DIY BEE TRAPS FOR YOUR SUKKAH PAGE 60
ALL ABOUT RAW HONEY PAGE 14
TIPS FOR BEFORE AND AFTER A FAST PAGE 32
Hearing loss is an “Invisible condition” that affects millions of American Adults.
A CHAT WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD HEARING SPECIALIST PAGE 20
ג”פשת ירשת SEPT - OCT 2023
FROM CHURCH TO CHAZZANUS PAGE 36
I always leave the writing of this letter for last, and considering that I am a procrastinator when it comes to things that are not in my comfort zone (I am by no means a writer!) I currently find myself at my desk, penning this letter, as the final edits of this magazine are in process.
When brainstorming content for this magazine, I try to choose topics that I am passionate about, as well as topics that can benefit my readers. One thing that has been weighing on my mind is an issue that is addressed only when it is sadly too late, yet is relevant for every single one of us, and that is hearing loss.
Have you ever been to a wedding and could not hear yourself, let alone the person directly near you, and you found yourself shouting to compete with the insane volume of the music? Chances are, you have just incurred hearing loss. Although minute and not immediately detectable, hearing loss is irreparable and gets progressively worse with time. Being a dance motivator myself, I am constantly exposed to unconscionable levels at bas mitzvah parties, and more so in sleepaway camps where unacceptable decibel levels are the norm. After a visit to Dr. Hadassah Kupfer, a highly acclaimed audiologist, I’m committed to wear protective hearing devices as a precaution as well as spread awareness about the dangers of constant exposure to loud music. Hence, an expanded feature on audiological health in this magazine. Prevention begins now!
Of course, this issue is jam-packed with features that will keep you entertained, (the article on the oldest Judaica artifacts is so fascinating!) busy, (check out our expanded recipe section) and of course, uplifted!
Thanks for joining me on my journey. It’s a gift to spread joy to so many through the incredible programming at Boro Park Center.
May we all be zoche to a sweet new year, full of bracha, simcha, gezunt, and mazal.
At Boro Park Center, we practice a completely home-based approach to out-of-home rehabilitation and nursing care. Home means family, and our Center was founded on the idea that residents and their families should never be far apart. Come on in, Live HappyTM, and enjoy an environment made possible by compassionate caregivers, therapy specialists, and most importantly, friends and family.
Your comments and feedback are important to us so that we can continue to serve you as best as possible. Please email your comments to rpavlov@boroparkcenter.net
As the vibrant hues of autumn begin to grace our surroundings and the shofar's resonant call fills the air, we gather as a community to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This auspicious occasion marks not only the beginning of a new calendar year but also offers us a profound opportunity for spiritual introspection, renewal, and growth. With heartfelt wishes for a happy and healthy Rosh Hashanah, let us delve into the significance of this holiday and its timeless teachings.
Rosh Hashanah, often referred to as the "Head of the Year," invites us to reflect on the past year's experiences, accomplishments, and challenges. It is a time to reconnect with our core values and aspirations, both as individuals and as a collective community. Just as the shofar's distinct sounds pierce the air, awakening our senses, this moment in time calls upon us to awaken our souls to new possibilities and opportunities.
In sefer vayikra, Rosh Hashanah is described as a "day of solemn rest" and a day of "teruah," a loud blast of the shofar. These aspects intertwine to remind us of the duality inherent in this yom tov. While we engage in solemn reflection on our actions, seeking teshuva (forgiveness) and reconciliation, we are also encouraged to embrace the exhilaration of new beginnings and the potential for positive change.
The parsha associated with Rosh Hashanah is the Akedas Yitzchak (binding of Isaac) to a higher purpose. Avraham's willingness to follow Hashems command, even when it seemed incomprehensible, exemplifies a profound trust in divine providence. As we ponder the lessons of the Akedah, we are reminded of our own journeys toward personal and
spiritual growth. Just as Avraham displayed unwavering faith, so too can we overcome our challenges with resilience and determination.
Furthermore, Rosh Hashanah emphasizes the concept of teshuvah, often translated as "repentance" but more accurately understood as "return." It is a call to return to our authentic selves and to the values that guide our lives. This process encourages us to examine our relationships, actions, and intentions, seeking to mend what is broken and to strengthen what is already whole.
As we extend our warmest wishes for a happy and healthy Rosh Hashanah, let us embrace the wisdom of this sacred time. May we all find the courage to embrace change and transformation, renew our commitments to compassion and justice, and foster deeper connections with one another. Just as the Rimonim (pomegranate's seeds) symbolize the abundance of blessings we hope to receive in the coming year, let us also plant the seeds of kindness, love, and understanding within our hearts.
In the spirit of renewal and growth, let us come together as a community to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. As the shofar's sound envelops us, may it inspire us to heed its call, awakening our souls to a year filled with joy, health, and meaningful purpose. L'shanah tovah tikasevu l’alter chaim tovim v,shalom–may you be inscribed for a good year ahead!
David Greenberg, LNHA, MPA
Administrator
As we begin the yemei Ratzon and the shofar's haunting sound echoes through the air, we find ourselves once again at the threshold of Rosh Hashanah, a time of reflection, renewal, and new beginnings. This joyous occasion not only marks the Jewish New Year but also serves as an opportunity to refocus on what truly matters – our health and wellbeing. As we gather with loved ones and partake in festive meals, let us seize this moment to embrace a sweet and healthy new year.
Rosh Hashanah, often referred to as the "head of the year," encourages us to metaphorically cleanse our minds and bodies, making way for fresh perspectives and healthy lifestyles. It is a reminder that just as we clean our homes and souls, we must also care for our physical well-being. This year, let us be inspired to prioritize our health, fostering habits that nourish our bodies and minds.
The symbolic act of dipping apples in honey reflects our collective desire for sweetness in the coming year. However, sweetness doesn't have to be limited to our prayers and aspirations; it can also manifest in the choices we make for our bodies. As we indulge in traditional dishes, let us also incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to ensure a balanced and nourishing diet.
Amidst the celebrations, let's remember that moderation is key. Portion control allows us to savor the flavors of our cherished foods while ensuring that we don't compromise our health. Additionally, staying hydrated, be it through water or herbal teas, keeps our bodies energized and supports digestion. Moreover, the concept of teshuva, or repentance, guides us towards self-improvement and growth. Let
us apply this principle to our health by committing to regular physical activity. Engaging in exercises we enjoy not only strengthens our bodies but also uplifts our spirits, fostering a positive outlook on life.
Taking care of our mental health is equally vital. Just as we strive to mend relationships during this season, let us also strive to nurture our inner peace. Engaging in mindfulness practices, meditation, or simply spending quality time with loved ones can significantly contribute to our emotional well-being.
Lastly, as we wish each other a "Shanah Tovah u'Mesukah" – a good and sweet year – let us remember that our health is intertwined with the health of our community. By encouraging one another to make health-conscious choices, we create a support network that fosters collective well-being.
In conclusion, Rosh Hashanah serves as a powerful reminder to embrace the sweetness of life while nurturing our health. As we gather around tables laden with tradition and love, let us also celebrate the gift of vitality that enables us to partake in these cherished moments. May this New Year be one of vibrant health, mindful choices, and inner peace for us all. Wishing you a joyous and healthy Rosh Hashanah!
Jason Zimmerman, DO, FACEP
Medical Director
As the annual celebration of Rosh Hashanah approaches, communities come together to reflect on the past year and welcome a new beginning. This occasion not only carries religious significance but also embodies the values of renewal and a fresh start. In this spirit, it is essential to ensure that our nursing home residents experience the joy of a happy, healthy, and safe Rosh Hashanah. One powerful way to achieve this is through prioritizing physical rehabilitation within nursing homes. The benefits of physical rehabilitation extend far beyond the individual level, contributing to the overall wellbeing of the community.
Physical rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of nursing home residents. These facilities often house individuals who require specialized care and support due to various health challenges, ranging from postsurgery recovery to chronic conditions. Engaging in tailored rehabilitation programs can lead to a multitude of advantages that directly impact the residents' quality of life.
First and foremost, physical rehabilitation helps residents regain and improve their mobility. This is particularly crucial for seniors who might experience
limitations in movement due to aging or health conditions. By working with skilled therapists and engaging in exercises that target strength, balance, and flexibility, residents can restore their independence and experience the freedom of movement they may have thought was lost.
Furthermore, physical rehabilitation contributes to the residents' mental well-being. Engaging in regular exercise and rehabilitation activities has been proven to release endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals. This can alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, fostering a positive emotional state that aligns with the spirit of celebration during Rosh Hashanah.
A key benefit of physical rehabilitation within nursing homes is the sense of community it fosters. Residents engaging in rehabilitation often form bonds with fellow residents who share similar challenges. These shared experiences create a supportive environment where encouragement and camaraderie thrive. As Rosh Hashanah is a time for coming together, these connections reflect the essence of community and togetherness. Safety is a paramount concern, especially during the festive season. Physical rehabilitation programs are designed with safety in mind. By closely monitoring progress and adapting exercises to individual
needs, nursing homes can ensure that residents engage in activities that are suitable for their condition, minimizing the risk of accidents or injuries. A safe and secure environment is the foundation for a worry-free and joyful Rosh Hashanah celebration.
In conclusion, the benefits of physical rehabilitation within nursing homes contribute to a happy, healthy, and safe Rosh Hashanah for both individual residents and the community as a whole. By focusing on enhancing mobility, mental well-being, community connections, and safety measures, nursing homes can provide an environment that aligns with the values of renewal and new beginnings that Rosh Hashanah represents. As we embrace this significant time of reflection and hope, let us remember that investing in physical rehabilitation is an investment in the holistic wellbeing of our loved ones and the broader community.
Jeff Grzybowski, PT Yisroel Pupko, PT
Rehab Director
L’chvodchem hayikarim loy”tShalom rav uveracha merubah I wish all the wonderful residents, their families and the entire community a shana tova techasev vesechasem lalter chaim tovim ushalom. As we embark on this new year, it is a time of reflection, introspection, and gratitude. Today, I'd like to draw our attention to a group of remarkable individuals who often remain in the shadows of society but hold within them a wealth of wisdom and experience – the residents of Boro Park Center.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, marks a time of renewal, a chance to start afresh and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. It's a moment to reconnect with our faith, our community, and most importantly, with ourselves. This Rosh Hashanah, let us extend our heartfelt appreciation and recognition to the residents of Boro Park Center who, through the years, have accumulated a wealth of life lessons, stories, and insights.
In sefer tehilim, Dovid Hamelech writes, Al tashlichena les ziknah… "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent." These words remind us of the responsibility we have towards our elders, to provide them with the care, companionship, and respect they deserve. The BPC residents we honor today have traversed through decades of life's journey, overcoming challenges, celebrating victories,
and amassing a treasure trove of experiences. Each wrinkle on their faces tells a story, each strand of gray hair symbolizes their resilience.
As we read the parsha for Rosh Hashanah, we encounter the story of Sarah and Channah, two women who exemplify the strength that comes with age and experience. Sarah, in her old age, miraculously gives birth to Yitzchak, and Channah's heartfelt tfilos lead to the birth of Shmuel. Both of these stories emphasize that age does not diminish our ability to contribute to the world. Our BPC residents among us continue to contribute by sharing their stories, offering guidance, and providing us with a connection to our history.
In the spirit of the yom tov, let us all make a commitment to engage with these remarkable individuals, to listen to their stories, and to learn from their experiences. By doing so, we honor the commandment to Kaved es avicha ves imecha"Honor your father and mother,” extending it to all elders within our community. Let us visit the nursing home, share a smile, engage in conversations, and bridge the generational gap that often separates us.
In the words of the Rambam, "Respect for one's elders is greater than the respect due to a teacher, because one's teacher brings him wisdom, whereas one's elders bring him wisdom
and life experience."
The residents of Boro Park Center are living embodiments of this wisdom and life experience. They have witnessed history unfold, and their perspectives are invaluable.
As we partake in the festive seudas and sweet traditions of Rosh Hashanah, let us also remember those who may not have family or loved ones to celebrate with. A visit, a kind word, or a shared moment can bring immeasurable joy to their lives. In doing so, we not only fulfill our obligation to honor our elders, but we also enrich our own lives with the lessons and insights that only time and experience can offer.
May this Rosh Hashanah be a time of deep gratitude for the lives of those who have come before us. Let us cherish the residents of the nursing home, recognizing that they are an integral part of our community's tapestry, woven with threads of history, wisdom, and love.
Shanah Tovah and G'mar Chasimah Tovah – may you have a good and sweet year, filled with blessings, connection, and growth.
Rosh Hashana, the awe-inspiring start of the New Year is upon us once again. It’s a Yom Tov in which Am Yisroel expresses its heartfelt desires for a sweet new year filled with all the blessings of health and success. It is customary to have a variety of simanim at the seuda to symbolize each desire and its linked meaning. We dip the apple into honey, we have figs, dates, pomegranates, and carrots.
Did you know that each of these ancient customary simanim has a long list of incredible health benefits that have helped humankind throughout the centuries to combat disease and restore harmony in the body? While sitting around the Yom Tov table, recite the tefilos for each one of the simanim and try to have in mind the healing powers they possess and what a gift from Hashem they truly are.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away is not some common street phrase with no basis for its claims Apples are often underestimated, but don't be misled. This miracle of a fruit’s powers is astounding. Apples are rich in the flavonoids quercetin and rutin, both of which are phytochemicals that have the strength to pull radiation out of the body and detox heavy metals like aluminum and lead.
Quercetin has become popular now because of how powerful it is against Covid19 so increasing your apple intake can truly boost your immune system. Apples have a compound called pectin which is an incredible colon cleanser. As it passes through the gut it sweeps out viruses, mold, and bacteria. When apples were discovered they were toted as the constipation medicine because
of how helpful they were for that condition. The red skin in apples contain the most health benefits and their phytochemicals strengthen neurotransmitters. Eating apples after a heavy meal can aid in the digestive process and can also stave away nausea. When you dip the apple into the honey on Rosh Hashana eve remember how much apples can do for you.
When honey is consumed in its raw and unpasteurized state it is highly medicinal. This is different than the processed honey that’s typically found on your local grocery shelf. The sugar in raw honey is nothing like processed white sugar as it’s loaded with over 200,000 phytochemical compounds and agents that are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and even anticancerous. Raw honey can actually stop cancer in its tracks and can repair damaged cells. Raw honey is anti-inflammatory and is a secret weapon for any infectious illness you are up against. It is also chock full of minerals such as selenium, zinc, potassium, and calcium.. Honey has the power to draw out skin infections such as staph and the antibiotic-resistant MRSA. Honey is truly medicine that should be cherished and treasured. Honey has saved previous generations in times of famine, when food was scarce and hard to come by. Enjoy eating your apples dipped in this magical sweet syrup at your table and thank Hashem for this gift to humanity.
This beautiful majestic fruit that’s part of our holy Shivas Haminim
is a powerful superfruit in its own right. The ruby red fruit is an incredible blood builder because it strengthens white and red blood counts. Pomegranate is exceptionally antioxidant-rich and can actually dissolve kidney and gallbladder stones. It contains anti-tumor properties and is highly beneficial for PCOS due to its hormone-regulating power. Pomegranate can also stabilize blood sugar metabolism while the sugars in pomegranate can assist in brain focus and concentration. Pomegranate can even stop ear wax production and assist the body is ridding itself of it.
Another Shivas Haminim superstar, figs are delectable and heavenly fresh off a fig tree but wait until you see what figs health benefits are! The skin of figs are antiseptic and the white milky liquid that you get when you pick it straight off the tree can rid the body of warts. As if that’s not enough, the fibers in figs massage the intestinal tract lining and can help with any type of indigestion or bloating. It can help with gut disorders like constipation, appendix inflammation, diverticulitis, and inflamed colon.
Figs are loaded with vitamins and minerals; specificallyB vitamins which are critical for the nervous system to properly function. The beautiful purple and green skin on figs contain compounds that increase probiotic colonies in the gut by feeding the good bacteria while the seeds go deep into the pockets of the intestines and clear it of harmful microbes. Enjoy figs fresh or dry they are both extremely valuable.
Dates are another fruit that is part of our holy Shivas Haminim and it’s no surprise. Besides being nature's candy, they are chockful of incredible health benefits. Dates come in a few different varieties each one being different levels of sweetness and textures. The varieties are Medjool Dates, Piarom Dates, and Deglet Noor Dates. Mazafati Dates,Barhi Dates, Rabbi Dates, Thoory Dates and Sayer Dates. Medjool dates are a favorite and Israel boasts one of the best in this variety and is famous
worldwide. Dates are rich in nearly 70 bioactive minerals that support the body in times of stress. Lactic acid is that well known Charlie horse feeling in the muscles that occurs when the body has been pumping excess adrenaline. Dates will rid the body of lactic acid effectively. Dates are one of the best travel-friendly foods and can be a great pick-me–snack that quickly balances blood sugar levels. The fibers in dates can greatly aid in relieving constipation and Irritable bowel Syndrome. Interestingly, Israel is the land of Milk and Honey and it is believed that the honey is actually date honey and not from honey bees.
Carrots are root vegetables that are pulled out of the soil and are incredibly mineral-rich. They come in a few different colors and each color has different antioxidant levels. Carrots are loaded with vitamin A which can improve eyesight. Notice when you slice a carrot, it actually looks like an eye! Carrots are wonderful both cooked and raw however when they're consumed raw they have glucose that feeds the liver. Carrots are high in cancerpreventative compounds and are well known to be juiced for incredible health benefits. If you consume too many carrots don’t be alarmed if your skin turns an orange shade. That color is from the beta carotene in the carrot which is a top antioxidant for overall health and wellbeing. Carrots are great for bone health too as they have high levels of phosphorus and vitamin K. Eat plenty of carrots if you have brittle bones to help improve bone density.
Wishing you a Kesiva Vchasima Tova! May you be blessed with all the incredible health benefits that these Simamin boast and all the blessings you desire.
Have you ever wondered what this world would be like without honeybees? Most people fear bees and flee in panic when they encounter one. But actually, without honeybees we would practically starve. Every single fruit, vegetable, grain seed or crop relies on those precious honey bees to pollinate the budding flowers in order to produce our food and sustain humanity. In addition, they provide a prized liquid gold: honey. Raw honey is extremely medicinal when used both internally and externally.
Let's break down the different types of raw honey available. Raw honey comes straight from the beehive and has not been heated to the point of pasteurization. Once it's extracted from the hive, it's strained to remove any beeswax and bee body parts and then bottled. Raw honey is available in both unfiltered and filtered options. I personally prefer the unfiltered honey because I get the added benefits of bee pollen and propolis which both add more benefits to the honey.
Buckwheat honey is dark brown and very rich and is similar to blackstrap molasses. It is collected from the small white blossoms of the buckwheat grain, which is commonly known as Kasha. This honey has a strong and earthley flavor and aroma compared to the lighter flavor of other honeys. This honey is best used for cooking and baking because of its strong taste.
Manuka honey is well sought after for its impressive antibacterial properties. While all raw honey will have natural antibacterial qualities, Manuka honey has a much greater amount. Manuka honey is from Australia and New Zealand and is named Manuka
Did you know raw honey has no expiration date? Raw honey can last forever if stored in a sealed container and kept in a cool, dry area. In fact, raw honey has been dug up from ancient times and is still completely edible. Moisture will contaminate the honey and cause it to go rancid, but as long as it's kept at room temperature, it's completely safe to consume.
You can therefore use your raw honey beyond any expiration date. Since raw honey hasn't been heat treated, it has a thicker, more opaque consistency than processed honey. Raw honey contains no pesticides, herbicides, chemicals, or pollutants. Because of this, it's purer than the processed honey you'll typically see on your grocery shelf. Processed honey undergoes commercial processing methods such as pasteurization and filtration. These processing methods filter out antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, as well as all pollen. Always choose raw honey over the regular processed honey you'll find on the grocery shelf.
after the Manuka bush the bees pollinate. This honey has a mildly sweet taste with a slight nutty flavor. Applied externally, Manuka honey is a fantastic MRSA and staph remedy.
Clover honey is one of the most popular varieties found in the United States. It has a very floral aroma with a light, sweet flavor that makes it a good all-purpose honey.
With light citrusy notes this honey is derived from the blossoms of Florida's orange groves. It has a beautiful golden color and a delicious sweet taste and aroma. The citrus undertones of orange
blossom honey add a great flavor to baked goods and many people add this honey to their butter or jam for a delicious treat.
There are several components to raw honey that add to its nutritional profile and depth. Each one has incredible benefits to the immune system and overall health so it's best to try to incorporate as many as possible.
Bees create honeycombs which hold their larvae, honey, and pollen. Honeycomb is made of beeswax and contains honey in its purest form. Honeycomb is edible and people have been eating honeycomb for thousands of years. Not only is honeycomb a tasty, all-natural snack, but it is also rich in vitamins and minerals.
This product from the honey bees is one of nature's gifts to mankind. Propolis is a resin-like liquid that the bees will use to seal off their hive from viruses and bacteria. It's an antiseptic and extremely powerful against harmful pathogens. Used as a natural remedy topically, it can help with canker sores and any herpetic outbreak on the body. It's also great for oral health and can help reverse gum disease. When used internally it can be a potent antibiotic and can help anything from strep throat to urinary tract infections. Truly a miraculous force of nature.
Bee pollen is ranked as a superfood for its high nutritional profile and its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. Bee pollen provides nutritional food for bees. It is a natural mixture of bee secretions, enzymes, wax, and flower pollen. Beekeepers will not harvest it too often though because it puts the entire beehive at risk.
Raw honey has helped many past generations survive during brutal winters without access to food. It truly is a lifesaving food on many different levels and should be a part of everyone's health regimen.
We know that you are quite familiar with the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” but what else do you know about the humble apple?
To help you appreciate just how incredible the fruit that has been dubbed “nature’s perfect snack,” is, we wanted to share some amazing apple facts with you.
Apple trees take 4-5 years to produce their first fruit. A standard size apple tree starts bearing fruit 8-10 years after it is planted. A dwarf tree starts bearing fruit in 3-5 years.
Apples will ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated.
It takes about 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider.
There are more than 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States, and they come in all shades of red, green and yellow.
The science of apple growing is called pomology.
Bobbing for apples? 25% of an apples volume is air, which is why they float.
Pilgrims planted the first U.S. apple
trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Johnny Appleseed (real name John Chapman) was yes, a real person, and yes, he planted apple trees all over parts of the United States, and he wasn’t poor. Back then, land could be claimed if you created a permanent homestead, and one of the ways to do that was to plant 50 trees to start an orchard. Chapman planted trees, and then later would sell “his” land to people.
Most apple blossoms are pink when they open but gradually transform into white.
It takes the energy of 50 leaves to produce one apple.
One of George Washington’s hobbies was pruning his apple trees.
Apples come in all sizes from just a bit bigger than a cherry to about the same size as a grapefruit.
The largest apple ever picked weighed in at 3 pounds 2 ounces.
A peck of apples weighs 10.5 pounds. A bushel of apples weighs about 42 pounds.
The average person eats 65 apples a year.
Most of the antioxidants found in apples, including Quercetin, are located in the skin.
The average apple has 10 seeds.
Apples are full of fiber and can help you feel full on fewer calories – which can ultimately help in weight management. Plus, fiber fights cholesterol and lowers your heart disease risk.
The most popular varieties of apples in the US are the Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and the Granny Smith.
Apple trees can live to be about 100 years old.
In the Chinese culture, the word for apples is pronounced as ‘ping’ which also stands for peace. This is why apples are a favorite gift to give when visiting someone in China.
The top apple producers around the world are China, United States, Turkey, Poland, and Italy. Apples account for 50 percent of international deciduous fruit tree production.
Apples contain 0 grams of fat or sodium and have no cholesterol.
At 4 grams per average size apple, they are an excellent source of fiber.
Apples are members of the rose family.
Most apples are still picked by hand.
Freshly pressed apple juice immediately turns brown upon contact with air because of oxidation.
A nifty trick to prevent fresh apple juice from turning brown is to add a few squeezes of lemon juice or lime juice. This helps prevent oxidation.
Apples are one of the most popular juices taken
with breakfast in the United States.
People who love apples are said to be outspoken, charismatic and enthusiastic.
Thanks to their high levels of boron, apples can help improve your memory, mental alertness, and electrical activity of the brain.
The fear of apples is known as Malusdomesticaphobia. This phobia gets its name from the scientific name of apples, which is Malus domestica in the Rose family (Rosaceae).
It may be common for people to casually joke about another’s lack of hearing, but if you have ever been on the receiving end of these remarks, you will know that it’s actually very painful and isolating.
Hearing loss is an “invisible condition” that affects millions of American adults. It becomes increasingly more common in those 60s-70s, and almost inevitable in those 80s-90’s and beyond. That being said, no two hearing losses are the same! While many people think of hearing loss as total “deafness,” there are actually many shades of hearing loss in between normal hearing and being “deaf.” If you picture a piano with all the different keys, you can envision something of the design with which Hashem built our auditory system.
In order to hear sound completely and clearly, we need all the keys to function. As hearing loss begins, some “keys” begin to get stuck. Depending on which “keys” in your ear have damage and which “keys” still work, you will hear all sound or partial sound. Maybe you will struggle to hear children’s voices or women’s voices, but you may still be able to hear other sounds like an ambulance or vacuum cleaner. It is not a contradiction to be able to hear certain things, and also to mishear sometimes!
As you listen to sounds 24/7 across your lifespan, the ears begin to physically wear down from continuous use. This causes the ears’ ability to pick up sound to dim and muffle over the years. This can present itself in various ways – for example, hearing the wrong word, asking for repetitions often, or feeling like people around you are mumbling. This is what happens as some keys
of your piano start to get “stuck”, while others might be working normally or close to that.
In most cases, hearing changes begin in a person's 40s and gradually worsen over time. If a person has hearing loss in their family, has certain medical conditions (such as vertigo, diabetes, cardiac history, chemotherapy/radiation), or has a noisy job, this can speed up the aging process of the ears and cause hearing loss to set in sooner. However, for many people, it will take until their 60s or 70s for the age-related hearing loss to be noticeable enough to warrant a visit to the audiologist for hearing treatment. Of course, we work with people in their 80s, 90s and above, but like most conditions, the longer you wait to be treated, the harder it can be to change the course and rehabilitate. (And of course, there are also babies, children and younger adults who can have permanent hearing loss requiring ongoing management and treatment – but in this discussion we will focus on ear health for older adults.)
An audiologist is a medical specialist trained specifically in the area of hearing disorders. While ENT (ear nose and throat) specialists handle disorders of the ear/nose/throat requiring medicine, procedures and surgery, audiologists focus exclusively on the ear’s ability to hear. A hearing test is necessary in order to determine whether a hearing loss is temporary or permanent, and how advanced this hearing loss may be. Most hearing losses are due to damage to the inner ear, or the “cochlea,” which are considered to be permanent as there is no medical cure to date. Since there is no cure to make the hearing loss go away, we manage and enhance a person’s ability to hear through the use
A chat with your neighborhood
of hearing aids. A hearing aid is a miniature device which has a microphone to collect sound, amplify it in a very precise way to suit your hearing loss, and then produce this augmented sound in your ear. By boosting the sound on the way into your ear, it can accommodate for the hearing reduction that occurs as sound travels through your body, and still end up with a level of sound that can be heard.
In order to hear properly, there are 3 main parts of the ear that need to be healthy. The outer ear, or the ear canal, needs to be clear and not obstructed with ear wax. Cleaning with Q-tips is not the answer – it actually makes the problem worse! Generally, ears should be left alone, as excess wax migrates out of the ear every time you talk, smile or chew – your jaw movements cause your ear canal to push wax outwards. If a person is prone to build-ups (which can happen due to genetics, or a narrow ear canal shape), they should have their ears cleaned by a professional on a semi-regular basis. Solutions such as Debrox or water/hydrogen peroxide can be used for minor wax blockages, as they act to soften the wax and assist in making its way out of the ear. If your outer ear is fully blocked by wax, you may have temporary hearing loss, which would be alleviated through a professional ear cleaning (generally done by ENT specialists, and sometimes primary care physicians).
The middle part of the ear also must be working efficiently in order to have good hearing. The middle part includes the eardrum, as well as the 3 smallest bones in your body, called the ossicles. They are housed in the middle ear cavity. This area of the ear is connected to the back of the nose and throat via the Eustachian Tube. Sometimes this tube does not open and close efficiently, resulting in trapped air or fluids in the middle ear space. This can cause an ear to feel or sound clogged, or the sensation of needing to pop one’s ears in order to hear. If someone suffers from frequent colds or ear infections (even when younger), or if one has smoked in the past, they may be more prone to hearing issues that occur in this part of the ear.
This issue may be most noticeable after being sick, or after air travel. An ENT should be consulted to see how to reduce this congestion.
The inner ear, or the “cochlea” is the most common source of age-related hearing loss. This part of the ear decodes sound and transmits it to the brain, to be further understood. The damage that accumulates here weakens the ear’s ability to hear the volume and clarity of sound, and therefore a person loses the ability to process sound to various degrees. The hearing test will measure the exact frequency (pitch) of the hearing loss, as well as the severity (decibels lost). Signs of damage to this part of the ear could also include tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears) or sensitivity to loud noises.
Audiologists like myself focus on diagnosing and treating hearing losses that come from this part of the ear, and the solution usually involves the technology of hearing aids. Prescriptive hearing aids are miniaturized computers that get adjusted and calibrated precisely for: your hearing “prescription,” your brain’s listening preferences, and the shape of your ear. For the best outcome, the hearing aid should not be purchased on its own, but rather selected for you and continuously supported by a hearing specialist. Cochlear implants are used when the hearing loss is so severe that even a hearing aid is not sufficient to restore proper sound.
Since the sense of hearing is so closely tied to the brain for processing sound, there has been a lot of medical discussion around the connection between hearing loss and dementia. As presently understood, hearing stimulates many areas of the brain including language, memory and attention. If someone’s hearing is degraded, these areas of the brain lose some activity and begin to slow.
This is especially true if one is already experiencing dementia symptoms or has a family history of dementia – the lack of
The middle part of the ear also must be working efficiently in order to have good hearing.
stimulation from the ears may speed up the dementia process. Often you will notice how someone with untreated hearing loss seems “spaced out” or left out of the conversation. They may just smile in response to something you tell them, dominate the conversation (since it is easier than hearing and responding correctly), or have very brief conversations only about familiar topics. These are all due to the brain’s weakness in following the conversation.
Huh? Hm?
What did you say?
Since a person becomes out of practice in forming meaningful responses, this ability becomes weaker and weaker. Of course, there are many aspects of dementia that cannot be controlled, but hearing loss has been named by The Lancet medical journal as the “#1 modifiable risk factor for dementia.” This means that some amount of memory loss is preventable by making sure that your hearing is in the best state possible.
In addition, loneliness is now also recognized as a major contributor to age-related declines and quality of life. By maintaining your hearing, you are allowing for better engagement and social interactions, which positively affects mood and mental clarity. Anxiety and paranoia are also reduced, when you are in touch with the full sound environment and reality around you. Even if these symptoms have already happened to you or your loved ones, we have seen that cognitive improvement can be possible, especially when addressed earlier on.
As some final pointers, there are some warning signs that should not be ignored, which are more serious than typical age-related
hearing loss. This includes: tinnitus in just one ear, vertigo, and discharge from the ear. Confusion, which looks like dementia, can also be the warning sign of a hearing loss needing treatment.
In addition, having mentioned that noise or health conditions can cause hearing loss to worsen, it also is important to note that prevention can be possible. If someone works with tools (think plumbers, craftsmen, construction workers, dentists) or in the music industry, they should consider using hearing protection (such as earplugs) on the job. If someone has diabetes or hypertension, they should follow their physician’s instructions carefully for controlling their condition so as to limit the negative effects on the hearing. For safety reasons, good hearing can also improve steadiness/ balance by restoring the cues around you. You hear the sound of your foot reaching the ground as you walk, or the sound of your body reaching the chair beneath you. This can minimize fall risk! It also keeps a person independent in their own space when they can hear doorbells, phone calls, smoke detectors, oven timers and running water. Outdoors, it is important to hear sounds of danger and to tell which direction the sound is coming from.
Overall, the benefits of good hearing are tremendous, but often overlooked or joked about. If you are health conscious (or want to start taking better care of yourself!), a visit to the audiologist should be added to your list of checkups. Modern hearing aids are not what you remember from your parents and grandparents – you will be pleasantly surprised!
As I like to say: Healthy ears, healthy years!
Hadassah Norowitz Kupfer was born and raised in Kensington, Brooklyn and attended local Bais Yaakov Schools. She earned her Doctorate in Audiology from the City University of New York - The Graduate Center in 2015. Dr. Kupfer presently evaluates, diagnoses and treats hearing loss and tinnitus in adults and older adults. She takes a special interest in caring for Holocaust survivors. As an audiologist, Dr. Kupfer prescribes and fits the optimal hearing aids, hearing protection and other modern hearing therapies - all in a private and comfortable setting in Mill Basin, Brooklyn. She focuses on long-term wellness: social participation, productivity, independence and brain health –delivered with a healthy dose of optimism and joy.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 917-791-1510 or visit www.doctorkupfer.com
Hearing is one of the most crucial senses that a human possesses. It enables communication, provides enjoyment from music, and other sources of sound, and warns against potential harm. However, there are many people who suffer from hearing loss, which can negatively impact their quality of life. The question arises then, can hearing loss be reversed? The answer to this question is not straightforward since it depends on the type of hearing loss and the severity.
There are two main types of hearing loss - conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is caused by a blockage in the ear canal or middle ear that prevents sound from reaching the inner ear. This type of hearing loss can be reversed in some cases by removing the blockage through surgery or medication. For example, if the ear canal is blocked by earwax, a healthcare professional can clean the ear canal and restore hearing. Similarly, if a person has a growth in the middle ear, surgery can remove it, leading to an improvement in hearing.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the hair cells in the inner ear or the auditory nerve that transmits signals to the brain. This type of hearing loss cannot be reversed
because once the hair cells or nerves are damaged, they cannot be repaired or regenerated. The damage can be caused by exposure to loud noise, aging, infections, or other medical conditions.
While hearing loss cannot be reversed in many cases, there are ways to manage it. Hearing aids are the most common way to improve hearing loss. They amplify sounds and make them easier to hear. There are different types of hearing aids available, such as in-the-ear, behind-the-ear, and in-the-canal. Cochlear implants are another option for people with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. They are surgically implanted devices that bypass the damaged hair cells and auditory nerve and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
In conclusion, the reversibility of hearing loss depends on the type and severity of the loss. Conductive hearing loss can often be reversed by removing the blockage, while sensorineural hearing loss cannot. However, there are options available to manage hearing loss, including hearing aids and cochlear implants. It’s important to seek treatment for hearing loss as early as possible to improve communication, quality of life, and reduce the risk of further damage.
Noise pollution poses a significant risk to our hearing, especially in environments where there is constant exposure to loud sounds. Children are often exposed to loud noises from a young age, mainly through headphones, toys, and electric devices. To protect their hearing, parents should monitor the volume of devices and toys, restrict their usage, and regularly check them for noise levels. Additionally, children should be taught the importance of protecting their ears from loud noises, and they should wear protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, when exposed to loud sounds.
Another way to improve hearing protection for children is by educating them on optimal listening practices. For instance, children should be taught to sit at an appropriate distance from the sound devices such as computers or DVD players and not to turn the volume up too high. They should also take a break from listening to music or screentime after every hour. To further monitor and regulate sound levels, parents could also make use of apps or devices that measure noise levels in their surroundings to prevent harmful exposure.
Hearing is one of the most important senses that a human being possesses. It connects us to the world around us, allows us to communicate with others, and enriches our daily life experiences. It is essential to protect our hearing from a young age by adopting measures that prevent hearing loss and making use of various devices that assist in preserving our hearing. 1 2 3
In addition to monitoring sound levels and using earmuffs to dampen noise, numerous devices can also assist in protecting our hearing. For instance, hearing aids can help those with hearing loss and prevent further damage by allowing sounds to be amplified at lower volumes than without. Additionally, earplugs are useful in reducing noise levels when exposed to loud sounds, while noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds can reduce background noise while listening to audio.
In conclusion, it is essential to protect our hearing from a young age through various measures, including monitoring sound levels, educating children on listening practices, and using devices that assist in hearing protection. Parents and guardians must take the necessary steps to ensure the protection of their children's hearing to prevent hearing loss and preserve the quality of life. With the right precautions and awareness, we can protect our hearing and continue to enjoy the sounds of the world around us.
The evolution of hearing aids has been a journey of technical innovation, designed to improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. Over the past few decades, technological advancements have transformed hearing aids from bulky, uncomfortable devices to sleek and discrete tools that can enhance the ability to communicate and interact with the world.
The earliest hearing aids were basic, horn-shaped amplifiers that amplified sound waves and then directed them to the ear canal. These devices were rudimentary and often left the user feeling uncomfortable and socially stigmatized. However, advances in electronic technology brought about the introduction of the transistor in the late 1940s, which replaced vacuum tubes and brought significant improvements in the size and efficiency of hearing aids.
The introduction of digital hearing aids was a game-changer in the world of hearing technology. These devices use computer technology to convert sound waves into digital signals, which are then processed and amplified to improve speech clarity and reduce background noise. The development of digital hearing aids has allowed for a more personalized listening experience with the ability to adjust the sound settings to match an individual's exact hearing needs.
The latest technological advancements in hearing aids have brought about the introduction of smart hearing aids. These devices incorporate
by Arthur Weisenfeldwireless connectivity, allowing them to connect to external devices such as smartphones, televisions, and other media devices. Smart hearing aids can also be controlled remotely, enabling users to adjust the volume and settings with just a few taps on their phones.
Another significant advancement in hearing aid technology is the introduction of rechargeable batteries. Traditional hearing aids require regular battery replacements, which can be both expensive and inconvenient for users. However, rechargeable batteries allow users to charge their hearing aids overnight, ensuring they have a full day's usage without needing to replace batteries.
Artificial intelligence is another technological innovation that has the potential to transform the way we perceive hearing aids. AI algorithms have the capability to learn a user's listening preferences and adjust the sound accordingly, improving speech recognition and reducing background noise.
In conclusion, the evolution of hearing aids has come a long way, with technological innovation playing a crucial role in making life better for individuals with hearing loss. From basic amplifiers to smart devices, hearing aids will continue to develop to provide better sound clarity, comfort, and convenience for users. As technology continues to advance, the future of hearing aids appears bright, and more innovative solutions for hearing aid users are yet to come.
These devices sit behind the ear and are connected to a custom ear mold which sits inside the ear. They have a long battery life and can amplify sound across a broad range of frequencies.
These sit directly in the ear and are generally larger than the CIC/ITC styles. They are custom-made to fit the contours of the ear and can amplify all types of sounds.
These hearing aids fit into the ear canal and are slightly larger than CICs, making them easier to handle. They are suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
BAHA systems work by surgically implanting a small titanium post into the bone behind the ear and attaching an external sound processor. Sound vibrations from the processor are transmitted through the bone to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear altogether.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids: These devices consist of a small casing behind the ear and a receiver inside the ear canal. They are connected by a thin wire, and the receiver stays securely in place inside the ear canal without blocking it.
Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids: As the name suggests, these hearing aids are completely concealed inside the ear canal. They are smaller and harder to handle than the larger styles but offer a more natural hearing experience.
Each type of hearing aid operates differently and has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The choice of hearing aid will depend on the degree and type of hearing loss, lifestyle requirements, and individual preferences.
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Hearing Aids are little electronic gadgets that can be profoundly altered to address various sorts of hearing loss. All computerized Hearing Aids contain something like one receiver to get sound, a CPU that intensifies and cycles sound, a speaker that conveys the message to your ear, and a battery for power. More complex models give extra highlights, for example, direct association with a cell phone or brain organization.
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A Hearing Aid intensifies the sounds going into the ear. They are most frequently suggested for individuals who have a kind of hearing loss known as "sensorineural," implying that a portion of the small hair cells of the inward ear are harmed. The enduring solid hair cells get the Sounds conveyed by the amplifier and convey them as brain messages to the cerebrum by means of the hearable nerve.
For individuals with gentle todirect hearing loss, standard Hearing Aids work best. "Power" models are regularly utilized for individuals who have serious to significant hearing loss as the batteries require more influence.
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Hearing Aids are regularly suggested assuming that your hearing experimental outcomes show hearing loss on an audiogram. Hearing Aids are sold at hearing and audiology facilities across the U.S., as well as on the web. Our broad index of shopper-inspected hearing communities can assist you with tracking down a neighborhood facility.
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There are a few portable amplifier producers that offer the most recent hearing gadget innovation. Portable hearing assistant organizations invest great effort to put up gadgets for sale to the public that address the assorted requirements of individuals with hearing loss.
They additionally endeavor to offer portable hearing assistants that can oblige every one of wearers' financial plans.
Most hearing consideration experts know about various makers' items and have the provisions and programming they need to effectively accommodate their gadgets. Whenever you visit a hearing care professional, you will examine your hearing experimental outcomes, way of life, needs, and spending plan. Your supplier will assist you with choosing the most proper producer and best item only for you.
Whether is it diagnosis, loss of hearing or maintenance of Hearing Aids, The Hearing Centre Singapore gives a variety of tailor-made answers for a superior personal satisfaction for yourself as well as your friends and family. Learn more on https://www. thehearingcentre.sg/
A significant number of the amplifiers created today use telecoils and, surprisingly, cutting -edge innovation like man-made reasoning. In the interim, remote innovation
permits two portable hearing assistants (one on every ear) to speak with one another and basically work together as one complete hearing framework. It additionally implies Hearing Aids can be associated with outer wellsprings of sound that are sent remotely, for example, through Bluetooth.
Far better? Numerous makers currently offer amplifier applications that give clients added command over their gadgets.
When a healthcare provider services proficient suggests portable hearing assistants for you, various elements will be considered while choosing and fitting a gadget. The best fit for you will rely not just upon the seriousness and sort of hearing loss you have. They will consider your budget, corrective, and professional needs.
Since portable hearing assistants are customized, only one out of every odd brand, style, or innovation level of amplifier is appropriate for everybody. Indeed, even two individuals with similar hearing loss might wind up with various Hearing Aids in view of other choice measures. This can make looking at Hearing Aids troublesome. It's ideal to converse with your hearing medical services supplier about what choices and highlights are great for you.
Indeed, however your new amplifiers might invest in
some opportunity to become accustomed to. Hearing medical care experts will try out an underlying fitting where they calibrate and change levels to guarantee you are getting the most advantage from the gadgets. It is critical to note there is a change period while wearing new gadgets, and it takes more time to become accustomed to new Hearing Aids.
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Hearing Aids definitely do something other than intensifying sound. Hearing is a complex neurological cycle that interfaces you with the world. Research shows that Hearing Aids have medical advantages like decreasing forlornness, deferring the beginning of dementia, and working on your personal satisfaction and feeling of safety.
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In the event that you've been attempting to observe data on modest Hearing Aids, we comprehend. Many individuals are interested in knowing where they can purchase reasonable or minimal expense Hearing Aids that fit acceptable for them and are still top-notch
gadgets. On the off chance that you haven't as of now, we urge you to see a conference care proficient. Tell them you're on a decent pay and what sort of cost you want to pay. Generally speaking, they will function as constantly as they can to observe you a consultation gadget that turns out best for you.
Absolutely. Hearing Aids are FDA-controlled clinical gadgets. Hearing Aid makers should look for FDA endorsement for their items before they offer them to clients. This enormously decreases the gamble of Hearing Aids conveying any dangers, for example, being picking up too-loud frequencies.
Our body requires a lot of water, and that requirement increases during the hot summer months when we are generally sweating extra. When preparing for a fast, it is important to be mindful to drink more water in anticipation of the fast, when we will not be drinking at all.
1 2 3 4
If you drink coffee daily, then you may be familiar with the headaches that creep in when you miss your cup(s) of coffee. In anticipation of a fast day, it is recommended to slowly wean off completely (or at least decrease the amount) of caffeine that you have each day in order to help prevent or minimize the discomfort you may experience the day of a fast.
This strategy will help prevent you from feeling extra thirsty the day of a fast. Our salt (sodium) intake refers to the salt that we physically add to our food and the salt that is already within the food from prior preparation and processing. It is noteworthy to mention that most of the salt that we consume comes from processed foods, including packaged foods and condiments.
The day before a fast it is a good idea to eat more carbohydrates in order to build up glycogen stores in your body. (In the body, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, and then glucose is stored in the form of glycogen, which is used as a source of energy.) Carbohydrate choices should ideally be complex carbohydrates such as whole grains (including whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, or brown rice), fruits, and starchy vegetables. It is helpful to minimize the number of refined carbohydrates (including white bread, cookies, cakes, and candies) eaten in order to prevent the sugar crash that is associated with them.
With Yom Kippur approaching, there may be many things on our mind. This beautiful and powerful day is one in which we focus on teshuva. One of the ways that we stay focused on the meaning of the day is by fasting.
The term “fasting” can have many definitions in the diet and nutrition world and is generally not recommended for weight loss purposes. However, as we all know, the purpose of religious fasts is not to lose weight. Since our body uses food as fuel, it is especially important to be mindful of how we prepare our body for a fast, and subsequently how we break our fast.
While an individual can be fine fasting for Yom Kippur without following any particular pre-fast recommendations, following a few guidelines can definitely be helpful. Below are 8 tips to keep in mind when preparing for a fast, and when breaking a fast.
Esti Asher, MS, RDN, LD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and member of the Nutritional Advisory Board of Wellspring Magazine. Esti is passionate about helping women reach their ultimate health and wellbeing potential inside and out. She shares credible, clear and inspiring nutrition information with women via her virtual private practice. Esti’s kind and positive approach not only benefits her clients, it also often has a positive ripple effect on their loved ones. To contact Esti with feedback or inquiries regarding her nutritional services, please e-mail her at: esti@estiashernutrition.com or visit estiashernutrition.com.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. This article is not meant to be used as Medical Nutrition Therapy and thus is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health conditions. Please consult with your physician if you have specific questions regarding your health.
Plan in advance what you will be breaking your fast on. If there is no plan in place, you will most likely grab for anything and everything that you see in your kitchen. This may make you feel uncomfortable and dissatisfied with your food choices.
After going a long time (in this case, over 24 hours) without any water, we must make sure to drink a lot to help replenish our water levels and hydration status. This can be done by drinking water and eating soups, fruits, and vegetables with a high water content.
1 2 3 4 Make
Especially after a fast, it is helpful to be extra kind to your digestive system. Make sure to eat slowly and thoroughly chew your food. This may also help increase your awareness of your satiety cues. In other words, eating slowly may help you more easily recognize when you are satisfied and no longer need to be eating, as opposed to eating quickly and too much, which will ultimately leave you feeling uncomfortable and maybe even sick.
May we all – both individually and collectively – be inscribed and sealed for a year of tova, success, health, and with the privilege to bring the Geulah bekarov.
Be extra mindful of the delicious, beautiful, and satisfying foods that Hashem has provided us with. Sometimes we do not appreciate something until it is no longer available to us. After a fast is a great time to re-instill the appreciation that we have for food and drinks and all that they have to offer.
The disciples of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev noticed that something was amiss.
Yom Kippur, the most awesome day of the year, was approaching, and it was only natural that every G-d-fearing Jew’s steps should grow more measured, his mind more focused, his manner graver. But this was something else. A heavy foreboding clouded their master’s features; his eyes had grown red from weeping, and an uncharacteristic sigh would often escape his lips. The
By Yanki TauberRebbe must know something we do not, they whispered. Perhaps he sees a terrible calamity decreed for the coming year, G-d forbid.
Several days before Yom Kippur, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak summoned his gabbai. Much to the gabbai’s amazement, the Rebbe had business on his mind.
“Lately, the number of people coming to request that I pray for them on the Holy Day has been steadily increasing,” said the Rebbe. “It’s time we set a fixed price for the kvitlach. I think we should ask for two groschen for each name written in a kvitel.”
When a chassid gives his rebbe the piece of paper (kvitel) on which his name and the names of his loved ones are inscribed for the rebbe to mention in his prayers, he always includes a sum of money, known as the pidyon nefesh as a gift to the rebbe. As a rule, the sum is left to the petitioner’s discretion, which was why Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s gabbai was quite surprised by what the Rebbe was proposing.
Notices were put up in the synagogue and the market place, and soon the entire town had heard of the new rules: the Rebbe was demanding two groschen for each name.
Immediately after the morning prayers on the day preceding Yom Kippur, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak began receiving the kvitlach-bearers. A sense of urgency was felt throughout the town---the Rebbe’s strange stipulation, coupled with his ominous behavior of the last few weeks, fed the feeling that it was of utmost importance to be included in the Rebbe’s list. Two groschen was not such a great sum, but for an impoverished peddler or tailor with a dozen children to
register, it was no small expense. Still, not a soul stayed behind. This year, no one was taking any chances.
All day the Rebbe sat, his faithful gabbai at his door, and received kvitlach. Soon his desk was covered with folded pieces of paper and copper coins. There were those who tried to bargain with the gabbai, but the Rebbe’s instructions had been clear: no exceptions.
Around midday, a woman approached the gabbai and begged for an exemption. “I am a poor widow with an only child, without a single groschen in my purse. How can I pay four groschen so that my child and I may be inscribed in the Book of Life? Please, have mercy on me and my fatherless child, and allow me to add our names to the Rebbe’s list. I promise to pay the entire sum as soon as I have the money.”
“What can I do?” said the gabbai. “The Rebbe has told me that there are to be no exceptions.”
“Let me ask the Rebbe,” said the widow. “Certainly he will not turn me down.”
The gabbai relented, but the Rebbe was unyielding. “I’m sorry,” he said to the woman, “but these are the rules. Two groschen per name.”
The widow left, heartbroken, but resolved to attain a year of life for herself and her child. One way or another, she would get the money.
Hours passed. The last of the petitioners had already left, and the hour of Kol Nidrei, the solemn prayer which opens the Yom Kippur service, was fast approaching. The gabbai had cleared the table, counting the coins and locking them away, and packing the kvitlach in the special parcels which the Rebbe would keep with him during his prayers. Everyone was already in the synagogue, garbed in their snow-white kittelen and wrapped in their talitot, awaiting the Rebbe. Still Rabbi Levi Yitzchak lingered, his eyes casting expectant glances at the window. Then, a small, shawled figure was seen hurrying along the deserted street. It was the widow, a folded piece of paper and a few coins in her hand. “Thank G-d the Rebbe is still home,” she cried. “Here is my kvitel, Rebbe. Please pray for me and for my only child that we may be inscribed in the Book of Life.”
“But you only have two groschen here,” pro-
tested Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, peering at the coppers she had placed on the table. “So you can only write one name in your kvitel.”
“Holy Rebbe,” cried the woman, “I have been running about all day, borrowing from everyone that I know. This is all I was able to come up with. Please pray for us both! I promise to pay the rest within a week.”
“I’m sorry,” insisted the Rebbe, “the price is two groschen per name. Which name do you want in your kvitel?”
With trembling fingers, the woman took her kvitel and crossed out her own name. “Pray for my Shloimehleh, Rebbe,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears, “that he should have a year of life, health and happiness.”
Upon hearing these words, the Rebbe’s eyes came alive with a fiery light. Grasping the widow’s two groschen in one fist, and her kvitel in the other, he raised them triumphantly to heaven and cried: “Father in Heaven! Look! Look what a mortal mother is prepared to do for her child! And You---shall it be said, G-d forbid, that You are less a parent to Your children?! Can You look this woman in the eye and refuse to grant Your own children a year of life, health and happiness?!”
“Come,” said Rabbi Levi Yitzchak to his gabbai and to the widow, “let us go to Kol Nidrei.”
hazzanim and Baalei Tefillah are not simply naturally gifted people with beautiful voices who can sing for hours on end. They are highly trained professionals who go to a vocal coach or voice teacher anywhere from once a week to daily training. These teachers are often the unsung heroes behind the enthralling tunes that so move the mispallelim during the high holidays. One of the elite teachers is Eitan Rosa, a tall, broad-shouldered man, with a thick neck who trains the biggest names in Jewish music. Though his vocation is not unique, Eitan’s origin story most certainly is.
His deep voice is lightly accented and could be mistaken for an Israeli accent. I am originally from Puerto Rico,” Eitan says. His parents were Protestant Christians but not supremely religious. “My father was agnostic.” The Rosa’s were comfortable by Puerto Rican standards. But life was not always comfortable. “We constantly moved around because my father was looking for work. He was a professor but tried his hand at entrepreneurship, but it didn’t really take.” The repeated failures strained the marriage and ultimately led to Eitan’s parents divorce.
Eitan’s vocal talents shone through from a very young age. At five years of age his father began training him, but his lack of expertise in the field ensured that this venture would fail as well, at least at that stage in life. “He was also tone deaf so that did not make things better,” Eitan laughs. But this lack of success did not dampen the young boy’s en-
thusiasm for singing, and kept singing on his own. “I later sang in a school choir where they taught me proper breathing techniques, which advanced my skills.”
But there was something else that hampered Eitan’s growth. “I was always a little strange and avoided eye contact, and had trouble making friends. It was easier in group settings.” But Eitan had trouble focusing and his grades suffered as a result. But singing offered a refuge for him and he received a scholarship to the Conservatory of Music, a prestigious school of music in Puerto Rico. “Voices are labeled as one of three types; bass, baritone, and tenor. I was first labeled a baritone and developed a much smoother and richer sound. But a new teacher attempted to train me as a bass because true bass is rare. But she did not get the results she wanted and blamed my techniques. The strain she caused to my vocal cords resulted in me getting bronchitis.”
Eitan adds that this plus other complications caused him to almost die. This traumatic experience is the reason why Eitan chose his current profession. “I did not want others to have to go through the same frustrations and lose their voice for no reason.”
Eitan’s frustrations caused him to leave the school and begin work as a teacher’s assistant. Things went well until they promoted him to teacher. “I could not connect with
Eitan Rosa’s journey from Puerto Rico to training the biggest names in Jewish music.
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my pupils as a group.” After that he went into social work where he learned skills that were foreign to him but normal to most people. “I learned that I had to make eye contact, which is still a struggle but I know to focus on it. Eventually he found his way to New York and through his job at a Latino outreach program met Spanish speaking Rabbis.
“After getting to know some of these people I started to become more interested in Judaism. I went to classes, read books, and attended Friday night services at a Reform Temple in Manhattan but their theology seemed fraudulent to me. Even though the service was a professional show I was left unimpressed.” Eventually his soul’s search led him to an orthodox Rabbi who eventually converted him.
Between Eitan’s engagement, marriage, and birth of his eldest child, his troubles with finding or keeping jobs continued. “My lack of social skills and lack of eye contact made me seem rude when in reality I was simply suffering from Aspergers. For the longest time I had not been diagnosed, but I suspected that I have Aspergers. But after my daughter was diagnosed with autism, I received the same diagnosis.” Eitan relives the relief he felt when he received confirmation that many of his struggles were not his fault. “My inability to connect with people and holding on to jobs were not my fault. It really put my mind at ease.”
Although Eitan was diagnosed his troubles did not end, and there are still certain things that he struggles with to this day. “Sarcasm is difficult for me to detect, and I have taken offense at things that were harmless jokes. In general it can be challenging for me to read people’s emotions, as well as my own. I also tend to suppress emotions which can cause me physical pain. I also can get lost in conversations and lose track of time.
Later when Eitan moved to Brooklyn someone heard his voice and recommended that he get into chazzanus. “After looking into possible entry points I chose to enroll in Yeshiva University’s School of Jewish Music to learn about chazzanus.” Through the school of Jewish Music he was recruited to join Chazan Bentzion Miller’s choir where he sang for several years.
One of the members of the choir asked where Eitan had received his training, and upon hearing the extent of his experience he asked for Eitan to train him. “Because of my shyness I initially refused but he persisted.” One happy customer led to another until Eitan’s reputation grew to where he had become a premier destination for the top names in Jewish music to receive their training. Eitan is the unlikely story of a Ger with Aspergers reaching the pinnacle of Jewish Music.
With the Yamim Noraim approaching it must be high season for chazanim and baalei tefillah seeking out Eitan’s services, but Eitan grimaces when I say this. “This is one
of my pet peeves. Imagine a marathon runner beginning to train for a twenty six mile run a couple of weeks before the race. It is preposterous to think that he would be ready to run the entire distance. Even if he could he would be out of commission for the next few days. Singing and davening is not simply going up to the amud and leading the crowd for hours in prayer. Vocal cords are muscles that have to be trained, strengthened, and conditioned to be able to last for hours. I often get calls a few days before the yamim Noraim from people asking for help because they are hoarse or they realize that their voice would not hold up for the duration of the tefillos because they do not have the stamina, and ask for a couple of sessions. I usually tell them to daven because I am unable to help them, since as I said there is no quick fix . It requires months of training, dedication, and consistency before there is a marked improvement. My students come to me and train for months. But their hard work bears fruit and their stamina improves.”
There are more benefits to voice training, Eitan adds. “A lot of voice training is about technique as well, which limits strain on one’s vocal cords. Using a voice wrong can ruin someone’s vocal cords, often irrevocably.” Although Eitan does not want to talk about it, a famous Jewish singer had strained his vocal chords to the point where the doctors had told him that he must stop singing or risk losing his voice for speaking as well. After he trained with Eitan he went back to the doctors who believed the recovery to be almost miraculous. He is in his mid sixties and is singing better than ever.”
As to the limits of voice training Eitan says that it can’t add talent. “If you have a bad voice, voice training can’t help much. It can help improve your voice somewhat, but there has to be a basis of talent. Of course, with the right techniques one can get rid of singing nasally. I only recommend voice lessons for those that have a good voice or are baalei tefillah frequently. Some teachers do come because they want to sing zemiros with their students.”
Eitan’s story is still astonishing to me. His journey from Puerto Rico to Judaism to being responsible for many congregations being able to enjoy their Yamim Noraim, all that while being hindered by his Aspergers. But his message of voice training really is a lesson about the Yamim Noraim. Introspection and Teshuva are not quick fixes. It takes a long time to truly change one’s behavior and actions and half-hearted attempts at the last second won’t be sufficient.
“
By Sholom Scharfman
Earlier this month, the grim news was announced that a grave in The Old Cemetery of Netanya would be exhumed. Saada Karni was supposedly buried after dying at age 5 of malaria and muscular dystrophy in 1951. Lawyers representing her family are suspicious that there may be more to the story than the official version of events. They want the grave opened, to see if there are any contents at all, and if there are, for the remains to be genetically tested to see if they match other members of Saada’s family.
The opening of a grave sealed 72 years ago is the latest development in a tragic story that has marred Israel’s history for generations. Saada Karni’s family arrived among the wave of immigrants who came to the newly founded state of Israel in 1948. They came from all over the
world, hoping to find a better life in their ancestral homeland. However, for this generation so full of hope, a different story unfolded, a dark tragedy whose reverberations are still felt throughout Israeli society. The fate of Saada, and that of many others, remains a mystery until this day, part of a tragic saga that Bibi Netanyahu has called an “open wound” in Israel’s history: The Yemenite Children Affair.
The founding of the state of Israel in 1948 created a new reality for Jews worldwide. First the first time in centuries, there was an independent Jewish state. Although immigration to what was then known as
Palestine had been on the rise even before the state’s founding, it skyrocketed afterward. Beleaguered Jews worldwide made their way back to the land of their forefathers. Many of these were European Jews leaving the post-holocaust ruins of Europe. There were also countless Jews who arrived from the Middle East, North Africa, and other parts of the world under Arab or Muslim control. Soon after the state’s founding, anti-Jewish laws, riots and attacks made it clear to Jews in the Muslim world that they were no longer welcome, and they began to make their way to the holy land in droves. During the ten years between 1948-1958, the population of Israel rose from 800,000 to 2,000,000, an astonishing rate of growth. In that era, life in Israel was very unstable. The country had just been
founded and was under constant threat of attack. The developing infrastructure struggled to keep pace with the explosive growth of the population. Money, supplies and manpower were extremely limited. As such, many of the new refugees spent their initial time in Israel in refugee camps, known as Ma’abarot (transit camps).
It is impossible to understand the tragic background of the Yemenite Children Affair without having a picture of what life was like in the Ma’abaraot. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants lived in these ramshackle temporary structures, with terrible living conditions. Hy-
The authorities, overwhelmed by issues of disease and overcrowding, made radical decisions. Children would be rushed into the hospitals at every hour of the day. They would often separate families to limit the spread of disease. Unfortunately, many sick children died, and in the chaotic environment of the Ma’abarot, they would sometimes be buried without notifying the parents. Lack of communication, confusion, and a measure of callousness between the authorities and the new immigrants all combined to create a bitter experience for families grieving the loss of their children.
cord of the death. Finally, and most suspiciously, many families would receive recruitment orders on the 18th birthday of their supposedly deceased children. All these factors led to the widespread belief that something sinister had taken place.
Over the years, families of Yemenite immigrants began to believe that they had been victims of diabolical conspiracy. The rumors, which became a steadfast belief, was that their children had not died, but had been stolen. Specifically, they had
giene was poor and disease spread quickly. One of the most tragic issues that arose from these living conditions was a high incidence of childhood mortality.
In the years that followed, many people who had lost children began to suspect that there was more to the story. At the time, some parents who were told that their children had died, had their children returned after exerting pressure. Others were not so fortunate. Many never had the bodies returned at all or were not told where the graves were. There seemed to be several strange factors in common in all of the cases of children who had gone missing but were reported to be dead. All of the missing children were under the age of three from Mizrahi (middle eastern) refugee families who had arrived in Israel within the previous year. Their disappearance was always from hospitals, or from times where the child had allegedly been taken to a hospital. Most parents did not see a body; they were just given a verbal explanation that the child had died. There was frequently no official re-
been given in adoption to Ashkenazi families in Israel or in other places. The Israeli authorities had knowingly participated in this plot and facilitated the removal of children from their families. This accusation exacerbated already deep tensions between Sefardic immigrant class and the elite Ashkenazi class, a long simmering divide within Israeli society that has its roots in this very story. Over the years, the families raised a hue and cry, alerting the media and
Jewish agency representatives meeting Yemenite immigrants, upon arrival at the Lod airport.
Nurse Victoria Ben Aroyah, who immigrated from Bulgaria, with a Habani mother and her child at Ein Shemer. In the background is the camp baby home.
petitioning the government to intervene.
Since the 1960s, there have been several government inquiries into the disappearance of the Yemenite
children. Although overall the government findings confirmed the death of many of the children, the public has not been satisfied and questions still linger Most crucially, the government’s own alleged role in the affair made all of their efforts suspect.
The first inquiry, the Bahlul-MinkowSki Committee in 1967, examined 342 cases of children who died. According to their findings, 316 children were confirmed dead and two had been adopted. The true fate of 24 more children could not be as certain. Another committee, established in the late eighties and led by Justice Moshe Shalgi, examined new evidence in the cases of 301 children, and determined that 6 of the children’s fate was unknown and the rest had died as had originally been reported.
The public was still not satisfied. In particular, the Yemenite community
did not believe they had received the full truth. In Pesach of 1994, Rabbi Uzi Meshulam, a popular Rabbi from the town of Yehud near Petach Tikva began distributing pamphlets accusing the government of having participated in the kidnapping and giving away of Yemenite children. Tensions rose between the Meshulam faction and the police. After armed students barricaded themselves in the Rabbi’s house, a weeks-long standoff ensued, with Meshulam and his followers calling on the government to establish a commission of inquiry that would get to the bottom of the Yemenite children affair for once and for all. The siege ended violently, with one of the students shot dead by police and Meshulam and the rest of his followers imprisoned. However, the group was successful in influencing the government to once again look into the Yemenite children affair, with the Kedmi Commission being established in 1995, shortly after the standoff between Meshulam and the police.
The Kedmi commission, which ran from 1995-2001, spent the longest time and investigated more cases than any of the prior commissions and government inquiries. It examined more than 1000 cases, and conducted many interviews, the details of which will remain classified until the year 2071. The commission, like those before it, found no evidence of a conspiracy by Israeli government officials to kidnap and give away children. It found that there was documentation to prove the deaths of 972 of the missing children, and that 5 children origi-
nally reported as missing had been found alive. In 56 cases, the commission said it was possible that social workers or other hospital staff had made the decision to give the children up for adoption, but that it was never part of an official policy.
In 2016 Bibi Netanyahu said he would “right an historic wrong” by having Likud MK Tzachi Hanegbi review all the findings of the previous government inquiries into the disappearances of the Yemenite children. Additionally, there would be greater transparency brought to the issue with previously classified material being released to the public. At the end of his review, Hanegbi gave an interview where he admitted that children were taken without the parent’s consent and given away, although he said he did not know where the children had ended up. This marked the first time that an Israeli official had admitted to any part of these accusations. Additionally, Hanegbi’s review revealed previously unknown details of how the government had mistreated the Yemenite immigrants. New evidence was uncovered of forcible medical experimentation and negligence that led to the deaths of some of the missing children, who, in violation of torah law, were autopsied and buried in mass graves.
In 2021, Haaretz reported that Israel’s Ministry of Health was suppressing the publication of a report that revealed the extent to which medical officials were involved in the disappearance of Yemenite children. The report revealed the involvement of nurses, doctors and
Rabbi Uzi Meshulam during the siege (photo credit: Motti Kimchi)other caregivers, who would act as middlemen in arranging adoptions, sometimes for money. It also highlighted the prejudiced mindset of many at the time, who saw the immigrants from the Muslim countries as backwards, primitive second class citizens. This was used as pretext for giving the children up for adoption, seeing that the children would have “a better life” away from their poor, uneducated immigrant parents.
The new information gave some clarity to families seeking answers, but still, even 60-70 years later, there was still a hunger for more. in 2018, there was a massive demonstration in Petach Tikva of families of missing Yemenite children. In response, the state-attorneys office gave permission for graves to be exhumed. If the graves were found to be empty, or if the remains did not match the DNA of the family, this would be the most concrete evidence yet of the accusations against the government.
In September of 2022, the results of the first exhumed grave were announced. The family of Yosef Melamed, who was reported dead in 1947, suspected that his grave was empty or that another child had been buried in his place. The testing of the remains revealed a 100% match with melamed’s family members. However, the conclusions in Melamed’s case do not provide any all-encompassing solution. The results of Saada Karni’s testing might prove something else entirely.
Although the families have been adamant about their stories for decades, many are convinced that while the story is tragic, there is not sufficient evidence of a con-
certed conspiracy. Historian Tom Segev, who served as an expert witness in one of the inquires, made the following point: “Hundreds of thousands of immigrants arrived in Israel at a time of war, and in the years immediately afterwards, when the country was still reeling. All these people came in very, very difficult conditions and it’s a story of chaos. Yemenites were housed in tents and had to endure heavy winters. There were child mortality rates of 50%. In some cases [children might have been given away]; one, two, three, four, 10 - I don’t know how many… but in most cases the children just died. It’s probably the most tragic story of the return of Jews to Israel.”
Within this political and sociological maelstrom that has been raging for seventy years, there are countless families with stories that tear at the heartstrings, unanswered questions and sudden revelations that turn things on their head. One such case, emblematic of the persistent mystery of the Yemenite children, is the story of Yehuda Kantor, a physicist from Haifa. He grew up in Afula, raised by an Ashkenazi couple from Eastern Europe. He was aware that he was darker skinned than his parents and classmates, but it was not until his mid-twenties that he discovered that he had been adopted. Out of sensitivity to his adoptive parents, Yehuda did not start in-
vestigating his birth and origin until they had passed away. When he opened his adoption file, he found no signature of consent from his Yemenite biological mother, just her first name, Zahara. He spent
20 years researching his case trying to be reunited with his biological family, creating publicity in the media and expending all efforts to no avail. But recent breakthroughs in DNA testing technology were able to crack the case. Myheritage, and Israeli DNA testing company, used dna and the limited information that Yehuda gave them to identify Zahara, who had died 17 years earlier. He was able to contact the family, and further DNA tests proved that he had five half siblings that he never met before. after 60 years siblings were reunited. Yehuda’s story, of a reconnection and discovering roots, is a bittersweet ending to a saga that began 70 years ago. Although he had some closure, giving a bittersweet ending to his story, many others are still waiting for answers.
Hundreds of Israelis rally for government recognition of the so-called missing Yemenite children affair in Tel Aviv on September 25, 2017.
BY SHIRA SHUSTERMAN
One of the most beautiful things about Yiddishkeit is the timelessness of our faith and our mitzvos. When we sit in the sukkah, hear the shofar, put on our Tefillin, or make kiddush, we know that we are connecting to something that we share with all the generations that came before us. In every time and place, throughout the many wanderings of the Jewish nation, our lives have been rooted in the words of the Torah. Although location and historical circumstances can affect the ways in which people practiced their Judaism, we have clung to our heritage with dedication and resolve.
Archeological evidence or artifacts give us something concrete that bears testimony to this commitment of our forefathers. We can get a special inspiration and travel into the past when we can actually see a piece of history. As Professor Lawrence Schiffman, an expert on the Bayis Sheini era, has noted with regard to the impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls, “There is an emotional component… [in the scroll] you see the words Esa einai el heharim”—’I shall raise my eyes to the mountains’ . . .When you realize that these very words were recited directly from this scroll by our forefathers 2,200 years ago, it’s very moving… There is a tremendous feeling of continuity.” With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the oldest Jewish artifacts that have been found.
The oldest known kosher Sefer Torah in the world was found in 2012 at the University of Bologna in Italy. Mauro Perani, a professor of Hebrew at the university, was reviewing the archives when he came across the scroll, which had been dated as coming from the 17th century. Right away, he noticed that the scroll was certainly far older than that. After doing some research and carbon tests, the age of the scroll was actually confirmed to be from the late 12th or early 13th centuries. Although older Torah texts exist, this was the oldest full Sefer Torah, with all five sefarim, the type that would have been used in a shul for Krias Hatorah. The Sefer Torah was given to a local sofer in Italy, who spent four years fixing it. In 2016, it was brought to a shul in the northern Italian town of Biella, returning home at last from its long galus in the university archives.
There are several world-famous copies of the Tanach from ancient times, each with their own fascinating stories. One that was recently in the news was the Sassoon Codex, which sold in May for a staggering 38.1 million dollars. Dating back to the tenth century, it is one of the oldest codexes, and contains more of the Seforim of the Tanach than others, missing only 12 complete pages and pieces of other ones. It was purchased by former diplomat Alfred H. Moses, and donated to the Museum of the Jewish people in Tel Aviv. It was the fourth most expensive book or manuscript ever sold in history.
Another important codex with a mysterious past is the Aleppo Codex. What remains of the Aleppo Codex is currently held at the Shrine Of The Book in the Israel Museum in Yerushalayim. Once regarded as the oldest and most accurate copy of the Tanach, this codex was meticulously preserved by Jewish communities in the Middle East for over a millennium. It resided in Aleppo, Syria, for several centuries until 1947, and was known as Keser Aram Tzoba. It was the pride of the Syrian community, who guarded this jewel with their lives. It was believed to have been destroyed during riots that erupted in Syria following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. However, certain portions of the Aleppo Codex were secretly saved. In 1958, the remaining parts were covertly smuggled out of Syria and taken to Jerusalem for safekeeping. Presently, only approximately 295 pages of the Aleppo Codex have survived, mainly containing the entirety of the Chumash. Throughout the years, a few missing pages have surfaced, and considerable efforts have been undertaken to locate the remaining sections. The journalist Matti Friedman conducted extensive research into the saga of the Aleppo codex. In a book he wrote on the topic, he made a compelling case that Israeli government officials and private collectors may have been involved in the smuggling and hiding of different parts of the Aleppo codex. Its true fate remains a mystery until this day.
The Torah tells us of the beautiful menorahs that stood in the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash. The Chanukah menorahs that we light today are based on those menorahs, except with eight branches instead of seven. There have been some rumors over the years of the Vatican possessing the menorah of the Beis Hamikdash, but nothing has ever been confirmed.
Until recently, it was widely believed that the use of a special menorah to kindle the Chanukah lights was a modern practice and that in earlier times, Chanukah menorahs as we know them did not exist. People would improvise by setting up a row of lights using whatever was available, such as arranging wicks around a plate covered by another plate as described in the Gemara, or using a row of small lamps. The oldest known menorah, carved from a single piece of solid marble in Avignon, southeastern France, during the twelfth or thirteenth century,
bore an inscription from Mishlei (6:23), “For a mitzvah is a lamp, and the Torah is light.”
However, this perception of the recent origin of menorahs was shattered when workers conducting excavations in Yerushalayim unearthed an ancient pottery menorah, setting a new world record for such artifacts. This remarkable discovery was acquired by the Living Torah Museum in Boro Park, Brooklyn, where it can be seen today. Dr. Mayer Ben-Dov, the former director of the Temple Mount Excavations, examined the oil lamp and provided a letter certifying its authenticity and significance.
The oil lamp consists of a central hole for oil and nine nozzles for wicks – eight for Chanukah and one for the Shamish. This priceless menorah, estimated to be worth $1,000,000, has been scientifically dated to approximately sixty years after the Chanukah story and about ninety years before the Churban.
The discoveries of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the years between 1946 and 1956 were major events in the history of Israel and the world. The artifacts discovered there brought to light a lot of new information about history and Jewish life in Israel centuries before. Something overlooked for almost 60 years was the fact that among the Dead Sea Scrolls was the earliest known pair of tefillin. Batim and retzuos had been found in the Fifties, but for some reason no one had looked inside to see what was contained inside the tefillin cases. In 2014, researchers looking over the Dead Sea scroll archives discovered the Tefillin and opened them up for analysis. They were dated by archaeologists as far back as the 1st or 2nd centuries BCE.
Every day in Shema, we mention our tzitzis. The strings and knots are meant to remind us of all the mitzvos in the Torah, and the blue thread of the techeiles to remind us of malchus shamayim. We have a mitzvah to put fringes on any four cornered garment. As four-cornered garments became less common, the practice developed through the years for Jews to be mikayem this mitzvah every day by wearing talleisim, both tallis katan and tallis gadol. Talleisim are made of organic materials such as wool, cotton, and linen. These materials are very easily degradable, making it difficult to find old talleisim. However, there has been some evidence found of ancient talleisim. In the sixties, the Israeli archeologist Yigal Yadin found remnants of striped material similar to the striped taleisim of today, dated from the Bar Kochba era, after the Churban bayis sheini. Although this may have merely been a style of clothing, some argue that what he found were from talleisim. There has been ample evidence found of remnants of dyed garments and equipment for producing dye. While it is tempting to view this as evidence of ancient techeiles production to be used for taleisim, it is not 100 percent; these dyes were also used for expensive garments for noblemen and may not have been specifically for techeiles shel mitzvah.
Closer to home, Hershel Shanks, who was a historian, archaeologist, and the founder of Biblical Archeology Review, made the claim that a candidate for the world’s oldest tallis might be in New York, in the collection of the American Jewish Historical Society. The tallis belonged to Abraham Issacks, who died in 1743. He was the parnas (president) of Shearith Israel, also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Kehilla, the oldest in the United States. After he died, his silk tallis, with its tzitzis still intact, was passed along to his children, and on through the generations.
The key to joy is success in our relationships. This includes our relationship with other people, with ourselves, and with Hashem.
Every Jewish Yom Tov is infused with a special energy to help us work on a particular character trait, and to develop certain aspects of our lives. The mitzvos of the Yom Tov are tools to help us achieve the goal of the time.
Often, the key to discovering this focus is found in the tefilos. The Siddur refers to Sukkos as Zman Simchaseinu, "the Time of Our Joy." Sukkos is designed as a one-week workshop on joy! For seven days, we move out of our wall-to-wall carpeted, airconditioned house, into a little hut called a Sukkah. But how is this supposed to make us happy?!
The lesson is that the physical objects with which we surround ourselves are not what make us happy. A person can live in a gorgeous home and be absolutely miserable. Or, he can live in a shabby hut and be ecstatically happy. The key to joy is success in our relationships. This includes our relationship with other people, with ourselves, and with Hashem.
The Lulav offers important clues on how to achieve joy through relationships. (Note that "Lulav" refers to the date palm leaf, but since it is the largest, the term refers also to all four minim together.)
The Midrash says that the Arba Minim of the Lulav represent four different types of Jews:
• The Esrog has a good taste and a good fragrance. It represents a person with both wisdom (Torah learning) and good deeds.
• The Hadas (myrtle) has a good fragrance, but is inedible. It represents a person who has good deeds, but lacks wisdom.
• The Lulav (date palm) is edible, but has no smell. This represents the person with wisdom, but without good deeds. The Aravah (willow) has neither taste nor smell. It represents a person with neither good deeds nor Torah learning.
On Sukkos, we gather these four species, bind them, and wave them all together. The Lulav is only kosher if all four species are taken together. If one of the species is missing, the entire Lulav is invalid.
A similar principle is taught by the composition of the incense brought in the Bais Hamikdosh. There were 11 ingredients, of which one, the chelbanah spice, smelled terrible. Yet, the incense was only valid if all the ingredients were included together. This teaches that we must look at all the Yidden as a unit, working together.
There may be people we don't like, but we still have to deal with
them. We cannot simply say that certain people are not part of our world, or that they do not belong to us. On the contrary, humanity is one indivisible unit. This recognition is basic to happiness because when we realize that we are all interconnected, we can be more patient and tolerant of others.
Note that when the Lulav is held, the Esrog is held next to the willow. The one with the "most" should position himself to be near the one with the "least," in order to favorably influence him.
This idea finds expression also in the mitzvah of inviting guests into our Sukkah. This year, try inviting some friends over — perhaps even someone who you don't know very well. The results will astound you!
Another way to look at the Lulav is mentioned in "Sefer Bahir," a kabbalistic work almost 2,000 years old. It describes the arba minim as four parts of a human being:
• The Esrog represents the heart, the seat of our emotions.
• The Hadas (myrtle) has leaves shaped like an eye.
The Lulav (date palm) represents the spine, from where our actions emanate.
• The Aravah (willow) represents the lips, our speech.
The Arba Minim must be taken together as a unit. So too, to achieve happiness, one must use all of his faculties in unison. You cannot say one thing and feel another. We must unify our feelings, our actions, our speech and our outlook. With all of these working together, we are well on the path to self-esteem, tranquility, and joy.
The Arba Minim also represent the Name of Hashem. Aravah (willow), Hadas (myrtle), Lulav (date palm) and, Esrog represent the Yud and Heh and Vav and Heh of the four-letter Name of God.
Again, the key here is unity. As we say every day in Shema: "Hasehm Echad." Whether things may appear to us as good or evil, we must realize that it all comes from Hashem. One must deal with various pleasant or unpleasant circumstancesultimately for one's maximal growth, but at the root, everything comes from Him.
Being aware of this keeps our focus and helps us to deal with the issues of life. When we relate to Hashem’s unity, we come closer to achieving joy in the world.
Sukkos is a one-week opportunity to build these relationships and incorporate them into our lives. May we all enjoy great success in this venture!
Source: Aish.com
It was the first day of Sukkos, and all the mispallelim in the shul of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk were in a festive mood. One could feel the "Yom-Tov spirit” in the atmosphere.
As Rabbi Elimelech stood at the lectern and began reciting Hallel, all eyes turned upon him. There was something unusual in his manner this Sukkos. Why did he stop so suddenly in the middle of his swaying as he held the esrog and lulav in his hands to sniff the air? And why did he not go through the davening in his usual leisurely manner? It was evident that something was on his mind, something rather exciting by the look on his radiant countenance.
The minute the davening was over, Rabbi Elimelech hurried to where his brother Rabbi Zusha (who had come to spend Sukkos with him) was
standing, and said to him eagerly: "Come and help me find the esrog which is permeating the whole shul with the fragrance of the Gad Eden"
And so together they went from person to person until they reached the far corner of the shul where a quiet-looking individual was standing, obviously engrossed in his own thoughts.
"This is the one," called out Rabbi Elimelech delightedly. "Please, dear friend, tell me who are you and where you obtained this wonderful esrog?"
The man, looking somewhat startled and bewildered at this unexpected question, replied rather slowly, carefully choosing his words:
"With all due respect to you, Rabbi, it is quite a story. Do you wish to sit down and listen to it all?"
"Most certainly I do," answered Rabbi Elimelech emphatically, "I am sure it will be a story worth hearing!"
"My name," began the quiet-looking man, "is Uri, and I come from Strelisk. I have always regarded taking the "Arba Minim" on Sukkos as one of my favorite mitzvos, and so, although I am a poor man and could normally not afford to buy an esrog according to my desire, my young wife, who agrees with me as to its importance, helps me by hiring herself out as cook. Thus, she is independent of any financial help from me, and I can use my own earnings for spiritual matters. I am employed as a melamed in the village of Yanev, which is not far from my native town. One-half of my earnings I use for our needs and with the other half I buy an esrog in Lemberg. But in order not to spend any money on the journey I usually go on foot.
"This year, during the Aseres Yemei Teshuva, I was making my way on foot as usual, with fifty gulden in my purse with which to buy an esrog, when on the road to Lemberg I passed through a forest and stopped at a wayside inn to have a rest. It was time for 'minchah' so I stood in a corner and davened minchah.
"I was in the middle of davening when I heard a terrible sound of moaning and groaning, as of one in great anguish. I hurriedly finished my davening so that I could find out what was the trouble, and if I could help in any way.
"As I turned towards the man who was in obvious
distress, I beheld a most unusual and rough looking person, dressed in peasant garb with a whip in his hands, pouring out his troubles to the innkeeper at the bar.
"From the somewhat confused story, between his sobs, I managed to gather that the man with the whip was a poor Jew who earned his living as a baal agallah (owner of a horse and cart for carting purposes). He had a wife and several children and he barely managed to earn enough to make ends meet. And now, a terrible calamity had befallen him. His horse, without which he could do nothing, had suddenly collapsed in the forest not far from the inn, and just lay there unable to get up.
"I could not bear to see the man's despair and tried to encourage him, by telling him that he must not forget that there is a G-d above us who could help him in his trouble, however serious it seemed to him.
"
'I'll sell you another horse for fifty gulden, although I assure you he is worth at least eighty, but just to help you out in your difficulty!' " The innkeeper was saying to the wagon driver.
" 'I haven't even fifty cents, and he tells me I can buy a horse for fifty gulden!' the man said bitterly.
"I felt I could not keep the money I had with me for an esrog when here was a man in such desperate plight that his very life and that of his family depended upon his getting a horse. So I said to the innkeeper:
"The innkeeper turned to me in surprise. If you pay me on the spot, I will take forty-five gulden, but absolutely not a cent less. I am selling my horse at a loss as it is!'
"I immediately took out my purse and banded him forty-five gulden, the wagon driver looking on, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets in astonishment. He was just speechless with relief, and his joy was absolutely indescribable.
"'Now you see that the Hashem can help you, even when the situation appears to you to be entirely hopeless!' I said to him as he hurried off with the innkeeper to harness the newly-bought horse to his forsaken cart tied to the stricken horse in the forest.
"As soon as they went off, I hurriedly got my few things together and disappeared, as I did not want to be embarrassed by the thanks of the grateful wagon driver.
"I eventually reached Lemberg with the remaining five gulden in my pocket, and naturally had to content myself with buying a very ordinary looking but kosher esrog. Usually, my esrog is the best in Yanev, and everyone used to come and make a blessing over it, but this year I was ashamed to return home with such a poor-looking specimen, so my wife agreed that I could come here to Lizensk, where nobody knew me."
"But my dear Rabbi Uri," cried out Rabbi Elimelech, now that the former had finished his story, "Yours is indeed an exceptional esrog. Now I realize why your etrog has the fragrance of the Gan Eden in its perfume! Let me tell you the sequel to your story."
"When the wagon driver whom you saved thought about his unexpected good fortune, he decided that you must have been none other than the Eliyahu Hanavi whom Hashem had sent down to earth in the form of a man, in order to help him in his desperation. Having come to this conclusion the happy wagon driver looked for a way of expressing his gratitude to the Almighty, but the poor man knew not a Hebrew word, nor could he say any prayers. He racked his simple brain for the best way of thanksgiving.
"Suddenly his face lit up. He took his whip and
lashed it into the air with all his might, crying out with all his being: 'Dear Father in Heaven, I love you very much! What can I do to convince you of my love for you? Let me crack my whip for you as a sign that I love you!'. The wagon driver cracked his whip into the air three times.
"On the eve of Yom Kippur, the Almighty up above was seated on His “Kisei Din” listening to the first tefilos of Yom Kippur.
"Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who was acting as the Counsel for Defense on behalf of his fellow Jews, was pushing a wagon full of Jewish mitzvos to the Gates of Shamayim, when the Satan appeared and obstructed his path with piles of Aveiros, so that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak just got stuck there. My brother Rabbi Zusha and I added our strength to help him move his wagon forward, but all in vain; even our combined efforts proved fruitless.
"Suddenly there came the sound of the cracking of a whip which rent the air, causing a blinding ray of light to appear, lighting up the whole universe, right up to the very heavens! There we saw the malachim and all the tzadikim seated in a circle, singing Hashem’s praise. On hearing the wagon driver's words as he cracked his whip in ecstasy, they responded: 'Happy is the King who is thus praised!'
"All at once, the Malach Michoel appeared, leading a horse, followed by the wagon driver with his whip in hand.
"The Malach harnessed this horse to the wagon of mitzvos, and the wagon driver cracked his whip. Suddenly the wagon gave a lurch forward, flattening the piles of aveiros that had been obstructing the way, and drove it smoothly and easily right up to the Kisei Hakavod. There the Melech Malchei Hamelachim received it most graciously and, rising from the Kisei Din, went over and seated Himself on the Kisei Rachamim. A Shana Tovah was assured."
"And now dear Rabbi Uri" concluded Rabbi Elimelech, "you see that all this came about through your noble action. Go home, and be a leader in Yisroel! For you have proved your worthiness, and you shall carry with you the approval of the Bais Din shel Maalah. But before you go, permit me to hold this wonderful esrog of yours, and praise Hakadosh Baruch Hu with it."
He came by my house every six months or so, for a modest contribution to support the immigrant village he helped build in Israel to absorb new arrivals from Russia. His excited, high-pitched voice and happy, dancing eyes belied the deep furrows in his brow which were painfully etched by decades of punishment at the hands of the communist authorities for the terrible crime of being an observant Jew in the Soviet Union during the 50s, 60s and early 70s.
It became a ritual. I'd ask the diminutive rabbi if he'd like a bite to eat. He would always counter in his Russian accented Yiddish, "Perhaps, just a glass of tea." My wife would serve him a steaming cup of dark orange brew along with a generous slice of home-made cake, both of which seemed to help straighten his sagging shoulders just a bit. Trudging door to door for small donations, it had certainly been a while since his last square meal.
He looked up at me and smiled broadly. "Did you know there was such a thing as a Cantonist Shul?"
I remembered stories I heard as a child which described some of the darkest, but most heroic days in Jewish history.
They would be kidnapped from their parents' home, and tortured repeatedly until they either accepted Christianity or died of their wounds.
The Cantonists were Jews who from 1825-1840 were forcibly conscripted into the Russian Czar's army from as early as the age of 10, and obligated to serve for 25 years. The authorities saw it as a co-
rrective, forced assimilation of stubborn Jews into Russian society.
They were starved, beaten, and lashed, often with whips fashioned from their own confiscated tefillin. In their malnourished states, the open wounds on their chests and backs would turn septic and many boys, who had heroically resisted renouncing their Judaism for months, would either perish or cave in and consent to the show baptism. The Czar would have only reliable Christian Russians defending the motherland.
To avoid this horrific fate, some parents actually had their sons' limbs amputated in the forests at the hands of local blacksmiths, and their sons -- no longer able-bodied -- would avoid conscription. Many other children tragically committed suicide rather than convert.
Some 40,000 young Jewish boys were forced into Czar Nicholas' army, and very few emerged alive as practicing Jews.
Even the brave few survivors who secretly maintained their faith and managed to return to their families 25 years later, by and large found themselves shunned as traitors to Judaism.
"The Cantonists actually did have a shul of their own," the rabbi continued. "After all, they had nowhere else to go."
"My grandfather told me that he once attended the Cantonist Shul on Simchas Torah. The Cantonists
could dance like Cossacks. They were huge, strong men, and the heavy Sefer Torah would seem like toothpicks in their arms. They effortlessly danced on for hours on end. Although they were looked down upon by other Jews, and they were not very learned and really couldn't observe the Torah properly, they were nonetheless able to rejoice in their Judaism and celebrate the Torah. It was truly amazing."
He paused long enough to dip a sugar cube into the still hot tea cup, placed the cube in his mouth and swallowed another long swig of the tea.
"Then for the final hakafah (circuit around the synagogue's central lectern, the Cantonists, as if on cue, suddenly removed their shirts in unison!
With the Torahs held tightly to their bare skin which was covered with the ugliest welts and scars you ever saw, they danced around even more energetically. Their smiles were now giving way to streams of tears as they looked out into the crowd of assembled Jews as if to say, 'You may have studied and observed this Torah, but we gave our bodies and our lives for it. The Torah is at least as much ours as it is yours!'"
As he put the tea cup down, he couldn't hide the tremor in his hand which caused a rattled meeting of cup to saucer.
Wiping away a tear with his napkin, he said, "In democratic America it is so easy. Yet so many say, 'It's so hard.' Go figure."
Sukkos, especially when it lands in the early fall while the weather is still mild, is a very fun time for the bees to spy on us in our temporary abode. Not only are these visitors uninvited, but they can quickly crash a party.
Outdoor activities as simple as mowing the lawn can prompt a bee to feel threatened, causing them to hover, chase, and even sting. Stings can be life-threatening and can happen to adults and children alike. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can keep your backyard safe from bees this season.
Feasting outside with open drinks and uncovered food is an invitation for stinging pests to join you, but that’s not the only thing drawing them in. Here are some methods to deter bee populations from your home so your family and guests can soak up the sun in peace.
1. Avoid flowery fragrances
Since nectar is sweet, it’s no surprise that bees are attracted to sugar and floral perfumes. This includes heavily scented sunscreen, hairspray, and cologne. Hairspray and perfumes should be avoided entirely as these can attract a variety of insects in addition to bees.
2. Deterring scents
While scent is the easiest way to attract these unwanted guests, it’s also the easiest deterrent! Simply incorporate scents that humans find pleasant and bees find repulsive.
Some of these off-putting fragrances are peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus, and thyme. Add a generous amount of essential oil containing one or all of these herbs to a bottle and spray it on the walls of your sukkah.
Bees also have a distaste for lavender oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime. These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are
just curious by nature. Once a bee gets a waft of any of the scents above, it will head the other direction.
Another tool you can use to deter bees from flocking to your sukkah and patio furniture is dryer sheets. This will leave your yard bee free and smelling fresh.
3. Keep food and drink covered
Uncovered, sticky beverages increase your chances of getting stung tenfold. Soda cans, in particular, are notorious for harboring these stealthy invaders. Remember to always pour beverages into a cup with a lid and use containers to hold food. Plastic wrap and aluminum foil may seem like secure options, but they’re not foolproof.
4. Avoid bright colors
Avoiding colorful clothing will lower your chances of looking like a meal. While bees do not feed on humans, colorful attire can confuse and attract them. Bees see a much broader range of colors than humans. What looks like a pale yellow tie-dye shirt to us may look like a bright, appetizing sunflower to them.
5. Wear a hat
Bees have a heightened sense of awareness around hair and fur as these are traits of honey hijackers.
6. Alter landscaping
Modifying the landscape around your home doesn’t necessarily mean removing flowers in the garden. Simply adding mint or lemongrass plants to your display will act as a powerful repellent.
7. Proactively look for nests
Regularly inspect areas around the home for nests as this is where bees may become aggressive and territorial. Common places to find hives include under decks, porches and along fences. If you notice a nest or other areas of concern, don’t attempt to treat it yourself. Call an exterminator and have them eliminate it for you.
By Shira Shusterman
Bees are an incredibly integral part of the ecosystem as they help in pollination. The various flowers in our gardens and yards require pollination, and bees play a significant role in this process. Many different species of bees can be found in our backyards, each having their distinct characteristics, behaviors, and habitats.
One of the most common bees found in the United States is the honey bee. Honey bees have a distinct yellow and black striped body and are known to make honey. They make honey by collecting nectar from flowers, which they store in their hive to feed their young ones. Along with honey production, honey bees are crucial in commercial pollination and crop production.
Another common bee found in backyards is the bumblebee. Bumblebees are typically larger and fuzzier than honey bees. Their bodies are rounder, and their colors can vary from black and yellow to black and orange. Bumblebees are solitary bees and don't produce honey, but they play an essential role in pollinating different types of plants.
Mason bees, also known as blue orchard bees, are another common species found in backyard gardens. These bees typically have a metallic-blue color and are smaller than honey
bees. Mason bees rely heavily on the flowers of fruit trees, and they participate significantly in the pollination of apples, pears, and cherries, among others.
Another bee species that can be found in your backyard are the Carpenter bees, which are typically bigger and darker than honey bees. Carpenter bees nest in wood, and they can bore through decks and eaves, leading to significant damage. Though their damage can cause problems to wooden infrastructure in the yard, carpenter bees are important pollinators as well.
The sweat bee is another common bee often found in backyards. Sweat bees are small, metallic, and solitary bees. They feed on nectar and pollen obtained from various flowers in a garden. Sweat bees get their name from their attraction to sweat, which they use as a source of moisture.
In conclusion, the many species of bees in our backyards are essential to the ecosystem, and they play a vital role in pollinating plants. Different types of bees display different behaviors, physical appearances, and are found in different habitats. It is important to recognize these different species and appreciate their significance, as their presence directly impacts our gardens and our environment as a whole.
Bumblebee
Honey bee
Carpenter bee
Sweat bee
This is a cheap and easy trap that is made by cutting a plastic bottle and filling it with a sweet liquid. Bees get attracted to the scent of the sweet liquid and get trapped. This trap is effective for catching bees, wasps, and hornets.
Hanging water bags outside your home is said to deter bees from hovering around. Bees seem to be intimidated by the reflection of the light on the water’s surface because they perceive it as a body of water that could potentially drown them.
This trap is a pre-baited poison trap that lures and eventually kills bees and wasps. The trap contains a sweet-smelling attractant that entices bees inside, and once they consume the poison, they die.
This trap is designed to be baited with a sweet syrup that attracts bees without killing them. Once the bees are inside the trap, they are unable to find their way out, and they are trapped till you dispose of them.
This trap is a DIY project that involves placing a sheet of yellow paper inside an upside-down flowerpot. The yellow color of the paper confuses bees, and they fly into the pot, thinking it is a flower. Once they enter, they are unable to find their way out.
This trap is perfect for those who don’t want to harm bees and other insects but want to keep them away. Fill a container with water and add a few drops of dish soap. The soap reduces the surface tension of the water and makes it sticky. Bees that land on the water get stuck and are unable to fly away.
By Menachem Posner
Until World War II, the Polish city of Czestochowa had been a bustling center of Jewish life. Then came the bitter day when the Nazis invaded Poland. In the fall of 1939, before Rosh Hashanah, the Nazis entered Czestochowa and began persecuting the Jewish population.
The ghetto, one of the largest in Poland, was established in April of 1941, and the first deportation started in September of 1942, on the day after Yom Kippur. The Nazis had just dispatched over a quarter million Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to Treblinka. To them, the Czestochowa Ghetto, with just 50,000 Jews, was small potatoes. During the course of that year, the Nazis and their willing lackeys arranged several “aktions,” in which they rounded up the Jews for deportation and extermination. But most of the Jews were deported in that first "Great Aktion,” when they were brutally taken in cattle cars to the Treblinka extermination camp.
The Germans left several thousand Jews in the ghetto. They had to work from morning to night in the factories near Czestochowa. One factory produced metal and another made bullets. Merciless SS officers stood over the workers and did not allow them to stop working for a moment.
Unique among the Jewish workers was a shoemaker. An expert at his craft, he was assigned to repair the shoes and boots of the Nazi soldiers and officers. In order to fulfill his duties, he was granted special freedoms, and was allowed to walk between the nearly empty ghetto and the labor camp, where the surviving Jews were now confined.
His name was Aryeh Szajnert, and he was more than just a shoemaker. A native of the city, he had excellent connections and frequently used them to better the lot of the poor prisoners. It was not uncommon for him to enter the camp with packages of food and other goods.
It had happened once that Aryeh saw five girls being taken for hard labor. One of the girls, Baila Zyskind, had arrived at the camp from Majdanek crying, fearful of what lay ahead. He stepped in and apparently bribed people for the remainder of the war in order to keep her and her fellows from hard labor.
And so it was that just before Rosh Hashanah, the shoemaker arrived at the labor camp with a shofar. It was with bittersweet feelings that the Jews clustered into the shoemaker’s small workshop during the brief midday break to hear the muted shofar blasts. How did he lay his hands on the precious artifact? No one knew.
One day, during the holiday of Sukkos, rumors began to swirl. "The shoemaker is late. He has not yet returned from the ghetto. Who knows if he is alright?"
It was usual for the shoemaker to return late, after the inmates had been given their meager rations. He would go directly to the camp kitchen, where a modest meal had been reserved for him.
But this time, when he finally arrived, he did not go to the kitchen. Instead, he went to his workroom, where he was seen doing something behind a large wooden plank.
Word soon spread that the shoemaker had managed to smuggle a small Torah scroll into the camp! “When Simchas Torah comes, we get to dance with an actual Sefer Torah," said the shoemaker, his eyes ablaze.
Despite the badgering and questioning, the shoemaker refused to say how he got the shofar and now the Torah scroll. But word soon leaked out.
The Nazis had appropriated a large warehouse on the outskirts of the ghetto, where they collected Jewish sacred objects. The warehouse was heavily guarded, making it almost impossible to take anything out of it. Placing his life on the line, the shoemaker was able to bribe the officer in charge. And that was how he got the shofar.
In order to get the Sefer Torah, he promised the officer that he would make a pair of fancy boots for him, just like he had made for the most senior commanders. The officer let him take a Torah.
The shoemaker chose a small scroll and wrapped it around his body so that he would avoid attracting the attention of the guards.
The shoemaker had acted at the last possible moment, as the Germans were already beginning to burn the sacred objects in the warehouse.
"How can we possibly hide the Torah?" The shoemaker asked the group of young men who would meet for davening every Shabbos in a hidden corner of the barracks.
Someone had an idea, and the group set to work. They plied a plank off of one of the wooden bunks and made a space in which to put the small Torah scroll. The plank was then returned to its place.
The night of Simchas Torah arrived, and the sense of excitement rose. The inmates silently made their way to the place where the Torah scroll was hidden. They feared that the guards would find the Torah, and that their lives were in jeopardy. As a precaution, it was decided not to remove the Torah from its place. Instead, the plank was moved to the side, revealing the sacred parchment.
A survivor later testified: “On that Simchat Torah we held the traditional Hakafos dances in our barracks. But they were not done in the usual way. The Torah lay in hiding, and we danced around it humming the joyous Simchas Torah tunes under our breaths. We entered in small groups, and mutedly circled the bunk. One by one, we then bent over to kiss it before exiting."
Aryeh (who later assumed the name Arnold Steiner) survived the war. On the very day that the Russian Army freed them, Jan 20, 1945, he married Baila. They made their way to the US, where they raised their family.
Miraculously, the Torah survived the war as well and was brought to Israel by Rabbi Noach Adelist. It is now housed in the Aron Kodesh of the Gerer shul in Bnei Brak.
It is a well-known fact that Boro Park started as farmland—and it wasn’t all that long ago. The bustling shtetl that we know as such a center of Jewish life—with possibly the greatest concentration of shuls per capita outside Yerushalayim, and which is so overdeveloped as a result of a housing crisis—was virtually uninhabited only a century and a half ago.
The development of Boro Park with such ferocious speed, and over such a short period of time, is an important story that has to do with various builders and developers who purchased parcels of land from the farmers for pittance, and proceeded to develop it in their varied architectural and structural styles.
This brings us to the Steward McDougall House, which was located on 44th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, in Boro Park (today the site of a row of homes) which is said to be the very first home in Boro Park.
Stewart McDougall was a pioneer developer who began buying large swaths of property in Boro Park when it was only grazing land, and held on to it. A news article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 5th of 1918, announces the death of this pioneer: “Stewart McDougall, Land Owner, Dies; Foresaw City’s Development; Sold His Earnings When Subway Was Built, and Reaped a Huge Fortune.”
Stewart McDougall was one of those smart men who was there at the right time, with money in his pocket, and the ability to see what the future would hold. He had been born upstate, in Washington County, and came to Manhattan as a young man, and was a successful wholesale poultry merchant at the Washington Market, in Greenwich Village. In 1864, he bought his first farm in the southwestern corner of Kings County, in the town of New Utrecht. At the time, there was nothing but farmland in the area as far as the eye could see.
Over the period of the next twenty-five years, he bought more and more land around his original farmstead, eventually becoming the largest landowner of farmland and pasture in Brooklyn. There
were certainly other huge landowners, the Bedford branch of the Lefferts family most immediately come to mind, but they sold most of their property back in the 1850s, as the city of Brooklyn grew. Stewart McDougall was just getting started.
McDougall’s friends encouraged him to start selling, but he stood firm, saying the time was not yet right. The center of his farmstead was a large wood-framed farmhouse on a hill, built in the Italianate style. It could have easily been located in upstate NY, or any farming community in the Northeast. When the street grid was laid out, his farmhouse was on 10th Avenue, between 44th and 45th Street. A good perch atop which he would sit and watch his fortune grow (that area is among the most elevated in all of Boro Park).
Indeed, an article in the aforementioned publication from two years prior—100 years ago, — predicts that with the recently completed railroad that connects the large business centers in Manhattan, and cuts the commute time to those locales in half, Borough Park would see a real estate boom.
“Boro Park enjoys the distinction today one of being one of the most favored sections of the Greater City. The residential locality has waited long and patiently for the facility that shortened the distance in railroad lines to and from the business centers of Manhattan. Nothing stands in the way now to prevent Boro Park from building up solidly in the business sections and with proper limitations in the residential neighborhoods. The Brooklyn Rapid Transit is providing satisfactory transfer arrangements to the
section (Boro Park) and Manhattan.”
The development did not come at once. When homes started to be built, the infrastructure of Boro Park could not keep up; and with cars not being the primary mode of transportation, paved roads were not as important. This led Boro Parkers of the ensuing decades to term Boro Park “blutte-ville” (mud in Yiddish) because, despite the many homes on many blocks, the streets were still not paved. Until possibly as recently as the early 1930s, the section of 14th Avenue beyond the Sfardishe Shul (after 45th Street) was unpaved.
Boro Park of today is a far cry from blutte-ville, but a mere one hundred years ago, one needed to be a visionary to foresee that it would become inhabited. But surely the growth of Boro Park in 2016 is far beyond what could ever have been envisioned by those quintessential pioneers of Boro Park.
Boro Parkers of today have known the red brick building housing the 66 police precinct at 5822 16th Avenue as the local police station for decades. But police stations are allocated are allocated according to sections of a city, divided according to the population in those locales.
As this area of Boro Park was developed later than other parts of town, it is likely the reason that the station came here later—after being situated across town for many years before that.
Either way, the area around the 66 has been overpopulated for as long as anyone alive today can remember, and while there have been some strained moments over the years, the relationship between the community and the officers serving in this station has largely been peaceful, productive and beneficial.
Today we take a historical glimpse into the 66th police precinct which has served Boro Park for close to 110 years.
The first actual police station for Boro Park came to the area in the following way:
Louis (Leibish) Borgenicht was a very wealthy man who came to America around the turn of the century, a pauper from Galicia who proceeded to make his journey from rags to riches selling, well… rags. His daughter related, “Around 1910, there was no police
precinct in Boro Park. Community leaders asked my parents if they would donate space on our large grounds to erect a small wooden building to be used for a police precinct. My parents were delighted to have police protection so nearby and agreed readily. This was the first police precinct in Boro Park.”
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports in April of 1931: “The Police Department will shortly establish a station house in the Borough Park section to be known as the 66th precinct. Announcement of the plan followed a meeting Wednesday of the Sinking Fund Commission, at which formal approval of a lease of a two-and-ahalf-story building at 1430 49th Street was given.
“Establishment of the station house ends a long campaign by civic groups for additional police protection. The building selected is a stucco frame structure, and will be leased for one year with the privilege of renewal. The rent is to be $1,500 a year, with the Police Department making its own improvements…. It is understood that these quarters are only temporary… the station is a positive need of the section…in view of the huge growth of the district, there was an imperative demand for more police protection.”
It was immediately known that these quarters would not be able to keep up with the needs of the force, and the population. Captain Lewis J. Valentine said at the time that “the 66th was one of the busiest in the borough.” It would be close to two decades— encompassing the WWII era—to move to the current location.
The article mentioned above notes Lt. John Osnato who was in charge of the detectives. At that time, there was a “Protection Packet Merger” where criminal groups were banding together and extorting money from shopkeepers for protection. Osnato was quoted as saying, “I will break a nightstick over their heads if they ever start making trouble in this precinct.”
One child from those days recalled: “At 2:00 P.M. when policemen changed shifts, officers from the first shift exited the station house in formation.”
In April 1943, then PC Lewis J. Valentine requested of Mayor
Fiorello LaGuardia, that the city purchase a site at 59th Street and 16th Avenue at a cost of $5,500 for the construction of a new 66th Precinct Station-house for the 66th. Delayed by the circumstances of World War II, it was not until August 1948 that the Board of Estimate approved the building of the new facility.
In the fall of 1949, we read: “About 500 participated in the ceremony yesterday afternoon marking the formal dedication of the new station house for the new station house for the 66th precinct at 5822 16th Avenue…The new station house is two and one-half stories in height, constructed of red brick in a modern design.”
Much has changed in the ensuing seventy years, but the 66th precinct building has continued to stand at this very corner of Boro Park.
Directly across the former Menorah Masonic Temple on 50th Street, on the same side of Fourteenth Avenue, you will find an equally towering building, if not as grand. This is the Young Men’s Hebrew Association Building which was opened to the public in June of 1918.
The cornerstone was laid two years earlier, in 2016, as the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports in June of 2015, “Cornerstone for new Boro Park YMHA to be laid in the fall. As a result of the fair being closed tomorrow with a big rally at the Boro Park Clubhouse, the headquarters of the fair (This was later the site of Yeshiva Eitz Chaim) the committee hopes to raise $12,000. This sum will enable the construction of a modern building for the young men and young women of the Boro Park section.”
In February of 1915 we read, “The Boro Park Young Men’s Hebrew Association, organized not so very long ago, is outlining its plans for the year, so that increasing membership will avail itself of the many privileges that will be theirs. Eugene Lehman, the director of the YMHA of Borough Park, expects the Borough Park Jewish population to make this the civic center of their section…The plot is 160 x 130, and will afford ample room for a structure that will give a chance for the conduct of educational, physical and social activities.”
Two years later we read: “$75,000 structure formally opened at dinner. Prominent citizens there. $5,250 raised at feast. $3000 more needed for equipment, speeches tell of Jewish activity."
This took place against the backdrop of a raging WWI in Europe.
“William Sugarman, president of the new branch and toastmaster at the dinner, proposed a toast to the president, our allies, and our soldiers and sailors…”
This began a century of history that is still unfolding.
It seems as though, in addition to the extracurricular activities for which the Y has been known to serve, it also served the spiritual needs of Boro Parkers of yore.
Many do not know that Shulamith School for Girls, which has for so many years been located in Flatbush, was actually begun as the girl’s counterpart of Yeshiva Eitz Chaim in Boro Park, and even shared some head staff.
Recalled one early alumna: “When we were in Shulamith we did not have our own building. Our classes were held in the YMHA, 4910-14th Ave. Of course, the building was not renovated as it is now. The school year then was different than now. There were two terms to each year. From September to January was the A Term and from January to June was the B Term. Being our space in the building was very limited and the classes small, we had 1A and IB in the same classroom, 2A and 2B together and so on through the 8th grade.”
It also seems that minyanim were held there, and the following is one interesting anecdote related to that time, as related by a child of the time: “Boro park was at that time home to great chazzanim like Rosenblatt and Kwartin, and My father wanted me to become a child chazzan. There was also a Cantor Max Mittleman who davened in YMHA for 20 years. He was completely blind, and he had memorized all the tefillos by heart—and never made a mistake (!).
In the modern era, the Y continues to serve as a place for rejuvenation for Boro Park’s young people—building upon a century of history that continues to unfold.
Bnos Zion of Bobov has been housed in what was once Menorah Temple, which has a storied history. While the cornerstone
for this majestic edifice was laid in 1927, we find that in 1929, Menorah Masonic Temple marked its 25th Anniversary. They likely organized in 1904, and eventually were able to erect this building at 5000 14th Avenue. According to one account, the cornerstone came from Me’aras Tzidkiyahu, located under the Damascus Gate in Yerushalayim. That cave is also known as “King Solomon’s Quarry” from where he chiseled the stones for the first Beis Hamikdash. From 1868, Freemason would continue to mine stones from there, until the Jordanians put an end to it.
The Masonic Lodge (association) who built this building in Boro Park, got its cornerstone from there. The builder—as we can see from the accompanying photo—was Thomas I. McCabe.
To this day, when one looks up to the heights of this very tall building, the words Menorah Masonic Temple can be made out… only that about half of the letters were replaced by windows, allowing light into the classrooms where Jewish daughters learn and thrive.
We also notice a conspicuous symbol in the cornerstone, which continues to stand at the very busy intersection of 50th Street and 14th Avenue. The same symbol that is etched in the cornerstone, also appears above the doorway. What is this unique monogram which appears to be a letter “G” surrounded by an architect's “precision compass” on top, and his “square” on the bottom?
After some investigation, the following becomes clear: Freemason associations, or Masonic Lodges—which would represent the interests of stone masons to governments and to the public— date back to the 14th Century. Their symbol is called “the square and compass” as these are the tools that they would use in order to carve and lay the bricks with accuracy. In English-speaking countries, the ‘G’ is added, and it represents geometry (it is also said to allude to G-d).
Menorah was a famed gathering place for all kinds of banquets and testimonial dinners for all of Boro Park’s important institutions, such as Israel Zion Hospital, and Hebrew Institute of Boro Park (known as Yeshiva Eitz Chaim), Infants Home of Boro Park, and political gatherings for the gamut of causes, including presidential campaigns.
While these days it is known as “Lifshitz Halls” and is often used alongside the adjacent Ateres Golda halls for many large events, it was not long ago that “Menorah Temple” was a household name. Ask any old Boro Park old timer and they will tell you with great nostalgia about those days when this quiet community of survivors (of the Holocaust and America’s melting pot) celebrated so many of their simchos at Menorah Hall. It would have been especially convenient for the Young Israel which (before merging with Congregation Beth El at 15th Avenue and 48th Street) was located across the street, on 50th Street between 13th and 14th Avenues. Young Israel was possibly the most vibrant—certainly the most bustling—shul in Boro Park during the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, and it was where the young people of Boro Park would congregate. Many of their larger events would have been held at Menorah.
For many years the caterer at Menorah was a legendary couple by the name of Reb Cheskel Shraga and Rochel Perl, who came from Kleinwardein.
They too are part of the history of this iconic institution which has stood and amassed a rich history of 90 years in Boro Park of yesteryear.
I vividly remember being a kid in sleepaway camp; sitting in the laundry room on top of the noisy washing machine and waiting for my load to be over while giggling with my overtired friends. The smell of clean laundry and dryer sheets heavily wafting all around us kept us in the laundry trance. Ahhh- the familiar smell of fresh clean clothing, the smell of love and comfort of home.
It took me time as I embarked on a journey of self-awareness and education in the natural and holistic world many years later to learn how destructive these chemical fragrances actually are. I was shocked and dismayed by what I learned. These smells are a can full of worms nobody likes to open. Synthetic chemical fragrance is what you smell in your mainstream household cleaners, in your soaps and shampoos, and of course in your laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets. It's the smell in perfumes and colognes and the smell in air fresheners and plug-ins. That popular ‘Mr. Clean smell’ symbolizing a clean home is loaded with frightening chemicals that hinder our health. I quickly came to the realization that this world is highly toxic but with education, I can make significant changes and create a safe environment in my own home. What began as a quest to improve my environmental health progressed into a mission of public awareness and change.
Why is synergetic fragrance so problematic? Unfortunately, synthetic fragrances are manufactured with chemicals that legally don't need to be disclosed on the ingredients label. Companies can put whatever chemicals they wish into their products without any liability or responsibility to the consumer. These chemicals have been shown in countless studies to be directly linked to Cancer and respiratory issues and are endocrine disruptors. They can cause migraines, dizziness, anxiety and many other neurological issues that affect the nervous systems in adults and children alike. They interfere with
By Suri Sprei Holistic Health Practitioner Wellness Redefined
fertility and lower immunity, causing chronic sinus infections and strep infections. The documentary STINK is an excellent resource to dive into to disclose just how criminal the synthetic fragrance industry is. I’ve had so many clients who came to me with chronic strep infections, and as soon as they cleaned up their home from fragrances and plug-ins they never got another strep throat again. How remarkable is that? It's imperative that we take action and make the switch. Too many people are suffering. As a health practitioner, I am working around the clock with clients who wouldn’t have many of their health issues if they would take better care of their environmental health. It sends shivers down my spine when I think about the tiny infants that breathe this stuff in. I've had a client get a seizure whenever she would be exposed to plug-ins in a store or a Simcha hall. This needs to stop.
If you are overwhelmed by this startling information, I feel you, and I've been there. Nearly every product on the mainstream grocery shelf will have synthetic fragrance in it. From Mr. Clean to Pine Sol to Tide and All, they're all troublesome. Starting slow is the best way to create a greener environment in your home without feeling helpless. Replace your household cleaners and detergents first, and then work your way to soaps and perfumes after. Unplug your air fresheners and dump your Febreeze sprays and reed diffusers. You want to look for the words free and clear on the label or natural and fragrance-free listed on the front. Your natural health shop will carry these products, or you can find them online.
Don't fret,-your home can still smell luxurious and beautiful by using natural fragrances derived from essential oils. You can create your own DIY Reed diffusers and add essential oils with combinations to your liking. Your clothing will still smell like home and your household cleaners will have a natural scent from lemons, lavender, or flowers. There is even natural perfume and colognes out there. You can look at the EWG website, which is a wonderful resource for non-toxic, safe and natural products. Every change is valuable, and your family will benefit tremendously. Education today will lead to change tomorrow.
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
PETTING ZOO
GIFTED ARTISTRY
YOSSI BALLOONS
CONCERT WITH
SRULY WERDYGER AND TANTZERS
THE TERRIFIC HOSHANA RABA WITH
JUGGLING SHOW
YOSSI DESSER
Please refer to your floor calendars for dates, times, and locations of above events For Boro Park Center residents and accompanying family members only.
This recipe is so simple and so versatile. You can use any herbs you have on hand and make 1 piece of salmon if by yourself or a whole side of salmon to feed a crowd. Fresh herbs are filled with vitamins and a great way to add freshness to any meal.
Turning the oven down and slow roasting ensures that the natural fats in the salmon melt slowly into the flesh for a moist and juicy end result. We kept it real simple, but you can add lemon and/or garlic to the herb mix for an added POP of flavor.
1 (1 ½ lb) whole salmon fillet (with or without skin)
2 cups choice of fresh herbs, Combine your favorites for a bright and brilliant mix: mint, parsley, cilantro, green onion, oregano, dill, basil, tarragon
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh cracked black pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 large bunch broccoli, cut into medium size spears (or frozen broccoli florets)
Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Place salmon fillet on one side of the pan.
Combine herbs, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a food processor blender. Pulse until well combined and coarsely pureed. Slather herb mixture over salmon covering it well.
Scatter broccoli on the other side of the pan, drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast salmon and broccoli in oven for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping broccoli after 10.
1 tablespoon white miso
2 Tablespoons Kikkoman® Soy Sauce
2 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons chopped scallions
1 pound salmon, cut into 2 inch cubes
Skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak for 30 min prior)
Combine miso, soy sauce, honey and scallions and whisk together and pour over salmon. Allow to marinate covered for 30 minutes-24 hours in the fridge.
Preheat oven to 375°F, and prepare a greased sheet pan. Place miso marinated salmon cubes on skewers and roast at 375°F for 12 minutes.
Turn oven to broil, place salmon skewers under the broiler and cook 3 minutes more until done.
Green beans are so much more vibrant when paired with tangy sumac and lemon. Skip the whole boiling water routine and just sauté the beans in evoo with a sprinkling of garlic.
½ lemon, thinly sliced and then slices cut into quarters
Extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita
1 pound green beans, trimmed
3 garlic cloves, minced
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Zest and juice from ½ lemon
3 teaspoons Jamie Geller Sumac
3 teaspoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Garnish: sumac
PREPARATION
Heat a large sauté pan, lightly coated with evoo, over medium-high heat. Sear lemon slices for just a minute until they begin to brown. Add green beans, garlic, salt, and pepper and sauté until beans begin to cook through, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add zest, juice, sumac, and parsley. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until beans are tender but not mushy. Transfer beans to platter and garnish with additional sumac.
[HOT
OR COLD]
Easy and great tasting soup. Your can even use it as a desert drink.
INGREDIENTS
4 medium zucchini, shredded
½ cup lemon juice
⅓ cup sugar
2 cups water
PREPARATION
1 tablespoon white miso
2 Tablespoons Kikkoman® Soy Sauce
2 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons chopped scallions
1 pound salmon, cut into 2 inch cubes
Skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak for 30 min prior)
Combine miso, soy sauce, honey and scallions and whisk together and pour over salmon. Allow to marinate covered for 30 minutes-24 hours in the fridge.
Preheat oven to 375°F, and prepare a greased sheet pan. Place miso marinated salmon cubes on skewers and roast at 375°F for 12 minutes.
Turn oven to broil, place salmon skewers under the broiler and cook 3 minutes more until done.
1 head garlic
1 large butternut squash
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice ¼ inch off the top of a head of garlic, exposing the tops of the cloves inside. Drizzle cut garlic with 1 tablespoon evoo, and wrap in foil. Roast in a 375°F oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and lightly browned.
Meanwhile, cut squash between the neck and the bell. With a
sharp knife, score around the neck, then firmly cut down on the scored line. Peel the neck with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler. Reserve the bell of the squash for another recipe.
Lay squash on a cutting board with a wooden spoon on either side. Make cuts ¼ inch apart, and as far down as the wooden spoons will allow.
Generously rub squash with 2 tablespoons of evoo, and season with salt and pepper. Roast squash on prepared sheet at 375°F for 30 minutes.
Squeeze garlic out of head and smash with a fork. Mix garlic puree with bread crumbs, rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper and cheese, if using. Add 2 tablespoons of evoo to form a thick paste. Season with salt and pepper.
Rub squash with 1 tablespoon more of evoo, and rub paste on squash, getting the bread crumb paste into the cuts. Return squash to oven and roast for 20 to 30 minutes more, or until browned and crispy on top.
Cut squash into portions and serve as a side dish, or vegetable main.
3 medium turnips, cut into wedges
3 large apples, cored and cut into wedges
2 red onions, julienned
4 garlic cloves, minced Extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita
12 ounces roasted or cooked chestnuts
6 thyme sprigs
1 rosemary sprig
½ cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon honey
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Garnish: toasted pumpkin seeds and fried sage leaves
Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, lightly coated with evoo over medium heat. Brown turnips, apples, and red onions in batches, for 5 to 7 minutes, until caramelized and deep brown.
Add garlic to the last batch, and continue cooking until soft and fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add all vegetables back to the pan, plus chestnuts, thyme, rosemary, white wine, and chicken broth.
Add tomato paste and honey; stir to coat all ingredients. Transfer vegetables to an ovenproof casserole dish with a tight fitting lid.
Cover and place in a 325°F oven. Braise for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender and the braising liquid has been absorbed. Uncover and return pan back to the oven for 10 minutes more. Before serving, remove thyme and rosemary stems. Garnish with Fried Sage Leaves and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds.
Short Ribs
3 lbs. short ribs
1 recipe Moroccan-style spice rub (recipe follows)
½ cup Jamie Geller Silan
1 cup pomegranate seeds
Handful of parsley, roughly chopped
Moroccan-style spice rub
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons pepper
1 teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cayenne
Short Ribs:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub the spice mix generously over the ribs and let them sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. Place the ribs snugly in an oven dish with the fat side facing up. (optional: add 1 cup water or broth to ensure there is enough liquid in the pan especially if your ribs are not very fatty)
Cover tightly with a few layers of foil and bake for 3 hours, until ribs are tender and falling off the bone.
Remove the ribs from the oven and raise the temperature to 425°F. Pour out most of the juices from the pan, leaving about ½ cup. Drizzle the ribs generously with silan and bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes, basting every 5 minutes with silan from the pan. To serve, garnish with pomegranate seeds and fresh parsley.
Moroccan-Style Spice Rub:
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
1 3-pound whole chicken
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
5-6 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1-3 days before roasting the chicken: Wash the whole chicken and dry it completely.
Spatchcock (aka butterfly) the chicken (see step-by-step guide here).
Place the spatchocked chicken in a 9x13-inch pan and stuff the fresh thyme underneath the skin.
Combine the kosher salt and baking powder, then sprinkle all over the skin of the chicken. Don’t put any salt underneath the skin. Cover the chicken with cheese cloth, then loosely cover it with
Squash:
3 to 4 acorn squash, washed and halved with seeds removed
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Contents of 2 masala chai tea bags
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
Filling:
1 large onion, diced
2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ cup bulgur, soaked in 2 cups of boiling water for 30 min teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup of coarsely chopped pecans
¼ cup dried cranberries
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped scallions (optional)
plastic wrap or foil. Place the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 3 days.
1-3 days before roasting the chicken:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the fridge and wash off all of the salt and baking powder from the skin with cold water. Dry the chicken completely and place it in a roasting pan. Let the chicken come to room temperature on the counter for 30 minutes.
Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and rub it all over the skin. Sprinkle the chicken with the fresh cracked black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
Cook the chicken, uncovered, for 1 hour, until the chicken is cooked through in the center (165°F to 170°F range) and the skin is crispy.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it sit on the counter, tented loosely with foil, for 10-15 minutes before serving, for the juices to redistribute.
This chicken freezes and reheats nicely, so you can make it ahead of time and freeze for up to 3 months.
Squash: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Place halved squash on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with tea, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Roast squash in 180°C (350°F) oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tender. Remove from oven and set aside.
Filling: Heat evoo in a medium sauté pan over medium. Cook diced onions for 7 to 10 minutes, until golden. Drain bulgur and add to onions. Add pecans, cranberries, salt, and pepper. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
Place squash on a serving dish and fill with the bulgur mixture. Sprinkle scallions and drizzle olive oil on top. Serve warm.
Quinoa Stuffing
Place the quinoa into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly with cool water for about 2 minutes. Rub and swish the quinoa with your hand while rinsing, then drain.
Place the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes.
This recipe is so simple and so versatile. You can use any herbs you have on hand and make 1 piece of salmon if by yourself or a whole side of salmon to feed a crowd. Fresh herbs are filled with vitamins and a great way to add freshness to any meal.
Turning the oven down and slow roasting ensures that the natural fats in the salmon melt slowly into the flesh for a moist and juicy end result. We kept it real simple, but you can add lemon and/or garlic to the herb mix for an added POP of flavor.
Quinoa Stuffing
1 cup quinoa
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, minced
2 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
½ cup dried cherries, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Lamb Roast
4 - 4 ½ pounds lamb shoulder roast
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves removed and bruised
2 tablespoons honey
10 ounces hard apple cider
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 tablespoon cold water
Add quinoa and cook, stirring frequently, until quinoa starts to toast, about 5 minutes. Then add the boiling water.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until quinoa is tender and all the water is evaporated, 15 minutes. Then remove the pot from heat and let stand for 5 more minutes, covered.
You should see tiny spirals (the germ) separating from and curling around the quinoa seeds. Fluff the quinoa gently with a fork, then fold the dried cherries and parsley into the quinoa. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Lamb Roast
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine cinnamon, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Place the lamb roast out on a work surface, with the fat on the outside. Season the lamb with some of the spice mixture. Then spoon in the quinoa stuffing over the lamb. Roll up the roast, wrapping the flaps around the outside to form a neat cylinder. Tie the roast at 1-inch intervals with kitchen string. Season the outside of the roast with the remaining spice mixture.
In a roasting pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the lamb roast and sear over moderately high heat until nicely browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
Transfer the lamb to the oven and roast for about 1 ½ hours. Remove from the oven and brush the honey over the roast. Raise the temperature of the oven to 375°F. Place the roast back in the oven for another ½ hour cooking time or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the roast registers 130°F to 140°F for medium rare. Transfer to a carving board and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Pour the roasting pan juices into a small saucepan and let cool; skim off the fat. Place corn starch in a bowl with the cold water and mix to combine. Add the dry cider to the saucepan and bring to a boil, reducing by ¼, then add the cornstarch mixture, stirring for a few minutes until it thickens. Transfer to a gravy boat and serve with the roast.
Ratatouille
1 cup quinoa
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, minced
2 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
½ cup dried cherries, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste
Duxelles
4 - 4 ½ pounds lamb shoulder roast
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves removed and bruised
2 tablespoons honey
10 ounces hard apple cider
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 tablespoon cold water
Cornish Hens
4 Cornish Hens (ensure they are 1 - 1 ½ pounds, not larger)
½ of the reserved duxelles mixture
Ratatouille
Prepare the eggplant by cutting into cubes, then laying on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle lightly with salt and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
Using a large pot (6 quarts or bigger), add your olive oil. When it is hot, add the onions. When the onions start to turn translucent (5 to 7 minutes on medium-high heat) add your garlic. When the garlic starts to soften, lower your flame to medium.
Add the eggplant, stirring it into the rest of the ingredients. Cover and let sweat for about 5 to 7 minutes or until it starts to soften. Then add your zucchini and squash, cover, and leave to sit for 3 to 5 minutes, just enough for it to start to soften.
Add your tomatoes, fresh herbs, and white wine. Stir gently to incorporate. Cover and turn flame to medium-low heat, and let simmer for 30 minutes or until all vegetables are tender but not mushy. Add salt and pepper (to taste) at this point.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer ¾ of the ratatouille into a separate pot to cool and reserve. Refrigerate.
Using a stick (immersion) blender, blend the remaining liquid and ratatouille well. Cool completely and reserve.
In 2 extra-strong, 2-gallon Ziploc bags (double bag if need be) add one half of the cooled liquid from the ratatouille, and 2 Cornish hens. Marinate overnight.
Duxelles
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan, and when oil is hot, add shallots. When the shallots become clear (5 minutes on high heat), add the mushrooms.
Lower heat to medium-high and cook the mushrooms
down for 20 to 25 minutes, until they are well-browned and have shrunk considerably.
Add the white wine, and cook for 5 minutes longer to reduce. Cool completely and reserve.
Refrigerate.
To Prepare:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Carefully separate skin from breastbone using your fingers to make a pocket of the skin.
Fill, but don’t overfill, the pocket between skin and breast with the duxelles mixture.
Cook breast-side down for about 1 hour, or until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh reads 180°F.
To Present:
