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MAY’s Hascholas Ha’zman

With only two short weeks under its belt, Mesivta Ateres Yaakov was still able to pack in a tremendous amount of learning, preparation and excitement leading up to the Yomim Tovim: Each grade had a private audience with the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, who delivered a pesichas ha’zman drasha to each class; the new freshmen talmidim enjoyed a team-building bowling trip and pizza lunch together with their rabbeim; Rabbi Yehuda Orlansky’s 12th grade shiur visited Rabbi Dovid Neuman, founder of the famed V’ha’arev Nah Program, to kick off this year’s bekiyus shiur; and the entire yeshiva enjoyed an Erev Shabbos Tisch co-sponsored by the new student government replete with poppers, kugel, music, dancing and divrei chizuk from the S’gan Menahel, Rabbi Yossi Bennett.

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Israeli Consulate Supports Tomchei Shabbos

Israel Nitzan, acting consul general of Israel in New York, and several local leaders showed their support for Tomchei Shabbos of Queens last Wednesday by putting together food packages ahead of the Jewish new year.

Consulate General of Israel in New York headed over to the Queens distribution center to help put together packages for those who are food insecure for Rosh Hashanah. The all-volunteer food distribution center delivers packages of food each week for Shabbat to approximately 400 to 450 families, and additional food is provided by the nonprofit organization for the Jewish High Holy Days.

Nitzan was joined by several local leaders, who each volunteered at Tomchei Shabbos of Queens’ headquarters on Wednesday afternoon. Among them were Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, New York City Councilmember Barry Grodenchik, New York City Council Democratic nominee Sandra Ung (District 20), New York City City Council Democratic nominee Linda Lee (District 23), and New York City Councilman Jim Gennaro (District 24).

“It is our duty as Israel’s diplomatic mission in New York, we understand our moral responsibility to assist the community,” Israel Nitzan, acting consul general of Israel in New York, said. “This mitzvah isn’t just about packing food, it is also about the connection between volunteers and those receiving these packages and strengthen the community.”

Tomchei Shabbos has been delivering packages to those who are food insecure since 1979. Every Wednesday night, a group of volunteers arranges dozens of packages to make sure no one is left hungry on Shabbat. Food packages are distrib-

PHOTO CREDIT: CONSULATE GENERAL OF ISRAEL IN NEW YORK

Sandra Ung, Acting Consul General of Israel Israel Nitzan, Shimi Pelman, Rep. Tom Suozzi, and Rep. Gregory Meeks

uted throughout the five boroughs and parts of Long Island, serving the needs of several different Jewish communities.

Feeding the Flatbush Community

Abeautiful sight was seen in Flatbush last week as dozens of volunteers and families joined with community leaders to help pack boxes filled with special yom tov food for the Flatbush Community Fund to distribute to 400 families throughout Flatbush. Additionally, the Flatbush Community Fund is opening hundreds of supplementary grocery accounts for families throughout the neighborhood.

Throughout the time spent packing and distributing the boxes, the Flatbush Community Fund was proud to have the support of elected officials and community leaders who came to help. These dignitaries included Eric Adams, the Democratic nominee for NYC Mayor, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Board Member and NYPD Clergy Liaison David Heskiel, Deputy Inspector Richie Taylor, Leon Goldenberg, Josh Mehlman, President of the FJCC and representatives from Helene Weinstein and Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. David Greenfield, the CEO of Met Council, an integral partner in the food distribution, was there as well and commented on the incredibly rapid growth of the FCF and that they provide crucial assistance for hundreds of families in Flatbush in a dignified manner.

Chief Jeffrey Maddrey’s office of community affairs was represented as well by Deputy Inspector Richie Taylor and his outreach team, working together with the other volunteers to get the boxes packed and ready for distribution.

Yitzy Weinberg, executive director of the fund, was inspired by the community joining together to help all types of Jews, throughout the community.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see how the entire Flatbush comes together to help their neighbors in need. This past year, the Flatbush Community Fund distributed millions of dollars to local families. We can only continue to grow with your help.”

In fact, the FCF has adopted a new slogan which is being used for their current campaign. DoMore encapsulates the message and drive of the Fund and entire community.

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MTA’s Thriving Dorm Community

The MTA Dorm officially opened on Sunday, August 29, and talmidim couldn’t wait to move into their new home away from home!

MTA’s dorm program includes weekly dorm dinners, dorm Night Seder, exclusive programming, Friday morning breakfast and chaburos, regular Shabbatonim, trips, and more. The yeshiva 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.

“We have worked hard to enhance the dorm experience to ensure the happiness, growth, and success of our talmidim while living on campus,” shared Dean of Student Life Rabbi Danny Konigsberg. “Our dorm isn’t just a place to sleep; it’s a true community with plenty of opportunities to learn, bond, and grow. We have more than 40 talmidim in the dorm this year. Some are here from out of state and even out of the country, and others live in the tri-state area but choose to dorm so they can maximize their MTA experience. It’s incredible to watch how these talmidim, who are all in different grades and come from different cities, bond together as a group and truly become a family.”

More Than 3,000 Expected at OU’s Virtual Torah Yerushalayim

Leading rabbinic scholars, educators, and Jewish communal leaders will be featured at the Orthodox Union’s (OU) third annual Torah Yerushalayim, dedicated in loving memory of David & Norma Fund z”l, on Sunday, September 12, 2021. More than 3,000 men and women are expected join the virtual event, which is being hosted by OU Israel, the Israeli arm of the Orthodox Union (OU). The program will consist of five keynote addresses, 16 captivating classes and two panels covering topics ranging from the Shemita year, Yom Kippur liturgy, teshuva, and Sukkot. A particularly timely topic the program will address is parenting during these trying pandemic times.

There will be sessions appropriate for individuals of all backgrounds, from beginner to scholar and every level in between.

Torah Yerushalayim will open with a morning keynote address by OU Executive Vice President Emeritus Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb and will conclude with a keynote address from current OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer and a musical performance and kumsitz with Rabbi Shlomo Katz. The blue-ribbon list of scholars teaching sessions throughout the day, includes: Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Lau, Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, Rabbi Herschel Schachter, Sivan Rahav Meir, Dina Schoonmaker, Shani Taragin and many others.

“The days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur provide a unique opportunity for introspection and connecting to Hashem. The goal of Torah Yerushalayim is to uplift your Aseret Yemei Teshuva and Yom Kippur, and we have assembled leading scholars and educators to create a dynamic virtual worldwide event that offers something for everyone,” said OU Israel Executive Director Rabbi Avi Berman. “As we enter the Shemita year, this year’s program will feature a learning track focusing on the unique halachot that will guide us through this year and even impact next year as well. We are excited to offer so many remarkable and incredibly inspiring Shiurim to Jews around the world who have been unable to come to Israel and learn with these Rabbis and educators in person due to the pandemic.”

“We’re excited to share such an important Yom Iyun with our brethren across the globe,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane. “The Days of Awe present a unique time for personal and communal religious growth and the program’s relevancy to Shemita only further highlights its importance as we look towards an incredible year ahead.”

The event is free to the public. For more information about Torah Yerushalayim and to register, please visit, https://tickchak.co.il/TY2021.

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Selichot, First Days, and New Friendships at YCQ

Yeshiva of Central Queens prepared for the new year with the first Parent-Child learning program. On Motza’ei Shabbat, August 28, Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, Senior Maggid Shiur at Beis Medrash L’Talmud at Touro’s Lander College for Men and Rav of Young Israel of Queens Valley of Kew Gardens Hills, joined YCQ staff, students, and their parents for an evening of inspiration followed by a beautiful Selichot led by Rabbi Moshe Hamel, JHS assistant principal of Judaic Studies.

Rabbi Marcus spoke about what we can learn coming from this global pandemic, and that is that Hakodosh Baruch hu is saying to us, “Hear Me, see Me, relate to Me, pray to Me.” We need to acknowledge that Hashem is part of our lives. Rabbi Marcus explained that teshuvah is based on an attitude of simplicity. Forget what you have done; focus on the here and now. Realize you have one task ahead. He offered the message that each of us has the potential and it starts with this connection to Hashem.

For two days prior to the return of our students, staff participated in orientation and workshops. They had the opportunity to hear words of chinuch from Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, renowned lecturer, and an educational consultant who as keynote speakers welcomed everyone back and offered words of encouragement and support.

Following the staff orientation, nursery and kindergarten students and their parents were invited to the Parent Teacher Organization’s annual Pre-school Bash. Students sat at tables with other students in their class and had the chance to meet their teachers and classmates and enjoy a project for Rosh Hashana. The PTO started this program a few years ago to help the youngest YCQ students adjust to full-day school.

Then the day we have been waiting for arrived. On Wednesday, September 1, over a thousand students and staff members entered through the doors of YCQ to start a new school year. The desk barriers had been removed, affording classes to get back to some sort of normalcy. Though we are still struggling during the uncertainty of this pandemic, teachers have gone over and above to create exciting academic environments in their classrooms and to welcome students to a new year of learning. Laughter could again be heard throughout the halls as students reunited with old friends, met their new teachers, and began to create new relationships. We are looking forward to an engaging and exciting school year.

Did you know? Thomas Jefferson planted pomegranates at Monticello in 1771

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The talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Harriet Keilson Early Childhood Center were visited by a beekeeper and his collection of honey bees – just in time for Rosh Hashana and a sweet new year

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Sixth grade students of Mrs. Nussbaum at Yeshiva Darchei Torah are pictured here with the miniature catapults they created as part of their science class

MTA Welcomes Class Of 2025

MTA welcomed the Class of 2025 with an exciting grade-wide orientation on Tuesday, August 31. Talmidim met their rebbeim and teachers and learned more about the incredible MTA community they are now a valued part of. They spent time with their Cub2Lion Senior mentors, who will help guide them through their first year of high school and beyond, met with the yeshiva’s warm and welcoming Freshman team and enjoyed treats from the ice cream truck.

“We are so excited to welcome the Class of 2025 to the MTA family,” said Freshman Grade Dean and Mashgiach Rabbi Eli Cohn. “Freshman orientation is a great way for us to get the talmidim acclimated to their new schedule and environment before yeshiva starts and to help them bond as a grade and start building what will become lifelong relationships with friends and rebbeim. It’s also a nice opportunity to get to know them better both as individuals and as a grade so we can tailor our freshman experience to the needs of the grade as a whole, and also to the needs of each talmid.”

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All Hands on Deck at the JCCRP Rosh Hashana Food Drive

Congressman Gregory Meeks lends a helping hand YOSS students with Rabbi Samet JCCRP Executive Director Moshe Brandsdorfer with Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers

This past week, the JCCRP ran its annual Rosh Hashana food distribution. The JCCRP arranged for extra items to be included in addition to the regular food pantry items for the Jewish community’s needs for yom tov.

The week began with volunteers of all ages and walks of life coming together eager to do chessed for their neighbors in need. They bagged produce, unpacked shipments and organized the many packages for pick up. Among the volunteers was a local plumber, Steve Fanwick. Steve and his crew proved incredible devotion, taking off from their business for the whole day to volunteer packing boxes. Steve commented, “I’m happy to help those in need. Community work is incredibly important to me.”

Hundreds of clients came to the pantry on Wednesday and chose from a selection of food, many crucial to their Rosh Hashana menus.

Many prominent volunteers joined in the distribution efforts. Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY 5th District), the local Congress Representative and Chair of the House Foreign Affairs committee, took time out of his extremely busy schedule to help out. Others who rolled up their sleeves to help out include; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-31st District), and Aaron Cyperstein, Managing Director of Legal & External Affairs at Met Council. Students from the Yeshiva of South Shore also took time out of their busy learning schedules to help pack hundreds of boxes. The JCCRP and the Kosher Food Pantry are able to do this kind of distribution because of their ongoing support.

Moshe Brandsdorfer, executive director of the JCCRP, expressed his praise of this amazing collective effort. “This week, we witnessed the beauty of our community. A local plumber, kids in-between camp, retirees and local elected officials all came together to volunteer and help those in need. Additionally, none of this would’ve been possible without the generosity of partners Met Council, UJA Federation of NY, City Harvest and Food Bank of NY.”

Miriam, a resident of Far Rockaway, expressed her gratitude during the drive-by pickup. “We are so appreciative to you for this. These items are really helpful and make our yom tov brighter. Thank you!”

The JCCRP is a proud affiliate of Met Council and a beneficiary agency of UJA Federation of NY. The JCCRP provides a range of services for any community members who need assistance. For more information on JCCRP services or to sign up as a volunteer, please email info@jccrp.org.

Did you know? India is the world’s largest producer of pomegranates

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First Hachnasas Sefer Tehillim in the U.S.

The first live-streamed, open participation Tehillim recital combined with the first Tehillim, that unites Klal Yisroel with Tefilah daily out of a hand – written Klaf brings Yeshuas and Bracha to the Tzibor.

On Monday, Rosh Chodesh Elul, a lively Hachnosas Sefer Tehillim celebration took place on 51th Street in the heart of Boro Park. The event started with Kesivas Ha’osyiyos in which the final letters at the end of the Tehillim scroll were inked by leading rabbanim followed by live music and dancing by young and old.

The next day, on Tuesday afternoon, the daily Tehillim Tefilah livestream program started. The Steipler Gaon, zt”l, writes in Karyana Digarta that Tehillim handwritten on a Klaf has a special kedusha and a unique power in its prayers; the tefillah is “retzuyah u’mekubeles b’yoser,” on a higher level and meriting greater acceptance Above.

Tehillim on Klaf Tefillah is committed to create an awareness for more powerful Tehillim Tefillah from a klaf. Klal Yisroel needs so many yeshuas and refuahs now more than ever before. What could be more beneficial in these times than uniting to join a Tehillim Tefilah that is being read from a hand-written Sefer Tehillim on klaf written by a sofer mumcha daily and possesses the authentic powers as Dovid Hamelech wrote it?

The Tehillim on Klaf is stationed at 1254 51st Street and the reading of this Tehillim is streamed live daily on www.tehillimonklaftefilah.org Sunday- Thursday at 1:00PM (EST), 8:00 PM (Israel).

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Remembering Our Heroes

To commemorate 9/11, the children at Gan Amy in West Hempstead learned all about the heroes who keep us safe. We crafted thank you cards to distribute to first responders. In addition, we gave baskets filled with treats to the local fire department, police department and volunteer ambulance Hatzalah. In addition, each department was given a large color photograph of the 9/11 memorial in Jerusalem. It is the only memorial outside of the United States that lists the name of every single victim. The Jewish National Fund built the memorial to show solidarity between Israel and the United States. They have both been the victims of terror attacks on their home soil.

Thank you to all the brave men and women who keep us safe.

IVDU LI Gets Ready for Rosh Hashana

The staff and students of IVDU LI were excited to begin the year this week, greeting old and new friends and reacquainting with all of the staff.

The year began with our students immersed in hands-on learning of Rosh Hashana halachos and minhagim, led by our rebbi, Rabbi Peretz Lipka. The students tasted different apples and voted on their favorite ones, heard the shofar blows from different sized Shofaros, and learned of the various simanim that relate to the yom tov.

The staff and administration of IVDU LI wish everyone a ksiva vchasima Tova and a healthy and productive year for all.

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Wine in the Sukkah? We Got You Covered!

By Gabriel Geller Royal Wine/Kedem

Sukkos and Simchas Torah are defined as Zman Simchaseinu, the times for rejoicing par excellence. As was probably repeated countless times in this column, the Gemara in Tractate Pesachim 109a says, “There is no joy without wine.” All in moderation, of course. The upcoming chagim include many celebratory meals, inside and outside the sukkah. These are meals that we will, iy”H, share with our loved ones. For all of these, we should have fine wine to enhance yom tov further and contribute to our hiddur mitzvah, the embellishment of the mitzvah. Whenever logistically and financially possible, we are encouraged to go one step further and treat ourselves to make the mitzvah even more special. We aim to celebrate with a flawless lulav and esrog, a beautifully decorated sukkah, a tastefully set up table, and, of course, better wine. So long as one appreciates wine, having a special bottle of wine on the table will elevate the moment both gastronomically and spiritually.

A celebratory, refreshing way to start the meal is to pop a bottle of sparkling wine and perhaps even enjoy it for Kiddush. For those who prefer a moderately priced bottle, the Elvi Cava Brut NV is an excellent Spanish wine made with the same winemaking method as Champagne, with the secondary fermentation taking place in the bottle. While arguably not as aristocratic as the Champagne Drappier Carte d’Or NV, the Herzog Méthode Champenoise NV made with 100% Chardonnay from California’s Russian River is just as luxurious and delightful, as well.

Rosé wines were considered summer exclusives not that long ago. Those dark times are thankfully over, as rosé wines can and should be enjoyed year-round. Sukkos is early this year, but whether it will be warm or chilly over yom tov should by no means deter us from enjoying a cold bottle of the delicious and fruity Ramon Cardova Rioja Rosado 2020 from Spain with salads or sushi.

When it comes to wine, hot weather may be a serious concern. The taste and thus enjoyment of red wine will significantly be impacted if it is served warm, which can happen if the bottle is left on the table in the sukkah for a while before or during the meal. It is recommended to refrigerate red wine shortly, for 30-60 minutes before serving, to preserve its quality and integrity and ensure proper enjoyment. That goes without saying for rosé, white and sparkling wines, which should always be served and drunk cold. If the wine is too cold, letting it sit for a few minutes in the glass after serving will solve the issue as it will quickly warm up to the drinker’s preference.

A pleasant and affordable white wine to enjoy this Sukkos is the Psâgot Sinai White 2020, a lovely, fruit-forward blend made from grapes grown in the Jerusalem Mountains. This is a highly aromatic wine, combining delicate lemon, apricot, and peach flavors with a refreshing finish. Enjoy it with a veal neck roast or herb-crusted salmon.

Bordeaux is well-known for its classy, elegant wines. Many famously consider the wines from Sauternes as the best dessert wines in the world. What Sauternes is less known for, however, is its dry whites. By law, wineries can only print the Sauternes appellation on the labels of their sweet wines; so dry Sauternes wines, such as G de Château Guiraud 2019, are called Bordeaux Blanc (White Bordeaux). This wine is medium- to full-bodied, with bright acidity and notes of grapefruit and honeysuckle – perfect for enjoying with veal, chicken, turkey, or a red tuna steak.

The wines of Bordeaux’s right bank, where sit the regions of Saint-Emilion, Fronsac, and Pomerol, are primarily made from Merlot grapes. This is arguably where Merlot shines the most, and the Château Royaumont Lalande-de-Pomerol 2018 is no exception to this rule. This wine is full-flavored, layered, velvety, with black and red berry aromas, and earthy undertones. This wine is quite enjoyable now in its youth. Still, it will gain even more depth and complexity over the coming 5 to 10 years if stored adequately.

Celler de Capçanes, in Spain’s Montsant DO region, has been producing its legendary Peraj Ha’abib since 1995. The 2019 Peraj Ha’aabib is a special, fruit-forward, albeit elegant and silky wine with smoky, earthy, and spicy notes, characteristics that are respectively contributed by the Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah included in the blend. Whether you choose to pair it with smoked ribs or a roasted leg of lamb, it is well worth discovering or rediscovering! Chag sameach! L’chaim!