Community Happenings

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 Around the Community

M’Afeila L’Ora at DRS

In the Acheinu tefillah, we offer a prayer to HaKadosh Baruch Hu to watch over Klal Yisroel “M’Afeila L’Ora, from Darkness to Light.” On Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, we commemorate, and celebrate, some of the darkest and brightest moments in our nation’s history.

On Yom Hashoah, DRS was honored with the presence of two Holocaust survivors, Mr. Shimon Felder, a grandfather of two DRS alumni, and Mrs. Judith Wohlberg, grandmother and great-grandmother to DRS students and alumni. Both Mr. Felder and Mrs. Wohlberg shared their remarkable stories of survival, managing to stay strongly committed to their Jewish identity throughout the horrors they experienced. Their words of courage, strength, fortitude, and immense bitachon inspired the entire yeshiva and moved many to tears.

On Yom HaZikaron, DRS alum Amiel Kerstein, now serving in the IDF, spoke to the yeshiva via Zoom from Eretz Yisroel and shared why a regular kid from the Five Towns decided to join the Israel army. On Yom Ha’Atzmaut, to celebrate the miracle of the birth of Medinat Yisrael, the day began with a festive schoolwide musical Hallel. Following breakfast, students were enlightened by a presentation from Rabbi Dr. Ari Bergman, on the intricacies of hilchos Shemittah and the sacrifices that farmers in Israel practice to follow Hashem’s laws. A few months ago, Rabbi Bergman brought a group of YU students to visit farms across Israel to receive a hands-on lesson on Hilchos Shemittah, and two of those students presented to the DRS talmidim as well. Throughout the day, both Judaic and Secular classes presented lessons revolving around Israel in “Israel Across the Curriculum.” The day ended with a celebratory BBQ on the school’s front lawn.

YCQ Commemorates and Celebrates

“Remembrance days remind us of our ancestors, and how Klal Yisrael as a nation has to always keep our past in mind, and follow our Mesorah,” stated Rabbi Moshe Hamel, Assistant Principal, JHS Judaic Studies. YCQ had a meaningful day commemorating Yom Hashoah and the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Students across all grades had age-appropriate discussions and ceremonies to recognize this important day. Grades 3-4 participated in a meaningful ceremony with speeches from rebbeim and students honoring their family members with a special candle lighting ceremony. Tehillim were recited throughout the day honoring the six million Jews who died, and the heroism of the survivors and rescuers.

YCQ commemorated Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day, with special assemblies for Grades 3-8. Students were inspired by numerous video presentations, as well as prayers for the fallen soldiers. We were privileged to have YCQ parent Mr. Menachem, as well as YCQ alumnus, Mr. Chanoch Aminsky, both IDF soldiers, in attendance. The students truly felt the meaning, purpose, and importance of the day. Thank you, Mrs. Shirly PouradKaikov, for your hard work preparing a meaningful program.

Yom HaAzmaut was epic day at YCQ. The entire school, students, faculty, and staff, participated in an outdoor Hallel led by Rabbi Ophie Nat, JHS Judaic Studies Teacher. All students in grades K-8 participated with kavana, and it was truly an inspiring morning. Thank you, Rabbi Ophie Nat, Rabbi Moshe Hamel, Assistant Principal, JHS Judaic Studies, Rabbi Mark Landsman, Principal, Mr. Aaron Kessler, Building Manager, and CM Schwarz for beautifully enhancing our tefillot. The celebration continued with a special Israeli lunch of falafel, pita bread, and Israeli salad. An outdoor concert for all students featuring dancing and singing concluded the joyous day.

Also on Yom HaAzmaut, YCQ’s Early Childhood Program celebrated somebody’s birthday! Whose birthday? Israel’s! And what better way to celebrate then for the early childhood classes to go on a “trip” to Israel. The classes boarded a “plane” (chairs set in rows) and presented their passports for stamping. They were served snacks while they traveled. Finally, they arrived in Israel! Each class set up different cities around the rooms. The children davened at the Kotel in Yerushalayim. They played in the sand in Eilat, floated in the Dead Sea, and visited a Kibbutz to see the animals. Some classes painted in Tzefat and visited the Israel Museum which contained artifacts from Israel brought in by the children. The children joined in the dancing and singing outside to live music as part of the celebration. The classes returned “home” just in time for dismissal.

Last Wednesday, HAFTR Lower School students stood for a moment of silence, remembering the fallen soldiers of Israel as well as those killed in terrorist attacks. Each year, in preparation for Yom HaZikaron, the Lashon morot teach their students about soldiers and civilians who are remembered on this day. This year, the students’ presentation focused on Oren Shaul and Hadar Goldin.

Oren and Shaul were killed in 2014 during Operation Cast Lead. Following their death, they were smuggled by Hamas through their terror tunnels, and their bodies have never been returned.

Additionally, they spoke about Ron Arad who was captured in 1986, during the First Lebanon War. Despite attempts to find him, Ron Arad never came home. Intelligence information concluded that he died in 1988. His body was never returned to Israel. Each year on the anniversary of his capture, Israelis hang blue balloons by their front door in solidarity with the Arad family. So, too, each seat at the assembly had a blue balloon with Ron’s picture. We too will never forget and will continue to pray for the return of these brave men.

Yom Ha’atzmaut at Gan Amy

In honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Morah Allison’s class at Gan Amy went on a “trip” to Israel. Upon landing, we went directly to the Kotel where we davened and inserted notes in the wall.

Next stop was the Tel Aviv beach where we played in the sand and seashells, then onto the kibbutz where we picked Jaffa oranges off the trees and then snacked on them. We proudly wore our Gan Amy shirts as we marched up and down in a parade. We sang David Melech Yisroel, Am Yisroel Chai, and Hatikvah. Eretz Yisroel is always in our hearts.

By: Rachel Czeisler

Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut are significant days observed by Jews across the globe. Yom Hazikaron is a day of national remembrance in Israel to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives during the struggle to defend the State of Israel. On this day, we mourn and remember our fallen soldiers as well as the lives that were taken by terrorists. Yom Ha’atzmaut, which is Hebrew for “Day of Independence,” is a nationally celebrated day in Israel that commemorates the 1948 declaration of Israel’s independence.

Students and faculty at HAFTR High School gathered together in the auditorium on Wednesday, May 4, to commemorate Yom Hazikaron. The program began with opening remarks from Rabbi Ira Wallach, director of Limudei Kodesh, who emphasized the significance of the day. Juniors Danielle Garbulsky and Samuel Spiess then read a moving poem written by Israeli poet Natan Alterman, out of respect for the memorial and to reflect upon the intensity of the day. Afterward, students watched part of a documentary about American pilots who volunteered to fly planes for Israel during the War of Independence. The film included interviews with many of the pilots and gave an in-depth look at how the Israeli Air Force was established. The program ended with the entire school community rising to sing Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah.

On Thursday, May 5, the school switched gears from the solemnity of Yom Hazikaron to the celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut. The festivities began with all grades gathering in the auditorium to daven Shacharit. Prior to saying Hallel, Rabbi Hirtz explained why this prayer is said on Yom Ha’atzmaut. This made the school-wide Hallel, led by freshman Zachary Newmark, even more beautiful and meaningful. Afterward, many teachers conducted lively discussions with their students about the impact that Israel has on their lives. The excitement continued as everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch that was sponsored by the PTA and participated in games of laser tag on the front lawn. A sense of connection, enthusiasm, and a Zionistic spirit could be felt throughout the school.

Both the sobering programming on Yom Hazikaron and the celebratory activities on Yom Ha’atzmaut reflected the unity and spirit here at HAFTR High School. These two days infused the entire student body with a sense of triumph, togetherness, and the recognition that we stand united with Israel. We will always give tribute to those who lost their lives and celebrate how far we have come today as a nation and a country.

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 Special Programs at Torah L’Kulanu

In commemoration of Yom HaShoah, Torah L’Kulanu (TLK) students presented stories about survivors and those who were killed in the Holocaust. We would like to offer a tremendous yashar koach to Atara, Yisroel, Rachel, Mayer & Yehuda for their meaningful and touching presentations. The program also consisted of the lighting of a Yahrzeit candle for the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, which was followed by recitation of Tehillim and a moment of silence. We also watched a video featuring an incredible story of a survivor from the Warsaw ghetto.

On Yom HaZikaron, Torah L’Kulanu students were privileged to hear from Shmuel Dorwitt, a current paratrooper in the Israeli army who spoke to our students via Zoom. He related to us about his experience, the training involved, and the true passion he has for wanting to serve in Tzahal. We thank Shmuel for his time and for all that he does for Klal Yisroel!

Students at HANC elementary school enjoyed a spirited celebration and an exciting concert by Mordechai Shapiro in honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut The excitement was palpable at HALB as we celebrated Israel’s birthday last week.

At Lev Chana, students “traveled” to Israel. Everyone landed at Ben Gurion Airport, went through Customs Control, and visited Kibbutz Lev Chana where they milked cows, guessed the type of vegetable by looking at the tops showing above the ground, found the hiding chickens, and added and subtracted oranges in the grove. Next came the cities of Eilat, where they enjoyed the colorful fish and pristine beaches; Tzfat, where they admired the artwork and candles; and Yerushalayim, where they davened at the Kotel. Our children went home with souvenirs to remember the places they visited.

HALB Elementary began the day with a school-wide tefillah and Hallel, followed by an impromptu kumzitz. Shani and Ahuva, our B’nei Akiva B’not Sheirut, planned and organized an incredible evening of song and dance for the HALB community. Each grade from first through eighth performed a song, dance, or daglanut. Students, parents and staff had a blast celebrating Israel together!

Happy birthday Israel!

On Yom Hazikaron, Shulamith School for Girls spent a meaningful day remembering our soldiers from Tzahal. The 1st through 4th grades had a program with Mrs. Farbman, learning about what Tzahal does and how they go and help so many people around the world. The girls heard the siren that commemorates our fallen soldiers and sang a beautiful Hatikvah together.

Grades 5 through 8 had a meaningful program led by Morah Tali Koz. Morah Tali was in Tzahal herself and shared the depth of feeling that is engendered by Yom HaZikaron with a beautiful program that included our 7th and 8th graders speaking about specific Tzahal soldiers. We had the zechut of hearing from the wife of Ari Fuld, z”l, who addressed the students and explained that we all have to continue the legacy that Ari started. The program was meaningful and left the girls inspired and proud of everything that Tzahal does.

Yom Ha’atzmaut was so exciting at Shulamith!

The school day started with a beautiful Hallel b’yachad. Grades 5 through 8 then wished a heartfelt mazal tov and yasher kochachem to our very own Feigenbaum and Zucker families who will be making Aliyah this summer! Our students and their parents joined the assembly to give us the opportunity to wish tzeischem l’shalom to these models of mesirus nefesh for the sake of living in Eretz Yisroel.

Grades 1 through 4 went on an exciting trip all around Eretz Yisroel. The students went to visit places like Yerushalayim, Tzfat, Eilat, the Dead Sea and so much more! Mrs. Mindy Futersak, long-time fourth grade Shulamith Morah, organized these trips to the various classrooms, and all of the thought, planning and effort involved were evident in the students’ experiences there.

Grades 5-8 had multiple activities enhancing their Yom Ha’atzmaut! The girls made Israeli jewelry, competed in a challenging Israeli trivia game and enjoyed some sweet tastes of Israel. Our dedicated staff, Morah Chana, Mrs. Goldberg, Mrs. Rackman Ms. Ruck, and Mrs. Small, manned these stations.

To finish off the day b’yachad, grades 1-8 went outside together to watch the 8th grade Daglanut. Just when the girls thought the day was done, a DJ sponsored by the school’s Shulamith Women’s Organization, played for the girls to dance together as a school!

The 6th-8th grade ended the day with a much anticipated special presentation of our new hallway banner that each girl had the opportunity to help create. The mural, designed and outlined by Mrs. Robyn Rackman, was then completed by the entire student body and was unveiled on Yom Ha’atzmaut. The enhancement to the hallway is beautiful and incredibly meaningful as well.

We would like to thank all the teachers and our 8th grade Yom Ha’atzmaut committee for helping in making today such a success. A special thank you to Mrs. Michelle Farbman for the hours of planning, organizing and collaborating that she did for the execution of this wonderful day. It would not have been the same without her efforts. Thank you to all our sponsors for making the day possible!

Yom Ha’atzmaut: A Day of Celebration and Inspiration at the Gural JCC

Yom Ha’atzmaut was celebrated at the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC with particular joy and meaning as over 40 Holocaust survivors joined us last Thursday morning to reconnect with each other and the JCC staff, to meet new friends and to recognize the 74th birthday of Eretz Yisroel. Many of our survivors had spent time living in Israel, especially right after the war; others have visited their beloved homeland countless times. For all, though, traveling to Israel now was not feasible and so we happily brought Israel to them.

Gradually, more survivors have been venturing out to programs, and on this Yom Ha’atzmaut occasion we had the largest in-person gathering since before the pandemic. It was heartwarming and emotional to observe these treasures, many dressed in blue and white, warmly greeting each other and waving Israel flags as they excitedly found their seats. What was especially amazing was that nearly 80 years after liberation, we were privileged to welcome new survivors to our program, parents of local residents who recently moved to our neighborhood.

Our social hall was liberally decorated with streams of blue and white flag pennants and poster scenes from the Holy land. The tables were festively adorned with matching centerpieces and tablecloths.

The atmosphere was lively and upbeat as our special guest speaker, Rabbi Yotav Eliach, began his presentation. Rabbi Eliach, principal of Rambam Mesivta, well-known speaker, author and commentator, spoke of his beloved mother, Professor Yaffa Eliach, a”h, Holocaust survivor, historian, educator and author. He spoke about his love of Israel and his continued service in the Israeli Defense Forces. Rabbi Eliach passionately addressed a captive audience and showed an assortment of videos depicting various aspects of life in Israel. He concluded his presentation with an emotional Hatikvah, and, spontaneously, almost every survivor picked themselves up, stood and sang with him. It was a beautiful moment.

After Rabbi Eliach’s program concluded, a delicious Israeli style lunch was served, and each survivor was gifted with a kiddush cup and plate adorned with a scene of Yerushalayim. The program continued well into the afternoon with a visit from a group of girls from Shulamith and entertainment by Hagit Avnon and her family.

This particular endeavor was proudly supported by the Israel Engagement Fund, a JCC Association of North America Program Accelerator. This program was also made possible by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Materials Claims Against Germany.

The Marion and Aaron Gural JCC is a proud non-profit partner of UJA-Federation New York. For more information about this or any other JCC program, please call (516)569-6733.

Children at HANC’s Early Childhood Center in West Hempstead enjoyed a “trip” to Israel last week

YOSS ECC’s Trip to Eretz Yisroel

The boys at Yeshiva of South Shore’s ECC packed their suitcases and passports and flew to Eretz Yisroel last week. There, they davened at the Kosel, went shopping at the shuk for mitz mango and bisli, and enjoyed an archaeological dig. The boys brought items from Eretz Yisroel for show and tell and set up an interactive museum together.

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 M’afaila L’orah: Yom Hazkiron and Yom Ha’atzmaut at SKA

Blue and white were the dominant colors in the halls of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls on Wednesday, May 4, in recognition of and solidarity with Yom HaZikaron. The observance of Israel’s Memorial Day at SKA was an inspiring way to acknowledge the contributions of the thousands of Israeli soldiers who gave their lives defending the State of Israel and mourn with the families of those who lost loved ones to war and terror.

In SKA’s limudei kodesh classes, students were given cards with the names of fallen soldiers and learning all day was dedicated in their memory. Throughout the day, the girls wore “Yizkor” stickers, reminding everyone of the solemnity of the day.

The seniors sat spellbound in the SKA Library as they listened to Mr. Shahaf Segal, a former Israeli IDF soldier speak about his wartime experiences and how he now fights terror in an international and legal way in New York. In a moving assembly in the auditorium, 9th, 10th and 11th grade students heard from Ms. Sarri Singer, founder and Director of Strength to Strength, an organization that brings together victims of terror from around the world and provides psychological and emotional support, and who is herself a victim of terror.

In the afternoon, the SKA girls joined together for a special student-led kumzits in the auditorium, bestowing a deeply spiritual aura to the day. Then, in a “from darkness to light” moment, the pain of remembrance turned into joyous celebration as the girls decorated the school building and hallways for the next day’s salute to Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Blue and white were once again the colors of choice on Thursday, May 5, in honor of Israel’s Independence Day. At the schoolwide Tefillah Chagigit held in the morning of Yom Ha’atzmaut, the entire school davened together in a special program. Especially meaningful before the saying of Hallel, we were honored to hear from SKA Math teacher, Dr. Mila Klahr, whose son is in the Israeli army. Dr. Klahr spoke of the miracle that is Eretz Yisroel and what it means to her to have a son in the IDF, protecting the same places we read about in Tanach. Another highlight of the day’s program was hearing from SKA Tanach teacher and Israel Awareness Committee advisor Mrs. Penina Bernstein on why she is making aliyah. Mrs. Bernstein, who is going to move to Israel with her family this summer, has taught countless students through her teachings and example of her love for Torat Yisroel, Am Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel.

This year, SKA sponsored Walk For Israel, in support of Israel’s absorption of the Ukrainian Zhitomir Orphanage which has been relocated to Bet Shemesh. The war in Ukraine, and Israel’s quick and efficient response to the resulting refugee crisis, moved the SKA community to help in any way they could. Before the walkathon, SKA students had already raised over $5,000 in various fundraisers for the orphanage. The Chagigah held after the walkathon was filled with much ruach and dancing!

Yom Ha’atzmaut at SKA was both meaningful and fun! Our thanks go to Mrs. Penina Bernstein and her Israel Awareness Committee members who organized these incredible programs.

World Mizrachi’s Israel360

World Mizrachi, the umbrella movement for global religious Zionism, kicked off its annual Israel360 program recently by sending 70 world-renowned Torah scholars and religious Zionist thought-leaders to 100 communities in the United States.

Now in its fifth year, Mizrachi has sent hundreds of speakers – rabbis, educators, innovators, and journalists – out to communities across the Jewish diaspora through Israel360 during the month of Iyar. While visiting these host communities, these lecturers provide thought-provoking and inspiring sessions with the goal of further strengthening an already powerful relationship between Israel and diaspora Jewry.

Israel360 was incorporated this year into Mizrachi’s new Chodesh Iyar initiative, which capitalizes on Israel’s national holidays – Yom Hazikaron, Yom Haatzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim – as well as New York’s Israel Day Parade, to bring Jews across the world together in celebration of the Jewish State. Other events taking place include delegations from Mizrachi’s Dream Team – students and young professionals youth leaders from Israel – traversing shuls and schools across European and North American communities, a massive Mizrachi Orthodox Israel Coalition showing at the Israel Day Parade in New York and a yeshiva and seminary mass fundraising mega campaign to help fund scholarships for gap-year students to learn in Israel.

“Our sages teach us that from Zion will come Torah, and as we look at our calendar, both at the period between Pesach and Shavuot in general but also at the month of Iyar in specific, it only highlights Israel’s role as the center of the collective Jewish soul,” said World Mizrachi Chairman Rav Doron Perez. “As a result, we’ve taken the month of Iyar as an opportunity to further promote our common love for Israel and Torah through our Israel360 program. We hope that it will continue to grow and further provide opportunities to connect Jews around the world.”

“Mizrachi’s Israel360 program is the most experiential way we can bring the flavor and excitement of Torat Eretz Yisrael to our religious Zionist communities around the United States during this season,” said Religious Zionists of America Executive Vice President Rabbi Ari Rockoff. “We are thrilled to be welcoming our speakers to our various host communities and are looking forward to seeing the impact this initiative will actually have on the ground.”

Did you know?

The longest poem in the world is the Mahabharata, which has about 1.8 million words

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 Plus 5 Concludes at MAY

Mesivta Ateres Yaakov is constantly looking for ways to motivate its talmidim. One of the Mesivta’s unique incentive programs is the Plus 5 program, initiated and generously sponsored by Mr. Ezra Birnbaum. The program, now in its 5th year, encourages talmidim to arrive 5 minutes early to Shacharis and have their tefillin on ready to begin davening before birchos hashachar begins.

“It’s really a game-changer,” commented Rabbi Yossi Bennett, S’gan Menahel. “Having over so many talmidim prepared for davening before the shaliach tzibbur even begins is a tremendous kavod ha’tefilla and changes the atmosphere of the whole davening.”

The program runs throughout the course of the year, depending on the year’s calendar, and this year ran from after Sukkos through Pesach. Talmidim who participate in the program with near-perfect consistency are rewarded handsomely with some very exciting prizes, among them, Apple Airpods Pros and a $175 gift certificate to Z. Bermans.

Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, Rosh HaYeshiva, extolled, “Every year, we are so proud of the talmidim who persevere and complete the Plus 5 challenge. It’s a beautiful kiddush Hashem and nachas for the Yeshiva.”

The Mesivta thanks Mr. Ezra Birnbaum for his support and encouragement of this program.

NYC Launches Small Business Week with the Orthodox Jewish Chamber Of Commerce

By Shabsie Saphirstein

National Small Business Week began last Monday with a kickoff forum at the General Society Hall in Manhattan on Friday. The event united Jewish community leaders, city, and state officials to raise awareness of resources and services available to business owners throughout the state and allowed them to network as they continue to recover from the pandemic and seek new growth opportunities as they are at the core of the city’s path to rebuild and reinvent herself.

The program included the participation of New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim who spoke of his department’s offerings for small businesses to restart and grow. Chris White, Deputy Commissioner for New York State’s Workforce Development, spoke of the Department of Labor’s new online job fair programs that have garnered over 90,000 participants. White also noted various methods for businesses to find and hire assistance.

New York City Council Member Julie Menin, Chair of the Committee on Small Business, addressed the gathering to discuss legislation efforts that are underway to aide and empower New York’s small business community.

“It was an honor for the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce to be the group to host New York City’s small business kickoff event that brought together a diverse group of New York City’s leaders,” said Duvi Honig, Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. The historic toll that Covid-19 took on New York City businesses is difficult, but with empowerment, small business leaders are given tools to shape an inclusive economic recovery with courage and resilience. The event highlighted a strategic vision brought by the SBS for our small businesses.

The event included the participation of NYPD Inspector Richie Taylor; Rabbi Mendy Miroznick, EVP, RAA; and Joel Friedman and Naftuli Moshe Indig of the Chassidic community. Joel Eisdorfer, a senior advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, was recognized with the Small Business Advocacy Award for his work on behalf of small business recovery efforts. Eisdorfer excused the mayor’s absence as the funeral for New York City Firefighter Timothy Klein was underway and on behalf of the mayor led a moment of silence followed by pledging a strong commitment to restart our small businesses and help them flourish.

The event was also hosted by the Greater New York Chamber and its president Mark Jaffe and recognized Voza Rivers, First Vice President of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.

The event began with a networking, followed by a panel, award ceremony, and a question-and-answer segment that brought together voices like James Hendon, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services; Neil Gilberg of the NYS Workers Compensation Board; Joseph Tazwell, Regional Director Empire State Development; NYS Comptroller’s office, IRS tax specialists, and SBA regional representatives.

Around the Community Ethics, Halacha and Contemporary Medical Issues Discussed at Touro Conference

As part of the year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary, Touro University is focusing on the future as well as the past. A special anniversary conference held at Touro’s Lander College for Men highlighted this viewpoint. Perspectives on Individual Autonomy and Community Responsibility explored the legal, ethical, and halachic issues related to the individual’s right to make decisions. The conference was chaired by Dr. Stanley Boylan, Touro Vice President of Undergraduate Education and Dean of Faculties, and Dr. John Loike, Professor of Biology and Interim Director of Bioethics at Touro’s New York Medical College.

The medical ethics conference brought together experts in medicine, psychology and Jewish law to discuss current issues including parental authority and yeshivas as relates to vaccines, support vs. stigma for those with special needs, and the potential impact of legalization of marijuana.

“Touro is committed to preserving and perpetuating the Jewish community. This conference is one example of that commitment, as it links Jewish tradition and halacha with societal issues,” said Dr. Alan Kadish, president of the university.

Dr. Kadish offered an example of the intersection between biomedical ethics and halacha. “We need to balance individual preservation with community responsibility,” he said. “Jewish tradition includes a strong sense of community responsibility, including a commitment to caring for those in need. However, it is easy to imagine a situation in which a therapy or vaccine creates some risk to the individual but offers larger benefit to the community. How do we balance that?” he asked.

Individual Authority, Community

Responsibility, and Halacha

Rav Yonason Sacks, shlita, Rosh HaYeshiva, Beis Medrash L’Talmud, Lander College for Men, also discussed balancing risk.

Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser, Judaic Studies Instructor at Touro’s Lander College for Women

“Your body, your soul, does not belong to you. You are its guardian. Every decision of spiritual and physical well-being must be framed by recognition of this,” he said. He referenced the need for a careful response to the pandemic as an example.

Dr. David Katz, a professor at Touro College of Dental Medicine, raised a similar topic when he discussed parental authority, yeshivas and the measles vaccine. Additional speakers on the topic of individual autonomy, community responsibility and halacha included: Rabbi Dr. Avraham Steinberg, a professor of Medical Ethics at Hebrew University and editor of Encyclopedia Talmudit, who addressed the roles of patient autonomy when it conflicted with halacha; and Rabbi Tzvi Flaum, professor and mashgiach ruchani at Touro’s Lander College for Women, who presented on the role played by patient autonomy in the use of experimental drugs in halacha.

The Impact of Legalizing Marijuana

Legalization of marijuana is another hot button issue that requires a careful response. To date, 18 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana and 38 states have legalized medical marijuana. This means that most Americans have access to cannabis, either medically or recreationally. According to Naomi Klapper, a psychotherapist and professor of psychology at Touro’s Lander College for Women, there has been an across-the-board uptick in marijuana use, including in the frum community. “Legalization has destigmatized marijuana. People think it must not be dangerous,” she explained, “although the risk for abuse remains high.”

As people deal with Covid-related stress, more are using marijuana to relieve anxiety. In the moment, it seems like a “quick fix” easier, cheaper and more accessible than therapy and prescription anti-anxiety medicines. However, the quick fix can easily become a long-term problem, according to Klapper.

“Marijuana leaves you with a heightened sense of anxiety. Chronic users don’t develop coping skills,” she said. “People who become reliant lose motivation. They become emotionally removed. They pull away from social connections.”

The frum community needs to address this topic directly so that young people have the knowledge and decision-making skills they need to avoid addiction. Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser, a Judaic studies professor at Touro’s Lander College for Women, issued a call to action. He told attendees that everyone in the community shares responsibility and ownership of the problem. “Young people want to know. It is up to us to talk about marijuana, to talk about alcohol, to talk about everything that may draw a person toward addiction,” he said.

Dr. Zvi Loewy, Professor and Associate Dean of Research at Touro’s College of Pharmacy, shared his research on medical use of cannabis derivates. Dr. Yardaena Osband, a professor at Touro’s New York Medical College, provided insights from a medical perspective on the effects and usage of marijuana, particularly within the Jewish community.

Naomi Klapper, professor of Psychology at Touro

Responsibility to People with Disabilities

The Jewish community’s responsibility to people with disabilities was the final topic of the day. Samuel Levine, a professor at Touro Law Center, addressed the issue of communal responsibility, while Professors Faye Walkenfeld and Meira Orentlicher discussed the ways in which Jewish communities offer support for individuals but need to make further efforts to avoid stigma in the process.

“Rooted in Jewish tradition and built on Judaic values, Touro puts its mission: to educate, to serve, to enrich humankind into practice every single day. This conference is part of a university-wide initiative to mark our fiftieth year through cutting edge service and education,” said Dr. Kadish.

By Kari Levine

Patients at Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset will be enjoying beautiful Shabbat packages due to the efforts of the families of the Young Israel of West Hempstead.

Close to 100 children, along with their moms and dads, participated in the Young Israel of West Hempstead Sisterhood’s seventh annual #Giveback Sunday event on May 1, 2022.

“We started #Giveback Sunday in 2016 as a way to do chessed for the larger Jewish community,” explains Kari Levine, former Sisterhood president. “Each year it’s one of our most popular events. I am proud to say that in the last seven years we given out over 500 packages to hospital and nursing home patients.”

“#Giveback Sunday is a fantastic way to spend the morning teaching my children the importance of giving back,” says Ayelet Mottahedeh, who brought her three kids to the event and who has been chairperson for several years.

What appeals to all those who attend the event is the relaxed atmosphere. As families arrive, they are handed a Shabbat kit in a drawstring bag. The kit includes a kiddush cup, electric candles, a laminated card with Kiddush on it, a challah cover, and the supplies needed to make a one-of-a-kind laminated bookmark with pressed flowers. Participants are directed to tables teeming with craft items, such as of markers, glittery stickers, gems, dried pressed flowers, and stencils. Then, they get down to work embellishing the packages with their personal touches. Each package is a work of art made with love.

“This event is so perfect for me to bring my kids to,” said Daniella Rosenberg, another of the chessed doers. “I want to teach my kids to think of others, and this event helps me show that in action.”

Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox, Chaplain of the North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, agrees,“It warms my heart to see so many families volunteering their time to decorate and provide religious articles for the Jewish patients at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital.” As he addressed the crowd, he said, “Your kindness will bring smiles, comfort and joy to sick patients who are hospitalized over Shabbat.”

“It’s a chessed event that doesn’t feel like a chessed event,” says Daniella Toplan, age 15. “You get to spend time with your family while doing something good for someone else. It’s a win win!”

NYS Senate Passes Two Stavisky Bills to Make Higher Education More Affordable for Students

Last Wednesday, the New York State Senate passed a package of legislation designed to help students struggling to cover the cost of tuition. Among the bills passed in this critical package is S.7916A, proposed by Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. This bill will increase income eligibility for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) from $80,000 to $110,000. TAP provides thousands of dollars to help eligible New Yorkers cover the cost of tuition.

“The Tuition Assistance Program is a lifeline for young men and women trying to better themselves and their prospects for the future,” explains Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “For years, we’ve seen what TAP has done for low income and working class families. As New Yorkers battle the financial stress of the Covid-19 health crisis and the current inflation squeezing families, we ought to be extending that support to our middle class as well. Investing in our students now, at this time of great need, is an investment into the future of New York.”

The Senate also advanced Stavisky bill S.4449, which will streamline the process for determining financial eligibility for students. Under this proposal, the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) will have 60 days once the application is completed to review a student’s aid application and make a determination on their eligibility.

“Students should not have to suffer in limbo after applying for loans, TAP awards or other aid,” says Senator Stavisky. “The longer the eligibility process drags on, the more strain falls on the student, their families and the institution they are hoping to attend.”

These two bills were part of a larger student debt legislative package advanced by the New York State Senate. You can find a full list of the bills on the New York State Senate website.

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 Touro Celebrates 50 Years of Health Science Education, Honors Local Residents

Rabbi and Mrs. Twersky’s sons, Aaron and Zeesha, son-in-law Yossi Nussbaum, daughters Zahava Nussbaum and Hindy Yudin, and son-in-law Mendy Yudin with Mrs. Twersky and event honoree, Esther Ingber Dr. Nadja Graff with event honorees, L-R: Dr. Louis Primavera, Dr. Rosalie Unterman, Esther Ingber

L-R: Touro EVP Rabbi Moshe Krupka, Touro Provost Patty Salkin, Dr. Graff’s husband, Josh Graff, Dr. Nadja Graff, and Touro President, Dr. Alan Kadish

Nearly 400 Touro supporters, alumni, faculty and friends turned out on May 2 at the Crest Hollow Country Club to celebrate 50 years of success in health science education and to honor Lawrence resident, Dr. Nadja Graff, Vice President of Touro’s Division of Graduate Studies. The family of Rabbi Shlomo Twersky, z”l, also of Lawrence, shared their memories of the Touro Physician Assistant program’s humble beginnings and meteoric growth. Rabbi Twersky founded the program in 1972 – one of the first PA programs in New York State.

Shelly Twersky, the wife of Rabbi Twersky, shared her recollections and fond memories of the early days.

“The story and history of the Touro Physician Assistant Program – which is now housed in Touro’s School of Health Sciences – is one that tracks that of the founding of Touro itself. It is the story of Dr. Lander’s dream, together with my husband, Rabbi Shlomo Twersky, of blessed memory, to create and foster higher education within the Jewish community. It is the story of a fledgling school and program that turned into a force to be reckoned with, within the greater healthcare community,” said Mrs. Twersky.

Mrs. Twersky shared how the PA field was unknown and brand-new at the time, explaining that it grew out of a generation of medics, EMTs and nurses who returned from the battlefield in Vietnam with superior training who were ready to do more than their licensing afforded them. They began training alongside doctors, and the Physician Assistant profession was born.

Dr. Nadja Graff: A Teacher,

Influencer, Mentor and Leader

Dr. Nadja Graff was lauded by Touro President Dr. Kadish as an extraordinary academic leader and an individual of integrity and great dedication.

Rabbi Moshe Krupka, Touro Executive Vice President, echoed his sentiments, “Dr. Nadja Graff sets a standard far above others and she does so with professionalism and integrity. She makes a true Kiddush Hashem in all her actions. She comports herself in a way

Did you know? Poet George McDonald wrote a two-word poem called “The Shortest and Sweetest of Songs.” The two words? Come home.

that brings dignity, expertise and sanctity to otherwise mundane matters, and she disseminates that nurturing and these blessings to our university, collectively and to each individual she encounters.”

Dr. Graff shared her upbringing as the daughter of Holocaust survivors who was raised on lessons of continuity and the eternity of the Jewish people. “My parents taught me about hope and resilience, overcoming and thriving and bringing light into this world. That is why Touro and its mission resonate so powerfully with me.”

“I am indebted to Touro for the opportunities it has given me – opportunities to teach, to influence, to grow, and to lead,” said Dr. Graff. “I am especially indebted to the School of Health Sciences and all the doors it has opened for me. It has been my home since 1980, my home away from home; my surrogate family. I love the people, I am grateful for the friendships, I am proud of the students…I thank Dr. Alan Kadish, president of Touro University System, for all the leadership opportunities he has given me. It is Dr. Kadish’s vision that is transforming Touro University into a powerhouse of higher education under Jewish auspices, grounded in its mission of access, social justice and values.”

Additional honorees at the Touro School of Health Sciences (SHS) 50th anniversary dinner were current SHS dean Dr. Louis Primavera and former dean Dr. Joseph Weisberg of Great Neck. Dr. Primavera is a practicing psychologist who specializes in marriage counseling and also served as Founding Dean of the Graduate School of Psychology at Touro College.

Dr. Weisberg, inaugural SHS dean, developed the Physical Therapy program at Touro College School of Health Sciences and also co-founded MedGizmo, Inc., a medical technology company. Dr. Weisberg gave countless students the opportunity to uplift their lives through education and continues to help thousands of patients improve their health and quality of life through physical therapy. Also honored were: Dr. Rosalie Unterman, Clinical Director of Touro’s Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology and Director of its Speech and Hearing Center, and Esther Ingber who has dedicated 50 years of service to Touro’s SHS.

This year, Touro University is celebrating its 50th anniversary with numerous events and programs including a Chag Hasemicha, academic conferences on aging as well as medical ethics in halacha, a special evening with former Senator Joseph and Hadassah Lieberman and more. The Touro University Gala Dinner will be held on December 4, 2022 at the Marriott Marquis. For more information on the 50th anniversary celebration visit www.50.touro.edu

Dr. Nadja Graff

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 Charlie Breda at HANC NYS History Day

On Friday, the HANC middle school boys were privileged to hear the words of Torah and inspiration from Charlie Breda. Charlie is a student in Yeshiva Noam who has been learning Daf Yomi since January of 2020.

Charlie shared his story about how he was inspired to start learning Daf Yomi at the last Siyum Hashas at MetLife stadium, and he encouraged the boys to take up learning projects of their own. He then inspired the boys to join his new growth initiatives ALLMishnahJR and Tefillateinu. ALLMishnahJR is a program that has inspired many middle schoolers to learn two Mishnayot a day for 5 and a half of years with the Mishna Yomi system. The program includes prizes such as sweatshirts, air pods and gift cards. Tefillateinu is a brand new Tefilla program where every two weeks you say a perek of Tehillim with other middle school students around the country on a Zoom call.

Around 25 students in HANC middle school participate in Mishna Yomi each day. There is a feeling of excitement around learning Torah completely voluntarily. It is truly amazing to see the growth that comes from two Mishnayot a day. During the month of April, HALB’s eighteen winners from the Long Island Regional Competition for National History Day participated in New York State History Day. They submitted documentaries and websites, and three of the HALB groups took home medals in their specific categories, with one of the groups advancing to the National History Day Competition, which will take place virtually during May and June. The awards were as follows: • First Place Junior Group Website: A Failure of Diplomacy at Evian by Yehoshua Fogel, Michael Freund, Aaron Hackel, Joshua Lampert, Noam Lazar • Third Place Junior Group Website: Failing to Save the Children: The Wager-Rogers Bill by Daniella Dagan, Lana Frenkel, Elyana Miller, Emma Neuberg • Third Place Junior Group Documentary: Creating a Debate and Sparking Diplomatic Action: The Auschwitz Protocols by Isaac Cohen, Dovid Feldhamer, Samuel Rosenblatt, Yehoshua Wiesel and Daniel Wohlgelernter

5TLL Week 5 Recap

5TLL boys enjoyed another great week of baseball and soccer sponsored by FM Home Loans! There were some incredible individual performances and late game heroics this week, with the boys all enjoying another fun afternoon of 5TLL.

Soccer Highlights

In K/P Soccer, the boys are really improving their soccer skills. Hewlett Auto Body played great all-around in their scrimmage game, with a great performance by goalie Chesky Klein.

In Pre-1A Baseball, Pinchas Leiner of Believe & Achieve hit a homerun.

In 1st/2nd Soccer, Kolsave defeated Maidenbaum 3-1, in another tight game.

Minors (1st-3rd) Baseball Highlights

1st grade featured an intense game between Maidenbaum and Royal Adjusters which ended in a 15-15 tie. Team Royal Adjusters made an epic comeback led by Dovid Ross who had a 3-run homerun! Rubinstein Law Firm beat Gourmet Glatt, 18-10 behind the bat of Ezra Donowitz, who crushed a grand slam! Gourmet Glatt’s Dovid Bauman had an amazing diving catch.

In 2nd grade, Game MVPs Tzvi Klinkowitz from Maidenbaum and Willy Farber from Stone Group led their respective teams to victory.

In 3rd grade, Rubinstein Law Firm scored 19 runs in their win Sunday. Stone Group had another great performance – putting up 13 runs.

Majors (4th & up) Baseball Highlights

In 4th grade, the shortstop of Team Rebbe’s Choice, Yonah Rabinowitz, made the play of the game and was named team MVP. Mordechai Karfunkel of Stone Group made an amazing diving catch, helping his team secure the victory 9-8 over Island Roofing.

In 5th grade, Avi Adler of Alpert Financial had a clutch double, helping his team narrowly defeat CNSLT 6-5. Meyer Simcha Fireworker of Maidenbaum made a huge catch with the bases loaded to help his team win 2-0 over Gourmet Glatt. Stone Group had another impressive victory, winning 12-1.

The competition intensified in the 6th-8th grade division. Team Built by Nate and Team DJ Huuds got locked in a classic pitcher’s duel, with late-season pickup Eliezer Hirtz playing a stellar game both on the mound and at the plate. Yitzy Spirn of DJ Huuds smacked a game-tying home run in the 9th inning, but Built By Nate was able to score 1 more in the bottom of the inning to win 4-3. Azriel Blumstein had a three-run shot for Sperling Productions, propelling them to a big win over Royal Adjusters.

5TLL Play of the Day

Shmuel Rosenblum of Island Roofing made an incredible backhanded stop and long throw to 1st for the out.

With bases loaded and no outs in the last inning, up by two runs, Yirmy Hofstatter of Built By Nate made the catch and stepped on 2nd for the double-play to win the game.

Scenes from the Siach Yitzchok Shabbos Melamdim at the Chalet hotel upstate

L-R: Rav Dovid Morgenstern, menahel; Rav Feinstein, Rosh HaYeshiva, the Yeshiva of Staten Island; and Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah. Background: Rav Avrohom Bender, menahel

Rav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Visits Yeshiva Darchei Torah

PHOTO BY IVAN NORMAN

Together Again

Emunah of America is proud to welcome back the Women of Wonder (WOW) event on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 7:30 pm, In Person and Together Again. It has been more than two years since we were together in person, and we can’t wait to see everyone at The Space in the Flatiron District, a fabulous venue with a rooftop.

The WOW event honors and celebrates five accomplished women in our community who impact and inspire everyone who they come across.

This year, Emunah is proud to celebrate our incredible WOW awardees Yael Oelbaum Fligelman from Hewlett, Sora Grunstein from Teaneck, Yonina Haber from Englewood, Dalia Horowitz from the Upper East Side, and Ilana Wallenstein from Great Neck.

Our awardees epitomize an Emunah Woman of Wonder, as each woman is accomplished professionally, communally involved, and dedicated to raising successful families. The WOW chairs for the evening are Beth Goldman and Talia Goldwyn, who together with a dedicated committee, are working tirelessly to raise funds for Israel’s most vulnerable children and families.

Sora Grunstein, Emunah of America Financial Secretary and WOW Awardee, said: “The Women of Wonder event is an inspirational and fun evening celebrating amazing female success. I am excited to be a part of such a meaningful night, which raises awareness and vital funds for Emunah’s programs and families.”

For over seventy years, Emunah of America supports five residential programs, therapeutic treatments, and education, to empower these children and young adults to heal and become functional and productive adults, dramatically changing their lives and futures.

Debbie Bienenfeld, National President, stated: “The Women of Wonder event is a special occasion to celebrate women who greatly impact their communities and Israel. Their commitment to their families, communities and professions dovetails with Emunah’s mission of advancing the status of women in Israel, providing them with unique educational opportunities through its high schools, college, and mechina program, empowering young women to grow and succeed.”

The WOW event raises funds for the Alana Karp a”h Fund, established in memory of our beloved colleague, the former Director of Events and Young Leadership, dearly missed by all. The Alana Karp a”h Fund supports scholarships and therapeutic treatments critical to the success of Emunah’s at-risk children and families.

Rav Asher Shteierman, fifth grade rebbi, made a special shatnez presentation at Yeshiva Darchei Torah in honor of Parashas Kedoshim last week

Mercaz Academy Names Ms. Karen Leeper as Assistant Principal

Mercaz Academy is excited to announce that Ms. Karen Leeper is joining our team of educators as Assistant Principal for General Studies. Ms. Leeper brings not only exemplary credentials to this position but also talent, enthusiasm, and dedication to the growth of each student. Ms. Leeper will oversee the general studies program at Mercaz Academy, working collaboratively with Rabbi Fogel, as principal, to ensure Mercaz establishes itself from the outset as a center of academic excellence.

Ms. Leeper decided to enter the field of education during a college linguistics course that placed her in a classroom. That experience motivated her to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Buffalo, with a concentration in Early Childhood. She furthered her own education in the field with a master’s degree in Childhood Education and completed a post-master’s Certificate in Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and Administration at the College of Saint Rose.

Ms. Leeper now serves as Acting Principal and Middle School Director for grades Kindergarten through 10 at the Evergreen Charter School on Long Island, where Ms. Leeper has worked since 2011 and which has grown substantially during her tenure there. From 2013 through 2018, she served as the Assistant Principal for grades Kindergarten through 5. Notably, she began her career as a math coach and taught at all elementary grade levels.

“My first love is being in the classroom. Working with children, supporting the students’ progress through the year, is very rewarding,” she explained.

After being promoted to assistant principal and then to acting principal, she realized that additional rewards could be gleaned from administrative roles. Ms. Leeper found that she now had the opportunity to work with a larger community. She said, “I could connect not only with one grade, but with all the school’s students as they continue through the grades, and with their families as well.” She looks forward to forging strong relationships with teachers, students, and parents at Mercaz Academy.

Ms. Leeper brings to her position at Mercaz Academy an extensive knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She has both coordinated and led professional development on a wide array of topics. Her talents and experience were evident to the teachers and to the members of the Mercaz Academy Board of Education who met with her during the interview process. Second grade teacher Aileen Kirschenbaum praised Ms. Leeper’s knowledge of elementary education, remarking that the meeting was so insightful as to serve effectively as professional development for the teachers who participated.

And, whether she is mentoring teachers, conferring with regard to potentially introducing a new curriculum, or planning educational programs, her concern for each student as an individual is what motivates her. “Meeting the needs of students by providing differentiated supports leads to academic excellence. This is what drives me every day. Witnessing students overcome academic, social or emotional challenges given the proper supports is why I started working in the field of education and why I will continue.”

Rabbi Fogel and Ms. Leeper have begun consulting together as educational leaders of Mercaz Academy. Rabbi Fogel noted, “We are all excited to learn from Ms. Leeper’s experience and deep understanding of education. We can already see how her winning attitude, warmth and professionalism inspire a natural thirst for excellence in all areas. Our entire school community—students, teachers, and parents--will benefit with her as our assistant principal.”

Rabbi Fogel and Ms. Leeper will work closely through the summer to mold Mercaz Academy further into a center of academic excellence. Through this partnership, the Academy’s first day of classes will mark the launch of a school that serves well the hearts, minds, and souls of our students and enriches our entire school community.

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 Inaugural MSW Cohort of Community Leaders is Launched

Probate: What It Is & How To Avoid It – Part II

This week, a first-of-its-kind event took place at the Sara Schenirer Institute as the inaugural cohort of the Masters in Social Work Leadership Program met for an intensive two-day orientation.

With the Jewish community experiencing incredible growth, the need for competent mental health professionals has become ever more apparent, with demand far outpacing the supply.

Thanks to the partnership between Sara Schenirer and the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, in 2018, a rigorous social work program ensuring hashkafic suitability was established, bringing topnotch professionals back into our communities.

This, however, was deemed insufficient, as a serious void still existed. Rabbanim, menahalim, principals, and askanim are usually the first called on for support in difficult situations, yet their lack of formal training leaves them unprepared and untrained for situations that are potentially life-altering. Compounding the problem is the reality that MSW programs are full-time programs which makes it virtually impossible for them to participate.

Addressing this glaring need became a high priority, and in 2021, Sara Schenirer and Wurzweiler collaborated to create a specialized new track to allow leaders in the community to continue actively working in their current positions while earning their degrees. Offered fully online and over an extended period of time, the program is ideal for busy leaders for whom flexibility and adaptability are key.

The inaugural cohort is composed of an outstanding group of students, among them prestigious rabbanim, experienced school principals, lay leaders, and student advisors. Their enthusiasm for this opportunity is palpable and the widespread sentiment among their new professors is that their future contributions to the Jewish community will be monumental.

By Monet Binder, Esq.

To spare your family’s time, cost, and stress associated with probate, in our last article in part one of this series, “Probate: What It Is & How To Avoid It,” we explained how the probate process works and what it would entail for your loved ones. Here, in part two, we’ll discuss the major drawbacks of probate for your famil, and further outline the different ways you can help them avoid probate with wise planning.

Not everyone realizes that for a Trust to function properly, and do what it is supposed to, it’s not enough to simply prepare a Trust and then list the assets you want the Trust to include. When you create your Trust, you must also transfer the legal title of any assets you want to be held by your Trust from your individual name into the name of your Trust. Retitling assets in this way is known as “funding” a Trust.

While many lawyers will create a Trust for you, few will ensure your assets are properly inventoried and funded into your Trust. If any assets are not properly funded to the Trust, you’ve merely established an empty shell of a legal planning tool, the Trust won’t work, and your family will have to go to court in order to take ownership of that property, even if you have a Trust. Not funding your Trust would defeat a major purposes of Trust planning –

Did you know?

to avoid the courts.

Although a living Trust can be an ideal way to pass your belongings to your loved ones, each family’s circumstances are different. This is why we will not create any documents until we know what you actually need and want, so the best planning decisions can be made for you and your family—for now and for the future – based on your family dynamics, assets, and desires.

While living Trusts are beneficial for most people and are designed specifically to avoid probate, there are instances when beneficiary designations are used. The following are some of the most common assets that use beneficiary designations and can also bypass probate: • Retirement accounts, IRAs, 401(k)s, and pensions • Life insurance or annuity proceeds • Payable-on-death (POD) bank accounts • Transfer-on-death (TOD) property, such as bonds, stocks, vehicles, and real estate

Other assets that do not go through probate include assets with a right of survivorship, such as property held jointly either as husband and wife, or jointly with someone else. Probate would also be unnecessary, and assets would automatically pass, as long as there was a surviving co-owner.

The best way for you to determine which estate planning strategies are best suited for your situation is to meet with us, by scheduling your Family Estate Planning Session. Call 718.514.7575. During this process, we’ll take you through an analysis of your assets, what’s most important to you, and what will happen to your loved ones when you’re gone or if you become incapacitated.

Monet Binder, Esq., has her practice in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, dedicated to protecting families, their legacies and values. All halachic documents are approved by the Bais Havaad Halacha Center in Lakewood, under the direction of Rabbi Dovid Grossman and the guidance of Harav Shmuel Kaminetsky, shlita, as well as other leading halachic authorities.

Yeshiva Darchei Torah to Hold Kollel/Beis Medrash Dinner This Sunday

Since its inception in 1999, Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid has enabled an entire generation of bachurim to grow in Torah, yirah, and middos from morning to night under the tutelage of their roshei yeshiva, maggidei shiur and mashgiach. In 2005, at the request of several alumni returning to the States from yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael, a “kibbutz” of senior bachurim was formed as well. These talmidim soon married and formed the pioneer cadre of Kollel Tirtza Devorah, which today has 31 fulltime avreichim and 45 mechanchim in its afternoon Kollel—in addition to a kibbutz—all under the aegis of the rosh kollel.

Together, the Beis Medrash and Kollel form the crown jewel of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, training over 200 budding talmidei chachomim – who are living examples of Torah lishmah for their younger counterparts on campus – as the next generation of Jewish leaders. Indeed, scores of alumni are now teaching and disseminating Torah throughout North America and beyond as rabbeim, poskim, and learned baalei batim, building their own homes and communities on the firm foundations they formed here in their youth.

Mr. and Mrs. Mordechai Rosen Guests of Honor

Reb Mordechai Rosen is certainly no stranger to Kollel Tirtza Devorah and Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid. In fact, he has been a part of the Yeshiva before the Beis Medrash even came into existence.

Mordechai joined Mesivta Chaim Shlomo in 1996, its second year, and stayed on in the nascent Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid for four years. Upon completing a year at Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, Mordechai and a few fellow alumni of Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid contemplated returning to the Yeshiva instead of joining one of the post-Israel yeshivos in America. They approached Rav Yaakov Bender with a proposal to create a division for them to learn and grow, all under the same roof as the rest of the Yeshiva, to attend chaburos, vaadim, and shmuessin from their own rabbeim. It was an appealing idea, and Rav Bender enthusiastically brought it to fruition. Thus the “Kibbutz,” as it was fondly called, was born—with only six bachurim. It has since grown into the full-fledged Kollel Tirtza Devorah that thrives today.

Mordechai, who is a son of Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Rosen of Lawrence, was married a year later to Elisheva, a daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Nachman Prupas of Montreal, and they began their kollel life a few blocks from the Yeshiva. Mordechai would remain in kollel full time for ten years. To enable his sacred mission and support their family financially, Elisheva established Fame, a successful women’s apparel business. Its first home was in their humble Far Rockaway apartment; it is now located on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst and in several other Jewish communities around the world. For several hours each day, Mordechai joins his wife in their business that has developed not only into a thriving commercial enterprise but into a launch pad for quiet chessed as well.

Mordechai still learns daily at the Yeshiva and is an integral part of a special night-seder chaburah of the Oraysa Amud V’Chazara program with approximately eight other alumni.

The Rosens are gratified to have the opportunity to show hakaras hatov to the Beis Medrash and Kollel. They recognize the Rosh Kollel, Rav Dovid Bender, and his rebbetzin, Hennie, for inspiring and elevating the Kollel families and always available to them, be it for advice, halacha she’ailos or any other needs.

Says Mrs. Rosen, “The Kollel created our foundation in Far Rockaway and our amazing friendships were started in our Kollel days.” She says that a great deal of credit is due to Rebbetzin Hennie, who gave the N’shei HaKollel a sense of belonging and created an environment for them to thrive in. (The women all still look forward to the N’shei gatherings throughout the year.) This, she believes, enhanced their husbands’ spiritual growth as well, enabling them to continue learning in the Kollel uninterrupted for several years.

Of course, the Rosens are thankful to the Ribono shel Olam Who has provided them with such a wonderful Yeshiva and community to live in. May they continue to bring much Yiddishe nachas to both of their families, who are truly proud of this wonderful young couple.

Rabbi and Mrs. Mutty Zeiger Harbotzas Torah Award

Harbotzas Torah very accurately describes each day in the life of Rabbi Mutty Zeiger. Rabbi Zeiger has been a rebbi at Yeshiva Darchei Torah for the last ten years, and he is renowned for his success in teaching seventh graders to not only learn Torah but to love Torah. Rav Zeiger cares for each talmid and exudes a warmth toward his students that draws them close. This is, in fact, a trait that he admired as a close talmid of Rav Nissan Kaplan when Rav Zeiger was learning in Eretz Yisrael—and he emulates it well. He was also an avreich at the Kollel of Rav Chaim Tzvi Senter’s Yeshiva Aderes HaTorah in Yerushalayim and he learned with bachurim under Rav Senter’s aegis.

Rabbi Zeiger’s exuberance for his job, his talmidim, and the Yeshiva is truly inspiring. His talents and enthusiasm help his talmidim learn—and remember their learning. He rarely just sits at his desk; he prefers to move about the classroom, catching the boys’ attention and sharing his contagious excitement over each piece of Gemara.

Rabbi Zeiger is grateful for the direction and leadership of the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender, who boosts every rebbi’s self-esteem and lets the talmidim know how amazing their rebbi is. He is thankful as well for the support and chizuk that he receives from Rabbi Dovid Frischman, Rabbi Dovid Presser, and his fellow rebbeim. As a rebbi in Yeshiva, he sees firsthand what the chavrei hakollel and Beis Medrash bachurim mean to the whole Yeshiva and their influence is felt even among the middle school talmidim.

The Zeiger mishpacha resides in Flatbush and davens at the Bostoner Kehilla. While Rabbi Zeiger is instilling yiras Shamayim and teaching Torah to his talmidim, his eishes chayil, Miriam, nee Kirschner, is the akeres habayis who cares for the Zeiger children and home. Rabbi Zeiger is grateful for his wife’s incredible support, backing him in his every endeavor. She is also constantly on the lookout to perform chessed, cooking and baking for many in need. She also taught talmidos for a number of years and has a visceral understanding and appreciation of the chinuch mission.

Kollel Tirtza Devorah and Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid are proud to pay tribute to a rebbi who, with his eishes chayil, sets such a sterling example for the Yeshiva talmidim and for Klal Yisrael.

Mr. and Mrs. Shouie Gellis Parents of the Year

Kollel Tirtza Devorah and Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid are proud to honor Mr. and Mrs. Shouie and Chaya Gellis as Parents of the Year.

In actuality, the feeling is mutual— as the Gellises are proud to be parents of two Beis Medrash talmidim (Eliyahu is a current talmid and Binyamin is an alumnus), and were excited to have the opportunity to show their hakaras hatov to the hanhala of the Yeshiva. Their sons were both very matzliach in the Mesivta and Beis Medrash, and Mrs. Gellis fondly remembers receiving nachas calls and updates from the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender. One son was privileged to not only learn under the Rosh Yeshi-

Reb Mordechai Rosen Rabbi Mutty Zeiger Mr. Shouie Gellis Rav Shmuel Brudny, zt”l

va, Rav Shlomo Avigdor Altusky, but to drive him to simchos as well and thereby develop a special rapport through their time spent together. In addition, the influence of the Kollel yungerleit on the Beis Medrash bachurim is noticed and greatly appreciated by the Gellises.

The Gellises are well-respected members of the Flatbush community, and they are treasured mispallelim at their shul, Khal Zichron Yaakov Shlomo Vchava, whose mara d’asra is Rav Ezra Rodkin. They are active in mosdos and organizations, including Chasdei Lev and the Flatbush Community Fund, as well as Kollel Tirtza Devorah.

The Gellis home is steeped in Torah values and Mr. and Mrs. Gellis bring much nachas to their respective families as they embody the hashkafos with which they were raised. Mrs. Gellis, nee Weinstock, is a granddaughter of the well-known philanthropist Mr. Benny Fishoff, a”h, an askan of legendary stature.

Mr. Gellis is the owner of Eden Healthcare ,and Mrs. Gellis spends many hours volunteering for Bikur Cholim. Mr. Gellis learned in Yeshiva Shaar Hatorah’s high school and beis medrash and in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas before his marriage, and maintains a strong kesher with his rosh yeshiva, Rav Yisroel Reisman. He also learned at Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim after his marriage.

The Gellis mishpacha looks forward to sharing continued Yiddishe nachas with the Yeshiva as their boys continue to learn and grow in the coming years.

Rav Elya Brudny, shlita, will deliver divrei zikaron in memory of his illustrious parents, Rav Shmuel and Rochel Leah Brudny, z”l.

For over 25 years, Rav Elya Brudny, shlita, a rosh yeshiva at the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn, has been a weekly visitor to our Yeshiva, where the talmidim look forward to discussing their learning with him and gaining inspiration from his shmuessen. The Rosh Yeshiva is a gadol and a leader of Klal Yisrael, and he is devoted to yeshivos and kollelim in particular. Selfless and unassuming, he agreed to deliver divrei zikaron at Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid and Kollel Tirtza Devorah’s dinner in memory of his illustrious parents, Rav Shmuel and Rochel Leah Brudny, zichronam livracha.

Rav Shmuel was born in Smargan, Lithuania, in 1915 at the height of World War I. His parents, Rav Elya and Rebbitzen Basya Brudny, z”l, realized that he was destined for greatness. The young Shmuel was a precocious child, beloved by all, and at the age of fourteen was accepted into the Rameilles Yeshiva in Vilna, where he learned under HaRav Shlomo Heiman for three years. At 17, the “Iluy fun Smargan” went to learn in the Mir, which was led by Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel. Rav Finkel asked his son-inlaw, Rav Chaim Shmulevitz, to mentor the young Rav Shmuel. Rav Shmuel escaped with the Mirrer Yeshiva to Kobe, Japan and then to Shanghai, but, tragically, most of the rest of his family was killed in Zoskowitz by the Nazis in 1941. Through the work of the Vaad Hatzalah, the Mir was able to relocate to America, with Rav Shmuel among the talmidim.

Shortly after arriving in New York, he married Rochel, daughter of Rav Dovid and Batsheva Leshinsky, who were originally from Mir as well. Rebbetzin Rochel would devote her life to ensure that her husband could learn undisturbed.

Rebbetzin Rochel Brudny was born in 1925 in Grodno and later relocated to Mir with her family. Her father was a great talmid chacham, masmid, and yirei Shamayim, and her mother was an incredible oheves Torah and baalas ruchnius who ran a business to support their family. As World War II broke out, Rebbetzin Leshinsky sent her husband to Vilna to join her son and escape the Communists. Young Rochel, age 14, her mother, and her siblings were advised by Rav Leizer Yudel to close their affairs and flee to Vilna. They accompanied the Finkel family to Vilna and subsequently traveled with the Mirrer Yeshiva to Kobe and later to America. The Leshinsky home in New York remained a bais vaad lechachamim, just as it had been in Europe.

In 1947, Rav Dovid Kronglas, a Mirrer who had become mashgiach ruchani of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael, suggested the shidduch of Rochel to Rav Shmuel. While still a chosson, Rav Shmuel was invited by Rav Avraham Kalmanovitz and Rav Chaim Shmulevitz to become a maggid shiur in the Mirrer Yeshiva, where he taught hundreds of talmidim for 40 years.

Rav Brudny devoted his life to learning and teaching Torah, and Rebbetzin Brudny became a beloved mechaneches at Bais Yaakov of Williamsburg and later at Bais Yaakov of Boro Park. Still, her main focus was always on her goal as the eishes chaver who would ensure that Rav Shmuel could learn to his maximum potential with no disturbances. She took care of all his and the household’s needs and guarded the Rosh Yeshiva’s health. Rav Shmuel treated the Rebbetzin like a queen and was known to often say, “Sheli v’shelachem shelah hee,” as Rebbi Akiva said of his own wife, Rochel. Rebbetzin Brudny treated her husband as the gadol that he was, and together they were paragons of shalom bayis to all who came in contact with them.

Rav Shmuel was a great marbitz Torah, and talmidim vied for a space in his shiur. The Rosh Yeshiva was the epitome of a patient rebbi and never lost his temper with his talmidim. He loved his talmidim and they revered him in return. His shiurim were able to catch the attention of the most advanced students as well as the average ones.

It seems that his uniqueness was that he was an elevated tzaddik and masmid with a keen sensitivity to others. His kavod for each bachur was legendary; he stood while students asked him questions and addressed them with the pronoun “ihr,” a more respectful Yiddish term than “du.” Even though he had so many talmidim, he took notice of every single one. Rav Yaakov Bender says that he always remembers Rav Shmuel’s derech eretz for his talmidim and that he treated them like colleagues, not underlings.

Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid and Kollel Tirtza Devorah hold true to the same hashkafos that Rav Shmuel and Rebbetzin Rochel Leah Brudny z”l held dear: yegiah and ameilus in Torah and devotion to teaching and disseminating Torah.

Our dinner and campaign honor the legacy of Rav Shmuel and Rebbetzin Rochel Leah Brudny, z”l, and perpetuate the sacred work of the Beis Medrash and Kollel with which their son, Rav Elya, shlita, has devotedly chosen to attach his name and presence.

To contribute to the campaign or make a dinner reservation, please call 718.868.2300 ext. 301; email kollel@ darchei.org; or visit www.darchei.org/ kollel.

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 Pet Therapy Continues at IVDU 5 Towns

Animals have proven to be very therapeutic to many, including the students at IVDU 5 towns. Over the year, a lot of focus has been placed on bringing in different animals for the students to be around. A petting zoo was brought in for Parshas Noach, an animal show was brought in for students to touch and interact with the animals, and now this week, the students are fortunate to have a rabbit in school!

They are taking responsibility for feeding the rabbit, cleaning the cage, and showering the rabbit with love and attention. Having the rabbit has proven to be a positive and sensory rich experience for many of our kids, with students enjoying the touch and feel of the rabbit’s soft fur in their hands. The students and staff are enjoying their role as hosts in school and are looking forward to having other animals visit the school in the future.

A Memorable Mother’s Day for Single Moms at the Gural JCC

We all know that every day is Mother’s Day – or should be. But sometimes having a designated date on the calendar makes us take note and put in a special effort. Mother’s Day is usually a day of celebration and close family times, often even a multigenerational event. But for single parents – those who are divorced or widowed, just recently or even for many years – Mother’s Day can be a difficult and painful day.

The Kadima program at the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC was created over seven years ago to address the many overwhelming needs of single parents. We offer many services and ongoing support and are particularly conscientious of the children in our program and provide them additional relief such as Chanukah and Purim parties, trips and play therapy groups. While the parents can always access our support groups, one-on-one counseling, lectures and workshops, once in a while we try to do something especially targeted for them.

This year, with the help of some very special friends, we created a well-deserved “spa night” for our Kadima moms, replete with mini facials and hand massages, thanks to the generous crew at L’Occitane en Provence. Close to fifty women juggled their schedules to join us last Monday night to enjoy a night of fun, refreshments and attention. They sat with art therapist Cirri Shafran and designed beautiful gratitude journals, let their creative juices flow at a flower arranging table, were amazed at a cool tree analysis station, and stopped to add their comments to our affirmation board. The women socialized with staff and friends – new and old – were pampered and relaxed, and left our JCC campus with a smile on their faces and a SWAG bag in their hands, again, thanks to L’Occitane’s lovely staff.

It was a night all will remember for a long time to come but, mostly, a night they know they were remembered by the warm and caring Kadima staff at the Gural JCC.

If you or anyone you know would like to find out more about the Kadima program for single Jewish parents, please call Rachayle at (516)569-6733.

The Marion and Aaron Gural JCC is a proud non-profit partner of UJA-Federation New York.

Mrs. Riva Ratner’s 2nd and 3rd grade CAHAL class at the Yeshiva of South Shore visited the Nassau County Police Department last week. They learned all about police safety, the bomb squad, the K-9 unit, car safety, and self defense

There’s Always Space for Learning at YOSS

The students in Mrs. Traube’s first grade have had a “blast” these last few weeks, as they completed a cross-curriculum unit on space and our solar system. It all began with our new Ready Gen module, where we read King Kafu and the Moon and Let’s Visit the Moon. We analyzed the differences between fiction and nonfiction, as well as the similarities and connections between the two texts. We then expanded our learning to involve all things space and astronauts. We watched clips of real astronauts on the ISS, the Perseverance Rover on Mars, and a liftoff of the SpaceX Dragon Capsule. Our classroom library was filled with space-themed books, which we visited daily. We wrote sentences utilizing our individual Space Word Walls and participated in spacethemed literacy centers. The class sorted through a “moon gravel” sensory box to classify “Earth” (real) and “Alien” (nonsense) words.

The boys were “over the moon” taking a virtual field trip to the Kennedy Space Center. To cap it all off, our little astronauts in action created an unbelievable bulletin board showcasing the most interesting space facts that they had learned. They have proven they are ready to blast off into second grade!

Mother’s Day writing pieces are a-“bloom” at YOSS

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) hosted the new Israeli Consul General, Ambassador Asaf Zamir, in Albany and introduced him to other legislators. The meetand-greet was an opportunity for state legislators to meet Ambassador Zamir, discuss the New York-Israel relationship, and try some Israeli snacks.

Olami Plans “Big M Summit”

Olami is not your parents’ outreach organization. This vibrant campus and young professional movement is mission driven to secure not only a Jewish communal future but furthermore to inspire legions of Jews worldwide toward further personal growth and achievement. This is done through the prism of Torah study and Jewish communal activism, with a focus on education and professional advancement.

Olami is active on 300 college campuses and young professional communities around the world reaching and inspiring over 50,000 young Jewish adults annually. Students benefit from both formal and informal programming –through a fusion of inspired study, communal engagement and worldwide travel that lays a strong foundation for participants’ future engagement and interest. Education is key for Olami, whose goal is to promote Jewish identity and pride its students with an eye toward community and continuity.

A flagship Olami initiative, and one that sets it apart from most, is its mentorship program. Designed to reach thousands worldwide, this unique endeavor matches experienced Jewish professionals with students in specific fields to foster personal and professional connections. These mentors, by example, model how being a part of the Jewish community has positively impacted and enriched their lives and contributed to their professional success.

To capitalize on the tremendous value of this program, Olami is hosting a weeklong global mentorship Summit called “The Big M Summit.” The M stands for more than Mentorship. It stands for Meaning – which is infused into every interaction. For Movement – that Olami is instrumental in creating. For More – because we are always looking to grow more, to reach our potential. The Big M Summit runs from May 16th to 23rd, with men and women from around the world gathering for a week of education, inspiration, professional opportunities and fun recreational activities in the New York metro area.

The group will hear from rabbis, respected professional and community leaders – including former Chief Rabbi of Israel Rav Yisrael Meir Lau. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take a seat at the table in the boardrooms of high powered company executives and network through shared values within the Jewish community.

The highlight of the week will be Thursday night when 600 international students and 600 mentors gather in the Five Towns to reinforce the importance of investing in fellow Jews, to solidify their relationships with their mentees (many of whom only met over the phone until now) and create community. These mentors, successful Shomrei Torah, are an exclusive group of dedicated and respected individuals who have invested their valuable time and resources into their mentees. Their commitment allows for the continued growth of these students, as well as Olami’s important mission. Thursday night will be an evening of limud Torah and personal growth, a special bonding between the students and mentors. The evening of exploration and connection will culminate with multiple kumzitzes using music as a powerful tool for unity.

The students will then spend Shabbos together and enjoy a gala event and musical performance on Sunday, a fitting end to an incredible week of growth and connection, and an uplifting powerful start to the launch of the global community.

At Lev Chana, teachers were surprised with treats throughout the week, including coffee and cakes, Berrylicious ice cream cake, and lunch from Central Perk. HALB Elementary had a sign out front and offered lunch from Central Perk, coffee and cake, and a room service cart filled with goodies that administrators brought from classroom to classroom. Thank you to our HALB teachers for everything you do for the school and your students every single day!

Shmittah farmer Avichai Koch made a special visit to the Yeshiva Darchei Torah elementary school

CIMBY is Back!

After a more than two-year hiatus due to Covid and its related restrictions, CIMBY is back!

CIMBY is a fresh initiative spearheaded by the team at Achiezer, encouraging individuals to engage in acts of kindness right in our own community.

Born from the combination of Achiezer’s commitment to providing life-changing chesed services and the tremendous support from passionate volunteers teaming up for the greater good, CIMBY – which stands for “Chesed In My Backyard” – is a dynamic opportunity to be a part of a community of dedicated chesed-enthusiasts and provide for those in need.

Join hundreds of fellow volunteers and make a difference.

During Covid, a CIMBY “virtual” event was held. Now, CIMBY is back, live and in-person, with a “junior” version slated for Sunday, May 22. An adult CIMBY event is planned for after the summer.

CIMBY Jr. is a 2K Run event, with youth from all over coming out and joining members of the community on behalf of this worthy cause. Runners and their families will come together for a fun-filled event featuring an invigorating run, savory bites, and a grand concert. With loud cheers from friends and family – and a little help from tantalizing barbecue aromas – these young men will push themselves to the finish line.

This year, Achiezer is also offering a wide-ranging and thrilling scavenger hunt with fun for the entire family, adding another twist to this exciting event.

All the funds from this year’s CIMBY event are being earmarked to pay for local children to attend summer camp, a vital need in our community – what’s not to like about that.

There are limited openings, so register today!

Past events have been a triumph fueled by generosity and goodwill, successfully providing an opportunity for community members to come together as one in support of a community organization that while based here in our community, is arguably the busiest and most sought-after Jewish chessed resource in the nation.

HANC Remembers Using Their Sense

The talmidos of the Ganger Early Childhood at TAG are really “feeling” their Aleph Bais review with the new Aleph Bais sensory bulletin board.

This year, HANC Middle School was privileged to see a program on the Holocaust entitles, “Heroes of the Holocaust.” This program was presented by Rabbi Joel Cohn of ISRAED. Rabbi Cohn discussed many different Chasidei Umot Haloam. These included: Sir Nicholas Winston, Irina Sendler, Sugihara and Raoul Wallenberg. These individuals, among many others, saved Jewish people during the Holocaust. They did it because they felt empathy toward the Jews. Rabbi Cohn also mentioned a French village and a Dutch village dedicated to saving Jews. Rabbi Cohn taught us that “you do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.”

One poignant moment was when Rabbi Cohn showed us a clip of a survivor who was holding his 49th great-grandchild at his bris. The bris was timed so it would take place exactly as the siren was going off in Israel. This is the siren that is sounded, and everyone stops what they were doing. This was truly a sign that this person and the Jewish nation have triumphed over Hitler, ym”sh.

On the Day of Remembrance, Yom Hazikaron, HANC, along with Jews all over the world, honored the soldiers who risked, and lost their lives for us and Israel. Every year, Morah Aronowitz and her class put on a meaningful production to educate and remember those who perished. Combined with the effort of Morah Aronowitz, Mrs. Fredman, and her students, the day was impactful and tapped into all who listened. The stories of Shawn, who was a soldier who wrote letters before the war, and lost his life in the process, the songs and instruments played by students, and the deep poems that touched everyone’s hearts. Thinking about all the parents who lost their children, and all the children who lost their parents, and everyone who may have lost a friend or someone they were close to. Although it was a day to remember, and a hard period to recall, it was extremely important. Many of us may not know of someone who was lost during that time, but every one of us was hit with each powerful word as we commemorated the heroes of the past.

Boro Park Preparing, Once Again, for Massive Central Lag B’Omer Celebration at Niklesburg

By Miriam Weiser

With great siyata dishmaya, pleasure and gratitude to Hashem, we are announcing that, though a couple of years passed without it, the huge event of Lag B’Omer at Niklesburg Beis Medrash are back!

Preparations are underway at the Niklesburg Beis Medrash, 4912 16th Avenue in Boro Park, to accommodate the thousands of people who are expected to attend the Lag B’Omer festivities. This year’s celebration will IY”H take place on Wednesday evening, May 18, in front of the shul and will feature, as usual, live music with a band, singers and expanded sound system. The hadlaka and dancing is presided over by the beloved Grand Rabbi Mordechai Jungreis shlit”a of Niklesburg, whose generosity and love for all humans is well known to be boundless and infinite.

The Niklesburg bonfire originally started as a whim, when the Rebbe, shlit”a, broke into a little impromptu dance with some of his devoted followers about 15 years ago. People passing by soon joined, and it grew to become the central Lag B’Omer event in Boro Park, drawing thousands of participants each year. The joyous celebration and spiritually charged atmosphere have earned the event the popular title of Meron-Niklesburg.

The festivities will begin with Maariv shortly after 9 PM, after which the finest quality olive oil will be distributed to everyone to add to the bonfire free of charge, so that everyone can take part. When all the preparations are complete (anticipated by 10:00), the Rebbe will light the fire, and the music and dancing will begin. A generous donor provided 1,000 bow-andarrow sets, which will be distributed free to the children. Fantastic refreshments will be dispersed to happy kids of all ages.

Everyone knows of the keen tradition of chesed from the enthusiastic Rebbe, as he constantly and continuously hands out food, drinks, and snacks to all those in his presence. The Rebbe is always happy to feed people of all ages and types. It doesn’t matter whether you are a great Talmud chacham or a small child, if you are regular businessman or you are an out of yeshiva bochur. Everyone feels at home and at peace with the Niklesburg Rebbe.

The powerful feeling of joy and belonging has drawn a crowd of thousands each year, some even arriving from upstate to participate. In the last two years, due to Covid, the Rebbe, fully aware and fearful to expose anyone to infection, halted the Lag B’Omer bonfire, to the distress of many. So many people who freely admit that they look forward to this all year confess to the reality that they feel the closeness and friendliness, the generosity and personal friendship from the Rebbe, at this momentous event.

Watch the great kiddush Hashem that comes along with all this each year as the Niklesburg Rebbe, shlit”a, publicly thanks the police presence over the PA for providing security and crowd control. And each year the police tell him again, “Of all the celebrations we oversee, this one is always the happiest and most orderly.”

While many celebrations such as this one hire professional planners and overseers, the Niklesburg Rebbe, shlit”a, does not think it is necessary. As he says in his famous song that has gone viral throughout the Jewish world, “Every Yid’s a big tzaddik.” He believes that every Yid has something great about them, and so the crowd is full of big musicians and great singers and wonderful people. The event is attended by many thousands, and the spiritual happiness and joy, the solidarity and fellowship of each attendee makes it a simcha worth attending, reaping much enjoyment and comfort.

The growth of the Lag B’Omer celebration mirrors the Rebbe’s success in reviving the Woodbourne shul for the summer vacation season. Beginning with a sign many years ago that announced, “All Are Welcome,” he now presides over the shul that draws tens of thousands of people throughout the summer each year. In fact, the Rebbe spent a considerable amount of time, energy and money over the past year overseeing upgrades and other details to ensure the shul will again be ready to accommodate the summer crowds.

The gala Lag B’Omer event kicks off with the Rebbe lighting a large bonfire in the middle of the street. He leads the crowd in singing the traditional zemiros and Lag B’Omer melodies. The dancing stretches for a block or more and the streets are closed off to traffic. As in past years, this year’s festivities will begin with a long line of people passing by single file as the Rebbe dispenses hundreds of cups of olive oil to all. Everyone can participate by pouring oil onto the pyre, and that the resultant bonfire radiates the pure glow of achdus.

At the center of the celebration, of course, the Niklesburg Rebbe, shlit”a, greets everyone with his trademark warmth and openness that have made his Beis Medrash – the “Jungreis Chesed Center” – a second home to so many. The Rebbe does not think twice about removing his shtreimel and placing it on the head of a bachur who is struggling to find his shidduch as he dances with the boy and showers him with blessings that he meet his bashert soon.

The event, with all of its attending services, is entirely free of charge, though the expense of the music, singer, sound system, stage, refreshments, and olive oil is in the many thousands. It is a remarkable and miraculous phenomenon that all the expenses of his chesed are somehow taken care of in the end. The family recalls how the Rebbe never made cheshboinos about these expenses. First and foremost, the Rebbe wants to feed everyone. Both the shul in Boro Park and the shul in Woodbourne are always stocked with food and drinks, and every person who enters the shul gets an offer of food even before he opens up a siddur. “If there’s a will there’s a way,” is his mantra. First, he does what he needs to do to feed and service his fellow Yidden and then Hashem helps it all get paid.

Anyone who wants to have a share in the tremendous zchus of the chizuk and achdus generated by this event is encouraged to contribute. Every donation, small or large, is a help.

This year, Boro Park will again enjoy “a taste of Meron in New York” as the community joins Niklesburg in celebrating the hilula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Be sure to stop by and get a bracha from the Rebbe!

The Jewish Home | MAY 12, 2022 Don’t Just Say Ani Maamin. Live Ani Maamin. Ani Maamin: A Mission for Life

Written by Rabbi Yechezkel Elias • ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications

The 13 Ikkarei Emunah, the “Ani Maamins,” appear in our siddurim, and many of us recite them every day after tefillah. And yet ... do we understand what they mean in our own everyday lives and actions?

In a new thoughtful work, Ani Maamin: A Mission for Life, Rabbi Yechezkel Elias examines each of the 13 Ikkarei Emunah. Using contemporary examples that we can all understand and relate to, he makes the often difficult concepts contained in the 13 Ikkarim clear, comprehensible – and very, very relevant. Each Ikkar is followed by a section titled How does this affect my daily life? which shows us how to put these foundational beliefs into practice in our own lives.

One of the kedoshim of Meron was ha’bochur Dovi Steinmetz, z”l, of Montreal. In the months since last Lag Ba’omer, Dovi’s father, Reb Shloimi Steinmetz, has become an ambassador of faith, asking people to recite the 13 Ani Maamins printed in every siddur after davening each morning l’ilui nishmas the pure neshomah of Yissochor Dov Berish ben Reb Shloime.

People have responded… and how! With enthusiasm and passion, eager not just to create zechusim for this extraordinary neshamah, but to bring a little more emunah into their own lives, men and women, adults and children, have joined this initiative. Regardless of community, demographic, level of observance or family minhag, emunah lives in the neshomah, and for anyone with a Divine spark, the message resonated.

As part of the Initiative, Rabbi Yechezkel Elias gave a series of shiurim on each of the 13 Ikkarei Emunah, which form the basis of this beautifully presented book.

The following is an excerpt from the book on one of the most famous Ikkarim, The Twelfth Ikkar.

Dovi Steinmetz, z”l

There Will Come a Day

“Ani Maamin b’emunah sheleima b’vias HaMashiach, v’af al pi she’yismameiah, im kol zeh achakeh lo b’chol yom she’yavo”

I am steadfast in my absolute belief in the coming of Mashiach, and even though he may delay, nevertheless I await his arrival each day.

Imagine that a new business enterprise is launched, after a huge initial investment. A large workforce is hired, and the business concept promises outstanding potential for growth. A few months later, however, the business seems to have soured. Not only isn’t it thriving, it’s struggling to survive. Most of the employees are apathetic, and many are failing to perform their jobs correctly. Some seem to have forgotten the concept of work altogether, and spend their days at the office drinking coffee, chatting, and playing with their phones. Worse, although all these employees, down to the cleaning crews working the nightshift, receive generous salaries and numerous perks, many of them busy themselves organizing vocal protests to voice their imaginary grievances against the investor backing this entire enterprise. The few truly dedicated employees, who understand the value of their jobs and their responsibility to their employers, labor on with difficulty, struggling to remain productive in a workplace where they are ridiculed for their views and ethics. The investor? He sees the madness, and yet, for some mysterious reason, continues pouring in money to keep the enterprise afloat.

This is an apt analogy to the world we live in.

Hakadosh Baruch Hu created this world of ours with a purpose. He wants something out of this enterprise. Yet what results is He getting? By the numbers, it would seem like a colossal failure. The overwhelming majority of the world’s population does not even subscribe to the basic monotheistic belief that He is the sole source of existence. To put this into perspective, estimates place the world population of declared atheists and agnostics at seventy times greater than the number of Jews in the world. Picture this: For every minyan of Jews who could potentially declare “Shema Yisrael,” a crowd of seven-hundred of Hashem’s creations screams back, “No Creator exists!”

But wait – that number includes only those who categorically deny Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s existence. Billions more believe in various other misguided ideologies, whether polytheism, pantheism, or any mutation thereof. Going further, of the 15 million or so Jews alive today — less than 0.2% of the world’s population — how many adhere on any level to halachah and Torah values? And if we really take this all the way to the top, how many fully observant Jews excel in all areas of Divine service? Are we, the minuscule fraction of the world populace that actually seek to do the job we were hired for, satisfied that our performance is up to par?

The world around us is not merely out of sync with Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s will; it is increasingly belligerent and hostile toward any expression of the true values that should underpin this world’s functioning. A person voicing the Torah view on issues such as morality or sanctity of life risks being tarred as a bigot and extremist. As society trumpets the value system of the day, the ideals we cherish are ridiculed as archaic and out-of-touch. And Hakadosh Baruch Hu? He keeps feeding us, providing for our needs, and sustaining the entire world, despite its being so overwhelmingly against Him.

For the Jew who knows better, who discerns right from wrong, this has to hurt. If someone slaps your father and you stand by silently, there’s something seriously wrong. You’re the child of the investor who is pouring all that money into the corporation. You know he is keeping all those employees on the payroll, supporting them and their families, and you watch as they sit around lambasting your father. You may not be able to do much, but you can cry.

There will, however, come a day.

On that day, right will be right and wrong will be wrong. On that day, every human being will recognize with astonishing simplicity that there is One Creator Who controls everything. On that day, everyone will realize that all that matters is His will, and the entire world will focus on doing exactly that. The drive for depravity will evaporate, dissipating like smoke in the wind, and the temptations that currently pull us so strongly will be but a relic of history. The idea of a person being drawn to inappropriate material online, sharing a tantalizing bit of gossip about a neighbor, or even carrying on a conversation during Chazaras Hashatz will seem as utterly ludicrous as bowing down to a cow. Much as we look back with bafflement at the ancients who worshiped idols, wondering how on earth they could have held such beliefs, we will look back at today’s world with utter bewilderment, wondering how we ever could have ever been attracted even slightly to behavior reflecting lack of financial integrity or moral debauchery. Klal Yisrael will be revered, and their rightful status as the chosen nation, the princes of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, will be universally recognized. We will live our Yiddishkeit with the proudest sense of fulfillment, finding meaning and connection in our every action.

This is what the era of Mashiach will be, as Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s enterprise functions in its full beauty.