Five Towns Jewish Home 03.27.25

Former Hostage Luis Har Visits HALB

A Timeless Tale To Tell at TAG’s Dinner

Dear Readers,

Sometimes, we don’t even realize that our actions can be hurting others.

My teenage daughter traveled back from Israel by herself this week. When booking her flight, my husband asked her which seat she would prefer: window or aisle. She chose aisle. But when she got back home, I asked her how her flight was. “It was so hard,” she told me.

Before the flight began, she was sitting next to a young married girl. This girl’s husband was sitting in the middle seat right in front of his wife. Before takeoff, they asked my daughter if she would switch seats with him so they could sit near each other on the flight. My daughter, who is a young teenager and very sweet, agreed. “What could I say,” she told me. “If I said no, it would be awkward the whole flight.” And so, she sat in a middle seat between two strangers the whole ride home – not a recipe for a relaxing flight.

I thought to myself. Did this young couple, starting off their lives together in Israel, intentionally want to make this flight home uncomfortable for my daughter? I don’t know them, but I know that that wasn’t on their radar. They were only thinking about how fun it would be if they would be able to sit near each on the tenhour flight.

And that is the problem. They weren’t thinking of her; they were only thinking about themselves.

At a family simcha this week, Rabbi Shmuel

Diamond spoke about a concept in Tanya which talks about three different types of people in this world: the tzaddik, the rasha, and the beinoni. To illustrate the differences between the three people, he gave a real-life example. Suppose the gabbai in a shul hangs up a sign near the washing station: “Please don’t use excess paper towels after washing.” The rasha looks at the sign and ignores it, davka using extra paper towels when he dries his hands. The beinoni uses the exact amount of paper towels that he needs. The tzaddik, though, uses only one paper towel or even forgoes the towels and lets his hands airdry. He doesn’t look at the sign and only think about the need; he thinks about the person behind the need and tells himself that he can sacrifice even more than the person is asking so he can help the other person.

My other daughter is truly fortunate to be in Morah R.’s class this year. One week, she came home and told the family that her teacher told her that being a mensch is opening your eyes to see the other person. It’s not just seeing what they need (although that is truly part of being a mensch), it’s about really seeing them – their needs, their wants, their feelings.

When we open our eyes to really see the other person, we can help to build a world that is more complete, more whole, more holy.

Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman, MANAGING EDITOR ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

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Rain PM Showers Showers

Dear Editor,

During this past election in November, I was filling out my ballot and saved my vote for the U.S. President for last. I found both Trump and Harris to be nothing but a pain in the neck, each in their own ways, and figured that either choice would create new problems, or continue or worsen old ones, with hardly anything real getting done. I thus figured I’d vote nobody - until I heard that Walz planned to appoint AOC to the Supreme Court, a politician who is worse than Kamala, and would destroy both Israel and America into crumbles.

That’s when I was sold. I voted for Trump, despite absolutely hating him, as he was the better choice.

I must say how impressed I was when he hosted a frum Jewish boy in the signing to dismantle the Education Department. Has their ever been any other president in U.S. history who was pro-Jews to THAT extent?

Sincerely, Trump stinks but is definitely the better choice

Dear Editor,

It was painful to read the School of Thought article this week about how the child does not get calls or play dates.

In 2005, I was in high school. I used to be bullied badly and had a lot of distress at home but finally in high school I was not being bullied. I was finally having a better life. All that was about to change. I was forced to be in therapy due to not talking enough in high school.

I said so many cringy and embarrassing things just to satisfy my word quota. Now I suffer from embarrassing memories that keep popping up. I expressed my feelings to my parents, but I got yelled at, got my feelings invalidated. No one cared what I said.

I got crazier and crazier to the point they wanted me banned from the 12th grade Shabbaton. Not one in the administration staff put two and two together and saw me talking more and not being heard or even bashed got me crazier. I was criticized by my parents for not talking enough.

I struggle even now with my emotional regulation. I had such a good sense of myself that got utterly destroyed for what? I did not speak enough loshon hora? Not enough idle chatter? There are so many Torah and rabbinical quotes about how great it is not to talk unnecessarily. All taken away from me.

I utterly hate therapy now and apparently the only cure for me is to go back to therapy to undo the damage that would not happen in the first place if it was not forced on me. No one has any sympathy for me.

The principal says the school only had good intentions. Then she blocked me as she had no time for me. Hypocrite. Plenty of time to ruin my life but no time to fix it?

Rabbis just jump into accusing me of saying I find therapy shameful when I never said that, only that therapy damaged me. My parents forced me to talk in social gatherings then criticized me for whatever I said. How am I supposed to get out of this? I utterly despise therapy and wish one day this industry will go the way of leeches and lobotomy.

And you still are forcing children to talk if they are on the quieter side even if they are great at everything else. Children that talk when it is necessary and otherwise will happily listen to others. Good grades not enough for you? Not stuffing the toilets is not enough for you? Not smoking weed is not enough for you?

Unlike medications that involve a lot

Continued on page 20

Continued from page 16 of compensation to test on human subjects and the companies can be sued for malpractice if the side effects are so adverse, forced therapy gets away with this. It’s a living study, and therapy improves over time on the damaged subjects of yesteryear.

“If you suspect your child is lonely, it can be hard to know for sure unless they tell you directly. Many children, especially teenagers, may not readily admit their struggles.” I was telling my parents I am fine the way I was, but not one word of mine was believed. Therapists sealed my fate with their suggestion to get me to talk more.

I know how to talk. I just don’t want to talk about my interests when no one cares about them. Why is this so hard to comprehend? It was so awkward to talk about animals to girls who are disgusted and scared of them.

Over the years, I got crazier and crazier and nearly got fired when everything I said at work was used against me. I was just trying to mimic a yenta because that is apparently what everyone wanted. I turned my life around when I did the exact opposite of the forced intervention in high school. Amazing how I got it right all along and no one wanted to care what I really wanted. I am naturally not a yenta at all so it was easy for me to go back to the way I really am but I am seething at the therapy industry, the high school staff, and my own parents for what was forced on me.

Twenty years later and therapy is still being forced on children who do not want them, who feel fine with the level they socialize with others. I see the needle slightly moved a little. “Some kids simply feel out of place, like a ‘rose in a tulip garden’ as psychologist Lauren Allerhand from the Child Mind Institute describes it, meaning they may need to find a group with similar interests rather than change who they are.” Finally, the “experts” are getting what children of these forced interventions knew all along. Watch how social we actually are when we interact with others who share the same interests as us rather than force us to awkwardly talk about topics no one else cares about like how I spoke about giraffes during a Shabbos dinner. The guest got so annoyed by my discussion on giraffes he said, “Let’s talk about zebras now.” And I don’t want to force myself to research topics others actually like just for the sake of socializing. That is very phony.

A lot of pain happened between me

and my parents that continued way after high school and even into my marriage. I believe if I was not forced into this therapy they would not have nitpicked literally everything I have done. It took years to reconcile and to heal up the damage done with the “good intentions” the forced therapy was done to me.

Not Social Woman

Dear Editor,

We appreciate your encouragement for our community to participate in the ongoing WZO elections. We believe it is crucial to highlight that our Orthodox community has multiple viable options.

We urge EVERY member of our community to vote for one of the Orthodox slates! While Eretz Hakodesh indeed represents Torah values, other Orthodox organizations also play a vital role in determining whether the Kotel will retain its sanctity and in shaping the future of Jewish life in Israel.

Many people remain unaware of the ongoing WZO elections, and for those who are, the process can be confusing. Eretz Hakodesh is a slate dedicated primarily to maintaining the kedusha of Eretz Yisrael and aligns in many ways with “Agudah-type” leadership. However, it is not the only slate that prioritizes Torah values, the preservation of Israel’s holiness, and the mission of educating Jews about Judaism and the Land of Israel. It is important to recognize that the OIC-Mizrachi slate is equally committed to Torah values while also advocating for active participation in the IDF. Mizrachi proudly promotes aliyah, a deep love for Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, and a vision of religious Zionism that embraces both spiritual and national responsibilities. Backed by the OU, Yeshiva University, Young Israel, Touro, and the RCA (among others), Mizrachi offers a centrist platform firmly rooted in Torah values.

Since the tragic events of October 7, we have been on the ground, actively supporting chayalim, displaced families, and all of our brothers and sisters in Israel. Therefore, we strongly encourage everyone to vote for an Orthodox slate. If you align with Eretz Hakodesh’s positions, by all means, vote for them! But if you seek a slate that is unwavering in its Torah values, true to religious Zionism, and actively supports the IDF and its heroes, we urge you to vote for Slate 5 — The OIC-Mizrachi slate.

Sincerely,

Jeff Eisenberg & Moshe Bodner Co-founders, Israel Chesed Center

Protests in Turkey

Protests erupted across Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul mayor and presidential contender Ekrem Imamoglu, one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s chief competitors.

Imamoglu, who was expected to be chosen as the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP)’s presidential candidate, was detained for allegedly engaging in corruption, assisting a terrorist group, and being a “criminal organization leader suspect,” according to prosecutors.

The protests took place on the streets, at college campuses, and in underground stations. Thousands gathered before city hall, chanting, “Erdogan, dictator!” and “Imamoglu, you are not alone!” Turkey hasn’t seen protests like these in years.

In response to the demonstrations, the Istanbul governor’s office imposed four days of restrictions in the city, banning public gatherings. Additionally, Turkey placed major limitations on access to social media websites, including X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. In the meanwhile, protests were expected to take place in other cities in Turkey.

At some point, demonstrators and police fought in Istanbul, according to U.K.based internet watchdog NetBlocks, with footage showing officials breaking up protests outside Istanbul University with pepper spray.

In addition to Imamoglu, 100 others, such as politicians, journalists, and businessmen, were also arrested.

CHP blasted the detainments as “a coup against our next president.” Turkish officials argue that the arrests were not politically motivated but were ordered by the independent judiciary.

Deportations to El Salvador

Last weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump deported 238 Venezuelans and 23 Salvadorans to El Salvador, where they were jailed in the country’s Cecot mega-prison, or the Center for Terrorism Confinement, for purportedly being affiliated with Tren de Aragua and other gangs.

Though Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, said that the deportees would spend a year or more in jail, the head of El Salvador’s Human Rights and Freedom of Expression Commission, Andrés Guzmán, said that family members of those in jail can file a complaint if they believe their relative is innocent.

Cornell University’s government and public policy professor Gustavo

Flores-Macias said Guzmán’s offer was “unlikely to yield results,” since releasing immigrants doesn’t particularly fit Guzmán’s role of protecting the government’s best interests. Thus far, the U.S. has yet to name the deportees.

Cecot, which can hold up to 40,000 people, is bigger than any other prison in North and South America. The jail is infamous for its harsh treatment of inmates. It currently holds around 10,000 to 20,000 inmates. El Salvador has agreed to jail U.S. deportees in Cecot for $6 million, a fee meant to help pay for El Salvador’s prison system.

The government of Venezuela, including President Nicolás Maduro, has called on El Salvador to send the Venezuelan detainees back to Venezuela. Jorge Rodríguez Gómez, Venezuela’s special envoy for peace talks, said Saturday that his country and the U.S. had agreed to start sending detained Venezuelans back to Venezuela last Sunday.

“Migrating is not a crime, and we will not rest until we achieve the return of all those who require it and until we rescue our brothers kidnapped in El Salvador,” said Rodríguez.

U.S. Expels

S. African Amb.

South Africa’s ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool left the U.S. and returned home on Sunday after the Trump administration declared him persona non grata for making insulting remarks about the administration.

“A declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you,” Rasool said to cheering crowds in South Africa. “But when you return to crowds like this, and with warmth ... like this, then I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity.”

“It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets.”

On March 14, when his expulsion was announced, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Rasool a “race-baiting” politician and hater of the U.S. and President

Donald Trump. Rubio’s post on X linked to a news story by Breitbart about a webinar recently delivered by Rasool. During the speech, Rasool said the MAGA movement partially emerged from a “supremacist instinct.”

“The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A. in which the voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% white,” he said at the time.

“It is not the U.S. of Obama, it is not the U.S. of Clinton, it is a different U.S. and therefore our language must change,” Rasool later said, backing up his past statement. “I would stand by my analysis because we were analyzing a political phenomenon, not a personality, not a nation, and not even a government.”

Before Rasool’s expulsion, Trump signed an executive order in February withholding all funding to South Africa for its support of Hamas and Iran, its anti-Israel stance in the International Criminal Court, and its alleged discrimination against whites. In his speech back home, Rasool, a Muslim, reaffirmed his coun-

try’s opposition to Israel, with crowds chanting, “Free Palestine.”

“As we stand here, the bombing (in Gaza) has continued and the shooting has continued, and if South Africa was not in the (International Court of Justice), Israel would not be exposed, and the Palestinians would have no hope,” he said. “We cannot sacrifice the Palestinians ... but we will also not give up with our relationship with the United States. We must fight for it, but we must keep our dignity.”

Paris’ Car-Free Streets

In a vote on Sunday, 66% of Paris residents voted in favor of a proposal by Mayor Anne Hidalgo to make 500 streets in the French capital free of cars, turning miles of asphalt into greenery to protect the environment.

“With this vote, Parisians have the choice of whether or not to accelerate Paris’s adaptation to climate change, the fight against pollution, and the improvement of the living environment within 300 meters of their homes,” Hidalgo wrote on Instagram.

Those in favor of the proposal, particularly those who live in the city, believe the measures will boost the city’s livability and fight the alleged climate crisis. Opponents of the proposal note that residents of the suburbs will bear the brunt of the program, which will make it harder to commute and travel in Paris.

Hidalgo was elected mayor in 2014. She said she will not run for another term in 2026. Hidalgo, a member of the Socialist party, promotes this legislation as a means of advancing her plan for a “15-minute city,” where all essential resources are accessible to residents in 15 minutes or less by foot, bicycle, or public transportation.

Additionally, voters approved a proposal to add five to eight new green, pedestrianized streets to each neighborhood in the 20 districts of Paris.

Previously, residents of Paris voted in favor of other related proposals by Hidalgo. In 2024, they approved a new fee on SUVs and other vehicles with a high carbon footprint. In 2023, residents voted to

ban e-scooters for hire.

The project, which also requires the city to choose the streets that would be best for pedestrianization, could take three years to implement.

Guillaume Rozier, a digital issues advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, criticized the proposal since it lacked details about what residents would be voting for, including its costs and effects. Others have noted that the program would prioritize potentially insignificant numbers.

Since coming to power, Hidalgo has significantly changed her city’s flow of traffic. During her time in office, over 340 miles of new bicycle lanes were built, and tens of thousands of outdoor parking spaces were removed, thus decreasing traffic by over 40% since 2011.

Cabinet Fires Shin Bet Chief

The cabinet unanimously voted to fire Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet, on Friday morning, marking the first time in history that the government has dismissed an agency chief. Bar will likely leave on April 10, unless his successor is found before then.

In justifying the vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that after the October 7 massacre he stopped trusting Bar. Netanyahu branded the Shin Bet chief “soft” and “not the right person to rehabilitate the organization.” The prime minister noted that after removing Bar from the negotiating team and replacing him with another senior Shin Bet official, “the leaks have decreased dramatically, and through very successful negotiations we have managed to return the hostages.” In a letter to the cabinet, Bar argued that Netanyahu only wanted to “disrupt the ability of the Shin Bet to fulfill its role.” He disputed that there’s a reason he lost Netanyahu’s trust and said his removal from the negotiation team “harmed the

team and did not advance the release at all.” Bar also referenced the “ongoing complex, extensive, and highly sensitive investigation currently underway into Qatar’s involvement in the heart of Israeli decision-making, the Prime Minister’s Office,” which may be interfered with if he were fired.

Bar decided not to attend the government meeting regarding his dismissal, as he viewed the discussion as illegitimate.

Netanyahu has blamed Bar for the October 7 massacre, asserting that the Shin Bet chief had prior knowledge of the attack. While Bar disputes that, his agency’s probe acknowledges that the Shin Bet did fail to appropriately respond and prepare for the attack.

According to reports, Bar planned to resign after the release of all hostages due to his agency’s failure to stop October 7.

Opposition leaders criticized the dismissal, as did Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who said Netanyahu doesn’t have the right to fire Bar without consulting with her first.

Eli Sharabi Addresses U.N.

Eli Sharabi, a former hostage who was released from Gaza on February 8, recounted details of his captivity in front of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.

“I know you discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza very often,” Sharabi said, “but let me tell you as an eyewitness, I saw what happened to that aid: Hamas stole it… I saw Hamas terrorists carrying boxes with the UN and UNWRA emblems on them into the tunnels, dozens and dozens of boxes, paid for by your government.

“Hamas eats like kings while hostages starve,” he added. “They would eat many meals a day from the UN aid in front of us, and we never received any of it.”

Once a month, hostages were allowed to bathe with a bucket of cold water, according to Sharabi. Their meals consisted of, at most, “a piece of pita, maybe a sip of tea.” Additionally, he and other hostages survived beatings and torture, both physical and psychological. He “was treated worse than an animal.” Sharabi lost 66 pounds while in Gaza.

“No one in Gaza helped me. The civilians saw us suffering, and they cheered our kidnappers. They were definitely involved,” Sharabi noted. “Where was the Red Cross? Where was the United Nations?”

Sharabi was held “50 meters underground” in “chains so tight they ripped my skin.” Shortly before he was freed, Hamas laughed as they showed him an image of his deceased older brother, Yossi, another hostage who died while in Gaza. Yossi’s body remains in terrorists’ hands.

Sharabi spoke about the terror of coming back home, hoping to see his wife and daughters, and only then finding out that they had been killed by Hamas during the October 7 massacre. The three were murdered at their home in Kibbutz Be’eri.

“As they dragged me out, I called out to my girls, ‘I will be back.’ I had to believe that. But that was the last time I ever saw them. I didn’t know I should have

said goodbye, forever,” he recounted. “I’m here today because I survived and I prevailed, but that is not enough…not when 59 hostages are still there.”

“I am not a diplomat. I am a survivor,” concluded Sharabi. “If you stand for humanity, prove it.

“Bring them all home.”

Following his release from captivity, Sharabi and other hostages met with U.S. President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

IDF Kills New “Hamas PM”

On Sunday night, the Israel Defense Forces eliminated Ismail Barhoum, a senior political figure in the Hamas terror group, using precision weaponry. He was taken out at Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital, where he was being treated

for wounds from a past strike. Dozens of more strikes took place on Sunday and Monday.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Barhoum was “the new Hamas prime minister in Gaza, who replaced Issam Da’alis, the previous prime minister who was eliminated a few days ago.”

Since Tuesday, the IDF has killed at least three other members of Hamas’ political bureau. Earlier that day, Israel also eliminated Salah al-Bardawil, another senior political member, near Khan Younis.

Israel has killed 11 of the 20 members of the terror group’s political bureau that was elected in 2021. It is believed that seven others reside outside of Gaza.

The strikes were made possible by “an extensive intelligence-gathering process” and a “precision munition.”

Also killed in airstrikes recently were Ahmad Salman ‘Awj Shimali, the Gaza City Brigade’s deputy commander, and Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, the Shejaiya Battalion’s commander.

“Wadiya was responsible for deploying the battalion’s forces against IDF troops and operated to restore and reorganize the battalion,” the IDF said, adding that he played a role in the 2011 missile attack that killed 16-year-old Israeli Daniel Viflic.

Shimali was “responsible for operations, planning the offensive strategy and building the brigade’s force in preparation for Hamas’s brutal massacre on October 7, [2023],” added the army.

AG Fails NoConfidence Vote

The cabinet unanimously voted against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara in a no-confidence motion on Sunday, an action that the government hopes will lead to her firing.

In response, thousands demonstrated in Jerusalem, while more than 100,000 others protested all around Israel on Saturday night.

Baharav-Miara didn’t attend the meeting. Instead, she sent a letter to the cabinet, claiming that the motion was only “declarative.” She dismissed the government’s criticism of her by arguing that

her job is to inform the government when it is going against the law. The attorney general added that the government is only attempting to fire her because it wants to work with endless power, with no checks and balances.

Baharav-Miara has, on many occasions, opposed the government and its policies. As Israel’s chief prosecutor, she was responsible for the corruption trials against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was absent from the meeting due to the conflict of interest. She has also clashed with the government over the issue of exempting charedi yeshiva students from serving in the military.

Opposition leaders criticized the vote as illegal and corrupt, declaring that ulterior motives were at play.

However, Netanyahu’s cabinet, including Justice Minister Yariv Levin, believes they have the right to dismiss Baharav-Miara based on a cabinet resolution from 2000, which allows the government to fire the attorney general in five circumstances, one of which is “substantive and prolonged disagreements” that blocks “effective cooperation” between the attorney general and government.

“The harsh words spoken by all the ministers at the meeting and the full support of the cabinet ministers for the motion to express no confidence in the adviser are a precedent-setting event that demonstrates the magnitude of the rift that the attorney general has caused in her relations with the government,” Levin said. “From the ministers’ words and their vote, it is clear that there is no way in which effective cooperation can exist between the adviser and the government, and there is no way to restore the relationship of trust that no longer exists.”

However, that resolution mandates that the justice minister must consult the five-member statutory committee before allowing the cabinet to decide whether to fire the attorney general. The committee isn’t yet fully formed.

Ronen Bar, the chief of the Shin Bet, was recently voted out by the cabinet. Baharav-Miara has argued the government doesn’t have the right to dismiss Bar. The legitimacy of both Bar’s firing and the attorney general’s expected dismissal in the future will likely be decided by the High Court.

Moshe Horan, Hy”d

On Monday morning, Karem Jabarin, 25, rammed his vehicle into a bus stop at the Tishbi Junction on Route

32 a soldier had been waiting. Jabarin then exited his car and stabbed the soldier, grabbing the soldier’s rifle.

The terrorist then ran down the highway and opened fire at passing cars. Moshe Horan, 85, from Kibbutz HaZore’a, was driving in his car when he was shot and killed. His son, 51, was sitting next to him in the car.

Border Police officers who had been passing by the scene on the way to a training exercise killed the terrorist.

The soldier who was stabbed serves as a heavy-load truck driver in the Armored Corps. He was hospitalized in serious condition at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.

Gideon Shalom, who had been the only other person at the bus stop, told the Kan broadcaster that he just stepped away to get better cell phone reception when the terrorist crashed a car into the small shelter.

“At first, I thought it was an accident, so I ran toward him. He got out with a 30-centimeter [12-inch] knife. I escaped over the road barrier, he stabbed the young man, and I heard two shots in my direction,” Shalom said.

Shalom said he tried to warn a passing driver, but the attacker was still able to fire at the vehicle.

“It was a nightmare what happened here,” he said.

Moshe Horan, known by his nickname “Musa,” was reportedly well-known to agriculturists in the Jezreel Valley area and was still active overseeing workers in the fields.

In a statement, the kibbutz mourned “a family man, committed to his children and his life as the silver lining in the life of the community where he was born and lived his whole life.”

An avid gardener with “golden hands,” Horan, “who had an eternal smile on his face,” was also “a skilled carpenter,” the kibbutz said.

Moshe’s parents were among the founders of the kibbutz, which was established by German immigrants in 1936, and he was one of the first children born to the new community.

Horan is survived by his wife Betty

and four children, Rotem, Ofir, Alon and Iris. He has ten grandchildren.

Gadi Mozes Recounts

His Ordeal

Gadi Mozes was held by terrorists for 482 days. On Thursday, he recounted his harrowing ordeal in an interview with Channel 12.

“Everything that happened to me was psychological abuse,” the 80-year-old farmer said. “The depth of the fear, the depth of disconnection from the world, the depth of the unknown — it’s impossible to convey.”

His Palestinian Islamic Jihad captors “tried to depress me, tried to break me.”

“The entire time, I was on guard and focused only on how they won’t hurt me. How I survive,” said Mozes. “I would calm myself down,” he said. “I would tell myself, ‘This will work itself out.’ But in retrospect… that was an illusion. I didn’t actually calm myself down.”

Mozes had harsh words for Prime Minister Netanyahu. “The prime minister, does he want to hear from us? Does he understand what we feel? Does he want to understand what a sense of betrayal we feel, that the state abandoned us?

“I think this prime minister has marked us as people he doesn’t see,” he said.

Mozes had lived on Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community that was ravaged on October 7 by Hamas terrorists and Gazan civilians. Of the kibbutz’s approximately 400 residents, 117 were either killed or kidnapped and 14 are still being held in Gaza, including nine whose deaths have been declared by Israeli authorities. Mozes has condemned Netanyahu for not protecting his community.

On October 7, Mozes left his home to defend his daughter Moran, who lived nearby and would survive the massacre.

Mozes said he was kidnapped at his doorstep by “three gorillas, two with guns, the third with a knife in his hand.”

The latter, said Mozes, “yells at me: ‘‘We’re not Hamas, we’re the Jihad.’ As if it matters if you’re killed by the Jihad or by Hamas.”

Mozes’ partner Efrat Katz was also kidnapped. So were Katz’s daughter Doron Katz-Ahser and Doron’s two young girls Aviv and Raz, who were staying at the couple’s home that weekend. Doron, Aviv and Raz were released in the weeklong truce-hostage deal of November 2023. Efrat Katz was killed by IDF helicopter fire on the vehicle they were abducted in, a military probe confirmed last week.

Speaking to Channel 12, Mozes said that when he left his home, he did not imagine that would be the last time he would see Katz alive.

His captor lied to him that she was alive and free, Mozes said, cursing the man. Mozes said that on November 22, Katz’s birthday, he had asked to send greetings to Efrat, and that his captor pretended to agree to send her via WhatsApp “Happy Birthday, love you.”

The same thing would happen to Mozes’s daughter Moran’s birthday on December 29, he told Channel 12, adding that in both cases his captor falsely reported a jubilant response.

Roughly a month later, Mozes said, he learned about Katz’s death when he heard on the radio that there would be a military probe into the circumstances of her death.

“My world came crashing down,” said Mozes. “I realized he had lied to me, and I threw the radio at him and said: ‘You liar!’”

Mozes said that from that day he “decided” Moran was also dead so that he would not suffer another such “heavy hammer to the head.” When Mozes returned to Israel, he was overjoyed to learn she was alive.

In captivity, Mozes was referred to as “Hajj.” He was fed twice a day — pita with beans in the morning and pita with rice in the afternoon. He soon began asking whoever served his food what time it was and marking the timestamp on the shadow cast from the cell’s small window.

At one point, his captor shoved porridge at him, which Mozes refused to eat.

“Suddenly I saw him put silicon gloves on his hands,” said Mozes. “I started saying to myself, what, is he going to strangle me? Force-feed me?”

“He punched me on the shoulder and said, ‘You’ll eat,’” Mozes said. “I told him: ‘Listen, one more time you touch me, I’ll rain death blows on you, I don’t care what those weapons will do to me, but you won’t touch me.”

“Whatever the cost, I won’t let him humiliate me,” he said.

Mozes was held in 10 different locations during his captivity.

Before Mozes’s captors handed him over to the Red Cross on January 30, they filmed a propaganda clip of him praising them.

They took him to a cemetery, where they stood him in front of an open grave with two guns fixed on him, said Mozes. He recalled thinking about his family in what he was sure were his final moments.

From his captors, he said, there was “not a word — complete silence.”

“Then, suddenly, they started asking me, ‘Is it true the Jihad’s food was good?’ I said, ‘Good? Fantastic! I’ve never eaten such good rice,’” said Mozes. “‘And is it true they treated you well?’ I said: ‘Extremely well…’ It was all scripted and taped,” he said.

“I don’t know if I can convey to you the feeling of fear, of terror — I was shaking. I was so scared in front of that pit,” said Mozes. “And then they said, okay, get up into their car, we’re going.”

Mozes was handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis along with Arbel Yehoud, 28, a fellow member of Kibbutz Nir Oz who was also held in solitude by the PIJ. Their car was surrounded by thousands of Gazans, many of them gunmen, in a terrifying crush during a propaganda ceremony that Israel would later slam.

“The noise was deafening. What you saw on television was nothing,” said Mozes. “They kept pushing, the car was swinging.”

The captors “opened the door and told her [Arbel], ‘come,’ and I was thinking I would lose my mind,” Mozes told Channel 12. “I didn’t see anything, just a mass of people… I was scared to death that they had given her to the masses.”

An hour later, Mozes left the vehicle. “I said to myself, ‘That’s it, they’ve swallowed Arbel and now they’ll swallow me.’”

Mozes was a lifelong leftist before the massacre but said he felt conflicted after October 7.

“I think peace is made only with enemies,” he said. “What other option is there? That my grandchildren will also die there, be abducted?”

On the other hand, he said, “years and years of belief that we can get along, find a formula that will give room for everyone, have been shattered by this horrendous murder, the murder of my best friends, who all believed in that option.”

Thousands Visit

Nova Site

In an effort to the connect with the tragedy of October 7 and to remember those who were slaughtered by Hamas terrorists on that day, hundreds of thousands of people have flocked to the memorial site for the victims of the Nova musica festival near Kibbutz Re’im.

The area was the country’s most visited site between September and February, with a daily average of around 7,000 visitors, or roughly 200,000 a month.

Three-hundred-sixty-four people were killed at the Nova festival on October 7. Forty others were kidnapped and taken into Gaza.

Thousands of people come to the site to pay their respects and remember that black day..

As time passed, bereaved parents took

part in a memorial initiative to attach their loved one’s photo and an Israeli flag to an iron rod. Together, the rods have come to form a kind of forest.

In discussions with the families and to help make the site more accessible, the KKL-JNF Jewish National Fund allocated NIS 4 million ($1 million) to improve conditions at the Re’im parking lot. Projects included building accessible pathways, restrooms, educational spaces and a memorial grove, as well as providing durable signage.

Meir Zohar, whose daughter Bar was murdered at the site, said, “As a father who lost his daughter in the horrific Nova massacre, this place is not just a memorial site for me and the other bereaved families. It is a space where we feel that our pain is seen and heard.”

Ifat Ovadia-Luski, KKL-JNF Chairwoman, said, “This place is not just a memory of what was. It is a living testament to the resilience, unity, and sorrow of Israeli society. We witness the tens of thousands of visitors arriving here each week, the tears, the embraces, and the public’s deep need to remember and never forget. This strengthens our commitment to continue maintaining this site with the honor it deserves.”

Proof of Life

On Monday, the Hamas terror group published a propaganda video showing Israeli hostages Elkana Bohbot, 36, and Yosef-Haim Ohana, 24, who were both kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and are still being held in Gaza by the terror group.

The families of both Bohbot and Ohana gave Israeli media the go-ahead to publish the video in its entirety.

“You can see in the video that he is in bad shape, that he has lost a lot of weight from continued starvation, that he is suffering from problems with his skin and his breathing,” said Bohbot’s family in a statement, noting that he suffers from asthma and “hasn’t seen the light of day for almost a year and a half.

“This video is further proof that Elkana must return home to his family,” the message continued.

The family issued an appeal to Prime

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump to “think that this is your son, your father or your grandson, who is waiting to see the light of day.”

The two young men look malnourished and exhausted in the video.

In the video, Bohbot appealed by name to their freed counterpart Ohad Ben-Ami.

“Ohad, why don’t you tell them? You were with us. You were sitting with me and him,” begged Bohbot, referring to himself and Ohana.

Ohana urged an end to the recently renewed fighting in Gaza, cautioning that continued bombing could pose a risk to the hostages who remain alive.

“Before the latest ceasefire deal on January 19, when the border crossings were closed throughout the war, there was almost no food. The situation was difficult and there was no safe place,” said Ohana to the camera. “We felt neither dead nor alive.”

Both Bohbot and Ohana were among the 24 living hostages slated for release in the planned second stage of the ceasefire deal agreed upon in January, which fell apart after its first stage, with Israel renewing the fighting in Gaza.

Ben Ami, after watching the video, posted on Facebook, “I love you, and I miss you and the other three hostages who, for now, I can’t say their names. They fear for their lives, they are lacking all hope, and as we speak the conditions of their captivity are being worsened and their food is being reduced since we returned to fighting [in Gaza],” he wrote.

Both Bohbot’s and Ohana’s families had received signs of life of their loved one back in February when freed hostages related that they had come in contact with the two of them.

Israel believes 24 hostages are still alive in the Strip — 22 Israelis, one Thai and one Nepali. All of them are young men who were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists and Gaza civilians stormed southern Israel to kill more than 1,200 people and abduct 251 others, sparking the war in Gaza.

Another 35 hostages who were confirmed by Israel to be dead are also being held in Gaza.

Israel 8th Happy

Out of around 130 countries surveyed, Israel came out as the eighth-happiest country in the world, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report.

Unsurprisingly, Finland emerged as the happiest nation in the world, an accolade it has earned for eight years in a row. The United States dropped to its lowest-ever position, at 24.

Although Israel is quite happy, it fell from the fifth slot in 2024, though that survey had been based on data collected prior to the unprecedented Hamas invasion and slaughter of October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing war.

The 2024 report had also marked a slight dip from fourth place in 2023, which was a jump from ninth in 2022.

Several factors were taken into consideration when compiling the list. Israeli young adults spoke most positively out of anyone in this year’s survey about the quality of their social connections — with Mexico and Argentina following closely behind — and seventh on their quantity. But when it came to freedom, Israelis ranked their country 87th out of the approximately 130 countries studied, while on graft it is seen as only the 32nd most corrupt place. On inequality, it snagged the 15th-highest score, where a higher score means less inequality.

Denmark, Iceland and Sweden came in right behind Finland on the happy list.

The study was done in partnership with the analytics firm Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

“Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth — it’s about trust, connection and knowing people have your back,” said Jon Clifton, the CEO of Gallup. “If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other.”

Researchers say that beyond health and wealth, some factors that influence happiness sound deceptively simple: sharing meals with others, having somebody to count on for social support, and household size. In Mexico and Europe, for example, a household size of four to five people predicts the highest levels of happiness, the study said.

Believing in the kindness of others is also much more closely tied to happiness than previously thought, according to the latest findings.

Afghanistan is the least-happy coun-

try in the world. Sierra Leone in western Africa follows close behind, with Lebanon ranking third from the bottom.

Trump Lifts Order Against Law Firm

On Thursday, President Donald Trump canceled an executive order he signed to crack down on Paul Weiss, a top law firm, after the firm’s chair, Brad Karp, met with Trump and ceded to the president’s demands.

On the Friday before, Trump signed the executive order, which would have stripped the law firm of its government security clearances and access to federal buildings and government contracts. Trump justified the order by saying that Paul Weiss allegedly abused its powers to undermine the judicial process and was involved in several problematic lawsuits, including one filed by the District of Columbia attorney general’s office against participants in the January 6, 2021, riots. Additionally, Trump took issue with the firm’s relationship with Mark Pomerantz, who investigated Trump and his businesses with the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

Karp, during his meeting with Trump last Thursday, acknowledged “the grave dangers of Weaponization, and the vital need to restore our System of justice,” according to the White House. He added, “We look forward to an engaged and constructive relationship with the President and his Administration.”

Among the firm’s concessions, Paul Weiss will now only use “merit-based hiring, promotion and retention,” steer clear of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and audit all its current employment practices, according to the Trump administration. Additionally, the firm committed to give the administration $40 million worth of pro bono legal services to advance initiatives, including veteran assistance and combating antisemitism. The firm has agreed to Trump’s demands, so as to

avoid losing its top clients, which include Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Blackstone, and Apollo Global Management.

Trump has also targeted Perkins Coie, another law firm, with an executive order, which was mostly blocked by a Washington, D.C., federal judge who ruled the order to likely be unconstitutional.

Karp was a vocal supporter of former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and a top donor for the Democratic Party.

USPS Head Resigns

On Monday, the U.S. postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, resigned. Earlier this month he had said that he had asked the government efficiency team led by Elon Musk for assistance with a number of issues.

DeJoy had headed the agency since

2020. In February, he said he had asked the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) governing board to identify his successor but had given no indication in recent days that he planned to step down abruptly.

President Donald Trump said in February that he was considering merging the United States Postal Service with the commerce department, a move Democrats said would violate federal law.

“Much work remains that is necessary to sustain our positive trajectory,” DeJoy said in a statement, adding that the deputy postmaster general, Doug Tulino, would head the agency until the postal board names a permanent successor.

DeJoy has led a dramatic effort to restructure USPS over the last five years, including cutting forecast cumulative losses over a decade to $80 billion from $160 billion. The outgoing postal chief has used tactics similar to the Musk-led “department of government efficiency” (DOGE) team, including shrinking the workforce and canceling or renegotiating contracts.

Musk said this month he thought USPS should be privatized.

The USPS employs 635,000 people. It lost $9.5 billion last year and has been exempt from DOGE-directed federal employee reductions.

U.S. Lifts Bounties on Taliban

The United States has lifted multimillion-dollar bounties on three senior Taliban officials, according to Afghan authorities and a senior U.S. official. The move is a significant shift by the Trump administration toward militants who were behind some of the deadliest attacks during the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan but have refashioned themselves as a more moderate voice within the Taliban.

The bounties were removed days after a U.S. hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, made the first visit by a high-ranking American diplomat to Kabul, the Afghan capital, since the Taliban seized power in 2021. His talks with Taliban representatives led to the release of a U.S. citizen who had been detained in Afghanistan for more than two years.

Many Taliban officials saw the meeting in Kabul and the subsequent lifting of the bounties as a major victory for a government that was almost completely shut out by the United States during the Biden administration. The steps also put fresh momentum behind a Taliban faction that has pushed for the government to pull back on its hard-line policies to gain wider acceptance on the world stage.

The United States had offered $20 million in bounties for information about three leaders of the Haqqani network, the only wing of the Taliban to be classified by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization. Among the three leaders is Sirajuddin Haqqani, who heads up the network and is the acting Taliban interior minister. Haqqani, his brother Abdul Azizi Haqqani and a cousin, Yahya Haqqani, no longer appear on the State Department’s Rewards for Justice website. The bounty was removed Monday from the FBI’s wanted poster for Sirajuddin Haqqani.

A spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior Affairs, Abdul Mateen Qani, said that “a deal with the U.S. was finalized” to lift the bounties, after the issue was discussed multiple times with U.S. officials.

The U.S. official who confirmed the bounty removals spoke on the condition

of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy. The Trump administration, including in a January social media post by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has made clear that it could reimpose or increase bounties on Taliban leaders if additional Americans held in Afghanistan are not released. (© The New York Times)

Columbia Says It Will Clean Up Act

After the federal government withheld $400 million in grants and contracts from Columbia University for failing to stop on-campus antisemitism, the college quickly folded to the Trump administration’s demands.

To keep the federal funding, Columbia University will ban unnecessary masks on campus; punish student protesters who refuse to identify themselves when asked; give authority to 36 campus police officers to detain or kick students off campus; change its University Judicial Review Board; appoint a new senior vice provost to review the university’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department; craft a K-12 curriculum “focused on topics such as how to have difficult conversations, create classrooms that foster open inquiry, dialogue across differences and topics related to antisemitism”; and ensure that all admissions standards are unbiased.

“The way Columbia and Columbians have been portrayed is hard to reckon with. We have challenges, yes, but they do not define us,” wrote Katrina Armstrong, the interim president of Columbia University. “We are a community of scholars who have deep respect for each other and our mission. We teach the brightest, most creative students in the world, and we care deeply for each and every one of them. I have every faith in our ability to overcome the greatest of challenges. We stand resilient and brilliant.”

The Ivy League school’s memo on the changes references suspending, expelling, or temporarily revoking the degrees of the dozens of student rioters who invaded Hamilton Hall during the encampments in April 2024. It added that a disci-

plinary review was underway.

As for the restructuring of Columbia’s University Judicial Review Board, the school said it would have its five members “undergo a rigorous vetting and conflict review process to ensure objectivity, impartiality, and commitment to following and enforcing our community’s rules and policies.”

With that being said, Columbia won’t ban all protests in the buildings and classrooms, adding, however, that they are “generally not acceptable … because of the likelihood of disrupting academic activities.”

Initially, Columbia considered going to court over the issues but chose to avoid that path, which would likely be long and difficult.

Recently, fewer Jewish have enrolled in Columbia University.

“Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses — only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus. Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer.”

Security Clearances Rescinded

On Friday, President Donald Trump rescinded the security clearances of former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, several members of the Biden administration, and other prominent Democrats.

Last month, Trump had announced that he was revoking former President Joe Biden’s security clearance. In a memo Friday, the president said he was also rescinding the security clearances of the entire Biden family.

Also losing their access to classified

information and their security clearances were former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan Attorney General Alvin Bragg, former White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, former Rep. Elizabeth Cheney, former White House Russia expert Fiona Hill, former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Nor-

man Eisen, and attorney Mark Zaid, who was a lawyer for the whistleblower who reported concerns about Trump’s dealings with Ukraine in his first White House term.

Several of those named, including James and Bragg, had already had their clearances revoked earlier this month by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard as part of a purge of dozens of clearances for current and former officials.

Those who had previously had their clearances revoked include retired Gen. Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Trump and Biden administrations.

On the day of his inauguration, Trump revoked the clearances of dozens of former intelligence officials who signed a letter in 2020 claiming that emails found on a laptop owned by Biden’s son, Hunter, bore the hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign.

John Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Mr. Trump’s first term, also had his clearance pulled over a book he penned about his time in the role.

The president accused Bolton of publishing sensitive information and said the book’s publication “created a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed.”

“Distorted” Portrait Taken Down

A portrait of President Donald Trump which had been hanging with other pictures of U.S. presidents in the Colorado state Capitol is being taken down after the president said it was “purposefully distorted.”

Colorado Republicans had raised more than $10,000 through a GoFundMe account to commission the oil painting, which was unveiled in 2019. Now, it is being removed after Republican leaders asked for it to be taken away.

Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Republican, said that he requested for Trump’s portrait to be taken down and replaced by one “that depicts his contemporary likeness.”

Friday’s memo applies to “receipt of classified briefings, such as the President’s Daily Brief, and access to classified information held by any member of the Intelligence Community by virtue of the named individuals’ previous tenure in the Congress.”

Since taking office in January, the president has revoked the clearances of multiple former officials who he says “weaponized” either the intelligence community or the law against him.

“If the GOP wants to spend time and money on which portrait of Trump hangs in the Capitol, then that’s up to them,” the Democrats said.

The portrait was installed alongside other paintings of U.S. presidents. Before the installation, a prankster placed a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin near the spot intended for Trump.

Initially, people objected to artist Sarah Boardman’s depiction of Trump as “nonconfrontational” and “thoughtful” in the portrait, according to an interview

with Colorado Times Recorder from the time.

But in a Sunday night post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he would prefer no picture at all over the one that hangs in the Colorado Capitol. The Republican lauded a nearby portrait of former President Barack Obama – also by Boardman – saying “he looks wonderful.”

“Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the state Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before,” Trump wrote.

The Legislature’s executive committee, made up of both Democratic and Republican leadership, signed a letter directing the removal of Trump’s portrait. Lundeen, the Republican senator who requested it, noted that Grover Cleveland, whose presidential terms were separated like Trump’s, had a portrait from his second term.

Trump’s Sunday night comments had prompted a steady stream of visitors to pose for photos with the painting before the announcement that it would be taken down.

American Freed from Taliban

George Glezmann was taken by Taliban forces in Afghanistan in December 2022 while visiting the country as a tourist. On Thursday, the Delta Air Lines airline mechanic was freed by the group and brought home to the U.S.

His release was confirmed after the Taliban government’s foreign minister hosted U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler and other U.S. officials in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The Taliban’s foreign ministry said Glezmann’s release was “on humanitarian grounds” and “a goodwill gesture,” while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the deal a “positive and constructive step.”

The meeting between the U.S. delegation and the Taliban in Kabul amounted to the highest-level direct talks between

the two parties since President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January. Contact between the two governments has usually taken place in other countries since the Taliban regained power in 2021.

Qatar was involved in the negotiations to free Glezmann. There was no prisoner swap required in the freeing of Glezmann.

In a post on X, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry added that the deal showed “Afghanistan’s readiness to genuinely engaging all sides, particularly the United States of America, on the basis of mutual respect and interests.”

On Friday, Glezmann said, “I went through hell and back. And one of the things, the two things that kept me going were my wife and my Delta Air Lines family.”

Rubio noted that Glezmann’s release was “also a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan.”

One of those U.S. citizens is believed to be Mahmood Habibi, who was detained in August 2022.

Before Trump took office in January, two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty, were released from Afghanistan in exchange for an Afghan imprisoned in the U.S. Khan Mohmmad was serving a life sentence in a federal prison in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges.

The Golden Throne

On September 14, 2019, Michael Jones, along with two accomplices, entered Blenheim Palace in England and, armed with sledgehammers and crowbars, managed to steal an 18-carat work of art that had been installed in the palace.

But this was no ordinary $6 million piece of art. It was a golden toilet, which Jones had used the day before the theft when he checked out the palace.

Blenheim Palace was the country mansion where British wartime leader Winston Churchill was born.

Stealing the golden latrine resulted in

48 a flood as the thieves escaped in stolen vehicles, a royal flush.

“This was an audacious raid which had been carefully planned and executed,” prosecutor Shan Saunders said. “But those responsible were not careful enough, leaving a trail of evidence in the form of forensics, CCTV footage and phone data.”

The purloined potty has never been recovered but is believed to have been cut up and sold. This week, Jones and an accomplice were convicted in the theft.

The satirical work, titled “America” by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan, poked fun at excessive wealth. It weighed just over 215 pounds. The value of the gold at the time was $3.6 million.

The piece had previously been on display at The Guggenheim Museum in New York. The museum had offered the work to U.S. President Donald Trump during his first term in office after he had asked to borrow a Van Gogh painting. A royal flush.

The Art of the Deal

Marissa Alcorn recently bought a painting at a thrift store for just $2.99. But when she put the artwork into her

car, she noticed that it contained a small plaque on it.

“It had a little plaque at the bottom of the frame,” Alcorn said. “Out of curiosity, I type in the name and find out it was Johann Berthelsen.”

Berthelson, a famed American impressionist, died in 1972. His works often sell for thousands of dollars.

“My first thought was: ‘This isn’t real,’” she said. “It’s probably just a fake.” Turns out, it wasn’t fake.

Members of a free art appraisal group on Facebook urged her to have the painting authenticated, and she took it to Cincinnati auction house Caza Sikes, where experts confirmed it was indeed a Berthelson work titled “Chapel, St. Patrick’s Church.”

The artwork was recently auctioned off for a whopping $2,875.

“I think it’s probably a once-in-a-life-

time thing,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll ever find something like that again, but you never know.”

Alcorn is going to be using the money toward her upcoming wedding.

Something old, something new…

Blobfish is the Best

What was once dubbed the “world’s ugliest animal” is now the winner of an international competition.

Recently, New Zealand’s Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust announced the Fish of the Year 2025 competition was won by the blobfish, which is famous for its unusual appearance once removed from the pressures of deep water. The fish came out nearly 300 votes ahead of the “swimmer-up,” the orange roughy, organizers said.

The Fish of the Year competition, voted on by members of the public, aims to highlight and promote conservation of New Zealand’s native underwater species. 5,583 votes were cast this year in the competition, a huge jump from the 1,021 cast in 2024.

The blobfish’s campaign for the spotlight was spearheaded by More FM Drive hosts Sarah and Flynny.

“We and the people of New Zealand had had enough of other fish getting all the headlines. The blobfish had been sitting patiently on the ocean floor, mouth open waiting for the next mollusk to come through to eat. He has been bullied his whole life and we thought, ‘Stuff this, it’s time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun,’ and what a glorious moment it is,” the hosts said in the trust’s announcement.

The blobfish was previously most famous for being voted the “world’s ugliest animal” in a vote organized by Britain’s Ugly Animal Preservation Society in 2013.

Other fish appearing in New Zealand’s top 10 included the longfin eel, tuna, whale shark, big-bellied seahorse, great white shark, lamprey and piharau.

Sounds like they’re fishing for compliments.

Pi in the Sky

Alberto Davila Aragon loves numbers.

The 10-year-old, from Bristol in Britain, has broken a world record for recalling the most decimal places of pi in one minute. He memorized and recited 280 digits of pi in just 60 seconds.

Aragon’s journey with the mathematical constant began in March 2024 when his school organized a pi digits competition with an unusual prize: covering the headmaster in the face with pie.

“In March 2024, my school organized an exciting pi digits competition with an amazing prize: the chance to pie our headmaster in the face! Determined to win, I went home and committed myself to memorizing as many digits of pi as I could,” Aragon told Guinness World Records.

“I emerged as the winner of the competition, having memorized an impressive 150 digits of pi. The moment finally arrived when I got to pie our headmaster.”

He added, “It was an exhilarating experience, and I’m grateful to our headmaster for creating such a fun and inspiring challenge that motivated me to test my memory skills.”

That competition started Aragon’s love of pi. Eventually, he memorized more digits and worked on improving his speed.

His parents helped him organize an event to showcase his pi prowess.

They got in touch with Bristol University in search of a mathematician, with local sports clubs in search of experienced timekeepers, and a professional witness.

“Then, we wanted an iconic location for this record, one that was significant to me,” Aragon explained. “From the [Clifton] observatory, the view of the iconic suspension bridge is amazing – I cross that bridge every day on my journey to school. I love school, and I’m also a great student – just a bit chatty, according to my teachers!”

Aragon handily recited the first 150 digits of pi on March 14, a nod to the first three digits of pi: 3.14.

Easy as pie…

Around the Community

A Timeless Tale To Tell

Torah Academy for Girls embarked on an ambitious journey at their recent Annual Dinner, held on Monday, March 10. Their presentation properly conveyed the timeless mesorah that is the basis of this Bais Yaakov which has served our community for 62 years, while recognizing the changing world we live in. The entire event centered around time and TAG’s impact on our world.

When one entered the Sands, they were treated to a veritable array of sights that beautifully told the Timeless Tale of TAG. From the stunning ice sculpture fea-

tured as Frozen in Time, to the banister bedecked with the gears of a clock along with pictures of our beautiful talmidos, to entering the reception rooms and being taken back in time with the various artifacts… While enjoying the tantalizing delicacies, many gravitated to the slideshow featuring many old black and white pictures from TAG’s early years activated by today’s advanced technology which had the still pictures come alive.

This year’s deserving honorees certainly represented the timeless chinuch that TAG provides: Guests of Honor Dr.

Moishe & Mrs. Aliza Klein; Kesser Shem Tov Awardees Rabbi Tzvi & Mrs. Feigi Medetsky; and Parents of the Year Mr. Dovid & Morah Aviva Gerstel were the perfect role models of what TAG represents. A special and moving memorial dedication to R’ Yaakov Goldfeder highlighted his timeless efforts on behalf of this community and the tremendous chessed he did to help others.

The innovative theme video entitled THE DOOR told the timeless tale artistically and poignantly. The overflow crowd witnessed an evening that radiated pride

in being a TAG parent, pride in being a teacher/mechanech in this school, and pride to remember that what keeps us goal oriented is our giving over to the next generation this timeless message.

No event of this magnitude could happen in a vacuum, and TAG gratefully acknowledges our Dinner Chairmen, Eliyahu Berger and Dovy Schwadel as well as the Journal Chairmen, Dr. Ernest Isaacson and Uri Schlachter, as well as the dinner committee and all who worked on making this a truly memorable and inspiring event.

Yeshiva League Model Congress at HAFTR

By Alexandra Fuchs

HAFTR High School hosted the annual Yeshiva League Model Congress tournament on Sunday, March 16. One hundred seventy-five students and 35 presiding officers from 19 different schools from Long Island, Manhattan, Westchester, Philadelphia, and New Jersey gathered together and competed in the tournament, with 21 different committees.

Students had the privilege of hearing from keynote speaker, Mrs. Mazi Melesa Pilip, a Jewish Nassau County Legislator. Philip served in the Israel Defense Forces and attended college at University of Haifa and graduate school at Tel Aviv University. Pilip is very passionate about combating antisemitism and using her voice to stand up for the Jewish people. Pilip shared empowering words of encouragement to the students on the importance of using their voices as they are the upcoming Jewish leaders of the next generation. “We, Jewish people, all know the truth,” said Pilip. “It is our responsibility to go out there, use our voices, and fight for the Jewish people.”

Coach Alex Libkind, Citron’s Online

National Speech and Debate District founder, organized this event with the assistance of HAFTR High School’s Head of School, Ms. Naomi Lippman. Additionally, HAFTR High School’s Yeshiva League Model Congress captains, Kayla Fauziev, Sophia Feiler, Alexandra Fuchs, and Sophie Gober, were integral in helping to plan the event, along with training and preparing students for the competition.

“We are very excited to have so many passionate students compete in the Yeshiva League Model Congress tournament,” said Coach Alex Libkind. “All students had to submit bills or resolutions, and debate was quite robust. We even threw a few crises in, including Harry Potter and the Constitutional Protection of Magic and The Dawn of the Second British Empire, among others.”

HAFTR High School sophomore Gigi Hersh and junior Matthew Schein both placed at the top of their committees; Hersh placing third overall in the very competitive Crisis committee, and Schein placing second in the Appropriations–Banking & Finance/Ways & Means committee.

Zareinu student Joshua Khaimchayev got a perfect score on the Shas Milim test at Yeshiva Darchei Torah and won the raffle for a drone! He is pictured with Rav Tzvi Moshe Schultz, his rebbi, and Rav Dovid Morgenstern, menahel.

SHS Production Defied

Gravity

The Shulamith High School production presented a Broadway-worthy rendition of “Wicked” to its sold-out audience. With close to 100% student participation, the talent on display included acting, dancing, singing, scenery design, hair and makeup artistry, lighting and sound system management and more. Seniors Tehilla Alishaev and Temima Polansky led the cast in their starring roles as Glinda and Elphaba, while dance heads Leora Bindiger, Layla Birnbaum, Rena Gelbstein, Eva Mann, and Tzipora Thau choreographed and trained 100 fellow students in flawless performances. The structure of the show expanded this year with the

addition of a choir led by Batya Black and Gabriella Cukier. The various pieces were seamlessly integrated thanks to the management team of production heads Tehilla Alishaev, Gabi Moskowitz, and Temima Polansky, backstage heads Elki Adler and Shana Steinberg, and production managers Yakira Kollander and Daniella Turner. Most of all, the entire experience from beginning to end was made possible by SHS Director of Student Experience Esty Munk whose goal, day in and day out, is to give everyone a chance to fly, and who dedicates months to creating a performance where every student shines in her own unique way.

Rambam Excels at Yeshiva League Model Congress

This past Sunday, members of Rambam’s debate team competed in the Yeshiva League Model Congress tournament. Model Congress is a simulation of the United States legislative process in which students take on the roles of members of Congress and debate and pass bills on various issues. Team Captains Daniel Stein (senior) and David Mastour (senior) acted as presiding officers, maintaining order in each room and judging students on their speeches.

The tournament consisted of many schools competing such as Frisch, TABC, HAFTR, and several others. Rambam’s debate team performed exceptionally well, standing out in the competition. Congratulations to Henach Barningham

for winning first in his committee, Yoni Pfeifer for winning second in his committee, and Shmuel Rabinow for winning second overall in the massive Yeshiva League Model Congress tournament! With this impressive performance, Rambam came in second place overall in the tournament! The rhetoric team now is moving to prepare for the National qualifiers.

Eli Sharabi Visits the Ohel

This past Thursday, Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, Director of Chabad of the Five Towns, had the deeply humbling honor of accompanying Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, representing Chabad World Headquarters, as we brought Eli Sharabi—a survivor of 491 days in Hamas captivity—to the Ohel, the Rebbe’s resting place.

The visit was especially moving, as it marked the anniversary of a heartfelt prayer. One year ago, Eli’s brother, Sharon Sharabi, stood at the very same spot and asked for a blessing for Eli’s rescue.

“One year to the day after that prayer,” Sharon said emotionally, “Eli was freed.”

At the Ohel, Eli lit a memorial candle, placed a handwritten note, and re -

cited Kaddish—for the first time—for his brother Yossi, who was murdered in captivity. He prayed by name for the hostages still in Gaza and expressed deep gratitude for his survival.

“I came from the darkest place in the world—50 meters underground,” Eli shared. “What gave me strength was saying Shema Yisrael every morning. Ev-

ery Friday, we made Kiddush—not with wine, but with water. Faith is what kept us alive.”

His words were simple, yet powerful: “With the strength of faith and unity, we can overcome everything.” May we carry this message into our own lives as we prepare for Passover – the season of redemption.

Around the Community Aleph Institute Brings Compass Workshop to Yeshiva Darchei Torah

The Aleph Institute’s education initiative, Project 432, recently delivered its Compass Workshop to 150 students at Yeshiva Darchei Torah. The workshop is a groundbreaking initiative designed to teach teenagers and young adults the principles of financial integrity through the lens of Torah and halacha. Since its inception two years ago, the workshop has reached over 2,560 students at 58 high schools and yeshivas in North America and Israel.

As part of efforts to equip their talmidim with the tools to lead a life of yashrus, the yeshiva partnered with Project 432 to guide students in navigating financial challenges through Torah-based principles.

“The Aleph Institute is a wonderful organization. This education is something that is truly needed and I believe will pay dividends be”H in the lives of our talmidim,” said Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Rosh Hayeshivah. “Although yeshiva bochurim spend much time learning sugyos of mamonos and sifrei mussar, the gap between theory and the practical can re-

main very wide. The workshop was clear, engaging and practical, and helped the students connect the dots.”

Project 432, named after the Torah’s 432nd mitzvah—fear and awe of Hashem—is the educational division of the Aleph Institute, a nonprofit focused on supporting individuals and families impacted by the criminal justice system. Its Compass Workshop is a dynamic onehour multimedia presentation aimed at inspiring high school students to approach monetary matters with honesty, transparency and accountability.

“We are grateful to Project 432 for giving this very important and insightful presentation to our 12th grade class,” said Rabbi Shimon Dachs, general studies principal at Darchei Torah. “The presentation was delivered in a way that resonated with mesivta bochurim, helping them grasp the importance of integrity in business—even before entering the professional world.”

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein, an experienced CPA and Project 432’s senior lecturer, captivated the students with

real-world examples, Torah sources and insights, and case studies from Aleph clients. He demonstrated how the timeless principles of financial integrity can be seamlessly applied to everyday life.

“It was an incredibly rewarding experience to bring our message to the students at Darchei Torah,” said Rabbi Goldstein. “Their thoughtful questions and eagerness to learn showed their commitment to living lives of integrity grounded in Torah. It’s clear that these bochurim aren’t just learning principles—they’re developing the mindset and tools to live them out with honesty and accountability in all areas of life.”

“Aleph intimately understands the lasting impacts of incarceration, not just

on those in prison, but on their families as well,” said Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, Aleph’s CEO. “It’s heartbreaking to realize that much of this pain could have been prevented by making better choices. Our Compass Workshop is our proactive approach to shaping responsible decisionmakers. The goal is to teach them now, in a safe and learning-focused environment, so they’re ready to handle real-life challenges later with confidence.”

Project 432 continues to expand, offering more yeshivas and schools the opportunity to embrace this program and its transformative lessons. To learn more about Project 432 or to bring the Compass Workshop to your school, visit P432. org or email letstalk@p432.org.

HAFTR Brings Family Legacies to Life

This week, HAFTR Middle School students took an important step in their Power of Story journey as they began filming their heartfelt speeches. This meaningful project encourages students to explore their family history, honoring the experiences and wisdom of a relative while uncovering the deeper lessons that shape who they are today.

Through thoughtful research and personal reflection, students have embraced the responsibility of sharing their family members’ stories and discovered relevant and important values—resilience, unwavering kindness, or courage in the face of adversity, among others. As they recount these narratives, they highlight timeless values such as perseverance, faith, and the power of compassion, weaving together history with personal growth.

The filming process is more than just a technical step; it is an exercise in confidence, public speaking, and storytelling. Each recorded speech will be shared with the students’ families, preserving these treasured stories for generations.

This project will culminate in a special evening dedicated to celebrating our students’ work and the incredible legacies they have uncovered. We are immensely proud of their dedication, passion, and ability to give voice to the past while inspiring the future.

Jewish High Schools Compete in Annual Science Olympiad

This past Sunday, The Jewish Education Project, in partnership with Touro University’s Lander College for Men, hosted the annual Science Olympiad, a dynamic competition that brought together Jewish high school students from across the region. The event, held on Sunday at Lander College in Queens, showcased the scientific talents and dedication of students from some of the most prestigious Jewish high schools.

This unique tradition began over 20 years ago, inspired by Dr. Linda Padwa, a passionate science educator from Stony Brook University and a former high school and middle school teacher. Having coached her own students through the national Science Olympiad competition for many years, Dr. Padwa wanted to ensure that Shomer Shabbat schools and their students could have the same incredible opportunity to participate in a rigorous and inspiring science competition. Determined to bring this vision to life, she reached out to The Jewish Education Project for support. Together, they spearheaded the creation of the Jewish Science Olympiad, which continues to thrive today, with The Jewish Education Project sponsoring and facilitating the event each year.

Since 2011, Touro University’s Land-

er College for Men has graciously hosted the event, providing teams with access to its state-of-the-art laboratories and beautiful facilities. This transition marked a new chapter for the competition, as Dr. Ann E. Shinnar, a long-time science educator and Associate Professor of Chemistry, Emerita, Past Chair of the Pre-Health Professions Committee, and Deputy Chair of Chemistry at Touro University, joined the effort. Her leadership and expertise brought the Olympiad to the next level, elevating both the quality and professionalism of the event. Prior to this, the competition was held in different schools each year, but having a consistent, professional space has significantly enhanced the experience for participants and spectators alike.

This year, the competition brought together teams from the DRS Boys High School, Frisch School, Heschel School, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, North Shore Hebrew Academy, Ramaz School, SAR High School, SKA Girls High School, Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC), Yeshiva Derech Eres (YDE), and Yeshiva University Girls High School. These dedicated students demonstrated their skills and knowledge across a wide range of scientific disciplines, including anatomy and physiology, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and space

science, ecology, microbe mission, and the electric vehicle challenge, among others.

Sami Adler and David Schneider from DRS Boys High School are seasoned Olympiad competitors, participating for the third time. Having won multiple awards in previous competitions, they were excited to be back, energized by the high-energy atmosphere, and feeling confident about this year’s performance.

“It’s always an incredible experience,” Sami shared. “We’re ready to give it our all and hopefully bring home more awards.”

Aliza Pinchasov, an 11th grader at SKA Girls High School, participated for the first time and shared her excitement about the event. “I was excited to learn science in a fun and competitive way,”

she said. “It’s a great opportunity to challenge myself and explore new areas of science while meeting other passionate students.”

The top honors this year went to SAR, who secured first place, followed by the Frisch School in second place. Yeshiva University Girls took third place, and SKA Girls High School rounded out the top four. Each individual challenge was scored from first to fourth place, and the overall winners secured their top ranking by consistently excelling in every individual challenge, ultimately earning them the final honors. Many other schools also achieved honorable accomplishments in individual challenges, showcasing the diverse scientific talents present across the competition.

Ezra Academy Students Bring Purim to Life Through Acts of Kindness

At Ezra Academy, a Jewish high school in Queens, education goes far beyond textbooks and exams. Here, students don’t just learn about Jewish values; they live them. This Purim, dozens of students embraced the holiday’s true essence by dedicating their free time to an extraordinary act of chessed (kindness), demonstrating the very ideals that Ezra Academy instills in its students every day.

Purim is a joyous holiday marked by celebration, community, and giving. One of its most beautiful mitzvot is mishloach manos – the tradition of giving food packages to friends, family, and those in need. With this in mind, Ezra students took it upon themselves to spread the spirit of Purim beyond their school walls.

Working in partnership with the Acts of Kindness initiative, students planned, organized, and executed a remarkable

outreach effort. They voluntarily went grocery shopping, carefully selecting items for their mishloach manos packages. They then assembled these packages with care and love, ensuring that each one was beautifully presented. But they didn’t stop there. The students personally delivered them to a local nursing home in Queens, brightening the day of elderly residents with their generosity and warmth.

This initiative wasn’t an assignment or a school requirement – it was a pure act of giving, driven by the students’ own commitment to making a difference. This is what Ezra Academy is all about. Our students don’t just study about Purim and the importance of kindness; they bring these lessons to life through action. Giving back to the community is not just encouraged at Ezra; it is a fundamental part of who we are.

Purim is a holiday that celebrates Jewish resilience, unity, and the power of good deeds. The students of Ezra Academy honored this message in the most meaningful way possible – by stepping up, taking initiative, and spreading joy

where it was needed most. Through their heartfelt efforts, they exemplified what it means to be part of the Ezra Academy family: learning, growing, and making the world a better place, one mitzvah at a time.

Hands-On Learning at TAG

Morah Cheryl’s Pre-1A class in the Ganger Early Childhood Division of TAG is bringing the Seder to life! Instead of

just learning about it, they are experiencing each step firsthand. What a meaningful and engaging way to learn!

children had a fun time visiting the

YCQ Visits Queens County Court

After reading To Kill a Mockingbird, YCQ students in Grade 8 visited the Queens County Criminal Court to witness the American justice system up close. Students observed the court in action and had the special op-

portunity to hear from judges and police officers. Special thank you to Ms. Paula Ambagtsheer, Mr. Miles Ehrenkranz, and Mr. Jacob Grossman for this informative cross-curriculum trip!

Mazal tov to the HALB fourth grade boys on their Mishna Siyum

Lev Chana

Hewlett-Woodmere Library last week

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the Rebbe’s Ohel last week

Around the Community

Concluding Volume of The Shochet Just Released

Touro University Press has now published the concluding volume of The Shochet: A Memoir of Jewish Life in Ukraine and Crimea, which has been widely acclaimed for its unprecedented honesty and vivid descriptions of virtually every aspect of Jewish daily life in the shtetl. This captivating volume, authored by Pinkhes-Dov Goldenshteyn (1848-1930), and meticulously presented and translated by Michoel Rotenfeld, associate director of libraries for Touro University, has been enthusiastically received as a major contribution to scholarship on Jewish life in Eastern Europe.

Goldenshteyn, a traditional Jew who was orphaned as a young boy and became a shochet (kosher slaughterer) as a young man, is a master storyteller. Folksy, funny, streetwise, and self-confident, he is a keen observer of his surroundings. His accounts are vivid and readable, sometimes stunning in their intensity. The memoir is brimming with information. Goldenshteyn’s adventures shed light on communal life, persecution, family relationships, religious practices and beliefs, social classes, local politics, interactions between Jews and other religious communities, epidemics, poverty, competition for resources, migration, war, technology, modernity and secularization. In chronicling his own life, Goldenshteyn inadvertently tells a bigger story—the story of how a small, oppressed people, among other minority groups, struggled for survival in the massive Russian Empire and in the Land of Israel.

Volume two begins in 1873, when Goldenshteyn obtains his first position as a shochet in Slobodze, and it follows him

to the Crimea, where he endures some 35 years of challenges. Though the Crimea was part of Russia, it was overwhelmingly populated by Tatar-speaking Muslims as well as Karaites and Krymchaks. In 1913, Goldenshteyn fulfills his dream of immigrating to the Land of Israel, hoping to find tranquility in his old age. Instead, he is met with the turbulence of the First World War, as battles rage between the retreating Ottoman Turks and the advancing British forces. Along with thousands of other Jews, he is used by the Ottoman Turks as a human shield against the advancing British forces. Having started writing a Torah scroll before the outbreak of war, Goldenshteyn continues writing in exile, while starving, in disease-ridden conditions, and with cannonballs and bullets flying overhead. With great self-sacrifice and acumen, he overcomes tremendous adversity time after time by following his belief that justice will prevail if one acts with integrity.

“The Shochet is an engaging memoir of hardship and hope. The simplicity and authenticity of its author make it an extraordinary work; it sheds light on the dark and oppressed lives of the simple Jews in Eastern Europe, so often overlooked in historical studies. Pinkhes-Dov Goldenshteyn’s life was punctuated by many misfortunes, but his faith and determination are deeply compelling,” said Dr. Michael A. Shmidman, editor of Touro University Press.

Clearly, much time and effort were dedicated to making this work accessible to the public. Until now, only a small circle of Yiddish-speaking scholars had access to this extremely significant pri-

mary source. The translator, Michoel Rotenfeld, spent decades on the research and translation, traveling to Ukraine, Crimea, and Israel to explore archives and interview the last remaining individuals who knew Goldenshteyn. The results are self-evident: the footnotes are concise and illuminating, providing the reader with a thorough understanding of what Jewish life was like in his era.

“This is a remarkable book, brimming with much information about East European traditional Jewish life in the second half of the 19th century… Special commendation goes to Michoel Rotenfeld for providing an excellent translation, comprehensive introduction and detailed notes for this volume which, for him, is clearly a labor of love. This book contains a treasure trove of information for the scholar and will provide hours of reading

pleasure for the layman,” said Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, university professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought at Yeshiva University.

Order The Shochet: Volume Two on Academic Studies Press or touro.edu/touropress

HANC Science Expo

The children in HANC’s Elementary School in West Hempstead have been exploring a myriad of topics in the realm of science. The fourth grade students, under the leadership of HANC’s inspiring science teacher Mr. Jonathan Eisenkraft, chose a topic of interest to them and following the scientific method, designed their own experiments. After conducting research on their chosen topic, they presented a question that they wished to explore and developed a hypothesis as to what they hoped to discover. The children then tested their hypothesis through an experiment of their own design and recorded their results using charts and graphs. Each student then created a trifold display that explained their hypothesis, steps of the experiment, data that they collected, and conclusions based on their data.

The focus of this year’s Science Expo was in the realms of chemistry, physics, anatomy, and earth science. Some of the topics explored included: How does a prism create a rainbow?, Which household item has the most germs?, How do lizards grow back their tails?, Why do fruits turn brown?, Which object produces the most static electricity?, What impact does temperature have on the viscosity of slime?, Which bridge design holds the most weight?, How do different liquids affect our teeth?

Just to name a few.

On the day of the Science Expo, HANC’s auditorium was transformed into a world of discovery where the fourth graders shared their knowledge with third and fifth graders, as well as with parents who came to visit in the morning. As the visitors made their way through the auditorium, they were greeted by very professional looking scientists, all wearing white lab coats and all very eager to explain what they researched and what they discovered in the process. The depth of knowledge that they had gained was truly remarkable. This special learning experience broadened the students’ ability to discover science and explore multiple possibilities. As Mr. Eisenkraft explained: “This year’s Science Expo was bigger and better than ever! The students chose interesting topics and presented them in exciting and meaningful ways. The adults learned so much this year from the children and we are so proud!”

Luis Har Visits HALB

HALB students had the incredible opportunity to welcome Luis Har, former hostage in Gaza, this past week. As he entered the building and walked through the halls, he was surrounded by students singing, “Am Yisrael Chai” and “Acheinu.” He then spoke to the fifth through eighth graders about his experience as a hostage and his rescue. He left the students and staff feeling both emotional and inspired. It was truly an honor to have him!

MTA’s Business & Entrepreneurship Elective Welcomes David Bessler

“Experiential Learning is the essence of Business & Entrepreneurship,” says MTA instructor Melanie Gordon-Felsman as she completed a series of tours and speakers that have helped enhance in class learning with real-world experiences.

Ms. Felsman’s most recent guest was CEO of Veterinary Emergency Group, David Bessler. The students were fully engaged as Mr. Bessler went through his life from high school, yeshiva, time in the IDF, then to college and med (vet) school. He had a vision that pets

Outstanding Writing at YOSS

were not receiving the same level of emergency care options as humans.

Using his affinity to emergency medicine and his understanding of the relationship between vet, pet, and their people, he built an empire of VEG locations across the country. A $14M business has been transformed into a $3B business, and he’s not done yet.

MTA students were transfixed. Ms. Felsman plans to take the experience and understanding and use it in upcoming class events.

Have you ever gone on an exhilarating and relaxing vacation? Did you enjoy the warm sun and some scrumptious and savory food?

Mrs. Farkas’s third graders at Yeshiva of South Shore are learning how to use amazing adjectives and vivid verbs in their descriptive writing, and they are having a thrilling time doing it! For this three-paragraph essay assignment, the students outlined their memories of a

wonderful and favorite vacation they have taken with their family. They chose from an extensive list of sensory words to give their details more description, such as crunching, hissing, crisp, sticky, appetizing, exquisite, and more. We are now in the middle of the writing and editing process, and we hope to celebrate with a hopping and popping popcorn party when we are all done.

HANC ECC is very busy preparing for Pesach

Shulamith ECC celebrated 100 days of school

HANC eighth grade girls ran a Purim carnival for the children at the

Robots “Invade” Mercaz Academy

At Mercaz Academy in Plainview, students enjoy the fresh outlook on learning that happens when teachers combine their talents to create interdisciplinary lessons. Recently, robots have been on the rise as second grade teacher Mrs. Aileen Kirschenbaum and Director of Technology Lynda Last have brought technology into history and math activities to produce innovative lessons and assessments.

To bring a new twist to history assessments, a lesson on George Washington incorporated “indi” robot cars. Second graders were asked a series of reading comprehension questions with their answers attached to specific colors. These colors were used to assemble the colorful trails that direct the “indi” cars, which are equipped with color sensors that instruct the car where to go. Mistakes were revealed when the cars veered off course, bringing students back to the original history text to correct their answers.

In math, second graders have been learning to describe and compare using measurement with standard and metric units, as well as estimation. A worksheet challenged students to do tasks like draw and measure a line, draw a line of estimated length and see how it measures

up, as well as draw quadrilaterals, measure their lines, and add those numbers for a total per shape. Then came a surprise twist: all lines would be drawn using an iPad to pilot a Dash robot holding a magic marker. While measurement was determined the old-fashioned way via students armed with tape measures–the challenge of learning how to program the robots combined with the novelty of navigating them to draw the required shapes made the exercise even more fun and engaging for the second graders.

Mercaz Academy is proud of their innovative and creative teachers, who transform traditional classroom subjects into dynamic learning experiences that develop critical 21st-century skills.

HANC ECC

A Shabbos of Elevation: SKA Students Embrace Torah, Inspiration, and Growth

This past Shabbos, SKA’s 11th and 12th graders had the incredible opportunity to participate in a truly uplifting and inspiring “Shabbos of Elevation.” What made this experience so remarkable? It was completely optional—yet so many SKA girls eagerly chose to spend their Shabbos immersed in Torah, connection, and inspiration.

From the very first moments of Shabbos, the atmosphere was electric. Students gathered at the Young Israel of Woodmere for Kabbalas Shabbos, then onto the Storches’ home for a warm and welcoming Seudat Shabbos, sharing delicious food, divrei Torah, and laughter in a setting that felt like family. There was something so special about sitting around the table with friends and teachers outside the classroom, bonding over a shared love for Torah and meaningful conversation.

Later that evening, the girls came together to hear divrei Torah from Rabbi Rice, setting the stage for a Shabbos filled with growth and elevation. Each

moment of the experience felt intentional—designed not just to teach but to inspire, not just to listen but to connect.

One of the most moving parts of the day was a panel discussion featuring Rebbetzin Weingot and Rebbetzin Wolf, who shared personal reflections on growing up in the home of a Torah giant. Their words were both profound and personal, offering a rare glimpse into the beauty and responsibility of a life steeped in Torah.

But the inspiration didn’t stop there! With a sense of excitement and purpose, the girls took a walk to North Woodmere, where they had the privilege of hearing from Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz. His words resonated deeply, reinforcing the idea that Torah is not just something we learn—it’s something we live. The afternoon continued with student-led chaburos, where SKA girls took the lead in sharing Torah with one another, showcasing their passion for learning and personal growth.

The Shabbos culminated in a beau-

tiful and heartfelt shalosh seudos at the Lebowitz home where the warmth of the singing, divrei Torah, and camaraderie created an atmosphere of pure elevation. It was the perfect ending to a Shabbos that was, in every sense, transformative.

This “Shabbos of Elevation” was yet another shining example of the innovation and inspiration that define SKA. It wasn’t mandatory; it wasn’t an obliga-

YOSS Meets with Holocaust Survivors

Last Thursday, March 20, a group of eighth graders from Yeshiva of South Shore met five Holocaust Survivors at Boulevard ALP Assisted Living in Queens. B”H, it proved to be an informative and meaningful experience.

The trip was arranged by Rabbi Escovitz, a rebbi in the Yeshivah who is also the rav in Boulevard ALP. The Holocaust survivors spoke to the boys as a panel, moderated by Rabbi Escovitz. He opened by addressing the boys, telling them how he has been zocheh to watch these Holocaust survivors daven and perform Hashem’s mitzvos with devotion. Then, he began asking the survivors about their experiences.

First, they spoke of life before the Nazis changed everything. Mrs. Sheva Burger said that her public school teachers had always discriminated against her for being a Jew. Mr. Shimon Weiss grew up in a tiny mountain village where there was no school at all for the children. Mrs. Itel Landau described a blissful childhood in her hometown.

Next, the boys heard about the initial

terror and upheaval of the Nazis’ arrival.

Mrs. Lili Friedman shared that her father returned home one day with his face bloody, and his beard pulled out. Mrs. Betty Nojovitz, at the age of 14, was living with her sister in a big city. She wouldn’t return home when her mother called for her because she understood that her life would be in danger.

The boys were captivated by the firsthand accounts of these incredible people. They felt as though they were looking through a window at the early lives of these Survivors.

They continued with their stories and described the ghettos, the horrific transports in cattle cars, and finally their arrivals at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. As if it were yesterday, the boys heard testimony about how Dr. Mengele, ym”sh, casually decided the fate of those who arrived in Auschwitz.

Then, the Survivors spoke of the concentration camps. Mrs. Nojovitz attempted to sleep on the third level of a “bunk-bed,” only to end up on the floor because it broke right away. Older prisoners in Auschwitz showed the chimneys

of the crematoria to Mrs. Friedman and explained the fate of her parents. Mrs. Berger didn’t believe that her parents had been killed. She couldn’t fathom genocide, even from the Nazis. Mrs. Landau came to Auschwitz with no family. By the hand of Hashem, she met up with her sister on a march to a labor camp. Mr. Weiss was sent to the gas chambers. There, he begged Hashem to let him live and learn more Torah. Miraculously, a Nazi pulled him out of the group, saying that he was capable of working.

As the visit came to a close, Rabbi Escovitz asked the survivors two more questions. “What is it like for you to see a group of 20 yeshiva boys?” Their great joy and satisfaction to see the eternity of Hashem’s people and Hitler’s failure, was quite moving.

He then asked, “What does Eretz Yisroel mean to you?” Their responses revealed their deep connection and appreciation for Eretz Yisroel. Finally, Rabbi Escovitz asked each of the Holy survivors to give a bracha to the boys (and himself). They gave beautiful brachos and the boys easily understood the power of brachos

tion. It was a choice. And so many SKA girls chose to embrace this opportunity, proving once again that their love for Torah and their thirst for growth extend far beyond the classroom.

At SKA, Torah isn’t just something we learn—it’s something we cherish, something we live, and something that unites us. And this past Shabbos was a beautiful testament to just that.

from people who suffered so much and stayed so close to Hashem.

The boys came away with so much. They were inspired by the greatness of these Survivors. They reflected on the ability of these incredible people to rise up from the ashes and rebuild. The boys valued their willingness and eagerness to bravely share their tragic experiences, and they realize that they now carry the responsibility to share the testimony that they heard with future generations until the coming of Moshiach b’imhara b’iyameinu.

HALB Students Deliver Simcha

The HALB fourth grade girls made beautiful cards and mishloach manot in school and then delivered them to a local nursing home. They

5TLL Opening Day

5Towns Little League, sponsored by FM Home Loans, hit a home run this past Sunday! Week 1 was a chance for boys to get back in the swing of things. There were practices and scrimmages at the fields and free batting cages available for every boy!

The season kicked off with 750 players across 74 teams. Each boy received a 5TLL sweatshirt courtesy of FM Home

sang and danced with the residents, bringing Purim simcha to everyone there!

Loans. Every coach also gets 3 prizes to give out weekly: $20 Smash House gift card for Game MVP, Rita’s card for Middos, and batting cage card for the Play of the Day.

Next week is the first week of the regular season and uniforms will be given out. Stay tuned for the weekly recaps! More info can be seen at 5tll.com.

Fourth graders in Shulamith are learning how to make equivalent fractions using their own fraction cards

In the days leading up to the chag, the Friendship Circle hosted Purim-themed events for our Sunday Circle and T-YAD programs. At this month’s Sunday Circle, a monthly program for children with special needs, the kids baked hamantaschen and enjoyed exciting crafts and joyous music. Many of our participants and volunteers were dressed in fantastic Purim costumes.

At our T-YAD (Teens / Young Adult Division) get-together, participants made Purim masks, baked pizzataschen (pizza shaped like hamantaschen), and enjoyed socializing with friends.

The fun continued into the chag. On Purim, the Friendship Circle held an exciting sensory-friendly Megillah reading. And this year, we delivered a whopping 250 mishloach manos to our participants and another 250 to our volunteers.

Purim at the Friendship Circle Frogs

HFrom the costumes to the pizzataschen to the mishloach manos, the Friendship Circle had an amazing Purim!

For more information, please visit fc5towns.com.

Are Jumping Everywhere

AFTR Early Childhood welcomed three new guests into our program this week. Morah Alana from Tevah V’Torah brought in our three new tadpoles to help us learn about frogs, just in time for Chag Pesach! Our Pre-K students asked the hard questions like: When a tadpole turns into a frog, does it stay in only water? What do tadpoles eat? How long do they stay as tadpoles before turning into frogs?

After watching the lifecycle from tadpole to frog, the children took turns practicing “leaping,” too. Morah Alana placed lily pads on the floor with letters on them, and the children hopped from one lily pad to another, noticing the letters as they jumped. Our hallways were filled with little froglets, happy and hopping.

Our tadpoles are now safely home in one of our Toddler classrooms. Morah

Karen Rosenbloom and her students took the final vote on names for the tadpoles that her class will now be taking care of. The final results are in, and the names are: Barkley, Kermit, and Ariel (the Little Mermaid). We are excited to help them and watch them grow! Chag kasher v’sameach!

HAFTR Makes a Splash

The HAFTR Middle School Players dove into the spotlight with two unforgettable performances of Finding Nemo Jr., bringing the magic of the beloved Pixar classic to life on stage! From the moment the curtain rose, the audience was transported under the sea, captivated by the students’ talent, energy, and dedication.With confident and charismatic performances, the cast wowed the crowd, embodying each character with enthusiasm and heart. Whether it was Nemo’s adventurous spirit, Dory’s lovable charm, or Marlin’s heartfelt determination, every scene was filled with excitement, humor, and emotion. Behind the scenes, the tech and stage crew worked seamlessly to create a visually stunning and immersive experience, making the

oceanic adventure come to life with flawless transitions, lighting, and sound.

Parents, faculty, and friends who attended were amazed by the professionalism and passion displayed by every student involved. The production was a true testament to the hard work, creativity, and teamwork that define HAFTR’s performing arts program.A huge thank you to Ms. Ariana Wolfson for her incredible leadership and dedication in guiding the students to success. Finding Nemo Jr. was more than just a performance—it was a celebration of talent, perseverance, and the power of storytelling.

Bravo to our Middle School Players for a spectacular show! We can’t wait to see what you bring to the stage next!

YOpening Day at Flag Football League

What a great opening week of the season it was at the Five Towns FM Home Loans Flag Football League. Even with the gusty winds, the boys were so excited to come back and play and to meet their new teammates for the spring season! The Pre-1A division had a great time learning the game and getting ready for the big leagues with Rabbi Jeremy Fine. The first grade division had a lot of fun catching the ball and playing with their friends. In the 2nd grade division, the Vikings beat the Jets, Patriots beat the Eagles, Panthers beat the Steelers, and the Giants beat the Broncos. Shai Levine, Aaron Feit and Adiel Cohen played great for their teams this week!

In the 3rd/4th grade division, the Panthers beat the Broncos, Saints beat the Eagles, Vikings tied with the Steelers,

Seahawks beat the Jets, and the Patriots beat the Giants. Abie Shapiro, Mordechai Rosenberg and Mordy Eis all played great in the opening game. In the 5th/6th grade division, the Steelers tied with the Vikings, Jets beat the Seahawks, Patriots beat the Giants, Eagles beat the Saints, and the Broncos tied with the Panthers. Avi Konigsberg, Aizik Kalton and Gavi Charach had amazing gameplay this week! In the 7th/8th grade division, the Giants beat the Broncos, and the Patriots tied with the Jets. Ezra Battalion, Ben Secter and Yitzy Fine really showed their skills this week! We hope to see everyone on the field next week.

Sportsmanship of the Week Award: 1st: Akiva Jaspen; 2nd: Dovid Lamm; 3rd and 4th: Aron Cohen; 5th and 6th: Daniel Hertz; 7th and 8th: Sammy Mansdorf.

Welcomes Jonathan Zar as the New York Director

achad is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jonathan Zar as the new Regional Director of New York. Zar joins Yachad after a successful decade serving as the Great Neck Director for NCSY, where he cultivated meaningful connections and impactful programming. In his new role, Zar aims to facilitate the region’s growth through community engagement, diverse programming, and support for advisors and staff.

Yachad, an international organization under the auspices of the Orthodox Union, is dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish individuals with disabilities and their families. The organization offers a variety of social, recreational, educational, and vocational programs across ten regions, in the United States, Israel, and Canada.

“Yachad focuses on the full integration of its members into the greater communities they call home—and that’s an ideal that deeply resonates with me,” shares Zar. “I would like to see more in terms of quantity and diversity in the types of programming we’re offering.”

Recognizing the unique needs of different communities, Zar emphasizes the importance of tailoring Yachad’s initiatives to the various cultural micro-communities within regions like Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island. “There is a clear separation between these areas, and we want to respect that while also meeting each community’s distinctive wants and needs,” he explains.

Zar is committed to fostering a family-oriented atmosphere among Yachad

staff and enhancing professional development opportunities. Zar will be working alongside a dedicated team, including Hillary Zimmern, Director, Yachad Long Island; Ilana Leggiere, Program Director, Yachad Long Island; Avi Kirshtein, City Director, Yachad Brooklyn; Shaina Gross, Program Director; Lauren Berman, Program Director, Yachad Manhattan & Monsey; and Neima Fine, Program Director of School Engagement.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jon to the Yachad team, where he will bring his unique talents and passion for the Jewish community,” says Chani Hermann, Associate Director of Yachad. “Jon and his team will be focusing on engaging new Yachad families and partnering with schools and shuls to fulfill Yachad’s mission of belonging. With Jon’s experience

in youth engagement, we look forward to him bringing new ideas to fruition, expanding our teen volunteer and college age advisor connections.”

“It’s a tremendous honor for me to continue to serve the Jewish community,” says Zar.

Yachad

Helping out at the FIve Towns Chasdei Lev event

Rabbi Kviat and his kindergarten class at Siach Yitzchok made their own

Purim Chagigah With Eitan Katz at

This year, for Purim, HANC had an Eitan Katz concert. It was the perfect blend of fast and slower paced songs. The students and teachers really got into it. There were dance sets and then we slowed down to have a kumzitz and then back to the fast paced dancing. It was truly memorable. A special thank you to Rabbi Mezei and Rabbi Hulkower for helping to arrange the event.

Rambam Seniors Take Swabs For Gift Of Life

Rambam seniors on Thursday heard a presentation from the Gift of Life organization led by Avi Katz (senior). The assembly was related to taking cotton swabs to be added to The Gift of Life’s national registry for donating bone marrow and stem cells. While the registry comes with no commitment,

it allows the organization to test volunteers’ genetics to see if they are a match for those in need of a donor. Gaining bone marrow or stem cells can be a life or death issue, so Rambam extends a major thanks to Avi Katz for running the potentially life-saving presentation.

matzah bakery so they could have a real matzah baking experience

The Haggadah with Stories

By Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

Pesach is called “Zeman Cheiruseinu” — the season of our freedom — and freedom is one of the main themes of Seder night and Pesach in general. Every year, when we celebrate our exodus from Egypt, we perform a wide array of mitzvos that take us back in time and enable us to feel like we are currently in the process of being freed yet again. The feeling of freedom is one of the main elements contributing to the amazing experience that is Seder night.

Yet the Maharal (Gevuros Hashem, chap. 61) raises a powerful question.

While it’s wonderful that we were freed from the Egyptian exile, and certainly we need to thank Hashem for taking us out from there, right now we’re still in exile, and since that’s the case — why are we celebrating?

It’s like a person who was released from prison and is eventually forced

to return to his cell. Even though he is still in prison, he makes an annual celebration on the date he was originally released. But he’s back in prison, no longer free. What exactly does he have to celebrate?

Clearly, we need to understand why we are celebrating our freedom from Egypt with such joy when in reality we’re not free at all.

Before we explain what we’re celebrating on Seder night, we need to first understand the true definition of freedom.

If we look around at people the world considers the most successful, it would seem that they can do whatever they wish. Hop on a plane and go wherever they want. Eat at the fanciest restaurants. Live in whatever country or city they choose. Never worry about paying a bill. The wealthiest people must be free because nobody can stop them from doing whatever they want.

But in truth, money doesn’t make a

person free, and cheirus doesn’t mean having the ability to do whatever one wants. In fact, the majority of the people in the world, including the wealthiest, aren’t free — because they are slaves to their desires. While a person might possess the financial resources to sail through life in very nice style, he is often stuck in the mire of slavery — the slavery that exists in the person’s own mind, because his desires have control over him.

And so we return to the Maharal’s question:

What are we celebrating on Seder night? What is the freedom over which we are rejoicing?

Chazal teach us that only someone who learns Torah can ever truly be considered free (Avos 6:2) — and it’s only the Torah that provides the ability to release a person from his own desires. Since Hashem is the One Who created sickness — or, in this case, bondage to desires — it makes sense that He would be the One Who can tell us how to heal ourselves, and how to free ourselves as well.

When we left Egypt, Hashem released us from living life purely in a physical state and gave us the ability to rise up and elevate ourselves — to the point where we were actually able to take control of our material desires. This gift is one of the things that has kept us going throughout the generations of galus until now.

So what are we celebrating?

We’re celebrating the fact that Hashem redeemed us from servitude to Pharaoh, and instead Hashem Himself became our Master, so that we now became servants of Hashem instead. And the incredible thing about becoming servants of Hashem is that we now have the ability to live truly free lives.

Free to release ourselves from our material desires.

Free to grow on a regular basis to become the best people we could be.

And if that’s not cause for celebration — what is?

Rav Amnon Yitzchak gave a speech where he discussed the idea of slavery and what it means for a person to become liberated from the powers that dominate us.

“What does it mean to go from slavery to freedom?” he asked.

He explained that the Exodus from Egypt and the fact that we were freed from servitude was not the main thing. That was not the ultimate example of true freedom. Freedom is the receiving of the Torah and the fact that this can enable us to become liberated from all the outside influences that dominate us and cause us to make choices that are not in our best interests.

And, as always, he illustrated the point with a terrific story:

A Jew came to me (said Rav Amnon Yitzchak) and told me that he wants to keep Shabbat, but he can’t, because he can’t manage without smoking.

“Do you know the difference between assur and muttar?” I asked him.

“Of course. You chareidim will tell me smoking is assur, I’m not allowed to smoke on Shabbat. It’s not muttar for me to smoke.”

“Not exactly. It’s muttar for you not to smoke on Shabbat.”

The man looked at me, puzzled.

I explained: “Until now, while you smoked on Shabbat, on our holy day, you were assur. The word ‘assur’ can mean locked up, tied up. You were a prisoner of your addiction. But muttar? ‘Muttar’ can also mean released, freed. The moment you make the decision to keep Shabbat, you will be muttar. You will be a free man — a free man, no longer assur, no longer enslaved to your yetzer hara!”

Reprinted from The Haggadah with Stories by Rabbi Nachman Seltzer with permission from the copyright holder, ArtScroll Mesorah Publications.

TJH Centerfold

Coffee Trivia

1. What country is considered the birthplace of coffee?

a. Brazil

b. Italy

c. Ethiopia

d. Colombia

2. What does the word “espresso” mean in Italian?

a. Pressed out

b. Speed

c. Strong

d. Tiny panic in a cup

3. Which U.S. city is often credited with popularizing coffee culture in the 1990s?

a. Portland

b. New York

c. San Francisco

d. Seattle

4. What is the process used to make the world’s most expensive coffee, called Kopi Luwak?

a. Coffee beans are aged for 12 years in a rainforest

b. Coffee beans are partially digested and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a small, catlike animal.

c. They beans are grown on a volcano

d. They use gold-plated beans

5. Which popular chain first introduced the Frappuccino?

a. Starbucks

b. Dunkin’

c. Peet’s

d. Baskin Robbins

(RIP the coffee milkshake dream)

6. While working on the creation of the Keurig machine, company founder John Sylvan was hospitalized with symptoms of caffeine poisoning. How did he get caffeine poisoning?

b. Seattle

c. Los Angeles Denver

a. He touched a poisonous Camellia sinensis leaf which contains caffeine.

b. He drank coffee that was two months old.

c. He drank Dunkin Donuts coffee.

d. He drank 30-40 cups of coffee in one day.

7. According to the FDA, approximately how many cups of coffee in total do Americans drink a day?

a. 30 million

b. 74 million

c. 120 million

d. 400 million

8. Which U.S. city has the most coffee shops (with approximately 1,500 shops)?

a. New York City

9. In Vietnam, what is put into the popular coffee drink called cà phê sũa đá? An egg Honey

Carbonated water Chocolate

Answers: 1-C 2-A 3-D 4-B 5-A 6-D 7-D 8- A 9-A

Wisdom key:

7-9 correct: LIKE ME YOU KNOW A LOT ABOUT COFFEE YOU MUST REALLY DRINK A LOT OF IT AS DO I BECAUSE THINGS CAN GET VERY STRESSFUL AT TIMES AND IT’S REALLY A GOOD WAY TO CALM MYSELF DOWN!!!!

3-6 correct: Not bad, but you are not exactly changing your name to Kopi Luwak.

0-2 correct: It’s time to give up on the myth that coffee makes you short. Besides, you are 62 years old; your growth spurt is in the past.

Signs You’re Addicted to Coffee

Your coffee mug has its own mug.

You’ve calculated how much caffeine it takes to achieve telepathy.

You refer to your coffeemaker as “my most loyal coworker.”

You’re suspicious of people who say, “I’m not really into coffee.”

You’ve scheduled meetings around your barista’s shift.

You’ve tried every alt milk known to mankind (even macadamia).

You believe “decaf” is just coffee going through an identity crisis.

You refer to time in “cups ago” instead of hours.

Your travel mug is more expensive than your suitcase.

You’ve tried coffee-flavored toothpaste.

You’ve considered installing a drive-thru espresso machine in your car.

Your idea of a balanced breakfast is coffee…in each hand.

You don’t sweat; you percolate.

You Gotta Be Kidding Me

Moishe goes to the doctor and says, “Doctor, every time I drink a coffee I get a sharp pain in my left eye.”

The doctor replies, “Moishe, take the spoon out before drinking your coffee.”

You’ve given your coffee machine a name. (And yes, you talk to it.)

You’ve considered switching to decaf…but only during naps.

You once described someone’s personality as “light roast energy.”

Your blood type is basically Cold Brew Positive.

You read this list while sipping a cup. Or planning the next one.

Riddle

Me This!

Why did the coffee file a police report?

Answer: It got mugged.

Torah Thought

Parshas Pekudei

By Rabbi Berel Wein

Ramban (Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, 13 th century Barcelona) points out that the conclusion of the book of Shemos, with its detailed recording of the construction and expenditures involved in the completion of the Mishkan/Tabernacle, places the Jewish people as a whole at the level of spirituality that was present in the homes of our patriarchs and matriarchs at the conclusion of the previous book of Bereshis.

Just as the spirit of the L-rd hovered over the tents of our forbearers, so now did it become recognizable and present amongst the nation of Israel. Construct-

ed for that purpose, the spirit of the L-rd dwelled within the Mishkan. There is an important message contained in this observation. This Jewish tradition teaches us that there are two places, so to speak, where the L-rd’s presence may be experienced and should be cultivated. G-d’s glory fills the entire universe; He is omnipresent. But the puny human being cannot encompass the entire universe in all of its vastness and complexity. We need a personal G-d that we can relate to somehow.

That G-d can be found, according to Jewish tradition, in two places in our

small and narrow world. One place is in our home, our family and our daily lives. The second place of G-dly encounter is in the house of worship and study and Torah service. That is our substitute Mishkan where the spirit of G-d hovers over those buildings and is recognizable to us only if we are attuned and sensitive enough to experience it. These two pillars of Jewish life have accompanied us on our long journey in the world – and through our history.

able Jewish nation. Certainly, intermarriage has eroded the concept of Jewish family, but even when this does not occur, the bonds of family are frayed by television, the internet and the society generally. Sometimes, even well-meaning gestures are counterproductive.

During my years as a rabbi in Miami Beach, we always had many Shabbat guests, and because of that, contact between us and our own young children was pretty much eliminated. One Friday,

That G-d can be found, according to Jewish tradition, in two places in our small and narrow world.

Both of these bastions of Jewish strength and vitality – the home and the synagogue/study hall – the meeting places, so to speak, of Israel with its G-d, are under siege and attack in today’s modern society. The home, marriage, children and the sense of family has given way to relationships, moving-in and out, later marriages, a large number of divorces and spousal abuse, and the sacrifice of children and family on the altars of career and hedonism. Without strong Jewish families there cannot be a strong State of Israel or a vi-

one of our younger daughters said to my wife: “Mommy, are children also guests?” We got the message and then made certain that one of the Shabbat meals would be exclusively with our children. The synagogue also has lost much since it became the matter of the whims and comfort of the attendees and no longer the House of G-d where He is to be glimpsed and served according to His wishes as expressed in Torah and halacha. I hope that the message of the Ramban will certainly not be lost upon us. Shabbat shalom.

Remarkably, between the parshios of Terumah-Titzaveh and Vayakhel-Pekudei, the Torah spends over 400 pesukim describing the details of how the Mishkan should be – and actually was – built. There is no other mitzvah regarding which any comparable amount of time is spent. Neither tefillin, Shabbos, Yom Tov, or anything else has so many pesukim devoted to it. Why is that? Why must the Torah repeat all of the details of the Mishkan and vessels in Vayakhel-Pekudei when all of these specifications were already laid out in Terumah-Titzaveh? The Torah could simply state that the Jewish people built everything just as they were commanded. Why spend another 200 pesukim repeating everything?

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, zy”a, based on a Yerushalmi, says that the specifications regarding how the Mishkan and its vessels should be built in Terumah-Titzaveh describe the Mishkan in the world above – in Heaven. And Vayakhel-Pekudei describes the details of how the Mishkan

From the Fire

Parshas Pekudei Easy Does It

By Rav Moshe Weinberger

Adapted for publication by Binyomin

Wolf

below was actually built – here in this world. There are two separate sets of specifications for each because one cannot simply assume that the physical reality here in this world corresponds exactly with what it is supposed to be.

The architectural plan for the Mishkan is found in Terumah-Titzaveh. This is the artist’s rendering. Yet the Torah separately describes the actual construction in Vayakhel-Pekudei to teach us that the two are not necessarily the same. Why is this so? What happened in between which can explain the potential discrepancy? Perhaps it is because Parshas Ki Sisa, which describes the sin of the Golden Calf, is interposed between the two. Our own failures and shortcomings create the difference between what we could do and what we actually accomplish.

It is like this with respect to all areas of life. The ideal one plans for does not always pan out. When a couple marries, each of them, and the bride in particular, has a specific image of what married life will look like. It sometimes involves beau-

tiful, white Shabbos tablecloths, elegant silver candlesticks, well-behaved children listening attentively to Abba’s dvar Torah, and singing zemiros beautifully together. The groom, as well, may have images of a beautiful, spotless home in his mind.

He may picture a life in which his beautiful wife and children wait adoringly for him as he comes home, thanking him for providing such a beautiful life for them. He may imagine that he davens in a shul where three months never go by without the gabbai giving him an aliyah Shabbos morning. But real life seldom looks exactly the way the bride and groom imagine.

It is the same in one’s spiritual life. At Neilah, one may imagine that this year, he will be holy and pure, free from all of the filth with which he contaminated himself the previous year. And sometimes, the realities of life bear a passing resemblance to one’s plans. But very often it is completely unrecognizable.

We find another anomaly in the Parshas Pekudei. No less than nineteen times, the Torah repeats that the Jewish

people built one or another part of the Mishkan and vessels “just as Hashem commanded Moshe.” Why is this done in this context, whereas it is not done anywhere else?

Rav Yitzchak Zev HaLevi Soloveichik, zt’”l, of Brisk explains that there is a dispute in the Gemara whether it is possible for people to make anything the Torah commands with exact precision or not. In other words, can we make the Ark the required 2.5 amos long without making it 2.50000001 amos long? Can we say that two events, in halacha , occur at exactly the same moment, and not 0.0001 seconds apart?

The Brisker Rav explains that we follow the opinion of the Chachamim that it is not possible to achieve exact precision. Accordingly, even though the way we built the Mishkan may not have been exactly as the Torah commanded to the thousandth of an inch, to make sure that we do not worry that we have not fulfilled Hashem’s will with respect to the building of the Mishkan and its vessels, the Torah

repeatedly reassures us that we did the job “just as Hashem commanded Moshe.”

In fact, the Minchas Chinuch (109) says regarding all of the requirements of the Torah involving specific measurements that Hashem only wants us to do our best to act according to those measurements, and that by doing so, we are doing the job exactly as He commanded. He knows our capabilities and chose to give the Torah to us and not the angels above.

Hashem commanded us to build the Mishkan but concomitantly reassured us that our best efforts to meeting the specifications were all He wants from us. He wants us to know that “there is no righteous man in the earth who does [only] good and does not sin” (Koheles 7:20). Hashem wants us to know that He does not expect absolute perfection from us so that we will be able to move forward in our service of Him and not beat ourselves

akhel-Pekudei, is to do the best we can, without driving ourselves crazy, to bring light into the darkness of this world, even if we are not able to accomplish everything to the thousandth of an inch. Not only is Hashem not upset with us when we do our best but fall short, this is exactly what He wants – exactly what He had in mind when setting up the world the way it is.

The Kotzker Rav, zy”a, and Rav Yitzchak Vorker, zy”a, are two tzaddikim from the world of Peshischa and were the closest of friends, though they could not have been more different. The Kotzker was known as being a fiery zealot for truth with absolutely no tolerance for even the slightest trace of dishonesty or self-deception. Rav Yitzchak, however, was known as the gentlest, kindest rebbe in the world.

Because both were students of Rav Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, zy”a , the

Our own failures and shortcomings create the difference between what we could do and what we actually accomplish.

up or become discouraged because of our lack of perfection.

The entire reason our souls descended from the upper world into the Mishkan below of our bodies is to give us opportunities to do our best to reveal Hashem’s Presence and holiness in the messy scrum of this world.

While the actual city of Chelm was filled with great Torah scholars, a number of apocryphal stories are told which portray the city is if it were filled with fools. In one of those stories, there was a debate in the town beis medresh regarding whether the sun or the moon were more powerful. After a full day of arguments, the Rav finally stood up, banged on the shtender, and announced that he was settling the issue. The moon was stronger than the sun. When asked the reason for his decision, he explained, “The moon is powerful because it has the strength to light up the night. The sun, however, must not be very powerful because it only attempts to light up the daytime when it is already light outside anyway. It must therefore be weaker.”

Our job, like the recounting of the building of the Mishkan in Vay-

underlying foundation of the service of G-d for both of them was truth. Because of the Kotzker’s love for truth, he was completely intolerant of even the slightest admixture of falsehood. And because of Rav Yitzchak Vorker’s love for truth, if he encountered even the slightest point of truth within a person, he was overcome with joy at encountering that truth.

The way of the Kotzker is too difficult for most of us. We must follow the opinion of the Chachamim in our service of Hashem, recognizing that absolute precision is not asked of us. Rather, Hashem only asks that we do our very best even though we often fall short. We must continue trying and bringing more light into the darkness of this world. May Hashem help us continue growing and trying to bring His light into our lives more and more and not listen to the inner voice which tries to discourage us by telling us that whatever we do is not good enough.

Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congreagation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.

Delving into the Daf

One Small Half-Step

By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

Is the correct number three, as stated in the Gemara in Sanhedrin, or four, as stated in the Midrash? The Chofetz Chaim suggests that neither is entirely accurate.

Achaz was a wicked king, yet his son, Chizkiyahu, still felt gratitude for him, as a son typically does for his father. After Achaz’s passing, Chizkiyahu ordered that his father’s body be dragged disgracefully with ropes. This shocking act was intended as a measure of atonement for Achaz. Observing Chizkiyahu’s devotion, Hashem further facilitated this atonement by performing a remarkable miracle: the day of Achaz’s death was shortened to just two hours. This left no time for mourning or eulogizing the wicked king, and the absence of respect after death served as an additional source of atonement. However, this miracle created a cosmic imbalance, as the world was now missing ten hours that would eventually need to be restored.

Years later, King Chizkiyahu fell gravely ill. The prophet Yeshayahu came to him with a dire message: “Thus says Hashem: Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.”

Shocked, Chizkiyahu inquired why such a harsh decree had been issued against him. Yeshayahu replied, “Because you intentionally did not marry and have children.”

Chizkiyahu defended his decision, explaining, “Through divine inspiration, I foresaw that my offspring would be wicked.”

Yeshayahu countered, “That is not for you to determine. Your responsibility is to follow the halacha – to seek a wife and

fulfill the mitzvah of having children.”

Realizing his mistake, Chizkiyahu proposed, “Then give me your daughter in marriage – perhaps our combined merits will yield righteous offspring.”

Yeshayahu, however, remained firm. “The decree has already been issued,” he stated.

But Chizkiyahu was undeterred. “I have a tradition from my ancestors,” he declared, “even if a sharp sword rests upon a person’s neck, it is never too late to pray.”

With unwavering faith, Chizkiyahu turned to Hashem, engaging in deep and heartfelt prayer, seeking forgiveness. Hashem then instructed Yeshayahu to return to Chizkiyahu with a new message: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life.”

As a sign that his tefillah had been accepted, Yeshayahu proclaimed that the shadow on the sundial would miraculously move backward ten hours – thus restoring the ten hours that had been removed on the day of Achaz’s death.

Meanwhile, in Babylonia, King Merodach-Baladan, son of Baladan, noticed that the day was extraordinarily long. Bewildered, he sought an explanation and was told that Hashem had performed this miracle for the ailing King Chizkiyahu, who had just experienced a miraculous recovery.

Amazed, Merodach-Baladan exclaimed, “Such a great man is alive, and I have not yet sent him my greetings?”

He immediately composed a letter, writing: “Greetings to King Chizkiyahu, greetings to the city of Jerusalem, and

greetings to the Great G-d.”

At the time, Nevuchadnezzar served as the official royal scribe, but he was not present when the letter was drafted. Upon hearing its contents, he reacted with surprise. “You refer to Him as the Great G-d, yet you place His name last? The honor of Hashem should come first!”

Realizing the grave mistake, Nevuchadnezzar hastened to catch the messenger and have the letter rewritten with proper reverence. He took four hurried steps in his pursuit, but before he could take another, the angel Gavriel intervened, halting his advance.

Nevuchadnezzar was granted an immense reward for these four steps. Rebbe Yochanan comments that had he been allowed to take even one more step, his reward would have been so great that he would have possessed enough merit to completely destroy the Jewish people.

The Mishna Berura cites this incident as one of the sources for the custom of davening for the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash after taking three steps backward following Shemoneh Esrei. Just as Nevuchadnezzar’s three steps granted him the power to destroy the Beis HaMikdash, we take three steps to honor Hashem and then pray for its restoration. The problem is that the Gemara says that Nevuchadnezzar took four steps, not three.

However, the Midrash indeed presents an alternative text: it states that Nevuchadnezzar took only three steps, and because of them, he was rewarded with three royal successions – his own reign, followed by those of his descendants, Evil-Merodach and Belshazzar. If

he had indeed taken a fourth step, what fourth kingship did he merit? Moreover, which text is correct? Did Nebuchadnezzar take three or four steps?

The Chofetz Chaim resolves this contradiction brilliantly: Nevuchadnezzar did not actually take three or four steps – he took precisely three and a half steps. The angel Gavriel stopped him mid-step. For that half-step, he was rewarded that his descendant Vashti became queen. Had he completed a whole fourth step, Vashti’s rule would not have been cut short, and she would have remained queen. As a result, Haman’s evil plot might have succeeded. However, since he only took a half-step, Vashti’s reign was cut short, and Esther ultimately became queen, leading to the salvation of the Jewish people. Rebbe Yochanon was referring to this when he said that if the angel had not stopped Nebuchadnezzar, the results would have been disastrous.

Thus, in a beautifully orchestrated twist of divine providence, an incomplete step altered the course of history. The reward for even a half-step taken to honor Hashem was significant, but the limitation of that step ensured the survival and redemption of Am Yisrael. One small step for Nevuchadnezzar, one giant leap for Jewish destiny.

Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow is a rebbe at Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway. In addition, Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead, NY. He can be contacted at ASebrow@gmail.com.

Headlines Halacha

Matzah Baking – An Overview

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

There is nothing like the experience of baking matzos oneself and doing it along with a group of true yarei Shamayim Many a baal mussar recall the words of Rav Yisroel Santer, zt”l, that one must be most careful with yelling at the poor women who were then involved in much of the harder labor involved. Yelling and abusive talk involves the prohibition of onaas dvarim – not a good way to begin such a holy endeavor.

Grinding the Wheat

Pious people carefully observe the grinding of the wheat themselves to ensure that there is no concern of the wheat becoming chometz during the grinding process (Ramah citing the Mordechai 453:8). At a minimum, a G-d-fearing individual with some knowledge of the halachos should be performing it. A child or someone without such knowledge should not be the one performing the grinding (MB 453:41 citing the PMG).

The wording of the Ramah seems to differ from that of the Pri Magadim. Are the pious people watching it or doing it? Is it sufficient merely to ensure that the grains are ground properly or does the very act of grinding itself need to be done with the proper intentions?

Intent Regarding Grinding

Just as there is a debate regarding the nature of “proper intent” regarding harvesting, there exists a debate about the proper intent regarding the grinding of the grains as well. Ideally, one should follow the stricter view requiring that the flour be ground with the proper intent. Therefore, the grinding should be done by hand rather than by machine. This is more of a serious issue than having the harvesting done by machine. More poskim hold that grinding is not an action attributed to the operator of the machine as much as the harvesting would be. When the term “hand-ground” is used, it refers to manpower rather than power by machine. Therefore, grinding done by a bicycle would also be permitted.

We find that the stringencies in regard

to the grinding of the matzah have been practiced for thousands of years. Indeed, the Talmud Yerushalmi (Psachim 20) relates that Rabbi Yossi, the son of Rabbi Abun, did not wish to use a grinder who had been grounding wheat not destined for matzah because he was afraid that the grinder’s clothing may have had other wheat on it that was not designated for matzah use.

The machine used for grinding should be for exclusive Passover use. The reason is that other grinding machinery processes grains that were washed. The liquid from this water can gather in the machines and cause the flour to become chometz.

Clean And Dry

To be sure, the flour also has moisture content, and if the stones of the grinder are not cleaned from this moisture, the stones may also cause the flour to become chometz. Many G-d-fearing individuals replace the stones of Passover grinders each year, on this account. If moist grains were ground in the room, the walls and ceilings must be cleaned in order to grind flour for Pesach, as the flour particles can fall and mix into the Passover flour.

When the grinding takes place in the rainy season, care must be taken to make sure that water is not tracked in with raincoats, wet boots and umbrellas. The workers should make sure that their clothing is clean and that their hands and beards are clean and dry as well. The concern is that a particle of flour will have mixed with the Pesach flour. Although it will be nullified by the more than sixty times the amount of kosher flour, during the holiday of Pesach itself it is reinstated. (MB 467:16)

Allowing the Flour to Cool

The grinding itself causes the flour to be warm. Therefore, a dough that is made on the day that the flour is actually ground is more susceptible to becoming chometz on account of the additional heat in the flour. Therefore, one should not knead the flour on the day that the flour was ground – one should wait at least a day or two. Ideally, it should be two days later. At a minimum, one should allow the flour to cool overnight (SA 453:9 and MB 453:42). If, however, it was done sooner than that, the dough is not forbidden. Rather, one should take extra precautions and handle the dough even more often so that it not be given a chance to rise.

When dealing with high-speed grinders and a large volume of grain, the machinery can get very hot. The BaDatz Yerushalayim issued guidelines that the machine be slowed down so that the grinder’s temperature not reach more than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), and certainly never above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

When grinding the wheat by hand, however, the flour does not warm up to any significant degree, and technically, one does not have to wait. However, it is good to be stringent in this matter (Be’er Heitev 453:20).

When grinding the wheat one should recite the formula, “L’shaim matzos mitzvah, for the sake of the mitzvah of matzah” (extension of Be’er Heitev 456:4 regarding drawing of the water).

The Flour Bags

Ideally, one should be careful not to place the bags of flour one on top of the other. One should also avoid sitting on top of the bags because the additional warmth can cause them to become chometz faster (See Ramah 453:7). If a person did place the bags on top of each other for a significant amount of time, they should be separated and the kneading should not begin until 24 hours have elapsed (MB 453:35).

It is permitted to place them next to each other even if they are touching, because in this manner they do not warm up to any significant degree. Likewise, it is permitted to stack the bags of wheat before they have been ground, because until they are ground they will cool.

It is also worthwhile to keep the bags of wheat elevated above the ground in case of a water leak or flood.

Sifting the Flour

Before the flour is kneaded, it should be sifted. The sifter should either be new or one used exclusively for Pesach. One may not kasher a sifter and use it for Pesach.

If a new sifter is not available, it is preferable not to sift the flour, according to the Mishna Berurah.

Preferably a 40-mesh sifter should be used for hand-ground flour and a 60-mesh sifter should be used for machine-ground flour.

Nowadays, most facilities use electric sifters.

When sifting the flour, one should avoid speaking because saliva may come out of his mouth and ruin the flour (see Ritva Psachim 35a).

After the flour is sifted, it is important not to force down the flour into the bags. Forced flour does not knead well (Ramah 456:1).

Dough Size

The Shulchan Aruch rules that one should not make a dough that is too large at one time, i.e., larger than the shiur of challah without a bracha. This size is 1,200 grams, according to the Chazon Ish, and 1,250 grams, according to Rav Chaim Noeh. Chazal felt that a person would not be able to adequately work the dough from all sides on account of its large size (SA 456:1). If one had done so, however, it does not cause the dough to be forbidden (SA 456:2).

Some hold that the size restrictions are specific to when one individual was making the matzos and the ovens were small ovens. Nowadays, however, the production of matzos involves numerous people and the ovens are much larger. Therefore, nowadays, a larger dough could be made without a concern that it be too large to handle. Nonetheless, G-d-fearing individuals are still strict, like the first opinion.

Two Separate Rooms

One person should be appointed to place the flour into the mixing bowl, and a different person should be appointed to place the water in (See MB 459:45). One person should not perform both tasks because the water can drip onto the flour and cause it to become chometz. On account of this, it is worthwhile to have two separate rooms for this, where the person pours in the water through a portal.

When the flour is placed in the bowl, one should recite the formula, “L’shaim matzos mitzvah.” (SA 456:1)

The Bowl

One should make sure that there are no cracks or lines on the bowl in which one kneads the matzah dough, as it will not be possible to clean it effectively afterward. It does not matter whether the crack is in the middle of the bowl or on the outer lip; there is a chance that some dough will enter the crack and become chometz and will contaminate a later

dough (Ramah 459:4). One should also be careful in this matter regarding the other means of production, such as the table, etc. (MB 459:39).

The Water Requirements

One may only knead matzos with water that is called “mayim shelanu” (SA 455:1). This is a Rabbinic requirement because regular water is warmed in the underground spring. Mayim shelanu is water that has been drawn before sunset from a spring and allowed to have rested in pitchers for a full night. These waters have been cooled and will not cause the

water is not forbidden to be used (Ramah 455:1 and MB 455:21).

One should filter the mayim shelanu Some therefore place a cloth over the spigot of the container where the water is kept.

One should measure the amount of water that one will put in the dough. In Israel, for every half kilo, one uses 250 grams of water. However, this changes based upon the flour and the climate.

One may also use rainwater instead of mayim shelanu (MB 455:28). The reason is that the sun does not heat up water when it is in the air. Tap water, however, is forbidden because chemicals are added

Dough that is made on the day that the flour is actually ground is more susceptible to becoming chometz on account

of the additional heat in the flour.

dough to become chometz.

One may not place one’s hand in the mayim shelanu, because it will warm up the water.

In a very pressing situation, as long as the water was drawn before midnight, and twelve hours have elapsed since the drawing, the water may be used (MB 455:4).

When it is difficult to draw the water, it is preferable to draw it before twilight than after Tzais HaKochavim, when the stars emerge (MB 455:5).

Before the water is drawn, one should recite the formula, “L’shaim matzos mitzvah” (Be’er Heitev 456:4).

If there is not enough mayim shelanu, then it is permitted to add a smaller amount of regular water to the mayim shelanu to increase its volume. There is a debate as to whether one may add up to 33% (opinion of Bais Yoseph) or up to 49%. The Mishna Berurah rules leniently and permits up to 49% (MB 455:38). It must be done before the kneading process and may not be done during the kneading process.

One may draw the water once for a number of days of baking. One should just take care that the water be kept in a cool location (SA 455:1).

The water should not be drawn by a gentile or by a child for perhaps they may not be so careful regarding chometz. This is true whether it is for regular matzah or for the matzos that will be used on the Seder night. If it was drawn by them, the

the water in the flour. The reason is that he is filled with the flour dust, and there is a chance that some of the flour could enter the mixture and become chometz (MB 459:45).

The water man should carefully measure the amount of water that he puts in the flour.

The Farnemer (The Megabel )

This is the person who does the initial mix of the water and flour. The initial mix is central to the smooth flow of the rest of the process. The goal is to spread the water as evenly as possible throughout the mixture. Experience demonstrates that the key is not to use the palm of one’s hand to do the initial mix, but rather to utilize the fingers.

If he uses the palms of his hand what ends up happening is that some of the dough becomes soft and some of it becomes hard, making the job of the subsequent workers much harder.

He should also try to gather all the spread out particles of flour and push them toward the middle.

into the water supply for various reasons.

Before one pours the water onto the flour, one should recite the formula, “L’shaim matzos mitzvah” (Be’er Heitev 456:4).

The Prep Area

One must cover up the windows in the area where one is baking. This is true even on a day when there is no sun. The concern is that it may be cloudy, and the sun will emerge without one noticing.

Nowadays, when the oven heat is quite strong, one should ensure that there is an air conditioning unit where the workers are for two reasons: So that the dough not get excessively warm, and so that the workers will not be unduly stressed by the heat.

It is a custom in Klal Yisroel to appoint a supervisor mashgiach to oversee the process of baking (MB 459:33). He should oversee that every worker has clean hands and has his nails cut short.

The tables where the matzah dough is worked are covered with paper that is replaced every eighteen minutes. This paper should be stored in an elevated area rather than on the ground. One can make a tacit assumption that the floor of a bakery is considered chometz.

The Flour Man and the Water Man

The person who handles the flour should not be the same person who puts

The process works best when the Farnemer digs a pit in the flour. He then spreads the water as evenly as possible. It is also best if the Farnemer wears a pair of Kosher for Pesach latex gloves.

The Finner (Losh)

This is the person who does the actual mixing. He must continue working with the dough until it is handed to the people who will form the raw matzos. He must pound the dough with either his hand or with a device. After he is done with it, he should continue to handle it. Just touching it is not sufficient to prevent the dough from becoming chometz.

The Workers

The workers must be adults and must have the capability of performing the activities of matzah making with the correct intention, l’shma. Someone who is not religious does have the capability of performing the acts of matzah baking l’shma, with the correct intentions. However, there is the additional factor of making sure that the activities are performed with meticulous adherence to halacha. The Pri Magadim (AA 460:1) rules that someone who does not observe the commandments is suspected of not adhering to halacha meticulously in regard to matzah baking. Therefore, one should only consume matzah produced by non-religious Jews if there was someone strictly observing them at all times. Similarly, if the worker is not knowl-

edgeable in halacha, there is also a concern. In such a situation, there must be someone strictly observing the workers at all times.

The Kneading

The author of the Shulchan Aruch (459:2) writes that ideally, one should not leave the dough to remain without activity even for one moment. He goes on to explain that one it is touched by hand, if one leaves it without activity, it becomes chometz, immediately. The term “immediately” needs to be defined.

Matzah that was needed by a gentile or a deaf-mute, a child or someone who is mentally ill is invalid for use for the Seder itself. The same is true if it is baked by one of them (MB 460:3).

When a Jew stands over a gentile or a deaf-mute, child, or one who is mentally ill and tells them to have in mind for the mitzvah it is a debate as to whether it is kosher – even post facto. Some are lenient, relying upon the daas of the adult Jew. If there is a choice between the gentile or the latter, one should opt for the latter.

One should not knead the dough in a sunny place but should only do it in the shade. The reason is that the sun warms the dough and can make it chometz.

The 18-Minute Clean Up

The manager should set a special clock or timer to indicate when the 18 minutes will elapse after the initial mixing of the water and flour.

The Woods Transporting The Matzah

After the matzos are scored, they are placed on poles to transport them to the oven. These poles are covered with a disposable paper. Even though the poles are covered, the woods are scraped afterward.

The woods that transport the matzos to the oven each time must be different woods for each round of matzos baked, as they get hot and could cause the other matzos to become chometz (Ramah 459:4 and MB 459:32).

The Oven

The Chayei Adam (128:27) writes that the oven should be kashered since there is a concern that the previous bakers may not have been so careful in the baking.

The Baking

How long should the matzah bake? If the matzah were to be cut or broken, and there are no strings of dough that could be pulled out, it does not become chometz

after this point (SA 461:3). This sign, however, only works when the matzah is still warm, but if it cooled down, the dough hardens and it is no longer an effective means of determining (MB 461:13) whether it was indeed fully baked.

The person baking the matzah should be careful not to remove the matzos prematurely – it should be baked to completion. If he did remove it early, he should not place it back into the oven, as it may have become chometz in the interim (Ramah 461:3). If it was taken out and put back in by accident, the matzah is not forbidden (MB 461:16).

Matzah that became folded and or stuck in a manner that the fire cannot reach the place where it became stuck is forbidden. If it was during Pesach, the entire matzah is forbidden. If it was before Pesach, one must remove k’dei netilah, 2.4 centimeters from the surrounding area where it was stuck (Ramah 461:5.

Note: Rav Chaim Noeh requires only 2 centimeters, and Rav Moshe Feinstein requires 2.2 centimeters).

One must be careful that the matzos in the oven not touch each other before they are fully baked. If they do touch each other and they are not immediately separated, they have the halachic status of

folded matzos. If it is before Pesach, the amount of kdei netilah must be removed from both of them. If it happened on Pesach itself, both matzos are forbidden. If the person baking them separated them immediately and it was before they were inserted in the oven, it is permitted (Ramah 461:5).

A Swollen Matzah

A matzah that has become swollen in the middle of it, and the height of the swelling is above that of an etzbah, the entire matzah is forbidden (Ramah 461 and MB).

One should not place the matzah at the very edge of the oven, because the front of the oven is not as hot and matzos placed there are not baked sufficiently with this heat. There is, therefore, a likelihood of it becoming chometz. All matzos that have become invalid, either on account of swelling, or folding or for some other reason, should be completely removed from the work area so that the other matzos not come in contact with them.

This article should be viewed as a halachic discussion and not practical advice. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com.

The anticipation and planning of an event is oftentimes more exciting than the actual occurrence. All of the hard work and preparation leading up to the big day form the building blocks of the joy waiting for you.

Aliyah is different; living in Israel is better than anything you had imagined. Making a life-altering move is daunting at any age, but it can be overwhelming when you do it as a “senior.” What I have come to realize the longer we live here is that aliyah is much more than a physical move; it is also a psychological and emotional reset of yourself.

We waited to go south until we felt more secure. Arriving during the war last summer did not diminish our joy to finally be able to settle in Israel. Despite the ongoing sirens – two yesterday – and the multiple planned and spontaneous protests – two this week – we are not deterred. Life has settled into a pattern.

We had kept putting off going to see the devastation wrought by the October 7 horror; we had enough to deal with just figuring things out and Ulpan. Coincidentally, and as with the way things go here, the day we went south, the bombing resumed. The Woodsburgh Minyan, a Long Island shul with which we have a connection, was making a donation to Kibbutz Sa’ad to fund Magen 48, a self-defense training course for civilians that is supported by the IDF and enhanced by community fundraising.

The Woodsburgh Minyan has adopted Kibbutz Sa’ad, YILC adopted Kibbutz Be’eri, to help support them as they rebuild; 96% of the residents have returned and it is anticipated that all but one family will be back.

Because of the bombing that began the morning of our trip (we could hear it from our van), everything planned for the day was cancelled; the army base was off limits, the lookouts blocked for visitors and the roads closely monitored. Why didn’t we cancel? I don’t know. It’s perplexing that the thing we tried to

School of Thought

Going South

By Barbara Deutsch

avoid on our aliyah journey is the very thing we embraced.

Undeterred, civilian Ari Briggs, co-founder, along with counter-terrorist expert Ehud Dribben of Magen 48, took us to Kibbutz Sa’ad. Ehud was called back to the base and could not join us. When we arrived at the Kibbutz, we were met by Daniel Silverman, Head of Security. Daniel, a very personable young man, was holding his 18-monthold baby girl and standing next to him was his candy-eating little son. I have noticed that kids in Israel often eat candy for breakfast. Maybe it’s because of all those nights in bomb shelters?

For more information about you can help or donate, contact Ari at Ari@magen48.org.

The Silverman kids were not in school because all area schools and gans would be closed for three days in anticipation of the bombing.

Daniel, along with any grownup we encountered, was holding a rifle.

Harold and Nan Klein, representing the Minyan, presented the donation and plaque to Daniel. The presentation was made in a sort of underground bunker in which there were a multitude of closed circuit monitors mounted around the entire room. It was an impressive display of vigilance of the Kibbutz and the Gaza

Envelope, the entire surrounding area.

Daniel told us that he had been up since 2:00 a.m. when the community leaders had gathered for an emergency meeting. This room serves as command center for the entire Kibbutz.

In his real life, Daniel creates games, something that has become very parttime as a result of the ongoing developments. The ongoing war has made keeping the kibbutz secure his real life.

We walked around the kibbutz observing the bucolic setting, the rebuilding of the homes and shul; a rocket had pierced through its roof. Miraculously, no one was hurt.

Just before we were about to leave, Daniel told us that the kibbutz generates income as the largest distributor of popcorn to hundreds of movie theaters. “Would we like to see?”

We hopped back onto our van and off to the Popcorn Factory. It is housed in huge barns along the property line. We got to enjoy some of the fresh popped corn, and each of us took home a big jar of kernels. Unfortunately, we were not watching a movie – the bombing continued as backdrop.

No longer hungry for lunch, we would eat later from a food truck that served two kinds of delicious sandwiches (schnitzel and omelet). With every-

thing closed, we made an unscheduled stop at what is now the memorial to the Nova Music Festival. There is no way to express the pain you feel as you look at the display of beautiful children who will never have a chance to grow older.

The harsh reality of the brutalities that took place at Nova takes your breath away; knowing that there are still 59 chatufim and who knows how many dead, still stolen and kept captive, lies heavily on my heart.

On Wednesday and Thursday, protesters of all different kinds of things shut down Jerusalem. In order to get anywhere you had no choice but to walk; no cars moved, buses ran, or cabs came. Determined protesters carrying placards and Israeli flags swarmed the city. The annoying blasts of honking horns of the frustrated drivers, trying to get to their jobs or home to waiting families, filled the air.

This was what we saw and heard on the streets of my beautiful Jerusalem. Who is wrong? Right? What side – is there a side – does one take?

When you meet someone like Daniel, his young family, and the many like him who are determined to create an oasis despite all odds, it is reassuring that Magen 48 and the people behind it are helping young dreamers feel safe, kept safe.

Kibbutz Sa’ad was founded by dreamers who had nowhere to go after the Holocaust and many others who were purposely looking to build a Gan Eden in a desert. Daniel told us that before October 7, living on the kibbutz was living in Gan Eden. On October 7, it turned into Gehenom.

We love our home!

Barbara Deutsch is the former associate principal at HANC, middle school principal at Kushner, and Dean of Students at Yeshiva of Flatbush. A not-retired educator, she is trying to figure out life in Israel through reflections on navigating the dream of aliyah as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Harold and Nan Klein, along with Daniel and Daniel’s young son.

The Wandering Jew Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo & Montenegro

Part I

By Hershel Lieber

The summer of 2019 was the final year that we spent at the Lauder Summer Retreat in Wisla, Poland. I was invited to teach and lecture at these retreats for thirty years, and Pesi joined me many times as we participated in kiruv activities for the Jews of Poland. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the retreat stopped functioning and has not continued ever since. Like many prior years, our Polish kiruv endeavors were followed by a journey to other European countries. These trips allowed us to relax while touring many cities on the continent. We were also fortunate to see Jewish places of interest and encounter local Jews.

We left Wisla on Motzei Shabbos, August 24, at 3 AM, with a driver who took

us from Southern Poland through Chechia and Slovakia to Vienna. I was able to daven at the Ohel Moshe Shul, drop off some extra luggage at the Stefanie Hotel,

was waiting for us, but it took an hour for them to set up our GPS navigation system. We put in our destination, which was Tirana, the capital of neighboring Albania.

We took an English-speaking guided walking tour which highlighted the bunkers Hoxha placed around the city in the belief that his enemies were planning a nuclear war against him.

and have breakfast and shop at Shefa before heading to the airport for our flight to Podgorica, Montenegro. Our rental car

The drive, which usually takes two and a half hours, took us an incredible five hours. The border crossing alone took

a chunk of time in addition to the dozens of roundabouts, the poor condition of the road, and the immense amount of traffic with wild drivers added to an extremely difficult drive. We arrived at night to a section of the city that was full of people. There were shops and restaurants on both sides of this major avenue with cars rushing by and no visible parking! I double parked my car for a moment and let Pesi out to go into the nearby restaurant and find out where our apartment was located. Just then, I noticed a car pulling out of a parking spot across the four-lane avenue. I didn’t wait a minute before making a U turn (legal or not) and secured a spot. Pesi returned to the car to tell me that we had to go through the restaurant to a back alley where our apartment was

View from our balcony overlooking Ohrid

located. I had no choice but to leave the car where it was parked. I had no idea if I needed to pay a parking charge and to whom. We took our luggage and trekked across the busy avenue, through the restaurant, and to the alley where our building was located. The woman who rented us the apartment for two nights had left the key at the restaurant, and we were able to get in. I ran back to the car and found a policeman who guided me to a parking lot a few blocks away where I deposited our car for the duration of our stay in Tirana.

Our old-fashioned apartment was not bad and even had air conditioning. We

ate supper from the supply of food we bought in Vienna and finally, after being up for the past twenty hours, retired for the night.

A little background about Albania is now in order. This Muslim-majority nation, which was once part of the Ottoman Empire, became independent in 1912. It was conquered by Italy in 1939 and occupied by Germany in 1943. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944, and it became aligned with the USSR until 1960 and then with China until 1978. Its leader, Enver Hoxha, was one of the harshest and most disliked dictators in the Soviet bloc until his death in 1985. The country was practically closed to the outside world until communism started to crumble in the early 1990s. Albania has a distinction in that it was a haven for about 2,000 Jewish refugees during the Nazi era and refused to turn over its own Jews when it was occupied by Germany. Presently, there are less than one hundred Jews in the entire country.

Monday was our only day in Tirana. Albania’s capital is not particularly known for its tourist sites. Nevertheless, we found a number of places to go and see. Skanderbeg Square, with a statue of Albania’s national hero, is the city’s central address, yet it is quiet and relaxing compared to other city centers. There are historical landmarks, museums, and noted mosques and within walking distance more sites to explore. We took an English-speaking guided walking tour which highlighted the bunkers Hoxha placed around the city in the belief that his enemies were planning a nuclear war against him. Today, those bunkers were turned into museums. A Cold War-era pyramid was also a highlight of the tour. There was a courtyard that displayed a collection of Communist-era statues that were once part of the landscape of every city and town in Albania. These included those of Lenin, Stalin and, of course, Enver Hoxha.

It was a very pleasant day to walk, and there were many tree-lined streets which offered shade from the summer sun. We

returned in the afternoon, checked out of the apartment, and started our drive to Ohrid, Macedonia.

Though the distance between Tirana and Ohrid is only 130 km, a drive of just over two hours, it took us a full three hours to get there. Our GPS was outdated and did not have the newest highways in their system, so we were traveling on local roads between small towns. It was a very pleasant ride, but it added an hour to our travel time. Ohrid is a resort town on Lake Ohrid, Europe’s deepest and oldest lake with a unique aquatic ecosystem. We were just staying over for the evening and had booked a room within the Galicica Mountain Range. Our room had a marvelous view overlooking the town and lake.

After relaxing a while on our balcony, we headed down to explore the town. We watched small passenger ships drop off travelers who had taken cruises on the lake. We walked around while observing the crowds of tourists shopping at the many stores that lined the main thoroughfare. The restaurants and café houses were brimming with diners, and the town’s atmosphere was festive. We headed back when we became tired, ate dinner, and prepared for the next leg of our journey, Skopje, Macedonia’s capital city.

Hershel Lieber has been involved in kiruv activities for over 30 years. As a founding member of the Vaad L’Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel he has traveled with his wife, Pesi, to the Soviet Union during the harsh years of the Communist regimes to advance Yiddishkeit. He has spearheaded a yeshiva in the city of Kishinev that had 12 successful years with many students making Torah their way of life. In Poland, he lectured in the summers at the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation camp for nearly 30 years. He still travels to Warsaw every year – since 1979 – to be the chazzan for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for the Jews there. Together with Pesi, he organized and led trips to Europe on behalf of Gateways and Aish Hatorah for college students finding their paths to Jewish identity. His passion for travel has taken them to many interesting places and afforded them unique experiences. Their open home gave them opportunities to meet and develop relationships with a variety of people. Hershel’s column will appear in The Jewish Home on a bi-weekly basis.

Signs in Ohrid

One of the many bunkers in Tirana

A bunker that had been turned into a museum in Tirana

On the shores of Lake Ohrid

Pesi near a cruise ship on Lake Ohrid

ike Gershkovich, chef and owner of Mike’s Bistro on 54th Street in Manhattan, is a descendant of Eastern European Holocaust survivors. His parents were born after the war, but his grandparents had endured its horrors. After the war, they returned to the city of Munkatch (part of Hungary before World War II but later incorporated into Ukraine) to search for surviving relatives and rebuild their lives. Like many others, they ended up trapped in what had become Soviet Russia.

“In 1974, my parents finally got the opportunity to leave,” Mike recounts. “My mother was seven and a half months pregnant with me when the family received their visas to the United States.”

However, due to her condition, she wasn’t allowed to board the plane to America, and the family was forced to remain in Rome until after Mike’s birth.

“When I was three weeks old, we immigrated to Brooklyn,” Mike continues. “My father had $200 in his pocket, a wife, and two children. Although he was

The Secret Ingredients

Mike Gershkovich of Mike’s Bistro Shares His Culinary

Journey

By Malkie Schul M an

a skilled tinsmith in Munkatch, he immediately took a construction job at Mir Yeshiva for a short while before landing a job in the electronics business.” Eventually, years later, he opened his own electronics company.

“We weren’t the only immigrants leaving Russia in the ‘70s – it was the era of the refuseniks,” Mike shares. “Some of my classmates were also from Russian backgrounds, and I’m close with them to this day.”

Mike attended Toras Emes in Boro Park – not because it was their speed religiously, he notes, but because, the yeshiva offered a “chessed ” rate for parents of Russian children to get them to send their kids to yeshiva.

Growing up in communist Russia, Mike’s parents experienced religion differently than American religious Jews.

“Basically, my parents knew was that being Jewish is good – it didn’t matter how religious you were or how you defined religious,” he says. It was a challenge in Soviet Russia to be frum. Jewish people had to be discreet in their religious practices. Arriving in America and being able to observe Judaism openly was a

liberating experience.

Mike shares a heartwarming story about his grandfather.

“Shortly after he arrived in New York, my grandfather went looking for a job. He walked into Yeshiva of Brooklyn’s school office and said to Rabbi Manis Mandel, the principal, ‘I need a job. But I didn’t come to America to work on Purim!’”

He was hired on the spot. His job? To make sure the children ate their lunches every day.

Like many of his Brooklyn friends in the ‘80s, even as a kid, Mike was a hustler.

“If it was snowing, we’d get out our shovels and go door to door earning money for shoveling out driveways.”

At age 14, Mike worked as a waiter in the Rose Castle in Brooklyn.

“We wanted cash in our pockets, and we didn’t like to ask our parents. It was a different world. In fifth grade, I was already taking the city bus to school.”

As an immigrant Russian kid, Mike would wear his leather koppel (yarmulke).

“It was dangerous for me in two ways,” he explains. “I’d walk in the street and get heckled by the non-Jews for wearing a yarmulke. Then I’d pass Tiferes Elimelech and get into trouble because my koppel was leather! You had to have thick skin back then, but that kind of stuff gives you grit, not like today’s pampered kids. It built me into the person I became and has helped me so much in my industry.”

The Language of Cooking

Mike admits that much of his love for cooking came from home. Family meals were rooted in tradition –Hungarian and Russian dishes, with hot breakfasts and dinners every day. But in school, he says with a laugh, “I was jealous of my American friends’ cold lunches of pita and tehina because I wanted to be like them.” It wasn’t until Mike got older that he truly appreciated his background.

“My parents’ immigrant mentality defined me,” he admits.

Like language, cooking isn’t something you just know; it’s something you live. You can study French in school, but to really speak it, you must immerse yourself in it. Mike recalls asking a chef in culinary school how to make a turkey taste good. The answer? “Just cook it.” No tricks, no shortcuts – either you know or you don’t. And how do you know? By doing. The first time, you think you’ve got it all figured out. The thousandth time, you realize you had it all wrong. Cooking, like language, develops over time. A child speaks simply at first, but as they grow, their speech becomes richer, more nuanced. Cooking works the same way – it’s a way of life, not an isolated skill. For instance, he says, “if you gave a non-Jew the recipe for cholent, would he be able to do it? Of course not. How about if you told him to make potato kugel? How could you explain to him that it needs to be gooey-gloppy. He’d look at you like you’re nuts.”

The experienced cook realizes it’s not about ac -

cessorizing; it’s not about putting barbecue sauce on your steak and thinking it suddenly becomes exciting. That’s the lowest level of pleasure. “What’s important is that when a American red snapper comes in fresh and is then cooked properly, it’s always incredible. There’s no need to put flowers and polka dots on the plate – that’s fake.”

It’s also vital, Mike insists, to understand your ingredients and how they interact with each other. For example, what does coagulation of protein mean? What’s the difference between basmati rice and, say, short grain rice? What makes a lemon good for squeezing? At this point, Mike can tell just by looking at a lemon whether it’s good for squeezing. But that’s not something he learned overnight.

“When I crack an egg, I can tell by the color of the yolk whether it’s fresh or old. What do most people look for when they crack an egg? To see if a piece of the shell went in the whites,” he says. “It’s these details that you collect over time that make you a master.”

“Authentic parmesan cheese, for instance, tastes good because you know it’s parmesan cheese. Otherwise, you might think it smells like feet. If someone stuck their feet in your face, would you enjoy it? No. But if you knew that after being skimmed from raw cow’s milk, the cheese was heated in copper vats, mixed with rennet to form curds, broken up, cooked, and molded into large wheels, then brined in saltwater and aged in a barn in Italy for three years – suddenly, it’s delicious.

“The same thing with chicken soup. When customers send back my pure golden chicken soup with only six fresh ingredients saying it’s tasteless, I know it’s people whose whole life is takeout. To them, chicken soup is MSG and consommé powders.”

You have to know the story, especially with food. If it’s just about making your mouth feel good, then it’s not enough. It’s about appreciating what you put in your mouth, how it got there, the story, the context.

Mike insists his upbringing gave him a unique win-

dow into different Jewish and non-Jewish communities – Russian, yeshivish, Chassidic, modern Orthodox and “goyish” – which all helped to inform his future cooking style. The school year was spent in a strictly religious environment, and summers were spent at a co-ed federation camp. Mike’s neighbors were Irish, Italian, and Chinese immigrants.

“The smells of Brooklyn were different in those days. I’d pass an Italian restaurant and smell the meaty tomato sauce. It actually inspired one of the dishes on my menu,” he says. “Every one of my dishes is, in fact, based on a specific reason or person. I never just find something online that looks good and put it on my menu. There’s a story to every dish I create. We even had a drink called the ‘L Train’ because it came from a guest from Williamsburg whose last name was Levy!”

A Taste of Life

After graduating high school, Mike attended Brooklyn College for three years. “It wasn’t for me,” he says. So, in 1995, he enrolled at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA). After six months there, he took an externship at a country club in Westchester.

“It was a total disaster,” recalls Mike. “I never realized how little I knew. My work was so bad that one day, the chef pulled me aside and said, ‘Mike, I don’t think this industry is for you.’ Of course, that lit the fire in my belly. There’s nothing like someone telling you you’re really bad at something to make you want to prove him wrong. I’d invested $50,000 in my schooling, and now this guy is telling me I’m not cut out for it. But I just said, ‘I appreciate your telling me this.’ Then I asked him what his favorite restaurant in Manhattan was, and he answered, ‘Park Avenue Café.’”

So, Mike walked out and headed straight for Park Avenue Café, where he begged them to take him on.

“They gave me a shot and worked me like a dog. They broke me, but I got my discipline from them, and I owe them everything.”

Giving kids a tour of

Mike’s gnocchi

The original restaurant

As assistant cook in Camp Lavi in 1995

When Mike returned to school for the second half of the term, he contends, “I was able to produce.”

Some of the dishes he had prepared at Park Avenue Café all those years ago became the foundation for part of his menu at Mike’s Bistro.

“For example, the cavatelli with portobello mushrooms was the impetus for the portobello mushroom flavor in my recipes today.

“The point is,” shares Mike, “I don’t see any of my experiences as random. All my life experiences have brought me to where I am today, especially in my field.”

For a while after graduating culinary school, Mike worked in Napa, California, which in those years was the place to be for anyone who wanted to be steeped in food and drink.

“It was the yeshiva for learning food,” Mike quips.

Although the CIA and Napa were based on French cooking culture, Mike was privileged to work with an Italian chef as well and learn how to see food through his passion for Italian cooking.

“Italian cooking became another ‘language’ I picked up.”

One of Mike’s Bistro’s signature dishes, duck gnocchi with mushrooms, was created based on his experience watching this Italian cook who made gnocchi every day.

“I’d have visions of my mother and my great-aunt painstakingly working over their shlishkas, a traditional Jewish Hungarian and Romanian dish consisting of small, rolled dumplings made from a simple dough and served with stews or roasted meats. Shlishkas was my favorite dish growing up. My gnocchi came out of that combination of watching my Yiddish-speaking bubbies and their shlishkas and this Italian guy in Napa working on his gnocchi.”

After Napa, Mike relocated to Hawaii for a year, which was an incredible way to absorb Asian cooking styles.

“I was able to submerge myself in the world of woks, steaming fish, sashimi, tuna, and rice. I was picking up

Mike in Hawaii, learning a new food “language” Mike addressing his staff during a meeting

‘languages.’ I grew up with Hungarian, picked up the Brooklyn language, moved on to French and Italian, and now I was getting the Asian culture.”

When Mike returned to the “mainland,” he took a job at a Manhattan restaurant that had a skilled Japanese chef.

“He was doing this thing with corn, making intricate moves with his knife, making sure to get every bit



 y work was so bad that one day, the chef pulled me aside and said,   ike, I don  t think this industry is for you.

“Yesterday, I had members of the Mossad at the back of the restaurant. Mike Pence once came in with a big party. I’ve had famous basketball players. But I don’t post it – that’s cheap. I want people to come in and feel like it’s a safe space. Politicians, governors, they all come. Certain well-known actors were regulars here at one time.”

Hosting high-profile events has become a regular occurrence at Mike’s restaurant, attracting guests from Mike Pence to Trump’s kids, real estate billionaires, everybody with “gelt,” Mike says with a laugh.

“George Rohr, for example, has been here. What an honor to talk to him when you think about what he does. He once called and asked to speak with me. ‘This is George Rohr, maybe you remember me?’. Of course, I remember you, I was thinking – you don’t have to say who you are. I was humbled.”

The financial crash of 2008 was a moment Mike will never forget, when every CEO of every major bank seemed to be talking to every Yid in the room. “There was nervous laughter, real concern. I kept getting introduced – ‘Mike, this is the president of Wells Fargo, the president of Signature Bank.’ ‘Good to see you, Mike.’ And I’m thinking, who am I? Just the cook.”

Mike chuckles, remembering an encounter with comedian Jackie Mason.

of corn out of each kernel,” shares Mike. “I love corn, and I was intrigued.”

Mike says his corn soup today is an example of another innovation from his life experience.

“In fact,” he admits, “it’s one of my most popular summer dishes. I serve it daily to customers in the summer months.”

A Table for Everyone

After years of traveling, learning, and refining his craft, Mike opened Mike’s Bistro in 2004. Over time, his restaurant has become more than just a place to eat; it’s a gathering space for people from all walks of life.

“He walked into my restaurant on the West Side. I was wearing jeans with my chef coat, trying to navigate the chaos – it was a zoo. I was at the front desk when I felt someone tapping me on the back. ‘You the owner here?’ I turned around – it was Jackie Mason. In his inimitable voice, he says, ‘You’re the owner, and you can’t get a nice pair of pants?’”

Not every guest is entertaining. Some are controversial.

“I get unsavory people, too, especially politically. People ask, ‘How could you let Ilhan Omar dine in your restaurant?’ I answered back, ‘I had no idea who she was. All I saw was a lady in a tichel.’”

Mike has seen kids grow up in his restaurant.

“With some customers, we’ve become family,” he says.

One customer, renowned artist and sculptor Tobi Kahn, has been coming to Mike’s Bistro for years. His daughter was a little girl when she first started coming. She subsequently attended Harvard and now is an award-winning writer and editor for Vogue and other well-known publications. There are other guests who have been coming with their parents since they were little, and now they’re working for President Trump in the White House.

“It’s nachas.”

Mike often sits down at the tables and kibbitzes with his customers, young and old, famous and not famous.

“I’m talking to bubbies, to powerful people, to young couples. But it’s all the same shprach.”

Hospitality, the Secret Ingredient

“I remember when I first opened the restaurant, it was rough. One of my brothers advised me to close up shop. But I’d worked in failing restaurants, and I could tell, even though we were hemorrhaging money at that point, this was not a failing business. I could feel the energy of our clientele. Despite what it looked like externally, we were growing.”

The miracle was, Mike continues, that on the night his first child was born, the business doubled their customers.

“Ironically, I wasn’t even there to greet my guests because I was with my wife in the hospital, but from then on, we took off.”

For Mike, being chef and restaurant owner is like playing a video game – problem, solution, problem, solution.

“It’s satisfying for my ADHD brain. For example, let’s say the ice machine is beeping. I have to figure out: do we have enough ice for today? When is the latest I can call the ice guy? Or how many reservations do we

have for today? Am I cutting someone? Is something wrong with the duck? Is it too feathery? It’s constant rapid fire. And then at 5:30, everything has to stop, we have to wind down and be ready to serve our guests.”

But running a restaurant isn’t just about managing chaos; it’s about creating an experience that makes people feel at home. Mike explains, “Over time, I came to understand that hospitality was at the core of it all. It’s not just about the food – it’s about the hand giving it.’

 Hospitality was at the core of it all. It  s not just about the food  it

s about the hand giving it.

“The root of the word ‘restaurant’ is restore. People don’t go to restaurants just for the food. They walk in and are made to feel like a person. They’re greeted at the door with ‘good evening.’ The owner says hello, asks about their family. They are walked to their table, the lighting is just right, the chairs are placed with care, the glasses are polished. They sit like a mensch. And whether they have it in them or not, their humanity comes forth.

“My bar mitzvah parsha is Vayeira,” Mike shares, “Avraham took three hours to prepare a meal for angels. Why? What was the goal? To rest, eat, and rejuvenate. It was also for Avraham to say, ‘I believe in one G-d,’ for a discussion of ideas. Around food, people drop their guard and talk about things they don’t talk about anywhere else.”

One of Mike’s waiters once came to him, amazed.

“My eyes are now open,” he said. “I’m privy to conversations I never imagined.” Billion-dollar discussions were happening right in front of him.

Mike trains his staff to elevate the dining experience.

“Every day at 5:00 p.m., I meet with my waiters. What do I want people to walk away with? People walk in, order a Diet Coke, rib steak medium, and fries. They’re just fressing. They’re not interested in the amazing selection of the freshest vegetables. ‘Make them order the mushrooms,’ I tell my waiters. ‘Make them try our interpretation of kasha varnishkes. Give them an experience they can talk about. Make them order the chicken—this chicken is the last word. Meat is just meat, but the chicken is fresh and juicy.’”

Because it’s all about the total experience, attention to detail is everything. Every aspect of the menu matters, from the way the food is prepared to how it’s served. Dishes that call for herbs get fresh chopped chives, rosemary, oregano, or olives.

“We have a carefully curated selection of oils. When a customer is done eating, their utensils go into soak, then they’re washed upright in hot water, rinsed to remove chemicals, checked, and polished by hand. Nobody gets sick from our utensils. Glassware is never washed with plates. If someone is drinking a $300 bottle of wine, they deserve a glass that doesn’t smell like bleach or have fingerprints on it.”

One night, a customer walked in looking worn out. Mike could tell he’d had a hard week. “Anything special for me?” he asked. Mike told him, “Yes, we have an amazing duck. Give me 30 minutes, and you’ll have something fresh and perfectly prepared that will make you feel great.”

And that’s what it’s all about.

Running a restaurant isn’t just about food, it’s about people, passion, and commitment. Every plate tells a story, every detail matters, and every guest should leave feeling like they belong. That’s what keeps Mike coming back to the kitchen, day after day.

A busy night in the restaurant. Mike’s father is standing on the left

With some famous guests

Nation

IBeri Weber Everyone Has a Song

By Eliyahu RosEnBERg

n 2014, Beri Weber released a song called “Vaschen” (Wash). It’s a charming, upbeat track with bouncy piano chords, a jazzy brass ensemble, and groovy drums—sung with simple Yiddish lyrics, like “Geitz eich vaschen, u’yivarchu es Hashem” (Go wash, and bless Hashem).

To Beri, “Vaschen” was an innocent, fun track—the perfect song to kick off performances, the type of niggun that gets people in the mood for the more meaningful songs typically played later in his concerts. And for a while, that’s

In His Words…

all the song was to Beri Weber: a lighthearted enhancer for his listeners’ musical appetite.

But years later, in the midst of Covid, Beri met someone who forever changed his view of the song.

It happened like this: Beri Weber was walking, minding his own business, when a Satmar chassid—big hat and all— randomly came up to him.

“Beri, I gotta tell you something. You have a minute?” the chassid asked.

“Of course.”

“Beri, you saved my life,” he declared.

We’re all human, and we all have struggles. We need struggles to survive. a nd the more a person works on himself – the more he’s a tzaddik – the bigger struggles he has because this is what he’s attracting, this is what he’s looking for, and this is what he wants to conquer.

What is love? The lubavitcher Rebbe says that every person has a song. a nd when a person forgets their song, and you’re the one who reminds them of their song, that’s true love.

i feel so blessed that hashem gave me the opportunity to be the shaliach to this connection; to ignite this spark. When i’m singing, i feel i don’t deserve this. Which zechus do i have that i have such a zechus?

“What do you mean?” Beri asked. The chassid went on to recount his story to Beri. He explained that from his youth, he had been deeply confused about Judaism. Raised Satmar, the chassid felt disconnected from his community and struggled with his faith. As he grew up, little by little, he began to discard halachos he didn’t understand. For example, he rebelled against the laws of kashrus. And even little things— like saying brachos and washing for bread—seemed to fall away. At the same time as his spirituality dimmed, his external appearance—the typical ultra-Orthodox attire—remained the same. “We can only imagine how broken, how empty a person is when he goes through these experiences,” Beri Weber notes.

One day, this man got into a car he borrowed from his friend, drove to a store, and bought a sandwich that wasn’t exactly kosher. The man held the sandwich in his hands and stared at it. It was treif. He wasn’t making a bracha. And to make matters worse, he wasn’t even going to wash for the bread.

He got back into the car and instantly, Beri Weber’s song “Vaschen” started blasting from the car speakers—a voice booming through the stereo, telling the man to go wash his hands.

His fingers suddenly went numb. His jaw dropped. It was such hashgacha pratis —such a clear sign from G-d. What were the chances that of all the songs he would hear at that moment, it would be that song? The sandwich fell from his hands. The chassid ran

to shul and burst into tears. His Yiddishkeit reawakened. And today, he’s a healthy-minded individual with a deep connection to Hashem.

Beri Weber was both shocked and honored to hear that story. “Vaschen” was one of the last songs he thought would change a person’s life. But then again, that wasn’t the only surprise in his career.

Growing up in Williamsburg, Beri never even dreamed of becoming a singer. Though he always had a beautiful voice and grew up in a musical home, becoming a musician wasn’t, at the time, a typical career choice in his Pupa community.

“I remember, growing up, you wouldn’t find chassidish musicians playing at weddings. If you did, they would have to wear a tie and a nice fedora, just to tuck in their peyos,” Beri Weber explains. “When I was young, I did sing at family occasions, like weddings. But it was an understood thing that once you get bar mitzvahed, you kind of forget about all of that.”

Thus, he initially dismissed music as a career. After he got married—at around the time he moved from Pupa to Breslov—Beri Weber started working in construction. But then, when the 2008 crash hit, Beri lost his job. “There was literally no work,” he recalls. “A friend of mine suggested that if I go to the studio at night and sing in a choir, I could get paid the same amount of money as my construction job.”

Beri took his friend’s advice. He joined the choir, and soon thereafter,

industry leaders recognized his talent. Before he knew it, he was a famous solo singer, putting out albums and performing at concerts. And the rest is history.

One of Beri Weber’s most popular songs is “Riboin,” a soulful piano ballad that showcases his spiritual and passionate style of singing. As Beri explains, when he sings, he can’t help but get sucked into the song’s meaning. The world around him vanishes. And at that moment, he’s completely immersed in the tune and its words.

One day, after Beri performed “Riboin” for a crowd of people, a fellow musician approached him.

“You know, Beri, I gotta tell you. You’re an amazing actor, you know?” the musician said. “I’ve heard you sing this song tens of times. You always make people believe it’s like your first time singing it.”

“Well, thank you. But, let me tell you something,” Beri responded. “Because of the words, the song could never bore me.”

Beri Weber went on to explain the song’s deeply meaningful lyrics. For example, in one verse of “Riboin,” Beri sings the words, “we are not worthy.” Some people have questioned that particular verse. The singers from 8th Day once approached Beri Weber and asked him, “What do you mean we’re not worthy of Hashem’s blessings? Of course, our nation is worthy!”

Of course, there are different chassidic perspectives on that issue. Some say we’re worthy, some say we aren’t. Some say we do mitzvos because Hashem needs us, and others say that we do mitzvos because we need Hashem. But beyond those debates, Beri sees a deeper meaning in the words, “we

are not worthy.”

“It’s not that we’re not worthy. I’m not putting us down. It’s just that all of Hashem’s chessed for us, all the blessings that we are getting from Hashem—it’s not because we gave Him this, so Hashem’s giving us that. Even if we weren’t worthy, He would still give, because He just loves to give. He’s a giving, loving Being,” shares Beri Weber. “We’re great, we’re amazing, we’re Hashem’s soulmate—but the amazing part is that we’re Hashem’s soulmate, not because we deserved it, but only because Hashem chose us to be His soulmate. And that’s what love is.”

As Beri explains, many love songs can be summarized in one sentence: “I love you because of x, y, and z; because you give me x, you have y, and you mean z to me.” But, in truth, that’s not love. True love isn’t based on external factors or simple reasons. If it were, the love would die as soon as those elements fall away. Rather, true love is about chessed. Love lasts when it’s love for its own sake; when you choose to care for someone just for the sake of caring about them. Although relationships obviously need a give and take, the greatest form of love is unconditional. And the same applies to our relationship with Hashem. Although we must serve G-d and do mitzvos, Hashem’s love for us—like a parent’s love for a child—isn’t dependent on our actions or personalities. Even when we misbehave and stray off the path, Hashem still has infinite love for us.

* * *

Aside from singing at concerts and weddings, Beri Weber uses his talents to bring joy to less fortunate people. He’ll routinely perform for cholim in hospitals. And he’ll even sometimes sing for people in prison.

One day, a friend of Beri’s opened a yeshiva in Monsey for teenagers who weren’t accepted in conventional yeshivas. Hoping to bring joy to his students, this man, who served as the school’s de facto rosh yeshiva, asked Beri Weber to perform for the teenagers. Beri obliged. At the school, Beri sang and delivered an eye-opening talk about music’s link to spirituality and chassidus. It went very well. Soon thereafter, the head of the yeshiva asked Beri Weber to come back. And before he knew it, he was visiting the school on a weekly basis. Then, eventually, Beri began going to the teshiva several times a week.

Eventually, the yeshiva’s founder decided to move on from the school and asked Beri to become the new rosh yeshiva. Although he never imagined himself as a Rosh yeshiva (and still doesn’t like being called rabbi), Beri Weber accepted the opportunity. He expected to stick around until the first batch of talmidim graduate. But Beri’s rebbi encouraged him to continue. Now, nearly a decade later, the yeshiva—and his role of inspiring teenagers who are searching for themselves—has become part of Beri Weber’s life. And, mind you, he hasn’t in the slightest bit given up singing.

At the core of Beri Weber’s yeshiva is the principle that everyone needs someone who really cares about them.

“What is love? The Lubavitcher Rebbe says that every person has a song. And when a person forgets their song, and you’re the one who reminds them of their song, that’s true love,” declares Beri Weber.

“I once heard a beautiful story from Rabbi YY Jacobson about a Lubavitcher Yid who came from Russia from under the Iron Curtain. And he was kind of like a nobody, but he composed a song that got picked up. At the Fabrengens, they would sing his song. And for him, this was like the holiest thing. His Fab -

rengen song became his identity.

“When he got older, he got dementia. He started forgetting things, he stopped recognizing people, and he ended up in an old age home,” Beri continues. “There was a Lubavitcher chassid who used to come visit him. One Erev Yom Kippur, this chassid figured he would uplift this guy and take him to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who would, Erev Yom Kippur, give out a piece of honey cake to every chassid for a sweet year. So, the chassid brings this man to the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Lubavitcher Rebbe recognizes him, but he sees that he’s a little worn down. So, the Lubavitcher Rebbe asks, ‘What’s your name again?’”

When the old man didn’t respond, the Rebbe understood that the chassid had dementia. At that moment, the Rebbe started singing the song that the man had composed. Yet, the man still seemed lost, staring at the walls and ceilings, unaware of where he was. Then, after the song finished, the Rebbe began singing the song again. And instantly, it was as if the elderly chassid had woken up. He suddenly realized where he was and smiled proudly in front of the Rebbe. He had forgotten his song, and the Rebbe helped him remember it again.

“Every person has this spark, this beautiful place where he has his identity. When you’re 13, 14, you start to open your eyes to a whole world. Your brain cells start to expand, and you start asking, ‘Who am I?’ And suddenly, all these dots come together and sometimes people find themselves in a very dark, confusing place,” Beri Weber explains. “And if a person went through abuse, a certain negativity could start hitting his life, and he may feel the need to find a place of pleasure and survival.

“He’s so stuck that he forgets his song. And all he needs is a little love. He needs someone to remind him of his song.

“And that’s what I’m trying to do.”

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.

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

I’m 24 years old and working as a teacher. I am dating a guy who’s 26 and works as a nursing home administrator. We have been going out two to three times a week for the past three weeks. Things have been going great. However, on all of our dates, he excuses himself to go to the bathroom.

After a while I began noticing a pattern; he was going to the bathroom at the same time. After this became a common occurrence, I got the feeling that something wasn’t right. So, on our next date when he excused himself to go to the bathroom, I followed slightly behind. My gut feeling was correct – not only was he not going to the bathroom, but he was stepping outside to smoke. This made me question our relationship and his honesty. I know that great relationships revolve around transparency, and I am now unsure how to proceed. Thanks, Sarah*

The Panel

Dear Readers,

We want to offer YOU an opportunity to be part of the discussion! Please email us at MichelleMondShadchan@gmail.com, subject line “reader’s response,” if you would like to participate in the new “A Reader’s Response” columnist spot. We will send you a question and publish your answer in an upcoming Navidaters edition.

If you have a question you would like the Navidaters to answer, please reach out to this email as well.

Looking forward!

Michelle, the “Shadchan”

The Rebbetzin

Rebbetzin Lisa Babich

Thank you for your question. It is definitely important to be open and honest in a relationship. I think it is time you sit down with him and ask him not just about the smoking but particularly why he felt the need to hide it from you. It is important to gauge his communication abilities and to see if he often takes an easier route of not sharing things in order to avoid conflict.

I know plenty of people who married guys who smoke and that is a personal decision, however, it was very transparent and honest from the beginning. The girls then had to decide if they were okay with the smoking.

The main thing that bothers me here is that he didn’t share an obvious detail about himself. If he smokes, he shouldn’t be hiding it and certainly not from the girl he is dating.

It could be he was burnt in the past (no pun intended) in other relationships and therefore felt it was safer to not share this detail just yet. I would like to hear him explain the reason as to why he wasn’t honest about it.

In addition, I do think it is important to note that if he is leaving during the dates to smoke then he probably smokes quite often. I do not know how long your dates are, but it sounds like it is something he needs to do every few hours. If I were you, I would try to find out all the details of his smoking habit so that you can make a well-informed decision.

Again, many women do not mind marrying a smoker, but it is important that you have all the knowledge and de -

tails of his particular habit before you decide to move further.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

This is a very complicated situation. Smoking not only negatively affects a person but also affects those around him. It is even more concerning that he is so addicted that he must lie to find a way to sneak away and smoke during the date. At least if he was open and honest about it from the beginning you would not have had to deal with the underlying trust issues now. But alas, this is the situation you find yourself in. I do not need to elaborate on the myriad of reasons smoking is harmful physically, as you can Google that easily. You will be the one who has to decide if you want that as part of your future.

The best way forward is through open communication. Let him know what you saw and how it made you feel. Pay attention to his reaction: does he get defensive and dismissive, or does he take responsibility and show understanding? His response will tell you a lot about his character and how he deals with conflict. From there, you’ll need to decide if smoking is something you’re willing to tolerate in a relationship. If he’s open to quitting or at least being honest about it, there may be a path forward. But if deception becomes a pattern, that’s a much bigger red flag than the smoking itself. Take your time to process this and trust your instincts.

Reader’s Response

M. Lieberman

Dear Sarah, First of all, I assume that by smoking, you mean vaping. I don’t think that it is possible for someone to smoke a cigarette without the smell giving him away.

Before you even deal with the question of his lying to you, how do you feel about dating someone who vapes and seems addicted to it? According to data available, vaping is very unhealthy. It introduces nicotine into the body that damages the user’s lungs and can cause mood swings. Withdrawal can cause shaking hands, rapid heartbeat, panic attacks, and headaches. If he cannot get through a date without it, what is he like on Shabbos when he can’t light up?

If vaping is a red line for you, then there is nothing to discuss. However, if you are willing to accept that reality,

His response will tell you a lot about his character and how he deals with conflict.

then you will definitely have to confront him with what you witnessed You have to hear why he felt it was okay to leave you in the dark about his habit; why he was not comfortable enough yet to share it with you; and at what point, if any, he was going to tell you about it. If, after this serious conversation, you still think the relationship has potential, then proceed with caution. However, before you make a lifetime commitment, make sure you spend a Shabbos with him when he can’t light up.

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Dear Sarah, I’m really glad you wrote in. This kind of situation can leave a person feeling confused and unsettled, especially when everything else seems to be going so well. It makes sense that you’re feeling unsure of how to proceed. When something feels off in a relationship, it’s important to pay attention to that.

You’re right that good relationships are built on transparency. But it’s also true that people don’t always show us their full

selves right away. Sometimes it’s out of fear. Sometimes it’s because they’re still figuring out how much of themselves to reveal. Sometimes it’s a habit they’re ashamed of. It’s disappointing to find out he wasn’t being upfront, especially when the connection felt strong and full of potential.

That said, this is also a moment that can give you valuable information, not just

about him, but about how the two of you communicate, especially when something hard comes up. Relationships need room for truth. Not perfection, but honesty. I’d encourage you to bring it up. Let him know what you saw, how it made you feel, and why it matters to you. Notice how he responds. Can he be open with you? Can he take accountability without getting defensive or trying to explain it away?

You also get to ask yourself some important questions. How do you feel about dating someone who smokes? Can you live with that, long term, if nothing changes? And if this is something you feel strongly about, are your feelings taken seriously? These questions aren’t just about smoking, they’re about whether your values and needs can be part of the conversation in this relationship.

You might have to accept that you fell in love with the wrong person.

Take your time. You’re allowed to love someone and still be unsure if it’s the right fit. You’re allowed to want honesty, and to hold out for the kind of relationship where you feel safe being fully yourself, and where the other person is willing to show up and do the same.

Sincerely, Jennifer

Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.

School of Thought

By Etti Siegel

Q:Dear Etti,

I’m a student in high school, and I read your column. I find it very interesting even though I know it’s more for parents and teachers.

The best part is that it is anonymous. I was wondering if you can help me. My friend is going through something, and she is really suffering. I am trying to be there for her, but I don’t always know what to do or say. Sometimes she is happy with what I say, and sometimes she gets all mad. I feel like I am walking on eggshells. I have no one to talk to because she swore me to secrecy.

Can you advise me?

- Trying to Be a Good Friend

A:Dear Friend, I am glad you are enjoying the column. Thank you for your feedback!

I hear how much you care about your friend, and that’s a really difficult position to be in.

It makes sense that you’re feeling torn, you want to be there for them and respect their trust, but you also don’t want to see them hurting.

You’re not alone in feeling this way.

Dr. Lindsay Macchia, a clinical psychologist who works with teenagers and young adults, says that a lot of teens struggle with feeling responsible for their friends’ well-being, especially when those friends are dealing with serious emotional pain. It’s a lot to carry, and it’s okay to admit that you’re struggling with what to do next.

The first thing to know is that just being there for your friend can be exactly what she needs from you. You don’t have to fix everything or have all the answers.

Dr. Macchia explains that simply validating their feelings, saying something like, “That sounds really hard, and I’m here for you,” can make a big difference. It lets your friend know they’re not alone and her feelings are real and worth talking about. You can also ask, “What can I do to help?” This can encourage them to think about what support they actually need, instead of assuming you have to figure it out on your own.

At the same time, there are limits to what you can handle, and that’s okay.

If your friend is dealing with something big, like self-harm, suicidal thoughts, an eating disorder, or extreme anxiety or depression, or any mental health concerns that make you think, “This feels like something a parent or counselor should know about,” then that’s a sign you should talk to someone.

This is bigger than what a friend can manage alone.

Keeping their trust can’t come at the cost of their safety.

Dr. Macchia says that these are the times when it’s necessary to bring in an adult, whether that’s a school counselor, a teacher, a coach, or a parent. I know this is the hardest part because you don’t want to feel like you’re betraying your friend. But keeping their trust can’t come at the cost of their safety.

If you’re worried about how to do this without making your friend feel like you’re “telling on them,” try being open about it. You might say, “I really care about you, and I think this is bigger than something I can help with alone. I think we should talk to someone who knows how to support you through this.” Dr. Macchia suggests offering to go with them to talk to an adult if that would help them feel more comfortable. But if they refuse and are still in danger, you may need to go to an adult on your own. Even though this is hard, their safety comes first.

If you don’t involve an adult at this point, the weight of guilt for not involving someone might be too heavy later.

It’s also important to remember what you don’t have to do.

• You don’t have to make yourself available 24/7.

• You should not be putting yourself in danger to protect or watch over your friend.

• You should not feel guilty when things go well for you.

• You should not be staying in a friendship that is harming your own mental health.

If supporting your friend is starting to really impact your mental health, then you need to turn to an adult for advice. You can be there for your friend while also setting boundaries for yourself. If her struggles are overwhelming you, that’s a sign that you need support, too. If you’re feeling anxious, sad, or exhausted because of the weight of this friendship, that’s a sign that you need help, too. Talk to a trusted adult about how this is affecting you. You deserve support just as much as your friend does. Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Being there for someone who is struggling can take a lot out of you.

Dr. Macchia says that if you’re starting to feel down, withdrawing from things you usually enjoy, or feeling overwhelmed, it’s time to make self-care a priority. Find things that bring you joy, whether that’s reading, spending time outside, or just hanging out with other friends. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.

I know this is really hard, and you’re doing the right thing by thinking about how best to support your friend. But you don’t have to do this alone. If your friend is in danger, please reach out to someone who can help. That’s not betraying her; it’s making sure they get the care they need. And in the meantime, remember to take care of yourself, too. If you’re not taking care of yourself, it’s hard to take care of anyone else.

You deserve support just as much as your friend does. Hatzlacha.

- Etti

Throughout the winter months, the older kids and teens will be making their summer plans. For many, that will include a job of some form. Camps are the most common, but there are plenty of other options.

While we usually associate teen jobs with being exclusively a summer experience, there are many options throughout the year. Babysitting is very popular, as is esrog selling and other yom tov-related positions.

There are many benefits to work experiences, but there are also areas that require a parent’s guiding hand to ensure the situation is appropriate for their child. Parents have a crucial role in helping to decide whether or not to encourage a child to start a job, as well as what steps should be taken to keep it a positive experience for their child.

Benefits of the Experience

There are a number of potential benefits to older child and teen work expe -

Parenting Pearls Teen Work Opportunities

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

riences. The immediate one that comes to every child’s mind is the possibility of making some money. Earning their own money is a strong incentive, but it can also teach a child many important life lessons.

Work teaches children responsibility. When we give them a job to do at home it is very different from when it comes from an outsider. An employer will have certain expectations, and the employee needs to meet them. If the boss says to come in at 8:00, then 8:30 is not acceptable. The child may look sweet and try to get out of it when the parent requests something, but that won’t work with an employer.

Employment involves taking on a greater level of responsibility. This can build independence and feelings of competence in a child. They can begin to see just how much they can accomplish when they are given the opportunity.

Many jobs that are given to children involve some form of interpersonal skills. They have to learn how to effec -

tively communicate with the different individuals they will encounter outside their usual daled amos.

Depending on what job they choose, they may learn more about themselves and about what they would – and wouldn’t – like to do when they get bigger.

We often associate work resumes with adults seeking employment, but even teens or young adults can benefit from having prior work experience. This initial foray into the working world can give them work experience to add to their budding resume, as well as references that can testify to their work ethic.

Keeping busy is its own benefit. While some children do need the extra time to unwind, there are many children who will be unproductive – or worse –if they are unoccupied for two months.

Their Own Money

Having their own funds can be very beneficial for kids. The only way for children to learn to understand mon -

ey is to have some of their own. There are certain financial skills children can learn from money they are just given, such as for birthdays, Chanukah, or allowance. While they can learn how to give ma’aser, start a savings account or be an educated consumer from gifted funds, there are certain lessons they can only learn from money they’ve worked to acquire.

As many parents will agree, kids can be very quick to spend an adult’s money. Having to work hard to earn that cash gives children the opportunity to better understand what goes into making that money. They are far less willing to toss away money they’ve earned on their own, especially after they remember that it took them hours or weeks to earn it.

There are many items children want but are not within their parents’ budget. Having their own source of revenue allows kids to buy these luxury items. Additionally, children will take better care of these self-purchased items and have a

greater appreciation of their value. Which items can be purchased with these hard-earned funds can become a source of friction between parent and child. Perhaps the parent wants everything to be devoted to savings, while the child wants to purchase a particular type of clothing or electronics. Every family makes their own rules, and these should be discussed in advance. My basic criteria have been to give children more freedom to spend money that is theirs, usually permitting the child to buy most things. The exception is that they can’t get anything that is otherwise forbidden because of halachic or family rules. For example, I may think it’s foolish to spend a certain sum on a hoodie, but as long as the garment is tzinius and without offensive wording then they can waste their money on it. Similarly, they would not be permitted to buy unfiltered internet or electronic devices that I don’t want them to possess.

Healthy Work Environment

As parents, it’s our job to ensure our children are in an environment that is appropriate for them. Before starting

any job, we need to verify that our children will be in a healthy atmosphere. I’d like to humbly suggest a few criteria parents should look out for prior to a child accepting a position. Their physical safety is important. They should not be placed in any dan-

responsibilities, nor should there be unreasonable expectations of them. Examples include asking a young counselor to watch too many campers or expecting a child to work until late at night. The environment should be relatively pleasant. An example of an unpleasant environ-

Having to work hard to earn that cash gives children the opportunity to better understand what goes into making that money.

gerous situations. For example, a child with airborne allergies or asthma will have special needs. Your child should only be in the presence of others that won’t compromise their personal safety. There should be appropriate supervision, if necessary. Their emotional health is no less crucial. They should not be given unfair

ment would be having a supervisor who yells at the teens that work there. Your precious child needs to be in an atmosphere that will support the hashkafos you are inculcating in them at home. Examples include avoiding yichud and not being surrounded by foul language or unsavory behavior.

The hours need to be reasonable and

should not interfere with their schoolwork. Kids also need sufficient time to play and socialize with friends outside of work hours. They should be surrounded by positive peer influences. The money should be fair for their efforts and paid promptly. Please inquire beforehand to clarify the salary so there are no unpleasant surprises later.

Olam chessed yibaneh . Not everything is about money, and there are times children should be encouraged to help others without financial compensation.

Maintaining a seasonal or a very part-time job can be a positive experience for an older child, helping them learn important skills, building confidence, and challenging themselves. As parents, we can do our part to make sure the experience is pleasant and growth filled, meeting their ever-changing needs.

Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.

Dear Therapist,

My wife and I have very different relationships with our families. My family is loving, but they step back and allow us to make our own decisions. My wife, on the other hand, is very close with her family, and they’re involved in literally everything from the details about how we raise our kids to where we spend holidays. It feels to me like they are overstepping. When I bring this up to her, she gets defensive and says I don’t like her family. I don’t want this to always be an argument, but I need boundaries. How do we navigate this without making it a constant fight?

The Therapist Responds:

It can be really challenging when you and your wife come from such different family dynamics. When these differences create conflict, it’s easy for the dynamic to start to feel like it is you versus your spouse rather than both of you working together to figure out a challenging situation.

The first step to navigating these challenges is to reframe the dynamic. Instead of seeing the problem as something driving a wedge between you, I want to help you view it as you and your spouse versus the problem.

At the core of your relationship is a bond of connection built from both of your strengths. The external challenges that couples face, which can range from differences in opinions about family or finances to physical or mental health challenges, create noise that clouds your connection. When you can hold onto the idea that your bond is the core and not the external noise, you can approach these challenges from a place of teamwork rather than opposition.

Once you have that foundation in mind, you can begin to get curious about what your wife is feeling. Curiosity is essential because it allows you to explore your spouse’s inner world without judgment about them or yourself. When you approach the situation with genuine interest and openness, solutions (and more importantly, connection) follow more easily. (Disclaimer: As you go through this

Health & F tness

Family Dynamics

By Michal Goldman, LCSW

exercise, keep in mind that what comes up for her does not reflect what you did or didn’t do.)

You might start by asking yourself what meaning and emotions come up for your wife when she sees their interactions as loving and supportive and then she sees that you are unhappy about it? Does she take that as criticism of her family? Seeing that you disapprove may feel to her like not only is her family being criticized, but that

wanting to be close to them? Is she afraid that the outcome of a conversation will lead her to need to set boundaries and if doing so will damage her connection with her family?

It’s equally important to do the same exercise for yourself. What meaning and emotions come up for you in this situation? Do you feel unimportant or sidelined? Sometimes when one partner regularly defends their family, it can feel

Curiosity is essential because it allows you to explore your spouse’s inner world without judgment about them or yourself.

the values and identity that she grew up with are being criticized. That can easily lead her to react defensively. Is she feeling conflicted and torn between you and her family? If she has always been close to them, it might feel to her that she’s being asked to choose between you and them, which can create inner conflict. Does she feel misunderstood? Is she hearing (even if you are not implying it!) that her family is bad in some way or that she is wrong for

like the other’s voice or needs are being overlooked. Do you feel frustrated and powerless because much of what you’ve tried to do hasn’t worked? Do you feel misunderstood? Often, when our spouse is defending themselves, we can feel like there is no space where we are heard, which can increase resentment. Are you feeling insecure about your spot in your wife’s heart? If her family’s influence appears stronger to you than your own input,

it can lead to doubts about your place as an equal partner.

To sum up, your frustration may not be just about the in-laws – it can be about wanting to feel like a team and equals. If that is the case, I wonder if your wife is aware of this, or if she’s reacting to the fear of losing her family instead of the actual request.

When you have an idea about what comes up for both of you, you can talk about it in a more meaningful way. Now you can have a conversation to understand her perspective and to help her understand how this dynamic impacts you emotionally. When you come from a mindset of genuinely trying to understand your wife’s perspective, the conversation will flow differently and you will feel that you are on the same team.

In the conversation, when you want to discuss practical solutions, try shifting the conversation to focus on your relationship. For example, you might say something like “I know how much your family means to you, and I don’t want to come in between that. I also need us to be on the same team when it comes to making decisions for our family. What would work for both of us?”

It can also help to clarify specific boundaries that would make you feel more comfortable. These might include how often they visit, their input on parenting, or their influence on holiday plans.

The more you frame the conversation as a partnership rather than a fight, the more both of you can feel like a team working together through this challenge.

Michal Goldman is a licensed clinical social worker in Queens specializing in helping individuals and couples navigate relationship challenges. She can be reached through her website at www.michalgoldmanlcsw. org, via email at michalgoldmanlcsw@ gmail.com, or by phone at 917-590-0258. If you have questions that you would like answered here, you can submit them to the email provided. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a replacement for therapy.

Health & F tness

Carbs, Fats, and Proteins

The Powerhouse Macros Fueling Your Body

Macronutrients, often referred to as “macros,” are the essential nutrients that provide the body with energy and support its overall function. The three primary macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each one plays a unique role in maintaining health, fueling daily activities, and optimizing body composition. Understanding how these macronutrients work in the body, which foods contain them, and how to balance them in meals can help improve energy levels, support metabolism, and promote overall well-being.

Carbohydrates: The Body’s

Preferred Energy Source

Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of fuel. When consumed, they are broken down into glucose, which is used for immediate energy or stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver for future use. This macronutrient is particularly important for brain function, as the brain relies almost exclusively on glucose to operate efficiently. Carbohydrates are also essential for endurance and high-intensity exercise, as they provide quick and easily accessible energy.

There are two main types of carbohydrates:

• Simple carbohydrates: Found in sugar, honey, fruit, milk, and processed foods with added sugars. Simple carbs provide quick energy but can lead to rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar.

• Complex carbohydrates: Found in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fiber-rich foods. Complex carbs are digested more slowly, providing a steady release of energy and supporting gut health.

Sources of Healthy Carbohydrates:

• Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa,

By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

oats, whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta

• Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers

• Fruits: Apples, berries, bananas, oranges

• Legumes: Lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas

Fiber

Dietary fiber is a carbohydrate that is the part of plant-based food that mostly passes through your digestive system without breaking down or being digested. Fiber helps promote digestive health, satiety/fullness, gut bacteria, heart health, and helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.

Recommended Fiber Intake

The recommended daily fiber intake varies by age and gender. Women (19-50 years old) should aim for about 25 grams of fiber per day, while men (19-50 years

old) should target about 38 grams, or 14 grams for every 1,000 calories.

Eating a variety of fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, can help meet daily fiber needs while supporting overall health.

Proteins: The Building Blocks of the Body

Proteins are essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues, including muscles, skin, and organs. Protein also plays a crucial role in the production of enzymes and hormones, supports immune function, and helps regulate metabolism.

Proteins are made up of 20 different amino acids, which are classified as either essential or non-essential. The nine essential amino acids cannot be made by the body and must come from food. The 11 non-essential amino acids can be produced by the body, so they don’t need to be obtained from food.

There are two main types of proteins:

• Complete proteins: Contain all nine essential amino acids and are primarily found in animal-based foods.

• Incomplete proteins: Lack one or more essential amino acids and are typically found in plant-based foods. Sources of High-Quality Protein:

Complete Proteins:

• Lean meats: Chicken breast, turkey, lean beef

• Fish and seafood: Salmon, tuna

• Dairy: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, cheese

• Plant-based proteins: soy products (tofu)

• Eggs

Incomplete Proteins:

• Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, black beans

• Grains: Brown rice, whole wheat, oats

• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds

Combining

Incomplete Proteins to Form a Complete Protein:

Since some plant-based proteins lack certain essential amino acids, combining different sources can provide a complete protein. Examples include rice and beans, peanut butter on whole wheat bread, and lentils with quinoa.

Recommended Protein Intake:

The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, should consume 60 grams of protein per day. People who exercise regularly would have higher needs, about 1.1-1.5 grams

per kilogram. People who regularly lift weights or are training for a running or cycling event need 1.2-1.7 grams per kilogram. Excessive protein intake would be more than 2 grams per kilogram of body weight each day.

Fats: Essential for Hormone Production and Brain Function

Fats are often misunderstood, but they are a crucial macronutrient that supports brain function, hormone production, cell structure, and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). They also provide a dense source of energy, helping to sustain long-term energy levels.

There are different types of fats, some of which are healthier than others:

• Unsaturated fats (healthy fats): Found in plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, these fats help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and promote brain function.

• Saturated fats: Found in animal products and some tropical oils, these should be consumed in moderation, as excessive intake can contribute to cardiovascular issues.

• Trans fats (unhealthy fats): Found in some processed and fried foods, trans fats should be avoided as they increase

the risk of heart disease.

Sources of Healthy Fats:

• Monounsaturated fats: Olive oil, avocados, almonds, peanuts

• Polyunsaturated fats: Fatty fish (salmon, sardines), walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds

• Saturated fats (moderate consumption): Grass-fed butter, coconut oil, dairy products

Balancing Macros for Optimal Health

A well-balanced diet incorporates the right proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to meet individual needs. The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) set by the Institute of Medicine recommend the following distribution:

• Carbohydrates: 45-65% of total daily calories

• Protein: 10-35% of total daily calories

• Fats: 20-35% of total daily calories

These ranges provide general guidelines; however, each person’s ideal macronutrient balance depends on their individual health goals, lifestyle, and medical conditions. Factors such as weight main-

tenance, loss, or gain, muscle building, activity level, and metabolic health all play a role in determining the best macronutrient distribution.

Since these percentages do not take specific needs into account, only a Registered Dietitian (RD) can develop a personalized nutrition plan tailored to an individual’s health status, fitness goals, and dietary requirements. A dietitian can assess factors such as body composition, medical history, and metabolic needs to create a sustainable and effective approach to achieving optimal health.

Examples of Balanced Meals

A well-balanced meal includes a combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to provide sustained energy and essential nutrients. Below are examples of meals with an ideal macronutrient balance:

1. Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach and feta cheese, served with whole-grain toast and avocado slices (protein from eggs and cheese, healthy fats from avocado, complex carbs from whole-grain toast)

2. Lunch: Grilled salmon with quinoa and roasted vegetables (Protein from salmon, healthy fats from salmon and ol-

ive oil, complex carbs from quinoa and vegetables)

3. Snack: Greek yogurt with mixed berries and almonds (Protein from yogurt, healthy fats from almonds, carbohydrates from berries)

4. Dinner: Chicken stir-fry with brown rice, broccoli, bell peppers, and cashews (Protein from chicken, complex carbs from brown rice and vegetables, healthy fats from cashews)

By incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense foods and adjusting macronutrient intake to personal goals, individuals can create a balanced, sustainable diet that supports long-term health and well-being. Tracking macros can be helpful for those looking to finetune their diet or build muscle, but focusing on whole, minimally processed foods is the best approach for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Aliza Beer is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com, and you can follow her on Instagram at @alizabeer

Home Sweet Home Cleaning for Pesach –Without Breaking Your Appliances

By Mark Salamon

Let me take this opportunity to thank our friends in the Five Towns and Rockaways that have used our services for the past 45 years. It has been a privilege to service your families and observe and participate in the growth of our special community.

The purpose of this article is to address the general requirements of kashering your appliances in a matter that limits potential damage and costly repairs. Any questions of halacha resulting from my recommendations should be directed to your individual rabbanim.

Refrigerators and Freezers

The least complicated appliance to discuss are refrigerators and freezers.

If your refrigerator or freezer is being manually cleaned for 15 minutes or more, the unit should be turned off before cleaning. A reminder note or cellphone alarm should be utilized as people tend to forget to turn the unit back on. If the unit does not turn on immediately, be patient, as the unit might have been turned off during a clock controlled defrost mode and will eventually turn back on within one hour.

If you are lining your refrigerator shelves with aluminum foil and your shelves are metal wire type (as opposed to solid glass), air slits should be made in the foil to promote proper air circulation.

When putting in freshly cooked items in the refrigerator or freezer, make sure the food is room temperature and not hotter. This advice pertains to Pesach and all year round.

Electric Stovetops

If you are kashering by pouring boiling water on the stovetop glass, the

electricity to the stove should be turned off prior to kashering. Electricity should not be turned back on for 1-2 hours after completion of kashering.

In addition, the open circular holes under the knobs should be completely sealed to prevent water seepage into the inner stove cavity.

Gas Stovetops

A popular method of kashering the stovetop is to place a metal steel sheet (a blech is commonly used) on top of the grates and then turning on all four flames. Unfortunately, this method generally can cause substantial damage to the inner cavity components beneath the stovetop, causing expensive and sometimes irreparable damage. If you choose this method, I recommend using half of a blech, covering only 1-2 burners at a time.

Sealed burner stovetops are not meant to the dismantled by a non-professional and doing so will probably require a technician to repair or reassemble components.

Free-Standing Ovens

If you are covering your stovetop with aluminum foil, careful attention should be given to not covering the vent in the center rear of the backsplash. If this vent is covered, the vented heat will go directly into the computer control in the console, causing the computer to melt.

Self-Cleaning Ovens

Before starting the self-cleaning cycle, all visible grease should be manually cleaned. Grates and oven racks not made to withstand self-cleaning heat should not be put through the self-cleaning cycle as they can become damaged.

Generally, pre-programmed self-cleaning cycles can run from 3-5 hours. If you feel it necessary to utilize this time option for cleaning purposes, that is your choice; however, for kashering purposes, the oven reaches koshering temperatures at 1½-2 hours into the self-cleaning cycle. If you want to utilize this shorter time cycle, press the “can-

cel” option after 1½-2 hours into your regular self-clean cycle.

It’s important to note that regardless of the length of the self-clean cycle, the cycle is not complete until a cooldown period after the heat cycle terminates. Be patient and let the oven complete its cooldown cycle before attempting to open the oven door. Forcing the door open prematurely will cause damage to the self-clean door lock mechanism.

After opening the door upon completion of the self-cleaning cycle, if the oven interior is still warm, do not use a damp cloth to wipe off any residue ash from any interior glass surface as this will likely cause the glass to crack.

General Advice

If you are ordering any secondary appliance components such as racks, grates or knobs, do not wait until the last minute as many of these items become sold out.

It is not a bad idea to run a short test self-cycle (1 hour) as soon as possible to avoid last minute surprises.

If your newly purchased oven or refrigerator has a Shabbos mode and you are unfamiliar with its usage, do not wait until erev yom tov to enter into this mode. Sometimes the instructions might not be clear and require several tries to “get it right.”

If anyone has any questions regarding these topics, please feel free to reach out to me at 718-327-6246.

Chag kasher v’sameach.

Mark, Nisanel and Doniel Salamon, A-1 Appliance

This article is not intended to offer halachic guidance. Please consult with your rav with regards to halacha matters.

In The K tchen

Vietnamese Lamb Bites

By Naomi Nachman

This is a Pesach version of my Lamb Bahn Mi recipe from my book Perfect Flavors. This recipe was adapted to make an excellent and super flavorful appetizer. In the book, it calls for the meat to be served in a baguette like the famous Bahn Mi Sandwich but for Pesach you can serve it on matzah or mashed potatoes. If you are not a fan of lamb, you can use beef chuck meat instead.

Ingredients

Lamb Topping

◦ 1 lb. boneless lamb cubes

◦ 1 onion, sliced

◦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt

◦ 1 teaspoon paprika

◦ ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

◦ ½ cup water

Creamy Mint Aioli

◦ ½ cup packed fresh mint leaves

◦ ¼ cup packed fresh parsley

◦ 2 cloves garlic

◦ ½ small shallot

◦ ¼ cup red wine vinegar

◦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt

◦ ½ cup oil

◦ 2/3 cup mayonnaise

Quick-Pickled Radishes

◦ 1 bunch radishes, sliced

◦ ½ cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

◦ ¼ cup water

◦ 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey

◦ ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Food and Prop Styling by Shiri Feldman and Chef Suzie Gornish.

Photography by Felicia Perretti

Preparation

1. Prepare pulled lamb: Preheat oven to 325°F.

2. Place lamb cubes into a shallow baking dish. Add onion, salt, paprika, rosemary, and water. Cover tightly. Bake for about three hours, until lamb is fork-tender.

3. While the lamb still warm, use two forks to pull lamb into shreds. Mix together meat, onion, and any pan juices.

4. Meanwhile, prepare the aioli and pickled vegetables.

5. For the aioli: In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the S blade, combine herbs, garlic, and shallot. Process until fine. Add red wine vinegar and salt. Then, while the machine is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until mixture is combined and creamy.

6. For the quick-pickled radishes: Combine the vinegar, water, maple syrup or honey, and salt in a mason jar. Add the sliced radishes and allow to sit for 30 minutes.

7. To assemble: On each slice of matzah or on top of mashed potatoes, spread some aioli, then add some meat. Top with pickled radish.

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.

Notable Quotes

“Say What?!”

Ted Cruz. I mean, like, this dude has to be knocked over the head, like, hard, right? Like, there is no niceties with him, like, at all. Like, you go clean off on him, right?

- Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in an interview with Dallas Morning News

For ten years, ever since Donald Trump descended that ridiculous gold escalator to announce his entrance into the political world, I hoped that the Republican Party would seek out and find its better angels. Hope is a delicate and wonderful thing, a seed that we should never stop planting. But I won’t let hope be a blindfold. And I won’t continue to advocate that we wage a conventional political fight when what we really need is to become street fighters.

- Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles

Y’all know that we have Governor Hot Wheels down there. And, the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot…mess.

– Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles making fun of Texas Governor Gregg Abott who is handicapped and uses a wheelchair

The reality is they have no vision, no policy. They have nothing to sell but hate, and Americans are not buying it.

- Gov. Abott, in response

There will be lots of people on the left who will be like, “How dare you talk to this man?” … I’m not playing this game that you mean girls play.

- Bill Maher talking about the pushback that he is getting for his upcoming meeting with President Trump

I had hostage families in my office the other day. The President was tired, and he knew they were in my office. He said to me, “Bring them up, let me at least say hello to them and get connected to them, but let them know that I only have a couple of minutes,” because it had been a hectic day. He ended up spending an hour and a half with them.

– Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff on a recent podcast

I get asked a lot how this basketball program has become so competitive over the last eight years. But for me, I believe it was G-d’s plan to give us this success, success beyond what we deserve. To give us this platform. To give us an opportunity to start this conference briefly and remind the world that Edan Alexander is still held hostage in Gaza right now. An American held hostage and not enough people in this country know his name.

- Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who is Jewish, at the beginning of his postgame NCAA Tournament news conference last weekend

October 7 was the worst day since the Holocaust for the Jewish people, and they say they want to do it again and again and again. We have American hostages in Gaza right now, and it’s unacceptable. And President Trump called it out, and said if they just free the hostages, the killing would stop. Free the hostages, and the killing will stop, and that’s up to Hamas.

- Ibid.

Gasoline is way down. Eggs are way down. Groceries are down very substantially… Almost everything is down. Now I’d like to see interest rates come down a little bit. And, you will see billions or trillions of dollars coming into our country very soon in the form of tariffs.

– President Donald Trump

I think sometimes it’s important to do a little bit of reality check and take a little different spin at the numbers. I’m going to do that right here because all we talk about is how unpopular Donald Trump is. But in reality, he’s basically more popular than he was at any point in term number one and more popular when he won the election in November 2024.

- CNN’s Harry Enten

stunt that would have harmed millions and plunged us into chaos. We kept our government open. Deal with it.

– Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) responding to Alexandria Ocasio Cortez’s criticism that Democrats in the Senate should have fought harder and shut the government down rather than approve the resolution that allowed the government to remain open

After saying that his attack on Teslas were just a joke, Tim Walz said that Republicans have no sense of humor. I don’t know, Tim— millions of us laughed our [heads] off on election night.

-Greg Gutfeld

I’m just going to break it to you right now. It was Lee Harvey Oswald. Spoiler alert, it was Lee Harvey Oswald. It was always Lee Harvey Oswald.

- Ben Shapiro, talking about the recently released JFK files

I understand if you don’t want to buy our product, but you don’t have to burn it down. That’s a bit unreasonable. This is psycho... Stop being psycho.

- Elon Musk talking about the radicals on the left who are burning Teslas

Give us back the Statue of Liberty.

– French politician Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament, at a political rally

We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: “Give us back the Statue of Liberty.”

- ibid.

We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.

– ibid.

An old law? Not as old as the Constitution. We still pay attention to that, don’t we?

- Border czar Tom Homan turning the tables on a reporter after being questioned about the Trump administration using “an old law” [Alien Enemies Act of 1798] to get some criminal illegals out of the country

The oddest aspect of the far left’s infatuation with Hitler and Nazism is the way activists are painting swastikas on Teslas, statues, streets and buildings all over America…There is not a smidgen of evidence Trump, Musk or anyone else in the administration is or ever was anything close to a Nazi sympathizer. So the charge is a complete fabrication. On the other hand, the radical left’s shock troops have shown a real fondness for and skill at drawing swastikas on various surfaces, suggesting they’ve been practicing somewhere. That makes them the real Hitler wannabes.

– Michael Goodwin, NY Post

Israel Today Aharon Barak’s Protest Gavel

By Ruthie Blum

In a slew of interviews on Thursday, former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak came out swinging his proverbial gavel. His target was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—this time around for firing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and gearing up to get rid of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara

Since going after Netanyahu was what the left-wing press expected of the esteemed elder, the retired judge-turned-oracle didn’t disappoint. If anything, he went above and beyond the call of duty.

“The prime minister,” he told Channel 13, “needs to understand that the situation is very bad and that … we are heading toward bloodshed, toward a civil war.”

The schism among Israelis, he said to Ynet, “is getting worse and, in the end, I fear, it will be like a train that goes off the tracks and plunges in a chasm, causing a civil war.”

And this to Channel 12: “[T]he rift in the public is immense, and no effort is being made to heal it. … Today, there are demonstrations … but tomorrow there will be shootings, and the day after that there will be bloodshed.”

This is just a taste of Barak’s multi-media onslaught. Though described by his champions as a “warning” to the Netanyahu-led government that any moves against Bar and Baharav-Miara would rip apart the country and—ho hum—destroy Israeli democracy, his pontificating had two main motives.

The first was to threaten Netanyahu that if he proceeds with the ousters—the legality of which is indisputable—the demonstrations in the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will turn violent. Implicit in the admonition was that such a dangerous spike in societal unrest would be both inevitable and justified.

The second aim of Barak’s sermonizing was to signal support for Bar’s refusal to exit his post and Baharav-Miara’s abuse of her role, while instructing the High Court to overrule the government in each of the cases. As though it needed

any coaxing on that score.

Still, a nod from the father of Israel’s “constitutional revolution”—who justified his power grab for the bench more than 30 years ago on the grounds that “no areas in life are outside the law”—is a cherished commodity among the robed elites. Though he retired 18 years ago at the mandatory age of 70, he remains a

of Justice in January 2024 —to hear proceedings brought by South Africa accusing the Jewish state of violating the Genocide Convention.

The choice of Barak raised eyebrows and hackles on the right. After all, he had been a key figure in helping the opposition undermine the government’s plans to reform the judicial system.

Hanoch Milwidsky aptly summed up the message of Barak’s recent broadcast-blitz: “Submit to us, or there will be bloodshed. Do as we wish, or there will be a civil war.”

jurisprudence giant in the eyes of the legal community, at home and abroad.

Indeed, even those who consider his activism excessive tend to pay lip service to his ostensibly original thinking and supposed superior intellect. Due to this reputation, however ill-deserved, Netanyahu selected him to sit as Israel’s ad hoc judge at the International Court

During the months leading up to Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, invasion and ensuing war in Gaza, Barak—who referred to the right-wing victory in the November 2022 election as a “tyranny of the majority—gave credence to the lie that any judicial reform would result in an end to Israeli democracy. Then, as now, the press made a pilgrimage to his home to

amplify the bogus allegation.

Netanyahu must have thought that dispatching the internationally renowned, anti-Bibi Barak to The Hague was thus a wise maneuver. But it was actually too clever by half, which is why it backfired.

Rather than fully representing Israel’s position, Barak voted in favor of two out of six measures proposed by South Africa: the “facilitation of humanitarian aid” to Gaza and the “prevention of inflammatory speech that could incite further violence.”

Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda put him to shame by dissenting on all six anti-Israel measures. Not that he felt remorse for his disgraceful performance, mind you. On the contrary, he clearly took pride in showing the antisemitic kangaroo tribunal that he wasn’t tainted by loyalty to his people.

Fortunately, he resigned in June from the futile position, citing “personal family reasons” and thanking Netanyahu “for the trust you placed in me.”

No mention of his betrayal of that trust, other than from those of us who weren’t the least bit surprised by it. You know, considering his outrageous conduct prior to and during the proceedings.

Nor were we shocked at his being dusted off and shoved in front of the cameras last week to reiterate his indictment of the democratically elected political echelon and foment the worst form of internecine strife—at a time when the country is in the throes of an existential battle for its survival, no less.

Dubbing him the “high priest of progressivism,” Likud MK and Deputy Knesset Speaker Hanoch Milwidsky aptly summed up the message of Barak’s recent broadcast-blitz: “Submit to us, or there will be bloodshed. Do as we wish, or there will be a civil war.”

Barak, he tweeted , is a “dangerous and dark man. I hope he lives long enough to see his ‘constitutional revolution’ abandoned in favor of true democracy in the Jewish state of Israel.” Amen to that.

Progressive academics have been among the loudest voices calling for a new “resistance” to the second administration of President Donald Trump. But their angry rhetoric and vows to fight what they consider to be a threat to everything they hold dear was shown to be little more than hot air. The first time a leading bastion of the left like Columbia University was faced with a choice between fighting and surrendering to Trump, it folded like a cheap suit.

The issue was Columbia’s toleration and even encouragement of antisemitism. The Ivy League school on Manhattan’s Upper West Side had become one of the most prominent and outrageous examples of the surge of Jew-hatred that has swept across the country and the globe since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led Palestinian assault on Israel.

The administration in Washington demanded that the university make some drastic changes in its admissions and disciplinary policies, as well as to place one of its most problematic departments—the one devoted to Middle Eastern studies—under “academic receivership” for at least five years. And it made it clear that if Columbia didn’t comply, it would lose every cent of the $1.2 billion that it receives from the federal government every year.

A mere eight days after the administration issued its ultimatum, Columbia waved the white flag and acceded to every one of Trump’s demands.

That decision has been met with weeping and wailing from the left. Liberal and progressive pundits are depicting it as a triumph of an anti-intellectual populist movement, reminiscent of the anti-Communist McCarthyite hysteria of the 1950s, and the potential end of American higher education.

Israel Today

By Forcing Columbia’s Surrender, Trump is Saving Education

By Jonathan S. Tobin

Pearl-clutchers claim it will end academic freedom and destroy the university system itself, something that will harm American national security. More hardline leftists who support Israel’s destruction and seek to normalize antisemitism, such as Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah , are more blunt. They say that if Trump gets away with it, he will swiftly move on to destroying every other vestige of dissent, thus ending democracy and beginning a new era of fascism.

A Watershed Moment

This is the sort of rhetoric that we’ve become accustomed to from Trump’s opponents. They have been accusing him of destroying democracy so long that much of the country is numb to their protests. But this time, his foes are not wrong to be alarmed. Far from just another culture war spat or kerfuffle about something he or Vice President JD Vance has said to upset liberal sensibilities, what happened at Columbia is a watershed moment not just for that university or others like it, but for a struggle that impacts all of American education and society as a whole.

Yet what Trump has done isn’t some -

thing that will destroy higher education or freedom for everyone else. It is just the opposite. That it may also be a turning point in the battle against antisemitism, as important as that would be, is just a sidebar to a victory in the broader struggle against a set of toxic ideologies that seeks to tear down not just American exceptionalism but Western civilization itself. It is no exaggeration to note that if this move and other related decisions stand up, as they should, to judicial scrutiny, Trump may have just saved not merely American education but the West.

The long march of the left through higher education, as well as other sectors of society, peaked in the last five years. After the moral panic of the Black Lives Matter summer of 2020, the woke catechism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) became not merely ubiquitous throughout American society but mandatory throughout academia, the arts, the corporate world and, thanks to the Biden administration, throughout government.

The “anti-racism” movement that foisted critical race theory (CRT), intersectionality, settler/colonialism and DEI on the country may have been represented to the

public as an effort to encourage greater equality. But it is nothing of the kind. It was a Marxist poison, spreading throughout society and the education system, bent on fostering a permanent race war and demolishing the values of the Western canon as the foundation of the American republic. Instead of equal opportunity, it demanded “equity”—a thinly veiled agenda for racial quotas that would favor some groups labeled as victims and disadvantage those considered “white” oppressors. It was an attack on the very principle of individual liberty. That it both legitimized and encouraged antisemitism—because CRT falsely deems Israel and Jews as “white” oppressors—was just one aspect of the impact of the DEI culture that became the new orthodoxy that could not be questioned. It was a belief system so pervasive that it became mainstream in academia in the current generation, and it spread quickly everywhere else after 2020.

Getting a job in academia became largely impossible without first taking a DEI pledge. That conservatives had become largely extinct in the academy was part of this. But it’s also true that antisemitic hate for Israel became not just normalized, but treated as evidence of virtue.

So firm was the progressive hold on education—in the K-12 system, as well as in college and post-graduate studies—that many observers despaired of ever being able to change it. Few believed that anything could prompt the sort of wholesale reform that might return existing schools, including the most prominent like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia, to their former position as bastions of Western values. That was the reasonable rationale for the creation of

new institutions of learning, such as the University of Austin or the state of Florida’s revamped version of its New College, where woke orthodoxy would not reign.

With the existing education hierarchy run by a generation of administrators and faculty who had been indoctrinated in leftist doctrines, what reason was there for hope that they might be persuaded to discard an intellectual fashion that was almost universally accepted and punished heresy with censure and unemployment?

Uncle Sam’s Leverage

As it turns out, the answer to that question was simple. Money.

Strip these institutions of the vast sums they get from the federal government for a wide variety of programs— and even those with vast endowments, like Harvard ($50.7 billion), Yale ($41.4 billion), Princeton ($34.1 billion), Penn ($22.3 billion) and Columbia ($14.8 billion)—would find it difficult to continue to operate. Threats from wealthy donors outraged by the way campuses had become hostile environments for Jews, or the way the presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT wouldn’t say that advocacy for the genocide of Jews was against their institution’s rules, could cause trouble. But no angry alumni had the same sort of leverage as Uncle Sam, the primary funder of higher education in the United States since World War II. Those horrified by Trump’s efforts are right when they say it is a case of the government interfering in academia. One prominent critic, Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber, acknowledged in an essay in The Atlantic that antisemitism is a bad thing and ought to be looked into. But he asserted that placing strings on federal funding, even when it concerns some university elements behaving badly, ought to be beyond the pale.

But what the likes of Eisgruber ignore is that the government has been laying down standards for schools for decades, with no one protesting. Since the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, it has been a given that no entity that receives federal funding can engage in racial discrimination. Title VI of that act also encompasses discrimination on the basis of religion and ethnicity, something that administrations of both political parties, including those of Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Trump, agreed applied to Jews.

As even liberal writer Franklin Foer also noted in The Atlantic , had any oth-

er group been treated as Jews have been since Oct. 7, Columbia’s administration wouldn’t have tolerated it for a second. For more than a year, Jews (except those willing to publicly abjure their faith or peoplehood and its connection to the Jewish state) have been harassed and subjected to intimidation, shunning, silencing and even violence.

Liberal Hypocrisy

The same is true of every other academic institution where pro-Hamas mobs ran amuck in the last year and a half. If chants for violence against African Americans or Hispanics were routinely voiced—or takeovers of school buildings on behalf of the efforts of hate groups or terrorists targeting those groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan or neo-Nazis—had taken place, everyone knows what would have followed.

There would have been no prolonged soul-searching on the part of universities and colleges. Nor would administrators have engaged in bended-knee negotiations involving attempts to appease those behaving in this manner. They would not have issued statements crafted to avoid antagonizing the supporters of these people.

Instead, the punishments would have been swift and peremptory. They would have involved expulsions of students and firings of any institutional employees or teachers with a minimum of due process. Nor would any school have accepted it for a minute if one of its academic departments were taken over by those whose teachings advocated such things.

Yet all of the above happened on campuses where administrators were not merely afraid of angering the protesters; it was painfully obvious that most of those institutions were sympathetic to them.

The influence of DEI was made clear in admissions. Not only were students who fit into approved minority categories favored in the process, and most Jews placed at a disadvantage; those from foreign countries rife with antisemitism, who paid full tuition rather than being on scholarship, were also given precedence, to the point at which they formed a clear majority of those studying at the school. It was no surprise that many of them, like Mahmoud Khalil, whom the Trump administration is seeking to deport, were leaders of the antisemitic and pro-Hamas agitation.

It’s equally true that elite schools like Columbia appear to have favored admission of those who engaged in left-wing

activism while high school students are often advised to downplay or omit mention of Jewish and especially pro-Israel extra-curricular activities.

Moreover, many of these same institutions have been notorious for their intolerance of anything that smacked of conservative thought. As Commentary magazine editor John Podhoretz pointed out , Eisgruber “acceded to the destruction of his school’s classics department and drove out the classics professor who protested.” And, as the University of Pennsylvania’s Amy Wax learned, speaking up against DEI or other left-wing policies can lead to efforts to fire even a distinguished and much-honored tenured professor such as herself.

This has led to a situation in which it is virtually indisputable that it has become almost impossible for anyone who is open about having conservative beliefs or support for Zionism to get hired or achieve tenure at the overwhelming majority of colleges and universities in any humanities department.

So, this is not about academic freedom or free speech, principles that the left ignores whenever it concerns those who don’t subscribe to its prejudices.

The Intolerant Left

Some claim that conservatives should not be celebrating, since interference in academia can cut both ways, and a future Democratic administration might punish conservative schools in this same way.

Such allegations are ludicrous.

Even if Trump’s measures withstand the scrutiny of the courts, as they should, the notion that academia will soon be controlled by the right is absurd.

More to the point, such actions have already happened in those rare cases where schools resist prevailing liberal fashion. This was on display with the state and city of New York’s successful campaign to force Yeshiva University to recognize an LGBTQ club, despite its violating the school’s Orthodox Jewish beliefs.

Regardless of what one thinks about gay rights, such bludgeoning of an institution of higher learning into compliance—accomplished with the same threat of denial of public funding that Trump is using—with what a government thinks is right or wrong, was cheered by outlets like the New York Times and reported as a triumph of virtue over prejudice.

This happened at the same time that the Time s was editorializing that pres -

sure on Columbia to stop engaging in DEI practices and tolerance of antisemitism was proof of Trump’s authoritarianism.

Saving Higher Education

Nor should we take seriously the notion, also endorsed by the Times , that threats of defunding over woke ideology will not only destroy universities but make the United States less competitive when it comes to the development of new technologies and medical advancements. To the contrary, as author Heather Mac Donald has persuasively written, it is only by ridding the academy of the increasingly widespread practices that are substituting DEI racial quotas for excellence can the decline of American institutions, including those devoted primarily to math, science and medicine be reversed.

And that is exactly what Trump has given American higher education a chance to do.

But the impact of what the administration is doing will go far beyond academia or the Jewish community, though the support it gives to Jews who have been under siege since Oct. 7, is of enormous importance.

The ease with which the administration has defeated leftist radicals who have seized control of much of American life, while few were paying attention until it was too late, is encouraging. All sorts of institutions will now opt to discard their harmful practices, rather than face the loss of government funding.

It is no longer possible to view the war on the West that progressives have promoted as having only one inevitable outcome. America now has a chance to regain its footing and reject an ideology rooted in Marxist hate for the Western canon that also fueled antisemitism.

Seen in this light, leftist ideologues and their liberal fellow travelers are right to lament the president’s resolve on this issue. Their hypocritical accusations of tyranny should be dismissed as nothing more than gaslighting on the part of those who have gleefully sought to suppress their opponents.

Whatever else Trump accomplishes in the rest of his second term, if he continues to press forward on this front, he will have helped ensure America’s future and to keep Jews safe in a way that will mark his administration’s opening months as a turning point in American history.

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate).

Political Crossfire

The Scammer’s Manual

How to Launder Money and Get Away With It

By Selam Gebrekidan, Joy Dong, Chang W. Lee and Weiyi Cai

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Every few weeks, fireworks light up the night sky in Cambodia, set off by scammers to salute their biggest swindles.

By the time the shells pop and crackle, somebody’s life savings are probably gone. Maybe the victim fell for an online romance scam or bought into a fake cryptocurrency exchange. Whatever the scheme, the money has vanished, sucked into a complex money laundering network that moves billions of dollars at a dizzying speed.

The FBI, China’s Ministry of Public Security, Interpol and others have tried to combat scammers, who often lurk on social media and dating apps, luring people into bogus financial schemes or other ruses. Telecom companies have blocked numbers. Banks have issued repeated warnings.

Yet the industry persists because its money laundering operation is so efficient. Unsuspecting victims worldwide lose tens of billions of dollars each year, money that must be scrubbed of its criminal origins and deposited into the legitimate economy. The money laundering system is so hydra-headed that when governments strike it in one place, it pops up in another.

This underworld peeks out in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, home to a global clearinghouse for money launderers. It can be glimpsed, too, in the coastal city of Sihanoukville, a notorious refuge for fraudsters. Scammers ply their trade from call centers, operating in fortified compounds or on the upper floors of unfinished high-rises. Seaside restaurants are packed with money launderers and other criminals doing business over spicy Chinese food.

We obtained a cache of documents, a kind of money laundering handbook, and spoke to nearly a half-dozen scammers and their launderers. The documents are not linked to any one scam or victim but reveal a method for moving illicit money

that has proved all but impossible to stop.

The money launderers are as vital to criminals as getaway drivers are to bank robbers. Without them, there would be no loot.

Once scammers persuade strangers to part with their savings, they need to quickly move money from one account to another, and one country to another, before their targets discover the ruse and alert their banks or police.

In the end, the money arrives “clean” — with virtually no trace to the original scam.

So how does it get done?

Following the trail led us, surprisingly, to an established financial conglomerate in Cambodia called Huione Group.

This is not a back-alley shop with a side hustle in cleaning dirty money. Huione is an established firm that does brisk and legitimate business in Southeast Asia and has satellite companies in other parts of the world. Its QR codes are everywhere in Cambodia — customers use them to pay their bills in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. Huione ads are plastered along major highways. Its suite of financial services includes banking and insurance.

But Huione is a constellation of affil-

iates, and not all of them are legitimate. One arm offers bespoke money laundering services, according to the documents, which come from the company, and interviews with two people directly familiar with the operation. They spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear for their safety. The company did not respond to requests for comment.

Another affiliate openly runs an online bazaar for criminals to find money launderers. The precise size of this marketplace is practically impossible to measure, but analytics firm Elliptic has linked it to $26.8 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since 2021. The industry is so opaque that it is difficult to separate legitimate transactions from illegal ones, but Elliptic says the bazaar is the world’s largest illicit internet market.

Hun To, a cousin of Cambodia’s prime minister, is a director of one Huione company.

Huione’s clients include large criminal enterprises, such as a group in Myanmar that exploits human trafficking victims, according to a scammer, a money launderer and examinations of their cryptocurrency trade by analytics firms Elliptic

and Chainalysis.

And yet, this money laundering network operates with impunity. The group has never been targeted for sanctions by any government. Cryptocurrency company Tether has frozen some of the group’s accounts, at the behest of unspecified law enforcement officials, and messaging app Telegram has shut down some of its channels. But neither measure made a lasting effect.

This is how it works.

Moving Bricks

Huione makes money at every step of the process.

First, one affiliate, which until recently was called Huione Guarantee, hosts the marketplace where scammers can find matchmakers. The matchmakers are essential to the system and their work is so repetitive that the Chinese name for it is “moving bricks,” according to Yanyu Chen, an anthropologist who studies money laundering schemes in Cambodia.

The online bazaar is made up of thousands of chat groups on Telegram.

On these Telegram channels, anonymous users advertise money laundering services with the wink and nod of barely disguised language. The posts are public; anyone with the Telegram app can see them. Some merchants also sell stolen personal data, applications for impersonating others and other essential services to scammers.

One channel, called “Demand and Supply,” had more than 400,000 users with hundreds of daily messages, including advertisements for money laundering services. After we sent questions to Huione Group and others in late February, Telegram said it had removed the channel. But another quickly sprung up, with some 250,000 members joining within a week. Huione Guarantee did not respond to repeated requests for comment but has denied its relationship with Huione Group, the financial conglomerate. It even changed its name in October, shed-

Headquarters of the Huione Group in Cambodia

ding the Huione name. But it told customers on Telegram that Huione Group remained one of its “strategic partners and shareholders.”

Second, the bazaar guarantees the laundering transactions. Why? Because there is little honor among thieves, and scammers get scammed, too. To prove their credibility, matchmakers and money mules pay a deposit to Huione Guarantee, which holds it in escrow. This assures scammers that nobody will abscond with their money (or if someone does, that person will lose some of their own money).

The price to launder money is determined by the crime committed to get it. Scams like impersonating government officials incur a higher cost because the victims are more likely to call police or alert their banks.

Location affects the price, too. Launderers charge up to 60% to clean money in China. That is because the country has tightened controls since 2020, arresting thousands of people and freezing large sums of money in a nationwide crackdown.

China and Cambodia have agreed to collaborate on law enforcement operations, leading to multiple arrests of mostly lower-level criminals. This has not made a dent in the scamming and money laundering industries.

While the matchmaker deals are worked out privately, one-on-one, the bazaar makes money, too. It sells ads on public groups, charges maintenance fees for private groups and takes small cuts from deals. Most of the transactions are denominated in the cryptocurrency tether, but some are conducted in cash, gold and through bank transfers. (The bazaar even issued its own cryptocurrency last year.)

The bazaar denies any criminal association in disclaimers posted on its website and on Telegram channels. “All business in the public groups is provided by third-party merchants, which has nothing to do with Huione Guarantee,” one post says. Third, another Huione affiliate, Hui-

one International Pay, is more directly involved in laundering money. It is a matchmaker itself, according to internal company documents and two people familiar with its operations.

The documents and insiders indicate that Huione International Pay operates with the efficiency of a legitimate, professional bank. It is based inside the conglomerate’s headquarters in Phnom Penh, a glass and concrete building with two panda statues standing guard by the entrance.

One company department handles customer relations for scammers and other illicit actors. Another monitors Telegram channels. A third department tracks money mule accounts in at least a dozen countries, according to internal documents we reviewed.

Huione’s companies operate with a veneer of legitimacy in a country with “very limited regulatory enforcement, if any at all,” said John Wojcik, a threat analyst with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The conglomerate’s obscure ownership structure creates challenges for targeted law enforcement, he said.

But even if Huione were shut down, other operators would quickly replace it, according to Wojcik.

“We can already see competitors now positioning themselves,” he said.

The National Bank of Cambodia, which regulates financial institutions, said the government was committed to ensuring that “financial transactions are safe and transparent.” It said the government was working to comply with international anti-money-laundering recommendations.

The national bank said that it had not renewed a license for Huione’s payment service (the one with the QR codes) to operate in Cambodia because it “did not meet the renewal requirements.” Huione quickly announced plans to register its business in Japan and Canada.

Hunting Mules

Money mules are the people who run

the bank accounts and wallets.

Some mules open these bank accounts using fake identities, which artificial intelligence has made easier to create, according to Elad Fouks, who monitors fraud for Chainalysis.

Mules spread out the deposits and withdrawals to make them less noticeable to banks. Transactions below $10,000, for example, are less likely to draw attention. Most accounts and virtual wallets that are used for money laundering are active only for a few weeks or months.

Still, the mules — and not matchmakers or scammers — run the highest risk of getting caught.

In one U.S. court case that outlines the mechanics of such operations, the lead defendant, Daren Li, ran a money mule syndicate that registered 74 U.S. shell companies to launder nearly $80 million. The companies set up accounts at Bank of America and elsewhere.

When victims sent money to the accounts, the funds quickly moved to a bank in the Bahamas. From there, the money was used to purchase tether cryptocurrency held on the exchange Binance.

Within days, the money moved to another virtual wallet.

Li worked with Huione International Pay to launder money, according to records we reviewed. But both the FBI and the Secret Service declined to confirm the link. Li pleaded guilty in November to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Payday

Imagine, once again, that you are a scam boss. Something has gone wrong: Your mule has been arrested; the bank froze his account; or maybe he ran off with your money.

In these cases, your matchmaker arbitrates disputes.

If the mule is at fault, the matchmaker will help retrieve the deposit from escrow and get it to you. If nobody is to blame, the losses are chalked up to the

How It Works

Imagine you’re a scammer, cheating people out of their life savings. You need a way to get money out of countries around the world. You need a matchmaker.

A matchmaker is a trusted intermediary who will shepherd your loot home. A good matchmaker has a worldwide network of mules who can move money within hours.

The money mule can be a person or a shell company that controls a local bank account or a cryptocurrency wallet.

To start the working relationship, the matchmaker will pay a deposit to a third party to guarantee that they won’t run away with your money.

Now, let us say that you have found someone willing to invest $40,000 in your scam.

Step 1: You, the scam boss, cut a deal with a matchmaker. For a U.S. scam, the matchmaker typically demands 15% of the proceeds for himself and his mules.

Step 2: Your matchmaker finds the right mules for the job and gets you a deal.

cost of doing business.

But, if all goes well, you will have your payday, usually in tether, which you can convert to U.S. dollars at a casino or using Huione’s payment company.

You can use that money to pay your employees.

These days, scamming operations mimic professional institutions, employing thousands of people in marketing, sales and human resources departments. Often, many employees are victims of human trafficking who are coerced into scamming faraway targets. Some scammers even model their organizations on 19th century company towns, paying wages only after employees complete a season of work. Until then, workers receive company credit.

The wages enrich the restaurants, casinos and brothels that make a killing from captive employees who are often confined to fortified compounds.

Also on the scammer payroll are attractive models who are paid to join video calls and persuade victims to part with their cash. Some of them swap their faces using AI.

Scammers, like everyone else, have to pay their landlords — for housing and, in their case, for protection.

And then there are the behind-thescenes services, many of which can be bought through Huione’s bazaar. Scammers pay software developers to build websites that imitate investment platforms. They need internet and computer infrastructure. And they pay thieves to steal personal data on potential victims: national identification numbers, credit card information, location data and even details about previous hotel stays.

Some of the money will go to dealerships that sell luxury cars. Some is used to buy property in places like London and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

And of course, some of it will go to fireworks.

© The New York Times

Step 3: The matchmaker sends you the mule’s bank account or crypto wallet details. You send that information to your victim.

Step 4: Your victim sends $40,000 to your money mule’s account.

Step 5: The mule moves the money from one account to another account and eventually converts it to cryptocurrency.

Step 6: Finally, the mule takes a cut for his services and sends the rest to the matchmaker. The matchmaker pays himself and gives you $34,000.

Forgotten Her es Sgt. Larry Stein and First Lt. Leonard Moriber

By Avi Heiligman

While generals and other high-ranking officers planned and carried out battle plans and orders from behind the front lines, it was the enlisted soldiers and junior officers in the trenches fighting it out with the enemy. During World War II, many of these soldiers were awarded medals for actions while on the front lines. Many of their stories are rarely told as they often are relegated to the back pages of history books.

The Nazis launched a last ditch offensive in the Ardennes Forest in December 1944 that became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Famously, the 101st Airborne Division became surrounded at the town of Bastogne and held out against five German divisions until other American units broke through with supplies and reinforcements. While the 101st does deserve a lot of credit for holding off a much larger enemy force, there were other American units with them during the siege. Combat Command B of the 10th armored Division was there, and with them was Sergeant Larry Stein. Born in Germany, Stein’s family fled to the U.S. as the Nazis were gaining power. The family moved to New York City, and Larry was drafted into the army and was assigned to the 20th Army Infantry Battalion, 10th Armored Division.

Stein was with Major William Desobry’s task force as an intelligence and

reconnaissance specialist. He was at the command post when another officer parked his vehicle in plain sight of the enemy. This drew the attention of a German tank. Shells ripped through the room. Dazed but not physically hurt, Stein lost his helmet and rifle. Still, he was able to continue on with the quickly depleting task force. He was involved in a firefight with Nazi soldiers as they shot at the American vehicles. Stein was one of the few in the task force to go through the Battle of the Bulge without being severely wounded or killed. Although he had been struck by shrapnel during the battle, he wasn’t awarded the Purple Heart – that is, until after he passed away in 2009. His wife received the medal from Congresswoman Lois Frankel in a ceremony that remembered and honored the dedication and sacrifice of Larry Stein.

First Lieutenant Leonard Moriber from Brooklyn was a platoon commander with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division who was awarded several medals for bravery in action. His unit made more amphibious landings than any other outfit in Europe, and Moriber was one of the officers leading the way. He was awarded the Silver Star for capturing a German machine gun nest.

While in Italy near Anzio, he led his company in capturing sixty German sol-

diers – an action for which he received the Bronze Star. Moriber knew that there were probably more enemy soldiers hiding out in the area so the next day he set out on a four-man patrol to find the Germans. They came across four Germans and killed them. However, his pistol was hit in the exchange of gunfire and became unusable. Despite the other members of his patrol having low ammunition, Moriber continued the hunt.

He later recounted the incident, “We continued on to the stone quarry, and I ordered the Germans to come out, telling them that they were surrounded by U.S. troops. Eight came out with their hands up and dropped their guns. The others inside opened fire. When the going got tough, I was able to get my hands on a gun that would shoot.”

Eight Germans were killed in the firefight, and the rest surrendered to Moriber and his patrol. In total, they captured a hundred Germans and marched them back to camp. For his extraordinary actions, Moriber was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The highly decorated Jewish officer and his division left Italy and soon were on their way to help the Allied invasion of France. Early in the morning of August 16, 1944, his platoon set up a roadblock on the Gonfaron Road in southeastern France. At 3 a.m., he killed two Nazi soldiers at 25 yards as they

approached. A few hours later, he instructed the crew of a .50 caliber machine gun to shoot at a German truck. Two of the occupants tried to escape, and he took them out with his pistol. Then, an ammunition vehicle and a command car tried getting by, and Moriber took out five more Nazis and captured one.

Later in the morning, he was told that Germans were in a house close to his position. Moriber led a squad there, and a fierce firefight ensued. The platoon commander killed three enemy combatants, while other Americans took out six more Germans. Twelve prisoners were taken in the aftermath of the battle. Moriber received an Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to his Silver Star for his actions that day. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre for gallantry in actions while clearing the Colmar Pocket.

Stein’s and Moriber’s stories are just two of the many Jewish servicemen’s and women’s whose dedication and heroism deserve to be remembered.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

Leonard Moriber American soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge

Sgt. Larry Stein

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Pesach is in the Air

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.

We are all counting down.

The little pieces of bread are starting to put their little dancing shoes on. They are anxiously waiting for their turn to play hide and seek.

The crumbs around the house are giggling, waiting to be tickled by the brooms and dusters.

The kids are chomping at the bits to ask their Ma Nishtana questions and share their words of insight.

And the moms are pulling out their hairs, once again!

Packing, cleaning, cooking, shopping – same old, same old. It just doesn’t get simpler. Regardless of if one is going away or staying home, Pesach still is challenging.

Too many moving parts: Seders and regular days. Outfits and formal suits. Suitcases and extra fridges. Meals and meals. And…more meals. Pesach is a litany of prepping too much or eating

too much.

The Torah implies women are on a higher spiritual level. Yet these holidays keep them steeped in the physical. Maybe the idea is just not to create too big a spread between them and “everyone” else.

Still, I think women would have been happy to accommodate on their own. I think they’d feel quite capable of coming up with their own physical pursuits such as staying in the gym, getting a massage

treat: Passover chocolate lolly cones.

The feather, the wooden spoon, and the candle are getting ready for their one night of renown.

The local fire departments are staying alert for the mini fires that burn on Erev Pesach, symbolic of the disposal of the last of the leaven bread.

And everyone is making a list of the places they need to tell their local rabbi about that might have unfound cha -

Time marches on, food marches out, and Pesach marches in.

more often, or going on a mischievous shopping spree. But nobody asked them.

So anyway, the clock has started ticking.

The clothing stores are being stripped. The shoes are walking off the shelves. The Pesach foods are being gobbled up from the grocery markets. And dough is being used up – both as dollars and as bread.

And the last of the Purim candy is being consumed as kids continuously say goodbye to their stash of junk and get ready for the “one time a year” special

metz, places maybe no one else knows they own, but the Rabbi must, so they are free of ownership, at least for the Passover days.

And so it goes year in, year out. Fill your house for months with food supplies, then empty it out in March.

Time marches on, food marches out, and Pesach marches in. And we spend a month preparing for a week of reliving our marching out of Egypt and into the land of, interestingly, kosher for Passover products – milk and honey.

Rivki Rosenwald