Let’s help ensure our community’s simchas Yom Tov.
IMPORTANT ROSH HASHANAH AND SUKKOS SAFETY TIPS!
1.
2. OUT IN THE SUKKAH? BE SURE YOUR HOME IS SAFE!
Protect your home and valuables. Be sure to lock your doors every time you leave!
CARBON MONOXIDE DANGER!
Carbon monoxide, “The Silent Killer”, can build up over time when the stove is left on, even if there are no leaks! With three 3-day Yomim Tovim approaching, the danger is compounded. The Baltimore Fire Department has urged the community to either use an exhaust fan or leave a nearby window slightly open.
“Thank you for the valuable community education you provide on the dangers of carbon monoxide, particularly during Yom Tov!
We recently experienced the importance of this knowledge, when at 3:00 am on a Yom Tov morning, we heard our carbon monoxide detector go off. A pot of soup had overflowed on the stove the night before, and we lowered the flame. Since the burner was covered by a blech, we didn’t realize the flame had gone out entirely. Little did we know, that toxic carbon monoxide, which is odorless, was being released into our home.
Since there was no flame, we turned off the gas, aired out our home, and Boruch Hashem, no one in our family suffered any ill effects!
This incident should remind us all about this critical health and safety issue, and how taking simple precautions can easily prevent potential life-threatening situations.”
A Grateful Community Member
P.S. On July 15th, 2021, over 50 people were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning after there was a leak at a Jewish sleepaway camp. According to the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association there are 1,200 deaths and 50,000 emergency room visits annually.
In loving memory of Alvin S. and Elaine S. Mintzes, ה"ע
Dear Readers,
This past week, I took an informal poll among friends and found an almost unanimous response: Sukkos is their favorite Yom Tov. And when you stop to think about it, that makes perfect sense. After the intensity of the Yomim Noraim, days of tefillah, introspection, and striving to elevate ourselves, we arrive at Zman Simchaseinu with a sense of renewal and optimism. Having put in the spiritual work to strip away distractions and recalibrate our focus, we can now embrace a Yom Tov that centers on joy, simplicity, and connection. Sitting in a sukkah, breathing in the crisp autumn air, and fulfilling the mitzvah of the arba minim fills the heart with pure happiness. When we wave them in every direction, proclaiming Hashem’s mastery over the universe, we remind ourselves that life itself is fertile with meaning and bracha.
Of course, one might ask: why specifically is Sukkos the Yom Tov of joy? After all, isn’t there equal joy in Pesach, when the first buds of spring signal renewal and freedom? Or on Shavuos, when we recall the awe of receiving the Torah at Har Sinai? True, each Yom Tov has its unique beauty and happiness. But the Torah singles out Sukkos as a time of heightened simcha. To understand this, we need to recall its deeper layers. Beyond the harvest season, beyond the beauty of autumn, Sukkos carries a profound historical significance. It commemorates the protection Hashem provided for our ancestors when they left Mitzrayim, whether through the miraculous Ananei Hakavod, as Rashi explains, or through the simple booths they built in the desert. Either way, the sukkah itself stands as a living reminder that Hashem’s protection has always been, and continues to be, the shield around our people.
That is why dwelling in the sukkah is so powerful. For one week, we leave behind the sturdy structures we work so hard to maintain year-round and instead enter a temporary hut, fragile by design. Its thin walls and s’chach remind us that our security does
not come from bricks, beams, or bank accounts. Our true protection – always – comes from Above. The sukkah teaches us to shift our sense of permanence: from the material to the spiritual, from the temporary to the eternal. But the real magic of Sukkos isn’t in the mitzvos alone – it’s in the moments we create. Sharing a meal in the sukkah, bundled in sweaters if the nights get chilly. Singing a niggun that drifts into the crisp evening air. Savoring meals prepared with care and devotion, weaving divrei Torah into the conversation, and treasuring the company of friends and family. These moments stick with us long after the sukkah comes down, because they remind us of what really matters: being together.
And it’s not just for the grownups. Kids light up on Sukkos in a special way, whether it’s helping decorate the sukkah, or just running in and out with cousins and neighbors. Their excitement gives the holiday its own energy. As parents, we get to watch them enjoy Yom Tov in their own way, and that joy is contagious. It pulls us in, helping us experience Yom Tov with fresh eyes. In a world filled with uncertainty, these simple scenes of family and friends bring us unmatched comfort and joy, turning the sukkah into a place of laughter, warmth, and connection.
And so, as we head into this beautiful Yom Tov, my hope is that everyone makes the most of the days ahead. There’s nothing quite like sitting in the sukkah with the people you love, surrounded by good food, zemiros, and laughter, while also experiencing the special mitzvos that make Sukkos unique. From dwelling in the sukkah to holding the arba minim, these mitzvos give our joy its depth and make the experience complete. May we all find the chance to slow down, take it in, and carry that joy with us into the months ahead.
Wishing you a wonderful and joy-filled Sukkos.
Aaron M. Friedman
and mazal tovs to
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Attar Receives Standing Ovation for Juvenile Justice Reform Leadership
During a recent luncheon hosted by Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates, Senator Dalya Attar was publicly recognized for her leadership on juvenile justice reform — receiving a standing ovation from a packed room of attendees.
State’s Attorney Bates spoke about Senator Attar’s role in advancing meaningful legislation during the General Assembly session. He
By: BJLife Newsroom
highlighted her willingness to engage head-on with the complex issue of youth crime and acknowledged her efforts to strike a balance between accountability and public safety.
Bates expressed strong appreciation for Senator Attar’s partnership and determination, crediting her work as instrumental in getting key reforms passed.
The response from the audience — a standing ovation — reflected not only
respect for her work, but also public recognition of her impact as both a legislator and former prosecutor.
“I’m grateful to State’s Attorney Bates for his leadership, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done together,” said Senator Attar following the event. “There’s still more to do — and I remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every Baltimorean.”
Baltimore Jewish Community Member Throws Out First Pitch At Today’s Orioles Game
Autumn Lake Healthcare took center stage at Sunday’s Orioles game with a $20,000 check presentation for their Striking Out Alzheimer’s Campaign. Director of Employ -
By: BJLife Newsroom
ee Experience, Baltimore Jewish community member Rivka Heisler, capped off the moment by throwing out the game’s first pitch.
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Jewish Cemetery Association Leads Cleanup Effort of Hebrew Friendship Cemetery
By: BJLife Newsroom
This morning, the Jewish Cemetery Association organized a cleanup at Hebrew Friendship Cemetery, where more than 30 volunteers came together to restore and beautify the grounds. The JCA, which owns and operates 20 older cemeteries in the Baltimore area, works to ensure that final resting places are cared for with dignity and respect. Volunteers cut back trees,
cleared trash from inside and outside the cemetery, and cleaned many headstones—including those of Harry and Jeanette Weinberg.
Among those who participated were Jeremy Diamond, Barry Dubin, Sam Esterson, Colin Fleischer, Matt Fram, Effie Rosenblum, Yitzy Schleifer, Nonny Spotts, and Steve Venick.
Baltimore’s Mechanchim Launch Kollel Marbitzei Torah At Kehillas Derech Chaim
By: BJLife Newsroom
If you walk into Kehillas Derech Chaim at 4 p.m. on any day of the week, you will find an inspiring chevra learning together with chizuk and fiery enthusiasm. A new kollel for mechanchim from across the Baltimore community was launched this Elul. Kollel Marbitzei Torah, led by R’ Pinny Shulman, learns daily from 4–6 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, filling the shul with a high-level learning experience.
The chaburah is open to anyone who wants to join or to learn independently in the beautiful environment the kollel creates in the shul. The limud is Maseches Chullin from the beginning, learned b’iyun. Experiencing the powerful kol Torah together with choshuve mechanchim in our city offers a remarkable opportunity for growth and chizuk that many are embracing.
A Night Of Inspiration: TYA Farbrengen Sets The Tone For The New Year
By: BJLife Newsroom
Wow! What an incredible TYA farbrengen last night, thank you to the Golds for so graciously opening their home!
Looking forward to an amazing year ahead filled with inspiration and growth!
Around the Community
Spreading Back-to-School Cheer With JES
The new school year is underway and Jewish Educational Services (JES) found a sweet way to show appreciation for the community’s educators: Back-toSchool baskets brimming with snacks and supplies for the rabbeim and teachers. JES staff visited nearly every Jewish day and yeshiva school in Baltimore - including Ateres, Bais Yaakov, Beth Tfiloh, Bnos Yisroel, Cheder Chabad, Darchei Noam Montessori, Krieger Schechter Day School, Ohr Chadash Academy, Talmudical Academy, Tashbar, Torah Institute and Toras Simcha - delivering baskets and warm wishes for a successful year ahead.
“These baskets are a small way to recognize our teachers, who put so much heart and energy into their students every single day,” said Yael Zelinger, JES Day School Liaison.
The visits quickly became about much more than delivering goodies. Each stop provided a window into the unique spirit and charm of the schools and opportunities to connect with principals, teachers, and staff.
At Beth Tfiloh, old friends warmly introduced new ones, and conversations quickly turned to meaningful projects. Rabbi Yehuda Oratz enthusiastically described his vision to integrate Chesed into every aspect of Beth Tfiloh school life so that it becomes second nature to every student. In line with that aspiration, Mrs. Beth Goldstein requested to brainstorm ideas for their new disability awareness program this fall through B’More Inclusive.
The visit to Bais Yaakov Elementary coincided with a fire drill—an impressive scene of absolute silence as students filed out in neat rows. Within minutes, the building was buzzing again, as if nothing had happened. Rabbi Yochanan Stein offered a warm welcome and discussed JES’s contributions to the upcoming Association of Jewish Day Schools Melave Malka in November.
Two teachers, their heads hovering together over some papers, were eagerly reviewing a lesson plan in the Bais Yaakov Middle School teacher’s lounge, radiating shared purpose. Rabbi Moshe Frohlich manages to be everywhere, despite the school spanning two buildings, but he serendipitously
appeared outside the teachers’ lounge at the right moment. In a brief conversation the active principal shared his eagerness for many of his new teachers to join the JES New Teacher Cohort. Further down the hallway, Mrs. Rochelle Goldberg was delighted to hear she had won JES’s “Teacher Feature” raffle—earning a $100 Amazon gift card for sharing a helpful teaching tip.
Mrs. Miriam Rosen at Ohr Chadash Academy graciously greets and directs each visitor. The warmth of the school carries over into the welcome received by this year’s shinshinim, Talya and Nogah. If you want to invite them for a meal, do it soon because they are not only welcomed into the school, but their weekend calendar quickly fills up with invitations from the OCA families!
Upon entering Bnos Yisroel, the secretary always provides a warm welcome and kind assistance. A recent graduate of the Jewish New Teacher Project (JNTP), a two-year mentoring program through JES, spoke enthusiastically about mentoring new teachers, including her daughter. Another longtime friend shared her excitement about returning to the classroom after more than a decade at home.
Small moments highlighted the school’s warmth at Cheder Chabad. As a family of girls piled in, the friendly secretary knew every girl’s name, grade and teacher - and the missing sister’s name, too! This kindness was evident too during JES’ professional development workshop in the Cheder, where teachers shared freely with one another.
At Ateres, the new girls’ school, Mrs. Rochel Froehlich personally led a tour of their cozy facility. Giggles and songs wafted through the hallways as Mrs. Froehlich gratefully described the stalwart support they received from the community in getting ready for the school year.
Hanging out in the spacious, wellstocked teachers’ lounge at Krieger Schechter provided an opportunity to meet teachers who were truly happy to be working there. One teacher came all the way from Israel for the year to lead the school’s musical production of Frozen in Hebrew. Meanwhile, another teacher took advantage of the oppor-
tunity to submit a question to the JES Teacher Helpline about supporting a student with unique learning needs.
For Yael Zelinger, the visit to Talmudical Academy felt like coming home. “My fourth son is in 11th grade at TA, my husband has been teaching there for over two decades—and I still don’t know my way around the building!” she laughed. Staff shared their visions for professional development and scanned the QR code to enter JES’s Teacher Feature raffle drawing each month.
At Tashbar, Rabbi Meir Khaver welcomed JES with a full tour of the school’s new building. The halls rang with energy. Just weeks earlier, the school did not have a building, making the new space feel especially gratifying. Stopping into the classrooms of two graduates of the JES New Teacher Cohort brought pure joy, witnessing the relationship between rebbi and talmidim amid lively chavrusas learning and a class game of kickball.
Dr. Insel affably welcomed JES to Torah Institute, sharing her concern about the ongoing need for more teachers. Case in point, this principal is brushing up on fifth-grade math until the math teacher returns from maternity leave. A former New Teacher Cohort member reached out to schedule oneon-one coaching. What stood out most, however, was the respect shown by the rabbeim for guests of the yeshiva.
Our community is fortunate to have so many different institutions catering to Baltimore’s diverse student population. Each visit was a reminder that Baltimore’s schools, alive with dedication, warmth and learning, are directly impacted by JES. JES responds to each school’s individual needs, providing them with the resources that are helpful for them. JES is proud to support and celebrate the Jewish education community—not only with snacks, but with the ongoing resources, professional development, teacher appreciation and encouragement that help teachers flourish.
Photo Credit: JES Staff
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Around the Community
Midseason Madness: The JCFL 2025 Season Heats Up
JCFL, proudly sponsored by King David Nursing and Rehab Center, just wrapped up Week 3 and is barreling toward the midpoint of the season. Soon, the league will take a brief intermission for the Jewish holiday season, giving players a chance to rest their legs (and maybe their egos) before the final stretch.
If you haven’t yet made your way to the YL Waitering fields on a crisp Sunday morning, you’re missing out. The mix of competitive fire, highlight-reel plays, and sideline banter makes for the best free entertainment in town. Plus, there’s always the chance of witnessing something that will be retold for years, like a diving goal-line stop or a one-handed miracle grab.
Here’s a quick tour through the action from Weeks 2 and 3. Buckle up—there were blowouts that weren’t blowouts, comebacks that shouldn’t have been possible, and more drama than your last Shabbos table debate.
Yaakov Schmell-Allstate vs. Tiger Heating & Air: A Wild Finish
For three quarters, this looked like a snoozer. Schmell-Allstate’s QB Avi Yudkowsky was dealing early, tossing touchdowns to Aaron Hoffman, Jonathan Rosen, Avner Shotz, and Dani Carter, while the defense picked off Tiger’s QB Ezra Bregin twice. By halftime, it was 26–6, and Schmell-Allstate tacked on another Carter touchdown to make it 32–6. Fans were packing up their folding chairs.
But then the script flipped. Tiger Heating & Air caught fire with not one, but two wild lateral plays for touchdowns, plus a key interception by Noam Sonnenberg. Suddenly, the score tightened to 32–24, and a Schmell-Allstate safety shaved it down to 32–26 with two minutes left.
Tiger had the ball at the goal line, inches away from stealing the win. Enter Avner “Stop” Shotz, who made a diving, season-defining tackle to stop former teammate Josh Zaslow just short. Schmell-Allstate escaped with a 32–26 win, while fans escaped with only mild heart palpitations.
Tripping Kosher vs. Evergreen
Benefits Group: Yoyo vs. Chaim, Six Years in the Making
This matchup was billed as a heavyweight showdown, and it didn’t disappoint—unless you were rooting for Evergreen.
Yoyo Strauss, Tripping Kosher’s quarterback and human highlight reel, wasted no time, hitting Shulie Hochman and then Aharon Koschitzki for quick strikes, giving Tripping a 14–0 halftime cushion. The second half featured Yoyo putting an Evergreen linebacker on skates with a nasty juke en route to a 40-yard touchdown run. Tripping’s defense, led by Yisroel Luchansky, Shalom Stein, Ari Zayon, and Ezra Rosen, smothered Evergreen’s receivers all day.
Evergreen did salvage some pride with a late TD from star Yoni Finkelstein, but the 20–10 final felt more lopsided than the score. Tripping sits at 3–0 and looks every bit the team to beat.
Y & L Landscaping vs. Actual Eyes: The Rock and Reches Show
Y&L Landscaping’s first half featured plenty of fireworks: Dan Gutman hit Avromi Freund for two red-zone scores, Eitan Rock hauled in big catches, and the refs added their own flair with a “phantom whistle” and a controversial catch reversal. By halftime, it was 13–13 and anyone’s game.
That’s when Mordy Reches decided enough was enough. The league’s allstar took over on both sides of the ball. A critical interception at the goal line swung momentum, while Gutman’s steady QB play kept the chains moving.
Meanwhile, Gedalia Gelb was living in the backfield with three sacks, and when crunch time hit, Eitan Rock put the game on ice with a game-saving flag pull and interception. Final score: Y&L Landscaping 26, Actual Eyes 20.
Doctor Auto’s Miracle Comeback: From 18–0 to Glory
Some games are blowouts. Some are comebacks. And then there are games like this—where fans rub their eyes to make sure they’re not hallucinating.
Down 18–0, Doc Auto stormed
back to win 32–24 in a performance that had everything: grit, flair, and a rookie stealing the spotlight.
Moshe Lichtman’s cool-headed QB play was the foundation, as he carved up the defense and connected repeatedly with Rookie WR Avi Goldstein. Goldstein, in turn, played like he was auditioning for both sides of the ball—hauling in two touchdowns on offense and snagging two interceptions on defense.
But the play of the day belonged to Menachem Blackman, who hauled in a jaw-dropping one-handed touchdown grab that had the sidelines buzzing. It wasn’t just a highlight—it was the spark that turned the whole game around.
Contributions came from everywhere: DY Green’s relentless edge rushes, Chaim Pleeter’s clutch sacks, and trench dominance from Morde-
chai Schiermeyer and Avi Safren. With the defense holding firm in the final minutes, Doc Auto completed the improbable comeback and showed they’re not just here to play—they’re here to contend.
What’s Next?
Three weeks in, the standings are tighter than your suit after the Yom Tov season. Tripping Kosher looks untouchable, but teams like Schmell-Allstate, Evergreen, and Tidy Up are proving they can swing momentum in an instant. The second half of the season promises even more chaos, comebacks, and coffee-fueled Sunday mornings.
So grab your thermos, bring a chair, and get yourself to the YL Waitering fields. The JCFL is just warming up.
DON'T GET SPOTTED:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEASLES
By Dr. Dani Poliakoff
As a newly minted pediatrician in the Fall of 2018, one thing I did not really expect to see was measles. Measles was something you only saw on board review questions and in people who traveled to Third World countries. Instead, as many will remember, it became a community concern that year, when an outbreak occurred in the frum community in the tristate area and trickled down locally as well.
Now, with multiple outbreaks of measles internationally, the tragic deaths of five children in Eretz Yisrael in the last few weeks, and the occurrence of
several cases in New York, we may once again be seeing this virus locally. While hopefully it won’t make an appearance in Baltimore, this article aims to review some basic information about the measles virus and vaccination.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that was once common among children and adolescents. It causes high fever, cold symptoms, and a characteristic spotted rash. Thanks to vaccination, the virus is uncommon in the US, with fewer than 100-200 cases annually, usually brought back by unvaccinated
travelers. Lately, there have been a number of outbreaks internationally.
Why is it important?
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses around. Like many infections, the virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Unlike most colds, though, the measles virus can remain active and contagious on surfaces and even in the air for up to two hours. Around 90% of susceptible people exposed to an infected person are likely to become infected (compared to 10-20% for many common viruses). People are also contagious for a few days before the rash appears, meaning they can spread the disease
Recognizing the illness
After exposure, illness usually develInitial symp(often 104°F cough, runny nose, and red, Tiny white spots like grains of salt, (“Koplik’s spots”) may appear
After 3-5 days, the characteristic spotted or blotchy rash starting on the face and behind the ears, and spreading down the body.
most people fully recover, the illness can lead to acute and chronic complications, including lung infection, inflammation of the brain, damage to the eyes, and long-term neurologic damage. The virus can also weaken the immune system, leading to lower immunity to other sicknesses. These complications can occur in up to 6% of infected people (such as in the case of pneumonia), or down to 1 in 1000 people for the more rare complications (such as neurologic damage). These in children under 5 years old and adults over 20 years of age.
The measles vaccine, given routinely 1 and 4 years of age, is a
highly effective vaccine that has dramatically reduced measles cases worldwide. After one dose, 93% of people will be protected for life; after a second dose, 97% will have that protection.
● Normally, the first vaccination is given at 1 year old to ensure lifelong immunity. During an outbreak, infants as young as 6 months can be safely vaccinated, though they will still need the two routine doses later.
● Children over one year old who have had their first dose can receive a second dose before age 4 to complete their series, provided four weeks have passed. These children will not require any additional doses.
● Children and adults who have received two doses of the vaccine, and all adults born before 1957, are assumed to have lifelong immunity, and generally do not need lab work to “prove” this.
Community Immunity
High vaccination rates limit the virus’s ability to spread, protecting individuals who are not immune, such as infants, those with compromised immune systems, and the 3% of people still at risk after vaccination. As vaccination rates fall, the risk of an outbreak rises, especially in close-knit communities like ours. During an outbreak, keeping a high index of suspicion and “contact tracing” (tracking active cases and their exposures) are important ways to contain the spread of the virus.
For more information, please visit the CDC website or your trusted local pediatrician.
B’ezras Hashem, we should see a quick end to the illness in Eretz Yisrael and around the globe.
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The Week In News
The Week In News
platform OAG. Istanbul jumped from eighth place to No. 2 this year, while Amsterdam Schiphol climbed from No. 4 to No. 3. Frankfurt skipped from No. 10 to share fourth place with Kuala Lumpur, last year’s No.2.
Heathrow is Most Connected Airport
Need a great airport to fly in and out of? Consider London Heathrow, which is the world’s top megahub for travelers needing to connect to different flights in a jiffy. The airport held onto the top spot on Megahub’s 2025 report that was released last Wednesday by travel data
The Malaysian megahub isn’t the only Asian airport to lose ground in the connectivity race: Seoul Incheon dropped from No. 5 to No. 6 and Tokyo Haneda slipped six places, from No. 3 to No. 9.
The U.S., by contrast, made gains. Chicago O’Hare, which has added 15 new destinations, jumped two places to become the seventh most connected airport worldwide. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, already the world’s largest airport by seat capacity, reentered the global top 10, climbing from No. 11 to No. 8.
Further down the ranking, they’re doing things bigger in Texas. Dallas Fort-Worth rose five places from No. 18 to No. 13, and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport jumped all the way from No. 29 to No. 18. Safe travels.
Iran Condemns UN Sanctions
United Nations sanctions against Iran were reinstated overnight on Sunday shortly after Britain, France, and Germany triggered the 2015 nuclear deal’s “snapback” mechanism as punishment for Iranian noncompliance. In response, Iran has declared the sanctions “unjustifiable.”
“The reactivation of annulled resolutions is legally baseless and unjustifiable…all countries must refrain from recognizing this illegal situation,” said Iran’s foreign ministry. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will firmly defend its national rights and interests, and any action aimed at undermining the
rights and interests of its people will face a firm and appropriate response.”
Israel celebrated the reinstatement of the sanctions, branding them a “major development in response to Iran’s ongoing violations, especially on its military nuclear program.”
Iran’s parliament is considering withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in retaliation. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, on Sunday, threatened UN member states that enforce the sanctions.
“We announce that if any country wants to take action against Iran based on these illegal resolutions, it will face serious reciprocal action from Iran, and the three European countries that are the initiators of this illegal action will also face our reaction,” said Qalibaf.
“It will have some damages, some losses for us,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. “However, they have presented it in their own media as something far greater and much bigger than it actually is, and they have tried to create a monster to frighten the Iranian people and then force our government and our foreign
Greater Washington Weekday Minyanim Guide
6:15 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah M-F
6:25 am Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F
6:30 am Beth Sholom Congregation M-F
Beit Halevi (Sfardi) M, T
Chabad of Silver Spring M-F
Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY M-F
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S YGW M, Th
6:35 am Ohr Hatorah M, Th
6:40 am YGW S, T, W, F
Magen David Sephardic Congregation M-Th
6:45 am Beit Halevi (Sfardi) S, T, W, F
Kemp Mill Synagogue M, Th
Ohr Hatorah T, W, F
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah M, Th
6:50 am Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah M, Th Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F
Chabad of Upper Montgomery County M-F
6:55 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah T, W, F
7:00 am Kemp Mill Synagogue T, W, F
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S Silver Spring Jewish Center S
Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah T, W, F
Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac T, W, F
7:05 am Kesher Israel M, Th
7:15 am Kemp Mill Synagogue M, Th Kesher Israel T, W, F
Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue M-F
Ohr Hatorah S
7:30 am Chabad of DC M-F
Chabad of Potomac M-F
JROC M-F
Kemp Mill Synagogue T, W, F
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi) M-F
7:45 am YGW (Yeshiva Session Only) S-F
8:00 am Beth Sholom Congregation S
Kemp Mill Synagogue S
Kesher Israel S
Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY S
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S
Chabad of Upper Montgomery County S Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah S
8:00 am YGW (High School; School-Contingent) S-F
Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac S Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi) S
8:05 am Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville M, Th
8:15 am Ohr Hatorah S Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville S, T, W, F Kehilat Pardes / Berman Hebrew Academy S-F
Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F
8:30 am Chabad of DC S Chabad of Potomac S JROC S Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue S
Silver Spring Jewish Center S YGW (Summer Only) S-F
8:45 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S-F
9:00 am Chabad of Silver Spring S Kemp Mill Synagogue S
mincha
2:15 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center S-F
2:20 pm YGW M, T, W
2:45 pm YGW M-Th
3:00 pm YGW Middle School School Days
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) maariv
8:15 pm OSTT (OLNEY) S-Th
8:45 pm YGW School Days
9:30 pm YGW S-Th
Silver Spring Jewish CenterSpring/Summer
9:45 pm Ohr Hatorah
shacharis
The Week In News
policy to give concessions and pay tribute in this regard.”
The sanctions come after months of failed talks that ended in June, when the United States and Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities with bombs.
Western officials have urged Iran to return to the negotiating table.
On Friday, Russia and China, two allies of Iran, tried delaying the sanctions until April but failed to garner enough support for the measure in the Security Council.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would not im-
Iran Hangs “Israeli Spy”
This week, Iran said that it hanged a man it accused of spying for Israel.
Bahman Choobiasl was the man executed by Tehran. His case wasn’t immediately known in Iranian media reports or to activists monitoring the death penalty in the Islamic Republic.
The execution came as Iran vowed to confront its enemies after the United Nations reimposed sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program this
Iran is known to have hanged nine people for espionage since its June war with Israel.
Earlier this month, Iran executed Babak Shahbazi, who it alleged also spied for Israel. Activists said that Shahbazi was tortured into a false confession after writing a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offering to fight for Kyiv.
Iran routinely conducts closed-door trials of those accused of espionage, with the suspects often unable to access the evidence against them.
Iran has faced multiple nationwide
people executed in 2025 at over 1,000, noting the number could be higher as Iran does not report on each execution.
Independent human rights experts at the United Nations also criticized Iran’s executions on Monday.
“The sheer scale of executions in Iran is staggering and represents a grave violation of the right to life,” the experts said. “With an average of more than nine hangings per day in recent weeks, Iran appears to be conducting executions at an industrial scale that defies all accepted standards of human rights protection.”
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ion, was killed on Sunday after being hit
the future of the Middle East. Netanya-
when scanned, leads to footage of the Hamas-led October 7 massacre. He said the footage shows “why we fight and why we must win.”
He spoke for about 40 minutes, touting Israel’s victories, condemning the Jewish state’s critics, and discussing
peans in cold blood?” The answer to both questions was: “All of the Above – Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran.”
Netanyahu condemned European leaders for recognizing a “Palestinian state” and criticizing Israel’s war in Gaza.
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Shabbos Kodesh: Making the Most of Shabbos by Rabbi Shimshon Pincus
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er symbolic aid to the war-torn enclave. It expects to reach the Gaza Strip on Tuesday or Wednesday, if it is not turned away before then.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the flotilla organizers said the mission was temporarily halted after one of the ships, Johnny M, sustained a leak in its engine room.
“All participants have been safely transferred to another vessel. Some will be reassigned to other ships, while others will be brought ashore,” the statement said.
The vessel was located in international waters between Crete, Cyprus and Egypt when it issued a distress call early on Monday.
Turkish authorities, including the Turkish Red Crescent, coordinated the evacuation effort.
“We picked up 12 people and distributed them to other ships. Four people will return home,” said Semih Fener, the captain of one of the ships that came to assist, adding that the evacuees would travel to their respective countries via Turkey.
Previous flotillas have been stopped by Israeli forces some distance from the shore and were made to dock in Israel instead.
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza in 2007 to prevent the import of weapons after the Hamas terror group overthrew the Palestinian Authority and took control of the enclave.
ting the president. A former U.S. Marine standing nearby her in the crowd of some 3,000 people then subdued her, forcing her to miss her second shot.
Moore had been arrested a day earlier after a security official spotted her with a gun at a crowd gathered for Ford. That gun was confiscated, leading her to purchase another gun.
The mother of four from California served 32 years in prison before she was released on parole.
In a 2009 interview with NBC News, Moore said she had become radicalized by social upheaval in the 1960s and 1970s.
“It was a time that people don’t remember. You know we had a war … the Vietnam War, you became, I became immersed in it. We were saying the country needed to change,” she said on NBC’s Today show. “The only way it was going to change was a violent revolution. I genuinely thought that [shooting Ford] might trigger that new revolution in this country.”
Investigators found no connections with revolutionary groups and found her legally sane.
She died on September 25, exactly 50 years after the assassination attempt.
TikTok Deal
Last Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order to help finalize the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American investor group and keep the video app operating in the country.
“We have American investors taking it over, running it, highly sophisticated,” Trump said while signing the order.
Ford’s Attempted Assassin Dies
Sara Jane Moore, the woman who tried to assassinate U.S. President Gerald Ford in 1975, died this week at the age of 95.
Moore had fired a handgun at the president outside a hotel in San Franscisco. She was sentenced to life in prison but was freed on parole in her final years.
Her attack came just 17 days after Ford, a Republican, was targeted in an unrelated murder plot by associates of cult leader Charles Manson.
Ford was not injured in Moore’s attack, which she said was intended to spark an American revolution. She had fired the gun at Ford just hours after purchasing the .38-caliber revolver. She missed hit-
Vice President JD Vance, who helped shepherd the deal, said it protects Americans’ data security, addressing one of the key concerns lawmakers on both sides of the aisle share. The new U.S. venture will be valued at $14 billion, Vance said.
The agreement, which the Trump administration has worked on for months, would spin off Beijing-based TikTok’s American operations to a new joint venture composed of majority American ownership. Oracle, a U.S.-based technology firm, would serve as TikTok’s security provider for its American operations.
The full composition of the ownership group is expected to be finalized by the closing of the deal, which could come in early 2026. Trump has already hinted at some names including Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, billionaire tech investor Michael Dell, businessman and
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media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch.
Under the arrangement, TikTok’s algorithm would move under the control of the new U.S. joint venture. Oracle would be in charge of inspecting and monitoring the algorithm to make sure it’s not used for any “malicious purpose,” a U.S. official said.
Leaders in multiple administrations have expressed concerns that TikTok poses a national security threat, alleging that ByteDance is sharing American user data with China. TikTok has repeatedly denied these claims.
Former President Joe Biden signed a law in 2024 banning TikTok in the United States unless its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, divested its U.S. holdings.
Trump Talks Turkey
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, spoke for two hours at the White House. During the meeting, Trump hinted that he might allow the U.S. to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
Turkey was once part of the U.S.’s F-35 fighter jet program. However, Trump, during his first term, removed the country from the program over concerns of Russian spying, following Ankara’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 surfaceto-air missile system.
Israel, the only Middle Eastern country that is currently part of the U.S.’s F-35 fighter jet program, has voiced its opposition to Turkey and other nearby countries obtaining the U.S.’s advanced missiles. Israel has 45 F-35s and has ordered 30 more.
Trump, during the meeting with Erdogan, suggested that he might resume F-35 sales to Turkey.
“He needs certain things, and we need certain things, and we’re going to come to a conclusion. You’ll know by the end of the day,” said Trump of Erdogan, adding that he believes the Turkish leader will “be successful with buying the things” he wishes “to buy.”
Trump called the meeting, which was Erdogan’s first in Washington since 2019, “good.”
During his first term in office, Trump touted his relationship with Erdogan as “very good.” However, as of late, the U.S.’s relationship with Turkey has
soured, as American officials raise concerns over Ankara’s diplomatic and economic partnership with Moscow, as well as its opposition to Israel, a key U.S. ally. Erdogan claims that Israel’s war in Gaza, which was sparked by the Hamas-led October 7 massacre, constitutes a genocide. He has also compared the Jewish state to Nazi Germany. Additionally, Erdogan has come under fire for human rights violations. His critics have charged him with undermining Turkish democracy and cracking down on freedom of expression.
In early 2023, the European Union said it would stop purchasing most Russian seaborne oil in protest of the war in Ukraine. Since then, Turkey has bought over $90 billion worth of Russian oil, coal, and natural gas, with Ankara emerging as one of the biggest buyers of Russian fossil fuels.
Trump said of Erdogan, “The best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia.”
Trump also said that Erdogan could play an important role in ending the war in Ukraine, as the Turkish president is respected by both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Recently, Trump changed his position on the Ukraine war, suggesting that Ukraine may be able to regain all the land that Russia seized since the war began.
Trump credited Erdogan, a supporter of the rebels who now rule Syria, with playing a role in Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s downfall late last year.
“I think President Erdogan is the one responsible for Syria, for the successful fight in ridding Syria of its past leader,” Trump said. “He doesn’t take the responsibility, but it’s actually a great achievement.”
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Syria’s terrorist leader-turned-president Ahmed alSharaa on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
Comey Indicted
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury last Thursday on charges related to false statements he made on September 30, 2020, while testifying before Congress. The charges — obstruction and lying to Congress — were sought by the Department of Justice shortly after President Donald Trump asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue charges against Comey, California Sen. Adam
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The Week In News
Schiff, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
While Comey was the agency’s director, the FBI investigated whether Russian collusion led to Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election. In the end, special counsel Robert Mueller found there to be insufficient proof that Trump’s campaign collaborated with Russia. During his testimony to Congress in 2020, Comey lied, testifying that he hadn’t “authorized someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports,” according to prosecutors.
President Trump said the indictment would bring about justice.
“JUSTICE IN AMERICA! One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the former Corrupt Head of the FBI,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “He has been so bad for our Country, for so long, and is now at the beginning of being held responsible for his crimes against our Nation. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Comey has denied the charges and accused Trump of weaponizing the DOJ to prosecute the president’s political enemies.
As of late, Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s newly-appointed prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, was overseeing the case. Halligan replaced Erik Siebert as Alexandria, Washington, D.C.’s top federal prosecutor on September 20 after Siebert left his position. According to reports, Siebert quit after questioning the case against Comey and telling the DOJ that he didn’t have enough proof to seek charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. However, Trump claims to have “fired” Siebert due to his “UNUSUALLY STRONG support” from Democratic Virginia senators.
Democrats accused Trump of abuse of power, with some declaring a “consti-
tutional crisis.” On X, Bondi defended the charges.
“No one is above the law,” Bondi posted. “Today’s indictment reflects this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case.”
Adams Drops Out of NYC Mayoral Race
Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, suspended his re-election bid on Sunday. His announcement came just over a month before the upcoming mayoral election.
Despite his campaign’s suspension, Adams will remain on the ballot, since he dropped out too late for his name to be removed.
Adams, a Democrat who skipped his party’s primary to run as an independent, abandoned his bid for reelection amid polling that showed him trailing behind Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. He suspended his campaign after Judge Dale Ho, the Manhattan federal judge who oversaw the mayor’s criminal case, said he would add New York’s Campaign Finance Board as an interested party in Adams’ corruption case, which was dismissed. Before choosing whether to award matching funds to the mayor’s campaign, the CFB wanted to review the case. According to Ho’s order, Adams’s almost $4 million in campaign funds is not likely to be matched by public money.
Adams attributed his decision to drop out of the race to media speculation and the CFB’s withholding of funds, which
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“have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”
“When I was elected to serve as your mayor, I said these words: This campaign was never about me. It was about the people of this city -- from every neighborhood and background – who had been left behind and believed they would never catch up. This campaign was for the underserved, the marginalized, the abandoned and betrayed by government,” Adams declared. “Since then, it has been my honor to be your mayor. And I am proud to say that we took that victory four years ago and turned it into action, making this city better for those who had been failed by government.”
In September 2024, Adams was indicted on five counts. In April, the charges were dropped by the Justice Department. Adams’ critics have claimed the charges were dropped for political reasons.
According to reports, President Donald Trump’s advisers have been urging Adams to suspend his campaign, arguing that Adams, Cuomo, and Sliwa would split the conservative vote, handing Mamdani a victory. Trump’s advisers have reportedly offered Adams a job as ambassador to Saudi Arabia, a report
that Trump and Adams have denied. Adams will remain mayor of New York City until his term is over. His political future is unclear.
In response, Mamdani criticized Adams and Trump.
“Donald Trump and his billionaire donors might be able to determine Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo’s actions, but they will not dictate the results of this election. New York deserves better than trading in one disgraced, corrupt politician for another. On November 4, we are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of,” declared socialist candidate Mamdani.
Cuomo, on the other hand, praised Adams, noting that the mayor’s decision “was not an easy one, but I believe he is sincere in putting the well-being of New York City ahead of personal ambition.”
“We face destructive extremist forces that would devastate our city through incompetence or ignorance, but it is not too late to stop them,” Cuomo said. “Mayor Adams has much to be proud of in his accomplishments. Only in New York can a child raised in a ten-
ement in Bushwick, who once worked as a squeegee boy and a mailroom clerk, rise to become mayor. Whatever differences we may have, Eric Adams’ story is undeniably one of resilience – a testament to the spirit of this city.”
A spokesperson for Sliwa said the Republican nominee is the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani.
“Curtis Sliwa is the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani. Our team, our resources, and our funding are unmatched. Most importantly, we have the best solutions to help working people afford to stay in New York City and feel safe,” the spokesperson said.
Gem of a Find
Raynae Madison and her family traveled to Arkansas’ Crate of Diamonds State Park for her nephew’s birthday. Before heading to the site, though, the family brought along a beach digging kit and sand sifting tools they bought at a dollar store.
Luckily, they had those fancy tools with them. After going through a few buckets worth of sand at the park, they spotted a shiny, oblong object.
“At first I thought it looked really neat, but I wasn’t sure what it was,” Madison said. “I honestly thought it was too big to be a diamond.”
They took the stone to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center, where experts confirmed it was a 2.79-carat brown diamond.
“Brown diamonds from the Crater occur due to a process called plastic deformation, which creates structural defects during a diamond’s formation or movement in magma,” Emma O’Neal, an interpreter at the park, noted. “These defects reflect red and green light, combining to make the diamond appear brown.”
Madison dubbed her gem the William Diamond, in honor of her birthday-celebrating nephew.
So far, 403 diamonds have been found at Crater of Diamonds State Park in 2025 – four of which have weighed more than two carats. The William Diamond is the third-largest gem found at the park so far this year.
Talk about a big birthday present.
Chol Hamoed Guide
Baltimore, Maryland
Here are some great activities in Maryland that are family appropriate. While some you may recognize, others are off the beaten trail and can make for amazing Chol Hamoed trips. This list is just some suggestions and not an all inclusive list of things to do in Maryland.
Editor’s note: The costs and entry fees are based on information available online at the time of publishing. However prices may be different or have changed.
attractions
Antietam Battlefield
5831 Dunker Church Rd, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
9am - 5pm
$10/person | $20/vehicle | Annual Pass $35
CALVERT CLIFFS STATE PARK
10540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657
7:30am - Sunset
$5/vehicle (+$2 for out-of-state residents)
CYLBURN ARBORETUM
4915 Greenspring Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209
T-S 8am - 8pm
Free Flower and Vegetable Gardens | Nature Education Center
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD MUSEUM
901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223 10am - 4pm
Child (2 - 12) $12 | Adult $20 | Senior (60+) $17
CLARK'S ELIOAK FARM
10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
S 10am - 5:30pm, M-F 10am - 5pm
$8 (Rides are Extra) Farm | Petting Zoo | Miniature Train Rides | Fairy Tale Forest
FORT MCHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT
2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
9am - 5pm
$15 (7 day pass)
$45 (annual pass) for up to four adults (16+)
Self-guided and Virtual Tours | Special Events Scheduled On Chol Hamoed. Check Website for Details. Park is cashless.
GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT VISITOR CENTER
9432 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20771
T-F 10am - 3pm, S 12pm - 4pm | Free
Research Laboratory for NASA | Spacecraft Displays and Space Technology | Model of the Hubble Space Telescope | Interactive Space Related Displays
Trails | Open Wetlands | Upland Forests | Meadows | Farmland | Natural Habitats for Animals and Vegetation | Exhibition Hall with Exhibits for Children
MARYLAND ZOO
1 Safari Pl, Baltimore, MD 21217
10am - 4pm | $33, Senior Discount Online
PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK
8020 Baltimore National Pk, Ellicott City, MD 21043
9am - Sunset
$2/vehicle (+$2 for out-of-state residents), +$1 on Weekends and Holidays
Conservatory showcases many different types of flowers and other plants in five distinct greenhouse rooms.
PORT DISCOVERY
35 Market Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202
F 9am - 5pm, S 11am - 5pm, M/Th 10am - 3pm
$24.95
SkyClimber | Tot’s Trails | The Oasis | Overlook
Activities
AMF WOODLAWN LANES
6410 Security Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21207
Check online or call for hours.
Prices vary. Check online or call to see what special deals are currently running
BOWLERO PIKESVILLE LANES
1723 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, MD 21208
Check online or call for hours. Most days start at 4 PM and on Sundays opens at 12 PM
Prices vary. Check online or call to see what special deals they are currently running
MAIN
EVENT
10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy Suite 2520, Columbia, MD 21044
11am - 12am (check closing times if going late)
Prices depend on activities. They run special deals from time to time.
Video Arcades | Bowlings | Pool Tables And Laser Tag
CLIMB ZONE
13200 Mid Atlantic Blvd Ste 130, Laurel, MD 20708
Special Hours for Chol Hamoed and Isru
Chag (see page 9)
Prices Vary
BAUGHER’S FARMS
1015 Baugher Rd, Westminster, MD 21158
9am - 6pm
Fees Vary
Pick Your Own Fruits and Vegetables | Petting Zoo and Playgrounds
LARRILAND FARMS
2415 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797
T-F 9am - 6pm, S 9am - 5pm
Fees Vary
Pick Your Own Fruits and Vegetables
ULTRAZONE LASER TAG
7835 Eastpoint Mall #11, Baltimore, MD 21224
S 12pm - 8pm, M-F 4pm - 8pm
$8.99 (1 Game), $19.99 (3 Games), All Day Passes Prices Vary on the Day
PLAYERS FUN ZONE
519 Old Westminster Pike, Westminster, MD 21157
S 11AM - 6PM | M 1PM - 5PM | W-Th 4PM - 8PM | F 1PM - 9PM
Starting at $10.50
**Waiver Required
shopbasically.com
Torah Thought Dancing Amid The Darkness
WBy Rabbi Zvi Teichman
e are about to enter ונתחמש ןמז — the time of our gladness. Yet we are still reeling from the horrific events that began two years ago, and are still occurring, that make it so difficult to rejoice.
We will soon read over Sukkos from Koheles, where King Solomon speaks of a דופס תע — time to wail, and a דוקר תע — time to dance. These two periods are contrasted as conflicting with each other, intimating they cannot coexist.
There is a fascinating assertion made by two very diverse schools of thought.
Both the Netziv, the famed Rosh HaYeshivah of Volozhin, and the great Chassidic master, the Holy Kohen of Lublin, Reb Tzadok, teach that on Sukkos there is an injunction to dance!
Although all the holidays are referred in the Torah as םיגח — festivals — Chag HaPesach; Chag HaShavuos; Chag HaSukkos, nevertheless Sukkos is the only one where the verse tells us ‘For seven days גחת — shall you celebrate’, as a directive.
Is this merely a synonym for joy?
The word גוח literally means to encircle, an allusion to dancing which often is expressed by people dancing together in a circle.
King David in Tehillim uses as a metaphor for people on a ship tossed about in a stormy sea: וגחת — they reeled and staggered like a drunken man, twirling about in his stupor. (107 27)
These great sages both reveal that on Sukkos in addition to החמש — being joyous, one must also גחת — dance!
There is though a subtle divergence in the approaches of these two giants.
Reb Tzadok sees in the simile of the ‘dancing drunkard’ the essence of this mitzva.
One who subjects himself completely to the will of G-d, removing inhibition, when sensing joy in one’s relationship with G-d will instinctively break out in unbridled and unabashed dancing.
This is our mission on Sukkos, to quash our selfish attitudes and interests and focus purely on honoring G-d.
The Netziv on the other hand asserts that independent of our being in a state of joy, one must push oneself to dance nevertheless, displaying our confidence in our good fortune in having been victorious in our judgment on Rosh Hashana.
Perhaps the outer expression will arouse within us the inner joy our soul inevitably senses and explode in genuine happiness.
One who can connect to this idea can see even in the worst of times the joy of fulfilling G-d’s will even when it may be purposely painful, believing that everything that comes our way is meant for our soul’s greater benefit. Something we may not be able to fathom now, but one day it will be revealed how joyous it really is.
The saintly father of the Belzer Rebbe of today, The Rav of Bilguraya, Rav Mordechai Rokeach related what he had observed in the dark days he spent in the Cracow ghetto.
Many had already lost their loved ones. Their lives hung daily by a thread, fearful of what the next moment may bring.
As he was walking through the alleyways of the ghetto he heard singing. He followed the sounds to discover it was emanating from a cellar on the outskirts of the ghetto.
He opens the door and cannot believe his eyes. A group of ten young Chassidim are dancing in a circle with enthusiasm, in what inconceivably appears to be joy amid the darkness outside.
Astounded, he was beside himself. Here he was an adult, the son of a Rebbe, having absorbed much Torah and Chassidus over many years, and yet he was broken and shattered from the tragedies around him. Yet these young fellows were exuberant. Where did they draw their strength from, he wondered, to cleave so joyously to G-d under these terrifying and depressing circumstances.
One of the young men, who appeared to be less than thirteen, seeing his distress calls out to the Rav, “Reb Yid, doesn’t our Creator want something from us even now, so why not then do His will with joy?”
He reached out for the Rav’s hand, bringing him into the circle and danced with them.
The Rav survived the war, and
later discovered that these young Gerrer Chassidim subsequently perished amidst their ‘dance of joy’.
We have a tough job ahead, but evidently our beloved Father in Heaven believes we are up to the task. Even amid our wailing over the state of the hostages; the fate of those who perished; their loved ones who are suffering; the plight of those wounded; the endless conflict with our enemies, we can muster a moment of pure submission to grab each other’s hands and dance over our privilege to serve G-d with joy.
May G-d see our in our struggles a desire to express our closeness to Him, and merit to see the fulfillment of Rabbi Elazar’s famous teaching: In the future, in the end of days, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will arrange a dance of the righteous, and He will be sitting among them in the Garden of Eden, and each and every one of the righteous will point to G-d with his finger, as it is stated: “And it shall be said on that day: Behold, this is our G-d, for whom we waited, that He might save us. This is the Lord; for whom we waited. We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Yeshaya 25:9). G-d will be revealed, so that every righteous individual will be able to say: This is our G-d, as though they were pointing at Him with a finger. (אל תינעת.)
You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ohelmoshebaltimore.com
OVERVIEW
Moshe shares the Song of Ha’azinu and in it calls heaven and earth to bear witness to the calamaties that will befall the Jews if they sin and the ultimate joy they will experience with the final redemption. The Song mixes events of past, present, and future. After the Song, Hashem commands Moshe to ascend the mountain and see the Land of Israel from afar.
Quotable Quote “ ”
“He who doesn’t see G-d everywhere isn’t capable of seeing Him anywhere.”
TSorahparks
QUICK VORT
-Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
GEMATRIA
T he Song of Ha’azinu is written in a u nique formation inside the Torah scroll. I nstead of the typical boxed formation of t he text, the Song of Ha’azinu is c omprised of two columns, displaying w ords on both sides, with a center that is b lank, devoid of any words.
T he Ramban teaches us an amazing thing a bout the Song of Ha’azinu. It is so s pecial, so holy, and so incredibly u nique, that is literally contains all of h istory. Within the relatively short Song o f Ha’azinu, all of world history is s omehow alluded to. Quite astounding, i ndeed!
T hat means you – yes, you! – are also s omehow included in the Song of H a’azinu. If you exist and you have a p ulse, that is by definition the greatest p roof that you are necessary and vital to H ashem’s ultimate plan and purpose.
PARSHA STATS
Pesukim - 52
Words - 615
Letters - 2,326
Mitzvos - 0
ThoughtsChassidus in
The Nesivos Shalom points out that the ונתחמש ןמז (time of our joy) that Sukkos has to offer us, is not a commandment to have more joy during these days; rather, it is a testimony about the inherent joy of the days of Sukkos. During these special days, there is more joy! Let’s try to connect to this and tap into the inherent joy!
Did You
Know?!
There is a minhag that many observe to continue eating challah with HONEY from Rosh Hashanah all the way through Sukkos!
Haazinu is comprised of 52 pesukim. 52 is the numerical value for ןב , or son. It is also the same as המהב . During these auspicious days, we get to choose which part of ourselves we connect to. Do we identify with our animalistic desires? Or do identify as a ךלמ ןב , child of the King. The more we identify as a ןב , the more we will experience joy and be able to sing!
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
I was thinking about this in the context of t he blank path that is naturally created b etween the two columns of text that c omprise the Song of Ha’azinu. Perhaps, s ymbolically, the blank space in middle r epresents a path – reminding each of us a bout our unique path that we must e mbark on and journey through in life.
T he empty space is a calling for each of u s to walk down our path, which is c ompletely uncharted territory in the h istory of the world!
PointsPonder to
W hat you can achieve and accomplish on t his world is completely unique to you. N o one else has ever, could ever, or will e ver fulfill the same role as you.
S o go ahead, journey on. What’s your n ext move?
Why does he mention this in Hilchos Sukkah? Must be something deeper...
Inspiration Everywhere
In middle of Hilchos Sukkah, the Mishnah Berurah tells us to be careful not to speak Lashon Hara inside the Sukkah.
Lessons in Leadership
Malcolm Hoenlein doesn’t speak in slogans or chase headlines. He speaks with the weight of experience— measured, deliberate, and shaped by more than five decades of leadership in Jewish communal life and international affairs. As one of the most influential yet discreet figures in American Jewish advocacy, Hoenlein has long operated behind the scenes, advising U.S. presidents, Israeli prime ministers, and global leaders while steering some of the most consequential efforts in modern Jewish history.
He is best known for his role as Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a position he held for over three decades, where he became a central player in shaping American policy toward Israel and the Middle East. Before that, he founded and led the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry and later founded and served as executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. His activism began in the 1960s, organizing rallies, lobbying governments, and galvanizing public opinion to support persecuted Jews in the Soviet Union and Arab countries.
Through quiet diplomacy, relentless advocacy, and a deep network of relationships, Hoenlein has helped guide the American Jewish community through shift-
A Conversation with Malcom Hoenlein
By S. Schwartz
ing political landscapes and global challenges. But if you ask him how it all began, he’ll brush aside any notion of a singular turning point.
“It wasn’t a defining moment,” Hoenlein says. “It was the course of my life from the age of 10. I was drawn to political activity. The Shoah was formative for me, impressing upon me the importance of advocating for my fellow Jews and having the ability to determine our own fate. My father got out on the last boat from Holland, and my mother smuggled herself through Germany and France to get to Cherbourg and then to Philadelphia. I remember vividly when they got the notices that their families had been killed.”
That sense of inherited responsibility never left him.
“I didn’t control the course,” he reflects. “I never looked for a job in my life. Everything happened to me, and I believe I was blessed to spend my life doing what I cared about most. It may not have been the most lucrative path, but it was the most meaningful. I care deeply about our people, about Israel, about our faith, about our very existence—and we’re being challenged in many ways today.”
“I grew up in Philadelphia,” Hoenlein says, “not from money or position, just a regular family. But I was given a strong Jewish education. From early on, I was exposed to people who shaped me—rabbis, teachers, role models. I can’t say it was one person. There were many along the way. Later, I had the privilege to
meet some of the great figures of our time—Rebbes, prime ministers, world leaders. Many of them helped me a lot and extended themselves for me, people like Senator Scoop Jackson. I’ve worked with every president since Jimmy Carter. That didn’t come because I planned it or chased it. It came because Hashem opened doors. I met giants when I was still young. I remember the Lubavitcher Rebbe and the Bobover Rebbe, zt”l; just being in their presence had an effect. I didn’t seek many of those opportunities. They came, and I felt I had to rise to them.
“You don’t always know at the time what’s happening, but you look back and you see a pattern. I didn’t have a map. But I had a sense of mission, and I had emunah. That’s what guided me.”
Hoenlein speaks of these relationships not as name-drops but as building blocks of a broader strategy – one that aimed to bridge the gap between the passionate urgency of the grassroots and the institutional weight of the establishment.
“When I came to New York to start the Soviet Jewry Conference,” Hoenlein recalls, “we succeeded because I reached out to grassroots communities. I saw that if we could combine the energy of the grassroots with the power and capabilities of the establishment, that would be the key to our future.”
He understood early on that change couldn’t come from the top alone.
“You can have the influence in Washington or Je -
rusalem,” he says, “but if you don’t have the people, if you don’t mobilize them, it won’t last.”
That philosophy guided his work not only for Soviet Jewry but across decades of activism –whether it was organizing rallies that filled Madison Square Garden, working with student groups or quietly advising heads of state.
His belief in achdus isn’t just tactical; it’s spiritual, too.
“Every miracle that’s happened to the Jewish people came when we were united,” Hoenlein notes. “From Har Sinai to the rescue of Russian, Ethiopian, Iranian and Syrian Jews. It is the one precondition that Hashem set. That’s why I’ve always worked within umbrella organizations. You might have to work with people you sometimes disagree with. It’s not easy, but it’s essential.”
One of the most pivotal moments in his career came when he had to choose between two major leadership positions.
“The same day I was offered to head the Conference of Presidents, I was also offered the top job at UJA Federation of New York. That job paid many times more and had a staff 100 times the size. I was torn, because both jobs were in important roles that would help Klal Yisroel. Everyone had an opinion about what I should do – politicians, rabbanim, colleagues.”
It was his son who clarified things.
“He was maybe 13 years old, and he sat down with me and asked, ‘What’s the real choice you’re facing?’ I answered him honestly. And he said, ‘You’ll never do
“i didn’t have a map. But i had a sense of mission, and i had emunah t hat’s what guided me.”
anything just for money. Where are you going to make the biggest difference?’ That was it. That was my answer. And now, I can look back and say I played a role in rescuing Jews from Russia, Syria, Ethiopia, Yemen, Iran, Iraq... What greater reward is there?”
To an outsider, it might seem glamorous and exciting to have an entree into the halls of political and diplomatic power, and it can be. But as Hoenlein says, “The only value of recognition and respect is if it gives you access to help others and accomplish your goals.”
When asked for some memories of instances where his access made an impact, Hoenlein replies with the cautious discretion of a seasoned veteran. Some of his efforts with regards to Israel and Soviet Jewry cannot
be discussed in full detail, but he recalls a different striking example of how access made all the difference.
“There was a 48-hour window during the Ethiopian revolution where we could get Jews out. I went to see General Scowcroft, then Chief of Staff to President Bush Senior, and made the case. They said they needed someone on the ground that weekend, with presidential backing.”
Hoenlein picked up the phone and called Senator Rudy Boschowitz, who was in Vail skiing at the time.
“I said, ‘I don’t have time to explain. Will you go to Ethiopia this weekend for the Jews?’ He agreed immediately. Just like that. No questions asked.”
General Scowcroft initially rejected the plan; Hoenlein acted on instinct.
“He got a call to go in and see the President. I think we were all expected to leave, but I told everyone to stay put. As he was walking out to meet the President, I said, ‘May I ask one thing, please? Could you ask the President if he can afford to see pictures of dead Ethiopian Jews like the dead Kurds that were on the front page of today’s New York Times?’ He looked horrified. Honestly, I don’t know where the words came from. Hashem put them in my mouth.”
Minutes later, Scowcroft returned.
“He sat down, looked at me, and said, ‘The President said yes.’
“That led to the Boschowitz mission, the negotiations and the ultimate rescue.”
There were other moments – tense, high-stakes, behind-the-scenes efforts – that didn’t always make the headlines but made a difference. One example he recalled vividly involved the Jewish community in Syria and the need to keep the U.S. administration to its commitments.
“There was enormous pressure at the time,” Hoenlein recalled. “You had to push past bureaucratic inertia, past diplomatic pleasantries. We had assurances from Secretary of State James Baker and Vice President Dan Quayle about a specific date when action would be taken. They said December 5. That date came and went, and nothing happened.”
But Hoenlein didn’t let it slide.
“We met at a White House event, and I told them, ‘You said December 5. Well, today is December 6.’ And I kept pressing. The next day, we had the decision.
“There were many times like that, where I heard myself say things I couldn’t explain. I really believe Hashem puts the words in your mouth. You have to build relationships, do the work, and be patient. Too many people today are quick to condemn and criticize the politicians. But real influence takes investment and time.”
With President Barack Obama
With President Bill Clinton
With President George W. Bush
Despite his activism – including leading more demonstrations than any other living Jewish figure – Hoenlein insists that passion alone isn’t enough. He warns against ego-driven leadership.
“Activism must be guided. You consult poskim, with political experts. Even now, after six decades, I don’t act alone. If your goal is kavod, you won’t achieve anything in the long term. Those are byproducts of real work that is done. I didn’t have PR people for most of my career. You should be known for what you do, not what you say you do.”
Looking back over the decades of American Jewish life, Malcolm Hoenlein doesn’t see a single transformative moment. He sees a mosaic – shifting, restless, layered with complexity.
“That’s a book, not a question,” he chuckled when asked to identify the most significant shift he’s witnessed. “There were constant changes, and you have to be flexible enough to maneuver. You can’t be rigid.”
Over the years, Hoenlein has worked with an enormous diversity of leaders – religious and secular, indifferent to Judaism and passionately engaged. This expresses one of the core lessons of his career: the importance of achdus and building coalitions.
“I’ve had chair-people over the last 60 years who ran the gamut – some people who didn’t know a thing about Yiddishkeit but who were influential leaders. You couldn’t find a bigger variety anywhere. Heinz can’t come close with its 57 varieties. And I realized it was my job to adjust to them, to earn their respect. You don’t demand it. You earn it.”
He recalled an early moment with one of the newly appointed chairmen – an accomplished, well-meaning individual who simply lacked exposure to Jewish tradition.
“It was his first week on the job,” Hoenlein said. “I told him the office would be closing early for Shavuos. He looked at me and said, ‘What date does your holiday begin?’ He had no idea what Shavuos was. It wasn’t hostility – it was just unfamiliarity.”
That wasn’t unusual. Many of the lay leaders and public figures Hoenlein worked with over the years came from secular backgrounds, without formal Jewish education or a strong connection to Yiddishkeit.
“They weren’t antagonistic. They just never had the chance to be exposed,” he said.
But things changed. Through their work together, he witnessed many of them grow in their Jewish identity.
“By the time that chairman left his position,” Hoenlein said, “he never failed to call me every Friday to say, ‘Good Shabbos.’ That meant a lot. It showed that relationships, sincerity, and shared purpose could move people – not through lectures, but through example.”
In his early years at the JCRC, Hoenlein discovered how little exposure many Jewish leaders had to the Orthodox community.
“Most had never been to Boro Park or Flatbush. So I organized a trip to take them to see the Bobover Rebbe. We drove up in three black limos, and by the time we came out, mobs were in the street trying
to figure out who was in the cars. We had influential people like Larry Tisch and George Klein with us. The Rebbe was incredible; he won their hearts, minds, and souls. I knew it wouldn’t fail to make an impression. I took them to see the Satmar Rebbe, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Soloveitchik. It opened a whole new world for them. These were people for whom much of the frum community was alien. After that, some of them continued to go visit those gedolim on their own.”
Hoenlein saw the Soviet Jewry movement as a model for the type of coalition building where people from diverse backgrounds and positions in society came together to achieve something great.
“i said, ‘ m ay i ask one thing, p L ease? Cou Ld you ask the p resident if he C an afford to see pi C tures of dead e thiopian Jews Like the dead k urds that were on the front page of today’s new York Time S ?’”
“We needed the energy of the grassroots. High-level meetings wouldn’t matter if we couldn’t show we were in the streets. That led to creating Solidarity Day. No one wanted to help us with the first one – until 50,000 people showed up. Suddenly, everyone took credit. After that, every year, we built the numbers. Solidarity Day became so powerful, even the Soviets would try to preempt us with gestures, releasing prisoners, to blunt the impact. We had Black Americans for Soviet Jewry, Hispanic leaders, doctors, lawyers. We made it the number one human rights cause in the world. And not just Jews came – once the Jews were there, others joined.”
Asked whether his religious convictions ever conflicted with his political responsibilities, Hoenlein was firm: “I wouldn’t compromise, but you have to be flexible and know how to maneuver situations diplomatically.”
He recalled the earlier years of his work, when ko -
With President Ronald Reagan
With Mark Levin
With Amb. Mike Huckabee
sher food wasn’t a given at major functions –even at the White House.
“I insisted on kosher. I wouldn’t eat otherwise. I wear a yarmulke because you have show you are confident with who you are. I find that people respect you if you’re consistent, if your word is your word. Because I have always been proudly observant, and leaders see that consistency, I have earned their trust. I’ve had presidents of the United States and leaders from Arab countries share things with me in confidence, and they say, ‘Everyone knows you don’t leak.’
“Today, almost everything leaks. It could be fun once in a while to make a headline because of what you know. But it’s better to have the leverage to do good than get five minutes of fame from a juicy tweet. Instant gratification might get you your name in the paper, but you lose the ability to do real work, because you lose people’s trust, and that is the ultimate currency.”
When it comes to future Jewish leaders, Hoenlein didn’t mince words.
“When we look at future Jewish leadership, they have to be Jewishly knowledgeable. Many are not. And leadership has to come from a sense of mission. Your position should never be the goal – that’s how you fail. It can be the result, but it can’t be the objective. You have to put the community first.
“I’ve met with a lot of these influencers. Many of them are well-intentioned, and some are very smart. But they often lack experience. They say things, post things, without realizing the consequences. We’ve had cases where tweets endangered Jews. If they had come to us, we would have told them not to put that out. But many of them are good Jews – and they’re hungry. They want knowledge, they want connection.
“After October 7, there was a real shift. I call them the ‘October 8 Jews.’ There’s new grassroots energy. Non-observant young Jews started having Shabbos events. Sometimes it wasn’t really Shabbos – they’d say kiddush, but nothing was kosher. Still, it showed a hunger and a desire to reconnect, and that’s something we can work with. There’s a revolution happening. It’s not just reactive; it’s positive. There’s a group of young people I am working with who are doing cutting-edge work fighting antisemitism, off and online. But we need a revolution in funding, too. We’re winning battles against Jew hatred, but we’re losing the war.”
Asked to name the hardest and most rewarding moments of his long career, Hoenlein paused.
“The most intense moment personally? Choosing between the two jobs, at the UJA Federation and with the Conference of Presidents. On a communal advocacy level, there were major decisions that really stand out, like the Iran 13.”
In 1999, thirteen Iranian Jews were arrested by the Iranian government and accused of espionage for Israel. Among the accused were teachers, shochtim, and the shammashes of a shul, all who lived in the cities of Shiraz and Isfahan. The charges were widely regarded as baseless and politically motivated, but their lives were at stake.
That case, Hoenlein said, tested everything.
“We organized efforts around the world and ran demonstrations. At the same time, we were negotiating privately. We knew the 13 Jews were at risk of heavy prison terms, maybe even execution. I promised the Iranians they wouldn’t be embarrassed if they kept their word. All 13 were released. It taught me even the most extreme regime can respond, if you approach them the right way. I got letters from leaders of nearly every Arab and Muslim country. Some put themselves at risk just to say: don’t hurt these Jews.”
It was during that tense period that Hoenlein’s communication with the families of the prisoners was cut off. Rabbi Herman Neuberger, zt”l, of Baltimore called with a lead.
“He said, there’s this lawyer, a reporter, who might be able to help.”
The man was in Paris. Hoenlein called him.
“As soon as I started the conversation, he said: ‘Stop. I’m coming to New York next week. We’ll talk then.’”
They met in Hoenlein’s office and spoke for hours.
“He said he would help. And he did. He was going to Iran, and he quickly re-established a vital phone connection for us.
“Soon after, the man traveled to Iraq, where he was arrested and executed. His name was Daniel Pearl. His final words, recorded on video by his terrorist murderers, were ‘I am a Jew. My father is Jewish. My mother is Jewish. My grandfather has a street named after him in Israel.’ He did it for us.”
With our conversation drawing to a close, we turned to reflect on current events.
Starting in 1990, Hoenlein has been one of the most prominent voices sounding the alarm on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“Bush Sr., Bush Jr., Clinton – I saw them all about Iran. For thirty years, people were dismissive of the danger. Now they write me letters. They apologize. But this isn’t about ego. If you understand history, you see the trends.”
Asked about the recent war with Iran and its broader implications, Hoenlein responds with a blend of
pride, concern, and unwavering resolve.
“I think it’s quite remarkable what has been achieved in the last few weeks,” he began. “Nobody could have predicted it. The fact that the U.S. got involved, that Israel acted the way it did, the changes that have taken place – they’re astonishing. Israel had
With Ariel Sharon
With a young Benjamin Netanyahu
With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
control of the skies. You had the destruction of so much military infrastructure and elimination of key leaders. Whether we completely destroyed the nuclear facility or not, the fact is, they’re set back. Iran invested tens of billions in militias in Iraq and Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas, the Houthis. This was their vaunted ‘Ring of Fire,’ and Israel turned it into a hula hoop.
“People underestimate what this little country –this speck on the map – has accomplished. Iran is seventy times its size, with ten times the population and enormous oil revenues. Yet Israel dismantled a regional terror infrastructure. The Arab world – they say it quietly – but they tell us: ‘Decimate them. Don’t stop.’ They can’t say it publicly, but that’s the message. And we have to take it seriously.”
Hoenlein warned against focusing only on technicalities or the limited tactical victories.
“The regime in Iran may not fall tomorrow. But the nature of the threat has changed. That opens the door for new coalitions – not just with Saudi Arabia, but other Muslim and Arab countries, too. Germany’s chancellor said Israel is doing the dirty work for Europe. That’s wrong. Israel’s doing the clean work. Cleaning up the mess Europe made by enabling Iran, by refusing to hold them accountable for violations of the JCPOA, for their ballistic missiles, for their support of terror. They don’t need ballistic missiles for Israel. Those are aimed at America and Europe. Israel’s just the minor devil. America’s the great one. That’s how the Supreme Leader sees it. And we ignore that at our peril.
“Despite everything happening in the Middle East, what’s happening here in America frightens me more,” Hoenlein said, his voice marked not by despair, but by the urgency of someone who has seen the warning signs before. “I used to reject comparisons to the Shoah. I’d say it diminishes that unique horror. But now? I’m not so sure. What we’re seeing in universities, in the streets – it’s like the 1930s.”
He pointed to the candidacy of individuals with anti-Israel platforms, and the normalization of anti-Semitic rhetoric masquerading as political critique.
“People think the system will protect us. But I’ve seen how serious this is. They recently reviewed one curriculum used in 8,000 public schools and found that it was blatantly hostile to Israel.”
And yet, even facing this, he insists on a Jewish framework for resilience and responsibility.
“In Judaism, we look back in order to look forward. We learn from the past not to live in it, but to build something better. Chazal said it long before Churchill: that to see the future, you have to look to the past. For us, history is about the future.”
He has spent decades warning about the rise of anti-Semitism in America, too often to audiences who shrugged it off.
“I don’t want more memorials for dead Jews. I’m tired of the crocodile tears. We cry after the fact but ignore the signs. Anti-Semitism is a cancer. It metastasizes. And if you wait too long, you can’t fight it.”
“Only if we’re willing to stand up – only if we vote, organize, and speak out – can we protect our communities. It’s a disgrace when Jews don’t vote. Every yeshiva graduate should get a voter registration form. Every shul should talk about civic engagement. If every Jew in New York voted the right way, we’d change the outcome of every election.”
When asked what advice he’d give to someone inspired by his career, Hoenlein didn’t romanticize the work.
“Think about it again,” he said jokingly.
“But seriously, there’s nothing more rewarding. Nobody can take away what you do for Klal Yisrael. Not a stock market crash. Not real estate losses. What you build for the Jewish people –that’s eternal.”
He urged young people to get educated, try different paths and discover their strengths. Some would be lawyers, advocates. Some would work quietly behind the scenes. All roles mattered.
“i ’ve had presidents of the u nited s tates and L eaders from a ra B C ountries share things with me in C onfiden C e, and they say, ‘ e veryone knows you don’t L eak.’”
“The people who worked for me – secretaries, assistants – they deserve as much credit as I do. They enabled the work. And above all: unity. I worked in umbrella organizations for a reason. Hashem wanted one thing before every miracle: Jewish unity. That’s the precondition. It doesn’t mean uniformity. Unity isn’t homogeneity. It means we understand what we share and build from there. Open your mind. Learn. Read. Get involved. And then ask yourself where you can do the most good.”
In the end, for Hoenlein, the future of Jewish life – its security, its flourishing, its moral voice –depends not on grand gestures or political theatrics, but on the quiet, determined work of those who show up, stay informed, and are bound by the eternal mission of uniting for the good of Klal Yisroel.
He condemned the political hypocrisy he’s witnessed firsthand, mentioning a mayoral candidate who expressed sorrow over the murder of a Jewish woman in Boulder while simultaneously promoting the very ideologies that, in his view, had enabled the violence.
With Rav Elyashiv zt”l
With the Noviminsker Rebbe zt”l and Rav Shteinman zt”l
Baltimore Zmanim for Succos - Shabbos Breishis 5786/2025
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
Yeshivas Toras Simcha- 110 Sudbrook Ln.
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FROM THE SUCCAH OF THE CHAG TO THE CHUPPAH OF THE SIYUM, the simcha of the Mo’ed brings family together in joyful melody.
THE LIMUD OF ORAYSA is a family affair for its Lomdim, bridging generations through learning, connecting families and communities around the globe.
AS YOU SIT UNDER THE CHUPPAH OF THE SCHACH and soak in the exalted air of the Mo’ed, treasure the accomplishment your daily Seder and the upcoming Chag Hasiyum to take place דעומב — in the designated moment when the mesaymim and their families will come together to dance around the chuppah of the Siyum on Seder Mo’ed.
Together
we learn. Together we celebrate.
HiddUR Mi T zva H
REcL ai M in G G LoRy
By Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein
An idea that features very prominently in the mitzvah of arba minim is that of hiddur mitzvah—beautifying a mitzvah. Whereas in principle this is something that applies to all mitzvos, when it comes to the arba minim, it takes on an entirely new dimension. In general, if a mitzvah is lacking in hiddur, the mitzvah itself is still kosher. However, if one of the arba minim on Sukkos is sufficiently lacking in hiddur, it is completely disqualified. According to Tosafos, this is based on the fact that the Torah itself refers to the esrog as a pri eitz hadar, indicating that hiddur is an intrinsic characteristic of the esrog, and by extension the other species as well.
How are we to understand the crucial role hiddur mitzvah plays within the arba minim?
What Makes Us Look Good?
The central theme of hiddur is not to “merely” perform mitzvos, but to reclaim them from the sidelines, where they may have been pushed by other less important things. The things we invest in making beautiful are the things that are important to us. This is the (re) orientation of Sukkos, directing our sense of hiddur and beautification toward mitzvah acts.
Indeed, looked at this way, we can see that the sukkah and the arba minim work together as a team, for the sukkah as a temporary dwelling de-emphasizes physical priorities that may have taken over, while the arba minim restore mitzvos to the center of our focus and attention where they belong.
There is another layer here. The idea of hiddur mitzvah with regard to mitzvos generally is derived from the words, “Zeh keli v’anveihu, this is my G-d and I will glorify Him,” which the Gemara explains as communicating the message, “Hitnaeh lifanav b’mitzvos, beautify the mitzvos before Him.” (Shabbos 133b)
However, if we look carefully at these words, we will notice that the word hitnaeh which is reflexive, does not mean to beautify something else, but rather to beautify oneself! This means that the verse is saying, “Beautify yourself before Him with mitzvos.” This seems rather strange.
Since when is beautifying ourselves a value, and what does that have to do with hiddur mitzvah?
Here we are being taught a profound lesson: everyone has something he takes pride in. Although pride is generally considered an extremely negative character trait, this is only when it is self-serving and egotistical. However, taking pride in something that is greater than oneself can actually be very positive. Anyone who is proud to be Jewish is not exercising bad middos, he is expressing something very beautiful and profoundly important. We
lose our way when the things we take pride in shift from matters of ultimate importance to those of lesser importance.
This is the goal of hiddur mitzvah. When we invest in and beautify a mitzvah, we are saying, “The things in life that make me look beautiful are mitzvos like this one!” In truth, that is the greatest honor we can give to a mitzvah.
And so, as we take our arba minim during these seven days, we are reminding ourselves of the things that should make us look good. Those are the things that really count, and they are what deserve our pride, our attention, and our energy. If we can take this lesson and use it to draw up our map of life, the beauty of hiddur mitzvah will be reflected in everything we do in the year ahead.
Pri Eitz Hadar—Beauty From The Heart
It is worthwhile concluding our discussion of the idea of hiddur mitzvah on Sukkos by returning to look again at the verse where this idea is taught. Although the concept of hiddur mitzvah applies to all the four species, it is mentioned explicitly only with regard to the esrog (“pri eitz hadar ”), while all the other species are extrapolated from there. There is a very poignant lesson here regarding the entire concept of beauty. The Midrash describes how the each of the arba minim represents a significant part of the body:
• The esrog represents the heart.
• The lulav represents the spine.
• The hadasim represent the eyes.
• The aravos represent the lips.
As we know, it is very easy for beauty to become a purely external display, with all emphasis on appearance and none on inner content. To this end, the verse links the concept of hiddur specifically with the esrog, representing the heart, as if to say, the way you carry yourself (lulav), look (hadas), and speak (aravah) in Jewish living should all be a product and expression of how much your heart (esrog) cherishes the Torah’s mitzvos and values. For true hiddur comes from the heart.
Heaven and Earth
The verse in the book of Eichah reads (Eichah, 2:1), “Hishlich m’shamayim eretz tiferes Yisrael.” The basic meaning of these words is that they are lamenting the fallen glory of Israel, which has been cast down from the heavens to the ground.
However, there is another underlying meaning. Everyone has his tiferes—his sense of glory, the things he takes pride in, the things he boasts about. The problem begins when the tiferes of Israel falls from taking pride in heavenly things, shamayim, and focuses instead on earthly or temporal things, eretz
As we use these days to take stock of our lives and how we have been leading them, an underlying question is, “Where is my tiferes? What do I take pride in, and why?”
Much of what we need to do teshuvah for by the time Rosh Hashana comes around can be traced back to this imbalanced perspective that has diverted our tiferes from “heaven” to “earth.”
Hence, a central part of our rehabilitation involves restoring it to its rightful place.
This article has been excerpted from Sukkos, A Symphony of Joy, by Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein, published by Mosaica Press.
Sparks of Light
K’Derech Gidulason
Serving G-d in the Way We Grow
By Rabbi Benny Berlin
Have you ever looked back on something you once did and cringed? You think to yourself, “I cannot believe how immature I was. I cannot believe I thought that was a good idea. If only I could erase that moment completely.” Judaism teaches us to see those very experiences differently. They are not stains to be hidden but steps in the path of our becoming.
On Sukkos, we perform the mitzvah of the Arba Minim, binding together the lulav, hadassim, aravos and esrog. A curious halachic detail arises in how we handle the esrog. Before reciting the blessing, one is instructed to hold it upside down, with the pitom facing downward. Only after the blessing is recited is it turned upright, “k’derech gidulason,” the way it naturally grows on the tree.
The reason seems technical. If the esrog were held upright from the beginning, the mitzvah would already be fulfilled upon taking it with the other species, leaving the blessing out of place.
To avoid fulfilling the mitzvah prematurely, the esrog is first inverted. Only after the blessing is it turned upright, teaching that the true fulfillment is to hold it in the way it grows.
At first, this appears to be a halachic precaution. Yet the ritual conveys a profound spiritual lesson. To serve Hashem authentically, we must serve Him “k’derech gidulason ,” in the way we grow.
The Midrash in Bereishis Rabbah teaches that when Avraham Avinu first recognized the Creator, he felt anguish over the years he had wasted in idolatry. He regretted his past and felt ashamed of his mistakes. Hashem reassured him that even those years were precious, for they were part of the very process that led him to truth. His wandering was not wasted. It was the road by which he grew into faith.
This theme is echoed in contemporary psychology. Samuel and Pearl Oliner studied the Righteous Gentiles, non-
Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust, and compared them with bystanders. One of their most important findings was that rescuers were often raised in homes where authentic moral conversations took place. At the family table, parents and children did not only speak about rules or obedience. They shared their day, reflected on their struggles, admitted mistakes, and spoke about how they could grow.
These conversations created a culture of honesty about the human journey. Children learned that moral life is not about rigid perfection but about embracing the messy process of becoming. That authenticity bred empathy. That empathy became the foundation of extraordinary moral courage. Decades later, when confronted with choices of life and death, these individuals drew strength from the moral habits that had been nurtured in the way they grew. Sukkos invites us into this same joy of authenticity. To stand with the es -
rog upright in our hands is to declare that our growth is real and our journey is sacred. Every regret, every phase of immaturity, every moment we wish we could erase is still part of our derech gidulason.
That is why the mitzvah is not complete until the esrog is turned upright after the blessing. The act is a declaration that my growth matters, that my path is holy, that my imperfections are part of what I bring before G-d. Serving Hashem k’derech gidulason means bringing our whole selves, including the awkward, the searching, the moments we regret and the moments we celebrate. When we do so, we discover the true joy of Sukkos, the joy of standing before G-d fully and authentically.
Rabbi Benny Berlin is the rabbi of BACH Jewish Center located in Long Baeach, New York. For more information, visit: https:// www.bachlongbeach.com/.
Israel Today
From Attending Catholic Mass to Studying Torah in Jerusalem, One Jew’s Journey Back Home
By David Brummer
Yosef Stern’s journey to Orthodox Judaism reads like a modern spiritual odyssey, one that took him from militant atheism through various philosophical explorations, a brief flirtation with Catholicism complete with a significant moment of Divine intervention, and ultimately to the study halls of Aish in Jerusalem.
Stern’s story begins at his private high school, where he embodied the archetypal secular progressive. As the head of all progressive clubs and a self-described “SJW” (social justice warrior), he held what he now characterizes as “a very secular, atheist, anti-religious worldview” (despite the fact that the manner in which proponents hold so fast onto these views is by its very nature quite religious). This wasn’t merely intellectual skepticism; it was active opposition to religious thinking in all its forms.
But beneath the confident exterior of a teenage activist lay deeper questions about meaning and purpose. Stern describes reaching “an existential crisis” as post-high school, he observed the people around him “pursuing money and career” while witnessing how “money caused a lot of destruction and
tore apart families.” His identification of these superficial pursuits left him feeling that life was fundamentally meaningless.
“I was the class clown, and I reached an impasse,” Stern recalls. “I realized it wasn’t sustainable, and I then asked the big questions, starting with the realization that there’s more to life than what I know.” This recognition that his atheistic worldview couldn’t provide the depth of meaning he was seeking marked the beginning of a philosophical journey that would span several years.
Recognizing that he had been “taught what to think rather than how to think,” Stern embarked on a deliberate investigation to “seek out how to make sense of the world.”
Through the mentorship of a trusted advisor, Stern discovered perennialism, a philosophical school suggesting that all religions represent different cultural expressions of the same universal truth. This framework provided him with his first positive engagement with spirituality.
His philosophical explorations eventually led him to an unexpected place: the Latin Mass at a Catholic church in Connecticut. Accompanied by his
friend, David, Stern found himself drawn into a community of sophisticated believers, many affiliated with Yale’s Divinity School. These weren’t the anti-intellectual fundamentalists he might have expected but rather “smart, sophisticated, warm, loving” individuals who opened their hearts and their homes, and offered “empirical and scientific proofs of there being a creator.”
The Catholic phase of Stern’s journey came to an abrupt and dramatic end during what seemed like a moment of integration into the community. At a post-Mass coffee hour, as congregants shared their personal faith stories, Stern prepared to contribute his own narrative. After swallowing hard and plucking up significant courage he began with the unforgettable line, “Actually, I’m Jewish,” and, as if Divine intervention was the order of the day, at that exact moment, “all the lights and power went out in the church.”
While others might dismiss such timing as coincidence, Stern interpreted it as G-d sending him a “clear message.”
The incident prompted a complete reevaluation of his spiritual path and ultimately led him to investigate his own Jewish heritage for the first time.
Stern’s initial exploration of Judaism began on YouTube, where he discovered “Seekers of Unity,” content created by Rabbi Zeevi Slavin, a Chabad chassid who explored various spiritual traditions from a Jewish perspective.
“It blew me away,” Stern recalls. “I totally fell in love, and I inhaled all his YouTube content.”
His path to Aish was facilitated by a network of relationships he developed in Florida. Through his best high school friend Alec (now Eliyahu), who worked in New York’s Diamond District, Stern was introduced to Orthodox Jews for the first time. This eventually connected him to the Miami Beach Kollel, which he describes as “Tower 41, one of the holiest buildings in the Diaspora.”
At the Kollel, Stern formed a crucial relationship with his first study partner (chavrusa), Simcha, whom he calls “a super-holy, special guy” and “my biggest inspiration, a truly amazing person.” The depth of Simcha’s commitment was demonstrated on the day before Stern’s departure for Aish, when Simcha “bought a refundable ticket so he could come and learn with me at the gate and subsequently get a refund for the flight he didn’t take.”
Yosef with Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits, Rosh Yeshiva of Aish
More importantly, Simcha provided Stern with a living example of what integrated Jewish life could look like. Observing Simcha’s approach to “serving G-d and looking after his family” created a striking contrast to Stern’s previous social circles and offered a refreshing alternative to his pessimistic view of society.
Despite his growing attraction to Jewish life, Stern maintained intellectual rigor in his spiritual seeking.
“Intellectually, and rationally I was hesitant,” he explains. “How do I know Torah is true? There’s a lot to take on and keep, before I fully dive in.”
Simcha connected him with Gust, a convert from Mormonism who had become an Orthodox Jew and now “debates atheists, Muslims and Christians, about the truth of Torah.” Through this individual and other influences, including Rabbi Lawrence Keleman and Rabbi Ken Spiro, Stern was exposed to intellectual arguments for Torah’s authenticity.
Crucially, Stern didn’t simply accept these arguments but engaged with them critically: “I took the time to look through everything they said and went into count-
er arguments.” This thorough intellectual process led him to conclude that “as a Jew I need to learn and keep Torah.”
Stern’s arrival at Aish was marked by what he interpreted as divine providence, finding a ticket for “about a third of the usual price” after receiving a lengthy blessing from Rabbi Moshe
He
perience is unequivocal: “I didn’t know what to think before coming here, but it’s totally exceeded anything I could have imagined.”
Perhaps most remarkably, Stern’s transformation has had profound effects on his family relationships. His four-year-old sister is now enrolled in a
began with the unforgettable line, “Actually,
I’m Jewish,” and, as if Divine intervention was the order of the day, at that exact moment, “all the lights and power went out in the church.”
Wolfson, zt”l, mere days before his passing, which he saw as a sign “Hashem was telling me I have to go.”
More than a year later and having initially expressed wonderment that the place he now calls home “didn’t seem real,” Stern’s assessment of his Aish ex-
Jewish preschool, “understanding, and building a relationship with Hashem,” facilitated by their mother’s support. Even more surprising, his relationship with his father has improved dramatically: “My dad thought he’d lose me and I’d reject him, and I’ve had the best re -
lationship with him I’ve ever had in my life. We speak several times a week, and I’ve really understood what it means to honor your mother and father. One of my most cherished photos is of my dad wrapping tefillin in his office.”
Looking ahead, Yosef plans to stay in Israel and build “a holy Jewish family.” He’s working on a book compiling his learnings and hopes to help others in similar situations.
When asked what he would tell his past self, Yosef reflects thoughtfully: “I wish I had never eaten treif or done those aveiros , but I think it took me going through all those experiences to make the most of all the opportunities I currently have. Part of me wishes I was FFB [frum from birth], but at the same time, because I went through those experiences and had that journey...”
His voice trails off, but his meaning is clear. Every step of his winding path led him to where he was meant to be, in Jerusalem, immersed in Torah, discovering the depth and meaning he had sought all along.
“My time studying Torah has been the best experience of my life,” Yosef concluded. Medical Expenses
Simcha Expenses
Temporary Crisis and much more.
Forgotten Her es National Guard Heroes
By Avi Heiligman
National Guardsmen fight for both the state that they represent and the federal government. While serving stateside, they respond to the commands of the governor, but they also can be called upon by the President to serve both domestically and overseas. State militias have been around since 1636 and have been called the National Guard nationwide since 1903. There have been many members of the National Guard that have been awarded prestigious medals and citations for gallantry in action while serving in uniform.
First Sergeant Sydney Grumpertz served with the Illinois National Guard before entering active duty with the army during World War I. The Jewish noncommissioned officer was assigned to the 33rd Division which formed in 1917 from the Illinois National Guard. Gumpertz was with Company E, 132nd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division, and the regiment was under the command of Jewish Colonel Abel Davis.
On October 24, 1918, Gumpertz faced a dangerous situation near Bois-de-Forges, France. Leading an advance with two other soldiers, they neutralized two German machine gun nests and captured dozens of enemy troops. However, a barrage of exploding shells struck, killing his two comrades and leaving Gumpertz to confront a third, still-active machine gun nest alone. Undeterred, he single-handedly charged the position, silencing the gun and captur-
ing an additional nine German soldiers. His exceptional bravery and daring actions that day earned him the Medal of Honor.
Some Medal of Honor recipients are awarded their medals decades after their heroic feats. This was the case for Woodrow W. “Woody” Keeble, who was a National Guardsman from North Dakota who was posthumously awarded the medal in 2008 for actions during the Korean War. Keeble was a Native American born in South Dakota whose family moved to North Dakota when he was young. While in school, he excelled at baseball and was being recruited by the White Sox when his National Guard unit, the 164th Regiment, was called for World War II duty.
The 164th entered federal service in February 1941 and was sent to fight in the South Pacific attached to the 23rd Americal Division. In October 1942, they were sent as replacements for the 1st Marine Division that had seen heavy fighting on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Keeble was a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) man in his company and used his pitching arm to throw hand grenades with pinpoint precision. The 164th received the Presidential Unit Citation for their heroic fighting on Guadalcanal. Later in the war, Keeble and the 164th fought on Bougainville, Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao in the Philippines before taking part in the occupation of Japan in the immediate aftermath of the Japanese surrender in 1945.
Keeble returned to North Dakota after
World War II but was recalled to active service when the 164th was reactivated during the Korean War. By this point, Keeble was a sergeant and volunteered for front line service. He was assigned to G Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division and soon was leading 1st Platoon as a master sergeant. In October 1951, the division was assigned the formidable task of capturing a series of steep, heavily defended mountains that served as a natural barrier protecting a major Chinese supply dump. Dubbed Operation Nomad-Polar, this offensive was to be one of the last major actions of the war. Keeble was wounded on four separate occasions in six days and received one Purple Heart. He did receive a Silver Star for actions on October 18.
Two days later, there was just one very strongly held Chinese position that lay between the Americans and the depot at Kumsong. Keeble had been advised by a medic to stay back because of previous wounds in his arm, shrapnel from a grenade in his face, and a bad knee. He insisted in leading the charge up the mountains, but three times the different platoons were repulsed. Keeble decided that he alone would attempt to break through the lines armed with his BAR and grenades. There were three fortified and well-placed enemy positions that soon would be firing directly on Keeble. Despite the dangerous situation, he crawled to the first enemy
pillbox and eliminated it with his rifle and grenades. Then he went back to Americans lines to come up on the enemy’s left flank to take out another Chinese position. Keeble took another grenade and with precision accuracy took out the middle pillbox. This was done under very heavy enemy fire that was directed at his location. The rest of G Company moved forward and took the objective.
Keeble’s one-man assault was put in for the Medal of Honor twice, but the paperwork was lost. Instead, he received the Distinguished Service Cross in 1952. Efforts were renewed by senators to have Keeble receive the medal, and they drafted legislation to have the statute of limitations removed so that Keeble would be properly honored. Keeble had passed away in 1982 so his stepson accepted the medal from President W. Bush in a White House ceremony.
Gumpertz and Keeble were two of the more than 120 National Guardsmen to have been awarded America’s highest military award for valor. The actions of recipients of the Medal of Honor are carefully reviewed, and only those who are really deserving are given the prestigious award.
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.
Keeble’s family member receiving the Medal of Honor from President Bush
Woody Keeble
Sydney Gumpertz
My Israel Home Who Put the Zvi in Tirat Zvi?
By Gedaliah Borvick
Kibbutz Tirat Zvi holds a special place in my heart. In 1984, I spent an unforgettable month of Nissan working there, gaining an insider’s view of a community steeped in history and purpose.
Located in the Beit She’an Valley, just west of the Jordan border, Tirat Zvi was established in 1937 as part of the “tower and stockade” movement. This initiative was a strategic response to the British Mandate government’s attempts to appease the Arabs by limiting Jewish population growth during the 1936-1939 Arab Revolt. Exploiting a legal loophole, pioneers would arrive at dawn with prefabricated materials and assemble an entire settlement by sundown. Once the roof was up, the British could not demolish it. Nearly fifty of these settlements were built in this dramatic fashion, asserting Jewish presence and offering protection during a tumultuous time.
Like many of these settlements, Tirat Zvi’s name carried symbolic meaning. Tirat Zvi – “Zvi’s Castle” or “Fort Zvi” – honors Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer (1795–1874), an early leader of religious Zionism. More than a dozen streets across Israel also bear his name. Rabbi Kalischer championed immigration and resettlement in the Land of Israel, and
laid the foundation that inspired the Hovevei Zion movement and ultimately Theodor Herzl’s Zionist vision.
Rabbi Kalischer was a student of some of the greatest rabbinic scholars of his time, including Rabbi Akiva Eiger and Rav Yaakov of Lissa, known as The Nesivos. He spent his life in Prussia, serving as the communal rabbi in Thorn, where he
land, with divine miracles following in its wake.
His vision was threefold: (1) to provide a homeland for Eastern European Jewry; (2) to transform the barren and neglected land of Israel into a fertile, self-sustaining economy; and (3) to enable Jews to fulfill mitzvot hatluyot ba’Aretz, the commandments unique to the Land of Israel.
Exploiting a legal loophole, pioneers would arrive at dawn with prefabricated materials and assemble an entire settlement by sundown.
devoted himself to studying, teaching, and writing on a broad range of Jewish issues.
Unlike many contemporaries who counseled waiting passively for the Messiah, Rabbi Kalischer advocated for proactive resettlement of the Land of Israel. Citing rabbinic sources, he argued that the redemption of Zion would begin through human efforts to reclaim the
Rabbi Kalischer’s ideas were met with enthusiasm, and his writings were translated into multiple languages, inspiring the creation of several organizations, including the Association for the Settlement in Eretz Israel. One of the most notable fruits of his advocacy was the establishment of the Mikveh Yisrael Agricultural School in Palestine in 1870. Rabbi Ka-
lischer was invited to serve as the spiritual leader of the school, but his doctors forbade him from making the journey to Eretz Israel due to health concerns. Nevertheless, he remained an active advocate for the settlement of the land until his passing in 1874.
Kibbutz Tirat Zvi has flourished over the decades and has become an economic powerhouse. It operates a meat-processing factory whose products are sold worldwide, is Israel’s largest date-palm grower — renowned globally for its Medjool dates and thriving lulav business — and also cultivates crops such as wheat and cotton.
How fitting that Kibbutz Tirat Zvi, the first religious kibbutz in Israel, was named after a man who dedicated his life to promoting the ideals of Torah and cultivating the Land of Israel. Today, over 150 years after his passing, Kibbutz Tirat Zvi continues to thrive as a living testament to Rabbi Kalischer’s vision and values.
Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.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.
A view of Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi in 1943
Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer
Mental Health Corner Changing Yourself
By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman
Would Reb Yisrael Salanter argue with the Rambam? This is the question that we pose to you today. We would assume that most of our readers would assume that the answer is no. Reb Yisrael Salanter would never disagree with someone as great as the Rambam.
If so, how do you explain the following apparent contradiction? Reb Yisrael Salanter is widely quoted as
saying that it is easier to learn the entire Shas than to change one Middah in a person. Reb Yisrael was certainly not referring to someone who simply listened to Daf Hayomi Shiurim for seven and a half years. Rather, he was referring to someone who plugged away day and night for years and years until he mastered Shas inside and out. Nevertheless, that is a smaller accomplishment than changing a personality trait.
This seems to contradict the Rambam, who writes the following in Hilchos Deos (2:2):
How are they to be healed? We tell the wrathful man to train himself to feel no reaction even if he is beaten or cursed. He should follow this course of behavior for a long time until the anger is uprooted from his heart. The man who is full of pride should cause himself to experience much disgrace. He should sit in the lowest of places, dress in tattered rags which shame the wearer, and the like, until the arrogance is uprooted from his heart and he returns to the middle path, which is the proper path. When he returns to this middle path, he should walk in it the rest of his life. One should take a similar course with each of the other traits. A person who swayed in the direction of one of the extremes should move in the direction of the opposite extreme, and accustom himself to that for a long time, until he has returned to the proper path, which is the midpoint for each and every temperament.
In this passage, the Rambam seems to be offering a clear and accessible approach to how to change one’s Middos. One needs to practice the opposite behavior until it develops into a habit, and then a person’s Middos have been rectified. How is it possible that Reb Yisrael Salanter would disagree with this famous directive of the Rambam?
The answer to this question seems to be that the Rambam was providing us with a system of how to train oneself to act against their nature. However, that person must be aware that their core personality has not been irreversibly changed and that they are at risk of reverting back to their original behavior if they sit on their laurels.
The reason for this is that we are born with certain inborn traits and tendencies that on a certain level are part of our core essence and are very difficult, if not impossible, to change. This does not mean that we are compelled to act according to our natural instincts. Someone who has a natural disposition to anger can be trained how to not get angry. Coping skills, habits, and strategies can be practiced and internalized until they become a habit. This requires a lot of hard work and takes a lot of time and energy. Nevertheless, it can be done. Although it is very difficult, it is still not as hard as mastering the entire Shas.
However, the person must be aware that very often the core trait and tendency is still lurking beneath the surface. If one becomes lazy and does not actively maintain and strengthen these newly developed habits, one can easily slide back into his or her natural tendencies.
Socrates once said that the secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. This is the message of the Rambam as well. Build new habits that are superimposed on your core personality. However, your core personality is always there beneath the surface, unless you want to take on a challenge that can be harder than mastering Shas.
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
Highest Caliber Students Living Kiddush Hashem
WBy Rabbi Shraga Freedman
hen the Yeshivah of Gateshead began construction on a large building, many of its neighbors were vehemently opposed to the endeavor. An effort was launched to have the construction halted, and a petition was prepared against the yeshiva. The first person to whom the neighbors turned to sign the petition was the local priest; they were confident that he would be supportive of their cause.
To their astonishment, the priest refused to sign. “The boys who attend this school are youths of the highest caliber I have ever seen,” he explained to his shocked neighbors. “I have never seen them hitting each other or even
raising their voices. I will not oppose this school.” (Aleinu Leshabeach).
In order for Hashem’s Name to be sanctified in this world, He must be represented by a nation that reflects His kedushah and His middos
On Rosh Hashanah, when we beseech Hashem for another lease on life, we declare in all of our tefillos that the ultimate goal of the life of a Jew is kiddush Hashem. But if the Jewish people are sullied by sin, how can we bring honor to Hashem? It is for this purpose that Yom Kippur was given, to help us reach a state of purity so that we can be worthy of revealing His sovereignty to the world.
The process culminates on Hoshana Rabbah, which represents the “salvation” of the great Name of Hashem.
Let us daven that the world be filled with Hashem’s honor, and let us do our part in bringing that about, by making ourselves worthy of being known as merciful, compassionate, and kind people — people who truly represent Hashem.
Special announcement!
Over 25,000 (and counting!) watched our Worldwide Kiddush Hashem Film!
Don’t miss it! Watch together with the whole family this Chol Hamoed at LivingKiddushHashem.org or on TorahAnytime.
In one story of this video, two schools—with 550 children and dozens of their rebbeim—came together this past summer to reenact a beautiful Kiddush Hashem they had originally been part of in the summer of 2024.
They were so inspired by what happened that they were eager to relive the moment in front of the cameras so that the whole world could share in their inspiration.
The beauty of Klal Yisrael, the purity of the children, and the gifts Hashem has given us will touch you in the deepest way.
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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To Raise a Laugh
Seeing Sea Stars
Chol Hamoed trips are an ancient tradition dating back thousands of years to Biblical times. Our forefathers had a long Sukkos –40 years actually – but they couldn’t just sit in their sukkahs the whole time, complaining, so they went on trips. Mostly nature hikes. It was hard to come up with anything else to do, because they were in the desert. There were no bumper boats.
Also, there were really no rainy days.
Fortunately nowadays, we have tons of options, which is why, when it comes to Chol Hamoed, we can come up with absolutely nothing. Ideally, you want to go somewhere with a million Jews, so you don’t have to come home for Mincha. You can just daven in the food court while Goyim pass by and you all pretend to be doing something else, facing the same direction.
YOU (casually): “We’re watching the sunset.”
GENTILE: “The sun is behind you.”
Paddle Boating
Paddle boating, as the name implies, is boating without a paddle. It consists of boats with PEDALS that are rented out on small lakes that are one-foot deep but that you still don’t want to fall into because there’s something large and slimy at the bottom.
But it’s great for a day trip if your idea of a relaxing time on the water is pedaling furiously while arguing with the person next to you about who’s doing more of the work. Because paddle boats sound like a lot of fun – It’s like biking on the water! – until you realize that there’s a lot of pedaling and not a lot of coasting. It’s not like there are hills.
Aquariums
An aquarium is like a zoo for fish, except the only thing that separates you from all
these denizens of the deep, not to mention slime, is a thin layer of glass that you’re not allowed to touch, just in case.
Thankfully, the other difference is that if an animal escapes from the zoo, you need to run. If an animal escapes from the aquarium, you just have to say, “Oh, there’s the shark!” And step over it. It’s not like the fish are coming up through the toilets.
One highlight of aquariums is that there’s a touch tank, which is kind of like the barnyard section at a petting zoo. But unlike petting zoos, where you get to touch sheep and goats, in a touch tank, you get to touch starfish, which you’re not entirely sure are a kind of fish. That might be a lie dreamed up by the aquarium industry. They keep saying that if you cut one leg off a starfish it’ll grow back, even though they never let you try it. But even if it’s true, it kind of sounds like a starfish is a plant
They also let you touch shells that may or may not have crabs inside them, which is terrifying. I don’t know what it is about a hermit crab that made them say, “Let’s put these in a touch tank.” Was it the fact that it’s called a hermit?
Alpine Slide
An alpine slide is something you can do at a ski resort that doesn’t involve spending hundreds of dollars on ski equipment you don’t know how to use just so you can be more aerodynamic when you plow face first into the side of the gift shop.
The thing about ski resorts is they noticed at some point that business tends to go downhill during the summer. (Oy.) So they looked into it and realized that it might be because there’s no snow.
So they set up a concrete slide that goes down the mountain, but it doesn’t go straight down the mountain, or you’ll be hurtling down at speeds of about 70 billion miles per hour. So they throw in curves,
By Mordechai Schmutter
which slow you down by throwing you off the track as soon as you reach, say, 20 billion. They also, baruch Hashem, give you a little cart to sit on, along with a tiny handbrake that is just as terrified as you are. The entire brake is a skinny pole between your legs that feels like it’s going to snap off at any moment.
In fact, in the safety speech that they give you, they say, “Don’t overuse the handbrake, or you’ll wear it out.” Like there’s only a certain amount of uses of the handbrake until it totally stops functioning – statistically in middle of the mountain. And you’re thinking, “The person who uses this cart after me is going to die if I overuse my handbrake. So should I die instead?”
So if you go to these places, you should really check the newspaper the next day.
Factory Tours
In a factory tour, they show you how something is made, which usually involves some kind of machine that they don’t sell in regular stores, and you’re like, “Well, sure. If I had that machine, I could make it too. No big deal.”
Everyone goes and pretends to be interested in the whole manufacturing process, but the factory knows you’re all there for the free samples. That’s why they don’t give them out until the end.
Sure, you think they think you’re interested. You’re asking questions, taking notes… (“So you’re saying the first machine dumps it onto the second machine? Wow!”) But they know that you did not go on vacation so you can learn stuff.
Unless you daven at the same time as your wife. 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.
Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor
The Woman Leading the Fight Against Online Antisemitism
By Joshua s teinreich
In a small office in Tel Aviv, where rows of computer screens glow softly and quiet determination fills the air, Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor is revolutionizing the fight against antisemitism.
Her tool is not a picket sign or a megaphone but artificial intelligence, big data, and a fiercely sharp legal mind. At the helm of CyberWell, a groundbreaking nonprofit she founded in 2022, Tal-Or is transforming how the Jewish community battles hatred on social media platforms used by billions worldwide.
If you have a social media account, it’s almost certain you have seen the hateful messages Tal-Or and her team are working tirelessly to stop. While some of the hatred is blatant and noxious, some of the messages are not always obvious. They are often disguised in coded language, emojis repurposed to support terrorism, or wild conspiracy theories that blame Jews for the world’s problems. What might surprise many in the Jewish community is just how deeply antisemitism is woven into the online world, reaching millions in seconds and feeding a rising tide of hatred in the physical world. Tal-Or has made it her mission to expose and fight this modern form of antisemitism. Her story is as much about technology and innovation as it is about courage and conviction. She is a lawyer, a technologist, and a passionate advocate for Jewish dignity and safety. Her work is reshaping the way the Jewish community understands and confronts antisemitism today.
From Law School to Digital Frontlines
Tal-Or graduated magna cum laude from Reichman University in Israel with two undergraduate degrees in Government and Law. She is a member of the Israel Bar Association. But her path veered quickly from tradition-
al law practice into the uncharted territory of online intelligence, digital policy and technology. After the fateful Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh in 2018, she pivoted from law into business intelligence, working at a boutique consulting firm in Tel Aviv, gaining hands-on experience in data analysis, algorithms, and online ecosystems. It was here that Tal-Or saw firsthand how digital tools could be used both to gather information and to influence public perception, and more importantly, where she saw a very clear migration of deeply anti-Jewish content from darker platforms to everyday major social media platforms. This background prepared her perfectly for the fight she would soon take on.
In 2022, Tal-Or launched CyberWell. The nonprofit combines the latest technologies in artificial intelligence and machine learning with legal expertise to track antisemitic content across social media platforms in real time. Its goal is to fill a critical gap: the persistent failure of social media companies to enforce their policies against hate speech effectively and at scale.
The Invisible Threat: Antisemitism Online
Many in the Jewish community know well the history of antisemitism – the pogroms, the Holocaust and the discrimination and hostility that continues today. But the way this hatred spreads in digital spaces is less understood. For Tal-Or, this is the core challenge.
“Antisemitism has always adapted to the times,” she explains. “Today, the internet and social media are the main venues where it is broadcast and amplified. What is particularly dangerous is how quickly antisemitic content can spread and the profound influence it has on people through repeat exposure without them realizing it.”
CyberWell’s AI systems scan millions of posts daily, searching for hateful language, conspiracy theories, and calls for violence consistent with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. These AI systems flag potential posts, but the work doesn’t stop there. Tal-Or’s team of human analysts carefully reviews each flagged post to confirm whether it is antisemitic and whether it violates the platform’s community standards. Only then do they report the content directly to social media moderators.
This human-in-the-loop approach ensures accuracy and accountability while maintaining the scale needed to monitor global social media activity in both English and Arabic.
Data that Drives Action
CyberWell is not only about removing hateful posts – it’s about optimizing the response of social media platforms to Jew-hatred. A significant part of its mission is to provide high-level research and real-time alerts about trends in antisemitism online. Through detailed analysis, the organization uncovers spikes in hateful activity and patterns that often precede real-world violence. More importantly, they work in direct partnership with the social media platforms to identify how enforcement gaps can be closed and how the platforms can be adjusted to ensure that the same type of content is contained and not amplified further on the platform.
For example, in July 2024, CyberWell’s research identified a sudden surge of antisemitic posts after violent unrest in Syria. The organization found that over 45 million social media users were exposed to violent posts targeting the Syrian Druze community, who were dehumanized and accused of being agents of Israel in classic antisemitic terms.
While this particular case highlighted the dangers of hate speech targeting perceived allies of Israel and the Jewish People, CyberWell’s broader work focuses on antisemitism against Jews worldwide and how online hate is fueling violent attacks on Jewish communities.
The organization’s data shows that after the horrific
Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, antisemitic content online surged by 86 percent. More disturbingly, posts calling for violence against Jews nearly tripled. These trends directly correspond with increased physical attacks on Jewish individuals and communities globally.
Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword
While over the years social media platforms have slowly invested in policies and features to keep their users safe, their algorithms often have the opposite effect. Designed to maximize user engagement, these systems tend to promote content that sparks strong emotional reactions, including outrage and disgust.
Tal-Or describes the role of algorithms as “amplifiers” of the phenomenon of global antisemitism today.
“They don’t just show what people want; they push content that is likely to elicit an emotional response and to keep users engaged longer,” she says. “Unfortunately, today, this means that antisemitism online is a 360-degree experience for most Jewish users. Antisemitism continues to gain larger audiences, increasing the level of exposure and normalizing the overall threshold of tolerance for Jew-hatred at unprecedented scale.”
CyberWell has documented how some platforms perform better than others at removing hateful content. In 2024, TikTok led the pack, removing 65 percent of antisemitic posts flagged by CyberWell, while YouTube lagged far behind at less than 20 percent. These figures reflect inconsistent enforcement and highlight the urgent need for better policies and technologies.
Tal-Or is particularly concerned about the recent loosening of hate speech moderation standards on some platforms in 2025. She warns that without clear definitions of antisemitism and proactive removal of hateful content, online hate will continue to translate into real-world violence, especially for the Jewish community that is already experiencing record-breaking levels of targeted crime.
Fighting for Accountability and Transparency
Tal-Or believes that social media companies must be held accountable for the spread of hate speech on their platforms, but more importantly, that technology presents a new opportunity to fight hate more effectively than ever before. CyberWell’s open database of antisemitic posts – the first of its kind – is part of this effort. Available publicly at app.cyberwell.org, the database allows anyone to explore documented cases of online Jew-hatred and how platforms respond.
“Transparency is a key step toward accountability,” Tal-Or explains. “By making the data accessible, we empower users, journalists, and policymakers to understand the scale of the problem and push for change.”
Beyond transparency, Tal-Or is an advocate for clearer definitions of antisemitism embedded into platform policies. CyberWell played a role in encouraging Meta and TikTok to recognize “Zionist” as a coded proxy for “Jew” in antisemitic posts, a crucial move to close loopholes that have long allowed hateful content to slip through moderation.
She also calls for more training and better AI tools to proactively detect antisemitic content rather than re -
A group of European politicians visiting CyberWell last summer
lying solely on user reports after harm is already done and spreading.
The Human Side of a Technical Battle
Despite the high-tech nature of her work, Tal-Or is deeply grounded in the human consequences of antisemitism. She knows that each hateful post can fuel fear,
“What is particularly dangerous is how quickly antisemitic content can spread and the profound influence it has on people through repeat exposure without them realizing it.”
isolation, and real increasing danger for Jewish communities everywhere.
When asked what keeps her going, she speaks with
passion about the responsibility she feels to protect her people and Western values.
“Hate is spreading faster and more effectively than it ever has historically in the digital universe. Our history compels us to fight this evil force with every tool we have. The fate of the tiny surviving Jewish people depends on it, as does the future of Western democracy. Antisemitism is a conspiracy theory that is indicative of a wider crisis of trust in institutions and leadership. If it goes systemic, empires will fall – as they have in the past.”
Tal-Or’s leadership has earned her recognition from the Florida Holocaust Museum, which honored her with the Loebenberg Humanitarian Award for her humanitarian efforts. She has spoken at global conferences and government forums, bringing her expertise to the highest levels of policymaking.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
For the Jewish community and allies, Tal-Or’s message is clear: the fight against antisemitism is urgent and ongoing. The digital battlefield is now front and center, and complacency is not an option.
Social media companies must step up their game, governments must enact stronger laws, and communities must stay vigilant. CyberWell stands ready to support all these efforts with data, technology, and research.
“Online antisemitism is not a problem confined to the internet,” Tal-Or stresses. “It bleeds into our streets, our schools, and our synagogues. Fighting it is fighting for our safety, our identity, and our future.”
To learn more, visit app.cyberwell.org.
TJH Centerfold
Really!?
Figure Out Which Facts Are True or False
1. There is only letter of the alphabet that doesn’t appear in any of the U.S. state names.
2. In English, there is only one word that ends with “mt.”
3. The microwave oven was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.
4. More Monopoly money is printed every year than real U.S. currency.
5. New York City’s Central Park is larger than Monaco.
6. A million seconds is 12 days; a billion seconds is 31 years.
7. The darker the coffee roast, the less caffeine it contains.
8. Oreo cookies were invented 25 years before chocolate chip cookies.
9. The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn.
10. When the two numbers on opposite sides of a dice are added together the answer always equals 7.
11. The first U.S. coin in circulation said “Mind Your Business” instead of “In G-d We Trust.
12. Bubble wrap was originally invented to be wallpaper.
13. A driver traveling at 60 MPH takes 1 second to pass 88 feet of the road.
14. The U.S. Supreme Court once ruled that tomatoes are legally vegetables.
15. The inventor of the Pringles can is buried in one.
(Did you really look at this before looking at the facts? Have you no shame? Now you are getting defensive…which means that you for sure cheated!)
You Gotta Be Kidding Me!
Yankel, who has terrible hearing, has just gotten an amazing hearing aid. He goes to his friend to tell him about it. Yankel tells his friend that unlike everybody else who just get regular hearing aids, he found a special type of hearing aid that is amazing.
“It is hidden in the ear and not visible; it can never
break and is totally comfortable. Besides, the power is amazing. I am hearing like a 20-year-old again. I can finally carry on a good full conversation without any problems,” says Yankel.
His friend is intrigued about this hearing aid and asks, “What kind is it?”
The Rebbe Expert: “Tracht gut vet zain gut. The Rebbe said it: just think positive” (Settle down, you just discovered the Ohel two weeks ago, now you think you’re the Rebbe’s Ambassador!)
The Tough-Love Coach: “Stop whining. Just do it. No excuses. Failure isn’t an option!” (We get it – you once watched a show on military training.)
The It’s All About Me Friend: “OMG, that happened to me once! I totally know what you’re going through. So anyway, let me tell you my story...” (You are so 1998! You are actually making this about you?).
The Spiritual Guru: “You need to align your chakras and cleanse your aura. Try burning sage, meditating for 6 hours, and drinking only moon-charged water.” (If you’re so worked out, why haven’t you been able to hold a job for more than two weeks?)
The Cynic: “Honestly, nothing matters, so why bother? Just order pizza and binge-watch something. We’re all doomed anyway.” (How many times does war need to not break out for you to relax for a change?)
The Overthinker: “OK, the first thing you need to do is list every possible outcome of your decision.” (Should we also create a color-coded flowchart?)
The Drama Queen: “Oh my gosh, that sounds like a total disaster! If I were you, I’d move to another city and change my name immediately.”(Thanks! Memo to self: never ask this person anything beyond “What time is it?”)
The “Just Be Yourself” Guy: “All you need to do is be yourself. Totally. Just be your authentic self.” (Well, sometimes the authentic self is…well…not so great. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone that I said that!)
The Life Coach-in-Training: “What you need is a vision and a 5-year plan. Start every day with gratitude and manifest
your dreams!” (You know that you are not even a social worker, right?)
The “Old-School” Grandpa: “Back in my day, we didn’t have these fancy solutions. We just got the job done!” (Thanks, Grandpa…I’ll try to find a time clock so we can go back to 1917.)
The “Always Busy” Friend: “Listen, I would help, but I’ve got a ton going on. Just trust your gut. Gotta run!” (Yep, you need to run to get some cholent at Bingo and frantically eat it in your car in the parking lot…the busy guy!)
The Motivational Poster Friend: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door!” (Glad to see that you are learning from your coffee mug!)
The Mom Friend: “Have you eaten? You need to eat something. Let’s not make any decisions on an empty stomach.” (The advice might be unhelpful, but hey, at least you get a sandwich.)
The Always Overly-Cautious Type: “I wouldn’t do anything yet. Let’s wait it out, see what happens. You never know… it could get worse.” (Suddenly, doing nothing feels like a monumental task.)
The Over-Apologizer: “Sorry, I don’t know what to say. Sorry, if that’s not helpful. Sorry, I’m bad at this.” (If you say sorry one more time, I’ll know that you are reaaaallly a mess!)
The Social Media Influencer: “I did a reel about this the other day! Just stay #blessed, and don’t forget to tag me when you succeed! Like guys, I’m sitting here alone and thinking about Hashem!? Like OMG! I’m really inspired right now! You totally have to try this restaurant that I went to last night for a soft opening…” (Somehow, their advice comes with a 10% discount code.)
The Philosopher: “What even is a ‘problem,’ you know? Like, are we not all just floating through time and space, reacting to stimuli?” (Bro, the dude just has a flat tire!)
Notable Quotes
“Say What?!”
A buddy of mine on the left…[asked me] about the Biden auto-pen photo that Trump put up and said, “You know if this was a Democrat, Fox would have been covering this for two weeks.” I said, “Well, we’ve been a little busy covering all of the murders that you guys have been doing.”
- Guy Benson, Fox
For him, it’s all about blood feuds, and personal vengeance, and vindictive actions.
– Rep. Scott Raskin (D-MD), who was one of the leaders of the Russian Collusion Hoax bemoaning the indictment of former FBI director James Comey for lying to Congress about the Russia Hoax
“A good day for the rule of law, the rule of law endures.” You know who said that? James Comey, the day that Trump was indicted.
- CNN’s lone-conservative commentator Scott Jennings
For all of you who ever said, no one is above the law, or said that institutions of justice are sacred and cannot be questioned, or described Donald Trump as a 34-time felon, you know what I say? Choke on it. Just choke on it.
- ibid.
Imagine that we have a Democrat administration. Now imagine that a right-wing radical shot and killed one of the most influential liberals in the country on live TV. Now imagine that thousands of other conservatives shamelessly celebrated the assassination and called for more of them. Now imagine that in the same week another right winger shot up a country club while shouting “MAGA” and another one shot up a news station and left behind a manifesto complaining about liberal bias in the media. Is there any doubt how the Democrats would respond? Is there any doubt that they would wage a full-scale war on conservatives?
- Conservative commentator Matt Walsh
The Chicago Teachers Union mourned the death of cop killer Assada Shakur on X with this caption: Rest With Power. Well, it’s a good thing their students can’t read.
– Tom Shillue, Fox News
In Massachusetts a lady got out of her car to scream at ICE agents and forgot to put it in park. The car ended up rolling into a lake. Hey, it’s Massachusetts—they are just relieved that there wasn’t a Kennedy involved.
– ibid.
Perhaps I have isolated myself, certainly with Israel, in my own party, but that’s the right side of history.
- Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) on Newsmax
Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yes.
– A senior Sinaloa carter leader (whose face was disguised) responding to CNN’s David Culver asking, “Do you think what President Trump has been doing has been making your job tougher?”
You know what is the benefit of October 7 now?
…If you look to the General Assembly yesterday, when about 194 people opened their eyes and looked to the atrocity, to brutality of Israel and all of them, they condemned Israel. We waited for this moment for 77 years. I think this is a golden moment for the world to change the history.
- Lead Hamas negotiator Ghazi Hamad, ym”sh , in an interview with CNN
You know, I met the head of Somalia – did you know that? I suggested maybe he’d like to take [Ilhan Omar] back. He said, “I don’t want her.”
- Pres. Trump talking to the media
The contrast could not be more clear: Republicans are trying to keep the government open and put the interest of Americans first. Meanwhile, Democrats want to take from the American people in order to give taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal immigrants.
- Vice Pres. JD Vance talking about the possible government closure over the debt ceiling
Hamas was elected by the Palestinian people. Israel withdrew from Gaza thinking they would live in peace. Remember that a long time ago they withdrew. They said, you take it. This is our contribution to peace. But that didn’t work out. That didn’t work out. It was the opposite of peace. They pulled away. They let them have it. And I never forgot that because I said, that doesn’t sound like a good deal to me as a real estate person. I mean, they gave up the ocean.
Instead of building a better life for the Palestinians, Hamas diverted resources to build over 400 miles of tunnels and terror infrastructure, rocket production facilities, and hid their military command posts and launch sites in hospitals, schools and mosques. So if you went after them, you’d be after them, and you wouldn’t even realize you ended up knocking out a hospital or school or a mosque, a terrible thing. Terrible, terrible way to have to fight. No fight is good, but that’s a real bad one. So there are many Palestinians who wish to live in peace, many, many, many.
- President Trump at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu
Barack and Michele Obama were spotted on Steven Speilberg’s 357-foot yacht, fulfilling Barack’s requirement that his wife be 357 feet away from him.
– Greg Gutfeld
ICE is a national organization, so start it with the letter N. Could you imagine Gavin Newsome— “These NICE agents pulling up in a NICE van! We gotta stop these NICE people! The NICE gestapo…uh. It would [mess them up] royally!
- Political comedian Adam Carolla, Fox News
I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009; they’ve burned 18,000 churches. This is so much more — these are Islamists, Boko Haram — this is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country. Where are the kids protesting this? No one’s talking about it…because the Jews aren’t involved. That’s why.
- Bill Maher, HBO
Remember those beepers, the pagers? We paged Hezbollah. And believe me, they got the message – and thousands of terrorists dropped to the ground.
-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing the UN General Assembly
For much of the past two years, Israel has had to fight a seven-front war against barbarism, with many of your nations opposing us. Astoundingly, as we fight the terrorists who murdered many of your citizens, you are fighting us. You condemn us. You embargo us. And you wage political and legal warfare, it’s called lawfare, against us. I say to the representatives of those nations, this is not an indictment of Israel. It’s an indictment of you! It’s an indictment of weak-kneed leaders who appease evil rather than support a nation whose braver soldiers guard you from the barbarians at the gate.
- ibid.
I have a message to these leaders: When the most savage terrorists on earth are effusively praising your decision, you didn’t do something right; you did something wrong. Horribly wrong. Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere. It will be a mark of shame on all of you.
- ibid.
Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7 is like giving AlQaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11.
- ibid.
On October 7, the enemies of Israel tried to extinguish that light. Two years later, the resolve of Israel, and the strength of Israel burn brighter than ever. With G-d’s help, that strength and that resolve will lead us to a speedy victory and to a brilliant future of prosperity and peace.
- ibid.
The problem is not that Kamala’s campaign was too short. It’s that it was too long.
- Vice Pres. JD Vance responding to Kamala Harris’s claim that she lost the 2024 election because her campaign was too short
Agree or disagree with Barack Obama or Bill Clinton, they actually had substance. They could actually articulate a viewpoint. I listened to Kamala Harris for 90 seconds, and I actually feel like I’ve gotten dumber in the process.
– ibid.
Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…
Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
Thanks for your awesome column. My family and I love reading it!
My sister-in-law lives at home. She’s 31 and always talks about how lonely she is. She continuously asks us (her family and friends) to set her up. It puts a lot of pressure on us, especially because we don’t feel that she is in a healthy place. She is very self-centered and spends most of her time on things like shopping and self-care. She’s very comfortable living at home. I can’t bring myself to set her up when I know all the ins and outs about her.
Sometimes, people call me about her, and I am not sure what to say. I can’t imagine her being a devoted and responsible wife, thinking outward rather than inward. The question is, what do I tell her when she begs me to set her up? What do I tell people when they call me about her?
Thank you!
Devora*
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.
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 Rebbetzin
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.
Devora, this is not an easy position to be in for the reasons you have described. Reassure her that you want to be her agent as do other family members, friends, and people in the community. When the right time comes, carefully
bring up how your friends handle being single in terms of tefilla, developing interests and hobbies, and meeting people in different venues and from other communities. I understand that you are feeling that the burden is on you. It’s not. But you need to figure out how to respond when she brings up fixing her up with dates. Talk generally about the current trend of using dating coaches/mentors when you
have an opportunity. You need to have ready responses when she lays things on you so that you feel supportive but not responsible for her loneliness.
When people call to ask you about her, tell them the true answer. It’s not smart to talk to close family regarding shidduch information.
You seem to have difficulty with being put on the spot. Maybe you should practice responding with another person, professional, a journal, or a mirror. Visualization techniques will help, too. You need to be more skilled. Remember that practice will ease things considerably,
The Shadchan
Michelle Mond
Dear Devorah, I’m so glad you and your family enjoy our column!
Your question is an important one, and it touches on something you often see on these pages regarding the difficulties of shidduchim. We want to help the people we love, but at the same time we may notice traits that make us hesitant. It is a very uncomfortable feeling.
Please remember the famous adage, “There is a lid to every pot.” Also, none of us are perfect, and many people grow tremendously once they are in a relationship. Marriage itself brings out qualities of giving and responsibility that may not have been visible beforehand.
This does not mean you have to set her up; you may simply not know of the right kind of guys for her. If she asks, you can validate her feelings and be kind to her. For example, you can say, “I care about you, and I really hope you find the right person. As soon as I meet the right type, I’ll be happy to set you up.” She should know you are thinking about her, however you just don’t know the right type of guy.
When people call for information about her, it is best to stick to what you can say with sincerity. Share the positive qualities you see, such as her awesome sense of style, her warmth, her personality.
The most important thing is to be kind to your sister-in-law. It is very likely she splurges on all these material things now because it’s become her coping mechanism. Even if you feel frustrated, remember that your kindness may help her feel less lonely and
more open to growth. You can also encourage her to come with you to different chessed opportunities or functions so she can meet new people and help others.
The Zaidy
Dr. Jeffrey Galler
After writing this column for over five years, what upsets me the most is when folks take it upon themselves to decide whether someone is, or is not, suitable marriage material. It makes my blood boil when someone declares, “Oh, I know him/her –that person is not for you.” Or, “I don’t really know if I can recommend that person!”
Please consider this: We all know people who we may have thought are the most abominable and despicable persons who ever roamed this planet, but who are today, nevertheless, happily married and are having productive, gratifying lives.
Who are you, not only to refuse to promote your sister-in-law but also to subtly sabotage
Pulling It All Together
The Navidaters
Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
Dear Devora,
Thank you for your kind words about the column. I can hear the pressure you’re under – caught between your sister-in-law’s longing to get married and your own misgivings about her readiness and the awkward spot of being asked to “vouch” for her. That’s not an easy place to be.
First, remember: you are not responsible for her happiness, nor for provid-
ing her with a spouse. That’s too heavy a role for anyone to carry. The most loving stance is one that protects your own peace while leaving her dignity intact.
When she asks you to set her up, you have two options:
1. Neutral/ambiguous boundary: You can keep it simple and say, “I’m not com-
her opportunities?
As a person who wants to do good deeds in this world, your only role here is to find some good qualities that she has and shout those admirable attributes from the rooftops. You do not have to lie or exaggerate. Just highlight what’s genuinely good about her and leave the rest to Hashem.
Who knows? If she gets engaged, she might even let you help set up her wedding registry, shop for her wedding gown, and pick out her trousseau.
Reader’s Response
Rena Glazer
Hi Devora,
Your question shows me how much you care for your sister-in-law, and that is very special!
We need to make the distinction clear between what is your assumption and what is reality.
You are entitled to your own assumption; it’s like your opinion. However, the reality is the truth, and very often we don’t know the truth. What may seem to you like being self-centered and comfortable, as you describe her in your letter, may just be sadness and awkwardness that she is still single, while all her friends are married. It may also be her way of coping with her difficult situation.
Marriage itself brings out qualities of giving and responsibility that may not have been visible beforehand.
You would be surprised how many young girls get married with zero kitchen experience, and when it comes to real life, they step up to the plate, preparing delicious, nourishing dinners for their new husbands. The same thing with young marrieds having children, with no prior experience to babysitting beforehand, who turn out to be the most amazing moms. It’s a learning-on-thejob experience.
Perhaps when asked for information about your sister-in-law, focus on reality and share with others about her amazing personality, or about the time she was helpful with your children, etc. Not everything needs to be shared (aside from real medical information where a rav should be consulted).
Best of luck!
fortable making shidduch suggestions.” She may think you’re selfish, but some people will assign that label no matter how careful your words are. Taking the “selfish” label is sometimes easier than being brutally honest and damaging the relationship further.
2. Honest but kind: You can gently tell her, “I care about you, and I don’t feel I’m the right person to set you up. I’d rather you work with someone who knows the right networks.” This keeps the focus off her flaws and on your own limitations.
When others call about her, the same principle applies: you don’t need to give a character analysis. A simple, “She’s my sister-in-law, and I’d prefer you speak with her directly,” keeps you neutral, kind, and out of the middle.
Your sister-in-law has her own path. Sometimes the best support we can offer is to step back and let people find their way.
Sincerely, Jennifer
Health & F tness Mental Illness Over Sukkos Finding Shelter in Fragility
By Rivka Kramer, PMHNP-BC
Sukkot is called Zman Simchaseinu—the season of our joy. We build sukkahs with our families, eat meals under the stars, and invite guests to share in the holiday. The walls may be fragile, but the atmosphere is meant to be filled with warmth and celebration.
But not everyone feels that joy. For many people living with depression, anxiety, or other mental health struggles, Sukkos can be one of the hardest times of the year. The pressure to feel happy, the endless meals, and the break from routine can weigh heavily. Instead of lightness, the holiday can bring loneliness. Instead of connection, it can deepen feelings of being on the outside.
And yet—hidden inside the sukkah is a powerful message for anyone carrying pain.
The Fragile Sukkah, the Fragile Self
The sukkah is not built to last. Its roof must let in the rain. Its walls can
blow with the wind. It stands unsteady, open, and exposed.
That fragility is the point. The sukkah reminds us that life itself is fragile. We are not as strong or permanent as we sometimes like to think.
For someone struggling with mental illness, this lesson cuts close to home. A person with depression may know what it feels like to collapse under a storm. Someone with anxiety may feel shaken by winds others can’t even see.
And yet, the sukkah is still called holy. Not because it is strong, but because it is honest about its weakness.
The same can be true of people. Struggling with mental illness does not make a person less holy. It simply reveals a part of our human condition—that we are vulnerable, and that we still belong.
What Does It Mean to Be Joyful?
The Torah tells us: “V’samachta b’chagecha.” Sukkot is unique—it is not just
another holiday, but the holiday of joy.
But what happens when you don’t feel joy?
For someone with depression, this verse can sound impossible. For someone battling social anxiety, the thought of joining big meals can feel terrifying, not joyful. And for those carrying grief or trauma, joy can feel far away.
Our tradition, though, offers a different way to understand simcha. Joy doesn’t always mean laughter or dancing. Sometimes, joy is showing up, even when it’s hard. Sometimes, it’s sitting quietly in the sukkah, making the blessing, or passing a piece of challah to a neighbor.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who himself wrestled with despair, taught, “It is a great mitzvah to always be in joy.” He didn’t mean ignoring pain. He meant searching for even the smallest sparks of joy, even when life feels heavy. For someone with mental illness, joy might mean noticing a star through the sukkah roof or enjoying one song at the table. Tiny moments count.
Hospitality and Isolation
One of the most beautiful parts of Sukkos is opening the sukkah to guests. We invite the Ushpizin, friends, neighbors, and strangers to join us.
But the reality is more complicated. For someone living with mental illness, Sukkos can magnify isolation. Families often gather in big groups, which can leave those who are single, divorced, widowed, or disconnected feeling painfully left out.
Even those who are invited may not have the energy or courage to show up. Depression can make getting dressed and leaving the house feel impossible. Anxiety can turn an invitation into a source of panic.
This is where communities make all the difference. It’s not enough to say, “You’re welcome if you want to come.” Real hospitality means noticing who isn’t at the table, reaching out personally, sending a message, or saving a seat. It means making sure that people know
they are wanted—not as a favor, but as part of the family.
Why the Holidays Can Be Hard
There are also very practical reasons why Sukkos can be challenging for someone with mental illness:
• Disrupted routine: Many people rely on daily schedules to stay grounded. Holidays throw everything off balance.
• Exhaustion: Building the sukkah, preparing meals, or attending long davening services can drain someone already coping with fatigue.
• Medication: Some medications need to be taken with food at specific times, which can clash with irregular meal schedules. Drinking alcohol at festive meals can also be dangerous.
• Money stress: Holiday expenses such as food, decorations and hospitality can hit hard, especially when someone already faces medical bills.
These struggles are often invisible. But they are real. A supportive community can ease them with simple gestures: offering to help build a sukkah, inviting someone to one meal instead of five, or letting a person know it’s OK if they need to rest.
Building Communities of Care
So what can we do? How can Jewish communities make Sukkos a holiday of joy for everyone, including those who find joy difficult to reach?
1. Talk about mental health openly. Just as we acknowledge when someone is physically sick, we should normalize con-
4. From the pulpit. Rabbis can use their speeches at shul to remind people that struggling does not mean failing. Not everyone feels joy all the time, even on Sukkos—and that’s okay.
5. Encourage support. Seeking professional help is not a lack of faith. It is an act of strength. Communities should rein-
For people carrying mental illness, this lesson can bring comfort. You don’t need to be strong all the time. You don’t need to be endlessly happy. You are already worthy of shelter, of love, of belonging.
The sukkah itself, with all its flaws, is made holy. So, too, are we.
This Sukkos, may we widen the walls of our sukkahs—not only to welcome family and friends but also to embrace those who feel invisible. May we see the person who is struggling quietly, may we make space at our tables, and may we remember that joy grows when we carry each other.
versations about depression, anxiety, and trauma. Silence creates stigma; openness creates safety.
2. Educate. Shuls and schools can host programs about mental health and Jewish life, reminding people that Judaism values caring for the whole person— body, mind, and spirit.
3. Offer help without judgment. Sometimes, it’s not words but actions that matter most. Help someone build their sukkah, bring a meal, or simply sit with them.
force that taking care of mental health is just as important as taking care of physical health.
Shelter in the Shadow of the Sukkah
At its heart, Sukkos teaches us about trust. We leave behind the sturdy walls of our homes and sit in something fragile. We remember that true protection doesn’t come from bricks or wood but from G-d’s presence.
Because real joy isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about knowing that even in fragility, we are not alone.
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.
Common Cents Building Your Emergency Fund — Without Feeling Deprived
Emergencies don’t schedule themselves. A flat tire, sudden job loss, or urgent medical bill can derail your finances, unless you have an emergency fund.
But let’s be honest: setting aside cash “just in case” doesn’t always feel urgent or exciting. It can feel like a sacrifice, especially when money is tight.
The good news? Building your emergency fund doesn’t have to mean giving up joy. You can create a financial cushion without feeling deprived with the right strategies and mindset.
What Is an Emergency Fund— And Why It Matters
An emergency fund is a stash of money set aside specifically for unexpected expenses. It keeps you from relying on high-interest credit cards or draining your investments when
Here’s how to break it down:
– Just starting? Aim for a starter emergency fund of $1,000.
– Building momentum? Target 1 month of expenses.
– Feeling more secure? Grow it to 3–6 months over time.
Remember: this is a journey, not a sprint.
How to Build an Emergency Fund—Without Feeling Deprived
1. Automate Tiny Transfers
Set up an automatic weekly transfer—even $10—from checking to savings. You won’t miss it, and it adds up.
2. Rename Your Account Call it ‘Peace of Mind Fund’ or ‘Sleep Better Savings.’ Language mat-
By Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST
5. Gamify Your Progress Set mini-goals (e.g., $500, $1,000, $1,500) and celebrate each milestone. Progress is motivating.
6. Open a High-Yield Savings Account
Keep your emergency fund slightly out of reach, earning better interest, but still accessible when needed.
What NOT to Do
– Don’t invest your emergency fund in the stock market—it needs to be stable and accessible.
– Don’t mix it with your checking account—you’ll spend it accidentally.
– Don’t aim for perfection. $500 saved is better than $0 saved.
Emergency Fund = Confidence
The real benefit of an emergency fund isn’t just financial—it’s emotional. Knowing you can handle a surprise expense without panicking gives you confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
It’s not about fear. It’s about *freedom*.
Your Common Cents Action Plan
– Open a separate savings account and give it a motivational name.
– Automate a small weekly transfer (start with $10).
– Set your first milestone: $500.
– Review once a month and increase the amount when you can.
– Celebrate every milestone. You’re building financial resilience!
Subscribe to Common Cents digitally on LinkedIn.
The decision to start saving and investing is yours, but the “how” can be hard. Email commoncents@ northbrookfinancial.com to schedule a financial planning consultation with our team.
Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST is Co-Founder of Northbrook Financial, a Financial Planning, Tax, and Investment Management Firm. He has developed and continues to teach a popular Financial Literacy course for high school students.
Board with what’s being served?
(NOT ANYMORE)
Relationships Rewired Saying No for a Year of Yes
By Bassy Schwartz, LMFT
This time of year, the theme of “newness” is everywhere—new year, new me. Renewal, rejuvenation, and reset are powerful, but I’ve found that some of the most transformative changes don’t come from what we start—they come from what we end.
Letting go of things that aren’t serving us—old habits, draining relationships, patterns that no longer fit—can be even more powerful than trying to add something new. So much of what holds us back works quietly in the background, sucking our energy without us even realizing it. Saying yes when we really want to say no, giving more than we have to give, sticking around with people or circumstances that take more than they give…these things weigh us down, even if we don’t calculate it consciously.
A lot of this is conditioning—our brains are trained by what we’ve experienced. Many of us grew up in households, schools, or communities shaped by people who were themselves struggling, traumatized, or doing their best in hard circumstances. We carry those molds into adulthood, often without realizing it, and it can shape our choices, our relationships, even how we see ourselves.
Some of my biggest personal “aha” moments came the second I decided I could no longer dilute myself for the sake of someone or something else. I’ve started to view many parts of myself and my life as optional, noticing that I had gotten used to standards and assumptions that didn’t need to exist. Seeing why those circumstances weren’t serving me anymore, and then finding alternatives that actually aligned with my inner needs and values, has been the ultimate liberation. This is good therapy at work, and it’s my greatest privilege in life to partake in this work and share it with my clients.
With every year that passes, I get clearer on who I am, what my values are, and what truly feels right. I may say “no” more than ever, but I also feel more fulfilled and aligned with my true self than ever. I am grateful to G-d for the therapeutic process and for every opportunity to grow and discover more of myself.
So as we step into this new year, instead of just asking what new habit we want to start, we need to be asking: What do I need to stop? What deserves a “no” so that I can live a year full of real “yeses” and abundance?
Here are ten things to let go of this
year, to curate a year of “yes!”:
1. Dismissing Your Inner Voice
We all have an internal compass, but many of us have been taught to ignore it. Maybe you were told you’re “too sensitive” or that your instincts were “wrong.” Over time, this trains you to doubt yourself. But ignoring that voice leaves you disconnected and vulnerable to making choices that don’t fit who you are. Learning to pause, listen, and honor your gut feelings is not indulgent—it’s wisdom.
2. Saying Yes Because You “Feel Bad”
Compassion is a gift, but when guilt dictates your choices, you pay the price. Saying yes from guilt often leads to resentment, burnout, and inauthentic relationships. A “no” offered with honesty and respect is far kinder than a “yes” that depletes you. It leaves room for you to say “yes” to what truly matters to you.
3. Offering What You Don’t Have to Give
We live in a culture that glorifies self-sacrifice—giving until we’re empty. But time, money, emotional energy, even physical help—these are finite resources. When you give what you don’t actually have, it doesn’t make you generous; it makes you depleted. True giving
comes from intention and resource, not deficit. Boundaries protect not just you but also the quality of what you are able to give.
4. Assuming That a Long-Lasting or Biological Relationship Is Automatically the Right Relationship
We value family and history, but longevity and blood don’t automatically equal a healthy relationship. Some of the most painful patterns I’ve seen come across my desk come from relationships people felt obligated to maintain even when those dynamics were harmful. It takes courage to admit that not every relationship is meant to be central in your life. Sometimes love means closeness, and sometimes love means distance (even if it’s only for the sake of self-love).
5. Diluting Your Accomplishments
How many times have you downplayed your successes so you wouldn’t seem “arrogant”? Or so someone else wouldn’t feel small? While humility is important, self-erasure serves no one. Your achievements are not meant to be hidden; they are evidence of your hard work and G-d-given abilities. Owning your light gives others permission to shine, too. And boy, do I want to live in
a world where there’s enough space for each of us to shine.
6. Pouring More Energy Into Your Outer World Than Your Inner World
It’s easy to curate the version of yourself you present to the public: the polished parent, the successful professional, the perfect hostess. But what about your private, inner world—your relationship with yourself, your closest loved ones, with G-d? Investing in your inner life pays dividends that no social approval can match. A beautiful exterior means little without inner peace.
7. Viewing Life as a Checklist
Marriage, career, children, house, schools—it’s tempting to measure life by milestones. But when life becomes a checklist, you risk losing sight of meaning and depth. Alignment with your inner truth is what brings fulfillment, not simply ticking the next box. Sometimes, alignment means slowing down or even redefining what success looks like.
8. Confusing Vulnerability With Over-Compensation
Real vulnerability is sacred—it’s not a performance or a way to earn approval. Oversharing in order to prove your
“realness” is not the same as authentic openness. Vulnerability should be reserved for those who have earned your trust. It is a privilege for others to have a lens into your heart, not a transaction to make them like you more.
9. Glossing Over Your Own Feelings Because “Someone Has It Worse”
We all know someone who is strug-
matter. Honoring them is the first step toward growth.
10. Going With the Crowd Out of Fear
I’ll die on this hill: none of us actually know what we’re doing—and that’s okay. We’re social beings, and it can feel isolating to stand apart. But the reality is, everyone is experimenting and figuring things out at their own pace. Just
Letting go of things that aren’t serving us— old habits, draining relationships, patterns that no longer fit—can be even more powerful than trying to add something new.
gling more than we are. But comparing pain invalidates your reality. If you dismiss your sadness, anger, or fear because it doesn’t seem “big enough,” you rob yourself of the option to heal. Your feelings matter simply because you
because a choice is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for you. G-d is the only One who sees the full picture. Trusting what fills your cup, meets your needs, and aligns with your values is both terrifying and freeing.
This year, let’s focus not just on what we want to start, but on what we’re ready to release. Every intentional “no” we give clears space for a more authentic, vibrant “yes.” Saying no to what drains us makes room for what truly matters—our peace, our growth, our joy. Let’s step into this year with courage, clarity, and a commitment to ourselves, and watch how our lives transform when we honor our needs and values first.
Bassy, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy, brings a compassionate and unique approach to her practice focusing on couples and individuals dealing with conflict and disconnection due to childhood emotional neglect and complex family dynamics. Bassy empowers clients to harness their inner strength and authentic selves to achieve meaningful relationships beyond what they could have ever imagined. Reach her directly at bassy@corerelationships. com or WhatsApp (347) 309-5362.
Ahron Reichman & Devora Gold
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David Rubin (Nashville) & Marla Lewis (Baltimore)
Meir Simcha Braun (Baltimore) & Esti Braun (Lakewood)
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Eat Jewish Over Sukkos
By
MElinda StrauSS
Herb-roasted Eggplant
Makes 1 cup
When I think of a kiddush after shul (synagogue)— where refreshments are served following prayer services on Shabbos and holidays—or of appetizers served with challah at a Shabbos meal, there’s always a dish featuring eggplant. Whether it’s baba ghanoush (smoky eggplant dip), achla (Spanish eggplant dip), melitzanosalata (Greek eggplant dip), or simply roasted eggplant with herbs and oil, eggplant is a staple. It may not always have a specific name, but it brings those Mediterranean flavors I love! This eggplant dish is best served fresh as an appetizer with a sprinkle of fresh herbs but can also be served cold like a salad.
IngredIents
• 2 pounds (910 g) eggplant (2 to 3 medium eggplants)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 cloves garlic
• ¾ cup (180 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish
• ½ cup (30 g) fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
• ½ cup (30 g) fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
• ½ cup (30 g) fresh dill, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
PreParat Ion
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line three baking sheets with paper towels.
2. Slice the eggplant into thin rounds, about 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick, then cut into half-moons. Lay them on the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle with the salt. Set aside for the salt to draw out their bitter liquid, about 30 minutes.
3. In a food processor with the knife blade attached, add the garlic, olive oil, parsley, cilantro, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the processor as needed, about 1 minute.
4. Pat the eggplant dry with paper towels and transfer to a large bowl. Pour the herb puree into the bowl and stir until the eggplant is evenly coated.
5. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread the eggplant in an even layer. Bake until it is browning around the edges, about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly.
6. If serving warm and fresh, transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with fresh herbs. To serve at room temperature or chilled, let cool completely, then transfer to a serving dish or an airtight container, drizzle with olive oil, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve topped with fresh herbs.
Note: The eggplant can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days and the freezer for up to 3 months.
Butternut Squash Kugel
Serves 6 to 8
This sweet, soufflé-like kugel, with hints of vanilla and cinnamon, feels almost like a dessert but shines as an incredible, sweet side dish. Naturally gluten-free thanks to its crustless base, it can be made with or without dairy to suit any meal. And yes, you could absolutely top it with marshmallows and serve it alongside your Thanksgiving feast—it’s as versatile as it is delicious!
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9-inch (23 cm) square or round baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, add the flour and salt and whisk to combine.
3. In another large bowl, add the squash, eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla and whisk until smooth. Add the egg mixture to the flour and whisk until the flour is fully incorporated and a smooth batter is formed.
4. Add the mixture to the prepared baking dish, using a rubber spatula to scrape it from the bowl and smooth it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly over the top.
5. Bake until the top is slightly browned and the center is set but still slightly jiggly, similar to the texture of a cheesecake, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
6. Serve family style in the dish.
Note: The kugel can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Cabbage Borscht
Serves 8 to 10
This probably isn’t the kind of borscht you normally think of, which is usually made with beets in the broth and a dollop of sour cream on top. My Savtah Adina, whose mother’s family came from Poland, always made this sweet-and sour cabbage soup, and it’s one of my favorites to this day. Every year during the fall, I fly to Seattle during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, and we sit in the sukkah layered up in our puffy warm coats filling up on cabbage borscht before even serving the main course. It’s tradition! And hey, if you don’t feel like shredding your own cabbage, a bag of pre-shredded cabbage works, too.
IngredIents
• 3 pounds (1.4 kg) short ribs or flanken, cut into 2-inch (5 cm) cubes
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 bottle (46 ounces, or 1.3 L) tomato juice
• 1 can (28 ounces, or 800 g) crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar or pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 large green cabbage, shredded
PreParatIon
1. Pat the meat dry with paper towels and season it with 2 teaspoons of the salt and the pepper.
2. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers, about 2 minutes. Working in batches, add the meat, making sure not to overcrowd the pot, and sear on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the seared meat to a plate.
3. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and beginning to brown around the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato juice, crushed to-
matoes, sugar, lemon juice, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 cup (240 ml) of water. Stir until the browned bits are loosened from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Return the meat to the pot. Add the cabbage and stir to mix it all in. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until the meat is fork-tender, about 2 hours.
5. Ladle into soup bowls, making sure each bowl has 2 or 3 pieces of meat, and serve.
Note: The borscht can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Text and images excerpted with permission from Eat Jewish by Melinda Strauss, published by Rock Point, (c)2025.
Parenting Pearls Building Walls of Safety
By Sara Rayvych, MSEd
Sukkos is a beautiful yom tov. It is the one time of the year the Torah instructs us, “V’samachta b’chagecha,” you should be happy during this holiday. It’s interesting that it is only during the chag where we are asked to leave the safety of our homes for a humble, temporary outdoor structure that we are commanded in happiness. As many of us can testify, hurricanes and other storms have knocked down many sukkahs. Sometimes even a routine strong rain will bring down a once proudly standing sukkah.
We know that it’s not the strength of the walls around us, nor the hardy roof that protects us. It’s the Shechina and Hashem’s continuous Divine Presence that we rely on for security and safety. This is the One Protection that always accompanies us – whether we reside in a rugged or makeshift structure.
While we are all dependent on Hashem’s continuous hashgacha, children get their immediate sense of security from their parents. We have the privilege of turning a simple abode into one of safety and serenity.
There are many ways we do this, but one simple way is being emotionally available and creating a safe space for them. Answering their questions and guiding them through the difficult dis -
cussions is one way we create this feeling of love and security. They learn they can come to us with anything that arises and that we will do our best to respond accurately and faithfully.
As parents, we’re often called upon to answer difficult questions or educate our children on sensitive topics. For most adults, this is one of the less enjoyable parts of parenting. We squirm, avoid the questions and hope for something – anything – to distract our curious youngster. At other times, we’re the ones who need to bring up the discussion, and we feel awkward not knowing how to start.
There are many times this comes up, and we often don’t receive much warning. For other topics, we know they will inevitably need to be discussed at some point. Having some advanced awareness – and lots of siyata dishmaya –can help us better address them at the appropriate time.
Tips
There are a number of tips that apply to nearly all topics. Having some basic techniques to work with can help make a difficult situation just a bit easier.
Find out what they’re really asking. Sometimes, the question we think they’re asking isn’t what they really
want to know. Some gentle discussion – not interrogation – should provide some clarity. It helps to remember that they don’t understand what they’re asking and may not phrase their questions appropriately.
Use age-appropriate language. The topic is usually complicated enough, there’s no reason to further confuse them. There are times we will need to use technical or advanced words. In these cases, we should make sure to not only translate new words but also explain the concept or what it means practically.
Stick to facts. Many topics can be discussed using science or other concrete facts. For example, most comingof-age discussions can be successfully discussed by focusing on the relevant biology. Similarly, we need to be accurate. We shouldn’t exaggerate or make things up.
We don’t need to know everything. There is nothing wrong with saying we need to look something up or ask another person, such as a rav, mentor or professional. This demonstrates we are treating their questions and curiosity with respect, in addition to ensuring accuracy.
While ideally we want to answer promptly, it’s OK if we can’t respond immediately. Perhaps others are pres -
ent, or we need time to prepare a wellthought-out response. It’s rare for the query to be so time-sensitive that we can’t take a few minutes or hours to think first. Thinking before speaking is generally wise advice, and this is no exception. The important point is to make sure we get back to them with an answer, ensuring they know we haven’t forgotten.
Some topics will pop up on us, such as current events or other news, but most topics can be anticipated. Ideally, we want to discuss these topics slowly over time. Smaller, more bite-sized discussions are better than one large, overwhelming talk.
There are so many different topics that may come up, but I wanted to use two common ones as examples: drinking and coming-of-age discussions. The exact details may differ, but the overall technique of listening, understanding and communicating is similar to most topics.
Drinking
Despite drinking not being listed as one of the mitzvos of Simchas Torah, many have taken it upon themselves, turning their beis medrash into a less than welcoming space for others. One of my beis medrash sons shared with me his most recent Purim experience
of babysitting another bochur. My son spent the beginning of Shabbos removing the vomit from this bochur’s mouth, making sure he didn’t aspirate. While I certainly appreciate my son’s concern for another, this isn’t the Shabbos experience I would have wanted him to have.
Drinking alcohol, as well as imbibing other similar substances, will inevitably come up in life. Pretending it’s not going to happen will neither shield nor protect our precious youth. Ongoing discussions and healthy personal examples will best pass on our views.
Like in all areas, a child’s understanding of alcohol starts with the chinuch they receive at home. Parental examples are their main influence, and strong words cannot undo damage they witness at home. We can’t educate on moderation if we don’t practice it ourselves.
In contrast to the overindulgence we may sadly see, there are plenty of opportunities to demonstrate healthier attitudes. For example, many families will serve some wine during chol hamoed to comply with that halachic opinion. Letting children know the appropriate role that alcohol – or anything else –can play in our avodas Hashem is one
way of being mechanech our children in this area.
Coming of Age
We want our children to grow up, get married and build their own families. Growing and maturing is our eventual goal for these adorable newborns, but the inevitable discussions can become awkward.
age and inexperience, this is to be expected. As much as your child may pick up facts that are accurate, there will be plenty that isn’t true or that you didn’t want them to be exposed to. Allowing their friends to educate them in this area denies us the opportunity to share in this aspect of our child’s development.
We also lose the opportunity to show them we can discuss these topics as they
Smaller, more bite-sized discussions are better than one large, overwhelming talk.
A large number of parents are relying on their child’s friends to educate their own impressionable youngsters on this crucial topic. It’s natural that kids talk and pick up on things from these conversations. This can’t be avoided and is part of their natural curiosity. Still, as knowledgeable and wise as their peers may sound, they’re often ill-informed and clueless. Considering their young
mature. Over the next crucial developmental years, they will encounter many new situations and questions. We want to be their address for all of these. Having the “simpler” discussions now lets them know they can trust us with the more major ones as they arise.
The hashkafos on this topic are best taught throughout their growing years. More than lectures, our continuous
example is what shows our values on tzinius and kedusha. It is how we lead our life that teaches them about healthy relationships and appropriate interactions.
Parents get overwhelmed with the details. The technical aspects can be taught more simply like a basic biology lesson. There are many medical or educational materials and diagrams available to assist parents. There are also books written for children/teens on this topic – both Jewish and secular.
As we look to Hashem for the continuous comfort that only He provides, we can still do our humble hishtadlus by creating a safe and welcoming home for our children within it. As we learn from Sukkos, it’s not the physical material of the walls that keeps us safe but the intangibles that we can’t see. Wishing you a chag sameach!
Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.
Dovid & Shevi Greenwald on the birth of a son
Alex & Blima Maged on the birth of a son
Tzvi & Leah Grossman on the birth of a daughter
Rabbi & Mrs. Avraham Dovid Eichenstein on the birth of a son
Naftoli & Sara Esty Silberberg on the birth of a daughter
Ze'ev & Hadassa Beleck on the birth of a son
Jorj & Miriam Felder on the birth of a daughter
Yizhak & Sara Bushwick on the birth of a daughter
Alex & Blima Maged on the birth of a son
Nesanel & Ahuva Sokolow on the birth of a son
Dr. & Mrs. Noam Charnowitz on the birth of a son
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