdell has the world’s biggest mouth – and she’s proud of it. This year, the American woman was conﬁrmed by Guinness World Records as having the world’s largest mouth gape (female), measuring 6.52 cm (2.5 in). Perhaps larger than her mouth is her TikTok following, which totals more than 2.6 million followers. “Getting a Guinness World Records title, it’s ﬁnally being almost able to show some of the bullies or people who doubted me, or tormented me, that hey – I have a big mouth but at least I have the biggest one in the world!” the 31-year-old quipped.

Before November 2021, Edward Durr drove a truck for Raymour & Flanigan. Now, he is preparing to take his place in the New Jersey senate. Durr managed to unseat State Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, who was the second-most-powerful lawmaker in the Garden State, in the recent elections. New Jersians were fed up with Democrat rule and opted for Durr, a Republican, who ran for office on a lark. Durr said he spent $153 on his campaign (although finanThis baby spent 275 days in the hospital before finally going home. cial reports indicate he spent around The determined infant was born in April 2020 and was the world’s $2,200 on his race). Even so, his cammost premature baby – born almost 19 weeks premature. Curtis Zypaign “video” was shot on his phone Keith Means weighed a mere 420 grams at birth. “They didn’t know if and showed him stepping out of his he was going to survive so they just told me to keep on praying,” Curtis’ truck and then riding off into the mother revealed. On April 6, 2021, Curtis’ mother was finally given perdistance on his motorcycle. Seems mission to take her little one home. like he ran away with this victory.

Curtis Zy-Keith Means

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202 1 WIN N ERS & LOSERS

Zaila Avant-garde

Can you spell “murraya”? Neither can we. But Zaila Avant-garde can. The 14-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, became the winner of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee on July 9. She is the first African American to win the bee. Avant-garde faced off against 12-year-old Chaitra Thummala in the final rounds. After the girls spelled two words correctly each – fidibus, haltere, nepeta and fewtrils – Thummala faltered on neroli oil, leaving Avant-garde the opportunity to claim the title and the $50,000 prize.

Atlanta Braves

“I’m still numb,” Atlanta Braves ﬁrst baseman Freddie Freedman said after his team won their ﬁrst World Series title since 1995. “I don’t really have emotions.” The Braves defeated the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 6 on November 2 in Houston in front of thousands of fans. Jorge Soler, whose third homer of the Series traveled an estimated 446 feet, was named Series MVP. “I knew I hit it well, but to be honest, immediately after I hit it, I turned around just to look at our dugout and start celebrating,” Soler, who was born in Cuba, said.

LOSERS Jussie Smollett The Global Supply Chain

Attempting to garner fame and piggybacking off of inflamed tensions, actor Jussie Smollett told authorities that two pro-Trump men attacked him outside of his Chicago apartment on January 29, 2019, looped a noose around his neck, and told him he was in “MAGA country.” Turns out, Smollett made up the tale. He had paid two men he knew to perpetrate the “attack.” Several presidential hopefuls pledged their solidarity with Smollett before it became clear that he fabricated the incident. “We are with you, Jussie,” Biden had said. On December 9, 2021, a jury found Smollett guilty of five of six charges in connection to the staged attack.

Raise your hand if you thought about t he g lob a l supply chain before 2021 and we’ll give you – wait, we don’t have anything to give you because it’s all stuck at port. This year created a cascade of supply chain issues worldwide that reminded consumers just how dependent we are as a global economy and how companies rely on outsourcing for so much of their products. Whether it was the blocking of the Suez Canal by a container ship or the shutdown of Chinese ports due to COVID-19 cases or workers refusing to work because of mounds of money the government was funneling into their accounts, the world suﬀered big time due to obstruction. Thrown in tumultuous supply of semiconductor chips – which seem to be in everything – gasoline, chlorine, chicken, corn, and toilet paper, and consumers found that less of what they wanted was on the shelves for them to purchase.

Robinhood

Was Robinhood looking out for the little guy on January 28 when it temporarily blocked traders from purchasing what it said were several volatile stocks touted on Reddit’s “WallStreetBets” forum, including GameStop, AMC Entertainment and Nokia? GameStop was one of the most-shorted stocks on Wall Street before the sudden interest caused the stock price to surge. The trading frenzy triggered a “short squeeze,” costing hedge funds that bet against the stock billions of dollars. The stock surged more than 200% before Robinhood and other brokerages enacted a buying halt. Robinhood began accepting buys again the next day but enacted a limit of just one share per user as of the close of trading. Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle immediately called for an investigation into Robinhood’s decision to halt buying.

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2 0 2 1 R . I . P.

Prince Philip Just weeks before his 100th birthday, on June 9, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away in Windsor Castle in England. The husband of Queen Elizabeth was the oldest member of the British Royal family and also the longest-serving royal consort in the history of Britain. The Prince was born into a royal Greek family but was educated in Britain. At one point, he was chosen to escort Princess Elizabeth on a tour. The rest, as they say, is history. Supposedly, Philip was tall and “utterly good looking,” at the time. The two were married at Westminster Abbey in 1947. Together, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had four children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He retired from royal duties in 2017 but remained active into old age. After his passing, the Queen said, “He has quite simply been my

strength and stay all these years. I and his whole family, and this and many other countries owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”

Bob Dole

Rush Limbaugh

Bob Dole endeavored to reach the White House a few

After decades of lead-

times during his storied career but never made it to

ing conservative talk

the Oval Oﬃce. On December 5, he passed away at the

radio, Rush Limbaugh

age of 98 after suﬀering from stage four lung cancer.

retired to his golden

Dole served as a U.S. senator for Kansas for nearly 30

EIB microphone in

years. In 1976, he was Gerald Ford’s vice presidential

the sky after he passed

nominee in their unsuccessful run against President

away on February 17 at

Jimmy Carter and V.P. Walter Mondale (who also died

the age of 70. He had

this year). Prior to entering politics, Dole served in the

learned he had Stage

Army during World War II, during which he was seri-

IV lung cancer in Jan-

ously injured. He became temporarily paralyzed from

uary 2020 and was

the neck down and spent years rehabbing at a military

awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Trump at

hospital. Dole regained much of his movement, but his

the State of the Union address days later. Limbaugh’s show began 33 years

arms never fully recovered. After his passing, many

ago with only 56 radio stations; it grew to become the most listened-to radio

noted that Dole was an “American statesman.” Presi-

show in the country, airing on more than 600 stations. Limbaugh, with his

“among the greatest of the Greatest Generation.”

bombastic views, was both beloved by his listeners and reviled by his detrac-

dent Biden said that he was

tors. Up to 27 million people tuned in on a weekly basis – Limbaugh lovingly referred to his passionate fan base as “Dittoheads.” Limbaugh was unabashed in his love for America and his passion for American exceptionalism. “We stood for the concepts that are in our Declaration of Independence: Right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. We stood for that, and we were the beacon for it, and to this day that is why the oppressed of the world still seek to come into this country,” he once explained. In a rousing speech to CPAC in 2009, Limbaugh told the audience, “We

love people. When we look out over the United States of America…when we see a group of people, such as this or anywhere, we see Americans. We see human beings…. What we see … is potential…. We believe that person can be the best he or she wants to be.”

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2 0 2 1 R . I . P.

Larry King Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in Brooklyn, NY, Larry King frequented most of America’s living rooms for decades with his nightly interviews and relaxed style. His trademark suspenders, thick glasses, and rolled-up sleeves made him seem comfortable with any person with whom he was chatting – presidents, authors, actors, or villains. His interviews seemed casual, barely scripted, and made his guests feel at ease. When King retired a few years ago, he had taped more than 6,000 episodes of “Larry King Live.” “I

love what I do,” he once said. “I love asking questions. I love doing interviews.” On January 23, King passed away at the age of 87.

Colin Powell A statesman, diplomat, U.S. Army oﬃcer, politician, and secretary of

Beverly Cleary

state, Colin Powell wore many hats

For seven decades, Beverley Cleary wrote

and fulﬁlled many roles during his

scores of books for children with loveable

lifetime. On October 18, the ﬁrst

characters including Ramona Quimby and

black secretary of state passed away

Henry Huggins. On March 25, the popular

at the age of 84. Powell served as

children’s author died at 104 in northern Cal-

national security advisor under

ifornia. Cleary had ﬁrst trained as a librarian.

Ronald Reagan and became the

She started writing when a boy at the library

youngest and ﬁrst black chairman

asked her, “Where

of the Joint Chiefs of Staﬀ under

100 birthday, Cleary quipped about turning a century, “Well, I didn’t do it on purpose!” She

President George H.W. Bush. He

said she was most proud of “the fact that children love my books.”

are the books about kids like us?” In an interview celebrating her

became a household name after the U.S.-led victory during the Gulf War. But his popularity waned when he pushed for the United Nations to advocate for the Iraq War.

“There can be no doubt,” Powell warned, “that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more.” He later called that moment in time a “blot” on this record. Later in life, Powell turned away from the Republican Party and used his political capi-

Bernie Madoff While serving a 150-year prison sentence in federal prison, infamous Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff, whose name will forever be synonymous with fraud, died on April 14. He was 82. Madoff was the mastermind behind the $20 billion Ponzi scheme that all came to a crashing halt on December 11, 2008, one day after Madoff’s sons told authorities that their father had confessed that his asset management firm was “one big lie.” Madoff had petitioned courts for early release in February 2020, saying that he had terminal

tal to help Barack Obama win the

kidney failure. His request was denied because Madoff’s

White House.

in scope and magnitude.”

crime was “unprecedented

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2 0 2 1 R . I . P.

Donald Rumsfeld Donald Rumsfeld, whose career was colored by the Iraq War, died this year on June 29 at the age of 88. He had served as defense secretary under two presidents: President Gerald Ford and President George W. Bush. Critics said that he and Dick Cheney pushed for U.S. entry into Iraq after the 9/11 attacks but never had a plan with how to extradite the army and support a new government after toppling Saddam Hussein. His detractors also held him responsible for the abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. In a most famous quote, Rumsfeld told reporters, while speaking about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, “There are known knowns;

there are things we know, we know. We also know there are known unknowns, that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

John McAfee You’re probably using his antivirus software to make sure no Russian hackers are attempting to steal your identity. This year, John McAfee, founder of the eponymous software company, died on June 23 at 75. He had been awaiting extradition in a Spanish prison after being charged with tax evasion in the U.S. last year and was found dead in his cell. McAfee lived an interesting life. He once said that hackers would attempt to target him because of his antivirus software, viewing him as a “badge of honor” to hack. As such, he would have other people buy computers for him, would use pseudonyms for logins, and would change his IP address a few times a day. When

asked one time if he used his own antivirus software, he replied, “I take it off… It’s too annoying.” He once said he had 47 children.

Sheldon Adelson When Sheldon Adelson passed away on January 12 at the age of 87, then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted, “Many, many among the Jewish people, in the State

of Israel, and in the whole world, share in this heavy mourning. Sheldon’s great efforts to strengthen Israel’s position in the United States and to strengthen the connection between Israel and the Diaspora will be remembered for generations.” Indeed, the billionaire used vast sums of money to underwrite Birthright Israel, connecting unaﬃliated Jews to the Holy Land. He owned Israel Hayom, the largest daily newspaper by circulation in the Jewish state. And he donated generously to Yad Vashem to keep the lessons of the Holocaust alive. Back in the U.S., the casino mogul and his wife Miriam poured more than $215 million into federal super PACs in the past two years and into Republican-aligned causes. In 2016, Adelson wrote in a Washington Post piece urging Americans to unite behind candidate Donald Trump, “You may not like Trump’s style or what he says on Twitter, but this country needs strong executive leadership more today than at almost any point in its history.” He then donated $20 million to a super PAC supporting Trump’s candidacy, becoming the largest individual contributor to the president’s inaugural committee, donating $5 million. In a statement after Adelson’s passing, Trump said that the world “lost a great man” and that Adelson will be “missed.” He added that Sheldon “lived the true American dream.”

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Teen Talk

By Rabbi Doniel Drandoff, LMFT

Dear Teen Talk,

Teen Talk , column in

a new

TJH, is geared to wards the teens in o ur commu nity. Answered by a rotati ng roster of teachers, rebbeim, clinicians , an d peers (!), te ens will b e hearing answers to many que stions the had perco y lating in th eir minds wished th an d ey had th e answers for.

I am 16 years old and have five younger siblings. I have always been what the world would consider a “good kid.” I do what I am told. I am studious and responsible and have always helped with my siblings. The problem is that I can’t seem to get my parents’ attention! I mean, they love me and will always help me if I need them. But my siblings just take so much of their energy and time. I have all kinds of worries and challenges and I don’t feel like my parents care enough to notice. Maybe if I had acted out like my 14-year-old brother does I would get more attention. How can I get my parents to notice me?

Answer:

Wow! You sound like every parent’s dream! A mature, responsible, young man who takes life seriously and is interested in his parents’ advice and attention. Although being so mature seems like it hasn’t really worked out in your favor, I assure you that it has. We simply have to learn new ways of reaching out and seeking help, because the wisdom that is expressed in your question is a tool that will serve you very well in life. Don’t think for a second that you would be better oﬀ if you would “act out.” You are strong and caring and smart, and you have a track record of making good decisions. Let’s make sure that those amazing qualities are used to further your mission in life

and, with lots of siyata dishmaya, secure the best future possible! So, how do you get your parents attention without the beneﬁt of the easy, attention-grabbers such as acting out and misbehaving? Before answering your question, I want to note a few points from your question that stick out to me. As the oldest of six, you must have found yourself in a helping position from a fairly young age. I imagine that in some ways you have been like a third parent to some (all??) of your siblings. How many diapers have you changed? How many bottles have you fed? Do you feel the weight of this as a burden? As a responsibility? Being the oldest sibling in a large family almost always comes with certain realities – extra

tasks and chores and duties to fulﬁll. This can build character and become a great strength as you become a young adult. However, you also need the space to be a teen who has a social life and hobbies. You need to make sure that you are taking care of yourself and that you see yourself as worthy of happiness of your own. Do you take the time to consider your own joy and enjoyment? Do you have friends that you enjoy spending time with? You can’t be living day after day as a 16-year-old going on 40. If you ignore yourself and your needs now, when you are 40, and you are responsible for your own family, you may feel worn down and worn out. Or you may begin to develop assumptions about

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responsibilities that are a bit distorted. You must be a teen during these teenage years. This doesn’t mean you should make trouble, chas v’shalom. However, it does mean that you must see yourself as a person separate from those who rely upon you. So go out with friends. Pick up a book. Play ball. Whatever enjoyable healthy outlets are available to you, seek them out! Now, on a diﬀerent note, let’s talk about your relationship with your parents. On one hand, you say that they care about you and love you. On the other hand, you say that you don’t feel that they care enough to notice your needs. I want to highlight the seem-

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.

towards your parents for all the help you have provided with your siblings. From the sound of things, there are some resentments, and, if that is the case, the best thing would be to air that out. Now, you have to be respectful and mindful of all that they have done for you. So, when approaching them, it must be handled with care. Keep your goal clear: you want to express your appreciation for all they do,

One of the biggest - and most natural mistakes that humans make in relationships is waiting for their loved one to intuit or recognize that something is wrong. ing contradiction here. Not to call you out, but to bring the truth to light. The truth is that people often have conflicting feelings. Two feelings that seem to contradict each other. I want you to know that that is completely normal! You feel your parents’ love, and at the very same time you feel that they don’t care! In truth, you know that they care. But it can definitely feel as though they do not. So, the real question is: how do you tap into that love and care that you know your parents have for you and gain their much-needed attention? The first thing I would like you to consider is if you have any resentments

while at the same time communicating that it has been a challenge to maintain your high level of familial responsibility. I have a feeling that this would open up a great deal for you and your relationship with your parents. If it is approached in a truly respectful way, you may ﬁnd that this alone will be the ultimate answer to your conundrum. I now want to turn to another aspect of the challenge you are facing. Based on your question my assumption is that your parents have no idea that you are struggling. They see a diligent young man who is respectful, doing well in school, and, seemingly,

happy. I doubt they have any idea that you have so much on your mind. Additionally, since you are their oldest, they really don’t know what to expect. Seriously! Your parents have no experience parenting teens! You are the one they are learning on. So teach them. One of the biggest – and most natural – mistakes that humans make in relationships is waiting for their loved one to intuit or recognize that something is wrong. The belief is that: if they really loved me, they would know I’m hurting. Now, of course, it feels good when we see that our loved ones can pick up on our subtle cues. However, this waiting game is a recipe for disaster and often leads to serious resentment and anger. This type of dynamic often plays out in marriage as well, and it leaves the hurt spouse in an ever-growing state of pain and resentment. The good news is that by communicating your feelings you can get exactly what you’re looking for. This is true in all relationships, and it is a great lesson to learn as a teen. If you have something on your mind, something which you need support to manage, don’t wait for someone to notice. Reach out and lean on the people who care about you! You have two loving parents who, I have no doubt, want to help you however they can. By reaching out to them you will not only be able to access the support that you need, but you will also build a bridge to your parents which will strengthen your bond with them. The value of that cannot be overstated.

Rabbi Doniel Drandoff is a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in the Five Towns/Far Rockaway community, as well as Clinical Director of My Extended Family. He works with teens, young adults, families, and couples. You can reach Rabbi Drandoff at Dndrandoff@gmail.com.

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Dating Dialogue

What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

I would like to ask the panel about shadchanus. Everyone talks about getting involved in shidduchim, and I really wanted to do my part, since I just got married a couple years ago. I, baruch Hashem, made my first shidduch, which I worked really hard on. Getting the couple to go out was 80% of the battle, but I really saw the shidduch as a good one and encouraged it consistently. After four dates, they took things on their own, and although I checked in to see how things were going, they seemed to want to handle a lot of the “nitty gritty” stuff within the relationship with another woman. It seems that at a certain point when she saw it going well, she had taken on the shidduch hands-on in order to take credit for it as the shadchan. I am very happy for my couple who seems to be doing well, but I know all the halachos of shadchanus, and that other woman, although she could have billed for “coaching,” should never have been given shadchanus. And as it seems, she had actually demanded it – half the shadchanus to be exact. They ended up giving me a small token of appreciation after the wedding, which was split with this other woman. I can’t help but feel bad about it. Now I know why people shy away from doing this – it’s so time-consuming and draining only to have the end payment snatched away. I am sure this has happened to others as well and would be interested to hear the Navidaters thoughts. Can I say something to the young couple? Should I say something? Why are there no clear rules and guidelines that rabbis make sure shadchanim are properly paid? Thanks, Dena

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 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.

here are halachos about shadchanus, as you said. I believe there are also mentions in halacha about people who still have feelings about the shadchanus that they feel they were owed. Discuss this with your local Orthodox rabbi. Rabbis are not investigators, for your information. It is not their obligation to check on whether proper shadchanus was given in every shidduch in their kehillah. However, your bitterness needs to be examined. You didn’t do this just for the money. People suggest shid-

duchim to do good like Hashem does good. You did this out of the goodness of your heart. The reward is heavenly and lifelong. If you can’t “fargin” and remain bitter, you need to really look in the mirror. Do you fargin other people their nice homes, their vacations, their good kids? Can you not overlook something that was perhaps unfair, practically and halachically? Don’t you want Hashem to overlook some things that you may have done that were not right? Learn to be big, not petty. You will be a stronger, more resilient person if you learn the skill of overlooking wrongs and perceived wrongs. You will also be happier as a farginner.

The Shadchan Michelle Mond

our question resonates with me, and many of my shadchan friends, more than you can imagine! So firstly, thank you for being a validating voice. I will answer your question as if I am talking to singles, and to this woman who took away half of your shadchanus, because I believe this topic is an important one indeed. Successful shadchanim, whether they are professional (do it for a living) or dabblers (do it here and there) have one thing in common. They have a niche for tapping into a higher realm which Hakadosh Baruch Hu has cre-

ated. Akin to a soundwave that can be heard by some, shadchanim and people who make matches on the side have been given a gift of intuition to “see” what many people cannot. Some people have a chush (talent) for math, some people have a chush for puzzles, some people have a chush for science, and we have a chush for shidduchim. Now comes the hard part. What if you have a chush for something that is direly needed within the frum community, however, it is so utterly time-consuming and draining yet there is no payment for it? Similar to the viral news recently highlighting the need for female teachers to receive higher wages, however, in the shadchan’s case: there are no wages. What if you cannot possibly hold

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down another job while doing shidduchim full-time? So you either don’t give the frum community what they need (help with shidduchim, which you clearly have a talent and niche for) and instead focus on your 9-5. Or you are moser nefesh by giving up your proper 9-5 and devote yourself to shidduchim (not likely to ever happen). Or, you can be a dabbler and decide to do it sporadically (a disservice for our singles but what you realistically must do), when you have the free time, only. But what if you have a real talent for it and are super successful? What about all the people who need you? Is that fair? Is it fair for frum society to create a need for shadchanim and then b’davka not compensate them? This is where hakaras hatov comes in. There is a halacha in the Torah to give your shadchan “shadchanus,” a monetary gift, according to the going rate in your community. Just for transparency here, I will mention that the lowest “going rate” in any community I have heard of is $2,000 total. Split $1K and $1K from both the man and the woman’s sides, respectively. I personally know people who have given $3K from each side, and upwards way more than that. But I wrote above the lowest “going rate” so people can understand what bare minimum means in terms of average shadchanus. If this amount was broken up into the hours this shadchan had spent on the match, including searching for matches for you, helping you through ups and downs (sometimes even working as a photographer, date planner, therapist, and go between in the middle of upwards 3-4 different people at a time) and calculated the timing, she/he would be making much less than minimum wage. This is really why, at the end of the day, it is considered a “gift” – because there is truly no monetary compensation one could give that is equal to the job a shadchan has as a service of being Hashem’s Helper to bring a person their soulmate. You are absolutely correct that a shadchan must be given the full shadchanus. Even if he/she was merely asked to be the go between – and

kal v’chomer if she put her heart and soul into working on shidduchim for you in general which eventually landed in finding you your bashert for which she was shadchan. Someone who takes on the role of being a coach should charge a separate fee up-front and never ever have the audacity to ask for half of the amount owed to the shadchan. Someone who has a suggestion and gives it over to a shadchan to handle is also giving over the “rights” to the shadchan, and the shadchan should be paid in full for shadchanus. Now, Dena, for the purpose of answering your particular questions. You should ask the rav of this particular couple how you should handle it directly, regarding what you are owed. Perhaps there is a fund this couple’s shul can tap into if the situation now with the other woman is too sticky to get involved. There are many stories revolving lack of appreciation in a shidduch which lead to unfortunate events, in which big rabbanim were consulted and replied, “Was proper shadchanus given?” This is something big on both a spiritual and middos level on the couples’ end. One would never think of holding back payment from the wedding florist or decide that covering hair is a mitzvah so it must be justified to stiff the sheitel macher and keep the brand name wig along with the $5,000 owed and use the money instead to pay for a Hummer limousine after the wedding. That would never fly and would end in a din Torah. So why is the same mindset not taken into account when paying a shadchan? I hope and pray you are rewarded in Olam Hazeh and Olam Haba for your tremendous efforts bringing singles together in klal Yisroel. Thank you for your important question.

your joy of successfully making a shidduch. I remember thinking that making a shidduch must be one of the greatest achievements a person can do (other than having a baby and saving a life). I strongly believe that negative details that interfere with bracha are an exact reflection of what galus is. G-d has given you the opportunity to be a shaliach for something miraculous. We are not judged on our success but the efforts we have invested. I am confident that the nature of you handling this experience will bring so much blessing, clarity, and insight into your life. I share my approach with humility, understanding that I have little experience in this field. However, I do believe that our culture has influenced many moments of simcha with negative details that seem important short-term but are truly irrelevant long-term. One of my mentors once taught me, “Much of our stress comes from bracha.” People will complain about the stress of a wedding, the exhaustion from hosting a family, the challenges of child-rearing, the hectic day at work…and so on. We desire blessing and success, and then complain from the “stress” that it brings. It’s more than just “focusing on the good.” It’s focusing on emes, the truth. The more we focus on what really matters, the less stressed, upset, and dissatisfied we will be. I understand that you may feel you deserved something else, but I encourage you to focus on the longterm bracha that this invaluable opportunity will bring into your life.

The Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler

The Single Tzipora Grodko

ey Dena, Thank G-d, I can relate to

My wife was the office manager in my dental practice and, years ago, we actually succeeded in making two shidduchim among our patients. We were so happy for them. We refused, of course, to accept any money from the happy couples. We did, however,

There is truly no monetary compensation one could give that is equal to the job a shadchan has as a service of being Hashem’s Helper to bring a person their soulmate.

consider placing a newspaper ad, saying, “Come to our dental office. We fill all the gaps in your life.” By contrast, when providing dental treatment, we always made sure that the patients understood, beforehand, what their fees and payment schedules would be. What I’m trying to say is that you need to decide: Will you be acting as a shadchan in order to do a good deed, help people, and get a nice mitzvah, or will you be doing this in order to make a living? Being a shadchan today is not a simple or easy job. It certainly involves a lot more than simply suggesting to Chaim that he should call Rivka for a date. A successful shadchan must invest an awful lot of time and effort, spend countless hours on the phone, do a lot of psychological hand-holding, and be available at all hours for gut-wrenching phone calls. Accordingly, there are halachas that require that the shadchanus fee be paid before a wedding is allowed to commence. However, it’s certainly understandable that many couples, who weren’t told differently beforehand, will show their gratitude and fulfill their halachic obligations with a nice Thank You card and a cake platter gift.

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So, learn from this experience. If you want to be a professional shadchan and do so for a living, you need to act like a businesswoman, and, at the very beginning, make your fees crystal-clear to your prospective clients. It’s probably a good idea to consult with other shadchanim in order to learn how to conduct the business

professionally and responsibly. Some of your future colleagues might jealously guard their procedures and not wish to share with a future competitor. But, I know that in dentistry, established dentists are happy to share their knowledge and experiences with young colleagues who are just starting out. You need to find an established

Pulling It All Together

and respected shadchan who can mentor you. I asked a successful, local shadchan about the fee that was unfairly taken from you. She said: “This also happened to me. Even though I spent my blood, sweat, and tears with a couple, another person swooped in and expected half the shadchanus fee. I told myself that if I was not going to be get my reward in this world, I would gladly take it as an “IOU” in the next world. That helped me work through the unfair

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We desire blessing and success, and then complain from the “stress” that it brings.

feeling. Hashem gives the ultimate rewards for this mitzvah.” Tizki L’mitzvot!

The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

hank you for writing into our column. While most of the readership are not shadchanim, I believe many will relate to your feeling of having been swindled. We experience this at a very young age when we are assigned to a group project in class and we put in our all, only to have another child somehow take credit for our work. We experience this in the workplace, when a coworker takes credit for an assignment that we completed at a private lunch with the boss! And sometimes, we simply do not get paid by someone who owes us money for our hard-earned work. None of this is fair. While this woman may have helped the couple navigate their budding relationship, let it go on record (here in TJH) that you are the shadchan. You made the shidduch. I’m so sorry this happened to you. If you have any halachic questions concerning shadchanus, or as Michelle mentioned, any concerns

about the ramifications of shadchanus on the couple, I would encourage you to speak with a Rabbi. Perhaps there is a clear cut way to handle this and your problem will be solved. Halacha aside, I believe you may be personally happier letting this go and also beginning to think about how you want to structure your wonderful service you provide to Jewish singles. Holding on to this is just not good for you, emotionally or physically. Whatever it would take for you personally to release this from your mind and your life, do that. Whether it is believing this money was never meant for you (bigger picture) or journaling about your feelings, release this from your life. If you are angry about this (understandably! and P.S., most of us ladies do not

like to admit we are angry to others or ourselves), then go to a secluded area in nature and scream. Just scream it out. Sometimes (especially as women), we are taught that we are not allowed to be angry, and we are shamed for this feeling. We are taught to stifle this emotion. But anger is a feeling, just like any other. And when we stifle it, it comes out in all sorts of interesting and painful ways. We are allowed to feel anger, and we should allow ourselves to feel it; not to sit in it, but to experience it so we can rid ourselves of it (so we don’t do passive aggressive things or have severe anxiety, etc.). If you’re angry, find your voice and scream. “I’m angry that this woman took from me what was mine! And I am allowed to have my feelings!” Every now and then, when we give ourselves permission to feel something, that something has a tendency of loosening its grip.

As hard as it is, focusing on the lesson(s) you learned from this situation may also be helpful toward releasing it. I don’t know the first thing about being a shadchan, but I am wondering if there is a way to make it clear to people you work with about your financial expectations should you make a successful match. While I can see some people being turned off by your respectful and kind, but clear boundaries, I can also see that many others might appreciate knowing what to expect as it takes the guesswork out. You get to figure out what works for you! And as long as your expectations are reasonable, you will then get to choose who you want to work with and who you don’t want to work with. Mazal tov on making this shidduch! And thank you for all you do! 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

“We Want to be Heard!” By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

“T

his is how it goes, Dr. Deb,” Suzanne was telling me. (All stories are made up.) “We each have a big ego, and we each think that what we have to say is important. So we start saying it. Except no one gets heard. And instead of quieting down, it just escalates. Always.” What’s so interesting about this is that Suzanne and her husband know what’s happening – and they can’t stop it. But, see, this has nothing to do with intelligence. Not even emotional intelligence. This has to do with the automatic reaction to being triggered. We all have it. It was built into us for survival purposes. It is located in the amygdala of our brains and is meant to warn us of danger. Except that where human interaction is concerned, it can become just a tad over-reactive. Why? For each person, there could be different reasons. Let’s take a look at Suzanne and her husband, Dan, first.

Couple #1: Suzanne and Dan Suzanne came from a large family, mostly of older boys. The boys were strong-minded and had a lot to say. The children came one after the other, and by the time Suzanne appeared,

her parents didn’t have much energy to cater to her wants and needs. She wasn’t exactly ignored; she got what children should have. Someone asked if she’d done her homework every night – but then again, no one checked, and she could lie and not get found out. As a result, she did not do very well in school. No one seemed bothered by it, either – except Suzanne. She wasn’t exactly bothered; I should correct that: she simply came to the conclusion that she wasn’t very smart. (There was no reality testing here. I’ve had a lot of clients who for different reasons came to the false conclusion that they weren’t smart due to mishandling their performance in school.) But when she met Dan, things changed. He was actually interested in her and in her ideas. It was glorious! Like an addict, she couldn’t get enough of being heard and validated by Dan. Dan grew up in a different kind of environment. His mom had passed away when he was young. He was a sad little boy with no one there to give him the extra comfort that only a mother can give. His father was too preoccupied with his own sadness to do much for Dan. So Dan remained a quiet kid, wanting to connect and having just a

few close friends with whom he could hit a ball around on a grassy field. When Dan met Suzanne, she seemed so interested in him, so alive, so full of great thoughts, it really perked him up that she was happy to share all that with him. He loved that. But years have a funny way of calling out from us the things in us that we need to pay more attention to. Dan began to wonder why this lovely woman was not as interested in him as he was in her and not interested as much in his ideas as he was in hers. He was depressed and started to see an individual therapist who encouraged him to be more assertive. (This is a great example of where a therapist really should understand the ecology of the system in which she is tinkering. In theory, helping Dan be assertive is great – in fact, it is the last module in my couples course. Notice, I say “last” because before that, each person individually needs the selflove to heal from past pain rather than the unrealistic expectation that their spouse is there to supply what their parents didn’t.) Suzanne’s conclusion was wrong. Neither she nor Dan had big egos. On the contrary, they were each wounded and needed healing from the traumas of childhood that they had experienced.

Couple #2 Sheryl and David Sheryl’s parents could not get pregnant. They tried everything for years. Then one day, magic happened, and Sheryl came into their lives. Needless to say, they doted on her. She could do no wrong because they just delighted so much in who she was that they totally left behind any discipline whatsoever. She was quite popular in school. She was always the ringleader with a troop of followers. But Sheryl never learned how to compromise, how to listen, and how to be part of as opposed to all of. Because she was bright and pretty, that didn’t seem to matter much. She also never learned the skills of pushing ahead towards a goal or, in fact, doing anything. She did not know what she wanted to do once she was out of college. David and his brothers got ridden hard by immigrant parents who pushed their children to succeed against all odds. They all three did, indeed, become successful professionals. David was used to leadership and getting listened to. When he succeeded, that was as it “should” be so there was no reason for him to receive compliments. When he failed – well, he simply knew that was not an option. It’s interesting how children learn on an unconscious level what

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

is and is not tolerated in their family. But he was lonely. “It can’t be all me,” he thought. There was a hunger inside him to have a partner who somehow added to whatever it was that he was. After all, if he could not fail, did that mean that if he did fail, he’d be worthless? Deep inside, he was not quite sure if he was worthy of love for being just “David.” Sheryl was the spark of light that he wanted. She had this freedom about her because she never had to toe the mark. She was happy and fun since no one ever had expected anything of her. And she admired David tremendously for all that he had achieved. Achievements were not in her vocabulary for herself, but she needed them from someone else or how would she survive? The marriage went well for some years until David took a risk to achieve something even greater in the world of business – and failed. He wondered if he would still be loved now. It didn’t take long to find out.

s t ay c a t I o n s

It’s not that Sheryl couldn’t have loved him, but as she said to her shrink, “That is not what I bargained for when I married David.” And on top of it, she would have to go to work which was totally scary to her.

the arguments come from. None of them are about ego. They’re about being scared of the future, uncertain of who they are, hurt children inside in need of nurturing, unclear on how to set boundaries, and so on.

Arguments serve the great purpose of keeping people from moving ahead to scary territory.

Instead of appreciating the opportunity to learn and grow from the troubles that arose in the marriage, they argued about it. Arguments serve the great purpose of keeping people from moving ahead to scary territory.

So, Therefore… I could come up with dozens of different scenarios to illustrate where

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While it is absolutely true that a spouse can add incredible joy, kindness, validation, support, and love to a person’s life, it’s always best to use the bumps in the road as warning signs to do inner healing rather than blaming a partner for not being what you thought they were. It is only when that work is more or less on track that a couple should come together to share

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their vulnerability so that they can reform their connection. None of these people are “bad” and neither are most people, even those governed so much by fear that their demands and behavior lean toward the irrational. But like most of us who enter into an imperfect world, we can use some help with parts of us that were neglected, injured, or given too loud a voice or not enough of one. With inner healing comes the desire to grow even more, including accepting upon oneself one’s limitations, stretching to be more and better, humility, compassion, consideration, and courtesy. Interestingly, out of this kind of fertile soil, deep love for a partner, the in-love kind, can grow.

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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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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

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Dedicated by Mr. & Mrs. Yaakov & Rivky Jacobovitch

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Health & F tness

Foods to Lift You Out of the Blues By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

f you are beginning to feel the winter blues as the temperatures drop, understand that you are not alone. Millions of people experience this each year, and it can significantly affect their energy levels, mood, and focus. Proper nutrition can be very beneficial to combat these feelings. There is a strong connection between food and a person’s mood. The saying “you are what you eat” is also related to the food and mood connection. Food affects neurotransmitter action, and changes in neurotransmitters are responsible for changes in moods. Eating a wholesome diet filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is very important. Choosing lean proteins, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and complex carbohydrates will provide you with the energy you need to fight seasonal depression.

How to beat the winter blues 1. Consume a diet full of nutrients. Eating foods like poultry, legumes, meat, and dairy can aid in dopamine and norepinephrine

release. Dopamine is our pleasure hormone and norepinephrine has an impact on our “fight or flight” response. Eating whole-grain bread, whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and legumes can fight seasonal depression because they will ensure your body has the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary for adequate energy and a positive mood. Eating foods like dark leafy greens, spinach, mustard greens, or collard greens can be instrumental in decreasing seasonal affective disorder, another name for seasonal depression. Foods high in protein and rich in complex carbohydrates can increase your concentration and better your mood. Research has shown that depression and diet may be related. Studies found that people who ate poorly were more likely to have symptoms of depression. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a clean and nutritious diet to manage seasonal depression symptoms. 2. Exercise. Exercising regularly is a great way to fight seasonal depression. Working out can boost serotonin and endorphins, the hap-

py chemicals in your body. Serotonin is a mood stabilizer hormone, while endorphins help your body relax and provide pain relief. Exercise will also distract you from worrying and spending too much time in a cycle of negative thoughts. Aerobic exercise such as walking, biking, running, and swimming significantly increase serotonin production in the body. As your heart rate rises, endorphins are released in the brain. Doing 30 minutes of exercise 3-5 days each week will help with adequate serotonin production and will support a good mood. When you physically exert yourself, your body releases feel good hormones that can drastically better your mood. Other workouts that have been shown to reduce stress include boxing, cycling, and dancing. The role exercise plays in mental health is that it stimulates parts of the brain that aren’t very responsive when going through a type of depression. The social aspect of going to the gym or fitness class, or the distraction aspect can be helpful for those going through seasonal depression.

3. Prioritize sleep. Although depression can trigger sleep problems, trying your best to get enough sleep is very important. Healthy sleep is essential for overall health. It is important to balance emotions and your mood. Taking natural supplements like melatonin may be beneficial if you are struggling with sleep due to seasonal depression because it helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Sunlight signals your brain that it is time to be awake. Unfortunately, during the winter months, there is less sunlight which can negatively affect your body’s clock. This can result in being overly fatigued. Therefore, getting seven to eight hours each night of quality sleep is so important. Even if you are struggling with insomnia, a few steps can ensure you get a better night’s sleep. Creating a bedtime routine, going to sleep and waking at the same time each day, and shutting down your phone an hour before bed can ensure that you have a restful sleep. Additionally, make sure your room is dark, because the light is stimulating and can keep you awake.

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4. Increase foods rich in folate. Folate plays a role in the synthesis and regulation of serotonin. Serotonin is the happy hormone that combats anxiety and contributes to a good mood. Good sources of folate include leafy greens, oranges, avocado, asparagus, whole grains, and brussels sprouts. There is a correlation between low folate levels and depression. Therefore, eating foods rich in folate can be very helpful to manage seasonal depression. 5. Consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon or tuna, to reduce depression. This is because the omega-3 fatty acids travel through the brain cell membrane and interact with mood-related molecules in the brain. Other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed oil, walnut oil, canola oil, cod, halibut, and spinach. They can improve a person’s mood. If you do not consume a lot of fish or oils, ask your doctor if an omega-3 fish oil supplement would be beneficial for you. 6. Eat complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates assist with serotonin production and choosing complex carbohydrates will release energy to the body slowly and more controlled. When people are going through the winter blues, they tend to crave more carbs. Choosing complex carbs, like seeds, legumes, and whole grains, will give you sustained energy. 7. Eat foods high in tryptophan. Tryptophan is an important amino acid that can lift your mood by increasing serotonin levels. Eat foods such as turkey, chicken, cheese, milk, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. Tryptophan can also be useful by not only helping you to fall asleep but ensuring that you sleep for a longer period of time. Those dealing with the winter blues tend to have difficulty with staying asleep as well. 8. Increase foods rich in magnesium. Magnesium relaxes blood vessels and is shown to deal with anxiety. Additionally, magnesium facilitates chemical conversions in the body that help with serotonin and melatonin production, which are essential for a positive mood. Foods high in magnesium include potatoes, chia seeds, almonds, and

spinach. If it is difficult for you to consume enough magnesium solely with food, consider taking a magnesium supplement. It is also a good idea to take the magnesium supplement at night because it will help

cortisol is released. Stress aggravates depression symptoms and can have a negative effect on people dealing with seasonal depression. Eating foods like berries will prevent the release of cortisol. As previously mentioned, exercise and

Exercise will also distract you from worrying and spending too much time in a cycle of negative thoughts.

combat the seasonal blues-induced insomnia and result in better sleep. 9. Increase vitamin D. Research has shown that there is a correlation between low levels of vitamin D and depression. Foods like dairy products, shitake mushrooms, egg yolks, and salmon are great natural sources of vitamin D. Taking a vitamin D supplement during the winter when there is less sun could be beneficial. 10. Increase vitamin B12. Increasing vitamin B12 levels is important for seasonal depression because B vitamins help the brain manage moods. Foods like fish, eggs, low-fat dairy, chicken, and beef have high levels of vitamin B12. 11. Consume enough probiotics. Research has shown that gut health and mental health are very much connected. Probiotics have been proven to lessen depression in patients. This is because a healthy gut can produce the serotonin levels necessary for a happy and stable mood. Eat foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kombucha, or yogurt to increase probiotics. It is also a good idea to find a quality probiotic to take as a supplement. Tip: store your probiotics in the refrigerator. 12. Choose lean proteins. Lean proteins have a lot of amino acids, which could contribute to a positive mood. They are also a great source of energy, which can fight fatigue caused by the winter blues. 13. Lower cortisol levels. Stress and depression aren’t a good combination. When a person is stressed,

adequate magnesium will also help fight stress. Seasonal depression, or the winter blues, can be overwhelming and frustrating. Making sure you eat healthfully and exercise will do wonders. Getting quality sleep, consuming enough vitamins and

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minerals, and eating enough food will reduce your symptoms. Folate, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12 magnesium, tryptophan, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates will reduce symptoms and enhance your mood, each in its own way. Additionally, taking a good quality probiotic or choosing foods rich in probiotics will keep your immune system strong during this time. This, in turn, will promote a healthy mental state because of the gut-brain connection. Reducing areas of stress in your life and finding and focusing on the things in life that make you happy will assist you in getting through this time.

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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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Parenting Pearls

Respecting Differences By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

ecently, there was a letter to the editor regarding issues with carpooling. The author mentioned some interesting points, including the issue of his/her child being shown material that wasn’t to their family’s standards. For me, this brought up the interesting discussion about respecting each other’s values and how we educate our children to understand differences with their peers. I think this issue is even more important to discuss today as we live in an increasingly polarized society. We’ve always had different opinions being expressed but I don’t recall it being so black and white, right and wrong. The idea of “agreeing to disagree” no longer has meaning. It used to be that you could still recognize the good in another person, even if you didn’t share the same views because their differences didn’t define them. We now see less and less tolerance for others being different and respecting them for, and despite, those differences. Politics is only one of many possible examples. Additionally, it can be confusing to children when their friends do things differently. They can easily assume that one of the families must be acting contrary to halacha because how can they both be correct? How does this affect parenting? We are not immune to the society around us, and this is the external atmosphere we are raising our children in. We can’t deny it because if it exists, then our precious neshamos are being exposed to it. Think of it like air

pollution; you can’t avoid breathing it because it’s all around you, even if you weren’t the one who caused the fumes.

Live and Let Live This is a Jewish family magazine, and as yarei Shamayim we can’t say everything is OK to do and that there is no real truth. There is a real truth, and I won’t deny this important fact. As you read this article, please bear in mind that I am in no way advocating mattiring that which is assur. Whenever I refer to different standards or opinions, I am not including an option that is contrary to the Torah, chas v’shalom. In this article, I am referring exclusively to when there is a difference of minhagim, accepted communal standards or any similar issue; I am not including that which is forbidden. As you read, please keep in mind that I’m not encouraging the attitude of “live and let live” when it’s contrary to the Torah. My ten-foot pole isn’t long enough to tackle that one. It is an important discussion of how to appropriately address when your children see someone not following halacha. Many of us have relatives who are not shomer Shabbos. Often, we find ourselves conversing with someone who isn’t Jewish or frum. How to explain to your child that their beloved relative drives on Shabbos is an issue that many of us have had to deal with. This is a topic all its own but isn’t the purpose of this article.

Shivim Panim There are many ways to live a

Jewish lifestyle. There were 12 Shevatim, each their own path. We are known as a nation with many traditions, many of which are dependent on where our family originated or current community’s expectations. These differences are beautiful and make us unique, all while sharing the same mesorah. I will include just a few examples of where we may see this locally. Pesach is a perfect example because it’s the one time of year when chumros and distinct minhagim are the standard. Some families don’t eat out or purchase processed foods. Some families don’t eat gebrokts, while others, like ours, make matzah meal pancakes and matzah brei mandatory. Some families peel their vegetables, while others limit their variety of produce. It’s fascinating how much has developed over the generations. While many halachic standards are long held minhagim, many families have chosen to take upon themselves to be more strict than they were raised. My father was very close with Rabbi Eliezer Silver, zt”l, and his family lived in the Rav’s home for many years. My father remembers accompanying the Rav to a farm in Indiana to personally supervise his cholov Yisroel milk. Baruch Hashem, times have gotten easier since then and even more families take advantage of the ease of getting cholov Yisroel, pas yisroel and even yoshon and made that their new baseline. Yet other families will rely on the established heterim that exist and are accepted by many of our local rabbonim.

With the ease of access to the internet and the furthered decline of morality, many families have created extra fences to protect their families. Whether it’s limiting the type of music they allow in the house, the types of programs their child may watch, or their freedom to roam the internet, most parents will have made a conscious decision of what is and isn’t allowed for their family.

Explain the Issue Kids are black and white thinkers and have trouble understanding that there can be more than one right away. While we know there are shivim panim to the Torah, kids often can’t see more than one. It’s so hard to explain that there can be many minhagim, all of which are legitimate. Rashi, Rambam and Ramban may all disagree with each other yet are all correct. Understanding this reality is complicated enough for adults but it’s near impossible for the concrete-thinking child. You’re bound to have times that your child is exposed to someone with a different standard than yours. Taking the time to respectfully explain both sides can go a long way in helping children assimilate the information. Often, there is no right and wrong. It’s best to use uncomplicated language that your child will understand. The neighbor that eats gebrokts on Pesach isn’t wrong, and the family that abstains from gebrokts isn’t crazy; each is following their own minhag. The family that doesn’t eat gebrokts on Purim prob-

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

ably has dietary restrictions. As an example, we had a difficult time explaining to our children that we keep cholov Yisroel, but our neighbor doesn’t. We first had to explain that the neighbor isn’t eating treif (ignoring the actual definition of “treifus”). After they got used to the idea of our neighbors again being kosher Jews, we had to then explain to our kids why they can’t have the chocolate bar if it’s kosher enough for the other family. It took a number of conversations to appropriately explain things, but they now understand it pretty clearly. Recently, when someone accidentally sent us something that was cholov stam, our kids immediately asked if they could give it to the neighbors. A different neighbor doesn’t “mish” on Pesach. When I asked if their son could have a snack at our house, I was told their family’s policy but that he could come home and grab his own snack to enjoy in our house. Again, we had to explain to

our children that the little boy wasn’t doubting our Pesach kitchen but was simply following a deeply felt family minhag and that we would accommodate him rather than be offended or not include him.

Ask First Each family has their own stan-

standards rather than making assumptions about their child. Alternatively, it can be very distressful, or even offensive, to another family to find out their standards were compromised. I know it’s annoying but it’s important to verify kashrus and allergy status prior to offering any food. It

These differences are beautiful and make us unique, all while sharing the same mesorah.

dards regarding different issues. Whether it’s kashrus-related such as cholov Yisroel or limitations on media exposure, each family has their own place. It’s a form of respect to first inquire about another family’s

prevents uncomfortable situations if we first inquire if a family permits a certain song, show, or website. What might seem innocent or even educational to one family can be unacceptable to another.

We should try to avoid taking it personally when another family has different standards than ours. It’s not a judgement on us or our family and shouldn’t be taken that way. Whether they are more lenient or more strict, they are who they are and it isn’t intended to reflect negatively on anyone else. It’s a challenge to teach respect for others at any time but even more so as we find society becoming less and less tolerant. By taking the steps to show respect for others, and their differences, within our beautiful community, we can make the effort to ensure our children will grow up with love and dignity for others and for themselves.

Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

In The K

tchen

Top of the Rib Wine Roast By Naomi Nachman

Looking for an easy roast to make for Shabbat? Here is one that I recommend. I found all the necessary ingredients in

can make one and freeze one �mofo (make one freeze one!)

Ingredients

◦ 4-pound top of the rib roast 2 onions, sliced into rings Favorite spice rub (I used Simply Gourmet Chili Lime Rub) Kosher salt to taste 1 cup dry red wine 1 cup ketchup

PHOT O CR EDIT NAOM

fast. Also, this recipe doubles easily � so you

I NACH MA N

my pantry, and the recipe came together so

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. 2. Place onions on the bottom of a roasting pan. 3. Season the roast on all sides with spice rub and salt. Place the meat on top of the onions.

4. In a small bowl, whisk the ketchup and wine and pour the mixture over the meat.

5. Cover pan tightly and bake for 3 hours. 6. After the meat has cooked, cool and slice.

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?!”

Masks are like the Democrats’ MAGA hat. - Joe Rogan

I’m a Fauci groupie. I’m a thrice-vaccinated mask adherent. I buy KN95 masks by the ... caseload. They’re in every pocket. I wear them everywhere except when I sit down. - Nicolle Wallace, host of MSNBC’s “Deadline White House,” describing herself on her Monday night show

There is no federal solution. This gets solved at a state level. – President Biden, whose campaign refrain was” I’m going to shut down the virus!” talking about Covid last week

At stake here is the integrity of women’s sports. The precedent being set — one in which women do not have a protected and equitable space to compete.... It is the responsibility of the NCAA to address the matter with an official statement. - Parents of 10 female swimmers, demanding that the NCAA address the issue of “Lia” Thomas competing as a woman after three seasons of competing as a man

Bodies compete against bodies; identities do not compete against identities. - Cynthia Millen, who resigned in protest over “Lia” Thomas, a mediocre male swimmer who decided to compete on the University of Pennsylvania female swim team this year and won every single race, in an interview on Fox News

Shame on Wu! - Protestors outside Boston City Hall, protesting Mayor Michelle Wu’s vaccine mandate

There has been a twelve percent increase in the positive COVID rate. Even more alarming is that half of those people have no symptoms. - Headline this week on WCBS 880 News

In fact, the U.S.’s COVID-19 vaccines were developed during the Trump administration. Biden has not made any practical moves, which is retrogression. - From an article in China’s state-ran Global Times, titled “‘No federal solution’ sheds light on Biden’s empty promises, poor governance”

Shoot for the stars. - Republican strategist Matt Whitlock in response to President Biden’s chief of staff retweeting an article titled “Let’s be honest: 2021 wasn’t all bad”

Frankly, one of them is our democracy. There is, I think, no question in the minds of people who are foreign policy experts that the year 2021 is not the year 2000. - Vice President Kamala Harris when asked on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” to name the biggest national security challenge facing the U.S.

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Well, right now, what we’re seeing is this massive new wave of fear that is fueling our second pandemic after COVID-19, which is a pandemic of lunacy, which is Omicron. Now, I call it omi-cold. If you look at the epidemiological data, the epicenter is now way down from Omicron. The hospitals have some hospitalizations, not much. They were short. They averaged twoand-a-half days instead of eight days. But a study just came out of the University of Hong Kong telling us that Omicron does not invade the lung tissue that’s deep in the respiratory tract. It stays superficial in the nose and bronchus. So that’s why we’re seeing a common cold-like illness. This new scientific data from the lab explains the epidemiological data and the bedside observation of doctors that this is far more mild, the piece all fits together now, and that’s why I call it omi-cold. - Fox News Medical Contributor and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Professor Dr. Marty Makary on the “Brian Kilmeade Show”

We’ve got to reduce testing in low-risk situations. If you test everyone in the United States, you will find a virus particle in the nose of some fraction of Americans forever. Now, you can continue to do universal testing, like a lot of universities, and continue to sample people and bring them in, and if they test positive, put them in jail for ten or fourteen days. But if you do that with meningococcus, which is a bacteria that causes meningitis, you will find it living in the nose of 10% of the U.S. population. And so we can’t go hunting for a problem that is a very mild or asymptomatic illness. - Ibid.

That’s more than some nurses make, ain’t it? Pretty bogus. I’m out here saving lives, and you’re putting smiley faces on paper.

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

I asked her to stay out. Don’t support me because if you get involved in any way, you’ll get hurt and I don’t want my friends hurt. - Dr. Oz, who is running as a Republican in the Pennsylvania senate race, relating what he told his good friend Oprah Winfrey

While Elise Stefanik is focused on starting culture wars, I’m focused on helping everyday New Yorkians. - Tweet by Democrat Matt Puroti, who is running in upstate New York against Rep Stefanik (R)

A “New Yorkian,” what? Is that a cross between a person who lives in New York and a Yorki Terrier? Was that developed in Wuhan, China, too? - One of many responses on Twitter

Tutu minimized the suffering of those killed in the Holocaust. He has attacked the “Jewish” — not Israeli — “lobby” as too “powerful” and “scary.” He has invoked classic anti-Semitic stereotypes and tropes about Jewish “arrogance,” “power,” and “money.” He has characterized Jews a “peculiar people” and has accused “the Jews” of causing many of the world’s problems. Tutu’s good deeds should not shield him from accountability for his long history of antiJewish bigotry. – Professor and famed attorney Alan Dershowitz in a Newsmax article titled, “Bishop Tutu Was a Dangerous Antisemite”

- One viewer’s response to a viral video by a Costco employee talking about how he makes $29.50 an hour

MORE QUOTES

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Let’s go Brandon, I agree. - President Biden responding to a father participating in an annual White House holiday call, who ended his call by saying to the President, “Let’s go Brandon”

I mean, this is a deep, deep sickness in our democracy. And I don’t know how you address it…There is not a shred of evidence out there that this election was stolen. And, in fact, court after court after court and commission after commission after commission has said no, it’s not. And yet, you get guys like this. I mean, set aside the basic indecency, set aside what it says about our country that people talking to the President of the United States can’t put aside their petty grudges to behave with some respect. This is a cancer. This is a deep, deep cancer on our democracy, Jim. And I really worry about what that means for 2024 and beyond. - Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) on CNN

You sound like a communist demagogue. Prices rise during inflation. Inflation happens when the government prints too much money. - Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) spokesman responding to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) blaming grocery store chains for high grocery prices

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

Political Crossfire

Biden’s Foreign Policy: The Tough Guy vs. the Pussycat By David Ignatius

“I

t’s been quite a year,” allowed Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he began a final 2021 speech on Tuesday – and his face, etched with the fatigue and stress of the past 11 months, told the story. Blinken went on to offer the kind of upbeat valedictory you’d expect at year’s end from Foggy Bottom. But at a time when the United States is being tested as rarely before, it’s important to separate the genuine achievements of the Biden administration from some stunning reversals – and to offer a theory of the case about the ups and downs of our foreign policy. President Joe Biden’s team has gotten one thing right, in spades – its effort to restore America’s global alliances and partnerships after four years of malign neglect under Donald Trump. The United States’ greatest strength abroad is this web of interdependence that Trump had foolishly disdained (or, worse, tried to monetize). Biden began a repair job on day one, and it has mostly been successful – with the notable exception of consultation about Afghanistan. Our strengthened partnerships buffer some of the crises that are festering abroad. NATO is acting like a real alliance again. This past week’s meeting of its military council framed clear, decisive plans for how NATO would respond to a Russian invasion of Ukraine – by moving troops forward toward Russia, not retreating under pressure. The United States is stronger in Asia, too, because of an alliance upgrade. The Quad – linking the United States with Australia, India and Japan in politics, technology and someday, perhaps, military planning – is the best check against Chinese

dominance of Asia. And in terms of hard power, the AUKUS alliance with Australia and Britain to build nuclear submarines and share other military technology might be the most important strategic move in decades. The AUKUS rollout oﬀended France, which wasn’t informed that it would be losing its submarine-building franchise Down Under. But Blinken and others did some hasty and mostly successful repair work. Recent French cooperation in the Ukraine crisis reminds us that they’re a good ally. They get it. Biden’s biggest blunder was the management of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Biden owns that one personally. He was absolutely determined to end America’s longest war, and he’s a stubborn and sometimes irascible man. He got what he wanted, but at a signiﬁcant cost to the image and credibility of the United States. The military and CIA took care of their own on the way out, but the State Department didn’t adequately manage the im-

plosion of the government in Kabul and the foreseeable need to evacuate tens of thousands of Americans and Afghans. Afghanistan was damaging in reputational terms. After Biden’s boasts in June that “America is back,” Kabul showed instead a picture of pell-mell retreat. Adversaries are now testing American resolve – and the sturdiness of those alliances Biden and Blinken have been trying to repair. Russian President Vladimir Putin is pushing for a new Yalta division of Europe by threatening an invasion of Ukraine. Biden’s response has been a sensible combination of seeking to deter an invasion and preparing for the possibility that Putin will roll across the border anyway. That planning includes a bold warning that the United States will support an anti-Russian insurgency if Putin does invade. The Biden team was eager for better relations with Russia, a relationship with more stability and predictability. In that spirit, Blinken has said he’ll talk with Moscow about

anything. But he drew a useful line Tuesday in rejecting Putin’s demand to create a new division for spheres of influence in Europe, a concept that he rightly told reporters “should be relegated to the dustbin of history.” Putin, alas, isn’t the only leader testing Biden’s resolve. Iran is sprinting toward nuclear-weapons capability; China is racing to build a huge nuclear arsenal as well as delivery systems the United States might not be able to track. Talk about destabilization. It’s a wonder that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un hasn’t joined the poke-America festival. My take is that Biden in his first year has proved to be remarkably coldblooded and pragmatic in his foreign policy. For all the backslapping and Irish charm, he is quite unsentimental. Trump talked about pulling out of Kabul; Biden did it. Trump talked about opening a new round of diplomacy with Moscow; Biden did it. The problem is that Biden’s realpolitik engine is mounted atop an administration that stops at every congressional red light – especially those flashed by progressive Democrats. And it’s fueled by a democratic system that is demonstrably failing to produce consensus, which frightens allies and encourages adversaries. Being a realist in foreign policy sometimes means being unpopular and facing criticism for not putting enough stress on values. That Kissingerian space – valuing order and predictability over bromides about democracy – is where you sense Biden wants to be. But there’s a disconnect between the private tough guy and the public pussycat we sometimes see in Biden’s foreign policy. (c) 2021, Washington Post Writers Group

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Political Crossfire

The Navy SEALs By David Ignatius

t might seem like a stretch to view the Navy SEALs, among the most fearsome warriors on the planet, as a story of humility and renewal, but let me explain. Two years ago, the SEALs were near rock bottom. Almost two decades of vicious war in Iraq and Afghanistan had exhausted and degraded these elite fighters. SEALs were carrying hatchets into battle. Some bragged of “canoeing” their victims by splitting their heads open with a bullet. Too many were behaving like pirates rather than disciplined warriors. “We have a problem,” Rear Adm. Collin Green, the SEALs commander, announced in July 2019. The most obvious example was Special Operations Chief Eddie Gallagher, who had been convicted that month by a military court for posing with a trophy photo of a dead Islamic State prisoner in Iraq. The problem was much deeper than that. Gallagher was a symbol of a force that had become too glamorous for its own good. America wanted heroes after 9/11, and the SEALs fit the bill. Gallagher was a walking poster boy: He was super-fit, fearless, churchgoing, movie-star handsome, and ready to do anything and go anywhere to destroy America’s enemies. But Gallagher lost his way, senior Navy officers told me. He became a political figure in an organization that required discipline and professionalism. When a Navy review board was considering whether to strip Gallagher of his prized Trident pin after his conviction, President Donald Trump ordered it to stand down. Young SEALs who had reported Gallagher’s improper actions were “ostracized,” commanders told me. “We were soft on accountability,”

a senior Navy commander recalled this week. “Our junior officers were more cheerleaders than naval officers…. I think we needed to look at ourselves.” Green moved on to Special Operations Command (SOCOM), where he is now deputy commander and was promoted last week to vice admiral. The Gallagher tale is superbly told in the recent book, “Alpha: Eddie Gallagher and the War for the Soul of the Navy SEALs,” by New York Times reporter David Philipps. But there’s an epilogue about how the SEALs recovered their balance, as told in interviews this week with top commanders. The redemption story began two years ago, in the aftermath of the Gallagher fiasco. Army Gen. Richard Clarke, head of SOCOM, ordered a comprehensive review of the “culture and ethics” of all special forces, including the SEALs. Clarke summarized the findings in January 2020: Nearly two decades of war had “imbalanced” the elite combat forces and “set conditions favorable for inappropriate behavior.” “Trust is our currency,” but re-

cent discipline issues had “jeopardized that trust,” Clarke wrote in a letter to service members. Then something amazing happened. The SEALs regrouped to begin a process of healing and rebuilding. A new commander, Rear Adm. H. Wyman Howard III, opted for “a complete restart,” he told me. He cut the operational side of the organization nearly in half, from 72 platoons to 48. He changed recruitment, training, assessment, and promotion procedures. He actually borrowed some ideas from the Army and Marines! Howard chose as his closest aide Lt. Cmdr. Forrest Crowell, a SEAL who had been warning that something was wrong. Back in 2015, Crowell had written a thesis for the Naval Postgraduate School titled “SEALs Gone Wild: Publicity, Fame and the Loss of the Quiet Professional.” Howard began to rebuild a force that, as he put it to me, “had over-rotated to counterterrorism” and “got too famous.” As the SEALs reinvented themselves, they focused on new missions for a world where counterterrorism

is no longer the overriding priority. Facing peer competitors such as China and Russia, the SEALs now conduct intelligence-gathering and other secret missions that are, if anything, more dangerous than sniping at Islamic State fighters, as Gallagher’s generation did. To remind today’s SEALs about the essence of their mission, Howard gives them a copy of the Constitution and a letter he wrote with Force Master Chief Bill King, his top enlisted man. The letter is worth a careful read in this season of reflection. The SEAL commander reminds his warriors that they are “a team humble in triumph and fully accountable in failure. Our pride is a quiet one – firmly anchored in humility, a humility sharpened through combat losses, mission failures, and imperfection…. We must all guard against activities that provide opportunities to politicize Naval Special Warfare.” Clarke told me this week that intense combat such as the kind his special forces experienced over the past 20 years brings two kinds of dangers: The first, obviously, is being killed or wounded by the enemy. But the second is internal: “the risk of moral injury in going outside the rules of conduct.” The rebirth of the SEALs carries an important message for the United States in this testing time for our national institutions: The efforts by Gallagher and Trump to write their own rules failed. Good leaders did the right things. Real toughness, the kind that wins battles but never boasts, ended up winning. As the SEAL motto puts it: “The deed is all – not the glory.”

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Forgotten Her es

Jewish Aces of the Air By Avi Heiligman

Yakov Ilyich Vernikov

uring aerial combat, a “kill” is the termed used for downing an enemy aircraft whether it is a fighter, bomber, cargo, observation plane or any other type of manned vehicle that flies (drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles are a different story). Five “kills” to a pilot’s record gives him or her the coveted status of an ace pilot. During World War II, many pilots were needed to fill roles on the expanding air forces, and thousands of Jewish airmen and women answered the call. Jewish pilots have served on aircraft since its adaption for military usage over a century ago, with dozens achieving the title of an ace pilot. Yakov Ilyich Vernikov was a Jewish pilot from the Soviet Union during World War II. As a child, he was fascinated with model airplanes and flight in general and learned to fly when he was just 17 years old. Upon completion of his original flying course, he became an instructor and in 1938 was drafted into the Red Army. The army sent him to an aviation school for military pilots in Odessa, and when the Germans invaded Russia in 1941, he was a member of the 234th Aviation Regiment. His first victory was a Heinkel He 111 bomber that he shot down over Kursk. The types of aircraft he flew varied, and throughout his career he piloted 140 different types of planes. Most of his victories came in a LaGG-

Lieutenant Colonel Murray Shubin

33 or Yak-7 during the years 1942 and 1943. By the end of the war, Vernikov accumulated 15 kills in 68 air battles while flying an extraordinary 424 sorties. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his actions during the air battles. Several Jewish double aces (with at least ten kills) flew for the Allies during World War II. Lieutenant Colonel Murray Shubin from Pittsburg had the distinction of becoming an ace in a day on his way to recording a

George Ernest Goodman

left alone to fight off five more Zeros. His shooting was accurate enough to hit one in the cockpit and scored a deflection shot on another Zero. Two others were soon out of the sky, while the remaining Zero was able to escape. Even though he couldn’t confirm four of the planes as actual kills, American ground troops observed the aerial dogfight and confirmed that he shot down six enemy planes in just 45 minutes. Shubin was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as

American ground troops observed the aerial dogfight and confirmed that he shot down six enemy planes in just 45 minutes.

total of eleven air-to-air victories. He flew a P-38 Lightning fighter for the 330th Fighter Squadron and recorded his first kill while flying on a bomber escort mission over Bougainville. While flying near Guadalcanal on June 16, 1943, Shubin led three other P-38 fighters in an attack on a larger group of Japanese Zeros. The four Americans each shot down an enemy fighter, and Shubin recorded another kill when a Zero pulled up in front of his plane. The three other Americans had to return to base, and Shubin was

a host of other medals, including the Silver Star, for his heroics in the air. Pilots from around the world joined the RAF during the war and flew British planes in their fight against the Nazis. Pilots from Poland and Czechoslovakia, in particular, were known for their heroics in the air. Flyers from parts of the British Empire also came to fly for the RAF, including George Ernest Goodman from Haifa, which was then part of the British Mandate. He joined the RAF in 1939 and flew a Hawker Hur-

ricane during the Battle of France in 1940. On May 13, he shot down a bomber and a Bf-110 fighter-bomber and shared a kill the next day. Before leaving France, he knocked another He-111 bomber out of the sky. During the Battle of Britain, Goodman shot down at least four more planes before crashing in the British countryside. Goodman quickly recovered from the crash and was in new Hurricane and was involved in the downing of two more German planes. He was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for his aerial actions during the Battle of Britain which read, in part, “He assisted in the destruction of an enemy bomber which was attacking an aerodrome in the failing light at dusk. His courage and resourcefulness have enabled him to destroy at least six enemy aircraft.” Experienced fighter pilots were needed in North Africa, and Goodman was sent to the 73rd Squadron fighting in Libya. He was credited with shooting down a Fiat CR.42 flown by a top Italian pilot. On April 9, 1941, Goodman was shot down again, but as before, he survived the crash and continued flying. Five days later, he shot down a Ju-87 Stuka and shared two more kills. On June 14, he was shot down by flak over Gazala Airfield in Libya, and this time unfortunately he was killed. Goodman was Jewish (some records have him listed as a Christian

Lydia Litvyak

but those are incorrect) and had ten individual victories to his record along with six more shared kills. There were other Jewish ace pilots that were discussed in previous articles. Lydia Litvyak was a Jewish airwoman from Moscow during World War II. Before she was killed after an aerial dogfight in 1943, she had recorded twelve kills. American Marine Lieutenant Harold Segal is

also credited with twelve victories while flying a Corsair F4U fighter in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. Emil Fechtner was a Jewish Czechoslovakian pilot who flew for France and then England and had at least five kills against Nazi pilots to his record. British RAF pilot Cyril “Bam” Bamberger fought during the Battle of Britain, the defense of Malta, and later in the Korean War.

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Lieutenant Harold Segal

He has five confirmed kills, including downing two Ju-87 dive bombers over Malta and another over Sicily. Changes in the way aerial combat is fought today is making it more unlikely that a pilot will become an ace by traditional standards, Drones, faster jets and better weapon technology have taken over from the days of aircraft chasing each other with guns blazing.

The ace pilots of the past, while not always getting their names and stories on headline news, are heroes who deserved to be remembered.

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

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HELP WANTED

BUSINESS MANAGER P/T (mostly) Remote Legacy 613, a dynamic Jewish outreach organization based in the NYC metro area, seeks a Business Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible to oversee the budget. We are looking for a dynamic selfstarter with excellent people and organizational skills. 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. Send resumes to info@legacy613.org

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ASSISTANT REBBEIM and TEACHERS CAHAL, the community Special Ed program in Five Towns and Far Rockaway yeshivas has immediate openings available for: AM ASSISTANT REBBES for a 4th-5th grade class and a 6th grade class PM ASSISTANT TEACHERS for a 2nd-3rd grade class and a 6th grade class We have small classes and flexible hours. Email resume to shira@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666.

HEBREW ACADEMY OF LONG BEACH, WOODMERE NY Seeks Limudei Kodesh and General Studies substitute teachers for grades 1-8. Send resumes to hweiselberg@halb.org

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. 718-252-3365ext:102 or renay@specialcarefor.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

TJH Classifieds Post your Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services, Miscellaneous Ads here. Weekly Classifed Ads Up to 5 lines and/or 25 words 1 week ................$20 2 weeks .............. $35 4 weeks .............. $60 Email ads to: classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com Include valid credit card info and zip code

Deadline Monday 5:00pm

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

HELP WANTED

MDS REGIONAL NURSE: 5 Towns area Nursing Home management office seeking a Regional/Corporate level MDS Nurse to work in our office. Must be an RN. Regional experience preferred. 2-3 years MDS experience with good computer skills required. Position is Full Time but Part Time can be considered. Great Shomer Shabbos environment with some remote options as well. Email: officejob2019@gmail.com

Torah Academy for Girls seeks a vendor to provide breakfast, snack and lunch for our students for school year 2021-2022. To submit a proposal, contact Mrs. Obadia at nobadia@tagschools.org for bidding criteria.

TAILOR WANTED KGH dry-cleaners is seeking a tailor for p/t or f/t work. Monday, Wednesday and Friday preferred, other days available. Call or text 917-435-9753

Small Ads at Work Classifieds

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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

! Forbes Advisor’s Top 10 Mortgage Lenders for 2021 ! Best Mortgage Lender for Online Loans by NerdWallet for 2021 ! Best Mortgage Lender for Refinancing by NerdWallet for 2021 ! 2018 Top Lender for Online Service by U.S. News & World Report ! No. 3 in Scotsman Guide's 2021 list of Top Retail Mortgage Lenders

Yeshiva University Alumni now pay no lender fees on all mortgages! Savings of up to $1,440*

JORDAN GOLDSCHMIDT (516) 998-6201 • (212) 318-9432 Jordan.Goldschmidt@rate.com 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) 3189432, Guaranteed Rate, Inc. NMLS 2611 3940 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60613 (866) 934-7283 • rate.com Equal Housing Lender www.rate.com/privacy *Lender fees will be issued as a credit at closing.

Reach Your Target Market

Classifieds

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home

4TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP RAFFLE

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Drawing to be held LIVE on 12/27/21

Gotta Getta Bagel

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

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DECEMBER 30, 2021 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

Life C ach

Covid Means Respect By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

urprise! Yes, I’m going to surprise you! Believe it or not, there is a time to be Covid positive. In fact, it could be good much of the time. It’s something my dad pointed out…. But, first you have to hear how he pronounces Covid and then you need to be familiar with the Hebrew or the Yiddish language. The word Covid in Hebrew, pronounced by my parents’ generation with that Yiddish twist, means respect. Now, are you catching on? Don’t we always want to be “respect positive”?! In fact, in this new “cancel you” culture, is it possible that we have become a little too “covid negative”? Driven by a lack of respect – and that doesn’t seem like a good thing. We may not agree with each other’s opinions but does that mean I should now erase you. How disrespectful is that? Maybe it scares us when someone doesn’t think like us. Yet, who says we have to all think alike? Should I criticize you if I want pizza, and you think a piece of steak is the better choice for tonight? Should I stop talking to you if you

like warm weather vacations and I like cold ones? Can’t I respect your right to have a different opinion? Where has that outlook gone? Being of different mindsets is not an endpoint. It’s actually a starting point, especially if we remember that

exactly the same way. Who said we were?! Right at the start of Creation, man and woman were disagreeing over whether to eat the apple or not. They didn’t split up because they didn’t agree with each other. They worked it out. They didn’t cancel each other

Should I stop talking to you if you like warm weather vacations and I like cold ones?

variety is the spice of life. And that’s where working things out actuality begins. We might need to take turns, or each give in a bit, or see whose need is more pressing at the time, or realize we may need to give up some things to get others. We may even have to realize that everything doesn’t have to go our way as much as we’d like it to! Because, after all, everyone has needs and desires. We are not all meant to see things

out. They went on to build a whole world together! The ability to hear the other person’s side is an actually a starting point. Then it’s smart to identify and recognize the feeling that they are feeling. Even if that particular circumstance would not spark that feeling in you, recognize that it did in them. You may still see things differently, yet, you can connect to the emotion they are experiencing. They may feel fear, or frustration or disappointment or a million other

emotions. You may think, well, those circumstances don’t bring out those emotions in me. They don’t have to! Yet, can you see that those emotions can be frightening and or draining or difficult or exhilarating for another person? We have different histories and different priories at times. What feels right for you may not feel right for me. But we still have a right to exist. Once we see each other’s feelings or emotions. Then reality is the next place to go – and maybe we just won’t agree? So this is the point to resort to collaboration, because that’s the “Covid positive” way to work things out. It may not feel easy. But it certainly feels like a healthy twist on having Covid. To have respect/“covid” for our fellow human feels like a positive way to move forward!

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 917705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail. com.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 30, 2021

State certified teachers Sensory integration Individualized core curriculum 4:1 student to teacher ratio Academic growth and success Integration in local schools

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE @ CAHAL YOUR CHILD, YOUR CHOICE, THE CHANCE TO ACHIEVE Registration now open for Pre-1A classes September 2022 FOR APPLICATIONS and more information: (516) 295-3666 SHIRA@CAHAL.ORG www.cahal.org

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Five Towns Jewish Home - 12-30-21

Articles inside

The Navy SEALs by David Ignatius

Covid Means Respect by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

Jewish Aces of the Air by Avi Heiligman

Notable Quotes

Biden’s Foreign Policy by David Ignatius

The Aussie Gourmet: Top of the Rib Wine Roast

Parenting Pearls

Foods to Life You Out of the Blues by Aliza Beer, MS RD

We Want to Be Heard by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn

Teen Talk

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW

Rabbi Wein on the Parsha

Delving into the Daf by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

That’s Odd

Misplaced Mercy by Rav Moshe Weinberger

Global

National

A New Knesset Lobby

Israel News