January 18, 2024

‫ כ״ב שבט תשפ״ד‬- ‫ח׳ שבט‬

January 18, - January 31, 2024 • VOL 2, #11

Happy Tu B’Shevat! #BRINGTHEMHOMENOW! Exclusive Interview with Craig Dershowitz Page 12

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Dudu Fisher Concert!

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Tu B’shevat Art Contest Winners Page 18

Blackout Poetry Challenge -----------------Open to all ages!

Win a Pizza Party!

Page 20

Beauty Standards for Fruits and Vegetables!

Page 24

Caption the Cartoon!

-----------------Calling all adults

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Page 26

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Dear Readers,

A

s we celebrate Tu B’Shvat, the holiday of the trees, the arrival of spring, we can hope and pray for better times and salvations that will come. In the winter, things seem so dark and cold. The seed planted in the dark cold ground begins to grow, crawling out of the earth, and reaching toward the sun. We can begin to have a little ray of hope.

Tu B’shvat is considered the new year for the “tree” in singular form, because on this day we daven for a singular fruit, for a beautiful Etrog that we can make a bracha on for Sukkot.

Each person, each Jew, is similar to a tree. Just like the seed is planted way in advance, and requires water, sunlight, and other nurturtings in order to grow, so too a Jew is made up of a special neshama that needs to be cared for and nurtured for years until they reach their true potential.

Even as a tree grows, it requires continuous amounts of sunlight and nutrients, as does a person, who requires continuous self evolvement and growth, accomplished through studying Torah and doing mitzvos.

Sometimes a young tree needs to be anchored, held up by posts in the ground, until it’s strong enough to stand on its own.

So do we. We need a Rav, a friend, a

chavrusa, a mentor, and family. We need each other.

A tree produces flowers, fruits, and leaves. A human produces mitzvos and chasadim (good deeds) that are even more beautiful. I am in awe of this beautiful Los Angeles Jewish community that is comprised of individuals and organizations that accomplish amazing and wondrous things, for each other and for all of Klal Yisroel.

In order to continue doing that, we’d love to get more input from YOU. We want to serve this audience, but we need YOUR help. We are making a lot of changes in 2024. We want to hear from you what you like, dislike, are not interested in, want to see more of…. We have hired new staff, are making changes to the layout, adding contributors, and working on a future website.

We NEED your engagement. WRITE TO ME. Let me know which columns you love, what is missing from this paper, what you want more of…

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK. Help us grow!

Wishing you a fruitful Shabbos,

Ariela

YESHIVA SKI WEEK

BEAVER

CREEK

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CONTENTS COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE Around the Community ..........................................6 Go to Israel! ...........................................................13 The Man Behind the Largest Hostage Poster .......12 A Tribute to Rav Matisyahu Solomon ................. 14

JEWISH THOUGHT Parsha and Psychology / Shalom Bayit Comic ..... 16

KIDS Tu Bishvat Contest Winners ............................... 18 The Rebbi’s Stories ............................................ 19 Blackout Poetry Contest ..................................... 20

FEATURE There’s a Bracha for That! ................................... 22 Beauty Standards for Fruits and Veggies! ........... 24

HUMOR Caption the Cartoon! ............................................ 26

LIFESTYLE Food | By Chef Nir ............................................... 35 Inspiration | Miracle in the Minutiae .................... 32 Mental Health | Do You See Me? ........................ 28 Technology | Digital Learning ............................. 34 Parenting | Parent to Parent .............................. 31 Political | Lou’s Views ......................................... 30 Political | Notable Quotes .................................. 29 Wellness | Runnergize ....................................... 33

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COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE | Around the Community

Special Pre Tu B’Shvat Event at LINK Shul

O

n the Sunday before Rosh Chodesh Shvat, LINK’s creative Director of Youth Programming, Mrs. Dina Ram, organized an exciting fruit-themed craft program for young girls ages 3 and up. In anticipation of the upcoming Tu B’Shvat holiday, the girls made fruit kabobs and bracelets, as well as other colorful and edible crafts. They also played some exciting games. In a more serious vein, each of the girls wrote a personal letter to L.A.-born soldiers fighting on Israel’s front lines to ensure the safety of Klal Yisroel.

8 Days of Friendship, Joy, and Inclusion at Friendship Circle’s Winter Camp

F

riendship Circle’s Winter Camp provided an engaging, inclusive environment for 68 campers and their one-on-one volunteers. Every day, the participants were whisked away to phenomenal trips that they might otherwise never get the chance to experience. From trampoline parks to boating trips, there was something for everyone.

A day at the farm gave campers the opportunity to explore petting zoos, archery and horseback rides. Ice skating improved the campers’ balance as they skated with professional guidance. A visit to Boomers featured thrilling arcades and go-cart races.

Thank you to our donors, Hillel and Ohel Chana, for the sensory bus bags and Shabbos party bags that enhanced the experience throughout.

Aside from the outstanding trips, FC camp’s true success stemmed from the meaningful connections each pair of buddies formed. Campers and volunteers supported each other and harnessed the power of friendship to create an inclusive atmosphere full of unforgettable memories.

Ruth Teichman visits Emek

M

rs. Ruth Teichman, Emek’s esteemed matriarch, recently paid a visit to the school that she and her late husband, Mr. Sol Teichman Z”L, pioneered over six decades ago. Brimming with pride, she and her son, Dubby, marveled at the students’ remarkable academic achievements and the school’s recent upgrades, notably the impressive new turf yard. Mrs. Teichman was touched by the sense of achdus - unity amongst the students, and their unwavering support for Israel. Reflecting on Emek’s rich history, she fondly recalled that her own children, Dubby, Alan, and Ahuva, were amongst the first beneficiaries of the Emek Experience, a legacy that continues to thrive today.

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Daily davening with the Teen Boys Division

Jumping through Winter Camp with our buddies

Learning how to skate with our friends

Teen Girls mastering archery for the first time

Around the Community | COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE

Mazel Tov to Gindi Maimonides Second Graders on their Kabbalat Chumash!

D

ressed in costume to represent generations from Moshe Rabeinu until today, our second graders brought the chain of Mesorah to life as they took their rightful place within it. In line with the theme of Mesorah, it is a Maimo tradition for our eighth-grade students to present our second graders with their Chumashim, together with a personal heartfelt reflection and Bracha. Beautiful singing, Divrei Torah and parent-child activities made this event a Simcha to treasure.

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COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE | Around the Community

Gindi Maimonides Chanukah Chagiga!

M

ordechai Shapiro brought the house down at our family concert the last night of Chanuka. The room was electrified as parents, children, Rebbeim and Morot sang and danced B’yachad! Our Chinese Auction prize packages added an exciting element to the evening, as well as benefitting our Chinuch Habanim Scholarship Fund.

ETTA’s Gala Celebrates 30 Years and Supports Israeli Special Needs Programs

E

TTA, LA’s premier center for neurodiverse individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges, marked its 30th anniversary with a grand Gala on December 13, 2023. Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the event celebrated ETTA’s commitment to the community, philanthropy, and support of Israeli special needs programs.

Organized by its Iranian-American Division, ETTA’s 30th Anniversary Gala honored Monica and Mark Haloossim for their unwavering dedication for over two decades.

Additionally, seven distinguished young professionals were acknowledged for spearheading the future of philanthropy through their passionate support and advocacy for ETTA’s mission.

The night was further enhanced by its connection to Israel. After singing Hatikvah and a candle-lighting ceremony for the seventh night of Chanukah, attendees heard the

Dan Ahdoot

Israel Bachar, Consul General of Israel, elaborated on the crucial significance of providing support to individuals with disabilities.

8 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

inspirational words of VIP speakers from Israel. Israel Bachar, the Consul General of Israel, and David Marcu, President of Israel Elwyn, shared their personal insights on the impact of the current war on Israeli citizens with special needs. ETTA then affirmed plans to form a partnership with Special in Uniform, a JNF-USA-funded initiative that enables soldiers with disabilities to serve in the IDF. Comedian and Cobra Kai actor Dan Ahdoot served as the master of ceremonies and brought a delightful mix of humor and warmth to the Gala, while Eli’s Band graciously provided the musical entertainment.

ETTA’s 30th Anniversary Gala transcended mere reflection on past achievements.

It ignited a new wave of altruism and reaffirmed a commitment to support ETTA’s vital work for the next 30 years.

Seventh Night of Chanukah Candle-Lighting Ceremony with members of ETTA’s community

ETTA’s Iranian-American Board of Directors

Gala Honorees Monica and Mark Haloossim

Around the Community | COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE

Rabbi Dovid Heber Leads an Enlightening Shabbaton at LINK Kollel

R

abbi Dovid Heber, Administrator of the Star-K and Rav of KAYTT in Baltimore, was a special guest for a Shabbaton at the LINK Kollel during Parshas Shemos. He is renowned for his intricate knowledge of the calculation of zmanim for Tefillah and his expertise in the world of commercial kashrus.

Rabbi Heber spoke 6 times throughout the weekend, each time to a packed house of men and women.

In his two hashkafic drashos, he first spoke about the differences between Har Sinai and Har HaBayis. The latter’s enduring kedushah was due to the tremendous efforts that Dovid and Shlomo put into the eventual building of the Bais Hamikdash, whereas Har Sinai’s kedushah was completely a gift from Hashem.

At the Friday night Oneg, Rabbi Heber regaled his audience with some humorous vignettes of his travels abroad as a kashrus administrator, as well as some complicated sheilos that arose during his many years at the Star-K. Before Mincha, Rabbi Heber offered a glimpse into unusual zmanim shailos.

This included where to draw the International Date Line, davening near the Arctic Circle where there may be very little daylight in the winter and very little “night” during the summer, and how would a person keep Shabbos and daven in outer space.

The nearly 150 men and women who attended at least part of the Shabbaton came away deeply inspired how Rabbi Heber uses his vast encyclopedic knowledge of halacha to help guide Klal Yisroel through the many contingencies of modern life.

From left Rabbi Dovid Heber Rabbi Eli Stern, Outreach Director, Rabbi Asher Brander Rav of LINK, Rabbi Moishe Brull, Assistant Rav

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Around the Community | COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE

Mission Accomplished: Kol Yisrael Areivin Zeh La’Zeh Rabbi Dr. Eitan Lipstein

H

elplessness. Guilt. Fear. Anxiety. These are some of the emotions felt by the Jewish community since October 7th. Being so far away from the war in Gaza has relegated much of Klal Yisrael to observers. Even with the incredible initiatives that have allowed Jews across the world to support Israel monetarily and emotionally, the feeling of waking up each morning gripped with fear and angst has made the distance from our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael truly excruciating. Yet, when presented with the opportunity to visit displaced families, IDF soldiers, houses of mourning, and families of hostages, discomfort set in. Why would our presence add anything to the lives of the Israeli people? How would our existence as Jews in America inspire or console any of the soldiers, their families, or others affected by the war? Couldn’t the supplies and funds being brought to Israel be done via messenger, rather than ask Tzahal to protect yet another Jew? Stepping off the plane and heading to the Nova exhibit in Tel Aviv, none of these feelings dissipated. Seeing the wreckage and evidence that remained after the festival, elicited feelings of tremendous sadness and grief, as the smell that accom-

panied the burned cars and abandoned tents were pungent beyond measure. As we traveled to Nir Oz to greet soldiers, the very site of murders, abductions and injuries of nearly one-quarter of the citizens living on the kibbutz, it felt inappropriate to be occupying the time of the soldiers we’d be visiting, even though our mission was to bring them military headlamps, handwritten letters from the students of Yeshivat Yavneh, and 200 bags of beef jerky donated by the Yavneh community. Yet, we were greeted by the warm smiles of these holy chayalim, sharing laughs and conversation over the BBQ food we were able to provide on this brisk Israel night. It became abundantly clear that the soldiers felt equally humbled to be in the presence of Jews who solely came to Israel to express their solidarity with Am Yisrael b’Eretz Yisrael.

Whether farming with Leket, who provide fresh produce to those in need, or visiting terror victims and wounded soldiers at Icholov Hospital, lifting their spirits with student letters and friendship bracelets, the feeling of arvus and responsibility towards every Jew became quite palpable. As we orchestrated a carnival for the displaced families of the south, now limited to the confines of their Tel Aviv hotel rooms, the

smiles on the faces of these adorable Israeli children were etched into our collective memories, coupled with the tears of joy streaming from their parents eyes as they watched their beloved little ones enjoy a care-free afternoon, organized by people they’ve never met, who live thousands of miles away. The toys, donated by Yavneh families, whom they’ve never met, lit up their faces with indescribable joy, as the children have been without their belongings for months.

The climax of this emotion was felt at the beis avel of two young chayalim who died al kiddush Hashem: Shay Shamriz and Neriya Zisk. Both sets of parents became visibly emotional as they processed visitors from across the world coming to recognize their heroic sons during a time of great pain. These experiences made our final stop at the wreckage of Be’eri that much more meaningful.

The scarring of October 7th remains audible still, but the strength and unity of our people has been positively deafening. Regardless of location, a hug from another Jew, whether literal or figurative, reigns supreme. May we be zoche to embrace one another at the arrival of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, b’karov b’yameinu.

Rabbi Dr. Eitan Lipstein is the Judaic Studies Principal at Yeshivat Yavneh. Originally from the NY/NJ area, he now lives in the Pico-Robertson area with his wife and children, and is a proud Yavneh parent.

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Distributing Toys to displaced children from the South

Distributing Student Letters and Friendship Bracelets to Chayalim near Gaza, in the settlement of Shuva

Distributing Beef Jerky after a Army Base BBQ in Nir Oz, South of Israel

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COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE | People

#BRINGTHEMHOMENOW! THE MAN BEHIND THE LARGEST POSTER ADVOCATING FOR THE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES By: B. Weiss Los Angeles now boasts the largest poster in the world advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Nestled in Culver City, this monumental artwork has become an unmissable sight. We are excited to introduce you to the driving force behind this project, Craig Dershowitz, and unravel the story behind this incredible initiative.

Profile Spotlight: Name: Craig Dershowitz Age: 46 Religious Affiliation: Zionistic Jew Family Status: Married +1 son Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York Current Residence: Los Angeles, California Profession: CEO of Artists 4 Israel Hobbies: Reading, with a preference for postmodern fiction, playing basketball (admits to playing badly ), and getting tattoos.

��

Artistic Background: Grew up doing graffiti and has been having fun practicing tattooing. Most preferred form of creative expression is writing. Owned a magazine and wrote for several other magazines and TV platforms as well.

In Conversation with Craig Dershowitz Craig, what inspired you to embark on this initiative, and what are the key motivations behind #BRINGTHEMHOMENOW? There were three main impetuses behind this project: We were determined to keep the plight of the hostages at the forefront of people's minds, to make sure it was something they could not forget about.

We were infuriated and shocked by the hatred of those who were tearing the posters down. It's our job as artists to make sure that the work we do is indelible. We wanted to create posters that could not be ripped down.

The piece that we're really excited about is that on posters on street level, the images were replaced with mirrors. We really wanted to make looking at these posters an interactive experience, to force people to consider what they would do if it was them or their family that was being held captive by Hamas. Hopefully, seeing one's own reflection in a hostage poster will lend a deeper and more empathetic understanding of the Israelis’ plight.

What sets this poster apart from other awareness campaigns?

12 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

The sheer enormity of the size is attention-grabbing. The entire wall of the building, measuring 120 feet across and 22 feet in height, is covered with our artwork. Each individual poster is about four times the regular poster size. Additionally, there are the mirrored posters which I believe are six times the size of a usual poster. We also strategized for it to be visible from three different viewpoints. From far away, you can’t miss the huge block-lettered words rallying for the hostages' release.

When you're driving past, you can clearly see the faces of the hostages on the enlarged posters. For those strolling by, the mirrors call for their active engagement.

Brilliant! How did you ensure that the posters could not be torn down or destroyed?

The vinyl we used is a particular type of vinyl that sticks onto the building in a way that's made specifically for this kind of work. We’ve also added a layer of bead paste, which in and of itself, is an incredibly sticky, itchy sieve. A few people have already tried to tear it down unsuccessfully.

Achieving such a massive project is no small feat. Could you shed light on what went into getting

#BRINGTHEMHOMENOW off the ground?

It was a collaborative effort. The idea evolved between Jeremy Goldscheider and myself. Jeremy was the driving force behind this and helped bring all the pieces together. He is an incredible partner both in this and other projects we've done together.

Who else was involved in bringing this project to life, and how did you coordinate such a significant undertaking?

Like I said, none of this would have happened without Jeremy. He was able to find an anonymous donor who covered the cost of all the printing materials and other miscellaneous expenses that come along with a project like this. I also have immense respect and admiration for Ari Mark, who's the building owner.

He has taken a brave and courageous stand by putting out a bold statement like this on his commercial property. I don't want to speak for him, but I know he considered the fact that some of his employees might even quit and it can potentially hurt his business. He still took the stand because he believed in the cause more than anything else.

Speaking of pushback, can you tell us more about what kind of responses you're getting?

We've gotten good and bad reactions, and we've gotten the extremes of both. I've seen plenty of people attempt to tear it down. On the flip side, there are so many people honking, waving, and thanking us with tears in their eyes. I've gotten calls from across the world from people who've seen the video saying how meaningful it is. The reactions have been passionate and intense on both sides.

Many are inspired by what you’ve done and are looking for opportunities to show support. Do you have any ideas or guidance to offer?

I would recommend that if you care about Israel, don't worry about what the next person or organization is doing. Use your unique voice and find your own path to express support for the Jewish nation. I would not prescribe anything for anybody because I know that I can't even begin to imagine all the crazy, wonderful contributions that are possible. I want to empower those who are thinking of creative ways to show support to tap into their resources and take action.

Israel | COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE

Stop reading this

and Go to Israel!

I

just got home after a week in Israel and I’m super depressed. Not because of what I saw in Israel—for sure that was intense, and sad, and painful, yet surprisingly not depressing — but because I realize how much more I could be doing. Forgive the untimely reference, but there’s a scene in Schindler’s List where a Nazi asks a Jewish worker to make him a hinge. The worker proudly manufactures one in less than a minute. The Nazi looks at the half empty box of hinges and asks, “Then why have you made so few?”

When you go to Israel now, especially on a mission like the one I did with Young Israel of Century City, you are active from the moment you land until you write an article about it when you get home. Even jet lag is no match for the breathless schedule of hospital visits, army base tours, food deliveries, farming, shiva calls—it’s exhausting even writing it. Of course, you cannot possibly sustain that level of activity—though somehow the people of Israel are doing it—but certainly you, or at least I, could be doing a lot more than donating money and unfollowing all the people we just found out are anti-Semites.

So why aren’t you going?

Let’s look at four very reasonable reasons why you, ie: me before last week, haven’t booked your Israel trip yet (Spoiler alert: each of these reasons is also a reason you should be going): 1. There’s a war going on! Boy, there sure is! And objectively that’s a very good reason to stay away— if you click on any website or go onto any social media, or talk to your parents, you will know how dangerous it is over there. In fact, the only place you won’t feel scared—is in Israel. Maybe it’s because of the outsized presence of soldiers, or the Divine Presence, which is palpable, but of all the things I felt there, fear was not one of them.

Yes, people are dying and getting injured, and they are mostly the brave young soldiers who are in Gaza, fighting terrorists to make sure that we can feel safe.

Anecdotally, the first time I went to Israel, around 20 years ago, I was petrified—there was no active war going on, but, you know, the Middle East. On my first day there a group of Israelis asked me where I was from and I answered, “Los Angeles.” They grew pale—at least by Israeli standards—“Isn’t there rioting there? And muggings? And riots? And fires?

And mudslides? And--?” I get it! And this was before Jewish kids on college campuses had to barricade themselves in libraries to protect themselves from angry mobs of anti-Semites.

The bottom line, on a practical level, you will feel very safe there. At home. If your home didn’t have people tearing down hostage posters and chanting “From the River to the Sea!” 2. It’s expensive/far/hard to get to! Boy, is it ever! The truth is, this is really the number

In the Shomron

1 reason, but I put “war” first because none of your family or friends is going to bring up cost when they can play the war card. Look, let’s talk about the elephant on the tarmac—El Al. It’s the only way to get there right now. And let’s face it, El Al was never the paragon of customer service when there was competition—imagine being the only kosher pizzeria in Brooklyn, I’m guessing you’re paying $14 for a slice of pizza that only reclines around 3 inches. So, you have to get past that. Personally, I cashed in every mile, credit card point and bar mitzvah bond to upgrade to a business class seat from Los Angeles and it was the best investment I ever made. And there’s something about traveling on a Jewish airline, at a time when the entire world is aligned against the Jewish people, that feels—empowering. It also feels different—in the past I always got the sense that the people at El Al were challenging you to try to get on one of their planes. I joked that their motto is “El Al, We make it harder.” Your results may vary, but on my flight nearly everyone—including me—brought extra duffels filled with protein bars, socks, underwear, beef jerky, hand warmers— we were all there to support the Jewish people. Again, they’ll ask you if anyone gave you anything and in my case it was 200 pounds of beef jerky, which I did pack myself so I wouldn’t crumble under the interrogation, but the solidarity of the mission starts at the airport. As for accommodations, that can also be a little tricky because the top and bottom of the country have been squeezed into the middle. So there’s a chance your first choice of hotel is currently being occupied by the residents of a kibbutz that was destroyed

by Hamas—as a side note, how incredible is it that Jews don’t have refugees, we relocate our dispersed in five star hotels! In any event, trust me, you’ll appreciate your bed for the two hours a night you sleep there.

3. I’m really busy right now! Are you?

Or are you busy doom scrolling? In fact, put down this essay and go into your phone settings and see how much time you spent on social media this week. I think we found the time!

Look, the bottom line is, no one ever has the time to leave home, and unlike on your vacation to Cabo, you probably will have limited access to email, not because you won’t have coverage in the Start Up Nation, but because you’ll actually be living instead of scrolling. I believe that going to Israel now is like any other mitzvah, any time it takes will miraculously be restored. In fact, right now I’m writing this instead of working, you can find the time, too.

4. It’s too sad. Yeah, I don’t like being sad, either. The first thing I said I told my trip’s organizer when I signed on was, “I don’t want to do anything sad. I’ll pick vegetables for the week or support the small businesses that are suffering.” I was told that we would be seeing sad things—the burned out kibbutz of Be’iri which looks like a real-time Holocaust exhibit,

Packing provisions for chayalim

With one of the injured chayalim at the kotel

Sheba Hospital where beautiful young men are missing limbs, Har Herzl cemetery where those young men and women who weren’t lucky enough to be recovering in Sheba Hospital are laid to rest in row after row of freshly dug graves, shiva houses, dayenu! But as my Rabbi told me, “You will cry for a week, but you will never feel more alive.” I didn’t cry for the entire week—certainly there were moments, visiting families of hostages or of fallen soldiers who were my son’s age, hearing from a widow who was married for less than a year—her young life ruined by a ruthless terrorist. Those moments were too much to bear. But through it all there is an indominable spirit amongst the Israeli people that also can’t be reckoned with.

The young widow’s eyes were bright when she spoke of how her hero husband saved the lives of his comrades before he was murdered, a father whose wife and two children were killed by terrorists said he feels like he’s part of a family of 14 million people who are comforting him, singing with parents of hostages. It’s a feeling you can’t describe being so far away—I felt like I was plugging in to the neshama of the Jewish people. Yes, it was sad, but it was also so hopeful.

So those are reasons not to go—and no one but your conscience, and me, will blame you if you convince yourself that the time isn’t right. And truly there are people who don’t have the time and the money, and if that’s you, I pray that things turn around quickly. In my life I usually either have time or money, so I understand the dilemma. And if eliminating reasons not to go is still not motivating you, let me give you a giant reason to go: you will feel like an active participant in the Jewish people.

For a variety of reasons, mostly physical and attitudinal, I always felt a bit disconnected from Israelis. But on this trip, we were family.

Every person we met was so happy to see us — long lost relatives coming to visit at the perfect time. A family I stayed with for Shabbat — whom I had never met before—hugged me and thanked me for caring—they asked me to bring back the message, “all we want to do is live in peace.” And I never felt like I fulfilled the mitzvah of being menachem avel more than at the shiva house of a stranger who just lost a son in Gaza. But right now in Israel, there are no strangers. At the end of the trip, I’m not sure who got more comfort from my being there, them, or me?

I will leave you with one final thought: on the first day, right off the plane, we went to an army base used to identify the bodies that came in on October 7th . We didn’t see anything gruesome, but the descriptions of what they saw on that day rivaled everything I had seen or heard about touring concentration camps. And then, on cue, as if to remind us that we still mean Never Again, two IAF F-35s— Jewish planes, flew over the Jewish homeland to protect the Jewish people.

With G-d’s help, things will get better… good even. The Israelis aren’t going anywhere.

People are united like never before. Women are lighting shabbat candles for the first time.

Haredim are delivering food to soldiers and secular people are asking the Orthodox about keeping kosher. Something big is happening, not only to Israel but to the Jewish people. And when you go to Israel, you’ll have a front row seat… even if it only reclines 3 inches.

JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

| 13

COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE | People

Rav Matisyahu Salomon zt”l Understanding the Loss

R

av Elya Ber Wachtfogel, shlita, once observed his father, Rav Nosson Wachtfogel, zt”l, the Mashgiach of BMG in Lakewood, in a remarkable state of joy and simcha. Rav Elya Ber asked him, “What is the cause of such elation?” Rav Wachtfogel zt”l responded, “I am in a state of joy that the famed Mashgiach of the Gateshead Yeshiva, Rav Mattisyahu Solomon, will be joining us in the Lakewood Yeshiva. I anticipate great things to come, b’ezras Hashem, and that is why I am so happy.”

And great things did come. Great things that Klal Yisroel will so sorely miss.

Rav Matisyahu, zt”l, clarified matters of mussar and Torah to thousands and thousands of people, and through his insights, knowledge and love influenced us all.

Aside from his duties in the Yeshiva, Rav Matisyahu involved himself in communal matters and also with people – with individuals. He had a unique love for people. He motivated. He consoled. He stimulated. He inspired. And he advised.

He did it to talmidei chachomim. To Kollel wives. To mechanchim. He did it to tzubrocheneh menschen, and he did it to everyday regular people.

To mechanchim, the Mashgiach quoted the Gemara in Sukkah 49b which explained, “Toras chessed al leshonah.”

The Gemara asks, “And is there a Torah of chessed and a Torah that is not of chessed?” The Gemara answers that it is a Torah of chessed when it is studied l’shmah, and not of “chessed” when it is studied shelo l’shmah, with the improper

Rabbi Yair Hoffman

intent. Rav Matisyahu delved further and asked, “But the first opinion needs more clarification – why is it still called Toras Chessed just because it is l’shmah?” He answered based upon Rav Chaim Volozhin who says (Nefesh HaChaim 4:11) that if, chalilah, the world would be bereft of Torah for one moment, it would be destroyed. “You, mechanchim, who teach Torah l’shmah and spread it – you are holding up the world!”

He once told a wealthy gvir that the true purpose of money – that Hashem made people very wealthy – was so that they could be mekadesh Shaim Shamayim with their money. And then came the chizuk, the inspiration. He informed the gvir how what he did sanctified Hashem’s Name immensely.

Rav Matisyahu had a unique ability to explain things with mashalim. In Parshas Bahaloscha, Rashi explains that Aharon HaKohen was deeply saddened that he did not partake in the dedication of the Mishkan like the Nesiim had done. Rav Matisyahu asked, “Why was Aharon HaKohen so sad? He had partaken in so many other mitzvos, even mitzvos that were uniquely his. And he had done so thousands of times! Why then was he so saddened?”

Rav Matisyahu answered with a mashal. Imagine a man who had achieved arichas yamim of 100 years. He does not say, “Listen, I have lived one hundred years and I have breathed so many times. What do I need to continue breathing for? To Aharon HaKohen, each unique mitzvah was life itself!”

This is the inspiration that we must all take from Aharon HaKohen’s reaction. Each mitzvah is as precious as life itself. Mitzvos are what powers our lives.

Rav Matisyahu adopted the Kelm Mussar of his Rebbe, Rav Elya Lopian. It was the Yeshiva that was founded

by Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv, zt”l, one of the primary students of Rav Yisroel Salanter, zt”l who had started the Mussar Movement. Rav Matisyahu would explain that Rav Yisroel Salanter had conceived of the idea of “Sfasayim Dolkos – Lips Aflame,” that the study of Mussar should be done in an emotional manner – with a unique singsong so that the concepts and ideals of the mussar of Torah would penetrate the heart. He himself studied Mussar in this manner and tried to inspire others to do the same.

Rav Matisyahu, zt”l, absorbed and transmitted matters of mussar and inspiration from wherever he saw it.

Even though he was from a thoroughly Litvish background, he imbibed yiras Hashem and ahavas Hashem from other Torah sources as well.

Rav Matisyahu was not just the Mashgiach of Beis Medrash Gavoah in Lakewood, he was all of Klal Yisroel’s mashgiach. He was the father, the zeideh, and Mashgiach of us all wrapped in one unique individual and personality all in one. He will be sorely missed.

________________________________________________ The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com

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People | COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE

Sanzer Rebbe greeting HaRav Matisyohu Salomon at Dirshu’s 10th Anniversary

HaRav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi greeting HaRav Matisyohu Salomon at an Acheinu Kiruv Conference, Lakewood, NJ

HaRav Matisyohu Salomon reviewing the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Shtar Nesius

HaRav Matisyohu Salomon and Rav Dovid Hofstedterat Dirshu’s Iyun Chaburah Siyum, 2015

HaRav Matisyohu Salomon speaking at Dirshu’s 10th Anniversary

HaRav Matisyohu Salomon addressing an Acheinu Kiruv Conference, 2004

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JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

| 15

JEWISH THOUGHT | Parsha

Shalom Bayit Comic

Parsha and Psychology

Breaking the Chains of the Mind Elan Javanfard

P

arshat Bo unfolds a pivotal moment in the narrative of Bnei Yisrael’s journey towards freedom. It contains the last three plagues, culminating with the exodus of the new Jewish nation. Amidst these dramatic occurrences, we can identify elements of human behavior leading to Pharoah’s motivation to hardening his heart and subsequently Hashem hardening his heart for him. Many classical commentators address how Hashem could take away Pharoah’s free will and harden his heart against his will. In examining this portion through the lens of cognitive dissonance and the sunken cost fallacy, we can gain insights into the human psyche and answer the question of the commentators.

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort or tension that a person experiences when holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. The sunk cost fallacy is a cognitive bias where individuals continue investing in a decision based on the cumulative prior investment (sunk costs), despite new evidence suggesting that the cost will not be recouped. Both concepts highlight the influence of psychological factors on decision-making and behavior.

Cognitive dissonance encourages individuals to resolve internal conflicts by changing beliefs or behaviors, while the sunk cost fallacy can lead to suboptimal decision-making by focusing on past investments rather than future outcomes.

The Shemot Rabbah discusses how Pharoah hardened his own heart five times after five plagues. Pharoah experienced the cognitive dissonance of seeing the suffering his nation faced due to plagues and simultaneously wanted to continue his supremacy over his nation of slaves. In an effort to resolve this tension, he hardened his heart to reduce his empathy towards his nation and Bnei Yisrael. The Chizkuni mentions that the Torah uses the word ‘Gam – Also this time’ referring to the occasions in which Pharoah hardened his heart, indicating Pharoah feeling justified by his actions.

Pharoah continued to see the plagues’ damage to his nation and yet continued to push forward after each plague due to the cumulative prior investment he had already placed on not letting them go.

Rabbeinu Bachya says it is totally unnatural for a person experiencing the kind

of plagues Pharaoh and the Egyptians endured not to suffer a total mental collapse. The Torah had already described how, during the first five plagues, Pharaoh had drawn on his psychological reservoirs of obstinacy to stand fast in face of these plagues.

Based on seeing the direct impact of these two psychological phenomena on Pharaoh’s behavior and the continued direction of his evil inclination, the Shemot Rabbah further answers our question above. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said “Since Hashem sent five times to him and he took no notice, Hashem then said: ‘You have stiffened your neck and hardened your heart; well, I will add to your uncleanness’ (Midrash Rabbah, Exodus 13:3).” Pharaoh’s reluctance to release them exemplifies this fallacy. As the plagues intensify, Pharaoh’s refusal becomes a matter of pride and an unwillingness to let go of what he perceives as a significant investment. Despite the mounting costs and suffering, Pharaoh persists in his course of action, driven by a reluctance to accept the sunk costs and change his decision thereby losing his free will of choice.

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto wrote, “Our external actions have an effect on our inner feelings. We have more control over our actions than our emotions, and if we utilize what is in our power, we will eventually acquire what is not as much in our power.” The interplay of cognitive dissonance and the sunken cost fallacy in Parshat Bo serves as a cautionary tale for us. It prompts reflection on our own lives, encouraging us to examine situations where we may hold conflicting beliefs or persist in decisions due to invested time, energy, or resources. May we strive to navigate our lives with clarity, embracing the wisdom to recognize when we are held captive by cognitive dissonance and sunken cost, and summon the courage to choose a path of liberation and growth. __________________________________ Elan Javanfard, M.A., L.M.F.T. is a Consulting Psychotherapist focused on behavioral health redesign, a Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University, & a lecturer related to Mindfulness, Evidence Based Practices, and Suicide Prevention. Elan is the author of Psycho-Spiritual Insights: Exploring Parasha & Psychology, a weekly blog. He lives in the Los Angeles Pico Robertson community with his wife and two children and can be reached at Elan.Javanfard@ gmail.com.

16 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

Maintain A Buffer Rabbi Nir Yacoby

A

fter years of dreaming of coming to the US, an immigrant finally makes it there. He sees a $20 bill on the floor, thinks about it, and says “I’ll start working tomorrow.”

You know better. Eking a living here in America - advertising, cold calling, sparring with vendors and competitors feels like an act of war, and you take advantage of every moment to call/email/text.

You finally limp back home exhausted.

“Home sweet home” you comfort yourself as you step in – but war is far from over. There’s a second front – your wife! It’s not that she likes to wage wars. But since you’re totally wasted, any demand on you is met with either disbelief, frustration, apathy, and anger.

Learn a trick in ‫בא‬. Though God kills all the Egyptians’ first

born exactly at midnight, He commands the Jews to stay home till morning. Why? To teach us to maintain a buffer, to not count on the wiggle room.

You too should maintain a buffer. Don’t count on the wiggle room. When coming home, don’t use the last ounce of energy. Use your drive time to decompress for Shalom Bayit.

____________________________________________________________________ Rabbi Nir and his wife Atrian give regular classes on Shalom Bayit. His popular 3-minute podcast is funny and draws Shalom Bayit ideas from the Torah portion of the week. To register: ShalomInComics@gmail. com

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KIDS

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18 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

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KIDS

Rebbe’s Stories:

Reish Lakish and Rabbi Yochanan

There was a man named Reish Lakish. Although Reish Lakish was Jewish and studied in Yeshiva, he became mixed up with a group of friends who were bandits and he also became a bandit. He was very smart and very strong, and eventually he became the leader of the bandits.

One day Reish Lakish was walking along the shore of the Yardain River.

He looked out towards the water and saw the most beautiful face he had ever seen in his life. He jumped into the water and swam quickly until he reached the source of this beauty. The beautiful face belonged to Rabbi Yochanan, who was one of the leaders of the Jewish people.

When Rabbi Yochanan saw the strength of Reish Lakish he said, “Your strength should be used for Torah!” Reish Lakish responded, “Your beauty should be on the face of a woman.”

Rabbi Yochanan believed that Reish Lakish could be a Gadol B’Torah if he would direct his strength and intelligence to Torah, so he said to him. “If you promise to devote all your strength to learning Torah, then I will let you marry my sister and she is more beautiful than I am.” Reish Lakish felt honored that Rabbi Yochanan believed that he could change and become a Talmid Chacham, so he accepted Rabbi Yochanan’s proposition right then and there.

Reish Lakish attempted to swim back but he did not have the strength to move quickly. By the time he reached the shore, he was very tired. It seemed that once he accepted to use his strength

for learning Torah, he no longer had the physical strength that he once had.

Reish Lakish married the sister of Rabbi Yochanan and he devoted himself to learning Torah. He became such a great Talmid Chacham that he was the only one who had the ability to be the study partner of Rabbi Yochanan. When Reish Lakish died, Rabbi Yochanan could not be consoled and he himself also passed away.

This story is found in Baba Matzia 84a

Questions for Discussion 1.

Why do you think that Reish Lakish began to hang around friends who were doing bad things?

2. What do you think was the reason that Rabbi Yochanan believed that Reish Lakish would be a great Talmid Chacham if he would devote himself to Torah?

3. What do you think was the main reason that Reish Lakish decided to devote all his strength to Torah? ___________________________________________

Rabbi Mordechai Dubin is a Rebbe at Gindi Maimonides Academy. He is the author of three illustrated children’s books, I’ll Never Forget Yerushalayim, I Believe, and I Know 6; and has produced four Musical CD’s for children, I Made This World For you, Let My People Go, Al Shelosha Devarim, and Hashem is Always With Me.

Thank you for your responses to the Droodles!

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Soldiers dancing in a circle and their Achdus protects them from arrows Moriah, 13, and Shlomo Israel S. Tehrani, 7, YAYOE

An animal eyeball Chaya Rosenbaum, 11, YAYOE The sun Eli Rosenbaum, 6, YAYOE Solar eclipse Avigail Kamornick, 12, YAYOE JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

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Want help reaching your 100 brachos a day? Try to look for natural phenomena where one would recite a blessing. While some would consider this mother nature, we know that all nature and science is controlled single handedly by Hashem. This is why our chachamim have come up with different brachos we can say, acknowledging Hashem’s hand in creating these natural phenomena or life occurrences. The purpose of these brachos is to thank Hashem for all we see and experience around us. Some can be said often, such as every 30 days, while others are only once every 28 years!

Some you may be familiar with and others may surprise you!

Overview of the Ocean

Whenever one witnesses oceans and seas that are natural (yes to kinneret, no to dead sea), one says a bracha. ‫ ֶׁשׁ ָעָ ָׂשׂה ֶאֶ ת ַהַ ָי ָם ַהַ ָּגּדֹול‬,‫ ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה‬.

Blessed are you, Lord Our G-d, King of the Universe Who made the Great Sea. FYI: If you live close to the ocean, even if it’s been more than 30 days, you should not recite the bracha on seeing the ocean if you’re used to regularly seeing it. However, no blessing is recited upon seeing a waterfall or a man made lake or river. Ashkenazim say this bracha on the Atlantic Ocean, but Sephardim don’t. Seraphim do say this bracha on the Mediterranean Sea.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

When a person notices a rainbow, one recites the following bracha. It’s a special reminder that just like the times of Noach, we can correct our ways and Hashem will save us. If multiple rainbows are seen during the same storm, the blessing may be said multiple times. It is forbidden to gaze excessively at a rainbow. ִ ַ‫ זֹוֵכֵר ַה‬,‫ ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה‬ ‫ְּבִּרית ְוְֶנֱֶאֱ ָמָ ן ִּבּ ְב ְִִריתֹו‬ ‫ְו ְַַקָי ָם ְּבַּמַ ֲאֲ ָמָ רֹו‬.

Blessed are you, Lord Our G-d, King of the Universe, Who remembers the covenant, is trustworthy in His covenant, and fulfills His word.

FYI: The longest-observed rainbow lasted for nearly 9 hours. The average rainbow is observable for less than an hour. But in 2017, students and professors of the Chinese Culture University, located high in the mountains of Taipei, Taiwan, observed a rainbow from 6:57 am until 3:55 pm- a total of 8 hours and 58 minutes!

The Thunder Rolls

When thunder is heard on its own, not accompanied by lightning, a special bracha is said only on the thunder. When lightning and thunder are heard together, in the same storm, one says only one bracha, which is “maaseh bereishis.” ‫ ֶׁשׁ ֹּכ ּחֹו ּוְגְבּוָרָ תֹו ָמַָלַ א עֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה‬.

Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the Universe, Whose power and might fill the world.

FYI: Thunder is created when lightning passes through the air. The lightning discharge heats the air rapidly and causes it to expand. The temperature of the air in the lightning channel may reach as high as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun. Lightning and thunder are dependent on each other but they are separate events. Lightning is electrical energy while thunder is sound energy. The light created by lightning travels much faster than the sound thunder creates. Light from lightning travels 670 million mph and thunder’s sound travels 768 mph.

Behold the Beauty

Upon seeing a strikingly beautiful person, animal, bird, or tree for the first time, you should recite the following bracha. ‫ָבָ ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה ֱאֱ לֵהֵ ינּו ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ך ָהָעוָלָ ם שככה לו בעולמו‬ Blessed are you, Lord Our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has such beauty in His universe.

FYI: Some of the most beautiful natural phenomena include the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and Southern Lights (Aurora Australis), the Grand Canyon, waterfalls such as Victoria Falls and Niagara Falls, and the cherry blossom season in Japan.

22 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

A Near Escape

When one comes out of a dangerous situation, he thanks Hashem with this bracha in front of a minyan who then responds in kind. Some reasons for saying this bracha is crossing a desert or ocean, traveling by plane, recovering from a serious illness, and being released from prison. ‫ ַהַ ּגֹוֵמֵ ל ַלַ ַחַ ּ​ָּיִבִים טֹובֹות ֶׁשְּׁגָּמַָלַ ִנִי‬,‫ ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה‬ ‫ָּכּל טֹוב‬. ‫ִמִ י ֶׁשׁ ְגְַמַ ְלְ ָך ֹּכ ּל טֹוב הּוא ִיְִגְַמַ ְלְ ָך ֹּכ ּל טֹוב ֶסֶ ָלָה‬ Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, Who bestows kindness upon the culpable, for He has bestowed goodness to me.

Upon hearing the blessing, respond Amen, followed by: May He who has bestowed beneficence upon you always bestow every beneficence upon you.

FYI: The Shulchan Aruch offers a mnemonic for these four categories of survivor in the word (‫“ )חיים‬life”: CHavush (“prisoner”); Yissurim (“suffering, sick”); Yam (“sea”); and Midbar (“desert”). In our time, the spirit of this prayer has

expanded to all sorts of other life-and-death situations, such as surviving a car accident, recovering from major surgery, or enduring childbirth. Tosfos warns that the bracha should not be said on smaller illnesses such as surviving a headache or stomach ache, but only those that confine one to a bed for a certain period.

Did You Hear the Good News?

When he hear good news, concerning ourselves or another person, we immediately thank Hashem for the good details of our lives with the following bracha: ‫ ַהַ טֹוב ְוְַהַ ֵמֵ ִטִ יב׃‬,‫ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ַהַ עֹוָלָ ם‬ Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, who is good and does good.

FYI: Good news improves both mental and physical health by increasing feelings of joy and hope. Positive news also encourages the desire for self-improvement and creates change. Sharing positive news with others can foster a sense of community and connection. Good news can help individuals and communities bounce back from adversity more quickly. It can provide a sense of perspective and help people stay hopeful and focused on the future.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

This bracha, said every week during Havdallah when smelling besamim, can also be said when smelling any fragrant fruit or spice. Smelling fragrant scents affect the soul and comfort it. ֵ ,‫ ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ הה ה‬. ‫ּבֹוֵרא ִמִ יֵנֵי ְ​ְבָׂשִׂמִ ים‬ Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the Universe, who creates various kinds of spices.

FYI: The smell of flowers can evoke feelings of happiness, relaxation, and calmness, and can even help reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that certain floral scents, such as lavender and jasmine, have a sedative effect on the nervous system and can help promote better sleep. Fragrant blooms, such as roses, can provide powerful brain boosts.

Exotic and Unique Nature’s Blossoms

This special bracha is said only once a year, when seeing the first of the blossoming fruits of a tree during the month of Nissan. It is best to say this blessing upon seeing two trees, but it is permissible to say it upon seeing one. ‫ ֶׁשׁ ֹּלא ִחִ ַּסּ ר ְּבּעֹוָלָמֹו ְּכּלּום ּוָבָ​ָרָא‬,‫ ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ָבָ ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה‬ ִ ‫בֹו‬ ‫ְּבִּריֹות טֹובֹות ְוְִאִ יָלָ נֹות טֹוִבִים ְלְ ַהַ ּנֹות ָּבֶּהֶ ם ְּבֵּנֵי ָאָדָ ם‬ Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, Who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees to give humankind pleasure.

FYI: Oftentimes, you’ll see leaves on a plant before the flowers begin to blossom. However, the magnolia, peach, cherry and dogwood trees, found it much to their advantage millions of years ago to open their petals before they open their leaves. These favorite spring flowers are some of the first bloomers of springs, beginning with blossoms before leaves.

Upon seeing impressive, exotic animals (for example elephants, monkeys or apes), recite the blessing Mishaneh Ha’briyot. This bracha can be said in zoos, however, it should only be said once while having in mind all the animals one will see. ִ ַ‫ָבָ ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּו ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם ְמְ ַשַ ֶּנּה ַה‬ ‫ְּבִּרּיֹות‬ Blessed are you, Lord Our G-d, King of the Universe, Who makes the creatures distinctive.

FYI: An exotic animal is one that is wild but is from a different continent than the one on which you live. For example, a hedgehog in the United States would be considered an exotic animal, but in the hedgehog’s native country, it would be considered a wild one. Think twice before purchasing an exotic pet. Even if it’s legal to own an exotic animal, many of those animals get into homes through illegal trade. Wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar business. The vast exotic pet market helps keep demand high. So, no matter what your state allows you to own, simply buying an exotic pet could be fueling an illegal business. Additionally, many wild animals sold as pets are actually laundered, which means they are poached and/or trafficked illegally but are intentionally mislabeled and sold as “legal.”

Once (or Twice) in a Lifetime Birkat Hachama is a bracha we say every 28 years when the sun returns to the position that it was in at the moment when it was created, on the fourth day of creation. We say this special bracha to commemorate this rare event and the world’s creation. ‫ עֹוֶׂשׂה ַמַ ֲעֲ ֵׂשׂה ְב ְֵֵראִׁשׁית‬,‫ ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ָבָ ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה‬.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, who re-enacts the work of creation.

FYI: The bracha is recited when the Sun completes its cycle every 28 years on a Tuesday at sundown.

Because the bracha needs to be said when the Sun is visible, it is postponed to the following day, on Wednesday morning. The last time the bracha was said was on April 8, 2009 (Erev Pesach). The next Birkat Hahama will occur on April 8, 2037.

When Mother Nature Comes to Town

One recites this blessing upon seeing a new phenomenon of nature. This includes incidences of lightning (the first time during a storm), a shooting star, comet, meteor shower, earthquake, volcano, tornado, and hurricane.

This bracha is also said on an ocean or mountain upon seeing it for the first time in 30 days. If one leaves near the mountain or body of water, and sees it often, they do not say this bracha. ‫ עֹוֶׂשׂה ַמַ ֲעֲ ֵׂשׂה ְב ְֵֵראִׁשׁית‬,‫ ֱאֱ ֹלֵהֵ ינּ​ּוּ ֶמֶ ֶלֶ ְך ָהָעֹוָלָ ם‬,‫ָּבּרּוְך ַאַ ָּתּ ה ה‬.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, who re-enacts the work of creation.

FYI: Approximately 30 meteor showers occur each year that are visible to observers on Earth. Some of these showers have been around longer than 100 years. For example, the Perseid meteor shower, which occurs each year in August, was first observed about 2000 years ago and recorded by the Chinese.

DID YOU KNOW?!? Rules of Phenomenons

Viewing a phenomenon on film or broadcast is not the “real thing” and does not justify a blessing. However, a bracha is said when viewing with the aid of a telescope. If you are in doubt whether or not the blessing applies in a particular situation, the blessing may still be recited, but without using Hashem’s name.

JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

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FYI

BEAUTY STANDARDS for Fruits and Vegetables BY: MADISON ALHANATI

Did You Call Me Ugly?

We have all been there – strolling through the produce section looking for the perfect handful of tomatoes for our dinner. We sift through the section to find the ones that are just ripe and you finally feel one that is exactly what you’re looking for. You grab it and turn it over to see what every shopper dreads: a large deformity that causes you to recoil from the fruit, let out a sigh, and put it back.

This is how we are conditioned; imperfect is bad. Our distaste for “ugly” fruits and vegetables leads to over 20% of all produce being thrown out for cosmetic reasons (eg. blemishes, discoloration, and deformities). This means that 1 in 5 fruits or vegetables are never eaten!

You Gotta Suffer For Beauty Anyone who’s ever been apple-picking knows the difference between food off the branch and food off the shelf. A freshly picked apple is matted with dust. It can be scratched, scarred, and pocked with insect bites. An apple in the store is smooth. It shines. The beautification process? Artificial wax. But apples aren’t the only fruits getting cosmetic surgery. The fruits and vegetables that are preferred on our grocery store shelves due to their “perfect” appearance are often treated with pesticides that ultimately do more harm than good! From insecticides to fungicides, these anti-bug, fungus, and weed treatments, are chemicals that are not as regulated as we hope they would be. Unfortunately, the waxes and pesticides used are often tested in biased industry-funded studies or using incomplete data.

The Government's Cosmetic Standards

Due to these societal beauty standards, farmers feel the pressure as well. Over 40% of crops are often unharvested and left to rot due to their deformities. Why you might ask? Produce buyers will not offer a fair price for imperfect fruits and vegetables, leaving farmers no choice but to leave the fruit in the field as the price won’t cover the cost of the harvest.

24 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

The strawberries in the first row ONLY are good to go, while the rest go to the dumpster!

Labels Matter

Unhappy Harvest

The current USDA guidelines for supermarkets to determine which fruits and vegetables should be sold to consumers are available for public viewing. The standards for each commodity, such as fresh strawberries, include photos demonstrating what's not acceptable.

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There are two situations in which people suspend the need to have perfect-looking fruits and vegetables. One is at the farmers' markets.

Much of the produce there wouldn't have made it through a Whole Foods inspection line, but those qualities are prized at the farmers' markets.

People think it's 'authentic.' The second situation that gives us a little wiggle room? You could have the weirdest, funkiest produce there is, and the moment you call it an heirloom variety, people go nuts for it. If you need proof of this, just think about that Ugly Ripe tomato.

S

Getting Past The Looks In recent years, there has been a large increase in awareness of food waste. Organizations fighting waste and companies aiming to sell these produce have spoken out about the reality of these fruits and vegetables. In truth, the way they present physically has no negative effect on their nutritional value! Deformed or discolored, they are the same, if not better than, the perfect potato you chose at Vons.

See the list below for companies working towards eliminating food waste: Misfits Market opened in 2018 aiming to provide organic produce that would have otherwise been discarded to homes around the country at almost 40% off grocery store prices!

Imperfect Foods offers customizable boxes of produce to customers through their website where they can select available goods to be delivered to their home weekly.

These boxes can also include other items such as dairy, eggs, or pantry items.

Hungry Harvest follows a similar model to Imperfect Foods by offering harvest boxes that start as low as $15!

Preserve Farm Kitchens is a unique company that eliminates food waste by taking scraps of produce and making preserves, chutneys, hot sauces, marinades, and more.

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder Below you can see some of these so-called “ugly” fruits and vegetables!

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JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

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HUMOR

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T S E T N O C N E O H T O T R A CAPTION C

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LIFESTYLE | Mental Health

Do You See Me?

BEST. CAMP. EVER.

Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

T

here are three words that we never want to hear. I bet you’re on the edge of your seat wondering what they are.

Well, it could actually be any number of words, maybe one or five or two.

And I’m not even sure what your particular ones are, but we all have them!

Sometimes it’s the word no.

Sometimes, for me, it’s “OK, soon.”

I love when something gets taken off my plate. “Soon” or “in a few minutes” leaves it squarely on my plate, front and center. It puts it right back on my ever-increasing “to do” list. When someone gets up and takes care of it, right that minute, it’s the most wonderful feeling. It’s not just that the thing gets done, though make no mistake, that does help certainly. It’s bigger and deeper, believe it or not – it’s that I feel loved, heard, supported, and valued. I feel seen.

Can you imagine something like just taking out the garbage can make someone feel all those amazing feelings?

Now, imagine if they did it without even being asked?!

We all have the desire to be seen and heard, except, of course, before 7 a.m. or after 11 p.m. Then we probably just want to be left alone.

But do we want to be seen or heard when we are out of control? Probably not exactly. That’s when we really want that extra understanding. Don’t see my behavior or hear my words, rather I need you to understand and “get me!”

And not “get me” gifts or presents, though they’re always welcome! I want

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you to get my underlying feeling. Get that I’m hurt, frustrated, overwhelmed, sad, or scared.

Don’t see my actions; don’t hear my words. Look for the feeling that drove the behavior or words.

That’s the best you can do for someone.

So what are some other words people dread?

It depends who: For a kid: “It’s bedtime!”

For most wives: “Game’s on tonight.”

For a husband: “I just want to tell you one thing.”

For an employee: “We need to downsize.”

For a traveler: “Plane’s delayed.”

28 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

For an Uber user: “Car’s cancelled.”

No matter what the words are that you don’t like hearing, if you can keep your cool for just a little bit, hopefully you can reach out to that someone in your life who gets you and will see your underlying feeling rather than the litany of complaints you may be expressing.

Got it? ____________________________________________

Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-705- 2004 or at rivkirosenwald@ gmail.com.

“

Politics | LIFESTYLE

Notable Quotes

“

I want to extend a warm greeting to all the Jewish people and in particular to those who have family or loved ones near the front lines. I accompany you in this difficult moment and I want to ratify at this moment my unalterable commitment to the State of Israel and to the Jewish people in their fight against Islamic terrorism.- Argentinian President Javier Milei at the opening ceremony of the Pan American Maccabi Games, an international tournament for Jewish athletes Hamas is reeling after losing two of their most cherished leaders on the same day: military commander Saleh al-Arouri and Harvard President Claudine Gay. - The Babylon Bee

They see what is happening in Gaza. They know we can copy-paste to Beirut.

- Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, declaring that Israel is not scared of going to war with Hezbollah in Lebanon

I am not afraid of faith…. I want to go to synagogue; I want to put on tefillin. It’s part of me, and I am not giving up on it. If I were to see a massive ad of someone reciting the Shema prayer with tefillin on his forehead, why shouldn’t I be emotional about it?... The world sees us as one piece.

We have entered such a deep mindset of political identity for so many years that every side is certain that the other side is trying to take something from its identity. I am not part of any group and don’t feel like anyone is taking my identity.

– Israeli Actor Guri Alfi in an interview with the Yediot Achronot

You want to turn Florida into California, where entire towns burned to the ground due to uncontrolled wildfires.

Was that Gavin Newsom’s fault or is it only Republican politicians who can control the weather?

- Gov. DeSantis’ spokesperson in response How dare Governor DeSantis not walk on water and not calm the storm with his hands.

It’ll take time, as it took time after the Munich massacre, but we will put our hands on them wherever they are.

- Mossad chief David Barnea after Israel killed senior Hamas leader Saleh Arouri in Lebanon

A few hours after the implementation of the operation, the Zionist regime ordered the ISIS caliphate to accept the responsibility for this action.

- Tasnim News Agency, associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran, claiming that a bombing in Iran by ISIS which killed 80 people was at the instruction of Israel

The Jewish settlement should be established in the territory of the Gaza Strip so that there will be Jewish presence there for a long time, so that terrorism does not grow there. If not, there are two million Nazis in Gaza who want to destroy us when they get up every morning.

- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich

Almost every time Al Sharpton speaks, I get angry, because Al Sharpton pretends that he knows what every single person of color in this country thinks, believes, how they should live, how they should act, how they should vote. I just wish he would go away.

- Former ESPN host Sage Steele on Fox News

JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

| 29

LIFESTYLE | Political

Lou’s Views:

The Presidential Immunity Sugya Lou Shapiro

O

n January 9, 2024, former President Trump argued to the D.C. Court of Appeals why his efforts to overturn the 2020 election are protected by the Presidential Immunity Clause of the Constitution.

The idea being that a President should be able to govern without having to worry about being prosecuted for acts performed in that official capacity.

The Constitution says the president “shall be removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” It goes on to say that after an impeachment, “the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.” But it does not state whether the president can be criminally prosecuted without first being impeached, which is Trump’s situation.

Trump argues that because he was acquitted by the Senate, that the Justice Department is precluded from prosecuting him.

The Justice Department argues that impeachment is not a prerequisite to prosecution.

There is very little guidance on this issue. One situation that is being referenced is President Nixon and the Watergate affair. In 1974, the court unanimously rejected Nixon’s claim of executive privilege and ruled that he must turn over his secret Oval Office tapes to a special prosecutor. Nixon resigned before he could be impeached and then President Ford pardoned him. The Justice Department is arguing that the fact that Nixon pardoned Ford absent impeachment is proof that impeachment is not first required in order to prosecute. The argument can be made though that the Nixon pardon was not necessary to avoid prosecution and was rather done in the abundance of caution or as a symbolic gesture. It certainly doesn’t constitute “binding case law”.

An actual court case that addresses Presidential Immunity is Nixon v. Fitzgerald.

In 1968, Fitzgerald, then a civilian analyst with the United States Air Force, testified before a congressional committee about inefficiencies and cost overruns in the production of the C-5A transport plane. Roughly one year later he was fired, an action for which President Nixon took responsibility. Fitzgerald then sued Nixon for damages after the Civil Service Commission concluded that his dismissal was unjust. The question present-

ed to the U.S. The Supreme Court was whether the President was immune from prosecution in a civil suit.

The Court held that the President “is entitled to absolute immunity from damages liability predicated on his official acts.” This sweeping immunity, argued Justice Powell, was a function of the “President’s unique office, rooted in the constitutional tradition of separation of powers and supported by our history.” Most importantly, the Court stated that, “given the special nature of the President’s constitutional office and functions, we think it appropriate to recognize absolute Presidential immunity from damages liability for acts within the “outer perimeter” of his official responsibility.”

Trump argues that even if you want to ignore the fact that he was not impeached, he still can’t be prosecuted for trying to overturn the election results because that conduct falls within the “outer perimeter” of his responsibility to ensure that the rightful president takes office. He’s not arguing to the court that a president can never be criminally prosecuted. He is arguing that a president can only be prosecuted for doing criminal acts that fall outside its duties as president.

If Trump loses, he will appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court does not have to hear the case but given the fact that they took up the Colorado ballot case shows that they aren’t afraid to get involved in highly charged political cases.

The reason why there is so little precedent on the Presidential Immunity Clause is because never before has a president been criminally prosecuted. And regardless of how the courts come out on this issue, it is a sad state of affairs that is what things have come to. The United States is known to be the most dominant economic and military power in the world. Its economy is the world’s largest in terms of gross domestic product, and also the most technologically powerful. Yet the focus today is under what circumstances a former president can be criminally prosecuted. On the bright side, there is an election to look forward to in only 10 months.

____________________________________

Lou Shapiro is a criminal defense attorney-certified specialist and legal analyst, but most importantly, makes the end-of-shul announcements at Adas Torah. He can be reached at LouisJShapiro@gmail. com.

30 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

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Parenting | LIFESTYLE

Parent to Parent Chani Heyman

Dear Chani, We are staying home for winter break this year and I’m nervous about all the free time. My children are young, the oldest is 10. Please help!

Thank you for reaching out. HandlingWinter break is upon us, whether it’s a whole week or just an extended weekend, it can be challenging having the kids home from school and off schedule. It can also be amazing family bonding time. During the school year, kids are in school all day, and when they come home there is so much that needs to be done; dinner, homework, showers, packing bags for the next day… It’s hard to sit down and enjoy each other’s company.

Here are a few tips that can hopefully make this winter break an enjoyable and memorable one that won’t have you running for the Tylenol.

1. Plan ahead: Whether you are planning to go away or stay home, make some sort of loose schedule so everyone knows what to expect. It could be what the daily activity will be; beach, Say Cheez, park, or even a stay home “lazy day.” It can be more structured by the hour, depending on your preference. Having a plan can help set expectations and create a sense of routine.

2. Socialize: If your husband is still working, plan to go places with a friend.

Someone who has similar age kids would be a bonus but it’s also okay to invite a friend for yourself! So many times during the year we don’t have time to go out with friends, this is a great opportunity to catch up while your kids are happily playing in the sand together.

3. Take time for yourself: If you are wiped out and exhausted you won’t be much fun to be around. Maybe teach your kids the concept of sleeping in on vacation. And even if they don’t, you don’t need to get up with them at 7 to make sure they get to school on time. For little kids, you could make breakfast easily accessible so they have something to eat and don’t need to wake you up. It is even worthwhile to get a babysitter for an hour or two during the day so you can replenish your batteries, which is nothing to feel guilty about.

I feel the need to repeat that for some of you again, nothing to feel guilty about!

4. Evening entertainment: Evenings can be long, so use this opportunity to dust off all those board games that you never have time to play with your kids; Catan, Sequence, and Scattergories are some of my favorites…

Enjoy a family game night!

5. Create a Staycation Experience: They were all the fad during Covid, so maybe it’s time to revisit the concept of a staycation, turning your home into a mini-hotel experience. Small details like placing soaps on their beds or letting the kids run a makeshift restaurant for lunch can turn your regular house into a fun hotel experience.

6. Embrace Life’s Surprises: Things are not always going to go as planned. Try to stay positive, even when your baby’s diaper explodes or you put the wrong address into Waze. Besides being in a better mood, you will be role modeling such an important life skill for your children.

In conclusion, approaching winter break with a blend of planning, flexibility, and a positive mindset can transform it into a memorable and enjoyable experience for both you and your children. Embrace the opportunity to bond, explore creative staycation ideas, and

don’t neglect your own self-care. Remember, life’s little surprises are part of the journey, and navigating them with a positive outlook sets a valuable example for your children.

Wishing you a joyful and rejuvenating winter break filled with cherished moments. ______________________________________ Chani Heyman is a parenting coach who has been giving parenting classes, based on the teaching of Rebbetzin Spetner, for over 9 years to hundreds of mothers across the US. You can reach her at chaniheyman@gmail.com. Follow Chani on Instagram for daily parentings tip @parentingwithchani.

JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

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LIFESTYLE | Inspiration

Miracle in the Minutiae

The Miraculous Holiday of Tu B’Shvat Denise Berger

I

f we were to take a survey of what people consider the “most Jewish” holiday, there would be several contenders, each with its own miracles. Pesach would surely be high on the list. Everyone knows about the Seder, the plagues, and the splitting of the sea. Shavuos would be a top vote getter as well --- after all, receiving the Torah is what made us the Jewish people. Then there’s Chanukah. The menorah is nearly as well known as the Seder. And if the Maccabim had not rallied the people against assimilation, who knows if we would even be here to ask this question. But perhaps the most essentially Jewish of all the holidays is also the most obscure --- Tu B’Shvat. The 15th day of the month of Shvat, according to Chazal, is when the sap begins to rise again in tree trunks, after not doing so all winter. It’s called the new year for trees.

Several years ago, I was preparing to write one of my first articles. It happened to be on Tu B’Shvat. I consulted Rabbi Eli Stern (now at LINK, previously at Westwood Kehilla), who pointed out that our nature holiday is the only one that takes place in winter.

That stopped me in my tracks, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

Celebrating nature in the springtime is what anthropologists call a cultural universal --- something done by peo-

32 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

ple across the world, throughout time.

From the ancient Persian Nowruz to Earth Day created in the 1970’s, nobody celebrates nature in the proverbial dead of winter. Furthermore, the rising of the sap in the trees is totally imperceptible. We can’t see what’s going on inside the tree trunks, nor can we hear this process or even smell it.

And this complete absence of observable phenomena turns out to

be key to the chag.

We’re celebrating Hashem’s presence in the world, and our certainty of His loving guidance and nurturance ---- precisely when we sense no evidence of it whatsoever. This steadfast belief is what sustains us through pogroms, poverty, expulsions, and worse. It’s what propels us to sing Ani Ma’amin in the midst of those experiences. It’s what sends seminary girls to dance at a strang-

er’s wedding after October 7th. Tu B’Shvat at its essence is about emuna / faith and bitachon / certainty, the greatest miracles of all, and the greatest gifts.

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Denise Berger is a freelance writer who grew up in the LA community. Her work has appeared in Table For Five, Shalom Delaware, Detroit Jewish News, and The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, in addition to literary publications. Denise can be reached at deniseberger2@gmail.com.

Wellness | LIFESTYLE

Runnergize Aims to Inspire Introducing Runnergize Los Angeles

Rabbi Meir Kaniel of Passaic, NJ has been training and inspiring runners for several years through his structured running programs for both children and adults. He is a licensed social worker and a running enthusiast who has completed numerous marathons across the US and Israel. He combines his knowledge in mental health, self-development and endurance training to offer coaching and running programs that provide a full mind, body and soul experience.

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segraphicdesigns@gmail.com

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The impacts of Runnergize have been realized by hundreds of runners and their families throughout the Jewish world over the past several years and is now expanding its kid’s programs beyond NJ to new Jewish communities around the US, starting with LA and Boca this winter.

Upon her daughter completing a 10k, one mother shared, “Our daughter never thought she could do something that intense.

The greatest benefit was realizing how much she could push herself; the feeling of empowerment and accomplishment from training for a goal and then achieving that goal, is incomparable.”

After their son completed the program, a couple reflected that “Runnergize has helped our son build his self-confidence, courage, self-discipline, and aspire to higher goals.”

LL from Henderson, NV started running in the virtual ladies group this past summer. “A few months ago I was inactive and could barely run for a minute. Today I ran for more than 80 minutes continuously and I am in total shock! I am so grateful and I can’t encourage others enough to unlock their hidden fitness potential!”

MS from LA, CA is a Runnergize runner from the men’s virtual group. “When I started my training this past spring, running a single mile was very challenging and I was out of breath. I didn’t think I was the kind of person who could ever complete a full marathon. Less than 8 months since my first run, I completed 26.2 miles and over 5 hours of continuous running. I feel like a new person with new abilities.”

The Runnergize team looks forward to cheering on the Runnergize Los Angeles girls this March as they cross the finish line on race day!

Visit us at www.Runnergize.com. For more information or to launch a new program in your community, contact runnergize@gmail. com. To reach Coach K or for sponsorship opportunities, contact nefeshinspired@gmail. com.

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unnergize, a program of Nefesh Inspired, has made its way to Los Angeles this winter season for girls ages 9-14.

Nefesh Inspired is a registered 501c3 that is dedicated to raising awareness regarding the importance of living healthier and more spiritually focused lives, while providing inspiration and support throughout the journey. This new LA division is being coached by Rebbetzin Karen Geiger, with our young runners spending 8 weeks training to complete their goal of a 5k (3.1 miles) or 10k (6.2 miles).

My running programs began as a result of my own running journey that started due to health issues, with the encouragement of my Rebbe. The first time I ran I nearly collapsed after 90 seconds, but only 8 weeks later, with a great deal of consistency, I was able to run 90 minutes straight, a feat that seemed completely impossible just weeks before. It was a life changing moment for me and gave me the inspiration to continue reaching new heights.

About a year and a half later I completed my first full marathon.

I had discovered so much spirituality and growth from my personal running journey that I wanted to share it with others. I decided to start with a Rabbis program first because Rabbis were the perfect partners to help spread the spirituality of running and the importance of improved health. In 2016, Rabbis Can Run was created with 3 Rabbis. In 2018, we expanded to 10 Rabbis and our 2024 season is now underway with 35 Rabbis from across the country.

Shortly after the Rabbi’s program went live, I discovered that children could also benefit from running on so many levels. So in 2017, I started coaching children and Runnergize was born. A few years later we brought the Runnergize program to adults as well.

Runnergize offers both local programs for kids and virtual programs for adults, with all programs separated by gender. I train many runners each year all across the country and in Israel, helping them discover how running can help them improve their health while also teaching many life lessons and guiding personal growth.

As a licensed social worker and proud husband and father of 7, I have a great appreciation for the influence that running creates in building life skills such as self-awareness, resilience, mental toughness and self-confidence.

My blog, RunningInspired.org, is a platform where I share those lessons as well as running and training tips for new runners.

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Rabbi Meir Kaniel

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JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

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LIFESTYLE | Technology

The Problem with Digital Learning: A Parent and Student Perspective

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ecent studies are confirming what we have intuited for years about the proliferation of phones, tablets, and computers in the classroom – so-called digital learning. A Swedish study found “clear scientific evidence that digital tools impair rather than enhance student learning…We believe the focus should return to acquiring knowledge through printed textbooks and teacher expertise.”

Questioning the wisdom of pervasive digital learning is familiar to our family. We have two teenagers and their coursework, including nearly all reading and assignments, is online.

They claim to prefer it—fewer books to haul around, ease of submitting work and tracking grading—while also acknowledging the physically draining impact of so many hours on a screen. This digital way of interacting with teachers and coursework has been normalized for them since middle school, when each kid received an iPad at the start of 6th grade and nearly all assignments were digitized, including math. When we asked in vain for non-digital options, school administrators lauded the digital revolution as “progress” and “necessary.”

Yet as parental intuition surmised and the new Swedish study confirms, digital learning is not necessarily in the kids’ best interests, especially for younger kids. When our daughter started middle school this year and found herself doing homework and coursework on a computer for the first time (at a different middle school than her elder siblings), her reaction to it was unfavorable. I asked her to write up (with a pencil) the reasons why she doesn’t like digital learning, and this is what she said (edited very slightly for clarity): “At the start of this school year, I began middle school. As part of this, we started a computer program. This was my first time on this program. We use it for learning math, history, and English. My teacher says it is a convenient way for parents to learn about their kids’ work, for teachers to be organized, and students to have an easier way to ‘receive homework, enrichment, and extra credit opportunities.’” Our class mainly uses it for classwork, homework, and quizzes.

After a few weeks of this new computer learning, I see problems with learning this way instead of the way we did it in elementary school without a computer.

One problem is that if you write out your work on a computer, the computer thinks for you and corrects for you. You don’t learn spelling and grammar anymore because if you make a spelling or grammar mistake, it gives you an underline and all you have to do is click it and it is fixed. For example, I was writing a

homework assignment and a blue line appeared under a word. I clicked on it, and it said, ‘passive tense.’ Underneath that, it gave two other possible words I could write instead. I clicked on them and fixed the grammar without understanding why this new choice was better.

And when I spell a word wrong, a red line appears and I just click it and the spelling is fixed. When we were doing a writing assignment in elementary school, we would write a draft, hand it in, and the teacher would underline the things we got wrong. We would then have to re-write the assignment and fix mistakes ourselves. This way we learned.

With the computer, I don’t have to work as hard because if I am expecting to be corrected for any mistakes, I don’t feel the need to learn proper grammar or spelling, and probably other things too.

Working on a computer creates other problems, like with handwriting and posture. If you aren’t practicing writing with a pencil and erasing all the time, you never learn to have good handwriting and are probably losing important hand strengthening. And if you are slumping in front of a computer for hours doing reading and homework, you will get bad posture.

Digital learning simply isn’t as good. I know this from experience.”

Fortunately, our current middle school favors traditional learning over digital platforms and has a healthy skepticism of new fads in education. When we mentioned these observations to the teacher, she immediately validated that digital learning was a useful but imperfect teaching tool. She agreed that going forward, we could request that all assignments be printed out and completed on paper. Only final drafts will be typed out and submitted through the course portal to teach typing skills and computer literacy.

We thought this was a great compromise. We shouldn’t pretend computers don’t exist and aren’t a helpful, critical tool in today’s world. But we also need to be aware of the downsides of too much screen time, especially for children, and the problem of schools and parents unwittingly encouraging kids to live their lives through phones and computers. If more parents asked schools for paper-and-pencil learning, we might reverse some of the troubling trends we’re seeing among device-addicted young people.

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Gila Adira Lerman Mazar is a sixth grader at Spivak Hebrew Academy in Los Angeles. Yael Lerman is CEO of a large family and director of the legal team fighting antisemitism at StandWithUs, an Israel education non-profit organization.

34 | The LA Jewish Home | JANUARY 18, 2024

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Food | LIFESTYLE

Chef Nir Weinblut

Chicken Marbella is a great weeknight dinner especially on Tu B’Shevat, pair this with rice or couscous. Add Candied Beef “Bacon” Wrapped Dates to the meal and call it a bonus side dish or dessert!

Wishing you a happy Tu B’Shevat and a hearty appetite!

Chicken Marbella

Ingredients:

Directions:

• 4 lbs chicken pieces (either whole chicken cut into pieces or mix drumsticks and thighs) • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar • 1/2 cup olive oil • 1 cup pitted prunes • 1/2 cup pitted green olives • 1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice • 6 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped or 1 tablespoon dried oregano • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped • Salt and pepper to taste • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup white wine

1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with red wine vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers with juice, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well, ensuring the chicken is coated with the marinade.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.

2. Preheat your oven to 350°F. 3. Arrange the marinated chicken in a baking dish, making sure to include the prunes, olives, and capers in the arrangement.

4. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and white wine until the sugar is dissolved. Pour this mixture over the chicken.

5. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 45-55 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, and the skin is brown and crispy.

6. Once done, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Candied Beef “Bacon” Wrapped Dates

Ingredients:

Directions:

• Slices of Kosher Facon (Beef “Bacon”) • Pitted Medjool Dates (My favorite are the ones from Trader Joes) • Brown Sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Cut your “bacon” strips into thirds.

3. Take your pitted date, wrap the “bacon” around the date and pierce it with a toothpick to stay together.

4. Place all your dates on a sheet pan and sprinkle the “bacon” with brown sugar.

5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes.

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JANUARY 18, 2024 | The LA Jewish Home

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