May 9, 2024

Cover Photo (Getty Images)

Dear Readers, CONTENTS

On Pesach, we are commanded to remember how our enemies wanted to destroy us and we were saved. I’m not comparing our times today to when Bnei Ysiroel was oppressed in Egypt or Gd forbid to the times of the Holocaust. But now, for us living today, we can understand, if just a little, of how such oppression can begin.

We are living in trying times. Honestly sometimes the world feels like it’s going to end. I’m still at a loss on how to reconcile what happened on October 7th. The pain is still thick and heavy. It’s not in the past. We are threatened physically in Israel, we are threatened in America both physically and spiritually, and Judeo-Christian values are threatened globally. I started saying in 2020 that the pandemic wasn’t just Covid, it was a loss of common sense. Today, it’s evolved into a loss of common sense, decency, morality, you name it…

What’s left? I don’t know what to grab on to. The future seems bleak. I have emunah, I trust in Hashem, and I know this is all meant to be, where one day it might all be revealed to us why and how this had to happen. But today… today I’m grasping for straws. I can only hold onto the one. One individual. It’s one person at a time who will save us (with Hashem’s help).

It’s the Jewish university student who tells their story of discrimination publicly. It’s the person who goes to clean up the encampments’ aftermath at UCLA. It’s

Israel’s Representative Gilad Erdan mincing no words in front of the UN General Assembly. It’s the non-Jew wearing the hostage dog tag necklaces in public. It’s the mother inviting people to her Seder to learn about Judaism. It’s the father inviting someone into shul and teaching them to daven. It’s the Chabad teenage boys on the corner putting tefillin on strangers. It’s the group of women saying Tehillim and the avreichim learning in Kollel day and night for the hostages to be released. It’s the people who attend a stranger’s funeral to show that their life mattered. It’s the lone soldier who left his family to protect his people.

In this week’s Parshas Kedoshim, we are told to be holy, by separating ourselves from the other nations. Hashem gave us clear instructions on how to behave, how to be different, and how to go against the crowd. We have to leave behind a part of our fields for the poor, keep kosher laws (some of which make no sense), never lie, be honest in business even if we lose money, don’t bear a grudge or take revenge, and love every Jew. Don’t follow the flock. Stand out & be different. Stand up and make a difference. Be that one individual who instills just a tiny ray of hope when the world seems so dark.

Wishing you an enlightening Shabbos,

Ariela

SHABBOS ZEMANIM

Friday, May 10

Parshas Kedoshim

Shabbos Begins: 7:26 pm

Shabbos Ends: 8:27 pm

Rabbeinu Tam: 8:58 pm Yoel Halpern PUBLISHER publisher@thelajewishhome.com

Ariela Kauffman MANAGING EDITOR editor@thelajewishhome.com

Avi Heyman

Fourth Grade Students at Cheder Menachem Los Angeles Host Purim Carnival to Support Maos Chitim

In a heartwarming display of community, spirit, and generosity, the fourth-grade students of Rabbi Frankel, Rabbi Wilshanski, and Rabbi Gordon at Cheder Menachem organized a Purim carnival for the Cheder Talmidim. This initiative aimed to raise funds to assist families in covering their Pessach expenses.

The students’ efforts culminated in a successful event, combining the proceeds from the carnival with donations collected through pushkas distributed and collected by the talmidim. In total, an impressive sum of $1300 was raised.

“This act of kindness not only reflects the values instilled within the students at Cheder Menachem Los Angeles,” said Rabbi Dovid Blasberg, the elementary principal at Cheder, “but it also demonstrates their commitment to making a positive

difference in the lives of others, as the Rebbe instilled in his chasidim.”

The money was handed over by the students and staff to Los Angeles Rov, Rabbi Yisroel Noach Raichik, for distribution for Pesach needs in the community.

Pre-Pesach Preparations in Los Angeles

This year, thanks to Councilmember Katy Yarosalvsky a special trash pick up was arranged for the Pico Robertson, Beverly LaBrea, and the Valley Village neighborhoods. For the first time, no fee or prior enrollment was required. Councilmember Yarosalvsky also arranged for the annual Chometz burning event sponsored by Anshe Emes, Beth Jacob, and YICC. This included special permits, police and fire officials, and other logistics.

]Councilmember Yarosalvsky, Rabbi Yitzchok Summers of Anshe Emes, Nathaniel Isaacs and other members of the community

Kinderlach Fundraiser

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur Requests Federal Civil Rights Investigation of UCLA

Assembly Democratic Caucus

Chair Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) sent a formal letter to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights this week requesting an immediate investigation into potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Assemblymember Zbur also urges the UC Board of Regents to initiate an independent investigation into the University’s failure to provide adequate security to protect students’ safety, including the delayed law enforcement response to a violent attack last Tuesday night against the students participating in the encampment, the failure to provide adequate security at a permitted on-campus event on Sunday, at which anti-Israel protesters impeded access to the site and participation in the event, and the repeated failure of security to intervene in cases of harassment, intimidation, and assault of Jewish students.

“I am alarmed and extraordinarily disappointed that the University allowed the situation to deteriorate with seemingly little regard for Jewish and Israeli-American students’ personal safety and their civil rights as enrolled students,” wrote Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. “These incidents are well-documented, and UCLA’s administration has acknowledged their awareness of the incidents. Still, they have refused to take sufficient action to protect students’ civil rights under Title VI. Following numerous failures to protect its Jewish and Israeli-American students, the University subsequently failed to protect students in the encampment from an attack on Tuesday night.”

“On all accounts, UCLA has failed to uphold its most important responsibility, which is to protect the safety, well-being, and civil rights of all of its students. Freedom of speech and freedom to peacefully

protest are fundamental pillars of our democracy — but violence, harassment, and intimidation are not speech and have no place on campus or anywhere. I urge the U.S. Department of Education and the UC Regents to conduct investigations into the University’s failure and hold those responsible accountable. This can never be allowed to happen again,” added Zbur.

In the letter, Assemblymember Zbur reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the First Amendment rights of all students to exercise free speech, to peacefully assemble, and to protest. The letter also identifies mounting evidence of potential viola-

tions of Jewish students’ civil rights, including but not limited to: Demonstrators at UCLA maintaining checkpoints throughout campus with signs such as “Zionists not welcome;” and a Jewish student refused access to the main entrance of Powell Library because he self-identified as a Zionist; and a Jewish student was assaulted by more than a dozen demonstrators, with no intervention from UCLA’s private security present during the assault.

On Thursday April 25th, MASH Gallery in Los Angeles hosted “Women of Valor: In the Land of Milk and Honey,” a charity fundraising event in collaboration with the Iranian Jewish Women’s Organization: Next Generation. The night aimed to raise money and awareness for Israeli women’s mental health in the aftermath of the October 7th attack. The sold out event showcased art by female Jewish artists, including MASH Gallery owner and artist, Haleh Mashian.

Mashian debuted “Journey of Resilience,” a multi-media art piece on oversized canvas composed of many tears to capture the pain and resilience of the Jewish people. The piece was created to portray a message of hope and sorrow, illustrating the coexistence of light and darkness amidst adversity. Each tear tells a story and sheds light on the profound impact of the atrocities that unfolded that day. “As an Iranian Jewish Artist, I’m proud to have been able to provide a platform to give back to my people and bring healing and unity to my city via my art,” says Mashian.

Dirshu Launches Hilchas Shabbos Initiative

Klal Yisrael needs shemirah… desperately! Jews the world over are surrounded by enemies who seek nothing less than our destruction. Even our “friends” have proven untrustworthy at best. In these times of increased challenges, Dirshu stands committed to fortifying our community through the power of Torah and the Shemiras Shabbos.

This June 9, Dirshu invites Klal Yisrael to a landmark event at the Prudential Center, launching thier new cycle of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha focused on Hilchos Shabbos. The “Kinnus Olam HaTorah, Kabbolas Shabbos Event” will mark the haschala of hilchos Shabbos in the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program. Leading Gedolei Yisrael will address the maamad of chizuk and tefillah and most importantly, encourage the undertaking of a kabbalah to learn and upgrade our hilchos Shabbos.

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Haleh Mashian pictured in front of her art piece “Journey of Resilience.” The piece is for sale and Mashian has plans to donate the funds to contribute to the cause.

Journalist Brian Fishbach pictured with actresses Amanda Markowitz and Katie Walker.

Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles An Ecosystem of Kindness In Your Own Backyard

Ariela Kauffman

Within an hour and a half, my group of 67 Cedars Sinai employees and 15 guests made 600 fresh meals and 1,000 chocolate chip cookies at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles last month. From the freshest ingredients (including raw chicken and vegetables), we chopped, cut, skewered, glazed, and cooked those meals with love and joy. Each of those meals fed an individual who may have had only one fresh hot meal that week.

OBKLA provides meals to those experiencing food insecurity either directly or by partnering with other organizations around Los Angeles that support those in need. Volunteers help pack the meals for the community, done with a lot of kavod, love, and joy. These restaurant-quality meals are curated by chefs, including a Michelin star chef. Far from repurposed food, meals consist of only the highest standards of ingredients and Kashrus. These high quality Kosher meals are packaged carefully, delicately and beautifully.

Many of you reading this already know that OBKLA is a great place to volunteer with your family to do chesed, host an event for your shul, a place to go for a Bas Mitzvah project, or even meet others at a singles’ event. Not only have I volunteered with my young children to pack the food (what child doesn’t love scooping chocolate chip cookie dough!), but as I’ve mentioned above, I joined a corporate event with Cedars Sinai to do the same.

But what you may not realize is how those meals impact our community or where the meals are going. These meals, lovingly packed by you, serve the LA Jewish population, possibly those sitting next to you in shul. OBKLA will cook and distribute about 100,000 meals this year, and 80% of those meals go to the Jewish community- “That’s

80,000 meals packed with the highest level of Kosher ingredients going to our own Acheinu Bnei Yisroel,” says Yossi Segelman, OBKLA’s Executive Director. These families now have to worry less by knowing they are having not only a fresh meal, but one prepared beautifully with love and care.

What sets OBKLA apart from other food pantries or soup kitchens is its value of connection, building community through interconnectedness and relationships.

Of those meals directly feeding the Jewish community, 20% of them go to Tomchei Shabbos and another 15% to Aaron’s pantry in Northridge. These meals are distributed by these organizations to fellow Jews most in need of the fresh meal, and also of social services that these organizations provide. OBKLA assists these other organizations by providing the freshly cooked meal, so that the organization can focus on utilizing their resources to provide their other services directly to their clients. OBKLA serves as a complement to 38 other community charities and organizations so that they can better serve their population. OBKLA enables these organizations to continue to serve their constituents, which also frees up some of their resources to continue to do their work. Yossi Segelman proudly states that “No one ever pays for a meal. We enable the organization to do more because we are providing the meals, so these nonprofits can better focus on their core efforts.”

You may already be familiar with many of these organizations, such as Tomchei Shabbos, Sharsheret, Kol Yisroel soup kitchen on Pico (who serves 100 people each week), Jewish womens’ shelter for domestic violence, Aaron’s Pantry, Bikur Cholim of South Bay, West Hollywood Russian Jewish community center, Shabbat Kits, Global Kindness, Senior organizations such

as Wisdom Circle & Mercy Housing, and Stand By Me (for those going through cancer treatments). A total of 1393 individuals receive a freshly cooked meal per week through OBKLA’s output.

OBKLA’S logo is that of puzzle pieces, incorporating their four basic missions of meals, unity, love, and community. Puzzle pieces are the perfect description of the dynamics of OBKLA, because everyone is a part of the puzzle, of the ecosystem, of the cycle involved with the OBKLA process.

Let me provide an example, which I found to be very meaningful and heartwarming, of how everyone is interconnected.

Each Tuesday, a volunteer who is a retired judge, drives the OBKLA refrigerated van, packed with freshly cooked meals, to the Aaron’s Pantry in the valley, run out of the Chabad of Northridge. Volunteers from Chabad then distribute the meals to those in need in the valley area. Some of these recipients are those participating with ETTA in North Hollywood. ETTA participants also take some of the meals and distribute them to seniors living in senior communities, who don’t often have more than 2 fresh meals per week. This ripple effect of kindness allows many participants to be involved, but most importantly the recipient can also become the giver. It brings everyone together, fulfilling OBKLA’s missions of unity, love, meals, and community. Each person has a role or multiple roles, and it all fits together like a puzzle. The way in which OBKLA delivers meals to the community provides dignity and the capacity to be a part of the cycle.

OBKLA is running a crowdfunding campaign on May 20-22.

CHARIDY.COM/OBKLA

“Relying on OBKLA for fresh, wholesome cooked meals is truly a lifesaver, especially during financially tight months when EBT doesn’t cover all expenses amidst the rising cost of kosher food in LA. Ensuring I have access to quality, healthy food is essential for both my well-being and productivity, especially when balancing multiple jobs. Knowing OBKLA consistently provides ready-to-eat kosher meals alleviates the stress of scrambling for alternatives or even skipping meals altogether, which unfortunately has happened in the past due to time constraints. Additionally, the ability to reciprocate by volunteering and anonymously giving back further strengthens the sense of community and diminishes any stigma associated with needing assistance. It’s a harmonious cycle of giving and receiving that not only nourishes my body but also feeds my spirit, making me grateful for the invaluable support OBKLA provides.”

- A single mom, who has been receiving meals each week from our charity partner, came to volunteer because she wanted to give back

Psycho-Spiritual Insights: Exploring Parsha and Psychology

Self-Actualizing Holiness

In Parshat Kedoshim we encounter a profound commandment, which has reverberating impact throughout all our daily lives. The passuk states “kedoshim tihyu ki kadosh ani – you shall be holy, for I am holy (Leviticus 19:3).”

The word Kedoshim has the Hebrew root word kadosh – usually translated as “holy.” However, the word has a more appropriate definition, described by Rashi, of separation or setting apart from immortality. The Torah provides us a guide towards the psychological concept of self-actualization. This directive encapsulates a fundamental aspiration of Jewish life — the pursuit of holiness by setting ourselves apart from things that lead to impurity.

Self-actualization, a term popularized by psychologist Abraham Maslow, refers to the realization of one’s talents, potential, and fulfillment of one’s purpose. Maslow proposed that individuals have a hierarchy of needs, represented as a pyramid. At the base are physiological needs like food and shelter, followed by safety needs, then belongingness and love needs, esteem needs,

and finally, self-actualization needs at the top. According to Maslow, self-actualization represents the realization of one’s potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth, and peak experiences. This concept implies that once basic needs are met, individuals naturally strive for higher levels of fulfillment and self-realization. This psychological concept finds resonance within the Torah’s directive of holiness through separation. The Torah doesn’t simply command adherence to a set of rules but rather beckons individuals to aspire towards a higher state of being, a state of holiness.

The Rambam writes that this concept of separation to create holiness is not specific to any particular category of mitzvot, but rather a guide that all of one’s life should follow in the view of separating ourselves from overindulgence in the pursuit of self-actualizing. The Rambam teaches us that we must keep our morals and moderation in pursuit of all aspects of life. The Gemarah in Yevamot 20a tells us to ‘sanctify ourselves in what is permitted to us’ and transcend the material realm, aligning with the true values

Shalom Bayit

The Ecosystem

They became religious, came from intact families, bought a nice house on the hill… So why did they get divorced shortly after the marriage?

When God implores the Jews “Be holy“ in םישודק He uses a plu- , ral verb. However, in other instances, when God issues commands he uses singular verbs… to keep the Sabbath or give charity, for example. Why is “Be Holy” in plural form?

The plural mandates that you live in a community of holy people. The Jewish experience is a communal one: we need each other to pray, we need a mohel, a butcher, etc. Our ecosystem is our reality.

This couple got divorced because every Sabbath the husband

would desert his wife on the hill. All by herself, bereft of a community that she feels she belongs to – his wife started resenting him and the Sabbath. There must have been other issues – healthy couples talk things out. Choose a holy environment for Shalom Bayit.

of the Torah. With each choice we make, whether it’s foods to eat, words to speak, or actions to take, we are provided opportunities to self-actualize holiness in our lives.

Parshat Kedoshim’s call to holiness resonates deeply with the psychological concept of self-actualization. By urging individuals to strive towards spiritual and moral excellence, the Torah encourages them to embark on a journey of inner transformation, authentic living, communal engagement, and continuous growth. In embracing this journey, individuals not only fulfill their own potential but also contribute to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. As we engage with Parshat Kedoshim and its timeless teachings, may we heed the call to pursue holiness, recognizing it as the pathway to genuine fulfillment and self-actualization.

Tips for mental and spiritual self-actualization:

1. Simplify Your Life: Evaluate your possessions and commitments regularly, prioritizing those that truly contribute to your well-being and growth. Letting go of excess material clutter and unnecessary obligations creates space for deeper introspection and connection to what truly matters.

2. Engage in Self-Reflection: Set aside time regularly to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Journaling, contemplation, or talking with a trusted friend or mentor can help you gain insights into yourself, your values, and your purpose.

3. Nurture Your Curiosity: Stay open to learning and exploring through consistent inquisitiveness. Embrace uncertainty as an opportunity for discovery rather than a source of fear.

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 three children and can be reached at Elan. Javanfard@gmail.com.

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.

Sefiras Ha’omer: Achieving the Impossible

Imagine a teenager lying on a grassy field, gazing into the night sky. As he stares up at the stars, he thinks to himself, “Look at how enormous the universe is. The sky just expands endlessly... It must go on forever.” After sitting with that thought for a few moments, he becomes uncomfortable. “How can anything go on forever? Everything must stop eventually.” But after a few moments of relaxation, his thoughts intrude again. “But how can the universe stop? What exists on the other side when the universe ends? It must go on forever...” And this inner dialogue continues as he struggles to contemplate the infinite within his finite mind. This struggle is not a childish one; it is a challenge that confronts any finite being who tries to connect to the infinite.

Younger children, however, do not face this struggle. They are dreamers, living in a world of fantasy where anything is possible. Just ask a group of children what they want to be when they grow up, and you’ll get some of the most fantastic, unrealistic responses imaginable. “I’m going to be an astronaut fireman so that I can save people on the moon,” or “I’m going to become a great tzaddik and learn how to speak every language so that I can teach Torah to everyone.” Children live within the infinite, the realm of endless possibility. However, as we grow up, we begin to experience the struggle of reality, where our notions of the infinite start being challenged. We then face the question: How do we, as physical and limited beings, transcend our finite dimensions? How do we relate to the abstract, to the infinite, to the spiritual? Let us approach this question through the lens of sefiras ha’omer, the counting of the omer.

Sefiras Ha’omer: Our Yearly Counting

We are commanded to count the days between Pesach and Shavuos, a period known as sefiras ha’omer (Vayikra 23:15–16; Devarim 16:9). At first glance, this can be understood on a very simple level: As we approach Shavuos, we excitedly countdown to Matan Torah as we anticipate our acceptance of the Torah. This can be compared to a countdown toward a wedding, a vacation, or some other exciting event. However, there is a feature of the sefiras ha’omer count that is markedly different: Rather than counting down to-

ward the destination, Shavuos, we count up from the starting point, Pesach. We don’t mark how many days remain until Shavuos; we count how many days have elapsed since Pesach. What is the meaning behind this strange method of counting? And more generally, what is the purpose of counting in the first place? By no other holidays do we count the days between them; we don’t count the days between Sukkos and Chanukah. Why then do we specifically count the days between Pesach and Shavuos?

Building, Not Counting

In truth, we are not counting down to Matan Torah, but rather are building toward it, ascending one day at a time. We do not wait for Shavuos to arrive; we actively bring it ourselves through the time and effort we invest as we count the omer. If Shavuos — and its accompanying Matan Torah — are a skyscraper, each day of the omer is a brick. Each day we place the next brick in our building, and each day we build ourselves one step higher. The extensive halachic emphasis on counting each and every day of the omer highlights the fact that every single brick is essential and that every single day is fundamental (Tosafos, Menachos 66a). If while building

a staircase you miss one step, you simply cannot build the next step up. Each step requires a foundation to rest on. The same is true of counting the omer. Each day builds upon the previous ones, ascending toward our ultimate destination. Matan Torah does not come after forty-nine days, it comes because of them, built by our effort and investment during sefiras ha’omer. This is why we count up. We are not counting down to Matan Torah; we are building up toward it, one day at a time.

Time-Bound Mitzvah?

This elucidation of sefiras ha’omer sheds light on the Ramban’s enigmatic approach to the counting of the omer. He maintains that women are obligated to count the omer because it is not a mitzvas aseih she’ha’zman grama — a time-bound commandment. How are we to understand this? Sefiras ha’omer, the counting of each specific day between Pesach and Shavuos, seems to be the epitome of a timebound mitzvah!

However, a deeper understanding of sefiras ha’omer clarifies the Ramban’s opinion. In general, a time-bound mitzvah is an opportunity to tap into a certain power of time that exists at that moment. On Pesach, when we eat matzoh, we tap into the power of freedom, a pre-existing reali-

ty. This same principle applies to all timebound mitzvos. For sefiras ha’omer, however, we don’t tap into a pre-existing time; we create time. When we count the omer, we do not tap into the reality of the omer, we create it. Time does not create the omer; we do. This is why there is no specific date mentioned for Shavuos in the Torah. Shavuos — and Matan Torah — are not tied to a specific day (the sixth of Sivan); it is the result of the forty-nine days that we count. The fiftieth day, the day of Shavuos and Matan Torah, emerges from the forty-nine days of counting. We bring it into existence. This is why the holiday of Shavuos literally means “weeks” — the seven weeks that we count create the holiday of Shavuos. (Shavuos also shares the same root as the word sheva (seven), reflecting the seven weeks that create the chag of Shavuos.)

Connecting to the Infinite

Just like the teenager in the introductory story, we all struggle to connect with the infinite; to see the spiritual within the physical; to find genuine meaning and purpose in an often turbulent and chaotic world. It can feel overwhelming — if not impossible — to build a skyscraper; the task is quite daunting. However, the key is to have the ultimate goal in the back of our minds while we focus on each individual day, trying our best to place each individual brick perfectly while we build toward our ultimate destination. Each day of the omer is a new brick — a new part of our journey toward Matan Torah, toward the infinite, and toward marrying Hashem. May we be inspired to create something magical as we build toward Matan Torah, one day at a time.

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the CEO of Self-Mastery Academy. He is also a business, executive, and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values and principles. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School, and then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. To enjoy more of Rabbi Reichman’s content, to contact him, or to learn more about his services, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com

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Join Dirshu's momentous gathering at the Prudential Center during the

a once-in-a-lifetime experience to prepare for

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FYI: Bread from Around the World

Pão de queijo – Brazil

Pão de queijo, or Brazilian cheese bread, is a small, baked cheese roll, a popular snack and breakfast food in Brazil. Made from cassava flour and cheese, they are delightfully chewy, fluffy, and naturally gluten-free. Pão de queijo originated from African slaves who worked in the plantations of Minas Gerais. The slaves would soak and peel the cassava root and make bread from it. Over time, cheese was added to the mix, resulting in the delicious snack enjoyed today.

Aaah! Fresh bread after Pesach… There’s nothing quite like it. Each culture has its own unique take on this culinary basic. Here’s a tour of some of the most iconic breads from across the globe.

Baguettes – France

The baguette, a symbol of French culture, is known for its long, thin shape and crispy crust. Legend has it that the baguette was developed during the Napoleonic Wars because its shape made it easy for soldiers to carry. Today, the French take their baguettes seriously; laws define their dough ingredients and methods of fermentation. French bakers often compete in annual contests, like the prestigious Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris, where judges assess hundreds of baguettes on criteria such as taste, crust, crumb, and aroma. Winning not only brings prestige but also the honor of supplying baguettes to the French presidential palace for a year.

Ciabatta – Italy

Ciabatta, which literally means "slipper" in Italian, refers to the bread's flat, elongated shape that somewhat resembles a floppy shoe. It originated in the 1980s as a response to the popular French baguettes and has a moist, porous texture, perfect for absorbing olive oil. Ciabatta is made from a wet dough, which creates its characteristic large holes and chewy crumb. It’s a favorite base for panini, an Italian grilled sandwich.

Naan – India

Naan is a soft, pillowy flatbread found in Indian cuisine. Traditionally baked in a clay oven called a tandoor, the dough is typically slapped onto the sides of the oven, where it cooks very quickly due to the high temperatures. The parts of the dough that are in direct contact with the heated clay surface receive more intense heat, leading to the characteristic slight charring. It often contains ingredients like yogurt or milk, making it tender and rich in flavor. A popular variant is garlic naan, studded with garlic and herbs.

Lavash – Armenia

Lavash, a soft, thin flatbread, is often associated with Persian cuisine. Anyone who has sampled Persian BBQ food can tell you how delicious the combination of tender bread with smoky, charred kabobs is. However, it's important to note that lavash actually originates from Armenia. Historically, it symbolizes life and wisdom in Armenian culture. Lavash can be enjoyed with both sweet and savory dishes. It is often rolled with herbs or cheese or used as the base for wraps. It can be dried into a cracker-like bread that keeps for months

Pai bao – Hong Kong

Pai bao, or Hong Kong-style buns, are known for their soft, fluffy texture and slightly sweet taste. They often contain ingredients like coconut or custard. These buns are a common sight in Hong Kong's bustling bakeries and a favorite for breakfast or tea time.

Injera – Ethiopia

Injera is not just a type of bread—it's a utensil in Ethiopian and Eritrean cultures. Made from teff flour, which is gluten-free, injera has a spongy texture and a slightly sour taste due to its fermentation process. It is used as a plate and a spoon, with other dishes being piled on top of it, and pieces torn off to scoop up mouthfuls of the meal.

Soda Bread – Ireland

Soda bread is a quick bread traditionally made in Ireland. Its simplicity and economy of ingredients made it popular; it uses baking soda instead of yeast as a leavening agent. Ingredients typically include just flour, baking soda, buttermilk, and salt. The lactic acid in buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to form tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide, giving the bread its rise. Soda bread is often served with butter, smoked salmon, or thick stews.

How the Bread Machine Won My Heart Kneading Change

Let's be real. For many years, I saw bread machines as the epitome of unnecessary kitchen gadgets. You know, those appliances that seem promising when you buy them but end up collecting dust next to the fondue set you never used.

Why did I think this? I remember going to friends’ houses and seeing bread machines sitting on the kitchen counter collecting dust, only used once or twice and then forgotten.

Then don’t even get me started on how many bread machines you can find at yard sales and second-hand shops! That just solidified my case against them.

So, when my husband gifted me one for my birthday a couple of years ago, I plastered on my best "Oh, honey, you shouldn’t have—no, really, you shouldn’t have" smile, while thinking “How am I going to get rid of this useless thing without hurting his feelings?”

Let me give you some background. My name is Rivka. I’m a mother of three ram-

bunctious boys (five if you count my husband and the dog). My days are a whirlwind of carpools, endless errands, and the inevitable search for missing shoes and sports gear.

When it comes to the kitchen, my culinary skills are rather... theoretical. The idea of baking homemade bread? Absolutely tantalizing! But let's be honest, it seemed as out of reach as predicting the exact weather forecast for next month.

Getting a bread machine not only didn’t make me feel more hopeful but also felt like an addition to a problem I already had called “Clutter.”

There is this closet near the garage where we keep bulk Costco purchases, old empty boxes of items I might still return, and various other important objects like the manual for the dishwasher we already replaced.

I stuck the bread maker in there and promptly forgot about it.

Last year when I was cleaning for

Pesach, I found a loaf of store-bought bread sitting in its bag in the back of the pantry. It had been forgotten about for well over a month. You’d think it would be moldy and gross, but when I peeked into the bag before throwing it out I was shocked to see no mold present. Then I turned over the bag and read the ingredient list. I was appalled at all the ingredients I couldn’t pronounce and had no idea what they were. No wonder that bread didn’t mold, it was like Frankenstein’s bread! For the first time, I seriously considered the thought of baking bread.

When I finally dusted off my bread machine and put it to use, I was astounded. The process was foolproof. Dump in the ingredients, push a button or two, and voila! – I walked away, half expecting a disaster. I came back to a perfect golden loaf of bread about 3 hours later. Shocking, but true! And the house smelled like heaven while it was baking. I was hooked.

The bread machine has become a staple on our countertop since. We use it multiple times a week, and sometimes even multiple times a day.

Rivka Kavring

Reasons I'm Wholeheartedly Endorsing

Bread Machines Today:

Set It and Forget It

A bread machine takes all the guesswork out of bread-making. It mixes, kneads, rises, and bakes the loaf of bread. After the initial measuring of ingredients and adding them into the machine, there is literally nothing more to do.

Healthy Eating

The advantage to making your own bread (or own anything, for that matter) is that you get to control exactly what goes into it. You can make your bread 100% whole grain and you know that you are not adding any dough conditioners or other chemicals.

Plus, I get to experiment. Whole wheat, oatmeal, nuts, seeds—you name it, we’ve tried adding it. The boys love guessing what’s in the bread, and I love that they’re eating well.

Save Some Dough!

Is using a bread machine cost-effective? If your family is like mine, Yes! We go through so much bread, typically eating almost an entire loaf between the 5 of us in one day. And if you love the fancy or healthy kind as we do, buying bread can get really expensive really fast.

Now that we use our bread maker regularly, I buy ingredients in bulk which is extremely economical.

Want to go gluten-free or vegan? Many bread machines have settings for those, making it much cheaper than buying specialty loaves from the store.

Minimal Cleaning

The beauty of a bread machine lies in its aftermath—or lack thereof. A quick rinse of the pan and you’re done. For someone who hates cleaning as much as I do, this is a clincher.

It is Doable!

To those who avoid the kitchen like it’s a room full of ghosts: I promise you can do this. Over the past year, both my 10-year-old and 13-year-old boys have baked loaves of bread all by themselves with no supervision or help. Need I say more?

A Bread Maker Might Be Right For You If:

1. You're a Bread Lover: You LOVE warm, fresh bread right from the oven.

2. Can't Bake: You don't have the time or skill to bake bread from scratch on your own.

3. Can Bake but No Time: You love from-scratch bread but your schedule has changed and you no longer have the time.

4.Control Ingredients: You want to know what's in your food and control the quality of ingredients.

5. Hungry Family: You've got people who will help you finish a loaf within 3 - 4 days or you're ok with freezing leftovers.

6. No Fuss: You like the idea of from-scratch but don't want to mess around with complicated methods or ingredients. You want bread with a push of a button.

7. Meal Planning: Bread would complement many of the meals you make. You'd love it alongside your soups and stews, crockpot meals, pasta dinners, simple sandwiches, and easy breakfasts.

The 6 Best Bread Machines of 2024

Best Overall

Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker

On Amazon for �400

What We Like:

Nearly flawless results

Heated top for even browning

Both fixed and customizable settings

What We Don't Like:

Expensive

Best Features

Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker

On Amazon for �300

What We Like:

Intuitive controls

Collapsible kneading paddle Mix-ins dispenser

What We Don't Like: Complicated to clean Loud

ACCORDING TO THE SPRUCE EATS

Best Budget

Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker

On Amazon for �102

What We Like:

Produces fluffy, evenly baked bread Multifunctional Two different loaf sizes

What We Don't Like:

Pan requires soaking to clean No custom settings

Best for Mini Loaves

Zojirushi Home

Bakery Mini Breadmaker

On Amazon for �255

What We Like:

Nearly silent Easy to use Has 8 different settings

What We Don't Like: Small loaves

Best Compact

Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker

On Amazon for �129

What We Like: Even browning and good aeration Easy to use and clean 12 programs and 3 crust settings

What We Don't Like: Can't always handle a 2-pound loaf Outside of machine gets hot

Best for Gluten-Free Bread

APPROVED MINIMAL MONEY OUT OF POCKET COSTS

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LUXURY KOSHER DINING

Pohl Schmitt 14-in-1 Stainless Steel Bread Maker Machine IN THE HEART OF TH E HANCOCK PARK COMMUNITY

On Amazon for �85

What We Like: Great gluten-free bread Quiet Inexpensive

What We Don't Like: Difficult to use

Didn't make great white or banana bread

Stories to Inspire

The Courage Within: A Father’s Lasting Influence

Every year, I’m blessed with the incredible opportunity to journey to Israel alongside 200 men. It’s a pilgrimage that fills my heart with anticipation and excitement, as we traverse the sacred land, immersing ourselves in its history and spirituality. But the highlight of our trip always arrives on Friday night at the Kotel, where 200 of us gather for a deeply moving davening.

There’s a palpable sense of unity as our voices rise in prayer, echoing off the ancient stones. But what truly elevates the experience is the presence of soldiers, who join us in a display of camaraderie and solidarity. In previous years, these soldiers wore their distinctive green IDF uniforms proudly, but on one occasion, they arrived in plain clothes, their identities concealed.

Disappointed by the lack of visible representation, I was offered a chance to meet the elusive commander of the covert unit instead. Approaching him tentatively, I struck up a conversation, hoping to glean some insight into his extraordinary life. What unfolded was a tale of bravery and legacy passed down from father to son.

His father’s story began in the tumultuous days before the establishment of the IDF, when he served in a defense unit tasked with safeguarding the fledgling Jewish community. During a harrowing mission, he sustained a fatal injury, an act of sacrifice that would echo through generations.

As his father’s life was slipping away, the young boy stood at his bedside, his heart heavy with fear and uncertainty. “I cannot do this, Abba,” he whispered, his voice trembling with the weight of his emotions. “I cannot do this.”

But his father’s response was firm yet gentle, a steady anchor amidst the storm of doubt. “It’s time for you to become a man,” he said, his voice soft but resolute. The boy recoiled, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Abba, I am not able to be a man,” he protested, his words choked with tears.

“His father’s expression softened, but there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes as he asked, ‘Able? You think you have to be able?’ His tone was tinged with sadness. ‘Is that what you think?’ It was a question that cut to the core of the boy’s insecurities, challenging the very foundation of his self-doubt.”

At that moment, amidst the flickering shadows of the dimly lit room, a silent understanding passed between father and son. It wasn’t about being capable or fearless – it was about finding the courage to confront one’s fears

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and embrace the challenges that lay ahead.

As his father’s steady gaze met his own, the boy felt a surge of determination wash over him. He may not have felt ready, but he knew that he had to try – for his father, for his family, and for the legacy that they carried together. And in that moment, the boy found the strength to stand tall and face the challenges that lay ahead.

The commander continued, “Do you believe anyone is truly capable of becoming the person they’re destined to be? You don’t have to possess innate abilities. You must be willing. And with willingness, you’ll discover the capability. Hashem will provide the ability.

I’m not asking if you’re able. I’m asking if you’re willing. Are you willing?

Every single day, every mission, every tour, for the rest of my life, I woke up and thought, I am not capable of this, but my father believes I am, so I am willing. That’s the essence of our existence. Our lives are defined not by moments of clarity, but by the challenges we face head-on.

It’s the heroes who persevere when life throws obstacles their way.

Take, for instance, the Holocaust survivors who arrived in this country with nothing but the weight of their past. Many would have advised them to give up. They endured unimaginable hardships, yet they persevered, building families and communities from the ashes of tragedy. We only thrive today because of their moments of heroism.

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As I listened to the commander’s tale, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration for the resilience of the human spirit. For in that moment, amidst the ancient stones of the Kotel, I witnessed the timeless bond between father and son, forged in the crucible of sacrifice and tempered by the flames of courage.

Daniel Agalar is the founder of Stories to Inspire, an organization dedicated to sharing curated inspirational stories from renowned Rabbonim. With a widely popular podcast that has surpassed 5 million downloads, Daniel’s passion for spreading positivity shines through. Join their daily Whatsapp broadcast by messaging 310-210-1205 or explore over 4,600 stories on their website at www.storiestoinspire.org. The stories can also be accessed on their hotline at 718-400-7145.

A story told over by Charlie Harary

Lou’s Views

The College Campus Crisis: A Lack In Leadership

The videos and images streaming across the news almost seem like something out of an apocalyptic film. Protests have broken out at colleges and universities across the country in connection with the Hamas-Israel War. Pro-Palestinian protesters are demanding for colleges to divest of funds from Israeli military operations. Encampments have mushroomed throughout the nation following arrests and student removals at Columbia University in New York City. They include Yale University, New York University, Harvard University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California, UCLA, and several others.

But very little attention is given by the media to the persistent discriminatory condi-

tions that Jewish college students have been forced to endure such as not being able to enter classrooms or libraries, and even going so far as being physically attacked.

A class action lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York that accuses Columbia University of violating safety protocols by allowing “extremist protesters” to intimidate Jewish students and “push them off campus” because of safety concerns. The complaint requests an emergency injunction requiring Columbia trustees to better enforce the school’s code of conduct to allow class members to complete the semester in person safely. “Indeed, despite its supposed commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Columbia has allowed a small

group of fringe demonstrators to target Jewish students and faculty with harassment, hate speech, and violence for the sole reason that they are (or appear to be) Jewish.”

Columbia’s inaction and willingness to allow for such vile conduct is antithetical to fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” according to the complaint.

“Since its formation, the encampment has been the center of round-the-clock harassment of Jewish students, who have been punched, shoved, spat upon, blocked from attending classes and moving freely about campus, and targeted by pro-terrorist hate speech,” the complaint reads in part.

In response to the accusations, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik wrote in part, “I know that many of our

Jewish students, and other students as well, have found the atmosphere intolerable in recent weeks. Many have left campus, and that is a tragedy. To those students and their families, I want to say to you clearly: You are a valued part of the Columbia community. This is your campus too. We are committed to making Columbia safe for everyone, and to ensuring that you feel welcome and valued.”

“Have found the atmosphere intolerable”? As if there is some other way for Jewish students to construe being taunted, bullied, and attacked. How about something more along the lines of, “As president of Columbia, I am outraged and offended by how protestors are mistreating and abusing Jewish students and promise to use every uni-

versity resource to put an immediate stop to it.”

She goes on to write: “While the University will not divest from Israel, the University offered to develop an expedited timeline for review of new proposals from the students by the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing, the body that considers divestment matters. The University also offered to publish a process for students to access a list of Columbia’s direct investment holdings, and to increase the frequency of updates to that list of holdings.”

Why would she even dignify such a ludicrous demand by agreeing to review proposals? How about stating, “Columbia University would never and will never engage in discussions about divestment from Israel”?

Today’s leaders are afraid to condemn that which is blatantly wrong. They either carefully tip-toe around the issues or ignore them altogether, foolishly thinking that no one will notice what they are really doing.

It took several days of violence against Jewish students until President Biden condemned it. “We need the president of the United States to speak to the issue and say

this is wrong.” House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “What’s happening on college campuses right now is wrong.” Former President Donald Trump also criticized Biden in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox

onstrators wearing black outfits and white masks arrived and tried to tear down the barricades surrounding the encampment. It took three hours until officers arrived to restore order.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom were quick to condemn the counter-demonstrators. But were they as quick to condemn the attacks on Jewish students that likely precipitated the violence?

the counter-demonstrators. But had UCLA in conjunction with law enforcement ensured the protection of the Jewish students from the outset then perhaps the whole violent outcome would have been avoided.

At Columbia University, it should not have needed to reach the point until protestors took over a school building to justify calling in the NYPD.

Enough with the indecisiveness and equivocation. University leaders and government officials need to state things clearly and firmly instead of trying to make everybody happy in the spirit of job security and self-serving interests. If you’re not up for the task, then don’t take the job.

Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair once said, “The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes.” I think he may be onto something.

News.“Biden has to do something,” he said.

“Biden is supposed to be the voice of our country, and it’s certainly not much of a voice. It’s a voice that nobody’s heard.”

Lack of strong leadership and integrity leads to anarchy. That is what ensued at UCLA when a large group of counter-dem-

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom were quick to condemn the counter-demonstrators. But were they as quick to condemn the attacks on Jewish students that likely precipitated the violence?

This is not to excuse the behavior of

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.

A Page from the 1968 Playbook?

Michael Oren

The anti-Israel protesters of 2024 are trying to emulate the demonstrations that took place in many of the same universities back in the late 1960s. But are the two movements really comparable and, if so, how? And what are the ramifications for American foreign policy toward Israel?

University, closing down the campus. Policemen try to break up the encampment and arrest more than 100 protesters but they are soon released and resume their demonstration with even greater force. Soon, other campuses–Yale, Berkeley, Michigan–follow Columbia’s example. The violence reaches a peak that summer at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago where largescale riots break out. The protests, the riots, have a major impact on American foreign policy, weakening its support for a controversial war

Readers of that opening paragraph might conclude that it describes the anti-Israel demonstrations now plaguing American campuses. But the paragraph in fact summarizes the situation fifty-six years ago during the student revolts of 1968. The rebellion began with the takeover of many buildings at Columbia University and soon spread to other campuses. The violence reached a climax that summer at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. The 2024 Democratic Convention will also be held in Chicago where the demonstrators are expected to converge.

At first glance, at least, history seems to be repeating itself. Consciously, perhaps, nostalgically, today’s protesters are taking pages straight out of the 1968 playbook. But in multiple ways, the current unrest differs fundamentally from that of the 1960s. In fact, they could not be more different.

Though spearheaded by the Students for a Democratic Society and other radical groups, the youth rebellion of the 1960s was anti-war–specifically against America’s disastrous entanglement in Vietnam. The protesters’ logo was “Make love not war,” and their ubiquitous symbol, the peace sign. Today’s protests, by contrast, are pro-war. “Globalize the intifada” and “Burn Tel Aviv to the Ground,” are their slogans and their symbols, the flags of genocidal terrorist organizations. Their glorification of the atrocities of October 7th and calls for Israel’s destruction would have been utterly alien to the activists of 1968.

Also, unlike that earlier rebellion,

which was about tolerance and love, today’s demonstrations are about racism and hatred. Chants of “Go back to Poland,” threats to murder all Zionists, and campus areas blocked off by human chains have driven many Jewish students away from their campuses. At Columbia a rabbi warned them not to return and jeopardize their safety. In total contrast, Jews figured prominently in the anti-war movement. Its leadership, including outspoken figures such as Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, and Mark Rudd, was disproportionately Jewish. Apart from a handful of virulently anti-Israel Jews, the current demonstrations are effectively judenrein.

Another basic distinction relates not to the students but rather to the faculty and administration. Stand Columbia is the name of the coffee table book about Columbia’s history, but it is difficult today to know exactly what Columbia stands for. Back in 1968, university presidents and most professors knew precisely what they stood for. Columbia’s Core Curriculum was designed to enable students to read the Declaration of Independence and understand the Founders’ genius. The university was proudly American and deeply committed to Western values. The re-

quired Contemporary Civilization course extolled that civilization’s virtues. Most of that legacy has been jettisoned by Columbia and other universities today, to be replaced by relativism, Marxism, and loathing for the United States, specifically, and the West in general. Apart from a vague devotion to free speech and campus safety, today’s administrators are incapable of mounting a serious intellectual or philosophical defense against the demonstrators’ demands to decolonize not only Palestine, but also America. They don’t have the moral wherewithal to effectively protect their Jewish students. The faculty, with few courageous exceptions, enthusiastically supports the demonstrations.

Yet, in one essential way, the protests of 1968 resemble those of 2024. The primary objective of both was, and remains, the radical alteration of American policy. Fifty-six years ago, they largely succeeded. The Vietcong and the North Vietnamese regarded the demonstrations as strategic assets capable of turning American public opinion against the war. Emboldened, the Communists launched the 1968 Tet Offensive, which further strengthened anti-war sentiment.

Today’s demonstrators also want

to change American foreign policy from pro to anti-Israel, to cut off all forms of aid to, and investment in, the Jewish state, and to support Palestinian self-determination “from the river to the sea.” Their goal is to make BDS the official policy of the United States. And their efforts have already had an impact. Thirty-seven Democratic Congress Members, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and seven senators, have already called for curtailing military supplies to Israel. The full extent of the demonstrators’ influence is expected to be reflected in the party’s platform to be drafted this summer in Chicago.

Hamas has surely drawn strength from these developments and hardened its position on a hostage-for-ceasefire deal prior to Israel’s planned incursion in Rafah. The Biden administration reportedly opposes that operation entirely. Like the North Vietnamese before them, Hamas commanders no doubt regard the campus demonstrations as a strategic asset. Praising the “students and members of faculty for their opposition to the collective extermination carried out by the Zionists, the new Nazis, against our Palestinian people,” Hamas political bureau member Izzat Al-Rishq stated that “today’s students are the leaders of tomorrow.” President Biden, he predicted, will pay “a heavy electoral price” for opposing them.

The Biden Administration has not, in fact, taken a strong stand against the demonstrations, only their antisemitic rhetoric. It has not acted on my recommendation, and that of Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, that the FBI investigate who is providing the matching green tents that now dot many university lawns, supplying standard Palestinian flags, mobilizing non-student agitators. Still, much like Lyndon Johnson before him, President Biden might lose the election to a far more conservative Republican. No more than in 1968, the American people may view campus unrest as a harbinger of more widespread chaos and, rather than rally to it, recoil.

This article, republished from Clarity, is originally from a Hebrew op-ed published in Israel Hayom..

Notable Quotes

“The UN cares nothing for Israeli blood. It is a collaborator with the Nazis of our day. Working to ensure Hamas’ survival and even reward them for murder and rape. I have no words.”

“The chants of the pro-Palestinian rioters on campuses are calls for Israel’s destruction. We always knew that Hamas hides in schools. We just didn’t realize that it’s not only schools in Gaza. It’s also Harvard, Columbia, and many elite universities.”

“By falsely condemning Israel and marking the Jewish State as the foundation of all evil, you are emboldening antisemites and terrorists alike. It is because of you that these mobs think that attacking Jews is acceptable. That calling for the deaths of Israelis is tolerable.”

“Just as Germany was the world capital of science and culture, yet it was there that Nazism was born and spread, history is now repeating itself. Elite universities – supposed bastions of liberalism and academia –have now become the breeding grounds for the most heinous racism and bigotry.”

“And, you know by advancing a Palestinian state, you are telling the child murdering, child rapists that terror pays off. You have nothing for the victim but have mobilized for the murderers. You know that the Palestinian Authority doesn’t meet the criteria for statehood.”

“The Palestinians rejected every peace plan, because, to them, the existence of a Jewish state is unacceptable. This is not about land.”

“Many have tried to destroy us, from the most powerful empires through the most evil decrees – but they all failed. Because the Jewish people are the people of eternity, and the State of Israel will exist forever!”

“To this council, Israeli blood is cheap. This is a travesty, and I am disgusted.”

From Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan’s speech to the United Nations’ General Assembly

Parent to Parent

Dear Chani,

My six-year-old son has developed a strong interest in money recently. He constantly talks about it and wants to start selling his toys or lemonade. I’m not sure where he picked up this idea, maybe from his classmates. I’m torn because I appreciate his entrepreneurial spirit, but I’m unsure if this fascination with money is healthy at his age.

- A mom

Dear Mom,

Thank you for reaching out with such an important question! I always appreciate when parents ask about this topic because it’s an area that, when managed well, can greatly benefit all those involved. Money discussions can sometimes make even the most confident parents feel uncertain about how to proceed.

First and foremost, I want to reassure parents that it’s perfectly healthy and quite common for children to develop an interest in money, typically around ages 6 or 7 for boys and slightly later for girls. (If your child doesn’t show such an interest, that’s completely fine too. There’s no need to force it upon them.)

If your child does express curiosity about money, it’s beneficial not to dismiss or discourage it. Instead, you can use it as an opportunity to establish a healthy foundation for their relationship with money. Here are some helpful pointers to guide you through this new phase.

1. Teach them the basics:

Introduce basic concepts of money, such as understanding different denominations, counting coins and bills, and learning simple math related to money. For example, they should understand that 4 quarters equals one dollar, etc. Only once they have mastered these concepts would they be allowed to have their own money. Kids who can’t yet comprehend these concepts should not be allowed to handle money. (Their own or yours). In this way, you are teaching your kids that with money comes responsibility. And only once they are old enough to handle that responsibility do we allow them to have money.

2. Designated location:

They should establish a designated location to store their money, be it a wallet, a ziplock bag in a drawer, or a bank account. This teaches responsibility around managing money, preventing situations like accidentally leaving their $5 bill in a pants pocket that went through the

wash. Every time money is received, it should promptly go into this designated spot.

3. Be informed:

You should know approximately how much money he has. For instance, if he earned $5 from a sale, but suddenly has $20 in his wallet the next day, that’s intriguing. How did the extra $15 appear? This doesn’t mean being overly controlling, just being aware of their financial activities. It helps detect any unusual changes and encourages transparency.

4. No money at school:

To avoid potential problems and head-

aches, it’s wise not to allow young kids to bring money to school until they’re older, usually around junior high. Younger children may not fully grasp the value of money and could make impulsive or misguided purchases. (“I’ll pay you $10 to be on my team”). Additionally, there really is no need for them to have money in school. It is better to leave it in their designated place at home.

5. Encourage Exploration: Don’t be alarmed if once your child has money, he likes to take it out and count it or exchange money with you. That’s great. Your

child is engaging with money in healthy ways, promoting a positive relationship with finances. By approaching your son’s interest in money with guidance and positivity, you can help him develop a healthy understanding of finances from a young age. Today’s lemonade stand, tomorrow Amazon.

- Chani

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.

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