Issue 369

MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL (Re: A Festive Ending, Issue 368)

Thank you for your presentation of Sukkos desserts that did not re quire more than a trip to the grocery! It was a springboard for so much inspiration, and I was able to serve a few scoops of sorbet or ice cream with random things I had in the pantry and really make it look festive in honor of Yom Tov. While my desserts looked nothing as glamorous as those you featured, it was super exciting for my family.

Thank you for your timely ideas that hit the mark! P.T.

A HALACHA LEARNED

(Re: FYI: Wool, Issue 366)

I found it so surprising to read in your informational article about wool that only some types of wool (those coming from sheep, specifi cally) are required to be checked for shatnez. I actually called my rav to ask him about it, and indeed, he verified that this is so! This was a brand-new concept for me, and I appreciate the information.

Rochel S.

SOUL-STIRRING SONGS (Music of the Soul, Issue 366)

It was heartwarming to read about the life of Reb Yom Tov Ehrlich and his music career. His songs were the soundtrack of my childhood, and his melodic voice was so often heard in the background.

I find that today’s kids are so much less familiar with Reb Yom Tov Ehrlich’s songs than we were, and that is truly a loss for this genera tion. Granted, my boys do learn certain classics in cheder, but the article inspired me to introduce these songs into my home so my children can gain from the notes of pure Yiddish music.

B.D.

YOUR VOICE

LINE ETIQUETTE

Over the last month or two, I’m pretty sure each of us has had our fair share of waiting in lines at our packed local stores. For the most part, fellow line-waiters, you were an inspiration, patiently awaiting your turn with an injec tion of humor as we got the privilege for our purchases to be tallied up so we could leave a big chunk of our earnings behind.

But there were several incidents that truly bothered me, and since I hope that there was no malicious intent involved, but was simply a lack of awareness on the part of those individuals, I’d like to raise the issue here in this forum you provide for this purpose

One Erev Yom Tov, I was doing some unavoidable lastminute shopping at the hosiery store — together with a great many others. The line snaked all the way to the door, but was moving steadily, each of us holding an item or two that we needed to get us over Yom Tov, when a woman ap proached a girl who was next in line. She showed her that she had only one item and asked to go ahead of her. The girl graciously agreed, but I was simmering at the injustice — not because I minded my two minutes that would allow that

woman to get home earlier, but I wondered if she had not perhaps realized that there was a line full of people, many of them a lot older than she, who were patiently waiting their turn — and guess what? None of us had large orders.

Similarly, I’ve had people stealthily just sneak into lines ahead of me, and it’s not the time that it costs me; I know I’ll get home at the exact, predestined minute. What bothers me is the disregard some shoppers seem to have to others in the stores with them, and the disrespect toward the time of others.

Thank you for the opportunity to bring this up.

A Miffed Shopper

EDITOR’S BULLETIN:

A NOTE ABOUT OUR PACKYOUR-SNACK CONTEST:

Attention girls: We know how hard you’ve been work ing to prepare and eat only healthful snacks to fuel you in school each day. We also know that you’re inching your way to 30 days — and the completion of your chart!

Our beautiful, exclusive The Monsey View fanny packs are expected to arrive shortly. Once the contest wraps up, we will announce in these pages the exact pickup information for your well-deserved prizes, as well as the lucky winner of the school package. Stay tuned for the announcement!

POB 305, Monsey, NY 10952

PARSHAS BEREISHIS

Let There Be Light!

At the start of Creation, the world was in a state of “sohu va’vohu” (Bereishis 1:2). It was astonishingly empty and dark. And then Hakadosh Baruch Hu introduced light.

At first, the light and darkness were jumbled together. Then, as Rashi explains on the words “Vayar Elokim es ha’or ki tov,” Hashem saw that it was not good for the two to serve simultaneously, and He created boundaries for each one: light by day, and darkness at night. Nothing was created by mistake. If the final plan was to separate light and dark, what was the purpose of creating them as a mixture in the first place?

MEMEL WAS A PORT CITY on the Baltic Sea that switched hands between Germany and Lithuania during the period of the two world wars. In the mid-1800s, it boasted a Jew ish community. However, the spirit in the town was a far cry from a Torah-true life.

Once, Rav Yisrael Salanter visited the city. He was disap pointed to see that the sanctity of Shabbos was not upheld. Most of the locals were involved in running the port, and they worked on Shabbos just as they did every day of the week. The port was the town’s lifeline, and ships docked and were loaded and unloaded all the time. The Jewish workers continued the work on the holy day, transgressing multiple melachos

Rav Yisrael knew that if he were to reprimand the Yid den and tell them that they must stop working one day a week, his appeal would likely fall on deaf ears. The port was entrenched in their very existence. When Rav Yisrael was invited to speak to the community, he didn’t say anything outright. Instead, he began detailing the beauty of Shab bos and how special it is for those who guard it properly. He used a tone that was appropriate for the level of the Memel

residents. Then Rav Yisrael got practical. “You may not have a choice but to load and unload cargo at the port, but you can all certainly try to refrain from writing on Shabbos,” he de clared.

The residents were touched by the moving speech. They were also pleased that this visiting rav did not oblige them to push past their comfort zone. Writing on Shabbos? Indeed, that was something they could technically undertake. And most of the locals did. They made up their minds to stop writing on Shabbos.

A week or two later, Rav Yisrael was once again invited to speak. The residents came happily to his drashah, know ing that they could expect this rav to speak to their hearts and on their level. He wouldn’t request anything unreason able from them. Once again, Rav Yisrael spoke about the sanctity of Shabbos. And again, he concluded with practical advice. “There’s nothing to discuss; unloading the docks is important. But is it so time-sensitive to load new materials? Perhaps loading the ships could wait for Sunday.” His clar ity struck the residents of Memel, and they paid heed to his words. Many of them decided that they would no longer load

new goods onto the ships on Shabbos.

A few weeks passed, and Rav Yisrael Salanter took to the podium again. Again, he aroused the public to the splendor of Shabbos. He described the great zechus merited by those who keep Shabbos. Then he placed his final argument. “Unload ing ships on Shabbos is also a real transgression. Wouldn’t it be worthwhile to re frain from such work on Shabbos?”

By now, the Yidden, who had been making slow progress in keeping the laws and spirit of the day, were more open to listening. Many of them decided that they would keep Shabbos all the way. Yes, they decided. They would stay away from the port entirely.

And that was how the Giant of Mussar managed to persuade the community of Memel to raise the flag of kedushas Shabbos, step by tiny step.

Sometimes, an “all or nothing” attitude is not the right approach. Instead, it may often be necessary to make step-by-step progress, even as the light and dark ness, the good and the bad, are still mixed as one. The end result will be sunrise in its full glory.

* * * * *

The Sefas Emes offers an explanation of this lesson we glean from light first be ing created as a mixture with darkness.

Not always do light and darkness each stand on its own. Sometimes there is a need to blend the two in a mixture of light and dark so that at the end, the light will manage to shine through and take hold of its position absolutely.

This is something that can often be seen in our avodas Hashem. At times, in or der to reach the time of prime light, our vision is clouded and we go through a period of confusion, of sohu va’vohu. But then, suddenly, the light shines through.

If we persist, we will manage to pierce the darkness and differentiate between the light and darkness to find the right path in avodas Hashem, and truly enjoy the light that is hidden for tzaddikim

Adapted from the teachings of Rav Mordechai Freundlich, zt”l.

Did You Know?

With the creation of light, Hakadosh Baruch Hu created the concept of time as well. Light was assigned the daytime portion, and darkness was given the nighttime part of each 24-hour cycle. Thus, time was created on the first day of Creation!

Although light was created on the first day, we see that the luminaries — the sun, moon and stars — were only created on the fourth day of Creation. How can this contradiction be explained?

On the first day, only the substance of light was created. On the fourth day, its form and appearance took shape.

Another explanation is that the light created on the first day was not the same as the light we know today. It was an ethereal, spiritual light, reserved for tzaddikim in Olam Haba. That light is so intense that it gives one the ability to see from one end of the world to the other, and it makes the sun seem dark in comparison.

Sometimes an “all or nothing” attitude is not the right approach.

by: VICTORIA DWEK

Yes!

Now you can learn to play guitar too. It’s never been more accessible to learn your instrument of choice and play your favorite Jewish music with Bassline Pro.

I was outside my friend’s house in Deal, schmoozing on her front porch. She pointed to her two boys who were sitting on the lawn, playing around with guitars.

“Do you know anyone who can give them lessons?” she asked me. “They want to play.”

At the time, I didn’t. I knew where she could go for keyboard lessons, of course. If she didn’t want another carpool, she could sign them up for Bassline Pro’s online or USB lessons. But it was guitar that interested these boys.

“A lot of people have been asking me to feature guitar lessons on Bassline Pro,” Shmuel Bassman tells me, a few weeks after this encounter. Shmuel is one of the top key boardists in the Jewish world and the founder of the on

line/USB platform for music lessons, Bassline Pro. “And we finally found the right person. Yisroel Meir Rowner has been giving guitar lessons in Lakewood for over fif teen years — even my own son took lessons with him, and I’ve seen how well his students play! He’s charismatic, clear, professional and teaches so well — and now his les sons are available to the Jewish community at large!”

A lot of people have been waiting for this.

Introducing: Online/USB Guitar!

Three years ago, having a kosher resource for remote keyboard lessons was groundbreaking. Before Bassline Pro, there was no platform where a child could learn to

play an instrument remotely in a ko sher way. Children want to learn to play an instrument by learning the Jewish songs they love. The Bassline Pro platform tran scended geographic location or age. It wasn’t just young boys in a studio — it was for anyone!

Now, finally, the availability of guitar lessons will give an even wider range of musically inclined children and adults this op portunity.

Shmuel and Yis roel Meir have been working together for over the past year, creating the cur riculum, video lessons and homework sheets.

“The guitar program is going to have the same struc ture as the highly successful keyboard lessons at Bassline Pro. As long as they’re signed up, students can go back and review each lesson as often as they like [that’s one perk over live lessons], and Bassline is there for the stu dents for customer service and guidance. There’s a very organized structure — parents can see what students are accomplishing. And there’s no commitment. If it doesn’t click, it doesn’t need to continue; they can cancel any time. So it really can’t hurt to try.”

Now, music is open to any Jewish child who wants to learn. Not everyone has access to an in structor. Not every one wants to invest in private lessons. Not everyone is able to carpool. Bassline Pro makes learn ing either key board — or guitar — easy and acces sible! And, no, you don’t need to have internet access for these lessons. Both

the keyboard and guitar lessons are also available via USB that’s preloaded with all the lessons and materials. Just plug it into the computer and start playing. Whether you’re accessing your classes from the website or the USB, the whole system is sleek, fun and easy-to-use.

From the Studio to the Simcha

What do the kids say? Avi is only thirteen years old, but he is already playing professionally at simchos, “I love

playing keyboard — it gives me an outlet, it’s geshmak! It’s so much fun, and the better you get at it, it’s even more and more fun. Plus, it’s nice to be able to do something that leaves people impressed. It feels good!”

Shlomo has only been taking lessons for a little more than a year — and he’s amazing at music.

“By the end of the first round of lessons, I could begin to figure out songs by myself. But it was in the second round that I was playing by ear. Dur ing the third round, Shmuel upped the level, teaching us harder songs. Every time it was different. I only play for myself, whenever I want to relax.”

sounds.”

Leebi’s family is enjoying listening to her son play, “My son has learned so much from his BassLine lessons! They are easy to use, and I like that we can access them at any time. My son is learning to play songs that he knows and can sing along to.”

Rena loves the affordability too, “Really great website

NOW, MUSIC IS OPEN TO ANY JEWISH CHILD WHO WANTS TO LEARN.

Even though keyboard players can use headphones (the whole house doesn’t need to hear you practice), Shlomo does not — his family loves to hear him play.

Hear It From the Parents

Now can you get the same results from the online/USB course? Absolutely. We asked parents — and the students themselves — for feedback on their experience.

Rachel tells us, “Our son loves the remote lessons; he has really taken to playing the keyboard. We love the sounds of Jewish music playing in the house!”

Ruchie’s twelve-year-old son is using the USB version, “And he plays beautifully by ear. It was well worth the in vestment!”

Mo has been impressed, “My son enjoyed every minute, and I’m blown away with how professional he

for keyboard lessons that doesn’t break the bank! My son is learning well and we enjoy hearing him play! I highly recommend it! Thank you for setting up these amazing classes!”

Sara has two sons taking the online lessons, “It is amazing how quickly they picked it up and are playing some songs already. It is nice that they can do it at their own pace and on their own time with no pressure.”

Shaya is impressed with how quickly his son picked it up. “My twelve-year-old son found the course to be very easy to follow and by the time he finished the course he was a phenomenal player, baruch Hashem. Bassline’s cus tomer support is awesome as well; they’re extremely ac commodating.”

Give your child the opportunity to be the next accom plished keyboard or guitar player (or both!)–it’s never been more doable. Take your pick!

NYS Education Department Officials Hit With Lawsuit Protesting New Yeshivah Regulations

One month after the New York State Board of Regents passed regulations to force yeshivas to offer a secular educa tion mirroring the public school curriculum, a group support ing yeshivah education has filed a lawsuit categorizing the new rules as discriminatory and illegal.

Hamodia reported that the lawsuit was brought by Parents for Education and Religious Liberty in Schools (also known as PEARLS), Agudath Israel of American, Torah Umesorah, Ye shivas Rabbi Chaim Berlin, Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem, the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School and Yeshiva Chasan Sofer. Filed on October 9 in state Supreme Court in Al bany, the 48-page filing names Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young and Education Commissioner Betty Rosa as de fendants.

“Yeshivas are subject to unequal treatment and are threat ened with closure for offering the sort of culturally and lin guistically sustaining education the NYSED lauds in public schools,” read the lawsuit.

With the New York State Education Department virtually ignoring the vast majority of the 350,000 comments submit ted that supported yeshivah education, the lawsuit also de cried the public comment period as a sham, noting that the agency failed to consider stakeholder input as required by law. Instead, the new regula tions will require yeshi vas to prove that they are offering sufficient secu lar education in nearly two dozen subjects by either offering statewide Regents examinations, being accredited by an approved agency, or be ing subjected to evalua tion by the local school authority, which defaults to New York City’s schools chancellor in the five boroughs or the local school board in the re mainder of the state.

Also noted was the state’s dedication to cul tural diversity in public schools, but not yeshivas. The lawsuit noted that the state has previously sent guidance to schools

encouraging them to “affirm cultural identities’’ and to “work to encourage cultural pluralism and not cultural assimilation”; many public schools offer dual language programs, and 50% to 90% of the coursework is offered in a language other than Eng lish. But the new regulations take the opposite approach for those in chasidic yeshivas whose primary language is Yiddish, insisting that secular subjects be taught in English only.

The lawsuit also charged that the new regulations are in violation of the United States Constitution as well as New York State law and the state Constitution. It is expected to be the first step in a drawn-out legal battle, one that may ultimately make its way to the United States Supreme Court.

Proposed Ramapo Budget: Increases in Property Taxes and Officials’ Salaries

Supervisor Michael Specht released Ramapo’s proposed 2023 budget, a package that will have taxes inching upward for almost all landowners and will also include raises for elected officials and town personnel.

The Journal News reported that the town’s budget jumped from $119.7 million in 2022 to $124.8 million, with taxpayers living in areas that receive services from the town seeing larg er tax bills. Those increases are due to widespread inflation, according to Specht, who said that the town does not anticipate any other significant spending hikes.

Residents of unincorporated Ramapo, which re ceives all of its services from the town, would see their tax bills rising from $3,584 to $3,643. Those living in Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Hillburn, Kaser, Montebello, New Hempstead, New Square, Pomona, Sloatsburg and Wesley Hills, which receive only police and emergency medical services from Ramapo, would see their tax bills increasing from $2,445 to $2,570. Residents of Spring Valley, which has its own police, highway, fire protec tion and public works, would see just a $2 increase in their taxes, while those living in Suffern, a full-service village, would actually see their taxes decreasing by $37.

The proposed budget also includes a 3% cost of living increase for union employees, those in management positions, town board members and elected officials. Ramapo’s elected officials also received pay raises in 2022, with Specht’s salary jumping from $165,000 to $180,000, while town board members saw their pay increasing from $53,000 to $55,167, just three years af ter awarding themselves pay raises that ranged from $17,000 to $20,000.

Ramapo has come a long way over the past eight years, said Specht, who inherited a $13.8 million deficit in 2015 from his predecessor, Christopher St. Lawrence. Ramapo currently has an A+ Standard and Poor’s rating with a stable outlook and no longer appears on the New York State Comptroller’s Office’s “financially stressed” list.

FCC to Noncompliant Phone Providers: Implement Robocalling Protection or Face Shutdown

Seven phone service providers who have yet to share their anti-robocall plans with the Federal Communica tions Commission are facing potential shutdowns that would block their subscribers from making calls.

Yahoo News reported that Akabis, Cloud4, Global UC, Horizon Technology, Morse Communications, Sha ron Telephone and SW Arkansas all failed to comply with requirements to share their anti-spam plans with the FCC. All seven have also received warnings that they are in violation of FCC requirements to combat il legal robocalls.

Major carriers, including Verizon and AT&T, were quick to implement the required technology, while smaller providers were granted extensions if they sub mitted plans to the FCC explaining their protocols to limit robocalls.

The shutdown announcement is the first of its kind from the FCC.

“This is a new era,” said FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “If a provider doesn’t meet its obligations under the law, it now faces expulsion from America’s phone networks. Fines alone aren’t enough. Providers that don’t follow our rules and make it easy to scam cus tomers will now face swift consequences.”

Monsey View

RECAP: After an emotional few minutes praying at the kever of Reb Menashe Sholom, Zach and Izzy spend Shabbos at the home of a local Lodzer. When they return to their hotel on Motzei Shabbos, they suddenly find themselves under arrest.

Lenny kept to himself as he walked. It wasn’t hard. The snow had let up over Shabbos, but the streets were still freezing cold. Anyone unfortunate enough to be out was eager enough to scurry along and dream of tea and blankets. Nobody wanted to be stuck out here.

Lenny certainly didn’t. He knew the chances of any trouble at this stage were low, but he still wasn’t comfortable out where any passing policeman could drag him away.

He’d gone to City Hall on Friday in a lastditch effort to convince Lucjan to give him the manuscript. He was sorry, he would say, and didn’t have time to wait for a trial. He could leave his contact info and mail in the proof later.

Lenny had even set up a fake email ac count, in Zach’s name, which he’d then used to email himself and withdraw Zach’s claim. Lenny wasn’t sure he wanted to show that to Lucjan; it seemed quite risky. But he didn’t know what else to do.

In the end, it hadn’t mattered anyway.

He’d arrived around midday, so frozen from the snow that he left on his gloves and scarf. He asked a receptionist for Lucjan and was sent down the hall, where he knocked and waited for fifteen minutes without a sound coming from behind the door. Lenny couldn’t wait forever; Shabbos was coming. So he knocked a second time, then opened the door a crack.

The room was empty.

Was Lucjan in a meeting somewhere? Was he on his lunch break? Was he home sick?

Lenny waited another fifteen minutes, gradually overheating under his layers of in sulation. But Lucjan never showed. Neither did anyone else. You’d never guess that, just a few hallways away, a hive of efficient little city workers bustled merrily away. Not here. The quiet and the air of gentle neglect made it seem like he was the only person left in the universe.

A thought struck Lenny. He stood up,

nervously checking all around him. It was a crazy idea, an insane idea. But now that he’d thought of it, it wouldn’t let him go. Yet another fifteen minutes passed as he wrestled with himself.

Finally, he decided. He’d just check in side and see if it was there. After all, even if he could convince Lucjan to give him the manuscript, that meant nothing un less it was there to hand over. Why wait here on a Friday afternoon for nothing?

He cracked Lucjan’s door open once more.

The manuscript was not on the table in the corner. He threw the door open and entered quickly.

Lenny was sweating profusely now; the enormous coat, gloves and scarf made him feel like he was swimming in hot water. But he couldn’t take them off. He began checking drawers me thodically, moving as quickly as he could.

It didn’t take long. The manu script was in the third drawer.

Lenny stared at it, feeling slightly feverish. This was it. The book he’d traveled around the world for. Right in front of him. Less than a foot from his hand.

He should take it.

No! That was crazy. He was no ganiv.

But it wasn’t geneivah if he was sup posed to have it, anyway. It belonged to the family. Besides, would snatching the book really be different than convincing the Poles to give it to him? He wasn’t the heir. If that made it wrong, it was wrong either way. But Jewish law didn’t recog nize that kind of inheritance. The manu script should go to all of the Rebbe’s de scendants, not just the oldest.

He should take it. If he didn’t, Julia would never forgive him.

His eyes bulged; his neck was soaked with sweat. His temples throbbed.

What to do?

* * * * *

Lenny stuffed all of his things into his suitcase and ran out the door of his ho tel. He caught a cab — no time for a bus on Erev Shabbos — and went straight to the train station. Luckily, he caught a train to Warsaw right away, and arrived with an hour left until Shabbos.

It was just enough. It took most of that to find a hotel where he could pay cash, with no ID necessary. He got in his room, threw his bag on the floor, and had just

enough time to dash some water on his hands and face. Then, the sun setting, he davened and ate the small meal he’d scraped together.

He pulled out the manuscript. It didn’t look like much. It was kodesh ko dashim, but as an object of material val ue, a collector’s item worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, it seemed almost mockingly insignificant. It was just a book, for Heaven’s sake!

Heaven’s sake. Lenny’s face fell. He wondered if he still knew what that meant. He’d gotten into this to keep the book out of the hands of the Poles, but — no, that wasn’t true. He’d gotten into it to pay off debts. He stole a priceless family heirloom for money. It was that simple.

He should give it back.

Of course, that was impossible. It

step at a time. First, he had to get out of Poland, preferably anonymously.

Which was why he was dragging him self through the streets of Warsaw, fro zen half to death, late on a Motzei Shab bos. There were people who could get him out of the country, he was sure of it. But could he find these people? That re mained to be seen.

* * * * *

The room was dark.

Izzy sat on a chair, and waited. The shock of being under arrest hadn’t left him, nor had the confusion. Zach had angrily demanded to know what they were under arrest for, but the policja didn’t answer. Either they didn’t speak English, or they just didn’t care.

ZACH SAT AND FUMED. HE DIDN’T KNOW WHY THEY’D BEEN ARRESTED, BUT HE KNEW ENOUGH ABOUT COP WORK TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON.

was Shabbos. How would he get back to Lodz? Besides, if he returned, they would certainly lock him up. This wasn’t like in halachah, where a ganiv simply repays his debt. And he’d heard terrible things about Polish prisons.

Was there a way he could sneak the manuscript back in? The theft probably wouldn’t be discovered until Monday, so he had a window of opportunity. But how would he get into City Hall, much less into Lucjan’s office?

No, his only options were to stay the course or go to jail. That was it.

Lenny wiped some peanut butter onto a cracker and shoved it into his mouth, struggling to hold back tears. Why did everything always end up in disaster?

* * * * *

Twenty-four hours later, Lenny had pulled himself together enough to think about the future. He had to get back to the States somehow, and he hoped that Poland wouldn’t call for his extradition. Which they absolutely would do, if they could prove he was the thief.

But to prove that, they’d either have to find it in his possession, or wait until he sold it. If Lenny arranged the sale very quietly, he could still make this work. He didn’t know if that was possible, but one

Zach and Izzy were taken to a police station, escorted under guard to separate rooms, and left there.

Izzy didn’t know what to do. Who knew what the police were like here? Maybe they liked to arrest foreigners for fun, or they were hoping for some sort of ransom. A Russian friend had once told him that in Russia, people just disap peared sometimes, even nowadays. Po land had been a communist state, too, for a while.

Or was this some sort of anti-Semitic thing? Arrest the Jews, get zhem! Or had the war in Ukraine spilled over into Po land? Was the country in turmoil now, and nothing was sacred?

None of it made sense.

Izzy had never been arrested before. It was awful. He was treated like... like some sort of criminal. But of course he was! That’s what being arrested meant!

But Izzy wasn’t a criminal, and the whole experience was horrible. It was dehumanizing.

And why were they leaving him to sit in this ridiculous empty room for an hour?!

* * * * *

Zach sat and fumed. He didn’t know why they’d been arrested, but he knew

enough about cop work to see what was going on. They’d been taken, separated, and left to stew for a while. In other words, this was an interrogation.

The idea was to put them on edge, get them emotionally worked up. When, eventually, someone would come to inter view them, the hope was that they’d be off-guard and uncom fortable, and thus easier to manipulate into confessions.

The fact that he knew what they were doing only made it slightly less effective. He was annoyed and uncomfortable. He was tired, out of sorts and hungry. He was just about to suggest to Izzy that they go get some food when the cops had burst in, and that had been over an hour ago.

But there was nothing he could do about it. He was stuck here until the Poles were good and ready.

It occurred to him that the long wait might not be entirely theatrical. They would need someone who spoke high-level Eng lish to do the interrogations. It might take time to find them.

Finally the door opened, and a round-faced man in that aw ful haircut that was so popular here came in with a scowl. He carried a thin manila file. (It was probably mostly empty, but it was all part of the look.) Without even looking at Zach, he sat down, slapped the file onto the table between them, and cracked it open.

He read for a long time.

* * * * *

“So, you came here to take a book,” the man told Izzy after he finished reading from the file in front of him.

Izzy didn’t say anything.

The man looked up at him and narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t you?” he spat.

“What? Oh, yeah, I guess so.” Izzy didn’t understand. What did he care?

“You guess so?”

“Yeah. I mean…” His legal training clicked in, and Izzy ex plained. “I — we came to claim ownership of a manuscript. Not to take the book, per se. It was left to the author’s heir, and —”

“That’s not you,” the cop said flatly. “So why did you come?”

* * * * *

“I’m the rightful heir of a book the authorities here discov ered,” Zach said calmly. “It belonged to my great-grandfather.” Inside he was raging. It took an effort to keep his tone profes sional, an effort he knew he was losing. “He was killed by the Na zis. Not too far from here, actually.” His eyes narrowed. “What was your great-grandfather doing during the war, hmm? Just out of curiosity. This feels kind of like déjà vu, don’t you think?”

“My grandfather was raking dirt and manure over a muddy patch of potatoes,” the cop answered without a hint of rancor. “If you’re the rightful heir, why’d you steal the book?”

“Steal it?” Zach gaped. “It’s gone?”

“Disappeared into the night, as they say,” the cop told him. “’Course, it might have been stolen in the daytime, we don’t know yet exactly when. Since you were trying to get your hands on it, you’re our number-one suspect. So until that book is found, you’ll both remain guests of the country...”

BE CONTINUED...

Recap: Reb Mendel validates Sebastian’s plight and the unsettledness he feels, while assuring him that things will get better. He then shares his family’s plans of moving to Vienna right after Pesach, regretfully admitting that it would mean missing Carolina’s wedding.

Pesach came to the Dominguez and Strasbourg households with a flurry of last-minute rushes quite apart from the regular preparations for the festival. The Dominguez family would be leaving for Hamburg and the Strasbourg family for Vienna within days after Pesach, and there were endless tasks that had to be done beforehand. But somehow or other, every thing was accomplished in time, and when the setting sun ushered in the honored festival, it was welcomed with re lief, calm and eager anticipation.

After the men came home from shul, the two families sat down around the Seder table. Reb Mendel sat at one end of the table with his two sons, twelve-year-old Geda liah and seven-year-old Moshe, on either side of him. His wife Miriam sat at the other end of the table with nineyear-old Sarah beside her. Absent were their younger chil dren who’d sadly died in infancy. The Dominguez family sat on either side.

Before Maggid began, Reb Mendel asked for the indul gence of his guests while he said a few words of introduc tion. “Maggid is the heart of the Seder,” he said. “It tells the story of our deliverance from bondage in Egypt three thou sand years ago. This story is the foundation of our emunah, our belief in the A-mighty, and it is the affirmation of our eternal covenant with Him, a covenant and a mission more precious to us than life itself. We’ve never forgotten it. We tell the story year after year. We pass it down from generation to generation, from fathers and mothers to sons and daughters. We recall it every single day in our obser

vances and every Shabbos and every festival, but Pesach is when we spend the whole night telling it to the children.”

He picked up the Haggadah.

“Not everyone here understands Hebrew or Aramaic so perfectly, so I will translate for you. There is a little para graph here that we say before we begin the Maggid section of the Haggadah. It is in Aramaic. Why Aramaic? Because the spoken language of Eretz Yisroel in ancient times was Aramaic, and that was the language that people un derstood best. So that tells us something about this para graph. The whole Maggid is in Hebrew, but this opening paragraph is in Aramaic. It must be very important. Let’s listen to the words.”

Reb Mendel paused and looked around. He had clearly piqued the interest of the participants. All eyes were riv eted to his face. Sebastian, especially, was watching him intently.

“Listen to these words,” he repeated. “We hold aloft a piece of matzah and we say these words. ‘Ha lachma anya This is the bread of affliction that our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Whoever is hungry may come in and eat.

Whoever is needy may come in and share our meal. Now we are here, but next year we will be in the land of Isra el. Now we are in bondage, but next year we will be free.’ These are the words. There are many questions. Does any one want to make a comment?”

“It’s a strange passage,” said Sebastian. “I think it would have been more appropriate to invite the hungry and the needy when we were still in the synagogue. To do it now

seems a little late. To whom are we talking?”

“Good point,” said Reb Mendel. “Many commentators ask this question. Does anyone else have a comment?”

“I don’t understand something else,” said Sebastian. “Which matzah are we talking about here? Is this the matzah they carried on their shoulders when they were leaving Egypt?”

“No, it is not,” said Reb Mendel. “According to many commentators, this mat zah represents their meager meals when they were working as slaves.”

“So why do we mention it now?” said Sebastian. “Why is it so important?”

“Good question. Very good question. We’ll get to it soon.”

“I also have a question,” said nine-year-old Sarah. “Can I ask it?”

“Absolutely,” said Reb Mendel. “This Seder is all about you.”

“Well, I don’t understand,” she said. “After Yom Kippur is over, we say, ‘Lesha nah habaah b’Yerushalayim. Next year in Jerusalem.’ And the same thing after the Seder. We have a song for it that we sing in school all the time. So why did you just now say, ‘Next year in the land of Israel’? Why didn’t you say it the regular way?”

Reb Mendel looked at her with genuine amazement. “What a superb ques tion. And from such a young girl. Sarah, I’m impressed.”

The little girl flushed with pleasure, and her mother beamed at her with un disguised pride.

“If I may,” said Reb Mendel, “I would like to tell you how my father explained this paragraph. I believe it will answer all of your questions. One of my an cestors who lived almost two hundred years ago was a famous sage and scholar named Rabbi Gedaliah Strasbourg. My son Gedaliah here carries that holy name. Now, if I were to tell you a story that happened with my ances tor, it would be hard to re late to it in a concrete way. The story would have an abstract quality, because it happened so deep in the past. It is much easier to relate to a story about someone we actually know. When we know the people and we hear the story about them, it feels as if we are actually there. Isn’t that true?”

Everyone nodded, even the children.

“Now, what if I told you that this white kittel I’m wearing is an heirloom inher ited from Rabbi Gedaliah Strasbourg. Would that make him more real? I mean, his arms were in these sleeves, and these buttons closed over his beating heart. Wouldn’t that make him seem more like a life-and-blood person to you?”

Everyone nodded again.

“And what if I told you,” continued Reb Mendel, “that this herring stain on my lapel came from a piece of herring he was eating at his Seder?”

Miriam Strasbourg suddenly sat bolt upright. “What! How can there be a stain on your kittel? I checked it myself.”

Reb Mendel chuckled. “Don’t worry. There’s no stain here. I was just trying to make a point. This kittel was not inherited from my ancestor. But what if it were? And what if there were a stain on it that dated back to his Seder? Wouldn’t that make him very real for us?”

“Yes, it would,” said Sebastian softly, sensing the direction Reb Mendel was taking. “It would make me feel that he is someone I know.”

“Exactly,” said Reb Mendel. “And then when I tell you the story about my an

“HIS ARMS WERE IN THESE SLEEVES, AND THESE BUTTONS CLOSED OVER HIS BEATING HEART. WOULDN’T THAT MAKE HIM SEEM MORE LIKE A LIFE-AND-BLOOD PERSON TO YOU?”

cestor, it’s not just something that hap pened a long time ago. It’s something as real and immediate as if it had hap pened just yesterday.”

“Yes, I see that,” said Sebastian.

“Well, it is the same when we tell the story of what happened to our an cestors in Egypt three thousand years ago. It is very important that this story should be real to us, that we should feel as if it happened to people we know. But what do we know about our ancestors that will make them con crete people? What can we do to put faces on them? We don’t have their kittels and their herring stains, but we do have something else. We know the food they used to eat when they took a break from their backbreaking work.

“We say to the people at the Seder table, ‘Look at this piece of matzah. This is the food they used to eat when they were miserable and suffering.’ And we also know something else. We know that they shared this mea ger meal with anyone who was hun gry. The rest of the paragraph I read before is what they used to say when they sat down to eat their bread of af fliction. They said, ‘Whoever is hungry can come share this piece of matzah.’ They said, ‘Whoever is needy can come share our meal.’ They said, ‘Now we are here, but next year we will be in the land of Israel.’ There was no Jeru salem yet at that time. They said, ‘Now we are in bondage, but next year we will be free.’

“Now we have an image of our an cestors that makes them real. Now we can relate to them as real people. We know them. We can almost reach out and touch them. We see the humble bread that they used to take into their mouths when they came in exhausted from work and sat down to eat. We see

A VAST TURKISH ARMY WAS MOVING NORTHWARD AND WESTWARD ACROSS THE BALKANS, HEADED FOR VIENNA LIKE A DAGGER AT THE EUROPEAN HEART.

their kindness and generosity, as they were prepared to share their morsels with the hungry and the needy. We see their nobility of spirit because even in the darkness of their oppression, they never lost hope that they would one day return home and be free. We know these people. We care about them. They are our beloved grandparents, and now when we tell their story, it will penetrate into our hearts.”

* * * * *

Despite all optimistic hopes, Europe girded itself for a cataclysmic war that would determine the future and the very nature of European society. A vast Turkish army was moving northward and westward across the Balkans, headed for Vienna like a dagger at the European heart. Nonetheless, Euro pean politics were not set aside in the face of the Muslim invasion. Austria stood to suffer the most at the hands of the Turks, and its sworn enemy France refused to come to its rescue.

The key to the defense of Vienna, therefore, was King Jan Sobieski of Po land, a brilliant military commander who had defeated the Turks at Podha jce in 1667 and Chocim in 1673 while he was still a general in the Polish Army, and again at Zurawno in 1676 after he had been crowned king. But Sobieski owed his allegiance to France, whose influence had placed him on the Polish throne, and his willingness to come to the aid of Austria was highly questionable.

Back in January 1683, while the Turks were occupying and subduing Hungary, the pope had sent a papal legate named Cardinal Pentucci to Warsaw with an urgent appeal for So bieski’s help. Pentucci warned Sobieski that if the Turks took Vienna, Krakow would be next and then Warsaw. The Turks would avenge their humiliation on the battlefield at the hands of So bieski. They would crush Poland until nothing remained of it but a memory. Only then would they turn their atten tion to Germany, France and the rest of Europe. Pentucci also appealed to So bieski as a blessed child of the Church to rise to the occasion and save Chris tendom from the infidel. If he would come to its aid, the Church would be forever grateful to him.

To be continued…

SAVORING THE SWEET SPUD

BY: MIRIAM PESSY WERCBERGER

Sweet potatoes, as their name connotes, are sweet, nutritious and versatile. They are known to promote a healthy gut and brain and are high in fiber and antioxidants. A sweet deal, indeed!

CRISPY SWEET POTATO FRIES

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CRISPY SWEET POTATO FRIES

I find that using slightly coarse wholewheat breadcrumbs is the secret to these tasty, healthy treats.

INGREDIENTS

4 sweet potatoes

¼ cup olive oil

¾ cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. onion powder

½ tsp. parsley flakes Dash of cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 425°.

2. Peel the sweet potatoes, then slice them into fries.

3. Place the fries in a bowl, and toss them with olive oil.

4. In a large flat plate, mix the bread crumbs and spices to combine.

5. Dip the fries into the breadcrumbs, and lay them in a single layer on a large sheet pan. If necessary, use two pans.

6. Bake the fries until they’re crisp, ap proximately 40 to 45 minutes.

CARAMELIZED SWEET POTATO BAKE

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CARAMELIZED SWEET POTATO BAKE

These are simple to make and super savory. For optimal presentation, select potatoes that are uniform in size.

INGREDIENTS

4 sweet potatoes

4 T. olive oil, divided

2 cloves garlic, crushed ¼ tsp. dried rosemary ¾ tsp. salt Black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 425°.

2. Scrub the sweet potatoes. Slice them into very thin rounds and place them in a bowl. Toss them with 3 tablespoons of oil, garlic and the spices.

3. Arrange the sweet potato slices in a 9-inch round baking pan in a circular design.

4. Bake for 1 hour, covered.

5. Uncover the sweet potatoes, and drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the top. Bake for an additional 20 minutes. Then, if necessary, place under the broiler for a couple more minutes to complete the caramelization and browning.

HIDDEN SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST MUFFINS

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HIDDEN SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST MUFFINS

These muffins have great texture and do not taste like sweet potatoes. Shh, don’t tell what’s hiding inside!

INGREDIENTS

2 large sweet potatoes, cooked or microwaved

½ cup plus 2 T. coffee whitener

2 eggs

½ cup maple syrup

2 T. oil 1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups WonderMills flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda Pinch of salt

½ cup roasted pecans or walnuts

⅔ cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.

2. Mash the sweet potatoes until they’re very smooth.

3. Add the coffee whitener, eggs, maple syrup, oil and vanilla, then stir until combined.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cin namon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredi ents, and mix until just incorporated.

6. Gently stir in the nuts and chocolate chips.

7. Pour the batter into muffin tins.

8. Bake the muffins for 30 minutes.

as told to: CHANIE SPIRA by FAIGY K.

If you spend Fridays going in circles, you’re not the only one. Many Yiddishe mothers find Fridays challenging (based on research, of course, with no correlation to the author). It’s the day that all parenting resolutions fade away, and you alternate between cleaning up after the kids and giving up on ever having a clean house.

Does the scene seem familiar? Windex suddenly becomes an all-in-one cleaner. You spritz spot after spot on the kitchen floor with strange, guttural noises emanating from deep inside where the neshamah yeseirah will soon reside. A noodle from the noodle soup (a Friday treat because, “Mommy, it’ll keep us full for a long time. Like for an hour, for sure.”), a sprinkle of farfel from the tod dler, a cup of apple juice that spilled... all on the freshly washed floor.

After spritzing one spot after the next for an hour, you give up and rewash the entire floor, only to begin the process again with

WEEK ONE

the next meal. Don’t ask me which meal, because Fridays are one long meal.

When Shabbos finally descends, Mother (again, research-based) is exhausted, and she has nothing to show for it. As the saying goes, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting dif ferent results.”

So many of us were unceremoniously just pro nounced insane. And I thought Jewish mothers were all alike — until I spoke to Faigy K. Her Fri days run seamlessly.

When speaking with her, I first tried finding excuses for myself:

Maybe she manages because she has only older kids?

No. She has a large family, and the oldest is young

So, maybe because she doesn’t have a toddler and a baby?

Well, she has two toddlers and two babies.

So… maybe because she has cleaning help all Friday?

No. She doesn’t.

So, maybe because she doesn’t work?

She does. She’s a dance instructor a couple of times a week.

It was time to stop the insanity, and listen well.

Faigy started with an anecdote to prove my pre vious point:

Back in the summer, she’d been watching her son at the pool at 2 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, when she mentioned to a friend that she’d be leav ing in a couple of minutes to braid her challah.

Her friend was horror-stricken. “Challah, now? And you’re calm? And then you’ll mess up the kitchen only to have to clean it all over again?”

Faigy looked at her, surprised. “I don’t do that; our family cleans up once, and we all do it together so it doesn’t fall on me. I do only the dishes.”

“Is it worth it for you?” her friend asked, still trying to understand. “Struggling with all the kids to make them help you?”

“Nah,” Faigy replied. “I don’t fight with them. They want to do it.”

“Can you teach me?”

“Sure, I can,” Faigy said.

And she did.

After that woman, many more asked her how she does it. And so, Sweet Motherhood was launched.

It’s not a chinuch workshop, nor is it a parenting course. It’s about one mother who figured out how to establish simple routines in her home to trans form difficult moments into sweet memories.

Even more than the practical aspects, each of her children has grown from the process. They have learned responsibility, they have tasted true satisfaction, and most of all, they have gained in valuable life skills.

Join us for the journey to Sweet Motherhood.

SKILL 1:

Friday: An Oasis of Calm

Whether they’re endlessly long or super short, Fridays are replete with challenges. There’s the cleanup, the food, the chores — and they all have to be completed before the siren blares. Faigy fine-tuned a system that transforms Fridays into an oasis of calm. As a team, the family eagerly awaits Shabbos Kodesh without any stress.

In the morning, when the children are at school, Faigy takes some quiet nap time. Instead of going bananas trying to have the house in tip-top shape, she just breathes and relaxes in preparation for Shabbos. She knows the Shabbos checklist will have the prep all taken care of.

The Shabbos Checklist

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE CHECKLIST?

Each family has their unique needs. The key is to create a list of jobs you find yourself doing (or yell

ing at someone to please do quickly) as you’re striking the match to bentch licht Basics to be included on every child’s checklist:

• Dressed for Shabbos (this includes showering)

• Nails trimmed

• Hair/peyos made Bedroom in order

• Weekday job (daily chores to be cov ered in the next installment)

Additional list ideas:

• Changing the towels

• Cutting the plastic tablecloth around the Shabbos candles

• Turning on/off certain lights or noise machines in the house

• Styling siblings’ hair

• Clearing the porch

• Putting seltzer/soda/drinks into the fridge

• Turning off fridge lights

WHO IS INCLUDED ON THE CHECKLIST?

Everyone age two and up! Of course, the two-year-old cannot have a major job, but it’s adorable to watch them learn to take responsibility from that age. No, the child doesn’t have to trim their nails on their own, but as only a mother of a two-year-old can attest, there’s nothing as difficult as trimming the nails of an unwilling toddler. When it’s on their checklist, they come prancing over with the nail clipper, begging for you to trim their nails.

WHEN DO THE CHILDREN START DOING THIS CHECKLIST?

Ahhh! So, that’s the best part! Instead of being busy all day long cleaning, it’s only two to three hours before

Shabbos that Faigy and her crew begin to sing the Shabbos checklist ditty. It’s a variation of a popular camp cheer that imbues her home with simcha and lets everyone know it’s time to roll up their sleeves and get going!

After the Shabbos list is all checked off, all that’s left to do are the dishes, and if there’s time or if she’s done some Friday baking, Faigy runs a mop over the kitchen floor.

WHY SHOULD THE KIDS LISTEN?

For all of you reading this, I’m sure you’re wondering: Did Faigy give birth to angels? Why are her kids doing it all so willingly?

The answer is simple. As soon as a child has checked off all the squares, she comes for her special Shabbos muffin. Faigy bakes special muffins that her children receive only once a week, but each family has their own coveted treat. It can be a Danish, chocolate, hot cocoa or some thing similar.

There’s no threatening, cajoling or bargaining needed. A child finishes her list, she gets her muffin. Often, if something isn’t done well, Faigy says gently, “I have your muffin ready. I’m just waiting to see your bed ready for Shabbos.” On the whole, in the close to three years of imple menting this chart, it has worked every single week.

HOW DOES THE CHECKLIST OPERATE?

On the top of the checklist, there’s a blank for the parsha and the zman Her mathematically inclined son fills in these blanks. And the rest is simple. (See next page for chart.)

Have a wonderful and relaxing Shabbos!

COMING NEXT WEEK: DAILY CHORES, LITTLE HELPERS

Dressed for Shabbos Styled

and

hair Nails trimmed Magazine rack organized Beds made Weekday job (dining room couch, floor and table)

Dressed for Shabbos Hair styled Nails trimmed

changed Bedroom floor Weekday job (kitchen table, island, floor)

Dressed for Shabbos Hair styled (by older sister) Nails trimmed (by mother)

tablecloth cut Hallway Weekday job (playroom)

Dressed for Shabbos Hair styled (by older sister) Nails trimmed (by mother)

Crocs/shoes/sneakers put away

lights and lamps turned on

by: HADASSAH STEINMAN

The scents of citrus and lavender, eucalyptus and vanilla, waft out of the house as the door opens. It’s intoxicatingly wonderful and makes me want to stop right there and keep inhaling all that goodness.

It also makes me a little jeal ous. What a great perk of running this business out of the home! Who needs diffusers when the walls of this home ooze all this olfactory delight and aromatic pleasure?

“It all began with soaps, actu ally,” says Faigy*, owner of Censa tional. “And how that happened is a pretty funny story.”

On a short trip to Eretz Yisroel for a simcha, Faigy and some fam ily members found themselves exploring a quaint little shuk sell ing all manner of trinkets, jewelry

and Judaica. And in one corner sat a woman selling handmade soap.

“It smelled heavenly,” Faigy re members. “And all I could think was, ‘If she can make soaps, then so can I.’”

And she did. Faigy stocked up on lye, oils, clays and butters, and she was soon elbow-deep in natu rally scented soaps of all kinds. Of course, one thing led to another, and bath bombs soon followed.

“Somehow, the soaps just fell to the wayside,” Faigy admits. “I think there were several reasons,

one of which was that I was more confident with the bath bombs I created than with the soaps. But the deal-breaker was that combin ing lye with oil to create soap re leases fumes — it’s all very caustic — and I had a bunch of little kids at home at the time.”

Faigy still dabbles in soap-mak ing, but in creating bath bombs is where she finds the joy.

“Creating bath bombs is an art,” she explains. “The color options and scent combinations are end less, as are the additions like dried

flowers, colored salt crystals and poppy seeds. And creating this art is hugely sat isfying.”

GOING PRO

The first bath bombs Faigy made were mostly for gift ing, but the feedback she got was astound ing. People loved the way the bombs made them feel. The fiz zling explosion of scent and soothing oils helped them wind down at the end of a busy day, and best of all, they were all natural.

“My bath bombs are almost edible,” says Faigy. “I use foodgrade ingredients, stick to non-GMO products, and people like that. So when all that feedback came pouring in, I real ized I was on to something.”

Faigy, armed with a variety of samples and a proof-is-inthe-pudding kind of sales pitch, walked into a local gift shop and showed the owner some of her bath bombs. She ex plained that they were all-natural, customizable, and since it was before Purim, the owner of the store immediately or dered fifty pieces. A few days later, she ordered another fifty.

“That’s when I knew it was an item,” shares Faigy.

Initially, Faigy created the bombs in simple round molds, but then she experimeted with other shapes. Today they’re produced either as hearts or as flowers.

“People like the hearts. As gift items, a heart adds that last bit of gratitude, of warmth.”

Faigy also began including additions that pop out when the bombs expode in the water, “but some people don’t even get to enjoy that,” she adds with a laugh. “The bombs are so pretty to look out, some people just keep them on display.”

Each bath bomb, when ready, gets shrink-wrapped to perfection and affixed with a scent-specific label with its name and ingredients. And the names aren’t Orange or Vanilla, but rather Hints of Rose, Pink French Clay, Limo nana, Sweet Geranium… and the list goes on.

“Originally, these bath bombs were only added to gift pack ages,” Faigy says, “but when people came back begging for more, I figured we may as well sell these as gift items on their own. That’s when I started packaging them in sets of two, four and six.”

First they were packaged in pretty ombre boxes, but then Faigy segued to Kraft boxes, which better reflected the nat ural contents and handi work these bath bombs boast. When it came to Chanukah and Purim, they flew off the shelves.

“I’d also get requests to print ‘THANK YOU’ or other mes sages on the boxes, and people loved those. Mothers, espe cially, found these the perfect gift item for teachers.”

FEEL-GOOD FIZZIES

“These bath bombs are packed with pure goodness,” says Faigy. “Commercial bath bombs contain filler and chemi cals to make them work. My bath bombs contain epsom salt, witch hazel, essentical oils and clays that are amazing for the skin. This difference is easy to feel in the final product.”

And besides what it does to the skin, the essential oils

used in each bath bomb are simply rejuvenating. Whether it’s citrus lifting the mood, lavender spreading its tranquil ity, or clary sage or bergamot fighting stress, each exquisitely

WHETHER IT’S CITRUS LIFTING THE MOOD, LAVENDER SPREADING ITS TRANQUILITY, OR CLARY SAGE OR BERGAMOT FIGHTING STRESS, EACH EXQUISITELY CRAFTED HEART IS A BALM FOR THE SOUL AS MUCH AS A BOMB FOR THE BATH.

crafted heart is a balm for the soul as much as a bomb for the bath.

“When I get a migraine at the end of a hectic day, the first thing I reach for it is a Mint Lemonade bomb,” Faigy shares, “or a Cool Breeze variety, which is a combination of eucalyp tus and mint. And it leaves the place smelling so delicious.”

The best-selling scents are Floral Garden, a sweet and floral number, and Purple Lavender, which fea tures lavender, mint and lemongrass. Spring Jasmine is another favorite. But there’s no one best bomb. Faigy herself favors Pink Salt and Citrus.

Each name and color matches the mood of the bomb. Cool Breeze, for instance, is super refreshing, and the color is a soft blue.

“When it fizzles in the bath,” Faigy explains, “its name just fits.”

Same goes for White Lavender. It’s a clean-smelling scent, very relaxing, with dried forget-me-nots popping out of them. Mint Lemonade is an other winner, and its mood matches its name. It is soft green in color, and the smell of it is just like the sweet re freshment, one that makes you enjoy the moment.

“By now,” says Faigy, “I have a closet in my house full of stuff that makes you feel good.”

HANDMADE AND HOME MADE

Faigy claims the actual process of mixing the bath bombs is no more complicated than mixing a cake. “It’s just a matter of fol lowing the recipe.” It’s in the days that follow where it gets complicated.

Bath bombs take three whole days to dry, and a lack of humidity dur ing that period is crucial. If exposed to the slightest bit of moisture, the salt contained in each bomb hardens and forms little

rocks, marring the otherwise smooth surface of the bomb.

Faigy often finds it necessary to have a dehumidifier running to ab sorb any moisture in the air, but when it rains unexpectedly while the bombs harden, there isn’t much to do. Batches drying during a rain shower are prone to developing rocky little bumps and fissures, which mean slightly damaged goods.

“I only sell perfect pieces,” Faigy says. “So bath bombs that aren’t exactly the way they should be are enjoyed at home. Otherwise, I gift them to oth ers.”

Do Faigy’s kids still show interest in these bombs, or do they take them for granted?

Faigy is emphatic when she an swers. “No, these bombs are definitely still a treat. Bedtime would take forever if each kid

feel like it! I’d have a whole troop of kids whiling away time in the tub, one after the next. So it’s absolutely no bath bombs on school nights.”

As for Faigy herself?

“There’s no growing bored of bath bombs. And I never get tired of creat ing new varieties. I’m currently work

ing on an oatmeal-chamomile combi nation, which is supposed to be super relaxing, but it’s still a work in prog ress.”

Anything else in the works?

“There’s always something in the works,” Faigy says. “This is the most exciting part of what I do. Right now, I’m also work ing on bombs that are white on the outside and colored on the inside. These will be pretty cool to use. Another thing I’m dreaming of is a bomb that pops tiny little glittery hearts when it fizzles apart, but who wants glit ter all over the place? I’m still hunting for a glitter variety that would dissolve in the water.”

But with so many variations and scents already on the shelves, we can be sure that sooth ing aromas and improved well-be ing aren’t waiting around for dissolving glitter. In any case, these bath bombs al ready went for the gold — and found it.

For further inquiries about Censational bath bombs, please call 845-202-0022 or email info@censational.com.

“BY NOW,” SAYS FAIGY, “I HAVE A CLOSET IN MY HOUSE FULL OF STUFF THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD.”

BARS OF BUTTER

Faigy claims her soaps fell to the wayside, but one glance at the large craft container spilling over with bars tells a different story.

“I can’t sell these,” Faigy says, pointing. “See this imperfection here? And this discoloration here? But don’t they smell great?”

They do. They smell marvelous! And the designs are beautiful. Some feature contrasting-colored shapes hiding inside, or a sprinkling of poppy, and others are a soft melding of colors that build a symphony of well-being. Then there are bars boasting charcoal, known for clearing facial skin.

Hand-crafted with care, it’s obvious that these soaps aren’t just about smelling nice.

“Here, try them,” says Faigy. She points out one bar that con tains more butter. “This one’s amazing.”

It’s hard to place these pieces of art under running water, but then I do, and marvel that something homemade can create bubbles and lather and feel so silky and smell so clean!

Soon I learn things I never knew before: that handmade soaps are prepared in loaves, and then sliced into bars using a cheese knife; that these soaps have to be cured — like good wines, these are aged before use; and that the more but ter — such as cocoa and shea — used in the soap, the more bubbles are produced during use. Less butter means a more lathery wash.

“Curing is important for a few reasons,” Faigy adds. “First, it balances the pH levels so the soap isn’t too harsh on the skin. Second, soap continues to harden during the weeks of cur ing so it doesn’t melt away too fast when used. Commercial soaps use preservatives of all kinds to lengthen each bar’s life, but I avoid using those products, so my soaps are more dependent on the old-fashioned curing process.”

My hands smell heavenly, and all of a sudden, I’m thrown back to the shtetl. Was this what it was like then? Our European bubbies were balabustas of the highest caliber; surely they kept their homes and families clean before the days of Dove and Dial. What they used must have been close to bars like these.

Crafted with simplicity, cured with heart.

by: GITTY KAY

Bath bombs are way easier to make than you’d expect. You probably already have most of the ingredients at home, and whatever you don’t have, you can easily purchase in a local supermarket — including citric acid! It should be in the spice

section, but if you can’t find it, ask for help.

The only specialty items you need are molds and essential oil. Molds are available at craft stores. Essential oils can be found at health stores and some pharmacies.

Feel free to replace the eucalyptus oil with a different essential oil or scent; you can experiment to discover which aromas you like best. Some favorites are lavender oil, pure vanilla extract and lem on. After you choose the aroma, you can choose a color to match.

You can also halve the recipe, or even double it, as long as you maintain a 2:1 ratio of baking soda to citric acid.

TOOLS:

Bowl Fork

Spherical molds, such as plastic ball ornaments or bath bomb molds

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup baking soda

¼ cup corn starch

¼ cup citric acid

¼ cup epsom salt or himalayan salt

1 T. olive oil

1 tsp. eucalyptus oil

1½ tsp. water

Green gel food coloring

Yields approximately 6 bath bombs (depending on the size of the molds)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. Add the oils and water while mixing. You will notice some reaction while adding the liquid; that’s why it is important to keep mixing.

3. Add food coloring, one drop at a time, until your desired color is reached.

4. Once everything is mixed well, the texture should resemble wet sand.

5. Fill the molds with the mixture, pressing lightly to release any air bubbles.

6. Press together the two half-circle molds to form a ball. If it isn’t sticking, add some more of the mixture between the two molds.

7. Freeze the bath bombs for at least 2 to 3 hours.

8. Carefully remove the balls from the molds.

9. Let them dry for 24 hours.

10. Wrap your bath bombs in plastic wrap or paper to gift them or enjoy in your next leisure bath!

by: CHAYA BLUSTEIN

Tie Ur Knot manufactures beautiful and unique headscarves for women. Here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes of the business with Bruchie and Yitzi Herbst, the couple who founded and runs Tie Ur Knot.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

“It was the best accident that could have happened,” Bruchie chuckles as she remembers how Tie Ur Knot came to be.

Back when Bruchie had just gotten married, she lived in Eretz Yisroel for a year. There she grew ac customed to many products that could not be found in the U.S., one of which was a pretty and comfortable headscarf design that could only be found in Eretz Yis roel. When it was time to return to America, Bruchie went shopping for all the Israeli products she wanted to bring back home with her, and these headscarves made the list.

Bruchie wasn’t the only one who wanted comfort able headscarves; a bunch of her friends asked her to bring back some of those Israeli scarves as well. So when Bruchie went to the store, she bought such a large quantity of scarves that the store owner asked her if she wanted to sell the scarves in America.

Bruchie thought that was actually a good idea. After all, so many people in America had told her they wanted these scarves. She agreed, and in addition to her own purchases, she took home another hundred scarves to sell.

What happened next took her com pletely by surprise. Within 24 hours of ad vertising that she was selling tichels, every single scarf had been sold!

“We were totally

unprepared — we had no system, nothing,” Bruchie re calls. “But when we saw what a demand there was, my husband said, ‘Let’s do more of this.’”

BEHOLD, A BUSINESS

There was such a huge demand for these heads carves that the next shipment Bruchie brought in from Eretz Yisroel, which numbered four hundred scarves in total, sold out in the space of a week. That was when Bruchie knew she had a business on her hands.

“It was insane. My husband and I were both work ing full-time; I have a makeup studio that I’m busy with all day,” Bruchie says. “But at the same time, we wanted to do the headscarves, too.”

That meant a lot of staying up until four in the morning, Bruchie ad mits, as Tie Ur Knot, their headscarves busi ness, took on a life of its own.

“At that point, I was simply choosing the American styles from the Israeli company and bringing them into America,” Bruchie ex plains. “Soon enough, I thought to myself: I have so many ideas; why don’t I try design ing the scarves my self?”

Creating unique designs made their little side business a full-fledged brand. The Herbsts began work ing on sourcing fabric that would be able to work with the designs Bruchie had in mind, and they ordered fabric samples from dozens of

factories. She wanted a lightweight, soft material that would be super-comfortable to wear.

“Baruch Hashem, we nailed the fabric right away,” Bruchie says. The fabric she chose was a soft cotton, very lightweight and breathable, which was washable and whose color didn’t bleed. It also hang-dried beautifully.

“The factory was surprised I chose this fabric out of the four samples they sent. They were sure I would choose some thing thicker.”

But this fabric was perfect, with enough of a grip that it wouldn’t slip, together with the comfort Bruchie had been looking for.

PERFECTING THE PROCESS

Once Bruchie had a fabric to work with, she was able to get started on the designs. Her process of designing the scarves begins with trend forecasting, which means doing research to discover what is likely to be in style the following season. Today she also works based on her experiences, thinking about what worked and what people liked until now.

Then, with an idea in mind, she works with her graphic designer to create the pattern. She goes back and forth with the designer until they get it exactly right. The designer turns the final design into a PDF, which is then sent to the factories for production.

Tie Ur Knot works with factories in Turkey and China.

The factory produces a sample headscarf based on the de sign Bruchie sends. Then they take a picture of the sample, in sunlight, and send the picture to Bruchie for approval.

“Because I know the fabric so well, I can usually tell by the picture if it’s right or not,” Bruchie explains. If she isn’t sure, she’ll ask the factory to send her the actual sample. Once she gives them the go-ahead, the factory produces and ships the scarves in time for the next season.

Bruchie gives an example of a design she produced with this process. “For one season,” she relates, “I saw that ze bra prints were very in. I was thinking of designing a scarf with the zebra print, too, but I thought it would be too bold; I wanted to tone it down. So I thought of doing a zebra print in pinks.”

Once Bruchie had thought of that concept, she went worked extensively with her graphic designer, choosing the

color that was exactly right. Finally they found the perfect mauve color and sent it to the factory for production. That particular design sold out four times over the season.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing right from the start.

“The first time we produced our own design, we didn’t

THAT MEANT A LOT OF STAYING UP UNTIL FOUR IN THE MORNING, BRUCHIE ADMITS, AS TIE UR KNOT, THEIR HEADSCARVES BUSINESS, TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN.

ask for samples,” Bruchie admits. The scarves she ordered for that first season arrived way too short, with a logo so big it took up nearly half the scarf!

Bruchie and Yitzi decided to try to sell the scarves any way. They advertised that they were selling these scarves for a lot less than the usual price. “People were so excited about the scarves that even that batch sold out.” But with the next order, Bruchie made sure to approve the samples before the scarves were produced.

INSPIRATION AND INNOVATION

Originally, the scarves Bruchie wore and sold were simply a piece of fabric in the shape of a square, meant to be fold ed and tied to fit the head. It’s easy to learn how to tie these scarves, but it takes a minute or two to get it right. Bruchie began hearing from customers that they wished it would be easier and faster to tie the scarf. When Bruchie hears some thing from her customers, she really listens.

“That’s when we made the triangle option,” Bruchie says. The triangles are made out of the same kind of fabric, but in the shape of a triangle. They come with a grip band already in place. All you have to do is place the grip band at the front and tie the other two ends.

The triangle became an instant bestseller as soon as it de buted. People loved having the same look with greater ease. Of course, there were people who wanted things even easier — and Bruchie kept listening.

This time she created a pre-tied. The pre-tied scarf comes with the same grip band and an adjustable elastic bottom, so that it can fit onto any head easily. It takes seconds to slip on and adjust. Just like the triangle, the pre-tied was a hit.

It was only natural that once the Herbsts welcomed a baby, they decided to branch out into a baby line. Their first item was a baby package, which included a swaddle set plus paci clip for baby and a matching headscarf for mommy. She also created a baby mat in beautiful, rich colors — the kind

of mat that everyone would be happy to keep in their dining room. “It’s like a new piece of furniture.” Exactly the kind of thing Bruchie wanted for her baby.

Bruchie hopes to expand her baby line, adding more accessories that are afford able, practical and pretty.

DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS

Often, kallahs or newlyweds ask Bruchie which style they should try. Bruchie always tells them to take one of each kind. This way, they can see for themselves which style scarf works best for them.

Middle-aged customers, on the other hand, often tell Bruchie that they want only the pre-tied style. At their age, they don’t want to have to start figuring out how to tie the scarf, and the pre-tied works best for them.

Bruchie herself wears all of the styles she produces. “I have a full dresser dedicated to my scarves!” And she really wears them! But if she had to choose a favorite? “I’d probably pick the triangle,” she says — the perfect in-between.

THE STORIES BEHIND THE SCENES

What keeps Bruchie and her husband going when it’s four o’clock in the morning and they’re still on the phone with the factory in China after a full day of work?

“It’s the feedback we get,” Bruchie says. Bruchie’s cus tomers run the gamut. One woman contacted her to tell her that she’d never covered her hair before, but when she saw Tie Ur Knot’s scarves, she thought they were so pretty that she bought a few and she now wears them on Friday nights. Likewise, many other women have told Bruchie how much easier she’s made this mitzvah for them.

Other customers wear the scarves because of hair loss. One girl suffering from hair loss received two Tie Ur Knot scarves from a friend. She contacted Bruchie to ask what other prints she could buy, telling Bruchie that these scarves are now the only thing she wears. She said she feels so pretty in them, and they also have a grip band, which is perfect for someone with no hair.

Bruchie was touched to hear what a difference her scarves were making for this girl, and she sent her another box full of scarves for free.

“Honestly, it might sound cliché, but hearing stories like these is really what keeps us going,” Bruchie says.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils, also called volatile odoriferous oils, are aromatic oily liquids extracted from different parts of plants, such as their leaves, peels, bark, flowers, buds and the like. Essential oils are extracted from botanicals through various methods, but mostly through steam distillation.

Steam distillation is a process in which the botanicals are placed in pressurized steam or hot water. The hot steam breaks down the cells in the botanical material and forces the aromatic compounds, or essential oils, to be released.

What are essential oils used for?

Essential oils have a wide variety of health benefits and uses. Some oils are great for your skin, some can help with issues like congestion, others can help your mood, and yet others just smell amazing.

Essential oils typically fall into one of the following categories:

TOPICAL

Topical oils can be applied directly to the skin wherever healing or relief is needed. You can also add them to baths, put them on compresses, or massage them into your skin. Some oils are very strong and can cause a burning sensation if they’re applied to sensitive skin, so as a general rule, it’s best to dilute them with a carrier oil (see next page).

AROMATIC

These oils are used either for their great smell in things like scented candles, or they can be inhaled for healing by being smelled or via diffusers.

INTERNAL

Some essential oils can be ingested by adding a few drops to beverages or food.

How can you test essential oil for purity?

Some companies sell essential oils that aren’t 100% pure, or are mixed with other ingredients. There are several ways to tell if the oil is pure or not. First, how it’s packaged is an important indicator. The dark glass bottles that essential oils are stored in aren’t just an attempt at looking fancy. Essential oils contain elements that can create a chemical reaction that can cause plastic to decompose. The glass is dark in order to block potentially harmful UV rays that can degrade the oil after an extended period of time.

Another easy way to spot if an essential oil is pure is to conduct a ring test on a piece of white paper. Put a drop of the essential oil on the piece of paper and wait for it to dry. If a visible ring of residue appears after the essential oil has dried, then you know that the oil has been diluted with a carrier oil. Pure essential oils do not leave any residue when they dry.

By: Toby Diamant

Carrier Oils and Dilution

Carrier oils help carry the essential oil into your skin. As mentioned earlier, some essential oils can cause irritation on sensitive skin since they’re so strong. A carrier oil, also known as a base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes — which contain not only essential oil but also coloring, waxes and other parts of the plant — before they are applied to the skin. Carrier oils are so named because they carry the essential oil to the skin. Diluting essential oils is a critical safety practice when using essential oils. The recommended dilution ratio is typically one drop of essential oil to three drops of carrier oil.

Fractionated coconut oil is the most popular carrier oil for essential oils, and for good reason. Coconut oil, extracted from the fruit of the coconut tree, is a super-oil full of natural antioxidants and is an excellent antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory oil.

Interesting Uses for Essential Oils:

• Citrus essential oils, such as lemon, lime, orange, bergamot and tangerine, all contain properties that are calming for the nervous system and uplifting for the mood.

• Lavender is a very versatile essential oil that can be used on the skin for minor burns and bites. Research also shows that it can help with anxiety, insomnia and restlessness.

• Some popular essential oils that are used as fragrances are citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, pumpkin spice, tea tree and other floral oils. They’re often used in scented candles, perfumes and aromatic diffusers.

• Have a bug problem? Put some peppermint oil in a diffuser and watch the bugs disappear.

• Rosemary, sage, peppermint and eucalyptus are great for improving concentration and memory.

• Cough and strep season might be coming soon. Using a nasal spray containing eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, and/or oregano essential oils can soothe the throat and reduce inflammation. In fact, many over-the-counter cough medications contain eucalyptus or eucalyptol — the bacteriafighting key compound found in eucalyptus.

Disclaimer: Consult with a knowledgeable health practitioner before using any essential oils since some can cause irritation if used incorrectly.

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

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@ themonseyview.com or fax to 845600-8483 by Sunday at midnight.

4. Two winners will be drawn each week, each of whom will win a pas trami sandwich and a can of soda!

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 diago nally), and each letter can only be used once in a given word.

The following are not allowed in Boggle:

Adding “s” to a word

Abbreviations

Acronyms

Proper nouns

Contractions

POINTS

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

IB SR

Q E

M A L W

E

CU U Y P

name:

mailing address:

Full name of winner:

Full names of competing players:

of points:

I N

M GO L T S D

some words only the winner found:

The longest word found on the board:

new word you learned from the board:

complete forms will be entered into the drawing.

A $5 credit was issued at Toys4U on the

OF THE $5 GIFT CARDS AT TOYS4U!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEN WINNERS

Shiffy Weinfeld,

By: Faigy Jacobowitz

Send your colored page to The Monsey View to enter a drawing for a chance to have your artwork featured in our pages and win $5 at Toys4U! Ten lucky winners will be announced each week!

enter the raffle, email your colored page to comments@themonseyview.com, or mail it to 365 Route 59, Suite 239, Airmont, NY 10952. Submissions will be included in the drawing only if all information is filled in.

Feel free to photocopy this coloring page for the entire family.

YES, YES! I AM ASKING FOR MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS MISCREANT PERSON HERE! I KNOW THAT YOU JEWISH PEOPLES FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT REDEEMING CAPTIVES.

YOSEF?

RACHEL! THERE YOU ARE!

RECAP: AT THE DOCKS, MOHAMMED IBN RUMAHIS, A WELL-KNOWN PIRATE, IS AUCTIONING OFF SLAVES FOR RANSOM. ONE OF THE CAPTURED SLAVES IS THE GREAT GADOL, RAV SHMARYAH BEN ELCHANAN. THOUGH HE DOESN’T KNOW WHO HIS CAPTIVE IS, IBN RUMAHIS STILL ASKS A HUGE PRICE FOR THE RAV — MORE THAN THE COMMUNITY CAN AFFORD.

WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?

THAT PIRATE IS TRYING TO RANSOM A JEWISH CAPTIVE. FOR 300 HYPERPYRONS.

WHAT?! THAT’S RIDICULOUS!

PLEASE…

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND — WE CAN’T AFFORD SUCH A FEE! NOBODY CAN! OH, NON? NO PROBLEM!

IT’S NOT?

OF COURSE NOT! I’LL JUST KEEP HIM AS MY SLAVE!

WHAT IS IT, LITTLE JEWISH BOYPERSON?

THERE!

SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING!

YOU’RE RIGHT.

WHAT IF I GIVE YOU SOMETHING WORTH MUCH MORE THAN 300 HYPERPYRONS?

TO

YONAH KLEIN illustration: JACKY YARHI

Classifieds for sale N real estate N help wanted N

FOR SALE

YOYA /BABY PRIDE STROLLERS

Now on sale, available in beautiful colors, ASTM standards, company backed warranty. Free delivery. Please call 845-263-2737

NEOCATE/BABY FORMULA

Neocate $46.99 per can. Kendamil $38.99. Similac L’Mehadrin $28.99!! We also buy off any extra formula for a good price. Call for other types of formulas. Formula Trade 347.369.4886

RESTAURANT FOR SALE

Local Monsey Working Restaurant for sale. Call or text +18453934516 Email: Monseyrestaurnt@gmail. com

FOR SALE

Friedrich window a/c 6000btu, Amana top load washing machine 4 yrs old, LG electric dryer 1 yr old-like new. Call 845-352-8277/845304-6850.

DOONA STROLLER

Doona Stroller, multiple colors avail.cll/txt 1-201-6144045

JOOLZ AER

Brand new in closed box. Selling for $360, In stores $449. 8455385693

JOOLZ HUB PLUS

Black, brand new in box. Selling for $590, in store $730.00. 8455385693

DRESSER FOR SALE

Beautiful 3 door Italian dresser with mirror for sale. High sheen mahogany. Brand new condition. Best offer, pictures available, txt only 8457460486

REAL ESTATE

LONG TERM FURNISHED

1 bdrm furnished apartment on Remsen Ave 8455178409

FOR RENT

4 bedroom house in Cameo Ridge area available immediately. 845-274-0803

CONCORD RENTAL

4 bedroom house in concord area fully furnished weekly or monthly or short term rental. Please call or text 646864-8638

APT FOR RENT

Newly renovated apt avail immed : 2 bedrooms: stunning bathroom: spacious kitchen: quartz counters; fancy lights: elegant flooring: Spacious Storage Shed: Very big backyard. TEXT ONLY. (917)830-6341

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APT WANTED

Seeking an apartment for Chusson Kallah in the Homestead, Albert & Augusta area. Please Call 845-3202657

RENTAL WANTED

Looking to rent a private 3 bedroom house, up to 3k / month. Starting Nov / Dec. 845-652-3149.

HELP WANTED

SEEKING NANNY

Looking Mother’s Helper/ nanny Pomona for 18+ female. W2. Familiar with gentle parenting modality.Caring for 3 children, cooking,tidying up,bathing,playtime. Flexible hours:845-558-9566

BABYSITTER WANTED

Seeking someone to watch 3 children in my house, Mondays and Tuesdays 3:00-5:30. Start time flexible. Please call (917)428-1150. May be able to arrange transportation.

BOOKKEEPING ASSISTANT

Seeking female bookkeeping assistant. eturnheim@ bikurcholim.org

BAS MIKROH

is seeking qualified staff to join our dynamic, talented team: Hebrew and English Permanent Substitutes, Co-Teachers and assistants. Please email resume to hr@ basmikroh.org Bas Mikroh has an on-site daycare for Staff children.

Classifieds

TEACHING POSITIONS

Yeshiva Spring Valley (boys) of Monsey is now accepting resumes for the General Studies department for September 2022 - ‘23 School Year. Following

Positions available: • Lower Elementary School Teacher (M-TH 12:45-4:00); • Title1

English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher • Teacher’s Assistants (M-TH 12:45-4:00)

Teaching experience a must. Professional atmosphere and competitive salary. Please include references and email to gss@yeshivaspringvalley. org or FAX to 845-356-8551

JOIN US

Looking for capable, warm, & dedicated assistant teachers to work with master teachers. Please call 845-270-8796 or email your resume to pfriedland@chedermonsey. org.

ADMIN ASSISTANT

Growing office in Airmont looking to hire a fast-learning administrative assistant, fulltime position, female office. Please email resume to hr@ abramsmfg.com

ASSISTANT TEACHERS

Bnos Leah Prospect Park of Monsey seeking assistant teachers and co-teachers and a permanent substitute for grades K -4. Full and half days available. Opportunities for growth. jobs@ prospectmonsey.org

TEACHERS WANTED

Monsey Bais Yaakov is looking for Preschool coteachers/ assistants and Title 1 Math. Excellent pay and amazing environment! Apply today! Email resume to: 44camphillroad@thejnet. com or call: 845.362.3166.

help wanted N

ENGLISH TEACHER

Local Cheder is looking for an English teacher from 2:45-4:25 or 3:45-5:25.

Great and on time pay plus benefits. Please send resume’ to english6105@gmail.com or call 845-450-1489 and leave a msg.

SCHOOL SECRETARY

Seeking morning secretary in BY high school. Hours begin at 8:30 am. Candidate will have minimum 3 yrs experience, be computer proficient, detail oriented, quick learner. Email resume to admin@bysmiriam.org

WE’RE HIRING!

Upscale jewelry store in monsey is looking to hire a part time energetic sales lady. Sunday’s included. Please email resume: jewelrypersonal@gmail.com

BAS MIKROH

Bas Mikroh Daycare is seeking a Nursery morning assistant and a permanent sub. Please email resume to hr@basmikroh.org

SALESHELP WANTED

Clothing store in Monsey is looking for a motivated woman/girl for saleshelp. Pls call 845-642-7965

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY!

Local property Management Company is looking for a f/t secretary. office

Experience required. Great environment, Great pay. Please email resume to rcmanageoffice@gmail.com

JOBS AVAILABLE

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

Classifieds help wanted

150+ JOB OPENINGS!

Stop wasting your time going through all the jobs classifieds. Simply email your resume to Info@ SwiftStaffingGroup.com to explore your options & maximize your career. Or Call/Text/ WhatsApp 732-800-7633

Strictly confidential & completely free.

GREAT SALES POSITION

Be Your Own Boss! “Be in business for yourself not by yourself” best training + support provided, great benefits and retirement package. Please email dglick@newyorklife.com or call 845-639-5216

F/T ASSISTANCE

Insurance company seeking F/T assistance. Well paid position with excellent potential for growth. Office experience and insurance knowledge a plus but not required. Please email resume to rlevine@ highviewnational.com.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

We Are Hiring! IT & Cybersecurity company in Monsey looking to have Admin Assistant, Project Manager Assistant, Marketing Manager Assistant, and Technicians join our team! Fast-paced environment, friendly atmosphere, and competitive pay and bonuses. Send your resume to hr@itconinc.com

EXECUTIVE SALES ASSISTANT

A Heimisha Financial services office in Spring Valley NY is seeking a full time female to join our female team. Responsibilities include scheduling, client relations, etc. Candidate must have excellent verbal (telephone), & writing skills, mathematics, Quickbooks, computer proficiency and ability to multi-task. For more information please email your resume to Molanservices@gmail.com

WE’RE HIRING!

Join our team! We are looking to fill a FT office position (Light bookkeeping, phone operator, secretarial work). Email jobs@okgtech.com

OFFICE POSITION

Busy mortgage office seeking f/t receptionist/office manager. Must be super organized, peoples person, hardworking, computer savvy, detail oriented and outgoing. Email resume to saram@everestequity.com.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Mesikos is looking to hire caring individuals to work one on one with special needs children in a pleasant and stimulating environment. Full time & part time positions available. Send resume to info@mesikos.com / call: 845-414-9606 Ext. 1d.

Classifieds help wanted N

OFFICE POSITION

Office in Monsey is seeking a capable individual for an open position within the finance department. Great opportunity with potential, good pay and Heimish environment. Please email resume to chaimm@ easterndrayage.com

CHESS TEACHERS

Hiring dynamic, dedicated chess teachers nationwide: Monsey, Brooklyn, Miami, other cities. Virtual also. Earn up to $70/hr. Apply at ChessChevra.com

SWIFT STAFFING is seeking to hire additional recruiters. Part-time & Flexible hours. Email your resume to Info@ SwiftStaffingGroup.com

TUTOR WANTED

Chassidishe cheder looking for a male tutor for title one. 3:30-5:30. Please call 8452637445

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Full time Female Sales Position. A עשידיסח עשימייה Company in NJ is now hiring. Located Approx 30-Min from Monsey, transportation provided. Good pay with benefits. Please email resume to jobs6224222@gmail.com Or call 718-622-4222 #602

OFFICE ASSISTANT

A fast growing company in the Monsey area is looking to hire a female worker to do Secretary work. For more details, please send your resume to hr@ visioncustomization.com

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Seeking a highly motivated candidate with experience in B2B sales to generate referral partnerships for a growing company. Base of $78k plus commission. Located in Monsey area. Please email salesteamroles@gmail.com

COMPANION

Looking for a young man with a car to take out a 16 year old boy in the evenings 6-9 pm (any days between: Sun - Thursday). Great pay for the right person! Call (845) 510-4617

EVENING RECEPTIONIST

Seeking to fill an Evening receptionist and medical billing position. Great working environment. Please email your resume

and specify which job you’re applying for. HR@ daaswellness.com

FULL TIME POSITIONS

Heimishe office in Monsey looking to hire for multiple full-time positions, graduate/ entry level ok. Please email resume: sammy@ sammysconsulting.com or call 845-603-8206

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Insurance company seeking Controller. Well paid position with excellent potential for growth. Accounting Experience Required. Insurance knowledge a plus but not required. Please email resume to rlevine@ highviewnational.com.

Classifieds

AMAZON JOB OPPORTUNITY

An Amazon company in Monsey is looking to hire a female, Basic Amazon Experience / Knowledge is a must. flexible hours. great pay for the right candidate. Email resume to TheDesk43@ gmail.com

SUPERVISOR WANTED

We are looking to hire a full-time employee for a supervisory position to oversee a team of Care Managers providing individuals with services. Excellent pay and benefits. Supervisory experience required. Send resume to myofficejobmonsey@gmail. com.

MALE COORDINATOR WANTED

We are looking to hire a responsible yingerman to be a coordinator in our busy office. Heimishe environment. Excellent pay and growth potential. Yeshiva Degree required. Send your resume to Apply1554jobs@gmail.com.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Seeking a full-time/ parttime coordinator some experience in special ed field to coordinate services for babies/toddlers with devel opmental delays and their families. Competitive pay. Send your resume to recruit mentdepartment845@gmail. com.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATE

Looking to hire a Full-Time Coordinator/Secretary for a variety of administrative and coordination tasks. Heimishe office, enjoyable environment, PTO and Yom Tov benefits. Send your resume to employeeslovetoworkhere@ gmail.com.

SEEKING EMPLOYEE

We are looking to hire a parttime/ full-time employee for a variety of coordinating tasks. Individual should be a quick learner and detail oriented. Paid holidays, Yom Tov, vacation, sick leave. Please send resume to: joboffersmonsey58@gmail. com.

help wanted

services

DO YOU HAVE A BA DEGREE?

We are looking for a competent employee to coordinate services. Candidate should be organized, quick learner, with good communication skills. BA required. Send resume to Jobopening142@ gmail.com.

PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISER

We are looking for a short term profesional fundraiser with experience working on a major event. Very well paid. Please call 845-425-9222 x 101 or email to events@ bnosmelochim.org

SERVICES

And dear yiddishe mother. Give your daughter the gift of a lifetime of happiness &

with the marriage summit, 18 life changing classes with top marriage experts. For less than the price of a

outfit, have the peace of mind

knowing that your daughter has the tools, הפקשה & resources to be happily married. Call 929-286-9900 #2 or www.chanyfelberbaum. com

PETTICOATS FOR RENT!

Enhance your gown with just the right petticoat! Kids and adults

petticoats for rent! In the Bates area. Please Call or text between 8:30-10pm 845-746-7248

ARROWSMITH

Is your child still in the same place after all that tutoring?Join Arrowsmith, a research based program that strengthens the brain and eliminates learning disabilities. Call Mrs Feuer 914-260-6449

WOMEN 40+

Advice for all issues including hot flashes insomnia water retention fatigue etc. Through natural hormone balance and nutrition. 30 years experience. Call for private consultation 845-6378900

Classifieds services N gowns N

TORAHANYTIME.COM

On demand Torah lectures Video-Audio-download All for free Computer or App for iPhone/Android Or Hotline 718-298-2077. YiddishHebrew - English

PROFESSIONAL PIANO LESSONS and music theory by Miriam Ungar. Now accepting Children’s Waiver. Please call 845.502.1971

PROFESSIONAL HAIRCUTS & STYLING

Great prices. Call Miri 845426-7561

MASSAGE THERAPY

--In The Comfort of Home-*Swedish *Deep Tissue *Lymph *Craniosacral Therapy Call Sarah: 845596-1373

MUSIC LESSONS ON THE PHONE

Mr. Wertzberger’s Music School offering music lessons on the phone, ages 9-15 boys and girls. Try it free! 718-4351923

CUSTOM CLOSETS

For all your custom closets please call or text 1347.522.4872

KANGEN WATER

“Change your Water.. Change your life” Alkaline - AntiOxidant - Super Hydrating Call for FREE supply and feel AMAZING! 917-681-0003

FLY HIGH BALLOONS

Biggest selection of balloons for all occasions in the Weiner drive area call 8454223988/ Flyhighbal@ gmail.com

KEYBOARD LESSONS

Keyboard lessons By Miri. Great Prices! Call 845-4267561 or 845-263-6437

SUKKAH BUILDERS

See our ad inside! Call us to schedule the build and takedown of your sukkah. A professional and reliable company. Momo: (845) 3008538 Dovid: (718) 541-8983

COACHING

Showing fathers how to bring out the best of their children. Call Berry for dual coaching -Father & child together. 406.529.3196

EARPIERCING 12 years experience. Wide selection. Call/text: 845-5387986

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE (Car, truck, van, Suv) Help build children. Get $1,500 tax deduction + $2,400 Gift book (shopping) or we pay cash for cars too. 718-974-9428

DEBT RELIEF having trubble with finances? join Debtors Anonymous Tuesday night @ 19 Robert Pitt # 113 , 7:30-8:30pm. visit www. debtorsanonymous.org

GARTLECH

we fix knitted & crochet Gartlech & make beautiful professional fringes. We also teach how to knit & crochet. call: 917-414-3281

SHAIMOS PICK UPS

845-461-3084

GOWNS

GOWN FOR RENT Silver/Grey colored gown size 2-4 8455380391

BLACK MATERNITY GOWN Size XS gown for rent/sale. Call/text 646-334-6582

GOLD GOWN

Adorable gold gown by Dassy available to buy or rent. Toddler size 4. Call 422-5596 for more info

GIRLS CHASUNAH GOWN

Very Elegant, Winter White trimmed with Black Velvet, girls size 12/14 for sale. Please Call 845-709-7161.

MOTHER OF BRIDE

Beautiful mother of bride gown for sale. Black and white. Size 10-12. Great price. Call/ text 347-760-4649.

BABYSITTING

BABYSITTER ON BATES

One slot available, 3 months+. 9:45-3:00. 845-826-2185

ODDS & ENDS

SEEKING DONATIONS

Of toys, arts & crafts, or supplies, in good condition, for a Heimishe Moised. Call 845.500.3100

LOST

Lost something? Found something?

The Daily Return: Call/text: 845538-0193, Email: monseydailyreturn@ gmail.com

Grey baby sweater Evergreen parking lot 587-1886

bag with ribbon, thread and snaps from Accessories Plus. 845213-7519

Baby hat Kipp pink with pompoms 845354-8269

FOUND

pair of earrings on Suzanne Dr. before R’’H 347-232-6827 Sefer in Bingo Erev Shabbos 845-694-2924

FREE GIVEAWAYS

30” stainless steel gas range good condition 845-587-0140

LATE ADS

ADMINISTRATIVE

SECRETARY

A local girls school is looking for an administrative secretary. Please send in your resume to mmschool12154@ gmail.com

F/T OFFICE SECRETARY

Full time office secretary position available in Spring Valley, Quickbooks, computer savvy, customer service and friendly personality, email

resume to resumeinfo74@ gmail.com,

F/T SECRETARY

Hatzlacha Supermarket Is Looking For A Full Time Secretary. Please Call 845-682-0018 And Leave A Clear Message With Your Information.

P/T BOOKKEEPING POSITION

Seeking a part-time flexible schedule Bookkeeper inhouse at our Monsey office email TopCareerNY@gmail. com Great pay!

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Seeking to hire an experienced office coordinator, option to work full-time or part-time JobsOffersUS@gmail.com

HR MANAGER

Fast growing company looking for an experienced HR manager send resume jobs10950@gmail.com

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