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VISIT US ON THE WEB! WWW.THEBJH.COM Vol. 12 Issue #2 | January 8-14, 2026 | ‫ כ״ה טבת תשפ״ו‬- ‫י״ט‬

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JEWELS TA Class Hascholas Mishnayos

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Bas Melech Gymnastics Team Wins First Place At Elevate Classic 2025

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Education is the Primary Defense in Combating Hate

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The Brain Chemical That Makes Life Matter

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Dear Readers,

Contents COMMUNITY Around the Community

6

Greater Washington Community News

12

Greater Washington Minyanim

18

Community Calendar

36

Baltimore Minyanim Guide

37

JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Zvi Teichman

34

Torah Sparks

35

Living Kiddush Hashem

50

Headlines & Halacha

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FEATURE

Education Is The Primary Defense In Combating Hate

38

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT To Raise a Laugh

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Centerfold

52

Notable Quotes

54

Kids Coloring Contest

68

LIFESTYLES Inspiration Nation

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Tech Triumphs

44

My Israel Home

45

Forgotten Heroes

48

Dating

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Mental Health Corner

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School Of Thought

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Health & Fitness

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Parenting Pearls

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In The Kitchen

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This week marked the end of an era in Baltimore as John Harbaugh’s 18-year tenure as head coach of the Ravens came to a close. Much will be written about his wins and losses, playoff runs, and the frustration of not capturing another championship in recent seasons. Those conversations are inevitable in professional sports. But statistics and standings are not what linger most for me. What stands out far more than any record is who John Harbaugh was while standing on the sideline.

The NFL is not known as a refined environment.

It is a league where vulgarity is common, where confrontational press conferences are the norm, and where volume and bravado often replace thoughtfulness and restraint. In that world, John Harbaugh was different. He was consistently wellspoken, measured, and respectful. He rarely used profanity. He treated players, reporters, and fans with dignity, even in moments of disappointment or criticism. His answers were thoughtful, his demeanor controlled, and his presence commanded respect without demanding it.

Equally notable was his comfort speaking about faith. Harbaugh never preached, but he never hid what mattered to him. He spoke openly about G-d, about prayer, and about grounding oneself in something higher than the scoreboard. He encouraged his players to see themselves as more than athletes and to understand responsibility beyond the game. In a league that often glorifies ego, he modeled humility. Perhaps that is why, after nearly two decades in one of the most scrutinized

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Israel News

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National News

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That’s Odd

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Yes, his time in Baltimore ultimately ended because he did not win another championship, despite coaching one of the most talented players in the league. Some will argue that this was his shortcoming; others will rightly point out that football is shaped by injuries, roster decisions, and circumstances far beyond a coach’s control. But legacy is not measured only in trophies. Longevity, respect, and the way a person carries himself under pressure tell a story of their own. Eighteen years at that level, with integrity intact, is no small accomplishment.

So why write about John Harbaugh in the Baltimore Jewish Home? Because his example speaks directly to us. We live in a culture that often rewards loudness over dignity and cutting remarks over thoughtful speech. Harbaugh showed that raising yourself, professionally, honorably, and with restraint, earns genuine admiration. And this lesson does not stop at the workplace. It applies to how we speak to our wives, how we conduct ourselves in front of our children, and how we model values within our homes. When we elevate ourselves instead of lowering the tone, we uplift our families along with us. If a head coach in the NFL can choose dignity in a rough arena, how much more so must we strive to do the same - in public, at work, and within the walls of our own homes.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbos,

Aaron M. Friedman

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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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Around the Community

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Yeshivas Toras Simcha Melava Malka

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eshivas Toras Simcha Parents, staff and board members celebrated the third annual yeshiva melava malka last night at Ateres Elka. The overflowing crowd was entertained by the seventh graders who sang three songs, then mesmerized by the enthralling

Shiur At Kollel Nachlas Yosef

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arav Yosef Berger Shlita delivered an in-depth shiur to the members of Kollel Nachlas Yosef, focusing on the sugyos of Shehiyah and Chazara in Meseches Shabbos.

Under the dynamic leadership of Rabbi Aron Tendler, the Ranch-

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remarks of Rabbi Yechiel Spero and enjoyed a short video presentation which included an original song composed by Menhael Rabbi Shepard.

Several boys sang the vocals for the song that featured video clips of the rebbes and students.

leigh-based kollel includes 22 yungeleit, many of them sons or sons in law of Baltimoreans, learning with dedication and clarity.

The kollel is named in memory of the Rosh Kollel’s great uncle, Harav Yosef Tendler Zt”L, the venerated Menahel of Mechinas Ner Yisroel.

JEWELS TA Class Hascholas Mishnayos

T

he JEWELS TA Elementary Satellite class celebrated their Hascholas Mishnayos.

They were joined by their Rebbeim,

fathers, the Hanhala of TA, and their TA Middle School Chavrusas. All who participated shared a special pride as the boys celebrated this milestone.

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Around the Community

Women’s Hallel And More, Courtesy Of Let’s Connect!

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

present. Her reflections helped set the tone for the morning—one of gratitude and hope. When the group joined together in Hallel, the room filled with song, creating a powerful sense of unity and purpose.

The gathering took place at Congregation Tiferes Yisroel and drew a large turnout, with many women expressing how meaningful it felt to begin Chanukah together.

Many women lingered afterward, savoring the opportunity to be together in such an uplifting space. Many shared how energizing it was to begin Chanukah by singing words of praise and thanksgiving as a group.

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n the first morning of Chanukah, women from across the Baltimore community gathered for an uplifting Women’s Hallel, hosted by Let’s Connect!.

Concert: Renowned Singer Elena Tal Brings Music And Inspiration To Bais Yaakov Of Baltimore High School

Before the singing began, Rebbitzen Rochel Naiman offered words that resonated deeply with those

B

ais Yaakov of Baltimore High School recently hosted an exciting and memorable program featuring renowned singer, performer and speaker Elena Tal, whose performance included music, her personal journey and inspiration. The event offered more than a concert experience – it was a meaningful event that combined entertainment with the power of growth, emunah and a purposeful use of talent to serve H-shem.

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Acclaimed in publications, including Hamodia and Mishpacha magazine, Elena Tal is known for her “magnificent” and “angelic” voice, with an immense vocal range and expressive musical style. During her presentation, Elena Tal shared her personal journey of transforma-

tion. She spoke about her success in the non-Jewish music world, where she pursued a professional singing career and gained recognition for her vocal talent. She has performed across the USA, around the world, on England’s Queen Elizabeth II, on TV and in a Hollywood movie (before becoming religious). Despite her success, Mrs. Tal described feeling a deeper longing for meaning and spirituality, which ultimately led her to discover the beauty of Torah and choose to live an observant life and become frum. Her honest and reflective account resonated strongly with the audience, offering a powerful example of courage, selfgrowth, and commitment to Torah values, while at the same time being grateful that she is still able to fulfill her love of singing, but now with

kedusha by performing concerts and shows for female-only audiences (including Rachel’s Place Productions, One Voice Theatrical Fest, Ohel Sarala Bonei Olam, Pesach Tikvah Williamsburg, A Time For Talent world broadcast, Stardom Talent Productions, Masores Bais Yaakov Brooklyn, Bnos Bais Yaakov Lakewood, Chedvas Bais Yaakov Lakewood, Bais Yaakov Passaic, Yeshiva of Greater Washington, the Nexus World Summit Global event, and more), as well as sharing her story and teaching voice classes and lessons worldwide.

From the moment she took the stage, Elena Tal captured the audience’s attention with a warm, engaging presence. Her speech was both thoughtful and inspiring, emphasizing that true artistic fulfillment comes from aligning one’s talents with a higher purpose, and not about fame or glamour. She encouraged students to appreciate their own abilities and talents, and humbly recognize them as gifts to be used to serve H-shem with tsnius and kedusha. Her message felt especially relevant to high school students navigating important stages of personal and spiritual development.

The program also featured an exciting musical performance that showcased Mrs. Tal’s beautiful and expressive voice. Her songs demonstrated not only technical excellence,

but also emotional depth and sincerity. One highlight was her stunning rendition of Acheinu, which filled the auditorium with a sense of unity and warmth, while also inviting her own voice students to join her on stage. The moment created a powerful visual and musical expression of connection and was described as “magnificent.”

Faculty members noted that the phenomenal program aligned seamlessly with the school’s mission to nurture both academic excellence and personal growth, while being “both entertained and inspired at the same time.” Students responded enthusiastically, describing the experience as “inspiring, incredible and amazing.”

The opportunity to experience this level of performance in an educational setting left a lasting impression.

Students appreciated the combination of music and message, and the opportunity to hear firsthand how Torah observance and artistry can come together in meaningful ways.

Elena Tal’s performance served as a reminder of the transformative power of music. By sharing her journey and using her voice to inspire others, she created an event that was both educational, entertaining and deeply moving. Elena Tal chose a life of Torah with her husband and children over Broadway and she is honored to share her story, her gratitude and her voice.

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Bais Yaakov Middle School Robotics Team Does It Again!

B

ais Yaakov Middle School once again saw the results of its strong and consistent robotics program at the CIJE (Center for Jewish Impact Education) VEX Middle School Girls Winter Competition in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

This year’s event marked a meaningful milestone, as Bais Yaakov earned first place for the fifth year in a row. The competition included students from eight schools, with a total of 37 robots. Bais Yaakov teams performed with focus and care, finishing with the highest final score of the winter CIJE season: 148 points.

Bais Yaakov earned multiple top placements at the competition including both First Place honors as well as one Third Place honor. A particularly notable achievement was that every Bais Yaakov team advanced to the final playoffs, reflecting the preparation and commitment of the entire group.

The competition was organized

by CIJE, which supports STEM education in Jewish schools through training, resources, and student competitions. The school is grateful to Dr. Joey Saltzman, CIJE liaison, for his continued guidance and support.

The robotics teams are led by Supervisor Mrs. Gitti Horowitz, Coach Mrs. Rochelle Goldberg, and Assistant Coach Miss Hailey Lazar.

The program is further supported by High School Coaches Shana Gross and Aidee Moss, along with Assistant High School Coaches Huvi Passe, Shani Rothschild and Leah Shnaidman.

The day itself was a positive experience for the students. The teams traveled together in two vans

graciously driven by Rabbi Moshe Frohlich, Principal, and Mrs. Gitti Horowitz, Assistant Principal – General Studies, Upper Division.

Our 8th Grade Robotics Girls:

Beyond competition results, the robotics program emphasizes collaboration, problem-solving, perseverance, and responsibility. Through building, programming, and refining their robots, students develop skills that extend beyond the competition setting. Bais Yaakov congratulates all of the students and coaches on a successful competition and looks forward to continued learning and growth in the robotics program.

Suri Goldfinger

Mazel tov to our winning teams—you’ve made us all proud!

Temima Becker Elisheva Copeland Kayla Goodhart Zoey Gross Devorah Lesser Chana Leah Perelmuter Bracha Leah Pickett Tikva Niknava Batya Schoenfeld Aleeza Schulman Sarah Solomon Shira Steger

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This new Chumash makes Sh'nayim Mikra more approachable and understandable, presenting the Hebrew text of each pasuk twice, followed by the Onkelos text, alongside an English translation of the pasuk based on Onkelos.

Each aliyah features a short introduction by Rabbi Moshe Bamberger, giving an overview of what the upcoming aliyah will be discussing.

This Chumash also includes the full Hebrew text of Rashi.

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Around the Community

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Bas Melech Gymnastics Team Wins First Place At Elevate Classic 2025

F

resh off a strong showing, Baltimore’s Bas Melech Gymnastics Team traveled to Morganville, NJ, to compete in the JGL Elevate Classic 2025 Competition, hosted by Team Apex.

The JGL brings multiple Jewish gymnastics teams together several times a year, providing an appropriate competitive framework for Orthodox girls at USAG levels to compete while maintaining their religious observances.

Competing in Levels 3 and 4, Bas Melech delivered another confident, composed performance, resulting in an outstanding team victory and leading us to first-place in Level 3 and 3rd-place in Level 4!

Although this is their first year competing, Bas Melech has firmly established itself as a formidable contender in the Jewish gymnastics competitive arena.

Competing against eight other gyms,

the team’s impressive medal haul included numerous first, second, and thirdplace awards in the following events: First Place Finishes • Level 3 – Junior Division 1: Beam, All-Around • Level 3 – Senior Division 1: Bars, Beam, Floor, All-Around • Level 4 – Senior Division: Bars, Floor, All-Around Second Place Finishes • Level 3 – Junior Division 1: Floor • Level 3 – Senior Division 1: Beam • Level 4 – Senior Division: Floor Third Place Finishes • Level 3 – Junior Division 1: Beam • Level 3 – Junior Division 2: Bars • Level 3 – Senior Division 1: Bars, Beam, Floor, All-Around • Level 4 – Senior Division: Bars, Beam, All-Around

This meet marked another important milestone for Bas Melech, highlighting the program’s consistency and upward trajectory.

Congratulations to all the competing team members: Ahuva Goldberg, Ashira Hirsh, Atara Levine, Baila Tova Rosen, Batsheva Priluck, Elisheva Berkowitz, Emmie Stern, Lea Bregin, Leah Don, Leah Hes, Lifsha Kaufman, Ora Blaustein, Rachelil Abramson, Rikki Rechter, Sarah Jeannette Hametz, Shira Devorah Goldberg, Sima Schuchman, Tal Keller, Talia Berman, Tova Feld, Tzipporah Barber, Tzila Schwartz, Yehudis Rosen

A heartfelt thank you to Coach Mauri Ruiz and Mrs Rivky Goldberg for guiding the team throughout the competition and for their unwavering dedication to every gymnast’s growth and confidence.

From warm-ups to awards, the girls supported one another with focus and pride, proving that their success is built on far more than scores alone.

Greater Washington: Around the Community

Federal Holiday Learning Brings Yeshiva-Style Torah To The Community

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or New Years, members of the Greater Washington Jewish community gathered for a meaningful morning of Torah learning hosted by Kollel Zichron Amram of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington.

The program was part of the Kollel’s ongoing federal holiday learning initiative, designed to give working members of the community the opportunity to experience authentic yeshiva-style learning on days off from work.

The morning began with a warm and welcoming bagel breakfast, accompanied by coffee and pastries, creating an inviting atmosphere for learning and connection. Participants then paired up to learn in chavrusa with kollel avreichim, using a thoughtfully prepared source packet that laid the groundwork for deeper discussion.

Following the chavrusa learning, attendees were treated to an inspiring shiur delivered by Rabbi Meir Bulman, who shared insights that brought the sources to life and elevated the learning experience. Rabbi Bulman’s words

resonated strongly with participants, bridging classic Torah ideas with contemporary relevance and reinforcing the value of taking time to engage seriously with Torah, even amid busy schedules.

These federal holiday learning programs reflect the Kollel’s commitment to strengthening Torah learning throughout the broader community, not only within the walls of the beis midrash but also by meeting people where they are. By offering structured, high-level learning opportunities on days when many are otherwise uncommitted, the Kollel creates access points for meaningful growth and connection.

The January 1st program was generously sponsored by Irving Katz in loving memory of his beloved wife, Mrs. Arline Katz, a”h. Her memory was honored through the shared learning and the spirit of community that filled the room.

The Kollel extends its sincere thanks to all who attended and contributed to the success of the program.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for future federal holiday learning events, and community members are encouraged to take part in supporting these impactful initiatives.

As the Kollel Zichron Amram continues to host these programs throughout the year, they remain a powerful reminder of the value of

coming together for Torah, connection, and inspiration — even, and especially, on days carved out from the regular workweek.

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Greater Washington: Around the Community

O

n a crisp afternoon, the sidelines were buzzing.

Teammates cheered, parents leaned in, and every play mattered. There were big catches, missed opportunities, and moments of pure excitement. In overtime, Health Markets, led by Ami Shmerling, secured a thrilling win, while Sterling Senior Care, led by Eli Cohen, closed out a season marked by heart, effort, and resilience.

But what happened on the field was about far more than the final score.

This championship game followed closely on the heels of an epic Kulam Chanukah event that brought together current participants and alumni for an unforgettable night of connection and celebration. The evening featured tacos, magic, and an inspiring dvar Torah from R. Nechemia Mond, who spoke about the importance of recognizing and appreciating the unique strengths that Hashem gives each individual. His message resonated deeply, perfectly reflecting Kulam’s mission of helping boys discover their own value and place.

In addition, Kulam participants were given a rare and meaningful opportunity to light the first Chanukah candle together with local senior citizens, including one individual over the age of 100. Standing side by side, generations apart, the boys experienced a powerful moment of connection as they recited Shehecheyanu together — a reminder of continuity, gratitude, and resilience, especially poignant after

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JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

More Than A Game: How Kulam Is Building Character, Community, And Connection learning about the difficult events of the day. For many, it was a moment that will stay with them long after Chanukah ended.

Kulam, a nonprofit youth organization serving boys in yeshiva, was founded with a simple but powerful mission: to provide boys with healthy, meaningful outlets where they can grow, connect, and thrive. For many participants, Kulam offers opportunities they might not otherwise have access to — competitive sports, creative activities, and social experiences in an environment that is safe, values-driven, and inclusive.

Through its middle-school football league, Kulam creates space for boys of all backgrounds and abilities to come together with friends, challenge themselves, and learn essential life lessons. There are winners and losers. There are missed calls and missed catches. And in those moments, boys learn something deeper: how to handle disappointment, how to celebrate others, and how to show up with integrity.

This is learning about life while enjoying life.

This is character education in motion.

This is Yiddishkeit.

Beyond sports, Kulam offers a wide range of programming designed to meet boys where they are. From winter trips and Shabbos onegs to paint nights, waffle-making events, and creative workshops, there is

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truly something for everyone. These experiences give boys the much-needed space to develop outside the classroom — to discover strengths, build friendships, and grow alongside healthy role models who care deeply about them.

Kulam’s success is a reflection of a strong community partnership.

Coaches, referees, and sponsors show up week after week, not just to run programs, but to model teamwork, responsibility, and positivity. Parents

lend their support from the sidelines and beyond, trusting Kulam to provide a place where their sons can feel seen, supported, and inspired.

As the football season comes to a close and Kulam looks ahead to an exciting basketball season and more programming to come, one thing is clear: Kulam is not just running leagues and events. It is building boys — together.

And that may be the biggest win of all.

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it was critical that there be an organization that was dedicated to providing the tools and education that would enable families to understand and value the importance of financial literacy and self-sufficiency from a Torah perspective. In the wake of other organizations deciding that they would only coach utilizing a fee-based model, Rabbi Hauer Zt’l encouraged and incubated the formation of LSJ under the Communal Engagement Department of the OU, led by Rabbi Simon Taylor.

BJH: What does Living Smarter Jewish offer?

BJH: What is your name and how did you get involved with LSJ?

BJH: How many people has LSJ helped so far?

IP: To date, LSJ has coached over 4,000 families through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and educational programs.

BJH: When did Living Smarter Jewish begin?

IP: LSJ began approximately five years ago under the guidance and vision of Baltimore’s own Rabbi Moshe Hauer Zt’L, who was the Executive Vice President of the OU at the time. Rabbi Hauer felt that

BJH: How is the program offered for free?

IP: LSJ is a program under the Orthodox Union, and all of our financial coaches volunteer their time. Because of this model, we are able to provide financial guidance at no cost to the families we serve.

BJH: What makes LSJ different from a financial advisor?

IP: LSJ coaches do not tell clients where to invest and do not sell any financial products. Our focus is education, budgeting, and organization. We help clients understand their money so they can make informed decisions that align with their values and goals.

IP: Coaching is done one-on-one, usually over Zoom. The coach works with the client to review income and expenses, build a clear budget, and identify practical next steps. The goal is to create clarity and reduce financial stress.

BJH: Why is budgeting such a big focus of the program?

IP: A written budget creates clarity, and clarity creates confidence. When people understand where their money is going, they are better able to make decisions that support their future rather than reacting to pressure from their surroundings.

BJH: How does LSJ help address the rising cost of the frum lifestyle?

IP: While LSJ cannot change the cost of living, we help families gain control over their finances by teaching practical skills.

We help people make intentional choices, plan ahead, and live within their means.

advisors. These advisors are not directly affiliated with LSJ and do charge a fee, but they can help set up accounts and provide personalized guidance on where to invest.

BJH: What do you tell newlyweds?

IP: We tell newlyweds that it’s important to have a written budget and to understand their income, expenses, and priorities as a team. We emphasize the importance of saving and investing, not spending every penny they make, and intentionally setting money aside for the future. We also teach the power of compound interest and why starting to invest at a young age can have a meaningful long-term impact, even with small amounts.

BJH: What has been the most rewarding part of your work with Living Smarter Jewish?

IP: Not at all. While some clients come to us with financial challenges, many are doing fine financially but want structure, education, and guidance so they can plan responsibly and avoid future stress.

IP: One of the most rewarding parts of my role is hearing directly from clients after their coaching sessions and seeing how much of an impact the program has had on their lives. We receive feedback forms after sessions, and nearly 99% of clients say they would refer LSJ to a friend. Many express deep gratitude for the clarity, confidence, and peace of mind they gain, especially knowing that the service is provided completely free of charge. Seeing that level of appreciation and real-life change is incredibly meaningful.

BJH: Do LSJ coaches tell clients how or where to invest?

BJH: How can someone get started with LSJ?

IP: No, LSJ coaches do not tell clients how or where to invest. Our coaches focus on budgeting, organization, and financial education. For clients who are ready to invest, we can provide referrals to vetted investment

IP: Anyone interested can reach out to lsj@ou.org or visit livingsmarterjewish. org to schedule a brief intake call. From there, they are paired with a volunteer coach who works with them one-on-one.

BJH: Do you only work with people who are struggling financially?

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Ilana Pleeter: My name is Ilana Pleeter, and I’m from Baltimore. My sisterin-law thought this would be a great role for me and encouraged me to apply. Over time, I developed a real passion for helping people in the frum community and seeing firsthand how LSJ provides clarity and guidance to couples and singles.

IP: LSJ offers free one-on-one financial coaching for individuals and couples in the Jewish community. Our coaches help clients organize their finances and create a realistic budget so they can live within their means and make confident financial decisions. In addition, LSJ offers a high school financial literacy curriculum, which is available at cost for $15 per textbook.

BJH: What does a coaching session look like?

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

613 Seconds with Ilana Pleeter, Program Coordinator, Living Smarter Jewish

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The Week In News

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The Week In News

Operation Absolute Resolve In an unprecedented move, the United States launched a surprise operation, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and bringing him to New York, with U.S. President Donald Trump praising the raid on Saturday as one of “the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.”

The operation, codenamed “Absolute Resolve,” was exceptionally risky.

It ended with Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arriving in the U.S., where the Venezuelan dictator pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges at a courtroom in Brooklyn.

Trump, in a Saturday morning interview with “Fox & Friends Weekend,”

shacharis

it was deadly.”

The capture coincided with bombings. Seven or more explosions were heard in Caracas. The attack, which was over in under 30 minutes, was part of a “massive joint military and law enforcement raid,” according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. It is unclear how many Venezuelans died in the attack, though dozens were reported dead. According to Trump, some U.S. forces were injured, though none were seriously hurt or killed.

The U.S. views Maduro, 63, as an illegitimate dictator, with many countries and groups attributing his electoral victories to election rigging. The U.S. and other countries have accused Maduro of crimes related to narco-terrorism, with the Trump administration raising the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.

In the days leading up to Maduro’s capture, Trump claims he urged the Venezuelan president to surrender, but Maduro refused.

Around 20 to 49 U.S. servicemembers took part in the operation, which began with Trump’s go-ahead at 10:46 p.m. EST Friday. At 1:01 a.m. EST Sat-

urday, American forces arrived at Maduro’s compound and left the country at 3:29 a.m. EST. Over 150 aircraft were launched from across the Western Hemisphere, including B-1 bombers, as well as F-18, F-22, and F-35 fighter jets.

After his capture, Trump posted a picture of Maduro blindfolded and wearing a gray sweatsuit and protective headphones, noting: “Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima.”

The operation took place following months of tension between the U.S. and Venezuela, which included U.S. military strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats.

Now, the U.S. will “run” the country until Venezuela is ready to select a new president, Trump said, adding: “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to.”

“We’re going to make sure that that country is run properly. We’re not doing this in vain,” Trump said. “This is a very dangerous attack. This is an attack that could have gone very, very badly.”

After Maduro’s capture, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez became acting president. Trump warned Rodriguez to do “what we want.” He also claimed that

Greater Washington Weekday Minyanim Guide

6:15 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah

M-F

Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah

T, W, F

6:25 am Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F

Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac

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8:00 am YGW (High School; School-Contingent)

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Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac

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6:30 am Beth Sholom Congregation

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Chabad of Silver Spring

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8:05 am Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville 8:15 am Ohr Hatorah

Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY

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Young Israel Shomrai Emunah

Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue

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Ohr Hatorah

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Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville

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Kehilat Pardes / Berman Hebrew Academy

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Silver Spring Jewish Center

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YGW

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6:35 am Ohr Hatorah

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6:40 am YGW

S, T, W, F

Chabad of Potomac

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Chabad of Potomac

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JROC

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Kemp Mill Synagogue

T, W, F

Kemp Mill Synagogue

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Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F

Ohr Hatorah

T, W, F

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah

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JROC Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue Silver Spring Jewish Center

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah

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Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi)

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YGW (Summer Only)

S-F

6:50 am Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah

M, Th

7:45 am YGW (Yeshiva Session Only)

S-F

8:45 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah

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Silver Spring Jewish Center

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8:00 am Beth Sholom Congregation

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9:00 am Chabad of Silver Spring

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Chabad of Upper Montgomery County

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Kemp Mill Synagogue

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Magen David Sephardic Congregation 6:45 am Beit Halevi (Sfardi)

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described the raid. When U.S. forces infiltrated Maduro’s “highly guarded” and “heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas,” the Venezuelan president almost escaped to his safe room, but he was “unable to close it,” Trump said.

“It had what they call a safety space, where it’s solid steel all around,” Trump explained, noting that the forces had “massive blowtorches” in case they had to cut through steel walls. “He didn’t get that space closed. He was trying to get into it, but he got bum-rushed right so fast that he didn’t get into that. We were prepared.”

According to Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Dan Caine, U.S. forces prepared for the operation for months.

They learned all of Maduro’s habits.

“They actually built a house which was identical to the one they went into with all the same, all that steel all over the place,” Trump said, explaining how the forces trained in a replica building.

The operation was conducted in darkness, according to Trump.

“The lights of Caracas were largely turned off due to a certain expertise that we have,” Trump said. “It was dark, and

6:55 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah

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7:00 am Kemp Mill Synagogue

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Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S Silver Spring Jewish Center BETHESDA Magen David Sephardic Congregation [S] 11215 Woodglen Dr, North Bethesda, MD 20852 GAITHERSBURG Chabad of Upper Montgomery County [Ari] 11520 Darnestown Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 OLNEY Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah (OSTT) 18320 Georgia Ave, Olney, MD 20832

S

M-F

7:30 am Chabad of DC

Kemp Mill Synagogue Kesher Israel Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY

S S S

Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S Chabad of Upper Montgomery County

S

Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah

S

POTOMAC Beth Sholom Congregation 11825 Seven Locks Rd. Potomac, MD 20854 Chabad of Potomac [Ari] 11621 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854 Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac 11618 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

ROCKVILLE Kehilat Pardes / Berman Hebrew Academy 13300 Arctic Ave, Rockville, MD 20853 JROC 11304 Old Georgetown Rd, Rockville, MD 20852 Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville Ring House TV Room

For edits or additions email ads@baltimorejewishhome.com

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8:30 am Chabad of DC

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mincha/maariv

Before Shkiah (15-18 minutes), S-TH Beit Halevi (Sfardi) Beth Sholom Congregation Chabad of Potomac Chabad of Silver Spring Chabad of Upper Montgomery County Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville (20 min before, S-F) JROC Kemp Mill Synagogue Kesher Israel Magen David Sephardic Congregation Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue Ohr Hatorah Silver Spring Jewish Center Southeast Hebrew Congregation Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Asheknaz) Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sefarhadi)

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7:30 pm YISE 8:15 pm SEHC 8:45 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center YGW 9:00 pm KMS 9:30 pm YGW 9:45 pm Ohr Hatorah 10:00 pm YGW

12:30 pm YGW 1:00 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center

S

2:10 pm YGW

M, T, W

2:45 pm YGW

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3:00 pm YGW Middle School

School Days

SILVER SPRING Beit Halevi [Sefardic] 1009 North Belgrade Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20902 Chabad of Silver Spring [Ari] 519 Lamberton Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Kemp Mill Synagogue 11910 Kemp Mill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Ohr Hatorah 1009 Kersey Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Silver Spring Jewish Center 1401 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902

Southeast Hebrew Congregation, Knesset Yehoshua 10900 Lockwood Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20901 Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah 9001 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Yeshiva Gedola of Greater Washington (YGW) 1216 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (YISE) [Ashk + S] 1132 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902

S-F

M-Th S-Th S-Th M-Th S-Th M-Th S-Th

WASHINGTON Chabad of DC [Ari] 2110 Leroy Pl. NW, Washington, DC 20008 Kesher Israel 2801 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue 1600 Jonquil St NW, Washington, DC 20012

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The Week In News Maria Corina Macado, an opposition leader who won the Nobel Peace Prize, “doesn’t have the support within, or the respect within, the country.”

Many celebrated the U.S.’s move, while others condemned it. Still, other countries, particularly U.S. allies, were more vague about their thoughts, simply calling on all parties to abide by international law.

Iran Protests Turn Deadly With Iran’s economy in dire straits, Iranians took to the streets to protest the government’s failure to fix the economy.

More than a week later, protests are still ongoing.

In response, Iranians forces have resorted to violence. Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based organization, reported at least 36 casualties and over 1,200 arrests. Among the deaths were 29 protesters, four kids, and two Iranian security officers.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to intervene. He wrote

on social media that if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” He didn’t specify further. However, the U.S.’s recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro adds weight to Trump’s threats.

Protests have swept the country, with demonstrators protesting in more than 250 locations across 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces. More than 1,200 people have been detained since the protests began.

Fars News, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated outlet, claimed that around 250 police officers and 45 members of the IRGC’s volunteer Basij force have been injured due to the protests.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s statement on Thursday contradicted Iran’s response to the mass demonstrations. Pezeshkian told reporters that the protesters’ demands are valid and that “if people are unhappy with us, we are the ones at fault.”

The protests began because of Iran’s economic crisis. However, demonstrators are also protesting against other issues and are calling for wider change.

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UAE, Saudi Arabia Growing Apart The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were once regional partners.

Now, they’re becoming rivals, as the two Gulf Arab countries continue to develop competing economic and geopolitical interests.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and his former mentor, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have, in kind, reportedly begun distancing themselves from each other.

According to Baraa Shiban, an expert on Yemen and Gulf states, Saudi officials are astonished by the UAE’s actions in Yemen and Sudan. Saudi Arabia believes that the UAE is fine with the division between the countries, going so far as to support disruptive forces in order to gain influence. While the UAE and Saudi Arabia are both fighting the Houthis in Yemen, they back rival factions inside the same allied government.

Shiban also noted that Saudi Arabia doesn’t share, at least not to the same degree, the UAE’s “obsession” with combating the Muslim Brotherhood and political Islam.

“Seeing one country with huge influence, like the United Arab Emirates, crafting bilateral deals…suddenly having footholds in multiple countries with those non-state actors, it’s something they would be very concerned about,” Shiban added.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia’s rivalry in Yemen became apparent after the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) forcibly took large areas of resource-rich Hadramawt and Mahra provinces from Saudi-backed loyalist forces. Last Tuesday, the Saudi-led military coalition, which the UAE is technically a part of, bombed a supposed weapons shipment from the Emirates intended for the separatists.

U.S. President Donald Trump, last November, vowed to end Sudan’s ongoing civil war after MBS asked him to get involved. The UAE has been accused of providing weapons to the Saudi-backed Sudanese army’s enemy, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a charge that Abu Dhabi denies.

The UAE has boosted ties with Somaliland, a mostly unrecognized country that declared independence from Somalia. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia has be-

come a supporter of Somalia.

In 2020, the UAE established relations with Israel, which recently became the first country to recognize Somaliland.

Saudi Arabia and 20 other countries criticized Israel’s move, but the UAE did not.

Israel has long hoped for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords.

Ireland’s Oldest Man Dies

Josef Veselsky, who was Ireland’s oldest man, died this week at the age of 107.

Veselsky was a Holocaust survivor and a twice national table tennis captain.

He was born Josef Weiss in 1918 in Trnava, a city in present-day Slovakia.

He immigrated with his wife, Katarina, to Dublin, Ireland, in 1949, following the communist coup d’état in his home country. His parents, brother, and sisterin-law had been killed in the Holocaust after being deported to the Auschwitz death camp.

After watching his loved ones being forced into a cattle car, Veselsky escaped the same fate by changing his last name and joining the Czech resistance movement in the Carpathian Mountains. He was later awarded the Order of the Slovak National Uprising for his part in the resistance.

In Ireland, despite speaking little English, Veselsky made a living as an importer of Swiss watches and other jewelry. On the side, he made a name for himself as the captain of Ireland’s national table tennis team, a role he reprised from his time serving as the captain of the Czechoslovakian national team.

His achievements in table tennis were recognized by the Slovak Republic, which in 2021 awarded him the Order of the White Double Cross for his services to sport. In 2025, he was the recipient of the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) Badge of Honor for his outstanding contribution to European table tennis.

Veselsky was awarded an honorary degree at Trinity College in 2016. He began taking humanities classes at the

The Week In News Anne Frank’s Stepsister Dies

raised to be a

Kim’s Daughter is Potential Heir

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter visited a sacred space in North Korea on New Year’s Day, bolstering her position in the ruling family.

Kim Ju Ae is around 13 years old.

North Korea’s state media showed the teen standing in the front row with her parents and deeply bowing at Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, where the embalmed bodies of her late grandfather and great-grandfather are on display.

The palace is “a place that symbolizes legitimacy of the North Korean regime” and her visit there ahead of the Workers’ Party congress is a politically orchestrated move, noted Cheong Seong-Chang, deputy head of the private Sejong Institute in South Korea.

Kim Jong Un, 41, is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea since the country’s foundation in 1948.

He often marks key state anniversaries by visiting the Kumsusan palace and paying respect to his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung.

North Korea will be holding the Workers’ Party Congress in January or February. The congress hasn’t met for the past five years and is meant to establish new priorities in state policies and reshuffle officials. It’s possible that Kim

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

Eva Schloss, a survivor of the Holocaust who became Anne Frank’s stepsister, died this week at the age of 96.

“Eva was a remarkable woman: an Auschwitz survivor, a devoted Holocaust educator, tireless in her work for remembrance, understanding and peace,” the Anne Frank Trust UK, which Schloss co-founded, said.

Eva was born in 1929 in Vienna, Austria, a month before Anne Frank. Her family fled to Amsterdam, the Netherlands to escape the Nazi regime. Anne’s and Eva’s families met in Amsterdam, and the two girls would sometimes play together, though Eva recalled that they were not particularly close.

“I was a tomboy, and she was so much more sophisticated,” Eva told the Guardian in 2013. “We simply didn’t have the same interests.”

Eva’s family went into hiding in 1942 on the same day as the Franks, and they remained concealed for two years until 1944, when someone betrayed them, and they were sent to the Auschwitz death camp.

Eva’s father, Erich Geiringer, and her older brother, Heinz, were both murdered in Auschwitz. Eva and her mother, Fritzi, both survived.

After the war, Fritzi became reacquainted with Otto Frank, Anne’s father, who had lost his wife and two daughters in the Holocaust, and they married, making Eva the posthumous stepsister of her old friend.

Eva settled in London where she met her husband, Zvi Schloss, and had three daughters, Jacky, Caroline and Sylvia.

It was only in 1988, after an exhibition dedicated to Anne Frank opened in London, that she began speaking publicly about the trauma she went through at Auschwitz.

“I was far from politics, but I realized

that the world had not learned any lessons from the events of 1939 to 1945, that wars continued, that persecution, racism, intolerance still existed,” Eva said, according to the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam. “And then I began to share my experience, to call for changes in the world.”

From then on, Eva dedicated her life to educating the world about the horrors of the Holocaust. She spoke in schools and universities, wrote three books – “Eva’s Story,” “After Auschwitz” and “The Promise” – and co-founded the Anne Frank Trust UK in 1991, which specifically aimed to educate children aged 9 to 15 about the dangers of antisemitism and other forms of prejudice.

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prestigious university in 2010, resuming his education at the age of 93 for the first time since the outbreak of World War II.

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The Week In News Jong Un is considering giving Kim Ju Ae a job at the congress, despite her youth.

Since first appearing in state media in November 2022, Kim Ju Ae has accompanied her father at a slew of events including military parades and missile launches. In September, Kim Jong Un brought her on his trip to Beijing. During New Years’ Day celebrations this week, she kissed her father on the cheek, showing their closeness.

Segev Kalfon’s Testimony On October 13, 2025, at the beginning of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Segev Kalfon was freed along with the final 19 living hostages. During his two years as a hostage in Gaza, Kalfon often dreamed of walking freely around a supermarket. Now that he’s home, however, he frequently dreams of waking up in

captivity again.

Hamas held Kalfon with five other hostages in a two-square-meter room inside a terror tunnel. To divert their attention away from their unbearable hunger and pain, they counted the floor’s tiles and cracks.

“I was in the lowest place a person can be before death – the lowest. I had no control over anything, when to eat, when to shower, how much I want to eat,” said Kalfon, noting the constant physical torture they endured.

At certain points, Kalfon was so emaciated that he could count each of his individual vertebrae. Kalfon recounts trying to please the terrorists in order to receive more food or avoid a beating. Now, he said, “everyone is trying to please me.”

Kalfon, now back home in the southern city of Dimona, is grappling with life, frequently visiting doctors and psychologists.

Before October 7, Kalfon, 27, was employed in Arad at his family’s bakery. He was studying finance and investments at the time. During the Hamas-led October 7 massacre, Kalfon was at the Nova music festival. When the attack began, he and his friend attempted to save others.

In Gaza, every moment “felt like an eternity,” Kalfon recalled, noting how their tiny once-a-day meals were the only thing that varied their painfully monotonous routine.

Kalfon thought he would die at several points of his captivity, including when the Israeli military would launch strikes, when he became sick but was not treated, and when he was starved and beaten. According to Kalfon, the terrorists whipped him and others with bicycle chains and punched them while wearing sharp rings.

“We didn’t even have energy to yell out, because no one hears you,” he said.

“You’re in a tunnel 30 meters underground; no one knows what’s going on.”

During the last three months of his captivity, which were the worst, he was isolated and felt close to going crazy.

During his captivity, both Kalfon and his family turned to G-d. Kalfon and the five hostages in his tunnel would mark the beginning of Shabbos and Jewish holidays, putting a piece of toilet paper (the six of them were given one roll to last two months) on their heads as yarmulkes, and reciting prayers before drinking the tiny bit of water they had and eating their moldy pita. Meanwhile, Kalfon’s family purchased Jewish books and ritual objects and received blessings from top rabbis.

In an effort to convert them to Islam, the terrorists left the hostages a radio that played recordings of the Koran. Sometimes, the hostages were able to capture signals from Israeli news. At his most desperate point, when Kalfon was mulling a last-ditch escape attempt, he turned the radio on and suddenly heard his mother’s voice, talking on Israeli radio. To him, that felt like a message from G-d, urging him to stay strong for a little longer.

Kalfon has called U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration led peace talks, a “messenger from G-d” and the only person capable of stopping the war.

“Everyone wants to support me and

say, ‘You’re such a hero,’” Kalfon said. “I don’t feel like a hero. Every person would want to survive.

“Although the war in Gaza is over, now my war is starting with my soul, to try to deal with thoughts that are very difficult,” he said, noting his traumatic nighttime flashbacks. “But every night when I’m alone, it comes up.”

On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other terror groups murdered 1,200 people and abducted 251 others. The remains of one abductee, Ran Gvili, are still being held in Gaza.

Sa’ar Visits Somaliland This week, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Somaliland for the first official visit since Israel recognized the breakaway nation last month. While there, Sa’ar met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and other top officials.

“A delegation led by the Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar landed at the Hargeisa town, he was received at the airport by senior government officials. He had meetings with the Somaliland top officials,” the presidency said in a statement.

Sa’ar’s office confirmed that the foreign minister would be meeting with Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam, Presidential Affairs Minister Hader Hussein Abdi, and Chief of Staff Nimsan Yusuf Osman.

“Unlike ‘Palestine,’ Somaliland is not a virtual state,” Sa’ar said alongside Abdullahi, in remarks released by the Foreign Ministry. “It’s a functioning state.

Somaliland is a fully functioning country based on the principles of international law.”

He added, “Somaliland is, and has been, a stable democracy for nearly 35 years. It has democratic elections, most recently in November 2024, and peaceful transitions of power. It’s pro-Western and friendly to Israel.”

In late December, Israel became the first country to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, more than three decades after the African region broke away from Somalia.

Abdullahi, in a statement on Sa’ar’s visit, said he had expressed his “deep appreciation to the Government of Israel for its historic and courageous decision” to recognize Somaliland.

“This milestone reflects a relationship

The Week In News

raised to be a

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

Security officials assessed that the activity was part of Iranian intelligence-gathering efforts aimed at facilitating an attack on the former prime minister, noting similarities to a separate case made public last month involving another suspect accused of spying near Bennett’s home.

The Shin Bet and police have warned Israelis against maintaining contact with hostile foreign actors, including through social media. Over the past two years, dozens of Israelis have been charged with espionage on behalf of Iran. In many of the cases, Iranian agents recruited Israelis via social media, specifically the Telegram messaging app.

On Saturday, an Iran-linked hacking group claimed to have broken into former minister Ayelet Shaked’s mobile phone, sharing about 60 pictures and videos supposedly stolen from her device. A day later, thousands of Israelis received threatening text messages containing their personal information, in what appears to be an attempt at psychological warfare by Iranian agents.

“This is your last chance to save yourself and your family. Our shagriruyot [embassies] are open to you. We know you,” the English-language message read. Some recipients received a link to a page containing their personal information, including their national ID number.

The National Cyber Directorate called the texts an “attempt at intimidation and social engineering with the goal of creating psychological pressure.”

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founded on mutual respect and shared interests, aimed at cooperation and stability without prejudice to any party,” he said, stressing that Somaliland was a “reliable and responsible partner,” ready to advance “regional and international peace, security, and constructive engagement.”

As part of the December 26 agreement formalizing Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, both countries agreed to open embassies in the other and to appoint ambassadors.

When signing the deal last month, Abdullahi said Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the Trump administration in 2020 that saw the United Arab Emirates — a close partner of Somaliland — and Bahrain establish ties with Israel.

Israel’s recognition of the breakaway state sparked criticism from Somalia, which has long opposed Somaliland’s bid to secede, as well as from the African Union and the Arab League, which both said it “undermines” the territorial integrity of Somalia. The EU also criticized the move, and the United States said that it continued to recognize the territorial integrity of Somalia, “which includes the territory of Somaliland.”

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has for decades pushed for international recognition. A self-proclaimed republic, it enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own money, passports and army. But it has been diplomatically isolated since its unilateral declaration of independence.

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Iranian Plot Foiled Judge Convicted of Helping Immigrant Judge Hannah Dugan resigned her post this week after she was convicted of obstruction for helping an immigrant evade federal officers.

She was convicted on December 19 and faced calls to resign from state Republicans, who threatened to impeach her if she did not.

Dugan, who served nine years as a Milwaukee county circuit court judge, received national attention when immigration authorities tried to arrest Edu-

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This week, the Shin Bet and Israel Police said that they had arrested a resident of Rishon LeZion suspected of carrying out surveillance missions under the direction of Iranian intelligence, including photographing near the home of former prime minister Naftali Bennett.

According to a joint statement, the suspect – identified as 30-year-old Lekacho Demsash, who was arrested last month – had been in contact with Iranian handlers in recent months and was asked to carry out a series of tasks in exchange for money. The assignments began as simple missions but then escalated to photographing locations in his home city and elsewhere, including near Bennett’s residence.

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The Week In News ardo Flores-Ruiz, who is undocumented, attending a hearing in her courtroom in April. The judge confronted FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents waiting outside the room to arrest Flores-Ruiz and directed them to the chief judge’s office, according to an indictment.

While the agents were gone, Dugan told Flores-Ruiz’s attorney that his client could attend his next hearing via Zoom and led them through a private jury door.

Agents spotted Flores-Ruiz and arrested him after a foot chase. He was later sentenced to time served for illegally re-entering the United States and deported.

“As you know, I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings, which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary,” Dugan wrote in a letter sent on Saturday to Tony Evers, the Democratic governor. “I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary. However, the Wisconsin citizens that I cherish deserve to start the year with a judge on the bench in Milwaukee county branch 31 rather than have the fate of that court rest in a partisan fight in the state legislature.”

“I’m glad Dugan did the right thing by resigning and followed the clear direction from the Wisconsin constitution,” Wisconsin assembly speaker Robin Vos said.

Democrat Ann Jacobs, the chair of the Wisconsin elections commission board, said she agreed with Dugan that Milwaukee should have a permanent judge while her defense team appeals her conviction.

“Despite her situation, she is ever the champion of justice, wanting to remove the judiciary from a political battle over her fate,” Jacobs wrote on X. “I’m sure this is terribly hard for her, but she is true to her faith and her principles.”

Flu Numbers Surge According to government data posted on Monday which tracked flu activity through the week of December 25, the flu season numbers are already surpassing the flu epidemic of last year, which was one of the harshest in recent history. It is likely that the season is only going to get worse.

Forty-five states were reporting high or very high flu activity during the week

of December 25, up from 30 states the week before.

The higher numbers appear to be driven by the type of flu that’s been spreading, public health experts say.

One type of flu virus, called A H3N2, historically has caused the most hospitalizations and deaths in older people.

That’s the type most frequently reported this season. Even more concerning is that more than 90% of the H3N2 infections analyzed were a new version — known as the subclade K variant — that differs from the strain in this year’s flu shots.

Flu seasons often don’t peak until January or February, so it’s too early to know how big a problem that mismatch between the vaccine and the virus will be.

“The fact that we’ve seen steady increases over the last several weeks without much of a decline or even a flattening would suggest to me that we’ve got the peak ahead of us,” said Dr. Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Last flu season was bad, with the overall flu hospitalization rate the highest since the H1N1 flu pandemic 15 years ago. Child flu deaths reached 288, the worst recorded for regular U.S. flu season.

Nine pediatric flu deaths have been reported so far this season. For children, the percentage of emergency department visits due to flu has already surpassed the highest mark seen during the 2024-2025 season.

Flu strain H3N2 typically hits older adults hardest.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates at least 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths from flu have already occurred this season.

Public health experts recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an annual influenza vaccine. But federal health officials on Monday announced they will no longer recommend flu vaccinations for U.S. children, saying it’s a decision parents and patients should make in consultation with their doctors.

Still, the flu vaccine will be fully covered by private insurers and federal programs.

COVID-19 infections also have been rising, other federal data show, though so far this winter they remain less common than flu. The Trump administration stopped recommending COVID-19 shots for healthy children last year.

The Week In News Jensen Huang, CEO of chipmaking giant Nvidia, put his company at the forefront of the artificial intelligence boom by making semiconductors more powerful than any of his rivals’. This year, he’s promising to do it again.

On Monday, Huang said the company would begin shipping a new AI chip later this year that can do more computing with less power than previous generations of chips could. Known as the Vera Rubin, the chip has been in development for three years and is designed to fulfill AI requests more quickly and cheaply than its predecessors.

Walz Won’t Re-Run

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz abandoned his bid for reelection on Monday amid an ongoing welfare-fraud scandal that placed his state under intensified scrutiny by federal authorities.

Walz, who was the running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024, had been vying for a third term as Minnesota governor.

“I can’t give a political campaign my all,” Walz told the press in St. Paul, his state’s capital. “Every minute that I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who want to prey on our differences.”

Walz, 61, made the decision over the weekend. Though he’s not suspected of overt involvement in the Somali childcare scandal, the Trump administration and the Republican Party have accused Walz of wrongdoing.

“For the last several years, an organized group of criminals have sought to take advantage of this state’s generosity,” Walz said. “And even as we make progress in the fight against the fraudsters, we now see an organized group of political actors seeking to take advantage of a crisis.”

The Trump administration has ordered Minnesota officials to provide information about providers and parents who receive federal childcare funds by January 9, most of them from the Somali community. The investigation into stolen government funds was initially launched by the Biden administration.

Walz accused President Donald Trump of exploiting the crisis for his own political gain. He said a federal investigation was welcomed, as his state’s residents must feel confident in Minnesota’s social safety net programs.

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Huang, who spoke during CES, an annual tech conference in Las Vegas, also discussed Nvidia’s surprisingly ambitious work around autonomous vehicles. This year, Mercedes-Benz will begin shipping cars equipped with Nvidia self-driving technology comparable to Tesla’s Autopilot.

Nvidia’s new Rubin chips are being manufactured and will be shipped to customers, including Microsoft and Amazon, in the second half of the year, fulfilling a promise Huang made last March when he first described the chip at the company’s annual conference in San Jose, California.

Companies will be able to train AI models with one-quarter as many Rubin chips as its predecessor, the Blackwell. It can provide information for chatbots and other AI products for onetenth of the cost. They will also be able to install the chips in data centers more quickly, courtesy of redesigned supercomputers that feature fewer cables.

If the new chips live up to their promise, they could allow companies to develop AI at a lower cost and at least begin to respond to the soaring electrical demands of data centers being built around the world.

The new chips, named for astronomer Vera Rubin, who did groundbreaking research on dark matter, are key to maintaining Nvidia’s dominance of the AI industry and its perch as the world’s

raised to be a

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Nvidia’s Vision

most valuable company. Nvidia’s AI chips, which account for more than 90% of the market, are highly coveted by businesses and governments around the world. It sells them for about $30,000 each, with nearly three-quarters of that being pure profit.

But the company is facing increased competition from chipmakers and even some customers who are eager to seize a slice of the lucrative AI industry. (© The New York Times)

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“A single taxpayer dollar wasted on fraud is a dollar too much to tolerate,” Walz said on Monday. “And while there’s a role to play for everyone – from the legislature to prosecutors to insurance companies to local and county government – the buck does stop with me.”

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who secured her fourth term in 2024, met with Walz on Sunday to discuss the prospect of her running for governor, according to two officials with knowledge of the matter. She is reportedly “seriously considering it.”

The extent of the losses from the fraud cases being prosecuted by federal authorities in Minnesota isn’t certain.

Prosecutors have put the losses from one case known as Feeding Our Future at $300 million alone. Prosecutor Joe Thompson estimated the total from all cases could exceed $1 billion.

Hegseth Censures Sen. Kelly Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, formally censured Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, for telling soldiers in a video that they “can refuse illegal orders,” Hegseth announced on X. Previously, Hegseth threatened to court-martial Kelly, a retired Navy captain. Instead, Hegseth issued a formal censure to the senator and moved to demote him in retirement. If the demotion proceedings are successful, Kelly would get paid less from his military pension.

Successfully firing Kelly post-retirement would be complicated, as the law mandates that demotions be based on how a soldier acted while on duty. Navy Secretary John Phelan, as per federal law and Navy regulations, has the power to decide the ranks of officers below vice admiral. Typically, an administrative board would look into a case and recommend a course of action to Phelan. Post-retirement demotions are uncommon.

In his announcement, Hegseth referred to the senator as “Captain (for now) Kelly.”

In response, Kelly criticized the defense secretary.

“If Pete Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our country’s history, thinks he can intimidate me with a censure or threats to demote me or prosecute me, he still doesn’t get it,” Kelly wrote on X. “I will fight this with

everything I’ve got – not for myself, but to send a message back that Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don’t get to decide what Americans in this country get to say about their government.”

According to Gen Fidell, a former Coast Guard lawyer and military law professor at Yale Law School, Hegseth’s case for demoting Kelly “is dead on arrival” and “ludicrous.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate minority leader, labeled Hegseth’s move “a despicable act of political retribution.”

Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia professor and political analyst, claimed that Hegseth’s move could make Kelly more popular, allowing him to potentially “ride this horse right into the White House, courtesy of Trump’s unquenchable thirst for retribution.”

2,000+ Measles Cases in 2025

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States saw over 2,065 confirmed measles cases in 2025.

The U.S. risks losing its measles elimination status, which it achieved in 2000, as the country sees its highest number of cases in decades. Dozens of more cases are reported each week in upstate South Carolina and along the Arizona and Utah borders. The year 1992, which was a few years after officials began recommending two vaccines instead of one, was the last time the U.S. saw over 2,000 cases in one year.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles infection. According to the CDC, one dose is 93% effective, while two are 97% effective. In order to stop outbreaks, at least 95% of incoming kindergarteners must be vaccinated. However, only 92.5% were immunized before the 202425 school year, according to the CDC. In mid-August, a measles outbreak in West Texas that began in late January officially ended. Texas and New Mexico saw hundreds of related cases, while three unvaccinated individuals, two chil-

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New Laws for 2026 Several laws have recently gone into effect, marking the beginning of the new year.

In Indiana, facilities that host bingo or casino game nights can now only operate up to three nights a week. The law was enacted after the Indiana Gaming Commission seized over $100,000 from a local Elks lodge after accusing it of engaging in racketeering in connection with its charity casino.

On the first day of 2026, Florida started an online registry with the names of individuals who have been convicted of animal cruelty charges. The database, which is similar to ones in Delaware and Tennessee, exists so that animal sellers know they aren’t giving a pet to an abuser.

Meanwhile, Tennessee opened a registry for domestic violence offenders who have received a repeat conviction since

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January 1. The public database, which will include the individuals’ names, dates of birth, conviction dates, counties of conviction, and photos, is the United States’ first.

Hawaii now charges an 11% “Green Fee” for tourists staying in hotels, shortterm rentals, or cruise ships. The additional fee, which was increased by 0.75%, is intended to fund Hawaii climate research and is expected to bring in $100 million annually.

California’s plastic bag ban has just gotten stricter, with all plastic bags being banned.

Those younger than sixteen years old will only be allowed to use social media for one hour a day in Virginia, unless a parent or guardian permits more screen time. Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the law, and social media companies are responsible for ensuring its implementation. It’s the first law limiting children’s social media use in the U.S. In Texas, children below the age of 18 will require parental consent to download mobile apps.

On January 1, Texas enacted the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, banning individuals from cre-

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In 2024, pizza chains made around $31 billion in revenue, according to Technomic, a research firm. The Agriculture Department reports that, each day, one in 10 Americans, mostly younger ones, eats a slice of pizza. But pizza, while still a beloved food, isn’t as popular as it once was.

For years, pizza sales have been trail-

Other pizza stores, in an effort to boost sales, have been offering more options beyond regular pizza pies.

Bu

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026 THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Does America Still Love Pizza?

ing behind other fast-food options, and the trend is continuing. There are now fewer pizza shops than coffee shops and Mexican food eateries, data shows.

A number of companies have filed for bankruptcy recently, including the parent of Pieology Pizzeria, as well as the parent of Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings and Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta.

Many Americans feel that $20 for a pie is too expensive, especially compared with cheaper fast-food options and home-cooked meals. Nowadays, pizza franchises are competitively lowering their prices. Many companies are considering major business changes, and other chains have been shuttering locations to save money.

In the 1990s, pizza chains had the second-highest sales among all restaurant chains. In 2024, pizza sales ranked at number six, according to Technomic.

The number of U.S. pizza restaurants peaked in 2019 and has been dropping ever since, according to Datassential, a market-research firm.

To handle lower sales, Domino’s has introduced lower prices, leading to sales growth. Meanwhile, officials at Papa John’s are considering selling the chain.

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dren and an adult, passed away.

In October, South Carolina officials confirmed a measles outbreak. Since then, the state has seen 180 related cases.

Since Friday, twenty or more cases have been reported, with 300 individuals in quarantine.

In 2025, Utah and Arizona saw 350 confirmed cases. An outbreak on their border is ongoing.

Canada’s measles elimination status, in November, was revoked by the Pan American Health Organization, which is part of the World Health Organization, due to major outbreaks.

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The Week In News ating or releasing AI that “intentionally aims” to promote self-harm or criminal activity. The act also bans the government from tracking people’s “biometric data” with AI and establishes a government council to influence Texas’s regulation and use of artificial intelligence.

In Wyoming, legal residents who are non-citizens will be required to have the words “not U.S. citizen” written on their driver’s license or ID card. The law, which is likely the first of its kind in the U.S., doesn’t apply to those who already have a license.

In Washington, “isolated employees” (those who work alone) will now need to carry a panic button while working.

Lastly, Maryland will require cosmetologists, including licensed hairdressers, nail technicians, and barbers, to complete one-hour domestic violence awareness training in order to renew their licenses.

The law reflects the idea that stylists are often among the first to notice bruises and other signs of abuse. Other states, including New York, Illinois, Arkansas, and Tennessee, have similar laws.

Caucus.

LaMalfa was a key player on California water issues and served on the House Natural Resources and Agriculture Committees. He also served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He was a rice farmer by trade.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump lauded the congressman.

“He was a fantastic person,” Trump said. “He voted with me 100% of the time.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., said in a post to X he’s “devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa.”

“Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America,” Emmer said.

Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, called LaMalfa “a great colleague and friend” who “represented California well for over a decade.”

“He will be missed,” Lawler said.

Rep. LaMalfa Dies

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Breaking the Bank On Tuesday, California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa died at the age of 65.

LaMalfa’s death tightens the razor-thin House majority and could imperil Speaker Mike Johnson’s grip on the House. The House stood at 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., resigned on Monday. LaMalfa’s death brings the House to 218 Republicans.

Democrats are favored to pick up additional seats from special elections in the coming months. Two Democrats are in a runoff in Texas at the end of the month. The election to replace now-New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill will take place later this year.

LaMalfa represented California’s 1st Congressional District since 2013.

He chaired the Congressional Western

Millions of euros’ worth of property were stolen by thieves last week when they managed to drill into a German bank vault in what could be Germany’s largest heist.

The theft occurred on Monday, December 29, and affected more than 2,700 bank customers. For now, police are saying that the thieves managed to walk away with property worth between 10 and 90 million euros ($11.7 to 105.7 million).

A fire alarm summoned police officers and firefighters to the bank branch in Gelsenkirchen shortly before 4 a.m. on Monday. They found a hole in the

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The Week In News wall and the vault ransacked. Police believe a large drill was used to break through the vault’s basement wall, which was adjacent to a parking garage.

Witnesses said that they saw several men carrying large bags in a nearby parking garage over the weekend.

Police officials compared the heist to famous movies in which large amounts of property and money were stolen from banks.

For now, police are acknowledging that these thieves are giving them a run for their money.

All That Glitters Former mayor of Guangzhou Zhang Zi was sentenced to death last week in China after authorities discovered that he had amassed tons of gold in his apartment.

The corrupt official had squirreled away 13.5 tons of gold bars, 23 tons of cash, a portfolio of luxury real estate in China and abroad, and a collection of premium cars. This marked one of the

most significant anti-corruption cases in recent years.

Zhang Zi was accused of bribery, abuse of power, and embezzlement on a massive scale, leading to a death sentence. The sentence reflects the Chinese government’s strong stance on combating corruption at the highest levels of government and is a deterrent to others who may engage in corruption.

Zhang Zi was the senior party official of Haikou, the capital of Hainan province.

According to investigators, he accepted bribes in return for granting government contracts, approving land deals, and providing favors to businesses and developers. The corruption reportedly took place between 2009 and 2019, a period when large construction and land projects were underway.

In many death sentence cases in China, the sentence may later be commuted to life imprisonment, depending on behavior and cooperation.

Sounds like he deserves a pair of golden handcuffs.

Big Fish

A huge fish made waves this week.

A bulky bluefin tuna made a splash at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on Monday morning, fetching a record 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million) at the market’s first auction of the year.

The winning bid for the 243 kg. fish came from Kiyomura Corp, the operator of popular sushi chain Sushi Zanmai, which has outlets across Japan and abroad.

“The year’s first tuna brings good luck,” said Kiyoshi Kimura, the company’s president and a familiar figure at the annual new year’s auction.

Kimura, who has been dubbed the Tuna King, is known to bid high for bluefin tuna at New Year’s auctions.

Still, he was “surprised at the price.”

“I’d thought we would be able to buy a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it,” he said.

Kimura paid 56.5 million yen for a bluefin tuna in 2012 and 155 million yen in 2013 – setting record prices both times.

In 2019, he bought a bluefin tuna with 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million) – another tsunami price.

The first auction at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market typically sees fish selling for exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna at the auction was bought for 207 million yen by Onodera Group, another food company that owns a sushi chain.

It said that the fish would be served at its restaurants across the country.

The million-dollar tuna was sliced up for customers at Kimura’s sushi restaurants shortly after it was auctioned off.

A fine kettle of fish.

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Torah Thought

Wholly Hearts

By Rabbi Zvi Teichman

M

oshe is finally summoned

by G-d to take the Jewish nation out of Egypt. In what seems related to his characteristic humility Moshe hesitates and asks G-d, ‫מי אנכי‬, “Who am I” of all people to be worthy of assuming this mighty role?

A seven day debate ensues until Moshe finally accepts his noble mission.

There are many suggestions in trying to justify Moshe’s initial refusal, but after all is said and done how is it humanly possible to defy a direct command from G-d, no matter how incomprehensible it may be?

Isn’t that the legacy of the Akeidah?

Avraham could have posed more penetrating questions to G-d regarding the contradictory prophecies that foretold of promises that would now be quashed in one act. Yet, Avraham defiantly declares “I, in my innocence, will proceed nonetheless!”

In one last ditch effort Moshe conjures up one final argument, begging G-d to appoint his more worthy and older brother to the task of leading the nation, rather than he. The Midrash Tanchuma details the nature of this request revealing that Moshe asserted that he was no longer fearful of accepting the role but earnestly sought to honor his brother who had prophesied for over eighty years in Egypt, fearing that he would be encroaching on Aharon’s greater stature and causing him much stress.

G-d assures Moshe that Aharon harbors no resentment and on the contrary is genuinely happy for him.

G-d attests to the fact that ‘when he sees you he will rejoice in his heart’.

G-d Himself, the sole judge of the depths of our hearts, bears witness to Aharon’s unqualified joy.

The Midrash makes a fascinating statement on this verse. Rabbi

Yitzchok bar Meryon asserts that if only Aharon would have known that the Torah would record for all of posterity his happiness over Moshe’s appointment, he would have gone out to receive Moshe with ‘drums and dance’. From here, Rabbi Yitzchok observes, we learn that when one does a good deed, one should do it ‫בלבב שלם‬, wholeheartedly.

On the face of it, it would seem to be taking Aharon to task for not having expressed his joy more fully, for if he had realized the significance of his act he should have done it with even greater exuberance.

However the great Reb Tzadok takes a totally opposite approach and offers a revolutionary idea in Avodas Hashem, in how to serve G-d properly.

The true value of an act is not when one senses the importance of it, for then it is not a big deal to be motivated to do that which is so significant. Precisely when one doesn’t realize its implication but acts innocently and simply because it is what is naturally good and right, fitting to be aligned with the will of G-d, then even a plain deed is valued greatly.

Doing something ‫בלב שלם‬, wholehearted, is accomplished specifically when one is unaware of its import.

It is only then that G-d will choose to record it for perpetuity. When one is aroused to do something with enthusiasm from a consciousness of how valuable that act is, one is not acting necessarily out of the deep-seated sense within our heart to do what is simply ‘good’ but rather out of an urge to perform that which is precious in the eyes of G-d, and is thus not identified as ‫בלבב שלם‬, wholehearted. Despite the many great deeds Aharon performed in his lifetime the Torah chose to record that

which, within its simplicity, epitomizes a whole heart. (‫)דברי סופרים אות כב‬ Were Aharon to know how significant his gesture of love towards his beloved brother Moshe meant of course he would have sought to manifest it with ‘a band and on the dance floor’. But were he to have done that it wouldn’t have reflected his true character. What made him great was simply his natural, unadulterated and unconditional joy he possessed for his brother. That is truly wholehearted and never contrived.

The practical lesson for us here is to realize that our deeper personal greatness lies not in our pursuit of great and public displays of acts of accomplishment but in those deeds where we unwittingly respond because we embody that which is instinctively good and right. Therein lays the true litmus test of our accurate persona, of who we really are.

When Moshe initially responds to G-d’s request saying ‫מי אנכי‬, Who am I?, the Midrash interprets it not as a expression of humility but rather as a pointed query to G-d. Moshe was asking G-d, didn’t You promise Yaakov, ‫אנכי אעלך‬, ‘I’ will bring you out from Egypt, intimating that You alone would lead them out with all its implications and not by the hand of a mere mortal and his deficiencies like myself? Where is the fulfillment of ‫אנכי‬, I, is what Moshe is wondering about The great Gaon and rabbinic leader, Rav Yitzchak Elchonon Spector, the famed Rav of Kovna, says that it was directly to this challenging question that G-d responded, ‫אהיה עמך‬, ‘I shall be with you’. G-d was implying that specifically through agency of the illustrious persona of Moshe who would fully represent the pure will of G-d in every facet of his being, serving as a virtual conduit for the Divine Presence, as we are taught that the ‘Shechinah spoke via Moshe’s throat’, G-d would indeed be present, fulfilling His promise to Yaakov. (‫)עין יצחק ח"ב פתח השער ח‬ Perhaps we can now attempt to

understand the motivation and resistance of Moshe to his mission.

Moshe certainly, in the spirit of the Akeidah, would have risen to the role without fear of risk or failure, for if G-d had so commanded him, then so be it whatever the consequence.

What he was striving for however was for that quality of ‫לב שלם‬, wholeheartedness. After all, if he is destined to attain that stature as a vehicle for the Divine Presence, he would have to ascend to levels of self-perfection so that he could indeed flawlessly reflect in his image the absolute will of the Almighty.

He sought to fathom his role so that his response to any summons from G-d would stem not from his allegiance to the importance of the mission but more purely from the essence of natural good and right that he would embody were he to fully understand his role.

His concern for his brother’s feeling wasn’t an excuse, nor would he deny G-d’s will over his brother’s feelings. Did Avraham hesitate because of the even greater harm that would have befallen his beloved son, Yitzchok? Certainly not! It was necessary though to get in touch with his deepest feelings aligning them instinctively with the will of G-d, so that he would be able to act ‘wholeheartedly’ without any taint of contrivance. Only then could Moshe achieve that which G-d essentially directed him to be, the personification of the ‘good’, the perfect will of G-d, in his every act and emotion.

The Midrash concludes that after the era of prophecy has concluded, each one of our purely motivated, wholehearted actions are recorded by Eliyahu the Prophet and the Melech HaMoshiach and sealed by the Almighty Himself.

May we infuse our being with the pure will of G-d so that our unassuming wholehearted deeds accrue the merit to hasten our redemption.

You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ ohelmoshebaltimore.com

35

The Egyptian exile begins. The Jewish midwives defy the laws of Pharaoh and keep the children alive. Moshe - the future leader of the Jewish nation - is born. He is ultimately saved by the daughter of Pharaoh, and grows up in the palace. G-d remembers the promise to save the Jews from Egyptian bondage, and He appears to Moshe at the burning bush. Moshe and Aharon announce the news of redemption to the suffering Jewish nation..

Quote

Torah parks S

Thoughts in Chassidus

Inspiration. Everywhere.

Parshas Shemos

QUICK VORT

”

“Good leaders create followers, but great leaders create leaders.”

-Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, zt”l

GEMATRIA

The numerical value of ‫ויסוף היה במצרים‬ (v’yosef haya b’mitzrayim) – and Yosef was in Egypt – is 564, which happens to be the same as ‫( שינוי מקום‬shinui makom), when including the 2 words.

The concept of shinui makom means to change one’s place. It didn’t matter where Yosef was, he always remained Yosef HaTzadik.

Rabbi Ori Strum is the author of “Ready. Set. Grow.” “Dove Tales,” and “Karpas: The Big Dipper.”

His shiurim and other Jewish content can be found on Torah Anytime and Meaningful Minute. He may be reached at 443-938-0822 or rabbistrumo@gmail.com

Yosef HaTzadik teaches us that it is THROUGH the Nisayon, it is THROUGH the “mitzrayim,” that truly makes a person into the great being that he can be.

Rashi says the chiddush of the words ‫במצרים‬ ‫היה‬ ‫ויוסף‬ (v’yosef haya b’mitzrayim) – and Yosef was in Egypt – even though we know he was there, was that despite being in this place of negativity, he was ‫( עומד בצדקו‬omed b’tzidko), he stayed firm in his righteousness.

With the words “And Yosef was in Egypt” perhaps we are being taught that instead of trying to run away from the difficulty, the chiddush of Yosef was that he chose to embraced it.

Yosef was conscious that he was in Mitzrayim. He fully embraced it, and excelled.

Let us do the same!

Weekly Torah Weekly Torah inspiration— inspiration— straight to your your phone. phone. straight to Scan to join join the the Torah Torah Scan to Sparks Sparks WhatsApp WhatsApp group. group.

In our lives too, we must strive to find a way to connect to the notion of ‫מאדך‬.

To be thankful and grateful for who we are, for what we are, and for everything that we have.

Did You Know?!

According to Rabbeinu Ephraim, the Baal HaTurim, and the Levush, the word ‫ שמות‬stands for ‫שנים מקרא‬ ‫( ואחד תרגום‬shnayim mikra v’echad targum).

This is a great week to get back on track!

Points to Ponder Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu to remove the shoes from upon his feet because the place in which he was standing on was holy ground. What does holy ground and removal of shoes have to do with each other?

Scan the QR code to view Torah classes from R’ Ori Strum on Torah Anytime!

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If he was in Eretz Yisroel, surrounded by his family and kedusha, he was righteous. And if he was in the depths of Egypt, surrounded by impurity, he still remained righteous.

What an inspiration!

When someone is going through a hardship, a difficulty, a nisayon, sometimes the kneejerk reaction is to want to run away from the situation, rather than to embrace the situation.

The Belzer Rebbe said on the words ‫( ויעצמו במאד מאד‬v’yatzmu b’meod meod) – they became very strong. That the Jewish people, despite being subjugated by the Egyptians, were able to STRENGTHEN themselves with the midda (attribute) of ‫( ובכל מאדך‬u’vchol meodecha), and found the courage to THANK Hashem for everything that happened to them.

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

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Pesukim - 124 Words - 1763 Letters - 6762 Mitzvos - 0

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PARSHA STATS

Sunday Sunday Teves 15

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Shevat 15

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13

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20

3

27

Shevat 16

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22

29

5

Teves 26

Next BJH Issue

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30

23

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9

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4:50 PM

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4:43 PM

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Friday

Teves/Shevat

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5:54 PM

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Shevat 6

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‫פרשת בא‬

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‫פרשת יתרו‬

7

‫פרשת בשלח‬

31

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BJSZ Shabbos Of Unity & Raffle Winner Announcement

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Saturday

2025 January/February

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14

21

4

28

JEWELS 'Raise Me Up' Fundraising Campaign see front cover

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Shevat 1

6

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 5

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19

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11 NCSY Concert see page 3 Reisterstown Road Plaza Winter Wonderland see page 7

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Baltimore Weekday Minyanim Guide

Shacharis Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah: EVERY 15 MINUTES

M-F S, T, W, F T, W, F S T, W, F T, W, F S S T, W, F M-F S, T, W, F S, M, TH T, W, F M-F T, W, F M-F

7:05 AM Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) 7:15 AM Kedushas Yisrael Kol Torah

M, TH S S

For edits, additions, or sponsorships, email ads@baltimorejewishhome.com

M, TH M-F M-F M, TH M, TH

7:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring Agudath Israel of Baltimore Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Chabad of Park Heights Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Darchei Tzedek Kedushas Yisrael Khal Bais Nosson Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina) Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shomrei Emunah Congregation

S S, T, W, F S S-F S-F S S S S S-F S S-F S S-F S, T, W, F T, W, F

7:45 AM Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Talmudical Academy Darchei Tzedek Mesivta Kesser Torah Mesivta Shaarei Chaim 7:50 AM Derech Chaim Ner Tamid Ohel Moshe

M-F S-F M-F S-F S-F S S M-F

8:00 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Bais Dovid-Bais Medrash of Summit Park Beth Abraham Chabad Israeli Center Darchei Tzedek Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Kehilas Bnei Yeshiva Kehillas Meor HaTorah Ohr Yisroel Pikesville Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel Tzeirei Anash Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah

S-F S S M-F S S S S S S S S-F S S S S-F

8:15 AM Kehilath B'nai Torah Kol Torah 8:20 AM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim 8:25 AM Ohr Chadash Academy (School Days Only) 8:30 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Chabad Israeli Center Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) Ohel Moshe Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shomrei Emunah Congregation Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh 9:00 AM Aish Kodesh Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Beth Tfiloh Congregation Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Shomrei Emunah Congregation Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

S S S-F S-F S-F S S-F S S S-F S S S S S S S-F S-F

Mincha

Mincha Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Gedolah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/Tzemach Tzedek 12:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) 12:50 PM One South Street, 27th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 Kol Torah

1:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) 10045 Red Run Blvd Suite 295 Milk & Honey Bistro 1777 Reisterstown RD 1:25 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim 1:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) 1:45 PM Ohel Moshe Wealcatch Insurance 1:50 PM One South Street, 27th Floor (M-Th) 2:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) Big Al @ The Knish Shop Party Room Kol Torah (Sunday) Market Maven Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Reischer Minyan - 23 Walker Ave 2nd Floor 2:15 PM Pikesville Beis Medrash - 15 Walker Ave 2:30 PM Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Tov Pizza Mincha Minyan Ner Israel Rabbinical College Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building) Shearith Israel Congregation 2:45 PM Kollel of Greenspring Shearith Israel Congregation (S-Th) 3:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 3:05 PM Kedushas Yisrael 3:15 PM Hat Box 3:22 PM Ohr Chadash Academy (School Days Only, Call to Confirm) 3:30PM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 4:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th) Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 10 Min Before ShkiAh Chabad Israeli Center 14 Min Before ShkiAh Kol Torah

Mincha/Maariv Before Shkiah Aish Kodesh Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudah of Greenspring Bais Dovid-Bais Medrash of Summit Park Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Beth Abraham Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Darchei Tzedek Derech Chaim Kehillas Meor HaTorah Kehilath B’nai Torah Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Machzikei Torah (Sternhill’s), 5:00pm Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Ner Tamid Ohel Moshe Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Ohr Yisroel Pikesville Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation Shomrei Mishmeres Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel

Maariv

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah: EVERY 15 MINUTES 6:00 PM, 6:15 PM, 6:30 PM, 6:45 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:15 PM, 7:30 PM, 7:45 PM, 8:00 PM, 8:15 PM, 8:30 PM, 8:45 PM, 9:00 PM, 9:15 PM, 9:30 PM, 9:45 PM, 10:00 PM, 10:15 PM, 10:30 PM, 10:45 PM, 11:00 PM, 11:15 PM, 11:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM

Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudath Israel of Baltimore Derech Chaim

8:45 PM Darchei Tzedek Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina)

Maariv continued Ohr Yisroel

8:50 PM Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building) 8:55 PM Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh 9:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Arugas Habosem Bais Dovid-Bais Medrash of Summit Park Shomrei Emunah Congregation Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

9:15 PM Kehilas Bnei Yeshiva 9:20 PM Kol Torah 9:30 PM Agudah of Greenspring Agudath Israel of Baltimore Kedushas Yisrael

9:40 PM Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] 9:45 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Kollel Erev Birchas Yitzchok (Luries) Kollel of Greenspring Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah

9:50 PM Aish Kodesh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Ohel Moshe

10:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Darchei Tzedek Kehilath B'nai Torah Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation

10:05 PM Kol Torah 10:10 PM Ner Israel Rabbinical College 10:15 PM Derech Chaim Khal Bais Nosson

10:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore 11:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudah of Greenspring - 6107 Greenspring Ave Agudath Israel of Baltimore - 6200 Park Heights Ave Ahavat Shalom - 3009 Northbrook Rd Aish Kodesh - 6207 Ivymount Rd Arugas HaBosem - 3509 Clarks Ln Bais Dovid-Bais Medrash of Summit Park- 6800 Sylvale Ct Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim - 3120 Clarks Ln Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore - 6823 Old Pimlico Rd Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh - 6618 Deancroft Rd Beit Yaakov - 3615 Seven Mile Ln Beth Abraham - 6208 Wallis Ave Beth Tfiloh Congregation - 3300 Old Court Rd Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation - 6602 Park Heights Ave Chabad Israeli Center - 7807 Seven Mile Ln Chabad of Park Heights - 3402 Clarks Ln Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh - 3800 Labyrinth Rd Darchei Tzedek - 3201 Seven Mile Ln Derech Chaim - 6603 Pimlico Road Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue 6611 Greenspring Ave. Kedushas Yisrael - 6004 Park Heights Ave Kehilath B’nai Torah - 6301 Green Meadow Pkwy Kehilas Bnei Yeshiva - 6700 Cross Country Blvd Kehillas Meor HaTorah - 6539 Pebble Brooke Rd Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek - 6811 Park Heights Ave Khal Bais Nosson - 2901 Taney Rd Kol Torah - 2929 Fallstaff Rd Kollel of Greenspring - 6504 Greenspring Ave. Machzikei Torah - 6216 Biltmore Ave Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah - 6500 Baythorne Rd Mesivta Kesser Torah - 8400 Park Heights Ave Mesivta Shaarei Chaim - 5415 Greenspring Ave Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah - 7000 Rockland Hills Dr Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & Gibber One South Street, 27th Floor Ner Israel Rabbinical College - 400 Mt Wilson Ln Ner Tamid - 6214 Pimlico Road Ohel Moshe - 2808 Smith Ave Ohel Yakov - 3200 Glen Ave Ohr Chadash Academy - 7310 Park Heights Avenue Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] - 6813 Park Heights Ave Ohr Yisroel - 2429 Lightfoot Dr Pikesville Jewish Congregation - 7644 Carla Rd Shearith Israel Congregation - 5835 Park Heights Ave Shomrei Emunah Congregation - 6221 Greenspring Ave Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh - 2821 W Strathmore Ave Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim - 7504 Seven Mile Ln Talmudical Academy - 4445 Old Court Rd The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel - 5915 Park Heights Ave The Shul at the Lubavitch Center - 6701 Old Pimlico Rd Tiferes Yisroel - 6201 Park Heights Ave Tzeirei Anash - 6706 Cross County Blvd Wealcatch Insurance - 37 Walker Ave 2nd floor Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah - 6819 Williamson Ave

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7:00 AM Aish Kodesh (upstairs Minyan) Agudath Israel of Baltimore Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Kol Torah Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel

7:20 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Beth Tfiloh Congregation Kol Torah Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Mincha continued

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] M-F Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F Ohel Yakov S-F 6:00 AM Shomrei Emunah Congregation M-F 6:10 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, Th 6:15 AM Kol Torah M, TH Shearith Israel Congregation M, TH M, TH 6:20 AM Agudah of Greenspring Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S-F Bais Dovid-Bais Medrash of Summit Park M-F Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M-F Kehilath B'nai Torah M, TH Pikesville Jewish Congregation M, TH Shomrei Emunah Congregation S, M, TH 6:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring T, W, F Chabad of Park Heights M-F Darchei Tzedek M-F Kehilath B'nai Torah T, W, F Khal Bais Nosson M-F Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek M-F Kol Torah T, W, F Ohr Yisroel M-F Pikesville Jewish Congregation T, W, F Shearith Israel Congregation T, W, F Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F 6:35 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) M, TH Ohel Moshe M, TH 6:40 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) T, W, F Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M, TH 6:45 AM The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel M, Th B”H and Mesivta of Baltimore (Dirshu Minyan) S-F Beth Abraham M, TH Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue M-F Kehilas Bnei Yeshiva M-F Ner Tamid M-F Ohel Moshe T, W, F Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim M-F 6:50 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] M, TH Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh M, TH Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation T, W, F Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh M, TH Derech Chaim M-F Kol Torah M-F Ohel Moshe S Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH The Shul at the Lubavitch Center M, TH 6:55 AM The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel T, W, F Beth Abraham T, W, F Kol Torah M, TH Neitz

S, T, W, F S-F T, W, F S S S M-F

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

M-F: 6:15 AM, S-F: Neitz, 6:30 AM, 6:45 AM, 7:00 AM, 7:15 AM, 7:30 AM, 7:45 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:15 AM, 8:30 AM, 8:45 AM, 9:00AM, 9:15AM, 9:30AM, 9:45AM, 10:00AM

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) Ner Israel Rabbinical College Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel Tzeirei Anash

37

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

38

Education is the Primary Defense in Combating Hate TJH Speaks with Michael Cohen, EVP at the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation

By Eliyahu RosEnBERg With Gov. Hochul at her bill signing of the legislation to mandate a title VI coordinator on every college campus to protect Jewish students from antisemitism

TJH recently spoke with Michael Cohen, a Woodmere resident with a decades-long career in serving the Jewish community. Cohen served as the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s East Coast Director before joining the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF) in September 2025.

As the AJCF’s executive vice president, Cohen

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advances the nonprofit’s global mission to combat antisemitism and hate through Holocaust education.

In our conversation, we discussed the ACJF’s operations, his current and past communal roles, and his thoughts on building alliances and fighting hate.

Michael, you’re the executive vice president of the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, which operates in Poland and America. Can you describe the organization’s operations in Poland?

In Poland, the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation is the Jewish entity that has boots on the grounds. We have three buildings. We have our training center. We maintain the only surviving shul, which is in the town of Auschwitz. The only reason the shul survived the war was that the Germans used it as an armory, and then, afterwards, it got taken over by a carpet company. And it was still a carpet company when the AJCF bought it 25 years ago.

We do trainings — there are Holocaust education and anti-hate mandates — for a lot of nations around the European Union, particularly Germany and Austria. They send a lot of their students to our center. We see over thirty thousand students a year from Europe. And we also conduct law enforcement training for a lot of nations in the E.U., as well. We educate law enforcement on tolerance, diversity, Holocaust education, and antisemitism. When you think about the Holocaust, when you think about how the Germans were able to accomplish what they accomplished, you realize that, from the early goings, law enforcement was trained in Germany to execute all the kinds of laws and antisemitic statutes that were being enacted. So, when you look at hate in embryo, law enforcement is a very early stage, and you want to combat that and make sure that your law enforcement is trained on all these issues so that it doesn’t happen again. As such, it’s very important for us to recognize the Holocaust’s building blocks and how to combat that from day one.

We look at ourselves very much as an education-based organization. The AJCF has trained over

700,000 people since its inception. We have two pillars: education and outreach. Being able to reach out to all those kinds of communities – whether it’s law enforcement, different demographic communities, whatever it might be – and having the educational tools to be able to demonstrate to them how hate grows and manifests itself and what it can turn into in its worst form — those are really critical attributes to what we do and how we train.

We realized 20 years ago that the same applies to the military: they need to be trained and understand the same kind of lessons that we’re teaching.

The AJCF created a program called ASAP – the American Service Academies Program – which trains cadets at all service industries, predominantly in West Point and Annapolis at this point, and brings them on a 16-day training session every year to basically teach them military ethics. Out of the 16 days, before we go to Auschwitz, four days are in America to get them prepared to understand what we’re going to see and why.

What is the AJCF’s role in America?

We realized that the kind of education that AJCF has provided to so many in Europe was required to be taught here, too. We understood that we needed to look at our school system, look at our children, and understand that many students either have not heard of the Holocaust, or, if they have (most have), the details in their minds are inaccurate or sketchy.

One of the reasons you conduct Holocaust education is not just because you want to tell somebody a story of history; it’s because, in order to ensure that it’s “never again,” we first need to understand what we want to never happen again. What are the angles and attributes that we can bring to the table to demonstrate what the instigators of hate are today?

39

Are your workshops primarily focused on Holocaust education? Do you delve into current events or other atrocities?

I don’t think anybody will argue that when you want to teach about what hate can manifest into, in its worst form, that the Holocaust immediately comes to mind. For different cultures and different identity groups within the NYC public school system, there are other atrocities that affected their communities in various ways. So, we blend in other atrocities, as well, so that we can connect

designated the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation to be the one going into schools to teach hate throughout the city of New York is a testament to both their forward thinking and recognition that the Jewish community is united with all communities in combating hate. We’re not just in Jewish communities. We’re in every community in the city of New York. I’m very proud that whether we’re in Eastern New York, whether we’re in Harlem, whether we’re in Bed-Stuy or Queens or any community, it’s the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation that’s coming to provide that anti-hate messaging.

“In order to ensure that it’s

Do you plan to expand this to communities outside of New York City?

We’re currently in conversations with a number of Long Island school districts that have already heard about the program and want to talk to us about it. We’re talking to folks in New Jersey, as well. I feel very blessed that the quality of work that the AJCF is producing is attracting all of that attention and that people recognize that we’re making sure that antisemitism and all hate are dealt with.

‘never again,’ we first need to understand what we want to never happen again.”

There’s a big emphasis nowadays on activism and protesting, and a lot of that comes from peer pressure. A lot of kids seem to have poor role models. How do we help our children recognize which adults to trust and which role models to admire?

What we recognized is that there are a number of different ways that you need to reach children.

There’s no one-stop-shop, so to speak. Just to give you an example, we’ve built an incredible relationship with the New Visions High School District, which is the largest non-contiguous high school district in the city of New York, with 37,000 students in 60 different public schools.

They have a superintendent, Noah Angeles, who believes in this kind of work very much. And one of the things that we recognized is that it can’t just be educators and facilitators teaching stu-

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with everybody. But there is a very significant proportion of the program that deals with the Holocaust and antisemitism. But it’s not just the Holocaust; it’s also contemporary antisemitism. It’s one of the most immersive ways that NYC public school students are learning about the Holocaust right now and seeing its effects.

For instance, when you talk about the town of Oświęcim (Auschwitz), and you discuss how the town was 60% Jewish before the war, and now it’s gone, and these were people just like you, with families, who were living and working and in school…having that kind of connection, that kind of context, really makes it something that they can bring home and understand.

Our mandate from the council is to provide anti-hate education, but we obviously make sure that the Holocaust and antisemitism are a very, very significant and prominent component of that education. I think the fact that the council

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How do teachers and students feel about this program?

We’ve seen teachers really embracing the program. There’s a trepidation amongst educators and throughout the system about what the children are exposed to and how they react. The teachers want to have the tools to deal with these kinds of circumstances, because they see hate in their schools.

They see bullying. They see stereotyping. But the teachers themselves are not trained specifically on how to deal with that. They’re not trained on how to interact with their students. So they welcome our organization.

The takeaway is that we want to show the students how to be upstanders. We want to show them what tangible things they can do when they see hate and what their responsibility is to help their community. Typically, when you ask a child, “When you see offensive material on a platform you’re on, what do you do?” the standard response is: “Well, I’ll shut off my computer, so I don’t interact.” But all that’s doing is allowing for somebody else to see it; nothing else happens. So, we actually have takeaway materials for them in which we explain: here’s how you can report offensive content, how you can speak to your teachers, how to notify your educators or the appropriate officials on each of those platforms, how to interact with law enforcement to let them know this is something which is actionable in some sort of way. The goal is for the kids to understand that they can do something tangible. It’s not, “I’ve learned this. Wonderful. Goodbye.” It’s, “I’ve learned this, and now I have a responsibility to my school, to my teacher, to my friends, to do something. To be something.”

We want to educate students on hate. But not just on hate but also on how to fact-check, how to verify information, how to research. The City Council understands that the younger generation’s education is when they’re scrolling on their phones and looking at social media platforms.

With Councilmember Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the City Council’s Jewish Caucus, at Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy where AJCF trained nearly 1,500 students

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The methodologies of how hate spreads change.

For instance, in today’s world, social media is the biggest facilitator of hate that we see — whether it’s the algorithms that expose children to hateful content, whether they hear something on TikTok or Instagram. A lot of our trainings in America focus on dealing with that: how do kids recognize hate?

How do kids recognize the impact of what they do on those platforms?

One of the partnerships that we’ve recently built that we’re really proud of is with the New York City Department of Education. We’ve partnered with the New York City Council, which has funded us to be the largest educator on anti-hate programs in the New York City Department of Education. Right now, we are mandated this year to train 25-30,000 middle and high school students across the New York City public school system. We’re going to conduct between 800 and 1,000 individual class-size workshops. We’re not saying, “Let’s talk to an auditorium of 500 students”; we’re saying, “Let’s have intimate settings to really be able to connect with students.”

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40 dents — students have to be able to connect with their own peers in their own environments, too, so that they have that reinforcement once they go back to the proverbial lunchroom.

What they realized in some of their high schools is that hate incidents are predominantly happening amongst younger students: the freshmen and the sophomores. The juniors and seniors, on the other hand, were much more likely to care about, “Well, our school needs to have a good reputation because I want to apply to college.” The older students are more equipped to understand the effects of social media. But also, we teach them about their digital footprint. If you speak to a seventh grader and say, “Do you realize that your posts on social media and on your chats or wherever, that that’s going to stay with you for the rest of your life, so when you’re applying to college or for a job later, you can’t erase that? So, you have to be very careful, because it affects you in the long term” — well, the older kids understand all of this obviously a lot better than the younger kids.

The superintendent said, “Can you imagine, on top of having all these trainings, if we can build a leadership fellowship that trains the older students to mentor the younger students within the school?” So, we built a partnership with them called “The New Visions Fellowship to Combat Hate.” We launched a pilot program, starting with five schools, and we have an application process to select 11th and 12th graders who have leadership potential. There are two parts of the program during the year: during the first, we take a group of the fellows representing the main NYC public school identity groups to different educational places. For example, we took Jewish fellows to the Center for Jewish History for the Anne Frank Exhibit. And we actually had with us Leo Ullman, a Holocaust survivor who was a hidden child in Holland. He walked through the entire exhibit with them and explained his experiences. And then, after that, we had a session in the auditorium, where he answered questions from them.

The first half of the year is predominantly going through a different identity group’s environment in order to build mutual empathy with them. And the second half of the year is more about teaching them leadership skills and how to use them within their school construct.

There’s such an assumption out there that nobody’s doing anything, that the legislators don’t care, that there’s no way to partner with anybody.

But the majority of the funding for this fellowship program comes from the New York City Council. And then there are also individual Council members who give their personal discretionary dollars to ensure that these programs happen in additional schools in their own districts, as well.

So, this is a massive partnership that the NYC Council has taken on. And how do you do anything but commend them for that?

You’re on the frontlines of combating hate. I’d imagine that it’s very easy to

Auschwitz Jewish Center in Poland. Photo by Artus Rudiak

become frustrated and stressed in such an environment. How do you stay calm?

Of course. Well, whenever there’s an antisemitic attack — whenever there’s a hateful attack on any community — the first thing we all do is hear the talk, hear chatter. But I’m in a position where I’m blessed to be able to do something about it. Through the AJCF, I am able to have an impact. With our team, we can come up with new ideas on how to make a difference.

A lot of that anger and frustration that people have, in my opinion, comes from sitting in a frustrated state because they feel like there’s nothing they can do. They’re seeing injustice, they’re angry about it, and they want to see change. But, as part of the AJCF, my thought process right away goes to, “OK, here’s a situation. How did it get there? What can we do?” And you know, one of the things I love about the team at the AJCF is that we are tireless, we are relentless. There is no 9-to-5 with an hour for lunch. We are working around the clock. We

“We are working wherever and whenever we’re needed, because it’s a passion. It’s a mission for all of us.”

are working wherever and whenever we’re needed, because it’s a passion. It’s a mission for all of us.

But I think that every one of us can do something. There are different levels of things that everybody can do. And I think the more people who get involved, the more people who join the fight — I think your mindset changes when you know that you can be part of the solution.

Do you offer any programs to teach secular Jewish college students how to handle hate?

This summer, we’re actually launching a government advocacy fellowship program for college

Some cadets being trained at the AJCF’s program

students to do exactly that. It’s not just enough for them to learn about hate. They have to know what to do about it. Like we spoke about earlier, how do you take away this frustration? By giving people an outlet through which they can fight back and have an impact. And we can help them by teaching them how the government works, how the media works, how the lobby world works, and how the legal world works.

What message regarding antisemitism do you give over to your children?

My wife and I have a beautiful blended family.

We live in Woodmere. Our kids are 22, 19, 18, 17, 16, and 6. We just married one off in August. I make sure to involve our children in this life.

When I lived in Englewood, New Jersey, there was always an MLK Day march from City Hall to what was then Ebenezer Baptist Church. I had spoken to Rabbi Poupko at Ahavas Torah and said, “You know what? We need to be a part of this.” At the time, I was on the City Council. I served four terms on the City Council in Englewood. And we worked together and built a delegation to start a separate part of the march. We worked with our neighboring communities, and we started a march from the shul to City Hall, joining with their march to show that the Jewish community is partnering with them. We were very much welcomed.

On those marches, I brought my kids. They

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Michael addressing Upper East Side Forum on combating antisemitism hosted by NYS Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright

allow me thankfully to be able to have the trust and faith and confidence in all those spaces to be able to make, to be able to have those relationships with the New York City Council, with the state legislature, with the New Jersey legislature, to be able to have the trust that the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation is a place that they can trust to be able to be in all environments and all places and be the leader in teaching about fighting hate and antisemitism.

In Englewood, the Jewish community makes up around a quarter of the city. Another quarter of it is the Black community. Another quarter is the Latino community. And then the rest are a number of other communities. There was an old school leader from the Black community, who was on the council since time immemorial, and was very

Jewish kids can’t take advantage of them. What do we do about that?” — when we wanted to create an ice rink to allow for Sunday programming — he ended up becoming a fighter for our community, because we were able to build that bridge. He saw it wasn’t a one-way street.

It’s so critical, even here in the Five Towns. We have other communities right around us that are so wanting to build those relationships and open those doors. As a community, we need to come out of our comfort zones, take the time, and build those relationships.

“Your mindset changes when you know that you can be part of the solution.”

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well respected as a leader within the Englewood community. I sat next to him on the council. And I remember, my first year on the council, I shocked him because I ended up realizing that the Englewood council had never passed a Juneteenth resolution. So, I ended up writing the resolution and getting it passed. And he’s looking at me, and he’s sitting on the council all these years, and it’s the Orthodox Jew who’s thinking of this. But what the respectful motion did was that when I came to him afterwards and said, “You know, in the recreation department, we’re having programs on Saturdays, but we’re not having programs on Sundays. So, the

You mentioned your many years in politics.

Can you tell about some of your other roles and positions?

I was appointed to sit on the CUNY Chancellor’s Jewish Advisory Council. So, I sit with a number of other Jewish leaders, once every six, eight weeks, with the chancellor and his leadership staff to discuss antisemitism at CUNY. I also sit on Gov. Hochul’s Hate and Bias Council, where we meet with other groups that fight hate and figure out best practices and ways to collaborate. I also serve on the New Jersey Israel Commission, which works in those kinds of spaces, as well. I was at the Simon Wiesenthal Center from late 2015 until six months ago. Originally, I worked at a lobbying firm for a couple of years, and the Wiesenthal Center was one of my clients. They saw that I was very successful in getting them involved in the spaces they wanted to enter. And they recruited me to run their East Coast operations.

We know how bad antisemitism is. We know how bad hate is. But the question isn’t about how bad antisemitism is; the question needs to be about how we can move forward, act constructively, and impactfully move the needle on those issues, moving forward. And that’s what the AJCF is doing. That’s why I’m so proud and blessed to have joined them.

And I look forward to many years of continuing to have that kind of impact.

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Michael with AJCF Director General Jack Simony and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez

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were all probably six, seven, eight, nine, ten, in that age range, but they were right away instilled with the understanding that “these are partnerships and things that we need to be a part of.” My children are very used to working and being a part of that space.

I had my oldest one, who just got married, intern in a program, and he was placed in the New York City Council Speaker’s office. So, he got to meet all kinds of elected officials. He became knowledgeable in the inner workings of the City Council. And I’ll never forget: when he went to Israel to Yeshiva, a New York City Council delegation once was walking down Ben Yehuda. My son was sitting at a cafe, and the delegation saw him, and they hugged him and started taking selfies with him. What was so special about that was that he had recognized how easy it was, contrary to popular thinking, to build relationships over one summer.

One of the things that I’ve always taught both my children and students is that we can’t fight antisemitism alone. We need allies. But in order to find those allies, we need to work together with them. An alliance is a partnership, not a one-way street. We need to understand all the manifestations of hate and be able to be leaders. So, I tell them to go out of their comfort zones.

For me, I learned this during the first 20 years of my career, working in Black politics. I became a senior staffer for Brooklyn Congressman Edolphus Towns, who was a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Early on, I convinced him to put together, for the first time in a generation, a Black-Jewish Relations Conference on Capitol Hill. Of the 34 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, 24 members came, and they met with the presidents of every major Jewish organization in the country. A lot of the folks in the Jewish communal leadership couldn’t believe that 24 members of the Congressional Caucus were willing to take their morning to have this closed-door conference.

No, it was not press. It was not meant for that. It was meant to really build bridges. And it left a lot of enduring relationships.

Then, I ended up working for the New York State Senate, and I became the Chief of Staff for Senate Majority Leader John Sampson. Back then, the leadership of the Senate was both coming from the African American, Caribbean American communities. And here you have a chief of staff who has a yarmulke on his head. And the relationships, the mutual respect, the conversations — the respect they had for every part of our way of life... We had conversations about why we send our kids to yeshiva, why we need all this money for security, etc. But on the same token, answering on the Jewish side, “What’s the significance of Juneteenth,” etc. These conversations were so easy to have once you broke down those initial comfort zone barriers. By spending so many years building those kinds of relationships, by being able to go into those places which you would not conventionally believe that an Orthodox Jew would be in, it has created relationships and circumstances that

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42

nspiration Nation

Motty Steinmetz More Than a Melody — a Mission

By Eliyahu RosEnBERg

W

hen Motty Steinmetz entered the music industry, he sought moral guidance from his Rebbe.

The singer, whose angelic voice would

later catapult him to superstardom, was in his 20s. A budding, young artist, Motty was an Israeli-born chassid raised in Bnei Brak’s Vizhnitz community, born to

In His Words… haKadosh Baruch hu is a tov u’meitiv. he is the essence of good. Everything he does for us is the best for us, even though sometimes we can’t see that with our eyes. sometimes, everything looks dark, like the world is ending, but when we know everything is good and haKadosh Baruch hu is behind everything, the journey looks different — because i know that hashem knows what he’s doing. so, when a person knows that hashem loves him no matter where he is, everything is easier.

When i sing, i relate and connect to every word i say. it’s like a prayer... i’m very open with my emotions. some people think that tears are a sign of weakness. i

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think it’s the opposite.

The goal is that the whole world should be united in worshipping the one and only. and then the world is going to be good. B’ezras hashem, Moshiach is going to come. and the whole world is going to know that hashem is the one ruling everything, and he’s the one who gives us life. and the only thing that we can do is to know this, be grateful to him, and try to make a nachas ruach for him.

a family with a musical lineage spanning generations. For many musicians, music and religion are separate, unrelated facets of their identity. For Motty Steinmetz, they go hand in hand.

“Hashem put me in a very musical family,” the now-33-year-old singer relates, detailing his great-grandfather’s contributions to chazzanus. “In Vizhnitz, music is a very, very big thing. Like the Imrei Chaim says: ‘If Klal Yisroel is the army of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, then Vizhnitz is the symphony.’”

Music was the highlight of his upbringing: Singing at the Shabbos table; hearing zemiros on yom tov; joyfully performing at family simchas. But music never played a mundane role in Motty’s life. It wasn’t about “catchiness.” It wasn’t about the “beat.” It wasn’t about any of that. To Motty, music was about the soul; it was a bridge connecting our neshamos to Hashem.

Motty, as a professional singer, has internalized that mindset, so much so that it’s become his mission statement.

At weddings, his goal isn’t to make people dance. It’s to make people feel — to bring them to tears, to, in his words, “get the chosson and kallah to realize the holiness of the moment.”

“Why tears? Because Yom Chuppah is a day that HaKadosh Baruch Hu is mechaper. It’s a Yom Kippur for the chosson and kallah,” Motty shares.

“Many don’t realize how deep and crucial this day is for their lives. So, every tear — every tefillah to HaKadosh Baruch Hu from the bottom of the heart — on that day is so big.”

Motty employs the same philosophy

for his concerts. After his performances, people should walk away with a spiritual high, with chills, with a feeling of warmth enveloping their souls. They should feel inspired to connect to G-d.

Indeed, Motty fills his sweet, soulful voice with his own emotions.

“When I sing, I relate and connect to every word I say. It’s like a prayer,” he declares. “I’m very open with my emotions.

Some people think that tears are a sign of weakness. I think it’s the opposite.”

Given the seriousness of his job, Motty sought his Rebbe’s approval from day one.

So, before he made it big in the industry, he visited his spiritual mentor, hoping for guidance or, perhaps, for permission to fulfill his musical destiny. The Rebbe gave Motty his blessing but on one condition: there must be a mechitzah wherever he performs. In accordance with their community’s standards, Motty mustn’t perform at mixed venues. The singer agreed.

A few years later, in the summer of 2019, Motty was invited to perform in the Israeli city of Afula. Motty ensured, as he did with every performance, that men and women would be separate at the concert. And in the days leading up to the show, everything seemed to be in order.

But suddenly, the plans fell apart.

It was Tisha B’Av in the afternoon.

Motty was sitting at home. And suddenly, he heard the news: a feminist group had challenged the concert’s legality in court, arguing that gender-based segregation violates discrimination laws. The court quickly sided with the feminists, ruling that the venue must be mixed.

Motty told a friend via text that he wouldn’t perform at the concert without

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This article is based on a podcast, “Inspiration For the Nation,” hosted by Yaakov Langer. To catch more of this conversation, you can watch it on LivingLchaim.com or YouTube.com/LivingLchaim or listen wherever you listen to podcasts (just search for “Inspiration For The Nation”) or call our free hotline: 605-477-2100

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Motty Steinmetz recently released his newest album, naming it Emunah u’Bitachon, a fitting title that reflects the central role that faith plays in his life. In explaining the importance of emunah, Motty relates the following well-known mussar story:

Flower Delivery Club Join the

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*

life, he was raised by non-Jews. And he had to rectify the three years of his life that he ate non-kosher. And you, as his Jewish mother, repaired that.”

He continued answering her questions, showing her that there was logic and love behind the seemingly senseless tragedies.

“The point is that nothing happens without a reason. HaKadosh Baruch Hu is a tov u’meitiv. He is the essence of good. Everything He does for us is the best for us, even though sometimes we can’t see that with our eyes,” Motty Steinmetz declares. “Sometimes, everything looks dark, like the world is ending, but when we know everything is good and HaKadosh Baruch Hu is behind everything, the journey looks different — because I know that Hashem knows what He’s doing.

“When a person knows that Hashem loves him no matter where he is, everything is easier.”

ed. That night, for the first time in two years, she went to sleep happy.

After falling asleep, her husband, from Gan Eden, came to her in a dream.

“In Heaven, Hashem saw your emunah. And the Beis Din shel Ma’alah let me explain to you why everything happened,” her husband said.

He went on to explain how he, in a past life, was a complete tzaddik. However, there was one mitzvah his gilgul didn’t do: he didn’t get married. So, his neshama returned to Earth. And once he got married and started a family, his mission was done, and his soul was free to return to its Creator.

She nodded, tears streaming down her face.

“But what about our child?” she asked. “Why did he pass away?”

“He was also a tzaddik gamur in a previous life,” he responded. “But when he was a baby, he was kidnapped from his bed. For the first three years of his

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There was an exceedingly righteous family, renowned for their great Torah and chessed. Both the father and mother were faithful servants of G-d and respected members of their community.

One day, their three-year-old son tragically passed away. The city was in shock, horrified by the child’s sudden death. But before they had time to process the loss, tragedy struck again: the father suddenly succumbed to illness.

“The whole city was in so much pain.

This family had so much Torah, avodah, gemilus chassadim. Why did this happen?!” Motty recounts. “And who can imagine what the mother — the almanah — is feeling? She lost a child and a husband!”

The widow, unspeakably shaken by her tremendous loss, continuously cried for the next two years. She was inconsolable, in too much pain to stop mourning.

“One day, erev Shabbos, she’s lighting the Shabbos candles, standing by the light with darkness in her heart.

And she says, ‘HaKadosh Baruch Hu, I know You are a Rachum V’chanun. And I know whatever You do, everything is with a cheshbon. But why? Why? I want an answer. Why did I deserve this?’ And she’s crying and asking these questions,” Motty continues.

Then, her children, overhearing their mother’s painful conversation with G-d, spoke up.

They told her, “Mother, with everything that Hashem does, He’s a Rachum V’chanun. We believe that everything He does is for the best, even if we don’t see it with our eyes. You have to have emunah and understand that HaKadosh Baruch Hu loves you, and know that everything has a good reason and is the best thing that could happen to you.”

Her children’s words brought a smile to her face. At long last, she was comfort-

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the mechitzah, and he predicted that another court would reverse the ruling. To Motty’s shock, his friend publicized his private message.

Soon thereafter, the media picked up the story, reporting on Motty’s refusal to perform if the court’s ruling stands.

And then, the story went viral. Though it sparked nationwide debate, it also made a kiddush Hashem, as Motty showed the world that he wouldn’t compromise on his values.

Later, another judge reversed the decision, ruling that separate seating was allowed at the concert. As such, Motty performed in Afula without issue. The feminist group appealed the decision in a hurry, bringing it to the Supreme Court.

And just as the show ended — just as Motty walked off stage — the high court ruled against the mechitzah. But by then, it didn’t matter anymore. The concert was over, and it was an incredible success.

“I remember, after this, I went to a tish in Vizhnitz. And the Rebbe said to me, ‘Baruch hamekadesh Shmo b’rabim’ (blessed is he who sanctifies His name in public). That was very, very meaningful to me,” Motty recalls. “Since then, I’ve had a lot [of offers to perform at mixed venues]. It’s constantly happening. I’ve had a lot of huge offers, whether it’s on the money side or it’s huge stages.

And baruch Hashem, Hashem gives me koach to refuse everything. And I’m sure I’m not losing from it.”

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44

Tech

Triumphs

Nothing Like A Big Sister As told to Rebbetzin Sara Gross

A

s a pretty regular girl in middle school, many of my friends would call me lucky.

My parents don’t bother me about limits when it comes to technology.

They’re super relaxed and allow me full access to whatever I want to see. Sometimes I wish they would put restrictions on me. It’s not that I’m looking at inappropriate things; it’s more that being on the computer sucks up hours of my time. Once I get started, I lose track of time and end up going to sleep late after rushing through my homework.

One day, I had enough. Knowing that asking my parents for limits on my computer time was opening up a can of worms, I went to my older sister. I asked her to put a code on the computer that I didn’t know and that would help me limit my time on the

computer. This system works pretty well for me. Before I mindlessly log onto the computer, I have to ask my sister to put the code in for me. It makes me plan my time better and limit myself before it gets out of hand.

There’s nothing like a big sister!

a meaningful step forward. The relief afterward is almost tangible.

Often, it’s a small change—or what feels like a small leap—that makes the real difference between a distracted, hurried life and one with more calm and presence.

One busy mother once asked us to block WhatsApp on her phone. She had used it for years, and it had simply become too much. For her, this was a real sacrifice. Yet after taking that step, she said—these were her exact words—“This is the best day of my life!” She described the feeling as being on par with life’s biggest milestones: the birth of her first child, her wedding day, her graduation. What better way to capture the weight of that relief?

We’ve had many people come into our office and say, “YouTube is just too much of a distraction. Can you simply remove access to it from my phone and computer?” We do exactly that—nothing more than they ask—and the sense of relief they leave with is remarkable.

It’s a small adjustment, but for them it’s

We also worked with a high school that wanted to help students reduce distraction and limit exposure to harmful content on their smartphones.

They didn’t block everything. In fact, they blocked very little—only the most inappropriate material—while leaving social media and streaming apps intact.

TECH TIPS:

Then, over the following weeks, they met with students and, on their level, encouraged them to delete just one addictive app: one social platform, or one streaming service. Step by step, the students were educated and empowered to grow. Many of them were experiencing, for the first time, what it feels like to be less distracted and more present.

That’s the power of removing just one addictive app—and the relief that can follow. Small steps aren’t always easy, but even a single change can make a meaningful difference.

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Gavi Green & Dina Woodrow Meir Komarow & Tzipporah Merkin (Both Silver Spring) Dovid Kanovsky (Silver Spring) & Shira Robkin (Texas) Avi Lowenthal & Toby Meth (Both Baltimore)

Want to see your simcha here? Email mazeltov@baltimorejewishhome.com or text 443-675-6507 to submit your simcha!

45

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My Israel Home

The Diplomat Who Wasn’t: Giorgio Perlasca’s Heroic Deception

By Gedaliah Borvick

he used his own money to keep operations going. By the time it was over, he had safeguarded the lives of more than 5,000 Jews.

Yet after returning home to Italy, Perlasca never spoke of what he had done. For decades, his deeds remained unknown until survivors tracked him down in the late 1980s.

remains unfamiliar to most Israelis.

And yet, the magnitude of his actions rivals those of far more well-known figures. He worked alongside Raoul Wallenberg and at times directly confronted Nazi officers, including the notorious Adolf Eichmann. In one chilling episode, Perlasca demanded the release of Jewish children from a train bound

In 1989, Yad Vashem honored Perlasca as Righteous Among the Nations.

A forest was planted in his name. He received medals from Israel, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and the United States. His story has since been featured in books, documentaries, stamps, and even a symphonic composition in Israel.

Despite this recognition, his name

for Auschwitz, standing his ground even when a German officer drew a pistol on him.

Today, streets in Rome and several Italian cities bear his name, as does an honorary street in Brooklyn – thanks in part to a devoted reader of this column who recently asked me: shouldn’t Israel also honor him?

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Is rael Home (w w w.my i s rael home. com), 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.

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In one chilling episode, Perlasca demanded the release of Jewish children from a train bound for Auschwitz, standing his ground even when a German officer drew a pistol on him.

It’s a fair question. In Israel, streets commemorate Jewish resistance fighters, rabbinic leaders, and Zionist pioneers. We must also remember the righteous gentiles who risked everything – despite having nothing to gain! – to save Jews when the world turned away.

Moshe Krausz, Carl Lutz, and Raoul Wallenberg all have streets named after them in Israel for their roles in rescuing Hungarian Jews. Giorgio Perlasca belongs in their company.

He acted without official authority, without support, and with no expectation of recognition. He simply did what he believed was right. Naming a street in Israel after Giorgio Perlasca would not only honor him personally but also acknowledge the courageous role righteous gentiles played during the Holocaust.

It’s time Israel gives Giorgio Perlasca the honor he never asked for but so clearly deserves.

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

I

n this column, I often explore the stories behind Israeli street names which honor historical figures who shaped our Jewish past and present. But this time, I’d like to nominate someone whose name should appear on an Israeli street but doesn’t yet: Giorgio Perlasca, the Italian businessman who risked his life to save thousands of Jews in Budapest, Hungary, during the Holocaust.

Perlasca’s story borders on unbelievable. Born in Italy in 1910, he once supported Mussolini’s Fascist regime but broke with it after Italy enacted racial laws and aligned with Nazi Germany. In 1944, while on a business trip to Hungary, Perlasca witnessed the systematic deportation of Jews and felt compelled to act. When the Spanish ambassador was forced to flee, Perlasca, armed only with an old letter from Franco’s government, bluffed his way into becoming the new Spanish consul.

For 45 remarkable days, Giorgio Perlasca posed as Spain’s top diplomat in Budapest. He issued thousands of forged Spanish protection papers, sheltered Jews in safe houses flying the Spanish flag, and stared down Nazi and Arrow Cross officials with fearless audacity. With the help of Zionist youth groups, he coordinated nighttime rescues and provided food and medical care. When diplomatic funds ran out,

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46

To Raise a Laugh

By Mordechai Schmutter

Whatsisname’s Yarmulka

T

oday’s topic is: Name yarmulkas – good idea or bad idea?

To be honest, it’s a weird idea. My kids aren’t allowed to come to yeshiva wearing any clothes with writing on them, but yarmulkas are okay.

A lot of people like name yarmulkas because they’ve noticed that a lot of their sons look the same from the back, especially after haircuts.

So they’re like name tags for short people.

How do gentiles tell their kids apart? Do they make them wear actual nametags?

Maybe this is why they tend to have fewer kids.

And it comes in handy even if you’re not the kid’s parent. You can call the kid by name – because kids never think you’re talking to them specifically unless you use their name – and then the kid looks at you like, “How does he know what my name is?” because he’s not constantly going around all day thinking that there’s a name on his yarmulka.

But this is why a lot of people are nervous about them. My aunt never let my cousins wear a name yarmulke growing up, because she was afraid of potential kidnappers. Like someone would say, “Michoel,” and Michoel would say, “How do you know my name?” and the guy would say, “I’m a friend of your parents.”

She was particularly afraid of kidnappers who not only knew how to read Hebrew, but they know how to do it without nekudos.

But it’s not just for identifying kids. It also comes in handy when you find a yarmulke on the floor – or several yarmulkas after a pillow fight or a basketball game – so everyone knows which one is theirs. For example, two of my kids share a bunk bed, and their yarmulkas fall down into the same tiny space every night.

They’ve both decided they’re too old for name yarmulkas, so every morning they fight about whose yarmulka is whose, and if they want to avoid the fight, they each try to wake up extra early to beat the other one to the yarmulka pile.

So there are benefits both ways.

The other question, I guess, is what do you do with these yarmulkas when the kid grows out of them? Find another kid with that name? It’s not going to be one of yours.

So maybe we should just print the kid’s last name on his yarmulke. That’s what the other kids call him anyway. And that way he can pass it down. I bet this is why professional sports players do it.

But they can pass the yarmulka down anyway. My 6 year old, Gedalyah, just started wearing his 11-year-old brother’s old name yarmulke. And I’m the only one who is bothered by this, apparently. It doesn’t bother my older son, because the yarmulka is too small for him, plus everyone calls him “Schmutter”, and it doesn’t bother Gedalyah, and my wife thinks it’s sweet.

But for some reason it bothers me. Why? Most of what Gedalyah is wearing is handme-downs anyway. Why is this different?

And it’s not like we’re going to mix up my 6-year-old and my 11-year-old from the back. There’s a height difference. Also, my 11-year-old won’t take off his coat, and my six year old won’t put on his shoes. I don’t even know if he plays outside during recess, because I can’t imagine that he keeps his shoes on when he’s in school. I think he gets to school in the morning and takes them off, and then he leaves one in his classroom and the other in the office.

This could be why it takes so long to do afternoon carpool.

But what am I worried about? That people will call him the wrong name? He’s in first grade. His friends can’t read names without nekudos anyway. And having the wrong name on your yarmulka is a nice precaution against kidnapping.

So my wife has no problem with this.

But then we went to parent-teacher conferences, and Gedalyah’s rebbi mentioned that he’s been calling Gedalyah “Daniel” lately because of the yarmulka. And it doesn’t help that this rebbi had my Daniel in his class five years ago. And that my Daniel was much

less academic than Gedalyah is. Though Gedalyah is spacier. All the rebbeim say, “He’s a spacey kid. Sometimes I call his name in class and he doesn’t respond.”

“Are you sure you’re calling the right name?”

Maybe he’s wearing it to avoid getting called on.

So that’s someone we forgot in this whole cheshbon – the rebbi who’s had both kids.

This rebbi actually knows that I’m a humor writer, so he thought we were sending Gedalyah in with this yarmulke to mess with him.

“You can’t tell the difference? He’s the kid without shoes.”

“This is first grade. They all take off their shoes.”

The truth is that if you want to tell your kids apart, you don’t really need names. You can just get them different styles of yarmulkas. You can be like, “This kid is really into choo-choo trains, so he has a choo-choo train yarmulke. This kid is really into Lego, so he has a Lego yarmulke. And that kid is really into flowers.” And so on.

“This kid is really into Yerushalayim.

This kid is really into alef bais.”

“Um… He’s 3. They’re all into alef bais.”

For adults, of course, having people figure out your name based on your yarmulka isn’t really that much of a benefit, especially if you’re tall. Unless you’re trying to identify yourself in a crowd picture. You’re looking at a picture of a huge levaya, and you’re like, “Hey, that’s me! I’m the adult with a name on his yarmulka!”

“Cool! I’m the one with choo-choo trains.”

Mordechai Schmutter is a freelance writer and a humor columnist for Hamodia and other magazines. He has also published eight books and does stand-up comedy. You can contact him at MSchmutter@gmail.com.

47 _˷̇ͅ˓˓ Å˷ͣʹǸ˷ʹ˓ζ

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Å˷ɒʧΤʧɒ΃Ǹ˓ Ǹ˷ɒ Ǹ˰ʧ˓ζ Tɤ˷ʹǸ˓ Å˷ͣ΃ͅǸ˷Ɇɤ

TʧͣǸȿʧ˓ʧʹζ Å˷ͣ΃ͅǸ˷Ɇɤ

ƙͅǸΤɤ˓ ģɤɒʧɆǸ˓ Å˷ͣ΃ͅǸ˷Ɇɤ

I ĘĘ‫ڑ‬ƥƋ‫ڑ‬ƙŀT ǕԱ‫ڑ‬ԓԏԎռԓԘԒռԘԘԘԘ

Ǖ̇΃ ɆǸ˷‫ڑ‬Ǹ˓ͣ̇ ɤ˰Ǹʧ˓‫ڑ‬Ǹ‫ʹ̇΃́ڑ‬ɤ ͅɤ́΃ɤͣʹ ʹ̇տ‫ڑ‬ ́΃̇ʹɤՃʹʔɤɆ̇˓΃˰ȿʧǸʊ̇ͅ΃̻ռ˷ɤʹ

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Forgotten Her es

Military Year in Review Part II

By Avi Heiligman

Specialist 4th Class Kenneth David with his Medal of Honor

2

025 was a landmark year for military news. In addition to the conflicts between Iran, Iranian terrorist groups and Israel, several other military significant stories emerged in the news. These included topics ranging from renaming the Defense Department to major advancements in military hardware and equipment. Here are just some of the many topics that defined the military landscape in 2025.

In September 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that rebranded the Department of Defense as the Department of War. To be clear, the name of Department of Defense is still the official name as it was named in an act of Congress, and the name Department of War is secondary, although there may be an act of Congress in the future to permanently change the name. The name Department of War was in use from 1789 until 1947, when President Truman decided that all of the departments in the military needed to come under one command. For the next two years, it was called the National Military Establishment. In 1949, amendments to the National Security Act officially renamed the National Military Establishment as the Department of Defense.

The military use of drones saw signif-

icant expansion and upgrades in 2025.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has sent a directive to the Pentagon to procure over 300,000 small drones over the next few years. Called the Drone Dominance Program (DDP), these unmanned aerial vehicles would be inexpensive and expendable on the battlefield. This could reshape the battlefield landscape

of drones to slam into oncoming drones headed for Israel. Furthermore, during Operation Rising Lion, Israeli operatives activated prepositioned explosive drones previously hidden within Iranian borders. These assets were used to create critical gaps in the Iranian air defense system by knocking out radar and communication sites. Israel also used

He hardly noticed that he was injured and threw grenades at the approximately 300 enemy fighters when he ran low on ammunition.

as the armed drones could overwhelm defenses and would be integrated with manned forces.

Lessons from drone operators on current battlefields in Ukraine and Israeli forces in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East have provided a blueprint for the future of unmanned warfare. One of the several ways that Israeli forces stopped over 1,000 Iranian attack drones in June 2025 was with the use

drones to mimic the radar signature of fighter jets baiting Iran to fire expensive anti-air missiles at low-cost drones.

Other drones targeted top Iranian military officials and scientists, resulting in the elimination of several IRGC leaders.

The United States honors extraordinary acts of bravery on the battlefield by awarding the Medal of Honor. In early January 2025, outgoing President Biden awarded seven servicemen from the

Korean and Vietnam Wars the Medal of Honor. Two additional soldiers from the Philippine-American War in 1899 were posthumously awarded the medal. Specialist 4th Class Kenneth David from Ohio was the only living recipient to receive the award in 2025. David was with Company D, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. On May 7, 1970, his company came under intense enemy fire, so David handed off his radio to return fire. David exposed himself to hostile fire while firing back with his automatic weapon. This drew attention away from the rest of his platoon which had suffered heavy casualties. He hardly noticed that he was injured and threw grenades at the approximately 300 enemy fighters when he ran low on ammunition. When the medevac helicopters arrived, David continued firing so the enemy could not prevent the choppers from landing. During the intense fight, he carried a wounded American soldier to safety. Finally, the enemy force broke contact, and David was evacuated.

In other Medal of Honor news, the Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends, or MEDAL Act, was signed into law by President Trump.

Key provisions of the act included increased pension for living recipients of

49

interdiction methods towards an active combat against international criminal organizations.

These stories represent only a fraction of the headlines that shaped the military landscape in 2025. As we head into 2026, the Trump Administration is expected to accelerate its overhaul of the Department of War. These changes will focus on many aspects, especially homeland defense and modernizing America’s aging war machines. Israel also just announced its plans to spend $110 billion creating an independent arms in-

dustry aimed at reducing its long-standing reliance on foreign weapons. Together, these shifts represent a new path forward in fighting foreign enemies and the rapid evolution of new and improved defensive capabilities.

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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nian nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer, the United States military has been launching airstrikes on other targets deemed a national security threat by the Trump Administration. Beginning in September, the United States Navy and Air Force conducted airstrikes on drug boats originating from Venezuela. These vessels, operated by narcoterrorist groups like Tren de Aragua, were located, intercepted and sunk in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific. This aggressive approach marks a shift from traditional

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the medal and spousal benefits. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed the act.

After President Trump took office and became commander-in-chief in January, changes within the military were soon made. Approximately 8,200 troops that had been discharged for refusing the Covid vaccine were reinstated with backpay. The enlistment process and shifting landscape within the military allowed all branches of service to meet their recruiting goals in 2025.

In addition to the bombing of Ira-

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50

Living Kiddush Hashem “They Have The Blood Of Klal Yisrael On Their Hands”

By Rabbi Shraga Freedman

I

n 1993, Rav Elya Svei zt”l addressed the annual convention of Agudath Israel in America in response to allegations that certain Jewish institutions had improperly obtained government funds. “[W]e cannot shrug off the smear against us by saying, ‘It was that institution . . . their actions,’” he proclaimed. “The chillul Hashem must be borne by all of us, for the status of Torah students has fallen. This affects us all . . . It is . . . the responsibility of the entire Klal Yisrael that there be no thieves among us” (Jewish Observer, January 1994).

A chillul Hashem created by a single Jew can have negative consequences for thousands of others. Every Jew should gauge the effects of his actions with the knowledge that they may have an impact on the entire nation.

We are all familiar with the halachic concept of arvus: a person who has already fulfilled his own obligation to perform a certain mitzvah — such as reciting Kiddush or Bircas Hamazon — may perform the mitzvah again in order to help another Jew fulfill his obligation.

In essence, the first Jew’s performance of

the mitzvah is considered to be lacking as long as his fellow has not also fulfilled it.

In light of what we have learned, we can explain why this is so. The ultimate purpose of Klal Yisrael’s existence and observance of the mitzvos is to bring honor to Hashem. The failure of any one Jew to do his share in this respect can detract from Hashem’s honor, thus causing the entire klal to fail to achieve its purpose. Thus, every Jew’s lapse can essentially have an effect on the entire nation.

As Rabbi Shimon Schwab zt”l once wrote about Jews who create horrendous desecrations of Hashem’s Name through wrongdoing, “Those who make the headlines through deceit and swindle and smuggling and forging and defrauding the government and the public, no matter how devout they are in their outward appearance, have the blood of Klal Yisrael on their hands” (Selected Writings).

Every member of the Jewish people is like another instrument in an orchestra, adding his own unique flavor and distinct contribution. But the musicians in an orchestra must all work together,

focusing on the same song and playing their instruments in unison, in order to achieve a beautiful performance.

“The Talk of the Town” — a brand-new Kiddush Hashem children’s comic book published by The Circle — is now available in your local seforim stores. Inspiring, entertaining, and transformative, it’s a must-have for every home and classroom.

Rabbi Shraga Freedman is the author of Sefer Mekadshei Shemecha, Living Kiddush Hashem, and A Life Worth Living.

Email LivingKiddushHashem@ gmail.com for a free sefer. Visit LivingKiddushHashem.org for more resources Living Kiddush Hashem was founded with the goal of imbuing every Jew with a powerful sense of mission — the mission to be mekadeish Sheim Shamayim in his or her own unique way. We strive to accomplish this by raising awareness of the paramount importance of the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem and its centrality in everything we do.

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Rabbi Yona Yaakov & Batsheva Lapidus on the birth of a son Mr. & Mrs. Baruch and Daniella Ruben on the birth of a daughter Dr. & Mrs. Elie and Sima Miller on the birth of twin sons Noam & Shana Feldman on the birth of a daughter Shaya & Adinah Swiatycki on the birth of a son Want to see your simcha here? Email mazeltov@baltimorejewishhome.com or text 443-675-6507 to submit your simcha!

51

Headlines

Halacha

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

will occur, and there is lifnei iver. This is the approach of the HaGaos Tosfos Anshei Shem in Mishnayos Shivi’is 5:7 and the TaZ in Y.D. 151. The Gemara in Bava Metzia 75b and 5b above indicates that in these cases there is a greater probability of a violation than non-violation and that is why they say there is a prohibition of lifnei iver (in accordance with the reasoning in Nedarim 62b).

Although a girl may be tempted to lie by the question asked, in their estimation, most girls would tell the truth.

when there are no witnesses because of the concern that the money will not be paid back. There is also an indication of the same reasoning from Bava Metzia 5b.

Three Approaches to Resolution One approach to resolving the contradiction is that whenever there is a greater probability of a violation than a non-violation, then we assume that a violation

The seminary that asks the types of questions that you are referring to may be relying on the fact that although a girl may be tempted to lie by the question asked, in their estimation, most girls would tell the truth.

Another approach is that the cases in the Gemara in Bava Metzia 75b and 5b above that say there is a prohibition of lifnei iver when there is a strong likelihood of a violation (even if there isn’t a greater

probability than not of a violation) is a prohibition of a rabbinic lifnei iver (see Tzitz Eliezer Vol. IV 5:3). The seminary that asks the types of questions that you are referring to may be relying on the fact that although a girl may be tempted to lie by the question asked, in their estimation, there would not be a strong likelihood that the girl would lie.

Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, explained that if the action being performed will directly lead to a violation on the part of the recipient, and without it, the recipient would not have had the desire to violate halacha, then it is a violation of lifnei iver. According to Rav Dovid’s approach, the seminary should not be asking these types of questions.

Regarding how to answer the question, perhaps you can respond with something like, “That is an excellent question, and I try to like wherever I am. Sometimes, however, we can get frustrated with almost anything. I do very much want to grow in my year in seminary and seek to get along with everyone.”

This article should be viewed as a halachic discussion and not practical advice. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com.

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Rabbi Hoffman Responds: It seems that there are many authorities that clearly rule that there is a prohibition of lifnei iver regarding causing another to lie (the Turei Even on Megilah 28a, ‘Umah,”, the Tumim in C.M. Siman 32, Rav Meir Auerbach in his Imrei Binah (C.M. Siman 34).)

In this particular case, the issue may be dependent upon how a contradiction in the Gemara is resolved.

The Gemara in Nedarim 62b tells us that Rav Ashi owned a forest (avah) that he sold to a fire temple (where they burn wood for idol worship purposes). When asked about the prohibition of lifnei iver, he responded that in the majority of cases, the wood that the fire temple buys is used for ordinary heating and not for idol

worship and that he had the right to rely on the majority of cases.

However, there are other passages in the Gemara that seem to contradict the above and indicate that there is a prohibition of lifnei iver when a strong likelihood of a violation exists even if in the majority of cases a violation would not occur. In Bava Metzia 75b, we see that it is a violation of lifnei iver to loan money

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

I

am interviewing for seminary next year in Israel. During these interviews, some of the questions that are asked are of a nature that if I respond truthfully, they may not accept me. For example, “Do I like my high school?” In honesty, I can’t really say that I do, but how will that make me look in the eyes of the seminary? Therefore, I am tempted to lie. By asking such questions, is the seminary transgressing lifnei iver (the prohibition of causing another to sin) if I give in to my temptation to lie?

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Are Some Seminary Interviews Lifnei Iver?

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52 1. *

TJH

Centerfold

“How Cynical are You Anyway?” Trivia 1. When someone tells you, “No rush,” you immediately envision: a. Genuine flexibility b. Patience c. Low priority d. A silent countdown

4. When your phone buzzes, your first assumption is that it is: a. Something important b. A friend c. A reminder d. An attempt to sell you something

2. “This will just take a minute” really means: a. One minute b. Two minutes c. Five minutes d. Clear your schedule – this is going to be a while.

5. You finally sit down to relax and immediately: a. Exhale b. Unwind c. Enjoy the moment d. Think that someone is definitely going to ring the doorbell in 30 seconds.

3. “We should do this again sometime” generally means: a. Soon b. Sincerely c. With planning d. OK, that was bad!

6. When someone says that they are “100% sure,” you: a. Believe them b. Think they are being accurate c. Think that they believe what they are telling you

d. Assume the person is 100% wrong 7. The phrase “this should be easy” guarantees: a. Simplicity b. Speed c. Success d. Complications Answer Key: Answered A to most questions?

Congratulations, Miss Sunshine, you are as naïve as you seem!

Answered B or C to most questions? You have a healthy dose of cynicism, but you are still way too naïve.

Answered D to most questions?

You probably just answered D because you are trying to be cynical.

You Gotta Be Kidding Me! A tourist from Australia is flying down the Belt Parkway and gets pulled over. The police officer asks him why he’s speeding.

The cop replies, “Sir, did you come here to die?”

“Oh, officer, I just rented this car, and I wanted to see how it takes the curves of the Belt Parkway.”

The Australian responds, “No, yester-die.”

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 

Andrew Cuomo will announce a run as dog



People in New York City will

catcher, only to lose that race as well.



logo to something minimalist and soulless, and

spend the next month explaining why customers are

The Mets will pick up a B-level player and claim

wrong for hating it and then will undo the change.

that with this addition, “This is our year to go all

the way!” and they will once again finish last in the league.



Bernie Sanders will announce his 2028 bid for president, making him the oldest person to run for president…by 84 years.

talk about how Bill de Blasio as



Another 42 restaurants will open



You will spend a total of 250



The last three people in



People will insist this election

the world that don’t have

podcasts will start them.

in the Five Towns (because, after

all, don’t we need variety?).

is “the most important one of

our lifetime,” again, for the 117th time.

hours stuck in Rockaway Turnpike traffic and the

politicians will still tell you that they are fixing the problem (riiiight…by approving another few Amazon warehouses).



A public figure will say something outrageous, apologize, clarify the apology, apologize for the

clarification, and then blame it on having mistakenly

Trump will announce that he is running in 2028,

taken a hallucinogenic instead of Vitamin C.

just to see some people’s heads pop off.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will announce that they still won’t go back to England and still

don’t want to perform any royal duties and everyone in England will say, “Good, because we STILL hate you.”

 

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

mayor was the “good old days.”

 

A once-beloved brand will rebrand, change its

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10 Predictions for 2026

Tucker Carlson will blame everything on the Jews. Oh wait, he already does.

Now that she will finally retire, Nancy Pelosi will get a job playing herself as a wax figure at Madame

Tussauds wax museum.

A 6-foot-long horse is attached to a 24-foot chain and wants an apple that is 42 feet away. How can the horse get to the apple?

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Riddle Me This

Answer: Easy. The chain is not attached to anything other than the horse

54

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JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

The stinking Kiev [loser] is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict. He wants war. Well, now at least he’ll have to stay in hiding for the rest of his worthless life.

- Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and now a senior figure on the country’s security council, on X, threatening Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky

It’s in part for good luck. But when I see a good-looking tuna, I cannot resist… I haven’t sampled it yet, but it’s got to be delicious.

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- Japanese sushi chain owner Kiyoshi Kimura after shattering all records and paying $3.24 million for a single bluefin tuna at Tokyo’s annual New Year’s fish auction

For two years, the world bent itself into pretzels justifying a terrorist group kidnapping a 10-month-old Israeli baby – “resistance,” right? Now, suddenly, the overthrow of a mass-murdering Venezuelan dictator is an illegal kidnapping. The moral gymnastics are gold medal levels.

- Michael Rapaport

The Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but we’ve superseded it by a lot, by a real lot. They now call it the Don-roe Doctrine.

- Pres. Trump noting that his actions in Venezuela (which he dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine”) are based on the Monroe Doctrine, which was Pres. James Monroe’s warning to European countries not to interfere in countries in the Western Hemisphere.

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- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announcing this week that he will reform the military chaplain program to strip “secular humanism” out of the messaging

If you need proof, just look at the current Army Spiritual Fitness Guide.

In well over 100 pages, it mentions G-d one time. That’s it. It mentions feelings 11 times. It even mentions playfulness – whatever that is – nine times. There’s zero mention of virtue.

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

For about 200 years, the Chaplain Corps continued its role as spiritual leader of our service members, serving our men and women in times of hardship and ministering to their souls. But sadly, as part of an ongoing war on warriors, in recent decades, it is recognized that its role has been degraded. In an atmosphere of political correctness and secular humanism, chaplains have been minimized, viewed by many as therapists instead of ministers. Faith and virtue were traded for self-help and self-care.

- ibid.

The guide relies on new age notions, saying the soldier’s spirit consists of consciousness, creativity, and connection. The guide itself reports that around 82% of the military are religious, yet ironically, it alienates our war fighters by faith by pushing secular humanism. In short, it’s unacceptable and unserious. So we’re tossing it.

I lived with Trump Derangement Syndrome. It’s toxic, it’s chaotic, and it’s sometimes frightening.

- Former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway, who is divorced from George Conway who has severe TDS

They are arresting people simply for the offense of being in the country illegally. That’s not necessarily something that should cause deportation.

- Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)

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- ibid.

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JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

56 She hates when I dance. She’s a very classy person. She said, “Darling, it’s not presidential.” But I said, “I did become president.”

How come the “Free Palestine” crowd seems to have zero interest in Freeing Iran?

- Pres. Trump addressing House Republicans at their yearly retreat, talking about how Melania doesn’t like when he dances in front of audiences

– Tweet by John Ondrasik

He gets up there and tries to imitate my dance a little bit, but he’s a violent guy!

- ibid. talking about Nicolas Maduro

Of course, [Democrats] weren’t briefed. They would have run straight to the media!

- Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) responding to Democrats’ complaints that they were not briefed before the U.S. captured Maduro

There is a new sheriff in town. He has put life into the Monroe Doctrine. If I were the leader of Iran, I would go pray in the mosque.

- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in an interview with Axios

For the first time in years, the Democrats are opposed to a Venezuelan criminal entering our country.

- Tweet by Rob Jenkins

You demand more money, but we’ve already exhausted everything we had. You want high salaries without taxes, then tell me, where should this money come from when our oil is under sanctions and we’re pushing ourselves toward crisis?

- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a speech aimed at the protesters

7 dollars of subsidy for every Iranian. 1,800 dollars monthly salary for every terrorist member of Hezbollah, from the pocket of Iranian. That’s it.

- Tweet in Farsi by Israel’s Foreign Ministry X account

I say about Elon, he’s 80% super genius and 20% he makes mistakes. But he’s a good guy. He’s a well-meaning person.

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- Pres. Trump when asked about his New Year’s eve dinner with Elon Musk

A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values. As such, we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems. Hilton is—and has always been—a welcoming place for all. We are also engaging with all of our franchisees to reinforce the standards we hold them to across our system to help ensure this does not happen again.

- Statement by Hilton Hotels announcing that they ended a franchise relationship with a hotel in Minnesota that refused to allow ICE agents to stay there

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Dating Dialogue

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

Dear Navidaters,

My name is Bayla (not my real name), and I am writing from an anonymous account because I am deeply afraid of being identified.

I am in my early twenties and have been in shidduchim for over a year now,

though I have not had much luck building a connection with someone. I am told by friends and rabbanim that I am kind, warm, and serious about building a Jewish home, yet I remain single while my younger sister is already married. What hurts me most is that she and even my mother insist that the reason I have had no success is not bashert or timing, but that I supposedly have a strong body odor that drives guys away. They say this not unkindly, but they say this “constructively” as just a flaw to be corrected.

I have tried every soap, treatment, and remedy suggested to me, often at great expense and embarrassment, yet the refrain continues. I am writing because I do not know where self-improvement ends and humiliation begins, and I wonder how many

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girls carry similar accusations while still trying to believe they are worthy of love and a future of their own.

I would be grateful for the panel’s guidance and perspective.

- Bayla*

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 Dear Readers, We want to offer YOU an opportunity to be part of the discussion!

Please email us at MichelleMondShadchan@gmail.com, subject line “reader’s response,” if you would like to participate in the new “A Reader’s Response” columnist spot. We will send you a question and publish your answer in an upcoming Navidaters edition.

If you have a question you would like the Navidaters to answer, please reach out to this email as well.

Looking forward!

Michelle, the “Shadchan”

The Shadchan Michelle Mond ear Bayla, First, I want you to know how brave it was to write this letter. The pain between your words is very real, and nothing about what you described makes you weak; it makes you human.

Let me say this clearly and gently. A young woman who is described as kind and serious about building a bayis ne’eman is not someone who is failing at shidduchim.

She is someone navigating a process that is often unpredictable and at times may seem deeply unfair.

I want to address the issue that has been placed at the center of your pain. A persistent body odor is not something to be dismissed, but it is also not something to be exaggerated or weaponized. There are real medical conditions that can cause changes in body scent, including hormonal imbalances, metabolic issues, dental concerns, and other treatable conditions. If you have not already done so, it would be wise to speak with a doctor who can evaluate this properly rather than relying on opinions from people who are emotionally close to you.

It is also important to acknowledge something many people forget. Since Covid, a significant number of people have a reduced or altered sense of smell. Some people barely notice scents at all. There are also men who naturally have a very limited sense of smell. Who is to say that your future husband is not someone who would never even register what others claim to notice? Bashert does not require perfection.

What concerns me deeply is not just what your mother and sister are saying but the environment it has created for you.

Living in a space where you are constantly

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scrutinized and made to feel like the problem despite all you are doing to work on yourself is not healthy. Even when comments are framed as constructive, repeated focus on a supposed flaw can slowly erode a person’s confidence and sense of worth.

Being around that kind of negativity makes it almost impossible to breathe emotionally, let alone grow.

You are at a stage in life when moving out may not only be reasonable but necessary. Creating physical distance can allow you to regain clarity and confidence.

It gives you space to hear your own voice again. Many young women find that once they are no longer living under constant judgment, they stand taller and can approach dating from a place of strength rather than self-doubt.

Self-reflection has its place. Humiliation does not. You are allowed to work on yourself without believing that something is fundamentally wrong with you. You are allowed to trust that Hashem did not create you defective and then ask you to convince someone to love you anyway.

Please remember this. You are worthy for so many reasons. Either you will figure out a medical reason for this supposed smell and find a cure, or Hashem will send a guy who simply doesn’t notice it. Your story is not over. It is still unfolding, and it deserves to unfold in a respectful environment.

Sending much hazlacha and warmth your way, Michelle

The Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler s if dating is not stressful enough...

First, I am not convinced that your sister’s and mother’s claims are correct.

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Has a neutral party ever confirmed this?

Have you ever received this kind of feedback from a date or from someone who set you up?

If a persistent or noticeable odor truly existed, it is highly likely that at some point a classmate, teacher, coworker, or acquaintance would have mentioned it, even awkwardly or indirectly.

It is probable that family members are criticizing how you present yourself at home, in very informal settings, rather than when you are at your best. They are not evaluating you when you are freshly showered, well dressed, and carefully groomed for a date.

It is entirely possible that this “body odor” explanation has become a convenient family narrative, one that is far too neat and far too cruel to accept without real evidence.

Second, you have already gone to great lengths to address a problem that may not be real. Nevertheless, for the sake of completeness, here are the most common considerations: Body odor most commonly results from excessive sweating combined with normal skin bacteria and can be worsened by stress, anxiety, or clothing that traps moisture. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, tend to do this, while breathable natural fabrics, including cotton, linen, silk, and wool, allow sweat to evaporate.

Dental problems, including decay, gum disease, infections, or inadequate oral hygiene, can cause bad breath, which is sometimes mistaken for body odor. Simple measures, including proper dental care and the use of tongue cleaners, can be very effective.

Less commonly, diet can influence odors released through the skin, lungs, or digestive system. Certain foods, particularly sulfur-containing foods like garlic, onions, and broccoli, as well as strong spices, may play a role for some people.

A thorough medical evaluation can rule out some less common causes, such as hormonal changes, infections, or metabolic conditions.

Third, please understand that constant scrutiny and obsession over a problem that may not even be real can seriously undermine your self-confidence and self-worth.

There is truth in the old cliché that sometimes the attempted cure is worse than the perceived illness. For example, excessive

perfume or constant overcorrection can be just as off-putting as any imagined odor.

If there is a lingering concern here, it should be evaluated and addressed by one trusted, discreet medical doctor. After her expert input, drop it.

Try to enjoy the dating process, feel good about your many wonderful qualities, and stop thinking of yourself as a problem waiting to be solved.

Readers’ Response A Single’s Perspective Aliza Sklar, Life Coach

H

i Bayla, Thanks for writing in.

I deeply feel your pain and frustration.

Being single is HARD; looking around and seeing others living the life you wish you had is so painful. What seems to be making your situation even more difficult is the unsolicited advice from those who love you.

Before I go further, I want to say that, to some extent, we all try to make sense of our situations by connecting them to things within our control. It sounds like your mother and sister are trying to take a sense of overwhelm, confusion, or disappointment in your singlehood status and turn it into something that they can understand and correct. I think many singles and families of singles do the same thing in one way or another.

When it comes to your body odor issue specifically, are you getting that feedback from anyone other than your mother and sister? Have you discussed it with your doctor? I would advise getting a professional’s advice, following it, and then internalizing that you’ve done everything you possibly could in this area.

If we were speaking directly, I might begin a deeper dive into your overall relationship with your family members and explore whether there are other areas and interactions which lead to the same sort of down-on-yourself feelings you are experiencing now. If that is the case, it might be constructive for you to work with a therapist to learn how to respond – both to them and within yourself.

As to your final points: Yes, being single, especially in a community where everyone around you is married, is difficult enough. Not knowing why and/or feeling like all your efforts are leading nowhere is

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Rivka Janowski, LCPC i Bayla, What stayed with me most in

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

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W h e n self-improvement le ad s to clarity, agency, and self-respect, it can be empowering. When it leads to shame, hyper-vigilance, and the feeling that your body itself is disqualifying, something important has gone wrong.

What stands out to me is that you did not dismiss this. You took it seriously. You tried remedies. You spent money. You endured embarrassment. You did exactly what young women are often told to do in shidduchim: look inward, be open to feedback, work on yourself. And yet the refrain keeps returning, unchanged, almost as though it has become a story others are holding about you.

nor is it a reward for successfully eliminating every perceived imperfection. It is built on fit, timing, and shared values, much of which lies outside a person’s control. A woman’s worthiness of love and of building a Jewish home does not hinge on chemistry with every date nor on her ability to disprove an accusation about her body.

At a certain point, emotional well-being may require drawing a boundary. A person is allowed to say, I have done my due diligence and continuing to focus on this is hurting me. That is self-respect.

You have the right to focus your energy on what actually helps you, rather than chasing criticisms that only drain you.

As a community, particularly within the shidduch world, we should pause before offering explanations for someone’s singleness. Not every unanswered question needs a diagnosis. Support that actually helps builds dignity, not shame. It leaves a person feeling stronger, not smaller. Thoughtful, encouraging voices can be just as powerful as matchmaking and far less damaging than repeated critiques.

That matters.

Sometimes families, even loving ones, cling to a concrete explanation because uncertainty is frightening. “Timing” feels too abstract. “Bashert” feels out of their control. A fixable flaw feels safer. But what soothes anxiety for others can quietly wound the person being scrutinized.

I also want to say this gently and clearly: if something were truly preventing connection in a consistent, concrete way, it would usually be communicated directly, respectfully, and with clarity by someone who actually dated you. When an explanation exists mostly as second-hand commentary and ongoing speculation, it deserves to be questioned, not endlessly absorbed.

Of course, taking care of one’s health and body is important, and if there were ever a clear medical concern, it would be appropriate to address it with professionalism and privacy. But what you are describing no longer sounds like responsible care.

It sounds like repeated exposure to something that is eroding your dignity.

You are allowed to set boundaries around this. You are allowed to say, kindly and firmly, “I have taken this as far as I reasonably can, and continuing to revisit it is hurting me.” That is not avoidance. That is self-protection.

I won’t pretend to know why your path has unfolded the way it has. I don’t think anyone truly does. But I do know this: your worth is not provisional. It does not depend on perfecting your body or eliminating every possible discomfort. Love is not reserved for people who never have flaws or sensitivities.

You are not late.

You are not broken.

And you are not required to accept humiliation as the price of hope.

Thank you for trusting me with something this vulnerable. I hope you keep listening to the part of you that wrote this letter. It sounds thoughtful, self-aware, and deserving of real gentleness.

With care, Jennifer

Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. 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 Bayla, I want to begin by saying that I read your letter slowly. More than once.

Not because I was looking for an answer, but because I wanted to understand what it feels like to be you inside this experience.

And what I felt was not a problem to be fixed but a young woman carrying something painful and deeply humiliating while still trying to believe in herself and her future.

You asked where self-improvement ends and humiliation begins. I don’t think there’s a universal line, but I do think there’s a very real internal one. A helpful question is not only, “Is this feedback accurate?” but “What is this doing to my sense of self?”

they become repetitive, unprovable, and tied to a person’s sense of worth.

I also want to name something many women quietly carry in the shidduch world: “explanations” for why they are still single — that they’re too intense, too out-of-the-box, or even their size. These reasons are often impossible to confirm or disprove, yet they can take on a life of their own, especially when echoed by friends and family. Over time, they can shape how a person sees herself far more than any potential mate will. Many women, and men, in shidduchim face unclear or unprovable reasons for being single.

Feeling confused, frustrated, or self-conscious about it is normal and doesn’t mean they’re valid or that there is something wrong with you.

It is worth gently questioning the certainty of these claims. If a trait were truly so obvious and consistently off-putting, it would likely show up across many areas of life, in friendships, work, or social settings, not only in the dating arena.

Marriage is not built on flawlessness,

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A Therapist’s Perspective

reading your letter was not the question of whether there is or isn’t a physical issue but how painful it is to be told, again and again, that your lack of success in shidduchim is due to a personal flaw, especially after you’ve already done so much to try to address it. Hearing that message repeatedly, particularly from the people closest to you, can be deeply unsettling.

There is something profoundly painful about working so hard to “fix” yourself and still being left with the sense that it isn’t enough or that something about you is fundamentally off-putting.

Healthy self-reflection should leave a person feeling grounded and capable.

When feedback instead leads to shame, anxiety, or a growing belief that something about you is inherently wrong, it has crossed a line. Feedback meant to help should ultimately make a person feel stronger. When it leaves a person feeling ashamed, something is wrong. Even comments offered “constructively” can cause real harm when

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tremendously frustrating.

Ultimately, your neshama has a specific tafkid and Hashem has a specific plan for you. You will get married when it is the right thing for your neshama and for your purpose in the world. We all try to determine how we can make it happen faster, but we cannot know what will make the difference. At the point where you feel self-humiliation and shame, I would say you’ve gone too far.

Knowing when to pull back is an art in itself. When it feels like there is nothing more you can do, remind yourself that Hashem is in charge.

Hatzlacha, Aliza

Mental Health Corner

The Pink Cloud

By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman

Have you ever seen the light after long periods of darkness?

Perhaps you were grappling with

an addiction and you have finally started to see the light of recovery.

Or maybe you were struggling with

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weight issues and you discovered a program that works for you.

Another scenario is someone who had been suffering for years from mental illness and finally discovered a therapeutic approach that opened up new vistas of wellness. All of these scenarios may propel someone into a “pink cloud.”

The pink cloud phase refers to feelings of exhilaration or euphoria that one feels during the honeymoon phase of early recovery or wellbeing. Although these feelings are wonderful and well-deserved, one must take the necessary precautions so that this should not get into one’s head and lead to negative outcomes.

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One danger is that with the excitement of this newfound experience, he or she may become overly confident about this new phase in their life. The ever-present danger of relapse requires a level-headed approach in order to be on the constant lookout for small hairline cracks in one’s wellness that can lead to a regression and ultimately into relapse.

Another possible side effect of the pink cloud is the arrogance and condescension that one may project. Upon the discovery of the elixir of happiness and the solution to the world’s problems, you want to become the herald of this incredible piece of knowledge. Although last week you were just like them, you now feel that anyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear would be foolish to not heed your words of wisdom.

The natural result of this is feelings of animosity between the newly recovered individual and their family and friends. Telling

people that “anyone who does not follow this program is squandering a golden opportunity” is basically ignoring the realities of life that nothing is so clear cut or simple.

What works for you might not work for someone else. Additionally, the same way it took you years before you were ready to follow this path, there can be a myriad number of deep psychological reasons why people persist in their ways and have a hard time engaging in healthy practices and lifestyles.

Nevertheless, the pink cloud period is normal and expected. If you are living with someone who is in that period of innocent bliss, it might not be helpful to burst their bubble. Rest assured, however, real life will burst their bubble in due time and eventually they will descend from cloud nine.

The post-pink cloud period is therefore critical in the maintenance of what has been gained. As one learns to integrate what they have learned with the realities of everyday life, the gains of recovery become solidified and woven into the fabric of one’s life.

We all know that every cloud has a silver lining. Similarly, every pink cloud has a wind lurking behind it that will cause the cloud to dissipate and disappear into the thin air. Preparing oneself for life after the pink cloud is one of the most important steps one can take in maintaining gains.

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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School of

Thought THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

By Etti Siegel

Mrs. Etti Siegel holds a MS in Teaching and Learning/Educational Leadership and brings sound teaching advice to her audiences culled from her over 35 years of teaching and administrative experience. Etti is an Adjunct at the College of Mount Saint Vincent/Sara Shenirer. She is a coach and educational consultant for Catapult Learning, FACTS Education Solutions, Brienza Academic Advantage, Yeled V’Yalda; is a sought-after mentor and workshop presenter around the country; and a popular presenter for Sayan (a teacher-mentoring program), Hidden Sparks, and the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. She is a frequent contributor to Hamechanech magazine and The Journal for Jewish Day School Leaders and has a weekly column in The Jewish Home.

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A:

Dear SOS, First, take a breath. You signed your letter SOS, but parenting is often more about being intentional and slow than about crisis “swooping in” moments. What you are feeling makes complete sense, but it’s important to slow this moment down before it spirals. Finding vapes in your child’s room is alarming and it should be taken seriously, but it does not automatically mean your son has rejected your values or that you have failed as a parent.

It means he is a teenager growing up in a world where vaping is normalized, energy drinks are marketed as harmless, and peer influence is powerful.

rather than punishing. The Before you say anything, goal isn’t to scare him straight; give yourself the space to apA simple, steady it’s to help him understand proach him calmly. This is risks, responsibility, and exone of those parenting moopening like, ments where the tone matters pectations, and to put strucas much as the content. If you tures in place that reduce the “I found these come in shocked, angry, or chance of this becoming a in your room, panicked, your son will likepattern. Overreactions often ly shut down, minimize, or drive behavior underground. and I need to get defensive. What you want Kids become sneaky as they understand right now is not a confession continue their risky behaviors. or a showdown. You want unThoughtful follow-through what’s going on” derstanding. A simple, steady keeps it in the open, where you communicates opening like, “I found these can actually influence it. in your room, and I need to Regarding school, try not both seriousness understand what’s going on” to let fear of “what might hapcommunicates both seriouspen” dictate your response. and safety. ness and safety.

Right now, this is a home isIt also helps to be very sue, and that’s actually a gift. intentional about separating You have the opportunity to who your son is from what he address it seriously and prodid. Teenagers often hear disactively before it becomes appointment as rejection, even when that’s not what something larger or public. Focus on supervision, we mean. Let him know clearly that this discovery communication, and follow-up rather than worst-case doesn’t change how you feel about him, but that it scenarios. does concern you, and it does matter. That distinction And one final thought: adolescence is not about getallows him to stay emotionally connected instead of ting everything right; it’s about learning how to make feeling labeled or written off. better choices over time. Your son is practicing deciOnce you’ve listened, this is the moment to be clear sion-making in a complicated world. Your role isn’t to and grounded about your values. Not in a lecture, and raise someone who never stumbles but someone who not as a debate, but as a calm statement of what your knows how to recalibrate with guidance, honesty, and family stands for. You can acknowledge peer pressure support. If handled thoughtfully, this moment can and curiosity while still holding firm boundaries. strengthen your relationship and reinforce your values Teenagers actually feel safer when adults are steady far more than silence or panic ever could. and predictable, even if they push back in the moment.

Hatzlacha!

As for consequences, think in terms of teaching - Etti

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

Q:

Dear Etti, I am really distraught. I just found vapes and a can of Red Bull in my teenage son’s room, and I honestly feel sick about it. We obviously have family values that are opposite of this kind of behavior. I truly thought he understood that, so finding the vapes feels like a punch in the gut. And the Red Bull, it may sound small compared to vaping, but to me it feels like another sign that something is slipping.

I know peer pressure is real, and I’m trying to be realistic. But I’m scared. Also, if the school finds out, he could be suspended, and that would be public and make him into a bigger problem. I don’t want to overreact, but I also don’t want to underreact and send the message that this is okay. I feel angry, worried, and unsure what the right next step is. What do I do now?

- SOS

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Health & F tness

The Brain Chemical That Makes Life Matter

By Rivka Kramer, PMHNP-BC

D

opamine has a public relations problem. Somewhere along the way it was crowned the pleasure chemical and trapped inside motivational posters, social media detox videos, and self-help slogans. According to the internet, dopamine is what makes chocolate taste good, phones addictive, and success feel rewarding. Reduce your dopamine, and you will apparently become enlightened. Increase it, and you will conquer life.

Psychiatry knows better.

Dopamine is not simply about pleasure. In fact, pleasure is only a small part of the story. Dopamine is about curiosity, focus, desire, belief, effort, meaning, and sometimes madness. It is the chemical that whispers this matters inside the brain. When dopamine goes quiet, the world feels flat. When it speaks too loudly, reality itself can bend.

If serotonin is about emotional tone, dopamine is about direction. It points the mind somewhere and says pay attention.

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Dopamine Is a Messenger, Not a Mood Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger used by brain cells to communicate. But unlike neurotransmitters that spread widely, dopamine works through a few tightly organized circuits.

These circuits act less like floodlights and more like spotlights, illuminating certain thoughts, actions, and perceptions while leaving others in the dark.

This precision explains why dopamine can be involved in such different psychiatric experiences. It can shape motivation in one moment, movement in another, and belief itself in another.

The same chemical is involved, but the message changes depending on where it is delivered.

Dopamine does not tell you this feels good. It tells you this is important.

The Brain’s Meaning Maker One of the most powerful ways to understand dopamine is to think of it as the brain’s meaning maker. Every second your brain is flooded with information. Sounds, sights, memories, body sensations, internal thoughts. Most of it is irrelevant. Dopamine helps decide what rises above the noise.

When dopamine signals increase, the brain flags something as significant.

It could be a reward, a threat, a goal, or a pattern. This is how learning happens.

You notice what matters and adjust your behavior accordingly.

In healthy brains, this system is flexible. It updates constantly. In psychiatric illness, it can become distorted.

When Dopamine Assigns Meaning Where There Is None Psychosis offers one of the clearest windows into dopamine’s power. People experiencing psychosis often describe a feeling that the world has changed before they can explain how. Ordinary events feel charged with significance.

A stranger’s glance feels intentional. A

song on the radio feels personal. A coincidence feels like a message.

This experience is not random. Psychiatry understands it as a problem of salience. Dopamine is assigning importance to things that do not deserve it.

Once the brain feels that something matters deeply, it demands an explanation. Delusions form not because the person is irrational, but because the brain is trying to make sense of an overwhelming sense of meaning. Hallucinations can emerge when internal thoughts are misidentified as external signals, again driven by faulty dopamine signaling.

In this way, dopamine does not create psychosis out of nothing. It amplifies significance until the mind builds a new reality around it.

Why Antipsychotics Target Dopamine The earliest effective antipsychotic medications all shared one property.

They reduced dopamine signaling. This discovery transformed psychiatry and cemented dopamine’s central role in psychotic disorders.

By dampening dopamine activity, these medications reduce the sense that everything is meaningful. Voices fade.

Delusions lose their emotional grip. Reality regains its boundaries.

But there is a cost. Dopamine is not only involved in psychosis. It is also involved in motivation, pleasure, movement, and emotional expression.

Blocking it too strongly can leave people feeling slowed, flat, or disconnected from themselves. This is why modern psychiatry constantly balances symptom relief against quality of life.

Newer medications try to soften this trade off by modulating dopamine rather than silencing it completely. The goal is not to remove meaning from life but to restore proportion.

Dopamine and Depression Depression is often described as sadness, but many patients will tell you that sadness is not the hardest part. The hardest part is emptiness. The inability to care. The sense that nothing feels worth the effort.

This is where dopamine enters the picture.

Dopamine is critical for anticipation.

It fuels the ability to look forward to things. In depression, this system often falters. Even when pleasure is still possible, the motivation to seek it is gone.

The future feels blank.

Some antidepressants work partly by enhancing dopamine activity, especially in brain regions linked to drive and focus. In treatment resistant cases, medications that directly affect dopamine can help restore energy and engagement.

Not happiness in a superficial sense, but the capacity to move toward life again.

Addiction and the Hijacked Signal Few psychiatric conditions demon-

65 consistency, and routine. These traits are just as valuable. Problems arise only at the extremes, when dopamine driven exploration becomes impulsivity or when low dopamine becomes apathy.

Psychiatry does not aim to erase these differences. It intervenes when the balance tips into suffering.

More Than a Chemical Imbalance Modern psychiatry no longer views dopamine as a simple on-off switch. It interacts with stress, trauma, social context, genetics, and other neurotransmitters. Early adversity can sensitize

This is why addiction is not a failure of willpower. It is a disorder of learning and motivation. Dopamine has been trained to care about the wrong thing.

Attention, Focus, and the Chemistry of Staying on Task

Dopamine and Personality Dopamine also shapes temperament.

People with more sensitive dopamine systems often seek novelty, risk, and exploration. They are drawn to new ideas and experiences. This can fuel creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

On the other side, lower dopamine sensitivity is associated with caution,

Rivka Kramer is a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She has a psychiatric private practice based in Cedarhurst, NY. She serves as a member of the board of JANPPA, the Jewish American Nurse Practitioner Psychiatric Association. She can be reached at 516-945-9443.

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Dopamine also plays a major role in attention. In conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dopamine signaling in prefrontal brain regions is often reduced or inefficient.

The result is not a lack of intelligence or effort but difficulty sustaining focus and regulating impulses. Tasks that do not provide immediate feedback fail to hold attention. The brain struggles to decide what matters.

Stimulant medications increase dopamine availability in a controlled way.

Instead of creating excitement, they stabilize attention. They help the brain hold a signal long enough to complete a thought. In this context, dopamine is not about pleasure at all. It is about clarity.

dopamine systems. Chronic stress can exhaust them. Social connection can restore them.

Dopamine responds to the world as much as it shapes it.

This is why medication alone is rarely enough. Therapy, structure, purpose, and meaning all influence dopamine indirectly. The brain learns from experience, and dopamine is the teacher.

Dopamine is not the pleasure chemical. It is the relevance chemical. It tells the brain what to notice, what to pursue, and what to believe. In psychiatry, dopamine sits at the crossroads of biology and experience, chemistry and story.

When dopamine works well, life feels engaging without being overwhelming.

When it falters, the world can lose its color or become unbearably intense.

Understanding dopamine is not just about treating illness. It is about understanding how the mind decides what matters.

And that may be one of the most human questions of all.

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

When dopamine works well, life feels engaging without being overwhelming.

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strate dopamine’s influence as dramatically as addiction. Substances that cause addiction share a common feature. They produce rapid and powerful dopamine release in reward circuits.

At first, this feels like pleasure. Over time, something else happens. Dopamine begins to fire not in response to the drug itself but in response to cues associated with it – places, emotions, people, stress, boredom.

The brain learns that the substance matters more than anything else. Dopamine shifts from reward to craving. The person may no longer enjoy the drug yet feel compelled to seek it.

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JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

Parenting Pearls

Connection and Consequences

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

I

t can be confusing to understand how the different parts of parenting work together. For example, what role do consequences, affection, and communication have, and how do they interact with each other? One article will never be able to fully clarify the issue, but we can at least work through the intersecting role of consequences and the parent-child bond.

Behavioral psychology historically placed a tremendous role on reward and punishment as the keys to controlling human behavior, including that of children.

An overly simplified description might explain, “Behaviors that are rewarded will increase, while those that are punished will decrease.” There is a lot to be said for the ways positive and negative responses will change behavior. We use rewards with children, and we know that a compliment or even a little sticker will be encouraging. We also know the deterrent of doing things that will have negative repercussions. Despite the truth behind these realities, there is more to children’s behavior than just reward and punishment. We all know how children can act in completely unpredictable ways, often against this reward-punishment theory.

Parents often hear about the parent-child bond, and it’s something I often stress in my articles. If so much is simply reward and punishment, then why would it be so important to focus on connecting with our children? Someone might argue, “Why does it matter what my kid thinks of me if all I need to do is reward-punish my way through their childhood?”

Connection Makes Things Happen Parenting does not happen without connection. It’s who we are to them, and how much they know we love them, that makes our words meaningful. Our ability to inspire, guide and even discipline our children comes from the bond we’ve built with them.

A certain percentage of this connection emerges naturally from our role as their caretakers. We provide for them and ensure their basic needs, giving us ample opportunity to build this bond daily. Despite this, we still need to continuously and actively nurture the connection with them. Communication, physical affection, and positive messages are some of the ways we build this bond.

Since we are their parents, they have

an inherent emotional need to connect to us and feel loved in return. Sadly, we can often learn the positive from the negative. Even adults that were mistreated by their parents as children will often still crave a bond with the very parents who neglected them instead of loving them.

From this, we can only imagine how strong that need for connecting truly is.

While today’s topic is focusing on the role of connection with behavior modification or discipline, the parent-child bond is crucial for many areas of child development and is beyond the scope of this article. In many ways, it is this bond that is one of the main components of healthy emotional development.

Punishment and Consequences Punishment is seen by some as the key to parenting. They will tell you, “Punish the right way, and your kid will behave!”

While simplicity in life is nice, it doesn’t work here. You can’t punish your child into becoming a good person or having proper middos. Often, punishment is a deterrent and not actual chinuch. There is definitely a place for “actions have consequences,” but it’s important to under-

stand its actual role.

I’d like to clarify the difference between “punishment” and “consequences” as I use them. Punishment is angrier, often demeaning or degrading. It may be given to put down or lower the child and may have no connection to their actual behavior. Consequences are a response that is connected or linked to the child’s behavior. It is not given in a degrading or shameful way Consequences can be parent-imposed, but ideally, they are a direct result of the child’s actions. These natural consequences are an ideal means for a child to learn from their behavior. A little one needs to clean the wall after their latest marker portrait. They don’t get ready in time, and they miss the beginning of the party. A favorite pen goes missing when it’s not put away. A child who is aggressive gets removed from the play area until they calm down.

Parents can certainly impose restrictions that are consequences of a child’s behavior. For example, children can lose privileges by abusing them or not taking proper responsibility. A teen who drives irresponsibly will lose access to the car keys. A child who doesn’t come home

67 Bringing It Together “Might makes right” only goes so far, and it’s our connection to our children that makes them truly listen to us. With little children, we can just pick them up and place them somewhere else. With babies, toddlers, and very young children, that is often necessary as they get

try it. We shouldn’t need to frequently use power to get them to listen to us.

We also can’t punish children – especially teens – into obedience. Besides the negative environment that is created by frequent punishment, it can be perceived as a sign of weakness on the part of the parent. There are also children

Our ability to inspire, guide and even discipline our children comes from the bond we’ve built with them.

that are “unpunishable.” These children can be given any punishment, and they won’t care. No matter what you try, they are strong-willed enough to not give in.

These parents may continuously feel the need to get harsher and harsher, as their child’s behavior continues to deteriorate, further damaging their relationship with this cycle.

Natural consequences teach children lessons, causing them to think first

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homeschooling for over 15 years. Sara provides personalized parent mentoring services, addressing a variety of general and specific parenting concerns. She can be contacted at Sara.Rayvych@gmail.com with comments, questions or for private consultations.

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Sara Rayvych, MSEd, holds a master’s degree in general and special education. She has been

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into trouble and can’t get themselves out of it. We often do need to physically remove them from whatever danger they are seeking or fight they’ve gotten themselves into. This type of physical intervention is often necessary because saying “stop” to a little one is insufficient and they will keep on doing it. When they get older, it is a bit more tricky. You can’t lift your teenager and physically carry them somewhere – nor should you

about the future result of their actions.

Not every action has a natural consequence attached to it. There are times when parents will need to speak with their child or impose a consequence. It is at these times when the importance of the parent-child bond comes out strongest. We can only speak meaningfully with them or enforce something if we have established an emotional bond with them.

True learning and behavior modification usually happens when the child is calm – not when they’re being yelled at or upset over a punishment. Children are most open to learning when it’s presented with warmth and clear direction.

They are also most open to learning from someone they love and respect – both outcomes of the parent-child bond.

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promptly from their friend’s house when they are told to will not be permitted to go next time.

These types of consequences are educational and encourage children to understand how there are consequences to their actions. Their behavior is linked to the results. They learn to think before doing something and decide if they will like the future result. As adults, we often work with natural consequences. We will not have a job if we show up late or fail to fulfill the required tasks at work. We will lose friends if we are rude to them.

There are also positive consequences to behavior. Those who are pleasant make friends, and those who are responsible get promoted at work. Children also learn from having positive consequences to their actions. When they show responsibility, they earn more privileges and gain our trust. Children who take care of their possessions have parents motivated to buy them things. As adults, we know how much more motivated and accomplished we are when we have a positive relationship with our employer and are in a pleasant work environment. Naturally, we’d like our children to listen to us because they want to please us and not because they fear punishment.

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71

In The K tchen

Serves: 4-6

By Naomi Nachman

Ingredients

floating on the top for 3 minutes. Remove each carefully with a slotted spoon.

◦ ¼ cup finely chopped water chestnuts

Cook’s note: You can also pan-fry the dumplings a few minutes on each side in a

◦ ¼ cup finely chopped bamboo shoots

sauté pan. Alternately you can steam them in a bamboo steam basket.

◦ 1 pound skinless salmon, minced

◦ ¼ cup finely chopped scallions

Serve the dumplings with dipping sauce or soy sauce mixed with minced ginger.

JANUARY 8-JANUARY 14, 2026

The last few months, I have become obsessed with du mplings.

When I see them on menus in restaurants, I order a double batch. I decided to make my own using salmon. You can try and exchange the salmon for minced chicken.

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Salmon Dumplings

◦ 2 cloves garlic, minced ◦ 1 Tablespoon dark soy sauce

Dipping Sauce

◦ ½ teaspoon sesame oil

Makes: 1/3 cup

◦ ¼ teaspoon salt ◦ 2 cups water ◦ 1 package round wonton wrappers

Preparation 1.

Prepare the salmon and vegetables: Toss salmon and vegetables with remainder

Ingredients

◦ 4 Tablespoons soy sauce ◦ 1 Tablespoon honey ◦ 1 Teaspoon sesame oil ◦ 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar ◦ 2 teaspoons ginger, minced

2. Place one tablespoon of the mixture in the middle of each wonton wrapper. Lift

◦ 2 teaspoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

the edges of the circle and pinch the top together. (You may want to use a cornstarch/ water mixture to make sure it sticks.)

3. Gently lower the dumplings into a medium pot with the boiling water and boil for 3 to 5 minutes. The dumplings are done when the skins are clear and have been

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix together well. For best results, blend

ahead of time to allow all flavors to blend. Store in a sealed container.

Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.

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ingredients and seasonings (excluding water and wrappers).

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