Responsible for recruitment and admissions to all programs of TCLA, including advertising, active recruiting, events and managing the admissions process through graduation, and member of sta for committees and general functioning of the college. Salary range: $46,050 to $50,050.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher, Knowledge of Hebrew a plus
• Familiarity with feeder schools and Israel partner schools
• Public speaking/Strong Interpersonal Communication both oral and written
• Proficiency in Microsoft O ce Suite including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook. Able to learn in-house CRM, Admissions, and other systems
We o er a full array of benefits including all major Jewish holidays and shortened work hours erev Shabbos and Yom Tov.
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FOR FULL JOB DETAILS AND TO APPLY
PLEASE SEND YOUR RESUME TO: RABBI DR. DAVID JACOBSON, DEAN
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Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has written that Parshas Bamidbar details the second phase of the journey from Egypt to Israel, both physically with the traveling and setting up the camp, but also spiritually. Each man within a certain age was counted for the census and was told exactly where to camp - essentially everyone was given a job and a role. They had a mission. The second journey was the mental transition from slavery to freedom, and with that freedom came responsibility and roles. One of those jobs, and one of the reasons for the census, was to form a military that would fight the nations in order to conquer the land of Israel. The tribe of Levi would not be a part of the military, so they were given the role of guarding and caring for the Mishkan, and assisting and serving the Kohanim and the service of the Mishkan.
The parsha is known as “Numbers” because Bnei Yisroel are counted. Parshas Bamidbar is also called the “wilderness” because they traveled through the wilderness in order to get the Torah at Har Sinai and in order to become the nation they were destined to be. The wilderness shaped them into who they would need to become. The midbar is the place where Bnei Yisroel transitions into its nationhood, from slavery to free people, from Egypt to Israel. It is in the wilderness that they transform their identities, from that of slaves to that of a holy people, of nasiim, leviim, and kohanim.
Also during their traveling through the midbar, there was a strict reliance on Hashem for all of their needs. They got the water and the man from Hashem, they were protected by the ananei hakovod, and had the mishkan to spiritually watch over them. This is where they felt true reliance on
midbar.
Also, they were all equal (besides for the leviim). Each tribe was told where to camp, in groups, and surrounding the mishkan in a square formation. There was cohesion, no decisiveness. What an ideal state!
Today, again, we are living in the wilderness. While it may not be as clear (because we have a false perception of self reliance and self sustenance), society around us is falling apart and all our enemies join up against us. Unfortunately, this forces us into a position of cohesiveness. As many have mentioned since October 7th and the rise of antisemitism, we are now feeling and acting more united than ever. Non-observant Jews join Chareidim in supporting and rallying for the state of Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, and that the Holy Land belongs only to the Jewish nation. We also realize that Hahem is in control, and we have no one else to rely on.
Just like each person was given a role, a job, a place in the hierarchy, so do I, and so do you, and so do we all. We each have a specific role within the larger part of being a part of the Jewish nation. We can’t ignore our responsibility.
This is my last issue with the LA Jewish Home. The capable and talented Blimie Weiss will be taking over. I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve as editor for this community newspaper, and all the amazing things I got to witness and experience from the inside. This Los Angeles community is one of a kind. I’m impressed and grateful to those who give of themselves daily to improve the lives of so many. May you all be blessed to be givers and doers.
Signing off,
Shabbos Begins: 7:44
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Gindi Maimonides Academy introduced our final Ayin Tova thematic unit of the year. Ayin Tova- the Search is On for…. The Greatness within You! Our goal is to instill within each child that they were created with special strengths, talents, and abilities, and that it is their responsibility to use those gifts to serve Hashem.
evut, which means to navigate in Hebrew, is a non-profit organization established in 2017 dedicated to the well-being of IDF Lone Soldiers. Lone soldiers are those who serve in the IDF without the support of immediate family in Israel. These young men and women, from various countries, make the profound decision to serve in the IDF, often facing unique challenges due to their status.
Nevut ensures lone soldiers receive the necessary support to navigate military service and the transition back to civilian life upon their return to the United States, offering mental health resources, career counseling, and a supportive veteran community, significantly contributing to the growth and healing of its members.
This year, in honor of Yom Haizikaron and Yom Haatzmaut, the Sassoon family, known for their unwavering support for Israel, hosted an event dedicated to Nevut and the brave men and women who leave everything behind to protect Am Yisrael. The evening featured inspiring stories from lone soldiers highlighting the crucial resources Nevut provides to help soldiers navigate their military service and transition into civilian life.
To further support Nevut please go to www.nevut.org/donate/
Village Synagogue of West Hollywood, led by Rabbi Zalmy & Chana Fogelman, celebrated their annual Bat Mitzvah Ceremony & Celebration with over 250 in attendance. The celebration culminated a year of learning and Jewish experiences for the 12 girls in The Village’s Bat Mitzvah Academy.
At the Academy, the girls explore what it means to become a Jewish woman by discussing topics such as self growth, body image, leadership, Jewish femininity, the Jewish soul, 3 mitzvot of a Jewish woman, and more. Girls and their families experienced a full shabbaton, mom and daughter challah bake, tour of the mikvah, trip to the Holocaust museum, and a day of giving at OBKLA.
An overflowing crowd of thousands of children and adults of all ages united to celebrate the Rebbe’s Great Lag B’Omer Parade in Los Angeles. The event took place at “Schneerson Square,” located at Pico Boulevard between Doheny and Robertson, the busiest Jewish intersection in the Western United States, where participants from all walks of life and backgrounds came together to celebrate the Hilula of the Rashbi.
Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, the Rebbe’s Head Shliach and Director of West Coast Chabad, opened the event with thundering words of inspiration and blessing, and introduced a special video compilation of The Rebbe’s powerful message to the Jewish people on the holy and auspicious day of Lag B’Omer.
Jewish Music Superstar Avraham Fried electrified the crowd with his legendary spirit, energy, and music. Children’s musician and entertainer “Rabbi B” graced the audience with his performances. The parade was emceed by the incredible Rabbi Mayer Greene. Rabbi Arele Teleshevsky energized the children with exciting raffle contests and fun quizzes.
The parade began with a children’s rally, emceed by Rabbi Mendel Duchman, founder of
the Kol Yaakov Yehuda and son-in-law of the legendary Rabbi JJ Hecht, the original Emcee of all of the Rebbe’s children rallies and Lag B’Omer parades. The highlight of the rally was The Rebbe’s 12 Pesukim, which was celebrated by children from schools across Southern California, who were honored to lead in their recitation.
The parade was the greatest the West Coast has ever seen. A procession of over an hour featured a kaleidoscope of amenities: a motorcycle brigade, a mariachi band, representation from the army and the police department, and specialty sports cars amongst many others. The Cheder Menachem marching band and flag procession riled up the crowd. After weeks of labor, ten floats made their way along the parade route. The floats focused on basic Jewish ideas and values. These floats were the nicest and most creative floats that Los Angeles has ever seen. Following the floats, children from each school joined in the grand Lag B’Omer Parade; Yeshivos and Hebrew Schools, followed by shuls from all over town, marched with their hand-held banners, held up high and proud as they paraded through the streets of Los Angeles.
On May 27th, the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOWMA) and YULA Community held a launch event, bringing together members of the LA Jewish community with like-minded students passionate about health and science. The night included hands-on activities such as suturing demonstrations, engaging round table discussions featuring esteemed guests, and an opportunity to network with peers and mentors. The attendees were also treated to a delicious dinner, and swag bags to go home with.
Miriam “Mimi” Knoll, MD, JOWMA CEO shared: “We were so honored to bring JOWMA to YULA, a prestigious institution with the highest level of education. We are grateful to the visionary Ms. Benhamou and co-presidents Gabby Fish and Eli Fried. We can’t wait for all the amazing events at the upcoming JOWMA club for the next academic year, which will bring together top physicians and students interested in health and science.”
Event co-coordinator and YULA 11th grader, Gabby Fish shared about the event, “It was a great way for students to get their feet wet and be exposed to different aspects of the medical field… Attendees had the ability to sit and soak in the pure knowledge of science from these incredible physicians.”
The students were privileged to hear from several esteemed physicians including: Miriam “Mimi” Knoll, MD, JOWMA CEO and Radiation Oncologist; Sarah Miller Lipton, MD, Occupational physician; and Alexandra Dubinskaya, MD, Urogynecologist. Dr. Dubinskaya shared her experience moving to Los Angeles after beginning her medical journey in Russia. She explained how the nuances of US standard health guidelines allow our
healthcare system to be so successful, as opposed to those in Russia. Also present were Reut Pagi, MD, General Pediatrician & Pediatric Nephrologist; Abie Avraham H. Mendelsohn, MD, Otolaryngologist. Dr. Avraham explained how robotic surgery has changed the way surgeons operate and save lives. Also present was Dovi Prero, DDS, MS, Orthodontist, who shared the incredible innovations currently in use for orthodontics and brought the tools for everyone to see. Karen Toubi, DO, Obstetrician & Gynecologist was also present, as well as Eli Ziv, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, who shared about his deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait, where he managed to keep kosher and celebrate Jewish holidays. Dr. Ziv also shared about his recent experiences volunteering in Israel with Magen David Adom treating soldiers.
10th grader and event co-coordinator Eli Fried spoke about the upcoming YULA x JOWMA Club beginning next fall. “This club will be there for science-loving students to guide them on their healthcare journey while in YULA and beyond. It will kindle the passion that is burning in these students who are yearning to learn and grow. We are very excited to present the YULA X JOWMA club to you, and are eager to participate in forming the next generation of Orthodox Jewish healthcare professionals.
”The event was coordinated by Yarden Goldman Gollan, MD, Chair of Premed Committee & IM JFK Hospital/UM Consortium, Daphne Grabie, Premed Senior at Touro University, Gabby Fish, 11th grader at YULA, and Eli Fried, 10th grader at YULA.
JOWMA is a 501c-3 non-profit founded in 2019 to support a network of Jewish women physicians and to pro-
vide health education, outreach, and advocacy on behalf of the Orthodox Jewish community. The organization hosts educational events and programs on a variety of health topics including: pediatrics, wellness, women’s health, teen health, mental health, preventative health, and more. To learn more about JOWMA’s educational programs and events, please visit www.JOWMA.org or e-mail info@jowma.org.
Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblum, a well-known author and writer on the contemporary Jewish scene, was the guest of the LINK Kollel for Shabbos Parshas Behar (May 24-25). Over 100 people attended at least some of his many presentations over the course of Shabbos.
The theme of the Shabbaton was attaining a Torah perspective on the traumatic events of October 7th and beyond, both in Eretz Yisroel and in the wider Jewish world. Rabbi Rosenblum is viewed by many as one of the leading exponents of the Torah worldview in the English language, having written for the Jerusalem Post as the only Chareidi writer in the secular Israeli media for 20 years. He is perhaps best-known as a featured weekly columnist for Mishpacha Magazine. His inspirational biographies of Gedolei Yisroel as well as leading askanim for Klal Yisroel have inspired thousands of Jews across the spectrum.
In his two brief Drashos, he focused on the significance of the Omer, showing the similarities of the Omer and the Mon. He also spoke about why we “count up” towards Shavuos and not the typical “countdown”, as emblematic of the spiritual growth that we are engaging in during this time of year.
He led a fascinating question and answer session at an Oneg Shabbos on Friday night, discussing everything from the present situation in Eretz Yisroel to the struggles of Baalei Teshuvah in America. After a luncheon on Shabbos afternoon, he delineated what we have learned after the shock of October 7th. He spoke about the unfortunate haughtiness of the Israeli military establishment in discounting any threats from Hamas, as well as the revelation of widespread antisemitism throughout the world. It was precisely when Israel was attacked and so many Jews were massacred that the world turned to sympathize with the murderers and to scorn the true victims. He went into detail about the degree of antisemitism throughout academia and in the Western Intellectual orbit.
At the same time, he described the unification of Israeli society, which had been badly fractured during the previous year of internecine strife. As if on cue, various warring parties within Israeli society came together as one to fight the existential threat. Concomitantly, the many public acts of chesed by the Chareidi community towards the soldiers helped to heal the terrible split in the nation and restored the proper respect for Judaism in parts the secular society.
Later, at a talk during Shalosh Seudos, he delineated many examples of secular Jews being aroused to come back to their roots. in Israel, he described a mov-
ing Shabbaton that was held with the fam ilies of the hostages, many of whom had never experienced a full Shabbos in their entire lives. He described the sincere yearning of many secular soldiers to con nect to Hashem, not just by putting on tzitzis and tefillin, but by attempting to dav en and to learn more about what it means to be a Jew.
In America, he spoke about how outreach Rabbis on campus are reporting a huge surge in interest by secular Jewish students to learn more about Yiddishkeit. Precisely at a moment of unparalleled jew-hatred on campus, many of these stu dents, having been rejected by their erst while secular liberal friends, have returned back to their roots. They have been com ing for Shabbos meals to campus outreach organizations and have been requesting opportunities to study Torah and perform Mitzvos. This has been the silver lining to the great tragedy of the past several months.
Before Mincha, Rabbi Rosenblum also spoke about the uniqueness of Ged olei Yisroel, as he had chronicled them in his many biographies. He focused in par ticular on two middos: A tremendous sen sitivity to the feelings of other people and a constant desire to create a Kiddush Hash em in all aspects of their lives. He gave countless examples of these unique mid dos and exhorted his audience to try to emulate these Gedolim in their own per sonal lives, especially in their interaction with others.
After Shabbos, Rabbi Rosenblum discussed his latest book “Ordinary Great ness,” in which he profiles 100 Jews, many of whom are unknown to the larger public, who have accomplished extraordinary spiritual milestones in their lives. Many of these profiles are drawn from the hun dreds of columns and articles he has writ ten over the past 32 years. It was a fitting conclusion to a Shabbos of inspiration. It gave us all hope for the future of Klal Yis roel.
Kodesh Morah
Kodesh Assistants
General Studies Elementary Teacher
Middle School Girls English Teacher
Please email resumes to mozair@YKLA org
All inquiries will be treated confidentially
Village Hebrew School celebrated their End of Year Ceremony last week. Village Hebrew welcomes children from 17 state schools across Los Angeles providing them with a warm and innovative after school Jewish education. The ceremony celebrated a year of learning and growth with student performances, words by Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman, Head of School, Chana Fogelman, video presentations, and an art gallery portraying “Our Prayers For Peace.”
Yesh Tikva (“There is Hope”) is a Los Angeles-based national organization that works to provide those thrown into the world of infertility with free navigational tools to cope emotionally and practically along this journey while raising awareness and sensitivity on the subject throughout the Jewish community.
On Tuesday, May 28th, over 100 Los Angeles community members came together for the EMPOWER Soirée to kick off the Yesh Tikva’s annual campaign Empower, Embrace, and Uplift supporting the 1 in 6 that are dealing with infertility.
Board chair Cindy Drazin spoke about why Yesh Tikva is important to her, “Having raised three young women, Noam and I want to ensure there is as much accurate information regarding their health as
possible. Yesh Tikva is a large part of that education.
It is a special organization that embraces people facing infertility, through support groups, peer mentorship programs, and care packages, free of charge.
Yesh Tikva creates an even stronger support system for those struggling with infertility, including developing a reproductive health curriculum for men and women. We have already begun to create a seven-part se ries on menopause. An area not often empha sized or spoken about.”
Guests also enjoyed dinner prepared by HolySmokesBBQ, music and a silent auction.
To learn more about Yesh Tikva or to become a participant please visit www.Yesh Tikva.org
5
Between Yom Haatzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim the students of Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov Ohr Eliyahu engage yearly in a school-wide presentation to enhance their knowledge of the history and kedusha of Eretz Yisroel.
This year, in light of the events of October 7th, the students examined the history of the Jewish People in Eretz Yisroel from the time of Avraham Avinu until today, and the Jewish attitude towards war.
The themes included the eternity of the Jewish People, the part our actions play as to whether there is war or peace in the land, the power of prayer and Torah learning in military success, and Hashem’s miraculous protection of his people through the millennia.
Meticulously researched and powerfully presented, the exhibit left young and old alike better informed, spiritually uplifted, and truly inspired.
The Jewish community faces unique stressors and challenges which can significantly impact mental wellbeing. Since the COVID-19 pandemic followed by the horrors of October 7th, rates of depression and anxiety have surged globally, affecting individuals across all demographics, including the Jewish community. This brought unprecedented challenges, such as social isolation, economic uncertainty, and concerns about health and safety, exacerbating existing issues and triggering new ones. As a result, the need for expanded mental health services within the Jewish community has become even more crucial to provide support, resources, and interventions tailored to address these emerging challenges and promote resilience during these uncertain times.
While many wonderful therapists have been servicing the Jewish community for years, mental health services continue to be inaccessible to many of those who seek them due to a multitude of factors. First, many therapists are unable to take insurance which would effectively reduce the cost of the prospective client, leading to high out of pocket costs. A survey completed by Best Therapist in 2023 indicated that the average cost of therapy
per session in Los Angeles was $170$185, which did not take into consideration the increased cost associated with culturally sensitive services for specific communities. Second, the need is substantially greater than the supply of therapists available. Mental Health of America found that 60% of people seeking a therapist cannot find appointments within the next two weeks.
A group of local therapists have reimagined this system for the Jewish Population of Los Angeles. Nosei LA, named after the virtue of Nosei B’ol Im Chaveiro – carrying the burden of your peer, aims to be a community resource center that provides culturally sensitive mental health services, referrals, education and advocacy to individuals, families, schools, and synagogues for the Los Angeles Jewish community.
Nosei LA hosted a mental health awareness lecture at Adas Torah on May 19th, entitled Embracing Balance: Managing Stress & Wellbeing in Jewish Families given by Professor Elan Javanfard, LMFT. The lecture was followed by a presentation given by Larissa Adler, LMFT describing the mission of Nosei LA. The evening culminated in a Q&A panel by Mindy Hajdu, LCSW, Elan Javanfard, LMFT and Larissa
Adler, LMFT. The event drew over 120 people to learn about the challenges and possible solutions pertaining to family stress.
Rav Chaim Friedlander explains that this rises beyond good deeds, because, more than providing goods or services, we are giving someone a piece of our very being, projecting ourselves into another person’s situation, feeling the other person’s pain or joy as if we are experiencing it ourselves.
In our estimation, this is the role of every Jew, however, when the burden becomes too large to carry, we should have no shame in finding a therapist to help us. NoseiLA envisions the opportunity to offer insurance covered or low fee services to the Jewish community to support the burdens we each carry.
For more information or to schedule an event for your community, please visit www.NoseiLA.org or email us at Info@Noseila.org.
Ophir Basor, a dedicated farmer from Kibbutz Ein Harod, has begun the annual wheat harvest. This year, we have come to appreciate the profound value of agriculture in our land. With Shavuot, the harvest festival, fast approaching, the agricultural activity on this kibbutz pulses with the same rhythm that has persisted since biblical times. We can easily imagine Ophir’s ancestors harvesting wheat in this very place, in the Jezreel Valley, just before Shavuot thousands of years ago.
Ein Harod stands as a symbol of classic secularism, having been the heart of the kibbutz movement, which initially minimized the importance of religious practice. Yet today, as Ophir began harvesting the kibbutz wheat, he declared, “L’shem matzat mitzvah.” Remarkably, this farmer from a traditionally secular kibbutz is designating his entire wheat crop for matzah production.
And when will this matzah, made from Ein Harod’s wheat, be eaten? Next Pesach, nearly a year from now. This optimistic and forward-thinking mindset, characterized by the founders of Ein Harod who made the wilderness bloom, lives on. Just as the wheat grew here in ancient times, it grows here today, symbolizing a continual rebirth of hope in anticipation of the next chag haPesach.
While my news feed was flooded with pictures of the recently convicted Trump, Jerusalem photographer Arnon Busani suddenly sent me this lovely picture of former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. I don’t understand how, out of 330 million Americans, Biden and Trump are the only two options, just as I don’t understand how we haven’t heard more about Haley’s amazing Israel visit, organized and hosted by MK Danny Danon. The attached photo was taken at the Kotel after she visited the south and the north, IDF bases, and families of captives and fallen soldiers.
“I want all Israelis to know that I represent most Americans when I say: You are doing the right thing,” she said. “You are fighting pure evil. After all, these terrorists are shouting ‘Death to America’ too, not just to Israel. We shouldn’t be preaching to Israel, we shouldn’t be telling them how to win the war, we shouldn’t be telling them what they can or can’t do. We should just be saying, ‘What else do you need?’ Bottom line? That’s it. That’s what I want to see America do: be a friend, a true friend.
There are a lot of countries in the world that are wrong because they’re siding with the terrorists, and that needs to end. And we need to acknowledge the fact that the last thing Israel needs is for us to go stab them in the back when they’re already down.”
When asked about her visit to the Kotel, she said, “It is the place that represents complete truth, everything that is sacred, our values. Jerusalem is a place that reminds us that we are still in the middle of the journey, but in the end, we will get to where we need to be. Just keep this faith.”
If that wasn’t enough, Haley posted a photo of herself at the Kotel and tweeted, “You can’t destroy what God has blessed — and God has blessed Israel.”
I spent last Shabbat with 150 Chabad shluchot from university campuses throughout the world. This year, they decided to hold their annual conference in Israel. Needless to say, it has been a very challenging year for them, punctuated by rabid antisemitism and constant lies that are spread about Israel and Jews.
But they also shared the proud Jewish and pro-Israel response to the belligerent atmosphere. As one shluchah from a US campus expressed, “Not long ago, an ‘Israeli Apartheid Week’ was advertised on campus. My husband said, ‘Great! Now I’ll need to get
more mezuzot and tefillin for the students. I’m also sure that many students whom we’ve never seen before will join us this Shabbat meal.’ And that’s exactly what happened. We’re seeing with our own eyes how the darkness increases the light.”
Chabad emissaries from campuses around the world at the Kotel
It’s after midnight, and I’m finding it hard to settle down. I’ve just finished meeting with the heads of Jewish students’ groups on North American campuses, who have come to
and other senior officials.
The Olami organization, which organized
the mission, requested that I listen to the short speeches they prepared in order to ensure the accuracy of the messages they are hoping to convey. We listened to testimonies from students from 25 top-tier universities.
Since October 7, campuses in the US have been turned into war zones, bastions of antisemitism, and Hamas cells. We heard about a student who was hospitalized after being physically assaulted; another student who left the dorm after someone sprayed a swastika on his door and ripped off his mezuzah; daily incidents of violence, threatening slogans, and spitting; and friends who turned into enemies. Last October, statements like: “Too bad Hitler didn’t finish the job,” shocked them. By now they’re used to it.
At the end of the evening, I asked, “Was this the most depressing evening of your lives?” They were all emphatic in their response. No,
they affirmed. In fact, they had never felt so connected.
For three of the student leaders, it was their first trip to Israel, a visit they said would never have happened if not for October 7, which they dub their “personal wake-up call.” Three students are planning on making Aliyah, and four others have set up organizations dedicated to educating Jews and combating antisemitism.
A Columbia University student shared: “I look at Jews who are hiding their Jewish identity and I feel ashamed for them. I’ve been verbally abused, I argued with professors, and had to file complaints of harassment with the police, but the truth is, I’ve never felt more alive. There is no better feeling than knowing that you are doing exactly the right thing, at exactly the right time.”
Parshat Bamidbar, the first parsha of the new sefer, often read right before Shavuot, sets the stage for Bnei Yisrael’s journey through the Midbar – the desert. The Mechilta (Yitro: Bachodesh 1) shares the connection between the Parsha and the upcoming celebration of Matan Torah, being juxtaposed, as the Torah was given publicly, openly, and in a place no one owns so that anyone could lay claim to it. Another reason for giving the Torah in the wilderness was to provide us an everlasting fundamental insight into the psychological concept of adaptability.
Psychological adaptability refers to the capacity of individuals to effectively adjust their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in response to new, changing, or uncertain circumstances. It encompasses a range of skills and attributes that allow a person to cope with and thrive amidst life’s challenges and transitions. A desert is an extreme environment leading to constant change: searing heat during the day, freezing cold at
night, scarcity of water, and unpredictable terrain. Surviving in such a harsh environment requires adaptability.
The fact that Matan Torah occurred in the wilderness reminds us that the Torah can survive, thrive, and flourish in any environment, as long as there is flexibility for change. We, as human beings, can also internalize the learnings of the Torah through our ability to adapt to our circumstances and receive it. American author John Maxwell said, “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
Midrash Rabbah tells us that the Torah was given via three elements: fire, water, and wilderness. In explaining the connection to wilderness, the Midrash continues that anyone who does not make themselves ownerless like the wilderness cannot acquire the wisdom and the Torah. The Gemara in Eruvin (54a) expounds that making oneself ownerless relates to humbling ourselves and being open to receive what comes to us.
“Behind every angry woman is a man who has absolutely no idea what he did or said wrong.” Here’s an example. “Isn’t it time to wake Charlie up?” your wife asks. “No. Let him sleep,” you answer. You didn’t feel strongly one way or another, but your wife goes off the rails. “Easy for you to say. I’m the one staying up with him all night!”
Many times it is wise to use a meta-statement. A meta statement is a statement about the statement you are going to make. God uses this device frequently. In רבדמב for example He starts off with “These are the off-springs of Aaron...” followed by “Aaron begot Nadav...”
Here are marital examples: “I’m going to tell you how I’m
feeling. I don’t expect you to feel the same way.” “I’m going to share with you my opinion. I’m not certain this is the right answer.” Meta-statements like these set the stage and signal to your wife that you’re open to her input. They soften your message to help with your Shalom bayit.
However, we are also tasked with being strong, true to our principles, and maintaining unwavering faith in Hashem. Homiletically, being committed to our principles while adaptable in the process of achieving our goals makes us perfect vehicles to receive the Torah.
Parshat Bamidbar reminds us that the desert, with all its harshness, was the crucible in which the Bnei Yisrael received the Torah and transformed. By embracing adaptability, we too can navigate our own wilderness, emerging stronger and more resilient. Just as the Torah was given in the wilderness, we can find wisdom and guidance in our most challenging times, leading us to personal and communal growth.
Three tips to becoming more psychologically adaptable:
1. Embracing Growth: Sometimes it might feel as if you are being buried, but that might instead be planting – just waiting to sprout. Viewing setbacks as growth encourages our openness to new learning.
2. Perfecting your Views: It’s not hard to make choices when you know what your values are. Once we have focused views, adjusting to change can be as easy as resetting our course towards our views.
3. Harnessing Flexibility: Learn to recognize what is counterproductive and holding on to rigidity. Practice letting go of things and adapt our approach when circumstances change.
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.
THURSDAY JUNE 20 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
With Shavuot around the corner, it's time to adorn our homes and tables with beautiful owers. You might already know about a few edible owers, but there are so many more out there than you might think!
No! Just like mushrooms, there are lots of varieties that are edible, those that just don't taste good, and those that are actually poisonous. It's super important to know which ones are safe for consumption. Edible owers are usually non-toxic, free from harmful chemicals, and speci cally grown for culinary use.
In ancient cultures, edible owers were often reserved for royalty and sacred rituals. The Romans used violets to make wine, and marigolds were considered sacred in Aztec culture. In medieval times, roses were used to avor and perfume food for European nobility.
Edible owers have been used for their healing properties for centuries. Take dandelions, for example—they’re great for detoxifying and supporting liver health. Calendula is fantastic for treating skin irritations and wounds because of its anti-in ammatory e ects.
Even though most edible owers are naturally kosher, how they're grown, handled, and processed can change that. They might be treated with non-kosher substances or be infested with insects. So, it's best to buy from reputable sources with kosher certi cation or check with a rabbi before using them.
Violets, with their lovely purple hue, are sweet and delicate. Crystallize them to decorate cakes and pastries, or make violet syrup to drizzle over pancakes or mix into drinks.
Nasturtium owers make a gorgeous salad garnish that tastes much like radish microgreens. You can also use the blooms to impart a golden hue and peppery after-bite to an infused vinegar. Blend the petals into butter for your baguette or pickle the green seeds to approximate a spicy caper.
These star-shaped blue blossoms taste like cucumbers. Add them to salads, use them as a cocktail garnish, or freeze them in ice cubes for a decorative touch. Borage is also traditionally used to support respiratory health and reduce in ammation.
By: Belle Miller
Often seen as weeds, dandelions are entirely edible and nutritious. Make dandelion wine from the owers, sprinkle the petals on salads, or sauté the greens as a side dish. They have a slightly bitter avor, similar to chicory.
Pansies come in many colors and have a mild, slightly sweet avor. Use them in salads, as a dessert garnish, or in ice cubes for a colorful touch to drinks. Crystallize pansies for a vibrant, artistic element in your culinary creations
Begonias have a tart, citrus-like avor. Use them in salads, as a garnish, or in desserts where their tangy taste complements sweet ingredients. They’re also rich in vitamin C.
Splash of Blue
Corn owers have striking blue petals and a mildly spicy, clove-like avor. Add them to salads, desserts, and beverages for color and avor. They also have medicinal properties, traditionally used to soothe skin irritations and support eye health.
Most baalei teshuvah and geirim are incredibly deep thinkers and very intelligent. Therefore, it can be really painful when people assume we don’t know what a Hebrew term means or a concept in Yiddishkeit is. Often we do know — and if we don’t, we’ll ask. We might not feel comfortable asking you, but we’ll ask someone whom we feel safe with. Either way, please leave our dignity intact and don’t put us on the spot.
Making the choice to change one’s entire life and embrace Judaism takes phenomenal drive and strength of character. For geirim and baalei teshuvah, the path is often strewn with stones — and sometimes boulders.
It’s not easy to shake o the norms of one’s youth and learn new ways to think, speak, dress… and just be. It can be especially di cult to find people with whom one feels emotionally safe and understood because being a newcomer to the community puts one into an especially vulnerable position.
With that thought in mind, I asked people who’ve taken the ol Torah upon themselves to share what they wished the community knew about being the outsider coming in. While everyone warmly expressed appreciation for the community that embraced them, there were still certain pain points mentioned.
It’s our hope that by increasing awareness of this issue, sensitivity and caring can blossom — helping every individual of Klal Yisroel feel part and parcel of the community. Because they are.
Just because I converted doesn’t mean I don’t love my non-Jewish family. And even though we’re no longer related according to halacha, it doesn’t mean I’m ready to throw them away. Please don’t ask me to share my life story. I’m not entertainment. If I feel comfortable sharing it with you, I will.
I might not be ready to take on certain things that are typical in the community, but it doesn’t mean that I’m intentionally being bad. I’ve had a different upbringing, and the things that might be truly detrimental for you affect me less powerfully. Please don’t forget that I chose to walk away from the secular world. And over time I hope to pull farther away from it, but it’s a process. Give me time.
I’m older and wiser now and have found my place in the frum world, and now I can look back and really appreciate what everyone has done for me in the past. I now know that it’s not easy for people to open their homes and hearts and welcome a baalas teshuvah into their lives. In the past, I didn’t realize what effort it must have taken for them as I was really self-centered. I had to be in order to focus on growth. But now I think back and want to say to everyone: Thank you for welcoming me in!
I always worry that people don’t think I’m frum enough, even though I’m more machmir than many. I worry that people look down on me because of my background.
It can get really lonely sometimes. Please do invite us to your seudos, but don’t be insulted if we don’t come. As people navigating the tempest of change, we sometimes need space, away from everyone. Other times we’re desperate for company. Just keep inviting, please.
I get really embarrassed and shy when I meet someone who knew me before I reached the stage I am currently in. I’m not the same person I was previously, and I really don’t like it when people remind me of the struggle to fit in. Please don’t bring up the early stages of my teshuvah process.
It’s really hard to figure out the nuances of how to dress for different events, because in the secular world, almost anything goes. People even walk around in pajamas all day, if they want to! A good friend offering to explain the community dress code, and the differences between weekday, Shabbos, and simcha clothing, for instance, is a huge help and a lifesaver! Taking a newcomer on a shopping trip, especially, is a huge chesed. (No, you don’t have to pay, it’s the guidance that’s valuable!)
My journey brought me through several communities until I got to the place where I finally felt at home. At each stage I had different mashpias, and though I stopped confiding in several who were previously of great help to me, it doesn’t mean that I no longer appreciate what they did. It just means that I’ve grown, and my needs have changed.
I’ve spent many years second-guessing myself, trying desperately to blend in. But as I became comfortable in my own skin, I realized that I’ll never think exactly like the rest of the community, and that’s okay. Hashem created me and gave me my specific background because that’s what’s best for me. As long as I’m following halacha, I don’t have to be embarrassed to be different — but many people like me are embarrassed in the beginning.
We often wear rose-colored glasses at the beginning of our journeys, and then, over time, we realize that people are people and that people struggle — and sometimes even fail. When we start losing faith in humanity, however, seeing a Yid who is striving to overcome their challenges can renew our faith. Yiddishkeit and Yidden are truly beautiful.
It hurts me when I find out that people have shared my “story” without my permission. I don’t like to be the topic of conversation. It hurts even more when you talk about my story when I’m standing right there! Of course, if I take the lead and share, then do feel free to keep the conversation going.
Coming from not being frum, this lifestyle is very expensive and I felt like I was broke all the time. People all seemed fine with it but I was really struggling. I wish there was some support at that time being offered to help with the transition. B”H I had the emunah to go forward and Hashem made it all happen for me, but there was a time I felt unseen in that way and it would be nice if others in the future would have support.
- Daniel LobellIt makes me really, really sad when I see frum-from-birth people doing things that aren’t in accordance with halacha. It’s like taking a huge gift that you were handed on a silver platter and dumping dirt all over it. I wish you would appreciate your privilege. You can’t imagine what I would give to have been born Jewish.
Not all Jewish people are fair-skinned and have a “typical” appearance. But we’re still Jewish, the same as you are. Please make us feel so!
I feel blessed that I have a special fire for Yiddishkeit because I actively chose it. I wish all Yidden would feel it.
Please never correct me in public. I’m already self-conscious; being corrected in public is mortifying! And if you do have to correct me, please do it with incredible kindness.
Now that I’ve been frum for a long time, I can say that geirim and baalei teshuvah need guidance their whole lives, for every stage and every hurdle. Having people to look up to and to support us is so important. As a matter of fact, everyone needs guidance. “Asei lecha rav,” right?
As a convert, people always ask me: Why would you want to become part of the Jewish tradition, with all its rules and restrictions? Before I discovered Judaism, I lived my life without any set of 'rules' or morality. I made up my morality according to what I believed was right, or what those around me told me was right. For example, I was a teenager and my friend told me it was 'right' to shoplift from a major corporation, so I did. That seemed like the just thing to do. Simply put, I didn't really know right or wrong or what it meant to be a good person and live a meaningful and fulfilling life. That all changed when I converted and became an observant Jew. I don't see the commandments as 'rules,' but simply as ways to become closer to Hashem, and ways to improve my life.
-Kylie Ora LobellWhile we are all gearing up for Kabbalas HaTorah as Shavuot approaches, there’s one minyan in Los Angeles that embodies the mission of spreading the light of Torah all year round: Just For Kiddush (JFK).
I rst caught wind of JFK from Avi Heyman, the publisher of The LA Jewish Home. Avi isn’t one to dish out compliments lightly, so when he started waxing poetic about JFK, I knew I had to check it out. “The ahavas yisroel is o the charts, the food is to die for, and you walk away feeling like you were just hugged by 50 people,” he gushed. Intrigued? Welcome to JFK, the minyan that's rede ning what it means to be part of a Jewish community in Los Angeles. As the name suggests, they want you to come Just For Kiddush!
At JFK, the mission is simple: experience the joy of being Jewish.
“It’s a no-pressure situation. You're just coming to get lunch with me. Whatever else you pick up while you’re there is a bonus, never an expectation. There's no judgment. No one shushes you if you talk during davening, and nobody is upset if you help yourself to a bowl of cholent before shacharit is over. You can sit outside the whole time; everybody is happy you showed up,” Yehuda Nourollah tells me. “Some people may not agree with these theories, but that's what makes us unique.”
Every Yid’s a Big Tzadik
In 1999, Rabbi Moshe Nourollah started his own shul in Los Angeles. Every Shabbos, he and his family would trek 1.3 miles from Pico-Robertson to Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills, where they rented the auditorium for their minyan. They had a robust, mostly Persian kehilla. Eventually, they bought their own place at 301 South La Peer Drive. But as time passed, the younger crowd started dwindling. So, the Nourollah crew pondered, “How do we get these old-timers’ kids to show up?” And thus, JFK West was born.
Yehuda gives me the lowdown. “My brothers and I stumbled across this shul in Rechavia that we fell in love with. It was run by a haimish rebbe, and dude, the guy loved everyone! We saw guys with ta oos, long ponytails, and piercings, and they were just as much a part of the minyan as anyone else. There was hartziga singing, leibedike vibes, and of course the kiddush—it was all next level. Every Jew that walked through the doors belonged there. The gabai there gave a mishaberach to everyone that walked through the door! It was unbelievable. It was exactly the kind of boost Bait Aaron needed.”
They kicked things o slowly, adding the 9:30 JFK minyan a er Rabbi Nourollah’s 7:30 minyan. Initially, they bought classic kiddush staples at Leider’s or Western Kosher for the 15-20 people who showed up. But as word spread, they were buying in such heavy quantities they realized they needed their own cooking facility. Fast forward to today, and they run a massive operation out of a commercial kitchen in La Brea, serving not one, but two separate JFK minyanim—one in Beverly Hills and the other in Hancock Park.
I got in touch with Yosef Chaim Nourollah, Yehuda’s twin brother, the culinary genius behind JFK.
“It’s like hosting a fancy bar mitzvah every single week,” he describes. "I go to Restaurant Depot by myself. I personally love going shopping. When I pick up that 50-pound sack of onions, I get so much enjoyment because I know I am catering to Hashem’s children.
The idea of the JFK food is to be super unique. You can serve herring and dips every single week, but if you make it interesting for the folks, they’ll keep coming back.
We present unique international cuisine, keeping the kiddushim to a theme—o en tying it in with things that are happening at that speci c time.
Last week, for example, there was a Persian menu. We were celebrating the demise of the Iranian president… Picture an 8-foot table covered with tahdig, the crispy Persian rice, and topped with choresh, kebabs, shirazi salad, and all the xings. To go with it was a rosewater Arak-infused drink. It was epic!
One time, we pulled o a jerk chicken, all-Caribbean-style. Chef Wendell, a big African-American guy who’s internationally famous for his Jamaican food. We gave him a crash course on kashrut and he nailed it!
Another time, we brought in a sushi chef from a high-end restaurant in Malibu. Aaah… That sushi! It tasted like manna that
fell from heaven… We’ve done poke bowls with ten options for sh, including tuna belly and salmon belly, tru e oil, and homemade ponzu sauce. People are addicted!
Every li le thing ma ers. The way we marinate our chicken in Frank's hot sauce for three days, the fresh mint in our drinks—these details make the di erence between good and unforge able." Yosef Chaim states passionately.
“The real showstopper, however, is the cholent, cra ed by the rabbi himself. Everybody's scared to make it because they know it won’t come close to the rabbi’s. He probably can’t even tell you what he's doing, but it's made with love,” Yehuda adds. “Even though we’re Sephardi, our cholent is the very best. It cannot be beaten. If you want to challenge us on this one, come have a sampling rst!”
Located just right around the corner from Cedars Sinai Hospital, JFK has become a warm and inviting space for those spending Shabbat at the hospital. Here, guests enjoy real hot food instead of cold hospital fare as well as fully loaded to-go doggie bags for bedridden family members. And if there's a simcha, you'll feel right at home. There is always a stash of blue and pink mazal tov candies prepared for a surprised Avi Haben or Avi Habat who unexpectedly ends up on JFK’s doorstep.
Finally, I caught up with Osher, who runs the JFK 2.0 branch. "I’ve been business partners with the Nourollah brothers since around 2010. When I moved to this side of town, I couldn’t nd a shul I connected with. Inspired by what they had done with Bait Aaron, I decided to try and replicate. We set up a large tent in our backyard and started a minyan followed by kiddush on our roo op overlooking the Hollywood Hills.
We really had no idea who and if anyone would come. The ongoing joke in the beginning was me worrying each week whether or not we would have a minyan even though every single week we surpassed a minyan.
Luckily our house minyan quickly outgrew our home. At the exact same time we were ready to move, my brother had completed writing the Sefer Torah that I had asked of him years before even having opened the shul. Having the Hachnosas Sefer Torah and completion of the building renovations line up the way they did was nothing short of Hashgacha Protis.”
When asked about what he nds most rewarding, Osher says, “It is knowing that I'm lling a void for many people out there. I built my dream shul and I love that other people are connecting to it."
It takes a lot to pull o an operation on this scale week a er week.
“The entire mishpacha is involved,” Yehuda says. They are six siblings, and each one contributes uniquely. Their brother, Akiva, is the chazzan and baal koreh. Chaim Zrihen, who recently married their youngest sister, hopped right on the bandwagon and is heavily involved. Aaron Nourollah, their uncle who owns Gla Mart, supports JFK on all levels. Not only is he a nancial backbone, but he is also around making sure everything is set up to perfection. There is no task too big or small for him—you’ll even spot him manning the carving station, serving people.
At the heart of it all is Rabbi Moshe Nourollah, the spiritual pillar of the community. His wisdom and guidance keep everyone focused on the greater purpose.
"Our minyan president, Omid Dayan, a top a orney, always nds time to help out during the week despite his busy schedule. He was crucial in launching JFK, and his energy is a big part of what makes our vibe special," Yosef Chaim adds. “But most importantly, our wives are the real forces behind this. They help us recruit wherever they go, they welcome the women, they help out with technical support, whatever is needed. They deserve all the credit.”
“Gyms, co ee shops, ights—we’re forever on the lookout,” Yehuda says, chuckling. “If you're Jewish and breathing in the greater LA vicinity, we’ll probably nd you and invite you for Kiddush.
Yesterday, I stopped at an urgent care in Santa Monica because I injured my rotator cu . The doctor there seemed Jewish. When I pitched the minyan to her, she said she’d never heard about us. When she followed our Instagram, she was shocked to see no less than 18 mutual friends are a part of our community. Small world!
Our business marketing team works with us to produce the most a ractive yers and social media content, aiming to reach as many Jews as possible.
There’s never a dull moment on JFK’s Instagram account @justforkiddush and WhatsApp group chats. Check it out! We send out teasers throughout the week—videos of us marinating, cooking, and prepping. People are hooked on the behind-the-scenes action. It builds anticipation.
Our father taught us that when you go up to Shamayim a er 120, Hashem will say, 'I gave you all these brains and creativity, and you used it well in business. Why didn’t your avodat hakodesh re ect the same talent?' We take that seriously!”
“The crowd we a ract is diverse. From Persians, Israelis, and Moroccans to Chabad, Ashkenazim, and Chassidim, we're accepting of everyone. We don’t care how religious you are or aren’t.
Meeting people of all sects of Judaism, observant or not, is a constant reminder that we shouldn’t judge. Family is family regardless of how we choose to express ourselves.”
Osher tells me that a large part of the community on Melrose is Orthodox, but many hadn’t found a place where they felt they belonged and stopped going to shul during COVID. This minyan has restored their love for Yiddishkeit and Shabbos.
Men, women, children—everyone is welcome. Every face that walks in gets a Shabbat Shalom, or on Melrose—a Gut Shabbos. Whether you come every single week or just occasionally, you get an unparalleled amount of love. You are seen.
Akiva sums it up perfectly: "People might come for the Kiddush, but they stay because they feel part of something bigger."
The impact of JFK extends way beyond a Shabbat experience. Many a endees have rekindled their connection to Judaism. “We’ve seen people transform their entire lives, it’s incredibly rewarding to witness.”
With branches in Beverly Hills Adjacent and Hancock Park, people are hoping for another one in Valley Village, Encino, and even Orange County soon.
Dear Chani,
I have twin girls who are turning 4 years old. I asked them what they wanted for their birthday presents and they each said something else. One wanted earrings and the other wanted a unicorn stuffy. I know that if I get them different presents, I will have a tantrum on my hands as they will each say that they really want what the other has.
Should I get them both earrings and a stuffy, or stick to what they asked for? - Mom of twins
Dear Mom,
Thank you for reaching out with this important question! I’m happy to hear that your twins have unique personalities and interests. As parents, it’s important to recognize and cater to each child’s individual needs. We don’t buy the same gift for every child, because each child has different needs and wants. What is good for one child is not necessarily good for the other. I see that this can be more confusing when it comes to twins, but I would encourage
you to look at them as siblings, not just twins. At the end of the day, remember that they are each their own person with different needs and wants.
To illustrate this point, consider a scenario where one child requires antibiotics, but the other child is upset and has a tantrum that they want the same medicine! They love bubble gum medicine and it’s really not fair! Would we give in and provide the antibiotics to the second child as well? Of course not, because that wouldn’t
be in their best interest; it’s not what that child needs.
Similarly, if one twin wants earrings and the other wants a stuffed animal, it’s wonderful that they know what they want! However, buying both gifts for each child would send the message that we prefer them to be identical, rather than embracing their individuality. That’s not what we want, is it? While they might throw a tantrum when they see the other’s gift, remember that tantrums are a natural expression of
emotions. Stay confident in your decision, knowing you’ve given each child what they need, whether it’s a stuffed animal, medicine, or a warm hug.
Happy birthday to your twins!
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.
On May 30, 2024, Donald Trump became the first former American president to be convicted of a felony. A New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election by entering into a non-disclosure agreement and then misclassifying the relevant payments as legal expenses.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, 2024 and all options are on the table. Judge Juan M. Merchan can sentence Trump to probation with community service, home confinement or even some period of incarceration.
Trump said he is “OK” with serving potential jail time or being under house arrest. “I saw one of my lawyers the other day on television saying, ‘Oh no, you don’t want to do that to the president.’ I said: “You don’t beg for anything.” But, Trump added, “I don’t think the public would stand it. I’m not sure the public would stand for it…“I think it would be tough for the public to take, you know, at a certain point, there’s a breaking point.”
The day after the verdict, Trump held a press conference where he vented about various issues of injustice that he felt were perpetrated on him during the trial, some of which are likely to be raised on appeal. For example, the fact that the jury was instructed that they did not need to reach unanimity on the felony act upon which they were convicting may be frowned upon by the N.Y. Court of Appeal. In addition, the question of whether the payments made even fell under campaign finance laws may be challenged. So closure from a legal perspective in this case is far from over and could take well over a year or more to reach that point.
The more immediate question is how will this conviction affect the 2024 presidential election? If money is any indication then it seems to have been a boost to the Trump campaign. The Republican Party raised a staggering $52.8 million in the 24 hours after the verdict. The donations were pouring so rapidly that the website’s server crashed. The amount represents more than half of what they raised in the entire month of April. The funds mostly came from small-dollar donors, including 30% who were new contributors.
Scott Jennings, a former special assistant to President George W. Bush and a senior CNN political commentator penned an article in the Los Angeles Times entitled, “The New York trial just made Trump Stronger.” He writes, “The polling indicates the guilty verdict won’t make much of a difference to how most Americans vote. But Republicans are madder than wet hens that the
party’s nominee for president — and, according to the polls, likely the next president of the United States — was indicted for 34 felonies that few can fully explain, in a very Democratic jurisdiction…The consensus in my circle is that this will backfire massively, as Republicans get energized.”
Several high profile GOP leaders have expressed their support for Trump in spite of the conviction. House Speaker Mike Johnson said it was a “shameful day in American history” and the charges were “purely political.” Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance said the verdict was a “disgrace to the judicial system.” And Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, said that the decision was “a defeat for Americans who believe in the critical legal tenet that justice is blind.” “This verdict says more about the system than the allegations,” said South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has been one of Trump’s most frequent allies.
Even GOP leaders who have previously been at odds with Trump have come out against the verdict. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a leading Senate GOP moderate who voted to convict Trump on the impeachment charge of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol criticized Bragg for waging a politically motivated prosecution.
Collins said,“It is fundamental to our American system of justice that the government prosecutes cases because of alleged criminal conduct regardless of who the defendant happens to be. In this case the opposite has happened. The district attorney, who campaigned on a promise to prosecute Donald Trump, brought these charges precisely because of who the defendant was rather than because of any specified criminal conduct…The political underpinnings of this case further blur the lines between the judicial system and the electoral system, and this verdict likely will be the subject of a protracted appeals process.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell wrote on X, “These charges never should have been brought in the first place. I expect the conviction to be overturned on appeal.”
The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board summed up the trial up as follows, “We don’t doubt the sincerity of the Manhattan jurors, but many voters will digest all of this and conclude that, while Mr. Trump may be a cad, this conviction isn’t disqualifying for a second term in the White House. Judge Juan Merchan tolerated Mr. Bragg’s legal creativity in ways that an appeals court might not. What if Mr. Trump loses the election and then is vindicated on appeal? If Democrats think that too many Republicans today com-
plain about stolen elections, imagine how many more might next year.
The conviction sets a precedent of using legal cases, no matter how sketchy, to try to knock out political opponents, including former Presidents. Mr. Trump has already vowed to return the favor. If Democrats felt like cheering Thursday when the guilty verdict was read, they should think again. Mr. Bragg might have opened a new destabilizing era of American politics, and no one can say how it will end.”
The overarching theme by those who take displeasure in this prosecution is that the ends do not justify the means. Even if Trump was aware that his lawyer was mislabeling entries as legal expenses, does that justify criminally prosecuting the former President of the United States of America? Keep in mind that the U.S. The Attorney’s Office passed on this very case after thor-
oughly investigating it. There are alternatives to criminal prosecution when addressing financial discrepancies. For example, if the average individual fails to pay their taxes, they typically enter into an installment agreement or offer to compromise with the IRS to remedy the issue.
If the majority of the country feel that Trump was railroaded by the system then we can expect it to be reflected in the upcoming election. The anti-Trump camp might be celebrating this victory in battle. But the winner of the war will be determined on November 5th.
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.
“Yesterday, Americans celebrated Memorial Day, and squad members Ilhan Omar and Corey Bush posted tweets confusing it with Veteran’s Day. That’s still not as bad as when they thought Labor Day was a holiday for pregnant men.’’
– Greg Gutfeld, Fox News
‘‘There is no Palestine. An independent Arab Palestine has never existed. There is no historical precedent for it. It didn’t exist under Ottoman rule or the British Mandate or, in the end, under an United Nations Partition Plan that was rejected by every single Arab state and Palestinian leadership. It didn’t exist when the Palestinians were ruled by governments in Jordan and Egypt (a time when there was virtually no international pressure to create an independent “Palestine”) and it didn’t come into existence when the Arab states rejected Israel’s peace gestures after the 1967 and 1973 wars.
If Palestinians keep supporting nihilism and terrorism, such a state may never exist. And it won’t make one lick of difference how the UN or ICC or EU describes Gaza in press releases.’’
– David Harsanyi, The Federalist
‘‘The most powerful experience of my life.’’
– Jerry Seinfeld talking about his trip to Israel after October 7
‘‘Each of you has already amassed a lifetime of wisdom and experience, and your attitudes, feelings and opinions are pretty well formulated at this point.’’
– Rabbi Adam Wohlberg’s marriage advice to Bernie Littman, 100, who married Marjorie Fiterman, 102, this week at an assisted living facility in Philadelphia, breaking the record by becoming the world’s oldest newlyweds
‘‘Stop saying, “Hamas launched rockets.” You’re not saying, “Likud entered Rafah,” are you? Say, “Gaza launched rockets.” Say “Gaza invaded Israel.” Say, “Gaza has baby hostages.” Stop getting the enemy off the hook by allowing them to deflect all their crimes to a single group. ‘‘ – Tweet by Uri Kurlianchik
‘‘They are being attacked by people who want a country and a people not to exist. That’s not what Israel does. Israel puts the Arabs in the Knesset, in parliament. In Israel, they are full-fledged citizens, who are better off living in Israel than living in the Palestinian territories. Israel does not attack another country and has never attacked another country without first being attacked itself. Not in the Yom Kippur War and not in any war.’’
– Geert Wilders, the leader of the incoming ruling party of the Netherlands, addressing the Dutch Parliament.
‘‘There are things that have to do with, you know, gender and race and free speech, and just ideas about you can be healthy at any weight and gender is always a social construct and maybe we should give communism another try and maybe we should get rid of capitalism and the Border Patrol, and let’s tear down statues of Lincoln and get rid of the police. Just, you know — no. It’s not that I’ve gotten old, it’s that your ideas are stupid, OK?’’
– Bill Maher, on CNN, responding to accusations that he is no longer a liberal
Straight from my Hungarian grandmother’s kitchen, this cheese delkelech recipe (also known as cheese crowns or cheese orets) is a must-have for Shavuos. Flaky, bu ery, and light as air, these pastries are u erly irresistible.
Pastry:
• 2 cups our
• 1 cup cold bu er, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 egg yolk
Cheese Filling:
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, so ened
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice or 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
Garnish:
• Powdered sugar
TIME
50 minutes of active work, plus 6-8 hours of chilling time
Yields: 3 dozen
Prepare the Pastry:
• Position the knife blade in a food processor.
• Add our and bu er, and pulse 4-5 times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Add sour cream and egg yolk.
• Process until the dough forms a ball and leaves the sides of the bowl.
• Divide the dough in half, wrap each half with plastic wrap, and chill for 6-8 hours.
Make the Cheese Filling:
• In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice (or grated lemon rind) at medium speed until smooth and u y.
Roll Out the Pastry:
• On a lightly oured surface, roll out each ball of dough to a 1/8-inch thickness.
• Cut the pastry into 3-inch squares.
Shape the Pastry:
• Gently press each square into a 1 3/4-inch mu n pan, leaving the corners extending beyond the edge.
• Spoon 1 teaspoon of cheese lling into each prepared shell.
• Fold the corners over the lling and pinch them together at the top.
• Chill for 30 minutes.
Bake:
• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Bake the pastries for 20-25 minutes.
• Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
Garnish:
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
"That’s
-Mark A. Treitel
“On
"On
- Yoni Shlesinger
"Perfect
- Miriam B.
“Lasting
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