The South Florida Community Voice - November 23, 2023

CANDLE LIGHTING

W E E K LY

NOVEMBER 24

ISRAEL AT WAR DAY 49

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Cabinet Approves Deal for Release of 50 Hostages in Exchange for Multi-Day Ceasefire

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INSIDE

We are honored to introduce the South Florida Community Voice. We will be featuring local updates, articles and ads of local businesses.

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The Community Voice is South Florida’s largest direct-mail publication bringing together South Florida Jewish communities of: Orlando (Pesach/Sukkot) Palm Beach Boynton Beach Delray Beach Boca Raton Deerfield Beach Parkland Coral Springs Coconut Creek Pompano Beach Sunrise Lauderdale

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CONTACT US TODAY to place your ad and take advantage of our special introductory rates.

Rabbi Eliyahu Segal Publisher, CEO Phone: 954.662.5054 Email: Info@tsfcommunityvoice.com

Contact the editor for questions or to write articles please email to Editor@tsfcommunityvoice.com Deadline: Monday Night

Making a Difference

We Are Not Intimidated

Cabinet Approves Deal for Release of 50 Hostages in Exchange for Multi-Day Ceasefire

A Game Changing Experience

Halibut Pockets with Kasha and Spiced Olive Tapenade

© The South Florida Community Voice Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in printed or digital form in whole or in part in any form without prior written permission is prohibited. The publisher reserves all right to edit all articles for clarity, space and editorial sensitivities. Submissions cannot be returned to sender. The South Florida Weekly Magazine is not responsible for the cash flow of any advertised product or service that appears in these pages. The South Florida Community Voice Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements in this publication, nor for the content of books that are referred to or excerpted herein.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Making a Difference: Florida Attorney Bringing Smiles to Israelis with Magic Alan Sakowitz found where he fit. He became a magician and performed 26 magic shows for over 2,600 people in 9 days

In the aftermath of the tragic events on October 7, many felt the need to contribute to the well-being of Israel and the Jewish people. Alan Sakowitz found a unique way to make a positive impact.

Inspired by the desire to uplift spirits, he embarked on a mission to bring joy to the children of Israel through magic shows.

Having donated to vital causes supporting soldiers and emergency services, davening for the soldiers’ safety, saying Tehillim and learning more, Alan felt there was more he could do. His journey began with an ambitious goal of magical performances for 1,000 children in Israel.

Alan quickly acted, undeterred by the lack of magic tricks or performance venues. He contacted an online magic shop, seeking advice on becoming an instant magician. Simultaneously, he leveraged his network to solicit donations for gifts to accompany his magic shows.

The journey unfolded with a surprising turn of events. In addition to his magical endeavors, Alan discovered an opportunity to transport 29 bags including medicine for a student in Israel and 23 duffel bags of essential items for the IDF. El Al’s generous support facilitated this mission, demonstrating the collective effort to aid those in need.

Alan encountered linguistic challenges upon arriving in Israel when his scheduled English-speaking audiences became Hebrew speaking audiences for the most part. But his determination to bring smiles prevailed.

Shows were adapted for Hebrew-speaking audiences, and the magic began. Despite initial hurdles, each performance brought a unique blend of joy and a powerful message.

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With an evolving schedule, Alan navigated the nuances of performing for different audiences, including displaced children and those with parents in the IDF. His shows became a platform not just for magic but for delivering a crucial message — a reminder to the children that their parents are heroes, and they are not alone. He told them that since his heroes were away in the IDF, he became a magician to make their day fun.

Alan performed in Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Efrat, Beit Shemesh and Kiryat Gat. As Alan continued his magical journey, he inspired others to contribute. Talented individuals joined in, amplifying the festive atmosphere. Adina, a 13-year-old professional face painter whose mother Tova (Kaplan) Bloom grew up in South Florida,

added an extra layer of joy to the shows, becoming a beacon of positivity for the children affected by the events.

The ripple effect of Alan’s initiative grew, with others expressing their desire to contribute their talents. In the face of economic challenges and safety concerns, the people of Israel stood resilient, showcasing strength for their children and communities.

By the end of his trip, Alan had performed 26 shows in nine days for over 2,600 people, primarily children and distributed over 3,000 gifts and sixty pounds of candy to uplift spirits. His commitment doesn’t end there — he plans to return in a few weeks, seeking permission to perform for soldiers during non-combat times and continuing to brighten the lives of the children of soldiers. He is now buying all new magic so he can perform for many of the same children of soldiers.

You can partner with Alan by contributing for gifts for the children and soldiers. To partner, please send checks to Alan Sakowitz, made payable to Chessed of South Florida, 915 NE 173 Street, Miami, Florida, or Zell Leah at 305.331.2700 or donate at www.ChesedofFlorida.org. Under “special instructions” enter “Magic.” You can contact Alan Sakowitz at asakowitz@ pointecompanies.com or 305.655.1234.

Alan is ready to share the contacts he has gathered for those traveling to Israel with questions about aiding soldiers or sharing talents to bring joy.

Alan Sakowitz’s journey is a testament to the power of individual initiative and collective goodwill. Together, we can make a difference, one smile at a time.

ISRAEL

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ISRAEL

We Are Not Intimidated

DC’s March For Israel Demonstrated To The World That Jews Are Not Intimidated By The Evils of Hamas

By Micah Tokayer This is the most united Jews have been in my entire life.

The simple blackand-white nature of the Israel-Hamas war and the extreme rise in antisemitism have unified the worldwide Jewish community around an unfathomably evil enemy.

What is typical in conflict is atypical today. The fog of war usually makes understanding one’s enemy’s immediate intentions unclear, but Hamas’s intentions could not be more straightforward. They are attempting to destroy the Jewish state and the Jewish people. They state it openly and record themselves finding horrific success.

Hamas is an existential threat to the Jewish people everywhere. As an internationally recognized terrorist organization, their statements should be given no air, and their sisyphean task of trying to destroy the Jewish people should only be met with destruction. As a terror group, their unstated goal is to terrify everyone until they get what they want.

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decades, Hamas has emphatically declared that Palestinians are subjugated to an occupational force.

Dulling the reality of Hamas as a terrorist organization and coloring their movement as liberation against oppression magnetized mainstream and social media. With the rise of lazy churnalism and fall of accurate reporting, the surfacelevel understanding of Hamas as a movement, not a terrorist organization, easily allowed them to grow internationally. Hamas plays the media such that those uninformed enough to believe headlines at face value feel vindicated in supporting terrorism.

Make no mistake, Hamas is a

terrorist organization.

Their founding charter states that they wish to destroy all Jews everywhere, not just destroy the Jewish state. They use hospitals as military bases, turn water pipes into rockets, store ammunition in schools, and use ambulances as military transport.

All of this is done so that when Israel eventually responds to these verified threats, Hamas can point the camera at the civilians purposely put in harms way. Hamas has operated like this since their founding but has not seen as much success in their goal of killing Jews as the world saw on October 7th, the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. 1400 Israelis were killed. Over 200 were kidnapped. Thousands raped, stabbed, molested, beheaded, amputated, dragged through the town, then shot. As of this post, nearly 10,000 rockets were fired toward civilian areas. If not for the modern marvel of the Iron Dome defense system, hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, would be injured or killed. It appears as if the IDF was caught offguard and took several days to remove Hamas from Israeli soil.

CONTINUED ON PG 18

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ISRAEL CONTINUED FROM PG 16 The very next day, Hamas celebrated in Gaza, and as Israelis mourned the massive loss of life, college students around the world celebrated the success of Hamas.

Make no mistake, BEFORE the Israeli retaliation, college students CELEBRATED the massive loss of life.

Then came the retaliation.

Israel did as it usually does, by sacrificing the element of surprise in the attempt to save civilian lives despite Hamas war crimes. First, informing the citizens of the area of the upcoming attack, where it will be, and how to avoid being killed. Leaflets are dropped from the sky urging those in the affected area to leave.

Phone calls are made to affected area desperately trying to get civilians out.

IDF then goes door-to-door trying to get civilians out at the last minute.

Then, after all is done to try to protect civilians, the targeted bombing begins.

Hamas sets up cameras nearby to capture the bombing, as they know exactly where it will be because of the great effort of the IDF to inform civilians. After the bombing came the ground invasion. The IDF knows that Hamas does not want to lose their human shields, so the IDF sets up a civilian evacuation route. Hamas then sniped civilians trying to leave before the IDF gained control on both sides of the corridor.

If the IDF did not care about civilian life, this war would be over by October 8th.

I am not a soldier in the IDF, nor am I a soldier in the US Military.

There is a limited amount that I can do to help, but standing around and staring at the wall only helps Hamas.

People tend to join movements they don’t fully understand if they think they will win, and silence from those supporting Israel leaves Israel to lose, but losing this war means Israel dies.

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are convincing those unaffiliated to join Hamas by stating that Hamas will “Free Palestine”.

This “Free Palestine” initiative on college campuses conflates the real, simple, and active Israel-Hamas war with the complicated Israel-Palestine debate. One is a black-and-white, existential war between Israel and terrorists. The other is a complex political debate attempting to resolve the issue of historical land ownership between a powerful government and hateful organizations. Uninformed individuals wanting to support a supposed liberation movement confuse themselves and often only liberate intolerance.

There is an old saying, “Whatever happens in Israel [land] affects Jews everywhere.” In 1948, it was updated to refer to Israel, the country. I personally was somewhat skeptical of a conflict in the Middle East directly affecting my day-to-day life. I am no longer skeptical.

On my college campus, next to one of the largest and fastest-growing Orthodox Jewish communities in the world, there was a “Free Palestine” protest. They chanted sayings and spouted slogans that called for Israel’s destruction. Though a bunch of us stood in front of them and eventually prevented them from marching forward while we waved and sang louder than them, that was not enough. Though we stayed our ground after one Hamas-supporter tried to assault us and was thankfully prevented and arrested by the great Boca Raton Police Dept., that was not enough.

Open Jew-hatred is rising.

Antisemitism is rising on social media due to the fundamental reality of anger accelerating engagement and algorithms designed to reward that engagement. The world’s oldest hatred is back once again under the guise of

a false liberation. “Free Palestine” rallies often quickly turn to riots designed to intimidate, so Jews put together one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in my life.

500,000+ people participated in the largest Pro-Israel rally in American history! 300,000+ on the ground in Washington DC and 200,000+ viewers on the livestream.

The Republican Speaker of the House, the Democrat Senate Majority Leader, and many representatives on both sides of the political aisle showed up and spoke to a roaring crowd. The bipartisan representation from the most powerful positions in the United States shaking hands over our support means one thing, AMERICA STANDS WITH ISRAEL! My expectations from the reporting over this event are at rock bottom. Even then, I may be surprised by omission, targeting, overwhelming bias, and absolutely no journalistic integrity. The reality is that hundreds of thousands of Jews, Christians, and Muslims from all around the world showed up to show support for Israel peacefully and thanked police officers for their help.

Jews are divided on so many things. It’s a fundamental nature of Judaism to disagree, debate, and reason with those that don’t agree, but when intimidation against Jews and Israel begins to rise everywhere, we all rally in unison over four fundamental truths: we are Jewish, we are proud, we stand with Israel, and we will never be intimidated.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Micah Tokayer is a financial manager and student at FAU. An avid pro-Israel activist on campus, he can be seen at the FAU Hillel, or the Chabad on campus,

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COMMUNITY SNAPS

Chanukah Bazaar, food trucks and fun at the Young Israel of Hollywood - Ft. Lauderdale

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ISRAEL NEWS

Cabinet Approves Deal for Release of 50 Hostages in Exchange for Multi-Day Ceasefire

By Jacob Magid and Tal Schneider, The Times of Israel

Israel believes Hamas could locate some 30 more Israeli potentially locate some 30 more mothers and children beyond mothers and children and that the initial 50, and that the halt the 4-day halt could be extended in fighting could be extended by by extra day per each 10 Israeli a day for each group of 10 more hostages freed Israeli hostages who are located In an unprecedented vote and freed, the government early Wednesday morning, official said. Hamas is claiming it Israel’s cabinet approved an cannot immediately track down agreement to secure the release around 10 children taken from of roughly 50 hostages who were Israel during the shock October abducted into Gaza during the 7 attack.

October 7 terror onslaught.

The developing hostage deal A government statement will see the release of 30 children, announcing the result of the vote In this screenshot of a video released by the government, eight mothers and 12 women held did not specify how ministers ministers meet to vote on a hostage agreement with

by Hamas in Gaza, Hebrew media voted. Despite expressing earlier Hamas, November 21, 2023. (Screen capture/X) reported. opposition to the agreement, Hamas has said it has 210 of Israel also agreed to release Palestinian the far-right Religious Zionism the about 240 hostages abducted last month, party voted in favor, with only members of women and minors from prison and let them which includes about 40 children. Islamic National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s return to their homes, mostly in the West Jihad is said to be holding many of the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit faction Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel has avoided offering a specific number, but Hebrew media remaining hostages. voting against, according to Hebrew media.

Part of the agreement will see the Red Not all details of the agreement have has placed the figure at 150. A Palestinian Cross given access to the abductees who been formally released to the public, but an Authority minister told Al Arabiya on will remain as hostages in Gaza, including Tuesday that 350 jailed Palestinian minors Israeli government official briefing reporters supplying them with medicine, Netanyahu’s on Tuesday said the deal is expected to and 82 jailed Palestinian women would be office said on Tuesday. see the release of 50 living Israeli citizens, freed in the swap.

Following the cabinet vote, the public Israel also agreed to allow additional fuel mostly women and children, in groups of 12will have 24 hours by law to petition against into Gaza as well as significant amounts of 13 people per day. any of the planned prisoner releases, though In exchange, Israel has agreed to a humanitarian aid, which have not entered no reversal is expected and the government ceasefire for at least four days for the first the enclave in large quantities due to the official speculated that deal will go into effect ongoing war. time since the outbreak of the war. on Thursday.

During the meeting, which began The government confirmed those terms Channel 12 news reported that Israel of the agreement following the vote, without Tuesday night and continued until early demanded those released would only be offering details regarding any of the other Wednesday, all Israeli security agencies — Israeli citizens, ostensibly leaving out the the IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad — expressed Israeli concessions. several dozen foreign workers from east their support for the deal.

Hebrew media “The Israeli government is committed to bringing all the abductees home. Tonight, said this endorsement convinced several Asian countries who are among the roughly the government approved the outline for ministers who had been on the fence, 240 hostages held in Gaza.

The government official said the deal the first stage of achieving this goal, under including National Unity Minister Gideon has nothing to do with hostages who are not which at least 50 abductees – women and Sa’ar, to back the agreement.

The government official said Prime Israelis and that other governments may be children – will be released over a span of four Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted working on separate agreements. days, during which there will be a lull in the Hamas said during the talks on a deal that certain conditions be part of the fighting,” the statement said.

“The release of every ten additional deal, including the potential release of that it would not release any IDF soldiers.

The deal would see a complete pause abductees will result in an additional day of further hostages after the four day pause, of Israel Defense Forces operations on the a commitment by Hamas to identify and respite,” it added.

“The Israeli government, the IDF and the locate hostages held by other terror groups in ground in the Gaza Strip and an end to Israeli security forces will continue the war to return the Strip, and a refusal to release Palestinian air operations over the territory, except in all the abductees, complete the elimination of prisoners who have been convicted of the north, where they would only halt for six hours daily, sources said, including an Israeli Hamas and ensure that Gaza does not renew murder. any threat to the State of Israel.”

Israel believes Hamas could potentially official.

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The Truth About Carbs

By Dr. Ezra Miller

All too often we’re told that to lose weight, we simply need to eliminate carbs from our diet - then we will magically eliminate cravings, reduce excess body fat, and transform our bodies. As with most fad diets, it is never that simple, and is certainly not a sustainable way to live the rest of our lives. Carbohydrates function as our main source of energy and many carbs contain essential vitamins and nutrients that are necessary for health and vitality.

Once we understand the various types of carbohydrates, how our bodies digest them, and how to integrate them into a holistic diet, we can strongly impact our long term health and still “look” the way we want.

Carbohydrates come in two main categories: simple and complex. Simple carbs - often found in sugar and refined flour, are rapidly broken down and converted into blood sugar, triggering a spike in insulin release. Complex carbs, such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables, break down slower and do not cause as significant of a response.

This sugar response is referred to as the “glycemic Index,” a measure of how quickly a given food makes blood sugar rise.

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Choosing more complex carbs will ensure more sustained energy, reduce sugar crashes, as well as lower the risk of long-term issues such as diabetes. And, as most complex carbohydrates come in the form of beans, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables, they provide us with a plethora of micronutrients our bodies need to function optimally.

Another nutrient included in complex carbohydrates is fiber, an indigestible carbohydrate. A diet rich in fiber provides better bowel movements, promotes faster satiety, and moderates our glucose response (i.e. glycemic index discussed earlier). As a side point, this is the same reason that choosing to consume whole fruits — with the fiber included, as opposed to just fruit juice alone — helps us to moderate our insulin response to the sugar present in fruit.

A further, and more recent, discovery of the benefits of fiber is due to its response on the gut microbiome — an ecosystem of beneficial bacteria. Although further research is needed to assess the specific mechanics behind these benefits, it appears that undigested carbs such as fiber act as food for the bacteria in

our gut microbiome. These bacteria in turn provide an antiinflammatory effect, amongst other potential benefits. This may be the reason as to the health benefits associated with a high-fiber diet such as decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and even cancer. Aim for 25-35 grams of daily fiber to nurture a thriving gut microbiome and possibly, a life free of chronic disease.

Understanding and embracing a better ratio of complex to simple carbohydrates, as part of a balanced diet, can significantly impact our well-being. By maintaining a more stable blood glucose level and including plenty of fiber in our diet, we can maintain consistent energy, have more stable moods, and improve our longterm health. A diet rich in complex carbs and fiber will improve our health, sense of wellness, and enable us to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Ezra Miller is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Personal Trainer, and IDF veteran. He is currently the owner of Empower Fitness and specializes in longevity and injury prevention. For further inquiries, he can be reached at ezra.empowerfitness@gmail.com

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ENTERTAINMENT AND ATTRACTIONS

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1. Amelia Earhart Park 401 E 65th St, Hialeah, FL 33013

3. Tropical Park 7900 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33155

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4. Okeeheelee Park 7715 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33413

6. Pompano Beach Community Park 2001 NE 10th St, Pompano Beach, FL 33060

ENTERTAINMENT AND ATTRACTIONS

7. Tradewinds Park & Stables 3600 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073

9. Bayfront Park 301 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

11. Snyder Park 3299 SW 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

8. Brian Piccolo Park 9501 Sheridan St, Cooper City, FL 33024

10. Mizner Park 327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432

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COMMUNITY NEWS

In the group picture from left to right: Matt Newman (VP – Closet Factory), Alex Newman (VP - Closet Factory), Rebecca Drescher (Director of Special Events – JAFCO) and Steve Newman (President – Closet Factory).

Closet Factory of Fort Lauderdale Offering Hanukkah Gifts for Children in Need Closet Factory Fort Lauderdale is on a mission to help children in need feel valued and loved.

Through a unique new give-back program, Bags for Kids, the locally based leader in custom-designed storage systems is helping to provide high-quality bags for children in need, including those in foster care.

Everyone deserves a place to put their stuff. Most of the time children in the foster care system are often given a black plastic trash bag to carry the possessions most important to them. Closet Factory knew they needed to do something to help.

The Bags for Kids program aims to help solve a national problem through a localized approach: donations of bags from Closet Factory Fort Lauderdale will benefit local children through selected charity partners.

For each new project a Closet Factory client purchases, a bag is donated to a child in need. When clients receive a storage system designed just for their P 3 0 / T S F C O M M U N I T YVO I C E .C O M

home, a child in need will receive a new, high-quality duffel bag that also doubles as a backpack.

More than 376,000 children in the U.S. were in the foster care system, according to the most recent numbers available from KIDS COUNT Data Center. With many of these children needing to live outside the

home, and foster homes in short supply, children are often shuffled between places to live. Moves happen often and many times, with little warning – and all the children are given to carry their belongings is a plastic trash bag.

In an effort to mitigate this, Closet Factory Fort Lauderdale kicked off the season of giving by partnering with Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options (JAFCO).

The JAFCO Children’s village is located in Sunrise, FL. There was no better place to start than right in Closet Factory’s back yard.

On Wednesday November 15th, a donation of 150 bags was made.

JAFCO will be personalizing each bag for the kids as a Hanukkah gift. They want each kid to feel like they a more than a number. Personalizing each bag gives the children a sense of identity and a gift money can’t buy: dignity.

Closet Factory Fort Lauderdale intends on continuing their partnership with JAFCO for years to come.

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BUSINESS

A Game Changing Experience

By Shalom Markman

We’ve all experienced stopping at a red light to feel that sudden surge of empathy.

A down on their luck individual holds a weathered cardboard sign approaching our vehicle. The window magically rolls up as we try to avoid making eye contact.

A permanent look of sadness shuffles past, etched upon this sorry panhandler.

We might search for a dollar bill just to prevent betraying another. Then on we drive to the next thing in our lives.

I came across a clip of such an individual down on his luck, holding that all too familiar cardboard sign, weathered from a thousand winters. What was written on it, however, created such an impression on me that I posted my thoughts on LinkedIn. Within a short time, it had garnered thousands of views. What was different about that encounter?

In the clip, a car had pulled up to a red light in a Manhattan intersection. Out stepped an individual into traffic who had most definitely seen better days. He was a gracious smiling man wearing a simple plastic jacket covering a t-shirt that read “showtime”, and a worn-out baseball cap that hadn’t been replaced since the Yankees last won a World Series. This confident and happy man had a folded cardboard sign displaying the word “relax”, written P 3 2 / T S F C O M M U N I T YVO I C E .C O M

in that all too familiar sharpie lettering.

Giving a moment for the driver to process the message, the sign was now unfolded. “I don’t wash car windows. Relax.”

Our new freind, (I use the term freind because he just broke down many boundaries and made me comfortable) let’s call him Matthew, laughed. He understood that this encounter took the potential donor by surprise. Guards for both were let down. But Matthew had one more up his sleeve.

The sign got turned around to read “what’s the best nation in the world?” With a small pause waiting for the audience to ponder, Matthew shrugged his shoulders and nodded no, as if the audience had guessed wrong. The last cardboard section unfolded, “donation.” Matthew couldn’t contain himself. He genuinely laughed and looked as if he appreciated his audience.

My business takeaway is one of envy.

I want to sell like this man, Matthew.

This happy man is one of the best in sales I’ve actually seen. I mean it too. He did something that not only sets him apart, with his humor and good spirits, but actively builds on it. He’s going out and creating a connection with the folks he’s depending on for his current, and I’ll add unfortunate situation.

There’s an emotional connection that is built between him and his prospect.

This initial yet small one-way interaction creates a relationship of sorts, enabling the potential giver to more likely act on that small connection. When it comes to a charity cause that we connect with, not only are we more likely to give, we’re also more likely to increase our donation. Even if we might not spare some change, we’re more likely to wish that we had as we drive away from our new friend.

When we go out and sell, let that first interaction of ours be the first of many pleasant ones. Our initial joint connection will continue to increase together over time. It’s no secret that when there’s a need, people more often do business with those that they like and trust.

At the very least, Matthew got me to think twice. If we can apply the same technique with our prospects, we’ll be that much more successful in eventually teaming up together.

Shalom Markman started selling merchant services by door knocking in NYC. He currently lives in Norfolk VA with his family and visits Florida when he gets hungry or brings on a new client. You can find him on LinkedIn.

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REAL ESTATE

Taking Action For Israel and Ourselves

By Shmuel Shayowitz

In a life filled with so much noise and distraction, there are moments that define our purpose, moments that transcend the ordinary, and moments that call upon us to stand up for what we believe in.

It was one such moment when I found myself amongst approximately 300,000 passionate souls, standing for Israel at the historical rally in Washington last week.

As a Jew, my connection to Israel is absolute. It’s a bond forged through centuries of history, culture, and conviction - a bond rooted in the principles of the Torah. But this assembly, this monumental gathering, was more than a display of solidarity; it was a statement of unwavering support for a nation fighting for its survival.

The rally echoed with chants and cheers. The rally was full of prayer and shared tears - especially for the loved ones still missing their family. It also resonated with a solemn understanding of the challenges facing Israel, our homeland, and all Jews throughout the world.

We acknowledged the sacrifices made by those living in Israel, the courage of our extraordinary soldiers, and the resilience of our people - all of which find their roots in the faith that has guided our nation for P 3 4 / T S F C O M M U N I T YVO I C E .C O M

centuries.

This rally was a reminder that advocating for our beliefs, whether politically or personally, is not just a choice but a responsibility that aligns with the values and teachings of our faith and heritage. The Torah emphasizes the importance of justice, compassion, and standing up for what is right. Our advocacy for Israel embodies these principles and reflects our life purpose.

The rally teaches that we must proactively advocate for our needs in our communal and personal lives. Activism is a powerful tool when grounded in prayer and faith and guided by the teachings of the Torah. But advocacy is not just about raising our voices; it’s also about taking action, as small as those steps may be.

We cannot be paralyzed by fear, doubt, or uncertainty, hoping that someone else will champion our cause.

Reflecting on that momentous day, I am reminded that advocacy is not limited to one cause or area of life. It is a universal principle that guides us in our pursuit of a better world, a better future, and a better self - all while staying faithful to the teachings and principles that have sustained us throughout our history.

We must rally for ourselves, advocating for our individual goals, dreams, and wellbeing. In doing so, we must surround ourselves with leaders and individuals who share our beliefs and remain steadfast to the teachings of the Torah while having an unwavering trust in God’s guidance.

Indeed, we must march forward in our personal journey - driven by purpose and a relentless commitment to a brighter tomorrow. It all starts with a tiny step in the right direction.

Shmuel Shayowitz (NMLS#19871) is a highly regarded Real Estate & Finance Executive, Writer, Speaker, Coach, and Advisor. He is President and Chief Lending Officer of Approved Funding, a privately held national mortgage banker and direct lender. Shmuel has over twenty years of industry experience, holding numerous licenses and accreditations, including certified mortgage underwriter, licensed real estate agent, residential review appraiser, and accredited investor, to name a few. Shmuel has successfully navigated through many changing markets and business landscapes, making his market insights and experience well-coveted within the real estate industry. He can be reached via email at Shmuel@approvedfunding.com.

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FOOD

Halibut Pockets with Kasha and Spiced Olive Tapenade

By Michelle Soussan

With an exquisitely simple preparation using parchment paper shaped into a “pocket”, this halibut cooks with minimal loss of moisture. The fish is dressed with olive tapenade—a variation on traditional mediterranean olive spreads.

These nests can be found in the frozen section of most markets so you can fill them with anything you like, but ground lamb is always delicious. Keep it easy with a seared chicken breast with lots of flavor.

� 40 MIN DURATION � 15 MIN COOK TIME � 25 MIN PREP TIME � 4 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS • Salt and freshly ground pepper • 2 cups water • 1 cup kasha • 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 1 cup green olives, pitted and diced • 2 cloves garlic, sliced into thin rounds • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, lightly crushed • 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, lightly crushed • 4 halibut steaks (about 6 ounces each) • 4 thin, round slices of lemon • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

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PREPARATION 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. 2.

In a medium saucepan, salt the water and bring to a boil.

Add the kasha, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes.

3. Remove from the heat, keep covered, and set aside. Just prior to serving, add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and gently fluff the kasha with a fork to mix well.

4. While the buckwheat is cooking, make the olive tapenade: In a medium bowl, use a wooden spoon to thoroughly mix the olives, garlic, cumin, and coriander seeds.

5. Cut off 4 sheets of parchment paper (or foil) 12 × 12 inches.

Place a halibut steak in the center of each sheet. Crimp the edges of the paper to prevent any liquid from seeping out as you prepare the fish.

6. Lightly season both sides of the fish with salt and pepper.

7. Drizzle each steak with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Dividing evenly, coat the top of each steak with the olive tapenade.

8. Place a slice of lemon on top of the tapenade. Pull the sides of each parchment sheet together over the fish steaks to cover them. Pinch or fold the sheets firmly together at the top to create a closed pocket.

9. Place the packets on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes. When done, the fish should be completely white and firm to the touch.

10. Set a mound of buckwheat on each plate. Unwrap the fish pockets and gently remove the contents, leaning each steak up against the buckwheat. Drizzle both the fish and the grain with juices remaining in the pockets. Garnish with cilantro and additional salt and pepper to taste.

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44th Chanukah Festival!

Light up the world in unity for Israel!

The countdown to Chanukah has begun, and with it, the anticipation for the 44th Annual Chanukah Festival taking place in Hollywood, Florida. But this year, it’s not just a festival; it’s a celebration of unity, music, and a noble cause.

This year’s Chanukah Festival is a unity concert for Israel. Part of the proceeds from the event will go towards assisting families in Israel who have been affected by the war. By attending this festival, you not only get to enjoy a night of incredible music, but also contribute to a meaningful cause.

The lineup for the 44th Chanukah Festival is spectacular! Get ready to be uplifted by the talents of renowned artists: Avraham Fried, Benny Friedman, Mordechai Shapiro, and Israeli singer/songwriter Idan Raichel. The show will be produced by Mendy Hershkowitz band, joined by the talented Zemiros Choir.

The festival’s leader, Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus says, “It’s a night that promises to be unforgettable, filled with melodies that touch the soul and a sense of togetherness that warms the heart.” This is your chance to be part of something special and make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

Get your tickets now at www.chanukahfestival.com and join us in lighting up the world in unity for Israel!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate, while also supporting a vital cause. It’s a night of musical joy, and a chance to show your solidarity with the people of Israel in their time of need.

ALL DONATIONS SERVICE NEEDY PEOPLE WITH AFFORDABLE CLOTHING

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We accept clothing, shoes, accessories, towels & linen in usable condition

schedule your free pickup

Call, text or WhatsApp: 201. 477. 8775

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South Florida Gemach Directory Miscellaneous Gemachs Everything Virtual Gemach for Jewish Families with Financial Difficulties Helps people find an item you need from someone who is donating it. This includes clothing, shoes, toys, books, baby gear, furniture placement, Judaica, Sefarim, sheitels, houseware items and more (everything except medical supplies, coats and gowns) Does not resell anything that is donated* Contact Orit Sabo at 917-359-5818 to request an item or to donate an item to someone else

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Support Groups and Hotlines Chizuk Support group for women struggling with infertility Call Sharona at 917-673-6123 Sharsheret Cancer Support Call: 954-416-0087 Shalom Task Force Domestic Abuse Hotline Call: 888-883-2323 Yacholet-Ikann Non-profit organization in Hollywood, FL offering financial assistance for mental health services and 100% Kosher therapeutic housing for young Jewish women with trauma and mental health struggles (786) 992-5036 office@yacholet-ikann.org acholet-ikann.org

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People available for advice, resources or support over the phone or in person Seniors Support For seniors looking for someone to talk to.

Call or text: 347-324-4039 Free Private Counseling for Women with Breast Cancer Strictly confidential, MSW with 20 years experience Call: 845-721-7062 Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services Free counseling & help for couples P4 2 / T S F C O M M U N I T YVO I C E . C O M

struggling w/ infertility Jaclyn at jaclynt@ralesjfs.org

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Food Gemachs Challah Gemach Free Challah for needy families for Shabbos.

Call or text: 347-324-4039 Shifra & Puah Meals/Assistance for Postpartum Women Call Esther: 310-866-8261 or Rabbi Benitah: 718-213-1811 Yetiv Lev Food Assistance Emergency assistance, visits and meals for new mothers and others that are sick Contact 786-202-3344 Tomchei Shabbos Miami Kosher Supermarket Contact Rabbi Mendy Cheruty at 305-219-3353 Tomchei Shabbos of Florida Contact Dovie Katz at 786-248-1690 The Cupboard, Jewish Family Services: The Dorit & Ben J. Genet (Broward residents only by appointment) Contact 954-530-7555 Jewish Community Services Food Bank 305-947-8093 Craig’s Pantry 954-648-6359 *The South Florida Community Voice is not responsible for hechsher at pantries. Please verify all food items.

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Clothing Gemachs The Closet 1840 NE 183rd St. North Miami Beach, FL Next to the Skylake Shul 305-4671928 Goodman Jewish Family Services 954-909-0810

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Bais Avel Gemachs Freshly prepared meals for families sitting Shiva Call or text: 347-324-4039 Chesed Shel Emes Helps families cope with all matters related to the care of the deceased: burial, transport, shiva chairs, tables etc.

Call: 305-359-5700 or 305-590-8005

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Money Gemachs Free Loan Gemach No interest small loans Contact Rina at 347-628-0394 Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida Contact 305-933-1187 or 954-706-6236 Loan Gemach North Miami Beach Florida 33162 305-332-3572 The Helping Hands Lending G’mach.

Contact Aharon Greenberg: 305-534-7050 or 768-268-9883 HHLendingGmach@gmail.com.

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Household Gemachs Mezuzah Gemach Mezuzahs available to borrow Contact Rabbi Yochanan Klein at 305-450-8287 Free Mezuzahs Mezuzahs available free of charge ww.myzuzah.org/me/ For the full Gemach list, please visit: tsfcommunityvoice.com/gemach

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‫בס״ד‬

LONG LASTING!

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Theme: Shabbat Create art that depicts your favorite shabbat traditions, such as lighting candles, challah, kiddush, or being with family.

First place: $30 gift card | Second place: $20 gift card | Third place: $10 gift card Email your artwork to info@tsfcommunityvoice.com Make sure to include your name, age, and city Entries must be received by November 30, 2023.

Winners will be announced in the next edition 12/7/23 and will also be contacted individually.

This type of contest encourages creativity, education, and community engagement while celebrating important Jewish themes. It allows kids to express themselves through their art and writing, and it also provides an opportunity for their work to be showcased in the magazine.

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