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INBOX
MAKING CENTS
(Re: Advance to Go, Issue 271)
I read Naomi Blau’s story about teachers who were paid late, and I felt a sense of outrage — outrage that this is considered typical and acceptable in our communities.
First of all, is there any other industry in the world where it is considered acceptable to pay employees even one day late?
Second, our teachers and rebbeim earn their money honestly, and by doing avodas hakodesh. How dare we cause them a delay in their pay?
The secretary in the story did her best (which was not really much) to help the rebbeim and teachers get paid as soon as the funds were available. But we need to do better. Our mosdos must be funded better so that such a thing never happens again. This comes before expensive children’s clothing. Before elaborate simchas
Our rebbeim and morahs are not volunteers, but their work is chesed. They meet their obligations every day, and it is imperative that we prioritize meeting our obligations to them.
Name Withheld
LIFE IS HARD
(Re: Everyone Works Harder, Issue 271)
I’ve been following the discussion about women who teach, women who work outside the school system, and women who don’t work outside the home. I would like to tell the world of working mothers and non-working mothers that both ways are hard. It’s hard to work. It’s hard to teach. It’s hard to be a mother. Life is not meant to be easy.
But it’s all a matter of attitude. If you’re looking to complain, you’ll find something to complain about wherever you are. It doesn’t matter what you do or where you work. If you are looking for a fulfilled life, try to be satisfied and grateful in whatever situation Hashem places you.
A Mother Who Has Worked and Taught
TRUE EMERGENCIES
(Re: POV, Issue 270)
I read the emergency supper hacks with anticipation… and then with disappointment. If I have a very limited amount of time, multiple people to feed, and limited ingredients and supplies, that requires an “emergency supper hack.” But chicken, potatoes and farfel, however simple they are to prepare, won’t be ready in five minutes.
Here are some super simple suppers for those real emergency moments: frozen pizza in the Betty Crocker, or rolls with spreads and sliced fresh vegetables. You can add yogurt or even leben for dessert. Even cereal and milk will fill empty stomachs in a real emergency.
An Avid Reader
Today at Apstone
Music Lessons for Boys
EASY FUN
(Re: Color Me Pretty, Issue 270)
I noticed that you recently changed the adult Color Me Pretty pages to designs that are more doable and less intricate. Perhaps to accommodate adults’ busy lifestyles? Or maybe those pictures just fit your theme better?
Whatever the reason, please know that it was noticed and appreciated.
Thank you,
INSIDE OUT OR UPSIDE DOWN
(Re: Bits of Wits, Issue 258)
Henny Dancinger
Your Bits of Wits column, aside from being super interesting and entertaining, made life simpler in one Yiddishe home. I have a fairly large garbage can in my kitchen, and while we make sure to purchase 18-gallon bags, at one point, the top of these bags began tearing when we’d slip them onto our garbage can. Until I read a “So Random!” piece in Bits of Wits that informed me that most people use their garbage bags inside out! From then on, I slip my bags onto the garbage can the way they were designed to be used — and voila! No more tears.
Thank you to The Boro Park View for once again saving the day!
A Pleased Reader
YOUR SAY
WHEN SOMEONE IS SICK
You might feel uncomfortable when you meet someone who’s sick. You don’t know what’s going on in her life, or what her thoughts and fears are. She looks different, and that scares you. You don’t know what will happen if you talk to her. Will you say the wrong thing? Will she cry? Will you have to face her pain?
But is your discomfort a reason to ignore her? She didn’t choose to get sick; Hashem gave her this difficult nisayon, and she’s trying to handle it as well as she can. If you greet her and smile, you help her be strong. Don’t worry about the things you don’t know. Treat her like a regular human being. You can nod in friendly acknowledgement, greet her with a smile, tell her you’re happy to see her — whatever you might have done if she weren’t sick. That will leave her feeling warmed and uplifted.
Your Sick Friend’s Family Member
CAN YOU SHARE A WINTER COLD REMEDY THAT YOU’VE FOUND REALLY WORKS?
I give my children elderberry syrup, and I find that it really helps get rid of colds and coughs.
My mother always says, “Tehillim, tea and time,” and I’ve added, “Tea biscuits and Mommy-talk-tome time…”
Forever Living’s Heat Lotion doesn’t treat a cold, but it stops the congestion in the nose within seconds. I highly recommend this $8 tube; it’s a pure lifesaver every winter!
For fever, congestion and cough, put a half onion near the bed at night. It really works! Just make sure to cut the onion with a non-metal knife. Metal somehow removes the healing properties, so use a good quality plastic knife or a ceramic knife. (Some say to put sliced onions in the socks of a baby overnight; the infection gets pulled down and out via the sole of the foot.)
I drink tea with raw honey and ginger.
From everything we’ve tried, good sleep habits rank as number one. I see the results of both right away: Being overtired leads to feeling rundown and puts our immune systems in a more vulnerable space, whereas going to sleep on time gives us the tools to deal with life and stay healthy — with Hashem’s help!
Whenever I feel like I’m coming down with something, I squeeze a fresh lemon and take it with raw garlic. It works like magic!
For sick adults: 10 mg of singulair at night, 10 mg of zyrtec in the morning, and colloidal silver in the nose for sinus. For children: Panto-C, Panto-C, Panto-C! Improvement is always immediate. Also, use fermented turmeric if there’s congestion in the chest, bronchioles or lungs.
A few drops of liquid vitamin D3 (apply onto any food that children are eating) daily, and especially during a cold, help greatly! Of course, don’t forget to add a tefillah for refuah; that’s the main thing.
Neo synephrine nasal spray works wonders. It doesn’t heal the cold but relieves the congestion within seconds.
I take fresh ginger, cube it in small pieces, put it into a tea and let it sit. I sometimes even eat pieces of the ginger after drinking the tea.
Warm honey vanilla chamomile tea from Celestial Seasonings, with a bit of oat almond milk. Also, keeping my children off yogurt and milk in the wintertime has been a game-changer for me. I find that milk creates extra congestion that causes colds and ear infection.
Whenever I feel my throat getting sore, I quickly start taking Pantomax twice a day for the next period of time until I feel completely better. Thank You, Hashem, for this great remedy!
Hands down, MaxiBiotic.
I’m not a major vitamin-phile but, boy, this thing works magic. If you feel a cold coming on, you can avoid the whole thing entirely by taking the vitamin, and if you’ve already gotten a cold, you will literally get over it in a quarter of the usual time.
When kids are very congested, rub olive oil over their chest right after the bath. It’s the only natural remedy I’ve ever tried, and it really works.
A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. It’s healthy, refreshing and full of vitamin C!
I find that a bowl of steaming chicken soup truly nourishes the soul and boosts the immune system.
On a cold day, when the kids are in school, make sure to open windows in different areas in the house to freshen up the air and banish the germs. There’s nothing like Hashem’s fresh air.
When I start feeling a cold coming up, I drink tons of water (approximately 10 to 12 cups a day). I find that it flushes the cold out of my system within a day or two.
I use a Doterra Breathe essential oil roll-on. A quick roll on soles of feet and across the chest helps clear stuffy noses that don’t let you fall asleep. A vaporizer with eucalyptus oil in room for bad colds and coughs is also excellent.
The number-one remedy for any winter ailment in our house is always onion honey syrup. Take an onion, and pour liberal amounts of raw honey over it. Let it sit for a minimum of four hours (best is twenty-four hours), remove the onions and voila! You have a cheap and powerful antioxidant and immune booster.
I find that lowering the steam/heat makes the family less likely to get sick. Dry steam air is not healthy. Rather sleep with a sweater, and lower the heat to 67 degrees (instead of 72).
Vitamin C — it works wonders! Take 1,000 mg every two to three hours until you feel better (about 4 rounds).
When my daughter was coughing really badly at night, her pediatrician told me to give her a spoonful of honey before she goes to bed (obviously after checking that it isn’t a bacterial infection). It acts as a smooth coating on the insides so the mucus could just slide down. I followed the doctor’s instructions, and it really helped. Note: Make sure not to give honey to a baby under one year of age.
Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a cool mist vaporizer does wonders to clear a cough and congestion. Tried and true!
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For a child who can’t feed or take a pacifier because of a stuffy nose, smear boroleum ointment on their nose. It’s meant for nose soreness but helps clear congestion.
My kids used to get sick every winter from various colds, viruses and flus. This year, I started giving them two multivitamin jellies along with two vitamin C candies every day in their school snack bag. I was and still am shocked by the difference I see. No colds, coughs, runny noses or sick days.
Apple cider vinegar in apple cider is a great immune booster. When taken with apple cider, you can hardly taste the vinegar.
Next question: WHAT FOODS DO YOU MOST ENJOY RECEIVING IN MISHLOACH MANOS, AND WHY?
Please submit your answer by Tuesday night, February 18, 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.
This week, we relive a watershed event that marks the most pivotal point in our history as a nation: Matan Torah. We merited receiving the special treasure that the malachim could only dream of and that separates us from all nations, making us be Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s beloved. Every morning, we start off our day with Birchas HaTorah, expressing our praise and desire to live, learn and love the Torah. We first say V’ha’arev Na, begging for the Torah to be sweet for us, and that we should be successful at following in its ways. After that, we say Asher Bachar Banu, thanking Hashem for gifting us the Torah.
Shouldn’t we first thank Hashem for the grand gift He gave us, and then ask for the siyatta d’Shmaya to enjoy it?
To explain this in our terms, picture a young man whose grandfather gifts him a large sum of money. The man asks his grandfather, “Please help me invest the money wisely.” Only later does he remember to say, “Oh, and thank you so much for the gift!” This is obviously not the way of the world; first, we show appreciation, and then we can ask any favor or request we might want. So why do we say V’haarev Na before Asher Bachar Banu?
CHAIM TRIED. HE REALLY DID. But he was simply not seeing any success in his learning. His mother decided that if he wasn’t being successful in yeshivah, he should help out with the family income. In the mid-twentieth century, that was a common arrangement. Chaim’s mother was resolute. She would bring him home.
As she walked down the street in the direction of the yeshivah, she met the rebbetzin of Reb Simcha Zissel Shapira of Yeshivas Chevron. After exchanging greetings, Chaim’s mother shared that she was on her way to bring her Chaim’ke home.
“What a shame to take him out of yeshivah!” the rebbetzin exclaimed.
Chaim’s mother explained her view. “Look, if he isn’t matzliach in his learning, why shouldn’t he help out?” Certainly, his help with parnassah was needed.
“You’re making a big mistake,” the rebbetzin rejoined. “So long as he is in yeshivah, the divrei Torah he hears are piling up on his heart. One day, his heart will open, and all that Torah will drop inside.”
Chaim’s mother was convinced. She’d allow Chaim to remain in yeshivah.
Despite the challenges, Chaim did not give up. He applied himself to his learning with renewed vigor and soon became into one of the greatest masmidim in the yeshivah. At one point, he began to learn in Yeshivas Mir, and the Rosh Yeshivah, Rav Leizer Yudel Finkel, paired him up with a new bachur who had recently arrived from the United States. Chaim became a mentor and rebbi for his new chavrusa
You may be wondering: Who was Chaim’ke, whose mother was ready to pull him out of the beis medrash? He grew up to be the eminent Rav Chaim Kamil, Rosh Yeshivah in Ofakim. And who was the young boy from America whom he mentored? He was none other than the future Rosh Yeshivah of Mir, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel.
Imagine if young Rav Chaim would have given up when things didn’t go easily. Luckily, he found the fortitude to push through, and ultimately immersed himself in the sweetness of Torah, achieving true gadlus.
* * * * *
It was a mystery to everyone who knew him. Yitzy, the town troublemaker, was engaged to a sought-after girl from a highly
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Yitzy had earned his reputation for trouble from his early years in cheder. He was an overactive, noncompliant student who frustrated and baffled his rebbeim
respected family. And rumor had it that the new chasan was preparing to celebrate a siyum HaShas at his chasunah! Everyone wondered how such a thing was possible.
Yitzy had earned his reputation for trouble from his early years in cheder. He was an overactive, noncompliant student who frustrated and baffled his rebbeim. But he had spent the last few years away in yeshivah, out of sight. When he returned to his hometown, he was unrecognizable. The mischief-maker who spent his days and nights on the streets was suddenly a serious yeshivah bochur, spending his days and nights in the beis midrash
At a chasunah one evening, an old neighbor, seeing Yitzy, gathered the courage to ask, “How did it happen? How did you get so serious about life?”
Yitzy described the painful, but not unexpected, rejection process he and his parents had gone through until they finally found a yeshivah for him. There, too, he was the life of the party, spending his days having a great time anywhere but in the Gemara.
One evening, after night seder, he lingered in beis midrash “To this day, I’m not sure why,” he said. “Even though it wasn’t time to learn, I sat down and opened a Gemara. Suddenly, I sensed a shadow. Someone was looking over my shoulder.”
It was the maggid shiur. “Yitzy! Wow! I don’t know many bochurim ready to sit and learn at this hour!”
The admiring glance and pat on the shoulder spurred Yitzy to repeat the scene the following night. He used the time to prepare for the shiur the following morning. Several nights passed in this manner, and Yitzy felt a new geshmak he had never felt before.
One day, he asked a question in the middle of the shiur “Amazing!” the maggid shiur exclaimed. “This is the very question the Pnei Yehoshua asks!”
That afternoon, for the first time, one of the top bochurim came over and asked to be Yitzy’s chavrusa. Finally, Yitzy was actually enjoying yeshivah, and he also enjoyed feeling respected for his efforts.
“I suddenly felt like I simply love the Gemara!” Yitzy said. “I realized I could do this. I could learn, and actually find satisfaction in the beis midrash.”
* * * * *
The Dubno Maggid explains: One who has never tasted the sweetness and the success of learning Torah, cannot possibly thank Hashem enough, since he doesn’t fathom how valuable the Torah is. His appreciation won’t have the true recognition of what he’s thanking for. Only once he’s experienced the delight of Torah can he express his gratitude accordingly.
That’s why we first plead, “V’haarev na,” and only afterward do we thank, “Asher bachar banu…”
May we, and our children and children’s children, be zoche to experience the Torah’s sweetness.
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Just Say No to Government Control of Maimonides, Says Felder
A plan to turn Maimonides Medical Center into a government-run facility isn’t sitting well with State Senator Simcha Felder, who released a short video clip calling on listeners to speak out against the potential plan.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration has been pressuring Maimonides to make the change, according to Felder who noted that the results may not be in patients’ best interests and could undermine their care.
Adams Back at Work After Being Sidelined by Mystery Illness
More than a week after a brief City Hall statement announced that Eric Adams hadn’t been feeling well and would be cutting back on work as he underwent routine medical tests, the mayor shed some light on the matter during a regularly scheduled press conference.
Asked about his health issues by a reporter on February 5, Adams said that his doctor recommended that he undergo testing for a lingering pain in his side. The New York Post reported that Adams underwent a colonoscopy and other testing in the beginning of January. The results of those tests triggered another round of testing, as well as instructions from his physician to scale back his schedule and get some rest.
“It’s true that Maimonides needs improvement, but becoming a city-run hospital is certainly not the answer,” said Felder. “What would it mean for us? More bureaucracy, longer wait times, worse care. Our community deserves better.”
Felder acknowledged that solutions are needed at Maimonides, but categorized the Hochul plan as “a bad deal.” He called on Boro Parkers to do their part to prevent the move, saying, “Please do whatever you can to encourage the people involved to refuse to do this terrible merger.”
City Hall officials said that a mayoral MRI, blood tests, and testing for H. Pylori, a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, all came back negative.
“Thank G-d, as I said yesterday, to some people’s dismay, I’m going to be around for a long time,” said Adams.
The mayor was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes nearly ten years ago, and has kept the debilitating disease in check by switching to a plant-based diet and exercise. Reminding him that he serves as a role model for other New Yorkers with diabetes, Adams’ doctor advised him to shed 25 pounds.
“I just gotta refocus back on my health so I don’t go back to that road of losing my sight, losing some fingers, losing some toes,” said Adams, adding, “I want to inspire other New Yorkers that health is your wealth.”
In what turned out to be somewhat of a bombshell, Adams acknowledged that he underwent general anesthesia during his January colonoscopy. City Hall officials said that mayoral powers were briefly transferred to First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer during the procedure in keeping with a relatively unknown executive order that Adams has renewed twice, once in September 2024 and more recently on January 13. That news had Public Advocate Jumaane Williams insisting that under the terms of the city charter, he should have suc-
ceeded Adams while he was incapacitated. Williams, who may be considering a run for mayor, didn’t miss the opportunity to throw a barb at Adams.
“I am happy the mayor is feeling better. At the same time, I feel deeply disturbed by this latest evidence of the mayor ignoring city regulations to suit his own purposes,” said Williams in a statement. “He has long demonstrated a tendency to test how far he can go in bending or breaking rules, and this is a clear example.”
Pupa Introducing Affordable Wedding Options
The cost of marrying off a child may soon be eased for members of the Pupa community who make weddings in Boro Park.
The soon-to-be completed Pupa Talmud Torah building in Boro Park will offer lower-priced chasunah packages in its halls. A similar initiative is taking place at the Williamsburg Pupa yeshiva on Wilson Street, where the Kesser Tzvi hall is now being used for smaller, more affordable weddings.
The plans to bring down wedding costs were announced at the recently held annual Pupa Melaveh Malka. Details have yet to be released, but Pupa askanim have said they hope to have the initiative in place by next year.
Clean Up Your Act Instead of Taxing Motorists, Rockland Exec Tells MTA
One month after congestion pricing became a reality in New York City, a suburban official is firing back at the Metropolitan Transportation Agency for levying a hefty toll on motorists instead of rectifying its own shortcomings.
A February 3 statement issued by Rockland County Executive Ed Day slammed the MTA for financial mismanagement, with the agency failing to collect on $5.1 billion in unpaid tolls and violations since 2021, on top of $700 million lost each year to fare evasion.
“Rather than enforcing existing laws and properly managing its budget, the MTA is pushing a punishing congestion pricing scheme to squeeze even more money out of New Yorkers who are already struggling under the weight of skyrocketing inflation,” said Day.
Day categorized congestion pricing as an effort by the MTA to fill budget holes created by its own failures. He noted that if the agency had invested the same effort into collecting the monies owed to it, it wouldn’t have needed to implement a $9 toll to cross south of 60th Street into Manhattan’s central business district.
“Enough is enough,” said Day. “The MTA needs to fix its own house before forcing more financial burdens on the people who actually pay their fares and tolls. Rockland County residents deserve better; in fact all New Yorkers do, and I will continue to stand against this unjust congestion pricing plan.”
ting money pour out,” said Lieber. “That is not the game we’re playing.”
The MTA has said that congestion pricing is working, citing statistics including a 7.5% drop in traffic south of 60th Street, and a 48% shorter average travel time through the Holland Tunnel. Still, the agency has already made it known that even with the $15 billion it expects to rake in through the new toll, it is still short another $33 billion for its capital plan.
Whether or not the city can count on more federal funding for the MTA remains to be seen. President Donald Trump has made it clear that he is in favor of eliminating congestion pricing, and if the city fails to assist in the mass deportations that are underway, Washington may not come through with funding for the MTA.
“I’m optimistic that all the players are going to continue to cooperate,” said Lieber. “But obviously we’re in a period of tumult in the federal government. The dust hasn’t settled, and we will be ready to deal with whatever does happen.”
Retired Crayola Favorites Return in Limited Run
Fan favorite colors that were phased out of Crayola’s iconic yellow and green crayon boxes are coming back for a limited time, with the company responding to heartfelt requests from consumers.
The return of the eight colors marks the first time that Crayola has brought back retired hues since it debuted its first box of crayons in 1903. The limited edition box will be available throughout 2025 and will feature Dandelion (retired in 2017); Blizzard Blue, Magic Mint and Mulberry (retired in 2003); as well as Orange Red, Violet Blue, Lemon Yellow and Raw Umber (retired in 1990). Crayola is also releasing the same colors in limited edition colored pencil, marker packs, activity kits and coloring books, and has plans for other similar collections.
MTA boss Janno Lieber insists that his agency is fighting back against fare and toll evasion, reported ABC News.
“I’m just sick of people acting like the MTA is somehow let-
Crayola chief marketing officer Victoria Lozano said that the company is excited about the opportunity to help kids use their imagination.
“Color has such a personal connection for kids of all ages,” said Lozano. “It plays a pivotal role in inspiring creativity, which is an integral catalyst for educational, emotional and cognitive growth. At Crayola, we celebrate the enduring value of childhood creativity to help kids reach their full potential, and we look forward to seeing the Limited Edition colors inspire even more creative moments for our fans.”
א ךאנ
Machne Chamidim
professional dresser by chaya b
Roiza tells Kaily that Perela accepted a job offer.
Kaily staggered to the rocking chair, her feet too weak to hold her.
Her mother was starting to forget. That’s what this must be all about. Confusion, disorientation — it was only to be expected. There was no way Perela really took a job. Unless the entire world was conspiring against her. First Mira, now Perela…
“She didn’t tell you she got this fancy job?” her mother continued blithely. “I told her I’d tell you, but I thought you two had discussed it.”
Kaily’s stomach clenched. Perela had not taken a job. It made no sense.
“What job?” she sputtered.
“Some kind of clothing store. The owner, she realized Perela has taste. And she’s been begging her to become her consultant.”
“I see,” Kaily said. Perela was still Perela. Six kids and thirteen years of marriage, and she still had her mother wrapped around her pinky.
The nerve. Making her mother do the dirty work.
“How long has this been going on for?” She rocked the chair extra hard.
“She started a few weeks ago, unofficially. After Yom Tov, she’s really starting.”
Really starting. Aha.
She stared at her mother. Her mother, who
couldn’t so much as get herself a cup of water.
“And Ezriel is okay with this?” she asked desperately. She couldn’t imagine Ezriel liking this plan. He always took such pride in providing for his family. She clearly remembered him proudly announcing that Perela had given up her job because it was time for him to take responsibility.
She still remembered how she’d felt then. More alone than words could ever describe. There was no one to offer to take any responsibility for her life. It was only her and her struggle to raise and support her three boys.
And now, precisely when Kaily needed Perela most, she’d taken a job. Once again, there was no one helping her carry her responsibility.
Her mother smiled smugly.
“Yup! I made him like it. I told Perela that I’ll talk to him.”
“You?”
“I spoke to him — when was it? When he dropped off the food Erev Rosh Hashanah. He’s a good husband, but he doesn’t realize how talented she is.”
Kaily nodded numbly and helped her mother lie down.
The second person in one week to take me for a fool. What am I? Everyone’s convenient doormat.
“I’m so happy I was able to help her,” her mother
PERELA WAS STILL PERELA. SIX KIDS AND THIRTEEN YEARS OF MARRIAGE, AND SHE STILL HAD HER MOTHER WRAPPED AROUND HER PINKY
CHANIE SPIRA
Shabbos
Candle Lighting Starts Here
murmured. “I couldn’t watch her work so hard for me. It was the least I could do! It’s important to do what you enjoy.”
Apparently at peace, she closed her eyes.
* * * * *
“Kinderblast should be gebentsched,” Perela muttered as she handed Charnie another stud art of the same lulav and esrog set.
Who ever heard of kids being off on Erev-Erev Sukkos? To help their fathers build already-built sukkahs, apparently. In her house, the opposite was happening. A dismantling of epic proportions.
Perela looked around at the chaos. The scene would make a great cover page for a DB Electronics catalog. She had all components: kids bickering, kids hanging sukkah decorations in a way that made her feel like standing there with a safety net, and she herself standing at her counter with stacks of containers, foil pans, and lids all around her.
“Six meals. Six adults and a toddler,” she said aloud, just to keep her mind focused on the task.
Kaily was hosting Gedalya and his family for the first days and Chaim’s family for the second days, along with Sruly for all of Yom Tov, and Perela was helping her cook. She’d gone all out; Kaily’s kids didn’t come too often, and she wanted to make it really special.
She had three boxes, one for fridge stuff, one for the freezer, and one room-temperature box. Boy, packing up the food was almost a bigger job than the actual cooking.
Perela sliced a watermelon radish in half and spiraled six slices into the mini pan next to the pecan crusted salmon and placed it in the fridge box. There, the fish was done.
Next, soup. Turkey soup for the day meal and chicken soup for the nights. Half-cooked cholent for Shabbos. She added some sprouts and pea shoots in a deli container for Kaily to sprinkle as a garnish.
Leiby and Yonah tore into the kitchen.
dining room windows and carefully unwrapped his esrog. He twirled it in the sunlight carefully. “It’s a beautiful color and gidul.”
Perela nodded mutely.
“The sukkah is being dismantled,” she finally said through clenched teeth.
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SHE CAREFULLY UNWRAPPED IT TO REVEAL A CRYSTAL BOWL FILLED WITH FRESH FLOWERS AND A GENUINE MACKENZIE-CHILDS CAKE TRAY. THERE WAS A TYPED NOTE ATTACHED
Ezriel nodded absently as he rewrapped the esrog and announced that no one should touch the hadassim in the fridge. “Which shelf, takke, can you clear for my daled minim?” Perela didn’t reply. She passed the mirror, looked at her makeup-less face which used to be pretty and smiley, and scowled. She gave her life to her family, to her mother and sister, and what did she get for that?
A ragged old woman.
The doorbell rang. Did she still have a chance to dab some makeup on? She couldn’t open the door like this.
She needn’t have worried because the entire Sternberg clan converged at the door and promptly started fighting over who got to open the door. Finally, she shoved the kids away and opened the door herself. No makeup would impress any visitor now anyway, not with the fighting so loud it practically echoed through the street.
A delivery boy was holding an elaborately wrapped package.
“Sternberg?” he asked.
Perela nodded and took the package to the kitchen.
She carefully unwrapped it to reveal a crystal bowl filled with fresh flowers and a genuine Mackenzie-Childs cake tray. There was a typed note attached.
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* * * * *
It was really horrible of her to literally close the door on Perela.
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Kaily unloaded another carefully packed pan and noticed the gorgeous spiraled carrots Perela added for garnish. Was Perela trying to get on her good side?
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Every pan was neatly labeled. Grudgingly, she had to admit that her sister was talented. That Prance woman was on to something.
Her mother looked on wistfully as she unloaded the soup containers. She kept exclaiming over all the food and singing Perela’s praises.
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“Uch. A pity I missed the kids,” she sighed. “You should’ve let them in.”
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“What are these?” her mother asked, pointing to the watermelon radishes. “Are they even edible?”
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She should simply talk to Perela about it, Kaily decided.
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WHEN THEY ALL PILED OUT OF THE CAR AND DROPPED OFF THE BOXES, KAILY DIDN’T LOOK GRATEFUL, OR EVEN GLAD. SHE LOOKED DOWNRIGHT UPSET TO SEE HER
It was so childish to slam doors when they hadn’t even spoken about it. Maybe the job was a small, side thing? A once-a-week from home type of job?
When her mother was napping, she called Perela. She would clear the air and thank her maturely.
Sheva answered. “Hi, Sheva! Can I speak to your mother?”
“She’s not home,” Sheva told her. “She went out with her new boss. Tziri.” The way that kid said boss made Kaily chuckle.
“Oh?” she prompted.
“Yes. They’re booking tickets now!”
“Tickets?”
“Uh-huh! For China.”
“Really?”
“Yes. To shop for the store.”
A reasonable job, her mother had said.
“Tante Kaily, my mother’s home!”
“Who are you talking to?” Perela’s voice came through, sounding sharp.
“Tante Kaily.”
Perela grabbed the phone.
“Hi, Kaily,” Perela said coldly.
“Hi,” she responded, suddenly drained of goodwill.
“You wanted something?”
“Not anymore. I heard everything I needed to know,” she said, matching Perela’s frost.
“What?”
“Just saying. It’s our mother, and it’s great to hear you’re flying off to China, without even telling me. Who do you think is going to do all your work?”
“It’s only for one week!” Perela cried. “I didn’t take a single day off. How many times did I fill in for you?!”
“Those were important,” Kaily said lamely.
“Who said it’s more important to go on a Shabbaton than to help with parnassah?”
“Don’t play the parnassah card on me!”
“And by the way, I cooked every last luksh for your Yom Tov. Is this the thank you I’m getting?”
“Thank you. By the way, there’s no way both of us can work.”
“So who said it’s you over me?”
Who said?
Kaily hung up, knowing she’d lost. How had this conversation happened? How had she suddenly become the villain?
She trudged downstairs and did the only reasonable thing she could think of. She drafted an email to Mr. Pinkowitz.
Subject: Notice of Resignation.
TO BE CONTINUED…
The premise and promise of chomesh
CHAPTER 4 OF 4
AHUVA GANTRY
Yaakov and I had already come to terms with the fact that we needed a larger home. One quiet night, we decided to take one step forward by checking out Zillow.
Immediately, we found a home — right size, right price, right location — that had been on the market for only one single day.
The following day, we had our realtor look into it, and he set up a viewing. The tenant currently living in the apartment agreed to give us ten minutes of viewing time (from 4:05 to 4:15 p.m., to be precise). Ten minutes to make a decision of a lifetime.
We checked out the house (with a bunch of kids in tow, because… 4 p.m.), observed what needed to be updated, crunched the numbers — and took the leap. The house was ours.
Somehow, the expenses associated with a new home were spread over a few months, with many of our larger purchases being completed while we were still in our old home and paying a smaller mortgage.
And then money matters began slipping past normal and into the hazy category of surreal, where everything is so blindingly from Hashem, yet impossible to pin down and clearly see.
One of the incidents that stand out in our memory was the appliance bill. We managed to pay the deposit with
whatever money was coming in at the time, and eventually it was time to pay the balance, which amounted to a few thousand dollars. It was quite a significant bill — but then, suddenly, an insurance check arrived. Our baby was a few weeks old at the time, and this check was my paid family leave. It covered the bill with some $35 to spare.
Next came a furniture bill, which was neatly covered by a work bonus, also with a few dollars to spare. It was the end of the fiscal year, and my employer owed me some money and chose to process it all at this time. But Who was pulling the strings?
Last was the strange story of our dining room chandelier. Immediately before our move, a close family member informed us that they’d be gifting us a beautiful light fixture for our dining room. They instructed us to go to a specific store and choose a statement piece that matched our home and style, and they would send us the money to pay for it. We looked forward to seeing it installed in our home. The problem was that the chandelier was delivered be-
fore we received the check to pay for it. We ended up laying out the money — the total was $2,100 — and received the gift check a day or two later.
For some reason, the check was stuck into a drawer where it lay around for a few weeks. We kept thinking we’d use it to pay a credit card bill, the mortgage or something else, but somehow, we kept pulling through, and the check stayed peacefully in that drawer. It was great for the imagination, if nothing else.
Then we got a bill — some legal something from the closing of the house. What remained for us to pay was exactly $2,100. That month, this would have been quite a stretch, but we knew where to take the money from. The $2,100 check was hanging around, obviously waiting for just this moment.
* * * * *
When we purchased our new home, we borrowed some money to help us get the sale off the ground. Even though these decisions were made responsibly, we looked forward to getting it all paid off.
This is where chomesh turned out to be the greatest blessing. I don’t want to call it a forced savings plan; I am not an insurance agent, and there’s no “savings” involved when the money has been designated as funds meant to go out, and not in.
Nevertheless, there’s something so straightforward and wholesome about putting aside a certain percent of our income every month both to fulfill Hashem’s wishes and to reduce our debt.
Hashem helped us manage our payments like a personal Accountant. In one memorable month, we were scheduled to make a $10,000 payment toward our debt. A large portion came from our chomesh bank account, and the remainder? A check we weren’t expecting at all arrived, of course, just in time. In typical chomesh fashion, it covered the remaining balance plus a hundred dollars to spare.
Is our financial life so comfortable, we hardly have to think about it? No. Challenges remain, large bills still arrive, and giving chomesh is never easy. But we’re grateful to have an Accountant we can count on.
A FINAL NOTE
It’s very possible that these stories happen to everyone, and it’s only because we give chomesh that our eyes are so accustomed to finding the blessing. But even if that’s the case, does that negate these stories?
However we can choose to take this, the fact is that when we rely on Hashem to take care of us, He’s always right there, taking us by the hand.
Pareve Yoshon Pas Yisroel
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INDOOR GRILLING
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The grill pan allows us to savor the benefits and flavors of grilling all year long. Enjoy these quick, easy and flavorful recipes until the winter’s end and beyond.
LEMON
LEMON PEPPER GRILLED CHICKEN
Simple yet savory, this recipe is guaranteed to become a classic.
INGREDIENTS
2 lb. chicken cutlets, sliced thinly
MARINADE
2 T. mayonnaise
2 cubes frozen crushed garlic
1 T. lemon pepper spice
2 tsp. salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine marinade ingredients, and marinate the chicken for 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Heat a grill pan on high heat, and grill chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your chicken.
VIBRANT GRILLED VEGETABLES
Using a variety of colorful vegetables makes this grilled side dish just as beautiful as it is delicious.
INGREDIENTS
1 red pepper
1 orange pepper
1 green pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 box fresh mushrooms
1 small yellow zucchini
1 small green zucchini
1 red onion
MARINADE
½ cup oil
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. honey
1 T. vinegar
DIRECTIONS
1. Dice vegetables into large cubes.
2. In a bowl, mix the marinade ingredients, and toss the vegetables in it.
3. Marinate the vegetables for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Heat a grill pan on high heat. Place the vegetables in the pan, and cover with foil.
5. Cook for 10 minutes until slightly soft.
6. Uncover the pan, and grill for an additional 8 to 10 minutes until you get the desired grill marks.
STICKY BARBECUE OVEN-GRILLED WINGS
Grilled wings aren’t just for summer. Enjoy these sweet, sticky and slightly spicy wings all year round.
INGREDIENTS
2 packages wings
1½ cups barbecue sauce
2 T. honey
2 T. soy sauce
1 T. brown sugar
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 425°.
2. In a bowl, mix the wings with sauce ingredients. Reserve some of the sauce for basting.
3. In a single layer, place wings in a large baking pan.
4. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from the oven, and flip over the wings. Baste with more sauce, and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
6. Repeat this process for a total of 40 minutes of baking time.
7. After 40 minutes, broil the wings for an additional 5 minutes on high, until they’re sticky and crispy.
ROOFTOP
Care provided by Miriam Rivky Fuhrer iriam Rivky Fuhrer
DRESS THEM RIGHT.
Occupational Therapy and Behavioral Optometry a Collaborative Approach
Vision, the primary mode of learning integrates with proprioception (body awareness) and vestibular function ( awareness of body in space) to enable a person to freely explore within the spatial world. The collaborative approach of Occupational Therapy and Behavioral Optometry explores common goals and outcomes related to learning and sensory motor development and ultimate behavior.
Treatment strategies of these two professionals often overlap and in so doing can hasten the course of treatment and subsequently, can enhance the expectations of the other.
Increased intervention for school aged children, especially with mild neurologic signs affecting development and learning, has put significant pressure on both Occupational Therapists and Behavioral Optometrists to resolve and/or remediate dysfunction within each of their domain.
Occupational Therapists have routinely been taught a superficial visual assessment based
on an elementary understanding of its function. The occupational therapist can regularly identify abnormalities in the visual system, yet the therapist is rarely able to understand what effect those abnormalities will have on function and strategies needed for remediation.
ODA’s Center for Advanced Vison Care has developed a program to address the ability of these two professions to be better able to engage in conjoined treatment for these children.
Special needs programs centered throughout the Brooklyn area have been invited to engage in a three-hour workshop presentation educating Occupational Therapists in vision therapy practice. This program is being spearheaded by Esther Gurell O.D. and vision therapy assistants of the Advanced Vision Care service.
Guided vision therapy techniques are being taught to be utilized in occupational therapy programs to both enhance function and expectations in remediation.
Esther Gurell, OD
GOLDY SWIMER
A conversation with Reb Berish Weber, genealogist
When I call Reb Berish Weber and he informs me that he knows my family well, I am hardly surprised.
“Your father lived in my neighborhood,” he tells me, “and I know your zeide from shul. Your father-in-law lives a few blocks over, and I knew his parents, too.”
Given another five minutes, Rabbi Weber would have sketched my entire family tree, his knowledge far surpassing mine. In my mind, my family tree only stretches as far back as the generations I’ve named my children for. Past that, I turn to my husband for help. He’s far more likely to know who my grandmother’s grandmother was, even if it’s from my side of the family.
Rabbi Weber, however, would be able to tell me from which European hamlet they hailed from, who the rav was at the time, and how many relatives share the same name. Thirty years as a genealogist has given him a broad base and a rich repository of facts of prewar Europe, reaching as far back as a millennium.
A GROWING INTEREST
Rabbi Weber’s interest in genealogy began with a fascination with history. At nine years of age, Rabbi Weber read the entirety of Nach with the Yiddish translation, encountering his first cast of historical characters. As a bochur, he was (and remains still) a voracious reader, consuming books and seforim relating to history, genealogy and gedolim.
“Baruch Hashem, I have a good working memory, and when I read something, it sticks,” Rabbi Weber says. “Over the years, I’ve amassed a huge internal database of the most random facts and statistics of many towns in Europe, all the way back to the era of Rashi.”
What made this little hobby grow into a calling? The desire to know “not just my own yichus, but yours,”
STUDYING AND RESEARCHING OLD
Rabbi Weber says with a smile. As a kollel yungerman, Rabbi Weber would devote a day or two every zman to his new avoca-
WHAT MADE THIS LITTLE HOBBY GROW INTO A CALLING? THE DESIRE TO KNOW “NOT JUST MY OWN YICHUS, BUT YOURS”
tion. On Asarah B’Teves or Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, Rabbi Weber would head out to local libraries, Xeroxing (remember those?) pages and pages from seforim and books he perused. From one visit to the next, he’d compile copious lists of seforim and books he’d need to reference on his next trip.
The Jewish genealogy world was a small one back then. Rabbi Weber began writing for niche periodicals, spending hours preparing articles. He also sent in numerous letters to editors of local publications following up on articles others wrote, adding new information or clarifications to existing pieces.
WITNESS TO HISTORY
Over the years, Rabbi Weber’s expertise in the area of rabbinic genealogy grew. “Most of my clients want to know how they’re einiklach of a specific rebbe or gadol,” he explains. Clients reach out to Rabbi Weber to draw their family tree and a map out their ancestry.
“That’s when the fun begins,” Rabbi Weber says with a grin. “If someone tells me his grandfather’s name, I can tell him which town he hailed from. Most of the war survivors in our community hail from five countries: Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, Poland and Romania. Within these five countries, I can practically sketch out little town by now.”
The bulk of Rabbi Weber’s work is painstaking
research. He begins by taking a detailed family history, compiling a picture of what the clients themselves already know. From there onward, it’s a long road to unraveling the past.
“Genealogy is a painstaking operation, involving tens of individuals, multiple locations, months of work and thousands of pages of documentation,” Rabbi Weber says. “Even if the individ-
ual’s history is fairly well known, gathering all the information is a huge job.”
Rabbi Weber hits his points of contact across Europe, who travel to dozens of government archives, some of them hundreds of miles apart from one another. He furnishes his contacts with lists of documents to copy and email. Sometimes, the archives are inaccessible. Others can only be unsealed with the help of archivists with whom Rabbi Weber has working relationships. Still, a researcher can arrive at an archive only to be informed that the document they are seeking is no longer there. Around once a year, Rabbi Weber travels to Europe to nurture those connections and do some legwork himself.
With 30 to 40 projects open at any given moment, each archive trip can yield stacks of pages.
“The archivist can email me thousands of pages, and I’ll go through each one, trying to find a clue,” Rabbi Weber explains. “The pieces of information I’m looking for can often be found in three different countries!”
Finding the link, the common thread among the reams of information, gives Rabbi Weber an adrenaline rush, each little piece of information a stepping stone toward further discoveries.
FINDING THE LINK, THE COMMON THREAD AMONG THE REAMS OF INFORMATION, GIVES RABBI WEBER AN ADRENALINE RUSH, EACH LITTLE PIECE OF INFORMATION
A STEPPING STONE TOWARD FURTHER DISCOVERIES
European batei chaim also serve as invaluable data wellsprings. Rabbi Weber’s contacts will photograph headstones, hundreds of them at once, which produces a veritable sea of information. Each matzeivah is a family tree in and of itself, replete with dates, locations and other references. Rabbi Weber also coordinates with various organizations who’ve undertaken to save crumbing batei chaim from destruction. When and how to access these cemeteries is a chochmah in and of itself. Most headstone inscrip-
tions were originally engraved in black paint, but age and weather has done a number on them, dulling the engravings. Calculating the sun’s rays is important to quality photographs: If the sun shines directly onto the stone, the blinding light will obscure the letters. But if the headstone is in the shadows, the inscriptions won’t either be readable. How the sunlight will hit the gravestones depends on which direction the cemetery faces. Though just miles apart, one beis hachaim’s optimal conditions will be at 8:00 a.m., while the westerly facing one will be photograph-ready only after noon.
Even foliage plays a crucial role.
“Certain cemeteries can’t be photographed in the summer,” Rabbi Weber says, “because the trees shade the headstones, rendering the photos useless. When it comes to those cemeteries, my contacts will brave the biting European winters to get the information we need.”
But winter can bring its own challenges, with the matzeivos often sinking into the cold, wet earth. If a headstone is face down in the ground, a team of two will gently lift the heavy stone, photograph it, and replace it where it was, since leaving the stone face up will result in further damage.
Ironically, most of Rabbi Weber’s contacts aren’t Jewish, and wouldn’t know how to read the Lashon Hakodesh engravings if you paid them. But they faithfully photograph entire batei chaim, a job that can take days, even months.
“I want to have the entire cemetery laid out on my dining room table,” Rabbi Weber tells them.
OPEN INVESTIGATION
Rabbi Weber is something of an information junkie. “I have this obsession with anything related to my field, no matter how remotely,” he confesses. “I can pay for information I have no need for, and happily wade through piles of documents. Research is the ultimate rabbit hole.”
And the books! Rabbi Weber’s insatiable reading habit means he’s constantly plowing through genealogy books, seforim, biographies and autobiographies. His book collection numbers in the thousands, with some of them being notably rare. With the volumes numbering so high, Rabbi Weber is understandably “behind” in his reading. When I ask where he stores his books, he plays evasive.
After gathering the documents, quo-
UNCOVERED
tations from seforim, printouts and the like, Rabbi Weber compiles a report, usually in Lashon Hakodesh, though he’s done reports in Yiddish and English as well. With all that information to sift through, separating the wheat from the chaff is a process that takes a fine eye and a solid grip of history. Even with decades of experience, compiling the final report is daunting. Imagine working on a ten-thousand-piece puzzle with only a hazy idea what the final image looks like. Reports can range from 20 to over 100 pages. When asked how long a project will take, Rabbi Weber has a quick rejoinder. “Do you know how long it will take to rebuild a house? No, you just have a vague approximation. And that’s before you open a wall and detect a termite infestation in the basement. So, no, you never really know. It can take weeks, months, and occasionally, years.” Say the family of one Nochum Klein hailing from a large Ukrainian city wants to dig deeper into their lineage. A visit (and with Ukraine a developing country, there is no such thing as a quick visit) to the archive can reveal thousands of Kleins, and numerous Nochum Kleins. Rabbi Weber then needs to unspool the thread and determine if the Nochum Klein he is seeking is listed in multiple entries, or is another individual completely. And what if he locates another ten Kleins in the archive, but located in a village six miles to the east? Is it a brother, cousin, distant relative or just a coincidence? Or is it the same fellow who sought to better his fortunes as he moved from the village to the city?
WHEN ASKED HOW LONG A PROJECT WILL TAKE, RABBI WEBER HAS A QUICK REJOINDER. “DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO REBUILD A HOUSE?”
Or is it from the city to the village? And if a family didn’t put roots down in one specific area, locating information can be a challenge, necessitating multiple trips to archives and even more research.
“You can say I’m partially a detective,” Rabbi Weber concedes. “Maybe I should consider a second career in legal investigation. Because as long as you don’t know the whole city well, Nochum Klein is a nobody.”
TRUTH SEEKER
For Rabbi Weber, genealogy is far more than selling the information he consolidates. It’s about being a lifelong learner, and he often tells clients that they’re doing him a great favor, too. Each client’s project expands his own knowledge. Entire European towns get sketched out in his mind, intimate to him as your knowledge of your own neighborhood.
The farther back Rabbi Weber digs, the easier it becomes. “The vast majority of Ashkenazi Jewry originates from the same hundred families from medieval Germany or France.” Here the historian in Rabbi Weber becomes animated. “Once you go back a hundred years or so, it becomes so much simpler, even if as you climb back, you can count thousands of ancestors.”
So the entire present-day Ashkenazi Jewry began from a gene pool no larger than a nice-sized bungalow colony?
Rabbi Weber smiles. “Turns out that yes, almost all of us are einiklach of the Rashi in some form or another.” In only about five percent of
Ashkenazi Jews will he find a Sefardi grandparent along the line.
If the general public prescribes to the social construct of six degrees of separation — namely, the idea that nearly everyone is at most six social connections away from anyone else — how much closer are Ashkenazi Jews? Strike up a conversation with a stranger at a simcha,
and you might conclude that Ashkenazi Jewry, with its interconnected web of relations, has two degrees of separation at the very most.
Has he ever encountered surprises along the way?
“Sure,” Rabbi Weber says easily. “It comes with the turf. I’m often brought in to confirm a family narrative, but the truth can often be, shall we say, a bit different from what the family expects.”
STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION WITH A STRANGER AT A SIMCHA, AND YOU MIGHT CONCLUDE THAT ASHKENAZI JEWRY, WITH ITS INTERCONNECTED WEB OF RELATIONS, HAS TWO DEGREES OF SEPARATION AT THE VERY MOST
As a researcher, Rabbi Weber’s foremost fealty is to the truth. And for clients, that can be uncomfortable, and even unforgivable at times.
“With the bulk of my work in rabbinic genealogy, many clients contact me, assuming they are descendants of a specific tzaddik. Many have heard tales and legends about their yichus from the cradle. But what am I to do when I reveal they’re not even related?”
Rabbi Weber will be straight up with the client, asking if he’s sure he’s ready to hear the conclusion, even if it might contradict gen-
erations of family lore. Some clients take the news in stride, but others won’t take calls from Rabbi Weber after hearing the tzaddik they thought they’re direct descendants of is a distant relation at best.
“Yichus is extremely personal for some. I tell certain people that I’m not sure they want to talk to me,” he admits. “It’s better that they don’t know.”
Many families have oral histories passed on for generations, but when Europe burned, much was lost. In some families, the one with only a hazy memory survived, and a vague reference, name-drop or distant story becomes the bedrock of their identities. It’s that part of the job that Rabbi Weber relishes least: telling people that deeply held beliefs about their forebears may be true.
With accuracy being his gold standard, Rabbi Weber can become entangled in sticky situations. “Take the issue of titles,” he says. “If an individual does not have semicha or did not leave any seforim, barring any other information, I don’t add the honorific of hagaon harav.”
That can ruffle feathers. Of course, every Yid is a big tzaddik, but the flowery embellishments irk Rabbi Weber. Discoveries can be painful, such as finding out how a family split when the Neolog (the Reform) broke away from the frum community in the 1870s. In happier cases, families have reached out to newly uncovered relatives across the ocean.
A NATION OF ROOTS
Rabbi Weber’s clients span the spectrum of age and affiliation. He’s also gotten phone calls regarding shidduchim, where one side will inquire about the yichus of a prospective individual, though most are not willing to invest the money and effort involving such an enormous project.
Of course, Rabbi Weber has his personal favorite research projects, and unsurprisingly, they are his own. “Whenever I’m asked to research the town my grandparents came from, I take a special pleasure in linking even more people to my family.”
Over the years, the field of genealogy has changed.
“Obviously, the computer has eased my work tremendously,” Rabbi Weber says. “Thirty years ago, I had twenty seforim open in front of me, and I’d handwrite for hours. Access to online archives, and of course, email and Zoom, have simplified the process.”
This simplification has increased accuracy, too. “Prior to the war, many seforim were riddled with inaccuracies. Most of the prewar genealogists relied on their memories. They’d seen something in a book somewhere, some years earlier, and then transcribed it as they recalled it. But then they recorded it wrong, leaving it up to modern-day genealogists to reconcile the errors.”
When rookie genealogists bring mistakes to Rabbi Weber’s attention, he digs around to bridge the gap between multiple versions. It can often be as simple as a misplaced birthdate. Other cases require more sleuthing, but most errors can be resolved. Going back a century earlier can resolve the contradiction, as older primary sources are more reliable. But even Rabbi Weber can
WHENEVER I’M ASKED TO RESEARCH THE TOWN MY GRANDPARENTS CAME FROM, I TAKE A SPECIAL PLEASURE IN LINKING EVEN MORE PEOPLE TO MY FAMILY
get stuck, as happens in an estimated fifteen percent of cases.
That doesn’t mean today’s genealogists are less error-prone, but as Rabbi Weber points out, “That’s usually because they relied on something they weren’t supposed to rely on. Far from everything Google says is true. And even some primary sources have issues. Over the years, I’ve honed my sixth sense to sniff out which sources are problematic.”
Genealogy, Rabbi Weber stresses, is not about assumptions, but rather facts. Taking a leap of faith (for example, assuming that two people are related or concluding that a son must have joined his father’s profession) can distort a whole story.
his parents had told him that he was a kohen, but recently he’d begun feeling uncomfortable being called up to duchan
Rabbi Weber got to work. After some false leads, Rabbi Weber located the matzeivah of this man’s greatuncle (his father’s father’s brother), and the gravestone featured the famous etching of the kohen’s hands, popular among the graves of kohanim in Europe. The man was so moved and so relieved to have recovered his ancestry.
DNA testing is a new, fascinating frontier for rabbinic genealogists. The isolation of the Y-DNA — a gene passed only from father to son, mutating slightly only every ten generations — has led to a slew of studies, some of them with fascinating results. This discovery is a boon for anyone wanting to trace their lineage to a previous gadol from father to son. Rabbi Weber has been involved in mapping a specific family, tracing all of them to a famous ancestor. Some didn’t even share the same surname, but they were ben achar ben, as the DNA incontrovertibly proved. Even those without a proper paper trail were able to prove conclusively they were related to this particular branch of the family.
Before advances in DNA had mapped the now-famous kohen gene, an elderly client asked Rabbi Weber to establish if his ancestors were kohanim. This client was a ba’al teshuvah, and his parents had grown up in the United States. All his life
If he could time travel, Rabbi Weber would love to have a chat with genealogists from the past and talk shop. He’s in awe of how much they managed to do with the limited tools at their disposal. Many of these genealogists were tremendous gedolei Yisroel
Of course, our nation has long had a fascination with anything related to their own families. We travel to far-flung kevarim, longing to daven at the sites where our ancestors are buried, and hang photos of those long gone on the walls of our seforim rooms.
Why this fascination with the past? Perhaps because while we tend to and nurture our own branches, we long to maintain a connection with our roots.
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So much of what we do disappears almost instantly: the food gets eaten, the floor gets sticky again, the laundry regenerates at an astounding speed.
But sometimes you invest in a person, a project or a relationship, and you get to see the results of all your time and energy.
A morah, a medical professional, and a non-rebbetzin remember that moment of sublime satisfaction
FOUR WEEKS AND FOREVER
“Every student will succeed,” declared the teacher, inexperienced but idealistic. The
MORAH C.
I had only four weeks to teach him, but the satisfaction would always last
teacher (me) wrote up individualized worksheets, created innovative group work, prepared original activities and achieved my goal of motivating all of my third-grade students. Except one.
Levi baffled me. It wasn’t just his learning disabilities; he seemed socially out of it, hardly mingling with the other children, speaking in monosyllables, turning in scribbled up papers. I discovered that his parents were immigrants, English their second language, and that Levi had a hard time learning to read. He had made progress in second grade, I was told, but I didn’t really see any sign of that progress.
This goes back to the 1970s, when computers and cell
phones were of the imagined future. But would you believe that “tutors” were also something people weren’t familiar with? Many children who struggled in school just kept struggling. Tutors weren’t readily available, and parents didn’t understand the critical importance of paying for this kind of help. Levi’s parents struggled financially; asking them to hire a tutor was a nonstarter.
As the end of the year approached, I wondered how teachers said goodbye to their students. I had dedicated every waking moment to these precious boys and delighted to watch each of them blossom.
Except for Levi. Of course, I had seen some flickers of success, but I knew they’d be smothered when he faced the challenges of a higher grade level. But I refused to admit failure. Lying in bed at night, I would dream of a longer year. I just needed more time.
One night, the solution lit up my brain. Voila! The next day, I purposefully strode into the principal’s office: I was going to remain Levi’s teacher, even after the school year officially ended. I would tutor him for free! Didn’t I say I was idealistic?
The principal applauded my plan but added one caveat: She insisted I charge a (minimal) fee. Otherwise, Levi’s parents wouldn’t accord the tutoring sessions the respect they deserved.
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Hmm. Interesting. But how do I suggest tutoring and then nominate myself to be the paid tutor?
Simple, said my wise principal. She’d present the proposal and deliver it with all the technicalities worked out. Since Levi didn’t live far from where I lived, the day camp bus would drop him off at my house, and I’d walk him home after each session. How could his parents refuse this offer?
I held my breath to see how Levi would react. He was shy and cautious at first, but motivated by the prizes and games. His on-and-off cooperation unsettled me. Deep down, he really wanted to help himself, but after a long day in camp, he was tired, and the outdoors beckoned.
Undeterred, I began from the very beginning, literally with the letter A. Shocked to find tremendous gaps in his abilities, gaps I had missed all year, I understood that this had eluded the secondgrade teacher, too. Levi didn’t even know the sounds of some letters! I was amazed to realize how bright he was to have been able to compensate for his deficiencies to such a degree.
self by explaining that she couldn’t pressure Levi during the only season he enjoyed in his life. Dejectedly, I called my principal to update her. I had invested so much and hoped to wave the banner of success; instead, I suffered a crushing defeat. I carried this ache with me as I prepared for the new year.
After I dismissed my new class on the first day of school, I noticed the principal excitedly heading toward me.
Because Levi felt like a success, she suggested, his positive selfimage automatically made him join the gang. And that called for a celebration
“You won’t believe what I saw,” she said. “It crowns your efforts with success!”
But then I learned that Levi’s family was going to the country for August. Help! I had four short weeks to help him catch up on three years of work. Steadily, we plowed on. Levi felt great as he covered ground in the Level A and B readers and tasted success. But we had barely completed the first-grade curriculum by the last day we spent together. Desperate to see my plan actualized, I presented Levi’s mother with outlines, schedules and sheets, along with my pleas that she finish the job. I also gave her self-addressed stamped envelopes to send the completed work to me, with promises to mail prizes back.
But silence reigned. My mailbox remained empty. I couldn’t reach Levi’s mother (no cell phones then), and when the family returned home, his mother defended her-
She told me that her heart sang when she saw Levi in the middle — yes, right in the center — of a group of boys having an animated conversation. Because Levi felt like a success, she suggested, his positive self-image automatically made him join the gang. And that called for a celebration, despite the fact that he lagged behind his class’s reading level.
A week later, the principal approached me again, handing me a copy of a paragraph Levi had written for an assignment (I still have it in my files). Though definitely not on a fourth-grade level, it was still a great attempt. Those four weeks of basics had given Levi wings to fly. And he kept soaring.
Soon Hashem, in His infinite goodness, sent me more chizuk. In an interesting turn of events, my husband became Levi’s English teacher in ninth grade. I knew Levi was doing well, but to hear it firsthand from my husband gave me tremendous satisfaction. He filled me in on how Levi was a delightful, well-liked, confident boy, and doing very well in his studies too. (He still didn’t spell well, but who cared?)
When it comes to doing teshuvah, Hashem says, “Open your heart as tiny as the eye of the needle, and I will open it as wide as a hall.” With my student Levi, I saw that this also holds true for opening someone’s mind.
*All names, including the author’s, and identifying details were changed to protect the student’s privacy.
THE HARD ROAD TO HEALING
TALI EDELSTEIN
The satisfaction gives me the strength to go on
A tremendous amount of work goes into every nonprofit. I always knew it, but there’s a world of a difference between knowing something and experiencing it.
When I started my organization, Chavalim Sheli, six years ago, I didn’t really know what I was getting into. What I did know was that it was so hard to struggle with a difficult medical condition, called hyperemesis gravidarum, that even doctors didn’t quite know how to treat. Once I started researching my condition, and discovered that, actually, there were ways to treat it (although not cure it, unfortunately), I felt a burning drive to share this information with other women. So many women were suffering, and here was information that was actually helpful, that could actually make a difference.
First, I started writing. I poured my research into Word documents and emails, organizing the information into clear, easy-to-understand instructions. Then I started sharing the information with other women who were suffering from HG.
Over the last few years, what began as simply research has changed and grown and morphed into something wonderful. We have a website full of information and support. The organization has a name and a clear goal: Empowering Women with HG. We run events, and this winter, with Hashem’s help, we’re launching our first in-person support groups, where each group
is run by a professional who also has personal experience with this condition.
The work is endless. Every time we move forward, we realize how much more there is still to do. Patient support, doctor education, financial and practical assistance for families affected, and so much more. It yawns before me like an empty, gaping hole so that no matter how much I do, I feel like I’ve barely started. Sometimes I get so, so tired and overwhelmed.
And then I get an email. Or a phone call. Someone reaches out to tell me how I saved their life. Saved their family. They tell me how alone they felt, how no one believed how much they were suffering, until they found me or my organization. And there it was, in black and white: They have a condition. A real condition. With a name. And with treatment options. Wow! What a game-changer.
And for that moment, the chasm, the gaping hole of endless need, fades. For that slice of time, my breathing slows, I close my eyes, and feel gratitude to Hakadosh Baruch Hu for giving me the zechus of doing this work. It’s that moment that shows me why I’m doing all this and working so hard — and it’s that moment that gives me the strength to go on.
ESTHER KURTZ
TOTAL RELIANCE
I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into — or how much I would get out of it
I didn’t know what I was getting into when I posted that flyer. If I had, I never would have started the project. And if I were negotiating a contract for it, I’d have demanded a fortune for the time, energy and skill the project required. But Hashem knew what He was doing, pushing me to dive in — something totally out of character for me — because He wanted me to teach Shaar Habitachon in a highly accessible way.
For six months straight, I wrote, recorded and produced a daily recording, sharing them with over 1,000 women. Each 90-second segment covered a piece of Shaar Habitachon, allowing women to complete the entire shaar in half a year.
It was a slog. Bulk-creation didn’t work, so every night, after the kids were in bed, I’d sit at my computer with my Chovos Halevavos. I’d review the next concept, write a script, record it, and upload everything to be sent out the next morning.
Why did I do this to myself? The answer is simple: I went through rough times, and the only thing that soothed my soul was learning Shaar Habitachon. Self-care, meditation and logic didn’t help. I expected the shaar to be all emotion and feel-good vibes; that’s how bitachon had always been framed to me. But instead, I found a comforting, rational logic that showed me why I could give it all over to Hashem. It even addressed my resistance: why it felt too hard, too scary, too risky. Shaar Habitachon held my hand and guided me out of the dense woods of my mind.
If I had such a misconception of bitachon, and learning it was so transformative, I knew others could benefit too. I felt compelled to share it with women like me — non-rebbetzin types. Three years later, I still get emails from women thanking me for the impact the series has had on their lives.
One woman said it helped her return to Yiddishkeit and reconnect with Hashem. Another shared that it gave her the clarity to manage the responsibilities that come with a large family.
Yet another wrote that it helped her cope with the unpredictability of her mentally ill mother. The satisfaction that comes from such feedback is deeply meaningful.
More than anything this series has done for others is what it’s done for me. Teaching requires you to understand concepts deeply in order to give them over clearly. Teaching Shaar Habitachon brought me to places within myself and my connection to Hashem I’d only dreamed of — places I thought were reserved for rebbetzins. The process was exhausting — and so worth it.
Even if the project had only benefited me, it would have been worth the effort. Every single day, it continues to give back.
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Don’t judge a book by its cover, they say, but shouldn’t you judge fresh produce by its peel and color? Or perhaps they should be judged by their texture, smell or size?
While you don’t quite need a diamond loupe, there actually is an art to ascertaining what’s going on beneath the peel. Here’s a quick guide to picking your fruit to produce perfection.
CHAYA BEER
The Rundown on the Ripeness Factor
Every fruit is a little different when it comes to checking for ripeness (see table for reference). If you know the general rules, though, you’re ready to start picking your gems. You’ll use all of your five senses except taste, as sight, touch, smell, and sound can all help you figure out how delicious that fruit will actually taste.
Count on Color
A fruit that’s ripe, fresh and delicious generally isn’t shy about its color and proudly shows off its deep hues. Whether it’s a bright red apple, a perfectly yellow peach, or lusciously green grapes, checking the color is your first sign of ripeness and taste. Make sure you know what color every fruit variety should be when ripe. A Bartlett pear should be greenish-yellow when ripe, while a Bosc pear should be russet brown. Once you know which color to look for, go ahead and judge that fruit by its color.
Color tip for uncut watermelon: Look for a watermelon that has a creamy yellow spot on its underside, without any white. That yellow area, called the “field spot,” tells you it’s been lying out in the field for a while, ripening in the sun.
Every rule needs a good exception, so here’s one: The best pomegranate in the bunch isn’t always the reddest, as the pomegranate’s white pith protects the arils inside. Even if you’re looking at a beat-up pomegranate, it might still be delicious inside.
See It To Believe It
Color isn’t the only way to use sight to pick fruit. Look for other signs that the fruit is perfectly ripe, like a natural shine on the skin of your apples. Surprisingly, if you see cracks in the skin of your pomegranate or fig, that’s a great sign! It shows that the fruit is so full of sweetness that it can’t hold it all in. But if you see wrinkles on the skin of peaches or mangoes, don’t touch them. They’ve already passed their ripest stage to overripeness.
And then there’s the simplest sight test: size. If your fruit is too big for its variety, chances are it isn’t too sweet. To find sweet fruit, choose ones that are averagesized for that particular fruit.
The Feel Is Real
Okay, so there is a reason fruit needs to be handled by so many hands, because the texture of your fruit really does tell you how ripe it is. So go ahead, squeeze your peaches and plums. What you’re looking for is a slight give when you apply gentle pressure.
Don’t just squeeze anywhere, though. For pears, you’ll want to squeeze near the stem to check if that area yields to your pressure. But for avocados, which ripen from the stem down, it’s not enough to check near the stem. Press the opposite side to make sure your fruit has completed the ripening process.
You can also apply your squeezing powers to your cantaloupes. Press the blossom end (that’s the side opposite the stem) with your thumb, and check for a slight give.
Heft It Heavy
When you pick up a fruit in your hand, it should feel heavy and dense for its size. This works best for juicy fruits like citrus fruits and pomegranates, which are full of heavy juice. The heavier it is, the sweeter and juicier the fruit inside.
Sweetness to Smell
Sight and touch are just two of your senses that can give you clues about when your fruit is ripe. Smell is another reliable indicator that can tell you whether you’ve picked a good one.
When stone fruits (peaches, plums and mangoes) are ripe, they have a strong floral smell that you can easily detect. In fact, pros declare that you shouldn’t bother buying a peach that has no scent.
And after you’ve squeezed your cantaloupe, it’s time to smell it. It should have a deep aroma. Picking pineapple will also be much easier when you look for a strong, sweet smell.
But all these rules come with a caveat: If the fruit has been refrigerated, it takes away the scent, so factor that in.
Melon Music
This is a fun one. You’ve probably seen people slapping watermelons and listening for the sound. They’re not crazy or superstitious. The melon thumping test works, if you know what to listen out for. You want to hear a deep hollow sound that sounds like you’ve knocked on a door. You don’t want that melon if the sound that reverberates is similar to a ring. And yes, the test works on other melons, like honeydew and cantaloupe, too.
Pick Your Plumpest
Here’s the quick version of what to look for in each fruit variety.
Banana
Sight: Bright yellow with some brown spots when perfectly ripe
Touch: Slight give when pressed, firm but not hard
Apple
Sight: Shiny, deeply colored skin
Touch: Heavy for its size, firm and crisp
Cantaloupe
Sight: Stem should be sunken in; netting should be slightly raised. No green tint to the skin, only golden colored
Smell: Deep fruity aroma
Touch: Heavy for its size, soft give at blossom end
Sound: Melon thump test results in a hollow sound
Honeydew
Sight: Creamy, not green, rind
Touch: Heavy for its size
Orange
Sight: Bright orange skin (except varieties that keep green spots when ripe)
Smell: Sweet citrusy aroma at the stem end
Touch: Heavy for its size
Peach
Sight: Deep yellow color, firm skin
Smell: Deep floral aroma (unless refrigerated)
Touch: Slight give (don’t press too hard as it can cause bruising)
Plum
Sight: Deep color, firm skin
Smell: Floral, fruity aroma
Touch: Slight give when pressed
Pomegranate
Sight: Shape should be angular with flat sides, not circular
Touch: Heavy for its size
Watermelon
Sight: Wide light green lines, creamy or buttery yellow field spot
Smell: Slightly sweet
Touch: Heavy for its size
Wait, What Are We Looking For?
Are we always looking for the ripest fruit? Not always. Some fruits, like avocados and bananas, are best when you let them ripen at home. So which are the fruits that will ripen further after you bring them home, and which fruits are done ripening once picked?
Try This at Home
You’ve picked all your produce at the grocery store. Now, how do you keep it fresh or make sure it gets ripe in time? It’s all in proper storage. Warm temperatures will make ripening happen faster, while cold temperatures slow down ripening. Any fruit that needs to ripen should be stored warm or at room temperature, and any fruit that needs to be kept fresh should be stored cold, in the refrigerator.
If you want your fruit to ripen even faster, try the paper bag trick. Put the fruit into a brown paper bag and close it. This traps the ethylene gas that fruits release as they ripen, so that the fruit can “breathe in” its ethylene, making it ripen faster.
When you’re in a really big rush to have ripe avocados, you can try the oven trick. Wrap your avocados tightly in silver foil. Then set the oven on 200°, and stick the avocados in for about ten minutes. They should come out perfectly soft. The only downside is that this method will give your avocado a slightly cooked flavor, so use only it if that will work for your recipe or particular need.
When you want your produce to stay super fresh in the fridge, there’s one thing to be wary of: that same ethylene gas that makes fruit ripen. Ethylene can also turn your fruit drawer into mush if there’s too much of this gas in there, so store fruits that emit ethylene separately. (These include apples, bananas, melons, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots, avocados and cantaloupes.)
However they’re chosen and wherever they’re stored, what’s most important is for fruit to be
Ho, I’ve What To Show!
That vibrant color on the fruit’s skin? It can tell you a lot more than whether or not the fruit is ripe. Actually, the color of your fruit is like a secret guide to the health benefits it’s got inside.
Red Fruit
Supports heart health with anthocyanins (nope, not telling you how to pronounce that!) so stock up on pomegranates, red grapes and red plums.
Orange Fruit
Supports vision, like the famous example of the carrot being good for your eyes. It’s true! Beta-carotene is what gives fruit their orange color, and it also boosts vision.
Green Fruit
Supports your brain health with lutein and folate. Pretty powerful stuff, those avocados, green grapes and honeydews.
White Fruit
Supports digestion with potassium. Those are your bananas and pears, which have colorful peels but white flesh
Day Camp at Camp HASC!
A FRUITY BLAST OF BOBA
Boba balls have hit the supermarket shelves with a bang. What better way to celebrate Tu B’Shevat than with a festive, fruity drink? For best results, use a drink that’s contrasting in color and flavor to the boba balls. That’s why the drink itself need not be overly sweet; you want to allow for that sweet contrast of the boba. L’chaim!
PASSION FRUIT MANDARIN MIX
This drink is a sophisticated mix of sweet, sour and playful. The passion fruit adds a delightful tang and is balanced out by the sweetness of the boba.
INGREDIENTS
32 oz. carton Tuscanini mandarin juice
8 frozen passion fruit cubes
2 tsp. honey, or to taste
10 oz. blueberry boba balls
DIRECTIONS
1. Blend the mandarin juice, passion fruit and honey with an immersion blender.
2. Add boba balls and serve.
PINEAPPLE SLUSHY
A cool and refreshing party in a cup!
Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice; it brightens the entire drink.
INGREDIENTS
16 oz. frozen pineapple chunks
32 oz. orange juice
2 T. fresh lemon juice
12 oz. strawberry boba balls
DIRECTIONS
1. Blend the pineapples, orange juice and lemon juice with an immersion blender until smooth.
2. Add the boba balls and serve.
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE BOBA TEA
Healthy, easy and beautiful, this boba tea is an instant showstopper.
INGREDIENTS
2 strawberry-flavored tea bags
24 oz. hot water
12 oz. Golden Flow Classic Lemonade
10 oz. passion fruit boba balls
DIRECTIONS
1. Steep the two tea bags in the hot water for 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Add the lemonade, and refrigerate or freeze until ice cold.
3. Add the boba balls and serve.
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An
interview with Mr. Hershy Fried, founder of Minute Mix
NESANEL YOEL
SAFRAN
Imagine sipping on a refreshing drink. As you take a gulp, something unexpected happens: A small, round pearl glides up through the straw. You bite into it, and suddenly, a burst of fruity flavor floods your mouth. It’s a delightful surprise, a combination of taste and texture that turns a simple beverage into an adventure.
This is the magic of boba, a fun and playful addition to drinks that has captivated people of all ages.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mr. Hershy Fried, the man behind Minute Mix, to learn about boba tea, a drink that’s rapidly gaining popularity in the kosher market.
WHAT IS BOBA?
“Boba,” Mr. Fried begins, “is a fun product that makes drinking an experience.”
He then goes on to explain the difference between the two kinds of boba.
“The original tapioca boba is chewy and gummy, and made from tapioca flour. It’s traditionally served with milk tea in the Asian community, where it’s been popular for decades.
“Then there’s popping boba,” Mr. Fried continues, “which is a thin shell filled with juice or flavoring. As you drink, one of these balls comes through the straw, and when you bite into it, it pops, releasing the flavor.”
Boba is typically added to cold drinks, such as iced teas, smoothies or fruity beverages. And since it’s heavier than liquid and settles at the bottom, boba can only be enjoyed with a straw.
THE JOURNEY TO KOSHER BOBA
When asked what inspired him to bring boba to the kosher market, Mr. Fried smiles.
“I’m in the food industry, and we market a lot of drinks and related products. At a recent trade show, boba caught my eye. I did some research and found that it’s hugely popular in the non-kosher market. That’s when I decided to take on the challenge of adapting it for kosher consumers.”
It wasn’t a simple process. Most boba is manufactured in Taiwan, and convincing a
factory to produce a kosher version of boba required persistence.
“In Taiwan, people have no concept of what kosher means,” he says. “When you mention kosher, they immediately say, ‘No, no, it’s too complicated.’”
The process began with finding a facility willing to accommodate kosher production. The next step was getting hashgacha for the product. In this case, it was Tarnopol, and they took over the next part of the process in terms of kashrus
First the team had to make sure the equipment was able to be kashered Once that was verified, they sourced kosher ingredients to replace the nonkosher ones. There are many components in boba, including flavorings, and every single one had to meet their standards of kashrus
Once everything was in place, a Tarnopol mashgiach supervised the kashering of the facility and oversaw the entire production process.
“It involved a lot of work,” Mr. Fried admits. “But baruch Hashem, we made it happen.”
But even once production was underway, there were still lots of logistics that had to fall into place. Shipping from Taiwan to New York by sea takes six to eight weeks. Production also takes time, as does sourcing kosher ingredients. Altogether, each production is about a three-month process from start
THE HISTORY OF BOBA: NOT JUST A BOBA MAASEH
Boba, those sweet pearls found in bubble tea, has a history as delightful as its chewy orbs. It all started in Taiwan during the 1980s when tea shops experimented with different drinks that would attract younger customers. Tapioca pearls, made from cassava starch, were added to iced tea, creating a whimsical drink with a unique texture. The combination was an instant hit, and bubble tea quickly became a Taiwanese staple.
The story of its invention is a bit of a machlokes. Two rival tea shops in Taiwan claim to have been mechadesh bubble tea. The most popular tale credits a product development manager at Chun Shui Tang Tea House, who in 1988 added sweetened tapioca balls to iced tea during a staff meeting. The concoction was a hit among coworkers and soon became a menu staple. The other contender, Hanlin Tea Room, claims their founder developed the drink after being inspired by white tapioca balls he saw in a local market, and eventually switched to the now-familiar black pearls.
Interestingly, the name “bubble tea” refers not to the pearls, but to the frothy bubbles created when shaking tea with ice. Over time, the drink evolved with fruit flavors, jellies, and — more recently — popping boba added to the tea.
Popping boba, the modern twist on this classic treat, brings its own burst of excitement. Unlike traditional tapioca pearls, popping boba is made using molecular gastronomy techniques (involving molecule interactions among the ingredients) that encases fruity liquid in a thin, gel-like membrane. When bitten, it delivers a literal pop of flavor — a delightful surprise that’s captivated fans worldwide.
Whether chewy or popping, boba has brought a new dimension to the world of drinking. L’chaim!
Alongside our signature brews and classic espressos, we now offer a full coffee menu with rich lattes, bold cold brews, and a variety of new options. Discover your new favorite blend today! coffee bar
to finish. This means that the Minute Mix team always has to plan three months ahead and estimate demand, which isn’t easy.
FROM RESTAURANTS TO RETAIL
Initially, Minute Mix marketed kosher boba to restaurants and cafes. The introduction of boba was very successful, but then came a stream of requests from people asking where they could buy it for home use. That’s when Minute Mix decided to launch it in retail.
The retail line hit store shelves just a few months ago and was an instant hit.
“We started with a small range of flavors: strawberry, passion fruit, mango and blueberry,” Mr. Fried shares. “Strawberry and passion fruit are the best-sellers. Lychee, my personal favorite, is only available wholesale right now, but we’re working on bringing it to retail soon.”
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Somehow, people love popping boba. They find it fun and exciting, and appreciate the added element to their drinks. Some people have even told me it’s therapeutic; the sensation of boba popping in their mouths is relaxing in a way.”
In fact, when the retail line launched, demand was so high that Minute Mix ran out of inventory.
“We only advertised for a week,” Mr. Fried says. “The product sold out so fast, we had to stop advertising because there wasn’t enough inventory to keep up with the demand. It was a good problem to have, but it was still stressful!”
LOOKING AHEAD
“A Chabad house in the U.S. called me during the summer,” Mr. Fried says. “They’d heard about kosher boba and wanted to serve it during a Yomim Noraim program. They specifically requested pomegranate-flavored boba because it tied in with the Yom Tov theme. That call showed me how much potential this product has to connect people in unique ways.”
But Boba isn’t just for drinks.
“We’ve seen people get really creative with it. Some use it in salads, acai bowls, fruit compotes, or as a topping for desserts. It’s not only fun; it’s versatile.”
To help customers experiment, Minute Mix includes recipes with its retail products.
“In restaurants, people are used to getting a ready-made drink,” Mr. Fried explains. “At home, they need ideas, so we’ve worked on providing recipes and suggestions.”
As we wrapped up, I asked Mr. Fried about his vision for the future.
“We’re always looking for new flavors and ideas,” he says. “There’s no success without risk, but baruch Hashem, this has been an incredible journey. We’ve learned so much along the way.”
If you’re curious about boba and want to try it, it’s sold in kosher supermarkets across New York, New Jersey, Florida, Detroit, and other areas with established kosher communities. Just be prepared: It might sell out before you get there!
With dedication, innovation, and the willingness to take risks, the Minute Mix team has brought a little bit of excitement and fun into the kosher market — one popping boba at a time.
Nesanel Yoel Safran is a writer, chef and student of Torah and life. You can read about all of this and more on his blog Soul Foodie (soulfoodiecom.wordpress.com) and contact him at soulfoodie613@gmail. com.
Why did the snowman go to the dentist? He had a bad case of frostbite
If you have 25 candy bars and eat 22, what do you have left? Cavities What’s a dentist’s favorite instrument? A
What’s the best time to go to the dentist? Tooth-hurty
EISIK RETURNED HOME, DUG BENEATH HIS OVEN, AND FOUND A TREASURE!
LOOKS LIKE ELIAS AGREES WITH YOU, FATHER.
IT’S A STORY WITH A LESSON, OF COURSE. SOMETIMES WE SEARCH FOR SOMETHING, YEARN FOR SOMETHING, AND TRAVEL SO FAR TO FIND IT…
LOOK, HE DREW THIS, A SORT OF CALLIGRAPHY. PART OF IT IS IN PORTUGUESE, AND PART IN LASHON KODESH: “SHIVISI HASHEM L’NEGDI TAMID — THE GREATEST TREASURE IS WITHIN YOU… AT THE END OF THE WORLD.”
…WITHOUT REALIZING THAT EVERYTHING WE NEED
…IS ALREADY WITHIN US.
THIS IS IT! THIS DRAWING!
THE NEXT DAY…
THAT’S IT! I KNOW HOW TO FIND THE TREASURE! NOW WE JUST HAVE TO GET RID OF THESE RUSOS.
RECAP: YEHUDA RUBINOV BEGINS TELLING THE CHILDREN A STORY ABOUT EISIK, A YID FROM KRAKOW, WHO DREAMED THERE WAS A TREASURE HIDDEN NEAR A BRIDGE IN A DIFFERENT TOWN. UPON ARRIVING AT THE BRIDGE, THE GUARD TELLS EISIK THAT HE DREAMED THERE WAS A TREASURE HIDDEN UNDER THE OVEN THAT BELONGED TO A YID NAMED EISIK FROM KRAKOW!
TATTE! WHAT WILL WE DO? THE BOAT IS DRIFTING FAST! WE HAVE NO OARS!
WE NEED TO CONTINUE FROM HERE BY BOAT.
HASHEM, PLEASE HELP US! SAVE US! WE’RE ON A MISSION TO SAVE OTHER JEWS! NO!
WAIT, AREN’T YOU GETTING IN?
TATTE! THERE’S A BRANCH OVER THERE!
THE PATH IS TOO DIFFICULT ON FOOT. GET IN.
BITS OF WITS
SHEVY HOLLANDER
A LITTLE BIT OF SCIENCE WONDER
Did you ever wonder why everything sounds hushed and peaceful after a fresh coating of snow? That’s because fallen snow absorbs sound waves, resulting in more quiet.
SETTING COMMON MISTAKES STRAIGHT AND CLARIFYING MISCONCEPTIONS
A heteronym is a pair of words that have the identical spelling, yet two different meanings and pronunciations. Some common examples: desert, alternate, attribute One heteronyms that is commonly mispronounced is bass. While bass, the fish, is pronounced with a short a, bass, the musical instrument, is pronounced the same as the word base, with a long a. August is another one, with the adjective august (meaning impressive) pronounced awGUST. The word tear is often not treated like a heteronym, with many people using the pronunciation for the version of tears that fall from the eyes across the board, even though the word tear, which means “rip,” should be pronounced with a short e sound: ter
THE CHANGING FACE OF:
1976
To honor the United States Bicentennial, colored floodlights are installed that illuminate the Empire State Building in red, blue and white.
THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
1931 Empire State Building opens on April 11.
2012 The Empire State Building unveils a new LED lighting system capable of producing 16,000,000 different colors.
1950 A 222-foot antenna is installed.
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).
TANACH TEASER
WHERE IN SEFER
SHEMOS
CAN YOU FIND A PAIR OF LETTERS REPEATED FOUR TIMES CONSECUTIVELY?
F N A T I O C
THINK OF THE LINK
Find a common factor for this group of four words
1. Invoice
2. George Washington
3. Banknote
4. Law
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a natural bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan, that has several pathways through it for visitors to enjoy it.
THINK OF THE LINK
Find a common factor for this group of four words:
1. Needle
2. Potato
3. Hurricane
4. Camera
These are all things with eyes.
PANGRAMS: bewilder bewildered
Answer: Tomorrow.
TANACH TEASER
The word Yisroel appears five times in Shacharis in the bracha of Gaol Yisroel recited before Shmoneh Esrei. FLOWER POWER
ADD TO DICTIONARY
While the word analeptic is a drug that acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system, its adjective form can be used more loosely to describe something that has restorative and stimulative qualities. There’s no greater analeptic for my brain than coffee.
SAY IT WITH A TWIST
FRENCH FRESHMEN FRIED FRESH FRENCH FRIES.
THE SKINNIEST HOUSE IN THE USA IS IN THE OLD TOWN DISTRICT OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA. THE SPITE HOUSE, AS IT’S CALLED, WAS BUILT IN 1830 BY BRICKMAKER JOHN HOLLENSBURY TO FILL THE 7.5-FOOT-WIDE ALLEY AT THE SIDE OF HIS HOUSE BECAUSE IT ATTRACTED LOITERERS AND HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES THAT WOULD SCRAPE AGAINST HIS WALL.
On January 15, 2025, the FDA issued an order revoking the authorization to use FD&C No. 3 in foods or ingested drugs. Food manufacturers have until January 15, 2027, to formulate their products, and drug manufacturers until January 18, 2028.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
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
Each Boggle board hides a word of nine letters or more!
C L U U L S T A H A O V G M W R I N P Y B A D T E
Full mailing address: _________________________________________________________
Full name of winner: _________________________________________________________
Amount of points: ____________________________________________________________
Full names of competing players:
List some words only the winner found:
WINNER 1
FAMILY NAME: Gold, 347-xxx-3783
NAME OF WINNER: Mommy
AMOUNT OF POINTS: 107
NAMES OF COMPETING PLAYERS: Bobby Baum
FOUND:
phobia
WINNER 2
FAMILY NAME: Berg, 347-xxx-5609
NAME OF WINNER: Shaindy
AMOUNT OF POINTS: 83
NAMES
Leiby Silberstein,
Sara’la Solomon
Michoel Lipshitz, 5
Raizy, Frady & Duvy Levine
Einhorn Family
Nuti & Mordchy Mandel
Nachmi Horowitz
Malky Berkowitz
Bergmans
Faigy Friedman, 6
Yitzy Beck, 5
Shmilly & Sury Sofer
Chesky Greenfield
Sruly Gottlieb
Kryman Family
Shimmy Lenzky
Toby Stern, 7
Shloimy & Shimmy Iliovits
Gershy Lissauer, 5
Chesky Friedman, 4
Fraidy Oberlander, 1.5
Arala Solomon
Ruchie Friedlander & Breindy Glick
Shloimy Stein
Family Ungar
Itcha & Yossel L. Shimy Freund
Chayala Oberlander
Shulem Horowitz
Shmili Ungar
Menasha Goldberger
Family Baumgarten
Avrum Shlome’la Landau, 5
Avrumy Oberlander, 5
Miriam Waldman, 10
Chaim Katzburg & Dovi Baumgarten
Shmily & Chesky Friedman
Shaya & Shloimy Porgesz
Rivky & Shimon Lovi
Boro Park View
Classifieds
FOR SALE
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
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
WEST PALM BEACH APT. FOR SALE
Century Village-Golf Edge, 1 ½ bedroom apt. 2 baths, Brand new appliances, Ready to move in now. Price $200K or best offer. Call: 845.325.0500
WAREHOUSE FOR LEASE
6,000 square feet warehouse space in prime location, 16 ft high ceiling, includes storefront, office space, basement and loading area. Please call 718-954-4525
WEST PALM BEACH
No. 1 Real Estate Broker. Aaron Rose 561.308.5766
LINDEN LUXE
New Pristine Cathedral Ceiling House. 6 bedrooms. 3 bathrooms, jacuzzi. Sleeps 20+. Stocked Playroom. Swing Set. Trampoline, gameroom. All Amenities. 5 min to shul. 3 blocks to grocery/ pizza store. Avail for Shabbos/ Weekday. call/text 718989-1406.
WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA UNIT FOR SALE
Century Village, Norwich 2 Bedroom unit. Brand New Renovated 1 flight up 169k Call 8455489896
WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA UNIT FOR SALE
Century Village, Dover A 1 Bedroom unit Brand New Renovated top floor 1 & 1/2 Bathroom. Shabbos Minyon on Premises 239k Call 8455489896
LAKEHOUSE VILLA
Luxurious 3 bedroom lake house villa in Case Grande Arizona. Private pool fully stocked kosher kitchen. 520.251.4459
NORTH MIAMI FL RENTAL
2-bedroom, 2-baths with private heated pool and spa. Feb. all booked. $325 per night. Call/Text: 917-382-4810, email: 1752nmb@gmail.com www.themangotreat.com
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
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
Book your next vacation! 5 bedroom 3 bathroom magnificent villa serene property in Airmont. Fully furnished ALL amenities included! 347-420-4945
Classifieds
SURFSIDE SHORT TERM RENTAL
Newly renovated Fully
Furnished beautiful 1 bed 2 bath apt. 91st and Collins, walking distance to Shul, daily, weekly rental. across from beach. Call/Text/ WhatsApp 917 705-9667
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. New!!! Jacuzzi Hot tub. Pictures at hotelfifteen. com .still avail for sukkas 845
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
MOUNTAINDALE VILLA
Magnificent 3 bedroom, 2 bath Villa available in Mountaindale. Near shuls. $189 per night (pictures available). 845-327-7153
SPECIAL ED TEACHER
Special education teacher needed for the 25-26 school year chassidish sp-ed girls elementary and high school. Bilingual extension a must. Email Resume to school718438@gmail.com.
COUNSELORS NEEDED
Counselors for chassidish girls sp-ed day camp. Small group size, Yiddish speaking and experience preferred. Youth Corp opportunities available. Please call 929 254 0080 x403. Or email: ybecampstaff@gmail.com.
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
ABA PARAS
Seeking female ABA paras for full-time/ part-time in-school opportunities in Boro
Poufe Couture
Consignment Boutique
Huge selection of high end, unique gowns for mothers, sisters, teens, and children for sale at half off original price.
Poufe Couture
Consignment Boutique
Select evening dresses available.
Huge selection of high end, unique gowns for mothers, sisters, teens, and children for sale at half off original price.
Located in Brooklyn.
Select evening dresses available.
Located in Brooklyn.
Huge selection of high end, unique gowns for mothers, sisters, teens, and children for sale at half off original price.
Over 500 gowns in stock!!
Select evening dresses available.
917-604-4401
Located in Brooklyn.
SALESMAN
Looking for a salesman with experience for a commercial flooring company. From generating leads, to closing the sale. Large earning potential opportunity. Base plus commission. Email: info@directlineflooring.com
SALESLADY POSITION
Looking for FT/ PT Saleslady in Boro Park (13th Ave Retail store). Call/text 929-512-8428
ATTENTION SEMINARY STUDENTS
Seeking ABA Paras for flexible after hour cases. Great BCBA supervision. Please call 718-285-7522 EXT.105. Please send your resume to hr@ discoveraba.org
1:1 PROVIDER
Seeking a dedicated provider to work with an 8-year-old boy twice weekly after school hours. Excellent rates and support provided. BA required. Call: 718-500-3765 ext. 103 or email hr@naaseh.org.
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
ATTENTION LADIES!
Do you need an extra income? Work only a few hours a week, no risk, full training and support provided. Call/text 845-3245182
ABA EVENING SUPPORT ROLE
Want to make a positive impact on children’s lives? Join us as an ABA evening mentor in Boro Park or Flatbush! Help kids develop their social skills and confidence after school hours. Excellent rates for evening shifts. Please call: 917.968.2292
YOUR DREAM JOB
Woman, Looking for pocket money to become big money?
Please call 347-638-4236
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
SECRETARY/OFFICE POSITION
Position available for Female in BP office for responsible, organized individual that is able to multi task. Computer knowledge a must. Must have excellent interpersonal skills. Beginners welcome, willing to train. Great working environment. Opportunity for rapid growth! Email resumes to bphomecare@ hotmail.com
COUNSELORS/ MOTHERS’ HELPERS
Counselors/mothers’ helpers for chassidish girls sp-ed sleepaway camp. Small group size, Yiddish speaking and experience preferred. Youth Corp opportunities available. Great program! Please call 929 254 0080 x403. Or email: ybecampstaff@gmail.com.
LOOKING TO HIRE
Hamaspik Choice is looking to hire a Director of Compliance in our Brooklyn Office. Great benefits package. send resume to jobs@hamaspikchoice.org
MEDICAL ASSISTANTS
��A medical company is seeking to hire dedicated medical assistants to travel to patients’ homes for vital sign checks and test administration. Training provided. Candidates should be based in Flatbush/Boro Park/Williamsburg. T his is a full or part-time role with flexible hours. Well paid. Send Resume to: hr@ theritecare.com (347)5986929
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Looking for Paraprofessional to join our team: -During school hours -After hours -Sunday program. Girls 18+, grads or women. Excellent training and support. No degree required. Call 718614-1191 or email resume info@flyingcolorsaba.com
Classifieds
OPERATIONS/ SALES MANAGER
ABA agency in Boro Park is Looking for a full-time (min 28 hrs.) Operations/ Sales Manager to join our team. Min 2 years office experience, Excellent salary & growth potential. Great working environment. Please email your resume to rs@ aimfurther.org
FT CASEWORKER
Heimshe office in BP, seeking FT caseworker, organized, detailed oriented, computer savvy, no experience needed. jobs@bpjcc.org
EXECUTIVE FULLTIME POSITION!
Williamsburg office is looking for a driven and motivated individual with strong leadership skills for a multitasking executive role. This position offers significant growth potential in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. If you’re organized, proactive, and eager to grow within a professional setting, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a detailed message and will get back to you: 929-232-8301
COORDINATOR POSITION
Are you a 2024 grad with a job that’s not working out? Reach out today to inquire about our coordinator position. $25-$30/hr. Chana@hiresolutionsny.com. 845-422-8098 ext 105
We were in need of a
P&C INSURANCE
Do you have p&c insurance experience? We have an amazing job opportunity for you! Join our growing team as an underwriter or team leader where your experience will be valued! Salary based on experience. Chana@ hiresolutionsny.com 845422-8098 ext 105.
REGISTERED NURSE (RN)
HCS Individual Residential Alternatives Homes is seeking a dedicated heimishe Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team. This role involves overseeing the medical care of special needs individuals, ensuring comprehensive documentation, and providing evaluations. Key Benefits: Jewish-Friendly Environment: HCS upholds a Jewish mindset and cultural values. Generous Holidays: Receive all legal holidays, all Jewish holidays, including Chol Hamoed, Erev Yom Tov, and Tisha B’Av, plus, an additional 3 weeks off. Work-Life Balance: A 40-hour workweek across 4 locations in Boro Park and Flatbush. Comprehensive Benefits and Compensation: Includes a family health, dental, and vision plan. This position is ideal for anyone seeking a supportive, understanding work environment. For more information or to apply please send in your resume to Jobs@hcsny.org or call 718854-2747 Ext. 1114.
and I committed to do the following:
• I lit a candle
and said Tehillim
• I repeatedly lit a candle and said
I did this "eighteen times" saying
every time I lit the additional candle
• Then I said one time the letters
• I then asked Hashem He should grant us the one specific העושי that I was davening for
• I pledged to publicize it
ASSISTANT TEACHER
Heimishe Preschool in Flatbush seeks an assistant teacher. Transportation from BP. Great Pay! Call 718-872-6051 ext 205 or email resumes@Lbaps.com
PROVIDER INTAKE SPECIALIST – F/T (BP)
Seeking a tech-savvy, solution-oriented candidate with top interpersonal skills. Own provider onboarding process, ensuring seamless documentation, credentialing, and clearances. Take the lead and make an impact! Text: 929-967- 4402 Email: Talent@Encoresupport.org
LOOKING FOR A REWARDING CAREER?
Seeking Floortime /DIR Providers: M providers for morning school cases 9-12/1pm. F providers for full day/ morning/ afternoon/ after school cases. Supervision & training provided. HS diploma required. Email: talent@ encoresupport.org or text: 929-678-4402.
ASSISTANT TEACHER
Chassidishe school seeking assistant for pre nursery and toddler classroom. Call
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM – FUNSHINE
The HCS After school Program is looking to hire counselors for Funshine. Monday–Thursday 3-5 PM. Wednesday 3-5 PM. Sunday 10:30-3, part time hours also. Great pay! Exciting atmosphere! Flexible schedules! Please call Rivky at 718-510-3002 or email
R.Rubinstein@hcsny.org If you are going for your BCBA licensure and need a place to acquire hours, please call to inquire about our partnership program!
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM - FUNSHINE
Chayeinu School Afterschool program is now opening registration for our pre–Pesach program, starting Rosh Chodesh Nissan. High school & seminary girls are welcome to apply! For more information, and to hear about our specialties and bonuses please call Rivky at 718-510-3002.
OFFICE LOGISTICS ASSISTANT
needed at all women office in the heart of Boro Park. Hours: 9:30 AM-4:30 PM. Paid time off, competitive pay. Call: 917.968.2292
SEEKING FULL DAY PARA At Child Center. 9:30-3, including Friday’s. Great location! Email resume info@ littlegiantscc.com or call 718577-8486 ext: 1 for details.
CHILDCARE
VOUCHERS BABYSITTING
Professional, Warm staff
0-2yrs, 16th and 55th, Pls call/ text (917) 341-0167
VOUCHERS PLAYGROUP
2+yrs, Professional, Warm Staff, 16th and 55th, Pls call/ text (347) 354-1234
SERVICES
WOOD REPAIR PROFESSIONAL REVAMPING, REPAIRS & TRANSFORMATION TO UR KITCHEN THRU DESIGNER COLOR CHANGE. WE ALSO RESTORE ESTATE FURNITURE, REFURBISH, REDECORATE UR EXISTING DRM, CHAIRS, BDRMS, LIBRARIES, STAIRCASES, EXTERIOR WOOD DOORS. UPGRADE UR ORIGINAL PCS. THE QUALITY OF YESTERYEAR, DESIGN OF TODAY! TXT FOR DECORATORS CONSULT, BEST PRICING & SVC. 212-991-8548.
DOULA
Lifsha Kleinman, Experienced Doula 718-744-7135. Doula on Demand - Call even in labor. Medicaid accepted. LaborSweetDoulas@gmail. com
LIGHT ALTERATIONS
Please Call: 718.450.4700
STRESS/ANXIETY RELIEF
Delete Stress/Anxiety with Mind- Body-Soul Healing! Schedule Your FREE EFT TAPPING Laser Session: Miriam Langsam 347-6931177
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: 917-414-3281
HANDYMAN & ELECTRICIAN
Electrician, plumber, sewer service, Carpentry, sheetrock, locks, etc. 718.9510090
All Electrical work, outlets, switches, fixtures, new lines for washer/dryer or a/c, shabbos clocks, circut breakers. 718.951-0090
HANDYMAN & PAINTING
Experienced & Reliable handyman. Small jobs our specialty! Plumbing, Electric, construction, Locksmith, painting, plastering. Shabbos clocks, outlets/switches, call: 347.275.5408
Furniture, Cabinet & General Repairs, specializing in Chosson-Kallah Apartments. Call: 718.633.6231
Classifieds
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.
NEW WEBSITE?
Get your Beautiful, Fast, SEO-Friendly 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
SETSS STRESS??
Progress Reports. Session Notes. Meeting Prep. Don’t Wait until the Last Minute! Call Now! 732-994-3956
Email: reportsdone1@gmail. com
ROWENTA REPAIRS
Expert repairs on Rowenta steam stations. Reasonable prices. Fast service. Located in boro park. Call 646-2613809
FREE HOMEWORK TUTOR
Free homework tutoring in my house art 17 and 58 pls call 7186648670
ATT. DAYCAMPS!
Let us do the work for you! Full program planned with all the details! Daily minute to minute schedules. Customized theme with crafts and activities. Early bird discount - Call today! 845-376-5853
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
PRIME HOME
IMPROVEMENT
Remodeling/ Fix All. Electrical-Doors-MoldingPlumbing-BathroomsWindows. No job too small. Call Chaim @917-744-2016
WHOLESALE FISH
Buy by the case & save. Baby & Regular Salmon. Hashgucha Volove Rav. Free delivery to your home. Call Eli: 516-270-6755
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
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
CUSTOM PHOTO ALBUMS
We specialize in custom Photo Albums, Chosson, Wedding, etc. Also professional Photo Editing, many years of experience. Special rate for photographers. Call: 347.563.5153
FENCES
“Secure your space with a fence that’s fine, For privacy and peace, it’s the perfect design” Catskill Fence Co. 845-53-FENCE 845-533-3623
HANDYMAN
Z-Best Handyman Locksmith Sheetrock Drywall Plumbing Ask for Eli 248 8084148
ROOM DIVIDER
We make WALL with door to split existing room and make second bedroom. We also install plastic ACCORDION partitions that fully fold to one or both sides. LIGHTfixture+switch+outlet in new room . Work Sunday too. Call/Text:929-4307551 /646-288-0185.
E-mail:roomdividers11219@ gmail.com
NEWSLETTER
Are you a little day care in the community? We can create a weekly newsletter for you, simply call and leave a message with some info you want included in the newsletter and we will email it back to you. $30.00 weekly. Please call 718-854-2747 X 1181
JOB TRAINING FOR BOYS
Does your Son Need a Part time Job? We are the answer. Day Hab Job Training in a real work environment for OPWDD individuals. •Communication skills •Expressive language •Task completion/ Receptive language •Problemsolving •Daily Shiur •Time management Please call 718-541-1538.
VAN SERVICE
Yossi`s Van Service 15 Passenger van Local & long distance Airports & delivery. Call: 718.962.4664
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.) Many props avail! Great rates! Photos by Devorah 929-327-4621
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
LOCAL FULFILLMENT CENTER
Small Business Owner? Need Packages? Need Product Fulfillment, Labeling, Shipping setup etc. Please text us for best price at 1718.541.1538
BOOKKEEPING FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
We provide full service bookkeeping. A/P, A/R, Reconciliation... For more info please email devorarothstein@gmail. com.
TREAT YOUR SKIN TO NATURAL BLISS
Oily, acne prone skin? Dry skin? Treat it naturally and effectively. Try it MONEY BACK GUARANTEED! 917-588-7416
CAVITY HEALING REVOLUTION!
Always dreamed of avoiding the dentist and naturally healing, remineralizing, and strengthening your teeth? Hurry! Course starting next week! Call 929-9225483 for a FREE session
ODDS & ENDS
NOVE BOYS BLAZER
Looking to rent/buy another last year’s NOVE boys cream color linen blazer w black button size 6&8or9 Please call or text 3477659374
SEGULA
GOWNS
WHITE GOWN
Looking to sell a size 2-4 white gown for sister of the bride, Please call 347 628 9586
CHILDRENS GOWNS
Adorable winter white children’s gowns selling for $125. 6 sizes left! Approx sizes 14,12,8,8,7,6. More sizes available if needed. 917-653-9087
LOST
exchanged a black wool, long, coat on December 2 in The New Ballroom (bobov 14 & 51) 929-5128686
gold chain necklace with diamonds pendant 347369-6454.
band on Sept 25 845426-1722
Grey cashmere shawl 917-384-8048
brown fur shawl with pockets 347 986-6692
Diamond Tennis bracelet on Shabbos in BP 929630-0284
gold bangle with diamond heart on 13th Ave between 40-55, 347-731-2388
diamond earring in BP Feb 2, 347-837-4071
Jan 29 a cosmetic bag 16th/46th 347-9576007
2 cookie corner gift cards on 13/14 55th 718-853-3064
ladies michele watch on 14 & 49 718-781-4275.
money in Feldman Jewelers 718-438-8895.
earring in 18th Ave park. Shabbos Parshas Bo 3474101821
real diamond bracelet few years ago on pesach 16th Avenue mid 50s 718.306.9906
necklace on Wythe Avenue Tuesday night February 4 call 646.314.2787 Frank
GEMACHIM
Kallah Looseleaf Yom Hachuppah 718435-3492
Maternity Clothing 3477293747
Pidyon Haben 646-419-0782
Doona 260-366-6293
Twin Carriage (718) 522-3891
Carseats, snap n go strollers, pack n play & bassinets 718-854-6829
Baby Carriers 718-809-9707
New baby clothing 3472218317
Neocate/baby formula 347.369.4886
Baby earbands 347 409 9479
Luzy’s cuddles & cradles. text (BP)917538-8500
Luzy’s cuddles & cradles. text (Willi) 917-648-9130
Baby Scale (Wmsbg) text 347-675-9509
Easy birth from Koznitzer Maggid 917514-9461
Bris Accessories 347- 244- 2065
Free Mohel 347-383-5696
Kallah Cape 718 - 633 - 8261
KALLAH ACCESSORIES BP. 718-551-8714
Shoes & Crowns BP 718-972-4768.
Kallah/Mechteniste Capes Wsbg 718300-9894/ BP 917-683-5557
