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Beyond the Headlines
A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news
By Sivan Rahav Meir
Who Tells You the Story?
Did you ever hear of Charlie Kirk? If not, that’s a problem.
One of the greatest supporters of the Jewish people was murdered in the United States, and I saw several people I respect writing: “How is it that I never heard of him until now?”
It’s sad. Our political-media discourse is stuck, narrow. A person is shaped by the landscape of their feed. So much energy is poured into side issues— while the big story, the battle between global progressivism, antisemitism, and the campus madness on one side, and the truth and justice of Israel and Judaism on the other, gets pushed aside.
In that story, Charlie influenced millions. Think about who didn’t tell you about him—and who instead amplified other, more extreme voices.
He explained us to our critics, but he also helped us listen and remember the most basic truths.
Of course, not all his opinions were Torat Moshe miSinai. Far from it. But he was always willing to discuss, to debate. How symbolic that he was murdered at an event called Let’s Talk. There are those who don’t want to talk. They want to silence—violently.
So in his memory, pay close attention to who tells you the story and who frames the story for you. Make sure you’re not missing the next Charlies. There Is Purpose and Direction
So many dramatic events, so much upheaval—where is all this heading?
When there are so many question marks, it’s worth remembering, even as we struggle, that there is one big exclamation point above them all: We have God. We have a people and a Torah. And we have eternal prophecies reminding us of the purpose and direction of this entire story.
In the weeks between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashanah, we read the ancient “Haftarot of Consolation” from the navi Yeshayahu. Last Shabbat, we read about the day when we will return to our land and to our faith, when the entire world will recognize the truth emerging from the Land of Israel, and when the complete redemption will come: “Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, nor devastation or destruction within your borders.”
“Violence, devastation, and destruction” refer to violent attacks and internal and external crises. All of these—so familiar to us—will come to an end. Not only Hamas as we know it, not only the murderers in suits sitting in Qatar will be destroyed, but all evil in the world and all the evil within us.
The prophecy continues: “You shall call your walls ‘Salvation’ and your gates ‘Praise’.” Yeshayahu Hanavi tells us that we will be so strong and secure that we won’t need physical defenses. Salvation itself will be the wall protecting us, and our praise will be the gate guarding us. Faith in God, unity, and inner strength will protect Jerusalem—without the need for physical walls.
In confusing times, it’s worth remembering: generation after generation, our ancestors read these prophecies of consolation and drew strength and direction from them—and they are indeed coming to life before our eyes. May we merit not only to read them but to see them fulfilled completely, speedily in our days.
Four Points About the Last Shabbat of the Year
After an especially challenging year 5785, how do we enter the new year? Moshe Rabbeinu’s words to the nation in this week’s parasha include important principles regarding entry into the land of Israel and into the new year.
!ה ב ו ט הנש
1. This is the last Shabbat of the year. Many people do something special to honor it in order to distinguish it from all the other Shabbatot of the year.
2.Last Motza’ei Shabbat Ashkenazim also began to say Selichot, penitential prayers, in preparation for the new year that begins next week on Monday night and will last two days until Wednesday night.
3. This week’s parasha, Nitzavim, speaks of our ability to rectify our deeds. Moshes Rabbeinu leaves us with many encouraging messages as he looks thousands of years into the future. With the following words, he assures us that the highest aspirations he envisions for us are easily within
our grasp. “For this commandment which I command you this day is not concealed from you, nor is it far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and fetch it for us, to tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and fetch it for us, to tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?’ Rather, [this] thing is very close to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can fulfill it.”
4. Following the Torah reading, we read the seventh and last of the haftarot of consolation that are read between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashanah. This haftarah
speaks of joy, redemption, return to the land of Israel, and includes this famous verse: “On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night, they shall never be silent; those who remind the Lord, be not silent.”
Shabbat shalom, shana tova, and may we all be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.
by Yehoshua
and Janine
Want to read more by Sivan Rahav Meir?
The Daily Thought or visit sivanrahavmeir.com
Translated
Siskin
Muller Sherr
Make it Sweet Like Honey, Honey! High Holidays 101
By Rabbi Moishe Kievman | Chabad Chayil
“Shana Tova Umetuka” - “May you have a good and sweet year” is what we typically wish each other in the month leading up to the Jewish New Year, and I bet you’ve always wondered why we give a double wish, that the year should be both good and sweet. If it’s good, isn’t it sweet? It’s got to be more than just poetic..
The Talmud teaches us that everything that happens in the world is for the good. And although many times it seems far from good, you should know that ultimately it somehow is for the good. We therefore wish each other, that not just should you have a good year, but also a sweet one. A year that is not just ultimately for the good, but rather one where the good is obvious to all. A year that is deliciously sweet!
Many give each other tegalach, honey cookies or honey cake - known as lekach. In fact the Chassidic custom is to specifically ask someone (usually the rabbi, but not necessarily) for a piece of or a shtickel lekach. We hope and pray that if there’s anything that we must ask or beg anyone for in the coming year, we should fulfill it with that ask.
It is also the custom of eating sweet foods on Rosh Hashanah itself, especially an apple dipped in honey with a special prayer that G-d grant us a good & sweet year. The Challah is dipped in honey. A special dish known as
Tzimes is a European carrot concoction cooked in honey. As well as many other foods we eat with honey. My mother z’ls delicious tzimes included Chuck fleish and marrow bones and was one of the most delicious dishes ever. Ah, good memories!
Of course by now you surely know that the theme of honey throughout this season symbolizes the sweet year we all yearn for. But why specifically honey? Why not sugar, splenda or any other sweetener?
For starters, Israel was blessed to be a land flowing with milk and honey! Eating honey, wherever we may be, reminds us of our ancient homeland and our deep connection to Israel.
Have you ever seen an expiration date on honey? Honey can last for a really long time! A quick Google search will tell you that honey can last for centuries, but perhaps it can even last longer than that!
Many times there are people that get blessings. They win the lottery or stumble across a treasure. But the blessings unfortunately don’t always last and all their money can disappear as fast as it appeared or even worse, break families and friends apart. On Rosh Hashanah we pray that we not only get a blessed year, but that the blessing lasts. Furthermore, honey can be used as a preservative. When Adam and Eve, whose birthdays we celebrate on Rosh Hashanah, were created, they were commanded to work the earth and to guard it. To protect it and all that it contains. To preserve the world and constantly make it a better place.
I wish each and every one of you a Shana Tova Umetuka! May you and your families be blessed with a Happy & Healthy, Good & Sweet New Year! May you be showered with blessings and may they last for a very long time!
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May you always be there for others! May you be a preservative for this beautiful world and help bring it to the perfection G-d has intended for it! May this year be your best year ever!
This year we will celebrate Rosh Hashana 5786 beginning Monday evening, Sept 22, 2025 at sundown, and concluding Wednesday evening, Sept 24 at nightfall. To learn more about Rosh Hashanah and the many customs associated with it visit www.ChabadChayil.org/ High-Holidays. You can also pick up a free holiday guide at Chabad Chayil’s office or call us and we will be happy to email or mail it
to you free of charge.
I encourage you to attend your local Chabad or Synagogue to enjoy Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and all the high holidays to their fullest. Of course you can always join us at The Family Shul for services or holiday dinner, but you would need to RSVP in advance at (305) 770-1919 or TheFamilyShul.com. The community dinner will of course include Apples Dipped in Honey, Traditional Round Challah, Gefilteh Fish, my mothers Tzimes recipe, Kugel and all the delicious holiday foods!
This is a good time to order your Lulav & Etrog set or reserve for any of the other holiday
meals. We will have lunch and dinners served at Chabad during both days of Rosh Hashana, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah. We will also have a meal Erev Yom Kippur and a Yom Kippur break-fast. The Chabad Chayil Sukkah will also be open to the public throughout the holiday.
About the author:
Rabbi Kievman is the ambassador of The Rebbe to Highland Lakes, FL. He’s founder of CHAP - an afterschool program for Jewish children in Public Schools, Gan Chabad Preschool, rabbi at The Family Shul & together with his wife directs Chabad Chayil. He can be reached at (305) 770-1919 or rabbi@ ChabadChayil.org.
Marlene Kolangi Left Fashion Behind to Build Israel’s First Play Therapy Center for the Orphans of October 7th
New York— Before October 7, Marlene Kolangi was known for her couture bridal and evening wear brand, Kaituz. Her days were filled with fabrics, fittings, and celebrations of love. But in the aftermath of tragedy, she traded gowns for a mission far greater: creating Israel’s first therapy center dedicated to children who lost one or both parents on or since October 7.
As a single mother, Marlene spent that horrific day in a bunker with her daughter and a group of seminary girls. Surrounded by fear and uncertainty, she couldn’t stop thinking about the children who were suddenly left without parents; children who had no one to hold them through the chaos. In the days that followed, she made call after call to organizations across Israel, only to learn that no one was directly focused on these orphaned children. Overwhelmed but resolute, she made a life-altering decision: if no one else was stepping in, she would.
From that decision, Israel Orphans of 10/7 was born. What began as one mother’s determination quickly became a lifeline for some of the most overlooked victims of the tragedy—the children.
Today, the organization operates the first and only therapy center in Israel designed specifi-
cally for children who lost one or both parents on or since October 7. Here, young survivors find healing through therapies tailored to their needs; ranging from cooking therapy and art therapy to animal-assisted therapies like dog therapy and horse therapy. These innovative approaches allow children to heal in ways that feel natural and safe. To them, it feels like play—painting, riding, building, or cuddling with a therapy dog— but behind every moment is a licensed clinician carefully guiding the activity as part of a larger, evidence-based healing strategy. The children often don’t even realize they are in therapy, yet each interaction is designed to help them process trauma and move toward recovery. Unlike traditional therapy in a sterile office that can feel intimidating or uncomfortable, this model takes place in settings that feel natural to children, allowing healing to unfold organically through play and connection.
“People often forget that in the headlines of war and loss are children—thousands of them— whose lives will never be the same,” Marlene said. “Our work
exists to remind them they are not forgotten, that they matter, and that they deserve a future filled with love and stability.”
Israel Orphans of 10/7 provides ongoing emotional, psychological, and practical support to children navigating unimaginable loss. Beyond therapy, the organization provides monthly financial stipends to help create stability for families adjusting to life after loss, ensuring children are not just surviving- but building new pathways to thrive.
Marlene has plans to expand the center’s impact, with two additional therapy hubs scheduled to open in the next year. Her mission is clear: to ensure every orphan of October 7 has access to the healing, care, and community they deserve.
From the world of bridal couture to the frontlines of child healing, Marlene Kolangi’s journey is a testament to how one person’s courage can ignite change in the darkest of times.
About Israel Orphans of 10/7
Israel Orphans of 10/7 is the first and only organization solely dedicated to supporting children who lost one or both parents on or since October 7. Through therapy, monthly financial stipends, and long-term assistance, the organization provides critical emotional and practical support to help children heal and rebuild their futures.
For more information, please visit this link.
Media Contact: Summer Olney solney@thehaihaus.com +1 (786)-296-3089
Finding Our Why
The best defense of the Jewish people starts with knowing who we are.
By Jonathan Greenblatt
The first time I sat at my wife’s family’s Rosh Hashanah table, I expected to see the apples and honey, but what I didn’t expect was a fish head. It was a tradition that was as foreign to me as it was ancient.
My wife’s family is Persian. Like many Persian Jews and Jews from other corners of the Diaspora, they mark the holiday with a Rosh Hashanah seder: a sequence of symbolic foods, each paired with a prayer for the year ahead. Rituals with roots that span centuries and traverse continents.
I had never seen anything like it. That meal with my wife’s family was a vivid reminder that the diversity of Jewish tradition is one of our greatest strengths. Our heritage is not monolithic; it is a tapestry, embroidered over millennia by communities across the globe.
This time of year, those traditions call us to reflect, not only on where we have been, but on where we are going.
At ADL, every day I see the urgency of defending the Jewish people. The reality can be grim: rising antisemitic incidents, harassment on campus, the relentless tide of online hate. It is depressing, maddening, and heartbreaking. The threats are real, and vigilance is not optional. But I believe that the best self-defense is built on something deeper: self-literacy, self-knowledge, and self-awareness.
Because Jewish life is not only something to guard, but also some-
thing to live in relationship with. Our heritage isn’t just an inheritance to be locked away for safekeeping; it’s a dialogue between past and present, between God and people, between Jews across the ages.
To know ourselves as Jews is to enter that relationship intentionally: to study, to question, to celebrate, to wrestle. That’s how tradition comes alive, not only in how we protect it, but in how we engage it.
Because what good is it to defend the Jewish people if we aren’t also deeply connected to what makes our heritage worth defending?
At ADL, we spend so much time engaged in the very necessary practice of Jewish defense — defending against antisemitism, defending Israel’s right to exist, defending our place at every table. It’s time to shift to Jewish offense. We need to give people reasons not just to survive as Jews, but to thrive as Jews.
If your connection to Jewish life is purely cultural, go deeper into that culture in a meaningful way. Torah is part of that culture. Hebrew is part of that culture. Prayer and ritual are part of that culture. If social justice is your path, then study what Jewish tradition actually teaches about justice. Learn about the great debates. Enrich yourself in our history and texts. If your passion is the Jewish state, then learn about it, travel there,
understand its complexity. If you’re intrigued by other Jewish cultures, make the effort to explore them. Visit their synagogues, learn their melodies, taste their holiday foods, and hear their stories.
In other words, whatever your entry point, enrich yourself in it. Don’t let your Jewish identity be defined solely by the acts of our enemies such as antisemitism or the Holocaust. Let’s define our identity ourselves based on who we are and what we love.
That search for depth is, at its core, about finding your “why.” Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, murdered in Hamas captivity after being kidnapped on October 7, understood this in a way that is both inspiring and heartbreaking. While in captivity, Hersh told a fellow hostage a line from Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, “He who has a why, will find the how.” For Hersh, that “why” was the people he loved, the hope that anchored him through unthinkable suffering. His words gave others the strength to endure as well.
Knowing your why fuels resilience. It transforms endurance into purpose. It’s what shows us how to move from holding the line to building the future.
For me, the why is my Jewish identity, which grounds how I continue this fight day after day. For me, that identity is rooted first and foremost in a profound love for the Jewish people. That love has guid-
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ed my path, from cherishing the memories of my grandparents to building new traditions with my own family to ultimately joining ADL as another way to stand with and for our community. To be clear, I believe Torah matters. I relish Shabbat each and every week. At the same time, my connection isn’t expressed only through ritual observance or Limmud. It’s expressed in the work: showing up for Jewish students who feel alone on campus, pushing back against extremists who traffic in antisemitism, building coalitions that strengthen our community’s future.
That’s what grounds me, and that’s what keeps me going.
Last December, in a conver-
sation at Temple Emanu-El, my friend Bret Stephens of the New York Times shared similar advice: “Get ten percent ‘Jewier,” he advised. “Wherever you are [in your practice], add ten percent.”
I agree with Bret. However you choose to do it — through prayer, study, travel, family, or tradition — make that choice intentional. But make the choice.
For some people, deep meaning this holiday season will come from standing in synagogue. Others will get it from studying Torah or Talmud. Some will find it in the food traditions, the family gatherings, simply being together. But whatever it is, root it in a “why.”
More Jews being more in touch
with who we are benefits everyone. It strengthens us. It inspires the next generation. It ensures our story is not just preserved but lived. Indeed, living a thoroughly Jewish life is the best resistance against those who wish to defeat us. It is a defense that can endure any assault. It is a shield that can withstand any blow.
Shanah tovah u’metukah. May this coming year be one of purpose, pride, and renewed connection. Let us honor Hersh by finding our why and summoning the courage to live it.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt is CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League.
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Operation Inspiration: Shine a Little Light
There’s a well-known expression used by many Rishonim and Kadmonim: “A little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness.” I have never found this dictum so true as when I was taking a daytime flight from Israel to America. Most often, on long-haul flights, people like to sleep as it passes the time more quickly. More than that, the night before said flight was probably filled with a flurry of activity like packing, last minute visits, and more.
You’re probably very tired and want to sleep. To make this more possible, the airline often dims the lights to give the aura of an evening flight, and subliminally encourage less, or at least quieter, conversation. The windows of newer planes don’t have manual shades. They have electrochromic windows that darken. The crew darkens these windows also from their controls at the front.
Well, there I was on a flight, where the plane was blissfully dim, and then, BAM! A passenger in the window seat makes his windows brighter manually! All of a sudden, the cabin was filled with light. I never realized how one or two little windows can make such a difference, but they can. What struck me at that moment was not the amazing optimism of this expression and its truth, but the level of obtuseness and self-induced blindness a person can reach. I refer, of course, to the fellow who opened the shades.
I don’t mean that he couldn’t read his book without the daylight from the windows. Honestly, they
By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
give you overhead lights that can help you read a book. Of course, sometimes that also impacts others, and people should be aware. But our bookworm friend here wasn’t aware that his windows brightened the entire cabin and may have made it harder for others to sleep.
I say he wasn’t aware because I’m dan l’kaf zechus that had it been pointed out to him, he might have thought about his choices, but the flight attendant I mentioned it to seemed hesitant to say
anything. I guess I could have, but he seemed Israeli and my Hebrew wouldn’t be articulate enough to be polite. He also might not have reacted well to it, as he didn’t seem to be a Torah-observant Jew, the type who are better able to accept mussar without getting offended. (hint, hint)
So, the flight went on with him and his bright windows, being a beacon of self-involvement, an oasis of ego, and a masterclass in Me-ism. Which is why I’m writing this. I couldn’t go over and say something to him, and when the rest of us do things, it’s quite possible there also won’t be others who can tell us where we went wrong. Now, if you’re married, you have a built-in person to tell you off… - I mean, gently and lovingly critique you - but even still, there may be times when no one else is available to help us.
I’m hoping that by sharing the story of this fellow, some of us will begin to ask ourselves how our actions will affect others. If there’s something we want to do or have,
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we have to consider whether it will disturb other people. That doesn’t automatically mean we desist from our plans, but we take it into account.
Let’s say your kids enjoy fireworks. They bought a whole bunch and want to shoot them off (where it’s legal) at night time. Of course, it has to be dark for them to enjoy the show, so ask yourself if you have neighbors with young children who will be woken by the loud report of your rockets. Are you making loud booms that will disturb people, frighten them, or wake them up?
If the noise ordinances in your area allow loud sounds until 11PM, does that mean you blast the music in your backyard until 10:59, even if it rattles the win-
dows and the bass thump-thumps their walls? Sure, it’s legal, but is it right? Just like the guy who is not prevented from making his windows brighter (though I was told some lead flight attendants may lock the brightness controls), and it’s his right to do so, but what happened to his obligations to others?
One of my favorite lines, often attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes, though I think that has been debunked, is: “The right to swing your fist ends at the tip of the other man’s nose.” You can do what your want, until it impacts others. Then there have to be guidelines and consideration. For example, the United States Bill of Rights guarantees Freedom of Assembly. I think exercising that right in a way that impedes others
and deprives them of their rights should be illegal. Yes, you can protest whatever you want, but don’t block highways or stores and hurt other people. That’s not how we’re supposed to act.
I think you get the point of what I’m saying, and I hope I’ve managed to open your eyes to some things you ought to consider the next time you want to do something that may affect other people. Think about the repercussions of your acts and consider revising them. At least, that’s what an enlightened person, especially one who follows the Torah, would do.
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YACHAD
CHABAD CHAYIL
Rosh Hashana 5786: Is Our Glass Half-Full Or Half- Empty?
By Dr. Chaim Y. Botwinick
As we are about to celebrate the beautiful chag of Rosh HaShana, we reflect on this past year with sadness and frustration, balanced with hope and promise.
From the tragic events of October 7, 2023 to the explosive rise and proliferation of global anti-Semitism, we are now living during a period of time in our history which acheinu bnai yisrael will never ever forget; and, one which is reshaping the trajectory Jewish history.
It’s so hard to believe that in several weeks, we will be commemorating the second anniversary of the October 7th massacre – an inconceivable and an unimaginable tragedy which changed our Jewish world for generations. To be sure, who would have thought or imagined that almost two years year ago, on the very day of Rosh HaShana, HaShem would have decreed that we would experience a tragedy of such magnitude and proportion on Shemini Aseret/ Simchat Torah of that year.
But, as painful and as incomprehensible this event was, Chazal teach us that throughout our history, although we have been confronted with tremendous challenge, adversity and hopelessness, we eventually emerged as an achienu bnai yisrael with strength, resolve, resilience and promise.
This awesome and impressive resilience is only possible b’yad HaShem – through the powerful hand of GD. And, it is deeply embedded and anchored in our nation’s DNA as an Ish Echad B’lev Echad – as One People (One Nation) with One Heart.
As a people, we have survived tragedies for millennia. Whether we experienced expulsion,
anti-Semitic persecution, displacement or unfortunate death, we grew and even thrived as a people and as a nation – always bolstered and supported by our bitachon, emunah and achdut.
As a child, I recall how Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur were one of the most difficult and challenging periods of time in our household.
As a Rabbi’s son, I grew up in a household which viewed Yomim Naraim as the most time-consuming and stressful times of the year. My father z”l was preoccupied by putting the finishing touches on his drashas (sermons), ensuring that all congregants had a proper seat in shul, and accompanying congregants and their families to cemeteries for their annual visit the grave-sites of loved ones. My mother spent her time preparing for Yom Tov, ensuring that anyone in the community in need had a place to eat during Yom Tov and was ensured a gracious invitation for all Rosh HaShana meals. This was in addition to ensuring that all in need had a place to be mitpallel with a minyan, as well as an opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the shofar.
All of this frenetic activity was happening with bright beautiful smiles on their faces and with the most eloquent and positive demeanor one can ever imagine.
The one attribute (one of many) my parents possessed which I will always remember, was their amazing positivity. Always mini-
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mizing sadness, stress and tragedy and emphasizing the positive aspects of life. In fact, they made a point to encourage me and my brothers to always think about the positive aspects of our lives; always focused on the glass being half-full as opposed to half empty – irrespective of the circumstance.
These attributes were also evident through the words and language they used and the continued emphasis on speaking softly and kindly. Never speaking lashon haraah or raising their voices; and always speaking in a welcoming and positive tone and at times even in a whisper. A middah which I always respected and tried desperately to emulate.
As I grew older, I began to more fully appreciate my par-
ent’s inspiring approaches to life. It also added meaning to a beautiful quote attributed to the Lubavitcher Rebbe – if you think positive, it will be positive.
Friends, as we approach the sacred Chag of Rosh HaShana, in light of the daunting realities we are currently confronting –including increased global anti-Semitism, the aftermath of the October 7th tragedy; the continued war in Gaza and the yearning and heartbreak for the precious hostages, let alone the sporadic missile attacks from Yemen, is it truly possible to view life through positive lenses? Can we truly and sincerely view life’s circumstances through half-full glasses?
As we know, Rosh HaShana is a time for reflection and introspection; it’s a time for tefilla, and te
shuva and a time when we are all committed to personal and communal growth.
In addition to marking the start of the ten Days of Repentance, culminating on Yom Kippur, it marks the beginning of the new year and is a period in our lives when we all are mitpallel to HaShem for good health, peace and prosperity. It reminds all of us to plant seeds of chesed and kindness.
In addition, it affords us an opportunity to reflect on the past, live fully in the present and step boldly and humbly into the future. We ask HaShem that or actions are aligned with our dreams and that our families and acheinu will be blessed with forgiveness for past deeds
Moving Forward in Light of
Chaim Jakob, DMD
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Today’s Realities
Friends, in light of the many insurmountable challenges we face as individuals, families and communities, is it humanly possible to be optimistic during a period of time in our history when we are all experiencing tremendous existential uncertainty?
There are those who feel that the events of these almost past two years are just way too much to bare and that true optimism is physically, psychologically and emotionally difficult, if not impossible.
Then, there are those who sincerely believe that a half-full glass is not only a desired imperative by truly possible and achievable.
As we reflect upon this challenge just before Rosh Hashana, we ask ourselves - how many of our precious Holocaust survivors survived the war with a positive demeanor for hope, promise and an outlook for brighter futures. Was it easy? Absolutely not. But these precious souls had a level of bitachon and emunah in HaShem that they and countless generations that followed will have a more positive and brighter future.
Just look at the amazing nissim (miracles) we are now hearing about which took place during October 7th, or the nissim experienced by our IDF brothers and sisters on the front or those living in southern and northern Israeli border towns or during missile barrages on Israeli population centers.
These nissim do not include those which we, our families and acheinu experience on a daily basis.
These are amazing stories and miracles. Not only stories of courage and resolve…but stories of deep and profound trust in HaShem and in his wonders.
The great Kotzker Rebbe is quoted as saying that optimism and positivity are the result of a mindset anchored in bitachon and emunah in HaShem.
Feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness are counterproductive and not sustainable. In fact, they may even exacerbate negative feelings, making it all the more difficult to attain and maintain a positive mindset.
Acheinu bnai yisrael have experienced way too many tragedies throughout history only to result in positive outcomes. Here too, we must create conditions for positive thinking. We must look at all the goodness Hashem offers; and we must look at our glasses as being half full opposed to half empty.
As we approach Rosh HaShana it is imperative that we engage in personal and communal reflection and introspection which results in hope, promise and positivity.
This critically important disposition also includes our ability and capacity to support and celebrate the concept of ben adam l’chavero – the manner in which we treat our fellow Jews, whether they are religious or secular. Here to, we are positioned to view our roles and dispositions as positive as opposed to negative or critical of others.
The great Chofetz Chaim is quoted as saying that even the manner in which we speak or
address our neighbors has a profound impact not only on that neighbor but also on our character, mood and demeanor.
On Rosh HaShana, we are mitpallel to HaShem that show us racmanut (mercy) and good favor to us in judgment. This judgment is based in part on our ability to transcend our everyday habits and inclinations and to conduct ourselves bzelem elokim, in the true image of GD and to serve as a mamlechet kohanim and as an ohr laGoyim.
On this Rosh HaShana, let us all remember……
Mah Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov, Mishknotecha Yisrael. – How lovely are your tents (people of) Yaakov; your sanctuaries (people of) Israel.
May HaShem bless us on this Rosh HaShana with the continued ability, will, strength and fortitude to view this world through positivity, hope and promise; and, may we all have a healthy, safe and positive Shana Tova.
Shana Tova U’metukah
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 Jewish communal Influencer, he has published and lectured extensively on topics relating to education, resource development, strategic planning and leadership development. Dr. Botwinick is co-founder of LEV Consulting Associates and is producer/host for the Chinuch Horizons podcast. He is Author of “Think Excellence: Harnessing Your Power to Succeed Beyond Greatness”, Brown Books, 2011
A Conversation with the Mayor of Miami Beach
From Brooklyn Roots to Leading One of Florida’s Most Dynamic Cities
When Mayor Steven Meiner of Miami Beach sits down with South Florida Community Voice, his energy is unmistakable—a mix of conviction, community focus, and a vision for the future of one of Florida’s most recognizable cities.
Raised in Brooklyn and Staten Island, he recalls his strong Orthodox Jewish upbringing.
“I went to Yeshiva Flatbush for 12 years. Growing up, we didn’t face much physical danger, but we did hear comments—even people driving by shouting about Hitler,” he remembers. “But the truth is, I never felt unsafe in America. Sports helped too—once I joined the local kids for baseball, everything changed.”
After law school, he built a career in private practice, then spent 17 years at the Securities and Exchange Commission before moving with his family to Miami Beach 18 years ago. Politics wasn’t part of the plan.
“If you told me seven or eight years ago that I’d be mayor, I would have said you’re out of your mind,” he laughs. “It all started with wanting more police presence and better lighting in my neighborhood. I kept going to meetings, got frustrated nothing was changing, and finally decided the only way to fix it was to do it myself.”
That persistence led him to the city commission and eventually, in a crowded race, to the mayor’s office.
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Standing with the Jewish Community
Miami Beach is home to one of America’s most vibrant Jewish communities—by some estimates 30–40% of its 80,000 residents. The mayor credits that community with deep civic engagement.
“When I’ve run for office, the voter turnout has been incredible. I’m very grateful for that support.”
He has also spoken out in moments of crisis. Following October 7th, Miami Beach saw demonstrations he describes as “pro-Hamas rallies.” Disturbed by increasingly aggressive behavior—including elderly Jews being surrounded and shouted at—he pushed through legislation requiring barricades and distance at protests.
“If you breach the barricade, you get arrested. Some warned me it would bring 5,000 protesters. I said no—you’ll get five. And that’s exactly what happened.”
He emphasizes that most demonstrators weren’t locals.
“Our community here—Jewish, Hispanic, across the board— has shown overwhelming solidarity. I wear sneakers with the Israeli flag, I wear my kippah proudly, and I get nothing but support walking the streets.”
Building Bridges with Israel
Beyond safety, Mayor Meiner sees opportunity in deepening ties with Israel. Miami Beach recently hosted the first Israel Tech Week, drawing hundreds of startups.
“These companies told me the same thing: they’re no longer looking at New York or California. They feel more comfortable here in South Florida.”
The city has since adopted a policy to recruit Israeli and Jewish-owned businesses to open satellite offices locally.
“We don’t want to take companies away from Israel, but if they’re opening a U.S. branch, Miami Beach should be their first choice. Our goal is to make that process as smooth as possible.”
Safety, Services, and Traffic
Asked what sets Miami Beach apart from neighboring cities, the mayor is quick to answer: safety.
“I want Miami Beach to be the safest city in America. If you walk near synagogues or Jewish schools, you’ll see police everywhere. Tourists sometimes ask if something happened. I tell them
no—it’s just how we operate. People must not only be safe, but feel safe.”
He is also tackling one of South Florida’s most frustrating challenges: traffic.
“It’s seasonal, but during winter my phone blows up with complaints,” he admits.
His solution: a large-scale water taxi system connecting Miami Beach north, south, and across the bay.
“We already have a vendor, and we’ve secured a $600,000 state grant. I want to see it running within a year. Long-term highway projects take decades—we need immediate relief.”
Looking North: Lessons from New York
The mayor keeps a close eye on his hometown, New York City, where he sees worrying trends.
“I hear from friends and Israeli tech leaders: Jews in New York are tucking in their Stars of David, hiding their identity. In Florida, that doesn’t happen. Here, people walk up to me on the street and say, ‘Mayor, I’m with you.’”
He contrasts his approach with policies in New York.
“I talk about free water taxis to reduce traffic. That’s very different from ideas like rent freezes or city-run supermarkets. Those policies failed in other countries. Many of our Hispanic residents came here to escape exactly that. Florida offers something different: freedom, security, and opportunity.”
A City on the Rise
Despite challenges, Mayor Meiner believes Miami Beach and South Florida are entering a period of major growth.
“We’re already seeing families move here full-time. Businesses are relocating. It’s a blessing. Yes, more people means more traffic, but it also means more vitality, more jobs, more opportunity. In the next five to ten years, we’re going to reap the benefits of that in a big way.”
As he looks ahead, his vision is ambitious yet pragmatic: a city that is safe, welcoming, and positioned as a hub for Jewish life and Israeli innovation in America.
“Our mission is to keep Miami Beach strong—for every resident—and to set the standard for how a city supports Israel, fights antisemitism, and builds a better future.”
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Tribute to Charlie Kirk
Famously the Torah eulogies Moses as the most humble person. This is considered such a great character trait that Maimonides says one should err and instead of the medium that is usually best in regards to character traits in regards to humility one should try to be as humble as possible. It is striking that many people have eulogized Charlie Kirk by praising him as being humble.
Kirk at 18 started Turning Point USA in his garage. When he did not get into West Point he decided to skip college and made Turning Point his full time job. He showed an extraordinary ability to be the Mark Zuckerberg of politics in building up Turning Point to be on 3,500 high school and college campuses in thirteen years. Kirk had an amazing ability to fundraise and connect with the most powerful people. JD Vance credits Kirk for his becoming a Senator and Kirk advocated for him to be VP. Donald Trump JR said that his father may not have won the presidency without Kirk.
President Trump flew the flag at half mast and is giving him the Congressional medal of Honor.
Kirk has been at the forefront of advocating for Israel in his famous college campuses debates and even at Oxford. He financially donated military equipment to Israel after October 7 and he understood that there was a good and evil in the war between Israel and Hamas. Kirk made sure on
By Farley Weiss
his Turning Point board that only pro Israel voices would be part of the organization.
I met Kirk only once at the 2019 National Council of Young Israel dinner in which he introduced a Jewish honoree that was active in Turning Point. Kirk impressed me with his friendship to the Jewish people and his humility as he was already famous by 2019. He never let his success go to his head.
Kirk told Prime Minister Netanyahu that he was proud as a Christian to stand with Israel. Kirk was humble enough to admit if he was wrong telling Mark Levin he was right to support President Trump attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. When Kirk complained that some Jewish friends were not happy with him for not advocating for Trump to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities a pro Israel WhatsApp
group Pens For Swords organized a campaign of sending thousands of letters to Kirk expressing their support for him. Kirk was overwhelmed with the notes of appreciation and wrote “Wow! I am speechless. Truly. Thank you. Give me a moment to process this. So kind. Thank you. Together we stand for civilization. G-d bless you. Charlie”.
The traveling exhausted Kirk and he decided to adopt the orthodox Jewish practice of going 24 hours from Friday night until Saturday night of having family time with his wife and two kids. He did not answer his phone calls and texts and did not watch television or go on his computer. He spoke publicly how he had to respond to like 600 texts Saturday night but he found the rest so beneficial for him.
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Kirk understood the danger as he publicly spoke of the antifa death threats he received and being chased out of restaurants and assaulted. He advised an Israeli college student who complained about antisemitic harassed to learn to fight as Kirk told him that the university and campus police will not protect Jews on campus. When asked about antisemitism Kirk called it demonic. Kirk remarked that Jewish doctors led the fight against tuberculosis that led to the antibiotic that cured it and that has saved about one billion lives. Kirk commented that many medical inventions partly by Jews like CPR and the MRI ma chine help save like 500 million lives. He said it is a brain rot to blame .2% of the world population
namely the Jews for your problems.
Kirk showed how to argue with respect and with his deep intellect he was able to impact American youth in an extraordinary way. He lived a life of purpose and meaning and despite the danger and threats he persevered because he felt the need to make the United States a greater country. He achieved a great deal in his short lifetime and likely in the reaction to his death his achievements will continue to grow. In Judaism there is a belief that even if someone is physically dead their impact can still be felt as if they are alive
positively impacting the world but many people will in the future make a difference in the world because they were influenced by him. Charlie Kirk’s life will be remembered for a blessing for those fortunate not only to meet him but in today’s world many can be impacted by him by watching the numerous videos of him.
Condolences to his wife and his two little girls. Your husband and father was a great man. Thank you Charlie Kirk for making the worldabetterplace.
Farley Weiss is past president of the national council of young Israel and co author of
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David Ben-Gurion, Expansion, and Rail Lines
By Gedaliah Borvick
In the early 1950s, when David Ben-Gurion encouraged the Hadassah Women’s Organization to build their new hospital in Ein Kerem, many thought the idea was detached from reality. The site was a quiet hillside on the outskirts of Jerusalem – remote, difficult to reach, and far from the city’s population. Building a major medical facility there felt impractical, even risky.
But Ben-Gurion, then Israel’s first Prime Minister, urged them to think beyond the present. “One day, this hospital will be in the middle of town,” he predicted. At the time, that seemed farfetched. Today, it sounds remarkably prescient.
Jerusalem in those early years was a divided city, cut off at its eastern edge by the Jordanian border. Expansion felt like a distant dream. Yet Ben-Gurion believed that the future of the city
– and the country – required bold steps. His resolve and long-range thinking proved pivotal.
A well-known anecdote from Ben Gurion’s encounter with Hadassah’s leadership underscores his bold vision for the nation’s capital. When one exasperated board member protested, “It’s simply too far. No one will come!” Ben-Gurion calmly replied, “Then we will bring the people to it.” He reportedly took a napkin and began sketching a vision: roads, schools, homes – an entire neighborhood rising around the hospital.
Those sketches were the first draft of a grand plan that, over time, came to life.
Today, Hadassah Ein Kerem is not only a world-class hospital, but also part of a vibrant network of neighborhoods, which includes Kiryat HaYovel, Kiryat Menachem, and Bayit Vegan. Once an
isolated hilltop, it now lies within Jerusalem’s expanding footprint.
Ben-Gurion had many ambitious visions for the country, and not all were met with agreement. But in this case, his insistence on building for the future was on target and helped shape a city that needed to grow.
Jerusalem continues to evolve – and once again, transportation is playing a critical role. The Light Rail system, which began as a modest city-center project, is now reaching new neighborhoods and reshaping daily life. The extended lines are bringing communities like Pisgat Ze’ev, the new Givat Hamatos - and yes, also Ein Kerem - closer to the city’s core.
Neighborhoods once considered “too far” are now well within reach – encouraging housing development, retail expansion, and renewed investment. Just as Ha-
dassah Ein Kerem once drove growth beyond the city’s edge, the Light Rail is now guiding the next chapter of expansion.
But this trend isn’t limited to Jerusalem. As Israel’s population is projected to double in the coming decades, the country faces enormous pressure to create new housing and employment hubs. The Negev and southern coastal plain – long overlooked –are emerging as strategic growth zones. And once again, the train is at the heart of the solution.
High-speed rail lines are connecting Be’er Sheva, Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat, and beyond to central Israel. Around these stations, new residential neighborhoods, university campuses, and tech parks are taking shape – poised to propel Israel’s next wave of expansion. The same principle that guided Ein Kerem is playing out on a national scale: build the infrastructure first, and the people will follow.
The story of Hadassah Ein Kerem is an early example of how long-term planning and a willingness to take risks can pay off – not only from a medical standpoint, but from a city-building perspective. As Jerusalem and the country continue to expand, the hospital on the hill stands as testimony to what can happen when we build not only for today, but for generations to come.
As my business partner Eliezer Goldberg – whose expertise in Jerusalem zoning and development is unmatched – recently noted, the classic mantra ‘location, location, location’ may well be giving way to a new one: ‘transportation, transportation, transportation.’
In the spirit of Ben-Gurion and Hadassah, we wish you a Shana Tova – a year filled with vision, progress, and blessing.
Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com. Hadassah Ein Kerem (hadassah.org.il)
A Legacy of Torah, Hospitality, and Faith
From Kerestir to Miami Beach: TheLineageofRabbiYeshayahSteinerandRabbiYisroelYaakovGrosz
The story of Rabbi Yeshayah Steiner of Kerestir and his descendant Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov (Yoikel) Grosz ל“צז is a tale of Torah scholarship, selfless hospitality, survival, and spiritual leadership spanning continents and generations.
Rabbi Yeshayah Steiner of Kerestir (1851–1925)
Born in 1851 in the village of Zborov, near Bardeyov in present-day Slovakia, Rabbi Yeshayah (“Reb Yeshayale”) Steiner lost his father, Rabbi Moshe, at just three years old. His mother, Hentsha Miriam, recognized her son’s spiritual gifts early and sent him at the age of twelve to study in Hungary under Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Liska, author of Ach Pri Tevua. Reb Yeshayale became his close aide and, after his teacher’s passing, continued his spiritual journey under great Hasidic leaders including Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz and Rabbi Mordechai Leifer.
It was Rabbi Mordechai Leifer who encouraged him to settle in Bodrogkeresztúr, Hungary— where Reb Yeshayale became a Hasidic Rebbe. There he earned a reputation as a miracle worker, attracting tens of thousands of Hasidim who sought his blessing, counsel, and warmth.
Reb Yeshayale’s most enduring legacy was his legendary hospitality. His home was open to all, with food and comfort provided for the needy, travelers, and the downtrod-
den. To this day, Bodrogkeresztúr maintains hospitality projects in his memory, carrying forward the spirit of kindness he embodied.
So powerful is his legacy that even his image is regarded by some as a protective amulet, especially believed to ward off mice.
Rabbi Steiner’s family included his son Rabbi Avraham, who succeeded him, and daughters who married into rabbinic dynasties. His descendants carried his light into future generations.
Among those descendants was Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov Grosz, born in 1931 to Rabbi Naftuli Grosz and Rebbetzin Malka, daughter of Rabbi Avraham Steiner—the son of
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Reb Yeshayale of Kerestir. Thus, Rabbi Grosz was a direct heir to the spiritual royalty of Kerestir.
At the tender age of 13, Rabbi Grosz endured and survived the Holocaust, a tragedy that tested and tempered his faith. Emerging from its devastation, he dedicated his life to Torah, his family, and his community.
In 1982, Rabbi Grosz moved with his wife, Bella, and their children to Miami Beach. There, he became a beloved leader, teacher, and role model, revered for his kindness, humility, and unwavering commitment to Jewish life. For more than four decades, his presence shaped the Miami Beach community, inspiring generations with his resilience and faith.
A Living Heritage
From the humble village of Kerestir to the vibrant streets of Miami Beach, the legacies of Rabbi Yeshayah Steiner and Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov Grosz are deeply intertwined. Both men embodied the essence of Jewish leadership—hospitality, faith, and dedication to their people.
Their stories remind us that true greatness is not only in miracles or scholarship but in the warmth extended to others, the endurance of faith through adversity, and the building of community.
May their memory be a blessing, and may their legacy continue to illuminate Jewish life for generations to come.
A Shofar in Manhattan
It was a couple of days before Rosh Hashanah when the phone rang at the Refuah B’Halacha hotline. On the line was a yungerman from Lakewood, his voice steady but with a trace of tension.
“Hello,” he began, “I’ll be spending Yom Tov in Manhattan this year. My mother is unfortunately in the hospital there, and I’ll be staying a few blocks away so I can be close to her. I’ll be davening in a small minyan nearby, and after davening, I plan to go to the hospital to visit.
“I’d like very much to blow shofar for my mother, since she won’t be able to come to shul. But the problem is, I’ll need to bring my shofar with me through the Manhattan streets. From what I understand, those streets might be a real reshus harabim d’oraisa, and even though you are allowed to carry outside of an eruv on Yom Tov, could this be different? Can I carry my shofar just for my mother to hear it?”
The question was simple on the surface, but anyone could hear that it carried weight. This was a son who wanted to give his mother the zechos of hearing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, while at the same time making sure he stayed fully within halacha.
The Rosh and the Raavyah
The Rav on call paused for a moment, then answered gently. “You’re asking a very important question. Let’s take a step back. The Rosh in Rosh Hashanah (Perek 2) brings in the name of the Raavyah that even if a man already fulfilled his mitzvah of shofar, he may still
carry one through a reshus harabim to blow for a woman. According to that, what you want to do for your mother would be permitted.”
The yungerman was quiet for a moment. “So, the Raavyah allows it? That sounds like a clear yes…”
“Not so fast,” the Rav said kindly. “There’s more background to it.”
He explained. The Gemara in Beitzah 12 records the famous machlokes between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel: May one take out a child, a Sefer Torah, or a lulav into a reshus harabim on Yom Tov? Beis Shammai says no, Beis Hillel says yes. The Gemara clarifies Beis Hillel’s reasoning: once carrying was permitted for food preparation, Chazal extended it to other things that are genuinely needed for Yom Tov.
“That’s why,” the Rav continued, “the Raavyah said a shofar is also considered a need, even if it’s only for a woman.”
The Shaagas Aryeh
But not all gedolim accepted this. The Shaagas Aryeh (Siman 106) strongly disagreed. He wrote that since women are not obligated in shofar, carrying one for them cannot be called a need. At most, it’s a nachas ruach, and for that there is no heter to carry through a reshus harabim.
The Shaagas Aryeh even pointed out that most later Acharonim don’t quote the Raavyah at all, which he took as proof that they rejected his opinion. According to him, if a man had already heard shofar, he may not carry one just to blow for a woman.
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l
The Rav then moved the discussion forward.
“Now,” he said, “we come to Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l. “In Igros Moshe O.C. 3:94, Rav Moshe wrote at length that the halacha is indeed like the Raavyah, not like the Shaagas Aryeh. Tosafos in Kiddushin says that women can even make a bracha on mitzvos they’re exempt from. That shows that their mitzvah performance is not just voluntary—it has more meaning.
“Chazal also tell us that even someone who is not commanded but still does a mitzvah gets sechar. So, when a woman hears shofar, it’s not just optional—it’s meaningful avodas Hashem. Rav Moshe therefore paskened that you may carry a shofar even through a reshus harabim in order for a woman to hear it.”
The yungerman let out a small breath. “So, Rav Moshe holds its muter?”
“Exactly,” the Rav confirmed. “Additionally, in your case, visiting your mother in the hospital, you’re also doing the mitzvos of bikur cholim and chesed. That makes it even stronger. Once you’re in the hospital, you can also ask the staff for help when needed—like directions, elevators, or opening secure doors—because that’s a shvus d’shvus b’makom mitzvah, which is permitted.”
Rosh Hashanah in the City
The yungerman thanked the Rav warmly. He now had clarity. He would be able to bring the sho-
far to his mother without any halachic doubt.
When Rosh Hashanah arrived, he davened in the small minyan a few blocks from the hospital. After hearing the shofar himself, he picked up his own shofar and stepped out into the streets of Manhattan.
The city was alive with noise— traffic lights changing, horns honking, buses groaning up the avenues, and crowds streaming down the sidewalks. If there was ever a textbook case of a reshus harabim, this was it. Yet each step he took was guided by halacha and filled with purpose.
At the hospital, a nurse pointed him toward his mother’s room. He walked in slowly as his mother noticed him walk in. She looked
up weakly as he entered, but her eyes brightened when she saw him holding the shofar.
In a quiet, weak voice she said, “I was nervous I wouldn’t hear shofar this year…” Her son assured her. “Don’t worry ma, this year won’t be different then any year, you will hear the shofar.”
Her son felt a wave of relief and gratitude. Baruch hashem for the Refuah B’Halacha Center, he thought to himself.
He stood by his mother’s bed positioning himself to blow the shofar, she motioned to him that she is ready. He blew the ancient notes of tekiah, shevarim, and teruah. The sounds filled the sterile hospital room with the heartbeat of Rosh Hashanah. Though she hadn’t felt the kedushah of the day before,
now she truly felt it in her heart. As her and her son have never had such a Rosh Hashanah like this, deprived of their family and community on such a day, in such an atmosphere, the glumly feeling was felt in the air. But with the sounds of the shofar, there was a feel of optimism for the new year.
Moments like these are what the Refuah B’Halacha Center is here for — to help every Yid navigate the challenges of health and halacha with clarity and warmth throughout the year.
From all of our Rabbunim at the Refuah B’Halacha Center, we wish you and your family a heartfelt kesiva v’chasima tova — and above all, a year of good health, filled with bracha and simcha for all of Klal Yisroel.
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New Program Director for the North Miami and Hollywood Chapters
Yachad has announced Margalit Lewis as the new program director for the North Miami and Hollywood chapters. Lewis, who has a deep, personal connection to Yachad’s mission, will play a key role in expanding the organization’s reach and enhancing community engagement throughout the region. Margalit’s appointment signals a new chapter of engagement and inclusion opportunities in Southern Florida.
Yachad, a division of the Orthodox Union, is an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish individuals with disabilities and their families. It offers a wide range of social, recreational, educational, and vocational programs in ten regions across the United States, Israel, and Canada.
“Having grown up with siblings involved in this community, I learned the importance of acceptance and understanding,” Lewis shared. “I am excited to connect with local families and create programs that bring the community together in meaningful ways.”
Lewis is a Yachad veteran, having participated in shabbatons and served as a camp counselor in her teen years before becoming a coordinator for Yachad New York. In her new role, she will be focused on increasing social and recreational opportunities for both adults and children in the region, with a focus on partnerships with local synagogues and schools.
“This region has so much potential,” Lewis explained, “we want everyone to feel included and be part of something special. I am so excited to start this journey and see how we can grow together.”
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For more information about Yachad’s upcoming events in this region, contact Margalit Lewis at Margalit.Lewis@ou.org.
About Yachad
Yachad is an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish individuals with disabilities and their families, by enhancing their communal participation and their connection to Judaism through social and educational programs and support services. For more information, visit www.yachad. org.
About Orthodox Union
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU) serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY and Birthright Israel/Israel Free Spirit trip organizer, and Yachad, the National Jewish Council for Disabilities, among many other divisions and programs. For more information, visit www.ou.org.
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KID’S ZONE KID’S ZONE
FACTS ABOUT HONEY DID YOU KNOW THAT...
1. It never spoils – Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible.
2. Made by bees, not plants –Flowers provide nectar, but bees are the ones who transform it into honey by adding enzymes and evaporating water.
3. One bee makes only a tiny bit – A single honeybee produces about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.
4. Bees travel far for it – To make just one pound of honey, bees must visit 2 million flowers and fly about 55,000 miles.
5. Different flowers, different flavors – Clover honey tastes very different from orange blossom or buckwheat honey, all depending on the nectar source.
6. Natural medicine – Honey has antibacterial properties and has been used for centuries to soothe sore throats and heal wounds.
7. Beeswax bonus – While making honey, bees also produce wax, which humans use for candles, cosmetics, and even furniture polish.
8. Color matters – Honey ranges in color from nearly clear to dark brown. Generally, lighter honey is milder, while darker honey has a stronger taste.
9. Royal food – Ancient Greeks believed honey was the food of the gods, and it was called “nectar of the gods.”
10. One of the only insect-made foods we eat – Honey is unique because it’s one of the few things made by insects that humans regularly enjoy.
KID’S ZONE KID’S ZONE
ABOUT THE PLANETS
Mercury – The fastest planet! It goes around the Sun in only 88 days.
Venus – The hottest planet. It’s covered in thick clouds that trap heat.
Earth – Our home, the only planet we know with life.
Mars – The “Red Planet” because of its rusty dust.
Jupiter – The biggest planet, with a giant red storm called the Great Red Spot.
Saturn – Famous for its beautiful rings made of ice and rocks.
Uranus – Spins on its side, almost like it’s rolling around the Sun.
Neptune – The windiest planet, with super-fast storms.
MATCH THE PLANET TO THE FACT!
Draw a line from the planet to the fact that matches:
Planets:
Facts:
A. The planet with rings
B. The fastest one around the Sun
C. The windiest one
D. The biggest planet
E. The red planet
F. The hottest planet
G. Spins on its side
H. The one we live on
Honey-Sesame Glazed Chicken
By Jamie Geller
There’s nothing like a whole roast chicken. This one is glazed with honey and garnished with sesame seeds, but the same recipe can be made with pieces of chicken, quick and easy and everyone can get the piece they want. Sweet honey chicken.
Ingredients
• Cooking spray
• ½ cup white wine
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1 chicken, cut into eight pieces, about 3 pounds
• 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
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. • 50 MIN DURATION • 45 MIN COOK TIME • 5 MIN PREP TIME • 4-6 SERVINGS •
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly spray a rimmed baking sheet.
2. In a food processor, combine wine, honey, oil, salt, and garlic. Puree until smooth.
3. Transfer to a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat well.
4. Place chicken on the prepared pan top with sauce. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds.
MAKE IT A MEAL: Serve with sautéed spinach for a healthful meal.
DRESS IT UP: Use this glaze on a beautiful whole bird, basting with the glaze every 20 minutes. Bake a 4- to 5-pound chicken at 400° F for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Serve the bird on an elegant platter with chopped radicchio or fresh spinach to add color. Sprinkle with sesame seeds to garnish.
NOT A JOKE
"I told myself I’d start dieting after Rosh Hashana… I didn’t say which year."
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The Fed Cuts Rates; Why You Should Not Be Refinancing
The Fed just cut interest rates again, and predictably, the noise has started: refinance now, act now, don’t wait, rates are down. But here’s the truth, don’t refinance just because rates dropped. Refinance if there is a strategy that actually serves your life and long-term goals.
Refinancing should rarely be the final step. In fact, this wont be the last time you refinance in the next year or two. We’re in a volatile rate environment, and the smartest homeowners will treat this moment not as a one-time opportunity, but as a calculated stepping stone and a chance to reposition, realign, and prepare for what comes next.
I’ve had a front-row seat to how this plays out in real life. A few years ago, during a similar rate dip, I worked with many people who came to me for a simple refinance – and I changed their life. I don’t say this to brag, but to explain how your home and your money are tools. There are four particular examples worth highlighting.
Dan* and Melissa* were never able to save. Every month, their money was gone by the 30th, and the account was back to zero (at best). Long story short: we ran the numbers, and a simple refinance would save them about $300 a month. Instead of pocketing the difference, I suggested they automate it into a simple investment account. It took some convincing, but they finally agreed. Fast forward a few years later and they
By Shmuel Shayowitz
quietly built over $20,000, which they used to fund a small homebased business that’s now thriving.
Another client came in drowning in credit card debt. Refinancing was already on her radar, but she hadn’t thought about consolidating the debt into her mortgage. We mapped it out, and she freed up nearly $1,000 a month. She used part of it to fund her retirement accounts, something she’d never done before, and the rest went into a Fidelity account. Those funds now holds the down payment for a retirement home she once assumed was out of reach. The retal income she will get from renting her current house is something she never dreamed possible.
One couple used the moment to take a calculated risk. With equity in their home we structured a cash-out refinance to help them purchase a modest rental property nearby. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was consistent. Today, they own two income-producing properties and are working toward a third. Their original goal was just to lower their payment. Instead, they built a foundation for long-term wealth.
And one family finally tackled renovations they’d been putting off for years. The house was outdated and didn’t meet their needs, but they weren’t sure the timing was right. We talked through the numbers and the potential impact, even though they weren’t sure how long they would be living
in the home. They moved forward with a cash-out refinance and made the upgrades. A few months later, a job opportunity required them to move. The renovated home sold quickly, for $100,000 more than it likely would have just a year earlier.
Each of these clients could have refinanced blindly. They didn’t. They paused, listened to reason and guidance, and thought two or three steps ahead. This latest rate cut doesn’t mean you need to act fast. It means you should act smart. If refinancing helps you reposition, great. Just remember: this probably won’t be your last mortgage. And if you’re not sure whether now is the right time, or you want to stay ready for the next opportunity, I offer a free mortgage monitoring service. It tracks your current loan and compares it to market shifts, without spam or pressure. You can sign up here: https://info.approvedfunding. com/mymortgage
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.
