Parshas Mishpatim stands out as one of the most mitzvah-laden parshiyos in the Torah, containing 53 mitzvos, guiding us in every aspect of life, from interpersonal ethics to responsibilities toward Hashem. It is a parsha that underscores how each mitzvah, whether seemingly small or grand, has far-reaching consequences, setting off a chain reaction of righteousness and compassion.
A powerful illustration of Mitzvah Goreres Mitzvah (one mitzvah leads to another), can be found in the story of Project Solomon, a daring mission that saved 17,000 Ethiopian Jews during the Ethiopian Civil War.
However, this rescue operation hinged on a crucial detail: the Ethiopian government would only grant permission if President George H.W. Bush sent a letter formally recognizing the Ethiopian Prime Minister, an unprecedented move for the U.S. government. With time running out, the decision came down to a vote in Bush’s cabinet. The result? A tie.
The deciding vote belonged to General Colin Powell. He stood up and shared a personal story from his childhood:
A devastating fire had trapped three children inside a burning building, with no escape in sight. An Ethiopian man, witnessing the scene, rushed into the flames and saved them. When
the grateful parents offered him a reward, the man simply said, “I’m a Jew, and Jews don’t sell mitzvos.”
Powell then revealed that he had been one of those three children. The man who had risked his life to save him was a Jew- someone who had fulfilled the mitzvah of saving a life without expecting anything in return. Now, decades later, Powell recognized that he was in a position to “repay” that mitzvah by enabling the rescue of thousands of Ethiopian Jews. He cast the deciding vote, allowing Project Solomon to proceed.
The mitzvah of one Jew, long ago, unknowingly set off a ripple effect that led to the salvation of an entire community in a precarious situation.
Parshas Mishpatim teaches us that every mitzvah has an infinite impact- whether it is an act of kindness, honesty in business, or caring for those in need. We may not always see the results immediately, but just like the mitzvah performed by that Ethiopian Jew so many years ago, our good deeds can set off a chain reaction that continues long beyond our lifetime.
Every mitzvah we do matters and it may very well change the course of history.
Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbos Aaron M. Friedman
Send us your: community events, articles & photos, and mazal tovs to editor@baltimorejewishhome.com to be featured in coming editions!
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Around the Community
Tu B’shvat Tisch At
Talmudical Academy’s 4th and 5th graders enjoyed a special Tu B’shvat Tisch with The Zidichover Rebbe, HaRav Eichenstein, shlita.
TA Darchei Noam Students Say A Tefilah For Eretz Yisroel At
HIRINGHIRING
A Night Of Abundance: Ahavas Chaim’s Electrifying Tu B’Shvat Peiros Tisch!
By: BJLife Newsroom
What an amazing Wednesday night!
Ahavas Chaim lit up the community with an uplifting and inspiring Tu B’Shvat Peiros Tisch, featuring Rav Amrom Yosef Jungreis, shlita, Rav of the Chassidish Kollel. His profound insights about recognizing the niflaos
haBorei in everyday life and his vibrant spirit brought a new level of joy and connection as we celebrated the beauty of Tu B’Shvat.
Special thanks to Eli Lax and Yankel Kohn, and to everyone who joined us! Looking forward to many more evenings filled with inspiration and spiritual growth!
MANAGING FINANCES
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, this seminar is for you!
• Are you facing, for the first time, as a single or a couple, the challenges of managing your money and are not really sure how to do it?
Congregation 6214 Pimlico Road TO
REGISTER:
Send your names, the number of attendees and your Email address to: LSJBaltimore@Gmail.com
Reservations are strongly recommended for space planning purposes. Feel free to Email questions about the seminar or coaching. Attendees are encouraged to sign-up for in-home coaching sessions to help put the information conveyed in the seminar into practice. WHEN: Sunday, March 9, 2025 7:30PM
• Do you think that you have adequate income but never seem to have enough money?
• Do you feel out of control when it comes to money and try to avoid thinking about it?
• Do you think that you should know about how to manage money, but were never taught and have tried to figure it out on your own, but never get a good handle on the process?
• Do you know how much you can really afford to purchase a house?
• Are the balances on your credit card increasing and you do not know why they are going up or how to stop it?
• Do you and your spouse not see eye-to-eye on how much money should be earned and spent that it has led to increasing family tension?
Chance Encounter Becomes A Kiddush Hashem: How A Rabbi And Tow Truck Driver Formed A Close Bond
Asimple roadside rescue turned into a remarkable friendship and a beautiful Kiddush Hashem, as Rabbi Avi Sharfman of Baltimore and AAA technician Jerome Belton found an unexpected connection on a snowy day in Maryland.
In January, Rabbi Sharfman, a chaplain for LifeBridge Health, was on his way to provide spiritual care for a dying man in hospice when his car got stuck in a snowbank. He called AAA, which dispatched Jerome Belton, a tow truck driver with a warm smile and a helping hand.
“Jerome gets out of the truck and, with his big smile, says, ‘I’ve got you,’” Sharfman told WBAL.
Belton immediately sprang into action, working quickly to free the rabbi’s car.
“It was like I had wings on my back,” Belton said.
Sharfman made it to the family just in time to offer comfort in their final moments with their loved one. Deeply moved by Belton’s kindness, he later wrote a letter to AAA commending him. But their connection didn’t end there.
Since that day, the two men—who once were strangers—have had many deep conversations, sharing their experiences and struggles.
“We’re more than friends. We’re brothers,” Sharfman said.
For Belton, the encounter was more than just a job. “It was just a connection of two lights. When you bring them together, it just gets brighter,” he says.
This story is a true Kiddush Hashem, a testament to how small acts of
Tu Bshvat In YTS Preschool
The YTS preschool boys had such a fun time celebrating Tu B’Shvat! The younger boys made fruit Kabobs, made brachos and ate them up. The
older boys took the different fruits and made pictures of trees using their fruits, before making brachos and enjoying this healthy snack.
By: Yeshiva World News
kindness can illuminate the world. It shows that compassion, respect, and humanity transcend all differences, and that even in challenging moments, Hashem orchestrates opportunities for connection with others – including those that don’t look like us or have the same lives as us.
Greater Washington: Around the Community YGW Boys Seniors Visit Israel
Last week, after 10 months of fundraising, the YGW senior class had the extreme privilege of going on a week-long trip to Israel. Each and every day was filled to the brim with excitement, purpose, and delight as the seniors visited different yeshivos that will IY”H shape their future, explored the deep history of our homeland (through an archaeological tour of Ir David) and its people (with tours of Har Hamenuchos and the Belz shul in Yerushalayim), and partook in many classic Israel experiences— hiking in Ein Gedi, floating in the Yam Hamelach, jeeping in Mitzpeh Yericho, Maariv at the Kosel, and so much more.
One of the most incredible things about this trip was that it highlighted the uniqueness of each bochur: because there were so many different experiences on this trip, each person was able to have a different and unique moment of inspiration that made the trip meaningful to them. It was a trip filled with unparalleled en-
YGW
TReflections by Adiv Shudofsky
ergy, invaluable life lessons, and vivid memories that will leave an indelible mark on all those who were lucky enough to have this opportunity. A tremendous thank you to the incredible chaperones who worked tirelessly to coordinate this trip and make sure everything ran perfectly smoothly.
Knights Advance To The Championship!
The YGW Junior Varsity team advances to the championship game after their 61-42 win over Sienna. The JV finished their regular season with a
record of 5-5. The Knights are part of the ISSAC (Independent Small Schools Athletic Conference) league and it has been a great experience for all the players and fans at YGW!
Greater
Washington: Around the Community
Kehillas Shaar Simcha Hosts Inspiring Melava Malka With Rabbi Fischer: A Path To Authentic Relationships And Spiritual Growth
This past Motzai Shabbos, Kehillas Shaar Simcha, in collaboration with the Kulam speaker series, hosted an uplifting Melava Malka event, where Rabbi Yoni Fischer, a Rosh Yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel, shared profound insights on authentic relationships and spiritual growth. His words resonated deeply with the gathered community, touching on various topics that are both personal and universal, offering a roadmap to living a more meaningful and purposeful life.
The evening was further enhanced by the beautiful musical accompaniment led by Dr. Elan Barenholtz. The melodies filled the room, setting a tone of warmth and inspiration, while the singing added a special touch to the event, creating an atmosphere that allowed the message to resonate on a deeper level.
Rabbi Fischer focused on the concept of cultivating an authentic relationship with Hashem. To truly connect with Hashem, we must first be genuine in our interactions with others. Rabbi Fischer emphasized that when we strive to build real, honest relationships with our families, friends, and ourselves, it sets a foundation for
Join The Club!
6th grade boys have been spotted walking the Torah School hallways clutching mysterious black folders. These folders, along with the growing self-awareness, accountability, and respectful behavior of those students who carry them, are hallmark signs of a participant in Torah School’s exciting new initiative, called BTC.
BTC, or Ben Torah Club, is a voluntary program for our 6th grade boys, preparing them for the expectations of middle school and beyond. Students who are interested in focusing on their growth can sign up monthly. BTCers must maintain a certain level of timeliness, respectable behavior, focused work, and making good choices, and then rate their performance after each class period
a deep, meaningful connection with HKBH. He said authenticity is the key to spiritual growth—because when we engage sincerely with those around us, we mirror the same authenticity in our relationship with Hashem.
Rabbi Fischer also touched on the challenges faced by the younger generation. He shared some profound insights on how we, as parents and educators, can better support our children. Rabbi Fischer emphasized that we must meet each child where they are in their personal journey. “It’s not about what was done beforehand,” he explained. “We cannot compare the way we were brought up to the way they navigate life now.” Today’s children face unique challenges, and it’s crucial to recognize that their struggles may be vastly different from our own experiences. Rabbi Fischer shared that for a young person, it’s no small feat to pause their distracted lives and make time to come to the beis medrash to learn. He urged parents and educators to show empathy and understanding of our children as they navigate this challenging world.
The evening left the crowd feeling deeply inspired, having learned practi-
cal tools to help elevate their marriages, friendships, and personal growth. Rabbi Fischer’s words were a powerful reminder of the importance of building authentic relationships, balancing spiritual and personal growth, and striving for meaningful connection
with both Hashem and those around us. What a tremendous opportunity it was for the community to come together and be inspired to soar higher in their avodas Hashem.
on the scoresheet in their BTC folder. Each boy self-evaluates, which is a key part in taking ownership of their choices, and then their teacher signs their scoresheet (or, on rare occasions when a teacher disagrees with a student’s self-evaluation, engages the student in a reflective conversation).
BTC membership comes with several perks. There’s an event on Friday mornings with food, drinks, and time to hang out together. There are also surprise perks, including a recent gym night with ice cream sundaes. Any BTCer who maintains a certain average becomes a BTC honor roll student that month, and students who maintain that status for at least three months will be recognized with a gift at their graduation.
Greater Washington: Around the Community
The Golden Chain Of Mesorah
Abas mitzvah is not like any other birthday, and Sunday’s Torah School Bas Mitzvah Program was far more than a birthday celebration. It was a beautifully creative and artistic expression of joy and pride as our girls take their place in the chain of Jewish tradition alongside their mothers.
Guest speaker Mrs. Rachie Reingold explained why we celebrate taking on the burden of mitzvos. Shouldn’t we be reluctant to take on a burden? But we know that mitzvos are eternal, the key to our happiness, and the key to our growth, and that’s why we have good reason to celebrate.
With lyrical songs, charming costumes and props, impressive gymnastic feats, and rhyming couplets, 6G took to the stage to celebrate in style. They sang, danced, and acted out the many lessons we learn from the lives of our Imahos. One scene,
for example, featured Avraham and Sarah’s tent, where Sarah Imeinu taught us about modesty and brought many close to Hashem. In another scene, we saw Rivka Imeinu’s chesed at the well, where she made sure that Eliezer and his camels had enough to drink.
Thank you to our 6G teachers, Mrs. Perel Kreiser, Mrs. Jodi Mailman, and Mrs. Masha Schore, who worked tirelessly with the girls to plan and execute this stirring theatrical program, and to Mrs. Rachel Benamou for her musical and creative contributions. Thank you to everyone who helped set up the gorgeous decor and delectable brunch. And mazel tov, 6G! May you continue to grow into wonderful bnos mitzvah, following in the footsteps of our Imahos!
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
12:30 pm YGW Sunday
1:00 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F
1:10 pm YGW M-Th
3:00 pm YGW Middle School School Days mincha
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
9:30 pm YGW Fall/Winter Silver Spring Jewish CenterSpring/Summer
9:45 pm Ohr Hatorah M-Th
shacharis
AN EVENT FOR PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
This unique event provides medical professionals with the opportunity to meet with representatives from across the Israeli medical establishment.
MedEx is the only place where you can:
• Have your documents certified in person
• Begin the process of transferring your medical license
• Interview with Israeli hospitals and medical clinics
• Discuss your Aliyah plans even if they are long term
Beyond the Headlines
A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news
By Sivan Rahav Meir
Coming Down from Sinai
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz derives an important life lesson from this week’s Torah portion of Mishpatim. He writes: “The most unusual part about Parashat Mishpatim is….Parashat Mishpatim. How do we move from the dramatic and earthshattering revelation on Har Sinai to a listing of 53 mitzvot pertaining to different areas of life? How is it possible to go from the lofty and sublime Matan Torah to instructions about how to take care of your donkey, or what happens if someone breaks your tooth and causes you injury?
The answer is that in order to achieve great things, we must begin with the small details. This is the only way to create meaning and to bring the revelation on Har Sinai into our day-to-day lives.
In contrast to the well-known saying, “The end justifies the means,” the Torah teaches us that “The means sanctify the end.” We cannot preserve the thunder and lightning of Sinai, but we can take the spirit of that encounter and translate it into practical actions— mitzvot— that elevate our lives at home, on the road, in the bank, or in the marketplace.
We are accustomed to lifting our eyes heavenward when we speak about Hashem, but Parashat Mishaptim teaches us that He is also present in the money we spend, in the apple we eat, and in our attitude toward the parking lot attendant.
The Mothers’ Heartfelt Request
Last week, I had the privilege of participating in a global women’s Zoom event. Initiated by social activist Sharon Adam and Rabbanit Rachel Bazak, this joint broadcast connected thousands of women from Israel and around the world.
The broadcast hosted Lena Troufanov, mother of Sasha, who thankfully was released last Shabbat. “Dear women, what am I
asking?” Lena said. “Please try to be less angry, less irritable, express gratitude, and speak kindly. It’s the little things that matter.”
But what does refraining from yelling at one’s children have to do with Sasha? Lena, who emigrated to Israel from the Soviet Union, had very little familiarity with Judaism. However, since the tragic events of October 7, when she herself was also taken hostage, she discovered a deep connection to her heritage, including the concept of mutual responsibility among the Jewish people. “During the time I was held captive and afterward, Judaism provided me with meaning and joy,” she shared. “I realized that all Jews are interconnected, and every commandment we observe impacts others. Your actions give strength to me and to Sasha.”
Lena also discussed her decision to avoid exposure to the news until Sasha’s return, as she found it disheartening and confusing rather than helpful.
The event resonated with similar powerful sentiments from additional mothers of hostages. Shelly Shem Tov, whose son Omer remains captive in Gaza, described her anguish as labor pains, painful yet hopeful that something positive will emerge. “You are the midwives assisting me,” she said. “Focus on strengthening one small aspect of your lives.”
Siggy Cohen, mother of Eli, asked attendees to keep her son in their thoughts during Shabbat candlelighting, Kiddush, and the Torah reading in shul. Julie Kuperstein, Ditsa Or, Efrat Mor, and Galit Kalfon each echoed these powerful messages.
Concluding the event, Meirav Berger, mother of recently released hostage Agam, expressed gratitude to the millions of Jews worldwide who supported their ordeal. “Agam was kidnapped because she is Jew-
ish, prompting a reflection on our Jewish identity. It is only together, with strength and with prayer, that we turn the impossible into the possible. Dream, pray, and request the utmost.”
Creating a World with Words
Here are some helpful words for this challenging period from Hila Gonen, director of a trauma recovery center in Sderot:
“What does it mean when magicians say ‘abracadabra’? It’s actually a combination of two words of Hebrew origin: ‘abra’ (I will create) and ‘cadabara’ (as I speak). Words create reality. Our world itself was created with Hashem’s words.
“Therefore, when you make despairing statements such as, ‘I have no more strength,’ ‘I can’t stand the tension,’ and ‘I’m falling apart,’ you create that reality and end up really feeling that way. What we need to know is that we can create a far more favorable reality with empowering statements. Instead of ‘I’m finished,’ try telling yourself: ‘It’s
hard for me now and I am hurting, but I can still keep on going’.
“Another idea is to limit the time we allow ourselves to dwell on our negative emotions. Instead of saying, ‘I can’t handle this,’ say ‘I can’t handle this right now .’ Instead of ‘I have not recovered,’ add the word ‘yet.’ Instead of ‘I’m sad,’ say, ‘In the meantime, I’m sad.’ We need to remind ourselves that the current situation is only temporary and is bound to change for the better.”
Translated by Yehoshua Siskin, Janine Muller Sherr
Want to read more by Sivan Rahav Meir? Google The Daily Thought or visit sivanrahavmeir.com
(R) Lena Troufanov and (L) Rabbanit Bazak.
The Week In News
The Week In News
Plane Flips Over in Toronto
It was a miracle that no one died on Monday when a Delta Air Lines plane flipped upside down at Toronto Pearson International Airport while landing. At least 21 people were injured in the incident, two of them critical.
Eighty people were on board the flight that took off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
According to Deborah Flint, president and CEO of Toronto Pearson International Airport, the plane was carrying four crew and 76 passengers, among them 22 Canadians.
For now, police are investigating why the plane flipped over as the runway seemed to be dry and there were no crosswinds at the time.
“The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident,” said Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines.
After the plane flipped over, crew from the airplane helped to get passengers out from the exit doors and away from the plane. Emergency workers were immediately on hand to douse the aircraft with fire resistant foam.
Monday’s incident occurred just weeks after a deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Everyone onboard that flight died in the incident. Two days later, a Lear medical jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood, killing all six passengers and one person who was on the ground.
Tuesday February 25th Monday February 24th
9:30 am
Yoga with Deborah Bandos
10:00 am
Baking with Yehudis
11:00 am
Discussion Group with Rabbi KarpParsha issues- Israel News in Focus
1:00 pm
Arts & Crafts with Shifra
2:00 pm
Music with Mr. Fried
9:30 am
Yoga with Deborah Bandos
10:15 am
Anagrams with Malka Zweig
11:00 am
Discussion Group with Rabbi KarpHistory of Kosher Companies in America
1:00 pm
BINGO
1:45 pm
Guitar with Yossi K
Taiwan Gas Blast
On Thursday, at least four people were killed and 26 were injured in a suspected gas explosion at a department store in Taichung, Taiwan.
According to fire officials, the blast took place on the building’s 12th story, which was under construction at the time. The ninth level of the building and the floors above were damaged.
Two tourists were among those killed in the incident, while five of the injured were also touring the central city of Taichung. All the tourists were from Macau, a region of China.
In the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, the department store where the
WEEKLY CALENDAR
incident occurred, the 12th floor’s food court was under construction and no one was eating there at the time of the blast.
According to the Health Ministry, one of the individuals injured in the blast was being treated at a hospital’s intensive care unit.
Following the tragic explosion, Lai Ching-te, the president of Taiwan, urged authorities to swiftly investigate the incident.
Iran Arrests British Couple
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, from Britain, were on a motorbike trip around the world. When they reached Iran in December though, authorities arrested them on espionage charges and ac-
FEBRUARY 24TH - FEBRUARY 28TH
February 26th
9:30 am
Yoga with Deborah Bandos
10:15 am
Anagrams with Malka Zweig
10:30 am
Bais Yaakov Middle School Visit
11:00 am
Discussion Group with Rabbi Karp- Interesting Hashkafa Questions
1:00 pm
Arts & Crafts with Shifra
1:45 pm
Guitar with Yossi K
Thursday February 27th
9:30 am
Yoga with Deborah Bandos
10:15 am
Anagrams with Malka Zweig
11:00 am
Discussion Group with Rabbi Karp- Hilchos Kashrus and Brochos
1:00 pm
Arts & Crafts with Shifra 1:45 pm
Guitar with Yossi K
Friday February 28th
9:30 am
Yoga with Deborah Bandos
10:00 am
Baking with Yehudis
11:00 am Q and A with Nurse Adina
1:00 pm
Music with Aharon Grayson
Bais Yaakov Lower ElementarySelf-esteem blossoms as students assume identities as readers.
Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders, Bais Yaakov Lower Elementary, Principal Mrs. Beth Pasternak, Bais Yaakov Lower Elementary, General Studies Coordinator Bais Yaakov is excited to spotlight our Reading Cohort in the school’s Lower Elementary division. This class was created to target students that benefit from a smaller, more creative environment. The cohort was designed as a remediation to prevent students from becoming struggling readers. It features an innovative learning opportunity created to nurture and support the student’s reading journey.
A traditional classroom is designed to educate students that acquire reading skills at a typical developmental rate, where teachers strive to meet the needs of a large and diverse group of students. However, this model can leave some students struggling to keep up or feeling lost in the crowd. For students who require extra support or have unique learning needs, a traditional classroom setting can be overwhelming and less effective. That’s where our reading cohort comes in to play.
Based on input from parents, homeroom teachers and administrators, select first and second grade students are given the opportunity to join our specialized reading cohort. This is a replacement language arts class, ensuring that students do not miss out on any reading instruction. Our program is flexible and adaptive. As students master grade-level skills, we consult with parents about transitioning them back to their regular classroom for language arts instruction. Some students may need a shorter duration in the cohort, while others may benefit from extended support.
What makes our Reading Cohort unique?
• Individualized Instruction: Our teaching approach is centered around providing tailored lessons that cater to the unique needs and learning style of each student. By taking time to understand their individual strengths, challenges, and goals of every student, we can create a more personalized learning experience that fosters academic success and confidence.
• Hands-On Learning: Our lessons are designed to be engaging, interactive, and most importantly, fun. We believe that learning should be a multisensory experience, which is why we incorporate a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles. Through the strategic use of visual aids, hands-on activities, and auditory exercises, we create a dynamic learning environment that captures students’ attention and motivates them to learn. By tapping into multiple modalities of learning, we make complex
concepts more accessible, memorable, and enjoyable, setting the stage for a lifelong love of learning.
• Smaller Class Sizes: We maintain a 5:1 teacher-to-student ratio, with the addition of our assistant, Miss Bracha Barber, ensuring that our students receive the personalized attention and support they deserve. Our highly trained teachers are experts in their field, and possess a keen ability to recognize when a child may need additional guidance or intervention. They are able to identify potential areas of struggle or opportunity for growth, and adapt their instruction to meet the unique needs of each student. This allows us to provide targeted support and scaffolding, (an instructional method where a teacher provides temporary support to help students learn new concepts or skills), helping to fill gaps and propel each student forward on their academic journey.
• Warm, Supportive Environment: Our classroom is designed to be a warm and welcoming space, where students feel comfortable, supported, and encouraged to grow. With a small student-to-teacher ratio, we’re able to foster closer relationships with each child. As the year progresses, we’ve noticed our students becoming increasingly confident, freely asking questions, and taking risks in a safe and nurturing environment. This supportive atmosphere has proven particularly beneficial for students with anxiety, who thrive in our calm and non-threatening space, free from fear of judgment or criticism.
Our teachers, Mrs. Rochel Ament and Mrs. Mimi O’Connor, have over 30 years of collective experience in reading instruction, Orton-Gillingham training, and bring expertise as a reading specialist and a special educator. We’ve watched as our girls’ self-esteem has blossomed as they assume an identity as a reader. Getting a glimpse into the cohort teaching style, one recent lesson focused on the reading rule of vowel teams. Students learned the chant, “when 2 vowels go walking, the first one does the talking.” To bring this rule to life, the students used baby dolls to act out the scenario. The girls took turns pairing up their dolls and having them “walk” together, with the first doll in each pair “talking” by making a long vowel sound. This creative activity helped the students visualize and internalize the rule, making it easier to apply in their reading.
Another activity focused on the “bossy R” sound, where the letter R changes the sound of a vowel. To reinforce this concept, the students created “horns” and “cars” to represent the “or” and “ar” sound. We then played a game of “Steal the Salami” in which they were given a word and had to determine which “bossy R” was in the word. The girls raced to “steal” the correct “salami”. This interactive game helped the students develop their phonemic awareness and apply the “bossy R” rule in a fun and engaging way.
Hands-on learning is essential for students to develop a deep understanding of reading rules. When students are actively engaged and participating in the learning process, they are more likely to retain the information and apply it in their reading.
The Week In News
cused them of links to Western intelligence services.
Iran’s Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said that the couple had entered Iran “posing as tourists” and gathered information before their arrest in Kerman province.
According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online website, Kerman judiciary chief Ebrahim Hamidi said that the couple’s links to foreign intelligence services “has been confirmed.”
The Foremans “had gathered information from several provinces” and were found to be “cooperating with covert institutions linked to the intelligence services of hostile and Western countries,” the spokesman said.
On Friday, Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed that it was “providing consular assistance to two British nationals detained in Iran” and was in contact with Iranian authorities.
The pair moved from East Sussex in Britain to start a new life in Andalucia, Spain, in 2019 and had appeared on an episode of Channel 4’s “A New Life in the Sun” in 2022 to showcase their lives as expats. Recently, the couple had put up posts on social media showing them crossing into Iran from Armenia in December, hoping to make their way to Australia. They had planned to stay in Iran for five days.
Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported last week that British Ambassador Hugo Shorter met with the couple at the Kerman prosecutor’s office.
The British government advises against all travel to Iran.
Anne Frank’s Friend Dies
When Anne Frank went into hiding in July 1942, she wrote her friend, Jacqueline van Maarsen, a farewell letter in her famous diary, wishing that “until we see each other again, we will always remain ‘best’ friends.”
Anne had received the diary in June for her 13th birthday. On June 15, 1942,
Anne wrote that a classmate she had only recently met “is now my best friend,” referring to Jacqueline.
Anne never got to meet again with Jacqueline, as she was killed by the Nazis in 1945. But beginning in 1986, Jacqueline began lecturing on the Holocaust and hate and writing about her friendship with Frank.
Jacqueline died last week in Amsterdam at the age of 96.
“Jacqueline was a classmate of Anne Frank at the Jewish Lyceum and shared her memories of their friendship throughout her life,” the Anne Frank House announced. It is the official custodian of Anne’s legacy. “In her books and during school visits, Jacqueline spoke not only about her friendship with Anne but also about the dangers of antisemitism and racism, and where they can lead.”
Jacqueline was the daughter of a Jewish father and a mother who was raised Christian and converted to Judaism. Her mother was able to get Jacqueline and her sister declared to be non-Jews in 1942, which enabled them to survive the war and Holocaust. Most of Jacqueline’s father’s family was killed by the Nazis.
Later in life, Jacqueline wrote multiple books about Anne, including 2008’s “My Name is Anne, She Said, Anne Frank.”
Aoun, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam rejected the Jewish state’s “proposal.”
Israel believes it is necessary to remain in five key locations in Lebanon, as the Lebanese army has failed to effectively cooperate with the IDF in taking over posts, thus allowing Hezbollah to return.
Berri, an ally of the Hezbollah terror group, said that the United States, which helped mediate the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, “informed me that the Israeli occupation will withdraw from villages it still occupies on February 18, but it will remain in five points.” Berri added that he informed the U.S. of Lebanon’s rejection of the plan.
“The United States views President Joseph Aoun as having a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead Lebanon away from the stranglehold of Hezbollah and Iran, and we believe that President Aoun has the mandate to do that,” an official from the Trump administration stated. “The first test of that is whether the Lebanese Armed Forces actually implements the letter of the ceasefire agreement that Lebanon signed in November 2024 to counter Hezbollah’s efforts to reassert itself.
“Israeli presence in the five points directly bears on whether the government of Lebanon ultimately does what it has promised to do,” the official added, implying that Hezbollah will be stopped from regrouping if Israel remains in five spots.
The official added that “unlike the Biden administration, we will not be grading on a curve,” suggesting that Trump’s successor wasn’t strict enough with Hezbollah.
Lebanon: IDF Can’t Stay
With the February 18 deadline for the IDF’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon looming, Israel informed Lebanese officials that it must stay in five areas in Lebanon after the deadline. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump supports Israel remaining in those five spots.
In response, Nabih Berri, the Lebanese parliamentary speaker, declared last Thursday that he, President Joseph
Bringing Them Home
After nearly 500 days of being held hostage in Gaza, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov, and Iair Horn were released as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The exchange took place last Saturday.
All three men were kidnapped during the October 7 massacre, during which Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, murdering 1,200 people and abducting 251 others.
The three men emerged thin and pale but were in much better condition than the three male hostages freed last week who were horrifically frail and severely underweight due to having been starved while in captivity. Iair seemed to be limping.
Terrorists kept the three men in tunnels in Khan Younis, not too far from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where they had lived. Before they were released, the men were brought to apartments.
After 498 days in Gaza, they each learned to speak Arabic, while Sasha also became proficient in reading the language.
Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, said that “Israeli troops won’t be removed in the long-term” but didn’t outline a specific timeline for their withdrawal.
Farhan Haq, a deputy spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that “continued progress in Lebanese Armed Forces redeployment and Israeli Defense Force withdrawal is crucial” and that “the parties must avoid any action that could raise tensions, endanger civilians and further delay their return to their towns and villages on both sides.” Haq also urged Israel and Lebanon to “honor their commitments.”
On October 8, 2023, one day after the tragic October 7 massacre, Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, began attacking Israel, causing a full-scale war that paused after a ceasefire was reached in November 2024.
While interrogating him, Hamas tortured Sagui, who was kidnapped after fighting terrorists with his kibbutz’s security team, leaving him with scars on his body. During his battle with Hamas, he was shot in the shoulder. Sagui, the last Israeli-American hostage in captivity, was completely isolated from the outside world. He didn’t know if his family was alive or not.
When he was abducted, his wife Avital was seven months pregnant. She gave birth to their daughter in December 2023. Following Sagui’s release, he reunited with his wife, who told him that she had named their daughter “Shachar Mazal,” since he referred to the baby during the pregnancy as “mazal.”
Several times while in captivity, Sagui and Iair were held captive with other hostages. At one point in the early days of the war, Iair was with his brother Eitan, who
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remains in captivity and isn’t expected to be freed during this ceasefire’s first stage. After Hamas separated the brothers, terrorists coerced Iair into speaking about Eitan in a video.
Iair lost 22 pounds while in captivity, though the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv has said that his condition is stable. He received virtually no medical treatment in Gaza. Before he returned to Israel, Hamas gave Iair an hourglass with an image of Einav Zangauker, the mother of a hostage named Matan.
It was only when Sasha was released that he found out that Hamas had murdered his father Vitaly on October 7. Sasha, who was held in isolation by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, had little exposure to any outside media. He, however, heard that his mother Yelena and girlfriend Sapir Cohen had been freed from Gaza as part of a hostage deal in November 2023. Around 50 days after October 7, Sasha’s grandmother Irena Tati was also freed.
Hamas had threatened to cancel Saturday’s exchange, alleging that Israel had violated the ceasefire agreement. However, the terror group agreed to continue the releases last Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to cancel the ceasefire if all hostages weren’t out by February 15 at noon.
As part of the first stage of this deal, another 14 Israeli hostages are expected to be freed, eight of whom are deceased, according to Hamas. Nineteen Israelis have been released as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal. In November 2023, 105 hostages were released. The Israeli army rescued eight living hostages and recovered the bodies of 40. Currently, 70 hostages kidnapped on October 7 remain in Hamas captivity.
Cognitive Functioning Can Improve
Research conducted by Bar-Ilan University’s Hefziba Lifshitz indicates that people with intellectual disabilities, including Down syndrome, can become
smarter while in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
The study refutes the widely held belief that individuals with intellectual disabilities experience an unavoidable early decline in cognitive functioning. The study suggests that educational and developmental programs continue to boost these individuals’ intelligence far past adolescence.
“What we originally believed was a myth. We now have evidence that cognitive development for these populations continues well into adulthood, and this is the time to develop their cognitive skills,” said Lifshitz. “This is particularly relevant as life expectancy for individuals with intellectual disabilities continues to increase, with many now living beyond 80 years.”
Lifshitz’s research, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports, was conducted with Ariel University’s Dr. Roi Yozevitch and Levinsky College’s Dr. Shlomit ShnitzerMeirovich.
Notably, the research was backed up by the July 2024 graduation of six students with intellectual disabilities, two of whom with Down syndrome, which is a first for Israel. The graduates, who were each in their 30s and 40s, graduated from Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Education with a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Social Science.
The students took regular classes with ordinary college students, conducted scientific research and surveys, presented papers, and completed a basic statistics course. They studied as part of the Empower Project, which was founded in 2014 by Lifshitz, Dr. Shoshana Nissim, and Dr. Irit Chen. The project has 120 participants, all with varying levels of intellectual disability.
Ruti Bar-Or, a graduate with Down syndrome, reported that staff “helped us understand the material better.” In an interview with the university, she explained that she dreams of becoming a lecturer for students with disabilities.
Before the six graduates started college, Lifshitz tested the participants’ IQ, confirming that each student had an intellectual disability. Around four years later, all six students were once again tested. Interestingly, their IQ levels had risen significantly and were “almost at a normal level,” demonstrating that postsecondary education has “the potential for improving the IQ of [these] adults.”
“People assumed that adults with intellectual disabilities are close to dementia at an early age and have a decline in
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adaptive behavior,” said Lifshitz. “But we showed the opposite.”
The program supports Lifshitz’s “compensation age theory,” which posits that individuals with intellectual disabilities experience an early developmental delay, which can, with maturity and experience, be compensated for later in life. In other words, as people with intellectual disabilities age, their cognitive abilities don’t slow or decline, as researchers widely believe, but rather, grow.
“I saw the myth in the professional literature that all we can do for adults with intellectual disabilities is to preserve their knowledge,” added Lifshitz. “But now we have proof that we can develop their knowledge.”
IDF Chief Apologizes to Hostages
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi met with Agam Berger, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev on Friday and apologized to them for not heeding their warnings before the October 7 Hamas attack. He also apologized for their long captivity.
The four girls had been held by Hamas for more than 15 months. Another surveillance soldier, Daniella Gilboa, who had been held by Hamas and was released with the girls, was not at the meeting.
“It was wrong to have not taken you seriously, you were amazing soldiers, I apologize for what you experienced in captivity,” Halevi said to the soldiers, according to leaked remarks.
For months before Hamas’s onslaught, female surveillance soldiers reported signs of suspicious activity along the Gaza border, situated less than a mile from them. No action was taken by the more senior officers who received the reports, and the information was disregarded as unimportant by intelligence officials.
IDF female surveillance soldiers, referred to in Hebrew as tatzpitaniyot, belong to the Combat Intelligence Collection Array under the Border Defense Corps and operate along the country’s borders, as well as throughout Judea and Samaria. They are referred to by many as “the eyes of the army” as they provide real-time intelligence information to soldiers in the field, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Before October 7, these soldiers had noticed signs of activity near the Gaza border. The soldiers’ reports included information on Hamas operatives conducting training sessions multiple times a day, digging holes, and placing explosives along the border. Their warnings were ignored by the top brass.
During the meeting on Friday, the four soldiers told Halevi what they went through in Hamas captivity, as well as what happened during the October 7 onslaught when they were kidnapped from the Nahal Oz army post.
The chief of staff stressed that the military would fully investigate what happened on October 7 and that they should “be partners in the investigation” by providing testimony.
“I want you to know that the entire IDF worked very hard to bring back the hostages, to return you, it continues to work. Soldiers dreamed of freeing you,” Halevi told the soldiers.
“I know about the very high-quality work of the surveillance soldiers, even those who are unfortunately not with us, who did outstanding work,” he said. “In the investigations, we looked into the effect of your work on what happened, and there are things we learned that should change.
“From me, personally, and in the name of the commanders in the IDF, I am very sorry for everything you have been through. It’s our responsibility, and we can’t go back and change. We are very focused on learning so that this will not recur.
“From what you have told me now, I understand that you, with superior heroism, have dealt with unimaginable difficulty, both during captivity and in the way you were during the release,” Halevi said.
Seven female soldiers were kidnapped from the Nahal Oz military base on October 7. One of the abducted surveillance soldiers, Ori Megidish, was rescued alive weeks after the massacre, and the body of another, Noa Marciano, was recovered after she was murdered in captivity.
Out of the 52 soldiers at the base that day, fifteen were slaughtered by
Hamas terrorists.
Halevi is set to resign from the military on March 5 over the military’s failure to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre.
Fiji to Open Jerusalem Embassy
This week, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Fiji will be opening an embassy in Jerusalem.
“I commend the Republic of Fiji’s government for its historic decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people. Thank you, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, friend of Israel. Thank you, Fiji!” tweeted Sa’ar.
Rabuka had confirmed the decision during a meeting last week with Sa’ar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Six countries currently have their embassies in Israel’s capital—the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay and Papua New Guinea. The United States under President Trump was the first country to set the stage for other countries to follow. The U.S. Embassy was moved to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in 2018.
The Republic of Fiji is an archipelago of more than 330 islands. It is located around 1,300 miles from New Zealand. The majority of its population lives on two major islands.
rial run in his hometown of Cincinnati. Ramaswamy wants to replace Gov. Mike DeWine to lead Ohio, as DeWine cannot run for reelection due to term limits.
Ramaswamy swept up multiple endorsements from senators and statewide elected officials even before his official launch. He will face Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in the Republican primary. Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, a prominent former Ohio State University football coach, has not ruled out a bid. Former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton is so far the only Democrat to be running for the seat.
Ramaswamy has never run for election in Ohio, but his name is well known for his connections to President Donald Trump and his frequent national television appearances.
After running for president in 2024, Ramaswamy endorsed Trump, becoming a key ally for Trump. Trump tapped Ramaswamy and billionaire Elon Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. Ramaswamy eventually said that he would not be taking the position, fueling rumors that he would be heading to Ohio to run for governor.
Ramaswamy was raised in the Cincinnati suburb of Evendale by Indian immigrant parents. His father worked as an engineer at General Electric Aviation, and his mother was a geriatric psychiatrist. Ramaswamy went to Harvard and Yale Law School. He founded the pharmaceutical research company Roivant Sciences in 2014. In 2022, he co-founded Strive Assessment Management, a Dublin-based asset management company to compete against firms investing in progressive causes.
Vivek for Governor
Next week, Vivek Ramaswamy, former presidential candidate and entrepreneur, will officially launch his gubernato-
Nike Train Robbery
Last month, on January 13, eleven people stole Nike shoes worth more than $440,000 from a BNSF train traveling through northern Arizona. According to court records, Noe Cece-
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na-Castro, a Mexican national, and 10 others were arrested for involvement in the Nike train robbery. Authorities believe they were working together to pack and transport about 1,900 pairs of unreleased Nike shoes.
An eagle-eyed police officer noticed several cases of Nike shoes near the stationary train. Later, law enforcement found a U-Haul truck and another truck nearby; several people had been observed loading the Nike cases into the truck.
Both trucks were searched by law enforcement and found to contain 1,985 pairs of unreleased Nike shoes, worth over $440,000.
This week, the criminals were indicted. Nine of the 11 defendants tied to the most recent indictment are Mexican nationals. Along with charges of possessing stolen goods, the grand jury also returned charges for three defendants for Re-entry of Removed Alien and six defendants for Improper Entry by Alien.
All 11 defendants are in federal custody pending trial.
Over the past few years, Arizona and California have seen a notable uptick in these types of crimes. The U.S. Homeland Security Department reports that the suspects are often part of transnational theft organizations originating in Sinaloa, Mexico, and operating out of California and Arizona.
The heists typically involve cutting air hoses to control where trains carrying valuable cargo stop. Criminal organizations specializing in train theft have
used this dangerous method to derail cargo trains, some traveling at speeds of up to 70 mph. Once the train is halted, one crew breaks into specific container cars and unloads the cargo onto the ground next to the tracks. Another crew then drives box trucks or other cargo vehicles to the scene, loading up the stolen goods for transport to California, where they are sold online.
Texas’ Measles Outbreak
At least 49 people were confirmed to have measles in Texas as of Friday, just days after the Texas Department of State Health Services first reported a measles outbreak in the state.
The majority of the cases are in Gaines County, which borders New Mexico. Most cases are in school-age kids; thirteen have been hospitalized. All of those who have the disease are not vaccinated.
Health officials — who are scrambling to get a handle on the vaccine-preventable outbreak — suspect 200 to 300 people in West Texas are infected but untested, and therefore not part of the state’s official tally so far.
The CDC has sent about 2,000 doses of the MMR vaccine to Texas health officials at their request. Most of those vaccines are being used by those who are partially vaccinated already.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are
needed for virtually full protection against the virus. The first is given at around age 1, but the second isn’t given until around age 5.
The city of Seminole is the seat of Gaines County, Texas, and the epicenter of the current measles outbreak. It is home to a large Mennonite population, a religious sect that believes in “total separation from the outside world,” according to the Texas State Historical Association. These Mennonites chose to settle in Gaines County, in part, for its lack of regulation on private schools. This includes vaccine mandates.
As of the 2023-24 school year, Gaines County had one of the state’s highest vaccine exemption rates, at nearly 18%, according to health department data.
“We have a high, high number of unvaccinated,” said Tonya Guffey, the chief nursing officer at Seminole District Hospital. “It’s not that they’re not educated. It’s just what their belief is.” Many of them are Mennonite.
Modi Visits Trump
President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off their White House meeting last Thursday with a warm hug. While Trump called Modi “a great friend,” the U.S. president made it clear that India would also bear the brunt of U.S. tariffs.
At their joint press conference, Trump branded India’s tariffs on U.S. exports “very unfair and strong” and announced that the United States would respond with its own tariffs.
“Whatever India charges, we charge them,” Trump declared at the conference. “So, frankly, it no longer matters to us that much what they charge.”
Trump also spoke about how he wants to eliminate the U.S.’s $50 billion trade deficit with India. The president raised the idea of doing so by boosting his country’s energy exports to India. Trump, however, insisted that he would bring back “fairness and reciprocity.”
In 2023, trade between the U.S. and
India was at around $190.1 billion. U.S. exports to India were valued at almost $70 billion, while American imports were at $120 billion.
Modi said he would “Make India Great Again,” echoing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. The Indian prime minister also praised the 47th U.S. president.
Trump suggested that the U.S. would be extraditing Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a convict who plotted the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to India “immediately,” adding that more extraditions would be taking place in the future.
Additionally, the president said the U.S.’s military sales to India would soon increase by “many millions of dollars,” allowing the United States to sell India the sought-after F-35 stealth fighter planes.
The two leaders also noted that they would be talking about immigration. Recently, India accepted a U.S. military plane transporting 104 migrants. According to the Pew Research Center, over 725,000 Indian migrants live in the U.S. illegally, more than any country except for Mexico and El Salvador.
“Any verified Indian who is in the U.S. illegally, we are fully prepared to take them back to India,” Modi pledged.
RFK Jr. Confirmed as HHS Secretary
Following his 52-48 Senate confirmation vote, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary last week.
All Democrats voted against Kennedy, whose father was a prominent Democratic senator and the brother of President John F. Kennedy. Both Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy were assassinated.
All Republicans voted in favor of Kennedy’s confirmation, except for Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former Senate majority leader. McConnell
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criticized Kennedy for the secretary’s past comments questioning the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Kennedy now maintains that he is pro-vaccine.
“I’m a survivor of childhood polio. In my lifetime, I’ve watched vaccines save millions of lives from devastating diseases across America and around the world,” McConnell stated after the vote. “I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles.”
In his first interview following his confirmation, Kennedy, 71, told Laura Ingraham of Fox News that he plans on starting a program to monitor the side effects of vaccines.
Kennedy’s focus thus far has been on the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which aims to combat chronic diseases like obesity. Kennedy, or RFK Jr., as he is known, has planned to overhaul the workforce at the HHS’s agencies: the National Institutes for Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Kennedy said Thursday he would fire people who “made really bad decisions,” specifically regarding nutrition guidelines and Alzheimer’s treatment.
U.S. - Russia Prisoner Swap
Last Tuesday, Marc Fogel, a 63-yearold American teacher who was wrongfully detained in Russia in 2021, returned to the United States, where he was welcomed home by President Donald Trump.
detained at an airport in Moscow after Russian authorities found him carrying cannabis. Although his attorneys said that the drug was for Fogel’s back pain, Russia, in June 2022, convicted him of “largescale drug smuggling” and sentenced the man to 14 years in prison.
In December, the U.S. State Department formally declared Fogel’s detention in Russia wrongful. Trump’s envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who is also working to end the Ukraine war, played a role in negotiating Fogel’s release. To bring Fogel home, Witkoff traveled to Russia on his private jet, marking the first time a senior U.S. official has flown to Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. Witkoff and Fogel left Russia on the same plane. According to reports by Fox News, Witkoff met and spoke with Putin for three hours during the visit.
Upon arriving back in the States, Fogel thanked the president, whom he credited for his release. Witkoff said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Kirill Dmitriev, the chief of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, were instrumental in freeing Fogel.
Trump called the prisoner swap with Russia “very fair,” saying that the U.S. had exchanged Fogel for “not much.” In exchange for Fogel, the United States will be releasing convicted cybercriminal and money launderer Alexander Vinnik to Russia. Greece detained Vinnik in July 2017. Vinnik was indicted for leading a money laundering and ransomware scheme disguised as a Bitcoin exchange that stole $4 billion and had over 700,000 users.
In 2024, Vinnik was extradited to the U.S., where he has been detained since. Last May, Vinnik pleaded guilty to con
ident Vladimir Putin in a “highly productive” call regarding the war in Ukraine, which Trump hopes to soon end with a peace deal.
On Monday, Kalob Byers, was released from Russian prison. The 28-yearold American citizen had been detained in Russia on drug smuggling charges earlier this month.
4 NYC Officials Resign
Four top New York City officials said they would resign after the Justice Department moved to dismiss Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case.
The four officials — Maria Torres-Springer, the first deputy mayor, and Meera Joshi, Anne Williams-Isom and Chauncey Parker, all also deputy mayors — oversee much of New York City government, and their departure is poised to blow a devastating hole in the already wounded Adams administration.
Hours later, Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the authority to remove Adams from office, said she had called a meeting for Tuesday to discuss “the path forward.”
In a statement, she acknowledged that the four officials’ resignations raised “serious questions about the long-term future of this mayoral administration.
“In the 235 years of New York state history, these powers have never been utilized to remove a duly-elected mayor; overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly,” she said. “That said, the alleged conduct at City Hall that has been reported over the past two weeks is troubling and cannot be ignored.”
The departing deputy mayors met with Adams on Friday and told him that they had grave concerns about his predicament as a leader, according to two city officials. At that meeting, they told him they were planning to resign, one of the officials said. The meeting was first reported by Politico.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox on Friday signed a bill passed by his state’s legislature banning unions in Utah from engaging in collective bargaining. In other words, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and all public employees will no longer be allowed to negotiate their wages starting July 1.
Increasingly, the deputy mayors felt that they were not merely working for an indicted mayor but for someone whose personal interests risked outweighing the interests of New Yorkers, according to a person briefed on the matter. They found this untenable, the person said.
Adams, a Democrat, is forcefully resisting growing calls to resign. Hochul is under increasing pressure to remove him from office.
Private employees’ rights to collective bargaining are protected by the federal government, while states can decide whether public workers may negotiate. Utah joins North Carolina and South Carolina in completely banning collective bargaining. Texas, on the other hand, prohibits collective bargaining except for police officers and firefighters. Cox said he had hoped for “the compromise that at one point was on the table and that some stakeholders had accepted.”
The Utah Education Association, which is composed of 18,000 public school teachers, slammed the bill as a “blatant attack on public employees and our right to advocate for the success of our profession and students.” Renée
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Pinkney, the president of the association, called on Cox to veto the bill, which she said was meant to “silence educators and their collective voice.”
Orly Lobel, the University of San Diego’s director of the Center for Employment and Labor Policy, called the bill “a strong antilabor signal … compounded with national pressures to reduce public spending on education and other public services.”
Those in favor of the law, mostly Republicans, say that unions are by nature political and aren’t capable of negotiating fairly without burdening taxpayers.
FBI Killer Released
Leonard Peltier killed two FBI agents 50 years ago. This week, the Native American activist was released from federal prison after former President Joe Biden commuted his two life sentences
The act of clemency permits Peltier, who is 80, to serve his remaining days in home confinement.
Peltier was jailed in Florida. He is being sent to North Dakota, where he was born and where he is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. He will be welcomed with celebrations to “reconnect with his home community and adjust back into life among his people,” the NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led advocacy organization, said in a statement.
“We made a commitment to free Leonard Peltier and bring him back to his homelands — this is us fulfilling that commitment,” Nick Tilsen, the organization’s founder, said.
For now, the details of how much oversight Peltier will have at home are being worked out. His age and health should be taken into consideration, said Jenipher Jones, the lead lawyer in Peltier’s case.
She added that he would be receiving medical attention upon his release as he struggles with ailments, such as diabetes, hypertension and partial blindness from a stroke.
“He’s been subjected to medical negligence for nearly 50 years,” Jones said. His release “gives him a chance at a life, at a humane existence, and the ability to more acutely engage with his culture, with his religious practices and with his sacred practices.”
Biden’s decision to commute Peltier’s sentences came on his last day of office,
hours before President Donald Trump was sworn in. The move was condemned by law enforcement groups who said Peltier was unremorseful in the deaths of FBI agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams.
“Mr. President, I urge you in the strongest terms possible: Do not pardon Leonard Peltier or cut his sentence short,” then-FBI Director Christopher Wray wrote to Biden in early January as the president weighed whether to grant clemency.
Wray also opposed Peltier’s request during a hearing last year to be released on parole. The bid was denied Coler and Williams were killed in June 1975 while on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where they were attempting to arrest a man on a federal warrant in connection with the theft of a pair of cowboy boots.
Jimmy Carter was president when Peltier was convicted at trial in 1977 for the agents’ murders. Two years later, Peltier was involved in a prison escape in which he received an additional five-year sentence.
Major Cuts at Southwest
This week, Southwest Airlines announced plans to cut 1,750 jobs, around 15 percent of its workforce. It is the first broad layoff in the airline’s 53-year history.
The cuts would mostly focus on corporate positions and will include 11 senior leaders with titles of vice president or higher, the airline said. Most of the cuts will be carried out by the end of June.
In a statement, Southwest’s chief executive, Bob Jordan, called the decision “unprecedented.”
“We are at a pivotal moment as we transform Southwest Airlines into a leaner, faster and more agile organization,” he said. “I arrived at this decision thoughtfully and carefully, knowing how hard it will be to say goodbye to colleagues who have been a significant part of our Southwest culture and accomplishments.”
Hedge fund Elliott Management amassed an approximately 10 percent
stake in the airline last year and began to push for widespread change.
In response, Jordan laid out a threeyear plan to make sweeping changes, including dropping the airline’s seat-yourself policy in favor of assigned seating, adding seats with extra legroom, and introducing red-eye flights — the first of which began last week — to make more use of its planes.
Southwest also agreed to add board members recommended by the investment firm.
Elliott had been demanding that Jordan leave the company. The changes he implemented, though, have allowed him to stay on.
The job cuts announced on Monday will save Southwest about $210 million this calendar year and $300 million next year, the airline said. Those figures do not include a one-time cost of $60 million to $80 million to pay out severance and other benefits to laid-off workers.
Southwest had an unrivaled 47-year streak of annual profits until 2020, when it lost money along with the rest of the industry during the Covid pandemic. It has reported profits each year since and remains the only one of the four largest U.S. airlines to have never filed for bankruptcy protection, though its costs have outpaced those of some of its peers.
Southwest carries more passengers and operates more flights in the United States than any other carrier.
Costa Rica to Accept Migrants
Costa Rica is now the second nation in Central America to accept deportees from the U.S. who hailed from other countries and illegally crossed into the U.S.
Costa Rica said this week that it would receive a flight this week carrying 200 migrants from Central Asia and India.
Last week, Panama received three U.S. deportation flights, carrying migrants from countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Rather than keeping migrants in detention centers on the southern border of the U.S., the Trump administration is recruiting other countries willing to accept them.
While traveling through Central America and the Caribbean earlier this month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio received assurances from several
governments, including Panama’s and Costa Rica’s, that they were committed to working with the Trump administration on migration issues.
Costa Rica said its territory would “serve as a bridge” for the migrants’ return to their countries of origin, and that the repatriation process would be “fully funded by the U.S. government, under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration,” a United Nations agency that Costa Rica said would be responsible for the care of the migrants during their stay in the country. Panama has described a similar process for the deportees sent there by the United States.
At one point not too long ago, Costa Rica was dealing with the thousands of migrants who were passing through on their way to the U.S. border. But last year, the number of migrants entering their country on the way to the U.S. dropped dramatically as the United States, Mexico and Panama have hardened their borders and enhanced immigration enforcement.
Speedy Delivery
Last week, the W train stopped at the 34th Street-Herald Square station with a special delivery. A passenger on the train had been crying, “Help, help, help.” Turns out that she was about to give birth.
Thoughtful fellow passengers rallied to the 25-year-old woman and helped her deliver her baby. One person wrapped the baby in a red cloth.
Soon, emergency medical services came to the train to transport the mother and baby to the hospital. Thankfully, they were both healthy.
MTA New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said in a statement that this incident is an “example of New Yorkers coming together to assist each other” that reflects “the best of the subway community and this city.”
“We are thrilled that both mother and Baby W are doing well, and look forward to welcoming both of them back aboard for a lifetime of reliable – and hopefully less dramatic – rides,” Crichlow said.
Giving birth in the NYC subway system does happen from time to time. In 2017, an MTA worker helped a mother give birth on a subway platform, while in
The Week In News
2012, a baby boy was born on a J train in downtown Manhattan.
Puts a different spin on rush hour.
Coming Clean
Shoplifters in Michigan, beware. If you’re going to pilfer items from Walmart, Judge Jeffrey Clothier will make sure to keep your hands busy in other ways.
Clothier is demanding that those who shoplift give free car washes to customers in a Walmart parking lot. This way, the judge says, it will discourage thieves and will reward shoppers who may see higher prices in stores due to the thefts.
“I don’t think everybody that steals is a bad person. Sometimes people are just down on their luck,” said Clothier, who was recently elected to Genesee County District Court. “But there’s going to be consequences when you break the law.”
Clothier said that he began ordering “Walmart wash” sentences this week for misdemeanor shoplifting at the store in Grand Blanc Township. He believes 75 to 100 people eventually will be ordered to wash cars at weekend events at that location in March and April.
Walmart will be providing water and supplies to the effort.
Clothier was shocked to see the rampant thefts at stores when he joined the bench last month.
“It’s just crazy,” he said, noting he had 48 such cases on his docket one day.
“I think it will be humiliating to be out there washing cars if you see someone you know,” Clothier said.
Because of all the thefts, Walmart designated a parking space for police in the parking lot.
“It’s an innovative approach,” county Prosecutor David Leyton said of the car washes. “Even if it deters one person, then there’s some success there.”
And shoplifters won’t be the only people up to their elbows in suds.
“I will be there washing cars with them,” the judge said.
Sounds like a soap-er good deterrent.
Digging in the Dump
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
James Howells wants to buy a gar-
bage dump. He says that it’s worth millions of dollars – because of something that was accidentally thrown away.
The British man says that a hard drive that was thrown out has a discarded bitcoin key worth somewhere around $800 million. He has been pleading with the Newport City Council, in South Wales, to access the mountains of waste to find the hard drive that was thrown out in 2013. But he’s been hitting brick walls.
Now, he is offering to purchase the landfill before it closes down.
“Seems like a better plan for me and the city,” Howells told The New York Times. He would love to clean the site and possibly convert it to a park. “The landfill gets cleaned. I get to dig for my hard drive.”
He previously offered to fully fund the excavation process and share 25% of the recovered Bitcoin with the Newport City Council. At the time, a judge stated that Howells had “no reasonable grounds” for bringing the claim and that there was “no realistic prospect” of success if the case were to proceed to a full trial
Now the city is planning to close the landfill for good.
Howells, a computer science analyst, accidentally discarded the hard drive with a
pile of trash. He was cleaning out his office in 2013 when he left it with other items destined for the dump. The hard drive, a backup from an old gaming computer, contained the only copy of his 51-character private key, used to access Bitcoin wallets. In the late 2000s, when cryptocurrency was in its infancy, Howell had mined it as a hobbyist.
However, he realized his mistake months later, as well as the fact that the Bitcoin wallet was worth millions. He’s been trying to get it back ever since.
Despite his attempts, the Newport City Council has suggested that the chances of Howells recovering the 12-year-old wallet are slim.
“This needle is very, very, very valuable — $800 million,” Howells said, “which means I’m willing to search every piece of hay in order to find the needle.” Keep digging. Every little bit counts.
Nissim & Ilana (Rubin) Pinto on the birth of a daughter
Ephraim & Shoshana Schecter on the birth of a son
Yair & Sarah Klein on the birth of a son
Shmuel & Michali Kramer on the birth of a daughter
Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Chaim Kimche on the birth of a son
Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Chernoff on the birth of a daughter
Gavriel & Ahuva Wealcatch on the birth of a daughter
Among the many laws discussed in this week’s reading are the laws governing the responsibilities of shomrim — custodians.
One of the first details discussed regards a non-paid custodian who claims the item he was entrusted to watch was stolen and he is thus not liable to pay. He must first approach the court and swear in support of his claim it was stolen to be exempt. If we subsequently discover that he kept it for himself and merely sought to exonerate himself by falsely claiming it was stolen, he must make double restitution.
The verse that describes his initial ‘cover-up’ reads as follows:
(If we cannot) אל םא (find the thief) בנגה אצמי (he shall approach) ברקנו (ז בכ תומש)
The Baal HaTurim points out that the very first letters in this segment spell out, in exact order, the name of the great prophet והילא — Eliyahu HaNavi.
He then explains its relevance by directing us to a discussion in the Talmud about a custodian whom two separate individuals deposited money with him for safekeeping. One deposited 200 maneh, the other 100 maneh. When they later both returned to retrieve their money, each one claimed they deposited 200. The custodian had no recollection and is now in a bind as to how to proceed.
The Talmud goes on to declare that each one gets 100 — since either one deposited at least that much — and the third 100 maneh, והילא אוביש דע חנומ אהי — shall remain set aside until the prophet Eliyahu will come and determine the true owner! (.זל מ"ב)
But isn’t this totally out of context of the discussion at hand in the verse?
Is it simply the similar dilemma regarding ‘who is the real thief’ that justifies its placement here?
Why is Eliyahu the Prophet specifically the one burdened with this arduous task of revealing the identity of thieves in disguise?
A story is told that there was once a gathering of great Tzaddikim, among them the great Gaon Rav Yaakov Shimshon of Shepitovka and Reb Nachman of Breslov. The scholar posed the question of how is it possible that they will rely on the singular testimony of Eliyahu HaNavi when there is a clear verse that states ‘according to two witnesses... shall a matter be confirmed’?
While the sages silently pondered the question they observed on the face of Reb Nachman, that although quiet, was displeased with the question. They persisted, despite his reluctance, to get him to share his thoughts. He casually responded by quoting the last Mishna in Eduyos that describes how Eliyahu HaNavi will ‘distance those who have come close’ and ‘draw near those who had been distanced’, explaining it to be referring to the word רקש — falsity, whose letters in the order of the alefbeis are adjacent to each other, while the word for truth — תמא, are very distanced from one another. Eliyahu will defeat the ‘union’ of falsehood in the world, distancing from it, and promote truth, that often seems too distant to obtain, by drawing the letters ‘close’, standing firm and clear in its message.
There will be no need for witnesses, Reb Nachman asserted, for the truth will speak for itself so compellingly in the presence of the ultimate
promoter of truth, Eliyahu, that the ‘thief’ will confess to his weakness.
The astonished group acknowledged the answer with a collective and enthusiastic ‘Yeyasher’!
(Rav Elchonon Wasserman makes a similar assertion in his Kovetz Shiurim, Bava Basra 640)
The Torah’s depicts a custodian feigning innocence by falsely claiming someone else stole the item entrusted to him it, the Torah summoning him ברקנו, to ‘come near’, םיהלא — the ‘court’, wherein the Divine Presence stands, and swear to uphold his allegation.
Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch points out that this is only one of two places in the Torah where this לעפנ — passive form is used. The other time it is employed is when Achan, after having misappropriated from the spoils of Yericho they vowed not to touch, is summoned םתברקנו — ‘to place oneself before G-d’ to ascertain his innocence.
The nature of an oath is indicated in the word העובש, the reflexive form of the number עבש — ‘seven’, meaning literally ‘to give oneself up to the seven’. As the creation of the visible concrete world was completed in six days and the seventh became the memorial and reminder of the Invisible One being and remaining in connection with the visible world as its Creator and Master.
One who boldly denies his own guilt, living in a world of רקש — falsehood, is beckoned to ‘fess up’ and be inspired by a world of ‘seven’, where the ‘Invisible’ becomes apparent, that will compel him to truthfulness.
The son of the famed Baal HaHaflaah, Rav Zvi Hirsh HaLevi Horowitz who succeeded his father as Rav of Frankfurt am Main, prophetically writes in his Lachmei Todah, that there will come a time when every misdeed will be re-classified as a merit, justifying all sorts of inappropriate behaviors as, ‘business practices’; ‘culture’; ‘healthy exposure’; ‘therapeutic discussions’, and more. This he suggests, in a tongue in cheek manner, is indicated in the Talmud
statement that the Moshiach will come in a generation that is יאכז
— completely innocent. We will be so deluded by the false values around us that we will justify everything we do, and claim ‘we do no wrong’!
Eliyahu HaNavi in his incomparable pursuit of Emes will make it impossible to fool ourselves any longer.
This notion of ברקנו, is the key to bringing the final redemption. If only we were willing to ‘come close’ and swear allegiance to the Invisible One, we could never see anything but the truth.
We will bless the new month of Adar this Shabbos.
— When we enter the month of Adar we increase joy
It has been observed that the month of רדא is mystically alluded to in the first letters within the sentiment: (סק טיק םילהת) [Your very first] שאר [utterance] ךרבד [is truth] תמא
One who aspires to truth in all one endeavors will never be conflicted. We become frustrated, anxious, and depressed when we are unsure of ourselves. One who places ‘truth’ as one’s compass on the road of life, defining ‘truth’ solely through the yardstick of Torah — G-d’s will, will go forth calmly and happily, accepting one’s circumstances without doubt, in the knowledge that this is precisely what G-d wants from me now, for my best.
This is the ultimate key to acquiring joy.
The closer we come to the ‘truth’, the sooner we will merit Eliyahu HaNavi heralding the coming of Moshiach.
ברקנו — come near, is the numerical equivalent of חישמ! (358)
The word חישמ and החמש share the letters ח-מ-ש — happy. Each word also possesses one letter of G-d’s Name, ה-י.
When we see His presence, His truth, as foremost in every action we take, the great day of joy — the day of Moshiach’s arrival, will come!
You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ ohelmoshebaltimore.com
PARSHA
OVERVIEW
The Parshah discusses dozens of man-toman related commandments, such as the laws concerning slaves, assault, theft, illicit and idolatrous behavior, helping the poor, respecting leaders, judicial laws, shabbos and yom tov, and more. Hashem promises the dispersion of enemies and the ocnquest of the Land. The Jewish people finally enter into covenant with Hashem and receive the Torah at Mt. Sinai.
Quotable Quote “ ”
Torah is not education; it’s transformation.
TSorahparks
Parshas Mishpatim on
Rebbetzin Dena Weinberg
GEMATRIA
Hashem says
- They are my slaves: "Don't be a slave to man. Be a slave directly to me!"
Interestingly, the words
have the gematria of 131, the same as
, which means "next to me," perhaps an allusion to this notion of closeness with Hashem.
May we all merit closeness to our Creator!
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY:
BeH I am working on a book to be printed in time for PesachKarpas: The Big Dipper - and I’m looking for sponsors. Message me 443-938-0822
Rabbi Ori Strum is the author of “Ready. Set. Grow.” and “Dove Tales.”
His shiurim and other Jewish content can be found on Torah Anytime and Meaningful Minute. Your feedback is appreciated: oristrum@torahsparks.com
Pesukim - 118
Words - 1,462
Letters - 5,313
Mitzvos - 53
Thoughts in
QUICK VORT Chassidus
Strangely, smack in middle of the Torah's discussion of the events at Har Sinai, the Torah digresses and discusses dozens of laws concerning human relationships.
What happened? The Jews were on such a high, experiencing the giving of the Torah, having a one on One with the Creator, and then, just like that, the experience is interrupted for us - the reader - to talk about slaves, damages, and other mundane ma tters.
One of the messages we are taught is that the Torah is not UP THERE; rather; it's meant for us - humansDOWN HERE in our world of physicality, in our world of human relationships. No part of our lives is devoid of Torah.
Rav Jaeger shlit"a, Rosh Yeshiva of Shor Yashiv, once pointed out that the words עמשנו
were said in Perek 24, Verse 7, teaching us that Torah is 24/7, a constant!
Have a holy Sha bbos!
Reb Yaakov Yitzchok of Lublin, in the Sefer Zikaron Zos, explains that before we do anything physical - such as eating and working - we should say "I am eating this food to give me strength to better serve Hashem" or "I'm working to support my family."
Just saying this will help spiritually channel these physical things.
Points to
Ponder
Why are the laws of slaves the first thing we are taught in Parshas Mishpatim? The Torah spends several pesukim going through the laws of slaves, but why?
Is there something, perhaps, deeper going on? What message do the slaves have to our lives?
Scan the QR code to join the Torah Sparks WhatsApp Chat for more content!
Inspiration Everywhere
NAVigAtiNg SerVice with FAith
LTJG Rachel Widman Talks about Keeping Kosher –and Shabbos – as a U.S. Coast Guardsman
By M ALkie SchuLMAN
As the waves lap gently against the boat and the sound of the motor thrums in the background, LTJG (Lieutenant Junior Grade) Rachel Widman of the U.S. Coast Guard discusses her role as the only Orthodox Jew – the only Jew, in fact, among a crew of 72 enlisted personnel and officers operating out of Mayport (a city close to Jacksonville), Florida.
The Coast Guard is a branch of the U.S. military, Rachel explains, and she chose it because of its focus on saving lives, teamwork, and taking care of people.
“The Coast Guard is also much smaller than other branches of the military, which gives it a friendlier culture and a stronger sense of camaraderie,” she notes. “I did consider joining the IDF. But my parents were concerned for my safety.”
Rachel was drawn to military life because, as she puts it, “it’s similar to Judaism in that it provides values and structure.”
Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Rachel grew up in a traditional Jewish home. They had a Friday night dinner and attended shul on Shabbos day. The family kept many of the Shabbos (and kashrus) laws, but it wasn’t until her involvement with NCSY in her teen years
which led her to seminary at Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya in Israel that Rachel learned what it meant to be a fully practicing Jew.
It was around that time that she began to seriously consider a career in the military.
“I knew going in (to the military),” Rachel maintains, “that keeping Shabbos and kosher would be somewhat challenging.”
However, with the help and guidance of her rabbis, especially those expert in the matters of military halacha, Rachel obtained clear direction to go full steam ahead.
Life Aboard the Valiant
Rachel serves on the USCGC Valiant, a 210-foot-long cutter designed for multi-mission operations. The ship’s layout includes spaces critical to its function: the bridge, which serves as the command center for navigation and ship control; the Combat Information Center (CIC), used for radar and tactical operations; and the engine room and machinery spaces, which house the systems that move the ship and power its equipment. Crew areas include berthing compartments for sleeping, a galley for meal preparation, and separate dining areas like the wardroom for officers and the crew’s mess for enlisted
personnel. Mission-critical spaces include a flight deck for helicopter operations, a small boat launch area for rescue missions, and an armory for securing weapons. Other essential areas include the medical bay for healthcare, damage control stations for emergencies, and communication rooms for managing ship communications.
The crew on the Valiant is made up of 12 officers and 60 enlisted personnel. They patrol the Western Hemisphere which includes the Atlantic, Pacific, and Caribbean
Rachel's “home away from home”
Oceans. Enlisted personnel handle hands-on, technical, and operational tasks aboard the ship, like maintenance, navigation support, and equipment operation. Officers are responsible for leadership, decision-making, and overseeing the ship’s missions and crew.
After graduating Coast Guard Academy, Rachel began her career as an ensign, the entry-level officer rank, but has since advanced to her current position as lieutenant junior grade.
Rachel explains that her responsibilities serving in the Coast Guard are divided between a few months on land and a few months at sea.
“When I’m working on land, the boat stays docked to the pier, but my office is still on board.”
At sea, a vital part of the day includes watch duty on the bridge, which every crew member besides for the command officers is expected to take. Shifts typically last two or three hours and may be split, such as one shift from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. and another from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. During watch, each person maintains a specific role. The officer of the deck is the captain’s representative, responsible for the ship’s safety, navigation, and overall operations, a position that Rachel is currently vying for. The quartermaster of the watch monitors the weather, documents daily activities, and ensures all events and drills are properly logged (Rachel’s role as of now). The helmsman manually steers, while the lookout, known as the “eyes” of the ship, stands on the platform to scan the surroundings, avoid obstacles, and ensure safe navigation.
“But everyone has to be alert and ready to respond if an emergency situation arises,” insists Rachel. “For example, someone spotting a migrant vessel is one such situation. Sometimes, we see dolphins or schools of fish and must navigate around them, or logs floating in the water, along with different traffic conditions.”
Another crucial aspect of their operations is training for medical evacuations. “We train with helicopters a lot,” Rachel explains. “When someone needs to be evacuated, the injured or sick person is placed in a basket and airlifted to the helo (helicopter). It’s not just for medical casualties—sometimes it’s for urgent personal reasons, like the death of a family member, and the helo is the fastest way to get them back to land.”
h igh-Stakes Operations
“Our primary missions involve handling migrants and detainees, such as drug runners,” says Rachel. “When interdicting drug runners, we will usually get some kind of information from different sources. I can’t reveal the sources except to say some are military and some are not. But it’s usually not a cold hit (that we find them ourselves without a tipoff). The source will reveal: this is their position, their speed, where they’re going, how far they are from us—then we go as fast as we can to their position and launch one or two of our smaller boats. We have two smaller boats on our ship, as long as 25 feet, that can seat between 6-10 people.
“Drug missions usually happen at night. Often, an announcement comes over the loudspeaker at 2 a.m.: ‘Setting law enforcement phase one. Everyone get up and man your positions’—it really gets your blood going,” asserts Rachel. “Drug runners typically use small blue
Rachel’s desktop on the ship
boats to blend in with the water and cover them with tarps during the day, staying in one spot so they’re harder to see. At night, they’ll zoom off, which is when we spot them.
“The human eye can see about 10 miles out, but after 5 miles, details get harder to distinguish. The blue color blends into the water, so to the human eye, it just looks like waves—unless the sea is perfectly flat, and then you might think, ‘What is that?’ Coast Guard ships have radars, but a stationary boat shows up as just a small blip, making it hard to distinguish from other specks. But when they’re moving at night, going 20 miles an
mission, saying we think or know they’re trafficking drugs. Depending on the treaties, we may need clearance to enter the boat. Usually, vessels don’t have a nationality, so we’re able to just board. The drug runners usually come from South and Central America.
“Often, an announcement comes over the loudspeaker at 2 a.m.: ‘Setting law enforcement phase one. Everyone get up and man your positions’—it really gets your blood going.”
hour, that’s a clear sign there’s something out there—it’s not just a cloud.”
Rachel adds, “We have boarding teams, usually made up of one officer and mostly enlisted personnel—people trained in law enforcement. They go on the small boat and are armed with weapons. To board someone else’s boat, we need permission through the Coast Guard on land and sometimes lawyers, if it’s a boat from another country. For example, if they’re from Venezuela, we depend on agreements with Venezuela and need to ask per-
“We do drug swabs of the boat and packages on board. When the tests come out positive, we arrest them, bring them and the drugs onto our boat, and guard them until we transfer them to the U.S. They hop from Coast Guard cutter to cutter to get to the U.S., where they will stand trial. If convicted, they will go to jail for several years and then get deported.”
On Rachel’s cutter, drug busts happen anywhere between once a week to once a month. Bigger boats that have drones and helicopters and can see drug runners from the air will interdict every day. If a drug runner is going really fast and is being non-compliant, the helo can shoot out its engines from the air and effectively stop the chase.
These high-stakes drug interdictions are just one aspect of the Coast Guard’s mission, which also includes rescuing and caring for vulnerable migrants at sea.
“Recently, we had 180 migrants on our ship, and we needed security stationed to monitor them,” shares Rachel. “Many of the migrants were Haitian and had fled on very small boats, not designed to hold so many people. One boat, spotted a few days into its journey from Haiti, was intercepted, while another had been stranded for four days after its engine failed. When we brought them on board, they were given scrubs, allowed to shower, were fed, and provided with basic hygiene items like toothbrushes. One woman required an IV after passing out from heat exposure during her four days stranded at sea.
“I oversaw assisting the 40 to 50 migrant women
on board, including helping them shower. I served as their main point of contact, providing soap, towels, and timing their showers, which took hours to manage,” recounts Rachel.
“At one point, during this time, the general emergency alarm went off. We routinely do all kinds of drills—for toxic gas leaks, fire, or flooding—but they’re planned. I’m used to drills, but this one was a real emergency. We were told there was a ‘casualty in aft steering.’ The aft is the back part of the boat where the two steering pumps direct the ship’s movement.
“I had to quickly but calmly finish with the migrant I was working with before heading to the bridge to fulfill my role there. Once the casualty was taken care of, I had to return to showering the migrants.”
The casualty turned out to be a fuel leak—a mechanical issue that could have turned into a fire.
“Baruch Hashem, no one shouted, ‘Fire,’” maintains Rachel. “The crew handled it professionally and calmly. Who knows how people would’ve reacted otherwise? Even people who speak English well don’t understand what ‘casualty in aft steering’ means, so there wasn’t any panic.”
The migrants slept on the ship’s deck in a tented area, where they were provided with blankets, rather than in the crew’s sleeping quarters. They remained on board for five days before being transferred.
Often, Rachel’s team will rescue a group of migrants that includes children: “The youngest we detained was a nine-month-old baby.” They’re also always on the alert for signs of child trafficking. They note whether the children are traveling with family members and will conduct interviews to ensure they’re not being trafficked.
“There was one girl traveling with her uncle,” recalls Rachel, “and we were concerned about her situation. I spent a lot of time with the translator, trying to make her comfortable. I gave her paper and colored pens and asked her to draw and doodle, and she even taught me how to count in French. [Most Haitians speak Creole, a
Bundled up during flight operations, using the sound-powered phone to talk with the person operating the fuel pump while the helicopter gets refueled
French-based dialect.] The girl was about six or seven, and her story matched up with her uncle’s, so at the end we didn’t think she was being trafficked. Nevertheless, we always have to make sure.”
She notes, “Migrants we rescue are often appreciative of small gestures, like a smile, even though they understand we’re just doing our job. We try to be professional but approachable.
“It’s my holiday. I should be sitting in a hut made of sticks, waving a palm frond (lulav) and etrog. And here I am without any of that, and nobody even knows it’s a holiday around here.”
While many of the crew speak Spanish, which helps with Cuban migrants, it doesn’t help with Haitians, so they rely on translators for communication.
Tensions can sometimes run high during these missions. “Before I joined, one migrant jumped overboard and had to be rescued. Some migrants become agitated due to the uncertainty of their situation, as they don’t know when they’ll be sent back to Haiti—and neither do we, since the process can take time. Fights occasionally break out, but we take action to calm them down without hurting them, using approved levels of force to ensure
their safety and the safety of others,” maintains Rachel.
Another function the US Coast Guard provides is serving as law enforcement on the water, working to preserve fish populations and wildlife.
“We work to make sure fishermen are not overfishing or catching the wrong kind of fish,” says Rachel.
Subsequently, they often work with NOAA (the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration), which does similar work.
“At one point, we received a message from NOAA that one of their observers—a scientist stationed on fishing boats to monitor regulations—was being victimized by the fishermen on her boat,” shares Rachel. “She texted her supervisor, who then contacted us. We were the nearest asset on the water, and although we could’ve sent a helicopter, we decided against it to avoid tipping off the fishermen and risking her safety.
“When we boarded the boat under the pretext of checking their fish, our boarding team spoke with the fishermen while one team member went with the woman to help her pack up her belongings and transfer her to our boat. We didn’t make any arrests at sea, but when we got back to the home port, both fishermen were arrested. It turns out they were wanted criminals in addition to this crime.”
Being Orthodox Onboard
Rachel spends as much time as she can on a Shabbos outside on deck. “The sky and waves attest to Hashem’s creation of the world and makes me feel close to Him.”
For the same reason, outside is her go to location to daven. She can also feel Shabbos better outside alone with her own thoughts rather than inside while others are working or watching movies.
“It isn’t easy not being with community,” she admits. “But the benefits are that I can talk to Hashem as long as I like and make it meaningful in the way I like. Drinking grape juice for kiddush, for example—on land, I don’t think much about it, but at sea, I can reflect more on why I’m doing things. I can focus intentionally when I make
a blessing and sanctify Hashem’s name. I can feel it elevating my body. I focus on the kedusha that the challah and grape juice are infused with. These are mitzvahs I can do at sea, and I’ve become more mindful about them.
“Sukkos talks about the water libation, where water is sanctified through the libation process. Having been at sea for two years now, this past year, I learned about it and connected it to my life. I actually felt this past Sukkos that I was sanctifying the lower waters.”
In the beginning it was difficult, she admits, when it came to explaining why she couldn’t perform some of her duties on Saturday. (For pikuach nefesh, she was told she could do anything.) For example, there are all kinds of documentation that must be signed daily. The enlists would type up the documents and go to Rachel to sign them. She would say, “I can’t write today, and they’d say, ‘Why not?’ ‘It’s a Jewish law,’” she’d have to explain. By now most of them know the drill and they’ll just sign it for her.
“But it was definitely a learning curve,” she says with a smile.
Rachel recalls this past Sukkos. “I’d already spent the Yamim Noraim for the past two years aboard the cutter, blowing shofar for myself. My subordinate noticed that I wasn’t my usual happy self and asked me – ‘What’s up?’” Rachel answered, “It’s my holiday. I should be sitting in a hut made of sticks, waving a palm frond (lulav) and etrog. And here I am without any of that, and nobody even knows it’s a holiday around here.” After that, her subordinate went out and made a flyer about the holiday of Sukkos which he posted on Rachel’s desk and in different parts of the deck so other people could read about it and learn.
“That was touching,” shares Rachel. “Also, this past patrol, one of the enlists got a calendar notification that it was Rosh Hashana. He made sure to wish me a happy new year.”
Rachel describes a particularly meaningful havdalah she made while her boat was going through the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. (Before its construction, ships had to travel around the entire continent of South America to go from one ocean to the other.) Moving ships between areas of different water levels, the canal uses a system of locks, like a staircase. Ships enter a chamber, and water is added or drained to raise or lower them to the next level. The process takes about 12 hours because you have to wait for the water to go up or down in the locks.
“It’s very cool,” admits Rachel.
“We were in the chamber; I was on the bridge and the water was rising up. There was no coast guarding task for me to fulfill because we were being held in place until the water receded. Shabbos was ending. [Rachel bases her calculations on the sunset calculations made at sea for their specific location.] So, I went behind the bridge with the grape juice, spices and bencher that I was carrying in my pocket, and when it was just me and the starry sky, I recited havdalah.”
Rachel acknowledges she found it inspiring that she was given the opportunity to uplift and bring kedusha in the Panama Canal. Since it’s one of the points that the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific meet, both oceans were sanctified.
Rachel’s view of the island of Haiti from her ship
Making challah for Rosh Hashana on a stovetop at a hotel in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
“Also, I was grateful that Hashem gave me the foresight to be prepared for doing havdalah while we were in the canal. I wasn’t sure there would be time to make it at the right time, but it turns out, there was. And afterwards, I was able to be a part of the bridge team and fulfill my duties.”
“I went behind the bridge with the grape juice, spices and bencher that I was carrying in my pocket, and when it was just me and the starry sky, I recited havdalah.”
Sometimes, an enlist will offer Rachel food and say, “I checked it, ma’am, it has the kosher symbol. You can eat it.”
After Rachel taught one of her subordinates the various kosher symbols, he went around the mess deck looking for condiment bottles with kosher signs.
“It was funny,” she recalls. “At the end, he came back to me and said, ‘Well, I can make a combination of relish, peanut butter and mustard for you if you want. They all have kosher symbols.’ We had a good laugh about that.”
But keeping kosher can get challenging because while there’s a cook for everyone else on board, Rachel must bring and prepare her own food. Sometimes, it’ll be like, “Oh, man, I forgot to heat that up” and Rachel will realize that there’s no time to do it anymore so, “it’s back to peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner.
“All I can say is, it’s a good thing I’m not a picky eater!” she maintains.
She does wish sometimes that she could eat the prepared food. “But I’m doing this for a long time already, so I’m used to it.”
It’s funny because some of the enlists just think she doesn’t eat because they never see her on the food line. When they see her eating boxed cereal, sometimes one will say to her, “Oh, you actually eat?”
k iddush hashem
One of Rachel’s strengths as a female in the Coast Guard is the community-building aspect.
“I bring a strength for bringing people together, listening, and creating a sense of community. I think this is especially beneficial on the boat because camaraderie is so important. Sometimes, I’ll say, ‘What’s up, fam?’ to lighten the mood and make people laugh. Not that others don’t do that too, but I try to do it with everyone to build an atmosphere of teamwork. I make it a point to praise people, even if I don’t work directly with them.”
And as an Orthodox Jew in the U.S. Coast Guard, Rachel’s fellow officers and subordinates know they can trust her.
“They know that I’m honest, which I credit to being observant and holding true to my faith. I follow the laws of my religion even when nobody knows whether I am or not, and that consistency means people don’t question my integrity. I have standards and morals, and I stick to them. People see that.”
To Raise a Laugh
How To Go To A Vort
So someone you know is making a simcha! Mazel tov! Now what?
There are all these articles written on how to make a vort, but there are never really articles for the people showing up. Especially the people who don’t really want to be there. I mean, they’re happy for the baalei simcha, but… I don’t want to have to go to your stuff.
What Kind of Thing is This Going To Be?
Most vorts are not sit-down affairs. The main reason for this is that no one should have to say a vort.
Like a sholom zachor, vorts are often done in the baal simcha’s house, the difference being that at a sholom zachor, the dining room table is in middle of the room, and at a vort, it’s supposed to be at the side of the room, so that everyone bumps their heads on the chandelier.
If the house has multiple entrances, there will be a sign telling women to go to the back door. This is not anything against women. It’s because men don’t read sigs. A man would just cheerfully barge in, say, “Oh!” and then try to make his way through to get to the men’s section. He will climb over the buffet table, thinking that that’s what you’re supposed to do.
“You know; the food was prettier on that side.”
How Long Are We Going To Have to Spend There?
The amount of time you stay at a vort is determined by how close you are to the baalei simcha. If you’re physically related, you have to arrive before the chosson and kallah do and stay until the next day. If you barely know them, you can power walk through from one door to the other, stopping briefly to nod at the baal simcha from across the room and do a little wave, like you’re recognizing him on a Chol Hamoed trip.
What Do I
Even Wear To This Thing?
Call the baalei simcha and ask. This is
what they want to be bothered with the day they’re making a simcha.
If you’re only going to be there for a little while, as a man, you don’t really have to put on anything special. In fact, you always see a couple of guys there dressed in baseball caps and jeans, like they came straight from heavy-duty work, and they’re standing around for a while and eating like a full supper, because they’re going right back to work afterwards.
Do We Have To Get Like a Gift or Anything?
You want to bring a gift, because yes, you’re planning on bringing a gift to the wedding, but what are they going to do between the vort and the wedding? They’re two separate, unrelated simchas, right? I mean, what if the wedding doesn’t happen?
Most people get things that are meant to be used after the wedding. What’s an engaged couple going to do with a set of glasses? She’s going to take half of them to her parents’ house and he’s going to take half to his parents’ house? When I was engaged, a couple of my aunts and uncles got together and got us some nice down blankets. And I was like, “Awesome! I can use one of these for yeshiva!”
You should also be aware that there’s a trend nowadays, if you have time, to make your gift into a whole huge display and wrap it with clear cellophane, like shalach manos, so that everyone coming to the vort goes, “Ooh, look what they gave!” and the vort becomes about you. Basically, there’s this corner of the room that is like a museum of gifts, and provides hours of conversation for people who are tired of talking about how they know someone who knows the other side.
So Which One is the Chosson?
This is a fun game people play at vorts -trying to figure out who the person you know is engaged to.
“Okay, so we know the girl; who’s the guy? Which guy do you think it is?”
By Mordechai Schmutter
It’s basically like an unveiling, because until the vort, it was a big secret who the chosson was. Nobody would tell you anything. And then at the vort, you get to stand there: “Is that the chosson? Is that the chosson?” There should actually be more of an unveiling ceremony, like an art unveiling, where when you get there, there’s a guy standing with a drop-cloth over his head, and the kallah’s on the other side of the room with a drop cloth on her head, and when enough people show up, the shadchanim unveil them. Maybe someone says a short vort first, because it is a vort. I mean they kind of do a similar thing at a chasunah with the kallah, but by then everyone already knows who the kallah is.
So here are some tips:
- If you’re a man and you’re not sure who the chosson is, wait until the dancing. It’s going to be one of the people in the middle of the circle. If the chosson has a lot of brothers, good luck.
- If you’re a woman and you’re not sure who the kallah is, I’m not sure how to tell. I guess she’s going to be the only person with a new piece of jewelry who’s not wearing a sheitel.
- According to my wife, the kallah is the one who’s glowing. I don’t know what that means. I guess turn off the lights and see what happens.
But see, this is why I think we shouldn’t all dress up for a vort. We really shouldn’t. Only the chosson and kallah should dress up, so we know who they are. Everyone else should wear weekday clothes. That way, you can say, “Oh; he’s the one whose pants match his jacket.”
Anyway, we’ll continue with this next week. Just stand there awkwardly until I get back.
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.
School of Thought
By Etti Siegel
Q:Dear Etti,
I have a bright and capable daughter. She is above average intelligence. Children don’t always appreciate her. She was in a school where the principal said she would help, and I guess she tried, but she kept avoiding responsibility by claiming my daughter was creating a lot of the social issues. She moved my daughter up a grade because she is so bright, but that was still not a working solution. I moved her to a different school to give her a fresh start, but the children bully her there as well.
You seem to know a lot about schools. Why can’t a school encourage acceptance and respect among the students? Why can’t schools work on jealousy?
-Frustrated Mom of High IQ
A:Dear Mom,
You sound like you have a bright and special daughter, and it’s clear that you want the best for her. You’ve gone to great lengths to support her, meeting with the school, skipping a grade, and even switching schools, all in the hope that she will find social success. Your dedication as a parent is evident.
However, from your letter, it seems that despite these changes, your daughter is still struggling with social acceptance. I understand how painful and frustrating that must be for both of you. But I am concerned that focusing on blame, whether directed at classmates, teachers, or the school, might be keeping her stuck rather than helping her move forward.
Blaming others is easy, but it doesn’t provide solutions. It might feel like the school, the other children, or past experiences are the root of the problem. But whether it’s her classmates excluding her, teachers misunderstanding her, or a school environment that doesn’t
seem to fit, blaming won’t equip her with the tools she needs to navigate social challenges.
In fact, it often makes things worse.
Your daughter needs to stop hearing the message that her struggles are solely because of others and start recognizing her own role in shaping her experiences. Yes, even if she is being mistreated.
Empowering her to take personal responsibility doesn’t mean ignoring unfair situations; it means giving her the skills to respond effectively, set healthy boundaries, and build resilience.
Your daughter cannot control how others treat her, but she can learn how to build confidence in herself.
While schools should and do promote inclusivity and respect through programs and classroom lessons, it sounds like there are underlying challenges your daughter is facing that won’t disappear unless they are addressed directly.
Moving schools does not solve problems; it only changes the setting. If she hasn’t learned how to navigate the difficult social situations she faces, she will likely carry the same struggles into each new environment she enters.
True growth comes from recognizing what is within our control. Your daughter cannot control how others treat her, but she can learn how to build confidence in herself, develop emotional intelligence to navigate friendships, set healthy boundaries without isolating herself, handle social conflicts with assertiveness and grace, respond to jealousy or exclusion in a healthy way, and find and cultivate friendships with supportive peers.
Instead of looking for an environment that will “fix” the issue, she can be equipped with lifelong tools that will help her in school, friendships, work, and beyond.
Social dynamics are complex, and even in the best
schools, children experience jealousy, misunderstandings, and exclusion.
Instead of expecting schools to eliminate these issues entirely, your daughter can benefit from the following:
Learning strategies to recognize group dynamics and find her place in them without feeling victimized. Working on self-awareness and emotional regulation so she can respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
Developing conflict-resolution skills instead of avoiding social interactions out of fear or frustration. Identifying and seeking out like-minded peers rather than trying to fit into groups that don’t appreciate her.
When we focus on blaming others, we give away our power.
When we take responsibility for how we respond, we take control of our own happiness.
This is an essential lesson for your daughter, not just for school but for life. Instead of constantly searching for a better school, a better group of kids, or a better teacher, imagine if she had the confidence and social skills to thrive anywhere.
I know this is what you want for her. The good news is, help is available. Ask the principal or school guidance counselor for recommendations on programs, resources, or professionals who can support her development. You’ll likely find that they are eager to help.
By focusing on the tools your daughter needs, you’ll be giving her the greatest gift: the ability to navigate the world with confidence, no matter where she goes. Hatzlacha.
-Etti
Mrs. Etti Siegel holds an MS in Teaching and Learning/Educational Leadership and brings sound teaching advice to her audiences culled from her over 35 years of teaching and administrative experience. She is an Adjunct at the College of Mount Saint Vincent/Sara Shenirer. She is a coach and educational consultant for Catapult Learning, is a sought-after mentor and workshop presenter around the country, and a popular presenter for Sayan (a teacher-mentoring program), Hidden Sparks, and the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. She is a frequent contributor to Hamechanech Magazine and The Journal for Jewish Day School leaders. She will be answering your education-based questions and writing articles weekly for The Jewish Home. Mrs. Siegel can be reached at ettisiegel@gmail.com.
Health & F tness Unmasking OCD A Journey Through the Maze of the Mind
By Rivka Kramer, PMHNP-BC
Imagine for a moment that your mind is a maze—intricate, twisting, and constantly shifting. You’re standing in the middle, trying to find your way out, but every turn you take only leads you to another dead end. You think you’ve found the path to freedom, but then, out of nowhere, a voice whispers, “What if you forgot to lock the door?” You stop. You check. You walk back, just to make sure. But even after checking, the thought lingers: What if?
This is what it’s like to live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It’s not about being neat or a little particular. It’s not simply about checking things twice. For people with OCD, these repetitive thoughts and rituals are constant, uninvited companions, overwhelming their every moment, leaving them trapped in a cycle of doubt and fear.
Take Sarah, for instance. A bright, ambitious young woman described the experience vividly: “It’s like being in a room where I’m locked in, but the door is right there. I know it’s there, but I can’t leave. Every time I try, the voice in my head tells me I’m forgetting something
important—something catastrophic might happen if I don’t do this one thing... over and over again.”
Sarah’s daily life revolved around these thoughts and the actions she took to rid herself of the nagging anxiety. She’d check the stove ten times before leaving the house, rearrange her desk multiple times, and wash her hands until they were raw—all to quiet the relentless internal noise.
But no matter how many times she checked, no matter how many doors she locked, the doubts never ceased. And the worst part? The harder she tried to push the thoughts away, the more they seemed to intensify.
As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, my job is often filled with moments of insight and discovery. However, one of the most fascinating and complex conditions I encounter daily is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. Often misunderstood, OCD is more than just an occasional need to tidy up or double-check that the door is locked. It’s a persistent and often debilitating mental health condition that impacts the lives of millions of people worldwide.
So, let’s take a journey through the maze of the mind, exploring what OCD is, how it feels, and, most importantly, how we can help those who experience it.
What Exactly is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a condition that affects about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in the United States. It’s characterized by two main components:
1. Obsessions: These are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges. They often cause significant anxiety or distress. For example, someone with OCD might constantly worry about contamination (e.g., germs or dirt), fear of harming others, or a need for symmetry and order.
2. Compulsions: To alleviate the distress caused by obsessions, a person with OCD may engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts. These might include washing hands repeatedly, checking things like locks or appliances, or counting and rearranging objects to feel “right.”
The relationship between obsessions and compulsions is what truly makes OCD unique. The compulsions are an at-
tempt to “neutralize” the obsessions, but they never bring lasting relief. The cycle can feel like an unending loop, where the compulsions temporarily reduce anxiety, only for the obsessive thoughts to return even stronger.
The Hidden Battle:
Understanding the Experience
If you’ve never experienced OCD, it’s hard to imagine how overwhelming and exhausting it can be. It’s easy to assume that someone is simply “being picky” or “a perfectionist” when, in reality, the person may be battling a mental health condition that significantly impacts their daily life. Imagine trying to read a book, but every other sentence in that book is a thought telling you that something terrible might happen. You close the book to get rid of the thoughts, but the intrusive worry persists, forcing you to repeat the process over and over again until the anxiety subsides. That’s what OCD can feel like. The obsessions don’t just go away with logic or reasoning; they are met with compulsions, leading to an ongoing internal battle that can be incredibly isolating.
The Science of OCD: What’s Happening in the Brain?
OCD isn’t just a matter of being overly cautious or obsessive; it’s a neurological condition. Research shows that the brain activity in people with OCD differs from those without the disorder. The orbital frontal cortex, responsible for processing information and decision-making, becomes overactive in people with OCD. This heightened activity creates the feeling that a threat is imminent, even when it’s not.
Additionally, the caudate nucleus, which is involved in regulating movements and suppressing unnecessary thoughts, doesn’t function as it should in individuals with OCD. This imbalance contributes to the cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
It’s this mix of the way the brain is wired coupled with an overwhelming anxiety that makes OCD so challenging to treat without professional intervention.
Breaking the Cycle: Treatment Options
The good news is that there are effective treatments for OCD. In fact, with the right help, many individuals can manage or even overcome the symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The most effective form of therapy for OCD is called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a type of CBT. ERP helps individuals gradually face their fears and resist the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors. For example, someone with a fear of contamination might be
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion : Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help individuals with OCD distance themselves from the relentless thoughts that drive compulsions. By acknowledging the thoughts without acting on them, people can gradually build tolerance to anxiety.
therapy, starting medication, or simply acknowledging that you need help.
It’s important for those struggling with OCD to know that they are not alone. With support, understanding, and the right treatment, it’s entirely possible to lead a fulfilling and balanced life. It may not be easy, but the road is worth traveling.
Breaking Free from the Maze
OCD is a challenging, but treatable, condition that often flies under the radar. By increasing awareness and understanding, we can create a world where those struggling with OCD feel supported and empowered to seek the help they need.
asked to touch a dirty surface and then refrain from washing their hands.
Medication: Certain medications, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been shown to reduce the symptoms of OCD by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. For some individuals, medication can be a game-changer in breaking the cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
Embracing the Journey
I often think about a quote by the great philosopher, Lao Tzu: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
This is especially true for individuals with OCD. The journey towards managing the condition is long and often filled with setbacks, but it always starts with that first brave step—whether it’s seeking
To those walking the path of OCD: Take it one step at a time. You don’t need to have all the answers today. The journey may be long, but each step brings you closer to freedom.
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.
Different But Not Indifferent Living Kiddush Hashem
By Rabbi Shraga Freedman
In the January 2001 issue of The Jewish Observer, Rabbi Yonasan Rosenblum related that Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky zt”l once found himself in a doctor’s waiting room along with a five-year-old non-Jewish boy. What did the great Sage do at that moment? He found a ball and used it to play catch with the boy. He left him with positive memories of an
What can we do to combat this all-too-predictable distortion of the values that we must seek to cultivate?
The key lies in remembering that we were created different in order to make a difference, not in order to be indifferent As Hashem’s emissaries to the world, we are expected to be beacons of appropriate
ship has different responsibilities than the passengers do; he wears a uniform, sleeps in different living quarters, and is expected to be constantly alert, functional, and attentive to his duties. Yet his attitude can hardly be one of indifference to his passengers; The voyage must be for the benefit — not the detriment — of the passengers. Similarly, Klal Yisrael must steer
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
SINAI HOSPITAL
1st floor, off the Blaustein
Lobby
JOHNS HOPKINS
1st Floor, Blalock Room 175
GBMC
New Building, Main Entrance,
Adjacent to the Spiritual Care offices – Room 3281
UNIVERSITY OF MD MEDICAL CENTER
6th Floor, Gudelsky Conference room
UNION MEMORIAL
First floor, Johnson Professional Building across from the Zen Meditation Garden
TJH Centerfold
If Adults Weren’t Embarrassed to Drink Hot Chocolate…
They wouldn’t complain about winter so much. We get it; it’s cold – drink your hot chocolate and get over it.
There would be podcasts about how to avoid sipping your hot chocolate too soon, guaranteeing a burnt tongue, while not waiting too long, resulting in lukewarm chocolate. Yes, it’s a science.
Boardrooms would have marshmallow dispensers. “Let’s circle back on Q4 revenue projections – also, does anyone want extra whipped cream?”
Grown men wouldn’t have to pretend the hot chocolate is for their kid. Your hot chocolate mustache is a dead giveaway.
Instead of ordering strong, black coffee to look tough, people would proudly say, “I’ll take the large hot chocolate without marshmallows, please!” Because nothing looks tougher than turning down marshmallows, says the man who eats globs of marshmallow fluff for midnight snack.
Hockers would know the best place to get extra marshmallows in their hot chocolate. “Go to my guy, he’ll hook you up with extra marshmallows… I’ll call him beforehand and tell him to take care of you.”
Coffee shops would finally put hot chocolate on the menu where it belongs – AT THE TOP. And no one would have to whisper, “Um…do you guys, like, have hot chocolate?”
Lakewood would have a store that sells artisanal hot chocolate for $8 per ounce. But they have great takanah halls!
Instagram would be full of people flexing their hot chocolate game. “Just me and my gourmet marshmallow-topped Belgian cocoa in my custom hand-painted mug. #HotChocGoals”
Coffee snobs would become hot chocolate snobs. “Oh, you drink instant cocoa? I only do single-origin, hand-whisked Peruvian cacao with oat milk.”
Hot Chocolate Trivia
1. What ingredient in traditional Mexican hot chocolate gives it a spicy kick?
a. Cayenne pepper
b. Nutmeg
c. Cinnamon
d. Black pepper
2. How much is the hot chocolate at New York’s 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar (Hint: it has Amedei Porcelana Dark Chocolate, one of the world’s most expensive chocolates; house-made whipped cream, marshmallows and topshelf spirits; and it’s drizzled with gold shavings.)
a. $754
b. $3,000
c. $6,400
d. $12,180
3. The world’s largest cup of hot chocolate was made in Mexico in 2018. How many gallons was it?
a. 14
b. 400
c. 739
d. 1,272
4. Who predicted that hot chocolate would become popular because “the superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain”?
a. Starbucks’s Howard Schultz
b. Mr. Centerfo LdCommish
c. Thomas Jefferson
d. Milton S. Hershey
c. Egyptians
d. Vikings
5. Which famous novel features a “hot chocolate river”?
a. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
b. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
c. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
d. The Polar Express
6. What ancient civilization is credited with inventing hot chocolate?
a. Romans
b. Aztecs
You
Gotta
Be Kidding
Me! Why did the hot chocolate go to therapy? Because it was very marshmellowdramatic.
7. In Switzerland, what is a common pairing with hot
a. A croissant
b. Cheese fondue
c. A slice of cake
d. A piece of dark chocolate
Answers:
2-B
3-D
4-C
5-C
6-B
7-D
Wisdom Key:
5-7 correct: Go to New York’s 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar and try their $3,000 hot chocolate. Tell them I sent you.
2-4 correct: You earned a hot chocolate! Go make one in your kitchen and send me the bill.
0-1 correct: You are all fluff, no marshmallow.
Notable Quotes “Say What?!”
This thing about, “Elon is going to steal everyone’s money.” He has $400 billion. He’s not going to steal your money. I’m telling you, that’s not what he’s doing.
- Joe Rogan
He’s a super genius that has been [messed] with. When you’ve been [messed] with by these nitwits that hide behind three-letter agencies, and you’re dealing with one of the smartest people alive, and he helps Donald Trump get into office and he wants to find out what corruption is really going on, well you [messed] up.
- ibid.
You picked the wrong psychopath on the spectrum. He’s going to hunt you down and find out what’s going on, and that’s good for everybody. That’s how you should be looking at this.
- ibid.
Like, wow, we have a brilliant mind examining these really corrupt and goofy systems and bringing in a bunch of psychopath wizards.
- ibid.
Many of my Democratic colleagues and some of the tofu-eating “wokearati” at the USAID are screaming like they’re part of a prison riot because they don’t want us reviewing the spending. But that’s all Mr. Musk is doing, and he’s finding some pretty interesting stuff.
- Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)
To my friends who are upset. I would say with respect, you know, call somebody who cares. You better get used to this.
-ibid.
I will admit that sometimes the loudest voices for censorship have come not from within Europe, but from within my own country, where the prior administration threatened and bullied social media companies to censor so-called misinformation.
- Vice President JD Vance speaking at the Munich Security Conference
Misinformation like, for example, the idea that coronavirus had likely leaked from a laboratory in China. Our own government encouraged private companies to silence people who dared to utter what turned out to be an obvious truth.
- ibid.
So, I come here today not just with an observation, but with an offer. And just as the Biden administration seemed desperate to silence people for speaking their minds, so the Trump administration will do precisely the opposite.
-ibid.
If American democracy can survive 10 years of Greta Thunberg’s scolding, you guys can survive a few months of Elon Musk.
– ibid.
I’m thankful that everyone in the flight incident in Toronto that took off from Minneapolis is safe, but we keep seeing these incidents day after day. Meanwhile, Trump’s doing massive layoffs at the FAA — including safety specialists — and making our skies less and less safe.
- Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) blaming a plane flipping over on a Toronto runway on President Trump
You don’t realize how real Trump Derangement Syndrome is… I was at a friend’s birthday dinner and it was a nice quiet dinner…and I happened to mention the president’s name and it was like they got shot with a dart in the jugular that contained like methamphetamine and rabies. You can’t have a normal conversation; they become completely irrational.
- Elon Musk during a joint interview with President Trump on the Sean Hannity Show
We are trying to restore the will of the people through the president. We are finding an elected bureaucracy that is opposed to the president and the cabinet. You look at D.C. voting – 92% Kamala. That’s a lot. That’s almost everyone. If the will of the president is not implemented – and the president represents the people – that means the will of the people is not being implemented. That means we live in a bureaucracy, not a democracy.
- ibid.
Trump has called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza. Jewish people say NO to ethnic cleansing!
- Text of an ad in The New York Times by radical leftist not-orthodox Jewish “rabbis” and cantors
America is in shock that the guy whose catchphrase was “You’re fired” is firing everybody in government.
- Bill Maher
I still don’t know what he does, because it’s hard to really serve the city when you wake up.
- Mayor Adams talking about Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who would take over if the mayor is forced out of office
Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…
Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
I have been dating an amazing girl for the past two months, and things are serious. I’m 28, and Sara is 26. Sara has a 36-year-old sister who’s still single. Sara has been opening up recently to me that she feels her sister is jealous of her. She said that when I came over for
Shabbos a few weeks ago where the whole family was there to meet me, her single sister was very unfriendly. She also doesn’t talk to Sara as much as she used to, doesn’t take her calls. Her mother told her that obviously it is difficult for her, but she will get over it. I’m a superstitious person by nature and believe strongly in ayin hara. This is making me uncomfortable to have this looming over our relationship. Is there anything we can do to make her sister happy for us, or at least neutral? It would make me so much more comfortable moving forward.
- Naftoli*
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 Lisa Babich
Iunderstand your concerns about an older sister who is upset and making this experience less pleasant. She is no doubt hurting and in a lot of pain. As much as I believe this is her avodah to work through, that is more her concern. All you two can do is act kind and considerate to her. If she chooses to ignore you or act in a distant manner, as much as it is unpleasant, that is her issue. If you two are kind and welcoming to her, and even try to set her up if you can, I am sure she will soften up over time. The pain and shock of her sister marrying before her is very overwhelming at the moment, but once that Band-Aid is ripped off, she will probably become more comfortable with the situation.
You also asked about ayin hara From what I have learned, ayin hara occurs when you go out of your way to show off. If you are just living your life and meeting a girl, you are not doing anything that warrants an ayin hara. There are always jealous people out there and we have to make sure we aren’t flaunting things to create more jealousy, however, dating a girl is a normal part of life. As long as you are both sensitive to her needs and don’t flaunt in front of her, then I don’t think you have to be overly worried about it. I would just encourage both of you to be sensitive to her needs and be as kind to her as you can and as she allows.
Good luck with everything!
The Shadchan
Michelle Mond
Naftoli, your future sister-in-law’s pain is palpable through your letter.
I want to assure you that there is no ayin hara here that can prevent your relationship with Sara from thriving. Hashem is in complete control of the full picture. As The One Who has created this situation, He is also the one that will weave all the open ends of the scenario together in the end.
At that age, especially, it is incredibly hard to be single, but even harder when younger siblings start flying the coop.
Sara’s sister is in a lot of pain now, which is causing her to be unpleasant, step back, and present as such. However, her time will come.
For now, the only thing you and Sara can do is be patient and genuinely loving and kind. You both can show her uncon ditional care, give her space, and don’t treat her any differently. You should not expect her behaviors to improve anytime soon. When she finds the one and is out of this difficult time period, she will un doubtedly express appreciation for your patience during her most difficult years.
The Zaidy
Dr. Jeffrey
Galler
The fact that so many wonderful, “older” single women feel left be
hind in the current dating system is a real tragedy. Unfortunately, your girlfriend’s older sister’s feelings are far from unique.
But let’s focus on your situation for now.
It’s clear that, as a sensitive person, you understand the pain and jealousy her sister is feeling. Let’s hope that, as her mother wisely counseled, “it’s difficult, but she’ll get over it.”
In the meantime, here are a few things that you and your girlfriend can do:
First, be mindful and humble. Avoid flaunting your happiness in front of her, so she doesn’t feel alienated or overlooked.
Second, make her feel included. If appropriate, ask for her input on things like where to live, wedding details, or even simple things like recipes. Be careful, however. If she feels that you are being patronizing or condescending toward
her, it could make things even worse.
Third, perhaps you can set her up with an older friend of yours and go on a double date together.
Fourth, I think that my grandmother, a”H, would have advised to wear a red “bendleh.”
Let’s hope that, in time, the older sister will warm up and share in the family’s joy. This is obviously hard for her. Meanwhile, be kind, be understanding, and enjoy your life.
Reader’s Response
An Older Sister Who’s Been There
Dear Naftoli, I get it. And I get her. Because I was her.
A few years ago, my younger sister met someone wonderful, got engaged, and built the life I so badly wanted for myself. I wasn’t bitter, I wasn’t petty, but I was struggling. It’s hard to explain the feeling of watching someone you love step into a stage of life that you’ve been waiting for. It’s
not jealousy in the way people usually think of jealousy – it’s grief. Grief for the life I thought I’d have by now. Grief for the way our relationship was changing. Grief for the moments I knew would be harder from the outside looking in.
At first, I pulled away. I didn’t return calls as much, I wasn’t as chatty, and when her fiancé came over for Shabbos, I probably wasn’t the most welcoming. Not because I didn’t like him – he was a great guy. But because my heart was aching, and it was too exhausting to pretend it wasn’t. What helped? Time. Space. And most of all, my sister’s quiet under -
Pulling It All Together
The Navidaters
Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
Naftoli,
First of all, mazal tov on your relationship with Sara! It sounds like you really care about her and want things to move forward in a peaceful and positive way. Your sensitivity to her feelings – and even her sister’s – is a great sign of the kind of partner you’ll be.
It’s completely understandable that her sister is struggling. At 36, she’s likely dealing with her own hopes, disappointments, and perhaps even societal or family pressures around marriage. Your presence might unintentionally highlight what she longs for, making it hard for her to be warm and engaged. That doesn’t mean she wishes you or Sara harm – just that she’s processing her own pain in a way that’s affecting
her rela - tionship with Sara.
While you can’t make someone happy for you, there are things you can do to ease tension and, hopefully, shift the dynamic:
1. Acknowledge Her as a Person, Not Just Sara’s Sister
When you see her, make an effort to engage with her as an individual. Ask about her interests, work, or something neutral. This signals respect and might soften any tension.
2. Sara Should Give Her Grace and Space
Instead of pushing her to be okay, Sara might say something like, “I know this has been hard for you, and I miss how things were between us. I hope we
standing. She didn’t push me to be happy for her before I was ready. She didn’t try to convince me that my time would come or that I had nothing to be sad about. She just let me feel how I felt. And eventually, because she gave me that space, I found my way back to her. Here’s what I want you to know: This isn’t about you. It’s not even about Sara, really. It’s about her sister navigating something painful in the best way she knows how. It doesn’t mean she wants to hurt Sara or that she’s hoping for anything bad to happen. It just means that right now, it’s hard for her to be close. So don’t try to fix it. Don’t walk on eggshells but also don’t go out of your way to prove anything. Just keep being a good guy. Keep loving Sara. And trust that if her sister is the kind of person who truly loves her, she’ll
Don’t walk on eggshells but also don’t go out of your way to prove anything.
come around. Maybe not right away. But eventually.
Sending you and Sara all the best, An Older Sister Who’s Been There
can find our way back to each other.” That lets her know she’s seen without forcing a reaction.
3. No Overcompensating Sometimes, when we sense jealousy, we try too hard to win someone over, which can make things worse. Instead, keep things warm but natural – no need to go overboard to prove anything.
4. Spiritual Perspective on Ayin Hara
If ayin hara concerns you, there are traditional ways to protect against it –whether it’s saying bli ayin hara more often, giving tzedakah in her name, or even simply keeping your joy private rather than broadcasting every detail. The idea behind ayin hara is that excessive attention, especially from those who are struggling, can create negative energy. So being mindful of how much you share – especially around her – can
be helpful.
5. Time and Distance Can Heal
Right now, emotions are fresh. If you and Sara continue on this path and, G-d willing, get engaged, she’ll have more time to adjust. Many siblings who initially struggle end up coming around, especially when they feel loved and included in ways that don’t center around the relationship.
At the end of the day, if Sara’s sister is truly a good person, she will find a way to be happy for her – even if it takes time. Your role is to be a steady, kind presence but not to take on responsibility for her emotions. You and Sara deserve to be happy. Stay humble, stay kind, and trust that things will settle in time.
Wishing you hatzlacha, Jennifer
Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.
Common Cents Insurance: What It Is, Why It’s Important, and Best Practices
Insurance is a financial safety net, protecting you and your family from unexpected financial hardships. Whether it’s life, auto, property, or disability insurance, having the right coverage can provide peace of mind and ensure you’re prepared for life’s uncertainties. But how much insurance do you really need? And how can you get the best coverage at the lowest price? Let’s explore.
What Is Insurance?
At its core, insurance is a contract between you and an insurer. You pay a premium, and in return, the insurer promises to cover specified losses or liabilities, according to the terms of your policy.
Insurance works on the principle of risk pooling: many people contribute premiums, and the insurer uses this pool of funds to pay claims for those who experience covered losses.
Why Is Insurance Important?
1. Financial Protection: Insurance prevents financial devastation from unexpected events, such as accidents, illnesses, or natural disasters.
2. Peace of Mind: Knowing you’re protected against potential risks reduces stress and anxiety.
3. Legal and Practical Requirements: Some types of insurance, like auto insurance, are legally mandated. Others, like homeowners insurance, may be required by lenders.
4. Asset Preservation: Insurance ensures that you don’t have to dip into savings or sell assets to cover losses.
Types of Insurance and How to Determine Your Needs
1. Life Insurance
• Purpose: Provides financial support to your dependents if you pass away.
• How Much You Need:
o Calculate financial obligations (e.g., mortgage, debts, education costs).
o Factor in income replacement (e.g.,10-12 times your annual salary is a common rule of thumb).
o Subtract existing assets or savings that could offset expenses.
• Best Practices:
o Term life insurance is often more affordable than whole life insurance for most needs.
o Review your policy every few years or after major life changes (marriage, children, career changes).
2. Auto Insurance
• Purpose: Covers damages or liability from car accidents.
• How Much You Need:
o State minimum coverage is a starting point, but often insufficient.
o Consider full coverage (liability, collision, and comprehensive) if you have a newer car.
o Ensure liability limits are high enough to protect your assets.
• Best Practices:
o Bundle auto insurance with other policies (like homeowners) for discounts.
o Ask about safe driver discounts or usage-based policies that track driving habits.
3. Property Insurance (Homeowners or Renters)
• Purpose: Protects your home and belongings from damage, theft, or liability claims.
• How Much You Need:
o Homeowners: Insure your home for its replacement cost (not market value).
o Renters: Cover the value of personal belongings and add liability coverage.
• Best Practices:
o Update your coverage after home renovations or significant purchases.
o Add riders for valuable items (e.g., jewelry, electronics).
4. Disability Insurance
• Purpose: Replaces a portion of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.
• How Much You Need:
o Aim for coverage that replaces 60-80% of your after-tax income.
By Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST
o Consider short-term and longterm policies based on your savings and job benefits.
• Best Practices:
o Buy a policy with “own occupation” coverage, which pays if you can’t perform your specific job.
o Check if coverage through work is portable if you change jobs.
Tips for Getting the Best Coverage at the Lowest Price
1. Shop Around
• Get quotes from multiple insurers to compare prices and coverage options.
• Use online tools or work with an independent agent who can provide multiple quotes.
2. Bundle Policies
• Insurers often offer discounts if you purchase multiple types of insurance from them (e.g., home and auto).
3. Increase Deductibles
• Opting for a higher deductible can lower premiums. Ensure you have enough savings to cover the deductible if needed.
4. Maintain a Good Credit Score
• Many insurers use credit scores to determine premiums, so keeping your score high can lead to lower costs.
5. Review and Update Regularly
• Life changes, like getting married, buying a home, or having children require adjustments to your coverage.
6. Ask About Discounts
• Common discounts include safe
driving, home security systems, non-smoker status, and membership in certain organizations.
7. Consider Group Coverage
• Many employers offer life, disability, or health insurance at reduced rates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Underinsuring: Skimping on coverage can lead to financial catastrophe.
• Overinsuring: Paying for unnecessary coverage can strain your budget.
• Failing to Read the Fine Print: Understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy to avoid surprises.
Conclusion
Insurance is a critical component of any financial plan. By understanding your needs, shopping smartly, and keeping your policies up to date, you can secure the protection you need without overpaying. Remember, the right insurance coverage isn’t just about saving money, it’s about safeguarding your financial future.
Subscribe to Common Cents digitally on LinkedIn @CommonCents613
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.
Political Crossfire Where China’s Exports Begin Inside the Vast Markets of Guangzhou
By Keith Bradsher
GUANGZHOU, China — Rows of white concrete buildings near the Pearl River in southern China house one of the world’s fastest-growing industries: Gritty workshops are churning out inexpensive clothing that is exported straight to homes and small businesses around the world. No tariffs are paid, and no customs inspections are conducted.
The laborers who make these goods earn as little as $5 an hour, including overtime, for workdays that can last 10 hours or more. They pay $130 a month to sleep on bunk beds in tiny rooms above factories packed with sewing machines and mounds of cloth.
“It’s hard work,” said Wu Hua, who sews pants, seven days a week, at a factory in Guangzhou, a vast metropolis that straddles the Pearl River.
E-commerce giants have forged close links from international markets to workers like Wu, shaking retailing and economies around the globe.
The number of duty-free shipments to the United States has risen more than tenfold since 2016, to 4 million parcels
per day last year. Similar shipments to the European Union have climbed even faster, reaching 12 million parcels a day last year. Duty-free shipments to developing countries like Thailand and South Africa have also surged.
Now a global backlash is underway.
President Donald Trump ordered a halt Feb. 4 to the duty-free entry, without inspection, of parcels with goods worth up to $800. Trump temporarily suspended his order to give officials time to devise a plan for dealing with the mounds of parcels that immediately started piling up at airports for inspection.
Since taking office less than a month ago, Trump has launched a fusillade of trade actions, including an order Thursday for his advisers to come up with new tariff levels that take into account a range of trade barriers. But a lasting halt on duty-free shipments could be one of the most far-reaching moves. These shipments have skirted until now not only his new tariffs, including a 10% tax on all goods from China, but also many other tariffs that have accumulated over the years.
The U.S. action on so-called de minimis shipments — low-value parcels that customs services don’t bother inspecting or calculating tariffs on — was one of many. Last summer, South Africa imposed 45% tariffs on even the smallest imports of clothing. Thailand ended its exemption of low-value imported parcels from sales taxes, although it continues to allow tariff-free entry of parcels up to 1,500 Thai baht ($44). And the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, proposed this month to end the 27-nation bloc’s duty-free treatment of packages worth up to 150 euros ($156).
Countries have cited different reasons for their restrictions. Trump contended that by skirting customs inspections, the duty-free parcels had become a conduit for fentanyl and related materials to enter the United States. The European Commission cited a need to ensure product safety in imports, stop counterfeit goods, and prevent unfair competition. South Africa and Thailand acted to protect local shop owners.
“We have a duty to ensure that goods
entering our market are safe and that all traders respect consumers’ rights,” said Michael McGrath, a European commissioner.
This corner of southern China near Hong Kong has been a hub of low-cost manufacturing for export since the 1980s, especially apparel. But the rise of e-commerce sellers around the world has created ever-growing demand of such shipments.
Guangzhou has emerged as the global hub of de minimis shipments. Across many square miles of the city, fast fashion garments are made in concrete buildings with sewing shops and sometimes living quarters above them.
Shein and Temu, competing Chinese e-commerce giants that together hold at least a third of the de minimis industry, coordinate much of their supply chains from large offices in Guangzhou. Amazon has introduced its own de minimis business, Haul, for shipments from China. China’s de minimis industry is not confined to Guangzhou. Nor is it limited to the industry’s mainstay, clothing. Yiwu, a city 600 miles northeast of
Piles of Shein packages waiting to be shipped in a garmet workshop in Guangzhou, China. Photo by Gilles Sabrie-NYT
Guangzhou with a vast wholesale market, has become another hub. It coordinates de minimis exports of toys, hats and other small items from towns scattered across the Yangtze River delta.
Shein, in particular, has presented itself as a new business concept, connecting far-flung customers with factories ready to cut and sew almost anything. Collaborating with 5,000 workshops and small factories across China, Shein’s approach almost completely eliminates the need for store inventory, or even for stores and retail staff.
“At Shein, we have reimagined the supply chain by empowering thousands of small and medium-sized businesses, giving them full insight into what our customers want and need,” the company says on its website.
But workshop owners in Guangzhou complain that Shein is too demanding.
Li Zhi’s workshop produced garments for a Shein contractor four years ago, but the arrangement lasted only a year. “Shein demands high quality but offers low prices,” she said while sorting lace fabric on a table.
She now sells instead to wholesalers for China’s domestic market, who offer her higher prices. But business re
mains difficult, she said, as a shortage of blue-collar workers has sent the going rate for a day’s labor to almost $70, from $48 four years ago.
In China today, almost two-thirds of 18-year-olds enroll in a college or university, up from 10% in 2000. That has left few young Chinese willing to do factory work.
tariffs of 3% to 30%, plus a 7.5% tariff imposed during his first term, plus a 10% tariff on all imports from China that the president imposed Feb. 4. On top of that, there would be customs processing fees of $5 to $20 per parcel.
Shein said its suppliers paid their workers twice as much as local minimum wages. Temu said nearly 60% of its sales
na’s cotton is grown in Xinjiang, a region in China’s far northwest. Many Western governments have begun restricting or banning imports with any content from Xinjiang after mass arrests there by China’s security agencies and evidence of forced labor among the region’s predominantly Muslim ethnic groups, particularly the Uyghurs.
Households and small businesses that buy de minimis parcels from China bear legal responsibility for making sure their parcels have no cotton or other content from Xinjiang. But regulators in the West have been reluctant to bring charges.
Big retailers, by contrast, generally comply with Xinjiang-related legislation when they import large shipping containers of clothing for their stores.
Workshop owners in Guangzhou said they did not know where their fabric suppliers obtained their cotton.
“Business is deteriorating every year,” Li said. “There are fewer and fewer workers now — mostly those born in the ’70s and ’80s.”
If Trump permanently ends the de minimis rule, imported apparel that is
in the United States were now from American warehouses with shipments that go through customs, with tariffs paid.
The competitive advantages of the de minimis export industry in China go beyond avoiding tariffs and skirting customs inspections. More than 90% of Chi-
Yun Congping, a Guangzhou sewing shop owner who supplies the Thai market, said he and other merchants needed exports.
“If we don’t accept the deals” to supply low-priced exports, he said, “there’s nothing else to do.”
If you survey a wide range of therapists and ask them if they enjoy treating adolescents, your responses will generally fall into one of two categories. Some therapists will say that they would not touch adolescents with a ten-foot pole, and others would tell you that their favorite clients are the teenagers. Why are therapists’ attitudes towards teenagers so polarized? What
is it about teenagers that leads some therapists to view them as a dream and others to view them as a nightmare?
There are a few different parts to the answer to this question. In the course of exploring this topic, we will hopefully gain some insight into the unique characteristics of therapy with adolescents.
Right off the bat, we need to understand that there are certain elements of therapy that cater specifically to adults that are usually dead on arrival when treating teens. Teens have poor insight into their own behavior, their attention span is limited, and they are often impulsive. Additionally, their sense of identity is still developing. Therefore, if the approach is traditional insight-oriented therapy, you are likely to either get the blank stare of a deer in the headlights or the classic teenage eye roll.
Imagine a teenager hearing one of the following questions or statements coming from a therapist: “So tell me, how does that make you feel?” “What are your goals in therapy?” “We are here to talk about you, not about me.” The first question will often be met with a blank stare because they don’t really understand the question. The second question will often be met with an eye roll because the therapist should have known that they were forced to come in the first place. The third statement will make adults feel warm and fuzzy, but will often irritate teenagers, as the therapist shining the spotlight on the teen will make them feel uncomfortable.
Sometimes, therapists will complain that the teenager is not cooperating in therapy. Of course, they aren’t cooperating! They were probably forced to attend by their parents. If a therapist takes on a teenager as a client, he or she should expect the teenager to be defiant, and the therapist better have the tools to deal with it. If not, then do not accept the teen as your client.
If a therapist does want to learn how to treat teenagers, they will need specialized training, and they will also
need the following three attributes: authenticity, humor, and playfulness.
Teens can’t stand someone who is putting on a facade. If a therapist is not willing to be authentic and bring their actual self into therapy, the likelihood of connecting with the teen client is low. Furthermore, if the therapist does not know how to use humor, then the primary tool that is used to disarm a teenager is missing from their therapist toolbox. Also, if the therapist does not bring playfulness into the therapy, then they are lacking the flexibility you need to have when treating a teenager.
After all of this doom and gloom about treating teenagers, why are there many therapists who say that they love treating teens? The answer to that is that teenagers bring incredible energy, a fresh perspective, and honesty.
Their energy is boundless, and if you enjoy the energy, you will love treating them. Their perspective on life is not based on decades of influences, and, therefore, they might have a perspective on life that may actually be a breath of fresh air. Their brutal and unvarnished honesty is also a unique adolescent trait. If you are at an impasse with them, they might say to you, “You really don’t have the skill to treat someone like me!” If that brutally honest comment turns you off, then you are probably not cut out for treating teens. But, if you welcome that honesty, you will probably do a pretty decent job with them.
Finally, they are at the most influential point in their lives and helping them is not merely resolving a specific problem, but it is changing the entire trajectory of lives into a more positive direction. What can be more rewarding than that?
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
Forgotten Her es Jewish Heroes in World War II
By Avi Heiligman
At the beginning of World War II, some high-ranking officers of the Axis powers were afraid of the American war potential if they were forced to enter the fighting. These officers were right to be concerned about the American might, and after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the U.S. began mobilizing men and building machines. The numbers were staggering as over 16 million Americans joined the armed forces. About 550,000 of these servicemembers were Jewish, and many joined wanting to get a chance to fight against the Nazis. Tens of thousands of Jewish men and women were awarded medals and citations for actions during the war. Records of these awards are of public record but are not always easy to access. Here are few of the Jewish soldiers from World War II that were awarded medals for bravery in combat.
Born in Poland, Sergeant Morris Eisenstein moved to Chicago and joined the 222nd Infantry Regiment of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division. He was a decorated combat veteran with two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars. His story of liberating Dachau has been told to historians who recorded it as an oral history interview.
In the days and weeks leading up the German surrender on May 8, 1945, it was chaos in the streets of Germany. Eisenstein’s first Silver Star citation was for actions on April 20 at Furth, Germany. He was with a patrol when they came under attack from a building occupied by enemy soldiers. Under heavy German
fire, Eisenstein went around the building and forced the surrender of four Germans including a major. The American told the German to lead him to the German base. The enemy major complied, and soon 150 German soldiers surrendered to Eisenstein. Capitalizing on the situation, the Jewish soldier commanded the German to take him to a nearby hospital being run by the German army. The soldiers and patients also surrendered to the Eisenstein. Later in the day, he again used the major in another large surrender of Germans. This time, 120 soldiers laid down their arms. With these actions, most of the enemy presence in Furth had capitulated to the Americans.
On April 29, near Dachau, Eisenstein earned his second Silver Star. His battalion’s vehicle column came under assault, and he jumped on a jeep. After failing to get the malfunctioning machine gun to work, he made his way under heavy gunfire towards an abandoned truck. Eisenstein used up the supply of ammunition and went to find more despite the bullets coming in his direction. He reloaded and played an important role in taking out the Nazi positions. Other Americans were able to flank the enemy and forced 150 Nazis to surrender.
Nathan Tyson was from Pennsylvania and became a flying officer serving in the remote China Burma India Theater. He flew the L-5, which was a liaison plane that was capable of taking off and landing on short and unpaved air -
strips. Tyson made 24 missions to rescue downed airmen in the theater who were stranded due to the harsh conditions. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his efforts in the successful rescues.
Communications between the front lines and rear echelon units like headquarters and artillery were extremely important to combat troops in foxholes. Sergeant Max Heller from St. Louis was with the 3rd Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division when they were sent to assault Japanese strongholds on Luzon in the Philippines. On March 21, 1945, the communications line between his unit and the mortar unit was severed. Heller, the forward scout for the mortar unit, leaped out of his hole. Despite heavy fire coming from enemy machine guns, Heller repaired the line. He then searched for the location of the machine guns, sighted their location, and relayed the coordinates of the enemy positions through the newly repaired line back to the mortar section. For his heroism, Max Heller was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In other actions, he was awarded two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars.
Technician Fourth Grade David Mack was a front line medic with the 102 nd Medical Detachment, 27 th Infantry Division. The division landed on Saipan in the Mariana Islands a day after two marine divisions assaulted the Japanese stronghold. Capture of these islands was important as they would be used as airbases for long-range bombers striking
the Japanese home islands. Like many of the American amphibious assaults in the Pacific, Japanese resistance was fierce and progress to wipe out their positions was slow. Casualties were high, and from June 17 to July 12, 1944, Mack and his unit were constantly engaged with enemy forces. Several times, he left the cover of safety to run and provide medical assistance to wounded Americans. After evacuating one patient, he went right back to the front lines to help others. Oftentimes, he used his body to protect the wounded while assisting them under heavy gunfire. Other times, he directed small arms fire to protect the wounded while evacuating them from the battlefield. His Distinguished Service Cross says his “devoted care to the men of the unit to which he was attached was far beyond the call of duty.”
These Forgotten Heroes stories are recorded by official military documents, oral histories that have been recorded, and publications. However, most history books don’t mention the names or particular acts of bravery of these servicemen. As historians dig through more records, more information will surface and these heroes’ stories can be told.
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.
Nathan Tyson flew the L-5 Sentinel
Nathan Tyson Sergeant Morris Eisenstein
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In The K tchen
Soup with an Upgrade
By Naomi Nachman
I was recently asked by Manischewitz to create a recipe using their cello soups. We all know the kind – it comes in the long cellophane-wrapped tube with different kinds of beans or legumes and a spice packet. Even though the soup is delicious cooked according to the package directions, they wanted a recipe that could have an elevated twist.
Ingredients
◦ One package Manischewitz Cello Soup
◦ Canola oil
◦ 1 large onion, diced
◦ 1 pkg 6 oz. package deli of your choice, finely chopped
◦ 5 cups water
Preparation
1. In a medium soup pot, heat the oil and sauté the onion until translucent. Add deli meat and cook till slightly browned
2. Add the contents of the cello soup but not the spice packet. Add 5 cups of water and then bring to a boil. Then simmer on low for 2 hours.
3. Add desired amount of the spice packet according to your taste during last half hour of cooking.
Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
