Baltimore Jewish Home - 8-5-21 by Moshe Rubin

AUGUST 5, 2021

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

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CONTENTS COMMUNITY

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AUGUST 5, 2021

Dear Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Around the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Zvi Teichman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

PEOPLE 613 Seconds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

FEATURE Water Treaties and Ice Cream Skirmishes . . . . . . . . 45

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT Centerfold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Notable Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

LIFESTYLES Delving into the Daf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 My Israel Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Diving the Underwater Grottoes of Rosh Hanikra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Health and Fitness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Parenting Pearls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Common Cents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Forgotten Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Dating Dialogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Mental Health Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Life Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

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Your Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

NEWS Israel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 That’s Odd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Dear Readers, To mask or not mask, that is the question. It can’t just be me that thought we were heading towards the end. Vaccination rates are up, and infection rates seemed to be going down. Masks, which were originally mandated as necessary, were becoming more and more uncommon to see. It seemed like, after over a year of upheaval and trauma, we were finally switching from the “new normal” back to what really is normal. And then, Delta came. Rumors of this mutation started, but most of us didn’t want to hear about it. We’re trying to shut our ears, but the noise is still coming. The CDC is now recommending that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors if they live in areas with significant or high spread. Locally, Baltimore County public schools are requiring students, teachers, staff and visitors to wear face masks, and others are following suit. After such a grueling 2020, we’re all looking forward to the end of this pandemic. But is the end in sight? As frum Jews, our priorities are to follow health professionals to ensure we’re protecting our own safety and the safety of others, and to respect and follow the laws of the government, as to not cause a chillul HaShem. As frustrating as going back can feel, we must keep these points in mind going forward. As a nation, we have become accustomed to never being able to fully settle. After all, it is in our DNA. We know the truth - until the coming of Mashiach, nothing in life is guaranteed. As the end of another year is in sight, we don’t know what our future holds. What this next year will look like is anyone’s guess. All we can do is try our best, and daven for the rest. With wishes for a healthy end to the summer season, Miriam

Send your news to BJH! Send us your: community events, articles & photos, and mazal tovs to editor@baltimorejewishhome.com to be featured in coming editions!

The Baltimore Jewish Home is an independent bi-weekly newspaper. All opinions expressed by the journalists, contributors and/or advertisers printed and/or quoted herein are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, Internet or another medium. The Baltimore Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The BJH contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

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AUGUST 5, 2021

Dear Editor, I wanted to congratulate Ms. Lachman on her absolutely stunning essay which won the Columbia Group Essay contest. It was a piece that can resonate with all ages and stages and I am sure it touched the hearts of many. You have a deep talent, and I hope you keep on writing - I want to read more of your pieces! Hatzlacha in everything you do, Michelle Mond To “A Working Mom”, In the last issue, you raised the discussion how “Mommy Camp” is not an option for you and for many others in the same boat, and you stated that the article left a “sour taste in your mouth”. While I hear your position and commiserate with you, let me express how life on my side looks. As the primary breadwinner, my husband works full-time. As much as I appreciate all he does for our family, it puts me in a tough position. With a large family of small chil-

Dear Editor, I wanted to raise an issue that has become a hot topic amongst young Baltimore families. Baruch Hashem, our community is growing at a tremendous rate. However, are we bursting at the seams? As young families expand and outgrow their 1- and

2- bedroom apartments, they begin the househunting process for the dream home they’ve always imagined raising their family in. But reality hits quickly in this housing market: Any homes within the frum areas are priced so high that it is hardly within the budget of any young couple. As the hunt continues, so does their frustration: Even smaller, rundown homes on the outskirts of the eruv are well beyond their means. And in the rare event that they come across one that is somewhat within reach, it is snatched off the market before most prospective buyers even have a chance to give an offer. What is the solution to this ever-growing problem? Are our young families forced to remain in apartment rentals with no hopes of ever becoming homeowners? I would love to hear what other readers think. C.M. Baltimore Jewish Home reserves the right to edit and publish any letters sent to us.

To submit letters to the editor, please email letters@baltimorejewishhome.com

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dren, we made the decision together that I should stay home with my kids. The cost of childcare made my minimum-wage salary not worth the effort. What this means is that daycamp is not financially feasible for us, and our arrangement is that I run a “Mommy Camp’’ for our children. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy being able to spend time with my children, but you can just imagine how difficult not having the choice to do otherwise is. As my kids get older, things may change, but this is just what makes sense for us at this time. For some of us, “Mommy Camp” is not a luxury, but a necessity. With respect, A stay-at-home mom

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AUGUST 5, 2021

The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore and the Community

n Sunday evening, July 25, more than 250 Baltimoreans came out for The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore’s Summer Music Fest – Here for Good Community Concert. The event took place at Pearlstone and featured members of The Bridge, Jazz is Phish & Psycho Killers — Paul Weinberg, Dave Markowitz & Matt Chase — 3 of a kind +1, and local bluegrass favorite, the 19th Street Band. It was their first in-person event of the season. A community celebration that brought people together safely outside on a beautiful summer evening to schmooze and celebrate community. Families came with food, blankets and chairs to enjoy the festivities and summer sounds as they danced the night away. They climbed on Pearlstone’s ropes course and participated in agricultural projects that tied together Judaism and nature. Jason A. Blavatt, The Associated’s 2022 Annual Campaign Development Chair, welcomed the crowd with excitement and energy, announcing The Associated’s theme for this upcoming

year, ‘HERE FOR GOOD.’ “It has been more than a year and a half since we have been together in person. We hope all of you are ready for a great evening of music and fun. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be reminded of how fortunate we are to be part of the Jewish community of Baltimore.” He continued with, ‘As always, we and our agencies, together with you, have helped thousands of people stay safe and secure in their homes through the generosity of donations from people just like you.” For Lev Bar-av, who came with his wife, Jillian and two daughters, Hannah and Zoe, it was exactly what was needed at this time. “We were overly thrilled with our first opportunity at an outdoor musical experience. It was awesome and we are so grateful to the folks at the Associated for planning and producing that event. Thank you,” he said. With the success of this year’s festival, The Associated hopes to return next year to Pearlstone, which is one of the agencies they fund, and turn this into an annual gathering.

“Raising the Steaks” for a Night to Remember

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t was the perfect guys’ night out. The weather was perfect, the music was lively, the company was convivial, and the food—prime ribs, short ribs, duck, leg of lamb, and more—was a carnivore’s dream. The best part of the night, however, was the opportunity to help one of Baltimore’s top Jewish organizations. Raise the Steaks is an annual fundraising event for Etz Chaim, a vibrant network of programs for Baltimore-area Jewish adults. The 2021 edition drew over 100 Jewish

men for mingling, noshing, and supporting a great cause. The highlight of the event was a talk by Matthew Fleisher, an active community member who shared his story of how Etz Chaim helped him grow Jewishly and professionally after moving to Baltimore from Philadelphia. When he first came to town, Fleisher knew he was looking for a Jewish journey but didn’t know where to start. After joining the J-Care Fellowship for young professionals, he went from feeling lost to having a fam-

ily. “[Etz Chaim] gives guys like me a home,” he said. “We are trying to raise the stakes and create a community for people who need to find their Jewish path.” Some of the attendees, like Fleisher, were regulars at Etz Chaim programs. Others were discovering Etz Chaim for the first time and left eager for more. In addition to J-Care, Etz Chaim offers the popular Wine and Wisdom series, several thought-provoking book clubs, festive holiday celebrations, outreach to college stu-

dents, Talmud classes for seniors, and so much more. The one downside to the event? Nobody wanted the night to end. The good news is that Etz Chaim’s continues to offer fun, welcoming programs all year long for Jewish adults of all ages. Visit www.etzchaim.org to learn more! Photo Credits: Lev Bar Av/National Photo

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Complete this volume in an easy 40-day program from Rosh Chodesh Elul through Yom Kippur!

Around the Community

Covid Heroes Honored At 7th Annual Community Service And Safety Award Ceremony

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AUGUST 5, 2021

The Chesed Fund Limited and Project Ezra of Greater Baltimore, Inc., recognized community members, leaders, and organizations who cared courageously in an extraordinary year

n a year like no other, some individuals and organizations have shone especially brightly in their service to others. A gathering of family and friends convened at Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim on June 20 to honor some 260 such heroes, recipients of the Philip Kauffman & Rosalie Zwagil Community Service and Safety Awards of The Chesed Fund Limited and Project Ezra of Greater Baltimore, Inc. The ceremony was emceed by The Chesed Fund executive director Frank Storch and Bruce Kauffman, Esq., who cosponsors the annual event with his wife, Lois Kauffman. Honorees in attendance included State Delegates Sandy Rosenberg and Dalya Attar, County Councilman Izzy Patoka, and City Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer, as well as representatives of numerous community organizations and individuals. The event marked the 7th year of the awards, given annually in recognition of com-munity members’ extraordinary acts of service to others, in memory of the Kauffmans’ parents and their friend Paul Naden, who was “the embodiment of kindness.” This year’s awards highlighted Covid-19-related acts of service, in Frank Storch’s words, “honoring the people who spent the last 16 months giving their all to keep everyone safe.” Of the elected officials, Delegate Rosenberg was honored for ensuring healthcare accessibility to the community’s most vulnerable members during the pandemic and for his dedication to children’s education. Delegate Attar’s award recognized her work in protecting local business-es and organizations from Covid-related losses and threat of shut-

Danielle & Frank Storch, Councilman Izzy & Denise Patoka, & Lois & Bruce Kauffman

down, and in helping con-stituents secure unemployment benefits. Councilman Patoka was honored for his community engagement and efforts to maintain essential services in the 2nd District despite the difficulties of a global pandemic. Councilman Schleifer was recognized for being “the first community representative to have the insight to take the dramatic but necessary steps of shutting down large gatherings at the start of the pandemic,” and for taking the lead in bringing Covid-19 testing and an easily accessible vaccine clinic to the community. Other honorees included Bikur Cholim, which dramatically scaled up its usual operations in caring for ill members of the community and their families in the context of Covid-19. The award was accepted by Chana Dena Pollack, head of the Bikur Cholim Covid Vaccine Task Force, which has administered some 5500 shots to date. Hershel and Moshe Boehm of 7 Mile Market and Ronnie Rosenbluth of Tov Pizza were honored for their efforts in organizing food distribution. David Weingot of DMAC Security received an award for his sponsorship of per-sonal protective equipment. When Manny Topper and his son Tzvi Topper accepted an award on behalf of the Alvin S. Mintzes Hatzalah of Baltimore, rec-

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Frank & Danielle Storch, Delegate Dalya Attar, Lois & Bruce Kauffman

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Frank & Danielle Storch, Councilman Yitzy Schleifer, & Bruce & Lois Kauffman

ognizing the organization’s “her-culean effort put into protecting all facets of our community’s health and safety during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the audience gave them a standing ovation. The Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore was awarded the special rabbinical award, in memory of Rabbi Simcha Shafran, A”H, for its “countless hours spent guiding community members, medical professionals, and government officials. Finding the right balance of ensuring our safety yet allowing us to main-tain our daily routines as much as possible was a tremendous task and the shalom fostered in the community during this period is immeasurable.” Doctors Menachem Cooper, Dan Grove, Avi Rosenberg, Linda Samuels, and Mark Young received awards for their extraordinary con-tributions to their own patients, to the community, and to science. Bruce Kauffman said of the event,

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“All the years are important, but this year was particularly gratifying because people literally risked their lives on a daily basis to help people in dire need. We wanted to thank them for their sacrifice.” For information on other initiatives of The Chesed Fund and Project Ezra, visit chesedfund.com, call 410-486-0800, or email chesedfund@gmail.com. The Chesed Fund is dedicated in memory of Mordechai and Rebecca Kapiloff, ‫ ע׳׳ה‬,Dr. Bernard Kapiloff, ‫ ע׳׳ה‬, and Rabbi Norman and Louise Gerstenfeld, ‫ ע׳׳ה‬. Project Ezra is dedicated in memory of M. Leo Storch and Hannah Storch, ‫ע׳׳ה‬. If you would like more information about this topic, please call Rachel Hall at 443.929.1000, or email rachel@chesedfund.com. Photo Credits-Baruch Bitman of Simcha Focus

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AUGUST 5, 2021

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Around the Community

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AUGUST 5, 2021

N’shei Presents “Moving Forward with Faith and Optimism” Summer Lecture Series

’shei Agudath Israel of Baltimore is proud to present our Summer Lecture Series for Women. This year’s theme is “MiYagon LeSimcha: Moving Forward with Faith and Optimism.” Rabbi Naftoli Hexter kicked off our series speaking about “Seeking Serenity.” The following week, Mrs. Chaya Kruk focused on “Achieving Inner Joy through Shalom,” and a guest educator from Yerushalayim, Rebbetzin Nechama Karlinsky, also spoke that same evening on “Meeting Challenges with Bitachon and Positivity.” These were followed by timely lectures by Rabbi Dovid Heber on “The Good That Comes Out of Tisha B’Av,” and by Rebbetzin Naomi Frankel on “Nechama: Onwards and Upwards.” Two more speakers followed: Dr. Jonathan Lasson spoke about “Neuroplasticity: The Torah Approach to Resilience,” and Rabbi Moshe Matz spoke about “Surviving Galus: The Strength of Our Emunah.” As we approach Elul, Mrs. Shira Hochheimer will speak via Zoom on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 8:00

p.m. on “Positive Growth in Elul,” followed by Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, who will speak on Tuesday, August 17 at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom on the topic of “Transforming Your Relationships: Bringing More Joy into Your Life.” Concluding our series, Rabbi Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim will speak on Tuesday, August 24 at 8:30 p.m. on “Preparing for Rosh Hashanah,” and Rabbi Moshe Heinemann will present his Annual Teshuva Shiur on Monday, August 30 at 8:30 p.m. Both of these two shiurim will take place at the Agudah of Park Heights and will also be accessible via the web and by phone. In addition, we have also been hosting two ongoing lectures. Rabbi Moshe Heinemann has been giving a bi-weekly Monday night Halacha shiur to women on the important topic of Hilchos Shabbos. This lecture is accessible on the phone, via the web, or in person in the Agudah of Park Heights balcony at 9:00 p.m. on alternate Monday evenings. Rabbi Yisroel Roll has been giving a weekly virtual Wednesday night parsha shiur entitled “The Inspired

Safety ABC’s at OCA’s Early Childhood Center

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ith the initial Covid-19 safety protocols now a part of young children’s daily rituals, Ohr Chadash Academy’s Early Childhood Center wanted children to learn some safety basics too. On Friday, June 11, Frank Storch of the Chesed Fund & Project Ezra was invited to share some important safety tips with Morah Esther Berman’s and Morah Aviva Goldfuss’s 2 and 3 year old classes. While Frank normally shares his safety and security expertise with adults whether through security evaluations, workshops or literature, Frank’s sense of humor and warmth successfully engaged and enlightened his young audience as well. Using a hands-on approach, Frank showed the children several common household items such as matches, medicine bottles, and spray bottles, showing them examples of what they should avoid ingesting or touching. Frank reviewed important tips such as biking safety, fire safety, and for water safety, also

used Mrs. Bracha Goetz’s new book “Let’s Swim Safely.” Frank also reminded students that it is important for them to know their home address in the event of an emergency. Each child also received a Chesed Fund & Project Ezra reflector belt to keep them safe outdoors as well. The lesson left the important impression on children to make sure to always think about their own safety. A young Bobbi Schleifer, proud to share her safety knowledge, exclaimed that she knew that in the event of an emergency she should call 911. Morah Aviva stated “It was such a great learning experience and an important life lesson for the children. Thinking about how to keep yourself safe is critical no matter what age.” Of course, Frank’s grandson, Nat Storch, was all too happy to share his Zaidy with the rest of his classmates. Photo Credits-Hindel Leiter, Aviva Goldfuss

Parsha: Middos and Character Development through the Weekly Parsha,” where he shares insights from the parsha for coming closer to Hashem in everyday life and finding purpose and meaning in life. This inspiring shiur takes place every Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. For information on accessing these lectures and recordings, please email nsheibaltimore@gmail.com or call or text Mrs. Chavi Barenbaum at 410935-3010. ADA accommodations are available upon request. N’shei Agudath Israel of Baltimore is part of an international organization of women dedicated to achdus, community service, education, and charity. Our members include women from different shuls, schools, and organizations. N’shei provides the women in our community with quality programs to enhance their homes and families. N’shei organizes halacha and hashkafa shiurim, including our annual Teshuva and Pesach shiurim given by Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, shlita. Also, every year, N’shei officially welcomes women who are new to the community at our Welcome Newcomers Night.

All shiurim are free of charge, but sponsorship opportunities are available. You can sponsor a shiur or you can sponsor an ad. Please call or text Mrs. Chavi Barenbaum or email nsheibaltimore@gmail.com for more information. Due to the pandemic, this year we did not have our annual N’shei Café fundraiser. However, in order to bring quality programs to the women of our community, we incurred expenses that must be covered. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate N’shei dues and donations, so we can continue our efforts on behalf of the women in our community. Dues are still only $20 and can be sent to Mrs. Sandy Cohen at 6314 Cross Country Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21215. Dues will also be collected at live shiurim and online. Please email nsheibaltimore@gmail.com for our donation link. We are also looking for volunteers to help with our programming. We especially need help with publicity, phone calls, and computer graphics. We look forward to having you join our lectures and events.

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The Summer Zman learning session at Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok

he Summer Zman learning session at Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore is a unique time and full of geshmakeh learning, innovative limudim and programs, and special activities. One special program is Chayeinu. Introduced 2 years ago, the Chayeinu Summer Zman learning program was once again an amazing hit among the talmidim. The ruach and limud haTorah that Chayeinu generates is a true nachas. The weekly raffles, prizes, and grand-raffle, which included 3 sets of Shas, add to the boys’ excitement. On a smaller scale, each grade has special programming and limudim as well. For example, the 5th grade learns hilchos Melicha and kashers meat! Of course, there’s an ensuing BBQ! Another example is the 8th grade’s Lev L’achim auction. The talmidim plan and coordinate the entire auction which has raised thousands of dollars each year! The Cheder has also been treated

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to special visits during the Summer Zman. This year the Skulener Rebbe of Monsey took two hours out of his time while in Baltimore to share divrei Torah and Chizuk to over 300 boys. The Rebbe profusely praised all the boys for learning during this time and said it serves as a special shemira for Klal Yisroel. After speaking, he personally gave each boy warm bracha. Many siyumim take place during the Summer Zman and the rebbeim go above and beyond to make grand celebrations, recognizing their talmidim’s accomplishments. There are BBQs and special seudos, often including parents to join and share in the milestone as well. The preschool also has special celebrations: kindergarten has their alef-bais plays and Pre1A has a grand Chumash mesiba. These young talmidim solidify their kriah skills during this time so that they are well prepared for the following year. July is hot in Baltimore and the preschoolers get to enjoy fun water activities, including a

slip & slide! In connection with learning about first responders, a Baltimore County special response unit vehicle, K9 unit and helicopter visited the campus. Talmidim and staff looked on with delight as the helicopter flew overhead and landed in the school’s lower fields. Needless to say, it was a sight to see! Pirkei Avos tells us that the world stands on Torah, Avodah and Gemilus Chasodim. The boys at YKY/TI truly

help uphold the world, especially in July!

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at Ahavas Yisrael Charity Fund

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EVERY PENNY COUNTS

AUGUST 5, 2021

Have the kids open your Ahavas Yisrael Tzedakah box and count the money. After counting any money - change or bills - be sure to scrub your hands well! Mail a check to:

Call:

Ahavas Yisrael Charity Fund

410-358-2525

115 Sudbrook Lane, Suite E Baltimore Maryland 21208

Or go to:

www.AhavasYisrael.org

and donate the amount of the contents of your box, plus a 3% processing fee under general tzedaka

Local Rabbonim have suggested that since people are not presently in shul, they should put one dollar a day in their Pushka at home and then send it to Ahavas Yisrael

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...especially before yom tov !

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Ishay Ribo Concert for Chayeinu Baltimore a Smashing Success

n Sunday, August 1st, more than 200 community members gathered at the elegant Grey Rock Mansion to support Chayeinu. After enjoying a delicious buffet dinner prepared by LeMo Catering, the guests entered a beautiful tent to hear international superstar Ishay Ribo perform his first-ever Baltimore-area concert. Ribo delighted the crowd with his unique brand of inspiring, soulful Jewish music, featuring hit songs such as LaShuv HaBayta, Nafshi, HaLev Sheli, and many others. The evening concluded with a dessert spread prepared by Delightfully Sweet. The sell-out event benefited Chayeinu, an organization that combats substance use disorder in the Baltimore Jewish community through education, awareness, and prevention. Now in its fourth year, Chayeinu has changed the communal dialogue around substance use disorder, recognizing that the best way to address its effects is to empower youth with the knowledge and awareness to make healthy choices. With the support of the Vaad HaRabbonim, Chayeinu works closely with many local yeshivos and schools to deliver age-appropriate education around this important topic. The gathering also afforded many guests an opportunity to learn more about how Chayeinu pursues its goal of saving youth from the effects of substance use disorder. Prior to the concert, the assembled crowd heard opening remarks from emcee Zevi Daniel, Chayeinu board member Chaim Abramson, and Rabbi Yisroel Motzen, the rabbi of Congregation Ner Tamid. As part of his speech, Rabbi Motzen noted that in a recent meeting of rabbis from across the country, the internationally-renowned expert Dr. David Pelcovitz singled out Chayeinu and the Baltimore community for its thoughtful, strategic approach to effectively educating youth about substance use disorder. “We are so appreciative of the community supporting Chayeinu’s inaugural fundraising event,” said Esti Ziffer, Chayeinu’s President. “The proceeds from tonight will enable Chayeinu to expand its programming and community presence to reach even more youth and educate them at a young age about how to make smart decisions that will set them on the path to healthier lives. Just as Ishay Ribo’s music touches the soul, Chayeinu recognizes the importance of each and every soul in our community. By working strategically to protect our youth from the dangers of substances today, we are truly changing the future of countless marriages, families, and the entire community.” The event was chaired by Jenny Ocken and Chaim Abramson, and they were assisted by a committee of enthusiastic volunteers. Their efforts resulted in an unforgettable evening of inspiring music, achdus, and a commitment to helping the youth of today grow up to enjoy healthy, productive lives.

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Rabbi Shlomo Goldberger, MSW

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. After learning in Philadelphia, the Mir, and Ner Yisroel, I found myself employed in various capacities for about a decade. Much of my early work was based in sales, while the latter portion of my pre-Shidduch Center career focused on systems and operations management. And though I certainly did not realize it at the time, both of those skills have proved fundamental when it comes to shidduchim. Tell us more about the Shidduch Center of Baltimore and its mission. In short, the goal of The Shidduch

Each year we provide direct services to over 500 Baltimore families, and B’chasdei Hashem, in under six years, we have set up over 1,100 different couples, resulting in 111 engagements for our community. What are some recent initiatives that the Shidduch Center has spearheaded, and some upcoming events our community can look forward to? Earlier in the summer we brought 20 shadchanim to meet bachurim in Ner Yisroel, and just last month we held our annual event with Bais Yaakov and Bnos Yisroel where we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves to their graduates and give over essential tips and tools to those who are new to shidduchim. Bez’H, that event

will be followed up with a Meet the Shadchan event where we arrange for 60-70 single women to meet 20 or more shadchanim over one special evening. We are also working on putting together a very unique event for the daters in our community who have been in shidduchim for a number of years. Of course, each segment of the dating community has different needs, and those varying needs must be approached in a manner that is most effective and most appropriate for each and every demographic. And, as the cover of this issue of the BJH highlights, we have invited Rabbi Daniel Glatstein to address our community on the topic of shidduchim. As a renowned rav and international lecturer and author, Rabbi Glatstein will help remind us how crucial it is that we all keep our attention directed towards being there for our wonderful single men and women. The event is free of charge, open to both men and women, and will be taking place on Sunday night, Aug. 8, at BJSZ, at 8:30PM. How can our readers get involved in this important work? When it comes to shidduchim, there is no shortage of work to be done. But rather than talk about how people can go about making shidduchim, I would like to take a moment to discuss how we can all make the expe-

rience of singlehood a more pleasant one for our single men and women. It is no secret that marriage and building a family is a core Jewish value. And at the same time, it is equally apparent that there will always be single Jewish men and women who are looking forward to reaching that lofty goal. As each generation passes through that stage of adult life, they are no less deserving of our respect and recognition. At the risk of stating the seemingly obvious, it is not enough to simply try and make shidduchim. For as long as someone is single, we must be able to see that talented and energetic community member as exactly that: a full-fledged community member. This means consciously making introductions in shuls and inviting single men and women to Shabbos and Yom Tov meals, even those who we know live here in Baltimore with their parents. It means talking to them like adults and welcoming their thoughts and opinions, rather than walking right past them. And it means involving them in our institutions and organizations and calling on them to lend their immense skills to the events and programs we run. While we are responsible to exert our proper hishtadlus, ultimately, it is up to Hashem when someone gets married. But it is 100% up to us how we treat and interact with our single men and women as they await the fulfillment of Hashem’s eternal bracha.

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This week we caught up with Rabbi Shlomo Goldberger, MSW, Executive Director of The Shidduch Center of Baltimore.

Center is four-fold, and it is hard for me to say that any one facet of our work is more vital than the others. We strive to create and facilitate increased dating opportunities for Baltimore’s single men and women (that is our official mission statement); to act as a one-stop resource center, addressing any and all shidduch-related questions and needs; to continually educate our community about the nuanced nature of shidduchim; and to do everything we can to make the whole process of shidduchim as smooth and as comfortable as we can for the hundreds of singles who are traveling that road.

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The Week In News

Second Gold for Israel – Ever

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Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat, 24, took home the gold in floor gymnastics and is already planning for the 2025 Olympics. Dolgopyat’s medal is Israel’s second-ever gold at the Olympics. Speaking at a Monday press conference, Dolgopyat said, “We’re not going to stop; we’re going to move forward with our focus on Paris and get ready for that and bring honor to the country. We need to start thinking of a new routine and check all the new rules, and we’ll start working and see what scores we get.” Sergey Weissburg, Dolgopyat’s longtime coach, added, “We’ll take a week, or a month, and then we’ll start working again. We have a plan to continue to the next Olympics — the whole gymnastics team as well as Artem.” Dolgopyat himself is unassuming and uninterested in his newfound fame, and when he returns to Israel he wants to continue to focus on his sport. “I don’t know what it will be like when I go back to Israel — until now, I definitely wasn’t well-known or recognized. I want to continue to be modest the way I am, and not think about the things around me and just do my work,” he said. “I don’t really want all that other stuff,” he added. “I think it will only put more pressure on me. I think bringing honor to the country and getting medals … is much more important than everything else.” Though he said his parents believed in him from his first day, Dolgopyat said, “When I think about it

now, I want to cry. I didn’t totally believe it would happen … but all the people around me supported me, and I’m so happy that I’m surrounded by them and they always pushed me further and believed in me.” About the prize, he added, “My dream was to get the medal, not how much money I’ll make. Everything else is just a bonus.” Dolgopyat is not Jewish, although his father is Jewish. In Israel, he is not able to marry a Jew. The media has taken Dolgopyat and made his situation a cause célèbre for taking marriage in the Jewish state away from the rabbinate. Dolgopyat notes that his marriage plans should not be nabbing headlines and swaying public opinion. “It’s my personal life and I think it’s not so appropriate to talk about in front of the whole country,” he said, when asked about it. “These are things that are in my heart and my own personal issues so I’d rather not answer that.”

More Quarantine for Travelers

Those coming to Israel from 18 countries will be required to undergo stricter quarantine protocols starting next week, said the Knesset on Tuesday. The coronavirus cabinet is slated to convene at the Knesset on Tuesday afternoon, amid a sharp rise in new COVID-19 cases. On Monday, 3,818 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Israel, with a test positivity rate of 3.79 percent. There are currently 22,375 active cases in the country, with 420 of them hospitalized; 221 patients are in serious condition with 46 of them on ventilators. In an effort to thwart another far-reaching pandemic, the Knesset Labor, Health and Welfare Committee approved the Health Ministry’s request to add 18 more countries to the

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list of destinations from which returnees, including those vaccinated, will require a seven-day home quarantine after two negative tests. The new additions include: the United States, Germany, France, Greece, Egypt (including Sinai Peninsula), Ukraine, Italy, Iceland, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Botswana, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Tanzania, Malawi, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Rwanda and Tunisia. Countries already on the list are: the UAE, Myanmar, Guatemala, Honduras, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Colombia, Fiji, Mongolia and Cambodia. Costa Rica, Seychelles, Zambia, Paraguay, Uganda, Liberia, Panama and Kenya will be removed from the list as of Sunday; those 18 new countries listed above will enter the list officially next Wednesday. The same quarantine rules apply for Israelis who return home from the countries that Israelis are banned from visiting: Spain, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, India, Mexico, Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Cyprus, Turkey, Georgia and the UK. Returnees who left Israel after the ban went into effect are also expected to pay a fine of NIS 5,000 ($1,500). Overall, 42 countries are on the list of those from which returnees must quarantine for seven days with two negative PCR tests – or 14 days without. According to Health Ministry figures presented at the Knesset committee hearing, 141 people with COVID returned from the U.S. in the month of July: 27 from Italy, 43 from Germany, 292 from Greece, and 42 from France. “The central threat to Israel’s achievements in controlling the pandemic is the danger of allowing entry to mutant coronavirus variants that can be more aggressive or have a greater rate of infection, and harm the non-vaccinated population,” the Health Ministry told the committee in a statement. “There is an increased risk that those who travel to these countries will return and bring with them variants that will spread quickly in the community and not be identified until it is too late.” Ahead of a meeting of the coronavirus cabinet on Tuesday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was said to have warned his coalition partners that if serious measures are not taken now, a new lockdown could be instated over

the Jewish holidays in September. “We need more restrictions in order to prevent extreme steps in the future,” the prime minister asserted.

Conviction for Guetta’s Murderer

On Tuesday, a military court convicted a Palestinian man with U.S. citizenship of murder for killing Yehuda Guetta, 19, a Jewish student in a yeshiva in Itamar. The court “convicted the terrorist Muntasir Shalabi, based on his confession, of the crime of intentional manslaughter – equivalent to the offense of murder,” the Israel Defense Forces said. In addition, Shalabi was convicted of “several counts of attempted intentional manslaughter, and possession of a weapon and obstruction of justice,” according to a military statement. Shalabi, 44, was arrested by Israeli forces in May after he opened fire on passengers waiting at a bus stop at Tapuah Junction, south of Nablus, in the northern West Bank. The attack Yehuda and wounded two of his friends. Last month, the IDF demolished Shalabi’s house in Turmus Ayya, a village northeast of the West Bank city of Ramallah. The move was denounced by the United States, which said such demolitions “exacerbate tensions and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution.” Guetta’s family last month slammed the Biden administration over its criticism of the house demolition, and said it would file lawsuits in Israel and in the U.S. demanding that Shalabi’s assets be seized, including the land where his home had stood. “This will be an unprecedented process that will teach terrorists and their handlers that there is no corner of the world where we won’t reach them, and that terror victims will continue pursuing them forever,” said Nitsana Darshan-Leitner of the Shurat HaDin

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The Week In News legal aid group, representing the family. Guetta’s father, Elisha, said the family was “shocked that the U.S. is condemning the demolition of [the home of] my son’s murderer and is supporting a terrorist who arrived from the U.S. to carry out a vicious shooting terror attack against innocent Jewish students. “It would be expected that the U.S., which has often been the victim of terrorism, would stand with terror victims rather than with their murderers,” he added.

Israel Has a State Budget – First in 3 Years The Israeli government on Monday morning passed a state budget, for the first time since the government broke apart in late 2018. The vote followed a series of marathon talks overnight, which ended with an agreement early Monday morning.

The bill now goes to the Knesset for approval. If it is not approved by the full Knesset prior to November 4, the Knesset will automatically dissolve and Israel will hold new elections. Finance Ministry Director General Ram Belinkov said, “Overall, all of the disagreements on the budget have been settled and we’ve reached an agreement.”

The new budget includes an extra two billion shekel ($619,717,000) for the Health Ministry, as well as plans for reducing the deficit created largely by the coronavirus pandemic. The new budget also increases the defense budget by seven billion shekel ($2.15 billion) to 58 billion shekel ($17.8 billion).

A Third Jab

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday announced that Israelis over age 60 are eligible to receive a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine, provided their second dose was given over five months ago. On Friday, Bennett told the country’s HMOs that their goal should be to vaccinate 1.5 million Israelis over the coming eight days, promising to provide additional manpower and funding. Sigal Rosenberg, CEO of the Meuhedet HMO, noted, “This is not a long operation; it will be fast and furious. We will open dedicated vaccination distribution complexes, proactively inviting the relevant popula-

tions while expanding the manpower as needed.” Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog and his wife Michal, as well as former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, received the third vaccines on Friday. Bennett and his wife are both under 60 and ineligible for a third dose at this time, but Health Ministry Director General Nachman Ash did receive it. A third dose has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but according to Ash, “it would have been impossible to wait a few more months” for approval, given the State of Israel’s Delta outbreak. “We already have enough vaccines and the arrival of more doses is expected in the coming weeks in order to effectively implement this third dose vaccination drive,” he said. “The vaccine is our solution to make it out of the pandemic, so it is important that everyone who can goes and gets vaccinated,” he added, emphasizing that “we do not force people to get vaccinated, but it is important to make the vaccines accessible so that those who are able to.”

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The Week In News Iran Attacks Israeli Ship

Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday released a statement regarding Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s (Yesh Atid) conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, discussing an Iranian attack on a Japanese-owned, Israeli-managed ship. At the time of the Friday attack, the ship had been off the coast of Oman. Two people, a British citizen and a Romanian citizen, were killed in the attack. “Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke tonight with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about the attack on the ship in the Gulf of Oman, joint activity against Iranian terrorism, and the formulation of a real and effective international response to the incident,” the Ministry statement read. “During the weekend, Minister Lapid also spoke with his counterparts in Britain and Romania, to whom he expressed his condolences and discussed the threat posed by an Iran that repeatedly harms innocent civilians. Foreign Ministry staff are working in a long list of the world’s capitals to urge condemnation of the incident and arrange an international response.” The statement stressed, “Iran has now murdered two British and Romanian civilians. It repeatedly underestimates Israel’s determination and commitment to defending itself and its interests.” On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White) and IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi held a security consultation following the attack. Also on Friday, a senior Israeli official commented, “Iran is sowing violence and destruction in every corner of the region. Out of eagerness to attack an Israeli target, they have complicated and incriminated themselves by killing foreign civilians. The masks are coming off and it is impossible to pretend that the nature of the Iranian

regime is unknown. “Iran is not just a problem of Israel, it is a global problem, and its behavior endangers global shipping and trade. Our campaign against them will continue.” Zodiac Maritime, the Israeli company that manages the ship attacked off the coast of Oman, confirmed earlier on Friday that two individuals on board had died due to the attack. “Two crew members, one a Romanian citizen and the other a British citizen, died from their wounds shortly after the attack,” the company stated. “From preliminary reports, the attack was carried out by an unmanned aircraft.”

“We Became the Story”

Three Israeli filmmakers arrested last month in Nigeria while filming a documentary on the Jewish Igbo communities were released home last week. Rudy Rochman, Andrew Noam Leibman, and David Benaym were arrested on July 9 in southeast Nigeria while filming “We Were Never Lost,” which focuses on Jewish communities in African countries. Speaking to The Times of Israel on Sunday, Rochman said, “The goal of the documentary is to tell the stories, the struggles, and aspirations of unknown communities of Jews around the world.” The Igbo, who live in southeastern Nigeria, number around 30 million. It is a multi-ethnic group, members of which for hundreds of years have claimed Jewish descent. At the same time, the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, founded in 2012, seeks an independent Igbo state and is classed by Nigeria as a terrorist organization. Nnamni Kanu, IPOB’s founder, has said that he credits Israel with his survival. He was arrested by Interpol

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THE CALL JUST BEFORE YEHI RATZON Over the many years that he is a Tehillim Kollel member, Mr. K. has seen much siyata d’Shmaya accompany his family. It is obvious to him that his “personal” Tehillim minyan plays a large role in their success. In time, Mr. K. entered a new stage when his oldest child came of age. Shidduchim were redt, but each one ended in disappointment. Some suggestions even reached the serious stage before falling apart. And so, Family K. continued to wait and hope that their yeshuah would arrive quickly and easily. Just over a week ago, a shadchan called with a new name. This time, Mr. K. felt he needed to do something to ensure this shidduch would actually go well. He knew just what it would be. He would join “his” minyan. That Friday morning, Mr. K. went down to the tzion of the Satmar Rebbe, zy”a, in Kiryas Yoel, and stood beside the exceptional talmidei chachamim of Tehillim Kollel. They davened with warmth and depth of feeling. Just as the minyan was completing the entire sefer Tehillim and preparing to say the Yehi Ratzon at the end, Mr. K. asked to say a few words. “Yungerleit!” he cried out, “For many years, I’m paying for a membership here; I am a partner in your Tehillim for so long. Now I need a shidduch for my child!” In a tear-choked voice, he continued, “I beg you from the bottom of my heart! Say my hazkarah with hisorrerus! Awaken rachamim for my yeshuah… In the zechus of the tzaddik at whose kever we stand, in the zechus of tzedakah, and in the zechus of the Tehillim said by this special minyan so early every morning!”

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Just two days passed. That very Motzei Shabbos, they drank l’chaim. Indeed, the gates of tears are never locked… And coupled with the power of a tzaddik who can enact yeshuos even after his passing, does anything stand in the way?

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The Week In News in the Czech Republic, in June 2021. Rochman emphasized, “We were only in touch with the fully Jewish, practicing communities. We were very aware that historically there was a movement in the 1960s of the Igbos who tried to separate, and that there was still a desire for separation amongst some communities, but when we’re talking about the Igbos, we’re talking about 50 million people.” When the filmmakers were arrested, they were given an “invitation” for a “quick conversation” with the police commander and were told they would be returned to the synagogue where the police had met them. According to Rochman, “They didn’t want to officially arrest us because then they would have to provide us with certain rights, like a phone call and a lawyer.” After the police confiscated each person’s phone and passport, each of the three was forced into a separate van. Still, the police chief said they would be sent back to the synagogue following the conversation. The next morning, however, the three were brought to Abuja, told that they would meet Israeli diplomats, and receive their passports back. Instead, they were made to give up their belts, shoes, and jewelry, and were forced into a small room. “You could go maybe three or four steps in each direction,” Rochman recounted. “It has bars, it’s completely dark. There are bottles of urine from previous inmates. Bugs all over, it’s dark, it smells, no AC so you’re sweating, you’re sleeping on the floor. There’s writing on the wall from people who clearly spent months there. People who were writing messages as if they knew the next day they’d be executed.” It took approximately a week of inhumane conditions before the three were able to meet Israeli and U.S. envoys and receive kosher food, which they shared with a Jewish Igbo woman also being held by the authorities. After being incarcerated for 20 days, the trio was handed over to U.S. custody on Tuesday and spent the evening at the local Chabad center before taking off for Turkey the next morning. “They wanted to try us with treason and missionary work,” Rochman

said. “They were clearly trying to silence this project and send a message that no one should be documenting the Igbos.” He observed, “We came out there to tell a story, and unfortunately we became the story. This is just a fraction and a taste of what Igbos go through daily.”

Big Mouth

She’s a big mouth – and she’s proud of it. Samantha Ramsdell used to feel uncomfortable about her unusually large mouth. This week, though, her mouth was something to talk about. The Connecticut woman nabbed the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest mouth gape of a female. Ramsdell’s mouth, capable of holding an entire large order of fries, measures 6.52 cm or about 2.5 inches wide. “I never thought it would be possible to be this famous off my mouth, but it’s incredible,” she told Guinness. The 31-year-old has amassed 1.7 million followers on TikTok after posting videos of stuffing three doughnuts in her mouth at one time and other feats requested by users. According to Ramsdell, “the children of TikTok” convinced her to seek the world record. She claimed the Guinness title after visiting a dentist with an official adjudicator present. “You know getting a Guinness World Records title, it’s finally being almost able to show some of the bullies or people who doubted me or tormented me that hey – I have a big mouth, but at least I have the biggest one in the world!” Ramsdell said. Ramsdell advised others with

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The Week In News

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large body parts or different talents to not be afraid of their “biggest asset” and recognize it as a “superpower.” “It is thing that makes you special and different from everyone else walking around,” she said. Now she’s the talk of the town.

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Lulu Lakatos was convicted this week of a daring diamond heist. The 60-year-old French woman posed as a diamond expert inspecting gems at a luxury London jeweler for a wealthy Russian investor back in March 2016. While looking at a bag of diamonds, staff noticed that she put the sack into her bag. When they pointed that out, Lakatos, pretending not to speak English, pulled out the bag of diamonds and gave it back to staff. It was only after she left the store that the employees realized that she replaced the seven diamonds worth $5.8 million with a bag of pebbles. Lakatos’ genius plan was brilliant – except that she and her associates got caught. This week, Lakatos was found guilty of conspiracy to steal. London’s jewelry quarter is a frequent target of planned heists – most notably a 2015 raid in which a group of men stole more than $20 million worth valuables from a vault. “This was an audacious theft, carried out in plain view of experienced and professional staff at a renowned jewelers,” acting detective sergeant William Man of the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad said in a statement. “The meticulous planning and execution of this theft reveals to me that those involved were highly skilled criminals.” Now, Lakatos is going to be spending a lot of time between a rock and a hard place.

Most people find worms or rocks in their backyard if they do a little digging. A man in Sri Lanka, known by his last name Gamage, found something a little more sparkly on his property last year. When workers toiled in his backyard to dig a well, they unearthed the world’s largest star sapphire cluster. Luckily, Gamage knew what to do with the giant gem; he is a gem trader. The fabulous find has a pale blue color and an estimated value of up to $100 million in the international market. The cluster weighs around 510 kilograms or 2.5 million carats and has been named the “Serendipity Sapphire”. “The person who was digging the well alerted us about some rare stones. Later we stumbled upon this huge specimen,” Gamage said. The area where he lives in known to be filled with many gems, although none as big as this one. It took more than a year to clean the stone of mud and other impurities before authorities could analyze and certify it. During the cleaning process, Gamage said that some stones fell out of the cluster, and they were found to be high quality star sapphires. Gamage lives in Ratnapura, which means city of gems in Sinhalese and is known as the gem capital of the South Asian country. Other valuable stones have been found there in the past. Sri Lanka is a leading exporter of sapphires and other precious gems. Last year, the country earned around half a billion dollars through the export of gems, cut diamonds and jewelry. Sounds like a gem of a find.

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The American Dream By Rabbi Zvi Teichman

Fourteen years ago, the Tolna Rebbe visited America. During that time, he was invited to speak to a group of young married Skvere chasidim, as both chasidic dynasties share a bond of commonly descending from the Maggid of Chernobyl. During that talk, the Tolna Rebbe quoted from an unidentified source a most startling observation.

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He first cited the verse which informs: When G-d, your Lord, will broaden your boundary as he spoke to you, and you say, “I would eat meat,” for you will have a desire to eat meat, to your heart’s entire desire may you eat meat. )‫(דברים יב כ‬ He then revealed that if one counts the number of verses in the Torah from its beginning, one will discover that this is the five thousandth, two hundred and fifty second verse, a number that corresponds to the Jewish calendar year when Columbus set sail to eventually discover the Americas, which ultimately became, centuries later, the home to the largest population of Jews outside of Israel. This was the year the Jews were expelled

The verse continues: ...for you will have a desire — ‫ר‬-‫ ָֹש‬- ָ‫ל ּב‬-ֹ‫כ‬- ֱ‫א‬-ֶ‫ — ל‬to eat meat...

from Spain, 1492 CE. Evidently, the Rebbe asserted, this alludes to the goldene medina, a land of vast material opportunities, that would become associated with indulgence and the many related carnal enticements, that many rabbinic leaders historically forewarned all those who sought its riches, to stay away. He went on to cite a source who heard from the old Novominsker Rebbe, who heard from his father-in-law, the Sokolover Rebbe, a grandson of the famed Rebbe of Kotzk, who heard from the elderly shamesh of the Kotzker Rebbe, that said in 1859, his last year of life, “I see the Shechinah — the Divine Presence, wandering throughout the world seeking a new residence”, pausing momentarily, then concluding, “and will eventually roll to its final rest in America.” So, it seems that we are not as much the home of the ‘Brave’, as we are the home of the ‘Crave’! Is this merely a humorous allusion or is there some deeper message lurking in this verse?

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The Holy Kohen of Tzfas, the Sifsei Kohen, a disciple of the students of the Arizal, cites from some mystical ‘discovered writings’, on the verse which states: ...and you say — ‫ה‬-ָ‫ל‬- ְ‫כ‬-ֹ‫א‬ ‫ר‬-‫ ָֹש‬- ָ‫ — ּב‬I would eat meat, the letters in these two words is an acronym for the following sentiment: ‫איני כדאי‬ ‫ — ללמוד התורה בשביל שאיני ראוי‬I am not worthy to learn The Torah, because I am unfit.

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Here too, the first letters allude to the rejoinder to his doubt: ‫למה? אתה‬ ‫ — כדאי ללמוד בשביל שתיקרא רב‬Why? You are worthy to learn, to be called a rabbi! Finally, the third sentiment in this verse: to your heart’s entire desire — ‫ר‬-‫ ָֹש‬- ָ‫ל ּב‬-ַ‫כ‬-‫א‬-ֹ‫ — ּת‬may you eat meat, also has an embedded message. ‫תלמוד אפילו כדי ללמוד בעבור כבוד‬ ‫ — שמך רוכב שמים בעזרך‬Study! Even if the learning is to achieve an honorable name, He rides across heaven to help you! The original ‘American Dream’ is not a notion to be demeaned. The idea that opportunity awaits those who choose in freedom to succeed, and is available to anyone, regardless of creed or color, has been a blessing for humanity, and has contributed much benefit to the world. The drive for ‘meaty’ material success is certainly a challenge and can easily detour onto a path that leads to a degenerate pursuit of pleasure that has equally challenged society at large. But within that system of ambition for healthy achievement lay fertile ground for the blossoming of Torah and its ideals, as evident in the plethora of Jewish scholarship, philanthropy, and social improvement that has flourished throughout the years we were fortunate to be citizens of this wonderful country, that has spawned many remarkable global organizations in that noble quest. It is to that drive, which at times may be slightly tainted with ulterior motives for honor and success, that the Sifsei Kohen addresses and asserts not to fear nor to retreat from one’s

goals, as the famous adage goes: ‫מתוך‬ ‫ — שלא לשמה באה לשמה‬ulterior motives will lead to pure unadulterated motivation for G-d’s sake alone. A climate that breeds success can motivate great spiritual accomplishments as well. Our original verse can simply be read as a description of a reality that man has carnal instincts, which we must accept and identify it for what is, remaining vigilant in avoiding its pitfalls. It can also be understood as a directive to channel those instincts for pleasure as a tool in our service to G-d. The Ksav Sofer interprets the verse as a summons to man: You (shall) say, “I eat meat”, for, ‫תאוה נפשך‬, your ‘soul’ [your divine intellect], desires to eat. Do not consume meat like a ravenous carnivore seeking to placate its urges, rather eat with the realization that in this combination of nutrition and satisfying, tasteful pleasure, one will be inspired to serve G-d with greater joy and appreciation, elevating the connection one has to G-d. We are living in times where there are fortunately segments of society who still appreciate living in the ‘land of the free’, taking advantage of the freedom to make wise choices in furthering our role on this planet, and regrettably, there are those who see in these words — ‘entitlement’, with an emphasis on the ‘free’ ride without any need to contribute. For those ‘brave’ enough to endeavor, invest and take risks for the noble dreams they believe in, we may revel in the ‘home’, albeit a temporary one, we are privileged to inhabit. For those though who believe, ‘instinct uber alles’, they are sadly doomed to occupy a home of the ‘crave’, that is a house of cards that will inevitably collapse and self-destruct. May we wisely utilize the many wonderful opportunities we are gifted and be careful in never falling into the abyss of indulgence and entitlement. You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ohelmoshebaltimore.com

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Delving into the Daf

A Sukkah Made Out of Elephants By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

ommercial sukkos used to be generic and “one size fits all.” Sukkah manufacturers have come a long way. You can now purchase ready-to-assemble designer sukkos. However, none are as exotic as the one suggested by the Gemara. The Gemara discusses using a live elephant in place of one of the sukkah walls. Even if theoretically one were permitted by law to purchase an elephant, it would be quite expensive. Further, the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee estimates that it costs around $1,000 a month to care for an elephant properly. So this idea would really be a white elephant. It is an accepted halachah that sukkah walls must start within three tefachim (between 9 and 12 inches) of the ground. This could be a problem if the elephant is standing up. Only the elephant’s legs would count as walls, and not its upper body. You could possibly use straw and rope to connect the fore and hind legs together to fill up the gap. Someone witnessing such a crazy contrivance would think they were seeing pink elephants. An alternative solution would be to have the elephant lie down. Some believe that elephants cannot lie down. However, the Elephant Sanctuary reports that this is not true. “[For elephants,] lying down is normal,” it says, “but staying on their side for prolonged periods can put pressure on their internal organs, causing labored breathing and reducing circulation throughout the body.” Still, the discussion above ignores the elephant in the sukkah. What happens if the elephant just walks away? The Gemara discusses this point and suggests that one could tie up the elephant. Alternatively, one could train the elephant not to move when a rope is wound around its leg. Still, one point the Gemara does

not discuss is the appropriateness of using a non-kosher animal for one’s sukkah wall. What could the problem possibly be? The Shulchan Aruch rules that one should initially use a ram’s horn for the mitzvah of shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Still, the horns of other

structed of materials that may enter into your mouth – in other words, something that is kosher. The Magen Avraham explains that the Rema reasons that this particular requirement in not limited to tefillin. All mitzvos that can be sourced from kosher animals

Someone witnessing such a crazy contrivance would think they were seeing pink elephants.

animals are also valid, with some exceptions. Nevertheless, the Rema writes that the horns of non-kosher animals are definitely not acceptable for the mitzvah of shofar. What is his source? The Gemara says that tefillin must be constructed of hides from kosher animals. This is derived from the verse: “In order that the words of Torah be in your mouth.” The Talmud understands that this verse is teaching us that tefillin must be con-

must indeed be obtained from them. Therefore, since we can fashion a shofar from a kosher animal horn, a non-kosher animal’s horn may not be used. The Shut Torah Lishmah suggests that, according to the Magen Avraham, perhaps one should not wear silk tzitzis or a silk tallis. There are those who are careful to wear only wool tzitzis. However, may someone who generally wears cotton tzitzis

wear silk tzitzis instead? Silk is produced by insect larvae and is not kosher. Since tzitzis can be sourced from kosher materials such as cotton or wool, perhaps one should not use a fabric produced by a non-kosher creature. A similar point can be raised about the permissibility of using non-kosher substances to light the Chanukah menorah. Olive oil is the preferred fuel source for Chanukah lights. If someone is in any case not using olive oil, may he use whale oil? Perhaps not, according to the Magen Avraham. The Shut Torah Lishmah concludes that according to the letter of the law, we do not need to be concerned about the Magen Avraham’s novel ruling. The Gemara only stated that tefillin have to be constructed from kosher animals. We don’t apply this ruling elsewhere. Admittedly, the Rema clearly rules that a shofar may not be fashioned from a non-kosher animal. However, perhaps the mitzvah of shofar is unique because it serves to recall our merit on Rosh Hashanah. Maybe for that specific reason, a shofar sourced from a non-kosher animal is inappropriate. For other mitzvos such as sukkah or tzitzis, one may use components derived from non-kosher animals. Still, the Shut Torah Lishmah suggests that, where possible, one try to use only derivatives of kosher animals. Therefore, one should only use an elephant for a sukkah wall if he has no alternative, especially since it will be a mammoth undertaking.

Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow is a rebbe at Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway. In addition, Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead, NY. He can be contacted at ASebrow@gmail.com.

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

My Israel Home

Hatikvah: The Bohemian’s Rhapsody

AUGUST 5, 2021 THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

By Gedaliah Borvick

y friend recently texted me from Tel Aviv: “What are the chances that I would be on Imber Street in the morning and at the Hatikvah Market on Hatikvah Street in the afternoon? Unbelievable!” After I pleaded ignorance, my friend helped me connect the dots and gain an appreciation of this obscure man who wrote a poem that would one day become Israel’s national anthem. Over two dozen streets across Israel have been named for Naftali Herz Imber and his songs which brought hope to Jews worldwide during some of the darkest days of our history, and yet he paradoxically lived much of his life in a state of hopelessness. Naphtali Herz Imber was born in 1856 in Galicia and lived only 52 years. He was a writer, a poet, and a bohemian – a brilliant nonconformist who lived a nomadic life and tragically never found his niche in society. At the tender age of ten, Imber was considered an ilui – or Talmudic prodigy – but his greatest pleasure was reading German and Yiddish poetry and writing Hebrew poems. At the age of twelve, Imber received an award from the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph for a patriotic poem he wrote in Hebrew celebrating the centennial of Bukovina’s annexation to the Austrian Empire. Soon after, Imber decided to travel, and he spent the next fifteen years traipsing across Europe, journeying from Brody and Lvov, the cultural centers of Galicia, to Vienna. Then, when most people were going west, Imber – ever the iconoclast – traveled east through Hungary, Serbia and Romania. Throughout this period, Imber wrote articles for the Hebrew peri-

Imber’s handwritten text of Tikvateinu

odicals, and during his free time he composed Hebrew poetry. In an act of defiance against pogroms and other overt acts of anti-Semitism across Europe, Imber penned Tikvateinu – Our Hope.

A few years later, the Oliphants moved to Haifa with Imber in tow. In addition to attending to Oliphant’s correspondence, Imber continued writing poems and articles. When Laurence’s wife Alice, whom Imber

At the age of twelve, Imber received an award from the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph for a patriotic poem he wrote in Hebrew.

Imber ended up in Constantinople where, in 1882, he met Englishman, former parliamentarian and Christian Zionist Laurence Oliphant. Oliphant came to Constantinople for exploratory talks with Turkish officials about resettling Jewish refugees in Palestine. Imber immediately became part of the Oliphant entourage, serving as his correspondent in Hebrew, German and Romanian.

cherished, died suddenly in 1886, a distraught Imber left the Oliphant household. Imber finally embraced the west, visiting Paris, Berlin, London and then New York. Only after arriving on the Lower East Side in 1892 did he realize that a number of his poems had been set to music and became national treasures. His most famous poem was Tikvateinu, whose name was

changed to Hatikvah, or The Hope, and became the Zionist anthem. Imber could not hold down a job, and his poverty and misery unfortunately led him down the path of alcoholism. He moved around the country, with stops in practically every city where there were Jews, and continued writing articles for regional papers, all the while churning out new poems. In Chicago, at the age of forty-four, he married Amanda Katie Davidson, whom he soon thereafter divorced. That episode was a microcosm of his life: undertaking exciting new pursuits, and soon thereafter discarding them and moving on. Naftali Herz Imber died penniless from complications related to chronic alcoholism. After the funeral service, the streets were packed with an estimated ten thousand people, who intoned the Hatikvah during the slow procession. Aptly, the text of Hatikvah was etched on Imber’s gravestone. How ironic – and exceedingly sad – that the man who wrote the timeless anthem of optimism about the Jewish nation’s return to its homeland died a disheartened and hopeless vagabond. In 1953, Imber’s remains were re-interred in Jerusalem’s Har Hamenuchot Cemetery. The nomad who gave hope to the Jewish nation finally came home.

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home, a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com. Please visit his blog at www.myisraelhome.com.

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Travel

Diving the Underwater Grottoes of Rosh Hanikra by Dr. Jeffrey Galler

hile writing about Mediterranean diving for a well-known SCUBA magazine, I had been looking forward to exploring the underwater caves of Rosh Hanikra, on Israel’s northwest coast. There, a diver can swim through underwater grottoes, caves, and rock formations seen in no other part of the world. But, my dive became much more interesting than originally planned. Mention cave diving to most SCUBA enthusiasts, and they’ll politely say, “No thanks – too dangerous.” It is true that cave diving can be extremely dangerous: with tight spaces, dark tunnels, and massive amounts of silt, divers can easily become disoriented, lost, and run out of air. However, diving Rosh Hanikra’s underwater caves can be a very safe and relaxing adventure. Safe that is, if you don’t make the blunder we committed during our dive.

a ship, and, of course, purchase souvenirs. These same tunnels and caverns, formed by wind and sea action against the relatively soft chalk, are even more dramatic below the surface, where ten spectacular underwater grottoes are interconnected along a large, 600-foot long underwater tunnel. Our guide, Gideon, explained that the water temperature, almost 70 degrees Fahrenheit, was fairly comfortable while wearing proper wet suits but that water conditions could sometimes be rough. “When strong winds blow in from the southwest,” he warned, “dive conditions can sometimes be unsuitable. You’re in luck, because today looks perfect.” He led our little group into the water, and we found ourselves in very rough water, with a sloped and rocky bottom.

Making a Splash

The sunlight reflected off the white face of the mountains made the water sparkle like thousands of whitehot diamonds. I wondered if SCUBA manufacturers produced masks with sunglasses. We turned right, faced the massive cliff, and descended to a rocky floor. There, the water was very calm, and we enjoyed a leisurely swim through clear, light green water toward the grottoes.

Appearing as a dramatic, steep, 210-foot white pillar at the water’s edge, the cliffs of Rosh Hanikra are one of Israel’s top tourist attractions. On land, cable cars take up to 15 passengers to the top of the mountain. There, tourists can hike along a 1,200-foot long pathway through dramatic caverns, enjoy a panoramic view of the cliff and surrounding sea, dine in a restaurant shaped like

What a Dive!

A diver is silhoutted against the large, sunlit cave opening

Following Gideon’s signal, we descended through the shimmering, cool water to the mouth of a large tunnel entrance. We entered the tunnel and were delighted to discover that in this and all the other tunnels and caves that we would be exploring several factors made the diving very pleasant and non-stressful. First, all the tunnels and grottoes were very large. The ceilings were very high, and there walls were very far apart, so no claustrophobia here. Second, none of the areas we visited were dark. All had large, clearly visible, wide-open entrances and exits, abundant sunlight streaming in

from both ends. Third, with the constant wave action flushing the tunnels and caves, there were no massive deposits of silt or debris on the floor. Therefore, our swim fins did not cause any silt to rise off the bottom and cloud the water or mar our view. Visibility was excellent throughout the dive. Gideon signaled an ascent, and we found ourselves floating comfortably on the surface, breathing fresh air, inside a huge cave, a large sunlit entrance yards away. We enjoyed viewing the cave’s ceiling and walls, where water and wind had carved the chalk and dolomite into fantastic shapes. Turning to the cave entrance, we

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enjoyed a spectacular view of our cave opening framing the green water around us and the sea beyond.

Ups and Downs Gideon explained that this was the preferred method of exploring the Rosh Hanikra grottoes: swim through a tunnel, ascend to the surface inside a cave, enjoy the view, breathe fresh air while conserving the air in our tanks, relax, and plan the next dive segment. We visited five of the ten caves, and often witnessed a recurring scene: we could see our underwater

Time to Go Home Kicking lazily back to shore, we noticed details that we had missed

Armed soldiers were very interested in the divers emerging from the water

On clear days, the water is green in the morning, blue in the afternoon, and then darker blue later in the day.

photographer and our underwater model to our rear, silhouetted against the large, sunlit opening behind us, while we swam in twilight toward the brightly lit exit in front of us. Turning north, we were able to see remnants of the 700-foot-long railway that had been built through the mountain by the British army in World War I. During Israel’s War for Independence in 1948, it was blown

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up to prevent invasion by the Lebanese army. At our final cave surface interval, we were able to see tourists walking through the tunnels above us. Swimming south toward our beach exit, the water around us, so green before, was now definitely blue. Gideon later explained that on clear days the water is green in the morning, blue in the afternoon, and then darker blue later in the day.

on our way to the grottoes. Colorful fish nibbled on the green grass, and small groupers kept their distance from us, hoping to some day become large groupers. Spiny urchin hid under many rocky nooks and crannies, as did small, spaghetti-like, multi-colored anemone. Toward the end of the dive, we were surprised by the sudden ap-

The cliffs of Rosh Hanikra are part of a chain of chalk mountains on the northwest border of Israel

pearance of a sad-looking loggerhead turtle who quickly passed in and out of our field of vision. I learned, later, that Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority has undertaken a conservation program to protect these reptiles. Early every summer, large numbers of turtles dig bottle-shaped pits on shore and lay their eggs there. Several weeks later, guided by the light of a full moon, hundreds of little, baby turtles dig their way out of their pits, and scurry off to the open sea.

Not According to Plan

Israel tries to protect its loggerhead turtles

Finally, exiting onto the beach, we received a rather frightening, not-sopleasant surprise. On the road above were two Israeli army jeeps, with nervous-looking, armed soldiers, rifles pointing directly at us. Apparently, our little group had inadvertently swum into Lebanese territory, evoking some understandable degree

of interest on the part of the border guards. I tried to smile innocuously and appear non-threatening. Fortunately, that morning, the Ministry of Tourism had let the army know that a dive magazine journalist will be present in the area. When the soldiers realized who we were, they were all smiles as they laughed and joked with us. One soldier asked us to send a copy of SKIN DIVER magazine, with his picture, to a relative in New York. I can only hope that Homeland Security will not look askance at someone caught sneaking underwater across an international border and place me on their No Fly list.

Dr. Jeffrey Galler is certified as a Master Diver and Rescue Diver by the Professional Association of Dive Instructors.

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME AUGUST 5, 2021

Water Treaties and Ice Cream Skirmishes Israel’s Foreign Policy’s New Stance

BY SHAMMAI SISKIND

gious role. Indeed, for much of Israel’s early history, it was a tacitly accepted fact that the Prime Ministry and the Defense Ministry would be held by the same person – as David Ben Gurion did for some twelve years. And yet, for this coalition, the two alternate leaders decided to leave former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz of the Blue and White party to run Defense, while Yair Lapid would take charge of foreign affairs. After the coalition’s first two years, Bennett and Lapid will switch roles. The reason for this decision is not merely a competence issue. True, defense matters are not really part of Lapid’s forte but Bennett is more than capable of running Defense, having occupied the role himself less than two years ago. No, the rotation deal was not crafted out of practical considerations only. The primary reason

lies with the major policy aims – and policy changes – the new government seeks to bring to Israel. These changes are already well underway. BIBI DIPLOMACY Truth be told, the less-than-esteemed status of the Foreign Ministry is a relatively new phenomenon in Israel. Over the decades, the position was held by legends the likes of Abba Eban and Golda Meir, as well as more contemporary heavy-hitters such as Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon. For much of the country’s history, the Foreign Ministry was really Israel’s face toward the rest of the globe and played a central role in the country’s delicate and vital international relations. This largely changed, however, during the twelve-year reign

of Benjamin Netanyahu, himself a former Foreign Minister. Netanyahu made the decision to bring international relations under his personal domain. He made confidant and fellow Likud member Israel Katz the head of the Foreign Ministry, and took an extremely hands-on approach to foreign affairs. Scenes of Netanyahu flying around the developing world, meeting with European allies, speaking before American policymakers, and convincing crowds of dignitaries of the follies of Islamist appeasement and the Iran nuclear deal are all still fresh in the world’s collective memory. By any objective standard, the long-serving premier did an excellent job as foreign diplomat, a fact that (at least in most cases) even his staunchest critics will admit to. Of

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f the numerous oddities contained in Israel’s current fledgling government, one point that stands out is the rotation agreement penned between the coalition’s two leaders. As per the protocols agreed upon by the multi-faction parliament, Yamina’s Naftali Bennett and the center-left Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid will switch off between the prime ministership and heading the country’s Foreign Ministry. This came as a bit of surprise to some, considering the marginality of the Foreign Minister position in Israeli politics today. Many would have expected a rotation deal to oscillate between the PM’s Office and the Defense Ministry. Due to the primacy of military matters in Israeli society, the defense minister has always been an extremely presti-

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

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course, Netanyahu’s greatest feat on the international scene came last summer in the form of the much lauded Abraham Accords, a groundbreaking series of treaties that will continue to be a gamechanger for the region. But Netanyahu’s de facto usurpation of Israeli diplomacy came with a price. Under Netanyahu’s control, nearly all of Israel’s foreign affairs assets became part of the prime minister’s personal and narrow policy agendas. To get a perspective on just how tight Netanyahu’s control over foreign policy was, consider this incident: following the announcement of Abraham Accords last August, the serving Foreign Minister at the time, Gabi Ashkenazi, related how he was informed by the PM’s office about the deal hours before it was made known to the public. Think about that. The man who was officially in charge of Israel’s foreign affairs didn’t even know negotiations were taking place for what was arguably Israel’s most significant international treaty ever. This is not to say Netanyahu’s approach was necessarily flawed. Governments always need to prioritize where and how to invest their political capital and energy. It was Netanyahu’s decision to focus all of it on issues he identified as crucial – fighting the Iran nuclear deal and reaching out to Gulf states, certainly being the top two. But there were other issues, important issues, that inevitably fell by the wayside, as Netanyahu, in his signature style, would not let anyone push forward additional policy agendas, seeing any such activity as a mere a distraction at best. Now, with new policymakers at the helm, dealing with both lingering and new foreign relations issues will be a defining theme of the coalition. AMBITION OR NAIVETE? FM Yair Lapid has made clear that, for him, number one on his list of objectives is reaching out to Israel’s allies that were “sidelined” during the Netanyahu years. On this point, both Bennett and Lapid have been on the same page – at least partially. Much of this “reaching out” Lapid has planned con-

sists of relatively benign policies – important policies, and consequential ones no doubt, but in the end not particularly controversial. For instance, both Lapid and Bennett have taken serious steps to reconnect with Israel’s immediate neighbors to the east and south. During the first week of July, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Bennett had met in secret with King Abdullah of Jordan. Only days after the meeting’s conclusion did the PM’s office confirm the meeting took place. The subject of the two leaders’ face-to-face was allegedly a massive water deal in which Israel agreed to an annual transfer of 50 million cubic meters of water to the Hashemite Kingdom. This deal came as a bit of a surprise. Such meetings between former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and King Abdullah were almost unheard of and had not happened for a number of years due to rising tensions between the two countries, mainly due to disagreement on Palestinian issues. “The Kingdom of Jordan is a neighbor and partner of the State of Israel. The Foreign Ministry will continue to hold an ongoing dialogue in

The face of the U.S. Democratic Party’s has become loudly anti-Israel

While oﬃcial conﬁrmation of meetings in Egypt has yet to come, reconciliation with countries like Jordan and Egypt all share the same central elements. They contain populations that are mostly hostile to Israel, with the powers that be only keeping up working relations with Israel because of the strategic and economic value such a relationship has. Any action taken by Israel to ensure those ties are maintained is something pretty much all Israelis get behind.

If Lapid seeks to “make nice” with today’s Democratic Party, he’ll likely be met with some serious demands that even his left of center worldview may not be able to tolerate. order to preserve and strengthen that relationship,” Lapid said, according to a statement put out by his office. “We will expand economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries.” At the same time secret meetings were taking place with the Jordanians, Israeli officials were also apparently hard at work reaching out to their southern neighbor in Egypt. “We must work to strengthen ties with all countries [in the region], this includes Egypt,” Lapid had said in a statement in early June.

Yet other planned rapprochement projects Lapid has in mind may not be so easy for his right-leaning colleagues to swallow. In regards to Diaspora Jewry, for example, Lapid has been adamant that work must begin to restore relationships with all streams of Judaism, referring multiple times to the Reform and Conservative movements speciﬁcally, calling them “family.” This is viewed by many on the right, including some of Lapid’s own coalition partners, as a slippery slope, or even intentional pretext, for changing the status quo on sensitive re-

ligious issues in Israel itself. Many of the current government members have voiced their opinions supporting religious reform, whether it be relaxing protocols for holy sites, diversifying conversion options, or allowing secular marriage – an issue that has become one of the many crusades of Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The coalition has already succeeded in pushing forward signiﬁcant amendments to religious law. On July 20, Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana announced a far-reaching set of reforms to the kashrut market which would establish the Chief Rabbinate as a regulator over independent kashrut organizations as opposed to the body controlling the process as a whole. The Rabbinate, along with many religious parties, have been up in arms over the propositions, asserting the reforms are a coordinated attack on the Jewish character of the state. With all the explicit attempts at undermining the Orthodox monopoly, it may be less palatable for the coalition’s right-wing to go along with Lapid’s plan of reaching out to alternative religious sects. Perhaps even more controversial is the Foreign Minister’s plan on how to “improve” relations with the U.S. Back in mid-June at the hand-over ceremony at the Foreign Ministry, Lapid promised during his inauguration speech to repair Israel’s relationships with the U.S. Democratic Party. The new minister blamed the outgoing government for damaging Israel’s ties with the party in Washington that currently controls the White House and

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

be met with some serious demands that even his left of center worldview may not be able to tolerate. For example, it has now become mainstream discourse among Democratic Party members to link territorial concessions by Israel to any assistance it may seek from the United States. Despite his ardent support of amputating parts of the Jewish homeland to

The Ben & Jerry’s episode may very well prove a test case for how Israel’s diplomacy plays out in the current international climate. companies that commercially boycott Israel. Ben & Jerry’s decision has essentially made it susceptible to all these state laws. And Israeli oﬃcials have been quick to move on this. Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United States and the United Nations, sent letters to the governors of those 35 anti-BDS states, requesting that they formally sanction the ice cream company. “I ask that you consider speaking out against the company’s decision, and taking any other relevant steps, including in relation to your state laws and the commercial dealings between Ben and Jerry’s and your state,” read the letter from Erdan. According to Israeli media,

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

create a Palestinian state, Lapid has been forced to recognize that advancing anything on the Palestinian front is simply not possible, at least at the moment. Referring to the spike of violence during the May war with Hamas, Lapid told media, “In the end, the Palestinians themselves have to want to move forward in order for someone else to come in and help them, and that’s not the case right now,” Lapid said during a June meeting with his Emirati counterpart. Faced with the reality of no-partner on the Palestinian front, seeking to repair ties with the Democrats may quickly put Lapid into an impossible situation. In fact, current events have forced Lapid to go on the oﬀensive toward many of the very people he seeks to appease.

AUGUST 5, 2021

both chambers of Congress. Lapid pointed to Netanyahu’s years of neglect on this point. “The management of the relationship with the Democratic Party in the United States was careless and dangerous,” Lapid said. “The outgoing government took a terrible gamble, reckless and dangerous, to focus exclusively on the Republican Party and abandon Israel’s bipartisan standing.” From a purely theoretical stance, Lapid is right. It is no secret how Netanyahu did everything short of waging all-out war against the Democrats during the Obama years. His unique relationship to Trump and his party during his presidential term hardly needs any elaboration. Making diplomatic ties with any country about a relationship with a certain political faction is shortsighted at best, a diplomatic suicide at worst. While this is all true, the Democratic Party Lapid wants to “reach out” to is not the same one the former journalist was reporting on years ago when he hosted Israeli news shows. As a matter of objective fact, the Democratic Party today is home to some of the most vicious anti-Israel voices in all of American history. While many more senior members of the party may ﬁnd these voices a liability and are ﬁghting to keep the traditional pro-Israel image of the party, there is not much they can do about the broader trends within their support base – or at least what has become politically correct and acceptable within that base. If Lapid seeks to “make nice” with today’s Democratic Party, he’ll likely

the message was drafted and coordinated with Foreign Minister Lapid. If these states – which include large economically prosperous ones like New York, Florida, Georgia, and Texas – decide to act on these laws in full, it could have far-reaching repercussions for both Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever. One does not have to theorize about what those consequences could be. In 2018, Airbnb made a similar announcement saying it would no longer be offering listings in Israeli settlements. This led to a slew of lawsuits by plaintiffs in the United States who alleged discriminatory practices. According to many reports at the time, Airbnb’s decision to eventually walk back its settlement boycott followed notices from states such as Illinois, Florida and New Jersey that they planned to pull their pension funds invested in the company as a result of the announcement. As one Israeli investigative reporter recently pointed out, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Arizona, Illinois and Mississippi all have pension funds currently invested in Unilever, the British company that owns Ben & Jerry’s. As of this writing, officials from at least five U.S. states – Florida, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois – are actively reviewing the possibility of sanctioning Unilever. For the time being, Lapid and his Ministry are the ones leading the charge for punitive action against Ben & Jerry’s. “Ben & Jerry’s decision is a disgraceful capitulation to antisemitism, to BDS, to all that is evil in the anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish discourse,” said an official statement by the Foreign Minister. “We won’t be silent.” This should be a welcomed development, for both Israelis and Israel supporters abroad, who see Lapid as merely a left-wing pushover. While it is true that Lapid’s “ideal” may be much more conciliatory, he is, for now, standing strong where he needs to. With a bit of luck, Israel just may get a foreign policy with the best of both worlds: a welcoming diplomatic apparatus that’s able to stand and fight when need be.

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Foreign Minister Lapid visited the UAE in June

A FROZEN FRENZY It’s a bit strange when a frozen dessert becomes a major focal point of a regional conflict. Following the announcement by Ben & Jerry’s that it would not allow its ice cream to be sold in Judea and Samaria, media platforms around the world became flooded with outrage. Some of it was justified; some of it a bit overblown. Perhaps the best part of the recent row over Vermont’s Finest is the deluge of hilariously creative memes that have inundated the internet. (“Throw-the-Jews-in-to-the-Sea Salted Caramel” is a personal favorite.) Despite its slightly awkward nature, the Ben & Jerry’s episode may very well prove a test case for how Israel’s diplomacy plays out in the current international climate. Beyond the backlash the company received over its decision, there are actually laws against Ben & Jerry’s ban. To date, there are 35 five states that have enacted so-called anti-BDS legislation. These laws prohibit government entities from contracting with

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Health & F tness

AUGUST 5, 2021

The Juice on Juicing

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By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

often get asked, “What’s your take on juicing?” Juicing can be nutritionally beneficial when done properly. However, these days many revert to a quick fix to weight loss: a juice cleanse. The burning question remains: does a juice cleanse actually eliminate toxins from the body? Juice cleansing generally consists of a diet with little or no chewable food. Consuming only juice will likely cause you to consume fewer calories than necessary for weight maintenance, resulting in weight loss. Dr. Linda Lee, the director of the Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center, explains that after a few days, caloric restriction will likely result in dehydration, and a person will not be at optimal health. You can also become nutrient deficient, she says. The products in these juice cleanses can’t be absorbed and therefore pass to the large intestines, where the bacteria ferments it. This gives people the “empty” feeling often described after a juice cleanse. For the same reason, patients are given laxatives, also known as a “colonoscopy prep,” ahead of a colonoscopy, not a “colon cleansing.” There is no evidence to suggest that empting the colon is nutritionally beneficial. Furthermore, Dr. Lee says no scientific studies have

proven that juice cleansing removes toxins from the body. Additionally, such a restrictive diet will cause you to be more likely to rebel against dietary restrictions. So, if juice cleansing is not recommended, what is the proper way to juice? Juices and health shakes can be beneficial when used as a meal replacement – only once daily! Skipping

RD, of Wilmington, DE. However, eating whole fruits and vegetables is optimal since juicing doesn’t provide the whole fiber that’s found in whole fruits and vegetables. Juicing machines extract the juice and leave behind the pulp, which has the fiber. So don’t rely on solely juices completely to get your fruits and veggie servings. Now that we know when and

Health shakes make a great choice for breakfast since many tend to skip breakfast anyway.

more than one meal a day can lead to nutrient deficiency. Health shakes make a great choice for breakfast since many tend to skip breakfast anyway. Health shakes and juices can be taken on the go and offer a lot of variety since just about anything goes in a shake. Health shakes and juices can also make a great snack. “If you’re not big into fruits and vegetables, it’s a good way to get them in,” notes nutritionist Jennifer Barr,

how often to juice, how do we do it? You may not need an actual juicing machine to make juice. You can use a blender for most whole fruits or vegetables. Add water if it becomes too thick. A Magic Bullet works great, and it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. You simply add the contents of the juice to the cup, screw on the cover, flip it over and blend. When it’s blended to desired consistency, flip it back over, unscrew the cover and drink directly from the cup.

You can put just about anything into a juice or health shake – any fruit, vegetable, liquid base, even nuts. Just be careful, you could be adding a lot of fruits, and then the calories start adding up. If you use vegetables instead of fruits, the calories are a lot less. Try using mainly vegetables, and add one or two fruits for flavor. You can also make your juice more balanced by adding protein. Some good sources are almond milk, skim milk, orange juice, low-fat, plain yogurt, flaxseed, and peanut butter. Pick your favorite combinations of fruits and vegetables and try a new juice. Just remember, an all-juice diet can cause more harm than good. Stick to a healthy, balanced diet with a juice here and there!

Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN, is a Master’s level Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. She graduated CUNY Brooklyn College receiving a Bachelor’s in Science and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. She is currently a dietitian at Boro Park Center and a private nutrition consultant. She can be reached at CindyWeinberger1@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @EatBetterandFeelBetter.

Nose Bleeds.

Easy Bruising.

Fatigue.

AUGUST 5, 2021

Bone Pain.

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YOU MAY HAVE GAUCHER DISEASE TYPE 1 AND NOT KNOW IT

Did you know there are treatments?

The condition can be effectively managed, however many are misdiagnosed or assume they were tested. Treatment options are available including oral therapies. It’s just a simple blood test. Get tested.

For testing information go to www.gauchercare.com/testing

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Common symptoms include bone pain, nose bleeds, easy bruising and fatigue. You may experience one or none of these symptoms, but could still have Gaucher disease.

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Parenting Pearls

AUGUST 5, 2021

Ignore This Article

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By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

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guess that title risked losing some readers. For those of you who stayed, the title was actually partially serious. Allow me to explain. We all know that from the moment a pregnancy is obvious, many people see that as an invitation to offer unsolicited parenting advice. That unrequested invitation seems to continue on straight through the years as you raise your children. It seems like nearly everyone has something to say, something to offer, and knows what’s best for you and your family. To be honest, some will have something worthwhile to offer and it’s worth listening to. On the other hand, not everything spoken is worth hearing. Often, someone will insist that they have “the answer” to whatever problem you are (or aren’t) facing. I’ve seen this advice come in all forms – from how to prepare for yom tov, organize my homeschool, treat a medical condition, or raise my child. What works for someone else won’t necessarily work for you. It’s important to filter what you hear before deciding what does and does not work in your personal circumstances. Use what is helpful and ignore what isn’t. Don’t feel guilty ignoring unhelpful advice. But don’t be too proud to implement a great idea. What is someone else’s miracle could

be a mess for you to try. This applies to anyone’s advice or article, even my own. The title to this article is only partially in jest. In any given article, I hope my suggestions are helpful but I know that some of what I say won’t be helpful for every family. No matter the source, you want to use the good and push aside the bad. Honestly, some advice I’ve received was so terrible that the advice in question shouldn’t have just been pushed aside but burned with the chametz and then still sold. Have rachmanus on the gentile that has to buy that advice!

They Don’t Have Your Child Your child is unique and what works well for one child could, chas v’shalom, be disastrous to another child. Sadly, some people act like children are one-size-fits-all. It doesn’t work for clothing and it doesn’t work for children. Just like no two children are the same (not even twins), no two children can be parented identically. As an example, some children are more sensitive than others. While it may work well for one child if you are firm and he/she may thrive on the extra structure, it can be devastating for another, more sensitive child. An example of this is that it’s standard advice to give a firm “no” to a nursling

when they bite. For most babies it’s enough to deter them from repeating the negative behavior. A friend’s child was so sensitive that when his mother followed this well-respected advice, the little guy refused to ever nurse again. Alternatively, some kids need that extra firm tone and a wishy-washysounding parent doesn’t get through. Please note that you can sound firm without sounding mean or aggressive. A trick for this last one is dropping your pitch at the end. Often, we instinctively raise our pitch which makes us sound like we’re whining or asking; when we drop the pitch at the end it sounds firm. I heard this from a friend who said she heard it from a show about parenting.

You’re Not That Parent Not only is your child unique but so are you. We easily forget that we need to respect our own unique needs and temperaments. I can’t be the parent you are, and you can’t be the parent I am. If we pretend to be who we’re not, it usually doesn’t turn out well. An example of this idea is that some parents are more organized than others and some are more strict than others. Organization tips that work wonderfully for one parent could drive another parent insane. I’ve seen some

parents that are naturally so strictly regimented that it makes the military appear lax. While that works for some, it doesn’t work for others. Some parents naturally need to keep a very organized home, and others prefer a more “lived in” look. The parents that need to have everything organized at all times will feel out of sorts in a disorganized environment, while more relaxed-feeling parents would feel overwhelmed continuously trying to put everything in the right place. Telling a laid-back parent they need to be firmer with their child can cause a naturally calm parent to feel the need to discipline unnaturally and the poor child may get screamed at all day. But if you encourage a mother or father to parent within their natural temperament, you’ll find a better balance. Now, some parents may need a stricter or more laid-back parenting approach at times but it can often still be done in a way that fits the parent. I’m not saying that everyone is always doing everything correctly, although that would be nice. There certainly are times we need to tweak things but those changes should be made while respecting who we are so they can be implemented successfully. Change needs to be gradual and done thought-

51 fully for it to ultimately succeed.

Just like no two children are the same (not even twins), no two children can be parented identically.

A long-time parent with wonderfully raised children may be more reputable than someone who has no child-based experience. How well does this person know you or your child? You may find you get more helpful advice from a person that knows your situation or person-

room. I didn’t know her well, but she was a professional that had experience with our exact situation. Her advice was just what our son needed, and it really helped. Alternatively, the random woman on the street that yelled at me to beat my child as a discipline method didn’t seem to have any cre-

dentials at all (sadly, it’s a true story, too). Obviously, I followed the occupational therapist’s advice and not the angry, cursing woman’s advice. What is the advice being given? Good advice can come from unexpected sources while wonderful resources can give unexpectedly poor advice. Take the time to think over what you’ve been offered and see if it’s worth implementing now, saving for later, or burning with the chametz. Think of advice like a good pair of shoes; your child grows into them and out of them. Shoes that are a great fit for one individual at one period of time may be a terrible fit for another or at a different time. As always, daven; it’s advice that always fits.

Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.

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ality better than a person whom you meet randomly on the line of the supermarket. What experience or credentials does this person have? I actually received excellent advice from an occupational therapist I met in a waiting

AUGUST 5, 2021

Not only are your needs different but our needs change as our circumstances evolve. I know that at some point in my life one solution worked great, but at a later time, as our family’s circumstances changed, so did what worked for us. I remember a friend insisted she had the homeschooling organizational method for us. Honestly, it didn’t work at that time, and I tried to nod politely as she pushed it on me, knowing it wasn’t a good fit. It worked well for her but it wasn’t going to meet my family’s needs. A few years later, that method actually did fit and I used it. The fit only lasted for a year or two before I stopped but it’s now in my toolbox of organizational tips. I may come back to it again this year for one of my kids. We will see in September if the fit is right. Make sure the timing and life circumstances fit with the advice to have a successful adjustment.

When you are given advice, it helps to evaluate it first. Obviously, an article can never cover everything to take into consideration but here are some ideas. A question that may be helpful is seeing who the advice is coming from.

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

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By Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®️, MST

Emergency Funds: More than just a Savings Account A recent survey from Bankrate.com found that only 39% of Americans have enough cash saved to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense. While the past year has brought tremendous challenges, the survey’s results have been consistent for years the majority of us simply do not have enough savings to protect from the unexpected. Building an emergency fund makes intuitive sense. We know that life is full of unknowns, and it is better to pay for life’s curveballs with our own money instead of borrowing and paying back with interest. It can be hard enough to meet everyday expenses, so the idea of saving more isn’t always a high priority, and for some, is impossible. Additionally, after taking inflation into account, growing a cash savings balance may actually be a losing investment. However, in personal finance, the best returns are not always measured in dollars and cents. Let’s explore the framework of principles to a thoughtful plan of action for cash savings. The Importance of Savings: “Emergency fund”, “rainy day fund”, and “dry powder” are just a few catch phrases that describe the importance of having a certain amount of accessible cash set aside. A previous article described “PYF” (Paying Yourself First) and how setting up an automated monthly savings strategy supercharges your finances. For every variable in our lives that we control, there are countless others that we cannot. Unexpected expenses come up, income can be lost or reduced, and markets can (and will) crash and rebound. These variables present both challenges and opportunities, and that is where the benefit of having a consistent cash savings strategy comes into play. Let’s consider some basic principles and how you can apply them. Emergency Fund Principles:

1. Baseline: A general rule is to have between 3 - 6 months of your necessary expenses in an easy-toaccess cash savings account. Should there be a drop in income or an outsized expense, you should be able to continue paying everyday living

physical locations and can afford to pass along a higher interest rate to depositors. Interest rates are at historic lows, and I will write about other ways to generate more yield from your cash, but a high yield account is a must! If it ain’t yielding, you best be leaving! 4. Monitor & Progress: When it comes to funding the account, whatever baseline you have should be prioritized as a primary goal. After adjusting to having this outflow and your baseline is met, you can allocate it to a different investment account to support your wealth-building momentum - all without feeling like you are limiting your current cash flow, because you

In personal finance, the best returns are not always measured in dollars and cents. expenses without immediately going into consumer debt. Any personal financial crisis increases stress levels, knowing that you have a strong backstop to support you will help manage the rough times. 2. Separate & Accessible: Your emergency fund should be kept separate from your everyday checking, but should be linked so that transfers can be easily made. While savings accounts typically allow only 6 transfers per month, this should not be a problem since it is not intended to be used regularly. 3. Earn Interest: Be sure that your money is kept in an FDIC-insured account. This provides that the federal government guarantees your money (up to $250,000) if the bank that holds the account goes out of business. Use a “high yield savings account” typically offered by institutions that do not have

are already mentally used to the outflow! As life throws its curveballs, you will need to use some of the balance, which is exactly what the money is there to do. Applying the Principles: 1. Calculating & Funding the Baseline: Calculate your baseline and then divide by a certain number (6, 12, 18), to get the monthly amount to set up as an automatic transfer from your checking to your high yield savings account. Be reasonable, but try to reach this goal quickly.* 2. Opening the Account: A quick Google search can help you find the names of reputable and FDICinsured institutions that offer a high yield savings account option. Connect the High Yield Account to your checking and schedule the monthly transfer from #1.*

3. Maintain the Savings Momentum: Track your balance as part of your regular cash flow management. Replenish any time you dip below your balance target. It’s a good idea to continue adding small amounts even after your balance target has been reached. This forces you to maintain the “Pay Yourself First” mindset and will help you jump on opportunities as they arise. You can also use this account to set shorter term savings goals (i.e. vacation, car purchases) by saving above and beyond your baseline. A powerful but underemphasized point when discussing emergency funds is having more cash than you need available for opportunities. Just like surprise expenses can come up, surprise opportunities to deploy cash smartly can as well. Take the stock market drop in early 2021: Hopefully you didn’t sell out your current investments when prices collapsed, and if you used cash to purchase equities during that period, you would be sitting on some pretty nice returns now. Opportunities will come, sometimes when you least expect them to - life’s curveballs tend to work both ways. Be prepared to handle both sides of the plate and you will be hitting financial home runs regularly! Send questions, comments, or other topics you would like to learn about to: commoncents@ northbrookfinancial.com. *For a free baseline calculator template or a high yield account template commoncents@ northbrookfinancial.com

Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST is Co-Founder of Northbrook Financial, a Financial Planning, Tax, and Investment Management Firm. He has developed and continues to teach a popular Financial Literacy course for high school students.

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AUGUST 5, 2021

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

TJH

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

AUGUST 5, 2021

Centerfold

JOB TIPS Take the Centerfold Commissioner’s advice and your job will always be secure



Never walk without a document – People with documents look like hardworking employees headed to important meetings. People with nothing in their hands look like they’re headed for the cafeteria. Above all, make sure you carry loads of stuff home with you at night, thus generating the false impression that you work longer hours than you really do.



Use computers to look busy – Any time you use a computer, it looks like “work” to the casual observer. You can send and receive personal e-mail, chat and have a blast without doing anything remotely related to work. When you get caught by your boss – and you will get caught – your best defense is to claim you’re teaching yourself to use new software, thus saving valuable training dollars.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M



Messy desk – Only top management can get away with a clean desk. For the rest of us, it looks like we’re not working hard enough. Build huge piles of documents around your workspace. To the observer, last year’s work looks the same as today’s work; it’s volume that counts. Pile them high and wide. If you know somebody is coming to your cubicle, bury the document you’ll need halfway down in an existing stack and rummage for it when he/she arrives.



Voicemail – Never answer your phone if you have voicemail. People don’t call you just because they want to give you something for nothing – they call because they want YOU to do work for THEM. That’s no way to live. Screen all your calls through voicemail. If somebody leaves a message for you and it sounds like impending work, respond during lunch hour when you know they’re not there – it looks like you’re hardworking and conscientious.



Look impatient and annoyed – One should also always try to look impatient and annoyed to

give off the impression that they’re always busy.



Leave the office late – Always leave the office late, especially when the boss is still around. You could read magazines and storybooks that you always wanted to read. Make sure you walk past the boss’s room on your way out. Send important e-mails at unearthly hours (i.e., 11:35 p.m., 3:05 a.m., etc.) and during public holidays.



Shmooze before leaving—After you shut down your office, talk to your colleagues about nothing for a few minutes before leaving. This way they will think that you actually like them and have a true interest in talking to them. After all, you are all ready to go home after a long day, but you still are standing around schmoozing with them! But of course, build this into work time – so if you plan on leaving at 7:00 p.m., shut it down at 6:50 p.m. and then find that office-hanger who loves to sit around until midnight and schmooze with him for a few minutes. Also, end the conversation very casually like, “Alright, maybe I’ll get going… Okey, dokey, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” Only once you are out of his sight should you start running for the train.



Creative sighing for effect – Sigh loudly when there are many people around, giving the impression that you are under extreme pressure.



Stacking strategy – It is not enough to pile lots of documents on the table. Put lots of books on the floor, etc. (thick computer manuals are the best) all around your office. Lots of books means that you’ve been doing a lot of research, which you’ve been doing, right?

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

1 2

4 7

9 11

16 17

Answers to Crossword: DOWN 1. Dream; 2. Houdini; 4. Polio; 5. Backtoschool; 7. Shaysrebellion; 8. Elevator; 10. Barbeques; 12. Milhouse; 13. Emancipation ACROSS 3. BarackObama; 6. StarSpangledBanner; 9. Hiroshima; 11. Olympics; 14. Camp; 15. Gladiolus; 16. CyYoung; 17. AbrahamLincoln

Richard disobeyed the king and was sentenced to death. The king’s henchmen told Richard that he had three choices: he could be thrown into a room filled with assassins with loaded guns, or he could enter a room filled with fire, or he could enter a room filled with lions that have not eaten in three years. When Richard heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he will live. Why?

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Riddle me This

AUGUST 5, 2021

Down 1. “I have a …” 2. A man of many tricks, including staying in a box under water for an hour 4. FDR stricken with this disease 5. Sales that remind us how fast summer flies by 7. Began in Massachusetts as ex-Revolutionary led an armed mob 8. This machine was patented in 1859 and it simply goes up and down. 10. Something many of us do on Sundays in August 12. Nixon’s middle name 13. A proclamation announcing freedom for slaves Across 3. President born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4 6. Francis Scott Key wrote this ever-popular song 9. The first atomic bomb was dropped over the center of this city 11. Games played in August every several years 14. Ends in August leaving many with nothing to do for weeks on end 15. Official flower of August 16. This pitcher was so good, an award was even named after him 17. This president signed into law the first federal income tax, a 3 percent tax on incomes over $800, as an emergency wartime measure

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August Crossword Puzzle

Answer to Riddle: Richard chooses the room filled with lions that have not eaten in three years. They are obviously all dead.

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

AUGUST 5, 2021

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To those saying it’s fine that Hunter Biden shows his generic decorative zombieabstraction art at a commercial gallery & sells it: Imagine if Donald Trump Jr (coke addict) made little watercolors like these & sold them at an iffy commercial gallery for upwards of $150,000. - Tweet by New York Magazine’s senior art critic Jerry Saltz

I used to drive an 18-wheeler, man. - Pres. Biden while at a Mack Truck facility in Pennsylvania last week, raising eyebrows for claiming to have been a truck driver even though there is no evidence of that at all and that it is the first time anyone ever heard of Biden, who was elected to the Senate at 29, having been a truck driver

I mean, if you’ve got a kid in kindergarten, they just said today they want the kid muzzled with a mask, even though COVID’s not any risk to the kid. If you have a loved one overseas, they may not let them come and fly, just normal travel. Because of COVID, they’ll claim. But yet, if you want to just come straight across that border and have thousands of people pouring in, they don’t [care about] about COVID at that point. They’re letting them right in.

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- Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on the Mark Levin radio show

In Florida, there will be no lockdowns, there will be no school closures, there will be no restrictions and no mandates in the state of Florida. - Ibid., at a press conference

There’s two things that pressure can do. Pressure could either break, or it could make diamonds. Pressure could either bust pipes or it can create and make diamonds. You choose what to do for it, or what to do with it – remember that. - Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo addressing Simon Biles quitting in the middle of the Olympics last week

Sir, there is something on your chin. - The message written on a card that was passed to Pres. Biden during a virtual meeting last week that he had with governors

I said “when a woman is pregnant,” which implies that only women can get pregnant and I most sincerely apologize to all of you. I don’t want you to think that I am in any way trying to imply anything, and if you can summon some generosity to forgive me, I would really appreciate it. Again, I’m very sorry for that. It was certainly not my intention to offend anyone. The worst thing that I can do as a human being is be offensive. – An apology issued by a physician teaching a course at University of California medical school

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I think that the White House should be honest with the American public and say that there is no going back to normal, and that taking off the mask was just a ruse. There will probably be lockdowns, and again, Americans who want to live, as I said yesterday, this is literally going to become a state by state issue, and if you don’t want to live under masking and you don’t want to live under these mandates, unfortunately, you’re probably going to have to move to a state where they’re not going to do it — like in Arizona. - Meghan McCain, “The View”

Quite frankly, I have a higher likelihood of getting shot leaving this building than I do of getting Covid. From July 14th to the 28th, there were four Covid deaths and 11 homicides in Washington, D.C. - Ibid.

He’s such a moron.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi when asked about Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s contention that her decision to make everyone wear masks in the House chambers is because liberals want everyone to continue to live in a perpetual pandemic state

The creative director of the entire shebang of the whole Olympics got … canned because he once made a fat joke in a private conversation. This is called a purge. It’s a mentality that belongs in Stalin’s Russia. How bad does this atmosphere we are living in have to get before the people who say, “cancel culture is overblown,” admit that is, in fact, an insanity that is swallowing up the world. - Bill Maher, HBO

Well, if she’s so brilliant, can she tell me where the science in the building changes between the House and the Senate? Can she explain to me when the CDC says only vaccinated people need to wear a mask in hot spots? - Minority Leader McCarthy in response, pointing out that no masks are required in the Senate and that Washington, D.C., is not officially a Covid hot spot

I still get dizzy at the thought that I carelessly carried almost 33 million euros around in my purse for several weeks. - A 45-year old German woman who won a $39 million lotto but didn’t realize it for several weeks

MORE QUOTES

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

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We ain’t perfect… but your party believes men can be pregnant and “real socialism hasn’t been tried.” - Tweet by Rep Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) responding to Rep Adam Schiff’s (D-CA) claim that the Republican party is in disarray

AUGUST 5, 2021

I ride a bicycle all over New York City. I’m sort of known for that. I’m not a spandex guy, I’m not going at 40 miles an hour, I go slow, I take things in. - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, at a climate press conference last week

There was a point in time where I wanted to quit, and I just didn’t think I would ever get here. So there’s definitely a lot of emotions. But I’m super proud of myself for sticking with it and believing in myself. - Gymnast Suni Lee, who won gold at the Olympics

In honor of this administration flip-flopping, I thought it would be best if I would wear flip-flops, to remind everybody of how this administration could not be consistent if their life depended on it.

The origin of our abuses is us. If there were fewer of us, we would have less impact. We must consume less, and more importantly, we must breed fewer consuming humans. - President Biden’s choice to lead the Bureau of Land Management, Tracy Stone-Manning, in her master’s thesis

The boycott against Israel is a new type of terror, economic terror, a terror that tries to harm Israeli citizens and Israel’s economy. – Israel’s President Isaac Herzog

- Rep. Lisa McClain, a Michigan Republican, in a video posted to Twitter, explaining why she was wearing flip-flops last Wednesday

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- Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse, after running fastest in the men’s 100-meter heats with a season-best time of 9.91 seconds at the Olympics this week

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I didn’t expect to go that fast. I wanted to just relax for the first round. But I saw my heat this afternoon, I was like, OK, I’m going to have to run a little bit, got an American in there, had a couple of other nine-second guys in there. So I was like, I might have to run a little bit.

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Forgotten Her es

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Hit! You Sunk My Battleship By Avi Heiligman

The crew of the HMS Hood. Only four survived after it was sunk

ome of the largest capital (the most important to a navy at any given time) warships to set sail and participate in battles

during the two World Wars were battleships. Their importance to a fleet was soon overshadowed by aircraft carriers, but battleships still

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played an important role. Their size and firepower made them a fierce opponent. However, this also made them large targets that opposing navies spent considerable amount of resources trying to neutralize. Many battleships on both sides of conflict were sunk, and each sinking deserves its own story. During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), several Russian pre-dreadnought battleships were sunk, including six during the Battle of Tsushima Strait in May 1905. The crucial battle was the first naval battle fought by steel battleships and proved that the larger the ship and the bigger guns it carried would be a decisive factor in future battleship warfare. A decade later, during World War I, it was the British Navy that suffered heavy battleship losses with three lost to German U-boats, one to a destroyer and one to a naval mine. At the start of World War II, it was again a British battleship that was the first of its class sunk during the war. The HMS Royal Oak was sunk by a U-boat while anchored at Scapa Flow, Scotland. Both the Japanese and German navies had formidable battleships during World War II and sinking them became a priority for the allies. Naval treaties after World War I limited the amount and size of warships that nations could build, but these were ignored as it became

increasing clear that Nazi Germany was gearing up for another war. During the interwar years, the Nazis built several large ships, including two that would be the center of enormous efforts to sink by the British. The Bismarck, commissioned in 1940, was the lead ship in her class of two battleships, while the Tirpitz, the only other ship in the class, was completed in 1941. The Bismarck set off in May 1941 with the goal to raid Allied shipping. Accompanying her was a cruiser, and together their mission was to attack convoys in the Atlantic Ocean. Allied intelligence gained valuable information from the Swedish envoy to Berlin, and he revealed to the British some of the Bismarck’s characteristics. Her movements and timetable were provided to the British fleet by code breakers at Bletchley Park. A British fleet consisting of the newly commissioned HMS Prince of Whales and the battlecruiser HMS Hood set off looking for the Bismarck. Early on the morning of May 24, 1941, the Bismarck and the Hood traded salvos 14 miles apart in the Denmark Strait. At 6 a.m., an armor-piercing shell ripped through the Hood and exploded the ammunition magazine. A huge explosion erupted, and the Hood broke in two as it sank in less than a minute. There were only three survivors of

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

of Norway. One Tallboy struck the Tirpitz and exploded deep in the hull. The damage was so extensive that the Germans decided not to make her seaworthy again. The British didn’t know this fact and were determined to sink her once and for all. On November 12, two Tallboys from Lancaster bombers hit the Tirpitz in her magazine storage. A large explosion followed, and the largest ship in the German Navy capsized. Sinking large ships like the big

The 50,000-ton Bismarck

the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. The Japanese battle plan was complex, and they were to be part of task force sent to bombard the beaches in the Philippines where American troops had landed. Scout planes discovered this force in the Sibuyan Sea and sent the message to the American fleet. Several waves of American Helldivers, Hellcat fighters and Avenger torpedo bombers from the carriers USS Lexington and the USS Essex were sent in and

A huge explosion erupted, and the Hood broke in two as it sank in less than a minute.

attacked the Center Force. Many hits were scored – the Musashi was on the receiving end of 19 torpedoes and 17 bombs. Her captain tried to save the ship but efforts proved fruitless as the mighty battleship capsized and sank. The Yamato was the flagship of the Combined Fleet, and she was present at the Battle of Midway as well as at other engagements. The mighty battleship had been the target of two American submarine attacks, one of which a torpedo from the USS Skate caused significant damage. During the opening stages of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, she received damage in the attack that sank the Musashi. The Yamato was

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

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German battleships took the efforts of large fleets. In the Pacific, the Americans used submarines and aircraft to do the job of sinking the two largest warships ever built. There were supposed to be five battleships in the Japanese Yamato class of battleships but two were cancelled and one was converted into an aircraft carrier. The two that were built were the Yamato and Musashi. These weighed in at over 70,000 tons and had 18.1-inch guns that could fire a shell a distance of 26 miles. As with the large Nazi warships, these battleships were heavily targeted by the Allies. The Americans finally got a crack at them during

able to continue on and fired her batteries on small American warships during the final stages of the complex battle. The American commander thought that the battleships were sunk and went after Japanese carriers. However, it was a ruse by the Japanese commander, and the mighty battleship, along with several cruisers and destroyers, almost attacked the landing beaches. A small group of escort carriers, destroyers and destroyer escorts with the call sign Taffy 3 fought back ferociously and had the Japanese commander convinced that they were facing the might of the American fleet. On April 7, 1945 the Yamato was sighted and sunk by bombers and torpedo bombers that had been launched by aircraft carriers. The role of battleships greatly diminished after the war, and currently there are none in service. During the first half of the 20th century, battleships were feared by all navies for their size, speed, and firepower. Colossal efforts to sink these behemoth warships did not always prove successful. Several American battleships still remain as museum ships and are a testament to the brave men who served gallantly on the biggest warships in history.

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the over-1,400 crewmembers onboard. The Bismarck sustained heavy damage during the battle. The British were now bent on avenging the loss of the Hood and sent all available warships in pursuit before the Bismarck could make it to a port. The sinking had hit home and Prime Minister Winston Churchill issued the order: “Sink the Bismarck!” Three hits during the Battle of the Denmark Strait had hurt the Bismarck, and she was now on her own. On May 26, the Bismarck was spotted by a flying boat. The two ships in the area that could stop her were the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and the battlecruiser HMS Renown. A flight of antiquated Fairy Swordfish torpedo biplane bombers were sent off the Ark Royal and scored two hits on the German ship. Pilot John Moffat was credited with hitting the Bismarck with his torpedo that badly damaged her port rudder. This caused it to lose steering, and soon the Bismarck was sunk by other ships of the Royal Navy. The Tirpitz posed a grave threat to Allied merchant shipping as well as smaller warships since her commissioning in 1941. Even though the Tirpitz never sunk an Allied merchant ship, the threat that she posed was enough for the British inventor Sir Barnes Wallis to develop a 12,000-pound bomb named the Tallboy just to penetrate the armor of the Tirpitz. In September 1944, 38 Lancaster heavy bombers took off from a base in northern Russia to attack the massive battleship in the waters off

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Dating Dialogue

What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

am dating a guy who absolutely loves to BBQ. I know on the outside this might not sound like

a problem, but I really think it might be. I come from a family of doctors, all of whom are educated regarding health and wellness. When he eats at our house for Shabbos meals, he doesn’t eat anything. He

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

is very polite and compliments the food, etc. but I know he really doesn’t like it. Eating deli, hot dogs, hamburgers, meats, and other unhealthy foods is really how he grew up, so I can’t blame him. I just can’t see myself being that kind of “Sunday BBQ Wife.” Not only am I very passionate about healthy eating but I also can’t stand the taste of barbecued foods. I know how silly this sounds, but do you think this is a make-it-or-break-it for us? --Shira*

Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.

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The Panel

The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. hira, talk this out with the young man you are dating. It seems like the differences between you may be more than a healthy lifestyle. Gender roles may play a role as well. You seem to imply that there are other socio-economic differences between the two of you. Get to know him better to determine whether you care enough about him to adapt. Every marriage requires adaptation for the sake of the spouse for whom you care. It’s not just about BBQ and food choices. Look at the relationship and look into the mirror to determine whether you can respect and adjust to someone who seems to have tastes and interests that don’t match your educated ones.

The Shadchan

grocery store who is clipping 13 coupons for a box of cereal and call him crazy. Little do you know that he grew up with parents who were Holocaust survivors and learned to scrimp and save every penny. Anyone you marry will come from a different family, with different experiences to shape who he is. Part of your maturity for marriage will be embracing differences and creating a home where both of your cultures are appreciated and respected. To you, this might look like BBQing hubby a nice steak, while making yourself a salad. Or even better, perhaps your hubby will do some of the cooking in your house. This does not have to be a “break it” situation at all, but you have to learn to respect people with different backgrounds and experiences than you. Only then will you be in a healthy enough place to marry someone different than you.

The Single

Michelle Mond

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hear your dilemma. It is hard to get used to new things and understand new people. I would love to know where the guy you are dating grew up, because many people from certain places (particularly South Africa) are culturally connected to the way of cooking and eating which you describe. It’s a culture and a way of life. If he grew up with BBQ as the main cooking method in his family home and as a way his family connected, can you really blame him for enjoying it? I mean, he embraces you despite being served tofu and veggie burgers with a side of kale (just kidding). But really, keep that in mind, too. In order to understand someone, you must not just look at their decisions here and now, but take into consideration the full picture of their lives. For example, you might look at someone at the

Rivka Weinberg

Before “steaking” my reputation on my answer, let’s divide your problem into three separate issues. First, can a relationship succeed between a health-food advocate and a barbecue enthusiast? How about an Ashkenazi and a Sephardi? A Chassid and a Litvak? A Republican and a Democrat? A vegan and a meat-eater? (Please do not simply answer that “opposites attract.” For dating purposes, being male and female are sufficiently opposite.) I looked up an online site frequented by vegans and vegetarians and discovered a forum that discussed a vegan having a successful relationship with a meat-eater.

There, the consensus of advice seems equally applicable to your situation: *Don’t try to convert them. * Don’t be judgmental. * Choose your battles carefully

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eople often confuse the words “compatible” and “same” in regards to shidduchim, which leads to questions like this one. Shira, you should not align exactly with the person you are going to marry, rather you should share similar values. It sounds to me like you will make some BBQed food, and some not. Crisis averted. Much hatzlacha.

Every marriage requires adaptation for the sake of the spouse for whom you care.

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for Cancer Research. *Rather than grilling red meats, it’s healthier to grill and eat chicken, fish, fruits, and vegetables. *Pre-cooking the meat, or using smaller portions, is healthier because that reduces the heat required, and the amount of time required, to cook on the grill. *Buy meats that do not contain nitrates. *Do a good job cleaning and removing residual bits of charred food from the barbecue grate and grill, because that helps reduce secondary smoke and FCAs. * F i n a l l y, I learned something new: While barbecuing, it’s healthier

Great relationships take great compromise.

to use a spatula rather than a fork. A fork pierces the meat and releases juices that drip and smoke, contributing to FCA production. Good luck with this hot relationship, and thanks for sending such a meaty question. By the way: Do you know why the man at the cookout was so happy? It’s because he met the grill of his dreams.

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Third, and most importantly, is there anything that you can do to minimize the health risks associated with your boyfriend’s eating habits? Once again, the answer is “yes.” Please explore the following options: *Lean cuts of meat are healthier, and when barbecued, produced less of the PAH-producing smoke. *Marinating the meat before grilling reduces the formation of the carcinogenic HCAs by over 90%, according to the American Institute

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and navigate your differences gently. Second, are barbecues actually unhealthy and harmful? The answer is probably “yes.” The smoke that is produced when fat from the cooked meat drips onto the hot coals contains carcinogens called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). And, other carcinogens called heterocyclic amines (HCA) form on the charred surfaces of the meat. Further, red meat and processed meat can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

to different kinds of food, then I don’t believe you will be able to easily walk away. Something I often ask my clients when they are in similar situations to yours is the following: If you woke up tomorrow and were told you will never see him again ... would you miss him? If the answer to that simple question is no, then there really isn’t much to talk about. I am asking you the same question. If you miss this man in between dates, and look forward to seeing him, and enjoy him and respect him, then I think a good conversation about your concerns and differ-

fect person. There is no such thing as someone who will fulfill our every need. Great relationships take great compromise. But they seem to only work well when there is a deep respect and admiration and acceptance for and of the other. Respect, admiration, and acceptance need to be part of the foundation in order to have two parties who are happy to compromise and do not grow to resent each other. And yes, if you do move forward because your intuition tells you you need to be with this man, then please happily throw regular BBQs... and he in turn will hopefully happily support you in your nutritious choices. All the best! Jennifer

Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. She also teaches a psychology course at Touro College. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.

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ear Shira, There is no such thing as a silly question. I believe this may speak to a broader issue about your health and concerns that you and the guy you are dating may be incompatible when it comes to nutrition and health. If you are feeling repulsion and/or do not respect him as a human being because of his inattention to his health and/or his hankering for BBQ, then this may be your intuition simply guiding you away and in the right direction. If, however, you really like this person and feel some sort of chemistry and intuition that he is “the one” and the only thing holding you back is his love of BBQ and lack of exposure

ences is in order. Sometimes people forget that the whole point of dating is to get to know each other through conversation and self-expression. It is not to ignore our feelings and/or work them out ourselves and by ourselves. Try bringing this concern up gently using ”I messages.” Instead of “You eat barbecue and I like healthier food, and your way of eating and food preparation concerns me,” try something along the lines of “I really enjoy eating healthy. It’s important to me to have a healthy home. (Or, insert whatever is important to you here.) I see that you love BBQ. I’d love to talk about how we see our future home operating in terms of food and health.” There is no such thing as a per-

Mental Health Corner

Anxiety Disorder Myths

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By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health disorders that include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and phobias. They are characterized by persistent and excessive feelings of apprehension or worry in situations that are not actually that threatening to the point that it starts to interfere with everyday functioning. Myths about anxiety disorders abound. In this article, we will attempt to dispel several of those myths. Myth #1: It is very helpful for family and friends to offer constant reassurance as a means to help with the coping of the anxiety. Fact: For minor anxiety, reassurance can be helpful, but when one has a diagnosable anxiety disorder the reassurance becomes a compulsion that the anxiety sufferer will come to rely on. The need for reassurance will increase over time and eventually exacerbate the anxiety and entangle the family and friends in the web of the anxiety. Myth #2: The causes of anxiety disorders are based on childhood experiences and therefore it is necessary

to deal with one’s childhood in order to heal. Fact: There is a time and place for processing childhood experiences. However, for most anxiety disorder sufferers, the therapy needs to be focused on the here and now. Through therapy, one learns how to face the fears and how to relate to the anxious thoughts that the brain generates. Myth #3: If one has an anxiety disorder, one should try to avoid stressful situations that might trigger an anxiety attack. Fact: Avoidance is at the heart of the persistence of an anxiety disorder. The only way to overcome the disorder is by learning how to disengage from avoidance practices and to face your fears. The more one engages in avoidance, the more the brain becomes convinced that these situations are dangerous. Myth #4: Medication for anxiety is addictive. Fact: This depends on the medication. The medications that reduce anxiety in the moment, such as the benzodiazepines (Xanaz, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, etc.) are addictive, and if one needs these medications, it is imperative to work with your doctor

to limit its usage in order to avoid dependence. The SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, etc.) are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders and are not addictive. They do not work in the moment and are designed to be used for longer periods. Myth #5: Some people are just neurotic by nature and therapy is not going to help them. Fact: Nothing can be further from the truth! It is true that some people are genetically predisposed to have brains that generate anxious thoughts, but that does not mean that they have to believe everything that their anxious brain tells them. One of the goals of anxiety treatment is learning how to disentangle from these thoughts and how to go through life without being pulled down by these thoughts. Myth #6: Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and a healthy diet, will eliminate the anxiety. Fact: A healthy lifestyle can be an important component in overcoming a mental health disorder. However, when one has a full-blown anxiety disorder, it is unlikely that the lifestyle changes will be

sufficient on their own. Myth #7: In one is tormented by anxious thoughts, one can merely suppress those thoughts. Fact: What you resist persists. Resistance is a form of avoidance, and avoidance aggravates anxiety disorders by making the thoughts seem actually threatening. If they were not threatening, why would you try to avoid them? Anxiety disorders are very treatable in the hands of an experienced and well-trained therapist who has a specialty in anxiety treatment. You do not need to suffer, and it is possible to go through life without your thoughts getting in the way. This is a service of Relief Resources. Relief is an organization that provides mental health referrals, education, and support to the frum community. Rabbi Yisrael Slansky is director of the Baltimore branch of Relief. He can be contacted at 410-448-8356 or at yslansky@ reliefhelp.org

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Life C ach

The Secret to Good Living By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

“It’s way too cerebral. what were you thinking?”

an we discuss life? Sure, for hours, I bet. But are we living life? That is the question. Talk is cheap, it is said. Action is what matters.

Are you a person of action or just talk? Well, let’s figure that out. So, tell me, are you doing the right thing? What is doing?

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My grandfather used to say, “Teein teein teein.” Doing, doing, doing. That’s what life is about. Life is complex, and multileveled, and interesting and scary at times. But it can be fulfilling, and exciting, and deeply meaningful and enriching, too. And a great way to enjoy life is by thinking. I know, I just said it’s by doing. Well, doing the thinking thing is the right way to be doing! And when we think with the proper mindset, then we can really live.

our minds have the choice of how we react to them. Think of what good you can do with the challenge that you are sent. Choose the outlook that helps you swim forward; keep paddling and you’ll find it. And when life is just going along and you feel sort of nothing special is happening, no major challenge but no awesome event, splash around with glee and embrace that as a real blessing. And when something great happens in your life, dive right in with

Well, doing the thinking thing is the right way to be doing!

Life sends us challenges. We can sink or swim with them. Swimming is the doing. Finding a way to move forward. But not with a negative attitude – rather, finding a way to see the situation that helps us grow and go and even glow. Sure, as Kohelet says, there is a time to mourn. Yet, even in mourning we can find an uplifting perspective. G-d sends us our challenges. Then

gusto, and get completely refreshed from it. In all cases, don’t stay still; swim and enjoy the ability to be renewed and refreshed by the water. Always look for and choose to think of another possibility than the one that keeps you struggling in the waves. That’s the best thing you can do! How’s that for living?!

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com.

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Your

Money

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Overstuffed

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By Allan Rolnick, CPA

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ack in 1997, Delaware Senator Bill Roth sponsored a new kind of retirement savings account with a back-end benefit. In contrast to traditional IRAs, which let you deduct your contributions and defer tax until you pull money out, the Roth IRA lets you contribute after-tax dollars in exchange for taxfree withdrawals. Roth designed his new account to help “hard-working, middle-class Americans” save. So there was a $2,000/year contribution limit. And you could convert a regular IRA into a Roth by paying the tax on your balance, but only if your income was under $100,000. Since then, contribution limits have gone up to $6,000 – $7,000 if you’re over 50. And anyone can convert an existing IRA to a Roth, as long as paying the tax makes sense (which we can help you evaluate). Today’s proactive planners have discovered even better ways to work around the statutory limits, including something dubbed a “Mega Backdoor Roth IRA.” (That sounds almost dirty, doesn’t it?) But nobody was ready for last week’s news that tech titan Peter Thiel had stuffed $5 billion into his Roth. So, how exactly do you turn $2,000 into $5 billion – tax-free –

without selling your soul to the devil? Well, there may be more than just luck and investing genius at work. In 1999, Thiel’s Roth bought 1.7 million shares in PayPal for just one-tenth of a penny each. Three years later, eBay bought that stake – tax-free. Thiel used the proceeds to invest in more

vent founders from “stuffing” undervalued assets in IRAs to avoid contribution limits, with penalties that could include paying tax on the entire balance. Thiel may have committed another party foul in 2005, when he applied for New Zealand citizenship

How exactly do you turn $2,000 into $5 billion – tax-free – without selling your soul to the devil?

lightning-in-a-bottle startups, including Palantir and Facebook. Today, he manages 96 separate Roth subaccounts from a family office across the street from a Cheesecake Factory in Las Vegas. The story raises the obvious question whether $1,700 is a reasonable price for a founder’s stake in a company that would go on to become worth $357 billion. (Odds are good that you’ve paid more than $1,700 bucks for a used car.) IRS rules pre-

as an escape hatch if civilization here collapses. As part of that process, he moved $749,967 of Roth money to a Kiwi bank. But IRS rules prohibit you from using retirement assets for your personal benefit while still inside the account – like, for example, buying a house in your Roth and renting it to your child. And while using a Roth to snag a second citizenship may sound like a technical violation, the penalty here would also mean paying tax on the balance.

Thiel isn’t the only clever planner to stuff millions inside his Roth. The numbers have gotten big enough that Oregon Senator Wyden, who holds Bill Roth’s old seat as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, has proposed forcing distributions from accounts worth more than $5 million. (Naturally, his idea went nowhere.) As for Thiel, he’s planning to live until age 120, and we can only imagine how big his account might grow over the next sixty-seven years. Just 6% per year would turn it into $263 billion, although we suspect he would die of boredom watching it grow so slowly. Now it’s time to play Let’s Make a Deal. Here’s how it’s going to work. You find a startup to invest in that will turn $1,700 into billions. We’ll help you keep as much of that as the law allows. (Granted, your part is harder.) But be sure to call us before you invest. It could mean billions to your bottom line!

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.

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Notable Quotes

Dating Dialogue

Your Money

Mental Health Corner

Common Cents

Forgotten Heroes

Around the Community

613 Seconds

Health and Fitness

Delving into the Daf

Water Treaties and Ice Cream Skirmishes

My Israel Home

Diving the Underwater Grottoes of Rosh Hanikra

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