StandingBoldlyforTruth,forJusticeandforIsrael
ZOA Celebrates Distinguished Honorees At Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Amb. Rabbi Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Rita Cosby
Political, diplomatic and civic leaders gath ered against the backdrop of rising global antis emitism and intensifying efforts to delegitimize Israel, at a sold out event Sunday at the Zionist Organization of America’s (ZOA) Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award Superstar Gala urging them to mobilize and continue the fight against Jew hatred.
This year’s honorees included Representative Elise Stefanik, House Republican Conference chair and newly announced New York guber natorial candidate, who received the ZOA Maccabee Award; Amb. Rabbi Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, who received the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Defender of Israel Award; Leo Terrell, Esq., Chair of the U.S. Department of Justice Task Force on Antisemitism, who received the Robert Kasowitz Defender of Jewish Civil Rights Award; Amb. Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, who received the Steve Sass Outstanding Diplomat Award and Irit and Jonathan Tratt, Philanthropists and Zionist activ ists, who received the evening’s highest honor, the Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award.
Presenters and participants included Dr. Miriam Adelson, Marc Kasowitz, Steven Sass,
NewYorkersRelocatingInRecordNumbersToSouthFlorida
Massive Investments by Stephen M. Ross, the Arrival of Vanderbilt University and a Surge of High-Net-Worth Migration Position the City as a National Economic Force.
www.Newswire.com A powerful migration is underway as more New Yorkers look beyond recent political shifts and redi rect their future toward South Florida. Increasing numbers are choosing West Palm Beach, a city transforming into one of the most dynamic growth centers in America. This surge is driven by record private investment, expand ing financial institutions and a newly designed urban landscape built for the next era of busi ness and lifestyle.
Leading this transformation is Stephen M. Ross, Founder of Related Companies, Leader of Related Ross, and majority owner of the Miami Dolphins. Ross has committed nearly $10 Billion to reshaping downtown West Palm Beach, creating more than six million square feet of Class A office space, 1.4 million Square Feet of residential projects, 700,000 Square Feet of retail and dining, and several world class hotels across 70 acres. His plan, accord ing to The Wall Street Journal, aims to posi tion West Palm Beach among the most desirable cities in America for global firms seeking long term growth. That vision is already materializing. Goldman Sachs and JP
Morgan have expanded their operations in Palm Beach County while hedge funds and private equity firms continue to establish satellite offices in the city, earning it the nickname “Wall Street South.”
The city’s rise gained even greater momentum when
Ross. The university’s arrival signals a new era of innovation and research, positioning West Palm Beach as an emerging hub for education, technology and healthcare.
Palm Beach County now ranks among the nation’s top des tinations for wealth migration. Between 2020 and 2021, new residents brought in more than $7 Billion in taxable income the largest increase of any county in the country. Over the last dec ade, the number of millionaires in the Palm Beaches has surged 93%, reflecting unprecedented growth and confidence in the region’s future.
As this transformation unfolds, Tolliver Prince Realty has become a leading choice for New Yorkers relocating to the area. Steve Prince and John Tolliver, managing partners with more than three decades of expertise in real estate brokerage, mortgages, and property appraisal, have earned recognition for their precision driven Top Gun approach a model built on data, speed and deep market under standing.
“Affluent buyers today want more than a simple referral. They want representation grounded in experience professionals who understand valuation, lending, and where the market is heading,” says Steve Prince, of Tolliver Prince Realty.
With new investment, education and opportunity converging, West Palm Beach stands at the center of America’s next great expansion. For those ready to make the move, Tolliver Prince Realty is prepared to guide the journey with precision and con fidence.
LiorRazShares PowerfulReflections OnService,Trauma AndTheHealing WorkOf FIDF
The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Westchester/Connecticut Annual Gala, A Night to Salute Our Heroes, held at the Hyatt in Greenwich, brought together its most dedicated supporters to honor the courage, sacrifice and resilience of Israel’s soldiers. Headlining the evening was Lior Raz, creator and star of the acclaimed series Fauda and a former IDF commando, who delivered a deeply personal reflection on service, loss, recovery and the critical role FIDF plays in support ing Israel’s defenders.
Raz opened his address by speaking candidly about the lasting impact of trauma among IDF soldiers, including his own expe riences and those of friends who have benefited from FIDF’s pio neering mental health programs. He shared how one close friend received an FIDF sponsored PTSD service dog, underscoring how the organization’s reach goes far beyond traditional therapy.
When Israel was attacked on October 7, 2023, Raz was abroad. He recounted waking up to frantic messages from his sis ter, who was hiding in Kibbutz Erez, before rushing home to join fellow IDF veterans volunteering in the south to evacuate civilians under fire. His firsthand testimony brought the reality of modern warfare and the emotional toll it takes, into sharp focus.
“Before October 7, we were brainstorming for Season 5 of Fauda — imagining the ‘worst case scenario’ for Israel,” Raz told the audience. “We thought of a terrorist takeover of a com munity, hostages, attacks launched from within and my partner said it could never happen. A few months later, it became our reality.”
Raz revealed that the next season of Fauda will explore the personal and collective aftermath of October 7th. Some of it will take place outside Israel, in Marseille, France, a storyline focused on highlighting how extremist networks extend far beyond the Middle East and into European communities.
Raz emphasized that FIDF is leading Israel’s fight to confront the hidden wounds of war. Investing more than $118 to date for mental health recovery, FIDF works hand in hand with the Ministry of Defense and top medical partners to provide a com plete continuum of care, from early intervention during service to long term rehabilitation, ensuring that no soldier is left to face trauma alone.
Through its comprehensive PTSD care model, FIDF addresses trauma at every stage. Its approach includes:
• Prevention Training for Commanders to identify and manage trauma within combat units.
• The National Center for Mental Health and Resilience in Netanya, providing treatment for active duty soldiers.
• Therapist Training Programs and the expansion of Sheba Medical Center’s psychiatric facilities, doubling national treat ment capacity.
• The Lone Soldier Resilience Center, offering tailored therapy for international soldiers.
• PTSD Therapy Dogs for Veterans, providing emotional and functional support for those living with combat trauma.
Additionally, FIDF offers support for Bereaved Families, offering therapy, family retreats in Israel and Cyprus, youth “Legacy” programs and emotional support dogs to help loved ones of fallen soldiers find healing, connection and renewed hope.
The evening also featured moving performances by Israeli singer and IDF reservist Noam Buskila and emotional stories
“We are deeply grateful to those who joined us in saluting and supporting our heroes on the battlefield and those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the Jewish state,” said FIDF Westchester and Connecticut Chapter Executive Director Anat Chavkin. “Their generosity ensures that soldiers, veterans and the families of the fallen receive the care, support and resources they need from mental health services and rehabilitation to scholarships and emergency assistance.”
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a 501(c)(3) NonProfit Organization dedicated to supporting the men and women of the IDF through mental health services, education, rehabilitation and aid for bereaved families. FIDF ensures that every soldier, veteran, and family member who sacrifices for Israel receives the care and support they deserve.
Photos, courtesy of the FIDF
ZOAUrgesPresidentTrump:
ImmediatelyInvokePromiseToSupportIsraelInEradicatingHamas,WhichRepeatedlyViolatesCeasefire
Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein released the following statement:
In a CNN interview on October 5, 2025, Jake Tapper asked President Trump, “What happens if Hamas insists on staying in power in Gaza?”
President Trump responded: “Complete obliteration!” That’s the exact right response that Israel and the entire region needs to assure peace in the Middle East.
And on October 16, 2025, President Trump posted on Truth Social:
“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them!”
And on October 14, 2025, U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner (President Trump’s mechuten) stated: “From the beginning, President Donald Trump made two principles unmistakably clear. First, Israel has an abso lute right to defend itself — not a conditional one, not subject to foreign approval.”
During the few short days since the ceasefire deal began, commencing on day one, Hamas has violated the cease fire deal multiple times and insisted on staying in power. First, instead of disarming, Hamas immediately reconstituted itself. Hamas recalled and recruited 7,000 troops and replenished itself with terrorists released from Israeli jails. Second, Hamas immediately sent civilians and then terrorists to attempt to attack Israeli troops at the “yellow line” behind which Israel retreated. Third, Hamas has been publicly exe cuting and slaughtering hundreds of rivals –using the pretext that they are Israeli collabo rators. Fourth, Hamas has failed to return approximately 15 of the bodies of Israelis that it murdered and held in Gaza. Fifth, Hamas has commandeered Gazan schools and hospitals and is using them to interrogate opponents. Sixth, Hamas is summoning employees of aid agencies to obtain information to enable Hamas to retake control of humanitarian aid supplies.
Hamas terrorists emerged from tunnels and shot anti tank missiles and sniper fire at Israelis, murdering two young Israeli soldiers – Yaniv Kula (age 21) and Itay Yavetz (age 26), and injuring three Israelis, including severely wounding an Israeli reservist. Eighth, yesterday (Monday, October 20), three Hamas terrorists, and later additional Hamas terrorists crossed the yellow line in the Shuja’iyya area, threatening
refuses to disarm?” During an October 15, 2025 interview, President Trump responded: “Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word. If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they’d do that. . . I had to hold them [the IDF] back. . . . .” We appreciate the administration understanding the need to return to demolishing the Hamas terrorists, but the administration should not adopt the Biden pol
Israeli troops and again violating the ceasefire. Every single day of delay prior to obliterat ing Hamas enables Hamas to further reorganize, further strengthen itself, solidify its control over Gaza, terrorize and murder more Palestinian opponents, and launch more deadly attacks against the Jewish State of Israel’s citizens.
ZOA thus strongly urges the Administration not to delay supporting what has become inevi table and necessary, namely, Israel going in and obliterating Hamas.
When Maria Bartiromo asked during an October 16, 2025 interview, “Is there a time line to get Hamas to disarm, in your mind?”
absolves Hamas of responsibility for its terror attacks. ZOA was concerned that, on Air Force One on Sunday, when speaking about Hamas’ deadly anti tank missile and sniper attack on Israelis, the president commented: “As you know, they’ve [Hamas terrorists have] been quite rambunctious. They’ve been doing some shooting, and we think maybe the leadership isn’t involved in that.” ZOA also urges the presi dent not to fall for attempts to disasso ciate some Hamas terrorists from their supposed leaders. They are all Hamas terrorists, armed and trained by Hamas, and carrying out the unchanging dictates of the Hamas charter to murder every Jew and destroy Israel.
Concerningly, the presi dent also indicated that he did not know whether Israeli counter strikes were “justified.” Striking a terror organization that has murdered your soldiers is not only jus tified; it is vital to do so.
Seventh and worst of all for brave Israeli sol diers and their families who have already suf fered so much to try to end Hamas’ brutal ter rorism, on Sunday (October 19), in Rafah,
President Trump correctly explained that Hamas is replacing its fighters with young new terrorists, but responded: “. . . it’s not a hard timeline, but it’s a line in my own mind. And at a certain point, if they don’t do what they’re sup posed to do, then we’ll have to do it for them.”
ZOA urges the president to make that line now.
When CNN asked, “What happens if Hamas
icy of holding Israel back from what Israel must do to assure its safety and peace.
We are also concerned about the Axios report, that, in response to Hamas’ deadly attack on Israelis on Sunday, an unnamed U.S. official said the U.S. merely urged Israel to “respond proportionately but show restraint,” and “told Israel the focus should be on isolating Hamas for its violations and actions and moving fast towards creating an alternative for Hamas in Gaza, rather than resuming the war.” There is no way to isolate Hamas and end Hamas’ vio lations and violence without obliterating Hamas.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance admitted last night (October 19, 2025), following the Hamas anti tank missile and sniper attack that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded another three, that “There is no security Infrastructure cur rently that would ensure Hamas is disarmed.” The only way is to destroy Hamas, before Hamas becomes stronger and more entrenched.
It is also vital to avoid any excuse that
History has taught us that ignoring evil with no real response will lead to disastrous outcomes. The world did not respond forcefully when Germany illegally invaded Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland — a time when it could have stopped Hitler. This led to World War II and millions of deaths. The world and America did not respond forcefully when Iran took 66 American hostages — a time when Khomeini could have been stopped. The result was the establishment of an evil terrorist regime and thousands of deaths. The world and America, under President Biden, stopped Israel from responding forcefully in May 2021, when Hamas launched 4,500 mis siles at Israel in a matter of days. As a result, Hamas continued to grow stronger and per petrated the October 7 massacre. Israel and America did not respond to, and even white washed, the Palestinian Authority’s violations when Yasser Arafat violated every obligation the Palestinian Arabs had under the Oslo agree ments. This resulted in the establishment of a Palestinian Arab terrorist regime that incited and gave financial rewards to Palestinian Arab terrorists to kill and maim thousands of Jews. We dare not make the same mistake again with the Gaza deal by not forcefully responding now to Hamas’ egregious violations.
TonyAward-WinnerStephanieJ. BlockLaunches2025/2026Aventura BroadwayConcertSeries
The City of Aventura proudly presents the 2025/2026 Aventura Broadway Concert Series, bringing Broadway’s brightest stars and show stopping performances to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Stephanie J. Block kicks off the series for a fantastic night of theater on Saturday, November 22 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.
Block has established herself as one of the most relevant and versatile voices in contem porary musical theater after getting her start on Broadway as Liza Minnelli in the original pro duction of “The Boy from Oz” opposite Hugh Jackman in 2003. She has since won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, for her portrayal in “The Cher Show,” along with the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Award and countless other accolades for various performances.
Known for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway company of “Wicked” as well as originating the role in the first national tour, Block received numerous honors for that per formance including the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.
Most recently, Block starred on Broadway as The Baker’s Wife in the critically acclaimed 2022/2023 production of “Into the Woods.”
She also earned Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her role as Trina in Lincoln Center Theater’s 2016 revival of “Falsettos.” In 2013, she received both Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood in the Roundabout Theater production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” These three productions marked three nominations in a six year span, a rare achieve ment among Broadway actors.
VIP tickets are available as an add on at checkout and include a post show meet and greet and photo opportunity with Block. Tickets to all shows are on sale now. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: aventuracenter.org, by phone at: 877.311.7469 or 954.462.0222 or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each perform
RETIREE ACADEMY
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a plex that hosts performing arts, cultural and
Tony Award-winner Stephanie J. Block
PoliceVisitZakaSearch&RescueLogistics CenterToLearnFromHeroesOfOctober7th
A senior delegation of close to a dozen New York law enforcement officials visited the national logistics center of ZAKA Search and Rescue in Beit Shemesh to learn more about ZAKA’s response on October 7th, 2023 and to meet some of the civilian volunteers whose life saving work has become a cornerstone of Israel’s emergency response system. The dele gation included New York State Police Assistant Deputy Superintendents Lt. Colonel Richard L. Mazzone and Lt. Colonel Robert B. Appleton; NYPD Assistant Commissioner Yosef Lehrman; NYPD Assistant Chief Roberto Rios; Port Authority Superintendent of Police and Director of Public Safety Edward T. Cetnar and his Chief of Staff, Assistant Chief Christopher McNerney; Port Authority Police John F. Kennedy Airport Commanding Officer
Inspector Scot E. Pomerantz and Port Authority
Chaplain Joel Eisdorfer, a senior advisor to the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
At ZAKA’s logistics hub, the delegation was welcomed by ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern and senior commanders, who provided a tour of
the center, demonstrations of ZAKA’s state of the art equipment and vehicles and an in depth overview of the organization’s operations before, during, and after the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attacks. Officials learned how more than 900 ZAKA volunteers were among the first on the scene at massacre sites across southern Israel, working alongside police, forensic inves tigators and military personnel to recover vic tims, document evidence and ensure each per son received a dignified burial according to their faith as quickly as possible.
Weissenstern described how the chaos and devastation of that day pushed ZAKA’s vol unteers to their limits, underscoring the vital cooperation between the organization’s civilian responders and Israel’s national law enforce ment agencies. He also briefed the delegation on how ZAKA integrates within Israel’s broader emergency response framework, working along side police, fire, rescue and medical services while remaining entirely volunteer staffed.
Following a tour of ZAKA’s command and control center, the visitors met with volunteers
who responded on October 7th. They received detailed briefings on how ZAKA teams worked with Law Enforcement to collect and preserve forensic evidence vital to ongoing investiga tions, assist in victim identification and help establish the circumstances of each death.
“Our volunteers see what no one should ever have to see,” said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “But we do it so families can find peace and so every person is treated with dig nity, even in the most difficult moments. When terror struck our nation, we worked side by side with police and investigators, each of us helping to restore order, compassion and humanity amid devastation.”
“Hosting this delegation from New York’s law enforcement community allowed us to share how partnership between volunteers and official services in Israel saves lives and brings closure to families,” added ZAKA’s U.S. based Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg.
The visit was coordinated in partnership with the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), which helped organize the delegation’s
broader program in Israel. For the visiting offi cials, the experience offered a rare glimpse into how faith based volunteerism in Israel directly supports professional investigative and emer gency operations. ZAKA’s model demonstrates how trained civilian volunteers can work hand in hand with police and forensic authorities, com bining compassion and community service with the precision and coordination required in com plex investigations and crisis response.
Founded to honor the dead in accordance with religious tradition, ZAKA has evolved into a full scale emergency response network, with over 4,000 trained volunteers operating 24/7 across Israel to honor the dead, aid the living and bring dignity in times of devastation. Today, it operates a wide range of units – from rapid medical response and search and rescue to water recovery to culturally sensitive burial teams serving Israel’s Jewish, Bedouin, Arab and Druze communities to international units deploying at a moment’s notice to crises across the globe. For more information, visit: https:// zakaworld.org/.
Photos, courtesy of ZAKA Search & Rescue
ZOAWillFightAgainstMamdani’s Antisemitic/Anti-IsraelPolicies&Actions
Zionist Organization of America ZOA National President Morton A. Klein Released The Following Statement:
The weeks leading up to terror supporting, Jew hating com munist Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory last night were like watching a slow moving car crash. There were valiant efforts to stop this disaster – such as a letter signed by almost 1,200 rabbis from all streams and endorsed by another almost 3,000 Jews, denouncing Mamdani’s refusal to condemn slogans calling for violence against Jews (“Globalize the Intifada”). The thousands of letter signers also condemned Mamdani’s denial of Israel’s legiti macy, scurrilous false accusations that Israel was committing genocide, delegitimization of the Jewish community, and encour agement of hostility toward Judaism and Jews. “Get Out the Vote” efforts tried to avert the crash. But it was not enough.
It has been less than a quarter century since Islamic terrorists murdered thousands of our friends, brothers, and sisters in the heart of New York on 9/11 while screaming “Allahu Akbar.” And it has been only eight years since an unrepentant Islamic Terrorist murdered eight and injured over a dozen innocent New York tourists and citizens on a West Side bike path. And just a year since officials foiled a Pakistani Muslim Terrorist’s plans to per petrate a mass shooting attack on Jews praying at a Brooklyn synagogue. We could go on and on about the terrors New
Yorkers – and especially Jewish New Yorkers – have been facing in recent years.
So who would have believed that 50.4% of the same city would now vote for a rabid anti Israel instigator? Especially after Mamdani vowed to disband the NYPD Strategic Response Group,
which handles riots and Counter Terrorism (thereby enabling anti Jewish and other terror and riots to run rampant); has already called for a boycott of New York City’s Cornell Tech to punish Cornell and its New York employees for partnering with Israel’s prestigious Technion Institute; and promoted a bill to strip pro Israel charities of their tax status. See “How a Mayor Mamdani’s Israel hate would twist the entire city,” by New York Post
Editorial Board, on Thursday, October 16th, 2025.
But the demographics of New York City have changed. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have surged into New York City, many of whom are from countries where Jew hatred is per vasive, in the wake of former Presidents Obama and Biden open ing America’s borders. Muslim adults have expanded to approxi mately 11% of New York City’s adult population. A coalition of antisemitic Israel hating Muslim organizations, including CAIR whose leader said he was happy to see Gazans invade Israel on October 7, and that Israel has no right to self defense, joined together to form a coalition to maximize Muslim voting turnout in New York. Meanwhile, large numbers of conservative New Yorkers have been leaving the city, and tragically, 31% of New York’s Jews voted for Mamdani. These changes helped enable a communist Jew hater to win.
ZOA is nonetheless resolutely determined to fight against Mamdani’s planned anti Jewish and anti Israel policies and actions at every turn.
ZOA, moreover, asks every Jewish organization to join with us in a unified front to oppose anti Israel, antisemitic policies during what will be a very difficult four years for New York and New York’s Jewish community. As Benjamin Franklin said, “We must all hang together or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” Globalize the War Against Jew Hatred! And Globalize Zionism!
AuschwitzJewishCenterFoundation&NYCDOELaunch StudentFelowshipToCombatHate&Antisemitism
In a powerful stance against antisemitism and hate fueled violence, the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF), in partnership with the New Visions Public School District of the New York City Department of Education, brought 28 high school students to the Anne Frank Exhibit at the Center for Jewish Life this week as part of the New Visions Combat Hate Fellowship run in partnership with the AJCF.
The visit marks the launch of the Combat Hate Fellowship, a year long leadership initia tive designed to educate and empower public school students across New York City with the tools to recognize, confront and prevent antis emitism, racism and all forms of hate. Through a compelling mix of Holocaust and civil rights education, civic engagement and student led projects, the program empowers young leaders to create real change in their schools and com munities.
The initiative, largely funded by the New York City Council, aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders – students grounded in historical knowledge, understanding and driven by a strong moral compass. Participants will engage directly with educators, community leaders and Holocaust survivors, gaining first hand insight into the consequences of hatred and indifference. The fellowship will culminate in a series of student authored policy rec ommendations, presented to the New York City Schools Chancellor, aimed at tackling antis emitism, hate and bias within the city’s public schools.
As part of this week’s program, students met Holocaust survivor Leo Ullman, who recounted his harrowing experience of surviving the Holocaust as a hidden child in Amsterdam, just blocks from Anne Frank’s secret annex. His tes timony offered a powerful, personal lens into history, underscoring the urgency of remem brance and the dangers of indifference.
“Carry this history forward because the sur vivors will not always be here to do it them selves,” Ullman told students. “Live your lives with resilience, empathy and compassion for others and have the courage to confidently con front hate wherever you find it.”
Following the visit to the Anne Frank Exhibit and Ullman’s testimony, AJCF edu cators facilitated a reflection session, encour aging students to channel their emotional responses into a deeper sense of civic respon sibility. The session emphasized the importance of peer leadership and challenged students to consider how they can confront hate and bias within their own schools and communities.
“The AJCF Combat Hate Fellowship is an investment in the moral and civic leadership of
Leo Ullman Addresses New Visions Combat Hate Fellowship run in partnership with the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF)
New York City’s youth,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Director General Jack Simony. “By grounding students in the lessons of the Holocaust and connecting them directly with survivors and educators, we are equipping them to confront the complex realities of antis emitism and hate today. This initiative creates a pipeline of informed, engaged young leaders who are not only capable of recognizing injus tice, but ready to act on it in their schools, com munities and beyond.”
“Our students are growing up in a time when hate and division too often fill their social feeds and their communities,” said New Visions Public School District Superintendent Noah Angelos, who oversees New York’s largest high school network representing 60 schools and 37,000 students across the five boroughs.
“Programs like this show them something differ ent, the power of empathy, history and truth. Hearing from a survivor like Leo Ullman changes not only how they see the Holocaust, but how they see their own role as leaders.”
“At a time when antisemitism is resurging both globally and in our own communities, we believe education is the strongest antidote to hate. Through the AJCF Combat Hate Fellowship, students are not only learning the facts of history, they are being empowered to become the moral leaders our society urgently needs,” added Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Executive Vice President Michael Cohen.
The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation is a NonProfit organization dedicated to harness ing the lessons learned from the Holocaust to
combat hatred and bigotry through educational programs and by providing direct humanitarian aid to victims of mass atrocities. It supports sur vivors of genocides and other tragedies, includ ing Ukrainian refugees and those impacted by Hamas’s October 7th attacks. The Foundation maintains the Auschwitz Jewish Center, the last remaining synagogue in Oswiecim (Auschwitz) and serves as the primary institution dedicated to preserving the memory of the town’s Jewish community while addressing hate. To date, over a million people have visited the center, more than 300,000 students participated in its edu cational programs and tens of thousands of dip lomats, military and law enforcement personnel and educators, have taken part in its educational initiatives on tolerance and the Holocaust. For more information, visit: https://ajcfus.org/.
Keller’sKorner
JeddFisch
Welcome to Keller’s Korner. This article will cover the foot ball Head Coach for the University of Washington, Jedd Fisch. He was born on May 5, 1976, in Livingston, New Jersey, is one of the rare Jewish head coaches in major college football. Among the 136 teams in the FBS, Jedd and Ryan Silverfield of Memphis are the only two Jewish head coaches, a fact that highlights both his personal achievement and the small but meaningful presence of Jewish leadership in the sport.
Jedd grew up in Livingston, where he did not play high school football but excelled in Tennis at Hanover Park High School, earning all State honors. His father, Jeffrey, who played Rennis in college, was a major influence. When I was covering the Maryland vs. Washington football game in October 2025, Jedd told me he still plays Tennis today. Jedd credits his parents, Jeffrey and Deby, as they both emphasized education and athlet ics. After his parents divorced, his mother remarried high school football coach Bill Rocca and being around that football program sparked Jedd’s interest in coaching while he was still in high school.
Jedd added, “When I was a little kid I watched films all day long with Bill. It was cool being a ball boy for all the games when I was just eight years old and up. I really learned the love of the game.” Jedd also had a shout out for the University of Washington men’s and women’s Tennis teams for hitting balls with him at 7:00 a.m. as it helps him mentally to be on the court. He told his father of his dream and Jeffrey suggested he go to the best school possible to help him become a football coach. Jedd chose the University of Florida in Gainesville because he admired Coach Steve Spurrier and wanted to be in the best envi ronment to learn how to coach. He volunteered on the Gators’ staff starting as a sophomore, roomed with future Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, and graduated from Florida in 1998. He immediately continued in coaching for the Gators while earning a Master’s Degree in Sports reflecting his parents’ emphasis on education.
By 2002, at just 26, Jedd moved to the National Football League (NFL) as a defensive quality control coach with the Houston Texans. Over the next few years he accumulated expe rience with several NFL franchises, including the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, and New England Patriots, while also holding college positions at Michigan and UCLA.
In 2017 he served as interim head coach for UCLA and guided the Bruins to a bowl game. In 2018, Jedd was on the Rams’ staff for Super Bowl LIII, a game notable for the Patriots’ Jewish wide receiver Julian Edelman earning MVP honors.
Jedd’s first major head coaching role came in 2021 at Arizona in Tucson, where he led the Wildcats for three seasons; his final season there saw Arizona nationally ranked and playing in a bowl. In 2024 he accepted the head coach position at the University of Washington in Seattle, stepping into the Big Ten’s elevated com petition. In his first season with the Huskies, he led Washington to the Sun Bowl, and this season the Huskies are rolling again. Jedd engineered a second half comeback against Maryland a bit tersweet loss for me as a Terps alumnus, but one I quickly con gratulated him on the field after the game.
Washington’s Director of Football Operations, Deborah Goldstein, is also Jewish and hails from southern California.
Deborah has been with UW football for 16 seasons and added, “This is my fifth head coach I have worked for at Washington, and it has been great,” In a post game conference I could see why his players love him as Jedd expresses such enthusiasm. I asked Jedd whether he had encountered anti Semitism in football; he answered, “no.” I left the game at College Park, Maryland very
visit his website: www.NeilKeller.com
impressed by Jedd, Deborah and the entire Huskies’ program and wished them continued success.
Neil Keller is a Jewish historian. To learn who is Jewish,
Head Coach for the University of Washington, Jedd Fisch (L) with Neil Keller (R) - Photo Credit Scott Davids
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FashionIconElieTahariHonorsWomenInCombatWithStar-StuddedRunwayShow
On Thursday, November 6th, in collabo ration with St. Thomas University and Soiree Events, fashion icon Elie Tahari unveiled his lat est designs for The Elie Tahari Collection Runway Show. This unprecedented event was unlike any other he has done during his illustri ous career spanning more than five decades. This show honored the bravery and contri butions of real life heroes, the courageously selfless women of the Israeli Defense Forces.
Fourteen models, including St. Thomas University students, professional models and two IDF soldiers, strutted the catwalk in Elie Tahari couture designs. The show featured a blend of stylish and innovative fashion, reflect ing Tahari’s signature aesthetic and collection, with heartfelt tributes to women who have made significant sacrifices for their country. The event aimed to raise awareness for causes that support IDF veterans and their families, while also launching Tahari’s newest initiative to help provide every woman with clothing and funds through every sale or donation made, highlight ing the intersection of fashion and social responsibility. It brings together celebrities, fashion enthusiasts, and community leaders in a celebration of resilience and heroism, making it both a glamorous affair and a meaningful trib ute. “Fashion has the power to inspire change and honor courage,” said Tahari. “Through this
event, we celebrate women whose bravery reminds us that beauty is also strength.”
“We live in an era where fashion brands can no longer depend solely on creativity; they are challenged to reflect and respond to the world’s social and moral climate,” said Tobi Rubinstein.
“Faith and fashion together remind us that what we wear—and the brands we stand beside— express more than our personal style; they reveal our values. I’m honored to represent a brand like Elie Tahari, one that leads with integ rity, purpose, and heart, standing firmly on the right side of history. The event beautifully cap tures the essence of my mission through The House of Faith & Fashion—to unite faith and fashion, purpose and beauty, into a single, pow erful dialogue that uplifts, inspires, and con nects us all.”
About Elie Tahari
Elie Tahari built a billion dollar brand by making a name for himself in contemporary women’s clothing and upscale fashion. He is credited with popularizing the tube top. Tahari started reselling them, first at a low price and then by creating a display at a trade show that resulted in thousands of orders, essentially launching his wholesale business. His ground breaking success with tube tops was the foun dation for Tahari’s career and the founding of
his eponymous brand in the early 1970’s, becoming a hugely successful global designer, amassing more than 920 stores nationwide.
He is also known for being in a class by him self in women’s suit designs, gaining wide spread accolades for his sophisticated and clas sic styles. All of the proceeds from Tahari’s online sales are designated for the care and sup port of the female IDF soldiers.
About Tobi Rubinstein
Threads of Valor Co Organizer & Host/The House of Faith & Fashion Founder Tobi Rubinstein began her esteemed career in fash ion after being recruited by an exclusive manu facturer for Victoria’s Secret and JCPenney. She went on to partner with Nicole Miller and devel oped Crunch Gym’s activewear line. In 2001, Rubinstein and her partners launched Chedda, an innovative men’s urban hip hop brand designed for Kmart—the first women owned urban brand of its kind in the mass market.
By 2009, she expanded her vision through The House of Faith & Fashion, a project that became both a reality TV series on NBC and a successful lecture and radio series. As a lifestyle, fashion, and faith commentator, Rubinstein has appeared on WABC, WNBC, Lifetime, i24, HuffPost, Page Six, and numerous other national and international media outlets. Her
goal has always been to fuse spirituality with fashion and other creative industries, interview ing iconic figures such as Patricia Field, Badgley Mischka, and Jonathan Adler about the role of faith in their artistry. In 2014, she founded The Tahor Group, built on the belief that fashion must move beyond the traditional runway and onto more imaginative ground. Most recently, she created Haute and Holy, a fashion and talk series in partnership with Mana Fashion Services, which debuted during NYFW 2022. The series brought her acclaimed book to life through runway presentations and interfaith panel discussions on modesty across religions. This direction also inspired a workshop at St. Thomas University and led to several exciting new projects, including the debut of the TV series The House of Faith & Fashion—continu ing her mission to merge spiritual purpose with creative expression. An Orthodox Jewish woman, Rubinstein’s journey deepened after becoming a Rebbitzen and later being ordained, following an in depth study of Jewish thought and teachings. She is the author of the bestsell ing book The House of Faith & Fashion: What My Wardrobe Taught Me About G d, which continues to inspire readers worldwide. In rec ognition of her impact, Rubinstein received the Fashion Icon Award during Paris Fashion Week in 2025.
OnlineAntisemitismTargetsAllThreeKeyFinalists InNewYorkMayoralRaceAs‘JewishPuppets,’ CyberwellReportFinds
As the polls closed in New York City’s 2025 mayoral election, CyberWell, a nonprofit dedicated to monitoring and combating online antisemitism and a trusted flagger for Meta: Facebook, Instagram and Threads, YouTube and TikTok, released new research revealing widespread antisemitic content circulating during the race.
The report found that all three mayoral hopefuls—Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa—were targeted online with antisemitic conspiracy theories portraying them as “puppets” of Jewish or “Zionist” interests.
CyberWell’s analysis found that these antisemitic narratives circulating dur ing the New York City may oral race closely mirrored trends observed in recent national elections in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The dominant narrative across all elec tions falsely accused Jews or “Zionists” of secretly controlling candidates, manipulating governments, and rigging elections— claims that align with the second example of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
Other common nar ratives included classic antisemitic tropes and imagery such as the “happy merchant” and blood libel accusations, which also align with IHRA’s second category of antisemitism. Additional narratives reflected Israel related antisemitism consistent with the seventh and ninth examples of the working definition, including posts asserting that Israel has no right to exist and depictions employing classic antis emitism toward Israelis. Imagery depicting blood libel conspira cies used to demonize Jews by platform users was sometimes enhanced with AI generated content combining racist caricatures and antisemitic symbols to suggest political manipulation. Collectively, these narratives were widely amplified online, underscoring the persistence and adaptability of conspiratorial antisemitic tropes in digital spaces. Although the verified dataset
contained only dozens of examples, the content nonetheless amassed more than 200,000 total views across major platforms— for context, NYC’s population is approximately 8.5 million, dem onstrating its disproportionate reach and potential impact during the elections period.
Despite existing hate speech policies, platform enforcement during the New York City mayoral election was inconsistent. X (formerly Twitter) hosted the largest volume of antisemitic posts with few removals, reflecting a permissive stance toward extreme election related content. While TikTok, X and Meta maintain
consistently shows that antisemitic conspiracies targeting minor ity groups surge during politically sensitive periods, yet enforce ment of policy remains inconsistent across Social Media plat forms. The online narratives related to the New York City may oral race trends consistently with patterns we saw in the recent United States federal elections, as well as elections in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, demonstrating the global scale and alignment of conspiracies against a common target and scapegoat during free elections—the Jewish people.”
election integrity policies, none explicitly address election related hate speech—a gap that may contribute to uneven modera tion. In contrast, YouTube’s explicit policy guidance against election related hate speech aligned with CyberWell’s findings, which identified no violative election related content on the plat form ahead of the NYC mayoral race.
“Accusations portraying Jews as controlling political figures transcend both party lines and national borders,” said CyberWell Founder and CEO Tal Or Cohen Montemayor. “Our research
CyberWell is calling on platforms to strengthen their response to election related antisemitism. The organization recommends refining enforcement guidelines, improving moderator training and deploying advanced detec tion tools capable of iden tifying coded language, symbolic imagery and other visual cues commonly used in antisemitic content designed to evade detec tion.
CyberWell’s report on the 2025 New York City mayoral election is avail able here: https:// cyberwell.org/antisemitic narratives echo through new york citys mayoral election/
CyberWell is an inde pendent, internationally focused, tech rooted non profit combating the spread of antisemitism online. Its AI technologies monitor Social Media in English and Arabic for posts that prom ulgate antisemitism, Holocaust denial and pro mote violence against Jews based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Its analysts review and report this con tent to platform moderators while indexing all verified posts in the first ever open database of antisemitic social media posts –democratically cataloging it for transparency at: app.cyberwell.org. Through partnerships, education and real time alerts, CyberWell is driving the enforcement and improve ment of social media policies and safety practices, promoting pro active steps against online Jew hate. For more information, visit: https://cyberwell.org/.
LeadingWith Head&Heart:
DaraLevan’sEnduringService ToMemorialFoundation
Dara Levan is a longtime Memorial Foundation Board Member whose Jewish values of compassion and community have guided more than a decade of service to the South Florida community.
When Fort Lauderdale resident Dara Levan first joined the Memorial Foundation Board of Directors more than a decade ago, she made it clear she was committed for the long haul. At the end of her first term, when the then CEO recognized members rolling off the board, Levan immediately spoke up, “I’m a lifer. I’m not going anywhere.” True to her word, she has served three terms across three CEOs, briefly stepping away only to return with renewed dedication. Her tenure reflects a deep loyalty to Memorial’s mission of compassion, integrity and patient centered care.
Levan’s impact has been inspiring. She was instrumental in launching the Pink Angels, a volunteer fundraising and advisory group that supports Breast Cancer patients through treatment and recovery. The committee funds wigs, acupuncture, therapy and survivorship programs that help women feel whole again. She also championed a new meditation room inside the Memorial Hospital Chapel, where patients and families can go for quiet reflection. Most recently, she has been working with the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation and Business for the Arts Broward (BFA) to bring a mural to the hospital through BFA’s Art Walls Mural Program.
Levan describes the Memorial System as a rare blend of head and heart in healthcare. “Memorial is a place where accountability and innovation are balanced with compassion and kindness. Patients aren’t just numbers. They’re people who are seen, heard and cared for. Everyone deserves to matter,” she says.
Levan’s perspective is shaped by her own experiences. Like many in the community, she has faced health scares personally and with loved ones. Those moments, she says, showed her the importance of both clinical excellence and empathy.
As a board member, Levan sees her role as balancing tradition with change. “My goal is to embrace growth with transparency and joy, while holding onto our core values of integrity and com passion,” she explains. “Listening, learning and understanding what’s happening inside the hospital helps us encourage real pro gress for patients.”
Broward County’s diversity makes that mission even more important. Memorial serves as both a neighborhood hospital and a regional medical center with specialties ranging from Care to Cardiology. Levan is proud to support initiatives that strengthen Memorial’s leadership in these areas while keeping the focus on treating every patient with dignity.
Levan’s commitment extends beyond philanthropy. A speech language pathologist by training, she is also a writer, storyteller and award winning author. She hosts the “Every Soul Has a Story” podcast and is the author of the novel, “It Could Be Worse.” She is also a contributor to the essay collection, “On Being Jewish Now,” a USA Today bestseller. Her next book,
“Shaken to the Core,” will be released in June 2026. Whether through her writing or her board service, Levan is steadfast in her purpose to honor the dignity of every person and help contribute to a stronger, more caring community. “I’m so very proud to serve on a board that gives with compassion, inten
tion and integrity,” she says.
To support the Memorial Foundation or learn more about the impact of philanthropy, visit: www.mhs.net/give-back/memorial-foundation.
December7thFindTheRightCareAtTheBestPrice
of experts. We’re available 24/7 to help you review your options and answer any questions about your Medicare coverage.
As the new head of the Medicare program, I encourage eve ryone with Medicare to take full advantage of this year’s Open Enrollment period. This is your once a year opportunity to take a fresh look at your coverage for the year ahead. As a physician, I’ve seen firsthand how the right health plan can improve both the quality of care you receive and your peace of mind. Now is time to take a moment, do a little homework and make sure you are get ting the right care at the best price.
Health plans can undergo changes every year including adjustments to benefits, costs and coverage. Even the plan you’re in now could be changing. At the same time, your health needs may have changed over the past year. When you review your cov erage options and compare plans, you may find that you can save money, get better coverage or both. A simple plan comparison could save you hundreds in some cases even thousands of dol lars, depending on the prescription medications you take.
Start at the Official Source: www.Medicare.gov www.Medicare.gov is your official source for all your Open Enrollment needs. It’s the trusted resource to help you navigate Open Enrollment. Here people can explore and compare every available Medicare health and drug plan available in their area. If you prefer speaking with someone directly, call: 1 (800) MEDICARE. Call: 1 (800) 633 4227 to connect with our team
To get started, go to: www.Medicare.gov and click on “Find Plans Now.” For the best shopping experience, log in or start a Medicare account. You can easily compare plan costs, side by side, all based on the drugs you take. This is important: Make sure the plan you choose covers your prescription drugs and your doctors.
Time is Limited So Start Early
Medicare Open Enrollment ends on Sunday, December 7th. After this deadline, you’ll typically need to wait until the next Open Enrollment period to make changes to your coverage. The deadline approaches quickly, so start early to make sure you have time to compare your options including costs, benefits, covered drugs and provider and pharmacy networks. Then you can feel confident in selecting the plan that delivers the right care at the right price for your needs.
Help is Available 24/7
If you have any questions about your coverage options, visit: www.Medicare.gov. If you prefer to talk it over with someone, call the experts at: 1 (800) MEDICARE. Call: 1 (800) 633 4227 they’re available 24/7 to review your options and answer your questions.
One final note: Stay vigilant against Medicare fraud, especially
during Open Enrollment. Remember that Medicare will never contact you unsolicited. If someone you don’t know calls, texts or emails you about Medicare, simply hang up or delete the message. By staying alert, you can help stop fraud before it starts.
New at: www.Medicare.gov
This year: www.Medicare.gov has rolled out a series of improvements designed to help people more easily compare their Medicare options and find a plan that fits their unique needs.
By clicking “Find Plans Now” on the homepage, users can quickly compare plan costs side by side, with results person alized to the specific medications they take. For the first time, you can now search to see whether your preferred doctors are covered by different plans all in one seamless experience. www.Medicare.gov is also making it easier to search for plans that include additional benefits that can improve your daily life. Whether you’re looking for wellness perks like weight manage ment programs or other services that support a healthier lifestyle, the updated search tools can help you focus on what matters most to you.
Logging into your Medicare account has also been modern ized. If you choose, you can set up your fingerprint or Face ID to get into your account securely. It’s faster, it’s more secure and it’s easier than trying to remember another password.
Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator Of The Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services
TheHubAtTempleBethAm
It’sAPlaceWhereChildrenLearn, TeensConnect,AdultsEngage, AndFamiliesGrowTogether
Step onto the vibrant campus of Temple Beth Am, and you’ll immediately sense something new, something extraordinary. At the heart of it all is The Hub – a dynamic, State Of The Art addi tion that redefines what it means to build Jewish community in the 21st century. Designed with intention, innovation, and inclusiv ity, The Hub is more than a space – it’s an experience.
From cultural events and social gatherings to recreation and learning, The Hub brings together the essence of Temple Beth Am’s mission: to connect, inspire, and support Jewish life at every stage and age. Walk through The Hub, and you’ll find a seamless blend of functionality and warmth. Inside the Cultural & Activity Center, there’s truly something for everyone.
One of the most exciting aspects of The Hub is the Outdoor Cultural Life Center, home to Temple Beth Am’s own Ben Yehuda Street and Zion Square. This space is purpose built for festivals, lifecycle events, and cultural programming under the South Florida sky. It’s a place where Jewish culture lives and breathes through music, art, celebration, and community inter action.
The Performing Arts Center and Chapel is a true gem of The Hub. With flexible seating for up to 550 attendees, this space is uniquely designed to support both the spiritual and cultural life of the congregation. It easily converts into a more intimate chapel setting for 300, allowing for a wide range of uses—from concerts and plays to prayer services and life cycle events.
What makes The Hub truly special is not just its facilities, but the spirit it fosters. It’s a place where children learn, teens con nect, adults engage, and families grow together. Whether you’re attending a lecture in the reading room, cheering your child on during a basketball game, catching up with a friend over coffee, or celebrating a lifecycle milestone under the stars—it all happens at The Hub.
Located at The Janet z”l and Richard Yulman Campus, The Hub is the new center of gravity for Temple Beth Am. It reflects the synagogue’s deep commitment to providing spaces that serve the present while investing in the future of Jewish communal life. Come experience The Hub for yourself. There’s something here for everyone—and everything here is for you. Check out the What’s Happening at The Hub:
Comedy
at
the
Hub: Jared Fried Meet Us At The Hub For A Night Out With Comedian Jared Freid!
The Table For One Tour is the follow up to Freid’s successful The Family Business Tour. Instead of traveling with his parents on this one, Jared is going at it alone… in Europe. This hour of standup is about the highlights and lowlights of traveling when you’re single and 40. Explaining the reasons you’re traveling alone to your parents. Telling your married friends it’s not the wild time they imagine. And figuring out why they don’t put enough ice in your drink abroad. This hour is for everyone. Millennials. Parents of the Millennials. And the Gen Z people who want a story from the ghost of a single future.
Jared Freid is a stand up comedian and podcaster based out of New York City. His most recent stand up special, “37 & Single” premiered on Netflix in 2023 to rave reviews and rose to the Top 10 most watched TV in the US and Canada on Netflix. In addi tion, The New York Times touted “In the crowded field of dating
jokes, Jared Freid…distinguishes himself…”. With a strong focus on dating and relationships, Jared’s comedy reflects the ordinary daily thoughts of everyone you know, especially if you know a lot of millennials that are obsessing over dating apps, trying to be real adults, and worrying about their bodies. His prior special, “Socially Distanced… Of Course” premiered on YouTube in 2021. Jared recently voiced the comedic narrator role on Peacock’s popular reality show “Love Under Cover.” He has also appeared on a number of television programs, including multiple appearances on “The Tonight Show” and as a regular contributor on “Good Morning Football” on the NFL Network. Jared can be seen in the upcoming independent romantic comedy “31 Candles.”
In addition to his hectic touring schedule, Jared hosts two highly rated weekly podcasts including his “JTrain Podcast.” The show has a cult following of loyal fans. Guests have included: Michael Che, Pete Davidson, Colin Quinn, Sal Vulcano, Bert Kreischer, Dave Attell, Michelle Wolf and more. It’s been called “A Dear Abby for Dudes,” which is why both men and women tune in religiously. Many of Jared’s fans say that his advice has helped them in their personal lives. Jared also co hosts the popu lar podcast “U Up?” with Jordana Abraham of Betches, where they discuss their takes on modern dating with issues ranging from apps to hookups to relationships.
In 2019, Jared released his first full length comedy album “Always a Momma Bear” through Virtual Comedy Network. The album debuted at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts. Jared was also named a New Face of Comedy at the Just For Laugh’s com edy festival in 2017.
Beverages and bites will be available for purchase beginning at 6:30 p.m. and will be available throughout the show. Tickets: $39 General Admission.
Chef’s Table at The Hub: Erin Lichy on She’s a Host
Celebrate the art of entertaining with Erin Lichy, author of the stunning new cookbook She’s a Host: An Unbuttoned Cookbook for Elegant Entertaining.
Join us at The Hub for an evening that blends inspiration, conversation, and culinary creativity. Erin invites guests to
explore her modern approach to hosting, one that celebrates con nection, style, and ease. Through thoughtfully crafted recipes, elegant presentation ideas, and her signature approachable flair, She’s a Host redefines what it means to entertain beautifully with out the pressure of perfection.
During this special event, Erin will share stories from her journey of writing the book, insights into how she brings people together through food and design, and her favorite tips for cre ating memorable gatherings — from intimate dinners to lively celebrations.
Stick around following the conversation celebrating She’s a Host for a dinner curated and attended by Erin featuring recipes from the book.
About Erin Lichy:
Native New Yorker, Erin Dana Lichy, is currently one of the stars of the Bravo television series, The Real Housewives of New York. Erin holds a Masters of Science Degree in Sustainable Development from N.Y.U. A serial entrepreneur, Erin is the owner of an interior design build firm whose work has been fea tured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Vogue. She is the co founder of Mezcalum, an artisanal mezcal and the host of the Come Together podcast. Erin resides in New York City with her husband Abe and four children.
Tickets:
Cookbook Talk only (no book or dinner): $14.00
Cookbook Talk & Cookbook: $49.00
Cookbook Talk & Curated Dinner with Erin (no book): $114.00
Cookbook Talk & Cookbook & Curated Dinner with Erin: $149.00
The Hub is located at: The Hub at The Janet z”l and Richard Yulman Campus at: 5950 North Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, Florida 33156.
For more information and event tickets, visit: www.tbam.org - Or call: (305) 540-0700.
(Credit: https://www.tbam.org/the-hub/)
recast as badges of conscience and enlight enment. Bigotry against Jews has been normal ized, legitimized and mainstreamed. Hatred now masquerades as virtue and hostility toward Israel is held up as moral decency,” said ZOA National President Morton A. Klein. “We at the ZOA will fight these monstrous lies. No appeasement. No conciliation. We will fight this hatred with every ounce of our strength, with all our hearts and souls.
“Each of our honorees tonight has joined that fight, standing boldly for truth, for justice and for Israel. For their courage and heroism, we at the ZOA, along with defenders of Israel across America and around the world, offer our deepest gratitude,” he added.
Each of the honorees spoke passionately about the urgent need to stand with Israel and to confront antisemitism in all its modern forms, including on college campuses, in the media and in international institutions.
Representative Elise Stefanik, who received the ZOA Maccabee Award, emphasized her unwavering commitment to Israel and Jewish civil rights. “It is humbling to receive this award from ZOA, which has stood for over a century as one of the great pillars of Jewish advocacy, Jewish identity and Jewish strength. For years, my service was in Congress, where I have fought tirelessly to combat antisemitism and strengthen the U.S Israel Alliance,” said Stefanik, who announced her candidacy for New York’s 2026 Gubernatorial Race just days earlier.
“A few years ago, I realized that there was another front in this battle, a battlefield that we are losing and one much closer to home. University campuses where we saw a scourge and skyrocketing of antisemitism after Hamas’s terrorist attacks on October 7th. I will never for get that hearing. It was a simple question and one I did not prepare and I asked it, expecting them to say yes. It was not a political question; it was a moral one. And I asked it to the presidents of Harvard, MIT and University of Pennsylvania. ‘Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate your university’s code of conduct?’ I expected them to say yes, but one, after the other, after the other, said, quote, ‘It depends on the con text’ and the world heard. Let me be clear with you all tonight: it does not depend on the con text,” said Stefanik.
Leo Terrell, honored with the Robert Kasowitz Defender of Jewish Civil Rights Award, discussed his work combating antis emitism through law and policy, ensuring that Jewish Americans are protected and empow ered.
“Fighting antisemitism is so simple because it’s simply wrong. It is fundamentally right that Jewish Americans are protected in the same shape and manner as all Americans; it is not a Republican issue, it is not a Democratic issue, it is an American issue. Jewish Americans should have the same rights afforded to all citizens,
for Jewish Americans to go to the synagogue, to go to school, to go to work which must be elimi nated,” said Terrell.
Ambassador Rabbi Dr. Yechiel Leiter, recipient of the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Defender of Israel Award, spoke about the shared values and destiny uniting Israel and the United States during this critical period for
was the first line of my letter to the Secretary of State requesting to present my credentials. In it I wrote: I represent a people indigenous to the State of Israel. Analyze everything that we have faced for two years. Analyze everything that we are facing today? And it comes down to that one sentence. Zionism, depicting and expressing the unbreakable bond between the people of
Israel and the land of Israel is the beginning of Jewish history. Our history in Israel begins when G d told Abraham in Breishit, Lech Lecha, go to the land I will show you,” shared Amb. Leiter.
Ambassador Danny Danon, who received the Steve Sass Outstanding Diplomat Award, offered a stirring message of resilience and unity
Continued On Page 19
NORPAC President Dr. Ben Chouake, ZOA National President Morton A. Klein, Rep. Elise Stefanik, Rita Cosby
U.S. Representative for U.N. Management and Reform Ambassador Jeff Bartos & the Administration’s choice for Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Ambassador Designate Yehuda Kaploun at ZOA Gala 11.9.25
for Israel and the Jewish people amid unprece dented global challenges.
“My friends, we must be proud of our sol diers, our sons and daughters who showed the world that the day when Jews could be mas sacred without a response is over. Today we have the IDF, we have the Air Force. We have proved that today, we are capable of defending ourselves and securing our future. My friends, I am optimistic tonight about our future, because in our region, strength equals respect. And since the seventh of October, we have more than proven our capabilities,” said Ambassador Danon.
Ambassador Ofir Akunis, spoke during the event of the power of Jewish unity and the ZOA’s courage and clarity in standing with Israel at a moment when moral leadership is most needed.
“As we face one of the most challenging times for the Jewish people since the early days of Zionism, we must remain strong, proud and united. We cannot allow anyone, anywhere, to challenge our identity or question our right to defend our people and our homeland. Unity is the key to our success and when we unite around our shared values, evil will never win,” he said.
Acclaimed broadcaster Sid Rosenberg, who also addressed the audience, brought his trade mark passion and patriotism to the evening’s celebration, urging continued solidarity with Israel and vigilance against hate.
“I didn’t grow up the most religious kid in Brooklyn. I didn’t observe Shabbat or recognize every holiday and there are many others like me. But October 7th changed my life and on October 8th, I had never been prouder to be Jewish. We must stand together and fight antis emitism wherever it arises,” said Rosenberg.
Irit and Jonathan Tratt, recipients of the Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award, were rec ognized for their deep philanthropic commit ment and lifelong dedication to Zionism and Jewish causes.
“We are humbled and honored to be sur rounded by so many extraordinary honorees who are fearless and tireless giants in fighting for Israel and the Jewish people. We are extremely thankful to each of them and to Mort Klein and the ZOA who have courageously defended Israel while fighting against the dis gusting lies being leveled against the Jewish state and the Jewish people,” said Irit Tratt.
The event also marked the introduction of the ZOA Women’s Leadership Division, a newly established grassroots initiative co chaired by ZOA National Board Member Susan Good and Rhonda Small. The division is dedi cated to upholding Israel’s sovereignty, strengthening Jewish philanthropy, advancing education and social good and standing fearless in the fight against antisemitism. Its formation reflects ZOA’s commitment to expanding advo
cacy and leadership opportunities for women who are passionate about Zionism, justice and Jewish continuity.
oldest pro Israel
in the United States. The ZOA works towards
ZOA Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award Recipients Irit and Jonathan Tratt_11.9.25
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein with Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney
Rights Leo Terrell Recipient of ZOA Robert
EliteInternationalRealty AnnouncesOpening
OfNewCorporate HeadquartersInAventura
Elite International Realty, a full service real estate brokerage and consulting firm with over 30 years in business in Florida, announces the opening of its new corporate headquarters at 20764 West Dixie Highway, Aventura, Florida 33180.
“Over the past 30 years, Elite International Realty has estab lished an impressive industry reputation for our dedication, pro fessionalism, and proven results,” said Daniel Ickowicz, CEO at Elite International Realty. “The opening of our new corporate headquarters is a symbol of our growth and vision, representing the shared success of our agents, team, clients and leadership.”
The 2,000 square foot headquarters, named Casa Elite, will serve as the new home base for Elite International Realty, provid ing its more than 80 real estate agents and professionals with tools, resources and an environment to continue delivering per sonalized service and exceptional quality to clients. The firm also purchased the new headquarters to secure a permanent home for the company and its agents, reinforcing its stability, long term vision and commitment to the market and its team.
“Owning our office space is more than a financial investment; it’s an investment in our future,” continued Ickowicz. “Casa Elite represents our unwavering commitment to our agents and com munity. It’s a place where the next chapter of Elite International’s legacy unfolds.”
The opening marks a major milestone for Elite International Realty as it continues to grow its geographic footprint across South Florida. In addition to its new headquarters, Elite International Realty operates Elite branch offices to provide cli ent services across Florida, including Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers. Most recently, Elite International Realty announced a new coverage focus in Naples, Florida, further strengthening its regional footprint.
Elite International has also spent the past two years diversify ing its services to offer more specialized support to its clients. For instance, the Campo by Elite division caters to those seeking a rural lifestyle in South Florida, while Crypto by Elite addresses the growing use of cryptocurrencies in U.S. real estate trans
actions. These initiatives, among many others, offer tailored solu tions for diverse clients to reflect the evolving economic and investment landscape.
Elite International Realty was founded in 1994 and has grown into a second generation, full service firm focused on residential and commercial real estate in South Florida, with a particular emphasis on the luxury market. In addition, they tout a global marketing strategy that includes Latin American and European markets to serve international buyers and investors relocating to South Florida. To date, Elite International has completed 10,000 successful transactions and closed over $6 Billion in sales.
For more information on Elite International Realty, please visit: https://eliteinternational.com.
About Elite International Realty
Elite International Realty is an independent real estate bro kerage and consulting firm with three decades of trust, transpar ency, and results in the U.S. market. Elite International offers a wide range of services, including residential, commercial, and luxury, with a strong coverage presence across South Florida and Orlando. While the U.S. market is the company’s core, Elite International leverages long standing international relationships across Latin America and Europe, with an expanding presence in destinations such as Dubai. Elite International is also known for its specialized divisions to offer personalized support to clients and meet the evolving demands of the real estate market. Learn more at: https://eliteinternational.com.
- Milk chocolate filled with caramel made from Tahitian vanilla
•Sufganiyot- Raspberry-filled donut ganache wrapped in a milk chocolate shell
•ChocolateGelt- Dark chocolate with a hint of salt
•FestivalOrchard - Apple cinnamon ganache in a milk shell
In addition to the boxed collections, a limited edition, edible Advent Calendar will be introduced to count down the days until Christmas, featuring a variety of seasonal treats and confections. There will also be handcrafted nutcrackers available in milk, white and dark chocolate, chocolate bars in festive packing, party boxes and reimagined gift baskets. These specialty items will be avail able online and in Norman Love Confections salons beginning November 10.
The limited edition 2025 Holiday Collection is available in a
late salons in Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Sarasota, Delray Beach and Boca Raton.
The Boca Raton salon is at 21200 St. Andrews Boulevard. The Delray salon is at 1911 S. Federal Highway.
Extended holiday hours, with all salons open on Sundays, will be in place from Nov. 25 through Jan. 3. For detailed holiday hours, please visit: www.NormanLoveConfections.com.
About Norman Love Confections
Founded in 2001, Norman Love Confections creates and dis tributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate head quarters at: 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers, Florida. The award winning Fort Myers based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine, including recognition six times for producing the best ultra premium chocolates in the nation. Forbes.com included Norman
named Love as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs for 2014. Love was named the inaugural inductee of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Chocolatier Hall of Fame, partnered with local chefs to present a six course meal at the James Beard House in New York and Norman Love Confections was ranked among the top 10 shops in the world for chocolate lovers by U.K. media outlet Daily Telegraph. Norman Love Confections has Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers, Estero, Naples, Sarasota, Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Norman Love Confections’ chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and specialty items also can be ordered online at: www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, chocolates are available at independent retail locations throughout the U.S.
For more information, visit: www.normanloveconfections.com Or call: 239-561-7215.
BlackFridayRedefined AMonth LongRitualOfPlanning,PatienceAndPrice Checking
(Family Features)
Once a one day shopping extravaganza defined by long lines and doorbuster deals, Black Friday has transformed into a season of rolling discounts and fading excitement.
According to new research from TopCashback, nearly 7 in 10 Americans no longer consider Black Friday a one day event, viewing it instead as a month long shopping sea son. Only about one third still see it as a single day tradition. More than half of respondents said they now shop online instead of in stores and 43% start scouting deals in early November.
Findings suggest Black Friday’s sense of urgency has shifted, replaced by a steady flow of rolling discounts and digital promotions. What was once a race for the best bargains has become a marathon for savings.
The evolution of Black Friday appears to be changing how people spend, too. While 18% of shoppers said they spend less now than they did five years ago, another 18% said their habits haven’t changed much. Only 3% reported spending more. For many, the shift seems to be less about budget and more about timing.
Asked whether they’d prefer Black Friday return to a single day event, 44% said they like having more time to shop, while 26% said a one day version would feel “less overwhelming.”
The rest simply don’t mind either way.
“Consumers are rethinking how they approach major sales events,” said Destiny Chatman, Consumer Analyst at TopCashback.
“They still want value, but they’re less willing to be rushed. The new Black Friday is about plan ning, timing and feeling in control of spending.”
The research also found shoppers are increasingly aware of the marketing tactics behind the hype. Two thirds said they believe brands create fake urgency around Black Friday and another 30% said they think it happens “sometimes.” Despite the skepticism, most still admit deep discounts drive their decisions nearly 87% said upfront savings are their top motivator, compared with just 6% who said they’re most influenced by cash back or rewards.
Still, money back incentives aren’t without impact. Four in 10 respondents said they’ve made a purchase specifically because cash back
was offered, and about half said they’d consider choosing a smaller discount if it came with meaningful rewards. Electronics and tech ranked as the top categories where shoppers expect to earn the most cash back, followed by fashion and beauty.
Even with the season stretching longer, the emotional rollercoaster of Black Friday remains. Most respondents said they feel neutral after shopping while 33% said they feel proud of the deals they scored. Smaller groups reported guilt or regret after their purchases.
Impulse buying persists with more than 62% saying they occasionally buy things they didn’t plan to, and nearly 1 in 5 said it happens most years. Still, only 5% said they always feel pres sured by sales, though 39% said they sometimes do.
For 68% of shoppers, seeing a huge per centage off is what makes them feel best about spending. Another 8% said they enjoy feeling like they “beat the system” and 7% said earning cash back brings them satisfaction.
“People want to feel proud about their spending,” Chatman said. “They’re realizing
that a good deal isn’t just about price in this economy. It’s about timing, confidence and get ting something that feels worthwhile.”
If Black Friday disappeared altogether, 55% of Americans said they’d be indifferent. Only 31% said they’d be disappointed while 13% admitted they’d feel relieved to skip the pres sure.
For all its changes, Black Friday still reflects the psychology of modern spending: the balance between excitement and restraint, hype and habit. Experts say shoppers can make the most of the season by planning ahead, comparing prices over time and focusing on rewards that add long term value rather than chasing every flash sale.
“Black Friday isn’t gone; it’s simply grown up,” Chatman said. “Today’s shopper is more strategic, less impulsive and more aware of what makes a deal truly worth it.”
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