March 7, 2024

NOW FOR FALL OR FOR ISRAEL

Dear Readers, CONTENTS

In this week’s Parshas Vayakhel, the building of the many parts of the Mishkan begins. The men and women of Bnei Yisroel begin to donate supplies and materials, the best of the best. They continue to donate abundantly, until they are asked to stop because too much has been collected, and no more materials are necessary.

This immediately shows us the desire to give, the idea of donating and participating and helping that is in the Jewish DNA. We want to build - to build families, to build schools, to build shuls, etc. We want to donate and we want to give.

Sometimes we want to give the way we want to give; we want to give in a way that’s comfortable or easy for us. It is important for us to realize that at times, what we want to give is not what is needed by the recipient. Maybe we can go out of our comfort zone and stretch ourselves to be able to give what is needed and not what is easy.

First, this requires that we assess and determine what the other person truly needs.

Perhaps a father needs a job, instead of receiving tzedakah every month. Perhaps someone needs space instead of constant ‘checking up on.’ Perhaps a friend needs a listening ear and not a solution,

Supporting Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and their Families in the L.A. Jewish Community since 1993

This is exactly what Rabbi Shai Graucher is doing in Israel with his organization (see People on page 12). He is giving exactly what is needed, not what is easy. He is taking the time to figure out what each individual needs, asking them, and listening to them. After getting to know them, then he can anticipate what they need, which is also a greater chessed than the person needing to ask for it.

Being able to assess the need, to step back and become aware of the situation, and then investigate the next step, is also an important part of executive functioning. Elan Javanfard discusses executive functioning on page 16 of this issue, highlighting the need for a clear vision before implementing any plans. For anyone who struggles with executive functioning, or has a child that does, you know that assessment, planning the steps and goal, and strategizing are important first steps before action. But, getting stuck in the planning stage for too long can also be a detriment to action.

So when giving and doing for others, it’s best to assess, plan, and then make sure to act - in abundance and with an open heart!

Wishing you an abundant Shabbos, Ariela

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Assistant Director, Program Operations

Position Summary

[Experience with Regional Center funding / policies / procedures required ]

The Assistant Director of Program Operations will support the Director of Program Operations with the day-to-day management of ETTA’s community-based and residential services programs, with specific emphasis on Supported Living Services, including the supervision, training, and motivation of 3+ program managers. The Assistant Director of Program Operations provides department oversight and ensures that ETTA’s person-centered standards of quality service maintain as the highest priority. In partnership with Director, the Assistant Director is responsible for the planning, organizing, developing, implementing, promoting, and monitoring of all ETTA Regional Center-funded, selfdetermination, and private pay supported living services.

See Full Ad and Submit Application on ETTA Website Career Page https://etta.applicantpro.com/jobs/3186109

www.etta.org / Email: Jobs@ETTA.org / (818) 985-3882, ext. 305

Friday, March 7

Parshas Vayakhel

Candlelighting: 5:37 pm

Havdallah: 6:34 pm

Rabbeinu Tam: 7:09 pm

Yoel Halpern PUBLISHER publisher@thelajewishhome.com

Ariela Kauffman MANAGING EDITOR editor@thelajewishhome.com

Avi Heyman PUBLIC RELATIONS avi@thelajewishhome.com

Blimie Weiss OPERATIONS MANAGER blimie@thelajewishhome.com

Elisha Kamornick DIRECTOR OF SALES elisha@thelajewishhome.com

Bethaney Ang GRAPHIC DESIGN

Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky Leads Inspiring Shabbos at Anshe Emes Synagogue

Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky was at Anshe Emes Synagogue for Shabbos Parshas Tetzaveh. Large crowds came to hear Rabbi Orlofsky’s inspiring Divrei Torah. Being that Shabbos was Shuchan Purim Kattan, besides the weekly parsha, Rabbi Orlofsky wove Purim into his four Divrei Torah during the course of Shabbos and Motzei Shabbos.

After an oneg, Rabbi Orlofsky spoke about “In the name of Mordechai” and the meaning and lessons from Mordechai’s name. On Shabbos he discussed “The Mystery of the Missing Moshe’’ and at Shalosh Seudos was the topic of “Drinking to Remember.” At a large Melave Malka with tacos and Mexican food, Rabbi Orlofsky concluded with a stirring talk about “Hanging Together” and the need for achus and Ahavas Yisroel.

The hundreds of people who came to hear Rabbi Orlofsky left inspired and recharged to further their avodas HaShem. It was truly a Shabbos of chizuk.

Moms Unwind: Friendship Circle’s Moroccan Spa Experience

Throughout the year, Friendship Circle provides extensive programming for kids and young adults with diverse abilities. It was time to indulge the moms with some much-deserved attention. Mom’s Spa For The Soul provided an evening of unique pampering of the mind, body, and soul. The Moroccan-themed evening offered massages and manicures, giving the women a chance to relax. As they chatted, laughed & enjoyed a buffet of Moroccan food and extravagant desserts, the stress of daily life melted away.

Everyone enjoyed the art of being creative and personalizing their own 3D tambourines. As the evening concluded, the moms were invited to join together in dance. The vibrant music and lively atmosphere energized them, bringing joy and unity to all.

The evening strengthened their bonds of friendship, allowing them to connect in a unique and meaningful way. Each mom received a spa gift bag filled with self-care beauty products for home. Friendship Circle Moms Spa for the Soul left these amazing moms feeling rejuvenated and uplifted creating a memorable and heartwarming evening.

Lavish Moroccan Feast

Relaxing Moroccan style

Enjoying making personalized 3D tamborines

Manicures for our moms

Rabbi Yitzchok Summers (left) and Rabbi Yakkov Moshe Harris (right) of Anshe Emes with Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky

Emek’s 63rd Annual Trustee Dinner

The 63rd Annual Trustee Dinner of The Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center took place on February 21st at the beautiful Hollywood Casita in Hollywood. With 180 people in attendance, the room was bedazzled with accents of pink and purple. Next Door Restaurant provided scrumptious cuisine along with impeccable presentation. DJ Yoav Gabay entertained the guests, and Tomi Rosenthal, our videographer, created and played an incredible “Emek Stands with Israel” video. Guests were treated to the beautiful voices of a select group of pre-1st girls who sang Israeli songs including Hatikva, Am Yisroel Chai, and Acheinu.

Rabbi Shifman, Emek’s Head of School, gave a beautiful, insightful Dvar Torah about the chelbanah, the one foul-smelling spice included in the ketores, the aromatic incense offering in the beis hamikdash made up of eleven spices. The Talmud questions why we need to include the chelbanah in the aromatic mixture if it has a foul odor. The message that we learn from this is that we must include every segment of the community, not just people who share our same ideology and interests, in order to have the status of a community. Rabbi Shifman stressed the importance for a community to have a school that allows every child within that community the opportunity to receive a Jewish education.

Rabbi Moshe Elefant of OU Kashrut Inaugurates New

LINK Kollel Halacha Institute

Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Executive Rabbinic Coordinator of OU Kosher, inaugurated the new Halacha Institute of Los Angeles at the LINK Kollel on Monday, Feb. 26, by giving a masterful, “lumdishe” shiur on the imperative to have a Rabbinic hashgacha on all home-made products sold to the public.

Many joined the Avreichim of the LINK Kolel to hear the 36-year veteran of the OU’s renowned Kashrus Division, speak on a topic of the seeming contradiction between when one Jew can trust another (observant) Jew on a private halachic matter (e.g. to eat in his house), yet when that same Jew produces a product to sell to the community, he/ she must have rabbinic hashgacha.

The LINK Kollel Halacha Institute was founded by the Rosh Kollel of LINK, Rabbi Mordechai Lebhar and one of the veteran Avreichim, Rabbi Yehuda Kraft, to help educate the community on many halachic issues. The Institute published the first monthly Kashrus newsletter the day before Rabbi Elefant’s shiur. The newsletter contains a comprehensive directory of all the kosher bakeries and restaurants in LA with a listing of which ones were Yoshon, Cholov Yisrael and/or Pas Yisrael. This is the first such list published in the community.

In its 21 plus years of existence, the LINK Kollel has identified several needs in the halachic realm that were

not being sufficiently addressed in the LA Jewish community. This was the impetus behind the new Halacha Institute of LA. Under the leadership of Rabbis Lebhar and Kraft, and with the encouragement and guidance of the community’s leasing Poskim, it will focus on the following areas:

Learning in-depth for Baal Habatim at the Kollel, featuring specific curricula for understanding halacha l ’maisa in various areas (such as Kashrus, Shabbos, Taharas Hamishpacha, Choshen Mishpat, etc.).

Offering Rabbinic services for the community in areas not readily available, including writing Shabbos contracts for businesses that partner with gentiles, writing a Heter Iska for businesses in need, helping individuals construct an Eruv for Shabbos, helping with Maaser calculations, redrafting lost and mistaken Kesubos and offering guidance in issues of niddah and fertility. They also will be available to answer Shailos via phone and email in a timely manner.

The aforementioned monthly Kashrus Newsletter that will analyze in-depth a different kashrus concerns (e.g. Bishul Yisroel, Pas Yisroel, Chalav Yisroel, Yoshon). For more information, please email halachainstitutelosangeles@gmail.com or call Rabbi Kraft at 323-312-7203.

Emek’s Pre-1st girls

Meytal Avganim, Nufar Rbibo, Moran Shmueli, Natalie Lachyani, Maayan Chetrit, Yoli Bachar, and Sandra Rbibo

Rabbis and Mashgichim listen to Rabbi Elefant’s shiur in the LINK Kollel

Rabbis and Mashgichim listen to Rabbi Elefant’s shiur in the LINK Kollel

Rabbi Mordechai Shifman, Head of School at Emek

Shalhevet’s Firehawks 4 Israel Brings Support Opportunities to Students

Shalhevet provided our community with opportunities to connect with and support our brothers and sisters in medinat Yisrael who have been directly impacted by the war.

On Wednesday, Shalhevet hosted Paint Night together with Mamman Nonprofit for Israeli students and teens who have been evacuated from their homes in Moshav Shuva. It was a powerful evening of togetherness for Shalhevet students, who spent the evening bonding with peers their age who have been directly impacted by the ongoing war.

On Thursday, we had the zechut of hearing testimony from Ofri Reiner, a survivor of the Nova festival massacre. She spoke about making the most of what is “now,” highlighted the strength and resilience of the Jewish and Israeli people, and honored the memory of her brother, Shalev Dagan z”l, an IDF soldier killed while rush-

ing to defend the communities who were under attack. Her story and strength touched each and every one of parents and students who were there and will continue to provide chizuk and inspiration for our community.

Students sold pins and “Bring Them Home” car magnets, raising funds to help write a sefer Torah in memory of Sergeant Noam Haba z”l, who was killed in combat this month in the southern Gaza Strip.

Rabbi David Stein, Shalhevet’s faculty advisor for the Firehawks 4 Israel, noted that “when we say ‘Am Yisrael Chai,’ it means that ‘Am Yisrael Mechubar’ - the Jewish people are connected. This is the source of our strength and our life as a people and a community. These programs connected our students and community to Am Yisrael in a powerful way that truly manifested the idea of “Am Yisrael Chai” along with the core values of Shalhevet and our entire community.”

Yeshiva Aaron Yaakov/Ohr Eliyahu Evening of Chizuk

Last Sunday evening, Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov/Ohr Eliyahu hosted a powerful Evening of Chizuk, drawing over 300 people to the auditorium on the school’s campus.

The event emphasized “nesias ohl,” fighting complacency by deeply understanding the lives of people who do not have the luxury of being complacent. Towards this end, attendees heard from school parents and art teacher Mr. and Mrs. Conrad and Sharon Saks, whose son, Elazar, has been serving on Gaza’s front lines in a Chareidi Paratrooper unit since the start of the war, recently reenlisting for a second tour of duty. With words both poignant and humorous, the Saks’ drew the crowd into the feelings of pride and anxiety that comprise their world and the world of the parents of every Israeli soldier.

The evening was dedicated to Reb Yossi Herskovitz, z”l, husband, father of five, beloved school principal, musician, and friend who ran

immediately to his unit on October 7th, giving his life days later in a booby trapped tunnel while trying to save the lives of hostages. First cousin to yeshiva parents Dov and Vera Goldner, a video presentation portrayed his concern for his fellow soldiers, his love of family, his dedication to his students, and his commitment to Jewish values, most notably Shmiras Haloshon.

The video ended with Yossi’s general singing a song that Yossi composed one night while secluded in the darkness of Gaza to the words, “Gam ki elech b’gai tzalmaves.” School parent and popular singer, Moshe Storch, continued the song after the video, leading the crowd in an emotional kumzitz rendition of Yossi’s niggun and other heartfelt melodies.

The evening left attendees inspired, united, and reinvigorated in their commitment to Torah, tefila and chesed on behalf of acheinu beis Yisroel

Viener Rebbe Tish In Los Angeles

The Viener Rebbe Rav Asher Anshel Katz shlit”a ןעיוו ק”דבא who is known to have thousands of chassidim across the globe, graced the Los Angeles community with his presence on Purim Katan.

The lavish Purim Tish took place at the home of R’ Barry Weiss as many enjoyed hearing beautiful words of Torah and Chizuk from the Rebbe.

in Eretz Yisroel.

left to right, Rabbi Sol Goldner, Mr. Dov Goldner, Mr. Ari Goldner

YAYOE’S 6th Grade Girls Learn About Krias Yam Suf at the California Science Center

The 6th grade class at Yeshiva Aaron Yaakov Ohr Eliyahu had a wonderful full day trip to help enhance our learning of krias yam suf. We set out to visit the California Science Center, amongst the various different exhibits, we had the opportunity to experience in a small way what it meant to walk through the tunnels at krias yam suf. As we stood in the massive tunnel aquarium, a lot of what we learned in Parshas Beshalach, as well as the various midrashim and mefarshim that we learned, came to life!!!

After this educational experience we traveled to MB2, where we had a fantastic time riding go carts, bumper boats, and virtual reality games, as well as a huge class game of laser tag. This was a really enjoyable experience that brought more beautiful opportunities to bring us closer together as a class.

Large Flag Display in Beverly Hills for Lives Lost in Israel

From January through February 25, the City of Beverly Hills worked together with the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles to display a temporary exhibit entitled “Remembering Live Lost.” The art exhibit is the second done in Beverly Hills, the first being “A Shabbat Table” displayed every Friday from November 15 through December 15, commemorating a long table filled with empty seats awaiting those held hostage in Israel after October 7th.

“Remembering Lives Lost” is a display of 1400 Israeli flags commemorating each of the people murdered on October 7th in Israel. Also represented are those from 30 different countries who were murdered or are still missing and held hostage. Their national flags are also one display: Austria - 3, Argentina - 21, Australia - 1, Azerbaijan - 3, Belarus - 3, Brazil - 6, Cambodia - 1, Canada - 7, Chile2, China - 6, Colombia - 2, Eritrea - 1 murdered, 1 missing, Estonia - 1, France - 31, Germany - 16, Ireland - 1 , Italy - 6, Kazakhstan - 1, Latvia - 1, Lithuania - 1, Moldova - 2, Nepal - 10, Paraguay - 1, Peru - 2, Philippines - 5, Poland - 1, Portugal - 4 murdered, 1 missing, Romania

- 5, Russia - 22, Spain - 2, Sri Lanka - 2, Sudan - 1, Switzerland - 1, Tanzania - 2, Thailand - 39 murdered, 3 missing , Turkey - 3, UK - 15, South Africa - 3, Ukraine - 27, USA - 39, Uzbekistan - 7.

“The State of Israel is at the forefront of the fight against global jihadist terror. A sadistic terror that is unprecedented in modern times. A terror that opposes the most basic human values on which the U.S. was founded,” Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Israel Bachar said in a statement. “From Beverly Hills, which represents these values, we call for the release of the captives and remind the world as we mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, ‘Never again! We will prevail…. Looking at these flags, we see the magnitude of the atrocities committed by Hamas… In a matter of hours, all of these people were taken from us in such a brutal, horrifying way.”

“Each flag represents a life extinguished by barbaric terrorists,” said Beverly Hills City Councilmember John Mirisch. “It brings home the full extent of the tragedy in ways numbers can’t.”

HELPING WITH EVERYTHING: RABBI SHAI GRAUCHER

talmid of Rav Kanievsky, who assists in writing his books, and has become a famous author.

After October 7th, Rabbi Shai will be mostly known across the Jewish world as the powerhouse of chesed during one of the darkest times in modern day Jewish history. He has single handedly raised thousands of dollars for the people of Israel, within a matter of the first few days after the October 7 attack and continues to do so.

CHESSED V’RACHAMIM

Since 2017, the organization created by Shai Graucher, called Chessed v’rachamim, was famously known for giving out ipads to children who requested them. “We have been doing it since 2017, helping families of terror victims with support, with money, and taking care of soldiers,” says Shai Graucher.

This organization is a registered nonprofit in Israel — Chessed v’Rachamim, meaning Grace and Mercy — and an affiliated 501(c)3 in the United States (TK). These are the original names of the organization, however, the initiative that has taken off and spread like wildfire is now being called, Beyachad Nenatze’ach, meaning “together we will win,” and in English as “Standing Together.”

THE REFUAH BEFORE THE MAKAH

The reason that the organization was ready to spring into action immediately after October 7th was because it was set up years ago, with the same purpose of assisting terror victims and their families. Due to its existence and also its experience, the organization already had a knowledge of what people would need. They wasted no time in getting to work with the main motto of showing people that they are there for them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Rabbi Shai Graucher and his staff immediately began to visit army bases bringing both necessities and luxuries, hospital rooms giving out toys to children and singing songs to injured, shiva houses to bring comfort, and evacuation centers and hotels filled with displaced families. “I was on the border with Gaza. [The soldiers] are eating bread, only bread,” he said. So he and his team put on a barbecue with “meat, like you've never seen in your life.”

They listen, provide emotional comfort, and bring small tastes of physical comfort to those in need, no matter where they are - for the soldiers, for their families, and for the displaced families.

initiated to share the activities that are being done daily.

giving the money. I’m just the shaliach (emissary). So we’re trying to make them feel the best.”

In addition to all of the ventures listed above, Graucher and his organization has provided hundreds of sets of tefillin to active duty soldiers, as well as and distributed thousands of copies of the Gemara made possible due to his close relationship with ArtScroll publishers and the Schottenstein family. The printing was done quickly in Eretz Yisroel, and now they are even distributing a second set of a different gemara to soldiers.

NOT ONLY FOR SOLDIERS

In another video, Rabbi Shai is seen handing out iPads and AirPods in a hospital to victims of the Oct. 7 attacks. In a third, he is handing out pizza to children that have been displaced, at a party featuring face-painting, magic shows, and games. In another, a special evening is prepared in honor and support of pregnant women or women who just had babies.

WHAT IS BEYACHAD NENATZE’ACH DOING?

The aim is not necessarily to provide the basic needs for the recipients but to make them feel seen and appreciated; not to give them only the basics, but to make them feel loved with extras. Graucher’s team also organizes BBQ parties which attract a mixed religious-secular crowd. “People were hating each other, so what I am doing is trying to bring people together. No more haredi, secular, hasidic, no! We are one country,” he says enthusiastically. The organization is bringing people from all walks of life together, to create a sense of unity that has not been felt for a long time.

In addition to the laundry trucks, Graucher has also sent other amenities to the army bases. “We have a new truck of spas, jacuzzis and showers for the soldiers coming out of Gaza now; they need the support, they need to relax, for them it’s amazing,” he explains. “The most important thing is to show respect, to give people the feeling that we are with them. Not just to [for example] come to a hospital, here’s five iPads, goodbye. No. To come, To see a soldier, to hear what happened, and then you are hearing that every single person, every single soldier, is a hero,” he says.

Rabbi Shai feels he is doing Hashem’s work and is motivated to continue doing so based on the support he receives worldwide. “[We’re trying] to show the people that we are really thinking about them,” Graucher said. “We are the hands and we are the heart of those people that are

“We’re helping people who lost their loved ones with financial support. We’re helping families whose houses were broken to fix them. We’re helping soldiers with equipment… We’re doing barbecues with the army,” Graucher said. “We are helping the families who are in [evacuee] hotels. We’re sending [presents to the wives of reservists] who are home for three, four weeks without their husband. We’re helping [displaced people] with winter clothes. We’re helping women who gave birth and their husbands are in the army. We have kitchens that are open 24-7, sending food, Shabbat meals, special things.”’

Evacuated families away from the northern border near Lebanon and the south near Gaza have been living in displaced centers and hotels, far from home. Rabbi Shai has been visiting them non-stop to see the conditions in which they live and to assess what they need. Hundreds of volunteers work in the Chessed v’rachamim warehouse to pack care packages going to communities in need; filled with clothing, non-perishable food, religious items, toys, games, electronics, and anything else to help alleviate the burden of being homeless.

PLANS FOR AFTER THE WAR

Graucher wants to focus his attention on the children whose parents were murdered in the October 7 attacks. He plans to build a large building that can take care of the needs of all orphans of which unfortunately this war has made many.

“This is going to be the main project after this war, taking care of those children who lost their parents. We need to take care of them and give them support, love, bar mitzvahs, get them psychologists, take care of their schools. This is my main goal,” he said.

Graucher gains his inspiration to focus on the orphaned children in honor of his father, who lost both of his parents at a relatively young age.

RABBI SHAI AND BEYACHAD NENATZE’ACH TRACK SHEET:

• Personal visits to families of victims

• Financial support to families of victims

• Hospital visits to wounded soldiers and citizens

• Packages of essentials for displaced families

• Toys for children of displaced families

• Tefillin, Sefarim, and other religious articles to soldiers and victim families

• Toys to children injured in terrorist attacks

• Enormous quantities of meat for BBQ for soldiers who were only provided bread and canned foods

• 45,000 articles of clothing

• Full Shabbos packages for almanos and other families

• Showing love and support to Israeli soldiers - buying them whatever they want in the

• Visiting, uplifting, and placing displaced families, entertaining the children, making carnivals and other fun activities

• Supporting a 24/7 Kollel that learns for the army’s success

• IDF rejuvenation center in Ofakim - massage chairs, food truck, hot showers, hot tubs

• Organized a Shloshim for the 1400 kedoshim

• Torah dedication for fallen soldiers

• Siyumim for completion of Torah study in victims’ merits

• Wedding ceremonies for soldiers

• Giving gifts to children released from hostage

• Shabbos candlesticks for the wife of an injured soldier

• Helping many stores and businesses by buying thousands of items for displaced families

• Printed thousands of gemoras right there near their distribution center

• Gave out thousands of pairs of tefillin, purchased to also give parnassah to Israelis in need

• Funds for avreichim and those learning in kollel so they can keep learning

• 5,000 chanukah packages to displaced families

• Food trucks for soldiers

• Donuts for soldiers

• Free concerts at army bases by famous popular Israeli singers & musicians

• Organized seminary girls to help mothers whose husbands have been called up as soldiers

Antisemitism on College Campuses: Professors Speak Out

Chaim Yehuda Meyer

On February 26th, Touro University hosted a webinar on antisemitism with college professors, including Steven Davidoff Solomon, of UC Berkeley School of Law. Dr. Alan Kadish, President of the Touro University system, led the discussion along with Professor Samuel Levine, Director of the Jewish Law Institute at Touro Law Center. Professor Solomon, Shai Davidai, Assistant Professor of Management at Columbia Business School, Claire Finkelstein, Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania; and Dr. Yael Shiloh-Malawsky, Clinical Associate Professor, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine, spoke about their experiences post-October 7th.

Professor Davidai said, “Everything we are seeing now is a reaction to October 7th,” says Davidai. The Columbia protests started on October 8th. By October 9th, two major organizations at the Ivy League school issued a statement justifying and celebrating October 7th; they also called for resistance and called Hamas terrorists “freedom fighters.” “If you were motivated by hatred toward Jews as a group, you are antisemitic,” says Davidai.

“This has been a difficult year” at UPenn, notes Professor Finkelstein, who has called out the “snowballing” of antisemitism on college campuses. When the attacks of

October 7th occurred, the University’s Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, which Finkelstein is the Faculty Director of, was the only organization on campus to criticize the attacks and support Israel. The Center found itself having to defend its position.

Finkelstein’s opinion piece, “To Fight Antisemitism on Campuses, We Must Restrict Speech,” which appeared in the Washington Post in December, led to hundreds of

has approximately 1,000 Jewish students (about 5% of the total student population), with about 400 Jewish students participating in Jewish clubs. It’s unique and lonely to be Israeli at UNC, says Dr. Shiloh-Malawsky, who has a 14 member WhatsApp group for Israeli PhD students. The October 7th attacks were swiftly followed by demonstrations with the usual rhetoric of “From the River to the Sea.” Dr. Shiloh-Malawasky’s

hate emails and antisemitic posts. After a personal visit to Israel months after the Hamas terrorist attacks, Finkelstein was doxed online by a website which published pictures of her and accused participants in the trip of “scholasticide,” murdering scholastic pursuits by bringing politics to the University.

Dr. Shiloh-Malawsky says that UNC

Universities should cease taking money from non-democratic countries and should disclose their sources of funding.

requests of the University to intervene were met with silence. She then got a journalist to come to UNC, where they were greeted with the sight of vulgar, anti-Israel graffiti chalked on the Chancellor’s building.

“Nothing that happened post-October 7th is a surprise to many of us,” says Professor Solomon, who cofounded Berkeley’s Antisemitism Initiative. Additionally, he has

called on law firms to not hire antisemites. Professors’ antisemitic views have been passed on to students, who exclude Jews. This is the attitude Jews at Berkley faced on October 8th: professors who were hired to push a DEI agenda.

Additionally, says Professor Shiloh-Malawsky, people should withdraw support from universities where antisemitism is endemic. Universities should cease taking money from non-democratic countries and should disclose their sources of funding. Threatening and harassing speech is not protected by the First Amendment and should be punished. There should be mandatory Holocaust instruction at high schools and colleges.

A small pocket of vocal antisemites has been empowered by Berkley’s sudden love of free speech, says Professor Solomon, who notes that dissenting voices have been silenced. The pressure has to be kept on the universities. He is heartened that students and professors alike are coming out to share their experiences.

Chaim Yehuda Meyer is an attorney and writer who has written numerous articles over the years for Jewish publications on politics, Israel, and other matters of interest to the Jewish community. He can be reached at howard.jay.meyer@gmail.com.

Psycho-Spiritual Insights: Exploring Parsha and Psychology

The Divine Blueprint: Executive Planning

Parshat Vayakhel focuses on Moshe Rabeynu addressing Bnei Yisrael as he provides them with the instructions, given in the previous Parshiot, related to constructing the Mishkan. In describing the items created for the Mishkan, what becomes clear is that the more important items were left to be created last. The Parsha describes how after the structure was completed then the Ark, Cover, Table, and Menorah were made. As we reflect on the process of construction, we are provided with an opportunity to explore the psychological concept of executive planning from the blueprint crafted by Hashem.

Executive planning refers to the cognitive processes and mental activities involved in developing and organizing a strategy to achieve a specific goal or complete a task. This concept is closely related to the broader domain of executive functions, which are higher-order cognitive processes that facilitate goal-directed behavior, problem-solving, and self-regulation. Executive planning involves the prefrontal cortex and other

brain regions responsible for higher-level cognitive processes. As described by the brilliant artist Vincent van Gogh, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”

This concept is perfectly encapsulated by the lovely words of the Friday night ‘Lecha Dodi’ composed in the 16th century by Rav Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz.

In the second stanza, we sing, ‘Sof ma’aseh bemachashavah techillah - last in creation, first in thought.’ An alternative translation of this quote would be ‘at the end, action; at the beginning, thought.’

The Likutei Moharan provides us with a perfect metaphor seamlessly fitting into the Parsha. He writes, when someone is building a house, first there is a blueprint and thought prior to ground being broken or the first item being constructed.

Individuals with well-developed executive planning skills are generally better equipped to organize their thoughts, set realistic goals, and efficiently carry out complex tasks. Executive planning is essential in both everyday activities and long-term goal pursuit, contributing to

Shalom Bayit

Is Jewelry Vanity?

Your wife points to her ring and says, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have matching earrings?”

You wonder: Isn’t “Grace deceitful and beauty vain?”

You are not the first one to ask this question. After the women donated their copper mirrors for the construction of the tabernacle, God related to Moses that these are the most favorite of all materials donated. Confused, Moses asked, how is an instrument that is used to celebrate vanity even permitted, let alone become God’s favorite?!

God answered in להקיו that, while women can use mirrors to pander vanity, in the case of these women, they used the mirrors to *endear themselves* to their husbands.

overall cognitive and behavioral competence. Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”

The Rambam on this week’s Parsha writes that the last created vessels of the Mishkan symbolize the purpose of the exodus from Egypt, since their holiness was reflected as important aspects of the homes of the Avot and Imahot. Their centrality was determined prior to the creation of any other item and purposefully they were left for last. Hashem showed us their value by saving them for last, but had them in mind from the start.

Executive planning is the compass that guides us through the unpredictable terrain of life, ensuring we stay on course toward our objectives. In Parshat Vayakhel, the meticulous construction of the Mishkan serves as a testament to the power of executive planning in both the physical and spiritual realms. By embracing the principles of setting a clear vision, organizing resources, and adapting to challenges, we can construct a purposeful and spiritually fulfilling life.

Here are short tips for increasing our own executive planning:

1. Clear Vision In our lives, setting a clear vision and understanding our goal can serve as the foundation for effective executive planning. By aligning our goals with our values, we can construct a meaningful framework for our journey. As reminded by the motto of my favorite fictional football team, “Clear eyes, clear hearts, can’t lose.”

2. Organizing Resources Executive planning involves recognizing and utilizing our internal resources effectively. By understanding our strengths, talents, and virtues, we can organize them to contribute meaningfully to our personal growth and the well-being of others.

3. Adapting to Challenges Life often presents unforeseen challenges, and our ability to adapt while maintaining our spiritual focus allows us to navigate difficulties with grace and determination. Flexibility is critical to goal completion.

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.

Your wife needs to feel attractive, and Torah clearly states that you do that through buying her clothes and jewelry. You’re lucky your wife voiced a specific desire. Be grateful for it. She saved you time hunting for a gift. Buy her nice earrings within budget 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

CHATTERBOX!

Welcome back to the fun corner in our newspaper where objects talk! Every week, we'll publish an image featuring two animated items engaged in a mysterious conversation. Your job is to figure out what one might be saying to the other!

Your Turn!

The Rules:

Be Creative: The wackier and more imaginative, the better. Keep It Short: Your dialogue entry should be no more than one sentence.

Submit by Deadline: Make sure to send in your entries by Sunday, March 10 before 10:00 PM. Late entries won't be eligible for that week's competition. One Entry per Person: Only one submission per participant each week. Choose your words wisely!

Have Fun: This is the most important rule. Enjoy the process and have fun with it!

Prizes Await!

The most original and entertaining entry will win a surprise sweet treat from Munchies and be featured in the next issue of "ChatterBox"!

The WinneR:

Meira Frankel

“Why the frown, Mr. Brown? Not peeling so good?”

Congratulations!! Please email editor@thelajewishhome.com to collect your prize!

Sharpen Your Brain

the Fun Way!

FYI: FISH

With fish famously being the mazal of Adar, now is the perfect opportunity to dive in and explore this fascinating creature. Traditionally, fish have been associated with multiplying and bracha, hinting at the idea of marbim b’simcha, increasing joy. Fish have also long symbolized protection from ayin hara, giving yet another reason for Adar being a month of great mazal.

FEAR NO MORE

BRRR... IT’S COLD

Ever wondered how sh survive the winter — especially when their habitat gets all icy and frozen? Contrary to what you might think, the layer of ice that forms at the top of a body of water actually provides the water with insulation and helps it retain its heat. And since warm water sinks in very cold freshwater, sh schools near the bo om remain warm. Some species lie completely dormant, but most sh just gather at the bo om and take a “midwinter break.”

QUEEN OF SPEED

GEFILTE FISH ORIGINS

By: Esther Retek

FISH TALK

From where does this Jewish culinary classic originate? As the story goes, ge lte sh was the perfect solution to both a nancial and halachic dilemma. The typical frum family back in Europe couldn’t a ord to serve sh at every shabbos meal, so they came up with ge lte sh! The women would grind the esh and bones together with inexpensive ingredients, then stu the mixture back into the skin for baking (hence the word ge lte, yiddish for “stu ed”). Eventually they stopped stu ng the skin and simply formed balls for steaming or boiling. Additionally, this method of preparation made it possible to avoid borer, since the sh no longer had bones that needed to be removed before eating.

A Dramatic Rescue

Commandos Recount the Rescue of Fernando Marman and Louis Har

Commandos Recount the Rescue of Fernando Marman and Louis Har

We Know Every Window at the Target

High-Risk, Low Pulse

Returning Fire

No Longer an Imaginary Operation

I GRABBED LOUIS, DRAGGED HIM TOWARDS ME, AND SAID, ‘WE’VE COME TO TAKE YOU HOME.

In Their Words:

You weren’t afraid, when you killed the terrorists, that maybe you were mistakenly shooting at the hostages?

The faces of Louis and Fernando have already been in my head for a long time. They were engraved in my mind, and I knew that if I wasn’t sure then I wouldn’t shoot.

Even at the price of the terrorists shooting at you?

I think we’ve all already made our peace with that.

© JNS. Originally published by Israel Hayom.

Fernando Marman

Louis Har

Don’t Hate The Alabama Supreme Court

On February 16, 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. The decision was issued in a pair of wrongful death cases brought by three couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident at a fertility clinic.

Justices, citing anti-abortion language in the Alabama Constitution, ruled that an 1872 state law allowing parents to sue over the death of a minor child “applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location.”

“Unborn children are ‘children’ ... without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics,” Justice Jay Mitchell wrote in Friday’s majority ruling.

The ruling was quickly interpreted by much of the media that this conservative court wanted to put an end to IVF.

Two of the eight fertility clinics in Alabama paused their IVF treatments. The clinics say that they did so out of real concern of the civil—and potential criminal—liability that their physicians and patients might face.

What is actually playing out is a separation of powers issue. There are three branches of government - executive, legislative, and the judiciary. In this instance, the judiciary was tasked with interpreting a law. Their interpretation of the law was that it allowed for a wrongful death suit in the case of embryos. The result that this would have on the IVF industry was obvious.

The justices took no pleasure in making the ruling. Several of them expressed their reluctance to issue their ruling. Justice Sellars who concurred in part and dissented in part with the majority wrote, “Ultimately, as I stated at the outset, we must be guided by the language provided in the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act and the manner in which our cases have interpreted it. Under those guideposts, today’s result is correct.

However, the decision undoubtedly will come as a shock in some quarters of

the State. I urge the Legislature to provide more leadership in this area of the law given the numerous policy issues and serious ethical concerns at stake, and the fact that there is little regulation of the entire IVF industry. Ultimately, it is the Legislature that possesses the constitutional authority and responsibility to be the final arbiter concerning whether a frozen embryo is protected by the laws of this State. Without such guidance, I fear that there could be unfortunate consequences stemming from today’s decision that no one intends.”

The only body of government that can fix a law is the legislator. As I write this article, an Alabama House bill, known as HB 237, aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization treatments passed out of the chamber with a vote of 94-6 with 3 abstentions. Sponsored by Republican Rep. Terri Collins, the bill “would provide civil and criminal immunity to persons providing goods and services related to in vitro fertilization except acts or omissions that are intentional and not arising from or related to IVF services.” To be put into law, the bill must be passed by both the House and Senate and then signed into law by the governor. That is expected to happen in a very short time.

The Alabama Supreme Court essentially felt that its hands were tied by an antiquated law. It is unfair to disparage a court that is merely trying to adhere to the separation of powers doctrine. Granted, the ruling alarmed patients, health care providers and reproductive rights advocates in the state and beyond because it makes it more difficult for parents struggling with fertility to have children. But that can and will be remedied by the Legislature. It is when a court begins to legislate that is time to panic.

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.

Notable Quotes

We start losing muscle when we’re 35 years old or so. Unless you act to keep that going, by the time you get to 75, you’re not in good shape. It’s just like buying an insurance policy, in my opinion – insurance against failing as you get older.

-Tim Minnick, 81, of Texas, who was certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest fitness instructor.

The Jewish people have a historic and legal right to live in the land of Israel including in Judea and Samaria – the Biblical heartland…. It is an absolute disgrace the Biden administration would issue this decision, especially as Israel fights terrorists on multiple fronts that seek Israel’s destruction and as more than 130 hostages remain in Gaza. The Biden Administration must stop undermining Israel and facilitating efforts to delegitimize Israel. It is misguided and unconscionable

-Speaker of the House Mike Johnson tweeting after the Biden administration changed the long standing U.S. position on Judah and Samaria and will now consider neighborhoods such as Efrat as illegal settlements

He doesn’t realize what a great favor he’s doing me—half of my constituents are failed screenwriters. They’re going to think, “He’s just like us!”

-Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who is running for the open California senate seat, in an interview with JNS, after Donald Trump referred to him as a “failed screenwriter.”

Riley’s death has once again put the spotlight on the dangers female runners face.

- The AP’s spin on the brutal murder of nursing student Laken Riley last weekend in Georgia by an illegal immigrant; the AP failed to mention that the murderer just came into the country illegally from Venezuela

We have got to do Ukraine now. There are other issues, including borders, which we should address, but not now.

-Sen.Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) after a meeting in the Oval Office

Treating people differently on the basis of race, gender, etc. is flat-out illegal. This is a confession of a crime.

-Elon Musk responding to a video of a Google AI executive stating at a conference that it is important to treat black and Hispanic employees better than white employees

New York Mayor Warns Migrants If they Keep Attacking NYPD Officers, They’ll Be Downgraded to 4-Star Hotels

-Babylon Bee

I’ve instructed my extradition attorneys not to agree to [extradite him]. We’re gonna keep him here...and keep him in custody so that he cannot be out doing this to individuals either in our state, county or anywhere in the United States.

-Maricopa County Arizona District Attorney Rachel Mitchell explaining that she is refusing to extradite a criminal who is in Arizona for assault to New York to face murder charges because she is concerned that radical-left Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg would set him loose

They should just go in there and be like, you know what? We want our hostages back. If we don’t have them back, the clock starts now. [In]24 hours, we’re going to start bombing...and killing… civilians, thirtyforty-thousand a...time. So you civilians better...go against Hamas. You...go against them. We’re not playing...games with you…. What if that was your house? What if that was your house? Let’s call your house Israel and your neighbors are Palestine. You got a family of four. They come over and… take out two of them in the...worst way. Are you really going to, like, worry about? Like what type of force you’re using at your neighbors?

-Kid Rock talking to Joe Rogan

BY DR. LEORA GABAY-SHOSHANI

“Since maintaining a healthy and sound body is among the ways of G-d -- for one cannot understand or have any knowledge of the Creator if he is ill -- therefore he must avoid that which harms the body and accustom himself to that which is helpful and helps the body become stronger.” - Maimonides

As long as I can remember, exercise was always a large part of my life. I recall physical education classes in elementary school as being energetic, exciting and fun. As I grew older, I came to understand the importance of physical fitness, not simply for the physical benefits of exercise, but for the mental, emotional and social aspects as well. Through learning more about the different components of physical activity and as an observant Jew, I wondered what the connection between Torah and overall health could be. It turns out, the connection is very much real.

The Rambam, famed commentator, philosopher and physician, brings down the importance of maintaining a healthy body. One of the most fascinating components of his teachings are the benefits of different foods along with the lifestyle tips he gave, particularly regarding physical activity and nutrition. As stated by the Rambam, it is “impossible to understand or know the knowledge of the Creator while unwell.” It is not only for the ability to be physically healthy, but it is our duty to maintain a healthy life in order to serve Hashem. How can we serve Hashem if we are not physically well enough to do so? There lies the answer to the importance of leading a healthy life.

Let’s take a moment to re ect:

In true honesty, how would you rate your life in terms of health from a scale of 1-10? Components to consider include nutrition, stress level, and physical activity levels.

Next, ask yourself, what are some things I can do to improve my health, which can include preventing diseases and illness? J. Michael McGinnis’ analysis (2010) showed that approximately 48% of diseases are preventable. Nearly half? That can’t be true. Weren’t we always told that our genes dictate our health and if it runs in the family, we are automatically more likely to suffer from a disease or a condition? The predisposition to a condition may be there but what is finally becoming clear is that our health is not nature (genetics) versus nurture (environment), rather nature and nurture. Say you know your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all died from lung cancer. But you also know they were heavy smokers and were surrounded by smokers. With your knowledge and scientific advancements about the negative impacts of cigarettes, you have chosen not to smoke. Considering that about 90% of lung cancer patients in the United States are smokers, removing this factor and choosing not to smoke can significantly decrease one’s chances of getting lung cancer. That is where modifying your surroundings and habits can make a huge impact on your

health, even if your genetics remain the same.

Back to the questions we asked ourselves in a moment of reflection: Am I making the right choices and doing the best I can to treat my body in top condition in order to be in the best shape to serve Hashem? If the answer is yes, I commend you!

But if the answer is no, what are some practical actions you can implement to lead you closer to a healthier physical state in service to Hashem? Is it minimizing indulgences? Increasing physical activity? Reducing stress and being more mindful? If you’re anything like me, there are multiple answers to this question. That doesn’t mean that we should shy away from our responsibilities of maintaining a healthy lifestyle just because it is a little tough. On the contrary, just like stated in Pirkei Avot (5:23), our reward is according to the labor - in time, our reward for our health efforts will only be sweeter.

In an attempt to be more aware of our health related habits, I’d like to share a tip of what the recommended levels of physical activity are for adults. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), all healthy adults ages 18-65 should engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Additionally, one should engage in weight training or muscular strengthening physical activity at least twice a week, working on all major muscle groups. Achieving these recommendations would put

In true honesty, how would you rate your life in terms of health from a scale of 1-10? Components to consider include nutrition, stress level, and physical activity levels.

one in a category of physically active, but depending on needs may choose to make modifications. Only 1 in 4 adults in the US meets this minimum recommendation. It may not seem like a lot, but it is a great start to being able to lead an active, healthier life.

Dr. Leora Gabay-Shoshani holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Kinesiology and her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, having studied the impact of exercise in college aged women and academic success. She has over 15 years of experience as an educator and fitness professional, teaching all ages and specializing in adapted physical activity. Her specialty is teaching and training those with long-term physical disabilities, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, how to incorporate exercise into their everyday lives. She is a professor of Kinesiology and Health at College of the Canyons and also teaches in the Science department at Valley Torah Girls High School. Leora can be reached at leorashoshani@gmail.com.

Expert Opinion

One Nation Indivisible

One vulnerability of the Jewish nation is machlokes. The colloquial translation of that word is argument or dispute although its literal etymology would translate as division. Division can refer to separation of roles, which is not always a bad thing. Division can also refer to divisiveness, which usually involves disagreement and even hostility between those who have differences. There is no doubt that among the Jewish people there is room for machlokes of the “different roles” sort. In fact, in Divrei HaYamim, the term is used repeatedly in defining the different roles taken by those who served in the Bais HaMikdash. Similarly, our Sages have defined the forms of machlokes which are constructive, in contrast with those which are destructive (see Avos 5:17). But our vulnerability is when we disperse into factions which splinter and fragment us from one another. That dreaded machlokes also splinters us from a sacred sense of being close to HaShem.

A valuable insight from the Gaza war has been the power, and the importance, of achdus. When the avoidable differences and the divisive disagreements have been

set aside in favor of collaboration and of cohesiveness, our nation feels a return of that closeness and a resultant sense that we are closer to the ideals of the Above. This is the achdus that has been talked about and promoted. Our vulnerability heals in large part when we work together and live together with goals which are pure and wholesome. War can sometimes bring into focus the risks of remaining fragmented as a people, and can generate a revival of that spirit of achdus. The challenge however is in understanding how to preserve that blessed state.

Let’s look at some of the psychological studies of resolving social conflict and glean from them some insights into how our own hashkafa - our spiritual worldview - holds a richness which we might appreciate. Societal rifts can be changed when there are massive movements within society to bring about change. This also requires the committed participation of every individual. We can stress and emphasize the macrocosmic value of achdus yet it is imperative that each individual engages in personal change at the “micro” level if achdus is to be achieved and maintained.

Achdus involves attitude, perception, cognitive clarity and emotional arousal. Let’s examine each aspect. For an individual to join in the achdus and take a role in promoting cohesiveness requires attitude adjustment. This begins with accepting the premise that Jews matter to me, and that my behavior reflects caring for my people. Achdus requires a shift in perception, which means closing the critical eye on other Jews, not picking out the details which annoy me in the other person but rather, training myself to perceive him or her favorably, not judgmentally. This is part of the tov ayin and ayin tova values emphasized in Mishlei and by our Sages.

The cognitive clarity of achdus formation involves each individual making a conscious commitment to behave according to the values which we embrace in theory but which often evade us in our day to day interactions with others. One literally must enunciate daily the values which he or she believes in, bring them into conscious focus, and must resolve to practice them. The final facet of taking one’s role in maintaining achdus is what I earlier termed emotional arousal.

When we are robotic, our battery runs out: doing things ritualistically lasts for a while but our motivation sputters when we are not emotionally engaged. Achdus includes making time to get perspective on how our nation suffers, where its pain is, arousing our own feelings and senses, and also experiencing inspiration as one feels that others care, help, and matter. It can be difficult to arouse emotions when stresses, conflict and the challenges of getting through life blanket our enthusiasm. Achdus must include the revival of our feelings.

Achdus is a lofty and essential goal for our nation, now and always. It is more than a nice word. It is more than a theoretical value. It is a state of being which is achievable and which requires the devoted efforts of each of one of us. We still have work to do as a nation, and the work begins with me and with you.

Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox is the director of Chai Lifeline Crisis and Trauma Services. For Israel crisis resources and support, visit chailifeline.org/israel or call 855-3-CRISIS.

In the Spirit of Adar

By: Chef Nir

Tap into the mazal of dagim with our two delectable salmon recipes. Revel in the festive spirit of the month by trying both dishes, or save one to be the centerpiece of your Purim seudah. May these avors bring the joy and abundance of Adar to your table!

Honey Chipotle Glazed Salmon

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 salmon lets (about 6 oz each)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1/4 cup honey

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1-2 chipotles in adobo sauce, nely chopped (adjust based on spice preference)

• 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce from the can

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tbsp whole grain dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)

• 2 tablespoons water

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F.

• Season the Salmon : Season the salmon lets with salt and pepper, then place them on a baking sheet.

• Make the Adobo Glaze:

• In a small bowl, combine the honey, olive oil, nely chopped chipotles, adobo sauce, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, kosher salt, and water. Stir well until the mixture is fully blended.

• If the glaze is too thick, you can add a li le more water to reach your desired consistency.

• Glaze the Salmon: Brush the salmon generously with the adobo honey glaze, saving some for basting during cooking.

• Bake: Bake the salmon as previously directed, basting halfway through with the remaining glaze.

• Broil (Optional): If desired, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a caramelized nish.

CHEF NIR’S NOTES/TIPS:

Adjusting Spice Levels: Chipotles in adobo sauce can be quite spicy. Start with one chipotle and adjust according to your taste preference. You can always add more if you desire a spicier glaze.

Blending for Smoothness: If you prefer a smoother glaze, you can blend the mixture using a blender or food processor to break down the chipotle peppers and integrate them fully into the sauce.

Garlic Lemon Salmon with Mediterranean Salsa

INGREDIENTS:

For the Salmon

• (4) 6-8 ounce salmon llets (center cut)

• Fresh oregano (fresh is essential)

• Fresh garlic

• Olive oil

• Lemon juice

• Salt and pepper

For the Salsa

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes

• 1/4 cup green pi ed seasoned olives

• 1/4 cup pi ed Kalamata olives (sliced, if preferred)

• 1/2 cup cut hot house cucumber or Persian cucumber

• 1/4 cup Italian or at-leaf parsley

• 1 tbsp fresh basil

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

• 2 tbsp Parmigiano (parmesan)

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Salt and pepper (freshly cracked)

INSTRUCTIONS:

For the Salmon

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Line a baking tray with parchment paper or use a nonstick baking pan. Place the salmon llets on the tray.

• Season each side evenly with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.

• Evenly sprinkle oregano, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice over the llets. Mix together so the salmon llets are well coated.

• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon reaches your preferred level of doneness. The salmon should be aky and rm.

For the Salsa

• While the salmon is baking, prepare the salsa. It's quick and easy to make.

• Slice the cherry tomatoes in half or quarters, depending on their size, and place them in a bowl.

• Add the green and Kalamata olives, cucumbers, parsley, basil, feta cheese, and Parmigiano cheese.

• Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season to taste with kosher or sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

• Mix together and set aside to top the salmon with.

FOR A SPICY TWIST

If you love spicy food, consider adding ¼ or ½ of a jalapeño or Serrano pepper to the salsa. Start with tiny amounts to avoid overpowering the fresh taste of the salsa ingredients. You're aiming for just a li le kick. Another option is to add a pinch of cayenne pepper, adjusting to taste.

Dear Dini,

I have a situation where I find myself caught between my old way of doing things and what I’m being told is acceptable these days. I have 7 children, 6 of them are done with school and now my youngest daughter is in 8th grade. She says she doesn’t want to go to the high school I wanted her to go to. The school she wants to go to isn’t a bad choice, it’s just not the one that my other girls went to. To add to that, I know the staff and principal at the “old” school, and I know the Hashkafa as well, while I don’t know these details at the school of her choice. For this and many other reasons, I am skeptical about the one she wants to go to.

Does a 13-year-old get to choose where she goes or do her parents? My older self says it is her parents, but with all the new age talk about how we shouldn’t mess up our kids, I’m wondering if going to another school is the way to go? Help! We need to make a decision!

Searching for Schools

Dearest Dire for a Decision (I renamed you!),

I’m hoping that my words here will help both you and your daughter.

As in the past, I want to give the disclaimer that this is not only my opinion, but my words are supported by many years of coaching training. I point that out because the training can never keep up with the demands of raising children, let alone daughters! I will attempt to give you what I believe is a solid solution.

Let’s begin with “your old way of doing things.”

You didn’t mention it, but I will assume that your “old way” served you and your children quite well up until this point. Your choices for where your children went to school worked and therefore should be left at that. At the same time, because it worked, you never thought to question your decisions. You knew the school and your children fell in line, all wrapped up in a pretty package. Then, as it always is, there is that one child who comes to challenge the very stable momentum you have going on. And when that happens a parent begins to question themselves. So let’s begin with taking that out of the equation right away!

The challenge is your daughter’s vision, not yours. And let’s stick with that. Her eyes see things differently. Perhaps she thinks outside the box, perhaps she likes the girls going there. Or maybe she doesn’t want to follow suit of her older siblings, be-

cause who says that’s cool? No one ever.

Let’s take this decision into the room of what makes sense for her, for her development and her growth. In order to do that, you will need to orient yourself with the ins and outs of this school. It may not be what you want to do, but just by going to look, see, and learn, you are not in any way committing to it. You also may want to stop into the school you sent your other daughters to and see if this school (as much as you did know it) is still the same institution you want this daughter to go to.

The old ways versus the new ways look something like this. Maybe years ago, you would have never gone to see that other school. Maybe years ago, it would have been a definite “No way and don’t even bring it up again.”

And today it looks something like, “I will go and check out the school, and I’ll let you know what your parents decide.”

When it comes to making any decision, it’s always important to see the pros and cons on both sides. You can ask your daughter to make her own list, so you can see for yourself where her head is. I always always advise my clients to follow their gut, as the gut never lies. We fight it, argue with it, pretend that it’s not telling us something when it is, but it’s the gut that wins every time. So after all the lists from you and your daughter, sit back, close your eyes, and listen to what your gut is telling you.

Your daughter is 13-years-old, where science tells us her frontal lobe is not yet

developed, and that making huge life decisions should NOT be left in their hands. You are her parent! And as I said before on this platform, she needs you to parent her. Is the decision yours? 100% it is. This decision is one that should be made with educating yourself on who your daughter is today, where you see and want her to grow, and which institution will enhance and bring her to that goal. Maybe that’s the “new way” where we take a moment to pause and understand the whole picture. Don’t worry about messing up your children, because if you’re doing this with a full scope of what it’s all about, then you did your best. As I always tell my own children, I did the best I could with what I knew and had.

There are many people reading this that may add in the approach of asking Daas Torah, and they would be correct. After you have all the information, I would suggest you ask Daas Torah. If you’re afraid that you will get an answer that you may not want to hear, you can preface to the Rav, that you’re not asking Psak Halacha, rather guidance and opinion. When it

came to crucial points in my own children’s chinuch, my husband and I spoke to Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky. I can say with certainty it actually gave us a lot of clarity, and in our situation, it aligned with my gut. (I told you the gut is powerful!)

Sometimes our comfort zone has an expiration date and sometimes the comfort zone is the right destination. This time with this child, it may take some extra tending to while you gather the information and make this decision to figure out which one it is for you and your precious daughter.

Adina (Dini) Gres is a wife, mother of 4 adult daughters, business owner, writer, speaker, and certified life coach. Through her role as owner of Financial Concierge LLC and coach for personal and financial clients, Adina recognizes that trying to get ahead without managing a healthy mentality is the primary reason blocking individuals from success. When working with her clients, Dini helps them understand how they themselves can change the narrative of their lives. You can hear more from Adina by listening to her podcast titled “Things I think you should know.” Adina also shares on her Instagram page @ financialconcierge.

For submissions to the “Dear Dini” column, please send your questions to editor@thelajewishhome.com

CAPTION THE CARTOON CAPTION THE CARTOON CONTEST! CONTEST!

This cartoon is in need of a caption.

Please submit your caption to editor@thelajewishhome.com before March 10, 10:00 PM.

Disclamier: All internet and AI generated submissions will be disqualified.

HEADS UP! HEADS UP!

With Purim around the corner, we're publishing two bonus holiday issues. This means we're shifting to a weekly schedule instead of our usual biweekly one. Make sure to take note of the earlier deadlines and submit your captions on time!

FEBRUARY 29 ISSUE FEBRUARY 29 ISSUE

This may sound cheesy, but I feel like a rat in a maze.

- Ariel Friedman

Dr. Shnazola, I think I see the problem. They think the maze is a rat race; they're looking for cubicles instead of the exit.

- Elliot Pines

It's a-MAZE-ng how well rats can sum up the twists and turns of human life.

-

Eliana Baalhaness

Looks like it took Noodnik fifty-two seconds to remember that he had fleishigs for lunch.

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Linda Adatto

Man: Rats! I’m never going to get out of here!

Rat: Mark that one down, Herman.

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Moshe Frankel

TOP FIVE! TOP FIVE! RAFFLE WINNER: RAFFLE WINNER:

Please email editor@thelajewishhome.com to redeem your prize

Due to current limitations with our WhatsApp voting chat, we will be selecting the winner rather than opening it up to a community vote. But hang tight, our new website is in the works!

Once it's up and running, we'll bring back your chance to vote. The best is yet to come!

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