July 1, 2021
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38 Amb. David Friedman Honored at Woodmere Plaza
41 Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers Visits Israeli Consulate
51 A New Building for BTU
46 Summer Fun in the Sun PAGE 9
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
Dear Readers,
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part of why our community has taken this tragedy to heart. We know that our sisters and brothers called Surfside their home, and we are still waiting to hear about their fate. We can feel the pain and the angst of their loved ones as we join with them with throbbing hearts. Although we live in an imperfect world in which we don’t always feel complete unity, a tragedy like this certainly brings out how, underneath it all, we love and cherish each one of our fellow Jews. There are no differences when we hear of such news – only similarities and only love for our brothers and sisters. Is it pitiful that it sometimes takes a tragedy to bring us all together? Absolutely. But it only highlights the reality that we are in galus, and we are all poking around in the darkness trying to make sense of a tumultuous world. Now, as we embark on the period of the Three Weeks, we hope that our nation will not suffer any more. We hope that we will be zoche to see Moshiach, who will herald in the news that there won’t be any more suffering and that we can join together and unite, together, in joy and happiness.
here are certainly no words right now as we watch workers painstakingly move concrete and twisted steel in an effort to sift through the debris in the aftermath of Thursday’s tragedy. One can only imagine the horror as the building imploded onto itself. Still, the most powerful moment from this disaster came from a young girl who Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett recounted meeting. Burkett told of seeing the young girl sitting alone in a chair watching the site. When he approached the girl, he asked her why she was sitting by herself. Pointing to the collapsed building, she spoke of her parent who had been living there. As her parents are divorced, she had been staying at her other parent’s home during the disaster. She was sitting at the site, saying Tehillim from her phone, watching and waiting and hoping. I think that we all are, in a way, sitting alone, watching and waiting and hoping. We don’t know what to do, except to pray. We don’t know where to go, except to take a moment and absorb the tragedy. We don’t know to whom to turn, except to direct our questions to the One Above and ask Him for guidance. Each year, around this time, we find ourselves apprehensive about what goes on in the world around us. And perhaps that’s
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Shabbos Zemanim
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
8
COMMUNITY 8
Readers’ Poll Community Happenings
38
NEWS
100
Global
12
National
29
Odd-but-True Stories
34
ISRAEL Israel News
22
My Israel Home
67
JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Wein on the Parsha
58
Leadership by Rav Moshe Weinberger
60
Delving into the Daf
62
PEOPLE The Wandering Jew
64
The Mass Murderer Who Will be Iran’s Next President
68
Anti-Sub Warfare by Avi Heiligman
94
HEALTH & FITNESS Nothing Works Out for Me by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn
76
Get Savvy with Superfoods by Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN
78
Parenting Pearls
80
FOOD & LEISURE The Aussie Gourmet: Meat Pizza
84
LIFESTYLES
82
Dear Editor, Every time you feature another article about the IDF, my hearts swells with pride. Our nation is filled with so many brave, daring individuals who are willing to give their lives for their brothers and sisters. They are determined to protect our Land at all costs. Mi k’amcha Yisroel! How fortunate are we that we are part of this nation! Rabbi Fenton made me more amazed because he wasn’t just someone who joined the army and led an undercover, secret unit. After taking leave of the IDF, he is still on the frontlines, so to speak, defending our nation and our land, albeit on the internet, showing other nations that the Jewish nation is one to admire and respect. I wish Rabbi Fenton much hatzlacha. He is doing G-d’s work. Sincerely, Abie Samet Dear Editor, Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin writes that the names of the parshiot speak to the heart of the parsha’s message just as names do. Therefore, there is significance in the names of parshiot and in names in general. What’s the message in the name of Pinchas? Pinchas has a name that challenged his mission, but he overcame it. If you split up his name into two
words, it spells “pen chas,” – “maybe he will have mercy.” Pinchas is challenged to leave his lineage’s culture of altruism through words. He brings a new idea to the world: peace through military engagement and dichotomizes the ways in how peace can be achieved. Steven Genack To the Editor: The spirited races that we have witnessed for Mayor, Comptroller, and other offices are evidence that democracy thrives, despite efforts by the radical left to shut down opinions that it finds “unwoke.” Of course, our community leaders seek influence among candidates (as do the leaders of other communities). However, when their endorsements overlook major moral and policy flaws among the candidates, I am obliged to protest. Such is the case with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who sought to become the Democratic Party’s choice for Comptroller (preliminary results show him losing). Around Election Day, I received a disquieting email that urged the Jewish community to vote for Johnson. The message stated: “Most rabbanim, askanim and community leaders agree that the best choice for Comptroller of New York is Corey Johnson.” Let us take a closer look Continued on page 10
Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW 72 JWOW! 82 Your Money
You Can Light Up Your Life by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
100 102
HUMOR Centerfold 56 POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes
86
Democrats Need to Show They Can Be Trusted with Power by Fareed Zakaria 90 Republicans Will Filibuster Partisan Legislation by Marc A. Thiessen
92
Attacking “Merit” in the Name of “Equity” by George F. Will
93
CLASSIFIEDS
96
What condiment do you prefer on your hot dog?
41
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
Continued from page 8
S H a lO m Ta S k FO r C e
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No oNe Deserves To Be ABuseD
at Corey Johnson, the man and the politician. Regarding his personal life, I don’t begrudge Johnson his private moral choice. I do, however, find it untenable for Orthodox organizations to support a man who, if elected, would further legitimize a lifestyle that we believe undermines the moorings of society. Politically, Johnson was at the forefront of the movement to cut one billion dollars from the police budget last summer. As the city burned, Johnson went out of his way to prevent police from protecting us, by undermining fiscal support for New York’s finest. Do we so quickly forget the unbridled looting and burning that we witnessed? Finally, in 2019, Councilman Kalman Yeger tweeted a truism: “Palestine does not exist.” Johnson summarily booted Yeger from the city’s immigration committee, despite the fact that Yeger’s tweet was objectively true: there has never been an independent state called “Palestine.’’ In light of the above, I am appalled that some of our leaders bowed their knees before Corey Johnson. We deserve better. Avi Goldstein Far Rockaway, NY
Dear Editor, This is a message to all who would like to use the Far Rockaway boardwalk on Shabbos. I have seen many people from week to week, with carriages, and water bottles, etc. who are not educated/aware of the situation on the boardwalk. So consider this a Community Public Announcement: THERE IS NO ERUV ON THE BOARDWALK IN FAR ROCKAWAY! The eruv goes all around Far Rockaway and extends to Seagirt Avenue to Beach 2nd through Beach 9th Streets. It goes along Seagirt Boulevard, and into the Beach 9th Street park on the corner of Beach 9th Street and Seagirt Boulevard. However, once you exit the park and go up onto the boardwalk, there is NO ERUV THERE! Please read this and tell anyone you know, to whom it concerns, so that they will not be making the mistake of carrying, or taking a carriage onto the boardwalk. If there are any rabbanim you can contact, please tell the rabbis of your shuls as well to make an announcement to the above so that no one will mistakenly go there and be michshal. May we all have a healthy, safe and happy summer. Berel Elin Far Rockaway, NY
Make your voice heard! Be part of TJH’s weekly poll. Email the editor to be included in the weekly poll at Editor@FiveTownsJewishHome.com
Views expressed on the Letters to the Editor page do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jewish Home. Please send all correspondence to: editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
s n o i t a l u t a r g n o C
TO THE FAR ROCKAWAY & BAYSWATER COMMUNITY ON OUR
RECORD BREAKING TURNOUT IN A NYC PRIMARY Thank you to all who put in the hishtadlus and voted for our future! THANK YOU TO THE MANY CAPTAINS AND VOLUNTEERS WHOSE LEADERSHIP MADE THIS ALL POSSIBLE: Elkanah Adelman Richard Altabe Binyomin Aronowicz Yossi Bauman Yaakov Berger Ephraim Bernstein Avrumi Biegacz Menachem Bornstein Raphael Cohen Chaim Dahan Yoni Dembitzer Ari Dicker Ruchie Dunn
Rachel English Nachum Feintuch Meilech Feldberger Temima Feldman Adina Fischlewitz Shaima Goldberg Chanie Goldberger Avrumi Gutfreund Robert Hagler Meir Heineman Yossi Itzkowitz Tamar Jacobowitz Aharon Kaplan
Yoni Karp Ellie Katz Chaim Kaufman Ari Klainberg Avki Klein Naftali Landau Dovi Langer Ora Dina Lazar Shmuel Lesser Rivka/Charlotte Levy Rivka Lock Yaakov Lopiansky Yoeli Mendelowitz
Rafi Metz Shimshon Molinsky Dovid Munk Pesach Osina Chananiah Pelman Chaim Rapfogel Shaina Rivka Rosenberg Baruch Rothman Moshe Rutner Barry Salamon Avi Satt Machli Schattner Chaim Boruch Schneider
Elie Schwab Sori Schwartz Eli Shapiro Chaya Shapiro Aryeh Smith Naftali Solomon Shmuel Ungar Deena Weinstein Michael Wittow Tzipporah Wittow Arielle Wolfson Dovi Zauderer
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The Week In News
The Good Life in Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark, recently topped Monocle’s list of the world’s best cities for quality of life. It is the fourth time Copenhagen has won the honor since 2007, when the survey began. Closely behind Copenhagen were Zurich, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Tokyo. “Copenhagen is one of those cit-
ies where there is a real ambition to deliver a better quality of life for everyone,” said Monocle’s editor-in-chief, Andrew Tuck. “The ambitions around creating a cleaner environment are best in class and the city is reaping the rewards of years of urban investment.” The report said it aimed to highlight cities which have used the pandemic “to build back better; defend their economies, cultural scenes and high streets; and to press ahead with projects to ensure that transport works and parks are tended but also that a sense of civic pride is promoted.” This year’s report also placed greater emphasis on good housing policies, programs supporting entrepreneurs, and civic leadership. “It was not exactly easy to do this year but we tried our best,” Monocle’s Editorial Director Tyler Brûlé said. Copenhagen is home to 794,000 people. It is known for its canals, its charming and distinctive architecture, Tivoli Gardens, and being the home of Hans C. Andersen. Bicycles and beer breweries dot the city’s landscape.
Journalist Finds Missing Toddler
A journalist sent to cover the story of a missing toddler in Italy has been credited with finding the lost child. The toddler, 21-month-old Nicola Tanturli, wandered away from his Tuscany home near Palazzuolo sul Senio on Monday night. He had been missing for two nights when journalist Giuseppe Di Tommaso, covering the story for the RAI state television station, heard noises coming from the bottom of a ravine. According to Di Tommaso, he was walking up the dirt road towards the family’s home when he heard a voice say “mamma.” “I started to repeat the word
‘mamma,’ because children of that age repeat words,” he told RAI, before descending into the bush-covered ravine when he realized it could be the missing child. Di Tommaso said he saw the boy on the other side of the ravine, in an area covered in bush, and called over two police officers. The ravine was about a mile away from his home. Police commander Danilo Ciccarelli said he was expecting to see a small dear in the ravine, but “instead, Nicola popped out, with his little head among the high grass. He said, ‘mamma,’ and I went toward him. He hugged me right away. “It was a tremendous joy to bring him back to his mother’s arms,” he recounted. Tanturli had only a few scratches and a small bump on his head when he was found. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and was discharged a few days later.
Govt to Collapse in Afghanistan? A new U.S. intelligence assessment estimates that the Afghani-
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The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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stan government may fall within six months of the U.S. military leaving the country, The Washington Post reported, quoting U.S. officials familiar with the issue.
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The assessment, which was distributed among U.S. officials within the past week, emphasized that the Taliban is continuing to gain strength, while Afghan military units around the country are being defeated or are surrendering. According to one U.S. official, various criteria are trending in the wrong direction, leading the intelligence community to believe that the Afghanistan government may fall earlier than expected, with the official and two others estimating that it may take between six to twelve months for the collapse. Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby on Thursday said that the withdrawal of U.S. troops will continue “on pace.” Kirby declined to comment on the intelligence assessment, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, but acknowledged that security in some areas of Afghanistan “is certainly deteriorating, and that’s of concern,” the Post noted. “It remains to be seen exactly how this is going to play out,” he added. “It’s their responsibility to protect their citizens and their sovereignty, and that’s what our ongoing, enduring support for them is going to be geared to helping them do.”
Taiwan FM Warns about Military Conflict
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Taiwan would be wise to prepare for military conflict with China, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu
said in a recent interview with CNN. The warning comes a week after Taiwan reported the largest daily incursion by Chinese military planes into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The incursion included 28 planes, including fighter jets and bombers. Though it did not violate Taiwanese sovereign airspace or international law, the incursion was seen as a show of strength by China’s People Liberation Army. In the Wednesday interview, Wu said, “As Taiwan decision-makers, we cannot take any chances; we have to be prepared. When the Chinese government is saying they would not renounce the use of force, and they conduct military exercises around Taiwan, we would rather believe that it is real.” Wu added, “Authoritarianism cannot tolerate truth. If they continue to say that they want to pursue me for the rest of my life, I’m not really concerned about that.” He emphasized that Taiwan cannot accept unification with China, explaining, “If you look at the situation in Hong Kong, it is a modern tragedy. “The Apple Daily in Hong Kong is a symbol of independent journalism, and the Chinese government’s motivation is to knock down that symbol. It is very sad for me to see what’s happening.” He noted, “Taiwan is already a democracy. When an overwhelming majority of people here in Taiwan is saying no to one thing, no political leader is going to entertain that idea. The status quo would include Taiwan not run or ruled by the People’s Republic of China.” Though Taiwan is willing to work towards peace with China, the effort must be mutual, Wu said. “I think it is a joint responsibility between Taiwan and China to have a peaceful and civil relation between the two sides, and also for a dialogue to take place,” he told CNN. “People here in Taiwan want peace, and that is what the government of Taiwan wants as well. And other than peace, we also want dialogue between Taiwan and China. But of course, it takes two to tango.” Meanwhile, he said, China “uses cognitive warfare, disinformation campaigns and military intimidation to create a lot of anxiety among the Taiwanese people.” Wu added that Taiwan is reforming and evolving its military capacities and that Taiwan should “engage
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The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
in asymmetric warfare, so that China understands that there is a certain cost that it has to pay if they want to initiate a war against Taiwan.” For its part, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has called the accusations “imaginary” and insisted the island “stop playing political games.”
Prison for Former S. African President
Former President Jacob Zuma of South Africa was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to 15 months in prison by the country’s highest court in the land. The decision was a landmark move in the country’s long-running corruption saga. The sentence stems from Zuma’s refusal to appear at an anti-corruption commission to answer questions
about his alleged involvement in corruption during his time as president. Zuma has repeatedly denied the allegations. Judge Sisi Khampepe said that Zuma attempted to corrode the legitimacy of the Constitutional Court by conducting a “politically motivated smear campaign” against it, the commission and the judiciary. “No person is above the law ... whatever his rank or condition,” she asserted. “An act of defiance in respect of a direct judicial order has the potential to precipitate a constitutional crisis. “If with impunity litigants are allowed to decide which orders they wish to obey, and which they wish to ignore, then our Constitution is not worth the paper on which it is written.” Zuma served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018.
Classifieds Docs at a Bus Stop Classifieds documents were found at a bus stop in Kent last week, said the BBC. Britain’s Ministry of Defense an-
nounced that 50 pages in all were found “in a soggy heap behind a bus stop in Kent early on Tuesday morning” by a member of the public, who wanted to remain anonymous. The docs contained details about a British warship and Russia’s potential reaction to its passage through the Black Sea.
“The department takes the security of information extremely seriously and an investigation has been launched. The employee concerned reported the loss at the time. It would be inappropriate to comment further,” a spokesperson for the Ministry said. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova mocked the British government on social media channel Telegram, saying: “London has used a number of lies to cover up the latest provocation. 007 (James Bond) is no longer the same. “And now a riddle-like question
for the British parliament, why do we need ‘Russian hackers’ if there are British bus stops?” Britain’s main opposition Labour Party said the discovery of the documents by a member of the public was “as embarrassing as it is worrying for ministers.” The documents, which included emails and PowerPoint presentations, related to the British warship Defender, which this month sailed through waters off the Crimean peninsula, a region Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
A Return of Nazi-Looted Art
The Netherlands will verify the origin of over 3,000 works of art stolen by the Nazis and hand over any which cannot be traced to the Jewish community, the government said on Friday.
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A total of 3,040 objects from the collection of cultural works returned to the country following World War II will be examined. In a statement, Culture Minister Inge Van Engelshoven said, “We have to keep up our efforts to restitute to the right people the cultural assets which were unintentionally lost or obtained illegally during World War II. We will succeed through systematic research and better communication.” The origin of the works of art has not been properly researched since 2007. The research is expected to begin next year and will seek out new information on both the origins and original owners of each work of art. If no new information comes to light, authorities will work with the Central Jewish Council to decide what to do with the works likely to be given to Jewish museums, institutions, or communities. According to the Education, Culture, and Science Ministry, it is expected that the project will cost $1.8 million over the course of the next four years. Previously, the origins of a work of art were only investigated if a restitution request was filed or if researchers from the restitution center took interest in the piece.
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The United Nations (UN) World Food Program has warned that southern Madagascar is suffering back-to-back droughts that are pushing some 400,000 people towards starvation. According to the World Food Program (WFP), the severe hunger has already caused deaths. WFP’s regional director for southern Africa, Lola Castro, told a news conference on Friday that she witnessed “a very dramatic and desperate situation” while on a recent WFP visit to the country of 26 million, describing hundreds of adults and children as “wasted,” and hun-
dreds of children as merely skin and bones. She claimed that in her 28 years with WFP, she had “never seen anything this bad” other than in Bahr el-Gazal in 1998. On Friday, WFP chief David Beasley tweeted, “400K people marching towards starvation, 14K people in famine-like conditions. This is the situation in southern Madagascar, where climate change is tearing families apart. If we do not act ASAP, the number of people facing starvation will reach 500K in a few short months.”
Bike Botch-Up
A spectator waving a sign at the Tour de France on Saturday caused a domino-effect fall among bicyclists at the beginning of the race. Authorities are launching an investigation into what happened. A woman, standing on the roadside of the Tour’s opening stage, seemed to step into the front of the racing pack as she held a cardboard sign for the cameras. According to the race’s video coverage, the sign hit German rider Tony Martin who was cycling near the head of the pack. Martin fell, which led to the subsequent crash of dozens of riders behind him. Cyclists fell en masse and the crash left bikes and bodies tangled in the road. The fall held the race up for several minutes. Law enforcement officials from the Finistère area in western France have opened an investigation into the cause of “unintentional injuries....by manifestly deliberate violation of an obligation of safety or prudence,” according to a statement on Facebook. The woman left the scene before investigators arrived. Three riders withdrew from the race due to the fiasco, including German rider Jasha Sutterlin who was involved in the crash. His team, DSM, said in a state-
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ment that Sutterlin was “taken to hospital for examinations which revealed no broken bones, but a severe contusion to his right wrist that will require further examinations back at home.”
Filipinos Say Farewell to Former Pres.
Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino was laid to rest on Saturday in a Manila cemetery. Aquino, who served as president between 2010-2016, died last Thursday of kidney failure resulting from diabetes. At the time of his death, which occurred in a Manila hospital, he was 61 years old. His remains were cremated on Thursday. He was then buried alongside his parents, both icons of democracy for the southeast Asian country. As president, Aquino led the Philippines to better governance and robust economic growth, challenging China’s claims of the South China Sea. He is survived by four sisters. In a tribute to Aquino, former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Archbishop Socrates Villegas said that the best tribute would be “to bring back, recover, preserve, safeguard and never again to compromise our dignity as a people and the decency of
our leaders as servants, not bosses.” The country’s current president, Rodrigo Duterte, did not attend the funeral. Filipinos laid yellow flowers on the lawn of the Aquino residence and the Filipino Facebook feed was adorned with yellow ribbons in tribute to the campaign color of the Philippines’ preeminent pro-democracy clan. Aquino was the only son of Benigno Sr. and Corazon Aquino. His father’s assassination was the impetus for the 1986 People Power Revolution that led to the ouster of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies. His mother Corazon succeeded Marcos and became Asia’s first female president that same year.
Airstrikes Against IranBacked Militias
President Joe Biden directed military forces to conduct defensive precision airstrikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region on Sunday evening. “The targets were selected because these facilities are utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq. Specifically, the U.S. strikes targeted operational and weapons storage fa-
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cilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in the release. “As demonstrated by this evening’s strikes, President Biden has been clear that he will act to protect U.S. personnel. Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. interests in Iraq, the President directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks,” Kirby added. At least four Iran-backed militia fighters in Iraq and Syria were killed in the airstrikes. An Iran-backed Shia militia group in Iraq, known as Kataib Hezbollah, said that they will retaliate against the U.S. airstrike. “This crime will not go unpunished, the decision for revenge has been taken, and the American enemy will see death with his own eyes. An eye for an eye and what is coming is severe,” Kataib Hezbollah said in its Telegram page. Returning to the White House on Sunday evening from a weekend at Camp David, Biden did not stop to answer questions about the airstrikes, telling reporters gathered
on the South Lawn, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said that the airstrikes will destabilize security in the region. “Our advice to the new (U.S.) administration is that instead of making crisis and creating problems for the people in the region, take corrective actions and let regional people determine their destiny,” Khatibzadeh said, according to Iran’s semi-official Entekhab.ir news agency. “What America is doing is destabilizing the security in the region,” Khatibzadeh asserted. This is not the first time Biden ordered airstrikes against Iranian proxies. The U.S. military’s first known action under Biden came in February when it struck a site in Syria used by two Iranian-backed militia groups in response to rocket attacks on American forces in the region. Those strikes generated concern among lawmakers, who said Biden had not asked for the necessary congressional authorization. The White House had said the strikes were backed by Article II of the Constitution as well as the United Nations charter.
Masks On
Less than two weeks after Israel nearly completely lifted its mask mandate, the country’s Health Ministry reinstated the requirement for masks in indoor spaces. The move follows a consistent and renewed rise in the number of coronavirus cases, most of which are the “Delta,” or Indian, variant. The reinstated regulation went into effect on Friday at noon, and applies to everyone over the age of seven, unless they have a medical exemption. It does not apply during indoor exercise activities, when a person is alone in a room, or when two employees who regularly sit together are working alone in a single room. At the same time, the Ministry advised that those attending large gatherings wear masks even if the gathering is held outdoors.
diers virtually “invisible.” The Kit 300 is made of thermal visual concealment material that combines metals, microfibers, and polymers to reduce the detectability of soldiers. The material, which can double as a lightweight stretcher, makes it harder for those wearing it to be seen by both the human eye and thermal imaging equipment. Soldiers can either wrap it around themselves or can join sheets together to create a barrier that blends into rocky or desert landscapes, according to the Polaris website said. “Someone staring at them with binoculars from afar will not see soldiers,” Gal Harari, the head of the detectors and imaging technology branch of the MoD’s research and development unit, said. The idea for the technology comes from the personal experiences of Polaris Solutions co-founder Assaf Picciotto. While serving in a special IDF unit during the 2006 Lebanon War, Picciotto noticed that soldiers were not adequately protected from their enemies’ thermal imaging equipment. “You have to be better than the enemy, and we understood that there were big gaps in the survivability part,” Picciotto said.
Terror Meets Terror
New Camouflage Technology
Israeli soldiers will now be harder to find on the battlefield. According to The Jerusalem Post, the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Polaris Solutions, an Israel-based survivability technology company, have unveiled a new camouflage technology that makes sol-
Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah met in Beirut on Tuesday, as the Gaza-based terror chief held a series of high-level meetings around the Arab world. The two were said to discuss the recent 11-day bout of fighting between Israel and Gaza-based terror groups led by Hamas and how they could build on the experience of the latest round of violence. “Nasrallah and Haniyeh affirmed the depth of the relationship between Hezbollah and Hamas, and its primary position in the axis of resistance,” the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese TV station al-Mayadeen reported.
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The political head of the Gaza terror group visited Morocco and Mauritania before heading to Lebanon. Haniyeh last met with Nasrallah during his previous visit to Lebanon last September. On Sunday, Haniyeh met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who is seen as broadly aligned with Hezbollah. Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, said last month that Hamas coordinated with Hezbollah as well as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps throughout the recent 11-day battle between Israel and Hamas. Sinwar also said there was “full coordination between the resistance in Lebanon and resistance in Gaza,” referring to several rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon during the conflict. The Israeli military blamed several of the rocket attacks from Lebanon on Palestinian factions in the country, not the Hezbollah terror group. However, it is unlikely that terrorists in southern Lebanon would be able to fire rockets without at least the tacit approval of the Iran-backed militia, which maintains a tight degree of control over southern Lebanon.
Was Israel Involved in Iran Attack?
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett may have hinted at Israel’s role in a recent attack on an Iranian nuclear site. In the alleged attack that took place last Wednesday, a drone damaged an Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, or TESA, facility in the city of Karaj, northwest of Tehran. According to a New York Times report on Thursday, the factory had been tasked with replacing the damaged centrifuges at Natanz, and also produces more advanced centrifuges. In a Thursday speech at a graduation ceremony for Israeli Air Force pilots, Bennett said, “Our enemies know – not from statements, but
from actions – that we are much more determined and much more clever, and that we do not hesitate to act when it is needed.” He continued, “We would prefer it if the world knew that a brutal and fanatical regime like this is willing to starve its people for years in order to fulfill its military nuclear program” and added that “this is a regime that you can’t make deals with. “We will continue to consult with our allies, to convince, to speak, to share information and understandings, out of deep mutual respect. But at the end of the day, the responsibility for our destiny will remain in our hands and in no other’s. We will act responsibly and carefully.” The new Israeli leader added that Israeli prime ministers have always had a “sacred responsibility not to allow an existential threat to the State of Israel. Then it was Iraq, today it is Iran.” Speaking at the Thursday event, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White) addressed the same issue. “As though no time has passed, today in Iran – as it was 40 years ago [in Iraq] – a murderous and dangerous enemy, which is building arms of terror around the State of Israel, seeks to acquire a nuclear weapon to threaten Israel and the stability of the entire region,” Gantz said. He added, “We are in contact with our American allies in order to ensure the security of Israel. If needed, we will act as we have always acted. We will remove and prevent any threat, with stratagems, with initiative and — of course — with professional and diplomatic responsibility.”
Honduras 4th to Open Embassy in Jerusalem
Last week, Honduras officially moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, in a ceremony attended by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández. Just prior to the inauguration cer-
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emony at Jerusalem’s Technological Park, Bennett said, “Mr. President, you are a true friend of Israel. The Jewish people have a long memory, and you will be recorded in the pages of history as having done a brave and justified deed for the State of Israel. “Under your leadership, Honduras consistently stands by Israel in international institutions when it is not always popular, and sometimes it also involves paying a price.” He continued, “This is a testimony to our friendship — your willingness to take action… I want to thank you and the public in Honduras for this support.” Hernández referred to Jerusalem as “the eternal capital of Israel,” saying, “We hope to continue building the solid relationship between our two countries.” He added that since he took office in 2014, Honduras has been “one of the two countries in Latin America, and one of the five in the world, that most often abstains from the resolutions that Israel opposes.” The new embassy is the fourth to open in Jerusalem; only the U.S., Guatemala, and Kosovo preceded Honduras in opening an embassy in the capital city. Earlier on Thursday, Israel and
Honduras signed a series of agreements to cooperate on the issues of agriculture, health, education, and innovation.
Abbas Critic Killed by PA Forces
Nizar Banat, a prominent critic of Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, died Thursday morning after he was violently arrested and viciously beaten by Palestinian Authority security forces, his family said. Banat, a 44-year-old resident of the Hebron-area town of Dura, was known for his videos criticizing PA leadership, including Abbas, for what he said were corruption and fraud. His Facebook page boasted over 100,000 followers.
In a statement confirming Banat’s death, Hebron Governor Jibrin alBakri said, “During [his arrest], his medical condition deteriorated, and he was immediately referred to the Hebron public hospital for treatment. Doctors at the scene who examined him found he was dead.” Banat’s family said they were with him during the 3:30a.m. arrest, adding that over 20 PA officers beat him violently. One of the officers beat Banat with iron bars, then stripped him naked, and continued to beat him. The officers also used pepper spray, the family said. His cousin Ammar told Arab reporters, “They beat him for about eight straight minutes. Are you coming to kill him or what?” Other members of Banat’s family told Al-Quds that security forces were “hitting him on the head with wooden sticks and bits of iron” and “deliberately murdering” him. The United States, the European Union and the United Nations have called for an investigation. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced the formation of an investigative committee. Since Banat’s death, hundreds of protesters gathered in the West Bank city of Ramallah and tried to march to the PA’s headquarters, chanting, “The people want the downfall of the regime” and “Abbas, you are not one of us. Take your dogs and leave.” Palestinian security forces fired tear gas at the marchers and beat people with wooden batons. A recent poll showed plummeting support for Abbas, 85, who cancelled the first elections in 15 years in April when it looked like his fractured Fatah party would suffer another humiliating defeat to Hamas, which seized Gaza from Abbas’ forces in 2007.
Lapid Visits UAE
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Foreign Minister Yair Lapid officially inaugurated Israel’s consulate in Dubai on Wednesday, calling it a center of dialogue and cooperation.
“What we are opening today is not only a consulate, but also the center of our cooperation,” he said. “This place symbolizes our ability to think together, to develop together, to change the world together.” Lapid emphasized that the peace between the UAE and Israel “is not between governments and leaders, but between people and nations. “It is not my peace, or that of my friends standing here, but of our children,” he said. Lapid opened Israel’s embassy in Abu Dhabi the day before, hailing the “historic moment” as a time “we chose peace over war.” While in Abu Dhabi, Lapid went out of his way to thank former prime minister and political rival Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he called “the architect of the Abraham Accords and who worked tirelessly to bring them about.” He also expressed his gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. The UAE was represented at the Dubai ceremony by Emirati Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama. The ties between the countries “will foster a more stable and secure region,” asserted Olama. “The UAE and Israel are creating a new paradigm of cooperation in the entire region,” he added, highlighting joint efforts on COVID-19 and technological innovation. He noted, “Our two countries will usher in a next phase that will be a model for countries everywhere.” The ceremony was attended by Emirati Ambassador to Israel Mohammad al Khaja, Israel’s envoy to the UAE Eitan Na’eh, and local Chabad Rabbi Levi Duchman. Lapid is in the United Arab Emirates for the first official visit by an Israeli minister to the Gulf state, although the country has unofficially hosted Israeli ministers in the past, including then-transportation minister Israel Katz and sports minister Miri Regev. The trip comes nearly a year after Israel and the UAE announced they would normalize ties, and after months during which planned visits by Israeli officials were stymied by a series of issues, ranging from health crises to diplomatic scuffles. The opening of the embassy in Abu Dhabi was cheered by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met with Lapid in Rome on Sunday. Blinken said in a statement that the establishment of the diplomatic mis-
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sion and Lapid’s visit to the UAE marking the occasion “are significant for Israel, the UAE, and the broader region.” Israel and the Emirates announced in August that they would normalize diplomatic relations, bringing over a decade of covert ties into the open. Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco later also joined the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, and other countries were also rumored to be in talks, though none have come to fruition. The deal between Israel and the UAE was hammered out by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Trump administration. Due to a series of events, including travel restrictions and scheduling issues, Netanyahu himself never made the official visit to the UAE. Instead, his rival, Lapid, met with UAE leaders to celebrate the deal. The Jewish community in the Emirates expressed excitement at Lapid’s visit. “We are honored to welcome Foreign Minister Lapid,” said Chief Rabbi Yehuda Sarna. “The Jewish community in the UAE is thrilled by what this trip represents: a growing bond between the UAE and Israel.” “We hope that the foreign minister’s visit will be a harbinger for further religious, business and cultural exchange and opportunities between our two nations,” added Rabbi Elie Abadie.
Poland, Israel Spar Over Holocaust Restitution Bill
In a Sunday statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) said, “Millions of Jews were killed on Polish soil and no legislation will erase their memory. We’re not interested in Polish money and hinting at such is anti-Semitic. We are fighting for the memory of the Holocaust victims, for the pride of our people, and we won’t allow any parliament to pass laws whose goal is to deny the Holocaust.” The legislation, which is expected to eliminate the option for Jews to reclaim property seized before and during the Holocaust, passed with 309 votes in favor, 0 opposed, and 120 abstentions, Poland’s PAP reported. On Sunday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry summoned Poland’s Ambassador to Israel Marek Magierowski, expressing “the State of Israel’s severe disappointment” at the legislation, Alon Bar, head of the Foreign Ministry’s political department, said. He added that the bill “is expected to adversely affect, according to experts, 90 percent of property restitution requests from Holocaust survivors and their descendants.” “It is not too late for Poland to halt these measures…and return to discourse on property restitution.” Also on Sunday, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski told state television station TVP that his government had summoned Tal Ben-Ari Yaalon, Israel’s charge d’affaires, to “explain to her in a decisive and factual way what it’s about.” “Unfortunately, what we’re dealing with here is a situation that certain Israeli politicians are exploiting for internal political purposes.”
Bennett’s Plan to Fight Arab Crime
Israel and Poland recently summoned each other’s ambassadors for meetings regarding the Polish Holocaust restitution law, after a bill on the issue advanced in the Polish parliament. On Friday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said, “I can only say that as long as I am the prime minister, Poland will not pay for German crimes: neither zloty, nor euro, nor dollar.”
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that Israel will implement a countrywide plan to crack down on crime in the Arab sector. Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Bennett said, “I spoke this
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morning with the Public Security Minister and we agreed on the formulation of a national plan to fight crime in the Arab community as soon as possible. “We will do this in all dimensions: civil, economic, and, of course, criminal. This is, first of all, the desire of the community itself and it is of course an overall national interest.” He added that since the beginning of 2021, “dozens of people have been murdered in the Arab community.” “The violence in the Arab community is a blight on the country that has been neglected for many years. Responsibility for fighting this is on our shoulders. This is a national mission,” he concluded. Bennett made his comments after five Arab Israeli citizens were killed in deadly shootings over the past four days. Deputy Police Commissioner Jamal Hakroush said Sunday that there is a “historic” opportunity to address high crime rates in Arab Israeli communities, noting the inclusion of Arab lawmakers in the ruling coalition. “I have a message to the Arab sector,” Hakroush told Kan news. “We are in a historic period and we have to take advantage of it. We have representatives in the government that can bring what was lacking — like budgets and policing to the Arab street.” Hakroush is the first Arab Israeli to be a deputy police commissioner. The Islamist Ra’am Party, which joined Bennett’s government coalition, ran on a platform of tackling violence in Israel’s Arab communities. When Ra’am signed a coalition agreement in early June, it noted that Bennett and his coalition partner, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, agreed to provide NIS 2.5 million ($770,000) to fight violence and organized crime in Arab society.
members, including former Bnei Brak Mayor Rabbi Mordechai Karelitz and former IDF planning chief Major General (Res.) Shlomo Yanai.
The team was appointed by current Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut and was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation of the disaster and recommending changes for the future, both for the site and for other mass events, especially those of a religious nature. The commission will have a budget of six million shekel ($1.83 million) and will investigate “the entirety of professional and legal questions regarding safety procedures at religious rites and the public venues that host them, particularly events that involve mass participation.” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed, “Forty-five people lost their lives in that awful disaster, and the responsibility for learning the lessons and preventing the next disaster is on our shoulders. A commission cannot bring back those who have perished, but the government can do everything to prevent unnecessary loss of life in the future.”
National Guard Soldiers Can’t Feed Families
Investigating the Meron Tragedy The Israeli government taskforce investigating the disaster on Mount Meron on Lag B’Omer will be headed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Miriam Naor, a Sunday announcement proclaimed. In the tragedy, 45 people were killed and over 150 were wounded. The team will consist of three
National Guard members and reservists are suffering hunger at more than double the national rate, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows.
The data, from mid-April through early June, showed that those in the National Guard report more food insecurity than nearly any other group, even after controlling for household income, education, age, and race. Almost one-fifth of National Guard members sometimes or often do not have enough to eat, and one-third of those with a spouse serving in the National Guard or reserves reports not having enough to eat. According to The Washington Post, in an ordinary year, most reservists and National Guard members spend one weekend a month running drills and two weeks a year in training. As a result, most are able to work civilian jobs or acquire an education. However, during the pandemic, the National Guard has seen longer periods of deployment and activation, including for coronavirus testing, food distribution, handling civilian unrest, and administering vaccines, National Guard Association of the United States spokesman John Goheen said. These responsibilities are in addition to responding to more natural disasters, such as floods and wildfires. According to Goheen, during 2020, the National Guard was acti-
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vated for over 11 million “man days,” a record since World War II; in 2019, there were just two million “man days.” At the same time, the increase in deployment has caused many to lose their civilian jobs. Meanwhile, National Guard spokesman Wayne Hall said there are 1.2 million service members in the Army and Air National Guard and the various branches of reserves, but the census accounts for less than 400,000 of them. “These figures are an underrepresentation of the full force,” he emphasized. “And almost a quarter surveyed didn’t report.” At the same time, several military advocacy groups reported a rise in food insecurity, suggesting that National Guard members and reservists are motivated to hide their difficulties and hesitant to seek help. The Washington Post quoted National Military Family Association lobbyist Jennifer Davis as saying: “A service member has to consider promotability and clearances: You can’t afford to struggle too badly; you have to keep your bills paid. You can lose your clearance if your finances are in a shambles, we’re talking even a bounced check. If it comes between paying the bills and keeping food
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because Giuliani is an “immediate threat” to the public, due to his continued statements that the Democrats stole the election. The ruling declared Giuliani’s conduct “incredibly serious” and claimed that it affects “the reputation of the entire legal profession” and “directly inflamed the tensions” which resulted in the Capitol riot in January.
In their ruling, the judges wrote: “The seriousness of respondent’s uncontroverted misconduct cannot be overstated. This country is being torn apart by continued attacks on the legitimacy of the 2020 election and of our current president, Joseph R. Biden.” Giuliani is also facing a criminal investigation. Giuliani can fight the suspension by requesting a hearing within 20 days, but the judges have said that he will likely face “substantial permanent sanctions.” Meanwhile, his attorneys Barry Kamins and John Leventhal have promised to fight the “unprecedented” suspension. Trump responded to the suspension by saying, “The greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, the Eliot Ness of his generation, one of the greatest crime fighters our Country has ever known, and this is what the Radical Left does to him. All of New York is out of control.”
Eric Adams: “I Am Face of the New Dem Party” on the table, there’s pressure to pay those bills. And there are concerns about sharing with your leadership that you’re struggling to take care of your family, because you never want that to come back and haunt you when you’re up for promotion.” Low-ranking National Guard members and reservists earn a base pay of about $3,000 per month when on active duty and approximately $200 for a weekend of drills.
Giuliani’s NY Law License Pulled Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s license to practice law in New York was suspended last Thursday amidst claims that he had acted on behalf of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, the New York Daily News reported.
The decision, made by a panel of Manhattan judges, follows a ruling that Giuliani betrayed his professional oath by peddling “false and misleading” claims about the 2020 election while acting on Trump’s behalf. The suspension is currently temporary but could become permanent within weeks. According to the ruling from the State Supreme Court’s appellate division, the suspension was warranted
Days after Eric Adams emerged as a likely Democratic nominee for the position of NYC mayor, he promised to revamp New York’s approach to crime, The New York Times reported. On the issue of gun control, Adams called to change the focus from assault rifles to handguns, which are the main weapons used in shootings. Meanwhile, speaking at a news
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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Tragedy in Surfside
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he normally serene shoreline of the Florida coast turned macabre early last Thursday morning when 55 out of 136 units of the Champlain Towers South condominiums collapsed. Eyewitnesses recalled hearing cracking sounds around 1 a.m. before half of the building folded onto itself. The speed of the collapse and the ensuing utter destruction left first responders recalling scenes of 9/11, in which rescuers sifted through rubble to locate bodies and belongings. By Wednesday morning, almost a full week since the tragedy occurred, only 16 people had been confirmed dead. Another 147 were unaccounted for. 139 people who had been living in the units had been accounted for and are safe. Work on the building, in attempts to find bodies and survivors, is painstakingly slow. Rescue workers have to steer clear of falling debris, some of which are football-sized cement blocks that rain down from what is left of the structure. On Tuesday, the west side of the building had to be cordoned off because it was becoming dangerous for workers to be there. “The situation at hand is we’re not lifting floor by floor,” Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Raide Jadallah said. “We’re talking about concrete. We’re talking about steel. Every time there’s an action, there’s a reaction.” On Sunday, as crews were looking through the rubble, a rescuer fell 25 feet down the pile of collapsed building. The building before the disaster was 12 stories high. As of Tuesday, about 3 million pounds of concrete had been moved. Rescuers were looking for empty spaces in the rubble where survivors may have been able to find respite. Rescue workers from Israel flew in to help with the search. Col. Golan Vach, commander of Israel’s national Rescue Unit, noted that people may have been buried under “four or five meters of concrete.” The task at hand is to penetrate that concrete in order to com-
plete the search. On Tuesday, Vach noted that first-responders were able to discover new tunnels in the rubble, discovering more bodies. Making the work extremely difficult is the fact that the building imploded onto itself. Additionally, numerous fires had broken out over the weekend at the site; workers had to get those under control before continuing with the search. Lightning also forced workers to break until it was safe to proceed. So far, police have identified at least 16 people who lost their lives in the tragedy. Among them are Michael David Altman, 50; Marcus Joseph Guara, 52; Frank Kleiman, 55; Leon Oliwkowicz, 80; Luis Bermudez, 26; Anna Ortiz, 46; Christina Beatriz Elvira, 74; Antonio Lozano, 82; Gladys Lozano, 80; Manuel LaFont, 54; Stacie Fang, 54; and Hilda Noriega, 92. Fang’s teenage son was pulled injured but alive from the rubble. A few people managed to run to safety before the disaster. Iiana Monteagudo, 64, woke up to a strange sound on Thursday morning and saw a crack forming down her wall. Monteagudo fled, without shoes, from her sixth floor unit down the stairs. She heard crashing sounds and had to climb over several walls before reaching safety. “I start going down, fast, and I hear crack, crack, crack,” she recalled. “I start to scream, ‘Come on
G-d, I want to see my son, I want to see my grandson. Don’t let me die in this condition.’” Behind her, the building fell into a devastating heap. Sara Nir, a frum woman, recalled the terrifying moment that she and her family ran to safety. She and her children had returned home late that night, and Sara heard “knocking sounds” from other units. As the knocking got louder, Sara, who lived on the first floor of the condo, went to the security guard to complain about what she thought was construction taking place late at night in the building. While she was speaking with the guard, she heard a loud boom and saw the garage had collapsed. Shouting to the guard to call the police about what she thought was an earthquake, Sara urged her children to run. “We ran out of the building, and I told my kids, run as fast as you can, crossing Collins,” Sara said. “We just crossed Collins. G-d was waiting for us to leave the building. And then another big boom. Then we didn’t see anything. It was suddenly white after the big boom and with white clouds all over,” Sara told CNN. She and her children ran a few blocks from the building before she stopped to catch her breath. Esther Gorfinkel was carried out of the building by neighbors as she headed down the staircase.
When she told Albert Aguero, a man who carried her, that she lived a good 88 years and didn’t need to be rescued, he told her, “No, you’re going to make it to your 89th birthday.” “I saw the sky. I knew I will be safe,” Gorfinkel said. Sadly, there are many people who are still awaiting news of their loved ones. Among those who are missing is Harry Rosenberg, originally from Brooklyn, who had moved to Surfside after his wife passed away from cancer and his parents passed away from Covid. Harry’s daughter, Malki Weiss, and her husband Benny had been visiting Harry during the collapse. Tzvi and Itty Ainsworth, from Australia, had moved to South Florida to be near their children two decades ago. Their daughter lived just a few blocks away from them. Many members of the Jewish community and many South Americans called the condo their home. Photos of those who are still missing share the stories of so many in their prime who lost their lives in the disaster. Still, authorities are struggling to determine what exactly led to the collapse of the condominium. Inspectors had been there recently and noted issues with some of the structure. A thorough investigation is needed to determine what exactly led to the disaster. Since last week’s tragedy, lawyers representing a resident of Champlain Towers South who is suing the building’s condominium association began the process of subpoenaing documents from an engineering firm that had been hired to complete repairs on the building after conducting a 2018 survey. The suit, on behalf of Manuel Drezner who lived in unit 1009 of the tower, was filed last Thursday, making it the first civil action after the building’s collapse earlier that day. Others are sure to follow suit in filing against those who they feel are responsible for the tragedy.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
conference outside Brooklyn Borough Hall, Adams said, “If the Democratic Party fails to recognize what we did here in New York, they’re going to have a problem in the midterm elections, and they’re going to have a problem in the presidential election.”
Adams, a former police captain, faced off with a number of opponents including Maya Wiley, leading her by nine points, and Kathryn Garcia, who he led by 12 points. It is expected that the process of selecting candidates for Democratic nomination will be completed by July 12. On Thursday, however, Adams vowed, “I am the face of the new Democratic Party. I’m going to show America how to run a city.” Regarding the increase in violent crime, Adams told MSNBC that “too many people are being released that are dangerous.” “We need to change the ecosystem of public safety,” he said, emphasizing that there must be strategies of “prevention, a long-term plan and an intervention” in order to appropriately deal with the rise in crime. “America is saying, we want to have justice, and safety, and end inequality.”
Teddy Roosevelt Torn Down
A controversial statue of Theodore Roosevelt will be removed from its current location, one year after a formal request for its removal was filed The statue stands in front of the American Museum of Natural History
in New York. Featuring the 26th President of the United States flanked by a Native American man on one side and an African man on the other, it debuted in 1940. Last June, in its initial request for the statue’s removal, the museum wrote that the statue conveys a “racial hierarchy that the museum and members of the public have long found disturbing.” On Monday, approximately one year after the request was filed, the New York City Public Design Commission voted unanimously to remove the statue. In Monday’s meeting, Sam Biederman, chief of staff and assistant commissioner at NYC Parks, said the move is “incredibly rare,” while praising it as “the right course of action.” “Though historical circumstances demonstrate that this sculpture was not erected with malice of intent, the compositional hierarchy ... visually supports the thematic framework of colonization and racism,” he said. In a statement to CNN last year, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said the statue’s removal would be “the right decision” and come at “the right time.” “The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts Black and Indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior,” the statement last year said. It is not yet clear where the statue will be moved to, but according to officials with NYC’s Public Design Commission, the city and museum will coordinate a long-term loan of the statue to publicly accessible grounds or a cultural institution dedicated to Roosevelt.
Alabama Republican Helped Stabilize the Middle East
Former Alabama Rep. H.L. “Sonny” Callahan, who died on Friday at age 88, helped stabilize the Middle East, the Washington Examiner said.
Callahan, who was a Republican, was “the driving force” between a “major, successful shift in the U.S. foreign aid packages to Israel (especially) and Egypt” during the mid-1990s, the Examiner noted. As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Callahan worked to phase out long-running U.S. economic aid to Israel by increasing U.S. military assistance with the aim of building Israel’s “qualitative military edge” over its neighbors, so as to discourage attacks, thereby maintaining a terse peace. In a Saturday interview, Jonathan Schanzer, the senior vice president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the Washington Examiner “The Israeli military is more digitized, mechanized, and advanced in large part due to America’s commitment to supporting Israel’s QME. Israel’s is a small military, but it punches well above its weight relative to other militaries in the region.” The shift was negotiated with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and entailed at least one trip by Callahan to Israel to meet with Netanyahu in person, and at least one late-night, three-way call with both Netanyahu and a top negotiator for Egypt. At the time, then-U.S. President Bill Clinton doubted that Callahan’s plan was realistic. However, despite pessimistic predictions, the new aid approach was finalized. Callahan, the Examiner emphasized, was a Navy veteran who served 12 years in Alabama’s legislature and 18 years in Congress, and a man who “got things done.”
Juul Settles for $40M
In recent years, regulators and health officials have blamed Juul for the rising popularity of e-cigarettes among teens. Now, Juul labs has agreed to pay North Carolina $40 million and has pledged to change its business practices in the state. In 2019, federal data found that more than one in four high school students had used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, up from 11.7 percent just two years prior. As of 2020, that
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number fell to 19.6 percent of high school students amid greater regulatory scrutiny and the coronavirus pandemic. “North Carolina is now the first state in the nation to hold Juul accountable for its instrumental role in creating a youth vaping epidemic,” North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said at a press conference revealing the agreement on Monday. Juul will not be able to use anyone in its marketing materials who is younger than 35 years old, nor pay for influencers to promote its products. North Carolina kicked off its investigation into Juul in 2018 and announced the lawsuit the following year. In May, the judge for the case ruled that Juul destroyed documents, provided thousands of pages of irrelevant information, and ignored related court orders. The company faced millions of dollars in fines tied to that decision, but the agreement this week will wipe that slate clean. The deal also places limits on the number of devices and pods that North Carolina consumers can buy every month and year. “This settlement is consistent with our ongoing effort to reset our company and its relationship with our stakeholders, as we continue to combat underage usage and advance the opportunity for harm reduction for adult smokers,” a Juul spokesperson said in a statement. At least nine other states have followed North Carolina’s lead with their own suits, and a coalition of 39 states is currently investigating Juul.
A Tragic Balloon Ride
What was meant to be a fun-filled activity turned to tragedy when a hot air balloon crashed in New Mexico over the weekend. The gondola of the hot air balloon dropped from roughly 100 feet early Saturday morning, striking power lines and catching fire before it crashed on a highway in Albuquerque. The five people onboard lost their lives in the crash.
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The balloon ride was a “bucket list” item for Susan Montoya, an assistant principal at an Albuquerque elementary school, who was killed in the crash. The ride was a goodbye gift from her colleagues since Montoya was scheduled to transfer to another school this upcoming school year. Montoya, 65, was onboard with her husband John Montoya, 61. John also worked in the school district as a special education assistant. Martin Martinez, 62, was a retired Albuquerque police officer who also worked in the school system. His wife, Mary Martinez, 59, was “very involved” in the schools. The pilot of the hot air balloon, Nicholas Meleski, 62, who had over 25 years of experience flying balloons, had a daughter who is a school counselor in the district. For now, police are investigating and are unsure of what led to the crash. “Every time you go out and fly, you’ve got your soul and the souls in the basket with you,” said Bill Noe, a hot air balloonist and friend of one of the victims. “And there’s always a possibility that something could happen that you don’t have control of.”
Amish Balk at Vaccination
It is proving to be tough to encourage the Amish population to vaccinate against Covid-19. Health care leaders in Pennsylvania Dutch County posted flyers about vaccinations at farm supply stores and at auctions where the Amish sell handmade furniture and quilts. They asked three newspapers widely read by the Amish to publish ads promoting the vaccine, although two refused to publish the ads. At two vaccination clinics opened in the area, only a handful showed. In Ohio’s Holmes County, home to the nation’s largest concentration of Amish, just 14% of the county’s overall population is fully vaccinated. In general, the Amish population lags behind the general population
in vaccinations. They are less likely to be vaccinated for preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough. A core part of their Christian faith is accepting G-d’s will in times of illness or death. Many in the Amish community believe that the community has achieved herd immunity because they have already gotten sick. “That’s the No. 1 reason we hear,” said Alice Yoder, executive director of community health at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, a network of hospitals and clinics. Additionally, they are absorbing the vaccine hesitancy prevalent in rural communities. During the first months of the pandemic, the Amish followed social distancing guidelines and stopped gathering for church and funerals. But when non-Amish neighbors and local elected officials began pushing back against state and federal mandates, the Amish resumed the gatherings, resulting in a surge of outbreaks last summer.
Up at Bat
coming a bat girl during a Zoom conference call, which also included ace pitcher Gerrit Cole. “Here at the Yankees, we have championed to break down gender barriers in our industry,” Cashman wrote in a letter to Goldman. “It is an ongoing commitment rooted in the belief that a woman belongs everywhere a man does, including in the dugout.” The Yankees informed Goldman of the honor as part of their Hope Week initiative. Each year, over five-consecutive days, the team shines a spotlight on a specific individual, family or organization worthy of recognition or support. The honorees share their inspirational stories with Yankees players, fans and the media while being surprised by the team. This week, Goldman, now 70 years old, found herself standing on the field at Yankee Stadium. “It was worth writing that letter, worth having that hope and worth pursuing it,” Goldman said. “Even if you don’t get it at first, you just keep going. “Sixty years thinking about this and here it is.” Goldman toured the clubhouse, met players and coaches, posed for photos with umpires and threw out the first pitch. She sported a full pinstripe uniform for her honorary duties. Play ball!
Pancake Pileup
It took Gwen Goldman sixty years, but she finally achieved her dream. The New York Yankees fan sent the baseball team a request to serve as a bat girl back in 1961, when she was 10. Her entreaty was denied then because the general manager, Roy Hamey, felt she wouldn’t feel comfortable in a dugout with men. “In a game dominated by men, a young lady such as yourself would feel out of place in a dugout,” he wrote to her at the time. Gwen placed the denial on a bulletin board for the past few decades. Her daughter recently sent it to the current Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Last week, Cashman surprised Goldman with the privilege of be-
Hy-Vee is now the proud recipient of a Guinness World Record and it’s just flipping over the accolade. The grocery store chain broke a Guinness World Record at a Missouri location by preparing a serving of 13,000 pancakes. It took 13 chefs at the store in Blue Springs 7 hours and 16 minutes to cook 13,000 pancakes last Thursday. Just to make sure that no pancake went unnoticed, a Guinness adjudicator was on hand to verify that the serving of pancakes broke the record of 12,716, which was set in Russia in 2017. The pancakes were donated
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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to Harvesters-The Community Food Network, a regional food bank serving the greater Kansas City area in both Missouri and Kansas. The record attempt was timed to coincide with the launch of Hy-Vee’s “Best Breakfast in America” menu. Sounds like a lot of syrup to me.
There All Along
What happens when a painting falls off the wall? Well, if you’re a family living in Italy, you discover that what was hanging on your wall was a long-lost painting by Rembrandt. The Italian Heritage Foundation said the painting, The Adoration of the Magi, was painted by the famed artist around 1632-1633, and was
considered to be one of Rembrandt’s lost paintings. In 2016, it fell off the wall of a country home in Rome and was sent to art restorer Antonella Di Francesco for repairs. Although, the painting had been darkened by old varnish, during cleaning and restoration, Di Francesco discovered that the work was a long-lost Rembrandt. The painting was studied by an international team of experts attending a symposium at the French Academy of the Villa Medici in Rome and they confirmed the work appears to be a legitimate Rembrandt. Guido Talarico, president of the Italian Heritage Foundation, said the family that owns the painting is currently having it stored by art dealers but that it will eventually be made available to museums and galleries. Hiding in plain sight. Sounds off the wall to me.
Monopoly $ Think that Monopoly money is just able to get you a railroad for $200 or Boardwalk for $400? Think again. Patrons of Ralph’s Tavern in Worcester, Massachusetts, were able
to use Monopoly money on Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm to pay the $5 cover charge or to buy $10 hot dogs and tickets for a raffle. The bar announced the fun initiative as part of its bid to be included in a localized version of the game.
“We also noticed there were some places across the country that were accepting cryptocurrency, so we figured it would be a funny, hilarious thing to start accepting Monopoly money,” said owner Scot Bove. “It’s going to be a beautiful night, so hopefully we can fill the place up and kind of put Worcester on the map. It’s a city on the move.” Patrons were encouraged to dress up as Mr. Monopoly or show off their Monopoly style for a chance to win raffle prizes. Ralph’s, which bills itself as the “oldest tavern” in Worcester, is campaigning to be included in a localized Worcester version of Monopoly, which is being produced by Top Trumps USA, the company licensed by Hasbro to produce localized Monopoly games. Fans of Monopoly can help choose the 34 locations they would like to see featured on the Worcester edition game board. Sounds like it’s all fun and games to me.
Flintstone Fight
Florence Fang loves the Flintstones, but her neighbors aren’t too keen about the colorful characters. The retired publishing mogul lives in a posh suburb of San Francisco in a whimsical, colorful home. Adorning her yard are giant Stone Age sculptures inspired by the 1960s Flintstones cartoon, along with other oddities. Two years ago, the town of Hillsborough took Fang to court, calling her cute lawn ornaments “a highly
visible eyesore,” and alleging that Fang violated local codes when she put dinosaur sculptures in the backyard and made other landscaping changes that caused local officials to declare it a public nuisance. The town said that Fang failed to comply with multiple stop-work orders, as well as an order to remove the features around the multimillion-dollar property with its 2,730-squarefoot (254-square-meter) home. Fang, then, counter-sued the town. This week, both Fang and the town came to an agreement. Fang will get to keep her beloved characters but will also apply for building permits. Yabba dabba doo!
Hawaiian Hoopla
Jackie, a resident of Washington, D.C., has been showing up to meetings wearing the same shirt – and no one ever notices. Since April 2, 2020 and June 16, 2021, Jackie wore her garish Hawaiian button-down shirt to 264 meetings on Zoom as a gag for her co-workers. But the joke was on her – because no one batted an eye. “I was like, wouldn’t it be funny if I wore this shirt again? Like that’d be a funny joke and everyone would say something,” she told “Insider Edition.” Sadly, no one said anything. “And then I thought, well, I’m going to keep doing this until someone notices, and no one ever noticed,” she said. Finally, on her last day of work, Jackie told her co-workers about the inside joke. Talk about a joke falling flat. “When I told my team that I had been wearing the same shirt, they didn’t know what I was talking about. They hadn’t noticed,” she said. “The intern literally said, ‘On purpose?’ So, there’s that,” Jackie said. Talk about a Hawaiian punch.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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Around the
Community Non-Stop Fun at Machane Hakayitz
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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Around the Community
Amb. David Friedman Plaza
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upervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Bruce Blakeman and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito welcomed home David M. Friedman, the former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and a North Woodmere native, this week as they dedicated the plaza near Broadway and Franklin Place in North Woodmere as “Ambassador David M. Friedman Way,” in recognition of his leadership and dedication to the Five Towns community and the State of Israel. Also attending were Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Town Clerk Kate Murray, and other local religious leaders and neighbors. “The Town of Hempstead is proud to dedicate this area in North Woodmere for Ambassador David Friedman, who is one of the most successful and respected residents to ever come out of America’s largest township,” stated Supervisor Clavin. “From helping to move the United States Embassy to Jerusalem to being a leader in speaking out against anti-Semitic speech and acts of violence throughout the world, Ambassador Friedman has been a tireless advocate for Jewish people in Israel, the Town of Hempstead and worldwide. “So many incredible community, religious and spiritual leaders have come from the Five Towns community over the years, so it’s no surprise that Ambassador David Friedman got his start right here in North Woodmere,” added Councilman Blakeman. “We salute Ambassador Friedman for his unwavering commitment and dedication to the Jewish people throughout the world, and we are proud to welcome him home for this well-deserved dedication in his name.” “We are proud to join with the Five Towns community to dedicate this plaza and street in honor of Am-
bassador David Friedman, who grew up in our township and still spends time here,” D’Esposito said. “His achievements during his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Israel are truly remarkable and deserve recognition here in one of the largest Jewish populations outside of Israel.” “This is an incredible honor. I’m looking at this edifice with my name on it and it’s so meaningful to me because Woodmere is the wellspring from where my journey began,” said Ambassador David Friedman. “This is the community who taught me the holistic values which drove me and my family to our accomplishments.” The Town of Hempstead is home to one of the world’s largest Jewish populations outside of Israel. With acts of anti-Semitism and violence on the rise throughout our region, Supervisor Clavin and Councilman Blakeman – along with the entire Hempstead Town Board – have taken many actions to protect and stand up for Jewish people throughout America’s largest township. During a recent Cedarhurst rally against anti-Semitism, Supervisor Clavin and Councilman Blakeman spoke out against the horrific attack of Joseph Borgen, a Lawrence resident who was beaten and pepper-sprayed while anti-Semitic remarks were yelled at him by a group of men in Times Square. Earlier this year, the Hempstead Town Board worked alongside AJC Long Island to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism to help educate the community on the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism. Hempstead Town has also partnered with many local rabbis and other Jewish community leaders to denounce anti-Semitic graffiti and other acts of hate and violence committed against Jewish people.
Did you know? Only Charles Thompson and John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The rest of the delegates signed the document over the course of the month.
L-R: Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Councilman Bruce Blakeman, Ambassador David Friedman, Supervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, and Town Clerk Kate Murray
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Around the Community
Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato spoke at the Torah Academy for Girls High School graduation last week. She was proud to award the NYS Assembly Citation for Community Service to Penina Gold, Chaya Sara Mindell, Riva Mirzoeff, Tehilla Sperling, Rachel Taub, and Shayna Zelmanovitch. Congratulations to all the graduates and their families!
Summer Fun at Camp Matov
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
Around the Community
Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers Visits Israeli Consulate in NY
Moshe Brandsdorfer, Rabbi Baruch Rothman, Councilwoman Brooks-Powers, and Consul General Israel Nitzan
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he health of the Israeli-American relationship is one of the top priorities of American Jewry especially in our community. This past Friday, our newly elected Councilwoman, Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-31), visited with Israel Nitzan, the Acting Consul General at the Israeli Consulate. Accompanying the Councilwoman on her visit was Moshe Brandsdorfer, executive director at the JCCRP, and Rabbi Baruch Rothman, director of Institutional Advancement at Yeshiva Darchei Torah. The meeting was a deep dive into the importance of the American-Israel relationship and the tremendous advantages from collaboration between the two countries. Additionally, Israel Nitzan explained to the councilwoman the current political landscape in Israel and described the incredible diversity represented in the Israeli government. The Israeli Consulate staff highlighted a fascinating program that coordinates partnerships between American- and Israeli-based organizations. These mutually beneficial relationships have blossomed, assisting
many vulnerable communities in advancing programs in urban farming, STEM, technology, education and social services. The staff invited Councilwoman Brooks-Powers to assist them in identifying organizations in her district that would gain from this program. Moshe Brandsdorfer, JCCRP executive director, expressed, “Councilwoman Brooks-Powers has recently started her term representing our community, and she is inundated with meetings, hiring a new team and other important tasks. By making this meeting a top priority, it speaks volumes of the Councilwoman’s loyalty to the Jewish community and Israel.”
Did you know? There were only about 2.5 million people living in America in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
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Around the Community
Throngs head to the Nikolsburg Rebbe and his shul in Woodbourne, NY
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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Around the Community
An Amazing Summer Awaits at Avnet
Avnet staff
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he halls of Avnet country Day School have been bustling in anticipation of the approximately 900 campers starting this week. Preparations were underway to ensure that the incredible facilities and dedicated team, at HALB’s New Woodmere Campus and DRS Campus, were ready to welcome them. Daniel Stroock, Camp Director, set the tone at staff orientation with an impactful quote: “The best thing about memories is making them.” He reminded the staff of how vital the camp experience is for children – especially coming off of a year and a half of COVID-induced disruptions to their normal routine. There was a feeling of gratitude and camaraderie among the staff since summer ’21 promises a return to more typical activities and fun.
“We’re more determined than ever to give our campers a summer they will grow from and remember for life,” Daniel said. “We’re proud that our team was able to adapt during the challenges of summer ‘20. We provided a relaxed time for campers and a safe place our parents could count on. This summer, we’re full speed ahead and are rolling out a packed schedule that includes old favorites and new offerings that are sure to please.” A whirlwind of activity awaits campers – with a combined 383 periods for 37 bunks. There is the usual array of sports, specialties and swim, and, most importantly, the return of bussing and trips to the roster. Aside from the fun, the Avnet team is known for their warmth and personal attention. “I’m excited to
Avnet Tipot drive-by
once again get to know each of our campers and staff members,” said Malkie Behar, Director of Operations. “It’s wonderful to see everyone’s smiling faces again.” That personal attention was in evidence when the youngest Tipot campers enjoyed a drive-by orienta-
tion to meet their morahs and counselors. “We loved meeting our newest campers, and we can’t wait to get underway this first week,” Daniel said. “We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer!”
Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services Provides On-Site Counseling for Miami’s Surfside Community
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hel Children’s Home and Family Services is on site in Miami offering counseling and support to both families who are affected by the Surfside building collapse and the first responders who have been tirelessly working on rescue and recovery. Dr. Norman Blumenthal, who oversees Ohel’s Zachter Center for Family Trauma and Crisis Intervention, arrived in Florida with a team of trained specialists to aid those experiencing a state of uncertainty as recovery efforts continue. The team has extensive training and expertise in trauma care stemming from their long experience assisting communities cope with traumatic events, including the shooting at the kosher supermarket in Jersey City, NJ. “We encourage individuals to ask for help during this difficult time, es-
pecially those who are already living with any mental health issue and experiencing increased symptoms from the event,” said Dr. Blumenthal. Dr. Blumenthal and his team are working with families and their loved ones at a designated family center. To date, they have accompanied families to the building site and spent many hours together, which also included counseling sessions. The Ohel team has also led several briefing and counseling sessions for first responders. “Despite the ongoing emotional turmoil, we are also witnessing tremendous communal goodwill and generosity with food, supplies and other provisions,” Dr. Blumenthal added. “Rescue workers, police, and community leaders continue to work tirelessly as they remain both sensitive and accommodating to individuals looking for answers and comfort
during this tragic time. Ohel will continue to provide support as long as our services are needed.” Should you or someone you know need help coping with this tragedy, please contact Ohel at Surfsidehelp@ ohelfamily.org. About Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services For more than 50 years, Ohel has provided transformative social services and mental health services to communities in the New York met-
ropolitan area. Beginning as a small foster care agency for Jewish children, today Ohel cares for thousands of individuals through a broad range of programs including mental health services, housing and programs for people with disabilities, older adult services, outpatient counseling for everyday people with everyday problems, and trauma resources for communities in New York and across the country. To help us continue our essential services, donate at www.ohelfamily.org/donate.
Did you know? Benjamin Franklin was the oldest person to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was 70 years old.
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Summer Fun Begins at Camp Maaminim
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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Around the Community
Senator Todd Kaminsky Announces Run for Nassau County DA
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his week, State Senator Todd Kaminsky – a former federal prosecutor and assistant district attorney under former District Attorney Madeline Singas – announced his campaign for Nassau County District Attorney. Kaminsky was endorsed at the launch by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, former 9/11 first responders, dozens of supporters and elected officials. Before representing Nassau County as a state legislator, Kaminsky worked as a state and federal prosecutor. Kaminsky worked as an Assistant District Attorney with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office working under Madeline Singas in the Domestic Violence Bureau, and later moving to the Felony Trial Bureau working on gun crimes, robberies, and burglaries. Kaminsky then went on to work in the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) as an Assistant United States Attorney. As acting deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section at EDNY, he successfully prosecuted both Democrat and Republican elected officials, including State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. and Rep. Michael Grimm. Kaminsky also successfully tried some of New York’s most high-profile cases, putting away violent criminals such as drug kingpins and gang leaders. Notably, Kaminsky uncovered
and led the investigation against Jimmy “Henchman” Rosemund for drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, firearms violations and other financial crimes associated with his position as leader of the Rosemund Narcotic Enterprise, a major drug trafficking organization. “Nassau County needs a District Attorney with a record of results and experience to keep our families safe – and I am ready to do the job day one. As an assistant district attorney, federal prosecutor and legislator, I have always prioritized public safety and delivered justice for our communities. As DA, I will protect our families from violent crime, taxpayers from fraud and corruption, and the human rights of every New Yorker. Let’s get to work,” said former prosecutor and State Senator Todd Kaminsky. Earlier this month, Madeline Singas was appointed to the New York Court of Appeals, vacating her position as Nassau County District Attorney. On Friday, the Nassau County Democratic Committee voted to make Kaminsky the Democratic nominee for the special election in November. “Under my watch, Nassau was named the safest community in America. There’s nothing I take more seriously than the safety of our families. As
an experienced prosecutor, Senator Kaminsky has a record of supporting our law enforcement officers, working hand-in-hand with them to clean up crime and take on corruption. With Senator Kaminsky as our District Attorney, the County will have a strong ally as we continue to keep Nassau families safe,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.
Team Israel to Open Exhibition Schedule in Brooklyn Israel’s national baseball team returns to Cyclones’ Maimonides Park for July 11 game
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srael’s national baseball team will begin its exhibition game schedule in preparation for this summer’s Olympic Games at the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, Maimonides Park, on Sunday, July 11. The opponent will be New York’s Bravest, FDNY Baseball, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:00 P.M. Makor Disability Services, which operates quality residential, community, and vocational programs for babies through seniors with developmental disabilities in New York, will be a co-host of the game and share in the proceeds. Ticket information will be released at a later date. For information about sponsorship opportunities or VIP packages, please contact Makor at (917) 796-7361. This game will be the first of nine that Team Israel will play in the United States as part of its training camp before the Olympics. Games against the New York Boulders in Pomona, New York, on Monday, July 12 and against the Bristol Blues and Ocean State Waves in Hartford, Connecticut, on Wednesday-Thursday, July 14-15, the Ripken League All-Stars in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Friday, July 16, and the Susquehanna Valley Stars in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 17 have already been announced. More games will be revealed in the coming days. “I cannot wait for the first pitch in Brooklyn!” Team Israel GM Peter Kurz said. “Maimonides Park was the site of great success for Team Israel at
the 2016 WBC qualifiers and we are confident that this series of games in July will be the start of even greater things for us. Plus, we know how the people of Brooklyn feel about our team, and I am sure the atmosphere for this game will be electric.” The Brooklyn Cyclones are a Minor League affiliate of the New York Mets and play in the High-A East league. Many future stars have passed through Maimonides Park on their way to greatness in the Major Leagues. Team Israel last visited Maimonides Park for the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifying Round in September 2016, when it edged Brazil and defeated Great Britain twice to advance to the main round of the WBC the following spring. Nine players from Team Israel’s expanded roster for the Olympics – from which the final 24-man squad that will play in Tokyo will be chosen – played in those 2016 qualifying games. They are Jeremy Bleich, Scott Burcham, Blake Gailen, Mitch Glasser, Dean Kremer, Jared Lakind, Ryan Lavarnway, Nick Rickles and Josh Zeid. After qualifying for Pool A of the WBC in South Korea, Israel defeated the host team, Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands, to reach the quarterfinals.
Several players on the Team Israel roster have connections to New York, including outfielder Jeremy Wolf, who played for the Cyclones during the 2017 season. “My grandfather used to watch Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider at the Polo Grounds and then having him watch me play in Brooklyn was one of my favorite experiences as a baseball player,” Wolf said. “Being Jewish and wearing number 18 as a Cyclone was such a thrill, and I’m honored to come back to Coney Island as a member of Team Israel!” Team Israel will have as many as 28 players in total, plus some of the top local talents of the next generation to expose them to a training camp atmosphere. The roster is ripe with players known to baseball fans in the United States; there are seven players with previous Major League Baseball experience plus several current minor league players. Team Israel will compete in baseball at the Olympic Games for the first time. It is the first team to represent Israel at the Olympic Games since 1976 when Israel’s national soccer team played in Montreal. The six-team Olympic Baseball Tournament will run from July 28 through August 7. You can help Team Israel on its journey by supporting the 25th Player campaign with donations made via Jewish National Fund-USA. Go to IsraelBaseball.com for more information. Official Team Israel baseball apparel can be purchased at teamisraelbaseball.com.
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Fantabulous Fun at Simcha Day Camp
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hat a fantabulistic kick-off to the Simcha Day Camp 2021 season! Baseball, basketball, swimming and lunch, all wrapped up in the special Simcha flavor! The juniors jumped right in as well, with an intense and disciplined class at Warren Levi Karate. The campers were all smiles when they found the Dojo set up as a world-class obstacle course, ready for action. The Sensei first taught them about self-discipline and focus before the training really began. Everyone had a rocking “fun”tastic time. Can’t wait to see what Week 2 has in store!
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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Around the Community
Chaverim Breakfast Parlor Event
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his past Sunday, Chaverim of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway held their annual breakfast parlor event, graciously hosted by David & Penina Klein and catered by Sharmel Caterers. It was attended by over 60 people. Before hearing our guest speaker, we all watched a video of Chaverim in action. To see the video please visit us on social media. HaRav Yaakov Feitman, shlita, Morah D’Asra of Kehillas Bais Yehuda Tzvi in Cedarhurst, was the guest speaker, who delighted the crowd and spoke about Chaverim and how important their work is.
The winners of the Grand Chinese Auction are: • $500 gift card to Five Towns Judaica Courtesy of Five Towns Judaica - Y. Wachspress • Wine & Spirits Package, Courtesy of MB Vineyards E. Moskowitz • $150 gift card to Amazon, Courtesy of Tech613 - A. Haan We would like to thank our sponsors: Cross River Bank, Tech613, Scientific Fire Prevention, Allied Fire Control Services, Westwood Realty, & Beyond, 5townscentral.org, FTADs, The Jewish Home, Rentastic,
PHOTO CREDIT: NF
and Print On Point. Please patronize our sponsors as we couldn’t have done this event without their help. We would like to thank Motty Rosen for helping out at the event. If you didn’t donate yet, feel free to visit us on the web https://www. chaverim5t.org/breakfast We also have four upcoming defensive driving courses: July 11 at 9:45 AM; July 12 at 7 PM; August 1 at 9:45 AM; August 2 at 7PM. See our website for more information. We wish everyone a safe summer. Tizku l’mitzvos. Chaverim Emergency Help Line:
(718) 337-1800 or send us a Twitter direct message “@Chaverim5t” with your name, location, problem and phone number, and a dispatcher will get back to you ASAP. Chaverim Info Line: (516) 3311460, P.O. Box 701, Lawrence, NY 11559.
Mark Ramer Chessed Center Gives Out Brand New Bikes
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his past Sunday, as we marked the start of the Three Weeks, over 50 local single mothers with their children came out to the Mark Ramer Chessed Center in Hewlett to pick up their brand-new bicycles. A most appropriate way to mourn the destruction of Beit Hamikdash – performing selfless acts of kindness for our community members. These beautiful bicycles were donated to the moms and children by the Mark Ramer Chessed Center which, although has just recently opened, is already making a profound impact on our community. Founded by Gabe Boxer of Kosher Response and Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz, longtime leader of the Leon Mayer Fund, the Center is a warehouse with thousands of essential household products ready to be given out to those in need. Miriam, a single mother of two, gratefully expressed, “My kids’ faces lit up when we got our new bikes. They rode them the entire afternoon.
For us, it isn’t just a bike; it’s a sign that our community cares about me
and my two little boys.” This special project was done in
Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz, Gabe Boxer, Esther Miller, and Breindy Schor
partnership with the JCCRP’s Success Space for Women, a program funded by the UJA Federation of NY that offers career counseling, financial coaching, and many other crucial social services to single mothers in the community. Esther Miller, JCCRP’s Success Space for Women program director, commented, “These women and their children are our neighbors, our friends, and, most importantly, our responsibility. We are so appreciative to Gabe Boxer and Rabbi Lefkowitz for this incredible project, and look forward to continuing our partnership in helping more community members in the very near future.” For more information about the Mark Ramer Chessed Center, please visit www.leonmayerfund.org/ chesed-center. For more information about the JCCRP’s Success Space for Women program, please email esther@jccrp.org.
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
A Lively Way to End the Year
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uess who came to town? Why, it was Uncle Moishy who came to entertain all
the lucky talmidos of the Ganger Early Childhood Division
Tzeischem L’Shalom to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Teitelbaum
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abbi Moshe and Rebbetzin Sori Teitelbaum began their Aliyah journey this past Wednesday, June 23. The sunny, beautiful day matched the mood, as members of the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst community came out to show them love, support, and hakarat hatov for all that the Teitelbaums have contributed to and done for the community over the past 30+ years as Mora D’Asra and Rebbetzin. While the members of the community couldn’t escort Rabbi and Rebbetzin Teitelbaum all the way to their airplane, they were able to gather for a brief time in front of the Teitelbaums’ home, replete with signs and well wishes, to symbolically escort the Rabbi and Rebbetzin as they embarked on this incredible move. To help create an even more festive atmosphere, a shul member anonymously sponsored a
“Head of the Class” Teacher
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A NC -Pl a i nv ie w is so excited to share that our fourth grade general studies teacher/ed tech coordinator, Mrs. Lynda Last, was nominated to be a Long Island Herald “Head of the Class” Teacher of the Year 2021! While she did not win the top award, she definitely is a winner on our campus and received
a special certificate from Nassau County Executive Laura Curran for being a finalist at the Herald Community Newspaper. Mrs. Last goes above and beyond the call of a teacher by always looking for new ways to teach and inspire her students. She is a Brain-Pop certified educator, Freckle and GoNoodle Ambassador,
and holds many other certifications. Additionally, she has implemented Mindfulness in the school building and especially in her fourth grade classroom. She is a teacher who does not hesitate to educate herself by attending conferences, webinars and Zooms to continue to learn how to be the best teacher
possible. As the Ed Tech Coordinator on the campus, she is constantly educating the staff with tips and tricks to add technology to their curriculum, as well as adding tech enrichment to her students. We are proud to have her as a faculty member and wish her mazal tov on this well-deserved accolade from the county!
kosher ice cream truck for all those in attendance. For over three decades, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Teitelbaum have served as pillars of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst community. While their dayto-day presence will be missed, the foundation the Teitelbaums have built here is strong, and the entire YILC family is so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such esteemed teachers and leaders. We know that the entire Five Towns community joins together in wishing them hatzlachah rabbah on their inspiring choice to settle in Eretz Yisrael. Once again, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Teitelbaum are leading the way by example. While we know that the Rabbi and Rebbetzin will come to visit with us often, may we all be zoche to join them in Israel one day soon – l’shana habah b’Yerushalayim.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
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Scenes from Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Camp Oraysa
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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Around the Community
Inauguration of Bais Torah U’Tefilah’s New Campus
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embers of Bais Torah U’Tefilah (“BTU”) and the greater West Hempstead Community celebrated the grand opening of BTU’s new home at 401 Hempstead Ave on Thursday evening, June 24. The program began with the installation of the mezuzahs on the main doors of the new building and Mincha. Following that inaugural minyan, BTU’s Mara d’asra, Rabbi Uri Lesser, kicked off the event with divrei bracha and was followed by Rabbi Eytan Feiner, the Rav of Congregation Kneseth Israel (The White Shul) in Far Rockaway. Rabbi Feiner emphasized the importance of feeling the excitement and tasting the sweetness of Torah and tefillah and encouraged the community to make this beautiful building their second home. He quoted a vort from Rav Shimshon Pincus, zt”l, that the highest level of avodas Hashem is learning Torah and davening for its sweetness and love of Hashem. As Rabbi Feiner so eloquently put it, “Hashem gave [us] siyata d’shmaya. Hashem gave [us] an unbelievable Rav, a choshova Mara d’asra, shlita. Hashem gave us a binyan m’faor (beautiful building). Hashem gave us gevaldig seforim. Hashem gave us golden doors! …. Sing with the Torah! Dance with the Daf Yomi! Celebrate the greatest gift in the history of the world. Come to [our] true home, our Bais Torah U’Tefilah, that [we’re] all mechanech
Rabbi Uri Lesser putting the mezuzah on BTU’s new Beis Medrash
tonight, this is our home.” Thursday night’s event was capped off with Maariv followed by BTU’s weekly Thursday night Mishmar, where more than 40 people sat and learned and snacked on cholent and kugel. BTU’s new home offers a 2-story, 9,000 square foot building situated on an expansive 0.69 acre lot. The building features a large sanctuary/ Bais Medrash with seating for more than 200 people, a Social Hall, large classrooms, offices, a coat room, a children’s playground area (once completed), and a large parking lot. This is a major upgrade from BTU’s former 1,000 square foot building right across the street and its more
Dancing the Siferei Torah to BTU’s new home on Friday, Erev Shabbos Parshas Balak
humble beginnings in Rabbi Lesser’s basement. “We are so grateful and recognize the kindness of Hashem that we were to able secure this large, magnificent building, with room for growth, that will serve the growing frum community as a makom Torah and tefillah now and for generations to come,” said Rabbi Lesser. Rabbi Lesser grew up in West Hempstead and founded BTU in 2014 to provide a warm and welcoming Kehilla for B’nei Torah seeking affordable housing in a down-toearth environment in the NY area. Rabbi Lesser studied in Yeshivas Ohr HaChaim and Ner Yisroel, and was inspired by his Mara d’asra, Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, zt”l, the long-
Rabbi Eytan Feiner speaking at BTU’s opening
time Rav of the Young Israel of West Hempstead. In addition to serving as the rav of BTU, Rabbi Lesser is also the Director of Pastoral Care at Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and has extensive professional experience in pastoral care, kashrus, and chinuch habonim. He is genuinely beloved and respected by all members of the kehilla for his genuine warmth, humility, and dedication to the community and avodas Hashem. Under Rabbi Lesser’s leadership, BTU has become a warm makom Torah and tefillah for the growing West Hempstead Jewish community. There are daily minyanim and an open Beis Medrash for people to learn b’chavrusa and attend weekly shiurim. More than a shul, BTU is a close-knit kehillah built upon the many young families who share a common vision in avodas Hashem. Its members include both long-tenured residents of West Hempstead and the numerous families who have recently moved to West Hempstead from Kew Gardens Hills, Far Rockaway, the Five Towns, and beyond. Indeed, thanks in part to BTU, West Hempstead has become a preeminent destination for frum Jewish families. As the West Hempstead community celebrates the continued growth of Torah and tefillah, BTU looks forward to welcoming new members and families. To learn more about BTU, visit BTUWH.org.
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Summer Fun at Camp L’eilah
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
Around the Community
A Celebration of Appreciation
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here were many lessons one could learn from Covid. One that resonated deeply with the Ganger Early Childhood division of TAG was to never take anything for granted. This year’s Pre-1A Celebration of Appreciation was particularly moving as the talmidos stopped to reflect on all aspects of graduation that we previously considered “normal.” The girls expressed their hakaras hatov and emunah in Hashem’s love for us through song and the recitation of Tehillim (by heart!). Thank you to the moros who prepared and practiced with the girls so that they were able to perform like pros! Thank you to all the guests who came to enjoy the nachas. Special thanks to Morah Karen Daitchman, our music teacher, for adding her professional touch and making the graduation the beautiful event it was! The graduating Pre-1A girls will be missed in the halls of the Early Childhood division but are moving up to first grade, fully prepared and very excited. The Ganger Early Childhood division of TAG is under the leadership of Mrs. Chavie Sender and Mrs. Rivky Keilson who certainly earned the appreciation of the talmidos, their parents and their faculty members.
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
BJX Takes Public High School Students on Tour of ArtScroll
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e take for granted that every five-year-old has a Chumash party and learns to read from a Chumash. What’s it like for an unaffiliated Jew to see the actual printing of the ArtScroll Stone Chumash and then take one home hot off the printing press? Thousands of Jews residing amongst us may have heard of the Bible but never saw, let alone touched, a Chumash, which
makes the following story all the more incredible. The BJX Level II immersive and experiential program in Judaism introduces unaffiliated students to unique experiences that will enrich their lives. We show them Yiddishkeit in action. This program is for students who have already completed our public high school Leadership Program. They all live locally but haven’t had
the benefit of any Jewish education. We brought a group these public high school students to the illustrious ArtScroll headquarters and factory in New Jersey to see the world’s largest Jewish publisher in action. They watched as the ArtScroll siddur and other popular books were being printed. The students were treated to dinner, a full tour of the factory, and a Q & A with Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, Media
Director for ArtScroll, and each student was presented with a momentous and precious gift – a Stone Chumash! On the way home, two young men learned from the Chumash they received. We are very grateful to our dear partner Reb Yitzy Haas and devoted friend Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz for their amazing generosity and for believing in the power of every Yiddishe neshama.
A New Beginning for Bikur Cholim 5T + FR
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arlier this month, on June 13, 2021, Bikur Cholim of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns threw an all-inclusive event in Harborveiw to kick off the brand new rebranding of the website and Instagram. The event’s overall theme was “Celebrating Extraordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things,” and prior to the event, many women had the chance to nominate someone in the community who exemplifies outstanding chessed. The nominees were Vicki Davis, Machi Muller and Mimi Shuter. These women were awarded with a plaque in recognition of their chessed for the community. Our kickoff event would not have
been complete without our full lineup of guests! To start, we had the talented Shaindel Antelis and Bracha Jaffe, followed by guest appearances by Kiss
Did you know? Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a writing desk that could fit over one’s lap. At the time, that type of device was called a “laptop.”
the Kosher Cook and Esther Berg. And of course, our night wouldn’t have gone so smoothly without our co-host Frumee Taubenfeld! The event started at 8 pm when the sun first started to set over our amazing venue which was beautifully set up by Partini Events (@partinievents) with our new bright color palette of pinks and blues. Food and cocktails were served with drinks to match the event. Our guests got to take home swag from Five Towns female vendors, which included caps, sweatshirts, notebooks, bags, iced coffee cups and so much more! What made this event special was the coming together of our com-
munity. We are, ka”h, a very large community with people with all different kinds of backgrounds. Yet, as different as we all are, at the end of the day, we are still Am Yisrael, functioning as one and all striving for the same purpose. Special thanks to everyone who came to the event to show support and to those who helped pull this successful event together! We have so much in store for the community this year. To be in the know about our upcoming events, you can sign up for our newsletter at www. bikurcholim5tft.org or follow us on Instagram @bikurcholim5towns.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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Around the Community
A Double Divine Smile! Before This Sukkos You Can Complete Masechta Sukkah with Daf Yomi and Hilchos Sukkos with Daf HaYomi B’Halacha By Chaim Gold
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veryone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to somehow achieve the elusive feeling of simcha. In this generation, people are looking for all kinds of things that will make them happy. One person might think it is a new car, another a vacation and the list goes on... There is, however, a profoundly illuminating Gemara that tells us how we can achieve a profound level of simcha this year - and it starts in about a week. Let us explain! The sefarim tell us that a sign of siyata d’shmaya in learning is when you come across one area in your learning while learning a totally different limud. That is akin to a Divine smile! This year’s schedule of Daf HaYomi and Daf HaYomi B’Halacha is thus akin to a double Divine Smile! As we are completing Masechta Yoma, the masechta all about Yom Kippur in Daf HaYomi, we are also marching towards the end of hilchos Yom Kippur in the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha. Amazingly, in a show of complete Divine siyata d’shmaya, the Daf Hayomi Bavli will be beginning Masechta Sukkah this coming 29 Tammuz/July 9. Just four days later, the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha daily Mishnah Berurah learning program will begin the halachos of Sukkos followed by the halachos of lulav and esrog. Indeed, by this coming Sukkos, learners in both programs will have just completed Masechta Sukkah and hilchos Sukkos! What a way to come into the Yom Tov of Sukkos!! Truly a double Divine smile! The Optimum Source of Simcha Chazal teach us, “Davar b’ito mah tov, when one learns
something in the right time it is a wonderful thing.” Rabi Zeira said that this idea is derived from: “A man has joy in the answer of his mouth; and a, davar b’ito mah tov, a word in due season, how good it is (Mishlei 15:23).” When does a man have joy? When an answer related to Torah study is in his mouth. Another pshat: When does a man have joy in the answer of his mouth? When he experiences the fulfillment of: A word in due season, how good it is, i.e., when he knows when and how to address each issue. (Eruvin, 54a) Rashi explains, “When are words of Torah pleasant? When a person knows how to learn and darshan the specific halachos of each yom tov on its yom Tov. Another explanation: When does a man have joy? When does a person enjoy his learning? When you ask him a question of halacha, and he is able to answer it!” The words of this Gemara seem like they are describing the unique time period in which we live today. There is a unique combination of learning about the yom tov in the “right time,” as yom tov approaches and the second, added dimension of simcha from being able to actually know and answer the halacha about that yom tov when one is asked. “It is clear from this Gemara that if a person wants to merit true simcha this yom tov, now is the time to jump on the bandwagon and begin learning both the Daf Yomi, Masechta Sukkah starting at the end of Tammuz and Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program which begins the halachos of Sukkah just four days later! It is the ultimate davar b’ito mah tov and the ultimate simcha l’ish! It is an amazing opportunity to come into Sukkos with the true
HaRav Binyomin Finkel addressing a past Daf HaYomi B’Halacha gathering in Bnei Brak
simcha of knowing the masechta in its right time and knowing the practical halacha l’maaseh,” said Rabbi Shlomo Rozenstein, Dirshu’s Director of Public Relations. Where Daf Yomi and Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Intersect We live in a time when simcha is so elusive. Everyone wants to feel simcha, feel joy and especially, to feel the joy of what it means to be a Yid. This Gemara gives us a foolproof formula in how to achieve this simcha. Learn Masechta Sukkah and hilchos Sukkah starting next week and complete both before Sukkos! An amazing side benefit of this learning is that there is no better way to see how Gemara and halacha are more beautifully intertwined and derived from each other. Let us give just a couple of examples that anyone will find upon undertaking these two limudim. This coming 7 Av/July 16, we will be learning Masechta Sukkah Daf Tes. What topic is discussed there? The halachos of one sukkah built on top of another sukkah as well as a question of building a sukkah under a tree or within an existing house. On that exact same day, in the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program, we will learn siman 626, se’if aleph in Shulchan Aruch and Mishnah Berurah where it discusses the halachos of hav-
ing two coverings on a sukkah, such as a sukkah under a sukkah or a sukkah under a tree or within a house. Thus, learners of the Daf HaYomi Bavli and Daf HaYomi B’Halacha will have the tremendous treat and zechus to learn the sugya with its entire natural progression. From the Gemara to Rashi (and Tosafos and Rishonim) and right up until the Mishnah Berurah and the poskim of our time...you will be enlightened on Rav Elyashiv’s psak on whether snow that falls on schach is a problem, or what the Chazon Ish says about clothing hanging from a clothesline that are blowing in the wind on top of the schach or the Noda B’Yehuda’s question on whether you are allowed to sit under an umbrella in the sukkah. Similarly, at the beginning of Elul, we will be learning daf lamed-daled in Sukkah that discusses the halachos of the four minim, what happens if you have a lulav, esrog, hadassim or aravos where the top is cut off or where one of them gets cut off, etc. Just a bit later, we learn about the halacha l’maaseh of these things in siman 645. In that siman, not only will one learn the Shulchan Aruch and Mishnah Berurah that will teach all the basic halachos, but one will encounter hundreds of p’sakim from later poskim such as the Chazon Ish, Rav Moshe Feinstein,
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and more. For example, what if the lulav is beautiful but is grafted. What does Rav Moshe say about that? What if some of the leaves are dry but some are not? What does the Chazon Ish say about that? These two examples are not the only examples. There are many more throughout both Masechta Sukkah and the Mishnah Berurah. The most amazing thing about these programs is, that if one begins next week, within three months, he can master Masechta Sukkah together with all the halachos of sukkah, lulav and esrog, starting with the Gemara and going straight through to the poskim of our generation! Now is truly the time to join and learn the Daf HaYomi and the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha for the ultimate shleimus in learning, in keeping with the Mishnah Berurah’s psak that the greatest mitzvah of limud haTorah is learning something right through up until and including halacha l’maaseh. Join now and conclude the Mishnah Berurah with the multitudes around the world this coming Chodesh Adar, when Dirshu will celebrate its gala World Siyum on the second machzor of the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha! Now is the time to truly attain the ultimate simcha of davar b’ito mah tov. What are you waiting for?!
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JULY 1, 2021 Home Home OCTOBER 29,| The 2015Jewish | The Jewish
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TJH
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? t a h W Say
What’s red, white, black and blue? Uncle Sam falling down the stairs.
Centerfold
What happened as a result of the Stamp Act? The Americans licked the British! What kind of tea did the American colonists want? Liberty. What’s the difference between a duck and George Washington? One has a bill on his face, and the other has his face on a bill.
What does the Statue of Liberty stand for? It can’t sit down. What would you get if you crossed George Washington with cattle feed? The fodder of our country! What did one flag say to the other flag? Nothing. It just waved.
Firework Facts !
It is believed that “firecrackers” were first discovered in China during the Han dynasty (200 B.C.), when pieces of green bamboo were thrown into fire. They sizzled and exploded, startling everyone around.
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Today, 90% of fireworks come from China. However, the highest caliber of fireworks are manufactured in Spain.
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In order for a firework to properly launch, its fuse must first be ignited to produce the shell’s liftoff. The fuse, however, will continue to burn as the shell rises. Once it is at its optimal height, a center burst charge ignites, lighting and spreading the stars in different shapes across the sky.
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A Guinness Book of World Record was made for the largest firework display in 2012. It
consisted of 77,282 fireworks and was achieved by the State of Kuwait during the celebrations for their 50th anniversary.
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Some fireworks rockets can reach speeds of 150mph and can reach as high as 200 meters in the air.
! !
The Walt Disney Company is the largest consumer of fireworks in the U.S. In 2012, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 60% of fireworkrelated accidents took place between June 22–July 22.
The Jewish | JULY29, 1, 2021 The Jewish Home Home | OCTOBER 2015
4th of July Trivia 1. In what year did the United States declare its independence from Britain? a. 1796 b. 1492 c. 1776 d. 1837 2. Why do we celebrate July 4th? a. America won the Revolutionary War on that day b. The Constitution of the United States was signed on that day c. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on that day d. George Washington became president on that day 3. What is the chronological order of the following four presidents? a. James Madison
Answers: 1. C 2. C: Actually, on July 2, 1776, the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress. John Adams, in his writings, even noted that July 2 would be remembered in the annals of American history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations. The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4 but wasn’t actually signed until August 2. (To all you lawyers out there, you are not the only ones who pre-date documents!). 3. C, B, D, A 4. B, D: Both John Adams (the second president of the USA) and Thomas Jefferson (the third president of the USA) signed the Declaration of Independence. George Washington did not sign the Declaration
b. John Adams c. George Washington d. Thomas Jefferson 4. Which one (or more) of the following presidents signed the Declaration of Independence? a. James Madison b. John Adams c. George Washington d. Thomas Jefferson 5. Which two of the following presidents were bitter political rivals? a. Thomas Jefferson b. Abraham Lincoln
of Independence because he was in New York preparing for battle with the British Army. 5. A, C: Although they had worked together in the cause for independence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became truly bitter enemies when political parties began to form around each of them. When George Washington left the presidency, the battle for a successor was bitterly fought between Vice President Adams and Secretary Jefferson. Adams defeated Jefferson by a 3-vote margin (71-68 electoral votes), becoming our second president. That bitter campaign was renewed in 1800 when Jefferson defeated Adams to become our third president. John Adams often proclaimed, “I will outlive Jefferson.” However, after they ended their political careers, they reconciled their
c. John Adams d. Barack Obama 6. Which one (or more) of the following presidents died on July 4? a. James Madison b. John Adams c. James Monroe d. George Washington e. Thomas Jefferson 7. In which other country is there a July 4th? a. France b. Britain c. Australia d. Canada
differences and became close friends. 6. B, C, E: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day – July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the birth of our nation! Thomas Jefferson died several hours before Adams, hence fulfilling John Adams’ promise that he will outlive Jefferson. The third president to die on Independence Day was James Monroe (5th president of the USA), who died on July 4, 1831. 7. Want to think about that question for a little longer? Your Score: 5-7 Correct: You are a true patriot! 3-4 Correct: American exceptionalism has a place for mediocrity as well. 0-2 Correct: Hopefully the fireworks will spark up your mind a bit!
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Torah Thought
Parshas Pinchas By Rabbi Berel Wein
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here were extremely negative murmurings within the people of Israel in objection to the actions of Pinchas for his zealousness in slaying Zimri together with the lecherous princess of Midyan, Kozbi bat Tzur. Many attributed the violence of his act to the fact that his mother was a Midyanite and that he was descended from a priest of Midyan himself. There are those amongst us who
abhor violence at all costs, in all circumstances. There is no such thing as a justifiable homicide as far as they are concerned. Human life is so precious that even the most evil of people must be protected so that no harm should befall them. Apparently, these murmurings against Pinchas, the grandson of Aharon, who was the most beloved of all leaders of the Jewish people, were so strong that the
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L-rd had to “intervene” to defend Pinchas and highlight the justification and necessity of his act. In theory, pacifism is a noble idea. However, the contentious and dangerous world that human beings are forced to live in becomes a certain recipe for disaster and the triumph of tyranny and evil. Justice is a messy business to put into practice. The effect of the immorality of Zimri on the general Jewish society was so detrimental that the L-rd indicates that a plague of enormous consequences would have been loosed on the Jewish people were it not for the actions of Pinchas.
away from all forms of fanaticism. There is no other person in the holy writings of Scripture whose zealotry is condoned by Heaven. In fact, a great prophet Elijah is rebuked by Heaven itself for the zealotry that he displayed against the Jewish people. There is no question that the people were sinners and idolaters, and we can feel and empathize with the pain and loneliness of Elijah, seeing how disastrously Israel had wandered from their core beliefs and mission. Nevertheless, Elijah is instructed that until he removes that attitude of zealotry from his relationship with the people of Israel, he cannot remain
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Nevertheless, even with the apparent endorsement of Heaven for this act of zealotry, Judaism shies away from all forms of fanaticism.
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One of the basic questions in ethical literature, and it appears as a basic question in halacha, debates the morality of sacrificing one’s life in order that many lives will be saved and spared. It is not my purpose in this article to develop this into a complex issue but to point out that in this very instance, a moral dilemma of human beings was addressed by the statement of the L-rd in defense of the actions of Pinchas. Nevertheless, even with the apparent endorsement of Heaven for this act of zealotry, Judaism shies
the instrument of G-d’s will to communicate with Israel. At that moment in his life, Elijah is transformed from an avenging angel into the angel of generational covenant, the messenger of the tidings of redemption, and the comforting presence that has accompanied the Jewish people throughout the world over its long and painful journey of exile. So, we are brought full circle in dealing with vengeance and zealotry, and we are reminded not to be unrealistic pacifists at the same time. Shabbat shalom.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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From the Fire Parshas Pinchas
Leadership – Stay in Touch By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf
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e learn a halacha of historical significance in this week’s parsha. Following the daughters of Tzlafchad’s request for an inheritance because their father died without sons, the pasuk (Bamidbar 27:8) says: “Speak to the children of Israel to say, ‘If a man dies, and he has no son, you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.’” Chazal (Yalkut Shimoni, Remez 774) teach, “The portion of inheritances should have been taught through Moshe Rebbeinu, but the daughters of Tzlafchad were meritorious and it was taught through them, for good things happen through the meritorious and bad things thorough the guilty.” Why was the daughters’ request so meritorious? They made the following claim (Bamidbar 27:4): “Give us a portion among the brothers of our father.” As background, they informed Moshe (ibid. 3), “Our father died in the desert and he was
not among the assembly that banded together against Hashem in the assembly of Korach. Rather, for his own sin he died…” While we understand that Korach did not have a good reputation, why was it relevant to their claim to make sure Moshe knew their father was not a follower of Korach? It must be that all of the complaints of Korach, his assembly, Dasan, Aviram, and their ilk shared one common denominator, as we see from their never-ending grumbling: “Is it not enough that you brought us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to cause us to die in the desert?! … You have not even brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey…” (ibid. 16:1314). Their complaints all revolved around negativity toward Eretz Yisroel. “Let us turn around and return to Egypt” (ibid. 14:4). The daughters of Tzlafchad wanted to make sure there was no
room for error. Their claim to the land was only based on a love for Eretz Yisroel and a strong desire to cling to it. They were telling Moshe that their father was not part of Korach’s assembly. Rather, his “Zionist” credentials were impeccable. They wanted Moshe to know that their claim was based on a love for Eretz Yisroel. Nothing else. Their request was not based on a desire for wealth or property. That is why the pasuk traces their lineage back to Yosef (Rashi on ibid. 27:1). Just as Yosef loved Eretz Yisroel so much that he could not bear the thought of being buried in Egypt, so too the daughters of Tzlafchad were motivated purely by a desire to connect to the land. In their request, the daughters of Tzlafchad do not even use the word “inheritance” or “property.” Rather, they only ask for a “portion.” All they wanted was to connect themselves to Eretz Yisroel. That is why
they wanted to ensure Moshe knew that their father was not among the people who negated the Jewish people’s essential connection to Eretz Yisroel. When Hashem tells Moshe to grant their request, He tells him (ibid. 7), “The daughters of Tzlafchad speak justly.” They word “kein, justly” does not only mean that they were right. It means, as the brothers said to Yosef as viceroy, “Keinim anachnu, We are honest” (Bereishis 42:11). Although Moshe Rebbeinu was unimaginably great, on his level, he had somewhat of a blind spot. He had a suspicion that these young women only wanted a portion in Eretz Yisroel as a way of accumulating wealth or status. So Hashem had to tell him, “No, these women are honest. Their desire for a connection to Eretz Yisroel is based on a pure and simple love for the land.” Moshe, on his level, failed to rec-
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021 The TheJewish JewishHome Home||OCTOBER OCTOBER29, 29,2015 2015
ognize that the daughters of Tzlafchad were not part of the old generation, with its slave mentality and inability to intellectually and emotionally separate from Egypt. They were part of the new generation who was looking forward to taking possession of the land in order to live a full Jewish life there. The truth is that we still do not understand how Moshe could have forgotten the halacha that a daughter inherits from her father when he has no sons. Is it possible Moshe never learned this halacha from Hashem? Rashi (on Bamidbar 27:5) explains differently, “The halacha eluded him. Here, he was punished for taking the crown by saying (Devarim 1:17), ‘And the matter that is too difficult for you, bring it, takrivun, to me and I will hear it.’” Outwardly, it seems that because Moshe showed too much confidence in himself, he forgot the halacha. The pasuk therefore says about him (Bamidbar 27:5), “Moshe brought, va’yikrav, their matter before Hashem.” Could it be that Rashi means Moshe was being punished for a modicum of arrogance? Such an explanation is highly unlikely, as Hashem Himself testifies (Bamidbar 12:3), “And the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any other man on the face of the earth.” We must also understand why Moshe was punished for saying, “And the matter that is too difficult for you, bring it to me and I will hear it.” Moshe said this almost forty years earlier, when he listened to Yisro’s advice and, instead of hearing all halachic questions himself, appointed judges over tens, hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands. So why was Moshe punished at the end of the forty years in the desert for the statement that he made to the judges almost forty years earlier? Perhaps we can suggest an explanation. Yisro’s advice was certainly correct. It is impossible to lead a nation by personally adjudicating every personal question and interpersonal dispute that arises in the nation. It was necessary for Moshe to delegate his authority and handle only the most difficult cases. But the natural result of this was that, as the
new generation grew up over the course of the forty years in the desert, Moshe Rebbeinu had virtually no personal contact with this new generation. He was busy managing the complaints of the Egyptian-born generation who were struggling with a fear of conquering Eretz Yisroel and a misplaced nostalgia for life in Egypt. Moshe was accustomed to
a child is small, his teacher hits him and he learns. When he grows up, [the teacher] rebukes him with words. So, too, Hashem said to Moshe: “When this rock was young, you hit it, as it says, ‘And you shall hit the rock’ (Shmos 17:6). But now, ‘And you shall speak to the rock before them and it will give forth its waters’ (Bamidbar 20:8). Teach one
The new generation, the generation of the daughters of Tzlafchad, grew up without a direct connection with Moshe Rebbeinu.
leading Jews immersed in an exile mentality. For entirely legitimate reasons, Moshe lacked the opportunity for a personal connection with the younger generation who were ready, willing, and able to start a new life in the land of Israel. At the end of the forty years in the desert, they were the majority of the Jewish people. The new generation, the generation of the daughters of Tzlafchad, grew up without a direct connection with Moshe Rebbeinu. Perhaps that is why Moshe was baffled by them. Their true intentions were not clear to him. He did not know whether their claim was driven by a desire for wealth or a sincere longing to connect to Eretz Yisroel. That is why Moshe forgot this halacha relating to inheritance as a result of saying, “And the matter that is too difficult for you, bring it to me and I will hear it.” It was not a “punishment” per sé. It was a natural result of the fact that Moshe was not connected to the idealism and longing for Eretz Yisroel prevalent in the new generation. There is an amazing Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Chukas, Remez 763) related to this point: “And you shall speak to the rock before them and it will give forth its waters” (Bamidbar 20:8). When
chapter [of Torah] over it and it will bring forth water from the rock.” We see from this Midrash that the leaders of the new generation were obligated to lead them differently than the previous generation. It was difficult for Moshe to lead a generation that did not grow up in slavery, who did not grow up under the Egyptian whip, the same way he led the old generation. The old generation grew up being treated like property. They were beaten and expected to be obedient subjects. They unfortunately only understood the language of the whip. But the young generation grew up with freedom and a sense of self-respect. That is why Moshe was unable to lead the new generation into Eretz Yisroel. He had limited contact with the young generation and therefore did not know how to communicate with them. The generation of Eretz Yisroel was the generation of “Speak to the heart of Yerushalayim and call out to it” (Yeshayahu 40:2). Moshe’s difficulty in fully connecting with the new generation was the reason why, immediately after the story of the daughters of Tzlafchad, Hashem told him (Bamidbar 27:12-13), “Ascend this Mount Avarim and see the land that I have given to the children of Israel. When you see it, you too will be gathered
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to your people just as Aharon your brother was gathered.” The new generation needed a new leader, Yehoshua, who knew how to speak with the generation and who was in touch with the nature of the people who would enter Eretz Yisroel. Perhaps Mount Avarim refers to the avar, the past. Moshe stood upon the mountain separating the past from the future. A chassid of the Rachmastrivker Rebbe in Boro Park, shlita, once introduced the Rebbe to an elderly Jew, proudly explaining that this man was “ah fartzeitiker chassid, an old-fashioned chassid.” Meaning it as a great compliment, the chassid wanted the Rebbe to understand that his acquaintance was not one of those new-fangled chassidim, with a “they don’t make ‘em like they used to” connotation. Unimpressed, the Rebbe responded, “I don’t know what it says in your Haggadah, but in mine, it says, ‘At the beginning our forefathers were idol-worshipers… But now, the Holy One brought us close to His service…’ I don’t need to meet old-fashioned chassidim. I want to meet new chassidim.” May we merit to be new chassidim who live with Hashem’s will for our lives now and not merely mimic what Jews have done in the past. At the same time, may we be protected from small-minded rabbis, the “little foxes who destroy vineyards” (see Rambam, Talmud Torah 5:4), who confuse the foreign ideologies they have imbibed with a true understanding of the needs of the generation. Instead, may Hashem cause us to merit more and more leaders who are connected to the past but understand the nature of our generation and lead us according to that understanding. With that, as it says in Shemonah Esrei, “Our eyes will see Your return to Zion with mercy.”
Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.
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Delving into the Daf
A Tzaddik Before Birth? By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow
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here was a pregnant woman who smelled food on Yom Kippur. She developed a ravenous desire to eat. If she did not satisfy the craving, it was possible that her life or that of the fetus would be in danger (Yoma 82b). When Rebbi was told of the situation, he advised that they whisper to the woman, “Today is Yom Kippur.” The Meiri says the expectant mother was additionally blessed that if she didn’t eat food on Yom Kippur she would merit a righteous son. The words had their effect, and she indeed did not eat that Yom Kippur. She merited a son who was none other than the great Amora, Rebbe Yochanan. Rebbi applied the following verse to the incident: “Before you were formed in the womb, I (Hashem) knew you.” The simple explanation of the relevance of the verse is that since the pregnant woman through her sheer willpower withstood her cravings, from that moment she was destined to have a son who was righteous. Rebbi was commenting that even before the child was born, he was already fated to be a tzaddik. However, Rav Yisrael Salanter reportedly offered another explanation. It is a well-known halacha that when someone has to eat on Yom Kippur for health reasons, we prefer that they follow a special process. They should eat small amounts of food every nine minutes. If one needs to eat more due to a medical condition, they may do so as concern for human life takes precedence. Nevertheless, we initially advise the individual to follow the strict eating regimen if possible. According to Reish Lakish, the reasons for the guidelines are obvi-
ous. If one eats less than the size of a large date every nine minutes on Yom Kippur, only a rabbinic prohibition is violated. We would certainly prefer that a rabbinic injunction be violated than a biblical one. However, according to Rebbe Yochanan, the reason for the strict eating regimen is less obvious. He holds that eating any amount of food on Yom Kippur violates a biblical prohibition. Likewise, regarding any forbidden food, he holds that even if one eats less than the amount necessary for punishment at the hands of beis din, a Torah prohibition is still violated. This position is referred to in the Gemara as “chatzi shiur assur min haTorah.” Even half of a requisite amount is still biblically forbidden. However, ordinarily, if one intentionally eats an amount of food that is equivalent to a large date in the requisite time on Yom Kippur, a biblical precept was violated that carries the strict penalty of kareis. If one eats less than that amount, a biblical prohibition was still violat-
ed, albeit a less severe one without kareis. The Torah does not prescribe any specific penalty for eating food on Yom Kippur that is less than the equivalent of a large date. In general, when faced with a situation where a Torah prohibition needs to be waived for health concerns, we prefer that a less severe prohibition be overridden. Consequently, we advise an individual who needs to eat on Yom Kippur to strive to only override the more lenient prohibition, the one that does not entail the kareis penalty. This means that the individual will eat less than the size of a large date every nine minutes. Rebbe Yochanan’s mother mentioned in the story with Rebbi above requested a permit to eat on Yom Kippur. If she had eaten, she presumably would have only eaten small amounts every nine minutes. According to Reish Lakish, only a rabbinic prohibition would have been waived. Her steadfast refusal in the end to break her fast foretold that the baby she was carrying
would one day rule that intentionally eating even small amounts on Yom Kippur incurs a biblical violation. Therefore, her future scholar would advise that the permit to break one’s Yom Kippur fast be granted sparingly. Her strength and fortitude in not eating even the smallest amount of food on Yom Kippur adhered to the position that her son would take. This was hinted in the verse Rebbi chose to apply to the incident, “Before you were formed in the womb, I knew you.” Even before Rebbe Yochanan was born, it was portended that he would rule stringently on the question of chatzi shiur, eating small amounts on Yom Kippur. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l, says that even nowadays we should use the Gemara’s advice. We should attempt to dissuade a pregnant woman from breaking her fast with the statement, “today is Yom Kippur,” coupled with a blessing if she perseveres. However, he cautions that in no way should an expectant woman be scared into fasting. Besides being misguided and wrong, it’s counterproductive. Scaring a fasting individual is more likely to exacerbate a need to break the fast. It goes without saying that the Yom Kippur prohibitions are waived in the face of danger to the mother’s or the baby’s life. The attempt to dissuade a pregnant woman from breaking her fast is merely to try to help her overcome her cravings.
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow is a rebbe at Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway. In addition, Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead, NY. He can be contacted at ASebrow@ gmail.com.
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The Wandering
Jew
Omaha, Des Moines & Milwaukee Part I By Hershel Lieber
The Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska
A farm in Iowa
M
ay was always the best month for us to travel. I was relieved of the grueling pressure that tax season always brought upon me. May was also after the intense preparations that Pesi was involved in every year in ushering in Pesach. The weather was just right, not too cold and not too hot. And, after being cooped up working a whole winter, the “friendly skies” were beckoning to continue our quest to explore the world. Going to Europe always satisfied that need. Whether
Cattle grazing in a field in Iowa
it is a castle outside of Dublin or the Sultan’s Palace in Istanbul, and everything in between, we are keenly interested in seeing and experiencing it all. We are also passionate about traveling within the United States. Cities, national parks, small towns, museums, gardens, and historical sites – it does not make a difference, we are fascinated with whatever our country has to offer. Nevertheless, the major ingredient that makes every trip worthwhile is meeting Yidden from all
over. Whether it is a small shul in Omaha with barely a Shabbos minyan, or a kosher deli in Des Moines, or a prominent rabbi in Milwaukee, connecting with the members of our tribe is a true thrill. I am a noticeably religious Jew, with my beard and my yarmulka openly displayed. We are approached constantly by Jews that are either connected or disconnected from their roots and engaged into a conversation. The most recent memory I have of this form of “bageling” happened in a supermarket in Bismarck, North Dakota. A Jewish woman approached us and told us of her origins in Brooklyn, NY. She sheepishly informed us that she was married to a very important local Indian chief. Enough of this introduction, and now onto this week’s article. In May of 2014, we scheduled an eight-day trip to Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin. We were set to arrive in Omaha and depart from Milwaukee and travel by car from place to place over a week-long period.
Arriving early Tuesday morning, we immediately drove to Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska. The capitol building was our first stop and it generally serves as an introduction to the state and its history. Our next activity was a bit unusual, since we are both notoriously ignorant and mostly uninterested in sports. Nevertheless, we decided to make an exception by taking a tour of the home stadium of The Cornhuskers, the legendary football team of the University of Nebraska. We reasoned that visiting their sta-
Trying out for the Cornhuskers
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The Chabad shluchim in Des Moines, Yossi and Chani Jacobson
dium would be a way of acquainting ourselves with a game that is completely unfamiliar to us. We always were appalled by the apparent brutality of this sport and looked down at the spectators who seemingly are
of the area. Towards the evening, we walked the pedestrian bridge that connects Nebraska and Iowa. It was a lighter day indeed, but was still very enjoyable. On Thursday, we were up at six and out before nine. Two hours later, we entered Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. The largest city of the state is known as the insurance capital of the West, and there are some tourist attractions there as well. Since we knew that there was a kosher restaurant in the city, we decided to combine our breakfast and lunch meals by having brunch at the Maccabean Kosher Deli before we start our touring. We came before opening hours and waited in our car. When I realized the store was already open, I started turning into the adjacent parking area. At the same moment, a woman who had evidently come out of the store earlier
We returned to the Maccabean for supper and were befriended by a prospective convert who was studying with Rabbi Yossi.
comfortable with the violence displayed on the playing field. The tour guide was patient with our lack of knowledge and good naturedly tried to explain to us the mechanics of that sport. We actually learned something and enjoyed the experience, though we still are not enthusiastic about this type of sporting event. We topped off the day with a visit to the famed “Sunken Gardens” to enjoy its natural beauty and serenity. We continued our journey the next morning by driving into Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city. We made our schedule lighter but still managed to enjoy the city’s features. We love to visit art museums, and the Joclyn Art Museum with its varied collection spanning all the major art periods and styles was a treat that we immensely enjoyed. Strolling through the Lauritzen Gardens were very pleasant, but very few flowers were at bloom at the time. We then went to see the Old Market, walking on its cobblestoned streets and browsing its quaint shops. We did not buy anything but still enjoyed the atmosphere
was pulling out of the parking area. The bottom line was that I hit her car and was at fault. The impact created a small dent in her car as it did in my rented vehicle. We both went out to examine the damages. She was very calm and was not in any way accusa-
בס״ד
JULY 2021
NOT THAT KIND OF BUNGALOW! All year long, they looked forward to their summer reprieve. There, in the mountains, surrounded by grass and trees… what bliss! The children were counting down to the exciting moment when they’d finally depart for the “country.” You could imagine the delight when the father found a great job in a heimishe camp. They had what to look forward to, indeed. But then they heard the conditions. There were no decent bungalows available. Every option they were offered was subpar, old and dilapidated, barely a place they could expect to enjoy their vacation in. After they nixed one bungalow after the other, they received a call from the camp with the disappointing message that the position had been given to someone else. “One thing that can’t do any harm, is a minyan of Tehillim every morning…” the man told his wife as they brooded over their letdown. “Let’s sign up for one month of Tehillim Kollel; they’ll help us daven that we find an appropriate bungalow.” Amazing! That same week, they got another offer. This time, it was for a spacious summer house, nice and clean, perfect for their needs. The icing on the top was the ideal job opportunity that “happened” to be available in that camp. They knew they were in for a summer to remember. Indeed, the very same Tehillim that facilitates serious salvations and healing is also a conduit for resolving something as minor as a suitable bungalow for a large family that badly wants a summer retreat.
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On the pedestrian bridge connecting Nebraska to Iowa
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tory of my negligence. We went into the restaurant and sat down at the table to exchange information and to make the phone calls to our insurance companies and to my car rental firm. The owner of the deli was Rabbi Yossi Jacobson, the Chabad shliach of Des Moines. He helped us both with the technicalities and gave us something to drink during that hour. When the woman left, we introduced ourselves and ordered hot cold-cut sandwiches, and we sat and talked. It turned out that Yossi’s parents were in the same bungalow colony with us for a number of years, and he, too, spent some Shabbosim there. Yossi’s wife Chana was also at the deli, and they both told us of their activities and about Jewish life in Des Moines. Chabad did not have its own shul there, but the Jacobsons were working out of their home and restaurant in conjunction with the existing Orthodox shul. Because of the accident, we lost part of our sightseeing day but still managed to see and tour the state capitol and the modern art museum, which was somewhat a disappointment to us. We returned to the Maccabean for supper and were befriended by a pro-
Pesi at the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska
spective convert who was studying with Rabbi Yossi. The middle-aged man conversed with us while we were eating our meal and then insisted on paying for our dinner. We felt that by rejecting his graciousness we may hurt him, so we gratefully accepted his offer. On Friday, we had a long day of driving ahead of us. The driving time between Des Moines and Milwaukee is almost six hours, but the drive was a pleasure. We passed countless cornfields and soy fields whose planting season had just begun. Many fields also had cattle grazing on them. As
we entered Wisconsin, the dairy farms started to appear regularly as part of the lovely rural scenery. With the exception of a short visit to a recreated Swiss village, we drove on without stopping. We finally arrived
in Milwaukee at three in the afternoon, which gave us just a few hours to get ready for Shabbos. To be continued in the next column…
Hershel Lieber has been involved in kiruv activities for over 30 years. As a founding member of the Vaad L’Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel he has traveled with his wife, Pesi, to the Soviet Union during the harsh years of the Communist regimes to advance Yiddishkeit. He has spearheaded a yeshiva in the city of Kishinev that had 12 successful years with many students making Torah their way of life. In Poland, he lectured in the summers at the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation camp for nearly 30 years. He still travels to Warsaw every year – since 1979 – to be the chazzan for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for the Jews there. Together with Pesi, he organized and led trips to Europe on behalf of Gateways and Aish Hatorah for college students finding their paths to Jewish identity. His passion for travel has taken them to many interesting places and afforded them unique experiences. Their open home gave them opportunities to meet and develop relationships with a variety of people. Hershel’s column will appear in The Jewish Home on a bi-weekly basis.
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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
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My Israel Home
The Knesset is on Church Land?! By Gedaliah Borvick
M
y client informed me that he wanted to purchase an apartment in Talbieh between Jabotinsky Street and King David Street. I mentioned to him that many apartments in this area are on land previously owned by the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem (the “Church”). I then explained that over 130,000 dunam (32,500 acres) of land in central Jerusalem neighborhoods – primarily in Rechavia and Talbieh – was owned by the Church. Thousands of apartments are built on church land, as are many famous Jerusalem buildings, such as the Knesset, the Great Synagogue, and the Israel Museum. If that’s the case, asked my client, does one have to make rental payments to the Church and are there any other implications of buying on Church land? I first explained that the lease has been prepaid by the State of Israel and therefore individual homeowners do not pay the Church any rent. I then proceeded to give him the following overview: The Ottoman (Turkish) Empire controlled Israel from 1516 until 1917. Towards the end of its reign,
the Ottomans sold chunks of Jerusalem land to the Church. In the 1920s, the Church suffered major financial troubles and decided to raise funds by selling many of its Jerusalem properties. To sidestep Church rules prohibiting the outright sale of real estate, in 1952, the Church leased executed a 99-year lease with the State of Israel and received a large up-front payment in exchange for the right to use the land until 2051. A few years ago, the Church sold a large portion of their land to Jewish businessmen who have started to sell the land rights for each residential unit to the apartment owners. Currently, the price to purchase the land apportioned to each apartment is approximately 26% of the value of a similar freehold property (freehold definition: ownership of the apartment and the land) or property on land owned by the Israel Lands Authority. The percentage is linked to the lease expiration date, and increases as the expiration date becomes shorter. Presently, apartments on Church land with a lease expiration date of 2051 tend to sell for a 25%+ discount to similar properties on private or
state-owned land. This discount correlates to the properties’ lesser value due to the 30-year usage window. As opposed to properties on private land being appreciating assets, Church land properties with relatively short lease expirations are depreciating assets, and we expect that apartment prices will continue to fall as the lease expiration gets closer. This unique situation presents an opportunity for some buyers who have limited funds yet want to live in central Jerusalem, as they can purchase a 30-year lease at a discount to market pricing for freehold properties. However, this is not a plain vanilla transaction – which is why we try to dissuade most of our clients from buying properties on Church land – and therefore purchasers should carefully consider the many legal and financial issues before jumping into the deal. Parenthetically, some people believe (hope?) that the Israeli government will intervene and settle this issue with the landowners on behalf of the apartment owners. Unfortunately, this is most probably an incorrect expectation, as we can point to
similar situations where land leases expired, and the government did not intercede. Therefore, the owner of an apartment on Church land would be best served, if they have the financial wherewithal, to purchase the land underneath the property immediately, as land prices will continue to rise due to (1) the lease expiration date becoming shorter and (2) the fact that land prices are calculated based on a continually rising real estate market. Note: This article focused on the vast majority of Church-owned land that is leased directly to the State of Israel. In the rare situations where the Church leases the land directly to the apartment owners, the individual owners have less protection against the whims of the landowner, and many attorneys would strongly discourage these purchases.
Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail. com.
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The Mass Murderer Who Will be Iran’s Next President BY SHAMMAI SISKIND
ON THE MORNING
of S at u r d ay, June 19, Iranians awoke to learn the identity of who their next president would be. The initial polls had proved correct. With over seventy-two percent of the total vote, Ebrahim Raisi, the current Chief Justice of Iran and head of the country’s court system, was named president-elect. As per Iranian law, he will assume office in early August.
Who is Ebrahim Raisi?
Raisi is a unique figure in Iranian politics. Making the bulk of his career in the country’s judiciary, he has for decades been known as a staunch supporter of the regime as well as a hardliner on nearly every policy area from foreign relations to domestic issues. But Raisi is not just another run-of-themill Revolutionary loyalist – something that is more or less a prerequisite for advancement in Iran’s government. Raisi is perhaps the government official with the most bureaucratic and political experience in the country. To put it succinctly, Raisi is the biggest regime insider in Iran today. Raisi’s introduction into government began when he was a mere nineteen years old. The young Raisi, scion of a prestigious clerical family, was groomed for religious leadership from his early years. He attended seminary in Qom, a prominent center of Shiite learning. He later attended Shahid Motahari University in Tehran, where he received a doctorate in Islamic jurisprudence and law. In 1979, Raisi participated in the Revolution, which toppled the Western-backed Shah.
Allegedly, it was shortly after the Revolution that Raisi was “scouted” by a close aide of the Revolution’s ideological leader and newly seated Supreme Leader of Iran Rohullah Khamenei. While the Revolution had succeeded in deposing the Shah, the fledgling Islamic Republic faced a number of immediate challenges. These included the Western-educated loyalists of the Shah who were, to put it lightly, not exactly thrilled about living under a radical Shiite theocracy. Other factional groups, long a feature of Iran’s traditionally rich political spectrum, included secularist left-wing dissidents and ethnic separatist movements, all of whom posed serious threats to the Revolution’s political hegemony. At the same time, an all-out war with neighboring Iraq began almost immediately. The conflict, which would turn into an almost unimaginable bloody eight-year war of attrition, quickly became a huge strain on Iran’s resources and threatened the Ayatollah’s hold on power. It was against this backdrop that Raisi was recruited to the nascent regime. The aging leaders of the new regime were looking for young and headstrong individuals, with dedication to the cause who would keep the new power machine running and solidify the Revolution’s control. By the age of 21, Raisi was already awarded his first judicial appointment as the prosecutor of Karaj, a suburb of Tehran. Despite his youth, Raisi quickly ascended the ranks. He was soon appointed as Prosecutor of Hamadan City while simultaneously serving his role in Karaj. Shortly after, Raisi became the chief prosecutor for all of Hamadan province. As Raisi quickly became one of the most experienced jurists in the country, he was eventually tapped for promotion to the central judiciary establishment. In 1985, when he was barely 25 years old, Raisi became the assistant prosecutor in the country’s capital of Tehran. During this period, Raisi oversaw hundreds of cases, a large portion of which involved capital cases against political dissidents. These years of meting out harsh sentences to untold numbers of Iranians were merely preparation for Raisi’s most infamous participation in Iranian government brutality, an event that became known as the 1988 Prisoner’s Massacre. At the height of the Iran-Iraq War, the authorities used the conflict to create a climate in which dissent was not tolerated. Any criticism of state policy, even in fields not directly related to the war, was portrayed as betrayal of the state. With this pretext in place, Ayatollah Khomeini issued a series of secret orders for the execution of political prisoners. A special sixteen-member committee was established to oversee the process, which
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
included Khomeini himself, the heads of the Justice and Intelligence Ministries, and other senior prosecutors. According to several NGOs that investigated the episode, including Amnesty International and the Center for Human Rights in Iran, the actual death sentences themselves were overseen by a fourman commission, later known as the “death committee.” Assistant Prosecutor Raisi, then 28 years old, was given the honor of sitting on this prestigious panel. The “trials” for the thousands of dissidents, mostly from left wing secular political groups, came in the form of questionnaires regarding their commitment to opposition factions and Shiite Islam. Most of the prisoners being asked these strange questions, such as “will you denounce your colleagues on the record?” or “would you share a prison cell with a non-Muslim” did not even know why they were being posed. Those who gave a sufficient number of wrong answers were quickly carted off to remote areas, predominately in Iran’s southwest, where they were hanged or shot. Nearly all of this activity took place in complete secrecy. Barely any rumors were able to escape the swift implication of Khomeini’s fatwa. It was only in late July 1988 that the public began to notice the thousands of political prisoners that had gone missing across Iran. Eventually, proof began to emerge of their fate. One of the first was the discovery of an unmarked mass grave in an abandoned area known as the Khavaran in the southeast of Tehran. More indications of the murders came to light as family members throughout the country attempted to visit their imprisoned relatives only to find their cells empty or be simply denied entry by prison guards. Soon live reports of survivors – individuals who had been imprisoned along with condemned comrades but for various reasons had fallen through the cracks and were released – made their way to the public. Still, it was difficult to discuss the massacre in public. Crackdown by the regime continued to intensify, and demanding an investigation into alleged government malfeasance was a risk few were willing to undertake. It was not until 2014 that a former advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, activist and filmmaker Mohammad Nourizad, publicly denounced the regime for its role in the massacre. “Due to purposeful silence and state red lines,” wrote Nourizad, the events of 1988 have “never been cited in official [reports].” The revelation by Nourizad that a staggering 33,000 people were killed during the purge was strong confirmation of what Iranian activist groups and human rights organizations around the world had suspected for years.
In the three decades following the massacre, Raisi continued his meteoric ascent in the Iranian bureaucracy. Shortly afterwards, in 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini died and was replaced by Ali Khamenei. The new Supreme Leader took a personal liking to Raisi, and the assistant prosecutor’s career skyrocketed. He became chief prosecutor of Tehran, and then headed the General Inspectors Office, a regulatory agency in charge of the entire executive branch of Iran’s government. Finally, in 2019, Raisi reached the pinnacle of the state judiciary when he was appointed Chief Justice, a position which includes heading the country’s Supreme Court and running the judiciary system.
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Raisi during the Iran-Iraq War
The Sham
Needless to say, Raisi’s distinguished career made him the quintessential hardliner in the eyes of the regime – and the ideal candidate to replace the incumbent Hassan Rouhani, widely perceived as a “soft” moderate. Leading up to the election, the government began to take steps to ensure Raisi’s victory. To do this, there were several mechanisms at the state’s disposal. First and foremost was the ability to eliminate the competition. While Iran’s presidential election is technically decided by democratic popular vote, candidates are allowed to run only after being approved by an unelected body subservient to the Supreme Leader called the Guardian Council. On May 25, just weeks prior to election day, the Council announced that the vast majority of candidates – literally hundreds of hopefuls – had been disqualified, leaving just seven men eligible to run. The list of those invalidated contained several highly experienced politicians who have long been known to the public and ran on reformist platforms. These included Supreme Leader advisor and former parliament speaker Ali Larijani – a pragmatist conservative who had veered more to the center in recent years – and current reformist First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. Which brings us to the significance of the recent election results. Actions such as the Guardian Council’s mass disqualification of progressive candidates and covert threats against Raisi’s challengers convinced the majority of Iranians that the election process was merely for show. It is hardly surprising that the June 18th election had the lowest turnout in the country’s history, a pitiful forty-eight percent compared to more than seventy percent for the previous vote in 2017. Far from an opportunity to let the people speak, the recent election was simply the framework for the regime to install its preferred actor. The question is, aside for being a poster-child true believer in the regime, what is it about Raisi’s stances and positions that
Raisi was Khamenei’s student of the highest grade at the Kharej seminary for 14 years
Some faces of those murdered in the 1988 Prison Massacre in Iran
It was only in late July 1988 that the public began to notice the thousands of political prisoners that had gone missing across Iran.
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make him so preferable? The answer lies in the utterly desperate state of affairs in today’s Iran.
The Deal on the Table
Raisi visiting Hezbollah’s military positions in southern Lebanon in 2018
Honoring Qassem Soleimani, the eliminated head of the IRGC Quds Force, in 2018
Raisi, center, and President Hassan Rouhani, second from right, greeting Ayatolleh Ali Khamenei in 2020
Only a hawkish conservative can be allowed to make peace with the West and perhaps offer some “token concessions” in the process.
It is difficult to imagine a more perfect storm of disasters than the one Iran has gone through over the past several years. Since the unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal by the Trump administration in 2018, the re-imposed sanctions have wreaked absolute havoc on the Iranian population and have almost completely drained state resources. The county’s most vital industries, especially its cash-generating energy sector, have taken unprecedented hits, falling to half the production levels of pre-sanction years. At the monetary level, the Iranian rial has lost about half of its value over the past two years, making the acquisition of vital necessities nearly impossible for much of the population. Unemployment has surged to an estimated six million, constituting nearly a quarter of the country’s workforce. Sharpening economic woes has been the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, a health crisis that had spiraled out of control by mid-2020. The fast deterioration of the pandemic has been widely attributed to the government’s poor management, inept health policy, and disinformation – sometimes involving outright censorship of vital health-related information. Adding to the government’s instability has been the rampant corruption of state institutions, a phenomenon that has become so obvious over the recent period that elected officials now discuss it openly and publicly. Raisi himself promised during his campaign to “cut off the arms” of all corrupt officials – a bit ironic considering there are few men alive that have contributed as much to Iran’s crooked bureaucratic machine as Ebrahim Raisi. Indeed, the situation has become so bad, that even the staunchest hardliners have been forced to a bitter conclusion: the only hope of rehabilitating the country is to introduce serious change. First on the list is coming to an agreement with the Americans and putting an end to the dreaded sanctions that have been slowly strangling the country to death. However, as all Iranian leaders are well aware, achieving this will require compromising with the “Great Satan,” which is the United States. While all state elites, including Ayatollah Khamenei, have reportedly signed off on a renewed nuclear deal, it is essential for the regime’s standing to not appear that it is going into such an agreement from a place of weakness. Doing so would fuel the growing progressive agenda in Iran – one that has triggered countrywide protest movements several times in the recent period and gained tremendous political traction, especially among the
younger generation. Only a hawkish conservative can be allowed to make peace with the West and perhaps offer some “token concessions” in the process. But even now that Raisi is in the seat of power, walking this tightrope of appearing strong while simultaneously acquiescing to U.S. demands will be challenging, if not impossible. While Raisi is facing an administration eager to lock in a deal, there are certain considerations the Americans cannot ignore – even if they would like to. Joe Biden and his team, nearly all of whom were intimately involved in the first iteration of the Iran deal, reluctantly understand that there are problems with the Islamic Republic outside of the nuclear issue. Years of Iranian-backed militias killing American troops in Iraq and Syria, Tehran’s proxies attacking its Gulf allies, and the fast pace construction of a stateof-the-art ballistic missile program are added factors to the equation. The U.S. cannot let Iran off the hook simply for ending its nuclear activities. Numerous administration officials have already signaled this in one form or another, from Biden’s press secretary to the president’s own pick for heading the Defense Department. The problem, though, is that Raisi has been quite adamant that outside the narrowly defined parameters of Iran’s nuclear activities, there is nothing else up for discussion. “We emphasize that the U.S. government should be sincere towards its commitments while noting that the regional and missile issues are not negotiable,” said Raisi during a press conference on June 21. Of course, when Raisi cites “regional issues” he is referring to the full gamut of Iran’s militant supporting activities, from funding Hezbollah, to sending missiles to the Yemen-based Houthis, to funneling money to Hamas leaders in Gaza and Qatar. As talks between Iranian and American negotiators continue behind closed doors in Vienna, it is looking increasingly unlikely any deal can be reached without one side breaking explicit commitments. On the U.S. side, this puts the administration into a precarious and, to put it bluntly, frustrating position. One of Biden’s most lauded campaign promises on foreign policy was reviving the Iran pact. He has repeatedly signaled his sincere desire to come to an understanding. What many in the administration are likely thinking right now is something to the tune of: Why would the Iranians send us a crazy hardliner to deal with after we’ve bent over backwards to make this work? There is no question Iran now stands at a critical impasse. How much regime high-ups will be willing to accede will in the end be the determining factor.
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Dating Dialogue
What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
I’m 22 years old and have been dating for a bit over two years. My mother is a shadchan and knows tons of families. She seems to know the hock on everything and everyone. When
it comes to shidduchim, though, I feel like it’s hurting me. There have been many times a friend will think of an idea for me but my mother will shut it down right away because of one reason or another. Because of this, I am getting the reputation that I am super-picky, but I’m really not!! My mother just shuts everything down – for every time she does this, she has a reason. Either the family won’t shtim with ours or the boy wasn’t serious enough in high school, or the siblings aren’t healthy… I could go on and on. How should I approach this? Thanks. Malka*
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
prospective marriage partner. It’s about your life even if your mother has her needs, wants, preferences, and triggers.
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.
I
t’s time for a serious discussion with both of your parents. It’s going to have to be done with tact, respect, and a prepared script that you practice before so that the conversation remains a dialogue with real listening on both ends. It seems to be a matter of your being heard in terms of what is non-negotiable, what is unimportant, and what is irrelevant to your needs. This is going to be a process. You will want to think through your short-term and long-term objectives before you tackle this. Sit down and write out what you want to achieve. Then go through the individual general points you want to make about shidduchim and your priorities. You will have to prepare responses in case the conversation goes into standard ways. Figure out ways to redirect and align the responses with your goals. You may have to practice with a sibling or trusted person several times to become skilled at this. Another idea is to prepare for better communication with a professional. Your chances of being heard will probably increase if you focus the initial serious conversation on shidduchim in general and later, when individual suggestions come your way, you can remind your parents of your priorities in your previous conversation. Obviously, you are not going to say things like “you always...” and you will keep it focused on your needs, wants, priorities and values. You will want to remain respectful but it is important to validate the other person’s voice, concerns, and parental role. Nonetheless, you need to assert your role as the dater and
The Shadchan Michelle Mond
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et me tell you about Chedva (names changed). Chedva Shternbaum comes from a family that sounds similar to yours. The Shternbaums are well-known people who are known to be pillars of their community, but when it came time for shidduchim, everyone was scratching their heads. Years went by, and Chava remained single. Suggestions came to her mother left and right, but after fielding them thoroughly, very few made the “cut” as date material. As her mother called the shots, only about five men a year were considered a good enough package for Chedva to go out with. When Chedva was 27 years old, she went to a therapist, which was a brave move on her part, as her family was not supportive of therapy. In their mind, Chedva was a smart, beautiful girl from a stable and wealthy home who would find the right one when the perfect package came along. As they would often say, “You’ve waited this long for the perfect guy, don’t settle for any less now!” Mind you, these were external things her family was insistent on, not things that meant anything to Chedva herself. Things as small as having a different look than her own family, not being tall enough, not having a “professional” enough degree, or coming from a Modern Orthodox background would put a boy in the recycling bin. “Maybe for Shira Barber down the street,” her mother would say and then proceed
to redt the shidduch. After discussing her relationship with her mother with her therapist, it became clear that it was time for Chedva to move out and manage her own shidduchim. Living at home was unhealthy, as her life decisions were constantly dictated by others – she was living for others, not for herself. Slowly, Chedva learned how to manage boundaries and create her own identity. There was a family she became close with, who she went to for Shabbos often, who suggested Chedva to Moshe Smith whose parents became geirim in their 20s. Moshe was an incredible guy and top bochur, teaching in a yeshiva. He had been nixed by Chedva’s mother quite a few times based on his background, but this time things took shape. Creating her own identity, moving out, learning to navigate things on her terms and find her own voice saved her. Moshe and Chedva now have a large happy family – and at this point, her parents couldn’t be prouder! Why do I share this story? I am not trying to scare you – I am merely illustrating an example of what can happen if you do not find your own voice. The fact that you have not talked to your mother about this issue you have been aware of for two years shows how dependent you are. To sit by when amazing shidduch prospects are being nixed without your consent is very traumatizing. This is, after all, your life. If talking to your parents has not helped, I suggest speak to someone who can help you navigate finding your inner voice and help you find the confidence to navigate your own dating life. It also could be you have not even tried talking to your mother about it, which would be a shame because it could be a simple heartto-heart could mend the entire conundrum.
As they would often say, “You’ve waited this long for the perfect guy, don’t settle for any less now!”
Hatzlacha, and may we hear good news soon!
The Single Rivka Weinberg
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ow, Malka, this sounds like a sticky situation. In life, there is a positive and negative impact to everything, and it sounds like you are experiencing the negative impact of your mother being so well connected. I suggest you share with her how you feel and explain that some of the things she may focus on might not be as important to you. Being open and honest throughout the dating process is extremely important for clarity, as well as your mental sanity. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss when it comes to the minor details of a person’s life. I suggest you sit down and do an internal search to determine what you really need (not want) in a spouse,and not allow other “things” to cloud your judgment. At the end of the day, you are looking for your zivug, and your mother should not allow small and irrelevant details to get to your head. As always, if there is an informa-
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tion deficit and your parents have knowledge that will be beneficial, certainly listen to it. However, I do not suggest following blindly and falling into the trap of being bothered by information that is not as important. I wish you much hatzlacha.
The Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler The surgeon was about to perform a difficult operation on his critically ill father. The father leaned over and whispered in his son’s ear, “I know that you’ll do your very best. Don’t be nervous. But you should know that if anything happens to me, your mother will come
to live with you.”
T
here is a good reason why surgeons usually do not wish to operate on family members. In order to be effective, they must be able concentrate and focus objectively. They cannot afford to be distracted with secondary, emotional issues. In like manner, it’s a bad idea for your mom to be your primary shadchan. You need to sit down with her and explain that in her sincere efforts to find you the most perfect, ideal match, she is losing her objectivity and potentially harming you. She is forgetting that virtually everyone carries some sort of personal or family baggage. These often minor issues shouldn’t automatically nix a shidduch. I’ve heard stories of dating suggestions being shot down, for the
most foolish reasons (e.g., “The boy has a second cousin who drank too much at a wedding,” or, “The girl’s younger brother needed remedial reading in the second grade”). Searching exclusively for the “perfect” boy from the “perfect” family is neither productive nor healthy. I have a real concern here. Your problem might be a result of your mother’s professional pride. She might feel that who you date and marry is a measure of how competent she is as a shadchan. Professionally, she might worry about folks thinking, “How good could she be as a shadchan? Look who her daughter is dating.” Therefore, I suggest that you respectfully ask your mom to take a step back and recommend one of her shadchan friends to work with you. Of course, reassure your mom that you will always seek her wise counsel,
Searching exclusively for the “perfect” boy from the “perfect” family is neither productive nor healthy.
expertise, and advice. By the way, does anyone really feel that it’s a good idea to marry someone who is perfect? “Flawless” is desirable in a diamond engagement ring, but far less so in a life partner.
Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
D
ear Malka, Thank you for writing into our panel. I can only imagine your frustration, feeling as though your hands are tied while your mother nixes shidduchim left and right for seemingly no reason. I understand your concerns. While many families involve their adult children in the shidduch process, many others do not. Most adult children with
whom I have worked who share this similar exper ience are deeply, deeply frustrated and rendered feeling helpless. The most obvious suggestion I have is to speak directly with your mother. Tell her how you feel. If this is not a viable option for you, then the issue runs much deeper
than this stage of life you find yourself in. Out of c u r i o s i t y, a nd eager to understand your situation, where is your father in all of this? If your father is in your life, have you tried speaking with him? If the above are not options, can you try involving a close relative or family friend? How about your rav? Maybe your mother (and father) would be willing to join you for a few sessions with a family therapist.
Ultimately, in your situation, your parents will remain in control and it is their right to go about shidduchim however they like. How.ever, if a professional could come alongside the family to help you better communicate with your mother, and to help your mother understand your feelings, that may be your best bet. Dating is hard enough. I wish you oodles of excellent communication and feeling understood at home. Sincerely, Jennifer
Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and 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.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Dr. Deb
Nothing Works Out for Me By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
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itzi was in a funk. He should have been happy; after all, there he was at his good friend’s wedding. Second wedding, I might add. The first one didn’t work out and now his friend bravely was taking on the second. “Good for him,” Yitzi thought. “But no matter what I do, things do not work out for me. I tried marriage counseling. Actually three times….” His thoughts just got darker as he thought about it. The first time, he dragged Zena to the counselor and she would not talk. She sat perfectly still and contributed nothing. He didn’t try too hard, either, he recalls. “But the counselor should have or could have brought out the issues,” he complained internally. It was one of those, “Uh, huh, and how do you feel about that?” type of counselors. That’s why his wife wasn’t talking – because there wasn’t a “that” on the table to feel anything about. Yitzi remembers being scared to put the “that” on the table, the things that caused their endless quarrels. And Zena was sitting there with her arms folded and an expression on her face of “I dare you to blame me for anything!” So nothing happened. The second counselor opened us up, Yitzi recalled with horror, and boy, that was not an improvement. He felt worse as he recalled the rage – going both ways – in that room. The counselor had no control and finally Yitzi walked out. The third time, Yitzi didn’t show up, but the counselor just looked his wife in the eye and declared that Yitzi was a “loser” who would never man up to the position of husband that he was
required to hold. She couldn’t wait to get home and tell him what the counselor had said. Thinking about that last time, Yitzi had to agree. He was just a loser. He fell into a deep despair that went on for weeks, not exactly a very encouraging thing for the wife who was expecting a modicum of improvement from the counselor’s declaration. Good luck. Counselors who mistakenly think that being confrontative is a great idea are not necessarily helpful. I wrote right here some time ago just the opposite – that counselors cannot whitewash the truth because there will never be any positive changes without laying reality on the table. But… And this is a big “but” – there are ways to level with someone that work very well and ways that do not. Yitzi? Are you following this? Because this is for you. It’s not your fault! [There is no actual Yitzi, BTW, just thousands of people that fit this general description] Here are the mistakes the counselor made: • She did not think of Yitzi as a person After all, even someone who is sitting on a cardboard box out in Times Square doing drugs was once a beautiful neshama that came into this world expecting the best. What happened to that baby that they ended up homeless and disconnected from reality? Well, you know where I solidly stand on that. It was not happenstance. HaKadosh Baruch Hu doesn’t do happenstance. He created a perfect world. It’s our job to use it wisely. If you talk to a baby, make eye con-
tact, coo, change its diaper and feed it properly, it will be a happy baby. (Yes, colic can mess things up, but they grow out of that, too.) If you give the same love and care to a small child, while adding in gentle but consistent boundary-setting, that child will be fine. The bum on the street got deprived of what people are supposed to get and escaped in a hurry to a far, far away place. Now, I can’t speak for Yitzi. I don’t know what happened to him, but it behooves the counselor to have found out. And that doesn’t not mean she’s making excuses for him, either. It means she is scientifically tracing back the origin of behavior that seems off target. So you don’t call your client – even in your own mind – names. Not “loser,” not “narcissist,” not “abuser,” not “sick,” and not “beyond hope.” And while you’re at it, you’ll do better work if, in your own mind, you lay off the DSM terminology. It only separates you from the empathy you need for your client. There is one case where a marriage is “beyond hope” and that is when, after very kindly attempts, repeatedly, the client simply won’t show up and won’t participate and thinks everything is fine. Even then, working with the other spouse alone might intrigue the missing partner enough to join eventually. I rarely give up on a marriage. To go on, that counselor should have gently asked Yitzi for his version of things. If he shrugged his shoulders
and didn’t speak, she should have invited him to a session alone “so he would be more comfortable,” figuring he was afraid to speak in front of his wife. Which leads to the next point. • She did not provide Yitzi with the three guides for coping with his situation properly There are three key emotional areas that people need in tip-top shape in order to function at their best. The first is to be aware of their triggers. Normally, we react to things that trigger us in a way that is not helpful. We may become frightened, depressed, aggressive, numb or any number of other things. These reactions are unique to us; that is, the thing that sets one person off will not bother another person. The counselor needed to have gently led Yitzi to examine himself: What makes him run away? Why does he not measure up at work? How come he doesn’t believe in himself? He needs to embark on a path of self-discovery to figure out how his own upbringing led to the things that trigger him and how he chose his particular way of responding to those triggers. Then, of course, he needs the tools to tame those triggers. This will not happen automatically, and it is less likely to happen just because you’re aware of it. Tools such as mindfulness and Internal Family Systems are appropriate. The second key emotional area goes hand-in-hand with the first. Not only does Yitzi have to understand how his background affected him but
he has to begin the process of learning to love and value who his is. See, he received very bad messages to have gotten to the place he’s in. Maybe he was told, “You’ll never amount to much.” Maybe he identifies with a father who got put down right in front of his eyes. Maybe he had a simple reading disability that gave him the wrong impression of his intelligence. Maybe he was more cut out for working with his hands than academics but he was a square peg that his family tried to put into a round hole. It’s one thing to understand all that and another to start appreciating oneself in spite of all that. That’s the second key are that Yitzi needed guidance on, with all the best tools to facilitate that. Because those tools – if the right ones, such as targeted and evidence-based affirmations are chosen – can be very powerful for turning around this situation. • The counselor did not provide Zena with the opportunity to examine herself, either.
Zena once fell in love with Yitzi. How come? What did she love about him? And why did she become so sorely disappointed? How come she needs to remake him? What would happen if she didn’t?
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Zena with the very skill she herself lacked, which is seeing Ytizi as a person rather than a thing (loser) I wish this part were not true, but apparently counselors are addicted to labeling people and then when they do
Once a human being is reduced to a label, that’s pretty much curtains for a mutually respectful marriage.
Does she love herself or was she looking to bask in the reflected glory (to paraphrase David Schnarch) of her husband? She, too, needs the same guidance to examine what she needs and wants and why she is triggered by the husband she once fell in love with. She needs to value herself, too. • *The counselor did not provide
so, they can’t possibly help the spouse of the labeled person to admire, love, and respect that spouse. Once a human being is reduced to a label, that’s pretty much curtains for a mutually respectful marriage. I will even add that this is true when the reason for the label is to help the spouse stop making demands on someone who cannot fulfill them.
Like, if Zena wants her husband to be a Wall Street tycoon but “all” he can do is eke out a small living, then looking him as a “poor nebach” is not exactly helpful to the marriage. The counselor is taking on the same distorted vision that Zena had to begin with. They’re colluding. So it may be true that Yitzi is in despair because nothing has worked out for him. But that doesn’t mean it can’t and it won’t. We got out of Mitzrayim; the crematoria were bombed. There is always hope. To start with, Yitzi should empower himself by interviewing prospective therapists to see if they meet his criteria. Yup, he is a consumer and consumers are entitled to that.
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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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Health & F tness
Get Savvy with Superfoods By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN
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uperfoods are foods that have a very high nutritional density. They provide maximum nutritional benefits for minimal calories. They also contain a high number of vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, and minerals. This high vitamin and mineral content can help the body fight disease and assist in living a healthier lifestyle. Studies have shown that superfoods high in antioxidants help prevent heart disease and cancer, as well as reduce inflammation in the body and improve immunity. The key is to incorporate superfoods into an already healthy diet filled with whole foods. This will allow the body to benefit the most from the superfoods. There are a variety of health benefits that come along with the superfoods discussed below. Superfoods are believed to aid in weight loss, as well as promote heart health, immune health, and gut health. 1. Chia seeds. Chia seeds are a superfood that contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, calcium, minerals and antioxidants. One tablespoon of chia seeds contains 69 calories, 5g fiber, 4.5g fat, 2.3g protein, and 6g carbohydrates. Chia seeds are an ancient dietary staple and have massive amounts of nutrients. Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for the body to function normally. The omega-3 fatty acids in chia seeds have been found to decrease inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of cancer and heart disease. Chia seeds are also a great source of fiber and plant-based protein. They have a high soluble fiber content, which means chia seeds can absorb 10-12 times their weight in water. This helps promote fullness and slow the absorption of food in the body, something that can be very instrumental
in weight-loss. This fiber also helps feed the healthy bacteria in the gut. Chia seeds are also believed to reduce blood sugar levels and stabilize them after meals. Chia seeds are very versatile and can be used as an egg replacement, to make chia pudding, and to thicken sauces. People tend to add chia seeds to smoothies, protein pancake mix, or granola to boost fiber and protein intake. 2. Flaxseeds. Flaxseeds have been recognized for their extremely healthy properties. Flaxseeds come in the form of an oil, a seed, or a ground version of the seed. One tablespoon of flaxseeds contains 55 calories, 2.8g fiber, 4.3g fat, 1.75g protein, and 3g carbohydrates. Flaxseeds can benefit one’s health in a couple of ways. Firstly, flaxseeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, and research has shown that the essential fatty acids found in flax seeds can improve cholesterol levels and heart health. They also have a lot of fiber, which will help keep you satiated and assist in digestion. Two tablespoons of flaxseeds contain 16-22% of the daily recommended fiber intake. Flaxseeds are also a good source of lignans, a
plant compound filled with estrogen properties and antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of cancer. Additionally, flax seeds are a good source of plant-based protein and can be added to smoothies, yogurts, soups, granola, protein pancake batter, and salads to increase protein content. Ground flaxseeds can also be used as an egg substitute for vegan-friendly recipes. Simply mix 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoons water to substitute 1 egg. Dietitians recommend people consume ground flaxseeds (instead of the whole) as they are easier for the body to digest and that they do not use flaxseed oil in high temperature cooking. 3. Collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein found in our bodies and is made up of amino acids. It is one of the major building blocks of bones, tendons, skin, muscles, and ligaments. One tablespoon of collagen contains 28 calories and 6g protein. Consuming collagen regularly can provide many health benefits. Firstly, collagen can help with joint pain. Research has shown that collagen supplements lower inflammation in the joints and improve symptoms of osteoarthritis. Including collagen
in one’s diet can also improve skin health. Collagen can help strengthen the skin and keep it hydrated. Many studies have shown that taking collagen supplements may slow the aging process and promote youthful and hydrated skin. Collagen is also great for healthy hair and nails. Collagen is found in chicken, beef, and fish skin, as well as inside meat bones. Bone broth is a fantastic source of collagen and can be easily included in a healthy diet. If you choose to add a collagen supplement to your diet, make sure to choose one that is from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals or wild-caught fish. 4. Matcha. Matcha is a type of green tea made by grinding young tea into a green powder and mixing it with hot water. Matcha tea is different from traditional tea whose leaves are removed after infusion. It contains over 10 times the nutrients when compared to traditional teas and is filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Matcha contains a lot of antioxidants called catechins. Antioxidants help stabilize harmful free radicals which can cause chronic disease. A particular catechin found in matcha is believed to have cancer-fighting properties. Researchers have found that matcha can also improve brain function by improving attention, memory, and reaction time. Studies have also shown that the polyphenol in matcha green tea helps speed up the metabolism, regulate blood sugar, and protects against disease. Matcha is also a good alternative to coffee because it provides a less jittery energy boost. One teaspoon of matcha has the same amount of caffeine that 1 cup of coffee does but it helps avoid the common caffeine crush because of its sustained energy
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
release. Aside from having a matcha latte, you can add matcha powder to smoothies or homemade popsicles. 5. Goji Berries. Goji berries are vibrant, sweet and sour berries that have been used as a medicinal herb and food supplement for over 2,000 years. They are tiny, yet filled with antioxidants, vitamins, phytochemicals, and minerals. They contain high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, and iron. Five tablespoons of goji berries contain 98 calories, 3.6g fiber, 0.1g fat, and 21.6g carbohydrates. Goji berries contain beta-carotene, an essential phytochemical which promotes healthy skin. Research has also shown that goji berries help stabilize blood sugar and can be very beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes. Since ancient times, goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat liver disease Studies have shown that goji berries can help with liver health and can prevent the progression of alcohol-caused liver disease. It is also believed that goji berries enhance eye health and prevent vision-related diseases. You can add goji berries to granolas, trail mix, desserts, and as a topping for oatmeal, smoothies, or yogurt. You can also use goji powder and add it to smoothies or make goji juice by mixing the powder with water. 6. Bee Pollen. Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, enzymes, nectar, wax, honey, and bee secretions. It is loaded with vitamins, amino acids, and nutrients and has been recognized as a medicine by many health ministries. One tablespoon of bee pollen contains 16 calories, 1g fiber, 0.24g fat, 1.2g protein, and 2.18g carbohydrates. Bee pollen is believed to strengthen the immune system, relieve inflammation, boost liver health, and speed up healing. One animal study showed that applying a balm containing bee pollen onto a burn significantly accelerated healing over standard medicines. Studies show that bee pollen works similarly to anti-inflammatory drugs and can be a good natural substitute to fight against inflammation. Bee pollen also has antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties which ward off infection
and viruses. Research shows that bee pollen can be used as a dietary supplement to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is considered a superfood because it contains 250 biologically active substances such as proteins, lipids, carbs, fatty acids, enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Bee pollen can be added to yogurt, smoothies, or oatmeal. It can also be taken in a capsule form. 7. Fermented Foods. Fermented foods are gaining popularity in the health and wellness world.
contains 20 calories, 0g fiber, 1g fat, 4g protein, and 2g carbohydrates. It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which help fight against cancers and diseases caused by chronic inflammation. Phycocyanin is the antioxidant in spirulina and provides spirulina with this anti-inflammatory effect. It is also thought to reduce blood pressure and lower blood sugar. Spirulina is filled with vitamin C, E and B6, vitamins which provide immune system support. You can add spirulina powder to
The key is to incorporate superfoods into an already healthy diet filled with whole foods.
They are foods rich in healthy bacteria and can be very beneficial in increasing the health of one’s gut microbiome. The healthy bacteria found in fermented foods are called probiotics. Probiotics have been proven to improve digestive health, immune health, and gut health. The probiotics that are produced when foods are fermented can be very helpful for people with digestive issues. Probiotics can help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and can reduce symptoms of other digestive related issues. Fermented foods are also known to boost immune health and reduce the risk of catching viruses and infections. Eating fermented foods are especially important during or after taking antibiotics. Antibiotics kill both the good and bad bacteria, and fermented foods help restore the gut so that it can function properly. Kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kombucha, miso, sourdough bread, kimchi, and yogurt are all fermented foods that are filled with gut-healthy probiotics. 8. Spirulina. Spirulina is a bluegreen algae supplement that is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. It is a fantastic source of iron, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, magnesium, and copper. One tablespoon of spirulina
your smoothies but be sure to add something sweet to combat the bitter taste. Spirulina capsules are also available for those who find it easier to incorporate it a pill form. 9. Blueberries. Blueberries are one of the best low-sugar fruits. They are also an incredible superfood that you should include in your diet because of their antioxidants and phytoflavanoids. One cup of berries is 85 calories, 3.6g fiber, 0.5g fat, 1.1g protein, 21g carbohydrates. The antioxidants found in blueberries help protect the body from free radicals. Research has shown that blueberries may lower blood pressure and protect the cholesterol in the blood from getting damaged. They also are believed to prevent heart disease, maintain brain function, decrease inflammation, and have anti-diabetes effects. 10. Avocados. Avocados are packed with healthy fats, nutrients, and vitamins. Half an avocado contains 161 calories, 6.5g fiber, 14.5g fat, 2g protein, and 8.5g carbohydrates. One of the best things about avocados is that they are super-filling, as they contain ample amounts of fiber. People tend to feel extremely satiated when they include avocado in their diet. An avocado contains vitamin B6, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, as well as a third of the daily requirement of
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vitamin K and folate. They also contain more potassium than a banana! Studies have shown that consuming enough potassium can help reduce blood pressure. Avocados also contain healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and are one of the fattiest plant foods. Monounsaturated fatty acids are very heart healthy. The oleic acid found in avocados has been shown to reduce inflammation and potentially fight cancer. Studies have also shown that avocados help reduce cholesterol. The antioxidants, called carotenoids, found in avocados are very beneficial for eye health. The nutrients found in chia seeds, flax seeds, collagen, matcha green tea, bee pollen, fermented foods, spirulina, blueberries, and avocado can be very beneficial to one’s health. If one is looking to boost their fiber intake, incorporate flaxseeds and chia seeds into your diet. This can be done by adding the seeds to your favorite foods such as oatmeal, pancakes, granola, yogurt, or smoothies. If boosting plant-based protein intake is the goal, add collagen and other seeds to your diet. Fermented foods are great to incorporate to improve gut health, digestive health, and immune health. Other superfoods such as matcha green tea, bee pollen, and spirulina include benefits such as high amounts of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory effects, healing benefits. They each provide the body with an abundance of nutrients and can be very helpful for digestive health, immune health, gut health, and overall well-being. It would be best to aim to include at least one superfood each day. This can be as simple as adding a spoon of seeds to your yogurt or a cup of blueberries as a delicious snack. There are many unique and easy ways to incorporate superfoods into your diet to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Aliza Beer is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com, and you can follow her on Instagram at @alizabeer
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Parenting Pearls
Mommy Camp By Sara Rayvych, MSEd
M
ommy camp is a classic. While most children will attend one of our wonderful local camps or venture away from home for sleepaway camp, many families will choose to have one or more children spend their summer at home. While it’s becoming less and less common for children to not be enrolled in some form of official camp, there are still many children who enjoy a summer at home. The truth is that while it’s called “Mommy camp,” anyone can run it, and for any portion of the day, so for this article I’m preferring the term “camp at home.” Whether it’s dad who dedicates the summer to the little ones or grandparents who make that time for bonding, campat-home has many advantages and time for family togetherness. To be honest, it can also have some challenges, but many who do it will say the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Some parents will simply make the decision based on finances. Other children aren’t ready for an outside program, while other kids simply want to enjoy being home with their family. Most of the children who stay home for the summer will be the younger set but you will definitely find children of all ages
availing themselves of this option. Round robins are another popular option for families, and many find it to be a good in-between for their child. I will not discuss whether day camp, sleepaway camp or at-home camp is the better option for your child, since each has its own benefits. More importantly, every child is unique and what works for the majority of children may not work for your unique child. Planning your child’s summer is a great opportunity for them to grow during this fun time period, and picking the right program is a responsibility parents take seriously.
Scheduling Creating a schedule can, and should, be based on what works best for both the adult in charge and the children “attending” camp-at-home. There are some children that require a regiment of clear guidelines of where they need to be at any given moment and what they should be doing at that time. Most kids are not like this. Take the time in advance to think of what type of schedule will best meet your child’s needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this, and it’s really what best suits your individual child. Many, if not most, kids will ben-
efit from some structure with lots of free play. Since I think this is the most common structure, I will focus on this scheduling option the most. Schedules need not look like an army regiment but having some structure can create guidance and balance in a child’s day. The needs of a younger child will, obviously, differ from the needs of an older child. The truth is that some of our youngest campers may not experience much of a change from their usual year-round schedule – and that’s fine. Children, especially the youngest members of the family, thrive on predictability and continuity from day to day. Davening, meals, bath and nap/ bedtime are some of the basics to schedule in a child’s day. Just having these in place gives some rhythm to their schedule. Most likely, you already have these in place but having them somewhat set is grounding for a child. Little ones, in particular, don’t have a good concept of time but can often understand time based on these signposts. For example, a toddler won’t understand that sprinklers are at 2:00 but may happily accept the answer of “after lunch.” Knowing they can expect these familiar events daily gives some security to a child and automatic help to an adult in planning
any other events. You don’t need a trip, project or event scheduled for every day. Over-filling your schedule can lead to burnout and exhaustion, although you should definitely feed your child every day! There are kids that may want no structure whatsoever, but, especially for older kids, there are reasons why even these kids may benefit from some scheduling guidance. Without anything to do all day, children can get restless, bored or simply accomplish nothing. Children are more motivated when they’re involved in making their schedules. The older they are, the more involved they can become. Teens, in particular, may surprise you with their creativity when given the freedom to design their daily plans. Don’t forget the needs of the adults! Adults are people, too. Create a schedule with your own needs in mind, as well. There are parents that thrive on clear schedules, while others find that stifling. Keep your own tendencies in mind as you help build your child’s daily rhythm. Without taking your own needs into account, you risk being overwhelmed and eventual burnout. Spending time with your child should be enjoyable for both of you. Feeling like a tortured martyr won’t
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021 The The Jewish Jewish Home Home || OCTOBER OCTOBER 29, 29, 2015 2015
help, and your children will enjoy being with a happier parent. Make it work for you, too, and include activities that you will find interesting.
Suggested Activities There are so many things to do with your child over the summer so I’ll throw in just a few suggestions. These summer activities are actually great for after camp, summer weekends, and those days between camp and school, as well. Water play is a classic, and there are many ways to bring this into your daily or weekly schedule. Depending on your child’s age and family’s standards, some water play will be more suited to your needs than others. Sprinklers are often the easiest way to make little ones happy on a hot day. You can get the bonus of a well-watered lawn at the same time, all without leaving your property. Some of the local parks such as Cedarhurst Park and Grant Park have sprinklers that are a treat for kids. They can get soaked and then dry under the sun while playing in the playground. It’s a formula for a happy child. Our bigger kids have enjoyed swimming at the local pool that has separate swimming hours. They’ve enjoyed the water and the friends they’ve made there. The CCRP pool with separate swimming hours is located right here on the Darchei campus. You can reach them at (718)868-2300, ext. 386 for more information and exact hours. Even our camp-attending children have enjoyed after-camp swim time there. Parks are local, free, and fun. Take advantage of having so many in our area. Kids love being able to run, play, and just be active. It’s great for their growing bodies and developing minds. You can switch up which park you visit if you think they need variety, but often kids are happy visiting the familiar. Arts and crafts and other projects are easy, educational, and a quick win among kids. Even older kids can find some craft or handson skills they want to pursue during their summer vacation. You can purchase pre-made kits or just buy some supplies and let the kids get creative. Make sure to set them up
outside, over a disposable or easily cleaned tablecloth or similar area so the mess is contained. It’s more motivating for parents to set up crafts if you know you won’t be crying at the mess afterwards.
trying to take them off the planning board. Teens and older kids can easily incorporate productive activities into their day. This will not only give them something to do but also
Children, especially the youngest members of the family, thrive on predictability and continuity from day to day.
Trips are one of the highlights of camp and can be incorporated into your at-home camp experience as well. See what’s available and within your price range. Don’t drive yourself crazy with trip planning, but children, especially the middle and older aged kids, find trips add something special to their summer experience. You don’t need to travel far nor do you need to spend hours away from home to add a little extra excitement. Many of the staycation ideas TJH advertises will be a good place to look. Even just the local library or an outing for a smoothie at one of our local establishments can be an eventful trip for a child. Window shopping at the yearly sidewalk sale became a standard trip for our kids that they looked forward to each year.
The Older Set We have had older kids home for part or all of the day during the summer. This is a bit more challenging, but they still managed to have a productive summer. It is far less common for teens to be at home but for these situations you may want more structure than you’d include for a younger child. It’s too easy to find your sweet teenager in bed all day, doing nothing. As mentioned above, teens will benefit from being involved in the planning of their summer but there’s no reason you can’t be involved, too. Try to phrase it in a way that your child will see it with the gentle guidance and love you intend and not as
a special experience with life skills to bring into the rest of the year. Volunteering, learning with a peer chavrusa or mentor, or working at a part-time job are all options for older kids. Letting children find what fits their interests will keep them interested longer.
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Learning during the summer can, and should, be extra fun. It’s an excellent opportunity for a child to learn a topic that really catches their attention. It can be the Torah spark for a child that may not experience that in his/her learning during the year. There are so many ways to make your child’s summer into a wonderful and productive experience. Finding what works for you and your child takes some thought but can turn their break from school into both an educational lesson and a time of treasured memories for all of you.
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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jewish women of wisdom
Parachutes Made of Whole Cloth By Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz
I
t really disturbed me. She did it once, a second time and then again. And it continued to bother me for a very long time. She is a good friend, very smart, and a veteran social services professional like I was, although in a different role. And she kept using the word “parachute” when I was leaving a very senior position in a large social services agency. Parachute was a trendy word then, not just because of the Richard Bolles’ book, What Color is Your Parachute. During the nineties, large corporations were giving their highly paid executives golden parachutes, fat severance packages, when the companies were taken over and their executives axed. Knowing that I was unhappy where I was and had hit a glass ceiling, my friend Zahava kept predicting and advising that I take my skills, knowledge, and experience and parachute into this role or that related career. It was very irritating to me that after sharing my deep ambivalence about some opportunities and considered directions, she kept using that word parachute again and again. It implied ease and a soft landing, being blown by the breezes into the exact spot where you wanted to land. I wasn’t having it. It rankled deeply. A transition into another career and work isn’t so easily accomplished, I knew. Why was she making it sound so simple and painless, with her signature lively style and well-chosen vocabulary du jour? She knew I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. I was older, and I knew better. I had a family to worry about. She was single and could use trendy terms and make it seem facile to just move into another field and position. I had degrees, and she had none. But I didn’t argue with her. You choose your battles with people, and I wasn’t choosing this one. Fast forward many years later, and the tables were turned on me. After a lecture in an out-of-town community,
there was a smaller session with the wives of the klei kodesh. Just about the first question that came up, voiced by the most senior member of the group, addressed the same topic. Can you reinvent yourself? Picture the scene. A tired Faigie Horowitz does not immediately answer the question. Other questions are thrown at her. Women share feelings about being role models in their community. Women talk about their
The difference between parachuting then and that summer Q & A session was not just in yours truly. The difference was in the timeframe. Zahava was right, but I was righter! You can transition into a whole other field of endeavor. You can find something you can do well that gives you enjoyment and a whole new direction. But it takes time and doesn’t happen quickly like an airborne landing. Parachute is the wrong word, and besides, it’s
The journey can be exciting and fun if one takes along a sense of adventure and the intent to gather souvenirs and savor experiences.
lives compared with the lives of their peers back east. Women confide. And Faigie Horowitz reacts, comments, and answers, many times with personal anecdotes and feelings. She tells of her own transformation from nonprofit professional and activist to public speaker, writer, and community rebbetzin. She turns to the original questioner and finally answers the question. Yes, one can reinvent herself.
passé. The word transition or pivot is more au courant. And it implies a process. Free of responsibilities to children, tired of their present occupations, and conscious of their limited work life and possible pending caretaking of parents, many middle age women seek to reinvent themselves. That’s not a crisis, even if it is a midlife turning point. It’s a time to focus
inwards and outwards both. Many women think, “I want something different but I don’t know what I want.” Who am I and what is really important to me? are part of that conversation with oneself. There are no instant answers to these questions. There is time, however, to play and experiment with new ventures. One doesn’t have to figure it out all at once. The journey can be exciting and fun if one takes along a sense of adventure and the intent to gather souvenirs and savor experiences. If you just want to plot a course from here to there and get to a particular destination, use your GPS. Real life isn’t like a course on navigation app. You discover talents, qualities, and interests as you go. And G-d may send you on some interesting detours which will yield some honed skills. You may be forced to plot your course again surrounded by the rocky shoals of financial, emotional, and familial peril. Opportunities present themselves. Some opportunities may need to be helped along. If you maintain a growth mindset, your trajectory expands, and you find new sources of creativity, interest, and opportunity. The invention you land up with may be far more original and sturdier than the contraption you had in mind earlier. Self-invention may yield a new you, built to last and fit for fun. When you’re a grown-up with a rich resume, the satisfaction you have from the new work is mighty important, whether or not that’s what you planned. That’s my take on being a political advocate and digital marketing strategist in my current professional life. It’s a weird confluence of things that got me here but hey, I am having fun. Who would have thunk I’d invented this work life?
Join the conversation and email list of JWOW! by writing to hello @jewishwomenofwisdom.org.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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In The K
tchen
Salad-Topped Salami Pizza Yields: 6 servings
By Naomi Nachman
Meat pizzas have become very popular of late, so when I
had pizza dough and leftover salami in my fridge, I decided to create this salami pizza. You can use any leftover meat to top this pizza. It is a great way of re-purposing Shabbat leftovers!
Ingredients
b 1 batch Quick and Easy Pizza Dough, recipe below b ½ cup barbecue sauce b ½ cup mayonnaise b 1 (14-16 ounce) salami, sliced b ½ red onion, sliced (reserve the rest for salad, if desired) SALAD b 3 cups arugula b ½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved b 2 tablespoons olive oil b 1 tablespoon lemon juice b ½ teaspoon mustard
b ½ teaspoon kosher salt b 1 clove garlic, minced
4.
Preparation
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.
1.
Preheat oven to 450°F. If not using a pizza stone, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll pizza dough into a 12-15-inch circle or rectangle. Transfer to a pizza stone or prepared baking sheet. 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.)
6. Meanwhile, prepare the salad: Place arugula and cherry tomatoes into a medium bowl. Add remaining red onion, if desired. 7. Whisk together oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and garlic until combined. 8. Just before serving, add desired amount of dressing to bowl; toss to coat. 9.
Spread salad over hot pizza; drizzle with reserved barbecue sauce mixture.
Quick and Easy Pizza Dough Pareve / Yields: 1 (12-inch) pie, about 4 servings
Ingredients
b 2 teaspoons dry yeast b 1 teaspoon sugar b ¾ cup very warm water (115°F) b 2 cups flour b 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation 1.
Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Combine yeast, water, and sugar in a medium bowl; proof for 5 minutes, until bubbling. 3. Add flour and salt; knead for 2-3 minutes
until flour is well blended and a dough ball forms. 4.
Cover; let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.
5. Roll dough to fit a 12-inch pizza pan. Bake as directed in recipe or top with your favorite toppings and bake 20 minutes.
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.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
WE'RE ALMOST THERE....
"ONE WHO SAVES
A SINGLE LIFE
IS AKIN TO SAVING THE
WHOLE WORLD."
DO YOUR PART TO SAVE A LIFE! Make sure to take the vaccine! All New Yorkers age 16 and older are eligible for vaccination. For more information, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine.
WEAR A MASK Until you are fully vaccinated, wearing a mask outside your home prevents the spread of the virus to your family, friends and neighbors.
STAY HOME IF YOU'RE SICK Only leave for medical care and testing or other essentials.
AVOID LARGE INDOOR GATHERINGS This is another way the virus spreads quickly.
GET TESTED If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, get tested right away.
Bill de Blasio Mayor Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc Commissioner
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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”
Immigrant parents come to this country, I’m sure they were nice people, send their daughter to Harvard, and that’s what you get? It really is. Our system produces the worst people. They’re not the worst people when they start. Most people are decent when they start. But our institutions at the top of the society produce people like that, and that’s the problem. – Tucker Carlson, Fox News, talking about MSNBC’s Joy Reid who posited that any parent who objects to their kids being taught critical race theory (which maintains that all white people, including kids, are racists) are racists
These woke CEOs saddle their high horse and ride it hard in America. You talk about Nike with Colin Kaepernick. But when they get into China, they kowtow before the powers that be. And they never bring up anything like China’s genocide against its own people, or crushing Hong Kong’s autonomy, or unleashing this plague on the United States. All they care about in China is money. - Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) talking about the double-standard of woke corporations
Confidence in the mayor is very, very important. Confidence in the leadership of the mayor and the competence of the mayor is very important. And I think with a new mayor, you’re gonna see both an increase in the confidence in leadership and increase in the competence of the management of New York City. – Gov. Cuomo going after his political rival, Mayor de Blasio, after the NYC Democratic primaries were held
I guess Nike’s attitude towards genocide in China is “Just do it!” - Ibid.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) loosened masks requirements a bit more last week to allow the vaccinated to go barefaced in outdoor transportation settings. It’s another small step toward normalcy, but some Americans seem unwilling to forgo the face covering even in the face of the new guidance.
As a world-renowned and legendary professional basketball team, we petition Commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA governors and the powers that be to grant The Original Harlem Globetrotters an NBA franchise. Not now, but right now! - From a letter by the Harlem Globetrotters petitioning NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to allow them to become an NBA franchise
In so many cases over the past year, masks have been less a protective tool and more a symbol of virtue. This is a problem. Tools are easily discarded. When the job is done, you put away the hammer or saw without a second thought. Not so with symbols. Symbols become a part of us, a part of our identity that mingles with our self-worth. - David Marcus, Fox News
Didn’t the great Scottie Pippen refuse to go in the game for the last second shot because he was in his feelings his coach drew up the play for a better shooter?? - Nets star Kevin Durant tweet responding to former Chicago Bulls all-star and Jordan sidekick Scottie Pippen who criticized him for not being a team player
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I have spent much time reflecting, reading and listening. The truth is that my commenting on a book that documents the extreme Far-Left and their activities is in no way an endorsement of the equally repugnant Far-Right. The truth is that reporting on extremism at the great risk of endangering oneself is unquestionably brave. I also feel that my previous apology in a small way participates in the lie that such extremism does not exist, or worse, is a force for good. So why leave the band? On the eve of his leaving to the West, Solzhenitsyn published an essay titled “Live Not By Lies.” I have read it many times now since the incident at the start of March. It still profoundly stirs me. “And he who is not sufficiently courageous to defend his soul — don’t let him be proud of his ‘progressive’ views, and don’t let him boast that he is an academician or a people’s artist, a distinguished figure or a general. Let him say to himself: I am a part of the herd and a coward. It’s all the same to me as long as I’m fed and kept warm.” For me to speak about what I’ve learnt to be such a controversial issue will inevitably bring my bandmates more trouble. My love, loyalty and accountability to them cannot permit that. I could remain and continue to self-censor but it will erode my sense of integrity. Gnaw my conscience. I’ve already felt that beginning. - Winston Marshall, banjo player for Mumford & Sons, in an essay in Medium, explaining why he is permanently leaving the band after he faced heated public backlash in March for tweeting positively about a book which exposes the Far-Left as dangerous radicals
I feel like it was a set-up, and they did it on purpose. I was [upset], to be honest. - Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry who disgracefully had a temper tantrum when the U.S. National Anthem began playing during her medal ceremony in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials on Saturday
The Second Amendment, from the day it was passed, limited the type of people who could own a gun and what type of weapon you could own. You couldn’t buy a cannon. Those who say the blood of the, the blood of patriots, you know, and all this stuff about how we’re going to have to move, move against the government, well, the tree of liberty is not watered with the blood of patriots. What’s happened is that there never been…if you want…if you think you need to have weapons to take on the government, you need F-15s and maybe some nuclear weapons. - President Joe Biden talking about guns at a press conference about rising crime rates
Why has Chicago become the world’s largest outdoor shooting range? Why is it safer to walk through the streets of Mogedisho than it is to walk through the streets of New York City? Crime is not up, as the president seems to indicate, because of inadequate background checks. Crime is up because many members of the president’s own party believe in defunding the police; they ran on it and in many cities, they’ve done it. Crime is up because they want to replace police with social workers. Crime is up because many Democrats think that when a cop shoots a criminal, it is always the cop’s fault, but when a criminal shoots a cop, it’s always the gun’s fault. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) on Fox News
Remember how people panicked when they couldn’t find toilet paper? Imagine how they are going to feel when you can’t find a cop. - Ibid.
It’s not my first trip. I’ve been to the border many times. – Vice President Kamala Harris, when asked by a reporter why it took her so long to visit the U.S.-Mexico border
MORE QUOTES
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Picnic Rule of thumb Homeless person Trigger warning Addict Crazy Policeman Disabled person You guys - Some of the words on a list recently put out by Brandeis University of words that are politically incorrect and prohibited from being used by students
What is strange is that while the word “picnic” is suggested for censorship, because it evokes, in some persons, lynchings of Black persons in the U.S., the word “lynching” is not itself censored. - Award-winning novelist Joyce Carol Oates, author of “A Garden of Earthly Delights”
‘People are hungry to know. And of course, ever since Star Trek, you know people are yearning to find out what’s out there in the cosmos. Are we alone? Personally, I don’t think we are. - NASA administrator and former astronaut Bill Nelson talking to CNN after reviewing a recently declassified report on 144 UFO sightings
PLANNING IS YOUR STABILITY IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
בס״ד
You can do Halachic planning when doing secular Estate Planning You can protect your children’s inheritance You can appoint someone to make financial and medical decisions, if you are unable You can help your parents prepare for the expense of long-term care Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law Planning (Medicaid Planning), require counsel who is experienced, professional, and above all, caring. Monet Binder Law, P.C. has earned a reputation, through over 21 years in practice, for working with clients with patience, understanding and compassion, assisting them in realizing their goals to protect themselves and their loved ones, in the best way possible. “Monet possesses the rare combination of being very knowledgeable, very thorough and very caring. She made what seemed like an overwhelming process, much simpler and less fearful. I highly recommend her.” – Alan Proctor
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7
Political Crossfire
Democrats Need to Show They Can Be Trusted with Power By Fareed Zakaria
“S
ocial media does not pick a candidate. People on Social Security pick a candidate,” said Eric Adams, who is likely to be the next mayor of New York City after taking a commanding lead in this week’s Democratic primary. Adams was making a point that Democrats should take seriously. The party’s progressive wing makes noise and gets attention, but voters prefer pragmatists to ideologues. As big cities see a resurgence in violent crime – homicides were up more than 30 percent last year and an additional 24 percent so far this year – and as places struggle to revive growth and employment, the focus on governance will only heighten. Today, the Democratic Party has total control of just 18 state legislatures, compared with 30 for Republicans. Democrats spent tens of millions of dollars to flip the legislatures in Arizona, North Carolina, Florida and Texas. They failed everywhere, and they even managed to lose control of New Hampshire’s legislature. Since states oversee redistricting and voting laws, the 2022 midterms look very tough for the Democrats. Part of the issue is Republican advantages – the overrepresentation of rural areas, for example – but Democratic failures have also played a role. Put bluntly, too many Democratic states have gotten bloated, mismanaged and corrupt. Take New York State. It has a budget nearly twice the size of Florida’s though it has roughly the same population. Its budget is just 12 percent smaller than California’s despite having half as many people. Can anyone explain why? This increased spending does not always pay off. Steven Malanga of the
City Journal cites an analysis by the financial website WalletHub comparing tax revenues with the quality of public services such as infrastructure, education and health care. New York has the eighth-highest tax rate but ranks 19th in quality of services. California is sixth-highest on taxes and 37th on public services. States such as New Jersey and Massachusetts – despite massive spending – have some of the worst infrastructure in the country. Similarly, sky-high education spending in these states doesn’t always translate into better educational outcomes. As Ryan Fazio notes in the New York Post, New York spends nearly twice as much per pupil as the national average, and yet its fourth and eighth grade reading and math scores are no better. Things have reached a tipping point. Around 14,000 businesses left California between 2009 and 2019. This seems to have gotten worse in the past few years with Tesla, Apple,
Charles Schwab, Facebook, Oracle and Hewlett-Packard all announcing significant relocations to or expansions in Texas. In 2021, the topranked states for running a business according to chief executives were Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Indiana. The worst five were California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Washington. The pandemic has opened up horizons for companies that are now thinking more aggressively about relocations, remote workforces and flexible office approaches. All this bodes poorly for blue states. It’s not just businesses that are leaving blue states; people are as well. For the first time on record, California’s population actually decreased last year. Illinois was one of the few states to see its population shrink over the past decade. As the Wall Street Journal observes, it can’t be the weather, since every other Midwestern state gained people over the same period. Meanwhile, Tex-
as and Florida together swelled by more than 6 million people. All this translates into more political power. New York, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and Ohio will all lose congressional seats, while Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Montana, Colorado and Oregon will gain them. These shifts, plus redistricting, probably mean Democrats could lose the House even if they perform just as well in 2022 as they did in 2020. Liberals don’t like to face squarely the issue of Democratic incompetence. New York, for example, handled the pandemic disastrously at the state and city level. As Ryan Cooper pointed out, New York State’s covid-19 deaths rose faster than any place on the planet at an equivalent point in their outbreaks. Its death rate per capita is nearly 60 percent higher than Florida’s. Yet New York’s leaders were feted as heroes. In an extensive investigation of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, ProPublica paints a devastating picture of serious mistakes, including the overruling of experts, combined with cover-ups and denial – in other words, many of the same errors for which former president Donald Trump was rightly excoriated. The Democratic Party wants more government, for many good causes and reasons. But to gain the trust of people, it needs to first face up to its failures and work harder to show that it can effectively manage the governments it already runs. President Biden is doing that at the federal level. At the local level, New York City would be a good place to start. (c) 2021, Washington Post Writers Group
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know
H #1 YT
I can get COVID from the vaccine.
M
M
Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association
H #5 YT
M
The Science: The coronavirus vaccines cannot give you COVID-19 because they do not contain live SARS-CoV-2 virus. H #2 YT
The Science: SARS-CoV-2 infection presents a health risk to everyone. Young people can get seriously ill and even die. Even after recovering from COVID-19, they can
The vaccine changes your DNA.
experience symptoms months after infection
The Science: Neither the mRNA nor DNA-based COVID-19 vaccines interact
and are susceptible to other long-term effects.
M
M
The Science: All vaccines receiving FDA emergency use authorization in the United States have been tested in preclinical, phase I, II and III trials to determine safety and efficacy with tens of thousands of participants. Since then, over 100 million doses of vaccine have been administered in the US and over 448 million doses worldwide. H #4 YT
H #6 YT
The COVID vaccine has not been tested enough to prove it is safe.
If I had COVID, I do not need to get the vaccine. The Science: The strength and length of natural immunity varies from person to person and cannot be predicted. New variants also make people more vulnerable to reinfection. Therefore, the CDC recommends people who had COVID-19 in the past to still get vaccinated.
M
M
with, integrate into, or alter your DNA. H #3 YT
I’m young and healthy, I don’t need the vaccine.
H #7 YT
My community has “herd immunity” so I don’t need to get the vaccine.
The COVID vaccine causes infertility.
The Science: “Herd immunity” doesn’t protect every individual from getting
The Science: There is no factual or theoretical evidence that the COVID vaccine affects fertility.
COVID-19 and can drop when individuals start losing immunity or the community is exposed to a new variant.
For more information about COVID-19 and the COVID vaccine, check out JOWMA’s Preventative Health Podcast, available on all major podcast platforms. Or, call the JOWMA Preventative Health hotline at 929-4-GEZUNT. All New Yorkers age 16 and above are now eligible to receive the vaccine. To find a vaccination site near you, visit: VaccineFinder.org
This content is for general educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment about your particular condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Political Crossfire
Republicans Will Filibuster Partisan Legislation. Get Over It. By Marc A. Thiessen
S
enate Democrats engaged in a show of political theater this week, bringing up a partisan election bill they knew had no chance of passing – and then using the Republicans’ justified resistance to argue for eliminating or weakening the filibuster. Republicans were right to kill S. 1, an 800-plus-page monstrosity that was a breathtaking federal assault on states’ authority to conduct their own elections. The bill was a caricature of liberal government overreach – it actually mandated the kind of glue that must be used on absentee ballots (requiring “self-sealing” envelopes that are known to gum up postal equipment, which would have caused mailin ballots to be lost or rejected). It required states to auto-enroll voters; overruled state laws against ballot harvesting by paid political operatives; allowed felons to vote in federal (but not state) elections after completion of their sentence; required states to count mail ballots that show up 10 days after the election; and banned states from requiring “any form of identification as a condition of obtaining an absentee ballot” – even though 80% of Americans (including 62% of Democrats) support requiring photo identification for voting. It was a poorly written partisan wish list – exactly the kind of legislation the filibuster was designed to stop. Yet Democrats pilloried Republicans for objecting to it, accusing them of supporting voter suppression and a return to Jim Crow – until one of their own, Sen. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.), declared his opposition to what he rightly called their “partisan voting legislation.” Manchin’s announcement forced Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.)
to negotiate a scaled-down framework to win Manchin’s support. He had no choice. If Manchin withheld his vote, S. 1 would have died because of insufficient Democratic votes – which would have undermined Schumer’s Republican “voter suppression” narrative. So, Schumer agreed to a Manchin substitute he knew would never even receive a vote ---so he could move forward with his show vote on the Democrats’ original election bill. In fact, there was never an actual “Manchin bill” – just some vague talking points. If there had been actual legislation, and Schumer was serious about it, he could have brought it up for a vote instead of S.1. But he didn’t – because it didn’t exist and might not have gotten enough Democratic support if it did. The whole exercise was little more than a PR stunt. Yet some argue that the GOP’s failure to accept Schumer’s fake deal with Manchin is justification to “reform” the filibuster. So, let’s get this straight: Democrats negotiate a “compromise” among themselves, never introduce actual legislative
language, and this somehow obligates Republicans to drop their objections? Sorry, that is not compromise – and it is not how the Senate works. The fact that Republicans used the filibuster to block what they believed was harmful legislation is not outrageous. When Democrats were in the minority, they did it all the time. Democrats filibustered funding for Trump’s border wall, covid-19 relief legislation, police reform, legislation requiring “sanctuary cities” to cooperate with federal law enforcement and legislation to protect unborn human life. Yet Senate Republicans never seriously considered eliminating or weakening the filibuster to force their agenda through over Democratic objections -- even though they controlled the House, the Senate and the White House. But now that Republicans are using the same tool that Democrats did as recently as last year, that justifies blowing up the Senate guardrails protecting the minority party’s rights? What utter hypocrisy. Here’s a hard truth Democrats need to accept: Republicans are going
to filibuster partisan legislation. Get over it. Every time they do so, it’s not an excuse to get rid of the filibuster. If Democrats want to avoid Republican filibusters, there is a simple way to do so: Stop acting as though they won in a landslide in 2020, when voters elected a 50-50 Senate and one of the narrowest House majorities in modern times. Democrats have no popular mandate to enact a partisan agenda. When Democrats focus on areas of bipartisan agreement, the system works just fine. This month, the Senate approved landmark legislation aimed at countering China’s rise. Some Republicans used the leverage filibuster rules gave them to delay final passage of the bill to secure changes. Democrats allowed GOP amendments, and eventually, the bill passed with 68 votes – proving, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pointed out, that “the rules of the Senate don’t stand in the way of bipartisan legislating.” But here is the news you probably have not heard: House Democrats are refusing to pass this carefully negotiated, bipartisan legislation that is vital to America’s economic and national security – stopping President Joe Biden from signing it into law. Where is the indignation at their obstructionism? And why should Senate Republicans feel any pressure to pass blatantly partisan legislation passed by the House, when House Democrats seem to be under no pressure to pass bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate? Apparently, these days, obstruction is only an outrage when Republicans do it. (c) 2021, Washington Post Writers Group
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Political Crossfire
Attacking “Merit” in the Name of “Equity” is a Prescription For Mediocrity By George F. Will
I
n progressivism’s political lexicon, “equity” is a synonym for government-directed social outcomes that improve conditions for particular government-favored groups. Equity is enhanced when government policies – e.g., affirmative action – narrow disparities of outcomes among groups, usually racial or ethnic, in acquiring wealth or educational excellence. Necessarily, then, the antonym of “equity” as a social standard of justice is “merit,” in this sense: The opposite of an equitable society is a meritocracy. Progressivism increasingly argues that an important impediment to enlarging equity is “the tyranny of merit.” That is the title of a lucid, learned, closely reasoned 2020 book by Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel. Like its unfailingly civil author, the book is temperate in tone but radical in implications. It illustrates a momentous development: progressivism’s despair about, and explicit abandonment of, the aspiration that defines the American project – equality of opportunity. “These days,” Sandel writes, “we view success the way the Puritans viewed salvation -- not as a matter of luck or grace, but as something we earn through our own effort and striving. This is the heart of the meritocratic ethic.” Sandel objects to this because “expansive conceptions of personal responsibility” ignore the fact that no one “deserves” his or her natural attributes. Furthermore, the “rhetoric of responsibility” and of being “masters of our fate” obscures the degree to which even virtues conducive to thriving in a merit-based society – diligence, in-
dustriousness, self-reliance, deferral of gratification – are learned. They are largely inculcated in families, which are the primary transmitters of social capital – the habits necessary for taking advantage of the opportunities offered by an open society. By Sandel’s correct reckoning, families are sources of inequalities; by his incorrect reasoning, this is a problem in need of correction. Sandel correctly says that often education, rather than propelling social mobility, reinforces family advantages. But should society regret families focusing on their children’s flourishing? Americans should think as Robert Frost did: “I am against a homogenized society because I want the cream to rise.” Sandel regrets meritocratic society’s allocation of “esteem” to highly rewarded high achievers, but the vocabulary of his regret reveals that what he calls “the valorization of talent” flows from America’s premises. “The meritocratic emphasis on effort and hard work,” he says, “seeks to vindicate the idea that, under the right conditions, we are responsible for our
success and thus capable of freedom.” Just so. Sever merit from the social mechanisms that allocate social rewards, and the idea of personal responsibility must go, too. And also the aspiration for an open society in which individual striving rather than government – political power – determines who thrives. Because “natural talents” are undeserved, some progressives argue, the unequal rewards that the talented reap are, too, and are equitable only to the extent that they serve the public good. As defined by whom? There’s the rub. The public good, defined by progressivism, is served by the redistribution of the rewards of talent to the less talented. In a market society, however, the talented reap rewards because the public freely benefits from their contributions to satisfying the public’s preferences. Progressives often argue that preferences are derivative – socially conditioned – and (non sequitur alert) therefore allowing market forces to satisfy them is not an important imperative. It is, however, imperative if we are to have social calm and tem-
perate politics. Sandel says meritocracy sows social discord. But a society without discord is neither possible nor desirable. A meritocratic society has less discord than a society that abandons meritocratic principles. Equity, pursued through government-driven allocation of social rewards, drenches society with bitter distributional conflicts because wealth and opportunity are allocated by political power according to shifting standards contested by competing factions. Allowing the market to articulate preferences, without seeking to decide – who will decide who the deciders are? – the preferences’ moral worth, promotes domestic tranquility. Today’s accusations of “systemic racism,” more frequently bandied than defined, disparage American society’s allocation of wealth and opportunity on the basis of metrics of merit. The disparagers presume the allocation is inherently unjust unless it ameliorates racial disparities. So, around the nation, selective public high schools and colleges are accused of perpetuating racial hierarchies by admission policies that seek excellence as measured by standardized tests. Yet aptitude tests for college admissions were adopted so that objective measures of merit could weaken the entrenchment of stale elites. No society ever has too much talent. With America facing a future of intensifying commercial and military competitions of increasing sophistication, it is reckless to advocate retreat from meritocracy toward, inevitably, government-engineered mediocrity. (c) 2021, Washington Post Writers Group
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Forgotten Her es
Anti-Submarine Warfare By Avi Heiligman
The German U-505 with an American flag after her capture
O
ver the course of history, world powers needed to have a strong military to keep their influence steady. Naval power is a key component of a powerful nation. Navies have always looked for new and better ships and weapons to add to their arsenal. For centuries, the idea of having an underwater ship was floated around by inventors, and over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, it developed into a major part of navies worldwide. World War I was the first war that submarines were used on a major scale and were a big threat to surface ships. It took a concentrated effort to coordinate the anti-submarine effort. American anti-submarine warfare units saw a lot of action during the two World Wars. Here are some of their operational stories and missions that rarely made the front pages. While American submarines didn’t see a lot of action, anti-submarine units were busy thwarting the German U-boat menace. The U.S. entered World War I in April 1917, and its warships had several encounters with German subs.
The sinking of German submarine U-175 by USCGC Spencer in 1943
Then, early on the morning of November 17, 1917, the coxswain on destroyer USS Fanning sighted the German submarine U-58. The U-boat had been sighted when she surfaced her periscope to line up a torpedo shot on a British merchant ship. The Fanning and her sister ship USS Nicholson were on escort duty, and the Fanning launched three depth charges. These charges caused some damage to the German sub, and the Nicholson joined the Fanning by shooting their deck guns. These shots caused the U-boat to lose steering, and soon her crew surrendered to the American surface ships. This marked the first time in war that American ships had sunk an enemy submarine in battle. Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) at first was very primitive as surface ships had to wait for the submarine to surface. The subs needed to surface to navigate, recharge or resupply, and these provided the best opportunities to attack enemy subs. Later on in the war, depth charges (explosives set to explode and cause damage to ships underneath the water’s surface) became sophisticated enough that they
could be set to explode at a specific depth after being rolled off a rack on a surface ship. Manned balloons and airplanes were used to spot enemy ships but weren’t equipped to destroy submarines. Echo-ranging technology was then developed, and this proved useful in detecting ships underwater. Anti-submarine mines proved the most effective way to sink U-boats, as 58 were sunk using this method during World War I. After World War I, the technology on subs became more sophisticated, and they came up with tactics to avoid ASW. By the onset of World War II in 1939, submarines were able to dive deeper and could go silent so as to not make any sound or signal that could be picked up by any other ship in the area. If they did make noise, sonar (sound navigation and ranging) could pick up the signal and an alert would go out to surface ships that an enemy sub was in the area. Both the Japanese and Germans had large and powerful submarine fleets and had better torpedoes than the American Navy (the story of these faulty torpedoes is one for the military blunders column and had
USS Fanning
devastating results during the first two years of the war for the Americans in the Pacific). The Battle of the Atlantic lasted the entire length of the war and one of the main components of the battle pitted German U-boats against Allied merchant convoys and their escort ships. At first, it was not going well as German U-boats prowled the East Coast and were sinking merchant ships at an alarming rate. This prompted the Americans to have their ships sail in convoys and had warships accompany them on their journey. This tactic didn’t always work, as the warship crews were not very familiar with this type of warfare. As time went on, they gained valuable experience, and as more warships were coming out of the shipyards, the tide began to turn. One of the main tactics in anti-submarine warfare was the use of escort carriers or “baby flattops.” These were smaller than the average aircraft carrier and carried around 30 planes. They were the nucleus of hunter killer groups that included destroyers armed with depth charges and a new type of anti-sub weapon called hedgehogs.
The USS Bogue was the trendsetter for escort carriers in the Atlantic and has the distinction of sinking subs from multiple countries. She sank 11 German U-boats and one Japanese sub. One of her screening ships, the destroyer Badger, sank another U-boat. The Badger, along with three other destroyers that were part of the group, sank a thirteenth sub. The Bogue received the coveted Presidential Unit Citation for her actions during the Battle of the Atlantic. Off the coast of Morocco the USS Guadalcanal had located an enemy sub and sent a destroyer to deploy depth charges. This caused the U-505 to surface as the charges created cracks in the valves and pipes. Her captain thought that she was about to sink and ordered the crew to abandon ship. The American carrier captain realized that the submarine was not sinking and sent a boarding party. They
found valuable intelligence including codebooks and a highly prized enigma coding machine on board. Salvage parties then prepared the captured submarine for towing to a
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Axis submarines with varied results. In addition to sending off groups of ships in convoys, ships were built specifically to meet the submarine threat. Corvettes, frig-
The U-505 was the first enemy ship captured on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since the War of 1812.
navy base at Bermuda. The U-505 was the first enemy ship captured on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since the War of 1812. After the war, she was donated to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, where she is on permanent display. A lot of tactics were used against
ates and destroyer escorts all were equipped with anti-submarine devices. Aircraft also played a major role, and there were air raids on German submarine pens located on the French coast. Planes with longer range were introduced and flew overhead to locate potential threats
lurking right below the ocean’s surface. Cracking the Enigma code was vital for intelligence as Allied code breakers were able to track U-boat movements. The successes against German and Japanese submarines were not immediate but eventually the submarine threat diminished. Anti-submarine warfare grew out of necessity, and many of the weapons and tactics used today were first developed during the two World Wars. Anti-submarine technology and methods saved many lives during the wars and continues to protect our sailors in service today.
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
HOUSES FOR SALE
Yoga & Licensed Massage Therapy Peaceful Presence Studio 436 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst Separate men/women Group/private sessions Gift Cards Available www. Peacefulpresence.com 516 -371 -3715
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PRICE REDUCED: Sprawling 4BR, 4BA Exp-Ranch, Oversized Rooms, LR W/Fplc, Formal Dining Rm, Large Den, Master Suite, Full Finished Basement, Storage Room & Office, Deck, Fabulous Property…$1.078M Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com
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 VACUUM SALES AND REPAIR All areas call Max Flam 718-444-4904
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Center hall colonial with 5 massive BRs. Large 75x100 property. Renovated kitchen and baths. Miri (646) 515-8813 $1.099M
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Renovated top to bottom, no expense spared. 4BR, 2.5bth, SH colonial. Finished basement, large property. Chana (516)449-9692 $1.35M
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Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003
COMMERCIAL RE
COMMERCIAL RE
VACATION RENTALS
HELP WANTED
EAST ROCKAWAY: Retail Stores on Busy Corner, 1000SF& Up Available, Great High Visibility Location, For Lease… Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698
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YESHIVA KETANA OF LONG ISLAND (YKLI) is seeking dynamic, experienced, nurturing teachers who can provide a rigorous learning environment * for 2 periods of 7th grade Math (M-Th) * for 2 periods of 8th grade ELA (M-TH) * for 5th Grade (M-TH 12:45-4:00 and Friday 11:30-1:00) * for 2nd Grade (M-TH 12:45-4:00 and Friday 11:30-1:00) Interested teachers should have a Master’s degree in Education or hold a valid NYS Teaching Certificate. YKLI is a warm and professional educational environment. If interested please email resume to pschultz@YKLI.ORG
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
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HELP WANTED Yeshivath Gesher/Gesher ECC a growing school is looking to fill • Teachers' Assistant Positions • Secretarial Positions for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year Please submit resumes jobs@ gesher-ecc.org
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LOT FOR SALE
In the Heart of Far Rockaway Approved Building Plans START BUILDING TOMORROW! Call for more information 347-720-3046
HELP WANTED
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FURNITURE SALES ASSOCIATE BROOKLYN Living Quarters Furniture of Brooklyn is looking to hire an upbeat Sales Associate. If you have sales experience, love interior design and furniture, this is a great opportunity with a flexible schedule! Good Pay Hourly + Commissions. Apply: isaac@lquarters.com
*Playgroup Assistants** Looking for 2 heimish, warm and loving assistant Morahs in a 2 year old Far Rockaway playgroup (starting September). 1 full time (9-3) and 1 part time (12-3) Perfect for post-seminary girl... For more information, please text your name and 2 references to 718-926-9336
FURNITURE SALES ASSOCIATE LAKEWOOD Living Quarters Furniture of Lakewood is looking to hire an upbeat Sales Associate. If you have sales experience, love interior design and furniture, this is a great opportunity with a flexible schedule! Good Pay Hourly + Commissions. Apply: chaim@lquarters.com Far Rockaway based non-profit is seeking to hire a NOEP Coordinator to assist community members with Food Stamp program eligibility, educate members of the general public about the benefits of Food Stamp Program, and conduct confidential prescreening of households to determine potential food stamp eligibility and other tasks. New grads welcome to apply. Second language strongly preferred Please email resume to info@jccrp.org NOEP Coordinator in the subject line
Cabinet Hinge Repair
646-661-1388 info@nadlercabinet.com
Hinges | Tracks | Drawers | Soft Close | Alignment
Domestic Violence Counselor Work with a dedicated team providing trauma informed counseling and other services for adult victims of domestic violence in the community. MSW or equivalent degree, NYS license or limited permit, and clinical experience required. Fulltime, LCSW supervision, good benefits. Resumes to arubin@tscli.org Elementary and Junior High General Studies teachers and Preschool assistant positions available in BYAM for the coming school year. Email resume to teachingpositions1@gmail.com Are you a warm experienced Morah seeking a position in a well established school? The Ganger Early Childhood division of TAG is looking for you! Morah and assistant positions available. Please send resume to csender@tagschools.org
Now Hiring! Are you looking for a Promising New Career? A positive work environment with a rewarding quality of life? Are you ambitious and goal-oriented? Now is the time to join our sales team! We are a thriving, established company looking to take you to the next level. No experience necessary, we provide all the training and support you need to be successful. Skills required: excellent communication skills, strong work ethic, desire to learn and succeed. To apply contact hr@arkmortgage.com Girls School in Five Towns / Far Rockaway area is looking for an Administrative Assistant for Elementary School Office. Must be computer literate and proficient in G-Suite (Google docs, forms, etc.), as well as Word and Excel. Applicants must be organized and personable, a team player, able to multitask, and creative with good writing and grammar skills. Please email resumes to apply.2.work4us@gmail.com Substitute Teachers CAHAL is seeking Permanent AM and PM substitutes for 2021-22 school year. Also, Secular and Judaic Substitute Teachers to cover Maternity leaves in the fall months. Send resume to shira@cahal.org. Call 516-295-3666. Education Asst. Admin. Education Assistant Administrator for Yeshiva-based Special Ed Program. Must have educational experience, good organizational, supervisory, and interpersonal skills, classroom management sk ills, computer skills and flexible hours. 5-Towns/Far Rock SpecialEd Program. E-mail resume to nnadata@gmail.com.
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HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Yeshiva Ketana of Queens is seeking a Junior HIgh social studies teacher. Mon.-Thurs. 2:30-5:30. Warm environment, good salary. Please call 917-742-8909 or email resume to rlswia@aol.com
Five Towns/Far Rockaway area school seeking third and fourth grade general studies teachers for the '21-'22 school year, Monday through Thursday afternoons. Supportive, warm environment. Competitive salary. Please send your resume to teachersearch11@gmail.com
ASSISTANTS NEEDED FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AFTERNOON SESSION. Email: fivetownseducators@gmail.com
FIVE TOWNS/ FAR ROCKAWAY AREA school seeking third and fourth grade general studies teachers for the '21-'22 school year, Monday through Thursday afternoons. Supportive, warm environment. Competitive salary. Please send your resume to teachersearch11@gmail.com
Part Time Social Worker Cahal is seeking a licensed school psychologist or social worker to provide individual counseling, staff and parent support, and social skills program. Part time position (3 days a week) to start at the end of August. Please send resume and cover letter to shira@cahal.org DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 5-Towns non-profit seeking energetic person to plan and coordinate fundraising events, cultivate relationships with donors and Rabbinic and community leaders, disseminate positive PR. PT or FT. E-Mail Resume and cover letter to dirdevjob@gmail.com. CAHAL is seeking P/T Limudei Kodesh teachers for Grade 1-2 and Middle School.in a Bais Yaakov school in Far Rockaway. Send resume to shira@cahal.org. Call 516-295-3666 for information. ASSISTANT TEACHERS CAHAL, the Special Education Program in our community Yeshivas is seeking Assistant Teachers for the 2021-22 school year. FT or PT, AM or PM. Classes are located in yeshivas in the Five Towns/Far Rockaway schools. Send Resume to shira@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666 for information.
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 SHEVACH HIGH SCHOOL is seeking a Global Studies teacher, Algebra teacher. Please email resume to Office@shevachhs.org CATAPULT LEARNING Teachers, Title I Boro Park, Williamsburg and Flatbush Schools *College/Yeshiva Degree *Teaching experience required *Strong desire to help children learn *Small group instruction *Excellent organization skills Competitive salary. Send resume to: Fax: (212) 480-3691 ~ Email: nyteachers@catapultlearning.com
SHULAMITH EARLY CHILDHOOD is looking to hire a full time teacher assistant for the current school year. Please email resume to earlychildhood@shulamith.org
MISC
CAHAL is seeking afternoon middle school secular studies teacher for boys’ class in a Five Towns yeshiva. Send resume to shira@cahal.org.
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
BAIS YAAKOV IN FAR ROCKAWAY seeking permanent substitute for Preschool and Elementary school. Please call 718-868-3232 ext 211
Elderly gentleman would like to buy World War 2 souvenirs American German Japanese, pins, patches, insignia, medals, swords, daggers, helmets, etc. damaged or not Bruce 516 2397444
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
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Your
Money
Liquid Assets By Allan Rolnick, CPA
T
he post-punk philosopher and M&Ms enthusiast David Lee Roth once said, “Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.” So, if you like big boats and you cannot lie, this week’s discussion will put a salty smile on your face. Summer is here, which means yachting and yacht sales are in full swing. (Most experts define a “yacht” as any pleasure boat longer than 10 meters, although if you have a friend named Chip, he may disagree.) The National Marine Manufacturers Association reports boat sales hit a 13-year record in 2020, despite (or perhaps because of) the pandemic. That included 341 superyachts reaching 24 meters or more. A year later, new boat inventories are still tight after manufacturers, especially the ones who make the really beautiful Italian models, shut down in some cases for months. You wouldn’t think that people who can afford to spend millions on a toy need any help from the IRS. The U.S. Superyacht Association says that a 180-foot yacht costs about $4.75 million/year to operate, including $1.4 million for crew salaries, $1 million for main-
tenance and repairs, $400,000 for fuel, $350,000 for dockage, and $240,000 for insurance. But yacht owners have always enjoyed a few tax breaks to help subsidize their expensive hobby. Here’s a quick rundown of the good, the bad, and the ugly:
plus one additional home. The TCJA cuts that limit to $750,000. The TCJA also capped your total state and local tax deduction at $10,000, even if you just dropped $100,000 in sales tax on a million-dollar boat. The Ugly: As for the cost of the boat itself, code section 274
Boat owners typically compare owning a boat to standing in a cold shower tearing up $100 bills.
The Good: If your vessel has a kitchen, a bed, and a bathroom (sorry, a “galley,” a “berth,” and a “head”), you can deduct interest you pay to finance it as a second home. You can also deduct your sales tax if that’s more than your state and local income tax for the year. The Bad: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 sharply limited both of those deductions. Previously, you could deduct interest on up to $1 million of “acquisition indebtedness” for your primary residence
denies deductions for any facility used in connection with any “entertainment, amusement, or recreation.” This includes your yacht, your hunting lodge, and your fishing camp, too. You can still deduct the cost of meals and drinks you serve onboard, as well as the bazillion gallons of fuel you burn. There’s just no break for buying the boat when you use it for entertainment. (This is usually called “the entertainment facility rule,” but we’re going to call it “a buzzkill.”)
Having said all that, the TCJA did some buyers a favor. Many owners charter their boats when they’re not using them to generate extra income to cover operating expenses. The TCJA boosted the 50% bonus depreciation allowance for that use to 100%, meaning you can write off up to your entire purchase price for both new or used yachts. Boat owners typically compare owning a boat to standing in a cold shower tearing up $100 bills. But hey, if that sounds like a promising business model, go knock yourself out! Yachters are used to hearing Amber Alerts go off as their money disappears into their 1,000 gallon gas tanks. But that doesn’t mean Uncle Sam has to join you for your cruise. (He likes drinks and snacks, too, especially those little cucumber sandwiches with no crusts the steward serves with mimosas.) So call us before you christen your new money pit – we’ll see if we can make the most of a spendy situation!
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.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
Rates: Weekday:
$10
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$20
Summer Half and Full Available Memberships
KEEP YOUR COOL THIS SUMMER
r u o o t n i dive e z i s c i p m y l o r o o outd
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June 21st - August 22nd COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE ROCKAWAY PENINSULA 264 BEACH 19TH STREET FAR ROCKAWAY, NY 11691 FOR MORE INFORMATION: 718.868.2300 EXT. 386 LRODKIN@DARCHEI.ORG
Men’s Hours Monday - Thursday 5:00pm - 6:30pm Friday 3:00pm - 5:30pm Sunday 2:30pm - 7:30pm Women’s Hours Monday - Thursday 6:45pm - 8:15pm Friday NO HOURS Sunday 9:45am - 2:15pm
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
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Life C ach
You Can Light Up Your Life By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS
I
want to talk about fireworks. I mean there are fireworks, and then there are fireworks. Like when you leave your kids at home and they all want to play with the same toy. You know what I mean?! Fireworks can fly! And on top of that, you have a first-time babysitter, with an anxious nature, dealing with it. Talk about an opportunity for fireworks. Or how about when everyone in
a bunk has called numbers for the shower in camp. They are all patiently or not sooo patiently waiting their turn. And then innocently, one person saunters in late, nonchalantly walks past them all, and climbs into the shower before everyone. Talk about an all-out war. That’s fireworks! Fireworks can be the sparks that fly when: Two people get out to “calmly,” so to be speak, discuss an unfortunate
collision. Or when: a wife tries, helpfully, to clarify a Google maps’ instructions and somehow takes over the direction department. Or when: one thinks they can “rationally” explain their political view. Yes, fireworks can be a really volatile experience – emotional and dysregulating. But then there are also the ones that light up the sky! The ones we like to experience and look forward to. The ones that come in all different colors and arrangements. The ones that sparkle and titillate. The ones that illuminate the night. The ones that are only marred by
connect. The moment of seeing the other person. The moment when two people feel they have connected with a soulmate. These are true fireworks moments. We feel lit up. We feel seen. We feel the energy flowing. And we sense that glow that encircles. We don’t need to wait for July 4th for those beautiful fireworks. We can open ourselves up to seeing others. To suppressing our tendency toward judgment and work on trying to see what is emanating from their insides. This can happen with people we just meet or even those we know already. That spark. That sudden joining of a view or a mutual respect for anoth-
We don’t need to wait for July 4th for those beautiful fireworks.
a person’s inability to see them or the duds that don’t ignite. These are not spontaneous; they are actually manufactured, but still tossed or projected into the heavens and the result is beautiful! Although they’re not necessarily authentic. So, am I saying we can either get the authentic, hostile ones or the gorgeous but fabricated ones? Are there ever authentically beautiful fireworks? My answer is: yes, there is a moment when we get those fireworks. The moment when two people
er’s right to their own view. That is a true firecracker moment. Like mini moments of static electricity. So maybe if we like the experience, the beauty, the illumination, of fireworks it would behoove us to create more of those connecting moments. And fire away!
Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com.
The Jewish Home | JULY 1, 2021
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JULY 1, 2021 | The Jewish Home
MARGARET TIETZ Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Short-Term Care | Long-Term Care | Hospice Care
Back Feet on your
Quick recoveries - from a pandemic to your rehab is where we excel. In our newly established Synagogue, renovated and expanded gym, recreation center and cafe, you’ll rehab in a beautifully modern, traditionally Kosher setting. And our bright rehabilitation gym, cutting-edge equipment, and focused one-on-one staff will help you recover quickly with optimal results.
New modern look. Same tradition of care. 85% Private Rooms
State of the art Meat and all Cholov Yisroel Dairy Kitchens (VHQ) Full time Rabbi On-Staff Special Shabbos & Holiday Meals Beautiful Outdoor Gardens Shabbos Elevator Community Eruv To resume as guidelines are revised: Daily & Shabbos Minyanim Full High Holiday Schedule Shabbos Hospitality Apartment
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q718-298-7806
P 164-11 Chapin Parkway, Jamaica Hills, NY 11432
amargarettietz.org