Five Towns Jewish Home - 3-25-21 by The Jewish Home

March 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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CHAG KOSHER V’SAMEACH! Wishing You a Beautiful Yom Tov!

CEDARHURST 457 Central Ave | LAKEWOOD 359 Cedarbridge Ave | BROOKLYN 1436 47th Street

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers,

find it almost unbelievable to be able to say that Pesach is finally here. So much has happened in one year, it’s as if we’ve lived more than one year in the past twelve months. I remember preparing for Pesach last year. The lines outside of stores, the copious gloves we had to wear, the limited offerings on the shelves. The never-ending spate of distressing news, the heartrending sounds of sirens and levayas…. It was a period filled with despair, worry, and an overwhelming sense of confinement. But now, we are celebrating our yom tov of Freedom. We are about to leave the oppression and shackles that held us down and embark on a journey with purpose. Pesach is a holiday that celebrates and appreciates our youth. But we’re not a nation that worships the young; we see them as a conduit and a path to pass down our legacy and our principles. Without the fathers – actual and metaphorical – imparting vital lessons to the next generation, our nation would be lost and floundering. Our People needs both young and old, both smooth and

wizened, both traditional and modern to survive and thrive. That’s what makes Pesach so joyous this year. Last year, when we made yom tov with our immediate families, we brought forth a strength that had been buried deep within us. We made do with what we had; we prepared and enjoyed the holiday with those around us. This year, though, we are able to join with our extended families and are able to connect the generations to continue the eternal chain that binds our nation. Pesach is Chag Ha’Aviv, the springtime holiday. It’s a time when the buds start to burst forth on the trees, and the blossoms begin to peek through the earth. It’s when we begin to actualize the potential within us as we go from slavery to freedom, from oppression to independence. It’s a time when the seeds within us begin to blossom and bloom, expressing the latent lessons that we learned throughout the winter.

Yitzy Halpern

Wishing you a chag kosher v’sameach, Shoshana

The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

Community Happenings

TJH Chol Hamoed Guide

S30

NEWS

120

Global

National

That’s Odd

ISRAEL Israel News

My Israel Home

JEWISH THOUGHT

The Truth About the Truth

Rabbi Wein on the Parsha

Pesach by Rabbi Berel Wein

Uplifting Your Seder Night by Shmuel Reichman

Fighting Ice with Fire by R’ Yaakov Klein

S14

Lifeblood by Rabbi Benny Berlin

S18

Do You Have a Father? by Rav Moshe Weinberger

S22

Our German-Made Passover Seder Plates by Mendel Horowitz

S26

Delving into the Daf by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

S28

PEOPLE Phil Rosen Focuses on the Future by Tammy Mark

100

The Journey of the Baritone Bartender by Tammy Mark

104

Fighting the Egyptians by Avi Heiligman

136

HEALTH & FITNESS The Way Out of Mitzrayim by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn

112

A B’Seder Approach to Pesach by Aliza Beer, MS RD CDN

114

FOOD & LEISURE The Aussie Gourmet: Butter Herb Salmon 120 Poached Pears

Dear Editor, I read this week’s Navidaters. While the reason is not known why the woman did not mention the dog, it was only a few years ago that pet ownership was still not widely accepted among Observant Jews. I remember when I was dating, I was very nervous to bring up the cat. So, just like there is the advice not reveal every serious topic on the first few dates, I waited to see if I would develop feelings for my date. Then, once I found that we were serious about each other, I then brought up the cat. Before I got the response, I had to prepare myself for the chance that I would have to give up my cat if my potential husband would not want it for any reason – to tell myself that we click in so many ways that I have to give up something I like. We were right for each other, and I also did not even have to give up the cat because he liked the cat, too. Hiding a pet does not have to be for malicious reasons or evidence there are other serious topics being hidden but just could be that the pet owner might have to think of the idea if pet ownership is important to not give up and has to think of the right moment to bring it up. Sylvia Cat’s Human

Cover art, Perspective, by Yaeli Vogel Yaelivogel.com

Dear Editor, Everyone in life want to be “good.” Whether it be a good husband, a good wife, a good shidduch or simply a good person. Good in Hebrew is tov with the gematria being 17. What’s good about 17? Firstly, the Mishna in Avot declares that 18 is the time for chuppah. That is because at 18 desires reach their peak. Therefore, up until 18 is a time symbolic of purity, of good and pristine years. Secondly, for 17 years Yosef received a pure transmission of the Torah from Yaakov, and Yaakov was the “chosen” of the Avot. This was a time of great purity, a block of good years. Thereafter came his sale and the ultimate bondage in Egypt. How do we return ourselves to a state of purity and goodness to match these two 17’s? Pesach is that opportune time and Matzah is the symbol of it in two ways. Matzah announces not to push things off, but to take care of them immediately, just as the dough didn’t have time to rise when we left Egypt. It proclaims: don’t allow the evil inclination to persuade you not to be alert, proactive and purely engaged at all times in commandments and good deeds. Also, Matzah, which must not rise, declares: don’t rise in arrogance, anger and improper desire, but stay low, simple and pure. It’s purity that David wanted as he beseeched G-d in Psalms (51:12), “Fashion a pure heart for me, O God; create in me a steadfast spirit.” Pure which transContinued on page 10

122

LIFESTYLES

116

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by 108 Jennifer Mann, LCSW Parenting Pearls

116

JWow! 118 Mind Your Business

134

HUMOR Centerfold 94 POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

124

China is Eating Our Lunch by Bill Maher

130

Get Your Shot. Live Your Life by Marc A. Thiessen

132

CLASSIFIEDS

138

Does your family eat quinoa on Pesach?

Yes

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Continued from page 8

We will be open Chol Hamoed Pesach Hours: 7:30am-4pm

lates to be tahor in Hebrew begins with the letter tet, the first letter of the word tov, a letter with the gematria of nine, tantamount to the tisha yarchei leida we mention in the Seder, symbolic of the womb, the purest of atmospheres for the child to be fed Torah. Tahor and tov stand for the same principle and represent what we can attain on Pesach if we take the message of Matzah: purity and goodness. Steven Genack Dear Editor, I laughed out loud at last week’s Navidater’s Q & A, especially The Zaidy’s response. I’ve told myself I should write in before, but this time I just had to. Kudos to all the panelists who add their own colors that make up the Navidaters, the first column I read every Shabbos with a big cup of coffee. Thank you Dr. Galler for making me laugh out loud so much that I spit it out! E.G.

Come in for our amazing Kosher for Pesach coffee and a wide variety of freshly sliced Cholov Yisrael cheeses

532 Central Ave • Cedarhurst, NY 11516 • (516) 295-3099 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.

Dear Editor, The light at the end of the COVID tunnel is near. It’s been a very challenging year, to say the least. The homeschooling, parnassa loss, loneliness and of course deaths have been devastating. Baruch Hashem, we have a vaccine. The sign-up process wasn’t easy, I clicked on many links and waited on hold for hours. A friend of mine told me about the JCCRP. The staff over there helped me sign up for a vaccine in no time. They were such a pleasure to deal with. Thank you, JCCRP. Consider this a public service announcement. The caseworker told me that they have reserved appointments for Moderna vaccines. This is for 65+ living or working in NYC. Call them, email them, get vaccinated. Let’s open everything back up and put an end to this virus. Call 718-327-7755 or email info@ jccrp.org. Have a zeesen & gezuntah Pesach, Shoshana Cedarhurst, NY

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

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adult population, leapfrogging over Israel to earn the coveted title. The milestone, reached thanks to supplies provided by the UK, came just over two months after the nation administered its first vaccination.

. .

For the fourth year in a row, the World Happiness Report has ranked Finland as the happiest country on Earth, with Denmark and Switzerland trailing right behind it. Iceland came in fourth on the happiness index, while the Netherlands came in fifth. Israel ranked twelfth on the happy-clappy list, with the U.S. significantly below it, in 19th place. Finland has seen just 805 deaths from coronavirus, data from the John Hopkins University shows. In a Friday tweet, Finland’s Embassy in the U.S. wrote: “For the 4th year in a row, Finland is the happiest country in the world. Our happiness stems from a balanced everyday life, supported by good governance, trust, wellbeing and equality. The pandemic has not changed this long-lasting foundation.” The annual reports are based on data from the Gallup World Poll, which asks respondents to rate their own lives. This year’s report examined the relationship between individual well-being and COVID-19 and noted a 12% decline in life satisfaction among those unemployed during the pandemic. John Helliwell, another editor of the report, said: “Surprisingly there was not, on average, a decline in well-being when measured by people’s own evaluation of their lives.”

Gibraltar: Everyone Vaccinated On Friday, Gibraltar became the first nation to vaccinate its entire

UK Health secretary Matt Hancock on Thursday told the House of Commons: “I am delighted to be able to tell the House that yesterday Gibraltar became the first nation in the world to complete its entire adult vaccination program. “Throughout this crisis we have provided Gibraltar with PPE, testing and a sovereign guarantee for their COVID spending,” he said. “We have also provided Gibraltar with vaccines – as we have all other British Overseas Territories.” Gibraltar First Minister Fabian Picardo said: “The loyalty of the People of Gibraltar to the Crown of the United Kingdom has never and will never be in doubt. The United Kingdom has played a blinder on vaccinations, and we have been among the beneficiaries in the British family of nations. “Gibraltar will be the first nation to complete a whole nation vaccination program,” he said last Wednesday. Gibraltar is bordered to the north by Spain. It has a population of around 34,000 people.

Pesach in the Persian Gulf

The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities (AGJC) is pulling out all the stops for the first Pesach since the Abraham Accords were signed. Founded in February, the AGJC

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

•

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is an umbrella group representing a network of Jewish communities from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. With the recent wave of peace agreements between Israel and Arab countries resulting in an influx of Jews in the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, a slew of Jewish leaders joined forces to develop Jewish life in the region. With Passover approaching, the AGJC has organized a slate of programming to support and enrich the holiday for the local Jews. Its initiatives include sending almost 650 pounds of matzah to six Arab countries along with a shipment of kosher for Pesach food. Other activities focus on explaining the meaning of the holiday to the locals. On Wednesday, AGJC leader Rabbi Dr. Eli Abadie led a 30-minute Zoom seder. The event focused on the themes of the holiday and included participants from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. On the first night of Passover, the AGJC leadership will conduct a public seder at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi. Chief UAE Rabbi Yehuda Sarna and Rabbi Elie Abadi will host the event together with U.S. military chaplains.

“It is very exciting to see such demand for Passover programming in the Gulf this year,” said Rabbi Abadie. “As many will be leading their own seder this year due to less travel because of the pandemic, we are looking forward to offering the Seder Essentials webinar in order to provide them with tools and tips for doing so.” “We created the AGJC in order to share resources among the Jewish communities in the Gulf and one of our first projects was the coordination of matzah for the upcoming holiday,” added AGJC President Ebrahim Dawood Nonoo. “As a result, we are bringing in nearly 650 pounds of matzah which will be disseminated throughout the GCC, the largest amount to date.” Founded in February, the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities (AGJC) is the umbrella organization that aims to enhance religious and cultural life for Jewish communities of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. New initiatives include founding the Beth Din of Arabia and the Arabian Kosher Certification Agency, while other plans are in the works for lifecycle events and other community programs.

Iran Testing Arak Reactor

Iran will “cold test” its redesigned Arak nuclear reactor ahead of its inauguration later this year, the country’s Atomic Energy Organization said on Friday. Typically, cold testing includes the initial startup of both fluid and support systems. Under the 2015 Iran deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran agreed to shut down the Arak reactor. Since that time, though, Iran has said that the reactor has been redesigned for both medical and agricultural use. The Arak facility itself was permitted under the deal to produce heavy water. Since the 2015 signing of the deal, Iran has repeatedly violated the

agreement, enriching more uranium than allowed and refusing to allow international inspection of nuclear facilities. The rogue state is now pressuring U.S. President Joe Biden to rejoin the JCPOA, after former U.S. President Donald Trump left the deal because of Iran’s nefarious activities and sanctioned Tehran. Biden, for his part, has expressed willingness to rejoin the deal, so long as Iran complies with the terms. However, Iran insists that the U.S. remove sanctions that Trump slapped into place before returning to the agreement.

Corpses Discovered in Benghazi

Libya’s new Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, who heads a uni-

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GEDOLIM WHO FARHERED OR VISITED SHAS YIDEN AVREICHIM GEONIM “Through the great power of learning Shas from beginning to end, by day and by night, every year, the great success of Shas Yiden is also that of its supporters with brocha and hatzlocha – ad me'od.“ Maran Harav Shmuel Yaakov Borenstein, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Kiryas Melech, Bnei Brak

At Farher and Siyum Hashas – Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5781 “The amazing Shas Yiden geonim demonstrated no limits to their incredible proﬁciency throughout Shas when I farhered them. Fortunate are they who merit to partner with them.” Maran Hagaon Harav Bunim Schreiber, shlit"a, Yeshiva Nesiv Hadaas, Yerushalayim

At Farher and Siyum Hashas – Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5781 “Never in my life have I seen such a fascinating Torah sight - young

avreichim with a full mastery of the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos, like others know Ashrei Yoshvei”

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Weiss, shlit"a, Rav Ha’ir Beitar Illit

“My great amazement at the Shas Yiden farher… talmidei chachomim from across Eretz Yisrael … questions encompassing the entire Shas and answered them all immediately with great all-encompassing clarity – it was a true Kiddush Hashem” Hagaon Harav Aryeh Tzvi Rottenberg, shlit”a, Rav of Chasidei Gur, Beit Shemesh

“Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! …proﬁcient throughout entire Shas… in a way that we have never seen or heard.” Hamashpia Hagadol, Maran Hagaon Reb Meilech Biderman, shlit”a

“The Shas Yiden are most talented and fully proﬁcient in the entire Shas. They have truly toiled and have found the ‘hidden pearls’ of the Torah. Happy is their portion to be among those who toil in the Torah.” Maran Hagaon Chaim Feinstein, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva Ateres Shlomo

“The vastness of the breadth and depth of the Torah learned at Shas Yiden has no compare in the entire world! I have never witnessed such a phenomenon – where each avreich is a living Shas!” Maran Hagaon Nissan Kaplan, shlit”a, Rosh Hayeshivah Daas Aaron

“As other people know ‘ashrei yoshvei’, Shas Yiden are fully proﬁcient throughout Shas. The learning and diligence of the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim are restoring the Torah to its pristine glory. I truly relished testing them.” Maran Hagaon Dov Diskin, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva Orchos Torah

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

Maran Sar Hatorah - Nasi, Shas Yiden:

THE MOST MEHUDAR YISSACHAR-ZEVULUN PACT IS AT SHAS YIDEN “I tested them with questions from throughout Shas. I was amazed at their incredible knowledge, and their study eefort to delve through the entire Talmud every year, both in depth and with all-encompassing proﬁciency. Happy is their portion and those who support and assist are full partners in the project. “All who support [Shas Yiden] will merit to see blessing from their livelihood many times over, and will be protected from the travails of the Messianic times. “I bless them that they shall merit to bring greatness and glory to the Torah in tranquility, and with brocho v'hatzlocho (blessing and success) in all their eeforts – Amen and may it be His will! Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Hagadol Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a

“Happy are those who maintain Shas Yiden and support these young geonim, who are renowned for their incredible diligence and their noble middot. They enhance kedusha in this world and raise both kevod shamaim and kevod Hatorah.” Maran Hagaon Harav Shimon Badani, shlit"a, Rosh Kollel, Torah V’Chaim, Member, Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah “Shas Yiden has produced incredible talmidei chachomim… proﬁcient in Talmud Bavli from beginning to end… who faced the most incisive testing before the Gedolei Yisroel, who are full of their praises” Maran Hagaon Harav Aharon Leib Shteinman, zt”l

SHAS YIDEN HAS CHANGED THE WAY THE TORAH WORLD VIEWS MASTERING OF SHAS AND KNOWING IT B’AL PEH!

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The eruption of a fissure near Mount Fagradalsfjall in Iceland, which began late Friday, was the first eruption in the area in 800 years

ty government, said on Friday that he has instructed his attorney general to investigate the discovery of corpses in Benghazi. “I gave direct instructions to the Interior Minister to deal with this event, and I requested the Attorney General to open an investigation,” Dbeibeh said. According to local media, over a dozen people were shot dead, and their corpses were discovered on Thursday. Security Headquarters in Benghazi initially denied the corpses had been found but on Friday agreed to issue a statement on the issue. The Security Headquarters includes both military and police units. For over a decade, Libya has seen both violence and chaos as militant groups aimed to control Benghazi’s various districts after a NATO-backed uprising toppled the previous government, led by Muammar Gaddafi. Benghazi was the site of a coordinated attack against two United States government facilities on September 11, 2012. Members of the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia attacked the American diplomatic compound in the city. United States Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith were slaughtered in the attack.

N. Korea Cuts Ties with Malaysia Over the weekend, North Korean diplomats abruptly left their embassy in Malaysia after the country extradited a North Korean suspect to the

United States. The North Korean flag and embassy signage were removed from the premise in a Kuala Lumpur suburb. Two buses ferried the diplomats and their families to the airport, where they were seen checking in for a flight to Shanghai.

“The Malaysian authority delivered our citizen to the U.S. in the end, thus destroying the foundations of the bilateral relations based on respect of sovereignty,” said Kim Yu Song, who led the North Korean embassy in Malaysia, in a short statement outside the embassy, before heading to the airport. Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the expulsion was in response to Pyongyang’s “unilateral and utterly irresponsible decision” on Friday to sever diplomatic ties. “This action is a reminder that Malaysia shall never tolerate any attempt to meddle in our internal affairs and judiciary, disrespect our governance system and constantly create unnecessary tensions in defiance of the rules-based international order,” Hishammuddin said in a statement. Malaysia has defended its move to extradite Mun Chol Myong, saying it was carried out only after all legal processes have been exhausted. A top court ruled Mun can be extradited

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

‫בס"ד‬

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after rejecting his appeal on grounds that the U.S. charges were politically motivated. Mun, who lived in Malaysia for a decade and was arrested in May 2019, has denied U.S. accusations that he was involved in supplying luxury goods to North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions while working in Singapore. He also denied laundering funds through front companies and issuing fraudulent documents to support illicit shipments to his country. North Korea has called the money laundering charges an “absurd fabrication and [a] sheer plot” orchestrated by the U.S. and warned that Washington will “pay a due price.” Some experts say cutting ties with Malaysia was North Korea’s way of showing anger with President Joe Biden’s administration without jeopardizing an eventual return to nuclear negotiations with Washington. North Korea has insisted it won’t engage in talks with Washington unless it abandons what Pyongyang perceives as a “hostile” policy. But experts say North Korea will eventually seek to return to diplomacy to find ways to get sanctions relief and revive its moribund economy.

Pig Plague?

Chinese authorities are investigating tens of dead pigs found along a section of the Yellow River, according to a state-backed media report. Dozens of pig carcasses were discovered in the Inner Mongolia section of the country’s second-longest river and some were rotting in the water. Local authorities are investigating the source of the pigs and checking if they carried any disease, in addition to disinfecting the area. This is not the first time China has found dead pigs in its rivers. In 2013, thousands of dead pigs were discovered in Shanghai’s Huangpu river – some of which were reported to be infected with porcine circovirus disease – threatening the region’s water supply. A year later, authorities pulled more than 100 dead pigs from the Ganjiang River in Nanchang

city. The latest discovery comes as China’s hog herd is recovering from the ravages of African swine fever. The disease broke out in the country in 2018 and destroyed almost half the hogs in the world’s largest pork producer. Concerns over food safety and rising costs of pork production have accelerated the closure of small pig farms in favor of larger, more efficient facilities.

Estonian Spying for China

Tarmo Kõuts, an Estonian politician and marine scientist arrested in September 2020, has been spying for China since 2018. According to Danish government officials, at the time of his arrest,

Kõuts had received approximately $20,000 and several luxury trips. The 57-year-old has close ties to the Estonian military and worked on several sensitive projects, reports said. After the espionage was discovered, Kõuts was promptly sentenced to three years in prison. His arrest was initially covered by the Daily Beast, as well as by Estonia’s ERR. As per a NATO intelligence official, Chinese agents used conference trips and academic settings to disguise their interactions with him. According to Business Insider, the case is part of a larger trend in which China can be seen attempting to infiltrate institutions across Europe. The Insider also spoke with three European intelligence officials, who said that China often poses the worst espionage threat to European institutions. One of the officials, from a Baltic state, told the Insider that “Russian intelligence activity obviously takes the highest priority in our neighborhood, but the amount of resources required to monitor China increases for us each year. “Our natural experience is more with the Russians but we have been

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

warning about China for well over a year,” he added. In February, Estonian officials warned that the threats posed by China and Russia are comparable. The Insider quoted an official in Belgium as saying: “It’s been building for about five years. We first saw a giant uptick of activity in Brussels as it was obvious that [China’s] EU mission was being used as cover. In 2019, it had become clear that the Chinese had committed as many as 250 intelligence officers to various EU and academic missions. “We realized that China not only had the most spies but that it was possible most spies were Chinese” in February 2019, after a EU foreign policy report showed that, in Brussels, at least 250 Chinese spies and 300 intelligence officials from other nations were operating.

Ikea Spying on Staff?

The French branch of Swedish retailing giant Ikea went on trial this for running an elaborate system to spy on staff and job applicants using private detectives and police officers. French investigative publications Le Canard Enchaine and Mediapart uncovered the surveillance scheme in 2012. Prosecutors say Ikea France set up a “spying system” across its operations across the country, collecting information about the private lives of hundreds of staff and prospective staff, including confidential information about criminal records. Since the media revelations, the company has sacked four executives, but Ikea France, which employs 10,000 people, still faces a fine of up to 3.75 million euros ($4.5 million). The 15 people also appearing before the court include former store managers and top executives such as former CEO Stefan Vanoverbeke and his predecessor, Jean-Louis Baillot. The group also includes four police officers accused of handing over confidential information. Prosecutors say Jean-Francois Paris, Ikea France’s former director of

risk management, regularly sent lists of names to be investigated to private investigators, whose combined annual bill could run up to 600,000 euros. Among the targets was a staff member in Bordeaux “who used to be a model employee, but has suddenly become a protester,” according to an email sent by Paris. “We want to know how that change happened,” he said, wondering whether there might be “a risk of eco-terrorism.” In another case, Paris wanted to know how an employee could afford to drive a brand-new BMW convertible. Founded in 1943, Swedish multinational Ikea is famous for its ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances, and home accessories which are sold in around 400 stores worldwide.

DR Congo Carnage

Nearly 200 people have been killed and 40,000 displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo since January, the United Nations said on Friday, noting an “alarming increase” in attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo. Thousands fled to the towns of Oicha, Beni, and Butembo. In Geneva, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters, “In less than three months, the ADF has allegedly raided 25 villages, set fire to dozens of houses, and kidnapped over 70 people.” According to Baloch, “The majority are women and children, as men stay behind to protect properties, exposing themselves to the risk of further attacks.” He added that most of those displaced are living in dire conditions and lack shelter, food, water, and healthcare, as well as basic supplies. “Only 4,400 families can be assisted out of hundreds of thousands in need,” he explained. The ADF is believed to have killed 465 people in 2020.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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Netanyahu’s Campaign Stunt

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed out of a costly campaign stunt that would have seen him show up uninvited at the house of Yamina leader Naftali Bennett. A fierce electoral rival, the Religious Zionist Bennett has reiterated his willingness to join a coalition that included left-wing parties if it would oust Netanyahu from power. The right-wing lawmaker’s refusal to rule out such a scenario has become a major challenge for Netanyahu,

who has no conceivable way of building a government without Bennett. Netanyahu had intended to arrive unannounced at Bennett’s home in the tony Tel Aviv suburb of Raanana last Friday. With the cameras rolling, Netanyahu would have demanded that Bennett sign a contract stating that he would never join a left-wing government. Yet Netanyahu backed out at the last minute after Bennett publicly challenged him to a debate. Alerted to Netanyahu’s impending visit by the heavy security presence outside his home, Bennett invited his longtime rival to enter his home for a face-to-face conversation on policy. Writing on Facebook, Bennett said that he had been woken up by Netanyahu’s advance security team who informed him that “Bibi is coming to troll” him. While refusing to sign a loyalty oath, Bennett said that he was ready to debate the prime minister. “I won’t sign anything, because I don’t work for Netanyahu,” Bennett said. “But he is invited to debate me. Tell me any hour.” He added, “Gilat’s cake is waiting. It’s kosher,” referring to Netanyahu’s attempt to smear his wife for working at a non-kosher bakery in the past.

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Netanyahu summarily called off his scheduled visit to Bennett’s home, holding a rally nearby instead. The campaign stunt was costly, as the Shin Bet internal security agency was forced to waste hundreds of thousands of shekels in security costs due to the last-minute cancelation. “Netanyahu came to troll, Bennett invited him to debate – Netanyahu ran away. The cost of the gimmick: half a million shekels to taxpayers,” said Yamina in a statement. With Bennett polling at between 10-14 seats, Netanyahu has no path to forming a government without the support of his longtime rival. Adding to Netanyahu’s difficulties is Bennett’s refusal to restrict himself to a right-wing coalition, suggesting that he may enter a center-left coalition in order to oust Netanyahu from power. Bennett has long had an adversarial relationship with Netanyahu dating back to the period in which the latter worked as the prime minister’s chief of staff. Starting in 2015, Netanyahu has repeatedly vacuumed up Bennett’s pool of Religious Zionist voters by launching a last-minute campaign alleging that the rightwing camp was in danger of being defeated.

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The International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICC) has given Israel a month to respond before it will formally launch a probe into war crimes that Israel allegedly perpetuated in Gaza. The one-month period is a technical step designed to enable Israel to prove that it can independently investigate cases of suspected war crimes. In order for Israel to convince the ICC to defer the probe, it would need to detail cases in which soldiers who acted improperly were prosecuted along with the sentences they received. As per the ICC’s charter, it can

only probe countries which have demonstrated that they are unable or unwilling to effectively prosecute wrongdoing. Israel strongly rejects the ICC’s claims of jurisdiction, arguing that the PA is not a sovereign state and pointing to Israel’s robust legal system that frequently investigates suspected crimes. In early March, the ICC informed Israel and the PA that it will formally open a war crimes investigation relating to Israel’s conduct during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 along with its settlement project in Judea and Samaria. It will also look into the IDF’s response to the mass rioting on the Gaza border fence in 2018 and Hamas rocket fire into Israel. Israel has fiercely opposed the ICC probe, concerned that it will lead to the ICC issuing international arrest warrants for IDF soldiers. After the ICC announced the move in early March, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the investigation “pure anti-Semitism” and vowed not to cooperate with it. As part of its response to the ICC investigation, Israel has been pressuring the Palestinian Authority to withdraw its complaint. Last week, Shin Bet director Nadav Argaman met with President Mahmoud Abbas in an attempt to persuade him to defer the probe, while Israel yanked the VIP travel documents belonging to Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Maliki. In addition, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and President Reuven Rivlin visited France, Germany, and Ireland last week in an effort to recruit support from these countries in Israel’s battle against the ICC. The visit was highly irregular as Israel’s top commander rarely participates in diplomatic events of a non-military nature. On Sunday, Kochavi criticized the ICC probe in a meeting he held with IDF soldiers. Calling the decision “morally reprehensible,” Kochavi vowed that Israel will do everything possible to protect Israeli troops from facing legal action. “The decision by the lead prosecutor of the ICC to open an investigation of the IDF and Israel is the crossing of a red line,” Kohavi stressed. “Our enemies are those who chose to position themselves in populated areas and to store thousands of missiles and rockets that by definition, harm citizens. “Those who reject assaulting an apartment that houses terrorists sponsors crimes against soldiers,” he added.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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Israel will purchase hundreds of millions in El Al tickets to help the struggling airline stay afloat. The Finance Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that it would purchase from El Al Israel Airlines a total of $210 million worth of advance tickets for its security personnel. The tickets will be valid for 20 years, for both El AL and Sun d’Or flights, and will be used by the airline security personnel. This will remain in place even if security requirements change over the next two decades, the report added. In a statement, the Finance Ministry said that the ticket program would replace an offer to back a $300 million loan for El Al’s new owner, Eli Rozenberg. However, the program is contingent on El Al issuing capital of at least $105 million. The Finance Ministry added that it would make similar offers to Israel’s other airlines and that these offers will be brought to the cabinet in the coming days. El Al had been battling bankruptcy even before the COVID-19 pandemic effectively shuttered worldwide air travel. With rising costs due to security requirements and a strong labor union that resists any efficiency attempts, the airline was forced to stop operating last May due to cash flow issues.

UAE Upset at Bibi The United Arab Emirates is said to be furious at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his attempt to use the recently-signed Abraham Accords for political benefit ahead of Tuesday’s Knesset elections. Netanyahu had been lobbying to visit the UAE in order to inaugurate Israel’s new embassy in Abu Dhabi. The prime minister has yet to visit the affluent Gulf state since the historic diplomatic breakthrough was announced this past August, with multiple trips called off due to the

COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, Netanyahu was slated to arrive in Abu Dhabi for a brief, three-hour visit. But what was supposed to highlight his role in brokering the Abraham Accords deteriorated into a diplomatic incident when Jordan refused to allow his jet to overfly the Kingdom.

Angry at Israel for turning away Crown Prince Hussein for arriving at the Temple Mount with too many bodyguards, Jordan banned Netanyahu from using its airspace. The unprecedented move caused the visit to fall apart, the fourth such time when Netanyahu was forced to call off a trip to the UAE. Last week, Netanyahu requested that the UAE approve a full-day visit in both Dubai and Abu Dubai. But the UAE leadership took offense, viewing the move as an open attempt to use the regional peace accords for pure political gain. First asking Netanyahu to postpone the visit via diplomatic channels, the Emirati Foreign Minister took to Twitter to publicly state that the premier was unwelcome until after the elections. “From the UAE’s perspective, the purpose of the Abrahamic Accords is to provide a robust strategic foundation to foster peace and prosperity with the State of Israel and in the wider region,” tweeted Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati official and adviser to President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. Another Emirati official went further, saying that the UAE had been “insulted” by Netanyahu’s insinuation that he alone had been responsible for the Abraham Accords. “The UAE signed the Accords for the hope and opportunities they provide our people, not individual leaders,” he said. “Personalizing and politicizing the Accords in this way demeans the historic achievement. The UAE will not go down that road,” the official added. The episode is the first diplomatic tiff since both countries inked a peace agreement in September at the White House. Israel and the UAE first announced that they would es-

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

tablish diplomatic relations in August, followed by Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. The agreements have since resulted in a flood of economic and civil cooperation, with Israel-UAE trade expected to hit $5 billion by 2023. In January, Israel’s Transportation Ministry announced that 75,000 Israelis had visited Dubai during the preceding six months, making the Emirates the most popular tourist destination for 2020.

Israel Yanks PA Official’s VIP Pass

Israel’s Shin Bet security service yanked the coveted “VIP” permit belonging to Palestinian Authority (PA) Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki in retaliation for pursuing prosecution against Israel for war crimes. The documents in question are distributed to a select few PA officials and allow the bearer to be whisked through IDF checkpoints. On Sunday, Israeli border guards confiscated the passes from al-Maliki at the Allenby Bridge connecting the West Bank with Jordan. Maliki’s guards were then roughed up by Israeli security officials. In the past, the Palestinian minister’s security detail was allowed to enter Israel without undergoing security checks. This time, they were interrogated for hours while their weapons and VIP passes were confiscated. The unusually harsh treatment is said to be Israel’s retaliation for al-Maliki’s key role in the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) probe that could result in IDF soldiers being arrested while traveling in Europe. Al-Maliki had been returning from a visit to the ICC’s headquarters in Holland when his VIP pass was confiscated. During his three-day sojourn, al-Maliki lobbied ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to expedite the investigation, stressing that the PA would fully cooperate and accusing Israel of crimes against humanity. As per a senior Israeli security official, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or-

dered the PA minister manhandled on his way back to Ramallah, calling the treatment “a part of the basket of actions approved and raised in preliminary discussions between ministers.” If so, the incident would mark the first time that Israel took direct action against Palestinian Authority officials for their role in the probe into alleged Israeli war crimes. The International Criminal Court had announced in early February that it had jurisdiction to investigate Israel despite Palestine never being ratified as a state by the United Nations. Israel has been pressuring the PA to scrap the ICC probe, warning that it would begin sanctioning senior Palestinian leaders if the investigation proceeds unhindered. Earlier this month, Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to warn that the PA’s support for the ICC probe would result in dire consequences.

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Are you visiting South Florida for Pesach? SCHEDULE A PRE-PESACH OR CHOL HAMOED TOUR Speculation abounded over President Joe Biden’s mental and physical health after he was seen stumbling multiple times while mounting the stairs to Air Force One. The incident occurred last Friday when Biden attempted to board the presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews on his way to Atlanta. On his way up the red-carpeted staircase, the 78-year-old president fell to his knees, getting up before falling again twice. Upon finally making it up the stairs, Biden saluted the Marine sergeant and disappeared into the cabin. The White House blamed Biden’s missteps on inclement weather, hotly denying that his apparent inability to climb a flight of stairs hinted at a broader cognitive decline.

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

Above Nature

‫ּוב ָׁש נָ ה‬ ַ ,‫יעת‬ ִ ‫ַה ְׁש ִב‬ ‫ַׁש ַּב ת ַׁש ָּב תֹון‬ .‫יִ ְה יֶ ה לָ ָא ֶרץ‬

The seventh year,

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The seventh year, When he makes sacrifices for this mitzvah — even when it threatens his livelihood.

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

“It’s very windy outside,” said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre. “He is doing 100 percent fine. He’s doing great,” she asserted. While Biden did not appear to be seriously hurt, the episode raised new questions regarding his health. “I remember the press bashing Trump for touching the rail once,” tweeted Donald Trump Jr., the son of former president Trump. “Biden falls repeatedly, but I’m sure he’s the picture of health. No wonder all our enemies are pouncing simultaneously and mocking him publicly.” Biden has long rumored to be battling cognitive decline and frequently forgot key events, dates, and names during and after last year’s presidential campaign. While former President Donald Trump traversed the country and held as many as four daily election rallies in the weeks leading up to the election, Biden kept to a light schedule and would often go weeks without appearing in public. After winning the presidency in November, Biden fractured his foot after falling down in the bathroom and was forced to wear a boot for several weeks. Earlier this month, Biden publicly forgot the name and position of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during an International Women’s

Day event at the White House. “I want to thank Sec-, the former general, I keep calling him ‘General.’ My – the guy who runs that outfit over there,” Biden had said.

Dan Bongino to Replace Limbaugh

Dan Bongino will inherit Rush Limbaugh’s afternoon time slot, replacing the radio legend after his passing in late February. Cumulus Media’s Westwood One announced that “The Dan Bongino Show” will air from 12 PM to 3 PM eastern time. The show will hit the airwaves on May 24 and will feature news and opinion in selected markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, and

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Washington, D.C. “The Dan Bongino Show will tackle the hot political issues, debunking both liberal and Republican establishment rhetoric,” Westwood One said in a statement. “As a former Secret Service agent and NYPD officer, Bongino is uniquely positioned to provide commentary and analysis that directly questions the philosophical underpinnings of both the Left and Big Government Republicans.” A Secret Service agent-turned conservative commentator, Bongino is known for his aggressive broadcasting style. Ever since ending his 16-year law enforcement career in the Secret Service and New York Police Department in 2011, Bongino has worked as a contributor for Fox News and hosts a popular gun-rights podcast. Bongino will replace Limbaugh, whose three decades behind the mic ended when the conservative icon succumbed to lung cancer on February 24. The show has since featured guest hosts and reruns while Westwood One searched for a successor. “I’m excited to embrace the immense power of radio to connect with my listeners live for three hours every day,” said Bongino. “This is an incredible privilege, and I pledge to honor the trailblazing work of those who came before me.”

U.S. Def Sec Visits Afghanistan

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Sunday amid intense speculation regarding the planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from the war-torn country. Austin landed in Kabul on Sunday morning and met with a slew of senior Afghani officials, including President Ashraf Ghani and chief U.S. commander General Austin Scott Miller. The trip is Austin’s first since being confirmed as Secretary of Defense in late January and comes as the Biden administration debates whether to pull out all U.S. forces by the May 1 deadline. As per the agreement former President Donald Trump signed with

the Taliban in February 2020, all U.S. troops are to leave Afghanistan by May 1, 2021. In exchange, the Pentagon released hundreds of Taliban prisoners and scaled down military operations targeting the Islamist group. Since taking office, though, President Joe Biden has considered leaving U.S. forces in Afghanistan beyond the May deadline. The debate whether to renege on the deal comes amid heavy pressure from the Pentagon, which warns that withdrawing the remaining troops could allow the Taliban to completely overrun Afghanistan’s fragile government. U.S. and NATO military officers also argue that the Taliban has not kept its side of the peace agreement, pointing out that the terror organization remains close to al-Qaeda while failing to reduce violence. In February, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg vowed that the alliance “will only leave when the time is right” and when the Taliban keeps to all of its commitments. “The main issue is that the Taliban has to reduce violence, Taliban has to negotiate in good faith, and Taliban has to stop supporting international terrorist groups like al-Qaeda,” Stoltenberg said. However, the Taliban warns that failing to meet the May deadline would render last year’s agreement moot and has threatened to sharply escalate the level of violence “if any American soldiers remain on Afghani soil.” Biden has not publicly weighed in on the matter, which is his first major national security decision since taking office in January. Citing two senior Biden administration sources, CBS reported last week that Biden is weighing keeping U.S. forces in Afghanistan until next November. While Biden reportedly wants to adhere to the May deadline, Pentagon officials are said to have convinced him that withdrawing the remaining troops would destabilize the region.

Louisiana’s Elections Continue Republican candidate Julia Letlow won a special election in Louisiana on Saturday. Democratic state senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson advanced to a runoff in another district.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

The Louisiana votes will fill two vacant House seats, in the first special congressional elections of 2021.

Letlow’s husband, Luke, was elected in November but died of COVID-19 complications just one month later. Her run was endorsed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who on Saturday afternoon released a statement saying that Letlow “will never disappoint” and urging voters to turn out to support her. She won over 50% of the votes. Candidates from the second race will hold a runoff election on April 24. The next special congressional election is scheduled for June 1, in New Mexico, where candidates are running to replace former Rep. Deb Haaland, who was recently confirmed as Interior Secretary.

Spring Break Concerns in FL

Miami Beach Police fired pepper balls into crowds of partygoers on Saturday, arresting at least a dozen people out of hundreds who were out past curfew. The move came just hours after Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber declared a state of emergency and set an 8:00p.m. curfew for the town. Police spokesperson Ernesto Rodriguez said, “Officers began dispersing crowds at 8 p.m. and ultimately achieved a satisfactory level of compliance.” In a Sunday tweet, the police department said that, since Friday, over 50 people have been arrested, and eight firearms confiscated. The curfew and road closures enacted in the city’s entertainment district will remain in effect until Tuesday, Gelber said at a Saturday news conference. In addition, the causeways to Miami Beach from the mainland were closed to non-local traffic beginning

at 9:00p.m. for several nights. According to the Miami Beach City Commission, the curfew is in effect Thursday through Sunday until at least March 30, and city manager Raul Aguila will be able to extend it twice more, in week-long increments through April 13. “The goal here is to really contain the overwhelming crowd of visitors, and the potential for violence disruption and damage to and damage to property, whether intentional or not,” Aguila said, adding that this was “the last thing” he had wanted to do. “These are individuals coming into the city ... to engage in lawlessness and an anything-goes party attitude,” he explained.

Tensions at U.S.China Meeting

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Two-day meetings between the U.S. and China – the first since U.S. President Joe Biden took office – have put the conflict between the two countries in the spotlight. Issues discussed in the meetings, which ended Friday, included China’s control over Hong Kong, repression of Muslims in Xinjiang, and China’s relations with its neighbors, as well as areas considered to be for the good of both the U.S. and China. Following the meetings, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters that the two governments are “fundamentally at odds” on several issues but agree on issues such as climate change, Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea. He also slammed China “threatening the rules-based order that maintains global stability.” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said: “We were clear-eyed coming in, we’re clear-eyed coming out, and we will go back to Washington to take stock of where we are.” China’s most senior foreign policy official, Yang Jiechi, agreed that there are “important disagreements” between the two powers but said that “China will unswervingly defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests. China’s development and strengthening is unstoppable.”

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

ing in a residential area and walking about half a mile (800 meters) before crossing a shallow ditch dividing the two sides.

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As such, the park has become a destination for weddings, dates, birthday parties, and family gatherings. The park saw its visitor numbers more than double to almost 140,000 in 2020, according to the Washington State Park Service (WSPS), which manages the American side of the park. Visitors began streaming in from the very beginning of the border closure, said Amber Forest, area manager for the WSPS. In 2019, the park was the site of seven weddings. In 2020, that number soared, with five weddings held every weekday and two dozen every weekend for much of the year. People pitch tents and gather for barbecues. For now, this is the only way many families separated by country borders can connect.

Trump to Launch Social Network?

Dr. Adam Zeitlin, Medical Director Matthew Ostreicher, Director of Operations For further information please contact Chess Rosenberg, Administrator 78-10 164TH STREET FRESH MEADOWS, NEW YORK He also noted the U.S.’s issues with racism and the declining domestic confidence in American democracy, as well as the U.S.’s tendency to use force around the world. “The United States does not have the qualification to say that it wants to speak to China from a position of strength,” he said. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House’s principal deputy press secretary, told reporters: “We will still have business to conduct. America’s

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Park Connects Families The pandemic has made it hard for many people to meet – especially those living in different countries. With the Canadian and U.S. border closed, few families who live

across the border have been able to get together. But some people have found a way to reconnect. Peace Arch Park is a 42-acre stretch of grass at a border crossing between the two countries. Dating couples have been able to spend time there, even if they live in different countries. British Columbia closed its side of the park in June, but the American side remains open. Canadians are able to enter Washington state by park-

Former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning on launching his own social media network that aims to take on existing tech behemoths. In an interview with Fox News, senior Trump aide Jason Miller revealed that the president will unveil his own social media company by June. “I do think that we’re going to see President Trump returning to social media in probably about two or three months here, with his own platform,” said Miller. “And this is something that I think will be the hottest ticket in social media. It’s going to completely redefine

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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the game, and everybody is going to be waiting and watching to see what exactly President Trump does.” The former president has been laying low at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida ever since being acquitted of impeachment charges related to January’s violence at the Capitol. Prior to Sunday’s report, rumors said that Trump was considering starting his own conservative digital media empire that would take on Fox News. Trump has long had an adversarial relationship with Big Tech, having been de-platformed from Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, Instagram, and YouTube. While the businessman-turned-politician used his massive Twitter following to bypass the media and get his message out directly to his base, he faced increasing censorship during his presidency. Last May, Trump issued an Executive Order removing legal protections enjoyed by social media behemoths after Twitter slapped a warning label on one of his tweets. Known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the law affords tech companies blanket immunity from lawsuits related to content published on their platforms. In December, Trump vetoed a major defense spending bill after law-

makers refused to include a repeal of Section 230. Upon vetoing the $740 million National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Trump alleged that Big Tech companies were colluding with China to silence dissenting political views. “Your failure to terminate the very dangerous national security risk of Section 230 will make our intelligence virtually impossible to conduct without everyone knowing what we are doing at every step,” Trump said.

Stemming the Flow of Migrants

In an effort to control the surge of migrants heading to the United States, two top White House officials are set to travel to Mexico and Guatemala this week. Roberta Jacobson, Biden’s senior official for southwest border affairs,

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and the National Security Council’s Western Hemisphere Director Juan Gonzalez are leaving for the region on Monday. The trip shows the increased urgency the Biden administration is feeling to address the influx of migrants, especially unaccompanied children and teenagers, which has created humanitarian predicament at the border and political problems for the White House. The U.S. delegation will meet with Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, deputy secretary for North America Roberto Velasco and other foreign ministry officials. In Guatemala, President Alejandro Giammattei and Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo will host Gonzalez and Ricardo Zúñiga, a State Department official who is being named special envoy to the Northern Triangle region of Central America, from where most of the migrants leave. Jacobson and Gonzalez plan to discuss ways to stop the migrants from traveling north to the U.S. border as well as strategies to address the root causes of the migration, such as corruption, violence and poor economic conditions in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The U.S. officials in Mexico will pitch a joint development strategy for southern Mexico and the Northern Triangle to boost job creation and give potential migrants better reasons to remain in their home countries. Guatemalan civil society leaders and representatives of non-governmental organization are also scheduled to meet with the U.S. delegation. The Biden administration included $4 billion in aid for Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador in its proposal for an immigration overhaul, but Jacobson has said the money will be contingent on those governments rooting out corruption. The U.S. has seen a dramatic spike in the number of people encountered by border officials in recent weeks. That includes 18,945 family members encountered in February alone, an increase of 168% from January, according to the Pew Research Center. But Biden’s decision to accept unaccompanied minors has strained shelter space, which was already in shorter supply due to coronavirus restrictions. Migrants see a Biden administration favorable to immigrants, and hundreds have left their homes to head to the U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services, which operates the shelters, had more than 9,500 chil-

dren and teens in custody as of last week. An additional 4,500 minors were in facilities run by Customs and Border Protection. Minors are only supposed to remain at CBP sites for 72 hours but many have stayed longer due to lack of space at HHS shelters. The Biden administration has denied media access to these sites.

Art Attack

Florence, Italy, looks a lot more eclectic thanks to street artist JR. The graffiti artist recently unveiled a towering optical illusion at the Palazzo Strozzi, a historic cultural arts center in the heart of Florence. The 91-foot spectacle, titled “La Ferita,” or “The Wound,” scales the Palazzo’s Renaissance façade and simulates a giant gaping hole in the front of the building. Inside the architectural “tear” is an imagined vision of the Palazzo’s interior, made real by a black and white photographic collage. JR is not new to street art. His work, which has been exhibited on staircases, train carriages and even atop the Louvre, is a fusion of street art and photography. “Walking through Florence feels strange these days – without the visitors that make up such a normal part of the life of Florence, it feels quiet and less vibrant,” JR said. “Without being able to enter a museum, to attend a concert or spend time at an exhibition, we realize that it is culture that gives life its color and that the beauty of our city is activated by the people that pass through it, soak up the history and culture of Florence, and leave enriched by it.” JR’s latest installation is symbolic of the “wound” all cultural sites have sustained this past year. With museums, galleries, libraries, and theaters shuttered due to the pandemic, these art institutions are attempting to get back on their feet. “(“La Ferita”) makes visible the

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

TOV V’CHESED MASSIVE KIMCHA D’PISCHA DISTRIBUTION

Thousands of boxes waiting to be shipped out throughout Israel during one of the distribution days

A family’s food hand-delivered to their doorstep with dignity to avoid shame.

Rabbi shisha and the volunteers during the height of the distribution.

Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Azrachi visiting the distribution site and reviewing details in Tov V’chesed oﬃce

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

deep impact of Covid-19 on culture,” says JR. And that’s the art of the matter.

Fishy Business

After a sushi chain offered free all-you-can-eat sushi to those whose name includes the word “salmon,” scores of people in Taiwan headed to the registrar to change their name. Taiwan Sushiro in Taiwan offered the promotion to anyone with “gui yu” — the Chinese characters for salmon — in their name. Unexpectedly, a craze, dubbed “salmon chaos,” ensued. In Taiwan, individuals are legally allowed to change their name a maximum of three times. The restaurant accepted national ID cards as official proof of the customers’ new names. More than 200 people had paid the small fee – around $3 – to change their names at Taiwan’s household registration office to take advantage of the promotion. Lest you think they changed their name for a salmon or California roll, the promotion allowed the salmon-named individual to bring along five others who could also eat for free. Ma Jeng Shiuan, a university student in Taiwan, officially changed his name to “Ma Jeng Shiuan Bao Zheng Gui Yu” for a few days in order to take advantage of the sushi offer. Ma said his parents were a bit concerned about his name change but that he was more relaxed since he knew he could change it back again later.

“I went to Sushiro almost 15 times,” he added. But Ma wasn’t just chowing down on the fishy dish alone. He charged strangers a small fee to eat with him under his new name. “I have brought a lot of people to eat and charge them 30 percent of the original price,” he said. “Besides that, I treat my best friends as well to return the favor since they have been really nice to me.” He is majoring in business management. Ma said he had earned around $2,000 but had changed his name back early Friday as the promotion had ended. More than 1,800 people had enjoyed the two-day promotion. “The current situation is way out of our expectations,” a company representative said, “but we are very glad the consumers have shown their love to us.” Sounds like this company is on a roll.

Screen Saver

Want a digital detox while earning loads of dough? Reviews.org is holding a digital detox challenge and will pay challengers $2,400 to survive 24 hours without screens. “If you’ve got the desire to ditch your devices for a day but still need to get paid, this is the perfect opportunity for you,” the company wrote on its website. To help determine who should apply, the company asks some discerning questions.

“Have you always wanted to win reality competitions like American Ninja Warrior, but you’ve been too busy trying to beat Mario Kart and Mortal Kombat instead?” Reviews.org asks potential applicants. “Do you know a little too much about your old acquaintances from social media?” According to the company, the ideal candidate is someone who is “definitely into tech” and up for a challenge. And while it might seem easy to take an Instagram detox for a day – the challenge is a bit more involved. Those undergoing the digital detox will go cold turkey – no phones, television, gaming, computers, smart watches, and smart home devices. Microwaves, though, are OK. The challengers will receive safes to store their electronics in for the 24 hours, along with a $200 Amazon gift card to put together a tech-free “survival kit,” the company wrote. Some survival kit suggestions from Reviews.org include a typewriter to replace computers, writing paper to replace texts, and paints and brushes to replace the fine art of the selfie. Challengers will have to review the survival kit and give feedback on the experience after completing the challenge – but they’ll do so while holding the coveted “2021 Digital Detox Challenger” title. “We have a feeling someone out there needs a break,” Reviews.org wrote. I think the whole world needs a break.

Like a Bad Penny

A Georgia man who was expecting his final paycheck from a former employer said the money instead arrived in the form of 500 pounds of oil-covered pennies dumped in his driveway in the middle of the night. Andreas Flaten said he submitted his two-weeks’ notice in writing in November. Miles Walker, the owner of Walker Luxury Autoworks in Peachtree City, had a noticeable negative reaction. “He gets up, puts his hands on his head, walks out the door and disap-

pears for like an hour,” Flaten said. Flaten, who said he left the job due to a toxic work environment, said he was still owed $915, which the owner told him would be delivered in January. When he called to inquire about the check not arriving, the owner accused him of damages. He then contacted Georgia’s Department of Labor. Flaten said the money then showed up – as 500 pounds of oil-covered pennies that were dumped in his driveway in the middle of the night. “I have nowhere to put them. I had no idea what I was going to do like how do I get money from pennies?” Flaten said. For now, the pennies are being stored in the garage so Flaten can clean them. That makes sense.

Put a Ring On It

A blissful wedding ceremony on a dock at Lake Tahoe turned upsetting when the groom dropped the wedding ring into the sparkling lake. “It was going off without a hitch, and I was thinking in my head, ‘No weddings just go without a hitch, or did we just crack the code,’” the bride, Marlee Kent, said. Things went south during the ring exchange. When Andrew Kent took Marlee’s diamond ring out of its box, it fell onto the dock and through a gap in the boards into the lake. “Honestly, I thought, this can’t be happening,” Marlee recalled. “Like, that didn’t just happen.” But it did. The couple continued the ceremony sans the ring and later turned to the Tahoe Scuba Diving Facebook group for help. The group’s founder, Phil Abernathy, came to their rescue the next day. “It’s one of those, the sooner the better, don’t hesitate,” Abernathy said. He spent around 30 minutes moving rocks underwater before finding the ring. “I’m so thankful to have my ring back, but either way it’s a great story to tell our kids one day,” Marlee said. Like make sure to get married on dry land.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

NEW YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL OPENING IN THE FIVE TOWNS ‫ישיבה‬

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eshivas Ateres Eitz Chaim offers each talmid an opportunity to grow as a Ben Torah while at the same time recognizing and understanding that the traditional academic path is not always geared for each student. Yeshivas Ateres Eitz Chaim will provide an individualized academic schedule, as well as assisting in matching a talmid to a relevant internship program that will provide hands on experience with the ins and outs of a noble occupation of their choice.

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he mission of Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim is to guide and infuse High School Bochrim, with a love for Torah learning and yiddishkeit, while providing them with the knowledge and experience they will need to master a trade. Bochrim will begin their day with a solid seder of davening and shiurim. In the afternoon, talmidim will be able to utilize their time to intern and learn a trade and earn their GED (TASC) in New York State. Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim’s goal is to imbue each Talmid with a warm and caring Torahdik environment, and an everlasting Ahavas Torah and Yiras Shamayim as well as establishing a strong work ethic.

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Community L’Shem Matzos Mitzvah

HANC Prepares for Pesach

AFTR’s Early Childhood students spent the week preparing for Pesach by learning all about matzah, and the process of making it. Then, in true Early Childhood fashion, the teachers took the learning to the next level with hands “in” learning and created our very own matzah bakery. Each child mixed, rolled, poked, and, of course, tasted the freshly baked matzot...all in 18 minutes!

he yeladim at HANC ECC finished up their Pesach preparations. They explored all aspects of the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim from Baby Moshe to Kriat Yam

Suf as well as reviewing the parts of the Seder. The children are looking forward to sharing all their Pesach projects with their families during the sedarim.

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

There’s More for You at Touro “My mom had cancer for 10 years before she passed away. Her oncologist was such a big part of our family’s life. I knew that I wanted to have that same connection with my patients and support them during such a vulnerable time. I chose Touro because I wanted to attend a school with a strong Jewish environment. I liked the community and stayed within Touro for medical school. I’m gaining valuable experience and enjoying my rotations. It’s fascinating all the ways we are thinking to fight cancer. I want to be a part of that and help people’s recovery.”

Learn more about Chana’s journey at touro.edu/more

CHANA WIRCBERG, FUTURE ONCOLOGIST Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences (Flatbush) New York Medical College

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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Shulamith Students Live the Dream

Dr. Evelyn Gross and Mrs. Rookie Billet present Rina with a gift

he Shulamith family said tzeitchem l’shalom to Emma and Rina Rosenberg who made aliyah with their family last week. During a farewell party, Rina, grade 6, and Emma, grade 8, were presented with a gift and were feted by their friends and classmates.

Rina Rosenberg

Emma and Rina are the daughters of Dr. David and Mrs. Leah Rosenberg, who, until last week, were residents of Cedarhurst. We wish the entire family many healthy and happy years in our Holy Land!

Eighth graders excited for Emma!

MTA at Yeshiva League Model Congress

TA’s Model Congress team put lots of hard work into preparing for the Yeshiva League Model Congress Competition, which took place virtually on Wednesday, March 10. Their efforts certainly paid off! Yasher koach to the entire team on their second place overall finish! Congratulations to Eitan Zomberg (‘22) and Aryeh

Savetsky (‘22), who both placed third overall speakers; Dovi Goldberg (‘23), who won first place on the Armed Services Committee; and runners up Eli Canter (‘22), Education Committee, Noam Ben Simon (‘22), Banking Committee, Raffi Weil (‘22), Environment Committee, and Jack Warren (‘22), Small Business Committee!

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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Rambam Student Achieves National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists Designation

Yoni Beer

Uriel Sussman

ongratulations to Rambam Mesivta senior Yonatan Beer, who has been named a 2020 National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist! The Rambam Mesivta family couldn’t be prouder of this stellar young man whose intellect, insatiable appetite for learning, writing talent, and creative thinking are treasured attributes. He is a recognized leader and a competitive team player. The latter is evidenced by his winning contributions to the Math Team, Chess Team, Writers’ Guild, Book Chat, Debate Team, Poetry Team, and Robotics. The talented Beer now lands among the highest-achieving students in the National Merit Scholars Program who are designated as National Merit Scholars. About 1.6 million students in approximately 22,000 high schools enter the National Merit competition annually when they take the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Yonatan took this test and rose to the top with an astounding score. His designation as a National Merit Scholar

places Yonatan in the top 1.25 percent of test takers nationwide who achieve this honor. This latest success is just one more noteworthy stair on the ladder to his further success. It is to be noted that last year Rambam Mesivta’s Uriel Sussman was a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist. When this young man’s name is mentioned, one can’t help but smile. Uriel was a proven leader as seen by his having served as Captain of the Debate Team, Captain of the Torah Bowl Team, and Captain of Robotics. He was also an AP Scholar and served on several competitive teams. His academic and extracurricular achievements were quite impressive. Uriel is currently learning in Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush). There is no doubt that both of these extraordinary young men, Yonatan (who plans on attending Migdal HaTorah next year in Israel) and Uriel, are poised to contribute to the world around them and will reach more milestones and glean more accolades on their journeys to further success. Go Yonatan and Uriel!

Guess which country produces and exports the most potatoes? China, of course – although India, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and the United States are leading producers as well.

Be Koneh Shah – One Amud at a Time

n Thursday, Chol Hamoed Pesach, April 1, thousands of Oraysa participants from around the world will arrive at a remarkable milestone – one hundred blatt of Masechta Shabbos learned, chazered and retained! The Oraysa program, an initiative for a daily Amud V’chazara, launched immediately after the 13th Siyum Hashas, last winter. Klal Yisroel came away from that momentous celebration of accomplishment with a clear message. Not only does one need to have a daily learning seder but one also needs to have a strategic goal that motivates him day in day out. That very Sunday, January 5, scores of chaburos, chavrusos, and individuals in communities around the world set out on a journey with a united goal of learning and retaining Shas through a methodical and realistic program. Participants would learn one new amud each day, Sunday thru Thursday, along with a thorough chazara of the previous day’s amud. Friday and Shabbos would be reserved for reviewing the week’s two-and-ahalf blatt. Oraysa has since become a household name, warmly embraced by lomdim from the full spectrum of the Olam HaTorah, including baalebatim, mechanchim, and yungeleit in Kollel. Throughout lockdowns and the unravelling of the very fabric of normalcy, Oraysa members across the globe expressed their delight in having been anchored by this tremendous program. Amud after amud they kept up their rigorous schedule of daily learning with chazara, experiencing the pleasure not only of understanding one’s learning, but of retaining and remembering it as well. Now, two-thirds of the way through Masechta Shabbos, we reflect on the phenomenal success this system has been granted bisyata dishmaya, and we invite you to join us on this incredible voyage through Shas. The program provides a pletho-

ra of resources, including daily audio and video shiurim in English, Yiddish and Hebrew by world class maggidei shiur, maarei mekomos and review sheets, and the popular, interactive Rischa D’Oraysa Q&A’s, sent daily to participants via email. All resources can be accessed anytime from anywhere, via the website, www.oraysa. org. In addition, a monthly optional bechina is given every fourth Sunday on the ten blatt learned over the course of the month. The bechina is a critical tool for testing and promoting retention, motivating participants to do an additional, pre-bechina review at the end of each month. Oraysa also provides support for setting up local shiurim, chaburos, chavrusos, and more. The handy, easy-to-use calendar produced by Oraysa provides a clear outline of the program and one’s ongoing progress throughout. A custom calendar can be created and maintained by creating a login account on the website. The start of the final stretch of the Masechta is a perfect time to join Oraysa, to get a taste of the sweetness of learning with chazara. These vital perakim are also an integral part of understanding the basis of the myriad of hilchos Shabbos that we encounter every week. Oraysa has the strong endorsement and enthusiastic encouragement of leading roshei yeshiva, rabbonim and gedolei Yisroel, who issued strong statements of support for this learning model. The project is under the auspices of Harav Noach Isaac Oelbaum, shlit”a, Rav of Khal Nachlas Yitzchok in Queens. There is no time better than now. Join Oraysa, and be part of a movement that will change your life – one amud at a time! For more information or to set up or join a shiur or chaburah in your neighborhood, please contact Oraysa at 855.4OR.AYSA or email info@oraysa.org.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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Chag HaMatzos at Shulamith ECC

MAY Alumni Reunion Mishmar

ver 100 Mesivta Ateres Yaakov alumni, spanning six graduation years, joined together on Thursday night, March 18 for an evening of learning and reconnecting. Although the Mesivta’s annual Alumni Yarchei Kallah could not take place this year, the Mesivta felt it important to host an event at which talmidim could reminisce and reunite with their rabbeim and former classmates. “This is part of our nachas,” commented Rabbi Yossi Bennett, S’gan Menahel, who organized the event. “Married and single alumni, those returning from Eretz Yisroel, those in yeshiva and college locally, and those working here as well, all returning to Yeshiva to reconnect and enjoy a night of growth together.” The alumni and rabbeim learned together during an hour-long “retzifus seder,” followed by a lively tisch. The tisch, co-sponsored by alumnus Naftali Engel of The Rebbe’s Choice and alumnus Shimmy Charlop of The Canteen, included cholent, kugel, beef jerky and take-home herring. The Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, and tenth grade rebbe, Rabbi Leibe Wolf, delivered divrei chizuk, along with zemiros and warm feelings from all who attended. The Mesivta thanks Mr. and Mrs. Dovi Wisnicki and alumnus Yaakov Biderman for co-sponsoring the event.

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Rav Yechiel Mordechai Gibber Addresses Bais Medrash of Lawrence Adopt-a-Kollel Breakfast

n 8 Nissan/March 21, the Bais Medrash of Lawrence, led by Rav Dovid Fordsham, held its Adopt-a-Kollel renewal breakfast celebrating the completion of seven years of partnership with Kollel Tiferes Tzvi, the Brisker Kollel led by Rav Moshe Aharon Rosengarten. The event was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elliot and Chavi Mandelbaum. The special guest speaker at the event was Rav Yechiel Mordechai Gibber, R”M at the Mesivta of Long Beach, who gave a riveting drasha.

Rav Yechiel Mordechai Gibber, R”M at the Mesivta of Lawrence

Rav Yechiel Mordechai Gibber, Rav Yaakov Bernfeld, National Director of Adopt-a-Kollel, Mr. Elliot Mandelbaum, host, and Rav Dovid Fordsham, Rav of Bais Medrash of Lawrence

The Yetzias Mitzrayim Experience

“B

’chol dor vador chayav adam lirot et atzmo keilu hu yatzah miMitzrayim.” The story of Yetzias Mitzrayim came to life at Gan Chamesh, Chabad’s Early Childhood Center. In an elaborate, realistic dramatization, children experienced the process of going from slavery to Geulah in a hands-on and age-appropriate way. Using costumes, scenery, and props, the children were transported to Mitzrayim to “experience” the hard labor of the Jews under Paroah’s reign. They honed their engineering skills as they built all kinds of pyramids and buildings using a variety of materials. The teachers took on the roles of Moshe and Paroah and helped the story unfold. It was truly a sight to behold as the children finally left Mitzrayim and reached the “Yam Suf.” The young students were able to visualize the waters splitting in half

and feel the euphoria of crossing on the dry land. Young children learn best through role playing, and dramatization en-

ables them to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. The Yetzias Mitzrayim experience helped the children internalize the

meaningful messages of Pesach so they will come to the Seder with a strong sense of gratitude, excitement and pride.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

“Now that the Cabernet vines have grown older and our knowledge has improved, one can say that the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is reaching new heights every year.” Golan Flam, Winemaker

Product of Israel

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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Meeting with Sen. Schumer

his past Sunday, U.S Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was joined by Jewish community leaders at his weekly press conference. Joining Senator Schumer at the conference was Mr. Shmiel Kahn, Executive Director of HASC Center; Abe Eisner, Chairman of HASC Center; Yehiel Kalish, CEO of Chevra Hatzaloh; Ezra Friedlander, CEO of The Friedlander Group; and Abe Biderman. They presented Senator Schumer with matzah and a customized Haggadah. Three HASC

Center residents, Pnina, Sruli, and Nechama, wrote a note thanking the Senator for all of his help on behalf of the Jewish community and primarily non-profit organizations.

The offer touched the Senator. He loved the Haggadah, matzah, and the note and was sure to let everyone know that he is always here for the Jewish community, non-profits, and

the special needs population. On a personal note, the Senator shared his plans on participating at the Seder, one night with his parents and one with his in-laws.

Rav Avrohom Bender, a menahel at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, assuming the role of “Moshe Rabbeinu” in a pre-Pesach performance about the Ten Makkos for the children of the Harriet Keilson Early Childhood Center

10 Helpful Hints to a Stress (Less) Pesach By: Elana Fertig, Director, Yeshiva of South Shore Early Childhood Center

esach is the basis of the original early childhood mission statement: to teach children in a developmental way, with hands-on meth-

ods. Over the past few weeks, all of our children have learned about Pesach by experiencing the hard work in Mitzrayim, how matzah is made, the Makkos and how we were saved in Mitzrayim and look forward to being in Yerushalayim together next year! Our children are now home for a few weeks. How can we keep this experience memorable and less stressful? Here are some helpful parenting ideas to ease the stress that comes along with all of your Pesach preparations. 1. If you get frustrated with your child, and you think you might respond hastily, you should speak low and slow in response. This gives you time to think about your response and calm down.

2. Children need us to be empathetic. Sometimes the response they need is just for us to repeat back what they have said, so they know that we are listening. 3. Five minutes spent with one child, is more quality time than three hours with three children. 4. Do not reward whining. Explain to your child that you cannot answer him when he speaks in that tone. 5. Be consistent and follow through. If you tell your child, “If you don’t behave, we will leave the store,” then you need to be ready to leave. 6. Hang in there….no one said that parenting is easy. 7. Make a list of what has to be done room by room and keep it in a place where your children can see. When your child is looking for something to do, give them one thing from the list. 8. After they complete the task they can come back and put a check on their chart. To make it even more fun, you can write each activity on a card and put it in a jar. They can pick the activity out of the jar, and after they complete it, throw the card away.

9. Give your child an oak tag to draw pictures for the Seder. They can draw scenes from the Yam Suf, the Makkos, and the parts of the Seder. These posters can be displayed at the Seder. 10. Have your children prepare a skit, or song, about the story of Pesach to present at the Seder. If they are shy, they can use puppets to tell their story.

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Pesach Inspiration at SKA

tudents at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls had an extraordinary opportunity for growth on Tuesday, March 16, when they were able to select from an outstanding list of pre-Pesach sessions given by SKA faculty members on themes relating to Pesach. Topics ranged from Searching for Chametz Within Ourselves, Yetziat Mitzrayim and Trust in Hashem, Four Steps to a More Engaging Seder, and even an Ask The Rabbi: Everything You Wanted to Know About Hilchot Pesach among the eighteen sessions. Even teachers outside of the Limudei Kodesh department joined in. It was so hard to choose what session to attend since every one sounded so inviting!

“I loved hearing how my family can make our seder more interactive and even more spiritual,” one student said afterwards. “I can’t wait to

share the highlights I learned today at our seder.” SKA students had even more opportunity for inspiration the next day

when the entire school attended an NCSY pre-Pesach All Girls Yom Iyun Zoom presentation with girls from several other metropolitan girls’ high schools. Sponsored by NCSY’s Torah Committee of Student Leaders, which include SKA students, the event, Our Story, Our Future, was attended by over 500 girls. After hearing from motivational speaker Mrs. Shimi Adar, each grade split into breakout rooms and heard engaging shiurim from a noted educator: Rabbi Judah Mischel, ninth grade; Mrs. Erin Stiebel, tenth grade; Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, eleventh grade; and Mrs. Suri Weingot, twelfth grade. SKA’s Pesach preparation greatly increased the ruach of yom tov throughout the school.

Best Selves Social and Emotional Learning

AFTR Middle School students continue to participate in a robust social and emotional learning curriculum developed by Dr. Yali Werzberger, Director of Guidance and PPS, empowering and inspiring each student to develop positive coping skills to become the best version of themselves. All grades participated in an Advisory meeting focused on the topic of empathy. Drawing upon the work of Brené Brown, students learned that empathy consists of perspective taking, staying out of judgement, identifying emotion in another, and communicating the emotion the other person is feeling. Through role plays, students practiced listening with empathy and listening without, and discussions ensued about the difference in relationships when empathy is present. Students then played an interactive BINGO game, where they learned about their peers in order to complete their BINGO board.

Students enjoyed the activity and remarked that they were surprised to learn about the many things they have in common with their peers. Sixth graders at HAFTR Middle School participated in workshops facilitated by school social worker Ms. Naami Kosofsky, focusing on spreading kindness and creating a classroom culture of unity. Students participated in a game of “We Are All Connected,” through which they discovered how everyone in their class has something in common with someone else. Students then brainstormed and generated ideas of how they can spread kindness to others, specifically within their families and cohorts, then sprung into action, handing out candies and kindness cards with encouraging messages to one another. They left empowered to find others they can pay a kindness to. Seventh grade students had the opportunity to explore and learn about the topic of Digital Citizen-

ship, in an informative workshop led by school psychologist Dr. Brian Levkovich. They engaged in stimulating conversations, learning about how to interact with technology in a way that allows them to learn more about the world, express themselves, and communicate with one another in a positive and adaptive manner. Conversations revolved around a host of topics including privacy in the digital age, impulsivity involved in poor digital decisions, and cyberbullying. Students also learned about the neurochemistry involved when we use our phones and social media. We look forward to many more conversations on the topic! The eighth grade girls are participating in a four-session Girls’ Empowerment Program, led by Dr. Yali Werzberger, Dr. Bracha Kasirer, and Ms. Naami Kosofsky. This program teaches students about topics related to advocacy, body respect, self-es-

teem, and a healthy self-concept. Through engaging activities, students become empowered to make positive changes in their lives and community. The Body Project, an evidence-based program that uses cognitive dissonance techniques to teach adolescent girls to resist pressures to conform to the appearance ideal and instead focus on the healthy ideal, is also used as part of this series of workshops. Studies have found that this program is effective in preventing eating disorders and decreasing negative mood in adolescent girls. It also results in improved body satisfaction and mood. Through engaging activities and stimulating conversations, our girls are learning to truly become their best selves. We are also planning the implementation of a program targeted towards enhancing the well-being and development of our eighth grade boys, which will begin shortly.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

MAY “Phone Home” Program

he “Phone Home” program at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov continues to succeed and motivate students to “disconnect” during the school day. Instead of demanding that talmidim keep their cellphones at home, MAY decided to create a culture of voluntarily setting phones aside, by offering positive incentives to motivate students. The students’ universal participation was an unprecedented response that demonstrated the power of positive chinuch and took the notion of “out of sight, out of mind” to the next level. The project has built-in incentives to motivate talmidim. Last week, the MAY ninth grade embarked on an all-expenses paid ski trip to Hunter Mountain, and also included a visit to Liberty Heights Trampoline Park, as well as swim-

ming, barbecuing and kumzitzing at Camp Nageela. “The rabbeim see a difference in their talmidim,” commented Mashgiah Ruchani Rabbi Yehuda Horowitz. “It’s not only the ‘not having a phone’ on them. It’s the development of the attitude and mentality that I don’t always have to have instant ac-

cess to everything and anything at all times. It’s part of being mechanech our talmidim how to use these devices properly.” With learning sedarim and uplifting ruchniyus built into the trip, it served not only as a reward but also another opportunity to apply the signature MAY values and les-

sons in real-world situations. The Mesivta expresses its appreciation to Mr. & Mrs. Seth Farbman and to the many MAY parents who see firsthand the benefit and value of this program and helped defray the program’s expenses.

HAFTR Hosts a Debate, Drasha, and Impromptu Speaking Tournament By Deborah Becker

AFTR High School’s Speech and Debate Team hosted yet another successful virtual tournament on Tuesday, February 23. Participants in the tournament came from a total of nine schools, including Chaminade, DRS, Hewlett, HANC, HAFTR, Lynbrook, Ramaz, Rambam and TABC. The tournament, conducted via Zoom and Tabroom, ran quickly and smoothly. The tournament consisted of both debate and speech events. The debate events included Public Forum Debate and Extemp Debate, and the speech events included Drasha and Impromptu. HAFTR students’ dedication and hours of challenging work directed towards this competition is clearly reflected in the many HAFTR

student winners. All members of the HAFTR Debate Team, along with students from the other competing schools, spent great amounts of time in preparation for the tournament. Our appreciation goes to HAFTR’s Speech and Debate Coach Mr. Alex Libkind for always ensuring our competitions go smoothly and preparing students for upcoming competitions. In speech events, junior Devorah Gottesman ran the boards, with an impressively scored first place finish in the Drasha competition, and tied for first place in the Impromptu event. Senior team of Jordana Mastour and Daniel Singer tied for first place with a 3-1 record in the Extemp Debate event. In the Public Forum event, all teams went 2-0 and earned a first place tie. The sophomore team of Deborah Becker and Meir Farkas, as well as the junior team of Abby Rabinowitz and

Rachel Sharon, and the freshman team of Kaitlin Pollack and Michal Mari, all impressively tied for first place in Public Forum debate. Though conducting tournaments virtually is a much different experience from in-person competitions, virtual competitions allow for a wider variety of schools to attend the competition. Having a broad range of competitors allows for every speaker and debater to encounter different types of speakers and to add an intellectually-stimulating challenge. On behalf of the HAFTR Speech and Debate Team, we thank all of our competition participants, judges, and coaches.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

Around the Community

Yaakov Shwekey Tributes “COVID Bar Mitzvah Boys” with New Song!

n early October, Yaakov Klugman approached his longtime friend, Yaakov Shwekey, requesting a brand new song in honor of his son Yehuda’s upcoming bar mitzvah. Renowned composer Yitzy Waldner wrote a moving song, Hamalach, which Shwekey, joined by Klugman, performed for the family and guests who gathered to celebrate Yehuda’s bar mitzvah in December. At the end of the night, as Shwekey and Klugman reflected on the beautiful bar mitzvah, they discussed the challenges that thousands of boys across the world faced with their “corona bar mitzvahs.” Shwekey thought back on the thousands of emails and letters he received since last March requesting personalized videos giving chizuk to boys who did not get the opportunity to celebrate their bar mitzvahs the way they had planned. As they spoke about the unprecedented challenges that kKal Yisroel faced over the past year, they considered the many ways our simcha celebrations have changed. Lavish weddings were down-sized to backyard events reserved for immediate family. Simchas were celebrated “bare-bones” style – with homemade food, minimal guests, and inhouse entertainment. Many should-have-been happy celebrations became bittersweet moments with the painful, obvious absence of loved ones. And while everyone pitied the chassanim and kallos who got married in these suboptimal circumstances, bar mitzvah boys were largely overlooked. A bar mitzvah is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it’s something boys look

forward to from as young as age 5. Boys wistfully envision donning tefillin for the first time, flanked by their family and friends. They anticipate expertly leining the parsha and delivering their coveted pshetl to a crowd, dancing with their loved ones, and celebrating this huge milestone in style. But with the spread of COVID-19 throughout our communities, disappointment replaced excited anticipation as bar mitzvah boys watched their carefully detailed plans go up in smoke. Families were left scrambling to pull together last-minute celebrations under stressful circumstances with extremely limited resources. Boys who practiced leining their bar mitzvah parsha for a year only to be stuck at home davening b’yechidus wondered if their hard work was for nothing. Boys who diligently learned for months to make a siyum at their bar mitzvahs were devastated that no such celebration would occur. Yet, despite the unusual circumstances, these young men took this unanticipated change of events in stride, making the most of their modified celebrations. They danced in their living rooms with their fathers as friends celebrated from 2x2 Zoom boxes, dancing in their own homes. They happily delivered “kiddush-togo” boxes to the few people who stopped by on Shabbos to wish them mazel tov. They confidently delivered speeches to their parents and siblings with the vigor of one addressing a crowd. These boys truly rose to the occasion in incredible ways. As Shwekey and Klugman discussed the challenges that these boys faced, an

idea formed. They thought, Let’s turn the beautiful song performed tonight into a global dedication to all bar mitzvah boys to show them our support! And with this, the Hamalach campaign was born. The goal of the campaign was to spread simcha to bar mitzvah boys across the world and to let these young men know that they are not alone; there are thousands of boys just like them who were forced to celebrate their bar mitzvahs in ways far different than they had originally planned. To personalize this message, Shwekey requested footage from bar mitzvahs celebrated amidst the pandemic. With I and Me Media spearheading this campaign, after just a few days, thousands of pictures and videos from across the world poured in. These meaningful pictures and videos serve as a montage in the Hamalach music video. The footage tells thousands of stories in just five minutes. It elicits smiles and tears alike. Masked boys are videoed enthusiastically dancing with jump ropes, ensuring adequate social distancing… A video camera focused on an impeccably suited bar mitzvah boy smiling alongside his brothers slowly pans out to reveal the boys’ pajama pants kept just out of the camera’s sight...

A grandfather, unable to join his grandson’s celebration, emotionally hugs and kisses a cardboard cutout of the bar mitzvah boy… A boy proudly wearing his new hat, surrounded by his sisters dressed in beautiful gowns, holds a sign that reads, “My bar mitzvah is cancelled. Gam zu l’tovah!”... Hamalach is an inspiring video of resilience, of how our bar mitzvah boys celebrated b’simcha despite their circumstances, embracing their less-than-ideal circumstances. Hamalach is a heartfelt video of unity, as thousands of boys are assured in no uncertain terms that they are not alone, that Klal Yisroel stands with them and celebrates them in these most challenging times. The touching music video, released just last week, deeply resonated with bar mitzvah boys around the world. “It’s amazing what a song that’s sent from heaven can do,” Shwekey observed. “Knowing that there is a song and a message of chizuk dedicated to these boys changed their whole perception about the bar mitzvah-related challenges they faced.” For Chaimy O., from Toronto, who celebrated his bar mitzvah last week, this video was exceptionally meaningful. Chaimy’s grand bar mitzvah celebrations were

replaced by a small get-together with his friends in his house. The talented bar mitzvah boy doubled as a oneman band and drummed for his friends after delivering an impromptu speech. When Chaimy watched Hamalach, he felt seen and celebrated. “When you have a bar mitzvah like the one I had, you feel like you’re the only one who is missing out. But when you watch Hamalach, you see that you are not the only person missing out, and there are others just like you,” Chaimy shared. Shwekey was touched by the profound words and positive attitude of boys like Chaimy. “I am writing a lot of songs now for my new album, and hearing from these boys opened up a reservoir in my mind of emotions that I never had before,” Shwekey remarked It is our hope that Chaimy and the thousands of boys across the world who celebrated their bar mitzvahs over the past year derive chizuk from this new song, knowing that Klal Yisroel celebrates with them and applauds the resilience and maturity they displayed despite the challenges they faced. May these precious young men merit to see the bracha of Hamalach come to life, and may they bring much nachas to their families and to Hashem.

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Rav Uri Orlian, rav of Shaaray Tefillah in Lawrence, and Rav Dovid Bender, rosh kollel of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Kollel Tirtza Devorah, at a siyum at the Kollel

Rav Elya Brudny in YSZ

eshiva Sha’arei Zion in Forest Hills had the zechus of hosting Rabbi Elya Brudny, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva in the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America. The Rosh Yeshiva is a member of Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion’s Vaad HaChinuch. The boys greeted Rav Brudny with joyous singing as he entered the building. Then the Rosh Yeshiva spoke to the boys division and the girls division and then held a meet-

At his his own daughter’s wedding, beloved Darchei Rebbi Rabbi Eli Post makes sure not to miss a night of learning with his chavrusa Moish Feldhammer

Reb Avraham Goldstein Visits MAY

ing with the administration and staff.

esivta Ateres Yaakov had the unique zechus of hosting Reb Avraham Goldstein, a Ger Tzedek, who currently lives in Scranton, PA. Reb Goldstein was born in Puerto Rico and at a young age decided he wanted a dif-

ferent lifestyle than his community could offer. He shared with the talmidim his incredible journey to Williamsburg, Yiddishkeit and chassidus. His amazing story captivated and inspired both rabbeim and talmidim alike.

Department Chair at Central Receives Prestigious Award

azal Tov to Mrs. Tova Rosenberg on winning the 2021 Wilbur Award, the highest honor the Religion Communicators Council can bestow. Mrs. Rosenberg is a Department Chair at Central. Since 1949, the Wilbur Awards have been presented annually to recognize excellence in the commu-

nication of religious issues, values, and themes in public secular media. Through the awards, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) recognizes the work of individuals, production companies, and agencies as they communicate about religious issues, values, and themes with professionalism, fairness, respect, and honesty. Past winners include Mor-

gan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Jane Pauley, Mister Rogers, CBS Sunday Morning, ABC’s 20/20, Meet the Press, Vanity Fair, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the New York Times. Mrs. Rosenberg’s submission of “Names, Not Numbers,” with additional credits to Dov Rosenberg and Michael Puro, was enthusiastically

endorsed by the judging panel for its excellence in communicating religious and inspiring themes. As with most events this year, the Wilbur Awards Ceremony will be conducted virtually. It is truly an honor to have Mrs. Rosenberg on staff and to be a part of this wonderful program!

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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A “Handy” Gift for Pesach

he talmidos of the Elementary Limudei Kodesh division of Torah Academy for Girls were

very busy learning about Pesach and the haggadah. The school decided to offer them a “hands” on experience

to prepare a practical and beautiful hand towel for their busy mothers. The hand towel designed specifically

for TAG had the girls using their creativity to produce a beautiful finished product.

Yeshiva Darchei Torah Team Shines at Prestigious STEM Competition By Barbara Bensoussan

ompetition at the annual CIJE Tank competition is fierce, but the students representing Yeshiva Darchei Torah rose to the challenge! CIJE, the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education, promotes educational enrichment in Jewish day schools, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. The CIJE Tank challenges high school students to create new products and present them to a panel of investors. Over 400 projects are submitted to the competition, of which only four are selected for the final presentations. The winners walk away with a provisional patent application worth $2,000 and valuable advice about how to develop their products for the market. All finalists receive gifts such as trophies and headsets and speakers. Usually held in-person, the CIJE Tank finals were held via Zoom this past January, after the judges evaluated projects submitted last year. Yeshiva Darchei Torah was honored to have one of its teams selected for the finals. Students Shmuel Eliyahu Eidelman, Shaya Trenk, and Yehoshua

Jasse created a video to present their product, a hand-held scanning system named Libra-Scan that detects misplaced library books. Most of us have had the experience of going to find a book on a shelf, only to find that it is not there. Shaya Trenk, who helps run the middle school library of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, was all too familiar with this problem. “Over six million books are misplaced every year, according to the American Library Association,” he says. He and his brother came up with the idea of producing a device that could scan library books and determine if they were out of place, using radio frequency identification technology (RFID). Under the guidance of their teacher, Dr. Don Engelberg, they set about to create a handheld scanner that uses RFID to read tags on shelved books and notify the user if they are out of place. Yehoshua asked one of the Darchei Torah principals, who owns a personal library of over one thousand sefarim, if he thought such a device would be marketable. “He thought the yeshiva could definitely use something like this,” Yehoshua says. “The scanning machine only costs about $25, and for $100 you

Finalist Yehoshua Jasse with Libra-Scan, the invention that he created together with fellow Yeshiva Darchei Torah students Shmuel Eliyahu Eidelman and Shaya Trenk

can buy 1,000 stickers for the books.” The boys built the machine and developed the programming to make the scanner identify the books. “There’s a fair amount of programming involved to determine if a book is out of place,” Dr. Engelberg says. “They had to learn about microprocessors, voltages, analog-to-digital conversion and vice versa, and basic programming language. They also learned how to work in a team to develop and market a product.” Dr. Engelberg, who has two sons who are Darchei alumni and four grandsons currently in the Yeshiva, believes that Libra-Scan would be quite effective for small libraries. The final competition took place on January 3 with judges Yvette Edidin, Zoli Honig, and Dov Friedman,

all seasoned tech entrepreneurs, evaluating the presentations. They watched the team videos and gave their feedback over Zoom. The Darchei team did not win the grand prize – that honor went to three students from Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School who invented a biodegradable plastic substitute called Biowrap. But Yeshiva Darchei Torah is tremendously proud of Shmuel, Shaya and Yehoshua for making it all the way to the finals and for using their skills and ingenuity to produce a product the Yeshiva can actually employ in its library. May this be the start of many ingenious and successful innovations! View the video about this project at Darchei.org/video.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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The Truth About the Truth: Part I By Rabbi Ephraim Eliyahu Shapiro on behalf of the Sefas Tamim Foundation

am grateful to the Sefas Tamim Foundation for giving me the opportunity, through a series of articles, to address the topic of emes and yashrus. We have tremendous gratitude to this organization for bringing a heightened awareness about these incredibly important middos to Klal Yisrael. B’ezras Hashem, through the work of the Sefas Tamim Foundation, we should indeed become far more meticulous in these middos. The pasuk in Tehillim states (Tehillim 85): “Emes, me’eretz titzmach” – truth will sprout from the earth. The Pupa Rav was once asked: if truth is sprouting from the earth, then it would appear that we should have it in abundance. That being the case, why isn’t there more emes in the world? The Pupa Rav gave a powerful reply: in order to grasp something that’s sprouting from the earth, a person has to bend down to reach it, and many people aren’t willing to bend. Many people are not willing to change. So yes, it is true that emes, truthfulness, is going to sprout and

be in abundance. However, to attain truthfulness, we have to work at it. We have to bend down to get it – we have to change. My father, HaRav Mordechai Shapiro, zt”l, used to say regarding emes that sometimes a person thinks that it was just a small thing which he said that was not totally emes. It was only a little bit of sheker. To that, my father would respond that Ivory soap advertises that it is 99.44% pure. He used to say that 99 and 44 hundredths pure is good for soap, but not for emes, because something that is only 99.44% emes is 100% sheker. My father would bring a fabulous gematria to intensify this concept. The gematria of the word emes is 441. The gematria of the word sheker is 600. If you subtract 441 from 600, you have 159, which is the exact gematria of the word katan, a small thing. The difference between emes and sheker is katan – often only a small thing. Being meticulous to ensure that we do not mix even small amounts of sheker in how we speak and act – having an acute sensitivity to 100% emes – is really what the Sefas Tamim Foundation is accomplishing. We be-

come more cognizant of small things – things that perhaps we were not so aware of, or sensitive to. Many years ago, milk used to be delivered by a milkman, which as the name implies, is a person who would go door-to-door delivering milk. There was a Yid who felt that he could dilute the milk with water and deliver it to his customers, and hopefully, they would not taste the difference. By doing this, he now had more “milk” on hand and would be able to increase his profits. Unfortunately, after a while, someone in the milkman’s family took ill. The milkman went to the Rav and asked the Rav to daven for the choleh. The Rav asked if there is anything that the milkman could do to improve his ways. When the milkman confided in the Rav that he was diluting the milk that he delivered, the Rav immediately advised him to discontinue this practice and commit to delivering 100% milk. Then, B’ezras Hashem, the family member would have a refuah shlaimah, a complete recovery. The milkman listened to his Rav. He started to deliver 100% milk to all of his customers and baruch Hashem, his family member recovered. However, the story does not end there. To his surprise, his customers complained, “What have you done to your

milk? It tastes terrible!” The milkman’s customers were so used to the diluted milk that they could no longer appreciate the real thing. When a person is involved with sheker – when a person is involved with things that are unscrupulous, they cannot even taste the emes. Sometimes we think that we are speaking emes, but we have diluted it with a little bit of sheker that we think is inconsequential. However, when a person gets used to sheker – when a person gets used to leading a life that is not 100% scrupulous and meticulously honest – they cannot even taste and appreciate emes when presented with it! So how do we become more honest? In our next article, we will discuss how we can learn to bend – to change our ways – to grasp at the emes that is sprouting from the earth in abundance, as we discussed when we began our presentation. The Sefas Tamim Foundation’s mission is to underscore the importance of living a life of 100% emes through the learning of halacha, mussar, and chizuk. For further information regarding the Sefas Tamim Foundation or to subscribe to its weekly newsletter, please contact Boruch Delman at 718-200-5462 or info@everydayemes.org.

SEFAS TAMIM

FOUNDATION mely

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Emphasizing Everyday Emes

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The Sefas Tamim Foundation emphasizes the importance of honesty (Emes) in everyday matters: • In Thought: being honest with ourselves. • In Speech: keeping the commitments we make to each other. • In Business: being honest in business and with our personal finances.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: Call (718) 200-5462 or email Info@EverydayEmes.org

“...The Sefas Tamim Foundation is a new organization designed to strengthen our commitment to zn`… through the learning of dkld and xqen. We would like to extend dkxa and dglvd to all those who support this organization and offer assistance in fulfilling its most holy mission.”

“...I wish brocha and hatzlocha to Klal Yisroel’s yorai shamayim and baalei hashpoah who publish and speak words of chizuk, mussar and halacha to assist this new foundation’s mission to help Klal Yisroel remain honest in speech and ehrlich in action.”

“...The Sefas Tamim Foundation is an organization in formation to foster truth and honesty in all areas of life but especially in business where one can make excuses to speak and act dishonestly. All those that help this organization… will be rewarded richly for their believing in Klal Yisrael and in truth.”

Rabbi Dovid Harris

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky

Rabbi Reuven Feinstein

Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yisrael Meir HaKohen Baal HaChafetz Chaim

Rabbi Akiva Grunblatt

Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yisrael Meir HaKohen Baal HaChafetz Chaim

Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva of Philadelphia

‫אמת‬

Rosh HaYeshiva,

Yeshiva of Staten Island

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Around the Community

MAY 10th Grade Visits Tzaddikim in Brooklyn

abbi Leibe Wolf’s tenth grade shiur at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov recently traveled to

Brooklyn to visit with two noted talmidei chachomim: Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff, shlita, and Rav Avraham

Shorr, shlita. Each rav addressed the talmidim with words of chizuk and hisorirus. After the inspiration-

Shulamith third graders made beautiful Seder plates in art week

al meetings, the bochurim enjoyed lunch on Avenue J before returning to Yeshiva.

Gesher students enjoyed their pre-Pesach matzah bakery

Names, Not Numbers at MTA

The boys in Rabbi Lemberger’s shiur at YOSS rolled up their sleeves and matzos armed with the halachos they learned about baking matzos

n Sunday, March 7, seniors in MTA’s Names, Not Numbers elective course filmed the final interviews for their Holocaust documentary. They had the distinct privilege of interviewing survivors Sami Steigmann and Paula Weissman and documenting their stories of survival. Sami spent years in a labor camp in the Ukraine with his parents, where he was subjected to medical experiments by the Nazis, the side effects of which he still feels every single day. They struggled to survive as they suffered through starvation and bitter cold winters. The camp was liberated by the Red Army and his family was deported to Transylvania. They eventually emigrated to Israel, where Sami served in the Israeli Air Force. Paula was born in the Carpathian Mountains. She was just 13 years old when the Nazis invaded her town and loaded all of its Jews onto freight trains headed for Auschwitz. Paula

was separated from her family upon arrival at the concentration camp during the selection process and never saw them again. Paula was sent on a labor detail to Hamburg, where she was forced to build homes for German families. Near the end of the war, she became ill and was sent to Bergen-Belsen, where she was liberated when the war ended. Seniors look forward to sharing more of their stories in the film to ensure that they are never forgotten.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Hands-On Learning

ast Thursday, the talmidim of Siach Yitzchok had a nice surprise when they entered the gym. A sheep tied to a bed was there so the boys can understand the concept of the Korban Pesach in real life. All the classes had a turn to lay on the bed and even feed the sheep. Some rabbeim demonstrated other halochos that they learned in Mishnayos Pesochim about carrying the sheep on your shoulders. It was an amazing, hands-on learning experience.

Living with Soul at SKA: Phone “Phree”

tudents at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls wasted no time in implementing a challenge based on the message they absorbed from the Living with Soul Yom Iyun workshops they had just attended. More than one grade had put away their phones during lunch and enjoyed the connection they had with each other. It was clear that the students wanted more. The week of March 8 was designated as SKA Phone Pfree Week by the Student Council. Containers for each grade were set up in the front of the school, and students dropped their phones inside for the day, enrolling in an amazing raffle. Drop off your phone for the morning? One ticket. Drop off for lunch? One ticket. Drop off for the afternoon? One ticket. Drop off for the entire day? Five tickets! It was incredible to watch the containers fill each day. “I went phone ‘phree’ so I could have the chance to really connect with my friends and see how school would be with less distractions (but the prizes were definitely a plus!). I ended up really loving it. I found myself having more mean-

ingful conversations with friends and speaking to people I wouldn’t have otherwise because I would have been on my phone,” shared 11th grader Sara Blass. “Many of us discussed leaving our phones in our lockers even once the program was over. I feel more attentive in class, and when I’m with my friends, I feel like I’m really there with them.” SKA 10th grader Shayna Davidson agrees. “I’ve noticed a definite difference. Without my phone, I’m more social. I pay closer attention in class because I’m not focused on what I’m missing on my phone. It’s been a real game changer for me.” Junior Zahava Aryeh was excited to hand in her phone every day of the week. She noticed that not only did she pay more attention in class since she didn’t focus on who called or texted her, but she found herself speaking with so many more girls since she didn’t walk the hallways between class looking at her phone. Even at lunch, she notes that she was so much more engaged in the conversation because she wasn’t checking her phone every minute.

“Walking into school this week and putting my phone away was so rewarding,” says senior Michal Hammer. “I feel that I connected with my friends and my teachers in a much more solid way. Lunch was especially impactful because it became an opportunity for face-to-face interaction without the usual distractions. I was hesitant to join at first, but I can honestly say I’ve never been so happy without my phone. “If the program continues,” Zahava says, “I would definitely give my phone in again so I could have a more productive and enjoyable day.”

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

Thank You To our generous & dedicated partners in the Pesach Food Distribution & Maos Chittim Project;

UJA FEDERATION OF NEW YORK & MET COUNCIL Our Ongoing Committed Partners & Funders;

Senator Joe Addabbo, Councilman Chaim Deutsch, Speaker Corey Johnson, Senator Todd Kaminsky, DA Melinda Katz, Congressman Gregory Meeks , Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Senator James Sanders Jr., Councilman Eric Ulrich, NYC Council, NYC Council Jewish Caucus, NYC Council Queens Delegation City Harvest, Claims Conference on Jewish Materials Claims Against Germany, Fleishman Family, Food Bank of NY, JCCGCI, Jewish Federation of North America, Met Council, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, NY Community Trust, NYC Department for the Aging, NYC Department for the Youth, NYPD 101st precinct, RobinHood Foundation, Silvian Foundation, UJA Federation of NY, United Way of NY

A special thank you to the amazing students of HAFTR H.S. & Mesivta Netzach HaTorah for volunteering to pack & distribute over 600 Pesach packages.

Our Devoted Partner Shuls;

Bais Medrash of Woodmere, Bayswater Jewish Center, Congregation Bais Tefilah (Edward Ave), Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Kneseth Israel (The White Shul), Irving Place Minyan, Kahal Zichron Moshe Dov, Kehilas Yagdil Torah, Young Israel of Bayswater, Young Israel of Far Rockaway, Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst, Young Israel of Woodmere

& All Of The Generous And Caring Community Members Of The Five Towns / Far Rockaway Who Contributed.

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ted ilies assis m a F 5 0 6 food f Pesach o s n o T 38 ed distribut e assistanc in + 0 0 ,0 $75 uted & distrib collected d Hohomeboun + 0 0 3 o t Deliveries rvivors locaust su bers unity mem m m o c + 0 100 re ave a mo will now h m tov

enjoyable

Best wishes for a Chag Kasher V’Sameach, most enjoyable Yom Tov,

The

Family

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Learn All the Halachos of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkos Before the Upcoming Yom Tov Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Marches Toward World Siyum on Second Machzor

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe addressing a past Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Nesius event

By Chaim Gold

he Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program, Dirshu’s daily Mishnah Berurah learning program, is already well into Chelek Vav, the last chelek of the Mishnah Berurah. That means that the siyum on the second machzor of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha is getting closer. As in all Dirshu major siyumim, the siyum upon completion of the seven-year program to learn the entire Mishnah Berurah promises to be a special event. It is sure to be replete with chizuk haTorah and the divrei Elokim chaim delivered by the Gedolei Hador!

The Divine Smile Sometimes one feels that Hashem, as it were, is showing us somewhat of a Divine Smile. This year’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha schedule is one of those times. As is well known to Daf HaYomi B’Halacha learners, the Mishnah Berurah schedule goes in order of the Mishnah Berurah. Beginning with the first siman in Chelek Aleph, a new daf is every day until more than seven years later when the last siman in Chelek Vav is learned and the entire Mishnah Berurah is completed. Sometimes, this schedule lends itself to learning hilchos Pesach around

Rosh Hashanah, which may seem a bit awkward. This year, however, as Daf HaYomi B’Halacha marches toward the massive siyumim that will be held in major Jewish centers around the world, learners will have the opportunity to learn the important halachos of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkos within months and days of those yomim tovim. “If there was ever a time to join the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program, now is the time,” said Dirshu hanhalla member, Rabbi Avigdor Bernstein. The halachos of Rosh Hashanah are scheduled to begin this coming 30 Nissan/April 12, 2021, the halachos of Yom Kippur on 20 Sivan/ May 30, and finally the halachos of Sukkos will begin on 3 Av/July 12 and will extend right up until Sukkos. Thus, if someone joins the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program after Pesach, in those months preceding the three yomim tovim of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkos, he will be able to gain a comprehensive knowledge of all the halachos relevant to the three upcoming yomim tovim. This includes the halachos of blowing shofar, the halachos of Yom Kippur – fasting, eating and asking mechilah – followed by the comprehensive halachos of Sukkos, building a sukkah, how to choose the daled minim and the list goes on.”

Daily Halacha, A Daily Lifesaver Indeed, when the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program was established, the Gedolei Yisrael gave their unreserved bracha to the project. They clearly felt that daily learning of halacha would be a lifesaver for Klal Yisrael by enabling a Yid to live with Hashem every day, every Shabbos and every yom tov. When a person learns halacha regularly, he is cognizant of the many questions that come up every day. This is the best fulfilment of the first words in Shulchan Aruch which say, “Shevisi Hashem l’negdi samid – I have placed Hashem before me always.” Learning daily Mishnah Berurah enables a person to place Hashem before his eyes at all times. “In addition,” Rabbi Bernstein continues, “starting towards the end of Chelek Vav and learning the practical halachos of the yomim tovim will introduce the learner to Daf HaYomi B’Halacha so that when the third machzor begins he will be fully mobilized and motivated to embark on the ambitious task of learning the entire Chelek of Orach Chaim!” Dirshu was encouraged by the late poskei hador of the previous generation, HaGaon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, and HaGaon HaRav Nissim Karelitz, zt”l, to establish the Daf

HaRav Yeruchim Olshin signing the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Shtar Nesius

HaYomi B’Halacha program. More recently, the nesius of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha has been led by Gedolei Yisrael from Eretz Yisrael, HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Ponovezh Yeshiva; HaGaon HaRav Boruch Dov Povarsky, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Ponovezh Yeshiva; the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Yisroel Hager, shlita; the Boyaner Rebbe, shlita; the Seret-Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita; HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva; the Modzhitzer Rebbe, shlita; and the Alexander Rebbe, shlita.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

Around the Community The American Nesius of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha is comprised of Gedolei Roshei Yeshivos and Admorim including luminaries such as the Roshei Yeshiva of Lakewood, HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Malkiel Kolter, shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Yeruchim Olshin, shlita; HaGaon HaRav Yosef Harrai Raful, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Ateret Torah; Hagaon HaRav Shlomo Miller, shlita, Rosh Kollel Toronto; HaGaon HaRav Matisyohu Salomon, shlita, Mashgiach Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood; HaGaon HaRav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of South Fallsburg; and HaGaon HaRav Asher Anshel Katz, shlita, the Vienner Rav. The recent, sudden passing of the senior leading Posek, HaGaon HaRav Yechezkel Roth, the Karlsburger Rav, zt”l, who was a distinguished member of the Nesius and a great supporter and admirer of Dirshu’s Halacha programs, Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and Kinyan Halacha, was greatly mourned by Dirshu. At a meeting a few years ago, Rav Roth said, “Kol hashoneh halacha b’chol yom muvtach shehu ben Olam Haba. A person fulfills the mitzvah of Torah learning when he learns Torah regardless of what area he is learning, however, when one has a choice of learning halacha it takes precedence.” The Sefer Hamafteach Over the past ten years, the ability to learn comprehensive halacha l’maaseh has been tremendously enhanced by the publishing of the Dirshu edition of the Mishnah Berurah containing many thousands of piskei halacha culled from the rulings of the Gedolei Haposkim who have rendered halachic decisions on modern day scenarios that have arisen since the publication of the Mishnah Berurah. For example, when one learns the halachos of Shabbos, of shihiya and chazarah, he can also learn about hotplates, crockpots and thermostats in modern day stoves and ovens. In a recent conversation that senior hanhala members of Dirshu had with senior posek, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Eliezer Stern, shlita, Gaavad of Shaarei Horaah and Rav of Western Bnei Brak, Rav Stern commented, “When I give a shiur in Mishnah Berurah, the Biurim and Musafim have a transformative effect on the shiur. Everyone wants to hear what the Biurim U’Musafim say and all of the modern-day scenarios to which we

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can apply the age old halachos.” Recently, Dirshu has made the ability to access the voluminous material in the six volumes far easier with the publishing of the Dirshu Mafteiach on the Mishnah Berurah. In minutes, one can easily look up any question in the new, one-volume sefer which contains over 6,000 primary references and over 70,000 secondary references. In addition, Dirshu has in-

cluded an English section for those who may not be familiar with some of the current day Hebrew terminology. Rav Stern was also tremendously enthusiastic about the Mafteach ,saying that it would solidify the revolution in Halacha, that Dirshu has made. With Dirshu Daf HaYomi B’Halacha continuing its march through Chelek Vav on the way to the World

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Siyum on the second machzor of the Mishnah Berurah, now is the best time to join and learn all the halachos of Rosh Hashnhah, Yom Kippur and Sukkos in advance of the yamim tovim. To join, please contact Dirshu at 1-888-5Dirshu or email info@kolleldirshu.org.

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

Speci al P Suppl ESACH emen t

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Pesach by Rabbi Berel Wein

Uplifting Your Seder Night by R’ Shmuel Reichman

S14

Fighting Ice with Fire by R’ Yaakov Klein

S22

Do You Have a Father by Rav Moshe Weinberger

S26

Our German-Made Passover Seder Plates by Mendel Horowitz

S28

Charoses: Bricks, Straw, and Blood by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

S30

TJH Chol Hamoed Guide

Art by Yaeli Vogel

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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many other good things, ready to be Shomron. taken by the poor, starvin That day, g people of the day after Elisha had Shomron ran spoken to to the camp the king, of Aram. Just ty of food, the people as Elisha had and the price of said, there was as cheap What happen was plenas it had ever ed to that been. officer who put him in made fun charge of of Elisha? the crowd ple rushin Well, the king at the gate. g and pushin But there g at were the same to death by so many peotime, he fell the hungry down and crowd. He never got got crushe saw the price any of it — d of food go just as Elisha down, but had told him he would happen .

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

INSPIRING JEWS ... ONE BOOK AT A TIME

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Rabbi Nachman Seltzer presents the “DISCO RABBI” The Incredible Life of Rav Yitzchak Dovid Grossman of Migdal Haemek

av Yaakov Abuchatzeira — the "Abir Yaakov" — was the scion of one of the most illustrious Torah families of Morocco. Baba Sali zt'l was one of his grandsons, and Rav David Abuchatzeira shlit”a, the renowned Kabbalist of Nahariya, is a great-great-grandson. The Teachings of the Abir Yaakov — as timely today as they were when the tzaddik first wrote them.

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

Torah Thought

Pesach By Rabbi Berel Wein

he holiday of Pesach represents many basic values in Jewish life. Foremost, naturally, is that of liberty and freedom from oppression, slavery, and domination by others. The holiday is described as being the holiday of our freedom. But there is another basic idea and value that underlies the commemoration of our exodus from Egypt and the beginning of our freedom. That value is the human capacity to believe and keep faith with an ideal that has not yet been realized and that is yet to be exploited. In the retelling of the story of the Exodus, the Bible mentions several times in the narrative of the description of the redemption from Egyptian bondage, the fact that people believed that they would be freed and that Moshe would be the one who would be able to lead them from bondage to freedom. It was this belief that fueled the entire narrative of freedom and brought about the eventual triumph over Pharaoh and the Egyptian nation. No matter how much lip service we pay to the idea of faith and belief, we always have a tendency to underplay its importance in shaping human events, both individual and communal. But faith, literally, does have the power to move and change the course

of human history and personal existence. The L-rd may have performed untold miracles in order to extract the Jewish people from under the yoke of Egyptian bondage, but none of this would’ve been successful had the people not believed it would be successful and that they would achieve their freedom.

that better times would arrive and that the redemption from slavery would actually occur. That path is the deﬁnition of faith and belief in Jewish life throughout Jewish history. No matter how diﬃcult and oppressive the situation appeared to be, already hidden within it were the solutions to the problem and the redemption from bondage.

The holiday of Pesach always represents a soaring sense of optimism and a deeply abiding faith in the Jewish future.

One of the great ideas in Judaism, especially emphasized in the teachings of the great chassidic master Rabbi Zadok HaKohein of Lublin, is that within events that appear to be negative and tragic, such as the enslavement of the Jewish people in Egypt, there are the seeds of redemption and hope. Even though there are tragedies such as the destruction of millions of Jews in Egypt, at the time of Moses, the inner soul of the Jew had faith

An expression of this is to be found in the song attributed to the Jewish partisans in World War II who hid in the forests of Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and Russia, from where they continued to harass the Nazi beast. They created a thousand pinpricks that collectively hampered the operations of the German army on the Eastern front. The words to their song in Yiddish were, essentially, “Do not dare to say that this is our ﬁnal road.” It is this faith that over-

writes all obstacles and situations of anguish and despair. The holiday of Pesach always represents a soaring sense of optimism and a deeply abiding faith in the Jewish future and in the redemptive powers of heaven that will be exhibited in the coming of the messianic era. The matzah that we eat is called, in Jewish tradition, by its Aramaic phrase – the bread of faith. Matzah is potential bread, but it is not yet risen. It appears to be doomed to be flat and crunchy, without much taste or substance. However, we are aware of the potential contained within that matzah. Jews believe in the power and potential of it to rise and become the fluffy and the most delicious breads and pastry. We celebrate while the matzah is still in its flattened state. The commandment is to eat it in its raw state so that we can sense the power of its potential, when we will be allowed to eat it after being fully risen and tasty. Our entire fulfillment of the commandment of eating matzah on Pesach is to reinforce our innate sense of belief and faith in the future and in our ability to realize our individual and national potential. Belief eventually leads to action, and action leads to redemption. Chag sameach.

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Think, Feel, Grow

Uplifting Your Seder Night By Shmuel Reichman

e all want to share deep and thoughtful ideas at the Seder in order to enhance the experience. This collection of short and deep insights for the Seder are organized in a way that each idea is independent, but when read together, they develop a deeper theme as well. I hope they will aid you on your journey towards a meaningful, transformative Seder night.

Wine on the Seder Night… Really? Pesach is a spiritual time, where we connect to some of the deepest themes of Judaism. Why then do we spend the night drinking wine? We see repeatedly that wine is a dangerous and damaging entity, connected to many infamous sins. According to one opinion, the Eitz Ha’da’as was a grape vine. Immediately after the Mabul, Noach became intoxicated, repeating Adam’s original sin. Lot and his daughters erred with wine. According to one opinion, Nadav and Avihu’s sin was performing the avodah while intoxicated. If wine has so many destructive consequences, why do we spend our Seder night drinking wine? Nothing in the physical world is objectively good or evil, rather, everything has the potential to be used for either good or evil. The choice is solely up to you! Electricity is neither good nor bad. An outlet can be used to charge your appliances, but it can also give you an electric shock. The same applies to money: it can be used to enable Torah learning, but it can also be used to fund destruction and chaos. A charismatic personality can be used to inspire others to grow or to seduce them down a twisted path. Everything in this world is merely potential, wait-

ing to be used. Evil, therefore, is really the misuse of potential, when we choose to use an object for something other than its true purpose. Evil is the breakdown and corruption of good. This is why the Hebrew word for evil is “rah,” which means brokenness or fragmentation. Hashem created the world in this way so that we can have free will. We get to choose whether to use things for their true purpose, actualizing their potential, or to misuse them, getting pulled into the clutches of evil. This choice between good and evil is magnified as the power of something increases. The more power there is, the more potential there is. For example, a 220-watt outlet can either charge your phone or give you a small electric shock you. But 20,000 watts will either light up your neighborhood or electrocute you. The more power, the more potential. Of course, this results in an important principle: the value in any power is only inasmuch as it can be controlled. Otherwise, the more power you have, the more destruction you will have, as we often see with nuclear energy and money. Just think about giving a child the power to cross the street by himself. When do you give him such a power? Only when he has the ability to control it, to know when not to cross the street. The Vilna Gaon explains that wine is the greatest paradigm of physical potential. On the one hand, it is clearly dangerous, and its misuse often leads to utter disaster. But when used properly, it elevates you. Wine is able to open up the mind, allowing it to transcend its normal limitations. As Chazal explain, “Nichnas yayin yatzeh sod,” when wine enters, secrets are revealed. [Both yayin and

sod have the gematria of 70]. Wine opens up your consciousness to a deeper level of experience and understanding that transcends the revealed level of reality. The spiritual nature of wine is also evident in its physical nature. Everything physical rots, withers, and decays with time, such as the human body and food. Wine, however, only improves with time. Furthermore, as R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach explains, when it comes to most foods and drinks, the more you have, the less you want; you become full and lose your appetite. With wine, however, the opposite is true: the more you have, the more you desire. This is why we have wine at every point of kedushah, at every point where we want to uplift the physical. It’s our way of showing that we’re taking the physical – something that has the potential for both spirituality and spiritual emptiness – and using it for the good. We therefore make kiddush on wine on Shabbos, on yom tov, at a wedding, at a bris milah, and at other such holy celebrations. We drink wine at the Seder in order to uplift the night of Pesach. We are uplifting our Seder experience, but we are tapping into a larger experience as well. The Ramban explains that the grand miracles of Pesach are meant to instill within us the understanding that not only are the open reversals of nature miraculous, but the day-to-day workings of nature are miraculous as well. Hashem performed outstanding miracles when taking us out of Mitz-

rayim, but the entire world of nature is a constant miracle upheld by Hashem as well. This means that every aspect of this physical world is infused with G-dliness, with the potential for spirituality, and we can therefore uplift every single thing we encounter to a state of holiness. As we relive the Pesach story at the Seder, we learn about the inherent spirituality present within every facet of the physical world. What better way to do this than with wine?

Why Do We Announce All the Steps of the Seder? Why do we begin the Seder by announcing all the steps of the Seder that we will complete? On no other chag do we announce the steps of the holiday ritual aloud before proceeding to perform them. On Sukkos, we don’t say: “Lulav, shofar, sukkah…”, on Purim, we don’t say: “Megillah, mishloach manos, matanos li’evyonim, seudah…”. So why on the Seder night do we begin by announcing all the different steps of the Seder? Any great journey begins with a clear goal and destination. As we say every Friday evening in Lecha Dodi, “Sof ma’aseh bi’machshava techilah,” the physical result originates first within the mind. In order to accomplish anything great, you must first create a clear target and only then determine what steps you must take to get there. The Seder is comprised of 15 steps, which is the same number of steps leading up to the Beis Ha’Mikdash and the same number of “Shir Hamaalos”

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GIVING NEW YORKERS A BOOST THIS PASSOVER A year ago, we had no idea how profound the impact of the pandemic would be on our community, our city, and those already vulnerable. Or how it would still be changing our lives one year later. But we knew one thing for sure — the only way we’d be able to meet the urgent needs of our family, friends, and neighbors would be through the generosity of people like you. Thanks to you, we’ve already provided nearly $67 million in emergency funds to support all who are counting on us. Now, as we work to maximize vaccine distribution, we’re a step closer to freedom from the pandemic. But the road ahead remains incredibly difficult for so many New Yorkers struggling with hunger, unemployment, depression, and grief. With your help, we’ll continue to be there for them. Wishing you and your family a healthy and meaningful Passover. Donate now.

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psalms, the Songs of Ascension. The Seder is likewise a 15-step process of ascension, a 15-step journey towards spiritual greatness. However, one does not simply achieve spiritual greatness accidentally; it requires focus, planning, and extreme dedication. The Seder night is a journey with tremendous potential, providing an opportunity to tap into something genuinely special. On the Seder night, we attempt to experience true freedom, a fundamentally deeper connection with Hashem, true gratitude, and an understanding of our mission in this world. Only when we lay out the steps of our Pesach Seder and create a clear destination can we achieve the extraordinary.

What’s with All the Questions? A notably prominent theme of the Seder is that of asking questions. While “Mah Nishtanah” is the most obvious example, the commentators explain many features of the Seder as purely serving as an impetus for the children to ask questions. It’s not only children, though, who are enjoined to question. The Gemara in Pesachim (116a) says that if a man’s child cannot ask the questions, then his wife should, and if he has no wife, he must ask himself questions. Even if two Torah scholars are sharing their Seder together, they should ask each other. Why is questioning such an integral part of the Pesach Seder? Asking questions is the gateway to learning. A question creates a gap – it allows you to recognize your current limitations, to shed the illusion that you already know everything. You can only learn something once you realize that you don’t already understand it. The Gemara in Gittin (43a) says that you can only understand a Torah concept if you originally struggled with it. Only by recognizing that you don’t already know something can you break it down, analyze it, and see it in a new way, thereby building a new, deeper understanding. If you believe that you fully understand something, you simply will not allow your mind to develop a new way of seeing it. Only by realizing a lack in your understanding and perception can you develop deeper paradigms. The Seder night serves as an op-

portunity to pass over our mesorah, our tradition and legacy, to the next generation. It’s a night when we speak about emunah (faith), the meaning of being a Jew, and our purpose in this world. In order to teach these lessons to our children and ourselves in a deep and lasting way, we must encourage the Seder participants to ask questions, no matter the age or level of knowledge. Our yetzer hara (evil inclination) convinces us that we are perfect, that we already know everything. As

The simple answer is that we display these foods in order to engage the children, to encourage their curiosity and questions. We use simanim to accomplish this because children are not capable of grasping conceptual or intellectual ideas. They live within the world of the finite, and they require something concrete and tangible, something they can see and touch, in order to relate to a concept. Therefore, in order to include our children in the concepts and ideas that are taught and developed at the Seder, we use physi-

As we relive the Pesach story at the Seder, we learn about the inherent spirituality present within every facet of the physical world.

such, there’s no need to question. This flawed belief is personified by Eisav, who was born fully hairy. Hair is the outermost expression of a grown human being. Eisav projected the belief that he was completely developed and therefore required no additional growth. The name “Eisav” itself is the word “asui,” meaning made or complete. Eisav represents the illusion of being complete, perfect, not requiring any further work or growth. Our goal and mission as the Jewish People is to grow, develop ourselves, and fulfill our potential. On the Seder night, as we focus on whom each of us can become, we ask questions – creating holes that we then yearn to fill with additional knowledge, insight, and growth.

The Ka’ara: A Pathway Into the Spiritual The ka’ara (Seder plate) holds many symbolic foods that we use throughout the Seder, such as charoset, a shankbone, an egg, and several other items. Some of these are eaten during the course of the Seder, while others we simply look at or point at. What is the meaning of these simanim? Is there a deeper meaning behind displaying them on our Seder tables?

cal simanim to actively engage them. There is a deeper idea which can be learned here as well, one that is applicable not only to children but to those of all ages. The most essential principle to internalize in this world is that there is always something deeper than that which appears on the surface. Living in a physical world can compel one to forget to seek out the spirituality inherent within every object, event, and person in this world. Seder night is when we instill within ourselves the pillars of emunah and our mission as the Jewish People. On this night, we must all learn this powerful principle. Each physical object on the ka’arah represents a world of profundity, but this is not limited to the Seder plate alone. There is spiritual depth within everything, we need only look for it.

The Telling of Yetzias Mitzrayim We conclude the paragraph of “Avadim Hayinu” by proclaiming, “V’chol hamarbeh li’saper bi’yitzias Mitzrayim, harei zeh mishubach,” all those who elaborate on the Exodus from Egypt, behold, this is praiseworthy. The Rambam (Maimonides) codifies this as a legitimate halacha of Seder night. What is the meaning

of this statement? What is the importance of telling over the Pesach story at great length, and why on this night specifically? There are two ways to interpret the statement of “v’chol hamarbeh.” The first is on a quantitative level – that one should tell over as much of the Exodus story as possible. The second is a qualitative approach – that one should delve into the miracles and wonders that Hashem performed when taking us out of Mitzrayim in as much depth as possible. There is, however, a third way to understand this statement, one that offers a new perspective on Yetzias Mitrayim and the goal of Seder night. Yetzias Mitzrayim was not merely a historical event, rather it was the birth of the Jewish People – our People, you and me. The story did not end with the birth of the Jewish People; it continues with them growing into the nation they are meant to become. When the Jewish People left Mitzrayim, we journeyed to Har Sinai and Matan Torah, where we were given the Torah and our mission in this world as Hashem’s chosen nation. This is the story that has continued throughout history, that you and I are commissioned to continue to this very day. Sippur means to tell over a story, and the Hagaddah says that whoever does this increasingly is praiseworthy. Jewish history is not only “his”story, it’s our story. It is our mission and destiny, and we must continue to grow and thrive in this mission. The goal is to make yourself a part of the Jewish story, to continue what began with Yetzias Mitzrayim, to become the person you were meant to be. V’chol hamarbeh...harei zeh meshubach.

Shmuel Reichman is an inspirational speaker, writer, and coach who has lectured internationally at shuls, conferences, and Jewish communities on topics of Jewish thought and Jewish medical ethics. He is the founder and CEO of Self-Mastery Academy (ShmuelReichman.com), the transformative online course that is revolutionizing how we engage in self-development. You can find more inspirational lectures, videos, and articles from Shmuel on his website, ShmuelReichman.com.

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FIGHTING ICE WITH FIRE The Final Battle Against Amalek By R’ Yaakov Klein

he lifetime of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, incredibly consequential and remarkably brief, may be likened to a flash of lightning in the dead of night whose momentary illumination grants a measure of clarity and direction that remains long after it is gone. But in truth, Rebbe Nachman was more similar to lightning sustained – a streak of illumination successfully captured in lessons and stories, melodies and paradigms; radiant luminescence that would be unpacked in every subsequent generation until the ultimate appearance of the redemptive figure referred to in the tzaddik’s iconic declaration, “My fire will burn until the Moshiach arrives.” One of the glow ing facets through which the tzaddik’s light is refracted is his famous stories which were recorded in sefer Sippurei Maasios. The first of these imaginative tales whose every detail is saturated with the deepest secrets of the Kabbalah, “The Lost Princess,” begins with an enigmatic prelude: “Baderech,” said Rebbe Nachman, “while on a journey, I told a story. Whoever heard it had a thought of teshuvah.” A mere introduction to this glorious and elaborate tale, the Breslover mashpi’im teach that these lines contain a message of their own. In perhaps the most acute expression of Amalek’s spiritual

assault, the Torah describes this wicked nation as having attacked am Yisrael as they were traveling “asher karcha baderech,” “that they happened upon you along the way.” (Devarim 25:17) Rashi tells us that in addition to meaning “happened upon you,” the word “karcha” implies cold (“kar”), alluding to the existential frost and spiritual iciness with which Amalek seeks to extinguish the dancing flame of our spirituality. “Baderech,” along the journey from the innocence of our childhood into the complexities of an adult experience of the world, the frigid spirit of Amalek creeps in and steals away our wonder, our natural excitement

for living, convincing us that we are defined by our mistakes and that Hashem no longer has interest in our efforts. It was in order to combat this devastating attack that Rebbe Nachman told his story about a lost princess and the epic quest to redeem her “baderech,” along a journey – the very same journey that leaves us susceptible to Amalek’s strike. While the tale he proceeds to tell is packed with life-altering lessons, tools, and advice to aid us in our effort to reclaim the lost princess of youthful connection and hope, the second half of Rebbe Nachman’s introductory statement contains the primary weapon with which

we may battle the spirit of Amalek: “Whoever heard it had a thought of teshuvah.” On a basic level, the mitzvah of teshuvah allows penitent sinners to return to Hashem and a Torah life by confessing our sins, expressing regret for misdeeds of the past, and resolving not to sin again in the future. But the tzaddikim teach that, on a deeper level, in addition to implying our return to Hashem, the word “teshuvah” refers to the return to ourselves – the deepest core of our existence. Rav Kook teaches that far from the artificial contortion of animal into angel this avodah represents for many, teshuvah is the most natural process for the Jewish soul, a kind of long-awaited spiritual homecoming – essence embracing Essence once more. (Oros HaTeshuvah 5:1) However, viewing teshuvah in such a manner requires us to redefine our identity: At our core, we are holy! “The soul of Man is G-d’s candle” (Mishlei 20:27); the Jewish spirit is forever dancing, yearning to leap off the wick of physicality into an ego-obliterating union with the Master of the world. No matter how dirty one might become in misguided forays into the darker pockets of existence, his true identity, rooted in the Kisei HaKavod, is yet shining bright! When we understand that the yetzer hara is a decidedly for-

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THANK YOU Because of your generous support,

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eign voice echoing within our hearts and minds, entirely removed from the holiness at our core, teshuvah is no longer seen as a battle against ourselves but rather as the sweetest and most natural reunion with our Source in the kisei haKavod. This, then, is the relationship between the two parts of Rebbe Nachman’s introduction to The Lost Princess. The words “While on a journey, I told a story” present the problem – the Amalekian chill that seeks to cool the flame of our youthful innocence, holiness, and zest for life along the developmental journey (“baderech”) from youth to adulthood. The second part of the statement, “Whoever heard it had a thought of teshuvah,” presents the solution – the more we can adopt an alternate definition of teshuvah as the return to our essential self, the more we will be able to share in the warmth and excitement of the inner flame that even the frostiest winds

cannot possibly extinguish. In perhaps their starkest expression of the essential goodness and holiness of the Jewish soul, Chazal

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The yeast to which this teaching refers is an obvious reference to the yetzer hara, who – like yeast – causes the human ego to rise up, pushing

NO MATTER HOW DIRTY ONE MIGHT BECOME IN MISGUIDED FORAYS INTO THE DARKER POCKETS OF EXISTENCE, HIS TRUE IDENTITY, ROOTED IN THE KISEI HAKAVOD, IS YET SHINING BRIGHT! teach that the collective Jewish spirit perpetually calls out to Hashem, “Our will is to do Your will, it is only the yeast in the dough that prevents us from doing so.” (Berachos 17a)

Hashem and the ultimate purpose of life out of his line of vision. Therefore, chametz may be seen as another embodiment of the Amalek within, who seeks to cut us off from Hashem by obscuring our true essence in holiness and causing us to seek physical gratification and external grandeur instead of engaging in the spiritual pursuits for which we were sent down to this world. Indeed, Rebbe Nachman writes that Purim is a preparation for Pesach – enabling us to complete the eradication of Haman-Amalek. (Likutei Moharan Tinyana 74) If chametz, caused by the “se’or sheb’isah,” represents the Amalekian shudder of “asher karcha baderech,” this grants us a deeper perspective into why it is that we search for chametz using a candle and destroy it in fire. As we have learned, one of the most useful strategies with which to battle Amalek’s deception is the firm certainty that no matter what we might have done or how far we may have wandered, every Jewish soul contains an irreducible kernel of glowing holiness. While Amalek attacks us along our inner travels and spreads his net of doubt over our being (“Amalek” and “safek” famously share the same gematria), causing us to feel as if we have forfeited our connection to Hashem and lost all hope for living an elevated life, a Jew

whose clarity into the depth of the teshuvah process has enabled him to attain an unshakable awareness of his true identity will simply not be affected. Try as he may to convince us that his self-gratifying physical treats, coarseness, and “chametzdik’e” arrogance are what we truly desire, our awareness of the inextinguishable flame of warmth, energy, and unbearable yearning for Hashem that occupies the very core of our identity will enable us to overcome the yetzer hara’s assault. “Ner Elokim nishmas adam.” “Even if they sin, they are called ‘Yisrael’.” (Sanhedrin 44a) At our core we are holy. This year, as we search for the chametz with a single candle bearing a solitary flame, let us try to remember that despite all the puffedup distractions in lives and the frost of despair and spiritual numbness that may have set in along the way, our individual neshama is ever shining, ever dancing, ever striving to grow closer to her Beloved in Heaven. And when we watch the chametz burn in a great conflagration of many flames joined as one, let us think about the collective soul of our nation from which our individual holiness derives, that mighty torch of purity, holy stubbornness, and unconditional closeness with Hashem that will ultimately succeed in eradicating all the chametz in a world steadily awakening to a relationship with its Loving Source. Wishing you and yours a most illuminating, freeing, and inspiring chag kasher v’sameach!

R’ Yaakov Klein is an author, musician, and lecturer devoted to sharing the inner light of Torah through his books, music, and lectures. R’ Yaakov directs the Lost Princess Initiative, an educational platform based on the primary messages of his newly-released book, The Story of Our Lives: An Epic Quest for the Soul of Our Tradition. He also leads the Lost Princess Principles Course, a seven-week program based on The Story of Our Lives. For more information on the course and access to many other resources, please visit LPITorah.org!

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The Town of Hempstead, in partnership with the Woodmere and West Hempstead Fire Departments, invite our neighbors to a

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at Echo Park in West Hempstead (399 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead)

DON CLAVIN SUPERVISOR

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KATE MURRAY TOWN CLERK

ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO COUNCILMAN

TOM MUSCARELLA COUNCILMAN

JEANINE DRISCOLL RECEIVER OF TAXES

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Sparks of Light

Your Lifeblood By Rabbi Benny Berlin

very year at our Pesach Seder, we read through the Haggadah and then move on to eat the festive meal. After we clear the dishes, we fill a special fifth glass of wine, the “Kos shel Eliyahu,” and open the front door to invite in the guest, Eliyahu Ha’Navi. Eliyahu Ha’Navi comes as our guest on one other special occasion: at the bris milah, the circumcision of a baby boy. On Pesach, we place a glass of wine for Eliyahu at our Seder table, and at the bris milah, we set out a unique chair for him to sit on, the “Kiseh shel Eliyahu.” Pesach and bris milah are inextricably linked. Our Sages tell us that the Jews sunk into the depravity of Egypt. The prophet Yechezkel narrates this decisive moment in history in the verse, “I passed by you and I saw you wallowing in your bloods and I said to you, ‘By your bloods you shall live.’ I said to you, ‘By your bloods you shall live.’…and you [were] naked and unclothed,” (Ezekial 16:6). Moshe Rabbeinu gave B’nai Yisrael two mitzvos that would “cloth them,” enabling them to have the merit of experiencing the Exodus from Egypt: bris milah and Korban Pesach (the Passover offering). Then, during Makas Bechoros (the Plague of the Firstborn), the Targum Yonasan specifies that since circumcision was a requirement for males to participate in the Korban Pesach, both the blood of the Korban Pesach and the blood from the bris milah were mixed together to paint the doorposts. These two types of blood stood as protection for the Jewish firstborns throughout that night of death in Egypt as the Egyptian firstborns perished. This is perhaps alluded to in the language

of the pasuk, which repeats the word “blood” twice, “And the blood will be for you for a sign upon the houses where you will be, and I will see the blood and skip over you,” (Shemos 12:13), referring to both the blood of the Korban Pesach as well as the blood of bris milah. While it is clear that the night of Pesach on which we celebrate the Korban Pesach provides us special shmirah (protection), there are other instances where we see a special protection coming from the mitzvah of bris milah as well. I want to illustrate this point to you through a true story that took place in 1912 which appears in “Reflections of the Maggid” by Rabbi Pesach Krohn. *** The story takes place at the moment the Titanic hit the iceberg and began to sink into the ocean. Panic broke out as passengers were scrambling to get to the lifeboats. Through the chaos, Leah Aks nervously clutched her newborn son Ephraim Fishel, as she tried to safely get onto a lifeboat. One man was trying to cut the line in front of the women and children but repeatedly was stopped by the stewards. The man was furious. With his eyes bulging and in a fit of madness, he exclaimed, “You say women and children come first! Well, you’ll see!” He spotted Leah Aks, tore the baby from her arms, and threw him overboard. Leah screamed hysterically, helplessly calling for her child, but there was nothing to do. The brokenhearted Leah was rushed onto a lifeboat. After drifting for three hours another boat named

Carpathia came to rescue those lucky enough to leave the Titanic. Overcome by grief, Leah walked on the Carpathia bridge and saw a woman holding a baby in her arms. When the child made a move towards Leah, she recognized him immediately and began to scream: “It’s my baby, it’s him!” The lady holding the baby claimed that it fell from the sky onto her lap when she was escaping the Titanic and that this had been a sign from G-d that the child should be in her care. The two women began arguing over whose baby it was, and ﬁnally, the captain was brought in to decide. Leah thought of the baby’s circumcision and realized it would save him because at that time only Jewish babies in Europe were circumcised. She told the captain that she had proof that the baby was hers and that all he had to do was open the baby’s diaper. When the captain saw that indeed the child was circumcised, Ephraim Fishel was reunited with his mother. He and Leah were the only mother-child duo that survived from the third deck of the Titanic. It is clear that the baby’s circumcision provided him with a special protection on the perilous journey. *** This is what Pesach is about as we tap into our Jewish covenant on the holiday. We connect to our past and relive the story of Egypt, and by doing so, we strengthen our bond with

Hashem. Year after year, generation after generation, we have kept this tradition strong, just like we have kept the mitzvah of bris milah. “I said to you, ‘With your blood, live,’ and I said to you, ‘With your blood, live’” (Ezekial 16:6). We say the phrase at both a bris milah and at the Pesach Seder to reaﬃrm our commitment and our unyielding faith to the Al-mighty and to strengthen our Jewish identity. To bring this idea full circle, many people do not realize that Eliyahu’s long-standing invitation to bris milah was a lesson for him. In Sefer Melachim, Eliyahu complains about the Jewish people saying, “They have abandoned your covenant” (Melachim 19:10). Hashem responds by sending Eliyahu to every bris throughout the age to testify that B’nai Yisrael has not abandoned its covenant. And thus, Eliyahu goes to every bris milah and Pesach Seder as testimony that we have kept our bond with Hashem. The blood of the bris milah and the blood of the Korban Pesach that we celebrate on Seder night have been linchpins in that process. Because we have kept this tradition for so long and kept our identities sacrosanct, may Eliyahu Ha’Navi come and announce the ﬁnal redemption speedily in our days.

Rabbi Benny Berlin is the rabbi at the BACH in Long Beach.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

From the Fire Pesach

Do You Have a Father? By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

ccording to many poskim, one may fulfill the mitzvah of V’higaddita la’bincha, teaching the story of the exodus from Egypt to children, through an agent. According to this opinion, the main purpose of the mitzvah is that the children should hear the story. It is not a mitzvah that must be fulfilled personally like tefillin, which may not be performed through an agent. The sefer B’tzeil Hachochma (Vol. 6:67) and Teshuvos V’hanhagos (Vol 2:215) advocate this approach. According to this view, the mitzvah to teach the story of the Exodus is like the mitzvah of bris mila and teaching Torah to one’s children, which may also be fulfilled through an agent. Along similar lines, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l, rules (Halichos Shlomo 111) that when many people are gathered together for a Seder, each father need not individually recount the Exodus to his own son privately. It is perfectly acceptable for one person to lead the Seder, recounting the story of the Exodus to everyone present. It is not even necessary for each father to specifically appoint the leader as his agent to fulfill the mit z va h of recounting the E x odus to his son. His role as agent for ever yone

you shall make them known to your children and your children’s children.” The reason behind this rule is that the grandfather is preferable to anyone else in the world because he is one generation closer to our acceptance of the Torah on Sinai. He is therefore a most ﬁtting Torah teacher if one’s father cannot teach his son himself. We must further examine this relationship between the generations as it applies at the Seder.

Being a Father, a Son, and a Firstborn

present is obvious and need not be spelled out. The sefer B’tzeil Hachochma even adds that the usual principle of (Kiddushin 41a) “It is better to fulfill a mitzvah personally than through an agent” is not applicable. There is no reason to avoid fulfilling the mitzvah through an agent. There are, however, those who disagree with these poskim. Most notably, Rav Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, in Chazon Ovadia (p. 323), rules that one may not fulfill the mitzvah of teaching his children about the exodus on Seder through an agent. He explains that the lesson of emunah in

Hashem of the Seder night only truly enter a child’s heart when taught by his or her father. According to this view, the father should teach his children about the Exodus, or at least personally join in the discussions regarding the Exodus at the Seder. In addition, grandfathers also have a mitzvah to recount the exodus to their grandchildren as the pasuk (Shmos 10:2) says, “In order that you shall tell your son and your son’s son how I made a mockery of Egypt...” This is similar to the ruling of the Haﬂo’oh (on Kiddushin 30a), who rules that if a father is unable to teach his son Torah, it is preferable that the child’s grandfather teach him instead, based on the pasuk (Devarim 4:9), “A n d

The haftorah for Shabbos Hagadol ends with the pasuk (Malachi 3:2324), “Behold I will send you Eliyahu Hanavi before the coming of the great and awesome day of Hashem, that he may turn the heart of the fathers back through their children and the heart of the children back through their fathers.” The Midrash (Shmos Raba 3) says, commenting on these psukim, Our Sages say that a sign of the original redemption was that the Jewish people descended to Egypt with the word “I,” as the pasuk (Bereishis 46:4) says, “I will go down with you to Egypt.” And Hashem took us out of Egypt with the word “I.” And it is a sign of the ﬁnal redemption that the Jewish people will be healed and redeemed with the word “I,” as the pasuk says “Behold I will send you Eliyahu Hanavi...” According to the Midrash, the key to exile and our original redemption, as well as our ﬁnal redemption, is one word, “anochi, I.” The nature of the original exile and redemption, and our current exile and upcoming redemption, are connected. In order to

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

understand how this is so, we must first delve into nature of the conflict between the essence of the Jewish people and the nature of Egypt. And in order to do that, we shall examine the first words Hashem commanded Moshe to relate to Pharaoh, which were (Shmos 4:22-23), “‘My son, my firstborn, Israel... Release my son that he may serve me’ and he will refuse to release him [tell Pharaoh], ‘Behold I will kill your son, your firstborn.” We therefore see that Hashem sets up the process of the Exodus from Egypt as a battle between the Jewish concept of “firstborn” and the Egyptian concept of “firstborn.” We must now understand the inner meaning of this struggle. Before we can understand the difference between the Jewish and Egyptian concepts of “firstborn,” we must first understand the more general concepts of what it means to be a father or a son, what it means to be a firstborn, and why it is that (Avos 3:14) “the Jewish people are so precious that they are called children of the Omnipresent.” In order to understand these concepts better, we must use a principle we received from Rav Tzadok Hakohein (Machcheves Charutz 86, Yisroel Kedoshim 33, and elsewhere). Rav Tzadok taught that if we want to understand the essence of a concept, we must look at the first place in Tanach where the word which refers to that concept is found. The way the word is used there teaches us the deepest essence of the meaning underlying that word. The word for “father” is used for the first time in Bereishis 4:20-21, although it is not used in the context of a biological relationship. The pesukim there say as follows: “And Ada gave birth to Yaval, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle and the name of his brother was Yuval, he was the father of all those who grasp the lyre and flute.” We therefore see that the essence of what it means to be a “father” has nothing to do with biology. These individuals, Yaval and Yuval, initiated new ways of doing things, they blazed new trails such that anyone else who followed in their path throughout history is like their child and they are that person’s parents, who brought them into that way of life. Yuval, as the father of music, brought the potential of all future music into the world such that

anyone who creates music from his time until now is merely actualizing an element of the potential for that music which Yuval brought into the world. Being a father really means beginning a path and bringing others along that path after him. We can now infer from the essence of the concept of “father,” what it means to be a son. Being a son means continuing in one’s father’s path, actualizing the potential one’s father brought into the world and continuing in his ways. The Tanya (Perek 2) explains the deep connection between a father and son in detail. Chazal (Eruvin 70b) characterize a son as the leg of the father. The legs of a person move him forward. Similarly, one’s children pick up where he leaves oﬀ, continuing in his path and often accomplishing

potential. One apple tree with all of its apples and seeds can produce billions of apples over centuries to come. That is one reason why man, Adam, is named for the word for earth. Being a true human being means constantly actualizing one’s potential. If someone remains static, without growing, that is a type of failure because it violates the essence of man’s nature. That is why Chazal call one’s children his legs. They follow in his path and bring his hopes and dreams to fruition. That is why the Torah emphasizes the mitzvah of honoring one’s father and mother so much. The essence of the son is to actualize the potential within his parents. This is the essence of our mesorah, our holy tradition which we pass on from generation to generation. It is also the essence of the concept of “ﬁrstborn,” since a ﬁrstborn

The whole purpose of the Seder is to reconnect the generations so that the children learn to look at their parents and grandparents as guides to teach them their path in life.

things that he may not have been able to achieve in his lifetime for whatever reason. Indeed, the root of Yuval’s name means “to bring,” because, as the father of music, he brings that path in life from the past into the future. Being a child therefore means being the parent’s legs. That implies movement. On a spiritual level, people are not meant to remain static. Rather, we must constantly move from one level to the next. Hashem’s ﬁrst commandment to our father Avraham was “Lech, lecha, Go!” The Torah is called a “path,” as the pasuk (Shmos 18:20) says, “And you shall make known to them the path on which they should walk.” The essence of man, who was created from the earth, is to take what came before him and move it forward more and more. That is the essence of the productivity of man. The essence of the earth, the original birthplace of man, is not that which is in it but what it can produce. It has inﬁnite

child is the first stage of the process of bringing the path of the Torah into the next generation. According to the Vilna Gaon (end of Safra D’Tzneiusa), “The first child [whether male or female] is like a parent to all of the other children.” Similarly, Rav Tzadok Hakohen wrote (Resisei Layla) that “it is known that the firstborn have an elevated status because he includes all those born after him within himself, and this is the reason for the obligation to honor one’s oldest brother as explained by the Arizal...” The firstborn therefore shares the quality of his parents relative to his siblings because he began the process of bringing his parents’ way of life into the next generation. That is why the Torah (Devarim 21:17) calls a firstborn son “reishis ono, the beginning of

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[his father’s] strength.” He is the one who “makes” his father a father. Until a man has children, he is just an aleph, which has the numerical value of the number one. He is just one individual person. But when he has his first child, he adds the quality of “two,” the letter beis, so he is then an av, a father, which is spelled with the letters alef and beis. A firstborn son has two qualities. On one hand, he is his father’s son, but he is also like a father to his siblings who come after him. It is because of this double quality that he inherits a double portion of his father’s property. This “double-ness” is the essence of a firstborn. Indeed, the word for a firstborn, bechor, equals the number two three times, i.e., 222.

Being G-d’s Firstborn All of this provides the groundwork for us to understand why the Jewish people are described as “bni, bechori, Yisroel, my son, my firstborn, Israel.” Hashem is the Creator and “first cause” of the world at large, in regard to which the pasuk (Koheles 5:7) says, “For the Highest over the high, over whom there are even higher ones, waits.” Only the Jewish people are called G-d’s “children” and his “firstborn.” Out of everything and everyone in the world, Hashem has only one “firstborn.” Based on what we have learned, we now understand that this is because we are Hashem’s “legs,” so to speak. Our role is to actualize His dreams and hopes. We are the means by which Hashem moves His great project forward. We are, as it were, the ones who make Hashem into “our Father,” as the pasuk (Yirmiyahu 2:3) says, “The Jewish people are sanctified to Hashem, His first fruits.” Only Hashem’s firstborn can move His project forward through the Torah, which is also called “first,” as the pasuk (Mishlei 8:22) says, “Hashem acquired me [the Tor a h] at the beginning of His way before His ancient

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works.” The amazing thing is that the centerpiece of the recounting of the Exodus at the Seder comes from some of the verses (Devarim 26:5-10) recited by those bringing their “first fruits” to Yerushalayim. By bringing these first fruits to Hashem, the Jewish people rectify the curses of (Bereishis 3:1718), “the earth shall be cursed because of you,” and “thorns and thistles will grow for you.” When Hashem’s “first” born bring their “first” fruits, it serves as a part of the rectification of the original sin and curse of Adam. They recount the story of the Exodus, in which they say, as homiletically explained in the Haggadah, “Arami oved avi, an Aramean attempted to destroy my father.” He tried to destroy the concept of “father.” At the time of Adam, the snake tried to cut off Adam and Chava from their Father above, which lead to the ground being cursed. By connecting themselves to their forefathers by recounting the Exodus when they brought their first fruits from the ground which produced produce rather than thorns and thistles, they demonstrate that they are still connected to their ancestors and to their Father above. The exodus from Egypt was the ultimate showdown between the Jewish concept of firstborn and the Egyptian concept of firstborn. The Egyptian concept of firstborn was that all man needs is within him and before him. He needs nothing from the past and need not look above for anything he needs. This is why Moshe’s first words to Pharaoh were that his “firstborn” would be killed. A major purpose of the Exodus was to “kill” the Egyptian concept of firs born. As we say in the Shacharis davening, “You killed their firstborn and redeemed the firstborn of Israel.” The Exodus served as the destruction of the Egyptian concept of firstborn and the victor y of the Jewish concept of firstborn, i.e., that we must look above us and into

the past to the path which we carry forward into the future. On the deepest level, the root of evil and heresy in the world is the modern Western world’s eﬀort to sever the connection between fathers and sons, between parents and children. The world teaches us that we as a society and our children as individuals do not come from anywhere. Each exist as independent realities which do not need to build on anything greater than themselves or continue any project bigger their own individual lives. The Torah (Bamidbar 24:20) describes the nation which represents ultimate evil as “Amalek is the ﬁrst of the nations and his fate is everlasting destruction.” Their focus is only on their end. They have no beginning. For them, there is no “in the beginning, G-d created...” There is no Father. They recognize only themselves. Egypt, too, is called (Yechezkel 29:3) “The great serpent.” The serpent

of magic. Hebrew uses the word keshafim for magic (Sanhedrin 67b) because magic “denies the hosts above.” Instead of walking, of moving forward, like a man, Egypt, the serpent, “slithers on [its] belly.” It wants everything to be right in front of it so that it need not ever look up or back. When we are redeemed, that redemption will also include (Yeshayahu 27:13) “those exiled in the land of Egypt.” What does it mean for us to be exiled in Egypt? It means that we and our children are cut off from the generations before us. Over the last fifty years, Western society around us delivers books, comics, and movies depicting children as the main characters with no parents in the picture at all. This is an effort to kill the concept of fatherhood. Even when parents do figure into today’s stories, they are usually pitiful, incompetent characters or worse. This is especially true with regard to how fathers are

Being a true human being means

constantly actualizing one’s potential. in Eden was cursed (Bereishis 3:14) with “and you shall eat dust all of the days of your life.” The fact that the snake had everything it needed right under its nose without the need to look to Hashem or anything or anyone outside of itself for its sustenance was considered the ultimate curse. So too, Egypt was described (Bereishis 13:10): “like the garden of G-d was the land of Egypt.” Because Egypt received all of its sustenance from the overflowing of the Nile and never had to depend on rain, they also had everything that they needed without realizing that they had to look Above for anything. This is why the Egyptian concept of “firstborn” was that they were totally self-sufficient and had no need to look into the past or to their Father above for their sustenance. Egypt was full

portrayed. There is no sense of recognition that the previous generation has anything to offer or any path that must be carried forward. Pharaoh says (Yechezkel 29:3), “The river is mine, and I made it.” It appears that Pharaoh was delusional; that he thought that he made the Nile. But that is the “firstborn” attitude of Egypt. It is the attitude of “there was nothing worthwhile before me. Everything starts with me, and I need not look elsewhere.” Today too, we have come to expect that we do not have to look anywhere but under our own noses for anything. One goes to a single “super” market for everything he needs. He can find all information in the world and communicate with anyone, anywhere using a device he carries in his pocket. This culture cultivates a feeling that the world begins and ends with one’s self. In reality, the original firstborn son was Reuven, Yaakov’s first s on,

about whom he said, “You are my firstborn, my power and my first strength.” Yaakov did not focus on his ani, his ego. Rather, his focus was on oni, “my strength,” on Hashem which powered him. The only “I” Yaakov was focused on was the “I will go down with you to Egypt,” that Hashem would take us out of Egypt with the word “I,” and finally, “Behold I will send you Eliyahu Hanavi...” When Eliyahu comes, the pasuk says he will return the hearts of the fathers to the sons and the hearts of the sons to the fathers. We will see the restoration of the connection between the generations. The Egyptian attitude is the focus on the external, while our focus is on the internal. That is why, on the night of the Exodus, we were commanded (Shemos 12:22-23), “And no man shall go out of his house until morning. And Hashem will pass to smite Egypt and He will see the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts and He will jump over the door and He will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite.” On Pesach, we have to focus on life within the home, and we may not leave. Even non-observant Jews usually recognize that Pesach is the time to be home with the family. Pesach is the time for parents and children to be together, for the children to ask questions, and for parents and grandparents to communicate the chain of tradition of faith to the next generations so that they continue in that path.

Do You Have a Father? Many of our minhagim at the Seder are speciﬁcally designed (Rambam, Chometz U’Matza 7:3) “so that the children should see and ask questions.” The whole purpose of the Seder is to reconnect the generations so that the children learn to look at their parents and grandparents as guides to teach them their path in life. The message is clear: “You have a father! You come from somewhere deep and ancient! Turn your heart to your father and carry on his path!” In the modern world, there is no father. He has been killed. In the classic Greek myth of Oedipus Rex, the main character killed his father, the king, so that he could become king. That is the attitude today. One Jewish professor wrote that there are two types of relationships between fathers and sons: “Me

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

or you” or “Me and you.” The modern Western world celebrates the individual at the expense of the collective. Therefore, parents attempt to calculate how they can most effectively limit their children’s freedom, while the children plan and scheme how they can free themselves of their parents and their old, outmoded ways. The Jewish way is that the father should be viewed as the source, the go-to person for the children to learn a way of life. Fathers also attempt to provide a framework in which their children should live but not for the purpose of enslaving them or hampering their freedom. Rather, the goal is to bring them into an elevated way of life, to sign them up for the great mission for which our people were appointed. The goal is to liberate them to be who they truly are and fulfill the potential of who they can become. The father’s goal is to implant within his children the faith that Rav Kook spoke so often about, “to believe in one’s own inner essence,” to believe in the Divine spark within them and the great destiny that awaits them. Without a father, without any transmission of the truth of a path in life, there can be no true sense of identity and therefore no freedom. That is why the Haggadah presents cutting one’s self off from tradition, from the Jewish people, as the ultimate heresy, when it says about the wicked son, “He removed himself from the community [and thereby] denies a fundamental principle of faith.” The yahrzeit of Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik is coming up on the fourth day of Pesach. I was moved to the core by a story from his childhood in Khaslavich which was included the book, Vision and Leadership. I will quote a few paragraphs which affected me deeply: By sheer association, I recall an experience of my early youth. I was then about seven or eight years old. I attended cheder in Khaslavich, a small town on the border of White Russia and Russia proper. My father was the rabbi of the town. My teacher was a “Chabadnik,” a follower of the Lubavitcher Rebbe[, the Rebbe Rashab]... He taught me how to experience Judaism and not just practice it. The episode that I am about to relate took place on a murky winter day in January. I still remember the day; it was cloudy and overcast. It was

after the Chanukah festival, and the Torah portion of the week was Vayigash (Gen. 44:18-47:27). With the end of Chanukah, the little serenity which this festival brought into the monotonous and listless lives of these poor Jews passed... As far as the boys from the cheder were concerned, a long a desolate winter lay ahead. It was a period in which we had to get up while it was still dark and then return home with lanterns in our hands because nightfall was so early. On that particular day, all the boys were in a depressed mood –listless, lazy and sad. We recited – or I would rather say chanted mechanically – the ﬁrst sentences of Parshat Vayigash in a dull monotone. We read mechanically: “Then Judah approached him [Joseph] and said: … My lord asked his servants saying: ‘Have you a father or brother?’ And we said to my lord: ‘We have an old father, an av zeken, and a young child of his old age, a yeled

phrased the question diﬀerently: Is your father still alive?” (cf. Gen. 43:24). To argue with the melamed was useless. As he began to speak, he no longer addressed himself to the boys. The impression he gave was that he was speaking to some mysterious visitor, a guest who had come into the cheder, into that cold room... “Joseph,” the melamed continued with fervor, “was anxious to know whether they felt themselves committed to their roots, to their origins. Are you, Joseph asked the brothers, rooted in your father? Do you look upon him the way the branches or blossoms look upon the roots of the tree? Do you look upon your father as the foundation of your existence? Do you see him as provider and sustainer of your existence? Or are you a band of rootless shepherds who forget their makor, their origin, and wander from place to place, from pasture to pasture?” Suddenly, he stopped addressing

We are both past-minded and future-oriented. zekunim’” (44:19-20). Then something strange happened. The melamed, the teacher, who was half asleep while the boy was droning on the words in Yiddish and in Hebrew, suddenly jumped to his feet with a strange, enigmatic gleam in his eyes. He leaped to his feet like a lion. He usually had velvety blue eyes, but suddenly his eyes became piercing, searching, and investigating. He motioned to the reader to stop and turned to me, “Podrabin!” – assistant to the rabbi, as he called me whenever he was excited – “What kind of question did Joseph ask his brothers? ‘Do you have a father?’ Of course, they have a father; everybody has a father! The only person who had no father was the first man of creation, Adam. But whoever is born into this world has a father. What kind of question was it?” I tried to answer. “Joseph,” I finally said, “meant to find out whether the father was still alive.” “In such a case,” the melamed thundered back at me, “he should have

himself to the strange visitor and he began to talk to us. Raising his voice, he asked: “Are you modest and humble? Do you admit that the old father represents an old tradition? Do you believe that the father is capable of telling you something new, something exciting, something challenging, something you did not know before? Or are you insolent, arrogant, and vain, denying your dependence upon your father and your makor?” “Do you have a father?!” exclaimed the melamed, pointing at my studymate Yitzik, who was considered the town’s prodigy. The melamed turned to him and said: “What do you say? Who knows more, you or your father the blacksmith who can hardly read Hebrew? Are you proud, Yitzik, of your father?” he asked. “Do you feel humble in his presence? Do you have a father?”... The answer the sons

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of Jacob gave to Joseph must hold true even today. We are still committed to our “old father,” to a great mysterious past and to eternal ideals. Only this can account for our mourning for a Temple consumed by fire nearly two thousand years ago; only this can account for our deep attachment to the Land of Israel. We are committed not only to a great past but to a glorious future, to the “young child.” The child is our ambassador of the future. We behold a great vision of tomorrow, and we know that in order to realize it we must know how to bring up and educate the child. We are both past-minded and future-oriented.” There is an ancient Jewish custom that the first word the child says when asking the four questions is Tatteh leben, dear father. One time, a child left out the phrase “dear father,” when asking the four questions in front of Rav Yissochar Dov of Belz. The Belzer Rebbe corrected him, “You left out the most important part of the four questions! We want Hashem to answer all of our questions and teach us the Torah. But we must first recognize that we have a precious Father above!” The Seder concludes with Chad gadyah, “the little lamb that father bought for two zuzim.” Hashem invested the two zuzim of the Torah in us and thereby brought us into a way of life to make us His legs in this world, to give Him a dwelling place in this lower world. May we merit to celebrate Pesach together next year in Yerushalayim with the coming of Moshiach and the return of parents’ hearts to their children and the children’s hearts to their parents. 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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Our GermanMade Passover Seder Plates By Mendel Horowitz

torytelling is a central feature of the Passover holiday. The imperative for Jews to retell our history assures that our children will never forget it. During the Holocaust, traditional Passover seder texts were handwritten in ghettos from memory. Survivors illustrated Holocaust-themed Haggadahs in displaced persons camps after the war. “In every generation, they stand above us to destroy us,” laments the traditional narrator, “and the Holy One, blessed be He, rescues us from their hands.” To accompany the familiar narrative, on our Passover table, heirlooms link my children tangibly to their past. Incorporating their material objects into our rituals is both an homage to our ancestors’ determination and a prayer for the perpetuation of their faith. Ideally, we can meet the bearable challenges of our times by appreciating how our predecessors confronted the unbearable diﬃculties of theirs. In a time of uncertainty and inconvenient isolation, these relics can help to put social distancing in perspective and encourage us to maintain resilience and hope. As the coronavirus spread in March 2020, my daughter and I transported an heirloom set of Rosenthal china in two overweight carry-ons and one bulging knapsack on a ﬂight to Israel from New York. Before escaping the carnage of Europe for the United States in 1949, Zaidy Victor and Bubby Bella had the presence of mind to purchase quality German china manufactured in the U.S. Zone. Traumatized in ways I could not imagine, these two refugees

made their way to Philadelphia with two young children and enough plates and saucers for a family of 12. Wrapped snugly in bubble-wrap cocoons, the delicate gold-rimmed dishes were making their second transatlantic journey. In an honoring of the past, we were transporting the relics to a sovereign Jewish state after survivors of genocide salvaged them from a country that had sought their annihilation. Symbols of perseverance and desire, the dishes would adorn our Passover table in Jerusalem, and remind us how, from ugliness, beauty can be reclaimed. In ordinary times, the tableware might have become a sentimental curiosity. During the pandemic, the artifacts take on more significance. While the history of anti-Semitism is unmistakable, without overt persecution, the hyperboles of Passover can ring flat. During the pandemic, when the danger is indiscriminate and viral, fear and uncertainty resonate more loudly. While the coronavirus pandemic is no Holocaust, dramatizing the Passover narrative is tempting. How is this Passover night different? With the threat of infection on every doorpost and disappointment spread widely like a plague, like last year, on this Passover night, few things will feel the same. On a typical Passover, orchestrating an enjoyable seder can be challenging. Rituals can seem tiresome. Not every participant is attentive to the text. During a precautionary lockdown – as was imposed almost everywhere in the world last Passover – the challenge is magnified. Last year, men and women who

Bella Rubinstein on Pesach, 1995

ordinarily conducted seders with many guests and/or extended family members found themselves virtually alone. This year, in certain communities in the Diaspora, on March 27, the eve of the holiday which is routinely boisterous and observed in groups will again need to be reimagined and observed more intimately. (In Israel, the restrictions imposed on Seders in 2020 are being lifted.) With fewer guests to indulge and less extended family to engage with, the festival looms strangely. Individuals who have seldom prepared a holiday meal will be tasked to produce meaningful feasts. Parents will isolate themselves from children and children from parents. Communities will still be grieving. The circumstances call for improvisation and some families are more resourceful than the next. I think of Passover during the Holocaust and other periods of terror and confusion. At a time when celebrating might have seemed naive, some Jewish fugitives found fortitude in ceremonies. Others had the idealism and faith to peer ahead. While vaccinations are bringing hope, the coronavirus is still menacing. When my enthusiasm for the holiday wavers, I can check myself against the courage of my predecessors. When my foreboding whispers, I can set the holiday table and channel the enthusiasm of those grandparents who saw more hardship than I could know and persevered. After liberation, Zaidy Victor and Bubby Bella took refuge in the Foehrenwald Displaced Persons camp in Germany with their son, Mendel. Their lives as Polish chassidim had

become suddenly extinct. In a short time, the resolute couple would birth a daughter, Rifka, and make their way to a New World. Alone and defiant, the small family would begin life anew in a Golden Land. Like those Jews who fled the first holocaust of Pharaoh millennia ago, the fugitives would never look back. I cannot imagine the wartime atrocities or the foresight necessary to purchase dinnerware in the aftermath of genocide. The Rosenthal china was a physical reminder of what was lost and of what could be had. Zaidy and Bubby would bring their resourcefulness to Philadelphia, where, with strength and ingenuity, they would add succeeding chapters to their tale. The coronavirus pandemic is not a world war, and contemporary challenges are trivial in contrast to our grandparents’ travails. Still, in these volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous times, I can remind myself that personal contributions matter. After taking necessary health precautions, my family and I will adorn our seder table with antique china and other nostalgic adornments. From wine-stained Haggadahs, we will recount time-honored stories and add to them our family’s ordeal. And in the spirit of our great ancestors, we will demonstrate that the foundation of survival is both devotion and the optimism to believe that better days lie ahead.

Mendel Horowitz, a psychotherapist, is working on a book about Orthodox Jewish men, group therapy and faith.

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Delving into the Daf

Charoses: Bricks, Straws, and Blood By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

always marvel at the plethora of new Pesach products that come out every year. Canned charoses is one that I haven’t seen until this year. Of course, many remember with nostalgia the box from the Yeshiva of Telshe that used to arrive in the mail with two silver pouches of prepared charoses. The pouch came with instructions: “To give the Haroset its proper texture, add a bit of wine, mix with fork.” At the time of this writing, one such box is being sold on eBay and it currently has 13 bids. Tosfos and the Rambam rule that charoses is actually a bona fide mitzvah, more than just a custom. Therefore, scrupulous individuals take the opportunity to be personally involved in creating this mitzvah dip. The Rambam writes in his commentary to Mishnayos that, according to the accepted opinion that charoses is a mitzvah, one should actually recite a separate bracha over it: “Al achilas charoses.” However, he later modified his opinion and rules that no special bracha is recited. The Tur explains that the charoses is considered secondary to the marror and therefore the bracha of “al achilas marror” covers the charoses as well. This is somewhat similar to the bracha that is recited on the lulav, “al netilas lulav.” There are four species that we use to fulfill the mitzvah on Sukkos. Yet, there is no special bracha for the esrog, hadassim, and aravos. This is because the bracha we recite on the lulav covers them as well. To some, the recipe of charoses is highly personal, and they would never dream of using prepared charoses. Moreover, some charoses recipes are simply not available for purchase. Perhaps the most unique recipe for charoses is one that contains crushed

brick. Now your jaw might drop when you hear this jaw-breaking recipe, yet there is a recorded custom that people added crushed brick to their charoses. The Gemara says that, according to Rebbe Yochanon, charoses symbolizes the mortar that the Egyptians made us use in the manufacture of bricks. What can possibly be more authentic to symbolize the cement than actually adding crushed brick to the charoses?! The Maharam Lonzono was aghast when he heard of this custom. He remarked, “Are you supposed to make yourself bleed on Purim to recall the murderous decrees?!” Certainly not. He reasoned that adding

should be ground well to remember the cement. It should not be liquidy or chunky. On that note, Tosfos senses a contradiction. The Gemara here seems to suggest that the charoses should be thick like cement. Yet, in other places, the Gemara said that the charoses should be treated halachicly like a liquid. Therefore, he opines that one

Perhaps the most unique recipe for charoses is one that contains crushed brick. crushed brick is simply taking the symbolism too far. He suggested that the custom arose from an errant text in the Rashbam. The text of the Rashbam in our published Gemara actually reads “Earthenware (CheReS) that is ground well to remember the cement.” (Pesachim 116a) It seems to totally support the custom of adding inedible dust to the charoses. However, the Maharam said the elimination of the Hebrew letter “sof” made the charoses really tough. The word was not supposed to be “CheReS” but “ChaRoSeS”. The last letter was left off. With the proper text, the Rashbam is saying that the charoses

should initially make the charoses thick, and when the time for dipping comes, one should add red wine to it to liquify it. This recalls the blood that the Egyptians shed. This custom cannot be fulfilled, however, when the seder night is on Shabbos. Adding wine to the thick charoses would be considered the melacha of kneading. The Gemara relates that the merchants of Yerushalayim would cry out, “Come and purchase spices for the mitzvah [of charoses]” What is the purpose of these spices? The Rashbam says they symbolize the straw that was used in the brick-making process. The Rema

comments that one should use ginger or cinnamon because they resemble straw. Whereupon, the Mishna Berura comments that the spices mentioned by the Rema “cannot be ground well and resemble straw.” From the comment cited in the Dirshu it seems that the Steipler Gaon would grate the spices himself with a meat grinder so that the spices should remain long. It would seem that one who uses ground cinnamon for charoses has totally lost the symbolism of straw. Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, writes, “People season the charoses with ground cinnamon. But this is needless because ground spices do not symbolize straw. I am surprised that we neglect to enhance our mitzvah performance by obtaining this ingredient.” (Laws of the Seder-Kol Dodi) He notes with approval that in recent times it became possible to obtain cinnamon sticks for Pesach. It’s quite ironic that it would seem that there is more of a basis for adding ground brick to charoses than ground cinnamon! However, according to Rav Dovid, zt”l, we should add neither.

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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Chol Hamoed Places to Go, Things to Do

This year, Pesach comes out as trees are blossoming and the sun shines in its glory. We hope to have balmy temperatures as we celebrate Chag HaAviv, but remember that nothing warms you up more than enjoying quality time together. Take advantage and spend time with the family during chol hamoed – indoors or outdoors. TJH has compiled a list of ideas, activities, and places to go for you to enjoy. Make sure to pack enough food (macaroons, matzah and marshmallows!) and music for the road and have fun!

Zoos and Farms

Floral Park, NY 11004 718-347-3276

Melville, NY 11747 631-351-9373

Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway,

White Post Farms 250 Old County Road,

New York Aquarium Surf Avenue & West 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224 718-265-FISH

Lawrence Hardware 589 Burnside Ave. Inwood, NY 11096 (516) 371-2900 In the Burnside Plaza (Stop and Shop Center) Sunday 9:30-3:30 Mon-Thurs 7:30-5:30 Friday 7:30-4:30

Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center 431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 631-208-9200 Prospect Park Zoo 450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-399-7339

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Queens Zoo 53-51 111th Street, Flushing, NY 11368 718-271-1500 Central Park Zoo 64th Street & 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10065 212-861-6030 Green Meadows Farm 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11002 718-470-0224 Green Meadows Farm Brooklyn At the Aviator Sports Center 3159 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-470-0278

Bronx Zoo 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460 718-220-5103 Long Island Game Farm 489 Chapman Boulevard, Manorville, NY 11949 631-873-6644 Woodside Orchards 16 Manor Lane, Jamesport, NY 11947 631-722-5770 Schmitt’s Family Farm 26 Pinelawn Road, Melville, NY 11747 631-271-3276

Scenic Attractions Central Park Boating, biking, the Great Lawn, model-boat sailing, carriage rides, carousel

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Between 5th & 8th Avenues and 59th & 106th Streets, New York, NY 212-360-3444

Old Westbury Gardens 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568 516-333-0048

Bryant Park 6th Avenue, between W 40-42 Street, New York, NY 10018 212-768-4242

South Street Seaport 89 South St., New York, NY 10038 212-732-7678

New York Highline Gansevoort St. to West 30 St. between Washington St. and 11 Ave., New York, NY 212-500-6035 Pier 16, South Street Seaport, New York, NY 10038 212-563-3200

Brooklyn Bridge Park 1 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 718-222-9939 Fort Tyron Park Riverside Drive to Broadway, W 192 Street to Dyckman Street, New York, NY New York Circle Line Pier 83, West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens 900 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-623-7200

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferries from Battery Park, NY 1 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004 212-363-3200 Jamaica Bay Riding Academy 7000 Shore Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-531-8949

Brooklyn Heights Promenade Downtown Brooklyn—Remsen Street to Orange Street along the East River The New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458 718-817-8700 Wave Hill Public Gardens 675 W 252 St, Bronx, NY 10471 718-549-3200 Historic Richmond Town 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306 718-351-1611 The Amish Village 199 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA 17572 717-687-8511

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Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355 888-973-2767

Amusement Parks Six Flags Great Adventure 1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527 201-862-0250 Adventureland 2245 Broad Hollow Road (RT 110), Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-694-6868

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Sahara Sam’s Oasis and Water Park & Diggerland 535 N Route 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091 856-767-7580

Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventure Climb and Zipline Bronx River Parkway at Boston Road, Bronx, NY 10460 347-308-9028

Indoor Fun Parks Legoland Discovery Center Westchester 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10701 844-740-9223 Fun Fuzion at New Roc City 19 Lecount Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801 914-637-7575 Fun Station USA 3555 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314 718-370-0077 @ Play Amusement 229 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-980-0267 Laser Bounce 2710 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, NY 11756 516-342-1330 RPM Raceway Go-Karting 40 Daniel St, Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-752-7223 One World Observatory One World Trade Center, 117 West Street, New York, NY 10007 844-OWO-1776

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Chelsea Piers Hudson River—Piers 59-62— New York, NY 212-336-6800

Long Island Adventure Park 75 Colonial Springs Rd, Gate #3, Wyandanch, NY 11798 631-983-3844

Launch Trampoline Park 163-50 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414 718-593-4204

Woodmere Lanes 948 Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598 516-374-9870

Trapeze School NY 467 Marcy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206 212-242-8769

Glow Golf Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City, NY 11530 516-747-3682

Funfest Bowling 6161 Strickland Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-763-6800

Air Trampoline Sports 1850 Lakeland Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 631-619-6000

Smith Point Archery 215 E Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772 631-289-3399

Bounce U 6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11219 347-450-5867

Brooklyn Boulders 575 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 347-834-9066

Skyzone Trampoline Park 33 Lecount Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801 914-740-8272

Chuck E. Cheese 162 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550 516-483-3166

Brooklyn Boulders 23-10 41 Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101 718-482-7078

Skyzone Trampoline Park 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park, NY 11717 631-392-2600

Kids N Shape 162-26 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach, NY 11414 866-567-1989

MetroRock Brooklyn 321 Starr Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237 929-500-7625

Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park 241 Market Street, Yonkers, NY 10710 914-510-9119

WE'RE BACK!

NEW JERSEY NCSY GOES TO

CHOL HAMOED PESACH 2021 Tuesday, March 30th Wednesday, March 31st Park Hours: 10 AM - 7 PM Reservations required to visit Safari Hours: 10 AM - 3 PM Reservations required to visit

Thursday, April 1st

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

OPTION 3

Theme Park $37.50 + tax (per person)

Wild Safari Drive-Thru $24.00 + tax (per person)

Theme Park and Safari Bundle $52.50 + tax (per person)

Parking pass required

Safari is self-drive no parking required

Parking pass: $22.50 + tax All admission tickets and parking passes must be purchased online!

Tickets will not be available at the gate

Parking pass required

www.ncsygreatadventure.com For groups or more information call (201) 862-0250

Masks and social distancing required. All guests must adhere to Covid guidelines. NEW JERSEY NCSY • 259 CEDAR LANE • TEANECK, NJ 07666

Six Flags accepts card and mobile payments only at all locations. Cash to Card Kiosks are available throughout the park. Kosher for Pesach food will be available for purchase from Riverdale Kosher Market. Full menu will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday only. No outside food allowed. All park and ride openings and closures are determined by Six Flags Great Adventure. Tickets are non-refundable.

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VR World NYC 8 East 34 Street, New York, NY 10016 646-515-0868

Iceland Long Island 3345 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-746-1100

Make It Too 86 Cedarhurst Ave, Cedarhurst, NY 11516 516-341-7660

Dave & Busters 1 Sunrise Mall, Massapequa, NY 11758 516-809-8514

City Ice Pavilion 47-32 32 Place, Long Island City, NY 11101 718-706-6667

Build a Bear Roosevelt Field Mall 630 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 516-248-0027

Dave & Busters 1504 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY 11590 516-542-85011504

Long Beach Ice Arena 150 W Bay Dr, Long Beach, NY 11561 516-705-7385 Lefrak Center Ice Skating 171 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-462-0010

9015 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373 718-289-7135 Artrageous Studio 5 N Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 516-255-5255

Something Different Puppetworks 338 Sixth Avenue, Park Slope, NY 11215 718-965-3391

Once Upon a Dish 659 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 516-742-6030 Baked in Brooklyn 242 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249 718-384-2300

This Pesach focus on the special moments of the seder not the size of your guest list. Keep your seder small and get vaccinated if eligible.

Wear a face covering when you do your Pesach shopping to protect the elderly and vulnerable people in your community.

Keep your seder small and only include immediate household members.

Make an appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

To book your vaccine appointment, call 877-829-4692 (877-VAX-4NYC) or go to nyc.gov/vaccinefinder.

Brooklyn Clay Industries 63 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205 301-395-0143 Color Me Mine 123 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013 212-374-1710 La Mano Pottery 110 West 26 Street, New York, NY 10001 212-627-9450

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

Taro’s Origami Studio 95 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215 718-360-5435

Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10028 800-662-3397

Bury the Hatchet 25 Noble Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222 917-243-9696

Frick Collection 1 E 70 St., New York, NY 10021 212-288-0700 Lower East Side Tenement Museum 103 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002 877-975-3786

2BA Pilot Flight Lessons 9100 Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-662-8887 Union Square Greenmarket Union Square West, New York, NY 10003 212-788-7476

Long Island Children’s Museum 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 516-224-5800

Museums

Skyscape 928 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019 212-549-1941

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street 212-245-0072

Museum of Illusions 77 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10014 212-645-3230

Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, NY 11721 631-854-5579 Liberty Science Center Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305 201-200-1000 Crayola Experience 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042

1-866-875-5263 The Franklin Institute 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-448-1200 Please Touch Museum 4231 Avenue of the Republic (formerly North Concourse Drive), Philadelphia, PA 19131 215-581-3181 Imagine That! Children’s Museum 4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, N.J. 07932 973-966-8000

TJH assumes no responsibility for the kashrus, atmosphere, safety, or accuracy of any event or attraction listed here. Due to COVID, please call before you go. Some places require reservations, are limited in capacity, and have other restrictions in place. Have a great time!

National Museum of Mathematics 11 East 26 Street, New York, NY 10010 212-542-0566 Brooklyn Children’s Museum 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4400

9/11 Memorial and Museum 200 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10006 212-266-5211 Jewish Museum 1109 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128 212-423-3200 Museum of Jewish Heritage 36 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10280 646-437-4202 Living Torah Museum 1603 41 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218 718-851-3215

Jewish Children’s Museum 792 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-467-0600 Children’s Museum of Manhattan 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024 212-721-1234 NYC Fire Museum 278 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013 212-691-1303 American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 212-769-5100

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Harriet Keilson Early Childhood Center experienced a pre-Pesach seder

Whom Do You Trust? By Monet Binder

hen it comes to estate planning, one of the most important factors to consider is choosing the right people to be your trusted agents to step in for you if you cannot manage yourself. In order for your plan to work, you need to have people ready, willing, and able to serve on your behalf. What would be the legal roles you would need to fill in order for your estate plan work? Advance Medical Directives For medical decisions, the most common planning documents we use include a Health Care Proxy, Living Will, and HIPAA Release and Authorization. With these advance medical directives, you can choose an agent you trust to make medical decisions if you are unable to make them yourself. A HIPAA release allows your agent to obtain medical records and speak to treating physicians. With respect to Health Care Proxies and Living Wills, not all documents are created and treated equally. There are secular documents and halachic documents for those who are observant. The difference between them is that with a halachic Health Care Proxy/Living Will, you can designate a reliable rabbinic authority for your agent to consult in case there is a question for your care and treatment. In this way, your agent knows you and your wishes, and you can ensure decisions that are made on your behalf are made according to Jewish law. Powers of Attorney You can also choose one or more people to serve as your agent under a Power of Attorney. The person you choose as your agent in this role would serve for purposes of making financial decisions if you could not make them

yourself. Your agent would be able to do things like pay your bills, manage your pensions, or even run your business if you wanted to give them the broad authority necessary to do that. Or you can make their authority more limiting if you wish. One thing to keep in mind with a Power of Attorney: it can only be used while you are still living. Once you are gone, it would be illegal to use it. The Role of Trustee One of the main planning tools we use are called Trusts. Trusts are truly beneficial for most people. They serve as a Will alternative, or in addition to a Will in your estate plan and prepare you legally for the possibility of incapacity or disability. I can’t imagine anyone wanting their loved ones to be arguing before a judge – who knows nothing about you, your wishes, or your family members – to give them the legal authority to make medical and financial decisions for you because you are unable to make them yourself. When you plan right, you can ensure your family members stay out of court and out of conflict. And, with Trusts, your agent, also known as your Trustee, can distribute your belongings easily, quickly and efficiently without any court intervention whatsoever, while you’re still living and after you’re gone. To find out more about choosing the right agent, call today 718.514.7575 and schedule your appointment. Mention this article and receive your FREE consultation. This is a $500 value, but worth so much more.

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

The Shulamith fourth graders had a publishing party to celebrate the end of their writing unit with Mrs. Garber. Each girl wrote a narrative picture book and shared their books with their friends in small groups

Reliving Yetzias Mitzrayim

he talmidos of the Ganger Early Childhood Division at TAG started Nissan with a “baaaaa-ng!” They entered the auditorium and were transported back to the time of Yetzias Mitzrayim. First, they got to pet the baby sheep who greeted them as they entered, tied

to the bed for the Korban Pesach. Then they sang and danced their way through Krias Yam Suf, noticing the beautiful fruits along the “walls” of the Yam. Finally, they arrived in “Eretz Yisroel” and celebrated the building of the Bais Hamikdash...b’meheira b’yameinu, Amen!

HALB seventh graders learned about the various chessed opportunities at the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC and then packed Pesach packages for Holocaust survivors

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

YIJE Family Ski Day

ho welcomes extended winter weather and plenty of snow? Jamaica Estates skiers do! On a cold March Sunday morning, dozens of Young Israel of Jamaica Estates’ families and

friends eagerly collected their gear and headed out in the wee morning hours to Camelback Resort, to take advantage of the perfect early spring weather. The sun shone brightly as first-timers and experienced skiers alike enjoyed a beautiful day on the

slopes. Driving up in their own vehicles, everyone met up on the mountain for fun as well as a group lunch and Mincha minyan. The trip was organized by Marc Goldmann, president of the YIJE Men’s Club. Marc Goldmann was

looking for a COVID-safe activity to restart the normally very active YIJE Men’s Club family programming. “If the weather holds up, we may try it again on Chol Hamoed!”

Cross River CEO Talks About Moving From the Yeshiva to the C-Suite

aakov Gade, CEO and founder of Cross River Bank, has built a successful enterprise while upholding and supporting his Torah values. In fact, Gade believes that his upbringing and yeshiva background have shaped his character and forged his core values. Recently, he spoke with Touro students about transitioning from the Beit Midrash to the business world. The virtual program was organized jointly by Touro College in Israel and Touro’s Lander Colleges. The yeshiva experience teaches discipline and tenacity and, like a successful career, “it is all about consistency, rigor and taking seriously what you do day in and day out,” said Gade. Yaakov Gade, a member of the Touro College Board of Directors, was born and raised in Paris, France. After earning his MBA, he found his first job at Citibank in Europe. Working for the American bank inspired him to move to the United States where he was eventually hired by Bear Stearns. He settled in the United States, got married and took a couple of years off to study in Kollel. He then restarted his career, a process that included 250 job rejection letters before he was hired again. “The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping-stone is how you use it,” he explained. Gade obtained a banking charter and went on to establish Cross River in 2008 with a model that combines finance and technology. Thirteen years later, the bank is one of the country’s most innovative financial institutions. “Doing well by doing good” is Cross River’s motto, and it infuses Gade’s approach to his job. “We are in the business of financial transactions. That means we are affecting

lives; we help people put food on the table, start small businesses, afford life and invest in their passions.” He shared advice for students who want to transition from yeshiva to the business world without compromising on their values. “First, get a solid education,” he said. Students will need both professional skills and respectable credentials as they enter the job market, according to Gade. “You may pursue a four-year college degree, continue on to graduate or professional school. “Second, challenge yourself; don’t take the path of least resistance. Transition from being a student to behaving and thinking like a professional. Don’t just look for companies that are run like heimish organizations, because those won’t give you a chance to flex your muscles as a professional,” he continued. Gade also stressed the importance of maintaining a deep connection with a rav or mentor as one enters the professional world and journeys through a career. “Your rav will serve as a moral compass and help guide you in upholding strong Torah values in the workplace, no matter where that may be,” he added. “Third, take time at the beginning and end of the day to connect with your core values,” said Gade. “If you start the day by going to shul and learning, you will be in the right frame of mind all day. If you do chessed in the evening, you will be successful no matter how much money you make.” Gade cautioned students not to confuse happiness and financial success. Being successful does not necessarily make someone happy.

“Being happy means you are successful in achieving life’s goals, regardless of how much money you earn,” said Gade. Gade recommended that students take the first step to finding a career that suits their particular strengths by taking the Gallup strength-finding survey, an online tool. Then he went one step further by offering to meet with each student to discuss the results. For more information on Touro’s Lander Colleges visit www.touro.edu/more.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Gesher’s Blue Pre1A students decorated aprons to use to help for Pesach

The Cahal class at HANC K-1 made matzah and charoset from scratch

In Honor of Shuvu’s 30th Anniversary: Shuvu Students and Graduates Make Siyum Kol HaTorah by the Gadol HaDor

Shuvu siyum at the home of Maran Hagaon Horav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita

he Shuvu Network of Schools in Eretz Yisroel marked its 30th anniversary with a historic Siyum Kol HaTorah Kula at the home of Gadol HaDor, Maran Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita. Over the past few months, the boys in the network, the graduates, and the Shuvu Kollel Avreichim learned the entire Shas Bavli, while the girls and graduates learned the entire Tanach. The boys learned their dafim of Shas together with avreichim of the Knesset Yisroel Mosdos, which also created an invaluable kesher between them. Shuvu’s Director Rabbi Chaim Michoel Gutterman exclaimed excitedly that “this really is a unique event, and I believe the very first time in history that a Kiruv network

is making such a siyum!” The learning and siyum were dedicated l’ilui nishmas Shuvu’s founder Hagaon Harav Avrohom Pam, zt”l, and also Rav Avrohom Wolfson, zt”l, son of Shuvu’s greatest supporter who passed away several months ago. Two siyumim took place at the event, by representatives of the thousands of learners. The first was by 17-year-old Moshe Detsky, a graduate of Shuvu Bat Yam, who was Misayem Masechet Nedarim. Moshe is well on his way towards making his own Siyum Hashas next year, iy”H. The second siyum was of Masechet Bechoros, made by R’ Dovid Rachlis, an avreich from Shuvu’s Kollel, who personally learned some 300 dafim in Kodshim for the siyum.

Harav Reuven Feinstein, Harav Elya Brudny, and Harav Aaron Pam at the USA Shuvu siyum

Following the siyum the crowd burst into spontaneous song of Ashrei Mi Shagadol BaTorah, while Reb Chaim drank from the special siyum wine. Rav Kolodetzky quoted the Brisker Rav that at any siyum the Taanaim and Amoraim of that Masechta are present, and therefore at a Siyum Shas, all of the Tanaim and Amoraim are present. “The Ribbono Shel Olam too is present at this siyum more than at any other Ssyum, as He loves and appreciates those who bring back His children, and Shuvu brings them back to learn His Torah.” That same evening, the USA held a siyum event as well, with the participation of Hagaon Harav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, head of Shuvu’s Nesius in the U.S., and Hagaon Harav

Elya Brudny, shlita, member of the Nesius, and Shuvu’s co-chairmen R’ Avrohom Biderman and R’ Yossi Hoch. Rav Gutterman said, “The siyum by Reb Chaim was the peak of the last few months, where thousands of children, boys and girls, graduates and Aareichim all learned intensively towards this Siyum Kol HaTorah Kula and all received great chizuk being part of such a major and uniting project. And of course, the talmidim and graduates who were zocheh to actually participate in the historic ma’amad by Reb Chaim received especially great chizuk and kochos, as did we of the Shuvu hanhalla, towards continuing on with our shlichus of chinuch yaldei Yisroel.”

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Gesher students enjoyed their pre-Pesach matzah bakery

HALB eighth graders volunteered with the Leon Mayer Fund to ensure everyone gets what they need before Pesach

The Cahal girls at Shulamith grades 1-2 replicated Kriyas Yam Suf and collected treasures. They made them into beautiful yom tov bracelets

Model Matzah Bakery at IVDU LI

he students and staff at IVDU LI hosted their very own model matzah bakery, with the students involved in every step of the process. In conjunction with their life skills curriculum, the oldest class, led by Mrs. Leah Rivka Karr, helped plan and set up the matzah bakery for all of the IVDU LI students. From aprons and hats to rolling pins and hole makers, the bakery was fully equipped to bake homemade matzah. Using their executive functioning skills to determine the best way to organize themselves, their materials and work space, the boys helped demonstrate the process for the younger students and assisted them in making their own matzahs as well. Everyone enjoyed the process, from mixing the flour and water and rolling the dough, to making the holes

with special tools and transferring it to the special matzah oven. The students are now ready to enjoy Pesach in their own homes where they will share their knowledge of matzah and its significance with their families and impart the many Seder lessons they have learned.

Take Our Advice, Stay Off Your Device

n Thursday, March 12, as a continuation of its “Wired for Success” program that was initiated last year, Shevach High School held a thought-provoking morning. Coordinated by technology program heads Hodaya Alcoby, Daniella Haim and Dina Kiffel, under the guidance of Shevach Principal, Rebbitzen Rochelle Hirtz, the theme of “Take Our Advice, Stay Off Your Device” was introduced. The event began with an address delivered by well-known speaker and author of “Tech Talk” Mrs. Aliza Feder. Mrs. Feder vividly created an awareness of the dangers of technology through an original analogy. She discussed what she called “The Game of Life.” In “The Game of Life,” there is “Game A” and “Game B.” To get points in Game A, you need “shiny talents, looks, storybook family,” etc. To get points in Game B you need to be a true Eved Hashem, do mitzvos, have good middos, etc. Game A, the game of popularity and talent, is often the one people choose to play, and Game B, which is truly the essential game of life, is more often forgotten. Mrs. Feder explained that technology is an obstacle that removes a person from Game B and puts her into Game A. We must make sure that we are not playing the wrong game, and, as in any game, we must be familiar with all the rules of the game. Doing so will ensure that we are working towards the right goals and will make us true winners. Mrs. Feder also gave practical tips on how to decrease technology use.

She gave ideas such as “pushing it off, app cleansing, and realizing the true purpose of life.” The speech was truly powerful and inspirational, making a tremendous impact on the girls. Each student took from the speech something different on her own level. One mother even relayed that, because of the speech, her daughter in Shevach is now getting rid of her smartphone. In the words of Shevach junior, Miriam Shira Chanales, “Shevach was truly privileged to have Mrs. Feder come to address its student body.” After the speech, the technology program heads presented the students with a challenge. A kabbala was announced, inspiring the girls to power off their phones and all other devices a half an hour before going to sleep each night. In addition, they were challenged to put their phones away an extra half an hour before Shabbos. Calendars were distributed for the girls to mark off the days they were able to keep the challenge, with the incentive of prizes to be given out to those who fill in the entire month. This encouraged the girls in a fun way to decrease their screen time. The program concluded with each girl enjoying a special snack served with iced coffee. In addition, phone pockets were given out with the program’s motto written on it: “Take Our Advice, Stay Off Your Device” with the hope that this will be a constant reminder to the girls to use their electronics less often. The girls left incentivized, looking forward to having more kabbalos announced as the year continues!

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

YOSS Mechina Pesach Assembly

“W

ho is in control? The warrior or the horse?!” Rabbi Davidowitz, Menahel of Mechina Toras Avraham, prepared Yeshiva of South Shore sixth graders for Pesach by explaining that the neshama and guf (body) are compared to a warrior on a horse. Pesach is the time where our neshama establishes control over our bodies, and we make Hashem’s will our will.

A Priceless Partnership Klal Yisroel is approaching a historic year, and with it comes the opportunity for unique bracha

rom the moment dawn breaks, until the final shadows fade, the farmer is there. He plants, he harvests, he nurtures his crop with sweat and fervent prayers. To him, this land is not seed and soil. It’s his livelihood, his nature, a living piece of his essence. Then, the Shmitah year comes, and we ask him to leave it. Lay down his tools. Abandon the nature of his land. He knows that his beloved fields will wither. His robust crop will fail. He even risks losing his farm to debt. For each farmer, Shmitah is more than a mitzvah. It’s mesiras nefesh. Does he have the strength to give up his family’s livelihood? Can he commit to a commandment that he doesn’t even understand? He can – if he knows that Klal Yisroel stands with him. The mitzvah of Shmitah is not given to farmers alone. Rav Chaim Berlin, zt”l, explained that every Jew is equally responsible in this tremendous mitzvah. If we don’t own land in Eretz Yisroel, our role is to support those who do. That’s how we share in “v’tzivisi es birchosi,” the powerful bracha given to those who uphold the mitzvah of Shmitah. Keren Hashviis is the only organization dedicated to the halachic observance of Shmitah. With guidance and financial assistance, Keren Hashviis gives farmers the resources they need to commit to the mitzvah. The organization also creates partnership opportunities so that every Jew can

join the mitzvah, which only comes around once in seven years. On the heels of COVID-19, farmers are living in the red even before the Shmitah year begins. At a historic emergency asifa in Adar, attended by Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, and gedolei hador, the rabbanim stressed that every individual has an obligation to join. It’s a special privilege. The only time that Hashem promises geula as a direct reward for a mitzvah is with this particular one – Shmitah. In 5775, the last Shmitah year, nearly 3,500 farmers relied on Keren Hashviis to keep Shmitah. 333,790

dunam (each equaling a quarter of an acre) of land in Eretz Yisroel lay fallow, bringing immeasurable bracha to those who participated. Yet it was still less than a quarter of Jewish farming land in Eretz Yisroel. As the new Shmitah year approaches, the goal for Keren Hashviis is to support 680,000 dunam so that the majority of available agricultural land in Eretz Yisroel is lying fallow. The more funding each farmer receives, the more likely he is to make this year-long sacrifice. Now, during the sixth year, is when farmers decide. Your support determines how many farmers keep Shmitah. We

need to reassure them that Klal Yisroel stands with them, that we salute – and support – their heroic mitzvah. The farmers live with the hardship, and behind every farmer is a family he needs to support. By partnering with a farmer through your business, your family, your kehilla, or as an individual, you will share the abundant bracha promised: financial prosperity, kiyum ha’aretz, and the ultimate reward of Mashiach. To get involved or to learn more about this unique opportunity, visit kerenhashviis.org or 888.675.6694

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

The Nikolsburger Rebbe preparing his class for Pesach

Achiezer at 13: A Talk with Elke Rubin Part 3 of a Series By Avi Shiff

n honor of Achiezer’s 13th year, we are conducting a multi-part series celebrating the various facets of this remarkable organization. For Week #3, we spoke to Elke Rubin, executive coordinator at Achiezer. Thank you, Elke, for your time amidst your very hectic schedule. For how many years have you worked for Achiezer? I was privileged to join in 2011, so I’ve been here for about ten years. What is your role at Achiezer? I work as an assistant to our president, Boruch Ber Bender, and I’m in charge of overseeing medical recommendations with him. Many I do on my own; while the more complex diagnoses and illnesses is more of a joint effort. Tell us about your medical-referral program. Our medical-referral program is recognized by callers from the Five Towns community and well beyond for its unparalleled expert guidance. With wide-ranging knowledge borne of experience, using our expansive up-to-date database of contacts and direct connections to medical experts, we are uniquely positioned to guide and link patients and

their families to the most appropriate care. Achiezer advocates for patients who have difficulty obtaining appointments, reaching a medical professional, or receiving lifesaving care in a medical facility. We arrange for expedited appointments when necessary and also address hospital recommendations, admissions and transfers. What are some real-life examples of such recommendations? On any given day, we can handle dozens of referrals ranging from a desperately needed oral surgeon, a shattered femur, or someone who requires open heart surgery. Our referrals will entail reaching out to specialists across Long Island, Manhattan and sometimes even across the world. Our extensive research and experience will ensure that we track down the most appropriate care wherever that may be. How do you determine the best course of treatment? As mentioned, every person’s situation is unique. Even among oncologists, some specialize in brain cancer, some specialize in all areas of cancer, some specialize in immunotherapy, while some are exclusively surgical oncologists. We research each professional and have a virtual “rolodex” of

doctors who we deal with and recommend. Can you comment on Achiezer’s growth over the last decade? We’ve grown by leaps and bounds. It has been incredible. When I joined, we were located in a small office on Beach 9th Street; we had not yet moved to our Central Avenue location. We had a smaller staff that was quickly outmatched which has caused us to nearly double our staff. Now, it’s a different operation. There is never a dull moment. Our phones ring off the hook with requests for assistance. In fact, someone just approached me yesterday and said that they’re looking for a shidduch for their daughter. “Can Achiezer help?” they wanted to know. I said, “Shidduchim? What does that have to do with Achiezer?” They said, in all seriousness, “Well, you do everything else, so why not shidduchim?” It’s come to a point where people expect us to step in no matter what the crisis or need is. When the communities in Texas recently lost power, people expected Achiezer to get involved. We take that as a compliment – people count on us. As needs come up, Achiezer does everything in its power to address them. How has Covid-19 affected Achiezer’s day-to-day

operation? It was indeed difficult for us all when we couldn’t open our office due to the lockdown, because we work closely as a team, and when you’re not in the same space, it’s more difficult to coordinate services. Additionally, we were receiving hundreds of calls a day. But our staff was resilient, continuing to work from home. For those who are mothers, it was challenging, because we needed to hold down the home front while helping people and dealing with the challenges we were presented with. Now that we are back in the office, we can work more efficiently. We were definitely overloaded with calls during the height of corona. People wanted to know where to be tested; they had quarantine related questions and even how to properly treat patients at

home as hospitals for the first time weren’t necessarily the solution. Of course, we still had people also calling for all types of medical needs, as usual. Should they be going to doctors and were doctors even willing to see patients? As a result, physicians were backlogged, and we were reaching out to them, trying harder than ever to secure appointments. Any final comment? We’ve continually witnessed the outstanding chessed of Klal Yisrael. Mi ke’amcha Yisrael! Our people look out for each other. It feels good to have a job where chessed is the goal. We daven for Hashem to continue to give us the strength to continue helping others in need.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Leg. Howard Kopel and James Vilardi on a recent visit to Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island

Town of Hempstead Invites Neighbors to Burn Chametz at Safe Drive-Thru Event

t’s that time of year again, the time when Jewish families ceremonially burn or sell their chametz in preparation for the holy day of Passover. Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Councilmen Bruce Blakeman, Anthony D’Esposito and Thomas Muscarella have teamed up with both the Woodmere Fire Department and the West Hempstead Fire Department to host a contactless chametz burning event. On Friday, March 26 at 9 a.m., residents of Hempstead Town are invited to drive

through either of the two locations and burn their chametz in a safe, communal way. “The Burning of the Chametz is a communal event that draws a large amount of Jewish families from all throughout America’s largest township,” said Clavin. “It is thanks to the participating fire departments from Woodmere and West Hempstead that this event is held every year without a hitch. Unfortunately, the event could not be held last year, but Hempstead Town is glad to be a part of bringing it back for 2021!”

The chametz drive-thru event will take place March 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in two locations: Town Parking Lot – corner of Central Ave and Irving Place, Woodmere Echo Park – 399 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead Residents will be able to pull up in their vehicles, burn their chametz by handing it to a rabbi, firefighter or drop it in the burn barrel themselves, and wave to their neighbors as they fulfil their Passover obligations. “It will be a pleasure to see peo-

ple in the community coming together again safely to responsibly continue practicing their faith. Chag Sameach!” Blakeman said. “We look forward to next year’s celebration with a larger crowd and less restrictions,” added Muscarella “We’d like to thank the fire departments for taking the initiative to offer this event for practicing families throughout our township. The Town of Hempstead is proud to assist all communities in continuing traditions while respecting COVID-19 safety precautions,” D’Esposito said.

HANC Junior Wins Prestigious International Science Competition

ANC High School congratulates Adin Moskowitz ‘22 for placing first in the prestigious international Jerusalem Science Contest for 11th and 12th grade Jewish high school students interested in cutting-edge science and its relevance to Judaism. Under the aegis of Rabbi Tsvi Selengut and Prof. Quin Murrell,

Adin’s focus was on starquakes in neutron stars, the causes of this phenomenon and multiple observations of different starquakes. Adin connected his project to Judaism showing that Hashem’s omniscience can be found in small acts of chessed by comparing the mass of a neutron star to the presence of the Divine as it relates to acts of chessed. Adin

Did you know? Idaho and Washington are the states that grow the most potatoes in the U.S.

observed the impact of tiny neutron stars on the galaxy with the energy released from a starquake and noted the disproportionate effect acts of chessed have on society and the transcendent. Adin is enrolled in HANC’s rigorous Beit Midrash and Honors General Studies programs focusing on STEM and Engineering courses. He will be presenting his astronomy project at the Jerusalem Science Contest Culmination Celebration Award Ceremony on April 21st via Zoom. Principal of HANC High School Rabbi Eli Slomnicki proudly exclaimed, “Adin’s accomplishment reflects on the whole yeshiva in its integration of limudei kodesh and general studies. His research on astronomy and Torah is yet another an-

imation of Torah u’madda from the HANC Beit Midrash.” The first prize winner is awarded a four-year scholarship to the LEV Academic Center in Jerusalem, prize money, and a trip to Israel. Mazal tov!

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Around the Community

HAFTR Artists Showcase Unique Works

Cobey Kohn with his parents at the artifact projects

n Tuesday night, HAFTR’s fourth grade artists experienced a celebration to remember. The annual Evening of the Arts is a culmination of a year-long study of music and the visual arts. The Washington Avenue campus was transformed into a magical garden filled with lights, music, and art. Students and their special guests arrived at scheduled intervals to walk through and experience the displays. The artwork was inspired by the works of Bridget Riley, Gustav Klimt, Wayne Thebaud, and Yitzchok Moully. Extended families were able to participate in the event by viewing the unique virtual gallery.

Overflowing Blessings of HAFTR sculpture

One project began a year ago while planning for the annual M’Dor L’Dor intergenerational event. Students learned about their own history by studying a family artifact. They conducted interviews with family members and learned about their roots. They designed a heritage page that featured a photograph of their artifact as well as the family member who owned it. This special page also included an original family crest designed by the students. When sharing their artifacts with each other, students learned about our rich Jewish history. Although our ancestors come from across the globe, students recognized the com-

Sadie Parkoff and mom grateful for a great school and pouring paint over sculpture

mon threads that unite us. While touring the galleries, guests were treated to a pre-recorded performance of the students singing a variety of songs. The music video was displayed on jumbo screens for all to enjoy. Pop art artist, Rabbi Yitzchok Moully, worked side by side with families to create an art installation titled, Overflowing Blessings. Each student and parent chose a cup of paint to pour over the sculpture as they finished the sentence, “I am grateful for___”. The finished sculpture will be permanently displayed in front of the Lower School building.

“Creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration are the pillars of an education in the arts. It is these 21st century skills that stimulate curiosity, sharpen one’s senses, strengthens academic learning, and encourages classroom interactions. This celebration recognizes music and the visual arts as an integral part of the education our HAFTR students receive,” shared Lower School Principal, Ms. Joy Hammer. This event was a collaboration between the extraordinary HAFTR art, music, technology and classroom teachers.

Seder-Scavenger Hunt at Stop & Shop

“H

ow much grape juice do we need for the Arbah Kosos?” “How many pounds of matzos for both sedorim?” “Where do I find a shank-bone for the Zroah?!” These are some of the questions you could hear the eighth graders in Rabbi Rosenwasser’s shiur at Yeshiva of South Shore asking as they competed in the first ever Seder-Scavenger Hunt at the brand new Stop & Shop! After completing learning hilchos Pesach, including all of the required shiurim for the seder nights, Rabbi Rosenwasser arranged with the manager to bring these halachos to life with a shopping challenge! Each team was given a list and budget, and the team who “bought” everything

they needed for the seder in the proper quantities and did it by spending the least money was the winner.

The boys were able to experience the halachos in real life and had a great time doing it! Who knows?

Maybe they will become professional Pesach shoppers one day.

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TJH

Centerfold

Ten Makkos Did-You-Knows 1.

can eat its weight in plants each day, so a swarm of such size would eat 423 million pounds of plants every day. (Sounds like a pizza store on Central Avenue on Motzei Pesach.)

Blood makes up around 7% of the weight of a human body. (And bad Pesach cake makes up the other 93% of your body right now)

Frogs don’t need to drink water as they absorb it through their skin. (Hey! That’s how I absorb my chocolate.)

Itching from a lice infestation is an allergic reaction not to the bite itself, but from the saliva secreted onto the scalp. (Go ahead…itch your head)

Male lions defend the pride’s territory while females do most of the hunting. Despite this, the males eat first. (Hey, that’s so not PC!!)

Vicuña fur is the most expensive fur in the world. It is produced from animals related to the llama family that live in Peru. The average price of the fur is $5,000 per meter. (A little Weight Watchers is recommended before ordering a Vicuna fur.)

According to the American Dermatological Association, stress results in drier, more brittle skin that can become infected by staphylococcal, the bacteria that causes most boils. (So if you want to have clear skin, sit at home all day doing nothing…you’ll be a very clear-skinned couch potato.)

A hailstone the size of a baseball weighs about 150 grams and can fall at speeds of 100mph. This can cause a lot of damage, with entire crops being wiped out in just a few minutes during a large hailstorm. (It’s really cool to see the hail fall. Next time a hailstorm comes, go outside and look up towards the sky…ouch!)

A desert locust swarm can be 460 square miles in size and pack between 40 and 80 million locusts into less than half a square mile. Each locust

The City of Flagstaff, Arizona, is the darkest city in the world and became the World’s First “International Dark Sky City,” a designation awarded by the International Dark Sky Association for its low light pollution and commitment to enforcing stargazing-friendly lighting restrictions. These conditions make it the ideal destination to explore the night skies. (Let there be light!)

10.

Firstborns are 16% more likely to go to college than their younger siblings. (That’s probably because when they are done with college, they convince their younger siblings not to go!)

You Gotta be Kidding Me! A matzah walks into a bar. The Bartender says, “Hey, I haven’t seen you in a while, where have you been?” The matzah replies, “I’ve had some bad breaks.”

600,000 Jewish men go out to eat. The waiter says, “You thought splitting the sea was hard; try splitting this check!”

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Seriously, How Smart Are You? They say that matzah makes you smarter. Try these on your family members to see if it’s true.

Take 1,000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1,000. Now add 30. And another 1,000. Now add 20. Now add another 1,000. Now add 10. What is the total?

2. 3.

Are there more up-hills in the world or down-hills?

A contractor hires an electrician and a plumber to do work on a construction site. One of them was the father of the other’s son. How could this be possible?

4. 5.

How can a man go eight days without sleep?

Someone tells you that a rooster laid an egg on top of the barn roof and it floated towards the sky. Why doesn’t that make sense?

A farmer has 17 sheep and all but nine die. How many are left?

Answers: 1. The total is 4,100. So, if you thought it was 5,000 you need to brush up on your math. 2. There are the same amount of up-hills and down-hills because every hill is either up or down, depending on how you look at it. 3. They were husband and wife. 4. He sleeps at night. 5. It doesn’t make sense because roosters don’t lay eggs. 6. Nine. 7. Ten (there are seven girls and one boy in the family, plus the parents).

The Goldberg family has a mother, father, and seven daughters. Each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the family?

8. 9.

How many times can you subtract the number 5 from 25?

A doctor gave you 3 tablets and tells you to take one every half hour. How long will it take for you to finish the pills?

10. 11.

You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?

Two U.S. coins are worth a total of 30 cents, and one of them is not a nickel. What are the coins?

12.

Who is not, not, not a person that has not, not set foot on the moon: Neil Armstrong or your mother?

8. Only once, and then you are subtracting it from 20. 9. An hour 10. If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second! 11. A quarter and a nickel (one is not a nickel, but one is). 12. Your mother. Every pair of “nots” cancel each other out. So the question really is, “Who is not a person that has set foot on the moon?” Wisdom Key: 9-12 correct: You are a genius. (Just do me a favor, your combover

really is not fooling anyone…give it up) 5-8 correct: You are of average intelligence. (Sorry, I know your mother always said, “My boy, he’s so smaaat.” She was exaggerating a bit, like you are when you tell her how good her Pesach cake is!) 0-4 correct: Don’t worry – I will give you a secret tip to get brains: Take a small piece of matzah and take all of the leftover marror and eat it together very quickly. Trust me, try it. After you do that, try this quiz again and you will see that you will get more answers correct.

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Torah Thought

Parshas Tzav By Rabbi Berel Wein

he Torah begins this week’s reading with the verbal commandment –Tzav – ordering Moshe to command and demand from his brother Aaron certain fulfillments of ritual and service in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The verb that is used is one of strength. Just as in a well-disciplined army, an officer’s commands are fulfilled to be able to execute grand strategies, so, too, in Jewish life. The only way that the great strategy of connection with the Creator, living a holy life and being a kingdom of priests and

a holy nation, can be fulﬁlled is by obeying and observing commandments. This is true even if the lowly private does not understand or is not even aware of the grand strategy of the general staﬀ supervising the army. So, too, there are many times in Jewish life when we, as individuals, may question the validity and necessity of following an order, just as the soldier in the army. But by joining the Army and becoming a part of it, a soldier forfeits that right to disobey orders. The Jewish people at Sinai agreed

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that they would fulﬁll G-d’s orders, irrespective of their deeper understanding of those orders themselves. This may sound too authoritarian, even dictatorial, to modern ears and sensitivities. Nevertheless, it was and is the basis for Jewish life throughout the millennia of our existence. There are many things in life that we do simply because we are commanded to do so. If we have belief in the One that commands them despite human questions and doubts, we will always attempt to fulﬁll our duty and obey the commandment.

perfectly logical and satisfactory explanation for the necessity of a commandment a few centuries ago, may today have no relevance and be viewed as only hollow words and ideas. But the Torah, which is eternal and given for all times and situations, chose to avoid giving easy explanations as to the reasons for its commandments and demands of the Jewish people. Instead, it relies upon the fact of the binding covenant that the Jewish people entered at Mount Sinai, that has obligated this special people to the Al-mighty for now and

The bedrock of Jewish life is that we have been commanded and that we are willing to fulfill these decrees fully.

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The text of all blessings, before performing any of the Torah commandments, explicitly states that G-d has sanctiﬁed us by giving us these commandments and that He commands that we fulﬁll them to the utmost extent that we can. Over the centuries, there have been many scholarly explanations and reasons given for certain Torah commandments. Times change, though, as do societal mores, customs, and social viewpoints.What may have been a

well over three millennia. We certainly wish to understand everything that we can about the competence, direction, and strategy of the Torah. However, we admit that, after all is said and done, our ability to understand everything is limited and often fallacious. The bedrock of Jewish life is that we have been commanded and that we are willing to fulﬁll these decrees fully. Shabbat shalom and chag sameach.

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My Israel Home

Apartment Hunting in Israel on Chol Hamoed By Gedaliah Borvick

client wanted to go apartment hunting in Jerusalem during Chol Hamoed Pesach but was unsure whether halachically he may do so. I told him to ask his local rabbi as I am not fit to make that decision for him. As this question comes up often, I decided to devote this article to review some of the issues. The major question is whether one is permitted to “do business” during the holiday. In Tractate Pesachim 118a, Rav Sheshes says in very strong words, “One who disgraces Chol Hamoed is regarded as if he worships idols.” One major reason for forbidding business activity during Chol Hamoed is because it will distract one from the joy of yom tov, which includes eating, drinking, doing enjoyable activities, and learning Torah. However, some business-related activities are permitted in certain situations. A few examples include purchasing food that is needed for the holiday and working to prevent financial loss. If, for example, your company will suffer tremendous

loss if you would not work, then you would be permitted to work on Chol Hamoed. Similarly, if a store is having an extraordinary sale, one would be permitted to buy the item on Chol Hamoed, because delaying your purchase until after Pesach would cause you a financial loss. Rav Moshe Feinstein has a teshuva (responsum) on a related point: If, on Chol Hamoed, you are in a place where they sell something that cannot be purchased where you live, you are permitted to buy the item to save you the inconvenience of having to make a special follow-up trip after the holiday. That got me thinking about my overseas clients traveling to Israel for Pesach and their inability – due to work obligations – to stick around afterward. Despite the generally negative approach of the codifiers regarding purchasing homes on Chol Hamoed, Rav Moshe’s teshuva appears to grant foreign buyers permission to apartment hunt in Israel during Chol Hamoed. Noted author Rabbi Moshe Licht-

man directed me to an important source to consider when contemplating purchasing a home in Israel. The Gemara Tractate Gittin 8b (which was subsequently codified by Maimonides and the Shulchan Aruch) allows a person to direct a non-Jew to draft a contract of sale on Shabbat. In that particular case, the non-Jewish seller was planning to leave town before the end of Shabbat, and the buyer’s delay would have cost him the opportunity to buy the property. Even though one is rabbinically prohibited on Shabbat to direct a non-Jew to act on one’s behalf (“amira l’akum”), the sages suspended this decree because of the overriding mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael – settling the land of Israel. Although the vast majority of our deals are with Jewish sellers and therefore the Gemara’s case is not exactly on point, this ruling underscores the tremendous value that Jewish law attributes to the commandment of inhabiting the land of Israel. I discussed this issue with Rabbi Shalom Rosner of Kehillat Nofei

Hashemesh in Bet Shemesh. He concurred with Rabbi Lichtman’s sentiments that not only are such Chol Hamoed apartment-hunting activities permissible but doing so is the fulfillment of the commandment of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael and a wonderful way to infuse kedusha (holiness) into one’s holiday. Unfortunately, this article is not yet relevant for most people, due to the lingering travel limitations caused by COVID-19. We hope and pray that the skies will open shortly, at which time we will be able to welcome you back home to Israel. This article is not meant to offer any piskei halacha. Please consult with your own rabbi to determine if apartment hunting on chol hamoed is permissible for you. 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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Phil Rosen Focuses on the Future BY TAMMY MARK With YU President Ari Berman

Attorney

J. Philip Rosen is one of the most highly regarded corporate and property attorneys in his field. As partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Rosen has been instrumental in orchestrating several of the renowned firm’s largest deals and is recognized for his expertise and astuteness by peers in both the legal field and real estate world. Known to most as Phil, Rosen graduated from Yeshiva University in 1978 and received his JD from Georgetown University Law Center in 1981; he went on to become one of the youngest partners at Weil, Gotshal. In 1990, he was listed among the “40 Under 40 – People to Watch” by Crain’s New York Business, just one of the many awards and accolades to come. Rosen has been featured in a variety of notable publications and platforms, including The Wall Street Journal, The Real Deal and The Stoler

Thank you for taking time to speak with us. We know you have been involved with so many organizations and causes throughout the years. Which organizations are you currently focusing your efforts on? Almost everything I’m involved in revolves around Jewish youth. I’m Vice Chair of Birthright, I’m on the Board of NCSY, and I’m on the Board of Trustees of Yeshiva University and Vice Chair of the Board of Yeshiva College. I’m also involved with Chabad, both local and national and international. Your philanthropic work touches a lot of people, from unaffiliated to Or-

thodox Jews and at every stage – is that the intention? The key for me is that I look at everything as big picture, medium picture, small and details. So, big picture, I think that each of us is put on this planet and put in the position that we’re in with the resources that we have individually in order to help the Jewish people. I think that starts with the youth because that is the Jewish future. However we got to this position in terms of youth, there’s so much that can be done to move the needle and push the future in the right direction. For example, Birthright is a reaction to much of the Jewish youth being unaffiliated, or whatever affiliation

Report. A prolific speaker and writer, Rosen’s articles appear in Jewish and secular publications around the world. He is actively involved in politics and respected as a liaison in the Jewish community, as well as in the American and Israeli business and political communities. Rosen and his wife, Malki, have five children and a granddaughter and reside in Lawrence, New York. Rosen puts his energy and excellence into everything he does, from the boardroom and beyond. He spreads his resources across the spectrum of Jewish organizations and causes that are close to his heart. Although clearly he personally puts a lot on his plate, he believes that everyone can and should endeavor to help others, in whatever way they can. Rosen is one of the busiest people with the biggest smile…. Is it too cliché to say he puts the Phil in philanthropy?

they do have it’s not strong enough to be positive, so my involvement there actually came about – besides always seeing the buses in Israel – through Charles Bronfman and Sheldon Adelson. They had a big pull in getting me involved in Birthright. My thinking there comes through two different directions. First of all, I think that it has enormous impact on both intermarriage and separation from Judaism, but it’s even more than intermarriage – there are people who are married to Jewish people and have no connection to Judaism whatsoever. With those numbers going up astronomically in the last 20 years, I think Birthright is a godsend to change that paradigm. The

Birthright numbers are just unbelievable – 95% of the people who attend Birthright say it changed their lives in a material way. A large percentage say the way they viewed Israel and the Jewish people changed from “them and you” to “us and we” as a result of their 10-day trip. That, to me, is astronomical. Do you find that these experiences often affect their families as well? They come back and they tell their families, and the next trip is either them alone or them with their families, and then their siblings go, too, and it’s just unbelievable – 750,000 people, 50,000 a year until the pandemic, and hopefully this year we’ll start

again. It’s a game changer and when you look at the numbers of those that bring their kids up Jewish. It’s just astounding, it’s a giant percentage. I was talking to Sheldon Adelson, OBM, a couple of years ago when we had dinner together and we were talking about Birthright, and he said to me “Do you realize we’re changing the Jewish future?” I said, “Sheldon, you give an enormous percentage of the Birthright budget, so I appreciate you including me in that – but yes, I do realize it, and it’s a really good feeling.” You’re very passionate about this. What other organizations are you most involved with lately?

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Birthright is one and the other one is Yeshiva University. I’m a believer that Yeshiva University is the premier Orthodox Jewish institution and is unbelievably important for Modern Orthodoxy and the future of Modern Orthodoxy. The strength of YU is something essential to me, so I’ve been on the board for a while – six or seven years. I was involved in the search process for the president, Ari Berman, and I think he’s doing a fabulous job at both stabilizing Yeshiva University but also moving it in all sorts of different directions to expand its reach and expand its global reach and expand its reach beyond what it’s just teaching Orthodox Jewish students. It’s the trophy of Modern Orthodoxy, and I think it’s just amazing that in the same school you can have the top rabbinic authorities like Rabbis Hershel Schachter and Mordechai Willig, and in the same school you can have a top STEM program, and at the same time you can have a business school led by Noam Wasserman, one of the superstars of the academic business world, and at the same time you can have a top ranked basketball team. It’s amazing to see the kids that come out of there. I look at Yeshiva University from both the inside and the outside – from the outside, large numbers of our Birthright advisors come from Yeshiva University because they have a tremendous interest in the Jewish future in bringing unaffiliated Jewish youth closer to Judaism. Can you tell us about your involvement with NCSY and the JUMP initiative that you founded? NCSY has been a pet love of mine for a while. It’s for our kids and their outreach to kids of unaffiliated Jewish youth, so it’s the combination of the two. The JUMP

Phil with his family

(Jewish Unity Mentoring Program) competition came about because nine years or so I felt Jewish yeshiva students weren’t doing more than studying. I always think of school as being more than just being in a classroom. The purpose of JUMP was to focus them on tzedakah, on Zionism, and on chessed. I’m a

With Jason Greenblatt and Amb. David Friedman

covered the bases as far as the Trump administration is concerned! You’re very intent on teaching them young. From the time a person enters the working market and has the ability to focus on chessed and good causes, you’re about 25 years old, so

The future has never been brighter. The four peace treaties that they’ve signed in the last year are game changers as well. I also think that the advancements in technology and some great stuff that’s come out of Israel – every day you hear another great discovery, whether it’s Waze or the Iron Dome – there’s just so much

Nothing is more important than being proud of your Jewishness. believer that kids like to compete, and if schools compete against other schools in these areas…who knows? The sky’s the limit. Is it true that you had some notable names supporting you right from the beginning of the program? Of our first judges in the JUMP competition – which started when the Apprentice TV show was hot – the first judge was Donald Trump. He gave the trophy to SKA High School which won that year. The girls were in his office, and he presented them with the trophies. The next two years Ivanka was the judge, and a couple of years after that, David Friedman was the judge, and Aryeh Lightstone was the head of NCSY for some time – so we’ve

from 25 until 120 – or realistically 80 or 90 – you have a limited period of time in which to make a difference. That’s always been my view: whatever I can do to make a difference, that’s a big part of my life. Can you tell us about your involvement with Israeli politics? I also spend good amount of time advising the Israeli government. The prime minister has been there for a nice, long period of time, and he’s been my friend for almost 40 years, I would say. I do that as a part-timer, and I’ve been involved in Republican causes here for a long period of time as well, so that’s my world... and I work 18 hours a day. Are you optimistic about the future of Israel?

great stuff coming out of Israel and I’m very involved in Israeli technology as well, so I think that’s part A. Part B, when it comes to Israel’s future, is that I think that the last four years have really changed the game. What John Kerry said many times – that there’ll never be peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors before they reach “peace with the Palestinians,” which to me means before they concede large chunks of Israel and its right to exist to the Palestinians – has been proven not true and beautifully not true. The Arab countries are interested in peace with Israel for their own reasons, and that’s a beautiful thing. I don’t think the future of Israel has ever been brighter. I just think that we need to get every Jewish young person to

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realize how important Israel is to the future of the Jewish people. How do feel about the future of the Jews in America? I think we have to be careful. I think we have to be very very aware of anti-Semitism and racism, and we have to fight back at every opportunity; we can’t wait until it’s a crisis. We have to fight back when there’s an anti-Semitic act and when there’s an anti-Semitic statement. Whether it comes from the right or from the left, we have to fight back and say, “This is unacceptable.” I think the last four years there have been some major changes in terms of how America and the separate states and the federal government views anti-Semitism, and I think those areas of progress have to continue. The main thing is that every Jewish person needs to watch out for every Jew. The Birthright kids are taught this very early in their 10-day trip – “kol Yisrael areivim zeh l’zeh” – and we need to watch out for bouts of anti-Semitism and call them out and strike back. We need to say, “No, you’re not getting away with this. It’s not happening.” Do you believe there is hope to reconcile Jews on different sides of the aisle anytime soon? The most important thing we need to realize as, President Biden said, is that we’re all Americans and we’re all fighting for the survival of America. I think for the Jewish people it’s a double dose; we need to realize that we need to stand up and fight for every Jewish injustice and stand up and say no. We also need to take – this is something that Rabbi Berman mentions all the time, and Sheldon Adelson said this in many speeches – we need to take great pride in the Jewish people and we need to stand

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up and say that we’re Jews and we’re proud of it. That’s one of the great lessons that Yeshiva University teaches the students and that Birthright teaches its participants. Standing up and being proud of being Jewish is a goal that has to be something that everybody should be doing. Nothing is more important than being proud of your Jewishness. That’s why I love it when I see articles in the newspaper – although it’s infrequent in New York newspapers – but anytime I see a Jewish person doing something impressive I am so proud. It doesn’t matter if I know them or not, I’m just so proud of it. I think it’s so important that we do that. People need to rally around the successful achievements of Jews so when a Jewish person wins a Nobel Prize in science or does something else great, we should stand up and say, “Hey, that’s great!” I’m so proud of my friends who served in the Trump administration and did great things for the State of Israel and the Jewish people like David Friedman and Aryeh Lightstone. I’ve always been friendly with Ivanka Trump, and I’m just so proud of all of them for the great things they’ve done and that’s the way Jews should view the world. Let’s be proud of each other. If your neighbor two houses away from you gets a great score on the LSATs or the MCATs or the GREs or whatever it is – just be proud. You’re very involved with Republican Party. Have you experienced “cancel culture” or bias or any unwillingness by anybody to work together due to your affiliations? I’m not in the government and I’ve not been part of the Trump administration in any way, so the fact is that people who know me know I’m a Republican and know I’m

it as something they could screw with. Unfortunately, the last few years we haven’t had that, and through the pandemic we felt the double effect, but I think it’s going to come back. I always believe in New York – if didn’t, I’d move, but right now we’re staying. The Rosens are investing in New York. I think it’s always going to be strong.

With Nobuki Sugihara at a street in Israel dedicated to Chiune Sugihara

an active Republican. I supported Mitt Romney, who certainly hasn’t been a fan of the President. I also was a big supporter of Nikki Haley when she ran for governor of South Carolina and there’s a

With Amb. Ron Dermer

ambassador is in New York, and wants to see me, then his meeting is whenever he wants it to be and I’ll move other things around. My work is extremely important to me and thank G-d it’s been

Bahrain, Kuwait, throughout the Arab world, and I loved it, but at that point in time they weren’t ready to do business with Israel. It’s nice to see that they are ready to do business with Israel today,

I don’t think the future of Israel has ever been brighter. slew of people at the top of the Republican Party whom I feel very close to, but I’ve not personally felt the cancel culture. I’ve seen it, I’ve watched it, and I’m troubled by it, so I hope that President Biden sticks to what he said, which was a push for unity – and I would love that. You’re a leader in your profession, an activist philanthropist, and an involved family man as well. How do you manage to get it all done? I start early in the morning and, including the charity work and my intense love of my family, I just go straight into late at night. I just try to fit everything in – so if a representative of the Israeli government, let’s say the

good and I hope it continues to be, but my charity is just as important to me – and my family is more. What are the professional projects that you’re involved in and excited about? I got very involved in some projects that Israeli companies are doing or trying to do with companies and investors in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. That’s a lot of fun because it takes me back to 1993 right after Oslo was signed and the Israeli government hired me to go to the Arab world to try to figure out how Israeli companies could start doing business there. I had spent seven days, 18 hours a day, in meetings in Saudi Arabia, UAE,

so it’s full circle on that front – and that’s exciting. The other thing that’s exciting is I love watching Israeli companies with great ideas succeeding – it’s an amazing thing both as an investor and as a lawyer. I love it. What are your thoughts on the future of real estate and commerce in New York City? I’m an investor in New York real estate and I continue to be, in fact, now maybe more than ever. I think that New York is going to stay strong. I think the one thing we need to do soon is we need to get somebody – a mayor and maybe a governor – who cares about New York and cares about the future of New York City and doesn’t look at

Did you personally experience any positive things that came out of the pandemic? Well, besides our son Isaac getting married, which was amazing to have had a pandemic wedding – we had all my kids in my house. My entire family was there for about seven months, and since then they’ve moved back to their own residences. It’s kind of amazing to have dinner with your grown kids and granddaughter; it’s unbelievably nice. I feel like when I was a kid in my father’s generation. We always used to have dinner together, and this was really cool. I think that was a positive outcome of the pandemic – having everybody and many faces in the same house for long periods of time and having chagim in the house was really cool, too. In your article “Proud to be an American,” you wrote about your immigrant father and his American pride. Was activism anvd pride something your parents instilled in you? My father was an activist. My mother sat on a plane next to Shimon Peres during the times when Shimon Peres was pushing to maybe remove the settlers from their homes. My mother sat on the plane, and she must have screamed at Shimon Peres for the entire flight – and my mother wasn’t a young woman, she was in her ‘70s – be-

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cause when the plane landed, they had to escort Mr. Peres off the plane. My mother told me the story and said, “I told him good!” I said, “I’m sure you did!” Activism was always a big part of our life. I went to Soviet Jewry rallies, I went to Syrian Jewry rallies when I was a kid, and my father would take us to every one. He didn’t want to miss it; he didn’t want to give up. My father spent the war years in Shanghai barely escaping from the Nazis who killed most of his family. Although my father was never an angry man, my father did say that we need to protect every Jew. Maybe that’s part of the reason for me that the protection of the Jewish future is a theme of my life, and I’m sure it was something that he taught me. Does your passion and

c o m p a s s i o n t r ic kl e down to your family as well? I’m not sure many executives in my position can say that they learn so much about life from their children. I did and do. One area is kindness and Camp HASC.

become a “ben bayit” in my house and is truly part of the family. The love and kindness that flows from each one of my kids and my wife to Shaya mesmerizes me. What advice would you give to others about be-

work with something that you’re passionate about and to give money. Giving tzedakah is something that’s ingrained in our culture in our Torah. I tell people who say to me that Birthright has a $150 million budget. I say that $3,000 pays for one of

I had spent seven days, 18 hours a day, in meetings in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, throughout the Arab world, and I loved it. My two sons were counselors at Camp HASC for a total of four years and taught me how to take kindness to a much higher level than I’ve ever seen. In fact, one of the campers at HASC has

coming involved or more active in social causes? A lot of young people ask me how can they get involved and how can they start doing things. The way to start doing is by volunteering to

these kid’s trips. So when you go to Israel on your trip and you’ve given $3K to Birthright or $10K or whatever it is, it doesn’t matter the number, you could point to one kid and say, “That’s my kid.”

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The same thing with Yeshiva University – every penny helps to keep YU successful in pointing the way to the future with the Torah values that we hold so dear. Get involved in Yeshiva University. There are so many people who are graduates of Yeshiva University who don’t have ties going back. If I had to give one message it would be just get involved. If you’re a graduate of Yeshiva University, you should be involved in Yeshiva University. If you care about the Jewish future, get involved in Birthright. If you want to be involved in NCSY, it’s very easy – just step forward and say “I’m here.” My mindset is that you don’t have to do all the things that I’m involved with all at once, just pick one and get involved and do it in a serious way – take it as seriously as you would your business.

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The Journey of the Baritone Bartender DAV ID BA B IN E T BY TAMMY MARK David Babinet has played several roles in his life so far, at times moving onto the next act as if prompted by a divine stage director. From singing on stage with the greatest talents in the opera world, to celebrating a farbrengen at Chabad Headquarters, to creating cocktails for fundraisers and bar mitzvahs, Babinet takes each role as seriously and passionately as the next.

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abinet spent his early years in Greenwich, Connecticut, after his parents relocated the family from New York for the superior schooling shortly after he was born. Babinet describes his parents as ex-hippies, his Jewish mom originating from Queens and his father from France. The youngest of three brothers, Babinet says his family didn’t practice much religion, “Chanukah candles and Seder… sometimes.” His Judaism was never much more than a cultural identity in those days, he explains: “I’m Jewish and French, like any nationality in the United States where everyone comes from different backgrounds.” When he was 15, the family moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Babinet relished the great outdoors and activities such as skiing and rock-climbing. It was after a minor rock-climbing accident that he was forced to sit still and had time to contemplate his future. “I was sitting on my tail and thinking about my life. I decided I wanted to get into theater,” he said. “I auditioned for a play and that soon led to a musical and taking voice lessons. I was planning to study music in college, but I wanted to do it as an elective or a minor.” B a bi ne t ’s d i r e c t ion changed pretty quickly upon his arrival at the University of Colorado. “I walked into the music school and they said the only way to take any classes here is to audition – and that there was an audition going on across the hall. I just walked into it – I just so happened to have music with me since I had been taking voice lessons for a year already.” Babinet was told he was extremely talented and needed to start practicing immediately. He heeded the advice and joined the very specialized program at the music school; he ended up giving up the liberal arts path and took his music very seriously.

The instructor gave him the advice that set him on his career path and on the path to success: “You have the talent,” his teacher told him. “But the talent is just a starting point.” Babinet holds it as a universal lesson. “You need to have a little talent, like 15-20 percent, and

immersed in his craft at this point in his life with no “plan B.” He was part of a very elite and highly competitive group; most of his former peers are professional opera singers today. Babinet landed in Los Angeles and had incredible opportunities with the LA Opera.

impact of the ancient history of Israel more profoundly than in any of his visits to Europe. In his travels, Babinet met an eccentric “kabbalist” dressed in a robe surrounded by groupies. Though Babinet didn’t believe he was too authentic, the man shared a message that stuck with Babinet

“It was a little bit crazy. I had my life already established, my career was set up, and I just wanted to leave my life and go to yeshiva.” the rest is just hard work,” he maintains. His success as an undergrad earned him acceptance into the top master’s program for opera at the University of Cincinnati. He sang in several operas in Cincinnati and gained lots of experience and advanced training, as the school typically hosts six to seven full opera productions a year plus some concerts – more than most opera companies. Babinet participated in a singing program in Italy and traveled to New York to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where he was recognized on the city streets for his performance there. After his time in Cincinnati, Babinet went on to join prestigious opera programs in Portland and Chicago. He won awards for his talents and was fully

He performed in La Boheme on the mainstage and worked with some of the biggest opera stars, including the company’s director Placido Domingo and star Russian soprano Anna Netrebko. He embraced the rigorous schedule and the glamorous world, and his growing success enabled him to purchase a house in Los Angeles. It was around this time Babinet picked up an unrelated new hobby, which would serve him later on in his journey. He learned how to brew beer from a friend who had been brewing his own.

n 2004, Babinet applied to an opera festival in Tel Aviv to sing in a production of Falstaff. It was his first visit, and even without a strong focus on the Jewish sites of the Holy Land, Babinet felt the

and prompted his next move. “He told me, ‘Your body is your main thing and your soul is really weak and frail. You need to give your soul some nourishment and make your soul more healthy.’ “Meeting so many Jewish people and being in a Jewish country was really eye-opening. When I came back, I was like, I need more of this, I need to get into this somehow.” A visit to the Kabbalah Centre in LA upon his return fell short of expectations. Fortunately, Babinet found Chabad. “I think chassidus takes kabbalah and applies it to serving G-d in a way we can relate to and teaches us about our neshama,” he says. “I tried a bunch of different synagogues and I ended up at Chabad because that’s really what felt the most authentic

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to me. I didn’t even know what Chabad was – I just called them and they were very friendly, and I became part of the family.” Babinet bonded quickly with Rabbi Simcha Backman of the Chabad in Glendale. The rabbi gave him a CD of Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt which inspired Babinet to devote time practicing to be a chazzan. “I thought that was amazing,” he shares. “I was really blown away – this is opera singing but it’s like singing to G-d. Opera is very beautiful, but you’re not singing to G-d. A lot of the stories are pretty silly, and this is very significant. “You have the beauty of the human voice but you also have this beautiful expression, the unique expression of talking to G-d with your beautiful voice.” By the following March, Babinet had secured an agent in New York who was a serious business partner with real contacts and connections. He informed Rabbi Backman that he was headed to New York for some opera competitions and auditions and would be there during Purim. The rabbi connected him with his friend who was the gabbai at Bais Shmuel, one of the biggest and liveliest shuls in Crown Heights. When Babinet arrived in Brooklyn for Purim, he accidentally ended up at Chabad Headquarters at 770 and was taken aback by the size and atmosphere. When he finally found the right event and introduced himself as “David,” he was mistaken for the bartender. “They put me to work at the bar – I didn’t look like I was from Crown Heights!” he quips. Fortunately, the actual bartender eventually came to the event. “Maybe it was a little bit of a prophesy,” muses Babinet. Purim 2005 was on a Thursday night, and Babinet ended up staying through Shabbos. His host connected him with Rabbi Backman’s

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father-in-law Rabbi Avrohom Lipskier, who was visiting 770, in hopes Babinet would consider learning in his yeshiva. Babinet met with him and learned a meaningful passage on hagaddah. He ended up visiting the yeshiva the following Shabbos, as the rabbi asked him to “help with the minyan.” The stage was being set for Babinet’s next act. Babinet’s enthusiastic host also convinced him it was time to have a bris; within the week arrangements were made. “I was 29 years old,” Babinet says. “It was not easy, but you know, it’s gotta be done.” The following summer, Babinet returned to the same opera program in Israel. By this time, though, he had decided to start wearing a yarmulke every day and keeping Shabbos. It was definitely a different kind of trip and the experiences left a lasting impression. “I went to Tzfat,” he recalls. “I went to Jerusalem for Shabbos at different homes. I went to the Great Synagogue and heard Cantor Naftali Hershtik – I appreciate him a lot and I was inspired by him a lot.” This was a period of growth for Babinet. “I was still 100 percent into going the observant route. I was just having a little difficulty and a bit of a hard time figuring out how it was going to work with my career but was kind of trusting the process.” After returning from Israel, Babinet went to Portland, Oregon, to perform in the opera The Elixir of Love. During his downtime, he had reached out to the rabbi there who was able to help arrange some learning. It was towards the end of summer at the time, and Babinet studied the laws of Elul and teshuvah. “The rabbi looked me in the eye and said, ‘If you’re thinking about going to learn in yeshiva, now’s the time.’ “I really wanted to go to yeshiva,” Babinet explains. “It was a little bit crazy. I had my life already established, my career was set up, and I just

At a cantorial performance in Crown Heights

wanted to leave my life and go to yeshiva. It was really weird.” Babinet left Portland that August and joined Rabbi Liskier’s Yeshiva Tiferes Menachem in Seagate, Brooklyn. He started from Aleph Bais and spent the next three years there. “I didn’t even go home. I changed my ticket from Portland to LA to Portland to New York, and I went to yeshiva. I just abandoned my house, my car, and my cat. I had a friend pack up my whole house for me, and my parents came and

tzitzis out, and I though they’re for sure going to hate me and think I’m some kind of weirdo – and then they totally loved me!” Although his agent had invested time and money and was willing to help make his career work in any way, Babinet ultimately decided to walk away from that part of his life. He explains, “When the Jews left Egypt, they ran from Egypt even though they weren’t being chased. It says in the Midrash that they were running from the tuma, they

the same two summers as Babinet in Israel. They married in 2008 at 770 in an authentic Chabad wedding and are now raising their children in Crown Heights.

ith his opera career in intermission, Babinet needed embark on his next act. He wanted to get back into brewing beer but started with brewing apple cider. He learned about the merits of making your own wine for Passover and connected with one of his hosts who had wine

“I’m the only Jewish bartender with a big beard and my persona.” took my car back to Colorado.” It took some time for Babinet’s family to be comfortable with his new path. “It was definitely hard for them – even taking into consideration that they’re very open-minded and accepting people, it was still very hard. Also, I was very extreme,” he acknowledges. “Over the years, I’ve gotten much more laid back. I don’t get to see my family much, so when I do, I’m really happy. “Part of my idea was that I was going to try to still work on my career in opera while in yeshiva. It just got difficult, and it then got less interesting to me to pursue my career. I was just immersed in Yiddishkeit. I think I did a couple of auditions. One audition I just walked in with my

were running from the Egypt in them. Even at the Red Sea, some wanted to go back. It’s like you have to run from it. For a little while, opera was like treif for me.” Babinet immersed himself in this role as in all of his others. “I wanted to be accepted; I wanted to be one of them. I got my Borsalino hat and tried to dress the part. That’s what I was interested in doing with my life.” Babinet was a full-time yeshiva student at 32 when he was recommended a potential marriage match. Although he wasn’t officially looking to date, he took the shadchan’s direction, and it was a good next move. His wife Yaakova, who was also originally from LA, had coincidentally spent

making equipment. By 2010, Babinet was en route to becoming an expert in his new field. Drawing on his determination and his French heritage, Babinet made a few batches and began honing his skills. He worked at a winery and had his first wine job pouring wine for a simcha. He started working for Royal Wine Corp. and was soon asked to bartend. Today, Babinet creates cocktails and provides full-service bars for private events, celebrations and fundraisers, catering to all levels of wine and cocktail enthusiasts. He can be found doing wine tastings on Fridays, offering samples and recommendations at kosher wine stores throughout New York and New Jersey. Luckily, Babinet enjoys

a taste of the performance factor while bartending. “It’s like a show, it’s entertaining,” he notes. “I’m the only Jewish bartender with a big beard and my persona.” Babinet enjoys the process and compares mixology to his opera work, both requiring him to be very meticulous and very detailed. “It takes a lot of preparation,” he adds. “I use like 100 different ingredients, and it all has to be ordered and prepared. When you see an opera, you’re preparing for a month, and before that you may be working on it for a year. So there’s a lot of preparation and follow through.” A few years ago, Babinet’s former passion came trickling through. “I didn’t think I was going to go back. I didn’t think about what a shame it was to waste that; only later did I realize and want to rectify the situation and return. First I did teshuva to Yiddishkeit and then I did teshuva to my singing and to my music. “Maybe about four or five years ago, I started getting back into performing. I did a lot of performances up until Covid. It was starting to be fun again,” says Babinet. “I haven’t sung an opera in 15 years but I sing opera songs. I have performances where I do a duet with another man, and a lot of concert performances. Right now, I’m doing very little and it’s a little bit painful. For anybody in music, it’s just depressing. Baruch Hashem, I’m employed and I’m making money – but when you’re a singer, when you’re an artist, you have to do it. It’s in you.” Over the years, the baritone chazzan has been sought after to lead yom tov and Shabbos prayers in various synagogues and to appear in cantorial concerts. He also gives private voice lessons. At times, he gets to combine and showcase his various talents since his repertoire includes opera, Broadway tunes, Yiddish melodies, and cantorial music. Babinet’s range and unique

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background are especially appreciated by the diverse congregations at Chabad houses, where he performs and follows with a wine tasting. These days, however, it is primarily through Zoom. Babinet feels for his fellow singers during the pandemic. “It is a difficult time for performing arts,” he notes. “Many opera singers are unemployed now and the Metropolitan Opera is completely canceled for the season. I think it will come back, but it will take time to get it going again.” He also feels a disconnect from the world he left behind. “One of the things with opera singers is they’re on the road a lot so they don’t have a good family life, since it’s not conducive to having a family. They’re not happy. They’re either taking compromises in their career or taking in their family. That concerned me, that that was all there was to me and I wanted to dig a little

deeper to get to my real identity.” He adds, “I neglected this craft that I really invested a lot in, but I’m really glad I did because I wouldn’t have been as serious about my observance. My observance would have been compromised a little bit. I went to yeshiva for three years. What I wanted to do

was to make a complete break because I thought there was no way I could extract myself from a certain way of thinking – and I feel like I did that.” He uses a Pesach concept to talk about his journey. “Chometz is kind of like your ego. So it’s like your personal expression. Matzah is flat. You have to be humble

and you have to take directions and follow the directions in order to grow. You can try to understand it after you accept to do it, like naaseh v’nishma, you can try to understand it after the fact, but the first thing is to be like the matzah: ‘I will do it. I respect the source and try to wrap my limited mind around it.’”

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He continues, referencing the period of sefiras ha’omer and the process of refinement of the divine sefiros up until Shavuos. “During Pesach, you can’t use chometz for seven days. After you refine the first sefira, then it’s a little bit refined and you can start using the chometz again after Pesach. So then you keep refining all of your 49 sefirot until at the end on Shavuos when it’s actually a mitzvah to bring chometz on the altar – and the only time you can bring chometz on the mizbeiach.” He observes, “I had to refine myself but it took longer than 49 days. The opera I do now, I’m completely observant and I’m not breaking Shabbos to play in the opera. I have a family, and I have priorities in my life. “Once you have a Torah view, once you’ve refined yourself, then you can express yourself from that pure place.”

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Dating Dialogue

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

Dear Navidaters,

Thanks for taking the time to read my question. Many things were messy during my childhood, and my parents are divorced. B”H I did not have to date during the pandemic and have been married for a few years. I saw my husband in many different situations before

we got married, and also got to know his personality more thoroughly. My sister is dating now and taking things very carefully due to Covid. She still refuses to date anywhere indoors, and it gives guys little opportunity to do anything but sit and talk with her. She won’t even go outdoor dining because of Covid. I fear this will not allow her to see the true colors of a guy she’s dating. She has to see him interact with the world but she is not allowing herself the chance. Do you agree this is an issue? Emma

Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.

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The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. mma, you are raising a valid question. Seeing how a guy responds in different situations and manages his feelings, reactions, and communication were important to you as you witnessed an unsuccessful marriage that ended in divorce. There were probably other concerns that made you careful about seeing whether the two of you could navigate differences, support each other during stressful times, and communicate openly. You probably also shared a great deal about your respective personal journeys as you moved along in your relationship. You wanted to know the person well, see consistency across various relationships, and view vulnerability and personal strengths. That was smart. Your sister needs support and guidance as well as context and maturity to deal with the challenges of Covid and dating. It is unlikely, however, that she will hear you, given that she won’t hear the science of outdoor dining and has many fears. She may not have dealt with your parents’ divorce in a healthy way, too. Encourage her to get professional support from a mentor/professional and be available to discuss things with her should she bring up her fears. She may have additional issues besides what you are primarily concerned about. You may want to talk to a therapist yourself with regard to giving her support and responding to her needs as an older sister.

The Shadchan Michelle Mond

hank you for writing in with this important issue. The concern for your sister is admirable. Based on your letter, it seems like you are asking a theoretical question, as you do not mention that your sister

is dating anyone seriously currently. Rather, you mention “guys” in a general sense. My perspective is, if your sister meets the right guy, someone whom she really likes and admires, she will become more lax in her Covid dating style. You are correct. Your sister should see the guys she is dating in more than just one setting, but my hunch is this Covid excuse is a farce altogether. Based on your shared background and family trauma, your sister could be putting up barriers so as to not get close to guys whom she is not impressed with. Give her time, Emma. When she finds the right one, she will likely want to spend lots of time with him, which will include meals, shopping trips, and public places. As the weather turns warm, there will be plenty of outdoor public options, so even if she is still super careful, she will have many opportunities to see the guy she’s dating’s middos. I would not worry so much about her. I would, however, ask if you have done the inner work needed to deal with the trauma of your parents’ divorce. Although your question is addressing your sister, I think there might be some personal feelings underneath the surface for you to address.

The Single Rivka Weinberg

ating throughout the pandemic has been a challenge for many people. There are various unknown factors to be considered when going on a date. Does he wear a mask? Does his family wear a mask? If he’s in yeshiva, is he now exposed to all of the other bochurim, who are also dating? So now am I technically exposed to the entire Five Towns and Far Rockaway communities? All of these concerns are extremely valid, and it’s important for each individual to do what he or she is comfortable with. I agree with you that seeing a guy

in different situations gives a more holistic view into who he is and where he comes from. The small things a guy does or does not do on a date speaks volumes about him and his middos, as for a girl as well. I once dated someone who lowered the radio when paying the toll by the Atlantic Beach Bridge and put on a mask to be sensitive to the cashier. Although that example may seem trivial, if I wasn’t in his car, I wouldn’t be aware of his sensitivity toward others to that extent. There is a tremendous amount of value in having a balance between activity dates and conversation. With that said, Emma, you have not dated during Covid and do not realize the added stress caused by the situation. Your sister needs to do what works for her and what will allow her to go on dates with her best foot forward. If I had to assume, she probably has

When she finds the right one, she will likely want to spend lots of time with him.

friends who fall within a range of more lenient to more stringent in the Covid dating process. She is aware that her method is not the only way to pursue shidduchim right now. However, it appears like that’s what she prefers. Emma, it sounds like you’re projecting your childhood wounds of your messy upbringing and parents’ divorce on your sister’s dating. This seems

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like your baggage and your stuff that needs to be worked through, not hers. Look inside yourself and determine if your concern about her dating process stems from your genuine care for her or is masked by your scars. Although you were raised in the same home, you had different experiences and are entirely different individuals with different outlooks and approaches to life. From your question, it sounds like you have already tried to speak with your sister and believe to have had no success. To ensure that you are coming from the right place and the message is appropriately conveyed, speak to a rav or mentor, and if need be, have that person speak with your sister. Please remember that Hakadosh Baruch Hu has a plan for your sister and iy”H at the right time she will meet her zivug, whether she’s indoors or outside.

The Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler ou sound like the ultimate, caring Big Sister. You helped your little sister through a “messy” childhood, and now you want to help her through the trauma of dating during Covid. I nominate you for the Big Sister of the Year Award and have three thoughts to share with you. First, no two people are identical. Some folks are extroverted and daring, while other folks are introverted and cautious. Please respect that your sister seems more cautious than you. Contemporary dating is, unfortunately, already a stressful proposition. You don’t want to pressure your sister into dating scenarios that will cause her additional stress. Second, as more people are getting vaccinated, Covid restrictions are less-

ening. And, with the weather improving, parks, walks, and backyards will be open for daters right after Pesach. A lot of smart families have put in new backyard furniture and created a private alcove (with cool firepits!) to allow their children to date close to home. (This also allows parents, siblings, and nosey neighbors to come out and say “hello.”) Further, you can remind your sister (without pressuring her!) that there are still plenty of fun activities that can be enjoyed while masked. She and her date can try: Escape the Room, ice skating, paint night, and museums. It takes a little more advanced planning, but so many venues have now reopened. Dating now isn’t as hard as it was a year ago. Third, many counselors are now recommending that, during this time of Covid, couples should date a bit longer than during previous, non-Covid times. For example, if a couple would have previously dated for 3-4

Pulling It All Together The Navidaters

in a car with a date, or gone any where indoors. They have essentially not dated throughout this entire pandemic. We must try to understand the reasons for their decision. Do I think that people need to see each other across a variety of settings over time? Absolutely! But I also know that there are certain things in life that are completely out of our control. Sometimes, something is so big (a pandemic...someone feeling unsafe to go indoors or even dine outdoors) that we truly can recognize how small we actually are. This is a situation where I certainly don’t have the answer. Even if we conveyed to your sister that she must

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

ear Emma, Thank you for writing into The Navidaters! I can certainly understand your concern for your sister. Under normal circumstances, it is most definitely wise to spend time together with someone in different venues and situations before walking down the aisle. However, there is nothing “normal” about Covid-19 and so shidduch dating has had to adjust to our new normal. I noticed some of the words you used around your sister’s decision to date in a very Covid-friendly way. “She won’t even go outdoor dining...” “She has to see him interact

with the world but she is not allowing herself the chance.” To me, it feels like you may be viewing your sister’s actions as her choice that she could change if she wanted to change. I sometimes find it helpful to view everyone’s responses to Covid-19 as a perfectly legitimate choice that speaks to their values and safety (aside from gross negligence). Your sister is taking precaution as so many others have done. As an aside, I work with many different kinds of people, and there are many daters who have not stepped foot in a restaurant, sat

There are many daters who have not stepped foot in a restaurant, sat in a car with a date, or gone anywhere indoors.

months, now it might be wise to date for 4-6 months before getting engaged. And, more than ever, it’s vital for potential couples to experience plenty of family interactions. In order to strengthen your nomination for the Big Sister of the Year Award, why not invite your sister and her date to your house for an outdoor, no food served, Shabbos afternoon schmooze? Good luck!

go on more normal dates, we would be compromising her sense of safety. What your sister can do, if she is so inclined, is speak with her doctor and express her concerns about dating during Covid-19. Another thing that I have seen daters do during this pandemic is to date at a distance, until they mutually decide to take their relationship to the next level. At that point, they invite the person into their bubble. I think that as much as we may be inclined to offer your sister advice or encourage her to go out because yes, it is far better to see someone in different settings, in my opinion it might be wisest to allow your sister to figure this one out for herself and come to peace with her decision. 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 | MARCH 24, The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2021 2015

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Dr. Deb

The Way Out of Mitzrayim By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

“I

wasn’t in Self, was I?” he asked. “No, I said. How do you know you weren’t?” I responded. “I could feel it. My tone was harsh. I felt that pressure, like I was put on the defensive,” he answered. He and his wife had been in the middle of a discussion that had turned south right in front of me. On schedule, I might add. “So what do you have to do?” I queried. “Breathe,” he replied quickly. “Right,” I aﬃrmed, “and what else?” “Get back in Self,” he sighed. “But how do you do that in the middle of a conversation?” “Well, luckily, you and your wife are both taking my course. She knows y’all have to be in Self in order to not go off the rails. So just do it!” I answered, helpfully. He looked at me a bit confused. “Right in the middle of a conversation?” “Yeah,” I assured him. “That’s the best time. Much better than to mess up a conversation because you start to get taken over by your parts. Think of it this way: Not only are

you and Adrienne in the same program but it’s a wonderful role model for your children to follow. Y’know? They see parents trying to correct course in mid-stream, and they can use that process themselves.” “Mmm. Makes sense,” he said thoughtfully. “So I just…” “You just throw up your hands and laugh – why not? And say, ‘Oh, I’m not in Self. Give me a minute.’ And then just close your eyes, breathe, and get back into Self.” He smiled. It seemed easy enough. His wife, Adrienne, relaxed, too: It wouldn’t hurt me to take that same minute or two to get back into Self, either, she thought. Now, mind you, this process is not as easy as it looks. It was the culmination of nine weeks of intense work with me in my program. It won’t happen overnight for most people, most likely. But of course, that doesn’t answer the burning question I’m guessing you have: how did he do it? How does an angry person suddenly realize that he has been “taken over” by his anger and then just because he realizes it, get out of it?

There are two parts to my answer.

Part 1: Molecular Reconsolidation Researchers have found that memories can change and their emotional pain can be totally released before a process in the brain takes place called reconsolidation. When a memory is recalled, it becomes “labile,” meaning that the synapses to which it connects are open to changes. If, during that process, contradicting information is presented, then when the memory settles back into its solid form, the synapses will have changed. Scientists find, interestingly, that the facts of what happened aren’t forgotten, but the emotional sting of the memory is gone. Any form of psychotherapy that relies on this process will help a hurt person to heal. In using Internal Family Systems, the therapist has taught the client to view his dark “moods” as parts of himself that meant well. This is a radically different way of looking at himself which takes away this guilt and shame of think-

ing that he is “bad” or “wrong” or “sick.” Rather, this is just a part of him, a part that was needed as a coping mechanism in childhood; it is just a child part. He, on the other hand, is an adult who can lovingly let the child in him know that he can handle life’s curve balls. Seeing himself as an adult who “houses” within him lots of well-meaning but childish parts creates a completely different experience of Self than he had prior to seeing himself this way. This fits with the reconsolidation experience. The synapses became labile and new pieces are put in place to replace the old ones during the 5-to-6-hour window of time till reconsolidation occurs.

Part 2: Brain Specialization Just to add more neurological spice to this view of what’s happening, there’s another point to be made. Different parts of the brain do different things and these little parts (organelles) can be observed anatomically. The part of the brain responsible for thinking, the prefrontal cortex, shuts down when

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

we are angry, frightened, or ready to run. This is intentional. It preserves time when survival is at stake. A person should not have to figure out what to do to save himself but rather react automatically. That’s the good side of the story. The bad side is that we then can come to automatically react to situations as if they were frightening or anger-provoking or depressing when they aren’t. Such reactions are triggered because the new situation has some of the same characteristics of situations that once did have all those parameters. And with the neural circuits to the prefrontal cortex cut back in such situations, how does a person get out of that loop of automatic responses? The answer gets back to the same one we’ve discussed above. When the therapist says, “What part of you was getting defensive?” the cli-

ent must stop and think. Bingo! The thinking process is now back on line. All that needs to happen, then, is for the client to get in the habit

love his parts, because they were parts of himself as a child. He no longer hates himself for having them but instead looks at them with the fondness of a parent. This is done in therapy sessions with the client

A person should not have to figure out what to do to save himself but rather react automatically.

of noticing the previously-automatic reactions and think about what part was operating, and why it was operating, and now the process is no longer automatic. By putting together answers 1 and 2 what we have is a scenario where a person gets to know and

recalling incidents in his life that brought these parts into existence and feeling the compassion for the child that he was. The parts will, of course, pop up from time to time because they’re triggered automatically. But the client now has tools for handling them

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way differently. When this training happens for couples, each working separately to acquire this understanding of themselves, then they are ready to have healthy conversations. Will they slip into parts again? Sure, as happened in the scenario above. But with a little practice, they’ll no longer be triggered because they “see” each other differently. Rather than feeling mistreated by their partner, they see their partner’s parts pop up from time to time and they patiently wait until their partner returns to Self. This, to me, is the way out of Mitzrayim.

Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. If you want help with your marriage, begin by signing up to watch her Masterclass at https://drdeb. com/myw-masterclass.

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Health & F tness

A B’Seder Approach to Pesach By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

esach and pounds historically go hand in hand. The fact that this year is a three day yom tov certainly doesn’t help matters. If we approach this chag with a good plan, then it is realistic to maintain our weight, or at the very least minimize the weight gain. Over the years I’ve formulated some tips that, if followed, have consistently helped my clients achieve successful outcomes.

• Much Ado about Matzah: The staple of the Passover diet, matzah, is a clean carb. Many breads that line the supermarket shelves contain a host of ingredients other than ﬂour, including sugar and preservatives. Matzah is just ﬂour and water – simple, basic, and healthy. Whole wheat or spelt matzah would be the ideal choices. During the sedarim, consume the “shiur” or portion that you deem appropriate. Other than those two meals,

control your matzah consumption. Eat no more than half a round handmade matzah or one whole machine-made matzah in one sitting. Matzah is a clean carb, but it is still a carb, and should not be eaten in unlimited amounts. • Grape Juice vs. Wine: Grape juice is incredibly high in sugar with one 8 oz. cup containing a whopping 152 calories and 36 grams of sugar! If grape juice is going to be your drink of choice for the sedarim, then only use the light grape juice which has about 100 calories per cup – still a high calorie drink but a significant savings from the regular. If it’ll be wine for the win, then seek out wines that contain a lower alcohol content, with no added sugar. An 8 oz. portion of wine is about 200 calories but is low in carbs and sugar because yeast consumes the sugar in the grapes and converts it to ethanol, carbon dioxide, and heat. A glass of wine served at a restaurant or bar is typically only about 5 oz. So if you are on a low-carb/ low sugar diet, then wine is the better option. • Lighten Up: We are presented with six Shabbos/yom tov meals during the first three days of the chag. No one should be eating six heavy, ﬂeishig meals in a row. It is unhealthy for anyone to eat this way. Incorporate at least one (or two!) meals that you will eat only fish, salad, soup, and veggies. For my non-fish eaters, consider eating eggs, or low-fat cheese (think matzah pizza), or a healthy, homemade veggie burger or quiche. • Minimize the Meat: Red meat, including beef, lamb, and veal, has double to triple the amount of calories/fat when compared to chicken. I’m not even comparing it to fish, which

contains less fat (and a much healthier fat) than chicken. A 1 oz. portion of 90% lean ground beef has about 92 calories, compared to a 1 oz. portion of chicken breast that contains about 34 calories. No one is eating a 1 oz. portion of protein at their meals. Most of us are consuming between 4-10 or more ounces; therefore, in one meal, you can consume hundreds of calories and many more grams of fat simply because you had red meat instead of chicken. Designate only two out of those xi meals as your “red meat meals” and look for leaner cuts of meat. • Sophisticated Sides: If matzah is your main carb at the meals, then stick to vegetables and salads as your sides, avoiding for the most part that other Pesach staple, the potato. So much can be done with cauliﬂower! From cauliﬂower steaks, to “rice” to faux “mashed potatoes,” it’s one of the most versatile veggies! Present a new veggie at every meal to keep things exciting, such as burnt broccoli, garlicky “zoodles,” grilled eggplant steaks, spaghetti squash with no sugar added marinara sauce, or mushroom “burgers.” Start off the meals with a salad. It will fill you up, leaving you less hungry at the meal, and more likely not to overeat. • Ditch Most Desserts: When it comes to sugar, the less the better. Asking you to obliterate desserts

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

from the menu is unrealistic and will only result in feelings of deprivation that could eventually lead to binging. Mindfully indulge in your favorite desserts. This means having a few bites or small portion of your sweet treat no more than once a day, preferably earlier in the day and not late at night. Whatever we eat at night is literally sticking to us and is not being “burned off” or utilized by the body the same way the food you eat earlier in the day is metabolized. So if you’re going to treat yourself, have it at breakfast or the latest at lunchtime, and the effect on the scale will not be as significant. You know what they say – timing is everything! • Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Don’t keep baked goods lying about all over your counters/tables. If you see it, you will want to eat it. Numerous studies have been done regarding this behavioral modification, and it has been proven that people eat less treats when they are put away behind closed doors/drawers.

• Snack Smarter: Unless it is your custom on Pesach to avoid fruits with skins, all fruit is kosher for Pesach and should be your go-to snack. Raw or cooked, fruit is high in fiber and antioxidants, and the sugar in the fruit will satisfy your cravings for sweet. Compote, made sans sugar, is a great dessert or snack, and has become a Shabbos staple in my house ever since last year Pesach (our first time home) when it was the biggest hit of the holiday. For day trips on chol hamoed, bring along dehydrated fruit snacks with no added sugar. Another Pesach snack staple are nuts. They have zero carbs, and are a very healthy fat. Look for raw or salted nuts, and avoid anything honey-glazed or candy-coated. A word of caution: nuts are very caloric due to their high fat content, so be mindful of your portions. I recommend no more than 1012 nuts in a sitting. Dark chocolate is another great snack and my personal favorite. Look for 70% cacao or higher, and keep your

serving to no more than 2 squares in a sitting because of the significant fat content. • Walk This Weigh: Walking is a great form of exercise, and about the only one we are able to do over a Shabbos/yom tov. Cooking/serving/ cleaning may be a lot of work, but it is not exercise. Weather permitting, incorporate daily walking for the whole family. • Hotel Hysteria: I’ve been fortunate enough to attend Pesach programs for many years, and they are most definitely manageable. There are always good choices available at every meal (i.e., a variety of proteins, vegetables and fruit). Visit the tea room infrequently, try sleeping through midnight madness, and take advantage of the gym and outdoor facilities, and you will survive the eight days unscathed. Pesach doesn’t have to be a 10 pound weight gain holiday. Do your best at every meal and every day. If one meal dissolves into a disaster,

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make the next one a squeaky clean success. Don’t look back, only look forward. If you have a scale, then it might be wise to weigh yourself chol hamoed to see how you fared over the first days. If you gained, then take advantage of chol hamoed to get back on track. It will help you re-assess and evaluate what went wrong the first days, in order to better prepare yourself and navigate the second days. Above all, remember that the true joy of the chag is not derived from the gluttonous food consumption but from spending precious quality time with our family and friends. Wishing all of my readers a chag kosher v’sameach! 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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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Parenting Pearls

Parenting on Pesach By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

when you tell it over. Prepare yourself for the seder by resting up in advance and doing what you need to be focused and at your best. It’s your night, too, and you shouldn’t have to spend it in the kitchen distracted or on the couch conked out. Your kids will enjoy having you there ,and you deserve feeling true freedom. Don’t forget that all the mitzvos apply to parents, and you want to be up to the task and feeling as involved as you can.

esach is one of the most incredible yomim tovim we have. Yetzias Mitzrayim is an enthralling story that grips us each year as we learn more and more details. Most of us have spent weeks preparing for this eight day event, and it’s been on our mind frequently. By the time Pesach arrives, we’ve been awaiting its arrival eagerly. In many ways, the preparations make the holiday even more meaningful since we’re naturally that much more invested. The excitement builds as we search for the chametz, burn it the next morning, and excitedly prepare for the Seder.

Erev Pesach/ Shabbos Hagadol This year is unique in that erev Pesach is Shabbos. Take the time to review in advance the special schedule and plan carefully how you will set up meals for Shabbos. Families with young children may find it helpful to not serve actual chametz at the Shabbos table. Reach out to your rav if you need help with possible solutions. Don’t ignore the reality of kids and challah. Plan so you don’t panic. The unique schedule is rather exciting for kids and can make great conversation topics with the older set. It’s a great springboard for discussing the halachos of when and why we do different parts of the Pesach preparations from burning and bittuling chametz to the fasting of the firstborns. Older kids especially can really get into in-depth discussions that cause them to think. Don’t just give them the answers but let them think it through and propose solutions. This is a great tool, in general, with kids. Don’t mock their answers but do feel free to guide them a bit if they need assistance getting in the right direction. The more they learn to think “halachically,” the more likely they’ll come up with the answers on their own.

Yom Tov Meals The Seder Experience The Seder is the time of year that every parent becomes a professional educator. You automatically get your advanced degree in education as you fulfill the mitzvah of teaching your children about the many miracles Hashem performed for us. I know the school spends hours preparing your children before they ever sit down to the table but on Seder night, they’re all yours. Don’t underestimate how much the children can learn from you at the Seder. As our rav reminded us, the mitzvah is for the parent to teach the child, not the child to teach the parent. Many parents might find it helpful to spread some of the children’s divrei Torah over the course of all the meals and not do a Seder marathon. Take the time to plan some of your seder ideas, in advance. Some of the best educators are the most creative. You have the chance to go all out and bring some fun and memories to the night. Many have minhagim that involve acting out portions of the haggadah. Choose themes to bring out and find a creative way to bring the point across. Often, the more out-of-the-box you go, the more they’ll remember it. One year my husband had birthday

balloons in the dining room, and the kids had to guess whose birthday it was (answer: the birth of our nation). I have made place cards for everyone that listed their name with royal titles to bring out that we are malchus at the seder. Whether you make ping pong balls fly (hail) or have a stuffed lamb tied to your chair, you have the opportunity to make the seder meaningful, memorable, and fun. Don’t be afraid to get a little silly or over the top – nobody can take a video of you anyway! Pick great haggadahs. OK, every haggadah is great because they all help us fulfill the mitzvah but some have better illustrations than others. Kids really enjoy picture books and can be very involved with intriguing drawings. Sadly, there wasn’t photography at that time. Many illustrated haggadahs, such as those ArtScroll produces, have pictures that illustrate the various parts of the story and can be a great accompaniment to telling it over. Older children can appreciate the many haggados that have stories, midrashim or meforshim. Find one that appeals to your child. Don’t forget to find one that appeals to you. If you’re passionate about something you’ve read, then your children will pick up on that

Be realistic about what you can prepare while still enjoying the special days. Some people prefer cooking as much as possible in advance while others prefer making it all fresh that day. Still others like a happy medium where some, or most, items are previously made and a few items are fresh. Find what will work for you so you can maintain your calm and sanity. A happy parent is even better than fresh food. Don’t be afraid to keep it simple or make dishes that are familiar and easy. With three days straight of yom tov, you have plenty of meals that can easily overwhelm and stress out even the most competent of chefs. It always enhances the meal if there is at least one Pesach thought brought up at the table. This can also be a good time to let the children share some of what they learned in school. For those parents who chose to limit the school divrei Torah during the seder, the meals are a perfect opportunity to let each child shine each day. You’ll be more focused and less pressured for time during the day meals than during the seder with chatzos looming.

Chol Hamoed It used to be that planning chol hamoed involved finding a few potential trip destinations, checking the weather, and packing some snacks

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

I know it’s an extra stress on parents to find something that appeals to the crowd and is affordable. Then you have to pack something for them to eat that they’ll actually consume and can be carried around. There’s a lot more stress on parents than ever

others may prefer an outdoor amusement park. There are so many options available even if it’s just to make your own matzah pizza in the dining room. Ask around for ideas that are within your schedule, budget, and comfort level. If the weather is warm

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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Whether you make ping pong balls fly (hail) or have a stuffed lamb tied to your chair, you have the opportunity to make the seder meaningful, memorable, and fun.

enough, the kids will be thrilled to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air. There are many mostly outdoor venues such as Tanglewood, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Bronx Zoo, and the New York Aquarium. There are many creative at-home ideas from cookie decorating to game night or escape room challenges. Anything that can be done together will be special for the kids. There are so many wonderful Pesach books that it’s worth taking the time to browse the Pesach section. Use your talents to take full advantage of this special yom tov for yourself and your children. Savor the taste of freedom and have a wonderful yom tov.

RIE

before but chol hamoed togetherness creates such beautiful memories. Try to pick something that won’t drive you crazy but will still be something special. For some kids, a park to run around in is sufficient, while

planned, even if it’s an at-home event. Last year, we all became very creative in making chol hamoed special despite being under full lockdown. This year should be a bit easier with more options available.

BES T

before heading out. So much has changed since those innocent days of Pesach two years ago. I wasn’t going to cover chol hamoed since the world is changing so fast that anything I write today may be regulated differently tomorrow. Despite that, I will try to tackle this topic since it really is so important to maintaining the feeling of yom tov for children. It’s also hard to give clear guidelines since every family is so different, even with regards to how strictly their family avoids crowds or whether parents can take off. Because of this, I will try to keep anything I write more general. Don’t forget it’s chol hamoed. That would be the most important point because as long as you do something to maintain a chol hamoed ambience, you have succeeded. This year, there are four days of chol hamoed (no Shabbos) with one of those days being erev yom tov. Even if your family is limited where you can go, ideally, you should still try to have something

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jewish women of wisdom

Telling Our Story By Rebbetzin Faige Horowitz

s the pandemic abates, the question of the takeaways from Covid take on greater seriousness. We have had at least a year to listen to lessons from the many channels available in our lives. Print media, videos, and the ever-available Zoom presentations gave us ample intellectual and emotional food for the brain and the heart. So did the many deaths, serious Tehillim calls, and fears for our lives. I am writing this in early February when the older folks are being vaccinated and people are returning to shuls, offices, and simchas. It’s probably time to formulate our longterm observations and conclusions. For many people in our own communities, the example of their Holocaust survivor parents was a guiding force in their resilience. The European generation lived through horrific experiences, and they rebounded. They went on to build families, businesses, communities, and their faith. Their children counted their blessings; they had heat, food, safety, and shelter. They were OK. Mid-lifers and seniors had to deal with their day-to-day fears and isolation, but everyone was in it together and apart. No one was singled out. There was definitely com-

fort in that. Our generation could be careful without responsibilities beyond ourselves. We were grateful that we didn’t have to entertain a lot of little kids with insufficient devices and insufficient school days. We spent a lot of time on our own and faced our vulnerabilities and relationships. We are stronger for having spent months inside with our

cies. And act upon them, too. Early programming featured Rebbetzin Mimi Weinfeld of Flatbush on writing micro memoirs and our neighborhood’s own Joy Glicker Lieber on creating heirloom keepsakes and collections. Our own Miriam Liebermann drew capacity crowds in her two Zoom sessions on “Crafting an Ethical Will.”

What can we distill from our experiences and journeys in a way that will be heard by the grandchildren and future doros?

spouses. We’ve been creative about spending time apart and together and avoiding too much news. New interests have been tried, and many old hobbies picked up again. We lived through epic times. So what are we going to tell the grandchildren some day? What insights did we embed in our psyches and faith? What are we articulating to ourselves and for posterity? At JWOW!, we thought it was a good time to talk about our lega-

We were encouraged to think about the values, experiences, and family stories we want our generations to hear directly. Writing things down and communicating directly forces us to refine our messages. It ensures that they are not lost in the discipline of parenting, the photos of special occasions, and the heartbreak of challenges. The focus becomes sharp and a clear picture emerges, not a blurry montage of scenes, comments, and hints.

This is not something easily accomplished. Miriam says that she and her mother worked on an ethical will for several weeks during the latter’s final illness. I’m finding the subjects she raises a challenge. I really need to think. What can we distill from our experiences and journeys in a way that will be heard by the grandchildren and future doros who will certainly read and reread our words with reverence and thought? A few months ago, during one of the quarantines, I gave each of my local grandchildren blank books and inscribed them with the words “My Covid Diary.” I gave them some lists to fill out, such as what did I like during Covid, what did I miss during Covid, what did I learn during Covid, my Covid Sukkos, my Covid summer, plants I planted during Covid, etc. They understood that this would be a keepsake for the future, a chronicle of the good, the bad, and the growth. It helped them reﬂect and gave them a sense of accomplishment. It also made for several sessions during long days indoors. Maybe it’s time for Bobby’s Covid Diary. Maybe it’s time to chronicle my own crisis competence with the details of how I spent the months of aveilus and confinement. What did

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

I do? How did I do it? What were some difficulties? What did I do about them? What initiatives did I take? What did I do to make it easier? What did I neglect without guilt? The purpose? Distilling the past year’s experience to some core truths and takeaways for myself. Hopefully, they will become permanent positive values and practices to incorporate into a future ethical will. If we don’t focus on long-term takeaways, our journeys become a mere chronicle of what we did when. The photo albums prove that we did have the experience. However, if we ponder, write, and refine, we have truly meaningful souvenirs of our experiences. The Belzer Rebbe, zt”l, noted that Moshe Rabbenu’s family was not present at Yetzias Mitzrayim. Their father, the great leader who led the enslaved Jews to freedom and kabbalas haTorah, was on his own during the Exodus. They were with Yisro. Would it not have been more appropriate that they witness his epic role in the drama of departure during the night and participation in the miraculous Splitting of the Sea? The Rebbe notes the words of Hashem to Moshe instructing him to go to Pharaoh at the beginning of Parshas Bo after several refusals to let the Jews go. Part of the mission would be “to tell children and grandchildren what I have done in Egypt and the signs I have placed… and you will know that I am Hashem your G-d. Knowing Hashem’s role is a result of sipur, of telling someone who wasn’t present, he points out. Legacy narratives implant faith based on knowledge. Moshe’s sons Gershom and Eliezer were told about Yetzias Mitzrayim by their father who was thereby able to implant in them the belief in Hashem as Master of the universe. Without their presence at the actual event, he could implant emunah in them. Our family stories enrich our children and make them more resilient, recent research tells us. Those children who know their family’s stories can better deal with life’s inevitable ups and downs. Post 9-11

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implant faith in His leadership. But we first have to distill the lessons of what transpired to us. Then we will be able to tell the story and the glory to the younger ones.

Join the conversation and email list of JWOW! by writing to hello @jewishwomenofwisdom.org.

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In The K

tchen

Butter Herb Salmon Dairy / Yields 6 servings

By Naomi Nachman

I like to serve dairy for the day meals on the chag. As one of the main courses, I

recommend this salmon dish, which is made

with fresh herbs and Breakstone’s butter. EL IN DA ST RA US S

I am always excited to use butter, as it

really enhances the flavor of the fish and

PHOT O BY M

makes the dish much richer and creamier.

Ingredients b4 (6-ounce) salmon ﬁllets b½ cup potato starch b1 teaspoon dried dill b1 teaspoon salt bPinch of black pepper b6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided b¼ cup white wine b¼ cup heavy cream bKosher salt, to taste bFresh dill for garnish

Preparation 1.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a small bowl, mix together potato starch, dill, salt and pepper. 3. Coat ﬁsh in the potato starch mixture. Shake oﬀ extra and set aside.

In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat; working in batches if necessary, add ﬁsh. Cook for 3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Place the ﬁsh into an ovenproof dish.

5. Cook ﬁsh for 20 minutes uncovered.

6. While the fish is in the oven, prepare the sauce: Over moderatelow heat, in the same saucepan, melt remaining butter. 7. While stirring constantly, add cream and white wine; add salt to taste. 8. Brush butter sauce over cooked fish. Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh dill Cook’s note: It is important to constantly stir the butter sauce on low to stop the sauce from breaking (separating). To tell if fish is done, use a fork to flake the fish in the thickest part. If it flakes easily, it’s ready.

Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Perfect Pears for Pesach Poached Pears Serves: 6

This classic dessert hits all the right notes for Pesach. It is fruity, sweet and complex but light and satisfying. Even better, it can be made up to a week in advance of serving.

Ingredients » » » » » » »

6 pears, peeled 1 bottle red wine ½ cup sugar Peel and juice of 1 lemon Peel and juice of 1 orange 1 cinnamon stick 3 whole cloves

o Klein Shifra and Shlom az ine ag M gs hi eis Fl of cent re a in ticle ar es m Ti New York

Directions Add pears to a medium saucepan over high heat. Add wine, sugar, orange peel and juice, lemon peel and juice, cinnamon stick and cloves. Top with just enough water to cover the pears. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until pears are fork tender, about 15 minutes. Let pears cool in the cooking liquid. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pears to a plate. Strain liquid through a ﬁne mesh sieve over a bowl and discard spices and citrus peels. Return liquid to the saucepan and cook over high heat until syrupy, about 20 minutes. Pour syrup over pears and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

NOTES We recommend using Anjou or Bartlett pears. When peeling, leave the stems intact for added dramatic eﬀect. Use a Y-peeler or any vegetable peeler to get wide strips of citrus rind.

Poached Pear Sangria Serves: 6 This is a great way to utilize leftover poached pears. To make it non-alcoholic, use seltzer or sparkling apple cider instead of wine.

Ingredients Poached Pears (recipe above), chopped 2 oranges, thinly sliced 1 bottle sparkling wine, chilled

Directions Add chopped pears and orange slices to a pitcher ﬁlled with ice. Pour in syrup from the poached pears and sparkling wine. Stir and serve chilled.

This recipe has been excerpted from Fleshigs Magazine. The new #Fleishigs Pesach 2021 magazine is divided into sections so it reads just like a cookbook. This issue is packed full of recipes and content you don’t want to miss. Pick up a copy, subscribe or give the gift that keeps on coming at www.ﬂeishigs.com. Additionally, a recent New York Times article, published in the metro section on Sunday, February 28, “Sourdough on Shabbat? Inside the City’s Kosher Food Revolution,” features Fleishigs Magazine as the kosher answer to Bon Appetit, and co-founders Shifra and Shlomo Klein as tastemakers both within their Five Towns community and the Jewish community at large.

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Notable Quotes

This chaos would not open up an express lane for liberal change . The Senate would be more like a 100-car pileup, nothing moving.

“Say What?!”

- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warning the Democrats not to get rid of the filibuster, which is a procedural rule in the Senate that gives some power to the party in the minority

The filibuster has deep roots in racism, and it should not be permitted to serve that function, or to create a veto for the minority. In a democracy; it’s majority rules. - Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) arguing for getting rid of the filibuster, a Senate tactic that Democrats supported for all the years when they were the minority party in the Senate

The BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act will make the big federal investments necessary to transform our country’s transportation system, confront the racial and economic inequality embedded in our fossil fuel economy, and achieve the ambitious targets for 100% clean energy in America.

They are destroying our country. And they’re going to destroy it with tax increases the likes of which nobody has ever seen before in order to accomplish the “Green New Deal” nonsense. They’re destroying it with woke – when China looks at woke they see the biggest problem we have is Dr. Seuss. In the meantime, they’re building factories and trying to kill us in so many different ways. - Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview

$5,000,000 will be transferred to a trust to be formed upon my death to care for my border collie Lulu. Let’s look down the path and say where - From a will by recently deceased 84-year old Bill Dorris, of Tennessee, who left millions to does this cancel culture lead us? You see his pet poodle the final expression of cancel culture in Islamist terrorist groups like ISIS and alLast spring, as a poorly understood virus sweptgo theand planet, - From a new global warming bill proposed by Rep. Always Qaeda who basically behead those On-Camera (D-NY) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) something remarkable happened: Across the country, all who they deem to be infidels orlevels heretics in You’ve been vaccinated and you parade aroundof ingovernment two masks for put in place policies that just a few months order to silence them, in order to earlier protect show. You can’t get it again – there’s almost zero percent chance would have been seen byothers most people — not to mention most from being misled by those heretical I you’re remember into myget childhood, when we people that have had the going it. And you’re telling politicians — as radical and politically naïve.of ISIS or al-Qaeda. ideas in the eyes argued inwho the courtyard, we used to say: vaccine have immunity – you’re defying everything weinknow - From an op-ed The New York Times celebrating how the pandemic, which has killedtalking – Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) Itabout takes immunity one to know one. And that’stonot a masksmillions, “progressive pipe dreams” become a reality by telling people wear who helped have been about cancel culture on Fox News coincidence, vaccinated. not just a children’s saying or joke. see ourAnthony own traits in other – Sen. We Randalways Paul (R-KY) to Dr. Fauci, during a Senate hearing And so, when we look at cancel culture There’s no room in our classrooms for things like Critical Race people and think they are like how we really here at home, we see those efforts to Theory. kids to hate their country and to hate each other YouAnd want get ridwe of vaccine to Teaching quit wearing are. as to a result, assess (ahesitancy? person’s) Tell people cancel or silence those that they don’t is not worth one red cent of taxpayer money.to hear from. Those who their masks they get the vaccine. activities and after give assessments. want the people - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announcing that Florida schools will not teach a curriculum - Ibid. President Vladimir Putin responding to President - Russian may offer a different idea than the one that pushed by the left that claims that the U.S. is essentially illegitimate because it was built on Biden calling him a killer slavery those in power want people to see or to hear or to be exposed to. When we look As [Biden] said, wecelebrate know each otherBowl because you celebrate 600 That is how you a Super at the foundations of our democracy, this personally. What would I reply to him? times, so you gotta to step it up a littleI bit whenItyou’re at alife parade. shortens expectancies, it pollutes air,where it constricts equilibrium, is the danger of this path leads us would say: I wish you health. I wish you - Rob Gronkowski when asked about teammate Tom Brady throwing the Lombardi Trophy to it devastates forests, it melts ice caps, it sparks (and funds) it it. unless we as individuals stand up wars, against another boat Super Bowl last month health. I sayduring thatthe without anyvictory ironyparade or joke. flattens dialects, it infests –consciousnesses, and it kills people. Ibid. - Ibid.

- From a racist article in The Root talking about white people, titled “Whiteness is a Pandemic”

MORE QUOTES

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

This chaos would not open up an express lane for liberal change . The Senate would be more like a 100-car pileup, nothing moving. - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warning the Democrats not to get rid of the filibuster, which is a procedural rule in the Senate that gives some power to the party in the minority

I remember in my childhood, when we argued in the courtyard, we used to say: It takes one to know one. And that’s not a coincidence, not just a children’s saying or joke. We always see our own traits in other people and think they are like how we really are. And as a result, we assess (a person’s) activities and give assessments. - Russian President Vladimir Putin responding to President Biden calling him a killer

As [Biden] said, we know each other personally. What would I reply to him? I would say: I wish you health. I wish you health. I say that without any irony or joke. - Ibid.

$5,000,000 will be transferred to a trust to be formed upon my death to care for my border collie Lulu. - From a will by recently deceased 84-year old Bill Dorris, of Tennessee, who left millions to his pet poodle

Last spring, as a poorly understood virus swept the planet, something remarkable happened: Across the country, all levels of government put in place policies that just a few months earlier would have been seen by most people — not to mention most politicians — as radical and politically naïve. - From an op-ed in The New York Times celebrating how the pandemic, which has killed millions, helped “progressive pipe dreams” become a reality

There’s no room in our classrooms for things like Critical Race Theory. Teaching kids to hate their country and to hate each other is not worth one red cent of taxpayer money. - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announcing that Florida schools will not teach a curriculum pushed by the left that claims that the U.S. is essentially illegitimate because it was built on slavery

It shortens life expectancies, it pollutes air, it constricts equilibrium, it devastates forests, it melts ice caps, it sparks (and funds) wars, it flattens dialects, it infests consciousnesses, and it kills people. - From a racist article in The Root talking about white people, titled “Whiteness is a Pandemic”

MORE QUOTES

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

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Sen. Ron Johnson’ is right out there with his racism. There is no dog whistle for him. It’s like, “I’m a racist. Have a nice day.” You know what I mean? It’s funny. When I was watching this, it was so aggravating to listen to this idiot… He’s scared of this fictitious idea of antifa, a thing that doesn’t even exist. He needs to go. He needs to go, and soon. – The View’s Joy Behar joining the Democrat chorus of criticism of Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who is now being deemed a racist because he said that he was not fearful for his life on January 6th

They reflexively play the race card primarily to silence their critics or silence anybody that they don’t want their viewpoint spread around. [There are] two reasons they’re silencing me. First of all, they view the Wisconsin Senate seat in 2022 as vulnerable, and they’d like to pick that up to completely consolidate their power, so they can complete the socialization of America. But, also, I’m one of the few people pushing back on their inaccurate narrative that there were thousands of armed insurrectionists intent on overthrowing the government on January 6. - Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), responding to the sudden chorus of Democrats calling him a racist

Courageously and radically refuse to wear a mask. -The tattoo that a young woman got last year, right before the pandemic, shown in a viral video – titled “Dumbest tatoos ever” – in which the woman explains that several days before the pandemic, she finally got the tattoo that she had wanted for years in order to always remind herself to be true to who she is

They are true and legitimate heirs, these Dreamers are, of our founders. – Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi talking about illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors

The N.C.A.A. March Madness basketball tournament began today, and it’s extra exciting because there was no tournament last year. So this is my first chance in two years to get furious at 19-year-olds I hadn’t heard of five minutes ago. — Seth Meyers

I know I crossed a line, but I had no choice. - Jonathan Pollard talking with Israel Hayom about his saga in his first post-pardon interview

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Political Crossfire

China is Eating Our Lunch By Bill Maher

Excerpted from Bill Maher’s monologue on HBO on March 13, 2021

nd finally, new rule, you’re not gonna win the battle for the 21st century if you are a silly people, and Americans are a silly people. That’s the classic phrase from Lawrence of Arabia when Lawrence tells his Bedouin allies that, as long as they stay a bunch of squabbling tribes, they will remain a silly people. Well, we’re the silly people now. You know who doesn’t care that there’s a stereotype of a Chinese man in a Dr. Seuss book? China. All 1.4 billion of them could give a Crouching Tiger flying [flip] … because they’re not a silly people. If anything, they are as serious as a prison fight. Look, we all know China does bad stuff. They break promises about Hong Kong autonomy, they put Uyghurs in camps, and punish dissent, and we don’t want to be that, but there’s got to be something between authoritarian government that tells everyone what to do and a representative government that can’t do anything at all. In two generations, China has built 500 entire cities from scratch, moved the majority of their huge population from poverty to the middle class and mostly cornered the market in 5G and pharmaceuticals. Oh, and they bought Africa. Their New Silk Road initiative is the biggest infrastructure project in history, indebting not just that continent, but large parts of Asia, Europe and the Middle East to the people who built their roads, bridges and ports. If you want to go anywhere in the world these days, you better have a yen for travel. Yeah. In China alone, they have 40,000 kilometers of high speed rail. Amer-

ica has none. Our fastest train is the train that goes around the zoo. California wanted to build high speed rail connecting the entire state but alas, could not – we’re 6 billion in

we have to stop the lizard people because they’re eating babies. We are a silly people. Even when we all agree on something, like getting rid of the penny, no, the inertia, … the graph,

They were back to throwing raves in swimming pools, while we were stuck at home surfing the dark web for black market Charmin.

the hole just trying to finish the track connecting the vital hubs of Bakersfield and Merced. One small step for nobody, one giant leap if you’re a raisin. On a national level, we’ve been having infrastructure week every week since 2009. But we never do anything. Half the country’s having a never-ending woke competition deciding whether Mr. Potato Head [is a boy] and the other half believes

the lawyers, the cowardice, nothing ever moves in this impacted colon of a country. We see a problem and we ignore it, lie about it, fight about it, endlessly litigate it, sunset clause it, it kick it down the road and then write a bill where a half [good] solution doesn’t kick in for 10 years. China sees a problem and they fix it. They build a dam. We debate what to rename it. That’s why their airports look like this. And ours

look like this. In San Francisco, it took 10 years just to get to bus lines through environmental review. The bid to dig a tunnel in Boston took 16 years and don’t get me started on my solar panels. China once put up a 57-story skyscraper in 19 days. They demolished and rebuilt the Sanyuan Bridge in Beijing in 43 hours. We binge watch; they binge build. When COVID hit Wuhan, the city built a quarantine center with 4,000 rooms in 10 days, and they barely had to use it because they quickly arrested the spread of the disease. They were back to throwing raves in swimming pools, while we were stuck at home surfing the dark web for black market Charmin. We’re not losing to China. We lost. The returns just haven’t all come in yet. They made robots that check a kid’s temperature and got [them] back in school. Most of our kids are still pretending to take Zoom classes while they watch Tik Tok and their brain cells slowly commit ritual suicide. As George Bush once said, “Is our children learning?” There is a progressive trend now to sacrifice merit for equity. Colleges are chucking the SAT and ACT test and in New York Mayor de Blasio announced merit would no longer decide who gets into the schools for advanced learners, but rather a lottery system. You think China’s doing that? Letting political correctness get in the way of nurturing their best and brightest? You think Chinese colleges are offering courses in the philosophy of Star Trek, the sociology of Seinfeld, and Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse? Those are real, and so is China and they are eating our lunch. And believe me, in an hour, though, they’ll be hungry again.

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Political Crossfire

Get Your Shot. Live Your Life. By Marc A. Thiessen

ith more than 2 million Americans getting Covid-19 vaccination shots each day, many are asking a simple question: When can we resume normal life? The answer should be pretty simple as well – as soon as your immunity kicks in. But the Biden administration is telling the Covid-weary country: Not so fast. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released complex guidelines, full of conditions and stipulations, listing what vaccinated people can and cannot do. You can “visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing” and “visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk.” But “all people, regardless of vaccination status, should adhere to current guidance to avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings.” So, no church services, sporting events, concerts or long-delayed weddings. Even more absurdly, the CDC advises after getting the vaccine, you should continue to “delay travel and stay home.” How long will these restrictions persist? In his address to the nation last week, President Joe Biden said if we are on our best behavior for the next four months, then by the Fourth of July “small groups will be able to get together” for backyard cookouts but “that doesn’t mean large events with lots of people together.” This is ridiculous. I asked Marty Makary, a physician and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, what the guidance should be. “After you have a ﬁrst dose, give it four weeks for the vaccine to kick in, and then live a normal life,” he told me. “It’s that simple.”

He’s right. Studies show that the Pfizer vaccine has a 94.8% efficacy in preventing Covid infection after the second dose. But writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, Canadian researchers found that “even before the second dose, [the Pfizer vaccine] was highly efficacious, with a vaccine efficacy of 92.6%, a finding similar to the first-dose efficacy of 92.1% reported for the [Moderna] vaccine.” And that is the efficacy rate in preventing any Covid infection whatsoever. “It’s 100 percent effective in preventing death after four weeks,” Makary says. The booster shot is essential for longer-term immunity, but “you get incredible protection from the first dose in the short term.” If you’re

ers,” he says, because so many have either been vaccinated, infected, or both. The same will soon be true in nursing homes, and then in the general population. Suzanne Judd, an epidemiologist in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, agrees that based on the vaccination rates and the number of people already infected, the nation may reach herd immunity by May. As that happens, Makary says that “hospitalizations are going to plummet to almost nothing, deaths are going to plummet…over the next two months.” Monica Gandhi, an infectious-dis-

There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but many in the public health establishment seem to want to keep us in darkness. around unvaccinated people at risk of bad outcomes, use precautions. Wear a mask indoors for a few more weeks or months just to be on the safe side. But a new study by the Israeli Health Ministry found that the Pﬁzer vaccine reduces asymptomatic transmission by 94%. “The Israeli study showed that you really don’t transmit it once you get the vaccine,” Makary says. As more Americans get their shots, the combination of vaccinated immunity with natural immunity from prior infection will help us reach herd immunity this spring. “We’ve already hit herd immunity for health-care work-

ease specialist and professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, is similarly conﬁdent. “Data point after data point shows that countries with a rapid vaccine rollout are seeing the expected, but still thrilling, decline in cases and hospitalizations,” she writes in the Atlantic. “At this point, the end of the pandemic is not just a glimmer in our eye, but a reality coming closer and closer.” Makary expects that even when hospitalizations and deaths plunge “some cases are going to linger,” but the vast majority will be young people who are “last in the vaccine line” and

will have mild or asymptomatic infections. And continued Covid lockdowns pose a greater danger to these young people than Covid. According to one recent study, cases of intentional selfharm among kids aged 13 to 18 in the Northeast increased more than 300% from August 2019 to August 2020. Other studies found that young people are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness, with almost half of Americans 18 to 24 showing symptoms of depression and over a third reporting thoughts of death and suicide. The CDC guidance says, “The risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fully vaccinated people cannot be completely eliminated.” But that is true of other diseases as well. “If somebody asks me, ‘Hey, if I leave my home, can I get bacterial meningitis?’ the answer will always be, yes,” Makary says. “But the risk is so minuscule. It’s low enough that the risk of profound isolation and loneliness is far more likely to kill you.” There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but many in the public health establishment seem to want to keep us in darkness. Perhaps that’s because experts like Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, got it so wrong at the start of the pandemic – on detection, on testing, on masking – that they are afraid they will get it wrong again at the pandemic’s end. Fortunately, Makary is willing to say what they won’t: “Get your vaccine. Give it four weeks. Live your life.” (c) 2021, Washington Post Writers Group

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Mind Y

ur Business

Allen Azoulay: “You Have to Be Focused” By Yitzchok Saftlas

his column features business insights from a recent “Mind Your Business with Yitzchok Saftlas” radio show. The weekly “Mind Your Business” show – broadcasting since 2015 – features interviews with Fortune 500 executives, business leaders and marketing gurus. Prominent guests include: John Sculley, former CEO of Apple and Pepsi; Dick Schulze, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Best Buy; Beth Comstock, former Vice Chair of GE; among over 400+ senior-level executives and business celebrities. Yitzchok Saftlas, President of Bottom Line Marketing Group, hosts the weekly “Mind Your Business” show, which airs at 10pm every Sunday night on 710 WOR and throughout America on the iHeartRadio Network.

n a recent 710 WOR “Mind Your Business” broadcast, Yitzchok Saftlas (YS) spoke with guest Allen Azoulay (AA), partner at Concrete Mortgage Capital Inc. in Toronto and Chief Investment Officer at Apex Equity Group in New Jersey.

*** YS: Here’s an important question, especially for someone young like yourself. How can someone make sure to achieve their long-term objectives? AA: I would say first, stay focused. We live in a completely distracted world today with all the social media and everything needing to be instant gratification. There are pros and cons to that, although I believe there are more cons. We’re completely distracted, but in order to achieve long-term objectives we need to utilize time management and focus and passion. It’s a combination of all those factors that’s ultimately it. By continuously following

that same pattern and being consistent, you can achieve your long-term objectives. Most people aren’t consistent – it’s hard to be consistent – but ultimately, it’s focus, it’s time management, and using all those elements together as one. You spoke about the challenge when Covid hit and being in the world of real estate. You also run major non-profits. You’ve authored books. Perhaps you could talk about challenges and how they may seem like big obstacles, but if you have the right mindset, you could just plow right through any challenge. I think you used the right word: mindset. I think the biggest challenge that I’ve ever faced is people’s negative approaches. If you have a positive mindset and keep on going, like I always say, a horse has two blinders. It allows them to be focused. Ultimately, that is what a person needs because you’re always going to have those negative people bringing you

down. It’s just the way we live. It’s the world we live in. Especially in the world of Covid, there’s more negativity. People are frustrated, and so on. You have to keep on going forward. I’ve had people tell me, you know, you should write your books this way and not that way, after I came out with the publication. Before I came out with the publication, people told me, don’t raise money because of the recession in 2008. But I still did. And every single time I did it, I prevailed. Keep thinking positively, stay consistent, and then you should be OK. Let’s talk about another favorite topic of yours, time management, especially in today’s day and age. In one respect, people have plenty of time. They have time to play with their phones, watch videos, all those things. And yet at the same time, what does everyone say? “I don’t have time for anything.” What’s your take on that?

Absolutely. It’s interesting you’re saying this because my grandfather always told my father that you can never regain your time. Never. So, when you have that mindset and your father drills it into you – which my father did to me – you’re going to appreciate and value time immeasurably. There’s also a famous saying, “Time waits for no one.” Time is essential these days. People aren’t using their time well. Their social media is absolutely the biggest distraction; it does not help. When I call people, some of my clients, they’re listening to the radio, to the TV, to music. I want to have a conversation with you. I don’t want to have a conversation with the news. I don’t want to have a conversation with your music. I don’t want to hear you typing in the background. I understand we’re in a world of multitasking. I get it. But it’s also wrong. It has to be focused. You have to be focused. And that’s how you can complete your objectives. What advice would you give to an executive on how he starts

The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

his morning? What would you recommend that the first hour in the office look like for someone who’s really going to be productive and get a day’s full of work done? The first hour, make sure you focus ultimately on your To-Do list. You should have a To-Do list prepared the night before and focus on that. That To-Do list should be your entire plan for the entire day. Obviously, it changes, constantly changes. I keep my list on my phone in the notes app and I constantly change it, but I’m obsessive about it because I’m obsessive about time. But I have Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday written down and I even print it out, and I place it in front of me. Also, the unique thing that I do, which I’d like to share, is that any objective I had – whether it’s coming up with a new book, raising a certain capital for a particular project, whatever it may be – I literally print it out old school style and I place it right next to my computer where I look at it every single day. It inspires me and motivates me to move forward. When you have it visually in front of you, it just gets done. You can’t hide from it. What tips could you share in structuring a nonprofit to operate efficiently and to get with the real world? Now, many, many of the nonprofits that are out there in the Jewish world are doing amazing work on the frontlines. But I’m talking about what you did here by Ezrat Achim in terms of management. What tips could you provide in terms of management? Management is a very delicate topic. It sounds simple, but it’s not. You have to know who your team is. You have to restructure it. You have to, unfortunately, fire or lay off people. You also have to be able to analyze everyone’s ability to perform. If they just can’t deliver, then you got to move on. So that’s what I did. I saw who was around me, and who was getting things done. Unfortunately for nonprofits, you always have those

one or two or three individuals out of the 20 that get their work done. Obviously, we’re in a different world today of collecting funds – it’s a lot more challenging in this world that we live in. But that shouldn’t be a reason and an excuse not to go out there. There’s enough money still to raise for non-profits or for anything for that matter. Ultimately, it’s the restructuring and analyzing of the personalities that you work with. Allen, my next question is going to be near and dear to your heart as well. You wrote a number of books. How in the world did you have time to do it? It’s one of the hardest questions. It’s discipline. It’s motivation. It’s being passionate. When you love

it’s a passion and it’s really discipline to put things into perspective. Allen, we went through many different topics on tonight’s show. I want to try to connect them all, especially through the lens of a young entrepreneur. Perhaps you could share some tips or strategies on how to keep focus and to make sure that you do accomplish the goals that you set out to achieve. Sure. I think one of the main things, as I mentioned earlier, is the list, having that list, which is focused on that particular project that particular day. You got to get that done. You got to focus on that and not focus on a hundred other things. I have personally four computers, four monitors, in front of me.

“The passion will drive you to success.”

something, nothing stops you, and you just go and ignore all the negativity. As we mentioned earlier, it’s time management. Every hour, every morning, every evening, I did not waste. It’s as simple as that. I didn’t spend as much time with my friends, I don’t watch too many episodes on Netflix; I cut back on social media; I cut back from the distractions. Also, it’s really the individual. For example, I don’t have any notifications on my phone, I have zero notifications, so if someone really wants to contact me, they’re just going to call me like the old school way. If I’m going to get a WhatsApp or a notification on Instagram or whatever it may be, I have no time for that. I have no patience for that. When I’m at home or early in the morning or whatever, I’ll go, and I’ll check it. That’s it. And that’s the way I look at it. So, it’s all-time management and

And I’m working on one email here, looking at one site there. It’s not productive. So that’s one. Also, be passionate, passionate about that list, passionate about your every day, passionate about your job. The passion will drive you to success. Take any passion and really apply it, you’ll be successful. Take away any negativity, keep your focus, time management, and cut off the distractions. We’re all wired that we’re comfortable in our comfort zone, and we’re afraid of going into the world of the unknown. What advice could you share with people on how they could say, You know what? Take a time out. Take a deep breath. It might be fraught with some challenges. Be ready for that. But it’s OK to think outside of your comfort zone. What could you share with the listeners of “Mind Your Business” on that?

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It’s interesting you say that because there’s a few components. One is change your physical setting often. There’s a psychology behind that. When I was in Yeshiva University, one of the professors said every time you study, every few days, move your physical spot within the library. Very interesting. So, you can go to a coffee shop, you can go to this office, go to that office, work from home, whatever it may be. Ultimately, you want to get out of your comfort zone, so you could be more accomplished and get more of your day done. I just want to interject on one topic, specifically of time, which has to do with everything we spoke about more or less. There’s a famous quote from Albert Einstein: “The only reason for time is that everything doesn’t happen at once.” It’s very interesting that he says that because we live in a world where it’s completely the opposite of his words – everybody wants everything at once. And really, time is subject to just that moment. At that time, you could never regain it. So, time is of the essence for everything you do. It really puts everything into perspective. If you want to get that task done, if you want to spend that extra minute with your child, whatever it is, time is the most essential and priceless component that we have and the best commodity. And this is something that we have to take care of, appreciate and nurture, for us, for our children, and for everyone around us, but ultimately for our entire day to be successful.

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MARCH 24, 2021 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Forgotten Her es

Fighting the Egyptians By Avi Heiligman

Israeli soldiers in Nirim

hroughout the thousands of years of Egyptian history, their army made them a world power. The Egyptians were able to flex their military might using tactics, weapons, and machinery never seen before on the battlefield. In the past century, tanks became the new chariots, and aircraft roamed the skies where bows and arrows were once commonplace. Still, against formidable odds, Israel has been successful in battle against the Egyptians on several occasions going back to the 1940s. The Sinai Desert and Nile River defenses were once almost-impenetrable barriers to many invaders. From 1882 until 1947, Egypt had been under British influence and participated in World War I and broke ties with Germany in World War II. Despite his own advisors being against a war with the new country, Egypt’s King Farouk decided to join the other Arab nations in the 1948 Israeli War of Independence. The Israelis were, ultimately, victorious. There were a few little-known battles early in the war that are worthy of being mentioned in that they were vital to Israel’s defense strategy. On the first day of the war, May 15, 1948 a few dozen Haganah soldiers and kibbutz members defeated a much larger Egyptian force of over 500 soldiers in the Battle of Nirim. Near the Israel-Egyptian border, Nirim was mainly made up of wood-

en and tin shacks with a guardhouse made out of concrete. It lay on a main road and, together with Kfar Darom, was a target for the advancing Egyptian forces. Armed with just 34 rifles and machine guns and a 52mm mortar, they would be facing armored vehicles, artillery, and aircraft from the Egyptian 6th Battalion. The battle began at 7 a.m. with an artillery bombardment from the Egyptian column that severed Israeli communication lines. Communications were soon restored. Egyptian soldiers then came out of the vehi-

Kibbutz members at a military briefing at Yad Mordechai

early on in the war gave the rest of the new country vigor to withstand other “against the odds” attacks. Another early battle in the war took place at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, located four miles south of Ashkelon near the Mediterranean Sea. The Egyptians were attacking in force, stretching the Palamch/IDF forces to the limit. On May 18, they were only able to send twenty soldiers to the area when the commander of Yad Mordechai said he expected an attack within a few hours. The Egyptians sent a force of

Unaware of the evacuation, the Egyptians continued shelling the deserted settlement for four hours.

cles, and as they got closer to the fences, the Israelis opened accurate fire. The attack was driven back, and the Egyptians lost 35 soldiers. At 12:30 p.m. the retreat began, although the kibbutz continued to receive artillery fire for two more days. Seven Israeli defenders including Holocaust survivor Rivka Salzman were killed. The victory against stacked odds

10,000 soldiers under Major General Ahmad Ali al-Mwawi, and he split his force into two detachments. One was sent towards Jerusalem, and the other worked their way up the coast in the direction of Tel Aviv. On the way, they bypassed several small kibbutzim and towns, but Yad Mordechai was just too strong to leave alone. They had been repulsed at Kfar Darom and Nirim, and so they were

better prepared for a fight when they attacked Yad Mordechai on May 19. There were 130 defenders, including twenty women with an assortment of light weapons, a medium machine gun and a British-built PIAT anti-tank weapon. They were up against 2,500 heavily armed Egyptians who had tanks, artillery and air support. Early in the morning of May 19, the Egyptians opened up on Yad Mordechai with an artillery and air barrage and then sent in the infantry. The water tower was hit. A pillbox posted at a corner of the kibbutz was the focus of the Egyptian attacks on the first day. The pillbox withstood repeated attacks but had to be evacuated after taking a direct hit. The Egyptian advance was halted as they had sustained heavy casualties. During the night, the Israeli defenders collected abandoned rifles and ammunition. For the next three days, the Egyptians had a number of attacks repulsed by the outnumbered Israelis. The Egyptians made the tactical mistake of not sending in the infantry immediately after repeated artillery barrages. This allowed the Israeli defenders to maintain a cohesive fighting unit despite suffering casualties. On May 21, the Palmach sent 30 men as reinforcements, along with another PIAT anti-tank weapon and three machine guns. Included in this contingent were six soldiers who had deserted the British Army to

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | MARCH 24, 2021

The children in Yad Mordechai were evacuated by these improvised armored cars only hours before the Egyptian attack

help Israel in her most critical hour. On May 23, the Egyptians launched a diversionary assault to mask a larger force attacking the main defensive perimeter. They succeeded in getting a tank behind the lines, but the IDF soon knocked it out of action. By this time, Israeli casualties included 49 wounded and 23 dead – about half of the fighting forces. The decision was made to evacuate the kibbutz under cover of darkness. A small mobile Palmach unit called the Negev Beasts managed to reach Yad Mordechai on the

Bronze figures representing the battle at Yad Mordechai

night of May 23 and evacuated most of the wounded and women. Everyone else escaped by foot, including two stretcher-bearers carrying a wounded soldier. The three men were caught by the Egyptians and murdered. This brought the number of slain Israelis to 26. Unaware of the evacuation, the Egyptians continued shelling the deserted settlement for four hours. While they now occupied Yad Mordechai, the Egyptians lost valuable time and resources. They had lost 300-400 well trained soldiers

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and had been delayed five days during which the newly formed Israeli Defense Force was able to send reinforcements. The IDF had time to form a defensive perimeter near Tel Aviv. The Israel army later recaptured Yad Mordechai during Operation Yoav. The defense of the kibbutzim in the south had sufficiently scared the Egyptian high command into not attacking the main cities and to only cut off the Negev from the rest of the country (which failed as well). These settlers were attacked

by regular armies, and most of the time they were outmanned and outgunned. Against all odds, the defenders of these towns valiantly held off Egyptian forces and helped to give the Israeli army time to protect its land.

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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Just A Short Drive Away, Right Off The Meadowbrook Parkway LandRoverFreeport.com JaguarFreeport.com Call 516-771-9700

demo vehicle: leases are $3,995 down, $0 security deposit, $895 acquisition fee and first month's payment; excludes retailer fees, taxes, title and registration fees, processing fee and any emission testing charge. Actual rates and payments of closed-end lease may vary. Supplies are limited. For well-qualified lessees as determined by approved lender. All amounts shown are estimates; retailer sets actual amounts. Lessee responsible for insurance, maintenance, excess wear and excess mileage over 5,000 miles per year at $0.30/mile. (excludes destination and handling). Residency restrictions apply. Lessee has option to purchase vehicle at lease end at price negotiated with retailer and approved lender at signing. Termination fee may apply. Customer must take new vehicle delivery from retailer stock by 04/30/2021. Model pictured may vary from offer. Leases include $1,000 Owner Loyalty: Must qualify. See dealer for complete details.