February 3, 2022
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
A NEW POST - ISRAEL YESHIVA OPENING ELUL ZMAN 5782
Don’t Just Continue Learning.
CONTINUE GROWING.
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
סיום למחזור השני של דף היומי בהלכה
The 7-year cycle of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha will be completing the 2nd complete cycle of the daily limud halacha this coming אדר תשפ״ב/ February 2022. Join in celebration, as tens of thousands worldwide BE”H mark this watershed moment, and prepare to embark on the next journey through Mishnah Berurah.
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
Dear Readers,
A
lthough I am not a mental health professional, I think that many people deal with some level of anxiety at some point in their lives. Take a walk through any bookstore (remember those?), and the shelves will be lined with books about how to overcome anxiety. Whether it is instinctively reaching for our cellphones before we even get out of bed, the feeling of dread on Monday morning before a work week begins, or stressing about the amount of cooking and cleaning that needs to be done on a Friday, stress and anxiety may play a role in all these experiences. The nice thing about anxiety, though, (can you even say that?) is that since it is so prevalent, there are many tools out there that can be used to help overcome it. I once heard an incredible idea from Rabbi YY Jacobson that I found to help deal with levels of stress. He noted that there are two ways to generalize people’s ways of thinking: an AM way and an FM way. If you ever turn on AM radio, you would think the world is doomed. The economy is tanking, the president is the worst we’ve ever seen, and the world is about to implode into World War III. But flip the switch to FM radio, and there’s not a care in the world – everyone is “stayin’ alive” and the only problem is that “someone left the cake out in the rain.” Rabbi Jacobson suggested that for those times when life seems overwhelming and when we feel stressed about what is coming our way, we need to consciously “switch the dial to FM.” We need to actively put things into perspective (no, World War III is not starting tomorrow) and then decide to focus on lighter, less intense topics. And if we can’t at least switch the conversation or our focus, then we need to face them as if we’re listening to FM radio – without a care in the world, hair blowing in the wind as we cruise in our convertibles.
Anxiety, he notes, is not productive. It’s not helping us accomplish our goals. And worrying about problems is not going to help fix them. Despite this helpful concept on how to deal with stress in our lives, there are many people who suffer from anxiety every moment of their day. Their feelings cripple them and prevent them from leading the lives they are meant to lead. They are mothers who can’t get out of bed in the morning because of their anxiety. They are fathers who have lost their jobs because they can’t cope with the stresses of what going to work entails. And their children, sadly, don’t have parents who can handle taking care of them. Many of these people suffer in silence. And they don’t know where to turn. But our community is a community of chessed. And part of chessed is listening to the silent cries that are hidden behind homes that line the streets of our community. This Monday, CATCH (Creating a Team of Courage and Hope) will be hosting a program for women and girls on the topic of mental health and dealing with anxiety and depression. Rabbi Eytan Feiner will be giving opening remarks; Dr. David Pelcovitz will be the keynote speaker at the event. Aside from the tools and advice that could be gleaned from the talks, the program will help promote awareness of the various mental health struggles that people deal with every day. The CATCH support groups have been giving those who suffer from anxiety and depression a non-judgmental environment in which they can see that they are not suffering alone. Showing up at Monday’s event will show them that they are truly not alone – they have a whole community who supports them in their struggles. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
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Shabbos Zemanim
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The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
Contents Letters to the Editor
8
COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll Community Happenings
8 38
NEWS
82
Global
12
National
22
That’s Odd
36
ISRAEL Israel News
18
What Lies Beneath by David Billet
86
JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Wein on the Parsha
74
Letting Him In by Rav Moshe Weinberger
76
The Purpose of Our Challenges by Rabbi Shmuel Reichman
78
Delving into the Daf by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow
80
The Mystery and Majesty of Techelet by Eliyahu Rayvych
82
PEOPLE Rabbi Pesach Lerner Remembers Esther Pollard, a”h Pilots in the Early Years of Israel’s Existence by Avi Heiligman
88 126
HEALTH & FITNESS When Your Partner Puts Obstacles in the Way by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn
102
Foods That Fuel a Living Legend by Cindy Weinberger, MS RD CDN 104 FOOD & LEISURE The Aussie Gourmet: Salami-Topped Pizza
116
LIFESTYLES Teen Talk
94
Dating Dialogue, Moderated by 96 Jennifer Mann, LCSW
78
Parenting Pearls
106
JWOW!
108
Juggling with Joy
110
Your Money
133
Someone’s Dream Come True by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
134
HUMOR Centerfold
72
POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes
118
The Fight Ahead in Ukraine by David Ignatius
122
Biden is Powerless to Change the Supreme Court by Marc A. Thiessen
124
CLASSIFIEDS
128
Dear Editor, Thank you for your paper. I read it every week. This is in response to the Navidaters column. Eleven years ago, when my then-fiancée and I were planning our wedding, my dad and I went to a florist shop. The florist described a deal he had to offer, and when he was all done, he said, “And that’ll come to twenty-one-seventy-two.” My dad’s face and mine registered shock. He and I stepped out of the shop to discuss what we should do. (Mind you, my family is working class.) “Wow, I was expecting it to be somewhere in the hundreds,” I said to my dad. “But $21.72 is great!” My dad burst out laughing. “It’s not $21.72,” he started to explain. “Ohh, its two-thousand – for flowers? No way, were not doing that.” The day before our wedding, one of our friends came over with ribbon and scissors. She went to the supermarket and bought as many flowers as she thought were needed. Then, by hand, she put together the bouquets and table centerpieces we used the next day. And I was happy. I am no florist, no aesthetic expert. To the trained eye, I don’t know if anyone could’ve told the difference. But you know what I am? Baruch Hashem, eleven years later, I am still married. I am a mother. And we are happy. Thank you, Sharon Kew Garden Hills, NY
Dear Editor, I was a little surprised at one the columnist’s harsh response to the question posed last week. The letter writer was being honest about how the community changed around her, and she was unsure how she would be able to make a wedding that might mirror the community’s standards. From the letter, I did not know anything about the writer, other than that she lived in a community that has changed to become a more materialistic and wealthier community, and she was ambivalent on how she would be able to “keep up.” I saw it as a valid question. I gave this family the benefit of the doubt, thinking they were a simple family, just trying to get by. Not “get over,” just “get by.” Frum expenses are vast. Yeshiva tuition alone can stop a middle-class family from saving. (No complaints! The school has to run, and the teachers need to get paid. It is what it is!) Apparently, that columnist and I did not read the same letter. But where in the letter did it mention anything about living a life of luxury? I’m not sure how this was twisted to a “value issue” or a “lack of financial planning issue.” I’m not sure where the letter writer insinuated that she takes lavish vacations or is part of the “eating out culture” and “name brand lifestyle.” It was quite obtuse to further read Continued on page 10
Does your family do something special for Rosh Chodesh?
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Yes
53
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No
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
Continued from page 8
that the letter writer was told to do some “soul searching” and recommend a “reset.” Ouch! I was taken aback at the reprimanding of this woman who just wanted advice on what to do with her son. The letter writer must have been ready to crawl under a rock after such a scolding! Taken aback in Far Rockaway Dear Editor, How much deeper do we need to fall into a ditch before we wake up and take action? 1) Crime on the streets is skyrocketing; 2) Criminals repeatedly released from prisons are killing innocent people; 3) In the U.S., more people have died from fentanyl overdoses than from Covid-19 (about 100,000 in the past year); 4) Foreigners crossing the southern border illegally and unvaccinated are distributed all over the country in nighttime hours; 5) People are losing their jobs because of COVID mandates;
6) Gas prices are going through the roof, based on the administrations order to close domestic pipelines; 7) The school fiasco: Apart from mandating masks during school hours, which has a psychologically negative effect on children, administrators have made critical race theory part of the curriculum; 8) Money laundering by the elite: See the recent publications Laptop From Hell by Miranda Devine and Red-Handed by Peter Schweizer. Why isn’t our judicial system doing a better job? Often, we are dealing with inaction and bad decisions. Are our judicial professionals being threatened or bribed? Something is not adding up. Our adversaries are watching our decline and poor decision-making, which will embolden them to look for opportunities to strike. Weakness is provocative! An attack on another country would indirectly hit us. In sum, everybody must get engaged. Please make a concerted effort to push your local, state, and federal leaders to make bold decisions which would create a positive outlook for everybody. Ultimately,
we have to protect our country, culture, and future. H. Mayer Garden City, NY Dear Guests, Firstly, you should know that we truly enjoy having you, in addition to the fact that hachnosas orchim is a tremendous mitzvah that we love to do as a family. I would like to point out a few things that you could do for us to make the experience better for everyone: 1. Please do not criticize the behavior of our children. We open our homes to you, and you see things we really aren’t interested in people seeing. We are working on our children’s issues. We are aware of them. Believe us! 2. When you eat or drink in our home, please return milk cartons, sugar bowls, etc. to their proper place. Also please don’t leave dirty dishes, mugs, used tissues or napkins around the house. Please put them in sinks or dishwashers and garbage cans. 3. Very important: when you leave. Please strip the linen, ask the hostess where her laundry room is. Please take out the garbage from the guest room and guest bathroom, shut
the lights, etc. Please inform the hosts that you are leaving, and if something is not working properly, please let them know. (For example, if the toilet is backing up. Or the windows don’t close.) Many times, hosts don’t check the guestrooms for days after a guest has left and there can be tremendous damage. 4. If you have special dietary needs (for example, you are gluten-free), please let us know before you come and please buy and bring those out-of-the-ordinary foods with you. We get very stressed out when you announce on Shabbos that you need oat or spelt challah (we don’t keep these items in our house, and then we start running to neighbors to try to borrow it for you) and you don’t eat anything that was cooked with store-bought sauces (which is 90 percent of what we are serving). 5. Please be kind and complimentary to our children. Please take the time to make them like you. Please know that our children are your hosts as well. Thank you for taking the time to read this. We look forward to having you again soon. From Your Hosts
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
The Week In News
Rains Batter Brazil
At least 24 people have died since Friday after heavy rains battered São Paulo, triggering floods and landslides across the Brazilian state. More than 1,546 families have also been displaced. Sadly, at least eight children were among the dead. Authorities have deployed a working group of firefighters, military police, and civil defense personnel to support the mayors of the cities that have been impacted, said São Paulo Governor João Doria on Sunday. Images from the municipality of Franco da Rocha showed parts of major roads submerged, while others showed rescue workers digging through debris in search of survivors and valuable belongings after a landslide destroyed homes. The southern part of Brazil has been experiencing an increase in average rainfall, as well as extreme rain events, since the 1960s. The intensity and frequency of extreme rain events and flooding are expected to increase in this area. Northeastern Brazil has also been battling heavy rains since December.
slam in the Australian Open this week. With his new win, Nadal beat the previous record of 20, which he had held jointly with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Speaking during his on-court interview, Nadal said, “It has been one of the most emotional matches in my tennis career, and to share the court with you [Medvedev] was an honor. I don’t even know what to say. Guys, for me, it’s just amazing. “I can’t thank enough all the guys that are there [in my box], all the team, family,” he added. “One and a half months ago, I didn’t know if I would be back on the tour playing tennis again, and today I am here in front of you with the trophy again. You don’t know how much I fought to be here. Thank you so much for the love and support.” He emphasized, “Without a doubt [it was] one of the most emotional matches in my tennis career and having the huge support I received during the three weeks is going to stay in my heart for the rest of my life, so many, many thanks.” Nadal concluded, “One month and half ago I would have said it would be my last Australian Open, but now I have a lot of energy to carry on. I can’t explain the feelings I have now, but I’m going to try my best to come back next year.” Nadal last won the Australian Open in 2009. His last win was in 2020, at the French Open.
Denmark Lifts All Restrictions
Nadal Wins 21st Grand Slam
Rafael Nadal beat Daniil Medvedev in a record-breaking 21st grand
Noting that coronavirus is no longer considered a “socially critical sickness,” Denmark has lifted all Covid-19 restrictions within the country. As such, an indoor mask mandate, the use of a “Covid pass” for bars, restaurants and other indoor venues, and the legal obligation to
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
self-isolate if you test positive are all ending. “No one can know what will happen next December. But we promised the citizens of Denmark that we will only have restrictions if they are truly necessary and we’ll lift them as soon as we can,” Danish Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said on Monday. “That’s what’s happening right now.” Denmark is the first country in the European Union to lift all restrictions. The move comes at a time when it has the second-highest infection rate, or seven-day average of new infections, of any nation in the world, according to Our World in Data. Widespread vaccination and boosters have helped the country open up again, said Heunicke, adding that the number of hospitalizations and patients in intensive care is decreasing every day, “thanks to vaccination.” According to Our World in Data, 81% of Denmark’s population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Søren Brostrøm, director-general of Denmark’s Health Authority, noted,“At the same time as infections are skyrocketing, patients admitted to intensive care actually going down,” he said. “It’s around 30 people in ICU beds right now with a COVID-19 di-
agnosis, out of a population of 6 million.” He added, “I do not believe in imposed vaccine mandates. It’s a pharmaceutical intervention with possible side effects. You need as an authority to recognize that. I think if you push too much, you will have a reaction – action generates reaction, especially with vaccines.” Danish authorities continue to recommend taking an at-home test before coming into contact with groups of people, especially those who are vulnerable, according to the health minister. Some travelers – primarily those who have not been vaccinated or previously infected with Covid-19 – will still have to test on entry to Denmark, and quarantine measures remain in place for those arriving from highrisk countries, but these are the only pandemic restrictions that remain. On January 26, the country’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she expected spring, summer, and early autumn to be “an open Denmark with hugs, parties and festivals.” Denmark first lifted all Covid-19 restrictions in September 2021, but later reinstated them in the face of a third wave of infections.
U.S. Reaches Out to Ukraine
A “long and frank” Thursday phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden “did not go well,” a senior Ukrainian official said. However, National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne denied the claim, asserting that “anonymous sources are ‘leaking’ falsehoods.” She added, “President Biden said that there is a distinct possibility that the Russians could invade Ukraine in February. He has said this publicly, and we have been warning about this for months. Reports of anything more or different than that are completely false.”
In the call, Biden supposedly warned that a Russian invasion was certain, and that it may be imminent. But Zelensky insisted that Russia was “dangerous but ambiguous” and that an attack was not certain, the official said. A U.S. national security official said that the phone call was “long and serious” but “productive” and lasted one hour and twenty minutes. A White House readout detailed, “President Biden noted the United States has provided Ukraine with over half a billion dollars in development and humanitarian assistance in the last year and is exploring additional macroeconomic support to help Ukraine’s economy amidst pressure resulting from Russia’s military build-up.” The readout also said Biden “reaffirmed” that the U.S. will “respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine.” A spokesman for Zelensky said that the two sides “discussed recent diplomatic efforts on de-escalation and agreed on joint actions for the future” and that the two spoke about “possibilities for financial support to Ukraine.” Zelensky also thanked Biden for his support.
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
A Paradise in Paraguay?
the country from Syria, an army spokesman said.
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A group of immigrants is working to create an ideological settlement in one of Paraguay’s poorest regions. The immigrants, who hail from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, currently number 150 but the community is expected to reach 3,000. The gated community has been named El Paraíso Verde, meaning “The Green Paradise,” and will span 4,000 acres in Paraguay’s Caazapá region. According to the project’s website, the community will be “by far the largest urbanization and settlement project in South America” and will serve as a refuge from “socialist trends of current economic and political situations worldwide” and “5G, chemtrails, fluoridated water, mandatory vaccinations and healthcare mandates.” Paraíso Verde’s YouTube channel features videos supporting anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, “miracle cures” for COVID-19, and claiming – wrongly – that Paraguay has no pandemic-related restrictions. Not everyone is happy about the new community. Rodney Mereles, a former municipal councilor, said, “Why are they here? We don’t know, but we want to find out.” Dr. Nadia Riveros, Caazapá’s head of public health, added, “I think foreigners, wherever they’re from, should have to get vaccinated before entering the country.” But according to Gladys Rojas, a former president of Caazapá town council, Paraíso Verde has deep political connections, as well as money. “They’ve got politicians and money on their side,” he said.
Drug Skirmishes at Jordan-Syria Border Jordanian soldiers on Thursday killed 27 armed drug smugglers as they attempted to infiltrate
According to a statement from the spokesman, “large quantities of narcotics” were confiscated during the incident. The smugglers were “backed up by armed groups” which managed to flee back into Syria. The smugglers had been encountered in several areas on the Syrian border. There were multiple coordinated operations to take them down. According to army figures, the amount of drugs seized in 2021 was double that of 2020. January 2022 was set to beat the monthly record.
Trudeau Flees the Masses
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family were moved from their Ottawa home to a secret location as thousands descended on the Canadian capital to protest vaccine mandates for truckers. Trudeau was relocated on Saturday due to security concerns, although the protests remained peaceful as of Saturday evening, Ottawa police said. The truckers in the Freedom Convoy began arriving Friday, after nearly a week of driving across Canada from Vancouver. Although it began with a focus on truckers, the protest soon expanded to include many others who oppose what they see as government overreach. The Canadian January 15th mandate requiring truckers to present proof of vaccination in order to cross the U.S.-Canada border parallels a mandate by the U.S. government im-
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
posed just one week later. At a press conference last week, Trudeau explained the mandate, saying, “Almost 90% of truckers in Canada are already vaccinated, and the best way to continue to prevent supply chain disruptions is to ensure that everyone gets vaccinated.” The Canadian Trucking Alliance estimates that roughly 15% of truckers in the country are not fully vaccinated, or about 16,000 truck drivers. On Monday, around 500 protesters walked around parked trucks and along the nearby sidewalk, many waving Canadian flags and homemade signs calling for the vaccine mandates to end.
N. Korea Fires Longest-Range Missile Since 2017 North Korea on Sunday fired its longest-range ballistic missile since 2017. The missile is the country’s sixth launch in 2022 and its seventh missile test overall. According to Japanese officials, the North Korean missile reached a
height of 1,243 miles with a range of 497 miles. It crashed into the waters off of the Korean Peninsula’s eastern coast. A U.S. assessment found the launch to be an intermediate range ballistic missile, likely a KN-17.
pending Cabinet approval, which is expected next week. If approved, she would become the first-ever female Attorney General in Israel.
Lebanon: We Uncovered Israeli Spy Networks
On Sunday, Joseph Dempsey, research associate for defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, told CNN, “If the missile were fired at a normal apogee, its range would be up to 3,500 kilometers to 5,500 kilometers, making it an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile and North Korea’s longest test since 2017.” On January 17, North Korea testfired tactical guided missiles, KCNA reported. The country also claimed to have successfully test-fired hypersonic missiles on both January 5 and January 11, and on January 14 it fired missiles from a rail car.
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Lebanese security forces claim to have discovered over 15 Israeli spy networks, the country’s Al-Akhbar newspaper reported. According to the report, each of the rings was independent, operating in Lebanon and Syria. Their discovery was “one of Lebanon’s biggest security operations” since 2009, Al-Akhbar added. The newspaper explained that the operation began four weeks ago, when the Lebanese Internal Security Forces Directorate began tracking the spy networks, which it said were collecting information on Hezbollah and other factions. Initially, security forces uncovered two moles – one a senior Directorate official and the other a member of Hezbollah who said he had been recruited by an organization claiming to be working for the United Nations. A man in Damascus was also arrested for providing maps of the capital, and a number of workers in nonprofits in Lebanon were also arrested for their roles in the networks. A total of 35 suspects of different nationalities were summoned for questioning, and 20 were arrested.
In a statement Monday, Sa’ar said, “It is my duty and responsibility to get the best candidate for this position of unparalleled importance to the justice system — a responsibility I intend to fulfill with this appointment.” He added, “It is appropriate to appoint a woman to this position for the first time in the history of the country. But I suggest appointing attorney Baharav-Miara not for this reason, but because she is the best, most mature, most worthy candidate, and possesses the richest and most impressive professional and managerial background.” Two other candidates for the position are Roi Scheindorf, the current deputy attorney general for international law, and Defense Ministry legal adviser Itai Ofir. State Prosecutor Amit Aisman is serving as acting Attorney General until a permanent replacement is confirmed.
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Israeli Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Monday recommended Gali Baharav-Miara, a former Tel Aviv district attorney for civil affairs, as the country’s next Attorney General to replace outgoing AG Avichai Mandelblit, who ended his term Monday night. Baharav-Miara’s appointment is
One day before Amnesty International UK was set to release a report accusing Israel of apartheid, Israel’s Foreign Ministry blasted the report as “false, biased, and anti-Semitic.” In a statement, the Foreign Ministry called on Amnesty UK not to release the report, which it said “ef-
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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fectively serves as a green light… to harm not only Israel, but Jews around the world.” The report is titled, “Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity.” It was presented by Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard and claims to document “how massive seizures of Palestinian land and property, unlawful killings, forcible transfer, drastic movement restrictions, and the denial of nationality and citizenship to Palestinians are all components of a discriminatory system which amounts to a crime against humanity under international law.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry noted Amnesty UK’s “double standards and demonization in order to delegitimize Israel. These are the exact components from which modern anti-Semitism is made. “Its extremist language and distortion of historical context were designed to demonize Israel and pour fuel onto the fire of anti-Semitism.” Amnesty UK, the Ministry added, is “notorious for being corrupted by racism and xenophobia, and the organization’s secretary-general has previously accused Israel – with
no basis or evidence – of murdering Arafat. It is not surprising that it took Amnesty eight years to back down from this serious and baseless accusation.” The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Israel “absolutely rejects all the false allegations that appear in the report that Amnesty is expected to publish tomorrow. The report consolidates and recycles lies, inconsistencies, and unfounded assertions that originate from well-known anti-Israeli hate organizations, all with the aim of reselling damaged goods in new packaging. Repeating the same lies of hate organizations over and over does not make the lies reality, but rather makes Amnesty illegitimate.” Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) said Amnesty is no longer “a respected organization. Today, it is precisely the opposite. It isn’t a human rights organization, but just another radical organization which echoes propaganda without seriously checking the facts. Instead of seeking the truth, Amnesty echoes the same lies shared by terrorist organizations.” Lapid acknowledged, “Israel isn’t perfect, but we are a democracy committed to international law,
open to criticism, with a free press and a strong and independent judicial system. Amnesty doesn’t call Syria — where the regime has murdered over half a million of its own citizens — an apartheid state. Nor Iran, or other murderous regimes around the world. Only Israel.”
Tel Aviv #2 on Startup Ecosystem Lift
Tel Aviv ranked second globally as a Cleantech ecosystem on the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER): Cleantech Edition from Startup Genome. Silicon Valley topped the list, with Tel Aviv a close second, coming in ahead of Stockholm, London, and Los Angeles. The GSER is the world’s most comprehensive and widely-read research on startups and includes 280 entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems and three million startups. The Cleantech Edition examines the “globally competitive landscape of technology-based startups focused on reducing environmental impact and solving the scaleup gap in Cleantech.” It includes startups dedicated to “renewable energy, transportation, logistics, and more.” North America and Europe dominate the top 25 Cleantech ecosystems, with 44% and 40% of those on the list, respectively. In a statement quoted by the Jerusalem Post, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said, “Tel Aviv-Yafo is a member of the World Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) and thus a leader in ensuring sustainable policies and innovation to combat the climate change to advance global sustainability and health. “Technological innovations play a crucial role in the global challenge to mitigate and adapt to the threat that is climate change. We are extremely proud that the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of Tel Aviv’s
talent, with its knowledge and investments, is focused not only at excelling in the fields of AI, Fintech & Cyber but also in Cleantech, thinking about the future.”
Herzog Visits UAE
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog on Monday toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi during their visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The President signed the mosque’s guest book at the start of the tour, after which he and the First Lady heard about the establishment and construction of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and expressed their astonishment at its magnificent and distinct architecture. Upon their arrival, Mrs. Herzog was given a traditional robe sewn especially in her honor. President Herzog thus concluded his presidential visit to the United Arab Emirates. Herzog summarized his historic visit to the United Arab Emirates, saying, “I am finishing a very moving, historic, and exciting visit to the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of a great leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince, and his government. “The potential is huge, enormous, between the two nations. We can truly lead the Middle East to a new horizon of peace, prosperity, cooperation, and joint investments and development.” He added, “There are only two alternatives for this region. One is peace, prosperity, cooperation, joint investments, and a beautiful horizon for the people, or alternatively, what Iran is doing, which is destabilizing the region and using its proxies to employ terror. These are the two alternatives, and this visit symbolizes hope, peace, and a great future for our nations, the region, and the world at large.”
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Israel Demolishes Terrorist’s Home
On Tuesday, Fadi Abu Shkhaydam’s home was demolished by Israel security forces. Abu Shkhaydam had opened fire last November at a group of Israeli men in the Old City of Jerusalem, killing Eliyahu Kay, a South African immigrant to Israel, and injuring four others. The terrorist was killed by police officers. This week, officers demolished the interior of the murderer’s home and sealed the entrance — a practice sometimes used by security forces when an attacker lives in an apartment rather than a house. The military initiated the process of demolishing Abu Shkaydam’s home in East Jerusalem’s Shuafat refugee camp shortly after the attack. His family appealed the decision in court, but their requests were rejected. Abu Shkhaydam had five children — three boys and two daughters — and taught Islamic law at a boys’ high school, for which he received a salary from the Jerusalem municipality. According to Israeli authorities, he was a member of Hamas’s civilian branch, rather than its armed wing. Eliyahu Kay was employed at the Western Wall as a tour guide. He had been walking to work when he was killed.
Stealing Packages a Felony in KY A new bill passed unanimously on Thursday by Kentucky’s Senate Judiciary Committee would turn theft of packages left on someone’s property by private mail distributors into a felony. While the current law only ap-
plies felony charges to theft of USPS mail, the new bill would close the gap between USPS and other mail services. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, theft of FedEx, UPS, and Amazon packages often leads to misdemeanor charges, which may be investigated less seriously.
Senate Bill 23 would equate the theft to stealing USPS mail, so that it would be punishable by up to five years in prison State Senator David Yates, a Democrat and sponsor of the bill, said in the committee on Thursday that most thefts below $1,000 in value are misdemeanors in the state. In November, Yates noted, “This is about protecting your rights within your home, protecting you from thieves and making sure that someone is held accountable for stealing from you.” According to statistics, 43% of Americans have been victims of package theft.
Spotify Addresses Joe Rogan Saga
Spotify on Sunday responded to criticism regarding COVID-19 content, promising to add a content advisory to any podcast episode about COVID-19. The announcement follows criticism on COVID-19 content, after a number of artists promised to leave Spotify if it continues to host Joe Rogan, a comedian whose popular podcast has included information about both the pandemic and the vaccine. Spotify’s new content advisory will direct listeners to a COVID-19 hub offering links to trusted sources. The platform will also publicly post its Platform Rules. In a statement, CEO and co-founder Daniel Ek said, “These are rules of
the road to guide all of our creators — from those we work with exclusively to those whose work is shared across multiple platforms. “It’s become clear to me that we have an obligation to do more to provide balance and access to widely-accepted information from the medical and scientific communities guiding us through this unprecedented time.” He added that there are “plenty of individuals and views” on Spotify which he disagrees with, but said, “It is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being a content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them.” Joe Rogan hosts Spotify’s number 1 podcast. Responding to critics, he said, “I’m just a person who sits down and talks to people and has conversations with them. Do I get things wrong? Absolutely. I get things wrong, but I try to correct them. Whenever I get something wrong, I try to correct it because I’m interested in telling the truth... And I’m interested in having interesting conversations with people that have differing opinions.”
Navy to Treat Contaminated Water The U.S. Navy has been granted a permit to discharge millions of gallons of water daily from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage facility. The permit, which allows the discharge of up to five million gallons of treated water each day, was approved in response to water that was contaminated by a petroleum leak which sickened military families and children in Hawaii.
The fuel facility sits above the Red Hill aquifer which supplies drinking water to nearly one million people, according to the Hawaii Board of Water Supply. On Friday, the Navy and the Hawaii Department of Health said the permit will allow the removal of contamination from the aquifer.
The Navy shared, “When pumping begins, up to 5 million gallons a day of water will be pumped from the Red Hill Shaft. Water will pass through a granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system, where it will be closely monitored and tested to ensure it does not pose a threat to human health or the environment, before discharging into Halawa Stream.” For its part, IDWST said the plan is expected to reduce contamination and protect both plants and wildlife, as well as help clarify how the groundwater became contaminated.
American Woman Trained for ISIS
A Kansas woman has been charged with providing material support to ISIS. According to charges unsealed Friday night by the Justice Department, authorities say that Allison Fluke-Ekren, 42, allegedly expressed interest in carrying out terror attacks in support of ISIS within the U.S. on six separate occasions between 20142017. In 2012, Fluke-Ekren moved to Syria and married a “prominent” ISIS leader, court documents said. The documents note that she reportedly speaks four languages and rose within ISIS’s ranks to command her own battalion. The complaint alleges that “Fluke-Ekren’s main objective in this role was to teach the women of ISIS how to defend themselves against ISIS’ enemies.” According to the Justice Department, Fluke-Ekren housed, translated for, and trained women to fire automatic weapons. The documents against FlukeEkren were filed in 2019. Tony Mattivi, the former DOJ National Security Coordinator for the District of Kansas noted, “There are American citizens who want to do damage to our country, whether they’re here inside the country, trying to commit attacks, or outside of the country.”
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cant seat. In his campaign, Biden promised to nominate the first-ever Black woman justice. Although nothing is final, many are speculating as to whom Biden will choose to join SCOTUS. “Our process is going to be rigorous. I will select a nominee worthy of Justice Breyer’s legacy of excellence and decency. While I’ve been studying candidates’ backgrounds and writings, I’ve made no decision except one: the person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience, and integrity. And that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court,” Biden said.
Javed Ali, former senior counterterrorism director at the National Security Council and a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy, added, “Recent charges brought against Allison Fluke-Ekren demonstrate the appeal ISIS had to a broad section of foreign extremists around the world, including women and those from the United States. “Despite their similar jihadist outlooks, unlike al-Qaeda, ISIS held
little to no prohibitions for more operational roles for women in the group, and there were many other women who performed similar functions in ISIS like Fluke-Ekren.” According to the documents, Fluke-Ekren “fantasized” about an attack on a large number of people and “considered any attack that did not kill a large number of individuals to be a waste of resources.” Fluke-Ekren was arrested in Syria and was expected to make her first
federal court appearance in Virginia on Monday.
Bye, Bye Breyer Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement from his position on the highest court of the land last week. Now, U.S. President Joe Biden will get to choose who will sit in Breyer’s va-
Many are thinking that Biden will nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson. The 51-year-old has known Breyer for decades and is a graduate of Harvard and Harvard Law school. She worked as a lawyer in private practice and as a public defender. She also served on the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Since June 2021, Jackson has served in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Another possible candidate is Leondra Kruger. The 45-year-old has served on the California Supreme Court since 2015 and if nominated and confirmed would be the first person in over 40 years to move from a state court to the Supreme Court. Kruger attended Harvard before earning her law degree from Yale. Before moving back to California, she worked for the Department of Justice, and she has argued a dozen cases before the Supreme Court on behalf of the federal government. Biden may also be considering J. Michelle Childs, 55, a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law who holds a master’s degree from the school as well as a different legal degree from Duke. She has served as a federal trial court judge since 2010 and was previously a state court judge. Sherrilyn Ifill is also on Biden’s shortlist. The 59-year-old is cur-
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rently the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund head. A civil rights lawyer, she has held her post since 2013 but will step down in the spring. Ifill graduated from Vassar College and earned her law degree from New York University School of Law. She worked at the American Civil Liberties Union and served on the faculty at University of Maryland School of Law, where she taught for more than 20 years.
A similar waiver was granted to Adams’ predecessor, Bill de Blasio, who appointed his wife to head the board of directors for a not-for-profit philanthropic organization. Adams, a 61-year-old former New York City police officer, faced accusations of nepotism after announcing the appointment of his brother to a high-paid job in his administration. The mayor first responded by reassigning Bernard, 51, to be security adviser, earning $210,000 yearly, and said he would seek guidance from the ethics board.
A Brother For $1 A New York City ethics panel has agreed that New York City Mayor Eric Adams can hire his brother as a senior security adviser. The catch? Bernard Adams may only be able to be paid $1 per year and will have no power over department personnel. The decision by the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board,
made public on Thursday, seeks to put an end to an uproar that erupted in America’s largest city after Adams initially sought to hire his younger brother Bernard as a deputy police commissioner for a yearly salary of $240,000. The panel said that while a city charter prohibits public servants from seeking advantages for members of their family, it would grant Adams a waiver to hire his brother because the job of “senior security
The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday suspended its rescue operations at sunset after it found four additional bodies of migrants off the coast of Florida that afternoon. The migrants had been lost at sea, and the Coast Guard had been endeavoring to find the group that was heading to the U.S. in a small boat in choppy waters. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officials said they have launched an inquiry and are actively investigating the case as a human smuggling operation. Five bodies have been found so far, and 34 others are missing. At a news conference, Coast Guard Capt. Jo-Ann F. Burdian said, “We have saturated the area over and over again. We’ve had good visibility.... We’ve overflown the vessel a
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number of times.... It does mean we don’t think it’s likely that anyone else has survived,” she assured. According to HSI Miami Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury, “The goal of this investigation is to identify, arrest and prosecute any criminal or criminal organization that organized, facilitated or profited from this doomed venture.” Adding that the lone survivor is “a victim right now,” Salisbury said, “Please help us bring criminals who prey on and victimize the vulnerable migrant community to justice. We don’t want anybody doing this again.... This is dangerous stuff.” Colombian national Juan Esteban Montoya, 22, is the sole survivor of the tragedy. He was traveling to the U.S. with his 18-year-old sister. The duo decided to go by boat to the United States because they felt it was safer than through Mexico. Montoya’s mother lives in the United States. “It hurts me so, so, so much losing her [his sister], because I spent all the energy I could when I didn’t have any, looking for her,” he said, speaking in Spanish. “It was impossible to find her.” Hours after they left the Bahamas, the boat capsized after its motor stopped working, and waves crashed into the vessel filling it with water, he said. Montoya last saw his sister sinking when the boat overturned. As time went by, others who were hanging onto the boat would slip beneath the waves after losing strength. “The lack of food, the lack of water, the lack of rest, starts to affect you more,” he said. “The solitude was another blow,” he said of eventually becoming the last person remaining. “But I didn’t lose faith.” A tugboat captain eventually came to his rescue.
Brady Retires
After 22 seasons and seven Super Bowl wins, Tom Brady is hang-
ing up his helmet. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday. “I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition – if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game,” he began by saying. “There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life. “This is difficult for me to write but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” he continued. “I have loved my NFL career and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.” Rumors of Brady’s retirement had swirled over the weekend. “I have done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions,” his statement read. “And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.” Brady wrote a heartfelt thanks to his Tampa Bay teammates, the Buccaneers fans, the Glazer family, general manager Jason Licht and the coaching staff – giving a special thanks to head coach Bruce Arians for “putting up with me!” “My playing career has been such a thrilling ride, and far beyond my imagination, and full of ups and downs. When you’re in it every day, you don’t really think about any kind of ending,” he continued. “As I sit here now, however, I think of all the great players and coaches I was privileged to play with and against the competition was fierce and deep, JUST HOW WE LIKE IT. But the friendships and relationships are just as fierce and deep. I will remember and cherish these memories and revisit them often. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.” Brady began his career with the New England Patriots 22 years ago. The team selected Brady, a scrawny quarterback out of Michigan, with the No. 199 pick of the 2000 NFL Draft. When quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured during the 2001 season,
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Judge: No Lease in Gulf of Mexico for Oil
it was Brady who replaced him, and he immediately was thrust into the spotlight. Brady helped lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl title that year, surpassing Bledsoe and beginning his ascension to stardom. Brady, along with Patriots coach Bill Belichick, helped build the Patriots into a dynasty. The quarterback only missed one season due to injury during his reign in New England – the 2008 campaign during
which he tore his ACL. Brady signed with the Buccaneers a few years ago and brought former Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski along for the ride. The team later added receiver Antonio Brown. Each player had a hand in the Bucs’ 2021 Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Brady finished with a career-high 5,316 passing yards to go with 43 touchdown passes this year. It was the first time in his career he threw
40 or more touchdown passes in consecutive seasons. It was only the third time he threw 40 or more passes in a single season. Brady remains the league’s all-time leader in passing yards (84,520), touchdown passes (624), completions (7,263) and attempts (11,317). He finished second in fourth-quarter comebacks with 42, just behind one of his fiercest rivals, Peyton Manning.
A federal court has rejected a plan to lease millions of acres in the Gulf of Mexico for offshore oil drilling. According to the court, the Biden administration did not properly take into account the lease sale’s effect on greenhouse gas emissions and violated environmental law. The decision, handed down Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington, sent the lease sale back to the Interior Department, which will now decide whether to revise it, trash it, or pursue other plans. “Barreling full-steam ahead with blinders on was simply not a reasonable action for BOEM to have taken here,” Contreras explained in his ruling. BOEM refers to the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Brettny Hardy, a senior attorney for Earthjustice, responded, “We are pleased that the court invalidated Interior’s illegal lease sale. “This administration must meet this critical moment and honor the campaign promises President Biden made by stopping offshore leasing once and for all. We simply cannot continue to make investments in the fossil fuel industry to the peril of our communities and increasingly warming planet.” Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the decision is under review. Spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz emphasized that the administration is “compelled to proceed with Lease Sale 257” following a Louisiana ruling, and the Interior has “documented serious deficiencies in the federal oil and gas program.” “Especially in the face of the climate crisis, we need to take the time to make significant and long overdue programmatic reforms. Our public lands and waters must be protected for generations to come,” she added.
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Censoring “Maus”
A decision by a Tennessee school board to remove the Holocaust graphic novel “Maus” from its curriculum has sparked backlash. Responding to the board’s decision, a Knoxville, Tennessee, bookstore, Nirvana Comics, announced on Thursday on social media that it would be giving away copies of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book to any interested students. “It is a must-read for everyone,” the bookstore said. Local news station WBIR said the store is expecting a large shipment of Art Spiegelman’s book and that it is “in discussions with a much larger organization to expand the program.” Nirvana Comics declined to discuss the details of the program but said the store had started a GoFund-
Me to support the giveaway and that the fundraiser had brought in $3,000 so far. Nirvana Comics is approximately 60 miles northeast of McMinn County, whose school board on January 10 voted 10-0 to remove “Maus” from its curriculum due to the book’s use of profanity, nudity and depictions of “killing kids” as reasons for its inappropriateness. Spiegelman, for his part, called the board’s decision “Orwellian.” The book depicts the Holocaust as a graphic novel, in which Jews are portrayed as mice, who are being exterminated by cats. Meanwhile, a McMinn County Episcopal church announced that it would hold a discussion of the book on February 3, and Scott Denham, a Holocaust and German Studies professor at Davidson College in North Carolina, launched an online course about the book specifically intended for 8th grade and high school students. As of Monday morning, “The Complete Maus,” which includes all volumes of the graphic novel, was number one on Amazon. Individual editions for volumes one and two of the book were also in Amazon’s top ten bestsellers list.
Pittsburgh Bridge Collapse
ond-most bridges in poor conditions. The bridge that collapsed is typically traveled by 15,000 cars a day and is a detour to get around rushhour traffic. The site of the collapse is about 4 miles from where Biden was scheduled to speak.
Increase in Road Deaths Federal investigators on Saturday vowed to examine “under a microscope” a collapsed bridge in a Pittsburgh park. Five vehicles and a Port Authority bus were on the bridge in Frick Park when it collapsed just hours before President Joe Biden was scheduled to arrive in the surrounding area. According to city officials, 10 people, including some first responders, were evaluated and treated for minor injuries, and another three were taken to hospitals with injuries which were not life-threatening. The bridge’s collapse ruptured gas lines, causing a large gas leak and forcing several families to evacuate their homes. According to Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, investigators will “put this bridge under a microscope” and examine its “entire history,” from its design and construction until its collapse. Investigators have been told the bus involved in the collapse had nine cameras, which were facing numerous directions. “When I look at the bus, and the position of the bus and the position of the vehicles, I’m really thankful that no one lost their lives,” Homendy noted. There were a few joggers under the bridge at the time of the collapse. Thankfully, they were not injured, and some of them helped to bring the victims to safety. Warning people to stay away from the park, which remains closed, Homendy said a preliminary report will be available in ten days but will include only factual investigation. A final report, she said, could take 1218 months to produce. Dennis Collins, the investigator in charge, said structural engineers will examine each component of the bridge, in a “methodical fashion, from supports to truss work to joints to the road structure itself.” Pennsylvania has the sec-
The first nine months of 2021 saw 31,720 traffic deaths in the United States, as reported by the U.S. government on Tuesday. The estimated figure of people dying in motor vehicle crashes from January to September 2021 was 12% higher than the same period in 2020. That represents the highest percentage increase over a nine-month period since the Transportation Department began recording fatal crash data in 1975. The tally of 31,720 deaths was the highest nine-month figure since 2006. The number of traffic fatalities increased during the nine-month period in 38 states and was flat in two states. In 10 states and in the District of Columbia there was a decrease. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has pledged help and released a new national strategy last week aimed at reversing the trend, which he calls a crisis. According to Buttigieg, his department over the next two years will provide federal guidance as well as billions in grants under President Joe Biden’s new infrastructure law to spur states and localities to lower speed limits and embrace safer road design such as dedicated bike and bus lanes, better lighting and crosswalks. NHTSA also plans to move forward on rulemaking to require automatic emergency braking in all new passenger vehicles and set new standards on car safety performance by emphasizing crash-avoidance features such as lane-keeping assistance. NHTSA has blamed reckless driving behavior for increases during the pandemic, citing behavioral research showing that speeding and traveling
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
Inspiring stories, uplifting chizuk, and practical advice on shidduchim
“W
hen I was 17 years old, my parents and my uncle the Chazon Ish worked very hard to find a shidduch for me. Yet, shidduch after shidduch did not come to be... Now, consider this. When the search for my zivug began, my future wife Batsheva was not yet bas mitzvah! She was certainly not ready to begin shidduchim, but since she was my ‘basherteh,’ Hashem caused those who were suggested for me to not want to proceed...”
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without a seat belt have been higher. Before 2019, the number of fatalities had fallen for three straight years. “People make mistakes, but human mistakes don’t always have to be lethal. In a well-designed system, safety measures make sure that human fallibility does not lead to human fatalities,” Buttigieg said on Tuesday in a statement. “That’s what we will be doing for America’s roads with the National Roadway Safety Strategy and the safe system approach that it embraces.”
three neonatal intensive care nurses onboard that flight. And in the summer of 2021, a baby girl was born on a U.S. military evacuation flight from Afghanistan en route to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. She was named Reach after the call sign of the aircraft.
Party Plane
from a kid’s birthday party, through to a new product launch or a corporate presentation.” Upcoming bookings include a filming commission for a TV show, as well as a number of parties. The aircraft can also be hired for weddings at a cost of £12,000 ($16,000) for 24 hours, which factors in set up and breakdown times. The team already has a wedding booked in this spring. Bat mitzvah, anyone?
Snow Man and Wife
Special Delivery
There was an extra person walking off the United Airlines Flight 997 in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. Well, we shouldn’t say he was “walking.” Instead, the newborn was cradled in his mother’s arms after he made his debut over the Atlantic just hours before. The midflight delivery began hours after the plane departed from Accra, the capital of Ghana. Thankfully, a nurse and physician were onboard and were able to assist in the delivery. Although not common, other people have given birth on planes. In the spring of 2021, a woman gave birth on a flight to Hawaii from Salt Lake City, Utah. She was 29 weeks pregnant. Amazingly, there was a doctor and
This plane has been grounded, but it’s not retiring. The decommissioned British Airways jet is now starting its second career as a party plane. The Negus 747 was bought by Suzannah Harvey for a mere £1 (around $1.30) back in October 2020. Since then, she has spent more than a year converting the aircraft into a “party plane,” with rates starting at about $1,300 an hour. Harvey is chief executive of the privately owned Cotswold Airport near Kemble in England. She said it took six weeks of negotiations before she was able to buy the plane. Although the livery and cockpit stayed the same, the entire economy section has been ripped out and replaced with custom lighting, a party room, and a bar. The makeover has cost nearly £500,000 ($671,000). This month, the party is about to start. “We’re absolutely inundated with inquiries at the moment,” says Harvey. “It’s a very versatile events facility, so it can accommodate anything
ny. Meanwhile, Adam surprised everyone at the impromptu altar by unveiling a suit underneath snowboarding gear. To top off the celebrations, the couple said everyone ended up playing in the snow — they were also keen to start a snowball fight once they’d officially said yes. “Adam actually fired the first shot at me,” Sally said. “But it was so hard to do anything out there. If you didn’t have goggles, it was hard to see. It was crazy.” Talk about having cold feet when tying the knot.
Coldest Marathon Ever
Despite the bands of snow dumping inches of white freezing flakes onto their ceremony, a Rhode Island couple braved their way down the aisle. Adam and Sally Irujo were set to get married on January 29 – they saved the date around 14 months ago. And despite forecasters’ predictions for a blizzard, the couple decided to move forward with their outdoor ceremony. “We have a few cutting boards with this date on it, a couple mugs, and a marriage license with it on it,” Sally Irujo explained. And so, the wedding took place on Saturday outside the Providence Public Library, with snow blanketing the area around them as the couple exchanged their vows in front of forty guests bundled up in coats and wearing boots. “We were joking for the whole year, there’s going to be a blizzard, and sure as can be it’s literally the blizzard of the year,” Adam said. Despite tough weather conditions, the Irujos still dressed the part. Sally wore a cream skirt she originally used for their rehearsal dinner with a white sweater and pulled her hair back underneath a cream-colored hat. “I actually had snow pants on my way over for the first 10th of a mile,” she said, said, adding that she wanted to take them off for the actual ceremo-
Speaking of cold feet, a marathon in Siberia may have broken a Guinness World Record when runners braved temperatures of 63.4 degrees below zero two weeks ago. Organizers of the Pole of Cold Marathon in Yakutia, Russia, said the start time for the race was pushed up to the early morning on January 21 after weather forecasts indicated the temperature would dip to 76 degrees below zero in the afternoon. The temperature during the race reached a low of 63.4 degrees below zero. Think that was cold? Guinness World Records currently lists the world’s coldest marathon as 2001’s Siberian Ice Marathon, where the temperature was about 38 degrees below zero, so this marathon may just be the coldest yet. Despite the freeze, Russian runner Vasily Lukin did not stay frozen, winning the Pole of Cold Marathon in 3 hours, 22 minutes. There were 65 runners in the race, cheered on by 100 dedicated spectators. Marina Sedalischeva, a Yakutia local, was the first woman to finish the race, with a time of 4 hours, 9 minutes. Could it be she broke out into a cold sweat during this marathon?
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Around the
Community Live and Breathe Mesechtas Makkos
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any months ago, our Menahel, Rabbi Tzvi Krigsman, had a special request for the YKLI Board of Directors. He suggested we send all of our dedicated rebbeim to the Torah Umesorah Convention, to hear innovative speeches, and to glean from the many tremendous speakers who would present over the course of the weekend. Our board responded warmly, sending our rebbeim, along with their wives, for a Shabbos of remarkable chinuch inspiration. Our rebbeim networked with many other rebbeim and professionals throughout the convention and were motivated to immediately bring some new concepts into their classrooms. One example of this is a particularly wonderful program from Rabbi Yaakov Prupas of Monsey, which our Rabbi Yaroslawitz spent many hours adapting and modifying in order to bring it to his own 8th grade shiur. The result? The “Live and Breathe Mesechta Makkos Program” that the boys began on November 14, 2021, where they were given a list of all the Gemara they will learn this year, broken up into 100 parts. The program calls for the talmidim to review each piece of Gemara 20 times: Reading it 18 times, then saying the shakla v’tarya twice ba’al peh.
Rabbi Krigsman, menahel of YKLI, and Rabbi Bajnon, rosh yeshiva of YKLI, shepping nachas from the program
The boys took to it immediately with unbelievable excitement and began reviewing from the beginning of Makkos, marking on a detailed chart each chazara that they did. The boys used every minute that they could to review the Gemara, and the ruach of chazara was in the air! The goal was for the talmidim to reach 10,000 checks, which they surpassed recently, collectively chazering 10,540 pieces of Gemara in nine weeks! The boys were incredibly proud of themselves, and we are so proud of them as well! On the last day before mid-Winter break, the shiur celebrated befittingly with a beautiful seudah and siyum. Our menahel, Rabbi Tzvi Krigsman,
Rabbi Yaroslawitz speaking to the boys
joined the talmidim, as our Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Zvi Bajnon, spoke to the boys. Two talmidim in the shiur spoke as well, and the program culminated with a moving kumzitz. This was but one of the beautiful outcomes of having sent our rebbeim
to the Torah Umesorah Convention. We thank our Board of Directors again for having the foresight to put our rebbeim in the best position possible to bring cutting-edge chinuch methods directly to our talmidim.
Rabbeim from Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island attending the Torah Umesorah Convention
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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Around the Community JSL SPORTS CORNER: WEEK THREE RECAP Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Fifth Grade Students of the Week JSL Regular Season Kicks Off!
Eliyahu Meir Weinberger, Asher Davidov, Zevi Teitelbaum, Yoel Thumim, Ziggy Bobker, Gavriel Manela, Yehuda Katz, Aryeh Perl, and Binyomin Sichel
CAHAL Participates in Robotics Competition
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fter attending the CIJE Robotics Competition at Yeshiva Darchei Torah in December, Mrs. Michal Katz’s 5th and 6th grade CAHAL class at Yeshiva Ket-
ana was inspired to build their own robots and compete in the upcoming April competition. They learned all about the mechanics of robots and have just finished building their own.
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his past Sunday, JSL members enjoyed their 3rd week of action, brought to you by FM Home Loans. There was snow outside, but the gym was warm and the games were amazing! In K/P Soccer, Rebbe’s Choice defeated Simcha Day Camp 14-2 behind a dominant effort by Pinny Weinstein. KolSave beat Camp Funshine 10-5. In 1st/2nd Football, Krauss Dentistry defeated The Rebbe’s Choice 4-2 while PIP won a nailbiter 8-7 over The Designer’s Group. In 2nd/3rd Soccer, John’s Automotive and Krauss Dentistry battled to a 2-2 tie. Home and Stone beat Maidenbaum 7-0 behind 5 goals from team MVP Yosef Abramson. After those early afternoon games, it was time for basketball. In 3rd/4th, Maidenbaum edged PEYD 20-17. RestoMax beat Island Roofing 20-14. In 5th grade Basketball, Wisnicki-Neuhauser blew out 5TownsCentral 22-2. Triple Net Group beat AutoClick 29-23. In 6th-8th Basketball, Gourmet Glatt beat JRM Development 34-20 and John’s Automotive beat Home and Stone 39-17 In the 4th/5th Hockey League, Believe and Achieve beat Executive Dry Cleaning 4-3 in a thrilling shootout. CNSLT won 4-2 against Alpert and Associates behind a Tzvi Maltz hat trick. MVPs Pinny Weinstein Avi Gordon
Gabriel Zilberman Yosef Abramson Aaron Levitin Yisrael Metz Yaakov Friedman Refael Klein Dovy Gordon Yaakov Fried Tzvi Maltz Yechiel Taitelbaum Men’s Recap The Men’s league was on bye for Yeshiva week. As a result, Island Roofing, Maidenbaum and Executive Dry Cleaning remain the league leaders at 2-0. Game of the Week In 4th/5th Hockey, the game between Believe and Achieve and Executive Dry Cleaning went to overtime after Yaakov Friedman of Believe and Achieve tied it at 3 with 20 seconds left in regulation! Believe and Achieve then won it in a shootout with Yaakov Friedman scoring the shootout winning goal as well. Basketball Fun Fact Originally, basketball teams had nine players playing at a time, copying baseball. Contact the League JSL can be contacted at 5townsJSL@gmail.com and more info can be seen at 5tjsl.com or on Instagram @5townsJSL
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Around the Community
Blakeman Creates Nassau County Anti-Semitism Task Force
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n January 27, Holocaust Remembrance Day, County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman, joined by other elected officials and Jewish community leaders at the Nassau County Executive Ceremonial Chamber, signed a bill creating a Nassau County Anti-Semitism Task Force. “Joining with hundreds of Jewish community leaders, elected officials, and residents, we sent a message loud and clear that anti-Semitism and hate of any kind is not welcome here in Nassau County,” County Executive Blakeman said. “I look forward to working with this task force to help root out anti-Semitism, educate our children about the history of anti-Semitism, and make sure those who engage in anti-Semitic language and behavior are held accountable.” Following the signing of the Anti-Semitism task force bill, County Executive Blakeman hosted a dome lighting ceremony on the front steps of the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative & Executive Building in observance of
Holocaust Remembrance Day. “Today we pause to remember and honor the more than 6 million innocent Jews and other innocent people murdered by Nazi Germany and others,” County Executive
Blakeman said. “As we light the dome of the county building yellow, we pledge to do everything we can to end hate and anti-Semitism and to never let what happened in the Holocaust happen again.”
Legislator Mazi Pilip added, “Tonight we remember. We light this dome and know the words of Elie Wiesel – for the dead and the living we must bear witness.”
Author Visits HANC
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n Tuesday February 1, HANC-Plainview hosted its annual Author/Illustrator Visit. This year, school librarian Mrs. Francie Goldberg brought in Mr. Jeremy Stein, the creative director at MALKA in Jersey City, in addition to being the author and illustrator of If My Mother Were A Kangaroo. Mrs. Goldberg shared, “I thought it would be really exciting for the students to meet Mr. Stein, who can show the students other ways they can use their love of illustration in a professional world that is not limited to illustrating children’s books. When I heard that Jeremy had done a comic book workshop at Shulamith last year, I knew that he was the right person to present this message on our campus.” Mr. Stein was more than happy to spend the day at HANC-Plainview and noted, “I was really excited to jump on the opportunity to speak to the students in the heart of their early drawing years. I would have loved to have heard a speaker at that age that spoke about their career and getting paid to draw, color, design, or animate, which I got to share with the children on different levels.” Mr. Stein addressed all the students in the school in small sessions throughout the day. He read his picture book and hosted a doodle session with the younger students and focused on comic book creation and an overview of his day-to-day
with the older students. Each child had a great time drawing along with Mr. Stein thanks to a generous donation of sketchbooks for each student and staff member from SketchforSchools. SketchforSchools even created a personalized cover for the event and
featured Jeremy’s logo, the school’s logo, and their logo, which was an amazing keepsake from the day. The program was sponsored by the PTA and will definitely leave a lasting impression on our students.
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Around the Community
Rav Yitzchok Kolodetzky of Bnei Brak, son-in-law of Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, met with Rabbi Yehuda Deutsch and his Yeshiva Darchei Torah third grade talmidim this week
Governor of Binyamin Regional Council Seeks Donors for New Hospital
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he governor of the Binyamin Regional Council in Israel, Israel Ganz, is touring cities on the East Coast of the United States until February 10 to seek donors for the state-of-the-art, 7,000 square meter Binyamin Medical Center that is presently being constructed in his jurisdiction. He will also be meeting with elected officials on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to update them on issues related to the communities of Judea and Samaria. The Binyamin Medical Center will radically transform the lives of both Jews and non-Jews living in the northern suburbs of Jerusalem, an area that he governs, and is a project developed through a partnership between the Binyamin Regional Council and One Israel Fund. For years, residents of Judea and Samaria have had to travel over treacherous roads to get to hospitals in major city centers. This facility, while making the lives of so many in that area easier, will also take the burden off other hospitals, particularly in Jerusalem. Soon, whether someone has a heart attack, is in a car accident, or is a victim of a terrorist incident, they will have access to top medical care in minutes instead of over an hour. In addition to traditional services for fields such as cardiology, orthopedics, urology, and women’s
A rendition of the proposed completed structure
health, the facility will also offer allied health services such as rehabilitation and occupational therapy, ophthalmology, audiology, and podiatry. There will also be a pharmacy on the premises as well as all emergency services and internal medicine. Moreover, the facility will be a great asset economically to the area, bringing jobs not only to health professionals but also to those essential
jobs needed to help a medical facility run at an optimum level such as office staff, orderlies, and custodial staff. It will also have a profound benefit to many other businesses in and around the medical center as well. In the United States, people usually do not have to travel upwards of fifty miles for consultation with a dietician or holistic therapist, and now residents of the Binyamin region
will have those same services close to where they live. To learn more about this project and/or how you can become a donor, please visit: https://oneisraelfund. org/impact/binyamin-medical-center/ and to schedule an appointment with Governor Ganz during his upcoming trip, contact Scott M. Feltman, executive vice president of One Israel Fund, at 516-239-9202, ex. 12.
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Around the Community
Two boys from Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s third grade were recognized for their outstanding display of good middos. Pictured, with Rav Avrohom Bender, menahel: Left, Shai Korn with Rav Eliyahu Schwadel; and right, Zalmy Fest with Rav Avraham Yaakov Klein
YCQ Brings the Shuk Home
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n Monday, January 17, Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) grade 6 girls created Shuk Tu B’Shevat so the entire school could experience Israeli culture. The girls learned all about Tu B’Shevat and the Shivat Haminim and formed groups. They “sold” each of the Minim, and other Israeli treats, to the rest of the school using “Shekalim.” Songs were sung, food was eaten, and brachot were made. The decorations, smells, and sounds felt like a real shuk in Israel. YCQ JHS Morah Rina Bienenfeld expressed, “The grade 6 girls prepared booths with sign boards depicting various types of foods seen around the shuk. We had many stalls set up, including fruit, vegetables, dried fruit, shivat haminim, bakery, candy, and drinks. Our YCQ staff set up the room to look like an Israeli market, with palm trees and Israeli flags. With the decorations, music, smells, and flavors, it felt like we were in Israel! “My favorite part of creating Shuk Tu B’Shevat
with the grade 6 girls was watching their excitement and enthusiasm as they prepared. I enjoyed seeing the girls take leadership positions in their groups. They knew that because of their hard work they were creating long lasting memories. “Thank you Morah Shirley Pourad, Mr. Kevin Jimenez, and the YCQ Kitchen Staff for their orga-
nization and efficiency leading up to Tu B’Shevat. I must thank Morah Alyssa Schussheim for giving me big shoes to fill and supporting me throughout the entire process.” Thank you, Morah Bienenfeld, and the grade 6 girls, for bringing a true Israeli experience to YCQ.
These HALB fifth graders earned certificates over winter break for focusing on mitzvot and middot
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Around the Community
PATH Forward Against Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes
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nfortunately, anti-Semitic attacks and hate crimes have become an all-too-common occurrence. Whether it’s a physical attack on the streets of Crown Heights or synagogue members held hostage in Colleyville Texas, the rising hate is terrifying for every faction of the Jewish people. According to a recent FBI study, Jews are more than 2½ times more likely to be a victim of a hate crime than any other minority in America. According to NYPD data, hate crime incidents in the city increased by 64 percent. This is especially concerning because New York City has the largest population of Jews outside of Israel. As a result of this, NYC has established the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC). This office is strategic in using non-law enforcement deterrence, including public education, outreach and community safety models and preventative best practices. The OPHC recognizes the importance of working with local community partners to ensure its success in building bridges and preventing hate crimes. The office launched the Partners Against the Hate (P.A.T.H.) FORWARD initiative to help combat bias-motivated incidents and hate crimes in New York City. One of the main partners for this project is JCRC-NY. The JCRC serves as the central coordinating and resource body for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area in the community relations field and is an active force in New York civic and communal life. On a local level, the JCRC has partnered with the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula (JCCRP) to ensure that the community works in coordination with local police to combat
DI Eric Robinson, 101st, and RNSP leadership giving an award to member Dov Klein
hate crimes. Our community is fortunate to have a very active Shomrim patrol, the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol, RNSP. The RNSP is participating in this project with additional Shabbos patrols, education on reporting hate crimes and working with local police precincts to improve communication. This past week at the RNSP’s regularly scheduled meeting, the focus was combating hate crimes. The meeting was enhanced by the participation of Deputy Inspector Eric Robinson, the commanding officer of the 101st precinct in Far Rockaway. DI Robinson and other 101st leadership present spoke about the quick actions they took on the Shabbos of the Colleyville hostage situation in sending out additional units to protect all local shuls. They thanked the JCCRP and RNSP for ensuring that their shul list was updated and accurate, making them ready for this
crisis. This is one small example of the incredible partnership in place between community organizations and the police department. Additionally, members heard remarks from JCCRP and JCRC leadership. Moshe Brandsdorfer, executive director of the JCCRP, commented, “The JCCRP and JCRC have been strong partners for many years working together on building bridges between communities, missions to Israel, U.S. Census and many other areas of klal work. With Hashem’s help, together with the collaboration of the RNSP, we will combat hate crimes and reduce this threat throughout our community.” If you or a family member are victims of a hate-crime, it is crucial to report it. For an emergency, call 911. If it’s a non- emergency investigation, please call the RNSP at 516-858-7300.
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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Around the Community
At Lev Chana, students took advantage of the snowstorm and turned the snow outside into works of art
Sign Up for the 7th Annual JEP REN
The Hopkovitz family of Hewlett enjoying the snow
Celebrating Torah Learning with Torah Learning By Mordechai Kastlebaum
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eshiva Gedolah of the Five Towns is one of the premier mekomos haTorah in our community. The Yeshiva, which is renowned for its outstanding rebbeim and strong learning, has produced hundreds of bnei Torah in the Five Towns and beyond. The hallmark of YGFT is its unswerving commitment to limud haTorah, pure high-level learning, for every person at every level. It is the immense koach haTorah that has the ability to transform a person, whether young or old. Last year, the Yeshiva substituted its Annual Dinner with a new groundbreaking event. The Kavod HaTorah Siyum started as a nascent dream to bring together the Yeshiva’s growing community for an event centered around limud haTorah. No one could have imagined the incredible response to last year’s event. Baruch Hashem, people from
far and near, talmidim and baalei battim, young and old, gathered in the Bais Medrash for an unprecedented Torah learning event. The kol Torah was resounding, and the excitement was palpable. The event truly encapsulated the essence and mission of YGFT. Now, the Yeshiva will be holding the second annual Siyum on Maseches Bava Kamma on February 12, Motzei Shabbos Parshas Tetzaveh, and it promises to be even bigger than last year’s event. There will be several enhancements this year, including a concurrent Siyum haMishnayos which will allow the youth of our community to play a special role in the celebration. There will also be a full schedule of shiurim that Shabbos to prepare for the grand Ma’amad on Motzei Shabbos. To take part in the event, please reserve your daf in Bava Kamma at YGFTSiyum.org.
Moshe Majeski, Michael Schick and Rabbi Dovid Shenker at JEP REN 2021
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eal fun and real connections for real estate professionals. Mark your calendars for Monday night, February 28 from 7-9pm for the seventh annual JEP REN (Real Estate Networking) event. Join industry leaders in an evening of fun at Area 53 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and enjoy exquisite food with catering by Michael Schick, president of the JEP-LI board. Get exposure for your company, show your clients your appreciation, and get back to business in person!
You’ll also be doing tremendous chessed for JEP-LI and Camp Nageela. Kids rediscover their Jewish heritage after experiencing JEP/Nageela’s year-round programming and its premier sleepaway camp. Bring clients and colleagues; network with new prospects. Refer a paying sponsor and get TWO extra tickets. Help our Jewish children stay connected to their heritage. To sponsor JEP REN 2022, contact jenr@jepli.org or 917-715-2415. Register at jepren.org.
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
A BRAND NEW COLLEC TION OF INSPIRING JEWISH MUSIC
AVA I L A B L E F E B R U A R Y 9 T H
www.eitankatz.com
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Snow much fun at Shulamith ECC
Chabad of the Five Towns to Honor Amb. David & Tammy Friedman at 27th Annual Gala Dinner
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rom Woodmere to the White House, David and Tammy Friedman have built their careers and family based on sharp thinking, practical problem solving, and a strong moral compass. While serving as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David’s no-nonsense style helped broker the most epic international relations successes in recent history: recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel and subsequent move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and the Abraham Accords. The Friedmans are true embodiments of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s concept of lamplighters. The Rebbe encouraged everyone to spread light, because when one torch lights another, the first light does not diminish—both lights grow. Ambassador Friedman echoed these thoughts at the recent Shluchim Convention, “We are all partners in rebuilding the Jewish nation. We are partners in making any place we reside a more moral place. We are partners in bringing light and truth to places that are dark and without hope. That partnership bears fruit each day and is the reason why, like the former British Empire, the sun never sets on the Chabad community.” While the Friedmans have a deep history of Jewish involvement in the Five Towns, their lives changed when David had a seemingly incurable back pain over 25 years
ago. Tammy called the newly opened Chabad of the Five Towns to ask for their mezuzahs to be checked. Rabbi Wolowik came and checked the tefillin as well, and he found serious blemishes in the tefillin scroll. The next day, after using new tefillin, David’s pain stopped…but his relationship with Rabbi Wolowik only grew. Rabbi Wolowik learned the Books of Prophets with David where David said he learned all he needed to know about leadership. Rabbi Wolowik also accompanies David to the Ohel for contemplation or blessings before major decisions. The relationship continues as Rabbi Wolowik went to put up mezuzahs and help kasher kitchens at the new offices and residences in Israel. Rabbi Wolowik was honored on May 14, 2018, the 70th anniversary of the modern state of Israel, to deliver the opening prayer at the inauguration of the embassy in Jerusalem. The Friedman family has been connected with Chabad through the Gan Chamesh Preschool, Bat Mitzvah club, and other youth activities. It is the Chabad of the Five Town’s great privilege to honor Ambassadors of Light David and Tammy Friedman for their accomplishments – both on the world stage and in subtle, private contributions – at the upcoming gala dinner on February 15, Purim Katan 5782, 6:00 p.m., VIP Reception 7:00 p.m. in
the Grand Ballroom of The Sephardic Temple, 775 Branch Boulevard, Cedarhurst. Couvert: $770; Couple VIP Reception: minimum donation of $10,000 will have the privilege to receive a personalized signed copy of the new release by Ambassador Friedman “Sledgehammer.” Chabad of the Five Towns relies on community support to help sustain its programs and activities. Thanks to the tireless leadership, endless creativity, and immense care and love of Directors Rabbi Zalman and Chanie Wolowik, youth and program directors Rabbi Meir and Hadassah Geisinsky, and scholars-in-residence Rabbi Shais and Brocha Taub, Chabad of the Five Towns continues to make great strides in bringing the community together to pray, learn, and act in proper ways. From the monumental menorah lightings, to the quiet visits to a sick person, from early morning brises to late evening celebrations, from Rosh Hashanah services and shofar blowings to Purim Megillah readings, and Pesach matzah distributions, from Smile on Seniors to Hebrew School, Chabad is there for every age and stage every day. Under the leadership of Director Batsheva Borenstein, Friendship Circle, which pairs up teens with children with special needs for learning, fun, and companionship, has grown by leaps and bounds. At the 2022 dinner, Chabad will honor
Friendship Circle presidents Emily Erdos, Yael Esses, Chana Fogel, Nechama Fruchter, Chanie Hertz, Sophia Hoenig, Elisheva Jaffa, Gabrielle Kalish, Abigail Lampert, Erin Merrill, Ariella Mosak, Chani Rabinow, Shmuel Bennun, Shmuel Jacobs, Dov Rosen, Ari Saffra, Simcha Schachter, Harrison Schwartz, and Moishy Zern. Chabad reaches out to public school youth for educational and social opportunities. At the 2022 dinner, Chabad honors CTeen leaders Kate Epstein, Aryn Feldman, Sean Fruman, Eli Gwirtzman, Noah Kesler, Melanie Poley, Alice Shvartsberg, Abbie Soltanovich, Zach Tucker, and Gabby Zaytsev. The Chabad dinner is an annual tradition the community looks forward to and is all made possible thanks to dinner chairpersons Yosef Yitzchak and Penina Batsheva Popack; Gidon and Alla Shema; Gary and Suzanne Wallin; Jeff and Shira Eisenberg; Israel and Sharon Garber; Sholom and Pessy Jacobs; and Shalom and Iris Maidenbaum. Raffle tickets are available for as little as $36 each. Options include an Orlando Getaway, Enhance Your Table, Beautiful Megillah, $1,000 Visa Gift Card, or $1,000 to Gourmet Glatt. To RSVP for the dinner, or purchase a journal ad or raffle tickets, please visit https://fivetownsgala.com/
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022 P U R I M K ATA N 5 7 8 2
6:00 PM V I P R EC E P T I O N 7:00 PM GA L A D I N N E R GRAND BALLROOM OF THE SEPHARDIC TEMPLE
noring o H CTEEN LEADERS Kate Epstein Aryn Feldman Sean Fruman Eli Gwirtzman
Noah Kesler Melanie Poley Alice Shvartsberg Abbie Soltanovich
Zach Tucker Gabby Zaytsev
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE PRESIDENTS
A M BA S SA D O R DAV I D & TA M M Y F R I E D M A N
Emily Erdos Yael Esses Chana Fogel Nechama Fruchter Chanie Hertz Sophia Hoenig
Elisheva Jaffa Gabrielle Kalish Abigail Lampert Erin Merrill Ariella Mosak Chani Rabinow
FIVETOWNSGALA.COM SCAN TO RSVP
Shmuel Bennun Shmuel Jacobs Dov Rosen Ari Saffra Simcha Schachter Harrison Schwartz Moishy Zern
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Adar Spirit at SKA
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t’s not hard to tell that the month of Adar has arrived – just walk around the hallways at SKA! Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph was welcomed in true SKA style on Tuesday, February 1, when the Power 36 period, dedicated to extracurricular activities, was filled with vibrant Jewish music, dynamic dancing, and delicious cupcakes and hamantaschen. Purim was definitely in the air! The Rosh Chodesh celebration was particularly joyous as the girls enjoyed the festivities, many of them clad in eye-catching clothing. Antic-
ipating the upcoming yom tov, the ruach in the auditorium was truly effervescent. Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph at SKA was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Duvi and Shira Greenberger l’ilui nishmat Menashe ben Ezriel Yehudah, a”h.
The Ganger Early Childhood Center at TAG celebrated Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph with a day of moonbounce fun
Morah Sarah Tepper’s Yeshiva Darchei Torah kindergarten class visited the mailbox after they finished learning about “Where we live.”
Yeshiva Week at Gural JCC
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he Marion and Aaron Gural JCC hosted its first Yeshiva Week Program for children in the greater Five Towns community last week. The program was open to boys and girls in kindergarten through sixth grade and ran for four days during the yeshiva break. Families could sign their children up for one, two, three or all four days. The program included lunch, snacks and one day was a trip to an indoor children’s play arena where we had the entire facility to ourselves. This initial program welcomed between sixteen and twenty children each day, and many were with us for the full program. The program offered separate boys’ and girls’ activities, a Mad Science show, the trip, sports, arts and crafts, and lots of games. It was a great way for families who were working, or families who did not go away, to send their children to a quality, fun and engaging program. The JCC plans to offer future youth programming like this. The children had a terrific time, and the JCC was thrilled to be able to provide this wonderful opportunity to our community.
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Dirshu Lomdim Retrace Mesoras HaTorah at Siyum on Second Machzor of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Gedolei Roshei Yeshiva, Maggidei Shiur, and Lomdei Dirshu gather for three days in Vilna, Kovna, Slabodka and Radin, celebrating their dedication to Ameilus BaTorah divrei zikaron about the community of Vilna.
By Ezra Burstein
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here are no words to describe the mission, along with the feelings of elevated hisorerus and chizuk. But, as the purpose of the mission was to be mechazek limud haTorah across the globe, I try my best to find the words to spread the chizuk haTorah created last week. Although the words “historic” and “unprecedented” lost their credibility, thrown into news items like the wind-swept snow in the frigid streets of Vilna, I am confident that this time, those words are true. The Dirshu Mission to Vilna and Siyum celebration of the second cycle of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha was truly historic and unprecedented. Vilna – the magical city which until now held secrets locked away in the vaults of history, visible only in the imaginations of those who study, learn, and toil to understand the words of its guiding sages, the “Yerushalayim d’Lita,” upon whose streets walked the great Gaon and tzaddik likened to “the Rashba and maybe the Ramban,” whose talmid HaGaon HaRav Chaim Volozhiner, the “Av Hayeshivos,” paved the way for Torah to flourish again, Vilna, which after 80 years in mourning and solitude, has returned to life – welcoming kavod haTorah once again. Dirshu is Klal Yisrael The Dirshu Mission was not only a kibbutz galios of two hundred members of the Dirshu family converged to celebrate limud, ameilus, and chizuk in Torah. The words of HaGaon HaRav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel,
shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva Mir, expressed what everyone felt. “When the Bnei Yisrael went to be Oleh L’Regel, it looked exactly as it looks tonight. From Paris, Bnei Brak, New York, Leon, Gibraltar, and Marseilles, each one here is a special yochid, each with his own melody, with his piyyut, with his own path to hatzlacha, and each one a part in the greater tzibbur with achdus. “Dirshu is to search out. Dirshu is to seek to raise the banner of Torah which lifts up each and every Yid. Dirshu is Klal Yisrael!” Vilna Dirshu’s mission is to promote, sustain, and facilitate limud and ameilus baHatorah. The brainchild of Rav Dovid Hofstedter, under the guidance of Gedolei Yisrael across the spectrum, Dirshu’s approach to create a daily learning regimen, with review and accountability, revolutionized limud haTorah and halacha for thousands of bochurim, yungerleit and baalei battim. With siyata dishmaya, Dirshu has seen unprecedented growth in the twenty years since its founding. “The Mishnah Berurah began right here in Vilna,” The Chevron Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlit”a explained. “The
Chofetz Chaim writes in the hakdama that after he reviewed all the poskim, his psak is like the Gr”a, the light of Yisrael, and the foundation which everyone relies on. “Reb Chaim Volozhiner founded all of our yeshivos – here in Vilna. This city is the source of the Torah of our generation!” The Kedoshim of Paneriai Forest The mission began as the Gedolei Torah and Lomdei Torah from all sects of klal Yisrael stepped off the buses in downtown Vilna, and inhaled the air, saturated with Torah for six centuries. After checking into the five-star Kempinski Hotel and receiving a warm welcome from Gedolei Yisrael, uniting with their “Dirshu Family” from across the globe, making each guest feel at home, the group set out to the first destination – The Paneriai Forest. Rav Eliezer Ralbag, shlit”a, Rav of Lakewood Courtyard, addressed the gathered, “Here, a makom kadosh where over 75,000 Yidden from all over Europe, including the Marcheshes zt”l Hy”d, and HaGaon HaRav Boruch Ber’s rebbitzen and sister-in-law and nieces and nephews, were murdered. “The simple vasser treggers of Vilna were meleiim
mitzvos k’rimon, and they were stuffed in wagons and brought here to be shot and buried – many of them buried alive.” The oilem was stirred by their words and used the opportunity to be mispallel for their needs in the zchus of the kedoshim. HaGaon HaRav Boruch Ber zt”l’s Kever The next stop was the site of the recently discovered tzion of the Birchas Shmuel, HaGaon HaRav Boruch Ber Leibowitz, zt”l, talmid muvhak of Rav Chaim Brisker, zt”l. On the snow-covered hill, surrounded by hundreds of unrecognizable kevorim, stood the lone matzeiva of the Gadol B’yisrael – HaGaon HaRav Boruch Ber, zt”l. Amid falling snow and freezing winds, HaRav Uziel Leibowitz, shlit”a, Rosh Mesivta Birchas Shmuel and great-grandson of Rav Boruch Ber, zt”l, spoke passionately about Rav Boruch Ber’s impact on the oilam hayeshivos, evoking the koach and opportunity those gathered had to be mispallel at the kever. At the next stop, a visit to the Choral Synagogue of Vilna, Rabbi Mordechai Neugroschel, international historian and lecturer who served as a tour guide and darshan over Shabbos, said
Maamad Tefillah at Kever of the Vilna Gaon The American and European groups then set out to the kever of the Gr”a, and the group from Eretz Yisrael traveled across the Belarus border to Radin. Rav Dovid Hofstedter welcomed the oilam in the freezing cold and falling snow and set the tone for the maamad. “There are so many Yidden whose lives are bitter. Let us be mispallel for them – that they too should taste the sweet waters of Torah!” HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlit”a, his voice amplified by the pre-set sound system, and his face aglow, began. “The Gra is an integral part of the chain of our mesorah of Torah from Moshe Rabbeinu. “The Gemara in Niddah says (70b), ‘Ma yaase adam viyechkam? Yarbeh biyishiva … yivakesh rachacim l’mie shehachachma shelo! We have to do both! Dirshu Hashem v’euzo – bakshu panav tamid! We must continue to learn and continue to daven for havonos haTorah! “The Gaon was a kol gadol v’lo yasaf! The Gra’s Torah never stopped!” The tefillos at that site were indescribable. The emotional and tearful Tehillim, selichos, and yud gimmel middos resembled Nei’lah of Yom Kippur. The tangible aura of kedusha of the time and place was unparalleled. The tefillos continued at the kevorim of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Ozer and HaGaon HaRav Itzele Ponovezher, zt”l, among other Gedolei Yisrael.
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Around the Community
Maamad Tefillah in Radin Meanwhile, the group from Eretz Yisrael’s bus climbed the hills leading to Radin, passing old wooden houses adorning the landscape, until it reached the kever of the Meir Einei Yisrael, the Chofetz Chaim, zt”l. Under the bitter cold Belarusian sky, HaRav Shimon Galai, shlit”a, began the tefillos. With tears and emotion, he led the group, piercing the shaarei Shomayim, followed by HaRav Dovid Shimon Zoldan, shlit”a, and Rav Boruch Sternbuch, shlit”a. Rav Masud Ben Shimon, shlit”a, then said the tefillah composed by HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a. The excitement continued as they placed the “Sefer Hagiborim,” in which was listed the names of the newest members of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, on the kever of the saintly Chofetz Chaim. The simcha continued with a seudas mitzvah in Yeshivas Radin, after which the group returned to Vilna, arriving after daybreak. Kovna and Slabodka The dark Friday morning sky saw the return of the group, embarking the buses before dawn, setting out to Kovna. Rabbi Moshe Scheinfeld, rav of the Moadon Yehudi (Jewish Center) of Kovna, greeted the large group into his shul, and joined the group for breakfast afterwards. The buses then traveled to one of the most heart wrenching sites in Eastern Europe, where the akeida of HaGaon HaRav Elchonon Wasserman, zt”l Hy”d, and others took place – the infamous “Seventh Fort.”
Before entering the Soviet built fort, HaGaon HaRav Nissim Kaplan, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Daas Ahron in Yerushalayim, gave a gripping shmuz. “We are all willing to jump into a fire for kiddush Hashem. But with Hashem’s continued help, we won’t have those opportunities! But do we wake up early every day? Do we make zman krias Shema? How can we enter this makom kadosh without some mesiras nefesh of our own to be metzaref with the mesiras nefesh of the heilige Reb Elchonon?!” The group entered the makom kadosh with a renewed chizuk. Demonstration in honor of Kivrei Yisrael The entire delegation, including the group who had returned from Radin only an hour prior, reunited to demonstrate in the Vilna “Shnípishok” Cemetery, where the local government is planning to build an office and shopping center. HaGaon HaRav Sariel Rosenberg, shlit”a, began the demonstration with Tehillim, followed by Rabbi Reuven Ohana, Chief Rabbi of Marseille, France, and member of the European Coalition of Rabbis, who addressed the assembled. An Uplifting Shabbos in Vilna HaGaon HaRav Shimon Galai, shilit”a, noted mashpia and rav of Beis Knesses Hamerkaz and Chanichei Hayeshivos in Bnei Brak, welcomed Shabbos, followed by HaRav Yitzchok Shmuel Schechter, shlit”a, Dayan of Kiryat Tzanz Netanya.
Many darshonim graced the Shabbos with divrei bracha and chizuk throughout Shabbos, including Rav Binyamin Eckstein, shlit”a, HaGaon HaRav Chizkiyahu Mishkovsky, shlit”a, Rav Boruch Sternbach, shlit”a, of Antwerp, Rav Zev Hofstedter, Rabbi Naftoli Levy and HaRav Yehuda Toledano, shlit”a of France, HaRav Chaim Heimlich, shlit”a, of Manchester, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Koledetsky, shlit”a, Rav Mordechai Greenfield, shlit”a, of Antwerp, HaRav Nissim Kaplan, shlit”a, HaRav Sariel Rosenberg, shlit”a, Rosh Badatz Bnei Brak, Rav Yosef Weinberg, shlit”a of London, Rabbi Yitzchok Levy, of Gibraltar, HaRav Avraham Salim, shlit”a, and HaRav Yechiel Tubol, shlit”a, of Léon, France, After Shacharis and kiddush, HaRav Dovid Cohen delivered a shiur b’inyan tashlumin b’tfillah, creating a rischa d’oraisa and lively discussion regarding HaGaon HaRav Chaim Brisker’s chiddush b’inyan havdalah b’tefillah on Motzei Shabbos. Torah, Regesh, Zmiros V’sishbachos The seudos were a continuation of the regesh and achdus of the Shabbos. In a spontaneous moment during Shabbos zemiros, HaRav Shimon Galei stood on a chair, and full of emotion and dveikus, led the oilam in zmiros. HaRav Dovid Cohen, HaRav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, and other gedolei Roshei Yeshivos all joined Zanvil Weinberger and the Malchus Choir, singing and enjoying the kedusha of Shabbos, reflecting the purity and caliber of the highest levels of ameilus baTorah con-
tained within the room. Ashrei ayin ra’asa zos! A Visit to the Home of The Vilna Gaon After the seudah, a small group led by HaRav Nissim Kaplan, Rav Shlomo Cynamon and Rav Eliezer Ralbag walked only a few hundred yards to the home of the Vilna Gaon, where the rabbonim told over the story of the “Ger Tzedek of Vilna,” Avraham ben Avraham, and his last conversation with the Gaon. They then each said over a chiddush b’inyna mesiras nefesh al Kiddush Hashem. Simchas HaTorah! The Siyum On Motzei Shabbos, after a meeting of rabbonim and maggidei shiur from across the world, led by Rabbi Shlomo Rozenstein and Rabbi Avigdor Bernstein, directors of Dirshu Eretz Yisrael, the Siyum began. The siyum on Motzei Shabbos was nothing short of derhoiben. HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Meir Stern, shlit”a, Dayan of Zichron Meir Bnei Brak, opened the siyum, HaRav Chaim Pesach Horowitz, shlit”a, Dayan of Machzikei Hadas Belz, made the siyum and HaRav Yaakov Wreschner, shlit”a, rav of Be’er Mordche of Manchester, said the hadran. HaRav Aryeh Zilberstein, rav of Gur Bnei Brak, started the next cycle of Mishnah Berurah, followed by festive rikudim shel simcha. The excitement built up as Rav Dovid Hofstedter addressed the crowd one last time. He spoke emotionally, describing how each makom kadosh visited over the past three days was filled with
the blood of tzaddikim from the past, but “the only way we can overcome, is through the koach of Torah! We have the power to strengthen our limud HaTorah and to increase lomdim throughout the world!” HaGaon HaRav Finkel spoke emotionally as well, thanking Hashem for the past nissim which allowed the mesorah of Torah to continue. “Many think that to be mekadesh shem Shomayim, you need money, charisma, or connections. This is a mistake! One can fill his tachlis by sitting by himself and learning in a beis medrash and his word will spread from one end of the world to another! “The rest Hashem takes care of! Everything is siyata dishmaya!” Mishkadesh B’kedusha Elyonah! The evening and the Shabbos winded down, but not without leaving everyone with an unforgettable and uplifting experience. The friendships made, chiddushim exchanged, and chizuk derived will be life lasting. But the tefillos at mekomos hakdoshim and the hashpa’ah from spending three days basking in the presence of Gedolei Yisrael was life-changing. The words from the final drasha of HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlit”a, will remain forever in the hearts and minds of those fortunate to hear, “One who is mekadesh shem Shomayim by being lomed al mnas laasos is ‘miskadesh bikedusha elyonah!’ “This is how we become a mamleches Kohanim v’goy kadosh! – and this is Dirshu!”
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Yeshiva Darchei Torah Middle School Guests Speak about Ahavas Yisroel, the Middah of the Month
Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender
Mr. Shlomo Katz
Rav Mordechai Finkelman
MTA’s Model UN Team Meets with Indian Mission
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n Friday, January 7, MTA’s Model UN team met with Ms. Sneha Dubey, First Secretary to the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, for a virtual session. This is part of the team’s preparation to represent India at the Yeshiva University National Model United Nations (YUNMUN), to be held later this year. Ms. Dubey briefed the team on India’s proud history as one of the founding countries of the UN and on its continued leadership in much of the UN’s important work. She then took questions from the team concerning the topics they are preparing for individual UN committees and suggested how India’s various roles and advocacies could empower them to be effective delegates. From global warming to peacekeeping to women’s issues, she
offered substantive suggestions that should be of great use both at YUNMUN and in general. Ms. Dubey’s most powerful lesson, however, was diplomacy. In both word and attitude, she demonstrated how it is possible for nations to work together on issues of mu-
tual concern despite differences of opinion, even strong ones, on other issues. She also encouraged everyone to follow India’s example and accept the rule of international law, even when it does not come out to a country’s advantage. She pointed to a border dispute with Bangladesh
that India had submitted to UN arbitration, and whose decision it had accepted even though India lost. Ms. Dubey also invited the team to visit the Indian Mission when health considerations permit, which they very much look forward to.
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Kedusha of the Kotel Under Attack
By E. Fink
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ixed prayer. Buses running on Shabbos. Desecration of the Torah. By your next visit to Israel, the Kosel may look painfully unfamiliar, its sacred stones – violated. The current Bennett government, coerced and heavily intimidated by Reform Knesset members within the coalition, has sworn to implement a horrific plan to redesign the Kosel plaza within the next 45 days. Over $35.4 million have already been allocated by the Bennett government in order to “upgrade the infrastructure at the Western Wall.” Their true intentions? To completely destroy the centuries-old infrastructure of halacha, creating a Reform mixed prayer section in the center of the Kosel Plaza, taking a significant amount of space from the existing men’s and women’s sections. Once the Reform leaders gain the right to their own section, under their own leadership, it will be virtually impossible to remove them and regain the complete sanctity of our precious Kosel. A Devastating Ripple Effect The goal of the Reform movement promoting this plan is frighteningly clear: to gain validation and
official recognition in Israel as a legitimate form of Judaism, equivalent to Torah-true observance. Their final destination doesn’t lie at the Kosel’s tear-soaked stones. As they publicly declare, they seek to take over conversion, marriage, and kashrus in Israel, destroying the Chief Rabbinate. Along the way, they will legitimize immoral marriages and foster tremendous chillul Shabbos, with buses running to and from the Kosel on Shabbos. The Lone Voices Perhaps the driving force behind the opposition to the Kosel agreement is the Libah Yehudit Organization. Founded with a mission to minimize the influence of the Reform movement and to promote genuine
Did you know? Rock salt is also known as halite, which is the Greek word for salt
Torah-true Jewish identity in Israel, they have been at the forefront of the battle against the influence of the Reform for years now, operating on a variety of fronts. One of their major initiatives is carried out each Rosh Chodesh. Libah Yehudit recruits and provides bussing for over 1,000 seminary and yeshiva students to come and pray at the Kosel, ensuring that the Women of the Wall remain a small and unnoticeable minority. Another powerful voice representing the perspective of the religious community is Mati Dan, chairman of Ateret Cohanim. He has spent the last number of years gathering a cadre of top-notch lawyers to repeatedly make the case on behalf of the sanctity of the Kosel. Facing off against the apathetic Israeli judges is a daunting challenge involving tremendous time, energy, and legal fees. When it comes to the kedusha of our Kosel, however, there is no sum that is too great. In the words of Chaim Rabinovitz, organizer of this campaign supporting the efforts of Libah Yehudit and Mati Dan, “The only way to stop
the Reform agenda is with unity. If we unite as one, the Jews of Eretz Yisrael together with Jews around the world, the Reform will have no choice but to retreat. Any donation big or small can have a dramatic effect on the Jewish identity of tens of thousands of Israeli children.” Funds are needed urgently for this campaign, to create awareness and to mobilize the Chareidim, Dati Leumi and the 3 million Masorati who vehemently oppose Reform control in Israel and at the Kosel. We must bring our nation to the Kosel for our voices to be heard and to preserve what is holy and pure. Let us take a stand before it is too late! This campaign has haskamos from all the Gedolei Hador. To name some: Rav Kanievsky, Rav Edelstein, Rav Shalom Cohen, Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbis Rav Yitzchak Yosef, Rav Yisrael David Lau, and Rav Shlomo Amar. You can make a tremendous impact on the future of Am Yisrael. Visit saveourkotel.org to donate to fight for the kedusha of the Kosel
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
The holiest place on earth. Defiled. If we don’t take a stand, by your next visit to Israel, the Kotel will look painfully unfamiliar.
With the haskama of Rav Kanievsky, Rav Edelstein, Rav Sholom Cohen, Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbis Yitzchak Yosef, Rav Yisrael David Lau, Rav Shlomo Amar
Within the next 45 days the Bennett government plans to implement the Reform’s Kotel agenda:
1
Creating a new mixed section in the center of the Kotel Plaza, by taking space from both the men and women sections
2
Desecrating the Sefer Torah, with women reading from the Torah
3
Removing majority of control of the Kotel from the Rav Hakotel to the REFORM Arranging transportation to the Kotel on Shabbos
4
Above all, violating the sanctity of our Makom Kedusha
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE AND VISIT
SAVEOURKOTEL.ORG
TO DONATE TOWARDS THE COSTS OF FIGHTING FOR KEDUSHAS HAKOTEL
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Around the Community
YOSS Mechina celebrates the culmination of first HIKON Tefillah Program cycle with a trip to the United Skates of America
The Jewish Music Hall Of Fame Show A Memorable Event Celebrating 60 Years of Jewish Music
U
nless you have been in deep hibernation for the past month, you have probably seen advertisements for the upcoming Jewish Music Hall of Fame Show, presented by Makor Care and Services Network. In an era where we are bombarded by an onslaught of hyperbole, stimuli, advertising, and entertainment, it can be hard to distinguish between real quality and plain hype. It’s a world of “been there, done that.” But sometimes something big comes along, something really huge and epic, an event that grabs the attention of even the most jaded. The Jewish Music Hall of Fame Show is a one-of-a-kind mega event - you do not want to miss this one. The legendary Sheya Mendlow-
itz, master of grand events and the original producer of quality musical performances, has graciously agreed to produce this unique event. The show will benefit Makor, a comprehensive network of support, services, and care for individuals of all ages with physical or intellectual disabilities. To Sheya Mendlowitz, this event is like a dream come true. “I have always felt that there should be a Hall of Fame honoring the immortal composers and artists of Jewish Music,” says Sheya. “They aren’t just entertainers – they are part of the fabric of our Yiddishkeit. Their songs uplift us, they add to our davening and Shabbos tables, and even our children are still getting inspiration from their music.”
So, which performers will the Jewish Music Hall of Fame Show feature? “That would be like telling someone what’s inside his gift-wrapped birthday present before he gets it,” smiles Sheya. “It’s more exciting when it’s a surprise. So, I’m not about to divulge the names, but you can believe me that this will be a Who’s Who of Jewish Music. No matter what your preference may be, you will find it onstage that night!” Tickets to the February 27 th event have been selling quickly as the excitement and momentum are mounting. The added incentive of supporting a worthy organization like Makor has prompted many individuals and corporations to sponsor the event at various levels.
Makor, formerly known as Women’s League, has been providing a full range of professional services and loving care to our community’s most vulnerable individuals for more than 40 years. As a true non-profit organization, Makor accepts even the most challenging situations that other agencies are unable to. Makor’s broad range of professional services addresses all ages and stages, from infancy to senior years. “They are an unbelievable group,” says Sheya. “There is so much love and dedication that goes on in that organization – it’s a privilege for me to do this event for Makor.”
2022. But for the 25 boys who braved the elements to attend their beloved learning program, the memories will be so much more profound. L’fum tzaara agra! The learning
was geshmak, and every single attendee won a valuable prize. Yasher koach to Mr. Dovid Meisels and his son, Yaakov, for running the program in Rabbi Drebin’s absence.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 347-304-0180 or online at MakorConcert.org.
A Blizzard of Learning at YOSS
T
wenty-five boys with tremendous enthusiasm for Torah attended the Motzai Shabbos Learning Program at Yeshiva of South Shore this past Motzei Shab-
bos. Trudging through a foot of snow to get there, they all joyfully arrived with an eagerness to learn. For most of us, this past Shabbos will be remembered as the blizzard of
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 OCTOBER 29, 2015 || The The Jewish Jewish Home Home
1.
TJH
*
Centerfold
Rushing Out of Russia K
Many people are surprised to hear that we have comedians in Russia, but they are there. They are dead, but they are there. - Yakov Smirnoff
K
The workers love Khrushchev very much. He hasn’t got an enemy in the entire country. Quite a few under it. - Bob Hope
K
In Moscow, they do not pay much attention to the living but keep their cemeteries Mikes in a splendid state. - George
K
The USSR is] the most realistic regime in the world. They have no ideals.- Golda Meir
K
My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing will begin in five minutes. President Ronald Reagan (during a radio microphone test)
K
Following his doctor’s orders, Nikita Khrushchev has cut his drinking in half. He’s leaving out the water. - Bob Hope
K
In Russia, we only had two TV channels. Channel One was propaganda. Channel Two consisted of a KGB officer telling you: Turn back at once to Channel One. - Yakov Smirnoff
K
There is no income tax in Russia. But there’s also no income. - Will Rogers
Puttin’ Putin in the Picture When President Reagan took a walk in Red Square while visiting Moscow in 1988, he noted to one of his secrete service agents that the “tourists” seemed to be asking him really pointed questions about U.S. issues. The secret service agent replied to President Reagan, “Oh, these are all KGB families.” Well, how right he was. In this picture taken on that day, the blond man with the camera around his neck is purportedly a young Vladimir Putin who, at the time, was a 34-year-old junior spy for the KGB.
K
We had a very successful trip to Russia… Our first stop was Red Square, the heart of Moscow – if Moscow has one. - Bob Hope
The Jewish Jewish Home Home || OCTOBER FEBRUARY29, 3, 2022 The 2015
“Back in the USSR” Trivia 1. The constitution of the USSR declared that the responsibility of all citizens was the following: a. To love the motherland b. To drink vodka c. Live life to the fullest d. Labor 2. The official residence of the Russian president is the Kremlin in Moscow. What does Kremlin mean? a. Fortress b. The Best c. Headquarters d. Pinnacle 3. The Russian Federation was established following the disbanding of the Soviet Union. Who was the Federation’s first president? a. Smirinoff Wodka b. Viktor Chernomyrdin c. Boris Yeltsin d. Mikhail Gorbachev
Answers: 1. D 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. A 6. C 7. C 8. B
4. Russia does not share a border with which of the following countries: a. China b. South Korea c. Mongolia d. Poland 5. Who was in charge of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis? a. Khrushchev b. Gorbachev c. Brezhnev d. Stalin 6. What did Putin work as in the 1980s? a. Moscow banker b. Doctor c. KGB spy d. Ski instructor 7. What did Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev do at the 1960 U.N. Assembly meeting? a. He refused to shake
Wisdom Key: 6-8 correct: You know too much about Communist Russia. Joseph McCarthy would have had a field day with you! 3-5 correct: Unless you live in the Ukraine (in which case, the USSR may soon be your homeland), it’s okay that you are only moderately educated on the great bastion of Communism. 0-2 correct: как вам не стыдно (Just in case you don’t speak Russian, it means “shame on you.”)
President Eisenhower’s hand b. He took out a bottle of vodka and made a toast c. He took off his shoe during his speech and started banging it on the lectern d. He brought his daughter up to the lectern and had her stand by his side during his speech 8. What was Sputnik 1? a. The name of the Russian warship that came within 15 miles of Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis. b. The world’s first artificial satellite launched by the USSR in 1957, resulting in the U.S. vs. USSR space race c. The name of a jail created by Stalin d. The title of the USSR Constitution.
You Gotta Be Kidding Me! A Soviet has saved up his money to buy a car. He goes down to the dealership and says to the salesman, “I want that one!” “The car will arrive in seven years,” the salesman replies. “Will it come in the morning or the afternoon?” the man asks. “What difference does it make?” asks the salesman. The Soviet answers, “The plumber is coming in the morning.”
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
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Torah Thought
Parshas Terumah By Rabbi Berel Wein
I
t is interesting to note the choice of verbs used by the Torah regarding the collection of materials that will be necessary in the building of the Mishkan in the desert of Sinai. The Torah places emphasis on the collectors and takers of the donations and does not emphasize the intent on the part of the givers. It is true that the Torah instructs Moshe that he should take from those who have a heart that is willing to voluntarily give.
The emphasis in the verse is that everything should be taken on behalf of G-d and the holy noble project which is being undertaken – the building of a physical Tabernacle that will have within it the ability to somehow capture the spiritual and moral greatness of the Torah and of the people of Israel. I have been in Jewish public life for well over 65 years. In those years, I have been engaged in building schools,
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synagogues, Torah learning platforms, book publishing and film production. I can testify that without raising funds and collecting money from others to sponsor and facilitate these projects, it would be impossible to see any to fruition. So, one must learn and train oneself to become a taker. For many years, I foolishly dreamt that, somehow, I would win the lottery or otherwise become wealthy enough to sponsor the projects that I had in mind to accomplish with my own
to accompany him in Miami Beach on his fundraising visits and forays. He taught me that the taker who was asking for the money was really the one that was doing the ultimate favor for the giver who was writing the check. He used to tell me every morning before we journeyed to visit people that we were going to do a great favor today for these Jews, by requesting their help in building Torah in the land of Israel. And he said this to me in sincerity. Even when we
For many years, I foolishly dreamt that, somehow, I would win the lottery or otherwise become wealthy enough to sponsor the projects that I had in mind to accomplish.
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funds. I would never have to ask anyone for money to fulfill my ambitions and complete my projects. As you can well understand, Heaven has mocked my dreams of personal wealth, as all projects have required intensive and continuous fundraising on my part. Since, by nature, I never have liked to ask people for favors or donations, all of this has been a trying experience. However, the great Rabbi Yosef Kahaneman taught me a valuable lesson during the years that I was able
were rebuffed, and for various reasons left empty-handed, he would remark to me that some people just did not know how to grasp an opportunity and appreciate the favor that is being done for them. Heaven instructs Moshe to help others participate in projects of eternity and holiness. And I imagine that this is the proper attitude that all who raise funds for noble causes should possess. Shabbat shalom.
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
From the Fire Parshas Terumah
Letting Him In By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf
T
he commentaries offer a variety of explanations of the pasuk (Shmos 25:2), “And they shall take a gift for Me…” Why does Hashem command the Jewish people to “take” a gift for Hashem, rather than “give” Him a gift? The Sefer Habahir, one of the earliest Kabbalah seforim by the Tanna, Rabbi Nechunia ben Hakaneh, offers an amazing explanation. He writes, “What does the pasuk, ‘And they shall take a gift, terumah, for Me’ mean? This is what Hashem told the Jewish people: ‘I shall be lifted [from the same shoresh as terumah]. Lift Me up with your davening. And who [shall do this]? ‘From every person whose heart inspires him to generosity’ – the tzaddikim and the pious of the Jewish people who lift Me up over the world with their merits.”
The Levels of Faith I once saw a parable which describes the evolution of man’s understanding of the nature of his place in the world. At first, before Avraham Avinu, when our ancestors were
idol-worshipers, they believed the world was like a puppet theater. Each person is like a puppet on the stage, and one or more gods were pulling the strings, controlling every action. They believed that while it appears to the audience each puppet is acting of its own volition, this outward appearance is illusory. In reality, each person is like a puppet in the hands of the gods. The best each person can hope for is to bring offerings to appease the gods and hope they do not move him into the grave at a young age. But then Avraham Avinu, the Avos, and the Sinai experience enlightened Creation with a new understanding of man’s place in the world. The Torah revealed that there are no strings attached. People are not puppets, mere subjects of the whims of the gods. Rather, the Creator gives each person free will. We are free agents, not puppets. We can choose whether to do good and receive reward or do evil and be punished. But the evolution of our understanding of the nature of man’s place in the world does not end there. The
Sefer Habahir and other kabbalah seforim reveal even more. It turns out that there are strings connecting Heaven and Earth but not strings used to control people like puppets. Rather, Hashem places the strings in our hands. He gives us the ability to affect the higher worlds through our actions and bring the Divine Presence into the world or push it away from the world according to our deeds. It goes without saying that this does not mean that any human being can affect G-d’s Essence. That is completely beyond this world. But there are many levels above this world which Hashem places in man’s hands like the Sefiros, the upper worlds, and an aspect of revelation called the “Divine Presence.” While we cannot literally affect Hashem Himself, He gives every Jew, through his thoughts, words, and actions, the power to reveal or conceal the Divine Presence in the world. The pasuk (Tehillim 22:4) therefore says, “And You are holy, who sits on the praises of Yisroel.” Hashem gives our davening the power to determine the extent of the revelation
of how Hashem’s dwells in the world. Rav Chaim Volozhiner, zt”l, explains in his sefer Nefesh Hachaim (1:3) as follows: “Hashem created man and made him ruler over myriads of forces and worlds without number. And He placed them into his [man’s] hands so that he should rule and guide them through the details of his actions, words, thoughts, and all aspects of his conduct whether for the good or, G-d forbid, the opposite.” As the Sefer Habahir says, “Lift Me up with your davening…with their merits.” It is well-known that people asked Reb Menachem Mendel of Kotzk as a small child, “Where does G-d live?” He answered, “Wherever you let Him in.” The main distinction between people is not how easy or difficult their lives are. Rather, the main difference between them is how they perceive life. Do they invite Hashem into their lives? Do they hold the strings pulling Heaven down to Earth or do they throw them out?
Inviting Hashem In Rav Moshe Tzvi Menkin, known
4.5” x 11.25”
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בס״ד
as Rav Neriah, recounts that when Rav Kook lived in Yaffo, he was close with the famous writer, Yosef Chaim Brenner. Although Yosef Chaim grew up religious, he had become irreligious and was then vocally anti-religious as well. Nevertheless, he greatly admired Rav Kook. Rav Kook was known for holding a very deep Shalosh Sheudos meal every week in his home, where a wide range of people could always be found. One week at the Shalosh Sheudos meal, Rav Kook was singing and teaching Torah in the dining room, but Yosef Chaim Brenner was pacing back and forth in the kitchen, looking very agitated. Someone asked Yosef Chaim what was bothering him. He answered, “I cannot understand Rav Kook. All he speaks about is light, light, light. But I can only see darkness.”
at the time of Rav Kook. He recalls that he had the opportunity to meet the famous tzaddik, Reb Aryeh Levin, zt”l, when he was nine years old. He was not shy and asked Reb Aryeh, “Are you one of the thirty-six hidden tzaddikim?” Reb Aryeh, rather than dismissing the suggestion as we may have expected, paused and gave young Chaim’s question serious thought. Finally, Reb Aryeh answered him, “Sometimes, for a minute or two, I think I am one of them. And you can be, too.” We see from Reb Aryeh that every Jew holds the strings to Heaven in his hands. Every Jew can draw Hashem down into this world with his davening and by inviting Hashem into his life. This week was Rosh Chodesh Adar. And we know from the Gemara (Taanis 29a) that when the month
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Every Jew holds the strings to Heaven in his hands.
Two people can live in the same city, seeing and hearing the same things every day. Rav Kook let Hashem into his life, so he saw light everywhere. Yosef Chaim unfortunately did not invite Hashem in and therefore only saw darkness. Hashem always exists everywhere, but His Presence is only revealed in this world where man chooses to let Him in. The most opportune time to invite Hashem into our lives, just as Rav Kook did, is when we are davening. “Lift Me up with your davening.” When we daven to Hashem, we open ourselves up to the G-dliness hidden in the world and recognize that Hashem is with us at all times. And even though the Sefer Habahir says that the ability to lift Hashem up as Master of the world is the role of the “tzaddikim and the pious of the Jewish people,” the pasuk (Shmos 25:2) says that “every person” can bring Hashem’s Presence into the world in this way. There is a story about Chaim Behr, another accomplished writer
of Adar enters, we increase joy. We see from the fact the Gemara says that joy only increases when Adar “enters” that we must allow Adar to enter into our lives for it to bring us an extra measure of happiness. If we do not allow it to enter into our lives, we will not experience its joy. This year we have two months of Adar so we have the opportunity to access 60 days of additional joy! But unfortunately, many of us will not let Adar into our lives and will live out the next two months like any other time of the year. May we and all of our brothers and sisters merit to invite Hashem into our lives, may our lives conform to the parameters of halacha, and may we live up to the ideal of “I shall be lifted” through the righteousness of our thoughts, words, and actions. Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.
Thank you so much for davening for me.
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Self-Mastery Academy
The Purpose of Our Challenges By Rabbi Shmuel Reichman
I
f I were to ask you, “What is the wealthiest place in the universe?” what would you answer? You might suggest the banks, the diamond mines, or something along these lines. But in a sense, the wealthiest place in the world is the graveyard. Why? There, you’ll find dreams never chased after, ideas and inspiration never acted upon, music never composed, works of art never created, books never written, companies and organizations never built – endless potential, never actualized. And on our deathbed, these dreams, these ideas, they’ll come to us and say: “We came to you, and only you could have given us life, but you didn’t, and now, we die with you.” If we died today, what unrealized potential would die with us? What dreams, contributions, and creativity would remain unexpressed? What would we be taking with us to the grave? Most people we know say, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” But there’s no guarantee we will be here tomorrow. This is why the Mishna in Avos tells us to do teshuva (repent) the day before we die. The Gemara explains this to mean that a person should always be in a process of teshuva, because one never knows which day will be his last. So, if we died today, what dreams, ideas, and potential would die with us?
Our Role Models There are, however, a few rare individuals out there who do act on their dreams and inspiration, who truly live lives of greatness. They maximize their time and actualize as much of their potential as possible. These rare individuals shine a light into this world and serve as an inspiration to all those who are fortunate enough to know them. Their existence alone inspires those around them to
become more, to want more, to demand more from themselves, to raise their standards. Fascinatingly, many of these unique people have undergone tremendous challenge. They’ve been thrown down, torn apart, and pushed to the brink. And yet, they rose up, stronger than ever before, driven to greatness, serving as an inspiration to others. This begs the obvious question: did they become great despite their challenges, or because of them? What is the secret to their success?
leads us to our question: What is the spiritual purpose of a nisayon (test/ challenge)? There are several potential purposes for a challenge or test. A test is usually administered to evaluate a person’s knowledge or mastery of a given area. However, this cannot be the case in a test given by Hashem, as Hashem is All-Knowing and therefore fully aware of exactly how much we are capable of. What, then, is the purpose of a test? Why does Hashem constantly send us challenges and tests?
Yaakov’s Greatness
The Multifaceted Purposes of a Challenge
The Avos all seem to have trouble-ridden journeys. Yaakov, for example, seems to be plagued with challenge after challenge, beginning with his very birth. His battle with Eisav regarding the bechora ends with Yaakov running for his life; he then has to deal with Lavan’s trickery; when he finally returns to Eretz Yisrael, he is confronted with the unfortunate events of Dinah and Shechem. If that wasn’t enough, his favored son, Yosef, is now torn away from him. Yaakov is tormented with hardship after hardship, and yet, despite all these challenges, he still achieves absolute greatness. This
1: Contrast and Appreciation On the most basic level, we often only appreciate things once we have lost them. One generally does not appreciate the importance of their hand in their daily routine until they break it or how much they love someone until they’ve lost them. The Maharal and Ramchal explain that human beings learn through comparison and contrast. We understand the concept of wisdom by witnessing foolishness, goodness from witnessing evil, and wealth by witnessing poverty. The same goes for our health and quality of life. Only by experiencing the worst
of times can we truly appreciate the best of times. 2: Kaparah On a slightly deeper level, Hashem may send us challenges in order to be mechaper (atone) for our past wrongdoings. Instead of receiving all of our atonement in the World to Come, which would be far more severe, Hashem sends us yesurin (hardship) in this world. 3: Wake-Up Call The Ramchal explains that Hashem sometimes sends us a challenge in order to “wake us up,” to help us get back on the proper track. There may be times when we find ourselves on the wrong path, drowning in the physicality of life. In such circumstances, Hashem may choose to jolt us awake, motivating us to question our choices and direction in life. These challenges should push us to realign our values, to regain our desire to live with higher ideals. The Gemara says that if something negative happens to us, our first reaction should be to examine our deeds and try to determine what character trait we can work on. Sometimes, a challenge is the perfect way to jolt us out of our stupor, leading us to reassess our lives, reconnect with Hashem, and commit to living a more spiritual, purposeful life.
The Deeper Purpose of a Challenge There is a fundamentally deeper understanding of a challenge, one that reveals the very core spiritual purpose and effect of a test. In order to understand this deep level, we must examine the life of Avraham Avinu and the ten challenges he overcame. The Mishna in Avos tells us that Avraham was subjected to ten tests and overcame them all, expressing his eternal dedication to Hashem.
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The commentators question the necessity for Avraham to undergo all these hardships. If Hashem already knew whether Avraham could pass these tests, why even conduct them? The Ramban explains that the purpose of a challenge is to push you to actualize your latent potential, to transform your koach (potential) into po’al (actual). Hashem already knows exactly who you are and what you can become; the purpose of an ordeal is to enable you to realize who you can become so that you can then actualize that potential. Each challenge that Avraham and the rest of the Avos overcame was another step in their journey towards perfection. The Rambamexplains that this is why the word for challenge, nisayon, is based on the word for banner - nes. A group raises a banner or flag to express who they are and what they stand for. When we overcome challenges and achieve greatness, our perseverance and triumph serve as a banner for all to see and learn from.
In order to better understand this concept, consider the following analogy: There was a man who was training to compete in the high-jump at the Olympics. He practiced every day, gaining strength and improving as he went. The first week, he was able to jump the three-foot fence. The next
he flew right over the six-foot fence – the same fence that, just moments before, he was convinced he was unable to jump over. Was he capable of jumping over the fence until now? If not, what changed? The answer is profound: for quite
Our challenges bring out strength buried deep within us.
week, he made it over the four-foot fence. After two more weeks, he was able to jump over the five-foot fence. But no matter how hard he trained, he just couldn’t clear the six-foot fence. After working on it for another five weeks, he began losing hope. One day, as he was about to head home, he saw a bull stampeding, full speed, straight at him. Seized by adrenaline,
some time, he had been capable of jumping over the fence. But sometimes, we need external pressure to help us fully harness our potential. We have all heard the stories of a mother lifting a car to save her child; in any other scenario, this same mother wouldn’t even be able to move the car an inch. Our challenges bring out strength buried deep with-
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in us, helping us actualize our latent potential that would have otherwise remained hidden.
Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is an author, educator, speaker, and coach who has lectured internationally on topics of Torah, psychology, and leadership. He is the founder and CEO of Self-Mastery Academy, the transformative online self-development course that is based on the principles of high-performance psychology and Torah. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University, he received semicha from RIETS, a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli, and a Master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Revel. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago and has also spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Exchange Scholar. To find more inspirational content from Rabbi Reichman, to contact him, or to learn more about Self-Mastery Academy, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com.
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Delving into the Daf
A Halacha That’s Clear-Cut By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow
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he Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 531:1) writes that there is a mitzvah to get a haircut on erev yom tov. The Pri Megadim is unsure if the mitzvah is that one should ensure his hair looks its best in honor of yom tov, or perhaps there is only a mitzvah to get a haircut if one’s hair is somewhat overgrown and he definitely needs one. If one did not get a haircut before yom tov, he may not get one on chol ha’moed. This is true even though one could correctly argue that getting a haircut qualifies as a yom tov need. Nevertheless, the Sages forbade getting a haircut on chol ha’moed. The prohibition applies to shaving as well. Still, Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, ruled that in case of great need, someone who shaves every day, who is in a place where other people likewise shave every day, may shave even on chol ha’moed. But even if someone relies on this leniency, he still may not get a haircut. The Shulchan Aruch clearly writes that a mustache was not included in the decree. One may freely trim his mustache on chol ha’moed, even if his only intention is for vanity. Interestingly, Rav Elyashiv discusses a person who mindlessly pulls out his hair while engaged in studying or some other activity. He does not have to be on guard to suspend that behavior on chol ha’moed. He did caution, however, that a person who realizes that he is randomly pulling out hairs should cease doing so on chol ha’moed. The Shulchan Aruch lists several exceptions to the above injunction. One who was let out of prison right before yom tov or on chol ha’moed may get a haircut and shave. The Sha’ar HaTziyon opines that even if a prison-
er was let out a few hours before yom tov and correctly and wisely chose to use his precious little time to prepare for the holiday (such as preparing his lulav or his Seder needs) may nevertheless not take a haircut on chol ha’moed. An excommunicated individual, who was forbidden to take a haircut, may take a haircut on chol ha’moed if he was freed from his exclusionary treatment on chol ha’moed. A person who uttered a vow that he would not shave may shave on chol ha’moed if he had his vow annulled then. What is the halachah regarding a person who lost his shaver and wasn’t able to shave before yom tov? What happens if the barber had a bout of the flu and was closed the week before yom tov? What happens if a person’s electricity was shut off due to non-payment, and it was only restored right before yom tov? May he shave when his power is restored? The Mishnah Berurah writes that we may not add to the exceptions the Shulchan Aruch listed. There is something unique about those circumstances that doesn’t necessarily apply to other situations (see Sha’ar HaTziyon 7). However, there are some other exceptions mentioned in the Gemara that the Shulchan Aruch chose not to list. The Gemara writes in Moed Katan that a nazir who completed his nezirus may take a haircut on chol ha’moed. He was not able to cut his hair before and, in fact, now has a mitzvah to do so. (As an aside, the Rashba writes that the mitzvah is only to cut the hair on his head, not the beard.) The Gemara writes that a nazir must cut his hair with a razor. This would normal-
ly be forbidden for a man, as he has an obligation to preserve his peyos. Nevertheless, the Torah tells us that a nazir must perform his haircutting ritual with a razor. This may even be done on chol ha’moed. There is another interesting example, mentioned by the Rema, of someone who is permitted to get a haircut on chol ha’moed. The Torah writes that the Levi’im who took the place of the bechorim were obligated to shave all their hair with a razor. Rashi quotes Rav Moshe HaDarshan that the shaving was to atone for the sin of idolatry committed by the firstborn during the sin of the Golden Calf. Just as a metzora must shave all his hair, someone who committed idolatry must do likewise. A metzora and someone who worshipped Avodah Zarah are similar in the respect that that they are both symbolically considered dead. The Terumas HaDeshen therefore writes that there is a custom that a heretic who wants to do teshuvah shaves all his hair and goes to the mikveh. The Rema writes that this person who has now returned to the fold may fulfill this custom and shave his hair on chol ha’moed. The Shvus Yaakov cautions that the shaving should not be done with a razor, as we shouldn’t get too carried away with the custom. The Levi’im had a clear commandment to shave with a razor and therefore were permitted to do so. The same holds true for the nazir and metzorah. This ba’al teshuvah, though, who is shaving to fulfill a custom, must use scissors, as it is forbidden for
a man to completely remove his peyos or shave his beard with a razor. Although this situation may not have much everyday relevance, the implications of this halacha do. The Mishnah Berurah writes that even if this ba’al teshuvah repented before yom tov, with ample time to shave, he may nevertheless shave on chol ha’moed. The Mishnah Berurah says the reason for this leniency is that the custom is that he may not be counted for a minyan before he shaves. Shaving enables him to do mitzvos and be counted as a full upstanding member of Klal Yisrael. Based on this explanation, the poskim conclude that one may get a haircut on chol ha’moed if it fulfills a mitzvah purpose. The poskim mention four examples: (1) A man who puts on tefillin on chol ha’moed may cut his hair if he is concerned that his long hair may be a chatzitzah. (2) A married woman who is unable to cover her hair because it is too long may trim her hair on chol ha’moed. (3) Finally, a chassidish woman who has a custom of shaving all her hair before going to the mikveh may do so even on chol ha’moed. (4) The Shaarei Teshuva writes that making an upsherin is a mitzvah, as it trains the young boy in the mitzvah of peyos.
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow is a rebbe at Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway. In addition, Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead, NY. He can be contacted at ASebrow@gmail.com.
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The Mystery and Majesty of Techeles BY ELIYAHU RAYVYCH VARIOUS colors, such as techelet, are mentioned throughout Tanach. Today, we are fortunate to have a variety of synthetic dyes in any color or shade. However, this was not the situation until recently. There were only a few known permanent natural dyes in antiquity. These dyes were rare and difficult to obtain. We learn in the Torah that many parts of the Mishkan were made from sky-blue (“techelet”), purple (“argaman”), and crimson-worm (“tola’at shani”) dyed wool: “And this is the offering that you shall take from them: gold, silver, and copper; sky-blue, purple, and crimson-worm wool; linen and goat hair …” (Shemot 25:3-4). B’nai Israel were also commanded to affix a thread of “tech-
“The king shouted and said to the
ans were skilled in making sky-blue and
elet” wool on the fringe of each corner of
wise men of Babylon: Any man who shall
purple dyes (2 Divrei Hayamim 2:6; Ye-
their garments (Bamidbar 15:38).
read this writing and tell me its inter-
chezkel 27:16), and that the snails from
We also learn from the Tanach that
pretation shall wear purple and have a
which they were made were found on the
the garments dyed with these colors
golden chain on his neck and rule over a
coast of northern Israel and Phoenicia
were associated with high social status
third of the kingdom.” (Daniel 5:7)
(Shabbat 26a). Crimson dye was made
and royalty:
“And Mordecai left the king’s presence
from the Kermes insects.
“She fears not for her household for
with royal raiment, sky-blue and white
The first part of this article will dis-
snow, for all her household are dressed
and a huge golden crown and a wrap of
cuss the traditional, Jewish sources of
in crimson. She makes beautiful bed-
linen and purple, and the city of Shushan
techelet, while the second part will dis-
spreads for herself; fine linen and purple
shouted and rejoiced.” (Esther 8:15)
cuss the historical and archeological ev-
wool are her raiment.” (Mishlei 31:21)
It was known that the ancient Tyri-
idence related to this topic.
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Talmudic Sources The Talmud identifies the source of techelet dye as “Chilazon” – an aquatic or semi-aquatic creature: 1. Menachot 43b says that techelet was a permanent dye, which resembles the sea, which resembles the sky, that resembles Hashem’s Throne of Glory. 2. Bava Metzia 61b says that the color of the dye made from the Chilazon was practically identical to the color indigo (a plant-based dye native to India). 3. Megillah 6a states that the Chilazon can be found on the shores of the Mediterranean that were part of the portion of the tribe of Zevulun in Eretz Yisrael, “from the cliffs of Tyre to Haifa.”
4. In Menachot 44a, we find the following description: “The Chilazon’s body has the color of the sea, and its form is that of a fish. It appears only once in seventy years [in Masechet Tzitzit, the probable source of this information, ‘seventy’ is replaced by ‘seven’], and techelet is made from its blood; therefore, it is very expensive.” 5. Shabbat 75a discusses the case of one who “smashes” a Chilazon on Shabbat in order to extract its dye, preferably while the animal is still alive. Use of the word “smashes” suggests that the Chilazon has some sort of hard shell. 6. In Ketuvot 5b, we find in Tosafot that the blood of the Chilazon pools in a sac, from which it can be easily extracted without killing the creature.
Halachic Research Over the long years of the exile, the identity of the Chilazon was forgotten. But over the last several hundred years, Torah scholars have attempted to put together the various descriptive clues found in the classic Jewish sources to formulate theories as to the identity of that elusive creature. 1. It is a type of squid. At the end of the nineteenth century, Rabbi Gershom Henoch Leiner, zt”l, the Radziner Rav, specified the type of squid as the “cuttlefish,” or “pouch fish,” a squid-like sea mollusk that has ten sucker-bearing arms and a hard internal shell. When endangered, some cuttlefish eject a black, ink-like fluid. It is this fluid, according to Radziner, that is the source of techelet. Unfortunately, several problems are associated with this theory. The shade of blue does not quite match indigo, and it can be removed from cloth rather easily. It is also uniformly abundant in the seas of the world. Nevertheless, the Radziner Chassidim maintain one of the two factories currently producing techelet from their version of the Chilazon in Eretz Yisrael. 2. It is a Janthina snail. The “Yad Ramah” on Sanhedrin 91a says that the word Chilazon refers to snails in general, and the Chilazon from which techelet was produced is a particular species within the family of snails. Rabbi Yitzchak HaLevi Herzog, zt”l, did very extensive research into the subject and, in fact, wrote his doctoral thesis on the subject of identification of the Chilazon in which he concluded that it was none other than the snail known in scientific circles as the Janthina Pallida Harvey. It lives in the Mediterranean, in colonies that experience population explosions approx-
identity of the “techelet Chilazon” was in fact the Murex Trunculus. There is also a factory in Eretz Yisrael that produces techelet from this species of snail.
History and Archeology
imately every seven years and inhabits a shell of a beautiful violet-blue color. This theory also has some problems, including the fact that the color it produces as a dye when applied to wool is also not quite indigo, and it washes out rather too easily to be considered “permanent.” 3. It is the Murex snail. Many dye-producing factories were found along the Mediterranean coastline, in the territory of Zevulun, with piles of shells of the species of snail known as the Murex Trunculus. Even though the dye made from the secretion of the Murex Trunculus is more purplish than blue, when it is exposed to direct sunlight, the color changes to a shade of blue that matches indigo and indeed its chemical composition at that point in the processing is identical with indigo’s. Rav Herzog himself said that, even though he favored the Janthina snail, logic seemed to dictate that the
One of the most valuable commodities in antiquity was Tyrian purple, also known as Phoenician purple, royal purple or imperial dye, which is a reddish-purple natural dye; the name Tyrian refers to Tyre, Lebanon. It is a secretion produced by several species of predatory sea snails in the family Muricidae, rock snails originally known by the name Murex. In ancient times, extracting this dye involved tens of thousands of snails and substantial labor, and as a result, the dye was highly valued. The main chemical is 6,6′-dibromo-indigo. Biological pigments were often difficult to acquire, and the details of their production were kept secret by their manufacturers. Production of Tyrian purple for use as a fabric dye began as early as 1200 BCE by the Phoenicians and was continued by the Greeks and Romans until 1453 CE, the fall of Constantinople. The pigment was expensive and complex to produce, and items colored with it became associated with power and wealth. Tyrian purple may first have been used by the ancient Phoenicians as early as 1570 BCE. It has been suggested that the name Phoenicia itself means “land of purple.” The dye was greatly prized in antiquity because the color did not easily fade, but instead became brighter with weathering and sunlight. It came in various shades, the most prized being that of black-tinted clotted blood. The 4th century BCE historian Theopompus
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reported, “Purple for dyes fetched its weight in silver at Colophon” in Asia Minor. The expense meant that purple-dyed textiles became status symbols, whose use was restricted by sumptuary laws. The most senior Roman magistrates wore a toga praetexta, a white toga edged with a stripe of Tyrian purple. The even more sumptuous toga picta, solid Tyrian purple with a gold stripe, was worn by generals celebrating a Roman triumph. By the fourth cent ur y CE, sumptuary laws in Rome had been tightened so much that only the Roman emp er or w a s p er m it te d to wear Tyrian purple. As a result, “purple” is sometimes used as a metonym for the office (e.g., the phrase “donned the purple” means “became emperor”). The production of Tyrian purple was tightly controlled in the succeeding Byzantine Empire and subsidized by the imperial court, which restricted its use for the coloring of imperial silks. Later (9th century), a child born to a reigning emperor was said to be porphyrogenitus, “born in the purple.” The dye substance is a mucous secretion from the hypobranchial gland of one of several species of medium-sized predatory sea
more labor-intensive but is a renewable resource, or by collecting and destructively crushing the snails (see Shabbat 75a). The Phoenicians also made a deep, blue-colored dye, sometimes referred to as Tyrian blue, royal blue or hyacinth purple, which was made from a closely related species of marine snail Murex Trunculus. This second species of dye murex is found today on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa. Ancient authors Vitruvius, Aristotle, and Pliny the Elder mention the production of Tyrian purple from shellfish. Archeological data from Tyre indicate that the snails were collected in large vats and left to decompose, producing a hideous stench. Not much is known about the subsequent steps, and the actual ancient method for mass-producing the two murex dyes has not yet been successfully reconstructed; this special “blackish clotted blood” color, which was prized above all others, is believed to be achieved by double-dipping the cloth, once in the indigo dye of Murex Trunculus and once in the purple-red dye of Purple Dye Murex. In 2021, archeologists found surviving wool fibers dyed with royal purple in the Timna Valley in Israel. The find, which was dated to c. 1000 BCE, constituted the first direct evidence of fabric dyed with the pigment from antiquity.
By the fourth century CE, sumptuary laws in Rome had been tightened so much that only the Roman emperor was permitted to wear Tyrian purple. snails that are found in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and off the Atlantic coast of Morocco. These are the marine gastropods: the spiny Purple Dye Murex (Bolinus brandaris), the banded Murex Trunculus, the Rock-shell (Stramonita haemastoma), and less commonly several other species such as Bolinus cornutus. The dye is an organic compound of bromine, a class of compounds often found in algae and in some other sea life, but much more rarely found in the biology of land animals. In nature, the snails use the secretion as part of their predatory behavior in order to sedate prey and as an antimicrobial lining on egg masses. The snail also secretes this substance when it is attacked by predators, or physically antagonized by humans (e.g., poked). Therefore, the dye can be collected either by “milking” the snails (see Ketuvot 5b), which is
The main chemical constituent of the Tyrian dye was discovered by Paul Friedländer in 1909 to be 6,6′-dibromoindigo, a derivative of indigo dye that had previously been synthesized in 1903. Unlike indigo, it has never been synthesized commercially. An efficient protocol for laboratory synthesis of dibromo-indigo was developed in 2010. Additional changes in color can be induced by debromination from light exposure (as is the case for techelet) or by heat processing. Recently, the archeological discovery of substantial numbers of Murex shells on Crete
suggests that the Minoans may have pioneered the extraction of Imperial purple centuries before the Tyrians. Dating from collocated pottery suggests the dye may have been produced during the Middle Minoan period in the 20th– 18th century BCE. And finally, a really historical Chilazon: a seashell of the Murex snail bearing the name of Rimush, the second king of the Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia, c. 2270 BCE. Rimush was the son of the legendary Sargon of Akkad. This historical Chilazon was traded from the Mediterranean coast where it was used by Canaanites to make a purple dye. This was a thousand years before the Exodus!
BASED on the Torah description, traditional sources, history, and archeology, it will be hard to avoid a conclusion that sky-blue (“techelet”) and purple (“argaman”) dyes, which were used to dye the wool donated to the construction of the Mishkan, as well as for the commandment of Tzitzit, were likely derived from several species of the Murex snails common to the eastern Mediterranean. The colored wool itself was likely brought from Egypt and then donated to the cause: “Take from yourselves an offering for Hashem; every generous hearted person shall bring it … gold, silver, and copper; and sky-blue, purple, and crimson-worm wool; and linen and goat hair …” (Shemot 35:6). The prestigious techelet strings attached to the corners of one’s garments were undoubtedly a status symbol in antiquity, giving their owners a sense of belonging to royalty. The disappearance of the techelet from the Jewish practice starting with 5th century CE was linked to the sumptuary laws of the Roman and later Byzantine empires, which monopolized the dye production and its distribution (383 CE). This apparently drove the Jewish techelet industry underground. Later, with the Arab conquest of Eretz Yisrael in the 7th century, the secret of the techelet was essentially lost and the dyeing process forgotten.
Eliyahu Rayvych is an enthusiast of biblical history and archeology. He welcomes your comments at historicalchilazon@gmail.com.
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Middle East Musings
What Lies Beneath By David Billet
The Stepped Stone Structure
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ometimes the dirt that lies beneath our feet can contain the answers to the questions that we have always been seeking. Since the early 19th century, archeologists have been drawn to Jerusalem to determine the validity of the Bible and the historical connection of the Jewish People to this disputed land. While once seemingly impossible, ancient artifacts have been uncovered that definitively prove the Jewish connection to the land of Israel and enables us to witness the Biblical stories from the past before our eyes today. As early as the 19th century, a leading British archeologist, Charles Warren, uncovered a previously unknown part of the City of David. Warren was trained as an engineer and was also a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers Corps. He began by excavating the area that was south of the Temple Mount, which led him to discovering a massive fortification. Warren then excavated at the foot of the Temple Mount – which would be nearly impossible to conduct today due to legal obstacles – and uncovered a tunnel that connected to a spring of water. This tunnel connected the City of David to a vital water source and has been named “Warren’s Shaft.” While many attack the strength
of the Bible and the legitimacy of the Jewish claim to the land of Israel, they need to look no further than Warren’s Shaft to witness ancient Biblical stories coming to life today. Eilat Mazar, the granddaughter of a leading Israeli archeologist, Benjamin Mazar, uncovered a wall that connected to King David’s Palace. Mazar was raised on the belief that the Bible can provide a roadmap to
Structure,” which Mazar believed to be an ancient royal palace that was used by the Israelites. Like her grandfather, Mazar became a leading Israeli archeologist and has proven that the Jewish presence in Jerusalem today is as alive as it was almost three thousand years ago. Countless other Jewish artifacts have been uncovered dating to both the First and Second Temple, and to
They need to look no further than Warren’s Shaft to witness ancient Biblical stories coming to life today.
understanding the land of Israel. Following her family tradition, and after studying the Book of Shmuel, Mazar believed that she knew the location of King David’s palace. After raising the necessary funds to conduct such an excavation, Mazar uncovered a massive wall structure that was dated to the same time-period as King David and was in the exact location as described by the Book of Shmuel. This wall is also connected to what is known as the “Stepped Stone
the centuries that followed. In 2016, the New York Times reported that the Israel Antiquities Authority uncovered a rare piece of papyrus that dated to 2,700 years ago, which stated the Hebrew word for “Jerusalem.” Theo Siebenberg began excavating underneath his home in the Old City of Jerusalem in the 1970s and uncovered a mikveh, an ancient aqueduct, pottery, ancient coins, and a burial vault. The Siebenberg House is now a world-renowned museum that can
be seen by the public and highlights the ancient connection of the Jewish People to the land of Israel. The historical connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel is undeniable, as seen from the countless artifacts which have recently been discovered. From Charles Warren in the 19th century, to Eilat Mazar and the Siebenberg House today, the more one searches for the truth underground, the more one will discover that the Jews have been rooted in the land for almost three thousand years. Whenever the Jewish connection to the State of Israel is questioned, we must never forget that simply looking down at our feet, and wondering what lies beneath, may contain the answers that we have searched for all along.
David Billet is a student at Fordham Law School, where he is an Associate Editor of the International Law Journal. In May of 2018, David graduated from Queens College, CUNY, with a B.A. in Accounting and a minor in Economics. David additionally writes articles that focus on foreign affairs, domestic policy, and global anti-Semitism. To date, his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Israel Hayom, and almost twenty other media publications.
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Rabbi Pesach Lerner Remembers Esther Pollard, a”h BY SUSAN SCHWAMM
“Esther was an eishes chayil. Truthfully, she lived the life of a ‘chayal,’ a soldier – a soldier on a mission. She forged ahead with that mission despite all obstacles and challenges. And she, eventually, accomplished that mission,” Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Chairman of Eretz Hakodesh at the World Zionist Congress and resident of Far Rockaway, told TJH. Rabbi Lerner has maintained a close relationship with Jonathan and Esther Pollard for more than three decades. Esther passed away this week at the young age of 68, leaving her husband heartbroken and her friends and family saddened by the loss of this inspiring, determined woman.
Rabbi
Lerner met Jonathan and Esther Pollard in 1991. At the time, Rabbi Lerner was the assistant to the executive vice president of National Council of Young Israel. In his position, Rabbi Lerner was tasked with dealing with the branches of Young Israel. A program given in the Young Israel of the Lower East Side changed his life. It was at that meeting that Rabbi Lerner heard about Jonathan Pollard. Pollard had been convicted of espionage in 1985 after pleading guilty to passing U.S. documents to Israel. He was sentenced to life in prison, despite a plea bargain agreement in which he was promised a lesser sentence. The frum world at the time was generally not receptive to Pollard’s plight, and there was not much information about Jonathan’s situation in the frum media. At the program that Rabbi Lerner joined in the Young Is-
rael, he heard about this Jewish spy who was languishing in prison, but he came away with more questions than answers about Pollard’s situation. Something didn’t sit right. Speaking with his mentor, Rabbi Herman Neuberger of Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, and with Chaim Kaminetsky, president of National Council of Young Israel, about the questions swirling around his head, Rabbi Lerner was urged to “follow his gut” to find out more. It was possibly an issue of pidyon shevuyim, he was told, and they both encouraged him to find out more about Pollard’s situation. But Rabbi Lerner knew that, in order to dig deep, he needed to go to the source. And so, Rabbi Lerner set out to meet with Jonathan behind prison bars. That was Rabbi Lerner’s first meeting with Jonathan and his wife, Esther. But it wasn’t his last. Over the
three decades that Pollard languished in prison, Rabbi Lerner met with him and his wife over a hundred times. “My first impression of Jonathan was that he wasn’t what they said he was. He wasn’t a monster,” Rabbi Lerner reflects. “He was articulate and bright. He was someone whom you would love to have as your next door neighbor.” Rabbi Lerner would bring politicians and activists to meet with Jonathan. He endeavored to “make noise” about this fellow Jews’ plight.
Esther,
in her own right, was making lots
of noise. Jonathan and Esther were married when Jonathan was already in prison. Her raison d’être was Jonathan – advocating for him, supporting him, encouraging him. “I can testify that Jonathan would
not have been able to survive being in prison without Esther’s support,” Rabbi Lerner asserts. “She was his rock. She kept him alive.” The two had been together in summer camp as kids. Esther began to write to Jonathan when she learned he was in prison. She eventually visited him in jail. The rest, as they say, is history. But people sometimes would ask Esther why she married Jonathan, a convicted spy serving a life sentence in an American prison. “First meet Jonathan,” she would say with a smile. “And then ask me that question.” Esther was a force to be reckoned with. She maintained the website “Justice for Jonathan Pollard,” replete with articles about related court cases and detailed facts about Jonathan’s case. She organized letter campaigns and reached out to scores of advocates and politicians, knocking on
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
The consummate advocate for her husband
doors, pleading for leniency. While living in Israel, Esther would go to the Kotel every day to daven. Once a week, she would go on a tour of kivrei tzaddikim, pouring out her heart to the One Above for a yeshua. On Thursdays and Fridays, she organized groups of women to make challah in Jonathan’s zechus. Esther was strong-willed in her advocacy for Jonathan, but she knew how to advocate without being brash or aggressive. She was known for being a tzanua, for her regal bearing, for her beautiful smile.
When
Jonathan was first sent to Butner, North Carolina, Esther would stay in a cheap motel near the prison so she could visit him at the odd visiting hours that the prison maintained. Over Pesach, she was forced to stay at that motel so that she could be close to Jonathan. Rabbi Lerner sent her matzah and other kosher for Pesach items so she would have something to eat during those eight days of yom tov. Eventually, at Jonathan’s urging, Esther moved to Israel and continued her advocacy there, flying into the United States so she could visit her husband. In Israel, she stayed at an older woman’s apartment – there was no money for her to rent her own. While in prison, Jonathan was only able to call certain numbers. But those phone numbers had to be direct lines without any switchboards in between. At National Council of Young Israel, Rabbi Lerner had a “Pollard phone” put into his office. This phone went straight to Rabbi Lerner, without any switchboard interference. Esther also had a direct number for Jonathan to call, but if she wasn’t home
On the plane to Israel, making aliyah together
and Jonathan would not be able to call on that line, Rabbi Lerner would be the go-between. “I would have two phones – one on each ear,” Rabbi Lerner recalls. “On one phone, I had Jonathan on the line – on my ‘Pollard phone’ at the office – and on the other phone at the office, I had Esther on the line, and I would relay their messages back and forth. We couldn’t put the phones together because the prison wouldn’t allow it. I became their mediator during those calls.”
athan food. Before coming to visit, they would each fill their pockets with quarters for the vending machines found in the visitors’ room. As the prisoners weren’t allowed to purchase food, visitors would buy them food from the vending machines there. Rabbi Lerner remembers “fighting” with Esther for the privilege of buying food for Jonathan. “He’s my husband,” she would say. “It’s my duty and pleasure to buy him food.” The food that they were fighting
“I can testify that Jonathan would not have been able to survive being in prison without Esther’s support.”
Jonathan was held in a medium-security prison, which meant that gang members roamed the halls. Jonathan, though, was respected in prison. The prisoners were able to see that he was a man of conviction and that he sacrificed for his beliefs. At one point in prison, Jonathan switched “jobs” in prison and became an orderly so he could minimize chillul Shabbos. An orderly in prison cleans the prison stalls and the bathrooms. Jonathan preferred to undertake this repugnant job so that he could keep Shabbos and minimize melacha on the holy day. Keeping kosher in prison was no easy feat. It meant eating lots of bread and vegetables and canned food items. And many times, Jonathan was hungry. During their visits, Esther and Rabbi Lerner would buy Jon-
over were bags of chips and cookies, hardly nutritious fare, but that was all that was available for her to sustain her husband. Many of the guards in prison were honest, decent officers. They would speak with Rabbi Lerner about Esther’s dedication and loyalty to her husband. They were able to sense that her mesiras nefesh for Jonathan was genuine and unique.
Rabbi
Lerner was present at any visit that Jonathan had with any politician in prison. Throughout the years, Rabbi Lerner accompanied Israel’s ambassadors to the U.S. Ron Dermer, Michael Oren, Sallai Meridor, and Daniel Ayalon on their visits to Jonathan. He also brought Pastor John Hagee
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of CUFI, Christians United for Israel, to meet with Pollard. That visit was 15 years ago, and the group spent two hours together. After the meeting, Pastor Hagee turned to Rabbi Lerner and told him, “I’m a man of faith. That is my job. But I never met a man of faith like that in my life.” Jonathan and Esther were paradigms of faith. They had emunah shleima in their fate, a “temimus,” as Rabbi Lerner puts it. Their attitude was of advocacy, although their belief was that Hashem put them there, and so Hashem would get them out. They were on a mission together – a team, with one player behind bars and one player advocating from the frontlines. Rabbi Lerner once brought Rabbi Aryeh Ginzberg, rav of the Chofetz Chaim Torah Center in Cedarhurst, to visit with Jonathan years ago. In the course of the conversation, Rabbi Moshe Sherer’s, zt”l, name came up. Jonathan recalled that Rabbi Sherer would pick up his call right away if he saw that Jonathan was calling. In fact, Rabbi Sherer told his secretary that if Jonathan called him, she should pick up right away and find him. Jonathan recalled that Rabbi Moshe Sherer had told him that in prison he should try to keep three things: Shabbos, kashrus, and not be mad at G-d. Rabbi Ginzberg asked Jonathan, “If Rabbi Moshe Sherer would walk through this door right now, what would you say to him?” Jonathan responded, “Shabbos? I keep to the best of my ability. “Kashrus? I keep to the best of my ability. “Mad at G-d? No. We’ve had some very difficult conversations, but I’m not mad at Him.”
Years
after Jonathan began his sentence, Rabbi Lerner met with James Woolsey, former head of the CIA. Woolsey told Rabbi Lerner, “Rabbi, I know the file. I told the president to keep Pollard in prison after he served five, six years. But now, more than 10 years have passed. It’s enough. He should have been freed already.” In later years, Woolsey noted that it’s possible that Jonathan was being held for so long because he was a
FEBRUARY 3, 2022 OCTOBER 29, 2015 || The The Jewish Jewish Home Home
Jew, adding that a Korean or Russian would undoubtedly have been freed long ago. Jonathan was released from prison in 2015. It came as a complete surprise to Esther. Immediately, Rabbi Lerner and Esther mobilized to find Jonathan an apartment and a job. Finding him a suitable apartment yielded one on a fifth floor with no elevator and just one room. In searching for a job, Jonathan was essentially not able to work at a company with a computer. He was forced to wear a GPS bracelet. But Esther was euphoric. Her husband was finally free. She became his guide. Jonathan had to re-learn the world in so many ways. On his ride to the courthouse that first morning of his release, Jonathan commented that so many people were talking to themselves; he had never seen AirPods. He spoke of the grandeur of traveling in a car; he had not been in a car for three decades. He would slowly make his brachos on the delicious fruits that he was given. A pineapple would elicit joy and
Jonathan and Esther at the Conference of Presidents in Manhattan
contemplation as he thanked his Creator for the fruit he hadn’t eaten in thirty years. Esther delighted in showing Jonathan the world. She would hand him a bencher after every meal, keeping the prayer book in her purse so they would always have it handy. In a way, Rabbi Lerner says, “Esther was Jonathan’s rebbe on so many things, and he was her talmid. She was his guide.” The two made aliyah in December
Rabbi Lerner with Jonathan Pollard right after his release
2020, fulfilling a life-long dream.
Esther
gave her life for her husband. She suffered from several bouts of breast cancer for many years. At some points during her illness, she chose not to have radiation, hoping that Jonathan would get out of prison and that they would be able to start a family. Starting a family was not meant to be. But together, as a team, Jona-
than and Esther worked to build up each other’s worlds. She was, as Rabbi Lerner said, a true eishes chayil, a woman of valor. Shlomo Hamelech says of Eishes Chayil, “Batuch bah lev baaleh,” the heart of her husband trusted in her. Esther was Jonathan’s advocate, his support, his rock, his guide. “Tinu lah m’pri yadehah,” give her praise for her accomplishments. Together, they worked to accomplish their mission.
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BUILDING BLOCKS OF ETERNITY Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s new capital project will encompass a Mesivta Beis Medrash and its first-ever Residence Hall. BEIS MEDRASH + CLASSROOM BUILDING Will serve 500 talmidim in grades 8-11 34,200 Total square feet 4 Stories 5200 sq. feet Beis Hamedrash for Mesivta 12 Classrooms
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T H E S E V I S I O N A R I E S H AV E A L R E A DY S T E P P E D F O R WA R D. W I L L YO U J O I N T H E M ? MR. & MRS. BERISH & HANNAH FUCHS
THE BIVETSKY FAMILY SHAAR HATORAH
MR. & MRS. YUSSIE & SUSAN OSTREICHER
RESIDENCE HALL AND TORAH CENTER
ה ליב ע”ה-לע”נ שלום ראובן בן ארי
MESIVTA BEIS MEDRASH BUILDING
MESIVTA BEIS MEDRASH
ANONYMOUS
MR. & MRS. BENZION & MIRIAM HEITNER
MR. & MRS. DOVID & LEAH BRECHER
MR. & MRS. MATIS & YAEL NAYMAN
MR. & MRS. MOTTY & HADASA MENDELSOHN
Dedication Wall Mesivta Beis Medrash Building
Lobby, Mesivta Beis Medrash Building
לע”נ נחמן יהודה בן יעקב דוד ע”ה ואשתו לאה בת יהודה אשר ע”ה ולע”נ יעקב ליב בן שלמה ע”ה
Dedication of Rosh Kollel’s Office
MR. & MRS. MOTTY & HADASSA JACOBOWITZ Promenade Vestibule
Beis Medrash Vestibule Entrance
MR. & MRS. URI & ESTHER KAUFMAN
לע”נ זעליג בן מרדכי ע”ה לע”נ משה אלעזר בן נטע שלום ע”ה לע”נ דוד בן משה ע”ה הר‘ משה נתן בן יחזקאל ע”ה וישראל בן אברהם ע”ה לע”נ
לע”נ ישראל הלוי לעווין ע”ה ואלישבע בתיה קפלן ע”ה
The children, bochurim, and all 45 neshamos of the Miron tragedy, Lag Baomer 5781
MR. & MRS. CHAIM & BRACHA SCHULHOF MR. & MRS. NISSAN & SARAH GITTY PROFESORSKE
לע”נ ר‘ ישראל בן ר‘ בנימין הכהן ע”ה
MR. & MRS. CHAIM SHOLOM & RIVKY LEIBOWITZ Associate Dean’s Office
DEDICATION OF CAMP ORAYSA CAMPUS
MR. & MRS. URI & DEVORAH DREIFUS
MR. & MRS. SHMULI & MIRIAM MENDEL Sha’ar of New Beis Medrash
Ner Tamid
DEDICATED ANONYMOUSLY
In Memory of Mrs. Marta Schron ע” ה
GYMNASIUM WING
Residence Hall Cornerstone
THE BLOOM FAMILY
MESIVTA OTZAR HASEFORIM
THE SCHRON FAMILY
MEMORIAL EXHIBIT TO THE YESHIVOS OF PREWAR EUROPE
ANONYMOUS
Entranceway to Mesivta Beis Medrash Building
Camp Oraysa Sports Complex
MR. & MRS. BENJAMIN & JUDY LANDA
MR. & MRS. YITZCHOK & SHOSHANA GANGER
Basketball Court in Elementary School Gym
Dedicated by Mr. & Mrs. Yaakov & Rivky Jacobovitch
DR. & MRS. YOSSI & ZIVIA SCHWARTZ
Cornerstone, Mesivta Beis Medrash Building
MR. & MRS. NACHUM & HENNY FUTERSAK
MR. & MRS. MENASH & MIMI ORATZ
לע”נ חוה בת דב ע”ה
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MR. & MRS. ALON & CHANIE GOLDBERGER
MR. & MRS. NASSAN & DEVORAH TREITEL Preschool Cornerstone
MR. & MRS. NACHMAN & ESTHER GOODMAN
Sha’ar of New Beis Medrash
MR. & MRS. SHIA & ELANA OSTREICHER Beis Medrash Building Vestibule
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel & Beverly Goldberger Mr. & Mrs. Tzali & Chana Shira Gutman Mr. & Mrs. Ari & Aliza Haas Mr. & Mrs. Berel & Sherry Daskal Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo & Kayla Horowitz Mr. & Mrs. Binyomin & Leah Einhorn Mr. & Mrs. Menachem & Elisheva Jacobowitz Mr. & Mrs. Naftoli & Chani Einhorn Mr. & Mrs. Mordechai & Shana Jacobs Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Mimi Fragin Mr. & Mrs. Jeff & Tamar Landy Mr. & Mrs. Evan & Chaya Sara Genack Mr. & Mrs. Yosef & Vivi Moskowitz Rabbi & Rebbetzen Chaim Aryeh Zev & Avigail Ginzberg Mr. & Mrs. Yitzy & Rivky Orbach
Entrance of Beis Medrash Building
Plumbing Training Center Dedicated
לע”נ אברהם שלמה בן יחיאל מיכל הכהן ז”ל לע”נ הר‘ אברהם בן הר‘ חיים מנחם בן ציון זצ”ל ALL BORO CONSTRUCTION
Mr. & Mrs. Simcha & Shani Applegrad
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Mr. & Mrs. Mutty & Bracha Ribowsky Mr. & Mrs. David & Sima Rosenfeld Mr. & Mrs. Dovid & Chani Roll Dr. & Mrs. Zvi & Dina Schreiber Mr. & Mrs. Andrew & Stephani Serotta Mr. & Mrs. Morris & Devora Smith Mr. & Mrs. Yehuda & Mindy Zachter
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לע”נ מוהר”ר יחיאל מיכל בן ישראל יהודה ע”ה
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Teen Talk
By Rebbetzin Sori Teitelbaum
Dear Teen Talk, I am really enjoying this new column and on
Teen Talk , column in
a new
TJH, is geared to wards the teens in o ur commu nity. Answered by a rotati ng roster of teachers, rebbeim, clinicians , an d peers (!), te ens will b e hearing answers to many que stions the had perco y lating in th eir minds wished th an d ey had th e answers for.
behalf of all teens – thank you! I come from a wonderful, close-knit family and am well taken care of. Here is my problem – I often find myself deciding that I have to follow whatever my friends are thinking, feeling and doing. Whether it’s what boots to buy, what color to paint my bedroom, or what seminary to apply to, I need to do whatever the other girls are doing. I know that although it may be best for my friends, it isn’t always truly best for me! How can I stop wanting to be like everyone else? Why can’t I just be happy being “me”?
T
hank you for writing in! You have touched upon a problem that so many people are challenged with no matter what their age. Let me begin by sharing a cute little story. When my mother was pregnant with me, she told my oldest sister – who at the time was four years old – that a new baby would be joining the family. I am the youngest of four children all fairly close in age. My sister simply pointed to my other sister who was just under a year old and said, “Can’t we just use this one up first?” Obviously, my mother had to explain to her the uniqueness of each individual! This is a lesson that so many of us tend to forget as we develop and grow
into productive adults. Each of us is special in our own way. When we lose sight of the importance and uniqueness of “me” that is when we desire to be and follow “someone else.” A key point to understand is that Hashem has created each and every one of us with our own toolbox. The way I look, my personality, my IQ, the family I was born into are all unique to me. It is what Hashem decided would be MY necessary tools to use in MY life. The way you look, your personality, your IQ, the family you were born into, are unique to YOU. It is what Hashem decided would be YOUR necessary tools to use in YOUR life. I
might have a Phillips screwdriver in my toolbox because I will need exactly that type of screwdriver to get to my goal. You may have a flat head screwdriver in your toolbox because that is the type you need to get to your goal. As hard as you try to use my screwdriver, it simply won’t help you because it’s in my toolbox, not yours. Therefore, as you undoubtedly understand, trying to be “someone else” will never get you to your goal of being the b e s t you can be. I remember, years ago, the “in” color was yellow. Every article of clothing being sold was yellow. Everyone was wearing it! I, of course, wanted to be “in style,” and like everyone else,
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
I bought a yellow dress. Truth be told, I look terrible in yellow. I decided not to wear the dress and simply returned it. Yellow might be great for others, but it is not in my “color” toolbox. Social conformit y in following fads and prioritizing friends’ opinions and tastes over our own is synonymous with slavery. Going with the flow instead of what we truly believe is synonymous with slavery. Doing something that we don’t really want to so as not to be different is synonymous with slavery. Freedom means freedom of expression and speech. Ultimate freedom means being free to be me without feeling
Are you a teen with a question? If you have a question or problem you’d like our columnists to address, email your question or insight to editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com, subject line: Teen Talk.
no idea. I just figured it would be easier for me to pull out!” Even though she saw no reason to back in, she was uncomfortable being different than all the rest. The most important advice I can give you is for you to work on internalizing the importance of “YOU.” You may have a friend with talents and skills that you envy but these are her G-d-given tools, and Hashem has charged her with the responsibility of
When we lose sight of the importance and uniqueness of “me” that is when we desire to be and follow “someone else.” judged or defined by others. My friend recently shared the following story with me. She went to Staples in Valley Stream. She pulled into the parking lot and into an empty spot in the front row. She noticed as she got out of her car that she was the only car in the entire row that pulled in head first. All the many other cars had backed into their spots. Her first instinct was to get back in the car and fix her car to be like everyone else’s. There must be a reason why they all backed in! She then saw a man get out of his backed-in car and head towards the store. She stopped him and asked why all the cars were backed in except for hers. He smiled and said, “I have
using these tools to be the best she can be. You too have unique G-d-given tools, and Hashem has charged YOU with the responsibility of using your tools to be the best YOU can be. It says in Pirkei Avot, Perek 1, Mishna 14: “Im ein ani li, mi li, If I am not for myself who will be for me?” We expect much from Heaven, and we pray constantly for Hashem’s help. But Heaven expects much from us as well. We must be for ourselves before we can expect others to be for us. Hillel is telling us that we must not only “do” for ourselves but use what is unique to us in order to “make” something of ourselves. The Mishna continues: “U’kes-
he’ani l’atzmi, mah ani, And if I am only for myself, what am I?” We are not allowed to be “for myself” exclusively. We have responsibilities to others – family, friends, careers, community, the Jewish people and all human beings. It may very well be that in doing for others, we will find that we have really done a great deal for ourselves. Use your tools! Hillel concludes, “V’im lo achshav eimasai, If not now, when?” You have begun the process by writing in and asking this important question. Now is the time for you to focus on what you have. Focus on the tools in your box and the skills, talents and capabilities Hashem has blessed you with. Standing alone and being different from our peer group is surely challenging, but we can actually derive chizuk from our own spiritual DNA. We are descendants of Avrohom Avinu, known as Avrohom Ha’iviri, so named because he stood on one side of the river and the rest of the world on the other – with the word eiver meaning bank or side. Humming “Ivri Anochi...” may just give you the gumption to believe in yourself and your ability to withstand others’ opinions and choices. The trick is to feel comfortable with yourself. Once you tap into all that you have and all that you are, I am confident you will succeed in believing in yourself and following your OWN heart.
Rebbetzin Sori Teitelbaum is the rebbetzin emeritus of Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. She recently retired from teaching at HAFTR middle school and high school in the Five Towns. She is a well-known speaker and is involved in all aspects of the community. Rabbi and Rebbetzin Teitelbaum recently made aliyah and live most of the year in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
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Dating Dialogue
What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters, Hi, I hope you can answer this question for me. My boyfriend and I are really struggling with this issue, and we can’t seem to get an objective answer from anyone. We are both divorced, with kids, have been dating each other for quite some time and are planning to get married. We both grew up and raised our kids in “frum” homes/schools/ shuls, and our kids who are not yet out of the house are in local yeshivot/day schools. Since my divorce, I (like many other people who I know, especially women) have become less observant, while my boyfriend has remained “frum” – minyan 3x a day, chavrusa/ shiurim, fully shomer Shabbos, and he has a connection with rabbanim who have not been helpful on this issue. My house is kosher (he eats by me all the time), I consider myself “Modern Orthodox,” but I recognize that my level of
Shabbos observance and kashrus outside of the home is less than his. So far, we have found a way to make it work. I don’t expect him to do things he is not comfortable with, and he doesn’t ever try to force me to be “frummer,” except, of course, on the things that will impact him directly. We are both very respectful, we get along great, and we love each other. We talk everything out, and we have never not found a solution that worked for both of us. My family is concerned that when we get married, he will try to force things on me. I really don’t think he will, but perhaps love is blind. And I don’t want to be in that situation. Also, his kids are not so OK with our situation – some of them have expressed that they won’t eat in my home (even though it is 100% “glatt,” under his supervision!), which means they won’t come for Shabbos. He is willing to put me first and told them that is their decision. They have also claimed that my behavior will “farshteir” shidduchim for them. He said he would not want as machatanim anyone who would refuse a shidduch for his children because of me. What do the Navidaters think? Is this a recipe for disaster? Or can we make a life together even with these issues? Thank you, Beth
Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.
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The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. eth, I understand your concerns. Having been in a first marriage that didn’t work out, you are getting nervous about the complications. And you are worried about whether you can make it work out. A chorus of people – unsupportive kids, negative friends, and rabbis whom you said were not helpful – are communicating that the differing levels of observance will be a problem in your relationship. The best thing you can do for the two of you is go into couples counseling before the marriage that you are planning. Commit to continuing, with someone who specializes in second marriages, for the first year or two after you are married. You are each coming to this relationship with past ways of communicating, responding, and managing the details of your lives. You need to understand each other well, know each other’s love languages, and be committed to the major amount of work it will take. This takes time and effort. In other words, know and start the huge amount of work it will take to make yourselves into a strong couple. At the same time, navigating and then building relationships with so many kids and family members will be a process that you have to begin – even before the marriage begins. The religious differences between you and his family/friends may be there, but there are many more challenges besides this obvious one. We have all heard of second marriages that didn’t last because one set of kids was difficult and opposed the second spouse even though the marriage between the couple was good. I don’t mean to scare you; I mean to encourage you to invest in some work with professional support and to marry once you have seen progress in many of the relationships that will
B
have to work. When a couple marries a second time, it’s not only their relationship that has to work. So many other relationships need to be nurtured and worked on. In short, get good professional help from a specialist. Work on the relationships and problems. Wait to see if there is movement in a positive direction after difficulties. Then you can trust that the efforts will yield commitment to a good relationship with each other and with the stepchildren. Hopefully, with guidance and modeling, all the kids can begin to understand each other and get along. It’s not about frumkeit; it’s about building many relationships in a healthy way.
The Shadchan Michelle Mond
B
eth, I am perceiving you as a very self-aware and intelligent woman. You understand issues, but you also understand that life is complicated for everyone. Just the fact that you are this far into the shidduch despite differences tells me much about your depth of character. Many singles find out too late that every person they date will come with a set of differences to navigate. You know what it means for a marriage to dive, or to thrive, and have been lucky enough to find someone who has the ingredients to make a great husband. The glitch here is your religious differences. If you were both 23 and dating for the first time, I would have a much different answer to your quandary, but alas, you are at a different stage with a different set of circumstances. It sounds like you know exactly what you want, and you have found it. You are incredibly respectful of your boyfriend’s religiosity, (perhaps you are more farfrumpt at heart than you
are on the outside), and he is respectful of where you stand. If he has not shown you that he is a forceful person throughout the time you have spent dating, you don’t have reason to believe he will suddenly try to “change” you once you are married. After all, it sounds like you have great communication with each other. Be very clear with him about where you currently stand religiously (if you haven’t already) and roleplay scenarios that might come up. You can even turn this into a game to play together; it can be a fun way to dissect what might arise later in your relationship and how it will be handled. You can’t predict everything that will come up, but you can talk about general scenarios that may transfer into others. In terms of the kids, this is another level of the challenge, yet I still believe your relationship can work. If you are able to display a loving and healthy home, your kids will hopefully soak it in and come to terms with it. On this, however, I do not have as much psychological and insightful knowledge as perhaps the Rebbetzin and Zaidy will, so I’ll leave the children issue for them to discuss. Hatzlacha rabba!
The Single Tzipora Grodko
H
i Beth, Firstly, I admire the communication and mutual respect that you and your boyfriend have for each other. Both are extremely important strengths that lead to successful relationships, especially amongst couples with different religious backgrounds. I empathize with the first sentence in your query which was that “you’re really struggling” with identifying a resolution. Very often, blending families is naturally a big struggle. The differences between the kids and
When a couple marries a second time, it’s not only their relationship that has to work.
parents can be endless, even with a partner that seems to be “exactly religiously compatible.” I don’t know if it is realistic to avoid the struggle, as that often is the nature of blending families. Hopefully with time, children mature, move out/get married, and the nature of the relationship graduates from strife, to acceptance, to mutual satisfaction. I don’t mean to sound cynical but rather realistic with what commonly takes place with those in your shoes. Knowing that, I believe it is extremely important for both parties to have continued clear communication with your kids, supporting their concern, and committed to honoring your children’s feelings, recognizing the challenges that your relationship brings to them. Secondly, utilizing your strength of communication, I would advise you to discuss your family’s concerns with your boyfriend. Share your fears, hear his response, and discuss what your future will look like together with your religious differences. Discuss the reality of how your religious differences would manifest into your lives and where there would be potential issues and how would you resolve them. Agreeing to mutual religious respect is much easier when it isn’t actively making a difference in your lives That’s why it is super-important to discuss how the differences would potentially affect you in detail. Following that conversation, if you trust you boyfriend’s loyalty and ability to understand and work together,
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follow your heart and make the best decision you can with the information and guidance that you have. (I would encourage you to receive guidance from a well-respected, rabbi or mentor before making any additional decisions as well.)
The Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler
O
rthodox Jewry is a large tent that can comfortably accommodate co-religionists who are more modern and co-religionists who are more traditional. HOWEVER, when it comes to marriage, having significantly different levels of obser-
vance can be a much bigger problem than differences in, say, political affiliations or differences in sports team preferences. In order to address your question, I am going to make two assumptions about your level of observance: Assumption #1 is that your being “less frum” is more serious than wanting to cover your hair with a hat rather than with a sheitel when going to shul. This is minor and would not be an impediment to a happy marriage. Assumption #2 is that your being “less frum” is less serious than refusing to go to a mikveh or refusing to give up having brunch in a non-kosher Italian restaurant. These are major issues that would most certainly be serious impediments to a happy
Pulling It All Together
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marriage. So, for purposes of this discussion, let’s assume that your being “less frum” is not quite that minor but not quite that serious. You have been through a very rough time. For men and for women who are divorced and have children living at home, it is exceedingly difficult to find new partners to love, cherish, and share a blended family. It sounds like you have found someone amazing. To succeed, wouldn’t it be foolish to say, “I love this person, I want to make this marriage work, I want to make him/her happy, but I refuse to change one iota”? Wouldn’t that be a terrible attitude with which to begin a marriage? I don’t wish to sound one-sided, but isn’t it reasonable for you to accept being a bit “more religious” in order to keep an amazing guy happily married to you? If your new hus-
band’s children won’t feel comfortable coming for Shabbos or Pesach, that will hurt your husband. It’s in your own best interests for his children and grandchildren to feel comfortable in your home and kitchen. It’s worth inconveniencing yourself, because it can be tremendously rewarding to embark on a successful second marriage. Go for it!
marriage. Let us address your specific concerns now: his children and your family’s concerns that once married he will force things upon you. We’ll start with the kids. Emails only give a sliver of a greater picture, so I understand that there are so many forces and dynamics in your story that I am not aware of. It is very typical for children to be minimally to majorly uncomfortable with the idea of a parent remarrying. When a parent’s new partner is different from their norm it can make children (yes, even adult children and certainly teenagers) upset and unsettled. These things often take time to work themselves out, as the kids are adjusting to the idea of their dad potentially remarrying. Many children hold onto the fantasy that their
parents will be getting back together, no matter how much they know logically this is not a reality. When a new person comes along, it makes it official that they will not be getting back together, and this can be a very bitter pill to swallow. It makes children face the reality that their family is really not getting back together. I’m curious what your relationship with his kids is like. Have you spent time together? If you haven’t done so already, and there is some form of a relationship, you could tell the kids yourself how their comfort is of utmost importance to you and that you want to hear what they have to say and how they feel. This doesn’t mean you must change your ways, but it will mean that the kids know that their feelings are important to you. Blending a family is not for the
Many singles find out too late that every person they date will come with a set of differences to navigate.
The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
D
ear Beth, Let’s put levels of observance aside for a moment. Healthy relationships allow two people to grow not only as a couple but as individuals. Upon examining your relationship through this growth mindset, do you feel both you and your boyfriend are growing and evolving as separate entities and as a unit? Growth may look like healing, understanding oneself, acceptance, surrendering, compromising, feeling a sense of calm and peace, releasing old hurts and wounds, etc. Second marriages are complicated enough when hashkafa and lifestyle align perfectly. Finding love, a partner who can open his/her heart after the trauma of divorce, someone who will roll up his/her sleeves and be
present for you and take on your whole life (and vice versa), the blending of families and all that ensues is n o small feat. If you have found this in your boyfriend, my mind goes to this simple question.... How in the world do you walk away? You share with us in your letter that you have found a way to make this work. I sense the respect you have for each other and the wonderful communication you share as well. You also write that you love each other. Neither of you has the false expectation of changing the other. What you have are some of the most essential ingredients for a beautiful second
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faint of heart. I think it is always a wise idea when even thinking of blending a family to see a family therapist who will help you and your partner navigate this terrain, today and throughout not only the engagement but the entire marriage. While there are no guarantees to blend a family successfully, there are certain universal strategies that are an absolute must to know about and practice with regard to blended family dynamics and a step-parent’s role. It is important to learn how to balance your needs as a couple and how to make the children of paramount importance.
Onto your parents’ concern that once married he will force things upon you. “Force” is a very strong word, and it is something that forceful people do. Is your boyfriend forceful now? What potentially may end up happening (or truly may never happen) is that he may ask you to take on a thing or two as reality settles in and you begin your new life together. And you need to think about whether or not you will do this for him...to make him happy. Every marriage (first, second, frum people, pink people with purple polka dots) requires a level of compromise and sacrifice...
not compromising who you are and your core values and beliefs but doing something for someone to make him/her happy. We have to be able to understand where the other comes from and what is important to him/her and be willing to stretch outside our comfort zones. It seems as though there is so much healthy respect, communication, and care in your relationship that goes both ways. We aren’t talking about an Earthling and an alien here. And we aren’t talking about a first marriage here, either. And we aren’t talking about a man who has very young children here,
either. The children need the message over and over and over and over (and over, infinitely) that their father loves them and the both of you want them in your home and that their feelings and comfort matter to you and you hear them! Maybe you would be open to doing a thing or two in the house to make them more comfortable. Go for counseling to navigate this and keep the wonderful communication wide open. How do you walk away from love? Sincerely, Jennifer
Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. She also teaches a psychology course at Touro College. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.
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Dr. Deb
When Your Partner Puts Obstacles in the Way By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
“S
he’s so flighty. Why can’t she just come down to Earth and do what needs to be done?” “He will not listen to my feelings.” “She is one of these go-getters, and I’m easygoing. She’s six feet ahead of me when we’re out walking.” “He has no time for fun. It’s all work, work, work.” Isn’t it funny how the very thing that attracted you when you were dating turns out to grate on your nerves? But that is exactly how couples are. The easygoing one is attracted to the organized one, and the organized one wants the easygoing one in her/ his life. The doer is attracted to the beer and vice-versa. The roll-up-yoursleeves-and-dig-in one is attracted to the one who communes with the stars. The morning person envies the one who can burn the midnight oil. The scaredy-cat envies the socially-smooth. The planned person wishes they could be a little more spontaneous. Why is that? Because we know/feel/sense that
we are incomplete without this other element to us. Or, to put it the way Arthur Aron, psychologist and researcher on falling in love, put it, we choose partners that help us to expand ourselves. He calls this the desire for “self-expansion” and says this is an innate desire of human beings. We can see it in babies crawling around, trying to make sense of their environment. We want to grow in many ways, but since we may not have a particular skill or characteristic, we find it in someone else. We love that. When we fall in love, that different-ness is exactly what we want. Like taking a vacation in a foreign culture, it’s exciting, new, glossy, wonderful. Then it gets old. Why is that? Because it’s awfully hard to keep stretching yourself. See, the original attraction was a good thing. We do need to stretch. We need to expand our capabilities. We need to see the world a little differently. But it is work, too. Right? Just like the gym is work.
“Do ten more reps!” Let’s face it: if you’ve avoided emotions your whole life, then being with a spouse who feels things can be a strain. By the same token if you’ve been the type to feel too much, and you become attracted to someone who bravely marches on, that’s great. For a while. Then there comes a time when you no longer want to march. You want to stop. For many couples, that’s when the fights begin. Or the freeze begins. What begins with being attracted to something opposite in the other person turns into wanting a clone of yourself. Or close enough to it. I’m here to say: go with your first impressions. You were right the first time. Except… Except for this one thing: since you were both right when you both were attracted to each other, what that means is that no one can pull the other person all the way over from where they are to where you are. That would be unbalanced. And meeting in the middle is not the answer either because that would
make no one who they really are and no one who the other one is, either. A parve blend. That’s not the way. The way is not about changing who you are. And it’s certainly not about changing who they are. It’s about admiring. See, when you are you and happily so, you can expand yourself just enough to admire your significant other. Here’s the key. It lies in the words “when you are you and happily so.” To be able to admire the other person fully, you have to first be grounded in who you are. And happily so. This, precisely, is why I separate couples in the beginning of working with them. Most people approach marriage from the opposite direction. They are not happy with who they are, so they get a huge boost from the fact that someone else – someone wonderful and attractive – sees them as special. But since that “specialness” comes from the very qualities we lack that our partner has, we’re treading on flimsy ground. Sof, sof, we don’t ad-
mire ourselves, so how can we sustain an admiration for an Other who is alien to us? Soon, the flimsy foundation falls in, and all the good feelings are gone. In spite of this, the marriage does not have to be over. We simply rebuild from a better foundation, a foundation of you, first, loving, admiring, valuing, appreciating yourself. I was just reading that some thinker thought this is not healthy. We think too much of ourselves, and there is nothing left for others. If only that were truth. It is not. We do not think enough of ourselves. So what about the so-called “narcissist” – a word that I hear complained of a lot. The reality – and you can google this; I am not alone in this perception - -is that the narcissist was indulged so much as a child that he or she doesn’t have any clue of who they are. What do I mean?
When the parent fights all the child’s battles, the child doesn’t learn how to value what he did or can do. When the parent does the report/ project/homework for the child, the child doesn’t know that he can stretch himself far enough to do it himself. When the child is given everything he asks for, he never learns how to work
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a nagging feeling (which he wants to shut up) that he is really worthless inside and his parents propped him up out of pity, not respect. Doing too much for a child weakens his belief in himself just as much as the coach picking up my barbells weakens my own muscles. The child who has done his own
We choose partners that help us to expand ourselves.
hard and see results. When one child is privileged over a sibling, the child incorrectly learns a rule of life: that he is more important. Then he does not learn how to see what is of value in his siblings or in other people. But he also never discovers why he is privileged in the first place and has
work, lifted his own weights, and feels good about it has a far better chance at self-love than the one who hasn’t. And that self-love will spill over into the world around him. When your cup is full, you’re happy to share it. Yes, there can still be obstacles to
self-love in spite of the above parenting efforts. There’s the possibility that a person grew up in a critical or judgmental home and that will tarnish a person’s clarity regarding their own value. There is the possibility that a parent is sad, anxious, sick, or absent. These problems can also lead to reduced self-esteem and self-love. Which is why the self-love must come first in a relationship. Ultimately, working on being one’s best Self first paves the way for allowing a very different Other into one’s heart with love and admiration precisely because the differences are interesting, exciting, and expansive.
Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. If you want help with your marriage, begin by signing up to watch her Masterclass at https://drdeb. com/myw-masterclass.
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Health & F tness
The Food that Fuels a Living Legend By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN
F
ebruary is a very exciting month for Americans – or at least for football fans. I, for one, am not a football fan, nor do I understand any aspect of the game. However, I do have to pretend somewhat if I want to understand 90% of my sons’ conversations. In my home, weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday consist of watching football for hours, re-watching the highlights, and mimicking the plays (including the tackles, of course). Additionally, there are plenty of trading football cards and reading books about football players. Pretty much, there is a lot of football fun going on now. And even though I don’t know much about football, I am familiar with the names of the famous quarterbacks, particularly Tom Brady. Tom Brady is a living football legend. Not only is Tom Brady a living legend because he won seven out of the ten Super Bowls he appeared in, he is the oldest player to be named super bowl MVP, at age 43. His prowess can be attributed to his strict and unique diet and lifestyle. As the oldest quarterback in NFL history, Brady makes sports headlines regularly. Lately, Brady’s eating regimen has gained nearly as much attention as his performance of the game. People have started taking an interest in his diet and follow his eating regimen. The Tom Brady diet – also known as the TB12 diet – is a high-protein, plant-based diet that excludes gluten, dairy, corn, soy, MSG, coffee, alcohol, GMOs, sugar, trans fats, and processed foods. Yet, it isn’t so clear-cut. Some fruits and vegetables such as nightshades and fungi are also off-limits, as are certain oils. This means no tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, pota-
toes, or mushrooms. The reason Brady chooses to eliminate certain foods from his diet is because he believes those foods can cause inflammation. He eats mostly plant-based foods, specifically foods that are anti-inflammatory and alkalizing that are organic and locally sourced. When he does consume animal products, it is a lean protein like fish or chicken. He claims that his diet boosts energy, prevents bone injuries, enhances athletic performance, and decreases recovery time. Tom Brady’s diet inspired his 2017 bestselling book, “The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance.” Let’s take a closer look at the nutrient-dense TB12 diet. Brady begins his day at 6:00 a.m. with electrolyte-infused water. His immediate focus is loading up on electrolytes and nutrients. “I wake up and drink 20 ounces of water with electrolytes,” he says. After his workout, he has a high-calorie, high-fat, high-protein smoothie with almond milk. The smoothie usually consists of bananas, blueberries, nuts, and seeds. His go-to fruit is banana. Aside from the morning smoothie, the diet does not involve a large quantity or variety of fruit. Around noon is lunchtime, which consists of mostly plants. Lunch and dinner are heavy on vegetables (excluding nightshades). About 20 percent of his plate is a healthy protein (like a piece of fish), and the rest is vegetables (including dark leafy vegetables) and whole grains. Brady’s private chef selects fresh vegetables based on the season. These meals are typically served with a protein source like beans. The diet does allow for the occasional animal protein source such as fish, chick-
en, and other seafood. The plant-based meals consist of whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and millet. For the rest of the day, it’s nuts and seeds as a snack, 2 to 3 more protein shakes, dehydrated fruits, raw veggies with hummus or guacamole, a protein bar, and a steaming cup of bone broth. Dinner is usually roasted vegetables and chicken. On gamedays, Brady’s meals are simple: a smoothie and an almond butter and jelly sandwich. One perk of having a private chef is eliminating time spent planning, preparing, and cooking meals that are compliant with the diet. The Tom Brady diet also encourages people to drink plenty of water, but the timing of drinking the water is specific. According to Brady’s plan, you should drink water 30 minutes before meals and then avoid drinking water during meals and for one hour afterward. Brady describes his diet as anti-inflammatory. He completely eliminated all dairy products because he believes they can cause inflammation. Gluten is eliminated on the Tom Brady diet as well, which is free of white flour and even soy sauce containing gluten. Brady stays away from corn and soy because he believes that soy is acidic, which goes against his alkalizing principles. Corn is typically a GMO food, which is why he avoids it as well. Brady considers processed, sugary foods like Frosted Flakes and Coca Cola as “poison.” Brady’s meals don’t contain any added sugar or artificial sweeteners. He believes that sugar is the root of most people’s health problems (which is a very valid point). Brady’s diet is also caffeine-free. As far as oils go, olive oil and co-
conut oil are approved on the plan, yet they must be free of trans-fat. Therefore, Brady never uses canola oil. He consumes olive oil raw and uses coconut oil for cooking. The TB12 diet avoids trans-fat and saturated fat as part of the anti-inflammatory regimen. “The regimen I follow is a mix of Eastern and Western philosophies,” Brady wrote. “Some of these principles have been around for thousands of years. My nutritional regimen may seem restrictive to some people, but to me it feels unnatural to eat any other way.” “If I’m craving bacon, I have a piece. Same with pizza. You should never restrict what you really want. We’re humans, here for one life,” the quarterback told Men’s Health. “What’s changed as I’ve gotten older is now if I want pizza, I want the best pizza.” Want to know Brady’s specific cheat food? Chocolate! The TB12 diet might be strict for many. Yet, it works for Brady and got him through a long-lasting career as a star quarterback. The living legend announced his retirement this week. Although we will miss watching him on the field, we can still follow his strict dietary guidelines in hopes of achieving long-lasting health and success in all that we do.
Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN, is a Master’s level Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. She graduated CUNY Brooklyn College receiving a Bachelor’s in Science and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. She is currently a private nutritionist. She can be reached at CindyWeinberger1@gmail.com or at 917-623-6237.
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Parenting Pearls
Partners in Parenting By Sara Rayvych, MSEd
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hroughout my articles I’ve avoided a few things. One of those is not making assumptions about the readers of these articles. Parents come in a variety of ages; they can be men or women; they can be married, divorced, or widowed. I want to all readers and parents have the ability to feel comfortable enjoying my articles and hopefully gain something positive from what’s written. Throughout my articles I’ve written without the assumption that the reader is married. While many parents are married, I know that families come in all varieties, as do parenting needs. As an example, it would be unfair for me to assume that a stressed-out parent can ask their spouse to assist. They may not have a spouse. And even if they do have a spouse, that spouse may be working during their child’s awake time, medically incapable, or simply not as helpful. This has been my general approach when writing. This approach is still my basic approach but there’s a major flaw – it ignores the role of coparenting. Irrelevant of the current circumstances, Hashem made it mandatory that every child starts off having a biological father and a mother. What happens after that, and the role each plays in their child’s life, is unique to each family dynamic. While this article can’t possibly cover every family, I want to attempt to tackle just a bit of the important role parents play together when they raise their child. This article will not be discussing the unique dynamic of blended families, despite how important that topic is. This week seemed an opportune time to bring up this important discussion as my husband also authored a featured article in TJH this week.
Marriage As a Gift I’m not a marriage therapist and will not go into the role marriage
cision. It may be helpful for parents to ask a third party they both trust to assist if they can’t come to a mutually agreeable decision for something important, but the essential part is they’ve formed a unified position and the child sees the parents are speaking unitedly.
When Priorities Collide
plays in the perfection of the individual, the satisfaction it can give to each partner, or the need we each have for companionship. I also won’t go into the general challenges that arise in uniting two completely different people of opposing genders. I’m limiting the discussion to the role parents play as partners in their child’s upbringing. One article can’t do justice to this all-encompassing topic, but I hope to touch on a few points. I personally consider the parents’ marriage as a gift for the child. Yes, it is a gift to the spouses, as well, but we often don’t think of how our marital harmony affects our children. It’s too often that we feel conflicted between the many needs of the various family members. It’s easy to ignore our spouse, being that they’re also an adult in this equation. Recognizing that our marriage is important to our children can help us when it comes to our need to prioritize each other. It’s not being selfish to make time as a couple. Obviously, we can’t ignore our kids, but we also can’t ignore each other. Marriage needs investments of time and emotions. If you don’t make time for your spouse or time to emotionally connect then you’re not prioritizing your marriage. When you prioritize your marriage, you are indirectly prioritizing your child, too.
Unity Parents shouldn’t be surprised when they have very different methods and goals for how to raise a child. Men and women think differently. Add to that you were each raised in different homes with distinctive ideals. If you’re like my husband and myself, then you come from completely distinctive cultures which only exacerbates the parenting discrepancies. With these various influences in mind, it’s important to recognize the challenge and work together when you parent. Parents need to be unified when they speak to their child. You can’t have one parent say “yes” and the other say “no.” Not only is this unhealthy and confusing for the child, but kids are very good at manipulating these situations. We all know how good kids are at taking advantage of parental conflict. Discuss issues first between yourselves so that when you talk to your child the decision is already made. It’s my personal belief that, for most basic issues, the parents agreeing together on their answer is often more important than the actual response. In other words, whether or not your child does or doesn’t get permission to do any given thing – such as going to a friend or attending an event – is usually less crucial than the parents being united in their de-
I wish I had an easy answer to this one since it’s so common. It’s not unusual for one or more family members to need the same person’s attention at any given moment. It can easily become overwhelming for the individual and create conflict among the family when each person feels their concerns are not being prioritized and their needs are being unmet. Common scenarios include a new baby crying while an older child needs attention; kids screaming when the spouse needs to talk; or the grandparents needing assistance during the day. These are just a few of the day-to-day situations that occur in any given family. It’s complicated and even painful to maneuver through everyone’s needs. Honestly, it’s enough to make you want to scream. I can’t give a real answer to this question in this article other than to acknowledge it’s a real issue. Truly, this should be an article all to itself. Triage each individual’s needs, including your own, but don’t forget that spouses have needs, too. Even if you can’t make time for your spouse immediately, planning a later time to address the issues can go a long way towards making your spouse feel cared for and thought of.
Don’t Demean Each Other You don’t need to agree but don’t put each other down. Discussions, no matter how emotional, stay more pleasant and productive when mutual respect is maintained. Don’t fight
in front of your children. For many couples, this may be hard but it’s still a vital goal. Don’t put your spouse down in front of your child or to your child. You’re partners together in raising these precious neshamos. You want your spouse to maintain your kavod with the children; make sure you do the same. Using negative names that demean the other is not only disrespectful to your spouse but hurtful to your child. Remember, when you speak against your spouse, you’re speaking against your child’s other parent. Most of us would feel terribly wounded if someone made fun of our parents, and your child is no different.
When Things Get Rough Marriage isn’t easy and it doesn’t come naturally. Don’t think couples that are married for decades hit those anniversaries without challenges. Marriage is built by going through difficulties together and
working through them. Don’t be misled by the couples you see walking by and smiling, as you don’t know what happens behind closed doors. People only show you what they want you to see. Don’t assume anything about any other
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common that even the most loving of couples need occasional guidance or even intensive marital assistance. Give yourselves and your family the gift of a strong union and give your marriage whatever attention it needs. Don’t be embarrassed to
Marriage is built by going through difficulties together and working through them.
person or couple. Social media only makes this more pronounced. Never assume someone else’s husband/ wife is “better” than yours when you see the public face of your friend’s spouse. Marriage needs to be continuously worked on and built. It’s not un-
reach out for help. You’d be surprised how many other couples are doing the same.
Even If It Ends I want to spend only a few, brief words on what happens if a marriage dissolves as the details of divorce are
better left for another author. Even divorced couples are still parenting together if they both have custody. Despite the pain between both spouses, you’re both still parents to this beautiful child. Take advantage of any resource available to help you as you navigate parenting after a breakup. There’s so much more to say about this unique bond between two individuals. As you bridge the gaps that naturally separate two distinct personalities, you begin to forge an entirely new entity together. Remember that your marriage isn’t just about two people; it’s a mikdash miat and deserves your full attention as you raise the next generation of klal Yisroel.
Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.
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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
jewish women of wisdom
Telling Our Story By Miriam Liebermann, MSW
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istory is his story or her story – depends who’s talking! Stories are part of our everyday life. As adults and as children, too. Research has shown that children who are familiar with their family stories manage better under stress. They are more resilient in the face of major and minor challenges. Family stories help to foster a strong, intergenerational self. Those children, privy to the inside stories of their families, have an easier time resisting the call of the outside world. Drugs, drinking, smoking, and gambling have less of a pull on those who are well connected to their family members as well as their family roots. As Mrs. Raizi Chechik shared so eloquently in a recent community program sponsored by 5TFR Women’s Events, “Those who are anchored in the present are more confident for the future.” Dr. Marshall Duke, professor of psychology at Emory University, presented a most intriguing research study, cited by Mrs. Chechik. He outlines three different types of narratives. There is the ascending nar-
rative, where all ends well. Think of our fairy tales- “… and they all lived happily ever after.” Then we have our descending narrative that ends consistently on a difficult, painful note. Ultimately, we have our oscillating narrative, including many ups and
ing within them the courage and fortitude to forge on ahead. Enamored with this concept, I shared it just a few short weeks ago with my dear friend Sara Spero. Sara’s reaction: “Miriam, look what we’re reading in the Torah portion
May the fortitude of our ancestors imbue us with the strength and resilience we need to face the challenges of our own personal lives.
downs, with perhaps some “upside downs” included for good measure. Dr. Duke concludes that it is the oscillating narrative that is most predictive of resilience in our younger set. Stories of how parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and beyond overcame their life challenges strengthens our young ones, instill-
every week. That’s our oscillating narrative. Certainly, plenty of ups and downs. And it’s our story! It’s our communal family narrative. It’s the story of Acheinu kol Bais Yisrael!” Surely, as we follow the story of our people’s birth and development, as we journey through Sefer Shemos, experiencing the pain of the Egyptian
slavery, along with the courage of Yocheved, Miriam and Basya, and the heroism of Moshe Rabbeinu, we find ourselves strongly connected to this narrative. May the fortitude of our ancestors imbue us with the strength and resilience we need to face the challenges of our own personal lives. It’s our spiritual DNA. Let’s acknowledge this and express our gratitude. It will fare us well in life. And fellow Sav tas/Bubbies/ Grandmas/Omamas, let’s share our stories! Give this some thought. Let’s travel down Memory Lane and see what stories will emerge. A word of advice – let’s jot down notes for ourselves so we don’t forget. By now, bH, we’ve lived quite a bit of life with lots of stories to share. Hold tight! G-d willing, we will soon embark on the subsequent chapter of our primary, national story, the one we’ve long been waiting for.
Join the conversation and email list of JWOW! by writing to hello @jewishwomenofwisdom.org.
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FAR ROCKAWAY AND FIVE TOWNS COMMUNITY
Motzei Shabbos Tanach Shiur Please join us for our 25th season!
FEBRUARY 5, 2022 7:30PM
תרומה,arp e"amun
PROGRAM HOSTED BY: Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst 8 Spruce Street
R’ Eliezer Cohen will be learning
Perakim 93-94 of Tehillim v"g jubn rzghkt crv ,c kyhd ,nab hukhgk
Dedicated in memory of Rabbi Mordy Kriger z”l Founder of the Tanach Shiur
Co-Sponsored By: Agudah of the Five Towns Rabbi Yitzchok Frankel Agudah of West Lawrence Rabbi Moshe Brown Bais Haknesses of N. Woodmere Rabbi A. Lebowitz Bais Medrash D’Cedarhurst Rabbi Dovid Spiegel Chofetz Chaim Torah Center Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg Cong. Bais Avrohom Rabbi Osher Stern Cong. Anshei Chessed Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz Cong. Bais Ephraim Yitzchok Rabbi Zvi Ralbag Cong. Bais Tefila Rabbi Ephraim Polakoff Cong. Beth Sholom Rabbi Kenneth Hain Cong. Kneseth Israel Rabbi Eytan Feiner
Cong. Shaaray Tefila Rabbi Uri Orlian HILI Bais Medrash Rabbi Dov Bressler Kehillas Bais Yehuda Rabbi Yaakov Feitman Cong. Tifereth Zvi Rabbi Pinchas Chatzinoff Y.I. of Bayswater Rabbi Eliezer Feuer Y.I. of Far Rockaway Rabbi Shaul Chill Y.I. of Hewlett Rabbi Simcha Hopkovitz Y.I. of Lawrence-Cedarhurst Rabbi Yaakov Trump Y.I. of North Woodmere Rabbi Yehuda Septimus Y.I. of Woodmere Rabbi Shalom Axelrod
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Juggling with Joy
OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
BY SUSAN SCHWAMM
As women, we all juggle myriad responsibilities and obligations. As I write this, it’s the end of a long workday. I have a toddler sitting on my lap, a teenager telling me about her day, another child doing her math homework next to me, and supper that needs to be made. Oh, and I have to send this feature to the printer for layout. In every stage in life that we find ourselves, there are different forces vying for our attention, time, and energy. And we endeavor to fulfill all our responsibilities and duties to the best of our abilities. But how do we do it all with joy? How do we juggle all those obligations with serenity and simcha? We asked members of the Five Towns Jewish Women’s Leadership Council (JWLC) to give us some perspective on how they juggle and balance their obligations with joy.
When I am juggling too much, I do _______ to regroup. Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky - I remind
myself that there is no “super-woman” – no one does it all. When what I am doing aligns with my priorities that helps me regroup.
Rebbetzin Chanie Wolowik - Juggling to
Rebbetzin Sara Hopkovitz - I think of
me means that, b”H, life is busy and full. There is family, there is extended family, there are personal things, there is local communal work, and there’s global Chabad work. All of these things happen, sometimes simultaneously. So shifting priorities is a life-long “avodah,” and one we engage in when real life is happening. I am grateful for all the opportunities and gifts that I have to be able to juggle these aspects of my life.
…And there’s always my plush, comfy, very inviting rocker-recliner waiting for me in my bedroom to give a few moments of calm and relaxation, allowing me to regroup.
When I feel like there’s too much going on, I reach out to friends, especially those who are leading similar lives to me, women I grew up with who have chosen to be Chabad Shluchot together with their husbands, bouncing ideas off of them, asking them for advice, etc. I find that these conversations are the most helpful. Just checking in with someone who “gets” my life is helpful.
Scarlett O’Hara’s last words spoken in Gone with The Wind: “After all, tomorrow is another day,” or in similar terms, “Gam zeh yaavor, This too will pass.” I keep these thoughts in mind when a lot is going on, and it feels like the juggling can’t go on for much longer…
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz - There are
two or three practices that help me manage the times of intense juggling. One is writing things down and staying organized and timely. The other is anticipating that there will be unforeseen stressors besides the ones we can anticipate. We do not manage our own lives. Therefore, getting things done early and leaving the calendar as free as possible during times we know that will be stressful or involve intense management of competing tasks such as days before holidays and family occasions. It also helps to forgive ourselves and to remind ourselves that others forgive us for dropping balls once in a while.
Rachel Pill, LCSW- When I am juggling too much I try hard to be mindful and slow down (not easy, as anyone who knows me can attest). I work hard to stop and ask myself if everything I am doing is really important or if I am just caught up in trying to be everything to everyone. I also attempt to get a good night’s sleep and see how things look in the morning. Rebbetzin Nava Orlian - I curl up with a book or sefer.
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Rebbetzin Margie Glatt - I’ll look over what I have on my plate and always try to prioritize what is important first. If I need to, I decline something else to properly focus on essentials. Cedarhurst Trustee Myrna Zisman When I am juggling too much, I do a “happy dance.” I love to be busy.
Rebbetzin Yael Willig - When I am juggling
too much, I do something I enjoy like read something while drinking a coffee, call someone who makes me laugh, or listen to a shiur to regroup.
Rachayle Deutsch - I take a deep breath and
remind myself that not everything is of the utmost importance and that if I let something go it won’t be the end of the world. It makes sense and sometimes it even calms me down, but I generally don’t listen to my own advice and instead get out my trusty notebook and create a schedule with a detailed list of what has to be done when. This realistic timeline with clear goals puts things in perspective. Then I roll up my sleeves and get going.
Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus - When I am
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Shoshana Soroka Halpern - When I am
juggling too much I know that the only way to get things done is if I take a deep breath and a step back to evaluate what truly needs to be done at that moment. I find that writing things down and making lists of all my responsibilities calms my mind and allows me to assess what should be done right now and what can wait for a day or two when things aren’t as busy.
Mindi Werblowsky, LCSW -
I try to take a break from my phone and spend time playing with my kids.
juggling too much, I prioritize and let go of what I can let go of to regroup.
We all have “glass balls” and “rubber balls” that we juggle in our lives. What is your primary “glass ball”? Rebbetzin Margie Glatt - Anything health related can’t be dropped, of course. Taking care of the health of loved ones is a priority that shouldn’t drop and shatter. As a frum woman, religious and spiritual matters are similarly non/ negotiable. Rachel Pill, LCSW - My primary glass ball
is my family – especially my parents, husband, kids, and grandchildren. They are all glass balls for me.
Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus - I’m not sure
if you mean something very precious or just something that may easily break. Either way, I would say my children – they are the most precious “balls” I juggle, and when you look around at the adults we all know, we see that so many people carry baggage from their family origin. It is so easy to get the balance of what each child needs wrong, and we need to keep asking ourselves who they are? what they need? and whether we are supporting them to find their way. We need to check in with them from time to time and not make assumptions.
Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky - My family.
Cedarhurst Trustee Myrna Zisman -
Being a total optimist, I hold my glass ball with rubber gloves and I try not to drop it.
Rebbetzin Chanie Wolowik - There are
things in life you can let go of for a bit because they will bounce back, and others that are fragile and need to be suspended and kept in the air or held close. The things we cannot let go are, of course, the non-negotiables: our children, our marriages, our personal health. The communal work can ebb or flow; the house can be messy; and we can arrange for extra help or subs. These things are the balls that we can let bounce – not completely out-of-range, but we can let go of them when the glass balls are teetering and need more support. I think the trick is to think of where you are not expendable and consider those areas your glass balls.
Rebbetzin Sara Hopkovitz - One of my
glass balls is making sure my kids are up and ready in time to catch the bus. I know this is a very typical life situation and sounds trivial, but during this time of high drama, my husband is usually in shul – and to accomplish this along with having a newborn (now infant) and toddler in tow and needing to get myself out to work as well, our usual morning schedule can be at times very chaotic and challenging. However, I don’t beat myself up anymore if the kids don’t make it onto the bus occasionally. Thank G-d, my current (full-time) work life is blessedly a little more flexible and local, so that I can drive my children to school if needed (rather than chasing trains to Manhattan).
Mindi Werblowsky, LCSW - My family –
my husband and kids.
Rebbetzin Nava Orlian - Honestly, that is
a tough one to answer, as the glass balls keep shifting. At different stages in our lives, different “balls” take the fore, and demand our attention. When things get very overwhelming, I try to take a step back and re-evaluate my priorities so that I can figure out which balls will drop...because we can’t keep them all up in the air at the same time!
Rachayle Deutsch - Unfortunately, I tend to
think all my balls are made of glass and cannot be dropped. If I do let one fall, it’s usually the one with my name on it. Like most women, I tend to put myself last. Everything else is more important. As I get older, I realize that sometimes I’m fragile and made of glass too and that my ball is the one that needs more focus and gentle handling. I’m working on that.
Rebbetzin Yael Willig - My family – husband and children come first!
Shoshana Soroka Halpern - My family –
my husband and my children – is my primary glass ball. But even with them as my priority, I know that there are things that can be “dropped” if I have too many balls in the air. For instance, my kids would love to have pizza every night if I offered them that choice. And so, if my day is becoming too overwhelming, a spontaneous pizza night makes me a hero and saves me time in my day.
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Which woman in Tanach would you pick to help you with your “juggling” and why? Rachayle Deutsch - All of the women in
Tanach had challenges and would help put things in proper perspective for me, which is what you can use before even attempting to juggle with success. I would say Esther had the biggest feat of juggling two totally opposing lifestyles and roles with impactful outcomes.
Cedarhurst Trustee Myrna Zisman -
I would choose Miriam. She was a thankful and joyful person who led the Jewish women through the Red Sea with music and determination.
Rebbetzin Yael Willig - I think I would
pick Yocheved. She was a midwife in Egypt who definitely had her priorities straight! She risked her life to do what she believed in, even bringing a child into the world in such a tumultuous time (Moshe!). She was a heroine.
Rebbetzin Nava Orlian - The woman in
Tanach I think of is Miriam, who played so many roles and juggled personal and communal roles. She was a fierce protector of her family, pushing her father Amram to reunite with her mother and help continuity of the Jewish people, and taking care of her baby brother Moshe in the water. She cared about klal Yisrael, acting as a midwife helping the fearful mothers as they had their babies. And she so beautifully led the Jewish women in shira, song, with the “tupim u’mecholos,” the musical instruments. She possessed tremendous faith even in times of darkness, having brought those instruments from Mitzrayim! She knew how to express gratitude and how to bring joy and music into her life and the life of others.
Rebbetzin Chanie Wolowik - I think of
two women when I think of people in Tanach who inspire me in my personal life. One is Sarah Imeinu. She was a woman with steadfast principles and clear-eyed judgement. She acted according to her convictions and put her family and especially her child first. Her ability to focus and make the right choice for her family inspires me when I sometimes waver and wonder if I should go for the more “popular” or easier option. The other is Queen Esther. She was living in the palace, in a place that was as foreign as anywhere to her, against her upbringing, character, and principles. And she saw what she could do in that place to make a difference and save the Jewish people. She exemplifies tremendous mesiras nefesh and conviction. She models true bravery and strength to us, in standing up for what is right and acting upon it. She also brought the Jewish people together to daven and become closer to Hashem with the three days of fasting. Esther to me represents what Jewish women can be and do, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Mindi Werblowsky, LCSW - Miriam, because in addition to being a wife and mother, she was on the “frontlines” for the women of Klal Yisroel to help lead them through times of crisis. In my job, it’s often hard to balance the crisis needs of the klal with focusing on my own family. Rebbetzin Sara Hopkovitz - I recently
spoke about Sarah Imeinu in a parsha shiur, and the more I learned about her, the more I admired her personality, intelligence, and strong composition. There is so much that can be said about her, but to me some of her admirable points were that she was a true partner to her husband Avraham Avinu, had an open home for all to visit, personified true modesty and dignity – and she knew to stand her own ground when action was needed (like sending Yishmael away).
Shoshana Soroka Halpern - Every wom-
an in Tanach is source of inspiration. We can learn from all of them and connect with them in so many ways. Thinking about this question, I would choose Yocheved to “help” me with my juggling. Yocheved was the mother to three leaders of Klal Yisroel at that time, so she truly must have been a wonderful mother. She also balanced “working” for Paroah as a midwife and taking care of the Jewish nation. It must have been a delicate tightrope that she had to walk when speaking with Paroah, and Yocheved had to utilitze a special chochma in speaking and negotiating with him.
Rachel Pill, LCSW - For me, there is no question that I would choose Rochel Imeinu to help me juggle my life. Her dedication to her sister Leah, her love for Yaakov, and her desire to be a mother touch my heart and soul. Rochel had emunah and bitachon and the dignified patience to wait for what she wanted in her life. Quiet and dignified patience can be hard for me. I tend to charge forward in life, and while that has its place and time, I have come to learn that quiet and calm helps when trying to juggle in life. I would also ask Rochel Imeinu to help me because who better to cry to Hashem for me when my balls are dropping? Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus - Devorah – she’s organized, competent, a great listener, and able to motivate and inspire others to join her.
Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky - Esther. She
had a sense of where she needed to be at the right time and knew how to assert herself when necessary.
Rebbetzin Margie Glatt - Definitely Miriam. She had a talent for organizing women, lifting spirits in song, and was a concerned sister. A little prophecy must also be an asset.
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What do you think JWLC means to the Five Towns community? Rebbetzin Nava Orlian - This group was
Rebbetzin Sara Hopkovitz - I’m very
Mindi Werblowsky, LCSW - Achdus – a community of so many different lifestyles and ways of life but united and sharing in common goals.
Rebbetzin Chanie Wolowik - Firstly, the
created to support the women of the Five Towns, address needs, and provide programming that would be helpful and uplifting. I find it so inspiring to have so many rebbetzins working together as a team to be available to the broader Five Towns community.
Rachel Pill, LCSW - WLC is something I am
proud and honored to be a part of. This group is comprised of many rebbetzins and female leaders in the Far Rockaway and Five towns community. We have come together to educate and unite the community. These past two years have been so very hard on everyone in different ways. JWLC recognized the need and opportunity to develop positive programs to connect the women of our community, to bring laughter to couples and to bring joy to all our lives. I think JWLC will be part of the community for a long time – helping women in our various roles through education and fun.
Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus - It means
religious women joining together, recognizing their common interests, and coming together to strengthen each other and address community needs.
impressed with the sincere dedication of many of the women leaders in our community – striving to reach out to the overall community with empathy and practical solutions to day-to-day life challenges. The validation alone speaks volumes of some of the struggles that we all experience in our daily lives.
friendships and personal connections I have made with other community members, rebbetzins and leaders. While I may have known them in passing, it is only through the JWLC that I really got to sit down, talk to, and find so much common ground with an incredible group of women. Secondly, because we have created this bond between ourselves, we are able to introduce new initiatives and strengthen Yiddishkeit in all our settings/environments. This has uplifted our entire community and united us in the best of ways. We come from so many viewpoints and hashkafic approaches, yet we have found solidarity and connection in the JWLC.
Rebbetzin Margie Glatt - I think it is great
to have a coalition of women who are united together and can talk about local issues. Harnessing the connections of personalities in local shuls can also bring about collaborative events and an exchange of positive solutions for common challenges.
Rachayle Deutsch - Being involved with
JWLC from the very first meeting, I know what we hoped it would mean – a valuable resource in our area made up of invested women leaders, with a unified ear that listens and a voice that speaks out, identifying needs and creating a safe haven for the women in our midst and beyond to share concerns, create camaraderie, and enable us to be stronger and healthier in challenging times.
Rebbetzin Yael Willig - I think it means
unity across the community. It means all women, regardless of shul affiliation and community, joining together as women who share the same challenges to learn how to be better people.
Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky - JWLC is a
group of women representing the diverse demographics of our community who work together to support the women of our community.
Shoshana Soroka Halpern - Although
many people don’t know about the JWLC (Jewish Women’s Leadership Council), I think the beauty of the group is that there are women involved from every part of the community. Connecting with each other and putting our heads together creates a beautiful synergy that can be used to benefit the community.
What does “juggling with joy” mean to you? Rachel Pill, LCSW - I believe that in 2022 we
are all juggling too much. We are pulled in many directions and have so many responsibilities. Many of those responsibilities are filled with joy, simcha and nachas – but they can still be overwhelming. Juggling with joy is taking the time to figure out our priorities so we can enjoy the balls we choose to juggle.
Rebbetzin Sara Hopkovitz - I keep on
telling myself that eventually my children will grow up, be on their own, and life will get slower. And I constantly tell my husband: One day they will leave us – iy”H, they’ll grow up, mature, and have families and homes of their own. I really try to maintain this perspective and appreciate these hectic times and not get (too) frazzled with the tugging at my skirt, sleepless/disrupted nights, kids bickering, high volume in the house, etc. All I truly care about is that everyone should be healthy – and everything else is manageable.
Rachayle Deutsch - Women juggle.
That’s our strength and our struggle. Juggling with Joy recognizes that while we can appreciate our special skill it is OK to recognize that we don’t have to be offering at peak performance at all times. Having a sense of humor, asking for help, sometimes saying “no,” and shrugging occasionally and being able to say, “Ooops, I guess I dropped that one” without guilt enables up to enjoy and take pride in what we do but not feel the pressure of having to get the act perfect every single time. I’m working on that, too :)
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What does “juggling with joy” mean to you? Rebbetzin Chanie Wolowik - Just the idea that we have the balls in the air is a source of gratitude for me. My life, and those of my peers, are full. Full of challenges and blessings, tests, and gifts. It is the life Hashem designed for me personally, and He gave these balls to me because they are my balls to juggle. So even when one of the balls are so heavy and painful to hold onto, I need to figure out how to live with that ball in a way that doesn’t make me drop all the other balls in my life.
Joy is not happiness. Happiness comes from the word happenstance; something causes it to happen that’s external. And happiness is great! We should all be happy. But happiness can be situational. A family simcha, a raise, a sudden and unexpected gift, an incredible trip. All of these things can make us happy for a while. It is dependent on something happening. But joy, or simcha, comes from the mind. Turn around the words of b’simcha you get machshava. It’s in our head. It’s a cognitive choice we make on how we will view our life. Living our lives in a place of gratitude for all the blessings in our lives, being connected to our personal mission and to Hashem, feeling that we are a part of an extended family and community, and knowing that our personal actions will bring about universal change – all of these help us juggle with joy. True joy is a deliberate choice.
Rebbetzin Margie Glatt - A change of attitude. If we are fortunate to have work, parents, kids/grandkids, shul responsibilities, and other items that we are juggling every day, we should consider ourselves blessed to have busy lives. The alternative could be loneliness and a less fulfilling day. I guess I’ll also see what the noted speakers have to say at the “Juggling with Joy” event and will let you know after the conference. Time management skills can also be useful! Shoshana Soroka Halpern - vEvery wom-
an “juggles.” Whether we are juggling college classes and shidduchim, young children and job responsibilities, elderly parents and married children coming for Shabbos, we all juggle different responsibilities in our lives. “Juggling with joy” to me means being able to be flexible when challenges arise and focusing on the beauty and blessings in our lives and not the burdens.
Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus - Most women I
know are juggling a few different responsibilities, and many also feel somewhat resentful about it. We need to empower women to understand that they have choices. They choose where to put their energy and how to spend time. When we really recognize that we have made choices, it can free us up from a defeatist mentality of the burdens placed upon us and appreciate why we have chosen the things we have in our life. What we love about them. It doesn’t mean you won’t get annoyed, feel stress, or ever resent a spouse or a child, but we also must make space for the joyous moments and the values that we have and live by.
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz - Juggling with joy means having achieved a level of self-acceptance. It doesn’t mean that I love the stress of often managing many tasks and priorities. It means understanding myself and that I have chosen to undertake many things. Sometimes those things cause time crunches, pressure, and stress, but I am committed to them. They are worthwhile and important to me.
I accept that my multiple interests, responsibilities, and projects are things I want to do. I don’t have to do them all. I accept that they require energy, initiative, discipline, organization, and attention to detail to achieve. It’s OK to be driven, and juggling comes along with it.
Mindi Werblowsky, LCSW - Juggling with joy means how to be joyful and hold strong to emunah in the face of what seem to be so many horrible tragedies and difficulties on personal and national levels. Rebbetzin Yael Willig - Everyone is juggling.
We all have so many responsibilities and “jobs,” but we all have to make choices throughout the day, and the key is to be confident with our choices. The nature of a choice is that you choose one over another. Sometimes both “balls” are important ones, and we need to prioritize one at a given moment. When we feel good about the choices we make, we feel an inner peace that brings us joy. I think we will gain a lot from the upcoming JWLC event, “Juggling with Joy,” on how to best prioritize and how to be most efficient so that we can give time and attention to the important people in our lives. I’m looking forward to juggling all my balls with more joy!
Rebbetzin Nava Orlian - We all juggle; we
juggle in every stage of our lives. Each stage brings challenges, and the key is to try to appreciate all that we have so that we can cultivate as much of a positive attitude as we can! It will make us happier and will enhance the lives of those around us.
Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky - Juggling with Joy means knowing that I can’t do it all and knowing that what I am doing aligns with where I can contribute most meaningfully. The Juggling is the choices I make; the Joy comes from the knowledge that I am contributing to the lives of others and being productive. Rebbetzin Nava Orlian
On Sunday, February 13, JWLC will be presenting “Juggling with Joy,” a community-wide program offering proven tips to simplify and balance women’s lives. Come to this exciting and informative event to hear Jackie Bitton, keynote speaker, along with Rorie Weisberg, Dr. Gila Schwerb, Naomi Nachman, and Rachel Pill, LCSW, who will be giving workshops on helping women to juggle the varied obligations in their lives. The event will help you re-invent and re-energize your routines. You’ll hear tips and tricks to balance your life and come out informed and enlightened. And you’ll come out more relaxed, invigorated, and empowered to balance all of life’s obligations. Program starts at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 13 at 140 Central Avenue in Lawrence, NY. For women only. There is no charge, but registration is required. Register at www.guraljcc.org/jwlc/
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In The K
tchen
Salad-Topped Salami Pizza Yields 6 servings
By Naomi Nachman
This is one of my most popular recipes in my
book Perfect Flavors. I am thrilled to share it
with my TJH readers.
Ingredients
PHOT O BY MI RI
created this salami pizza.
AM PA SC AL CO
pizza dough and leftover salami in my fridge, I
HE N
Meat pizzas have become popular, so when I had
Preparation
◦ 1 batch store bought pizza dough
1.
◦ ½ cup barbecue sauce
2. Roll pizza dough into a 12-15-inch circle or rectangle. Transfer to a pizza stone or prepared baking sheet.
◦ ½ cup mayonnaise ◦ 1 (14-16 ounce) salami, sliced ◦ ½ red onion, sliced (reserve the rest for salad, if desired)
Salad ◦ 3 cups arugula ◦ ½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Preheat oven to 450°F. If not using a pizza stone, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a small bowl, mix together barbecue sauce and mayonnaise. Spread about ½ the mixture in a thin layer on the rolled out pizza dough. (Reserve the remainder for the topping.) 4. Top pizza with slices of salami and onion, distributing both evenly. 5. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the edges of the crust are starting to brown. 6. Meanwhile, prepare the salad: Place arugula and cherry tomatoes into a medium bowl. Add remaining red onion, if desired.
◦ 2 tablespoons olive oil
7. Whisk together oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and garlic until combined.
◦ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
8. Just before serving, add desired amount of dressing to bowl; toss to coat.
◦ ½ teaspoon mustard ◦ ½ teaspoon kosher salt ◦ 1 clove garlic, minced
9. Spread salad over hot pizza; drizzle with reserved barbecue sauce mixture. Recipe from Perfect Flavors shared with permission by Artscroll/Mesorah publications
Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”
The behavior of the German government leaves me speechless. The defense ministry apparently hasn’t realized that we are confronted with perfectly equipped Russian forces that can start another invasion of Ukraine at any time. What kind of support will Germany send next? Pillows? - Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko after Germany committed to supplying Ukraine with 5,000 military helmets in the face of a potential Russian invasion
The system continues to fail us. We are not safe anymore, not even the members of the service. I know you were tired of these laws, especially the ones from the new DA. I hope he’s watching you speak through me right now. I’m sure all of our blue family is tired too, but I promise, we promise, that your death won’t be in vain. I love you until the end of time. We’ll take the watch from here. -Dominique Luzuriaga on Friday, eulogizing her husband, NYPD officer Jason Rivera, who was gunned down in the line of duty in Harlem
They’re definitely real. I make too much money to have fake ones. - Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow when asked if the diamonds on his chain are genuine
Stacey Abrams To Resign As Georgia Governor If Selected As Biden SCOTUS Pick - Headline on news satire site Beep.com, referring to Stacey Abrams still not conceding the 2018 Georgia governor race
We were told you get the vaccine – you get the vaccine and you get back to normal. And we haven’t gotten back to normal. And it’s ridiculous at this point. I know that so many of my liberal and progressive friends are with me on this and they do not want to say it out loud because they are scared to be called anti-vaxxed or to be called science denial or to be smeared as a Trumper. - Former New York Times writer Bari Weiss on the Bill Maher Show
I’m sorry, but if you believe the science, you will look at the data that we did not have two years ago, and you will find out that cloth masks do not do anything. You will realize that you can show your vaccine passport at a restaurant and still be asymptomatic in carrying Omicron. And you realize, most importantly, that this will be remembered by the younger generation as a catastrophic moral crime. I’m done. I’m done with COVID. – Ibid.
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Due to expected severe weather, Monday’s weightlifting workout has been cancelled. Find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway. Don’t accept any money – that’s our Monday workout. - Bethel Park High School head football coach Brian DeLallo’s assignment to his football team on Monday
Tonight, Republican senators lined up to shake Kyrsten Sinema’s hand. Democratic senators should have given her the backs of their hands. - Tweet by former Democratic Labor Secretary Robert Reich suggesting that Sen. Sinema (D-AZ) deserved to be physically accosted for not voting to eliminate the filibuster
Oh, yeah, I think it could easily be illegitimate. – President Joe Biden suggesting the 2022 midterm elections could be questioned if Democrats’ voting reforms aren’t enacted
President Biden is correct. This is about our Democracy. This is about an America that really believes in making sure that the people’s voice is heard and reflected in the outcome of the election. - House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to Politico
Democrats Warn That Republicans Plan to Steal Election By Blocking Democrat Efforts to Steal Election - Satirical headline in the Babylon Bee
This is the Bengals’ first Super Bowl appearance since the ‘80s. A lot has changed since then: back then, inflation was high, there was tension with Russia, and our president was in his late 70s. — Jimmy Fallon
Every day Harry and Meghan wake up and think, “How can we make millions more people around the world hate us?” “Oh, I heard Joe Rogan has 50 million unique listeners – let’s write an open letter indicating our inherent self-importance, and demand Spotify begin censoring him” - Tweet by Candace Owens in response to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan calling for Spotify to remove Joe Rogan because he said things about Covid that do not align with the mainstream media’s talking points
If anyone knows about “spreading disinformation,” it’s these two disingenuous clowns & their sycophantic media lickspittle. - Tweet by Piers Morgan about Prince Harry and Meghan
I was very judicious yesterday. Very judicious. You’ll see the photo that I did take. Magic was kind enough, generous enough, to ask me for a photograph and in my left hand’s the mask and I took the photo. - California Gov. Gavin Newsom when asked on Monday about violating his own rules about masking while attending the Rams playoffs game, as is evidenced by the photo of him with Magic Johnson
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This is not one off. This is organized theft. These are organized gangs of people that are — forgive me for saying gangs, I know that’s not a pejorative – they’re organized groups of folks. - Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) quickly apologizing – midsentence – when he referred to thugs that have been looting cargo trains in Los Angeles as gangs
Yep, at 83, Breyer only has two options: either retire or play quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. - Jimmy Fallon
Unfortunately for Breyer, this is the only job in which you wear less robes after you retire. I hope he knows that. — James Corden
I have attended protests and rallies in the past. When I agreed with the goals, when I supported the people expressing their concerns and their issues, Black Lives Matter is an excellent example of that. But I have also chosen to not go anywhere near protests that have expressed hateful rhetoric, violence toward fellow citizens. And a disrespect, not just of science, but of the frontline health workers and quite frankly, the 90% of truckers who have been doing the right thing to keep Canadians safe, to put food on our tables. Canadians know where I stand. This is a moment for responsible leaders to think carefully about where they stand and who they stand with. - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talking about the “freedom convoy” of truckers who drove across Canada and gathered peacefully in the nation’s capital to protest vaccine mandates and Covid-19 measures
Keep calm and visit Ukraine - Slogan for a new campaign by VisitUkraine.Today, an information hub for foreign visitors to the country
I have always believed the sport of football is an “all-in” proposition – if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game. There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life. - From Tom Brady’s retirement statement
I get the feeling some people are using @joerogan’s COVID interview as a pretext to silence his voice because he’s not woke. Zealots of wokeism try to censor voices who don’t agree with theirs, because they fear the absurdity and weakness of their positions will be exposed. – Tweet by former Democrat Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in support of Joe Rogan
You know why? Because if this gets out, the government is betraying the American people .- A Department of Homeland Security contractor caught on video after a plane filled with migrants was flown from the border to Kennedy Airport, explaining why the plane landed and the migrants deplaned in the middle of the night
And, this is crazy, the Super Bowl is being played in Los Angeles at the Rams’ home stadium. That’s right – even NFL players are working from home. — Jimmy Fallon
”
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Political Crossfire
The Fight Ahead in Ukraine: Body Bags and Cyberwar By David Ignatius
R
ussians sometimes speak of the b odies of dead soldiers arriving home from the battlefront a s “Cargo 200,” a European defense expert told me last week in Kyiv. The t erm originated during Russia’s war i n Afghanistan, when corpses were shipped home to Moscow in zinc-lined coffins. The Ukraine war, if it comes, won’t b e short – or cargo-free. There will probably be an initial spasm of intense bombardment. Russian missiles and jets will likely strike targets deep inside Ukraine, and Kyiv will respond by trying to kill as many Russian soldiers near the border as it can, as quickly as p ossible, sending those grim “Cargo 200” shipments back home to break Russia’s spirit. But that will just be the start. Defense officials in Washington and Kyiv foresee a long, bitter battle – probably broken by pro-Russian coup attempts, intermittent cease-fires, and desperate peace plans – that will leave a volcano of violence festering in the middle of Europe. As during the Cold War, the path of eventual victory for the West w ill be unity, patience, and a refusal to compromise on matters of principle. Though analysts talk of a Russian t ank invasion across the flat, frozen terrain in midwinter, the decisive init ial factor, as in most modern wars, w ill probably be air and missile att acks. Ukraine has precision-guided missiles that can strike Russian forces in their staging areas and invasion routes. But Russia has much stronger firepower, and it may be able to pummel Ukraine for weeks from a distance without launching a risky ground invasion all the way to Kyiv. How should the United States and its allies respond to such a brutal battle, if it comes? They’ll support Ukraine in the initial phase of the war with
weapons and technology, and a cordon of NATO troops along Ukraine’s borders to prevent an expansion of the war. But President Joe Biden and other allies have said they won’t commit U.S. troops directly to support a country that isn’t a member of NATO. The world will have Ukraine’s back, perhaps, but not its front lines. Thinking about the horrifying conflict that may lie ahead, it’s important for the United States to focus on winning the long war, whatever the reversals in the initial phase. Above all, that means keeping the NATO alliance together and avoiding tempting early compromises to halt the conflict on Moscow’s terms. Russian President Vladimir Putin is bidding to return the world, not to 1989 when the Cold War effectively ended, but to the postwar 1940s when Moscow imposed what British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called an “iron curtain” to guard its sphere of influence. This might be the world’s first large-scale cyberwar, and, here, the United States and its NATO allies can help, if Ukraine will let them. The Russians are likely to mount cyberattacks and disinformation operations to disorient the Ukrainian government and people; NATO experts have been urg-
ing authorities in Kyiv to prepare by disconnecting any vital services from the Internet and preparing alternate means to communicate with the population. But Ukrainian resilience needs improvement, judging from a visit to Kyiv last week. And, sadly, the stoical but disorganized Ukrainians don’t seem ready to absorb the cyber expertise that the United States and other partners are ready to offer. Unless the West bends, this war will almost certainly end with a defeat for Putin, whose own advisers must doubt the wisdom of the course he has chosen. If polls are any indication, Russians will rebel at the cost of this “war of choice,” begun by a leader who became mesmerized by his dream of a forced remarriage with Ukraine and a re-creation at gunpoint of the essential components of the old Soviet Union. Polls conducted last year by the Levada Center, an independent polling group in Moscow, show the fragility of Putin’s domestic base. In a May 2021 poll, 43% of Russians opposed the Putin-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, the same percentage as those supporting them. Young Russians, below the age of 40, were much more likely to oppose Putin’s pet cause.
When asked what a Ukraine war would mean for Putin’s popularity, nearly twice as many Russians thought it would cause dissatisfaction as those who believed it would augment his authority. Here again, younger Russians were much more likely to see trouble ahead for Putin. Young Russians are connected to the modern world, through cellphones, social media, and easy travel to the West. That’s why the Biden administration’s threat to impose severe economic sanctions is so potent: Russia doesn’t make computer chips; it lacks a technology base; its financial system depends on Western banks; its oligarchs luxuriate abroad in London or the French Riviera. Putin might cope with the economic costs of isolation, but not the political and social ones. If Russia became a pariah, Putin would risk losing his legitimacy. Given the potential costs of this conflict, why has Putin risked war to pull Ukraine back within Moscow’s control? One answer may lie in his conviction, expressed in a long manifesto last summer, that Ukrainians and Russians are one indissoluble people. If that’s true, then Ukraine’s increasingly European, democratic identity spells doom for the autocratic Russia Putin has created. A free Ukraine will pull Russia westward if it isn’t brought to heel. “There is a threat of real war here in the middle of Europe,” Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister Emine Dzheppar told me last week in Kyiv. “We are the country to fight back.” Ukraine may pay a terrible price initially for this resistance, but if the West stays united in opposing Putin, he’ll lose his bid for regional dominance, just as his Soviet predecessors lost the Cold War. (c) 2021, Washington Post Writers Group
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Political Crossfire
Biden is Powerless to Change the Direction of the Supreme Court By Marc A. Thiessen
P
ity poor Justice Stephen Breyer. After nearly 28 years of faithful service on the Supreme Court, he has essentially been hounded off the bench by the left – not even given the simple courtesy of announcing his own departure first. Last summer, Breyer told CNN he had not decided when he would retire and was enjoying his role as the senior liberal justice – a position he had just inherited with the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. But left-wing activists launched an unprecedented public campaign to force his retirement, taking out ads in the New York Times and parking a truck in front of the Supreme Court with a sign that read “Breyer, Retire.” They were even more enraged this spring, when Breyer delivered a speech in which he spoke out against court-packing. But in the end, what likely forced Breyer’s hand was President Joe Biden’s weakness. Biden’s approval is in free fall, and the odds are high that Republicans will take control of the Senate in November. As Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told my Post colleague Hugh Hewitt, a Republican-controlled Senate likely would not hold a confirmation vote on a Biden Supreme Court nominee until after the 2024 presidential election. So, if Breyer wanted Biden to choose his successor, the time to announce his retirement would be now. But while Biden now gets to pick a justice, he is powerless to change the court’s ideological makeup. President Donald Trump secured a decisive 6-to-3 conservative majority that will transform the court’s jurisprudence for a generation. All
Biden gets to do is replace one liberal with another. For Democrats consumed with identity politics, the silver lining is Biden’s pledge to appoint a Black woman to replace Breyer. Biden has dispensed with the standard of nominating the best-qualified person and effectively embraced affirmative action. As George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley has pointed out, in so doing, Biden has set race and gender conditions for his appointment that the Supreme Court has declared are strictly unconstitutional for admission to public colleges. Ironically, Biden’s appointee will likely hear a case next term deciding whether race-based admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina are lawful. Of course, even before Biden makes his pick, we already know how she will decide in that case. That’s because Democrats have been virtually flawless over the past three decades in appointing reliable liberals to the court. Until Trump came
along, Republicans, more often than not, appointed justices who crossed over and voted with the liberal bloc on critical decisions. But there are no Democratic David Souters, Sandra Day O’Connors, Anthony Kennedys, or John Robertses who defect and join the court’s conservatives in controversial cases. The truth is, while every Supreme Court appointment is consequential, this will be the least consequential appointment in decades. So, Republicans should be gracious in victory and let Democrats have their day. Already, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is warning that if Biden “chooses to nominate a left wing activist who will bless his campaign against parents, his abuse of the FBI, his refusal to enforce our immigration laws, and his lawless vaccine mandates, expect a major battle in the Senate.” Here’s a better idea: Unless Biden appoints someone obviously unqualified, don’t pick a losing fight. After all, the confirmation of Biden’s nomi-
nee is virtually assured. Sens. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., have supported all of Biden’s judicial nominees, and it is difficult to imagine that they will treat this one differently. Republicans should treat her graciously and present Americans with a stark contrast to the shameful way Democrats treated Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. Indeed, it is possible that if Biden’s nominee is qualified, some Republicans will vote for her. It used to be that voting to confirm a justice was not considered an endorsement of that nominee’s philosophy or beliefs, but a vote on whether the person has the temperament, character, and intellect to serve on the high court. Although the days when Breyer was confirmed 87 to 9 are long gone, Biden’s nominee could win bipartisan support. When he appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson (rumored to be on Biden’s Supreme Court shortlist) to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, three Republicans – Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) – voted to confirm her. Democrats are hoping a Supreme Court fight will galvanize their dispirited base. They currently have a double-digit enthusiasm gap going into the 2022 midterms. The GOP base is already energized – so there is no need to give Democrats the fight they are looking for. The best thing Republicans can do is make this confirmation a nonevent. Because, in many ways, that’s exactly what it is. (c) 2021, Washington Post Writers Group
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
State certified teachers Sensory integration Individualized core curriculum 4:1 student to teacher ratio Academic growth and success Integration in local schools
DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE @ CAHAL YOUR CHILD, YOUR CHOICE, THE CHANCE TO ACHIEVE Registration now open for Pre-1A classes September 2022 FOR APPLICATIONS and more information: (516) 295-3666 SHIRA@CAHAL.ORG www.cahal.org
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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Forgotten Her es
Pilots in the Early Years of Israel’s Existence By Avi Heiligman
One of the Avia 199 fighter planes flown by Squadron 101
I
n the years leading up to formation of Israel as a country, several units were formed to train Jews for the upcoming war with the Arabs. The British, who were in control of the mandate, were not particularly helpful in the training and reluctantly let some Jews from Eretz Yisroel join the British Army during World War II. However, it wasn’t until 1943 that they let them take pilot training and join the RAF. By 1948, only a small handful of pilots born in the Mandate of Palestine were qualified to join the new Israeli Air Force. The newly formed IAF relied heavily upon Machal (volunteers from outside Israel) recruits who hailed from fifteen countries and, together with local pilots, were able to score some impressive victories during the Israeli War of Independence. Zvi Zibel was born in Tel Aviv. He joined the Palmach when he was 18 and was involved in some pre-war operations, including assisting in the arrival of an immigration ship. When it became apparent that a war was going to break out with the Arabs, Zibel was chosen for pilot training. He was one of the few pilots ready to fly when the war began, although his plane was small and primitive. Many of his missions included delivering ammunition, medical supplies, and other necessities by parachute or by landing to outposts that desperately needed supplies.
On June 25, on a mission to Ben Shemen, he landed to drop off ammunition and was met with heavy enemy gunfire. He worked to protect his valuable plane by using a tractor to create a sandbag barrier despite the gunfire. In a battle over Gush Etzion, he was wounded by gunfire but stayed in the fight. After spending a few months in Czechoslovakia, he returned to Israel but was killed when his plane was ambushed by four Egyptian jet fighters. He was awarded the Title of Israel for his actions on June 25, 1948.
air force in Palestine and joined the 5,000 or so Machal members in Israel. For his assignment, Levett was sent to a Czechoslovakian airfield that was used by the Luftwaffe (the Nazi air force) about 20 miles from the German border. The motley array of aircraft included 23 Czech-made Avia S-199 fighter aircraft (in an ironic twist of fate, this plane was a spinoff of the German Messerschmitt Bf-109), some bombers, a few cargo planes and some smaller aircraft. Most of the ground crew was Americans, something which
He knew no Hebrew and little Yiddish, so he started screaming some Jewish words he knew: “Shabbos! Gefilte fish!”
Many of the Machal volunteers, including pilots, were not Jewish. They joined for a variety of reasons, and for Gordon Levett it was to find work as an aviator. Levett was born in London and had spent World War II training pilots and flying transports but was kicked out of the RAF for leaving his base in Burma. After the war, while working for a Jewish company back in England, he heard about the plan to build a new
surprised Levett. It would be his and the other volunteers’ job to fly these aircraft to Israel. Known as Operation Balak, this ferrying enterprise proved vital for the success of the fledgling Israeli Air Force (IAF). Levett later said, “Looking back, I have neither failed nor succeeded, the fate of most of us, but I shall leave the world a better place than when I entered it because I helped found the
State of Israel.” The operation lasted three months with Levett delivering the backbone for the IAF. Some of the other equipment bought in Europe that was airlifted to Israel included: disassembled fighter planes, bombs, firearms and even first aid equipment. In November 1948, Levett joined Squadron 101, a unit which also included future President Ezer Weizman and which shot down 20 enemy aircraft as a unit in eight months. When Levett joined the IAF, his only operational experience had been in heavy cargo planes, and he never told his commanders that he had never flown a fighter in combat before. The transition from flying the 25-ton C-46 cargo plane to the less-than-four-ton Spitfire fighter was difficult. In all, Levett flew more than twenty combat missions and shot down two Egyptian fighters. After the War of Independence, he left the 101 Squadron and commanded the 106 Squadron that was composed of mainly American Machal volunteers. Under Levett, the 106 became a regular unit in the IAF and he attained the rank of Sgan Aluf (Lieutenant Colonel). The first five pilots to be cleared by instructors to fly the S-199 in combat all had previous combat experience: Modi Alon, Ezer Weizman, Lou Lenart, Eddie Cohen and Milton Rubenfeld. Rubenfeld was from Upstate New York and had seen action with the RAF
Zvi Zibel
before the U.S. entered World War II. Later, he joined the U.S. Army’s Air Transport Command to fly missions as a ferry pilot. In the months leading up to the Israeli War of Independence, he was approached by an agent of the Haganah who had heard of his combat record. Rubenfeld agreed to join and went to Czechoslovakia for training. Rubenfeld was in the IAF’s first-ever mission on May 29, 1948, that was successful in turning back an Egyptian military column heading towards Tel
Gordon Levett
Aviv. To keep up the pressure on the enemy, the next day Rubenfeld and Weizman got into the two remaining airworthy fighters and flew towards Tulkarm. Rubenfeld’s fighter was hit, and he landed in the sea. Nearby, moshavniks starting shooting at him, thinking he was an Arab pilot. Jewish residents were not informed of the new air force and assumed all pilots must be Arab. He knew no Hebrew and little Yiddish, so he started screaming some Jewish words he knew: “Shabbos! Ge-
The 2015 The Jewish Jewish Home Home || OCTOBER FEBRUARY29, 3, 2022
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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
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Milton Rubenfeld
filte fish!” It was enough to convince the Israelis that he was Jewish. Soon after, he returned to the U.S. to receive medical care for his injuries. These first two IAF missions gave the rest of the IDF time to organize a better defense strategy. Some of the pilots were paid for their time and enemy planes shot down, but the vast majority were there to help the fledgling Jewish country survive. These early pilots had to fight against Arab air supremacy and
parked their planes among orange trees to evade detection. As the war progressed, the IAF obtained more and better aircraft, which led to more of a balance in air superiority.
Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.
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Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003
SERVICES
SERVICES
SERVICES
SERVICES
PEACEFUL PRESENCE STUDIO Men's private yoga, Licensed Massage & Holistic Health Guidance 436 Central Ave, Cedarhurst Info. & free video training www.peacefulpresence.com 516-371-3715
VACUUM SALES AND REPAIR All areas call Max Flam 718-444-4904
ELECTRICIAN- I'm back in the 5T area! "NY Lighting" w/ 30 years experience in exclusively residential is available for light electrical work: Indoor/outdoor lighting, ceiling fans, switches, outlets, repairs & maintenance, CB/GFCI/ AFCI, etc... Call Robbie Schwartz (718) 327-9320
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Alternative Solutions Geriatric Care Management staff will assist you with: * Obtaining Medicaid and Pooled Income Trust * In-home Assessments, Individual and Family Counseling * Securing reliable home care assistance * Case and Care Management services Dr. S. Sasson, DSW, LCSW (718) 544- 0870 or (646) 284-6242 SHALOM HANDYMAN Plumbing, heating, boiler, installation, sewer, locks, dryer vent cleaning and more… CALL 917-217-3676
HANDYMAN AVAILABLE For big or small jobs, Sheetrock, carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing, install & repair appliances Call Ephraim at 347-593-4691 MOONBOUNCE FOR RENT $100/day. Holds up to 500lbs. Perfect fun for ages 3-8 Call or text 516-220-0616 to reserve your date
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WOODMERE
Expanded Cape w. 4 bdrms, 2 baths, on quiet ABC block, renovated kitchen and baths. Chana (516) 449-9692 $840K
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Don’t Get Stuck With a Two Story House Ya Know, It’s One Story Before You Buy It But a Second Story After You Own It! Call Dov Herman For An Accurate Unbiased Home Inspection Infrared - Termite Inspection Full Report All Included NYC 718-INSPECT Long Island 516-INSPECT www.nyinspect.com
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New construction colonial home coming soon POR Call Avigail 516-316-3452
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New to Market! 12 year old colonial on quiet street in Woodmere Park. 6 bedrooms, 3.6 baths. $2.150M
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4 bedroom, 4.5 bath brick colonial on 1-ofa-kind 200 foot deep lot in Cedarhurst. $1.999M
FAR ROCKAWAY
Newly renovated 3 bdrm, 1 bth duplex. Call Ludwing (516) 757-4570 $3,100/m
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Renovated 6 bdrm, 4 bth duplex w nice yard & private driveway. Call Malka 516-967-1967 $1,075M
1 bedroom apartment in the heart of Cedarhurst. Bryna (516)322-4831 $1,895/m
The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003
HOUSES FOR SALE
HOUSES FOR SALE
HOUSES FOR SALE
HOUSES FOR SALE
WOODMERE PRIME LOCATION! 5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, LR, DR, EIK, pool, stucco siding Patino, Fenced yard. 2 car Garage, big driveway, must see! Call now All Going Realty at 516-206-2005 Hurry won't last!
HEWLETT: Home in SD#14, 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, finished basement with separate rooms. Detached garage and park-like private backyard. Upgraded CAC, hardwood floors, hi-hats all around, ceiling fans in all the bedrooms, security system, inground sprinklers, new washer/ dryer, many closets, PV solar electric panels, and smart home features. 200 amp service, auto surround sound system. Kitchen with granite countertops and custom-built wood cabinets, top-line appliances. First-floor bedroom has adjacent full bathroom. Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom with radiant heat. Close to schools, shopping, and transportation.$799k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
LAWRENCE: Resort style Colonial. 8 bedrooms, 2 story grand entrance, extremely large dining room, family room. Expansive chefs kitchen, rotunda breakfast, top appliances 3 sinks 3 ovens 2 dishwashers, lime stone floors and granite countertops. First floor with 10 foot ceilings with 3 more guest bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, den, billiard room and laundry room. Radiant heat. Master suite with 2 terraces, large walk in closets and master bath. Additional 4 bedrooms walk-in closets and bathrooms in each. Call for a private showing. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
WOODMERE: Beautiful, brick, colonial boasting 5 bdr 3.5 Bth in pristine condition. Excellent location, near all! Move right in! RCUSA 516-512-9626
LAWRENCE New to the market. Move Right In!!! 1st Floor apartment, elevator and doorman building, underground parking, in-ground pool. 2 Full bathrooms, CAC, terrace facing courtyard, laundry room, storage. Close to railroad, shopping & houses of worship.$399k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com CAN’T AFFORD YOUR PROPERTY TAXES? MORTGAGE? Must sell for any reason? Call for FREE Consultation. Call now 212-470-3856 Cash buyers available!
WOODMERE BRIGHT AND SUNNY 3 BEDROOM 3 BATHROOM TOWNHOUSE Central air conditioning, hardwood floors, skylights, eat in kitchen , formal living room and dining room, finished basement , enjoy the community pool and tennis court, close to the railroad, shopping, and the houses of worship $719k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
APT FOR RENT
APT FOR RENT
FAR ROCKAWAY:
HEWLETT
New. Just painted, floors polished,
two 3 bedroom 2 bath co-ops with
COMMERCIAL RE
COMMERCIAL RE
STORE FOR RENT BORO PARK 4406-16 ave. Bet 44 and 45 st. 700 square feet. Ideal for Jewelery store. 2300 dollars monthly rent. Call 917 833-3838
EAST ROCKAWAY: Retail Stores on Busy Corner, 1000SF& Up Available, Great High Visibility Location, For Lease… Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment
central air conditioning, terrace,
in Darchei area, HUGE Master
washer/dryer, hardwood floors,
bedroom with own bathroom,
recessed lighting, magnificent
APT FOR RENT
kitchen with double sink, hookup
INVESTORS WELCOME GREAT DEAL IN WOODMERE, amazing location, double lot, low taxes ,SD 14 Asking $599, won’t last 25 CONKLIN AVE, WOODMERE Call Alexandra at Realty Connect 1-516-784-0856 LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! 500-7000 Square feet gorgeous office space with WATERVIEW in Inwood! Lots of options. Tons of parking. Will divide and customize space for your needs! Call 516-567-0100 SF MEDICAL OFFICE SPACE Available, Reception Area, Waiting Room, Kitchenette, 2 Consult, 4 Exam Rooms, 2 Bathrooms, 30 Car On-Site Parking, For Lease …Call Ian 516-295-3000 www.pugatch.com
FAR ROCKAWAY: House For Rent. On Beach 12th. 3 1/2 bedrooms.Just renovated, Central HVAC,LR/Dr, Finished basement..Call Raphael 917-822-1726 $3300/m
dining room with high ceiling,
kitchens, ss appliances, l/r, d/r, close to the railroad, shopping,
for washer/dryer, yard
and houses of worship.
2200/month
Mark Lipner Associate Broker
Call 917-620-0917
Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457
WOODMERE
mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
just listed Stunning 2 Bedroom 2 bathroom apartment in
CEDARHURST: 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, totally renovated NO FEE private entrance , central air conditioning, hardwood floors, washer/dryer, garage parking,dishwasher, recessed lighting, private playground, close to railroad, park, shopping and houses of worship. Call for more details Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
HEWLETT
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DryerMove Right In.
floors, storage in basement.
$3,500 monthly
Close to RR, shopping, and houses
Mark Lipner Associate Broker
of worship.
Berkshire Hathaway
Mark Lipner Associate Broker
Laffey International
Berkshire Hathaway Laffey
516-298-8457
International 516-298-8457
mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
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516.374.4100 www.ftmr.com COMMERCIAL • LEASING • SALES
* Some of these time may vary for leining days, hodu/ brachos, and Rosh Chodesh. We have always shown the earliest time.
Weekday Shacharis Minyan Times 5:45 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:05 6:05 6:10 6:10 6:15 6:15 6:20 6:20 6:25 6:25 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:35 6:50 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00
Young Israel of Woodmere The White shul Young Israel of Woodmere Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv Congregation Shaaray Tefila Bais Medrash of Cedarhurst Congregation Shaaray Tefilah Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid Congregation Aish Kodesh Young Israel of Far Rockaway Irving Place Minyan (IPM) Anshei Chesed Kehilas Yagdil Torah Chabad of Five Towns Beth Sholom The White shul Young Israel of Woodmere Young Israel of L-C Chofetz Chaim Torah Center Yeshiva Ateres Shimon Agudath Israel of LI Agudath Israel of LI The White shul Bais Medrash of Cedarhurst Congregation Aish Kodesh Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv Young Israel of Hewlett The Red Shul Young Israel of Woodmere Beit Ephraim Yitzchok Young Israel of L-C
7:00 7:00 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:45 7:45 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:45 9:00 9:00 9:00 9:00 9:15 9:30
Congregation Shaaray Tefila Agudath Israel of the FT The White shul Irving Place Minyan Beth Sholom Agudath Israel of LI Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid Young Israel of Woodmere Chabad of Five Towns Yeshiva Ateres Shimon Congregation Shaaray Tefila Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv The White shul Agudath Israel of LI Yeshiva Aish Kodesh Young Israel of Woodmere Beit Ephraim Yitzchok Bais Medrash of Cedarhurst Young Israel of L-C Beth Sholom The White shul The Red Shul Yeshiva Ateres Shimon Young Israel of Woodmere Bais Ment The White shul Bais Medrash of Cedarhurst Young Israel of L-C Young Israel of Woodmere The Red Shul The White shul
Jordan Goldschmidt VP of Mortgage Lending, Guaranteed Rate (516) 998-6201 | (212) 318-9432 Jordan.Goldschmidt@rate.com
NMLS 2012660 Licensed by The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. nlmsconsumeraccess.org 1400 Old Country Rd Suite 206N, Westbury, NY 11590, (212) 318-9432, Guaranteed Rate, Inc. NMLS 2611 3940 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60613 (866) 934-7283 • rate.com Equal Housing Lender www.rate.com/privacy
YOU’VE BEEN ANSWERED...
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The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 3, 2022
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Gesher (located in Cedarhurst) is looking for a part-time Rebbe beginning in January for First Grade boys. · Approximately a half-hour a day, Monday through Friday · Small group lessons · The goal of the Rebbe is to provide faster paced exposure to higher level kriah and chumash skills · Curriculum support provided · One-on-one private pay tutoring opportunities may also be available Please email your resume to jobs@gesher-ecc.org or contact (516) 730-7377 to set up an interview.
GREAT JOB OPPORTUNITY! Special Care for families and children services is seeking energetic, exciting, and creative females to work at home and in the community:
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS CAHAL is seeking a secular studies MATERNITY SUBSTITUTE for February for a small boys 6th grade class and a PERMANENT AFTERNOON SUBSTITUTE. Email resume to shira@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666.
HEBREW ACADEMY OF LONG BEACH, Woodmere, NY is seeking a part time Kriah teacher 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Will train. Resumes to bkresch@halb.org
Female staff in Woodmere Need staff to work with a 12-yearold girl with an intellectual and developmental disability, during the week afterschool hours, Sunday and shabbos during the day
ASSISTANT TEACHERS CAHAL is seeking PM Assistant Teachers for young classes in 5-Towns and Far Rockaway. E-mail resume to Shira@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666.
Woodmere: 12-year-old girl with an intellectual and developmental disability, weekdays after school, Sunday, and Shabbos day
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT A multi-tasker needed for general office work. The ideal candidate is someone who is detail-oriented, responsible, and can take ownership. Looking for someone who is eager to learn, and expand his/her skill set while possessing the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Experience with Excel required. Five Towns location. In-office position only, not remote. Please send resume to 5tpart.timecareer@gmail.com
ASSISTANT REBBEIM and TEACHERS CAHAL, the community Special Ed program in Five Towns and Far Rockaway yeshivas has immediate openings available for: AM ASSISTANT REBBES for a 4th-5th grade class and a 6th grade class PM ASSISTANT TEACHERS for a 2nd-3rd grade class and a 6th grade class We have small classes and flexible hours. Email resume to shira@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666.
Queens: Sunday afternoons and/ or weekday evenings for a highfunctioning adult male 718-252-3365 ext:102 or renay@specialcarefor.com Queens: Male Sunday afternoons and/or weekday evenings for man with disability Flushing 718-2523365 ext:102 or renay@specialcarefor.com Pessy Lefkowitz: 718-252-3365 Ext 113, Pessyl@specialcarefor.com
Machon Sarah TAG HS seeks to fill immediate opening for a Graphic Design teacher. Monday and Tuesday afternoons, 1:30-4:45. Please email resume-rschiffer@ tagschools.org. SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS CAHAL is seeking afternoon maternity leave substitute secular studies teacher for a small 6th grade boys class and PM secular studies permanent substitute. E-mail resume to Shira@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666.
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WOODMERE
HEWLETT
3BR, 2Bath Co-op, Magnificent 3BR, 3 Bath Bright & Sunny Townhouse Apt on the 1st Fl., CAC, HW Floors, with a Finished Bsmt, Garage, MBR Suite, Formal L/R & D/R, EIK, CAC, Kitchen w/Granite Countertops, Community Pool & Tennis Court. SS Apliances, W/D, Spectacular Moldings, Close To All. $719,000 Built Ins, Close To All. $319,000
Co-Ops:
WOODMERE
Spacious 2BR, 1 Bath CO-OP Elevator Bldg, Renovated Kitchen, Gas Cooking, Granite Countertops, W/D, High Ceilings, Great Closet Space, Close To All $349,000
LAWRENCE
1BR, 2 Full Bath, Elev. Building, Doorman, U/G Parking, IGP CAC, Terrace $379,000
HEWLETT
3BR, 2Bth Co-op, SD #14, 2nd Floor, Gorgeous Kitchen with 2 Sinks, SS Apliances, Quartz Countertops, CAC, Recessed Lighting, W/D, Cobblestone Terrace. $339,000
Cedarhurst Hewlett Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence Woodmere Woodmere Woodmere
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And many more... Call for details!
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HEWLETT
1589 Hewlett Ave, Hewlett 4BR, 3Bath & Finished Bsmt, Smart Home, CAC, IGS, Surround Sound System, Kitchen with Granite & More! $799,000
Homes:
Atlantic Beach Lawrence Lynbrook
4BR • 4BA 8BR • 9BA 3BR • 2BA
$1,695,000 $P.O.R. $699k
Woodmere Woodsburgh Woodmere Inwood
4BR • 3BA 4BR • 4BA 4BR • 3BA 4BR • 3BA
$849k $P.O.R. $P.O.R. $599k
Woodmere
6BR • 6BA
Rental:
$8,500/monthly
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
General administrative support needed for busy Five Towns office. Part-Time, in-office position. Flexible hours. Looking for someone who is detail-oriented, dependable, and dedicated. Proficiency in Excel/ Word a must. Please send inquiry/resume to flexiblestaffpositions21 @gmail.com
BUSINESS MANAGER P/T (mostly) Remote Legacy 613, a dynamic Jewish outreach organization based in the NYC metro area, seeks a Business Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible to oversee the budget. We are looking for a dynamic selfstarter with excellent people and organizational skills. Experience in not-for-profit Jewish organizations is a plus. Excellent part-time opportunity with competitive hourly compensation. Candidate will work with the director in developing budget and fundraising initiatives and generating reports to present to our Board of Directors. Send resumes to info@legacy613.org
Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, Woodmere NY seeks Limudei Kodesh and General Studies substitute teachers for grades 1-8. Resumes to hweiselberg@halb.org
Special Care seeks patient Male or female com/hab worker 5:30-7:30 P.M. for 7-year-old boy with autism in Bayswater, full or partial coverage. 718-252-3365 ext: 102 or renay@specialcarefor.com
5 TOWNS BOYS YESHIVA SEEKING ELEM GEN ED TEACHERS Excellent working environment and pay. Only lic/exp need apply. Email resume to yeshivalooking@gmail.com RECEPTIONIST FOR DOCTORS OFFICE M-Thurs Mon & Thurs till 6pm Wed office till 7pm Duties include: Greeting patients .Entering patient and insurance information into computer. Verifying insurance. Bill office visits Answer phones and make appointments. Experience in Doctors office or other medical settings preferred. Email sspmbill@aol.com
TAILOR WANTED KGH dry-cleaners is seeking a tailor for p/t or f/t work. Monday, Wednesday and Friday preferred, other days available. Call or text 917-435-9753 TAG JH looking for Math Teacher starting end of January email: tackerman@tagschools.org
SPEECH THERAPIST CAHAL is seeking a Speech/ Language Therapist for Special Ed classes in 5-Towns /Far Rock yeshivas. E-mail resume to Shira@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666. SHULAMITH EARLY CHILDHOOD is looking to hire a full time teacher assistant for the current school year. Please email resume to earlychildhood@shulamith.org NEW YESHIVA IN QUEENS SEEKING SECRETARY Must be detail-oriented, have great organizational skills, able to multi-task. Experience in school programs a plus.Send resume to: office@yeshivatbneitorah.org or call/text: 347-351-4573
Nursing Home Management Company in Brooklyn Looking to fill the following positions: Administrative Assistant MS office suite proficiency required Administrative Assistant experience required WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED FULL TIME BOOKKEEPER Excellent growth potential Frum environment Excellent salary & benefits Email resume to: resumetfs1@gmail.com Please put position title and FTJH in subject line
MISC
MDS REGIONAL NURSE: 5 Towns area Nursing Home management office seeking a Regional/Corporate level MDS Nurse to work in our office. Must be an RN. Regional experience preferred. 2-3 years MDS experience with good computer skills required. Position is Full Time but Part Time can be considered. Great Shomer Shabbos environment with some remote options as well. Email: officejob2019@gmail.com
Gemach Zichron Yehuda In memory of R’ Yehuda Aryeh Leib ben R’ Yisroel Dov We have a library of books on the subjects of loss, aveilus, grief, & kaddish. We have sets of ArtScroll Mishnayos to assist with finishing Shisha Sidrei Mishna for Shloshim or yahrtzeit. Locations in Brooklyn, Far Rockaway, & Lakewood. Email: zichronyehuda@yahoo.com
Exciting Opportunity. The Ganger Early Childhood Division of TAG seeks half and full day head Morah positions for the Sept. 22-23 school year. Please email resume to csender@tagschools.org
COTTON CANDY PARTY MACHINE FOR RENT $100 an event. All Proceeds to tzedakah For more information call or text 917-923-0011
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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Your
Money
The Godfather, the Billionaire, and the IRS By Allan Rolnick, CPA
B
ack in the 1980s, sharp-eyed visitors to New York’s Greenwich Village might have spotted a disheveled man wandering the streets in pajamas, a bathrobe, and slippers. Sometimes he mumbled to himself. Other times, he talked to parking meters. Who was this sad, strange figure, they may have wondered? One of the throngs of homeless people crowding the Big Apple’s streets? Perhaps a kindly grandfather who’d just forgotten to take his meds? Or had he wandered away from a nearby assisted living facility? Jaded New Yorkers knew the man was Vincent “the Chin” Gigante, boss of the Genovese crime family. While his rather pedestrian nickname couldn’t stand up to the likes of “Ice Pick Willie” Anderson or “Baby Shanks” Manocchio, Gigante was the most powerful mobster in America. His bumbling led the press to dub him “the Oddfather” before he wound up in jail for the usual collection of Mafia shenanigans. Before dying, he admitted his insanity was all just an act, staged over decades to avoid prosecution. Now, a Texas billionaire named Bob Brockman may be playing that
same game to wriggle out of tax charges. Will his efforts succeed where the mob boss failed? Or will he wind up dying in prison, like fellow white-collar defendant Bernie Madoff? Brockman’s company makes DocuPad, the flat-screen document-production system that helps car dealers nickel-and-dime you
tle for stacking that kind of paper. But billionaires don’t get that rich by settling. Brockman was already swindling his customers with something they called the “Darth Vader” contract that locked them into his service for decades. But he decided to mess with the IRS, too. He did so by setting up an elaborate series of offshore trusts and an encrypted
His bumbling led the press to dub him “the Oddfather” before he wound up in jail for the usual collection of Mafia shenanigans.
with upsells like undercoating and fabric protector. The company generates an estimated $300 million for Brockman every year. He’s used those riches to buy a $15 million ranch near Aspen, a 290-foot yacht complete with a helipad, and a $25 million gift to Baylor University’s medical school. You and I might be happy to set-
email system with nicknames like “Redfish” (his attorney), the “House” (the IRS), and “Permit” (Brockman himself). We could walk through the series of events that led to Brockman’s 2020 indictment. But in the interest of time, we’ll just say that now Brockman stands accused of failing to report $2 billion of income. To-
day he’s free on a one million dollar bond. How does Brockman plan to defend himself? His attorneys are arguing that, at age 80, he’s suffering from dementia and no longer fit to stand trial. But is it real? Prosecutors have pointed out that while Brockman was being diagnosed, he was also running his company, testifying in depositions, and planning trips with the captain of his yacht. The first four doctors who diagnosed him were all associated with Baylor, which received that $25 million gift. One of them even took the Fifth to avoid testifying at Brockman’s competency hearing! We’ll find out shortly if the court finds Brockman competent. In the meantime, it’s worth remembering that you don’t have to cheat to pay less tax, and karma plays for keeps. So call us before you start shopping for that yacht, and we’ll help you find a better way to pay for it!
Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.
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Life C ach
Someone’s Dream Come True! By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS
Y
ou can’t beat a good snowstorm – at least for someone between the ages of 2 and 12. Nothing is more fun for them. Sure, you can take your kids to amusement parks or on family trips, hiking, biking, or skiing. But you never do better than when you give them great, packable snow – right outside their front door. The carrots come out, the old buttons and gummies for the eyes and nose. And they are ready to begin their career as ice sculptors. Of course, if you’ve got a big enough snowfall, and a really good artisan among your crowd, you might even get yourself a second home – and fortunately, one with no heating requirement! A great cost savings right there. Yes, it can be igloo building time, as well. Best of all, if you have the right neighbor or sloped property, you might even have that fun-filled sledding hill right near you! This kind of day is the ultimate enjoyable experience – that is, for your kid! As a parent, this can be a mixed
bag, of course. There are benefits… and drawbacks. The commute to the activity is certainly easier than the typical Sunday trip somewhere. In fact, you usually can’t even unbury the car, even if you wanted to. You don’t have to tolerate the tortuous cries of “are we there yet?” that begin the minute any kid climbs
tainment is definitely right, Heaven sent, not costing a cent! But, but, but, the kids usually want you out there, freezing your nose and toes off right beside them, flake for flake, sled run for sled run! You can’t even get away with standing inside the doorway, sipping a hot chocolate and warming at least one half of your body.
And yes, the price for the entertainment is definitely right, Heaven sent, not costing a cent!
into a car. Which is usually followed by “I’m hungry” and then, of course, “I need to use the bathroom.” All of which, of course, can come in a continuous revolving chorus depending on how many kids you have and how long the car ride lasts. And yes, the price for the enter-
They want you to be a part of the full experience: helping them to roll the head and body of the snowman to more-than-life-size proportions or at least bigger and better than the kid’s next door. Also, they want you right there to lug their sleds immediately back up
to the top of the hill, without a moment’s delay, even being, the recipient of the snowballs they playfully ball up and need a human target to haul at. Woo-hoo! You’ve got your work cut out for you! So tons of snow are great when you’re a kid. Although it’s a cold, wet, hardworking exercise for a parent. But it’s worth it! Certainly, for the smiles on your kids’ faces. And then, of course, for the walk you inevitability take down memory lane for you – of a time when you yourself lived that wonderful, schoolfree, snow day.
Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@ gmail.com.
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FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | The Jewish Home
much
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Keilim Mikveh on Premises | Pre-Shabbos Buffet Every Thursday & Friday! Savings Plaza | 11 Lawrence Lane, Lawrence, NY | (516) 371-6200 | info@kolsavemarket.com | /kolsavemarket Hours: Sunday-Tuesday: 7am-8pm | Wednesday: 7am-10pm | Thursday: 7am-11pm | Friday: 7am-2 hours before Shabbos We reserve the right to limit quan��es. No rain checks. Not responsible for typographical errors.
