Issue 383

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HOW TO TIE?

(Re: A Taam of Shabbos, Issue 382)

Thank you very much for a great weekly magazine. I’m amazed at how you find extremely interesting topics to write about every week. Currently, I’m very much enjoying the four-part series titled “Down Memory Lane.”

As someone who is always looking to enhance Shabbos in our home, I like to set the Shabbos table as beautifully as I can (and as early, too! I try for Thursday afternoon). That’s why I was very excited to see the beautiful photos of the Shabbos table display. As many times as I tried to recreate the “bow tie” napkin, however, I couldn’t get it right. Would you print step-by-step directions?

A Shabbos Hostess

MALKI TAUBER RESPONDS:

To create a bow, bend the napkin in half to form a triangle. With the point of the triangle at the bottom, fold the napkin in three, lengthwise, first bending the point in, and then folding it over twice more to form a long, narrow strip. Bend the napkin in half again so it should be roughly two inches in height.

Take the two sides, and fold them over toward the center, forming an x, with the tails overlapping one another lower than the center piece. Hold the napkin together tightly, and slip on the napkin ring. Adjust the bow once the napkin ring is in place.

silver, stemware, dishes and linens will the malachai hasharos answer amen. Only the very affluent among your readership have the kind of money for such a display. The rest of us are welcoming the Shabbos Hamalkah with children who dance around the table without worrying about spills and breakage. Our homes are mechabed the Shabbos with zemiros and learning and simchas kedushas Shabbos. Please show us how the majority of us on a middle-class budget can enhance our kibbud Shabbos

A Middle-Class Reader

SAVING THE SPACE

(Re: The Stuff That Dream Houses Are Made Of, Issue 381)

Since I recently moved, and I am still trying to figure out my space, I very much enjoyed your article by Golda Fried. I was wondering if more details can be provided about partitions and laundry racks descending from the ceiling. When I recently did construction, I had a vision of such a partition in my mind, but my contractor didn’t know much about such options. I therefore ended up taking away space from a bedroom to install a pocket door in the hallway so we can access the laundry room from there. My question is which mechanism these partitions use, the dimensions of the space allowance needed in the ceiling, and where to obtain them. Also, a little more information about those heated fans for bathrooms would be appreciated.

Thanks so much for your outstanding publication. It’s always a pleasure to read!

A. Meyer

GOLDA FRIED RESPONDS:

Thank you for your letter. There are a number of manufacturers out there that specialize in ceiling partitions; one would be Tudelu. You also mentioned laundry racks. These can be found at many home supply stores.

Regarding fans that also supply heat to bathrooms, these are also available at home supply stores. Your electrician will know more about these options.

MINIMIZE THE MATERIALISM

(Re: The Stuff That Dream Houses Are Made Of, Issue 381)

I really enjoy your magazine every single week. The material is great and informative. This past week, though, I was really disappointed with the content. Why broadcast more luxury, more Olam Hazeh? Who needs such fancy home decorating to become the new standard? Why help us forget that this world is only the hallway to the Real World? I know that it’s hard to come up with topics that are new and interesting, but please be more considerate and help us stay true to ourselves. Please don’t encourage us to become more materialistic people. A Disappointed Reader

CHIMING IN (Re: Not a Takeout, Inbox, Issue 379)

I wanted to reach out again to express my gratitude for this amazing and free magazine! The content is always interesting, and I can’t put down the magazine until I’ve finished it in its entirety. A special thanks for the parsha articles, which are always interesting and inspirational.

I’d like to chime in with my own opinion on the topic of sweet tables. The first letter-writer was brave to open an important discussion, but she got such negative backlash. I was so happy to see more readers backing her view in this past week’s issue. I agree that each baalas simcha may feel a bit differently about guests taking home a bit of the goodies, but to pile up a full plate because “we were there earlier” seems really insensitive to the baalas simcha and all of the guests.

Thank you as well to the woman who reminded us to keep our children safe during simchos. We want it to be a simcha, not a breeding ground for tragedy, chas v’shalom. G.L.

YOUR VOICE

THE LOSS OF A FRIEND

When I heard the shocking news of the passing of Leah Stern, a”h, I was filled with such profound, aching sorrow. I did not know Leah personally, but through her column in this paper, I related to her like an older sister, as a wise friend, as a kitchen comrade. She had a bright, warm, energetic and eminently sensible voice, and her recipes were so down-to-earth, heimish and family-friendly. Her love and dedication to her family, as well as her temimus and ehrlichkeit, echoed off the pages and inspired me week after week. Over the years, I clipped many of Leah’s fabulous recipes. It is hard to fathom that her vibrant voice is now silent. I feel as if I’ve lost a dear friend.

I will always treasure the recipes Leah shared with us, and b’ezras Hashem, I will prepare these dishes mindfully, with the knowledge that cooking for my family is a precious and sacred avodah. We will think of Leah as we gather around our table, and as we make brachos on the food l’ilui nishmas Leah.

My heart goes out to Leah’s family. Hashem should send them nechamah, and may we hear of no more tzaar.

A Loyal Reader

PEDESTRIAN LIGHT AWARENESS

I’d like to publicize the law that many drivers are unaware of in regard to the pedestrian traffic light at the intersection of Route 59 and Augusta Avenue. When the light is red, it serves as a red light, but when it starts blinking, it serves as a stop sign. Stop, make sure the pedestrians have crossed, and GO.

A Local Driver

PARSHAS BO

With Our Youth and Our Elders

After warning Pharaoh about Makkas Arbeh, Moshe and Aharon were summoned to reappear in the palace. This time, Pharaoh changed his tune. “Go, worship your G-d. Who and who are going?” (Shemos 10:8).

It seemed Pharaoh had softened; he was ready to negotiate. But Moshe Rabbeinu wouldn’t compromise. “With our youth and with our elders, we will go. With our sons and daughters, with our flocks and cattle…” (ibid. 10:9). Pharaoh refused. “Not so,” he said, “Let the men go now and serve Hashem!” He could not understand why they needed to take along the women and children to the Desert.

But Moshe would not budge. Either everyone or no one! There was no room for compromise. This conversation can use explanation. What was Pharaoh’s offer, and what was Moshe’s argument?

IT WAS IN 1969 when the first human landed on the moon. People the world over were glued to their media sources, anticipating the milestone. It was a truly unbelievable feat.

As Neil Armstrong stepped onto the dusty lunar surface, he made some powerful statements to the millions tuning in. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” he famously said. He then went on to quote pesukim of emunah: “When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon

and the stars which You have set in place, what is mankind that You remember them, a human being that You should be mindful of him?” (Tehillim 8:4–5).

In the Jewish world, these words made waves. Up in the cosmos, a gentile was proclaiming the greatness of Hashem!

Rabbi Turk, the menahel of the cheder Yesodei HaTorah in Tel Aviv, used the opportunity to rouse his talmidim. He gathered them for an assembly and spoke about emunah. He mentioned that even this gentile who stamped the first human footprints on the moon broke out in expressions of emunah during those life-altering moments.

Suddenly, the voice of a young boy of five or six years of age was heard.

“A meshuganeh!”

The speech stopped. It was quiet in the room. Everyone looked toward the little boy who had the audacity to contradict their venerable menahel

Rabbi Turk was a wise mechanech He turned to the child, and instead of reprimanding him, he calmly asked, “Who were you referring to?”

“To the astronaut! The one who walked on the moon!” the boy replied.

“Why is he a meshuganeh?” the menahel continued.

“What do you mean?” the child countered confidently. “Do you need to go all the way to the moon in order to realize that Hashem runs the world and everything that is inside and outside of it?! From the day we are born, we are taught that Hashem is in charge of the world and everything that happens!”

The menahel was astounded by the words that came straight from an innocent child’s heart.

Years later, after Rabbi Turk retired, he used to repeat this as

one of the most powerful memories of all his years of chinuch

This is the emunah of Klal Yisroel. We imbibe its values along with our mother’s milk. From the very youngest age, we learn that there is a Creator of the world, and everything that happens around us is viewed with a lens of hashgachas Hashem. Indeed, we don’t need to go all the way to the moon to enthusiastically erupt in emotions of emunah. It has been ingrained in us ever since.

* * * * *

In truth, the exchange between Moshe and Pharaoh highlights the point of difference between a Jew and nonJew when it comes to raising children.

Pharaoh, like the rest of the world, believed that service of Hashem belongs solely to the adults. Only adults carry import when it comes to avodas Hashem, he thought; these matters have nothing to do with children. When the children grow up, they, too, will learn to conduct themselves with spirituality. But for now, Pharaoh believed, they were inconsequential in the big picture. They may just as well remain in Mitzrayim rather than go serve Hashem in the Midbar.

But Moshe replied with a definite “No!” This ideology was a bitter mistake. In Yiddishkeit, avodas Hashem does not begin when one reaches adulthood, and it doesn’t happen from one day to the next. Rather, it begins right when a baby is born! The mitzvah of chinuch starts right then! From birth, parents instill in their children proper values and are mechanech them to Torah and mitzvos.

Moshe refused to leave Mitzrayim with just the adults. The children needed this experience just as much. In order for Klal Yisroel to have proper adult servants of Hashem, it was necessary to bring along the children. This assured

Did You Know?

When the time came for Bnei Yisroel to leave Mitzrayim, the Egyptians came running to Goshen with their horses and wagons, begging the Yidden to leave already. They feared they would be next to die.

Every Egyptian home had a number of deceased, because besides the firstborn, those who opposed the Geulah died as well. There were also those who were thrashing between life and death, as not everyone died immediately; some suffered as long as three days before perishing. Still, that did not stop the Egyptians from leaving their dead and ailing behind so they could speed up the Geulah.

We don’t need to go all the way to the moon to enthusiastically erupt in emotions of emunah.

continuity. The early years are the foundation upon which the entire future of a Yid is built, and it therefore bears an important position in Jewish life and generations.

* * * * *

Rebbetzin Yocheved Ginsburg used to share how her father, the Mashgiach Rav Chatzkel Levenstein, zt”l, imbued values in the home of her youth. Rav Chatzkel would give his children a coin any time they came over to share with him a story of hashgacha pratis or of a chessed Hashem they experienced or witnessed that day.

He did this because he wanted them to grow accustomed to opening their eyes and viewing their surroundings with emunah from a very young age. In time, it would become second nature to them.

* * * * *

Rav Zev Edelman used to reminisce about an encounter he had with the Steipler, zt”l, at a chasunah back in Vilna. The Steipler’s only son, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, was a young child of two years old at the time.

“Nu, hop onto the bench and say the names of the masechtos,” the Steipler prodded young Chaim.

Chaim happily got onto the bench and jumped up and down gleefully while singing the names of all the masechtos. He sang to a special tune his father had chanted to him as a lullaby to put him to sleep when he was a baby.

Little Chaim finished singing and ran to his father for a candy.

“Tevul Yom, Yadayim, Uktzin. Gib mir dem tzukerel,” he said, citing the names of the last three masechtos of Mishnayos and asking for his reward in the same tune. The candy was part of the niggun!

With a wide smile, the Steipler tossed a small candy in his son’s direction. His face was beaming. The little boy quickly learned what made his eminent father happy, and he happily made that his life’s mission.

CALLED TO SERVE

To most of us, she was Leah Stern, popular food columnist for The Monsey View. But to her family, community and truly anyone in need, the copious amounts of food she served was dwarfed by the devotion with which she served.

Last week, the heart that beat for every Yid sadly beat its final beat, leaving a heartbroken community in mourning.

by: Y. BLOOMING

Just like that, it was all over.

The car carrying Sarah Leah bas R’ Moshe, a”h, to her final resting place made its way down the street as the gathered crowd that came to bid their shockingly final goodbyes exchanged that somber funereal look that says what a million words can’t.

With voices hushed, eyes red and hearts heavy, they began to disperse — some curiously asking questions surrounding the tragedy, with others pondering more unanswerable questions, those dilemmas that can only be mitigated by lifting our eyes heavenward.

Among the crowd stood one man, a meshulach from Eretz Yisroel who came to New York to collect tzedakah for his family. His stomach growling, he was being pressed by a sobering question.

“Where will I eat dinner tonight?”

If the nifteres could only hop out of that vehicle, it would certainly be the sole concern on her mind as well.

Sarah Leah Stern was born in 1974 to her parents, R’ Moshe and Mrs. Rivky Kizelnik, head of a prominent Vizhnitz family in Monsey. Talented, driven and kindhearted, she exhibited from early on those characteristics that would soon elevate her to live a life of unparalleled and almost unfathomable chesed

This chesed began at home — nothing was more important than caring for her family. With utmost devotion she supported her chashuve husband, Harav Pinchas Stern, shlit”a, a maggid shiur in Vizhnitz who is renowned for his avodas Hashem and his equally eyeopening commitment to chesed Despite giving her life to the tzibbur, her children were showered with love and affection, and she made time for kibbud av v’em in an exemplary manner.

While she didn’t merit to see arichas yomim in the traditional sense, she did see arichas yamim in that she lived a life full of fulfillment, impact, purpose and internal joy.

And she shared it with everyone she could.

SOUL FOODIE

Fairly or unfairly, Mrs. Stern was best known for food and food-related activities. Her recipes that were frequently shared in The Monsey View, as well as in her best-selling cookbook aptly titled Around the Kitchen Table, offered her some name recognition she never felt comfortable embracing — but also an opportunity to share recipes

that were wholesome, traditional, familyoriented, accessible and heimish.

What readers may not know is that behind the scenes, she stayed true to her values and beliefs and never compromised on them even when it made these tasks considerably more difficult. She did not use email and didn’t have text, so she used a good old fax machine to submit her assignments. And because she refused to have a computer at home, the photos she was sent to review for her cookbook, were stored on a memory card and viewed on her camera.

But wait, there’s more: Her family had a chumrah to not eat any meat. This meant that the recipes she developed that called for meat were tasted and perfected by siblings and friends so that she wouldn’t have to compromise on the perfection of each recipe while upholding the family minhag

Yet all this paled in comparison to her prodigious efforts in feeding others. Living in the “Gibbers” area of Kiamesha, she welcomed visitors, especially meshulachim — often dozens in one day. Everyone was greeted with a warm meal and a warmer smile, and made to feel at home. A mobile home stands in her backyard where she and her husband would provide accommodations when the house was full and there were those who couldn’t be placed elsewhere.

As impressive as what she did was how she did it. As mentioned, the family had set certain high standards for themselves, and the Shabbos seudos were certainly an elevated experience.

But the guests were given leeway in how they acted or what they spoke about. Lonely and away from their families, the Sterns would not impose their own expectations upon them. After all, that would be the antithesis of a chumrah in the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim

Some visitors would inevitably behave less than appreciative, but the family would remain undeterred, bending over backward to ensure that no hungry person would ever be left wanting. This past Pesach, when a guest rolled in really late during the Seder, the Sterns didn’t hesitate, but started all over again so that he wouldn’t feel left out.

“THE MOTHER OF THE AREA”

During shivah, a stream of visitors came by, sharing stories, known and unknown, of Mrs. Stern and her ways. It takes a special kind of person to elicit both endless smiles and limitless tears as tales of their life are being shared, but that was what she meant to so many.

During one of the conversations, someone commented that she was like the mother of the Catskills (for those who live there during the year). While that doesn’t encapsulate all she did, it does well to describe the responsibilities she took upon herself with grace.

Among her many chesed activities, she oversaw the Tomchei Shabbos and Kimcha D’Pischa efforts in the area, being the one who arranged the lists and helped ensure that everyone received what they needed.

Here, too, she went above and

beyond to not only ensure that families are well fed, but to protect their dignity in the process. One year, a man contacted her the night of bedikas chometz, well after all deadlines had passed, and said that his family has nothing for Yom Tov. Without skipping a beat, she ensured him that she still has items at home and he can come by to pick them up. She made available her own Pesach order for the taking and immediately had someone rush to the store to buy grape juice and other essential Pesach staples so the man could help himself to whatever he needed.

Another area where she devoted herself to the community was in the realm of shidduchim — perhaps most notably, difficult shidduchim. She would not rest, moving heaven and earth when an individual was struggling to find a suitable match. When the mother of an older single scolded her for redting a particular shidduch, instead of taking offense, she told a friend that she sees the kind of pain the family is in and will therefore step up her efforts even more on their behalf.

As the honorary “mother” of town, the requests that people turned to her spanned from true emergencies to everyday struggles. Since there are kohanim who avoid hospitals, she would accompany their wives when they had to go to the hospital. Eventually, she even trained to become a doula herself because, well, because that’s just what she did. And the next week, when those families needed dinner, she’d take care of that as well.

In fact, an attempt to list all she did would not only inevitably omit a great amount, but would even diminish her selflessness and all-encompassing chesed mission by trying to define it. To illustrate, when a grandmother of a kallah recently arrived at a family wedding at the Raleigh Hotel with her gown left back at home, Mrs. Stern was the one who was called. She quickly made her calls, got a whole bunch of gowns rushed to her house, and outfitted the grateful grandmother in style.

Her chesed responsibilities knew no bounds because she embodied vata’as b’cheifetz kapehu — everything was performed with passion and excitement. She was overjoyed to bring a smile to another person in any capacity.

How sad it is that during this time of such heartbreak, an occasion when everyone would turn to her for support — both material and emotional — she herself is no longer around to pick up the broken pieces.

A STAR THAT SHINES FOREVER

The pasuk tells us (Daniel 12:3):

“U’matzdikei harabim k’kochavim l’olam va’ed — those who bring righteousness to many will shine like stars forever and ever. There is no doubt that this star, this Shtern, will continue having an outsized impact on the lives of the many who were fortunate enough to cross her path over the years. Her star will continue to shine bright, inspiring others to follow in her ways.

“In the city of Drokart there was a fire, but the neighborhood of Rav Huna was spared,” the Gemara tells us (Taanis 21b). “The people thought that this must be due to Rav Huna’s great tzidkus, but it was revealed to them in a dream that it was due to a certain woman who heated her oven and lent usage of it to her neighbors.” This woman’s fire saved them all from fire.

At a challah bake that took place Upstate, a woman arrived without a dough of her own. Mrs. Stern did not hesitate and gave the visitor her own dough from which to take challah, before asking the host if she can knead a new one for herself in the kitchen. But she now had two doughs, so she went ahead and baked a beautiful large challah for a sheva brachos the host was soon planning. This was just the way she did things…

During such a time of tragedy, our minds naturally fill with worry over the family she left behind and those who relied on her. But the words of Chazal serve as a consolation that the woman who stepped up and stepped in

whenever another family needed support will surely be returned in kind.

A LIFE FULL OF GRATITUDE

If anyone had reason to be stressed and overwhelmed by all that was on her plate, it was Mrs. Stern. In addition to caring for her large family and providing for so many others, she was always on duty, with any potential call demanding that she drop everything and run to help another Yid.

But she was quite the opposite. With a smile always on her face, she professed constant gratitude for all the good in her life, and the good she was able to extend into others’.

Blessed with a beautiful pen, she would write notes and poems to ev-

eryone who needed a pick-me-up — and even those who thought they didn’t — with prose that would brighten their day and make them feel loved and valued.

After her passing, the family allowed themselves to peek at her journal where she would actualize her feelings of gratitude by putting them into writing. In addition to the wonderful things she wrote about those closest to her, it was striking to note that she overwhelmingly expressed gratitude for the positive things that other individuals and families were able to experience.

Poignantly, her last entry came during her daughter’s sheva brachos, less than two days before she would return her neshamah to her Creator.

If gratitude journals allowed for responses, those closest to her would be prompted to add:

Thank you Hashem for granting us 48 years of Leah.

Thank you for blessing her with a husband and ten children who were the light of her life.

Thank you for enabling and empowering her to serve You, serve them and serve Your nation.

Now that she’s been called back home and can no longer serve, please grant us the strength to continue on, and please stand beside us the way You stood beside her.

We are in Your hands — the only hands she would ever entrust us in.

As Tragedy Unfolds in White Plains, Chaverim Aids in Frantic Search for Missing Plane

The Jewish community held its collective breath and said countless perakim of Tehillim last Thursday night when news broke that two members of Cleveland’s Jewish community were aboard a small airplane that went missing in the skies over Westchester County.

VIN News reported that Binyomin Taub and Ben Chafetz departed JFK Airport just before 5 p.m. on January 19, the two having flown to New York to attend a levayah. At 5:25 p.m., Taub reached out to air traffic controllers to report that an oil pressure warning light had gone on in the cockpit of the single engine Beechcraft A36 that he was flying, and he was told to land his plane at nearby Westchester County Airport. Air traffic controllers attempted to guide Taub, an experienced pilot, through an emergency landing on a nearby runway, but they lost contact and visuals of the plane at 5:30 p.m., prompting an hours-long search that was hampered by torrential downpours.

Chafetz accidentally texted a communal Tehillim request to a Cleveland learning group, thinking he was messaging his wife, just moments before the plane disappeared. Family

members in Queens then reached out to Misaskim for assistance. Chaverim of Rockland coordinator Yossi Margaretten, who is also a member of Misaskim, was contacted about the situation, and he reached out to the Ramapo Police Department, who contacted their Westchester County counterparts regarding the search effort.

Locating the missing plane was a difficult job that was further compounded by the inclement weather that precluded the use of search drones or helicopters. While local law enforcement wanted to call off the search until the morning, Margaretten urged them to continue despite the extreme conditions. Search teams used signals from one of the men’s cell phones to find the wreckage of the plane, which came down in a heavily wooded area owned by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection just north of Rye Lake, shortly before 11 p.m.

Margaretten praised the agencies involved in the search effort, including the Ramapo, Westchester and New York State police departments; the New York City DEP; and the National Transportation Safety Board for their sensitivity and cooperation. Margaretten noted that Westchester County Executive George Latimer called to offer his assistance, telling him that he would have the medical examiner on standby so that the bodies could be released as quickly as possible.

“The minute they brought them out, the medical examiner

was waiting for us,” said Margaretten.

Chafetz and Taub were both flown back to Cleveland on Friday morning by Hatzalah Air. The levayah for Chafetz took place on Friday afternoon, with Taub’s levayah taking place on Sunday morning.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, and recordings of Taub’s final conversations with air traffic controllers have emerged describing the plane’s engine failure and weather conditions that would have made it nearly impossible to land the plane safely. Taub told air traffic controllers as he was descending that he was unable to see anything below the clouds, which were hovering just 300 feet above the ground, and the plane ultimately crashed approximately one mile short of the airport runway that he had been hoping to reach.

Both men were hailed as pillars of Cleveland’s Jewish community. Taub, a father of five, was the owner of MasterWorks Automotive, and he was known for his honesty, reliability and fairness. With Taub’s garage located between two shuls, Cleveland resident Chaikel Kaufman recalled that Taub would often let people park on his property when shul spots were unavailable. Chafetz, a father of seven who lived for a time in Monsey, was the owner of 121 eCommerce, and often gave those leaving kollel their first jobs in the workforce. A regular at every Cleveland fundraiser, Chafetz jumped at opportunities to support Jewish institutions, getting upset at a recent Adopt-A-Kollel fundraiser when Kaufman told him that the amount he wanted to give exceeded the cap that the rav had placed on all donations.

“He went to the rabbi and said ‘What kind of business is this? I want to give more!’” said Kaufman. “He was involved in every cause, and his generosity was incredible, because he just gave and gave. No one really knows everything he did, but he did a lot.”

Free Student Meal Programs To Return to New

York?

With the federal government failing to renew the school food programs that were a lifeline for many during COVID, New York State legislators and advocates are calling on Albany to step up to the plate and provide free daily meals to all students.

Hamodia reported that Assemblywoman Jessica GonzalezRojas and State Senator Michelle Hinchey are introducing a bill in Albany that would have New York State providing all students with free school breakfasts and lunches. Similar legislation introduced by the two lawmakers failed to pass last year, possibly because it was unclear if the federal government would extend its own meal program. Currently, the federal government provides free meals for low-income families, but the end of the COVID lunch program has left 726,000 students, which include tens of thousands of yeshiva students, with no access to free meals.

Letters sent by Gonzalez-Rojas and Hinchey to Governor Hochul last month asking her to include the measure in her executive budget were signed by 40 assembly members and more than two dozen senators. Representatives of 81 different yeshivas in New York also signed on a letter of their own to the

governor, asking her to fund free school meals in her 2024 fiscal year budget. The letter noted that inflation and increased food costs have left many families struggling. The effort is also being supported by the Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids coalitions, which include members of Catholic schools, yeshivas, anti-hunger organizations and public school districts.

Public policy consultant David Rubel has been working with the Sephardic Community Federation. He noted that there are many yeshiva families who are barely making ends meet, but don’t qualify for existing programs because of income limits.

“Passing this bill would mean no more lunch shaming, no more children suffering in silence, nutritious daily meals for all schoolchildren, and some financial relief for families that need it most,” said Rubel.

Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, director of New York government relations for Agudath Israel of America, noted that children need healthy lunches in order to be able to learn properly.

“Sadly, even in our community, there are people who suffer from food instability,” said Rabbi Silber. “No child in this day and age should go hungry or lack nutritious meals.”

Suburban Lawmakers Launch Bipartisan Effort To Halt NYC Congestion Pricing

A pair of elected officials who hail from the ‘burbs are doing their best to stop the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed congestion pricing plan, which would charge drivers a $23 toll to drive south of 60th Street in Manhattan.

Gothamist reported that New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat, and New York Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican representing Rockland County, have teamed up on a plan to defund the MTA at the federal level if it implements congestion pricing. The MTA, which expects to collect $15 billion in tolls from the plan — funds it would use to make improvements to mass transit systems — has touted the effort as being good for its riders as well as the environment.

“MTA backward — ATM — that’s how they look at us,” Gottheimer said at a press conference last week that introduced the Anti-Congestion Tax Act. “Let’s tell them to stop this.”

Under the bill, the federal government would not only freeze $2 billion in funding to the MTA, but it would also block funding for capital projects and give drivers a tax credit on tolls they would pay because of congestion pricing.

Critics of congestion pricing have said it is unfair to those who live in the outer boroughs and the suburbs and have noted that far from reducing congestion and pollution, it will only shift those nuisances to other areas in and around New York City.

“I won’t stop until this plan is dead,” said Lawler, who has classified congestion pricing as a money grab. “This is unacceptable, and we won’t stand for it.”

Governor Kathy Hochul downplayed the bill, saying it had little potential to pass Congress and that congestion pricing was moving ahead as planned.

“We are not deterred by people holding press conferences, I assure you,” said Hochul at a press conference last week.

CBS News reported that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy weighed in on the bill as well, saying that New Jersey drivers will be unfairly double-taxed: once to enter the city at a bridge and tunnel crossing, and a second time to enter Midtown Manhattan.

“If you had a reliable one-seat ride … on a train or a bus that flew through on a bus lane that went to a state-of-the-art bus terminal, that would be one thing,” said Murphy. “But we don’t have that yet.”

Months of Jersey-Bound Closures About To Begin at Holland Tunnel

Traffic leaving Lower Manhattan is about to go from bad to worse with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announcing last week that the Holland Tunnel’s westbound roadway will be closing six nights a week through 2025.

Starting February 5, the tunnel’s New Jersey-bound tube will be taken out of service on Sunday through Thursday nights from 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. and on Friday nights from 11:59 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following mornings. According to the Port Authority, the repairs are needed to fix damage caused by Hurricane Sandy ten years ago, when the Holland Tunnel was flooded with 30 million gallons of salty water. The agency will also be carrying out resiliency work in order to protect the tunnel against future storms, reported CBS News.

The work on the westbound tube comes on the heels of nearly three years of work on the Holland Tunnel’s eastbound tube, which began on April 20, 2020, and is slated to end on February 3 of this year.

New Jersey-bound drivers are being advised to take alternate routes while repairs are taking place. Alternate routes include the George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Verrazzano Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing.

RECAP: Raiza convinces Lucjan to legally grant the manuscript to Zach as heir. She’ll smooth over the claim that it was stolen. She’s about to discuss what to do next when Bagdi Lewandowski calls, and she has to leave in a hurry.

“W

hat are we still doing here?”

Zach turned to Izzy with a tired look. “That’s the fourth time you’ve asked. We’re waiting.”

“She’s going to have us all arrested,” Lenny said gloomily.

Zach couldn’t help it. He actually burst out laughing. “Brother,” Zach told him, “if that was the goal, she’d have left us in the police station.”

Lennny didn’t give up. “Well, where is she?”

“I don’t know,” Zach admitted. “Busy, I guess. Probably nothing to do with us.”

Lenny went to a window and scowled at the street. “Why won’t people leave us alone…”

A spark of anger pricked the corners of Zach’s equanimity. “Because,” he said with a forced calm, “you stole a valuable antique. From the government. Did you really think they’d let that slide?”

Lenny winced. “Do you have to put it like that? I didn’t want to steal it.”

And that was it. All of Zach’s resolve to take the high road crumbled to dust. He was sick of the way Lenny twisted things to turn himself into the victim.

“Oh, no!” he snapped. “Of course not! You took it without permission, and without intending to return it, but you never wanted to steal anything!”

“Zach,” Izzy warned.

“No,” Zach said in response. “He needs to hear this.” He turned back to Lenny. “I’ve dealt with nasty people from all walks of life, you know. Crooked politicians, selfserving activists. Mafiosi and career criminals. And you know something? Everyone’s always dead certain they’re doing right. Like it’s the biggest mitzvah.”

Zach towered over Lenny like an executioner, his face a mask of fury. “Every sinner thinks they’re a misunderstood saint. But it doesn’t matter. They’re still a bunch of pathetic, phony losers. All that fancy talk means nothing!”

Lenny was cringing now, the words pummeling into him with almost physical force.

“Stop it, Zach!” Izzy demanded.

Zach glanced at Izzy and reluctantly took a step back.

“You can lie to yourself,” he growled to Lenny. “But you can’t lie to the rest of us. Least of all to me…”

He turned his back on Lenny then. It felt good to say that. Regardless of what Izzy thought, someone needed to tell Lenny the truth.

It even seemed to have helped a little. At least Lenny had stopped trying to argue his innocence. He even had the good sense to look ashamed of himself as he went back to staring out the window.

“You know,” he began. Then he stopped, shook his head sadly, and headed for the door.

The man guarding the entrance looked confused, but he didn’t object when Lenny yanked the door open. But Lenny still stepped back in surprise.

Raiza stepped through the open doorway and took stock of the room.

“Well I’m back,” she said. “What did I miss?”

Zach smiled thinly. “Nothing important. What did we miss?”

Raiza’s smile was more genuine. “Nothing important…” * * * * *

THIRTY MINUTES EARLIER

Raiza entered Bagi’s office with a polite nod.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said, gesturing for her to take a seat.

A spark of grim humor flashed in Raiza’s eyes. She adjusted her skirt and sat down carefully. “You are, as it happens. But you knew that.”

Bagdi nodded. He had moved back to his side of the desk, but he did not sit.

It was a silly tactic, Raiza thought. As if he meant to physically intimidate her. Whatever happened next, whatever Bagdi intended to wrest from her, they both knew physical violence was the last way he’d go about it. So she sat complacently, a polite smile plastered on her face, as Bagdi turned his screen so she could see.

“This,” said Bagdi, “is the unauthorized phone traces you’ve set up over the past several days.” He tossed a report across the table. “This is a statement from the police about how the suspects in a particular investigation were sud-

denly released. Nobody was permitted to look when you walked through the station,” he added. “But you entered an interview room where a policeman saw you. He told no one, by the way. He thought he could speak openly to me, though, seeing as how we work together…”

“Of course,” Raiza said in a soft voice. “Why shouldn’t he expect cooperation and trust between heads of departments?”

Bagdi shot her a suspicious look, like he wasn’t sure if that was meant to be an insult. But he soon returned to his gloating. “Why, indeed?”

Raiza was tired. “If you don’t mind,

swift motion, Bagdi spun his computer screen around so it couldn’t be seen before calling, “Come in.”

The door opened, and a young woman entered carrying a manila file. “They said Pani Nowak was — Oh, hello, pani. This is the file you asked for earlier.”

Raiza smiled warmly as she took the folder. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure, pani.” The woman turned and hurried out.

Bagdi’s look of studied indifference disappeared the moment the door shut. In its place was a triumphant leer. “I don’t know what interest you have in this Ginzburg family,” he said with a hiss. “I’ll find out, eventually. But it’s clear

Panie Lewandowski, I really am rather busy. Perhaps you’d care to say whatever you have to say, and be done with it.”

It was the wrong response, apparently. Bagdi’s face contorted with rage.

“What do I have to say?” he spat. “You interfered with a police investigation! I thought there was some deeper game going on at first, Richeza. But no — you are protecting these Jews for no reason at all!”

He regained some control of himself and grinned nastily. “And so I ask myself: Why does Richeza Nowak care about these people? Hmm? And I think, one of the people Richeza protects is named Ginzburg. The manuscript that was stolen was written by a Rabbi Ginzburg. And Richeza Nowak, whose early life is impossible to learn anything about? She owns a house in the Jewish quarter, which she doesn’t live in and doesn’t rent out, that used to belong to the rabbi who wrote this book! Quite a coincidence, no?”

Raiza’s eyes widened. After a moment, she gave a tiny nod of respect. “Congratulations, Panie Lewandowski. I’m impressed. I don’t know how you discovered that about my house, but —”

“Be quiet,” Bagdi snapped.

There was a knock at the door. With a

that you’ve shamelessly appropriated the resources and authority of the Agency.”

Raiza studied the man behind the desk quietly. “I see. And you intend to use this information to destroy me? Or is this your crude attempt at blackmail?”

“I attempt nothing,” Bagdi said. “From now on, you will consult with me regarding every major decision in your department. You will hire my hires, dismiss the people I don’t like, and direct your staff according to my instructions. If you do so, the information I know and the information I will soon discover shall never be passed along to our mutual masters.” He leaned forward on the desk with a snarl Raiza assumed he thought was intimidating. “Anything else and I absolutely will destroy. Do we understand each other?”

Raiza frowned. “What you’re proposing is indentured servitude, Bagdi. Slavery.”

“Call it what you want,” Bagdi answered with a shrug. “But accept it or suffer the consequences.”

“You spoke of information you have yet to discover,” Raiza answered coldly. “Allow me to help you. The rabbi who wrote that manuscript was my father.” She watched the astonishment flit past Bagdi’s face, then disappear in a flash.

ZACH TOWERED OVER LENNY LIKE AN EXECUTIONER, HIS FACE A MASK OF FURY. “EVERY SINNER THINKS THEY’RE A MISUNDERSTOOD SAINT. BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER. THEY’RE STILL A BUNCH OF PATHETIC, PHONY LOSERS.”

He was, after all, a professional. “When the war broke out, I left my sister and brother with a man like you. Just for a few hours. He sent them to their deaths.”

Bagdi snorted. “Richeza —”

“I decided that I would not be dominated by evil men.” Her voice shook with anger now, but she channeled it, kept it frosty and dangerous. “Never again. And so, Panie Lewandowski, I defy you. Do your worst. Destroy me with a word.” A single tear fell from each eye as she shook. One each for Hinda and Anschel. Though she sat, and Bagdi stood, she managed to look down on him convincingly as she whispered, “But don’t ever think you can control me…”

There was a brief pause while Bagdi took all this in. Then he shook his head in mock regret. “As you wish. Truthfully, ruining you is almost as good as controlling you. I win either way.” He picked up his phone and began to dial a number.

“Oh, just one thing,” Raiza said with steely sweetness. “Before you do anything rash.” She slid the file in her hand across the desk and sat back, her face completely expressionless. “You might want to look at this.”

Bagdi eyed the file suspiciously. “What is it?”

“Information, Panie Lewandowski. It’s our stock in trade, no?”

Without bothering to answer her, Bagdi opened the file and pulled out a thick sheaf of papers. He studied the first page, eyes widening slightly. “Hmph. Well, that was only because we — wait. How did you find out about

RAIZA GAVE THE SLIGHTEST TWITCH OF HER SHOULDERS, AS IF IT WERE OBVIOUS. “IT WASN’T CONCEALED VERY DEEPLY,” SHE ANSWERED. “ONCE I KNEW WHAT TO LOOK FOR, IT WAS EASY TO FIND THE EVIDENCE.”

Marik?”

Raiza didn’t answer. Bagdi flipped through several more pages, becoming more alarmed as he went. “You can’t use this against me,” he protested at one point. “I just went along with Wojciech! Nobody would expect that —” he stopped suddenly and looked up, his face now wearing the expression of a hunted animal. “How did you know about the Russian incident?”

Raiza gave the slightest twitch of her shoulders, as if it were obvious. “It wasn’t concealed very deeply,” she answered. “Once I knew what to look for, it was easy to find the evidence.”

“But how did you know? How did you suspect that —”

“I suspect everything,” Raiza snapped at last. “And everyone. I’ll save us both some time, and just tell you: This file contains all of your most grievous wrongs — all the way back to the day you joined the Agency. Unsanctioned operations, graft, using Agency resources to discredit your family’s business rivals… Cover-ups for your… private misdeeds.” She leaned forward, her eyes burning. “This would not simply destroy your career. You’d go to jail.”

Bagdi seemed to be in shock. Like most men who liked to throw their weight around, he had no idea how to respond now that the tables were turned. Raiza stood. With a look of contempt, she snatched the papers from him.

“I already mentioned that this meeting interrupts some very important business I must attend to. So, if you’ll excuse me…” And with that, she turned around. With the studied, slow gait of a woman long past the time of hurrying anywhere, she stepped out of the room and closed the door.

She didn’t slam it. Let the staff think there had been nothing but a friendly meeting between heads of departments. No sense in stirring up a drama. Besides, it was impolite to slam doors, and it accomplished nothing. And Raiza had grown up in a time when politeness still meant something.

So she closed the door lightly, with a very soft click, before heading back out of the building to rejoin the meeting Bagdi had interrupted.

LUSCIOUS LOGS

BY: LIBBY GOLDBERGER

Chocolate logs are so impressive and easy to make. These are delicious and deliver a real wow factor!

SPONSORED BY BAKER’S CHOICE

DAIRY PINK RASPBERRY LOGS

These are heavenly and perfect for a baby girl’s kiddush! The raspberry filling adds a real punch of flavor to this creamy confection.

8 mini

DIRECTIONS

1. In a double boiler, melt together both chocolates.

2. Spread a thin layer on the log mold with the back of a small spoon. Freeze.

3. Spread another layer of melted chocolate on top, making sure to cover the entire surface. Freeze.

4. Blend together the filling ingredients.

5. Using a piping bag, pipe the filling into the log mold, on top of the chocolate.

6. Cover the filling with the remaining chocolate.

7. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.

8. Gently remove the logs from the molds.

9. For the occasion of a baby girl’s kiddush, I decorated the logs by brushing some with Baker’s Choice edible paint, and drizzling chocolate on others. I created little baby onesie cutouts by melting pink chocolate into mini molds, then arranging these on some of the logs.

ROSEMARIE CHOCOLATE LOGS

Just in time for Tu B’Shvat! Decorate your log with dried fruit and nuts for a festive presentation.

Yield: 12 mini logs

INGREDIENTS

14 oz. dark baking chocolate

10 oz. white baking chocolate

16 oz. Baker’s Choice chocolate Rosemarie spread

8–10 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed

DIRECTIONS

1. In a double boiler, melt together both types of baking chocolate.

2. Mix in the Rosemarie cream and crushed sandwich cookies.

3. Fill the log molds and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.

TOPPING

These logs are a blank canvas and can really tell a story, so get creative! For this occasion, I chose to decorate the logs in a festive manner in honor of Tu B’Shvat.

For variety, I brushed some logs with Baker’s Choice edible gold paint and sprayed others with Baker’s Choice edible luster dust spray. Topping that with chocolatedipped dried fruits and nuts added color and elegance, and tied in beautifully with the season of Tu B’Shvat.

A rose-tinged hue fills the room. It’s a bundle of joy, wrapped in pink! Ribbons and bows and sparkling studs for her ears celebrate the birth of a precious new princess… It’s a girl!

There’s no trace of the feverish frenzy that arrives along with the birth of baby boys. No shalom zachor, vach nacht or bris to prepare. No pidyon haben; no major fanfare.

In her trademark modest way, another bas Yisroel has joined the ranks. Without the noise, a new daughter brings along an abundance of blessing. Our very survival as a nation is credited to baby girls, for Yiddishkeit is passed through the mother. Mother to daughter, your little baby girl will continue the chain. As your little girl grows up and moves on to build a home of her own, she is the one to give over a Jewish identity to her children. This entrusts her with the inestimable task of instilling in her children yiras Shamayim, an aspiration for mitzvos and middos tovos, and of course, pride in being a Yid. When we celebrate the birth of a baby girl, we are reveling in the continuity of Klal Yisroel.

The Kiddush

The truth is, even on a ceremonial level, baby girls don’t go completely uncelebrated. The minhag of calling family and friends for a kiddush in honor of the new pink bundle goes way back.

The Gemara (Bava Basra 91a) tells us that Ivtzan, who was one and the same as Boaz, celebrated 120 feasts in honor of his children. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters and prepared two celebrations for each child — one in the home of the father, and one in the home of the father-in-law.

Thus we see that each of his daughters was also cause for a ceremony. And so, the time-honored tradition of festivities upon the birth of a baby girl is genuine.

At the kiddush, we welcome the arrival of a new neshamah in this world. The kiddush also doubles as a seudas hoda’ah that mother and baby are healthy and well.

Perhaps most significantly, the kiddush presents an opportunity for well-wishers to shower the newborn with brachos Family and friends come over to say mazel tov and express their heartfelt wishes for the new baby to follow the Torah’s ways and grow up to be a true bas Yisroel, a loyal link in the chain of our mesorah

These brachos are not to be taken lightly. Many stories have been told of women who experienced challenges later on in life and were asked by gedolim if a kiddush had been made to celebrate their births. Some have been encouraged to make a kiddush even at that grown stage so they could collect the warm wishes coming to them.

Forever Indebted

It doesn’t take much to stir the emotions during the impressionable moments following a birth. A healthy child? What a cause for gratitude! The miracle of a brandnew baby girl certainly deserves the bracha of Shehecheyanu.

In the days of the Beis Hamikdash, the new mother would bring her own Korban Todah to thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu for looking after her during these critical moments.

Today, in lieu of the Korban Todah, whenever we merit salvation from danger, the bracha of Hagomel is recited. And although childbirth is viewed as a natural phenomenon, we are reminded that it is actually an inherently perilous event. A woman is actually halachically regarded as a choleh in danger for the first three days after birth.

Although some say that the husband should recite the bracha on her behalf, Birchas Hagomel is generally not recited on behalf of another person. Thus, only the woman herself is able to make this bracha after her child is born.

In some communities, the new mother personally recites the bracha before a minyan of men, either in her home or while standing in the womens’ section of shul, within earshot of a

minyan. This minhag is prevalent among Yerushalmi women. In Eastern Europe, it was not customary to do so, probably for reasons of tznius

A common practice in its place is for the father of the new baby to receive an aliyah to the Torah, to which his wife should reply, “Baruch Hashem Hamevorach l’olam va’ed,” with the specific intent of fulfilling her obligation to thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

The same pasuk is recited in response to “Barchu,” and in many communities, a trip to shul to hear Barchu is the new mother’s first outing after birth. As she utters these words, she should have in mind and gratefully acknowledge the abundance of miracles that protected her during this most critical life cycle event.

When to N ame?

Unlike the bris, which provides a set time for naming a newborn, there is no specific time when a baby girl must be named. Many minhagim abound.

Some name a daughter immediately, on the day she is born. Others do so at the first krias haTorah following the birth, while others wait for Shabbos. Some wait for five days to pass before naming the baby, unless the third day falls on Shabbos. Yet others wait a full month, 40 days, or until the mother is able to go to shul.

During krias haTorah, the bracha of Mi Shebeirach is made, with a tefillah for the mother’s health and a bracha for the new baby sandwiching the naming of the child.

Names run deep. The name which a child bears is a statement of his or her essence and direction in life, and indeed, parents receive one-sixtieth of nevuah when naming a child.

Similarly, the Midrash describes how Adam Harishon looked into the essence of each creature and named it accordingly. There are numerous examples later on in Chumash where the basis of a child’s name is described. For example, Leah named her fourth child Yehuda, from the root word of “thanks.” The letters can also be rearranged to spell the Name of Hashem. Her message? She wished to thank Hashem for the gift of this child.

Chazal say that at birth a child is given a name, and at the end of life, all that the person takes along is a good name.

What’s i N a Name?

So many emotions, deliberations, and sometimes the need for peaceful arbitration…

The topic of names is a great one to broach when you meet

just about anyone… even someone you’ve never seen before. Chances are, if you mention names, you’ll meet an eruption of passion. There is just something about this topic that stirs that emotion.

How involved should the grandparents be? Should a name be added? Is the name too unique? What if I just don’t like the name?

Many gedolim caution parents not to give their child a name with which the child will be uncomfortable later in life. There are those who suggest adding another name and those who are adamantly opposed to that option.

There are different approaches to naming a child for a person who passed away at a young age or had an unnatural death. No parent wants to pass on an ill-fated mazel. Some add another name to offset this.

When in doubt, ask! Turning to a respected rav or gadol in regard to a name can offer clarity and insight and dispel disagreements.

When a child is named after a grandparent or special person, there is a metaphysical bond between the neshamos. Besides keeping the memory of the deceased alive, it is an honor to them, as the maasim tovim of the child give this neshamah an aliyah. Additionally, it makes a connection to the past, and the child can be inspired by the good middos of the person he or she is named after. Among Sefardim, many name their children after those who are still alive.

Besides naming after grandparents, parents sometimes choose a name that corresponds with the specific time of year, such as Esther for a baby born Purim time or Menachem on Tisha B’Av. Others look for a name in the parsha of that week.

The Midrash Tanchuma states that it is important to choose a name with a positive connotation, since every time the child will be called this way, he or she will be reminded of its meaning.

BUDS IN PINK

by: CHAVA SCHWARTZ

Flowers can be a beautiful addition to any simcha, event or tablescape. And in honor of a new baby girl, how better to incorporate the ubiquitous pink than in their most natural, most dainty state? Here are some easy steps to create your own beautiful floral arrangements while keeping the costs minimal. Use bud vases for an elegant look, easy prep and low cost.

STEP 1:

Choose your flowers.

Select some greens, some white flowers, and one or two colored flowers to add a pop of color to your tablescape. Here we chose some eucalyptus branches, mini pink roses, purple carnations, baby’s breaths and pink rice flowers.

STEP 2:

Decide which flower to place in each vase.

Mini roses and carnations look beautiful in tall, narrow vases. Baby’s breaths and pink rice look great in short, round vases. Leafy branches like eucalyptus look good in tall statement vases that boast thick necks.

STEP 3:

Prepare the stems.

Starting with one bunch at a time, remove the leaves and cut the stems at an angle to the correct length for the vase you selected. Aim to have each type of flower at a different height.

STEP 4:

Fill the vases.

Put the stems of flowers or leaves into the bud vases. Calculate to have one mini rose, two carnations, five stems of pink rice and baby’s breaths, and five eucalyptus branches per bud vase.

STEP 5:

Plan your tablescape.

Bud vases are super flexible to work with. Make them your own by setting them up in a way that works for you! Start with the largest vase and the tallest flowers. Set them on the table somewhat spread apart. They can be arranged in either a straight line, zigzag or random fashion. Select the next size vase and flowers, and put them near the larger vases. Continue with the smaller vases and flowers, and put them near the others.

TIP:

For a long table, cluster one of each flower/vase pair, and put a large space between clusters. To use as centerpieces, cluster all the vases together in no particular order.

Though here we provide step-by-step instructions for creating this specific floral runner, you can use these tips to create smaller arrangements to keep the costs and work to a minimum. Some options are sets of three tall, narrow vases with several pink roses and carnations in each; lining up several low, round vases holding fuller flowers in pinks and whites; or spray-painting some baby’s breaths in pink.

Heart in Gifting

by: HADASSAH STEINMAN

Tiny rosebud lips open in a perfect yawn. Back arched, dolllike eyes squeeze shut, and miniature arms stretch upward. Her mother’s eyes are heavy with exhaustion, but she can’t help but marvel at this little miracle lying before her. She takes in the babe’s teeny-tiny fingers, the barely-there eyelashes, the chest that rises and falls rapidly with each blessed breath.

And when that first bag arrives, boxed and perfumed gift sticking out, this mother knows: Others remember. They appreciate this miracle.

“F

or a friend or casual acquaintance of a new mother,” Blima of Art in Gifting says, “an occasion like this is more than an opportunity for gifting; it’s an opportunity for connection.”

Of course, Blima explains, gifting is often about choosing and presenting that perfect set of muslins, that cozy take-me-home set, when a gift is called for. But it’s often difficult to find that perfect something, especially when it comes to baby girl number five in a row, or a new mother who is the type to shtufeer her new baby to absolute perfection.

“In those cases,” Blima says, “getting that generic gift of yet another footie or blanket is almost a waste. If you know it’ll be returned, why aren’t you taking this opportunity to invest a little creativity into this act of gifting?”

After her third baby, Blima pondered this question enough to do something about it. In her words, she set out “to fill a void.”

Strokes of Heart

It took a full year for Blima’s vision to take shape, and she spent that time creating the concepts behind her handpainted, heart-laden greeting cards — her first solution to gifting that extends far beyond a mere exchange of gifts.

One popular card, most often purchased for newly minted mothers — or grandmothers — features a little girl wearing too-large heels and pushing a doll carriage. The

meaning of this card is clear: Weren’t you just that little girl, waiting to grow up and be a mommy?

“I once gave this card to a woman who had just become a grandmother, and it reduced her to tears,” Blima shares. “You know what that means, to know I touched someone so deeply? It’s the best feeling in the world, and it meant so much more than simply handing her the requisite baby gift to pass on to her daughter.”

Among others, Blima also sells congratulatory cards, friendship cards and cards that simply wish the recipient well. This last one is the perfect purchase for anyone going through a transition, like a new job, house or family circumstance. But whatever the theme, the art on each card is unforgettable. The cards feature sweet, lifelike children and soft tones, but more than the color choice is the mood they create. Each card carries a whisper of childhood and the mystery of timelessness. What is it about these cards that makes the heart melt?

Tied Up In String

Blima’s passion for heartfelt gifting soon urged her to take things one step further. According to her, many gift boxes can be upgraded to attain that cohesive look that is so easy to create and so meaningful to pass on.

Determined to fill this next void, Blima put herself to work manufacturing wrapping paper, ribbons and tags that can be mixed and matched to form a complete set.

“Now taking your gift one step further is so easy. Wrap it in paper, tie it with matching ribbon, stick on a faux or paper flower (see sidebar), and voila! Suddenly your gift shows that you made the effort to give with your whole heart.”

And if adding on a card is not something you’d do, then attaching a tag — even with only a few heartfelt words scribbled on it — makes all the difference.

“Writing a few words is really what takes a gift and transforms into a means of connection,” Blima explains. “Life is so short; let’s make it intentional!”

A Curated Collection

What began as adding emotion and creativity to gifts soon segued into crafting the quintessential gift boxes.

“Some people who bought cards wanted the gift that could go along with it,” Blima says, “so I began working on these gift boxes. The boxes are memorable, they make a statement; they’re not gifts that get returned three days later.”

That’s because Blima’s gift boxes contain gifts that everyone can enjoy. They’re different enough to be enjoyed even by baby number six, yet they’re basic enough to be appreciated even by a first-time mother.

So what, exactly, are in these gift boxes?

The boxes contain a curated collection of specialty items, which results in a final product that is as charming as it is compelling. The Bathtime gift box features a high-end towel — not your usual terry selection — as well as a brush set and adorable rubber duck. The Cuddle Time gift box contains a beautiful lambswool blanket as well as a hand-crocheted doll that words — or even photos — can’t do justice to.

“This doll is something special,” Blima says. “It displays such emotion! And each gift box comes along with a card, so it’s easy to connect.”

A third box, called Precious Moments, is currently in the works and is scheduled to debut in the spring. This new box will contain a lovely knit cocoon and a baby book, with the space to record baby’s milestones as well as for photos, and either a doll or toy will serve as the finishing touch.

Blima is really excited about introducing this newest box.

“This box, really, is what I’d have so appreciated after a baby. The baby book contains the space for everything a mother wants to record, and it can serve as an heirloom of sorts, which the baby will eventually take home when he or she grows up.”

Is anything else in the works?

“Wellness self-care gift boxes,” Blima says. “Those are also in the process.”

Feel-Good Favorites

Surprisingly, the crown jewel of Blima’s collection has nothing to do with get-better, baby or friendship wishes. What’s called the Candy Gift Box fills all boxes when in

All Wrapped Up

Blima is all for wrapping gifts with heart and flair. When prodded for ideas, she often suggests adding a paper flower to any wrapped package to give it that extra bit of class.

“Anyone can create a paper flower,” Blima says. “It’s super simple. The first step is cutting out a flower shape eight times, four each of two sizes. Then these flowers should be creased and rolled up, sprayed with water, and left to dry. When completely dry, the flowers should be unrolled, and then colored with either powdered chalk or cosmetics. Finally, starting with the larger shapes, the flowers should be stacked and glued together — and voila! You just made a beautiful addition to any gift.”

search of that elusive something to get a friend who’s either going through a difficulty, a changing family dynamic, or any other life-altering moment that can’t be defined by a strict Hallmark-style “occasion.”

The label that says, “Why eat your feelings when you can eat candy?” explains the intent behind this ultimate candy box. Inside is a huge selection of stick figures experiencing a variety of emotions, and each one can be punched out to reveal a candy underneath.

But one should be careful when wrapping cheaper gifts, she cautions. “If you bought a smaller gift,” Blima continues, “wrap it simply, and tag it. This will result in a neat, classy presentation that doesn’t give a misleading, over-the-top impression, which would only serve to unnecessarily raise the recipient’s expectations.”

“This is the product that gets the most feedback,” Blima shares. “And invariably, many recipients of this box go on to gift one. It just has that kind of effect; it offers that validation that no cake or bouquet of flowers can produce. It doesn’t say that it’s all going to be okay; it just says, ‘Hey, I get that this is complicated for you now.’”

Another special product Blima produces is a set of paper lunch bags designed to look like loose-leaf paper decorated with some fun school-themed images.

“This is my favorite product,” Blima admits. “There’s just something so special about this lunch bag that simply begs a mother to connect with her child. Because there’s no way to fill this bag without adding a few warm words for the child to see come recess or lunch time, and when the kids find it, they glow with the knowledge that their mother took the time to connect with them, even on an ordinary school day. It’s heartwarming.”

When it comes to these products that engender connection in such a beautiful way, Blima says, “It means way more than just making a sale! It’s so special for me to know that my products can really, truly make someone feel better.”

Art In Gifting can be contacted at 347-389-5740, or visit their website at www.artingifting.com.

by: CHAYA BRENNER AND DASSI LEVI

You’d think two sisters who grew up at the same time in the same house would have somewhat similar homes when they become mothers themselves.

But give one sister a handful of girls and the other a handful of boys, and they’re running two such different operations that they can’t even consult one another about parenting or household management.

Or can they?

Here two sisters catch up to let you decide.

What my playroom looks like

Our playroom is filled with the typical Playmags, Lego, Playmobil and Clics, because, yes, we are a Jewish family. We have a shelf in the closet dedicated to eighteen-inch dolls (eleven at the last count; that might need to be updated by the time this article goes to print) and a wardrobe and furniture for them that would put Princess Charlotte’s to shame.

Our latest addition: two mannequins clamped onto a table. Our hairdryer, curling iron, and every bottle of hairspray and mousse have officially been relocated to said table — along with two dozen brushes, seven hundred and sixty-five pony rubbers in various thicknesses, and two million eight hundred gazillion bobby pins. And it’s probably unnecessary to mention that our floor features a cozy new coating of kosher yak hair…

The roadway carpet is a very prominent feature, with some tracks and mountains to add dimension.. We have buckets full of cars, but lose one and every kid will know, and no, it cannot be replaced, ever.

Clics take up a huge (huge!) container, but there’s no black so we can’t make ANYTHING.

A mix of twenty-something little Lego sets, all mixed up yet sorted by color, is rivaled only by the Playmobil collection.

If it’s related to the police, fire, or paramedics department, it’s a favorite. Even more favored, however, is anything piraterelated. And guns. These boys will make guns out of anything..

The dress-up box, with mikes and musical instruments and whatnot, means impromptu weddings, mock Hatzalah calls and daring Chaverim missions, always.

Oh, and the comic books! This sometimes means that the hooting and beeping and sirens calm down, and silent adventures are had by one and all.

Shopping challenges

A tremendous challenge is finding clothing that suits my figure, yet won’t cause intense shame to my kids. “I know it’s stylish, but you still can’t wear it!” “You let Mommy wear that to your performance? You weren’t embarrassed?”

Oh! You meant shopping for my kids? Whoops! My bad!

The greatest challenge would be respecting my children’s tastes while still respecting (relatively, of course) my budget, my taste and my penchant for matching my kids. And getting clothes that will fit for two seasons without major alterations (impossible, but I still try). And matching my preteen to her younger sisters. And finding the glorious middle my kids so expressively demand: “I want the type of clothes that everyone has, but not the typical things that everyone actually has.” Like, a velour two-piece, but in a color that no one has. Or an ivory knit sweater, but not the typical style. And so on and so forth. I’m often tempted to just custom-design their stuff.

Well, let me set the record straight for all of those who chalk up my shopping duties as: What’s there to shop for boys? Just get some pants, some tops, and you’re done.

Pants have an exact science, and if one part of the formula is messed up, woe unto any mother who prepares that offensive article of clothing on a given morning. For starters, the waistband has to sit at that perfect, elusive spot, and the hands have to fit into the pockets in a particular way.

But one thing I learned: If you find the right pants, buy a dozen. Because they’ll get a hopeless rip before your kid can say, “Oh, this one is good!”

And tops, t-shirts, shirts?

Well, if you have that perfect seamless, soft, no collar yet doesn’t show the tzitzis, short-sleeved but not that short, colored but not that color, shirt, well, please let me know. Maybe at least one of my fellows will agree to wear it.

Getting ready for a wedding looks like

Getting ready for a wedding is stressful. And frilly. And exhausting. And time-consuming, especially when it comes to styling all those heads full of hair while they run to look in the mirror every other millisecond. And frustrating when they pile on the instructions that go something like, “Not so curly; more wavy, but still curled. And the part is too centered, but it can’t be a side part.” And then there’s a rush of buttoning and straightening and preening to do, and making sure nobody walks around with their brand-new tights without shoes. And of course, closing the clasps on all the jewelry. Then, at 3 a.m. it’s reckoning time for every single bobby pin I used.

In this house, getting ready for a wedding means forlornly eyeing the piped shirts and starched cream blazers in the closet, and nodding enthusiastically as the boys (who didn’t nap despite the melatonin and bribes and threats) shrug themselves into their navy suits and white shirts (that have “Nothing. Just a blank, empty shirt, Mommy, okay?”)

And then running in to get dressed while hoping and desperately davening that nobody lands in a puddle or finds anything interesting to climb along the tiny route from the front door to the car.

But worse comes to worst, they’re either going to have to wear those cream blazers, or… they’re on the men’s side, so what we don’t see doesn’t hurt us.

What I say no to most

I say no to sleepovers and candy and Limited Edition hair accessories and slime. And another top. And a doll with better-quality hair. And another crossbody. Or fanny pack. Or both. And a cozy pair of slippers, and a stylish pair of slides, and really, just one more headband, and then I’ll have enough.

Can you get us a Segway? A hoverboard? An e-bike? Or at least a motor scooter?

Can we get an ATV? I promise I’ll only use it on the driveway.

Can I get the ladder from the attic? I won’t scratch the walls! There’s a nest on that tree, and I want to do shiluach haken

Can you hide behind the door when the bus comes? I don’t want my classmates to see your funny sweater.

(Actually, I don’t say no to the last one; I’m not cruel. I dutifully duck behind the doorway whenever I wear anything they deem offensive.)

phobia

I have to learn how to face all things creepy and crawly featuring hair-thin legs or translucent wings. Because when something scurries by or buzzes around, and big brave Tatty isn’t home…. Well, let’s just say that the bloodcurdling shrieker is not exactly going to lend a hand with Project Get Rid of the Gross Bug.

I had to overcome my very real, yet unacknowledged, acrophobia. Is someone knocking on the outside window that’s one flight up? Yes, someone is knocking, and it looks like a freckled-face little boy I know. I guess scaling drain pipes really is a thing.

Oh, you mean people need stairs leading off their back porch? My kids don’t think it’s necessary at all. All you need is a good grip on the railing, and a soft drop later, you’re in the yard.

And while you may think that hiding things on top of the bookcase or above the cabinets (the cabinets!) keeps your secret safe — not here. It’s the first place they’d look!

And when you shout at me hysterically as you point at my son who’s just a few feet over my head as he nestles on a very, very sturdy branch, and I look at you sweetly, this is what I’m thinking: It’s the safest place for him to be.

A

I had to overcome

A typical Sunday

Sunday means breakfast. And snack. And brunch. And snack. And blunch. And snack. And lunch. And snack. And, “I’m so huuuungry. There’s never any good food in the house!” And crayons and papers and puzzles and games and baking cookies and, “I’m so booooored!”

And then, a steaming mug of coffee in a darkened room behind locked doors, perhaps with a forbidden square of chocolate — and headphones, if necessary, to block out the banging and whining. And after those five minutes of bliss…. Snack. And lupper. And snack. And supper. And… is the clock really being so kind to me as to hurry the hour hand past the half mark on the bottom hemisphere? “But I didn’t do homework yet!”

It’s Sunday. Wake up at some unearthly hour when all the shades on the block are still down and beg. Beg one kid, two kids, three kids to please open those beautiful eyes of theirs.

Bribe with coffee, hot or cold, and with a chocolate bar at the side if it doesn’t help.

Finally extract them from bed, turn up the heat to make the environment friendly enough. Physically dress them, doesn’t matter the age. Get them into the kitchen to make those coffees and get them to look somewhat presentable.

Herd those sleepy-eyed fellows down the stairs, only to see the tail end of the bus all the way down the block. Wait around for twenty minutes while the bus finishes the route.

Take the kids to school, and then get home to a quiet house. Prepare a huge cup of coffee, and breathe in the leisure of being a mom of boys.

Our best Chol Hamoed trip

Recently, we packed the car with bikes and scooters and headed to Bear Mountain. We hiked all the way down to the Hudson River, where we watched several people fish. My kids loved climbing up random little peaks on the way up, and we all really enjoyed the scenic paths and good, old-fashioned nature time.

As shocking as it may seem, BuildA-Bear, where each of these energy-laden people got fitted with a perfect, snuggly teddy to dress up and go to sleep with, turned out to be our best trip yet. After all, none of their friends had to know!

What I wake up to if I sleep in on a Shabbos morning

Have you ever tried sleeping to the music of whining kids? Annoying…. But when they do let me sleep in, I’ll find that every room in the house has been turned into someone else’s residence. I find bedding in the kitchen, pots in the playroom, and I’ll trip over shopping bags filled with important stuff just about everywhere.

There’s always creativity in the works, because bed frames make awesome climbing walls when they are standing upward, and mattresses can be slides or, when they’re spanning two beds, shaky bridges that delight everyone, especially those who fall.

But I usually don’t wake up. Eventually, I’ll be awakened by the giggles… or by a cry from someone who realized that maybe safety wasn’t ensured.

What I fear when the school’s number is on the ID

I fear that somebody has a stomach ache. But usually I’m not caught by surprise, since it’s related to a test, newly changed seat, missing homework, or something similar.

Oh, no! Hashem, do we need to go for stitches again? Are everyone’s teeth intact?

Did my son show off by jumping down the entire flight of stairs? Or did Mommy’s boy simply find a really good reason to earn himself some home time?

Tights. I’ll find the collection of the hour (doctor stickers, packs of Storee Town, erasers), hair accessories, and piles and piles of papers.

Energy!

I’ll find pieces of glass embedded in pants pockets, because they are actually precious gems, only the one who left them lying around isn’t aware of their worth. And cards. All types of cards.

In closing:

Though it’s fun to stereotype the girls and the boys, let’s not forget that each child, regardless of gender, is a world unto their own and a unique gift entrusted to their parents’ care. Enjoy every one of life’s little moments!

What is something I need more of:

The stuff I find lying around

by: ROIZY WALDMAN

The first time I went to a bungalow colony that had an actual day camp was when I was ten years old. In fact, that was both the first and last time I had that privilege. Before that, in every bungalow colony my family had gone to, we kids were mostly left to our own devices. Of course, there was the pool, and certainly, we went swimming every day, weather permitting. But the rest of the time, we’d meander around the colony, thinking up games to play or things to do.

We took turns riding bikes. We came up with ideas for plays and practiced acting them out. We made mock weddings. Sometimes we’d scour the grass for coins people had inadvertently dropped. (It was a special thrill if you found a quarter.) In the evenings, when the boys were done with summer cheder, we’d usually team up for a game of cops and robbers. The boys were always the cops and we girls, the robbers. Once a summer, we’d have a pajama party, where we’d come to the “casino” (which doubled as the shul on Shabbos) in our pajamas or nightgowns and eat nosh.

I knew there were colonies that had day camps. When I’d come back to school in September, the girls in my class would talk about the various arts and crafts projects they’d created in their day camps and the different prizes they’d received from their counselors. It always seemed thrilling and exotic to me, a special luxury that, for some reason, was not part of the places my family went to.

But the summer I was ten, it was finally my turn. I couldn’t believe my luck. We were going to a new bungalow colony called Mountain Lodge, and they had a professionally run day camp. It would be for only two hours in the afternoon — the owner owned another colony, and they got the morning hours — but hey, day camp was day camp. No longer would we girls have to create our own fun; no longer would rainy days stretch on endlessly in unstructured boredom; no longer would fights break out between us kids every few days. Instead, we’d have counselors, arts and crafts, a program, structure. I was ecstatic.

As it turned out, the day camp was every bit as much fun as I’d expected it to be. I loved the structure, and I loved knowing when I woke up that soon I’d be given something to do. Also, I adored our counselor. The day camp was divided into two age groups, and two nineteen-year-

old girls were hired by the colony owner to lead them. If I recall correctly, one of the girls was from Lakewood and the other from Chicago. They both seemed impossibly glamorous to us kids from Williamsburg and Boro Park.

In fact, so alluring did the counselors’ jobs appear to me — their autonomy, their leadership position, this outlet for their creativity — that for many years after that summer, I fantasized about having a job like that. I think I was in my twenties and married before I realized, one day as I was recalling that summer, that being counselors in a bungalow colony may not have been those “glamorous” girls’ first choice as a way to spend their summer vacation. More likely, they had to earn some mon-

ey, and this was one way to do it.

At any rate, today it’s hard to imagine a bungalow colony that would not provide a day camp. Or provide one for only two hours a day because hiring counselors for the full day was too expensive.

And it’s not only the hours that have increased. The activities in today’s day camps are larger in scope, more sophisticated, more pricey and more intense. While we were thrilled to be given construction paper and pipe cleaners to create simple arts and crafts, and the main activity for the day might have been a hike in the woods, today’s day camps come with trips to water parks, helicopter rides and petting zoos, as well as professional color-war performances and sports competitions.

But day camps are only one part of the transformation. Had someone coming of age in the 1970s and ’80s been given a peek at today’s “bungalow colonies” — I place the words in quotes in-

tentionally — they would not have believed their eyes. The luxurious summer homes in the Catskills owned or rented by a significant portion of the population are a far cry from the bungalows we all called home all those decades ago.

Let us go back in time.

Summer vacation began with packing. Into boxes and garbage bags went our old towels, faded linens, the Corelle dinnerware sets that had some missing pieces, bathing suits, the occasionally bleached terry robes, washed-out “model’s coats,” and other second-class items that were considered “good enough for the country.” It was obvious that the nicer stuff stayed home.

Bungalows generally came as one-bedroom or two-bedroom units, with only the occasional lucky (or wealthy) family scoring a three-bedroom bungalow. The kitchens, on the whole, had barely any counter space, and the oak cabinets were old and flimsy. If you were a good bala-

busta, you would spend the first day of summer vacation lining those cabinets with fresh contact paper.

Most bungalows had an open porch, and that was one of the rooms used most during the summer season. I remember people eating their shalosh seudos meal out on the porch, probably because the gas burning beneath the blech all Shabbos had made the inside of the bungalow too warm.

This brings us to another point. Most people had only one air conditioner in their bungalow, since there was a charge per unit. They’d have to choose between placing it in a bedroom or the kitchen. “It’s only for nine weeks,” was the typical attitude, and this mindset was reflected in nearly every aspect of the bungalow colony experience.

Having a washer or dryer in one’s bungalow was almost unheard of, and each summer gave birth to new tales about the “post-Tisha B’Av laundry” scene. Because most colonies had about three or four washing machines in all, and because dirty laundry would pile up overwhelmingly over the nine days preceding Tisha B’Av, there would be quite a bit of stress associated with post-Tisha B’Av laundry-washing. I have vivid recollections of the women sitting in a circle beneath the big tree in the center of the colony as they waited for lots to be drawn to find out when their turn to use the machines would be. The women who’d be picked for the earlier numbers would squeal in delight, while those at the end of the list would be quite glum.

The “circle of women under the tree” was a fixture in every bungalow colony I had gone to as a child, and likely in every colony of that time. All through the day — or so it seemed — our mothers sat on their chairs in the circle. As

they schmoozed and laughed, most would be doing something with their hands, either knitting a sweater or blanket or embroidering a picture they would later frame and hang. When one of us kids lingered in the area, they’d shoo us away. “Kids don’t belong here,” one mother would announce, and so, for a long time, I believed that mothers possessed a secret adult code, that their conversations were all cerebral and important.

Fathers, on the other hand, played almost no role in the “country experience.” Nearly all men of the ’70s and ’80s would come out on Thursday nights or Friday afternoons and head back to the city on Sunday or early Monday morning. For the most part, they held jobs that required them to

be at their workplaces by nine o’clock on Monday morning.

On Fridays, some families would take advantage of the cars on premises to drive to bungalow colonies that had larger groceries so that they could stock up on items that the small groceries, the standard in most colonies, did not carry. The groceries in colonies — if they had one at all — were generally hole-in-the-wall, dinky shops that carried the bare basics such as milk, eggs, rice, pasta, and so on. They were usually open for only about two or three hours a day, except on Fridays, when they’d stay open for a longer period of time. About three times a week, a bakery truck would roll around, and that’s where people bought their bread (and challos) for the week.

Although there weren’t many kosher supermarkets at the time, there were larger groceries in some of the colonies or on the main streets of towns like Woodbourne. Additionally, Shop Rite, one of the more popular stores of the time, featured a kosher section in one aisle. (Another very popular shop at the time, albeit not a grocery, was Jamesway. It was a sort of mini-Walmart, where we’d go to buy toys, swim stuff, detergents, and so on.)

Time marches on. Certainly, a few bungalow colonies like the ones I’ve described still exist today, but they are steadily becoming rarer. In time, people will no longer remember that such experiences were once the norm. And so it goes. And so it must be. For time is not meant to be static.

My MemoryA Cage of Pain

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common struggle resulting in the manifestation of misunderstood traits and bewildering behaviors.

“Failure, worthless, no good, a mistake”, are a few among many other names Chaim has been called by his father. These severely damaging words significantly impacted Chaim’s sense of self-esteem and trust. “He spared me the physical cage, yet locked me up behind a wall built of hurt and anguish.” That’s how Chaim, a talented individual with a poetic, tender soul, summarized his childhood experience towards the end of our first meeting.

Growing up, a constant fear and unease lurked at every corner of his daily life. Chaim had no sense of worth, no feelings of safety a little child so needs to experience a healthy childhood. Some of those fears prevented him from forming lasting relationships and a general feeling of something “being wrong” all the time accompanied him.

Lately, he’s been feeling more on edge, anticipating the worst-case scenario in every situation.

Until that fateful day that he showed up at my office, his broken self trudging along listlessly. Cham was utterly convinced that he is a wreck of a human, and he was desperate to determine what it is that’s “wrong with him”. A lot of listening from my end resulted in a precise and personal plan of action, which Chaim is diligently following.

Chaim is a classic case of someone with adverse childhood experiences — children who suffered from any form of traumatic event, including abuse and neglect. As an adult, this manifests as PTSD.

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, can be a debilitating condition that affects an individual’s inner psyche; the manner in which he processes emotions, experiences

Chaim had no sense of worth, no feelings of safety a little child so needs to experience a healthy childhood.

Chaim is a classic case of someone with adverse childhood experiences — children who suffered from any form of traumatic event, including abuse and neglect. As an adult, this manifests as PTSD.

daily life and filters healthy thoughts from damaging ones.

A common symptom of PTSD is a persistent sense of fear, or anxiety ridden days. Those with PTSD may also feel guilty, ashamed, or blame themselves for the traumatic events that led to their condition. They may be unable to share their experience with anyone, further fostering their sense of isolation and disconnectedness from others.

Additionally, the lack of experiencing any emotions or “Feeling Numb” is a common symptom of PTSD as well; resulting in not knowing or owning oneself, and difficulty experiencing joy and pleasure in life.

PTSD is a serious condition that needs to be recognized, acknowledged, and treated. People with PTSD need lots of

empathy, compassion, and professional help to overcome their condition. It can be challenging to understand and empathize with someone dealing with PTSD, as the condition can manifest in a variety of symptoms that may be hard to relate to or live with.

Healing is a journey that takes endless patience and tremendous zealousness to rise above. If you know of anyone who is on this journey, and that might be yourself, learn to be kind and supportive.

Your empathy is impactful and will ease the hardship of those who recovering from PTSD.

Healing is a journey that takes endless patience and tremendous zealousness to rise above. If you know of anyone who is on this journey, and that might be yourself, learn to be kind and supportive.

PRETTY IN… BLUE?

Pink was once the color of choice for baby boys — and it’s no myth. While until the 20th century, both baby boys and baby girls wore dainty whites at first, and only later saw their wardrobe expanded to include soft pastels, the beginning of the new century saw manufacturers suggesting appropriate clothing for babies of each gender.

In 1918, Earnshaw’s (then called Infant’s Department ), a trade publication that advised department stores on how to boost business, wrote that the “generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” In 1927, the Time published the preferred colors for babies of each gender by reporting what the leading U.S. department stores were saying: Filene’s of Boston, Best % Co. of NYC, Halle’s of Cleveland, and Marshall Field of Chicago all advised their customers to dress boys in pink!

Others at that time didn’t give the colors a gender distinction, rather advising that blue is flattering for blond babies, and pink for brunettes — or some went by eye color: blue for blue-eyed babies and pink for the brown-eyed wee ones.

AN UNKNOWN TREASURE

If you’re a girl with a pink heart, and you were disappointed to read the above, just listen to this. Until the 1700s, pink wasn’t even an official color! Rather, it fell under the red umbrella, just like the shades crimson or scarlet!

Pink wasn’t even anything of note on the artist’s palette until the Renaissance, when Cennino Cennini, an Italian painter, singled it out and used what he described as a blend of St. John’s White and Venetian Red in his paintings.

Thankfully, soon humanity realized that pink is certainly in a class of its own, and the color was named pink after a flower of the same name. Pinks are flowers of the Dianthus family, which include carnations.

Prior to that, the word pink was already in the dictionary — as a verb. To pink means to cut something in a manner that gives it a scalloped or zigzagged edge, once again a nod to the pinks — flowers that had “pinked” edges. And yes, that’s exactly why pinking shears are called this way.

Baby girls mean frills and lace, dainty gold chains and bangles, hearts and butterflies… and pink, of course. But it wasn’t always like that.

By: Shevy Hollander

POMPADOUR PINK

Madame de Pompadour was an influential figure in the court of King Louis XV and a noblewoman with a fine understanding of art. She was especially fond of certain shades of pink and gets the credit for popularizing the color and its name.

Aside from painting entire rooms in her home pink, she had the renowned porcelain company Sevres create a specific pink tint for her in 1757, and the color was then named for Madame Pompadour herself. An entire line of Sevres porcelain showcases this vivid pink, known as Pompadour Pink, or Rose Pompadour in French.

BAKER-MILLER PINK

During a 1980s study, certain shades of pink were shown to reduce aggression. Baker-Miller Pink, a bright Pepto-Bismol-like shade, was developed by research scientist Alexander Schauss in the 1970s, and soon the staff in prisons and psychiatric hospitals were painting the walls of their institutions in this shade in the hopes of keeping their charges calm.

Further research brought into question whether the color was as effective as it was said to be, and the trend didn’t last long.

A ROSE BY THAT NAME

In most languages, the color pink is based on the name for the rose flower.

French: rose Dutch: roze German, Latin Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian and others: rosa

Russian: rozovyy

Polish: rozowy

Hebrew: varod (rose)

PINK TALK

To be IN THE PINK is to be in good health

To receive a PINK SLIP is to be fired, a term that came into use for the color of the notes informing employees of the termination of their employment.

To be TICKLED PINK is to be extremely pleased.

PINK-COLLAR WORK is work conventionally considered done by women.

PINK NOISE

BLACK AND PINK AND READ ALL OVER

The Financial Times of London has been using a distinctive salmon color for its newsprint since 1893. The initial decision was a tactic to distinguish itself from its main competitor, The Financial News. Until today, they keep up their now-branded coloring, despite the costs involved. You see, back in the day, the unbleached pink paper was cheaper, and today it has to be specially dyed at a significant cost.

You know about white noise, but pink noise is even more constant than that. Unlike white noise, which can be intense and more high-pitched, pink noise uses lower sound waves, providing a more gentle and soothing filter for noise. Pink noise can sound like steady rain, wind rustling through trees, or waves of the beach. I’ll take that!

by: YONAH KLEIN illustration: JACKY YARHI

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 pastrami 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 diagonally), and each letter can only be used once in a given word.

The following are not allowed in Boggle:

Adding “s” to a word • Proper nouns

• Abbreviations • Contractions • Acronyms

POINTS

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

SP H J E

GR E I L

O B

FA H I

Family name: _________________________________ Phone: __________________

Full mailing address: ____________________________________________________

Full name of winner: _________________ Amount of points: __________

Full names of competing players: __________________________________

List some words only the winner found:

The longest word found on the board: _____________________________

A new word you learned from the board: __________________________

Only complete forms will be entered into the drawing.

T E 230 www.themonseyview.com 845.600.8484 The Monsey View January 25, 2023

ADVANCED

BOGGLE WINNERS

WINNER 1

Family name: Roth, 845-xxx-0619

Name of winner: Mommy Amount of points: 46

Names of competing players: Sury

Some words only the winner found: blade, throw, worst, worth The longest word found on the board: tablecloth

WINNER 2

Family name: Wachsman, 917-xxx-3422

Name of winner: Dovi Amount of points: 28

Names of competing players: Totty

Some words only the winner found: fast, king, life, sang, table

The longest word found on the board: tablecloth

A new word learned from the board: gashed

Last week’s bonus word: TABLECLOTH

To claim your prize, tear out this sheet (on which your name appears) and bring it in to Nussy’s Cuisine.

INTERMEDIATE

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!

To 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.

Baruch Avraham, Moshe, Shimon Leoffler

Raizy Weill

Yossi Lesin

Zalmen and Eliezer Beck

Shmily And Henny Bayer

Shaindel Rosenberg, 10

Shaya Eisenberger

Bentzion Sneh, Rebbe’s licht bentchen

Akiva Mashinsky

Chumy, Hindy, Malky, and Shaindy Czigler

Chaya, Chaim and Usher Austerlitz

Bus Motti Galandauer, 5

Avraham, Moshe Yehoshua, Esther

Mazel tov, Raizy Stern!

6-foot-tall menorah, Klein Family

Esther Ehrenfeld

Family Twerski

Mendy Green

Yitzchak and Avrumy Stern

Brull

Classifieds

FOR SALE

RESTAURANT FOR SALE

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

DOONA STROLLER

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

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

JOOLZ HUB PLUS

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

MUTSY STROLLERS

EVO - $100, IGO (2 in Stock) - $200, NEXO Travel (4 in Stock) - $250, Dozens of satisfied customers already. For more info/pics Text/call845-521-6871

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

SUV FOR SALE

2019 7 passenger kia sorento in great condition. Only 42k miles, new brakes and tires. Please call/text 845-709-3911

JOOLZ AER

Brand new in box. Selling for $360.00. reg price $450.00 845.538.5693

DOONAS

Get your doona (imitation) delivered today, carriage bag and rain cover included call 646.838.4459

CONFERENCE TABLES FOR SALE

6ft & 8ft grey conference table, brand new in box. 25% off on both. Please call 347260-8224

IMITATION DOONA

Brand new, including baby bag & plastic $320. Please call 845-354-4752

REAL ESTATE

FURNISHED APT.

Nice 2 rooms (kitchnette & bedroom) on calvert dr. 1st floor front window please call 347 865-7651 or 845 426-2695

RARE OPPORTUNITY IN MONSEY

Private house for sale in prime location near many shuls and shopping centers. For more info please call 845499-8046

for sale N real estate

STUDIO APARTMENT

Studio apartment for rent. Great for single. Newly renovated in private monsey area. Call/text: 845-4289602. Leave message.

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Giving away High Value commercial properties in PA with big lots. Just pay transfer fee. 212-470-1708 lv msg

APT FOR RENT

Freshly renovated upgraded 1 Bedroom apartment for rent in Airmont Ridnik area please text 347-991-6622

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

WORK / STUDIO SPACE

Looking for work / studio space in the Wesley Hills / Forshay area? Private, quiet, clean 250 square ft space available! Kitchenette, patio area, private bathroom and designated parking area. Text 845-533-3019 for more info. Available immediately!

BASEMENT FOR RENT

Large basement available 4 rooms Mountain and College ave. Partially finished. 347631-7247 Leave a msg or a text

1 DESK OFFICE

New private all female office spaces located next to haztluchah grocery. Desk, Chair, Internet, Window, and Closet included. 1 desk office left call text 718-813-4265

GARAGE RENTAL

Large 2 car garage with heating and electricity for rent in Dexter Park. $550 / month. Please call / text 347853-4308.

KOSHER VILLA IN CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA

Beautiful villas with saltwater heated pool on gorgeous property. All amenities and kitchen accessories included. Near shul & Kosher grocery. Reasonable rates! Not available up until mid February. call/text 347-2245574

LAKEHOUSE VILLA

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

AIRMONT PESACH

Fully updated Beautiful 5 bedroom Villa in Airmont available for pesach or weekends. Relax in the quiet neighborhood of Airmont! Cleaned and kashered towels and linen included. Serious inquiries only. Call or text 347-420-4945

Classifieds

FURNISHED APT.

Brand new furnished apt for rent Chestnut Ridge area 845-270-2946

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Seeking a position where you will get recognition? We have Many job opportunities in Heimishe environments to choose from. Let us guide you to the right position.text : 3474219345 email: eva@ thekey2leads.com

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

OFFICE POSITION

Office in Monsey is seeking a capable individual for a job in a back office of a busy business. Great potential. Please email your resume to cpajobmonsey@gmail.com.

IMMEDIATE OPENING

Seeking a dedicated and highly motivated 6th Grade Sub for 4 weeks. There is a possibility of the job leading to a permanent position. The job is Monday - Thursday, 12:45-4:00 and every alternate Friday. Please send resume to englishdept@ bnosbinahm.org

TEACHERS WANTED

Monsey Bais Yaakov, Excellent pay + amazing environment! 6th Grade: Science, ELA, History, Kindergarten Hebrew. Apply Today! Email Resume To: 44camphillroad@thejnet. com or call: 845.362.3166

F/T POSITION

Full time position operating printing and finishing machines. Great benefits package. Basic computer skills a must. Willing to train. Send resume to jobs@ mailwayservices.com or for more info call 845-499-4057.

ACCOUNTANT

A company in Chestnut Ridge is seeking an accountant to work full-time. Salary $80,000. Email officecrny@ gmail.com

OFFICE POSITION

Insurance office looking to fill full time position. Work from home option. Please email resume pcinsmonsey@ gmail.com

real estate N help wanted N

OFFICE POSITION

Looking to hire a female purchaser for ecommerce company. Needs to be punctual, data entry skills. Located 5 minutes from The Palisades Mall. Please send resume to officej348@gmail. com

F/T OFFICE JOB

Design consulting firm looking for a secretary for project management in a multi girl office. prior office work experience required, well paid with room for growth. email resume to office11249@gmail.com

OFFICE POSITION

Local heimish office is looking to hire a fulltime female employee. Responsible & professional communication skills. Great opportunity for the right candidate. Email your resume to: officegc12@gmail. com

PEDIATRIC OFFICE

Seeking a part-time receptionist for morning hours. Busy pediatric practice in the heart of Monsey known for providing outstanding care. Multifaceted job and an opportunity to help many wonderful Monsey families. Requires good interpersonal skills and office computer experience. Please forward resume to frontdesk@ pcmonsey.com or call 845352-3212.

CARE MANAGER ASSISTANT

Serenity Community Care is looking to hire a Care Manager Assistant to make phone calls and help with paperwork. Full Time. Must have High school Diploma, Bachelor’s preferred. CALL 845-523-9500 EXT 510 OR EMAIL YZOLA@ SERENITYHS.NET

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.

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

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate management company is looking for a full time employee for the billing department. Please call 773-365-1818 Ext. 107 or send an email to ibraun@ thechicagopm.com

Classifieds help

HIRING!

All girls’ office in Monsey looking to hire a Payroll Specialist. Full-time & part-time options available. Willing to train, but prior office experience is required. Please email your resume to JobOpeningMonsey4@gmail. com.

OFFICE HELP

Monsey - Busy office located in a business center is looking to hire a F/T Secretary. Office experience required. Great pay and accommodations for the right individual. WA or text 8455332474 Email newtext10977@gmail.com

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

SALESLADY WANTED

Part-time position in Monsey’s favorite women’s boutique. Must be available on Fridays. Email: sales@ handpickedinc.com

HELP WANTED

A program for special needs children is looking for a secretary, computer and management skills required, Hours 9:30-3:30, call 347.460.0204 and leave a message.

YSV-BOYS SEEKS

1:1 Chumash/Kriah learning specialist with MSED and 3+ years’ experience with lower elementary. Send resume and references to rlevinger@ yeshivaspringvalley.org

OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A CASE MANAGER Earn your BA or Masters degree from a prestigious university, in CASE MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES, from home. Yeshiva and Seminary credits accepted. FAFSA and student loans available to cover tuition. For more information please contact us at: 18182065859 or email: supershevi36@gmail.com.

DIRECTOR

wanted N

- GIRLS JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER POSITION

YSV seeking a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher. Available from MidJanuary. Job requires passion for teaching and subject matter. Mondays through Thursdays 12:50pm- 4 pm. Contact Mrs. Cohen 8453561400 x 215

F/T POSITION CUSTOMER SERVICE REP

Monsey Insurance office on Robert Pitt Drive seeks Customer Service Rep, experience preferred but not required. Hours are Mon-Thu 9 am-5 pm, Fri 9 am- 12 pm. Pay dependent. Please email resume to jobs@ trustevergreen.com

BAS MIKROH DAYCARE

Bas Mikroh Daycare is seeking a full-time or part-time assistant for its 18–24-month group. Also seeking afternoon babysitter for our baby group. Please email resume to hr@ basmikroh.org. Join our Daycare sub list for day-today or weekly subbing. No commitment necessary. Call 845-352-5296 *124 leave a message.

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

ORDERS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Location: Lyndhurst, NJ Approx 45 min from Monsey (Full-Time)We are seeking a responsible and motivated individual to join our orders and customer service department. Strong communication and organizational skills are required. No prior experience is necessary. This is a great opportunity for growth with competitive pay. To apply, please send your resume to lyndhurstjob07071@gmail. com or call (347) 678-2670.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Seeking someone with experience in low voltage to do service calls for a security systems company. Lots of potential for the right candidate! Call 845-317-7463 ext 102 leave a message

DENTAL OFFICE

Busy Monsey dental practice is looking to hire a full time front desk associate as well as a part time dental assistant. The right candidate for front desk should have strong computer and phone skills, follow instruction and be a team player. Medical or dental scheduling is a plus, but not a must. We are willing to train the right candidate. Dental assistant must have experience as a dental assistant for at least one year. Send resume to judy@rocklandsmilebuilders. com or call 845-362-7645 for additional information

OFFICE MANAGER

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

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANCE

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

WAREHOUSE MANAGER

A busy company is seeking an experienced night shift warehouse manager. Must have experience in warehouse management and leading a team. Great potential for the right candidate!! contact blimiew@ theprimestaffing.com or text 845-642-7126

Classifieds help wanted N

POLISHED RESUME

Polished Resumes Written

By A Certified Copywriter, 200+ Satisfied Customers. Also Writer For Web Content And Letters. Proofread

By A College Educated Editor. Resumes Standard: 48 Hour Turnaround. Express Available. Contact Sarah Menczer, Ccs At Thejewishwriter@Gmail. Com Call/Text 347-409-5182

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER!

Growing Office in Monsey is looking to hire a construction Manager. The candidate should be well-organized and work expeditiously. Some background knowledge in construction a must. Great pay! Lots of benefits! Paid Yom Tov! Please send your resume to: myofficejobmonsey@gmail. com

TEAM LEADER POSITION

Do you have leadership experience or qualifications?

Local office in Monsey is looking to fill a female finance team leader position. Candidate should be capable of leading a team and manage responsibilities. Willing to train the right candidate. Paid holidays and vacation. Please send your resume to Apply1554jobs@ gmail.com.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Real estate and management company is seeking an experienced male office manager. Responsibilities include: leading a team as well as making reports for investors. Must have good number skills.Lots of potential! contact zelig@ theprimestaffing.com

COMPLIANCE/ BILLING SECRETARY

Do you enjoy dealing with numbers and technical info?!?! Are you a pro at excel?!?! A well established office in Monsey is looking for a secretary to work in the billing department. Great opportunity for the right candidate… Great Pay! Paid holiday and vacation! Lots of potential for growth! Please send your resume to employeeslovetoworkhere@ gmail.com.

FULL TIME SECRETARY NEEDED

Looking for a girl to work as a full-time (9-5) secretary. Candidate should be a fast learner, organized, articulate. Needs to be able to drive. Enjoyable environment with opportunity for advancement! Great benefits, including paid Yom Tov & holiday. Send resume to joboffersmonsey58@gmail. com.

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 recruitmentdepartment845@gmail.com.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Great Opportunity to work from home at your own convenience. (no computer needed) call:845-356-3614

BCBA POSITION

ABA Riders is looking to hire a BCBA. Well paid! Contact Rikki 347-930-9736.

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Established luxury travel concierge hiring account managers in our Monsey and Brooklyn offices to provide white glove service to our growing client base. Competitive salary & benefits. Email resume to OpenTravelJobs@Gmail.com

SOCIAL WORKER

Agency in Monsey is looking for a part-time social worker to do clinical oversight. Position can be done remotely. Great pay for the right candidate! Please send resume to Jobopening142@ gmail.com

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

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY!

A busy service provider agency is seeking a female supervisor to manage and oversee all coordinators. Must have experience with HCBS enrollments and services. contact 845-5022062

GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

A very professional company is seeking a capable individual to serve as a female executive assistant to personally aid the executive. contact 845-502-2062

GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

Looking for a female bookkeeper in an all female office. Candidate must be available full time. contact womansoffice7@gmail.com

FEMALE SUPERVISOR

A busy agency is looking for a female supervisor in the HR department. contact 845502-2062

JOB OPPORTUNITY

A Service provider agency is seeking a capable female to serve as a facilitator. Must have excellent communication skills. contact chany@ theprimestaffing.com

GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

Seeking capable individuals for HCBS coordinators. no experience needed! contact chany@theprimestaffing. com

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Great position available in a busy insurance company. Female position. Very heimish environment! contact 845-502-2062

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY!

An insurance agency is seeking a capable individual to do outside sales! Lots of support provided! Call 845-317-7463 ext 102 leave a message

OFFICE ASSISTANT

A busy office is seeking a detail oriented office assistant to run the entire office. must be knowledgeable in quickbooks. Flexible hours contact 845-502-2062

Classifieds

OFFICE MANAGER

A busy back end bookkeeping office is seeking an experienced male office manager. Responsibilities include: leading a team and having a good understanding of finances. contact ephraim@theprimestaffing. com

BOOKKEEPER POSITION

Female bookkeeper position is available in a busy office. Beginners welcome! please call 845-502-2062

OFFICE POSITION

Seeking a real go-getter for a female office position. Full time, energetic, great communication is a must. Great pay! text or call 8456427126

TUTOR WANTED

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

AP SUPERVISOR

A company in Monsey is seeking an Accounts Payable Supervisor. The ideal candidate will have a degree in accounting and a minimum of two years of experience in Accounts Payable or a similar position. Responsibilities include overseeing the accounts payable process, managing a team, closing the monthly ledger, issuing monthly reports, and ensuring timely and accurate payment of vendor invoices. Competitive salary and benefits package offered. Join our team where each employee is valued and appreciated, and get to work in a Heimish and relaxed atmosphere! To apply please email: monseyjob2023@ gmail.com

MALE ABA PARA

ABA Riders is looking for a male ABA para to work in a school with a 4 year old boy. Contact Yisroel 917-586-5797.

FEMALE SALESLADY

A retail store is seeking a female saleslady. Great environment! contact info@ theprimestaffing.com

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

A construction company is seeking someone with experience in wood and measurements to be a project manager. contact zelig@ theprimestaffing.com

JOB OPPORTUNITY

A contractor is seeking someone with finance experience to be an estimator for projects. Must have good number skills. contact ephraim@theprimestaffing. com

SECRETARY POSITION

Female secretary position available. email greatjob7126@gmail.com

DOE PROVIDERS

Seeking NYC certified DOE,SET providers to provide services to 15 yr. male in MONSEY from IEP: speech , O.T., counseling, music 845290-1575

F/T POSITION

Real estate management office is looking to hire for a full time position. Candidate should have great communication skills and be detail oriented. Great Potential! Please email resume to officeposition966@ gmail.com

RECEPTIONIST POSITION

Daas Wellness is Seeking to fill a receptionist position. Great working environment. Please email your resume. HR@daaswellness.com

PROJECT MANAGER

Business office looking to hire motivated Project Manager with great interpersonal skills. Must be computer literate, familiar with MS Office and good English writing skills.

Experience preferred. Please email resume to hr@byts. edu.

SERVICES

NUTRITION

Sick of Yo-Yo Dieting? Repair your relationship with food, improve your health/body image and uncover your selfworth. Miriam Shurpin MS RD CDN. Registered Dietitian – Nutritionist. 347 480 1670. rd@miriamshurpin. com miriamshurpin.com. In-person and Telehealth consultations

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

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

KANGEN WATER

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

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

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

FLY HIGH BALLOONS

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

CUSTOM CLOSETS

For all your custom closets please call or text 1347.522.4872

KEYBOARD LESSONS

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

DIMENSIONS THERAPY

Remove fears, anxiety, sleeplessness, constipation, back pain, allergies, asthma, bedwetting, improve selfesteem. Quick and effective, all ages. Experiencced male and female therapists. Endorsed by Rabbonim. Call Mrs.Yuhanan 845-825-9342

MUSIC LESSONS ON THE PHONE

Mr. Wertzberger’s Music School offering music lessons on the phone, ages 9-15 boys and girls. 718-435-1923

EARPIERCING

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

DEBT RELIEF

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

MATHEMATICS TEACHER

Experienced ‘Common Core Mathematics’ teacher available to work with your child, in math and/or other subjects. Please call or text for more info. 8454991683.

PHOTO ALBUMS

Custom photo albums and photo editing for all your needs. Call 845-502-5932 or email highlightalbums@ gmail.com

PEKELACH

Do you need your pekelach to be put together? we will do it for you free of charge. Pickup and dropoff avail. call 845-274-5202

TYPED!

Email your written sheets and have it typed up for a minimal fee. For more info Email 123typed@gmail.com

GARTLECH

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

LADY DRIVER

ZC’s car service. Female drivers, Long distance only, Fast, safe, & convenient 845642-3833

HANDYMAN

Handyman available. Great rates. Call text whatsapp 718-954-5878.

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.

SISTER OF BRIDE

Gorgeous black sister of the bride gown size 2 for sale or rent. Call or Text 845-596-0022

BLACK/GOLD GOWN

Black and gold designer gown size 8 for sale. Call 845-587-2762

BEAUTIFUL GOWNS

Beautiful Gowns for rent, size 2 to 18, GOOD PRICES! Call 845-2744748 or text 845-2932839

TEEN WHITE GOWNS

2 magnificent white gowns with beaded trim. For sale/rent. Approx teen size 6, 845-354-2658

BRIDAL GOWN

Custom designer bridal gown for sale. Petticoats included, Size 4-6. Pictures available. Call 845-304-7987

ODDS & ENDS

NEW! NEW! NEW!

Looking for a nice private place for a Beshow? A few locations available in the Monsey area. Call 845-426-5484 or 845-746-7251

NEW MONSEY BRIDAL GOWN GEMACH

The Bridal Shoppe, by apt only 718-8512367

ECZEMA

GET RID OF ECZEMA!!! Aloe based products with AMAZING results! Please call C. Neumann 8452139886

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: 845-538-0193, Email: monseydailyreturn@ gmail.com in the Atrium by Pirutinsky wedding on 1/18 a pin that is antique gold with a green stone 845-425-4337 Glasses 845-422-0032

FOUND

Denim blue Joolz traveling carriage few years ago in Lafamila 425-0294

Silver tennis bracelet at Wertzberger/ Appledorfer wedding Jan 3, 356-2115

black scrunchie with bow on New County Rd 347-409-0151

GIVEAWAYS

Gold mechteniste dress 10-12. Burgundy wine color gown 10-12 3547645

Gas dryer 347-623-1917 New tablecloths, linen, dairy dishes, & short big girl clothing in great condition call 718-5411272

4 Blades for Bosch food processor/mixer 845352-5819

Maxi Lutein with zinc. Closed bottle, 100 tablets Exp 2/23, 845-352-5819

Kids Bunkbed and bottom of high riser 845356-1361

Dryer 845-659-7965

Armoire, breakfront & dresser 917-975-1735

8 dining room chairs 845-270-9426

LATE ADS

FURNITURE FOR SALE

Magnificent Italian 2 curios with buffet for $999. Also Complete 44” Master bedroom set for best offered price. Call 845-248-5949

2 ANTIQUE PINK GOWNS

1) C&M Collections size 34 sophisticated style for young lady. 2) Size 14-16 girl’s younger teen style. Call 357-2624

PLAYGROUP

TEACHER WANTED Playgroup looking for teacher for Monday thru Thursday 1-3. Call 541-1405

GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN AIRMONT

In a prime location near several shulls - Rent a 7 BDRM house that includes a mother/ daughter apartment, and get income from the apartment! email info@ tnmgmt.info

FOR RENT IN LINDEN

Beautiful, newly renovated house for rent in Linden, 3 min walk from Kosson Shul. 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms. Spacious Laundry room. Big, private backyard. $2500/ month. Serious inquiries only. 917-916-1497.