For years, one of the most popular features in the Baltimore Jewish Home has been the 613 Seconds Interview - a concise yet meaningful conversation with influential personalities in our community. Each week, we highlight the people shaping Baltimore’s schools, shuls, chesed organizations, and beyond, offering insights into the ever-evolving landscape of Jewish Baltimore.
As media consumption shifts, podcasts have become a preferred way to engage with meaningful discussions. Many of our devoted BJH readers, along with followers of Baltimore Jewish Life, encouraged us to bring 613 Seconds to an audio and video format, allowing listeners to experience these interviews firsthand, with the nuance, emotion, and personality that only voice can capture.
We listened. With great excitement, we introduce the Jewish Life Network (JLN) - a new podcast platform featuring engaging discussions on topics that matter to our community. JLN will provide thought-provoking content led by local talent. The first show to launch is none other than 613 Seconds, now in audio and video format.
As host, I have the privilege of sitting down each week for a 10-15 minute conversation with a guest making a difference in Baltimore. Our first few episodes feature:
Rabbi Menachem Goldberger: Rav of Kehilas Tiferes Yisroel, sharing his journey to Baltimore, the warmth of his shul, and their Bridging the Gap campaign.
Dr. Elie Miller: Founder of Apex Concierge Health, discussing his unconventional path to medicine, his experience with Magen David Adom in Israel, and
how concierge medicine is reshaping healthcare in Baltimore.
Mr. Andrew Cushnir: President & CEO of The Associated, providing insight into his new leadership role and the organization’s mission to support Jewish education and community engagement.
Coming Next Week: Rabbi Boruch Brull –Executive Director of Ahavas Yisrael, who will discuss the organization’s critical work in supporting community members facing financial hardships. With Pesach approaching and expenses mounting, Rabbi Brull will share how Ahavas Yisrael ensures that every family in our community can celebrate Yom Tov with dignity and simcha.
The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and this is just the beginning. In the coming weeks, we’ll bring you more engaging interviews while also developing additional Jewish Life Network shows covering community leadership, chesed initiatives, Torah insights, and behind-thescenes perspectives on major events affecting Jewish Baltimore.
All JLN podcasts, including the 613 Seconds Podcast, are available on Baltimore Jewish Life, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Listen anytime, anywhere - whether in the car, at home, or on a walk. Subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes!
Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to bringing you many more fascinating conversations in the weeks and months ahead.
Have a peaceful Shabbos!
Aaron M. Friedman
& photos, and mazal tovs to editor@baltimorejewishhome.com to be featured in coming editions!
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BCL By Columbia Group Continues Its Season Into Week 5!
Week 5 of the Baltimore Chesed League was all about strength—not just physical strength, but the inner strength to step up and help others. Volunteers put their muscles to
work, hauling heavy boxes of Pesach packages, organizing books, and moving loads of shaimos for proper burial. But just as important was the strength of heart they showed— bringing warmth and companionship
to assisted living residents, baking homemade desserts for families in need, and delivering meals to parents with newborns. Whether lifting with their hands or lifting spirits, these dedicated teams proved that true strength comes from using what you have to help others. With every act of kindness, they built a stronger, more connected community—one chesed at a time.
Team Northbrook Financial helped support the Pikesville Downtown Partnership Community Clean-up.
Team Quarry Orthodontics did an unbelievable job unloading two full trucks of shaimos in a cemetery. It was such a large job that they voluntarily stayed for an extra hour!
After the arduous work of removing bags of shaimos from the Agudah, Team Kineged Glass Repair enjoyed some delicious, well deserved pizza.
Team Kelemer Brothers Replacement Windows together with members of YACHAD, ate dinner and engaged in some creative coloring.
Team HESP Solar helped build boxes for Chai Lifeline Pesach packages.
Team AEG Remodeling enjoyed bagels and pancakes then shifted to baseball and basketball with the members of Menucha. Everyone had a great time!
Team Pit Stop Tire Shop had a special time with the residents of Aventura; They came primed with good questions and games to play.
Team US Engineering Solutions put their muscles to work moving bags of shaimos onto the truck.
Team Sage Ventures had the zechus to participate in the Chasdei Lev distribution.
Team Heideman Design packed Shabbos food packages for a special organization- then celebrated with cholent from the Knish Shop!
Team Keren Reva Costume Gemach rolled up their sleeves and got to work loading shaimos from the Agudah to be taken for burial.
Tissues
Parchment
A Day Of Inspiration And Growth For Early Childhood Educators
Photos: JES Staff
Nearly 300 early childhood educators from eleven different programs and schools came together for an unforgettable day of learning, connection, and inspiration at Chizuk Amuno. Planned and hosted by Jewish Educational Services, a program of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, the conference, themed “Touching Hearts, Teaching Minds,” was designed to nurture both the professional and personal growth of educators, offering them a chance to reflect, collaborate, and re-energize their passion for teaching. Attendees had the opportunity to earn 6.0 hours of MSDE-approved continuing education credits, making the day not only enriching but also professionally valuable.
The keynote speaker, Kelly Mahler, captivated the audience with her expertise in interoception and child development. Her session shed light on the ways educators can support young learners in developing emotional awareness and self-regulation. With warmth and practical strategies, Mahler empowered teachers to create more supportive environments where children can thrive. Her engaging presentation resonated deeply, sparking meaningful discussions throughout the day.
Recognizing the unique needs of different age groups, the conference featured dedicated tracks for teachers of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, ensuring that every educator received relevant and appli- cable insights. Workshops covered a broad spectrum of topics, including Elevating Play, Flipping the Script: From Chaos to Calm, Preparing Babies for Success, and Understanding and Supporting Special Needs, among others. These sessions explored innovative teaching techniques, social-emotional learning, and hands-on strategies educators could immediately bring back to their classrooms. Whether discussing best practices, experimenting with new activities, or sharing insights with peers, attendees were immersed in a vibrant learning experience. The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm as teachers exchanged ideas and reflected on how to best support the children in their care.
The day wasn’t just about professional development—it was also about appreciation and community.
A delicious lunch catered by Seven Mile Market gave everyone a chance to relax and connect with colleagues in a warm, inviting setting. Between sessions, educators enjoyed raffles, swag bags, and an abundance of snacks, adding to the excitement and celebratory feel of the event.
As the conference drew to a close, teachers gathered in groups with their school colleagues and directors for a debrief activity, allowing them to reflect on key takeaways and brainstorm ways to implement new strategies in their classrooms.
This final session fostered meaningful conversations among teams, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that had defined the entire day. One educator shared, “I really enjoyed my session at the end with my own staff because we got to learn together, reflect on our day, and share ideas that we could take back to our school and implement with each other.” Another participant summed up the day beautifully, saying, “Love being a lifelong learner to be a better teacher!” A fellow educator echoed this sentiment, sharing, “I loved learning new information that I can use in my classroom.”
For many, this conference was their first time attending, and the experience left a lasting impression. “Thank you so much! It was a very positive first experience,” one educator noted. The overwhelming response from attendees underscored the importance of these gatherings in fostering professional growth and community among early childhood educators.
The Early Childhood Conference: Touching Hearts, Teaching Minds highlighted the vital role of Jewish education in shaping young learners. By nurturing Jewish values, traditions, and identity from the earliest years, educators help children build a meaningful connection to their heritage—helping them grow with a strong sense of identity, purpose, and belonging.
Jewish Educational Services Nurtures Mental Wellness In The Community
Photos: David Stuck
Jewish Educational Services, a program of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, recently hosted two significant events focused on supporting the mental wellness of children. These gatherings highlighted JES’ dedication to fostering resilience, emotional well-being, and the ability to navigate challenges in today’s world.
The first event, the Family First lecture, is an annual tribute to Dr. Aviva Weisbord A’H, founding director of SHEMESH, where parents, educators, and community members come together to honor her enduring legacy of service. Dr. David Rosmarin, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Center for Anxiety, delivered an engaging and insightful keynote. Recognized for his pioneering work in integrating spirituality and mental health, his presentation was based on his book Thriving with Anxiety and discussed four key steps that help reshape anxiety into a
positive force. One attendee shared, “The talk was incredibly engaging and helpful in a practical way about living well with anxiety,” highlighting the profound impact of the lecture.
Among the 60 attendees, Dr. Weisbord’s family deeply appreciated this special commemoration, which honored her unwavering commitment as a clinical psychologist and family therapist dedicated to helping others with strength and compassion. To support the Aviva Weisbord SHEMESH Fund and continue the work that was deeply meaningful to her, please consider donating.
The following day, the Mental Wellness Summit took place in partnership with Jewish Community Services and was funded through a grant from The Associated. This event brought together over 45 mental health professionals, educators, and school administrators from schools and organizations in the community, eager to enhance mental wellness supports. Held at the
HIRINGHIRING
Pearlstone Jewish Retreat Center, the summit began with Dr. Rosmarin’s keynote, How to Make Anxiety into Your Ally, Not Your Enemy, emphasizing how reframing anxiety can be a source of strength rather than distress.
The day continued with a series of breakout sessions, including discussions on fostering a positive school culture, creating neurodivergent classrooms, building resilience through emotional intelligence, and utilizing movement and art therapy to support mental wellness. Attendees also participated in interactive discussion groups, exploring how schools can integrate strategies to help students thrive despite challenges. One participant reflection demonstrated the immediate value of the summit’s practical takeaways, “I’m excited to be able to bring this back to my school and personal life, to better the lives of the people I work with.”
The summit concluded with a wrap-up discussion led by Dr. Rosmarin on Creating a School Culture to Support Thriving in the Age of Anxiety, leaving participants with actionable insights to bring back to their schools and communities.
JES is also offering eligible participants in the summit to apply for Mental Wellness Mini-Grants, further assisting schools to implement meaningful initiatives to support student well-being.
Both events underscored the critical importance of mental wellness in Jewish education. By providing parents and educators with knowledge, strategies, and resources, Jewish Educational Services reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the well-being of its students, ensuring they can grow into resilient and thriving individuals.
Chaverim Of Baltimore Members Complete CERT Training, Strengthening Community Emergency Response
Agroup of 13 dedicated Chaverim of Baltimore volunteers recently completed a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course, equipping them with critical skills to assist in times of crisis. The training, conducted in partnership with the Baltimore City Fire Department and other emergency agencies, was facilitated through Councilman Yitzy Schleifer.
While the CERT program has been in existence for many years, it has been inactive in Baltimore in recent years. Now, efforts are underway to revitalize and expand the program, with Chaverim playing a key role in strengthening emergency response capabilities for both the Jewish community and the broader Baltimore area. CERT is a nationwide program designed to train civilians to assist in natural disasters and other emergencies. Participants learn essential skills such as disaster preparedness, fire
A
By: BJLife Newsroom
safety, search and rescue, and basic medical aid. The goal is to empower community members to take action when professional first responders are overwhelmed or delayed.
CERT volunteers serve as a crucial backup force, helping to stabilize situations and organize assistance efforts until official responders arrive. Chaverim of Baltimore has long been known for its rapid, hands-on assistance in non-medical emergencies, and its involvement in CERT will further enhance the safety net for the community.
CERT leaders recognize that Chaverim’s well-established infrastructure, strong volunteer base, and deep-rooted community trust make it an ideal partner in building up CERT’s presence.
Memorable Purim Meshulash Including “Poreis Mapeh Umekadesh” At Kehal Chassidim
AJoyous and beautiful Yom Tov of Purim Meshulash was celebrated at Kehal Chassidim This year’s Purim Meshulash brought a special blend of simcha and kedusha to the Kehal Chassidim Cheder and Shul. In the cheder, the young students enjoyed a series of fun and engaging activities, highlighted by a visit from the well-loved Rebbi Hill, a lively “Purim Rav,” and a humorous portrayal of a “make-believe Mekubal.”
The festive atmosphere brought smiles to the children’s faces as they absorbed the spirit of Purim through these memorable experiences. The shul was equally filled with energy and happiness as the entire kehila came together for the Purim Seudah. The uplifting event featured warm Divrei Torah from the Rav, Rabbi Amrom Jungreis Shlita, and spirited live music that lasted until Zman Shabbos.
As per halacha, the community transitioned seamlessly into Shab-
bos through the halachic practice of “Poreis Mapeh Umekadesh.” This rarely encountered custom, observed only when Purim coincides with Shabbos, added a unique element to the occasion, one that will next be experienced, iy”H, in another 20 years. The joy continued on Shushan Purim Meshulash with another beautiful seudah. Following the minhag of Chasidim, attendees dressed in their finest Bigdei Shabbos, contributing to the elevated simcha that celebrated the sanctity and joy of Yerushalayim on this special day.
In Memoriam: My Nephew, Rabbi Eliyahu Fink, Z’L
It’s so strange to see the words. It does not seem real, at least not to me. But for his wife, his children, his parents, his Talmidim, his Chasidim, and the hundreds whom he was Mekarev, it is all too real. Painfully so. My nephew, Rabbi Eliyahu Fink, was one of the rarest people I ever knew. For those of you who appreciate, or hate, my megalomania, hear me loud: he was way smarter than me. And he knew far more Torah than I ever will. There aren’t that many people of whom I have ever made such a proclamation.
When Eliyahu was a 3-year-old, he attended a small nursery in Baltimore. His teacher had given each student a paper with an outline of an apple on it and told them all to color the apple. Eliyahu dutifully complied, filling in the entire outline a beautiful shade of red, tempered with some brown to give it a more “appley look,” except for a small ovular shape in one corner, which he left uncolored. His teacher came around and said, “Eliyahu, what a beautiful job. Why don’t you finish coloring it in?” Eliyahu responded, “I did finish.” The teacher asked, “What about the part you didn’t color?” to which he promptly replied, “That’s the part I ate already.” And so it began. Eliyahu was a prodigy in every sense of the word. Whether it was academics, sports, singing, abstract reasoning, or practically anything else, he was the best. After excelling in many areas, he attended high school at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel. He eventually earned his Semicha from the Yeshiva there. It was not an accomplishment, but rather a license to be Mashpia on thousands of Jews over the next 20 years. After his untimely passing last week, hundreds of articles have been published across the United States detailing his influence, his successes in enriching people’s lives with Torah and passion.
We often disagreed on issues of religiosity or politics, but Eliyahu always had a dozen Gemaras, and numerous Poskim and their Sheilos U’Teshuvos trumpeting the view he was espousing from hundreds of years prior. The same was true of any secular discussion. When we disagreed, he brought out volumes of Newton, Voltaire, or the
writings of Winston Churchill. It was never Eliyahu’s opinion but rather the culmination of mastering bodies of information on every topic imaginable—from the causes of gravity to whether the continental drift was pre-people, to the fundamentals of the Machlokes between the Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah, or whether Lamar Jackson could be a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback throwing many balls sidearm from the pocket. He did not have opinions on everything; rather, he shared his mastery of the topic with others. And he invited others to share theirs with him.
I was only in Los Angeles for one Shabbos in my life. At the time, Eliyahu was the Rabbi of the famous Venice Beach Shul—better known as the Shul on the Beach. And not just any beach. As Los Angeles has become known for its whacko culture over the years, Venice Beach was where the whackiest of the whackos congregated. Little did I know. On Shabbos morning, I walked into the Shul, shook the sand out of my shoes, and took a quick look around. Numerous odd-appearing people filled the pews on both sides of the Mechitza, including many who did not look like they belonged in a Shul. Everyone was welcome. A rack on each side of the door provided “cover-ups” or robes for those whose attire was inappropriate for a Shul. Then there were the 30–40 “normal” looking Mispalilim as well. Eliyahu gave an inspiring, thought-provoking Drasha, and we walked back to his home for Seudas Shabbos. After singing Zmiros and sharing Torah thoughts, Eliyahu offered that he goes to a different Shul on Shabbos afternoon for Mincha, Shalosh Seudos, etc.—it was quite a further distance, more than a mile away. He told me it would be much closer to the Venice Beach Shul if I did not want to join in the trek. I asked why he went to a different Shul on Shabbos afternoon. He said, “I am the Rabbi at that Shul also.” To which I then asked in retort, “Why are you the Rav at two Shuls a mile apart?” To this, he simply explained, “The Shul I go to in the afternoon is for the people I was Mekarev over the last six years who now feel it’s inappropri-
ate to Daven on the Beach.”
After my visit to Los Angeles, I learned that Eliyahu gave one of the original “Fast Dafs” online, where he would cover Daf Yomi in 25 minutes per day. Of course, cruising through Shas as part of his daily ritual was no big thing for him, but it was for me. When I found myself learning an obscure Gemara in Kodshim, I would often do the 25-minute Daf with Eliyahu. It was fast, and I didn’t know the Daf as well as I would have liked after 25 minutes, but now I had familiarity. I knew what some of the first-time phrases referred to, and I could now learn the Daf at my own speed as deeply as I could. Because of Eliyahu.
Twelve years later, I was introduced to a young man learning at one of the top yeshivas in all of Eretz Yisroel. When he heard my name was “Fink,” he asked if I was related to Rabbi Eliyahu Fink. I answered that I was—he is my nephew. He then went on to tell me that Eliyahu had been Mekarev his family years earlier. His father walked in off the Beach, and three months later was keeping Shabbos and kosher. Two years after that, he switched his kids into Jewish day schools. “I am only here because of him. My whole family owes everything to Rabbi Fink.” And therein is one of the chief lessons we must learn from Eliyahu. His mastery of all things secular, in addition to his Torah knowledge, allowed him to relate to people that many of us cannot reach. Indeed, as the Gemara describes, there are seven Chochmos in the world—music, math, Torah, etc. Eliyahu knew about them all, and mastered them. Not in addition to his Torah, but as part of his appreciation and understanding of Hashem’s majesty. It’s not that we can’t reach them; it’s that we are afraid to tread where he tread because we are so ill-equipped. No person was beyond his outreach because he loved every Jew. And he shared some bond with every person, which was deeply personal.
There is a famous story with R’ Chaim Shmulevitz wherein he asked, “Who is responsible for the killing of the most Jews in history?” His answer:
Yishmael, Esav, and Yushka. “And what did those three people have in common? They were all members of our family, and we pushed them all away.” R’ Chaim was not exactly a “lefty.” Eliyahu did not push anyone away. He brought them all closer to Hashem. From all backgrounds, from all walks of life, young and old. Even those whom he disagreed with could not help but marvel and be drawn to this friendly and brilliant man who loved all of Hashem’s Briya and loved living in it.
This was never more apparent than seeing him with his immediate and extended family. I remember meeting Tova at their L’Chayim. The radiance from each of them was palpable. And it never went away. After 23 years, they were once again sharing Yom Tov with us in Baltimore. To see them was to appreciate the respect and love they had for each other—each 100% devoted to helping the other. Many people could learn more from watching their interactions than they could from any professional counselor. They each shared that same outlook on each of their three sons. Each different, but each loved and appreciated as individuals. Eliyahu and Tova did not expect their children to practice Torah Judaism by teaching them what to do. Instead, they showed them what living as a Torah Jew meant: treating others with respect, appreciating every Jew, and always recognizing the great Creator who gives us everything. Eliyahu, we all already miss you. But we will carry what we learned from you forever.
Rabbi Dovd Fink
BJH: You’re new to Baltimore, and our audience is eager to learn more about you. Can you share a bit about your background?
Andrew Cushnir: I moved to Baltimore a year ago, the day after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Before coming here, I spent my entire life in Los Angeles. My professional journey began in law, but I felt a strong calling to work in the Jewish communal sector. I joined the Los Angeles Federation, where I spent 20 years - half designing and implementing programs and the other half leading fundraising efforts. Two years ago, I was approached about an opportunity at The Associated, and after a thorough process, I realized what a special community this is.
BJH: Was working in the Jewish community always your passion?
613 Seconds with Andrew Cushnir,
President & CEO of The Associated
for its work in Jewish education. Can you explain how it supports educational initiatives?
AC: We provide significant scholarship funding for local Jewish day schools as well as scholarships for teens and young adults to study in Israel. We also support educators and families, particularly those with disabilities, making sure they can receive a Jewish education. That includes our program, SHEMESH, which provides education consulting, executive function coaching, early reading intervention and more in Jewish day schools.
BJH: What makes special education unique in comparison to standard education?
AC: We believe every individual is created b’tzelem Elokim, in the divine image. This belief drives our commitment to meeting each student’s needs with dignity and respect. Special education ensures that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential in a supportive environment.
BJH: Beyond education, The Associated is involved in advocating for state funding. Can you tell us more about that?
BJH: Security is a major concern for Jewish institutions today. How is The Associated addressing this challenge?
AC: We invest about $1.7 million annually in security initiatives. This includes funding a full-time security professional through the Baltimore Jewish Council to help schools and synagogues conduct security assessments and apply for government grants. Our advocacy ensures institutions have access to vital security resources.
BJH: Aside from education and security, what other areas does The Associated support?
AC: Many! Our work spans Jewish education, social services, Israel engagement, and global Jewish aid. We provide food assistance, mental health counseling, support for older adults – like affordable housing and Kosher meals. We also launched CHANA to address domestic abuse within the Jewish community. Additionally, we have a strong presence in Israel, particularly in Ashkelon, and maintain a long-standing partnership with the Jewish community in Odesa, Ukraine.
BJH: You recently visited Ukraine. What was that experience like?
AC: Yes, but coupled with a passion for civic engagement. While my career included detours into public policy and law, I was always drawn back to Jewish communal work. I’ve always felt the joy of being part of the Jewish community and have been driven by a desire to share that with others.
BJH: The Associated is well-known
AC: Through the Baltimore Jewish Council, we engage in advocacy for the Jewish community. The BOOST program provides state funding to private schools, including Jewish day schools. We also advocate for security funding at the state and federal levels. Despite Maryland’s budget deficit, we successfully lobbied to double the state’s security grant funding from $5 million to $10 million for institutions at risk of hate crimes.
AC: My trip to Odessa last May, alongside then-board chair Yehuda Neuberger, was deeply moving. The Ukrainian Jewish community has shown incredible resilience despite the war. It reminded me of what Israelis go through - living under uncertainty but maintaining their Jewish identity and spirit. The gratitude we received from the community was profound.
They were touched that we hadn’t forgotten them. It reinforced our commitment to global Jewish responsibility.
BJH: That’s truly inspiring. As a leader in Baltimore’s Jewish community, do you have any messages for our listeners?
AC: First, I want to invite everyone to visit our newly refurbished headquarters at the Goldsmith Campus in Park Heights. It’s not just a JCC - it’s a hub for Jewish life, including celebrations, social services, and more. Second, I want to acknowledge what a remarkable community Baltimore has. The interconnectivity between different segments of Jewish life here is unique. Unlike in Los Angeles, where communities are more siloed, here in Baltimore, people across different backgrounds maintain strong connections. That is something special and worth preserving.
BJH: What do you personally love about Baltimore?
AC: The warmth of the community has been incredible. Yes, people joke about the “What high school did you go to?” question, but as a newcomer, I have felt truly welcomed. There’s a real sense of connectedness here that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s something worth celebrating every day.
BJH: Andrew, thank you so much for joining us. Best of luck in your role as CEO of The Associated, and we wish you much success in your work for the Baltimore Jewish community.
AC: Thank you. Wishing everyone a meaningful and joyous Passover!
The Week In News
The Week In News
date, was detained for allegedly engaging in corruption, assisting a terrorist group, and being a “criminal organization leader suspect,” according to prosecutors.
Protests in Turkey
Protests erupted across Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul mayor and presidential contender Ekrem Imamoglu, one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s chief competitors.
Imamoglu, who was expected to be chosen as the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP)’s presidential candi-
The protests took place on the streets, at college campuses, and in underground stations. Thousands gathered before city hall, chanting, “Erdogan, dictator!” and “Imamoglu, you are not alone!” Turkey hasn’t seen protests like these in years.
In response to the demonstrations, the Istanbul governor’s office imposed four days of restrictions in the city, banning public gatherings. Additionally, Turkey placed major limitations on access to social media websites, including X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. In the meanwhile, protests were expected to take place in other cities in Turkey.
At some point, demonstrators and police fought in Istanbul, according to U.K.-based internet watchdog NetBlocks, with footage showing officials breaking up protests outside Istanbul University with pepper spray.
In addition to Imamoglu, 100 others, such as politicians, journalists, and businessmen, were also arrested.
CHP blasted the detainments as “a coup against our next president.” Turkish officials argue that the arrests were not politically motivated but were ordered by the independent judiciary.
Deportations to El Salvador
Last weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump deported 238 Venezuelans and 23 Salvadorans to El Salvador, where they were jailed in the country’s Cecot mega-prison, or the Center for Terrorism Confinement, for purportedly being affiliated with Tren de Aragua and other gangs.
Though Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, said that the deportees would spend a year or more in jail, the head of El Salvador’s Human Rights and Freedom of Expression Commission, Andrés Guzmán, said that family members of those in jail can file a complaint if they believe their relative is innocent. Cornell University’s government and public policy professor Gustavo
Flores-Macias said Guzmán’s offer was “unlikely to yield results,” since releasing immigrants doesn’t particularly fit Guzmán’s role of protecting the government’s best interests. Thus far, the U.S. has yet to name the deportees.
Cecot, which can hold up to 40,000 people, is bigger than any other prison in North and South America. The jail is infamous for its harsh treatment of inmates. It currently holds around 10,000 to 20,000 inmates. El Salvador has agreed to jail U.S. deportees in Cecot for $6 million, a fee meant to help pay for El Salvador’s prison system.
The government of Venezuela, including President Nicolás Maduro, has called on El Salvador to send the Venezuelan detainees back to Venezuela. Jorge Rodríguez Gómez, Venezuela’s special envoy for peace talks, said Saturday that his country and the U.S. had agreed to start sending detained Venezuelans back to Venezuela last Sunday.
“Migrating is not a crime, and we will not rest until we achieve the return of all those who require it and until we rescue our brothers kidnapped in El Salvador,” said Rodríguez.
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
BETHESDA
Magen David Sephardic Congregation [S] 11215 Woodglen Dr, North Bethesda, MD 20852
GAITHERSBURG
Chabad of Upper Montgomery County [Ari] 11520 Darnestown Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
OLNEY Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah (OSTT)
18320 Georgia Ave, Olney, MD 20832
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
Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac S Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi) S
8:05 am Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville M, Th
8:15 am Ohr Hatorah S Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville S, T, W, F
Kehilat Pardes / Berman Hebrew Academy S-F
Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F
8:30 am Chabad of DC S Chabad of Potomac S JROC S Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue S
Silver Spring Jewish Center S YGW (Summer Only) S-F
8:45 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S-F
9:00 am Chabad of Silver Spring S Kemp Mill Synagogue S
mincha
2:15 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center S-F
2:20 pm YGW M, T, W
2:45 pm YGW M-Th
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shacharis
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from a “supremacist instinct.”
U.S. Expels S. African Amb.
South Africa’s ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool left the U.S. and returned home on Sunday after the Trump administration declared him persona non grata for making insulting remarks about the administration.
“A declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you,” Rasool said to cheering crowds in South Africa. “But when you return to crowds like this, and with warmth ... like this, then I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity.”
“It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets.”
On March 14, when his expulsion was announced, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Rasool a “race-baiting” politician and hater of the U.S. and President Donald Trump. Rubio’s post on X linked to a news story by Breitbart about a webinar recently delivered by Rasool. During the speech, Rasool said the MAGA movement partially emerged
“The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A. in which the voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% white,” he said at the time.
“It is not the U.S. of Obama, it is not the U.S. of Clinton, it is a different U.S. and therefore our language must change,” Rasool later said, backing up his past statement. “I would stand by my analysis because we were analyzing a political phenomenon, not a personality, not a nation, and not even a government.”
Before Rasool’s expulsion, Trump signed an executive order in February withholding all funding to South Africa for its support of Hamas and Iran, its anti-Israel stance in the International Criminal Court, and its alleged discrimination against whites. In his speech back home, Rasool, a Muslim, reaffirmed his country’s opposition to Israel, with crowds chanting, “Free Palestine.”
“As we stand here, the bombing (in Gaza) has continued and the shooting has continued, and if South Africa was not in the (International Court of Justice), Israel would not be exposed, and the Palestinians would have no hope,” he said. “We cannot sacrifice the Palestinians ... but we will also not give up with our relationship with the United States. We must fight for it, but we must keep our dignity.”
Cabinet Fires Shin Bet Chief
The cabinet unanimously voted to fire Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet, on Friday morning, marking the first time in history that the government has dismissed an agency chief. Bar will likely leave on April 10, unless his successor is found before then.
In justifying the vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that after the October 7 massacre he stopped trusting Bar. Netanyahu branded the Shin Bet chief “soft” and “not the right person to rehabilitate the organization.” The prime minister noted that after removing Bar from the negotiating team and replacing him with another senior Shin Bet official, “the leaks have decreased dramatically, and through very successful negotiations we have managed to return the hostages.”
In a letter to the cabinet, Bar argued that Netanyahu only wanted to “disrupt the ability of the Shin Bet to fulfill its role.” He disputed that there’s a reason he lost Netanyahu’s trust and said his removal from the negotiation team “harmed the team and did not advance the release at all.” Bar also referenced the “ongoing complex, extensive, and highly sensitive investigation currently underway into Qatar’s involvement in the heart of Israeli decision-making, the Prime Minister’s Office,” which may be interfered with if he were fired.
Bar decided not to attend the government meeting regarding his dismissal, as he viewed the discussion as illegitimate.
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Netanyahu has blamed Bar for the October 7 massacre, asserting that the Shin Bet chief had prior knowledge of the attack. While Bar disputes that, his agency’s probe acknowledges that the Shin Bet did fail to appropriately respond and
According to reports, Bar planned to resign after the release of all hostages due to his agency’s failure to stop October 7.
Opposition leaders criticized the dismissal, as did Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who said Netanyahu doesn’t have the right to fire Bar without
Once a month, hostages were allowed to bathe with a bucket of cold water, according to Sharabi. Their meals consisted of, at most, “a piece of pita, maybe a sip of tea.” Additionally, he and other hostages survived beatings and torture, both physical and psychological. He “was treated worse than an animal.” Sharabi lost 66 pounds while in Gaza.
“No one in Gaza helped me. The civilians saw us suffering, and they cheered our kidnappers. They were definitely involved,” Sharabi noted. “Where was the Red Cross? Where was the United Nations?”
Thursday, April 3 7:30 pm
Thursday, April 3 7:30 pm
Beth Tfiloh Mintzes Theater - 3300 Old Court Road (use East Entrance)
A post-October 7th film rethinking antisemitism’s roots, turning hatred into strength for Jewish identity and Western values
Beth Tfiloh Mintzes Theater - 3300 Old Court Road (use East Entrance) Featuring a Q&A with Rawan Osman & Rabbi Chai Posner
Addresses U.N.
The film will be followed by a Q&A with Rawan Osman & Rabbi Chai Posner Tickets available at
Tickets available at bit.ly/tragicawakening
Thursday, April 3 7:30 pm
Beth Tfiloh Mintzes Theater 3300 Old Court Road (use East Entrance)
Eli Sharabi, a former hostage who was released from Gaza on February 8, recounted details of his captivity in front of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.
Sharabi was held “50 meters underground” in “chains so tight they ripped my skin.” Shortly before he was freed, Hamas laughed as they showed him an image of his deceased older brother, Yossi, another hostage who died while in Gaza. Yossi’s body remains in terrorists’ hands.
Sharabi spoke about the terror of coming back home, hoping to see his wife and daughters, and only then finding out that they had been killed by Hamas during the October 7 massacre. The three were murdered at their home in Kibbutz Be’eri.
“As they dragged me out, I called out to my girls, ‘I will be back.’ I had to believe that. But that was the last time I ever saw them. I didn’t know I should
The Week In News
IDF Kills New “Hamas PM”
On Sunday night, the Israel Defense Forces eliminated Ismail Barhoum, a senior political figure in the Hamas terror group, using precision weaponry. He was taken out at Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital, where he was being treated for wounds from a past strike. Dozens of more strikes took place on Sunday and Monday.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Barhoum was “the new Hamas prime minister in Gaza, who replaced Issam Da’alis, the previous prime minister who was eliminated a few days ago.”
Since Tuesday, the IDF has killed at least three other members of Hamas’ political bureau. Earlier that day, Israel also eliminated Salah al-Bardawil, another senior political member, near Khan Younis.
Israel has killed 11 of the 20 members of the terror group’s political bureau that was elected in 2021. It is believed that seven others reside outside of Gaza.
The strikes were made possible by “an extensive intelligence-gathering process” and a “precision munition.”
Also killed in airstrikes recently were Ahmad Salman ‘Awj Shimali, the Gaza City Brigade’s deputy commander, and Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, the Shejaiya Battalion’s commander.
“Wadiya was responsible for deploying the battalion’s forces against IDF troops and operated to restore and reorganize the battalion,” the IDF said, adding that he played a role in the 2011 missile attack that killed 16-year-old Israeli Daniel Viflic.
Shimali was “responsible for operations, planning the offensive strategy and building the brigade’s force in preparation for Hamas’s brutal massacre on October 7, [2023],” added the army.
Moshe Horan, Hy”d
On Monday morning, Karem Jabarin, 25, rammed his vehicle into a bus stop at the Tishbi Junction on Route 66 where a soldier had been waiting. Jabarin then exited his car and stabbed the soldier, grabbing the soldier’s rifle.
The terrorist then ran down the
highway and opened fire at passing cars. Moshe Horan, 85, from Kibbutz HaZore’a, was driving in his car when he was shot and killed. His son, 51, was sitting next to him in the car.
Border Police officers who had been passing by the scene on the way to a training exercise killed the terrorist.
The soldier who was stabbed serves as a heavy-load truck driver in the Armored Corps. He was hospitalized in serious condition at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.
Gideon Shalom, who had been the only other person at the bus stop, told the Kan broadcaster that he just stepped away to get better cell phone reception when the terrorist crashed a car into the small shelter.
“At first, I thought it was an accident, so I ran toward him. He got out with a 30-centimeter [12-inch] knife. I escaped over the road barrier, he stabbed the young man, and I heard two shots in my direction,” Shalom said.
Shalom said he tried to warn a passing driver, but the attacker was still able to fire at the vehicle.
“It was a nightmare what happened here,” he said.
Moshe Horan, known by his nickname “Musa,” was reportedly wellknown to agriculturists in the Jezreel Valley area and was still active overseeing workers in the fields.
In a statement, the kibbutz mourned “a family man, committed to his children and his life as the silver lining in the life of the community where he was born and lived his whole life.”
An avid gardener with “golden hands,” Horan, “who had an eternal smile on his face,” was also “a skilled carpenter,” the kibbutz said.
Moshe’s parents were among the founders of the kibbutz, which was established by German immigrants in 1936, and he was one of the first children born to the new community.
Horan is survived by his wife Betty and four children, Rotem, Ofir, Alon and Iris. He has ten grandchildren.
W E D D I N G P A C K A G E
The Week In News
Gadi Mozes Recounts His Ordeal
Gadi Mozes was held by terrorists for 482 days. On Thursday, he recounted his harrowing ordeal in an interview with Channel 12.
“Everything that happened to me was psychological abuse,” the 80-year-old farmer said. “The depth of the fear, the depth of disconnection from the world, the depth of the unknown — it’s impossible to convey.”
His Palestinian Islamic Jihad captors “tried to depress me, tried to break me.”
“The entire time, I was on guard and focused only on how they won’t hurt me. How I survive,” said Mozes. “I would calm myself down,” he said. “I would tell
myself, ‘This will work itself out.’ But in retrospect… that was an illusion. I didn’t actually calm myself down.”
Mozes had harsh words for Prime Minister Netanyahu. “The prime minister, does he want to hear from us? Does he understand what we feel? Does he want to understand what a sense of betrayal we feel, that the state abandoned us?
“I think this prime minister has marked us as people he doesn’t see,” he said.
Mozes had lived on Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community that was ravaged on October 7 by Hamas terrorists and Gazan civilians. Of the kibbutz’s approximately 400 residents, 117 were either killed or kidnapped and 14 are still being held in Gaza, including nine whose deaths have been declared by Israeli authorities. Mozes has condemned Netanyahu for not protecting his community.
On October 7, Mozes left his home to defend his daughter Moran, who lived nearby and would survive the massacre.
Mozes said he was kidnapped at his doorstep by “three gorillas, two with guns, the third with a knife in his hand.”
The latter, said Mozes, “yells at me: ‘‘We’re not Hamas, we’re the Jihad.’ As if
it matters if you’re killed by the Jihad or by Hamas.”
Mozes’ partner Efrat Katz was also kidnapped. So were Katz’s daughter Doron Katz-Ahser and Doron’s two young girls Aviv and Raz, who were staying at the couple’s home that weekend.
Doron, Aviv and Raz were released in the weeklong truce-hostage deal of November 2023. Efrat Katz was killed by IDF helicopter fire on the vehicle they were abducted in, a military probe confirmed last week.
Speaking to Channel 12, Mozes said that when he left his home, he did not imagine that would be the last time he would see Katz alive.
His captor lied to him that she was alive and free, Mozes said, cursing the man. Mozes said that on November 22, Katz’s birthday, he had asked to send greetings to Efrat, and that his captor pretended to agree to send her via WhatsApp “Happy Birthday, love you.”
The same thing would happen to Mozes’s daughter Moran’s birthday on December 29, he told Channel 12, adding that in both cases his captor falsely reported a jubilant response.
Roughly a month later, Mozes said, he learned about Katz’s death when he
heard on the radio that there would be a military probe into the circumstances of her death.
“My world came crashing down,” said Mozes. “I realized he had lied to me, and I threw the radio at him and said: ‘You liar!’”
Mozes said that from that day he “decided” Moran was also dead so that he would not suffer another such “heavy hammer to the head.” When Mozes returned to Israel, he was overjoyed to learn she was alive.
In captivity, Mozes was referred to as “Hajj.” He was fed twice a day — pita with beans in the morning and pita with rice in the afternoon. He soon began asking whoever served his food what time it was and marking the timestamp on the shadow cast from the cell’s small window.
At one point, his captor shoved porridge at him, which Mozes refused to eat. “Suddenly I saw him put silicon gloves on his hands,” said Mozes. “I started saying to myself, what, is he going to strangle me? Force-feed me?”
“He punched me on the shoulder and said, ‘You’ll eat,’” Mozes said. “I told him: ‘Listen, one more time you touch me, I’ll rain death blows on you, I don’t care what those weapons will do to me, but you
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won’t touch me.”
“Whatever the cost, I won’t let him humiliate me,” he said.
Mozes was held in 10 different locations during his captivity.
Before Mozes’s captors handed him over to the Red Cross on January 30, they filmed a propaganda clip of him praising them.
They took him to a cemetery, where they stood him in front of an open grave with two guns fixed on him, said Mozes. He recalled thinking about his family in what he was sure were his final moments.
From his captors, he said, there was “not a word — complete silence.”
“Then, suddenly, they started asking me, ‘Is it true the Jihad’s food was good?’ I said, ‘Good? Fantastic! I’ve never eaten such good rice,’” said Mozes. “‘And is it true they treated you well?’ I said: ‘Extremely well…’ It was all scripted and taped,” he said.
“I don’t know if I can convey to you the feeling of fear, of terror — I was shaking. I was so scared in front of that pit,” said Mozes. “And then they said, okay, get up into their car, we’re going.”
Mozes was handed over to the Red
Cross in Khan Younis along with Arbel Yehoud, 28, a fellow member of Kibbutz Nir Oz who was also held in solitude by the PIJ. Their car was surrounded by thousands of Gazans, many of them gunmen, in a terrifying crush during a propaganda ceremony that Israel would later slam.
“The noise was deafening. What you saw on television was nothing,” said Mozes. “They kept pushing, the car was swinging.”
The captors “opened the door and told her [Arbel], ‘come,’ and I was thinking I would lose my mind,” Mozes told Channel 12. “I didn’t see anything, just a mass of people… I was scared to death that they had given her to the masses.”
An hour later, Mozes left the vehicle. “I said to myself, ‘That’s it, they’ve swallowed Arbel and now they’ll swallow me.’”
Mozes was a lifelong leftist before the massacre but said he felt conflicted after October 7.
“I think peace is made only with enemies,” he said. “What other option is there? That my grandchildren will also die there, be abducted?”
On the other hand, he said, “years
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and years of belief that we can get along, find a formula that will give room for everyone, have been shattered by this horrendous murder, the murder of my best friends, who all believed in that option.”
Proof of Life
On Monday, the Hamas terror group published a propaganda video showing Israeli hostages Elkana Bohbot, 36, and Yosef-Haim Ohana, 24, who were both kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and are still being held in Gaza by the terror group.
The families of both Bohbot and Ohana gave Israeli media the go-ahead to publish the video in its entirety.
“You can see in the video that he is in
bad shape, that he has lost a lot of weight from continued starvation, that he is suffering from problems with his skin and his breathing,” said Bohbot’s family in a statement, noting that he suffers from asthma and “hasn’t seen the light of day for almost a year and a half.
“This video is further proof that Elkana must return home to his family,” the message continued.
The family issued an appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump to “think that this is your son, your father or your grandson, who is waiting to see the light of day.”
The two young men look malnourished and exhausted in the video.
In the video, Bohbot appealed by name to their freed counterpart Ohad Ben-Ami.
“Ohad, why don’t you tell them? You were with us. You were sitting with me and him,” begged Bohbot, referring to himself and Ohana.
Ohana urged an end to the recently renewed fighting in Gaza, cautioning that continued bombing could pose a risk to the hostages who remain alive.
The Week In News
“Before the latest ceasefire deal on January 19, when the border crossings were closed throughout the war, there was almost no food. The situation was difficult and there was no safe place,” said Ohana to the camera. “We felt neither dead nor alive.”
Both Bohbot and Ohana were among the 24 living hostages slated for release in the planned second stage of the ceasefire deal agreed upon in January, which fell apart after its first stage, with Israel renewing the fighting in Gaza.
Ben Ami, after watching the video, posted on Facebook, “I love you, and I miss you and the other three hostages who, for now, I can’t say their names. They fear for their lives, they are lacking all hope, and as we speak the conditions of their captivity are being worsened and their food is being reduced since we returned to fighting [in Gaza],” he wrote.
Both Bohbot’s and Ohana’s families had received signs of life of their loved one back in February when freed hostages related that they had come in contact with the two of them.
Israel believes 24 hostages are still alive in the Strip — 22 Israelis, one Thai
L CHAIM
and one Nepali. All of them are young men who were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists and Gaza civilians stormed southern Israel to kill more than 1,200 people and abduct 251 others, sparking the war in Gaza.
Another 35 hostages who were confirmed by Israel to be dead are also being held in Gaza.
The Art of the Deal
Marissa Alcorn recently bought a painting at a thrift store for just $2.99. But when she put the artwork into her car, she noticed that it contained a small plaque on it.
“It had a little plaque at the bottom of the frame,” Alcorn said. “Out of curiosity, I type in the name and find out it was Johann Berthelsen.”
WEEKLY CALENDAR MARCH 31ST - APRIL 4TH
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Yoga with Deborah Bandos
10:00 am
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11:00 am
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1:00 pm
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2:00 pm
Music with Mr. Fried
9:30 am
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10:15 am
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11:00 am
Discussion Group with Rabbi KarpIntro to the Hagaddah
1:00 pm BINGO
1:45 pm
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9:30 am
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10:15 am
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10:30 am
Bais Yaakov Middle School Visit
11:00 am
Discussion Group with Rabbi Karp- Journey into the Hagaddah
1:00 pm
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1:45 pm
Guitar with Yossi K
Thursday April 3rd
9:30 am
Yoga with Deborah Bandos
10:15 am
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11:00 am
Discussion Group with Rabbi Karp- Pesach Overview
1:00 pm
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Friday April 4th
9:30 am
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10:00 am
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11:00 am
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Berthelson, a famed American impressionist, died in 1972. His works often sell for thousands of dollars.
“My first thought was: ‘This isn’t real,’” she said. “It’s probably just a fake.”
Turns out, it wasn’t fake.
Members of a free art appraisal group on Facebook urged her to have the painting authenticated, and she took it to Cincinnati auction house Caza Sikes, where experts confirmed it was indeed a Berthelson work titled “Chapel, St. Patrick’s Church.”
The artwork was recently auctioned off for a whopping $2,875.
“I think it’s probably a once-in-alifetime thing,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll ever find something like that again, but you never know.”
Alcorn is going to be using the money toward her upcoming wedding.
Something old, something new…
an exciting pi digits competition with an amazing prize: the chance to pie our headmaster in the face! Determined to win, I went home and committed myself to memorizing as many digits of pi as I could,” Aragon told Guinness World Records.
“I emerged as the winner of the competition, having memorized an impressive 150 digits of pi. The moment finally arrived when I got to pie our headmaster.”
He added, “It was an exhilarating experience, and I’m grateful to our headmaster for creating such a fun and inspiring challenge that motivated me to test my memory skills.”
That competition started Aragon’s love of pi. Eventually, he memorized more digits and worked on improving his speed. His parents helped him organize an event to showcase his pi prowess.
Pi in the Sky
Pi in the Sky
Alberto Davila Aragon loves numbers. The 10-year-old, from Bristol in Britain, has broken a world record for recalling the most decimal places of pi in one minute. He memorized and recited 280 digits of pi in just 60 seconds.
Aragon’s journey with the mathematical constant began in March 2024 when his school organized a pi digits competition with an unusual prize: covering the headmaster in the face with pie.
“In March 2024, my school organized
They got in touch with Bristol University in search of a mathematician, with local sports clubs in search of experienced timekeepers, and a professional witness.
“Then, we wanted an iconic location for this record, one that was significant to me,” Aragon explained. “From the [Clifton] observatory, the view of the iconic suspension bridge is amazing – I cross that bridge every day on my journey to school. I love school, and I’m also a great student – just a bit chatty, according to my teachers!”
Aragon handily recited the first 150 digits of pi on March 14, a nod to the first three digits of pi: 3.14. Easy as pie…
Those Billions Are Real
Your Power To Control Them
Understanding the WZO’s Financial Might
By now, we’re all aware of the ongoing elections and the significant influence the World Zionist Organization (WZO) has on Jewish life in Israel and around the globe. We’ve heard about the vast sums of money at stake and the high-stakes battles for control. But what many of us might not fully understand is how the WZO has access to such substantial financial resources. Let’s take a closer look at the sources of its funding and the mechanisms that sustain its operations.
The World Zionist Organization (WZO) is a century-old umbrella organization that oversees three major entities, collectively known as the “National Institutions.” These include Keren Kayemeth LeYisrael (KKL/JNF), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and Keren Hayesod (United Israel Appeal), the official fundraising arm of the State of Israel. Each of these entities operates with substantial budgets and has access to lucrative sources of funding,
built up over decades of strategic planning and investments.
Land Sales: The Billion-Shekel Engine
One of the most significant sources of funding for the WZO comes from land sales managed by KKL/JNF. While many of us associate KKL/JNF with its iconic tree-planting campaigns, its real financial power lies in its role as a major landowner and developer in Israel. The organization holds a substantial stake in state lands, and as a result, it receives a portion of the revenue generated from land sales across the country. Specifically, KKL/JNF collects approximately 13% of purchase tax fees of homes, land, and buildings sold in Israel due to its ownership interests.
In recent years, KKL/JNF has generated billions of shekels from land sales. In 2022 and 2023 alone they brought in nearly $4.5 billion.
These land holdings date back to a massive post-statehood deal involving
By: Dovid Gold
1.35 million dunams (about 334,000 acres) of land. While the historical reasons behind this transfer remain a topic of debate, there’s no question that these lands continue to be a critical resource managed by KKL/JNF. With Israel’s real estate market remaining robust, this source of funding shows no signs of drying up anytime soon.
Global Fundraising: A Century-Old Network
Another key source of funding for the WZO and its affiliated institutions is global fundraising. For over a century, the National Institutions have maintained extensive networks spanning dozens of countries, enabling them to raise millions of dollars annually from Jewish communities worldwide. While the appeal of Zionism has evolved over time, the commitment of diaspora Jews to supporting Israeli causes remains strong.
Donors often contribute to specific causes. To encourage these targeted donations, some National Institutions offer to match contributions up to 25%, effectively incentivizing donors to give more.
In countries without formal diplomatic ties to Israel, the National Institutions often serve as the primary channel for donating to Israeli causes, thanks to their established local offices and global reach.
These unique advantages allow the National Institutions to benefit from an unmatched fundraising system that rivals the largest non-government organizations in the world.
Investments in Legacy Institutions
The National Institutions also benefit from decades-old investments made during the pre-state era. In the early days of Zionism, these organizations provided seed funding for essential projects, including schools, businesses, and even banks. Today, they continue to hold ownership stakes in many of these institutions, generating continuous substantial revenue from their investments.
Government Funding: A Legal Loophole
A unique aspect of the WZO’s financial structure is its relationship with the Israeli government. In 1952, the Knesset passed the Law of the National Institutions, which formalized the roles of these bodies and granted them a special financial advantage. This law allows the Israeli government to bypass the usual bureaucratic tender process when distributing funds through the National Institutions.
This legal loophole enables the government to channel money directly to various causes, making the National Institutions an indispensable part of Israel’s political and economic landscape. By leveraging this arrangement, the WZO and its affiliated organizations can access significant government funding without the constraints typically associated with public tenders.
Why All This Matters
These diverse and robust funding streams have enabled the WZO to maintain its influence and continue its mission of shaping Jewish life in Israel and across the globe.
What’s more, these sources of funding are not only stable—they are growing. With Israel’s real estate market thriving, global Jewish communities continuing to donate generously, and legacy investments yielding steady returns, the WZO’s financial resources are set to expand even further in the years to come.
But here’s the critical point: These billions are real, and so is your power to influence how they are spent. The outcome of the ongoing election will determine where this money goes—whether it’s toward promoting our Torah true values or promoting alternative streams of Judaism. By engaging with the WZO and its elections, you have a direct say in shaping the future of the Jewish people.
These legacy investments have created a steady stream of income that supports the ongoing operations of the WZO and its affiliated bodies. By maintaining a diversified portfolio of assets, the National Institutions have ensured their financial stability and ability to fund a wide range of initiatives.
This isn’t just about money; it’s about impact. It’s about ensuring that these resources are used to build a stronger Eretz Yisroel for generations to come. The choice is yours—and the time to act is now.
Eretz HaKodesh was founded in 2020 and secured 20,000 votes in that election cycle, channeling vital resources of approximately $100 million to protect our Torah values in Eretz Yisroel and support hundreds of yeshivos, seminaries, and frum organizations.
In this 2025 election cycle, competition from woke left and liberal opposition has intensified as they witness our advancement of Torah principles. Eretz HaKodesh aims to secure 100,000 votes to sustain and expand these efforts.
Right now, those billions are in the wrong hands. BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THAT. It’s OUR land, we’re talking about. OUR sons’ Yeshivos. OUR Values. OUR Home.
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Torah Thought Here We Go Again
By Rabbi Zvi Teichman
It’s hard to believe it, but Pesach is upon us once again.
Doesn’t time seem to be getting shorter and shorter with each year?
Truth be told, the more things stay the same the quicker they seem to reappear again.
However, when life is lived with a newness in each repeated experience, time begins to ‘slow’ down and can be relished.
When we repeat an event in the exact same way we did last year, then it rarely makes a lasting impression, it readily disappears from our consciousness and before you know it’s here all over again. Only if the experience is fresh and exciting will the memory linger causing us to pine for it to return in what sometimes may seem like eternity.
The Hagaddah discusses the לואשל עדוי וניא — the son who is unable to ask. What prevents him from asking? Lack of intelligence? General disinterest?
Perhaps he doesn’t ask because he is simply apathetic, it’s the ‘same old’, isn’t it? Haven’t we been here so many times before?
The Hagaddah directs us ול חתפ תא, to initiate the subject for him, quoting the verse of ...ךנבל תדגהו, and you shall tell your son on that day: ‘It is because of this that Hashem did so for me when I went out of Egypt.’
Is that all it takes? Will this awaken his curiosity? Won’t he lapse right back to his “ho-hum” attitude?
In the very next paragraph in the Hagaddah there appears a segment from the Mechilta that poses a seem-
ingly irrelevant — at least to the flow of the Hagaddah — discourse:
One may think that [the discussion of the Exodus] must be from the first of the month. The Torah therefore says, ‘on that day.’ But ‘on that day’ could mean while it is yet daytime; the Torah therefore says, ‘It is because of this.’ The expression ‘because of this’ can only be said when Matzah and Maror are placed before you. This means that at the beginning of the night one is obligated to discuss [the Exodus].
Why is this introduced into the Hagaddah precisely at this point? Is it simply because the verse it is based on was previously quoted? There are many other sections of the Mechilta that relate to the verses quoted in the segment of the various Four Sons yet are not recorded in the Hagaddah. Why this one particularly?
The Rokeach, a twelfth century Kabbalist, indicates that this quote is an integral part of the response to the son who won’t ask, and not merely tangential.
How is this little ‘Talmudic’ discussion relevant to the lesson to this son?
The great Reb Boruch of Medzhybiz, the illustrious grandson of the holy Baal Shem, reveals a most fascinating idea.
The verse states regarding the month of Nissan: תא תדבעו — you shall perform,
— this service in,
— this month. (ה
He teaches that the 'תאז'ה הדובעה — this service, referenced in the verse alludes to another verse elsewhere, that of the service of the Kohen Gadol in the month of Tishrei.
The Yom Kippur service enumerated in the Torah, begins with the directive: 'תאז'ב — With this, ןרהא אבי — shall Aharon come, שדוקה לא — into the Sanctuary. (ג זט ארקיו)
The term הזה שדחב, in this month, he adds, is clearly emphasizing the month of Nissan, the first of all months, that is mentioned in the verse, 'הז'ה שדחה — This month, םכל — shall be for you, םישדח שאר — the beginning of the months. (ב בי תומש)
This Chassidic Master teaches us that the powerful effect inherent in the ‘service’ of Tishrei can be accomplished in the month of Nissan as well.
The critical difference between the two 'תודובע' is that in Tishrei we do repentance out of הארי — awe, whereas in Nissan we do it out of הבהא — love.
May I humbly suggest that just as in Tishrei, Rosh HaShana is on the first of the month, Yom Kippur on the tenth and the culmination of the acceptance of our Teshuva celebrated with the Yom Tov of Sukkos on the fifteenth — this pattern is mirrored in Nissan.
Rosh Chodesh Nissan corresponds to Rosh HaShana, the original Shabbos HaGadol occurred on the tenth of the month — as does Yom Kippur, and Pesach following on the fifteenth — like Sukkos.
There are three components to Teshuva. אטחה תביזע — forsaking the sin, — הטרח sincere regret, and דיתעה לע הלבק — resolving to change in the future
In הארימ הבושת — the repentance out of fear, we forsake our neglect of His presence that enabled us to sin, by asserting his Kingdom with the Shofar of coronation. We express regret over that failure by pounding אטח לע, with its resonating sense of shame. We start anew with the resolve to perform His commandments fully, with dedication and precision, as we enter the Sukkah with the four species in hand.
In Nissan we seek to restore that bond through love. A loving relationship requires three commitments: to be attentive, to be willing to sacrifice our selfish interests for the sake of our partner, and we must display our love by adhering to even the smallest aspects. Love is evident in the details.
We eagerly reread the checklist of our obligations as we begin the month of Nissan with the recitation of Parshas HaChodesh, displaying our desire to be ever thoughtful. The Korban Pesach represents the very first ‘sacrifice’ we offer in our desire to achieve His love, symbolizing our willingness to offer our very selves upon the Altar of love. On Pesach we demonstrate our utter consciousness to the minutia of Halacha, understanding how important it is in cementing the deep connection between us.
If we eagerly seek to restore our relationship with G-d, it must begin with a fresh and exciting commitment. If we are to impact on our children to be enthusiastic, we must be passionate from the start.
שדוח שארמ לוכי — perhaps we should be eager to retell the events of the Exodus from the beginning of the month of Nissan. Although the verse indicates we must wait until such time as the Matzah and Maror are before us, the excitement must already be present from the start.
If we live with that sense of eagerness, we are sure to affect our children, enticing them to awaken from their indifferent state.
That is why the Hagaddah inserts this vital message in the response to the apathetic son.
Enthuse! Excite! Innovate!
If we do, our 'הדובע' — service will never get stale.
You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ ohelmoshebaltimore.com
PARSHA
OVERVIEW
The Parshah discusses the accountings of the Mishkan; all the materials are audited. The priestly garments are made. The Mishkan is brought to Moshe Rabbeinu, and Hashem instructs him to erect it. The Mishkan is erected on the first month (Nissan) of the second year, on the first day of the month.
Quotable Quote “ ”
TSorahparks
Inspiration Everywhere
Parshas Pekudei on
QUICK
The day will come when the story of Israel in modern times will speak not just to Jews, but to all who believe in the power of the human spirit as it reaches out to G-d, as an everlasting symbol of the victory of life over death, hope over despair.
Rabbi Lord J. Sacks zt”l
GEMATRIA
Rabbeinu Bachaya says the gematria of ןכשמה is 420, represents the 420 years of Bayis Sheni.
But you only get to the gematria when you add its 5 letters.
Chasam Sofer explains that this is because Bayis Sheni was “missing 5” things that Bayis Rishon had - Ark, sacred fire, Shechina, Urim V’Tumim, and Kruvim.
My new book for Pesach, Karpas: The Big Dipper, is now available on Amazon! Check it out!
Rabbi Ori Strum is the author of “Ready. Set. Grow.” “Dove Tales,” and “Karpas: The Big Dipper.”
His shiurim and other Jewish content can be found on Torah Anytime and Meaningful Minute. You can reach him at 443-938-0822 or oristrum@torahsparks.com
Pesukim - 92
Words - 1,182 PARSHA STATS
Letters - 4,432
Mitzvos - 0
Thoughts in
VORT Chassidus
We learn a powerful idea from the Ohr Hachayim on this week’s Parshah. As mentioned in “Thoughts in Chassidus,” Ohr Hachayim teaches us that there was a miracle in the Mishkan, and ALL the gold that was contributed was used!
We can apply this same message to us in our own lives. There is not a single part of us that is not important. Our Avodas Hashem is meant to be all inclusive of every aspect of our lives. Nothing is extra. Nothing is a waste.
“All the gold” represents on some level ALL of the important parts of our lives.
We are meant to channel our entire existence to the service of the Divine.
We all have unique talents, strengths, AND even weaknesses. Let us take ALL of this and apply it to our unique mission on this world.
The Ohr HaChayim says that the chiddush of בהזה לכ (all the gold) means that ALL the gold that was provided was used in the Mishkan.
Not an ounce went to waste.
This was a miracle, because normally some of the gold would be sculpted away and lost.
In life, ensure that ALL parts of you are directed to Hashem!
Points to
Ponder
There are a grand total of 92 pesukim in this week’s Parshah, which so happens to be the gematria of םאו
What is the connection between honoring your parents and Parshas Pekudei?
Scan the QR code to view Torah classes from R’ Ori Strum on Torah Anytime!
Making Jewish Education a Priority
For Atara Frankel, the number one priority is continuing the mesora — the sacred transmission of Jewish tradition from one generation to the next. To her, that continuity is built on two foundations: the values and rituals nurtured at home and a strong Jewish day school education.
Watching her children and grandchildren thrive in Jewish day schools, she sees that legacy come to life. “Jewish education is a tremendous gift you can give your children,” she says. “A strong Jewish identity gives a child an innate sense of self and belonging.”
The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore cannot agree more. That is why it has been an indispensable partner in ensuring that our day schools are strong, Jewish education flourishes, and the next generation of Jewish Baltimoreans lead Jewish lives and are involved in our Kehillah
In fact, each year, The Associated spends millions of dollars raised through its Annual Campaign to support Jewish education. That’s funds for day school scholarships, professional development, mental health and wellness for day school students and educators and scholarships for teens and young adults to study in Israel.
“Jewish education is one of the greatest investments one can make,” says Frankel. “That, along with what you do in the home, ensures a strong Jewish future. That is why we are so fortunate that The Associated has made Jewish education a priority in their funding decisions.”
Supporting Day School Education for Students with Disabilities
As part of The Associated’s commitment to Jewish education, significant dollars from the Annual Campaign ensure that children with learning differences can receive a day school education.
For example, SHEMESH Student Services, a program of The Associated Jewish Educational Services (JES), provides education consulting, executive function coaching, speech and language therapy and early intervention for reading for children with disabilities who attend a Jewish day school — during the school day.
On Sundays, Gesher La Torah offers a multisensory, Jewish educational program for individuals with significant disabilities who attend public or non-public school education programs.
Funds also support students’ social and emotional needs, including mental health consultations in day schools, a recently introduced program through Jewish Community Services and JES.
Israel Education
Through The Associated’s Community Fund for Israel Experiences (CFIE), Baltimore’s Jewish students can receive stipends to make learning in Israel for a summer or a gap year more affordable.
Administered by JES, CFIE helps subsidize these incredible learning opportunities for the community. The Associated also helps subsidize the cost of MASA Israel Journey and spend a gap year studying at one of the leading seminary programs in Israel.
Securing Funding
In addition to funding day school and other Jewish education, The Associated, through the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC), works with community partners to secure critical BOOST funds from the State of Maryland for lowincome students.
BJC also supported funding for the Textbooks and Technology program which gives schools on a per-pupil basis money for books and
technology upgrades. And they advocated for nurses and security in schools.
Keeping Our Children Safe
As parents, we want to know that when we drop our children off at school, they will be safe.
The Associated, through partners with area day schools, provides audits that assess vulnerabilities and identify ways to improve security. BJC also assists day schools with applications for state and federal security grants.
And CHANA works with day schools to address childhood sexual abuse in a culturally sensitive manner.
Learn more at associated.org.
Help us ensure our children have a strong foundation rooted in Jewish knowledge, values and Torah. Give now at associated.org/give
To Raise a Laugh
On The Other Hand
Whenever people realize I’m a lefty, they always feel the need to mention someone else they know who’s a lefty, like we might know each other. Like there’s some kind of club. Lefties only. The doors open the wrong way, the pencil sharpeners are backwards, and we can all arm wrestle fairly and not have a hard time finding someone to borrow tefillin from.
But there’s no club. Probably because we have no money.
Yes, according to a recent study at Harvard, lefties make less money per year than righties.
Well, that explains it. I thought it was because I was a writer and a teacher.
Though I wouldn’t put too much stock in these studies. For example, there’s a study that lefties drink more, but I barely drink at all Where am I going to drink? There’s no club.
But it could be true if there’s a real reason behind it. So why don’t we get the higher-paying jobs? I guess one reason could be the job interview, when we walk up to the interviewer, right off the bat, and attempt to shake his left hand.
Every lefty knows there are disadvantages. For example, I cannot use a dry erase board. If I’m not careful, I take the words off as fast as I write them. This may not seem like a major deal to you, but I’m a teacher. Though I imagine Limudei Kodesh teachers have the same problem writing Hebrew on the board, so they have my sympathies. I should have been a rebbi. Or maybe I should teach my subject in Hebrew. (My subject is English Grammar.)
But most things aren’t as inconvenient as people make them sound. Yes, it’s harder to
use a mouse with my left hand, especially when it’s sitting to the right of the keyboard, so I use it with my right. My mother-inlaw, who’s also a lefty, sometimes uses a lefty mouse, but I can’t even use hers. I just learned from the outset to use a mouse with my right hand. The only thing I can’t do with my mouse is Paint. The upside, though, is I can use my mouse and eat at the same time, which I do almost exclusively.
Also, if you fan out playing cards with your left hand, you can’t see the numbers. Yes, I can buy left-handed playing cards for more money, but who am I going to play with? My mother-in-law?
Maybe I can pull it out at the lefties club.
Another inconvenience is that, according to studies, lefties live an average of 9 years less than righties. Probably because of scissors. Life’s too short to spend cutting paper correctly. Another reason we die sooner, I’m guessing, is accidentally drinking from someone else’s glass at the dinner table.
Which brings us to another historic inconvenience -- The Battle of Elbows. I bump elbows with people at meals all the time, which might explain why the elbows on my shirts wear out so fast. I kind of have to link elbows like I’m helping an old lady across the street, and that makes people very uncomfortable.
Not to mention that basically all the cup holders in my car are on the right side. So maybe we’re dying early from dehydration.
It’s not as bad as it used to be. One big disadvantage of being a lefty used to be that teachers would beat you for it, probably using a ruler designed for right-handed people. Because to me, the numbers are upside down, or I have to start at the 12 and measure backwards. Also, I like using clear measuring cups, because otherwise I can never read the lines without turning them
By Mordechai Schmutter
around. I have to read them through the cup. Also, the logo on every pen is upside down, we have to hold our watches upside down when we change the time, we fan through magazines backwards, and don’t even get me started on e-books.
So no wonder we make less money; we’re less efficient at operating the world. While right-handed architects are hard at work, planning their buildings, we’re still trying to figure out if the wall is 6 feet or 9 feet.
But I guess we’ve gotten good at reading upside down, which is very convenient, especially we’re learning with a chavrusa and we have one Gemara.
In fact, there are lots of advantages. For example, they also say that lefties might be better at multi-tasking, because whereas righties process stimuli with the left side of their brain, lefties do it with both. So lefties, they say, can talk and drive at the same time. In fact, I do that all the time when my wife is in the car, and we’re extremely safe, except that I tend to get lost more. My wife, of course, thinks that it’s not that I get lost more when she’s in the car, it’s that she doesn’t always find out about it when she’s not. And then I tell her to be quiet, because now we’re even more lost.
Another advantage is that is that we lefties buy mugs with funny slogans that only we get to read. Maybe that’s why people think we’re insane, sipping our coffee by ourselves and laughing hysterically. Especially since no one sits near us. They sit across from us, and we sit across from them and read their newspapers.
Save us the job ads.
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.
Gavriel Katz & Reva Shapiro
Ephraim Rosen (Baltimore) & Meira Mendlowitz (Woodmere)
Chaim Elan & Adina Wolf
Chaim Hurvitz (Baltimore) & Dassi Luss (Toronto)
Simon Epstein (Lakewood) & Rachel Weiner (Baltimore)
Want to see your simcha here? Email mazeltov@baltimorejewishhome.com or text 443-675-6507 to submit your simcha!
Mr. & Mrs. Chaim and Yael Rosenbloom on the birth of a daughter
R' Yosef Eliezer & Chana Shayndel Braun on the birth of a son
Mr. & Mrs. Yaakov Lichter on the birth of a daughter
Avi & Gila Zagelbaum on the birth of a son
Want to see your simcha here? Email mazeltov@baltimorejewishhome.com or text 443-675-6507 to submit your simcha!
Health & F tness
Carbs, Fats, and Proteins
The Powerhouse Macros Fueling Your Body
By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN
Macronutrients, often referred to as “macros,” are the essential nutrients that provide the body with energy and support its overall function. The three primary macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each one plays a unique role in maintaining health, fueling daily activities, and optimizing body composition. Understanding how these macronutrients work in the body, which foods contain them, and how to balance them in meals can help improve energy levels, support metabolism, and promote overall well-being.
Carbohydrates: The Body’s Preferred Energy Source
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of fuel. When consumed, they are broken down into glucose, which is used for immediate energy or stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver for future use. This macronutrient is particularly important for brain function, as the brain relies almost exclusively on glucose to operate efficiently. Carbohydrates are also essential for endurance and high-intensity exercise, as they provide quick and easily accessible energy.
There are two main types of carbohydrates:
• Simple carbohydrates: Found in sugar, honey, fruit, milk, and processed foods with added sugars. Simple carbs provide quick energy but can lead to rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar.
• Complex carbohydrates: Found in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fiber-rich foods. Complex carbs are digested more slowly, providing a steady release of energy and supporting gut health.
Sources of Healthy Carbohydrates:
• Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa,
oats, whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta
• Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers
• Fruits: Apples, berries, bananas, oranges
• Legumes: Lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas
Fiber
Dietary fiber is a carbohydrate that is the part of plant-based food that mostly passes through your digestive system without breaking down or being digested. Fiber helps promote digestive health, satiety/fullness, gut bacteria, heart health, and helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Recommended Fiber Intake
The recommended daily fiber intake varies by age and gender. Women (19-50 years old) should aim for about 25 grams of fiber per day, while men (19-50 years
old) should target about 38 grams, or 14 grams for every 1,000 calories.
Eating a variety of fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, can help meet daily fiber needs while supporting overall health.
Proteins: The Building Blocks of the Body
Proteins are essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues, including muscles, skin, and organs. Protein also plays a crucial role in the production of enzymes and hormones, supports immune function, and helps regulate metabolism.
Proteins are made up of 20 different amino acids, which are classified as either essential or non-essential. The nine essential amino acids cannot be made by the body and must come from food. The 11 non-essential amino acids can be produced by the body, so they don’t need to be obtained from food.
There are two main types of proteins:
• Complete proteins: Contain all nine essential amino acids and are primarily found in animal-based foods.
• Incomplete proteins: Lack one or more essential amino acids and are typically found in plant-based foods. Sources of High-Quality Protein:
• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds
Combining Incomplete Proteins to Form a Complete Protein:
Since some plant-based proteins lack certain essential amino acids, combining different sources can provide a complete protein. Examples include rice and beans, peanut butter on whole wheat bread, and lentils with quinoa.
Recommended Protein Intake:
The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, should consume 60 grams of protein per day. People who exercise regularly would have higher needs, about 1.1-1.5 grams
per kilogram. People who regularly lift weights or are training for a running or cycling event need 1.2-1.7 grams per kilogram. Excessive protein intake would be more than 2 grams per kilogram of body weight each day.
Fats: Essential for Hormone Production and Brain Function
Fats are often misunderstood, but they are a crucial macronutrient that supports brain function, hormone production, cell structure, and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). They also provide a dense source of energy, helping to sustain long-term energy levels.
There are different types of fats, some of which are healthier than others:
• Unsaturated fats (healthy fats): Found in plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, these fats help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and promote brain function.
• Saturated fats: Found in animal products and some tropical oils, these should be consumed in moderation, as excessive intake can contribute to cardiovascular issues.
• Trans fats (unhealthy fats): Found in some processed and fried foods, trans fats should be avoided as they increase
A well-balanced diet incorporates the right proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to meet individual needs.
The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) set by the Institute of Medicine recommend the following distribution:
• Carbohydrates: 45-65% of total daily calories
• Protein: 10-35% of total daily calories
• Fats: 20-35% of total daily calories
These ranges provide general guidelines; however, each person’s ideal macronutrient balance depends on their individual health goals, lifestyle, and medical conditions. Factors such as weight main-
tenance, loss, or gain, muscle building, activity level, and metabolic health all play a role in determining the best macronutrient distribution.
Since these percentages do not take specific needs into account, only a Registered Dietitian (RD) can develop a personalized nutrition plan tailored to an individual’s health status, fitness goals, and dietary requirements. A dietitian can assess factors such as body composition, medical history, and metabolic needs to create a sustainable and effective approach to achieving optimal health.
Examples of Balanced Meals
A well-balanced meal includes a combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to provide sustained energy and essential nutrients. Below are examples of meals with an ideal macronutrient balance:
1. Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach and feta cheese, served with whole-grain toast and avocado slices (protein from eggs and cheese, healthy fats from avocado, complex carbs from whole-grain toast)
2. Lunch: Grilled salmon with quinoa and roasted vegetables (Protein from salmon, healthy fats from salmon and ol-
ive oil, complex carbs from quinoa and vegetables)
3. Snack: Greek yogurt with mixed berries and almonds (Protein from yogurt, healthy fats from almonds, carbohydrates from berries)
4. Dinner: Chicken stir-fry with brown rice, broccoli, bell peppers, and cashews (Protein from chicken, complex carbs from brown rice and vegetables, healthy fats from cashews)
By incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense foods and adjusting macronutrient intake to personal goals, individuals can create a balanced, sustainable diet that supports long-term health and well-being. Tracking macros can be helpful for those looking to finetune their diet or build muscle, but focusing on whole, minimally processed foods is the best approach for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Aliza Beer is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com, and you can follow her on Instagram at @alizabeer
Join The Fun Tech Triumphs
As told to Rebbetzin Sara Gross
My wife has her own business. She used to rely heavily on her smartphone to keep it going, and it was taking a toll on our family. Having all her emails and business dealings in her hand at all times was distracting
her from being present for me and the kids. She made the decision to switch to a flip phone and keep all her work on the computer. It was a great change for our family. We worried that her business would suffer because of it, but to our immense surprise
and gratification, business boomed. She kept her business and home separate, and it worked out great.
After a while of watching my wife with her flip phone, I realized that I wanted to make the switch myself and ‘join the fun.’ It was much harder than I anticipated, but I did it. Along with the difficulty came freedom and relief at not being constantly distracted and pulled to look at my phone. I felt strong and calmer without the pull. In truth, the gains overshadow the difficulty by far.
DID YOU KNOW:
Notifications, whether from phone calls or texts, trigger a natural response to check them, driven by our brain’s craving for novelty. This curiosity is rewarded by dopamine, the natural “feelgood” chemical in our brains, which can lead to a cycle of constant checking. Over time, the accumulation of interrup-
tions can cause anxiety, mental fatigue, and decreased focus, especially for those who observe a Torah lifestyle and maintain strong family relationships.
A survey found that the average American checks their phone 205 times daily, often with notifications left on. This behavior can become addictive, even leading to phantom vibrations, the feeling that your device is vibrating in your pocket, when you’re not even carrying it! To reduce these effects, consider turning off notifications for non-essential apps or using the “do not disturb” mode. You can also regain control by delaying your reactions to phone calls and messages, checking them at set intervals.
By consciously managing our response to notifications, we can enjoy a greater sense of presence and focus in our daily lives.
Simply peSach with Rivky kleiman
Simple Savory Strip Steaks
meat | yields 4-6 servings
New York strip steaks are precut slices of French roast. Savor the rich flavors of this meat, cooked to perfection. This show-stopping dish is sure to impress. Marinate, grill, and voilà!
IngredIents
• 4 New York strip steaks
Savory Marinade
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• ½ cup oil
• ½ cup lemon juice
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup parsley flakes
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
PreParatIon
Prepare the savory marinade: Combine marinade ingredients in a large resealable bag. Seal; shake well.
With paper towels, pat meat dry; add to bag. Seal; marinate for 30 minutes (see note).
Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Coat with cooking spray. Remove meat from marinade; discard remaining marinade. Sear steaks for 2 minutes per side (or longer, depending on thickness of meat) until internal temperature reaches 125-130°F for medium rare.
Allow meat to rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
Note: Lemon juice is a great meat tenderizer; however, if meat sits in lemon juice for too long, the fibers will begin to break down, so do not marinate longer than 30 minutes before cooking.
photo credits itzik roytman
Grape Sorbet
pareve | yields 6 servings
This simple 3-ingredient sorbet comes together in moments. The result will exceed your “grape expectations”! Huge flavor with so little effort.
IngredIents
• 2 lb. sweet red or purple seedless grapes or a combination
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
PreParat Ion
In a food processor fitted with the S-blade, process grapes until almost smooth. Pour through a fine strainer into a large bowl, pressing on the solids to yield 2 cups juice. Discard the solids.
In a small bowl, whisk together honey and lemon juice; stir into grape juice. Transfer mixture to a 2-lb. container; freeze for 4 hours.
Remove from freezer; pulse with an immersion blender just until smooth, taking care not to break the container with the blade. Freeze until firm. Alternatively, transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer; beat just until smooth. Return to container; freeze until firm.
For a very smooth texture, repeat step 3.
Tip: After blending the sorbet, transfer into individual mini disposable containers for an easy grab-and-go treat for adults and kids.
Recipes reprinted with permission from Simply Pesach and Beyond by Rivky Kleiman, published by ArtScroll.
The Impact Of Honesty Living Kiddush Hashem
RBy Rabbi Shraga Freedman
abbi Shapiro was once shopping in a department store when an elderly non-Jewish man approached him and exclaimed, “L’chaim!” When Rabbi Shapiro did not respond, the man told him, “Do you know where I learned that word? Fifteen years ago, I had a friend who was a religious Jew, and he taught me the word. He was an incredible person!”
At this point, Rabbi Shapiro’s interest was piqued. “What was so incredible about your friend?” he asked.
“We worked together in a factory,” the old man related. “One day, our boss told him that he had to lie to a customer in order for a sale to go through.” The
old man’s eyes filled with tears and he began to shake with emotion. “Do you know what my friend did? He quit his job right then, that very day, to avoid dishonesty. What a man!”
The Gemara relates that the first question asked of a person in the Beis Din shel Maalah is, “Were you honest in your business dealings?” The Pri Megadim (Orach Chaim 156:3) questions this statement: We are taught that talmud Torah is equivalent to all the other mitzvos. Shouldn’t the first question asked of a person be whether he has set aside time to learn Torah? The Pri Megadim answers that if a person does not act with integrity in his
financial dealings, then if he is a talmid chacham who has amassed much Torah knowledge, it will actually make his sin worse. A learned person who is dishonest would be guilty of an even greater chillul Hashem than that created by a person who is not as well-versed in the Torah. Therefore, even before a person is judged on his learning, he must be judged on his integrity.
The Rambam describes the hanhaga of a talmid chacham, “He praises his fellow man and never speaks ill of him; he loves and pursues peace… The business dealings of a talmid chacham are truthful and honest. He says ‘no’ when he means no, and he says ‘yes’ when he means yes. He is exacting with himself in his calculations, but he gives in to others and is not exacting with them… He obligates himself to others even when the Torah does not obligate him to do so, and he remains faithful to his word and never fails to keep it. If others
owe him money, he will be patient and forgiving with them, and he will be a gracious lender. He will not encroach on his fellow’s profession, and he will never in his life cause distress to anyone else.” Such a person, the Rambam concludes, is a true source of glory to Hashem.
Rabbi Shraga Freedman is the author of Sefer Mekadshei Shemecha, Living Kiddush Hashem, and A Life Worth Living.
Email LivingKiddushHashem@ gmail.com for a free sefer. Visit LivingKiddushHashem.org for more resources
Living Kiddush Hashem was founded with the goal of imbuing every Jew with a powerful sense of mission — the mission to be mekadeish Sheim Shamayim in his or her own unique way. We strive to accomplish this by raising awareness of the paramount importance of the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem and its centrality in everything we do.
Forgotten Her es Sgt. Larry Stein and First Lt. Leonard Moriber
By Avi Heiligman
While generals and other high-ranking officers planned and carried out battle plans and orders from behind the front lines, it was the enlisted soldiers and junior officers in the trenches fighting it out with the enemy. During World War II, many of these soldiers were awarded medals for actions while on the front lines. Many of their stories are rarely told as they often are relegated to the back pages of history books.
The Nazis launched a last ditch offensive in the Ardennes Forest in December 1944 that became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Famously, the 101st Airborne Division became surrounded at the town of Bastogne and held out against five German divisions until other American units broke through with supplies and reinforcements. While the 101st does deserve a lot of credit for holding off a much larger enemy force, there were other American units with them during the siege. Combat Command B of the 10th armored Division was there, and with them was Sergeant Larry Stein. Born in Germany, Stein’s family fled to the U.S. as the Nazis were gaining power. The family moved to New York City, and Larry was drafted into the army and was assigned to the 20th Army Infantry Battalion, 10th Armored Division.
Stein was with Major William Desobry’s task force as an intelligence and
reconnaissance specialist. He was at the command post when another officer parked his vehicle in plain sight of the enemy. This drew the attention of a German tank. Shells ripped through the room. Dazed but not physically hurt, Stein lost his helmet and rifle. Still, he was able to continue on with the quickly depleting task force. He was involved in a firefight with Nazi soldiers as they shot at the American vehicles. Stein was one of the few in the task force to go through the Battle of the Bulge without being severely wounded or killed. Although he had been struck by shrapnel during the battle, he wasn’t awarded the Purple Heart – that is, until after he passed away in 2009. His wife received the medal from Congresswoman Lois Frankel in a ceremony that remembered and honored the dedication and sacrifice of Larry Stein.
First Lieutenant Leonard Moriber from Brooklyn was a platoon commander with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division who was awarded several medals for bravery in action. His unit made more amphibious landings than any other outfit in Europe, and Moriber was one of the officers leading the way. He was awarded the Silver Star for capturing a German machine gun nest.
While in Italy near Anzio, he led his company in capturing sixty German sol-
diers – an action for which he received the Bronze Star. Moriber knew that there were probably more enemy soldiers hiding out in the area so the next day he set out on a four-man patrol to find the Germans. They came across four Germans and killed them. However, his pistol was hit in the exchange of gunfire and became unusable. Despite the other members of his patrol having low ammunition, Moriber continued the hunt.
He later recounted the incident, “We continued on to the stone quarry, and I ordered the Germans to come out, telling them that they were surrounded by U.S. troops. Eight came out with their hands up and dropped their guns. The others inside opened fire. When the going got tough, I was able to get my hands on a gun that would shoot.”
Eight Germans were killed in the firefight, and the rest surrendered to Moriber and his patrol. In total, they captured a hundred Germans and marched them back to camp. For his extraordinary actions, Moriber was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
The highly decorated Jewish officer and his division left Italy and soon were on their way to help the Allied invasion of France. Early in the morning of August 16, 1944, his platoon set up a roadblock on the Gonfaron Road in southeastern France. At 3 a.m., he killed two Nazi soldiers at 25 yards as they
approached. A few hours later, he instructed the crew of a .50 caliber machine gun to shoot at a German truck. Two of the occupants tried to escape, and he took them out with his pistol. Then, an ammunition vehicle and a command car tried getting by, and Moriber took out five more Nazis and captured one.
Later in the morning, he was told that Germans were in a house close to his position. Moriber led a squad there, and a fierce firefight ensued. The platoon commander killed three enemy combatants, while other Americans took out six more Germans. Twelve prisoners were taken in the aftermath of the battle. Moriber received an Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to his Silver Star for his actions that day. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre for gallantry in actions while clearing the Colmar Pocket.
Stein’s and Moriber’s stories are just two of the many Jewish servicemen’s and women’s whose dedication and heroism deserve to be remembered.
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.
Leonard Moriber American soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge
Sgt. Larry Stein
TJH
Centerfold
Coffee Trivia
1. What country is considered the birthplace of coffee?
a. Brazil
b. Italy
c. Ethiopia
d. Colombia
2. What does the word “espresso” mean in Italian?
a. Pressed out
b. Speed
c. Strong
d. Tiny panic in a cup
3. Which U.S. city is often credited with popularizing coffee culture in the 1990s?
a. Portland
b. New York
c. San Francisco
d. Seattle
4. What is the process used to make the world’s most expensive coffee, called Kopi Luwak?
a. Coffee beans are aged for 12 years in a rainforest
b. Coffee beans are partially digested and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a small, catlike animal.
c. They beans are grown on a volcano
d. They use gold-plated beans
5. Which popular chain first introduced the Frappuccino?
a. Starbucks
b. Dunkin’
c. Peet’s
d. Baskin Robbins (RIP the coffee milkshake dream)
6. While working on the creation of the Keurig machine, company founder John Sylvan was hospitalized with symptoms of caffeine poisoning. How did he get caffeine poisoning?
b. Seattle
c. Los Angeles Denver
9. In Vietnam, what is put into the popular coffee drink called cà phê sũa đá?
a. An egg
Honey
Carbonated water
Chocolate
a. He touched a poisonous Camellia sinensis leaf which contains caffeine.
b. He drank coffee that was two months old.
c. He drank Dunkin Donuts coffee.
d. He drank 30-40 cups of coffee in one day.
7. According to the FDA, approximately how many cups of coffee in total do Americans drink a day?
a. 30 million
b. 74 million
c. 120 million
d. 400 million
8. Which U.S. city has the most coffee shops (with approximately 1,500 shops)?
a. New York City
Answers: 1-C 2-A 3-D 4-B 5-A 6-D 7-D 8- A 9-A
Wisdom key:
7-9 correct: LIKE ME YOU KNOW A LOT ABOUT COFFEE YOU MUST REALLY DRINK A LOT OF IT AS DO I BECAUSE THINGS CAN GET VERY STRESSFUL AT TIMES AND IT’S REALLY A GOOD WAY TO CALM MYSELF DOWN!!!!
3-6 correct: Not bad, but you are not exactly changing your name to Kopi Luwak.
0-2 correct: It’s time to give up on the myth that coffee makes you short. Besides, you are 62 years old; your growth spurt is in the past.
Signs You’re Addicted to Coffee
Your coffee mug has its own mug.
You’ve calculated how much caffeine it takes to achieve telepathy.
You refer to your coffeemaker as “my most loyal coworker.”
You’re suspicious of people who say, “I’m not really into coffee.”
You’ve scheduled meetings around your barista’s shift.
You’ve tried every alt milk known to mankind (even macadamia).
You believe “decaf” is just coffee going through an identity crisis.
You refer to time in “cups ago” instead of hours.
Your travel mug is more expensive than your suitcase.
You’ve tried coffee-flavored toothpaste.
You’ve considered installing a drive-thru espresso machine in your car.
You’ve given your coffee machine a name. (And yes, you talk to it.)
You’ve considered switching to decaf…but only during naps.
You once described someone’s personality as “light roast energy.”
Your idea of a balanced breakfast is coffee…in each hand.
You don’t sweat; you percolate.
You Gotta Be Kidding Me
Moishe goes to the doctor and says, “Doctor, every time I drink a coffee I get a sharp pain in my left eye.”
The doctor replies, “Moishe, take the spoon out before drinking your coffee.”
Your blood type is basically Cold Brew Positive.
You read this list while sipping a cup. Or planning the next one.
Riddle Me This!
Why did the coffee file a police report?
Answer: It got mugged.
Notable Quotes
“Say What?!”
Ted Cruz. I mean, like, this dude has to be knocked over the head, like, hard, right? Like, there is no niceties with him, like, at all. Like, you go clean off on him, right?
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in an interview with Dallas Morning News
For ten years, ever since Donald Trump descended that ridiculous gold escalator to announce his entrance into the political world, I hoped that the Republican Party would seek out and find its better angels. Hope is a delicate and wonderful thing, a seed that we should never stop planting. But I won’t let hope be a blindfold. And I won’t continue to advocate that we wage a conventional political fight when what we really need is to become street fighters.
- Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles
Y’all know that we have Governor Hot Wheels down there. And, the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot…mess.
– Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles making fun of Texas Governor Gregg Abott who is handicapped and uses a wheelchair
The reality is they have no vision, no policy. They have nothing to sell but hate, and Americans are not buying it.
- Gov. Abott, in response
There will be lots of people on the left who will be like, “How dare you talk to this man?” … I’m not playing this game that you mean girls play.
- Bill Maher talking about the pushback that he is getting for his upcoming meeting with President Trump
I had hostage families in my office the other day. The President was tired, and he knew they were in my office. He said to me, “Bring them up, let me at least say hello to them and get connected to them, but let them know that I only have a couple of minutes,” because it had been a hectic day. He ended up spending an hour and a half with them.
– Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff on a recent podcast
I get asked a lot how this basketball program has become so competitive over the last eight years. But for me, I believe it was G-d’s plan to give us this success, success beyond what we deserve. To give us this platform. To give us an opportunity to start this conference briefly and remind the world that Edan Alexander is still held hostage in Gaza right now. An American held hostage and not enough people in this country know his name.
- Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who is Jewish, at the beginning of his postgame NCAA Tournament news conference last weekend
October 7 was the worst day since the Holocaust for the Jewish people, and they say they want to do it again and again and again. We have American hostages in Gaza right now, and it’s unacceptable. And President Trump called it out, and said if they just free the hostages, the killing would stop. Free the hostages, and the killing will stop, and that’s up to Hamas.
- Ibid.
Gasoline is way down. Eggs are way down. Groceries are down very substantially… Almost everything is down. Now I’d like to see interest rates come down a little bit. And, you will see billions or trillions of dollars coming into our country very soon in the form of tariffs.
– President Donald Trump
I think sometimes it’s important to do a little bit of reality check and take a little different spin at the numbers. I’m going to do that right here because all we talk about is how unpopular Donald Trump is. But in reality, he’s basically more popular than he was at any point in term number one and more popular when he won the election in November 2024.
- CNN’s Harry Enten
Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…
Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
I’m 24 years old and working as a teacher. I am dating a guy who’s 26 and works as a nursing home administrator. We have been going out two to three times a week for the past three weeks. Things have been going great. However, on all of our dates, he excuses himself to go to the bathroom.
After a while I began noticing a pattern; he was going to the bathroom at the same time. After this became a common occurrence, I got the feeling that something wasn’t right. So, on our next date when he excused himself to go to the bathroom, I followed slightly behind. My gut feeling was correct – not only was he not going to the bathroom, but he was stepping outside to smoke. This made me question our relationship and his honesty. I know that great relationships revolve around transparency, and I am now unsure how to proceed.
Thanks, Sarah*
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
Thank you for your question. It is definitely important to be open and honest in a relationship. I think it is time you sit down with him and ask him not just about the smoking but particularly why he felt the need to hide it from you. It is important to gauge his communication abilities and to see if he often takes an easier route of not sharing things in order to avoid conflict.
I know plenty of people who married guys who smoke and that is a personal decision, however, it was very transparent and honest from the beginning. The girls then had to decide if they were okay with the smoking.
The main thing that bothers me here is that he didn’t share an obvious detail about himself. If he smokes, he shouldn’t be hiding it and certainly not from the girl he is dating.
It could be he was burnt in the past (no pun intended) in other relationships and therefore felt it was safer to not share this detail just yet. I would like to hear him explain the reason as to why he wasn’t honest about it.
In addition, I do think it is important to note that if he is leaving during the dates to smoke then he probably smokes quite often. I do not know how long your dates are, but it sounds like it is something he needs to do every few hours. If I were you, I would try to find out all the details of his smoking habit so that you can make a well-informed decision.
Again, many women do not mind marrying a smoker, but it is important that you have all the knowledge and de -
tails of his particular habit before you decide to move further.
The Shadchan
Michelle Mond
This is a very complicated situation. Smoking not only negatively affects a person but also affects those around him. It is even more concerning that he is so addicted that he must lie to find a way to sneak away and smoke during the date. At least if he was open and honest about it from the beginning you would not have had to deal with the underlying trust issues now. But alas, this is the situation you find yourself in. I do not need to elaborate on the myriad of reasons smoking is harmful physically, as you can Google that easily. You will be the one who has to decide if you want that as part of your future.
The best way forward is through open communication. Let him know what you saw and how it made you feel. Pay attention to his reaction: does he get defensive and dismissive, or does he take responsibility and show understanding? His response will tell you a lot about his character and how he deals with conflict. From there, you’ll need to decide if smoking is something you’re willing to tolerate in a relationship. If he’s open to quitting or at least being honest about it, there may be a path forward. But if deception becomes a pattern, that’s a much bigger red flag than the smoking itself. Take your time to process this and trust your instincts.
Reader’s Response
M. Lieberman
Dear Sarah,
First of all, I assume that by smoking, you mean vaping. I don’t think that it is possible for someone to smoke a cigarette without the smell giving him away.
Before you even deal with the question of his lying to you, how do you feel about dating someone who vapes and seems addicted to it? According to data available, vaping is very unhealthy. It introduces nicotine into the body that damages the user’s lungs and can cause mood swings. Withdrawal can cause shaking hands, rapid heartbeat, panic attacks, and headaches. If he cannot get through a date without it, what is he like on Shabbos when he can’t light up?
If vaping is a red line for you, then there is nothing to discuss. However, if you are willing to accept that reality,
character and how he deals with conflict.
then you will definitely have to confront him with what you witnessed You have to hear why he felt it was okay to leave you in the dark about his habit; why he was not comfortable enough yet to share it with you; and at what point, if any, he was going to tell you about it. If, after this serious conversation, you still think the relationship has potential, then proceed with caution. However, before you make a lifetime commitment, make sure you spend a Shabbos with him when he can’t light up.
Pulling It All Together
The Navidaters
Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
Dear Sarah,
I’m really glad you wrote in. This kind of situation can leave a person feeling confused and unsettled, especially when everything else seems to be going so well. It makes sense that you’re feeling unsure of how to proceed. When something feels off in a relationship, it’s important to pay attention to that.
You’re right that good relationships are built on transparency. But it’s also true that people don’t always show us their full
selves right away. Sometimes it’s out of fear. Sometimes it’s because they’re still figuring out how much of themselves to reveal. Sometimes it’s a habit they’re ashamed of. It’s disappointing to find out he wasn’t being upfront, especially when the connection felt strong and full of potential.
That said, this is also a moment that can give you valuable information, not just
about him, but about how the two of you communicate, especially when something hard comes up. Relationships need room for truth. Not perfection, but honesty. I’d encourage you to bring it up. Let him know what you saw, how it made you feel, and why it matters to you. Notice how he responds. Can he be open with you? Can he take accountability without getting defensive or trying to explain it away?
You also get to ask yourself some important questions. How do you feel about dating someone who smokes? Can you live with that, long term, if nothing changes? And if this is something you feel strongly about, are your feelings taken seriously? These questions aren’t just about smoking, they’re about whether your values and needs can be part of the conversation in this relationship.
You might have to accept that you fell in love with the wrong person.
Take your time. You’re allowed to love someone and still be unsure if it’s the right fit. You’re allowed to want honesty, and to hold out for the kind of relationship where you feel safe being fully yourself, and where the other person is willing to show up and do the same.
Sincerely, 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.
Mental Health Corner
Troubled Tuesdays
By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman
It is a regular Tuesday morning your head, and you will dread getting that it will pass. So, you pull yourself out of bed, fight through your morning routine, and within an hour or two you feel fine. How you wish that your mornings would not be so filled with dread! The problem, however, lies deep in the chemistry of your body.
body is preparing itself for that day’s challenges. As one gets up in the morning, it can be beneficial to be revved up in order to have all of your cylinders running at top speed.
Let us first discuss the role of a specific hormone called cortisol. Perhaps you have read about the evils of cortisol and how it is destroying your body from within. Although that might be true when the levels of cortisol remain abnormally elevated, in your day-to-day life you cannot survive without cortisol. This is because cortisol is an essential hormone that regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body, including metabolism and the immune response. It also has a very important role in helping the body respond to stress. When one is faced with a dangerous situation, the heightened levels of cortisol are vital in regulating the fight-or-flight response. When one has chronic stress, the level of cortisol remains elevated over long periods of time, and this can indeed be a risk factor for a wide variety of physical
What does this have to do with early-morning anxiety? The answer is the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). This refers to a well-documented phenomenon that most people have heightened levels of cortisol in the morning. In the second half of the night, cortisol production rises with the peak production taking place in the early morning. Cortisol levels then steadily decline throughout the day until they reach their lowest lev-
This extra cortisol load might be great unless you happen to be someone who has a predisposition to anxiety. Even if you do not feel anxious throughout the day, you might be affected by the naturally high levels of cortisol that you experience in the morning.
As with many other conditions, knowing that you are experiencing something that is normal and well-documented offers by itself a sense of relief. There are some concrete actions you can take to mitigate the effects of morning anxiety, such as avoiding caffeine in the morning, having an early-morning exercise routine, practicing relaxation techniques, and having a healthy breakfast.
If morning anxiety is interfering with your ability to function, you should seek treatment from a mental health professional who has many tools in his or her toolbox to deal with the various forms of anxiety.
Hashem has created our bodies as amazing “machines” that have innumerable functions and mechanisms that all need to be running at very exact levels. Sometimes, the normal functions of our bodies can have side-effects. Since those functions are critical for our existence, the trick is to not fight our bodies, but to understand it and learn how to harness its incredible powers for our existence. The Cortisol Awakening Response is one of those functions. Understand it, appreciate it, and thrive with it.
experience cortisol levels that are between 38% and 75% higher than normal! Scientists are unsure as to the purpose of this daily occurrence, but there are several theories. One of the prevailing theories is that the
This is a service of Relief Resources. Relief is an organization that provides mental health referrals, education, and support to the frum community. Rabbi Yisrael Slansky is director of the Baltimore branch of Relief. He can be contacted at 410-448-8356 or at yslansky@reliefhelp.org
Throughout the winter months, the older kids and teens will be making their summer plans. For many, that will include a job of some form. Camps are the most common, but there are plenty of other options.
While we usually associate teen jobs with being exclusively a summer experience, there are many options throughout the year. Babysitting is very popular, as is esrog selling and other yom tov-related positions.
There are many benefits to work experiences, but there are also areas that require a parent’s guiding hand to ensure the situation is appropriate for their child. Parents have a crucial role in helping to decide whether or not to encourage a child to start a job, as well as what steps should be taken to keep it a positive experience for their child.
Benefits of the Experience
There are a number of potential benefits to older child and teen work expe -
Parenting Pearls Teen Work Opportunities
By Sara Rayvych, MSEd
riences. The immediate one that comes to every child’s mind is the possibility of making some money. Earning their own money is a strong incentive, but it can also teach a child many important life lessons.
Work teaches children responsibility. When we give them a job to do at home it is very different from when it comes from an outsider. An employer will have certain expectations, and the employee needs to meet them. If the boss says to come in at 8:00, then 8:30 is not acceptable. The child may look sweet and try to get out of it when the parent requests something, but that won’t work with an employer.
Employment involves taking on a greater level of responsibility. This can build independence and feelings of competence in a child. They can begin to see just how much they can accomplish when they are given the opportunity.
Many jobs that are given to children involve some form of interpersonal skills. They have to learn how to effec -
tively communicate with the different individuals they will encounter outside their usual daled amos.
Depending on what job they choose, they may learn more about themselves and about what they would – and wouldn’t – like to do when they get bigger.
We often associate work resumes with adults seeking employment, but even teens or young adults can benefit from having prior work experience. This initial foray into the working world can give them work experience to add to their budding resume, as well as references that can testify to their work ethic.
Keeping busy is its own benefit. While some children do need the extra time to unwind, there are many children who will be unproductive – or worse –if they are unoccupied for two months.
Their Own Money
Having their own funds can be very beneficial for kids. The only way for children to learn to understand mon -
ey is to have some of their own. There are certain financial skills children can learn from money they are just given, such as for birthdays, Chanukah, or allowance. While they can learn how to give ma’aser, start a savings account or be an educated consumer from gifted funds, there are certain lessons they can only learn from money they’ve worked to acquire.
As many parents will agree, kids can be very quick to spend an adult’s money. Having to work hard to earn that cash gives children the opportunity to better understand what goes into making that money. They are far less willing to toss away money they’ve earned on their own, especially after they remember that it took them hours or weeks to earn it.
There are many items children want but are not within their parents’ budget. Having their own source of revenue allows kids to buy these luxury items. Additionally, children will take better care of these self-purchased items and have a
greater appreciation of their value. Which items can be purchased with these hard-earned funds can become a source of friction between parent and child. Perhaps the parent wants everything to be devoted to savings, while the child wants to purchase a particular type of clothing or electronics. Every family makes their own rules, and these should be discussed in advance. My basic criteria have been to give children more freedom to spend money that is theirs, usually permitting the child to buy most things. The exception is that they can’t get anything that is otherwise forbidden because of halachic or family rules. For example, I may think it’s foolish to spend a certain sum on a hoodie, but as long as the garment is tzinius and without offensive wording then they can waste their money on it. Similarly, they would not be permitted to buy unfiltered internet or electronic devices that I don’t want them to possess.
Healthy Work Environment
As parents, it’s our job to ensure our
any job, we need to verify that our children will be in a healthy atmosphere. I’d like to humbly suggest a few criteria parents should look out for prior to a child accepting a position. Their physical safety is important. They should not be placed in any dan-
responsibilities, nor should there be unreasonable expectations of them. Examples include asking a young counselor to watch too many campers or expecting a child to work until late at night. The environment should be relatively pleasant. An example of an unpleasant environ-
gerous situations. For example, a child with airborne allergies or asthma will have special needs. Your child should only be in the presence of others that won’t compromise their personal safety. There should be appropriate supervision, if necessary.
ment would be having a supervisor who yells at the teens that work there. Your precious child needs to be in an atmosphere that will support the hashkafos you are inculcating in them at home. Examples include avoiding yichud and not being surrounded by foul language or unsavory behavior.
The hours need to be reasonable and
should not interfere with their schoolwork. Kids also need sufficient time to play and socialize with friends outside of work hours. They should be surrounded by positive peer influences. The money should be fair for their efforts and paid promptly. Please inquire beforehand to clarify the salary so there are no unpleasant surprises later.
Olam chessed yibaneh . Not everything is about money, and there are times children should be encouraged to help others without financial compensation.
Maintaining a seasonal or a very part-time job can be a positive experience for an older child, helping them learn important skills, building confidence, and challenging themselves. As parents, we can do our part to make sure the experience is pleasant and growth filled, meeting their ever-changing needs.
Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.
Note:
Yaakov, 10 & Shlomo, 6 Goldberg
Tali S., 5
Yechiel, Meir, & Benny Katzenstein
Yaakov Schuchman, 4
Yeshaya Goldstein, 5
Yitzy Kravitz, 4
Yehuda Weinstok, 6
Tamar Weiss, 6
Tamari Strum, 5
Yitzy Bulka, 8
Leah Kravitz, 6
Sarah Golda Cline, 6
Note: Not all submission have been published. Keep sending in your artwork for another chance to be featured!
Q:Dear Etti, I’m a student in high school, and I read your column. I find it very interesting even though I know it’s more for parents and teachers.
The best part is that it is anonymous.
I was wondering if you can help me. My friend is going through something, and she is really suffering. I am trying to be there for her, but I don’t always know what to do or say. Sometimes she is happy with what I say, and sometimes she gets all mad. I feel like I am walking on eggshells. I have no one to talk to because she swore me to secrecy.
Can you advise me?
- Trying to Be a Good Friend
A:Dear Friend, I am glad you are enjoying the column. Thank you for your feedback!
I hear how much you care about your friend, and that’s a really difficult position to be in.
It makes sense that you’re feeling torn, you want to be there for them and respect their trust, but you also don’t want to see them hurting.
You’re not alone in feeling this way.
Dr. Lindsay Macchia, a clinical psychologist who works with teenagers and young adults, says that a lot of teens struggle with feeling responsible for their friends’ well-being, especially when those friends are dealing with serious emotional pain. It’s a lot to carry, and it’s okay to admit that you’re struggling with what to do next.
The first thing to know is that just being there for your friend can be exactly what she needs from you. You don’t have to fix everything or have all the answers.
Dr. Macchia explains that simply validating their feelings, saying something like, “That sounds really hard, and I’m here for you,” can make a big difference. It lets your friend know they’re not alone and her feelings are real and worth talking about. You can also ask, “What can I do to help?” This can encourage them to think about what support they actually need, instead of assuming you have to figure it out on your own.
At the same time, there are limits to what you can handle, and that’s okay.
If your friend is dealing with something big, like self-harm, suicidal thoughts, an eating disorder, or extreme anxiety or depression, or any mental health concerns that make you think, “This feels like something a parent or counselor should know about,” then that’s a sign you should talk to someone.
This is bigger than what a friend can manage alone.
Keeping their trust can’t come at the cost of their safety.
Dr. Macchia says that these are the times when it’s necessary to bring in an adult, whether that’s a school counselor, a teacher, a coach, or a parent. I know this is the hardest part because you don’t want to feel like you’re betraying your friend. But keeping their trust can’t come at the cost of their safety.
If you’re worried about how to do this without making your friend feel like you’re “telling on them,” try being open about it. You might say, “I really care about you, and I think this is bigger than something I can help with alone. I think we should talk to someone who knows how to support you through this.” Dr. Macchia suggests offering to go with them to talk to an adult if that would help them feel more comfortable. But if they refuse and are still in danger, you may need to go to an adult on your own. Even though this is hard, their safety comes first.
If you don’t involve an adult at this point, the weight of guilt for not involving someone might be too heavy later.
It’s also important to remember what you don’t have to do.
• You don’t have to make yourself available 24/7.
• You should not be putting yourself in danger to protect or watch over your friend.
• You should not feel guilty when things go well for you.
• You should not be staying in a friendship that is harming your own mental health.
If supporting your friend is starting to really impact your mental health, then you need to turn to an adult for advice. You can be there for your friend while also setting boundaries for yourself. If her struggles are overwhelming you, that’s a sign that you need support, too. If you’re feeling anxious, sad, or exhausted because of the weight of this friendship, that’s a sign that you need help, too.
Talk to a trusted adult about how this is affecting you. You deserve support just as much as your friend does. Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Being there for someone who is struggling can take a lot out of you.
Dr. Macchia says that if you’re starting to feel down, withdrawing from things you usually enjoy, or feeling overwhelmed, it’s time to make self-care a priority. Find things that bring you joy, whether that’s reading, spending time outside, or just hanging out with other friends. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.
I know this is really hard, and you’re doing the right thing by thinking about how best to support your friend. But you don’t have to do this alone. If your friend is in danger, please reach out to someone who can help. That’s not betraying her; it’s making sure they get the care they need. And in the meantime, remember to take care of yourself, too. If you’re not taking care of yourself, it’s hard to take care of anyone else.
You deserve support just as much as your friend does. 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.
