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The Pesach Hotel Experience at Home
Dear Reader,
Last week, we explored what it takes to run a successful kosher restaurant in Los Angeles—the challenges, the triumphs, and the realities of serving a community that’s as passionate about food as it is about faith. But restaurants are only half the story. Before the food hits the plate, it has to come from somewhere. That brings us to this week’s focus: kosher supermarkets.
If you’ve ever stared at a grocery bill and wondered why kosher food prices seem to climb higher every year, you’re not alone. This week, we’re diving into the inner workings of the kosher food supply chain, from distributors to supermarkets to new initiatives like The LA Kosher Outlet, which is redefining how some families access affordable kosher groceries.
One striking discovery? Many of the people we spoke with—industry insiders, market owners, and distributors—were hesitant to go on record. Pricing structures, supply chain logistics, and the politics of kosher food remain hot-button topics, and the fact that so many preferred to speak anonymously only underscores how complex this industry really is.
We’ll also be continuing the conversation on what LA still lacks. Last week, we asked: Does a kosher restaurant need nonJewish customers to succeed? This week, we
ask: Why isn’t there a one-stop shop for healthy, nutritious, and affordable kosher food? The demand for better options is growing—so why hasn’t the industry caught up?
As Purim approaches, we shift from grocery shopping for Shabbos to planning for Mishloach Manos. If you haven’t placed your order yet, Munchies LA has you covered with unique, high-quality Purim baskets. Details inside!
Also, a final note—our Yellow Pages initiative is in full swing. If you own a business and want to secure a permanent spot in The LA Jewish Home at an unbeatable price, now is the time. Check the ad inside for details.
As always, we appreciate you picking up this issue. Keep the feedback coming, and if there’s something in the kosher food world you think we should cover next, let us know!
Shabbat Torah Reading: Tetzaveh Light Candles at: 6:12 PM Friday, March 7, 2025 Adar 7, 5787
Shabbat Ends: 7:08 PM Saturday, March 8, 2025 Adar 8, 5785
The Kosher Price Puzzle: Why Los Angeles Pays More for the Basics
For observant Jews in Los Angeles, keeping kosher is non-negotiable. Unlike other expenses that can be adjusted based on financial constraints, kosher food is a fixed necessity—and increasingly, an expensive one. But while the price hikes are felt by consumers, the causes remain largely obscured by a complex and fragmented supply chain.
It’s worth noting that many of the industry professionals we spoke to for this article requested anonymity, a fact that speaks volumes. No one wants to be seen as pointing fingers, but there’s an understanding within the industry that something isn’t quite right.
At the same time, a new initiative called The LA Kosher Outlet is challenging the status quo, offering at-cost pricing with no shipping or storage surcharge to families who qualify. Known simply as “The Kosher Outlet”, the initiative was originally a collaborative effort between Dovid Kagan of Western Kosher, Taam Shabbos, and Yitzhak Unger. Today, however, it operates solely under Unger and his close collaborators, who are attempting to reshape how Los Angeles’ Jewish families access affordable kosher food.
The True Cost of Keeping Kosher in LA
For decades, kosher grocery shopping in LA has relied on a familiar lineup of brands—Lieber’s, Paskesz, Glicks, Hadar, Geffen, Tuscanini—all of which are produced on the East Coast. By the time these prod-
ucts reach LA shelves, they have already been marked up twice: first by the manufacturer, then again by the distributor.
A key distributor explained, “Almost every major kosher brand is produced in New York or New Jersey. The logistics of getting products across the country add significantly to the cost, and that’s before factoring in storage, warehousing, and retail markups.”
Additionally, kosher distribution on the West Coast comes with its own built-in markups, as suppliers factor in transportation, storage, and wholesale pricing structures unique to the region. By the time these products reach LA shelves, costs have been adjusted to reflect the challenges of operating thousands
of miles from the manufacturing hubs of New York and New Jersey. The result? The same kosher items often carry a 20-30% higher price tag in Los Angeles than they do on the East Coast.The result? Consumers in LA are paying for inefficiencies that have little to do with the actual cost of the food.
The DistributorSupermarket Dynamic
Supermarket owners insist that the real price drivers are the distributors, not the stores themselves. One supermarket operator, speaking off the record, stated:
“People blame us, but we aren’t
making major profits on these products. The markup happens before the food even gets to our shelves. If we tried to lower prices beyond a certain point, we’d be out of business in a month.”
Distributors, on the other hand, argue that their margins are justified by transportation costs, warehousing expenses, and bulk purchasing commitments. Unlike large national retailers, independent kosher markets lack the purchasing power to buy directly from manufacturers at a competitive rate.
One distribution source explained:
“If you want to cut out the middleman, you need to buy in bulk. No kosher supermarket in LA is buying full containers directly from the source. It’s just not feasible. Manufacturers aren’t interested unless you’re placing massive orders.”
That fundamental disconnect has led to an inefficient and expensive supply chain, with costs inevitably passed on to the consumer.
The LA Kosher Outlet Disruption
In November 2023, LA Kosher Outlet opened its doors, upending pricing expectations in the community. Modeled after New York’s Taam Shabbos, the outlet operates on a no-frills, wholesale-style model, offering consumers kosher products at near-direct cost.
Unlike traditional supermarkets, LA Kosher Outlet doesn’t factor in storage, labor, or operational costs
into its pricing. What it offers is raw cost access, eliminating the middleman markup and exposing just how inflated standard kosher supermarket prices have become.
A source familiar with the outlet’s pricing model explained:
“Even in New York, these products don’t sell this cheap. The manufacturers lower their prices slightly because they know it’s going to the outlet, and the outlet isn’t tacking on anything extra—no shipping, no storage, no handling fees.”
The impact has been immediate. Consumers now have a baseline for what these products actually cost, and many are reconsidering how much they’re willing to pay elsewhere.
The Rise of Health-Conscious Shopping
Complicating the pricing debate is the growing demand for healthier kosher options. Organic, gluten-free, and sugar-free products have surged in popularity, but the price barrier remains high.
The reason is twofold:
1. Organic food requires more oversight to grow naturally, making production inherently more expensive.
2. Non-organic food lasts longer due to preservatives, allowing supermarkets to sell it at a lower cost with less risk of spoilage.
Big kosher brands are responding to these trends, introducing healthier spinoff products to cater to shifting consumer preferences. But the reality remains: eating clean while keeping kosher is still a privilege for those who can afford it.
Exclusive Distribution & Market Fragmentation
Another hidden factor contributing to pricing inconsistencies is exclusive distribution deals.
Certain distributors lock in agreements with brands, preventing competing supermarkets from carrying the same products. This means consumers who prefer a specific kosher brand may have to shop at multiple locations to find what they need.
An industry source explained:
“Everyone wants exclusivity. It helps a store stand out, but it also creates a fragmented market where consumers have to pay whatever price that particular store sets.”
Instead of one store offering everything at competitive prices, shoppers are forced to play supermarket hopscotch, further adding to the inefficiencies of the kosher food economy.
Why So Many People Prefer to Stay Silent
Throughout our conversations, one thing became clear: this is an industry where very few people want to speak on the record.
There’s an undeniable tension between distributors, supermarkets, and consumers, yet no one wants to take direct responsibility for the pricing structure. Each party is quick to blame another, and even those willing to acknowledge systemic problems hesitate to go public.
This culture of secrecy and avoidance is precisely what allows kosher food prices to remain artificially high, with no clear path to reform.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Fixing LA’s kosher food pricing issue is not a simple task, but there are several possible paths forward:
1. Increase Local Production: More West Coast-based kosher manufacturing would reduce dependency on East Coast suppliers and cut shipping costs.
2. Smarter Bulk Purchasing Strategies: If supermarkets formed cooperatives to place larger direct orders, they could bypass distributors and lower costs.
3. Greater Pricing Transparency: Consumers need to know exactly where their money is going—who is marking up what, and why.
4. Expanding LA Kosher Outlet’s Model: While it can’t replace traditional supermarkets, a scaled-up version of the outlet could pressure distributors to rethink pricing strategies.
For now, kosher consumers in LA remain trapped in an expensive system. Supermarkets aren’t the villains, but the distribution model is undeniably flawed.
The recent shake-ups in the market, including the LA Kosher Outlet’s aggressive pricing model, signal that the system may not be as untouchable as once thought.
Until real structural changes are made, consumers will have to navigate an imperfect landscape, balancing price, convenience, and quality with every grocery run.
Beyond the Headlines
A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news
Sivan Rahav Meir
Translated by Yehoshua Siskin, Janine Muller Sherr
ANTICIPATING THE MONTH OF JOY
It feels like an emotional roller coaster: deep mourning for all those who were murdered; elation at the hostages who were released; gratitude for the miracle of the five buses that didn’t explode because a massive attack failed, thank God; and the shock and outrage at the incomprehensible cruelty and manipulation of the enemy who delayed returning Shiri Bibas’s body.
This upcoming Friday and Shabbat will be Rosh Chodesh Adar. We pray for a month of blessing, peace, Torah and honor.
The month of Adar symbolizes joy – specifically after a great calamity. Archenemy Haman (a descendant of Amalek) wanted to destroy the entire Jewish people. Through our proper conduct, God turned everything around for the good. Adar calls us to return to ourselves, to our identity, and through this to merit joy and success.
DON’T
LET HAMAS TAKE OUR MINDS CAPTIVE, TOO
Hamas took our dear brothers and sisters captive, and now, with the weekly hostage releases, Hamas is trying to take our minds captive as well. We have experienced extreme sadness at the return of those who were murdered, individuals whom we have come to know almost personally. We also feel extreme joy each time we welcome those who remained alive, whom we’ve also come to know almost personally.
This entire grotesque scenario is being staged by a terrorist organization of Islamo-Nazis that is torturing us all to the last second. Needless to say, they are overjoyed to be able to sow conflict among us, causing many of us to forget who the true enemy is.
I was privileged to get to know
Shelly Shem Tov several days after her son Omer was taken captive. We met at a large prayer gathering that took place at the Kotel. Since then, whenever she was interviewed, I noticed something astonishing: She refused to allow Hamas to take her mind captive. She spoke only about unity and prayer, about our roots, about spiritual strength. Again and again, she returned to stories about Omer, who kept Shabbat even in captivity, and rebuked those who tried to weaken her stance. She asked only that we give her and Omer the strength to persist, and indeed, that strength was evident last week when, thank God, she finally welcomed Omer back home.
Let’s try to follow Shelly Shem Tov’s example, as we replace the lying propaganda of our enemy with the clear words of truth that we read recently in the Torah portion, words spoken at Har Sinai that continue to reverberate, reminding us of who we are:
“And now if you will obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My unique treasure from among all peoples... and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
WHAT
GAVE SIGI COHEN HER STRENGTH?
Sigi Cohen is the mother of hostage Eliya Cohen who was released last week from Hamas captivity. I first met her about a year ago, during one of the first Shabbatot that I spent with her and other families of hostages under the auspices of the Kesher Yehudi organization. At the time, I interviewed her on stage and this is what she told me: “Two years ago, I experienced a medical cri-
sis that had me overwhelmed with worry and fear. One day, Eliya called me and said in a firm voice: ‘Ima, aren’t you a woman of faith? Don’t give up, God is running the show. You have strength. I won’t allow you to fall.’
“I realized that he was right. Fear doesn’t help. From that time on, I was determined to get up. We all have deep reservoirs of strength and faith. That conversation with Eliya gave me strength that lasts to this day. I always hear his voice in my head lifting me up.”
Throughout the time that her son was held hostage in Gaza, Sigi did, indeed, get up and take action. She organized gatherings, in Israel and around the world, dedicated to doing mitzvot and good deeds. She especially encouraged people to go to shul and participate in the recitation of Birkat Kohanim since her son, who is a Kohen, was not able to recite the blessing during that time.
Back then, she told me that we need to spread Eliya’s message to the entire Jewish people: “We all need to listen to that small voice deep inside that tells us that God believes in us. You have strength. Do not allow yourself to fall.”
BUILDING YOUR OWN SANCTUARY
The accompanying photo shows the Chabad women shluchot gathered at their annual conference in New York. The NYPD closed off the road so that thousands of women who oversee huge organizations of Torah, education, and chessed— hubs of activity on behalf of the Jewish people— could pose for a group photo. When the conference ended, each woman headed back to her post in Australia, Ukraine, Tel Aviv, Thailand, or wherever she is stationed across the globe.
This week’s Torah portion of Terumah describes the building of the Mishkan, the nation of Israel’s spiritual center in the desert. God instructed the people, before they arrived
in Israel, to construct a Mishkan that would accompany them throughout their 40-year journey.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l understood this as God’s call to each one of us in every time and place: Wherever you go, build a mishkan, act as an emissary, and add light to your surroundings. Don’t wait until you reach your final destination. We are told to build a mishkan specifically in the desert, to teach us that regardless of our circumstances, wherever we are and whatever we are doing, it is our task to spread Torah and mitzvot, to draw people close and to strengthen them, and thus to find our mission in that particular place.
Thank you to all the exceptional Chabad shluchot for establishing “sanctuaries” throughout the world with so much love and devotion. And thank you for demonstrating that each one of us is an emissary, responsible for impacting our environment and transforming our own home into a mishkan. By doing so, we hasten the building of our Beit Hamikdash and the coming of Mashiach.
The Taste Test
Malky Michelin
Hello everyone! Just to introduce myself, I’m Malky Michelin - your new local restaurant critic and reviewer. I was inspired by last week’s article and volunteered to lead the charge in providing an honest, unbiased view of the kosher scene in LA. Throughout every issue, I’ll dive into new and established restaurants, pop-ups, and kosher foodie experiences in our city, helping you decide where to take the kids out to dinner next, what restaurant to celebrate your anniversary at, and what to order next on Uber Eats. I’m on a mission to uplevel our kosher dining options and celebrate those that bring innovation and flavor to our taste buds. Please send me your hot tips and recommendations at Food@thelajewishhome. com and I’ll check them out and review them for a future article.
Today’s article takes us down Pico Boulevard far past YULA boys and Century City Mall to beyond the edges of the LA eruv. The other week I woke up with the strangest pain in my back; it must have been from that awful flight we took home from Yeshiva Week. I desperately needed a massage, but my husband said I couldn’t get my fancy one on Wilshire because of the money we’d just spent on our trip. So, I turned to my trusted Yelp and found this wonderful, cheap, and relaxing massage parlor down Pico.
But this is not a review of LA massage parlors - we’ll save that for other “Jewish” newspapers.
After I dazed out of my wonderful, relaxing, and cheap(!) massage, I noticed that next door was this cute little kosher restaurant called Habayit. Why had I not heard of this place before? Adorned at the entrance are
newspaper cutouts from 15 years ago with glowing reviews, a mezuzah, and a Teudah. It was time to check this place out.
From the moment I stepped in, I felt like I was no longer in frum LA. There’s something about this place that reminds me of my travels “out of town”. Initially, Habayit reminds me of the one kosher restaurant you find when you go to a random city in America or the only kosher restaurant in some far off city in Europe that only serves shwarma. You know: the falafel, shawarma, chicken soup, sushi joint that was opened by the Israeli who recently moved to town and misses home. That’s because it kinda is. Amir and Pnina Simyonov opened Habayit almost 20 years ago, bringing their love of Israeli cuisine to the inhabitants of LA’s west side. Maybe this place is an ode to a bygone era in the LA kosher restaurant scene when kosher Jews lived west of the 405 and hadn’t discovered that Japanese and Mexican food could be made kosher (and good). Oh, and the prices reflect that time too; sure they’re not “treif cheap” but it’s a respectable price for good food that reflects pre-eggflation prices.
Onto the food, the falafel here is the star of the show, followed by the chicken soup. This isn’t a combination you’d find often at a restaurant in Israel but strangely, I kinda recommend it. The falafel has a crunchy exterior with a soft yummy inside; they’re made fresh - no Osem box mix here. The chicken soup just hit the spot: piping hot, clear, and full of flavor. I’m not sure if it was the massage or the soup but I was feeling energized and full of life after. The baba ghanoush has that fresh smokey and creamy flavor that you
immediately recognize as a thousand times better than the slimy mush you can find at your local kosher mart.
Overall, I had a great experience and felt instantly transported to that hole-in-the-wall joint I frequented in my seminary days. You should do the same in your order: get the food that would make your Israeli cousins proud (with extra zhug). Is it better than any of the other Israeli-food options you can get on Pico? Possibly. Regardless, the food is good and it’s a great experience - worth checking out if you happen to get hungry after a massage or on your way to the beach.
Food quality: 3.5*
Value for money: 4.5*
Vibe: 3.5*
Overall: 4* (when viewed as a day trip with a massage next door)
LA
Kosher Food News to Have on Your Radar!
Hibachi Night – March 5th, 8 PM by Kosher Hibachi
This is exactly what the LA kosher scene needs more of—expanding our palates with something new. A private, intimate evening featuring a hibachi chef, a multi-course dinner, and sake & fire entertainment.
Tickets are $145 per person. For more details, call or text 818308-5069.
Boichik Bagels Lands in LA
The beloved Bay Area bagel spot has finally made its way to LA. Boichik Bagels is known for its perfectly chewy, golden-crusted bagels, and I’ve been dying to try them. Just a heads-up—only the bagels are kosher (Vaad of Northern California), but the Los Felix store itself isn’t under hashgacha.
Send your tips, news and recommendations to Food@thelajewishhome.com
Is a kosher market allowed to sell basic food commodities at very steep prices? If not, what is the limitation of how much they are allowed to charge?
Must one still shop from Jewish stores when the prices are more expensive than the competitive non-Jewish chain stores?
There is an adage in the Talmud1 “ If you buy and sell [without making a profit] can you be called a merchant?”
With that note, the Torah forbids unfairly overpricing another Jew, this is called ona’ah. As it says (Vayikra 25:14) “And when you make a sale to your fellow [Jew] or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow [Jew], you shall not wrong one another.” The Chinuch2 explains that this mitzvah is simple to understand and even if it would not have been written in the Torah it would be self-understood. Proper non-deceptive pricing is good for all of society.
The violation is both on the seller for charging too much or on the buyer when he paid too little. The simple case of this prohibition is when one withholds information on the proper price and thus the transaction was done while being misled as to the proper value.
Our Sages also ruled that full fledge ona’ah (unfair advantage) is a shtus (sixth)3 above the proper price. If it is a sixth, the extra amount needs to be returned, if it is more than a sixth, then the sale needs to be returned.4
The question would be if one can purposely overcharge (or underpay) but still be under a sixth of the fair amount. In practice, although it is not initially allowed to be done, the transaction still would be valid because people will forgive for a bit of overpaying or underpaying.5
However, the above discussion of ona’ah only applies when there is a fixed price known to the market. This would normally be overseen by the beis
din or the community leaders. What about in a modern society where there is no market price overseen by beis din; how does one determine an expected fair price?
Determining Ona’ah in Today’s Market
In today’s market where there are so many overhead costs involved in selling food, such as rent, shipping, employee salaries, hashgacha (Rabbinical kosher supervision), insurance, utilities, advertisements, and risk of loss, it becomes more complex in determining the fair market price.
Shulchan Aruch Admur Hazaken writes that the calculated value of “an article is solely [based] at the time and place of the transaction.”6
Rav Yakov Blau (author of Pischei Choshen) writes that one should determine the fair price based on the average selling price of the local competition in the area. Anything a sixth or over would be considered ona’ah.7 However, he writes there is also another consideration that could go into factor, that is the quality and convenience. There are some stores which are fancy, and the service is superior. Such stores would not necessarily violate ona’ah by having higher prices, as they are considered ‘a different market’. The location can also potentially change the price a bit. However, the prices of the fancy stores should not set the standards for how to determine the regular local price.8
Basic Commodities Price Standards
The Talmud9 rules that basic food commodities need to be regulated “ so that not any person can profit to the extent that he desires”.10 One can charge up to one-sixth profit on basic food commodities, however, non-basic foods do not need to be
regulated.11 Overcharging on basic food commodities is a violation of (Vayikra 25:36), “and your brother shall live with you.”12
However, the Shulchan Aruch concludes that the obligation to not overcharge on basic food commodities is only if the beis din or community leaders implement standards on the pricing. However, when that is not the case, and everyone is selling at the price that they wish “even the G-d fearing Jew does not need to be the only one to sell at lesser prices than the other sellers.”13 The Shulchan Aruch Admur Hazaken concludes in the parenthesis14 “(Ones should not, however, sell at a higher price than they do, except for the guidelines that have been explained.)”
Interestingly, the Aruch Hashulchan15 writes that if the beis din could influence even some merchants to regulate their prices and as a result this could effectively cause the other stores to possibly lower their prices, the beis din should try to influence those who will listen to them.
Buying from a Non-Jewish Store Which Sells for Cheaper
On the verse, (Vayikra 25:14) “And when you make a sale to your fellow [Jew] or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow [Jew], you shall not wrong one another.” The Sifra derives from this verse that one should give the first option of selling or
11 See however the Levush (Choshen Mishpat 231:22) who writes that even for non-basic food items, one can profit only up to just under double.
14 See the Maharil in his She'aris Yehuda (Orach Chayim 6) who writes that he heard from his brother, (the Admur Hazaken) that whenever he added in parenthesis to his Shulchan Aruch, it was due to a doubt of his on the topic. His intent was to in the future return to the topic to see if he was correct.
15 Aruch Hashulchan (Choshen Mishpat 231:20).
purchasing specifically to another Jew. Teshuvos HaRema writes that one should buy from a Jew even if the non-Jew is selling for cheaper.16 The Chafetz Chayim in his work Ahavas Chesed17 understands the Rema that “it is better” to buy from a Jewish seller only when the price is a little extra, however, if it is a lot extra one does not need to buy from a Jewish seller. This is a form of a mitzvah and not an absolute obligation.18
The Ahavas Chesed also stresses that the whole question only starts when the benefit from either the Jewish merchant or the non-Jewish merchant is equal.19
The Minchas Yitzchak20 was asked if one needs to buy from Jewishowned stores when the competition non-Jewish-owned ‘chain stores’ sell for cheaper. The Minchas Yitzchak responded that if the Jewish stores are not making their efforts to sell basic commodities foods at lower prices as was the requirement of our Sages, so then one does not need to buy from them. However, in order for prevent these businesses from going out of business and becoming destitute, one should do their best efforts to still buy from them as much as is feasible. At the same note, the Minchas Yitzchak cautioned that the Jewish-owned stores should not exploit the situation due to their religious priority privileges and needlessly overpriced more than the fair amount.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe would emphasize the importance, when possible, to specifically do business from a Jewish owned business.21
16 Teshuvos HaRema (10). One of the Talmudic proofs of the Rema is from Bava Metziah 71 – that it is better to lend a Jew interest free than to lend a non-Jew with interest. Thus, even though the Jew will lose some profits, he should still give first rights to another Jew.
17 Ahavas Chesed 5:6-7.
18 Ahavas Chesed (Chapter 5 Nesiv Hachesed 12).
19 Ahavas Chesed 5:6.
20 See Minchas Yitzchak 3:129.
21 See Igros Kodesh (vol. 13 pg. 292) where the Rebbe wrote, that with regard to flights to and from Israel that whenever possible one should do business specifically with a Jewish owned airline (Elal) as it says "make a purchase from your fellow [Jew]".
As to how much does one need to spend extra to support a Jewish business? According to the Ahavas Chesed, one needs to support a Jewish business only when it is a ‘davar muat’ (small amount) extra.22 It seems that defining this amount would depend on the overall price, and according to what the individual can afford.
Takeaway in a NonRabbinically Regulated Market
The community should appreciate the entrepreneurs who open brick and mortar kosher markets to supply to the community. The community should do their best to support these stores, and at the same time, the stores, at least on a personal level, should make their greatest efforts to sell their products in a way that will be fair for both them and the community.
In the tzavah (will) of Rav Yakov of Lisa23(R’ Yaakov Lorbenbaum 1760-1832), he writes to his children that just as one asks a Chacham on kashrus and Shabbos matters, so too one should seek their counsel on monetary issues where it pertains to others. There he writes: “ An important rule you should have regarding laws pertaining to money; whenever you will have even a slight question on money where it is relevant to other people, do not rule the matter on your own, rather you should seek guidance from a Chacham. Even if you are yourselves very wise, for a person does not see faults in himself.”
Li’ilui Nishmas Chaya Chana bas Aron Zundel Z”L
22 Ahavas Chesed Chapter 5 (Nesiv Hachesed 9).
23 Toldos Yakov (Tzavas Rebeinu Yakov m'Lisa 19).
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- Rabbi Dovid Nissan Bressman authored two halacha books on mezuzah and sefer torah. He has Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin from Central Tomchei Tmimim Brooklyn NY. He is also an ordained sofer and magiah and the director of Chesed Umishpat which assists on Jewish status matters. For questions or dedications you can reach him at jewishchesedumishpat@gmail.com or 310 617 5205
Two people with an equal amount of money and prestige may be in the same place and doing the same thing, and yet one is miserable and the other one happy. Why? Because of a different mental attitude. “Your attitude determines your altitude on life.” Do you see the cup half-empty or half-full? A wise man sees it half-full. In fact the word םכח is an acronym for אלמ סוכ
, seeing the cup half-full. The formula for happiness is simple: focus on what you have and you will be happy.
When R’ Zelig Pliskin was doing research for his book Gateway to Happiness, he asked a certain Torah scholar what he had to say about sadness. His immediate reply: “The world is so beautiful, how can anyone be sad?” This is in contrast to the person he asked a few days earlier, who remarked, “How can anyone be happy? The world is so filled with problems and misfortune?” Two people living in the same city at the same time can live in entirely different worlds, although they both have the potential to view the world in the same light (Gateway to Happiness, p. 169). Both are healthy and have their basic needs met, but their perspective of daily events is vastly different. The world of one is beautiful and full of opportunities for growth, while the other’s is the opposite.
A researcher followed identical twins who were separated at birth. Although they had the same genes, they were raised in different environments, having been adopted at birth by different parents. The girls were now six years old. The researcher asked one mother how her daughter was doing, to which she replied that she was doing great except for meal times. They were always difficult, with constant fights, because the child refused to eat anything unless it had cinnamon on top—cereal, potatoes, noodles, and everything else. When he asked the other mother the same question, she said her daughter was doing amazingly well, and that meal times were the easiest. “All you need to do is put cinnamon on her food, and she will eat anything you give her!”
Mind Over Mood
Another study was conducted which had equally interesting results. A clip was shown of a mother telling her child to go to bed. The child responded, “Let me play for another 10 minutes until I finish the game.” The mothers of aggressive boys interpreted this request as being non-compliant. Furthermore, many of them attributed malicious intent to the child.
One who has a negative attitude toward life loses out. Moreover, who wants to be around such a person? We must keep in mind that “when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.”
Why should we avoid sadness at all costs? Because of this powerful deterrent: By being sad, we lose out on health, enjoyment of life, friends, closeness to Hashem, quality of learning, and a multitude of other pleasures. We should constantly ask, “What can I do to make myself happy?”
Rebbitzen Chaya Sarah Kramer, who was childless and poor, but always happy, was asked how she could be so happy in her situation. She retorted, “Should I be childless, poor, and also miserable? We should instill within us this motto: The only disability in life is a bad attitude.
The Gemara (Brachos 5a) teaches different strategies to overcome the evil inclination. After mentioning being engaged in Torah and reciting Shema, it says that if one is still not successful, he should remind himself of the התימה םוי, day of death. The Iyun Yaakov (s.v. v’ii) as well as the Chidushai Harim (Likutai Harim, Brachos 5a) wonder why the Gemara didn’t just say התימה םוי first. The answer is that since this tactic can bring us to sadness and depression, it is suggested only as a last resort. As long as there is a different way to be saved from the evil inclination, we should pursue that.
The quality of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. “All happi-
ness is in the mind!” In December 1981 a flight from Kansas City, Missouri, to Dallas, Texas, was canceled. When one of the passengers was told this, his reply was, “Fantastic!” The woman behind the counter was bewildered as to what was so fantastic about that. The passenger said, “The cancellation must be for one of three reasons. There is either a problem with the weather, the pilot, or the plane. In either case I would rather be down here than on the plane! Anyway, this airport in Kansas City seems very nice and I can’t wait to see what it has to offer! I am also grateful that I am indoors on this cold, wintry day.” He then said, “They can cancel my flight, but they cannot cancel my day!”
In light of this we can explain ימ
(Tehillim 34:13): Who is the one that desires life and loves his days? The answer is
, the one who sees the good in everything (see Shefa Chaim 232).
How can we do this practically? One technique is that if we get annoyed, we should rate the situation on a scale from one to ten. We can then determine if it is a tragedy or a minor inconvenience. Another technique to deal with a negative reaction to a situation is to write out our negative thoughts, followed by writing positive ways of looking at the situation.
We should also realize that most information we possess is in essence from other people—our parents, people we grew up with, and so on. We need to ask ourselves if this information is really correct. Our mind is full of other people’s thoughts. Where did those people get these thoughts? From other people. Is this information accurate or is it rather that these people believe it’s true? The bulk of the information we have in our mind is not who we are but who we learned to be. Therefore, if we are listening to the voice in our head, we may actually be listening to others who may be wrong. When thoughts of confusion, worry, negativity, etc. arise, we must ask ourselves, “Do I want to entertain these
thoughts? Will these thoughts empower me?” We must consciously monitor our thoughts and choose empowering ones.
To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on how to spread the insights of this publication further, make it more appealing or anything else), to support or dedicate this publication which has been in six continents and more than forty countries, or if you know anyone who is interested in receiving these insights weekly, please contact the author, Rabbi Yehoshua Alt, at yalt3285@gmail.com.
The newly released book “Unbelievable Insights about Moshiach and the Final Redemption” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www. amazon.co. uk/dp/B0D14Z6283 or by sending an email to yalt3285@gmail.com.
Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years and received semichah from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written thousands of articles on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of nine books, which are available on Amazon at https:// amzn.to/49V6jO7. Many of his writings have been translated into Yiddish, Hebrew, German and French, inspiring Jews across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. His shiurim are available on various websites, including Kol Halashon. Rabbi Alt lives with his wife and family in a suburb of Yerushalayim where he studies, lectures, writes and teaches. He can be reached via email at yalt3285@gmail.com.
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt
Sacred Psychology of Giving
Parshat Terumah
Terumah presents a profound exploration of the psychology of giving as it unfolds within the construction of the Mishkan. The Parsha details the meticulous instructions for creating a space on Earth to connect with Hashem.
The Parsha starts by saying, “V’yikchu Li Terumah – and you should take for yourselves a contribution for me’ (Exodus 25:2).” This passuk goes beyond the mere physical construction and provides valuable insights into the psychological dimensions of giving. The passuk is interesting, as it should have said ‘V’yitnu – and you shall give’ but instead Hashem provides us a wonderful lesson on the power of giving.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” The psychology of giving is complex, involving factors like empathy, altruism, and social connection. Giving can evoke feelings of happiness and satisfaction, creating a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It often strengthens social bonds and contributes to a positive self-image, fostering a sense of interconnectedness within communities. What we clearly see is that giving from ourselves increases our purpose and connection to others. Furthermore, ‘Terumah’ comes from the root ‘Ram’, which means ‘uplifted’, to show us that when we give, we ourselves become uplifted - we elevate our lives through giving.
Until this moment, Bnei Yisrael had been exclusively takers. Hashem gave them Man, water, food, security, and shelter. Though at every physical level this was an unparalleled deliverance, the psychological effects were not good. Bnei Yisrael became dependent, expectant, and prone to complaints. However, an additional item provided by Hashem, was the opportunity to give.
The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Mattenot Aniyim 7:5) writes, “Even a poor person who is dependent on tzedakah (charity) is obligated to give tzedakah to another person.” Giving is not just about what you have, its about shaping who you are. It allows us to become reciprocal human being not exclusively takers. The psychological concept of reciprocity sheds light on the dynamic exchange embedded in the act of giving. In Parshat Terumah, when provided the opportunity, Bnei Yisrael give generously, and in return, they receive the divine presence within the Mishkan This reciprocal relationship reflects the psychological principle that acts of generosity and kindness create a positive feedback loop, fostering a sense of interconnectedness
and shared purpose. In the case of Terumah, the reciprocity extends beyond the immediate contributors to include the entire community benefiting from the sacred space. The more of ourselves that we give, the greater we become.
Here are some brief tips on how to instill a giving mindset:
Practice Gratitude: Cultivating a giving mindset often begins with appreciating what you have. Take time each day to reflect on the positive aspects of your life and express gratitude. Focusing on the good things can shift your perspective and make you more inclined to share with others.
Set Giving Goals: Establish specific and achievable giving goals for yourself. Whether it’s money, time, or a cause, having clear goals provides direction and motivation. Regularly review and adjust these goals to challenge yourself to increase your giving over time.
Teach it young: Recently, my kids and I started doing meal packing at Tomchei Shabbat on Thursday evenings. By creating a giving opportunity on a weekly basis we teach children the power and impact giving back to others can have.
Parshat Terumah serves as a timeless guide, illuminating the psychological intricacies of giving. It asks us to explore the motivations behind our contributions and the transformative power of reciprocity in building harmonious communities. Through understanding the psychology of giving, we can derive enduring lessons that resonate across generations, shaping our individual and collective paths towards greater purpose and connection.
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.
Yoel’s Lemonade Stand
The Tichel Effect: What Marketers Miss About Women Who Control the Purse Strings
There’s nothing more baffling than watching a Jewish housewife shop for her family’s food.
Picture a lioness on the plains of Kenya stalking antelope for her cubs’ dinner. Put a tichel on her head, and you have the modern Jewish housewife at her daily effort - tough, determined, shrewd, and always dangerously unpredictable.
Women make 80% of the purchase decisions in this country. In Jewish households, I’d imagine that it’s even more. As an advertising copywriter, I spent a good portion of my career trying to understand them.
All human beings make decisions based on emotions (even the decision not to make decisions based on emotions is an emotional one). But women tend to do it a lot more than men.
This means that when it comes to understanding why women buy what they buy, all the sophisticated research data and carefully measured equations prove pretty useless.
It wasn’t until I got married that I realized that to try to understand women is to miss the point entirely. She can never be understood. She can only be diverted or attracted, and then only for brief intervals.
One of the greatest examples of this I have ever heard came from a marketing legend named Stanley Arnold, who started his career managing his family’s grocery stores in Cleveland.
During a record snowfall that left his supermarkets empty, he had an extraordinary insight. Rather than bemoan the weather, he instructed his staff to make thousands of snowballs, store them until the hottest week in July, and then give them away as part of a “Blizzard of Values” promotion.
The snowball promotion transformed a normally slack period into the greatest week of sales in his chain’s history. The Cleveland Police Department even assigned officers to maintain order as impassioned customers lined up in 99-degree heat for a chance at a free July snowball.
History won’t record this trifle, but during that long-forgotten week, the gross national product advanced by a small notch, manufacturers had to scramble to replenish depleted inventories, and thousands of customers had an unexpectedly good time.
When contending with the housewife in the supermarket, the most sophisticated research data and carefully measured equations prove about as helpful as rabbit’s feet - which, by the way, brought very little luck to the rabbit.
Today, the power and influence of the woman shopper has become forgotten. And when it hasn’t, it consists not of women but of female “consumers.”
But a consumer is not a person except in a grotesque sense - a creature with a huge mouth and wallet but apparently no brain to discern quality or value.
As religious Jews, one of the things we understand (perhaps more than other cultures) is the true power of the words we use and how they can effect us. And I ‘m not just talking about Loshon Hora.
Our forefathers and mothers were very careful about the words they used, for example, when talking about things being pure and “not pure.” Later on, the Torah, when the law needed to explain the word “tu-
mei is used.” But when Abraham Issac or Jacob talk about it to other people, they simply say, “not pure.”
That’s because the language we use affects the way we think and the way people around us think. So, when it comes to your business, it also permeates your organization and shapes everything you do.
This is important to understand because while women make most of the purchasing decisions, men run most of the businesses. And men talking to other men tend to talk like men.
I attended a meeting last week where a Zoom full of men with sports backgrounds spent three hours discussing how to “target,” “capture,” and “penetrate” the female market. It was like watching hunters discuss how to better lure deer while refusing to consider the notion that deer might not think like hunters. Not once did anyone suggest that perhaps the way to persuade women differs fundamentally from the way we persuade men.If your business language sounds like the script from “Patton,” don’t be surprised when your marketing to women feels like an artillery barrage rather than a conversation
So if we want to change our marketing and make it more appealing to the people who actually buy things, we need to change the language we use., And not just in the marketing, but about marketing itself.
Take, for example, the male-dominated vocabulary about creativity.: innovation, disruption, daring, pushing boundaries, and never giving up. It’s the language of conquest, isn’t it?
Now, consider what happens when you use more feminine-oriented expressions to describe creativity: dreaming, reflection, conversation, playfulness, having fun, getting lost, and fooling around. The second list isn’t merely “softer” – it’s the authentic vocabulary of discovery and connection.
Just as having all the money and nice things women say that want can’t help you if you don’t treat her right, all the online data or expensive research studies that purport to reveal the secrets of the female consumer mind can’t help you if you talk to them the wrong way.
The real fact of the matter is to quote the ad legend Howard Gossage: “Nobody reads ads. People read what interests them. Sometimes it’s an ad.”
So, if you want to capture the attention of the women who control 80% of all consumer spending, you’d better make it interesting and enjoyable. But instead of starting out by trying to figure out what that may be, start by figuring out the right way to talk to her about it.
When baiting a mousetrap with cheese, always leave room for the mouse. And in marketing to women, perhaps leave room for the actual woman - not the “consumer” of your imagination.
Thanks to Yehudah Kamman, it has occurred to me that this is probably good relationship advice as well.
Justin Oberman is the Marketing Director and Marketing Editor of the LA Jewish Home and is the Co-Founder of a personal branding ad agency called Genius Scouts. He can be contacted at justin@geniusscouts.com
Views
Elon Musk Lives To Fight Another Day
The White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, was created by President Trump with a mission to slash federal spending. It is led by Elon Musk who says it has saved more than $1 billion by canceling diversity, equity and inclusion contracts, among other expenses.
Supporters of DOGE view it as a checks and balances on irresponsible federal spending which has resulted in federal debt of up to $36 trillion. Trump has said he wants to cut programs that don’t align with his policies and to slash the federal workforce.
According to the Wall Street Journal, “it is one of Washington’s most persistent and challenging problems: The federal government misspends at least $100 billion each year out of its multitrillion-dollar budget. Identifying the wasteful outlays isn’t the hardest part; it is actually doing something about it.
Every year, agency reports posted online document billions in improper payments, which include fraud but also underpayments, duplicate payments, payments to ineligible recipients or for ineligible goods or services. According to the Government Accountability Office, they can also include correctly paid amounts that didn’t follow regulations, such as a contract missing a required signature.”
Not everyone is happy with DOGE. Several lawsuits have been filed alleging that DOGE illegally accessed personal information and violated the Privacy Act of 1974, which heavily regulates what information about American citizens federal agencies can store and who can access that information. They also argue that Musk has no authority to lead DOGE having not been appointed by the President and not passed senate confirmation hearings.
U.S. District Court Judge Chutkan denied their request for a temporary restraining order because there was not “clear evidence of imminent, irreparable harm to the Plaintiffs.”
But she also admonished lawyers for the government who said DOGE had no authority over personnel actions. Here is a quote from her ruling:
“That said, Plaintiffs raise a colorable Appointments Clause claim with serious implications. Musk has not been nominated by the President nor confirmed by the U.S. Senate, as constitutionally required for officers who exercise “significant authority pursuant to the laws of the United States.”
Bypassing this “significant structural safeguard of the constitutional scheme,” Musk has rapidly taken steps to fundamentally reshape the Executive Branch. Even Defendants concede there is no apparent “source of legal authority granting [DOGE] the power” to take some of the actions challenged here. Accepting Plaintiffs’ allegations as true, Defendants’ actions are thus precisely the “Executive abuses” that the Appointments Clause seeks to prevent. But even a strong merits argument cannot secure a temporary restraining order at this juncture.”
While Judge Chutkan is not willing to take any immediate action against DOGE and Musk, she is not making any promises in the long run. Anything can happen once the case is carefully and fully adjudicated.
The reason why Musk probably does not want to be Presidential Appointee is because he doesn’t want to be subjected to senate confirmation cross-examination about his private life and companies. Also, as an Appointee, he would likely have to divest from Tesla and SpaceEx.
So for the time being, Musk is permitted to continue leading DOGE. But he shouldn’t get too attached to it. For in the future, he might have to settle on merely being CEO of Tesla, Space-X and X (formerly known as Twitter) and have to cope with what to do with $397 billion.
Lou Shapiro is a criminal defense attorney-certified specialist and legal analyst, but most importantly, makes the endof-shul announcements at Adas Torah. He can be reached at LouisJShapiro@ gmail.com. Lou’s
Justin Oberman
Is Your Business A Pasta or Protein? A Simple Recipe for Survival
I stumbled across an interview with Kevin O’Leary recently—you know, the “Mr. Wonderful” character from that television program where entrepreneurs get barbecued alive for our entertainment. He told a fascinating story about a New York real estate billionaire that’s stuck with me like cream cheese in my beard.
This European immigrant, who arrived in America at 18 with nothing but chutzpah, developed a culinary classification system for his growing empire. Each building was either “pasta” or “protein.”
Pasta buildings carried debt. While paying them off, he’d literally subsist on inexpensive pasta meals. Protein buildings were fully paid off, generating pure cash flow—allowing him to finally eat steak. The brilliance wasn’t in the metaphor but in the discipline: he ensured his protein properties generated enough cash to cover the mortgages on the pasta ones when inevitable downturns arrived.
I imagine many of you in real estate are nodding sagely right now. But this isn’t merely about buildings—it’s about any business with the audacity to plan beyond the next Shabbos.
How many of you have businesses that are all pasta and no protein? Your revenue looks impressive on paper, but nothing’s generating truly unencumbered cash. You’re servicing loans on equipment, inventory, and storefronts while praying the economic weather holds.
I’ve made this mistake myself. Years ago, I expanded my fractional CFO business into regulated industries with such enthusiasm that our overhead began to resemble the Em-
pire State Building while our cash reserves looked more like a Manhattan studio apartment. We looked prosperous, and we made our clients successful, but the truth was we were always one canceled contract away from catastrophe.
Our parents and grandparents understood this instinctively. My father built his business shop with such careful attention to the pasta-protein balance that it survived multiple economic downturns.
So, just like a supermarket takes inventory of their goods, you need to take inventory of yours.
What in your business portfolio is protein, which generates reliable cash with minimal ongoing investment? What’s pasta—promising but still consuming more than it produces? Perhaps it’s a product line, a service offering, or a piece of real estate. The proactive success or failure of your family’s legacy depends on knowing the difference.
A mensch with protein assets sleeps soundly through market fluctuations. The rest just count sheep and unpaid invoices.
Revenue may make your pasta look appetizing, but only a good protein ratio will keep you in business long enough to enjoy the meal.
Lorenzo Nourafchan is the CEO of Northstar Financial Consulting Group, a full-service Accounting, tax, and fractional CFO firm specializing in Proactive Financial Strategies for businesses and families. He can be reached at lorenzo@nstarfinance.com
Lorenzo Nourafchan
Yehudah Kamman
Marriage often begins with excitement, passion, and a deep sense of connection. But even the strongest couples eventually find themselves tested by life’s relentless pressures—money, bills, kids, and family dynamics. Gradually, you start drifting apart. Conversations turn superficial, intimacy fades, and suddenly you’re left wondering, “How did we get here?”
Many couples face this challenge and attempt all the usual solutions: therapy, books, date nights. While these efforts can help, they often overlook the root issue—avoiding the messy, uncomfortable process of true growth and genuine reconnection. The answer lies in embracing an unexpected truth: the magic is in the mess.
What does this mean? It’s about giving yourselves permission to embrace imperfection. It’s allowing each other the space to make mistakes, to be vulnerable, and to show those uncomfortable parts of yourselves that you’ve hidden away for so long. It’s accepting that re-
The Relationship Reset The Magic Is in the Mess
connecting deeply with your partner will feel chaotic, messy, and even a bit unsettling at first—but that’s exactly where the magic happens.
Think about the early days of your relationship. That raw excitement came not from perfection, but from discovery. You learned about each other’s quirks, vulnerabilities, and insecurities, and found joy in embracing them. Yet, over time, life teaches you to avoid discomfort. Conversations become safe, predictable, and uninspired. The passion fades, replaced by a quiet resignation to mediocrity.
But here’s the good news: you can reignite the spark. It begins by honestly acknowledging that you want more—more connection, deeper conversations, latenight talks, passionate intimacy. It starts when both partners agree that the status quo isn’t enough.
For the husband, particularly, stepping into a calm, compassionate leadership
role is key. By openly admitting he doesn’t have all the answers—but consistently striving to grow—he sets the tone for the relationship. Mistakes become learning opportunities rather than threats. His vulnerability invites her to engage, grow, and also open up in return.
In the Jewish tradition, this journey resembles the path toward becoming a “Benoni”—someone continuously refining themselves, never satisfied with merely “good enough.” This isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing the ongoing, messy process of personal growth and self-discovery.
Yes, the path forward will be uncomfortable. It demands patience, courage, and vulnerability from both of you. But within that chaos, excitement and passion return. Each step forward is a step closer to reclaiming the spark that brought you together in the first place.
The magic truly lies in the mess because real intimacy thrives in authentic, un-
Evolving Through Action
Jessie Alyesh, AMFT, M.S. Ed.
guarded moments. It’s found in late-night confessions, in heartfelt apologies, in vulnerable admissions of fears and desires. It’s about intentionally breaking free from the mundane and choosing, every day, to pursue each other all over again.
Embrace the mess, lean into discomfort, and rediscover the thrill of genuine connection. That’s where lasting passion lives—not in perfection—but beautifully and profoundly in the mess.
Yehudah Kamman is a relationship coach and founder of Men of Integrity, dedicated to transforming lives and relationships. He helps men move from feeling stuck and disconnected to embodying strength, confidence, and authentic connection. Yehudah has also helped countless couples rekindle the honeymoon phase, creating deeper passion and harmony. Through his work, he guides individuals and couples toward greater self-awareness, purpose, and fulfillment. If you’d like to learn more, follow Yehudah on Instagram @men_of_integrity_life E: yehudah@ menofintegrity.life
“Change is synonymous with growth. To grow, you’ve got to evolve instead of revolve.”
—Dr. Edith Eger, The Gift
When I feel like I’ve hit a wall with one of my kids—usually the pre-teens or teenagers—I know it’s time to switch it up. After countless “talks” that seem to go in circles, I’ve realized these moments don’t call for more words—they call for action. It’s an opportunity to break out of the same old cycle and do something meaningful together, something that not only leaves an impact on them but also makes a difference for others. It is a chance for them to step outside themselves, and think about others.
Judaism teaches us the power of simply being present. The mitzvah of Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick) shows the value of showing up, even when you don’t have the perfect words or solutions. Sometimes, just being there can be enough. With teens, this lesson rings especially true. It’s not always about
hashing things out in deep conversations—it’s about doing something together and letting the action speak for itself.
Take a recent Thursday night in our home. For full-time working parents of five kids, Thursdays are their own special flavor of balagan—a beautifully messy mix of coming home late, picking up kids, prepping for Shabbat, managing after-school activities, and balancing all other million minor details while maintaining a calm exterior. But on this one particular Thursday, instead of staying stuck in the whirlwind, I decided it was time for a game-changer.
Occasionally, when the stars align, we’ll walk over to Tomchei LA to help pack food boxes. But this time, I decided to sign us up to drive and deliver meals. My 10-year-old, fresh off basketball
practice and glued to his fantasy football app, was less than thrilled. But I didn’t give him much of a choice. Begrudgingly, he grabbed the heavy boxes and delivered them to doorsteps, one after another. Meanwhile, my four-year-old, who hears all about tzedakah (charity) at school, finally got to experience it in real life—helping someone who needed it.
It only took 30 minutes, but the impact lasted much longer. My son, who had grumbled about missing his “chill time,” ended up feeling a sense of pride in what he’d done. It gave him a moment to pause and reflect on how fortunate he is. My four-year-old, on the other hand, couldn’t stop talking about how heavy the boxes were and how much he was “helping people.” In those moments, I saw the power of stepping outside of ourselves—of doing something selfless that connected us not only to others but
to each other as a family.
This simple act also reminded me of Dr. Eger’s words: sometimes, we need to stop revolving—doing the same things in our comfortable little cycles— and start evolving. Breaking the rhythm, stepping into the unfamiliar, and fostering moments that bring growth within our family.
With teens, especially, it’s often not about saying the right thing but about creating shared experiences. That Thursday night reminded me how powerful action can be—how even small disruptions to the usual routine can spark meaningful moments of connection. Sometimes, it’s those little shifts, those acts of evolving, that make the biggest difference.
Ari Stock
There’s a certain comfort in routine.
We go to the same shuls, shop at the same stores, send our kids to the same schools, and expect each day to look more or less like the one before. And most of the time, it does. Until it doesn’t.
It’s easy to think that security is someone else’s job—that the guards outside our schools, the cameras at the kosher markets and shuls, and the public safety patrols will handle things if something goes wrong. But the truth is, security begins with us. It begins with the simple, powerful act of paying attention.
When you walk into a restaurant, do you notice who’s sitting near the door? When you’re davening in shul, do you take a moment to see who’s coming and going? When you’re loading groceries into your car, are you scanning your surroundings, or are you scrolling your phone, oblivious to what’s happening behind you?
The difference between being prepared and being vulnerable isn’t about strength or
Situational Awareness:
special training. It’s about awareness.
The Moment That Changes Everything
Think about how many stories we hear that begin the same way:
“It all happened so fast.”
“I never saw it coming.”
“One minute everything was normal, and the next…”
The truth is, danger rarely comes out of nowhere. There are signs. There are moments. There are gut instincts that tell us something isn’t right. The question is: are we paying attention?
This isn’t just about crime or acts of violence. It’s about recognizing when an elderly neighbor seems disoriented at the supermarket. It’s about noticing when someone on the sidewalk is watching others a little too closely. It’s about sensing tension in a crowd before it turns into something more.
Not Paranoia—Preparedness
Some people think that being hyper-aware means living in fear. That’s not the case. Think of it like defensive driving. You don’t drive around terrified of accidents, but you pay attention—to the car that’s swerving, to the brake lights ahead, to the cyclist who might not see you turning. Situational awareness is the same concept, just applied to life.
It’s walking with your head up instead of buried in your phone.
It’s knowing where the exits are when you enter a building.
It’s making eye contact with the people around you—not in an aggressive way, but in a way that says, I see you. I am aware.
Studies show that criminals target people who look distracted, unsure, or unaware of their surroundings. Simply looking alert and engaged can make you a harder target.
A Community That Watches Out for Each Other
There’s a reason we call this series A Community Protecting a Community. Our strength has always been in looking out for one another.
If you see someone who seems lost or vulnerable, stop and check in.
If you notice something unusual—like a person lingering too long near a school entrance—mention it to someone.
If your gut tells you something is off, trust it.
We don’t have to live in fear to live smart. The best security system in the world means nothing if we aren’t actively engaged in our own safety and the safety of those around us.
A safe community doesn’t start with guards or security cameras. It starts with you.
Navigating Jewish Supermarkets in Los Angeles: A Guide to Healthier Shopping
Los Angeles boasts a vibrant Jewish community, reflected in its numerous kosher supermarkets catering to diverse traditions. However, navigating these aisles with health in mind can be challenging, as many traditional kosher brands prioritize taste, flavor, and color over nutritional value.
This guide aims to equip you with strategies for making healthier choices and offers suggestions for supermarket owners to promote wellness-oriented shopping experiences.
The Health-Conscious Shopper’s Dilemma
Traditional kosher brands like Paskez, Liebers, and Kliens have long been staples in Jewish households. While they offer products that we prefer and need, these items often contain high levels of sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats. For health-conscious consumers, this presents a dilemma.
Strategies for Healthier Shopping
1. Prioritize Fresh Produce
Begin your shopping journey in the fresh produce section. Fruits and vegetables are obviously naturally kosher and packed with essential nutrients. Aim to fill half your cart with colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure a diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
2. Choose Lean Proteins
When selecting proteins, opt for lean cuts of meat, skinless poultry, and fresh fish. Incorporating more fish into your diet can offer heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Be cautious with processed meats like sausages and deli cuts, as they often contain high levels of sodium and preservatives.
3. Opt for Whole Grains
Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, barley, and whole wheat products offer more fiber and nutrients than their refined counterparts. Check the grocery aisles for whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereals. Reading labels is crucial; look for products where whole grains are listed as the first ingredient.
4. Be Selective with Packaged Foods
Many kosher packaged foods are processed and may contain unhealthy additives. Read the nutrition labels at the beginning of this process, paying attention to serving sizes, and choose products with lower sodium and sugar.
5. Explore Dairy Alternatives
While dairy is a staple in many kosher diets, consider incorporating plant-based alternatives, especially if you’re lactose intolerant or seeking to reduce saturated fat intake. Products from brands like Elmhurst 1925 are kosher-certified and offer nutritious options. When choosing dairy, opt for naturally flavored or unflavored (plain) products.
Recommendations for Supermarket Owners
1. Strategic Product Placement
Place fresh produce and healthy staples at the front of the store and at eye level to encourage customers to make nutritious choices. Designing end-ofaisle displays featuring healthy snacks or whole-grain products can also draw attention.
2. Create Health-Focused Sections
Dedicate specific sections of the store to health-conscious products. This makes it easier for shoppers to find and choose healthier options. Highlighting products from brands that prioritize health can also guide consumers.
3. Educational Signage
Use signage to inform customers about the nutritional benefits of certain foods. For example, signs can highlight the fiber content in whole grains or the heart-health benefits of certain fats (unsaturated fats). Providing cooking tips or recipe ideas can also inspire supportive eating habits.
4. Host Wellness Events
Organize events such as healthy cooking demonstrations, nutrition workshops, and wellness events. Partnering with local health coaches or nutritionists can provide valuable information to the community and position the supermarket as a hub for health and wellness.
Conclusion
Shopping healthily in Los Angeles’s Jewish supermarkets is achievable with mindful decisions and informed strategies. By prioritizing fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole grains, and being selective with packaged foods, consumers can maintain a nutritious diet. Supermarket owners play a pivotal role in this journey by creating environments that promote and facilitate healthy choices. Together, informed consumers and proactive retailers can foster a community where health in a priority. Chaim Loeb - Mens Online Health and Fitness Coach
Chaim Loeb
We Hear You: Reader
Feedback & The Ongoing Conversation
At The LA Jewish Home, we pride ourselves on being a platform for thoughtful discussion, robust debate, and, yes, even the occasional correction. Our readership is not only engaged but deeply invested in the topics we cover—so much so that they take the time to write in with their insights, feedback, and sometimes, much-needed corrections.
One such letter recently came from a reader, Sterna Citron, who raised a few points about our article on what it takes to run a successful kosher restaurant. Her feedback was both constructive and insightful, and we believe it’s worth sharing—not only to address her points but to demonstrate that The LA Jewish Home values and welcomes dialogue from our readers.
The Hashgacha Debate: Fact or Fiction?
In our article, we made the claim that opting for a stricter hashgacha “might alienate the modern crowd.” Sterna took issue with this, stating unequivocally:
“No modern person ever decided not to go to a restaurant because the kosher supervision was too strict (although it is true the other way around).”
It’s a fascinating perspective, and one that raises an important question: Is it really true that a stricter hechsher would drive customers away? Some would argue that in an era where the kosher consumer base is growing more diverse, restaurant owners must consider their clientele carefully. Others, like Sterna, contend that a stricter certification will never deter a customer—only a more lenient one might.
This is exactly the kind of debate we love to see. Kashrut standards have long been a hot topic in Jewish communities, and different perspectives bring valuable nuance to the discussion.
Setting the Record Straight on LA’s Kosher Dining History
Sterna also pointed out a factual correction:
“Milky Way was not the first kosher restaurant. When we moved here 40 years ago, there was a restaurant called Two Worlds, run by two religious Burmese brothers. It was, in fact, a very good restaurant. We were sorry when it closed down.”
We appreciate this historical insight. While The Milky Way is often cited as the pioneer of upscale kosher dining in LA, it’s clear that other establishments paved the way before it. As we continue to explore the evolution of kosher dining in Los Angeles, we welcome more stories from our readers about long-forgotten but beloved restaurants.
Proofreading: A Much-Needed (and Humbling) Note
Finally, Sterna noted something that made our editorial team collectively wince: a Hebrew typesetting mistake in a recent article. She wrote:
“My last comment is you need a proofreader! If
you had a proofreader, he or she would have caught that all the Hebrew words in the article ‘He is Coming’ were written backwards! And there were other mistakes as well in other places.”
Ouch. She’s right. And we hear her loud and clear. Typos happen, but as a newspaper that prides itself on delivering quality journalism to the Jewish community, we need to do better. In fact, Sterna, if you’re reading this—we noticed you’re an established writer. Would you be open to some part-time proofreading collaboration with us?
A Conversation, Not a Monologue
At the end of the day, The LA Jewish Home exists to serve the community. That means being open to feedback, corrections, and even a little constructive criticism. We are grateful to Sterna and to all our readers who take the time to engage with us.
Our mission is to inform, to provoke thought, and to be a space where conversations—sometimes challenging, sometimes lighthearted—can take place. So keep the letters coming, keep the debates going, and know that your voice matters.
OU Advocacy Holds First Attorneys Conference on Antisemitism
Last week, more than 125 Jewish attorneys from across the country gathered at the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center’s (OUA) inaugural Attorneys Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. to strategize on how to defeat antisemitism.
The OU Advocacy Center decided to convene this unprecedented gathering in response to the unprecedented wave of antisemitism the community has been grappling with since the terrible events of Oct. 7, 2023.
The goal of the conference was to learn from experts and brainstorm new and creative ways to use America’s legal system to combat the world’s oldest hatred.
The conference kicked off Sunday evening with a keynote address by David Schizer, the former dean of Columbia Law School and a co-chair of Columbia University’s Task Force on Antisemitism. Columbia has been a hotbed of antisemitic protests and encampments. Just a few weeks ago, pro-Hamas students stormed an Israeli history class to pass out flyers with violent imagery.
Monday’s sessions consisted of panels of leading lawyers from across the profession. One panel featured a trio of prominent federal judges – Hon. Matthew Solomson (Court of Federal Claims), Hon. Robert Luck (Court of Appeals), and Hon. Robert Scola (District of Florida). Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Congressman Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) spoke together from the legislative perspective.
Another panel included attorneys leading key lawsuits against antisemitism, featuring Brandeis Center President Alyza Lewin, Pepperdine Law School Professor Avi Helfand, and Baruch Weiss of Arnold & Porter. Yet another session was focused on the experience of lawyers serving as in-house counsels at major American corporations. Finally, Hon. Paul Clement, former Solicitor General of the U.S. and a lead attorney in the Jewish students’ lawsuit against UCLA, delivered a keynote address at Monday evening’s dinner.
“The OUA conference brought together an extraordinary group of lawyers, judges, politicians and academics—all committed to identifying ways to respond to growing antisemitism in the United States,” Pepperdine’s Avi Helfand said. “While the challenges remain daunting, the conference’s high energy and thoughtful discussion really provided optimism for where we go from here. I couldn’t be more proud for Pepperdine Law School’s Nootbaar Institute to have co-spon-
sored this one-of-a-kind event.”
Congressman Dan Goldman thanked OUA’s executive director, Nathan Diament, for organizing the conference and fighting for the Jewish community. “You are very lucky to have Nathan…. He’s a terrific, very practical, pragmatic, thoughtful, real partner in all of this.” Rep. Goldman and Sen. Graham mentioned some of the legislation they are working on—like
forcing universities to disclose foreign contributions and their underlying agreements with foreign donors.
Attendees also heard from lawyers who are on the frontlines of the antisemitism fight, steeped in active cases against Harvard University, UCLA, and others. A debate emerged over the best legal strategies to pursue in these cases, with Alyza Lewin stressing the danger of relying on arguments based only upon Jews as a religious community.
“Cut it out when you try to suggest that we’re not a people, that we have no history in the land of Israel,” Lewin said. “That is what today is being called ‘erasive antisemitism.’ And we must talk about this every opportunity we get. We must make sure that nobody–nobody, nobody–defines our identity by trying to pigeonhole us as just the faith, and forcing us to give up our pride in our Jewish ancestral and ethnic heritage.”
The conference concluded with breakout sessions to brainstorm new avenues for tackling antisemitism—in court, on Capitol Hill, in schools, and in the corporate space. Many lawyers expressed a desire to volunteer on cases and be part of this growing movement.
“It was inspiring to connect with so many accomplished and thoughtful lawyers leading the way in legal advocacy for the Jewish community and to brainstorm other ways to get involved and support this important effort,” said Julie Rapoport Schenker, a deputy general counsel for a DC-based trade association.
“We are truly thankful and inspired by the number of attendees and their responses,” said Nathan Diament, OU Advocacy’s executive director. “Members of our community are eager to get involved — they just need help being pointed in the right direction. One thing is for certain: The antisemites stand no chance against a united Jewish community.”
The event was sponsored by wellknown companies and institutions, including Arnold & Porter, Deloitte, Gibson Dunn, Kroll, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Sullivan & Cromwell, Teach Coalition, and Weil Gotshal. Generous individual sponsors enabled law students from Harvard, Yale, and Georgetown Law Schools to attend the conference.
(Pepperdine Law School Professor Avi Helfand, Brandeis Center President Alyza Lewin, Arnold & Porter’s Baruch Weiss, Gibson Dunn’s Akiva Shapiro)
(OUA Executive Director Nathan Diament, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
“The Soul of a Convert”
Chana Rosalinda Mendez
In Parshat Yitro, we stood for the leining of the Aseret HaDiberot, the Ten Commandments, and read how Yitro, Moshe Rabbeinu’s son-in-law, joined Am Yisrael as a convert, and offered advice to Moshe Rabbeinu on delegating and organizing the system of Judges for Am Yisrael.
In Parshat Mishpatim, which deals primarily with civil law and tort law (the branch of civil law that protects people who are injured by the wrongful acts of others AI Overview), Am Yisrael is exhorted on how careful we must be to treat others, and to respect the rights of others. In 22:20-23, we are instructed to show special sensitivity to the weak and helpless, as the Artscroll Commentary notes, “Although it is forbidden to abuse anyone, the Torah frames this prohibition specifically with reference to converts, widows and orphans, because they are most vulnerable to such mistreatment” (Artscroll Chumash, p. 431).
Interestingly, the Chanukah issues of two major Torah publications, Mishpacha and Ami Living, each carried stories of Latinos or Hispanics who have converted to Judaism and discovered that their ancestry was originally from the Sephardic Conversos of Spain and Portugal forced to convert to Christianity in the Middle Ages.
A recent post on JEM in YouTube revealed a fascinating Responsa by the Rebbe z’tl to a Jewish college chaplain who had written inquiring what to do when non-Jewish students were coming to him asking to convert to Judaism. The following is a transcript of the video, narrated by Rabbi Leibel Wolf, the JEM Rabbi who had sent this shaylah to the Rebbe:
“The
Rebbe’s Incredible Message about conversion to Judaism”
Rabbi Leibel Wolf
YouTube: JEM – The Lubavitcher Rebbe, March 26, 2024 {in English with Yiddish terms and English subtitles} {transcribed Feb. 12, 2025}
“There was a specific question with geirus, Jewish conversion because students were approaching me for conversion. Remember, there was a time when students were very, very adventurous in their spiritual meanderings – after reading extensively and having very forceful charismatic lecturers moving them in all directions.
And I wasn’t quite sure what should be my policy vis-a-vas students seeking conversion. So the Rebbe read that question and responded in the following way: The Rebbe said: “If a student should approach you for conversion, since you are a chaplain and you have colleague chaplains, first ask the student to meet with their respective chaplain of the pathway in which they were raised –or might have some connection – so they could investigate better and know better what it is that they had come from.
Should that student continue nevertheless, and, after meeting with your colleague chaplain, come back and say, ‘I still want to be Jewish,’ then you should make sure that student is place in the hands of somebody who can teach them in the authentic way, and there should be a period of learning -each time point out the difficulties of becoming a Jew; the difficulties of changing the way that they eat, changing the way that they behave on a Shabbos, and pointing out all the difficulties that that change of lifestyle would entail, so that they’re fully conversant with what they are getting themselves into. And at that point, many a student will decide that it’s not for them.”
“Should the student continue,” the Rebbe went on, “then under those circumstances make sure that they’re in the hands of a competent Rav (Rabbinic authority) who would be able then to move them to a position where they might approach the geirus (conversion).
And then, after the geirus (conversion), you should recognize that what has taken place is not a “conversion,” that there is no such thing as “conversion” - the word “conversion” suggests a change – that there’s no change that has taken place in the individual.”
And the Rebbe went on and explained in the following way: The Rebbe said, “In Lashon HaKodesh (Hebrew), you have words and their opposites, and invariably they come from a different shoresh (Hebrew root). For example, you have “A servant who becomes free” is ‘Eved Shemeshuchrar’ - so you have quite different shorashim (Hebrew roots),
you have Eved (Servant) – Ayin, Beis, Daled of Avdus and ‘meshuchrar’ (freed), which is a different shoresh (root) altogether. “Or,” as the Rebbe said, you have “a poor man who becomes rich” - Ani – Shemeushar,’ so under those circumstances again you have a different shoresh (root), The letters Ani (a poor man) and the letters of ‘Ashir’ (rich).’
But when it comes to geirus (conversion), you have “Ger Shenisgayer” –and they have the identical shoresh (root), of geirus (meaning ‘a convert who converts’) in both instances.
Therefore when a geirus (conversion) takes place al pi Halacha (according to Jewish law), you should know that this was a neshama (soul) that always was Jewish, nothing got “converted,” nothing got changed.
For reasons best known to the Eibeshtir (the Almighty) this neshama (soul) was migalgul (incarnated) into this particular set of circumstances of a non-Jewish mother, and this is the gilgul and nisayon of this neshama (the mission and the test of this soul).
And because there is the pintele Yid (Jewish spark) within that neshama (soul) and it seeks to be Jewish, after the geirus (conversion) is our recognition that this always was a Yiddishe Neshama (Jewish soul).”
And the Rebbe went on and said, “That’s why in the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) we’re exhorted to give kavod (honor) to a ger (convert) and a giyores (female convert) much more so than an individual who is naturally born Jewish, because this is a Neshama (soul) that’s gone through a much more severe test, and passed that test.”
And the Rebbe emphasized that I should place the student in the hands of an Orthodox Rabbi, because only if the giur (conversion) was Ki’Halacha (done according to Jewish Law) would we even know that that neshama (soul) is in fact a Yiddishe Neshama (a Jewish soul).
And if the giur (conversion) is not Ki’Halacha (Kosher) we could never know.
Do you know…? Parshas Vayeitzei
Do You Know...? Parshas Terumah
when Yakov came to Har Hamoria?
What was the name of Lavan’s wife?
Stories to Inspire
What did Hashem want Moshe to build?
1. A Teivah
wanted Yakov to go to sleep so He made didn’t pay the electric bill switched to Daylight Losing Time sending him to Harhamoria, Alabama, time he realized it, it was very late rocks that Yakov put around his
2. A Mishkan
3. An iPad 5 DSi WiiU 10,000
4. A snowman
What is Tcheiless?
1. A color that comes from a fish called Chilazon
2. A marker color that is extinct
3. A material that has no Tchei
into a fluffy pillow rock band a donut eating contest into one stone
4. Ink that you get from squeezing old tzitzis
How did the Yidden have the right kind of wood (Acacia)?
1. They brought wood seeds with them
the Yarden river?
2. Yakov Avinu told them to take it from Mitzrayim
3. They cut down trees in the playground using a see-saw
4. That’s a Klotz Kashe!
his staff until the winter when it froze, and he ferry across the chicken and the fox, then the chicken back, then ……..
Where did the Yidden get linen from?
1. They “borrowed” it from all the hotels
2. There was a lot of linen in Mitzrayim
3. It was on their packing list
4. The linen closet!
the well when he saw Rochel?
How did the Jews get wool to be red?
1. They dyed it
for water for his camels selfie put her in a box the heavy stone Yakov?
2. They embarrassed it
3. They bought it like that at Woolmart
4. It turned red during maakas dam
What was the Shulchan?
1. A special table in the Mishkan which held the Lechem Haponim
2. It’s a sefer full of Halachos
and he wanted his mummy giving hugs
3. It’s the 10th step in the Pesach Seder 4. It’s a thing your teachers always tell you not to sit on
National Hug-a-Lavan Day checking for hidden money and gifts
What was the Menorah used for?
1. To win the war against the Yevanim
any money or gifts?
2. To light one more light each night for 8 days
all from him Spirit Airlines gashmiyus!
3. It was lit every day in the Mishkan
glove compartment was full of gloves room for gifts
1. Adina
4. If you pulled one of the branches, a secret trap door opened!
2. Adidas
3. Lavanah
4. Mrs. Stevens
Why did Hashem make the Menorah instead of Moshe?
The Secret Behind Israel’s Iron Dome
1. Moshe didn’t have the Menorah App
How did Lavan trick Yakov?
2. Moshe had a hard time understanding how to make it
Daniel Agalar
1. He claimed his name was Besuel
3. Every time Moshe put on the cups, they spilled
T2. There were no Franks ‘n Blanks at the smorgasbord
3. He had a secret card in his sleeve
What was the Mishkan covered with?
1. A blankie
his past Rosh Hashanah, a young man learning in kollel went grocery shopping, preparing for the three-day holiday. He filled two wagons with food and made his way to the checkout line.
4. He gave him Leah instead of Rochel
2. Clouds of Glory which surrounded it and did its laundry
What did Lavan say about why he tricked Yakov?
3. 3 special coverings the Yidden made
Behind him stood a Russian Israeli, watching him closely. The young man tried to ignore it, but every time he turned, the man was still looking at him.
1. It’s not our minhag for the younger sister to marry first
4. Dust from the desert?
2. I trick people for a living
3. I don’t hold of the Eruv
What was on the coverings?
1. Images of lions and eagles
When the total came to over 1,000 shekels, the Russian man suddenly stepped forward and said, “Please, allow me to pay for your groceries.”
The young man was taken aback. “Why? I can afford it.”
The man smiled. “Let me explain.”
4. Did you hear about the mommy goat who claimed she couldn’t give birth and she wasn’t kidding?
2. Betzalel’s autograph
3. A tag that said that it was illegal to remove the tag
How did Lavan trick Yakov again?
4. Plastic packaging that was almost impossible to open
1. He changed his promise of payment
How did the middle beam of the Mishkan go all the way through?
“I work for Rafael Advanced Defense Systems,” he said. “We developed the Iron Dome missile defense system. It’s used in multiple countries, but there’s something strange: In Israel, it has a 97% success rate, while elsewhere, it only works 37% of the time.
2. He claimed he didn’t know what speckled or spotted sheep were
“We’ve tested everything—swapping parts, changing configurations—but nothing explains the difference. The company is baffled. But I know the answer.”
3. He said, “I thought you said, ‘dotted sleep’!”
1. It was a miracle
2. It used beam GPS
3. It was made of Jello
The young man listened closely.
4. When he changed the clocks, he sprang backward and fell forward
4. It had TSA Pre
“In Israel, we have thousands of people learning Torah and davening, creating a spiritual shield over this country. That’s why
Why was Lavan upset that Yakov left secretly?
Which Keilim are not mentioned in this Parsha?
1. Someone stole his idols
1. The Kiyor and the Golden Mizbeach
2. Someone stole his iPad
3. He wanted to give him shliach mitzvah gelt
2. The Milchig set
3. Leftover sporks from Tradition soups
4. He loved giving hugs!
4. Keili Atah, Keil Hahodaos, and Ginger Keil
What did Yaakov tell Lavan to explain why he
1. I was afraid you wouldn’t let me leave
2. I was afraid you would hug me again
3. The sheep were giving me baaaad dreams
4. First you take across the chicken and the fox, then you bring the chicken back, then ……..
Iron Dome works here. Other places may have the technology, but they don’t have that merit.”
His voice softened. “I want to be part of that protection. I can’t sit and learn Torah all day like you do, but I can support someone who does. That’s why I want to pay for your Rosh Hashanah groceries—so I can share in that zechus.”
The kollel scholar, deeply moved, nodded. “If you truly believe that, I’m honored to share the merit with you.”
The Russian man paid the bill in full.
This story is a powerful reminder that Israel’s strength isn’t only in iron and technology—it’s in the Torah and tefillah that protect us every day.
Even those at the forefront of military innovation can see that our true defense comes not just from advanced systems but from the spiritual merit of those who dedicate their lives to learning and prayer.
Daniel Agalar, founder of Stories to Inspire, is dedicated to sharing uplifting stories from renowned Rabbonim that touch hearts and transform lives. With over 7 million podcast downloads and an ever-growing collection of 5,350+ stories, the platform inspires a global audience through its website at storiestoinspire.org and hotline (718-400-7145). Join the daily WhatsApp broadcast by messaging 310-210-1205 or tune in on Apple and Spotify podcasts to experience timeless wisdom and positivity.
Celebrate Purim with a Gluten-Free Twist: Mightylicious’ Hamantaschen Recipe
Wood-Ridge, NJ – February 14, 2025 – Purim is around the corner, and for those celebrating the joyous holiday, it’s time to bake! Mightylicious Gluten Free Flours offers a delicious solution for anyone looking to enjoy homemade Hamantaschen without the gluten. With Mightylicious’ premium flour blends, you can create traditional treats that taste just as good as the real thing — no compromises.
Renowned for their award-winning gluten-free cookies, Mightylicious has become a go-to for anyone with dietary restrictions. Their handcrafted products have earned rave reviews, including being named “Top Pick” in Food & Beverage Magazine. Now, Mightylicious is expanding into gluten-free flours, offering home bakers everything they need to make fluffy pancakes, indulgent brownies, and, of course, mouthwatering Purim treats.
Mightylicious flour blends stand apart from others because they’re made with superfine rice flour. This ensures a neutral flavor and soft, airy texture — unlike other blends that can leave baked goods with a gritty or distinct taste. All three certified gluten-free varieties are Kosher (KOF-K), nonGMO, and free from key allergens:
•All-Purpose Flour – MSRP $8.99
•Vegan All-Purpose Flour – MSRP $8.99
•Vegan Chocolate Brownie Mix –MSRP $8.99
Purim is a time to commemorate the survival of the Jewish people, as told in the Book of Esther. What better way to celebrate than with delicious, gluten-free Hamantaschen? These tender, shortbread cookies, traditionally eaten on Purim, are made with Mightylicious Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour and filled with sweet fruit jam. Purim is MARCH 14, 2025.
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add one egg, vanilla, and zest, mixing well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift the flour and salt together. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and ensure everything is incorporated.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Form into a flat
disk, wrap in plastic, and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or freezer for 10-15 minutes.
5. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut circles.
6. Place a teaspoon of fruit jam in the center of each circle. Fold the edges to form a triangle and pinch the corners tightly.
7. Place on the baking sheet and brush with the egg wash (whisked egg with a bit of water).
8. Bake for 22-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
9. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Pro Tips:
• Chill dough before rolling to make it easier to work with.
• Save dough scraps and re-roll for more cookies.
• Chill formed cookies before baking to prevent them from opening during baking.
• Dough can be made ahead and frozen for up to a month.
Enjoy these gluten-free Hamantaschen with family and friends as you celebrate Purim this year!
New Wine from Israel’s Southern Desert: Introducing the Darom Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 by Yatir
(FEB 13, 2025, Judean Hills, Israel) –Darom by Yatir is proud to introduce the latest addition: the Darom Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 launching in the USA in time for Passover 2025. This is the first varietal wine from the Darom brand, which made its debut in the U.S. market in June 2020.
Crafted from the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the Southern Judean Hills, near the Negev Desert, this new red wine offers a refined balance of freshness, approachability, and warm, earthy flavors. Reflecting the distinctive qualities of the Southern terroir, the Darom Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 seamlessly blends the classic characteristics of the grape with the unique essence of the desert climate.
The wine is an ideal choice for celebrating the Passover holiday, with its full-bodied profile, dark fruit flavors, and savory notes that complement dishes like lamb, steak, prime rib, and chicken—traditional staples of festive holiday meals.
The DAROM brand showcases the emerging wine-growing region of Southern Israel, with
each wine meticulously crafted from premium grapes nurtured in the region’s unique terroir. The dry desert climate with cool nights provides the ideal environment for cultivating exceptional wine grapes.
Etti Edri, Export Manager of Yatir and Darom Winery, commented, “The Darom Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 stands out with a distinctive label design featuring an abstract illustration that represents the unique terroir of the growing region. With the launch of this wine, we continue to expand the boundaries of Israel’s Southern region, crafting wines that narrate the story of the desert—approachable, exciting, and deeply rooted.”
DAROM Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
This dry red wine is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Sirah, and 5% Syrah, all sourced from vineyards in the Southern Judean Hills. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 8 months in small oak barrels, resulting in a fresh wine with concentrated flavors that express the
distinctive qualities of the grape. The wine features a dark garnet color, with aromas of ripe forest fruits (cassis) and spices. Its rich, full flavor showcases juicy, ripe forest fruits, making it a perfect pairing for light meats and Mediterranean cuisine.
ABV: 13%. Serve at 15–17°C (59–63°F) for optimal enjoyment. OU Kosher for Passover. Suggested retail price: $35.
About DAROM
DAROM brings the beauty and authenticity of Southern Israel’s wine region to the world. Crafted from premium grapes grown in select vineyards, DAROM wines thrive in the region’s challenging desert climate, resulting in wines that are warm, rooted, and approachable. Combining simplicity and humility with the complexity of the desert, DAROM places the Negev firmly on the map as one of Israel’s premier wine regions.
LINK Kollel Hosts Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried for Inspiring Shabbaton & Celebrates a
On The LINK Kollel recently had the privilege of hosting Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried, the long-serving Rosh Kollel of DATA (Dallas Area Torah Association), for an inspiring Shabbaton on Parshas Yisro (February 14-15). Over 100 people attended at least part of his many illuminating shiurim and drashas throughout Shabbos.
Rabbi Fried is a pioneer of the “Kiruv Kollel” concept, which he began in Dallas in 1992. While the Avreichim at DATA dedicate time to traditional Torah study, they also focus on outreach, bringing Jews closer to Torah. Dallas has since transformed into a vibrant Makom Torah, home to several hundred frum families across three communities under DATA’s leadership. When Rabbi Fried first arrived, serious Torah learning was rare, and the number of Shomrei Shabbos families was minimal. The community’s astounding growth is a testament to the power of Torah learning in inspiring non-observant Jews to become generations of dedicated Bnei Torah. This successful model has since been emulated by other communities, including LINK Kollel.
During an Oneg Shabbos on Friday night, Rabbi Fried shared personal recollections of his time in Yerushalayim in the 1980s and early 1990s, when he interacted regularly with Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, ZT”L. As a Kollel Avreich, he had the privilege of driving Rav Shlomo Zalman weekly and discussing halachic she’eilos, many of which formed the basis of Rabbi Fried’s classic sefer, “Yom Tov Sheini K’Hilchasa”, the definitive work on the topic. He also recalled witnessing Rav Shlomo Zalman’s extraordinary middos and profound Ahavas Yisroel for every Jew.
Rabbi Fried delivered two halacha shiurim: one on the halachos of Mezuzah, partic-
Fun-Filled Children’s Tu B’Shvat Program
ularly addressing the concerns of those afraid to place mezuzos outside due to antisemitism, and another on the halachic status of Americans in Eretz Yisroel and Israelis in America regarding the second day of Yom Tov.
Additionally, he gave a powerful drasha exploring the deeper meaning of “Na’aseh V’Nishma”, explaining that Klal Yisroel’s commitment at Har Sinai reflects the ideal of becoming a true Eved Hashem, aligning our will completely with His. Before Mincha, Rabbi Fried spoke about the halachic obligation to remember Ma’amad Har Sinai daily (one of the Shesh Zechiros) and how to internalize this message into our daily lives.
Rebbetzin Marcy Fried delivered an inspiring Shabbos afternoon shiur for women titled “Perfectly Imperfect: The Art of Being Your Best Self”, focusing on character development and personal growth.
During Shalosh Seudos, Rabbi Fried shared deeply moving insights into the soul of every Jew, explaining that even those distant from Torah possess an innate connection to Hashem. Drawing from Rav Chaim Volozhiner’s teachings, he illustrated this concept with a remarkable story of Rav Chaim Berlin, ZT”L, who secretly performed a bris milah for a Jew whose profession was selling Christian religious icons—yet even he longed for his children to be connected to Yiddishkeit. This perspective shaped the outreach efforts of Rabbi Fried and his Kollel, which succeeded in inspiring hundreds of secular Jews to return to Torah.
On Sunday morning, Rabbi Fried delivered an advanced halacha shiur for Bnei Torah on whether Kabbolas Mitzvos is an absolute requirement for a valid Geirus. As the author of a comprehensive halachic study on
conversion, Rabbi Fried passionately explained why accepting mitzvos is indispensable for joining Klal Yisroel, citing classic sources from the Rishonim and Acharonim. This shiur was especially relevant given the controversy in Israel over efforts to accept non-Jewish Russian immigrants as converts without requiring mitzvah observance.
The attendees of Rabbi Fried’s shiurim and drashos were deeply moved by his Torah wisdom and inspirational insights. As Rabbi Fried and his Rebbetzin prepare to move to Eretz Yisroel in July to establish a new Kollel in Ramat Beit Shemesh, LINK Kollel wishes them much hatzlacha in their next chapter.
In addition to the uplifting Shabbaton, the LINK Kollel’s Youth Division hosted a lively pre-Tu B’Shvat program on February 9th, engaging 65 neighborhood children in creative activities. The children made various arts and crafts projects including putting their picture on a piece of wood, making flower pencils and planting beautiful shrubberies. Then they got to eat from the “fruits” of their labors: fruit kebabs as an added treat. Kudos to the creative youth director!
Yeshivat Yavneh Celebrates Their 3rd Annual Torah Fair
Yeshivat Yavneh recently held its third Torah Fair. The Torah Fair is orchestrated by Yavneh’s incredible programing team, which includes Mrs. Elisheva Segelman, Rabbi Dovid Morris, and Ms. Leah Laitin. The fair has grown each year, as students in 3rd-8th grade create truly memorable projects. With well over 100 submissions, Yavneh’s gymnasium was transformed into a Torah Museum. Each project consisted of a written and visual component. The written section described their subject and offered insights based on classical Torah sources. The real creativity, however, was seen in the amazing variety of how each student brought their project to life. There were clay sculptures, Lego scenes, paper mâché, paintings, power point presentations, and other mediums as well.
Each grade covered a different theme in Yavneh’s Torah Fair. 3rd grade explored the many miracles found in Tanach and in our daily lives. 4th grade focused on mitzvos between people (bein adam l’chavairo). 5th grade learned about mitzvos between us and Hashem (bein adam l’makom). 6th grade
boys took an in-depth look into the brachos of the Shemonei Esrei. 6th grade girls created maps of Israel that reflected different time periods of Tanach. 7th grade boys recreated the vessels of the Beis HaMikdash. 7th grade girls studied various righteous women of Tanach. 8th grade boys went deep into contemporary halachic issues. 8th grade girls researched Sefer Daniel.
The vast number of topics, across the grades, contributed to a diverse and truly impressive experience. Yavneh parents were beaming with pride as they were zoche to see their child’s finished creation among the other projects. One outstanding project taught the 39 categories of work that we refrain from on Shabbos through an original Monopoly style game. Yes, every shul has “free parking”, and you can collect $200 to buy Shabbos food!
Another submission about the mitzvah of visiting the sick had students actually participate in this mitzvah by creating cards that were delivered to a sick child. The Torah Fair has grown each year, and we’re all excited to see what these creative minds will produce next year!
JSTEAM Takes on Tu’B’Shvat
This week, Emek’s 3rd through 5th grade students participated in an interactive after-school JSTEAM program, combining Judaic content with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. The Project-Based Learning Night featured engaging experiments connected to Judaism, and this year specifically to Tu B’Shvat. Students explored centers that included activities such as painting with fruit, planting seeds and decorating pots. The children learned that just as trees grow and provide for others, individuals should strive for continuous spiritual growth and seek ways to help others. The evening concluded with an interactive Tu B’Shvat program and seder spearheaded by the Bnot Ami girls.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
If
your child is in 12th grade or was last year, your chance at over $65,000 is ending soon Monday, March 3, 2025!
FINANCIAL AID DEADLINE
APPROACHING MARCH 3, 2025
CAL GRANT is a state program giving eligible CA students attending a California college (like TCLA) over $9300 per year for up to 4 years. To qualify for a Cal Grant, your FAFSA AND THE CAL GRANT GPA FORMS MUST BE FILED by their deadlines.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
What to do:
Step 1: Follow this link TODAY https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/cal-grant-gpa-verificationform to download the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Don’t wait! This form must be submitted to your high school office. The school will complete it and return it to you or submit it for you, so give them time. You MUST submit the form online BEFORE MARCH 3, 2025. There are no exceptions to this deadline
Groceries for Good
Every week, ETTA, a non-profit that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, collects food and flower donations from name-brand chains and then distributes the groceries from its North Hollywood offices on Thursdays. It’s a win-win –the people ETTA serves have an opportunity to practice job and social skills, and the public at large, as well as ETTA staff in need, benefit from the free, healthy fare.
One “shopper” said: “I need the food giveaway -- it covers half my groceries. If I don’t get it, we won’t eat.” Another noted: “This is such a great thing you guys do. You really take care of us! This means a lot!”
If your child is in 12th grade or was last year, your chance at over $65,000 is ending soon Monday, March 3, 2025!
FINANCIAL AID DEADLINE APPROACHING MARCH
3, 2025
CAL GRANT is a state program giving eligible CA students attending a California college (like TCLA) over $9300 per year for up to 4 years. To qualify for a Cal Grant, your FAFSA AND THE CAL GRANT GPA FORMS MUST BE FILED by their deadlines
What to do:
Step 2: To qualify for any financial aid, you need to file a FAFSA. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa for information and to file the 2025-26 FAFSA. Don’t forget to put the Touro College Los Angeles code, 041425, on your FAFSA (whether or not you plan to apply to TCLA) because if you are applying for a Cal Grant, your FAFSA must include a CA college code and be submitted by March 3, 2025
Step 1: Follow this link TODAY https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/cal-grant-gpaverification-form to download the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Don’t wait! This form must be submitted to your high school office. The school will complete it and return it to you or submit it for you, so give them time. You MUST submit the form online BEFORE MARCH 3, 2025. There are no exceptions to this deadline
The applications are free, take little time and could be worth over $65,000!! Don’t miss out even if you don’t think your plans include going to college in CA. The application doesn’t obligate you in any way, but there’s no other way to qualify.
The chessed opportunities are endless. “I like loading up the cart and bringing it in,” said Paysach, one of ETTA’s clients. “I get to help people who need help and distribute food to the community. I like helping people, and I look forward to it each week.”
“I help my friends, and give food to others,” said Tamir, who lives in an ETTA Group Home. “I think about who will feel good if we give them flowers.”
Working with fruits, veggies, dry goods and other market items is also, quite simply, fun. After all, as Max, another group home client said: “I’m Jewish – I love food!”
Step 2: To qualify for any financial aid, you need to file a FAFSA. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa for information and to file the 2025-26 FAFSA. Don’t forget to put the Touro College Los Angeles code, 041425, on your FAFSA (whether or not you plan to apply to TCLA) because if you are applying for a Cal Grant, your FAFSA must include a CA college code and be submitted by March 3, 2025
Questions? TCLA is here to help! Contact Rivka Weinberg, Financial Aid Coordinator rivka.weinberg@touro.edu for further assistance, or call Dean Rabbi Dr. David Jacobson at 323-6330874.
The applications are free, take little time and could be worth over $65,000!! Don’t miss out even if you don’t think your plans include going to college in CA. The application doesn’t obligate you in any way, but there’s no other way to qualify.
Questions? TCLA is here to help! Contact Rivka Weinberg, Financial Aid Coordinator rivka.weinberg@touro.edu for further assistance, or call Dean Rabbi Dr. David Jacobson at 323-633-0874.
Reliable caregiver with excellent references and CA state background check.
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Shalom Bayit
The Science of Marriage Professor Einstein Explains Shalom Bayit
“G od shall dwell among us” (המורת) and the sages derive “if God doesn’t dwell between a husband and a wife, fire consumes them.” What does it mean? Einstein explain: sub-atomic particles can fuse in a nuclear reaction unless heavy waters are used to keep them apart. Similarly, if you remove the letters that spell God ה-י from man Ish שיא and woman Ishaהשא , you’re left with explosive fire, Aish שא . So much for theory. What about empirical evidence? Einstein can help here too. Here’s a love poem he wrote his wife when he got married: “So crazy with desire, My pillow catches fire.” A few years later he wrote his wife “I will stay with you only if my clothes are kept in order, I am served three regular meals a day in my room. You will expect no affection from me. You must leave my bedroom without protesting when I ask.” ‘’I treat my wife as an employee whom I cannot fire.”
It appears that Einstein made it to Who’s Who but didn’t know What is What. God himself was missing in the Shalom Bayit equation. It’s our job, Professor Einstein, to invite God to dwell among us to avoid explosive fires and have Shalom Bayit.
Rabbi Nir and his wife Atrian give regular classes on Shalom Bayit. His popular 3 minute podcast is funny and draws Shalom Bayit ideas from the Torah portion of the week. To register:
