Cleveland Kesher, Fall 2022 by Cleveland Jewish Publication Company

Shanah Tovah 5783

Up Close with Ruchi Why Cleveland

Ruchi Koval

used to have an inferiority complex about living in Cleveland, forged in those impressionable years of adolescence while attending New York summer camps.

IIt’s hard to isolate exactly why this is, but maybe, going out on a limb here, it was exacerbated by my New York friends (and btw New Jersey was barely a thing then, so yes, I do mean New York) saying things like:

“Cleveland? Is that near England?”

Or, “Cleveland? Do you have cows?”

Or even just, “Cleveland?” followed by a stupeﬁed look as if one was hard pressed to even formulate a cogent question about such a strange and unknowable place.

Now of course I presented with excellent answers to these insightful questions, such as, “No, not near England,” “No cows but maybe a couple of goats” (this was purely for the purpose of entertaining myself), and, in a lovely demonstration of at psach lo, “It’s in Ohio and we drove eight hours to get here,” which only served to bug out their eyes even more at the exotic nature of my hometown.

Because who in New York drives eight hours to get anywhere? Eight hours just means you got stuck in tra c on your way to the city and actually went nowhere. (Note to Clevelanders: “the city” with no further moniker means Manhattan to New Yorkers, unless you’re a frum Jew in the 1980s, in which case it means Brooklyn.)

But even though I was well educated about how to ﬁeld rapid-ﬁre questions from cosmopolitan New Yorkers, I was left, after these encounters, with a vague sense of discontent. Because they just didn’t understand. It’s true we were a tiny bit hick, but Cleveland was home. Cleveland was chill. Cleveland was a place where everyone could be who they were with no pressure. To summarize, unbeknownst to them, Cleveland was superior.

So why did I feel inferior?

I decided to invite some of my New York buddies to come visit me for winter vacation.

I’d take them around to our places and they could see for themselves. I’d break open those Verrazano-inﬂuenced limitations and they’d see for themselves!

So one year, over winter break, instead of going to Flah-ri-dah, my friends came to me. I was so excited. They were ﬁnally going to experience Cleveland on my terms. But something terrible happened. They kept calling Cleveland “cute.” And no one wants to be called cute unless they are 5 years old.

“This mawl!” (Beachwood Place) “It’s soooo cute!! Look at all the pawking!!”

“This pizza store!!” (Kineret) “It’s sooooo cute!!”

“It’s so cute how everyone knows each other!” Be it known: we are not cute. We are superior. The problem is that the complex has not fully gone away, except that now, when my friends visit from New York (and New Jersey) the cuteness issue has simply changed in its detail.

Friend, looking out my window on Shabbos morning, wide-eyed: “You have deer? Like, in your backyard?? That’s adorable.”

Or, “It’s so cute how everyone says Good Shabbos to each other!” Yes, we’re cute like that.

And they still seem to be moderately surprised that we have kosher establishments, like ﬁnding signs of life on the moon.

So it seems that defending my hometown to the tristate area (minus poor Connecticut) is going to be a lifelong project. But other than moving to Israel one day (amen) there is nowhere else I’d rather live.

I love Cleveland and I will tell you why.

In Cleveland, you have options: you can be a Midwest hick or a trending fashionista. Nobody cares. You can even be hick on Monday and trending on Tuesday. No one will bat an eyelash. This is a good thing, because it doesn’t actually matter. In fact, I would say that Cleveland is a national leader in this aspect, and that everyone should learn from us.

Up Close with Ruchi

| 6

Also, yes, in Cleveland people still do say Good Shabbos to one another, even though our community has, baruch Hashem, grown exponentially, and it’s not like everyone knows each other any more like in the olden days. Now of course you still have to be on alert, because some people are “Good Shabbos” Jews, and some people are “Shabbat Shalom” Jews, and you deﬁnitely don’t want to get caught o ering the wrong salutation, although some people will helpfully correct you. Nevertheless the point remains: we greet each other. And if you don’t, you should. Once again, everyone should be like Cleveland.

But the real reason I love Cleveland is the people. No one moves here for the weather and no one moves here for our lakefront life. People move here because this is a great place to raise a family, because it’s wholesome, because of community, because of the slower pace and lower standards of materialism. And yeah, I know it’s all creeping in, but we’ve still managed to retain

a bit of those old fashioned Midwest values even when New Yorkism and New Jerseyism seem to have inﬁltrated our ranks. Which means that the people moving here, no matter where they are from, are here because they want a dose of Cleveland. And that’s a ﬁlter, because your vibe attracts your tribe, and wholesome people are attracted to wholesome places.

But I still confess. I can’t resist, when I ask someone where they’re from, and they say, “New York,” giving them a funny look and saying, “Hm. I’ve heard of it.” I do control myself, though, and resist the urge to ask, “Is that near England?” Because, you know. I’m wholesome like that. I’m from Cleveland.

Ruchi Koval is the co-founder and director of the Jewish Family Experience (JFX). She is a certiﬁed parenting coach, educator, author, musician and motivational speaker. She lives in University Heights with her husband and children.

RUCHI

Community News

A Gift of Israel from JEC

AGift of Israel is a seven-year student savings and matching funds program that encourages families to save for a student’s future educational trip to Israel. Each year, families deposit a minimum of $175 per child, per year into an interest-bearing savings account. This amount may be reduced if the family’s congregation o ers matching funds.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will contribute $100 per child, per year. The family contributions, together with the generous grants from the Federation and congregations (if applicable) make future student trips to Israel more a ordable.

There are a multitude of approved Israel programs (teenage, college-age or family experiences) that qualify for this program. Families can enroll as early as pre-kindergarten

if the child is in religious school. Funds are available for use once the child has been actively participating in A Gift of Israel for a minimum of three years, through age 26.

Invest in a long-lasting and far reaching educational experience that helps enrich and shape Jewish identity in a unique and powerful way – this opportunity is too good to ignore.

The deadline for enrollment and annual deposits is the end of May each year. You have until May 31, 2023 to apply for the next educational experience.

For more information and to apply, visit jecc.org/israel, call 216-371-0446 or email agiftoﬁsrael@jecc.org.

Content submitted by Jewish Education Center of Cleveland

Community News

It’s a sizzling real estate market in frum community

Lisa Matkowsky

Lately, there has been a flood of Orthodox families from out-oftown that have been flocking to the Beachwood, Cleveland Heights and University Heights areas, and even to South Euclid again.

Etty Cusner, associate at RE/MAX Traditions, and Gavi Septon, real estate specialist at Keller Williams Citywide, spoke with Cleveland Kesher about current real estate trends, including what’s driving the Orthodox migration.

Cleveland offers a number of features that draw Orthodox families.

“We have a family-friendly atmosphere with lots of fun weekend activities, great schools, a large network of employers, a beautiful collection of (Cleveland) Metroparks, along with a national park in our backyard, and an incredible Jewish infrastructure that rivals some of the biggest cities in the country,” Cusner said. “Just one visit from the tri-state area and families are hooked.

“Over the past several years, as the tri-state area housing market exploded, word got out about Cleveland’s financially accessible housing market. Additionally, for some religious families, the tuition voucher program (EdChoice) has encouraged them to move into cities that qualify for this financial assistance program. All and all, Cleveland has a lot of exciting perks for the modern family,” Cusner explained.

Septon said, “The word on the street is that people who are moving are moving for school vouchers. However, as a Realtor who talks to many of the people moving to town or thinking of it, I see that it’s a small minority of people that actually move here for vouchers. Usually, it has to do with the fact that this is a beautiful out-of-town community that offers enough diversity so that anyone can discover their place. Plus, housing prices are a big factor.”

Families are moving from many different areas, but mainly from the major Jewish cities,

according to the realtors.

“The folks whom I have encountered during this most recent housing market surge are from the large Jewish metropolitan areas: New York and New Jersey, as well as Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto,” Cusner said.

Septon said he has noticed that they are coming “from all four corners of the world, including Canada, L.A., Las Vegas, England, Belgium, Israel and South America. He adds, “The majority of frum Jews live in the N.Y. and N.J. area, so we obviously have the most coming from there.”

And with this influx, houses sell quickly, often at over-asking price, he said.

“If a house is priced at market value, they usually are selling within the week and sometimes same day,” Septon said. “In the frum community, I have seen at least $65,000 over asking, without thinking. And I am talking about when a house was already priced at market value to start with.”

Cusner sees the same situation.

“From my experience, appropriatelypriced homes in desirable neighborhoods are selling within the first 24 hours of hitting the market,” she said. “Now, as interest rates are on the move and people are worried about the economic forecast, there seems to be a cool-off period in the market. Nevertheless, buyers are

Cusner

Septon

B e l l e v u e U n i v e r s i t y i s a c c r e d i t e d b y T h e H ig h e r L e a r n i n g C o m mi s s i o n , a

r e gi o na l a c c r e d i t a t i o n a g e n c y

• A p p l y y o u r B a c h e lo r s De g r e e f r o m a n y r e g i o na l l y a c cr e d i t e d , s t a t e a c c r e d i t e d , A A R T S o r A I J S a c c r e d i t e d

• A p p l y u p t o 6 7 J u d a i c cr e d i t s i n t r a n s f e r

t o w ar d t h e r e qui r e d 1 2 7 cr e d i t s o f t h e d e gr e e

• G o v e r n m e n t t u i t i o n g r a n t s a n d l o a n s a v ai la b l e

• G o v e r n m e n t s t u d e n t l o a n s a v a il a b l e

• R e g i s t r a t i o n i s c u r r e n t l y u n d e r w a y

• R e g i s t r a t i o n i s c u r r e n t l y u nd e r w a y

Two shorts on electrical safety

Submitted by Dave Neuman

APPLIANCES CAN BURN

Are the appliances we use over Shabbos, Yom Tov or Chol Hamoed safe for continuous use, 12, 24, 48 or 72 hours? Appliances are tested and then listed by a lab that is part of OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program. Some of these NRTL’s are UL , CSA and ETL . The appliance label and instructions manual must be approved by these agencies. The appliance is safe to use if it is undamaged and used in accordance with the instruction manual. Check those instructions to see whether your appliances warn against plugging into extension cords or outlet strips.

Buyer beware: some of the biggest distributors – either online stores or others –sell both listed and unlisted products. Some products may have only a European or Chinese marking such as CE or RoHS.

Listed appliances are considered safe when connected to wiring that meets the National Electric Code (NEC), which seeks to ensure “… the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.” A version of it has been adopted into law, law which your home, you, and everyone who works on your wiring is required to obey.

SAFEGUARDED INSTALLATION

How do you know whether the electrical code that has been adopted into law has been obeyed? If anyone adds or moves a switch or receptacle, or a light or appliance that’s not plugged into a receptacle, or a panel (fuses or circuit breakers), they are required to apply

for a permit and pass inspection by the city or county. Passing inspection means a green PASSED sticker is attached to the panelboard or an inspection report. If it’s not there, the work was not performed legally. Look for it!

What if you, or someone else, just replaces a switch or receptacle? A permit is not required, but there are still rules that amateurs, even handymen or builders, often break out of negligence. This is especially true in older homes. The results of simple negligence still can be fire or shock. One example is replacing a receptacle with a new one that can accommodate the three-prong cords on many modern electric appliances and electronic devices will not plug into a pre-1960 two-slot receptacle. The box in fact may lack a ground, so adding a receptacle with a ground prong makes your family less safe, not more. Using an “adapter” is the equivalent to breaking off the third prong on the plug. Unfortunately, negligent, or unscrupulous workers can install a three-prong receptacle in an ungrounded outlet in a way that can fool the common three-light tester used by many housing inspectors. This wiring configuration can cause electrical shock, or damage equipment that utilizes a ground.

There are many more things to look for to ensure that your family is safe from electrical hazards. For further information, you can visit these websites: www.esfi.org/home-safety and nfpa.org/Public-Education. You also can call Dave’s Electric at 216-371-1580 to ask about specific concerns.

Community News

still motivated to move to Cleveland.”

Real estate watchers have noted seeing houses being sold easily for $100,000 over tax valuation, with some sellers asking $150,000plus more than tax valuation.

“Every transaction likely needs its own story to really understand the ﬁnal purchase price,” Cusner said. “Regardless, from a general perspective, I believe that it has to do with families selling their homes in the major metropolitan cities and moving to Cleveland with extra spending cash.”

She said that she has found that buyers arrive knowing what kind of house they want and where they want to live, and that the price is almost secondary to the transaction.

“As for the religious community, folks are accustomed to living within walking distance to their synagogue,” Cusner said. “This creates an

even smaller supply of homes, which ultimately raises prices beyond comparable homes just a mile away.”

Septon points out that interest rates have skyrocketed, so a ordability has gone down.

“At the peak of COVID, you could pay under $400 for every $100,000 loan,” he said. “Now it’s about $630. So that is a di erence of $230 for every $100,000 loan. If you buy a house for $500,000, you pay close to $1,000 more per month than you would have paid two summers ago. Because of this, home prices have gone down slightly around the world, but so far seem to be staying the same in the frum community. However, time will tell what will happen.”

Lisa Matkowsky is a writer from Beachwood.

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As a lifelong Clevelander, I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to serve the Jewish Community of Cleveland which has meant so much to me throughout my life. This is truly where my heart is! - David Pearl, Community Liaison Cleveland Jewish Funerals 26801 Miles Road

A Dose of Inspiration

High HolidaysChange the world one person at a time

Rabbi Akiva Feinstein

oon enough, the summer schedule comes to an end, Tisha B’Av is behind us, school is starting and the allimportant month of Elul is soon upon us. We hear the sound of the shofar, which reminds us that a very holy and important time is upon us. We have to get serious and think what we can do to make this coming year better than the previous. It is a heavy responsibility, so much to think about, to work on, and to resolve as we go into the new year of judgment.

When we think of what we have to do, we jump to the BIG ones naturally. We need to get along better with our spouse, learn more Torah, do more for others, and much more. None of which is easy. Even so, how can we do something big enough to make a difference to our future, let alone to the whole world?

In response to this way of thinking, the Rambam, Maimonides, addresses this by way of an amazing illustration. Every one of us, he ruled in his Laws of Repentance, needs to think that as God judges the world annually before Yom Kippur, He finds it perfectly balanced between its sins and good deeds. The scales are perfectly balanced. Divine judgment does not issue its final decree until YOUR mitzvahs are put on the scale. And if your own good deeds and bad actions are equal, YOU just need one

more good deed to tip your scale to the greater positive and in turn the world’s.

Notice that there is no mention of it having to be a big one. It just needs to be big enough to tilt the scale in one direction. So the take away here is to make a change, you just have to do something, never mind that it can be small.

It may be a little beyond the way we normally think but one of the greatest Jewish philosophers is telling us that every person and every person’s little actions make a difference to the whole world.

And there is yet another way to think small. It is expressed beautifully by way of a story told in the name of the great sage, the Chofetz Chaim, who was asked how he was able to have such a great impact on the Jewish world. He answered: “Originally, I set out to change the world, but I failed. So I decided to scale back my efforts and only influence the Jewish community of Poland, but I failed there, too. So I targeted the community of my hometown of Radin, but I achieved no greater success. Then I gave all my effort to changing my own family and I failed at that as well. Finally, I decided to change myself and that’s how I had such an impact on the Jewish world.”

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

Leo Tolstoy also famously came to a similar conclusion, “Everyone thinks of changing the world,” he wrote, “but no one thinks of changing himself.”

Most people seek to change the world, but the world they need to fix first is the one inside of themselves. Just a little more tzedakah, a few seconds more of patience, less words, and more quiet.

Rabbi Akiva Feinstein is director of spiritual living at Menorah Park.

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Spotlight on Marketing

3 great reasons why website speed matters

Submitted by: Nachum “Nooch” Langsner

ebsite speed is a significant factor in forming the first impression for a website visitor and business.

Website developers and designers strive to make a website both functional and aesthetically pleasing by including numerous functionalities, content and features. However, if these are not adequately optimized, it may adversely affect website speed.

Website loading speed is crucial to anyone visiting a website. According to research, 47% of people won’t wait more than two seconds for a web page to load.

Speed is an integral part of the website user

experience.

Here are three reasons why website speed is critical, and optimizing your website for speed is essential.

1. HIGH SPEED INCREASES A POSITIVE USER EXPERIENCE

First impressions are essential for businesses on the web.

Loading speed plays a decisive role in how audiences perceive a brand on the web.

Human tendency is to consider a faster website more reliable and professional.

HOW TO REACH US

• For questions about advertising, contact Marilyn Malcmacher at malcmacher@clevelandkesher.com

• For questions about editorial coverage or to pitch stories for future issues, email submissions@clevelandkesher.com

• To request additional copies for you or your neighbors, email circulation@clevelandkesher.com

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JUNE 2023

(216) 321-7200

Spotlight on Marketing

Inversely, a slow website creates a poor first impression.

Research by Kissmetrics reveals that 40% of people abandon a site if it takes more than three seconds to load.

Thus, a website should load fast every time it is accessed to deliver an impressive user experience, especially for first-time visitors.

2. SPEED AFFECTS THE SEO RANKINGS OF A WEBSITE

Google states that fast load speed is a positive SEO (search engine optimization) ranking factor.

However, Google has also clarified that website owners should not compromise content quality or relevancy to make web pages faster.

Having “thin” content will negatively impact your rankings.

It is therefore imperative to strike a balance by having rich, high-quality content on a website platform optimized for speed.

3. SPEED AFFECTS CONVERSIONS

Slow speeds result in the loss of potential customers and revenue.

This is true, especially for e-commerce websites where a one-second delay leads to a 7% conversion reduction.

For example, an e-commerce site making $50,000 in sales per day could potentially lose approx $1.28 million of revenue per year from a delay of one second.

Furthermore, 79% of shoppers dissatisfied with a website’s performance are far less likely to buy from the same site again.

Even if your website is not transactional, your ability to get visitors to complete a contact form or give you a call drops dramatically if your website speed is poor.

IN CONCLUSION

For businesses to be successful on the web, a fast-loading website on either desktop or mobile devices is non-negotiable.

A fast-loading website improves your rankings, delivers a good user experience and creates a lasting positive impression among new and returning customers.

Is your website speed and bottom line suffering? If so, consider partnering with a reputable digital marketing agency to help increase speed and your bottom line.

Nachum ‘Nooch’ Langsner is co-founder and chief marketing guru at LocalBizGuru.

•

Time for School

CHAVIVA HIGH SCHOOL

n June 12, Chaviva was blessed to hold a graduation ceremony for the class of 2022. The six graduates made up Chaviva’s second graduating class and the first class to have attended all four years of high school at Chaviva. We are grateful to Hashem for having enabled us to reach this milestone.

OThe morning began with meaningful speeches from each of our graduates – Eliana Berezovsky, Shana Bonert, Shaindel Lefkowitz, Chaya Neuman, Rikki Shtern and Raizy Smith. The assembled students, families, Chaviva alumnae and friends heard divrei bracha from Rabbi Dovid Aharon Gross of Kehilas Beis Doniel and board member Andy Lefkowitz, whose daughter Shaindel was among the graduates.

The program was full of emotion as both students and staff held back tears that represented both pride, joy and a mix of emotions as our girls rise to the next stage of their life. Our graduates have all proven themselves to be brave leaders who embrace challenges and seek opportunities to maximize their growth and actualize their incredible potential. We wish them all the best as they continue on their journey to greatness.

Our seniors are not the only ones who had reason to celebrate. Over the course of the school year, all of our students accomplish so much, and we highlight those achievements in our annual Student Exhibition. On June 14, every student spoke about the personal growth she achieved during the school year in front of an audience of parents, teachers and peers. The formal presentations included meaningful lessons they learned, experiences they had, a Chaviva belief statement that was most meaningful to them, and a quote that encapsulated their school year.

Students spoke with vulnerability and candor, and the degree of emotional maturity that each student displayed was truly remarkable. Their willingness to engage in sincere reflection about this past year and

hearing how each student developed in so many areas make this annual program a highlight of the year.

Following in our students’ footsteps, Chaviva’s staff held its own impromptu Staff Exhibition at our closing meeting, allowing staff to engage in the same process of reflection as our students. Chaviva invests in the growth and development of our staff as well as our students, and highlighting their accomplishments was a powerful and meaningful close to our school year.

After enjoying a rejuvenating summer vacation, we’re excited to welcome our returning and new students for a another great year ahead.

Time for School content provided by Chaviva High School

Chaviva High School 2022 graduates | Submitted photo

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Time for School Fuchs Mizrachi School

e are so excited to kick off the 202223 school year at Fuchs Mizrachi.

We’re thrilled to be welcoming 510 students to school this year, including 35 new families, eight of which are alumni families. We are glad to have welcomed 15 new, incredible faculty members this year.

Over the summer, we have continued our plans for creating an exceptional academic, social-emotional and religious experience for our students for the upcoming year. In the Genshaft Early Childhood, there was a focus on strengthening teachers’ skills to support our students’ social and emotional development. The teachers also completed a self-study to learn techniques to highlight each child’s individuality through developmentally appropriate art projects.

In the Lower School, the Hebrew language faculty completed TalAm training for improved Hebrew curriculum and language skills. The Lower School general studies teachers “Writing Cohort” continued planning writing initiatives

for the upcoming school year to make sure there is progression of skills for grades one to five.

The Junior High faculty worked on enhancing their GIBOR program to inspire pro-social behavior and character development in students. The staff developed a rich social-emotional learning platform through a specialized advisory process and completing workshops on relevant topics.

In the Stark High School, there was a focus on the development of the division’s vision and strategic priorities for the upcoming school year. This included expanding the learning to reach a greater sense of mastery, identity, rigor and relevance in the classroom as well as deepening a culture around relentless pursuit of improvement and growth for everyone –teachers, administration and students.

We are thankful to our wonderful teachers, staff and administration for all of their hard work – it’s what keeps our school successfully moving forward.

Time for School

TORAH NURSERY

Torah Nursery first opened its humble doors as a small playgroup in the basement of a house, gradually growing until it was time for a building of its own. In 2012, the nursery moved into its current location with 36 students. The demand for a quality nursery school environment meant that enrollment kept growing, and, at a bursting-at-the-seams group of 60 children, it was time for a larger space. Construction to expand the building commenced, resulting in four additional classrooms, and enabling enrollment to grow to the current 130 children ranging from 6-week-old infants to age 5.

Torah Nursery is well-known for its warm and caring learning environment, where children feel loved, safe and happy. The extensive curriculum covers a wide range of subjects including Alef-Beis, Brachos, Parsha, Yamim Tovim, Middos, Math, Science, Music, Art, Sensory play and more. The staff at Torah Nursery is a cohesive group of administrators and teachers who work tirelessly to meet the developmental, educational, social and physical needs of their students. Staff members partake in professional development courses throughout the year to maintain the high standards Torah Nursery stands for. The nursery is currently working to earn a second star through Ohio’s Step Up To Quality program standards.

Students at Torah Nursery develop longlasting relationships with the staff, often returning for a visit to their beloved Morahs. Children are excited to say hello when they meet their Morahs outside of the classroom. Some students even return as junior staff in the summers. It gives the staff a tremendous amount of nachas to see the children growing

up and developing into beautiful, productive and thoughtful teens. Many past students recall lessons, songs and activities from Torah Nursery. Most of all, they are left with a warm feeling toward their teachers and toward Judaism.

Summer 2022 at Torah Nursery brought an amazing camp experience for over 140 children, including an expanded Tzivos Hashem bunk for 5 to 10-year-olds. This summer’s theme, Constructing the Bais Hamikdash, was enhanced through our weekly themes and reinforced with different activities and projects. The highlight of each week was a memorable fair bringing together all the lessons we learned that week. Students at Torah Nursery learned, baked, played, tasted, colored, sang, climbed, swam, jumped, bounced, ran and danced their way through seven glorious weeks of fun.

Applications for the 2023-24 school year are now available on our website, torahnursery.com.

Time for School content provided by Torah Nursery

An American Story

Step into a world ﬁlled with inspiring and moving stories of Jewish immigrants perhaps you own ancestors and modern-day heroes. This moving experience incorporates interactives, ﬁlm, and oral histories.

The Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery

Explore a rich selection from The Temple Museum of Religious Art’s collection of artifacts. Featuring ritual objects, sacred books, scrolls, and ﬁne art from all over the world.

Interactive Biography

Meet Holocaust survivor Stanley Bernath, whose story

Meet Holocaust survivor Stanley Bernath, whose story has been preserved through cutting-edge technology as an interactive biography. A unique experience that allows you ask

Meet Holocaust survivor Stanley Bernath, whose story has been preserved through cutting-edge technology as an interactive biography. A unique experience that allows you ask him questions about the past.