VISIT US ON THE WEB! WWW.THEBJH.COM Vol. 11 Issue #19 | May 15-21, 2025 |
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Bais Yaakov Middle School Shines Bright At CIJE Robotics Competition!
17
613 Seconds with Darchei Noam Montessori
47
The Lag B’Omer Legacy of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Shimon
64
כ״ג אייר תשפ״ה- י״ז
Portfolios Are Not Plans: The Importance of Having an Actual Financial Plan For Yourself
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RESPONSE:
Before doing outdoor activities such as
If you find a tick on your body, remove it immediately by
Modify your landscape to create tick-free
If you develop a rash at the site of the bite between 3 to
gardening, camping, hiking, and playing, wear clothes that cover as much of your body as possible. Consider using repellents with DEET on your clothes and skin. zones by mowing grass often and regularly removing leaf litter, moist plant litter, brush, and weeds.
After coming indoors, check your clothes
grasping it with tweezers only. Avoid touching the tick with your bare hands. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Otherwise, seek immediate medical attention.
MAY 15, 2025
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TICKS CAN INFECT HUMANS WITH BACTERIA, VIRUSES, AND PARASITES THAT CAN CAUSE LYME DISEASE AND OTHER SERIOUS ILLNESSES.
30 days after the bite and/or if you develop a fever seek immediate medical attention and speak with your doctor.
Not every tick carries Lyme disease, but to avoid the
and exposed skin for ticks.
cdc.gov/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/index.html CDC’s data only represents confirmed cases, the actual quantity of Lyme disease cases may be significantly higher.
Be aware that some people have been infected with Lyme disease even without noticing a tick or a rash. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical. Many conventional tests are unreliable leading to false negatives. If symptoms are not diagnosed as Lyme disease or misdiagnosed at the onset, it could take years of pain, weakness, treatments, and/or serious illness before the body is cleared of the disease.
For more information, contact Chai for Lyme (also known as Life for Lyme), a division of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Health and Medical Alliance. You can reach them at 732.334.5963 by email via their website LifeforLyme.org. For local information and suggestions, please contact Danielle Sarah Storch at 410-963-5675 or dstorch18@gmail.com.
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“Over 89,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported to CDC by state health departments and the District of Columbia in 2023. Recent estimates using other methods suggest that approximately 476,000 people may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year in the United States.”
potential for the disease, the tick must be sent to your lab right away. If the tick tests positive as a carrier of Lyme disease, and is tested early enough, you may be able to prevent becoming infected with Lyme disease by taking certain medications (e.g., doxycycline).
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Contents
Dear Readers,
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
MAY 15, 2025
COMMUNITY Around the Community
6
Greater Washington Community News
14
Greater Washington Minyanim
14
Community Calendar
36
Baltimore Minyanim Guide
37
JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Zvi Teichman
34
Torah Sparks
35
Sparks Of Light
47
Living Kiddush Hashem
50
PEOPLE 613 Seconds —Darchei Noam Montessori
17
HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT To Raise a Laugh
46
Centerfold
52
Notable Quotes
54
Dovie Diaries
66
Kids Coloring Contest
68
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LIFESTYLES Inspiration Nation
38
Political Crossfire
40
Mental Health Corner
42
Health & Fitness
44
Parenting Pearls
48
Forgotten Heroes
51
Dating Dialogue
58
School Of Thought
62
Common Cents
64
Beyond The Headlines
65
In The Kitchen
71
If you’ve driven down Smith Avenue, you’ve likely noticed the display outside one of the houses – a row of photos that makes you slow down and take it in. When it first went up, it stretched across the entire front of the property, rows and rows of images: men, women, children, even babies. It looked like a memorial, and in a sense it was, not for those who had died, but for those still being held in captivity. After returning from three intense weeks of volunteering in Israel, Azi Rosenblum felt a jarring shift. The heartbreak he had witnessed, the sense of unity and purpose that had filled every moment, made regular life feel almost disorienting. So he did what he could. He began printing signs for each hostage and carefully mounting them outside his office. It wasn’t a protest or a political statement. It was simply a way to keep their faces present, to remind the community that these weren’t just names on a list. Over time, as hostages were released, the display grew smaller. What had once been a long wall of faces eventually became a single row — still painful, still powerful, and still waiting. When I first saw it, I remember wondering what it actually accomplished. Could it really help bring anyone home? After it was vandalized more than once by those sympathetic to terror, I asked myself if it was even worth the trouble. But then I realized something important. We don’t only do things because they’re effective. We do them because they’re right and because they matter. That display turned into a place where people paused, davened, and said
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In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, that (usually) quiet display on Smith Avenue serves as a powerful reminder of what we hold dear. It reminds us to see each hostage not as a headline, but as someone’s child or sibling, and that our tefillos, learning, and chesed still make a difference. And it showed us that even a group of boys in a Baltimore yeshiva can feel connected to a young man they’ve never met, simply because he’s one of ours. So we continue to hope, daven, and do what we can. And with the help of Hashem, we’ll soon see the day when every face on that property is home again. Wishing you a peaceful Shabbos, Aaron M. Friedman
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Shortly after October 7th, Rabbi Avner Shapiro, a Rebbe at Yeshivas Toras Chaim of Baltimore was on a train and was approached by a fellow passenger who asked him to pray for his cousin, Edan Alexander. Rabbi Shapiro later shared the story with his talmidim in the mesivta. These boys had never met Edan, but they took his name to heart. They learned for him, davened for him, and dedicated mitzvos in his zechus. He became real to them. Then, weeks later, the news broke: Edan had been released. The boys danced, sang, and rejoiced. And then they travelled over to the hostage display and updated Edan’s sign. He was no longer among the missing. He was home.
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Tehillim. Some knocked on the door just to say thank you. It became part of the emotional fabric of our community. And for a group of bochurim in Mesivta Toras Chaim, it took on even deeper meaning.
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Around the Community
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
MAY 15, 2025
JCSL By MDSC Week 2: Competitive Matchups Highlight Return To Action After Rainout
A
fter a rainout the previous Sunday, the JCSL by MDSC resumed Week 2 play on Sunday, May 11, with four thrilling and tightly contested games. Under ideal weather conditions, each matchup was decided by just one or two runs—arguably the most evenly matched slate in the league’s seven-year history. The AMP Solutions fields were in top condition once again, thanks to the outstanding work of the K & D Gold Exchange Grounds Crew. And despite the absence of two regular members of the I Heart Remodeling Umpire Crew, their substitutes delivered a high-quality performance, maintaining the integrity and flow of the games. All photos in this article were captured by local photography hobbyist, Josh Finkelstein. Week 2 Game Recaps Clothier 10, GB Homes 8
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Clothier mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat GB Homes, 10–8. Trailing 8–2, Clothier scored three runs in the sixth and five more in the eighth, while shutting out GB Homes over the final four innings. Yossi Muller delivered a standout performance with three hits, including a game-changing two-run triple in the bottom of the eighth that gave Clothier its first lead. Muller also impressed on the mound. Yehuda Pensak continued his hot streak with his second consecutive four-hit game from the leadoff spot, and Jeremy Lasson added three hits of his own. Defensively, Tali Strum shined at second base, highlighted by an unassisted double play. With the win, Clothier remains undefeated at 2–0 and sits alone atop the standings. Donny Ankri Architects 6, YL Waitering 5 Donny Ankri Architects (DAA) secured their first win of the season in a tightly contested battle against a strong YL Waitering squad. After falling behind 4–0 in the third inning, DAA responded with a six-run rally
in the fourth. From there, the team leaned on solid defense to protect the narrow lead and ultimately sealed a 6–5 victory on a picture-perfect day for softball. Orshan Legal Group 12, Lazar Real Estate 11 Orshan Legal Group LLC (OLG) entered Week 2 with an 0-1 record, making its game against Lazar Real Estate a virtual must win. Things did not start well for OLG, going down 4-0 in the top of the 1st inning, with no response from the top of its lineup. LF Yoseph Orshan made a nice sliding catch in foul territory, frustrating hitter Baruch Glazer. OLG managed to plate 2 in the 2nd inning on a 2 out 2 RBI double by utility fielder Shua Soskil, cutting the Lazar lead in half. OLG then scored 4 in the 3rd on timely hitting from the top of its lineup, including hits from 3B Hillel Stutman who had 4 hits on the day, Yoseph Orshan, SS Zelig Glazer, and LCF Avrami Freund. The score was tied 6-6 at the end of 3. Star P Mark Stutman shut down Lazar on 3 pitches in the 4th and OLG snatched the lead with a 3-run rally from the bottom of its lineup, including RF Tzvi Schechtman, 1B Ben Blackman, Soskil, and utility fielder Aharon Shnur, who all had multiple hits in the game. In the 6th, Lazar tied the game at 9, but LCF Freund made a sliding catch to end the rally. OLG responded with 2 clutch runs, with 2B Shlomo Rosenfeld and RCF Zevi Green getting the rally started. P Stutman shut down Lazar in the 7th and 8th, striking out 3 batters, maintaining OLG’s 2-run lead.
Web Interactive Technologies 12, The Friendship Circle 10
lowed The Friendship Circle to rally and tie the game at 10 apiece.
In the bottom of the 8th, with the bases loaded, Orshan delivered an insurance run on an RBI groundout. Lazar managed 2 runs in the 9th, but P Stutman shut down the heart of the Lazar lineup to earn the much-needed win by the final score of 12-11.
After a tough Week 1 loss, Web Interactive Technologies (WIT) bounced back with a gritty 12–10 win over The Friendship Circle. WIT jumped out to an early lead with aggressive hitting and maintained their advantage into the eighth inning. However, a few late-inning errors al-
In the top of the ninth, Ken Major came through with a crucial two-out hit, setting the stage for substitute slugger Matt Luterman, who launched a clutch two-run homer. WIT held firm in the bottom of the ninth, locking down the win and showcasing resilience, determination, and timely execution.
7 Israel Student Authority
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Around the Community
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
MAY 15, 2025
JUSA-Chabad Hosts Unity Reception For Israeli Police Officers During National Police Week By: BJLife Newsroom
J
USA-Chabad hosts reception with local Community and Law Enforcement members for Israeli Police officers who came to the state as part of the Police Unity Tour and Police Week Celebrations.
Police. Chief Superintendent Yoni Zeitak also addressed the gathering, offering thanks to Rabbi Chesky and Chani Tenenbaum for their hospitality and presenting commemorative gifts on behalf of the Israeli Police.
The Jewish Uniformed Service Association of Maryland – Chabad (JUSA) extended a warm welcome to a delegation of Israeli Police officers during a special event held at the JUSA Chabad House, part of the annual Police Unity Tour and National Police Week celebrations. The officers arrived in Baltimore after completing a 94-mile bicycle ride from Delaware as part of their participation in the Unity Tour.
The event drew a broad cross-section of attendees, including Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, Regional Director of Chabad of Maryland; Captain Shawn Hanley commander of the Pikesville Precinct; Jewish members of the Baltimore Police Department and Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company; and local community leader Frank Storch.
The gathering, held in collaboration with the Chabad Israeli Center of Baltimore, brought together law enforcement officials from Maryland and beyond to foster international unity and strengthen their shared commitment to public safety.
WWW.THEBJH.COM
Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, director of JUSA, greeted attendees with words of appreciation and support for the visiting officers. The event featured remarks from several distinguished guests, including Scott Reed, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Baltimore Field Office; Baltimore City Councilman Yitzy Schleifer; and Rabbi Shmuel Gurary, director of the Chabad Israeli Center of Baltimore, who addressed the audience in Hebrew. A highlight of the evening was the formal welcome extended by Major General Yeir Hezroni, Commander of the Central District of the Israeli
Israel Police Central District Police Commander, Major General Yeir Hezroni, Chief Superintendent Colonel Yoni Zeitak present Rabbi Chesky and Chani Tenenbaum with a special gift.
The gathering served as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds shared between Israeli and American law enforcement, and the communities that support them.
JUSA-Chabad hosts reception with local Community and Law Enforcement members for Israeli Police officers who came to the state as part of the Police Unity Tour and Police Week Celebrations.
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MAY 15, 2025
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Around the Community
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MAY 15, 2025
Mesivta Toras Chaim Talmidim Celebrate Their Answered Tefillos As Edan Alexander Comes Home By: BJLife Newsroom
S
hortly after October 7th, a young man approached this “random” rabbi on a train.
“Please pray for my cousin Edan Alexander,” he asked. The rabbi agreed, and the “strangers” parted ways. Rabbi Avner Shapiro shared this request with his class at Mesivta Toras Chaim of Baltimore. Edan has been a focus for their prayers, studies, and deeds since that day. Today, Edan finally came home, so these amazing boys were asked to update the display. They danced and sang with joy: a brother they loved but hardly knew is finally free — and then they prayed for the return of all the hostages.
TA Middle school Learning Program
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ver 150 talmidim are giving up from their lunch and recess to start a daily program to finish Maseches Tamid by the end of the zman! Kol hakavod!
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Around the Community
Bais Yaakov Middle School Shines Bright At CIJE Robotics Competition!
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
MAY 15, 2025
By: BJLife Newsroom
B
ais Yaakov of Baltimore is making waves in the world of STEM – once again!
At the recent CIJE Spring Robotics Competition in Passaic, New Jersey, our incredible students took home both first-place trophies, showing the East Coast what innovation, creativity, and teamwork really look like. Facing off with 12 schools and 50 robots from cities ranging from Boston to Atlanta, our talented teams rose to the top. Seven of our robots made it to the final round, and the 8th-grade teams clinched both first place top spots. Some standout highlights? One of our 8th-grade teams scored a national high of 109 points – and Shani Rothschild shattered records with a jaw-dropping leaderboard score of 184, the highest in the entire country!! A total of 37 amazing students participated – 16 from 7th grade and 21 from 8th grade – all representing Bais Yaakov with skill, determination, and
beautiful middos. A huge shoutout to our incredible coaches: 7th Grade Coach – Mrs. Tanya Gerstman, and our 8th Grade Coaches – Mrs. Rochelle Goldberg and Assistant Coach Miss Chana Grier, along with high school mentors Shana Gross and Aidee Moss, all under the inspiring leadership of Program Supervisor, Mrs. Gitti Horowitz. A special thank-you to Dr. Joey Saltzman, our CIJE liaison and advisor.The Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE) is a national organization dedicated to bringing high-quality STEM education to Jewish schools across the country. CIJE inspires the next generation of Jewish innovators through handson robotics, engineering, coding, and technology-based learning. Thanks to its support and vision, our students are not only learning how to build robots — they’re learning how to think critically, solve real-world problems, and lead with creativity and confidence. This victory isn’t just a one-time win – it’s part of a legacy. For four years running, Bais Yaakov’s 8th-
L C HAIM D A Y
P R O G R A M
9:30 am Yoga with Deborah Bandos
9:30 am Yoga with Deborah Bandos
9:30 am Yoga with Deborah Bandos
10:15 am Anagrams with Malka Zweig
12:00 pm Lunch & Learn
11:00 am Discussion Group with Rabbi Karp- Contemporary Halacha
11:00 am Discussion Group with Rabbi Karp- Parsha Preview
12:00 pm Lunch & Learn
1:00 pm Music with Aharon Grayson
10:15 am Anagrams with Malka Zweig 10:30 am Bais Yaakov Middle School Visit 11:00 am Discussion Group with Rabbi Karp- Jewish Thought
1:00 pm Arts & Crafts with Shifra
12:00 pm Lunch & Learn
1:45 pm Guitar with Yossi K
1:00 pm Arts & Crafts with Shifra
2:00 pm Chizuk Roundtable (women only)
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9:00 am Breakfast Club
1:45 pm Guitar with Yossi K
9:00 am Breakfast Club
1:00 pm BINGO
9:00 am Breakfast Club
2:00 pm Music with Mr. Fried
12:00 pm Lunch & Learn
Friday May 23rd
1:00 pm Arts & Crafts with Shifra
11:00 am Discussion Group with Rabbi KarpThe Jews and Roosevelt
Thursday May 22nd
10:15 am Anagrams with Malka Zweig
9:30 am Yoga with Deborah Bandos
Wednesday May 21st
9:00 am Breakfast Club
12:00 pm Lunch & Learn
Elisheva Copeland Nechama Feldman Bella Chaya Gedalius Suri Goldfinger Miri Goldman Zoey Gross Devorah Lesser Meira Lewin Tikva Niknava Chana Leah Perelmutter Bracha Leah Pickett Ariella Ribakow Batya Schoenfeld Aleeza Schulman Michal Spero Essie Verschleisser
11:00 am Discussion Group with Rabbi KarpParsha Pointers
Tuesday May 20th
9:30 am Yoga with Deborah Bandos
Our 7th Grade Robotics Girls:
Miriam Ansbacher Tirtza Bilek Esterli Bushwick Ahuva Feldman Emuna Felps Aviva Golburgh Shira Haber Miki Herman Perri Klein Tehilla Levin Malkie Lipnitsky Esther Luxenberg Huvie Pass Hila Roth Shani Rothschild Shira Safren Leah Shnaidman Devorah Leah Weiner Chaya Yasnyi Huvie Zalesch Kayla Zuckerbrod
WEEKLY CALENDAR MAY 19TH - MAY 23RD Stimulating Activities For Adults - Delicious Kosher Meals
9:00 am Breakfast Club
Mazal Tov to the entire Bais Yaakov Robotics Team – we’re so proud of you!
Our 8th Grade Robotics Girls:
Monday May 19th
grade teams have taken first place at every single CIJE Robotics Competition – both winter and spring. That’s what we call STEM excellence!
1:45 pm Guitar with Yossi K
We would love to see you! Contact us at 410-358-6461 or visit www.lchaimdayprogram.com for details!
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Greater Washington: Around the Community
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MAY 15, 2025
YISE Honors Community Leaders At Sold-Out Banquet
Y
oung Israel Shomrai Emunah (YISE) celebrated an inspiring evening of recognition and community spirit at its sold-out annual banquet, held Sunday night in honor of Rabbi and Mrs. Postelnek and Sahra and Yale Ginsburg. The evening highlighted the importance of volunteerism and community involvement, values deeply embodied by both honorees. Rabbi Dovid Rosenbaum, the Rav of YISE, opened the evening with heartfelt words on the unique contributions that each individual brings to the fabric of a thriving Jewish community. His remarks set the tone for a night of gratitude and inspiration. Rabbi Postelnek and the Ginsburgs each addressed the audience, reflecting on the meaningful impact of service and dedication to the shul and greater community. Their speeches resonated with a crowd deeply familiar with the quiet, often unsung efforts that sustain communal life.
shacharis
The event was further elevated by the presence of distinguished rabbanim from across the region, including Rabbis Lopiansky, Reingold, Weinberg, Broder, and Merkin, who joined the community in celebrating the honorees. Adding a dynamic flair to the evening, behavioral illusionist Ilan Smith provided entertainment that delighted and intrigued the audience, capping off the banquet with a touch of wonder and humor. The banquet not only honored individuals but also reaffirmed the strength, unity, and dedication that define YISE and its members.
Greater Washington Weekday Minyanim Guide
6:15 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah
M-F
Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah
T, W, F
6:25 am Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F
Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac
T, W, F
8:00 am YGW (High School; School-Contingent)
S-F
Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac
S S
6:30 am Beth Sholom Congregation
M-F
7:05 am Kesher Israel
M, Th
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi)
Beit Halevi (Sfardi)
M, T
7:15 am Kemp Mill Synagogue
M, Th
Chabad of Silver Spring
M-F
Kesher Israel
T, W, F
8:05 am Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville 8:15 am Ohr Hatorah
Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY
M-F S
Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue
M-F
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah YGW
M, Th
Ohr Hatorah
S
6:35 am Ohr Hatorah
M, Th
6:40 am YGW
S, T, W, F
Chabad of Potomac
M-F
Chabad of Potomac
S
M-Th
JROC
M-F
S
S, T, W, F
Kemp Mill Synagogue
T, W, F
Kemp Mill Synagogue
M, Th
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F
Ohr Hatorah
T, W, F
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah
S
JROC Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue Silver Spring Jewish Center
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah
M, Th
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi)
M-F
YGW (Summer Only)
S-F
6:50 am Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah
M, Th
7:45 am YGW (Yeshiva Session Only)
S-F
8:45 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah
S-F
Silver Spring Jewish Center
M-F
8:00 am Beth Sholom Congregation
S
9:00 am Chabad of Silver Spring
S
Chabad of Upper Montgomery County
M-F
Kemp Mill Synagogue
S
Magen David Sephardic Congregation 6:45 am Beit Halevi (Sfardi)
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In a moment of unity and solemnity, Rabbi Rosenbaum led the full-capacity crowd in heartfelt Tehillim and tefilos for The State of Israel, the soldiers of the IDF, and those still held hostage. The emotional prayers brought the room together in a shared expression of concern and hope for the Jewish people worldwide.
6:55 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah
T, W, F
7:00 am Kemp Mill Synagogue
T, W, F
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S Silver Spring Jewish Center BETHESDA Magen David Sephardic Congregation [S] 11215 Woodglen Dr, North Bethesda, MD 20852 GAITHERSBURG Chabad of Upper Montgomery County [Ari] 11520 Darnestown Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 OLNEY Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah (OSTT) 18320 Georgia Ave, Olney, MD 20832
S
M-F
7:30 am Chabad of DC
Kemp Mill Synagogue Kesher Israel Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY
S S S
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S Chabad of Upper Montgomery County
S
Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah
S
POTOMAC Beth Sholom Congregation 11825 Seven Locks Rd. Potomac, MD 20854 Chabad of Potomac [Ari] 11621 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854 Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac 11618 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
ROCKVILLE Kehilat Pardes / Berman Hebrew Academy 13300 Arctic Ave, Rockville, MD 20853 JROC 11304 Old Georgetown Rd, Rockville, MD 20852 Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville Ring House TV Room
For edits or additions email ads@baltimorejewishhome.com
M, Th S
Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville
S, T, W, F
Kehilat Pardes / Berman Hebrew Academy
S-F
Silver Spring Jewish Center
M-F S
8:30 am Chabad of DC
mincha
S S
mincha/maariv
Before Shkiah (15-18 minutes), S-TH Beit Halevi (Sfardi) Beth Sholom Congregation Chabad of Potomac Chabad of Silver Spring Chabad of Upper Montgomery County Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville (20 min before, S-F) JROC Kemp Mill Synagogue Kesher Israel Magen David Sephardic Congregation Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue Ohr Hatorah Silver Spring Jewish Center Southeast Hebrew Congregation Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Asheknaz) Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sefarhadi)
maariv
8:15 pm OSTT (OLNEY) 8:45 pm YGW 9:30 pm YGW Silver Spring Jewish Center 9:45 pm Ohr Hatorah 10:00 pm YGW
2:15 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center 2:20 pm YGW
S-F
2:45 pm YGW
M-Th
3:00 pm YGW Middle School
School Days
SILVER SPRING Beit Halevi [Sefardic] 1009 North Belgrade Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20902 Chabad of Silver Spring [Ari] 519 Lamberton Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Kemp Mill Synagogue 11910 Kemp Mill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Ohr Hatorah 1009 Kersey Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Silver Spring Jewish Center 1401 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
Southeast Hebrew Congregation, Knesset Yehoshua 10900 Lockwood Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20901 Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah 9001 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Yeshiva Gedola of Greater Washington (YGW) 1216 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Young Israel Shomrai Emunah [Ashk + S] 1132 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
M, T, W
S-Th School Days S-Th Spring/Summer M-Th S-Th
WASHINGTON Chabad of DC [Ari] 2110 Leroy Pl. NW, Washington, DC 20008 Kesher Israel 2801 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue 1600 Jonquil St NW, Washington, DC 20012
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the importance of middos tovos and Yiras Shomayim. I am truly inspired by the holy work of Darchei Noam.
BJH: I’ve heard the school is closing, it’s not closing, you have new leadership. Can you tell me what is going on?
BJH: That is wonderful news. I’ve seen a few posts lately about NEW LEADERSHIP, can you tell me about that? Rabbi Avrohom Wolowik: I joined DNM this school year after two decades of experience as a teacher, principal, administrator and educational consultant. My focus has been on skill retention, independent learning and critical thinking, while instilling
Dovid Insel: I’m honored to serve as the new Board President of Darchei Noam. I hold an MBA, operate several nursing and assisted living facilities, while serving on various community boards and committees. Over the past six years, we have watched our daughter grow and flourish at Darchei Noam. I’m excited to help support the school’s continued growth and its vital role in our community. Jennifer Dill: After a career in law and then spending the past 20 years raising my family, I stepped in when the school faced closure due to financial and organizational challenges. Our daughter is excelling academically, personally and socially in just her second year as a Darchei Noam middle schooler. As Vice President and Secretary, I am happy to bring my legal background, strategic insight and determination, to stabilize and strengthen Darchei Noam, ensuring it thrives as a vital resource for other Baltimore families. DNM Board: With an accounting degree from Touro, extensive experience in
Our other Board members include Mrs. Laura Zajdel, Mr. Shmuel Grayman and Mrs. Julia Bailey. BJH: What are the organizational changes you were referring to? DNM Board: We just had our second meeting with Rabbi Hopfer and are actively working with the Rav to establish our Vaad HaRabbonim, ensuring that our educational vision remains firmly rooted in Torah values. Our Menahel, Rabbi Avrohom Wolowik, working closely with the Board, will be handling all aspects of the school administration; while utilizing the experience of our Founder and Director of Curriculum & Education, Dr. Brocha Baum-Margolese. Dr. Margolese, also known as Morah Brocha, will be concentrating her talents solely on the educational advancement of the school. BJH: Where is Darchei Noam located? DNM Board: Contrary to popular belief, we are not at the Ateres Elka side parking lot, even though the awning has our name on it. We moved about 4 years ago to our beautiful Mt. Hope Drive campus, locat-
ed about five minutes from Park Heights Avenue. We have an Early Childhood Division, a Girls School and a Boys School, educating children from toddlers to young teens. BJH: Baltimore has a lot of schools. What makes Darchei Noam different and does it fill an unmet need in the community? DNM Board: Yes! While the Baltimore community is blessed with wonderful educational institutions, not every child has found a place where they can truly thrive. Darchei Noam Montessori nurtures each child’s unique strengths, building confidence and a love for learning in a supportive environment. With a low student-teacher ratio and Montessori-trained mechanchim, every child is heard, valued and seen. The school empowers students at all levels, tapping into their own unique strengths, allowing children to grow academically and personally, while giving space for those that need more support, as well as facilitating the growth of even the most advanced children. BJH: That sounds great. Is there anything else you would like to tell us? DNM Board: We are now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year and have a few spots remaining in our Toddler and Preschool divisions. We will host an OPEN HOUSE after Shavous. In the meantime, please contact us for a personal tour to truly understand the unique Darchei Noam philosophy. CALL 410-413-1426 or EMAIL office@ darcheinoammontessori.com.
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DNM Board: Yes, it’s been quite a dramatic few months. Thank you so much for asking and giving us the opportunity to set the record straight. First, Darchei Noam Montessori would like to thank our donors and the greater Baltimore community for generously contributing to our Emergency Campaign in February. Chasdei Hashem, not only was our campaign successful, an anonymous donor - inspired by the children of Darchei Noam - made a significant contribution. This enabled Darchei Noam to remain open and continue providing a child-focused, Torah-centered education, to the children and families of Baltimore.
DNM Board: Our new Board of Directors includes innovative and forward thinking community members with a robust set of skills and a shared mission for the continued success and growth of the school. With the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, the Board will oversee all aspects of the school’s financial management.
commercial banking, financial statements and budgets, our Treasurer, Mr. Doniel Goetz brings a wealth of financial expertise to our Board. Doniel’s dedication to community service is evident through his past roles as Board Member and Treasurer of Suburban Orthodox, Executive Board Member and Secretary of the Hebrew Free Loan Association and a graduate of the Young Leadership Council at The Associated.
MAY 15, 2025
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The Week In News
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The Week In News
Russia Had Downed Flight MH17
This week, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization announced that Russia was responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine in 2014 in which 298 people lost their lives. A Dutch-led international investigation concluded in 2016 that the Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur airliner was shot down on July 17, 2014, from Ukrainian territory held by separatist rebels using a Buk missile system delivered from Russia. Moscow denies any involvement in the MH17 tragedy. The Netherlands and Australian governments brought the case against Moscow before the Montreal-based global aviation agency in 2022. The council found that Russia had violated the Convention on International Civil Aviation, known as the Chicago Convention, which requires that states “refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.” It’s the first time that the council, which represents 193 member states, has decided a dispute between governments. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said that the council would consider the question of reparations for the victims within weeks. MH17 was Malaysia Airlines’ second aircraft loss during 2014, after the disappearance of Flight 370 four months prior on March 8. It is also the deadliest aircraft shoot-down incident to date.
India-Pakistan Truce Last week, India and Pakistan engaged in the most intense fighting in de-
cades with four days of escalating conflict that included fighter jets, missiles and drones packed with explosives. But then, just as abruptly as it began, the fighting ceased. The breakthrough in the fighting came about on Saturday afternoon. The ceasefire between Islamabad and New Delhi, which according to Pakistani officials had been in the works for several days, was agreed to after a “hotline” message was sent from a top Pakistani military official to his Indian counterpart. In a briefing Sunday, India’s director general of military operations said that as officials were huddling Saturday “to wargame” the early morning’s strikes from Pakistan, he received a message from his counterpart in Pakistan seeking communications. A ceasefire was reached on the call, although India’s director general of military operations, Lt. Gen Rajiv Ghai, said another call would be needed to “discuss the modalities that would enable the longevity” of the agreement. On Truth Social, Trump said on Saturday the U.S. had brokered an end to the fighting and congratulated the leaders of both countries for “using common sense and great intelligence.” While Islamabad praised U.S. involvement, New Delhi has downplayed it – keen to portray the ceasefire as a victory and saying that the neighbors had worked together “directly” on the truce.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that he and Vice President JD Vance had spoken to the political and military leadership in India and Pakistan to secure an agreement before the situation deteriorated further. China’s foreign minister Wang Yi also spoke separately to top officials in India and Pakistan and expressed Beijing’s support for a ceasefire, according to readouts from China’s foreign ministry.
New Pope Elected The 133 voting cardinals of the Catholic Church elected the 267th pope on Thursday, naming Robert Francis Pre-
vost the successor to Pope Francis. Prevost, who has named himself Pope Leo XIV, was a cardinal who played a role in the Vatican in selecting and managing bishops. Born in Chicago, Prevost is the first pope from the United States. On its official news website, the Vatican noted that he was the second pope from the Americas.
For much of his life, Prevost lived outside the United States. He is a citizen of Peru, where he worked for 20 years as a missionary, parish priest, teacher, and bishop. In Chiclayo, Peru, he served as a bishop. When he was 27 years old, in 1982, he was ordained in Rome. Prevost, 69, is a former leader of the Augustinians, a religious order that emphasizes simple living and devotion to those in need. In addition to English, he speaks Italian and Spanish. He was elected at the end of the cardinals’ second day of voting in the Sistine Chapel. He was largely seen as a politically balanced choice compared to more progressive or conservative candidates. Though a social media account with his name criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance a few months ago, Prevost has also previously criticized progressive concepts. “The promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist,” he once told local news after coming out against a government initiative to add gender studies to the curriculum. According to Rev. Michele Falcone, a priest in the Order of St. Augustine, Prevost is a baseball and tennis fan.
Putin, Xi Meet in Moscow On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Moscow to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. A day later, Xi and several world leaders attended the 80th anniversary celebration of Russia’s triumph over Nazi Germany. In Russia, Putin and Xi discussed ways to boost their countries’ relation-
ship, signing numerous agreements. Following their talks, the two leaders condemned the United States and the Trump administration. They criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea to build a “Golden Dome” missile defense shield over the U.S. as “deeply destabilizing,” since it would weaponize space. Putin and Xi stressed the importance of Russia and China working together, as both leaders face pressure from the United States. Trump is pressuring Putin into a ceasefire with Ukraine, while the U.S. is currently fighting a trade war with China. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow has depended on China to survive, while isolated from the rest of the world. At the Kremlin, Xi said the two countries’ relations are now “more calm, confident, stable and resilient.” Xi suggested that China and Russia are righteously defending the world against “unilateralism and bullying by powerful countries,” referencing the United States.
Putin asserted that China and Russia’s strong relationship is a “stabilizing factor in the international arena,” adding that almost all trade between Moscow and Beijing is now done with rubles and yuan, not dollars, thus defending the countries “from the influence of third countries.” While Xi visited, the space agencies of Russia and China signed a joint memo about constructing a lunar power plant, a necessary step to powering a future lunar research base.
Space Debris Falls to Earth On Saturday, a Sovietera spacecraft plunged to Earth, more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus. The Russian Space Agency and European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking acknowledged the uncontrolled entry of the spacecraft. According to the Russians, it came down over the Indian Ocean, although that has not been confirmed.
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It was not immediately known how much, if any, of the half-ton spacecraft survived the fiery descent from orbit. Experts said ahead of time that some if not all of it might come crashing down, given it was built to withstand a landing on Venus, the solar system’s hottest planet.
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Launched in 1972 by the Soviet Union, the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 was part of a series of missions bound for Venus. But this one never made it out of orbit around Earth, stranded there by a rocket malfunction. Much of the spacecraft came tumbling back to Earth within a decade of the failed launch. No longer able to resist gravity’s tug as its orbit dwindled, the spherical lander — an estimated 3 feet across — was the last part of the spacecraft to come down. The lander was encased in titanium, according to experts, and weighed more than 1,000 pounds. Any surviving wreckage will belong to Russia under a United Nations treaty.
PKK Will Disband in Turkey
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A Kurdish militia group that has waged a bloody insurgency against the Turkish state for four decades said on Monday that it would lay down its arms and disband, a decision that could reshape Turkish politics and reverberate in neighboring countries. The announcement by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, known by its Kurdish acronym PKK, came a few months after its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, urged the group to disarm and disband. In his February message, he said the group’s armed struggle had outlived its initial purpose and that further progress
in the struggle for Kurdish rights could be achieved through politics. The PKK began as a secessionist group that sought to create an independent state for Turkey’s Kurdish minority. More recently, it has said that it sought greater rights for Kurds inside Turkey. It is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and other countries. In a statement Monday, the group echoed Ocalan’s call, saying it had “carried the Kurdish issue to a level where it can be solved by democratic politics, and the PKK has completed its mission in that sense.” A recent congress by the group’s leaders in northern Iraq had decided to end “activities under the name of PKK.’’ The group said Ocalan should lead the process of disarming, and it called on Turkey’s parliament to take part. The move could end a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives. It was unclear what would happen next. Ocalan has been held in near isolation in a prison on an island in the Sea of Marmara since his capture by Turkish intelligence in 1999. The PKK and pro-Kurdish politicians have called for his release or at least for a loosening of the restrictions on him to allow him to oversee the disarmament process. Many Kurds in Turkey have also expressed hopes that the end of the conflict would lead the government to formally expand Kurdish cultural and educational rights, but no new legislation on such issues appears imminent. The PKK’s declaration could also influence other Kurdish militias, particularly in Syria, and shift regional dynamics beyond Turkey’s borders. The Kurds — an ethnic group of roughly 40 million people — are spread across Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. (© The New York Times)
More Sorrow On Thursday, Hamas terrorists launched an RPG at a building in Janina, a neighborhood in Gaza’s Rafah, killing Sgt. Yishai Elyakim Urbach and injuring two other soldiers. Two hours later, in the same location, an explosive was set off by
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terrorists, killing Staff Sgt. Yam Frid and injuring four others, three seriously.
Officials released the names of the fallen soldiers on Friday. Urbach, a 20-year-old from Zichron Yaakov, fought in the Combat Engineering Corps’ 605th Battalion. Frid, 21, from Sal’it, fought in the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit. Their deaths bring Israel’s total number of ground campaign casualties to 418 since the war began. Urbach had married his wife, Yuval, just two months ago, before returning to Gaza with his battalion to continue fighting as part of Operation Might and Sword He was a student at the Golan Hesder Yeshiva. The Association of Hesder Yeshivas mourned his loss, stating, “We deeply mourn the fall of Sergeant Yishai
Elyakim Urbach, a combat engineer in the 605th Battalion, a student at the Golan Hesder Yeshiva, who fell in the necessary war. On behalf of the heads of the Hesder yeshivas, all rabbis, and students, we embrace the family, the rabbis of the yeshiva, its students, and graduates, and pray for a decisive victory of our heroic soldiers over our despicable and cruel enemies. May his soul be bound in the bundle of life.” On Wednesday, the Israeli military launched an airstrike at Gaza City, killing terrorist Mohammed Rasmi Marzouk Baraka, who played a role in abducting 85-year-old hostage Yaffa Adar on October 7, 2023. Adar was freed in November 2023 during a short-lived ceasefire. The death of Baraka, who was part of Hamas’s intelligence division, was announced by the IDF and Shin Bet on Thursday. Another 150 targets in Gaza, including terror cells and buildings, were also hit Thursday over the preceding 72 hours. Nasser Juma, a veteran member of Hamas’s rocket production unit, was also killed Wednesday in a drone strike,
according to the IDF. He was eliminated in the central Gazan city of Deir al-Balah.
Edan Alexander Finally Home
Following 584 days of being held hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander is now home. Edan, the last living American hostage, was released on Monday by Hamas in an apparent show of goodwill to the United States. Hamas agreed to the release in an effort to encourage U.S. President Donald Trump to persuade Israel to sign a deal that would end the war in exchange for the rest of the hostages. Thus far, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has re-
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jected an immediate end to the war, which he says would allow Hamas to remain in power. Of the 251 hostages taken on October 7, 58 remain in captivity. Officials believe no more than 24 of those are still alive. Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli citizen, was raised in New Jersey. He is the first male soldier released by Hamas. “This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones,” Trump posted on Sunday. “Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!” Israel was only informed about the U.S.’s efforts to free Edan on Sunday evening after an agreement with Hamas was reached. However, the Jewish state had some knowledge of the efforts because of Israeli intelligence operations. The release was confirmed by Netanyahu’s office, which noted that the release was “without any compensation or conditions.”
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“The U.S. conveyed to Israel that this move is expected to lead to negotiations for the release of additional hostages, based on the original Witkoff proposal — which Israel has already accepted,” the prime minister’s office said, referencing a plan that would immediately free half of the living hostages for a long ceasefire and the other half for an end to the war. The release coincided with Trump’s visit to the Middle East.
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In 1982, around 43 years ago, the Israel Defense Forces fought the Syrian army in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon as part of the battle of Sultan Yacoub. The fight, which took place during the First Lebanon War, led to 31 Israeli deaths and over 30 injuries. During that battle, three soldiers — Sgt. First Class Zvi Feldman, Sgt. First Class Yehuda Katz, and Sgt. First Class Zachary Baumel — went missing. In 2019, Baumel’s body was recovered with help from Russia and brought back to Israel. On Sunday, the Mossad and IDF announced that they had recently recovered Feldman’s remains from “the heart of Syria” as part of a “complex and covert operation.” Katz’s body remains missing. The operation was carried out by non-Israeli Mossad agents, who had been secretly stationed in Syria for years. The recent fall of Bashar al-Assad helped the Mossad carry out the operation. Around two weeks ago, Feldman’s body and overalls were returned to Israel for identification. His family was told about his return on Sunday. “For decades, Zvika was missing, and the efforts to locate him, along with the other missing soldiers from that same battle, never ceased for a moment,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Just as we returned Zachary Baumel, and today Zvi Feldman, we continue to act in every way to also return Sgt. First
Class Yehuda Katz and fulfill our duty for him and his family,” vowed Defense Minister Israel Katz. On Monday, Feldman was laid to rest at Israel’s Holon Military Cemetery, bringing closure to a decades-long national and personal tragedy. At the funeral, Feldman’s sister, Anat, spoke emotionally about her brother’s dedication to Israel. She described his return as a moment of deep pride and sorrow, calling him “a warrior who died defending our people.”
Herzog Visits Berlin
Just six days into his term, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the first foreign leader to be hosted by the chancellor after he took over the helm of Germany’s government. “The friendship between Germany and Israel is a great treasure that must be preserved 80 years after the Holocaust perpetrated by Germany,” wrote Merz on X after meeting Herzog, adding that he was honored to welcome him “as the first foreign guest of my term in office.” The two leaders did not make any public comments before or after their meeting, although Herzog’s office said the president during their conversation addressed the hostages remaining in Gaza, including nine with German citizenship. “We are pleading, demanding and asking the international community to intervene,” Herzog told Merz, according to his office. “Nine of the hostages hold German citizenship. I therefore appeal from here, on behalf of the State of Israel on behalf of my nation, to the international leadership to do everything possible to bring about change.” During the final moments of their meeting, Herzog and Merz watched the release of hostage Edan Alexander, who was freed from the Gaza Strip on Monday in a deal between Hamas and the United States after 584 days in captivity.
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The Week In News Merz also showed Herzog a photo hanging in his office of the Zikim Beach, where Hamas terrorists murdered 17 civilians on October 7, 2023. The meeting capped off a whirlwind day for Herzog in Berlin, beginning with an official state welcome ceremony at the Bellevue presidential palace, where he sat down with his longtime friend and close ally of Israel President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The pair then held a joint press conference during which they lauded their nations’ warm ties, even as some criticism was aired from the country that has emerged as Israel’s strongest defender in Europe. Standing alongside Herzog, Steinmeier urged Israel to immediately resume humanitarian aid into Gaza, saying the suffering of Palestinians in the Strip needed to end. Israel must “ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza as quickly as possible… not at some future point, but now,” said Steinmeier. He stressed that Germany understands the dilemma of Hamas embedding in the civilian population and stealing aid that
enters the Strip; nevertheless, “the suffering of Gaza’s civilian population” deeply concerns both Germany and Israel’s other friends. He also noted that the aid agency UNRWA, which Israel has accused of being entangled with Hamas, “is not a worthy partner, so we have to find alternatives” for the distribution of aid. In his own response, Herzog called on the international community to take part in a new aid mechanism to “enable the distribution of aid directly to the people of Gaza,” referring to a newly unveiled U.S.-backed aid plan to circumvent Hamas. Steinmeier said the establishment of relations with Israel in 1965 was “a gift that we Germans could not have expected after the horrors of the Second World War,” while Herzog said the countries’ reconciliation and close relations was “a source of hope.” On Monday evening, Herzog was hosted at a state dinner by Steinmeier. Earlier in the day he also met with the president of the Bundestag parliament, spent time with a local youth group, and
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visited a memorial at the Platform 17 train station from where thousands of Berlin Jews were deported to their deaths during the Holocaust. On Tuesday, Steinmeier is set to head to Israel, where he will visit the hard-hit Kibbutz Be’eri in the south, meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and also receive the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, as the countries continue to mark the anniversary of their formal establishment of diplomatic relations. Merz said earlier this year — before he was sworn in as chancellor — that he would invite Netanyahu to visit Germany despite the arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister issued last year by the International Criminal Court.
Afrikaner Refugees Come to the U.S. White South Africans, also known as Afrikaners, are a minority in their country. Now, President Trump is granting them refugee status, paving the way for them to come to the United States. The first group of white South Africans arrived on Monday at the Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C. Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar met the group of around 60 people, which included children.
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Landau said, “Welcome. Welcome to the United States of America. It is such an honor for us to receive you here today. This is the land of the free!” The Afrikaners who flew to the U.S. on Monday are claiming refugee status, saying they are being persecuted by their government. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “A refugee is someone who
has to leave their country out of fear of political persecution, religious persecution, or economic persecution. And they don’t fit that bill.” Human Rights Watch described the decision to admit the individuals as a “racial twist in Trump’s cut-off of refugee admissions.”
Trump Lowers Drug Prices This week, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order to combat rising prescription drug prices. The 30-day deadline requires drugmakers to electively lower the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. or face new limits down the road over what the government will pay. The order calls on the health department, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to broker new prices for drugs over the next month. If deals are not reached, Kennedy will be tasked with developing a new rule that ties the price the U.S. pays for medications to lower prices paid by other countries. “We’re going to equalize,” Trump said during a Monday morning press conference. “We’re all going to pay the same. We’re going to pay what Europe pays.” Taxpayers spend hundreds of billions of dollars on prescription drugs, injectables, transfusions and other medications every year through Medicare, which covers nearly 70 million older Americans. Medicaid, which provides nearly-free health care for almost 80 million poor and disabled people in the U.S., also spends tens of billions of dollars each year for drugs. The U.S.’s top drugmakers called it a “bad deal” for American patients. “Importing foreign prices from socialist countries would be a bad deal for American patients and workers,” Stephen J. Ubl, the president and CEO of PhRMA, said in a statement. “It would mean less treatments and cures and would jeopardize the hundreds of billions our member companies are planning to invest in America.” Trump tried to implement a “most favored nation” approach to Medicare drug pricing during his first term. He signed a similar executive order in the final weeks of his presidency, which called for the U.S. to only pay a lower price that other countries pay for some drugs — such as injectables or cancer drugs given through
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infusions — administered in a doctor’s office. But that order was blocked by a court during the Biden administration.
U.S. Life Expectancy Mortality data collected from 1969 to 2020 indicate that the life expectancy in southern U.S. states has barely increased over the past 100 years. On the other hand, states in the Northeast and West Coast have seen large improvements in life expectancy. Particularly troublesome were eight Southern states: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, and Mississippi. In those states, life expectancy has barely improved. Over the past 100 years, some only saw an increase in the female life expectancy by less than three years. And since 1950, the male life expectancy in some of those states has risen by less than two years. In Oklahoma, in particular, the life expectancy of females born today is only a few months higher than it was in 1900. On the other hand, boys and girls born in 2000 in New York are expected to live over 20 years more than those born in New York in 1900. In Florida, the life expectancy of females born in 2000 is 10.2 years more than those born in 1900. The life expectancy of Florida males rose by 20 years. In Washington, D.C., girls born in 2000 have a life expectancy of 93, up 29 years since 1900, while boys are expected to live until 86.5. Over the past 100 years, California’s life expectancy has also risen by around 20 years. Likewise, some states had faster mortality rates than others. In Oklahoma, the female death rate doubles every 7.96 years — the fastest in the country — as opposed to New York, where the female death rate only doubles every 9.39 years. Iowa has the fastest mortality rate for men, with the death rate doubling every 8.95 years. Florida, at 11.47 years, had the slowest. Southern states may have a lower life expectancy due to issues such as tobacco control, healthcare access, and environmental policies. For instance, California began restricting smoking in the workplace in 1995, while Kentucky did little to limit smoking.
U.S. Houthi Ceasefire During an Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, President Donald Trump surprisingly announced that the United States would stop launching airstrikes at the Houthis because the Iranian-proxy group had agreed to stop attacking U.S. ships on the Red Sea. Since October 7, 2023 — when Hamas stormed southern Israel, killed more than 1,200 people, and abducted 251 others — the Houthis, a Yemeni terror group, have been terrorizing ships on the Red Sea in solidarity with the Hamas terror group, disrupting international shipping routes. Seven weeks ago, the U.S. began retaliating by seriously bombing the Houthis. Now, the Houthis say they will stop attacking American ships if the U.S. stops striking the terror group. “They just don’t want to fight,” Trump announced. “And we will honor that, and we will stop the bombings. They have capitulated, but more importantly, we will take their word. They say they will not be blowing up ships anymore.” Trump did not specify whether the Houthis would continue attacking international ships. Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi politician, specified that his group would continue attacking Israel until the war in Gaza is over. Iran was involved in the ceasefire, with Tehran allegedly pressuring the Houthis to comply with the Oman-brokered ceasefire, according to two Iranian officials. Iran funds and arms the Houthis as one of their regional proxies. However, Iran has recently begun distancing itself from the group, which it insists is independent. Recently, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to respond to Houthi attacks by targeting Iran.
Former SCOTUS Justice Dies David Souter, a former conservative Supreme Court Associate Justice, passed away last week at age 85 at his home in New Hampshire. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush nominated Souter to the court. In 2009, when Barack Obama was president, Souter, then 69, retired from the court.
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The Week In News Souter, one of the youngest Supreme Court justices to retire, was replaced by Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Chief Justice John Roberts praised Souter for bringing “uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service.” Sotomayor branded Souter “a man of honor who served the Court with great distinction.”
During his 19-year Supreme Court tenure, Souter, a quiet moderate from New England, often broke with his fellow conservatives. Souter was responsible for a 1992 decision that upheld abortion as a constitutional right, a decision that outraged Republicans. In 1995, the Supreme Court voted against a law passed by Congress that bans the possession of handguns within 1,000 feet of a school. In that case, Souter voted against the majority. He also voted in dissent in Bush v. Gore, which determined that George W. Bush
won the 2000 election. Additionally, he voted with the majority in 2005 that it’s unconstitutional to display the Ten Commandments in Kentucky courthouses. In the mid-1990s, Souter voted to let Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade leave out certain rights groups. Before serving on the Supreme Court, Souter was a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Boston. In that position, he served for just over four months. Before that, he was a justice for the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Following his retirement, Souter, for over a decade, heard cases at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
FDA Approves 3 Natural Dyes Three natural dyes were recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Galderia extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and calcium phosphate. Their approval will “expand the palette of available colors from natural sources for manufacturers to safely use in food,” the FDA said.
Their approval follows a recent decision to ban red dye No. 3, which aligns with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s mission to eliminate petroleum-based dyes from America’s diet. “For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks,” Kennedy stated. “We’re removing these dyes and approving safe, natural alternatives — to protect families and support healthier choices.” Scott Faber, the Environmental Working Group’s senior vice president of government affairs, called the FDA’s approval of the three natural dyes a step forward. “Thanks to the FDA, food companies will have even more options they can use as they switch from synthetic colors to natural colors,” Faber said. “While it’s good news that the FDA has acted on industry petitions to approve natural colors, it’s bad news, however, that the FDA has failed to act on our petitions to ban harmful ingredients in food, including chemicals linked to cancer.” Galdieria extract blue comes from a red algae that has the water-soluble blue pigment C-Phycocyanin. Butterfly
pea extract, which is already approved for certain drinks, fruits, candies, and ice creams, comes from the water extraction of a butterfly pea plant’s dried flower petals and gives foods and drinks bright blue, purple, and green colors. Calcium phosphate, which gives a white color to chicken products, doughnut sugar, candies, and the like, is a mineral compound with calcium and phosphorus. There are some drawbacks to replacing artificial dyes with natural ones. Natural alternatives can be much more expensive and less bright in terms of color. Additionally, just because they’re natural doesn’t mean they’re absolutely safe.
U.S.-China Tariffs Easing Earlier this year, the Trump administration tacked on 20% in tariffs on goods hailing from China in two phases. One of the supposed reasons for the tariffs was China’s role in the fentanyl crisis, which has decimated families around the United States and has led to thousands of overdose deaths each year.
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The Week In News The subsequent tit-for-tat trade spat saw duties skyrocketing over 100% on exports from both countries. On Monday, the two countries agreed to suspend their respective tariffs for 90 days and continue negotiations they started this weekend. Under the agreement, the United States would reduce the tariff on Chinese imports to 30 percent from its current 145 percent, while China would lower its import duty on American goods to 10 percent from 125 percent. Whilemostof those tariffs have been paused for 90 days under the new deal,
the previously imposed tariffs will remain in place. UBS estimates that the total weighted average U.S. tariff rate on Chinese products now stands around 43.5%, including pre-existing duties imposed in past years. On Monday, Trump said that talks with China would be focused in part on “opening up” China to American businesses. He said that he expected to talk to President Xi Jinping of China this week but that putting a full deal on paper would take a while. “We’re not looking to hurt China,”
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Trump said. “We concluded that we have a shared interest,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at a news conference in Geneva, where U.S. and Chinese officials met over the weekend. “The consensus from both delegations is that neither side wanted a decoupling.” China’s exports to the U.S. fell more than 20% in April from a year ago, but overall Chinese exports to the world rose 8.1% during that time, official data showed last week. Goldman Sachs estimated around 16 million Chinese jobs are tied to producing products for the U.S. Nearly a fifth of U.S. retail sales last year came from the December holiday season, according to CNBC calculations based on data from the National Retail Federation. The period saw a 4% year-on-year sales increase to a record $994.1 billion. “With the speed of Chinese factories, this 90-day window can resolve most of the product shortages for the U.S. Christmas season,” Ryan Zhao, director at export-focused company Jiangsu Green Willow Textile, said on Monday. U.S. retailers typically place orders months in advance, giving factories in China enough lead time to manufacture the products and ship them to reach the U.S. ahead of major holidays. The two global superpowers’ sudden doubling of tariffs in early April forced some businesses to halt production, raising questions about whether supply chains would be able to resume work in time to get products on the shelves for the holiday. “The 90-day window staves off a potential Christmas disaster for retailers,” Cameron Johnson, Shanghai-based senior partner at consulting firm Tidalwave Solutions, noted on Monday.
Qatar Gifts Trump $400M Plane When President Trump returns from his trip to the Middle East this week, he’s going to be coming home with some extra baggage: a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet, a gift from the ruling family of Qatar. U.S. officials say it could be converted into a potential presidential aircraft. Despite a flurry of criticisms for accepting the oversized gift, Trump remains steadfast in receiving it. “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF
CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” Trump posted on his social media site on Sunday night. “Anybody can do that!” Trump intends to use the aircraft as his presidential plane until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029, when ownership will be transferred to the foundation overseeing his yet-to-be-built presidential library. Before Trump’s post trumpeting the idea, Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s media attaché, said in a statement that the “possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. “But the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made,” the statement added. Meanwhile, U.S. administration officials, anticipating ethics concerns, have prepared an analysis arguing that accepting the plane would be legal. The Constitution’s Emoluments Clause bars anyone holding government office from accepting any present, emolument, office or title from any “King, Prince, or foreign State,” without congressional consent. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer poked fun at Trump’s “America first” political slogan. “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” the New York Democrat said in a statement. “It’s not just bribery. It’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.” Prominent rightwing commentator Ben Shapiro said, “President Trump promised to drain the swamp – this is not, in fact, draining the swamp,” he said. Linking Qatar to the militant Palestinian group Hamas and Al Jazeera, the media network that is widely detested on the right and is partly funded by the Qatari government, he added: “Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, all the rest, that’s not America First … If you want President Trump to succeed, this kind of skeezy stuff would be stopped.” Laura Loomer, the far-right Maga activist, warned that the proposed gift would put “such a stain on the administration.” Loomer said she loved Trump and would “take a bullet for him. But I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400m ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits.”
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The Joy Of His Holiness By Rabbi Zvi Teichman
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e are introduced this week to the special requirements and obligations associated with that special cadre among our nation known as the family of Kohanim — the descendants of Aharon HaKohen. The very first law enumerated relates to their need to disassociate from any contact with the dead, except for close relatives and an abandoned corpse. Their elevated status to remain untainted from any halachic impurity that might hinder their ability to perform the service in the Temple or be attentive to their unique role, is certainly a primary goal of this restriction. Yet, the Torah not only affords them, but obligates them, to grieve and tend to their closest deceased relatives, tendering to them the honor they deserve. But the Kohen Gadol — the High Priest, is to refrain even from any contact with his most cherished kin. Is it possible the Torah is denying him the opportunity to display his deep love and appreciation to those closest to him?
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Is the Kohen Gadol being denied the therapeutic mourning period that is so helpful in overcoming the trauma of personal loss? The Sefer HaChinuch suggests that a Kohen Gadol is so bound up in his ecstatic devotion to G-d that he is detached from worldly affairs and relationships, and thus has no emotional need for cathartic grieving. The Ramban — Nachmanides, asserts that it is not a lack of emotional need but rather his calling as the High Priest to display that the honor and love to G-d and devotion to His Temple supersedes the honor and affection due to man. The Kohen Gadol’s role as the promoter of the Honor of Heaven requires his sacrificing that emotional need. Rabbeinu Asher — the Rosh, offers a fascinating idea as to why the Kohen Gadol is exempt and in fact prohibited from mourning fully.
He writes: — דשמחת קדושתוthe joy of his holiness prevents the impact of mourning over the dead to affect him. (:)תוס' הרא"ש מוע"ק יד Is the Rosh simply implying that the obligation of the Kohen to rejoice in his role as a Kohen Gadol disallows the interference of mourning to douse that joy, like the law that prohibits aveilus — mourning during Yom Tov, that at times even exempts one completely from even sitting shiva? Is there even a command for the Kohen Gadol to ‘rejoice’ in his role? The illustrious Gaon and Lover of Israel, Rav A.Y. Kook in a poignant letter written to one of his most beloved disciples, Rav Yaakov Moshe Charlop, upon the death of his mother, writes remarkable words of consolation. After the Rav asserts that it is unnecessary to state how much he shares in his pain and grief equally, he writes: I am confident in my most honored friend, a wise man with strength, that he is aware that even in the inevitable times of judgment — with the strength of the spirit of G-d that directs him, he will know to restrain his grief, and with the light of the Love of Hashem, may He be blessed, and the joy of His salvation, he will know how to sweeten also the bitterness of his mourning. And know clearly that also with every individual in Klal Yisroel at the moment when the closeness of Hashem encourages him to rejoice in heart and soul a beam of radiance will gleam upon him from the beard of Aharon, a trait of the high priesthood that will elevate him above all grief and mourning, the source of which is in the dust, and how much more so a wise student for whom the Torah of Hashem preoccupies him. The reason we fear death and grieve is due to our skewed view of the world, as Rav Kook states, ‘grief and mourning, the source of which is in the dust’. We fail to perceive accurately our specific charge in the context of our collective mission. We are blinded by the material world, i.e., dust, and all its lures, that distract us
from our inspired role and unique mission. It was after all succumbing to physical instinct that brought death upon the world. Were we to rejoice authentically in the privilege we are each bestowed to dedicate our specific strengths and singular talents in bringing the world toward its spiritual fruition, overcoming the clouds of mortality, we would never grieve, for we would understand that in that process we overcome death and achieve a greater closeness in the realm beyond. Perhaps it is the Kohen Gadol who remains the paradigm of that perspective. He fathoms as no other that thrill of closeness to Hashem, regaling in the joy of that which he is so devoted to. It is from that vantage point one can see a world of purpose and direction, with all the failures and successes of man as part of a master plan that will ultimately benefit all. This is what the Rosh means when he describes the Kohen Gadol’s שמחת קדושתו — joy in his dedicated role, that prevents the effects of mourning to take any hold of him. In the famed piyyut and song, Bar Yochai, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is compared to a Kohen Gadol. Rebbi Shimon is likened to the High Priest, who was ‘anointed’ with the sacred oil; wore the Tzitz on his forehead; entered the Holy of Holies; and bears the Breastplate upon his heart. Perhaps the most significant parallel of all was his having been happily secluded for thirteen years, echoing the directive to the Kohen Gadol, He shall not leave the Sanctuary, that directs the Kohen Gadol whose close relative died to refrain from attending the funeral and rather remain in the Temple, which is extended by the Maimonides to include his never leaving Jerusalem: There was a chamber prepared for him in the Sanctuary which was called: “The Chamber of the High Priest”. The glory and the honor of [the High Priest] would be to remain in the Sanctuary the entire day and to go to his private home only at night or for an hour or two during the day. His home should be in Jerusalem and he should never depart from there. ()כלי המקדש ה ז
The profound thinker and ethicist, Rav Chaim Zeitchek, writes: The High Priest is the freest man on earth. In his little chamber, the High Priest travels vast and wondrous distances, on a marvelous spiritual journey. How can one compare the masses’ noisy pursuit of empty and false pleasures to the joyous excursion in that tiny room accompanied by the Divine Presence? The illusory pursuit of wealth and happiness is nothing compared to the radiance of the soul in its longing. Ironically, Lag BaOmer is a day we joyously celebrate the legacy of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai, despite it being the day of his death. Perhaps it is his infectious joy that transcends grief, that ignites within each one of us a sense of that same emotional ‘glory and honor’ the Kohen Gadol felt. If only we stifle our need for external stimuli and submit ourselves to the Almighty’s will, never departing’ from that embrace, we too can find our own greatness. Once at a shiva house I heard a fabulous insight in the name of Rav Chaim Brisker. We recite in the house of mourning chapter 49 of Psalms. The very last verse reads: — אדם ביקרMan is glorious, — ולא יביןbut [if he] understands not, — נמשלhe is compared, — כבהמות נדמו to the animals that are without speech. A horse can weigh up to a ton. It is a mass of powerful muscles. Yet a human who could be flicked off like a flea, rides atop him whipping and driving him on. Why doesn’t the horse assert himself? Because he is a ferd — a dumb animal. A person who lives his life without realizing how ‘glorious’ he truly is will travel through life beaten and unenthused. Within that piyyut we sing: נעשה אדם — “Let us make Man” was said on your account. We all have something to offer, a talent that is our unique mission. If we undertake our roles we can live as inspired as the Kohen Gadol and never be downed by sorrow. Utilizing our talents in bringing the world to its purpose will bring us vitality and enthusiasm in all our endeavors.
You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ ohelmoshebaltimore.com
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This weeks parshah comprises two major topics: the sanctity that is required of the kohanim and their sacrifices, as well as the calendar of the Jewish festivals. At the end of the parshah, the incident with the blasphemer is recounted. There is a grand total of 63 mitzvos contained in the parshah.
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“If the symbol of Jewish timelessness is the everlasting light, the symbol of Jewish time is the counting of the Omer.” Rabbi Lord J. Sacks zt”l
GEMATRIA
The numerical value of (Sefiras HaOmer) is 1071.
ספירת העומר
Interestingly, the one passuk in the Torah with this gematria is in Bereishis 26:23: באר שבע, ויעל משם. The irony is that Sefira is a count of SEVEN weeks. Can you think of a possible connection between counting 7 weeks and “Be’er Sheva”?
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Parshas Emor
The double expression at the beginning of the Parshah - Emor V'Amarta - teaches us that in addition to telling the priests themselves to observe the laws of Kehunah, Moshe should also warn the adult priests about educating their children in these areas. In the words of Rashi: להזהיר גדולים על הקטנים. We can understand these words of Rashi in a deeper way. That is, להזהיר גדולים- to warn people who are doing big things, על הקטנים- to not neglect the small things as well. People often think that to be big, you must do big things. But Jewish wisdom understands the importance and value of the קטנים, the small things in life. The Ropshitzer Rebbe says that we are meant to build the Beis Hamikdash בימינו, not merely in our days, but WITH our days! Sefiras HaOmer is a daily count towards Matan Torah. We are in a training period of focusing on small, consistent steps, day in and day out. The small steps in life are what will ultimately allow for the גדלותof being able to receive the Torah. Have a holy Shabbos!
Pesukim - 124 Words - 1,614 Letters - 6,106 Mitzvos - 63
The Nesivos Shalom discusses the process of the 50 days of the עומר, how we are meant to go from the ( עמרomer) to the שתי ( הלחםshtei halechem). The עמרis barley, which is animal food, whereas the שתי הלחםis human food. This symbolizes the transition from the earthly, shallow, and mundane, to the lofty and spiritual. Our life trajectory is meant to be aimed upwards, elevating the physicality to spirituality.
Points to Ponder Research has shown that breaking down a large goal into smaller, manageable steps can increase motivation, improve focus, and enhance the chances of success. By breaking down a daunting task into smaller steps, individuals are more likely to take action and make progress towards their goal, rather than feeling overwhelmed and putting it off. What is something in your life you can slice up into smaller steps?
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Rabbi Ori Strum is the author of “Ready. Set. Grow.” “Dove Tales,” and “Karpas: The Big Dipper.” His shiurim and other Jewish content can be found on Torah Anytime and Meaningful Minute. You can reach him at 443-938-0822 or oristrum@torahsparks.com
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פרשת אמור
OMER: Count 35
7:56PM
Iyar 26
OMER: Count 42
24 OMER: Count 41
Sivan 4
7
פרשת במדבר
9:20PM
Sivan 11
9:15 PM
OMER: Count 49
פרשת נשא
9:24PM
Sivan 18
פרשת בהעלותך
14
31
בחקתי- פרשת בהר9:09PM
8:16PM
Sivan 17
8:13PM
Sivan 10
8:08PM
OMER: Count 48
Sivan 3
8:02PM
Iyar 25
OMER: Count 34
Iyar 18
Friday
Iyar/Sivan
2025 May/June
Sivan 15
Sivan 8
OMER: Count 46
ראש חודש
Sivan 1
OMER: Count 39
Mesorah Shiur see page 2
Iyar 23
Iyar 16
Wednesday
COMMUNITY CALENDAR 12
19
26
2
9
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
MAY 15, 2025
11
18
25
1
8
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Baltimore Weekday Minyanim Guide
Shacharis
Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah: EVERY 15 MINUTES
M-F: 6:15 AM, S-F: 6:30 AM, 6:45 AM, 7:00 AM, 7:15 AM, 7:30 AM, 7:45 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:15 AM, 8:30 AM, 8:45 AM, 9:00AM, 9:15AM, 9:30AM, 9:45AM, 10:00AM M-F S-F M-F M, Th M, TH M, TH M, TH
M-F S, T, W, F T, W, F S T, W, F T, W, F S S T, W, F M-F S, T, W, F S, M, TH T, W, F M-F T, W, F M-F
7:05 AM Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) 7:15 AM Kedushas Yisrael Kol Torah Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) Ner Israel Rabbinical College
M, TH S S S, T, W, F S-F
For edits, additions, or sponsorships, email ads@baltimorejewishhome.com
M, TH M-F M-F M, TH M, TH
7:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring Agudath Israel of Baltimore Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Chabad of Park Heights Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Darchei Tzedek Kedushas Yisrael Khal Bais Nosson Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina) Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shomrei Emunah Congregation
S S, T, W, F S S-F S-F S S S S S-F S S-F S S-F S, T, W, F T, W, F
7:45 AM Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Talmudical Academy Darchei Tzedek Mesivta Kesser Torah Mesivta Shaarei Chaim 7:50 AM Derech Chaim Ner Tamid Ohel Moshe
M-F S-F M-F S-F S-F S S M-F
8:00 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Beth Abraham Chabad Israeli Center Darchei Tzedek Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Kehillas Meor HaTorah Ohr Yisroel Pikesville Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel Tzeirei Anash Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah
S-F S M-F S S S S S S S-F S S S S-F
8:15 AM Kehilath B'nai Torah Kol Torah 8:20 AM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim 8:25 AM Ohr Chadash Academy (School Days Only) 8:30 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Chabad Israeli Center Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) Ohel Moshe Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shomrei Emunah Congregation Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh 9:00 AM Aish Kodesh Agudath Israel of Baltimore Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Beth Tfiloh Congregation Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Shomrei Emunah Congregation Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim
S S S-F S-F S-F S S-F S S S-F S S S-F S S S S S-F S-F
Mincha
Mincha Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Gedolah
Khal Ahavas Yisroel/Tzemach Tzedek 1:50 PM Ohel Moshe 1 South Street, 27th Floor. 2:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) Big Al @ The Knish Shop Party Room Kol Torah Market Maven
Reischer Minyan - 23 Walker Ave 2nd Floor 10055 Red Run Blvd Suite 295 2:15 PM Pikesville Beis Medrash - 15 Walker Ave 2:30 PM Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Tov Pizza Mincha Minyan Ner Israel Rabbinical College Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Community Kollel) Shearith Israel Congregation 2:45 PM Kollel of Greenspring Shearith Israel Congregation (S-Th) 3:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 3:05 PM Kedushas Yisrael 3:15 PM Hat Box 3:22 PM Ohr Chadash Academy (School Days Only, Call to Confirm) 3:30 PM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 4:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th) Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 4:30 PM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 5:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 5:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th) Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 6:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Shearith Israel Congregation (S-Th) 6:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th) Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 10 Min Before ShkiAh Chabad Israeli Center 14 Min Before ShkiAh Kol Torah
Mincha/Maariv Plag
Ohel Yaakov Shomrei Emunah Congregation Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim
Mincha/Maariv Before Shkiah Aish Kodesh Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudah of Greenspring Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Beth Abraham Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Darchei Tzedek Kehillas Meor HaTorah Kehilath B’nai Torah Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Machzikei Torah (Sternhill’s) Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Ner Tamid Ohel Moshe Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Ohr Yisroel Pikesville Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation Shomrei Mishmeres Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel
Maariv Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah: EVERY 15 MINUTES 8:15 PM, 8:30 PM, 8:45 PM, 9:00 PM, 9:15 PM, 9:30 PM, 9:45 PM, 10:00 PM, 10:15 PM, 10:30 PM, 10:45 PM, 11:00 PM, 11:15 PM, 11:30 PM 8:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore 8:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore 8:45 PM Darchei Tzedek Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina) Ohr Yisroel
8:50 PM Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building) 8:55 PM Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh
Maariv continued
9:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Arugas Habosem Shomrei Emunah Congregation Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim
9:20 PM Kol Torah 9:30 PM Agudah of Greenspring Agudath Israel of Baltimore Kedushas Yisrael
9:40 PM Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] 9:45 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Kollel Erev Birchas Yitzchok (Luries) Kollel of Greenspring Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah
9:50 PM Aish Kodesh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Ohel Moshe
10:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Darchei Tzedek Kehilath B'nai Torah Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation
10:05 PM Kol Torah 10:10 PM Ner Israel Rabbinical College 10:15 PM Derech Chaim Khal Bais Nosson
10:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore 11:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore 11:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore
Agudah of Greenspring - 6107 Greenspring Ave Agudath Israel of Baltimore - 6200 Park Heights Ave Ahavat Shalom - 3009 Northbrook Rd Aish Kodesh - 6207 Ivymount Rd Arugas HaBosem - 3509 Clarks Ln Bais Dovid-Bais Medrash of Summit Park- 6800 Sylvale Ct Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim - 3120 Clarks Ln Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore - 6823 Old Pimlico Rd Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh - 6618 Deancroft Rd Beit Yaakov - 3615 Seven Mile Ln Beth Abraham - 6208 Wallis Ave Beth Tfiloh Congregation - 3300 Old Court Rd Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation - 6602 Park Heights Ave Chabad Israeli Center - 7807 Seven Mile Ln Chabad of Park Heights - 3402 Clarks Ln Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh - 3800 Labyrinth Rd Darchei Tzedek - 3201 Seven Mile Ln Derech Chaim - 6603 Pimlico Road Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue 6611 Greenspring Ave. Kedushas Yisrael - 6004 Park Heights Ave Kehilath B’nai Torah - 6301 Green Meadow Pkwy Kehillas Meor HaTorah - 6539 Pebble Brooke Rd Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek - 6811 Park Heights Ave Khal Bais Nosson - 2901 Taney Rd Kol Torah - 2929 Fallstaff Rd Kollel of Greenspring - 6504 Greenspring Ave. Machzikei Torah - 6216 Biltmore Ave Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah - 6500 Baythorne Rd Mesivta Kesser Torah - 8400 Park Heights Ave Mesivta Shaarei Chaim - 3800 Labyrinth Rd Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah - 7000 Rockland Hills Dr Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & Gibber One South Street, 27th Floor Ner Israel Rabbinical College - 400 Mt Wilson Ln Ner Tamid - 6214 Pimlico Road Ohel Moshe - 2808 Smith Ave Ohel Yakov - 3200 Glen Ave Ohr Chadash Academy - 7310 Park Heights Avenue Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] - 6813 Park Heights Ave Ohr Yisroel - 2429 Lightfoot Dr Pikesville Jewish Congregation - 7644 Carla Rd Shearith Israel Congregation - 5835 Park Heights Ave Shomrei Emunah Congregation - 6221 Greenspring Ave Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh - 2821 W Strathmore Ave Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim - 7504 Seven Mile Ln Talmudical Academy - 4445 Old Court Rd The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel - 5915 Park Heights Ave The Shul at the Lubavitch Center - 6701 Old Pimlico Rd Tiferes Yisroel - 6201 Park Heights Ave Tzeirei Anash - 6706 Cross County Blvd Wealcatch Insurance - 37 Walker Ave 2nd floor Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah - 6819 Williamson Ave
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7:00 AM Aish Kodesh (upstairs Minyan) Agudath Israel of Baltimore Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Kol Torah Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel
7:20 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Beth Tfiloh Congregation Kol Torah Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shomrei Emunah Congregation
Mincha
MAY 15, 2025
6:20 AM Agudah of Greenspring M, TH Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S-F Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M-F Kehilath B'nai Torah M, TH Pikesville Jewish Congregation M, TH Shomrei Emunah Congregation S, M, TH 6:25 AM The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel T, W, F 6:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring T, W, F Chabad of Park Heights M-F Darchei Tzedek M-F Kehilath B'nai Torah T, W, F Khal Bais Nosson M-F Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek M-F Kol Torah T, W, F Ohr Yisroel M-F Pikesville Jewish Congregation T, W, F Shearith Israel Congregation T, W, F Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F 6:35 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) M, TH Ohel Moshe M, TH 6:40 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) T, W, F Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M, TH 6:45 AM B”H and Mesivta of Baltimore (Dirshu Minyan) S-F Beth Abraham M, TH Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue M-F Ner Tamid M-F Ohel Moshe T, W, F Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim M-F 6:50 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] M, TH Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh M, TH Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation T, W, F Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh M, TH Derech Chaim M-F Kol Torah M-F Ohel Moshe S Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH The Shul at the Lubavitch Center M, TH 6:55 AM Beth Abraham T, W, F Kol Torah M, TH
T, W, F S S S M-F
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Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] Ohel Yakov 6:00 AM Shomrei Emunah Congregation 6:10 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore 6:15 AM Kol Torah Shearith Israel Congregation The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel Neitz
Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel Tzeirei Anash
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MAY 15, 2025
nspiration Nation
R’ Reuven Epstein The Three Levels of Marriage By Eliyahu RosEnBERg
T
o have a happy marriage, you need to communicate effectively with your spouse. We’ve all heard that advice before, right? Open a book about relationships, and you’ll probably find a chapter titled, “Communication is Key.” Read a blog, and that’s one of the first suggestions. Or watch a video; that’s likely the lecturer’s main message. In other words, “communicate well” is the most common (and cliché) marriage advice, bar none. And probably for good reason. No one would argue that talking and listening aren’t important in a marriage. But with all the emphasis on communication, it begs the question: Is its importance overstated? Is communication really the key? Is it truly the main pillar — the be-all and end-all — of a happy marriage? The answer, actually, is no, according to Rabbi Reuven Epstein. A healthy marriage actually requires much more than
communication. “Communication is not the essence of marriage,” declares Rabbi Epstein, a prominent marriage expert. “I could communicate that I hate you — and I’d be doing a great job communicating — but our marriage is not going to be good. So, that’s not what marriage is about.” So then, what is marriage about? According to Rabbi Epstein, it all comes down to connection. * * * A marriage’s tone is set much before the wedding. In fact, the couple’s mindset while dating, in a way, sets the stage for what’s to come. As Rabbi Epstein explains, many people enter the dating world with a selfish mentality, perhaps subconsciously. I want to marry someone who looks like X, Y, and Z. I want my spouse to have X amount of money and Y job. I want someone who comes from X family and Y community. It goes without saying that standards
In His Words… one of the most basic marriage principles is that
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relationships don’t speak English. They communicate in emotions. Being a parent and being a spouse is really no different in the sense that you have to program your mind to be completely altruistically dedicated to this person. Before you say something, ask yourself, ‘is this going to create more connection or less connection?’ if the answer’s less connection, don’t say it.
are important (it’s reasonable to expect certain qualities in a future spouse), but it’s not healthy when the emphasis is exclusively on what “I” want. And naturally, when a “self-centered” dater graduates into a husband or wife, their selfishness doesn’t magically vanish. Instead, as Rabbi Epstein explains, the marriage unfortunately becomes transactional: I want something from you, and you want something from me, so, we’ll trade — I’ll give you what you want if you give me what I want. “Essentially, what’s going on in many relationships is that I give you, and you give me, and I give you, and you give me,” Rabbi Epstein shares. “And then when I stop giving you — maybe because I get caught up with my job or with other things that are going on in my life — then you stop giving me. So I withdraw, and then you withdraw. “The classic example is a man who starts married life, and he doesn’t have a lot of financial obligations. But then, he needs to work and pay the mortgage and tuition, and all the other stuff. So, he thinks he’s giving his wife by going to work and being really dedicated to his job and working till two in the morning, and coming home and being on the phone and answering emails. He thinks, in the recesses of his mind, that he’s doing a great job giving to his wife, but he’s really not,” Rabbi Epstein explains. “He’s not giving to her. He’s absent in the relationship. And the most obvious issue in most relationships is that the person stops giving, and then there’s a withdrawal. So the wife will fight, she’ll be angry, she’ll yell, she’ll complain, she’ll withdraw. He’ll feel attacked, and he’ll be like, ‘Well, it’s more exciting to be in the office than it is to be at home.
And therefore, I’m going to spend more time away from home.’” If a marriage is nothing more than a give and take, it will inevitably grow stale, because selfishness cannot lead to connection. “There’s a lot of people who are quote-unquote givers and quote-unquote receivers, quote-unquote husbands and quote-unquote wives. But they’re not really husbands, and they’re not really wives. They haven’t fully identified with the personalities that they’re supposed to be,” he explains. “So, from a high level, what that looks like to me, is a person who is completely given over to the other person. I’m not giving you so that you’ll give me. I’m giving you because you’re mine. That’s it. What will happen from there? I don’t know. I probably will receive, because if that’s the dynamic of our relationship, then I’m probably going to get a lot. But I’m not giving you because you’re going to give me. It’s not scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours. This is not a transactional relationship. I married you, therefore you’re mine, and therefore I give — for no reason other than to give.” In other words, you shouldn’t give to receive. You should give because you love and care deeply for your spouse; because you want them to be happy. You should give for the sake of giving. And if you could reach that state, you will have mastered what Rabbi Epstein calls the “Level One” of marriage. * * * According to Rabbi Epstein, marriage has three levels. The first is connection.
Level One: Connection “Level One is the difference between coexistence and connection. So, the most
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Level Two: Navigating Life’s Challenges
Level Three: Transformation “People diagnose their spouse in my office, like, every day,” Rabbi Epstein explains. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, my spouse’s bipolar, they’re ADD, they’re borderline personality, they’re narcissistic.’ I hear all the diagnoses. And that could be the case, but more often than not, that’s not what’s happening. What’s happening is that they want the person to change so badly that they’ll throw anything at them. And when they’re diagnosing their spouse, what they’re really saying is: ‘You need to change. You’re broken. There’s something inherently off with you.’” In a healthy marriage, a couple grows together. In an unhealthy marriage, the husband and wife point fingers at each other, insisting that the other needs to change. It becomes: “You need to change,” “No, I don’t need to change. You need to change,” “No, you need to change,” ad infinitum. And that dynamic is the tragic result of a failed Level One and Level Two. Even if the husband and/or wife needs to change, Rabbi Epstein notes, “There’s no way you’re going to change for somebody that you don’t feel close with. There’s no way you’re going to change for somebody that you don’t feel oneness with.” And thus, Level One’s avoidance grows into Level Two’s contention, which tragically turns into Level Three’s animosity. Take one minute to imagine the opposite scenario. The couple has a beautiful Level One: they connect and love spending time with each other. Then, when they reach Level Two, they work as one and face life’s challenges together. “And then, after some time, they’ll be able to reach Level Three conversations, where a husband says to his wife, ‘Hey, what could I work on? Tell me honestly. I feel like I could upgrade my life.’ Or, ‘Hey, can we learn this self-help book together?’
That transformative state becomes attainable then, because they’re not resistant to change,” Rabbi Epstein shares. “I don’t think you’re trying to change me. I think you want me to develop, to grow. You want the best for me, I want the best for you, and you’re going to help me develop into the best version of myself. “That’s an incredible stage, which few couples achieve.” Rabbi Epstein advises couples struggling with Levels Two and Three to go back to Level One. Develop Level One, and many of the later problems will become nonissues, as it’s much easier to navigate challenges and grow when one has the foundation of connection. * * * “I once sat with somebody who was literally a genius. He probably had one of the highest IQs I’ve ever seen. But his marriage was really struggling,” Rabbi Epstein recalls. “I said, ‘Tell me what’s going on.’ And he laid it out. It took him like an hour to explain the intricacies. And I was listening, and he said, ‘So, what do you think?’ And I said, ‘I think you’re too smart for your marriage.’” You see, people think of marriage as very complex. But it doesn’t have to be. Rabbi Epstein’s paradigm is as follows: Everything you do or say in a marriage is binary. Either it brings you closer to your spouse or it brings you further. Being that marriage is the most important human relationship one can have, deciding whether to do something that helps or harms one’s connection should be a no-brainer. “People want to be heard. People want to be understood. And when we feel something, we feel like we need to say it. And that’s called being transparent in a relationship. That’s also sometimes called being dumb in a relationship,” Rabbi Reuven Epstein says. “You want to say the things that are going to increase your connection versus the things that you’re just feeling. Before you say something, ask yourself, ‘Is this going to create more connection or less connection?’ If the answer’s less connection, don’t say it.”
This article is based on a podcast, “Inspiration For the Nation,” hosted by Yaakov Langer. To catch more of this conversation, you can watch it on LivingLchaim.com or YouTube.com/LivingLchaim or listen wherever you listen to podcasts (just search for “Inspiration For The Nation”) or call our free hotline: 605-477-2100.
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At first, a marriage may suffer from disconnection. And while far from desirable, that alone may not be the end of the world. But once a couple enters the real world, they’ll find it difficult to navigate life’s challenges together if they don’t connect. Level Two is about having the harder conversations: paying bills, raising children, and dealing with life’s countless dilemmas. When there’s no Level One — when husband and wife co-exist but don’t connect — marriage becomes about avoiding. But if a couple advances to Level Two without having a healthy Level One, their avoidance risks becoming confrontation, as life forces them to work together. Instead of facing challenges head-on, however, the husband and wife may start blaming each other: “Why didn’t you pay the bills? Why aren’t you making more money? Why are you never around? Why didn’t you do this? Why didn’t you do that?” And according to Rabbi Epstein, that’s where marriages usually fall apart. Any sort of challenge — from children struggling in school to financial burdens to everything in between — becomes a point of contention, as, unless a couple is emotionally connected, they can’t face
life’s challenges as a single unit. And then, while struggling to work together, many couples haphazardly move onto Level Three.
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But even before getting to that level, achieving a healthy Level One (building a connection) is relatively simple. As Rabbi Epstein explains, you don’t need to buy anything. You don’t need flowers or jewelry (at this stage). Rather, it’s about adopting a mindset that focuses on bringing your spouse joy and a feeling of security. Accomplishing that is less about showering them in gifts and more about simply telling them: “I like you. I like spending time with you. You’re an amazing person. I care about what you think. I listen to what you say.” Moreover, it’s about spending quality time together. If a husband and wife, for the very least, have that basic connection, they’ll be ready to face Level Two.
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obvious statement I think that could be made about marriage is that the opposite of connection is disconnection. And to me, disconnection looks like coexistence,” shares Rabbi Reuven Epstein. “You have a home where the husband is out at work or the wife is out with her friends. And they’re like two ships passing in the night. That relationship is not a relationship. You might be legally married. You might, from a Jewish perspective, be halachically married, but you’re not really married. You don’t have a marriage. You don’t have a conversation. You don’t have an interaction. You’d rather go on vacation with your friends, you’d rather hang out with other people, you’d rather be at work, you’d rather do almost anything than spend time with your spouse.” In that sense, marriage becomes a technicality. While the husband and wife live in the same home, they exist as separate, unrelated entities. They aren’t connected and they aren’t one, as a couple should be. “Our emotional batteries tend to drain. That’s just how we are as people. And for a lot of people, their spouse is a drain on their batteries. So, they almost don’t look forward to coming home. Like, their batteries are so low that they know that when they walk in the door, it’s going to go from 10% to zero,” says Rabbi Epstein. “Our batteries are constantly draining. And a big part of what Level One is charging those batteries. So, what better way to charge your batteries than with the love of your life? And I always say: The most romantic thing a husband could say to his wife is not ‘I love you.’ I’ve seen couples that are getting divorced say, ‘I love you.’ The most romantic thing is, ‘I couldn’t wait to see you. I had such a crazy day and I just wanted to come home to see you.’ If you’re saying that in your marriage, it means your marriage is really strong. It means that the two of you are really connected; you’re charging each o t he r ’s batteries.”
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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
MAY 15, 2025
Political Crossfire
John Fetterman’s Health and How To Read the Mainstream Media By Jonathan S. Tobin
I
n the fall of 2022, the left-leaning mainstream media did almost everything they could to help the flagging senatorial candidacy of John Fetterman. Nearly three years later, liberal corporate outlets seem to be intent on destroying him with reports claiming to detail his aberrant behavior, questionable health and devastating comments from former staffers, and even from his wife, Gisele Barreto Fetterman. What’s behind the change in their attitude? One thing known for sure is that it’s not the ostensible issue driving a flood of stories casting doubt on Fetterman’s state of mind and fitness for office. And, just like the same outlets’ disgraceful cover-up of former President Joe Biden’s mental incapacity—something that became obvious during his disastrous presidential debate with Donald Trump in June 2024—ended once it was clear that he couldn’t win re-election, the turn against Fetterman is devastating evidence of the media’s lack of credibility. The shifting narrative about the senator is an object lesson in how to read the contemporary liberal press. It’s why even those most reluctant to write off legacy media as partisan propaganda outlets need to acknowledge that 21st-century journalism is broken beyond repair. The same outlets now skewering him as a sick man who has lost control of himself and hinting at the need for him to resign were singing a far different tune in 2022, when they steadfastly stuck to the story that there was nothing wrong with a man who had suffered a devastating stroke only days before he won his party’s nomination for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat. That support from liberal outlets required some journalists to blatantly lie about his condition, alleging that any reporting to the contrary about his health was Republican disinformation. This helped him win that November, though a lot of the credit for his
victory also belongs to the dismal, out-oftouch performance of his GOP opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz. The liberal press never budged from that line even after Fetterman took office in 2023, endured some difficult first weeks on Capitol Hill, and was then hospitalized for depression. He recovered and returned to his regular duties, albeit still relying on digital devices with closed-captioned technology as a result of what he said was a temporary speech impediment related to the stroke. Anyone who questioned whether a U.S. senator ought to rely on this method to conduct conversations and listen to speeches was damned as a bigoted “ableist” opponent of the disabled. But by the end of his first year in office, the cheerleading and/or covering for Fetterman ceased. Why was that? The answer can be summed up in one word: Israel.
Standing with Israel Fetterman reacted to the Hamas-led Palestinian Arab terror assaults on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, not just with anger and horror. Unlike most Democrats,
who spent the subsequent months demanding a ceasefire that would allow the Hamas terrorist organization to emerge as the victor of the war it started, Fetterman was having none of that. He immediately made it clear that he was determined to support the Jewish state’s efforts to defeat and eradicate Hamas, and that blame for all of the casualties in the post-Oct. 7 war belonged to the Islamist group and not the Jewish state. Indeed, Fetterman has become a hero to the pro-Israel community in the last 19 months for his unwavering support, which is undiluted by any willingness to pay lip service to the left’s false claims that the Jewish state is committing “genocide” in the Gaza Strip. Along with Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), he is among the few Democrats who have stood by Jerusalem during the crisis without wavering. Nor has he talked out of both sides of his mouth, damning the Israelis for “overreacting” to the events of Oct. 7 or praising the idealism of the pro-Hamas mobs on college campuses, as did former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
To say that his stand on Israel has come as a shock to fellow Democrats, especially the left-wing activists who carried him to victory in a May 2022 Pennsylvania Democratic primary against a credible moderate alternative and an attractive representative of the African-American community, is an understatement. It’s hard to imagine any Pennsylvania Democrat, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish (Fetterman is not), trolling pro-Hamas demonstrators at his office and home by waving an Israeli flag while they chanted about “genocide.” Or by hanging outside the door of his Washington office posters of men, women and children of different nationalities who were kidnapped by Hamas and murdered there or along the way or held captive for days and months. Even more to the point, as numerous accounts make clear, Fetterman’s staff and even his wife have become outraged by his support for Israel, a position that marks him as an outlier in his party. Fetterman has shown some other signs of moderation since Oct. 7, notably his willingness to meet with President Donald Trump after his November 2024 election victory and to vote for a couple of his cabinet appointees. But on the whole, he’s stuck to his liberal positions on a host of other economic and even social issues, such as his support for trans rights, and voted against most of Trump’s choices. That stance even started a boomlet among some pro-Israel Democrats, proposing Fetterman as a long-shot possibility for the 2028 presidential nomination in which he would be the centrist alternative in a party increasingly dominated by supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
Pro-Israel Stands As a Form of Mental Illness? That unlikely prospect aside, it is his supposed “apostasy” about Israel that is driving the anger against him from the
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As someone who cast doubt on his fitness for office when liberals were pretending that there was nothing to see, I’m prepared to accept that some of the current reporting about his health might be accurate. But I also know that the sudden interest in his well-being on the part of the liberal press has nothing to do with any alleged change for the worse in his condition. While he may still be impaired, as journalists like Salena Zito have reported, since his hospitalization in early 2023, he has managed to do his job for the past two years as reasonably well as most of his colleagues. Though, admittedly, that is a pretty low standard by which to judge anyone. As such, it’s blatantly obvious that the motivation for the media offensive against Fetterman is about politics, not health. The reason that the same publications, networks and journalists that spent four years declaring that there was nothing wrong with Biden are now sounding the alarm
for his courage in standing up against the political fashion of his party when it comes to the war against Israel. Whatever else you might think of him, he is an authentic, if eccentric character (his penchant for wearing hoodies and shorts to work is something that has angered his Senate colleagues) who connects with ordinary working-class voters in a way that most Democrats cannot. While he may well face a tough leftwing primary challenge when he runs for re-election, those who underestimate his political appeal in a state and a country sick of partisan ideological polarization do so at their own peril. Liberals tolerated an infirm and incapable president simply because they thought it helped keep Trump out of the White House. Friends of the Jewish state should therefore be forgiven for being willing to put up with an irascible and moody senator from Pennsylvania who needs technological assistance to do his job but has shown integrity and character when it comes to the post-Oct. 7 surge of antisemitism that other members of his party have either tolerated or encouraged.
Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate).
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about the senator is because he isn’t useful to them anymore. If he were behaving like other left-wing Democrats and criticizing Israel, the odds that New York magazine, the Times or any of the other outlets seeking to depict him as unworthy of a Senate seat would today be ignoring any concerns about his condition. While this single demonstration of the media’s corruption and utter lack of credibility is disturbing in and of itself, it’s just another instance of why so much of what the mainstream corporate media publishes should be read with a truckload of salt. Media bias is nothing new, but it’s gotten to the point where stories that are clearly part of a partisan information operation are the norm rather than unusual. As Ruthie Blum wrote in JNS about a recent media attempt to sow dissension between the Trump administration and the Netanyahu government in Israel, this sort of thing is now ubiquitous. At least in America, we have come to the point where it’s impossible to avoid the conclusion that much of what is printed in the mainstream press must be discounted as nothing more than political disinformation. In the meantime, regardless of concerns about his health, Fetterman still deserves the applause and gratitude of voters
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unstable person in need of medical care. And, they say, he has no business being in the Senate. Is there a possibility that they are at least partially correct about Fetterman’s health? Maybe.
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progressive wing of his party. This is the only explanation for liberal journalists’ volte-face on the question of his health and fitness for office. The story that started the tsunami of negative coverage of Fetterman was a lengthy profile in New York Magazine, titled: “All by Himself: John Fetterman insists he is in good health. But staffers past and present say they no longer recognize the man they once knew.” The main on-the-record source for the piece was his former chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, a veteran left-wing Democratic operative. Like most Democratic congressional staffers on Capitol Hill, Jentleson is an opponent of Israel, who thought the Biden-Harris ambivalent stand on the postOct. 7 war was insufficiently hostile to the Jewish state. He ultimately resigned and, along with others who didn’t speak on the record, is at pains to hint that Fetterman’s backing for Israel and refusal to play along with Hamas talking points signify signs of his mental instability. That story spawned other articles in outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic, Politico, NBC News, CBS News in which Democrats—both anonymous and on-the-record—shaded Fetterman and depicted him as a deeply disturbed and
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Are Benzos Safe? By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman Benzodiazepines, also called “benzos”, are a class of drugs that includes alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and Clonazepam (Klonopin), amongst others. They are usually
used to treat anxiety, but it has other usages as well. At low doses, it can rapidly relieve mild to moderate anxiety and make you feel relaxed and calm. At higher doses, it can relieve insomnia and acute emotional distress, and
may make you feel drowsy or clumsy. Benzodiazepines have become the basic treatment for quick relief of anxiety related symptoms and are an incredible tool in the physician’s toolbox. When used for short-term relief under the watchful eye of an experienced physician, they are safe. The history of benzodiazepines sheds light on the tendency to abuse powerful medications and serves as a cautionary tale for individuals who are using benzodiazepines. The predecessor to benzodiazepines was a class of drugs called barbiturates, a synthetic tranquilizer that reduced brain activity and depressed the central nervous system. During the Great Depression, the popularity of barbiturates exploded, as this miracle drug, which was available over the counter, helped millions of Americans deal with the acute stress of that period in history. By the 1940s, Americans were consuming a billion barbiturates per year. Doctors viewed them as harmless, as they were safer than opiates which were previously in widespread use as sleeping pills.
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Alas, barbiturates were not as safe as claimed. It is true that they helped countless people feel calmer and get a better sleep, but they did have a dark side. They led to tolerance and dependence, carried a high risk of overdose, and withdrawal was torturous at best and fatal at worst. Thus, the pharmaceutical companies began feverishly seeking an alternative. In 1951, their prayers were answered with the accidental discovery of benzodiazepines. The first benzodiazepine, called Librium, entered the market in 1955, and in 1958 an additional benzodiazepine was produced that became known as Valium. The industry convinced themselves that benzos were the ultimate miracle drug, providing the much-sought relief from anxiety without the risk of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal issues. As any student of history knows, history tends to repeat itself. This too-
good-to-be-true wonder drug was indeed not as safe as they thought. There was in fact a real risk for tolerance and dependence, and withdrawal was not a simple issue at all. The industry responded with newer chemical forms of benzodiazepines which were touted to be safer than Valium. Thus, the 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of Klonopin, Ativan, and Xanax. As we all know, those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. It therefore comes as no surprise that these supposedly good benzodiazepines also had their fair share of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal issues. All of this does not at all mean that one should never use a benzodiazepine. These powerful drugs have their time and place. The trick is to know how to use them safely. When physicians prescribe a benzodiazepine, they generally will do so with several limitations. Here are some examples of the guidelines that you will likely encounter if you are a candidate for a benzodiazepine: As a sleep aid, they should be limited to a few days use if possible, and not exceeding two weeks. For anxiety treatment, they should be used in conjunction with other measures, such as psychotherapy and antidepressants. Individuals with a history of substance use disorders should generally not be prescribed benzodiazepines. Nothing in life is risk free, and a good rule of thumb is that the more powerful something is the more risks there are if not used safely. Benzos are extremely powerful medications that can relieve you from your misery when taken properly and can propel you into misery if abused. As always, be healthy AND safe. This is a service of Relief Resources. Relief is an organization that provides mental health referrals, education, and support to the frum community. Rabbi Yisrael Slansky is director of the Baltimore branch of Relief. He can be contacted at 410-448-8356 or at yslansky@reliefhelp.org
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Health & F tness
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Leaf it to Plants Is the Grass Greener on the Vegetarian Side? By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN
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egetarianism is a dietary pattern that excludes meat, poultry, and seafood, with many variations depending on which animal products, if any, are included. Individuals adopt a vegetarian diet for a variety of personal, ethical, and health-related reasons. For some, the decision is motivated by the desire to improve overall wellbeing and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Others choose a vegetarian diet because they prefer not to consume animals due to various concerns or beliefs. Ethical considerations also play a role for those who follow religious or cultural practices that promote plantbased eating. Regardless of the reason, adopting a vegetarian lifestyle is a personal choice that can offer many benefits when practiced with thoughtful planning and awareness of nutritional needs.
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Types of Vegetarian Diets 1. Lacto-ovo vegetarian: Includes dairy and eggs but excludes meat, poultry, and fish. This is the most common form. 2. Lacto-vegetarian: Includes dairy but excludes eggs, meat, poultry, and fish. 3. Ovo-vegetarian: Includes eggs but excludes dairy, meat, poultry, and fish. 4. Vegan: Excludes all animal products, including dairy, eggs, and sometimes honey. 5. Flexitarian (semi-vegetarian): Primarily plant-based but occasionally includes meat or fish. Though not strictly vegetarian, many use it as a transition. 6. Pescatarian: Includes fish and seafood along with plant-based foods and may also include eggs and dairy. Although similar to vegetarian diets, it does not fall under the strict definition of vegetarianism because it includes animal flesh (fish).
Benefits There are many benefits to following a vegetarian diet, especially when it is well-balanced and includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods. One of the most wellknown advantages is a reduced risk of several chronic health conditions. Studies have shown that people who follow a vegetarian diet tend to have lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. This is largely because plant-based diets are naturally rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol compared to diets that include a lot of meat and animal products. A vegetarian diet can also support healthy weight management. Many plantbased foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, are filling and nutritious without being high in calo-
ries. This can make it easier to maintain a healthy weight over time. In addition, the high fiber content of plant foods helps with digestion and keeps the digestive system functioning well, reducing issues like constipation and promoting gut health. Beyond the personal health benefits, choosing a vegetarian lifestyle can also have a positive impact on the environment. Producing plant-based foods generally uses fewer natural resources such as land, water, and energy than raising animals for food. In addition, livestock farming is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. By eating more plant-based meals, individuals can help reduce their environmental footprint and support a more sustainable food system.
Drawbacks While a vegetarian diet can offer
many health benefits, there are also some challenges and potential drawbacks, especially if the diet is not well-balanced and carefully planned. One of the main concerns is the risk of missing out on important nutrients that are commonly found in animal products. For example, vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function and making red blood cells, but it’s naturally found only in animal-based foods. People following vegetarian or especially vegan diets often need to get B12 through fortified foods or supplements. Iron is another nutrient to watch. While plant-based foods like lentils and spinach contain iron, it’s not as easily absorbed by the body as the iron in meat. Eating vitamin C-rich foods like oranges or tomatoes along with plant-based iron sources can help improve absorption. Calcium, which is important for strong bones and teeth, may be lower in diets that avoid dairy. In that case, it’s helpful to choose calcium-fortified plant milks or other foods. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, are mostly found in fatty fish and are important for heart and brain health. While some plant foods contain a form of omega-3 (ALA), it may not be enough on its own, so some vegetarians turn to algae-based supplements. Protein is another key nutrient. While it’s possible to get enough protein from plants, it takes some planning to include a variety of protein-rich foods such as beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Combining different plant proteins throughout the day helps ensure the body gets all the essential amino acids it needs. In addition to nutritional concerns, the social side of being vegetarian can also be challenging. Eating out at restaurants or attending social events may be difficult if vegetarian options are limited, which can make it harder to stick to
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Sample Menu Breakfast 1. 1-2 slices of whole grain bread with all natural peanut butter and banana slices. Cup of almond milk. 2. Cooked oats with apples/berries and a sprinkle of chia and flax seeds, topped with slivered almonds. 3. Cottage cheese with cucumbers
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Aliza Beer is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail. com, and you can follow her on Instagram at @alizabeer
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It’s important to follow a vegetarian diet in a healthy and balanced way to make sure your body gets everything it needs. This means planning your meals and including a wide variety of foods. Eating different plant-based foods – like beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables – can help provide all the nutrients your body needs to stay strong and healthy. These foods give you protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But some nutrients, like vitamin B12 and vitamin D, can be harder to get from plant foods alone. In these cases, eating fortified foods (foods with added nutrients) or taking supplements might be necessary. It’s also important to include enough protein in your diet. Since plant proteins don’t always have all the building blocks your body needs, it helps to eat a mix of protein-rich foods throughout the day, like rice with beans, or peanut butter on whole grain toast. Watching portion sizes is another key part of a healthy vegetarian diet. Even though many plant foods are healthy, eating too many high-calorie foods like nuts or oils can still lead to weight gain. Choosing whole
foods and reading nutrition labels can help you avoid overly processed vegetarian products that are high in salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats. A registered dietitian can be a great resource to help you plan your vegetarian meals the right way. They can make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need, help you choose the right foods, and suggest supplements if needed. Overall, vegetarian diets can be a nutritious and sustainable choice when thoughtfully planned. With attention to nutrient intake and variety, individuals can enjoy the many health benefits of a plant-based diet while minimizing potential risks. Whether someone adopts vegetarianism fully or chooses to reduce meat consumption gradually, increasing the focus on whole, plant-based foods is a positive step toward better health.
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How to Properly Be on a Vegetarian diet
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the diet. It can also feel isolating if family or friends don’t understand or support the choice. Lastly, it’s important to remember that not all vegetarian foods are automatically healthy. Some processed vegetarian products, such as meat substitutes, frozen meals, veggie chips, or plant-based desserts, can be high in sodium, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. Many popular go-to options like veggie burgers and imitation chicken nuggets are often highly processed and made with refined carbohydrates, oils, and additives. While they may be convenient or marketed as healthier choices, they can contribute to excessive calorie intake and provide little nutritional value. Even foods like vegan pastries, energy bars, or non-dairy ice cream can contain high amounts of sugar and refined flour. Just like with any diet, focusing on mostly whole, minimally processed foods – like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds – is key to supporting long-term health and wellness. Reading food labels and being mindful of ingredients helps ensure that a vegetarian diet remains balanced, nutrient-dense, and aligned with your health goals.
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MAY 15, 2025
To Raise a Laugh Be Patient Already!
W
e live in a very impatient society. Even though they say that patience is a virtue. “Hey, why is patience a virtue? Why isn’t hurrying up a virtue?” Am I impatient? I’m trying to figure that out. Impatient people bite lollypops, right? They also people peek at the ends of mystery novels to find out who did it. I don’t do that, but I do peek at the last page to see which characters definitely survive until the end, so I can try to identify with them, because I want to live until the end. (It takes me a long time to get through books.) Anyway, the reason I bring up impatience now, finally, is that there’s a recent study from Singapore that says that impatient people die sooner, chas v’shalom. Now when you hear this, your first thought is, “Yeah, of course. They’re always in a hurry to get to the next stage. “When are you gonna get married?” “When are you gonna get a job?” “When are you gonna marry off your kids?” “When are you gonna retire?” And then what?” On the other hand, maybe this study is the reason they’re always impatient. Some part of them is like, “Nu, what’s taking so long? Some of us aren’t going to live forever.”
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By Mordechai Schmutter
So because I’m the type of writer who would prefer that my readers live longer, here are some tips I found on being more patient. These tips are all recommended by “experts” who live alone at the tops of mountains and have tons of patience, which is very easy for them, because they live alone. (One of the biggest drains on patience is other people.) And they have to be patient, because it takes them forever to get a pizza delivered up there. 1. Focus on the bigger picture. Ask yourself, “Will this matter ten years from now?” Most often the answer is, “No. I’ll be gone by then.” If you’re not sure if it’ll
matter, wait ten years and see. 2. Count to 10. You should probably do this in your head rather than out loud if you’re in public, such as in line at airport security. By the time you get to ten, most of the initial impulse to yell will be out of the way, and there will be several airport security people sitting on you. 3. Take deep, slow breaths. Close your eyes and take five deep, slow breaths, and imagine your frustration melting away. This will do nothing, because you’re just imagining it. But let’s be honest: No one who’s generally impatient is reading anymore at this point anyway. All the impatient readers have skipped to the end of the list to see how the article turns out and whether anyone dies at the end. At most, all they’re reading are the words in bold. Should we wait for them to come back? Nah, we don’t have all day. Let’s talk about them. Give me one second, though – I need to start a new paragraph. 4. Remind yourself that things that are worthwhile take time. Where was I? Oh, yeah. Counting to ten? That’s really going to help these people? Think about it. How many of these tips work if you’re driving? Should you close your eyes and wait for your impatience to melt away? 5. Remember that being patient with others is a form of respect. Maybe we should talk about how to be more patient with impatient people. Not that they’re patient with us. So maybe we should just mess with them. Like for example, we can tell them stories really really slowly. 6. Keep a journal. The truth is, though, that we’re all impatient about certain things. Like when you get trapped behind a group of people walking really slowly on the sidewalk. Or when you have a work deadline and your computer isn’t cooperating because it’s “busy.” What is it busy doing? And for whom? 7. Constantly fidget with something. Or when you’re behind someone in line waiting to buy a ticket for a train or a bus, and they have
to take ten minutes to decide, because they had absolutely no inkling of where they were going when they got on line to buy this ticket. 8. Roll your eyes and go, “Cccccchhhhhh!” a lot. Or when you’re stuck behind a garbage truck that has to stop at every single house. Every house! Or when you’re waiting for your kids to do homework you can easily do yourself in a fraction of the time. “Are you thinking, or are you spacing out in the general direction of the page?” 9. Fantasize picking people up and physically tossing them out of your way. Also, sitting in any kind of significant traffic gives you a hernia. And don’t get me started on dealing with impatient people. 10. Order pizza at least a week before you want it delivered to your mountain. On the other hand, there are a lot of studies as to what kills us, and there’s really no pattern. According to studies, these are some of the people who die “sooner”: Lefties, people who sleep too much, people who drink too much coffee, obese people, people who are too skinny, people who run too much, really tall people, and men. Just “men” in general. I think scientists keep coming up with all these theories because we’re supposed to live until 120, but almost no one does, except random people who make the news. 120 years for their 15 minutes of fame. Now that’s patience. (Anyway, speaking of impatience, my sixth book, which is due out Pesach, is coming out around Shavuos. It will no longer be called Jewish Time as I’d originally planned, because apparently that title is jinxed. Instead it will be called, For This I Had To Grow Up? And it’s about things like this.) Mordechai Schmutter is a freelance writer and a humor columnist for Hamodia and other magazines. He has also published eight books and does stand-up comedy. You can contact him at MSchmutter@gmail.com.
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Sparks of Light The Lag B’Omer Legacy of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Shimon By Rabbi Benny Berlin
We light bonfires on Lag B’Omer because Rabbi Shimon taught us how to bring light from darkness. His rebbe, Rabbi Akiva, was no different. A descendant of converts, he started learning Torah at age 40. The story of how he grew from an ignorant shepherd into
will one day expound on every crown, every thorn of every letter, deriving mountains of halachos. Rabbi Akiva’s greatness was not only in what he saw but in how he saw. He saw meaning even in the tiniest, seemingly decorative parts of the Torah. He saw purpose in the thorns.
one of the greatest sages of all time is well known. But we sometimes overlook the symbolism of what he represents: a man who began in the dark and found his way to the light. The Gemara in Menachos 29b tells the powerful story of Moshe Rabbeinu going up to Heaven and seeing Hashem tying crowns to the letters of the Torah. Hashem explains that a man named Akiva
That image becomes even more profound when we reflect on his death. While being tortured by the Romans, Rabbi Akiva accepted his fate with love. He recited Shema with joy, saying, “All my life I’ve waited to fulfill this mitzvah of loving Hashem with all my soul, even if He takes my life.” His students were broken, but Rabbi Akiva was serene. The world saw
Rabbi Benny Berlin is the rabbi of BACH Jewish Center located in Long Baeach, New York. For more information, visit: https://www. bachlongbeach.com/.
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Rabbi Shimon taught us how to bring light from darkness.
horror. He saw redemption. This is the root of Lag B’Omer. It is not only the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon but the celebration of a worldview. A worldview that says the deepest light can come only after the deepest darkness. That Torah can emerge from caves. That bonfires can be lit after years of silence. That the thorny, painful moments of life can be transformed into crowns. It’s no coincidence that the Arizal teaches us that Lag B’Omer corresponds to Hod Sheb’Hod, the lowest point on the left side of the Sefirotic map, which represents judgment and concealment. And yet it is precisely from that place that Rabbi Shimon rises and reveals light. From that point, we stop mourning and begin preparing for Kabbalas HaTorah. Lag B’Omer is a turning point. It is a reminder that the very things that seem to break us might be the key to unlocking the greatest good. There’s a teaching from Rav Alexander Ziskind of Grodno, author of Yesod V’Shoresh HaAvodah, who says that the future light of the Geulah will make clear to us that all the darkness we experienced was, in truth, an expression of Hashem’s deepest love. Just like tomorrow will make today’s suffering comprehensible, so, too, can we try, with the eyes of Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Akiva, to see some of that light even now. May we merit to carry their torches. May we learn to transform our own thorns into crowns. And may we soon see the final light of redemption, speedily in our days.
MAY 15, 2025
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here’s a beautiful rule in Torah interpretation articulated by Rav Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin: the first appearance of a word in the Torah reveals its essence. The first time a letter appears carries the root of that letter’s meaning. If this is true in Chumash, the same must hold for Torah Sheba’al Peh. The first teaching of a sage reveals something profound about the mission of their Torah and the kind of avodah that sustains their worldview. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai’s first statement in Shas, in Maseches Berachos 5a, is this: “Hakadosh Baruch Hu gave three precious gifts to Klal Yisrael, and He only gave them through suffering: Torah, Eretz Yisrael, and Olam Haba.” That is the opening line of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in all of Shas. If this is our introduction to Rabbi Shimon, we can assume it’s not coincidental. This is his legacy. The way to true goodness, he teaches, is not smooth. The most profound blessings in life are not handed over with ease. They require pain. They require difficulty. They require effort. And in the end, they are worth everything. Rabbi Shimon knew this firsthand. Persecuted by the Roman government for speaking the truth, he fled to a cave with his son. For 12 years, he sat immersed in Torah, hidden from the world, his body cracked and withered from subsisting on carob and water. When he emerged, his Torah was different. His view of the world was different. Initially, he could not tolerate the mundane lives of farmers and merchants, wondering how people could give up the eternal for the temporal. But after returning to the cave for another year, he emerged again, transformed. The same eyes that once burned the world now healed it. Where his son saw flaws, Rabbi Shimon saw beauty. Where others saw lowliness, Rabbi Shimon saw potential.
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From Darkness to Light
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Parenting Pearls MAY 15, 2025
Creating Order
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By Sara Rayvych, MSEd
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“H
akol b’seder?” “B’seder gamur.” Clearly, having everything in order is very important. We need to create order in many areas of our life, including our surrounding space, time and thoughts. Making sense of the chaos and creating structure is an important part of success and accomplishment. As adults, we can appreciate the role order plays in our daily life but also in our ability to function and have peace of mind. We have so many responsibilities and obligations. To get anything done we need to have a method to go from one thing to the next, ensuring everything is completed. Without this tool we’d have kids without carpool, missing dinner and their uniforms. Bills would go unpaid, and groceries would no longer magically appear in the fridge. Anyone experiencing extreme stress can appreciate the necessity of having an “orderly mind.” With our thoughts all jumbled up, we can’t function, get anything done or enjoy menuchas hanefesh. Kids, too, need order in their lives. As their loving adults, it’s our job to not only help add seder to their day, it’s also our
role to teach them this life skill. Accurately judging our child’s abilities will guide us in having realistic expectations, knowing when to help and when to step back.
Defining Order There are many ways to define “order.” It can refer to organizing items according to a set criteria – such as size or alphabetically – or simply putting them away. We can have our thoughts work in an orderly fashion, moving through the solution of a problem or planning our day. Our day can have a sense of order and rhythm, getting everything done in a familiar routine. We could continue to list all the different ways to have “order” in our lives. While each of these are their own topic, I would like to have this one article dedicated to simply discussing the general importance of having “order” in a child’s life. Order isn’t something that comes to many naturally, and it needs to be systematically taught to children. Not everyone values having everything in order, and we each require different levels of this vague concept called “order.” Some people can’t imagine getting up in the morning without their
socks prearranged in their drawer, set in orderly rows according to color. Others consider loosely tossed-in clean socks to be sufficient to start their day. Each person will have their unique personalities and needs that should be respected. Both of the above individuals will have clean socks to put on before Shacharis. When discussing the role of “order,” it can be helpful to contrast it with its opposite, such as “disorder” or “chaos.” Using the above example, an individual who has nothing but dirty socks in random places on their bedroom floor has disorder to their belongings and will have nothing clean to wear. Not everyone will place a high priority on order, but we can easily recognize the challenges that come from having disorder or chaos in any area of our life. We need to remember that we may define “order” differently than a child. Even if it’s not our ideal, it can still be a valid method and we should respect their uniqueness and special way of doing things.
Daily Routine Everyone needs a daily routine – especially kids. Children thrive on stabil-
ity and routine, and this can be a challenge for adults who are not naturally this structured. Having a schedule and order to the day helps everything run smoother and get done, but with kids, it also gives them landmarks for time and a sense of stability. Time is an abstract concept and is meaningless to young people. Even once they can tell time, there is still a vagueness and inability to plan around that clock. Routines encourage stability by providing children with predictability and an awareness of what to expect. This eases transitions and helps children to go from one activity to the next. Their bodies synchronize, learning to be hungry by mealtime and sleepy at bedtime. A set routine also ensures that everything gets done. With time set aside for homework, play and other activities, children can get everything completed during a limited time. Kids require free time in their day, and allowing unstructured play (or other activities) needs to be factored in. Routines don’t need to be designed to the minute, and they always require some flexibility. It may be helpful to
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Completing a Job
portant, and that my child needed me beside her. With wishes for a refuah sheleima, the dental staff readily canceled my appointment, and my little one started months of treatment and therapy. It is a gift from Hashem that she has no scars or residual injury. Imagine the danger of not setting priorities and failing to drop the less necessary tasks during an emergency. Beyond breaking down a task into more manageable parts, it’s important to understand how to prioritize them. For example, as leftover food or wrappers will attract bugs, they are a higher priority to clean if a child is short on time. Clean clothing needs to be washed, or they won’t have clothes for the next day. They can clean up their trucks after that. As adults, we do this all the time. We would consider it unwise to do massive baking for Shavuos when it’s an hour before Shabbos. First, we’ll prepare for Shabbos’s imminent arrival and afterwards we can make our famous cheesecake.
Some children are unable to mentally go through the job that needs to be done. Helping a child with these and other executive functioning skills can help give them a strong foundation towards accomplishing what they set out to do. There are times when a child may be under stress or going through emotional pain. In these situations, it’s unrealistic to require what we would normally expect from them. We need to be sensitive to their needs and help them through the current situation, getting professional help if needed. So much of our ability to function is determined by the order we maintain in our lives and the way we organize ourselves. Teaching children these important skills will give them one more step towards setting and accomplishing their life goals. May Hashem always guide them throughout life, helping them prioritize and succeed.
Clear Thinking
Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has
More important than an orderly sock drawer is having an orderly mind. Without thinking clearly, nothing gets done.
been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.
MAY 15, 2025
Understanding how to divide up tasks and complete them in a timely fashion is an important life skill. We may assume this comes automatically but it often requires direct training. Any given job needs to be divided up into specific tasks. For example, cleaning their room requires tossing dirty laundry in the hamper, trash in the bin and toys in the appropriate box. A child needs to understand each of these tasks and how to do them, otherwise everything gets pushed under their bed or thrown out. School projects and other
jobs will have their own specific – but necessary – task breakdown. When first presented with a new task they may need hands-on guidance to understand what’s expected of them. For example, while obvious to us, kids need to be taught to put clean clothes back in their drawer and not into the hamper – avoiding the endless cycle of rewashing clean items. Each job will require a specific amount of time. Children need to learn how to estimate the correct amount of time and then set aside that amount to complete it. For example, if their math homework usually takes around 20 minutes, then they need to schedule that time (plus a few minutes more) into their day. Scheduling only ten minutes will put them under unfair pressure and with sloppy or incomplete work. I try to be careful to keep appointments, certainly not to cancel at the last minute. A few years ago, my child experienced an accident that resulted in severe injury to her hand. The plastic surgeon we were sent to was willing to fit us in for an emergency appointment, but I had a routine dental cleaning during that time. Setting my priorities, I knew the plastic surgeon was more im-
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think of a day as working according to a “rhythm” and not a schedule. For example, we may have a routine where our child comes home from school and enjoys a small snack before starting homework. They then go outside to play before coming in for dinner, baths and bedtime. The child knows what to do and expect, but the clock is minimally involved – mostly for the parent’s usage. We can contrast this to an overly rigid schedule where each item has a preset time slot and there is no room for homework to take longer or for dinner to be earlier.
Rabbi & Mrs Yosef Ifrah on the birth of a son
Yitzy & Miri Zern on the birth of a daughter Joel & Jenny Finkelstein of Kemp Mill on the birth of a daughter David & Tali Michelsohn on the birth of a son Want to see your simcha here? Email mazeltov@baltimorejewishhome.com or text 443-675-6507 to submit your simcha!
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Mr. & Mrs. Tzvi Topper on the birth of a son
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Living Kiddush Hashem
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MAY 15, 2025
Beyond Good Impressions
By Rabbi Shraga Freedman
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onsider the following scenario. Yaakov Goldstein, a visibly religious Jew, is at a business event where he is introduced to a non-Jewish woman. The woman extends her hand, and Yaakov politely but firmly declines the handshake (based on his Rav’s psak). The woman is terribly insulted. Did Yaakov’s actions constitute a kiddush Hashem or a chillul Hashem? Many people wrongly believe that a kiddush Hashem is created when we act in a way that impresses others and causes them to view us in a favorable light, while any actions that create unfavorable impressions constitute a chillul Hashem. But this understanding is a serious mistake. It would follow from this popular misconception that a skilled Jewish athlete
or an accomplished Jewish businessman would also create a kiddush Hashem through their successes. After all, the secular world extols such accomplishments. But a kiddush Hashem does not necessarily mean garnering the world’s acclaim. A true kiddush Hashem is achieved when a person becomes a reflection of the ratzon Hashem and embodies the character traits that Hashem commands us to develop. A true kiddush Hashem means being an ambassador of the truth, even if the truth is not particularly popular. We often cite the famous mashal that compares Klal Yisrael to the captain and crew of a ship and the nations of the world to its passengers. While the crew of a ship must treat its passengers with respect and concern, if the passengers try to coax or
cajole the crew to alter their course and steer toward a different destination, it goes without saying that the crew cannot listen to them. The same is true in our discussion. The nations of the world may try to convince us to deviate from our predetermined “course” — bringing the world to recognition of the truth of Torah — but we would definitely fail in our mission if we gave in. Kiddush Hashem means standing up for our principles — for the Torah’s principles — no matter how difficult it may be and regardless of how much opposition we may face — or what others will think. Kiddush Hashem is not measured by the accolades we receive; it is determined strictly by how much we adhere to the true will of Hashem.
Rabbi Shraga Freedman is the author of Sefer Mekadshei Shemecha, Living Kiddush Hashem, and A Life Worth Living. Email LivingKiddushHashem@ gmail.com for a free sefer. Visit LivingKiddushHashem.org for more resources Living Kiddush Hashem was founded with the goal of imbuing every Jew with a powerful sense of mission — the mission to be mekadeish Sheim Shamayim in his or her own unique way. We strive to accomplish this by raising awareness of the paramount importance of the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem and its centrality in everything we do.
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Forgotten Her es
By Avi Heiligman
prison for high-ranking French officers and political prisoners and Yugoslavian resistance member named Zvonimir Čučković. He sought out American troops to assist the remaining prisoners regain their freedom. A small American force of 16 soldiers led by Captain John Lee of the 23rd Tank Battalion was joined by a detachment of Wehrmacht troops under the command of Major Joseph “Sepp” Gangl. Gangl had defied orders and joined an anti-Nazi group to protect locals from the SS. They reached the castle and defended it with recently freed French prisoners against a large SS
Dividing up Germany had been formalized at the Potsdam Conference in 1945. Four zones were formed: the United States occupied the south, Great Britain got the northwest, France was in the southwest, and the Soviets took the east. In addition to Germany being split up by the victorious Allies, Berlin was similarly divided. However, these zones created tension between the Allies as the Cold War began to settle over the region. The U.S. today still has 40 military bases inside Germany (two are slated to be closed) even though it is now an autonomous country. As the Allies moved deeper into Ger-
Several, including Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler, took their own lives rather than face tribunal for their crimes against humanity. many, top Nazis looked for ways to escape capture. Some made their way to South America through “rat lines” while many tried to blend in with civilians or pose as regular soldiers. Others surrendered voluntarily, and several, including Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler, took their own lives rather than face tribunal for their crimes against humanity. The effort to search for Nazis continued for many years after the war. Nazi hunters had varying degrees of success. In 1960, the Mossad famously nabbed Adolf Eich-
Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.
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force. A relief force under the American 142nd Infantry Regiment finally showed up and promptly defeated the SS troops. Captain Lee was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award for battlefield valor. On April 27, 1945, former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was captured by Italian underground forces and partisans as he tried to cross the border into Switzerland with his mistress and other fascists. The next day, he was executed along with several other Italian fascists.
mann in Argentina. He was brought to trial in Israel and was convicted and hanged for his role in the Holocaust. The U.S. made a list of the top ten scientists in Germany and brought them to America. However, they made a big mistake in allowing Russia to capture the hundreds of other scientists and engineers. During the Cold War, these scientists worked on the Russian nuclear program that almost brought the world to its knees for the third time in a half a century. American high command realized that they had to do something to combat this, so they conducted a secret mission named Operation Paperclip. Its goal was to recruit scientists, engineers and technicians and bring them to the United States for government employment. Some 1,600 individuals were brought to the U.S. between 1945 and 1959 and were vital in fields such as rocketry, aviation, nuclear physics, electronics and medicine. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated worldwide on May 8, except in Russia when it’s on May 9. World War II was the bloodiest conflict in history, and we may never know how many people were killed. The memory of those who perished in the Holocaust will never be forgotten, and the heroes who fought to rid the world of fascism is history to be remembered.
MAY 15, 2025
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n early 1945, the Allied armies were converging on Germany from three sides. In the west, the Red Army captured Berlin in sixteen days. The western Allies were advancing through the last German strongholds. German forces in Italy, Bavaria, and other parts of Europe were surrendering on a large scale, and on May 7, General Alfred Jodl signed the document of unconditional surrender. The next day, Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signed another document of unconditional surrender. The war in Europe was finally over, but there was a lot more needed to ensure the mass surrender of German forces. The Americans crossed the Rhine River into Germany on March 7. This began the final assault in the war in Europe. In April, a large containment of German troops had been trapped in the Ruhr Valley, and a few weeks later some 300,000 Germans had surrendered. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died on April 12, on the same day that Buchenwald was liberated. The stage was now set for the end of the fascist dictator that had caused so much destruction and ruin. Hitler, ym”sh, was dead two days before the Battle of Berlin ended on May 2. Conspiracy theories abound that he escaped to South America, but there is proof that he died in his underground bunker in the chancellery. Battles between the Allies and Germany continued right up until the surrender. The Battle of Castle Itter took place just two days prior to the end of the war and is significant in that Americans fought alongside German Wehrmacht against hardcore Waffen SS Nazis and the Gestapo. The Austrian castle had been the
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Victory in Europe Day
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Riddle Me This
We would no longer say “bullseye.” It would be “bovine-identified central convergence point.”
It was the first week after Lag B’Omer, and the wedding hall was set for a busy week. They had a wedding scheduled on each night for five nights in a row. However, due to a clerical error, the wedding hall had no idea which couple was getting married on each night. On their information sheet, each name was in the correct column, but only 1 of the names within each column actually appeared in the correct row.
The term “aiming” would be banned because it implies a hierarchy of outcomes. All targets would be rotated weekly to ensure equal opportunity trauma. Targets would be called “impact-positive affirmation circles.” You would be required to use biodegradable arrows made from reclaimed chummus spoons.
There’s no longer a scoring system, just a spectrum of intention. Archers would be required to take a seminar called “The History of Oppression Through Trajectory.” Finals would be based on a written reflection: “What does the arrow represent for you?” Shooting more than one arrow in a row would be considered a microaggression against stillness.” The command “fire!” would be replaced with “gently empower the release.” Instead of trophies, winners would receive a weighted blanket and a podcast subscription.
Using the clues below, match the grooms, the brides, and the last names, and then place each couple in its proper order of who is getting married first. Chosson
Kallah
Last Name
Avi
Aviva
Kent
Yosef
Elonna
Goodman
Dovid
Shira
Adams
Baruch
Yocheved
Moss
Shimon
Chani
Small
1) Shimon is 1 place after Yocheved. 2) Chani is 1 place before the Mosses. 3) Dovid is not marrying Yocheved nor is he a Moss. 4) The Kents are 1 place before Shira, who is 2 places after Dovid. 5) Avi is 2 places before the Smalls.
Last Name Goodman Kent Adams Smalls Moss
MAY 15, 2025
If Archery Became Woke
Missing the target is no longer failure – it’s divergent precision.
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Centerfold
Kallah Elonna Yocheved Shira Chani Aviva
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TJH
Answer: Chosson Dovid Avi Shimon Baruch Yosef
1. *
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Three master archers – John from the Midwest, Matsui from Japan, and Yankel from Boro Park – are invited to a world championship archery contest.
John from the Midwest steps up. He fires the first arrow – bullseye.
He fires the first arrow – dead center. Second arrow – slices through the first without touching the sides. Then, with a deep breath, he pulls out a katana, tosses the third arrow in the air, and slashes it midflight into the target. People gasp. He bows deeply. “Ancient precision,” he whispers.
He walks to the field...slowly. Adjusts his hat. Adjusts his jacket. Reaches into his bag... Pulls out a bow…and a pastrami sandwich. He eats the sandwich. Then – finally – he knocks an arrow, turns completely away from the target, and fires it blindly into the air. It misses everything. Not even close. Hits a tree. A squirrel falls out. He turns to the judges, shrugs, and says: “Hashgacha pratis!”
MAY 15, 2025
The rules are simple: Each archer must shoot an arrow, then split it with a second arrow, and for the final round, perform a truly impressive third shot.
Matsui from Japan is next.
Finally, Yankel from Boro Park steps up.
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You Gotta Be Kidding Me
Second arrow – splits the first right down the middle. For the third, he does a 360 spin, blindfolds himself, and nails the exact center again. Crowd goes wild. He bows and says, “G-d bless America.”
Archery Trivia 4. In archery scoring, what is the maximum number of points you can score with one arrow? a. 8 b. 9 c. 10 d. 12
7. What does it mean when an archer “dry fires” a bow? a. Shoots without aiming b. Shoots with a broken arrow c. Releases the string without an arrow d. Fires in the wind
2. What is the name for the feathers or vanes on the back of an arrow? a. Fins b. Fletching c. Plumes d. Tails
5. What is the term for pulling back the string before releasing an arrow? a. Draw b. Knock c. Stretch d. Yank
8. What is the term for adjusting your aim after each shot to improve consistency? a. Calibration b. Correction c. Tuning d. Sighting
6. What is the name of the container used to hold multiple bows? a. Rack b. Saddle c. Case d. Rickle
Answers: 1-A 3-D 5-A 7-C
3. In the Olympics, how far is the target from the archer in individual competition? a. 20 feet b. 70.2 feet c. 100.5 feet d. 229.6 feet
2-B 4-C 6-C 8-D
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1. What is the nickname often given to the yellow center of an archery target? a. Gold b. Bullseye c. Center mark d. The doughnut
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MAY 15, 2025
Notable Quotes “Say What?!”
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Men should not play sports against women. If anybody thinks [they should], I think they are stupid. - ESPN commentator and Hall of Fame basketball player Charles Barkley
They can’t fire me. I make too much money to get fired. So, they can’t fire me. First of all, if they fire me, they got to pay me for seven years, and I’m going to quit way before then. But if they want to fire me, I would love for them to do that… I’m not worried about getting fired. And nobody at ESPN is going to tell me what to say or do. Period. - ibid.
In shul this morning we shifted from “Trump is amazing” to “Hashem is in charge.” – Tweet by Mendy Pellin
A friend of mine who’s a businessman, very, very, very top guy, most of you would have heard of him. Highly neurotic, brilliant businessman, seriously overweight ... and he takes the fat shot drug. He called me up and he said, “President ... I’m in London and I just paid for this fat drug I take.” I said, “It’s not working!” – Pres. Trump while announcing a cap on medication costs
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While you have been constructing the world’s tallest skyscrapers in Jeddah and Dubai, Tehran’s 1979 landmarks are collapsing into rubble and dust. I want to make a deal with Iran. If I can, we will make the region and your world a safer place. - President Trump speaking in Saudi Arabia
This is an offer that will not last forever. The time is right now for them to choose. Things are happening at a very fast pace. They have to make their move right now – one way or the other, make your move. - ibid.
If Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch and continues to attack their major diplomatic neighbors, we will have no choice but to inflict maximum pressure. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. - ibid.
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Over the years, numerous studies, speeches and books have focused on a phenomenon known as self-sabotage. The subjects are highly successful people who throw it all away by behaving recklessly when they get to the top of the heap. Overconfidence, boredom and an insatiable quest for power are among the reasons commonly identified as explanations for the destructive cycle. Now comes Donald Trump, who is behaving in ways that risk his name being added to the list of the notoriously foolhardy. - Michael Goodwin, The New York Post, warning Trump not to accept a $400 million personal gift from Qatar
Air Force One will have something in common with Hamas. Paid for by Qatar. - Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
- Erin Molan, a non-Jewish Australian news anchor who was fired by Sky News for defending Israel, while accepting an award in Israel
Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Jazeera, all the rest — that’s not America First! Like, please define America First in a way that says you should take sacks of cash from the Qatari royals who are behind al-Jazeera. It just isn’t America first in any conceivable way.
MAY 15, 2025
Every second, every day, I’m reminded of how hypocritical the rest of the world is.
- Ben Shapiro
If you want President Trump’s agenda to succeed, taking jets from Qatar is not the way. Taking real estate deals from Qatar is not the way. The largest obstacle to any administration is scandal. From Watergate to Whitewater, scandal-plagued administrations have a really tough time gathering the political capital necessary to actually effectuate their agenda, and that’s why it’s unbelievably important that the Trump administration avoid scandal. That is the reason I am worried about this stuff. - ibid.
I think if we switched the names to Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, we’d all be freaking out on the Right. Let’s say if Qatar was giving Joe a $400 million jet for his use at his presidential library after his presidency. – ibid.
- Orit Mark Ettinger, who lost family members in terrorist attacks, talking about meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee
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I have to say, he truly moved me. The way he listened, the attention he gave to every single person who came up to him.
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MAY 15, 2025
56 I wonder how Columbia University would behave in the following scenario. A bunch of students and outside agitators descend on their campus. They are dressed in the gear of the Ku Klux Klan, being careful to conceal their faces so as to avoid any personal criticism. They then enter the university’s library and other sacred spaces of learning and chant for the lynching of black Americans. Would Columbia University sit by while this happened? Would Democrat prosecutors and left-wing activists claim that this was simply a case of people exercising their free-speech rights? - Douglas Murray, The New York Post
Letitia James Hides From Trump DOJ By Painting Herself Bronze and Standing Very, Very Still in Times Square - Babylon Bee headline about a new massive statue of a large African-American woman in Times Square
Joe Biden was on “The View” today. That’s the closest Joy Behar has been to a vegetable in years. – Greg Gutfeld, Fox News
Joe was accompanied by his wife Jill. “The View” said that they are looking forward to viewing the former president…as well as Joe Biden. – ibid.
Tensions between India and Pakistan are on the rise. As a result, the rest of the world fears that they will have nowhere to turn for tech support. – ibid.
You think I’m going to be sitting on a waiting line at United waiting while 30,000 people are waiting? – Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) when asked by Bret Bier if he is a hypocrite for flying private to his “Fighting the Oligarchy” rallies
And we proudly live in a land where every TV commercial features a mixed-race couple, including the ones where it makes no sense. Mom’s black, dad’s white, and the kid’s Asian. - Bill Maher
But here is the dilemma for Democrats. Their young people, their key constituency, not only don’t like their own civilization, they like the wrong one. They actually think Hamas is a liberation movement. - Ibid.
There’s a lot of people that are like, you know what? Like, let’s go find the safest white boy we can find.
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- Racist Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), who is black, on a radio show speculating about who will end up being the Democrat Party’s 2028 presidential nominee
It’s so amazing to me…a cognitive decline? I think that you are mocking his stutter. You have absolutely no standing to diagnose someone’s cognitive decline. – CNN Jake Tapper on 10/18/20 cutting off Lara Trump for stating that Biden was suffering from mental decline (Tapper just released a book with a “bombshell revelation” that Biden had been suffering from mental decline going back to 2020)
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MAY 15, 2025
Dating Dialogue
What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
Dear Navidaters, I’m writing about a very specific issue that I’m not really sure is an issue. For background, I’m 28 and have been dating since I’ve been 21.
I’m generally cautious and find it hard to connect. I’m cautious in general and very calculated (not just with dating but also my career, life choices, etc.). The guy I’ve been going out with for the last six weeks is looking promising. Our date yesterday was going well, and then he told me in passing that all his savings are wrapped up in bitcoin. He went on and on about how amazing it is and will be. I’m the very opposite of a bitcoin kind of girl. I’m the kind of person who hasn’t updated her phone in years because I trust and like what I’m used to. Bitcoin to me seems too new
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age and unpredictable, possibly irresponsible. While I don’t want to act rashly, I also don’t want to stay with someone who is not responsible. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, Perel*
Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.
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The Panel You don’t want to walk into a
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.
marriage knowing
P
in advance that
The Shadchan Michelle Mond
T
hank you for this thought-provoking question. You’re smart to have picked up on what is a major difference
this person’s habits will leave you feeling constantly unsettled.
in mindset, all from one passing comment about bitcoin. As you mentioned, you tend to be cautious and old-school, while he is someone who gets excited about trends and is comfortable taking financial risks. That kind of contrast in personalities is important to pay attention to. It’s true that bitcoin has become more mainstream and legitimate in recent years. Still, that doesn’t mean everyone is comfortable tying up all of their savings in it, especially someone who prefers stable, predictable choices. The bigger picture here is not just about bitcoin itself, but what it represents. It may be a sign that he has a more risk-oriented personality. He may always have his eye on the next big thing, which can have its own downsides. People who have a more risk taker
Looking forward! Michelle, the “Shadchan”
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MAY 15, 2025
erel, you identified two issues, one deeper connected to self-knowledge, and one specific to this young man. Deal with the first one: your caution in opening up, connecting, and change. Go into short-term behavioral therapy to deal with this, especially because you are so self-aware. Cognitive behavioral therapy might be the right modality because it employs exposure therapy to address the issue and is evidence based. CBT works! It’s a good thing the bitcoin issue came up between the two of you. Discuss your different approaches to things, not just money but adventure travel, recreational choices, professional choices, relationships, and other things that involve risk. See how you communicate, resolve things, and whether you can resolve these different styles. My guess is that this young fellow is not going to be a fit. To put all your money in one trendy pot is very risky, and you are very cautious. B’hatzlacha!
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personality can be more susceptible to becoming a victim of fraud. I’ve unfortunately heard many stories of people who got pulled into questionable investments. One that stands out is the infamous historical bond fraud scheme, where intelligent, well-meaning people were persuaded to invest in something that seemed promising, only to later find out it was completely fabricated. These things don’t just happen to careless people. They can happen to those who are overly confident and sometimes too trusting. At the same time, this doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. The key here is communication. Try to understand his thought process and how he came to make that decision. If, after speaking with him, you feel comfortable, that’s a good sign. You should also share your own mindset when it comes to savings and financial stability and see how he responds. Does he respect your perspective and engage thoughtfully, or does he dismiss it and scoff? You don’t want to walk into a marriage knowing in advance that this person’s habits will leave you feeling constantly unsettled. But if you talk it through and feel reassured, and if there’s mutual respect, it may be a difference that you can live with. Take your time, ask the right questions, and really pay attention to how the conversations make you feel. This is less about bitcoin and more about how compatible your personalities are, how you handle differences, and align on values. Hatzlacha!
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few years ago, a good friend recommended investing in bitcoin. I wish I had followed his advice! Your letter contains some positives and some negatives.
Good News – Bad News The good news is that you have connected with someone who might be a
suitable life partner. Further, he is not like the lazy, unambitious young man who we read about a few weeks ago. This guy, at least, has a plan for achieving a comfortable financial future. And, note, that if a single guy who does not yet have heavy family responsibilities, aggressively invests in a risky venture like bitcoin, it does not necessarily mean that he’s irresponsible. And the further good news is that he is not like the very untrustworthy young man who we read about last month. He often claimed that he needed a restroom, when he deceitfully would sneak off to smoke a cigarette. Your boyfriend, at least, is being completely honest about bitcoin, even though you may not approve. The bad news is that the two of you seem to have antithetical world views and philosophies. So, can this relationship, nevertheless, thrive?
Compatible or Incompatible? You are more old-school and conventional, while he is more contemporary and non-conforming. Your wristwatch is probably analog while his is probably digital. You probably keep up with the news by reading a newspaper, while he probably consults the apps on his smartphone. Is this a serious problem? It could be, if you do not see eye-to-eye on some very important, core issues. Examples of irreconcilable core differences would be, say, if he wanted a childless marriage, but you wanted many children; or, if he would insist on living in an Upper East Side apartment, but you wanted a home in the suburbs; or, if he wanted to join a Reform synagogue, but you wanted Orthodox. On less important issues, as long as neither of you are completely inflexible and stubborn, this relationship can, indeed, lead to a wonderful, happy marriage. In a successful marriage, partners discuss their different but equally valid ideas and opinions, and they work at blending them together. Consider investments, for example. Remember my friend who invested in bitcoin? That was only with part of his funds, because his wife is more conser-
vative. Accordingly, they blended both approaches, and the rest of their funds are diversified over more traditional investments. How about vacations? Several years ago, my wife wanted us to go on a tour of museums in Florence, Italy, but I wanted to go the Pacific Island of Fiji, for scuba diving. What did we do? We compromised. We toured the museums in Florence. (Hmm. In retrospect, perhaps that’s not such a good example worthy of emulation.) Here’s a better example of blending seemingly incompatible desires. We went on a two-week vacation to Australia. For the first week, we toured together. For the second week, we checked into a nice beachfront hotel; there, while my wife spent her days sitting on the beach reading novels, I spent my days scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. But, I digress. The point is that if you are both on the same page when it comes to important values, goals, and aspirations, and, if you both can be flexible and accommodating about less important issues, then this can be the start of a beautiful life together. (That is, unless, of course, he insists on investing all of your money in a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to finance an oil exploration venture, adjacent to some swampland in Outer Mongolia.)
Reader’s Response S.D. The Young Realist
H
i Perel, First off, you’re smart to dig a little deeper here — money habits can actually reveal a lot about a person’s character and how they approach life in various aspects. Your reaction isn’t overdramatic or irrational. You’re not just reacting to bitcoin itself but what it represents to you: unpredictability, risk, and possibly impulsiveness. You’re someone who thrives on stability and familiarity, which is why it’s completely understandable that after hearing that the
You probably keep up with the news by reading a newspaper, while he probably consults the apps on his smartphone.
guy you’re dating seriously has put all his savings into something as risky and unpredictable as cryptocurrency, you naturally step back for a second to reconsider things. That said, someone investing in Bitcoin doesn’t automatically make them irresponsible. The real question is WHY did he invest all his savings in it? Does he understand the risks? Has he planned for worst-case scenarios? Is this just one piece of a bigger financial strategy, or is he impulsively placing all his hopes in one volatile asset? My advice to you is go talk to him! Explain to him how important stability and financial predictability is to you — it is so important that you communicate your concerns with him! As I mentioned before, how someone handles money often mirrors how they handle other parts of life, and so his answers may reveal more than just his financial mindset; they’ll likely give you insight into his overall approach to decision-making, risk, and how he navigates life in general. Not to mention, the way he responds to you communicating your concerns with him will also give you insight into how he responds to healthy communication in general. Will he take it as a personal attack to something that’s important to him, or will he understand your valid concerns and explain himself in a mature manner? These are all important things to observe and evaluate. I hope everything works out!
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The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
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which i s often where the most meaningf ul relat ionship work begins. I want to acknowledge something right away. I’m a therapist, not a financial advisor. So whether bitcoin is brilliant or bonkers is outside the scope of my practice. What is in my wheelhouse,
Wishing you clarity, Jennifer
Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.
MAY 15, 2025
ear Perel, I really appreciate how much thought you’re putting into this. It sounds like you’re someone who moves through the world with intention and discernment, and that’s something to be proud of. You’re not writing in about a flashy red flag or a dramatic conflict. You’re sitting with the quieter discomfort of difference,
are built in real time, with real questions and honest conversations. This could be an opportunity to practice that kind of honesty. Not in an accusatory way. Not “I think this is irresponsible.” But in a way that lets him see you and how you tick. “When you said your savings are in bitcoin, I felt a little thrown. I tend to be cautious with money, and it brought up some fears for me. I’d love to understand more about what it means to you.” Because it’s not really about bitcoin. It’s about whether the two of you can talk through differences with curiosity and care. And that’s the kind of currency that matters most in any lasting partnership.
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though, is what happens to us emotionally when we’re confronted with something that doesn’t feel familiar or safe. And it sounds like this moment on the date really activated something in you, a kind of internal radar around security, predictability, and maybe even compatibility. It’s not necessarily about whether bitcoin is the problem. The deeper question might be: do I feel emotionally safe with someone who thinks so differently from me about something that feels important? And just as important, can I have an open conversation with him about how I feel, without fearing judgment or shutdown? Sometimes, we make the mistake of thinking we have to decide right away if someone is “the one.” But relationships
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School of
Thought
From Sad to Happy By Barbara Deutsch
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s teachers, we returned to school after the joys of the Pesach break and dove right into the planning of the “Yoms”: Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut. In the past, I found the most meaningful of the Yoms to be Yom HaShoah. Perhaps it was because of my own survivor background or the weight of the tragedy, Yom HaShoah resonated with pain and loss. As the survivors grow older and more fragile, eyewitness accounts will disappear, and it will have to be up to our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to carry their legacy. This year, commemorating the Yoms in our new Jerusalem home this year has moved the needle to Yom HaZikaron. I am not a fan of cemeteries; the coldness of row upon row of headstones filled with personal messages deepens the loss of lives chronicled on their surfaces. A quick review of the headstone landscape on Har Herzl (the designated IDF burial ground) makes it quickly apparent that the chayalim who have been laid to rest are so painfully young – children who have just started their lives. Seeing row upon row of these markers brings you to your knees. We went to Ammunition Hill to participate in the Michael Levin Base, Lone Soldier Commemoration. The program is dedicated in memory of First Sgt. Michael Levin, 22, a lone soldier from Philadelphia killed in the Second Lebanon War in 2006, and Sara Blaustein, 53, a mother of four who made aliyah from New York with her husband, Norman, and was murdered in a 2001 terror attack near their home in Efrat. Sara and Norman Blaustein, our friends. There was a host of speakers, mothers of children who had lost their lives on October 7 and during these days of war. Some of the most powerful moments emerged from the stories of three bereaved mothers. Limor Rom, the mother of Jonathan (Yonatan) Rom, 23, who was born in South Carolina, grew up in Mevaseret Zion and was murdered at the Nova music festival, recounted how she had become an El Al flight attendant just to feel closer to him. How does one process or even try to
understand the grief of a mother who has lost a child? Limor spoke of her son and the impact his death has had on her life. “I signed up to be a stewardess on El Al; flying high into the clouds I feel closer to Yonatan. I talk to him about my day, and I catch him up on the news of our family. I will always remember him; I want everyone to remember his sacrifice.” Dina Guedalia, whose son Yosef Malachi, 22, fell in battle at Kfar Aza, and Iris Haim, mother of Yotam, 28, who was
Overlooking the Jerusalem hills, 1,200 mourners sat on pillows to soften the hard stony rocks beneath them. We listened, we sang, and we cried. In this small country of believers, we mourn the loss of the young people who would have been part of our future Israel. Turning grief into joy, erev Yom Ha’Atzmaut was celebrated on the short coattails of Yom HaZikaron. There were tefillot gatherings everywhere. The parks were filling up with celebrants preparing
In this small country of believers, we mourn the loss of the young people who would have been part of our future Israel.
kidnapped from Kfar Aza, each mother so different hashkafically, have developed a special bond based on their common loss. Yotam survived more than 60 days in captivity and managed to escape wandering for five days; he was killed accidentally by IDF friendly fire. Iris Haim spoke of forgiving the IDF soldiers, crippled with grief over what they had done, so that they could get out of bed. Courage and strength are not simply reserved for the chayalim.
barbecues and parties – until they were not. Terrible arsonists had set fire to the forests around Beit Shemesh and Yerushalayim, closing roads and evacuating homes. Big winds carried the flames and threw down furniture and branches. The burning forests rocked me! Bob and I have been lucky in our aliyah to be embraced by different communities of new friends who welcome us into their hearts and to their tables. We were invited to our first ever Yom Ha’Atzmaut
barbecue in Israel at our new friends, “the Millers.” Michael and Grace are retired educators from Philadelphia. Grace is an artist and teaches a weekly paper cutting class where, with Grace’s guidance and a lot of friendly conversation, I have slowly improved my skills. All of us at the table are immigrants, from 40 years to 10 months (us). We went around the table and responded as to why we came to Israel and if we had any regrets. The consensus: we came because we had to; the land pulled at our hearts. No one ever regretted the decision. Had there not been a Holocaust, there would not be a state of Israel; they are linked. Does that mean the millions of kedoshim we lost are reconciled because we have a land to call our own? No. We have been blessed with this magnificent land, a land promised to us by Hashem, a place where we continue to struggle and fight for its preservation and safety. The hard facts of history make clear that without the worldwide universal guilt following the horrors undergone by the Jews during World War II, there would have been no Israel for Jews. In some places, they call the days between Yom HaShoah and Yom Hazikaron The 10 Days of Gratitude. “Israel has two Memorial Days: Yom HaZikaron to remind us of the cost of having Israel. Yom HaShoah to remind us of the cost of not.” Despite and because of the ongoing war, too many lives lost and hostages still in captivity, we must hold onto our memories and keep the bonfires burning. Today, we must fight harder than ever to hold onto our homeland. We must keep davening. On Yom Ha’Atzmaut, we celebrate our gratitude.
Barbara Deutsch is the former associate principal at HANC, middle school principal at Kushner, and Dean of Students at Yeshiva of Flatbush. A not-retired educator, she is trying to figure out life in Israel through reflections on navigating the dream of aliyah as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
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Common
By Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST
Portfolios Are Not Plans: The Importance Of Having An Actual Financial Plan For Yourself
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magine you’re building a house. Would you start by purchasing bricks, wood, and nails without a blueprint? Of course not! Yet, this is precisely what many people do when it comes to their finances. They gather the financial equivalent of materials – stocks, bonds, and mutual funds – without having a clear vision of the structure they want to build. This is the difference between a portfolio and a financial plan. While a portfolio represents the tools and materials of wealth-building, a financial plan is the blueprint that guides your entire financial journey. Let’s explore why having a financial plan is not just important—it’s essential. What’s the Difference Between a Portfolio and a Plan? A portfolio is simply a collection of investments. It might include stocks, bonds, ETFs, and real estate, among other assets. While a well-diversified portfolio is important, it’s not the same as a comprehensive strategy for achieving your financial goals. A financial plan, on the other hand, is a holistic, personalized roadmap. It takes into account: • Your Goals: Retirement, homeownership, education savings, or traveling the world.
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• Your Timeline: How soon do you need to achieve these goals? • Your Income and Expenses: Ensuring your lifestyle aligns with your ambitions. • Risk Tolerance: Are you comfortable with market fluctuations, or do you prefer stability? • Tax Strategy: How to minimize taxes and maximize returns. • Estate Planning: Preparing for the transfer of your assets to the next generation.
In short, your portfolio is just one part of your financial plan—it’s the “what,” while the plan is the “how” and “why.” Why You Need a Financial Plan 1. Clarity of Purpose Without a plan, your investments are like a ship without a rudder. You might make money, but are you making progress toward your goals? A financial plan defines what success looks like for you and provides a clear path to get there. 2. Adaptability Life is full of surprises – job changes, market downturns, unexpected expenses, or even windfalls. A good financial plan includes contingencies and allows you to pivot when circumstances change. 3. Tax Efficiency Investing without considering the tax implications is like driving with the parking brake on. A financial plan incorporates strategies to reduce taxes, such as utilizing tax-advantaged accounts, managing capital gains, and planning charitable contributions. 4. Peace of Mind Knowing you have a plan in place alleviates the stress of “Am I doing enough?” or “Am I on track?” With a financial plan, you have answers to these questions and the confidence that comes with preparation. How to Build Your Financial Plan 1. Start with Your Goals Be specific. Instead of “I want to retire comfortably,” say, “I want to retire at 65 with $1 million in investments, no debt, and a $5,000/ month income.” 2. Analyze Your Current Situation Calculate your net worth, track your cash flow, and understand
where your money is going. This forms the foundation for your plan. 3. Evaluate Your Risk Tolerance Your ability to handle market volatility should shape your portfolio’s allocation. But remember, this is just one part of the plan.
At Northbrook Financial, we specialize in helping individuals create and implement personalized financial plans that go beyond investment management. Because at the end of the day, a well-built plan isn’t just about growing your wealth – it’s about building the life you want.
4. Plan for the Unexpected Build an emergency fund, get adequate insurance, and plan for healthcare needs.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your financial goals and let us help you create a plan that works for you.
5. Consult a Professional Financial planners or advisors can help you align your portfolio with your overall financial strategy, ensuring your investments serve your goals, not the other way around. A Portfolio Without a Plan Is Like Driving Without GPS Investing without a financial plan can lead to unnecessary risks, missed opportunities, and the frustration of feeling “stuck” financially. A robust financial plan ensures your portfolio is working as a tool to help you achieve your unique goals.
Subscribe to Common Cents digitally on LinkedIn @CommonCents613 The decision to start saving and investing is yours, but the “how” can be hard. Email commoncents@northbrookfinancial.com to schedule a financial planning consultation with our team.
Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST is Co-Founder of Northbrook Financial, a Financial Planning, Tax, and Investment Management Firm. He has developed and continues to teach a popular Financial Literacy course for high school students.
Beyond the Headlines
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A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news By Sivan Rahav Meir
The accompanying illustration is a reflection of what we’re going through these days during the Counting of the Omer, when we count each day (for seven full weeks) from the Exodus on Passover until the giving of the Torah on Shavuot. There are times in life when progress has to be slow. Precious and sacred things are built gradually, one level at a time. We climb rung by challenging rung because not everything can be achieved in one leap.
Chesed (the capacity to give), Gevurah (the ability to set boundaries), Tiferet (the ability to balance the first two), Netzach (which means both endurance and eternity), Hod (the ability to show gratitude), Yesod (which integrates the previous traits and connects to the foundation of our being), Malchut (which connects to the sovereignty of God—and to our own dignity, the way we act in the world).
The Holy Fire of Lag BaOmer Friday May 16 is Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer and the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. All over the world, Chabad organizes parades for children on Lag BaOmer. This year, these parades will be another vehicle for expressing our prayers for the hostages, for our soldiers, and for all the Jewish people.
Part of this secret, holy dimension of our nation revealed itself after October 7, 2023. We have discovered, beneath the surface, endless, hidden resources of power, resilience and unity. Rabbi Shimon taught that if we study the hidden Torah and discover more about ourselves and the treasures within us, we will be redeemed from exile and released from all of our suffering. May we merit to see it soon. Restraint … and Repair It’s no secret that delaying gratification is one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Every time we succeed in restraining ourselves, we repair something significant in the world. Our Sages explain that the sin of Adam Harishon was his inability to restrain himself from eating from the Tree of Knowledge. The Torah touches on this idea in last week’s parashah in the command that we wait three years from the planting of a tree before eating its fruit: “When you enter the land and plant any tree for food… three years it shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten.” These three years act to curb a person’s natural tendency to grab the fruit right now, and to thereby repair humanity’s first fundamental sin. Even those of us who aren’t farmers and don’t plant trees can find meaning in this mitzvah, and try to train ourselves to act with restraint. For instance: developing patience as we wait for a small child to grow up, curbing our irritation while waiting in line at the supermarket or in a traffic jam, and refraining from mindlessly scrolling on our phone or giving in to
any other bad habit. Every time we succeed in restraining ourselves just a tiny bit more, we repair something in the world and bring it closer to its rectification. To accomplish this task, we don’t need to wait three years — even three seconds is an accomplishment. Take a deep breath and try it. Good luck! Seniors’ Week Last week, we read in the parashah: “You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old; you shall fear your God, I am the Lord.” About a decade ago, Uri Orbach z”l, then pensioner affairs minister, initiated a wonderful program called “Shabbat Vehadarta,” a Shabbat to honor seniors. In Israel, many programs are held to honor the seniors in our community: elderly community members are called up to the Torah and schoolchildren visit old age homes
and the homes of elderly people. When he established this initiative, Uri Orbach addressed the Knesset saying, “We all know that, sadly, seniors usually only make headlines when bad things happen, for example, elder abuse. This week we will have the opportunity to focus on the tremendous contribution of seniors to our society and to their life experience. For this program, we won’t require a special budget — only awareness and loving attention.” So, pick up the phone and call your grandmother. Look around at the elderly people in your community and appreciate every wrinkle and every year of the lives they’ve lived. Translated by Yehoshua Siskin, Janine Muller Sherr Want to read more by Sivan Rahav Meir? Google The Daily Thought or visit sivanrahavmeir.com
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(This, of course, is just a rudimentary explanation; each trait contains infinite depth and layers of meaning.) But we don’t have to be great scholars to advance during these days, step by step. With every day counted, we refine our character and become better versions of ourselves so that by Shavuot we are truly ready to receive the Torah.
Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, whose yahrzeit is marked with huge bonfires, was the author of the Zohar, the book of Kabbalah. Even if we personally are not capable of studying and understanding this facet of the Torah—we recognize that it exists. The Torah is far deeper than we could ever imagine. Similarly, the people around us (and we ourselves!) also have, deep inside, a layer that is secret and holy.
MAY 15, 2025
The Kabbalists explain that during the Omer, we refine seven inner traits, one each week:
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In The K tchen THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
One Pan Ramen Chicken and Broccoli By Naomi Nachman
MAY 15, 2025
Looking for the quickest dinner to make? This literally took me 20 minutes from start to finish. For the noodles, I used two of the Gefen soup cups. My fa mily totally loved this, and my husband took the leftovers to work the next day for lunch. Ingredients
◦ 2 pounds pargiyot ◦ 1 cup flour ◦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Add the sauce (recipe below) and mix really well until everything is well coated.
◦ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes till the chicken is cooked through.
◦ 1 teaspoon onion powder ◦ 1 large onion, sliced into half-moon rings ◦ 1 32 oz. bag, frozen broccoli
Add in the cooked ramen noodles. Toss well and simmer until everything is warmed through. When ready to serve, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds.
◦ 2 tablespoons canola oil ◦ 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
KOREAN SAUCE
◦ Ramen noodles, cooked
◦ ¼ cup gochujang paste (use less if you want it less spicy)
Preparation
◦ 6 tablespoons pure maple syrup ◦ 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
sear in a hot pan with canola oil for a few minutes on each side till brown. Repeat till
◦ 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
all the chicken is done and set aside.
◦ 2 tablespoons sesame oil
Meanwhile, make the Korean sauce and set aside.
◦ 4 garlic cloves, crushed
Once all the chicken is cooked, fry the onion in the same pan. You may need to add
◦ 1 teaspoon salt
a bit more oil. Sauté the onion until translucent. Add the chicken back into the pot, along with the broccoli.
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
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Mix the flour and the spices together. Coat the chicken on all sides in the flour and
◦ ¼ cup lite soy sauce
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AVA I L A B L E O N B J L W H AT SA P P G R O U P & BA LT I M O R E J E W I S H L I F E.CO M P OW E R E D BY