Five Towns Jewish Home 07.03.25

Dear Readers,

There are lessons to be learned from the recent Mamdani win in the mayoral primary race in New York City. There are lots of lessons to be learned for sure, but the most clear message for us is that our community needs to be active and involved. If we want to make sure that our neighborhoods stay safe and that our children will also want to live in the community that we call home, then we need to work to ensure that nefarious forces don’t invade our neighborhoods.

But along with message number one is that we need to be informed voters. Knowing the facts and learning about the issues will ensure that when we do step up and get involved, we can help initiate change in the right way.

There’s been a lot of talk about development in the Five Towns – so much talk that it can become confusing what “development of the day” is now headlining in the news. Much of the pushback against development is the understanding that people who live in the Five Towns enjoy their suburban way of life. There’s a marked difference between living in Nassau County versus living in the City. It’s about living at a slower pace, where there’s less traffic, less crowding, more parking, and a more beautiful aesthetic.

But there are developers – who do not live in our community – who have come here to make money. They’re not here to contribute positively to our town. Their goal is to line their pockets – hey, business is business. But as community members who live here and want to bring up our families here, it is our obligation to ensure that what goes on in our community benefits

our families. And if we need to fight these developers to safeguard our way of life, then we need to be active and involved and vocal citizens –citizens who care.

One way to help ensure that these developments do not take over our town is to make sure that our politicians know where our priorities lie. In general, we are fortunate to live in a community where our representatives appreciate and know our community. But on some issues, a strong turnout and outcry is needed to let our politicians know that we are not OK with what is going on. They need to know that we are united against these developments so that they can help us ensure that these housing projects aren’t built.

This week, the Transit-Oriented Development in Inwood and Lawrence – near the Lawrence post office – that had been proposed seven years ago was back in the news. That’s because the Town of Hempstead had repealed the plan when they saw how outraged the community was about the development. But this week, a state court judge ruled that the Town had failed to comply with state law by not seeking approval of the Nassau County Planning Commission before repealing the development. Now, we need the Town of Hempstead to once again address this issue and pass the repeal in the right way to ensure that this development will not go through.

When we show up united with facts and conviction, we can help our community grow with intention – not intrusion.

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

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Showers

ThunderStorms Scattered ThunderStorms

Dear Editor,

We are pleased to announce the opening of a new Gmach created to service the greater Five Towns community. Providing dignified coverups for postsurgical patients, our beloved family members will now be able to maintain their dignity even under trying circumstances.

To enhance the recovery process, postsurgical patients are strongly encouraged to leave their beds and with the assistance of the nursing staff, walk up and down the hallways, often as soon as the day following surgery. Hospitals provide gowns that are simply not up to our standards, not appropriate for appearing in “public.”

For our “choshuve” family and community members, we have now designed a comfortable, more substantial coverup. Designed as a poncho rather than a robe, it is simple to put on and to remove, and can easily accommodate the medical devices needed by the patient.

For further info, please text 347-3803710.

May all be healthy and well!

Miriam

Liebermann

Dear Editor,

I read a letter to the editor this week identifying Republican nominee for NYC Mayor Curtis Sliwa as someone who has always been a friend of the Jewish community. As a longtime Republican activist, I could not disagree more. Many are clearly not aware of Sliwa’s numerous negative statements about Jews, particularly Orthodox Jews.

Sliwa has characterized Orthodox Jews as parasites who live off of other New Yorkers’ axes. The following are Sliwa’s own words

“We’re not talking about poor, impov-

erished, disabled people who need help. We’re talking about able-bodied men who study Torah and Talmud all day and we subsidize them, And then all they do is make babies like there’s no tomorrow and who’s subsidizing that? We are. So are we the shmucks and putzes? Yes...if somebody comes in and tries to take over your community lock, stock, and barrel, and break all the rules and expect the tax dollars to go to their community, and they’re taking away from you, and their kids aren’t even being serviced in the public schools, but they want all the money in the public schools to go to the yeshivas, then you got to righteously stand up and say no, it ends right here,”

To defend his own statements Curtis said, “I tell the Jews all the time – I’m a Gentile, it’s in our DNA. You need to wake up and understand that we always blame the Jews no matter what happens.”

Possibly realizing that his words might be problematic, Sliwa said, “The moment you bring this to somebody’s attention, you’re called an antisemite.”

If the shoe fits.

Michael Fragin Lawrence, NY

Dear Editor,

Today, while cleaning up, I came across a sign from a year ago from a rally I attended in Manhattan for the hostages. I was available on that early Friday morning, so without thinking about it at all, it was my natural intention to go with a friend.

At the time, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the hostages on the sign, was sadly murdered just before the rally, so I took a pen, drew an arrow by his face, and wrote, “MURDERED. RIP. WE MISS YOU!!!”

on page 12

On the plus side, Edan Alexander, another face on the poster, was recently freed, and returned to his home in Tenafly, NJ.

Over the last few days, I watched several documentaries about October 7th including an excellent one on Paramount+ where it explains the Nova Festival in depth – what specifically happened before, during, and after the music festivals, the personalities of the attendees, their lives, and even body camera footage from Hamas shooting those innocent lives. And more.

One survivor emphasized how Hersh was an extremely adventurous person; he would have very well been someone I would have liked to befriend myself.

That documentary was emotional to see, as you actually saw the disaster that Hamas created. I never cried before during films or TV shows, but I did while watching this.

A bunch of things that I was trying to de-clutter went right into the garbage.

But that sign of *OUR* (yes, our) hostages is remaining inside a drawer – most likely forever and ever.

Around the winter, across the street from where I work, I put up stickers of the hostages. Within a matter of weeks, they were all ripped – EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM – including one of a Thai national who is neither Jewish or Israeli.

I’m annoyed that the world sadly thinks the hostages are clutter, so I preserved them.

Sincerely, Hostages are not clutter

Dear Editor,

The brilliant, soft-spoken voice of Rabbi Zvi Berkowitz continues to deliver pearls of wisdom from the Ner Israel Baltimore campus. That he knows all of

Shas with clarity is just one aspect of his persona, the other being that his middos are equally as pure. Just to mention one thought I heard recently. Though it relates to the Days of Judgement, it’s really applicable all year-round.

In resolving different Gemaras, he explains that on Rosh Hashanah we are judged on our Olam Haba and Gehinnom status. If we are bnei Olam Haba, then G-d decides the amount of yissurim, suffering, to give us in this world for the next year, to purge us of any sins remaining. If one has a Gehinnom status, then G-d decides how much pleasure a person will get in this world to pay him back now. The good news is that the ten days of repentance can change one’s Olam Haba and Gehinnom status and affect the year going forward.

These beautiful words inspire us to become people of Olam Haba focusing on teshuvah so that if we have to endure anything, it’s cleaning us for the ultimate place of rest.

Steven Genack

Dear Editor,

To the boy who wrote into the dating panel that he may not be ready to date, methinks that he thinks too much. Sometimes we don’t know we’re ready until we jump into the pool. While consulting with his friends, family, and rabbis, if they all feel that he’s mature and considerate to others, then marriage is the next step. Don’t let fear prevent you from starting the next stage in life.

Find yourself a good life coach or therapist who can help guide you in this next stage and help you get over your fears. The only way to get over your fears is to go through them.

Y. Klass

Fatal Crowd Surge in India

A crowd surge and stampede at a popular Hindu festival in eastern India on Sunday led to the deaths of at least three people and more than a dozen people hospitalized.

“There was a sudden crowd surge of devotees for having a glimpse of the Hindu deities during which a few people either fainted, felt suffocated or complained of breathlessness,” said Siddharth Shankar Swain, the top government official in Puri.

At least 15 people were hospitalized in the melee.

Tens of thousands of devotees gathered in the coastal town early Sunday at Shree Gundicha Temple, near the famous Jagannatha Temple. The coastal temple town of Puri comes alive each year with the chariot festival, in one of the world’s oldest and largest religious processions.

The festival is one of Hinduism’s most revered events and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees annually from across India and the world.

Naveen Patnaik, a former top elected official of Odisha state where Puri is located, said in a social media post that “no government machinery (was) present to manage the surging crowds, highlighting a shocking lapse in duty.”

“While I refrain from accusing the government of criminal negligence, their blatant callousness has undeniably contributed to this tragedy,” he said.

Patnaik called the incident a “stampede” that “exposes the government’s glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful festival for devotees.”

In a social media post, Mohan Charan Majhi, the top elected official of Odisha, apologized for the incident, saying it occurred “due to stampede among devotees” amid excitement in the religious

ceremony.

“This negligence is inexcusable,” he said, adding that concrete action will be taken against the persons involved.

Cannes to Cancel Cruise Ships

The French Riviera city of Cannes is saying “you can’t” when it comes to cruise ships. The resort area is set to implement what its city council describes as “drastic regulation” on cruise ships, banning any vessels carrying more than 1,000 people from its harbor starting next year. The move, effective from January 1, positions the home of the world’s premier film festival at the forefront of a growing global backlash against overtourism.

Cannes is joining a list of destinations that are fed up with excessive numbers of visitors, including Venice, Spain, and the Louvre Museum.

Cannes’ city council, which voted on the measures on Friday, aims for cruise tourism to be “less numerous, less big, less polluting and more esthetic.” Under the new limits, only ships with fewer than 1,000 passengers will be allowed in the port, with a maximum of 6,000 passengers permitted to disembark per day. Larger ships will be expected to transfer their passengers to smaller boats to enter Cannes.

France — which drew in some 100 million visitors last year, more than any other European country and more than the country’s population — is on the front line of efforts to balance economic benefits of tourism with environmental concerns while managing ever-growing crowds.

“Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits. It’s not about banning cruise ships, but about regulating, organizing, setting guidelines for their navigation,” Mayor David Lisnard explained. Cruise operators have called such restrictions damaging for destinations and for passengers.

The nearby Mediterranean city of Nice announced limits on cruise ships earlier this year, as have some other European cities.

Rwanda and Congo Peace Treaty

The top diplomats from Rwanda and Congo signed a peace agreement in Washington on Friday to try to end a devastating war in eastern Congo that has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of people since fighting surged this year.

“We’re here today to celebrate a glorious triumph,” President Donald Trump said alongside the two officials and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who earlier hosted a signing ceremony at the State Department headquarters. “This is a long time waiting.”

The two countries began working on drafts of the accord two months ago, and Trump has boasted of his administra-

tion’s role as mediator, though fighting in eastern Congo has continued. Trump said in late May that Massad Boulos, the State Department’s senior adviser for Africa and the father-in-law of Tiffany Trump, had helped settle the war.

The government of Qatar also helped broker the deal.

Trump used the effort to cast himself as a global peacemaker, even as he has sought to distance himself from other conflicts he once promised to end quickly, such as the war in Ukraine. On Friday, as he presided over the event with the African diplomats at the White House, he promoted his negotiated ceasefire between Israel and Iran and efforts to get NATO to accept his demand to increase military spending.

Trump’s celebratory tone was a sharp pivot from his usual rhetoric about Africa and Congo. Trump has repeatedly said that Congo is emptying its prisons and sending violent people to the U.S. border.

But on Friday, Trump beamed as the visiting leaders praised his administration’s diplomatic efforts.

Congo’s foreign minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, called the peace agreement “a remarkable milestone.” But she also pleaded with Trump “stay committed, stay on board.”

“We need the United States to make sure that this agreement holds and that you hold us accountable,” Wagner said.

While the Trump administration has been praised for taking a lead role in trying to resolve one of the world’s deadliest and longest-running conflicts, the agreement is largely seen as just one piece of what will need to be a much broader effort.

The deal leaves out many of the conflict’s key protagonists. These include M23, but also Uganda and Burundi, which like Rwanda have troops in eastern Congo. (© The New York Times)

China: Japanese Seafood OK

Two years, China banned seafood originating in Japan due to concerns over the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Now, Beijing has said that it will “conditionally resume” the imports from Japan with the exception of 10 of the country’s 47 prefectures, including Tokyo and Fukushima.

Samples collected over long-term monitoring of nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima had “not shown abnormalities,” China’s General Administration of Customs noted on June 29.

A tsunami in 2011 flooded three reactors of the Fukushima plant in north-east Japan in what is regarded as the world’s worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

Three of six nuclear reactors at the plant suffered a meltdown during the tsunami, leaving the facility severely damaged. Over the years, more than a million tons of treated wastewater accumulated there.

In 2023, Japan began discharging the treated wastewater into the ocean – a move backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The process is expected to take up to 30 years.

Although most experts agree that the release is safe, some scientists say there isn’t enough research yet on the potential impact on the ocean. Beijing criticized Japan’s decision and almost immediately banned seafood from the country, citing environmental concerns and safety fears.

Before that, China had been Japan’s biggest seafood buyer accounting for nearly a quarter of its exports.

Japan has said that China’s move to partially lift the ban was a “positive” move, adding that the government will continue to urge Beijing to accept seafood imports from all of its regions.

Give Peace a Chance

The new Global Peace Index (GPI) report that ranks countries based on their “level of peacefulness” placed Russia as the least-peaceful country in the world. On the other hand, if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, Iceland has been hailed as the “most peaceful country” in the world. The United States, though, didn’t earn such high marks.

The 19th edition of the report from the Australia-based Institute of Economics & Peace (IEP) looked at 163 independent states and territories using 23 indicators to measure the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflicts, and the degree of militarization.

Of the 163 countries ranked, 74 improved their placement while 87 slid from last year’s ranking. The GPI found an average deterioration of peacefulness of about .36 percent, marking the sixth year in a row that overall peacefulness declined.

The GPI report noted that there are currently 59 active state-based conflicts, “the most since the end of WWII and three more than the prior year.”

The 2025 GPI found that “global peacefulness continues to decline and that many of the leading factors that precede major conflicts are higher than they have been since the end of WWII. More countries are increasing their levels of militarization against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, increasing conflict, the breakup of traditional alliances and rising economic uncertainty.”

But countries in the top ten, generally haven’t seen much change. Iceland nabbed the top slot on the list followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland. Singapore, Portugal, Denmark,

Slovenia, and Finland rounded out the top ten.

The biggest move at the top saw Canada tumbling out of the top 10 into the 14th slot, sharing the spot with the Netherlands, which had landed there last year as well.

The United States ranked 128th, just ahead of Ecuador, Brazil and Libya, but behind Bangladesh, South Africa, Honduras, Togo, and Kenya.

Israel placed 155th, just ahead of

South Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan. Both the U.S. and Israel ranked last for the GPI “Militarization domain,” which appears to have a significant weighting, while Russia and Ukraine ranked last in the “Ongoing Conflict domain.”

Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan ranked last for the “Safety and Security domain.”

The “Palestinian Territory” was ranked 145, ahead of Turkey, Iraq and Ni-

ments were due and right after U.S. President Donald Trump said that he will be “terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada“ in response to Ottawa’s decision to impose a tax on American tech firms.

“Today’s announcement will support a resumption of negotiations toward the July 21, 2025, timeline set out at this month’s G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in the statement.

The first payments from Canada’s digital services tax, which was enacted last year and applies retroactively to 2022, were initially set to be collected on Monday. The tax would have applied to both domestic and foreign tech companies, including U.S. giants such as Amazon, Google and Meta with a 3% levy.

This decision from Ottawa was a complete turnaround from Canadian officials who earlier this month said they would not pause the digital services tax, despite strong opposition from the U.S. Canada’s minister of finance and national revenue, Francois-Philippe Champagne, explained, “Rescinding the digital services tax will allow the negotiations of a new economic and security relationship with the United States to make vital progress and reinforce our work to create jobs and build prosperity for all Canadians.”

The digital services tax was first introduced in 2020 to address a taxation gap where many large tech companies were earning significant revenues from Canadians but were not taxed.

Ottawa also said that the tax was enacted while it worked with international partners — including the U.S.— on a multilateral agreement that would replace national digital services taxes.

geria and behind Colombia, Haiti, Iran, Niger and Pakistan.

Canada Caves

On Sunday, Canada announced that it would walk back its digital services tax “in anticipation” of a mutually beneficial comprehensive trade arrangement with the United States. The announcement came just one day before the first tax pay-

On Friday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer would investigate the tax to “determine the amount of harm to the U.S. companies and the U.S. economy in general.”

“We disagree [with the tax], and we think that they discriminate against U.S. companies,” Bessent told CNBC’s Morgan Brennan.

“Several countries within the European Union have digital service taxes. None of them have done those retroactively,”

20 Bessent said, who added that the retroactive digital taxes, which amount to about $2 billion, “seem patently unfair.”

Protests in Serbia

Since November — when 16 people died due to the collapse of a renovated train station canopy in Novi Sad, Serbia — protests have shaken the country, with demonstrators attributing the disaster to government corruption and negligence.

Those protests culminated on Saturday in a massive rally in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, which was attended by tens of thousands of demonstrators. Following the rally, protesters began fighting with police, with those in attendance hurling projectiles, such as rocks and bottles, at officers. Officials responded with pepper spray, batons, and shields, and arrested

dozens of protesters, including students, on charges of assaulting police officers or plotting the government’s overthrow.

A day later, thousands more protested against the government of President Aleksandar Vucic, a populist politician who, according to his opponents, has grown increasingly authoritarian since his rise to the presidency in 2017. On Sunday, demonstrators in Belgrade raised metal fences and set up garbage containers, blocking streets and an important bridge over the Sava River. In Novi Sad, demonstrators, on that same day, hurled eggs at the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s offices. Protesters put up blockades in other cities, as well. Demonstrators, declaring the government “illegitimate” and responsible for violence during protests, have called on authorities to free those detained during the most recent protest.

Over the weekend, 48 police officers and 22 protesters were hurt, according to the police. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that 77 individuals were arrested, 38 of whom were still detained as of Sunday. Most of those detained now face charges. An additional eight or more individuals were arrested that day, according to prosecutors.

Vucic, on Sunday, vowed that there will be more arrests, condemning pro-

testers, including Vladan Djokic, the head dean of the University of Belgrade. Vucic has insisted that elections will proceed as planned, in 2027.

France Targets Smoking

As of July 1, France banned smoking in all outdoor areas frequented by children — including parks, beaches, public gardens, bus stops, school entrances, and sports venues. The sweeping measure is part of President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to create “the first tobacco-free generation” by 2032.

Those who flaunt the new rules will be subject to a hefty fine.

“France is positioning itself as one of Europe’s most proactive countries in terms of tobacco control,” Raquel Venâncio, senior policy officer at Smoke Free Partnership, a coalition of European tobacco control advocacy groups, said.

Smoking in France is at its lowest level since the 1990s, the National Committee against Tobacco (CNCT) reports. Today, around a third of adults in France smoke, with 23% of the adult population saying they smoke daily, according to a 2024 report from the French national public health agency. Tobacco use is declining among young people, with only 16% of 17-year-olds reporting they smoke daily in 2022, the most recent data available — down from 25% six years prior.

Still, France remains one of Europe’s most tobacco-dependent countries, fueled in part by what officials have called an “explosion” in cigarette smuggling, largely from Bulgaria, Turkey, and Algeria. In 2024 alone, France consumed an estimated 18.7 billion illicit cigarettes, according to a KPMG study carried out for tobacco giant Philip Morris — accounting for a staggering 38% of tobacco use and making it the largest illicit tobacco market in Europe.

Most regular smokers begin in their teenage years, with nearly 90% of them picking up the habit before turning 18, according to the Ministry of Health.

Minister of Health Catherine Vautrin said that “protecting youth and de-normalizing smoking” is an “absolute priori-

ty” for the government. “At 17, you should be building your future, not your addiction. Where there are children, tobacco must disappear.”

Unlike Belgium and the United Kingdom, France’s new rules do not ban e-cigarettes — at least for now. Still, the new regulations include a reduction in authorized nicotine levels in vaping products, as well as strict limits on flavors like cotton candy, which critics say are designed to appeal to young people.

“These products serve as gateways to addiction and will be regulated, starting in 2026,” Vautrin said.

Tobacco use accounts for more than 75,000 deaths each year in France.

“Tobacco is poison,” said Vautrin. “It kills, it costs, it pollutes. I refuse to give up the fight. Every day without tobacco is a life gained. Our goal is clear: a tobacco-free generation — and we have the means to achieve it.”

Thai PM Suspended

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended by the Constitutional Court this week amid mounting pressure for her to resign over her leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

The clip, in which Paetongtarn called him “uncle” and criticized a Thai military commander, sparked public anger and a petition for her dismissal, which the court is now considering.

That could make Paetongtarn the third politician in the powerful Shinawatra clan – which has dominated Thai politics for the past two decades – to lose power before completing their term.

Her ruling coalition is already teetering with a slim majority after a key conservative ally abandoned it two weeks ago.

The Constitutional Court voted 7-2 to suspend her while they consider the case for her dismissal. She has 15 days to present her defense.

For now, the deputy PM will serve as the country’s acting leader. Paetongtarn, however, will remain in the cabinet as culture minister, a new appointment

22 following a cabinet reshuffle that was endorsed hours before she was suspended.

On Tuesday, Paetongtarn apologized again, adding that the purpose of her phone call with Hun Sen was “more than 100%...for the country.”

The call was about the border dispute between the two countries. Although it’s decades old, tensions have risen again since late May when a Cambodian soldier was killed.

The leaked audio especially angered conservative lawmakers who accused her of appeasing Hun Sen and undermining Thailand’s military.

In her defense, Paetongtarn said, “I had no intent to do it for my own interest. I only thought about how to avoid chaos, avoid fighting and to avoid loss of lives. If you listened to it carefully, you’d understand that I didn’t have ill intentions. This is what I’ll focus and spend time on explaining thoroughly.”

If she is eventually dismissed, Paetongtarn will be the second prime minister from the Pheu Thai party to be removed from premiership since August last year. At that time, her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was dismissed, also by the constitutional court, for appointing to his cabinet a former lawyer who was once jailed.

Days later, Paetongtarn – whose father is Thailand’s deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra – was sworn in as prime minister.

Paetongtarn, 38, is the country’s youngest leader and only the second woman to be prime minister after her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.

Already struggling to revive a weak economy, Paetongtarn saw her approval rating fall to 9.2% last weekend, down from 30.9% in March.

Paetongtarn’s father is fighting charges of insulting the monarchy over an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper a few years ago. His trial started on the same day that Paetongtarn was suspended. He had returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in exile and is the most high-profile figure to face charges under the country’s notorious lese majeste law.

Pollution in Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, on several occasions this past winter, was ranked among the most polluted cities in the world, with the city’s average air quality index reaching hazardous levels in January. Then, in March, Hanoi saw PM2.5,

which are hazardous small particles, at levels over 24 times the recommended amount set by the World Health Organization.

Just this past Saturday, IQAir, an air monitoring company based in Switzerland, ranked Hanoi the 13th most polluted major city in the world. Hanoi sees over 60,000 deaths annually in connection with air pollution. Because of pollution, Hanoi is often blanketed in fog. The toxic air has forced school closures, suspended work, and made N95 face masks a common sight.

According to experts, the pollution in Hanoi has been partly caused by Vietnam’s booming economy, which has attracted Apple, Nike, and other companies moving away from Chinese production. Vietnam’s gross domestic product, on average, has soared 5% to 7% each year since 2018 — a much faster pace than the U.S.’s and China’s GDP. With the economic boom, more people are moving from rural areas to cities in Vietnam, and developers are creating new cities.

Air pollution in Hanoi is caused by several factors. Over 50% of the capital’s air pollution is caused by traffic, 30% by industrial activity, and 10%-15% by construction, according to local media. In particular, cement, which is used to build new developments and roads, significantly contributes to emissions.

In response, Vietnam has made several promises, including ensuring that, by 2030, half of buses and taxis will be electric. The country, being a Paris Agreement signatory, has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by reducing its reliance on coal and boosting energy efficiency. Pollution monitoring is also improving. However, progress is slow, as development grows rapidly and regulation stalls.

How Hackers Attacked Iran

During Israel’s 12-day war with Iran, an anonymous pro-Israel hacking group called Predatory Sparrow seriously hit two Iranian financial organizations in a series of cyberattacks aimed at targeting

the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ “financial lifelines.”

The group recently claimed responsibility for an attack on Bank Sepah, an Iranian state-owned bank which is used by the country’s military. Predatory Sparrow said it shut down the bank’s online services and cash machines.

The hackers also targeted the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in Iran, Nobitex, which Iranians often use to transfer money overseas. Predatory Sparrow took around $100 million in funds from the exchange, forcing its shutdown. The group then destroyed the funds.

Before the attacks, the hacking group warned the “noble people of Iran” on X to “withdraw your funds before it is too late.” It is unclear whether the group works for the Israeli government, though experts suggest that Israel helped with the cyberattacks.

During the war, Iran restricted Internet use to prevent opposition and more cyberattacks.

Nobitex and Bank Sepah are still impacted by the attacks, with services disrupted.

Though a ceasefire was reached last Tuesday, the cyberattacks are expected to continue on both sides. Iranian hackers have struck Israeli government websites with DDoS attacks, wherein the hackers bombard the sites with more traffic than the servers could handle, thus causing temporary shutdowns. Iranian hackers have also been recently targeting Israelis with phishing scams.

Iran Targets Local Jews

Following Israel’s 12-day war with Iran, authorities have targeted local Jews in Tehran and Shiraz, summoning 35 or

more for interrogation, according to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA). Most of those questioned reportedly have family in Israel and have been ordered not to communicate with them or anyone outside of Iran for now.

The number of Jews called in for interrogations was “unprecedented,” causing concerns for the community’s “psychological and social well-being,” according to an anonymous Iranian Jew. There are around 8,000 to 10,000 Jews living in Iran, which, other than Israel, hosts the largest Jewish community in the Middle East.

An Iranian Jewish woman who goes by the name Miriam told Channel 12, an Israeli news outlet, that she saw authorities detain six Jewish women and four Jewish men one morning at 1:30 a.m., with armed Iranian officials “jump[ing] … over the wall” of her community’s courtyard, seizing residents’ phones, and arresting 10 Jews, “loading them like sheep into the car.” According to the woman, the six women were later freed on bail.

According to Femme Azadi, a French-Iranian women’s rights group, authorities in Tehran and Shiraz have accused Jewish religious leaders of being affiliated with Israel. Officials detained several members of one particular family and seized their electronics, according to Ynet news. The outlet added that the men, including one rabbi, have yet to be released.

Since the war between Israel and Iran started on June 13, Iranian officials have detained over 700 individuals they suspect of having connections to Israel. They also executed three or more suspected “traitors.”

According to reports, the Iranian Jewish community has hosted an event to affirm its allegiance to Iran and dispel the notion that they are spies or traitors.

Thailand Bans Marijuana – Again

In 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to legalize recreational cannabis. Now, the country is banning the sale of the drug without a prescription

again, as per a new order by Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. The order, which was implemented last Thursday, reclassifies cannabis buds as a controlled herb and prohibits stores from selling cannabis, except to those with a prescription.

Licensed stores can still sell cannabis in 30-day supplies to customers with a prescription, as long as the drugs come from pharmaceutical-grade farms. The stores also have to inform authorities each month where they acquired the products.

The new policy is intended to ensure that cannabis is used “fully for medical purposes,” according to Health Ministry spokeswoman Treechada Srithada, who added that license requirements will become stricter and stores in violation will be shuttered. Around 18,000 stores are licensed to sell cannabis.

The order follows the release of a study by Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board, which noted that

more people have become addicted to the drug since its legalization. The decision to tighten cannabis sales also followed officials’ disclosure last month that cases of tourists smuggling cannabis had sharply increased in recent months.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party had previously pledged to re-criminalize cannabis but faced stiff opposition from its former coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, which championed decriminalization. Bhumjaithai withdrew from the coalition

24 last week after a leaked phone call be-

tween Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Just days after Bhumjaithai’s exit, Health Minister Somsak signed the new order.

A group of cannabis supporters vowed to gather at the Health Ministry next month to resist the new crackdown and fight any move to re-criminalize cannabis use or sales.

China Brainwashing Tibetan Youth

In an effort to erode the cultural and religious values of the Tibetan minority group, the Chinese government has now ramped up its two-decade-long campaign to educate Tibetan children in line with the Communist Party’s ideology.

China is putting children, some as young as four, into boarding schools, where they are taught Mandarin instead of Tibetan, thus hindering their ability to communicate with family members, most of whom exclusively speak Tibetan. The programs also attempt to instill a love and appreciation for Chinese culture and communism. Signs on campus say, “I am a Chinese child, I love speaking Mandarin,” and children are told by teachers that their clothes and shoes, for example,

were given to them by the Communist Party.

After preschool, children enroll in a boarding school from first to sixth grade, where they stay away from their families for weeks or months straight.

This program is in line with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s belief that the Communist doctrine needs to be instilled in children “so that the red gene seeps into their blood and permeates their hearts.” Children learn patriotic rhymes and communist stories and hear lies about the history of Tibet.

According to the rights group Tibet Action Institute, there are over 800,000 boarding school students — or three-quarters of all Tibetan school-age children — in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and parts of four close-by provinces. For their 1,400-year history, Tibetans have long rejected Chinese culture. The leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, is currently exiled in India. Communist forces invaded Tibet in 1950. Under the leadership of then-Chairman Mao Zedong, the Chinese government squashed a Tibetan uprising in 1959, after which the Dalai Lama escaped.

Previously, schools in Tibetan areas taught both Tibetan and Mandarin, and children were permitted to study in monasteries and independent schools run by monks. Xi, however, has crusaded against Tibetan culture, urging Tibetans to exclusively adopt a Chinese identity.

One former student, a 15-year-old girl who attended a boarding school around seven years ago, described the institution in unpleasant terms. Forced to adhere to a strict academic schedule, children were often hit with sticks and physically punished in other ways.

More Sorrow

On Sunday, Sgt. Yisrael Natan Rosenfeld lost his life fighting in Gaza.

The 20-year-old was part of the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion and hailed from Ra’anana.

According to an initial IDF probe, Natan was killed by an explosive device during operations in the Kafr Jabalia area.

The 20th soldier to be killed in fighting since the start of the month, Natan moved to Israel from London with his family 11 years ago. He is survived by his parents and three siblings; his sister’s boyfriend was killed fighting terrorists near kibbutz Sufa on October 7.

“He told us a long time ago, ‘I want to be a combat soldier in the army. To do something for our country,’” Natan’s father, Avi, told Ynet.

“When he was assigned to combat engineering, he was so happy. He was in a place that was right for him. He didn’t really like school and we were worried, but in the army he just blossomed.”

He added, “His commanders were really special. They were like family to him. Every time he came home, he had a smile. Not because of the role itself but because he knew why he was doing it. He knew he was doing it for his parents, his family, his people. I feel he has a place in history. We are very proud of him,” Avi said.

Natan’s death brought Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and in military operations along the border with the Strip to 441. The toll includes two police officers and three Defense Ministry civilian contractors.

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump urged progress in ceasefire talks.

“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” Trump wrote on social media early in the morning, after raising expectations on Friday by saying there could be an agreement within the next week.

Ron Dermer, a top adviser to Prime

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was set to travel to Washington this week for talks on a ceasefire, an Israeli official said, and plans were being made for Netanyahu to travel there in the coming weeks, a sign there may be movement on a deal.

Some Southern Communities Can Return Home

Of the areas attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023, 13 border communities were hit the worst. Now, residents from seven of those communities will be allowed to return home, as essential renovations have been completed in Re’im, Kerem Shalom, Nirim, Ein Hashlosha, Sufa, Nir Yitzhak, and Netiv Ha’asara. Authorities expect to finish restoring Nahal Oz in August, while residents from Kissufim should be able to return in November 2025. Those in Holit, Kfar Aza, and Be’eri will likely be able to come home in 2026. There is no return date for Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was almost completely destroyed during the October 7 massacre and will be rebuilt as part of a plan valued at over NIS 350 million ($95 million).

Though those communities’ 5,000 residents have been barred from returning, 92% of all Gaza border residents came home as of May 2025, according to the Tekuma Directorate.

Israel will stop funding rental accommodations for residents of those seven approved communities. However, residents who cannot return are able to request continued accommodations until June 30, 2026.

“Thanks to a deep partnership with the communities, the Tekuma Directorate [responsible for rehabilitating the Gaza border area] and local authorities, we were able to shorten schedules, expand budgets, and create an infrastructure that allows not only a return, but growth as well,” said Minister Ze’ev Elkin, who manages the Gaza and Lebanese border rehabilitation effort, adding that the southern border communities would be “restored, developed, and be a symbol of the strength, resilience and resurrection of Israeli society as a whole.”

It is unclear how many residents of the 13 communities intend to return. In May, the Habayta Forum predicted that 30% would not return, while the State Comptroller estimated that 13% would not.

Israel hopes to double the Gaza border population by October 2033.

Hebron Anti-Terror Operation

Over the past three months, the Shin Bet detained more than 60 Hamas terrorists in Judea and Samaria, the security agency announced on Sunday.

A senior Shin Bet official called the joint operations with the IDF and police the agency’s “largest and most complex

carry out significant attacks on Hamas’s behalf in Israel, including in Judea and Samaria, according to the agency, though thankfully none of the plans came to fruition.

Israeli officials acquired information that brought about more arrests during interrogations with the terrorists, who belonged to 10 linked terror cells. Thanks to the interrogations, authorities arrested those who supplied arms to the terrorists who killed Military Police soldier Cpl. Avraham Fetena in November 2023 at a Route 60 checkpoint, in addition to the terrorists involved in the August 2010 fatal shooting of four Israelis near Hebron.

The Shin Bet also found 22 firearms, 11 grenades, other weapons, and an underground arsenal and hideout.

“The exposure of the infrastructure, which operated covertly while maintaining compartmentalization between the different cells, constitutes a significant thwarting of Hamas’s intentions to carry out a series of major attacks in Israel,” said the Shin Bet official.

The terrorists face serious charges, such as heading a terror organization, attempted murder, and attempted conspiracy to commit murder.

Hamas Founder Killed

investigation” in the area “in the last decade.” According to the Shin Bet, the operation exposed “significant, complex, and large-scale Hamas infrastructure” in the city of Hebron.

The majority of terrorists detained during the operations were previously jailed in Israel and had “worked to recruit, arm, and train additional Hamas operatives from the area to carry out shooting and bombing attacks against Israeli targets.” The terrorists intended to

Hakem al-Issa was one of the founders of the terrorist group Hamas and helped to plan the October 7 massacre. On Friday, the terrorist who had served as chief of staff in the “combat and administrative support division” in the group’s military wing was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City.

The IDF said Issa was a “central source of knowledge and one of the last senior Hamas operatives who held high-level

positions before October 7 and remained in the Gaza Strip.”

“In the past, Issa led Hamas’s force build-up efforts in the Gaza Strip, was one of the founders of the military wing’s operations division, served as head of the training division, and was a member of Hamas’s general military council,” the IDF said in a statement.

The military added that Issa “played a significant role in planning and executing the murderous massacre on October 7.”

During the war, including in recent days, “Issa served as head of combat support, advancing terror plans from the air and sea against Israeli civilians and IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF said. “Alongside advancing these plans, Issa worked to rebuild Hamas’s arrays that were damaged during the war.”

Israel has killed a number of other high-ranking Hamas officials since the October 7 attack, including Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif, Marwan Issa, and Mohammed Sinwar in May

Who’s Proud to Be An American?

According to a Gallup poll conducted from June 2-19, just 41% of adult Americans report being “extremely” proud to be U.S. citizens. Additionally, 17% report being “very” proud of being American, 19% report being “moderately” proud, 11% say they are “only a little proud,” and 9% say they are not proud at all.

The number of “extremely” or “very” proud Americans decreased by nine percentage points since last year.

Between 2001, shortly after 9/11, and 2004, 90% or more Americans reported

being “extremely” or “very” proud of being U.S. citizens. In 2005, that number dropped to 83%. It remained at around that level until 2017, when only 75% said they were “extremely” or “very proud” to be American. Before 2018, less than 10% reported being a little or not at all proud. Since then, American pride has dropped more, with around 20% reporting little to no pride.

Now, only 58% say they’re “extremely” or “very” proud to be American. The drop has mostly been attributed to Democrats, whose American pride hasn’t been this low since 2020, when just 42% were extremely or very proud. In 2025, only 36% of Democrats reported being extremely or very proud, as opposed to 62% a year before, when Joe Biden, a Democrat, was president.

In comparison, this year, 92% of Republicans reported extreme or a lot of pride in being American, as opposed to 85% last year. Republican pride only dropped below 90% in 2016 and from 2020 to 2024. Fifty-three percent of independents, on the other hand, reported being very or extremely proud.

The results also show a generational divide, wherein older people are more likely to be proud of being Americans than younger individuals. Fifty-eight percent of millennials (those born from 1980 to 1996) have reported being extremely or very proud of being American, and just 41% of Generation Z adults (those born after 1996) say they have great pride in being U.S. citizens, in comparison to 71% of Generation X (born 1965 to 1979), 75% of baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964), and 83% of the Silent Generation (born 1928 to 1945).

Another Fugitive Nabbed

On May 16, ten inmates at the New Orleans Justice Center daringly broke out of the jail. Last week, the ninth fugitive was captured by law enforcement officers at a home in New Orleans. Now, there is only one more criminal at large.

Most of the fugitives had been found in New Orleans and in Texas.

Antoine Massey, 33, the criminal who

had been nabbed last week, had tattoos of chess pieces on his face. He was in jail on charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle. Officials said new charges were forthcoming.

Derrick Groves, 27, still remains on the lam. He was convicted of seconddegree murder and attempted seconddegree murder in connection with a shooting during Mardi Gras in 2018.

“Great work by all our law enforcement partners who have been working so hard for this outcome. 1 more to go!” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said on social media last week.

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick urged Groves to turn himself in. Either way, she said, “you will be taken into custody.”

The escape, which sent several prosecutors and victims fleeing for safety, raised questions about the jail’s operations and highlighted a facility that the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office said was overcrowded and in need of security upgrades.

Massey had been hiding in a home in a New Orleans neighborhood that is less than 2 miles from the jail. He peacefully gave up when police surrounded it around 3:30 p.m. on June 27, authorities said.

Louisiana authorities continue to investigate how the ten men were able to create a hole in a cell wall by ripping out a toilet and to escape without being noticed by guards in the early hours of May 16. Their absences were not discovered until seven hours later. It appears that the convicts had help from the inside.

Firefighters Killed in Ambush in Idaho

Two firefighters were killed in an ambush in Idaho on Sunday by a man authorities say had “Nazi tendencies” in school and was fascinated with guns.

The murderer was identified as Wess Roley, 20, whose body was found in a hiking spot near the city of Coeur d’Alene.

He had taken his own life after killing the firefighters. It took authorities six hours of frantic searching to find him.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison were the two firefighters who were killed. Dave Tysdal, another firefighter, was injured in the shooting attack. They had been fighting a fire – suspected to have been intentionally set by the shooter – when Roley attacked. Roley had been hiding in a tree when he started shooting at the men.

Roley is remembered by former classmates as liking to draw guns and swastikas. One said that “everybody just thought he was weird.”

Harwood and Morrison worked at their agencies for a collective 45 years

“These guys were hard workers. They loved their families,” Gabe Eckert, President of the Coeur d’Alene Firefighters’ union, said.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little ordered flags in the state to fly at half-staff to honor the firefighters killed and injured in the ambush.

“The entire State of Idaho grieves the profound loss of the firefighters killed in the shocking ambush in North Idaho,” Little said in a statement. “This indescribable loss is felt deeply by all those in the firefighting community and beyond.”

The U.S. State Department has revoked the visas of the two members of Bob Vylan, a London-based punk rock duo, following their antisemitic rant during the Glastonbury Festival in England on Saturday.

On stage, the duo called for “Death to the IDF” and chanted “Free, free Palestine.” Previously, the duo’s frontman, named Bobby Vylan, compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to slavery and the Holocaust.

A day later, Emily Eavis, Glastonbury’s co-organizer and the daughter of its founder, condemned Bob Vylan.

“We are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday,” Eavis said. “Their chants very much crossed a line, and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”

The U.K.’s Israeli embassy added that it was “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage.”

“When such messages are delivered before tens of thousands of festivalgoers and met with applause, it raises serious concerns about the normalization of extremist language and the glorification of violence,” the embassy added.

Keir Starmer, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, branded the duo’s statement as “appalling hate speech.” The BBC said Bob Vylan’s words were “unacceptable” and expressed regret for not pulling “the stream during the performance.”

In response to criticism of his statement, the duo’s frontrunner doubled down on X, stating: “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.”

The duo was also condemned by those in the United States, including Sen. Ted Cruz, who called the group’s statements “truly sick.” After U.S.-based advocacy group StopAntisemitism called for the

duo’s visas to be denied or rescinded, Florida Republican Rep. Randy Fine posted on X, “On it.” Bob Vylan planned to perform in the U.S. later this year.

On Monday, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced on X the revocation of their visas to the United States “in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.”

“Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Landau said.

Bob Vylan have also been dropped by United Talent Agency.

Kohberger Pleads

Guilty

Bryan Kohberger was charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022. This week, he accepted a plea deal and agreed to plead guilty to all counts to spare himself from the death penalty.

Kohberger, 30, is charged in the murders of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. The four were found stabbed to death in their rental house close to the University of Idaho campus on November 13, 2022.

After weeks of searching, Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania in December 2022. The then 28-year-old was a doctoral student in criminal justice at

Washington State University, just over the state line, less than 10 miles from Moscow, where the murders took place.

Kohberger agreed to four consecutive life sentences and waived his right to appeal. He is expected to be sentenced later this month.

The brutal murders of the students horrified residents of Moscow, Idaho, a quiet college town that hadn’t reported a murder in five years, and drew national attention.

Father Saves Daughter from Cruise Fall

On Sunday afternoon, a child fell from the fourth deck of a 14-story Disney cruise ship. Her father quickly jumped into the ocean after her and managed to save her.

The girl had fallen over when her father was taking a picture of her against a railing. Passengers on the ship cheered on the father when he reached his daughter. The two were safely recovered by a rescue boat. They were picked up after treading water for 10 minutes, according to witnesses.

“The ship was moving quickly, so quickly, it’s crazy how quickly the people became tiny dots in the sea, and then you lost sight of them,” one passenger said. “The captain slowed the ship and turned it around, and then they deployed a tender ship with people on it to go get them, and we saw them rescue the dad and daughter.”

The 4,000-person capacity Disney Dream was returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after sailing for four days around the Bahamas.

“The Crew aboard the Disney Dream

Did you know?

swiftly rescued two guests from the water,” a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson said. “We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes.

“We watched it, you could see two little things...it was crazy, it was horrific,” another passenger said, describing how he witnessed the two enter the ocean and nearly disappear into the horizon.

The ship returned to port in Florida as normal.

While it is rare for passengers to fall from cruise ships, rescues are not often successful when they do. According to a Cruise Lines International Association report from 2019, 25 people fell overboard that year from cruise ships and only nine were saved from the water.

Boulder Victim Dies

Karen Diamond was wounded in the firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, in which pro-Israel marchers were targeted by an Egyptian man who threw Molotov cocktails at the crowd. This week, Karen died of her wounds Twenty-nine people had been injured in the attack.

Karen was 82 years old. Now, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who had posed as a gardener and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans during the attack, will be charged with first-degree murder.

“This horrific attack has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends,” Michael

The word “season” has its roots in the Old French word “season,” which means sowing or planting.

Dougherty, the Boulder County district attorney, said.

Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020, so the maximum state penalty the defendant could face if convicted of Karen’s murder is life in prison. But federal prosecutors could seek the death penalty against Soliman.

Federal officials have already charged Soliman, 45, with a hate crime in the attack, which left the Jewish community in Colorado reeling and called attention to growing antisemitic rhetoric and violence in the United States. He has pleaded not guilty to the state and federal charges.

Karen was part of a group of marchers who had been walking down the outdoor pedestrian Pearl Street Mall in Boulder as part of the group Run for Their Lives, which walks in support of Israeli hostages who have been held in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas. In a social media post, the group called her death “a heavy and heartbreaking moment.”

Soliman had said that he wanted to “kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” prosecutors said in court papers.

The attacker yelled “Free Palestine” as he hurled two incendiary devices, and investigators said he had brought 16 additional devices to the event.

Coming Full Circle

Fifteen years ago, Wayne Corprew of Roanoke, Virginia, had to cut down a tree and brought it to his car before noticing that his ring was missing from his finger..

“I went back up to where I dragged the tree to and searched there, but it wasn’t there. I went back to the truck and couldn’t find it there, so it was officially missing,” he recounted. “The next day, I came back and brought a metal detector. There was snow on the ground, and I spent all day the next day looking for it, and nothing.”

Corprew even came back after all the snow had melted and looked for the ring

and still came up empty.

In 2018, the farm changed hands. The new owners were Darren and Samantha Gilreath, who had bought it from their Aunt Sue.

Sue had been meticulous about keeping notes about anything that was lost. That came in handy recently when the couple was tilling the soil to plant some corn, and Samantha noticed something shiny in the soil.

“As I’m planting corn, I’m walking through the rows, and I see this wedding band lying on the top of the ground. I said, ‘That looks like a wedding band,’ so I reached down and picked it up, and sure enough, it was this nice little gold band that was just lying in the dirt,” Samantha said.

The two of them went through all of Aunt Sue’s notes until they came to one that had Corprew’s contact information on it.

“I’m just thankful for them that they kept that note for 15 years and that they thought to call me,” Corprew said. “It goes to show that there are good people out there, and this is a great place.”

That has a good ring to it.

A Panda in My Bed

If you were a guest at the Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotle in China and asked for a wakeup call, it would have been the four-legged kind.

The hotel had been offering wakeup calls made by red pandas, which would enter guests’ rooms – including those with young children – and wake up visitors. One of the four pandas would climb on the guests’ bed and spend time with them – for as long as the animal was in the mood of that day.

Now, though, the hotel has been ordered to cease the red panda wakeup service.

Did you know?

Sun Quanhui, a scientist from the World Animal Protection organization, said the red panda wakeup call service could be considered animal abuse, as red pandas are sensitive animals with stress responses that could endanger themselves or the humans in their presence.

They are second-class protected animals in China and are listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

We’ll bear that in mind.

Lucky Strike

Yassin Khalifa is one lucky guy. The high school sophomore had sheltered under a tree in Central Park last week as thunderstorms rolled across New York City during a picnic with friends.

“I leaned up against a tree, and I told them, ‘Oh, guys, let’s ride out the storm,’ which in hindsight might not have been the best idea,” Khalifa said.

Suddenly, the 15-year-old was struck by lightning and was knocked unconscious for several minutes.

His friends frantically tried to revive him. Khalifa was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

“Apparently, I’m pretty lucky, because my spine was directly against the tree and no nerve damage happened. So I’m like, not losing any sort of motor function,” Khalifa said. “So I’m pretty happy about that.”

He was treated for burns on his neck and legs.

Lightning kills around 30 people a year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Strikes, though, are usually not fatal. About 90 percent of people injured by a lightning bolt survive.

A lucky strike.

Around the Community

Summer Begins in Woodbourne, NY, with the Nikolsburger Rebbe

Scenes from the Zusha Event Benefiting Bikur Cholim of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns

Touro Alum is Among Top 11 Scorers on CPA Exam in the U.S.

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) announced this year’s winners of the Elijah Watt Sells Award, and Touro alum Esther Drillick (Lander College of Arts & Sciences 2024) was among the 11 outstanding performers who received this honor. The Elijah Watts Sells Award is granted to CPA candidates who obtain a cumulative average score above 95.50 across four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.

The 11 extraordinary individuals who met the criteria for the award were selected from 74,000 test takers who sat for the CPA Exam in 2024.

“The Elijah Watt Sells Award represents one of the highest honors in the CPA profession, and this year’s recipients are not only technically exceptional, they are also poised to shape the future of the profession. As the accounting landscape evolves, their leadership, integrity, and drive for excellence will play a vital role in upholding public trust and guiding businesses through complexity and change,”

said Susan Coffey, CPA, CGMA, CEO of public accounting at the AICPA.

A Love of Logic Propels An Accounting Career

Esther Drillick earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting at Touro University’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences and is currently employed as a fiscal officer with YVY ECC in Brooklyn.

Drillick, a graduate of Bais Yaakov D’Rav Meir and Mesores Rochel Seminary in Israel, chose accounting because she loves logic and math. She chose Touro because she wanted a school with “a great academic reputation and a Jewish environment.”

Drillick’s father is a hedge fund manager, one grandfather is a CPA and the other held a PhD in mathematics, and so coming from a numbers-driven family, it was no surprise that she took to the field right away. She appreciated the rigorous accounting program at Touro that ultimately prepared her for the CPA exam. She was amazed as she began studying for the CPA – a process that took her a full year—that there was very little new

material on the test. “It was mostly a review of what I had learned at Touro,” says Drillick.

She took three months to study for each part of the exam, and when she saw how well she did on the first part, she thought about trying for the award but at first, didn’t think she wanted the pressure. After taking the second part of the exam and scoring quite well, she thought, “Maybe I should go for it! I decided then to challenge myself to achieve this goal. At that point, I just had this feeling I could do it,” shares Drillick. “I had a lot of support as my whole family was rooting for me.”

One of the professors who used simulated CPA exams in his homework and classwork and truly prepared students for the high-stakes test was an Elijah Watts Sells Award winner himself. Professor Shulem Rosenbaum, now a partner at Roth & Co, was one of Touro’s previous winners of this prestigious national award over a decade ago.

According to Drillick, “Professor Rosenbaum and all of my accounting professors really cared about the suc-

cess of their students. Not just in terms of learning the material, but also in terms of networking and finding internships and jobs and building our careers. They always offered students the opportunity to reach out and ask for help in any way they needed.”

Today, as a fiscal officer at YVY ECC, a nonprofit organization that receives many government grants, she ensures compliance with various regulations and performs monthly and annual reporting to government agencies. She’s learning to anticipate issues before they arise and to think like an auditor. As for the future, Drillick says she enjoys the private sector and will likely stay there.

”Esther’s stellar achievement on the Uniform CPA Examination is a reflection of her intellectual acumen and drive to excel, as well as the quality and rigor of the CPA program offered at Touro,” said Dr. Robert Goldschmidt, Executive Dean of Lander College of Arts & Sciences in Flatbush.

On Sunday, the BACH Jewish Center’s Youth Department hosted a special Sunday Fun Day program where participants made their own ice cream. The program was part of the BACH’s weekly series of youth events during the summer

New IVDU Girls’ Middle School

Opening

As the 2024–2025 academic year draws to a close, the Marilyn and Sheldon David IVDU School for Special Education is preparing to launch a new chapter: this September, a dedicated girls’ middle school will open in Brooklyn, New York. The new division brings together the current elementary and upper school programs and underscores IVDU’s commitment to addressing growing communal needs through its innovative approach to Special Education.

Under the umbrella of Yachad — a division of the Orthodox Union dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities — IVDU serves boys and girls from kindergarten through age 21 with mild to moderate learning, social, and developmental delays. The school operates branches in Brooklyn, the Five Towns, and Lakewood, New Jersey. In addition to those locations, students also come from Monsey and the North Shore.

“IVDU is always listening to the community and finding ways to be supportive,” says IVDU Head of School Rabbi Michoel Druin. “Over the past few years, we’ve increasingly heard that students would benefit most from our upper school programs if their journey began in middle school. Opening our first-ever girls middle school will better prepare students for our upper school experience.”

The middle school will serve girls ages 10 to 13, some of whom may have previously attended mainstream schools, resource room programs, or other special education settings, and are now ready to prepare for IVDU’s unique Upper School

program. Modeled after IVDU’s successful holistic upper school program, it will emphasize both academic excellence and real-world readiness. Class sizes will be capped at eight students, with grade placement determined by a combination of age, cognitive ability, and social-emotional development to ensure personalized attention and differentiated instruction. Each class will be staffed by a lead teacher and an assistant, with additional support personnel available as needed. To accommodate the new division, IVDU is also expanding its physical space to include new classrooms, therapy rooms, and inviting social spaces.

Limited spots are available for the 202526 academic year. To learn more and to register, please visit www.ivdu.org and contact Esti Veshnefaky at esther.veshnefsky@ou.org, or 718-758-2999.

Priority 1 Dinner Celebration: A Night of Tribute, Inspiration, and Vision

On Monday evening, June 30, nearly 400 friends, supporters, alumni, and family members gathered at The Space at Westbury for the Priority 1 Dinner Celebration — an unforgettable celebration of hakaras hatov, personal growth, and the bright future of Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh and Yeshiva Ohr Hatzafon.

The evening paid tribute to this year’s esteemed honorees, Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov Ginsparg and Mr. and Mrs. Nechemia Edelstein — proud alumni of the Yeshiva. These couples were celebrated not only for their personal achievements but for the remarkable journeys they took through the Yeshivos that shaped them, and for the deep connection they continue to maintain with the institutions that

molded their paths.

Rabbi Eli Riesel, who chaired the event, captured this perfectly in his passionate remarks. He spoke about the Yeshiva’s unique derech hachinuch — a deeply thoughtful, individualized approach that believes in the greatness of every talmid and invests in their growth with care and brilliance.

A highlight of the night was a powerful video presentation that traced the transformative paths of the honorees through Yeshiva Ohr Hatzafon and Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh. Featuring heartfelt words from rabbeim and mentors, the film beautifully captured the admiration and pride the hanhalah has for the honorees and the men they have become.

Adding excitement and entertainment

to the evening was Shlomo Levinger, renowned performer and a proud alumnus of the Yeshiva, whose humor and presence lit up the room. Soulful performances by Mordche Kohn and Itzik Dadya elevated the atmosphere, creating a blend of inspiration and simcha.

Capping off the program was an address from the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Shaya Cohen, who spoke passionately about the critical importance of being makir tov — recognizing and appreciating those who benefit and support us. Rav Cohen extended his deep thanks to the dedicated staff, Rabbeim, and lay leaders whose tireless devotion fuels the success of the Yeshiva and its talmidim.

The atmosphere was electric and warm — a beautiful blend of kavod and

An Awesome, Amazing and Pickle-icious First Week at Camp Machaneh Yisrael

simcha — and many participants commented that the Priority 1 Dinner Celebration is unlike any other, with a ruach and energy that makes it the most enjoyable and meaningful dinner they attend all year.

From start to finish, the Priority 1 Dinner Celebration was filled with joy, pride, and unity — a true celebration of what Priority 1 stands for: the power of individualized chinuch, the beauty of sustained relationships, and the limitless potential of every talmid.

With eyes toward the future and deep gratitude for the past, the Priority 1 Dinner Celebration was a resounding success — a night to remember, and a vision moving forward. Find more information at priority1.org/build

From Rockets to Respite: Israeli Girls Facing Cancer and War Find Healing at Chai Lifeline’s Camp Simcha

Agroup of courageous Israeli girls battling cancer arrived in New York on Thursday, July 26, aboard one of the first civilian flights out of Israel since the recent ceasefire with Iran. Their destination: Camp Simcha, Chai Lifeline’s medically supervised overnight camp in Glen Spey, NY, for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

After weeks of uncertainty and emotional turmoil, the girls were welcomed to Camp Simcha with thunderous cheers, music, and a sea of dancing campers, staff, and volunteers.

“These girls haven’t just faced the unimaginable challenges of childhood cancer,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “They’ve done so while living under the constant stress, fear, and disruption of war. Camp Simcha offers them something illness and conflict have stolen: a place to laugh, to connect, and to heal. Here, they get to be kids again.”

Upon arrival at JFK Airport, the group made a meaningful stop at The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Ohel, where they davened and shared a moment of reflec-

tion and gratitude before continuing on to camp.

“For these children, Camp Simcha is more than a camp, it’s a lifeline,” said Nachman Maimon, director of Camp Simcha. “It’s a place where their diagnosis doesn’t define them, and for a few precious weeks, they get to just be kids.”

With 24/7 medical supervision, a dedicated team of medical professionals, and hundreds of trained volunteers, Camp Simcha is uniquely equipped to meet the complex physical and emotional needs of these children.

This summer, more than 1,000 children from across the United States and around the world will experience the magic of Simcha, whether at the flagship overnight camp in Glen Spey, NY, or through Camp Simcha Without Borders programs in Chai Lifeline regions across the country, including Baltimore, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Lakewood, and Deal.

To support the children of Camp Simcha, visit www.chailifeline.org/simcha.

Hillel Day Camp opened with a splash

Why Everyone Over 18 Needs an Estate Plan

Many people associate estate planning with retirement, extreme wealth, or complex family dynamics. But the reality is far simpler and more urgent: every adult over the age of 18, regardless of income, assets, or marital status, should have an estate plan. The term “estate planning” may sound formal or intimidating, but at its core, it’s about making sure your wishes are known and legally enforceable—especially in situations where you may be unable to speak or act for yourself. Whether you’re a college student, a working professional, or just entering adulthood, being prepared for the unexpected is not only responsible—it’s essential.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Plan?

When someone becomes incapacitated or dies without any legal documents in place, the consequences can be both costly and painful for loved ones. Without a Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney, your family may be unable to access your medical information, make treatment decisions, or handle your financial affairs. Even paying your rent or student loans could require a court order. If the worst happens and you pass away without a Will, state laws—not your personal preferences—will determine who inherits your belongings. These default rules rarely reflect the complexity of modern relationships or individual intentions.

What many people don’t realize is that once a person turns 18, parents or guardians no longer have the automatic authority to intervene in medical or financial matters. In emergencies, even the most well-meaning parent can be denied information about their adult child’s condition or prevented from stepping in to help. These barriers create stress at the worst possible time—during a crisis.

Why Young Adults and College Students Need a Plan

Young people often believe that estate planning is irrelevant until they’ve bought a home, gotten married, or accumulated significant wealth. But adulthood brings with it new legal boundaries. Once a student turns 18, they’re legally independent, and parents are effectively locked out of their medical records and financial accounts unless explicit legal permission is given.

For college students living away from home, a medical emergency or accident can escalate quickly if no documents are in place. Having a Health Care Proxy allows a trusted person—often a parent or close relative—to make medical decisions if the student is unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate. Similarly, a Durable Power of Attorney can allow someone to manage bills, tuition, or insurance matters temporarily on the student’s behalf.

Estate planning for young adults isn’t about preparing for death. It’s about en-

suring that someone you trust can help you if you’re injured, sick, or traveling abroad. It’s a smart and proactive move, and one that takes very little time to implement.

Estate Planning Is About Life, Not Just Death

One of the biggest misconceptions about estate planning is that it only becomes relevant after death. In truth, many of the most important documents in an estate plan are designed to protect you during life. A complete estate plan allows you to decide who will speak for you if you’re unable to speak for yourself. It allows you to determine who can manage your bank accounts, pay your bills, and authorize treatment if you’re incapacitated by an accident or illness.

These decisions are intensely personal. You may want a sibling to handle your finances but prefer a close friend to make medical decisions. Without a plan in place, a court may appoint someone you wouldn’t have chosen—or worse, delay the process while your family scrambles to respond.

The peace of mind that comes with having these documents is invaluable. Knowing that you’ve selected people you trust to step in if needed brings a sense of control and stability that benefits both you and your loved ones.

Estate Planning Is for Everyone

You don’t need to own a mansion or have millions in the bank to justify an es-

tate plan. It’s not about the size of your estate—it’s about protecting your autonomy, your relationships, and your dignity. It’s about making sure that your values and wishes guide the decisions that affect your health, your property, and your legacy.

Even a basic estate plan that includes a Will, a Durable Power of Attorney, and a Health Care Proxy can make an enormous difference. These documents are affordable to prepare, and they remain effective even if your circumstances change over time. As you grow older, get married, start a family, or accumulate more wealth, your estate plan can evolve with you. But the most important step is to start.

Start Early, Stay Empowered

There is no such thing as being “too young” to take control of your future. The earlier you put an estate plan in place, the better protected you and your loved ones will be. Emergencies don’t wait until we feel ready—they arrive without warning. With a little planning now, you can avoid chaos later and ensure that your voice is heard even when you cannot speak.

To learn how to protect yourself and your family with a tailored estate plan, visit www.haaszaltz.com or call 516979-1060. You can also email info@ haaszaltz.com to schedule a consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney.

Around the Community

Daily Dose of Perek Shirah

By Rabbi David Sutton

The lion says: Hashem will go forth like a mighty warrior. He will arouse vengeance like a man of war; He will shout triumphantly, even roar; He will overpower His enemies. (Yeshayah 42:13)

The lion’s song envisions the future, when Hashem will fight our battle for us and defeat our enemies, roaring like a lion, so to speak. The power and ferocity depicted in this image connects naturally to the powerful, ferocious lion. However, that’s not the complete definition of power that the lion symbolizes.

The sefer Kol Rinah observes that lions don’t kill unless they’re hungry. They sleep most of the day and hunt in the evening, killing only to fulfill a purpose. In other words, their strength and aggression are under control. They don’t just rampage through the savannah, sowing fear among the other animals. They use their might when it’s needed. That restraint is the definition of gevurah, which is one reason Pirkei Avos (5:20) instructs

us to “ Be strong like a lion to fulfill the will of your Father in heaven.” It also says (Pirkei Avos 4:1), “Who is strong? He who controls his yetzer hara.” Self-restraint is true strength.

Hashem’s description, HaGibbor, precisely reflects this definition of might. He holds back the anger aroused by mankind’s many sins. He doesn’t destroy the world, although He could do so in a flash. Instead, he waits for our teshuvah.

Additionally, the sefer Likutei Amarim says that the lion, the king of beasts, sings this song to remind us that its renowned power is only a tiny shard of the Source of his power. For a meek creature, it’s easy to recognize Hashem’s power, but when a ferocious hunter recognizes it, the statement is all the more potent.

The sefer Perek BaShir adds that the song of the lion counters another lion — Nevuchadnetzar, about whom Yirmiyah (4:7) says, “ The lion has come out of his lair.” Because his symbol was the lion, his strength was at its peak in the month of Av, which has the mazal of the lion Nevuchadnetzar was therefore able to

destroy the Beis HaMikdash in Av.

However, there is another lion that serves as a counterforce. That is Yehudah, who the Torah compares to a lion (Bereishis 40:9), and it is from this lion that Mashiach will come. Thus, one lion fights the other, but the lion’s song declares that Hashem’s lion will win.

Hashem, too, is called a lion: A lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord Hashem/Elokim has spoken. Who will not prophesy? (Amos 3:8).

The sefer Pi Eliyahu comments that in speaking of Hashem as a lion, we should understand that a lion is a tiny microcosm of the power Hashem will show the world when He roars onto the scene and fights our war. Nevertheless, the lion is an apt comparison because it exudes a level of fearsome power that we can comprehend in this world. Anyone who has ever visited a zoo can attest that when the lion roars, the sound can be heard from one end of the zoo to the other. It’s an almost supernaturally powerful sound.

Israel has many enemies, but the lion

reminds us that when Hashem goes to war for us, holding back none of His full might, He is unstoppable. When the time is right, the world will hear His roar and understand the incomparable power of our Lion.

Reprinted from Daily Dose of Perek Shirah by Rabbi David Sutton, with permission from the copyright holder, ArtScroll Mesorah Publications.

Rav Yaakov Bender visiting the new buildings under construction at Yeshiva Darchei Torah

JCCRP Brings the Community Together with Fun-Filled Fair

To celebrate the end of the school year and kick off the summer season, the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula (JCCRP) hosted a lively family fun day that brought smiles to children and families alike. Perfectly timed between the end of

school and before the start of camp, the event offered a cheerful afternoon of entertainment and treats.

Kids had a blast bouncing through inflatable houses and slides, face paints, balloons, arts and crafts activities, and enjoying free snacks and beverages. The

fair was free for all to attend, with an option to donate toward the JCCRP camp scholarship fund. Thank you to the 600+ children that came out to enjoy the fun!

JCCRP extends a heartfelt thank-you to all of our generous sponsors, whose support made this event possible. With

their help, we were able to provide a joyful experience for local families and strengthen the bonds within our community. Thank you to UJA- Federation of NY, NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, RNSP, The White Shul, JCRC-NY and Kol Save.

Around the Community Camp Kaylie Launches Boys Month with Spirit, Unity, and Unforgettable Moments

Camp Kaylie kicked off Boys Month with an incredible start, welcoming over 500 excited campers to a week filled with energy, learning, and joy. The summer began with a dynamic and purposeful staff orientation that focused on team building, leadership development, and practical training—ensuring that every camper would be met with care, warmth, and professionalism.

The first week was packed with highlights, including an emotional siyum held in memory of Mr. Harvey Kaylie,

z”l, the camp’s visionary founder and namesake. Campers also enjoyed a thrilling trip to the Kartrite Water Park and a jam-packed activity schedule that had something for everyone. A standout moment of the week was a high-energy Joey Newcomb concert, where campers sang and danced with contagious enthusiasm—creating a powerful sense of unity and simcha that could be felt throughout the campgrounds.

As the week came to a close, campers prepared for a spiritually uplifting Shab -

When Disaster Strikes

By Monet Binder, Esq.

When disaster strikes, being ready to act can make all the difference for you and your loved ones. Having a clear plan helps you stay calm and focused. For emergencies requiring a quick evacuation, pack a go-bag with essentials like device chargers, crucial medical items (including prescription medications and equipment), and pet supplies. Important documents such as your driver’s license, Social Security card, and insurance papers should be kept in a waterproof folder, along with a first aid kit, clothing for a few days, and enough water and non-perishable food. Ensure your car is fueled and stocked with emergency essentials like blankets, flashlights, and a spare tire. During an evacuation, confirm everyone knows the plan, has emergency contact numbers written down, and alert a non-local contact about your plans. If time permits,

bos together. They were honored to welcome Rabbi and Mrs. Kamintzky and Mr. and Mrs. Akiva, whose presence and engagement added warmth and insight to the camp’s Shabbos experience. The tefillos, zemiros, and divrei Torah created a sense of elevation and connection that beautifully capped off an unforgettable opening week.

Looking ahead, Camp Kaylie is gearing up for another vibrant week, featuring signature programs such as Kaylie Football League (KFL), Thank You Hash-

em Day, an exciting off-campus trip, and the much-anticipated return of Gedolim Day—a beloved tradition that celebrates the values of Torah, inspiration, and spiritual growth.

With its unique blend of fun, meaning, and mission, Camp Kaylie continues to be a place where friendships are forged, character is built, and every camper feels a sense of belonging. This summer is already proving to be nothing short of transformational.

protect your home by turning off utilities and securing outdoor items. After the immediate danger passes, find a safe place to stay, document property damage for insurance claims, organize your paperwork, and keep detailed records of disaster-related expenses. Connecting with support groups can also be beneficial for emotional healing.

A comprehensive Estate Plan simplifies recovery by arranging for the management and distribution of your assets, properties, and possessions after your death or incapacitation, ensuring your wishes are respected and loved ones are protected. Key components include a will for asset distribution, a trust for asset management, power of attorney for financial and medical decisions, and guardian designation for dependents. You should also name beneficiaries for accounts and policies and outline medical preferences through advance directives.

The numerous benefits of estate planning include control over asset distribution, safeguarding assets for beneficiaries, minimizing estate taxes, streamlining the distribution process, reducing court involvement, and providing peace of mind. Strategies like living trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable giving, and strategic gifting can be employed. Estate planning is beneficial for anyone with assets, families with minor children, business owners, and those with complex family situations. To begin, consult an estate planning attorney, inventory your assets, designate beneficiaries, and regularly review and update your plan to reflect life changes and legal updates.

Moving Forward with Confidence: Disasters are unpredictable, but preparation is key. By packing smart, acting swiftly, and focusing on recovery, you can protect what matters most. Consider consulting with an estate planning at-

torney to create a personalized plan that keeps your family safe and your mind at ease.

Consult a professional who has your best interests in mind, not someone who only focuses on after death documents. Estate Planning is also about what happens while you’re still living. Learn the best way to protect yourself and your family while you’re still living and after you’re gone and keep everyone out of court and conflict. Call Today 718.514.7575 | 732.333.1854.

Monet Binder, Esq., has a practice in Lakewood, Queens, and Brooklyn areas, dedicated to protecting families, their legacies and values. All halachic documents are approved by the Bais Havaad Halacha Center in Lakewood, under the direction of Rabbi Dovid Grossman and the guidance of Harav Shmuel Kaminetsky, shlita, as well as other leading halachic authorities.

10 Things That are Technically American

Arguing over the correct way to grill hot dogs

Chanting “U-S-A!” at totally inappropriate moments

Eating your body weight in potato salad

Pretending to know the second verse of the national anthem

Wearing flag-themed clothing...made in China

Celebrating our history while forgetting that you thought Ben Franklin was a president

Saying “I’m never eating again” after third plate at a BBQ...and then grabbing dessert.

Turning anything—literally anything—into a competition.

Watching a fireworks show while recording the whole thing on your phone (even though you’ll never watch it again)

Thinking all holidays should involve grilling meat, drinking beer, and keeping up the neighborhood with your fireworks show

Riddle Me This

This year’s July 4th parade has a marching band, pairs of dancers, a float of jugglers, a dozen circus clowns, a veterans’ troop, a Boy Scout troop, and a championship football team.

Read the description of each group carefully and decide how many are in each group and in what order they marched in the parade.

• The marching band was not the leader, but their 6 rows of 4 musicians in each row were near the front, just ahead of the veterans’ troop.

• The football team had 2 fewer marchers than the veterans’ troop and took their time signing autographs as they marched at the end.

• The veterans’ troop and the Boy Scouts were separated by the 3 groups of 4 jugglers on the jugglers’ float.

• The 3 pairs of dancers were between the Boy Scouts and the football team.

• The Boy Scouts had 5 rows of 3 marchers and the veterans’ troop had twice as many.

Answer: The groups are listed in the order that they marched, from first to last: 12 circus clowns; 24 musicians in the marching band; 30 veterans; 12 jugglers; 15 Boy Scouts; 6 dancers; 28 football players

“Happy B-Day America” Trivia

1. How did the Liberty Bell get its crack?

a. It was built with the crack as a symbol that all cracks in freedom must be patched together.

b. Some lady was singing the National Anthem, and the bell and all surrounding windows in the area cracked.

c. It just happened the first time the bell was rung (rang, ringed, whichever is correct).

d. A kid was visiting on a Chol Hamoed trip, and although the guard told him not to touch the bell, he just couldn’t help himself.

2. Life, liberty and _______?

a. Big government.

b. The pursuit of taxes.

c. Freedom for all.

d. The pursuit of happiness.

3. In which other country is there a July 4th?

a. France

b. Britain

c. Australia

d. Canada

4. “The Midnight Ride” is the story of:

a. Going to Seasons Express in the middle of the night for kugel … just because.

b. Paul Revere warning that the British were coming.

c. The Continental Army led by

George Washington sneaking up on British forces in October 1775.

d. Washington and his troops stealthily crossing the Delaware and capturing nearly 1,000 enemy soldiers at the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776.

5. What is the official name of the July 4th holiday?

a. Fireworks Day

b. Independence Day

c. Barbeque Day

d. Freedom Day

6. In what year was the Declaration of Independence signed?

a. 1492

b. 1969

c. 1772

d. 1776

Answers:

1. C- The bell cracked slightly on its first ringing. However, the large crack apparent today seems to have occurred on a later day. According to some, the large crack happened when the bell was rung to celebrate George Washington’s birthday in 1846.

pursuit of happiness” is one of the most famous phrases in the United States Declaration of Independence and considered by some as part of one of the most well-crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language.

3. A, B, C, D- duh…

4. B

5. B

6. D- It’s interesting to know that historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.

2. D- “Life, Liberty and the

Wisdom Key:

5-6 correct: You are a step ahead of our politicians in Washington, who seem to have forgotten about the Constitution.

3-4 correct: Not bad, just continue your summer school classes and you will be alright.

0-2 correct: When your friends tell you to stand over the fireworks while lighting them, don’t listen!

OVERVIEW PARSHA

Parshas Chukas discusses the Red Heifer, the laws of the Parah Adumah In addition, the Parsha discusses laws about a corpse, Miriam and Aharon’s passing, the attack of Amalek, more complaints from the Jewish nation, and various battles that the Jewish nation experienced

Quotable Quote “ ”

“Our common humanity precedes our religious differences ”

orah TSparks

Inspiration Everywhere

Parshas Chukas

QUICK VORT

Rabbi Lord J Sacks zt”l

GEMATRIA

T h e P a r a h A d u m a h a t o n e d f o r t h e

s i n o f t h e G o l d e n C a l f , a s R a s h i

s a y s : “ L e t t h e m o t h e r ( c o w ) c o m e

a n d c l e a n

r f i e l d w a l l t h a t s e r v e s a s a v i s u a l ba c k d r o p d i r e c t l y i n t h e l i n e o f s i g h t o f a ba s e ba l l ba t t e r w h i l e f a c i n g t h e pi t c h e r

T h e d a r k ba c k d r o p a l l o w s t h e ba t t e r t o

s e e t h e pi t c h e d ba l l a g a i n s t a s h a r pl y

c o n t r a s t e d a n d u n c l u t t e r e d ba c k g r o u n d

T h i s pr o v i d e s a s a f e t y a s w e l l a s h i t t i n g

a d v a n t a g e fo r t h e ba t t e r

I n a w o r l d t h a t i s f i l l e d w i t h s o m u c h

i m pu r i t y a n d s h e k e r , s o m u c h c l u t t e r a n d

c o n f u s i o n , w e n e e d t o po s i t i o n o u r s e l v e s

i n f r o n t o f t h e B a t t e r ’ s E y e F o r u s , a s

Y i d d e n , t h a t c e n t e r - f o c u s e d u n c l u t t e r e d

z o n e i s c a l l e d t h e T o r a h !

H a s h e m g a v e u s a n e t e r n a l g i f t , c a l l e d

t h e T o r a h , w h i c h i s T h e W o r d o f G - d , a

B o o k t h a t r e pr e s e n t s a n d i s c o m pl e t e l y

e m e s , t r u t h . T h e w o r d s ה ר ו ת ה ת ק ח ת א ז o n

s o m e l e v e l a r e pe r h a ps t e a c h i n g u s t h a t

ThoughtsChassidus in

Rebbe Yisroel Mikoznitz, in the Sefer Avodas Yisroel, says that when the pasuk (19:2) says,

(they should take a cow which is without blemish, and upon which a yoke has not come), we can learn the following: Someone who thinks he already achieved perfection -

- that is a sign that

- that he has not properly accepted upon himself the

, the yoke of Heaven!

Did You

Know?!

Did you know that in Parshas Chukas, the Jewish people sing a song — but it’s not Az Yashir or Haazinu — it’s about a well!

“Then Israel sang this song: Rise up, O well — sing to it!” (Bamidbar 21:17)

Rabbi Ori Strum is the author of “Ready. Set. Grow.” “Dove Tales,” and “Karpas: The Big Dipper.”

His shiurim and other Jewish content can be found on Torah Anytime and Meaningful Minute. He may be reached at 443-938-0822 or rabbistrumo@gmail.com

t h e T o r a h i s i n t h e r e a l m o f ת א ז , T H I S . I n a

w o r l d o f s h e k e r , t h e T o r a h i s s o m e t h i n g

w e c a n c o n n e c t t o ; w e c a n po i n t t o i t a n d

u s e i t a s a g u i d e t o d i r e c t u s o n a pa t h o f e m e s .

T h e T o r a h i s o u r B a t t e r ’ s E y e , a n d s i t t i n g

a t t h e c e n t e r o f o u r l i v e s , i t a l l o w s u s t o

f o c u s o n o u r l i f e ’ s m i s s i o n a n d t o

pr o pe r l y s e e t h e pi t c h e s o f l i f e t h r o w n

o u r w a y T h e c l e a r , u n a d u l t e r a t e d , a n d

u n c lu t t e r e d B a t t e r ’ s E y e ba c k d r o p

( T o r a h ) a l l o w s u s t o k e e p o u r e y e o n t h e

ba l l a n d t o r e c o g n i z e t r u t h a m i d s t a

w o r l d f i l l e d w i t h s o m u c h f a l s e h o o d

Immediately after the Torah discusses the laws of the Parah Adumah, the Torah mentions the death of Miriam (which actually happened 38 years later!).

Clearly, the Torah wants us to draw a lesson from one to the other.

What is the connection? What does Miriam’s passing have to do with the Parah Adumah?

Torah Thought

Parshas Chukas

By Rabbi Berel Wein

Life is certainly nothing but mystery. The unknown and the uncertain far outweigh what we believe we understand and base our life’s activities and plans upon. Events that are unforeseen and sometimes less than fortuitous occur to us all of the time, jarring our sense of security and serenity. Though this week’s parsha dwells upon one of the laws of the Torah called a chok – a law without understanding or rational explanation – it really informs us about human life.

The Torah states explicitly, “Zos chukat haTorah” – this is the law of the Torah regarding all matters of life. Really what we think we understand is still not fully understood by humans. Every layer of scientific discovery and advance reveals for us the specter of untold new mysteries of which we were previously completely unaware. The nature of all life is therefore chok . So the Torah,

see Me” is interpreted in Jewish tradition to mean “no living creature can ever understand fully the world, nature and logic of the Creator of us all.” Man is doomed to be a wanderer in a desert of doubt and uncertainty, without ever being able to find one’s way clearly on his own. All of the frustrations and disappointments of human life stem from this hard fact of life.

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto in his immortal work, Mesillas Yesharim , compares life to a gigantic maze in which without directions or guidance one can never emerge. I remember that once when I visited one of the royal palaces and its grounds in Europe, I tried my luck at entering the maze of tall hedges that existed there. There were many other people with me in the maze. Suffice it to say that after forty minutes none of us had found our way out of the maze. There were people who were bemused by the

Man is doomed to be a wanderer in a desert of doubt and uncertainty, without ever being able to find one’s way clearly on his own.

though concentrating on the commandment and mystery of the parah adumah, in all of its particularities, really addresses itself to life generally. In the Torah viewpoint, humans have limitations in their abilities to understand and rationalize our existence and purpose. “No living creature can

that overlooks the maze and maps it out in one’s mind then negotiating the maze becomes possible, even simple. The Torah is that high platform that allows to deal with the maze of life. That is the ultimate lesson of this week’s parsha. Life is a chok – a confusing maze of events, personalities and forces. Why the maze is constructed as it is, or even to appre -

ciate why the necessity for a maze itself is chok – beyond our level of comprehension. But how to negotiate the maze, how to stand on the high platform overlooking and informing the maze, that is within our grasp and abilities. And that is really the chukas haTorah that is granted to us.

Shabbat shalom.

situation. Others were visibly frustrated and almost angry in their inability to escape. And then there were those who were visibly panicked by being lost in the maze. After a while, a guard entered the maze and guided all of us safely out.

Rabbi Luzatto had made the point that if one stands on a high platform

Delving into the Daf

Happy Birthday

By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

At the end of elementary school, one young student resolutely decided to stop celebrating birthdays, feeling it was a frivolous custom reserved for little kids, like tagging along with the family to the zoo on Chol HaMoed to watch playful monkeys. But years later, during transformative yeshiva studies in Eretz Yisrael, everything changed. A fellow bachur’s devoted mother sent money for her son’s birthday cake, and that seemingly simple, heartfelt gesture sparked a quiet revolution. Birthdays suddenly returned to yeshiva life with newfound warmth and meaning. That year, many bochurim even took a Chol HaMoed trip to the vibrant Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, reconnecting with long-forgotten childhood delights through older, wiser eyes.

The Gemara in Avodah Zarah lists the birthdays of powerful Roman leaders among their official festivals and explains the serious halachic implications, including a prohibition against conducting business with idol worshippers around these dates to avoid inadvertently supporting their idolatrous celebrations. Interestingly, however, the Gemara remains silent on birthday celebrations among Torah-observant Jews, leaving the topic open for generations of debate and reflection.

Once, in a prominent American yeshiva, a respected rebbi was spotted walking in carrying a distinctive Zomick’s cake box, intended for his beloved child’s eighth birthday. When a curious student asked about this practice – pointing out that Pharaoh is the only figure in the Torah recorded celebrating his birthday (see Rashi on Bereishis 40:20) – the rebbi offered a thoughtful explanation. Chazal, he said, encourage a seudas hoda’ah , a heartfelt feast of thanksgiving, on the anniversary of miracles. And what greater miracle is there than childbirth itself? Therefore, there is a strong halachic and spiritual basis for marking a birthday with grat-

itude. Indeed, Tosafos in Bava Basra note that the shalom zachar celebrates the wondrous miracle that both mother and baby survived childbirth. A kiddush for a newborn girl may serve the same purpose, expressing gratitude and joy. (However, for a baby boy, the celebration is scheduled before his bris for specific halachic reasons.)

The Minchas Elazar, however, observed that revered gedolim throughout Jewish history did not celebrate birthdays. Citing the famous statement in Eruvin 13b that it would have been preferable never to be born in order to avoid sin, he questioned why one would commemorate an event that exposed a person to spiritual risk. Tosafos (Avodah Zarah 5a) clarify that this sobering idea does not apply to tzaddikim, who rise

above life’s challenges with dignity and strength. Even so, if great tzaddikim themselves refrained from birthday celebrations despite this exemption, it raises questions about contemporary practices.

Opinions about the Chasam Sofer’s approach differ. Minhagei Chasam Sofer records that each year on his birthday, the Chasam Sofer would make a meaningful siyum with his students and distribute coins so they could buy fresh milchig rolls – transforming his birthday into a day of Torah completion and acts of loving-kindness. Yet Afraskta d’Anya quotes a different tradition in his name, suggesting that birthdays should not be celebrated at all. Instead, he marked the anniversary of his bris milah, explaining that Avraham Avinu’s feast for Yitzchak (Bereishis 21:8) actually celebrated the anniversary of his

son’s bris milah, a milestone of spiritual covenant and lifelong identity.

HaRav Aharon Menachem Mendel of Radzin supported birthday celebrations with a sense of spiritual optimism, citing the Charkov Rebbe who held a joyous birthday party every year as a segulah for blessing. Militzei Eishit writes that birthdays are an especially auspicious time to beseech Hashem for personal requests, quoting Tehillim (2:7-8): “You are My son; today I have begotten you. Ask of Me and I will give…”

V’Rapoh Y’rapeh quotes Rav Chaim Kanievsky suggesting that, if possible, surgeries be scheduled on one’s birthday when their mazal is at its strongest.

The Ben Ish Chai (Re’eh 17) writes that turning birthdays into joyous occasions is a good sign, sharing that this was the uplifting, heartwarming custom in his own household.

The Tiferes Yisrael, in his will, lovingly instructed his children to write each other blessings on their birthdays, perhaps planting the seeds of the birthday card tradition long before greeting card stores lined bustling avenues.

At the levayah of Rav Mordechai Gifter, it was movingly shared that every Erev Yom Kippur he would personally select and buy a beautiful bouquet of flowers for his rebbetzin, whose birthday fell on that deeply meaningful but busy day. Rebbetzin Pesha Leibowitz, a”h, fondly recalled that in Radin, parents would mark their children’s birthdays with sweet treats – there were no themed parties or costumed characters, just simple, genuine moments of love and gratitude that brightened their children’s lives with warmth, pride.

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.

From the Fire

Parshas Chukas

The Language of the Generation

By Rav Moshe Weinberger

Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

Regarding the nature of Moshe Rebbeinu’s sin in striking the rock to bring forth water for the Jewish people, Rav Shmuel Dovid Luzzatto, zt”l, the great-grandson of the Ramchal, wrote that “while Moshe Rebbeinu only committed one sin, the commentaries heaped thirteen or more sins upon him because each one attributed some novel sin based on his own understanding...” The Torah tells us very little about the reason for the drastic consequences of Moshe’s sin. We must therefore understand the commentaries’ explanations rather than inventing any new sins to add to the already-long list.

There is a well-known dispute between the Rambam (Shemonah Perakim, Ch. 4) and Rashi (on Bamidbar 20:12) regarding the nature of Moshe’s sin. According to the Rambam, his sin was excessive anger when he said (Bamidbar 20:10), “Listen, you rebels.” According to Rashi, however, his sin was disobeying G-d by hitting the rock when he was commanded to speak to the rock. While the Ramban takes issue with both of these explanations, the Maharal in Gur Aryeh and Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev in Kedushas Levi explain that, on a deeper level, the Rambam and Rashi’s explanations are not mutually exclusive. Each refer to a different stage in one process. The process began with Moshe becoming angry and that anger caused him to disobey Hashem’s command to speak to the rock.

Hashem speaks to us in every generation through the Torah as if it is being given today. We must therefore understand what we must learn from the nature of Moshe’s sin in order to know what is right in our own generation. The first step in that process is understanding the difference between the events in Parshas Chukas and the events in Parshas Beshalach

when Moshe first drew water from a rock (Shmos 17:1-7). There, the people lacked water and came to complain to Moshe, Moshe told Hashem that he was afraid they would kill him, Hashem told him to hit a rock, he did so, and water began flowing from the rock to fulfill the Jewish people’s need for water. What is the difference between these two events? Why was it a mitzvah for Moshe to hit the rock shortly after the Jewish people left Egypt but a grave sin to do so in their last year in the desert before entering Eretz Yisroel?

The difference was the generation. Moshe was commanded to hit the rock for the generation who left Egypt. This older generation grew up as slaves in Egypt. They were familiar with the language of force and harshness. For them, when Moshe hit the rock, using force to extract the water, he was speaking the language of the old-style of education understood by that generation. However, the generation in Parshas Chukas lived forty years later. They grew up in the desert protected by Hashem who provided for all of their

needs. They were a softer, weaker generation. This new generation, on the brink of entering Eretz Yisroel, understood a different language. Hashem expected Moshe to speak to the new generation in a language it understood, the language of conversation, speech, and dialogue. That is why He commanded Moshe only to speak to the rock and not to strike it.

In our times, too, we see this distinction between the “old generation” and the “new generation.” Our parents and grandparents who lived through the war grew up for the most part under the control of totalitarian regimes or dictatorships and were accustomed to the harsh language of force. That generation also educated its children using the language of strict discipline and force. That approach does not work in the current generation. The old generation was not broken by the old approach to education. But if anyone tries to use the old way of discipline on the new generation, he will only shatter the lives of his students. Such an approach to education no longer works. It is simply outdated.

What happened to Moshe Rebbeinu in Parshas Chukas? When he lifted up his staff to hit the rock just as he had done forty years earlier for the previous generation, he revealed that, on his level, he did not appreciate the difference between the generations. As great as he was, he could not speak the language of the new generation. He was still educating people the way it was done in the “old country.” He did not understand how to communicate with the generation in its way, which was through speech, conversation, and dialogue. The new way is one of (Devarim 6:7) “And you shall teach your children and speak to them.” The way of the new generation is speaking with one’s children rather than using force to elicit their compliance. It was not so much that Moshe was punished by not being allowed to bring the Jewish people into Eretz Yisroel. Rather, it was a natural consequence of the fact that he was no longer able to understand the true nature of the new generation. He could not be the person who would lead them into the land. But Yehoshua, his successor, did lead them into the land.

It is known that Rashi (on Bamidbar 11:28) teaches us that Eldad and Medad has prophesized that “Moshe will die and Yehoshua will bring the Jewish people into the land of Israel.” What was Yehoshua’s approach to education? The pasuk at the end of the book of Yehoshua (24:27) tells us that at the end of his life, Yehoshua established a large stone as a monument and said that “it has heard all of the words of Hashem which He has spoken to us.” Yehoshua understood that one can also speak to a stone and it will hear. He understood that the nature of the new generation is one of conversation rather than coercion.

These two approaches to education also manifest themselves in a remarkable

teaching by the Gemara (Sanhedrin 24a), which says: “Rav Oshea says, ‘What is meant by the pasuk (Zecharia 11:7), which says “And I will take two staffs. I will call one pleasantness, and I will call the other violence.” The one called “pleasantness” refers to the sages of Eretz Yisroel, who discuss halacha sweetly with one another. “Violence” refers to the sages of Bavel, who do violence against one another in their discussion of halacha.’”

We therefore see from this Gemara that the way of education for the old generation, the generation of exile, Bavel, is violence, force, and coercion. But the way of education in Eretz Yisroel, the way of the new generation, the way of redemption and Moshiach, is one of pleasantness.

For reasons only truly known to Him, Hashem conducts the world in this way. Each generation has its own unique character. Some people may want to rail against this, asking, “Why does it have to be that way?” “If it worked then, it should work now!” or “That’s our mesorah in education!” They can ask these questions but if they attempt to educate this generation the way the previous generations educated their children, it simply will not work.

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Zohar 128a)

even said in his time that while in previous generations the main point was strictness and fear of punishment, “For us, the matter is dependent on love.” In our generation, too, we see that fear was the modus operandi for prior generations who lived in monarchies and dictatorships. To a large extent, this worked. But we now live in democracies, countries in which everyone has a right to his opinion. Now, we communicate with one another by talking

A friend of mine attended parent-teacher conferences for his sixth grade son one year. This son gave my friend a lot of aggravation at home, so he expected to hear a similar report from his son’s rebbe. But the rebbe’s report was glowing. After confirming that he and the rebbe were indeed referring to the same boy, my friend told the rebbe that he did not understand why his son acted so different in yeshiva than he did

If anyone tries to use the old way of discipline on the new generation, he will only shatter the lives of his students.

things over, with the staff of pleasantness. It goes without saying that we do not turn our houses into democracies, giving our children a vote on all household decisions. There must be authority, limitations, and boundaries. It is difficult to find the correct balance between dialogue with parental authority, but we may not ignore the nature of the generation.

at home. This rebbe was a baal teshuva from the Midwest with a very sweet, simple approach, and he asked my friend, “Do you ever talk with your son?” After thinking for a few moments, he answered that he really hadn’t. He asked his son to do things. He learned with him. He disciplined him. He even told him he was doing a good job once in a while. But he

never actually had a conversation with him. The rebbe then suggested that he should talk with his son because he has some very deep thoughts about things.

We must educate our children in the context of dialogue, of actually communicating with them.

Persuasion through conversation is the way to bring redemption in this generation. In fact, the Hebrew word Moshiach shares the same root as the word sichah, conversation. The prophet Yeshaya (11:4) says about Moshiach that “he will smite the land with the rod of his mouth and will put the wicked to death with the breath of his lips.” Using only his mouth, words of dialogue, teaching, conversation, and persuasion, he will turn the wicked around and bring about the ultimate redemption.

May we merit to recognize the nature of our generation and education our generation according to its unique path and thereby see the revelation of Moshiach soon in our days.

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.

Matt was the happiest guy in the world. He had somehow found the most beautiful girl in the world, Jennie, and they were engaged, set to marry in just over a month. They had hit it off from the very first date, and Matt could not get over how beautiful Jennie was and how proud he was to have her by his side. Sure, she was funny, smart, and kind, but wow was she beautiful. He never thought that he would find someone beautiful enough for his high standards, so he was endlessly thankful that he had met Jennie.

Then, the unthinkable happened. It started with a phone call. “It’s an emergency. I’m so sorry. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. She’s in the ICU.”

Matt got to the hospital as soon as he could. When he walked in, he couldn’t bear the sight. Jennie had been in a car accident. She would live, but her face was torn apart in the crash, leaving her scarred and almost unrecognizable. Matt sat next to her for a few hours, comforting her. He

Think. Feel.Grow.

True Marriage Peering through the Surface

By Rabbi Shmuel Reichman

then went outside for a breath of fresh air and contemplated the most difficult question he had ever faced: What should he do?

She looked horrible, ugly, repulsive! On the one hand, his gut instinct was to run.

On the other hand, how could he be the shallow guy who ran as soon as something happened? What would people think?

They would know that he had only been in it for her looks, that as soon as those disappeared, so did he. “No,” he thought, “I have to figure this out.”

That night, Matt did some soul searching. He called, texted, and emailed every person he could think of, asking for their advice and guidance. Most simply tried to comfort him, but finally, he received an email from a rabbi he had been connected with back in his youth. “Listen to this,” the email read, “and you may just find your answer.”

Attached in the email was an audio recording on the topics of love, marriage, and beauty. With no alternative option in sight, Matt began listening. The lecture

questioned the Western model of beauty and love, rejecting the notion of love at first sight. While physical beauty is important, inner beauty, spiritual beauty, is infinitely more powerful. When building a marriage relationship, the goal is to build a deep, internal connection, a soul connection, which is built through two partners constantly giving to each other, communicating and building values together, and venturing on a shared journey and mission in life.

Matt was blown away. He had never heard these ideas before, and he began questioning his relationship with Jennie. Sure, they sometimes talked about life, their values, and overall direction, but they had never built a genuine and deep internal connection. Now that he was being honest with himself, Matt realized that he had been so fixated on Jennie’s external beauty that he had never put much effort into getting to truly know her — who she was, what she wanted in life, her struggles, her virtues and flaws, even her hopes and

dreams. At that very moment, Matt decided that he would spend the next few weeks trying to build this type of relationship, and after that, he would revisit his questions about their marriage.

At first, it was awkward; Matt struggled to initiate genuine conversation, to ask real questions, to be vulnerable and honest. But slowly, things began to flow more easily. Matt and Jennie began opening up to each other with increasing ease and trust. Matt was surprised by how deep and thoughtful Jennie was, by how caring and empathetic she was toward him, how much she wanted to learn about his values and dreams. While they used to spend their dates at entertaining events, requiring little conversation, they began to go on the types of dates that fostered deep connection and conversation, creating meaningful experiences. They began seeing each other with new eyes, understanding each other on levels deeper than they ever thought possible. Jennie began to shine with a new beauty — one that her physical looks had

never fully captured. They started to grow together, learn together, and inspire each other. Matt decided right then and there that he would spend the rest of his life with Jennie. Her face was scarred, but she was the most beautiful person he had ever met.

Over the next few weeks, Jennie began to undergo surgeries to repair her face, until eventually her face looked just as beautiful as when she and Matt went on their first date. But at this point, Matt had a completely different understanding of beauty. Physical, external beauty is important, but inner, spiritual beauty — a beauty that shines through the external surface and transforms it — is true beauty.

Spiritual Beauty

This heartwarming story might be too much for the modern ear. We are all drowning in Western culture, where physical beauty takes the front seat — or the only seat — in life. But to fully understand the present-day challenge of beauty, we must understand the spiritual concept of beauty in all of its depth. To do so, let us review the spiritual concept of beauty, tracing it back to the creation of Man before Adam HaRishon’s sin.

Before Adam sinned, he looked nothing like you or I do today. When we look at one another, all we see is flesh and bone, but if you looked at Adam before he sinned, his appearance was angelic, transcendent, and luminescent. The Midrash says that he wore kosnos ohr (skin of light). When you looked at Adam, you didn’t see his body; you saw Adam himself: his neshama, his soul. When you look at a light bulb, all you see is radiant luminescence; only if you look closely can you make out the surface of the bulb. The same was true regarding Adam: he was luminescent; only if you looked very closely could you just make out his physical body. His body was transparent, with the outside loyally and fully reflecting his inner self. This is true beauty, where the inner and outer melt into a oneness, where the physical perfectly reflects the inner spirituality; where the physical projects something much deeper than itself. Beauty is the harmony and synthesis of different components, resulting in something infinitely greater than the sum of its parts.

When Adam sinned, however, the world fell, and Adam’s body fell as well. The physical no longer revealed the spiritual; it now hid it instead. Now, when we look at each other, we don’t see our true selves; all we see is a physical body. What was once light is now darkness. People can’t see your inner world — your thoughts, your consciousness, your emo -

tions, your soul; all they see is your external body. Now, in order to reveal yourself to other people, you must actively use the physical to reveal the spiritual; only through your words, actions, facial expressions, and body language can people gain a glimpse into who you truly are. The body used to be incandescent and reveal; now it only hides. It is up to us to reveal what lies inside.

Sarah Imeinu

After the sin of Adam HaRishon, genuine beauty became elusive, found only in a select few individuals. Sarah Imeinu was one of the few who achieved this lofty feat. We know Sarah was physically beautiful, i.e., that her beauty was not just of

Many think that tzinius means to hide, that the ideal is not to be seen. However, there is an infinitely deeper approach to tzinius. In this age, beauty has been corrupted. The term “beauty” generally refers to outer beauty, a surface beauty that distracts from and hides the inner self. Physical beauty is neither good nor bad; it is merely a vessel with the potential to be used for good or bad. While our physical body is immensely valuable, our true self is our neshama — our mind and consciousness. Our inner world, thoughts, ideas, choices, beliefs, middos, and emotions are the deepest and most genuine parts of our “self.” True beauty is when the physical serves as a vessel that expresses one’s true self, their inner essence, into the world.

Her face was scarred, but she was the most beautiful person he had ever met.

an ethereal, spiritual nature. When Sarah and Avraham descended to Mitzrayim, the Mitzrim, and even Pharaoh himself, desired her (Bereishis 12:14–15; see Rashi). The Egyptians were steeped in immorality, interested only in beauty that ran skin deep. However, we know that Sarah Imeinu was immensely spiritual as well — that she reached the loftiest of spiritual levels. (See Rashi, Bereishis 23:1.)

At the end of Parshas Noach, Rashi (Bereishis 11:29) explains that Sarah was also called “Yiskah.” A name always reflects essence, so we must ponder the meaning of this name and what it reveals about Sarah Imeinu. (The Hebrew word for name, shem, shares the same root as the word for soul, neshama, because a person’s name reflects their very essence.)

“Yiskah” means transparent, and Sarah’s true beauty lay in her transparency. Her inner beauty completely permeated and was loyally reflected through her physical body. Genuine beauty is embodied in transparency, where the physical body reflects the inner, spiritual beauty, something infinitely greater than anything external. True beauty is oneness, where the physical and spiritual melt into a oneness, where the physical doesn’t hide the inner self but reveals it.

Tzinius

One of the most misunderstood ideas in Judaism is the concept of tzinius (modesty), especially with regards to women.

means for physical pleasure. In doing so, one reveals that they are merely an animal, a physical being, lacking connection to the spiritual and to that which is higher. By entering into an illicit relationship, one expresses their view that they are purely a physical being — that their body is all that they are. As a result, by revealing their body to the world, they are revealing their “nakedness,” i.e., that they are merely a piece of flesh and nothing more. They have self-identified as an animal, a physical casing that does not reflect their neshama, one who does not wish to use their body to reflect anything higher. This is the ultimate shame, which is why the Torah repeatedly refers to gilui arayos as an act of shame (See Vayikra 18:8,10).

A Journey of Ascension

The focus must always be on the inner beauty as the ikar, the essence. The purpose of tzinius is not to hide you but to reveal you! The true you. Tzinius shifts the focus from the external trappings to the actual self, the neshama, which lies beneath the surface and illuminates the physical vessel. True beauty requires a beautiful root and core, and the physical must be then be used to project that inner beauty outwards.

Ideal Marriage

When the Torah discusses the prohibition against illicit relationships, these relationships are generally referred to as gilui arayos, literally translated as “revealing one’s nakedness.” What does this mean? Why does the Torah refer to a forbidden relationship in such a manner?

An ideal marriage consists of two people who endlessly break down the barriers and walls between them, creating ever deeper levels of existential and spiritual connection and oneness. Physical connection is part of a spiritual relationship, and when used correctly, it is uplifted to something transcendent. While a true marriage relationship creates a transcendent bond, an animalistic relationship consists only of a physical, surface connection, devoid of anything deeper. It has no purpose or meaning, no direction, and no transcendent element. When one commits an act of gilui arayos, they proclaim that the intimate realm is nothing more than a

There are always two levels of reality: the surface level and the deeper, spiritual level. The surface is meant to reflect the spiritual, reveal it, and emanate its truth and beauty. Often, we struggle, we forget, and we get caught up in the deception that the surface is all that there is. But even when we fail and even when we fall, there is always hope and there is always a path back to our true selves. This is the message of life. To strive to see more, feel more, learn more, and become more.

May we all be inspired to not only see past the surface, but to then reveal that truth through the surface, to live holistic lives of truth, spiritual beauty, and true oneness.

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is the author of the bestselling book, “The Journey to Your Ultimate Self,” which serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is an educator and speaker who has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. He is also the founder and CEO of Self-Mastery Academy, the transformative online self-development course based on the principles of high-performance psychology and Torah.

After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago.

To invite Rabbi Reichman to speak in your community or to enjoy more of his deep and inspiring content, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com.

Headlines Halacha

Blocking Legal and Illegal Driveways

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

You are in a rush. There is no parking on the street. You do not wish to block the street, and you will just be a few minutes. You wonder: is it permitted to block someone’s driveway? There is also another question. What if the driveway was done illegally without a permit? Two major poskim (Rav Hershel Ausch, and a second as well) have ruled that there is no problem in blocking an illegally made driveway. But beware the wrath of the illegal driveway-maker.

The Driver is a Thief

The short answer, regarding the legal driveway, is that it is absolutely forbidden to block the driveway, unless one receives permission. Parking illegally is technically considered trespassing, which is a form of actual theft.

How do we define trespassing? From the perspective of American law, trespassing is the act of illegally going onto somebody else’s property without permission, which could just be a civil law tort (allowing the owner to sue for damages) or it could be a criminal matter. In this case, the driveway is a place where you are legally not allowed to park.

But what exactly is the halachic violation?

The violation is actually that of stealing. The Talmud (Bava Basra 88a) records a debate between Rabbi Yehudah and the Sages as to whether borrowing an item without permission renders a person a gazlan, a thief, or whether he simply has the status of a borrower. The stealing here is from the public.

Rabbi Yehudah maintains that he does not have the halachic status of a thief and is considered a borrower. The chachomim, the Sages, disagree. They hold that borrowing without permission

renders the person a thief.

The Rif and the Rambam both rule in accordance with the Sages – that he is considered a thief. Indeed, this is also the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch in four different places (C.M. 292:1, 308:7, 359:5, 363:5).

Is the “considered a thief” designation applicable in all cases? Generally speaking, borrowing an item has a value associated with it. In our case, that of trespassing, there may be no particular value per se in setting foot on the person’s property, or in parking improperly.

While this may be the case, the Chazon Ish (B.K. 20:5) writes that the prohibition of sho’el shelo mida’as (one who borrows without permission) applies even when the item is not something that generally has a market value and even if the value is less than that of a perutah.

How do we know that borrowing without permission also applies to being on someone’s land or parking illegally? Maybe, it can be argued that in order to “borrow,” you have to physically take an object; here, you are just taking up space on someone’s land.

The Rashbam in Bava Basra 57b discusses a case of a piece of property owned by two partners. The Rashbam writes that we are lenient and assume that one partner allows the other to place his animals on the land even without explicitly giving permission. In such a case, he would not be considered a sho’el shelo mida’as since they, in general, are partners and would let the other do what he wants with their property. According to the Rashbam, therefore, when not dealing with two partners of a property, trespassing would be sub -

sumed under the concept of sho’el shelo mida’as. Therefore, the one who parks in such a manner is guilty of theft.

So clearly, no one is arguing that the person has a right to park in that manner. The question is, how can a person react if his or her own driveway is blocked? May air be let out of his tires?

Letting Out Air

The temptation to deflate an offending automobile is quite great, indeed, almost overwhelming. Nonetheless, it seems that it is clearly forbidden.

The Shulchan Aruch (CM 378:1) writes: it is forbidden to damage the property of his friend, and if he does so, he must pay full damages. The Sma points out that the Shulchan Aruch mentions both a prohibition as well as a financial obligation to pay in order to highlight that both of these issues are pertinent – it is both a halachic prohibition as well as a financial issue.

The Gemara (Bava Kamma 48a) discusses a case where a person brought his bull into the private property of another and the owner of that property damaged the bull – the owner is exempt from paying damages. Rav Pappa, however, qualifies it and says that it is only true when the owner damaged the bull without knowing about him. But if he damaged the bull knowing about it, the owner of the bull may say, “Granted you have the right to throw me out, but you do not have the right to damage me.”

The statement of Rav Pappa is wholly applicable in our case. The deflating of a tire or tires in the time that it takes to refill it is not insignificant. Let us keep in mind that the prohibition to damage another is equal, whether it is smashing his windows and slashing his tires or merely deflating his tires.

1. One might point to the Shulchan Aruch (CM 412:2) where it states, “If someone had filled and placed pitchers across the public thoroughfare in a manner that others cannot pass, even if another broke them with his hands that person is exempt from payment.” The problem is that in the Shulchan Aruch’s case, the breaking of the pitchers serves to allow access. Here, however, the deflating of the tires does not help anyone get through. So it is tantamount to just plain damaging or vandalizing.

2. One might also make the argument based upon the Gemara in Bava Kamma (28a) that a messenger of a Beis Din is even permitted to damage if there is no other way to save an item (see Sma 8:25). But again, the deflator does not help the situation now, and secondly, the owner of a driveway is not a Beis Din.

3. What about the driveway owner acting in a capacity to enforce halacha? There is a debate between the Nesivus and the Ktzos HaChoshen (CM Chapter 3) in regard to whether individuals can take upon themselves to stop someone from doing something wrong. The Nesivus is of the opinion that individuals do have this “Citizen’s Arrest” type of power. The Ktzos HaChoshen, however, writes that this power is unique to Beis Din.

The halacha is in accordance with the Ktzos.

4. A fourth argument can be made that if it is illegal to block a driveway, then when one parks there, he is tacitly agreeing to allow himself to be damaged. The assumption is that he certainly does not wish to be considered a thief, therefore, he is an agreement that he may be deflated. The counter to this argument is that he may respond, “I never agreed to submit to this damage. I had thought that what I was doing was not so nice but not theft.” If so, we do not have any indication that the driver was amenable to be deflated, and it would still constitute damaging him.

5. Perhaps there is another angle. There is a halachic tool called an Anan Sahadi, which literally means “the entire world testifies.” The Anan Sahadi is not a tool of little consequence. In theory, one can argue that there may be a legal form of acquiescence here. How so? One could perhaps make an argument that there is an Anan Sahadi that a person would rather be deflated than be towed, and, therefore, there

should not be a prohibition in deflating their car. The counter to this is that, when dealing with a religious person, he will perhaps be upset but will not tow him. The Anan Sahadi, therefore, does not really exist.

6. There is one last attempt. If we look at the driver as not just someone who is damaging now but someone who does so continuously, then perhaps we can utilize the principle of Rav Nachman (Bava Kamma 27b) entitled, “Avid Inesh Dina d’nafshai,” that a person is allowed to take action outside of court

gree is damage to property over $1,500 and is a Class D felony.

The final level of Criminal Mischief is Criminal Mischief in the 1st degree which is a Class B felony. This occurs when property is destroyed by use of explosive. Hopefully, driveway owners are not so angered that they would resort to this level of a deterrent.

One Final Issue

There is one final issue. Depending upon the intention of the deflator, he could very well be violating a Torah pro -

The question is, how can a person react if his or her own driveway is blocked?

in order to prevent himself from sustaining damage. However, it is clear that the parameters of “Avid Inesh Dina d’nafshai ” that a person is allowed to take action outside of court is only in terms of taking back his own item but not in causing someone damage. The Sfas Emes (Brachos 5b) states this specifically.

More Than Halacha

Deflating a car’s tire may also be illegal in New York State.

When a person destroys or damages property illegally it is not called vandalism. In New York State, it is called “Criminal Mischief.” There are four levels of Criminal Mischief in New York State. They range from the lowest level, Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree, which is a misdemeanor, to Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree, a felony.

The lowest level covers any destruction of property for vandalism with a value up to two hundred and fifty dollars. It is a separate criminal charge if someone is caught with possession of graffiti tool. Is the deflating device a graffiti tool? Regardless, this is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail with the possibility of probation, community service and fines.

The next level of criminal mischief is Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree, a felony. The violator faces a minimum of a year and a day in prison. This covers destruction of property of over two hundred and fifty dollars and up to fifteen hundred dollars.

Criminal Mischief in the second de -

hibition of seeking revenge (see Rambam Hilchos Deyos 7:7). What would be the halacha if he has two intentions – one of revenge and the other of trying to prevent further parking abuse? The Mishna Brurah 38:24 cites a Magen Avrohom

about a person’s double intention when performing a mitzvah and states that it generally follows one’s main intent.

The reader should know, however, that there are some rabbanim who disagree with the position presented here and have adopted one of the six rationales expressed above. Each person should follow the ruling of his rav in this matter, however, this author consulted with two major poskim who agreed with the positions set forth above. One of them was unsure, however, about the counter to explanation #4 above.

So what should and could be done?

A note should be left on the car explaining that it is wrong and that the license plate was noted and the next time a tow truck may be called. If the car is blocking access, towing would be permitted according to the Shulchan Aruch (CM412:1). According to what was discussed above, however, deflating would not be permitted.

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

I’m jetlagged from the seemingly abrupt end of the war; my recovery is taking time.

Thursday morning, we woke up to a gorgeous day with no alerts or sirens. On the way back from my pilates class (gym open), the bus stops were crowded with kids waiting for their buses. Smiling mothers and fathers were happily dropping off their toddlers at their gan.

The Kotel is open, stores are waiting for customers, kollel is in session, traffic is back, theater and concerts are hoping that patrons of the arts return. After 12 sleepless nights and scary scenarios, business as usual in Jerusalem is trying to find its sea legs.

As a new Israeli Oleh, I am still struggling to figure out what’s supposed to be normal. What should be my real or ridiculous expectations for living here? When we lived in America and observed from afar, we always had one ear to the ground about life in Israel; we kept the news on 24/7 and hoped for the best. After all, an important part of our beloved family is in Israel.

I have come to understand that it’s hard to wrap your head around how much resilience, courage and stamina it takes to be a full-time citizen of this great but somehow fragile land. I do not believe that the world, especially Israel, has recovered from the dreaded Coronavirus. As an educator, I remain concerned that our children (students) will be compensating into their futures for the gaps created by not going to school, not being able to interact with peers, and masking.

A new world order has been created by the proliferation of phones, distance learning, and most significantly, the rise of antisemitism. Even though Bob and I came of age in homes impacted by the hate of the Holocaust, we nevertheless grew up in a wonderful bubble created by the world’s guilt over what happened to the Jews during World War II. That guilt has disappeared, and the ugly underlying hate for our people is back – big time.

School of Thought

Trying to Get Back to Whatever Normal Is

By Barbara Deutsch

We need every single Jewish person (those who identify and those who don’t) to step up and take responsibility for our people’s survival. Everyone must actively work hard and in any way that they can to ensure the survival of our beloved Israel.

What is going on in New York?

When we woke up Sunday morning to the news that Trump had followed through on his promise to join the war against tyr-

than the state of New Jersey destroyed the brutal Iranian leadership’s arsenal of weapons.

Never again!

My granddaughter, new mother Penina, described the scene in the Shaare Zedek bunker maternity ward. All the laboring mothers were movedv to the floors below ground for safety; the beds were lined up

After 12 sleepless nights and scary scenarios, business as usual in Jerusalem is trying to find its sea legs.

anny, Iran, joy was to be found in every corner of our land. While Trump took a lot of the credit for the campaign’s success, no one cared. I cannot adequately articulate my feelings given it came with a barrage of alerts and sirens; this war was so scary and somehow more real than whatever came before.

Overriding any feelings was my chest expanding with pride, wrapping my head around the fact that a country no bigger

side by side and separated by flimsy curtains. There was one bathroom and a rusty shower. This was much different from the beautiful, fully equipped luxury suites that she had toured the previous week.

The moaning and groaning permeated the crowded space filled with the about-tobe mothers and family members. There will be many stories to share at the bar mitzvah of this brand-new beautiful Jewish Sabra baby boy.

Among the many miracles we have witnessed these past few weeks was seeing pictures of the room full of future Israeli warriors born into this world to protect our land from the evil that never seems to go away.

As described by the onesies bestowed on the babies born in that maternity bunker, Penina is a lioness.

This war may be over, but the healing has yet to begin. The reality of seven soldiers being lost to a booby-trapped tunnel in Gaza, hostages that continue to be tortured, and young men and women miluim who have yet to get back to their former lives still exists.

These last few days have been filled with a sluggish haze where everyone’s movements slowed. As we try to desensitize ourselves to the booms from cars and random noises, it’s still difficult not to sleep without one eye open.

Our dear friends Vel and Naomi lost a treasured family member. At the recent shiva, we heard this moving story. The 10-year-old grandson of the deceased was asked to share something about his beloved grandfather with whom he had a very close relationship. To him, his wise, learned grandfather seemed to know the reason for everything. Yet sometimes, he, too, did not have answers.

The grandson responded, “Now he has all the answers!”

This war and the events leading up to it leave us with so many questions; we have to leave it up to Hashem for the answers.

Our wartime baby hero has a name, Dovid.

Like our king!

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.

My Israel Home The Stories Behind the Street Signs

By Gedaliah Borvick

The

As the founder of My Israel Home, a boutique real estate agency helping people from abroad buy homes in Israel, I often write about new communities, market trends, and legal updates. These are practical and timely topics — relevant to anyone looking to build a life here.

But over the years, many readers have noticed another thread in my writing: articles about the names of Israel’s streets. Why street names? Because they help us feel at home.

Legal guides and community profiles help people move to Israel. But the stories behind our street signs help people feel connected to Israel. They’re more than just directions — they’re introductions to our national soul.

In most countries, street names are purely functional — Fifth Avenue, 42nd Street, Main Street. But in Israel, street names carry meaning. They honor our values, our memories, and our aspirations. Our heroes aren’t just remembered in textbooks — they’re etched into the map of daily life.

When a neighborhood names its streets after biblical figures, Talmudic

sages, Zionist pioneers, scientists, poets, or righteous gentiles, it’s making a statement. These names reflect who we admire, what we want to remember, and the kind of society we strive to build.

This variety also reflects the richness and diversity of Israeli society. Our national story is anything but monolithic — it’s a chorus of voices: Ashkenazi and Sephardi, religious and secular, native-born

and people that shape the country.

Writing about street names isn’t a detour from my work in real estate; it’s an extension of it. Because our mission isn’t just to help people find homes — it’s to help people feel at home. And that means understanding the stories, values, and the broad spectrum of heroic individuals who define the State of Israel.

Let me give you a few examples:

Our heroes aren’t just remembered in textbooks — they’re etched into the map of daily life.

and immigrant. All have a place in our country.

For Jews living abroad, these names offer something rare: an unfiltered glimpse into Israel’s inner voice. Beyond headlines and politics, they reveal what Israelis cherish — and give Diaspora Jews a powerful way to connect with the ideals

Chazon Ish Street, in Bnei Brak, honors Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, zt”l — a soft-spoken Torah giant who held no official title but became one of the greatest halachic authorities of the 20th century.

Ilan Ramon Street, found in cities across the country, commemorates Israel’s first astronaut. Ramon took a micro -

film of a Holocaust-era Sefer Torah into space. He died in the 2003 Columbia disaster, but his story — one of courage and Jewish pride — lives on in the streets we walk.

Janusz Korczak Street, in cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa, is named for the Polish-Jewish educator, doctor and children’s author who chose to accompany the orphans in his care to Treblinka. Offered a chance to escape, he refused. His legacy of compassion and courage lives on here.

Torah scholars. Astronauts. Holocaust martyrs. Their names are everywhere — not just in books and museums, but in the everyday geography of our lives.

So yes, I’ll continue writing about new neighborhoods and property regulations. But I’ll also keep writing about Israel’s street names — because our streets tell the story of the Jewish people.

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com.

Chazon Ish

Israel Today Bringing Smiles During Times of Sorrow

By Refoel Levitt

When war broke out in Israel on October 7, many around the world were left in shock and mourning. But for two former residents of the Five Towns area in New York, it marked the beginning of a life-changing mission.

Aron Schoenfeld of Woodmere and Farrah (Block) Dobular, who once lived and worked in the area, have emerged as symbols of hope, resilience, and purpose in a time of unprecedented hardship.

From Woodmere to War Relief

Aron Schoenfeld, who grew up in Woodmere and attended HAFTR Elementary followed by Rambam Mesivta for high school, made aliyah in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Those formative years in the Five Towns shaped his sense of duty.

“Growing up in a community that was always at the forefront of supporting Israel, rallies, drives, missions, you internalize that helping is not optional,” he shared.

On October 8, just one day after the attacks, Aron sprang into action. Initially, his efforts were simple: helping displaced families and providing support to mothers whose husbands had been called up for military service. But those early efforts quickly snowballed. Requests multiplied, needs grew urgent, and within weeks, his initiative evolved into a full-fledged non-

profit, Smiles for the Kids (www.smilesforthekids.com).

Today, Smiles for the Kids is a rapidly growing organization offering emotional and practical support to families across Israel. From providing toys and clothing to organizing full-scale community events for displaced families and active duty soldiers, the nonprofit is running at full speed nearly every day of the week.

What sets it apart is not just what it provides, but how.

Supporting Vendors Impacted by War

“When we decided to make this into something real, I wanted to make sure we were not just helping the recipients but also the vendors who lost everything,” Aron explained.

Enter Farrah Dobular.

Farrah, founder of “It’s My Party Modiin,” was running a thriving party planning business specializing in children’s events and bar bat mitzvahs. She made aliyah several years ago after living in the Five Towns, where she also worked at Rambam. All three of her daughters were born in New York. But when the war started, her business vanished overnight.

“A week into the war, I ran into Farrah and she told me everything had just disappeared, events canceled, no income,”

Aron recounted. “That’s when I asked her to come help us with the kids.”

Smiles for the Kids hired Farrah to bring bounce houses, games, and her signature sense of fun to families in emergency situations, especially those in temporary housing or with fathers away at the front.

“Without Smiles for the Kids, I don’t know how I would have survived, financially or mentally,” Farrah said. “The income kept my family afloat, and the mission gave me a purpose. After my daughters lost many friends on October 7, I needed something to help me get out of bed.”

A Community Connection That Endures

The ripple effect of Aron and Farrah’s work is far-reaching, and the Five Towns community continues to play an active role. Smiles for the Kids has partnered with Congregation Bais Tefilah of Woodmere for several events and collaborated with schools where many Five Towns families send their children, including MTA, Flatbush, YU, and North Shore Hebrew Academy.

Events have ranged from care package assemblies to holiday parties for evacuated families, involving students and volunteers from across the tri-state area.

“It’s a full circle moment,” Aron noted. “The same schools and synagogues that

shaped us are now part of the solution we’re building in Israel.”

The Work Continues

As the war stretches on with no clear end in sight, Aron, Farrah, and their growing team show no signs of slowing down. Smiles for the Kids now operates multiple programs concurrently, supporting hospitalized and injured soldiers, sending birthday boxes to children in shelters, and running pop up carnivals for displaced families.

Each initiative is powered by a simple mission: to restore moments of joy and normalcy in a time of trauma.

“When a soldier calls us to ask for help throwing a birthday party for his daughter while he’s on the front line, we do it. When a mother doesn’t know how to keep her three kids occupied after being evacuated, we’re there,” Aron said.

Still, he looks forward to a day when his organization will no longer be necessary.

“Every smile we create is important,” he said. “But our dream is to close this chapter because peace has finally returned.”

Smiles for the Kids accepts donations, volunteer assistance, and event sponsorships. To learn more or get involved, visit www. smilesforthekids.com

The Hidden Hustle of Camp Directors

What no one sees behind

the scenes of sleepaway camp

By Tifere T Schafler

“Living ten months for two” isn’t just a phrase for summer-loving campers — it’s the year-round reality for camp directors who pour their energy, expertise, and endless hours every day of the year into making eight weeks of magic. From logistics like budgeting, staffing, and campus repairs to the more ideological decisions about policy, culture, and camper experience, directors qui-

etly lay the groundwork for a season that seems to fly by in a blink – but takes months to create.

At 9 AM on the day The Jewish Home spoke to Camp Morasha director Jeremy Joszef, he had already put in a full day’s work.

“I was up at 4:45 AM for a call with the leadership teams of Sulam and Amcha, Morasha’s Israel programs, going over contingency planning for the summer,” he said. “By 6:00 AM, I was in the car, picking up five sifrei Torah from YU for camp, and then made a stop at Home Depot to grab window shades — enough for 50 bunkhouses.”

And once the summer comes, directors’ sleeping

abilities definitely don’t get greater.

“I sleep in my clothes, just in case I get woken up,” said Shonie Schwartz, director of Camp Machaneinu.

“There’s no such thing as ‘night’ in camp — midnight often feels like 7 PM, confirming buses for the next day, debriefing with division heads, or holding latenight staff meetings.

“Some nights, my youngest daughter actually falls asleep in the golf cart,” Schwartz added. Even five hours of sleep is considered a win — a common reality for many directors.

Dov Perkal, Director of SHMA camps, said his best method for overseeing everything is simple: “I start my

day at 5:30 AM, and by the end of it, I’ve walked more than 10 miles, through nearly every building and field of campus, checking in on staff and interacting with campers as I go.”

Some camp directors make up to as many as 50 trips up to camp before the summer even begins. And for most, planning for next summer kicks off before the current one even ends.

“By the end of July, I already have next year’s dates, pricing, camper projections, and facility upgrades locked in,” shared Rabbi Eli Brazil, director of Camp Kaylie. Registration often opens while campers are still packing up to go home, and that’s by design. “You need those numbers early,” explained Brazil, “so you know whether you need to recruit more campers or staff, where to recruit, and how to price accordingly.”

The early cash flow also helps avoid borrowing.

“I used to take out loans to cover expenses,” said Perkal, “but why do that? This is a 12-month business. A 12-month operation.”

Even shutting down camp at the end of the summer can take weeks. “Putting all the equipment away, draining the pools, turning off the water supply — these are all behind-the-scenes jobs that take a lot of time,” said Perkal.

Alex Gold, director of Camp Dora Golding, recalled it once taking his team two full days just to mow the entire campus lawn.

By November, Brazil is overseeing facility repairs and starting to plan out next summer’s programming. That includes ordering boxes of swag and activity supplies that arrive months before the season, ready to be unboxed and stored at camp by an on-site caretaker who’s there year-round. Specialty staff are given budgets to submit their wish lists — everything from pizza ovens for culinary programs to resin for art.

“A lot of this stuff is getting ordered from China by January or February,” said Brazil.

January is also when Brazil starts finalizing bunk staff and collecting payments from parents. By February and March, the trips up to camp begin again, with health code inspections already underway.

Few people have the logistics of launching summer camp as fresh in their minds as Shonie Schwartz.

Just two summers ago, she and her husband, Dr. Binyomin Schwartz, opened Camp Machaneinu — an allgirls camp built from the ground up. The couple spent nearly five years searching for the right campus, scouring listings and weighing properties. There were some non-negotiables, like a lake, a pool, a proper commercial kitchen, and cabins that were large enough for married staff, which many secular campuses often don’t necessarily have, Shonie explained. The Schwartzes were exposed to the vast, unknown world of summer camp directing:

brokers, dedicated groups and bulletin boards specifically for finding camp properties; international and national camp organizations, like the American Camp Association; message boards; Jewish and secular camp expos.

“There are tons of resources dedicated to every aspect of the camping world. The camp industry is a massive industry in and of itself,” Schwartz said. Schwartz offers her married staff to come to a 3-day camp convention that features resources, courses and roundtables on every aspect of camp: courses on medical training, managing campers emotions and behaviors, programming ideas.

The Schwartzes make the trek up to camp multiple times a year with a U-Haul, since the camp property is currently rented.

Once they had the grounds, they needed a name.

“It became a full family effort,” she said. “We wanted a name that would reflect our mission — a sense of

“Sending up a tray of Chickies isn’t affection – it’s indulgence, which going to summer camp already is.”

belonging that every camper and staff member could be proud to be part of. Machaneinu means our camp, and that’s exactly what we hoped to create for everyone there.”

Next came advertising and recruiting, which came mostly through a few newspaper ads and some word of mouth. But word spread quickly. Today, Camp Machaneinu draws campers from outside the U.S. and all across the country, from California, Nevada, Texas, Ohio, Florida, Boston and, of course, the tri-state area.

And then came the “smaller” details — choosing camper management software. Interviewing directors, counselors, and upper staff, as well as campers themselves. Creating schedules. Designing programming.

“No one realizes how much you need to start a camp from nothing,” Shonie said. “We had to buy every glue stick. Every pen. Computers, office supplies, printers. Basketballs, soccer balls, baking trays, kayaks. You’re literally starting from zero — not even one paintbrush.”

The camp handbook is another undertaking that takes a considerable amount of time and thought. “I didn’t sleep the night that I wrote it,” Schwartz said. “People think of a handbook as rules — what to pack, dress code, package policies. But really, it’s what makes the camp what you want it to be. You have to think about the values you want to uphold, the tone you want to set; the small rules and policies are what create the overall experience.”

Even the smallest choices have ripple effects: Do you let parents drive their kids up and unpack them? What’s your policy on in-camp birthday parties? On erev Shabbos cholent and kugel deliveries? Private swimming lessons? Laundry? Each of the decisions the Schwartzes have made on these questions reflects a balance — between logistics, values, and the culture they’re trying to build.

When it comes to creating, maintaining or changing policies, camp directors find themselves walking a tightrope — between preserving the nostalgic magic of “good ol’ camp,” while adjusting to the ever-changing expectations of a new generation of campers and parents.

“Campers have changed, because the world has changed,” said Joszef. “People sometimes lament, ‘Camp is so different than it used to be.’ But we can’t expect campers and camp to exist in a bubble; if the world is different, campers are affected by that, and that will require the camp experience to be different to a certain extent. When we’re looking at whether we should change something or keep it the same, we don’t base it on being about what camp once ‘was,’ but rather whether the topic we’re discussing currently either enhances or detracts from the camp experience.”

Joszef cites an example of this: the same year they decided to add air conditioning throughout the camp, something new, they made a pivotal call to change something once “was”: no more gaming devices, iPads,

or entertainment gadgets permitted into camp.

“Even though we used to allow them, we realized it’s impossible to keep camp camp with all of that around,” he said.

Technology and communication are at the forefront of the conversation when it comes to the question of enhancing or detracting from camp. All the camps we spoke to prohibit cell phone usage for campers and counselors alike, with one requiring staff to keep their cell phones on them for emergency purposes; some allowing usage for counselors in specific areas after the campers go to sleep; and one prohibiting the usage of smartphones the entire summer, with only flip phones being allowed to be brought in.

“The adjustment is real — for campers and counselors alike,” said Gold. “Our younger kids often don’t have phones yet, but older ones do, and it takes them time to disconnect. And it’s not just the campers. Parents are used to constant contact — texting, tracking, checking in. Not being able to do that is a big change for them, too. So we allow three emails a week from home and a weekly phone call,” Gold said. “We want to give parents peace of mind but without pulling kids out of the camp atmosphere.”

On the other hand, parents spend a lot and make big sacrifices to send their kids to camp, said Joszef. “They deserve to see what’s going on — to get nachas from it.”

Joszef has found media to be a good balance and has invested in top-notch media teams that produce videos and photo galleries throughout the summer, letting parents glimpse their kids’ days without interrupting them.

But all policies need constant re-valuation.

“We used to have a separate Instagram account for each division,” Joszef shared, “but our counselors and division heads told us it was feeding into a culture of refreshing and scrolling — encouraging parents to be glued to their phones instead of trusting the experience, and requiring more information.”

That shift in tone revealed a deeper goal: helping parents develop healthy independence from their children, just as much as helping children grow healthy independence from parents. Still, Joszef received some pushback about the media change. “My response was: it’s okay not to know everything. There’s a limit to what we need to know about our children’s day-to-day lives. And there’s a balance between making sure they are okay and stifling their ability to grow in resilience skills.”

Schwartz even adjusts her own habits to stay in sync with the camp’s philosophy. “When I’m in camp, I’m not in touch with the outside world. My own kids couldn’t reach me on my phone — and started realizing they should just call the camp office instead. It’s about removing distractions. If you’re working in a day camp, you go home and get sucked right back into the world. In sleepaway camp, you have the opportunity to have a much more immersive experience – but you can’t ac -

complish that if people are still very much connected to the outside world. ”

Communication from home comes not only in the form of calls and emails, but in packages. But overtime, the sheer amount of packages being sent has made directors question their logistical possibility.

“At some point, we realized we weren’t just running a camp, but also a post office, with the amount of packages and emails we were getting,” said Gold.

Directors have also found that what is intended as a loving gesture from parent to child can, and has often, quickly snowballed into something else: a constant flow of snacks and stuff that pulls kids away from the simplicity of camp, disrupts acclimation, and creates subtle divisions be -

“If you have basic good food, music, ruach – you don’t need fireworks outside the dining room to make people remember it and have fun.”

not just about what you want to send — it’s about wondering if you should because of what others are doing. When no one’s sending, there’s a real sense of calm.”

The balancing act continues for directors when it comes to creating long-lasting memories and experiences that “wow,” while trying to not cross the line of excess. For Schwartz, that balance is front and center in programming decisions.

“There’s a difference between bringing in a singer and having campers put on a talent show,” she explained. “One is entertainment they create themselves; the other is something that’s served to them.”

Outside vendors add excitement and energy, but Schwartz is careful to balance them with in-house entertainment, and entertainment that campers can create themselves.

tween “haves” and “have-nots.” Instead of packages, Perkel suggests sending a loving, detailed letter to your child, which can communicate the same “thinkingof-you” sentiment, without having campers come to equate affection with material goods.

“If you want to make sure your kid has enough food, put money in the canteen; sending up a tray of Chickies isn’t affection — it’s indulgence, which going to summer camp already is.”

Most camps have gone from allowing packages, to implementing no-package policies, or packages that require pre-authorization such as for medications or other necessities. For the Schwartzes, who also implemented a no-package policy, the response from parents was overwhelmingly positive.

“People were relieved,” Shonie said. “Sometimes, it’s

“Every year, our programming has a theme, and each day has its own mini-theme built around it. We try to strike the right balance between activities we create inhouse and outside additions — and the kids genuinely enjoy both.”

For Perkal, the balance between keeping up with the times and avoiding excess starts with recognizing where opportunities for experiences already exist — and elevating them.

“It begins with a baseline of physical and emotional safety and comfort, which is going to be something that changes over time,” he said. “Once basic physical and emotional comfort is in place, which — yes, nowadays includes things like air conditioning, that maybe weren’t necessary 20 years ago — you can make the ordinary extraordinary. Every meal in the dining room, for example, can become an experience. If you have basic good food, music, ruach — you don’t need fireworks outside the dining room to make people remember it and have fun. You have the basis to create a fun vibe at each meal.”

Drawing from his background in business and hospitality, Perkal shared a story from his training with the Ritz-Carlton. A young guest left behind his favorite stuffed elephant, and instead of simply mailing it back, the hotel staff staged a mini-photo shoot to include in the return package: the elephant lounging by the pool, dining at the restaurant, enjoying the hotel amenities.

“When that package arrived, it wasn’t luxury — it was an experience,” said Perkel. “They took something simple and made it magical. That’s the approach I try to bring to camp. When a staff member greets a camper by name, or when something small is turned into a big moment, that’s where the real magic is.”

For those not involved behind the scenes, the cost of running a summer camp can be staggering. “Just sending our campers to Walmart costs around $10,000 — just for the school buses,” said Schwartz, who opened Machaneinu amid rising inflation. “A trip to an amusement park? Upwards of $30,000.” And that’s for a camp intentionally priced on the more affordable end.

For Perkal, the numbers are even larger: “It costs millions to run our camps each year. Some of the largest expense line items include payroll, food, and transportation. One of the biggest ongoing investments is capital expenditures — we put significant funds each year into maintaining and upgrading our facilities, infrastructure, and program offerings. Last year alone, we had to cover several hundred thousand dollars in emergency fire repairs.”

Cash flow is crucial to making it all work. “I used to take out loans to cover early expenses, but now we’ve built systems to manage that up front — with clear financial planning, reliable vendor relationships, and flexible payment options for families. That structure allows us to run with purpose, accountability, and long-term stability.”

Is keeping tuition flat — or even reducing it — possible or on anyone’s agenda these days? With inflation driving up costs across the board, it might seem unlikely. Joszef says one of the factors that can depend on is where the camp is in terms of its growth and infrastructure.

“Over the past few years, our camp enrollment has doubled from 500 to 1,000 campers, and because of that expansion, the camp has invested over $30 million into expanding and upgrading its facilities. But now that our infrastructure is strong and numbers have been stable, we’re able to put keeping tuition the same, or potentially reducing it, on the table as a conversation,” he shares. “This past summer, we were able to not raise tuition by a cent. Yes, our profit margin shrinks when income stays flat and prices are rising with everything, but just like we invested in the facility,

tuition is an area we’re now investing in.”

A camp’s pricing can also reflect deeper structural factors, such as whether it operates as a for-profit or non-profit. When Perkal took over SHMA camps, originally run as non-profits, he realized that the traditional model wasn’t working.

“Yes, camp used to be simpler,” he reflected. “But today’s world is different — kids are flying to Florida multiple times a year, they’re growing up on Disney and social media, and expectations have changed.” The camps had relied heavily on external funding, like USDA programs and federation grants, but there was no larger organizational infrastructure to support them, and though camp costs were rising, grants weren’t getting any bigger.

“When a staff member greets a camper by name, or when something small is turned into a big moment, that’s where the real magic is.”

“A non-profit camp operating under a larger umbrella organization, like Chai Lifeline, can make sense, since the larger organization can raise enough capital to fund the camp subsidiary,” he explained. “But as a standalone non-profit, SHMA was not bringing in the necessary funding and, therefore, started drowning in debt.”

After running it for a year as a non-profit, he made the decision to restructure the camp as a for-profit operation — not to get rich, but to build stability and accountability. Over time, he worked out payment terms with vendors and flexible schedules for families — all while building a culture of responsibility and financial health.

“In any business, cash flow is king. If you don’t control it, you lose.”

The transition also brought a deeper philosophical

change: recognizing that while donors and parents are the ones paying the bills, the true client is the child.

“Everything has to be about their safety, comfort, and care. But to provide that well, we needed to run like a real business — not with a culture of ‘eh’ or ‘let’s see what we can get,’ but with purpose and accountability.”

While finances and logistics may run in the background, directors know that emotional preparation for campers should also start long before the buses roll in. Directors agree that the best thing parents can do for first-time campers is to set the tone before they even step on the bus.

“Talk to your child about how it’s okay to miss each other. Missing someone means you love them; frame missing each other as a good thing, and not something sad or something that indicates that something is wrong,” said Schwartz. “At the same time, help them go in with a mindset of excitement — they’re about to have fun and make new friends.”

When it comes time to say goodbye, Alex Gold encourages parents to keep it simple and reassuring. “Give them a hug and kiss, but don’t say, ‘If you’re homesick, I’ll come get you’ or ‘I’m going to see you on visiting day.’ They’ll remember that, circle the day on a calendar, and it will make it harder to adjust.”

Perkal suggests that fostering independence starts not by giving instructions, but by asking questions and helping give kids the thinking points to work through problems independently.

“You could tell a kid what to do, or you could guide them toward the answer,” he notes. “That builds self-sufficiency. The more your kid learns how to build that, the more confident you will be that they can be on their own.”

And above all, Joszef says, parents also have to prepare to let go.

“Plan to let go a bit for the summer. Don’t make your concerns your kid’s concerns. Let them be a kid — and that might mean hitting a bump in the road. But the power of camp is in learning how to grow from it.”

Nation

YRabbi Shais Taub Parenting With Help From Hashem

By Eliyahu RosEnBERg

ou need a license to drive. Most careers require training. But being a parent — one of the most serious roles of all — requires no schooling or certification. Does that make sense?

At first glance, no, it doesn’t. And indeed, parental education is undoubtedly

In His Words…

important. But think about it for a moment: it’s not that training isn’t required to be a parent — it’s that there isn’t any real training! The task of parenting is too complex and unpredictable to break down. And while some advice can be helpful, parenting, in a sense, takes on a different form with every child. Every

g-d gives us the ability to parent our children… you have to believe that there’s a higher power divinely inspiring you to parent your child... surely, i’m inadequate to parent my children. on my own, i’m a limited human being. But with g-d, i can do this.

When people come to me and say, ‘Rabbi Taub, what’s a good parenting book?’ i tell them, in all earnestness, that the best parenting book is … shaar haBitachon from Chovos ha l evavos.

Children never grow out of needing their parents. That never stops. a nd if you think it’s too late, it’s not. if you think you’re too far gone, you’ve made too many mistakes, it’s not true. if you think it’s not going to make a difference, that’s also not true. There’s nothing like a parent.

kid is unique; advice that helps raise one child may not help parent the next. So, how can parenting experts know how to deal with a child that they don’t know?

That’s what makes Rabbi Shais Taub’s wisdom stand out: instead of burdening parents with one-size-fitsall techniques, his parenting course empowers them to adopt a new mindset — to tap into the G-d-given qualities that make every parent uniquely suited to raise their children.

“I encourage parents to trust their intuition,” says Rabbi Taub, a Chabad rabbi and world-renowned author and speaker. “There are no tips and tricks. Don’t memorize anything. I’m not going to give you a list of things to remember that somebody else is telling you to do. What we are going to do — and this is a fundamentally spiritual concept — is get in touch with the intuitive parental wisdom that G-d gives every mother and father.”

Just as Hashem provides the material resources needed to raise kids (money, for example), G-d also gives parents insight and other emotional resources that are just as essential. But for many parents, that wisdom remains out of reach due to what Rabbi Taub calls “emotional dysregulation.” It’s feelings that parents cling to because they think it keeps them vigilant — like the insecurity and fear of parenting and the tendency to care too much — that ironically do the most to undermine the parent-child relationship and prevent the home from being perceived as a stable and warm environment.

“It’s very easy to become emotionally dysregulated when parenting. But the truth is, our number one job is to not allow that to happen,” Rabbi Taub shares. “That’s why, when people come to me and say, ‘Rabbi Taub, what’s a good parenting book?’ I tell them, in all earnestness, that the best parenting book is…Shaar HaBitachon from Chovos HaLevavos.”

It’s a mussar sefer authored nearly a millennium ago. And yet, today, it’s still more practical than any parenting bestsellers you’ll find at your local bookstore. A guide to cultivating trust in Hashem, Shaar HaBitachon holds the key to the emotional stability needed for effective parenting, Rabbi Taub says.

“What’s the solution for emotional dysregulation? How do we become emotionally grounded? How do we become un-triggerable, if that’s a word? By cultivating trust in G-d. Then, we can start parenting,” Rabbi Taub explains.

“G-d gives us the ability to parent our children… You must understand that, as a parent, you have all the wisdom and insight that’s necessary to raise your child. You have to believe that there’s a higher power divinely inspiring you to parent your child. And you have to listen to that intuition. And sometimes we can’t hear that intuition because of emotional dysregulation. So, we get back to Shaar HaBitachon and work on our trust in G-d so we can quiet the nervous system, calm down, and hear the voice of inspiration.

“But parents have to know that they have the ability to parent their children.

They have to be able to do it with confidence and a feeling of calm. It comes from this spiritual concept that, on my own, surely I’m inadequate to parent my children. On my own, I’m a limited human being. But with G-d, I can do this.”

Much of the emotional turmoil Rabbi Taub speaks of comes from one core misunderstanding: the belief that children exist to give parents nachas.

“What’s the worst possible parenting technique? It’s very simple. If you would follow the following principle as your guide, it would effectively undermine your child’s life. All you have to do is just follow this one thing: view your child as a nachas machine — that they exist to give you gratification,” Rabbi Taub declares. “If you think your child is there to give you fulfillment — to just live up to your expectations, that’s it. If you do just that, you will be a marvelous failure at parenting and ruin your child’s life.”

Of course, it’s wonderful for children to be a source of nachas for their parents. And it’s normal for parents to expect some level of nachas. But it’s wrong for parents to believe that their children exist solely to make them proud. In fact, instead of obsessing over what the child should deliver, Rabbi Taub urges parents to focus on what they can control: themselves.

“When parents take on the attitude of, ‘I’m here to meet my child’s needs and provide emotional safety and security,’ everything else falls into place after that,” Rabbi Taub notes.

As Rabbi Taub explains, many parents misunderstand the fifth commandment of the Aseres HaDibros: Kibbud Av V’Em. Just because a parent could demand almost anything of a child doesn’t mean they should. “If you look in Shulchan

Aruch, where it speaks about the halachos of Kibbud Av V’Em, the first 15 laws all describe the incredible obligations that children have to their parents. And it’s really lofty. I mean, it’s like there’s nothing too demanding that a parent can ask for, and the Torah wouldn’t back them up. If a parent says you have to do this now, the child has to do it. At first, the halacha addresses the child. And then, the Shulchan Aruch turns to the parents and uses very forceful language,” Rabbi Taub explains. “It says, ‘It is forbidden to make the yoke excessively heavy on one’s children. Rather, one should turn a blind eye, lest you place a stumbling block before the blind.’ Do not place a stumbling block before the blind doesn’t just mean putting an obstacle in front of a physically blind person. It means being complicit in someone else’s sin. And one way of being complicit in someone else’s sin is by setting them up to fail.”

He adds, “If a parent is excessively demanding, it’s ironic, because the Torah will co-sign that parent’s demand and say that the child is obligated to live up to that demand. But if the parent hadn’t made that demand, then that obligation would not be in effect. And now the parent is actually leading the child to sin by setting the bar too high. When a parent creates an obligation that the child fails to meet, the Shulchan Aruch is saying that the parent is complicit in the child’s failure.”

Instead, Rabbi Taub urges more tolerance, not only in ordinary cases of disobedience, but also in extreme situations. When a child does something drastic, like reject Shabbos observance, many parents take one of two approaches: A) They try to pull the child back in, attempting to force the kid to return to normal, or B) They push the child away, rejecting them or even cutting off contact. Both methods, Rabbi Taub says, fail because they ignore the reasons the child is rebelling.

As Rabbi Taub explains, in the vast majority of cases, people don’t stop keeping Shabbos for ideological reasons. Rather, they’re no longer Shomer Shabbos because they have negative emotional associations with Shabbos observance. They subconsciously feel unsafe with Shabbos — most likely due to associations built during their upbringing.

“How about this? How about we forget about Shabbos right now? Realize the fact that you, mom or dad, are your child’s path to Shabbos. When your child feels safe with you, when you rebuild the feeling of security, of parental safety that every baby craves and every adult still wants, inevitably, your child will feel safe enough to also keep Shabbos,” Rabbi Taub shares.

“One of the things I say to parents who take my course is: remember when their child was a baby. Every parent looks at their baby and thinks their baby is beautiful and perfect. But the baby didn’t do anything! Why are they perfect? What’s so good about your baby?! Why do they give the baby a free pass? So, some people say it’s because you have no expectations of the baby. When they grow up, you do have expectations. Babies can’t do anything, so we don’t have any feelings about what they do. But when your child is older and they do things, then you have an opinion about what they’re doing or not doing,” Rabbi Taub explains.

“I get that. But what happened to the original feeling of feeling good about your child just for existing? I understand you have feelings about what they do. But why did you lose the good feelings about the fact that they just are? Where did that go? ... There’s a certain inherent absolute value to life. Just the fact that a person exists and lives has value. That’s the sanctity of life. We call that a soul. So, I beg parents, see your child as a soul with inherent, unconditional, absolute value… If you’re so into Shabbos, you must believe it’s from G-d.

And if you believe in G-d, then let’s get really spiritual. Can you see your child as a soul? If you can see that your child has unconditional, inherent, and infinite value just for the fact that they exist, whether they’re keeping Shabbos right now or not, that will bring them back to Shabbos observance.”

Rabbi Taub maintains that parents must see their children’s value as inherent, unconditional, and absolute. It’s inherent because the value is derived from within the child, not from the outside. The child isn’t valuable because of their accomplishments or qualities. They just are. It’s unconditional because the child’s value cannot be lost, no matter what they do. And most of all, the child’s value is infinite, which means that it cannot be added to.

As Rabbi Taub puts it, “If you do something good, that’s wonderful. We’re very proud of your accomplishment. But you doing something good doesn’t make you more worthy, because you were already infinitely worthy just by the fact that you exist.”

* * *

All parents make mistakes. That’s without exception, because all parents are human beings. But Rabbi Shais Taub stresses that, no matter the situation, it’s never too late to make things right.

“Children never grow out of needing their parents. That never stops. And if you think it’s too late, it’s not. If you think you’re too far gone, you’ve made too many mistakes, it’s not true. If you think it’s not going to make a difference, that’s also not true. There’s nothing like a parent,” Rabbi Shais Taub declares.

“A parent has such influence for better or for worse, to make or break a child. And if you, as a parent, start to heal your own parenting self-concept, it would have a massive impact on the quality of your child’s life.

“And what parent wouldn’t do that for their child?”

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

I’m a 26-year-old guy who has been dating for three years, unfortunately unsuccessfully. I need help figuring out how to better get ideas that are more suited for me. I’m an out-of-the-box kind of guy, very frum internally and growth-minded but what people would consider as more modern. Minyan is hard for me.

I listen to English music. At the same time, my family is yeshivish, so when modern girls look into me they think

I’m not modern enough. The truth is maybe I’m not, I do keep a lot of the geshmak of Yiddishkeit within myself and want a religious home, just one growing at my place. And my pace right now seems more in line with more modern but the modern girls aren’t interested because of my family’s type...

How can I successfully find the right type?

Thanks, Ben*

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 Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

Ben, reaching out to people, both lay people and shadchanim out of town, may be helpful. Jewish people who live out of town are less judgmental and less focused on the boxes one fits into than people in the metro area. Some cities such as Chicago have wonderful initiatives forcused on girls in their city that involve shadchanim meeting men during their own trips east. They not only set guys up but also arrange a place to stay and more.

Another idea may be to reach out to people in town who are connected to seminaries that are not traditional and focus on staying in touch with the girls. These can be found in Baltimore, Brooklyn, and beyond.

Broaden your search to use the digital apps that are responsibly managed. JSwipe works!

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this very frustrating situation. My first question is, what does your resume and picture look like? These are the two main things being put out there to show who you are and what you’re looking for, so you want to make sure they really reflect

the real you.

Think of it like advertising. There’s something called the three-second rule in marketing, which means you have about three seconds to catch someone’s attention and help them understand what you’re offering. The same applies here. If your picture and resume don’t clearly show who you are and what you’re looking for, you’re likely to get passed over by people who might have actually been a great match.

For example, if your shidduch picture has you wearing a hat and jacket, that might get you an automatic no from someone more modern, even if you’re not really holding in that world. You also want to come up with a short blurb or bio describing who you are and what’s important to you that you can send around to shadchanim. These days there are so many shidduch WhatsApp chats that are great for just that. If the info you’re giving out isn’t showing the real you, then it’s no surprise that people aren’t coming up with the right kind of ideas.

Another important thing is to get yourself to out-of-town singles’ events and meet out-of-town shadchanim. Don’t just wait for the people who already know you to come up with something. You need to branch out and put yourself out there.

Also send your resume to your married friends and ask them to help out. Just make sure they’re describing you the right way. They need to understand where you’re holding and what you’re really looking for. A friend vouching for you can make all the difference in helping you meet the right one.

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

You think you’re frustrated?! I am attempting to write this column, while sitting in a JetBlue plane that has been stuck on the runway after four hours of delays.

Two rows in front of me, an infant has been howling non-stop, and across the aisle from me a tiny dog has been growling and barking at me from the time we left the gate.

But let us address your issue.

Please do not be insulted, but your letter leads me to believe that you have a problem communicating clearly and presenting yourself appropriately.

If you want to be perceived as “modern Orthodox,” when speaking, please organize your thoughts, speak clearly, and delete words like “geshmak” from your vocabulary.

And, if your dates think you are too “yeshivish,” it probably has very little to do with how they perceive your family. It probably has more to do with how you dress. Have you considered shopping at an upscale, more modern men’s store? The road to a more modern-looking Ben may very well begin with a brand-new wardrobe.

How can you meet the many wonderful young women who, like you, may come from very yeshivish backgrounds, but may feel more comfortable in the modern Orthodox world?

Here’s a suggestion: instead of trying to connect via the shidduch system, where prospective dates read your resume and see that you attended very yeshivish schools, try meeting women on your own.

You can sign up for Shabbatons, singles’ events, and chessed programs. Those are excellent venues for meeting like-minded folks.

Present yourself with confidence. Don’t come across as indecisive. Speak, dress, and act like a person who perfectly at ease with with himself. Be patient – a suitable life partner is out there, waiting for you.

The road to a more modern-looking Ben may very well begin with a brand-new wardrobe.

(Speaking of being patient, our pilot just announced that we are making good progress, and that there are only thirteen planes in front of us on the runway, waiting to takeoff.)

Reader’s Response

Abby and Ben Greene Shadchan Wannabees

Sounds like your resume is getting in the way of accurately communicating to people who you really are! Unfortunately, this is one of the negative results that comes with labeling. If people look into you and only see a yeshivish background, maybe you can add a little paragraph about yourself that identifies other key values and interests that people would not otherwise assume.

Also, I think a good way to avoid the confusion your resume provides would be to attend singles events! This could be a good way to show girls who you are without them looking into you and being clouded in their judgment by the limited information of a resume. Ultimately, your resume is what it is, when it comes to family and background, etc. and it’s confusing so we have to find a way to make it not confusing or to avoid altogether.

I think meeting in person will allow someone the ability to really get to know you and see that there’s much more to you than what’s written on a piece of paper.

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Hi Ben,

I really hear how hard this has been for you. It sounds like you’re in this space where you don’t fully fit into the boxes people want to put you in, and honestly, that makes total sense. You’re a thoughtful, growth-oriented guy with your own unique blend of values, personality, and religious identity. Of course, the system feels frustrating. It’s built for neat categories, and you’re not a neat category.

Here’s the thing. The right person for you isn’t going to get scared off by your family background or by the fact that you’re still figuring out what your religious rhythm

looks like day to day. She’ll actually find it refreshing that you’re self-aware and honest about where you’re holding.

Try not to get caught up in other people’s labels. Modern, yeshivish, frum enough… it’s all noise when it comes to what really matters, which is building a life with someone who gets you and wants to grow with you. You’re not looking for approval from every girl who looks into you. You’re looking for your person. And she’s out there.

As for how to find her, honestly, it’s

about being really clear with yourself first. The more you own who you are, without apologizing for it and without trying to squeeze yourself into someone else’s definition of what you should be, the easier it’ll get to filter out the wrong people and attract the right ones.

Be upfront in shidduch résumés or conversations. Let people know, “I come from a yeshivish family, but I’m carving out my own religious path that feels authentic to me. I’m serious about Yiddishkeit, but I’m also figuring out my own pace with things like minyan and hashkafa.”

Also, broaden your search. Be open to shadchanim, but don’t rely only on them. Let friends and people who actually know you make suggestions. Go to events. Get out there socially. Even consider platforms where you can write a more nuanced profile

Modern, yeshivish, frum enough… it’s all noise when it comes to what really matters.

than just checkboxes.

And if people pass on you because you don’t fit neatly in their system, let them. They’re not your person anyway. You’re not late. You’re not broken. And you’re not behind. You’re just in the middle of your own story.

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.

Health & F tness Social Anxiety –It’s More Than Being Shy

By Rivka Kramer, PMHNP-BC

It was supposed to be a casual coffee date. Nothing dramatic—just her and a friend she hadn’t seen in a while, catching up at a quiet café. But as Sarah neared the entrance, her heart raced. She scanned the room, wondering if everyone would turn to look at her. Would they judge her outfit? Could they tell she was nervous? Her palms were sweating, her stomach in knots. Just minutes in, she was already rehearsing her excuse to leave early.

To anyone watching, Sarah might have looked shy. Maybe a little awkward. But what she was experiencing went far beyond butterflies. This was Social Anxiety Disorder—a condition that silently affects millions of people, yet is still often mistaken for simple introversion, low self-esteem, or being “just shy.”

What is

Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is more than occasional nervousness. It’s a psychiatric diagnosis included in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition). People

with SAD experience an overwhelming and persistent fear of being judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized in social situations. This fear can be so intense that it leads to avoidance of everyday activities—like speaking in a meeting, eating in public, or even making a phone call.

Importantly, this isn’t just discomfort around strangers. Even interactions with close friends or familiar coworkers can provoke debilitating anxiety. The fear isn’t necessarily based in reality— it’s driven by a distorted belief that one will say or do something foolish and be harshly judged for it.

This condition tends to persist for six months or longer, and it often interferes significantly with a person’s professional, academic, and personal life.

More Common Than You Think

Despite its quiet presence, social anxiety is one of the most common anxiety disorders. Around 7% of U.S. adults are affected at any given time, and about 12% will experience it at some point in their lives. It typically begins in adolescence, a time of heightened self-consciousness and social pressure, but many people go

undiagnosed well into adulthood.

There are two recognized subtypes:

• Performance-only social anxiety: limited to situations like public speaking, presentations, or performing on stage.

• Generalized social anxiety: involves fear in most social interactions, including casual conversations and group settings.

Many people with generalized SAD begin to structure their entire lives around avoidance—skipping opportunities, declining invitations, and staying quiet to avoid notice. Unfortunately, this pattern often reinforces the anxiety and deepens the sense of isolation.

What It Feels Like

Those who live with social anxiety often describe it as a battle between desire and dread—a wish to connect with others, shadowed by the terrifying thought of doing or saying the wrong thing.

The anxiety often begins long before the actual event. A dinner invite or upcoming meeting can trigger days of anticipatory worry. Physically, symptoms may include:

• Rapid heart rate or chest tightness

• Blushing or feeling overheated

• Excessive sweating

• Shaky voice

• Nausea or stomach discomfort

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

• “Freezing up” mentally, unable to speak or think clearly

After the event, people with SAD frequently experience rumination—replaying the conversation, obsessing over how they came across, and imagining worstcase interpretations of others’ reactions. This self-criticism can be emotionally exhausting and erode self-esteem over time.

What Causes Social Anxiety?

There isn’t a single cause. Like most psychiatric conditions, social anxiety results from a mix of genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences. Some known contributing factors include:

• Family history: People with close relatives who have anxiety or mood disorders may be more likely to develop SAD.

• Brain structure: Studies suggest people with social anxiety may have increased activity in the amygdala, the brain region

responsible for processing fear.

• Temperament: Children who are naturally shy or behaviorally inhibited may be more at risk.

• Negative social experiences: Bullying, public embarrassment, overly critical parenting, or repeated rejection can lay the groundwork for persistent social fear. It’s not always clear why one person develops social anxiety while another doesn’t, even in similar circumstances. But it’s important to remember: social anxiety is not a weakness—it’s a real, diagnosable mental health condition.

Shyness vs. Social Anxiety

One of the biggest misconceptions is that social anxiety is just another word for shyness. While they may look similar on the surface, they are not the same.

• Shyness is a personality trait. Shy individuals may feel hesitant or awkward in social settings but typically warm up over time. They can still participate in conversations and relationships without overwhelming fear.

• Social Anxiety Disorder is a psychiatric condition. It involves intense fear, distress, and often avoidance that disrupts normal functioning. It can make it feel impossible to speak up in class, attend social events, or even go out in public without extreme anxiety.

Diagnosis:

What Clinicians Look For

A diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder is made by a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or licensed therapist using clinical interviews and diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5. They may also use rating scales like the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) to assess severity.

Key diagnostic criteria include:

• Marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations

• Fear of being negatively evaluated or humiliated

• Social situations almost always provoke anxiety

• These situations are avoided or endured with intense fear

• The fear is out of proportion to the actual threat

• Symptoms persist for 6 months or more

• The anxiety causes significant distress or impairment

• Symptoms are not due to substance use, medical illness, or another mental disorder

Accurate diagnosis is important—especially because SAD can sometimes

mimic or overlap with avoidant personality disorder, depression, or even autism spectrum traits in teens and young adults.

Treatment: A Way Forward

Here’s the hopeful part: Social Anxiety Disorder is very treatable. With the right approach, many people find significant and lasting relief.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the first-line psychological treatment for SAD. It helps patients identify and challenge the distorted thoughts that fuel anxiety (“Everyone thinks I’m awkward”) and gradually face feared situations in a safe, structured way.

CBT also includes:

• Behavioral experiments

• Exposure therapy

• Social skills practice

• Homework exercises

• Group CBT is particularly effective because it allows patients to practice social skills with others who understand their struggle. Over time, this exposure rewires the brain’s fear response and reduces avoidance.

2. Medication Options

When therapy alone isn’t enough, or when symptoms are severe, medication can be a helpful tool.

• SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are commonly prescribed.

• SNRIs like venlafaxine (Effexor XR) can also be effective.

• Beta-blockers like propranolol are sometimes used before performance events (e.g., public speaking) to reduce physical symptoms like shaking and rapid heart rate.

• Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, clonazepam) may offer short-term relief but are used cautiously due to potential dependency.

• Medication often takes 4-8 weeks to show full benefit, and treatment may continue for a year or more depending on the person’s response and goals.

3. Lifestyle & Supportive Strategies

While therapy and medication are mainstays, additional strategies help bolster recovery:

• Mindfulness and meditation improve present-moment awareness and reduce rumination.

• Exercise has mood-boosting and anxiety-lowering effects.

• Support groups (in-person or virtual) offer validation, understanding, and community.

• Psychoeducation helps patients

understand the “why” behind their reactions, reducing shame.

Barriers to Getting Help

Ironically, the very nature of social anxiety makes it difficult to ask for help. Making a phone call, meeting a new therapist, or talking about one’s fears can feel insurmountable. Many people suffer in silence for years, believing they’re simply “too sensitive” or broken.

That’s why public awareness matters. We need to normalize talking about mental health and make seeking help as routine as going to the dentist.

A Personal Note from a Clinician

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I’ve sat with countless patients who told me they thought they were just “bad at life.” They’d mastered the art of avoiding—ghosting social events, skipping classes, staying quiet at work—while feeling more and more isolated.

When they finally hear the words “Social Anxiety Disorder,” they often cry— not because it’s a scary diagnosis, but because it means they’re not alone, and there’s something they can do about it.

Recovery doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly love parties or speak at conferences. It means you’ll start showing up for your life, even when it’s uncomfortable, that you’ll find the confidence to be present, imperfect, and connected.

Sarah’s Update

Back to Sarah. After months of silent struggle, she finally reached out to a therapist. With CBT, gentle encouragement, and—eventually—medication, she started challenging the narrative that she wasn’t good enough.

The coffee shop didn’t get easier overnight. But the loop of self-criticism began to quiet. Last week, she went to a work lunch. She spoke. She smiled. She stayed.

“It’s just lunch,” she told herself. This time, she believed it.

Rivka Kramer is a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She has a psychiatric private practice based in Cedarhurst, NY. She serves as a member of the board of JANPPA, the Jewish American Nurse Practitioner Psychiatric Association. She can be reached at 516-945-9443.

The summer is here, and everyone is beginning to settle into their new schedules. While most children will be in camp, there are a number who will be home. Planning and enjoying a summer at home is a bit different from the other options. Many parents may be unable to do this, such as those whose job hours are not compatible, but it should be a viable option for a number of families.

Being home is more than “not camp”; it’s an experience in and of itself. It takes some advanced planning and initiative, but being home can be a wonderful experience yielding positive lifelong memories.

Each age group will have their own staying-at-home needs. Recognizing and meeting your child’s unique needs is one way to ensure their summer is a success. This article will focus on ways parents can provide a special at-home experience for their preschooler.

Advantages

In some situations, the parents would like to send the child to camp but it’s too expensive or they were unable to

Parenting Pearls Preschool Playfulness

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

find the right one. Perhaps the child has some form of special needs that makes camp challenging. We often think of camp as the default and optimal summer location, but there are many positive reasons to keep a child home.

Before jumping into the technical details of being home, it’s worth understanding a few of the ways kids can benefit from this arrangement. Rather than lamenting the lack of camp, we can appreciate and celebrate the opportunities we are providing.

Being home lends itself to more bonding time. Kids are out most of the school day and away from their families. Being home during the summer allows children to have precious time with their parents and have meaningful shared experiences. We should never underestimate the role we play in our child’s life, and making time for them is part of this foundation.

During the rest of the year, the time we spend with our children is often pressured or stressed. “Did you do your homework?” “It’s almost Shabbos, get showered!” “Let’s go to your doctor’s appointment now.” Summer gives us

the opportunity to spend relaxed and meaningful time with our child. Maybe we are strolling around the block, doing an art project, or just watching them run through the playground. The overall less pressured pace affords us the chance to spend real, quality time together.

School is an important part of a child’s life, but it can be stressful for many students. They have to be up and out by a certain time of day; there are tests, assignments and strict schedules. As necessary as this may be, some children need a less structured environment to unwind. For some children, they really just need this time to themselves to relax and rejuvenate their young minds.

While external structure is important, children need to learn how to manage their own time and entertain themselves. Summer at home provides children with opportunities to learn the skills involved in time management, as well as how to productively fill their time. They also learn how to pace themselves and plan their day.

Many children have special interests or hobbies they may wish to pursue. The

summer is a two month period where they can learn something new or engage in a beloved activity.

The Preschool Years

Each age has its own needs. The preschool years can be an enjoyable age to have home during the summer. They are old enough to not need to be carried everywhere, they are able to participate in many activities, but they are not picky regarding what they do.

They still need continuous supervision, but they can walk on their own, feed themselves and have a certain level of independence. They nap less frequently – or not at all –giving more freedom in scheduling.

Unlike babies or toddlers, preschoolers are capable of doing most activities. They can play on a variety of playground apparatus, run through a park or sprinklers, go bowling – almost anything other than axe throwing and certain height-limited roller coasters.

As families learn each chol hamoed, older kids are often very picky regarding what they are willing to do. They won’t do this or that, but they insist on a re -

ally expensive outing. It can be a major challenge to find just the right activity. Sadly, even after they’ve gone and had a great time, they may still find something to be miserable about. Preschoolers are different. The world’s an adventure and they’re happy to go almost anywhere. Grocery shopping? Yeah! Pizza? Woohoo! Accompany Mommy to the doctor? Yes!

Parents should have sufficient snacks and water available for trips. Preschoolers still need some structure. Bedtime and meals should be at their usually scheduled time. Adults should never mess with nap time – it will not be pretty! Sunscreen, hats and clothing that cover are all helpful in preventing burns. Preschoolers happen to look adorable in big, floppy hats so this is definitely a time to take photos.

It’s important to be mindful of your preschooler’s bathroom needs. Children this age are usually newer to being toilet trained but are less capable of anticipating and controlling their bodily functions. Remind them to use the facilities before they go, but make sure you have bathrooms where you will be or bring a

travel potty with you. Preschool is simply an adorable age. They still have the sweetness of babies without the night feedings. They are cute and so much fun. They enjoy being home with their loved ones, and they give amazing hugs.

Activity Suggestions

Preschoolers are really flexible when it comes to activities. Anything you do

blocks, dolls or pretend play will provide the same excitement they always do.

Arts and crafts are always a hit. It can be a formal project, but this age group can generally enjoy anything. Let them cut up a magazine and glue the pictures to make a collage. Coloring and painting are classics. Almost anything can be made into a masterpiece, and they will have fun with these hands-on activities. Preparing the area in advance

Summer gives us the opportunity to spend relaxed and meaningful time with our child.

in your daily life can be exciting to this age group. They can join you on a walk, for a workout, shopping or errands. Whatever activities and toys that entertain them during the school year will work during the summer. Building

– plastic tablecloths and smocks – will make clean-up easier.

Preschoolers are thrilled to go outside and that only enhances the adventure. Walk around the block, run through a park, stroll the boardwalk, or

simply enjoy outside window shopping. Water play is very popular and will be extra enjoyable with the current heat. Home sprinklers, sprinkler parks and even the bathtub are all exciting for the little ones. Make sure to never leave children unattended in the pool, bath, or wherever there is accessible standing water.

Trips are fun, and there’s no reason to not take your little one for any outing they would enjoy in camp. Be mindful of how much time will be spent in the car. This age group does not have the patience for long rides.

Camp at home – often called “Mommy Camp” – is a wonderful option for summer fun and growth. Being able to spend this time with your child will create a meaningful connection lasting long after the first snow. Enjoy the sweet memories!

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.

Health & F tness

Booze and Body Fat The Science Behind Alcohol and Weight Gain

By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

Alcohol is a common part of many social outings and gatherings, but it plays a more complex role when it comes to metabolism, weight gain, and overall health. While moderate alcohol intake may be harmless or even beneficial in some cases, regular or excessive consumption can significantly impact weight and metabolism. Understanding how alcohol is processed in the body, how it affects fat storage, and which options are lower in calories and sugar can help individuals make more informed and health-conscious decisions.

Alcohol Affects Metabolism

When alcohol is consumed, the body recognizes it as a toxin that must be eliminated immediately. As a result, alcohol becomes the body’s top priority in the metabolic process. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed through the stomach and small intestine and then transported to the liver, the primary site of alcohol metabolism. The liver, however, has a limited capacity to perform multiple metabolic functions simultaneously. Under normal condi-

tions, it helps process carbohydrates, fats, and proteins so they can be used efficiently for energy. However, when alcohol is present, the liver shifts its focus almost entirely to breaking it down, temporarily slowing or halting the metabolism of other nutrients. This metabolic shift is significant because it reduces the body’s ability to burn carbohydrates and fats for energy. Instead, since alcohol-derived calories are used first, the fats and carbohydrates consumed during that time are more likely to be stored as body fat. Over time, this can lead to weight gain, especially if one drinks often.

In addition, alcohol itself is “empty calories,” meaning it’s high in calories but with almost no nutrients. One gram of alcohol contains 7 calories, which is almost as much as fat (9 calories per gram) and more than protein or carbs (4 calories per gram). These calories offer little to no nutritional value. Therefore, even if you only drink one or two drinks, you could be adding a few hundred extra calories to your day without feeling full or deriving anything healthy from it.

Many alcoholic beverages also contain added sugars, mixers, syrups, and cream-based ingredients that further increase the total calorie and carbohydrate content. This combination of disrupted metabolism, increased calorie intake, and poor satiety can make weight management more difficult.

Alcohol’s Effects

Moreover, alcohol can stimulate appetite and lower inhibitions around food, making it easier to overeat or make less healthy food choices. Studies show that people who drink alcohol often eat more during or after drinking sessions, especially high-fat, salty, or sugary foods. Studies have also shown that when alcohol is consumed with a meal, the caloric intake of that meal can be increased as much as 30%. Alcohol may also interfere with sleep quality and hormone balance. Even though it might make you feel sleepy at first, it can lead to poor-quality sleep during the night. Poor sleep affects your hormones, increases cravings (especially for carbs and sugar), slows your metabo -

lism, and makes it harder for your body to burn fat and control blood sugar. When you add it all up, alcohol can slow down fat burning, add empty calories, make you hungrier and more likely to overeat, and affect your hormones and metabolism by disrupting sleep. These factors combined make it much harder to lose weight or maintain your weight, especially if you drink regularly.

Smarter Options

While alcohol can contribute to weight gain, not all drinks are created equal. Choosing smarter alcoholic options can help reduce calorie intake without completely avoiding alcohol. Here are some lower-calorie, lower-sugar, and lower-fat choices:

• Spirits with Low-Calorie Mixers: Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey all contain around 95-100 calories per 1.5-ounce shot. The key is to pair them with zero-calorie mixers like soda water, diet tonic, or freshly squeezed citrus rather than sugary soda, juice, or cream-based mixers. For example, vod-

ka soda with lime is a popular low-calorie cocktail.

• Hard Seltzers: Hard seltzer can be a great, refreshing, low calorie alternative to cocktails, beers, and mixed drinks. Hard seltzer combines seltzer water with alcohol that is made from fermented cane sugar. It’s typically available in several fruity flavors. The exact number of calories varies depending on the specific brand and flavor; however, for example, a 12-ounce serving of mango hard seltzer contains just 99 calories. Many are made without added sugar but always check the label for added sweeteners.

• Light Beer: Regular beer typically contains around 150 calories per 12-ounce serving, while light beer usually ranges from 90 to 110 calories. Light beer also tends to have less alcohol content, which further reduces its caloric impact.

• Dry Wine: A 5-ounce glass of dry red or white wine contains about 100–150 calories and is naturally low in sugar. Avoid sweet wines like Moscato, dessert wines, and wine coolers, which are much higher in sugar and calories.

• “Skinny” Cocktails: Many bars now offer “skinny” versions of classic cocktails that are made with reduced sugar and fewer ingredients. For ex-

ample, a skinny margarita may include tequila, fresh lime juice, and a little orange extract or stevia instead of high quantities of sugar.

• Dry Martini: A dry martini, made with about 2.5 ounces of gin and 0.5 ounces of vermouth, has about 185 calories. It’s higher than some of the other

ative impact of alcohol on your weight and metabolism:

• Set Limits: Stick to moderate drinking – up to one drink per day for women and two for men, as recommended by the CDC.

• Stay Hydrated: Alternate alcoholic beverages with water to stay hy-

Studies show that people who drink alcohol often eat more during or after drinking sessions, especially high-fat, salty, or sugary foods.

options but still a lighter choice if you’re looking for a more sophisticated cocktail. Choosing a dry martini over sweeter versions helps reduce both sugar and calorie intake. You can add a lemon twist or a couple of olives for a classy finish.

Tips for Drinking Smarter

If you choose to drink, there are practical strategies to reduce the neg-

drated and reduce the total amount of alcohol consumed.

• Avoid Drinking on an Empty Stomach: Eating a balanced meal with protein, fiber, and healthy fats before drinking can slow alcohol absorption and reduce its effects on appetite.

• Watch Portions: Keep in mind that standard drink sizes are smaller than many bar/restaurant servings. A

heavy pour of wine or a large cocktail may equal two or three drinks.

• Plan Ahead: If you’re aiming to lose or maintain weight, consider how alcohol fits into your overall calorie and nutrient goals for the day.

Alcohol has a direct impact on weight and metabolism, primarily by adding empty calories, disrupting fat burning, and promoting poor food choices. While it’s okay to enjoy alcohol in moderation, being selective with your drink choices and mindful of quantity can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Lower-calorie options like light beer, dry wine, spirits with low-calorie mixers, and hard seltzers can be part of a more balanced approach. By combining informed choices with healthy habits, it is possible to enjoy alcohol occasionally without compromising your weight or metabolic health.

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

Fd for Thought

Eshel

By Nati Burnside

Ican’t speak for everyone, but for me, the biggest reason to eat at a restaurant is being able to order food that you don’t eat at home. Whether it’s a dish that is too hard or time consuming, or something that takes special equipment or expertise, a restaurant allows you to just look at a piece of paper, say a few words, and then the food appears at your table.

Enter Eshel. Located in the heart of the Upper West Side on Columbus between 84th and 85th, it brings bold Persian flavors to a Manhattan community that is getting into the current trend of being a bit more adventurous with cuisines.

When I was invited to Eshel, the first thing I did was order the Lamb Arayes, and so should you. A little different from other versions I’ve had, these certainly had more char on the outside than I’m used to. That said, it worked well as the pita gave a more serious crunch than I expected, while the lamb on the inside was still the star of the show with its great flavor and juicy texture as the pita on the outside traps the moisture – as great a start as you’ll find anywhere.

It wouldn’t be Persian food if there wasn’t a heavy dose of rice. And if we are talking about rice, the most famous dish is tahdig, known for its crispy, upside-down delivery. My suggestion is to order the Tahdig with Tomato & Split Pea Stew. These come together, and you pour the second on top of the first to make a great combination of two things that are so good you might eat them on their own. First, the texture of the tahdig is everything it’s supposed to be. That crispy dome of rice is famous for a reason, and I’m always amazed when it’s perfectly crispy without being burnt. Next is the stew (which Persians call Khoresh Gheymeh). It’s got small pieces of beef

and some strips of potato, but the tomato, split peas, and Persian spices is what really makes everything happen. You can order this on its own as an entrée, but I’ll recommend some other things for that so make sure to sample it here.

Before we move away from rice, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend that you get the Jeweled Rice. If you haven’t had a rice dish like this, you should really give it a try. It’s rice, but maybe 40% of the volume is actually rice. The majority is candied orange peel, barberries, carrots, golden raisins, almonds, pistachios, and caramelized onions. If that sounds like a lot, it is. There’s acidity, there’s crunch, there’s sweetness, there’s a savory kick… there’s pretty much everything you want even if you didn’t know you wanted it. The flavors are bright and bold, so be prepared.

As we move on to the main course, you won’t be surprised to know that kabobs feature prominently. Each kabob is a sizable portion and comes with a side of rice (saffron, dill, or sour cherry), shirazi salad, garlic green beans, or French fries. If you have already ordered some other dishes, ordering a single kabob will work for you. If it’s beef you want, I’m gonna recommend the Koobideh Ground Beef Kabob. While I’m usually in favor of actual pieces of beef, this was probably the best ground beef kabob I’ve had. It was seasoned well, spectacularly juicy, and had a nice mouthfeel that wasn’t overly crumbly.

However, if it’s chicken that you’re after, look no further than the Jujeh Saffron Chicken Skewer. This is a dark meat chicken that is simply perfect. The one issue some might not like is that it comes with the bone in. But one thing that has to be factored in is that making kabobs with the bone in allows the meat to be juicier and more tender. Also, it may be

secondary to the taste, but the beautiful yellow color from the saffron makes the chicken look so good that you just can’t wait to take a bite.

While one kabob could certainly do it for you if you had appetizers beforehand, you can actually get both of these kabobs if you order the Sultani Jujeh which gives you one of each with a side dish. This is also a good move if you can’t decide which one you want and don’t mind taking home leftovers.

If you happen to not really be a fan of kabobs, there are also more mainstream options on the menu. The Lamb Chops are a great choice in this case. There’s nothing particularly fancy about them,

but they will really hit the spot, especially if you love lamb. You’ll get a trio of lamb chops and your choice of a side dish. It’s a full meal, but at least go get some sort of Persian appetizer so that you can say you went to Eshel for a reason.

If you’re Sephardic, Eshel might be a place to get some home cooking outside your home. If you’re Ashkenazi, here’s your chance to get a taste of the other side of the spoon. Either way, Eshel is a nice spot to get some food that isn’t as easy to find as it should be. Go out of your way to try it out.

Meat - Persian - Waiter Service 507 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024 (212) 299-4759 Orthodox Union (OU)

In The K tchen

Sunday Soup: Veggies, Chicken, and Barley

Makes about 10 cups

By Naomi Nachman

A few month ago, my friend Kim Kushner came on my cooking show Sunny Side Up on Kosher.com We made this delicious soup together. After we filmed, everyone from my film crew tried it and went crazy over it. Hope you’ll enjoy this as much as we did.

This is my family’s favorite soup. I call it Sunday Soup because I make it every Sunday. It’s a full meal in a bowl. Hearty vegetables, juicy chicken, and just the right amount of barley. This versatile soup can be made with any vegetables—there’s no need to stick to the recipe below; just use what you have on hand and leave out what you don’t. And don’t fret if you don’t have chicken or vegetable stock; I’ve made this soup using water as the liquid many times and it always turns out delicious.

Ingredients

◦ 2 onions, peeled and cut into chunks

◦ 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

◦ ½ butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks

◦ 1 zucchini, trimmed and cut into chunks

◦ 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks

◦ 2 tablespoons olive oil

◦ 8-10 cups vegetable or chicken stock

◦ 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs

◦ 1 bunch fresh checked dill, tied with kitchen string

◦ 1 cup raw pearl barley

◦ Kosher salt

◦ Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Combine all of the vegetables in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times until all of the vegetables are chopped into tiny pieces, but don’t let them get mushy.

2. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables and sauté for five minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer until the vegetables are soft, five to seven minutes longer.

3. Pour the stock or water over the vegetables, filling the pot three-fourths of the way. Stir in the chicken thighs and add the entire bunch of dill (you will fish it out later). Cook, covered, over medium heat for one hour.

4. Use a slotted spoon to take out the bunch of dill and discard the dill.

5. Stir in the barley and simmer, covered, until the barley is softened but not mushy, 30-40 minutes longer.

6. Remove the chicken. Use a large fork to shred it into small pieces and then return it to the pot. Season generously with salt and pepper.

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?!”

We will not dwell on Justice Jackson’s argument, which is at odds with more than two centuries’ worth of precedent, not to mention the Constitution itself. We observe only this: Justice Jackson decries an imperial executive while embracing an imperial judiciary.

- Justice Amy Coney Barrett in a rare Supreme Court rebuking of her fellow Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in her majority opinion about lower courts not having the right to stop President Trump’s agenda via judicial injunctions

You know, if they disagree, I’m sorry, fill out a hurt feelings report. Buy a comfort rock.

- Sen. John Kennedy responding to liberals’ outrage that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down lower courts’ ability to issue sweeping nationwide injunctions

Anybody who knows a law book from an LL Bean catalog knows that federal judges just made up this concept of universal injunctions. - ibid.

When I walk in the streets of Boro Park… I see so much good. I was recently there actually… you see these kids, it’s sort of in the evening… they’re walking around holding books, and they’re peering into storefront windows of bookstores. It’s like, this is beautiful. This is what you want.

- The former head of a group that was created to antagonize Chassidic Jews talking in a recent podcast about how he now regrets what he did and is in a certain way envious of the life that they live

With Trump producing dozens of rabbits out of his MAGA hat, they return to going after his words not his deeds, which is like criticizing Houdini for saying “abracadabra” instead of “nothing up my sleeves.”

– Greg Gutfeld, Fox

Biden wanted me in here... Didn’t work out that way. That son of a [gun]!

- Pres. Trump while visiting a new prison in Florida dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”

When you come to America, you are a guest and you have to behave like a guest.

- Arnold Schwartzenegger on “The View,” throwing the hosts into a tizzy

Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise’s ancestry is characterized by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with Eastern European heritage, only partially understood. It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today’s hostile states, as the next chief of MI6.

- Press release by the British Foreign Office after it was disclosed that new M16 (Britian’s intelligence agency) head Blaise Metreweli’s grandfather was a notorious Nazi

If Elon sticks to rockets, I’ll stick to finance. I am confident that this bill will pay down the debt.

- Treasury Scott Bessent on Fox News responding to Elon Musk’s criticism of the Big Beautiful Bill

I was in a rush to bring items to my grandmother in the hospital, the store didn’t have bags, and I was juggling multiple purchases.

- Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan (D), a Connecticut state representative, after his arrest last week for allegedly stealing from a Target

Do I see him as an enemy of America? You’re [darn] right I do. I think he’s gonna destroy New York City, and I think this is a disaster time for New York City. This guy becomes mayor, this city is gone. People are leaving the city already. You can’t say things like the things he’s saying and not frighten the [daylights] out of people. I mean, it has nothing to do with even 9/11. Had 9/11 not happened, he’d [still] be an enemy of the city.

- Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on Piers Morgan Uncensored

It’s not Islamophobic to say: maybe don’t elect someone who openly hates the country he wants to run.

– Laura Ingraham, Fox News

Every time the left says “equity,” I hear “we’re going to take your money and give it to someone who hates you.”

– Jesse Watters, Fox News

What is so hard about requiring an able-body individual with no dependents, no sickness, to work 20 hours a week?

- Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) on “Meet the Press” talking about Medicaid reform

Schumer, our great Palestinian senator. This guy— no, he’s changed. He used to like Jewish people. Now he’s totally against Jewish people.

- Pres. Trump talking about Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

I’m so glad I didn’t have a boy! Because he would have been a Barack Obama…I would have felt for him.

- Michelle Obama on a recent podcast

Why Trump Was Confident That Iran Was Building a Bomb Political Crossfire

By David Ignatius

President Donald Trump explained his demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran with one of the most pungent presidential comments ever made about the Middle East: “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the [world] they’re doing,” he told reporters on Tuesday morning.

Assuming that Trump can make the two sides stop shooting, what’s next is a period of negotiations. In this phase, Israel knows what it wants – a verifiable, ironclad agreement to prevent Iran from ever producing a nuclear weapon. If Iran won’t agree to dismantle what’s left of its nuclear infrastructure and remove its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium, this war could start again.

The key intermediary in the negotiation that’s ahead might be Qatar. Envoys from that tiny emirate – which houses a U.S. base that was struck by Iranian

missiles in a retaliatory raid on Monday – have talked regularly with all three sides during the crisis. They helped Trump achieve his breakthrough ceasefire. But their work is just beginning.

Negotiators will confront this essential problem: Iran has been lying about its activities for more than 20 years. It said it wasn’t trying to make a bomb even as it allegedly gathered – and regathered – its top scientists to push toward weaponization. It claimed to be leveling with the International Atomic Energy Agency, but the IAEA concluded last month that it wasn’t.

Israeli intelligence, backed by IAEA investigations, shows that after Iran ceased a weaponization program known as Amad in 2003, it secretly reconstituted a new effort to pursue similar research. The Iranians moved equipment from one set of secret sites to other covert locations, covering their tracks to evade IAEA inspectors, Israel and IAEA found. When Israel assassinated nucle -

ar-weapons scientists, Iran recruited new ones.

Iran crossed what Israelis considered a red line in this resumption of its weaponization effort over the past several years. Indeed, this renewed push to make a bomb – as opposed to just enriching the fuel for one – was probably the trigger for the devastating war that Israel began on June 13 and ended, at least temporarily, with Monday night’s ceasefire.

Israeli intelligence on Iranian weaponization was shared with me by a source familiar with the reports. Much of it tracks IAEA reports published on June 12 with the agency’s stern warning that it couldn’t “provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme [sic] is exclusively peaceful.” Trump has received much more detailed information from Israel, and officials say that’s why he stated last week that Iran was actively seeking to build a weapon, despite a statement to the contrary in March by his own director of national intelli-

gence, Tulsi Gabbard.

Who is right about weaponization – Israeli or American intelligence analysts? To make a firm judgment, you would need much more evidence than I reviewed. But based on what I saw, I would be surprised if the House and Senate intelligence committees didn’t conclude that U.S. analysts were being too cautious in preparing Gabbard’s March 26 testimony, during which she said the intelligence community “continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.”

Intelligence reporting on Iran’s weaponization program has a cat-and-mouse element, but sources familiar with Israeli intelligence shared with me a timeline showing what they believe happened –based in part on a cache of secret bombmaking plans their spies discovered in a Tehran warehouse in 2018.

The Amad bombmaking effort started around 2000, Israeli analysts believe. At secret sites in Varamin and

Lavisan-Shian around Tehran, the Iranians explored highly technical problems. These included systems like a “neutron trigger” at the bomb’s center that would initiate a chain reaction, specialized plastic explosives for a “shockwave generator” to ensure simultaneous detonation around the shell of the weapon and other complex features.

The CIA revealed this weaponization effort in 2007 but concluded that it had stopped in 2003. But the IAEA later found evidence that equipment from the secret Amad sites had been shifted after 2003 to a warehouse in Turquzabad, near Tehran. When Israel discovered the cache of Amad documents in 2018, the nuclear gear was moved once again, Israeli and IAEA documents indicate.

An IAEA report this month said the secret facilities at Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and other locations “were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s,” and that contaminated equipment from these sites was moved to Turquzabad “until 2018, after which items were removed.”

Iran’s renewed weaponization program was called SPND, known in En -

glish as the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, according to the Israeli document. Israel claims the organization had been established in 2011 by Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi, an Iranian nuclear scientist who was assassinated by Israel in 2020.

Turquzabad, according to the Israeli dossier. The site was struck by Israeli jets on June 13, along with its chief Mansour Asgari, an Iranian physicist.

The Sanjarian site, which had produced detonators for Amad and similar equipment for SPND, is now nominally

The most urgent postwar challenge will be finding – and destroying – Iran’s stockpile of 400 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium, which could become fuel for a “dirty bomb” in weeks if it isn’t controlled.

SPND’s key sites were at Shariati, in Tehran, and Sanjarian, near Parchin in southeastern Iran. The Shariati complex “is part of Iran’s concealment and deception efforts” and houses some of its technical laboratories and workshops, along with equipment transferred from

operated by a commercial company. It was also struck last week by Israeli jets. Iran’s alleged weaponization infrastructure is now in ruins. Israel has destroyed the equipment – and killed the researchers – that were part of what appears to have been a secret bomb -

making effort dating back 25 years. The IAEA’s public conclusion this month that “Iran did not declare nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at … Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad” is nearly as damning as Israel’s secret intelligence dossier. Any future nuclear agreement with Iran must reliably ban any restart of these activities.

The most urgent postwar challenge will be finding – and destroying – Iran’s stockpile of 400 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium, which could become fuel for a “dirty bomb” in weeks if it isn’t controlled. Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility, where this material was thought to be held, was bombed by both Israel and the United States. But the New York Times reported that IAEA director Rafael Grossi believed it had been moved before the attack.

Israeli and American sources say they know where the 400 kilograms are located. We can only hope so. They need to find it – quick – and dispose of it safely. Otherwise, the fuse on the Iranian bomb is still lit.

© 2025, Washington Post Writers Group

Political Crossfire Mamdani Apologists Play the Fake Islamophobia Card

By Jonathan S. Tobin

It didn’t take long for the Democratic Party’s media cheering section to demonstrate how far the Overton Window had moved among liberals with respect to antisemitism. Centrist Democrats and the liberal Jewish establishment were genuinely shocked by Zohran Mamdani’s victory in last week’s Democratic Party mayoral primary in New York City. Within days, however, it was clear that legacy outlets reflecting mainstream opinion on the political left weren’t going to tolerate much in the way of criticism of his extremist views about Israel and the Jews.

Within days, it was clear that anyone who claimed that Mamdani should be rejected out of hand as a possible mayor of New York on the grounds of stands that were, at best, antisemitism-adjacent or, at worst, open endorsements of Jewish genocide, rather than the candidate himself, were going to be the ones under fire. Within 48 hours of Mamdani’s win, The New York Times was already using the word “Islamophobic” in headlines to describe his critics.

It is fear among Democrats about being

labeled as Islamophobic that explains why so few prominent members of the party and officeholders are refusing to condemn Mamdani now that the 33-year-old New York state representative has become their party’s nominee. That’s not just smoothing his path to victory for a fellow Democrat, despite the horror that many New Yorkers feel about him. It’s also achieving something the political left has been assiduously working toward, especially since the Hamas-led Palestinian Arab attacks on southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023: the legitimization of antisemitism in the American public square.

While some of the online reaction to Mamdani was inappropriate, the attempt by Democrats and their liberal media cheerleaders to frame the narrative about the opposition to him as one primarily about Islamophobia is fundamentally dishonest.

Characterizing verbal and written criticisms of Mamdani as “racist” is not only a matter of inaccuracy or misinterpretation of those venting their anger and outrage about the prospect of him being mayor of the most Jewish city in the world outside of the State of Israel. Such arguments were

the next logical step involved in legitimizing opinions about Israel and Jews, as well as those fighting to destroy it, along with other radical causes.

The issue is not whether the next mayor of New York is a Shia Muslim (he practices the faith of his mother rather than that of his Hindu father). In a city as diverse as New York, few care about Mamdani’s faith or his background as the son of immigrants (his mother was a Gujarati Indian Muslim born in Uganda, and his father an Indian-American of Hindu Punjabi descent).

What matters is the fact that he is a Socialist on economic issues and an adherent of the ideological war on the West being waged by the hard left. His extremist views may well be influenced by his faith and ethnicity. Yet they are just as much a manifestation of the fashionable ideas that label the West and America as irredeemably racist and Israel and the Jews as “white” oppressors who must be suppressed. In this sense, the New York mayoral campaign has transcended politics. It is, instead, another manifestation of the conquest of American elite institutions of higher education by so-called “progressives” that led to mobs targeting

Jews on college campuses since Oct. 7. Mamdani has been an ardent advocate for the cause of “free Palestine,” which is to say the effort to “free” the territory— meaning, from the Jewish population—of the only Jewish state on the planet. That is an idea that ought to be rejected by all decent people everywhere not only because it singles out the Jews for deprivation of rights, such as that of living in peace and sovereignty in their ancient homeland, but also because it can only be achieved by the sort of genocidal wars that Hamas and its Iranian sponsor have long advocated and continue to pursue. This despicable cause has gained increasing support on the political left, largely on the strength of blood libels about Israel committing “genocide” against Palestinian Arabs in Gaza in its just war against Hamas, endorsed by Mamdani and other Democrats.

Suppressing Criticism

If, as the Times and other liberal outlets insist, Mamdani’s views are to be accepted as legitimate stands about which we must agree to disagree when discussing them, then what we are witnessing is not a prejudiced reaction to the rise of a

non-white Muslim politician. Rather, it is an attempt to suppress criticism of the mainstreaming of antisemitism and other extremist beliefs by the political left.

This tactic has been a staple of the anti-Israel movement for years and has achieved some notable successes, especially during the Biden presidency. The last Democratic administration balanced the lip service it paid to the rise of antisemitism on its watch with an attempt to treat concerns about prejudice against Muslims as being of equal concern.

While all prejudice is deplorable, the problem with virtually all of the discussion about Islamophobia in recent years is that most such attacks against Muslims aren’t actually racist ones.

To the contrary, the comments and stands that are labeled as Islamophobic are almost always attempts to call out the rabid Jew-hatred and virulent prejudicial positions and language that are mainstream discourse among American Muslims, especially on the part of those groups, like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which purport to represent them.

Such advocacy is based on the false assertion that Muslims are being subjected to widespread attacks and discrimination in the United States. The primary source for this claim is CAIR , a group that masquerades as a civil-rights organization but was founded as a cover for those seeking to raise funds for Hamas terrorists in the United States illegally. CAIR has a consistent record of antisemitism but also seeks to downplay or rationalize Islamist terrorism, like the Oct. 7 attacks.

Moreover, the organization’s claims about the situation of American Muslims and Arabs are simply not backed up by empirical evidence. This dates back to its false assertions that were echoed by most mainstream media about a mythical post9/11 backlash against Muslims that was largely made out of whole cloth. Contrary to CAIR’s claims (echoed by most liberal media outlets) that it is Muslims who are under siege, FBI hate-crime statistics have shown for the last two and a half decades that American Jews have been the primary victims of acts of religious prejudice in the United States. Attacks on Jews far outnumber those on Muslims by large margins every year, and that is especially true since Oct. 2023 ,7, when a surge of antisemitism began, fueled largely by the same kind of anti-Israel bigotry echoed by Mamdani.

Yet at the heart of the Islamophobia discussion is something more sinister than a group hyping something that doesn’t war-

rant serious concern. What is most disturbing about the attempt to sanitize Mamdani is that it dovetails with the campaign to gaslight Jews about the prejudice and violence to which they have been subjected.

While Mamdani insincerely claims to oppose antisemitism, he is part of a movement that not only endorses terrorism against Israeli Jews but is also linked to violence against Americans.

The

Meaning Behind “Globalize the Intifada”

In recent months, three separate incidents of anti-Jewish domestic terrorism have taken place, initiated by people claiming to act on behalf of the “free Palestine” cause that Mamdani has embraced. On

those, like the Times or Axios, which assert that it is wrong to link Mamdani’s position to that of global jihad, that are wrong.

Moreover, the fact that he has stuck to these positions while being defended as a victim of prejudice by mainstream outlets like the Times is yet another sign of how such antisemitism is no longer a barrier to widespread support from Democrats.

Leading New York and national Democrats could have reacted to the results with across-the-board condemnations of not only Mamdani’s anti-Zionism and unwillingness to condemn the genocidal slogans of Islamist terror. While a few leading Democrats, such as House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), have asked him to alter the way he speaks about Israel

What is most disturbing about the attempt to sanitize Mamdani is that it dovetails with the campaign to gaslight Jews about the prejudice and violence to which they have been subjected.

Passover, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Harrisburg residence was the target of an arson attack. In May, two employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington were gunned down by another “free Palestine” advocate as they left a Jewish museum. In June, a rally in Boulder, Colo., to draw awareness to the plight of the remaining 50 or so hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza was targeted by another “free Palestine” supporter, who said he wanted to kill all Zionists when he threw a Molotov cocktail at them. That assault resulted in injuries to 13 people, including eight who were hospitalized for burns; this week, 82-year-old Karen Diamond died as a result.

That is literally what “Globalize the intifada” means—the chant that Mamdani specifically refuses to condemn—and other catchphrases like “From the river to the sea”: support for terrorism against Jews. Mamdani supports the war against Israel. He opposes its existence as a Jewish state and couldn’t even condemn the Oct. 7 attacks without also treating the Israeli victims as morally equivalent to the Palestinian murderers, rapists and kidnappers and falsely accusing the Jewish state of “apartheid.” To point out the link between his steadfast refusal to disavow such stands and those who kill Jews in Israel or the United States is neither prejudicial nor unfair. On the contrary, it is

tive, was widely denounced for criticisms of Mamdani and forced to apologize. As Politico noted, most Democrats are now more interested in jumping on his bandwagon rather than in holding him accountable for his radicalism and anti-Zionism.

Part of this is a “no enemies on the left” attitude. It is an attitude that outlets like the Times, which has helped lead the assault on the West and America with its fallacious “1619 Project,” coupled with its biased coverage of the post-Oct. 7 war against Hamas and its Iranian sponsor, would like Democrats to adopt. The fact that it is mimicked by “woke right” antisemites like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), both of whom despise socialism but identify with Mamdani’s animus for Israel, is unsurprising.

and to condemn that phrase, they haven’t rejected out of hand the idea of someone who holds such views representing their party in the nation’s largest city.

In recent years, Democrats have been vocal about Republicans needing to disassociate themselves from extremists in their party. Apparently, they didn’t think the same suggestion applied to them.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has long claimed to be the shomer or “guardian” of Israel and the Jews in Congress, and most other members of his party, showed little sign of taking such a stand.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) disembark Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Jan. 31, 2023. Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

The most compelling evidence of how difficult that would be was not long in coming. Mainstream Democrats have shown themselves unable to draw a line in the sand against a figure who is not merely a Socialist but whose candidacy seems to have become a test case for legitimizing antisemitic views on the left. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who is no conserva-

New York isn’t the only place where those who hate Israel and seek to silence or marginalize Jews are dominating the party. In North Carolina, the state’s Democratic Party endorsed smears of Israel and called for an embargo on arms to it. People like Schumer and other Democratic officeholders who may disagree with such rhetoric but understand that their party base is not only comfortable with these blood libels but starting to demand that they go along with it.

But the way this is enforced is more than just a matter of base politics. Nor is it primarily bolstered by the ideological extremism of writers like Michelle Goldberg, Peter Beinart and M. Gessen, who are platformed by the Times and falsely claim that supporting the destruction of the one Jewish state on the planet by means of blood libels and a genocidal terrorist war isn’t antisemitism. It also involves efforts to condemn those calling attention to the alarming legitimization of Jew-hatred by labeling such arguments as Islamophobic and therefore beyond the pale.

What the last few days have shown is that playing the Islamophobia card is how the hard left hopes to facilitate its takeover of the Democratic Party. More than that, it’s a means to whitewash antisemitism and silence supporters of Israel. Publications, politicians and even Jewish groups that are just as concerned about falling out of sync with mainstream liberal opinion as they are about the surge in Jew-hatred that don’t stand up against this false narrative are as much a part of the problem as the controversial candidate himself.

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate).

Israel Today

From Condemnation to Cooperation

Trump’s Nuclear Alliance With Israel

By Martin Oliner

When Prime Minister Menachem Begin sent F-16 fighter jets to Osirak, Iraq, to destroy a nuclear reactor in June 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan supported a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israel and even initiated a temporary arms embargo.

Begin, whose family was murdered in the Holocaust, explained that he needed to prevent Iraq’s evil dictator Saddam Hussein from obtaining weapons of mass destruction that he would use to eliminate the Jewish State. He even timed the attack to prevent environmental damage and did it on a Sunday when Christian workers were off duty so they would not be harmed.

Nevertheless, the president of the United States was livid, because antisemitic defense secretary Caspar Weinberger had his ear and told him that Begin had violated an agreement to only use the American planes for “defensive measures.”

When Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ordered the September 2007 strike on a Syrian nuclear reactor, he did it with U.S. President George W Bush agreeing to turn a blind eye. Olmert had asked the U.S. to do it and only did the deed when Bush refused.

There were no condemnations this time – and certainly no embargo – but the thank you to Israel from the White House happened only privately.

Those were two Republican presidents who are remembered for being pro-Israel. When Democrats were in the White House, Israeli leaders did not even try to take such courageous steps to prevent their enemies from obtaining nuclear weapons.

That historical context is necessary to understand that when it comes to being a friend to Israel, U.S. President Donald Trump is in another league – a nuclear league – with a bond no weapon could ever break.

When it came time for the most dangerous and most fortified nuclear sites in Iran to be destroyed, Trump did not sit back and let Israel do it by itself. He made sure to finish the job with more than 200

tons of explosives.

When Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine was asked at a press conference on Sunday about Israeli involvement in the strike, he responded that it was purely an American operation.

“We made sure we were not in the same piece of airspace and sky,” he said. “Aside from that, that was the extent of it.”

This time, the gratitude was mutual and expressed very publicly. Immediately after the strike, Trump thanked Netanyahu personally and publicly. Netanyahu not only expressed his appreciation by video, he later went to the Western Wall to thank G-d for Trump’s courage.

Just like there are pro-Israel Republicans, and then there is Trump in another league, there are also different levels of opposition to Israel among Democrats.

There are Democrats whose condemnation of the Jewish State no longer shocks anyone, no matter how egregious. The best example is Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. She called for Trump’s impeachment for the strike.

“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” she said. “He has impulsively risked launching a war that may

ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”

Calling for ousting the president for taking action to prevent the most dangerous weapons from landing in the hands of an Iranian regime that has taken 66 Americans hostage and murdered nearly 1,000 people in several countries is outrageous.

But no one expected AOC to sing Hatikvah, so it is anything but shocking.

The best example of a Democrat whose behavior toward Israel is shocking is my senator in New York, Charles Schumer, who has called himself one of Israel’s closest friends throughout his decades in politics.

Schumer has made a point of saying in countless speeches that his name means “guardian” in Hebrew and that he saw it as his duty to safeguard the Jewish people and the Jewish state.

Unfortunately, when push came to shove following Saturday night’s strike, Schumer proved himself to be not only one of the worst ever traitors to Israel and the Jewish people but also one of the most hypocritical politicians to ever disgrace the oath he took upon assuming office.

“The danger of wider, longer, and more devastating war has now dramatically increased,” was how Schumer reacted to the defanging of a country that has

engaged Israel in a seven-front war since October 7, 2023.

Schumer has attended enough AIPAC events over his career to know better than that. He has received enough intelligence briefings on the maniacal intentions of Iran’s leaders and the dangers of their bombs to not say something so stupid.

Like AOC, he took issue with Trump attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities without asking for permission from Congress. But unlike AOC, he should know better, because he was around for plenty of operations authorized by Democratic presidents who did not seek approval first.

Schumer owes an apology to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for calling for his ouster in March 2024. Since then, Netanyahu has taken important courageous steps throughout the Middle East to protect Israel that any true friend of Israel in Washington should appreciate.

“If Prime Minister Netanyahu’s current coalition remains in power after the war begins to wind down and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing U.S. standards for assistance, then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course,” Schumer warned back then.

Thankfully, Netanyahu stood up to Schumer, stayed in power, and proved his heroism to his people, to Israel’s enemies and allies, and to the world.

The behavior of Trump and Schumer and their parties must never be forgotten. Anyone who cares about Israel must keep in mind what the top official in each party did at this fateful time the next time they cast their ballots.

Martin Oliner is the chairman of Religious Zionists of America and a committee member of the Jewish Agency. He currently serves as a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and is the former mayor of the Village of Lawrence. He is the author of In Praise of Donald Trump, available at Amazon.

Political Crossfire Trump Buried “You Break It,

You Own It” In the

One of the worst and most debilitating foreign policy doctrines of the early 21st century was Secretary of State Colin Powell’s socalled Pottery Barn rule on the use of U.S. military force: “If you break it, you own it.”

It turns out, that’s not true. You can just break it.

In Iran, President Donald Trump buried Powell’s rule deep in the rubble of the Fordow nuclear enrichment plant. Trump set a clear but limited goal: to end Iran’s nuclear program. He then offered the Iranian regime a peaceful path to do so. When Iran chose not to accept his offer, he launched Operation Midnight Hammer, deploying a squadron of B-2 Spirit bombers to “obliterate” Iran’s nuclear sites. Then he warned Tehran that if it retaliated, he would eliminate its leader and remove its regime from power.

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’” Trump declared on Truth Social soon after the attack, “but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” (He earlier warned that he knew “exactly where the socalled ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding.”)

Iran understood Trump was not bluffing. The president, who in his first term killed Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and had just bombed Iran’s secretive nuclear program, would not have hesitated to subject Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to – in Trump’s words – “A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH.” So, Iran backed down. The regime launched a carefully telegraphed symbolic strike against the United States’ al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and then accepted Trump’s offer of a ceasefire.

Rubble of Fordow

By Marc A. Thiessen

When Trump held out the prospect of regime change, no one thought he was planning to send 160,000 U.S. troops to march on Tehran and establish a Coalition Provisional Authority to govern and rebuild the country. He was talking about a decapitation strike. In a 2016 interview with PBS’s “Frontline,” Powell recalled his warning to President George W. Bush before the Iraq War began: “If you take out a government, take out a regime, guess who becomes the government and regime and is responsible for the country? You are.” Trump wisely rejected that logic. He could change the regime in Tehran with an airstrike and leave what came next to the people of Iran and the region. And if a new Iranian government decided to resume the atomic pursuit, he could strike that regime as well. This is why the debate in Washington over the effectiveness of Operation Midnight Hammer is so ridiculous. Put aside, for a moment, the fact that Trump

dropped 14 30,000-pound GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on Iran’s nuclear facilities. That is 420,000 pounds of ordnance, about 28 times the power the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and more than one-third the strength of the most powerful weapon currently in the U.S. nuclear arsenal. (And that’s not counting dozens of Tomahawk missiles launched from U.S. submarines.) The idea that this did little lasting damage to Fordow and other Iranian nuclear sites is laughable.

But what the damage assessments don’t take into account is that, if Iran shows any sign of trying to reconstitute its nuclear program, Trump could strike again … and again … and again. The same B-2 bombers he launched at Fordow once can easily make the 37-hour round trip from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri a second or third time. Indeed, if the Iranian regime started tunneling in Fordow, Israel could strike before additional U.S. bunker-busters

were even necessary.

Iran would be powerless to stop such strikes. It has lost its terrorist proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah. It has lost its regional ally, Syria, whose new government is reportedly considering a peace accord with Israel. It has lost most of its air defenses, ballistic missile launchers, and cadres of nuclear scientists and military leaders – all vaporized. Iran is strategically naked, weaker than it has ever been since the 1979 revolution.

Moreover, the psychological taboo over striking Iran has been broken. The Israelis were told that Iranian leaders would launch up to 1,000 ballistic missiles at Israel in response to an attack on their nuclear program, which would have overwhelmed Israel’s missile defenses and caused untold civilian casualties. But over 12 days of attacks, Iran never managed to launch more than 40 ballistic missiles in a single barrage, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Add to that its feckless response to the U.S. bombing, and there is no reason, if Iran misbehaves, U.S. or Israeli strikes cannot be repeated.

Already, Trump is warning he might do so. On Friday, he said he would “absolutely” and “without question” be willing to bomb Iran again if it resumed enriching uranium, but he added, “I don’t believe that they’re going to go back into nuclear anytime soon.”

For decades, the Powell rule needlessly constrained the U.S. from addressing threats from Iran and other countries. Now, from Tehran to Pyongyang to Beijing, the world’s tyrants know that the rule lies buried “under millions of tons of rock” and will constrain the U.S. no longer.

Political Crossfire After War With Israel and U.S., Iran Rests on a Knife Edge

By Roger Cohen

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Roxana Saberi felt like she was back behind bars in Tehran, Iran. As she watched Israel’s bombing of Evin prison, the notorious detention facility at the core of Iran’s political repression, she shuddered at memories of solitary confinement, relentless interrogation, fabricated espionage charges and a sham trial during her 100-day incarceration in 2009.

Like many Iranians in the diaspora and at home, Saberi wavered, torn between her dreams of a government collapse that would free the country’s immense potential and her concern for family and friends as the civilian death toll mounted. Longings for liberation and for a ceasefire vied with each other.

“For a moment, I imagined seeing Iran again in my lifetime,” said Saberi, 48, a dual Iranian and American citizen and author who has taken a break from her journalistic career. “I also thought how ridiculous it was that the Islamic Republic wasted decades accusing thousands of women’s rights advocates, dissidents and others of being spies, when

they couldn’t catch the real spies.”

Those spies, mainly from Israel’s Mossad foreign intelligence service, penetrated Iran’s highest political and military echelons. The question now is what a shaken Islamic Republic in dire economic straits will do with what Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a moderate, has called “a golden opportunity for change.” That moment is also one of extreme, even existential, risk brought on by the 12-day Israeli-Iranian war that the United States briefly joined.

The military campaign flirted with dislodging the clerical autocracy that has made uranium enrichment the symbol of Iran’s national pride, but stopped short of killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s 86-year-old supreme leader, even though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had said that the ayatollah’s death would “end the conflict.” The 46-year-old Islamic Republic limps on.

It does so despite the collapse of its “axis of resistance” that was formed through the funding, at vast expense, of anti-Western proxies from Lebanon to Yemen; despite the devastating bombing

of its equally exorbitant nuclear facilities that never produced a bomb and scarcely lit a lightbulb; and despite the humiliation of surrendering the skies above Iran to its enemies.

Yet Khamenei, as the guardian of the theocratic anti-Western revolution that triumphed in 1979, sees himself as the victor. “The Islamic Republic won,” he said in a video broadcast Thursday from a secret location, laying to rest rumors of his demise.

His is a survival game dosed with prudence that now faces the greatest test of his 36 years in power.

“To understand Iran and Khamenei and the people around him is to understand that the Islamic Republic’s survival is always a victory,” said Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, a London think tank.

Revolution at a Crossroads

Already, tensions over how to address the crisis brought on by the war are evident.

Pezeshkian appears to favor a lib -

eralizing makeover, repairing relations with the West through a possible nuclear deal. He has spoken in recent days of “an opportunity to change our views on governance.”

It was not clear what he meant, but many in Iran favor strengthening elected institutions and making the supreme leader more of a figurehead than the ultimate font of authority. They seek an Islamic Republic that is more of a republic, where women are empowered and a younger generation no longer feels oppressed by a gerontocratic theological system.

Khamenei insisted that the Israeli and American attack on nuclear facilities had failed “to achieve anything significant.” But Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi seemed to question that judgment, saying Thursday that the country’s nuclear facilities had sustained “significant and serious damage.”

Hardliners see any disunity as a danger signal. They believe concessions presage collapse. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, 69 years after its formation, and the “color revolutions” that brought Western democracy to post-So -

viet states, deeply affected Khamenei and his entourage.

They are suspicious of any nuclear deal and are adamant that Iran must retain the right to enrich uranium on its soil, which Israel and the United States have said is unacceptable. They are also strongly represented in the country’s single most powerful institution, the Revolutionary Guard.

The Guard numbers 150,000 to 190,000 members, Vakil said. With control over vast swaths of the economy, they have a deep vested interest in the government’s survival. They are the kind of large institutional buffer that President Bashar Assad in Syria lacked before his downfall last year.

Already, as it did in 2009 when a large-scale uprising threatened the toppling of the Islamic Republic, Iran has embarked on a crackdown involving hundreds of arrests, at least three executions, and the deployment of the Revolutionary Guard and Basij militia in Kurdish and other restive areas.

Iranians have seen this movie before. Some wonder what the war was for if they are to face another bludgeoning. “The people want to know who is to blame for multiple defeats, but there is no leader to take on the regime,” said Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a prominent political scientist in the United Arab Emirates. “A weak Islamic Republic could hang on four or five years.”

This weakness appears deep. The “victory” claimed by Khamenei cannot disguise the fact that Iran is now a nation with near zero deterrence.

“I would imagine that deep in his bunker, Khamenei’s priority must be how to rebuild a deterrence that was based on the nuclear program, the missile program and armed proxies, all now in shreds,” said Jeffrey Feltman, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington and, as United Nations undersecretary-general for political affairs in 2012, one of the few Americans to have met the supreme leader.

“Khamenei was obsessed with the mendacity and belligerence of the United States,” Feltman recalled. “His eyes were benevolent, but his words, expressed in a quiet, dull monotone, were anything but benevolent.”

Paranoia, Institutionalized

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei’s predecessor, promised freedom when he came to power in the 1979 revolution that threw out a shah seen as a pawn of the secular and decadent West.

It was not to be. Tensions soon erupted between those who had fought for democracy and those for whom theocratic rule was more important.

The Islamic Republic’s first president, Abolhassan Banisadr, was impeached and ousted after a little more than a year in office, for challenging the rule of the clerics. He fled to France. Thousands were executed as the government consolidated its power.

War engulfed the revolutionary country in 1980, when Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi leader, ordered an invasion. The fighting would go on for eight years, leaving an estimated 500,000 people dead, most of them on the Iranian side, before

in 2009 to protest what they saw as a stolen election that returned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.

The vote had been preceded by weeks of vigorous televised presidential debates, watched by tens of millions of people, and the rapid rise of Mir-Hossein Moussavi’s liberalizing Green Movement. All that evaporated as the Revolutionary Guard and Basij militia clubbed protesters into submission over the days after the vote.

Seldom, if ever, had the two faces of the Islamic Republic been so evident, one vibrant and freedom-seeking, the other harsh and closed, succeeding each other at hallucinogenic speed.

Seldom, if ever, had the two faces of the Islamic Republic been so evident, one vibrant and freedom-seeking, the other harsh and closed, succeeding each other at hallucinogenic speed.

Khomeini drank from “the poison chalice,” as he put it, and accepted an end to the war.

The generation that fought that war, now largely forgotten in the West, forms much of the political and military elite in Iran today. They came away from the war convinced of American perfidy in light of U.S. military support for Iraq, persuaded of Iranian resilience and viscerally dedicated to the revolution for which they had seen so many fall.

“The war, in many cases, embedded a paranoid worldview, a sense of victimization that has led the elite, and particularly Khamenei, to be unaware of how the world is evolving around them,” Vakil said.

All of this has shaped the nazam, or system. It is now thoroughly institutionalized. Change has proved difficult, and conflict has festered. In the more than four decades since the revolution, the century-long Iranian quest for some workable compromise between clericalism and secularism, one that denies neither the country’s profound Islamic faith nor its broad attraction to liberal values, has endured.

At times, the tension has flared into violent confrontation, as when more than 2 million people took to the streets

Persian Gulf states, which include Saudi Arabia, not out of any love for Khamenei, but out a desire to remain havens of peace and prosperity.

“For now, I don’t see any forces gelling to go up against the regime,” Feltman said. “But Israel will strike again if it sees any redevelopment of Iran’s nuclear or ballistic programs.”

Iran at an Impasse

Saberi’s hopes rose and fell during the recent fighting as she sat in her parents’ home in North Dakota. Against her better instincts, she found herself digging out her Iranian passport as the 12 days passed and considering renewing it.

She has not visited Iran in the 16 years since her release, knowing that return, as she put it, “would be a one-way ticket.” But the tug of her second home, Iran, where she lived for six years, endures.

“Iran’s in our heart, it’s in our blood, there is nowhere in the world like it, and I know so many Iranians in the diaspora who would go back and contribute if the regime falls,” she said. “My dad, in his 80s, spends his time translating Persian poetry.”

More recently, in 2022, a wave of protests erupted after a young woman, Mahsa Amini, died in the custody of Iran’s morality police soon after her arrest for failing to cover her hair with a hijab. The movement reflected deep exasperation at the notion that aging clerics should tell women how to dress, and it led to some change. Many more women now go without hijabs; reprimands have become rarer and milder.

The government’s ability to suppress challenges, through repression and adaptation, reflects its strong survival instincts, and complicates assessments of its possible durability even as a clear majority of Iranians oppose it.

So, too, does popular weariness after a century of upheavals that have left Iranians with little taste for further turmoil and bloodshed.

“The people of Iran are fed up with being pariahs, and some were more saddened by the ceasefire than the war itself,” said Dherar Belhoul al-Falasi, a former member of the UAE’s Federal National Council who now heads a consultancy focused on risk management.

“But we here in the Gulf are status quo powers that favor stability,” he added.

A toppling of the Islamic Republic would likely have little support among

That diaspora is scattered in many places, not least Dubai, where during the fighting I spent time with another Iranian family who yearn to go home to Tehran but are afraid to do so right now. One evening, we watched a powerful movie, directed by Bahman Kiarostami, the son of legendary Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, and by Rahi Rabani.

The 2024 movie, denied release by the authorities in Iran, is a vivid depiction of the ravages within a single Iranian family brought on by differences over the theocratic government. An authoritarian and religious father cannot accept his daughter’s decision to reject the hijab, and she cannot accept the way he sees her as a bad person merely for doing so.

“We want an Islamic Republic,” says the father.

“We don’t want an Islamic Republic, so there’s no solution,” says the daughter, who is in her 30s.

Another member of the family, a young girl in hijab, is the most relaxed, convinced that the best solution is to live and let live: “If they don’t wear hijab and go to hell, it’s on them,” she says with a smile.

The title of the movie is “Impasse.”

Political Crossfire

“The Bomb Lady” and the Forerunner of the “Bunker Buster” Used in Iran

By Elizabeth Williamson

WASHINGTON — After the United States dropped 14 “bunker buster” bombs on two nuclear sites in Iran, Anh Duong looked up the weapon’s technical details and felt a rush of familiarity.

Duong, 65, is a former Vietnam War refugee who escaped Saigon and found a home with her family in Washington, D.C. Long determined to give back to the nation that sheltered her, she got her chance a month after 9/11, when she was the leader of a team of U.S. military scientists that created an explosive in the same family as the bunker buster used in Iran.

It was the BLU-118/B, a laser-guided bomb designed to travel deep into confined spaces such as the underground tunnels occupied by al-Qaida in Afghanistan. BLU stands for Bomb Live Unit, not Big, Loud and Ugly, “which is maybe what the soldiers say,” Duong said in an interview at her home in suburban Maryland.

The bomb produced a high-temperature, sustained blast, “so that our guys would not have to flush out these hills or caves by foot,” she said. Used repeatedly in Afghanistan, the weapon developed by the Navy’s “Bomb Lady” and her team is credited by others with shortening America’s longest war.

Before designing the BLU-118/B, Duong and her team were working on a new generation of “high-performance, insensitive explosives, that could take the ride and abuse” of traveling through layers of rock or walls of masonry before detonating.

These were part of the family of explosives packed into the bunker buster, officially the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, that the United States used in Iran. A dozen of the bombs were dropped on the Iranian nuclear site at Fordo, which is deep

underneath a mountain. Two more were dropped on the nuclear facility at Natanz.

Duong did not wade into the debate over the extent of the damage the bombs caused to Iran’s nuclear program. (President Donald Trump insisted the attack “obliterated” Iranian nuclear facilities, and he has threatened to sue news organizations that raised doubts, including their citation of a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency report that assessed that Iran’s program may have been set back by only months. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the program was set back by years because the United States and Israel destroyed a key facility at Isfahan that converts nuclear fuel into weapons — but that was attacked with Israeli and U.S. missiles, not bunker busters.)

online brought up “fond memories of the faces and the friendships,” she said. “Explosives developers are a small community. We know one another, and we collaborate a lot. It was not just my work individually. Everything is teamwork.”

She does not recall who nicknamed her “the Bomb Lady,” but as word of her achievements spread, that is how she became known among Vietnamese emigres in the United States and abroad.

The Girl at the Gate Duong’s journey from a wartime childhood in Vietnam to a U.S. Navy munitions lab began at the gate of her parents’ home in Saigon in the late 1960s, when she was about 7 years old. Her father was a top agricultural official in the anti-Communist

Duong and a 100-member scientific and technical team condensed five years of work into 67 days, formulating a lethal, plastic-bonded explosive that was poured like cake batter into Air Force casings.

In the end, Duong said, the extent of the bomb’s success cannot be measured from Washington, Israel or even Tehran.

“Think about it,” she said. “You went in and bombed an underground nuclear facility. It’s not safe to send anyone into that facility. I suspect it will be a long time before any real, in-person assessment can be done.”

But reading the Iran bomb’s formula

ise to herself. “If there was any way, that’s what I would do for the American soldiers who continued to protect me and my family,” Duong said. “I would give them the best means to come back to their own sisters.”

In April 1975, with Saigon on the verge of falling to the North Vietnamese, Duong’s brother and another helicopter pilot delivered her and her parents, siblings and extended family to a South Vietnamese navy ship bound for the Philippines. They were lucky. After the U.S. defeat, millions of Vietnamese “boat people” tried to flee. The United Nations estimates that as many as 250,000 of them died.

The family ended up in the United States’ capital, where they had relatives and a sponsor, the First Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. “We came here as empty-handed, dirt-poor refugees, and we met so many generous and kind Americans,” Duong said. The outpouring of help renewed her determination to pay back Americans who had welcomed her family.

South Vietnamese government. Her brother was a helicopter pilot for the South Vietnamese and was leaving the family home for a mission.

Weeping, Duong wished “for a magic wand, to give him the best, most advanced weapon so he could win and come back intact,” she recalled. That scene played out over and over during the long war, and eventually the girl at the gate made a prom-

The church settled them in an apartment in nearby suburban Maryland. Duong was barely 16 and spoke little English. But she was a talented student, and in 1982, she graduated with honors from the University of Maryland with a chemical engineering degree. She received a master’s degree in public administration from American University and then pursued a civilian science job for the Navy, gravitating toward “things that go swish and boom,” she told columnist George Will in 2007.

By 2001, Duong was director of Insensitive Munitions Advanced Development at the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Indian

A recent photo of Duong in Ashton, Maryland

Head Division, in Charles County, Maryland. She had begun working on the explosives that were ultimately used in Afghanistan when al-Qaida attacked the Pentagon and Twin Towers.

Air Force Col. Thomas Ward, a top official at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, told her, she recalled, that “we’re going to go into Afghanistan quickly. What can we do ASAP?”

Duong and a 100-member scientific and technical team condensed five years of work into 67 days, formulating a lethal, plastic-bonded explosive that was poured like cake batter into Air Force casings. The team did calculations and tested steps simultaneously until they had 420 gallons of the explosive.

At the end of long days in the lab, “no one wanted to leave,” Duong said. “I had to kick people out. You can’t be tired when you work with explosives.”

In 2002, the secretary of the Navy, Gordon R. England, awarded the entire civilian workforce of more than 2,000 people at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Indian Head a Meritorious Unit Commendation, an honor typically reserved for active-duty military units. Every day after that, Duong’s team wore the commendation lapel pin to work.

Although the terrible toll of the Vietnam War was with her then, as it is now, Duong said she found no contradiction between the violence she once experienced and her work developing explosives of fearsome power. High-tech bombs can help minimize ground fighting and shorten wars, she said.

As a military scientist and an American, “our first duty was to make sure that our soldiers come back alive,” she said. “I wanted to do anything I could to help them win.”

“This Country Is a Paradise”

Duong retired in 2020. She and her husband, a fellow Vietnamese refugee she met in college, is also retired as a software engineer for a defense contractor. They live near Hagerstown, Maryland, northwest of Washington, and have a daughter and three sons ranging in age from 29 to 35.

When the family saw ads for lottery tickets and stories of Powerball winners on TV, “I would tell my kids, ‘We already won, because we’re here,’” Duong said. “Sometimes it takes an outsider to say, ‘Hey, there’s always room for improvement, but this country is a paradise.’”

In 2007, Duong won a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal from the

Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit group that promotes an effective federal workforce and sponsors the annual awards. In a tribute video, she spoke about her anguish at the gate of her home, her narrow escape and the life she and her family built here.

“I never forgot the 58,000 Americans, plus the other 260,000 South Vietnamese soldiers who died in that war,” she said. “I feel that I owe my second chance in America to all of those people.” Duong received a standing ovation, and many in the audience wept.

In 2008, she became head of the Borders and Maritime Security Division under the secretary for science and technology in the Department of Homeland Security. There she vetted technology and equipment used to better secure the borders and ports. “I went from offense to defense,” she said.

In about 2013, Duong was the keynote speaker at a homeland security conference in a border town in Arizona. She was introduced with a short summary of her biography, headlined by her work after 9/11. When the conference was over, a man approached and told her he had served in Afghanistan.

This was rare, she said. In all her years of supplying the military, she had

Anh Duong in front of her family’s home in Vietnam around 1970

rarely met soldiers.

“He said: ‘Thank you, Anh. You saved my life and spared my comrades,” she recalled. “And I said, ‘No, I’m the one who has to thank you, for risking your life.’”

They parted before Duong could get the man’s name.

“I didn’t tell anybody then, because you don’t brag about these things,” she said. “But that was the best reward anyone could hope for. Better than a bonus, better than a medal, better than a promotion, a war fighter telling me that.”

© The New York Times

Forgotten Her es Courageous Combat Jumps

By Avi Heiligman

Soon after the invention of aircraft in 1903, militaries around the world began experimenting with different uses for the plane. Modern parachutes had been around since the end of the 18th century as they were used to jump from tall towers. The two were first combined during World War I, but it took until the Second World War for paratroopers to be trained and used in large numbers. The first time that paratroopers were dropped in large numbers was in 1940 by the Germans. Other nations like the Americans and Soviets had experimented with large combat jumps in the years leading up to World War II. By the end of the war, the U.S. had five airborne divisions and made well over a dozen jumps into combat. After the war, many of the airborne units were consolidated or eliminated altogether, but the concept remained. Since World War II, there have been several combat jumps made by American troops including some as recently as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before delving into the combat jumps made by American forces since World War II, it is important to note that several small jumps occurred taking place behind enemy lines. These were mainly undertaken by Special Forces, and details were often not revealed to the public for many years after the operation. The jumps recounted in this article were on a larger scale with paratroopers receiving public attention for their actions in combat.

The 187 th Airborne Regiment was one of the airborne units that were redesignated after World War II. Originally formed as a glider regiment with the 11th Airborne Division, it had participated in several battles and the occupation of Japan. After returning to the U.S. in 1949, it became an airborne regiment and in 1950 took part in the largest peacetime airborne exercise in history.

As war in Korea loomed on the horizon, the 187 th was sent back to Japan to prepare for combat operations. They took part in two combat jumps during the Ko -

187 th conducted a jump with the Rangers as part of Operation Tomahawk. Together with the paratroops, howitzers and jeeps were successfully dropped. Close to 3,500 soldiers made the jump on March 23, 1951, and they faced minimal opposition once they landed near a town 20 miles from Seoul.

On February 22, 1967, 845 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade made the largest jump during the Vietnam War. The jump was part of Operation Junction City with the objective of clearing the Viet Cong from a stronghold in

Operation Iraqi Freedom was the last time that a large group of paratroopers parachuted into a battlefield.

rean War with the first taking place on October 20, 1950, at Sukchon, Korea, north of Pyongyang. The objective was to cut off the escape route of soldiers and government officials fleeing north. Additionally, they were on a rescue mission to free American prisoners of war. Neither objective was met, but it was the first time that C-119s were used to drop paratroopers.

In their second jump of the war, the

South Vietnam. The paratroopers were dropped from 13 C-130 aircraft while eight infantry battalions were brought in on helicopters. The mission was a success as the enemy fled the area. The 173rd soon adopted their nickname “Sky Soldiers” from this operation.

The military actions of the 1980s saw two large-scale combat jumps. Operation Urgent Fury was the American-led

invasion of Grenada in 1983. Following a coup and political unrest, the United States sent in forces to protect American students studying at a medical school on the island. Fifteen Navy SEALs were air-dropped into the water off of Grenada and were supposed to perform a reconnaissance mission. However, the drop did not go as planned, and four SEALs probably drowned in the choppy nighttime water as they were never seen again. Two days later, on October 25, 1983, 500 soldiers from the 75 th Ranger Regiment were dropped from MC-130s with the objective being the Port Salinas Airfield. The Rangers 1 st Battalion cleared the runway after the low altitude jump, and others rescued the medical students that were on the campus situated near the airfield. Their successful jump allowed other forces to land, and soon order was restored on the island.

The U.S. invasion of Panama in late 1989, called Operation Just Cause, saw the largest nighttime combat airdrop of paratroopers since World War II. 1,300 Rangers and 2,700 paratroopers from the 82 nd Airborne Division parachuted into Panama to depose ruler Manuel Noriega who was wanted on high level drug trafficking and other related offences. The Rangers flew in C-130 Hercules and C-141 Starlifter aircraft and quickly seized their targets after their low altitude jump. The 82nd jumped at the civil-

American troops jumping into Nazi-occupied Holland in September 1944

U.S. paratroopers landing in a drop zone near Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, in 2010

ian airport with the objective of linking up and supporting the Ranger’s mission. The overall mission was a success as they achieved speed and surprised the enemy.

During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, only Delta Force commandos made a combat jump. The next large combat jump took place during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. On October 19, just over a month after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, 200 Rangers jumped from MC130 Combat Talon aircraft at 800 feet. Their objective was an airstrip, and despite reports of possible enemy activi -

ty in the area, only one Taliban fighter was seen. The jump zone was softened by bombing runs from AC-130 gunships and B-2 stealth bombers (more on these bombers in an upcoming article). After securing the airstrip, Camp Rhino was established, which allowed other troops an operations base for further missions in Afghanistan.

Operation Iraqi Freedom was the last time that a large group of paratroopers parachuted into a battlefield. On March 26, 2003, 954 paratroopers from the 173 rd Airborne Brigade jumped into

Iraq to secure Bashur Airfield in northern Iraq. They were dropped from C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at about 7,000 feet. Upon landing, they quickly secured the airfield and forced the Iraqi Army to divert significant manpower away from the advancing coalition forces coming from the south.

Even though only a handful of combat jumps took place since World War II, training for large scale combat jumps is still a big part for several airborne units of the U.S. military. Gaining control of airfields, establishing forward operat-

ing bases and cutting off enemy escape routes are the major objectives of these units and are often part of their training exercises. Paratroopers remain an integral part of military strategy, and the stories of their combat missions are history 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.

1st Ranger Battalion jumping into Kuwait in 1991

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Life C ach Can We Make It Happen?!

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

Make up your mind: heat wave or unseasonably cold. Talk about crazy weather!

“Weather” you’re heat intolerant or afraid of flooding, this summer is possibly out to get you.

On the other hand, if you like unpre -

dictability, you’re certainly in your zone! June has been a real doozy. Cold, freezing, rainy, and boiling. Talk about variety. It will be exciting to see what July has in store…though nice out, consistent sunshine, along with numbers in the high ‘70s to ‘80s with a warmish pleas -

ant breeze might be appreciated. That is, if anyone is taking suggestions!

I’m not a maven on global warming. But I will say that everyone wants summer to be summer – delicious weather but tolerable.

Water parks need an air temp that is warm enough for people to enjoy the dips and pools. At the same time, amusement parks need weather that is cool enough for people to tolerate walking from ride to ride.

Don’t we care about industry?!

Restaurants need weather that makes people want to go out and celebrate summer. At the same time, kids at their

we get to influence the weather. However, I guess we could somehow. After all, we know that there used to be rain dances that were attempted among the Indians/early Americans to try to make an impact . And there used to be talk of witch doctors who could try to make things happen.

So, maybe we could try to put in a good word with our Connection?! Who does have a real track record. And is truly very responsive. So, let’s go for it! And hope for a great July. And perhaps then we can even push a little harder for a stupendous August as well.

Everyone wants summer to be summer –delicious weather but tolerable.

Kool-Aid stands (newly sans dyes) need customers.

Don’t we care about these eateries? And kids?

And humans need skin that doesn’t fry but also clothing that stays dry.

Don’t we care about humanity?!

So who am I talking to?! It’s not like

Don’t you wonder: can we make it happen?!

Nothing ventured, nothing lost. But if something is ventured, there’s only a gain here. It will either be the same as whatever the original plan was or we might be able to have an awesome summer.

Here’s hoping…and praying!