The newsletter was waiting and needed “the parasha vort” to go to print.
Rabbi Noach Kunin decided to test the breadths of ChatGPT’s knowledge and put in a question from that week’s Parsha.
When Rochel Emanu had her first baby after many years, she called his name Yosef, imploring Hashem to “add” (יֹסֵף) another son for her.
After finally having a son, Rochel’s asking for more, instead of thanking Hashem for this tremendous gift, seems to be lacking.
As ChatGPT put it succinctly “Why did Rachel not simply thank Hashem for the child she finally received—but also ask immediately for another one?”
This young internet spirit answered Rabbi Kunin with a beautiful idea. Rochel had davened to Hashem for seven long years. During that time she developed a deep relationship with Hakadosh Baruch Hu, who listened to her precious tefillah, as we know happens when each of us daven. The joy of now having this baby boy was tempered by Rochel’s fear of losing that special relationship with Hashem, now that her tefillos were answered. Not wanting to lose that relationship, Rochel asked to have another son, so she can continue to deepen the relationship with Hashem in the coming years with this new request. As we know Tefillah is all about building a relationship and Rochel was one of the first ones who understood that so well.
Rabbi Kunin loved the pshat, added it to the newsletter, and hit send. The newsletter would now be given out in school and emailed to parents.
But then he got nervous.
ChatGPT had not given him a source of this wonderful pshat he had never heard before.
So he went back and online and asked “where is the source?”
ChatGPT without blinking stated “it’s the Kli Yakar.”
Rabbi Kunin took out a chumash, opened it, and checked the Kli Yakar No dice.
This was not the Kli Yakar.
He asked yet again “It is not the Kli Yakar, whose explanation is this?” ChatGPT without feeling the need to apologize wrote “It is the Orach Chaim.”
Back to the chumash, and lo and behold, it was not the Orach Chaim Strike two.
“This is not the Orach Chaim either, which commentator brings down this explanation?”
ChatGPT, perhaps realizing the gig was up, replied “It is from a modern source.”
“Modern source” can be anywhere on the Torah web or on any of the other webs.
Rabbi Kunin wasn’t sure what to do next.
Does he send out a disclaimer to the parents? Does anyone even read the vort in the newsletter?
That Friday night, Rabbi Alt told Rabbi Minster at a Sholom Zocher that Rabbi Kunin had asked him about the issues if using the unsourced ChatGPT vort and mentioned the question, the answer, and the back and forth with this internet shyster, ChatGPT.
Rabbi Minster smiled “I know whose pshat that is”
“Who?” asked a shocked Rabbi Alt.
“It is my pshat” Rabbi Minster answered.
Twenty-nine years ago, Rabbi Nechemia Kibel zt’l asked this same exact question outside the old KI Shul on Section Road. I answered him this vort that I thought of, that Rochel wanted to keep the relationship with Hashem. Over the years ,I’ve told many people over this pshat, but I never saw it brought down anywhere (until now)”.
Rabbi Kunin, unaware of the Sholom Zocher exchange, ate on Shabbos at the home of Moshe Kibel. Rabbi Kunin asked Moshe if he ever heard of this question on Rochel’s choosing of a name for Yosef.
“Of course” Moshe replied, “my father zt’l asked this question to Rabbi Minster” and then told over the pshat that Rabbi Minster gave.
And just like that this amazing pshat is now being shared to the masses by ChatGPT, a quiet talmid of Rabbi Minster with a broad reach, who was far from being born twenty-nine years ago.
Have a Great Chanukah, Yosef
Please send comments and feedback to publisher@ cincinnatijewishjournal.com.
CJJ is distributed to the Jewish Community and available for pickup in Amberley, Blue Ash, Montgomery, Mason, Hyde Park, Golf Manor, Roselawn, and Deer Park.
Around the Community
Oraysa Program Reaches A Milestone In Cincinnati and Around the World!
Many new learning programs that are introduced to the public either don’t take off or if they do, don’t stand the test of time and begin to fade after the initial enthusiasm and excitement wears off.
Oraysa, which only made its debut to the Torah world in January 2020 simply exploded in popularity and took off boasting some 40,000 learners in 110 cities across the globe!
The idea of learning an amud of gemara each day and built in chazara system, really resonates well with those who are looking for the balance between quality and quantity!
Thousands around the world have found renewed simcha and sipuk in their daily learning. The pace allows for increased clarity and retention while enabling one to own entire mesechtos in Shas
After toiling for 1,978 days, Oraysa finally completed Seder Moed and large siyumim were held in 3 different continents!
B”H approximately 24 locals have completed a large chunk of Seder Moed (learning in all different batei mesrashim in town), with close to a minyan traveling to NJ last Sunday for the siyum at Cure Arena in Trenton NJ. The travel and entrance fee were subsidized by the Cincinnati Kollel which has been the organizer of this program, locally.
Sunday travel can always be difficult, especially during the holiday season.
Those who arrived early, took the opportunity to hear words of chizuk from the Rov of Ahavas Israel of Passaic, Rabbi Ron Eiseman and visited the house of the gadol, Harav Meir Stern shlit”a.
“Just sitting and learning (that days amud of Gemarah, of course) for an hour in the Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic together with hundreds of others (despite the looks and stares of the bochurim) was worth the whole trip”, said one participant, Mr Shlomo Zalman Zilberdrut.
Josh Tomaino, another mesayem, was taken back and inspired at the sight of bookcases of seforim and couches in a store called The Address found in the American Dream Mall intended for husbands to sit and learn while their wives shop!
The siyum itself was incredible as the happiness was palpable in the air. The dancing that followed
the hadran was extra joyous. “I have been to several large gatherings in the past, including the Siyum Hashas and Adirei Hatorah,” said Rosh Kollel, Rabbi Chaim Heinemann, “but this one felt different. It seemed like everybody present was more than a bystander or spectator, rather, they were self invested, actually joining in making the siyum”.
The siyum was graced by many Roshei Yeshivah and Rabbanim from across America. The misaymim had the zechus to hear from R’ Uren Reich, R’ Noach Issac Olebaum, R’ Dovid Ozeiri, R’ Yeruchum Olshin, and R’ Shlomo Feivel Shustel.
Mr. Shlomo Yehudah Rechnitz, the founding president of Oraysa, shared how this program and learning system is the one that finally worked for him personally and that he is confident that if Rav Meir Shapiro, the founder of Daf Hayomi, would be alive, he would be a backer and supporter of this new learning initiative.
“It may take longer, but after 22 years each lomid knows Shas!”
Rabbi Yosef Elefant, who came in special from Eretz Yisroel to speak said “This is not just any siyum on Seder Moed, it’s a siyum that was learned Oraysadig. Orsyasadig means with Hasmada. Oraysadig means with Havanah Oraysadig means with Chazarah Oraysadig means with Behirooswith clarity. B’ikkar, Oraysadig means with Simcha …I’ve met countless people who have told me their lives have been completely changed by the limud.”
Mr. Yosef Wilheim, summed it up in 12 words “The whole trip and event was well worthwhile and an unbelievable experience”.
Others who couldn’t attend the siyum in person told me that they watched the entire event live, were blown away and were left inspired!
Seder Nashim, beginning with Meseches Yevamos, starts now so it is a great time to jump on board!
As Oraysa turns the page from Seder Moed to Seder Nashim, take advantage of the new beginning to bring clarity to your daily learning seder.
To find a chavrusah or join a shiur, please contact the Kollel at office@cincykollel.org or call 513835-5005.
Shteiging Through Winter Z’man at Mesivta
As winter settles in Cincinnati, with the daytime growing shorter and the nighttime getting longer, the lights blaze in the Mesivta of Cincinnati from the early hours of the morning until late at night. Well before Shachris, the Kochvei Boker shiur, led by Rabbi Moshe Ganz, has already completed the sefer Shaarim Bteffila, written by Harav Shimshon Pinkus ZTL. Attended by a large number of bochurim, the shiur has greatly enhanced the appreciation and seriousness with which the bochurim approach davening, and it has noticeably impacted the overall davening in the Mesivta.
After a full day packed with shiurim, sedarim, secular studies, and recreation, the mandatory part of the Mesivta schedule ends after Maariv.
However, stepping into the beis medrash after Maariv, one could easily mistake the After-Maariv Chabura as a continuation of the regular night seder. The beis medrash reverberates with the sound of passionate kol Torah, as bochurim fully immerse themselves in their quest to finish Meseches Kiddushin and to know it well. Many bochurim learn with chavrusos, and Rabbi Yehuda Leib Pfeffer delivers a special shiur to assist the ninth grade bochurim in learning the after-Maariv perek. The learning continues unabated until close to curfew—and occasionally afterward.
Recently, the Mesivta has been privileged to add another late-night shiur on Motzei Shabbos. Rabbi Weinreb has graciously agreed to deliver a halacha shiur, as well as an open ques-
tion-and-answer session following the shiur. The shiur has been warmly received by the tenth through twelfth grade bochurim, as the ninth grade bochurim continue their ever-popular hashkafa shiur with Rabbi Preis. This is followed by the winter league
games of basketball, which have, baruch Hashem, been a great success. The Mesivta is grateful to CHDS for graciously allowing the usage of their gym while the Mesivta eagerly awaits the construction of its own gymnasium in the near future.
Rabbi Ganz’s Kochve Boker shiur
Bochurim who have been excelling in Iyun, are on their way to Top Golf as part of our Ameilus B’Torah Program.
Very intense night seder “erev” the off-shabbos. Bochurim are taking Bechina’s on Iyun.
Around the Community
Simchas Abound at Zichron Eliezer
Baruch Hashem, it’s been a busy and uplifting season at CZE since Sukkos.
This past Sunday, following Parshas Noach, CZE was buzzing with excitement as families gathered for our Annual Reptile Encounter. Children and adults alike got an up-close, hands-on look at real live reptiles—petting them, learning about them, and enjoying every minute.
A Uplifting Shabbos Chayei Sarah Shabbos Chayei Sarah at CZE was especially inspiring, as we had the zechus to host Reb Chaim Meir Roth, a Rav and Dayan from Lakewood.
On Friday night, Reb Chaim Meir led a powerful and practical Q&A session on one of today’s most pressing topics: navigating the modern workplace while remaining a true ben Torah.
On Shabbos morning, he delivered a moving de-
On Sunday, November 16, CZE celebrated a beautiful Semichas Chaver Siyum on Hilchos Birchas Hanehenin. Members of the chaburah invested tremendous effort—learning thoroughly, reviewing consistently, and successfully completing the tests. The siyum, joined by the families of the mesaymim, was a true celebration of dedication.
rasha on the parsha, highlighting how Sarah Imeinu filled each day with purpose and meaning—and how we can strive to do the same.
The uplifting Shabbos culminated in a beautiful fleishig Melaveh Malka on Motzaei Shabbos, where Reb Chaim Meir spoke about keeping the fire of ruchniyus burning within ourselves, our children, and our homes.
The Rav spoke about the unique value of being tested—not only as a measure of knowledge, but as a means of truly acquiring the Torah one learns. Accountability, he noted, elevates learning and turns it into lasting personal growth. The evening concluded with the presentation of certificates and warm Mazal Tov wishes to all the mesaymim. We eagerly look forward to the next siyum on Basar vChalav.
In addition, a meaningful Rosh Chodesh Kislev
seudah was graciously hosted by Shmeely Stauber. We were honored to welcome our guest speaker, R Chaim Davis from Columbus, who delivered an empowering message on the avodah of Kislev—the challenge of the winter’s natural heaviness, and the call to push forward with renewed strength in our Avodas Hashem.
On Parshas Toldos, November 22, Golf Manor Synagogue hosted a special yahrzeit kiddush sponsored by Louise Wolf in loving memory of her husband, Alan Wolf, and to mark the dedication of the synagogue’s newly memorialized coffee room in his honor. The date coincided with 7 Kislev 5786, the tenth yahrzeit of Mr. Wolf — beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a former president of Golf Manor Synagogue whose leadership and warmth left an enduring imprint on the community.
During his tenure at GMS, Alan played a central role in synagogue life, particularly through his leadership of the annual Yomim Noraim fundraising efforts and organizing aliyah sponsorships. In reflecting on those years, Rabbi Balk shared that “after Alan, it just wasn’t the same,” a sentiment that resonated deeply with congregants who remembered his unwavering dedication and personal touch.
Louise Wolf’s decision to dedicate the synagogue’s coffee room in her husband’s memory is a uniquely fitting tribute. As noted on the newly installed plaque, Alan was “a man who loved good company, good conversation, and a good cup of coffee.” Friends fondly recall that he liked his coffee construction-grade — black and strong — and even
more than the coffee itself, he cherished the easy camaraderie and connections forged over a shared cup.
Alan was widely admired as a true people person — approachable, genuine, and deeply kind. A natural athlete in his youth, he captained both his basketball and football teams and later became an avid tennis player. He was a graduate of Harvard Business School, though his characteristic modesty led him to simply say that he “went to school in Boston” whenever asked.
After taking over the family roofing business, Alan became known for his unwavering respect for every individual he worked with, from employees to clients and colleagues. His integrity left a profound impression — so much so that union representatives he negotiated with honored him at one of conferences, recognizing the fairness and humanity with which he conducted himself.
The dedication of the coffee room creates a lasting physical tribute that reconnects Golf Manor Synagogue to an earlier chapter of its history. More than a plaque or a room, it reflects the spirit Alan embodied — a love for people, for conversation, and for bringing others together — ensuring that his memory will continue to inspire community and connection within the walls of the shul he so faithfully served.
A
Mitzvah From Newark Airport to Oxford Ohio
Pegisha 2025 had been on students’ minds since the very beginning of the semester. The much anticipated Chabad on Campus Pegisha Shabbaton in New York City brings together 2500 students from 167 universities for a transformative Shabbos of inspiration, connection, and renewed commitment to Yiddishkeit.
From the moment students arrive in Crown Heights, they are welcomed into homes filled with warmth, niggunim, and genuine Yiddishe hospitality. Throughout Shabbos, participants join farbrengens, shiurim, and meaningful discussions that strengthen their connection to Torah and Mitzvos, and empower them to serve as leaders for Jewish life on their campuses.
On Sunday, as the program wound down our Miami University (Ohio) group made the way to Newark airport, we were met with unexpected news. Because of the government shutdown, all flights were canceled. After our flight was officially scrapped, we
began searching for a van to drive back to Ohio.
At first, every rental counter told us there was nothing available. Then, Hashgacha Pratis, one location managed to locate a vehicle. We packed up and were preparing to leave when we noticed a Jewish professor from Miami University standing nearby. We asked what was going on, and he told us his flight had been canceled too.
The van was already full with people and luggage, but when we asked the students whether we could squeeze him in, they did not hesitate. “Of course,” they said. “We want in on the mitzvah.”
Twelve hours later, cramped but smiling, we finally made it home, Baruch Hashem.
Everything happens for a reason. Every moment holds an opportunity to help another Yid. And as the song says, No Jew will be left behind.
Mi Keamcha Yisroel!
Around the Community
Winter Learning in Full Swing at Ohr Torah
With the winter routine now in full swing, students at Ohr Torah have settled back into a steady rhythm of learning, exploration, and growth. The return after the holidays brought a burst of renewed energy and curiosity throughout the school.
To launch this new season of learning, Rabbi Kunin presented the final two Great Lessons — The Story of Language and The Story of Numbers. With these presentations, students completed all Five Great Lessons for the year, opening the door to deeper inquiry across the curriculum.
The OTC staff also benefited from a rich and productive Professional Development Day. All faculty engaged in advanced training in the CPS (Collaborative Problem Solving) approach, equipping them with tools to help students understand, navigate, and resolve challenges with empathy and insight. Following the joint session, the Jewish Studies team participated in a workshop focused on strengthening students’ connection to the identity and mission of Am Yisrael, while the General Studies team explored the critical role of careful, intentional observation in the Montessori classroom.
Meanwhile, the Informal Jewish Education Team has been hard at work crafting meaningful and exciting activities around the theme “Ain Davar Omed Bifnei HaRatzon,” adding a powerful layer of inspiration to the school atmosphere.
With Chanukah just around the corner, the halls of Ohr Torah are slowly but surely beginning to shine with anticipation and light. The entire OTC team extends warm wishes to the community for a month filled with simcha, ohr, and, b’ezras Hashem, geulah.
Around the Community
CHDS Opens New Lunchroom
CHDS is proud to announce the opening of its new lunchroom Tuesday, November 25th at the Amberley campus, marking a significant milestone in the school’s continued expansion, following a comprehensive two-year renovation project.
As CHDS’s student body grew, all boys’ classes were consolidated into the Amberley building, requiring the former lunchroom to be converted back into classroom space. During the renovation period, students ate in a partitioned section of the gym while the school undertook an ambitious project to transform the building’s outdated auditorium into a modern, multi-purpose room.
The new space will be used by CHDS for lunch-
es, assemblies, and other activities. At other times, this space will benefit Atara High School.
Rabbi Aharon Rochkind, CHDS Lunch Coordinator, oversaw the extensive renovation process alongside the CHDS Building Committee, who managed planning and execution with contractor MTL Constructors. The project required thousands of hours to bring the vision to fruition.
The original slanted auditorium floor with stadium-style seating was carefully removed. The space was then fully leveled and reconstructed from the ground up.
Key improvements include new flooring and fresh paint throughout, a complete acoustical ceiling system to reduce noise levels, extensive electrical
upgrades with new circuits and fire alarm enhancements, dedicated power systems for food service equipment, upgraded plumbing and water connections, and improved ventilation and climate control systems. These updates complement the building’s new centralized state of the art HVAC system, installed this year with support from The Jewish Foundation.
The $250,000 investment allows CHDS to sustain its growth and continue serving Cincinnati’s families. The school extends gratitude to MTL Constructors for completing the renovation and to JLS Architecture for the architectural plans.
CHDS looks forward to additional building upgrades to accommodate its increasing student body.
Around the Community
Winter Campaign at The Web
The CHDS community had a great time at The Web last week, where we celebrated together the end of this year’s Winter Campaign. Thank you to everyone who made this year a success!
LIVING KIDDUSH HASHEM
A Stalker or an Eiruv Checker in Jackson
By Rabbi Shraga Freedman
As part of his weekly routine to check his neighborhood Eiruv in Jackson NJ, Rabbi Chaim Kahn turned into a quiet cul-de-sac just a few streets from his home.
As Rabbi Kahn turned to exit the one-way street, a large SUV suddenly blocked his path. A woman leapt out, visibly upset, and began shouting curses and accusations — calling him names and accusing him of stalking her family for weeks.
Rabbi Kahn tried to explain the reason for his presence, but she refused to listen and stormed off into her house.
Wishing to avoid any further trouble, Rabbi Kahn contacted the police to report the incident. The responding officer, familiar with the concept of an Eiruv, assured him he would speak to the woman to clarify the situation. When the officer returned, he explained that in the moment she had panicked, believing she had identified her families’ alleged stalker, and now felt embarrassed about her outburst.
Rabbi Kahn decided to write her a letter — not in anger, but in empathy.
To the Mother who resides at …. Avenue, Following our unpleasant exchange on Friday and the subsequent clarification, I wanted to apologize for alarming you.
I’m sorry you’ve felt your family are being stalked and yes, sadly there are sick people out there. As a parent myself, I can totally understand your concern for the safety of your family, and that a car coming round regularly, driving slowly past your home could seem very suspicious.
Just so that you better understand what I’m “up to”: for religious purposes the neighborhood
must be “fenced in” in order for Jewish people to be able to carry on Saturday. Most neighborhoods rely on the telephone poles and wires to be considered a “fence.” This fence is called an “Eiruv.”
In order for it to be considered “kosher,” the wires must lie directly on top of the PVCs attached to the poles. I must also ensure that it’s the same wire I’m seeing lying on top of one PVC to the next one.
These PVCs were erected with permission from the Township, Police Department, and JCP&L. Factors including weather or work done by JCP&L can tamper with the “fence,” hence the need to check it weekly. I have included a map showing the perimeter of the Robin Estates “Eiruv.”
I usually do the rounds in my old Avalon. On rare occasions, my colleague checks it in an old white Toyota Highlander.
I would like to add that although I can’t possibly know, personally, every Jewish person in the broader Jackson community, I do personally know all the Jewish people in our neighborhood to be very fine, decent people who want nothing more than to raise their families in a peaceful, safe neighborhood.
I hope that all Jewish people you encounter behave in the proper way, in accordance with our beliefs that all people be treated with dignity and respect.
If you ever have any issue with any of your Jewish neighbors, feel free to reach out.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Chaim Kahn
A few weeks later, Rabbi Kahn returned home to find a package of kosher cakes and cookies on his
doorstep — along with a handwritten letter.
Rabbi Chaim Kahn & Family,
First and foremost I would like to apologize for my behavior and extend my apology to your family. I also would like to thank you for your letter and explanation to ease my mind.
I was not kind to you and you did not have to do that. My family genuinely appreciated it. From the bottom of my heart I want you to know that is not who I am & was completely out of character. In the moment I was a mother who wanted answers but should have approached the situation differently, & for that I am truly sorry.
I hope you can accept this olive branch I am offering to move forward as friendly neighbors. This is not my community — it is ours — and everyone in this neighborhood should feel safe and welcomed. I am sorry I did not make you feel this way. I want nothing but peace, good health & happiness for you & your family.
Happy Hanukkah & Holidays
When we make the extra effort to explain, to listen, and to approach others with empathy, we transform tension into trust.
Rabbi Kahn’s extra effort to communicate turned a misunderstanding into a remarkable Kiddush Hashem.
Rabbi Shraga Freedman is the author of sefer Mekadshei Shemecha, Living Kiddush Hashem, A Life Worth Living, Director of Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation. Please email LivingKiddushHashem@gmail.com for a free file of sefer Mekadshei Shemecha with a pesicha from Rav Matisyahu Salomon ZT”L, and a 30 day booklet of stories and inspiration. Visit LivingKiddushHashem.org for more resources
The origins of the custom of giving Chanukah gelt date back centuries, with the Magen Avraham and Pri Megadim discussing various aspects of this cherished tradition. While the details of who should receive, why it’s given, and other considerations are beyond the scope of this article, it is worth noting how the custom has evolved over time.
What began as an act of giving charity to Torah scholars during a yom tov has transformed into a widespread practice of expressing gratitude to children’s (Torah) teachers, especially on Chanukah. This time-honored tradition, deeply rooted in Jewish communities for millennia, reflects the enduring value placed on appreciating those who teach Torah. However, this practice has gradually shifted, reaching a point where it has become disproportionate and unbalanced—a perspective this article aims to explore.
I am not saying that a parent should or should not express appreciation. I believe that is a personal decision. While, as we have already pointed out, it may be in the realm of a custom, a minhag, the point is not to take a side on whether to express appreciation or not. A parent remarked to me several years ago, “My boss does not say thank you to me, so I don’t feel it necessary for me to say thank you to my children’s teachers.” To that, I say: You do you! One who feels that they don’t need to express gratitude, that is their prerogative.
However, for those who choose to give something to the Torah teachers of their children, it is surprising that the gifts given to rebbeim often contrast sharply with those given to moros. It has become the norm to give rebbeim generous gifts, yet many feel that a mug, picture frame or small tchatchka is sufficient for a morah. This disparity likely reflects broader societal norms, but that doesn’t mean it should remain un-
Voice N tes
An Attitude of Gratitude Appreciating Our Moros
By Rabbi Yehuda Deutsch
changed. The value of a teacher of Torah, regardless if they are teaching our sons or our daughters, should be recognized in a way that aligns with the appreciation they truly deserve.
Yes, people have attempted to make logical arguments and say that a rebbi is the primary breadwinner and subsequently needs additional assistance. To that argument, we pose several responses:
1. Many moros in girls’ schools are from chinuch families. As such, they are not living opulent lifestyles, and every penny matters.
2. In today’s economic climate, many families—certainly those that are working in education—are multi-income families, requiring both parents to earn a living.
3. Gratitude is about the giver’s values, not the recipient’s financial needs.
4. Most crucially, expressing gratitude is a teachable moment for our children to see the value of saying thank you meaningfully to people who are truly deserving of our thanks.
It’s an authentic chinuch moment. We can demonstrate to our children: You are so important to me, and your learning is so important to me. Look at how much it matters—I am going out of my way to say thank you to your morah
in a real way.
There is not a rebbe or morah that I know of who doesn’t have a shoebox or an album filled with cards they have received throughout the years. These come from caring parents who spend less than three minutes writing down their thoughts on how impactful the teacher has been. Better yet, when children themselves write the cards, those melt a teacher’s heart faster than anything else. Why not give a gift that truly matches our words?
Remember, whether this can or can’t be done from ma’aser money, the purpose of giving a gift on Chanukah is not to be charitable. It’s an attitude of gratitude.
Then there are some who may argue that an unmarried morah doesn’t need the money. To that, I refer to the prior arguments. But even beyond this, why can’t a single girl save up towards her future? What if she commutes and needs money for gas and tolls? What if she wants another outfit to wear for work, but clothing is prohibitively expensive, and now she can treat herself? Why is it anyone’s business what she does or doesn’t do with her money? This should not be viewed as supplemental income. It’s an opportunity to say thank you.
Should a suggested tip for a waiter for one month in a boy’s summer camp be equated with a year’s worth of learning from a morah? Why is it that a parent is comfortable giving a substantial gift to a rebbe who teaches his son, yet the same parent may opt for a trinket or a platter of cookies for the morah who teaches his daughter? The thought behind the gift matters, and it’s important to reflect on what that thought communicates. Is it acceptable to give more to a bus driver or a trash collector than to someone who dedicates their life to shaping the future of our children? This is not a barber or a waitress who relies on this money as a form of their salary. Isn’t it pitiful to demonstrate to our children that we have more appreciation for a mailman who brings us bills than for a woman who dedicates her life to bringing our children to Olam Haba? This is a critical opportunity to demonstrate to our children that the chinuch of our girls matters just as much as that of our boys.
It’s time to recalibrate our priorities and give a strong message to our moros: Thank you for caring for our girls. We value you. We can demonstrate this beyond a mug that says “#1 Morah” or a picture frame. Let’s change things for our girls to show them that their chinuch matters to us. Let’s change it so moros get the positive feedback they deserve. Perhaps in doing so, more girls will consider entering this barren field that is losing out prospective talent to more lucrative positions, exposing the frightening thought of who will be the teachers of the next generation if we don’t take the steps to improve a bleak picture—one that ought not be framed.
Having previously been a rebbi and principal, Rabbi Yehuda Deutsch, M.Ed., is currently the Assistant Dean at Torah Academy for Girls in Far Rockaway, NY.
MILES WITH SMILES
Trip Notes - Part 4
By Zalmy Reisman
Continuing our trip report from our trip last midwinter vacation, we had left off having spent the night in Phuket, Thailand. The next morning we woke up early and headed out to Tiger Kingdom. Tiger Kingdom is one of the more well-known tourist animal attractions, and they give you a chance to go inside a large enclosure with tigers with the animal trainers who work with the tigers. The way it works is that there are four or five different sized tigers starting from baby tigers all the way up to the largest tigers that are out there. Each tiger size has requirements for how tall someone must be in order to enter that enclosure. I’ve been to Tiger Kingdom at least three other times and I’ve always had an amazing time. People claim that the tigers are drugged, but in my experience, they are not drugged but rather the trainers that are with you in the enclosure are respected by the animals and they obey them. This time, traveling with three of our kids we were able to go into second to smallest sized tigers. I decided to go into the large tiger enclosure by myself as well, and then we also were all able to go into the cheetah enclosure.
Because we had a flight back to Bangkok at around 12 PM, we arrived before Tiger Kingdom opened and we were the second group of people online. Going early allows you to not have to wait for other people who are in the tiger enclosures ahead of you to come out.
Overall, we had a great time and it was one of the highlights of our trip. One of the cool things that you can do aside from going into the tiger enclosures is you can hire a photographer for a nominal fee who will take a gazil-
lion pictures of you with all different types of poses with the tigers. I’ve done it before and it is a great experience, and this time as well the pictures of the tigers came out great. Being with a photographer also means that you get more time with the tigers, as they try to get as many pictures of you as possible. Being able to visit the cheetah was a highlight of our experience, and when I sat down next to the cheetah to take pictures, I heard him purring. At that point, I realize that he wasn’t that much that different from my house cat ��
After finishing at Tiger Kingdom we got in our car and drove straight to the airport. We were flying Bangkok Airways back to Bangkok, which is a nicer airline. Once again, the difference between service in Asia and America stood out: This was a hour and a half flight operated by a plane that has 3 x 3 seats. Not only did every passenger get a full meal, but we were even able to request a kosher meal for the flight.
After landing in Bangkok, we took a taxi to our hotel and began to get ready for Shabbos. We first took our laundry to be cleaned at a local laundromat and we made sure they had enough time to clean our clothes before Shabbos. We were staying two blocks away from Chabad, and the davening and meals at Chabad were wholesome and very enjoyable. After Shabbos, I told my kids that our next destination was Dubai, which was one of the surprises of a trip.
The next morning we headed to the airport to fly Etihad to Abu Dhabi, which was a six hour flight. Something
unusual and nerve-racking happened shortly after takeoff: Something that sounded like a smoke alarm went off, and a light above one of the bathroom started flashing. The stewardess’s came running up the aisle, and it appeared that the smoke alarm had gone off because it detected some fire in the bathroom. I’m not sure exactly what caused the alarm to go off, but after the stewardess’s thoroughly investigated the bathroom they determined that there was no fire or smoke. I was a little bit nervous because our flight path took us out over the ocean with not much land around us, and without a doubt, the most serious issue a plane can run into is a fire on board the plane. Thankfully, whatever the issue was seemed to be a onetime malfunction and we had an uneventful flight to Abu Dhabi.
Upon landing in Abu Dhabi, we rented a car for the 1 hour drive to Dubai. I have to say, in a country where Lamborghinis are common place I was expecting a nice car rental. Instead, I got one of the junkiest cars I’ve ever rented, and the car actually died once we got to Dubai and parked. That required calling roadside assistance a bunch of times until eventually someone came out and was able to jump our car, but that only happened later as we were ready to head back to the airport. Thankfully, our car died in a spot that was very close to all the major attractions, so we decided to first do all the attractions and then deal with our car. We first went to one of the local kosher pizza stores to get lunch. After that, we headed off to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building by far in the world. I had booked tickets ahead of time for
the sunset time slot, and we were able to go up top to see the amazing views.
After that, we headed downstairs to the fountain show area, where water jets shoot out water in synchronization with music that is played. The shows are performed every 30 minutes and in between shows we headed inside the humongous Dubai mall. There we visited the free aquarium and admired all the different wildlife there. One of the things that never gets old - Dubai is most “awake” at the late nighttime. We were there at 10 pm, and the area was jammed packed with families and kids walking around. This was on an ordinary weeknight, so I’m not sure what time school starts in Duabi… Eventually, it was time to head back to Abu Dhabi airport for our return flight back to the US. We were flying through Toronto, as that was the only award space I was able to find on Etihad. Etihad business class is very nice, both from the separate check-in area at the airport, to expedited security and passport control, to the lounge. The cabin itself is really nice, and we got lucky and that we were able to get pajamas from Etihad.
After the 15 hour flight to Toronto, we had enough time to leave the airport in Toronto and get breakfast. We did have a close call clearing immigration and almost missed our Air Canada flight back to CVG, but thankfully we just made it and landed safely back into Cincinnati.
Zalmy Reisman is a licensed independent social worker in private practice. He sees adolescent and adults ages 14+ and specializes in treating trauma and anxiety disorders. Some insurance plans are accepted. He can be reached at 513-400-4613 or at Sheldon@TherapyCincinnati.com
Headlines Halacha
The Wedding Place Card
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman
“Are you going to the wedding tonight?”
“Yes. Would you like a ride?”
“No, actually. I was wondering if you could do me a favor . . .”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Could you take my place card for me and put it in your pocketbook? I really don’t feel up to going.”
A quick survey revealed that this is actually a common conversation. While it may be common, it may not necessarily be permitted. The issue might be subsumed under what is called gneivas da’as , deceiving others. In cases that may not involve financial transactions, it may also be problematic. On the other hand, it could be that such a request is meant to avoid causing the host any pain. Indeed, it may even be construed as a mitzvah.
Let’s begin with the pertinent sections in the Talmud.
The Gemara in Chulin 94a cites a Braisah which discusses four examples given by Rabbi Meir of things that are forbidden on account of the issue of gneivas da’as:
1. It is forbidden to repeatedly invite someone to a meal when one knows that he will refuse.
2. It is forbidden to repeatedly offer someone gifts when one knows that he will refuse.
3. It is forbidden to open a new barrel of wine for a guest, when one had previously arranged for its remaining contents to be sold, unless one informs him of the real reason for opening it (the underlying issue is that the wine will not last as long once the barrel is open, and it will appear to be a big favor to the guest, much as opening a brand-new bottle of Blue Label would be nowadays).
4. It is forbidden to offer someone oil from an empty flask to anoint himself, when one knows full well that the person will refuse it. If, however, one
is offering the oil to show his fondness for the person (to others, according to Rashi), it is permitted.
The Gemara questions the third example by pointing out that Ullah visited Rav Yehudah’s house, and the latter did this very thing!
Two Answers In The Talmud
The Gemara provides two resolutions to this question. The first answer is that Rav Yehudah informed Ullah that the barrel had to be opened anyway.
The second answer is that Rav Yehudah loved Ullah so much that he would have opened up the barrel for him anyway—even if he would not have had to do so due to previously arranging for a sale. This can be qualified further by the fact that the exception to Rabbi Meir’s fourth example does not include any case when there is further economic “owing” on the part of the person being honored.
Two Different Approaches To Geneivas Daas
The commentaries (see Lechem
Mishnah Hilchos Dayos 2:6) point out that these two different answers seem to hold two very different views as to the parameters of the prohibition. The first opinion would seem to hold that gneivas da’as would be forbidden in all circumstances—even when the person would have done the favor anyway. The second opinion seems to hold that when there is a beneficial mitzvah purpose, and there is no economic damage that the gneivas da’as itself is causing, gneivas da’as would be permitted.
Second Gemara
The Gemara in Yevamos (106a) cites an illustration of where gneivas da’as would be permitted. Abaye told someone he would get money if he performed the mitzvah of chalitzah. Other examples can be found too (see, for example, CM 81:1 regarding the promotion of Torah learning, and the Levushei Srad on the TaZ 261 cited in Ohel Avrohom of Rav Avrohom Teitelbaum p. 130).
The conclusion that must be made from this second Gemara is that gneivas da’as is permitted to avoid the negation of a positive mitzvah in the Torah.
Back To The Place Card
Getting back to our wedding place card, according to the second answer of the Gemara, gneivas da’as would be permitted if he would have done it for the person anyway. Here the guest would have come; it is just that something else came up or the person wasn’t feeling well. Thus, if the reason to request that the place card be taken away is to prevent the host from feeling bad, it might be permitted, particularly because there is no monetary damage involved here.
On the other hand, the first answer of the Gemara forbids geneivas da’as even under circumstances where the person would have come anyway.
Assuming that this understanding of the two answers is correct, how do we ultimately rule? The poskim (see Tur CM 228, Rambam Dayos 2:6, and Rosh ibid) do not cite the second answer of the Gemara, which indicates that they do not hold of it.
How then do we understand the Gemara in Yevamos 106a where Abaye was involved in gneivas da’as? We must conclude that it is permitted when faced with the abnegation of a positive mitzvah in the Torah such as chalitzah or bris milah, etc.
Gneivas da’as is different from lying. The Gemara in Yevamos (65b) allows one to lie when it is unavoidable in order to maintain shalom. We do not find this leniency, however, in regard to gneivas da’as.
The Views Found In Other Writings
This position is also backed up in the Mussar writings of Judaism. Rabbeinu Yonah (Shaarei Teshuvah 3:181) also states that sheker (lying) and gneivas da’as (misleading) are not synonymous. He cites the oft-quoted section of the Talmud that for purposes of peace, mipnei hashalom, it is permitted to lie and adds that there is no such leniency
for gneivas da’as. We also find that the Magen Avraham (OC 156:4) wonders whether the leniency to lie for the purposes of maintaining peace applies only to lying about the past and not about the future.
Rav Yechezkel Abramsky (Chazon Yechezkel Bava Kamma 7:3), in his commentary to the Tosefta, also rules that, even mipnei hashalom, it is forbidden to violate gneivas da’as. The likely reason for all this is that, given the opportunity, one is liable to use improper means to achieve personal benefit.
Nature of Gneivas Da’as
Another issue is whether the prohibition is of biblical or rabbinic origin. The Sefer Yereim (in Mitzvah #124 of Lo Signov) rules that it is a biblical prohibition. The Ritvah on Chulin also rules that it is biblical—even when not dealing with monetary damage. The SMaK (#262) rules that gneivas da’as is a rabbinic violation. How does the SMaK understand the fact that the Gemara cites a pasuk to back up this prohibition?
An analytical device called asmachta involves the sages quoting a verse
that alludes to an issue—even though it may not be a biblical prohibition, just a rabbinical one. Why would the Gemara do this? The meforshim explain that the
necessarily synonymous with avoiding making them feel bad. Nonetheless, the Vilna Gaon does provide an alternative reading of the Tosefta in Bava Kamma
One can question whether the tactic of taking off the place card will actually work.
verse is cited to show the readers that they should take it seriously.
One Last Possible Counterpoint
One could possibly argue that avoiding making someone feel bad fits into the fourth example of the Gemara cited earlier, that if it is to extend honor to the person and there is no financial damage to the person (or further “owing”), then it would be permitted. The problem with this is that extending honor is not
...BUT NOBODY ASKED ME
A Stream of Consciousness
By Bubby Edelman
With the light of Chanuka upon us (almost), I’m thinking of taking a pause from my usual focus on arbuvia—mixtures of darkness with pockets of great light—and instead spend a few lines on pure light.
First, how grateful I am to be a Jew. Whenever one focuses on the good, there’s always a contrast—and I can’t help but notice the darkness present when Torah is absent. I was blessed to be born into a family of Torah observance and am thankful to be surrounded by wonderful Torah-observant family members each and every day. Such a gift! For those who must spend hours among souls who struggle, who speak in terms that can harm our spirits—I daven that they have koach, and that they are able to draw more light for themselves and others.
Second—our physical well-being. As the years pass and we contin-
ue to wake up each day able to take on responsibilities and needs with a smile—that is huge. Thank You, Hashem, for our health, and please may it continue to improve for all Your children.
Third—our emotional well-being. I have been stirred by the approach of many who were held hostage by chamas (yemach shemam vezichram). Rather than becoming bitter, angry, or withdrawn, these individuals display incredible resilience, faith, and love. What a powerful lesson for me—and what tremendous light they bring to us all.
I’m not certain of the numbers, but I’ve heard Shabbos observance has increased significantly since the release of these ambassadors of Hashem, who have stated repeatedly: Hashem loves us—let’s take on more!
Fourth—financial stability. With the government shutdown and my husband’s recent retirement from
(7:3) that would fit into this distinction. All in all, however, it would seem that gneivas da’as is not something recommended by the poskim. Most poskim hold that it is a Torah prohibition and is worse than mere lying, which might be a strong moral recommendation rather than an out-and-out prohibition (though the Chofetz Chaim does hold that lying is an out-and-out prohibition).
Thus, it would probably be advisable not to ask someone to take the place card. One can understand, however,
why someone would want to do so. Indeed, it seems that the second answer in the Gemara in Chullin agreed with that rationale. Ultimately, however, the poskim seemed to have rejected that approach.
Also, one can question whether the tactic of taking off the place card will actually work. One woman who recently married off a child remarked, “I would know. Even though I had over 700 guests, I can still tell who was there and who wasn’t.” There are also the matter of the photographs and the video.
This article is not addressing some other very important issues, such as the monetary waste involved in so much food being thrown out, as well as the tremendous time expenditures involved in waiting around for the first dance to begin. We will leave these issues for a possible future discussion.
government work, we’ve had some interesting conversations here in Baltimore. There is something about money that we must learn to manage and rise above in our time here. For me personally, this has been a feeling since entering this world—an awareness that we are always in search of funds, yet that Hashem holds us in His capable and loving Hands. Still, one has to bring one’s mood, spirit, and heart in line with what one knows. That, too, brings light for me.
The media is focused on inflation, Warren Buffett, and the housing market. I’m keeping my eyes on Hashem’s clear presence in every detail of my life. That is illuminating. The market can go up or down, but our bottom line was decreed on Rosh Hashana. Bentching carefully is part of the equation. We thank Hashem for what is and for the many brachos present.
Fifth—our community here in
This article should be viewed as a halachic discussion and not practical advice. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@ gmail.com.
Baltimore is full of wonderful individuals. What a tiferes. My daughters attend classes with incredible teachers. My husband enjoys connecting with many learned and kind people here.
Recently, my husband and I joined WhatsApp chats for those living in Afula. My husband is on a men’s chat; I’m on a women’s chat. Very proper. It’s delightful to see that community bonds carry far beyond Baltimore. We Jews care for each other—physically, financially, emotionally, spiritually, and even culturally. This must be a huge source of light for us and for our Father. May the caring continue and increase.
There is much to be grateful for. May our positives continue to bring nechama and light to all. Wishing everyone a chag filled with revealed good, besorot tovot, yeshuot, and true nechamot.
Hours Monday
School of Thought
By Etti Siegel
Q:Dear Etti,
My 6-year-old son has always been a regular little boy. He runs around, gets wild at times, annoys his older and younger sisters (of course!), asks a million questions, and loves to learn. He’s creative, constantly drawing, cutting, pasting, and inventing little projects around the house. His rebbi and teachers consistently tell me he’s a pleasure – well-behaved, curious, and doing nicely academically. In short, he’s a very well-rounded child.
But suddenly, he has developed a lot of fears. At bedtime, I have to remove anything in his room that looks “scary.” He asks me to check under the bed. If he hears sirens, he becomes visibly tense. He’s still the same child in every other way, but this burst of anxiety feels new and sudden. Should I be telling his teachers or rebbi about this? They haven’t said anything, but maybe something at school triggered it?
- Concerned Mother
A:Dear Concerned Mother,
Although it is worrisome to you, what you’re describing is far more common than parents realize, and the good news is that it often represents a normal developmental phase, not a sign that something is wrong.
Around ages 5-7, children’s imaginations and cognitive abilities expand faster than their sense of emotional regulation. Research in child development shows that this is a time when children begin to understand danger in more realistic ways, yet they don’t yet have the emotional tools to manage those ideas calmly. So fears of shadows, noises, sirens, “what ifs,” and nighttime imaginings often appear suddenly and intensely.
In other words, his brain is doing exactly what a 6-year-old’s brain does.
You wondered if it could it be coming from school. Possibly, but not necessarily. There are a lot we expose our children to (think parsha, Purim, Pesach, and all the many exciting tales our children hear with the evil Poritz), but for most children it does not translate into fears. Also, teachers might not see the same anxieties you see at home because children often “hold it together” in structured settings and then release their worries in the safest place: home. That said, it’s still worth looping the teachers in, not because something is wrong at school, but because they may have helpful observa-
tions, they can keep an eye out for anything new, and it gives your child a consistent support system in both environments.
A quick, calm message, “Just sharing that he has been more anxious at bedtime and with certain noises lately; please let me know if you notice anything,” is perfectly appropriate. There might be a classmate sharing scary stories or another child with anxiety that your son is copying. While it is unlikely, it is possible and good to check out.
Around
ages
5-7,
At home, you’re already responding by helping him feel safe. Here are a few evidence-based strategies:
1. Normalize it
Kids this age often think they are the only ones afraid. You can say, “Lots of children your age have imaginations that get extra busy at night. Nothing is wrong with you.”
2. Don’t over-accommodate
Removing one or two scary items is fine, but don’t let the “checking” ritual grow. If checking under the bed becomes nightly, you’re teaching him that there might be something to fear. Instead, gently set limits: “I’ll check once, and that’s enough because you are safe.”
3. Add a coping skill
Deep breathing, squeezing a favorite stuffed animal, or singing “Hinei Lo Yanum” can be very grounding. In our home, when we used to put our children to sleep, we had a little ritual after Shema: we sang Hinei Lo Yanum V’lo Yishan, Shomer Yisroel three times. The first two times we would add, “Hashem never rests and nev-
er sleeps, He watches the Siegel family,” and we named each family member. The third time, we sang, “He watches the entire Jewish people.” It wrapped them in a sense of security and connection, and it might give your son that same feeling of being held and protected.
4. Keep routines predictable
Consistency at bedtime, morning time, and transitions helps anxious thoughts have less space.
Chazal remind us, “Da’agah b’lev ish yashchena,” if someone has worry in their heart, help them speak it out. You’re already doing this by listening and staying calm. You’re showing him that his feelings can be held, named, and managed, not avoided and not feared.
Most childhood fears fade within weeks as quietly as they arrived. But reach out for support if:
• fears grow instead of lessen
• he avoids school, playdates, or activities
• bedtime becomes a prolonged struggle
• the fears are interfering with daily functioning
From your letter, he sounds like a delightful, well-adjusted boy who is simply moving through a very normal stage of development, one that, with your calm presence, will likely pass soon.
Loop the teachers in, keep supporting him with warmth and structure, and trust that this phase is just that – a phase.
Hatzlacha, - Etti
Mrs. Etti Siegel holds a MS in Teaching and Learning/Educational Leadership and brings sound teaching advice to her audiences culled from her over 35 years of teaching and administrative experience. Etti is an Adjunct at the College of Mount Saint Vincent/Sara Shenirer. She is a coach and educational consultant for Catapult Learning, FACTS Education Solutions, Brienza Academic Advantage, Yeled V’Yalda; is a sought-after mentor and workshop presenter around the country; and a popular presenter for Sayan (a teacher-mentoring program), Hidden Sparks, and the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. She is a frequent contributor to Hamechanech magazine and The Journal for Jewish Day School Leaders and has a weekly column in The Jewish Home
children’s imaginations and cognitive abilities expand faster than their sense of emotional regulation. With thanks to the Five Towns Jewish Home
It can be a thankless job.
Even as a single person writing this, I’ve redt many shidduchim myself — and baruch Hashem, even made an actual shidduch! Having been on both sides, I see how utterly frustrating it can be to try to set people up.
You have feelings. You’re sincerely trying to help someone who needs your chessed. And yet, the person you’re helping may come across as ungrateful, disinterested, or even rude. Singles should definitely make a greater effort to appreciate your work and respond with derech eretz. There’s no excuse for rudeness.
That said, having stood on both sides of the shidduch process, here’s my perspective:
Shadchanim need to be the “bigger ones.”
Yes, singles should be polite and grateful, recognizing the time, thought, and care you invest in trying to make a match. But please remember — the single is the one who is in pain.
Voice N tes
Dear Shadchan
By A Single Wishing to Remain Anonymous
You may think you’re helping when you offer “unsolicited advice” or try to “set a single straight.” But that isn’t the shadchan’s role. If you find that part of the process difficult, it might simply not be for you. It takes a thick skin and a deep sense of compassion to do this kind of chessed properly.
Personally, I strive to work on myself — my middos, my connection to Hashem — despite the deep challenge of singlehood. No one would describe me as having “bad middos.” Yet when a shadchan comes on too strong, it can be triggering. As much as I try to stay calm and composed, sometimes I need to assert myself and set boundaries. That self-advocacy can easily be misunderstood as rudeness, pickiness, or ungratefulness — but often, it’s simply a single trying to protect their emotional space.
It’s a fine line. There’s still no excuse for disrespect, but when a shadchan questions a single’s judgment or challenges their decision to decline a suggestion, it can create a deeply un -
comfortable situation. The single knows you mean well — but when they feel cornered, they’re forced to “defend themselves” while trying not to “offend” you.
So, to keep it simple:
Please, put aside ego and pride. Don’t be pushy. Don’t make it uncomfortable for the single. Remember — Hashem is the True Shadchan.
Your job is to facilitate, to do the chessed, to play your role in building Klal Yisrael’s future. The single you’re helping is often already filled with doubt, insecurity, and pain — doing their best to stay hopeful and dignified through this test.
Practically speaking: if a single considers your suggestion but decides to decline, please avoid comments like:
• “Are you sure you’re being open enough?”
• “OK, suit yourself.”
• “It’s your call.”
• “I thought you wanted to get married?”
These words sting more than you
might realize.
Part of this chessed isn’t just making the match — it’s being kind and supportive throughout the process. Don’t let your beautiful chessed turn hurtful. The other side is already in pain; don’t pour salt on the wound.
On behalf of singles everywhere, I want to apologize if we’ve ever caused you frustration or hurt while you were trying to help. We truly wish things were different — that we weren’t dependent on others’ kindness in this area. Please don’t make us feel that dependence even more deeply.
Let’s all strive to approach this process with extra sensitivity. Right now, what most singles need isn’t pressure or critique — it’s a little more understanding, a little more compassion, and a lot more heart.
Thank you for your efforts, your care, and your partnership with Hashem in helping to build Jewish homes. May you continue to have hatzlachah and siyata dishmaya in this holy work.
Shmooze & Muse Thank You for Your Hospitality
By Mordechai Schmutter
If someone you know is in the hospital, chas v’shalom, you should definitely go visit them.
It’s definitely a good time to visit people, because most of the time in life, you visit people and they don’t have time to chat. But in the hospital, they’re bored. The doctors said they should stay away from stress, except for the stress of missing work and the stress of being in the hospital.
Yes, your first instinct might be to let them have their privacy. But I have to tell you, when you’re in the hospital, privacy goes out the window. You’re being accosted by strangers who, less than a minute after introducing themselves, immediately start poking and prodding and putting you in a gown that is more about easy access than it is about covering anything up and then constantly leaving the door of your room open. You can buzz them back to your room and ask them to close the door, and they will, but then they’ll open it again on the way out for easy access.
Yes, you might be afraid that the conversation will be awkward. “What will I say?” But it will definitely be less awkward than your conversation afterward if you don’t come. Also, they’ll be so happy that you’re there that sometimes they will just lead the conversation. If not them, then definitely their spouse who has been sleeping curled up in the corner and pretending the armchair is comfortable.
“Can we offer you something to eat? Do you like crackers and ginger ale?”
But here are some tips to get through this stressful time. Because it’s not like you can unload on the person you’re visiting:
- In order to get into the hospital, you have to go through a strict security screening wherein they ask you to name one patient in their hospital, and if you get it right, they let you in.
- The hospital has a rule about how many visitors are allowed in the room
at once, and they keep track at the front desk. You cannot get them to relax their rule by bringing your own folding chairs or by assuring them that you’ll just borrow a chair from the chessed room.
- Nor should you get around the rule by memorizing the name of the always-sleeping patient in the room next to your patient and giving that name to the front desk.
- They might tell you that too many visitors is too much excitement for the patient. But that’s ridiculous. They can’t have the same number for every patient. How is that possible? This is the number, they figured out. Four. Also, some visitors are more exciting than others. They don’t know you. “I’m very low-key,” you can tell them. “I’m not so exciting.”
- That said, if someone gets suspicious and comes by to check, some of you will have to hide in the bathroom. That is definitely not too much excitement for the patient.
- You might feel weird about showing up empty-handed. What kind of guest are you? Maybe a nice bottle of wine, or a candy dish… So you ask beforehand, “Can we bring you guys some food?” And they say, “No, we have enough food.” And the
patient can’t eat anyway except for the medically-approved 4-oz. portion of apple juice. So some people bring flowers that the patient will have to keep watering and then carefully schlep home with all two weeks of their stuff. Or they can leave it in their neighbor’s room as a thank you and an apology for leaving that guy’s family stranded at the front desk.
- Or you can bring balloons, which say something like, “Get well soon,” instead of “Get well immediately.” Soon is good enough. Immediately is too stressful for the patients.
- If you bring your own balloons from home, see if the hospital has an oxygen tank you can use to fill it. Check the neighbor’s room.
- Allow yourself time to figure out how to park. There’s a garage, but it’s never clear if you’re going to have to pay to use the garage, and the hospital doesn’t like if you ask if things cost money. They’ll just send you a bill in two weeks.
- On your way toward the patient’s room, don’t stare at all the other patients lying in bed with their doors open, despite having to look at their doors to find the room number you’re looking for and their doors are open to the inside of their
rooms. Instead, keep your eyes down and wonder what that smell in the hallway is.
- That smell came with the hospital. The windows don’t open.
- Knock on the door before entering the correct room. Pretend it’s not already wide open.
- Don’t shake hands with the patient upon entering. Or do that hug thing with you picking them up and spinning around.
- Definitely don’t come up behind the patient, cover their eyes, and say, “Guess who?” (“Um… Dr. Johnson?”)
- It’s very hot in the hospital, because everyone’s wearing one-size-fits-all robes and also everyone is sick. See if your patient can spot you some ice chips, if he’s not contagious.
- Do not stare at any of the tubes or wires. Look at the patient’s face. If there are tubes in his face, find somewhere else to look. Or pretend you didn’t even notice. “Tubes?” you can say, if he brings it up. “What tubes?” Instead, look around and make comments about the features of the room. “Wow, look at all those places to plug stuff in!”
- No matter when you come, they nurses will choose the very next moment to do a procedure. And you’re going to have to find somewhere less awkward to look. Or go hang out in the hallway, with the smell.
- Or you can choose that moment to check out the bathroom the patient is not allowed to use. They’re stuck in bed. It’s the guest bathroom. Complete with a shower and a shower bench, in case there’s not enough seating in the room.
- You can also use that time to check out the chessed room. That’s something that every Jewish patient says these days: “You have to go check out the chessed room!” So you do. Look at the magazines in there and wonder if you can take any food. Is it also for people doing bikur cholim? It’s not like I had time to get lunch
today. Is there a donation box, at least?
- Don’t wake a sleeping patient. Instead, sit there staring at them until they wake up. If you need reading material, there are medical charts.
- Don’t give your own medical opinions, based on the charts.
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT BEFORE ASKING:
“Wow! Have you lost weight?”
“This is the hospital you picked?”
“So what do all the tubes do? Are they uncomfortable?”
“What is that liquid? Is it coming out of you or going into you?”
“Can I play with your bed remote?”
“Can I borrow your socks? We’re going to the jumpy place after this.”
Also questions about the patient in the other bed.
ACCEPTABLE CONVERSATION
TOPICS:
“So I read this article about inappropriate questions to ask…”
“So where did you guys park?”
“Who brought the balloons?”
“Have you smelled the hallway? What is that?”
“So is the food in the chessed room just for patients, or…?”
“Have you figured out the room for Shabbos yet?” Because as it turns out, absolutely everything in the hospital is muktzah, which is what happens when the designers want to make it largely a hands-free experience. So the patient
the trees with the window that doesn’t open. They’re trying to guess what’s doing outside by what you’re wearing coming in. (“Wait, are you wearing a gown?” “Yeah, I got it from the patient next door.”)
You’re being accosted by strangers who, less than a minute after introducing themselves, immediately start poking and prodding and putting you in a gown that is more about easy access than it is about covering anything up.
might have to pick a bed position they can live with for the entire Shabbos or figure out how they’re going to hint to the nurse to adjust it in a way that implies it’s also to the nurse’s benefit to do so.
You can also talk about the weather. The weather is absolutely thrilling to these people. They can’t really see what the weather is from their room above
“Yeah, but what if it’s nice outside?” you ask. “They’re going to be upset that they’re not outside!”
Don’t worry about it. They’ve seen nice weather before. Do you think you should maybe lie: “No, it’s horrible outside,” and then they’ll be happy that they’re not outside?
“Oh. Well, B”H I’m in here. Hashem
closes a door, and He opens a window.”
“Well, not this window.”
One article I read said to ask, “What was it like growing up in the 1930s?” Do not ask this unless the patient actually did grow up in the 1930s. And if you’re not sure, you can’t ask if they did. Also, if you know the patient from before today, they might be wondering why you’re just now asking them about the 1930s.
Another question that is acceptable to ask is: “I have no idea how to get out of here. I’ve been walking for five minutes, and apparently it’s all been one big looping hallway, so I’m back. I think you’re stuck with me. Is there an exit map on the back of the door?”
- Do not let the patient walk you out to your car.
- As you leave, don’t forget to assure them that everything was delicious. Especially if you had crackers or something. Like ginger ale.
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. He can be contacted at mschmutter@gmail.com.
Hearing G-d’s Message in a Hurricane
TJH Speaks with Rabbi Yaakov Raskin of Montego Bay, Jamaica
Jamaica has experienced many hurricanes over the years. What happened last week when you heard that Hurricane Melissa was on its way?
I was here in 2024 with Hurricane Beryl, and we prepared for that one when it was a Category 4. I feel like we had a bit more notice for that one. Here, everybody was told it’s a tropical storm. When Shabbos arrived, it was already a Category 1. Then, by Sunday, it was a Category 3. By Monday, it turned into a Category 5. By Sunday, the airports were already closed, so we were dealing with a huge storm.
By Hurricane Beryl, I had 100 cases of water prepared. Here, thank God, even though it was supposed to be a tropical storm, I made sure my generator was working because I was expecting some sort of electrical outage. My father convinced me to get another 3,000 gallons of water, and we did, thank God. So we had 5,000 gallons of water at Chabad. But to protect the building, we literally had no time. It’s miraculous that we made it through. We tried to protect it as much as we could but didn’t have much warning.
What was the damage that you endured?
We were bunkered upstairs in a room with two tiny
windows that we closed up very well, and the wind actually did not take off those windows. But to that door is my baby’s nursery, which is a totally glass room with curtains. We covered that up very well. As the hurricane started coming, we heard all the wood being wiped off – I saw it on my cameras as long as I had electricity. All the wood we used for protection was just blown off. And then I heard the glass shatter in that room, so that whole room was compromised. All the baby’s clothes, tiles, all destroyed.
The Chabad House is a five-story house. We’re on a mountain, so not every floor is the same size. Our bedrooms are on the top floor. We weren’t worried about the roof coming off. But we have solar panels on the roof that a donor kindly blessed us with because electricity is crazy expensive here. The solar panels were completely blown off. Everything on the roof – the panels, hot water heater…all blown off. We also had a nice, beautiful area around the top of the roof with lighting made out of concrete and wood so people could sit up there and enjoy. That was all wiped off.
I was hearing the hurricane shattering windows. I heard the windows being shattered in the living room. I
ran and grabbed my bed – my bedframe is made out of really strong wood. I put my mattress and my wife’s mattress at the windows with the wooden bedframe behind it and one couch and then another couch behind it. And then, for four hours, I was physically pushing, holding it back, playing a tug-of-war with Hurricane Melissa to protect the house. I must say, it was frightening.
I could have just ran to the safe room, but the flood and the rain with the winds were so much. If I would not have been standing there, we would have had ten feet of flooding. Even with me holding things back, we had two feet of flooding in the house. So, that was miracle.
At a certain point, when the glass came off from the room we were in, my wife and kids hid in the bathroom, which is a room without any windows. Five children in a tiny bathroom. I have a five-month-old baby. My oldest is going to be 11.
How did she keep them calm?
We prepared the kids well. We downloaded videos from Toveedo before the storm. We got some coloring, snacks. For them, we made it like – I don’t know if you want to call it that – but we made it a “hurricane party”
for them. We tried to keep them distracted. But a lot of times they got scared when they started hearing all the noise. At times, the building was shaking. You felt like even the hurricane-proof windows were just shaking back and forth. Wherever water could seep into the building, on all floors, water came in. Our shul lost a huge window. Those windows are very solid. We bring them in from Miami, and they cost $5,000-$10,000.
The Chabad House is on a big property, about an acre and a half. Almost every tree is down. The solar panels and trees and glass fell on my car. And so, the entire place is one big churban.
Montego Bay is on an island, and you spend a lot of time outside. We have a gazebo; there’s a lot of outside infrastructure. But it’s all gone. We live in a gated community, but we have a 14-foot gate around the Chabad House. It was blown down. Yesterday, I hired four guys to put it up so we can secure the area. But they couldn’t pick it up. That’s how strong this wind was. You have these huge, big pots for flowers that you need five guys to move. They were all just cracked to the floor by the winds.
How many hours were you and your children in the house dealing with the ordeal?
Four and a half hours.
After everything calmed down, you immediately mobilized to help the community. Tell me a little bit about that.
Even after the big winds calmed down, there were still frightening winds and rain. Right away, we realized we had no way to call anybody. Miraculously, we found my wife’s phone had two bars connecting to T-Mobile, which was literally a miracle because everybody was davening for us and wanted to make sure we were okay.
Actually, right before we lost service, there were two tourists who reached out to us because they were afraid. I told them that I would come to see them after it calmed down. But as soon as it calmed down, I went to the car to go to them and realized that I couldn’t get into the car and drive to them. The gates couldn’t move. There were things everywhere.
The next morning, I got a driver who took me around, and we went house by house to check on the local Jews in the area, to make sure they’re okay, to give them a hug, to put tefillin on with them. And actually, we found a new Jew we never knew of living in Montego Bay. It was very, very special.
Now, we’re waiting for two planes to arrive from Cayman Islands with generators that we’re going to give to our fellow Yidden over here, so they should have a little normalcy. It was so kind of the Chabad in Cayman Islands to have arranged this donation.
How many Jews are in Jamaica?
There are about 360 Jews – around 200 of them live here full time. Nobody comes down here for Yiddishkeit but once they’re here, they’re starting to connect. Some of them are here for many generations. Since the time of Columbus, Jews were here. There are 21 Jewish cemeteries in Jamaica. Jamaica has a very rich Jewish history. There are a lot of Jewish businesspeople who came down here to do business.
When you came with your wife to Jamaica in 2014, what was your vision? You knew you were coming to a country with Jews but not necessarily people who were aware of their heritage and of Yiddishkeit.
Our vision was to be there for every single Jew, no matter what his affiliation. Every single Jewish tourist should know that they have a home where they can go to shul, have a kosher meal, and in times of crisis, a relief aid, a listening ear, a brother, sister here on the island. That’s what we created 11 years ago. When we came to Jamaica, there was no mikveh here, there was no shul, there was no, as we say, full Aishel. Aishel is roshei teivos for achilah, shisiyah, linah – eating, drinking, sleeping. We have locals who live very far. When it comes to yom tov or Shabbos, some of them sleep by us at the Chabad House. Right now, actually, every night, we have had other locals who want to be with us at night because we have a generator. On Friday night, a woman who is not
“Now, we have to use this opportunity by giving them food, giving them a hug.”
Jewish but she’s related to one of the Jewish people here came to us from one of the most devastated areas. She cried during the Shabbos meal and said h she didn’t eat for two days. She lost her whole house.
There’s something beautiful we can appreciate about Yidden. This is a general statement, but there are some people who are so desperate they’re not sharing what they have and perhaps they’re being selfish. But as Jews, we’re here on the ground and we’re helping people with whatever we have to give.
You’re helping Jews and non- Jews alike.
Yes, everybody alike. It’s very funny. We had neighbors we never knew of who just came by to charge their phone, and we filled them up a bucket of water.
What’s the reaction from those people who never really connected with you before and now are seeing that you’re so generous and thoughtful?
They see that there’s that human care for each other, you know? I see that from my neighbors, too. Everybody came out of their houses and saw the devastation, and they said, “What can I do for you?” This guy needs a chainsaw; here’s a chainsaw. You need water, you need a charger… It’s a new friendship that I haven’t seen living in that community for six, seven years. Generally, people keep to themselves, living on large properties so you don’t even see each other. But now, all the trees between the properties are gone.
What will it take to rebuild?
Some cities might take a full year, if they get all the recovery they need. For Montego Bay, I hear some people say December 15, which would be a miracle, in my humble opinion. Other places really got much hit much harder – like Treasure Beach, Black River, they got hit twice. By Beryl, they got wiped out, and now they got really wiped out. So it’s going to be a long time for recovery and to see if they can get insurance payouts. Life is going to be a lot different in the next couple of months.
For us, we have volunteers who are coming down to help us. We are overwhelmed by the love from Klal Yisrael of big companies and foundations reaching out to help us. Some are sending containers of food, generators, canned food, that we can use to help not just our community but also everyone here. We started a fund, JewishJamaica.com/melissa, to help with this campaign and also to recover our own losses, which is close to a million dollars.
Last year, we had a big Chanukah concert; the Maccabeats came. This year, we were planning on bringing in Alex Clare – everyone loves him. We’ll know in a week or two if we can put on the concert. I don’t want to cancel it. I think we’re going to continue to do it, and it’s going to be like a comfort Chanukah show for everybody – Jewish and non-Jews.
Our main income is from visitors, so right now, that’s compromised for us as well. We have a restaurant, we have kosher catering, we have a shul, a mikvah, everything a Jew needs. But tourists aren’t here now.
Do you have a lot of tourism coming from the frum community?
About 4 million tourists come to Jamaica each year. So, let’s say that out of that, maybe 1% is Jewish. In the winter, we have a lot of people coming here.
Is it considered safe generally?
Yes, especially in the tourist areas.
When you first came, did you experience any antisemitism or questions about who you are?
No. We got a lot of love, and on the contrary, when they would hear you’re Jewish, they are like, wow. They’re very Bible people. So they’re like, “Wow, you’re from the chosen nation. Wow.”
Is everybody singing Bob Marley songs all the time?
Yeah. We actually met Ziggy Marley last year, and we’re in touch. His wife is Jewish, and we send his family matzah before yom tov and we wish each other a happy holiday before yom tov. They live in California.
The Rebbe always said: a Jew never gets into a situation; you make a situation. That’s the message we’ve learned from this. G-d brought us a hurricane – that was the situation. I always wanted to bring the message of Hashem to every person in Jamaica, and now, we have to use this opportunity by giving them food, giving them a hug. Just like this parsha says – that Avraham Avinu called Hashem wherever he went. That’s our job: to continue to bring Hashem’s message to every single human being. And each one of us can do that.
TJH Centerfold
Penny Trivia
1. Which U.S. president was on the last penny minted on November 12, 2025?
a. Abraham Lincoln
b. Donald Trump
c. George Washington
d. Teddy Roosevelt
2. When was the first U.S. penny produced?
a. 1793
b. 1805
c. 1812
d. 1864
3. In 2023, a rare penny (1958 Doubled Die Obverse cent) broke the record for the most expensive penny every purchased. How much did it sell for?
a. $1,203
b. $9,465
c. $733,876
d. $1,136,250
4. What metal are modern pennies primarily made of?
a. Copper
b. Tin
c. Aluminum
d. Zinc with copper plating
5. How much did it cost the U.S. Mint to make ONE penny, as of its final day of production on November 12, 2025?
a. 1.1 cents
b. 2.5 cents
c. 3.69 cents
d. 5.2 cents
6. What design has appeared on the back of the penny since 2010?
a. The Lincoln Memorial b. Wheat stalks
c. The Capitol Building d. The Union Shield
7. In 2015, Otha Anders from Louisianna, who had been collecting pennies for 45 years, cashed in his 15 fivegallon waters containers full of pennies. How much money did he have?
a. 79,000 pennies, totaling $790
Riddle Me This
b. 152,400 pennies, totaling $1,524.00
c. 334,295 pennies, totaling $3,342.95
d. 513,600 pennies, totaling $5,136
Answers: 1-A 2-A 3-D 4-D 5-C 6-D 7-D
Wisdom key:
6-7 correct: You are a penny expert. I’m sure you are one of those people that would prefer a penny doubled every day for a month, correct? Of course, you know what I’m talking about!
2-5 correct: You are as mediocre as a penny abandoned in a cup holder since 2009.
0-1 correct: You are not penny wise but are certainly pound foolish!
Penny has five children. The name of Penny’s first child is January. The second is called February. Penny’s third child answers to the name March. The fourth one’s name is April. What is the name of Penny’s fifth child.
Answer: Penny’s child is named What.
Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
With the penny going the way of the dinosaur, it’s time to replace those penny clichés
“A penny for your thoughts.” >>>>>>> “Please share your thoughts — I promise not to judge…out loud.”
“In for a penny, in for a pound.” >>>>> “I started cleaning one drawer and now I’m elbows-deep alphabetizing the spice rack like it’s a cooking show TV set.”
“Take a penny, leave a penny.” >>>>>> “Take a charger, promise you’ll return it… but I know to say my last goodbyes because you ain’t ever brining that charger back.”
“Every penny counts.” >>>>>>>>>>>>> “Every reward point counts — even the ones that expire faster than a container of milk left in the trunk in July.”
“Not worth a red cent.” >>>>>>>>>>>> “Not worth a stress wrinkle.”
“Put in your two cents.” >>>>>>>>>>>> “Drop your unsolicited dissertation into the chat like you’re defending a PhD.”
“Cost a pretty penny.” >>>>>>>>>>>>> “Cost so much that my bank app asked if I was emotionally stable before approving it.”
“Not worth a red cent.” >>>>>>>>>>>> “Not worth the fingerprint smudge it’ll put on my screen.”
“Turns up like a bad penny.” >>>>>>>> “Shows up like the ‘update your password’ screen that refuses to go away.”
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” >> “I saved $4 today, which should totally cancel out the lifetime of financial mistakes haunting me.”
“Not one penny more.” >>>>>>>>>>>> “I refuse to invest another dime, tear, neuron, or shred of dignity into this disaster.”
“Turned on a penny” >>>>>>>>>>>>>> “Turned as quick as I do when the waiter brings the food to the table near me and I want to check out what they ordered.”
You Gotta be Kidding Me
Buddy and his buddy Jimbo were at the county fair and decided to check out the helicopter rides. When the pilot told them it was $50, they said that was way too much for them.
Being a nice guy, the pilot said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don’t say a word, I won’t charge you a penny! But if you say one word it’s fifty dollars.”
Buddy and Jimbo agreed and up they went.
The pilot did all kinds of fancy moves, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word...
When they landed, the pilot turned to Buddy and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed!”
Buddy replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Jimbo fell out, but you know, fifty bucks is fifty bucks!”
In The K tchen
Chicken Dumpling Soup
Meat / Yields 8 servings
By Naomi Nachman
This is a one-pot wonder. Super quick and easy to make, it has everything you need to fill a kid’s tummy quickly, especially after a long and cold bus ride home from school in the winter.
Ingredients
◦ 2 Tablespoons canola oil
◦ 1 large carrot, diced
◦ 3 stalks celery, diced
◦ 1 medium onion, diced
◦ 4 cloves garlic, minced
◦ 8 cups chicken broth 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
◦ Kosher salt, to taste
◦ Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
◦ 1 package frozen dumplings
◦ 2-3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from soup
◦ 3 cups fresh baby spinach or kale
Preparation
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onion; sauté 3-4 minutes.
2. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds longer. Stir in chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover; boil for 15 minutes.
3. Add dumplings; cover and boil 6-8 minutes. Stir in shredded cooked chicken and spinach; cook until heated through and the spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes.
Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
In Memory A Life of Quiet Greatness Lessons from Mrs. Bina Kasirer, a”h
By Avromi Mostofsky
Moments before her passing, Mrs. Bina Kasirer shared with her students a thought from Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, zt”l. Many say that Sarah Imeinu died from the shock of hearing about the Akeidah, but Rav Yaakov explained that this isn’t accurate— nobody leaves this world even a moment before their time. Sarah passed away simply because her time had come. Mrs. Kasirer repeated this idea to her class ten times. Her husband, Rabbi Hersh Kasirer, yblc”t , told me that someone asked him why he thought she repeated it so many times. To him, it was obvious: she wanted to give the girls nechama, to help them understand that moments later, when her own time came, it would be part of Hashem’s plan and not because of anything else. This was her final lesson to her talmidos, and to all of us—a lesson she lived every day of her life. Nothing “just happens.” It all happens because it is part of His great plan.
I first got to know the Kasirer family more than twenty years ago in Camp Dora Golding, where, for several summers, I was bunkmates with their son Ashi. It was a bittersweet reunion this week when we saw each other for the first time in many years.
Ashi hadn’t been in the room when I first got there, but a few minutes later, he came in, sat down, and quietly told me about a note he’d come across from his mother. She had written it during one of her hardest medical periods. In it, she wrote, “I saw so much good—that this also must be good.” She was clearly struggling to understand why what she was going through was good, yet she inherently knew it must be. Even while suffering physically, she was still trying to frame her pain within the context of all the good she had seen in her life.
During one hospitalization, exhausted and uncomfortable, she grew frustrated with the endless questions from interns and medical students. One intern noticed her discomfort, apologized, and said, “You must not be doing well.” She answered, “My body isn’t doing well. My neshama is doing great.” One of the doctors, who was religious, explained to the others: “She said her soul feels strong even though her body doesn’t.”
Rabbi Kasirer told me that on one emergency trip to the hospital it was pouring rain. When Hatzalah arrived at the emergency entrance, the rain suddenly stopped. As they wheeled her in, she asked them to pause for a moment. They asked why. She said Hashem had stopped the rain so she wouldn’t get wet coming out of the ambulance, and she wanted to stop and thank Him.
About a week before she was nifteres , a woman called her for chizuk Mrs. Kasirer stayed on the phone for a full hour. When her husband came
home, he found her drained, practically collapsed into the armchair. Worried, he asked if everything was OK. She said she was fine—just exhausted from giving the woman the support she needed. He pointed out that most people, especially someone in her condition, would have ended the call much sooner. But she stayed on, ignoring her own issues, because the caller needed it.
Everyone knows how central tefillah was to her, but not because of her needs. She was focused on thanking Hashem for everything. She was also always ready for Moshiach. We know that when the Jews left Mitzrayim, Miriam led the women with her tambourine. So, during COVID, Mrs. Kasirer bought a tambourine and kept it right near their front door (where it still sits)—ready to lead the women when we finally leave this last galus.
She was meticulous about shmiras halashon , both in what she said and what she allowed herself to hear. At the
levaya , Ashi shared a story: someone once did something that upset her deeply. She desperately wanted to respond but held herself back. Instead, she called Ashi to vent to him, so she wouldn’t say anything reactionary to the person involved. She even left a voicemail when he didn’t pick up, explaining how hard it was for her to remain silent. Ashi decided that this saved message—this raw moment of her working on herself—was the real hesped. It reminded him (and us) that she wasn’t some superhuman who was never fazed by hurt; she felt the slights like anyone else. Yet she spent a lifetime, with herculean effort, mastering silence when it was the right thing. As Ashi said, this was the pasuk in Tehillim come alive: “Mi ha’ish ha’chofetz chaim…nitzor leshoncha mei’rah, Who is the person who desires life…guard your tongue from evil.” Who knows how much time she received, or good that happened in the world, because of that silence.
When I was younger, I was a very picky eater. Although I loved most of the food in camp, on Friday night the only thing I would touch was the soup. Somehow, one Shabbos I ended up near the Kasirers’ table, noticed they had salad, and asked if I could have some. Mrs. Kasirer immediately said yes— even though she had just one container for her whole family. After that, for well over a decade, every Friday night I went to their table where she would hand me a heaping bowl with the biggest smile, saying, “It’s l’kavod Shabbos Kodesh— enjoy it l’kavod Shabbos Kodesh!”
Ashi and I laughed when I reminded him about the Entenmann’s crumb donuts. On fast days, the fasting campers would go to Mr. Z’s supermarket, and, as Ashi put it, “buy just about everything
One of the magnets Mrs. Kasirer made in summer 2021
because we were starving.” After spending all my money the first time I went, I learned this lesson, albeit the hard way. After that, I stuck to the same thing — a box of Entenmann’s donuts and orange juice. As we broke the fast, I went around to some of the families offering to share the donuts. Everyone turned me down—except her. When I reached the Kasirers she said her husband and the boys don’t eat Entenmann’s, but she loves the crumb ones. From then on, after every fast, I made sure she got her crumb donut. If she wasn’t in the dining room, I sent it back to the bungalow with Rabbi Kasirer. I used to tell her it was “payment for the salad,” and it became our little running joke.
Back then, campers hardly ever got to call home, and when you did, it meant using a calling card at a very public payphone. You had less than five minutes and a line of campers listening to your every word. One week, on a whim, I decided to knock on their bungalow door and ask if I could use their phone to call my parents. She said yes without a second thought. From then on, every Friday until I became a staff member, I showed up before Shabbos to make
my call—whether it was five minutes or an hour. She always welcomed me like it was the most natural thing in the world. This was the kind of chesed she was known for in camp.
Mrs. Kasirer loved camp. You’d often see her on her porch surrounded by a mountain of sefarim and books. The women used to joke that they were
myself—you don’t need to help.” How she planned to shlep a picnic table alone was a mystery, but she simply refused to be a burden on anyone.
Rabbi Kasirer mentioned that this past Shabbos, he was lost in thought during kriyas haTorah. Suddenly, he heard the pasuk, “Vayomer aleihem al t’akvuni v’Hashem hitzliach darki
One of the doctors, who was religious, explained to the others: “She said her soul feels strong even though her body doesn’t.”
really in “Camp Bina” (a play on Camp Dina, CDG’s girls’ camp) because of the energy and inspiration she brought. She arranged shiurim, Tehillim, and always worried about everyone’s needs. This past summer, when she hosted her annual shiur for her mother’s yahrtzeit on the porch, she asked to borrow my picnic table and insisted, “I’ll carry it
shalchuni l’adoni, Do not delay me, for Hashem has made my way successful— send me to my Master.”
He felt it was a message from Bina: “Hashem has made my path successful; now it’s time for me to go to my Master.” It gave him a tremendous sense of nechama.
Every summer, in memory of her
mother, she made magnets for the women in camp with beautiful, uplifting messages. One from 2017— which was quoted at the levaya—read: “A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.”
I know I’m probably not the most qualified person to write about someone so great, and I’m sure many proper biographies will be written in the years ahead. Still, I feel privileged to have known the Kasirers and their incredible children for well over twenty years. Each of the children, in their own way, walks in their parents’ footsteps—the living fulfillment of the Gemara in Taanis: “Ilan, ilan ba’meh avarechacha… she’yihu zarecha k’moscha, Tree, tree, with what shall I bless you… that your offspring should be like you.”
That every one of the Kasirer children is, in their own unique way, just like her (and like their father, yblc”t) proves that she didn’t merely live a good life—she lived a life of true greatness. May she be a meilitzah yosher for her family and for all of Klal Yisrael, and may we very soon see her leading the women once again—tambourine in hand—at the front of the Geulah.
nspiration Nation
Sapir Cohen Connecting to G-d in Gaza
By Eliyahu RosEnBERg
In Her Words…
Before october 7, i was very shy, and i couldn’t stand in front of an audience. But when i came back, i decided to speak, sometimes, in front of thousands of people. i go to many places; i talk especially to da’atim and charedim because i want them to feel connected to what’s happening in israel. i know many of them don’t watch TV and don’t know everything that’s happened. so, it’s very important for me to connect all the Jewish people.
Every day, i said three things. The first was the perek of Tehillim. The second was, ‘Thank you, g-d, for sending me to this place, because i feel all the power you’ve given me, and i know how to use it to help the other hostages.’ a nd the last was, ‘Thank you, g-d, for all the angels that you’ve sent to protect me in this [g ehennom]. a nd when i came back to israel and i saw how many people prayed for me, and how many people decided to become better people because they believed that doing so would bring me back, i understood that all the angels that i felt — they weren’t imaginary.
in gaza, it was hard. i spent one month in a house and one month in the tunnels. But i saw miracles. a nd i think one of the biggest miracles was that i understood that i’m supposed to be in this place. i was with another hostage, a young girl, 16 years old. i met her on the first day. she was terrified, and she was crying. a nd when i saw her, i just said to myself, ‘ i don’t need to see more than this to understand that i need to be in this place.’ a nd when i decided to accept this responsibility, i felt so powerful.
Six months before October 7, Sapir Cohen was seized by an intense feeling of dread. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt as though something inside her — some voice in her head, perhaps — was constantly screaming on top of its lungs, warning her of her impending doom.
“I felt like something very bad would happen to me. And I didn’t know why I felt that way, because all my life was perfect,” Sapir shares. “During that time, I thought that maybe I had a very bad illness in my body, and I just needed to discover it.”
She visited doctor after doctor, did test after test, but found no way to calm the storm raging within her.
“For the first time in my life, I decided to pray,” Sapir recalls. “I was looking for a prayer for complete recovery. And one day, a prayer appeared in my Instagram feed. It was chapter 27 of Tehillim. And they wrote there that if you read it for 30 days, you will be healthy and miracles will happen to you.”
So, she decided to give it a shot. But after three weeks of reciting the perek every day, Sapir started thinking about the psalm’s meaning and began questioning its relevance to her condition. Chapter 27 (L’Dovid Hashem Ori ) is about war, not illness. In it, Dovid HaMelech implores G-d to save him from his enemies — “Al t’tinayni b’nefesh tzarai ki kamu vi eidei sheker chamas, do not deliver me to the desires of my adversaries, for false witnesses and speakers of evil (Chamas) have ris -
en against me.”
“Why am I saying this?” Sapir wondered. “This isn’t what I want to pray for. What war am I praying to be saved from?”
But despite her apprehensions, Sapir continued reciting the perek every day. And on October 7 — her 30th and final day of reading the chapter — she finally understood what she’d been praying for.
The morning of October 7, Sapir woke up at 6:00 a.m. to the sound of nearby bombs exploding. She and her boyfriend, Sasha, had been staying at Kibbutz Nir Oz to celebrate Simchat Torah with his parents. They didn’t have time to run to the bomb shelter.
An hour later, they found out about the ongoing invasion. With no place else to run, the two hid beneath a bed.
“And then I heard, ‘Allahu Akbar.’ I heard hundreds of terrorists come inside the kibbutz. I heard things explode. I heard the screams of the terrorists and the screams of the people who were killed by those savages,” Sapir recounts. “I heard them go house to house, shooting everywhere, everyone. And we just waited for our turn. And they came closer and closer to us. And I was terrified – I was terrified. My body was like water. I was shaking. And there, I said the prayer again and again and again. And when I said it, deep inside I felt peace.
“And when the terrorists broke down the door, I vowed, ‘G-d, I will keep
Shabbat. I will keep Shabbat. I will keep Shabbat.’ And now, I keep Shabbat.”
She remembers the sounds: the door cracking open; terrorists marching into her room, breaking everything in sight; Sasha’s scream. She remembers being pulled out from her hiding place, seeing Sasha on his knees, blood covering his face, suffering as the terrorists beat him. She remembers being separated from Sasha, thrown onto a bike with two terrorists. And, perhaps most clearly of all, she remembers the moment she entered the Gaza Strip.
“When I entered Gaza, I saw thousands of people. Thousands. All the civilians were outside. The streets were full of civilians; the ‘innocent civilians.’ And they all came to touch me and beat me,” Sapir recounts.
She put her hands over her head in a desperate attempt to shield herself from their attacks. “G-d, please save me. I don’t want to die,” she prayed until her terrorist captors pulled her away from the crowd. From there, they brought her to an apartment, where she met another hostage: a 16-year-old girl.
“In Gaza, it was hard. I spent one month in a house and one month in the tunnels. But I saw miracles. And I think one of the biggest miracles was that I understood that I’m supposed to be in this place,” Sapir shares. “I was with another hostage, a young girl, 16 years old. I met her on the first day. She was terrified, and she was crying. And when I saw her, I just said to myself, ‘I don’t need to see more than this to understand that I need to be in this place.’ And when I decided to take this responsibil-
ity, I felt so powerful.”
For her fellow hostage’s benefit, Sapir decided to spin every bad moment into something fun and lighthearted. When the young girl once spoke of her intense hunger, Sapir knew exactly what to do.
“Sapir, I’m very hungry. And the terrorists — they don’t want to give me food. What can we do?” the girl asked her.
“You know what? It’s not a problem. Now we have a mission,” Sapir explained to the girl. “There’s a room with a lot of bread. You’ll be my guard, I’ll go there, take the pita, hide it, and we’ll eat it quickly. And if the terrorists come, we’ll just hide the food and pretend we weren’t doing anything.”
The girl liked the idea, and they tried it out.
“So, we go. I take all the pita, we run to the room, we eat quickly, and then the terrorists come,” Sapir recounts. “And they say, ‘What are you doing here?’ And we hid all the food. And I pretend to stretch. It was a very bad situation. But every time we did it, she was laughing, and it was good to laugh in this situation.”
A few days later, the terrorists came with some bad news: the time had come for Sapir and the 16-year-old girl to relocate to the tunnels.
“Sapir, I don’t want this,” the girl whimpered, petrified. “I don’t want to go to the tunnels.”
Sapir gave the girl a smile.
“Come on, we’re in Gaza! The tunnels are the number one attraction here. Obviously, we have to see them,” Sapir joked.
“Sapir, you are crazy,” the girl said with a laugh. “But I want to be like you.”
Many traumatic memories from her captivity stick out to Sapir: seeing the terrorists beat an 85-year-old man
— a hostage — so badly that he died a few days later; seeing other hostages starved, badly wounded, and suffering from untreated illnesses; and meeting the now-deceased Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, ym”sh
“As a hostage, you think every day about your family. You don’t know who’s alive and who’s killed,” she shares. She watched her captors have meals, while she had little to eat. And then there was, of course, the psychological torture: the terrorists toyed with her, getting her hopes up by falsely telling her she would be going home shortly. But through her 55 days in Gehennom, Sapir stayed optimistic and kept thanking Hashem.
“Every day, I said three things. The first was the perek of Tehillim. The second was, ‘Thank you, G-d, for sending me to this place, because I feel all the power You’ve given me, and I know how to use it to help the other hostages.’ And the last was, ‘Thank you, G-d, for all the angels that You’ve sent to protect me in this [Gehennom],’” Sapir shares. “And when I came back to Israel and I saw how many people prayed for me, and how many people decided to become better people because they believed that doing so would bring me back, I understood that all the angels that I felt — they weren’t imaginary.”
At the end of 2023, 55 days after the October 7 massacre, Sapir Cohen was released as part of a short-lived ceasefire deal. On her way back to Israel, it was, in her words, “like a dream.”
“All this time since October 7 has been unbelievable. I feel like it’s not reality. And when they brought me back to Israel, I saw many people in the streets. Many people came to our car, hugged our car, and said, ‘We were waiting for you.’ It was amazing,” Sapir recalls.
In February of 2025, after enduring 498 days of torture and starvation in Gaza, Sapir’s boyfriend, Sasha Trufanov, was freed. The two reunited. And last July, Sasha proposed to Sapir. Baruch Hashem, the couple is now engaged.
Since October 7, Sapir has changed in many ways. For one, she’s grown closer to Hashem. Her goals in life have shifted, too. And additionally, her personality has changed in some ways.
“Before October 7, I was very shy, and I couldn’t stand in front of an audience. But when I came back, I decided to speak, sometimes, in front of thousands of people. I go to many places; I talk especially to da’atim and charedim because I want them to feel connected to what’s happening in Israel. I know many of them don’t watch TV and don’t know everything that’s happened. So, it’s very important for me to connect all the Jewish people,” Sapir declares.
“I want to share with you a special moment from my captivity: One day, one of the terrorists called me to watch TV. And when I watched TV, I saw a lot of people in the hostage square. I saw a lot of people with the sign, ‘Bring them home now.’ Da’atim, chilonim , all of them. Thousands of people together,” she recalls. “And I was very excited to see them all together, because before October 7, I remember there was a lot of division in our nation. And what surprised me even more is that one of the terrorists said, ‘When the Jewish people are together like this, they are very strong.’
“And I believe that may have been the war’s real purpose all along: to bring the Jewish people together.”
This article is based on a podcast, “Inspiration For the Nation,” hosted by Yaakov Langer. To catch more of this conversation, you can watch it on LivingLchaim. com or YouTube.com/LivingLchaim or listen wherever you listen to podcasts (just search for “Inspiration For The Nation”) or call our free hotline: 605-477-2100
In The K tchen
Creamy White Soup
By Naomi Nachman
This is a delicious, quick, low-carb soup with basic, easy ingredients you may even find in your pantry or fridge already without having to run to the store.
I always have several cans of chickpeas in my pantry as well as a variety of frozen vegetables in my freezer to have on hand for roasting or throwing in soups.
Ingredients
◦ 2 large onions, diced
◦ 4 stalks of celery, diced
◦ 2 large zucchinis, diced
◦ 2 cans of chickpeas, drained
◦ 2 large bags of frozen cauliflower
◦ Broth or water
◦ Salt and pepper to taste
◦ Canola oil
Preparation
In a large soup pot, add two tablespoons of canola oil. Add the onions, and sauté until translucent with a teaspoon of salt. Add in the celery until it begins to sweat. Add in remaining ingredients.
Add broth to the soup. Make sure when adding the broth you add only until an inch below the top of the vegetable line to make sure the soup is not too watery Bring to a boil, then lower to simmer for an hour.
Using an immersion blender, blend the soup really well.
Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
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5:00 Chabad BA pre ss CZE, Golf Manor
Schedules change seasonally, so look for updates in every issue. Minyan times were accurate at press time. If in doubt, please contact each organization for the most accurate information.
Schedules change seasonally, so look for updates in every issue. Minyan times were accurate at press time. If in doubt, please contact each mosad Please send corrections to creative@raubvogel.us
Schedules change seasonally, so look for updates in every issue. Minyan times were accurate at press time. If in doubt, please contact each organization for the most accurate information.
Friday Min2:15 Kollel
Mesivta / Sha’arei Torah
The Shul CHABAD
S Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Shabbos Legal holiday rosh ch . (M-F)
S Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Shabbos Legal holiday rosh ch . (M-F)
Sunday before p’lag** before sunset Mincha gedola, 8 2:15 before sunset***
Weekdays before p’lag** 2:12 before sunset 2:35, 6 4:00 before sunset*** Friday before p’lag** before p’lag & sunset before p’lag* before sunset***
9:05 YLC / 9:20 YGL /
Sundays Holidays
7:30 CZE 7:30
7:45 Mesivta / 7:45
8:00 CHDS / Golf Manor Sha’arei Torah 8:00 8:00
Variable (minutes before ss) varies Mesivta /
Shabbos 40 min. before sunset 5:00, 6:20 40 min. before sunset 90 min. before sunset 7:25 30 min. before sunset
Sunday before p’lag** before sunset Mincha gedola, 8 2:15 before sunset*** Weekdays before p’lag** 2:12 before sunset 2:35, 6 4:00 before sunset*** Friday before p’lag** before p’lag & sunset before p’lag* before sunset*** Shabbos 40 min. before sunset 5:00, 6:20 40 min. before sunset 90 min. before sunset 7:25 30 min. before sunset
Ma’ariv S–W Thurs
3:47 OTC / 3:50 Mesivta / 5:05 YLC / M & M pre ss CZE Golf Manor Sha’arei Torah
6:45 Mesivta / , YGL / 8:00 CZE
40 Golf Manor Sha’arei Torah
30 Chabad BA, CZE
The Shul CHABAD
Golf Manor cZE Kollel Mesivta Sha’arei Torah Sunday after p’lag** after sunset 9:45, 10 at Kollel—9after sunset*** Mon.–Wed. after p’lag** after sunset 9:45, 10 M & W at Kollel—9after sunset*** Thursday after p’lag** after sunset10:00 (× 2) at Mesivta—9after sunset***
Variable (minutes after ss)
Golf Manor cZE Kollel Mesivta Sha’arei Torah Sunday after p’lag** after sunset 9:45, 10 at Kollel—9after sunset*** Mon.–Wed. after p’lag** after sunset 9:45, 10 M & W at Kollel—9after sunset*** Thursday after p’lag** after sunset10:00 (× 2) at Mesivta—9after sunset***
8:15 Kollel 7:20
8:30 CZE, Chabad BA OTC / 8:30
8:35 YLC / 8:45 Kollel (trailer) ‡ 9:00 CZE
Ma’ariv
30 Sha’arei Torah
37 CZE
40 Golf Manor
Motzo’ei Shabbos (min. after sunset) 35 37 and 55 50 30 * on alternating weeks—see Mesivta scheduling ** changes to before/after sunset after Sukkos *** effective September 5
Motzo’ei Shabbos (min. after sunset) 35 37 and 55 50 30 * on alternating weeks—see Mesivta scheduling ** changes to before/after sunset after Sukkos *** effective September 5
First Tallis & Tefillin (60 min.) Sunrise Last Sh’ma (Gr”a) Last T’fila (Gr”a) ch atzos Mincha Gedola P’lag haMincha Sunset ★★★ (50 min.)
First Tallis & Tefillin (60 min.) Sunrise Last Sh’ma (Gr”a) Last T’fila (Gr”a) ch atzos Mincha Gedola P’lag haMincha Sunset ★★★ (50 min.)
Sep 1 6:06:43 a 7:06:43 a 10:22:02 a 11:27:08 a 1:37:21 p 2:09:54 p 6:46:36 p 8:08:00 p 8:58:00 p
Sep 1 6:06:43 a 7:06:43 a 10:22:02 a 11:27:08 a 1:37:21 p 2:09:54 p 6:46:36 p 8:08:00 p 8:58:00 p
Sep 6 6:11:15 a 7:11:15 a 10:23:28 a 11:27:33 a 1:35:42 p 2:07:44 p 6:40:04 p 8:00:10 p 8:50:10 p
Sep 11 6:15:46 a 7:15:46 a 10:24:52 a 11:27:54 a 1:33:58 p 2:05:29 p 6:33:23 p 7:52:11 p 8:42:11 p
KEY: / when school is in session mg = Mincha Gedola later when sunrise is late—contact to confirm ss = sunset * Monday–Friday ‡ Tuesday only First T &T (60 min.) Sunrise Last Sh’ma (Gr”a) Last T’fila (Gr”a) Chatzos Mincha Gedola P’lag haMincha Sunset ★★★ (50 min.)
Sep 6 6:11:15 a 7:11:15 a 10:23:28 a 11:27:33 a 1:35:42 p 2:07:44 p 6:40:04 p 8:00:10 p 8:50:10 p
Sep 11 6:15:46 a 7:15:46 a 10:24:52 a 11:27:54 a 1:33:58 p 2:05:29 p 6:33:23 p 7:52:11 p 8:42:11 p
Sep 16 6:20:17 a 7:20:17 a 10:26:14 a 11:28:13 a 1:32:12 p 2:03:11 p 6:26:38 p 7:44:07 p 8:34:07 p
Dec 6 6:43:11 a 7:43:11 a 10:06:04 a 10:53:42 a 12:28:57 p 12:58:57 p 4:15:11 p 5:14:44 p 6:04:44 p
Sep 21
Sep 16 6:20:17 a 7:20:17 a 10:26:14 a 11:28:13 a 1:32:12 p 2:03:11 p 6:26:38 p 7:44:07 p 8:34:07 p
6:24:50 a 7:24:50 a 10:27:37 a 11:28:33 a 1:30:25 p 2:00:52 p 6:19:50 p 7:36:00 p 8:26:00 p
Dec 11 6:47:22 a 7:47:22 a 10:09:17 a 10:56:36 a 12:31:13 p 1:01:13 p 4:15:55 p 5:15:04 p 6:05:04 p
Sep 21 6:24:50 a 7:24:50 a 10:27:37 a 11:28:33 a 1:30:25 p 2:00:52 p 6:19:50 p 7:36:00 p 8:26:00 p
Sep 26 6:29:27 a 7:29:27 a 10:29:04 a 11:28:56 a 1:28:41 p 1:58:41 p 6:13:05 p 7:27:56 p 8:17:56 p
Dec 16 6:50:56 a 7:50:56 a 10:12:16 a 10:59:23 a 12:33:37 p 1:03:37 p 4:17:25 p 5:16:19 p 6:06:19 p
Sep 26 6:29:27 a 7:29:27 a 10:29:04 a 11:28:56 a 1:28:41 p 1:58:41 p 6:13:05 p 7:27:56 p 8:17:56 p
Oct 1 6:34:08 a 7:34:08 a 10:30:35 a 11:29:24 a 1:27:02 p 1:57:02 p 6:06:25 p 7:19:57 p 8:09:57 p
Dec 21 6:53:49 a 7:53:49 a 10:14:58 a 11:02:01 a 12:36:07 p 1:06:07 p 4:19:37 p 5:18:26 p 6:08:26 p
Oct 6 6:38:55 a 7:38:55 a 10:32:13 a 11:29:59 a 1:25:31 p 1:55:31 p 5:59:54 p 7:12:07 p 8:02:07 p
Oct 1 6:34:08 a 7:34:08 a 10:30:35 a 11:29:24 a 1:27:02 p 1:57:02 p 6:06:25 p 7:19:57 p 8:09:57 p Oct 6 6:38:55 a 7:38:55 a 10:32:13 a 11:29:59 a 1:25:31 p 1:55:31 p 5:59:54 p 7:12:07 p 8:02:07 p
Dec 26 6:55:55 a 7:55:55 a 10:17:16 a 11:04:24 a 12:38:38 p 1:08:38 p 4:22:27 p 5:21:22 p 6:11:22 p
Oct 11 6:43:49 a 7:43:49 a 10:33:59 a 11:30:43 a 1:24:10 p 1:54:10 p 5:53:36 p 7:04:31 p 7:54:31 p
Oct 11 6:43:49 a 7:43:49 a 10:33:59 a 11:30:43 a 1:24:10 p 1:54:10 p 5:53:36 p 7:04:31 p 7:54:31 p
Dec 31 6:57:11 a 7:57:11 a 10:19:08 a 11:06:27 a 12:41:06 p 1:11:06 p 4:25:52 p 5:25:01 p 6:15:01 p
Oct 16 6:48:51 a 7:48:51 a 10:35:56 a 11:31:37 a 1:23:01 p 1:53:01 p 5:47:33 p 6:57:11 p 7:47:11 p
Oct 16 6:48:51 a 7:48:51 a 10:35:56 a 11:31:37 a 1:23:01 p 1:53:01 p 5:47:33 p 6:57:11 p 7:47:11 p
Jan 1 6:57:17 a 7:57:17 a 10:19:24 a 11:06:46 a 12:41:31 p 1:11:31 p 4:26:32 p 5:25:45 p 6:15:45 p
Oct 21 6:54:01 a 7:54:01 a 10:38:04 a 11:32:45 a 1:22:07 p 1:52:07 p 5:41:51 p 6:50:13 p 7:40:13 p
Oct 21 6:54:01 a 7:54:01 a 10:38:04 a 11:32:45 a 1:22:07 p 1:52:07 p 5:41:51 p 6:50:13 p 7:40:13 p
Jan 6 6:57:29 a 7:57:29 a 10:20:39 a 11:08:22 a 12:43:49 p 1:13:49 p 4:30:29 p 5:30:09 p 6:20:09 p
Oct 26 6:59:20 a 7:59:20 a 10:40:25 a 11:34:06 a 1:21:30 p 1:51:30 p 5:36:32 p 6:43:40 p 7:33:40 p
Oct 26 6:59:20 a 7:59:20 a 10:40:25 a 11:34:06 a 1:21:30 p 1:51:30 p 5:36:32 p 6:43:40 p 7:33:40 p
Jan 11 6:56:47 a 7:56:47 a 10:21:21 a 11:09:32 a 12:45:55 p 1:15:55 p 4:34:48 p 5:35:03 p 6:25:03 p
Nov 1 7:05:52 a 8:05:52 a 10:43:31 a 11:36:04 a 1:21:10 p 1:51:10 p 5:30:46 p 6:36:28 p 7:26:28 p
Nov 1 7:05:52 a 8:05:52 a 10:43:31 a 11:36:04 a 1:21:10 p 1:51:10 p 5:30:46 p 6:36:28 p 7:26:28 p
Jan 16 6:55:10 a 7:55:10 a 10:21:27 a 11:10:13 a 12:47:45 p 1:17:45 p 4:39:23 p 5:40:21 p 6:30:21 p
Nov 6 7:11:24 a 8:11:24 a 10:46:19 a 11:37:58 a 1:21:15 p 1:51:15 p 5:26:32 p 6:31:06 p 7:21:06 p
Nov 6 7:11:24 a 8:11:24 a 10:46:19 a 11:37:58 a 1:21:15 p 1:51:15 p 5:26:32 p 6:31:06 p 7:21:06 p
Jan 21 6:52:43 a 7:52:43 a 10:21:01 a 11:10:27 a 12:49:19 p 1:19:19 p 4:44:07 p 5:45:55 p 6:35:55 p
Jan 26 6:49:26 a 7:49:26 a 10:19:59 a 11:10:10 a 12:50:33 p 1:20:33 p 4:48:56 p 5:51:40 p 6:41:40 p
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Halachic times calculated by Eli Reidler, based on the coordinates of Meadow Ridge Lane.
Halachic times calculated by Eli Reidler, based on the coordinates of Meadow Ridge Lane.
Sunrise and sunset times calculated by Eli Reidler, based on the coordinates of the frum community.
