A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news
By Sivan Rahav Meir
An American Hug in a Bat Yam Apartment
Sylvia is an elderly woman from Bat Yam, whose home was damaged by an Iranian missile during the war with Iran in June. Last week, dozens of Jewish women from the United States met her when they came to Israel for the first time with the Taglit program, on a volunteer mission.
They arrived in Bat Yam, armed with cleaning supplies and boundless energy, ready to help the city on a rehabilitation mission. For an entire day, these American women dedicated themselves to making Silvia’s apartment habitable—scrubbing and cleaning as they deciphered labels on Israeli cleaning products. The work was conducted in English mixed with Hebrew, a lot of hand gestures, laughter and hugs. Then came the moment when Sylvia exclaimed: “The floor! The floor! I can see my floor again—it’s clean!”
The women looked at each other, confused: “What is ritzpah [floor]?” And just like that, they learned a new Hebrew word.
They watered Silvia’s driedout plants, took photos and promised to stay in touch. It’s hard to say who benefited more. That night, Sylvia’s daughter sent them a message: “You brought back the smile my mother had lost. I’ve never seen her this happy. A million thank-
yous wouldn’t be enough. I’m in tears.”
Every day of the week, the group volunteered in a different location. “This isn’t a retreat—we came to sweat,” one woman told me. In the south, they worked at Rimon Farm, where trauma is treated through agriculture and sheep herding. They helped out in a new vineyard named after Eliahu Kay, z”l, who was murdered in a terror attack.
Women from the Taglit mission in Bat Yam. Sylvia is in the center.
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What else did they do? They packed food with the Latet organization, visited patients at Shaare Zedek hospital and at Sheba’s rehab department, spent time in a nursing home, and more.
Netivot. Sderot. Teveria. Jerusalem. Tel Aviv… In every place, they supported small businesses and lifted spirits—sometimes by simply showing up.
And these missions keep coming. After October 7, the country was flooded with donors and visitors. Now, almost two years later, their presence carries even greater significance. Throughout the week, the organizers tried to get this story into the media. No one picked it up.
So I’m writing it here. Because more groups are coming. And sometimes, in the middle of our everyday chaos, a chance encounter with them reminds us of our shared story—and just how beautiful it really is.
The Nine Days: More Than Just Restrictions
“The Nine Days.” That’s what we call this period—from the beginning of the month of Av, which started last Shabbat, until the Ninth of Av.
“When Av enters, we diminish joy,” says the Talmud. These are days when we take a step back: no weddings or celebrations, no festive purchases, and a host of other customs that express sorrow and mourning.
But why? Why add prohibitions and heaviness? Don’t we already have enough sorrow as it is?
Our Sages explain: all year long,
there is pain—tragedies, conflicts, losses, and brokenness. These Nine Days are the time to gather it all together and recognize that every disaster, every hardship, every sorrow has a root cause: the world is not yet whole. We have no Beit Hamikdash. No redemption. No complete sense of purpose. All sadness, all challenges and crises, are connected. We are still not in our rightful place. We are still searching for who we are and what our role is in the world.
And so, especially during these days, our Sages ask us to connect our personal grief and struggles to the sorrow of the nation— and even to the sorrow of the Shechinah, of God Himself. He too mourns: over the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, over all the suffering we have endured, and the pain we still face.
The goal, of course, is not to remain in mourning. The sorrow is meant to propel us forward— toward repair, toward change, toward teshuvah. Only then can these very days be transformed, as our sources promise, into days of joy and gladness.
The Source of Our Troubles
Parashat Devarim is always read in the week preceding Tisha B’Av, the day of mourning which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Beit Hamikdash. The word “eichah” is found both in this parashah and in the opening of the Book of Eichah which is read on Tisha B’Av. Moses uses the word “eichah” to express his pain and sadness, as he alone has to bear the nation’s troubles, burdens and strife. During the
Torah reading, this verse is traditionally read in the same mournful tune used when reading Eichah.
Rashi uses strong language to explain Moshe’s complaint: “It teaches that they were heretics. If Moshe was early leaving his tent they would say, “Why does the son of Amram leave so early? Perhaps he is not at ease inside his house?” If he left late, they would say, “Why does the son of Amram not leave? What do you think? He is sitting and devising evil schemes against you and formulating plots against you!”
What a preposterous and dismal state of affairs. Why would anyone want to keep tabs on when Moshe’s leaves his home? Why would anyone give a negative interpretation to everything Moses does on their behalf?
The Sages see a connection between the two occurrences of eichah. Before we read the monumental lamentation about the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash and the ensuing war, we first read, in this parasha, a small lamentation which is the source of all the trouble. Moshe is lamenting the people’s suspicion and lack of faith. There is a direct connection between the “eichah” in Devarim describing the degeneration and cynicism of a society to the “eichah” of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash.
May we witness its rebuilding very soon!
Translated by Yehoshua Siskin, Janine Muller Sherr and Chava Wilschanski
Want to read more by Sivan Rahav Meir? Google The Daily Thought or visit sivanrahavmeir.com
The Tefillin Bag Initials That Speaks To Me קפא
By Leslie Srolovits
When my father a”h passed away 20 years ago, I inherited his tefillin. Looking at the tefillin it is noticeably quite old, with rounded batim and the torn retzuos. What was clear to me is that the tefillin needed major work for it to be wearable again. The tefillin are exceptionally large compared to my bar mitzvah tefillin, which I received from my uncle Tzvi Ben Dovid HaCohen a”h. My uncle also happened to be my kvatter, at my bris. These oversized tefillin were in my father’s possession for three and half years while he was a Hungarian prisoner of war. The tefillin were in his coat pocket the entire war, while he dug trenches along the Russian frontier and dodging bullets. Some Jews, unfortunately, either froze to death or were shot with stray bullets. Many years ago, I decided to have a visiting sofer from Israel check the klaf to determine if it was worth replacing the outside batim and retzuos. According to the sofer, the klaf was so large that the writing was clear and in pristine condition. I was elated when I heard the news that the ksav survived all these years. As
the tefillin aged, I had to make up my mind if I wanted to refurbish the tefillin. After talking with my brother and other family members, I decided to move forward and hired a local sofer. I told the sofer the tefillin are 96 years old and I made sure not to pressure him to complete the project in a rush because I wanted it to be perfect.
Every few months, I would reach out to the sofer to find out if he had any success finding the right size of batim that could house the unusually large klaf. About a month before my father’s twentieth yortzeit I received a call that they would be ready shortly. I reminded the Rabbi that I was
a lefty, which caused a delay because the tefillin straps that go on my arm had to be reversed. As I was having the conversation with the sofer the thought that I had was, wouldn’t it be nice to put on my father’s tefillin on his yortzeit ? Two weeks before my father’s yortzeit I received the call I was hoping for, the tefillin are ready. I was so excited and called my older brother George about the wonderful news. I went to the Rabbi’s house for a shel rosh fitting (the phylactery worn on ones head). The Rabbi handed me the beautiful new tefillin in a ziplock bag. As I drove home, all I could think of is how in appropriate it would be to take the tefillin out of a ziplock bag.
A few days after receiving the tefillin my wife wanted to take a trip to Monsey and do some shopping. I always like going to Monsey and schmooze with randon yidden, especially in Bingo, with lively piped in chassidish music, which I love. While in Monsey, I decided to search for a sforim store to purchase a tefillin bag. Having a tefillin bag would honor the holy tefillin our father wore and had throughout the war years. At the first sforim store I visited, all they had were custom bags I would have to order and it wouldn’t be ready for several weeks past my father’s yortzeit. The second store I visited had the same process of ordering a bag. Although I was frustrated, I told
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myself I would not give up and it would all work out. As my wife and I drove closer to the Bingo store, my wife (Elaine) noticed a massive sign, Keter. Elaine told me she would go to Bingo while I checked out the Judaica store. As I drove past the store to park my car, I didn’t see many items displayed in the front window of the store. As I entered the store, I noticed two chassidish young men behind the counter. As I looked around the store, I noticed more than half the store had empty shelves. I asked one of the young men behind the counter if they sold out of everything. The young man replied we are still ordering more merchandise and should be open in a few months. I took out the ziplock bag with the tefillin to show him that I was looking for a bag big enough for my father’s tefillin. While telling this chassid what I was looking for, I also relayed the amazing journey these pair of tefillin had during the war. The sales associate, by the name of Lazer, was so impressed with my father’s journey and the tefillin that he wanted to give me a free bag from a leftover order someone did not want because the bag was too large for his tefillin. Lazer asked me if I cared if some other persons radom three Hebrew initials were on the bag. I couldn’t believe he was giving me a free leather bag, even if it had someone else’s initials. At this point, I said that’s very kind of you and I was thinking at least I have a bag for now because my father’s yortzeit was two days away. Lazer asked me for a copy of the story I wrote back in 2020 about my father’s tefillin. I emailed the article to his email address imme-
diately, while at the store.
Leaving the store, I was so excited that I finally found a store that had a tefillin bag, even if it had someone else’s initials קפא. The very next day I received an email from Lazer stating how much he enjoyed reading the story of the tefillin. Lazer asked if I knew what the” “קפא stand for, ,the english translation from Yiddish is “lived through the war”. It was at this point that I cried uncontrollably because I felt my father speaking to me through these random initials. Yes, the tefillin survived the war so did my father’s neshamah in each and every one of his children and grandchildren. I miss my father so very much. The following day Tuesday the twelfth of Tamuz I put on these very holy tefillin which are now 97 years old. This entire search for a bag and the random initials happened for a reason.
Leslie Srolovits is a retired technology officer / banker with JPMorgan Chase / Capital One and is a resident of Boynton Beach FL
Menyhert Srolovits a"h
Tisha B’av 5785: A Post-October 7th Perspective
By Dr. Chaim Y. Botwinick
This Saturday evening, immediately after Shabbat, we will be observing the second Tisha B’Av since the unprecedented Hamas massacre of October 7th.
The profound sadness, deep pain and anguish of Tisha B’Av is difficult to bare under normal circumstances. It is even more difficult to observe since October 7th, which only exacerbates and magnifies the harsh significance of this national and communal day of Jewish mourning.
One has only to experience the proliferation of articles, divrei torah and posts relating to this topic in order to truly understand the profound significance of observing Tisha B’av for the second year in a row. It is painfully difficult on many levels. In fact, last Tisha B’Av we were all hoping and praying that by now, the precious hostages still being held by Hamas would have been released and that our war with Hamas would have ended in victory. But, unfortunately, to no avail.
Friends, here we are once again, on the eve of Tisha B’Av - still hoping, yearning, praying and begging HaShem that our dear hostages be released and that we would all see a victorious defeat of our enemies and all those with intentions to annihilate our people
and the Jewish State.
Since October 7th, acheinu bnai yisrael have experienced a nonstop seismic explosion of global anti-Semitism, Jew hatred, devastating missile and rocket attacks on our homeland and an existential conflict on several fronts with Israel. These harsh realities do not include the painful and heartbreaking false starts and hope relating to the promise of a hostage deal and/or a temporary ceasefire in hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
The Tisha B’Av Perspective
As I reflect upon the juxtaposition of Tisha B’av and the horrifying events of October 7th and the events since that date, I tremble at the thought that maybe, just maybe there is a relationship between the internal domestic societal matzav in Israel and continued non-stop tragedies now facing Am Yisrael, Bnai Yisrael, Acheinu Ysrael and Eretz Yisrael.
Yes, we have witnessed many unbelievable nisim (miracles) since October 7th. But I shudder at the thought had these miracles not been realized.
Throughout my adult life, I was taught to never automatically assume causal relationships between events in Jewish history unless indicated by our sages in their holy writings.
Tragedies occur to a people because it is the will of HaShem. Plain and simple.
Having said that, it is also
well known and an accepted notion that the destruction of the two holy temples in Yerushalayim were the result of sinat chinam – baseless hatred between and among our people. This wellknown belief is documented and codified in the writings by our great sages.
As we know, there are many who attribute the horrifying massacre of October 7th almost exclusively to a significant lapse in IDF vigilance, intelligence and security. But even if that was indeed the case, there are those who sincerely and truly believe that in addition to human error or failure, that the reasons or causes for this and other national tragedies of such magnitude, are far beyond our understanding or human comprehension. ……not unlike the horrendous events of the Holocaust. To be sure, these events are ordained and determined singularly b’yad HaShem, and b’etzpah HaShem only –through the hand and figure of GD.
The one observation which I do humbly posit, is when I compare the events and zeitgeist leading up to the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and to those events leading up to October 7th. In fact, I can’t help but think about the striking similarities.
We learn from our Jewish texts that the causes for the destruction of Beit HaMikdash was attributed to sinant chinam.…the unadulterated and baseless hatred among and between our people within the Jewish community. There are hun-
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dreds of commentaries and Judaic texts and sources which validate and support this historical fact and contention.
Fast forward to October 7th……….
To suggest a lack of achdut (unity) within our Jewish camp in Israel just prior to October 7th, would be monumental understatement.
It is interesting and curious to note that the events in Israel just prior to the October 7th tragedy were that of significant social unrest, civil disobedience as well as significant consternation, as well as hatred between religious and non-religious members of the Israeli society. In fact, the matzav (situation) was so tenuous and dangerous that many Israeli leaders were fearful of a civil war breaking out. To be sure, the streets of Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv were spilling over with vile hatred and disgust between religious and non-religious groups… and between those who would agree to the reform of Israel’s judicial system and those who were vehemently against it.
Friends, is it not curious or even coincidental that this deadly violence and hatred in the streets and neighborhoods of Israel occurred just prior to the October 7th tragedy?
I began to imagine that these scenes of hatred and violence between our people are in many ways reminiscent of the hatred and sinat chinam which led to the destruction of the second Holy Temple.
Again, I am not at all suggesting with any degree of certainty that these events led up to or caused the October 7th surprise attack on
our brothers and sisters in Israel. Having said that, it nevertheless does present more than a coincidental scenario.
Finally, I cannot recall a period in my lifetime where we have experienced such internal hatred among our people or the a lack of respect for one- another’s religious practices or values It is truly disheartening, depressing and beyond upsetting.
My only take-away from this observation is that the lack of achdut – both prior to and following the October 7th tragedy should be a subtle reminder to all of Acheinu Bais Yisrael that we should never ever take our achdut for granted.
Although we do see and observe periods of achdut throughout history in our communities, they are sporadic at best and are more often than not realized following as opposed to prior to communal tragedy or catastrophe.
As I have written and blogged on numerous occasions, this “chicken or egg” phenomenon must teach all of us that achdut and ahavat yisrael may prevent tragedy; and it should not be viewed only as a product, end result or outcome of tragedy.
As we are about to observe Tisha B’av, it is imperative that we constantly remind ourselves that achdut bnai yisrael does not happen by itself or in a vacuum. . It requires hard work, continuous perspective, introspection, due diligence and a love for acheinu.
To this end, I humbly suggest that this Tisha B’av mark the beginning of a new and renewed period of achdut – one which enables us to respect each other, love each other, care for one other and pro-
tect one other.
If there is any lesson we learned from the Holocaust of October 7th and by extension from the spread and proliferation of global antisemitism, and Jew hatred, it that we only have ourselves to depend upon.
When will we learn the lessons of Tisha B’Av and by extention the outcomes of October 7th. When will the hatred and sinat chinam between brothers and sisters in Israel stop? When will we no longer witness the spilling of innocent Jewish blood of yeshiva students refusing to be inducted into the IDF; or violence protests against the Israeli government in the streets of Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv.
Yes, Israel has its share of significant challenges, problems and crises which are beyond daunting. But, we must also remember that we are all one family with one common destiny. We will always have our differences of opinion and ways in which to express our values. But above all, we must always remember that we were all created B’tzelem Elokim - in the image of HaShem.
This therefore demands a level of true achdut and ahavat yisrael as never before.
If not now, when?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Chaim Botwinick is a senior executive coach and an organizational consultant. He served as president and CEO of the central agency for Jewish education in Baltimore and in Miami; in addition to head of school and principal for several Jewish day schools and yeshivot. As an Influencer, he has published and lectured extensively on topics relating to education, resource development, strategic planning and leadership development. Dr. Botwinick is Author of “Think Excellence: Harnessing Your Power to Succeed beyond Greatness”, Brown Books, 2011
Operation Inspiration: Reach Out and Touch Someone
By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
I was trying to think of an appropriate topic for my column which would hit some publications just before Tisha B’Av, and others just after, or even a bit further out. It was hard and I didn’t have any inspiration for it. Then I got the text.
What text you ask? I’m glad you did. It was a text from a friend in England asking if I was in the area and would I like to stay with him, as he had extra rooms available. Why did he text that? Because as I was flying to Eretz Yisrael, I saw England on the map, and I texted him.
I told him I was enroute to Israel and hoped he and his family were well and his business was being matzliach. He thought I was stopped in England and physically in the area, so he invited me. I explained that I was already in Eretz Yisrael but my practice is that when I think of someone, I reach out and let them know.
It’s something I picked up when my mother a”h was ill. I didn’t know how many more visits I would get with her, so whenever I thought of her, I picked up the phone and called her to say hi. I started doing it to my father, zol gezunt und shtark zein, because I also realized that time was marching on. But it didn’t stop there.
I started calling relatives and friends when I thought of them. When my brother-in-law got married, I called him shortly after Sheva Brachos to say I’d thought of him and wanted to reach out. I hoped he was enjoying married life, and told him about what started me on this practice. He had the same response my British friend did. He was taken aback by the simplicity and power of this act. He thanked me for sharing it.
I think that for most people I’ve
told this to, it’s not just that it’s a good idea. The people who’ve thanked me for the idea were also on the receiving end. They got to feel, firsthand, how it felt to hear that someone was thinking about them. They experienced the overwhelming sense of being cared for simply because someone reached out and said they were important to them.
In the 1980’s, AT&T had a slogan intended to make people pick up their phones to make calls, something that was not free, nor even in a single, low-cost package. Calls had long-distance charges per minute, and even a quick call could cost you several dollars. They said, “Reach out and touch someone.” They knew, as I do, that when you let someone know you’re thinking of them, it touches their hearts and is memorable. AT&T just wanted you to do it over their phone lines.
Telephone pricing has changed, but the sentiment hasn’t. Letting people know you’re thinking of them has a powerful effect on your relationship. It can have far-reaching results, and also, consequences. The Gemara in Gittin famously recounts the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, wherein a fellow was mistakenly invited to a party hosted by someone who hated him. When the host saw him there, he threw him out despite his protests
that he had been invited, and the offer to pay for the whole event. The hatred exhibited by the host is something we should all be ashamed of.
But what was it that affected the guest so strongly that he went to the government and complained about the Jews, leading to the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash? That no one spoke up in his defense. Even if they couldn’t have stopped the host from throwing him out, just knowing he wasn’t alone; that someone cared, would have kept him from lashing out against all the Jews.
That’s the message of my text. It took me a few seconds to tell this person he came to mind. When he saw those words, though, he was blown away by the fact that someone would care enough about him to reach out and offer some kind words and good wishes without being prompted, or without anything to gain. What a fantastic gift that is, which we can give to others.
We can change the world by showing our love for each other, by taking the time to check in on our friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and whoever Hashem puts into our minds. And when we do that, we’ll find the world a much more caring and sensitive place, because the people who were touched by this kind gesture are more likely to reach out and touch others, just as the phone company suggested.
To paraphrase another phone company slogan – it’s all about the connection.
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Tisha B’Av reminds us what we’ve lost. It also reminds us what we can rebuild — together.
$150,000 = $15
In a world where medical costs can overwhelm a single family, the power of community offers a different path. When 10,000 members share a $150,000 hospital bill, it is only $15 from each member’s monthly contribution. What would have been a potentially devastating burden becomes manageable when shared.
This is the quiet strength of healthsharing — a proven process built on shared responsibility. An automated system that works. To date, members across 30 states have submitted over 290,000 medical expenses for sharing.
On Tisha B’Av, we reflect on the power of Klal Yisroel joining together in compassion, in action, and in purpose. Whether through healthsharing, chesed, or tefillah, we can come together in countless ways, and in that achdus lies the hope for the final geulah,
Teach Florida Secures Expanded Services for Students in Jewish Day Schools
What happens when families with children in Jewish day schools need speech therapy, counseling, or academic support but can’t afford private services and aren’t getting what they’re entitled to through the public system?
That’s the question Teach Florida set out to solve. And today, thanks to our continued advocacy, the answer is changing for the better.
Teach Florida represents nearly 60 Jewish day schools across South Florida. As a leading advocacy organization, we work at both the state and district levels to ensure safe, affordable, and high-quality Jewish education. One of our most impactful initiatives is the Services for All program, which helps secure federal IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funding for eligible students in nonpublic schools, including Jewish day schools.
Before the program launched, less than 1% of nonpublic school students were identified for services under IDEA. As a result, families were left to pay out of pocket or go without entirely. Teach Florida has worked tirelessly to change that by partnering directly with South Florida school districts to fix broken pipelines, improve student identification, and expand access to life-changing support.
Now, more students than ever are being evaluated and receiving services at their private school. These services are delivered by licensed professionals and are provided at no cost to families if the student is found eligible.
Here’s what that looks like in the 2025–2026 school year:
Broward County
• Reading and math instruction for grades K–12 (up to 1 hour per subject per week)
• Speech/language therapy (PK3–12, up to 1 hour per week)
• Occupational therapy (PK3–12, up to 30 minutes per week)
• Early learning consultation (PK3–PK4): academic, emotional, and independence support Palm Beach County
• Reading and math instruction (K–12)
• Speech and language therapy (K–12)
• Miami-Dade County
• Academic support (K–12)
• Counseling services (K–12)
• Pre-academic services (PK3–PK4)
If
The Temple Is On Fire! Help!
By Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Chabad Chayil
Legend has it that Napoleon, the great French leader, was once passing through a small town in Europe, when he heard weeping. Wanting to know what was going on, he followed the sound to inside a building, where he found men, women and children sitting on low chairs & benches, crying. The building was a synagogue and the room which had a magnificent candelabra chandelier at its center, had only a few candles lit.
Bothered by the scene and wanting an explanation, Napoleon inquired about the reason for their sadness. They explained that they were mourning for the destruction of the temple. At that point Napoleon became very angered that people would have the audacity to harm the Temple of such good people, and inquired further to where the damage was, as whatever parts he saw still looked intact. No no, they explained. “We’re mourning for the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, the Beit Hamikdash, that was destroyed by Rome over 1700 years ago. Once a year on Tisha B’Av - the 9th day on the Jewish month of Av, we get together to read the Book of Lamentations and mourn the Temple’s destruction while praying that we very soon merit its rebuilding.”
To this Napoleon responded, “WOW! A people that remembers the destruction of their land and temple after so many hundreds of years, will surely witness its rebuilding.”
Tisha B’Av was actually the day that both Temples were destroyed. The First Temple built by King
Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians (modern day Iraq) in 3338 (423 bce). After completing the building of the Second Temple in 3412 (349 bce), it too was destroyed on the 9th of Av, this time by the Romans in 3829 (69 ce). That was also the day on which the Jews were expelled from Spain in 5252 (1492 ce), the start of World War I in 5674 (1914 ce) and the Gush Katif expulsion in 5765 (2005 ce).
If you were to witness any such atrocity, how would you respond? What would you say? What would you do?
The Talmud tells us that although the Babylonians & Romans did the dirty work, it was actually the will of G-d, due to the
people not behaving in a loving way one to another. Furthermore the Talmud tells us that as long as the Temple is not rebuilt in our time, it’s as if it was destroyed in our time!
In other words, since we still don’t have the Temple rebuilt, it’s as if it is being destroyed in front of our very eyes! We are witnesses to those horrific atrocities! Help! The Temple is on fire!!
The good news is that we know what to do. By acting in kind ways to one another, by loving thy neighbor, by simply being good people, we will surely see the Third Temple built in a peaceful Jerusalem. Ah! If we would only merit to enjoy it, this year in Jerusalem!
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To learn more about Tisha B’Av see www.ChabadChayil.org/ TishaBAv
This year Tisha B’Av begins Saturday night, Aug 2 at sundown and ends Sunday night, Aug 3 at nightfall. I encourage you to participate in services at your local Chabad or Synagogue. You can of course join me at The Family Shul, temporarily located right behind 2601 NE 211 Terr, Miami, FL 33180. Since COVID, we have been making our services available each day during the week virtually. Our services are broadcasted live each weekday morning at 9:00am and evenings 10 minutes before sundown on YouTube (youtube.com/ChabadChayil) and Facebook (facebook.com/ ChabadChayilPage). The full schedule is available at TheFamilyShul.com or (305) 770-1919.
Saturday, Aug 2
10:00am - Shabbat Services
12:00pm - Kiddush Lunch
2:00pm - Mincha
8:06pm - Fast Begins
8:43pm - Shabbat Ends
9:00pm - Maariv followed by Aicha (Lamentations)
9:30pm - Living Torah Video
Sunday, Aug 3
9:00am - Slow Shacharit followed by Kinus until midday (1:26pm)
4:00pm - Virtual Tour of the Beis Hamikdash built by Herold & King David’s Palace
5:00pm - Film TBA
7:00pm - Mincha Services with Tallit & Tefillin
8:30pm - Fast Ends
8:31pm - Havdalah & Break Fast
(inmemoryofMrs.GloriaSobel z’l)
*Plan A is that Moshiach come. We have the Third Beit Hamikdash. And instead of fasting we have feasting!
For exact Halachik times calculated for South Florida for any day of the year see ChabadChayil.org/Zmanim. For this holiday specific see ChabadChayil.org/ TishaBAv
About the author: Rabbi Kievman together with his wife are the ambassadors of The Rebbe to Highland Lakes, FL. They are the founders of Gan Chabad Preschool, your local CTeen & CKids chapters, CHAP - an afterschool program for Jewish children in Public Schools and direct Chabad Chayil. He’s the rabbi at The Family Shul and can be reached at (305) 770-1919 or rabbi@ChabadChayil.org
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A Florida Medicaid applications company is hiring a sales manager. Job involves frequent travel in Florida to law firms, facilities, and professional events to sell the companies services. Looking for someone with a strong marketing or sales background, preferably in professional services as well as proven success building and managing referral relationships. Candidate must have excellent communication and presentation skills. Experience with legal, elder law, or Medicaid planning a plus. The candidate must be based in Florida. Salary is commensurate with experience and hours.
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9 am-5 pm, and Fri, 9 am-1/2 pm.
Please email your resume to officeemployee101@gmail.com.
NMB CASHIER
Looking for someone for a position in NMB cashier
really reliable person whom can multitask in an elite candy store.
Full time position: 10-6 m-w | 10-7 Thursday 9-430 Friday | 10-6 Sunday
Min wage $13-15
Pls text 9545586658
Very friendly environment. Lovely ambiance
DOVRAN SECURITY
is looking to hire personel security professionals with a D and G license. Experience required.
Looking for immediate hire.
Contact Ron 305-724-8890
LABOR WORKERS
Our team is growing and we’re hiring labor workers in the Hollywood area. Reliable work, competitive pay, and a great team to work with!
Must be legal to work in the US. Must have valid driver license.
*APPLY NOW!
Call, message, or email for details. 786-418-9369 | romo.mgmt@gmail.com
KITCHEN APPLIANCE MAINTENANCE GUY
I am looking for a professional kitchen appliance maintenance guy. Please, reach out to me: Mordechai +17866722584
PROPERTY MANAGER.
Looking for part time property manager. Looking to hire immediately.
Full time. Locals only.
Requirement: A. Property management experience only (min 2 years)
1) Needs a car to drive to Miami Beach / Surfside
2) Speaks Spanish Reply to 786-766-8782
Israela, Paving your Journey Home
For many, the dream of Aliyah—the return to Israel—is filled with hope, but also uncertainty. Uprooting a life, especially from the comfort of familiar countries like the U.S. or the U.K., can feel overwhelming. The challenge grows even greater when there’s no family waiting in Israel, no familiar faces to ease the transition.
That’s where Israela steps in— not just as an organization, but as a lifeline.
For over 30 years, Israela has helped thousands of families turn their Aliyah dreams into reality. Founded by Shalom Vach to support French Jews seeking a new life in Israel, the organization has quietly and steadily changed lives—over 10,000 of them. Now, under the leadership of his son, Col. (Res.) Golan Vach, former head of Israel’s famed National Search and Rescue Team, Israela has expanded its mission to South America and English-speaking communities, bringing its uniquely personal and community-based approach to an even broader audience.
What sets Israela apart isn’t just logistics—it’s heart.
At the core of Israela’s success are three simple but powerful pillars:
1. Aliyah in community. Families don’t move alone they move together. Israela forms Aliyah groups that settle in the same communities, creating an immediate support system where deep friendships blossom, easing both emotional and practical
By Sarah Abenaim
hurdles.
2. Thoughtful placement. Israela doesn’t simply drop families into existing enclaves. They carefully select culturally diverse, welcoming communities that foster true integration. Each family is matched with one or two “adoptive” families—locals who embrace them, guide them, and help them feel at home from the start.
3. Long-term, on-the-ground support.
The first 18 months to two years post-Aliyah can be the
most fragile. Israela sends a dedicated project manager to live in the new community, ensuring every detail—from paperwork to school registration—is handled with care. Schools even receive a specially trained teacher to serve as a bridge, making sure no child falls through the cracks as they adapt to a new language and culture.
The journey to Israel doesn’t start at the airport—it begins a year before, with a dream and a plan.
That’s when the work of Israela quietly begins to unfold. A
Pilot Camping Trip with Adoptive Families
Pilot Trip - looking at schools
Posner airport arrival pilot
new cohort—each one named in honor of a fallen Israeli soldier— is formed, typically made up of around 15 families. These families are thoughtfully matched by age, lifestyle, and interests, with potential Israeli communities scouted in advance for their ability and willingness to warmly welcome new olim. There is no cost to join the cohort.
It all begins with a few informational Zoom sessions, after which parents are invited on a pilot trip, to Israel. Over several days, they bond with one another forming a deep sense of excitement over this transitional time. Because they spend full days exploring the potential host communities—meeting locals, asking questions, and planning their lives there, the imagined experiences they formerly had are now palatable. Many have said after the trip that in Chutz La’aretz,
they live day to day; but being in Israel opened their eyes to the possibility of feeling truly alive. It is this pivotal emotion that solidifies the upcoming dream, the unity of the group, and the energy to overcome hurdles along the way.
At the end of the trip, the families vote on their preferred location. While unanimous consensus isn’t required, several families must choose to settle in the same place in order to access Israela’s full support. Nobody is ever locked into any group decision, and families are free to decide a direction that works best for them at any time.
A recent group from Anglo countries united families from Australia, Gibraltar, USA and Canada, before they settled together in Carmei Gat—where their community carefully prepared to receive them. Among
them was Rabbi Ari Posner of Perth, Australia, who had served as Rabbi at the Mizrachi shul for a decade. With five children and his eldest approaching high school, Rabbi Posner knew the time was right to make the move.
The cohort became like an extended family to the Posners, and the embrace they felt from the receiving communities was immediate and deeply moving. It all began when Col. Golan Vach visited Perth to speak about Israela’s mission. Rabbi Posner was inspired—not only to make Aliyah, but to contribute more broadly. He now serves as the head of Israela’s Anglo branch for North America and is actively building its next English-speaking cohort and preparing for their pilot trip in November 2025.
Israela families from North America still make Aliyah through Nefesh B’Nefesh and are encouraged to utilize their resources, which go hand-in-hand with Israela’s program. Israela’s support is complementary – with the shared goal of making Aliyah as seamless, supported and successful as possible.
If you’re interested in joining the November Pilot Trip or an upcoming cohort, or would be open to hosting a parlor meeting to help bring this initiative to your community, reach out to Rabbi Ari Posner, Director of Aliyah- North America: +972-55-772-1382, or via email aposner@israela.org. You can also fill out a contact form, tinyurl.com/ familyaliyah.
Your journey home could start with just one conversation.
Sunday to Thursday: 12pm - 10pm Friday: 11am - 3:30pm OPENING HOURS Scan the code to order!
AFSI Urges Jews To Boycott France Over Its Recognition of The Non-Existent “State of Palestine”
NEW YORK – A pro-Israel group is urging American Jews to cancel their trips to France in response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that he will officially recognize the non-existent “State of Palestine” in September.
Moshe Phillips, National Chairman of Americans For a Safe Israel (AFSI), said: “President Macron’s an
state exists, is a slap in the face to Israel’s victims of terrorism. That Macron issued this statement at the same time that Hamas once again told American negotiators that they refuse to free the innocent hostages they kidnapped over 650 days ago is a moral disgrace. American Jews should respond by canceling all planned trips to France.”
Americans For a Safe Israel thanks Congressman Brian Mast for his response to Macron’s
COUNSELING
statement: “Choosing to reward terrorism, hostage-taking, and genocide against Jews is the wrong choice.”
About AFSI: Established in 1970, Americans For a Safe Israel (AFSI) is one of the oldest and most influential pro-Israel organizations in the United States. Its advocacy and educational campaigns serve as a potent counterweight to the rising tide of anti-Israel propaganda. AFSI is not affiliated with any political party in the United States or Israel.
DOUBLE MAZAL TOV! The Retiree Academy just reached 2 major milestones!
Imagine finishing a major project after working on it for a year or so. How would you feel? Amazing, right? Well the Levi Yitzchok Retiree Academy just finished 2 major projects after working hard on them for one to two years! They finished an entire Tractate from the Talmud, Tractate Sukkah, as well as the entire Book of Kings (after previously finishing the books of Joshua, Judges and Samuel.) Thanks to an anonymous donor, all participants will receive an expensive, beautiful gift, a surprise (which we cannot reveal yet!) simply for studying Torah with us over Zoom.
United Jewish Generations, a Chabad organization, offers retirees a Jewish academic learning program, with a stipend! But that’s not all, a bit of computer training, Zoom setup and tech support are also provided for those who need. Using Zoom technology, the senior population enjoys powerful learning, friendship, community, intellectual stimulation, and a feeling of fulfillment and success. Retirees choose between a once-a-week Torah class or as much as a daily onehour morning session and onehour afternoon session. Classes are geared for a diverse crowd, so background knowledge is not necessary, but at the same time, the more knowledgeable participants find the classes extremely interesting and insightful. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, voice their opinions, and engage in the discussion.
“This is a perfect solution for
all types of challenges that seniors face,” says Rabbi Smith, director of United Jewish Generations. “This innovative program works wonders and has already proven to be a paradise on earth, in addition to providing opportunities for engagement and education which retirees are thrilled to be part of,” says the rabbi.
The idea of having a senior citizen study program was initiated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who felt that the elderly should never truly retire, but continue to remain intellectually active. He encouraged the establishment of learning circles for retired men and women to study Jewish texts. Life is about continuous growth. Retirees should utilize their talents, life-ex-
periences and extra time, to study Torah in greater quantity and quality.
The Levi Yitzchok Senior Academy is currently accepting applications. Applications and more information is available at www. UnitedJewishGenerations.com/retireeacademy
United Jewish Generations is a Chabad, non-profit organization in South Florida that specializes in servicing retirees and seniors. This Academy is one of their many programs that enhance the quality of life for older adults.
For more information, please call Rabbi Menachem Smith at (954) 458-6000 or email rabbi@unitedJewishgenerations.com
gifting certificates to Senior Kollel Participants
Safety. Tradition.
10 FACTS ABOUT BEACHES DID YOU KNOW THAT... KID’S ZONE KID’S ZONE
1. There Are Pink Beaches
Not all beaches are golden or white — some, like Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas, have a rosy hue due to crushed coral and microscopic organisms called foraminifera.
2. The Longest Beach Is in Brazil
Praia do Cassino in Brazil stretches over 150 miles (241 km), making it the longest uninterrupted beach in the world!
3. Singing Sands Exist
Some beaches “sing” or “whistle” when you walk on them — like the Singing Sands of Eigg in Scotland — due to unique sand grain shapes and friction.
4. Beaches Can Glow in the Dark
At night, certain beaches sparkle due to bioluminescent plankton, especially in places like the Maldives and Puerto Rico’s Mosquito Bay.
5. You Can Find Glass Beaches
Glass Beach in California is covered in smooth sea glass, formed from decades of dumped glass being polished by the ocean waves.
6. Volcanic Beaches Are Black Hawaii and Iceland are home to stunning black sand beaches, formed from cooled lava that shattered into tiny fragments.
7. The Beach Sand Comes from… Fish?
Parrotfish eat coral and excrete sand. Just one parrotfish can produce hundreds of pounds of sand each year!
8. Beach Waves Travel Thousands of Miles
Some waves you see on shore originated from storms thousands of miles away, traveling across oceans to reach the beach.
9. Beaches Can Move
Beaches aren’t fixed — they naturally shift and migrate due to tides, currents, and storms. Some are even “engineered” to move sand to where it’s needed.
10. There’s a Beach in a Desert Dubai created man-made beaches in the desert using imported sand — the famous Palm Jumeirah is an example of this incredible engineering.
Unscramble the words
1. dancy
2. eetr uheso
3. erttas
4. cleoctaho
5. nototc daync
6. muymg owrms
7. hecoltoac arb
8. cie camre
9. cnorppo
10. popillol
1. What do you call a sad chocolate? 2. What do you call a bear with no teeth?
• 30 MIN DURATION • 25 MIN COOK TIME • 5 MIN PREP TIME • 6 SERVINGS •
This dish is a perfect vegetarian burger option. The creaminess of the cheese perfectly complements the earthiness of the mushrooms.
Ingredients
• Gefen Canola Oil Cooking Spray
• 6 portabella mushroom caps, each 3- to 4-inches in diameter
• 1/4 cup Bartenura Balsamic Vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 6 slices Natural & Kosher Mozzarella
• 12 slices crusty bread
• 1 16-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained, dried with paper towels, and cut into strips
Preparation
1. Spray grill pan with cooking spray and place over high heat.
2. To prepare mushrooms for grilling: Remove the stems. Use a spoon to remove the gills by running it along the bottoms of the mushrooms. Wipe clean with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Brush the mixture on both sides of each mushroom with a pastry brush.
4. When grill pan is very hot,
place mushrooms in the pan, gill side up. Baste mushrooms with the vinegar and oil mixture. Cook for 8 minutes. Turn and cook second side for 6 minutes. Place a mozzarella slice on top of each mushroom cap and continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes to melt cheese.
5. To assemble: Place mushrooms, cheese side up, on a slice of bread. Evenly distribute roasted red pepper slices on the cheese and place a second slice of bread on top.
Serve with Quick Gazpacho.
Jamie Geller is the Chief Media and Marketing Officer at Aish. She is also a bestselling cookbook author, celebrity chef, television producer, and businesswoman. She’s the author of eight cookbooks and the founder of Kosher Media Network.
Summer Unleash
• SUSHI PLATTERS • CATERING SETUP
• LIVE SUSHI STATION • DELIVERY & PICKUP
Soak up the sunshine, slow down the pace, and savor suites, The Altair is where carefree days meet elevated comfort. Whether you're taking a sunny escape with friends or finding your own slice of serenity, this is the summer escape you’ve been craving.
Beis Medrash • Shul • Shabbos and Yom Tov Amenities
Starts Here Your Private Caribbean Escape
THIS SUMMER, SHARE A PRIVATE YACHT ADVENTURE THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
Set sail with a select group of individuals for a one-of-a-kind luxury escape aboard a private yacht. This is your chance to trade the chaos for crystal waters, hand-crafted meals, and complete relaxation.
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SECTION REAL ESTATE & FINANCE
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Be featured in our brand-new Real Estate & Finance Section (954) 662-5054 | info@tsfcommunityvoice.com
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY & CLASSIFIED
List your local business, services available, real estate opportunities, Help Wanted, and more!
Basic listing: $10/weekName, number and email address
Enhanced listing: $25/weekUp to 25 words (additional words $1/each)
Deadline: Tuesday at 4pm for next week's issue
BOYNTON BEACH HOLLYWOOD
Majestic Isles- 3 bdrms, 2 full baths, 1,441sf $3,600/M
The Carlisle- 1 bedrooms, 1 baths, 905sf $2,700/M
The Spiaggia- 2 bdrms, 2 full baths, 927sf $3,500/M
2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1,383sf $315K
HOLLYWOOD
3 bdrms, 2 full baths, 1,144sf $3,800/M
3 bedrooms, 1 baths, 997sf $299K
The Price of Being ‘Too Late’
By Shmuel Shayowitz
To say that Donald Trump isn’t exactly known for subtlety is an understatement. And he’s back at it … this time rebranding Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell with a fresh nickname: “Too Late.” As in, too late to cut rates, too late to fight inflation, and too late to help jumpstart the economy.
Powell successfully navigated the COVID crisis by rapidly lowering rates and judiciously hiking rates when inflation spiked post-pandemic; however, he is now stubbornly holding rates firm despite other world central bankers cutting, as well as immense pressure from President Trump.
Trump is now making it very clear that Powell’s days are numbered. The irony in all this is that President Trump was the one who appointed Powell in the first place back in 2018, expecting a compliant and obedient soldier. Legally, a sitting president can’t easily fire a Fed Chair without cause, as doing so would rattle global markets.
According to some analysts, it could instantly drive up interest rates by 0.50% to 0.75%. Trump likely knows this. So, for now, he’s taking a different strategic route: bullying Powell in public and waiting for his term to expire in May 2026, when he can then install someone more, shall we say, malleable. Trump is arguing that the inappropriately high rates are costing the US Government over a trillion dollars a year in unnecessary interest payments.
This political theater isn’t new.
The Federal Reserve has been the subject of power struggles and conspiracy theories since it was created in 1913, following the Panic of 1907. Contrary to what you’ll read online and in Reddit threads, the Fed isn’t “owned by the Rothschilds” or a secret cabal. It’s an independent central bank created by Congress, with regional branches that operate in a quasi-private capacity - but still under federal oversight. That nuance, however, is grey enough, causing critics to call it a shadow government.
So why should any of this matter to you?
If Trump gets his way, there’s a very real chance his Fed appointee slashes interest rates by 2–3%, as he’s demanding for now. And that has enormous implications for your personal finances. Based on historical data, a 2-3% drop in the Fed Funds Rate could result in a 1.5% to 2% decrease in 30-year mortgage rates. That could bring us back to the 4.75%–5.25% range - levels we haven’t seen since early 2022.
For homeowners or investors carrying high-interest debt, that’s a potential windfall, but only if you prepare in advance. Acting after rates drop, once the media is finally buzzing, once your neighbor brags about locking in 4.99%, is – well – “too late.” Sound familiar?
The cost of being too late isn’t just a matter of politics. It’s per-
sonal. It’s the homeowner who purchased their home in 2022 and now has a rate of 7.25%. It’s the buyer who is sitting on the sidelines because rates are just too high. It’s the business owner who missed the window to consolidate debt. It’s the investor who waited for “confirmation” instead of acting on strategy.
Now is the time to reassess your position. Know your strike price … that is, the interest rate at which it makes sense to refinance, consolidate, or restructure. For some, that might be 5.75%. For others, 5.25%. But if you don’t know that number ahead of time, you’ll never know when it’s time to act.
The market is forward-looking. By the time the Fed cuts and you hear about it, rates may already be creeping back up due to increased demand. Timing is everything, and being “Too Late” might cost you far more than a nickname.
Shmuel Shayowitz (NMLS#19871) is a highly regarded Real Estate & Finance Executive, Writer, Speaker, Coach, and Advisor. He is President and Chief Lending Officer of Approved Funding, a privately held national mortgage banker and direct lender that has facilitated over $3 billion in mortgage funding. Shmuel has over twenty years of industry experience, holding numerous licenses and accreditations, including certified mortgage underwriter, licensed real estate agent, residential review appraiser, and accredited investor, to name a few. Shmuel has successfully navigated through many changing markets and business landscapes, making his market insights and experience well-coveted within the real estate industry. He can be reached via email at Shmuel@ approvedfunding.com.
