ISSUE#35 – 5/15/2024

Seriously, you know there’s no such thing.

BUT IF YOU’RE DETERMINED AND SERIOUS TO GET RID OF THOSE, UH, HANDLES, SLENDR WILL WORK AS HARD AS YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU REACH YOUR GOAL.

LETTER EDITOR from the

Reading this week’s chapter of New Guy on The Block, I was taken in by the way that the fictional story — which the author began writing before October 7th — coalesced with today’s reality so very well. Weapon sales to Iran. Chilling.

On the night of vav Nissan, I was on the line at the grocery store, when I heard that a deluge of UAV’s was headed our way. To Eretz Yisroel.

The women on the line behind me, sisters, were chatting animatedly about how they planned to finish their Pesach cleaning over the course of the week, and they laughed easily about the idea of unmanned aerial vehicles headed our way.

Hundreds of missiles projected at our tiny country. How absurd!

I usually take most news with a grain of salt, but this piece of news terrified me. What would happen when those projectiles reached Eretz Yisroel?

Where would they land? Would anyone be hurt?

At the beginning of the war, one young astute neighbor in the building told her mother, “I was scared last night that a missile might strike here, but then I remembered the Tehillim that we say in our building every day, and I said ‘why would Hashem let a missile strike our building? It’s holy?’”

The kids in our building still have a Tehillim group going. And so, when I finally went to sleep that night — knowing that our sleep would be disrupted if/when the missiles hit — I wrapped myself in a blanket of ruchniyus security.

Indeed, our sleep was interrupted, and

indeed the sound of the siren was brutal and frightening. Schlepping kids into the safe room in the middle of the night was not something that I’d ever had to do before — despite living in Eretz Yisroel for years — for fortunately we don’t live too close to the line of fire. But this time was different, and I shook as I took my baby out of her crib and helped my husband move the older kids into the safe room.

For twenty minutes we sat in the darkness (I didn’t want to turn the light on, so as not to disturb the sleep of my sons who sleep in the safe room all year round), and then my husband and I headed back to our room.

We checked the news. No reported injuries yet.

No casualties amongst Yidden. The interception rate was 99%, and we went into Pesach in an uplifted mindset.

We still need the ultimate miracle, and anticipate it’s coming every day, but it’s important to recognize and be grateful also for the smaller ones. (300 UAV’s that caused almost no harm. How small is that? I don’t think there’s even a word that can express the greatness.)

So that’s where my mind took me when I read the serial. At how the threat of missiles or a superpower in the East is null and void in the face of our Father in Heaven who watches over Eretz Yisroel closely from the beginning of the year until the end.

There was really no reason for even any momentary fear.

Have a great week!

The Lakewood Vibes Editorial Team

BABKA THAT SIMPLY STEALS THE CART

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Siblings

Excuse Me, Where Is the Handicap Spot?

The Jewish religion prides itself in being exceptionally caring for the underprivileged and weak groups within its society. The Torah tells us time and time again to be kind to the widow, the orphan and the blind. The Torah instructs us to visit the sick and to give charity to the poor. The Torah speaks at length about treating a convert with love and respect.

So it seems rather odd that when it comes to the service within the Bais Hamikdash, the Torah takes an unusual and elitist stance. The Torah strongly forbids those who have physical defects to play any role in the Bais Hamikdash. Anyone lame or blind was not allowed to serve in the Bais Hamikdash. Anyone unusually tall or unusually short was likewise banned from serving. People with broken legs, people with broken arms, hunchbacks, and dwarfs were all nixed.

Why is this? Wouldn’t Hashem want us to be kind and caring and go out of our way to hire such people?

The modern world’s attitude towards handicapped individuals with its increased social services, designated parking spots, priority airplane boarding, etc. makes the Torah’s stance seem so outdated and insensitive. When it comes to filling positions in the Bais Hamikdash, why does the Torah seem to deviate from its regular loving and accepting mode of operation?

Why Law Offices Spend So Much Money on Their Lawns

The Sefer HaChinuch offers the following powerful explanation. The success of the Bais Hamikdash in particular, and Judaism in general, is predicated on the Jewish people’s awe, respect, and honor given to it. The continuity of Judaism requires the Jewish people’s dramatic interest in perpetuating it. The very moment the Jewish people view Judaism as unimpressive and second-rate, as mere religious folklore, the future of Judaism becomes at stake.

Hence, the Torah implemented safeguards ensuring that we view the Bais Hamikdash and Judaism with the honor and prestige they deserve. Not because Hashem needs the power and prestige, but because we need to be impressed by its image. Without it we would sadly fail to appreciate its marvelous beauty, and we would become ensnared by the “beautiful” mirage of this world.

One of those safeguards was being particular in who serves as representatives in the Bais Hamikdash.

The Torah wants every child to walk into the Bais Hamikdash for the first time and be left in complete awe. It wants every child to dream of being there. Of aspiring to make the Bais Hamikdash the dominant force in his life. Having a welcoming committee comprising of Kohanim in pristine health, in the height of their strength, accomplishes this best. The

Emor Hillel Eisenberg

sad reality is that employing the elderly or those suffering from physical deformities would run the risk of giving off the image that the Bais Hamikdash was a place where one goes to work after they retire, like a museum, a library, or an art gallery. In man’s puny mind we might have thought that that if you want to really make it in life, you would work elsewhere.

Of course, this could not be further from the truth, for Judaism loves and includes everyone, no matter what they look like, but the psychological makeup of humans is that man’s perception creates his reality, and the Torah required the Bais Hamikdash to work within those parameters. In order to promote the truth that Judaism is the ultimate goal in life, and its beauty and pleasure transcends petty things such as world pursuits, it required men only in pristine health and in the prime of their strength. The six foot two thirty-five-year-old men. The people who could have made it in any business or profession. The people who command dignity and respect. By selecting such people, we are showing that this is the most meaningful thing in the world. We don’t serve in the Bais Hamikdash because we cannot do anything else; we serve in the Bais Hamikdash as our first choice, because this is what gives our life meaning. We aren’t committed Jews because we cannot make it anywhere else; we are committed Jews because we deeply believe that this is the most valuable commitment.

The beginning of the parshah discusses the kohanim’s prohibition of contact with a dead body. The Gemara in Yevamos (114a) says that this pasuk, with its triple usage of the word amar, is alluding to the need for parents to teach their children about mitzvos from an early age. Reb Yaakov Weinberg, the late Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, asks why specifically here of all places does the Torah choose to teach us about chinuch. Why pick a mitzvah that is applicable to less than one-twelfth of the Jewish people, when trying to teach an idea that applies to all of them?

He explains that the Torah specifically chose the mitzvah of the kohen’s prohibition of contact with dead bodies, for it serves as a model to all other mitzvos. The Torah is telling us that the same way a kohen is to tell his child that the reason he cannot run after his ball that rolled into a cemetery is because he is too holy and too pure, so should be the method of teaching all the mitzvos of the Torah. When we present the mitzvos to our children, we tell them what an unbelievable opportunity it is to keep them. When we tell our children that we can’t transgress a negative commandment, we tell them we are too holy to do it. We tell them that we get to visit the sick, that we are too pure to eat non-kosher, that we are remarkably privileged to keep Shabbos.

The American Teenager

An American man who ran an organization trying to

help teenagers who left the Orthodox fold was once walking in Israel, and noticed Reb Moshe Shapiro (a leading Torah figure in Israel) on the other side of the street entering a car. He raced over to Reb Moshe right before he closed the door, and asked him, “Reb Moshe, there are hundreds of kids who are going against the religion their parents raised them with. Why is this happening?”

Reb Moshe turned to him and asked, “Do their parents dance around the Shabbos table? Do their parents’ faces shine when they recite birchas hamazon? Do their parents sing in the sukkah late into the night? Do their parents beam with pride as they walk into shul on Rosh Hashanah? Do their parents lovingly and enthusiastically learn with their children the sweet Torah? Do their parents jump up and dance when they say kiddush levanah? Do their parents radiate purity and holiness each and every Friday night? Do their parents make a party at every one of their child’s spiritual milestones, even the small ones?

“There is a concept in Jewish law,” continued Reb Moshe, “called hamotzi meichaveiro alav harayah – the burden of evidence is placed upon the one attempting to extract something from the other. These children look out into the American world and see nothing but pleasure in virtually every direction they turn. Parents, by forcing a seemingly restrictive religion on them, are, in the eyes of the child, attempting to take that life of pleasure away. It is incumbent on the parents to give the children evidence that what the parents are offering is better. Otherwise, why would those kids give up a life of pleasure for a life following a stale, ancient, irrelevant religion? Those kids don’t see Judaism as the desirable option, and, quite honestly, with the way their parents present it, who can blame them?” With that, he closed the door and drove off.

The Torah way of life is the ultimate life. Hashem does not need our service to Him. He wants nothing more than to give us good. The Torah is the method in attaining Hashem’s definition of good. The ultimate definition. It sometimes takes a few years for that concept to be realized. It is up to us to ensure that our children see the Torah the way it is meant to be seen: the road map to the greatest existence on the face of the earth.

Hillel Eisenberg, originally from Rochester NY, teaches courses on the fundamentals of Judaism at Princeton University as well as in Torah Links Yeshiva in Lakewood NJ. He is the author of the newly published book THE PARSHAH ON FIRE as well as the host of a podcast with the same name. His dynamic and passionate style of teaching the joy of Judaism has made him a sought-after teacher and lecturer throughout the United States. Feel free to reach out to Hillel by email Hilleleisenberg613@gmail.com or phone 585-414-9729.

Reb Dovid Twersky Reb Dovid of Tolna (1808–

1882)

Among the chassidim of Reb Dovid of Tolna were many rich men. These men, upon facing a financial crisis, would often come running to their rebbe.

One wealthy man, whose business was transporting goods for the government, would usually bribe clerks to accept those shipments. Once, however, he got a large and important shipment and thought he wouldn’t need to bribe the clerk. Unfortunately, the clerk got very upset and slandered him to the authorities on trumped up charges. As a result, the man was told that his shipping services were no longer viable. He was now in danger of losing his entire parnassah.

This man, a chassid, rushed to Reb Dovid and told him of his predicament.

“Would Hashem punish you for no reason?” Reb Dovid asked. “Examine your deeds, and you’ll probably find some mistake. If you find it and do teshuvah, everything will be fine and your parnassah will be as it was before.”

The man though about this. “I think I’ve got it,” he said at last. “Once, while I was in the middle of a pressing matter with a government official, a poor person came by for help. My son told the man to come back in a few hours because I very busy. The poor person got very upset, however, and shouted at my son. ‘I need help urgently! Jews are rachmanim, but your father doesn’t have a drop of rachmanus!’ He shouted

and cursed for a few minutes, until I heard him and asked the official whom I was with to please excuse me. When I saw the poor man casting aspersions on my legitimacy, I got angry and hit

him. A moment later though, I calmed down and regretted my action. I asked for forgiveness, and even gave the man a sizable donation so that he left satisfied. I thought the matter was over and done with.”

“Indeed, that is not the aveirah that I’m looking for,” Reb Dovid replied. “The poor man really did deserve to be punished, and you already compensated him. Keep thinking.”

The chassid thought some more and remembered another incident. “Once,

in the middle of the night, a tall, strong man came to ask for money, because he didn’t have food to eat. I gave him a donation, but I also got upset. ‘You’re a strong healthy man!’ I shouted. ‘You could get yourself a job instead of waking me up in the middle of the night asking for handouts!’ The man left my house ashamed.”

Reb Dovid said, “If he came to you in the middle of the night, he must have really needed help. It’s not your place to judge him and decide whether he’s able-bodied or not. As teshuvah, from now on you must help every Jew who comes to you, without trying to decide if they’re deserving or not. Kol haposhet yad, nosnim lo.”

The man accepted Reb Dovid’s words. When he returned home, he learned that the charges against him had been dropped, because an investigation revealed the clerk’s accusation to be false. The government once again contracted the chassid’s shipping services, and he remained a wealthy man. He became an even bigger ba’al tzedakah than before, all while following his rebbe’s instructions faithfully.

***

Reb Dovid’s yahrzeit is Yud Iyar. (Adapted from Nifla’os HaTzaddikim by Reb Yaron Amit)

Shira Yael Klein

Vibes of Greatness

Reb Elazar ben Azarya

“Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah said: Where there is no Torah, there is no right conduct; where there is no right conduct, there is no Torah…” (Pirkei Avos 3, 17) .

Rabban Gamliel the Second was the first Nasi of the Sanhedrin after Churban Bayis Sheini. He was a very strong leader who was determined, at that time of confusion and upheaval, to create as much clarity and stability as possible. However, at some point he overstepped himself, as the following story illustrates:

Once a student came to Rabbi Yehoshua and asked, “Is davening Maariv optional or obligatory?”

“Optional,” Rabbi Yehoshua answered.

This student next asked Rabban Gamliel the same question and Rabban Gamliel told him the tefillah was obligatory.

“But Rabbi Yehoshua told me that Maariv is optional,” the student said.

“Wait until the chachamim come to the beis midrash,” Rabban Gamliel said. When the chachamim entered the beis midrash the student stood up and asked his question. Rabban Gamliel said that Maariv is obligatory, and he then turned toward the chachamim to ask, “Does anyone dispute this?”

Rabbi Yehoshua, who did not want to argue publicly with the Nasi, said, “No, no one disagrees.”

“But I was told that you said that Maariv is optional!” Rabban Gamliel said. “Yehoshua, stand up and your student will testify against you.”

Rabbi Yehoshua stood up and said, “I know that my student can testify that I said that Maariv is optional.”

Rabban Gamliel continued teaching, and Rabbi Yehoshua remained standing, because Rabban Gamliel had not told him that he could sit down. At some point, the chachamim felt it was enough. “Stop conveying Rabban Gamliel’s

lecture!” they instructed Chutzpit, the disseminator, and Chutzpit stopped.

Said the chachamim, “How long will Rabban Gamliel continue tormenting Rabbi Yehoshua? He did this last year on Rosh Hashanah.” [There was a machlokes between Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Yehoshua as to which day Yom Kippur fell out that year. Rabban Gamliel ordered Rabbi Yehoshua to come to him, carrying his staff and his wallet, on the day that Rabbi Yehoshua had held it was Yom Kippur.]

“This is not the first time time that Rabban Gamliel embarrassed Rabbi Yehoshua by forcing him to remain standing like this. Let us oust him from his position as Nasi.”

Now the chachamim had to appoint a new Nasi. Rabbi Yehoshua would have been a good candidate, but that would be a slap in Rabban Gamliel’s face. Rabbi Akiva was likewise considered and rejected, because as a descendent of geirim, he lacked the zechus avos to protect him. Finally, they agreed on Reb Elazar ben Azarya, who was wise, rich, and a tenth generation descendant of Ezra.

The Gemara explains that Reb Elazar’s wisdom was important, for if Rabban Gamliel challenged him in Torah learning, he’d need to answer him. His wealth was important, so that if — as the leader of the Jews — he’d have to travel to the Caesar’s court in Rome, he would have sufficient funds for the travel expenses and gifts. And as a descendent of Ezra, he had the zechus avos to protect him.

The chachamim came to Reb Elazar ben Azarya. “Will our Master consent to being the Nasi?” they asked.

“I will go and consult with my household,” Reb Elazar replied, and he went to consult with his wife.

“Maybe they’ll depose you, like they deposed Rabban Gamliel,” his wife said.

“We may as well enjoy it

while it lasts,” Reb Elazar said. “But you’re only eighteen,” she said. “It’s not fitting for someone so young to be Nasi. You don’t have a single white hair.”

At this, Hashem made a nes, and eighteen rows of Reb Elazar ben Azarya’s hair turned white. This is why Reb Elazar ben Azarya said (in the Hagadah), “I am like a seventy year old,” rather than “I am seventy years old,” because he looked older than he actually was.

Reb Elazar accepted the position and became the new Nasi.

Rabban Gamliel had posted guards outside the beis midrash to keep out “any student whose inside is not like his outside” as he could not tolerate a trace of hypocrisy or inconsistency. Reb Elazar, however, revoked this practice on the day that he became Nasi. Now anyone who wanted to join the yeshivah was welcome. As a result of this change of policy, hundreds of new talmidim came flocking to the yeshivah. Some say that four hundred new benches were added to accommodate the new students, while others say that it was seven hundred.

When he saw the tremendous growth in the number of students, Rabban Gamliel was disheartened. He said, “Maybe, chas veshalom, I prevented klal Yisrael from learning Torah.”

After that, however, he dreamed of beautiful white jugs, filled with ashes — symbolizing that all the new students, who looked great on the outside, were really rotten on the inside.

But the Gemara concludes, “That was not the truth. Hashem just gave Rabban Gamliel that dream so that he wouldn’t feel bad.”

Interestingly, Rabban Gamliel ended up being reinstated as Nasi, and he served in that position alongside Reb Elazar ben Azarya.

(Adapted from Gemara Berachos, Sefaria)

Shira Yael Klein

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The Guy Next Door

Chapter 33

Recap: The Felds and Xavier are sitting in a coffee shop when a Japanese man, Mr. Yamamoto, walks in. Xavier explains that he and Mr. Yamamoto are working with the Israelis to spy on the Feld’s neighbor, Mr. Nakamura, who is selling weapons to Iran. Xavier has recruited Avi to help him.

Mr. Yamamoto leaned forward, “Are you okay, Nachman?”

“Yeah. I mean, people like Mr. Yamamoto move into Golders Green all the time. No worries! We love having interesting people on our street! Makes a change from the usual talk. I bet he can even talk without waving his hands. Not that he’s been very talkative, of course, though which means we haven’t had the opportunity to judge.”

We all sat around the table, ruminating. I like the word “ruminating”. It makes me think of a field of cows chewing over life’s problems.

But then an awkward silence fell, and I hate awkward silences, so I spoke up. “Is there anything I can do? Why did you pick Avi? Isn’t he going back to yeshivah soon?”

“Nachman!” Xavier slapped me on the back, and I wish he hadn’t. I decided to book an appointment with my chiropractor asap. “We know you’re a very busy lawyer! We didn’t want to disturb your work! Avi is young, capable, and extremely street-smart. And what’s more, his location isn’t important. He’ll be able to work for us from his yeshivah, or anywhere, in whatever time he has available. He’s really an amazing asset.”

Suitably chastened, having been told that I was old,

incapable and my street-smarts amounted to diddly squat, I slunk back in my chair. Debbie appeared to be struck dumb. Rikki, however, turned to Avi and asked him directly, “If you’re working with Xavier Roberts, and weren’t kidnapped by him, why did you send us that message with the hidden video, showing us clues of where to find you?”

“Because, sis, I thought by sending you the video hidden in the phone message, you’d figure out that I wasn’t tied up or didn’t have access to a phone. I thought it would reassure you guys, whilst at the same time letting you know to leave me alone to get on with things.” Avi gave a short laugh. “Obviously, I overestimated your ability to read my clues!”

“Hey!” Rikki punched her brother on the shoulder playfully. I was happy to see my two kids, my only two kids, getting on so well together, even in the middle of everything.

“Avi,” Debbie said, and I think it was almost the first time she’d opened her mouth since we discovered Avi was working with Xavier. Her voice was different. Hoarse and gravelly, like someone had rubbed her vocal cords over a kitchen grater. Was it the shock? I thought my voice was still the same as ever, manly, deep, with all other sorts of positive descriptions attached. Put me,

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for once, on a higher level of cope-ability than my wife. Enjoy it while it lasts, Nachman Feld, I told myself.

“I don’t understand why you need a safe house,” Debbie continued. “Can’t you please come home? I’m worried about you being so far away, especially if you’re working for such dangerous people.”

What she said was a mother speaking as mothers always did. I opened my mouth to reply for Avi, but as it turned out, he was perfectly capable of speaking for himself.

“Mum, think about it,” he said. “I’m working for Xavier Roberts, trying to uncover Jeong-San-Hoon and his nefarious activities, which could alter the balance of world peace. MAD. Do you know what that three-word acronym means, Mum? Mad?”

“Erm, not sure,” Debbie said doubtfully. “It means crazy or insane, or in Americanese, angry, doesn’t it?” She tried clearing her throat.

“Yes, it means all those things. But in this case, it means Mutually Assured Destruction,” Avi explained. “Which is the main reason why we are not having a nuclear war right now. The country which starts a nuclear war would be as likely to be wiped off the face of the earth as its targets. So no one starts one. But Iran…they’re crazy, Mum. And their hatred of the West, America, and particularly Israel of course, is greater than their fear of being wiped off the planet. That’s why it’s so dangerous for them to gain nuclear capability. The world has been trying to prevent this happening for years now. And, in general, we’ve been succeeding. But then there are lunatics, like Jeong-San-Hoon and his cohorts in North Korea, whose love of money, coupled with hatred of the West and Israel, makes them a very dangerous friend for Iran.”

“I’m very proud that you’re working for a good cause,” Debbie said. “But I need to know that you’re safe. You’re my only son, after all.”

This I could relate to. He was my only son, too, as it happened.

Avi shook his head. “The less you know the safer you are. Right now, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Yamamoto are training me. After bein hazmanim, I’ll be going back to yeshivah in Israel. The Shin Bet there know about me and they will both protect me and help me with my work with Xavier. Unlike the British, who, as Mottel Bernstein and you found out, are pretty much useless at following through on important information.” He paused and offered us a reassuring smile that did little to ease our worry but did a lot to increase our love for him. “I’ll try and come back for Shabbos when I can, as often as I can, so you don’t worry too much.”

“But surely,” Rikki objected, “Mr. Nakamura, as we thought of Jeong-San-Hoon, knows who our family consists of. He might grow suspicious.”

Avi gave a wry smile. “This is where the fact that Mr.

Nakamura, as we thought of Jeong-San-Hoon, and his slightly unfriendly, loner behavior did us all a favor. If he had been more neighborly and integrated more into the street, things could have been much worse for me and you. The fact that he kept to himself, and didn’t mingle, is a blessing in all of this.”

Debbie and Rikki nodded. As for me, I was so puffed up with pride at my son, I don’t think I could have nodded if I’d wanted to. You know those birds who puff out their feathers to the point where they look ridiculous, with a little bird’s head on a huge puffed out body with two stick legs at the bottom, well that was me. You ask that bird to nod its head; it wouldn’t be able to do it either.

“So, what now?” I managed to say over my huge puff of feathers, as it were.

“You go home and continue your life as normal,” Xavier said. “We’re working behind the scenes. The less you know, the better and safer for you. I will keep you safe, and informed, as much as possible. Don’t seek me out and ask me to update you. I’ll do my best to do that when I can.”

The meeting broke up shortly after that. Papa proprietor emerged from the kitchen and reopened his café, even though he could have probably retired on what Xavier had paid him to stay closed during our meeting. We all went our separate ways, which meant Avi went off with Xavier, and we started the long drive home.

Along the way, all of us were silent, digesting what had happened. Until Debbie spoke up in her new gravelly voice. “I don’t want to go home,” she said. “Let’s go somewhere else.”

I understood Debbie completely. You can live perfectly happily alongside a rodent infestation, or a massive spider, so long as you don’t know about its existence. As soon as you do know, however, you can’t stay another night under the same roof. Not that I would be like that, obviously. I’m not scared of any small creatures. Live and let live is my motto.

Well, most of the time, anyway.

“I hear you,” I said from my new elevated position as master of the house. “But it’s best if we all stay where we are. Jeong what’s-his-name will think it weird if one of his closest neighbors suddenly moves out. He’ll start looking more closely at us, which is the last thing we need.”

And so, we went back to our house on Flower Street. The house had suddenly taken on dark and sinister properties, glowering at us, and sneering at us. I could already sense the impact of Jeong what’s-his-face finding out about our part in all of this.

Not great.

STRATEGIES FOR OPTIMUM SUCCESS S S

Rifka Schoenfeld

COCKROACHES, TOWELS, PEER PRESSURE, AND YOU

Of all the social influences that our children are subjected to, peer pressure is probably the most powerful of all. Peer pressure exists for all ages. Even a three year old knows that she better not show up to ‘playgroup’ in the polka dot socks her Bubby just bought her. Its power of persuasion continues to grow steadily as a child matures, and peeks during the teenage years, when the desire to conform to the group’s standards and feel accepted becomes irresistible.

Researchers have always been fascinated with the power of peer pressure and there are an endless array of scientific studies conducted over the years, which illustrate just how much we are influenced by it. Allow me to familiarize you with two of them – the cockroach study and the towel study.

Dr. Jose Halloy is a biology researcher at the Free University of Brussels. He decided to determine whether peer pressure influences members of the insect world, who perhaps should know better. He and his colleagues set up a cockroach area with two plastic discs suspended over it. Cockroaches prefer to congregate in the dark, so one disc was darkened, making it a more likely place for them to hang out.

Upon having the option of congregating under the dark or light disc, all 16 cockroaches gravitated towards the darker one. But when Dr. Halloy placed four ‘robot’ cockroaches under the lighter disc, things changed. The real roaches noticed their ‘robot’ friends under the light and decided to join them there, against their natural inclination. This happened a full 60% of the time.

Now, in case you think that we humans are smarter than that, consider this other study that was conducted by Robert B. Cialdini, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University. Cialdini and his colleagues wanted to see how guests at an upscale Phoenix hotel would react to message cards that asked them to re-use the hotel’s towels. Only he varied the messages that were written on the cards. On some, he wrote, “Help save the environment.” On others he wrote, “Partner with us to save the environment.” And on still others, the message read, “Join your fellow citizens in helping to save the environment,” followed by information that most of their fellow hotel guests actually do re-use their towels.

Guess what. The study concluded that, “compared to the first messages, the final social message increased towel reusage by an average of 34%.” This means that many people decided that they will re-use their towels, even if they’re staying at an upscale hotel, simply because they were informed that this is what other people do. If everyone else is doing it, they figured, so will I. Peer pressure, pure and simple.

I present you with this research data not because it’s interesting or cute, but so that you will fully appreciate the signficance of the power of peer pressure. Cockroaches and towels notwithstanding, what does this have to do with you and your child?

Let’s explore the topic as it affects our community. I’ll be the first to tell you that the effects of peer pressure can sometimes be wonderful. Our Sages call it, “kinas sofrim,” a form of envy that challenges us to achieve greater heights. Is your Yeshiva bochur impressed with his friends who are wholesome and sincere? Does he suddenly want to dress more Yeshivish or observe a higher standard of kashrus? Consider yourself blessed.

Does your teenage daughter want to babysit the little ones so you can properly clean for Pesach because that’s what her friends do before Yom Tov? If so, you are a lucky mother. You have the zechus of having wonderful role models for your children who are influencing them for the good.

The problem arises when the peers are not all you would have like them to be, and your child is facing some strong pressure to conform to standards that he knows are not acceptable or, at best, can be found in the murky ‘grey area’.

Is your daughter’s level of tznius threatened because of her new friend’s manner of dress? Is your son being exposed to music you do not approve of by his bunkmates in camp? Did your daughter stop studying for her tests because all the other girls would rather go for ice cream after school? And finally, is it only a matter of time until your

innocent Yeshiva bochur is going to be offered his first cigarette?

Can we sit with our children all day long and shelter them from these negative influences? Of course not. But we can teach them how to handle the sticky situations and the difficult decisions that will inevitably come their way. And we can build up their self-esteem and self-assurance so that they will know that it’s okay to say ‘No”

The best way to fight negative peer pressure is to build competence skills in our kids. Children should learn two critical skills. They are “refusal assertiveness (i.e. saying‘No’ to that cigarette), and good decision making (i.e. ‘What are my best alternatives in this situation?’)

A study cited in the journal “Addictive Behavior” demonstrated that children who were taught to develop these skills were significantly less likely to ‘follow the crowd’ in terms of negative behavior. The message to us is clear. Let’s teach our children to resist peer pressure when they have to. We don’t have to sit with them all day or worry about the social influences they might encounter. We just have to give them the tools to handle them.

I think about this whenever I meet a family that is involved in kiruv in some remote location. I always wonder how these children stay so wholesome and pure. Many of them attend the local day school, where they are surrounded by children from limited religious backgrounds. Yet you barely ever hear of these ‘kiruv’ children being influenced negatively by their peers.

I’m convinced that this is because their parents have instilled these competence skills in these kids, and taught them how to resist the peer pressure. As one mother comments, “My girls learned at an early age that we have our own set of standards. At 6, they knew that they couldn’t participate in the class birthday party. At 12, they understood that they can’t go to movies with their friends. Following the crowd was just not an option for them. They were the Rabbi’s daughters and they knew what was expected of them.”

The rest of us would be wise to learn a lesson from these intrepid moms. I have lots of clients who call me regarding these issues, asking for advice on how to handle the difficult challenges of adolescence and the teen years. In invite my readers who wish to discuss this topic to contact me as well. The following are just a few pointers which I would like to share with you.

First of all, keep the lines of communication open. Be ready and available to your child at all times, and make it clear that he or she can discuss anything with you.

I also think it’s a good idea to be proactive. If you know that there are social issues in your child’s school don’t wait for your child to approach you first. Be direct and open and talk about it now. Say, “I heard there are some boys in your class who are giving the Rebbe a hard time. Is it affecting your learning as well?”

Role playing has been an effective tool in bringing the message home. You could pretend to be the youngster and he can play the role of the older bochur who is offering you a cigarette. When he tries to make his offer, you firmly refuse. Then you can switch roles and have him practice saying no. It will be an eye opening experience for him.

Finally, our children are taught from a young age that they must be polite at all times. Now, we have to teach them that occasionally it’s okay to be rude. Let your daughter understand that if a friend is trying to cheat off her on the Math exam, it’s okay to ask the teacher to change her seat. And if the whole group is engaging in a juicy loshon hora session, it’s okay to object or to walk away.

Ultimately we need tremendous siyata dishmaya for our children to maintain a healthy measure of social independence and to resist negative peer pressure. The best advice of all, of course, is to daven every day on their behalf. Let us ask Hashem to keep our children out of harm’s way and give them the strength of character to remain firm and strong.

An acclaimed educator

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Brainteasers

What 5 letter word becomes shorter when you add 2 letters to it?

2

Yossi’s father had 5 sons, Moishe, Mendy, Menachem and Mordy. What is the fifth son’s name?

Sem•inary [Sem-in-ah-ree]

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The next evening at dinnertime, when everyone was finally quiet, except for Shaya who was humming in his highchair as he nibbled his chicken, I took a deep breath and said, “I’m worried about Zaidy West.”

Ari looked up from his book (reading at the table was a big no-no, any second now, Tatty would tell him to put it away).

Dini also stopped mid-gulp of her pareve chocolate milk, which was what she had for dinner every night.

Mommy put her fork down and rested her chin in her hand.

“His new job with Ki Ata Imadi is a big commitment. On top of that, he just told me he’s planning to go to Las Vegas next week; a new high school wants him to speak to their teachers. It’s too much.”

Tatty nodded. “I agree, Raizy. He’s supposedly retired, but instead he’s busier than ever with learning and this new job. Still, he’s not easily stopped.”

“Maybe we can’t stop Zaidy, but…hold on!” I ran to the kitchen for my math spiral, where I write down all my great ideas. (Yes, sometimes during math class.)

I turned to the page where I’d drawn a big open desert, with flat-topped mountains in the background and a line of palm trees on each side of the page. “Look!” I handed the

notebook to Mommy.

Recap: Liora tries to get her mother to look into a shidduch for her friend’s sister, Tovi, but her mother is unenthusiastic.

“Nice picture. What’s this about, Liora?”

Dini climbed onto Mommy’s lap and pressed her sticky fingers on the page, leaving brown marks all over the feathery green leaves.

“Mommy and Tatty, this is about what you’re saying. Zaidy works so hard. He needs a nice, relaxing vacation, then he’ll be less stressed. Avigail Fischer’s family went to Palm Springs last winter break. There are these gorgeous houses there, with swimming pools and new kitchens, and the Fischers even had their own golf cart!”

“Let’s go!” Ari shouted.

“Liora, that’s a sweet idea,” Tatty said. “It’s so admirable that you want to help Zaidy. But whatever the cost, it’s probably more than we can afford right now.” He lifted his shoulders high, up to his ears.

“But Ta…” I protested. “I have an awesome plan.”

“It’s not such a bad idea, Ezriel,” Mommy said softly. “My father isn’t acting like himself. He said he’s not sleeping well, either.” She looked at me with a little sparkle in her eye. “Did you consider the cost?”

CHAPTER #3

Devorah Talia Gordon

Zaidy comes over to visit, and Liora is concerned because he seems somewhat overwhelmed.

Mommy knew me so well. “Of course!” I flipped to the next page in my spiral, where’d I drawn three calendar months. Each Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday of those months were highlighted in yellow. “Avigail’s father said that for five nights, we only need about two-thousand dollars. Then I figured we’d also need money for Shabbos take-out, gas, and tons of snacks for the car ride.”

“I want Bamba!” Dini yelled.

Mommy and Tatty looked at each other.

“Please listen. I have it all planned out.” I pointed to the calendar. “Every Wednesday afternoon, erev Shabbos, and Sunday morning, Miri, Sarah, and I are going to make a big lemonade stand…”

My father folded his arms across his chest and smiled.

“That’s how you’re gonna make so much money? Selling little cups of lemonade for a dollar?” Ari wrinkled his nose.

Mommy held a finger to her lip. “Let her finish, Ari.”

“It’s not going to be just lemonade. We’re going to do tons of baking and sell all types of muffins and cookies. And of course we’ll sell soda cans, iced tea, even hot cocoa.” I jumped up and smiled. “It’s going to be massive!”

“Ora! Ora!” Shaya chanted, as he flicked bits of rice onto the floor.

My mother pulled out the highchair tray and unbuckled Shaya. “I’m not sure you’ll earn enough money for this type of vacation, Liora. And then, I have to get those two days off of work, and Tatty…”

“We’ll go right when school is out, so everyone will be free. But if you ask now, could you get the days off, Ma?”

“I suppose,” she said.

“I’d like a few days away, too, before camp starts.” Tatty winked at me, then gave me a serious look. “Tell you what, Liora. Whatever you raise from your bake sale, I’ll match it for our family vacation.”

“Really, Ta? A matching campaign?”

He gave me a kiss on the head. “You got it, sheifela.” *

The lunchroom was packed the next day since it was raining and no one could sit outside. Miri slumped down beside me at the table but didn’t open her bag.

“What? Tuna again?” I asked.

“I’m tired of all this rain.”

I smiled at her. “Miri, rain is a brachah! It waters the trees and flowers, and we’ve been having a huge drought even with all the rain that we’ve had this winter so we need it.”

She shrugged. “It’s dreary and makes everything worse. Tovi’s starting to pack. She claims she’s just decluttering.”

kohlrabi) then looked across the table. Sarah and Adina had stopped their conversation and were eyeing Miri.

“Oh, Miri! I have to study a bit more for our parashah quiz. Come help me!” I jumped up, and Miri followed me out of the lunchroom and into the hallway.

Miri folded her arms across her chest. “Liora, you’re busy with your plans for your Zaidy’s vacation and playing basketball with Ari, but you can’t forget to study.”

I laughed. “I studied, Miri. I just didn’t want them to hear. I’ve got big news.” I linked arms with her and walked toward our classroom, whispering, “My mother spoke to Yisroel Stern’s first cousin, Mrs. Dreyfus.”

Miri giggled. “Yisroel?”

“Yep, a.k.a. Mr. Stern.”

“And?” Miri stopped walking and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.

“Mrs. Dreyfus said he’s in shidduchim! Right now, he’s teaching math in yeshivah, but he will probably be an accountant. He’s very tall, which we know, and he went to a good mesivtah on the East Coast.”

Miri bounced up and down on her toes. “It sounds so good!”

“After mesivtah he learned in Eretz Yisroel for two years at a yeshiva called…” I looked up at the ceiling. “Maybe she said the Mir? Anyway, your mother can call Mrs. Dreyfus for more info. She said she’d get Tovi’s resume moved to the top of Mrs. Stern’s pile. That means, it could happen super soon!””

“But what about learning? I always hear my parents and Tovi talk about a boy who’s going to learn in kollel, for a few years or more, I think.”

I swung my backpack over one shoulder. “Mrs. Dreyfus said he wants to learn, too. And you know the Sunday basketball program he started? He’s not even getting paid for it! She said he has excellent middos. That’s the most important thing, you know.”

I took the last bite of my jicama (yes, I like jicama and

The bell rang, and girls hurried out of the lunchroom. Miri squeezed my hand. “I’m going to have my mother call Mrs. Dreyfus today!”

As we got settled into our seats for class, I looked over at Miri, who had that big smile on her face that made her cheeks all round and pink. I imagined that same smile as she danced in the middle of a wedding circle with Tovi, wearing a fluffy gown.

“Girls, girls, quiet down!” Mrs. Trogman said as she paced in front of the classroom. “Get out your pencils and a clean piece of paper.”

There was only one problem with the shidduch. But, for now, my mother said not to say anything.

To be continued…

Devorah Talia Gordon is a freelance writer, editor, and creative writing teacher.

Her first book, The Impossible Project, a middle-grade novel, will soon be released by Menucha Publishers.

Parashas Emor

Down:

1. Who was Moshe told to speak to in this week’s parshah?

3. A kohen gadol may only touch a ________ ________, even if he will become tamei.

4. A kohen may not marry a _________.

5. On which yom tov do we fast?

6. Which yom tov do we celebrate because Hashem doesn't want to part from us?

9. What animal is offered up with the korban haomer?

10. On which yom tov may we not eat chametz?

12. In what part of the mishkan was the menorah situated?

17. Who was the mother of the man who cursed in Hashems name?

18. What does The word Emor mean?

Across:

2. What is the punishment for cursing in Hashem's name?

7. A baby sheep or goat can only be offered as a korban until from the ______ day of its birth life.

8. What was the menorah lit with?

11. How many loaves of bread were placed on the shulchan?

13. What shevet was the man who cursed in Hashem’s name from?

14. Who told Moshe to speak?

15. A baby animal and its ______ cannot be offered as a korban on the same day.

16. Which yom tov is celebrated after counting forty-nine days?

19. How many types of relatives funerals may a kohen attend?

20. Which yom tov reminds us of the anenei hakovod?

21. Aside from bread, what else was on the shulchan?

Lakewood Vibes News

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\At the Jacobs-Pollack Wedding Lakewood to Monsey-Grandchild of Mashgiach Rav Solomon ZT’’L

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Wedding of Hasken Lipa Schwartz of Mesameach

Seidenfeld-Mandel Chasuna

Writing Contest Writing Contest

I missed the bus, and then I saw someone who really needed my help…

I was out babysitting and one of the kids had a strange-looking wart. I knew that my mother would know just the right way to treat it…

I was lost and crying when a woman offered to help me. Turned out that she was my mother’s seminary roommate!

Kids, tell us your stories of hashgacha pratis in 300 words or less and have your story featured in Lakewood Vibes!

Every featured story will receive a Lakewood Vibes Purse or Wallet!

The writer of the best (longest, most creative, and most exciting) story will win a $50 gift certificate to a variety of stores!

Send all entries to: Contest@lakewoodvibes.com

Subject: Hashgacha Pratis Story

Include your name and age with each entry.

I went to my grandmother’s house, and my aunt decided to take me to the store. On the way we got a call from my aunt’s friend. My aunt told her that we’re going to the store. Her friend said, “It’s such hashgacha pratis that you’re going there! My mother actually needs something from there, can you buy it?” “Sure,” said my aunt. We were all so happy to do a mitzvah.

When we were going to the store we did not know that we’re going to buy something for my aunt’s friend. Then she called and it was such Hashgacha Pratis that we were going there so that we can buy it for her!

Dena Smith, 8

$50

Congratulations to our winner!

Two summers ago, I went swimming with my friends in a backyard pool. After some time, my friend’s mother who was watching us said it was time to come out. We really wanted to stay in longer so we begged her to let us have more time and she said we could stay two more minutes. Meanwhile, in the front of this house, a car thief carrying a gun came to steal a car that was in the driveway. From watching the video cameras after we found out about the stolen car, we saw that he came in those two extra minutes that we ended up staying in the pool. If we wouldn’t have asked for two more minutes we would have met face to face with this guy. Baruch hashem the police caught him! THANK YOU HASHEM!!!!

Baruch Tzvi Weinberg

I was once asked by my teacher to bring in a decoration for the class bulletin board. I was on the way when I saw I saw that the entire block was closed by a construction crew. My mother offered to drive me to school and as we were pulling out of the driveway my mother asked where my project was. It was hashgacha pratis that the construction caused a change in plans and therefore my mother asked me about the project I realized I had forgotten to pack it in my briefcase. Now my day was saved!

Devorah Leeba Singer, 9

Submit Your Stories Submit Your Stories

The mailman…

The grocer… Our children’s bus drivers…

Our days are filled with so many chessed-filled encounters, but how often do we stop to acknowledge those involved? How much do we thank our service providers? Or the random people who brighten our lives with goodness?

In Vibes of Gratitude, our newest column, we open the floor to you — our readers — to thank service providers and helpful individuals who add so much helpfulness and convenience to our days.

Vibes of Gratitude is about thanking others for their actions and recognizing the chessed that graces our lives. It’s our reader’s stage — your place to thank the special people who add so much vibrance to your life.

Olam Chessed Yibaneh.

Acknowledging chessed is the first step toward ensuring its continuity.

Submit your stories about acts of kindness you are grateful for to: Editor@lakewoodvibes.com

Names of service providers, neighbors, etc. need not be mentioned — but the act of chessed should be explicit enough for the doer to recognize.

Looking forward to publishing your submissions!

Dear Vibes,

It’s strange, because so many things that happen in life can simply be taken for granted, thought of as “meant to be” or “deserved”, until something comes along to shake that way of thinking.

This new gratitude column is one example of something that’s caused me to think. Years ago, I used to do my shopping at a certain supermarket (I won’t say which, as this story could’ve really happened anywhere), and I got to know the assistant butcher there well.

He was a friendly yungerman and when he saw that I’d often buy the same cut of meat, under a certain hashgachah, he asked me if I’d like him to notify me whenever he received a fresh shipment. That way, I’d be able to come in and select my meat cuts immediately, instead of waiting a day or two which could mean less of a selection.

I appreciated the man’s gesture and thanked him for it, and for two years, I’d receive a call almost weekly, “the shipment has arrived.”

Eventually, this yungerman started working elsewhere, and I stopped receiving the weekly notice. The main butcher was simply too busy to place that call, so it was back to hit or miss meat selections.

Like I said, sometimes people take things for granted, and this was one such time. Yes, I thanked the assistant butcher and appreciated his thoughtfulness, but I also took the call for granted and came to regard it as a given.

This column, and this opportunity to write in, have reminded me that even the small things — like a phone call from an assistant grocer — are a chessed, and ought to be recognized as such.

Hatzlachah on your wonderful publication,

-A fan

BE THE WINNING MOTHER MOTHER IN LAW!

Chaya Sara Ben Shachar

MIRACLES in MODERN TIMES

Several years ago, I was in Tiveria, on vacation with my family, when I met a man who’d experienced extraordinary salvation due to tefillos recited at the kever of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes. The man wasn’t outwardly frum, but when he relayed his story, I was taken in by its power and potency and it affected my own tefillos at the well-known site. This month, Iyar, is the month of “Ani Hashem Rofechah — I am Hashem your Healer.” It is also the month of the hillulah of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes’ (according to tradition, Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis’s yahrtzeit is on yud daled Iyar). It thus seems like an auspicious time to write about the miracle that I “overheard” at Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes’ kever, and to record several other miracles that I heard — firsthand — about yeshuos seen after tefillos recited at various kevarim and holy sites.

Dear Vibes/Chessed column,

Hi. Firstly, kudos on producing a great magazine with lots of ads that let people know where to shop and when — that’s a chessed in and of itself.

For print in your chessed/gratitude column is the following story:

A few years ago, I developed cellulitis in my leg. I didn’t know that was my issue at the time — all I knew was that I’d been bitten by a spider — but I did know, very clearly, that it was hard for me to walk. The doctor who I visited at the time gave me a prescription for oral medication (which was a mistake) and sent me back home, but I had no idea how I would help my family make Shabbos. It was Thursday night, and I usually do a major shop on that night of the week for my family.

Fortunately, and the reason that I’m writing in, a friend offered to do the shopping for me, selecting the items and bringing them straight to my door so that my wife could do everything else.

By the next afternoon, when it was clear that I’d need hospitalization, my gratitude toward my friend’s act of chessed grew by leaps and bounds. Imagine heading to the hospital with my heart in a lurch, worried about how my family would pull through a grocery-less Shabbos.

Baruch Hashem, the infection cleared up after about a week (staying in the hospital for so long deserves a letter of its own), but the memory of my friend’s chessed still remains. It’s the small, and the not so small, acts of kindness that make the world go round.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my story.

-S.W.

To the readers who’ve submitted their stories, and who’ve sent in letters, we appreciate your feedback. We look forward to receiving more at editor@lakewoodvibes.com months!

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Yarin Ashkenazi’s story

Nine years ago, while in the middle of sergeant training in the IDF, I was tasked with providing military reinforcement along a highway where hundreds of Arab and Israeli cars drove daily. Too often, Molotov cocktails were tossed at innocent Israeli drivers on that road, and it was my job — together with my commander and another officer — to prevent that from happening.

Suddenly, while in the middle of standing on duty, an Arab drove straight at me and my fellow soldiers at a speed of 120 km per minute. Immediately, I pulled out my gun and shot at the wheels of the vehicle, causing it to turn over.

The angry driver immediately came out of his overturned vehicle with an ax that he slammed straight into my head.

I quickly fell to the ground, limp. Meanwhile, the commander took control of the situation, neutralizing the terrorist, and calling in for medical backup.

When I woke up, a week had passed, and I was in the ICU of Hadassah hospital in Yerushalayim. For one week I had hovered someplace between heaven and earth and I remember hearing voices — Rabbinic voices like a beis din—casting judgement on me. There was one loud voice that rang out above all, the voice that urged me to, “wake up.”

When I finally did wake up, I recognized no one and nothing. Family members came to visit, but it took nearly two months before I finally remembered them. In the meantime, I learned that I had been badly injured, that my commander and the other soldier were okay, and that I’d been flown to the hospital by helicopter because my injuries had been so serious. I’d

been under the knife, undergoing brain surgery, for twelve hours, and twenty percent of my skull had been removed! I’d also needed leg surgery due to gunshot wounds there.

The doctors hadn’t believed that I’d wake up from my comma, and they told my parents that there was nothing else they could do for me. They urged them to pray.

My parents prayed. Oh, how they prayed.

In truth, however, their prayers began on the day of the attack, probably right as it was taking place. My family lives in Holon, but the night before the incident my father was in Kiryat Shemonah for a wedding. On the way home, he decided to stop off in Tiveria at Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis’s kever to pray. He doesn’t pray every day, but when he called me up on his way to the kever, about an hour before the attack, he was excited. “I’m going to a famous gravesite,” he told me. “I will pray for you there.”

My father’s tefillos at that auspicious time are clearly what kept me going. They gave me the strength to get out of my comma and to get through a year of rehab, which was necessary for me to relearn how to walk, read, and even to cry normally.

When I finished my year of rehab at Tel Hashomer, I threw a seudas hodayah to celebrate my miracle. I also visited the spot of the incident, and recited the brachah, “sheasah li nes bamakom hazeh — Blessed are You… Who performed a miracle for me in this place.”

Baruch Hashem, today I am healthy and well, and every year, on the anniversary of my attack, my father and I visit Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes’s kever to offer up a prayer of thanks.

Leah’s* story

My story took place approximately seven years ago, in the summer. We were supposed to be moving from Yerushalayim to an apartment of our own out of town, but the cheder that we wanted to send our boys to, the only frum cheder in town, refused to accept one of our boys.

This son was about eight and a half at the time, and he’s a gifted boy, but he was also diagnosed with ADHD and ASD and had some serious behavioral issues. The cheder that we wanted to enroll him in had a special-ed department, with self-contained classes for boys with ASD, but they felt that our son would not be a good fit…

It was two days before moving day, and I was desperate. I decided to go to Har Hamenuchos, to visit the kevarim of my grandparents there, and to pour my heart out.

I started out at the bottom of the mountain, said some Tehillim at the kever of one grandfather, and then started to climb upward toward my other grandparents’ kevarim.

Suddenly, I noticed a large, newish ohel. Curious, I went closer to see who was buried there and found that the ohel housed the kever of the Baal HaSulam, Rabbi Yehudah Leib Halevi Ashlag. The Baal HaSulam was born in Poland in 1885

and settled in Eretz Yisroel in the 1920s where he wrote a collection of commentaries on the Zohar. He passed away in the year 1954.

It was late afternoon, and the area was empty. The sun began its descent, and a soft breeze caressed my face. My heart was pulsating with pain. There was so much going on in my life and I felt so stuck; as if all the gates were closed.

Feeling the kedushah at the kever, I started to daven. The floodgates simply opened, and I found myself bawling and crying in pain.

There was no one around, and I had that entire section of the mountain to myself. I let myself go, speaking passionately to Hashem.

After about ten minutes of intense tefillah, I continued upward to my other grandparents’ kevarim. Soon enough, I prepared to head back home.

At the water fountain outside Har Hamenuchos, my phone rang. My son’s therapist was on the line. “I have something surprising to tell you,” he began. “The principal of the cheder that you’ve been trying to get into just called. He asked me some questions about your son, and he seemed satisfied with my answers. I suggested that he call you directly.”

I hung up the phone and a few minutes later it rang once again. It was the principal of the cheder, calling to tell me that my son had been accepted.

Baruch Hashem, we moved to the new city two days later, and all my children are thriving. Two years after the story, my son’s doctor removed the ASD from his diagnosis, and with his gifted abilities, he is now well on his way to becoming a gadol baTorah.

Shayna’s* story

My story happened about two years ago, when I davened at a special site for two close relatives. Both my husband and I had siblings who, at the time, had each been married for a while and had no children.

My mother came to Eretz Yisroel for a yom tov and stayed at my house. She told me that she wanted to visit the home of the Isha Hashnunamis to daven for my brother. In Melachim II, the Navi describes how Elisha Hanavi visited the city of Shunem frequently, and how during his journeys he’d stop by the home of the Ishah Hashunamis, who accommodated him with great respect.

The Ishah Hashunamis and her husband were childless, until Elisha eventually blessed them with a child. A year after he gave them his blessing, they had a son.

Rav Chaim Kanievsky famously visited this site, in the Arab village of Sulam, to daven for childless couples, and many miracles ensued. This was the site that my mother wanted to visit.

It’s not easy to get to Sulam. Though the Arabs who live there are reportedly “friendly”, we were told that the best time to daven there is either late at night while everyone’s asleep, or during the morning hours when the kids are still in school. As I live in a suburb of Yerushalayim, with Sulam in the north, and no direct bus connecting the two, we’d need to perform some transit-acrobats.

The plan was for us to travel to Yerushalayim by bus and to switch there for a bus to Afula. There

we were scheduled to connect with a private driver who knew exactly where the site is, at it’s not easy — or safe — to get there alone.

Man plans…

My mother and I missed the early connection to Afula which meant our arrival in the area would be delayed by an hour. When we finally boarded the later bus and I called the driver whom we’d hired to tell him about the delay, he told us to head back home. “It’s simply too dangerous to get into Sulam so late,” he explained. “The Arab kids will all be getting out of school.”

Looking out of the bus window I ruefully told the driver that this wasn’t possible.

“Unfortunately,” I said, “my mother and I are already on the bus…”

We reached Afula at 12:30 p.m., and by the time we got into the car service and reached Sulam, we could see young children roaming the streets. The driver was tense as he pulled up in front of the Arab home where the site is situated.

“We’ll daven for only ten minutes,” my mother reassured him.

We were indeed true to our word. For ten minutes, my mother and I immersed ourselves in intense tefillah. We then got back into the car. During the ride back home, we both felt as though something major had occurred.

A year later, both my husband’s sister, and my brother were blessed with babies, and the feeling of having had our tefillos answered was an amazing one.

MTzipporah’s story

y story is a short one, but the message that it relays, of a tefillah recited at holy site, is awe-inspiring. It happened when I went to the kever of the mekubal, Rav Yitzchak Gavra in Agur, near Beit Shemesh. Rav Gavra’s ancestors were Rabanim in Yemen, for fifteen generations, and Rav Gavra himself assumed that title before moving to Eretz Yisroel in 1948 where he lived for two years before his passing in 1950.

When I reached the kever, I had a herniated disc in my back and could barely get out of the car. Still, using my cane, I

propelled myself outward. I really wanted to get that special tefillah in.

Rav Gavra’s kever is in the backyard of the house that he lived in, and I prayed under the carob tree there with intense kavanah. When it was finally time for me to get back into the car that I’d come in, I was able to do so without my cane and without feeling any pain. I even rode, squished in the back seat of the car between others, feeling completely comfortable. This miracle was witnessed by everyone who rode with me in the car.

Obviously, these stories are but a drop in the bucket of the many miracles that people have experienced, over the generations, after davening at kivrei tzaddikim and important sites. By tapping into Hashem’s nissim, and the power of Elokah DiMeir Aneini — G-d of Meir, answer me, we can tap into the potency of tefillah to witness many more.

The American robin is one of the most popular and well-known singing bird in America. They are widely spread and found almost everywhere in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

They are brilliantly colored: jet black head, eyes circled in white feathers like eyeglasses, black/brown back and red/orange abdomen. Their pointy beak, that Hashem created them with, is yellow/orange and specialized to catch worms and pick small fruits from trees.

American robin

The mommy American robin builds her nest on trees or any quiet, hidden spot. It might sometimes be under a porch or even above an electric pole (picture top left).

The exterior layer is made up of long, stiff grass, twigs (picture left), paper, feathers and then smeared with mud. The inside is insulated with thin grass and other soft materials.

The mommy will build a new nest several times during the year and lay small, light blue eggs. She will lay 3-5 eggs each time and only the mother will sit on it to warm it. After 14 days the eggs will hatch and the small chicks leave the nest after 2 weeks.

The newborns keep their mouths open constantly (picture top right & left) and wait for the father or mother to feed them worms, insects or fruit. The parents will continuously provide food with devotion, many times for 21 hours a day!

Big picture left: In this fascinating collage of six chronological pictures, snapped of the same nest, we can see how in a duration of a mere 3 weeks the blue eggs are laid, the newborns hatch, develop, open their mouths for food, grow feathers and wings, outgrow the nest and fly off, leaving an empty nest. Ma rabbu masechu Hashem!

The American robin’s diet is comprised of 60% fruit and berries (picture left) and 40% small insects like: worms, caterpillars, grasshoppers, etc. They are experts in spotting, catching and extracting worms from the earth (top right) and then eat it. Their babies are also fed mostly with worms.

Small robins and eggs are regularly eaten by squirrels, snakes and some birds. Even adult robins fall prey to several large birds, eagles, owls, cats, dogs and large snakes. In all there are 28 species of birds that will consume a robin when the opportunity presents itself.

Despite all this, they are widely spread and multiply very quickly. Their population counts many hundred millions.

Lakewood Vibes News

1. An American red squirrel eats the eggs of an American robin nest.

2. An American robin mommy collecting hay and twigs to build her nest.

3. An American robin catching a dip in water.

4. A devoted American robin father bringing a worm to his always hungry baby in the nest.

5. An American robin eating heartily from a tree laden with berries.

6. An American robin, of the most renowned song birds, warbling a melody.

TIDBITS

Habitat: North America

Weight: males 2.5-3.7 oz.; females 2.1-3.2 oz.

Length: 9-11 inches

Wings: 12-16 inches

Eggs: 3-5 eggs 2-3 times a year

Food: fruit and insects

Predators: squirrels, snakes, birds, cats and dogs

Lifespan: up to 12 years in the wild; zoo - 17

Population: 320 million

רעשעלפ ןיא רעדניק

אנעריא ראפ תודוס :31 לטיפאק

רתסאָ טאָה ,געווטייז פּאָק ריאָ לאָמאָכאָנ טשינ רימ גערפ ,אָנעריאָ ,עטיב" .אָד רימ ןפראָד ןרעטלע עניימ .עגאָרפ יד טראָד .ןבאָה רימ ףראָד זיירק-טנגוי ןיימ

לעוו ,טייז ןשיראָ ן'פיואָ ,ןסיורדניאָ ".היח

US TO PLACE YOUR ORDER.

Call/Text: 848.333.1081

Email: TheWayforCake@gmail.com

Hide and Seek

Find Chilli & Tilli

Chilli & Tilli are hidden somewhere in this issue they can be found anywhere on a Ad, Picture, or any page in the magazine, any size any color (excluding this page)

Please email, Fax or Mail the Page # where you found them

To enter a rafffle to Win a Free Ticket to Climb Zone! You must include your Name and Address the winner will be printed in next weeks issue.

PARSHAS EMOR

DID YOU KNOW?

When the Shabbos and Yom Tov Candles are lit they usher a special light into the world.

STORY

There was once a girl, who lived with her mother on the faraway Aleutian Islands. This little girl knew she was Jewish, but since she didn’t know of any other Jewish people, she thought she was the only Jew in the world, besides her mother. One day at school, as her mother was teaching the class, two young Rabbis, unexpectedly came in and asked if anyone in their class was Jewish. The little girl jumped up excitedly and exclaimed, “You mean we aren’t the only Jews in the world?!” After class, the Rabbis spoke with the little girl and her mother, about what it means to be a Jew. When they were asked to give one last message to the girl, they told her about the Mitzvah of lighting Shabbos candles and explained its importance.

DELVING DEEPER

BRING IT HOME

How can you help prepare for Shabbos and Yom Tov in your house? Which Yom Tov is your favorite?

As women and girls in every country light candles, they usher the light of Shabbos or Yomtov into their corner of the world. Australia is one of the first countries to bring in this light, followed by other places, such as Israel, New York, and California. As each location lights its candles, the light of Shabbos or Yomtov grows stronger and brighter. Finally, candles are lit in the last, farthest places in the world, including the Aleutian Islands, when this special circle of light is completed. Every Friday and every Erev Yomtov, as each girl lights her own candle, or watches her mother light candles, she is connected with many others and spreads the light around the entire world.

PARSHA

Shabbat Silhouette Painting

Paint a thin layer of black paint over your canvas and let dry.

Carefully place stencil over canvas.

Using a small paintbrush and gold paint, create rays around the candle.

Cut out the outline of the girl holding a candle, discarding the inside parts of the template to create a stencil.

Using the sponge, carefully paint a thin layer of your first color starting from the top of the stencil to create an ombre effect.

Your masterpiece is now complete!

Roll painters tape to create a double-sided tape and apply it all over the stencil, focusing on and around the girl and candle.

Using a new sponge, apply the next color strip below the first and blend the two layers with the lighter color sponge.

SUPPLIES

Paint:Black, Gold & 4 Additional Colors

Small & Large Paintbrush

Template Printout

4 Small Sponges

Painters Tape

Scissors

Canvas

*We would love to see how your Parsha Studio Project came out!

Send us pictures to, info@jcm.museum

Easy One Pan Hawaiian Salmon

4 servings 35 min

ingredients

4 Red Bell Pepper (sliced)

1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 lb Salmon Fillet

Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)

2 cups sliced Pineapple

directions

1.

Preheat oven to 400ºF (204ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, toss the sliced bell peppers with the olive oil. Transfer to the perimeter of a baking sheet, and add the salmon fillets to the middle.

2. Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper, then top with the pineapple slices Place the baking sheet in the oven for 30 minutes 3

After 30 minutes, divide the peppers, salmon, and pineapple between plates Enjoy! 4

Ehrman is a Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Prenatal/Postpartum Nutrition Professional, and Certified Transformational Life Coach. Her passion is to nourish and support women with the tools to thrive during pregnancy, postpartum, and the years after.

Liatt

GF Macaroni & “Cheese”

8 servings 1 hour ingredients directions

4 cups Butternut Squash (peeled, seeded and sliced into 1 inch cubes)

1/2 Sweet Onion (diced)

2 Garlic (cloves, whole)

2 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 cup Almonds

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Onion Powder

1 cup Cashews

2 tbsps Nutritional Yeast

2 tsps Sea Salt

1 cup Water

4 cups Brown Rice Macaroni (uncooked)

2.

Preheat oven to 420ºF (216ºC).

1. Place butternut squash, sweet onion and garlic cloves in a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil, season with a bit of sea salt and pepper and mix well Transfer onto a large foil-lined baking sheet Roast in the oven for 30 minutes

3

Now let's make the "breadcrumbs" In a food processor, combine the almonds, garlic powder and onion powder Pulse until almonds are coarsely chopped Set aside

4 Reduce oven to 350ºF (177ºC)

In a blender, add cashews, nutritional yeast, sea salt and water Blend until a creamy consistency forms Now add in the roasted butternut squash and onion mix and blend until smooth.

5

Liatt Ehrman is a Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Prenatal/Postpartum Nutrition Professional, and Certified Transformational Life Coach. Her passion is to nourish and support women with the tools to thrive during pregnancy, postpartum, and the years after Bringing out the best version of themselves so they can be better wives, mothers, and Ovdei Hashem She can be reached by email at liatt@trueyounourishment com or 732-276-0276

Lakewood Vibes News

Ingredients

Slushy offee

3 Tbsp coffee powder

6 Tbsp sugar

4 cups of milk

2 cups of ice cubes

2 scoops of ice cream

Procedure

Dissolve coffee and sugar in a little hot water

Pour into a blender

Add milk, ice cubes and ice cream

Blend on high until slushy

Enjoy!

TAP. TAP. TAP.

Hear that? It’s convenience.

STORE HOURS

Sunday: 11:00 - 6:00

Monday 11:00 - 7:00

Tuesday: 11:00 - 7:00

Wednesday: ursday: 11:00 - 7:00 11:00 - 7:00

Friday: 10:30- 1:30

32 CROSS STREET LAKEWOOD NJ

Buying new shoes shouldn’t automatically mean there’s another errand attached. Our new service will allow you to buy your shoes, have taps placed on the spot, and leave you dancing out of the store.

NEW SPRING ARRIVALS

Upsherin for a great grandson of the Sanz Rebbe in Yerishulayim

Magnificent event overseen by Gedolei Yisroel following the examination of 750 Dafim and above.

15,000 Lomdim from cities across Eretz Yisroel gathered for a test on millions of pages of Gemara memorized through the Veshinantom program.

UPGRADE YOUR HOME

Contact the renowned Rebetzin Aidel Miller from Yerushalyim Kein Ayin Hora.

Rebetzin Aidel Miller is a granddaughter of the known Rabbi Yakov Yosef Herman ל״צז, who did much to strengthen Yiddishkeit in America.

The Rebetzin became known over the years for helping people with difficulties through special Segulos and prayers from holy sources, to fortify the faith and Bitachon of those in need of a Yeshua

Rebetzin Miller is also an expert in using the segula of “Blei Gissin” (pouring of lead).

This Segulah is mentioned in the Sefer קדצ

and other Seforim. This Segulah is known in Klal Yisroel for many generations and Mekubalim have given their approval of this Segulah

May Hashem grant her much Siyata Dishmaya to continue her work, and may Hashem the healer of the broker heart, heal all those in need of help.

“A year ago a lady came to the Rebetzin as she did not have children.

The Rebetzin gave her a big brocha, did the blei gissen and told her she will have twins. A year later she gave birth to twins. ”

Removing Ayin Hora through “Blei Gissin” is a known Segulah to aid with issues of health, Shidduchim, child bearing, Parnassa, anxiety and other difficulties.

Rebetzin Miller is blessed with tremendous Siyata Dishmaya and has had the Zechus to be the right Shliach to help and be Mechazek Klal Yisroel for close to 40 years.

“A man called the Rebetzin as his daughter had to go to the emergency hospital. The Rebetzin calmed the father down and did the blei gissen with tefillahs, and said she has nothing and will be going home the same night safe. It happened that the doctors found nothing and sent her home safely. ”

“A girl from Brooklyn NY called and was having a terrible time finding her soul mate. The Rebetzin did the blei gissen and told her to daven certain tehillims. A month later she became engaged and is today happily married. ”

Top Titles

Song of Faith

Ellen Roteman

Liese Goldschmidt is growing up in a small German town in the late 1930s. Rather than enjoying life like a carefree fifteen-year-old, she watches in horror as her world is turned upside down.

In this compelling historical novel, join Liese as she draws upon reserves of strength and courage in order to emerge victorious and sing her own song of faith.

Alien Invasion

Binyamin Paige

Deep in space, an alien spaceship is destroyed by a nuclear missile. The two surviving aliens arrive in the United States to warn that an enemy spaceship is on its way to Earth.

Written by a teacher with help from his students, this is an action-packed adventure, full of nonstop twists and turns. Join Noah and his crew as they struggle to stay one step ahead of the alien invasion.

Storm Clouds

Sarah Feldbrand

The young people of Kozhnitz get caught up the rise of new ideologies. But Yiskah yearns to be a Bais Yaakov teacher. Will she be able to resist the lure of the times and hold on to her dream?

In this fascinating historical novel, join Yiskah as the world of Torah wars with Socialism and Zionism, as she holds on tight to the enduring weapons of prayer and faith in Hashem that carry our nation through perilous times.

Return of the V.I.P.

Yehudah Cahn

Thirteen-year-old Yitzy Blackton is back! A new boy just moved to town, and the class bully starts up with him. Yitzy can’t stop himself from jumping into the action, and his temper gets him into big trouble. And that’s just the beginning.

Get ready for Yitzy’s latest jampacked adventure as he struggles with gymnastics, joins a search and rescue team — and returns as a V.I.P.

Hold the Line

In this captivating historical novel, talented author Brocha Miller takes her readers on a riveting journey through the early 1900s, from the Model T Fords on the streets of Detroit to the army tanks in the trenches of France. Tune in to the courage of two confused young people as they learn to make peace with themselves and those around them.

The Impossible Project

Devorah Talia Gordon

Rina loves gymnastics, art, and piano. School? Not so much. It’s a good thing brainy Hindy is her best friend and study partner.

Hindy is always in style and looks just right, but she has her own worries. It all comes to a head when they are assigned an impossible project.

Enter Rina and Hindy’s world as they each find their own way to make the impossible possible.

Take Two

Riva Pomerantz

Newlyweds Aryeh and Miri Kleinerman should really be the perfect couple and seem destined for a blissful life together, yet Aryeh’s mysterious behavior puts Miri on edge.

Can Aryeh and Miri unite to rewrite the parameters of their marriage, and can they gather the courage to “take two” and give each other a second chance?

Rolling with Nonny

Yael Mermelstein

Yochanan Bear, better known as Nonny, is a spunky eleven-year-old who’s smart, funny, and friendly… Oh, and he has cerebral palsy.

Whether Nonny is joining a marathon, trying out at a singing competition, or catching a thief, there are plenty of laughs to go around in this fantastic book by award-winning author Yael Mermelstein.

Brocha Miller

C h i n e s e c h i c k e n w i n g s

Ingredients:

2 pounds of chicken wings

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup of honey

4 frozen garlic cubes

1 Tbsp onion soup mix

Directions:

Clean chicken wings and place in a 9*13 pan

Mix together soy sauce, honey, garlic and soup mix

Pour over chicken wings

Bake at 400° covered for one hour

Uncover and bake for another half an hour

Serve over brown or white rice

WE’RE HIRING!

Siyum Mesechtes Yuma by Oireise in Lakewood

Slabodka

Efraim Tzvi & Duvid Elimelech Fishman Age 6

Libby Klein

Sori Goldberg Age 10

Yechiel Tauber Age 6

Matty Simon Age 10

Leahle V & Peri H Age 6

CLASSIFIEDS

Real Estate

Magnificent, luxurious, walk in vacation villa in the heart of Romema of Yerushalim available for rent.

6 bedroom, 5 bathroom, large playroom, large sauna, 3 patios, all household Inventities, 2 private parking. Pls WhatsApp 845-274-3601

Summer Rental

4 bedroom/4 bathroom house on Charming Way (Segull Square) available first half by the week or for the month. Park on block, right near all shopping and pools. 848-299-2883

Help Wanted

Morah/Teacher

Looking for a Morah for younger 2 yr oldo for upcoming year. 9.30am till 3pm. No preparation. Grt pay!! Chesnut area. Call 347 893 1797

Merchandise For Sale

Exclusive Designer Womans

Gown

Beautiful, beaded, Ombre gown for sale size 10-12. Great price please call 718-473-7389

Affordable Simcha & Evening-Wear Boutique in Westgate:

One-of-a-kind, handpicked selection of dressy evening/ shabbos wear for older teens and fashionable women sizes xs-xl. We carry both new and preloved items, and a cool selection of higher-end/

designer items. Shabbos dresses aprox. range btwn: $50-$100. Evening & Simcha-wear aprox. range btwn: $100-$225. Open Mon & Wed nights 8-10 pm or by appointment (cash/ check accepted) Aleeza’s Boutique: 848-243-0019. 152 Pressburg Ln, Lakewood NJ

PA 600 & 700 Keyboards for Sale

Beats available, Amazing Price, Call or text 848-986-3401

Little girls white flower princess gown size 5/6, worn once, Call or text 732-300-1208

Stunning little girl’s kate tulle cream gown by c’era una volta size 6. with tags. with Girls Breath Wreath Headband. Call or text 732-300-1208

Costarellos inspired custom gown peach/pink matching belt. Classy and slenderizing. Fully lined. Size 4-6. Call or text 732-300-1208.

Zac Zac Posen long sleeve mermaid gown, black, classy and slenderizing. sold out. Size 6, worn once. Call or text 732-300-1208

Magnificent designer Saiid Kobeisy watercolor gown, multi color, graphic print, Call or text 732-300-1208.

Looking to sell a gorgeous Bar Chorin kids gown- white with colored embroidered flowers-size 4. Great price. Call/text 646-300-3764

Selling beautiful 10ft wide 3 section sformim shank with middle section glass doors. best offer 732-569-5093

Valco Baby Trend Duo Grey Replacement Fabric Seats and canopies. MSRP: 250 Selling for 150. Canopies are brand new,

seats used a few times. Call/Text 732-597-8959

Giant roam phantom green bike with rack and bag in great condition for $550 call 848-986-6253 (lv msg)

Hiboy 26” fat tire electric bike with rack and bag (28 mph) almost brand new (1 pedal fell off) $900 call 848-986-6253 (lv msg)

Magnificent Stunning (Master) Bedroom Set with gold piping and Ivory tufted headboard in Excellent Condition. Extra glass top for dresser & lamp included. Great price! Call/Text 201.921.3687

Brand new dining room table. WhatsApp/text: 845-445-8648 for details.

STUNNING IVORY/CREAM GOWNS, Size 2/4 ladies. 848-245-4401.

ADORABLE CUSTOM IVORY KIDS GOWNS, Sizes 2-16. Great price. 8482454401.

Selling beautiful custom kids bedroom furniture. White desk, night table and light fixture. Desk special made to hold books and looseleafs. Call 732-664-2913 or email gmalky123@gmail.com for pictures. CHEAP PRICE!

Selling almost new 30” white oven, looks new, perfect condition, selling for $295. Call 732-6642913 or email gmalky123@ gmail.com for pictures.

LG Classics for sale great price call-848-2401786 leave message

Stunning exquisite black and white gown for sale 443-202-2369

Beautiful custom luxury paintings for sale! Order ASAP and you can still get it for pesach! Call/text/ WhatsApp-+1-848-299-1887

MASTER BEDROOM BEDSSALE

Brand new, Beautiful, 54’’ beds with headboards. Call/ Text 2124959909

Miri’s White new gown, for sister or mother of bride size 2-4 for sale. 3475691053

Selling wen drill press barely used excellent condition call 732 905 7240 lv msg

Selling Knox Gear KN-PAS02 15” Active speaker combo set ,$100 Please call 732-534-1094

Gown for Sale

Beautiful, navy blue Exquisite gown, women’s size 8 for sale. Call/text 732-994-8328.

Selling Zimmerman ivory midi dress size 0, and 2 cream lace mummymonon dresses for a simcha size 12 and size 6 - 718-578-1996

Selling ezcadi custom 3pc seforim shrank with option in center for silver and glass doors, In excellent condition. $2000 obo 718-578-1996

Selling to study arm chairs originally $900 each, both for $500 718-578-1996

Selling 2 side chairs for

CLASSIFIEDS

study or living room both for $60 718-578-1996

Freezer

Danby 10.1 cu ft. small upright freezer in white. Excellent condition. Sold in stores for $750 or more. Selling for $275. Call/text 347-491-9184

STUNNING GOWN

Custom ivory gown size 4/6, Pls call/ txt 848.226.9204

Gown for sale

Stunning mauve/pink/ champagne semi custom gown, women size 4. Call/ text 732-232-7167

Excellent Condition

Denim Maclaren stroller, Air purifier, Beautiful Modern Light Fixture. Call/text 9175331784

Weight loss products:

Start fresh after Yom Tov amazing weight loss product will help you look good and feel good! Contains 20gr of pure protein (not counted as calorie intake). The results speak for itself, safe and healthy. Call Esty Meyer 732-8060895. While supplies last.

Van/Car For Sale

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SE 112,000 miles new brakes and rotors. Drive good, 7 seats, Text 646-342-5457

For sale

Toyota Camry 05, 201k Drives well, very well maintained. $3200. 848-299-1455

Services

Experienced and professional seamstress available for all your alteration needs. Call/text 848-525-6619

Wash N’ Sets by Esty. Evening appointments available. Great introductory price. Princeton area, Call / text 848-223-1904

Music Lessons

Professional Music Lessons by Mr Wertzberger now for just $10 per week, limited time special. Tel: 718-435-1923

Lost and Found

Found

The following was found at the deja vu film on chol hamoed in Bnos Devorah A camera, A gym membership card, A black clicker. Please call 347-3515899 to claim

Lost

Gold necklace lost on April 13th with the name Fayga in hebrew on it, if found, please call 718 514 1711

Found 2 RINGS FOUND THURSDAY

Chol Hamoed Pesach in ladies bathroom at Supercharge raceway & arcades in Edison NJ. Please call 718-759-8077

Library

Book library-adult & children’s book library. Over 1,000 books. Located near Segull Square plaza.

Call /text(848) 525-5909.

Gemachs

New tznius hospital gowns in Oak and Vine. Please call: 347-486-2994 or 347633-6329

Vort Dress Gemach

If you have a perfect condition Simcha dress that you would like others to benefit from, please call/text (848) 245-2633.

The Pickup Gmach-Picking up your current last season’s kids clothing in good condition and passing it on to local Lakewood families who appreciate it and wear it right. We keep outfits and matching together as sets. For pickups email pickupgmach@gmail.com

Deja New Clothing Home Pickups. We pickup your excellent clothing so others can enjoy them too! Text ‘pickup’ to 732-702-3352.

Zichron Naftali jewish dvd gemach for challenging times. Men/women/kid dvds -2week, provide dvd player. 917-628-1785

Beautiful current style and current season children, teen, infant dresses avail for a Simcha, such as brothers bar mitzvah or cousins wedding...Call\ text 7326911666 to inquire Lzchus r’s refael Moshe Chaim ben chana

Huge buckets of lego and duplo for your shabbos simcha. Call 732 370-2572 to reserve

New tznius hospital gown gemach in Oak and Vine. At no cost. Please call: 347486-2994 or 347-633-6329

Speaker System for Small Events (with mic) 7320-510-3917 call/text Jackson, Bates Area

Free Giveaway

Bunny with a cage please call ben at 848-224-1346

Brand new bumper for a Toyota Camry 2002-2004, no fog lights please text 908-943-8537

Mishnayos for the Kedoshim

Many of those killed on Simchas Torah and during the current war may not have ppl to learn Mishnayos/say Kaddish for them. Please learn a perek/mesechta Leili Nishmas text 201-241-2875

Ayin Horah

The renowned Rebetzin Aidel Miller from Yerushalayim

Is now available to remove “Ayin Horah” over the phone. Call till 5:00 PM: 718.689.1902 or 516.300.1490