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Dear Reader,
We hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. It is with a mix of gratitude and a touch of sadness that we announce a brief hiatus in the publication of The LA Jewish Home newspaper for the remainder of the summer. Our dedicated staff, who handle the paper alongside the demands of our main business, have found the task increasingly taxing. Despite our passion and commitment, we believe this break is necessary to recharge and regroup.
We are immensely grateful for the strong support and feedback we have received from the community. Your appreciation for the only Orthodox Jewish Community newspaper in the area has been heartwarming and motivating. We also know from previous years that readership typically decreases in the summer as many of you enjoy vacations and camp. This seasonal
dip further supports our decision to take a break and return rejuvenated.
In the spirit of community and continuity, we would like to extend an invitation to anyone interested in taking over the reins of The LA Jewish Home. This venture could not only be a wonderful source of income but also a meaningful way to serve our community. If you or someone you know has the passion and drive to continue this important work, we encourage you to reach out to us for more information.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to reconnecting with you in the fall, refreshed and ready to bring you more of the news and stories that matter to our community.
Warm regards,
Avi & Yoel
•
Camp Shaarei Simcha Rocks!
Camp Shaarei Simcha, under the leadership of Rabbi Weiner, is rocking away this summer with an exciting lineup of adventures! The campers had a fabulous time at their overnight trip in Malibu, complete with a heartfelt kumzitz around the campfire. They also enjoyed an exhilarating field trip to the US Air Force Base and had a fabulous experience on a ropes course in Orange County. It’s a summer full of unforgettable memories and high-flying fun!
Introducing Camp Emek
This summer, Emek launched Camp Emek, offering an exciting array of new features and activities. This new initiative allows our growing student body to transition from our school program into our summer program, combining the fun activities associated with camp with Emek’s values and environment. Many of our teachers also work at the camp, assuring parents that their children will be supervised by adults who know them. Highlights include weekly optional sports tournaments for boys and girls, a dedicated creativity center offering STEM projects, and a state-ofthe-art game room with Virtual Reality goggles and the latest gaming systems. Each age group benefits from increased adult supervision, with Division Heads led by Rebbes, Assistant Division Heads by young adults, and high school counselors supporting junior counselors. Special programs like the Enhanced C.I.T. for 7th and 8th graders and a tailored program for 6th graders feature activities such as horseback riding, trips to Magic Mountain, and late-night adventures in town, including a chopped competition. For boys aged 5-8, there’s an exclusive late-night rental of Drytown Waterpark in Pomona. Enrollment numbers reflect strong interest, with close to 400 students on our Magnolia campus under the supervision of Camp Director Rabbi Moshe Tropper. At the Early Childhood Center, we have 135 children enrolled, led by Camp Director Mrs. Sara Rosenthal.
Campers having a kumzitz on their overnight in Malibu
Field trip at the US Airforce Base
Trip to Orange County Ropes Course
Emek Shines at the Annual Consortium of Jewish Day Schools Conference
Last week, Rabbi Levi Solomon, the Principal of Emek, participated in the Annual Consortium of Jewish Day Schools Conference, a prominent principal’s “Think Tank” for yeshiva day schools nationwide. Rabbi Solomon delivered a presentation on “Best Practices for Instructional Supervision” to an audience of over 50 principals from across the nation. The Consortium, founded and chaired by Rabbi Heshy Glass, has had a rich and longstanding connection with Emek.
Emek proudly partners with the Consortium, benefiting from various supports such as curriculum coaching, financial assistance, training sessions, and workshops. During the conference, Rabbi Glass highlighted Emek’s exemplary growth and values and presented Rabbi Solomon with the prestigious Leadership Award for Coaching and Mentoring.
Additionally, Emek’s own Morah Devora Pollak, a master L’Havin U’Lehaskil teacher, led a subsection of the seminar focused on teacher training on the L’Havin Chumash curriculum. She demonstrated various techniques and strategies to enhance classroom instruction. Emek takes great pride in Rabbi Solomon and Morah Pollak for their dedication and outstanding representation at this significant conference.
The Power of Words: Unleashing Blessings or Curses Parshat Balak
Parshat Balak recounts the intriguing story of the Moabite King, who sought to curse B’nei Yisrael through the prophet Bilam. However, through the divine intervention of Hashem, Bilam’s curses transformed into blessings. While the narrative highlights Hashem’s love and protection for us, it also provides us a profound lesson on the psychological concept of the power of words.
In our everyday lives, we often underestimate the impact of our words. Our speech possesses the remarkable ability to shape our own reality and influence the experiences of others. Parshat Balak invites us to reflect on the profound implications of this power, reminding us of the responsibility we hold in speaking wisely.
Bilam, initially driven by Balak’s request to curse the Israelites, embarked on his mission. Instead of uttering curses, he provided wonderful blessings to B’nei Yisrael. This unexpected result serves as a metaphor for the potential within each of us to harness the positive force of our words, even in situations
where negativity may seem tempting or justified.
Psychologically, the power of words can shape our self-perception and influence our actions. When we speak negatively about ourselves or others, doubting abilities or belittling worth, we create a self-fulfilling prophecy that limits everyone’s potential. Conversely, when we choose wisely, speaking words of encouragement, hope, and belief, we open opportunities to endless possibilities and growth. As stated in Pirkei Avot (1:11), “Be careful with your words.”
Our words possess the power to shape our thoughts, emotions, and ultimately, our actions, which are hallmark components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The CBT Cognitive Triad stipulates a link between our thoughts about ourselves, those around us, and the world - directly indicating their far-reaching power. In our interactions with others, words of appreciation or validation can uplift and inspire, fostering strong bonds of trust and love. On the contrary, careless words spoken in anger, criticism, or judgment can in
Selective Hearing
“King Balak sent a delegation over to have me go curse the Jews,” Bilam reports to God. God admonishes: “Don’t go with them. Don’t curse the Jews.” Yet Bilam goes. Why? Bilam hangs on God’s words “with them”; “with them I can’t, but with a more prominent delegation I can,” he reasons.
On the way to the Jews, a beast tries to talk him out of it. An angel then appears, trying to dissuade him. Incredibly, Bilam keeps going.
What can we do about it? What would have happened had Bilam asked, “God, with them I can’t go, but with others can I?” God would have set him straight. To ensure that you hear your wife, and not what
you want to hear, repeat what you think you heard to her and ask for validation. That will empower her, clarify what she wants, clarify the message to you, and improve your Shalom Bayit.
validate, leaving scars that may take years to heal. As stated by American author Jessamyn West, “A broken bone can heal, but the wound a word opens can fester forever.”
How often do we become our own or someone else’s Bilam? The Sefer HaChinukh, in describing mitzvah 231, “To not curse an Israelite, whether a man or a woman,” discusses how this even applies to not cursing someone who cannot hear you because we do not know the “power in the words of a person’s mouth” and the impact they have even on the speaker. The Parsha reminds us to exercise caution and thoughtfulness in our speech, for we hold the power to nurture those around us through the words we choose.
Hashem intervened to ensure that only blessings emerged from Bilam’s mouth. This serves as a reminder that when our words align with encouragement, gratitude, and compassion, we align ourselves with Hashem. By using positive words, we become a vessel for
of our speech, we can elevate ourselves and contribute positively to the world, bringing forth blessings instead of curses, love instead of hatred, and healing instead of harm.
Three tips to consider on a daily basis:
• Provide yourself with a kind word or encouragement
• Express gratitude directly to a loved one
• Show compassion to a stranger to light up their day
Shalom Bayit
Dear Readers,
We regret to inform you that we will be cutting our comic series, Stubborn Yossele, short. We are pausing the publication of The Jewish Home newspaper for the rest of the summer and would hate to keep you in suspense.
Recently, a concerned reader, an early childhood and elementary school teacher, shared their worries about the comic’s portrayal of negative behavior in both adults and children. They feared it could negatively influence young minds and undermine respect for Rabbis and older community members. We sincerely apologize for this oversight. Our intention was never to cause distress or convey inappropriate behavior. We understand the concerns and want to clarify that the story of Stubborn Yossele, while fictionalized for the comic, is actually based on a true story. The moral is that one’s extreme traits can lead to either downfall or greatness, depending on how one chooses to harness and direct them. We hope that by sharing the complete story, you can read it with your children and help clarify any misunderstandings.
Thank you for your feedback and support. Enjoy your summer, and we look forward to resuming our publication in the fall with content that upholds the values we all cherish.
The LA Jewish Home Team
Stubborn Yossele!
Once upon a time in the bustling village of Slutzk, Lithuania, a child named Yossele was born to Rabbi Meir in the year 1799. But Yossele wasn’t your ordinary child. From the moment he could crawl, he seemed to have an extra spark of energy that left everyone in town breathless and, frankly, exhausted.
Yossele was a whirlwind of mischief, impossible to tame. He scaled rooftops as easily as if they were small hills and swung from the highest branches of trees like a wild monkey. The townspeople often found themselves shaking their heads in disbelief as Yossele’s antics grew bolder and bolder. He’d set up elaborate pranks that would send all the townspeople scrambling. His laughter echoed through the village, a sound that spelled trouble.
Every rebbe in Slutzk had a story about Yossele. There was the time he filled the cheder with frogs, and another when he painted the rabbi’s beard blue while he napped. His elderly parents were at their wits’ end, trying every method imaginable to instill some discipline in their spirited boy. Yet, nothing seemed to work. The entire village wondered what would become of this unstoppable whirlwind of a child.
One day, when Yossele was 12 years old, he overheard a conversation that changed his life forever. Hiding next to the window, he listened as his friend Shlomo’s father scolded his son. “Why are you friends with Yossele?” he demanded. “Do you want to grow up to be like him? He’ll never amount to anything!”
Those words stung Yossele more than any punishment ever had. Determined to prove everyone wrong, he made a momentous decision. He would go to the famous Volozhin yeshiva and become a scholar, despite barely being able to read the aleph beit.
With a fierce determination, Yossele set out on his journey. The townspeople watched
him leave, many shaking their heads and whispering that he wouldn’t last a week. The road to Volozhin was long and perilous. Yossele walked through dense forests, his heart pounding at every rustle of leaves, imagining bandits and wild animals lurking in the shadows. But his resolve was unshakable. Nothing could deter him.
When he finally arrived at the yeshiva, he was a sight to behold: a scruffy, illiterate boy with a fire in his eyes. The other students scoffed at him, thinking he was mocking them. But the Rosh Yeshiva, the wise Rabbi Chaim, saw something special in Yossele. He welcomed the boy with open arms and encouraged him to stay, despite the many challenges ahead.
Life at the yeshiva was anything but easy. Yossele slept on cold, hard benches in the bet midrash, often waking up to find his blanket damp from the leaking roof. His meals consisted of old, stale bread, but he didn’t mind. He was determined to succeed. With incredible perseverance, Yossele learned the aleph beit, then moved on to Chumash, and eventually, the complex texts of the Gemara. He wasn’t shy about asking for help, and slowly, he began to make progress.
One day, a letter arrived from his mother. “Yossele,” she wrote, “there has been a terrible fire in our shtetl. We need you to come home and help us.” Yossele, torn between his family and his studies, went to Rabbi Chaim for guidance. “Return to your studies,” Rabbi Chaim instructed him. And so Yossele did, pouring all his energy into his learning.
Time passed, and Yossele’s dedication paid off. He became one of the best students at the yeshiva. Another letter came, this time bringing news that his father was ill. Again, Rabbi Chaim advised him to stay. Yossele’s heart ached, but he obeyed, diving even deep-
er into his studies.
He soon earned a place at the prestigious “eighteen” table, where students who studied for over 18 hours a day were given extra candles to continue their learning past sundown. His progress was remarkable, and he became the finest of the finest.
The third letter was the hardest to bear. His mother wrote to tell him that his father had passed away. She begged him to return home. With a heavy heart, Yossele sought Rabbi Chaim’s counsel once more. The wise rabbi simply pointed towards the yeshiva doors, and Yossele humbly returned to his studies, determined to honor his father’s memory through his achievements.
Years went by, and Yossele, now Rabbi Yossef, became Rabbi Chaim’s main student, revered for his brilliance and dedication.
When the rabbinical position in the city of Slutzk opened up, the townspeople sought a Rav. They heard of a special avreich from the Volozhin yeshiva named Rabbi Yossef and set out to ask him to fill the position. Among the delegation sent from Slutzk was Shlomo’s father, who had once doubted Yossele’s potential. Nobody recognized the refined and learned man who stood before them.
Rabbi Yossef was 32 years old when he became the Rav of Slutzk. Upon his return, his mother, overwhelmed with joy and disbelief, fainted at the sight of her transformed son.
Not long after, Rabbi Yossef’s fame spread throughout the country. He was known not only as a Gaon and Tzaddik but also as a humble and pious man, a true inspiration to all.
This story is based on the true events surrounding Reb Yossef Peimer, who was appointed as the Rav of Slutzk in 5589 (1829).
By: Belle Miller
FYI: FIRE
The Rainbow of Flames
While the most common ame color we see is orange, re can also burn blue, green, and even white! The color of a ame is determined by the material being burned and the temperature of the re. Lower temperatures produce red and orange ames, while higher temperatures produce blue and white ames.
Whether you're roasting marshmallows, grilling burgers, or gathering around a campfire, fire is at the heart of many beloved summer activities. Here are some intriguing facts about fire that might just spark your interest!
FireFighters on the World Stage
Believe it or not, re ghting was once an Olympic sport! In the 1900 Paris Olympics, re ghters competed in events that tested their skills and agility, including climbing ladders, running with hoses, and extinguishing res. While it didn’t become a recurring Olympic event, it showcased the bravery and physical prowess required in re ghting.
Matchless Method
Fire Hydrant Patent Goes Up in Smoke
In a twist of irony, the rst re hydrant patent was destroyed in a re. Patented by Frederick Gra Sr. in the early 19th century, the original documents were lost in a re at the U.S. Patent O ce in 1836. Despite this setback, re hydrants have become a critical component of urban re ghting infrastructure. They allow re ghters to quickly access a reliable water source, signi cantly improving their ability to combat res.
Here are some unconventional ways to get a fire started when you don’t have a match or lighter:
Chewing Gum Wrapper and Battery
This method involves a bit of creativity and resourcefulness. Use a foil gum wrapper and a battery (AA, AAA, or similar). Cut the gum wrapper into a thin strip with a narrow middle section. Touch one end of the foil to the positive terminal and the other to the negative terminal of the battery. The current passing through the thin part of the wrapper will heat it up and cause it to ignite. Make sure to have your tinder ready to catch the spark and turn it into a ame.
Soda Can and Chocolate
Polish the bottom of a soda can with chocolate (or toothpaste, if you have it). The goal is to make the can bottom super shiny, turning it into a re ective surface. Once it's polished, angle the can to re ect and concentrate sunlight onto a small piece of tinder. The intense, focused light can generate enough heat to ignite the tinder.
Ice Lens
Yes, you can use ice to start a re! It sounds counterintuitive, but it works. First, nd a piece of clear ice and shape it into a lens. This can be done by melting the ice with your hands to create a convex shape—thicker in the middle and narrower on the edges. Once you have your lens, use it to focus sunlight onto a piece of dry tinder, just like you would with a magnifying glass. The concentrated light will heat the tinder until it ignites.
The Blaze of Idioms
The word " re" has sparked numerous idioms in the English language:
• Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire: Moving from a bad situation to a worse one.
• Add Fuel to the Fire: Intensifying a situation or con ict.
• Light a Fire Under Someone: Inspiring or scaring someone into working harder.
• Play with Fire: Taking a foolish risk.
• Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire: Rumors usually originate in some form of truth.
• Fight Fire with Fire: Responding to an attack with similar tactics.
• On Fire: Performing exceptionally well.
When Nature Turns Up the Heat
• Wild res can reach extreme temperatures, with some burning at over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The deadliest wild re in U.S. history, the Peshtigo Fire of 1871, killed an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 people in Wisconsin.
• The U.S. sees an average of around 68,988 wild res each year.
• Approximately 87.4% of wild res are caused by human activities. These include camp res left unattended, lit cigarettes, and equipment use. Lightning is responsible for the remaining 12.6% of wild res.
Eating Fire Is Not Magic, It Is Science!
First of all, magicians don't actually eat re, but they do take it into their mouths! Here's how: they use torches made of materials that burn at a lower temperature and produce a steadier ame, making it a bit safer. The magician holds the torch at just the right angle and breathes carefully to avoid inhaling the ame. They also moisten their mouth and lips with saliva, which helps protect them from the heat. When they quickly close their mouth around the torch, they cut o the oxygen supply, snu ng out the ame. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.
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Lou’s Views
Summer Surprises
One month ago, no one could have predicted how much the 2024 presidential election landscape would change. Trump and Biden were basically tied in the polls, with Trump being branded as a “convicted felon” by the anti-Trumpers. Today, President Biden is defending his decision to stay in the race, and the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision regarding presidential immunity, which throws Trump’s previous convictions into jeopardy, along with the other three outstanding prosecutions.
We will begin by understanding the presidential immunity ruling. The Court wrote, “Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”
The Court’s rationale was that a president needs to be able to run the country without worrying about risking criminal prosecution. Such a risk would result in the president putting their interests above the nation’s interests. The Court did not immunize the president from all acts. If it falls into the gray area of an official act, then a lower court needs to determine if the president should receive the benefit of the doubt.
The Court took a practical view. It makes sense that a president should be able to serve confidently and freely without being concerned about prosecution. If being president would more likely than not run the risk of being prosecuted, then people would not want to run for the position. Without stating it explicitly, the majority of justices felt that voters, not prosecutors, should be the ultimate referendum on a president.
In a novel filing, Trump’s lawyers filed a motion to have the hush money case dismissed on the theory that Manhattan prosecutors had rashly and wrongly rushed to try Trump while the high court was still considering his immunity claims. They explained how witnesses who worked for Trump while he was President testified, and tweets he sent while he was president were admitted into evidence, in violation of presidential immunity.
They wrote in their brief, “Rather than wait for the Supreme Court’s guidance, the prosecutors scoffed with hubris at President Trump’s immunity motions and insisted on rushing to trial.” They urged Judge Juan M. Merchan “to address these injustices,” saying he was “duty-bound to do so in light of the Supreme Court’s decision.”
If any evidence falling under presidential immunity was admitted into the hush money trial, then Trump’s convictions would be reversed, and the DA’s Office would have to start over. Regardless of how this turns out, the chances of Trump being sentenced in this case before the November election seem very unlikely.
Turning to the election, as I write this col-
umn, there are two burning questions. First, will President Biden stay in the race despite many calls for him to step down after his disappointing debate performance? Second, why were so many people taken by surprise by his performance?
Beginning with the latter, the running theory is that President Biden’s inner circle shielded him from the press and public over the last four years. This prevented them from being able to see how challenging it was for him to formulate his thoughts. His public appearances were, for the most part, short and scripted. Many people, however, were aware of his cognitive challenges and were pleading for the public to come to terms with reality. In February 2024, Special Counsel Robert Hur released a report describing President Joe Biden as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” Even that did not seem to sway people.
It seems that a large part of the country was living in denial. A July 2023 article called “Denial: How it hurts, how it helps, and how to cope,” written by Heidi Godman in the Harvard Health Letter, addresses this:
“At some point in life, everyone experiences denial, a natural response when you’re unable or unwilling to face the facts. Denial is not always a bad thing. But it might be easier to recognize in others than in yourself. ‘It’s hard to look at your own life and take a good inventory of what’s going on. It takes a lot of work,’ says Jonathan Scholl, a therapist and clinical social worker at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital. What is denial? In psychological terms, denial is a defense mechanism, a skillful tool the mind can employ when things get tough. ‘I see it as a protective barrier we have that we might or might not be aware of,’ Scholl says. ‘It keeps us safe. It also keeps us from looking at ourselves or addressing something around us and making a change.’”
A denial theory would explain why so many people supported Biden over the last four years despite several warning signs that he was not up to par for the job.
Only President Biden knows what President Biden is going to do. What he should do is put the interests of the country above himself. He has dedicated his life to being a public servant. At 30 years old, he was one of the youngest Americans ever elected to the United States Senate.
There is still time for him to bow out gracefully and maintain that legacy. He can acknowledge that the country would be better served by a candidate who possesses the requisite cognition and stamina to hold the country’s highest office. Journalist Syed Badiuzzaman once said, “Pride is dangerous. Destroy your pride before your pride destroys you.”
Lou Shapiro is a criminal defense attorney-certified specialist and legal analyst, but most importantly, makes the end-of-shul announcements at Adas Torah. He can be reached at LouisJShapiro@gmail. com.
Notable Quotes
Did you notice how the names of all of Israel’s enemies start with H? Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, Ha’aretz...
- Tweet by Uri Kurlianchik
May he continue to have fun on his yachts. I prefer to work.
- Elon Musk, on X, responding to a video of Mark Zuckerberg surfing on July 4 in a tuxedo, while holding a an American flag and drinking a beer
Walk around San Francisco. It is not America anymore. It just isn’t. What a wasteland. All of these places shutting down. It is not a partisan argument. When a Walgreens shuts down and a drug store shuts down and a convenience store shuts down, a bodega shuts down, that’s nothing to do with whether you’re blue or red.
– “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary
If you just look at the data and talk to people around the country, political people around the country, it’s more likely that he’ll lose by a landslide than win narrowly this race. And if the stakes are as large as he says, and I believe they are, then he really needs to consider what the right thing to do here is.
- Ibid.
The media didn’t panic because they saw Biden [at the debate]; they panicked because YOU saw it.
– Greg Gutfeld, Fox News
Democrats in Congress are reportedly trying to find the best way for Biden to “move forward,” which is probably with one of those walkers with the tennis balls on the bottom of them.
- Kathryn Hahn, guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
By the way, I’m proud to be, as I said, the first vice president, first black woman, to serve with a black president.
- President Joe Biden in a radio interview with Philadelphia’s WURD
Nothing is for granted in this life. We all learned this firsthand in the past year. This land, the people on it, the feeling of security, sunrise, sunset, the excitement of a mother for her son walking a few meters at the age of 35.
- Israeli singer-songwriter and Fauda star Idan Amedi, who was seriously wounded in battle in Gaza, in footage on Tuesday from rehab
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Remembering Jim Inhofe and His Vital Support for Israel
Moshe Phillips
Jim Inhofe, the former long-serving US Senator from Oklahoma, passed away on July 9. Inhofe was a former Mayor of Tulsa, U.S. Army vet, committed family man, and strong supporter of Israel. Inhofe’s commitment to the Iron Dome and other vitally important Senate initiatives that strengthened Israel have been completely absent from the many articles celebrating his career of service and marking his passing. In this small space, an attempt will be made to rectify that.
Displaying hakaras hatov (the debt of gratitude that people should show for someone who did a good thing for them first) is a behavior that is not just praised and encouraged but demanded in ancient Jewish wisdom. Jim Inhofe did many good things for Israel that should never be forgotten.
Senator James Inhofe seemed to innately know that any American who denies the eternal truth of Jewish ownership of the Land of Israel and Jerusalem ignores history and also denies that the Bible (Torah) is the Divine word of G-d. Belief that Jerusalem is and should remain the undivided capital of Israel is historically, religiously, and politically correct.
During his time in the Senate, Inhofe served as chair of the Armed Services Committee and showed unwavering support for Israel in that powerful committee.
Here’s a brief (and incomplete) list of Inhofe’s Senate work to support Israel from just part of his last term in office:
In 2021, Inhofe was one of 44 senators who signed a letter to President Biden stating “...we also urge you to unequivocally support Israel’s right to defend itself against any and all terrorist attacks.”
Also in 2021, Inhofe and Senator Bill Hagerty introduced an amendment to the COVID-19 Budget Resolution designed to ensure that the U.S. Embassy to Israel remains in Jerusalem. Ninety-seven senators voted to pass Inhofe’s pro-Jerusalem amendment.
On October 30, 2021, Inhofe tweeted, “@SenatorHagerty and I secured an amendment earlier this year to prevent a change in policy. We just introduced the Upholding the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Law of 2021 to protect the law and ultimately ensure Jerusalem remains the capital of Israel permanently.”
In 2020, Inhofe cosponsored legislation
// Sherman Oaks, CA 91411
that called on the U.S. State Department to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group.
Here are some other important examples from earlier in Senator Inhofe’s career.
In 2009, Inhofe’s work to remove the waiver in Jerusalem Embassy law was widely praised, with the Orthodox Union stating that it “wishes to thank the original co-sponsors of this important piece of legislation including, Senators Cornyn, Inhofe, and Kyl.”
In 2012, Inhofe introduced an amendment to cut assistance to the Palestinians by 50% as well as U.S. payments to the UN if the then effort by the Palestinians to gain recognition as a non-member observer state succeeded in the General Assembly.
In 2018, Inhofe co-introduced a letter, later signed by all 100 senators, insisting that the Department of Homeland Security fast track Israel’s full membership in the Global Entry program.
Along with his stance on the embassy in Jerusalem, the other crucial role Inhofe played in strengthening the US-Israel alliance was his championing of the Iron Dome. A letter he co-wrote to colleagues in December
2012 is just one example. “As witnessed by the recent attacks on Israel from Gaza, the continued joint efforts of the United States and Israel in missile defense systems is critical to protecting this close U.S. ally and American interests in that region,” Inhofe wrote.
That 2012 letter was related to a bill that authorized the then-new funding for Iron Dome as well as for other defense programs for Israel.
Can one imagine the additional devastation that Israel would have faced after October 7 if the Iron Dome was not part of its defense arsenal?
Who will take up Israel’s cause in future Senates? No doubt some current senators may come to your mind -- and they all well deserve praise -- but it is imperative that all Americans who love Israel make sure that more senators like them, and like Inhofe, join their ranks.
Moshe Phillips is a past board member of the American Zionist Movement and served as a delegate to the 38th World Zionist Congress.
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Nothing Is Ever New
Lane Igoudin
They can be so charming
Those anti-dash-Zionists
Like young SS soldiers
In pressed uniforms
With breeze on their temples
Marching lockstep and onwards
With no room to question
Right from wrong
We see them as people
They see us as slogans
They blame us for something We didn’t create
When we get assaulted
Attacked at the shul gates
It merits no notice
Like water – no trace
In times so divided, uncertain, and lawless
We feel like a fortress besieged within walls
When friendships dissolve into glee that speaks volumes
The void feels so strange
The void seems so new to us
But nothing is new
As nothing is ever new
To a Jew
And still we have hope
A true cause to fight for
And stand up wherever we can
That’s we’ve done
Everywhere and always –
Trust our faith and our hope
Amidst chanting and taunting
‘Cause nothing is new
As nothing is ever new
To a Jew
Lane Igoudin has written extensively on Jewish mindfulness and spiritual growth for Applied Jewish Spirituality, Forward, and Jewish News. He is professor of English/ESL at Los Angeles City College.
Dear Dini,
I am terrified to ask you this question, but I know this is something I need to face. My child seems to be drinking more than normal these days for your average 21-year-old bachur. I know some of his friends drink on Shabbos at a kiddush here or there, but my son seems to be doing this outside the realm of your average kiddush. When I approach him about it, he gets hostile and defensive. Recently, while grabbing something from his room that he asked me to take to the cleaners, I saw a half-finished bottle of scotch on the dresser. No one drinks scotch in my household. I don’t know where to turn or who to approach about this; this is uncharted territory for both my husband and me. We love our son, and we want to help him, but we don’t know how.
Scared out of our minds
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your bravery in writing to me about this very important subject. More importantly, I want to give you a hug. I want to tell you it will all be okay and not to worry, but as a parent myself, I can’t tell another parent not to worry because that is one of our jobs from the moment our children are born. Your question is yet another reminder of how fragile our children are, how much we want to teach them, and how sometimes, no matter how we try to help them, they resist. Always listen to your gut. In this case, I can probably say it’s spot on. Obviously, I don’t have proof, but let’s go with it for the sake of
how you can help your son. Besides, I would rather err on the side of caution than brush this off. Alcohol in the wrong hands at the wrong time is no joke.
To answer your question, I need to remind you that I am answering in two capacities: one as a trained coach and the other as someone who has worked with addicts and their families on many occasions in different ways. I am not, however, a trained addiction therapist, and my education does not include formal addiction training.
Ever since I was introduced to the world of addiction, I have been mesmerized by its complicated details, the behaviors it produc-
es, and the very definition itself. Any present-day dictionary will define addiction as the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.
Upon further research, not that you must dig too deep, addiction is defined as having a strong physical or psychological need or urge to do something or use something. That makes more sense to me because in my world, it explains a lot. My world means the place I go when I want to help my clients that I coach, and perhaps a little of my own. The psychological need or urge is greater than one can imagine, but I believe it doesn’t only apply to a substance, thing, or
activity unless activity also includes emotions and the behaviors surrounding them.
Addiction isn’t an easy concept to accept, whether it affects us or other people. The negativity surrounding it stems from the idea that one is bad and cannot change. And that’s where the work comes in: the detox, the rehab, and mostly the beyond.
The hostility and defensiveness can be for two reasons: one, he doesn’t see it as an issue, or two, he very well knows it’s an issue, and embarrassment and shame are too much to admit. He may not see this as an area of concern. After all, who knows who else is drinking with him, and for that reason,
it’s a norm. You may not see or know those other boys, and so for him, this is what being 21 is all about—drink when you want to because why not? It’s all good. Maybe he himself has a cutoff, as in, “Well, as long as I don’t drink and drive (WE PRAY), what’s the issue?” Lying to others usually starts with lying to oneself, and that’s not only in addiction or drinking. But again, not knowing him or his full circumstances, I can only give you what may be going through his mind. If, on the other hand, he knows full well this is an issue, he may know it, but admitting it to you, his parents—the same parents he wants to make proud—you can’t begin to imagine the power of what shame can cause. Not only would he get defensive and hostile, but it viciously continues the cycle. “I know I have an issue, I can’t admit I have it, I clearly can’t stop it, so why not keep doing it?” That’s where, if there is an addiction, it spirals out of control. Again, this applies to many behaviors. The issue that comes along with the overuse of a substance is that the substance in time affects brain growth and ability to function. So, what can you as parents do, knowing he won’t be able to see this for himself, and you’re watching what seems to be or could lead to a destructive pattern? I won’t tread lightly on this (as you can see so far) because I know what all of this does to young adults. I have seen it way too many times,
and I have been in the trenches with the families—the families that get destroyed over this. What can you do? You can do some practical things. For starters, set a good example for your son. I don’t know what your husband or you do at the typical kiddush, or how alcohol plays a role in your home, but if it does, for now, you need to scale back on it because he will use that as a blueprint for permission to drink. I am not saying this helps an addict; I am just mildly suggesting taking stock of what goes on in your home. Secondly, you should never be afraid to talk to your children, especially an adult child. Your approach can’t be the same as talking to a teenager; however, you are allowed to engage in non-confrontational conversation with a 21-year-old son. You may be interested in knowing what is on his mind; maybe he is going through something, and by engaging in conversation, you could get to the bottom of it. I dare suggest that perhaps you can offer him a therapist to speak with confidentially should he voice that there is something bothering him. Dialogue between parent and adult children is always beneficial when done in a way where the child feels safe and not judged.
The other definition of an addict is gauged on functionality. There are many functional people who drink or take drugs. Unfortunately, I have met one or two. It was
BasyaGradon.com
when their lives stopped being functional that their status changed to being an addict. When they can no longer show up to work or yeshiva, or when their productivity at work (or learning) is affected, that’s when you know it’s the red zone. You need to non-invasively monitor what is happening in his life. Is it functional? Should he be somewhere but instead can’t get up in the morning, more than the usual getting up later than normal? You and your husband can watch out for signs that show you we are close to the red zone. This fact is something that I know will be hard to read: someone who needs help cannot get help until THEY SEE IT FOR THEMSELVES. I can’t tell you how many interventions I have done with addicts, where three out of ten of them went nowhere and failed because the individual refused help in any way. They can only walk themselves into a detox or agree to go to rehab. I am not sure you are at that point, and I am hoping you never will be, but I mention it so you have this in mind: you can’t walk the mile for him should he ever need to go that route. You can call and reach out to intervention specialists, properly trained addiction therapists, and they can guide you. I say this with great respect for Rabbanim and halachic authority: you cannot just “ask your Rabbi.” Today, many Rabbanim will, in fact, guide you to the right people, but many will not, and they take it into their own
hands without the education needed to help an addict succeed in getting clean. Please make sure you know the difference between them and do your research.
The best part of your question is the statement of how you both love your son. Do I think your son is an addict? Not necessarily; he may be just testing his new adulthood boundaries. But no matter what you face ahead, remember that you both love him, because sometimes that’s going to ask you to make some hard choices and difficult decisions.
Adina Gres
Adina (Dini) Gres is a wife, mother of 4 adult daughters, business owner, writer, speaker, and certified life coach. Through her role as owner of Financial Concierge LLC and coach for personal and financial clients, Adina recognizes that trying to get ahead without managing a healthy mentality is the primary reason blocking individuals from success. When working with her clients, Dini helps them understand how they themselves can change the narrative of their lives. You can hear more from Adina by listening to her podcast titled “Things I think you should know.” Adina also shares on her Instagram page @ financialconcierge.
For submissions to the “Dear Dini” column, please send your questions to editor@thelajewishhome.com
Stories to Inspire
Beyond Imperfections
Rabbi YY Jacobson shares a poignant story about his brother, Rabbi Simon Jacobson, who has been teaching a weekly Torah class in Manhattan for several years. One Wednesday night, a new attendee caught Rabbi Simon’s attention due to his apparent motor skill issues and speech impediment. This man, as Rabbi Simon soon learned, had a heartbreaking story: he was born with a neurological disease and placed in a special needs institution by his parents, who decided not to raise him. Despite living just minutes away from each other in Manhattan, the man and his parents had never met.
THIS TOUCHING REUNION HIGHLIGHTS THE DESTRUCTIVE NATURE OF BASELESS HATRED, WHICH, AS OUR SAGES TEACH, LED TO THE FALL OF JERUSALEM AND THE BEIT HAMIKDASH.
Now thirty years old, the man had grown up without knowing his parents, although his father sent him a monthly check to cover his needs. Deeply moved by the man’s situation, Rabbi Simon reached out to the father, praising the man’s spiritual and sensitive soul. Despite his physical disabilities, Rabbi Simon emphasized that meeting him would be a privilege. The father’s response was cold and dismissive, but Rabbi Simon did not give up.
After a few months, Rabbi Simon called the man’s mother, hoping for a more compassionate reaction. She was initially resistant, citing the decision made thirty years ago. However, Rabbi Simon reasoned with her, highlighting that many children never have the chance to meet their parents and that her son only wished to see her once. The mother eventually agreed to discuss it with her husband.
THE RED THAT SAYS “CHEESE”
The following week, the father agreed to meet his son, on the condition that Rabbi Simon would also be present. On the designated Sunday, Rabbi Simon and the man went to the parents’ house, which boasted a stunning view of Central Park. The initial meeting was tense, with little eye contact or conversation. Rabbi Simon broke the ice by reiterating the man’s depth and kindness, hoping his parents would see it as a privilege to meet him after so many years. The pivotal moment came when the man spoke to his parents, acknowl-
edging his imperfections and expressing forgiveness for theirs. His heartfelt words brought his mother to tears, leading her to embrace her son, soon followed by his father. Rabbi Simon, seeing that his goal was achieved, quietly left, knowing the family was now reunited.
This touching reunion highlights the destructive nature of baseless hatred, which, as our Sages teach, led to the fall of Jerusalem and the Beit Hamikdash. The story serves as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and acceptance, especially as we approach Tisha B’av, a day
of mourning and reflection. By forgiving others for their imperfections, we can hope to rebuild our relationships and look forward to reuniting with our Father in Heaven.
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.
HERZOG LINEAGE | PINOT NOIR | CLARKSBURG
PICO LA BREA
My late mother used a declarative tone to address children in the family with this statement. She would challenge them to find creative ways to entertain themselves when the “I’m bored” complaint was heard. It was often followed by a comment such as, “You are smart. You can find yourself something to do.” Not each kid liked to hear it.
As a parent, I agreed with this approach. It’s not the responsibility of a parent to entertain children. Learning to handle their own occupation is a process, however. I would give my children a list of age-appropriate options and suggest that they pick one. They would sometimes get a written list. Alternatively, they could come up with their own ideas. My own daughter implemented this strategy to the point that her daughter would complain at age four, “I am bored, and I DO NOT want options.”
However, when it came to the grandchildren, my mother learned to be proactive more often than didactic. She had a store of old toys like all grandmothers do. But she also kept a bag of novelty items from a local discount store hanging in a hall closet, filled with cheap toys and games for visiting grandchildren, great nieces and nephews, and children of talmidim of my father’s. There were always quality books to read in the “book room” and the cheapies for taking home. She would also buy her favorites from the street vendors in Manhattan. That’s why one daughter recalls five copies of Little Women and at least three of the Wind in the Willow on our Brooklyn shelves.
As grandmothers, we seek quality experiences with our grandchildren. We want not only all parties to enjoy, laugh and make memories, we also want more of a lasting impact than fun experiences together. We want our interactions to have an impact on character development, intellectual development, and Jewish values development. Ideas, situations, dilemmas, and Torah could be part of the conversations. But how to do it?
is Not Fatal
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz
Obviously, there are different strategies for different ages. And the numbers have to be manageable. If we are hosting or sharing a space for a big yom tov with grandchildren of all ages, we are obviously going to plan for times for each age group or groups of two or three. If are hosting, we are responsible for the maintenance of peace and atmosphere. Some purchases can be delegated. One
My own daughter implemented this strategy to the point that her daughter would complain at age four, 'I am bored, and I DO NOT want options.
daughter has offered to bring unique toys she has access to. But it’s on us to keep the school-age children content in our homes. The babies and toddlers who are unfamiliar with the environment and schedules often give the parents a hard time.
Having new games for the bigger kids after napping will keep some engaged. The preschoolers may need a fresh set of Playmobil or two to keep them busy. Even a full stock of multiple sets of Magnatiles won’t necessarily be interesting enough. They have them at
home, and they have them at preschool. New dolls and carriages, trucks, a new dollhouse and figurines, puppets and a puppet theater, and costumes provide hours of creativity that can happen with cousins. Lots of cheap top hats and pompoms will prompt shows that the kids will prepare and eventually perform. This is a great resource for those long rainy yom tov days. A new board game is sedentary, but you may not be left with all the pieces by the time yom tov is over. Newly published books and the holiday magazines provide the teens and their parents with resources for time out.
There isn’t much time for engagement when there are so many in one space. But you can take a stroll with a grandchild or two. Talking about what they are currently reading and what was the latest program at school are good openers. We can follow up with questions like: what did you like about that?
We want the conversations to be more than reportorial. Sharing a bit about what is going on in our own lives, minds, jobs, hobbies, projects, and bedside reading demonstrates that we want to share our own interests, too. Intentionality is in order if you want to really discuss things. Talking about one’s parents is not hard. “Did I ever tell you about the time when…?” is a good opener to pique a grandchild’s interest beyond perusing photo albums together.
It’s neither our obligation nor our responsibility to provide boredom busters for our grandchildren. But it’s smart for management of yom tov and to promote relationships.
JWOW! is a community for midlife Jewish women which can be accessed at www.jewishwomanofwisdom.org for conversation, articles, Zoom events, and more.
