Issue 259

P. COSTANTINI FACTORY SALE

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Finish your dining room in time for Pesach, with reduced rates on tables and chairs.

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Setting up her new home?

So exciting! So overwhelming!

Book an appointment with one of our Kallah Consultants, whose 25 years of experience will guide you through everything you need, item by item, aisle by aisle. And, while you're at it, your kallah will get tons of tips, tools and kitchen hacks that'll have her cooking like a seasoned pro in no time!

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Because you deserve it.

Kallahs are extremely busy. They rush from place to place, stand in long lines, wait for appointments, and make difficult decisions without taking a breather.

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When booking a private, after-hours bridal appointment, the shopper receives the staff’s undivided attention to assist them in making their selections. There is no line, and no rush –just comfortable couches where clients can sit, take a breather and shop with peace of mind. Yours Truly checks off an item on the kallah’s list and makes it an anxiety-free experience.

“Kallahs should leave the store with exactly what they need,” says Rechy. The space they are afforded at Yours Truly, allows them to do just that.

Along with the comfortable shopping experience, for a minimum purchase kallahs will receive a beautiful package filled with carefully selected items they can enjoy in preparation for the wedding and beyond. A second gift for premium kallah purchases is a pretty bridal zip-up hoodie to be used on the big day for easy hair and makeup prep. All women are invited to step into Yours Truly’s private oasis. The selection of items available caters to women of all ages and stages.

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INBOX

RARER THAN A LEFTY

(Re: Life as a Lefty, Issue 258)

As a lefty myself, I enjoyed the article about lefties. Although my left hand is my more dominant hand, I write with my right hand. When I became bar mitzvah, my father asked a shailah about how I should put on tefillin. I was told to put tefillin first on my left hand, and then on the right hand.

A Left-Handed Fan

POINTING FINGERS

(Re: Finger Favorites, Issue 258)

Thanks so much for the DIY finger painting article. I loved it! Attached is a photo of my painting.

P.N.

WE ALL WORK HARD

(Re: Making It Work When Your Husband Works, Inbox, Issue 258)

I agree with the letter writer who says that she wants to hear how women make it work without their husbands pitching in.

My husband also works, and is not around to help throughout the day. The responsibility for my children’s schedule and all the household responsibilities are completely mine. I, too, would love to have another adult around for help — and even just the support of another adult to talk to! I would love to hear from more people like me about how they make it work.

A Lucky, Struggling, Stay-at-Home Mom

MY POINT OF VIEW

(Re: POV, Issue 258)

I really enjoy The Boro Park View and look forward to it every week. POV is one of my favorite columns. I just wanted to suggest that maybe the topics featured could be less materialistic and appeal more to the spiritual side of life.

It’s definitely interesting, in a yentish kind of way, to read about what people buy in the grocery, but I don’t think there’s anything to be gained by it. On the other hand, a different POV question addressed ways to enhance the Shabbos seudah. That gave readers insight and ideas to elevate their own Shabbos tables. Instead of appealing to our yenta-gene, those ideas were useful and helpful in developing us into better people.

Some other topics that are both interesting and inspirational would be: What steps do you take to remain calm during trying moments? What comments did you find comforting, or appreciate most, after experiencing a loss? What type of help did you appreciate most as a kimpeturin? The answers to these questions will still be interesting to read, and will also enrich you readership.

Thank you once again for being Boro Park’s favorite publication (no POV’s here; everyone agrees on this one)!

Continued hatzlacha!

MORE THAN JUST A HOUSEKEEPER

(Re: Running a House When It Feels Like the House Is Running Me, Issue 257)

Thank you! Thank you! And thank you! I loved the article “Running a House When It Feels Like the House Is Running Me.” I’m someone whose strengths are in areas outside of housekeeping. It was so nice to read an article stating that there is nothing wrong with women whose homes are sometimes or often messy, and that women whose homes aren’t always neat shouldn’t feel ashamed. I wish more people would understand that women shouldn’t be judged only by how their homes look. I’ve had people tell me hurtful things like, “Mrs. So and So has more kids than you, and her house is always clean.” Such statements indicate that you’re judging me only by my messy home, and the other wonderful aspects about me are discounted as not having value.

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Shabbos

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Thank you for bringing awareness to the fact that women who aren’t good housekeepers also have tremendous value.

A Bas Yisroel

ESCAPE THE TABLESCAPE

(Re: A Verdant Oasis, Issue 256)

While the Sukkos tablescape pictures were beautiful, I object to the publication of these elaborate tablescapes. I find it very disturbing to see so much time and energy spent on putting together such elaborate meals, table designs, dishes and decor. Instead of making Yom Tov heilig and special, it diminishes the kedusha and erodes our spiritual sensitivity by filling us with gashmius. It defies the entire purpose of the Yom Tov seudah

Instead of turning a Yom Tov seudah into a lavish display of gashmius, our children should be taught that we eat the seudos in honor of Hashem. In general, we eat in order to have ko’ach to do what Hashem wants. But all these exotic preparations cause tension, stress and peer pressure, not to mention a huge financial burden. May we be zoche to be mechanech our children according to the Torah.

Name Withheld

YOUR SAY

GOING UP

I’ve noticed that many advertisers, ranging from food to furniture, use the term “next level” to describe their service or merchandise.

I tell my grandchildren that for Yidden, “next level” does not mean a more lavish meat board, a more exclusive dress, or a greater variety of sushi. Yidden are ma’alin ba’kodesh. Every masechta we learn, every siyum we celebrate, every mitzvah we perform brings us up to the next level.

May we all be zoche to go maalah maalah.

Shira Weiss

Kallah Package

WHAT DECOR ITEM IN YOUR HOME GIVES YOU THE MOST PLEASURE?

We recently got a gorgeous chandelier, which we bought with our saved tips. Looking at that chandelier gives me so much pleasure. – B.N.

We have a beautiful “im eshkacheich” etched in stone that we bought on our family trip to Eretz Yisroel. I wouldn’t say that it gives me “pleasure,” but the reminder that we are in our home away from Home is what we all need on good days and on less sunny days. – Family R.

27% of POV respondents mentioned family photos as their choice of home decor that gives them the most pleasure. Here is a sampling:

Pictures of my kids on the wall are the most beautiful decor items in my house. I try to replace them yearly as they grow. There’s nothing like seeing perfect smiles and clean clothing when my kids are anything but... – C.F.

What gives me much pleasure is a picture sitting on my dining room buffet. The photo features five generations: my greatgrandfather, grandfather, father-in-law, husband and son. – A Reader

8% of POV respondents prefer empty walls and clear surfaces to home decor:

I hate THINGS! They just collect dust and have to be moved every time its place is needed. And who needs the stress of children possibly breaking them? – Miriam

Although I’d love decorative items, I prefer clear, empty spaces. Which of course don’t stay clear and empty very long… – A Reader

I love our big canvas blowup of professional family pictures I took in the Old City before moving back from Eretz Yisroel. It fills me with joy! – A.H.

The certificate my husband’s friends made for him when he completed Shas. – A Reader

I printed a picture of a Kosel on tapestry. I have it hanging on the wall, and it makes me feel like I am back in seminary. – A Reader

I have a small, beautifully painted wooden block on my night table that bears the words, “Life doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a mother.” – T. Davidson

I love the sign in my kitchen that says, “This is a self-cleaning kitchen. Clean up after yourself.” – A Reader

The paintings hanging over my couch. I got them for a great deal, and they just pull together the whole room. – A Reader

We have a decorative wooden shelf in a corner of our dining room where we place our leichter It frees up space on the Shabbos table and is safer when little children are around. – T.

The home decor that gives me the most pleasure is our couch footrest. Nothing like picking up my feet after a long day. – S.R.

The picture of our Rav in our dining room, which we had printed on acrylic. It’s stunning and makes our home feel so Torah’dig. – R. Family

Rugs. They lend a welcoming and cozy atmosphere to the bedrooms. – A Reader

My in-laws used decorative items to present my kallah gifts, some of which I converted to enjoy and display around my house. – A Reader

My most beautiful decor in my house is the kids’ parsha crafts hanging on the wall. – H.L.

Since our wedding, my husband kept telling me that the coffee should be more accessible than in the cabinet. So after a while, I bought a decorative coffee bar that sits on the counter and does its duty daily while leaving the area uncluttered. What can give me more pleasure than pleasing my husband in such a decorative way? – G.F.

On a ruchnius level, what can be nicer than “ Banecha k’shsulei zeisim saviv l’shulchanecha?”

The best decor in a Yiddishe heim is a dining room table around which children and grandchildren sit, with Zeidy and Bubby shepping nachas. – Mrs. Shmuelwitz, a grandmother who enjoys her role

I got a very outdated decorative mirror from a close family member as a wedding gift. I really did not like it and was upset about having to hang it up in my brand-new perfectly-set-up apartment. (This person visits me at home, so I had no choice). Then I put the situation into perspective and realized that in the grand scheme of things, having a less-than-perfect mirror hanging in my apartment for a few years is no big deal. It’s five years later now, and I just went to buy a new one. I’m proud to say that I did not let it get to me, and this gives me the ultimate pleasure. – B.C.W.

I enjoy the canvas painting behind my couch that I painted to match the design of my couch pillows. I did the same in a bedroom to match the linen. – D.H.

AT THE ENTRANCE TO MY HOUSE, I HAVE A CONSOLE TABLE THAT I BOUGHT BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE A FRONT HALL CLOSET. ALL KINDS OF RANDOM THINGS THAT USED TO FLY AROUND THE HOUSE FINALLY HAVE A PERMANENT HOME. – R.R.

A piece of decor that gives me pleasure is the grandfather clock my daughter bought us after we hosted her after her baby was born. It reminds me of her appreciation to us and of our precious first grandchild. – A Reader

When we moved back from Eretz Yisroel, my parents gave us one of their beautiful paintings to make our apartment feel warm and homey. It has graced our dining room ever since, and while it’s a beautiful piece in its own right, it’s the warm feelings behind it that bring us the most pleasure. – D.R.

After my cleaning lady leaves, everything in my house gives me utmost pleasure. – E.

I LOVE THE SCENT AND LOOK OF MY PROSECCO DIFFUSERS. – L.B.

The live plants in my living room give me lots of pleasure. I shep nachas when I see new leaves sprouting, and when I need to trim them, I replant the cut branches so I have another plant. Another benefit of having live plants in the home is that they clean the air we breathe. – A Reader

The decor item that gives me the most pleasure is definitely the floating wooden shelves in my girls room. It’s the place for their fabric dolls, cute pink stuff, pink diffusers, some hanging trinkets, and of course, a picture. – A Reader

The decor item that gives me pleasure whenever I glance at it is a large painting of chassidim dancing hanging in my dining room. We bought it in Eretz Yisroel, and it enhances the whole house as we live in an open-concept home. – M.G.

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This pillow, a decorative item, gives me a lot of pleasure. I am an accomplished quilter, and I own a computerized sewing machine with an embroidery module that uses software to embroider. It took a year to finish this pillowcase since my machine broke down in the middle. I keep the pillow on the bed in my sewing room, and I am proud of it because it reminds me of the patience and perseverance I learned by completing this project. – A Reader

This is a difficult question to answer because the longer you’re a homeowner, the more pleasure-giving items you have as part of your decor. There’s the ledge of family photos (which all guests peek at), my hanging needlepoints (one of which was a gift to a dear aunt who was since nifteres), my kitchen table runner (bought while on a boat from another boat in Mexico), and so much more. – R.S.

I love my red-and-white herringbonepatterned laundry room counters. When we first ordered it, the seller asked us five times if we were sure with this selection, as it was a pretty unconventional choice! Ten years later, I’m still loving and enjoying it every time I work in that space. – A Reader

My hanging chair. It’s meant for outdoors, but who cares? It goes well with my home decor and is so comfortable. There’s nothing like swinging back and forth on comfortable cushions while you procrastinate on getting your todo list done. Best Wayfair purchase ever! – A Reader

I have two large (live) palm trees in my dining room, which give off great, positive vibes. – A Reader

My beautiful gemstones are on display all around the house. They give me visual pleasure whenever I look at them, and also they impact the energy around me. – A Reader

The decor item that gives me most pleasure isn’t a single item; rather, it’s an entire wall. The wall facing my kitchen table is full of random crafts, letters and notes from my kids and random tidbits that show that happy little kids live here. It gives me great pleasure to see it at every meal, and it makes my kids feel valued and appreciated. – A Reader

Next question:

DO YOU TIP DELIVERY GUYS AND CAR SERVICE DRIVERS, AND IF YOU DO, WHAT IS YOUR USUAL TIP AMOUNT?

Please submit your answer by Tuesday night, November 19, for a chance to see it in print!

Email or text pov@thebpview.com Fax 718-408-8771 Voicemail: 718-408-8771 ext. 809

To receive the POV question in your inbox every week, send an email to pov@thebpview.com with the word “subscribe” in the subject line.

PARSHAS VAYEIRA

Puddles of Impact

Y. Levenstein

Before overturning Sedom, Hashem said, “Should I hide from Avraham what I’m about to do? Avraham will become a great and mighty nation, and through him all nations of the world will be blessed. [I have promised him these brachos] because he instructs his children after him to follow Hashem’s ways…” (Bereishis 18:17–19).

Rashi explains that these words were said b’lashon chibah — Hashem loved Avraham. Why? Because he was mechanech his household to follow the derech Hashem.

This pasuk reveals an astounding idea. Why was Avraham worthy of having Hashem reveal His plans to him? Not because he overcame ten nisyonos or because he taught the world about Hashem, nor because he was such a great baal chesed — although these would seem like great reasons. Rather, it was for one reason alone: that Avraham commanded his children and generations after him to follow in Hashem’s ways.

THE NESIVOS SHALOM EXPLAINS: Avraham Avinu tread a path different from the rest of the world. He taught his offspring how to live like a Yid from the moment he wakes up until he goes to sleep, in a lifestyle completely different from that of a non-Jew. We know how to live, think and behave like a Yid, with emunah and bitachon, and the middos of ayin tovah, ruach nemuchah and nefesh shefeilah that Avraham was famous for, thanks to the trail he blazed.

Thus, Avraham’s chinuch of the next generation was not “another advantage.” Rather, it was the actual kiyum, the actual continuation, of the Jewish nation. It is the central achievement in which merit Avraham was zoche to all these great havtachos

* * * * *

At an asifah for mechanchim, Rav Dessler stepped up to the podium. “I’m afraid to speak,” he began. “I feel I can hardly open my mouth. You think I’ll be speaking to the few mechanchim sitting here. But no — standing here, I see before my eyes thousands of children, all of your current talmidim, and all the talmidim you will be mechanech over the years. They are all dependent on the approach you have to chinuch. That’s why I’m afraid. I must have the right approach.”

Then, Rav Dessler added, “Who knows which of your students will grow up to be the next gadol hador ? Maybe one of them will be the Reb Akiva Eiger, the Chasam Sofer, or Chofetz Chaim of the next generation. With one word, you can affect

I see before my eyes thousands of children, all of your current talmidim, and all the talmidim you will be mechanech over the years. They are all dependent on the approach you have to chinuch

“Don’t you know everyone gets one portion, and one portion only?” He gave Avraham a sharp slap on his face.

the fate of the next gadol hador, and ultimately of the entire generation! If so, it’s simply a pachad to speak.”

A great responsibility lies on the shoulders of parents and mechanchim It’s vital to remember that the key to our child or student lies in our hands. The impact of our words and actions can determine the path the child will take for a lifetime.

*

Growing up as an orphan, young Avraham was used to going hungry. Luckily, every day, he received a nourishing lunch in cheder, the famous Eitz Chaim of Yerushalayim. And every Rosh Chodesh, the boys were treated to chocolate pudding — a delicacy they all looked forward to, especially the poor orphans like Avraham.

The first time Avraham tasted the pudding, he was delighted. He licked his plate clean and wanted another portion.

Avraham decided to try his luck and stand in line once again near the large dessert pot. As he neared the precious pudding, the man who was doling out the portions recognized him. “Why are you standing here again, boy? Don’t you know that everyone gets one portion, and one portion only?” Instead of giving Avraham some pudding, he gave him a sharp slap on his face.

Smarting from the pain, humiliation and disappointment, Avraham angrily kicked the foot of the table in front of him. The table buckled, and the entire pot of pudding turned over. A large puddle of chocolate spread across the floor, to the utter disappointment of the children still waiting in line for their treat.

Avraham was shocked — and frightened. He ran out of the cheder building as quickly as his feet could carry him.

He knew he had committed a dreadful deed, and he felt terrible. In his young mind, he already envisioned himself being terribly punished. Who knew if he would be allowed back in cheder altogether?

That night, Avraham couldn’t sleep. He was so worried. But as morning dawned, he reluctantly got dressed and dragged himself to cheder

Sure enough, Avraham was called to the office of the menahel, Rav Aryeh Levine, zt”l. His heart was pounding so loud, Avraham was sure Rav Aryeh could hear it. He looked at the floor, refusing to make eye contact.

“Is it true that you spilled the pot of pudding yesterday?” Rav Aryeh asked softly.

Voice stuck in his throat, Avraham simply nodded.

“Will you do it again?”

Avraham shook his head from side to side. No doubt, he wouldn’t do such a thing again!

Rav Aryeh smiled warmly. “Why did you do it?” he asked.

In a quiet voice, Avraham described the events of the previous day, as simply as they’d occurred. The potch still stung his face.

When he was done, Rav Aryeh said, “You know, I also like chocolate pudding.” He stood up and walked over to a closet in the corner of the room and removed two plates. He put them on the table — one in front of Avraham and one for himself. Each held a serving of chocolate pudding.

With his trademark smile, the menahel invited his talmid to sit and eat with him.

Avraham grew up to be the famed mechanech Reb Avraham Baharan. Decades later, he would say that this experience remained before his eyes all his life. “In those magical moments in Rav Aryeh’s presence, I understood how great the power of a mechanech is, and what it means to understand the nefesh of a child. I thought to myself then and there that I, too, want to be like him, and that’s what prompted me to go into chinuch.”

Reb Avraham earned a reputation as a master mechanech, devoted to his talmidim with exceptional care and understanding, ultimately guiding hundreds of boys in his uniquely successful approach.

Step inside Connections, an alcove of radiance and positive energy, amidst the everyday routine.

Connections brings together women over 60 who are vibrant, energetic, and young at heart. They’re looking for ways to stay active and productive; to fill their days with meaning and connection.

Connections: Where you come for the company, and stay for the program

Rabbi Y.M. Moskowitz of Kehillos Belz was determined to provide the heimish women of Boro Park with a rich, stimulating program that would add fulfillment and fun to their day. He enlisted the help of Miri Singer, who helped launch Connections and now serves as its director.

Every day, women gather for a varied program of exercise, art, lectures, music, and more. Located in a newly built, mod-

MIRIAM BLUZENSTEIN THE PIVOT GROUP

ern building in Boro Park, the facility boasts beautiful amenities, encouraging women to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere with like-minded friends and acquaintances.

Mornings begin with “Power Hour” – an invigorating exercise class tailored to all fitness levels. This is followed by an inspiring lecture, a meaningful discussion, or an art session. At midday, a hot, nutritious lunch is served.

Popular speakers, including R’ Fishel Schechter, Chava Lang, and Miriam Swerdlov, explore thought-provoking topics and encourage active participation from the group.

Other popular activities include cooking demos, nutrition consultations, and musical performances. In the week leading up to Yom Tov, the women enjoy a kumzitz, immersing themselves in the festive melodies of the season.

Shoshana Kenig, a friendly grandmother originally from Israel, tries not to miss a single day at Connections. “It’s my life. I have good friends. We got so connected – as the name says! – we help each other and share in each other’s simchas. It’s a real blessing.”

Esther J., a substitute teacher who has summers off, heard about the program from the ladies at her morning swim. “It really appealed to me,” she says, “because during the summer, my days are unstructured. It’s nice to sleep in once or twice, but after a couple of days, you start craving routine and productivity.”

Friends of silver, friends of gold

Research shows that transitioning from a busy lifestyle to a slower pace can decrease

motivation and physical activity. Miri is determined to prevent that. She explains that while women over 60 may no longer care for young families, they still want to fill their days with intention.

“Today’s women are looking for ways to stay active and try new things. Whether it’s new friendships or interesting hobbies, they can find it at Connections,” she says.

“Connections has become the highlight of my day,” says Malka Levy. “The company is nice, the staff is warm and helpful, and the space is beautiful and spotless. We sit around and schmooze, laugh, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.”

“When do we get to enjoy a meal we haven’t cooked and served ourselves? It’s such a treat!” says Chany F., a vibrant Boro Park grandmother. The catered lunches are beautifully plated, and feature healthy dishes including salads, sushi, pasta, soups, and more.

Let today’s adventures begin

The action-filled morning program runs from 9:30 to 12:30, leaving the women with enough time to run errands and manage their household, while the center’s cozy library and leisurely recreation areas invite lounging and relaxing for those wishing to stay.

Even though Esther J. is back in the classroom, she keeps coming back to Connections on her days off. Her children have commented that their mother has been happier and more upbeat since she joined the program.

Chavy Podrigal, who teaches biweekly art classes, describes Connections as a place where you can forget about the outside world. The women immerse themselves in friendship

and fun, providing their days with meaning and stimulation. “They’re such a fun bunch of women. I love seeing them express their creativity and I learn from their wisdom and life experience.”

Accessible, affordable, and always welcoming

Connections is partially funded by the NYC Department of Aging. However, since the program offers a rich variety of high-quality activities and meals, participants are asked to contribute a small fee at each visit.

“Our budget is much bigger than what we receive from the government,” Miri explains. “We offer top-notch classes and delicious, nutritious lunches.” At the same time, no one is ever turned away for inability to pay.

At Connections, every day offers new opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Whether art, exercise, music, or conversation, the program offers something for everyone – in a warm, welcoming environment.

As Shoshana says, “I tell everyone, you have to taste it! Like good food. Come and give it a try!”

Ready to make new friends and enjoy quality time with quality people?

A place to connect and a place to enjoy

Beautiful modern facilities

Fresh lunch served daily

Minimal participation fee required

Meet old friends and make new ones. Welcome to Connections, the exclusive program for heimish women aged 60 and above. Enjoy activities ranging from art and learning to fitness and music, for a vibrant schedule that will fill your days with joy, camaraderie, and the warmth of friendship.

Program is Sunday-Thursday, beginning 10:30AM

718.854.7430 1021 38th Street Brooklyn, NY 11219 office@bpconnections.org www.bpconnections.org

“GarbaGe Can reGulations”

Starting November 12th 2024 new regulations are in effect

• Garbage bags must always be in cans. On your designated pick up date the CAN must be taken to the curb .

• Cans must have a lid that closes well. You can go to www.bins.nyc to purchase cans that seal well according to the new regulations.

• Cans may not be larger than 55 gallons.

All new regulations are relevant for residential homes of 1-9 family units.(Larger buildings have different regulations.)

The NYC Department of Sanitation will have authorities patrolling and ticketing properties that have bags outside of cans, cans with improperly closed lids, and bags sticking out of cans. Fines will be $50 for a first offense up to $200 for a third time offense.

The NYC Department of Sanitation will not be out ticketing all day every day. Rather every home will have set dates and times when inspectors will patrol in their area (similar to alternate side parking…).

To figure out the specific dates and times for your property call 311 and state your address. They will inform you of the schedule for your property.

For any questions or for more clarity on the new regulations email info@scrapcare.com

The new regulations requires residents in the Boro Park area to manage their trash 16 times a month and 24 times a month in the Williamsburg area.

Scrap will be at your property at night and in the morning to take care of your cans so you don’t have to worry about your garbage again.

Better Together

PARENTING GROUPS

Gain tools to navigate the joyous, and often confusing, parenting journey.

WOMEN’S GROUP

SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS

Empower your child to succeed on the social scene with grace.

BOYS YIDDISH GROUP Ages 9-10

GIRLS GROUP Ages 8-9

SOMATIC AWARENESS AND REGULATION GROUPS

Experience the healing connection between body and mind.

WOMEN’S GROUP

DBT SKILLS GROUPS

Learn powerful coping skills to help regulate emotions and access inner peace.

WOMEN’S GROUP (18+)

PROCESSING GROUPS

Learn about thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns in a safe space.

ADULT MEN

Yiddish and English

FAMILY AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS

Share experiences and find support when caring for a family member with a mental health diagnosis.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GROUP

CDL Class B with passenger endorsement

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Yeger Heading to Albany After Assembly Win

There will be a new face in the New York State Assembly during the next legislative session, with City Councilman Kalman Yeger stepping into the soon-to-be-vacated seat held by Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein.

Weinstein, who represented the 41st District for more than 40 years, announced her retirement last year, tapping Yeger as her successor. Yeger, who is term-limited and cannot serve another term in the City Council, won the Democratic nomination in last June’s primary and ran unopposed on Election Day.

Yeger’s win last week will have him joining veterans Simcha Eichenstein, Sam Berger and Ari Brown, along with Rockland County’s newly elected Aron Wieder in the Assembly. Together with State Senator Simcha Felder, who also ran unopposed, the group is now just four men short of an official minyan of elected legislators in Albany.

Trump Jr. Hails New Square for Unprecedented Support

New Square made state history last week, with virtually all of the village’s voters casting their ballots for Trump, the highest margin of victory recorded anywhere in New York.

Eric Trump thanked Mayor Izzy Spitzer during a congratulatory post-election phone call for his village’s near-unanimous support. Ninety-nine point nine percent of village voters cast their ballots for Donald Trump in the presidential election.

In addition to extending his well wishes, Spitzer said that he looked forward to collaborating with the Trump adminis-

tration in the coming years. Eric Trump commented on the warm relationship shared by his family and the Jewish community, both in New Square and beyond, noting, “It’s a great day for religious liberty and a great day for the United States.”

It wasn’t only New Square’s Jewish communities that turned out heavily for Trump. The Republican took 87.58 percent of the vote in Boro Park and 75.65 percent in Williamsburg.

CB 12 Takes the Lead on Illegal Street Closures

Fed up with the never-ending stream of road closures on local roads, Community Board 12 has issued an advisory asking residents to report all street closures to its offices.

Unauthorized closures have become commonplace on Boro Park’s streets, creating traffic jams and other inconveniences. Last week alone, six busy streets were shut down on Erev Shabbos, creating havoc on the roadways.

Taking to social media to express its outrage, Community Board 12 called on Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Department of Transportation to revoke all permits issued to those performing work that is not in compliance with their work permits. The group cited Hallen and NY Paving as offenders, petitioning National Grid NY to pull both out of Boro Park because of their illegal operations.

“We’ve had enough, and so has the community,” said Community Board 12.

Roadwork in Boro Park often seems to be performed at random, with some saying that miscommunications between city agencies and construction companies have led to frequent closures. In some cases, newly installed sidewalks were pulled out and replaced for no apparent reason.

Community Board 12 is asking residents to notify them of street closures by calling 718-851-0800 or emailing bk12@ cb.nyc.gov, and providing details of the work, including location and names of companies involved.

Amsterdam Pogrom Sparks Worldwide Uber Boycott

With dozens of Jews targeted in what appears to be a preplanned attack in Amsterdam, Yeshiva World News is calling for a global boycott of Uber, alleging that many of its drivers actively participated in the violence.

Yeshiva World News called for the boycott on November 8, saying that the company had not taken any meaningful action in response to reports that Jews leaving a local soccer match

were beaten, kicked, chased, and in some instances, hit by cars. Police in the Netherlands arrested 62 suspects in the November 7 attacks, which were allegedly coordinated through Uber’s app.

“The silence from Uber has fueled a sense of outrage within the Jewish community, who see this as a test of accountability for global companies,” wrote Yeshiva World News. “Until Uber acknowledges and responds to the serious allegations surrounding the attack, YWN strongly recommends that Jews cease using the service.”

A day after the boycott was announced, Uber responded to social media posts, saying, “We were shocked to hear of this abhorrent violence. Uber takes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, and while there were no reported incidents of violence or antisemitism on the Uber app, we’re actively supporting law enforcement as they work to identify the offenders.”

That response fell short for many, who said they have received zero response from the company after previously sharing their concerns about Uber drivers whose cars were decked out with swastikas and pro-Hamas messages.

Port Authority Unveils Plans for Stateof-the Art Terminal B at Newark

Building on its successful efforts at all three area airports, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shared its vision for much-needed updates that it hopes will transform Newark Liberty International Airport into a world-class gateway.

Announced in late October, the Port Authority’s EWR Vision Plan will completely rebuild Terminal B, Newark’s outdated international hub, with enhancements also being made to Terminal C. Both terminals, as well as Newark’s all new $2.7 billion Terminal A, which began operations in 2023, could see

additional expansions in the future, as needed.

In addition to its focus on Newark’s terminals, the Port Authority plan will also include improvements to the airport’s taxiway network, the addition of new deicing facilities, and other enhancements, all of which are aimed at minimizing delays and increasing safety. Those using the airport can also expect to find streamlined roadways and better AirTrain access once the project is completed.

The Port Authority plan follows in the footsteps of the agency’s $19 billion transformation at John F. Kennedy International Airport, its highly acclaimed reconstruction of LaGuardia Airport, and its award-winning new Terminal A at Newark. With a record 49 million passengers utilizing Newark in 2023, the Port Authority expects to begin its two- to three-year planning process for the project in 2025, which will pinpoint cost projections and estimated completion dates.

“Newark Liberty Airport serves as the gateway for millions of passengers, offering them their first welcome to the great state of New Jersey,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “The EWR Vision plan will solidify Newark Liberty’s status as a premier regional and international transportation hub. This transformation will not only enhance passenger service, but also strengthen the airport’s role as a key economic driver for New Jersey and the surrounding region.”

Adams Trial Date Set for Isru Chag Pesach

Having insisted that he wants to have his day in court as soon as possible, Mayor Eric Adams’ trial will begin on April 21, just two months before the city’s primary elections.

Adams, who is up for reelection next year, has been very vocal about wanting to have a chance to clear his name as quickly as possible. Adams’ legal team had been hoping for a March trial, with the prosecution pushing for a May date.

Federal Judge Dale Ho set the trial date for April, citing the large amount of evidence that will be used in the trial. Over 60 electronic devices have been seized by officials, a third of which have yet to be searched. The mayor’s cell phone is one of those devices, and prosecutors say that they may not be able to access the phone’s data because it is locked.

Ho said that he expects the Adams corruption trial to take four to six weeks, giving city residents their well-deserved answers in the case before the primary, which is being held on June 24, with early voting kicking off ten days earlier.

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PRESIDENT TRUMP’S HISTORIC COMEBACK

A POST-ELECTIONS REPORT

AVROHOM LEVI

The 2024 presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump was expected to be a nail-biter. Polling averages leading up to the election showed a tight contest in battleground states needed for an electoral college victory. In fact, many polls showed Harris holding a slight lead in the popular vote. Yet, in what can rightfully be described as a political earthquake, Donald Trump resoundingly defeated Kamala Harris and was reelected as President of the United States.

Trump’s victory was decisive. He captured the seven battleground states of Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada, and he also captured the popular vote. Trump made in-

roads across all demographics, including significant gains among Black, Hispanic and Arab Americans. Republicans also made strong showings in Senate races. They picked up seats in Montana and West Virginia and wrested control of the chamber from Senate Democrats. In the House, Republicans held onto seats in competitive districts, but as of this writing, control of the House is still too close to call.

The magnitude of Trump’s victory has left Democrats reeling. If Republicans manage to retain the House, Democrats will face the reality of being shut out of the federal government. Complete Republican control of Congress and the presidency will allow President Trump to implement much of the agenda he promised on the campaign trail. That includes mass deportations of illegal immigrants, rolling back Biden-era environmental regulations, imposing acrossthe-board tariffs on imports, and extending the 2017 tax cuts.

cause of his decisive actions during his first term in support of Israel, such as moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, implementing the Abraham Accords, and recognizing the legality of the annexation of the Golan Heights. Trump was also rewarded for his helpful actions on behalf of members of the American frum community. However, Trump lost the overall Jewish American vote by a significant margin.

Trump is also expected to implement significant changes in foreign policy; he has vowed to bring the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to an end.

Trump’s victory was greeted with enthusiasm in Eretz Yisroel and by many in the Orthodox Jewish communities throughout America. These communities gave Trump overwhelming support mainly be-

TRUMP’S VICTORY WAS GREETED WITH ENTHUSIASM IN ERETZ YISROEL AND BY MANY IN THE ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA

Harris’ loss can be attributed to several factors, chief among them that most Americans believed the country was headed in the wrong direction. Over the past four years, many Americans have experienced diminishing purchasing power as COVID-fueled inflation caused the prices of everyday items to rise. Even though annual inflation had been brought under control and was within the Fed target rate of 2.4%, the prices of everyday items remained high. Harris made the case that the American economy was strong, with solid GDP, recordlow unemployment and record stock market gains. However, Harris’ argument fell flat in the

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face of the continued high prices at the supermarket. Additionally, high interest rates implemented by the Federal Reserve to bring down inflation caused the cost of borrowing to rise and was acutely felt by those seeking mortgages or carrying credit card debt.

Additionally, many Americans blamed Harris for the administration’s lack of action in enforcing border security. The influx of illegal migrants to American cities fueled concerns regarding the strain being placed on resources and government services. The administration’s attempt to pass a bipartisan comprehensive border bill crafted by conservative Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma fell short. Voters perceived it as too little, too late.

To win voters, Harris needed to articulate her policy positions forcefully, and she failed to do so. In her attempt to tack to the center, she flipped on many previously held policies, such as retracting her support for a fracking ban to win votes in Pennsylvania. On Gaza, as well, she sought to play the middle ground. She supported the shipment of weapons and munitions to Israel but expressed her outrage over the deaths of civilians in Gaza. She spoke of the need to free the hostages but also of the need for a ceasefire. She refused to allow a pro-Palestinian speaker to address the Democratic National Committee but skipped the address of Netanyahu to Congress. In her attempt to pacify both sides, she managed to alienate everyone. Harris lost support among Jews in swing states and lost support among Arabs and Muslims in Michigan. Many also faulted Harris for not being forceful enough in the condemnation of antisemitic college campus pro-

tests that have erupted over the past year. Harris was also unable to untether herself from the very unpopular President Biden. She could not articulate what she would do differently from him, if elected. Harris’ outreach to Never Trump Republicans such as Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger failed to help her garner enough support.

TRUMP’S VICTORY WILL PROFOUNDLY IMPACT THE ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE WORLD STAGE

Trump’s victory will profoundly impact the role of the United States on the world stage. Trump’s first term included many traditional Reagan Republicans who believed that the United States was responsible for promoting and defending democracy across the globe. The current Trump team is composed mainly of America First isolationists. Trump has pledged to end American involvement in overseas wars and bring the fighting in Ukraine and the Middle East to an end. The new Trump administration will likely cease funding the Ukrainian military and force the Ukrainians into concessions to effectuate a negotiated settlement with Russia. It is unclear how the new administration plans to bring the wars in Gaza and Lebanon to an end, but as president, Trump will likely give the Israeli government more leeway and freedom of operation on how forcefully it can respond to

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threats from Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. Trump is also expected to take a tougher stance on sanctioning Iran; however, it is questionable if an America First administration will be willing to deploy U.S. military assets and servicemen in defense of Israel as the Biden administration has.

Trump’s policies will also have a substantial impact on the economy. Trump has promised to extend his 2017 tax cuts, roll back regulations, slash federal spending and impose across-theboard import tariffs. The regulatory rollbacks are expected to benefit large corporations, and the import tariffs are intended to aid U.S. manufacturing by boosting domestic production. Import tariffs are widely popular among American blue-collar workers who comprise a significant portion of the Trump coalition. However, tariffs will likely add costs for American consumers accustomed to purchasing cheap imported products. Additionally, the imposition of tariffs can trigger a trade war with other countries that will likely reciprocate against U.S. imports.

Trump’s victory will also affect the many legal cases pending against him. The federal charges against him regarding the events of January 6 and the retention of classified documents will likely be dropped. The state charges in Georgia regarding his attempts to pressure the state Attorney General Brad Raffensperger to “find votes” are now in legal limbo. In terms of his supporters, Trump has promised to pardon those who were convicted for storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump has also vowed to pursue legal action against his political opponents,

whom he described as the enemy within. However, the extent of the fulfillment of this promise remains to be seen.

In other vital races, Democrat Josh Stein was elected as the first Jewish Governor of North Carolina, handily defeating GOP candidate Mark Robinson, who had a long history of making incendiary and antisemitic remarks. Republican Mike Lawler drew strong support from the frum community and

held off a challenge from former congressman Mondaire Jones to win reelection in NY-17. Republican Craig Goldman won TX-12, making him the third Jewish member of the House GOP caucus. Eugene Vindman, a Jewish Russian immigrant who, together with his brother Alexander, aroused the ire of President Trump for their involvement in his first impeachment trial, won election to Congress in a closely contested contest in VA-7.

THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS REPUBLICAN ALLIES FILLS MANY WITH HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE

The election of President Trump and his Republican allies fills many with hope for a better future. However, we must remember the words of Dovid Hamelech in Tehillim: Al tivtichu bindivim. Ultimately, lev melachim v’sarim b’yad Hashem (Mishlei 21:1). We must continue to be mispallel for the success of this country and for the safety and security of Klal Yisroel everywhere in the world.

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Recap: Kaily shoulders the bulk of her mother’s care. She very badly wants to join her organization’s Shabbaton. Roiza asks Perela to stay with her for Shabbos so Kaily can go.

How cowardly of Kaily, to make her mother do the dirty work.

How could she say no?

But how could she agree? Was it even normal to ask her entire list of contacts for help? Because that’s what it would take for her to stay in the hospital with her mother for Shabbos.

Perela yanked the string to the collapsible attic staircase. It opened with a billow of dust and heat. She gingerly unfolded the rest of the staircase and ascended to greet the unbearable temperature. Though it was the last week of camp already, the heat had not let up, and the attic wasn’t insulated.

at least she could start packing.

Perela carefully carried the bags down the steps and folded up the ladder. First, the girls’ room. Socks, Shabbos robes, hair bows, pajamas. What was she forgetting?

The boys were much easier to pack. That didn’t mean that they were easier to host. “They’ll give your mother a heart attack,” she told Ezriel, only half joking.

“Sometimes there’s no choice,” Ezriel had assured her. “Sheva will help with Yanky, and I’ll take the rest to shul. Besides, we don’t do this often.” He was right, but her

PERELA IGNORED THE CALL. SHE DIDN’T NEED KAILY’S GRATITUDE. IT MADE HER FEEL SICK

She stomped up the steps like a little kid and flicked on the light. Cautiously, she navigated the plywood panels on the unfinished attic. She had five minutes before she would melt.

They didn’t even own a suitcase. That’s how often the Sternbergs traveled.

She spied the two duffel bags Leiby used for camp last year. They would have to do. She would use one for herself and one for Sheva. She also dug up two oversized gift bags that could fit clothing for two of her boys. The rest would have to do with grocery bags.

See? It’s all for the best that Chaya can’t take Charni because of her “cold.” It wouldn’t look good if she showed up with her clothes in a shopping bag — not when she thinks I’ve got class all figured out. Not that she had a good — or bad — alternative yet. But

mother-in-law wasn’t a young woman, either. And Perela had thought it cute when she got engaged to a fellow youngest.

Her phone rang. Kaily I wish I could video call her. Let her see this — this shopping bag party!

She ignored the call. She didn’t need Kaily’s gratitude. It made her feel sick.

Because Kaily wouldn’t get it. She wouldn’t understand that her house was still recuperating from Tuesday’s shift at the hospital.

Did she know what it meant to find six neighbors to meet her kids’ buses? What it meant to have peyos gelled,

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hair brushed and all of them dressed by dawn? Did she know what it meant to pack camp bags with changes of clothing or swimming things, to put up a Crock-Pot supper after a fivehour night, and leave the house without making a single bed?

And after all that, she was the one who came across as selfish, while Kaily would be wined and dined in luxury.

Tuesday, when she’d taken over Kaily’s shift, Kaily had excitedly greeted her with a beautifully designed welcome brochure for her Shabbaton.

“Look! Isn’t it cool?”

First there would be a warmup pool party with aqua aerobics. To relax from the extraneous activity, they would be treated to an Erev Shabbos massage and professional makeup application. Add to that music, speeches, comedy, hypnosis and an illusionist that could somehow read your thoughts.

She was glad no illusionist could see her thoughts now.

Perela let the phone ring until it went to voicemail. She took a pile of laundry to sort, fold and pack as she racked her brains for someone who could host Charni.

The phone rang again.

Perela sighed. It could be Kaily again; she simply had to answer the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mrs. Sternberg?”

She recognized the voice but couldn’t quite place it.

“It’s Tziri. Tziri Blass from Prance. Do you think we could meet sometime soon?”

Meet? “About what?”

“I have a great offer to make you. One I don’t think you could — or should —– refuse.” Her voice was authoritative and super sweet, and Perela didn’t like it, though she envied it. What did it feel like to always look and feel your best, with a good dose of confidence to go with it?

“Umm… my mother’s in the hospital,” she blurted. “So it’s not a great time to meet.”

“I don’t want this to wait,” Tziri said smoothly. “So let’s schedule for Monday, then. Does eleven o’clock work?”

“Uh…” Hadn’t she told Tziri that she wasn’t available? But really, what did she have on Monday except for Sruly’s vort ?

“That should work,” she said slowly. From the baby’s room, she heard Yanky waking from his nap. “And thanks,” she said quickly, just to get off the phone.

What had she just agreed to? She headed to Yanky’s room. But instead of jumping up when she came in, Yanky just lay in the crib and wailed. Uh-oh. She bent to pick him up. Warm. He was definitely warmer than he should be. She held him tightly and kissed his cheek.

WHAT HAD SHE JUST AGREED TO? SHE HEADED TO YANKY’S ROOM. BUT INSTEAD OF JUMPING UP WHEN SHE CAME IN, YANKY JUST LAY IN THE CRIB AND WAILED

She sat down on the bed with him and rocked him gently. Then she noticed three suspicious blotches behind his right ear. She inspected the back of the left one; there were two dots there, too.

Nooo.

The phone rang again. Kaily.

* * * * *

She didn’t answer Kaily’s calls until she was safely at the pediatrician. She held Yanky in a corner of the waiting room so that no one got too close to him. He was irritable, even on Motrin, and so was she.

Please Hashem, make a miracle happen. Not chicken pox! In the face of this new crisis, she suddenly realized that she did want Kaily to go to the Shabbaton, especially after all the arrangements she’d made.

Once she was safely in an exam room and the nurse had taken Yanky’s temperature, height and weight, she called Kaily.

“Hi, Kaily?” she said softly.

“Perela! Finally! I can’t tell you

how much I appreciate this! I so badly need this Shabbos now —” she dropped her voice, “— with Sruly’s simcha, and everything… I can really use the chizuk. And by the way, I didn’t set up Mommy to call you. I promise. It was her idea.”

“Kaily.” Perela said it quietly but sharply. “Kaily. Can you please listen for a minute?”

“Yeeeess. Don’t tell me…”

“I’m not telling you anything. Yanky’s doctor will. I’m putting you on speakerphone. Mute yourself.”

Well, using someone else to break news was a page out of Kaily’s book.

“Hey, young man!” The doctor tickled Yanky, who cried. “What have we got here? Looks like a very unhappy little guy.”

He inspected the boils for under a minute.

up the women for room accommodations. Every other sentence was, “Yes, I’m sure I can’t come.”

Kaily busied herself with small tasks and phone calls all morning and avoided conversation. The elephant in the room seemed to suck all the oxygen out of the space.

Finally, Sruly popped in during his lunch break. “Hi, Bubby!” he called cheerfully. Such a sweetheart. Bina was lucky.

“Sruly, zeeskeit.” She motioned him to come closer to her bed.

“What is it, Bubby?”

“Can you stay here for Shabbos?” Roiza whispered.

“WHATEVER. IT’S TOTALLY FINE.” KAILA SUCKED IN A BREATH. “I’M HAPPY TO STAY HERE. YANKY HAS CHICKEN POX”

“Classic chicken pox,” he said. “It’ll get worse before it gets better. Keep him home until you see the boils starting to dry up. About five days or so.”

When he left the room, Kaily unmuted herself.

“I heard,” she said woodenly.

Roiza also heard. She watched Kaily’s face harden. She struggled to talk from under the mask.

“What?” she rasped.

“You’re up?” Kaily asked.

“No.”

“Ha. Ma!”

“Hmm? What’s with Perela?”

“Whatever. It’s totally fine.” Kaila sucked in a breath. “I’m happy to stay here. Yanky has chicken pox.”

Roiza felt stricken.

She couldn’t do much with her hands shackled to an IV, her hip still aching and her legs unable to hold her up. Her breath was noisy from the mask, though they’d promised she was ready for a cannula already. A total upgrade.

Kaily was already on the phone with that Mira girl who’d taken her home from the l’chaim. She was rapidly giving her instructions on who to contact for what and how to pair

Sruly was quiet, caught by surprise.

“I want your mother to go to the Shabbaton,” Roiza explained quickly. She glanced at him anxiously to make sure he understood.

A light went on in his eyes. “I’d love to,” he said.

Roiza squeezed his shoulder with her free hand. Was she imagining it, or was her hip feeling better?

When Kaily finally got off the phone, Roiza and Sruly started talking together.

“You’re going!” Roiza squealed — as much as she could squeal while attached to oxygen.

At the same moment, Sruly said, “Ma, I came to tell… um… ask you…”

Both women went quiet.

“I could’ve called you,” he said, not meeting her eyes, “but I wanted to visit anyway, and… um, I knew you’d be here.”

He looked away uncomfortably.

“My father. I know he won’t really be able to come to the simcha next week, but I feel like it would only be right to see him… you know, get his bracha. Do you think I could fly there after the vort ?”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Chapter 18

Recap: Alone in the freezing cold, Rachel takes an enormous risk and seeks shelter in a house.

Standing in the doorway, Rachel saw a family sitting around a table: a woman, a man and a teenage boy. Her courage failed her, and she couldn’t take the step inside. She just stood there in the doorway, frozen by fear and the bone-deep chill. She knew she needed to say something, do something, but she couldn’t.

The woman turned to see who had opened the door, and she looked startled. Startled, but not angry. Rachel let out a breath she didn’t even know she had been holding. The woman motioned to Rachel. “Come inside, child. Close the door. It’s cold outside.”

Turning to her husband, the woman said, “This is the girl I found in the barn this morning. She must be cold. And hungry.”

The man nodded. He got up and pulled a chair over to

the table. “Sit down, child. Tell us your name.”

Rachel watched as the woman got up to put some food on a plate. Her mouth watered. Hot food. It had been a long time since her last hot meal.

They were all watching her. Rachel blinked. The man had asked something. Right. Her name.

“My name is Rachel,” she said. “Rachel Blum.”

“Blum?” said the woman. “Did your father make vinegar?”

“Yes, he did. How do you know?”

“We used to do business with him. He’d give us a few bottles of vinegar to sell, without asking us for any money upfront. Whenever we sold some, we paid him. He was

YAAKOV ASTOR

They knew her father. Her father, who only the previous night had come to Rachel in a dream to tell her not to be afraid

satisfied with this arrangement. Sometimes he would come over, and we would sit and talk for hours. He was a very fine man.”

They knew her father. Her father, who only the previous night had come to Rachel in a dream to tell her not to be afraid. A chill went down Rachel’s spine and she felt a hidden Hand in her life, right there in the middle of all the death and destruction that surrounded her.

Her next words surprised them all, including herself. “Do you have a Bible?”

The woman looked at the man, and the man at the woman. “Of course.”

“Please, can you bring it to the table?”

The man took it off the shelf and brought it over.

“Please, everyone, sit,” Rachel said. “Everyone, put your hands on this Bible.”

They did as she asked, not sure what she would say or do next.

“I have nowhere to go,” Rachel said. “I can’t run any longer. If you tell me I can stay, I will stay. If you tell me to leave, I will leave. But I have no more strength to run away. Instead, I’ll go behind your barn, lie down in the snow, fall asleep and die. And maybe the snow will bury me, or maybe you’ll be kind enough to come out and dig me a proper grave. But for me, this is the end.

“We all know that one day this war will end. And there will be some Jews who survive, with G-d’s help. So I want you to swear on this Bible that after the war you’ll find Jews and tell them. Tell them that there was a Jewish girl buried here. Tell them to dig up my body and rebury it in a Jewish cemetery, so I can be with my people. Promise me. Swear to me on this Bible. Swear that after the war when you see a Jew, you’ll tell him that you know where there is a grave of a Jewish girl, so that he can rebury me in a Jewish cemetery.”

The family sat there, stunned by Rachel’s words. They looked at each other, speechless. Rachel sat, terrified, waiting for a reaction — any reaction. They all sat in silence for a few long moments. The tension in the air was palpable.

Finally, the woman said to her husband, “We have to keep her. She has to live. If she made it all the way until now, we have to make sure she lives.”

The man nodded. “It may be a small thing, but it’s something. It’s something we can do. I’ve seen too much in this war. I can’t be responsible for this child’s death.”

They looked at their son, and he nodded, too. “I might not have a sister, but it would be nice to have a cousin.”

“We agree, then,” said the woman. Turning to Rachel, she said, “We’ll keep you as long as we can.”

“What’s your name?” Rachel asked.

The SS did not care if the farmers had not helped any partisans. They were there to destroy their farms whether they were guilty or not

“My name is Maria,” the woman answered.

“And my name is Ivan,” the man said.

“And my name is Stephan,” the teenage boy added.

“We are the Roluks,” Maria told Rachel. “Welcome.”

* * * * *

In April 1944, a new contingent of German soldiers suddenly showed up one night in Ludmir. Their uniforms were black and their caps were adorned with the skull and crossbones insignia. History knows them as the Totenkopf, which is German for “death’s head” or “skull.”

This was the symbol of the infamous SS (Schutzstaffel). Originally, the SS was a group of fanatical Nazis assigned to guarding Hitler. It grew from a small paramilitary formation into one of the largest and most powerful organizations in the Third Reich, boasting more than a million soldiers and security forces under its command. It was the SS that came to symbolize the most evil aspects of Nazism. They were not only responsible for the vast majority of war crimes, but were also the primary organization that caused the Holocaust and ran the concentration camps.

They first arrived with trucks and even tanks in the middle of the night and almost immediately began burning down farms. Most of these had originally been farms owned by Jews, and which had since been taken over by local Poles. Every night for a week, they burned down more farms. The reason for this was the increasing success of the partisans.

As the war wore on and Germany suffered more defeats, partisans — Poles, Russians and Jews who had escaped to the forest — became ever bolder in their attacks and attempts to harass the Germans. The partisans often relied on farmers, willingly or unwillingly, to supply them with food. The SS did not care if the farmers had not helped any partisans. They were there to destroy their farms whether they were guilty or not.

The first week the SS arrived, they burned the farms owned by Poles. The next week, they set fire to the farms owned by Ukrainians. This was hard to comprehend, because the Ukrainians were less inclined to help partisans, not even Polish partisans. Perhaps some had, or perhaps the Nazis just wanted to instill fear in everyone.

They did not need excuses to do so.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A version of this story is available under the title Nothing Bad Ever Happens, published by

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WIGADOO INTERVIEW

Currently in the spotlight, WIGADOO is gaining popularity amongst kallahs and beyond, in our community. WIGADOO offers The Wig Workshop; seamlessly covering basics through brilliance, with the newlywed in mind. I found it compelling to engage in conversation with the founder! I hope you find it likewise!

Welcome Ruchy! Can you tell us, what instigated you to start WIGADOO?

Firstly, Convenience!

Did you find yourself with your brother-inlaw’s engagement imminent, and that wig appointment unfeasible to obtain? Think, Erev Yom Tov! Crossing town, hauling wig boxes, two days prior the appointment, so you can walk the avenue looking neat? Our busy lifestyle and hardworking mothers deserve a wig make-over on their private premises. At no cost.

Secondly, your pocketbook!

Our survey, (pending as our researchers process the nature of our community’s wig management,) so far indicates an average of $2,000 dollars annually spent on wig care, compared to a $0-$200 yearly cost for the independent wig wash-and-setters.

Further accuracy of your savings will be available when our survey results will be launched. *

How long have you been in the field?

I performed my first haircut in 6th grade! Story is: As a 6th grader, I listened in on a hair design class given by my mother, a local hairdresser for decades. Armed with confidence and sheer enthusiasm, I secretly sprang at my first professional trim- my little sister! My mother marveled as she thoroughly examined every layer of the work done to perfection. She granted her approval and sent two customers…. That’s just the beginning of it!!! Later, I immersed myself in the wig industry, studying and investigating on every detail related to shaitlach. I thirstily wanted to learn and drink up any info that came my way.

Thanks to me, the teachers’ room (in the

school I taught) became a wig box exchange center for my customers and workmates!

A room in my home has been converted to a salon- until WIGADOO was born. Today, we have a spacious high-tech conference room where our classes are held.

It’s been a gratifying journey of exquisite transformation!

What is a common mishap newlyweds encounter?

My good friend committed the common error of wearing her wig in the kitchen (‘straight from work’ excuse). Two months after her wedding, the shriveled wreck was brought to her pricey shaitel macher who sentenced it – to death. Next, she dropped it into my school’s central shaitel station – entrusting me my hardest challenge of rejuvenating the thing and giving it a second life. I took it home, practiced some of my tried-and-true techniques, carefully massaged the tips, revived the hairs and returned its former beauty. As I presented her the remarkable work of art, her brilliant smile matched it.

My goal is to impart these techniques, grant my clients a full array of dos and don’ts, as they master the art of professional wig design. Walk away prepared, highly skilled and confident.

What message would you like to give over to our readership?

Practice independence. It’s so worth it. New husbands, (and experienced husbands too,) can learn longer and worry less.

Good nourishing knowledge can transform your budget – and life, of course.

Wash-and-set your wigs! Feel fabulous! Look luxurious!

*Complete our survey for a chance to win a BabylissPro Rapido blow dryer! Text “survey” to 929 627 4161.

CLASSY CAKES

CONTRIBUTED BY CHANY GREENBAUM OF GREENBAUM’S CAKES 845-608-7896

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOSHE GRUNFELD 845-442-0270

Chany of Greenbaum’s Cakes fame was gracious enough to share three of her bestselling basic cake recipes with us, and we are delighted to let you in on the secret! Your family is sure to enjoy these tasty, fluffy classics.

MOCHA CAKE

Fluffy and tasty, this cake is the thing of your dreams.

INGREDIENTS

14 eggs, separated

3 cups sugar

2 T. vanilla sugar

1 cup oil

2 T. coffee, dissolved in 1 cup hot water

½ tsp. cinnamon

4 cups Wondermills flour

6 tsp. baking powder, dissolved in ½ cup hot water

3 oz. dark chocolate, grated

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.

2. In the bowl of a mixer, beat egg whites until stiff. Slowly add sugars.

3. Lower the speed and add the oil.

4. On lowest speed, alternately add wet and dry ingredients, except the grated chocolate, and mix to combine.

5. Gently fold in grated chocolate by hand.

6. Pour the batter into a lined 10x16” pan, and bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

CLUB SODA CAKE

A jazzed up version of light and airy sponge cake, this cake is the perfect basic to keep in stock.

INGREDIENTS

12 eggs, separated

3 cups sugar

2 T. vanilla sugar

1 cup oil

4 tsp. baking powder

1 cup seltzer

4 cups Wondermills flour

1 cup Baker’s Choice chocolate sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.

2. Beat egg whites in a mixer on high speed until stiff.

3. Lower the speed to low, and slow ly add the remaining ingredients, except the sprinkles, one at a time.

4. Fold in the sprinkles gently by hand.

5. Pour the batter into a lined 10x16” baking pan, and bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

BIG BATCH CHOCOLATE CAKE

A delightfully dense, dark and tasty chocolate cake.

INGREDIENTS

10 eggs

5½ cups sugar

4 T. vanilla sugar

2 cups oil

5 cups Wondermills flour

2 T. baking soda

3½ T. baking powder

2 cups Baker’s Choice Dutch cocoa

1 tsp. coffee

4 cups hot water

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.

2. Line a 10x16” pan and a 9x13” pan.

3. In the bowl of a mixer, mix the eggs, sugars and oil.

4. Prepare the flour, baking soda and baking powder in a bowl.

5. Dissolve the cocoa and coffee in the hot water. Alternate between the flour mixture and cocoa mixture on a low speed.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pans, and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Check the smaller cake after 50 minutes.

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Eating with the SEASONS

Eating with the seasons is an important tip for nursing moms. Giving us fall vegetables is Hashem's way of saying, "Here’s exactly what you need, right when you need it!" The vegetables that grow right now are packed with health in the form of orange foods! Think of it as stocking up your body’s pantry for the cold winter. All the squashes, carrots, and pumpkins that grow right now are nature’s organic multivitamins.

Eating orange fall foods is nature’s gift to your immune system. It is important as the weather changes to consume these foods right now!

Orange veggies are packed with beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A — the ultimate gift for your immune system, helping to keep it strong enough to wave off winter colds and sniffles. Plus, these foods have vitamin C helping to produce collagen to keep your skin strong and healthy as winter approaches.

These cozy foods do more than just taste great, they give you slow-releasing carbs that keep you warm and your energy levels up to help with those late-night feedings. They’re also high in fiber, so your digestion stays smooth and settled, leaving you less likely to snap at your loved ones. Eating seasonal orange foods keeps you steady, strong, and ready to tackle winter with some pep in your step — or at least enough energy to stay awake for that 2 a.m. feeding!

Sara Chana Silverstein, IBCLC

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THROUGH ONE OF OUR PUMP PROVIDERS IN YOUR AREA

RAIZY FRIEDMAN

Making a simcha is truly the best of times.

But for the bank account, it’s the worst of times.

People have been known to spend astonishingly large amounts of money in an extremely short time. There’s the engagement moment, followed by a tumble of l’chaim-vort-miniatures-party planner-tablecloths-props rental-diamond bracelet-tenoim hall-flowers-diamond ring-dresses-hair-makeup-the welcomekallah-from-the-kids package… and deposits! The wedding hall! The musician! The badchan! The singer! The hair stylist! The makeup artist!

Mrs. Reiner, who had always been a careful spender, received multiple annoying phone calls from her credit card company, checking up on what they suspected were fraudulent charges. She had to confirm each one. Yes, she was at a tablecloth rental place only ten minutes after she’d been at an event hall. Both charges were legitimate.

Welcome to a Yiddishe simcha, Mr. Credit Card Company — mazel tov!

The reality often makes us wonder if many of the expenses are actually as legitimate as Mrs. Reiner assured her credit card company they were. Are we spending a lot of money just to “do what’s normal” instead of doing what’s right?

Normal is a relative term, and in the postCovid world, we’ve learned that normal can be a happy marriage after a small backyard wedding, and normal can be a wedding that ends at 1:00 a.m. instead of at 4:00 a.m. Normal can be inviting less people, skipping a tenoim affair, or giving the kallah a CZ or lab-grown diamond.

There are so many details to an engagement, and our regular day-to-day responsibilities do not disappear just because we were fortunate enough to do a shidduch. The rest of the family still needs school shoes, and you still need to put food on the table (okay, pizza and pasta more often than ever before, but still, food).

So how do people manage?

Turning to those in the trenches, we discovered that there are, indeed, ways to buck the trends and implement some boundaries, despite the changes to “normal.” And surprise! These families have all gone on to do more shidduchim with their other children, even after they saved using non-conventional methods.

How was she so calm?

Kallahs and Machatenestas can approach their Wedding Day relaxed, present, and ready to make the most of this once-in-a-life time opportunity.

By Rebbetzin Ruchi Chaimowitz

“It wasn’t easy,” Sury Gruen, a working mother, shares. “But I had spent enough years seeing my siblings, friends and colleagues doing what I thought was unnecessary, and when my own time came, I was determined not to make the same mistakes.”

The first thing she mentioned to her future mechutanim, the Reichs, when they “spoke money” right before the couple was engaged, was the trend of gifting the children in the other family. It was mere days before Chanukah, and Sury couldn’t imagine shopping for individual Chanukah presents for all the Reich children, along with the million other things that would have to fall into place that week.

Normal is a relative term, and in the postCovid world, we’ve learned that normal can be a happy marriage after a small backyard wedding

“My mechuteniste actually looked quite relieved,” Sury remembers. The Reichs had five children at home, and the Gruens had eleven. “She got the better end of the deal,” Sury says with a laugh.

Upon reflection, Sury knows that she may not have saved many thousands with that request, but she did set a certain standard: they weren’t looking to go over the top.

Esther Ostreicher, a grandmother to many, has married off eight children and is delighted to share her experience with mechutanim.

“We aren’t rich,” Esther says, “but we aren’t poor, either.

We were able to afford middle-class weddings for our children.”

But when her oldest son got engaged, her mechutanim, who had already married off several children, suggested they go with the Chasunah Mall package, where each side contributes an extremely reasonable amount, and all selections for housewares, linen, furniture and gifts are made at the Chasunah Mall. Not only would this save them lots of money, the mechutanim explained, but it was a great time-saver as well. Who needed an endless number of choices when the Chasunah Mall had beautiful, current options? Plus, the Chasunah Mall offered a package for the actual night of the wedding as well; they were affiliated with a particular takanos wedding hall that provided all the night’s necessities for a set price.

Her mechutanim were respected members of the community. Since they felt comfortable with this arrangement, Esther tentatively agreed, wondering if she’d regret it later on.

“It was the best thing ever,” she says emphatically. “And I learned to do the same with my future mechutanim.”

Not all of them agreed. One of Esther’s sons-in-law is an only son, and his parents wanted to go all out. They felt stifled with the wedding mall package and wanted to upgrade the wedding itself as well. After some back-and-forth, they agreed to compromise.

“After all,” Esther says, “isn’t compromise the key to every-

DOS AND DON’TS OF CUTTING BACK

Do:

Think about your financial situation before your child starts shidduchim

Talk to your child (the chasan/kallah) openly about where you plan to cut.

Be as fair as you can when it comes to gifting future children-in-law. If you gave your oldest daughter-in-law a CZ diamond ring, don’t give your next daughterin-law an authentic diamond ring just because her parents are rich.

Compromise: Give up less-important details for moreimportant ones.

Try to save a little, even if you think that these couple of dollars won’t make it or break it. It adds up!

Remember what’s more important than a few dollars: shalom with your child’s in-laws.

Don’t:

Walk around talking about all the things you’re not buying the couple. This will only make you appear stingy.

Put a dollar sign near every portion, aka resenting the people who join your simcha

Stop your basic necessities such as cleaning help or children’s tutors to pay for fresh flowers for one night.

Resent the child who is getting married for the financial burden their simcha is incurring; an engagement is stressful enough.

Let any single item be the deal breaker with the mechutanim. Step back and look at the bigger picture.

Forget to take stock of where you went right or wrong — to know how to do better with your next child!

thing?” Esther agreed to do the shopping at retail locations instead, and the mechutanim agreed that the Ostreichers would pay the same amount as they would have paid for a takanos package, and her mechutanim would pick up the rest of the tab.

“Had I not known about the whole mall option from my first child’s in-laws, I would have ended up spending so much more than I actually did over the years, at all of my children’s weddings.”

Rivka Leah took a different path entirely. “We’re a simple family,” she says. (Doesn’t everyone think that about themselves?) “I didn’t splurge on anything unnecessary. My children were fine with the clothing that we found on the sale rack, and we tried to get appliances in department stores on Black Friday.”

But when it came to booking the aufruf hall, Rivka Leah found herself hitting rock bottom. Or, to be exact, the peak.

“The halls wanted an astronomical amount of money, and I knew that schlepping our extended family together to celebrate the aufruf with us would involve so much inconvenience on everyone’s end.”

Rivka Leah and her husband both come from large families, and there had been many simchas during the year before her son’s wedding. Most of the time, attending Shabbos aufruf meals before nephews’ weddings involved heartache, headache and, at times, tears. There were arrangements to be made for the younger kids, meals to be figured out for the older kids, and rooms to be found for out-of-town guests. Why would she subject her family members to more of the same inconvenience, plus empty her pockets at the same time?

“We decided to host it at home,” Rivka Leah says. “Our dining room is comfortable, and our kitchen table can seat our family nicely.” By renting smaller chairs, she utilized all the space they had.

Rivka Leah cooked all of the food herself. “It was just like cooking for Shabbos every week, but on a large scale.” They invited both sets of grandparents as well as their own married couples for the meals. After the seudah on Friday night, the family members living within walking distance came over for (ready-made) dessert and singing.

“It was the nicest simcha ever,” Rivka Leah says. “My son, the chasan, was the king of the night, and everyone who was there actually wanted to be there. It was true family time, with no waiters rudely grabbing the plates mid-bite. We all enjoyed it. And no, the serving was not too much. It was good for me and my daughters to get a chance to stretch our legs a bit, and my sons and sons-in-law were good sports about serving the men.”

Were there some people who would have come to the vort and who didn’t come to the l’chaim? Yes, probably. But those who really cared called to say mazel tov

Mr. Davidowitz proudly tells us that when their second daughter got engaged, they skipped the vort, sufficing with only a l’chaim.

“We’d had a l’chaim and then a vort for my oldest daughter, and everyone, including the kallah, felt that it was unnecessary.”

The Davidowitzes are an upper-class family, and it wasn’t that they didn’t have the money for the vort. It was just a gen-

eral feeling that it was not necessary. They were nervous about how the chasan’s side would feel about it, but they needn’t have worried. The kallah was content, and the mechutanim were ecstatic. The l’chaim was a small affair, celebrated in their house, with some homemade miniatures and lots of true joy.

Were there some people who would have come to the vort and who didn’t come to the l’chaim? Yes, probably. But those who really cared called to say mazel tov. A neighbor from across the street sent over a yummy homemade brunch the day after the engagement and told Mrs. Davidowitz that it was easier for her to make a nice lunch than run out at night for a half hour. And the rest of the people probably blessed the Davidowitzes for the reprieve.

Oif Simchas

The beauty of a Yiddishe simcha is something indescribable. Just watching a chasan and kallah standing under the chuppah, swaying to age-old melodies as neshamos from the next world hover in the air, is enough to bring on the tears.

But when the tears of joy mix with the tears of financial worry, it’s a pity. Just one small step in cutting back is sure to lead to another — and then another. May we all be zoche to besuros tovos and simcha after simcha, with light hearts and hefty bank accounts, amein!

718.400.

ןייד ןבעל ןעק

ןייז

ךאסא

.רענעש

Racks of rich satin. Clouds of shimmery tulle. Yards of delicate lace.

The large windows in Majestic Bride’s showroom let in so much sunlight, it reflects off the beading glinting from all corners and wraps each girl in the room in that soft, bridal glow.

Side rooms are lined with racks of tightly packed gowns, one lovelier than the next. Some have been crafted with heavier lace, others of sleeker satin; you see lightly beaded necklines, neatly tucked sleeves.

Across from the windows in the center room, all you see are mirrors. Your reflection winks back at you from every corner — except where your view is obstructed by a kallah in a dreamy white masterpiece. She turns this way and that, full skirts swishing, until she can almost see herself, just a few days or weeks from now, gracefully stepping into her future as a married young woman.

The Brides at Brody’s

HADASSAH STEINMAN

“Our story began about 35 years ago,” says Zissy Brody, “when my friend Rane Deutsch and I partnered up to found a gown rental — the first of its kind in Monsey. We launched in the spring, and by summer, kallahs were already wearing our gowns.”

When a business has a name that is soon overshadowed by its moniker, that’s when you know you’re looking at an icon.

“Where are you getting the kallah’s gown?”

“At Brody’s.”

That’s all you need to say, and already there’s this ethereal sense of magnificence, of exquisitely delivered care, and the knowledge that this kallah will be doted upon with all the attention she deserves. She’ll be shown style after style until her face lights up — and will look like absolute royalty when her big day arrives.

Majestic Bride was first based out of Mrs. Deutsch’s home, until the rental moved to a regular storefront in a more central location two and half years later.

“We rented out both bridal gowns and simcha dresses,” Zissy says, “but we soon realized that we’d bitten off more than we could chew. We got busy really fast, so after our first season, we limited ourselves to bridal gowns.”

In those early days, gown rentals cost between $800 and $1,200 apiece. This might be a (not very funny) joke when compared to today’s prices, but as Hindy*, one of the saleswomen, explains, “Shipping itself has quadrupled in price since those good old days, as have fabrics, trimmings, labor and just about everything else.”

After six and half successful years of dressing kallahs at their second location, Majestic Bride — or Brody’s, as they’re more fondly known — finally moved to their present location in the Atrium Plaza in Monsey.

Brody’s hasn’t changed much over the years, but that’s all part of their appeal, all part of the Majestic Bride experience.

What do you want every kallah and her mother to know?

“Most importantly, a kallah and her mother need to be on the same page,” says Zissy. “Sometimes it’s the kallah who is satisfied with less, and it’s her mother who’s demanding more pricey designs, and sometimes it’s the opposite. But whatever the case, discuss your budget beforehand so you know what to ask for. This is crucial.

“Other times,” she continues, “there are disagreements over the sleeve length, for example, and this can get sensitive. In such cases, I try to get them to meet somewhere in the middle.”

“This is where Zissy comes in,” Hindy comments. “She neutralizes the whole thing until the mother and daughter can come to a calm decision.”

When it isn’t a weighty disagreement, but a matter of style choice or technicality, she will often encourage the mother to let it go.

“This is her daughter’s night,” Zissy says. “Especially when it’s not about something majorly significant, I’ll try to remind the mother that this tiny detail really isn’t that big of a deal.”

There’s another point that Hindy brings up.

“Some kallahs come in,” she says, “and they can’t make any decisions. They’re unhappy with whatever is offered to them, and they themselves don’t know what they want. In these cases, the kallah’s mother will often hire Leiky Bauer, or any other personal shopper. Leiky is a wonderful person. She just knows how to talk to the girls so they feel like there’s someone on their side, someone they can trust. And when the kallah’s happy, we’re happy!”

The Kallah, the Queen

“At Majestic Bride, the main goal is making kallahs happy,” Zissy says. “This is a very momentous time in their lives, and we do our very best to make each kallah feel special.”

Sometimes it takes three visits, and sometimes it takes five, but when the kallah leaves Brody’s the very last time, she adores her gown.

“That’s when we rent the most gowns,” Hindy says. “When a kallah puts on her gown at her final fitting, and she’s glowing and looking so beautiful, that’s when other kallahs say, ‘Hey, I love that gown! Can I have it after her?’”

Sometimes a kallah chooses a gown, settles on a style, fabric and cut — and then has second thoughts when she gets home.

“It isn’t a problem,” Zissy says. “We just reassure her that she can come back and choose something else, no questions asked.”

That reassurance goes miles when it comes to kallahs overwhelmed with the sheer number of styles available to choose from. And guess what?

“Very often, they’ll go back to their original choice,” Hindy says. “They liked it for a reason, and they really still do.”

The sales team will often see girls looking at themselves in the mirror, face full of doubt. They’ll turn this way and that and say, “I don’t know. I don’t like it!”

“But then,” Zissy says, “the next time they come, they’re already smiling at themselves in the mirror. And the next time, they don’t want to take the gown off! That’s what we want to see. We want to see each kallah love her gown.”

“Zissy’s amazing,” Hindy remarks. “She’s so patient with the girls, and somehow, she always gets it right on the first try.”

“We have an amazing team,” Zissy acknowledges. “They’re so devoted, so kind to the girls.”

When she was recently in Boro Park, two women walked up to Zissy.

“I’ve been married seventeen years,” the first woman said, “and I still love my gown!”

Stop paying for Surgical Socks

“And I’ve been married eighteen years,” said the second woman. “I also still love my gown! It was absolutely gorgeous.”

This — the absolute certainty in their choice and the warm memories of what they looked like on the most special day of their lives — means that Brody’s met their collective goal: Another kallah made to look and feel her very best, another job well done.

Sometimes kallahs come in with a complete vision of what they want their gown to look like.

“And we always come through,” Zissy says. “Whether it’s a description, or a picture, or a sketch, we can always recreate a dream. It takes teamwork, but we can do it. We love to see the kallahs happy.”

When it comes to rebbishe customers, as well, some of whom have the minhag of wearing a pink wedding gown, the saleswomen make sure to find that perfect shade of pink or peach that the kallah is envisioning.

“Every girl has that dream wedding dress, and we make sure to find it.”

Customer Tales and Travails

“Our most memorable customer would have to be the woman who walked in and announced, ‘I am Baron Rothschild,’” Zissy says, laughing. “I just looked at her and said,

Business Talk

‘What?’”

Turns out that this woman, when she herself got married, wore a gown that she despised. And when she and her brandnew husband got home after their wedding, she told him, “Our daughters are going to have the most beautiful gowns in the world.”

Now her oldest daughter was a kallah, and she hadn’t forgotten her vow. She’d saved up carefully for this expense — as she would later do for her other daughters — and now she wanted to see the most magnificent gowns Brody’s had to offer.

“I don’t care about the price,” she told Zissy. “Show me the most beautiful pieces you have on the floor.”

Then there was a mother who brought her daughter in for a diametrically different purpose. After oohing and aahing over the gowns her daughter was trying on, this mother turned to Zissy and murmured, “To be honest, we’re taking a gown from a gemach. But I wanted to give my daughter this experience of being doted upon and made to feel like royalty.”

Well, Zissy was happy to be helpful.

The Majestic Bride showroom is always hopping, yet they’re very proud of the fact that they work completely offline.

“Customers are our best advertisement,” says Hindy, “so we have absolutely no technology in our place.”

And even when other bridal boutiques open their doors, the Majestic Bride team doesn’t waver.

“There’s enough business for everyone,” Zissy says emphatically. “We get more customers than we can manage — from Brooklyn and Monroe as well — and we’re happy when other places open so customers can have other options.”

Then there are gemachs, which also fill a tremendous need.

“Any gown whose season has passed but is in good condition goes to a gemach,” Zissy says. “Every few weeks, we walk around the showroom, and whatever gowns have already been around for a few months get passed on.”

And so the marvel of Brody’s lives on, from one kallah to the next.

Other customers that are close to Zissy’s heart are the repeats, the ones who come for gowns for one daughter after the other.

Simcha Overseas

Majestic Bride dresses plenty of outof-country kallahs, including those from Australia, England, Belgium and Eretz Yisroel. How does that work? How does the gown get to its destination in one (crease-free) piece?

“After steaming the gown to perfection,” Zissy says, “it gets fully stuffed and then packed into a duffel bag. And when the gown gets unpacked right before the wedding, it doesn’t even need another steaming.”

“We have a customer,” she says, “who’s rented twenty gowns by now. First it was her own daughters getting married, and by now it’s her granddaughters. It’s so beautiful to be part of their lives during such special times.”

What about difficult customers?

“There are those as well,” Zissy admits, “but they’re few and far between.”

When they do serve more challenging customers, the saleswomen try to make them happy — all while telling themselves that the much-anticipated wedding day is bound to come sooner or later…

“And when they marry off their youngest daughter, it’s a happy moment all around,” Zissy says, twinkle in her eye.

Sometimes it takes two kallahs to create the best stories of all.

“One day,” Hindy tells me, “we got a call from a kallah who’d come to the U.S. from Brazil. It was very close to her wedding, and she wanted a private appointment. Well, that day, as the hour of her appointment got closer, the showroom began emptying out, until there was one kallah left. But we couldn’t rush her out the door; she was a yesomah and

deserved all the attention she could get.”

Before they knew it, the kallah from Brazil was at the door, and Zissy quietly and apologetically explained the situation. Fortunately, the Brazilian kallah was more than kind about the unexpected customer in the room. Then the first kallah left, and in an unexpected move that truly touched all the hearts in the room, the Brazilian kallah insisted on paying for the other kallah’s gown.

When the Majestic Bride team sees stories like these, then they know that they are truly dressing Hashem’s children.

Drama of the Day

Every service business has its fair share of near-mishaps. Are there any stories that the team will have a hard time forgetting?

“There’s always drama,” says Hindy. “The world only stops for Shabbos and Pesach, and it takes bucketloads of siyata d’Shmaya to get each kallah to her wedding on time.”

In one instance, a kallah walked in at around 4 o’clock on a Sunday. She was getting married the following night, on Monday, and while she’d gotten a gown at a gemach, the cleaners had ruined it.

“She was frantic, of course,” says Hindy. “Imagine such agmas nefesh right before a wedding! But the following night found her wearing a beautiful gown and looking like a dream.”

In a similar story, there was a kallah getting married in the fall who had also taken a gown from a gemach. Over the summer, the gemach’s seamstresses devoted much time to sewing beading onto the gown. Finally, a day before the wedding, the kallah’s grandfather collected all of the gowns for the wedding and piled them into his truck. On his way to the city where the wedding was to take place, he made a stop at a gas station, and the gowns were stolen from his truck.

“The kallah arrived at our show-

room, completely distraught. We found her a beautiful gown, and she also made it to her wedding looking just like the princess she was.”

But some surprises are good ones. Like the time the Belzer Rebbetzin from Eretz Yisroel was in town for a Skverer wedding (the Skverer Rebbetzin, Rebbetzin Chaya Chana, a”h, was the Belzer Rebbetzin’s sister). As part of her trip, she was invited to give a speech at an event at the Atrium. Mrs. Deutsch was accompanying her at the time, and on a whim, Rane suggested that they visit Majestic Bride; after all, it is located in the same building.

The Belzer Rebbetzin agreed, and imagine her surprise when she found her niece, a kallah, wearing a beautiful wedding gown!

“Inderheim hut men gemacht ah l’chaim ven m’hut gekoift a chuppah klaid,” the Rebbetzin declared. “Back home [in Europe], when a kallah purchased her wedding dress, it was celebrated with a l’chaim!”

Someone quickly ran out to get some liquor and cake, and those gathered made a beautiful l’chaim. On this happy note, the Rebbetzin’s visit commenced.

Designing Masterpieces

When Majestic Bride first started out, they imported wedding gowns that they then rented out.

“Most of our gowns were sourced from Italy, where we had a contact who helped us find what we needed,” Zissy explains. “Eventually, the quality was no longer up to our standards, and we knew that we had to look elsewhere.”

Service With a Twist

That’s when Majestic Bride began working directly with designers, seamstresses and high-quality textile suppliers, both in Europe and in the U.S., all of whom serve only worldclass designers whose names appear on merchandise favored by discerning shoppers. Today, these skilled professionals craft from scratch the beautiful bespoke gowns Brody’s is famous for.

Trends ebb and flow, and Brody’s has a great nose for catching on a step before anyone else.

“You need to stay current,” says Zissy. “We’re dressing young ladies here, and if you don’t keep up, they won’t want it.”

Sometimes it’s tulle that’s in vogue, other times it’s lots of beading that’s everyone wants, and yet other times, the gown is crafted top to bottom from heavy lace, as was the case fairly recently.

“Now the kallahs want satin, which is a very simple, elegant look. Nevertheless, bridal lace is always a traditional option that we depend on.”

Finally, as part of the bridal experience, one of the salesladies, Yachet Freund, offers crown, shoe and veil rentals at a minimal fee. Put on those shoes, throw over that veil, and there it is: the transformation from girl to kallah.

Does the Brody’s team ever get any memorable or interesting requests?

“We once had a kallah ask us to hide a gebentched deck-tich between two new layers of fabric,” Zissy remembers. “She wanted to use this special deck-tich at badeken, but she didn’t want it to be visible.”

“Another time,” says Hindy, “we got an interesting phone call from a kallah who was getting married sometime in February or March. At that point it was at the end of the summer, and she told us that they wanted their deck-tich already because there is an inyan to cover the shofar with it on Rosh Hashanah.

“So yes,” Hindy finishes, “we do get interesting requests. And we also get gowns back all the time with interesting things hiding in them, from white shirtzlach and red strings to garlic cloves.”

That Extra Touch

Majestic Bride hires master seamstresses, all of whom do very specialized work. One does skirts, another does hems, a third does beading, and yet another does the fittings. Others will specialize in dressing, and yet others in cleaning.

“All together we have over ten seamstresses on the floor at any given time,” says Zissy. “They come from all over the world, and it’s a whole operation.”

“They recommend each other,” says Hindy. “In fact, we have a set of four sisters working for us now.”

These seamstresses are highly skilled professionals, and they produce work that is as near perfect as is humanly possible.

“When you try on shoes, you might find that one foot is slightly longer than the other,” says Zissy, “but that’s also true with your shoulder and your arm.”

In order to get that completely symmetrical look, Brody’s seamstresses play around with those discrepancies — by adding a quarter inch to this side, or removing a quarter inch from that side — to produce gowns that fit to perfection.

Even though Majestic Bride is classified as a rental, as Hindy puts it, “Every gown goes out looking brand-new again.” Every kallah’s gown gets freshened up and redesigned to her specifications.

Yet the job isn’t over when the gown is finished. At that point, the seamstresses go over every inch to make sure there’s no fuzz anywhere, no loose threads, no microscopic stains — nothing at all. Finally, the gown is steamed and crisped up, which turns it into a masterpiece worthy of the Brody’s name.

“We also teach kallahs how to sit at the wedding so the gown shouldn’t scrunch up,” Zissy says, “and we teach them how to walk. Finally, we make sure that they’re equipped with a Shout wipe and a needle and thread, so they can deal with anything that comes up, and then we help them right into the car, all ready for the big day.”

A Last Word

Working at Majestic Bride isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a high-stakes setting with emotions running high and deadlines that can’t ever budge. What gives the saleswomen that sense of satisfaction that refuels them for another day?

“Making kallahs happy,” Zissy says instantly. “It’s the most satisfying thing to watch kallah after kallah leaving this place feeling beautiful.”

“Then there are those voicemails we get in the morning,” Hindy adds, “either from the mechuteniste from the night before or from wedding guests who loved the kallah’s gown. These voicemails really give us chizuk!”

And then the team is ready for a brand-new day of dressing kallahs and spreading joy, one spool of thread at a time.

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Managing money takes skill. Income, outgo, needs, wants, fixed expenses, variables, unexpected expenses. You finally get it under control and then along comes a pandemic or inflation or a simcha or an emergency, and you have to rework the numbers all over again. Managing relationships also takes skill. There’s so much nuance, difference in perspective and sensitivities to take into account. Relationships are delicate — especially relationships with your adult children, children-inlaw, and parents-in-law. And when you combine money, marriage, and mechutanim… that requires a whole new skill set.

The Hard, Right Thing

RSK is an organization based in New York that serves the tristate area and beyond by offering financial coaching and guiding families toward financial stability. “Sometimes parents commit to financial help they can’t really afford,” explains RSK’s director of financial coaching. “That means they have a new monthly expense that they can’t cover, and that creates a cascade of problems.”

Shlomo:

There’s such a special nachas in marrying off a child. Especially when that child is everything you hoped and dreamed they would be: a shtarke bochur whose entire life is contained in the koslei beis medrash. My gratitude to Hashem cannot be contained in words. And how lucky we were to find such a special wife for him! She really values his commitment to learning, is protective of his time, and works hard to support their little family.

But even the expenses of a young couple are hard to cover. When we finalized the shidduch, we told the mechutanim that we would pay the rent for the new couple. And we did. For a few months. But it was hard. Harder than I had thought it would be. We also had all the wedding expenses to pay for, remember. And inflation…

The first month, we paid their rent on the first, with a sense of simcha and fanfare. The second month we paid it on time too… more or less… but without that sense of simcha. By the fourth month, we couldn’t do it anymore.

We paid the fifth month, but not the sixth. Now it’s another month later, and it’s already the tenth of the month. I don’t know if we can do it. I keep juggling the numbers, but I can’t seem to put the cash together. Some months we have money and some months we don’t, and I don’t know why. I’m embarrassed of my own son! I don’t know how to get out of this mess.

Money Mindset

Young couples should view steady support as regular income. If you know the support will end in a year, plan for it. It’s like knowing in advance that you’re losing your job. You know exactly what size hole you have to plug and when. There’s no news here — just a mindset that sets you up for financial health and security.

The emotions associated with a scenario like this can be overwhelming: The parents might feel embarrassed that they made a mistake, or shame that they can’t provide for their children the way they want to. They want to perceive themselves as generous and benevolent; being unable to give makes them feel impotent and useless. That sense of failure can be crushing. Until recently your child lived in your home and you provided them with all of their needs, and it’s hard to face the fact that you can’t give to them anymore. To top it all off, parents might also feel uncomfortable about their children becoming aware of their private financial matters — after all, their children were never involved in their parents’ finances before. Especially if it’s soon after the wedding, parents may feel a dramatic sense of letdown, loss and frustration, like they’re slamming into a reality that they wish weren’t there.

But when you strip the situation of its emotional overtones, an objective look shows that it’s not really different from any family finding itself unable to meet its financial needs, for any reason.

“Look at it like any other expense,” advises RSK’s financial coach. “Financial support for a married child goes into the budget along with groceries, auto insurance and clothing expenses. When you have clarity on your expenses, you can get to work making sure those expenses are covered.”

Sometimes financial clarity itself is the answer — there is enough money, it just has to be managed properly. Other times the budget reveals a deficit, and the couple changes that either by cutting their expenses or by increasing their income. When financial support for a married couple overlaps with ruchnius considerations (like if the married child is in kollel), a rav should always be consulted.

But sometimes the answer is that the parents can’t actually stretch themselves that far, and financial support for their married children is out of their reach.

In that case, RSK recommends doing what they call “the hard, right thing.” It’s challenging in the moment, but in the best long-term

interest of both couples: You need to communicate clearly about what you can and cannot do. What kills the relationship and the financial health of both couples is confusion and lack of clarity. It might be hard to admit it to yourself, and hard to say it to your kids, but financial clarity is the greatest financial gift you can give your married children.

Uncertain Terms

On the other end, adult married children who lack clarity about what to expect in terms of financial support from their parents also struggle.

Faigy:

Yom Tov is coming. I would love to buy myself something new, but I’m not sure we have the money. I already bought clothing and shoes for all the kids, and we put

It’s challenging in the moment, but in the best long-term interest of both couples: You need to communicate clearly about what you can and cannot do

up a sukkah this year for the first time — I used my Yom Tov bonus for that. I would love to buy myself something new... and I could really use a new coat.

Golden Rule

Offer support to your children only according to what you can afford. Be very clear about how much you’re giving, when you will give it, how long it will last, and how it will be transferred, and give it without conditions. Encourage the young couple to seek financial guidance and become financially educated shortly after their wedding — within three to six months.

Pesach time, my parents gave us money before Yom Tov. They do that sometimes. Sometimes it’s $250 or $500, and sometimes it’s more, like $2,500. I wonder if they’ll give us anything this time. Probably, right? Yom Tov is in three weeks, so if they do it, it will be soon… I assume. If they give us $250, that will cover that dress I found. And if they give us $500, that will also cover that coat I saw…

But what if they don’t give us the money in the end? I mean, they usually do… but sometimes they don’t. And then I’ll have the dress and the coat, but I’ll also have a credit card bill that I won’t be able to pay…

I better wait and see. But I don’t want to lose the chance to buy it! Whatever… I’ll just buy it. Usually they give us SOMETHING… It will be fine.

I hope…

There could be many reasons why the parents in this scenario aren’t communicating. Maybe they don’t know yet if or how much they’ll give. Maybe they haven’t really thought about it yet. But the lack of clarity is a problem for this young mother. She doesn’t know if she can rely on financial help from her parents or not. It becomes even more complex when there is a quasi-commitment. Well-meaning parents want to help, but don’t want to overcommit. So they say things like, “We’re going to help support.” Vague statements like this create tension and confusion for the married children. What does “help support” actually mean? Are they going to pay the rent? If yes, for how long? Are they going to give the money to their married children, or directly to the landlord? When is the money going to be given? How will it be transferred? And maybe the most delicate question of all — are the married children allowed to ask any of these things?

It’s easy to see how the lack of clarity spawns stress and distress, and tension both between the parents and their married children as well as between the new couple themselves — something no parent wants.

The lack of clarity is a problem for this young mother. She doesn’t know if she can rely on financial help from her parents or not

“The solution here is the same,” say the coaches at RSK. “Clarity and communication. If the parents want to support, they should inform their children exactly what that’s going to look like. What form the support will take. How much money it will be,

Never Too Late

If you never had a clear system for finances, no matter how long you’re married or even how many kids you’ve already married off, it’s never too late to get financial coaching and achieve financial health.

for how long it will be given, who the money will be given to, and how the money will be transferred. Everyone should be clear on the system.”

Making Mistakes

Charna:

I just got home from my niece’s wedding, and I’m fuming. My married daughter was there — looking like a shmatte! Is that how I brought her up? To come to a wedding like that? For that I give her money every month? She should take some of that money and put herself together a little more. I know how she scrimps and saves — it’s ridiculous. You need to live a little! And it’s not only the way she dresses. Maybe if she stopped counting her pennies and hired more cleaning help, her house would be respectable. Last time I gave her money, I told her to paint the living room, but of course she didn’t. I don’t know what she did do with the money; she certainly didn’t spend it on her clothes or sheitel. Next time, I’ll just keep the money and hire the painter myself!

It’s challenging for parents to watch their kids make mistakes, including financial mistakes. Your kids might be scrimping more than you think necessary, or maybe they’re going on lavish vacations that you know they can’t afford. When you’re the one giving financial help, your kids’ financial decisions feel very close to home and personal. You automatically feel like you’re part of the story, that you bought the right to be involved in their decisions and you should have a say in how the money is spent.

But the healthy thing — for financial health and relationship health — is for parents to stay out of it.

Here, again, clarity is necessary. When parents give their married children money, how is

that money categorized? It’s not a salary, like from an employer to an employee — the recipient did not perform any service in order to receive it. It’s not a price, like buying something in a store — the payer does not get an item in return. So what is it?

The answer is that it’s a gift. When someone gives something to another person out of the goodness of their heart, simply because they want them to have it, and without any agreement to receive anything in return — it’s a gift.

And when you give a gift, it becomes the property of the recipient. You have no say in how the gift gets used.

“This can be hard for parents,” the RSK team acknowledges. “We’re not only talking about parents with control issues, or boundary issues. Well-meaning, loving parents have a hard time watching their kids make avoidable mistakes.”

But they also can’t tell their kids what to do. So should they just sit back and watch a train wreck happen?

RSK recommends that parents, in turn, make a recommendation. It should only be a recommendation, not a requirement, and they can probably only say it once.

It’s challenging for parents to watch their kids make mistakes, including financial mistakes

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But parents can say something like this: “We’re giving you this money every month as a gift, for you to spend or save as you wish. But because we love you and want what’s best for you, we recommend that you seek financial coaching to learn how to manage your finances. This is a new stage in life for you, and we want you to have the skills you need to be successful.”

Household finances for a young couple are relatively simple. They usually have less than ten expense categories each month: rent, auto, food, phone, utility, and several other variable expenditures. It’s the easiest time to learn how to manage finances — and the best time, because a family that begins on a financially stable foundation saves itself a lot of trouble in the long term. When parents give their children financial support as a gift without any strings attached, they preserve the health of their relationships — and when the married children are educated about finances, they ensure the health of their finances for many years to come.

The Greatest Gift

Miri:

When I was growing up, my parents made it clear to me that once I got married, I would be on my own. It had nothing to do with whether they could afford to help or not; it was part of their belief system. They invested in my education so that I could get a good job, and from the day I got married, my new husband and I had full responsibility for supporting ourselves.

So you can imagine what a pleasant surprise it was, at the end of my first baby’s bris, when my father handed me an envelope. “This is for the simcha,” he said. I was astonished — and thrilled — when I opened it and found $4,000 in cash. That more than covered the cost of the mohel and the very, very, VERY simple shalom zachor and bris we had held. In fact, if I had known my parents were planning such a generous gift, I would definitely have spent more on the simcha Of course, that wasn’t really relevant… until my next son was born. As soon as I heard that it was a boy, I began wondering if my

parents would give us such a generous gift again.

Obviously, I couldn’t ask. In the end, my husband and I decided to spend only what we could afford on our own, and not rely on a gift that might not come.

After all, that’s what a gift is — something you can’t rely on and have no claim to, given solely on the terms of the giver, regardless of your preferences — but still special and appreciated whenever it’s received.

In the final analysis, this attitude is best from both ends. Parents who give financial help to their married children should do so as a gift — wholeheartedly, with love, and without the expectation of control over how the gift is used. Married children who receive financial support should also treat it as a gift — accept it with thanks and gratitude, but don’t rely on it unless it was specified in advance.

Lack of financial clarity creates chaos and destruction. Clarity, communication and gratitude builds financial health and stability, and will ensure that both the parents and their married children will be able to maintain the health of their finances, and their relationships, for many years to come.

RSK’s mission is to be a bridge of support and create opportunities and stability for anyone that has a desire to grow financially, while guiding them to achieve their goals with dignity.

To find out about financial coaching and career coaching, visit us at RSK.org, email us at thekey@rsk.org, or call 845-414-8001.

When you give a gift, it becomes the property of the recipient. You have no say in how the gift gets used

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Happy Ever After

A closer look at how the popular Kerem Menachem wedding hall is able to leave mechutanim without worry or debt after their big night

By: Yakov Grunbaum

Some problems simply refuse to be solved.

No matter the solutions proposed or the wholesale changes offered, nothing ever seems to move things in the right direction.

After decades of futile attempts, it is clear that the ever-rising and every-more-frivolous wedding expenses qualify as such.

But while the perfect storm still appears to be far from the horizon, there still has been meaningful progress that deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.

First among it is probably the wedding halls that have significantly cut the costs of wedding nights themselves, offering packages that provide each mechutin with a clear mind and a light budget.

While the available halls and packages vary, in Boro Park, Kerem Menachem is today the standard bearer in this field, with offerings and an impact that have given it a satisfaction rate unrivaled in the industry.

On a recent night, we managed to secure a few minutes with the manager of the hall, Moshe Gold. He was on his way to a chavrusah, trying to make the most of a rare night off when the hall wasn’t host to any weddings.

How long have you been managing the hall?

I have been at this job for two years now. I was in a different field before that, but I believed I have the necessary skills for the job and I was excited to be involved with something that I have a passion for.

Baruch Hashem, we’ve been able to have much success and it has been very rewarding.

Do you find your job to be different than that of a wedding manager in other halls?

Interesting question. And the answer is yes. As everyone knows, we are a wedding hall that prides ourselves on being affordable, despite being of the highest caliber.

As part of that commitment, we offer the entire wedding package — singer, badchan, photographer, flowers etc. — but that also means that as the

manager, I have to be the one that personally oversees all aspects of the wedding night, leaving nothing to the mechitin.

Isn’t the benefit of the hall simply its affordability?

No, we go far beyond that. The Satmar Rebbe Shlita directed us to create an experience that will give every mechutin peace of mind on what should be the happiest moment a parent can ask for. And that is exactly what we do.

How indeed do you do that?

First of all, like I mentioned, I deal with all the individuals and service providers. The mechitin doesn’t have to worry about a thing; just show up with shtreimel and bekitche. He can enjoy himself like a guest at his own wedding! I also make sure that everything runs on time and see to it that the evening operates smoothly, to everyone’s delight. Most importantly, I work hard to make sure that nobody senses any pressure. It all flows naturally to the eyes of any observer.

Any secret tips you can share?

I’ll give you one, but this stays between us (chuckles)… Wrapping up dancing is always difficult because the bachurim just want to keep going. Because I make sure that the chuppah and meal start on time, we are able to start dancing by about 8:45 or so. I will always start the second dance early so that by the time we get close to midnight, everyone is all oasgetantzen and is happy to hear L’Shana Haba start playing.

The hall is known for its affordability, but you have to make money somehow. Which corners do you cut?

We don’t cut any corners! Because the hall was built on the directive of the Rebbe and is led by askanim, the goal isn’t to make money. For example, one of the big expenses that every wedding night incurs is catering the seudah, but for us, we get the whole thing at cost price! Another benefit is that since we are in the building of a cheder, we get the same cleaning crew to work for us for a much lower cost — and with far greater commitment and care.

Are there no investors? A business has to turn a profit though.

The name of the hall, Kerem Menachem, answers your question. Much of our funding came from the acclaimed Weinstock family from Meal Mart. The father, R’ Menachem, helped build the original Torah V’yirah hall, and his children R’ Yisroel and R’ Yitzchok Zev sponsored a large portion of the renovations in his memory. We also had a number of other nadvanim whose names you will see on the entrances and other parts of the building.

It is common for businesses to offer a base package at a low price and then force customers to keep adding to it. Is your price truly all inclusive?

I’m so glad you asked that. The minimal price we charge includes everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. Our maximum number of couples is higher than elsewhere, we provide a full hot table, a Viennese table with everything you need, coffee and fruit at the mitzvah tantz — the whole nine yards.

What type of families marry off in the hall?

Oh, we have everyone, even many balabatish people. It’s not what you would expect when you hear ‘affordable hall.’ We are an upscale operation

for people who value marrying off without incurring debt and spending needlessly on things nobody needs or wants.

The packages include a set list of available musicians, singers etc. How do you cater to everyone’s unique tastes?

B”H, the roster we have is one that matches the needs and wants of everyone. For example, we have the musician Aaron Lev, who is the preferred choice of more Rebbish families, and we also have Shia Leitner, who is a favorite of the younger crowd. We work with the photographer Shmuel Ekstein from Photo Dynamic, who receives rave reviews from everyone.

How about the hall itself? Aren’t there other needs for other crowds?

We make sure to give everyone what they need. And we go the extra mile too. For example, the main entrances are in Fort Hamilton side of the building. But some more Chasidish families want to have the men enter on 54th Street. Right now, we are redoing

the entrance on that side so that they can use it in style.

What is that feedback that you receive from mechutanim?

I cannot even begin to tell you! I have so many letters and messages from Yidden who are grateful for the Kerem Menachem experience and share their appreciation for not only how the night went but the peace of mind that accompanied them for years later. There is one mechitin who just married off here for the fourth time in five years. He can’t stop singing our praises. I’ve had more than one mechitin tell me that it felt too good to be true. They’re looking around, asking ‘what’s the catch? Did I miss anything?’

As the manager, is it a heavy burden knowing that everything falls on you?

It is sometimes, but the feedback I just mentioned makes it all worth it. I remember we had a wedding where in the middle of dancing, someone said something inappropriate to our head waiter and he picked himself up together with his whole crew and walked off the job. I quickly took over, got a few workers from the kitchen and cheder, and we handled the rest. To this day, the mechitin has no idea anything even happened! Whatever it takes…

Now I want to hear more… Any other stories you can share?

I can’t say everything, but we have had everything from Hatzolah to police at weddings, much of which nobody ever noticed and which didn’t interrupt the wedding in any way. It is something I don’t take lightly.

It’s a few years later so now we can say more but we were the very first to reopen our hall during the pandemic lockdown. The Rebbe told the askanim that we must do everything to ensure that Yidden can make chasunah. We had tremendous siyata dishmaya, and with the help of the legendary askan R’ Yanky Meyer Z”L, we were able to avoid any legal problems. As Chazal say: shlichei mitzvah einom nizokin.

What a beautiful mission. Keep up the great work and continued success!

Thank you. We are here to serve and hope to continue serving, bigger and better, until Moshiach’s day.

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Most young women, culinary inclined or otherwise, are all expected to don a chef’s hat along with their brand-new sheitel upon getting married. It’s no wonder that the first year of marriage is bound to include some very teachable kitchen moments. Writers share some kitchen flops they will likely never forget.

FLAVORED WITH NEW BEGINNINGS

NECHAMA SCHWARZ

I wasn’t one of those newlyweds who are petrified of the kitchen and measure out every teaspoon with an actual teaspoon. I had baked loads before I got married and was super excited to finally bake for my own bayis ne’eman. When the dust settled after our chaotic move to Eretz Yisroel, I got right down to it, baking my favorite cookie recipe with gusto.

The cookies came out a bit… interesting. But I quickly bounced back, sure that this was just a fluke, and ate the cookies that seemed to be strangely raw and burnt at the same time. Anything is possible in the Land of Starry Eyes. I thought it was funny — the quintessential kallah, wearing her cutest, still clean apron, flopping her cookies.

THE BREAKFAST THAT WASN’T ROCHEL DIAMOND

When I was setting up my cute little apartment before my wedding, I was focused on the layout and decor, not the mundane details — like getting the gas line connected. The gas line didn’t even cross my mind… until I tried to turn on the flame on my shiny new stove two days after my wedding.

I didn’t think it was so funny when it happened again. And again, and again, and, well, you get the picture; whatever I baked had that strange, uneven quality.

Determined, I kept on putting up cookies. After all, I wasn’t going to cheat and buy from the bakery just yet.

To cut a long, pain-filled story short, it only took us a little longer to figure out the issue. Turns out that our adorable new toaster oven had two heating elements, one at the top and one at the bottom. And while the top one glowed a cheerful, hot orange when baking, the bottom one remained a lifeless, infuriating — and cold — gray. Hence, burnt tops and gooey bottoms for all of my favorite cookies.

I have baked many cookies since, thankfully with perfectly crisp and chewy results most of the time. But those memories of long ago are flavored with the magic of new beginnings, and you can barely notice the slightly burnt aftertaste.

These days, I’d chuckle and move on. I have plenty of no-oven cooking methods and gadgets, and there are always some bagel shops across the street. But at that moment, all I knew was that I was cooking my first-ever breakfast to impress my chasan. Help!

My smart older sister, already married for a year and a half and serving as my shomeres, offered her infinite wisdom: “Why don’t you just use your toaster?”

My well-stocked freezer and recipe repertoire of today did not exist yet, so I didn’t think of making bagels or paninis or anything, not even toast. I simply opened my freezer, found a box of waffles, and toasted them. When my chasan came home and saw the table elegantly set with china dishes and placements, and the platter of waffles in the center, his eyes lit up. Without further ado, he rummaged through the freezer and returned with a tub of ice cream. Our deluxe breakfast was now complete.

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LESSONS OF THE LAND

RIKI GOLDSTEIN

Living in Eretz Yisroel after my wedding, it took some time for my skills to catch up with my level of independence. One week, my husband invited some bachurim over for a Shabbos seudah. I realized while my husband was in shul that I had forgotten to take challah from my beautifully shaped homemade loaves. They looked the picture of aishes chayil perfection, but I knew that a fundamental flaw blighted them, and when my husband came home, I shamefacedly filled him in.

In chutz la’aretz, if you make this mistake, you can rectify it by just leaving over the last part of your challahs as the “separated challah.” But in Eretz Yisroel, taking challah is a mitzvah d’Oraisa. My husband didn’t know what to do. He ran down a few flights of steps until he found a neighbor to discuss the lah with. The reply was that challah could not be taken on Shabbos, and the challahs weren’t usable. And since they weren’t usable, they were muktzeh, too!

My husband removed them from the table and stowed them away in the kitchen, and I handed him a box of square matzahs for Hamotzi. Everyone acted like it was no big deal, but what those bachurim thought of a seudah with no challah to dip and enjoy to the last crumb, I don’t know.

CLUELESS IN THE KITCHEN

TZIPPY SCHREIBER

I was married for three short months when I heard that my in-laws’ anniversary was coming up. I was very excited; here was a chance for me to impress the people who had warmly welcomed me into their family. I decided to go all out for the occasion.

First I printed up a professional-looking invitation and mailed it to their home. They were delighted, and my mother-in-law innocently asked me if I was planning on serving pizza. I was miffed that she thought so little of my culinary skills, but didn’t want to ruin the surprise, so I just told her that the menu was fleishig, eagerly imagining her shock when she saw the beautiful banquet.

Finally, the big day arrived. When my in-laws arrived, they were astonished at the elegantly set table — chargers, dishes, silverware and all. The fish entrée was artfully displayed, and the smell of homemade dinner rolls wafted through my apartment.

My in-laws and my siblings-in-law were delighted with the sumptuous meal. After the main course, my father-in-law suggested that the menfolk should daven Maariv in the neighborhood, and then come back for dessert. Oops! That was not part of my plan. I now had to entertain my mother-in-law and her young daughters until the men came home from shul. My mother-in-law insisted on helping me clear the table as we waited. I

protested, but she followed me into the kitchen.

Before I knew what was happening, my mother-inlaw raised my stovetop cover, and there before my eyes was a congealed mess of split pea soup remnants and other indiscernible globs of food.

“It’s no big deal,” my mother-in-law said. “Just give me a steel wool pad and I’ll clean it for you.”

I was beyond mortified. I handed her the pad, and she happily scrubbed away at the mess.

When she was done, she asked me for some silver foil and said, “Tzippy, when you have open burners, it is a good idea to line the inside of your stove, so that if something drips, all you have to do is remove the silver foil without having to clean up the mess.” Then my gracious mother-in-law continued, “It’s okay that you didn’t know this. After all, you never had to run your own home, so how could you know?”

Several years later, when my next sister-in-law, Leah, invited my in-laws for supper, the same thing happened. Except when my mother-in-law offered to help Leah clean up the mess on her stove, Leah squealed, “Shvigger, I’m so embarrassed!”

“Leah, don’t be embarrassed!” my mother-in-law said. “Do you know that the same thing happened to Tzippy when she first started cooking, and she had no issue with me helping her?” Little did she know!

A MOST EXPENSIVE MEAL

CHAYA SARA BEN SHACHAR

Some girls might harbor secret hopes of becoming a chef de cuisine after their marriage. I didn’t. I knew my limitations, and cooking was not my forte. I knew that, accepted that, and anticipated a bumpy shanah rishonah culinary road.

For some reason, however, I thought that making falafel for the post-Tisha B’Av meal would be a breeze. I mean, what’s falafel anyway? Salad and pita? Isn’t that good, wholesome and inexpensive food, with a twist of the exotic, making it perfect for our first meal with company — two bachurim we’d invited to break the fast with us?

The package instructions on the falafel mix seemed easy enough. Add water to the mixture and form into balls, then fry.

I poured oil into the pot and absent-mindedly covered it. After all, a covered pot would heat up faster, and then I’d be able to add the falafel mixture to the boiling-hot oil.

Strangely, the glass cover showed a frosty color beneath it very quickly. The oil in the pot was obviously very hot.

I removed the cover and turned away. The minute I turned back, my heart caught in my throat. Big, huge flames were leaping out of the pot!

My new husband was out davening mincha, and there was a fire raging on my stovetop. Putting the blaze out by myself was too scary to even contemplate, but maybe my neighbor could be the hero.

I ran to summon the neighbor and her husband. They raced across the hall and into my kitchen. He grabbed the washing cup and threw water at the flames. More water. Even more water.

Out the fire went. Phew! One of us thought of opening the doors and windows to let the room air out.

Baruch Hashem, all was safe, except the kitchen cabinets and walls that all featured a layer of soot. The landlord, who lived in the same building, came over to see what the commotion was. I don’t remember his reaction, but it probably wasn’t a very happy one.

As for my six-week-old husband, his jaw simply dropped when he returned from shul and saw our blackened kitchen walls.

I don’t remember what I served my husband and our guests, but I do remember the topic of conversation; it was a nobrainer with our soot-filled kitchen.

The lessons I learned that night have remained with me until now: Never, ever, ever cover a pot with only oil inside it.

As for the simple yet exotic meal that should have been inexpensive? Well, it ended up be ing the most expensive meal ever, but don’t they say that lessons learned are priceless?

Please note: In general, throwing water onto an oil fire is extremely dangerous. An oil fire should be put out with baking soda or a fire extinguisher.

DIP DELUXE

CHANA HINDY SCHECHTER

It was two months after my wedding, and I was going to be hosting my husband’s sister and her husband for a meal on Shabbos. Thanks to my dozens of hours spent in the kitchen, everything was looking just right!

Potato kugel sizzled merrily in the oven, piles of colorful vegetable ribbons — salad and ratatouille — decorated the small counter, and the salmon filets patiently awaited their turn.

The sun drew back slowly as I peeled, chopped and sang, inviting the shining white whisper of a moon to take its place. Yes, I made it! Good Shabbos!

Chaim returned from shul two hours later and was followed by our guests shortly thereafter. After Kiddush, I brought the parade of dips and salads to the table as my sister-in-law politely complimented my offerings.

Leiby, my brother-in-law, spooned a generous amount of spicy tomato dip onto his plate while in an intense parsha discussion with Chaim. Everything was going so well — too well — until Leiby’s face suddenly blazed a beet red as he coughed and spluttered before taking a frantic gulp of cold water. Three pairs of eyes turned to me.

“What in the world did you put into that tomato dip?” my sister-in-law Etty finally asked.

“Well, five tomatoes, five garlics —”

“Five whole garlics?” she asked, a strange expression flitting across her face.

I nodded, and she burst out laugh-

Over a beautifully laid table punctuated with lots of laughter, I learned that five garlics meant only five garlic cloves. My own mother never used fresh garlic, and in my enthusiastic cooking attempt, I misjudged its potency.

Years later, it’s a fond memory that smells faintly of garlic and very kind siblings.

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SHAVUA RISHONAH

AS TOLD TO TALI EDELSTEIN

Only one week after our chasunah, my husband and I celebrated our first Shavuos together. In fact, not only was it our first Yom Tov, it was also my first time cooking for my new husband.

I am not a born cook, especially where dairy foods are concerned, but since we’d made our home in Eretz Yisroel, I couldn’t fall back on my parents, and I spent hours upon hours in the kitchen, choosing and preparing complicated recipes to make a beautiful Yom Tov.

On Shavuos morning, I carefully set up the hotplate. As a final touch, I pulled out a gorgeous wedding gift: an elegant hotplate cover with the words Lichvod Shabbos Kodesh embroidered on it. Excited to use it for Yom Tov, I gently spread it over the warming food and went off to shul.

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YOUR DESIGN SUCCESS IS A CALL OR CLICK AWAY!

When my husband and I came home, we sat down at our little table and began our seudah. As we were enjoying our first course, I suddenly smelled fire. I ran into the kitchen to investigate. There was our beautiful new hotplate cover, going up in little orange flames, with smoke spreading around the kitchen.

Apparently, a corner of the cover had fallen directly onto the hotplate when I’d removed the food, and it caught fire. While it was fireresistant, it wasn’t quite fireproof!

I yelled for my husband to come. It was not pikuach nefesh at that point, so we couldn’t pour water on it. My husband wanted to put the burning cover in the bathtub, but I was too afraid about leaving the fire in the house. I suggested putting it onto our porch. My husband bravely grabbed the flaming thing, ran out, and dropped it on the tiled floor of our mirpeset. The cover continued to burn throughout the entire Yom Tov until it was just one giant charred, bad-smelling mess.

I was so mortified that I’d burned a brand-new gift and ruined our first meal, our first Yom Tov, our first week together, but my husband was so chilled about the ordeal. In the years after this, we often laughed about how we almost burned down the house on Yom Tov and had an accidental bonfire on our mirpeset

But I never did buy another hotplate cover. I wasn’t going to take any chances...

SOME EXTRA BOUNCE

AS TOLD TO GOLDA FRIEDMAN

The first time I made Shabbos, a few weeks after our wedding, I made matzah ball soup. When my husband dipped his spoon into his bowl and attempted to partake of the unfortunately undercooked matzah ball, said item went bouncing off the spoon and onto the floor, where it proceeded to bounce around like a rubber ball. I was mortified, but I remember laughing through my embarrassment and thinking, this will be funny some day!

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IN CELEBRATION OF MESSES

TZIVI WAGNER

You know teens and lofty concepts like order and schedule? They can be poles apart. No, I’m not saying I was dysfunctional. Let’s just say that, back then, “time-sensitive” meant that I was sensitive to the concept of time, and stupendous messes were an accepted part of getting things done.

Graduating my teens coincided with my being married for one whole year. In honor of our first anniversary, I rustled up an impressive anniversary dinner, full of zest and cutesy shtick. Remember alphabet pasta? They spelled out “Happy Anniversary” in the soup. Dessert was ice cream with mini wedding photos in chocolate picture frames. That type.

But my kitchen… What can I tell you about the state of my kitchen? It was a wreck to end all wrecks, a happy harmony of food and nonfood items living it up together. I’m not going to describe it any further because words won’t do. I still had some time before my husband was due home for dinner. But who said anything about cleanup? I ran out to get the freshest red roses from the florist, stuck them in a vase, and scattered some vivid petals for the effect. I turned on the little spotlights in the china closet; they were for super-special occasions, and also, for times when the closet doors were perfectly Windexed.

Finally, everything was set. I snapped shots of the dashing tablescape and also of the hyperactive chaos that was my kitchen. After all, that mess made the evening happen, right?

The next day, I sent pictures of the table, of each lovingly crafted course, and of the happily created mess to my mother-in-law so she could schep nachas What she thought of her new daughter-in-law, I have no idea.

FULLER FLAVOR

MALKA NEWMAN

A normal breakfast is cereal and coffee. A shanah rishonah breakfast is bagels and warm eggs.

A normal lunch is a tuna sandwich. A shanah rishonah lunch is eggplant parmesan, smoothies and freshly chopped lettuce salad.

A normal supper is chicken and rice. A shanah rishonah supper is crispy roasted potatoes, pan-fried herbed tilapia with butter-lem on dipping sauce, and a side of com pote. No plebeian bone-in chicken for my brand-new husband. I was going to ace this supper thing and prove all the naysayers (read: big sisters) wrong.

Oh, how I carefully followed that tilapia recipe. Ready to show my husband just how sophisticated his new wife could be, I had stocked my cabinet with every green spice the grocery had to offer: dill, parsley, rosemary, thyme. I measured the ingredients with the greatest care, although when the spices overflowed past the tablespoon mark, I hardly flinched. Everyone knows a confident cook cooks with full flavor, right? Right. I sprinkled the salt with enthusiasm, then added a dash more for good measure. The recipe also called for pepper, but I couldn’t decide between black and white pepper, so I added both.

There was also the very minor detail of the recipe calling for six tilapia fillets while I was making merely three. Nu, nu, fuller flavor never hurt anyone, or their shalom bayis

By the time I finished mixing and coating and frying and flipping, there was hardly any time left for the other dishes I had planned to make. But no matter. My tilapia fillets were a work of art. Forget about being pepper crusted; they were positively the-loveliest-shade-of-green-crusted. I couldn’t be prouder. Quickly, I whisked together the butter-lemon dipping sauce, and not a moment too soon; my husband walked through the door as I was sliding the fillets onto my stillshiny Corelle dishes.

Dear husband only coughed a teensy bit as he took his first bite. Still smiling, he looked at me graciously, and with an utterly straight face he said, “Wow. Such a supper only happens once in a lifetime!”

And so it was.

by YITTY

THE MALODOROUS MELTDOWN

LIBA SINGER

I come from a long line of balabustas. My Babi’s savory paprikash and my mother’s tender goulash are the stuff worthy of culinary dreams — but let’s not give all the credit to the ladies. At the tender age of eight, I learned how to braid challah and twist babke in the huge commercial kitchen of a summer camp, my hands dwarfed by my father’s as he guided them.

As a newlywed, I started cooking suppers early on, eager to show my kitchen who was boss right from the get-go. I confidently whipped up cakes, fearlessly fried schnitzel, and gallantly grated potato kugels — by hand.

(It’s precisely because of my competence and confidence in the kitchen that I hesitated to tell this story at all. My Hungarian bubbies and nénis watching from up high would emit a “Yoooooooooy” of supernatural proportions.)

It all started with the best of intentions. My husband’s birthday was coming up, and birthdays require cake. After flipping through my stack of cookbooks and all the magazines published that week, I made the fateful decision. Featuring a moist and fudgy base, chocolate chunks and hazelnuts, and a glossy, dark ganache, the Triple Chocolate Temptation Brownies were sure to bring the house down. They nearly did, but not in the way I’d intended.

The batter was ready. The chocolate chunks were prepared. Every single mixing bowl I owned was on duty or soaking in the sink, and the only thing left to whip together was the ganache.

Ganache is made by melting chocolate and combining it with milk or cream. Dreading the cleanup, I decided to save time by melting the chocolate directly in the mixing bowl. Clever and efficient! I popped the bowl onto the stove, turned on a low flame, and stepped away to prepare the baking pan where the magic would happen.

It must’ve been black magic, though, because within seconds, instead of the rich, inviting aroma of melting chocolate, an acrid stench assaulted my nostrils. I turned back to the stove and realized what I’d done: I’d put my Bosch mixer bowl onto direct heat! My plastic Bosch mixer bowl!

I immediately shut the flame, stabbed the shrieking smoke detector with a broomstick, opened the window, and hung my head in shame. But I can’t tell you what happened next. Not because I don’t want to; the trauma of that fiasco has wiped what followed from my memory.

I’m pleased to report that I still bake. I’m just careful that it’s the chocolate, and only the chocolate, that’s having a meltdown.

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The Interior of Design A space-planning adventure

CHAPTER 3 OF 4

From Fresh Facelift to Dream Kitchen: A Long-Awaited Renovation

Buying a house is a whirlwind—exciting, yes, but often overwhelming. Most people feel like they can only do the bare minimum at first, with plans to tackle the big stuff a few years down the line. That was exactly the case with my client Chaya Greenberg, who approached me not long after giving birth to her first child. She had just purchased a house that, to put it mildly, “needed work.”

Phase I: The House

The layout was beautiful — spacious and open — but the previous owners hadn’t been kind to it. The floors needed to be ripped out, the moldings and doors had to be replaced, and the entire space was begging for a facelift. I was thrilled to jump in and give this tired house a fresh start.

We started with the essentials: tiles, paint colors, new moldings and an elegant ceiling detail in the dining room complete with updated lighting. We even gave the central staircase, the heart of the open layout, a new look with a gorgeous color update. By the end of phase one, the house looked fresh, stylish and ready for its next chapter.

But then there was the kitchen.

The kitchen was a different story. Picture this: old pink Spanish tiles, crumbling cabinets, and two bizarre beams crossing the ceiling and looking totally out of place. It was far from pretty, and as a designer, it made my eyes twitch. But Chaya, who had a clear sense of what she wanted, asked to hold off on the kitchen. She wanted time to imagine the perfect space and recover her financial standing before embarking on that phase of the renovation.

I agreed — although I have to admit that the thought of leaving that eyesore in an otherwise beautiful home was tough.

For the next two years, I kept that kitchen in the back of my mind because I knew this kitchen could be amazing It had quirky, challenging features that were just begging for a designer’s touch. It took two years, but finally, I got the call: We’re ready!

Phase II: The Kitchen

Having worked with Chaya before, I knew her style, but there were some key challenges to address right off the bat. First, the layout. The kitchen was an odd shape, with windows and doors scattered haphazardly around the walls, which made placing cabinets a real puzzle. And then there were those beams — two oddly positioned overhead beams that were neither centered nor aesthetically pleasing.

Finally, we had to ensure that whatever we did in the kitchen blended seamlessly with the rest of the house, which had been transformed into a stylish, cohesive space. The colors, tiles and overall design had to flow.

So off we went to the kitchen supplier, ready to tackle the design. We

were clear about what we needed: a big, beautiful island, a centerpiece stove (Chaya loves to cook), plenty of storage, and most importantly, a layout that let all the sunshine pour in from the windows and doors. We wanted that kitchen to feel alive with light, warmth and space.

I pitched a few ideas, and one stood out immediately. I suggested we annex the laundry room, which was conveniently located near the kitchen. My plan was to turn it into a walk-in pantry-slash-slop kitchen, and move the laundry room upstairs where it would be more functional. My client loved the idea, and just like that, our storage problems were solved.

Now came the tricky part — designing the kitchen layout. We twisted and turned the design, tried cabinets here, an island there, but it was clear we needed to keep an open mind. There wasn’t going to be a cookie-cutter solution. I eliminated the back wall cabinets, shifted the island, extended it, moved the oven to the center, and voila — things finally started to click into place.

But still, there were those beams... those awful, misaligned beams. I spent days trying to imagine a way to conceal them without dropping the ceiling height, which was one of the room’s best features. It felt like a design roadblock.

One day, during an impromptu meeting with the contractor and client, we were reviewing the cabinet layout when inspiration struck. Grabbing the plans, I started feverishly drawing lines across the kitchen. Out came a ceiling design that not only solved the beam problem but turned it into a statement piece. I dropped the ceiling just above the stove to cover one beam, creating a custom hood feature that blended perfectly into the room.

UNREACHABLE.

We added lighting and intricate millwork details, and suddenly, what was once a design headache became a breathtaking focal point.

With the first beam beautifully concealed, we tackled the second. This one sat above what would be the pantry and built-in fridge/freezer area. The solution? Seamlessly blend it into the cabinetry, making it look like the beam was intentionally part of the design. Just like that — problem solved.

Once the design was complete, the rest of the details seemed to fall magically into place. We decked out the kitchen with stunning lighting, beautiful polished concrete gray tiles, and cabinetry in striking, contrasting finishes of charcoal gray and white. The only challenge was the countertop.

For a designer, selecting the countertop is a bit like finding the soul of the kitchen. The right stone can elevate the space, creating a harmonious balance that complements everything else. But countertops are also a big-ticket item, sometimes rivaling even the appliances and cabinetry in cost. So when Chaya and I headed to the stone yard, we knew we were in for a challenge.

But it was love at first sight. There, in the middle of a sprawling selection of stones, was a magnificent marble that took our breath away. Its natural veining was unlike anything else we’d seen, and once we had our eyes on it,

Design Dilemma

High Gloss vs. Matte Tiles

Q: I love the look of high-gloss tiles, but I’m worried about slipping in busy areas. Are matte tiles a better choice for safety considerations?

A: High-gloss tiles can indeed bring a stunning, reflective quality to any space, adding brightness and a touch of sophistication that’s hard to match with matte finishes. Although they can become slippery when wet, there are workarounds. First, using smaller, high-gloss tiles in areas where a wet surface is a concern can actually add grip due to the increased grout lines. Additionally, some high-gloss tiles now come with slip-resistant coatings, offering the best of both worlds. If you love the glossy look, go for it! Just make sure to select slip-resistant options for any particularly wet or high-traffic areas.

nothing else seemed to compare. The problem was that the stone came with a price tag to match its beauty, and it was higher than Chaya had planned to spend.

Determined, we toured stone yards across New York and New Jersey, hoping to find a similar stone that fit the budget. But nothing could capture that same elegance. So we made a compromise: Ee would use the marble selectively, in key areas where it could truly shine, and opt for a clean white quartz for the rest of the countertops. It was the perfect solution — one that balanced beauty with practicality.

The results were breathtaking. The marble added a luxurious flair in just the right spots, while the quartz provided a crisp, clean look that tied everything together. The kitchen was everything we’d dreamed it could be, a testament to thoughtful design, a little compromise, and a whole lot of heart.

MRS. G.

Course Dates: Dec. 11, 16, 18, 23

Time: 8:30-10:45 p.m.

Course Details:

Course Details:

Level 1: Foundation (4 classes)

Level 1:

Processing, crossing midline, and teaching תויתוא.

Learn practical tools in auditory processing, word retrieval, reflex integration and eye tracking.

Processing, crossing midline, and teaching תויתוא. Learn practical tools in auditory processing, word retrieval, reflex integration and eye tracking.

Level 1 is ideal for ALL teachers, providers, and parents of preschool and elementary age students.

Level 1 is ideal for ALL teachers, providers, and parents of preschool and elementary age students.

Completion of level 1 is necessary to attend upcoming level two and level three courses.

Completion of level 1 is necessary to attend upcoming level two and level three courses.

level 2: The Kriah Course (4 classes)

level 2: The Kriah Course (4 classes)

A fascinating new approach to treat auditory processing and word retrieval disorders. This level includes complete kriah course and how to conduct kriah evaluations.

A fascinating new approach to treat auditory processing and word retrieval disorders. This level includes complete kriah course and how conduct kriah evaluations.

level 3: Advanced Training (4 classes)

level 3:

Covering reflex integration, eye exercise, multitasking and executive function in depth.

NOW HIRING

NO, NO. THAT’S NOT WHAT I HAD IN MIND AT ALL. THE COMMUNITY’S LAWYER, PEDRO PALACIOS, IS A VERY WEALTHY MAN.

HE OWNS A FEW PARCELS OF LAND.

HE’S BEEN TRYING TO SELL THEM FOR MONTHS NOW, WITHOUT SUCCESS. HE MIGHT BE MORE FLEXIBLE WITH HIS PRICE THAN SENIOR HERNANDEZ.

THIS LAND WAS SOLD TO YOU AT A PRICE ONLY SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL PROPERTY.

A FEW HOURS LATER, A QUICK CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE LAWYER AND THE IMMIGRANTS, SELLING THEM THE LAND ADJACENT TO THE RAILWAY NEAR SANTA FE.

BARUCH HASHEM! WHAT A QUICK RESOLUTION!

I’M NOT AFRAID OF HARD WORK. AS LONG AS WE CAN LIVE IN PEACE AND PRACTICE OUR YIDDISHKEIT AWAY FROM THE POGROMS IN EUROPE. LET’S GO.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO FARMHOUSES OR AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PRESENT. YOU HAVE YOUR WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU!

IT’S… IT’S… AMAZING… AMAZING!

ABUELO, WHAT’S GOING ON?

MISHA, TELL ME — ARE YOU SEEING WHAT I’M SEEING? OR ARE MY OLD EYES DECEIVING ME?

RECAP: THE RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS REACH ARGENTINA, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE LAND OWNER WHO SOLD THEM LAND RETRACTED HIS CONTRACT. THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. RABBI RUBINOV AND YISHAI MORENO STEP IN TO HELP.

A CIPHER! A CODE! WHO WROTE IT?!

ELIAS MORENO, MY GREATGREAT-GRANDFATHER AND THE ONE WHO WROTE THIS DIARY. HE LEFT A HIDDEN MESSAGE HERE.

THAT’S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHEN I ALMOST FELL INTO THE WATER!

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

BUT AT THE PORT TODAY, THE SUNLIGHT SUDDENLY REVEALED THE HIDDEN WRITING. IT’S HARD TO READ. INVISIBLE INK DOESN’T SURVIVE AS WELL AS REGULAR INK — CERTAINLY NOT AFTER 200 YEARS.

OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, I’VE BEEN READING THE DIARY OFTEN, AND I NOTICED A FEW STRANGE PARAGRAPHS AND SKETCHES. I TRIED TO FIGURE THEM OUT WITH NO SUCCESS.

I’LL TRY AGAIN AT HOME, WHEN IT’S QUIET AND PEACEFUL

ARE WE SUPPOSED TO SLEEP INSIDE THESE TRAIN CARS?!

BUT “QUIET AND PEACEFUL” WOULDN’T COME ANYTIME SOON…

BITS OF WITS

SHEVY HOLLANDER

The letters -OTUS, an acronym and a suffix that serves as a shortened version of the phrase “of the United States” came into use in the late 19th century, and people have gotten quite creative with it. The first recorded use is from 1879, where SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) appeared in a book that included code words for telegraphic use.

In 1895, POTUS was used, also for telegraphic purposes, as a shortened version of President of the United States. You can also come across FLOTUS (first lady), VPOTUS (vice president), COTUS (Constitution) and even TOTUS (teleprompter, which came in handy during Obama’s presidency).

THE CHANGING FACE OF:

Most of us have been taught that in the Middle Ages, prior to Columbus’ voyage, it was widely believed that the world was flat. However, it was not so. European scholars have generally understood that the world must be round. This is such a common modern historical misconception that it is called the “flat-Earth error.”

FLOWER POWER

Use the following letters to list 5 words, each using 7 letters and up. Only the center letter must be used, and letters can be repeated. Bonus points for pangrams (words that use all seven letters).

O A R N T D U

Find a common factor for this group of four words

Fall

Mark

Way

Color

Answer: If it’s the word stone, atone, ounce or any other five-letter word containing the letters “one.”

Butterflies can be let out to fly free, because when you’re talking about that queasy and anxious feeling in your stomach, the word collywobbles does the job so awesomely.

In the 1930s, eight shell-shaped gas stations were built for Shell. One of them still remains in North Carolina.

THE HOTTEST NOVEMBER

TEMPERATURE IN NEW YORK CITY HISTORY WAS 84°, WHICH OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1950. THE TEMPERATURE IN NYC THIS PAST WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, REACHED 81°, MAKING IT THE THIRD WARMEST NOVEMBER DAY ON RECORD. RECORDED!

We welcome local trivia, historical facts and photos, and Torah-themed riddle submissions. We’d also love to hear if you have additional answers to our puzzles! Email comments@thebpview.com to add your very own bits of wits. Please include your name and contact information.

BOGGLE TOURNAMENT

HOW TO PLAY:

1. Gather round the table to play a family game of Boggle, using this Boggle board.

2. Once you have a winner, fill out the form below in its entirety

3. Email the form to comments@ thebpview.com or fax to 718-4088771 by Sunday at midnight.

4. Two winners will be drawn each week, each of whom will receive a $15 gift card at Judaica Corner!

PLAYING RULES:

Find words on the board containing four letters or more. Letters of a word must be connected in a chain (each letter should be adjacent to the next either vertically, horizontally or diagonally), and each letter can only be used once in a given word. The following are not allowed in Boggle: Adding “s” to a word • Proper nouns • Abbreviations • Contractions • Acronyms

POINTS

4-letter words: 2 points | 5-letter words: 3 points | 6-letter words: 5 points | 7-letter words: 7 points | 8-letter words: 9 points | 9+ letters: 12 points

HINT

Each Boggle board hides a word of nine letters or more!

B S R T O A E C V N P O G I H M L I F E O T E W A

Full mailing address:

Full name of winner: _________________________________________________________

Amount of points: ____________________________________________________________

Full names of competing players:

List some words only the winner found:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF COLOR ME PRETTY!

Thank you to the hundreds of readers who sent in beautifully colored pages! Keep coloring!

Eli Schlesinger, 6, Chasan Sofer

Rivky Rosenberg, 5, Satmar

Tzivi Weber, 6, Belz

Chany Marmorstein, 10, Satmar

Naftuly Jacobs

Zecharia, Yossi, Yidi

Gitty Preis, 3

Lipa Weiss

Shloime & Fraidy Kleinman

Simcha Fishman

Amrom Glauber

Bandman & Estreicher

Mordechai Aron Weber

Yanky Merlin

Yossi Weber

Family Zigelman

Lipa Weiss

Shmily & Moshe Chaim Stein

Mordechai Aron Weber

Leah Preis, 6

Yocheved & Suri Rosenfeld

Duvid Wettenstein, 5

Chesky, Meir & Dina Fischer

Yosef Shia Gutman

Avrumi Burger

Naftuly Jacobs

Malky & Esty Fuhrer, 5, 7

Draizy Bleier

Blimi & Zelig Wajsbaum

Naftuli & Gitty Schondorf Shloimy Stein

Shloimy Kraus, 4

Malky Stein

Klein Family

Family Guttman

Mendy Weber

Chaim David Ehrenfeld, 6

Mordechai Aron Weber, 7

Yossi & Shimmy, 5 & 2

Fraidy Blum

Leah Steiger

Avrumi, Yidel & Roizy Goldfinger

Benzion Weiss, 2

Yossi Weber, 9

Classifieds

FOR SALE

FURNITURE FOR SALE

Dining Room set with 6 chairs. Entertainment center, 2 futon beds and Full bed and dresser. Great condition. 646-258-4879

NEOCATE/BABY FORMULA

Neocate $46.99 per can. Kendamil Similac L’Mehadrin in stock!! We buy off any formula for a good price and trade as well. Call for other types of formulas. New! Option of shipping case of 6 Kendamil directly to you from England. Formula Trade 347.369.4886

DOONA STROLLER

Doona Stroller, multiple colors available! cll/txt 1-201614-4045

BEBE ORGANIC SET

Looking to sell a natural color bebe organic set, size 3 mths, with matching bonnet and blanket, beautiful for vachnacht. Please call 347 382 0905

MINK FUR COAT

Magnificent mink real fur coat, black, brand new condition, 3 1/4 length, a line style (size adjustable by waist ranging size 6-12) Barely worn. Great price. Call and leave a message 929-417-0762

VEHICLE FOR SALE

School buses for sale: 2014 Bluebird, Double doors, A/C, low mileage. (possibility to rent) Call 347.408.9772

CRAZY DEAL

DR set (china closet & table), Used set (Italian) in good condition, and Master BR set giveaway 6464180652

FURNITURE SALE

Traditional full master bedroom set in beautiful condition very well priced. Please text for picture or call for details 718-431-4036.

REAL ESTATE

MIAMI BEACH

Newly renovated beautiful ocean view 1 bedroom apt. for rent. 347.760.0570

AIRMONT RENTAL

Book your next vacation! 5 bedroom 3 bathroom magnificent villa serene property in Airmont. Fully furnished ALL amenities included! 347-420-4945

FLORIDA RENTAL

Beautiful 3 bedroom 3 bath villa with inground heated pool and hot tub available in North Miami, Price per night $339. Pictures available. Call/Text 845-327-7153

MIAMI BEACH FL.

For rent all season only, full one bedroom apartment, Ground floor, close to shul, and Ocean. Also available for sale, 845-662-3879

LUXURY YERUSHALAYIM APT.

Magnificent master bedroom + Two more bedrooms, Large and spacious living room ,New kitchen with new appliances, Three Bathrooms, Separate laundry room, Private air conditioners for each room, Large porch with Amazing View. Belz Area. Pics available upon request 1.718.289.0037 EXT.2 Email: betiv2636@ gmail.com

LINDEN LUXE

New Pristine Cathedral Ceiling House. 6 bedrooms. 3 bathrooms. Stocked Playroom. Patio Seating. Swing Set. Trampoline. All Amenities included. 5 min to shul. call/text 718-989-1406.

CENTER MONSEY

Storefront space available 2,200 sf $7,500 monthly rent. 845-535-9961 Storefront space available 1,965 sf $6,750 monthly rent. 845-535-9961

WEST PALM BEACH No. 1 Real Estate Broker. Aaron Rose 561.308.5766

LAKEHOUSE VILLA

Luxurious 3 bedroom lake house villa in Case Grande Arizona. Private pool fully stocked kosher kitchen. 520.251.4459

WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA

For the best Real Estate deals call Mrs. Debby Schwartz 203.667.2785

MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA

Carriage Club North, beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath, ground floor, for rent. Call: 347.499.0031

WEST PALM BEACH FOR SALE

Wellington M, 2 Bedroom apt. Ground Floor FOR SALE. Call: 347.760.0639

AIRMONT GETAWAY

Furnished 5 bedroom House. 2 Bath, Deck, Lg. Playground, near shul. Linen, Towels, and all amenities included. Avail for weekend, weekly or monthly. Call: 347-6786565/347-485-4149

Classifieds

HOUSE FOR SALE

TZFAT, ISRAEL

Magnificent 3 floor House, Breathtaking Views, 8 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Sukkah Terrace, 2 Shuls Across St, Close to all Kvarim. Email: tzfatluxury@gmail. com

LINDEN VACATION

Exlusive brand new fully- furnished house, all amenities. included, sleeps 11 +2 cribs 7 min walk to shuls option to add shabbos food (monthly rates available)/Text 601- 675-2665/ Crownprincevilla@gmail. com

AIRMONT RENTAL

Airmont, NY - Furnished Hotel Style, 6 bedroom house, 20+ beds. Across Lorna Park. Weekday, Shabbos, or Short Term. Call 347-451-9432

AIRMONT GETAWAY

Furnished 5 bedroom House. 2 Bath, Deck, Lg. Playground, near shul. Linen, Towels, and all amenities included. Avail for weekend, weekly or monthly. Call: 347-6786565/347-485-4149

MONSEY VACATION/ SIMCHA RENTAL

Beautiful fully furnished Shabbos equipped 6 bedroom 4 bath house Highview/ College. Call/ whatsapp 718541-0292

NORTH MIAMI FL

2-bedroom, 2-baths with private heated pool and spa. Call/Text: 917-382-4810, email: 1752nmb@gmail.com www.themangotreat.com

PRIVATE HOUSE SHORT TERM

Fully equipped furnished 7 bedroom house (18+beds) with linen/towels hotel style in Blooming Grove. Rent for days, weeks, or weekends. Breathtaking beautiful grounds. Call/text 845-2385633

6 BEDROOM

VACATION RENTAL

New luxurious house near KJ available for day, week, weekend. Stocked kitchen, linen, towels. Beautiful outdoor furniture. Call/text 917-652-1468

BEAUTIFUL VILLA RENTAL

Beautiful villa in serene area outside Monroe. 9 couple rooms, teen room 8 beds and many kids mattresses. Huge private pool with stunning grounds. Pictures at hotelfifteen.com .still avail for sukkas 845 837 5662

SHORT-TERM RENTAL

Save the number. Apartment available for shabbosim/ simchas etc. Linen, towels and all amenities included. Also for chasson/kallah. 718851-8520 Leave Message

VILLA IN CASA GRANDE ARIZONA

Gorgeous upgraded villa available. 14 comfortable beds, 3 baths, kosher kitchen. Beautiful private backyard with heated pool. Near Shul & Grocery. Call/text 929-592-0368 / 929-441-5709 Arizonakoshervilla.net. Villa in Tuscon also available.

FURNISHED APT.

18th & 51, nice furnished 1 BDR bsmt apt, for rent, High ceiling windows W/D. Call: 347-670-4282

APARTMENT FOR RENT

BP, Beautiful furnished 4 Bdrm, 2 Baths apt for short term rent, 3 flights up, NU & 40 St,Call or Txt 718-419-0776

HELP WANTED

NURSERY ASSISTANT

929-299-6235:

VOUCHER PLAYGROUP

Voucher playgroup on 14th & 44th looking for a co-teacher. Great pay! Flexible hours. Please call 347-645-7944

JOBS AVAILABLE

Part-time & Full-time jobs available. Email TopPartTimeJobs@ gmail.com

TEACHER POSITION

Headstart in Williamsburg has a teacher position available- BA Required! Great work environment, competitive salary and excellent benefits! Call 929382-9370

IT TECHNICIAN

Heimishe office in Boro Park is seeking a full time IT technician. Must have experience in Azure. Please send resume to: itjob0924@ gmail.com or fax to: 718-2286350

LEAD POSITION

Hamaspik Choice is looking to hire a Team Lead in our Brooklyn Office. Leadership experience required intake or homecare experience preferred Pay $40 per hour great benefits send resume to jobs@hamaspikchoice.org

SECRETARY

BP office seeking temporary secretary starting immediately until March of 2025. Quick learner, organized, ability to multitask, excellent communication and computer skills. Email: hr@ mainstreambflow.com

HELP WANTED

Hobbyhouse of Boro Park is seeking creative woman/girl to work in our paint studio. If you have super personality please 845-608-0161.

ASSISTANT TEACHER CANARSIE

Yeled V`Yalda Canarsie location seeking an Assistant Teacher Full Time, must have High School diploma, excellent salary & benefits. Send resume to: Bcunin@ yeled.org or call: 718.686.2415

CLASSROOM AIDE/ BUS MATRON

Full time position in Boro Park, Classroom assistant, one bus route daily. Exceptional environment and benefits. Salary $36,000. Plus. Call: 718.686.2422 Email: jobs@yeled.org

MEDICAL BILLER

Seeking an experienced medical biller to join our team. Candidates should be knowledgeable in the complete billing process including credentialing providers. Full time/part time. Great pay for the right candidate! Amazing growth potential! Email chana@ hiresolutionsny.com

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM – FUNSHINE

The HCS After school Program is looking to hire Paras for Funshine. Monday – Thursday 3 - 6PM. Sunday 10:30 – 3 PM- part time or full time. Flexible schedules. Great pay! Exciting atmosphere! Please call Rivky at 718-510-3002 or email R.Rubinstein@hcsny.org

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Shirienu Dayhab is looking for an enthusiastic energetic counselor for our growing womans Dayhab Program. 1-5 PM daily. Please foward resume to R.Walzer@hcsny. org or call 718-854-2747 ext. 1300

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

HCS is seeking female Direct Support Professionals to work in a beautiful group home in Boro Park for highly independent young women. Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities a plus. Driver’s license Preferred. Full-time, flexible hours. Monday through Friday 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Please contact 347-598-3127

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

HCS is seeking male DSPs to work at our Flatbush residence for afternoon shifts 3-11 pm daily. Please forward resume’ to jobs@hcsny.org Please call 718-854-2747 ext. 1114

DIRECT SUPPORT

PROFESSIONAL

HCS is seeking female DSPs to work at our Boro Park Dahab Program, full time position, daily. Please forward resume’ to jobs@ hcsny.org Please call 718-8542747 ext. 1210

GOWNS FOR SALE

• Elegant ivory and silver womans gown size 6-8 $500 BP

• MOB Custom tulle ivory gown with gemstone beading Size 20 $1500 BP

• 5 Custom mint green / white kids gowns size 7-12 $150. if all sizes are bought, price is $100 each. BP

• Stunning mint green / white teen gown size 18 kids $200 . Monsey

• Navy satin/organza w colored beading gown worn once size 20 $600 BP

• Magnificient white flowing embroidered gown drape sleeves (copy of Jenny Packham) Size 18 $1000 BP

• Ivory beaded tulle woman gown Size 16-18 $700 BP

TEXT: 347.806.8678

Care Management Supervisor Wanted

Care Management agency is seeking an experienced Supervisor to lead our team of care managers. Ideal candidates will have a background as a care manager themselves, with the knowledge and expertise necessary to effectively guide and support our team.

Requirements:

Previous experience as a care manager

Strong understanding of care management practices and protocols

Proven leadership and communication skills

If you’re passionate about making a difference and ready to step into a supervisory role, send in your resume & apply today to join our dedicated team!

Email: staffing613@gmail.com

Classifieds

JOB OPPORTUNITY

A heimishe playgroup in boro park is looking for teachers and assistants. Must be warm, loving and caring. Please call 718-437-7261

INSTRUCTOR

Chayeinu Academy is seeking 1:1 instructor for the current school year. Please email resume to info@ chayeinuacademy.org or call 718-303-9170.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM – FUNSHINE

Seeking ‘volunteers’ for Funshine after school program from 4:30 - 6. Please call Rivky at 718-510-3002 or email R.Rubinstein@hcsny. org

DAYCARE SEEKING

Teachers NYS certified and assistants. Ft/Pt opportunities available. Please email: School718438@ gmail.com

HALF DAY PARAS

Yaldeinu School is seeking half day paras. 12:45-4:00, Great pay, great environment, great training. Please email resume to info@ yaldeinu.net.

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

Form a lasting relationship with women with special needs. Seeking group home DSPs for the afternoon shift, 2-4 days a week, hours 3:00 - 7:00. Great supplemental income, wonderful upbeat atmosphere. jobs@hamaspikkings.org 718.408.5400 Ext. 413

FRONT DESK SECRETARY

Ideal work hours, plus awesome environment! Sipuk clinic in Boro Park seeks a front desk secretary to join their vibrant team. 9:00 - 3:00 on Sundays, and 1:00 - 5:00 Monday-Thursday. jobs@sipuk.org, put ‘Front Desk’ in subject line.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Are you efficient, a team player, and looking for a meaningful position? Seeking an executive assistant for a vibrant clinic in Boro Park. Office experience and advanced computer skills needed. Full time. Send resume to jobs@ sipuk.org, put position in subject line.

MEDICAL COORDINATOR

Are you interested in the medical field? Seeking medical coordinator for women’s group home. Oversee all medical care and gain vast knowledge along the way. Requires maturity and organization. Starting salary $25/hour. jobs@hamaspikkings.org | 718.408.5400 Ext. 413

MINYAN

Looking for 4 yungeleit or Buchirim for Schachris at 7:45am in Flatbush (E 24th/ Ave I) Mon-Fri at $90 weekly per person Pls email to minyanE23@yahoo.com

FEMALE PROVIDER

Looking for a Female provider to work with a 10 Yr old girl after school at child’s home high 50’s area, yiddish subjects. w/without BA. Please email Ms@meirimny. org

COOK WANTED

Brooklyn based olderadult center and Home Delivered Meals Program, seeking cook to do menu planning, submitting orders, coordinate food preparation and take inventory. Prior experience as a cook, valid food protection certificate, Ability to stand for long hours and lift heavy objects. Can read and write in English, knowledge of kashrus laws. Full Time. 30 hours a week Pay $29. per hour. Email resume to: careers@jccgci. org or call: 718.449.5000 Ext. 2298

ABA IN FLATBUSH

Now hiring evening ABA support staff, we`re expanding our team and looking for experienced ABA professionals to onboard for our Flatbush families. No direct ABA experience? No problem. If you are passionate and have a desire to make a difference, Call/ Text/WA: 917.968.2292 or email to: Scaplan@yeled.org

PARA

Seeking conscientious and devoted Yiddish-speaking paraprofessional to assist a diabetic second-grade girl in a chasssidish school from 8:40-1 pm. Interested candidates should submit a resume and references to leah@aimfurther.org

WORK FROM HOME

Great opportunity to manage your own business from home. No experience needed, no computer necessary. Huge potential to grow big. Call: 438.529.1216

OT & SPEECH THERAPIST

Heimishe school in boro park seeking OT & speech therapist. please email resumes5785@gmail.com

BUS DRIVER

The driver is responsible for driving older adults to appointments and other such errands. Requiremets: CDL Class B with Passenger endorsement, Clean driving record, ability to lift 30 pounds. Sensitive to older adults, ability to drive 16-30 passenger vehicles. Full Time. Pay $22-$26 per hour. Email to: careers@jccgci.org or call: 718.449.5000 Ext. 2298

CHILDCARE

EXPERIENCED BABYSITTER Heimishe babysitting group in the heart of Boro park 50 street & 16th Avenue accommodating hours for working mothers ages 0-24 months.Non Vouchers. Call Rivky 3475855054

NON VOUCHERS PLAYGROUP

Playgroup 12th/42 for children 18-24 months. Walk in, nice, spacious & lechtig. Also a big yard. With an option until 4:30. No transportation. Text 347-2327608/ call 718-633-3263

TODDLER GROUP

Toddler group on 19 and 59 has limited slots available for twice a week for kids 15 month and up. Heimish and experienced teacher, great references; please call teacher Gitty Grinfeld. 3475870474

SHARE BABYSITTER

Looking to share an excellent babysitter in my house, 15th Ave & 55th St. Mon-Thurs 9-4. Please call 347-645-7944

DAYCARE SLOTS AVAIL

Daycare on 11th avenue has 1 part time slots available for infants 4-12 months old. 646-820-3422

PLAYGROUP SLOT

Voucher and cash slots available in a Yidish speaking PLAYGROUP, varias locations call 929-236-6129

SERVICES

DOULA

Lifsha Kleinman, Experienced Doula 718-744-7135. Doula on Demand - Call even in labor. Medicaid accepted. LaborSweetDoulas@gmail.com

AT-HOME YOGA

Personalized At-Home Yoga Practice! �� Build strength and flexibility with a custom yoga program designed just for you. Text “YOGA” to 646-379-0100!

MAKEUP ARTIST

Certified makeup artist for all your special occasions. Call: Yides Neuwirth 917.309.6000 or 718.858.0815

MR. WERTZBERGER’S RENTALS

We rent out wireless wi-fi, tablets, laptops, clarinets, violins. Prices are between $13-$25 per week. Clarinet and violin comes with free MP3 lessons in Yiddish or English. We also offer private keyboard lessons on the phone. Call hotline 718-4351923

GARTLECH

We fix knitted & crochet Gartlech & make beautiful professional fringes. We also teach how to knit & crochet. call: 917-4143281

HANDYMAN & ELECTRICIAN

Electrician, plumber, sewer service, Carpentry, sheetrock, locks, etc. 718.9510090

CONSTRUCTION

Bathrooms, kitchens, closets, decks, extensions, additions, Basements, all electrical, plumbing, Carpentry. Lowest prices, fastest service. 718.951-0090

ELECTRICIAN

All Electrical work, outlets, switches, fixtures, new lines for washer/dryer or a/c, shabbos clocks, circut breakers. 718.9510090

HANDYMAN & PAINTING

Experienced & Reliable handyman. Small jobs our specialty! Plumbing, Electric, construction, Locksmith, painting, plastering. Shabbos clocks, outlets/ switches, call: 347.275.5408

PHOTO EDITING

Professional photo editing, many years of experience. Special rate for photographers. Also specializing in Custom photo albums, Chosson, wedding, etc. Photo Dreams 347.563.5153

AYIN HORAH

The renowned Rebetzin Aidel Miller from Yerushalayim Is now available to remove “Ayin Horah” over the phone. Call: 718.689.1902 or 516.300.1490

BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE GARTLECH

Hand crochet, Hand knit, Silks & more with beautiful Gartel bag. Text or call: 718.283.4589 Wholesale orders available.

FURNITURE REPAIRS

Furniture, Cabinet & General Repairs, specializing in Chosson-Kallah Apartments. Call: 718.633.6231

NEW WEBSITE?

Get your Beautiful, Fast, SEOFriendly Website done in 14 days, guaranteed. Email efraim@ rapidquill.com

HANDYMAN/PROF CARPENTER

Repair all cabinets, Table & chairs, doors, locks, hinges, tracks, drawers, blinds, shelves, bookcases & furniture assembling and cutting, hang pic frames & more, free est, warranty on service, 917-704-3514 YEHUDA

WHOLESALE FISH

Buy by the case & save. Baby & Regular Salmon. Hashgucha Volove Rav. Free delivery to your home. Call Eli: 516-2706755

WRITING SERVICE

We put a pen to your voice! For all your writing needs. Samples upon request. Call 929.549.2700

Classifieds

TDL ENGLISH CENTER

Is your child struggling to keep up with English? TDL English center still has some slots available. Classes are from 3:455:15 in BP. Call 718-8141113. [P3 eligible]

RESUME WRITER

Need a great work resume? Resumes are what we do! All levels including new-grad and experienced. Call/text 845-554-5778 or email info@ resumakerpro.com

SAPPHIRE STORY

Custom Photo Albums for all occasions. Ask about our exclusive discounted prices. Free mini accordion photo book with your order. 917992-8553

ROWENTA REPAIRS

Expert repairs on Rowenta steam stations. Reasonable prices. Fast service. Located in boro park. Call 646-2613809

GARTEL FRINGES

We make professional gartel fringes and mend gartelach. Same day service. In the heart of BP. (347) 693-4920 or (718)435-7644

ROOM DIVIDER

We make WALL to split existing room and make second bedroom. It includes regular or sliding door. We also install plastic ACCORDION partitions that fully fold to one or both sides. LIGHT-fixture+switch+outlet in new room . We work Sunday too. Call/Text:929430-7551 /646-288-0185. E-mail:roomdividers11219@ gmail.com

PHOTO ALBUMS

Specializing in Custom Photo Albums, Chosson, Wedding, etc. Also professional Photo Editing, many years of experience. Special rate for photographers. Photo Dreams 347.563.5153

LULL-A-BABY

Dreaming of enjoying your happy baby who goes to sleep independently, and sleeps peacefully for long stretches? Make it a reality! Call R. Berger at 845-366-6706 and watch the transformation happen

GRAPHIC DESIGN

For all graphic design needs! Design by Devorah 929-3274621

ELECTROLYSIS

16 and 54 day and evening appt. avail. call 917-474-2398.

LIGHT ALTERATIONS

Please Call: 718.450.4700

JOB TRAINING FOR BOYS

We are now accepting new applications! Full Day Job Training in a real work environment for OPWDD individuals. Please call 718541-1538.

LOCAL FULFILLMENT CENTER

Small Business Owner? Need Packages? Need Product Fulfillment, Labeling , Shipping setup etc. Please text us for best price at 917995-2822

PHOTOGRAPHY

Portraits, Family, Upsherin, Lifestyle. Special service for newborn, we come to you with all the props. Photo Dreams 347.563.5153

PHOTOGRAPHY

For all your photography needs! (Portrait, Family, Upsherin, Baby, etc.) May props avail! Great rates! Photos by Devorah 929-327-4621

DRESSMAKING

Dressmaking for Mother and Sister of the Bride. Many years of Experience. Call Josephine #929-326-1420

DRIVER AVAILABLE

Driver with many years exp. available to do long distance trips with brand new minivan. Reasonable rates. 917.405.8469

SPRINTER & MINI VAN SERVICE

Heimishe driver available to do deliveries. Local & long distance, we shlep with a smile! Call: 718.951.0090

VAN SERVICE

Yossi`s Van Service 15 Passenger van Local & long distance Airports & delivery. Call: 718.962.4664

PROFESSIONAL ALBUMS

Do you still want to have your album ready for Chanukah? Call today S. Kohn 718-2071067. Professional and cheap albums for all occasions.

WASH & SET

Give Your Wig A Fresh WASH & SET. Special: $45. Text /Call 347-581-0495. 15/56 st. Wigs By Yides

GOWNS

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Are you before or after a baby? We have great natural products to help you along the way. Please call 929-2755337

WHITE MATERNITY GOWN

White maternity gown size large to sell for great price call 7183098716

WHITE GOWN

Looking to sell a size 2-4 white gown for sister of the bride, Please call 347 628 9586

SALE OR RENT

GEMI MALOUF Bridal gown.

2 White Teen/ young married gowns. 2 Floral white kids gowns. 718-851-8520

WHITE CHILDRENS GOWNS

2 white gowns to rent or sell childrens size 4 & 6 call 7189388597

OFF WHITE GOWN

Beautiful off white little girl’s gown size 8, $275. Call 646409-2405

ODDS & ENDS

Worldwide phone line for Women 929-470-4400

LOOKING TO RENT DRIVEWAY

Looking to rent a driveway near Cortelyou and East 9th from Sunday through Friday9:45am until 6:45pm. Please call or Text 646-515-9691

Pamper your couple in eretz Israel even from afar, with our upscale gourmet heimish supper or shabbos that will leave them with a taste of love and home!!

• Light a candle שרח ןב איתמ נ"על then give a הטירפ for סנה לעב

• Say ו''פ לטיפאק in tehillim and repeat those 2 steps 18 times until you lit 18 candles.

• You say ןטש ערק from tehillim, טיק לטיפאק.

• Daven for one השקב in the תוכז of שרח ןב איתמ and סנה לעב ריאמ 'ר your תוליפת should be answered.

Promise to be םסרפמ this הליגס when you see the yeshuah

Great com/hab opportunities available. Excellent Pay, Partial Coverage OK

Haimish/Yeshivish

Male

• To learn and do activities with high functioning teenage boy evenings

Mentor

• for male adult, evenings & weekends, flexible hours

Female

• For 12-year-old boy 16 Ave. 59 St. Mon & Wed 4:30-6:30 &/or Friday afternoons

Young lady

• looking for peer to take her out Monday afternoons

Classifieds

FOUND

14th Ave Pink cosmetic center bag with new cosmetics 718871-1036

Boy’s sweater, governor’s island, Monday chol hamoed. 7184355687 leave msg if you misplaced a shtreimel over simchas torah in alesk call 917 781 3704

kids gold plated necklace on 12/ 48. Pls call 347 743 2815

Large gold earing on 49st bet 15 and 16 347 668 0427 girls shabbos dress on the street Nov 8, 347-742-1066

burgundy and brown crossbody bag in Tiferes Rivka wedding hall 7186868700

Found a gold bracelet nov 9 on 16th ave and 48th st call 718-854-1371

Necklace on 14th/46th, Nov 9. 347-563-8193

Found a gold ring on 61st Street between 16 and 17. Across from Stichin Shul. Call or txt 201.921.3079

LOST

Black pair of shoes on B11 before Shavuos 18th & 50th 845-263-4769

Green Peppermill bag containing rolling pin, infant clothing and batteries call 347-558-5550

FREE GIVEAWAYS

bedroom dresser and night table 3475265565

Step exercising machine 718909-2680

Desk in great condition 929226-5399

armoire 917-618-1778

LATE ADS

SEEKING FEMALE PROVIDER

Got a passion for children? Naaseh is seeking female provider to work with a young child with behavioral challenges, daily from 5:30-6:30 and or Sunday. Excellent curriculum provided. Great pay! Call now: 718-500-3765 ext. 106 or email resume to f.gluck@ naaseh.org

GOT TALENT?!

Seeking provider to work with young girl on Sunday and give her a fun outlet. Flexible hours. BA required. Call now! 718-500-3765 ext. 106 or email resume to hr@naaseh.org

WASHER AND DRYER

Selling a stackable front loader washer and dryer, due to a move. For inquiries you can call 732-674-3528

DOWN COAT

Rudsak long down coat with belt brand new with tags. call 347-668-2219

SUNDAY SECRETARY

Chieder Seeking a Sunday Secretary, 8:30 - 4:30 (great pay). Please call 646-5353535 and leave a voicemail.

SEEKING MALE PROVIDER

Naaseh is seeking Male Provider to work with boy on English subjects. Great pay. Excellent curriculum provided. Please call: 718500-3765 ext. 107 or email s.berger@naaseh.org

שטיוואקציא ל+_אוי

שטיוואקציא

The Feminine Touch