There’s an old line—”You can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” I used to think it was just a tired cliche. Like a folksy way of saying “People gotta want it themselves.” Made sense but didn’t think much of it. But then this song came along—this chaotic, catchy, questionable song—and opened my eyes.
Because apparently... you can make a horse drink. You just gotta bring him to a farbrengen.
Let’s start with the facts. The song is a catchy mix of pesukim, rhyme schemes, and high-octane TYH energy. It’s got Pharaoh’s horse drowning, the Seudas Livyasan, and a suspicious number of Yum Yums. It shouldn’t work—but it does. And right in the middle of it all is the ultimate chiddush: “You can bring a horse to a Farbrengen, and you can also make him drink.”
Let that simmer a minute.
The line hits like a shtickel musar with a side of mashkeh. It rewrites the rules. It laughs in the face of passive resignation. No longer are we shackled to the idea that people can only be inspired if they decide to be. No longer are we helpless teachers and frustrated parents waiting on people to want to change. No, my friends—we’re farbrengin’ now. And when you Farbreng right, that horse drinks.
Hard.
It gets better. Not only can you make him drink, you can also make him sing. Yes, that same stubborn four-legged creature who wouldn’t sip water is now belting out “Fishy Swishy Yum Yum Yum.” That’s not just an act—that’s a full hearted teshuva.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to pooh pooh the idea. I’m here to ask: What if the song is right? What if the only reason we think we can’t “make the horse drink” is because we’ve been trying with water—and not with mashkeh, niggunim, and the raw electricity of a emotional connection to the Aibeshter?
We’ve accepted too many limitations in the name of “you can’t force someone.” But maybe it’s not about force. Maybe it’s about context. You bring someone to a sterile intellectual lecture—sure, they’ll tune out. You bring them to a real Farbrengen? A hartzig, lechaim-fueled, tears-andlaughter, souls-on-fire gathering where people actually talk about truth, about struggle, about the Ribbono Shel Olam who never gave up on us even when we did? Suddenly, that horse is crying tears of dveikus and singing “Seudas HaLivyasan” in perfect pitch.
The takeaway is simple: People are never as unchangeable as we think. If your chinuch, your conversation, your dvar Torah, your relationship is just water—don’t be surprised if the other side walks away thirsty. But turn it into a farbrengen—something real, vulnerable, infused with joy and fire—and you might just find that even the most reluctant horses start clinking.
So next time someone says “You can’t make him drink,” just smile and say, “You ever try a farbrengen?”
Clink clink.
grins, Berish
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
Kollel joins Adirei Torah in Philadelphia
A Glimpse of Mesivta of Cincinnati
Yom Yerushalayim Celebration at Shaarei Torah
Harav Yaakov Bender visits the Cincinnati community
Cincinnati had the tremendous zechus of hosting Harav Yaakov Bender, shlit”a, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, for a packed and inspiring day.
From the moment he landed in the morning, Rav Bender immersed himself in uplifting the community. His first stop was CHDS, where he delivered three heartfelt talks to groups of students from both CHDS and Ohr Torah who had gathered for the special occasion.
He then joined a group of ba’alei batim for lunch
at Communicare, followed by a visit to the Mesivta of Cincinnati, where he interacted with the bochurim and staff. The day continued with a meaningful visit to Atara Girls High School and then to the Cincinnati Community Kollel.
The highlight of the day was the evening event at Congregation Zichron Eliezer (CZE), where Rav Bender addressed the broader community with his trademark warmth, clarity, and passion. Following his speech, he participated in a fascinating Q&A session moderated by Rabbi Avrohom Weinrib.
Later that night, a special closed-door gathering was held for mechanchim and mechanchos of the city. Rav Bender answered pressing chinuch-related questions with insight and depth, leaving the audience inspired and empowered.
Rav Bender left Cincinnati deeply moved by what he experienced — the beautiful children, the warmth of the community, and the incredible atmosphere of achdus and growth. He continues to speak with admiration about the unforgettable impression the Cincinnati community made on him.
Zichron Eliezer’s Annual Event
On Sunday, June 15th, around 175 men and women came together at the Communicare Building for the CZE Annual Event to celebrate a year of continued growth as “One Family Growing Together”.
The evening started off with everyone socializing and choosing prizes for the chinese auction followed by a deluxe meal prepared by Rabbi Lazer Fischer.
Honorees included Chief Wallace of the Amberly Village Police Department, Eli Polsky, Yisroel Meir Heiman and Yair Kugel, for their work and dedication the Shul.
A video presentation was then shown highlighting three new programs that have started in CZE this past year; Dor L’dor, a new program for seniors, the Toraso Umnaso learning program with Rabbi Marchuck, and the new Youth Center at CZE which was dedicated by Mendel and Esther Rosenberg.
Rabbi Raffie Zuroff then entertained the crowd in his masterful way, while picking the winners of the chinese auction, which included a Sheitel, a Photoshoot and many more fun packages!
To close the event, winners were chosen for the recent Shavous Mishnayos Boys Learning Program sponsored by the Rosedale and Wilheim families. Over the course of Shavous, nearly 60 boys learned 445 perakim of Mishnayos, 81 Perakim of Chumash and 337 Amudim of Gemora. Three winners were chosen who won an electric scooter, a set of Dirshu Mishna Berura and an Evolution Basketball. Around the Community
Toraso B’Umnaso learning with Rabbi Yaakov Marchuk
Masmidei Layla ends of an amazing year!
CZE Lag BaOmer BBQ and Concert with Eitan Katz
Around the Community
CHDS Middle School Update
As the school year comes to a close, Cincinnati Hebrew Day School students are wrapping up a season filled with growth, creativity, and spirit. Classrooms are starting to empty, but the memories are still fresh.
The 8th grade capped off their time at CHDS with a spirited trip to Hocking Hills, a tradition that offered both bonding and reflection. The girls also
enjoyed a special graduation getaway, celebrating their accomplishments with laughter and hikes. Meanwhile, younger students made their own memorable moments—Second Grade took a behind-thescenes tour of Marx Bagels and marked their siyum with a joyful Slurpee run.
Early Childhood students had their own big excitement with the Truck Fair, welcoming local vehi-
cles, tours, and hands-on fun that made the parking lot come alive. And across grades, sidewalk chalk turned into a “museum-style” installation, showcasing student creativity on full display.
As the school says goodbye to another meaningful year, it does so with pride in all that’s been learned—and excitement for what’s ahead.
Around the Community
Ohr Torah End of Year Programs
Around the Community
GMS Hosts Rabbi Moshe Don Kestenbaum
On Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, GMS hosted Rabbi Moshe Don Kestenbaum as a special guest speaker for Shabbos. Before Shabbos began Rabbi Kestenbaum was busy speaking to the children of Cincinnati, older boys,
older girls, and younger grades as well. Rabbi Kestenbaum is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedola Ohr Yitzchak in Passaic, NJ. He is also the author of multiple seforim, including the sefer Olam HaMiddos. GMS embraced the sefer Olam HaMiddos shortly
after the Yomim Noraim when they launched their new WhatsApp learning group Mussar Minute. It was a very great zechus to host Rabbi Kestenbaum and get to meet the author of Olam HaMiddos in person.
Rabbi Chanina Geisler of Kollel Bnei Hayishivos in Houston visits Cincinnati
Around the Community
Chabad Helped Me Connect With a Strong Jewish Community on Campus
By Caleb Strull ‘25
Hi, my name is Caleb Strull. I’m from Long Island, New York. Growing up, many people in my neighborhood — and many of my friends — were Jewish. I loved summer camps. Holidays with family were always something to look forward to.
When it came time for college, I wanted a change from the busy pace of New York, so I chose Miami. I had heard great things about the school and was excited to pursue my education in the Midwest.
Miami has been wonderful — exactly what I needed. I joined the Sammy fraternity and made many friends. At first, joining a Jewish community on campus wasn’t a priority for me. After all, I came to college to study and have fun.
But that all changed when I met Chabad. Rabbi Yossi and Mushka Greenberg created an atmosphere where being Jewish on campus feels like an essential
part of the college experience — not something to miss. From the Shabbat dinners to the Purim parties, Judaism came alive.
Participating in Chabad was one of the most meaningful things I’ve done in college. I always felt connected to Judaism, but more in a cultural sense than a spiritual or intellectual one. Chabad helped me dig deeper into what it means to be a Jewish adult.
My senior year, I also participated in Sinai Scholars. That experience helped me connect with Judaism on a deeper level — not just through tradition, but through values, history, and thoughtful discussion. I was especially inspired by how Judaism encourages us to ask questions and seek purpose. That mindset empowered me in my faith. I wasn’t just learning what to believe — I was discovering how Judaism could guide me through life with intention and meaning.
Yom Yerushalayim at GMS
GMS offered a very meaningful Yom Yerushalayim program this year. Reb Shmuel Plotsker made all the arrangements and served as MC offering historical back-
ground and meaning to the event. Rabbi Noach Kunin, Head of School of Ohr Torah Cincinnati, shared a fascinating analysis of the pesukim related to the name Yerushalayim. Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi, GMS’
Learning about the deeper reasons behind Shabbat, kosher, Mikvah, and our generational connection to the Jewish people made me feel part of something much bigger.
Chabad didn’t just make me feel more connected — it made me proud. Proud to speak up about being Jewish. Proud to stand with Israel, even when it’s not easy. Chabad reminded me that Judaism isn’t something to hide or keep quiet. It’s a way of life — something to be shared, celebrated, and defended.
Thanks to Chabad, I now feel confident expressing my beliefs and values, whether in class, with friends, or in public spaces. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this community, and I know I’ll carry what I’ve learned with me long after graduation.
Thank you to those who support Chabad for providing me and others with this gift on campus.
Ba’al Koreh, shared personal reflections and feelings of the special and holy nature of Yerushalayim.
Caleb baking challah with Sinai Scholars, and Caleb (left) at the Purim Party
...BUT NOBODY ASKED ME
A Stream of Consciousness
By Bubby Edelman
Finally! We have reached the end of the school year Boruch Hashem. Such an emotional time for the students, for the teachers, for the parents, and even for the grandparents. There is the anticipation of what lies ahead. The easing of scheduled responsibility. The mental and emotional sigh of relief. There is the catharsis of what we have just experienced this past year.
There was growth, magical moments, hardships, and relationship shifts.
Looking back over the years I can remember quite a bit of those Last Day of school emotions. It was a lifetime ago when I finished 12th grade of Bais Yaakov Baltimore. If I close my eyes, I can go back to that night, and tap in to the waves of excitement tempered with overall loss of all that was familiar, combined with the delicious anticipation of what lay ahead…
So many feelings…I can remember the white heels I bought especially for graduation night… The shoes are long gone, but what remains in my mind and heart is overwhelming gratitude to Bais Yaakov and its holy staff, and to my classmates who endured my quirkiness.
Down the years to the graduations of my own children… Boruch Hashem. All the milestones… the end of the school year brings those memories rushing back, along with the gratitude.
We are grateful for so many events this past year, at the same time as we are struck by painful losses… Hashem plucks the roses from His garden when it is time but for those of us left here – it is a missing part of us taken away. Many of the students and teachers in our Baltimore schools carry on admirably while under the weight of loss.
Overriding it all is always Eretz Yisroel and what goes on there. It is on my mind and heart. The hostages, the chayalim, the societal rifts, the families in great need, the injured, the overall yearning for Yeshua and unity.
As I’ve always concluded in these pages, it is a mixed bag we are en-
trusted with. One full of light swirled with darkness. The task at hand is to somehow overcome the painful parts and hold on to the light.
School is a wonderful base for teaching us that task. All the moving parts… and so many different ways to excel and to struggle. Teachers are our most critical activists/askanim in my opinion, with the ability to infuse us all with enthusiasm for learning, or G-d forbid dampen it. For a child to end the school year interested in further study – is to crown the year with success.
Summer beckons. Road trips, swimming, barbecues, camp. There will be simchas for many of our families G-d willing, shabbosos spent with grandparents and cousins G-d willing… it’s a time of hopefully enjoyable get togethers.
The Three Weeks has been a reality check in the past…a full stop in the midst of summer enjoyment that
tells us what is REAL. We continue to daven that this summer there will be a true geula… amen.
Beyond the summer months ELUL waits. Come close to Me my children. If we listen carefully, we can hear the call even now. I am waiting for you, my dear children. Come closer.
If I close my eyes, I can return to my own graduation night instantly. Those memories are clear, the feelings strong. I can also return to Yerushalayim this way - where we just spent a good deal of time in the month of Nissan. Leaving school at the end of the year is emotionally complex with both nostalgia and relief, but leaving Eretz Yisroel is like leaving behind a beloved family member. One just cannot wait to return.
Hashem created us wired for connection. Wired to feel. I’ve seen huge industries balloon in my lifetime succeeding on the basis of distraction from both. Escape. It’s easi-
er to escape than to deal with all of these feelings and people/family with THEIR feelings. When we are quiet with ourselves and our own thoughts we can tap into REALITY.
What has this past year taught us? What would we like the coming year to look like? How can we improve connection with ourselves, with each other, and with our Father?
Those relationships we are struggling to maintain and improve – those are the ones to really work on. The ‘other’ can be difficult to understand – each of us with our own approach… especially those closest to us (ironically).
Hashem has blessed us with many tools. May the coming summer be one of improvement and sharpening. Escape has its benefits, but being real is the ticket to eternity. We have so much power… great capacity… may we use it well and choose wisely.
ךלע ןרדה
Mazel tov to the thousands of Lomdei Oraysa across the globe upon completing Maseches Taanis! Mastering a masechta requires unwavering dedication and a steadfast commitment to הרות
— ideals which you have exemplified day after day, amud after amud. As we begin Maseches Moed Katan and the sugyos and halachos of דעומה
, we hope you continue to gain clarity and
from your journey through Shas, one amud at a time.
Parenting Pearls
The Parenting Pendulum
By Malkie Bobker, LMHC
Perspectives on parenting, oftentimes in alignment with general societal perspectives, tend to undergo extreme shifts – or pendulum swings – over the years. While evolving perspectives is a generally positive thing, extremes typically are not, because swinging all the way to one extreme by nature means that we are completely ignoring any perspective that the other extreme has to offer. I am sure it will not come as a surprise when I tell you that the healthiest approach in almost every aspect of life is a balanced one. How to achieve a balance in our parenting, though, is no easy feat.
Diana Baumrind named three parenting approaches: authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive. A fourth approach – uninvolved/neglectful – was later added, but for the purposes of this article, we will explore the first three. Each approach is distinguished by its levels of responsiveness and demandingness. While each set of parents tends toward an approach they connect with, societal trends can play an important role in influencing where parents fall on this spectrum.
An Authoritarian Approach
An authoritarian approach is characterized by a high level of demandingness and a low level of responsiveness – an “It’s my way or the highway” way of thinking. It is almost exclusively parent-driven, without collaboration with the children. Boundaries and rules are strict and rigid and do not take into account a child’s emotional or behavioral needs.
The benefit of authoritarian parenting is that it establishes very clear lines between parent and child. Parental authority is established, home-life is structured and orderly, and it creates a template for children to respect authority and rules out of the house. That being said, there are some definite downsides. If we do not take children’s emotional and behavioral needs into account, then
we are essentially ignoring crucial aspects of what makes each of our children unique. For example, what works for Child A may not work for Child B, but there is not much room for flexibility in an authoritarian approach which means that Child B will suffer. Furthermore, boundaries and rules that are too rigid tend to backfire because it increases the likelihood of the children rebelling in a big way, and the whole approach can spark an unbalanced fear of the parent.
This style is considered by many to be “old-fashioned” and “outdated” and was far more popular at a time when paying attention to emotional wellbeing was not a priority and pre-dated a more modern understanding of trauma and the effects of childhood experience on later adult life. It should therefore come as no surprise that the pendulum swung to its polar opposite approach – a permissive style – as those understandings started to grow and shift.
Permissive Parenting
Permissive parenting is characterized by a low level of demandingness and a high level of responsiveness. It
is child-driven, there are few limits if any, and rules are either not enforced or enforced inconsistently. Permissive parents tend to abdicate their parental authority for the sake of relationship. Meaning, they are looking to be friends with their children, and they avoid conflict and discipline because they do not want it to interfere with their friendship. They prioritize warmth and perceive themselves as placing a high value on their children’s emotional needs.
The benefit of this is that the importance of a positive parent-child relationship is not to be overstated, and this approach champions a warm and loving style. Because rules are much looser, children may be given more freedom and independence and perhaps feel more comfortable with various forms of self-expression.
On the flipside, a lack of structure and boundaries create chaos and instability. Think about it: the relationships and situations that we as adults feel most secure in are the ones in which we have consistently experienced some measure of predictability and our various needs being met. How much more so then for children, who are learning
about the world around them? Most children need some routine, clear expectations, and consistent boundaries. Furthermore, permissive parents tend to try to remove all adversity from their child’s life so that they have an easy, happy life. Unfortunately, some adversity (in measured doses) is necessary for building grit and resilience (another topic for another article, perhaps).
A permissive parenting approach has grown in popularity as society itself has leaned toward increasing permissiveness, as well as an increased awareness of emotions and their importance. As time goes on, some are starting to witness some of the pitfalls of this method of parenting and are calling for a return to toughness. And the pendulum swings once more. Before we do that, though, we might want to look at what might have paved the way for permissiveness to become so prevalent and popular in the first place.
Many who grew up in a more authoritarian household struggled with feeling like their emotional needs were not met. They were not provided with a language to name their feelings, nor the space to express them. The difficulty with that experience is that our emotions are very much a part of who we are – when appropriate space is not provided to name or express them, children feel like an important part of them has been ignored or rejected. When adults come to terms with this piece of their childhood, they often take the complete opposite approach with their own children. They want their children to have it better than they did – after all, don’t we all want better for our children? The challenge, of course, is that going from one extreme to the other does not allow space for any potential strengths there were to offer, and it is just as unbalanced as the previous way of thinking.
Authoritative Style
An authoritative style offers a more balanced approach, seeking to combine
the strengths of both authoritarian and permissive parenting. It has both a high level of demandingness and responsiveness and champions a combination of warmth with clear boundaries and expectations. It places a high priority on the parent-child relationship, without abdicating parental authority. Authoritative parents are looking to foster independence, self-expression, and emotional wellbeing while also maintaining structure, routine, and developmentally appropriate standards.
While authoritative parenting promises the best of both worlds, living it is not as simple. This style requires self-awareness, a keen understanding of each child’s needs, insight, and discernment, particularly when faced with situations in which you need to decide whether it is best to be flexible or to hold steadfastly to your rules.
Let us look at two big advantages to this parenting style:
Boundaries and Independence –Every developmental milestone creates some measure of independence for a child, until they eventually reach adulthood. Children need to feel comfortable exploring the world around them and
are looking to develop a sense of autonomy. However, they are not actually looking to be in charge, no matter how much it might seem that way. It would actually be frightening to children to be given the reins in an absolute way. The children who feel the safest to explore are the ones who are given space but also know that the adults around them are going to hold the line and not allow
of and are responsive to others’ needs. A baby, for example, is dependent on attunement by caregivers. Their parents need to recognize cries for hunger, sleep, or the need for a change in order to meet that need. As our children get older, attunement might look like understanding when our child needs space versus a hug; needs a solution to a problem versus validation; needs to go
Most children need some routine, clear expectations, and consistent boundaries.
things to devolve into chaos. Healthy boundaries foster healthy independence.
Attunement – From birth through adulthood, we are all looking for the people in our lives to predictably and consistently meet our various physical and emotional needs. Attunement is the process by which we become aware
to sleep on time versus staying up late for an event; or when to enforce a rule versus being more flexible, etc. When children experience consistent and predictable attunement, it builds trust and creates stability. The priority that an authoritative style places on emotional wellbeing, while also ensuring that the home is not chaotic, allows for consis -
tent attunement between parent and child, thereby establishing a foundation for a strong parental relationship. It is important to remember that these styles all exist on a spectrum. While one seems to be ideal, the same style of parenting will likely look differently in each household. Some parents who practice an authoritative style might be stricter, while others might be more permissive. Where parents fall on the spectrum oftentimes comes down to personality and one’s own upbringing. The key here is to remember that even though parenting in an extreme might seem simpler – and we might not even realize that we are doing it –parenting with balance will ultimately set the stage for our children to grow into healthy, competent, and happy adults.
Malkie Bobker is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a private psychotherapy practice in Cedarhurst, NY. She works with adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, social skills, life transitions, and parenting. She can be reached at malkiebobker@gmail.com or (516) 946-9601.
MILES WITH SMILES
World Trip Notes Part IV
By Zalmy Reisman
In our last column, we left off having departed China on a flight to Hong Kong where we would catch our connecting flight to Thailand. It was a short three-hour flight to Hong Kong and the service even in economy class on Cathay Pacific was solid.
We landed in Hong Kong, and because we were on a connecting flight, we just had to go through security without an immigration check. Before we went through security, I pulled my kids over to the side and shared a little surprise about our next flight.
Some background to this: the truth is, we could’ve taken a flight directly from Beijing to Bangkok, Thailand, however, I chose to fly to Hong Kong and catch a connecting flight there. The reason for doing this was that Emirates flies a special route from Hong Kong to Bangkok on their double decker plane, the A380. This plane has first class on it, which includes the ability to take a shower onboard the plane (otherwise known as shower class). I knew my kids would be super excited to fly emirates first class so I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to fly Emirates so they can experience everything that is Emirates first class.
For those curious about how I brought my tickets, there was no availability for first class on this flight using miles. Instead, I brought a cash ticket using my American Express points and was able to get a 35% rebate from AMEX. All in all, it cost about 60,000 points per passenger. This was a little more expensive than what I would usually pay for a 2 1/2-hour flight, but given the uniqueness of the flight and experience, I
felt it was well worth it.
Back to Hong Kong: After surprising my kids and getting them very excited, we went through security and headed off to the lounge. Emirates has its own dedicated lounge in Hong Kong, however being that Hong Kong is not Emirates’s base the lounge was nothing special. Because I had booked the flight to Hong Kong as a separate ticket from the Emirates flight we had about a 2 1/2 hour stop over, so we took advantage of the lounge and hung out there for a while.
From checking the flight beforehand, I knew that every first class was occupied, which meant that in order for us to get the full experience of Emirates first class, we needed to be one of the first ones on board.
The idea was this: the flight was only 2.5 hours long, and because the first class cabin was fully occupied that meant that there would be stiff competition for the showers on the plane. We left the lounge and got to the gate about 20 minutes before boarding was supposed to begin to make sure that we were one of the first ones on board the plane.
A quick word about Emirates first class: in the world today, the idea of first class, and even more so treating passengers flying in first or business class differently than passengers in economy, is slowly becoming a relic. Particularly in America with the focus on income equality, there is a strong feeling that people flying business class shouldn’t be treated inherently differently than people flying economy. Thankfully, on airlines like Emirates the idea of first
class and first-class treatment is well and alive.
When we showed up to the gate, I informed the staff working the gate that we were flying in first class, and that we wanted to be one of the first ones on board the plane. The staff were very attentive and thanked us for flying first class. They then lined us up right next to their desk. As promised, the second boarding began we were the first ones to board the flight.
We boarded the plane through the second deck, and were warmly welcomed by the flight attendants. One of the flight attendants escorted us to our seats and showed us where to store our luggage. She then went over the functions of our seat, and how to move it. With that out of the way, I had some things to cover with the flight attendant. First off, I told the flight attendant that we would like to reserve showers for each of us. She marked us down and told us that we would be the first ones in line for the showers after takeoff. Next up, I confirmed that we had ordered kosher food, and they presented the meals to us to make sure that everything looked OK. After that, our flight attendant came back with amenity kits for each of us, as well as pajamas. Even though it was a short flight, pajamas are still provided and they are very comfortable and sought after. We primarily got our pajamas so we can save them for after our trip and we still use them regularly today.
As all this was going on, more first class passengers were boarding the plane and being shown to their seats. With people boarding,
the flight attendants giving out PJ’s and amenity kits, asking people who didn’t order meals what they wanted to eat after takeoff etc. the cabin was pretty busy.
Later on in the boarding process, I overheard a conversation that validated my decision to be one of the first passengers on board the plane. The person sitting behind me had boarded somewhat late, and he asked the flight attendant to reserve a time for him to shower. The flight attendant apologized, and told him there were no more spots left – since every seat was taken and other people had requested showers, there was no more room for him. He was not happy, and asked for the purser (the head flight attendant). I overheard him telling the purser that because he was flying first class, he expected to take a shower, and the staff should figure out how to make it happen. The purser told him they would do their best to work it out. I think in the end he was able to get a shower in, but I was just glad we had played it safe and arrived onboard early. I was also glad I had the presence of mind to make a shower reservation when we boarded the plane in the first place.
In our next column, we’ll discuss what it was like showering on board, the other fun things Emirates has, and landing in Thailand.
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
In The K tchen
Summer Chicken Salad
By Naomi Nachman
I recently was asked to create a recipe using this new mayonnaise by Melmons Foods that was coming out. I happen to love mayo and use it in everything from sandwiches, dips, and salad dressing. Seeing summer is upon us and we are looking to eat lighter dinners, I thought I would make a chicken salad with the rich and creamy canola and avocado oil mayonnaise. It is also great for a Shabbat lunch salad, and if you already have cooked chicken from the chicken soup, save it for this and then you don’t have to grill extra chicken for the recipe.
◦ 6 cups romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
◦ 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Preparation
1. Prepare the chicken: Combine chicken, oil, garlic and soy sauce in a Ziplock bag; marinate in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
2. Heat a grill pan over a high flame. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside to cool completely.
3. Prepare the dressing: Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.
4. Assemble the salad: Add lettuce and tomatoes to a large bowl. Cut chicken into cubes and add to bowl.
5. Add dressing just before serving; toss to combine.
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.
Rebbetzin Shoshana Perr
Master Mechaneches: Learning, Teaching and Leading with Flair
By Mi Ria M LieBeRM ann
With the school year soon coming to a close, and the summer camp season approaching so swiftly, now is the perfect time to focus on our beloved friend and neighbor, mentor and teacher, Rebbetzin Shoshana Perr.
Rebbetzin Perr’s career as a teacher and as the director of Camp Bnos has spanned five decades. There is much to glean from this ace mechaneches. We have a veritable treasure in our midst!
Rebbetzin Shoshana Perr is a bridge between two worlds, spanning the generation of pre-war Europe and our contemporary world. A great-granddaughter of the Alter of Navardok, she represents the dignity, religious fervor, dynamic presence and intellect of that earlier world. She was the devoted eishes chayil of Rav Yechiel Perr, zt”l, whose recent loss is mourned by his family, his many devoted talmidim, and the greater Jewish community. As a super creative, passionate, motivated individual, and a superb mechaneche s, Rebbetzin Perr has had a huge impact upon thousands, ever since arriving on these shores, 80 years ago.
Rebbetzin Perr shares the following:
My father, Rav Yehuda Leib Nekritz, zt”l, the most influential person in my life, was among those who refused Russian citizenship and consequently was shipped off to Siberia. Although only my father had been officially exiled, my dear mother, Rebbetzin Menucha Ettel, exhibiting incredible fortitude and courage, insisted on accompanying him together with my sister and myself, aged 6 and 3 at the time. In retrospect, being exiled to Siberia was an incredible instance of hashgacha pratis. After the war, my father was even-
tually permitted to leave Russia because he was still a Polish citizen. Those who had become Russian citizens were forbidden to leave. And of course, many of those who stayed in war-torn Europe were tragically killed.
We spent five years in the most difficult area in Siberia, afterwards, two more years in a slightly more hospitable environment. There is a family legend that has been passed down through the generations. My father had gone out, desperate to find food for his starving family. He was feeling dejected. Making his way down the muddy path, he encountered Ivan, who was known to be brutal and even violent at times. Encountering my father, Rav Nekritz, he yelled at him, “Nekritz!! Why is your head down? Don’t you know that the same G-d who took your people out of Egypt will take you out of Siberia? I’ll be here forever. But not you!”
After that chance encounter, we would ask my father, “Poppy, was that man Eliyahu Hanavi?”
His response, “Those who know don’t tell. Those who tell don’t know.”
That meeting, however, did lift his spirits and encourage him to persevere.
To this day, when our children are facing a challenge in life, they will comment to me, “Mommy, that was my Siberia.” This stay in Siberia became a frame of reference for our children and grandchildren, too.
There is a sefer entitled Lev Ari, published decades later, which recounts the saga of those years, written by my brother, Rav Daniel Nekritz. This sefer includes the shmuesen of my father who had been a gifted writer, which were full of divrei Chazal that provided much needed encouragement, along with details from interviews with those who had been in Siberia, and passages from a diary kept by Yankel Pasternak, one of my father’s devoted talmidim.
Finally, in 1945, we were able B”H to leave Siberia. We traveled through Poland and Czechoslovakia, spending two years in France, where the surviving yeshivos had gathered in a hamlet called Bahi, and then on to America. However, the authorities did not allow my beloved father, Rav Nekritz, to enter America, as he had contracted tuberculosis.
The following image is seared in my mind. Before we boarded the boat for America, leaving my adored father behind, he gave me a doll, the first real doll I had ever held in my arms. As I walked up the gangplank, I embraced the doll. I then turned to wave goodbye. As I did so, my cherished doll fell into the waters, never to be seen again. The pain of separating from my father was immense. It was as if I had fallen into the water myself. I had become my doll. My father had been my lifeline. Leaving without him was unbearable. Would I ever see my beloved father again?
It’s interesting to note: dolls did play a role in my life during my Camp Bnos years. Each summer, there would be a designated doll for the season. I would dress it according to the summer’s theme. This doll, introduced during the first Shabbos in camp, was eagerly greeted by the campers! These dolls, close to 30 in total, were very precious to me, perhaps helping me heal from my earlier childhood trauma.
Although we certainly had no toys in Siberia, my
Tolder sister would conjure up toys and dolls in her mind and share her vision with me. She had played with real toys before leaving for Siberia and could still picture them in her mind’s eye. We would thus have imaginary items to play with!
My father, Rav Yehuda Leib Nekritz, eventually arrived, B”H, three years later, via Canada, to join our family.
I did not attend school until arriving in America, seven years old at the time. Not speaking a word of English, but so eager to learn, I soaked it all up and was soon able to communicate properly without even a trace of an accent.
Rebbetzin Perr attended Bais Yaakov in Boro Park, where she received a silver medal, and later attended Bais Yaakov High School in Williamsburg, graduating as valedictorian. Her passion to learn has never waned. That passion for learning was soon expanded on by the passion to teach!
Rebbetzin Perr shares memories of her teaching career.
I taught third grade in Boro Park for many years initially, then sixth grade, and then taught high school and seminary students as well as adults. In fact, while sitting shiva recently for my dear husband, a woman came by cab to the shiva from Williamsburg. She identified herself as a former third grade student.
o appreciate Rebbetzin Perr’s huge impact upon those within her orbit and beyond, it is advantageous to hear their voices. Many discuss her role as a mechaneches. Others talk about her role within Camp Bnos.
Whilst many of us are not formal teachers, we are all educators to some extent. In “Ahava Rabbah,” which we daven each morning, we ask Hashem to bestow upon us the binah “lilmod u’lelamed,” in order to learn and to teach. We are all perpetual students and perpetual teachers, impacting upon those around us, young and old. To enhance our roles, it will be most beneficial to glean from this master mechaneches.
Rebbetzin Tzurtie Braunstein
I had been in camp with Rebbetzin Shonnie many years ago, Camp Eagle Point and then Camp Bnos. I had always admired her. I was a bit younger than her, so our paths did not really cross much those years. But then, Reb Shonnie moved to Far Rockaway, and we became close friends.
We were very much involved in each other’s lives and shared momentous moments over the years. She is a wonderful listener, impartial and most discreet. In our discussions, she would say, “Let’s explore the options…,” enabling me to make the appropriate decisions for myself and my family.
When she became a social worker in TAG, we would land up working together on various projects. Rebbetzin Shonnie did not limit herself to helping the individual girls but would step in when necessary to assist the families. She would contact my late husband, Rabbi Yisroel Bloom, for help in finding employment for parents in need, assistance in procuring appropriate housing for those in desperate situations.
These days, I have the privilege of learning with her privately. Learning together and working on chessed projects have created a special bond between the two of us. B”H, we share our lives. I’ve learnt much from her, seeing how she has handled
“You changed my life!” she exclaimed. A young student, totally enamored, most sincerely asked me, “Miss Nekritz, can I marry you?!!”
I would compose my own songs to enhance the learning experience. There were songs for the Torah portion of the week. Songs for our Yomim Tovim, for Hallel, the shivas haminim, for every occasion. Children respond more readily to music than to text. I was always eager to engage with my students and see them come alive and vibrant while absorbing lessons of our mesorah. Was there a particularly shy girl in the class? I would select her to play a major role in the class performance. Davka, she would be Queen Esther. This was not a speaking role. But as she would stride onto the stage dressed in her finery, her glorious appearance enabled her to feel beautiful and grand. This young girl would then go on to blossom and develop her skills in a confident fashion.
I married my husband on November 8, 1961. I had dated for a while and was almost 23 years of age at the time. Rav Aharon Kotler, zt”l, was our shadchan! Rav Perr, a young man at the time, was learning in Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. Rav Aharon was walking down the stairs. Rav Perr was walking up the stairs. As they met in the middle, Rav Aharon called out to his beloved talmid, “Reb Avraham Yaffen’s granddaughter!”
herself through life’s more challenging situations. She’s always been the ultimate teacher and mentor, with impeccable middos, whom I aspire to emulate.
Basie Tress Rosenblatt
Rebbetzin Shonnie has been, and continues to be, the greatest influence in my life! My relationship is a bit unusual. At the age of 10, I lost my dear father, zt”l. We sat shiva in July. In August, I arrived in Camp Bnos as a new camper. Surprisingly, it was a natural transition. This was a comfortable place for me. Rebbetzin Shonnie made us all feel at home, myself included. She gave everyone the TLC needed, no favorites. She has the special gift of making each person feel beloved.
She brought out the strength in each of her girls, strengths we were unaware that we possessed! She was flawless in her dedication to camp and to her principles. Many of the hashkafos that she bequeathed to us have stayed with us to this day. Not all came from a super strong background. The Shabbos atmosphere that she created was such a rich experience. We would link hands, creating a chain as we danced from the social hall to the dining room singing “Sholom Aleichem.” This was a huge eye-opener for many, exposing them to the beauty and grandeur of Shabbos Kodesh.
Years later, I became a psychiatric social worker, undoubtedly, following in Reb Shonnie’s footsteps. Rabbi and Rebbetzin Perr were close friends of our family. She continues to be a shining light in our lives, always kind and gentle, generous with positive words to share. Rabbi Perr was the best listener. He would extend an ear to each person, as if each were his own child. They were totally dedicated to one another. An amazing couple.
Mrs. Shani Schmalz, Director of Camp Bnos
There are many lessons I absorbed through watching Rebbetzin Shonnie in
His talmid responded, “I’ve heard of her, but she is very short.”
Answered Rav Kotler, “She’s still young. She can still grow.”
Amazingly, his bracha came true! When I walked with my husband, I stood straight and tall! I must have grown an inch or two each time I was beside him!
Camp Bnos, established by Agudath Israel in 1950, played a major role in Rebbetzin Perr’s life, or perhaps we should say Rebbetzin Perr played a major role in Camp Bnos! Truth is, Rebbetzin Perr and Camp Bnos must be said in one breath – they are synonymous. As a young woman remarked to her, “You went to Camp Bnos?” And the retort from a bystander, “She is Camp Bnos!!”
Rebbetzin Shonnie, as she was affectionately called in camp, had graced Camp Bnos for over 60 years! She first attended camp as a CIT, when she was 13 years old. She then served as a JC and eventually drama counselor. After her marriage, she returned as advisor to the head counselor. Soon after, she was invited to become program director by Rabbi Moshe Sherer, zt”l, who understood that Rebbetzin Perr had been blessed with unusual strengths.
“You are the neshama, the soul, of Camp Bnos,” he wrote to her in a moving note, encouraging her to give her best to these young girls.
Can we imagine how many young girls fell under her spell! The annual cantata, under her direction, displayed her amazing creativity and artistic flair. Involved in every aspect of this performance, she would select the theme, based on a meaningful phrase from Shir
“ i was always eager to engage with my students and see them come alive and vibrant while absorbing lessons of our mesorah.”
Hashirim. The pasuk would be written across a banner, draped over the stage. Rebbetzin Perr would write the script, select the songs to be performed, consult with those creating the sets and collecting the props, and di-
action: don’t look at the clock. Whatever you’re doing, do it to perfection. Do it right and to completion. Don’t get anxious if it takes a bit longer.
I well recall when we received the news that Rav Elyashiv, zt”l, had passed away. Rebbetzin Shonnie immediately summoned the entire camp into the dining room, staff as well as campers. This was a monumental chinuch moment. She had everyone remove their shoes and sit on the floor. These sort of moments had an enormous impact on the campers.
Camp Bnos, associated with Agudath Israel, had the privilege of hosting various gedolim over the years who would address the girls, leaving them with a meaningful bracha. Rebbetzin Shonnie would always prepare the girls, including the campers of Bnos Chayil and Bnoseinu, who were included in these gatherings, before the gadol would arrive. “How does one greet a gadol?” All would stand up and remain totally silent, sometimes waiting 7-10 minutes till the gadol actually entered the hall. Can you imagine close to a thousand young women and girls, all totally silent? Awesome. The kavod given to rabbanim was huge.
While all had a great deal of fun in Bnos, the chinuch aspect was definitely a focus. The cantatas were Rebbetzin Shonnie’s essence. The rich material would simply pour out of her. Within the context of the production, there would be discussion of the gedolim who had been niftar that year. There was always a major takeaway message. The music. The drama. It spoke to us deeply. At the end of the extraordinary evening, we would leave yearning, pining for Moshiach.
There was much preparation prior to the actual cantata performance. Rebbetzin Shonnie would give a shiur on the material the day before so that staff and campers would be able to follow the drama whilst absorbing powerful, relevant messages.
These were teachable moments that had a huge impact on thousands of young girls over the years.
rect the actresses. This was a multimedia performance, with video presentations incorporated into the show. Reb Perr would introduce the evening, with her dramatic flair. Before the actual performance, Rabbi Perr would come to see the set and “shep nachas.”
Rebbetzin Perr shares:
The concept of the cantata was an original one. At the start, Camp Bnos, as did many of the other camps, would perform adaptations of Broadway musicals. The Manhig Ruchani, Rabbi Heller, a”h, approached me and announced, “No longer are Broadway shows acceptable in Camp Bnos.” I was forced to create a different sort of performance, a new genre. There was tremendous pressure, but I was told again and again, “If anyone can do it, you can.” I did my best, and ultimately, what a blessing this has turned out to be. Over the years, we’ve created close to 25 cantatas. Today, they are being revived and performed once again, imparting timeless messages.
The actresses would walk straight into the audience, from all sides of the room, engaging with those seated there. “Did you long? Did you yearn? Amidst the hustle and bustle, do you wait for Moshiach on 13th Avenue?” All were engaged in the drama.
My husband had been a masterful baal tefillah. I would tape his moving renditions of the tefillos of our
Tzipi Rubinstein Jurkansky, Head Counselor, 2002
Rebbetzin Shonnie’s presence added a dimension of magical energy to the Camp Bnos experience. Her very name evokes nostalgia.
Her constant message to us: dream big! Anything’s possible! Make it happen! She would encourage us to reach higher, to figure it out, just go for it!
Her creativity was unsurpassed. The theme for that summer was “bayis,” house. As a play on words, she would say, “By-us, impossible? Never!” And how was the theme introduced? Rebbetzin Shonnie shared with us her vision. “Let’s erect a huge candy house, the sort we would see in our fairytale books, with the candy canes framing the windows.” We thought that was rather absurd and perhaps in disbelief even giggled among ourselves, but nothing stopped her. Ultimately, Yossi’s Sweet House of Brooklyn drove up to camp and helped us erect an absolutely exquisite candy house. The excitement in the camp was tangible! The magic, the joy filled the air! And that evening, all enjoyed the trappings of the house; there was enough candy adorning this house to the delight of close to 1,000 girls! Yes, there was magic in the air all summer long!
Chani Braun Kassirer, Lifeguard and Singing Counselor
Rebbetzin Perr had been my sixth grade teacher. Her classroom was sunny and fabulous. Friday afternoon was the highlight of the week. We would be seated in the shape of a “ches,” which was quite an innovation those days, and enjoy a festive oneg Shabbos. We eagerly anticipated Monday mornings when we would enter the classroom and find the pisgam hashevua, a quote from Pirkei Avos perhaps, or a mamar Chazal, adorning the wall. Rebbetzin Perr would discuss that concept and teach us a song to those words.
Till this day, I have hundreds of “pisgamim” engraved in my mind, with the lessons and the melodies still intact!
Yamim Noraim. These melodies and prayers were incorporated into the cantatas, all expertly orchestrated by the renowned Dina Storch.
There was enormous self-induced pressure for me to produce year after year, original, creative material. I made huge demands upon myself. I competed with myself, accepting the challenge to reach greater heights in every arena. For me, the self-induced pressure was a positive force. I certainly would not recommend this, though, for others! All the material had to be brand new each season. A huge chunk of time, throughout the entire year, was devoted to creating the unique summer program.
Rebbetzin Perr was very devoted to her mother, Rebbetzin Menucha Ettel Nekritz, and hosted her in her home for the last 22 years of her life. Those years Rebbetzin Perr worked as a therapist. With her office in the basement of her home, she was able to check in on her mother and supervise her aide. The arrangement worked well. Rebbetzin Nekritz had cared for her grandmother, the esteemed Bubba Chaya, the wife of the Alter of Navardok. Emulating her own mother, Rebbetzin Perr, in turn, now took exquisite care of her.
Rebbetzin Perr reminisces:
There was a special room in Camp Bnos, especially furnished and designed for my mother. Two
girls would be assigned to be her companions. It was a cherished position. Rebbetzin Nekritz was treated as a queen in camp, and these girls appreciated her chashivus, her royalty. Needless to say, these girls would enjoy front row seats together with their “queen” at all camp performances. Rebbetzin Nekritz would be seated on a special armchair, decorated especially for this isha chashuva. It was her throne.
The girls would hear her saying Tehillim with a beautiful, hartzig melody. I am just sorry that it was never taped or committed to memory. She made a huge impression on these young girls.
Throughout our childhood, my mother would sing the classic Yiddish songs to us, instilling basic emunah and bitachon through the lyrics. That faith kept us going through those difficult years.
At one point, as a young girl, I had taken ill. My mother was terribly worried. Over the years, she would have significant dreams. As I lay there terribly ill, she dreamed that a cat would be the “kappara.” Sure enough, the day after, one of the students who had been exiled along with the family to Siberia was suffering from severe stomach cramps. My mother heated up the water for him and filled the rubber water bottle with the boiling water. As he was walking, he tripped. The boiling water scalded the cat. The cat died. I recuperated soon after that.
The hashkafos covered in school were further reinforced in Camp Bnos. Called “Ruach Country” for good reason, these lessons, our sacred mesorah, taught in Bnos through song in a joyous fashion, stayed with us forever.
My first summer in Bnos was directly following sixth grade when I had enjoyed Rebbetzin Perr as a teacher. Having this prior relationship with Rebbetzin Perr gave me confidence and standing within the camp. Imagine, I even had the courage to perform in front of the camp and actually received an award for singing some of the melodies from “The Sound of Music”!
Rebbetzin Perr was very serious about being happy! And super serious about transmitting our mesorah with much joy.
Soon after my camp days had come to an end, Rebbetzin Perr suggested shidduchim for me. I met up with her after a long hiatus of half a century! To my surprise, she remembered me, along with my sisters. “You and your sisters always sang your hearts out!” What fabulous validation!
Singing surely elevates our soul. Being involved in the creative process, we have no need to look elsewhere for diversion. Rebbetzin Perr did not view music as an extracurricular activity, rather it was primary, used to elevate our souls.
She spoke in a very soft voice. She never needed to raise her voice, she had such command over the classroom. Through her, we learned that Yiddishkeit is beautiful and joyous. Rebbetzin Perr brought out the music in us! And we are forever grateful!
estie Kaufman Cohen, Head Counselor
Rebbetzin Shonnie taught us to aim always for greatness. This drive carried on to every aspect of our lives and has been passed on to our daughters as well as our own students. “Don’t think little. Think big!”
As campers, Rebbetzin Shonnie was an enigma – we simply were not suffi-
Another amazing story involving a dream occurs years later. We were already living in Far Rockaway. It was leil Shabbos, Parshas Vayeshev, the family was sitting around the dining room table, the younger ones sprawled comfortably on the floor. Our oldest son, Ahron Yosef, headed to the library to study his pshetel; his bar mitzvah was swiftly approaching.
With the Rosh Yeshiva, zt”l
ciently mature to appreciate her role in camp. But as a head counselor years later, I saw firsthand how involved she was in every aspect. Rebbetzin Shonnie literally personified Camp Bnos.
She encouraged us to feel that we were part of something much greater than our individual selves, part of Agudath Israel. I recall the 40th year of Camp Bnos. The theme of the summer was “Journey of Trust.” She would compare it to the 40 years of our wandering in the Midbar. She impressed upon us that we are the future.
Rabbi Moshe Sherer, zt”l, would come to visit during the summer. It was always a major occasion. We were told to wash up properly and don clean, white shirts. Rebbetzin Shonnie would introduce him. As he would enter, all stood in total, absolute silence. With reverence and awe.
Afterwards, she would commend us, “Girls, you were amazing!”
We would practice how to stand in unison, sit down as one, clap together. I attended his levaya many years later. Those of us who had had the privilege of meeting with him and connecting to him, we knew we were part of something extraordinary.
a nother Head Counselor
Everything Rebbetzin Shonnie accomplished was done with great thought and mindfulness. Every detail counts. Nothing haphazard.
She gave incredible respect and valuable time to every person, staff and campers alike. Her respect for her husband, Rabbi Yechiel Perr, was incredible. For many of our young women, she became the model of the Eishes Chayil. She taught us about shalom bayis by example.
Rebbetzin Shonnie had once received a somewhat critical letter. Upon opening the envelope, she realized it was not signed. Anonymous? I won’t be reading this. She strongly believed that if you want to say something, you must properly own it.
Suddenly, a stranger rushed into the library with a gun pointed at him! “Freeze!” the intruder yelled out. Ahron Yosef ran back and informed us of what was happening. I ran out with the young ones to the safety of the neighbor’s home. Taking his role as the family protector seriously, Rav Perr spontaneously rose to the occasion and tackled the intruder. Miraculously, Rav Perr was able to subdue him.
That Motzei Shabbos, my father called. “I woke up
this morning with a pasuk on my lips, ‘Shomer Hashem es kol ohavav.’ Someone obviously needed ‘shmirah,’ protection. Did something happen in your home?” Yes, Hashem was guarding our family.
Not one to allow an amazing chinuch opportunity to go by, that Sunday morning Rabbi Perr delivered a powerful, moving vaad to his beloved students. His focus, “Over Shabbos, I learned the real meaning of ‘Shehechezarta be nishmasi b’schemla rabah emunaseicha.’”
Rav Perr had grown up in South Ozone Park, which was a rough neighborhood. He was not easily intimidated. On one occasion, he was stopped by a rough teen who held a cross in his hand and ordered him: “Bow to this cross, or I will kill you!”
Rabbi Perr’s response: “Kill me!”
Thank G-d he survived that encounter!
In 1969, Rabbi Perr established Yeshiva Derech Ayson, named for Rav Avraham Yoffen; ‘ayson’ referring to the mighty road. My Zayde would elaborate on “aysan” as an acronym, saying with a smile that the word stands for Avraham, Yoffen, Talmid, Navardok. The Yeshiva later moved around the corner to our home. The Yeshiva become the home away from home for the students, many of whom were from out of town. For quite a number of years, there was no official dorm. The boys would room with neighbors and
At the end of every summer, we would sit down and review all the programming. What can we do better for next year? How can we achieve perfection?
If she was upset, she would not reprimand or chastise the offender till the next morning. Perhaps by the morning, this will no longer bother her. She knew how to handle absolutely everything.
Camp Bnos is a makom chinuch; chinuch enters through the back door.
She would follow up on absolutely everything. When staff worked hard, she would always acknowledge their efforts and accomplishments. She ran a huge operation. An aura of respect surrounded her. It was apparent that when with her, we were in the presence of an absolute genius!
My friend was summoned to the office. She knew that she would be asked to embark on a particular project that was not to her liking. She actually practiced saying “no” as she approached the office. Yet, when asked by Rebbetzin Shonnie, she absolutely could not refuse. Nothing was too hard or impossible for Rebbetzin Shonnie. That attitude rubbed off on us! She would push us to our limits, and we would perform.
It was two days before a major camp trip. We were to travel in school busses. We were in the midst of a major heat wave. She contacted Rabbi Meir Frischman, Director of Camp Agudah and Camp Bnos. My campers cannot travel on these busses for hours on such a hot day. We must get proper coach busses. Take it off my wages if necessary. She so cared about her girls. Of course, the proper busses were obtained.
The camp was going ice skating in two days. Earmuffs and gloves were needed. This was pre-Amazon, pre-internet days. How would we obtain these items? Rest assured, by the time the girls boarded the busses, they had these treasured items. It was fascinating to see how her plans worked out, time and time again. You can achieve. Sweat it out. You can do it. Do it all the way. The details count. Dream big. Make it happen!
Rebbetzin Shonnie is a magnificent person. She is royalty. Never raising her
friends. Shabbosos would find these young men sitting around our dining room table. The Purim seudah, with Rabbi Perr, their Rosh Yeshiva as well as their father figure, was a highlight of the year for all. My daughters and I worked hard for that seudah, preparing, setting up, cleaning up. Ultimately, these seudos were most memorable.
Till today, the talmidim come to our home on leil Shabbas, following the seudah, to enhance our Shabbas with their divrei Torah and beautiful zemiros. They sing the Rosh Yeshiva’s favorite niggunim, including “Lulai Torascha,” which Rabbi Perr would sing on Simchas Torah in his inimitable style, and “Kol b’ramah,” which is my favorite melody And on Shabbos morning, members of Rav Perr’s vaad, all married men, come visit and share with me that which they had just spoken about in Yeshiva. B”H, I am still connected to the Yeshiva and to the Torah learning.
In 1981, Rebbetzin Perr, eager to assist those in need and to understand herself better, began to attend Wurzweiler School of Social Work. As an involved community rebbetzin, many women would approach for help in dealing with life’s vicissitudes. She was eager to hone her skills to help these women in an optimal fashion. Earlier, she had pursued her degree in Brooklyn College’s night program, graduating summa cum laude. Her children were still young at the time – the oldest,
voice, she is able to offer a sincere compliment or a necessary rebuke. She has mastered the art of expressing herself in the most respectful way. Whether talking to staff, campers or staff, she is appropriate and super respectful.
Every staff meeting would begin with a dvar Torah. Every project, every event had a distinct focus. What will the campers walk away with? What is the takeaway?
Blimi Braunstein, Married Head Counselor
Rebbetzin Shonnie is a woman who epitomizes emes, integrity, through and through. She is authentic in every aspect of her being. In her relationships. In the materials that she would impart to the girls. How she still prepares for her teaching, till today, checking every source, making sure that every statement, every detail is totally accurate.
She teaches in the most creative, brilliant ways, through the “back door,” reaching even the youngest campers. Years later, older campers would recall the lessons taught in earlier years, finally grasping the full impact of the lesson as they matured. We all learned so much from her, through her creativity; her brilliance came bursting through.
She always exhibits tremendous strength of character, gevurah. The strength to always do what is right and necessary at the moment. Camp is a very intense working arena. So much going on. So many details to tend to, 24/7. Of course, we try not to step on anyone’s toes, to always be appropriate and gentle in our interactions with others. Yet…there are times when Rebbetzin Shonnie would ask a staff member to please see her after the night activity to gently offer mussar. As loving and as warm as she always was, she demanded that we pay attention to every detail in our interactions, with the younger set also. We always accepted her mussar, knowing that it comes from a caring heart.
Erev Shabbos, Rebbetzin Perr was always the first to light candles. Tisha B’Av, through her words and actions, we literally felt the Churban. It was so real
Lighting the Chanukah menorah together
15, the youngest, an infant.
Rebbetzin Perr became a social worker in TAG, providing counsel in various complicated situations within the school setting, community yeshivos, and the community at large. Working with Counterforce, she supervised the mental health counselors based in the Far Rockaway yeshivos. She also ran her own clinical practice, helping private clients. Her professional experience, together with her exceptional insight and wisdom and tremendous chinuch acumen, all combine to make our beloved rebbetzin a valuable resource to the greater Jewish community.
Naturally, Rebbetzin Perr made good use of her finely honed skills within the camp setting also. She would help counselors grow into their positions, assist staff members and campers dealing with bullying scenarios, help out-of-towners adjust to this new and novel setting, help campers integrate into the camp routine, deal with homesickness... There were occasions, when sadly she would have to inform campers or staff members that their beloved parent had passed away. She would be the one to inform them of the tragic news, and then would be the one to help them integrate back into the camp setting upon their return after the week of shiva.
Her take on the state of our contemporary camps? Unfortunately, camps today have become very compet-
itive, one tries to outdo the other, keep raising the bar higher and higher. The focus on materialistic pursuits is a problem across the board.
Amazingly, our esteemed rebbetzin is busier than ever these days. Has she retired? Certainly not! Chavru-
“She brought out the strength in each of her girls, strengths we were unaware that we possessed!”
sos are lined up several times a week. She is busy learning. Teaching. Advising. Supervising. Spending quality time with her family members. Years ago, Rebbetzin Perr instituted a delightful family tradition, composing charming birthday poems for her children and grandchildren. These poems are cherished by her progeny.
to us. We understood what we are missing today. Shabbas Nachamu, she would be dressed in white, totally, top to bottom. Always making such an impression on staff and campers alike.
Gedolim would visit Camp Agudah and at least once a summer, a gadol would visit Camp Bnos to bestow a bracha upon the girls. A thousand girls would wait for the gadol in absolutely, total silence. Such reverence. Such kavod given to our gedolim.
Mayor Bloomberg came to visit camp. There was a totally different approach. Then, we were encouraged to applaud. Respect, yes. But certainly not the awe and reverence that was given to our gedolim. There was a marked difference.
Rebbetzin Perr was intent on doing her utmost, giving her utmost, 100%, to enrich the summer experience of the campers. The summers were meaningful as well as enjoyable.
Reb e sther Reisman, Learning Director
Rebbetzin Perr was my teacher in BYA High School. Rooted in divrei Chazal, totally passionate over Torah and with a super strong sense of emunas chachomim, yet we found her so relevant, so contemporary.
Rebbetzin Perr helped us view our lives and all events from a new perspective. Using the power of dimyon, imagination and creativity, she helped deliver these messages straight to our hearts.
A powerful lesson that I learnt from my esteemed teacher: Whatever you speak about, ground it in divrei Chazal. Find an appropriate Torah teaching to help root your lesson. I recently discussed the role of the rebbetzin in dealing with mental health issues. In preparing for the session, I read through Pirkei Avos, seeking an appropriate Mishnah to base my talk on. I found it in the sixth perek, the phrase “Makir es mekomo.” The Torah is acquired through 48 qualifications, one of them being, ‘he knows his place.” I grounded my presentation on that phrase. We must realize our “place,” acknowledge our responsibilities as well as
Our cherished rebbetzin lovingly advises us:
We women need to keep learning. Attend Torah classes to keep our minds stimulated. We must keep growing in our Yiddishkeit. I now have the time to do things I’ve never been able to do, engage in writing, enjoy varied artistic pursuits.
Rebbetzin Perr is certainly not merely counting her days; she is making her days count! Kol hakovod! What a role model for the rest of us!
Tu B’Shvat is Rebbetzin Shonnie’s birthday. It is certainly not a coincidence that our beloved teacher/ mentor shares her birthday with the world of trees. She continues to plant so many seeds, nurturing thousands of seedlings, watering the blossoms with her love and caring, her warm, beautiful smile, her wisdom and devotion. Rebbetzin Shonnie has ka”h never stopped growing, is consistently fruitful and productive, enhancing the lives of so many.
Wishing her many productive, healthy, wonderful years up ahead to continue her avodas hakodesh!
our limitations, our borders.
For 11 summers, I had the privilege of joining Rebbetzin Shonnie in Camp Bnos as learning director. Rebbetzin Shonnie had enormous kavod habriyos for absolutely everyone, younger and older. She had an enormous thirst to learn, to discover novel ideas. So alive, so vibrant! Her love for all was so obvious.
Rebbetzin Shonnie never let go of the little girl inside of her. Forever youthful, with an enormous appreciation for all. She commanded enormous love and respect with her mere presence. She would easily engage and talk to people of all ages, of all backgrounds, to each on her level.
Rebbetzin Shonnie mindfully created an atmosphere that permeated the entire camp. While she was refreshing and with-it, all was steeped in tradition. Through her incredible cantatas, she helped instill within us a powerful longing for the final Geulah. Even if at times we did not understand every detail of the cantata, nevertheless, we were drawn into the beauty, the transcendence. We emerged yearning for more…yearning for that which is profound and deep. Her passion was contagious!
These cantatas made the words of Chazal come alive for us. Incorporating stories from Chazal, piyutim, evocative, holy melodies from the Yomim Noraim…. We absorbed it all, deep into our bones! Such a gift!
I was once visiting Yerushalayim. Rebbetzin Perr asked me to please visit her grandmother, Bubba Yoffen. Naturally, I did so. As I was leaving, I wished her much nachas from her family. Bubba Yoffen was not happy with my blessing, and she vehemently announced, “Ich vill nachas fun alle Bnei Torah, zennen alle meine kinder!” I want to have nachas from all the bnei Torah, they are all my children!
Our beloved Rebbetzin Shonnie obviously absorbed this approach from her Bubby Yoffen. We feel her love, her warmth, her caring. And we hope and pray that we continue to learn our lessons well! May we all continue to bring her much nachas!
Centerfold
Flag Trivia
1. When is Flag Day celebrated?
a. June 14
b. July 4
c. June 4
d. May 14
2. The largest American flag ever flown, known as the Superflag, was owned by Thomas Demski of California. It is 505 wide, 225 feet tall, and weighs 300 pounds. When unfurled at the Super Bowl it took 500 people to stretch it out and hold it. How tall is each star on the flag?
a. 4 feet
b. 9 feet
c. 17 feet
d. 62 feet
3. Which U.S. building displays over 200 American flags?
a. The Betsy Ross museum
b. The Pentagon
c. The Capitol
d. The Library of Congress
4. In 2006, a Revolutionary War-era U.S. flag sold at auction for how much?
a. $12.3 million
b. $21 million
c. $45 million
d. $217.5 million
5. How many versions of the U.S. flag have there been?
A. 13
B. 37
C. 27
D. 50
6. Robert G. “Bob” Heft designed the current 50star U.S. flag in 1958 as a high school project while attending Lancaster High School in Ohio. Heft meticulously arranged and sewed 50 stars (even though only 48 states existed then) onto a blue canton made from a 48-star flag inherited from his parents What grade did he get on the project?
a. A+
b. B-
c. C
d. F
7. How many folds are in a ceremonial flag folding?
a. 10
b. 7
c. 13
d. 21
8. What happened to the flag planted on the Moon in 1969?
a. It was removed and brought back
b. It’s still there, but likely bleached white
c. It was stolen by aliens
d. It burned up on re-entry
Answers: 1-A
2-C
3-B 4-A 5-C
6-B
7-C
8-B
Wisdom Key:
6-8 correct: Happy Flag Day! L’flaga tova!
3-5 correct: You are a few stars short of a full flag.
0-2 correct: You’ve got more bunting than brains.
You Might Be a Flag Nut If…
You’ve called in sick to work on Flag Day…and felt it was patriotic.
Your shidduch resume has an American flag on it.
You’ve gotten into a heated argument about the correct flag-folding technique…at a family barbecue.
You describe your mood as “half-mast.”
You starch your flag more often than your dress shirts.
Your ringtone is “The Star-Spangled Banner” – in four-part harmony.
You own more flag-themed socks than you do regular socks.
You once stopped traffic to rescue a flag that was “flapping disrespectfully.”
You get your flags dry cleaned.
Your dream vacation? The United Nations Headquarters, so you can see all the flags.
You call Betsy Ross “Aunt Bets.”
You Gotta Be Kidding Me
Which flag is the most highly rated?
The American flag. It has 50 stars.
Riddle Me This
Three campers — Abe, Baruch, and Chaim — each brought a different flag to hang outside their tents: a checkered flag, a skull flag, and a smiley face flag.
Abe did not bring the smiley face flag.
The person with the skull flag is next to Chaim’s tent.
Baruch’s tent is not next to the checkered flag.
Each person has one flag, and the tents are in a straight row.
Who has which flag?
Chaim – checkered flag
Baruch – smiley face flag
Answer: Abe – skull flag
Living an Elevated Life
MiriaM Baver ShareS Why She ChoSe to Join the JeWiSh nation
Written by Malkie Schulman
Igrew up in Philadelphia with my parents and four siblings, completely secular and non-Jewish. My family never went to church and observed no religious practice of any kind. Yet I always retained a strong belief in G-d. I don’t even know where it came from, but I had always had this sense that there was a G-d taking care of me. As a teenager, I became interested in religion, but that phase didn’t last too long. First of all, it wasn’t an easy path, especially in my not-interested-in-religion-at-all family, and then I ended up in a kind of cultish religious group for a while, which I (baruch Hashem) eventually backed away from because it didn’t feel right.
After that negative experience, I stopped looking into religion. Instead, right after high school graduation, I got married at 18 years old. I had two children in two years, and by the time I was 20 or 21, the marriage was over, and I was left a very young, very
inexperienced single mom. In my early to mid-30s, my kids were budding teenagers, and I was a struggling mom, trying to figure out how to discipline them and get them to understand the concept of personal accountability. I started searching for religion again. Over the span of two years, I explored a number of different churches, finally ending up in a fundamentalist Bible Baptist church.
Although the church had obviously some very distorted views of halacha, still, I would say, 75% of their teachings came from Torah, what they called “The Old Testament.” They believed in Sabbath as a day of rest, for instance. And although their Sabbath was on Sunday, so they got that wrong, they did not work that day. Of course, they didn’t have the Lamed-Tes Melachos – they drove to church, used electricity and even handled money, for example. But the women all dressed modestly. In fact, I started only wearing
dresses once I joined the church.
Shortly after joining, I became a Sunday school teacher for four-year-olds. As I taught, I noticed a pattern: when the kids asked questions from the “Old Testament.” I was comfortable answering them. When they asked about the New Testament, I’d say, “Ask your parents.” I discovered that I didn’t feel comfortable with those answers. I believed in the Old Testament; I just wasn’t buying into the rest. After a while, I realized I was in the wrong place.
opening the Door to JuDaiSM
That’s when I started looking into Judaism. At that time, I didn’t even know there was an option to convert to Judaism. Nevertheless, I began to learn. I found an Orthodox rabbi willing to teach me and soon found out there was possibility to convert (though that was still
down the road for me). I was living in South (New) Jersey at the time, and I traveled on two buses and a train to the nearest Orthodox community to meet with the rabbi every week to learn. Eventually, I stopped learning with him because of an incident involving some of his congregants driving to shul for Rosh Hashana services. I’d just come from a strict fundamentalist church, and here was this rabbi allowing congregants to desecrate the holiday. I had a hard time with what I felt was a lax attitude, so I found myself a Chabad rabbi in the next town over. The Chabad rabbi was the one who ultimately arranged for my conversion in New York three years later.
It wasn’t so simple just getting the conversion arranged, by the way. Even after I was living in a frum Jewish community in Atlantic City and observing everything I was allowed to observe as a non-Jew, I had to push a lot to make the conversion happen and repeatedly tell the rabbi, “I’m ready to convert. Can we get this moving?”
My father, who always said he was an atheist (though I think he was really agnostic), supported me completely. He drove me to the beit din, and while I was inside, went to the flower shop and bought me a beautiful bouquet of baby roses to present to me when I emerged as a Jew. As he handed the flowers to me, he wished me all the blessings and happiness in my new chosen life.
My mother, on the other hand, didn’t feel quite the same way. I hadn’t been eating in my parents’ home for a few years already, ever since I began exploring Judaism. But when I walked into my parents’ house after the conversion, I smelled the aroma of roast pork. My mother made roast pork only once a year, on January 1. It was not January 1 that day, but nevertheless, she made it and asked me if I wanted to have some. So, I’d say there was a little passive aggressive message in that offer somewhere. She said she wished me well, but her actions didn’t mirror that.
My children were ages 16 and 17 at the time of my conversion, and while they’d gone along with me to the Baptist church, they felt Judaism was too much for them. In any case, my son was living with his father then, and after graduation at age18, my daughter moved out as well. It wasn’t that they were angry with me, it’s just that they felt Judaism was not for them. Over the years, both of them, at different times, moved back home for a while when I was already remarried and living as an Orthodox Jew. But, no, neither of them are practicing Jews. I say “practicing Jews” because it’s a possibility that they are Jewish. I have evidence pointing that way but not enough to prevent me from having to have gone through my conversion and not enough to say that my children are definitively Jewish.
ClueS froM the paSt
While I was going through the conversion process, I started uncovering evidence and observing indications that my mother and grandmother might be Jewish. One thing that pointed me in that direction was my mother’s deep fear that the Holocaust could happen again. After I converted, more than once, out of the blue, she would make a comment expressing this fear. Also, there were multiple times when I asked my mother if our family
was Jewish. She never admitted it. But she never denied it either. Another interesting incident occurred during the first Pesach after my conversion. My rabbi asked me to drive to Lakewood to pick up food for the shul sedarim. I asked my mother if she wanted to come along for the ride and she said yes. Normally, if we were going on a long car trip, she’d bring snacks along, but because my car was already kosher for Pesach, I told her I’d bring them. While driving, I asked her if she wanted to try a type of cracker called matzah. She said, “I don’t have to try it. I know what it tastes like.” I asked her how she knew, and she told me, “Babci (Polish for Grandma) gave it to us all the time when we were growing up.” That was an “aha” moment for me, because while today, many stores around the country carry matzah and it’s no big deal for non-Jews to have tasted it, in the 1940s, when my mother was growing up in Philadelphia, you couldn’t just find matzah unless you were looking for it. Why would her mother be looking for matzah?
swered, “No,” I was stunned. “Why not?” I asked. I remember her mouthing the words to me, “Because he wasn’t Jewish.” Then she quickly changed the subject.
The last telling experience is that throughout our childhood, we were always encouraged not to talk to our grandmother about her past in Poland. We were told never to ask her any questions about her childhood because it would only cause her pain. None of these anecdotes are enough evidence for a beis din to conclude that I am a Jew from birth, however. All I can say, though, is that when my daughter’s first child was born, the rabbi who knew my story and believed that it meant we were born Jews gave my new granddaughter a Hebrew name.
There was more. I had always been told a certain narrative about how my grandmother came to America. But I found out it wasn’t true. She was actually born in the U.S., and the family returned to Poland
Even as a non-Jew, I knew G-d was always there taking care of me.
when she was five. Her brother, my great-uncle, was arrested by the Nazis. By the time I discovered this through a letter from a relative in Poland, my grandmother had already passed away and my great-uncle had died in a nursing home a week after I received the information. I never got to ask him why the Nazis had arrested him. That discovery, however, blew up the family story I’d always been told.
Another even more telling incident occurred after my mother suffered her stroke. We were sitting in the hospital and talking about my and my siblings’ marriages. I’ had already married my wonderful, love of my life, husband, Nechemya, z”l. My mother said she was happy with our spouses. She saw they were good people and that we were happy.
I remember asking, “What about Babci? Was she happy with your choice of a husband?” I expected her to say yes, of course (otherwise I probably wouldn’t have had the nerve to ask her) because my father was a hard worker and a good man. I even recall that whenever we came to visit, my grandmother would always tell my mother to give my father something to eat. “Give him a sandwich,” she’d say. I thought she adored him. So, when my mother suddenly became furtive and an-
In a strange way, my father had already been teaching me about Judaism before I even realized it. He always told me not to speak badly about people, to always be honest. When I began learning Torah, I felt like I already knew so much of it. He was the one who taught me the basic principles.
My father’s lessons coupled with my innate belief in G-d made conversion to Judaism almost a natural progression. Even as a non-Jew, I knew G-d was always there taking care of me. For instance, years before my conversion when my children were young, I lived near my parents. My younger brothers were seven and eleven years older than my kids, and they’d come over and play a lot. Our neighbor down the block was jealous of my family. She saw us always doing things together, and even though I may not have seen us that way, in her eyes, we were one big happy family.
Anyway, I’d babysat for her children when they were small, and she was friendly with my mom, as well. But out of jealousy, she decided to call Social Services on us one day. She reported that my brothers were abusing my children. It was a total fabrication, and the case was thrown out right away because there was no foundation for her lies. I remember thinking at the time that I didn’t have to worry about getting her back for what she’d tried to do to us. G-d would take care of her for the pain she’d caused. I was able to totally let it go.
A few months later, it turns out her police officer husband was out target practicing in the woods with a buddy. They had been drinking beer and shooting when he accidentally shot and killed a train conductor riding by on a passing train. This neighbor was very conscious of social status, and her world crumbled. I felt sorry for her but at the same time also validated in my belief that I don’t need to take justice into my own hands. G-d runs the world. He sees everything and takes care of me –and that’s all I need to rely on.
BuilDing a JeWiSh life
The small Orthodox community in Atlantic City where I was living was very welcoming to me. They
were an older congregation, and I think they were happy to have fresh young blood. Not long afterwards, I met Nechemya. We were both participants on an online chat group that was called Torah & Thought, and through this venue, we corresponded, eventually started dating and then married. Nechemya was a ba’al teshuva since his teenage years, significantly older than me and divorced with children. By the time we met, he was well respected and established in the Chicago Jewish community. After we married, I moved to Chicago, and we were very happy together for 18 years until he passed away from brain cancer a few years ago.
Most people have no idea I’m a convert. I look like a regular frum woman—I wear the uniform, say the brachos, and do what I’m supposed to do. I’ve always been open about my conversion, much to my husband’s chagrin. I think he was worried that people would treat me differently if they knew. But they never did, probably because I never expected to be treated differently.
I learned so much from my husband. As a freshly minted Jew, I was often mortified by other Orthodox Jews’ sometimes less-than-perfect behavior. When I’d discuss it with Nechemya, his response was always, “Don’t judge Judaism by Jews. We’re all humans trying to do the best that we can. Judaism is perfection. We strive for it but rarely reach it.”
Nechemya truly lived emunah. Who am I today is because of him in many ways. When he was diagnosed with his final illness, we took up the mantle of ein od milvado although we’d already been living it throughout our married years. In fact, I’d been giving emunah classes for three years prior to the diagnosis, which I believe was Hashem’s way of preparing me for what was to come, so I’d have the proper tools to deal with it. We’d both experienced challenges in our lives and understood that this world is transient. I didn’t rail against Hashem. We would literally walk into each doctor visit chanting the words “Ein od milvado.”
After Nechemya underwent his first brain surgery, as the doctor was walking back with me to the recovery room to see my husband, he explained that because the brain is such a delicate organ, there’s always a risk that accidentally touching the wrong area could cause damage.
He told me that during the entire surgery my husband was mumbling incoherently, and when he came out of the anesthesia after the operation, he was screaming the same incoherent words. He wanted to prepare me for the worst. However, when we got into the recovery room, I saw that the words my husband had been mumbling and then literally shouting were “ein od milvado.” I laughed and assured the doctor, “Don’t worry, he’s saying just what he should be saying!”
My husband’s life was permeated with that faith. I teach hisbodedus and emunah to clients and students around the world, and this is what I learned from my husband.
In a way, for me at least, physical illness is the easiest way to see Yad Hashem. My challenge is when a person is unkind to me. That’s when I must work hard at understanding that this person has no control over me and that this struggle too is directly from Hashem. And if it’s from Hashem, it must be good. I get there eventually, but my first response very well
might be, “Why me? Why me?” or “How dare you step on my toes?”
The example that comes to mind involves an incident during Covid with my mother with whom I’ve always had a difficult relationship. In 2020, she suffered a stroke and was placed in a nursing home. Though my father never left her bedside, out of five siblings, my sister and I bore the brunt of her care.
Life had been good, but with Judaism, it became something elevated and more complete.
My sister and I made sure she had what she needed and did our best to keep her comfortable. I was in Chicago at the time and would FaceTime with her two to three times a week, staying on the phone sometimes for as long as seven hours. Some days, she was mean to me and said nasty things. Some days, she wasn’t cognizant. That was the challenge—caring for someone on a regular basis with the appropriate amount of love and respect despite how she treated me.
In one call, she began speaking only in Polish. I said, “Ma, I don’t understand you. You have to speak in English.” She said, “Ask him. He knows,” meaning my husband. I asked him if he understood her, he said, “No.” (He knows Russian, not Polish). She said, “Uch, you’re both dumb Polaks.” Then she stopped talking to me altogether. Thankfully, the tablet died so I had an excuse to get off the phone.
The way I looked at it was how to do it right and not make a chillul Hashem. It’s difficult when interacting with people who are not nice or not in their right mind, to make sure my behavior is aligned with what
Hashem expects of me. I try not to react emotionally. If I caused pain, I took responsibility. But no matter what she was doing or saying to me, I wanted to make a kiddush Hashem. In a previous lifetime, I may have been hurt or fought with her. But now, my focus was and is: am I doing the best I can? Could I have done something better to make other people have honor and respect for Hashem?
The truth is, I was always a bit of a black sheep in my family of origin. There were five of us, (three boys and two girls), but I always felt outside of them, like they had this tight-knit kinship that I was not part of.
In fact, my sister didn’t talk to me for decades. It was well before my conversion, so it had nothing to do with that. Though, ironically, when I converted, she took her two sons and had them baptized. Years later, when my mother had the stroke, and we were forced to come together, we began to speak again. At one point, we were on a three-way call with my brother, and I think my sister thought I’d hung up, when I heard her say, “I can’t believe we’re getting along—we’re so much alike.” It hit me then that we probably could’ve been friends all these years. Today, although we live far apart, we speak often. We do have similar interests and similar personality traits so it’s not hard.
rooteD in EmEs
I didn’t feel like I gave up a lot to become Jewish. OK, yes, I liked bacon and my grandmother’s kielbasa was amazing. But seriously, becoming a Jew wasn’t about losing anything; it was about stepping into something I had always been moving toward. It felt like the whipped cream on top of a latte. Life had been good, but with Judaism, it became something elevated and more complete.
As a Jew, I feel more connected to my fellow Jews. After my husband Nechemya passed away, I remarried, but that marriage did not work out. I am now divorced and staying with a friend until my apartment is ready. I think if this had happened to me as a non-Jew, I would probably be homeless right now. The friendships I’ve formed as a frum Jew are stronger.
Even my professional work as a certified energy healer and certified life coach is directly sourced from Torah and Kabbalah. These teachings would not have been available to me in the life I lived before. I work with clients all over the world. They don’t have to be Jewish, but they do need to have a basic belief in G-d.
When someone becomes Jewish, part of that choice means showing up every single day and doing what you need to do, whether it’s easy or hard. Sometimes, it is a challenge just to be, just to continue going on day after day, especially when life brings loss, hardship, or disappointment. But, for example, I believe that my short and difficult remarriage was something my neshama needed, and Hashem knew that.
And I think, whether we are ba’alei teshuva, born frum, or converts, we all have the same choice when we wake up each morning. Every single one of us decides whether we will live according to Hashem’s will or not. That decision is not something I think about because I am a convert. It is something I live because I am a Jew.
Forgotten Her es
The Man Whose Weather Forecast Saved the World
By Nazaneen Ghaffar
“If he had got the forecast wrong,” Peter Stagg said from his home an hour from Bordeaux, France, “I could have been sitting in German France — not France France.”
Stagg was speaking about the pivotal role his father, Group Capt. James Stagg, played in liberating France from Nazi occupation.
The elder Stagg was not a general or a foot soldier, but in the final hours before one of the most consequential moments of World War II, he was the man everyone was waiting on.
On June 6, 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered more than 150,000 Allied troops to storm the beaches of Normandy in one of the largest seaborne invasions in history. But hours before, Eisenhower’s eyes were fixed not on the battlefield, but on the skies. More precisely, on the weather report laid out before him. And the meteorologist who had created it, described by his son as “a dour irascible Scot,” had to get it right.
“The weather forecast was a go or nogo,” said Catherine Ross, a library and archive manager at the Met Office, the weather service for the United Kingdom. “Everything else was ready.”
Success demanded a very specific set of conditions:
— Before the landings, the weather
needed to be calm for 48 hours.
— For the three days following, the wind needed to stay below Beaufort Force 4, equivalent to a moderate breeze.
— Parachutists and other air support needed less than 30% cloud cover below 8,000 feet, with a cloud base no lower than 2,500 feet and visibility of over 3 miles.
— A low tide at dawn was needed to expose German defenses.
— The invasion had to occur one day before or four days after a full moon for nighttime operations.
— Furthermore, the invasion had to align with the Soviet summer offensive in the East, to maximize pressure on German forces.
The Allies identified a window: between June 5 and June 7.
The odds were daunting. According to Ross, the likelihood of all the desired weather conditions aligning was 13-to-1 — and roughly triple that once the full moon was added to the equation.
Making matters worse, the beginning of June brought a spell of highly unsettled weather.
“There was a succession of low pressures and fronts coming across the Channel, and the challenge was trying to find a gap,” she said. “Not just to allow them to invade, but to be able to get enough backup troops and supplies across.”
The 5th “was the ideal day,” Eisenhower recalled in an interview 20 years later. But the date was subject to last-minute revision in the event of bad weather.
The man tasked with delivering that all-important forecast was Stagg, the chief meteorological adviser to Eisenhower from the British Meteorological Office. He was responsible for producing a unified forecast based on input from three independent groups, two British and one American.
Peter Stagg, who was a toddler in 1944, said his father upheld strict discipline at home and rarely smiled. Yet he also had a lighter side.
“He had a sense of humor,” Stagg said. “If we had visitors to the house, they’d all say, ‘Oh, what a wonderful host.’ And he was charming with it, and plying them with whiskey and everything else.”
In the days leading up to D-Day, that charm was tested under enormous pressure.
“He did go through, obviously, tremendous stress — not just because it was his responsibility to get the decision right, but he was working with Americans as well as Brits,” Stagg said.
“It Was Very Much an Evolving Science”
With today’s advanced forecasting,
and the help of supercomputers, satellites and a range of sophisticated models, meteorologists can produce fairly accurate predictions several days in advance.
But there was no unified approach to forecasting in 1944. The American team, part of the newly formed U.S. Strategic Air Forces based near Eisenhower’s headquarters in southwest London, employed analogue forecasting, a method that compared current conditions to historical weather patterns. The British teams relied on hand-drawn charts, observational data and newer understandings of upper-atmosphere patterns. These approaches often clashed.
“At the time, it was very much an evolving science that evolved in different ways in different countries,” said Dan Suri, a meteorologist at the Met Office.
Suri said that some of these methods remain in use today, albeit digitally.
“Aspects of what they did still feature, and the D-Day forecasters would recognize aspects of what they did in what we do today,” he said.
James Stagg’s job was not just scientific, but diplomatic — a delicate act of balancing contrasting forecasts from the American and British teams, and shaping them into a coherent narrative with a single decisive recommendation for Eisenhower.
James Stagg The landings at Normandy on June 6
“That wasn’t always entirely possible,” Suri said. “He had quite a difficult job, really.”
Ahead of the invasion, tensions rose between the forecasting teams. Transcripts from the daily telephone discussions among Stagg, the general and the three forecasting teams revealed a strong difference of opinions among the groups.
Peter Stagg remembered his father telling him how he had to navigate the growing tensions.
“The American guy was pushing all the time to give Eisenhower the good news or what he felt was the good news,” he said. “Whereas my father had to somehow get over to Eisenhower that that wasn’t the right answer.
“My father was saying, the British weather is not like that. It’s not predictable in that sort of way,” he continued. “It’s one of the most difficult weathers in the world to predict, because it is so changeable.”
The American meteorologists believed that June 5 or 6 would offer suitable weather. The British, however, opposed June 5.
“He had to make the decision of which side he was going to go with,” Ross said, “and take that to Eisenhower.”
According to professor Julian Hunt in his book “D-Day: The Role of the Met Office,” a high-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean and a strong storm near northern Scotland were expected to cause rough seas and excessive cloud cover in the English Channel on June 5. James Stagg delivered his decision: Gales would sweep through Normandy, making landings impossible.
“He gave us the worst report you ever saw,” Eisenhower later recalled. Convoys that had already set off were ordered to turn back.
But by June 4, forecasts indicated that the storm system would shift northeast, giving way to a brief period of calmer conditions June 6.
Still, Stagg was uncertain. His diary reveals his doubt: “I am now getting rather stunned — it is all a nightmare.”
Ross said the decision to go ahead was a compromise. “It was a question of, will the 6th be good enough? And the call was, yes, it will be good enough. But it was a challenge.”
Eventually, the American and British meteorologists moved toward consensus for June 6. On the evening of June 4, Stagg returned with the more optimistic forecast. Eisenhower later described a
“little grin on his face.”
“We hoped that with this break, we could do it,” Eisenhower later said. After a brief moment of contemplation — “about 45 seconds,” he recalled — he gave the order that would change the course of history: “OK, we’ll go.”
The invasion went ahead June 6, 1944, but the forecast turned out to be off the mark.
Suri said that, instead of moving northeast, the storm over northern Scotland shifted southward into the North Sea, weakening as it did. This unexpected change allowed winds to ease slightly, and visibility improved as the front over northern France moved away.
“That’s why things got better,” Suri said. “So they were right for the wrong reasons.”
But conditions were windy, and the seas remained rough.
Many of the first troops to cross the English Channel had “considerable seasickness,” The Associated Press wrote, and the strong winds whipped up whitecaps, making the journey to the beaches even more punishing.
But the marginal weather may have given the Allies a vital edge.
The German forecasts were similar
to those of the Allies, but they had not expected an invasion under such adverse conditions. On June 4, the chief meteorologist of the 3rd German Air Fleet reported to Field Marshal Erwin Rommel that the weather in the Channel would be so poor that there could be no landing attempts until June 10.
“The Germans assumed high tide, cover of darkness and better cloud, wind and visibility conditions than the Allies actually needed,” Suri said. When the Allied forces struck, the Germans were unprepared.
In the aftermath of the invasion, as the weight of its success came into focus, the full significance of the meteorological gamble became clear.
In a memorandum accompanying an official report to Eisenhower, Stagg reflected on just how close they had come to disaster. Had the invasion been postponed to the next suitable tides, the troops would have faced the Channel’s worst storm in 20 years.
“Thanks,” Eisenhower wrote in response. “And thank the gods of war we went when we did.”
WChana Devorah Mishler A Former Pastor’s Journey to Judaism
By Eliyahu RosEnBERg
hen Chana Devorah was a young girl — back when her name was still Arelys — she thought her family was, to say the least, intriguing.
She was raised, in her words, as a “hardcore Catholic.” She and her family would attend church services every Sunday. She received a Catholic school education. And as a teenager, she worked as a church teacher for Catholic children. Plus, her family’s favorite pastime seemed to be reading the Christian Bible. So, in a sense, they were your typical Catholic family.
In Her Words…
It wouldn’t be far off to say that Chana Devorah’s younger years revolved around Catholicism, almost like the Earth orbits the Sun. But saying that would fail to capture the full picture of her childhood. It seemed as though, in addition to Christianity, there was another faith her family — her grandmother, in particular, whom she grew up with — lived by. There was this imperceptible, nearly invisible force that seemingly governed parts of their world. And yet, despite its power, no one knew what it was.
“In my house, I used to see a lot of stuff that was out of the ordinary — that
i believe 100% in hashgacha pratis. hashem puts everything in front of us. he orchestrates everything behind the scenes. a nd we can’t see or understand everything. We just have to follow him. Trust in hashem 100%. surrender. a nd just tell him, ‘ you are the Boss, and you are in control.’ a nd everything will be better.
hashem is one Who gives me the strength to keep going every day.
in Judaism, we know we have to do mitzvot. not for the sake of being rewarded, but because we love hashem. a nd because he loves us so much, we want to reciprocate that love by serving him and trying to imitate him in every possible way. That’s why we have so many mitzvot.
I didn’t see any other family doing,” Chana Devorah Mishler recounts. “We were Catholics, but my grandmother would light candles on Friday before sunset. No bracha. No reason. So, I asked her, ‘Why do you light candles?’ And she would tell me, ‘Oh, I learned it from my mother.’”
When the family lost a loved one, Chana Devorah recalls her grandmother draping the mirrors with large towels. “When you’re mourning,” her grandmother would say, “you cannot look at yourself in the mirror.” Additionally, Chana Devorah’s grandparents taught her Ladino, a language spoken nearly exclusively by Sephardic Jews that combines Spanish, Hebrew, and other languages.
There were other irregularities, as well. Christians can definitely be charitable, but when it came to tzedakah, her grandmother seemed to be from another world entirely.
“In my house, we used to feed from 15 to 20 people every day — people who didn’t have what to eat,” shares Chana Devorah. “If I would go out and find a hungry child on the street, I would bring that child to my house. I would offer them a shower, a change of clothes, and food to eat. That’s the family that I come from.”
Chana Devorah’s grandmother would often exclaim, “Don’t pray to [Yoshke]. Pray to G-d.” To us, that seems obvious. But when a girl hears her trinity-believing grandmother say that, it comes across as contradictory.
And then there was her grandma’s odd little catchphrase: “Remember, everywhere you go,” she would tell Chana Devorah, “that you are a child of
the covenant.” Chana Devorah would, years later, learn what her grandmother meant by that.
* * *
From a young age, Chana Devorah Mishler always felt uneasy about Christianity.
“I’m not a person who could believe blindly, but I am a person of conviction,” she shares. “If I don’t see it and you don’t prove it to me, I can’t believe in it. That’s why I had such a hard time being a Christian. Because, when you’re a Christian, they want you to follow everything blindly.”
Yet, little contradictions haunted her. She would look at the “New” Testament, as they call it, and then she would read the “Old” Testament (the Torah), and she couldn’t wrap her head around how the two books could be compatible. In the Christian Bible, it says that Yoshke died for everyone; that he served as a human sacrifice to atone for all of humanity’s sins. But then, you look at the Torah, which Christians also believe is the word of G-d, and you see clearly that: 1) Human sacrifices are an abomination in Hashem’s eyes, and 2) nobody, other than you, can pay for your sins.
Chana Devorah wasn’t quiet about her doubts, not out of rebellion, but because she genuinely wanted answers. In church, she would frequently question the sermons. Once, the preacher declared, “Anyone who was born and died before Yoshke is burning in [gehenom] for eternity.”
When Chana Devorah heard that, she rose from her seat.
“Excuse me? Did I mishear you?” she asked incredulously. “Are you telling me that Moses and Abraham, who were
counted among the most righteous people on Earth, are burning in [gehenom]?”
The preacher immediately got defensive. And she was left without an ounce of clarity.
Still, it wasn’t immediately clear to Chana Devorah that Christianity wasn’t for her. Though she felt disconnected from her faith, she initially blamed that on Catholicism. So, in her 20s, she became a different type of Christian: a Protestant evangelical. When that didn’t feel right, she thought that if she dug deeper, she would find the spark, the answers she’d been searching for. So, she became a pastor.
“I moved to Canada because I married a Canadian. In Canada, I went to a Christian church. Same things, same ritual,” she recalls. “One Sunday, it was what they called Pentecost Sunday, and I arrived at church, and I started crying. I couldn’t stop crying. I had this feeling of guilt in my heart, like I was doing something really wrong.”
It didn’t make any sense to her. She was doing everything she thought she should. Yet, despite her high position in the church, at that stage in her life, she never felt further from G-d. She went home. She continued crying. “G-d, please tell me. What am I doing wrong?” she pleaded. “Why do I have this feeling of guilt, like I’m doing something very wrong? Please, G-d. Please show me the way.”
“A few days after that, I had a dream. I’m sitting on the staircase of my house in Ottawa, Canada. And I see the resemblance of an angel,” Chana Devorah recounts. “And he talks to me and tells me, ‘You know why you feel so uncomfortable going to church? Because you don’t belong there. Do you know that there is a covenant between the people of Israel and G-d? The covenant was given at Mount Sinai, and it’s called the Torah, or the ketubah between G-d and the Jewish people.’ That was the first time I heard a Hebrew word in my
whole life. He told me, ‘The reason you feel this way is because…you are part of the people of Israel.’”
Chana Devorah woke up with tears streaming down her face. “This is crazy,” she thought. She bolted to her computer and Googled the word “ketubah.” She stared at her screen in disbelief. What was happening to her? What did her dream mean?
She started researching Judaism. Soon thereafter, she stumbled upon “The Last Sephardic,” a documentary about the expulsion and forced conversion of Sephardic Jews during the Spanish Inquisition. While watching it, she heard a very familiar language: Ladino, the language that she thought only her grandparents spoke.
* * *
Chana Devorah thought about Judaism for a while. She even spoke to her mother about it. Indeed, all the evidence — the random Friday night candle lighting, the mourning customs, their rare Sephardic language, her grandmother’s wisdom — pointed to a Jewish lineage obscured by time.
“I believe my family comes from the Anusim, or Marranos,” she says, referring to the Jews who were forcibly converted to Christianity in Spain or Portugal but continued to practice in secret. “I’m sure they were forced to convert.”
Later, during her formal conversion process, that suspicion was confirmed by a conversation she had with one of the rabbis of the beis din.
“One of the chief rabbis in Canada asked me in the first meeting, ‘Do you speak Ladino?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I learned Ladino from my grandparents.’
And we started having a conversation in Ladino,” Chana Devorah recalls. “And he told the other dayanim, ‘She’s definitely Jewish. Nobody on Earth would speak Ladino if they didn’t come from the Inquisition from Spain or Portugal.’”
The moment she uncovered her Jewish heritage, something clicked. She knew, without hesitation, that this was her path. But she wanted there to be no
doubts halachically about her Jewishness. As such, she went to the strictest Beis Din in North America — the charedi one in Toronto — and underwent the formal conversion process. Around one year later, on September 18, 2016, she officially became Jewish, becoming known as Chaya Chana Devorah.
But her conversion wasn’t only about her identity. In a way, she felt like she was reclaiming the Jewishness her family had been robbed of. After centuries of spiritual distance, she was finally bringing her family back to its roots. Indeed, her favorite mitzvah is the one her grandmother performed every Friday: lighting Shabbat lights.
“When I light Shabbat candles, I feel like I am making up for all my past generations,” she declares. “And I feel like I’m bringing light to the world.”
* * *
Make no mistake. There were challenges along the way. Changing one’s faith is hard for anyone. But transforming one’s life is especially difficult when it’s done practically overnight, as it was for Chana Devorah Mishler. At times, she felt she was progressing at a dizzying pace, and she prayed to G-d to slow her down. Abandoning Christianity also took some time for her to get used to.
“In Christianity, they teach you that Yoshke paid for all your sins and you don’t have to do anything anymore, because you are saved by grace,” she explains. “In Judaism, we know we have to do mitzvot. Not for the sake of being rewarded, but because we love Hashem. And because He loves us so much, we want to reciprocate that love by serving Him and trying to imitate Him in every possible way. That’s why we have so many mitzvot.”
There were other struggles as well. Although her then-husband converted with her, she soon realized that their marriage couldn’t last due to incompatibility issues. She would later meet and get remarried to her current husband.
But through her challenges, she found deep comfort in her flourish -
ing relationship with Hashem. Having grown up in a single-mother home, Chana Devorah truly felt that Hashem was her one and only Father. And so, she always found herself, no matter the time or place, in dialogue with G-d. “Hashem is one who gives me the strength to keep going every day,” she declares.
At the time of her conversion, her son was a teenage boy. Because he was past the age of bar mitzvah, her conversion wouldn’t be enough to make him Jewish. Indeed, he would have to go through the geirus process, too.
“I gave him the option,” Chana Devorah recalls. “I told him, ‘You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I know it’s a lot to learn, and I don’t want to put pressure on you.’ So, he answered me, ‘Mama, this is where I belong. This is who I want to be.’”
* * *
Today, Chana Devorah Mishler’s son is 23 years old. “He was the only son that Hashem gave me,” she says. “He’s a miracle child.”
Indeed, for quite some time, Chana Devorah couldn’t have children. Her doctors told her that it would be absolutely impossible for her to have a child. Her only option, they suggested, was to adopt. Although she wasn’t yet officially Jewish, she had tremendous emunah. She declared: “No. G-d can do anything. And I know He will make me a mother.” And He did. When she gave birth, her doctor told her, “You are living proof that G-d makes miracles.”
When her son converted, he chose the name Shmuel. She, on the other hand, became Chana, naming herself after Shmuel HaNavi’s mother, who struggled for years with infertility.
“I believe 100% in hashgacha pratis. Hashem puts everything in front of us. He orchestrates everything behind the scenes. And we can’t see or understand everything. We just have to follow Him,” Chana Devorah concludes. “Trust in Hashem 100%. Surrender. And just tell Him, ‘You are the Boss, and You are in control.’ And everything will be better.”
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.
Summer Wine Review
Summer is here!
While for some that may mean cold beer at the Barbeque or some cold Sangria with floating fruits, for our team it means getting involved with some new wines that we have not yet had a chance to try, playing around with pairings of meats and the summer fruit that we love every summer.
We hope you enjoy some of these wonderful offerings!
Shiloh, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
While Shiloh is mostly famous forits reds, there’s also something special about the Sauvignon Blanc. It is a refreshing and approachable white that combines vibrant citrus fruit notes with complexity and crisp acidity. Notes of ripe grapefruit, Meyer lemon, fresh hay, and earthy minerals create a wine that’s both lively and nuanced. Best served slightly chilled, it’s the perfect match for a platter of soft cheeses or a creamy mushroom risotto.
J. de Villebois, Pouilly-Fumé, Les Silex Blancs, 2023
The Loire Valley is becoming increasingly prolific with new kosher offerings every year. This is a rather highend Pouilly-Fumé, an appellation/ subregion of the Loire Valley known for its unique expressions of Sauvignon Blanc. I recommend comparing this wine and the aforementioned Shiloh side by side just to see how different wines made with the same grape variety and from the same vintage can be tasty yet so different. This wine is floral, zesty, with citrus peel notes like lime and grapefruit, while subtle hints of
earthy, saline minerals and grass add complexity. It is a great pairing with creamy pastas, soft cheeses, grilled red snapper, or even a crispy schnitzel.
Zion, Capital, Rosé, 2023
Israel’s growing reputation for exceptional rosé wines continues with the Zion Capital Rosé. While Zion is one of Israel’s oldest wineries, its wines have been flying a bit under the radar in some circles. This rosé is so vibrant, lively, and well-balanced that I chose it for my four cups this past Pesach. And the cherry on top: it’s very much affordable. With a pale yet bright pink color and notes of lavender, cherry, strawberry, pink grapefruit, and herbaceous flavors, this wine is ideal for lighter dishes like gravlax, Greek salad and sushi.
Pinto, Grenache, 2021
It is time to take this hidden gem out of the shadows! A beautiful expression of Israel’s unique Negev desert terroir, with Grenache Noir grapes grown in a hot and arid climate. This wine balances good acidity with ripe red fruit aromas, complemented by earthy undertones and hints of roasted meat, herbs, and spices. It’s a medium wine that pairs wonderfully with fleishig dishes such as grilled lamb chops, short ribs, or savory empanadas.
Baron Herzog, Pinot Grigio, 2023
The Baron Herzog Pinot Grigio is a standout example of this popular variety, offering a welcome departure from the usual boring, one-dimensional citrusy notes. Not that there is anything wrong with citrusy notes, they’re there, too. Instead, it’s filled with additional flavors of white peach, apricot, and tropical fruits like papaya and guava. The vibrant yet rounder, but balanced profile typical of Pinot Grigio makes it a versatile wine that pairs well with herb-crusted veal chops or delicate dishes like trout baked in butter and almonds.
Domaine du Castel, Raziel 2020
The Raziel brand is a line of wines from the famous Domaine du Castel winery, which was the first among the Israeli boutique wineries to become kosher in the early 2000’s. This is a wine made from Syrah, Granache, Mourvedre and Carignan grapes and aged for 18 months in French oak. Although relatively young, the tannins have melded well into the wine and it is drinking nicely. Flavors of black berries and tobacco, very easy on the palate and pleasant with either red meat or chicken.
Ohr Haganuz Marom Blend 2021
What a fun wine. Lots of flavors going on. It’s
all over the place. Not intense just full of action. Rich, juicy and very fruity.
Netofa Latour Red 2020
An elegant wine. Elegant but friendly. It doesn’t punch you in the face, only allows you to appreciate it. Very smooth and easy to drink while still full of flavor.
Herzog Variations Be-Leaf Cabernet 2020
This wine has got some smack. It is very tart and boldly flavored. Needs to be sipped nice and slow to be properly enjoyed. (Do expect a more than typical amount of sediment due to the organic nature of the wine).
Teperberg Inspire Meritage 2021
This bottle brought my seudah to such an inspiring level. The taste of this wine was like water to parched lips. This wine is wholesome and smooth, with the perfect balance of richness and simple palate pleasing tones. If you’re looking for a simple, yet full wine this bottle won’t disappoint you.
Tura Estate Mountain Vista Rose 2023
Paired with soy marinated gravlax on toasted ciabatta avocado arugula sriracha mayo
First sip - Smells like summer- almost like Fresh melon with some hint of tart grapefruit at the end with a carbonated like feel on the tongue
Second bite get some of the soy marinaded gravlax.
Second sip deeper more robust notes have been extracted by the soy almost bringing cherries and some dry fruit to the party.. still that amazing carbonated sensation on the tongue.
Next sandwich - Smoky vegan carrot lox with some acidity from house made 3/4 sour pickle and arugula sweet honey mustard avocado gotta grab that loose pickle from the plate and pop in the mouth.
Next sip - After some water (have been clearing mouth the whole time), a strong Apricot with a raspberry finish.
Out of a scale of 100 I give this an 93 It was amaz-
ingly refreshing and just what the doctor ordered.
The pairings really brought out different notes.
It fell a little short of some legendary roses that I have experienced such as from Castel and Matar but is definitely up there.
Mamash taste the holy land getting closer with every sip…
Dr. Raphael Warren is a founding member of the Cincinnati Combined Generations, a predecessor organization to the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. Ray will share the story of his parents, Fannie and Max Warren z”l, who were Holocaust survivors, and how this legacy has impacted him.
Following the presentation, guests are invited to take a special tour led by Steve Coppel, son of Holocaust survivors Werner & Trudy Coppel z”l. Steve will interweave his parents’ story throughout the museum tour.
The event is free with RSVP to tjohnson@cincyhhc.org.
Parking is $6/car.
Steve Coppel, Son of Survivors
Ray Warren, Ph.D., Son of Survivors
Davenning times
Davenning times
Davenning times
sponsored
SHABBOS
7:30 Chabad BA pre ph 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.
Weekdays
Shachari
SHACHARIS
Friday Mincha 2:15 Kollel
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)
Mesivta / Sha’arei Torah pre ss CZE, The Shul CHABAD
Golf Manor 8, 9 6:306:306:306:306:30 8:20, 9 8:00 10 min. early
MINCHA/MA’ARIV
Golf Manor 8, 9 6:306:306:306:306:30 8:20, 9 8:00 10 min. early chDS call 7:307:307:307:307:30
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***
7:15 Golf Manor
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,
7:30 CZE 7:30
7:45 Mesivta / 7:45
8:00 CHDS / Golf Manor Sha’arei Torah 8:00 8:00
8:15 Kollel OTC / 7:20
M & M pre ph Golf Manor, Sha’arei Torah pre ss CZE
Ma’ariv S–W Thurs 8:00** CZE
Shabbos 40 min. before sunset 5:00, 6:20 40 min. before sunset 90 min. before sunset 7:25 30 min. before sunset
Variable (minutes before ss)
90 Kollel
45 Mesivta / 40 Sha’arei Torah
30 Chabad BA, CZE
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***
8:30 CZE, Chabad BA 8:30
9:00 CZE (Library) 9:00
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***
Ma’ariv
Variable (minutes after ss)
30 Sha’arei Torah
35 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
42 The Shul CHABAD 43–48 (8.5°) Chabad BA 50 Kollel
55 CZE
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.)
60 Mesivta /
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
KEY: mg = Mincha Gedola * Monday–Friday ph = P’lag haMincha ** Mondays & Wednesdays only ss = sunset / when school is in session ‡ 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 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
Jun 21 5:11:53 a 6:11:53 a 9:55:49 a 11:10:28 a 1:39:45 p 2:17:04 p 7:34:19 p 9:07:38 p 9:57:38 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
Jun 26 5:13:22 a 6:13:22 a 9:57:04 a 11:11:38 a 1:40:47 p 2:18:04 p 7:34:59 p 9:08:12 p 9:58:12 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
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
Jul 1 5:15:29 a 6:15:29 a 9:58:36 a 11:12:59 a 1:41:44 p 2:18:55 p 7:35:00 p 9:07:59 p 9:57:59 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 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
Jul 6 5:18:12 a 6:18:12 a 10:00:23 a 11:14:27 a 1:42:35 p 2:19:36 p 7:34:23 p 9:06:58 p 9:56:58 p
Jul 11 5:21:24 a 6:21:24 a 10:02:20 a 11:15:59 a 1:43:16 p 2:20:05 p 7:33:05 p 9:05:09 p 9:55:09 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
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
Jul 16 5:25:01 a 6:25:01 a 10:04:24 a 11:17:31 a 1:43:47 p 2:20:20 p 7:31:08 p 9:02:33 p 9:52:33 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
Jul 21 5:28:58 a 6:28:58 a 10:06:31 a 11:19:02 a 1:44:04 p 2:20:19 p 7:28:31 p 8:59:10 p 9:49:10 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
Jul 26 5:33:11 a 6:33:11 a 10:08:39 a 11:20:29 a 1:44:08 p 2:20:02 p 7:25:18 p 8:55:05 p 9:45:05 p Jul 31 5:37:34 a 6:37:34 a 10:10:45 a 11:21:49 a 1:43:57 p 2:19:28 p 7:21:30 p 8:50:20 p 9:40:20 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 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
Aug 1 5:38:27 a 6:38:27 a 10:11:09 a 11:22:04 a 1:43:52 p 2:19:19 p 7:20:40 p 8:49:18 p 9:39:18 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
Aug 6 5:42:58 a 6:42:58 a 10:13:10 a 11:23:15 a 1:43:23 p 2:18:25 p 7:16:13 p 8:43:49 p 9:33:49 p
Aug 11 5:47:33 a 6:47:33 a 10:15:06 a 11:24:17 a 1:42:40 p 2:17:15 p 7:11:18 p 8:37:47 p 9:27:47 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
Aug 16 5:52:09 a 6:52:09 a 10:16:55 a 11:25:11 a 1:41:42 p 2:15:50 p 7:05:56 p 8:31:16 p 9:21:16 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
Aug 21 5:56:44 a 6:56:44 a 10:18:38 a 11:25:56 a 1:40:32 p 2:14:11 p 7:00:13 p 8:24:21 p 9:14:21 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
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
Aug 26 6:01:18 a 7:01:18 a 10:20:14 a 11:26:33 a 1:39:11 p 2:12:20 p 6:54:10 p 8:17:04 p 9:07:04 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
Aug 31 6:05:51 a 7:05:51 a 10:21:45 a 11:27:04 a 1:37:40 p 2:10:19 p 6:47:52 p 8:09:30 p 8:59:30 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
by creative @ raubvogel.us
by creative @ raubvogel.us
Sep 1 6:06:46 a 7:06:46 a 10:22:03 a 11:27:09 a 1:37:21 p 2:09:54 p 6:46:34 p 8:07:57 p 8:57:57 p Sep 6 6:11:17 a 7:11:17 a 10:23:29 a 11:27:34 a 1:35:42 p 2:07:44 p 6:40:02 p 8:00:08 p 8:50:08 p Sep 11 6:15:48 a 7:15:48 a 10:24:53 a 11:27:54 a 1:33:58 p 2:05:28 p 6:33:20 p 7:52:08 p 8:42:08 p
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.
