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September 24, 2026

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SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Dear Readers,

e live in a world that is constantly showing us what we don’t have. Open your phone for a few minutes and there it is: someone else’s beautiful home, someone else’s vacation, someone else’s children dressed just right, someone else’s table set more elegantly, someone else’s life somehow looking smoother, fuller, happier. And even when we know better — even when we know that social media is curated, edited, filtered and incomplete — it still seeps in. It is an endless invitation to compare. And comparison has a way of making abundance feel like lack. You can have so much and still feel like so much is missing. That’s one of the biggest challenges nowadays for parents as we help our children navigate their world. It’s not just social media that invites these overblown and unrealistic comparisons. It’s in the papers, the magazines, the shmoozing, the did-you-hear?, the did-youget?, the neediness that comes from wanting to fit in just so. We can have so much and still feel that something is missing. But then Sukkos arrives. For eight days, we leave the solidity of our homes and step into something temporary. We sit beneath the schach; we see the sky and the stars and feel the wind blowing at the walls. We eat, talk, sing, connect, and spend time in a space that, by every ordinary measure, offers us less protection, less permanence, and less control. And somehow, it is called zman simcha-

seinu, the time of our joy. Joy from something so nebulous seems contradictory. But it’s just that – the simplicity, the austerity of our structures are proof that fulfillment does not come from accumulating more. It comes from knowing who we are and with Whom we are connected. On Sukkos, in our sukkah, we are enveloped in Hashem’s embrace. We leave our homes and enter His space. For those eight days, that message surrounds us: we are surrounded by the One Above, the One who loves us and takes care of us. We are not dependent on the walls we built, the possessions we have, or the approval of others. We are connected to the Source. And suddenly, there is less urgency to look sideways. Sukkos reminds us that what we have is enough because Hashem is with us. And that brings us true joy. Here, in our temporary structures, we are grounded in our values. We are instructed, “V’samechta b’chagecha,” be happy with the yom tov. Be happy with the opportunity to spend time with the family and enjoy each other’s company. Be happy with the simple things in life. Don’t go running after the latest fad; be present in the moment as you sit in your sukkah and gaze at the stars. And maybe, if we absorb that lesson deeply enough, we can carry a little of the sukkah with us long after yom tov is over, a reminder that we should be happy with what we have regardless of what the world around us is showcasing. Wishing you a beautiful yom tov, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER

publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman, MANAGING EDITOR ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Shoshana Soroka, EDITOR

editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Nate Davis Editorial Assistant Nechama Wein Copy Editor Rachel Bergida Shana Brecher Lani White Design & Production Gabe Solomon Distribution & Logistics P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857 Classified Deadline: Monday 5:00PM classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003 PAYMENT VIA CREDIT CARD MUST BE SUBMITTED ALONG WITH CLASSIFIED ADS The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

Sukkos Zemanim

Weekly Weather | September 25 – October 1

Friday, September 25 Candle Lighting: 6:28 pm

Motzei Shabbos, Sept. 26 Candle Lighting After: 7:57 pm 25

FRIDAY

SHABBOS

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

PM Showers/ Wind

Showers / Wind

Showers

Mostly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

Partly Cloudy

67° 57°

65° 58°

64° 59°

67° 60°

69° 61°

71° 74°

73° 64°

Sunday, September 27 Yom Tov Ends: 7:24 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 7:55 pm

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

12 Community Happenings

NEWS Global

National

That’s Odd

ISRAEL Israel News

Building Memories by Barbara Deutsch

My Israel Home

JEWISH THOUGHT Going Out to Go In by Rav Moshe Weinberger

Delving into the Daf by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

Headlines and Halacha by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Rabbi Wein on the Parsha

Dig Deeper by Rav Moshe Weinberger

S10

Our Annual Hug From Hashem by Rav Yaakov Feitman

S14

Under Our Father’s Protection by Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

S20

What the Sweater Could Not Give Her by Rabbi Benny Berlin

S26

PEOPLE Remembering Mrs. Rita Kreinberg, a”h

Inspiration Nation

Hunting the Terrorists of October 7 by Avi Heiligman

120

The Jewish Nomads

S28

HEALTH & FITNESS I’m Fine. Just Overwhelmed by Rivka Kramer

102

School of Thought

104

Sukkos is For Making Memories by Dr. Hylton Lightman Eating Healthy Over Sukkos by Aliza Beer, MS, RD

S62 S64

FOOD & LEISURE

S38

Food For Thought

110

The Aussie Gourmet: Crockpot Meat and Cabbage Soup

112

Some Good Food by Sina Mizrahi

S54

Dear Editor, I would like to comment on this week’s letter in the Dating Dialogue. The grandmothers pointed out the difficulty of making shidduchim in today’s time and how it was much easier for young people to meet during the 1950s and 1960s. I would like to point out that during the period of time that the grandmothers went on dates, there was no cell phone, email, text messaging, TikTok chat, Facebook, chat, and Twitter chats. Communication between two people was direct and easier than it is done today, making it easier for two people in those generations to communicate with each other about important things like getting married. If the grandmothers were to want people to get married to each other like it was in their time, they would also need to advocate to get rid of technology. You, Michelle Mondy, might understand this, since you stated in your response to the grandmothers that you couldn’t print their question since they sent it in through the United States Postal Service and that they had to communicate with you the way you communicate with others in the year 2026, through email. Sincerely, David Koenigsberg Dear Editor, Though Yom Kippur has concluded, a timeless message based on a groundbreaking thought of Rav Soloveitchik remains. In sending out the goat to the desert to ultimately be thrown off the cliff, Rav Soloveitchik is mechadesh based on the Rambam that the Kohen Gadol’s avodah is complete once the goat reaches the desert. The fact that the goat, the

cheftzah, must be thrown off the cliff is a necessary prerequisite to bring atonement. As the gavrah, however, the Kohen Gadol’s service is already complete once the messenger reaches the desert with the goat. Rabbi Hirsch extrapolates a powerful mussar idea from this insight: one must have a strategy when going out to conquer the yetzer hara, and once that step is complete, the actual yetzer hara can be thrown off the cliff. Steven Genack Dear Editor, On June 5, 2024, twelve pro-Hamas students at Stanford University invaded and ransacked the office of the university’s president. They smashed windows, furniture, and security cameras; spray-painted anti-Israel and anti-America slogans; and splashed fake blood throughout the premises. The university calculated that they caused $329,000 in damages. Yet not one of them will serve a single day in jail. One of the twelve vandals agreed to testify against his comrades, confirming to a grand jury what was obvious: the president’s office did not vandalize itself. The remaining eleven were charged with vandalism and conspiracy to trespass charges. It should have been an open-and-shut case. The prosecution, however, quickly agreed to plea deals with six of them, which let them off without jail time. The remaining five went on trial earlier this year. When the trial opened, the Associated Press called it “a rare instance of demonstrators facing trial for actions from the wave of campus protests that Continued on page 14

LIFESTYLES

It’s 3 A.M. What Are You Doing?

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW

Parenting Pearls

108

We’ve Got Your Covered by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

126

TJH Chol Hamoed Guide

S38

HUMOR Centerfold

Shmooze and Muse by Mordechai Schmutter

S68

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

114

The AI Danger That Matters Most by Marc A. Thiessen

118

The Literary World’s DEI Checklist by Bret Stephens

119

CLASSIFIEDS

122

Does your family eat in the sukkah on Shemini Atzeres?

63 37 %

Yes

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Continued from page 12

year”—a reminder of the kid-gloves treatment that most pro-Hamas protesters enjoyed, even when they were violent. This week, the jury in the case deadlocked. Apparently, some of the jurors believed the Stanford office vandalized itself. California Attorney General Rob Bonta responded by dropping the charges in exchange for the Hamas supporters doing community service and paying a combined fine of $52,000— less than onesixth of the damage the university said they caused. One final note to keep this all in perspective, however. News reports about the Stanford case this week noted that a total of about 3,000 people were arrested in pro-Hamas rallies on college campuses in 2023-2024. There are over 19 million college students in the United States, meaning that 0.01% of them were arrested in proHamas protests. Not one percent. Not one-tenth of one percent. One one-hundredth of one percent. That’s not what one could call a mass movement—as further demonstrated that the pro-Hamas protests vanished, almost overnight, when the 2023-2024 school year ended. Rafael Medoff Dear Editor, I appreciated Etti’s article last week about testing and assessment. As a parent, I found the distinction she made between the two especially helpful. Too often, when we hear the word “test,” we immediately picture stress, grades, studying late at night, and chil-

dren worrying about how they will perform. But the article reframed assessment as something much broader — and much more useful. A teacher needs some way to know whether the material that was taught was actually learned. What struck me most was the point that assessment should lead somewhere. If a child gets a 67 on a test, the goal should not simply be to record the grade, send it home, and move on. That score should tell the teacher something. What didn’t the child understand? Was there a concept that needs to be taught again? Was the material not practiced enough? Is the whole class struggling with the same skill? That seems to me to be where assessment becomes truly valuable. I also appreciated the reminder that assessment does not always have to mean a formal written test. A review game, an oral question, a quick problem on a whiteboard, or asking children to recall something they learned the week before can all tell a teacher a great deal. Those methods may also take some of the fear out of the process for children. At the same time, I was glad the article acknowledged test anxiety. Children are not numbers, and one test score cannot possibly reflect everything a child knows or who that child is as a learner. Perhaps the real issue is not whether schools should test, but how they use testing. When assessment is used as a tool to improve teaching and help students learn what they have not yet mastered, it serves a real purpose. Tehilla Samet

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

The Week In News

U.S.’s Greenland Deal

proximity to Arctic shipping and military routes. During the Cold War, the United States operated numerous military installations across the island. Today, its presence is concentrated at Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations. NATO has welcomed the planned agreement, saying expanded cooperation could strengthen security and stability in the increasingly contested Arctic region.

30 Indicted in Assassination Plot The United States is expected to reopen a former Cold War-era military site in southern Greenland and establish a presence at another outpost on the island’s east coast under a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland. The deal is scheduled to be signed Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to people familiar with the negotiations. Its full terms have not yet been made public. The two sites are Narsarsuaq, where the United States operated the Bluie West One base until the 1950s, and Mestersvig, an eastern Greenland outpost currently used by Denmark’s Sirius Dog Sled Patrol. The expansion would give the U.S. access to two additional locations beyond Pituffik Space Base, its sole remaining permanent military installation in Greenland. Danish officials say the agreement is intended to strengthen Arctic security through NATO while preserving Greenland’s sovereignty and self-government. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the arrangement would make Arctic defense a broader NATO responsibility rather than one shared primarily by Denmark and the United States. The deal follows months of tension over President Donald Trump’s statements that the United States needed greater control over Greenland for national-security reasons. Trump has said the agreement gives Washington permanent security rights on the island, while Danish and Greenlandic officials have emphasized that sovereignty will remain unchanged. Greenland has long held strategic importance because of its position between North America and Europe and its

Thirty people have been indicted in connection with the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, U.S. authorities announced this week, as the sprawling international investigation enters a new phase. Eighteen of the defendants were transported from Haiti to South Florida aboard a U.S. military aircraft to face federal charges, authorities said. The group includes 17 Colombian former soldiers and a former Haitian government official. “Today marks the next major phase in our pursuit of accountability for the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse,” U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said. Moïse was shot and killed inside his private residence in Port-au-Prince on July 7, 2021. His wife, Martine, was wounded but survived. Federal prosecutors allege that the plot was organized in part from South Florida and involved individuals seeking lucrative business and government contracts in Haiti. According to the indictment, U.S.-based companies helped finance the recruitment and travel of Colombian nationals with military training who allegedly participated in the operation. Authorities also allege that money obtained through fraudulent federal COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds was used to help finance the conspiracy, including weapons, tactical equipment and travel.

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The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

During the attack, some members of the group allegedly posed as U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents before entering Moïse’s residence. Federal officials say the defendants were motivated by financial gain rather than acting on behalf of any government. FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles said the arrests demonstrate that authorities remain committed to pursuing everyone allegedly involved in the plot, including those accused of financing or facilitating it. The assassination plunged Haiti deeper into political instability and came amid growing gang violence and the weakening of the country’s government institutions. Haitian authorities have struggled for years to bring the case to trial, with violence, threats against judges and security problems repeatedly hampering proceedings.

Afghani Students Expelled from Pakistan Hundreds of Afghan medical students studying in Pakistan, including many young women barred from higher edu-

cation under Taliban rule, are facing an uncertain future after Pakistan’s medical regulator ordered colleges to remove them. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council earlier this month directed medical and dental schools to expel Afghan students, affecting an estimated 1,000 students nationwide. Roughly 35 percent are believed to be women.

Several major institutions quickly acted on the directive, ordering Afghan students to leave. Provincial courts in Punjab and Sindh have since temporarily suspended the expulsions while legal challenges proceed. For female students, returning to Afghanistan could mean the end of their medical careers. “The government’s decision aimed to send us to the Stone Age because the Taliban in Afghanistan have banned female education,” said Sabiha Daftani, a third-

year medical student in Lahore who was given 24 hours to leave her university. Daftani entered Pakistan on a scholarship and had hoped to return home after graduation to treat Afghan women. Since retaking Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has barred girls from secondary schools and universities. Training programs for female nurses and midwives that initially remained open have also been shut down. “The entire world knows that there is no female education in Afghanistan,” said 19-year-old medical student Nilofar Nikzad. “Going back can land us in a hard and challenging situation.” The dispute comes amid deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan, while Pakistan has also accelerated deportations of Afghan nationals. More than 1.1 million Afghans were deported or returned from Pakistan in 2025. Lawyers for the Afghan students argue that the expulsions violate their rights to education and dignity. The medical council, however, has defended the order on national security grounds. For now, the students remain in limbo as courts consider their cases. “Our future depends on the Pakistani government,” Nikzad said. “We hope that our requests will not fall on deaf ears.”

Italy to Ban Burqas in Schools?

dents in a classroom, although details of how the rule would be applied have not yet been finalized. Students without Italian citizenship currently make up about 11.6 percent of school enrollment nationwide. “If in a classroom there is only one child who doesn’t understand Italian,” Meloni said, that student can more easily learn with help from teachers and classmates. But when large numbers of students do not speak the language, she argued, integration becomes more difficult. The proposed legislation would also require Italian-language classes for parents of foreign students who have serious difficulties integrating into the school system. The law would prohibit burqas and niqabs, which cover much or all of the face, in educational institutions. It would not ban the hijab or other head coverings that leave the face visible. Meloni said students should attend school with their faces uncovered and framed the measure as part of broader efforts to promote equality and integration. The proposal must still be approved by the Italian government and Parliament before taking effect. Several European countries, including France and Belgium, already restrict face coverings in some public settings, although their laws differ in scope. Meloni has served as prime minister since 2022 and leads a conservative coalition government. Her administration recently became Italy’s longest-serving uninterrupted government since World War II.

Afghan Cyclist Wins Medal

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced plans on Sunday to limit the number of foreign students in individual classrooms and ban face-covering garments such as burqas and niqabs in schools. Speaking at an event organized by the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party, Meloni said the measures were intended to encourage integration and prevent classrooms from becoming heavily concentrated with students who do not speak Italian. Meloni said the government plans to set the limit at roughly 30 percent of stu-

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who once disguised herself as a man so she could train safely in her homeland, has won a silver medal at the Asian Games. The 23-year-old finished second in the women’s road race near Nagoya, Japan, becoming Afghanistan’s first female Asian Games medalist since 2002. “I can’t explain my feelings now,” Hashimi said after the race. “I was born

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

inside a country where the women who dream are getting attacked, and I’m really happy that I have fought against that.” Hashimi began cycling competitively in 2017 alongside her older sister, Yulduz. In Afghanistan’s Faryab province, the sisters often trained in secret, covering themselves with headscarves, masks and sunglasses and sometimes dressing as men to avoid attention. Even then, Hashimi said, they faced hostility. Stones and bottles were thrown at her while she trained. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the sisters fled Afghanistan with help from former Italian world champion Alessandra Cappellotto and settled in Italy. Since then, both have built careers in professional cycling. In 2023, they became the first Afghan women to compete at the UCI World Championships since the Taliban takeover, and both later represented Afghanistan in the women’s road race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hashimi said her silver medal represented more than a personal victory. “This silver medal can show a lot of resilience from Afghan women,” she said. “I’m not alone. I know that behind me millions of women, from many countries, have the same dream.”

Her Asian Games appearance came with little logistical support. Hashimi said she had no dedicated mechanic and handled much of her own bike maintenance during the competition. When she experienced a mechanical problem, members of the Japanese team stepped in to help repair her bicycle. Hashimi is now setting her sights on another Olympic appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. “I hope that the next generation will come here and represent their country without any fear,” she said.

UN: Nicaraguan Gov’t Killed 8

According to UN experts, the Nicaraguan government is responsible for at least eight deaths in custody since it began its crackdown on dissent and assault

of democratic institutions in 2018. The report, released on Tuesday, from the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua was the latest condemnation of the government of co-Presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, which has crushed dissent since 2018 mass protests and recently canceled elections. “A State that resorts to enforced disappearance and allows persons to die in its custody falls short of the minimum human rights standards required for credible democratic governance,” said Jan-Michael Simon, the group’s chair. The report detailed inconsistencies in the government’s account of the in-custody death of Indigenous Miskito leader Brooklyn Rivera, who was imprisoned for 32 months with almost no contact with his family before he died in May. Official statements said he died from Covid, although statements from before his death don’t mention the infection. An independent assessment from Physicians for Human Rights said the explanation was “not medically coherent.” Its assessment also found that the “timing of the illness and the pattern of organisms identified both point to the infections having been acquired in custody or in hospital, rather than in the community.” Murillo said Rivera received medical

care and family support throughout his illness. There was no independent autopsy, and his family has not received his body for burial. The report also detailed the failures of care in the deaths of Ortega’s estranged brother Humberto Ortega, former Sandinista guerrilla fighter Hugo Torres, and lawyer Carlos Cárdenas Zepeda. The experts documented the disappearance of at least 161 people since 2018. It called on the government to release information on 29 people whose whereabouts remain unknown and to release anyone detained on political grounds.

Charges Over AMIA Bombing

An Argentine judge has formally charged seven Iranians and one Lebanese citizen over the 1994 bombing of the

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

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T R I S T AT E

B EY

WE DELIVER NEAR & FAR W

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E S T, F L O R

ous cases. In June, Rafecas ruled that the AMIA defendants could be prosecuted even if they remained outside Argentina. The charges do not mean a trial will begin immediately. Rafecas said additional legal and procedural steps remain, and the defendants can challenge the indictments. The AMIA bombing came two years after a 1992 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires that killed 29 people. Rafecas has asked Argentina’s Supreme Court to consider whether the two investigations should be linked because of allegations that Hezbollah was involved in both. The AMIA investigation has been plagued for decades by allegations of obstruction, corruption and cover-ups, as well as the 2015 death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who had been investigating the case.

Protests in Nigeria

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AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, moving the decades-old case closer to a possible trial in absentia. The July 18, 1994, bombing killed 85 people and wounded more than 300, making it the deadliest antisemitic attack in Argentina’s history. No one has ever been arrested for carrying out the attack. Judge Daniel Rafecas said the decision to attack the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association was made by senior Iranian officials in 1993 and that the op-

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eration was entrusted to Hezbollah. Argentina has long accused Iran of ordering the bombing and the terror group Hezbollah of carrying it out. Iran and Hezbollah have denied involvement. Among those charged are former Iranian intelligence minister Ali Fallahijan, former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei, former Quds Force chief Ahmad Vahidi, and former Iranian ambassador to Argentina Hadi

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Soleimanpour. Also charged were former Iranian embassy cultural adviser Mohsen Rabbani, alleged intelligence operative Ahmad Reza Asghari, and Lebanese national Salman Raouf Salman, identified by Argentine authorities as a Hezbollah member. Several of the Iranian suspects have been the subject of Interpol red notices for years. Argentina last year changed its laws to permit trials in absentia in certain seri-

Thirty-seven people working in an illegal mine in Nigeria died in the authorities’ custody days after being detained, officials said, igniting angry protests on Friday as survivors described being packed in an overcrowded cell with little air. Not long after their deaths, the country’s president ordered an investigation, several top officials were suspended, and a governor imposed a statewide curfew. The miners were found dead in their cell on Thursday at a detention facility in Niger state, in northern Nigeria, according to the agency that detained them on Tuesday and Wednesday. The agency, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, initially blamed the deaths on “a suspected disease.” Two survivors told The New York Times that 66 people had been packed into a single cell with barely any ventilation, food or water. “We kept banging on the door,” one of the detainees, Dauda Shehu, said in a phone interview from a hospital where he and other survivors were taken. He said those who died had tried desperately to tell officials that they couldn’t breathe. Shehu, 38, said he was lucky to be near the cell door, where a tiny opening

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

let in air, but many others were farther away. Another survivor, Kamal Nuhu, 29, said that people “began collapsing and dying.” Speaking in a call from his hospital bed, he said, “We begged for water, but they refused to give us any,” adding that some detainees were so thirsty they drank their own waste. As in much of Africa, small-scale mining is common in Nigeria, especially for gold. But some mines are illegal or in the grip of armed criminal groups like jihadi militants or connected to international mining companies exploiting lax regulations and insecurity. Hundreds of people protested on Friday in Minna, the state capital where the miners were detained, with rioters setting a police office ablaze and destroying property. As the protests grew, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria condemned the miners’ deaths and ordered an investigation. “The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody,” he said. (© The New York Times)

Heavy Rains Flood Japan

Torrential rains this week brought by a powerful typhoon lashing Japan’s Pacific coast caused landslides that killed four people. Six other people are missing. The rains also caused the disruption of electricity to about 45,000 homes. Typhoon Dujuan is the latest extreme weather event in a year of unusually intense rain, floods and tropical cyclones that have hit regions across the globe from East Asia to North America and Europe. After landslides formed in the areas of Kanagawa and Chiba, mud flowed into a home, killing a woman in her 60s. Three other people killed ranged in ages in the 50s to the 80s. Richard Yonamine, 37, said water

flooded his home in the Chiba city of Sakura after a nearby river overflowed, swollen by the rains – the first time he has ever seen such a phenomenon in over three decades of living there. “I’m scared if it starts raining... I worry that as soon as it starts pouring, it’ll turn into a major problem,” Yonamine said. Heavy rain also caused widespread floods last month in Chiba, stranding passengers at the busy Narita airport, with media saying more than 10,000 cars were damaged beyond repair.

Australia’s New Visa Rules

Australia has changed the order in which it processes certain skilled visa applications, giving priority to workers in several key industries. The new system took effect on September 19, under Ministerial Direction 121, replacing the previous processing priorities set out under Ministerial Direction 119. The change affects how quickly applications may be considered, but it does not change who is eligible for a visa. Under the new rules for temporary skilled visas, applications connected to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources receive the highest processing priority. Applications involving Australia’s law enforcement and defense interests are also included in that group. Next in line are applications lodged under the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482. After those categories, priority generally depends on where an applicant was located when the application was submitted. Applicants who were in Australia when they applied are processed ahead of those who were overseas. For applicants outside Australia, additional conditions apply, including that the primary applicant’s case must not have been combined with another person’s application. All remaining applications follow those priority groups. Permanent skilled visa applications

are subject to a similar priority system. Cases linked to designated sectors — including healthcare, construction, teaching and agriculture — are processed first, followed by applications lodged by people in Australia and then certain applications submitted from overseas. The new order also applies to qualifying applications that were already pending when the changes took effect. Visas for students were also affected, as the government announced that international students will only be able to come alone to the country, without their families. Last year, more than 45,000 visas were granted to family members of international students. Under the new rules, there will be some exceptions, including for people from Pacific and ASEAN countries and PhD students. The government will also clamp down on “visa hopping” by international students. Students will need to prove they are progressing to a course at a higher level to prolong their student visas. These changes are part of the federal government’s wider bid to bring down net overseas migration from about 290,000 to 225,000 in 2027-28.

Belarus Releases Political Prisoners

Belarus released 25 political prisoners following talks with a U.S. envoy last week, the latest step in a broader diplomatic thaw between Washington and the government of President Alexander Lukashenko. The prisoners were freed after U.S. special envoy John Coale met with Lukashenko in Minsk. In exchange, the United States agreed to lift sanctions on two Belarusian state-linked companies, Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom. The release is part of a series of prisoner-for-sanctions agreements negotiated over the past year. In March, Belarus freed 250 prisoners as Washington eased restrictions on the country’s potash industry, one of its most important sources of export revenue. Coale said the United States had hoped for a larger release this time but expected further progress. He said that

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The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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he plans to return to Minsk in about a month and hopes hundreds more detainees could eventually be freed. Belarus has faced extensive U.S. and European sanctions for years over political repression, disputed elections, and its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lukashenko has ruled the country for more than three decades and remains one of Moscow’s closest allies. Washington’s current approach with Minsk has emphasized direct negotia-

tions and targeted sanctions relief in exchange for prisoner releases. European governments, however, have generally maintained a tougher sanctions policy. Lithuania said this week that it does not believe the releases amount to a broader change in Belarus’s conduct and urged the European Union to keep its restrictions in place. Human rights groups welcomed the latest releases while stressing that hundreds of people remain behind bars for

political reasons. The Viasna human rights organization has continued to document large numbers of political detainees in Belarus. Among those released were journalists, activists, and other prisoners whose cases had drawn international attention.

A police officer was critically wounded in a shooting outside a synagogue in Ontario on Sunday evening as congregants gathered for Yom Kippur prayers The shooting occurred near the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, a city roughly two hours northeast of Toronto. Authorities said Constable Jeff Smith encountered an armed man at about 7:10 p.m. The suspect, identified by police as 29-year-old Sean Ward, was carrying a shotgun. Smith returned fire after being shot, and another officer also discharged a weapon, according to Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, which is investigating the incident. Smith was hospitalized in stable condition. Ward suffered life-threatening injuries and died in the hospital. About 25 people were inside the synagogue at the time, but none of the congregants were injured. The shooting took place as Yom Kippur services were underway. The synagogue later announced that all remaining services for the holiday had been canceled. Deputy Police Chief Sheri Meeks praised Smith’s actions and said additional uniformed patrols would be deployed to the area. Toronto police also announced increased patrols near synagogues and other houses of worship, although authorities said there was no known broader threat. Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the shooting and said Jewish residents “have every right to gather and worship safely and without fear.” The incident comes amid heightened concerns over attacks and threats targeting Jewish institutions in Canada and elsewhere. Earlier this year, gunfire damaged three synagogues in the Toronto area within less than a week, though no one was injured. Other recent incidents have included attacks on Jewish institutions in the United States and Europe, including shootings, vehicle-ramming attacks and explosions.

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Qatar: We Didn’t Fund Hamas

Qatar has rejected allegations that its financial assistance to Gaza helped fund Hamas’s military wing before the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, saying its aid was intended for civilians and was transferred with Israeli oversight. The denial followed a New Yorker investigation citing documents seized by Israel during the war. According to the magazine, a Hamas official told Qatar’s foreign minister in 2019 that the Qatari grant was “the main artery of the Hamas movement.” The article argued that Qatari funds helped sustain Hamas as it expanded its military capabilities. Qatar’s International Media Office called the allegations “falsified and fabricated,” saying its assistance was directed toward Palestinian civilians and coordinated with Israeli authorities and international organizations. Qatar said that under previous aid arrangements, money, food, fuel and medicine passed through mechanisms involving Israel before reaching Gaza. “If any funding reached Hamas, it had nothing to do with Qatar,” the statement said, arguing that responsibility would instead lie with Israeli authorities that oversaw the process. “In fact, responsibility would fall on Israel who oversaw the delivery, including under Bennett, Lapid and Netanyahu, and through the various agencies including Mossad and Shin Bet.” Qatari payments to Gaza began in 2018 with approval from the Israeli government. The transfers reportedly reached as much as $30 million per month and were publicly defended at the time by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a way to prevent humanitarian collapse and maintain relative calm in Gaza. A report in Yedioth Ahronoth, published on the same day as the New York-

er article, revealed new details about the extent to which Israeli intelligence, as well as Egypt, believed Qatari money was funding Hamas’s military wing prior to the October 7 attack, including an assessment that it accounted for as much as half of the wing’s entire budget. The report said Netanyahu was informed of this fact several times but ignored it. Netanyahu’s office rejected that investigation as “a collection of recycled lies that have already been disproven in the past,” maintaining that Israel’s security chiefs had supported the Qatari grants because they were intended for humanitarian purposes and were expected to help maintain calm in Gaza. The issue has resurfaced amid separate scrutiny in Israel over the so-called “Qatargate” affair, which centers on allegations that individuals connected to Netanyahu’s office received payments linked to Qatar while promoting messages favorable to Doha. The New Yorker investigation focused largely on those allegations. Qatar, which hosted senior Hamas political leaders for years, has served as a mediator in negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the October 7 attack.

Netanel Shukrun, Hy”d

Hundreds gathered on Monday night for a final farewell to Netanel Shukrun, Hy”d, a father of six who was killed in a shooting attack near the Neve Tzuf community. He had warned his teenage son to flee moments before he was killed. Shukrun, 36, had gone with his eldest son, Yoav, 16, to a natural spring on Sunday to immerse in the waters before Yom Kippur. A gunman opened fire toward the natural mikveh from a vehicle, striking Shukrun as he sat inside his car. At the funeral in Shukrun’s home community of Alei Zahav, his widow, Meirav, credited her husband with saving their son. “At the last second, he warned Yoav,” she said, thanking her husband for his bravery. She remembered him as an exceptionally devoted father and said the couple had been planning to travel

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Herzog Pardons Soldier

abroad the following week. Yoav also thanked his father during his eulogy. “Dad, I want to say thank you for 16 years together,” Netanel’s son said. “Thank you for shouting to me when the terrorist came in. I don’t remember what you said, and I escaped. Thank you for saving my life, thank G-d I survived, and I want to tell the family that we will carry on together, and it will be okay.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich

and IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth were among those who attended the late-night funeral on Motzei Yom Kippur. According to the IDF’s initial investigation, the attacker opened fire from a vehicle before getting out and fleeing on foot while still armed. An Israeli military tracker fired at and wounded the terrorist during the pursuit. The gunman was later captured at a hospital near Ramallah. Shukrun was evacuated in serious

condition to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikva, where he died of his wounds. Speakers at the funeral remembered Shukrun as modest, kind and deeply devoted to his family. His final act, relatives noted, was protecting his son.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has granted a pardon to former IDF soldier Elor Azaria, clearing his criminal record years ahead of schedule over the 2016 killing of an incapacitated Palestinian attacker in Hebron. Azaria was convicted of manslaughter after shooting Abdel-Fattah al-Sharif, who had earlier stabbed an Israeli soldier and had already been shot and subdued. Azaria fired at al-Sharif roughly 11 minutes later. Azaria was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ultimately served nine months. The case sharply divided Israeli public opinion at the time, with some Israelis defending Azaria’s actions and others arguing that the shooting violated military law and the IDF’s rules of engagement. Azaria asked President Herzog in July to shorten the period before his criminal record would be automatically erased, saying the conviction was limiting his employment opportunities. Defense Minister Israel Katz supported the request. The IDF leadership opposed granting the request. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior officers had conveyed their objections to Katz, according to Israeli media reports. Herzog’s office said the decision took into account the decade that had passed since the shooting, Azaria’s completion of his sentence, changed family circumstances, and his stated desire to remove employment barriers and begin a new chapter. The president’s office also said Azaria had expressed regret over the consequences of the incident and had previously acknowledged that, in retrospect, firing the shot was an operational mistake. Herzog emphasized that the pardon did not overturn Azaria’s conviction or reassess the military court’s findings, saying the military justice system remains important to enforcing the law and the IDF’s ethical standards. In a comment to Channel 14, Azaria thanked Herzog, Katz, G-d and the Israeli nation, as well as his family and attorney. “A blessed week. Thank G-d we have

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reached this moment,” he said, according to the report, adding in a call with Katz that “it is important that no fighter goes through what I went through.” The decision immediately clears Azaria’s criminal record, which otherwise would have remained in place until 2032.

President Trump Addresses UN

President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to defend the U.S. war with Iran, warn Tehran of further military action, and call on other countries to

increase economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. In a 37-minute speech, Trump argued that U.S. military action had prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and said Washington remained open to a negotiated settlement. Iran has repeatedly denied that it seeks to build a nuclear bomb. Trump said he expected a deal could be reached after the November 3rd U.S. midterm elections, but warned that continued fighting could bring a far harsher response. “I have a big decision to make,” Trump said, asking whether Iran would reach an agreement allowing it to rebuild or whether the United States would “annihilate the Islamic Republic.” He also urged other governments to isolate Iran economically in an effort to force Tehran back to negotiations. Trump used the speech to outline a broader foreign-policy vision centered on U.S. military strength and what he described as preventing hostile powers from gaining footholds near American territory. He pointed to U.S. actions in Venezuela and criticized Mexico over cartel violence, while also discussing Cuba and warning foreign adversaries against ex-

panding their presence in the Western Hemisphere. Trump also renewed criticism of international institutions that could scrutinize U.S. military conduct, including the International Criminal Court. His remarks came less than a week after a UN fact-finding mission said it had reasonable grounds to believe U.S. forces committed war crimes in two strikes on Iran. The United States has rejected international jurisdiction over its servicemembers in such cases. Trump also touched on artificial intelligence, saying he did not want regulation to slow the growth of a technology he predicted could surpass the Industrial Revolution in significance. The speech opened a packed day of diplomacy in New York, with Trump scheduled to meet numerous world leaders who have come to the United States for the UN General Assembly.

Flight Snafus

dreds of flights canceled and arrivals effectively halted for much of the day. The timing was especially problematic as world leaders poured into New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The incident also renewed attention on the FAA’s aging air traffic control infrastructure. The agency has been working to replace decades-old telecommunications equipment, including copper-based systems, with newer technology. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told lawmakers last week that more than 64 percent of an older copper telecommunications network had been replaced as of September 1. Duffy has been pushing for additional funding to accelerate the overhaul. Congress has already provided $12.5 billion toward modernization, while officials say billions more will be needed to complete the work. Monday’s problems were the latest communications issues to affect the Philadelphia facility responsible for handling Newark-area flights. Similar outages last year led the FAA to add new fiber-optic connections and other backup systems aimed at improving reliability.

CNN, Politico Sue Admin. A severed telecommunications cable in New Jersey triggered widespread flight delays and cancellations across the Northeast on Monday, disrupting travel at some of the nation’s busiest airports before repairs restored operations later in the day. The disruption began after a construction crew accidentally cut a fiber-optic line around 9:45 a.m., according to officials. Compounding the problem, a primary telecommunications circuit serving the Federal Aviation Administration’s Philadelphia-area air traffic control facility had already failed, leaving the damaged fiber line as a critical backup. Ground stops and major delays followed at Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Philadelphia International and Teterboro airports. By Monday evening, repairs had been completed and normal operations were beginning to resume, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, though he warned that clearing the backlog would take time. The outage caused thousands of delays and cancellations nationwide. Newark was particularly hard hit, with hun-

CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a federal lawsuit Monday challenging the Trump administration’s decision to bar their journalists from the White House, arguing that the move violates the First Amendment. The three news organizations said their reporters were denied entry over the weekend and had their press credentials revoked after President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he was banning the outlets from White House grounds. The lawsuit alleges that the administration punished the organizations because of their coverage, amounting to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. It also raises Fifth Amendment due-process claims, saying the outlets lost their access without advance notice or an opportunity to challenge the decision. Trump has defended the move, saying

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The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

he is targeting what he calls “fake news,” not the free press. The White House has also maintained that access to its grounds is a privilege rather than a right. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee who in 2018 ordered the White House to temporarily restore then-CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s press credentials after they were revoked. The new lawsuit asks the court to act quickly and restore access while the case proceeds. The ban has also disrupted the traditional White House press pool. CNN had been scheduled to provide television pool coverage on Monday, but major networks declined to substitute for it.

2 Pilots Die Fighting Fire

Two pilots died when their helicopter crashed on Sunday afternoon while dropping water on a wildfire in California’s Yosemite National Park. Greg King, with contract firm Precision, was one of the pilots who died, according to a statement from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection. The second pilot was not named as family members were still being notified. The pilots were carrying out water bucket drops on the Dome Fire when their Super Puma helicopter went down

southeast of Ostrander Lake, according to Connie Lau, a spokesperson for the California team managing the response to the fire. These two deaths brought to five the number of helicopter pilots killed in crashes in Colorado, Utah and California this year fighting wildfires. The United States is experiencing an intense fire season after a historically low winter snowpack, record temperatures, and decades of drought in the West. At least 18 people have died fighting U.S. wildfires so far in 2026, according to data from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned federal agency. That is already more than the full-year average of 17 deaths in recent decades, according to National Interagency Fire Center data.

DoorDash’s $131M Settlement

On Tuesday, DoorDash announced that it reached a $131.5 million settlement of a New York City government probe that found the food delivery company underpaid or waited too long to pay workers. The settlement with the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection helps address the city’s longstanding concern that food delivery companies shortchange workers. The deal came nearly eight months after the city agency accused DoorDash and rival Uber Eats of engineering what

it called “design tricks” to deprive workers of more than $550 million in tips. The settlement includes a $16.7 million fine. DoorDash said it will provide nearly $115 million in relief to about 264,000 workers, whom it calls Dashers. This amount includes $83 million to resolve a dispute with the city over how to calculate pay for workers who were logged into the app and on-call but not actually making deliveries. It also includes $12.3 million for payments that were missed or arrived days or weeks late. “Simply put, we [messed] up,” the company said. “Our mistakes meant some Dashers were underpaid or paid late. While these mistakes weren’t intentional, that doesn’t make them okay.” DoorDash said its median payout will be about $48. DoorDash said many errors resulted from deliveries that crossed city boundaries, had multiple pickup or drop-off locations, or were only partially fulfilled or canceled. It said other errors resulted from technical bugs, or having incomplete banking information for workers. The company said it has the technical issues that caused the mistakes. DoorDash and delivery app rivals including Grubhub and Uber Eats have had multiple legal battles with New York City, including challenges to its tipping laws and whether they must share customers’ data with restaurants.

SOS on Oregon Beach

Three tourists looking for the perfect photo on a remote Oregon beach ended up getting considerably more adventure than they bargained for after the incoming tide cut off their escape. Volunteer firefighters and rescue crews responded last Wednesday afternoon to Lost Boy Beach in Tillamook after receiving a 911 call reporting that three people were stranded. Officials said the group — two men and one woman, all in their 20s — had ventured onto the secluded stretch of coastline for a photo opportunity. Then the tide turned. Literally. Lost Boy Beach can only be reached by

crossing through a sea cave or scrambling down rugged rocks, and rising water can quickly block the route back out. Rescuers initially considered waiting for low tide, but that would not have arrived until late at night. With cold temperatures and strong winds raising concerns about hypothermia, crews decided to bring the tourists out immediately. “Our water rescue team used a rope system to access the victims, placed them in life vests and assisted them through the surf to safety,” Netarts-Oceanside Fire District Chief Jeff McBrayer said. The tourists suffered only minor scrapes and bumps. Photos posted by the fire district showed that the stranded group had arranged driftwood on the sand to spell out “SOS.” McBrayer said the area has seen more visitors seeking dramatic photos and videos for social media, though he could not say whether that played a role in this incident. Officials are urging visitors to check tide conditions before exploring the coast, particularly with higher tides expected during the coming months. “We would encourage all visitors to utilize a tide app on their phones and talk to locals before trying to access dangerous areas on the coast,” McBrayer said.

Warren Buffett to Step Down

Warren Buffett, the legendary investor who transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a struggling textile company into a trillion-dollar conglomerate, has stepped down as chairman of the company. Buffett, who turned 96 in August, will remain on Berkshire’s board as chairman emeritus. His eldest son, Howard Buffett, will take over as chairman under the company’s long-established succession plan. “Serving as your chairman has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I have never taken your trust for granted,” Buffett wrote on Friday in a letter to shareholders. The move completes another major step in Berkshire’s leadership transition. Buffett stepped down as chief executive at

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

From modest beginnings in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett became one of the most influential investors of the modern era and turned Berkshire Hathaway into a company whose every move is closely watched on Wall Street.

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MIT is No. 1

the end of last year, handing the role to longtime executive Greg Abel. “Father Time always wins,” Buffett wrote. “He has, however, been generous with me.” Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, when it was a failing Massachusetts textile manufacturer. Over the next six decades, he transformed the company into one of the world’s most valuable corporations through acquisitions and long-term investments in busi-

nesses ranging from insurance and railroads to energy and aviation. Today, Berkshire owns companies including GEICO, BNSF Railway and NetJets, while also overseeing a massive stock portfolio with major holdings in companies such as Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola and Bank of America. Buffett became famous for his disciplined approach to “value investing,” seeking strong companies he believed were undervalued and holding them for

the long term. His philosophy was perhaps best summed up in one of his most frequently quoted lines: investors should be “fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful.” Beyond his investment record, Buffett became known for his annual letters to Berkshire shareholders, which blended financial advice with humor, personal stories, and observations about business and life.

Princeton University’s 15-year run at the top of the U.S. News & World Report college rankings has come to an end. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) claimed the No. 1 spot in the publication’s latest national university rankings, pushing Princeton to second place. U.S. News said MIT performed particularly well in measures tied to faculty research, incoming students’ standardized test scores, and graduates’ earnings. “Princeton’s underlying rankings data netted out about the same,” said Eric Brooks, U.S. News’s director of education data analysis, but he noted that the gap between Princeton and other schools had narrowed in recent years after research-related metrics were added. MIT responded modestly, saying it is “part of a strong network of excellent colleges and universities across the nation” committed to educating students and advancing research. Princeton declined to comment. Its president, Christopher Eisgruber, has previously criticized the intense focus on college rankings, calling the system a “slightly daft obsession” when taken too seriously. Harvard and Yale remained in third and fourth place, respectively, while the California Institute of Technology and Stanford tied for fifth. Private universities dominated the top of the list, occupying the first 19 spots before the University of California, Berkeley, and UCLA tied as the highest-ranked public institutions. Williams College remained the topranked national liberal arts college, while Spelman College retained the No. 1 spot among historically Black colleges and universities. U.S. News began publishing college rankings in 1983, and the lists have since become a major part of the higher-education landscape. The publication says

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its website draws more than 100 million visitors each year. Still, the rankings remain controversial. Critics argue that the methodology relies on subjective and frequently changing formulas, while some colleges have refused to submit data.

Teen Mental Health Improving

Teen mental health in the United States is showing notable signs of improvement after reaching troubling lows during the pandemic, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC’s 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found declines across several major measures of emotional distress and suicide risk. About 33% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the previous year, down from 42% in 2021. Fourteen percent said they had seriously considered attempting to take their own lives, compared with 22% in 2021. The CDC also reported declines between 2023 and 2025 in attempts and planning of taking their own lives attempts and overall poor mental health. The improvement continues a shift first seen in the 2023 survey and reverses years of worsening numbers. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted every two years among high school stu-

dents nationwide, had recorded rising mental-health concerns for much of the previous decade. Despite the encouraging trend, substantial disparities remain. Nearly 43% of female students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness, compared with about 24% of male students. Researchers say the reasons for the recent improvement are not yet entirely clear. Some experts have pointed to students’ return to normal school routines after pandemic disruptions, along with increased attention to mental-health services and school-based support. The survey also found continued declines in several other teenage risk behaviors. For example, alcohol use remains far below levels recorded when the survey began in the early 1990s. Social media use, however, remains widespread, with more than one-third of teenagers reporting that they use social platforms at least once every hour.

Cute Cuber

A 6-year-old girl from China has cracked the code — and the cube — setting a new women’s world record for solving a 3x3 Rubik’s Cube in just over four seconds.

Lian Yunzhi, a young speed-cuber from Chengdu in Sichuan province, broke the women’s 3x3 average world record twice in just three days at World Cube Association-certified competitions in Wuhan and Guangzhou. Her averages: 4.52 seconds and then an eye-popping 4.27 seconds. In other words, blink and you might miss the whole thing. Known by the nickname “Zhizhi,” Lian became the first female speed-cuber to average under 4.5 seconds, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Video from the competition showed Lian, wearing a red gingham bow, rapidly twisting the cube before setting it down, clapping and pumping her fist in celebration. Her mother, Lin Yangxi, said Lian was introduced to the Rubik’s Cube through an extracurricular class, alongside activities such as dance and music. It didn’t take long for the puzzle to move to the front of the lineup. Lin said she came to see cubing as a way to strengthen concentration, memory, logical thinking and spatial awareness. “Solving a Rubik’s Cube improves focus, memory, logical thinking, spatial awareness, and helps develop a healthy mindset toward winning and losing,” the proud mom explained. “It’s not just about blindly memorizing formulas, but using logical reasoning to find optimal solutions.” Lian now reportedly knows more than 1,300 Rubik’s Cube algorithms and practices for two to three hours each day. That is a lot of twists and turns for someone who is practically a toddler. Her mother said cubing is not simply a matter of memorizing formulas, but of using logic to identify the most efficient solution. At age 6, Lian appears to have that part figured out. And while plenty of adults still struggle to solve a Rubik’s Cube before losing patience and peeling off the stickers, Zhizhi is already rearranging the record books.

Fat Bear Week After a summer spent stuffing themselves with salmon, Alaska’s biggest brown bears are ready to weigh in. Voting opened on Tuesday for Fat Bear Week, the annual online contest that pits the most impressively padded four-legged residents of Katmai National Park and Preserve against one another in a battle of bulk. Last year’s winner, Chunk — officially

Bear 32 — is back and hoping to defend his heavyweight crown. He was estimated to weigh about 1,200 pounds in 2025, proving once again that in this competition, more is definitely better. But Chunk has some serious competition on his paws. Among this year’s contenders is Gully, also known as Bear 903, the offspring of two-time champion Grazer. Sounds like it runs in the genes.

The contest, now in its 12th year, features 16 bears in a single-elimination bracket, with online voters deciding which bear has packed on the most impressive poundage. The winner will be crowned on September 29. And these bears have certainly earned their stripes — or perhaps their stretch marks. Katmai’s brown bears spend the summer feasting on salmon from the Brooks River, sometimes eating as many as 30 fish a day. Adult males that weigh 600 to 900 pounds in midsummer can balloon past 1,000 pounds before hibernation. “Fat bears are successful bears,” organizers noted. That is especially true when winter arrives. During hibernation, the bears do not eat or drink and can lose about onethird of their body weight, meaning every extra bite of salmon counts. Bear in mind that fans can watch the bears on livestream cameras before casting their votes. Before-and-after photos also show just how dramatically some contestants transform over the summer. The bears are not actually weighed — which is probably best for everyone involved — so voters judge based on appearance, size, and sometimes personality or backstory. Chunk, for example, has a complicated history with Grazer. In 2024, cameras captured him attacking one of Grazer’s cubs after it fell into his fishing area. Grazer fought back, and although the cub later died, voters handed her the Fat Bear Week title that year. Chunk returned in 2025 and tipped the scales of public opinion in his favor. Now, the heavyweight rematch is on. We can “bear”ly contain our excitement.

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Raccoon Rehab

At one Mississippi wildlife rescue, the animals are put through a rehab complete with myriad fundamental activities needed for their survival. Woodside Wildlife Rescue in Pass Christian is putting orphaned and injured baby raccoons through their paces, teaching them the skills they’ll need to survive once they’re released back into the wild. The recruits may be small, but there is no horsing around. Founder Paula Woodside and rescue director Raquel Priest act as equal parts foster parents and drill sergeants, showing the kits how to forage, fish, climb, swim, and stay out of trouble — or at least as much trouble as a raccoon can realistically avoid. Many of the young animals arrive after losing their mothers to storms, traf-

fic accidents, or other traumatic events. Some are bottle-fed indoors until they’re strong enough to move into outdoor enclosures. Then it’s time to earn their stripes. The rehabbers bury worms in dirt to teach the kits how to dig for food and crack open pinecones and acorns to reveal what’s inside. The raccoons also practice fishing in shallow pools, hunt live quail, and learn to swim in the rescue’s pond. This is no time to let sleeping dogs lie. When danger is near, Woodside and Priest make a trilling sound that sends the animals scrambling up trees. A short whistle tells them the coast is clear. In other words: when the whistle blows, it’s paws to the pavement. The rescue has raised 76 kits so far this year on its 20-acre property, which includes forests, meadows, and ponds. The final lesson may be the toughest, and there’s no monkeying around. A volunteer unfamiliar to the raccoons traps them in cages, helping teach them that humans and traps are best avoided. About six months after arriving, the kits graduate. Woodside and Priest play “Pomp and Circumstance,” call each raccoon’s name, and release the animals into the forest. “It’s like watching your children leave

home,” Priest said. Except these children wear permanent masks, climb trees, and consider your garbage can an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Catch of the Day

A group of Florida anglers went out hoping to hook some fish and instead reeled in something decidedly less edible: a U.S. military drone. Hot Spots Charters, based in Pensacola, said a fishing crew spotted the unmanned aircraft floating offshore on Saturday near Eglin Air Force Base. Talk about the catch of the day. “Great 6 hour today with this crew! If anyone is looking for their drone, please call Hot Spots!” charter captain Daniel Arsenault quipped in a Facebook post alongside photos of the unusual haul. One image showed the drone stretched

across nearly the entire bow of the boat, considerably larger than the average redfish – big fish, small pond. Arsenault said the discovery was pure chance. “Riding along offshore and saw it floating,” he said. The drone appeared to be an FLM 136, a U.S.-made aircraft modeled after Iran’s Shahed-136 attack drone. The Air Force has developed its own versions of the Iranian design under a program known as the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, or LUCAS. An Eglin Air Force Base spokesperson told defense outlet The War Zone that an aircraft had gone missing during a test. “I can confirm that we were doing a test, and the test article went down,” the spokesperson said. The recovered drone was missing its nose section and rear propeller. Manufactured by Arizona-based Spektreworks, the aircraft measure nearly 10 feet long, have an 8-foot wingspan, and weigh about 70 pounds. After making its unexpected catch, Hot Spots Charters later posted that authorities had arrived to collect it. “The black suvs came and got their drone, all is good!” the company wrote. Talk about catch and release.

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Around the

Community President Javier Milei’s Historic Visit to Yeshiva Darchei Torah

Listening to President Milei’s speech at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, L-R: Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno; Economy Minister Luis Caputo; an Argentine government official; Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva; Mr. Aaron Zupnik; Rav Shlomo Avigdor Altusky, Rosh Yeshiva; Mr. Ronald Lowinger, president; Mr. Chaim Sholom Leibowitz; Mr. Ben Landa; Mr. Morris Smith; and Mr. Menachem Lieber

t all started with one attempt to meet the President. On March 9, 2026, Nataly Magendzo went to Yeshiva University to fulfill a lifelong wish of her father: to meet the President of Argentina. After the event concluded, she approached Ms. Karina Milei, the President’s sister, and handed her a small piece of paper with her phone number. “Please call me. We would love to give His Excellency an Ahavas Yisrael Award in our school.” And B”H, the call came. From that moment in March until this week, months of work, planning, and dedication went into organizing what became a truly historic event at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, where Rabbi Yaakov Bender, world chinuch leader, accompanied by Mr. Eitan Magendzo, himself originally from Latin America, presented President Javier Milei with an Ahavas Yisrael Award. The gift was a Megillat Esther housed in a beautiful silver case, generously donated by Mr. Lloyd Keilson, Chairman of the Yeshiva. Why a Megillah?

During his speech at Yeshiva University, President Milei shared that Purim was the first Jewish holiday he observed. The Megillah therefore carried a deeply meaningful message. What may have appeared from the outside to be a ceremonial event required an enormous amount of work behind the scenes. Hours upon hours went into planning and structuring the program, coordinating with security, extending community invitations, and accommodating the hundreds of talmidim who came to the Yeshiva during their vacation simply to be present for this historic moment. The event was led by Rabbi Joel Kaplan and Mrs. Nataly Magendzo. Mr. Baruch Rothman, Mr. Aron Zupnik, Rabbi Moshe Benoliel, Rabbi Moshe Bonrouhi and Mr. Shlomo Krasnow were instrumental in organizing and executing the ceremony. Moshe Chaim Keilson and Shaya Goldberger, the gabbaim of the Beis Midrash, were outstanding examples of the spirit and production of Yeshiva Darchei Torah — young leaders committed to responsibility, excellence, and the values

Photos by Naftoli Goldgrab Photography

President Milei accepting the Ohev Yisrael Award at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, with Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva, and Mr. Eitan Magendzo

President Milei waving goodbye as he leaves Yeshiva Darchei Torah

that will shape the future. Behind the scenes, the Yeshiva’s secretarial team worked tirelessly to make the event possible. Special recognition goes to Mrs. Layah Mandelbaum, Mrs. Adina Klein, Mrs. Esti Martinson, Mrs. Nava Nematnejad, Mrs. Zilpah Vadoff, Mrs. Goldie Katz, and Mrs. Brachie Schreiber. Ms. Ilana Magendzo and Ms. Chaya Martinson from TAG also volunteered their time and efforts to assist with the event. President Milei addressed a crowd of more than 400 attendees for approximately one hour. He once again expressed his commitment to his support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, declaring: “Until my last day I will stand by the people of Israel.” His Excellency delivered a speech combining economic teachings with ideas from Tanach, using both to express his perspective on the challenges facing the world today. The event concluded with the singing of Am Yisrael Chai, as President Milei walked through hundreds of talmidim who were dancing and singing together.

A copy of President Milei’s speech gifted to Mrs. Nataly Magendzo by President Milei after his speech

And then came one final moment. As the President was escorted to the circular driveway, the crowd accompanied him outside. Before getting into his vehicle, he turned toward the crowd and called out one more time: “Am Yisrael Chai!”

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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A Yom Kippur Shoe Store at Gan Chamesh

he children at Gan Chamesh learned all about Yom Kippur and know that we do not wear leather shoes on the holiday. In conjunction with their Yom Kippur learning, they enjoyed a fun, hands-on Yom Kippur shoe store. The store carried all kinds of shoes: big shoes, little shoes, leather shoes, non-leather shoes, sandals and high heels. The children enjoyed measuring their own feet, trying on shoes, and buying shoes from the store. They also enjoyed feeling leather scraps and matching shoe box covers to the appropriate shoe boxes. It is experiences like these that help the Gan Chamesh children internalize the beauty and meaning of the Jewish holidays.

YOSS students in 4L are learning to be fearless and conquer their goals this year

“Work At It” Runs Workshop for HAFTR Faculty

Gesher Prepares for Sukkos

AFTR High School faculty recently participated in an interactive professional development workshop led by Rabbi Yaakov Mintz, an educational advocate for Work At It, an organization focused on developing research-based approaches to strengthen student motivation, curiosity, and understanding in the classroom. Faculty members explored the experiences of teens who struggle to connect with traditional classroom environments. Through role-play activities based on realistic classroom scenarios and small-group discussion, teachers closely examined challenges faced by students from different perspectives, working together to develop practical strategies with the goal of making learning more engaging and accessible. This included educators working within their academic departments to rethink lessons and instructional activities. The workshop drew on research from Dr. Martin Seligman on confidence and optimism, perspectives on the classroom experience of students with ADHD, and the work of Dr. Judy Willis, MD, on applying neuroscience to classroom practice. The workshop was developed in collaboration with HAFTR educational leaders over the summer to ensure that the conversation would be relevant to

the needs of our students and teachers. It reflects an important part of HAFTR’s approach to education; namely, to continue learning as educators to better understand students and create classroom environments where every student has the opportunity to engage, grow, and succeed. Work At It is a strength-based program focused on working one-on-one with young people (16-24) who have left the education system. They also run student workshops in yeshiva high schools. Their professional development program helps teachers in schools understand students who do not thrive in school and gives them tools to engage them productively in the classroom.

he Gesher kids had so much fun building their own edible sukkahs in honor of Sukkos! A big thank

you to Shulamith High School, as part of their school-wide chessed Day, for bringing this fun and sweet activity to Gesher!

Teshuva, Tefillah and Tzedakah at Lev Chana

ev Chana was very busy teaching the children all about Yom Kippur. Students had fun learning about

Kaparot, giving tzedakah and asking forgiveness. They were all ready when Yom Kippur arrived.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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A New Beginning at IVDU

VDU Five Towns was filled with excitement as administrators, teachers, and therapists returned to begin another wonderful school year! Everyone was so happy to see familiar and new faces, welcoming our students back and beginning a new year filled with learning, fun, and new adventures. Our teachers, therapists, and administrators worked hard to get everything ready for our students. Classrooms were decorated with fun and creative themes, colorful displays, and special touches to make each room feel warm, welcoming, and exciting. It was wonderful to see the school come alive again with smiling faces, busy classrooms, and lots of enthusiasm! With the Yomim Tovim arriving, our students were busy creating beautiful and colorful masterpieces. They enjoyed

fun, hands-on activities that helped bring the spirit of the holidays into our classrooms. From creating special artwork to learning about the meaning and traditions of the Yomim Tovim, our students had so many opportunities to learn, explore, and have fun together. One of the highlights of the month was our exciting trip to Dr. Davies Farm! Our students had a wonderful time going apple picking and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. They were especially excited to make their very own apple cider! It was a fun-filled day of exploring, creating special memories, and enjoying the tastes and sights of the season. As we begin this new school year, we are looking forward to many more exciting activities, special celebrations, new friendships, and wonderful learning experiences.

Teshuvah, Tefillah, and Tzedaka at YCQ

eshuvah, tefillah, and tzedaka came to life throughout YCQ as students prepared for the Yamim Noraim through meaningful learning, tefilah, and hands-on experiences. YCQ families gathered for an uplifting Selichot program featuring inspiring words from Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, rav of the Young Israel of Queens Valley, followed by Selichot led by Rabbi Nat. Students in Grades 1-5 participated in Kaparot using money, which they then donated to tzedaka. The JHS girls and sixth-grade boys traveled with their morot and rebbeim, respectively, to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a special Tashlich program. In addition to reciting Tashlich and hear-

ing meaningful stories, students wrote down two positive behaviors or areas of chesed or tefillah that they would take upon themselves for the coming year. Their reflections will be returned at the end of the school year so they can look back on their growth. Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman, Mashgiach at Yeshivat Ohr Hachaim, addressed the seventh- and eighth-grade boys about the meaning of teshuvah and the opportunity to grow, improve, and strengthen their relationship with Hashem. Together, these experiences helped students begin the new year with greater meaning, purpose, and inspiration.

How Chai Lifeline is Bringing Simchas HaChag to Those Who Need it Most

s the holiest days of the year give way to the joyous anticipation of Sukkos, most of us are busy building sukkahs, acquiring our arba minim, and preparing for festive yom tov meals. But for families fighting pediatric illness, the calendar brings a different reality: treatments, surgeries, and split homes between the hospital bedside and the children left behind. Instead of a time of rest, preparing for yom tov can feel like an insurmountable mountain. Across the country, Chai Lifeline’s staff and dedicated volunteers have already been stepping into that breach, guiding families through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and now working tirelessly to lift the weight of Sukkos preparation and bring the warmth and simchas Yom Tov directly to those who need it

most. “Yom tov should be a time for families to come together, but for families facing serious illness, the realities of hospital stays, treatments, and caregiving do not pause for the holiday,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “Our staff and volunteers work to take some of that weight off their shoulders, whether that means delivering a meal, building a sukkah, or providing much-needed respite. These may seem like simple acts, but for a family in the midst of a crisis, they can make all the difference.” From coast to coast, Chai Lifeline ensures that no family faces the season alone, wrapping practical assistance in deep warmth and dignity through a massive, coordinated nationwide effort. Thousands of families are receiv-

ing comprehensive Yom Tov support, including delicious meals delivered to homes and hospitals, and critical financial assistance through the Evan Levy Z”L Fund to help offset seasonal expenses. To ensure simchas ha-chag, Chai Lifeline volunteers are building sukkahs at hospitals and homes in crisis, supplying arba minim, decorating hospital rooms, and delivering toys, books, and gifts. Volunteers also provide essential in-hospital respite care to give exhausted parents a much-needed break. Additionally, Chai Lifeline is arranging exciting Chol Hamoed outings nationwide, featuring special trips to Hersheypark, Rosenfeld Ranch, and local amusement parks. “Our families are dealing with enough during the year, and Yom Tov can bring another layer of challenges,” added Rab-

bi Mordechai Gobioff, MSW, National Director of Client Services. “We’re here to ease that burden with the practical support families need, while also finding ways to bring some simcha to the holiday.” To support Chai Lifeline and bring comfort to families in crisis, visit www. chailifeline.org.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Students at HALB are getting ready for Sukkos! In art class, they made beautiful decorations to hang in their sukkahs at home

Sukkos is in the air at HANC EC! The yeladim were so busy creating their magnificent projects for Sukkos and Simchas Torah to share with their families

September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month

ccording to the American Cancer Society approximately 45,240 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed this year with approximately 2,320 deaths from thyroid cancer. This type of cancer is almost three times more common in women than in men and is often diagnosed at a younger age than most other adult cancers. The average age when a person is diagnosed with thyroid cancer is 51. In recognition of Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Sheldon Genack, Chair of the Department of Surgery at Episcopal Health Services, discusses the signs, risk factors and advances in treatment that are helping thyroid cancer patients achieve positive outcomes. What is Thyroid Cancer Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that plays a vital role in regulating metabolism and hormone function. According to Dr. Genack, many cases of thyroid cancer are discovered incidentally during imaging tests per-

formed for unrelated conditions, often before symptoms even develop. One of the most common warning signs patients should be aware of is the appearance of a lump or swelling in the neck. While not every lump is cancerous, any new swelling or mass should be evaluated by a physician. A family history of thyroid cancer and prior radiation exposure may also increase an individual’s risk of developing the disease. How Thyroid Nodules Are Evaluated Ultrasound is considered the most effective tool for evaluating thyroid nodules because it provides detailed imaging without exposing patients to radiation. During an ultrasound, physicians assess the size, shape and appearance of the nodule to determine whether it has suspicious characteristics that may require further testing. Characteristics such as irregular borders or calcifications may prompt a recommendation for a needle biopsy also known as a fine needle aspiration (FNA).

Advances in thyroid cancer care have also helped reduce the number of unnecessary surgeries. In the past, suspicious thyroid nodules often led to the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. Today, molecular and genetic testing can provide additional insight into whether a nodule is likely to be cancerous. These advanced diagnostic tools allow physicians to more accurately determine which patients truly require surgery and those who can safely avoid more invasive treatment. Thyroid Cancer Treatment Has Evolved Dr. Genack explains that one of the significant advances in thyroid cancer care has been a shift toward “less is more” treatment approaches. Since many thyroid cancers grow slowly and behave less aggressively than other cancers, some patients may only require removal of part of the thyroid gland rather than the entire gland. In certain cases involving very small thyroid cancers, patients may even be monitored closely with routine ultrasounds instead of undergoing immediate surgery. Thyroid cancer is highly treatable, especially when detected early. Dr. Genack notes that cure rates for many well-differentiated thyroid cancers are exceptionally high, often exceeding 90%. He emphasizes that while a cancer diagnosis can understandably feel overwhelming, thyroid cancer is generally not considered an aggressive cancer, and many patients go on to live healthy lives following treatment. Staying Aware of Your Thyroid Health Routine physical examinations and close attention to changes in the neck can play an important role in the early detection of thyroid cancer. Dr. Genack also notes that thyroid bloodwork alone cannot determine whether thyroid cancer is

Dr. Sheldon Genack

present. When thyroid nodules are identified, imaging studies and biopsy procedures remain the most effective tools for evaluation and diagnosis As awareness surrounding GLP-1 medications continues to grow, some patients may have questions about their potential connection to thyroid cancer. Dr. Genack explains that while studies in rodents raises concerns about a rare type of thyroid cancer known as medullary thyroid carcinoma, this risk has not been strongly demonstrated in humans. However, patients with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer, or those who develop a new lump in the neck while taking GLP-1 medications, should discuss their concerns with a physician. Comprehensive Thyroid Care at EHS At EHS, patients have access to advanced diagnostic imaging, specialized ENT/Otolaryngology care and personalized treatment plans for thyroid conditions and thyroid cancer. Early detection and ongoing follow-up care can make a significant difference in improving outcomes and providing patients with greater peace of mind. If you notice a lump or swelling in your neck or have concerns about your thyroid health, call 718-EHS-DOCS (347-3627) to schedule an evaluation.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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Physician Guided Longevity Meets Uncompromising Kashrus: Kosher 120 at Pritikin

or half a century, the Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami, Florida, has defined elite lifestyle medicine—combining physician guided assessments with structured exercise, nutrition, and medical strategies to lower cardiovascular and metabolic risk. For observant Jews, however, attending a residential health retreat usually poses a dilemma: how to pursue high level wellness without sacrificing kashrus, daily minyanim, or Shabbos standards. Now, that obstacle is removed—once a year. Through the Kosher 120 program, Pritikin transforms into a fully observant, health focused ecosystem. From October 25 through November 5, 2026, participants can experience the complete, world renowned Pritikin program in an environment tailored strictly for the observant community. A Glatt Kosher Experience Guests enjoy the exact same world renowned Pritikin health menu as all oth-

er guests, prepared directly by Pritikin’s culinary team under strict Kosher Miami supervision.  Strict Kashrus: All meals are Glatt Kosher and Cholov Yisroel, strictly certified by Kosher Miami with a Mashgiach Temidi on site throughout all food preparation and cooking.  Daily Tefillah: Daily Shacharis, Mincha, and Maariv are built seamlessly into the schedule.  An Elevated Shabbos: The main Bauer Lecture Hall converts into a beautiful shul for davening, followed by a Kiddush on the patio. The cooking school is transformed into a large private dining area for all three Shabbos meals, Havdalah, and Melave Malka. Proven Science, Practical Results Pritikin’s approach relies on published clinical research. Studies of residential participants consistently show significant reductions in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, and body weight. This

often allows patients, under physician supervision, to safely reduce or eliminate medications. During the program, guests enjoy nutrient dense, gourmet meals prepared within Pritikin’s low sodium, heart healthy standards. Interactive cooking demonstrations and tailored fitness programs ensure participants gain the practical tools needed to maintain these life saving habits at home.

An Exclusive Annual Opportunity You no longer have to choose between clinical excellence and strict religious observance. For 12 days only, Kosher 120 brings physician guided longevity and uncompromising Jewish tradition together under one roof. To reserve your spot for October 25–November 5, 2026, or to learn more, visit www.kosher120.com or call 1-800-3274914 to book a consultation.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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Mercaz Students Explore Teshuva Through Tashlich

n a beautiful sunny day last week, first through sixt -grade Mercaz Academy students took a special field trip from Plainview to Belmont Lake State Park to perform the traditional tashlich ritual at a living body of water, spiritually preparing for Yom Kippur during the Aseres Yemai Teshuva. Along with reciting the text, which affirms Hashem’s forgiveness of the mistakes and missteps of the past year, students learned and discussed the meaning of the prayer and how it applies to them. Prior to reciting tashlich, students were organized into small, mixed-grade

discussion groups, each led by sixth and fifth grade group leaders. The older students guided the younger students through a learning component, prompting questions about the meaning of tashlich and the symbolic importance of water, and talking about teshuva, the practice of changing behaviors and seeking forgiveness from others and from G-d. The older students then led an activity around the three steps of giving a genuine apology, acting out real-world scenarios through role-play. “Let’s say you forgot to include someone when you’re playing with your friends,” a sixth grader suggest-

ed. “How would you say sorry?” He then guided his group through verbalizing an apology, acknowledging wrong through empathy, and resolving to make a better choice next time. They concluded the discussion with a hands-on “letting go” activity designed to help students connect the idea of teshuva to a tangible action. Each student wrote something they wanted to leave behind on special “disappearing paper,” then placed it in a bowl of water and watched it slowly vanish. Then the entire student group, led by Principal Rabbi Kalman Fogel, stood

by the shore of the lake to recite tashlich in Hebrew together along with teachers and parent chaperones. The school community “let go” of the past and embraced the future, actualizing Mercaz’s commitment to reflection, personal growth, and a shared dedication to living a life of Torah and mitzvot.

Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim Talmidim Visit the Krula Rebbe

he talmidim of Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim traveled to Williamsburg for the special zechus of visiting the Krula Rebbe, shlita, and receiving his bracha and words of chizuk as they begin a new year filled with new opportunities for growth. The Rebbe spoke with tremendous

warmth about growing in Torah and Yiddishkeit, simchas hachaim, believing in the kochos Hashem gives each individual, and never underestimating what one can accomplish. Most striking was the personal connection the Rebbe created. Although he was addressing the entire group, each talmid felt as though the Rebbe was speak-

ing directly to him, giving him his complete and undivided attention. The talmidim returned to Yeshiva uplifted and energized, carrying with them the Rebbe’s bracha for a gmar chasima tova, together with a powerful message for the year ahead: Every neshama is precious. Every talmid has tremendous po-

tential. And with belief, effort, and siyata d’Shmaya, there is no limit to how high one can grow. It was another memorable moment in the Yeshiva’s ongoing mission of not only educating its talmidim but inspiring them to recognize the greatness within themselves.

Ezra Academy Launches the Year with Clubs, Athletics, and Chessed

zra Academy students began the school year with an exciting array of extracurricular activities, athletic opportunities, and meaningful chessed initiatives. At the school’s annual Club Fair, students explored and signed up for more than 20 clubs, including Mock Trial, Debate, Kollel, Music, Newspaper, and Stock Market Club. Students spoke with club leaders, learned about the different opportunities available, and selected activities that matched their interests and talents. The fair had the atmosphere of a mini carnival, complete with snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn, and music. The excitement and ruach throughout the event

helped generate tremendous interest, with students enthusiastically signing up to become involved in school life beyond the classroom. That enthusiasm extended to Ezra Academy’s athletic program as well. Boys’ basketball and girls’ volleyball tryouts drew an impressive turnout, as students competed for places on the school’s teams and looked forward to representing Ezra Academy throughout the coming season. Students also demonstrated that school spirit at Ezra Academy includes giving back to others. For the school’s first major chessed initiative of the year, 30 students volunteered to help six local families prepare for the upcoming

holiday by building and setting up their sukkahs. The event started with a shiur on the halachos of sukkah building given by Rabbi Nash. Working together, the students transformed a practical holiday need into an opportunity to support members of the community and experience the joy of helping others.

From clubs and athletics to hands-on chessed, the strong student participation reflects Ezra Academy’s commitment to developing well-rounded young people who learn, lead, contribute, and bring energy and purpose to their community. It was an exciting and meaningful start to another year at Ezra Academy.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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Meaningful Programming at MTA

he Aseres Yemei Teshuva at MTA were filled with meaningful opportunities for talmidim to learn, reflect, and prepare for Yom Kippur. Alongside a renewed commitment to talmud Torah in every shiur and throughout the yeshiva, special programs throughout the week brought the themes of these important days to life. The week included an uplifting Yom Iyun featuring Rabbi Mordechai Willig and Rabbi Josh Blass, who shared words of Torah and inspiration with talmidim as they prepared for the holiest day of the year. MTA also hosted Mishmar Madness, an exciting evening of Torah, food, and ruach. After enjoying dinner from Dougie’s, talmidim participated in round-robin shiurim, giving them the opportunity to learn from several dif-

ferent rebbeim. The evening concluded with a spirited tisch led by Rabbi Moshe Auslander, bringing everyone together through Torah, singing, and shared inspiration. The special programming continued with the Bergenfield Shabbos Shuva Shabbaton, where talmidim spent Shabbos together immersed in tefillah, learning, and achdus. The weekend also included a special pickleball tournament, combining friendly competition with the opportunity to support a meaningful cause. Together, these experiences helped make the Aseres Yemei Teshuva at MTA a time of genuine growth and preparation, as talmidim strengthened their connections to Torah, their rebbeim, one another, and the significance of the Yamim Noraim.

HAFTR MS Does Tashlich

AFTR Middle School students took the time to learn about the meaning behind Tashlich and the role it plays in the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. Through their learning, students explored the themes of reflection, teshuvah, and personal growth that make this time of year so meaningful. By understanding the traditions and ideas behind these Yomim Tovim, students are better prepared to experience them with intention and appreciation. Learning that gives meaning to the moments we celebrate.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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Gov. Hochul Joins Met Council

ROOKLYN – On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul joined Met Council on Jewish Poverty in distributing glatt kosher food to thousands of families ahead of and during the Jewish High Holidays at the organization’s Brooklyn Hub, a community center that provides food, health care enrollment, employment assistance and other social services in partnership with UJA-Federation of New York. Met Council distributed a record 2,016,982 pounds of kosher food to food-insecure individuals and families

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ahead of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, making it the largest Jewish High Holiday food distribution in American history. Met Council worked with 162 partner organizations to distribute fresh produce, proteins, traditional holiday foods like apples and honey and household staples. Gov. Hochul helped distribute food to families as part of the effort, including fresh produce secured through Nourish New York, a state program, developed by her administration, that connects upstate New York farmers with downstate

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food pantries that provide food to New Yorkers in need. “The state is proud to partner with Met Council, and some of the food being distributed here comes through our Nourish New York program. It’s important that food grown right here in New York can go right to New Yorkers who need it,” said Gov. Hochul. The visit to Met Council’s Brooklyn Hub, strategically located between Borough Park and Bensonhurst, also highlighted the organization’s role as a leading community-based provider of food and social services. Funded by UJA-Federation of New York and operated by Met Council, the Hub brings a wide range of services together under one roof, including a kosher food pantry, help applying for and renewing SNAP and Medicaid benefits, health insurance assistance, employment and career services, senior services, Holocaust survivor services, legal assistance, emergency financial assistance, family and elder abuse services and a myriad of other benefits assistance programs. As part of the visit, Gov. Hochul also distributed Cholov Yisroel infant formula to families in need. Following a threeyear effort by Met Council and the Hochul administration, the state DOH approved the specially certified kosher formula for WIC for the first time in August. WIC is a nutrition program that helps eligible pregnant women, new mothers and young children afford healthy food and infant formula. The change allows eligible families who follow kosher dietary laws to use their WIC benefits to purchase Cholov Yisroel formula. “I’m really proud that we can now have kosher baby formula covered by WIC. Being a mom-governor, I understand how important baby formula is,” said Gov. Hochul. Gov. Hochul also toured one of Met

Council’s Social Care Network screening centers inside the Brooklyn Hub. Social Care Networks are part of the Hochul administration’s effort to use Medicaid funding to invest in keeping Medicaid recipients healthier by providing access to healthier foods, housing and transportation benefits and other services by connecting them to community-based services who can help them before those problems contribute to more serious health issues. The approach is designed to make targeted investments in keeping people healthy and potentially avoid Medicaid needing to fund more costly medical care later. The program improves health outcomes and reduce costs. “This is what partnership between government and community organizations looks like,” said Met Council CEO David G. Greenfield. “Gov. Hochul has helped turn government programs into real help for people, from securing food for communities through Nourish New York, to making WIC work for families who need Cholov Yisroel formula, to using Medicaid resources to address problems before they become health crises. We are proud to work with her administration to make these programs work for the people who need them.” Met Council’s High Holiday distribution included 659,432 pounds of fresh produce, 55,026 bottles of grape juice and 48,384 bottles of honey, along with apples, chicken, frozen fish, eggs, soup mix, tea biscuits and pantry staples including canned fruits and vegetables, flour, oil, pasta, rice, beans and canned fish. More than 500 volunteers participated in the effort, which included 13 Market by Met Council sites and expanded Met Council’s reach into Long Island and upstate New York.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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HANC’s Amazing Bnot Sherut

ANC’s Reinstein Family Campus in West Hempstead welcomed two new B’not Sherut to the community. In just a few weeks, Reshit Toledano and Tohar Huri have infused the school with their warmth, energy, and love for Israel. From the minute the doors open in the morning, and they greet each child as they disembark from their cars, the love flowing from them to the children is a delight to behold. The students have already developed a strong bond with the B’not Sherut and can’t wait to learn more about them and their lives in our beloved homeland, Israel. Reshit hails from Sderot, and she and her twin sister are the oldest of six children. She enjoys traveling, baking and reading. Reshit spent last year serving in a Sherut Leumi (National Service) program in a K’far Chassidim youth village near Haifa. Most of the eleventh graders with whom she worked were immigrants from the Soviet Union who lacked a formal Jewish education. To enhance their

knowledge of Judaism, Reshit provided them with Hebrew lessons, taught them about the holidays, and helped them develop a deep love for their new home in Israel. Leading trips through nature enabled the teenagers to experience the land firsthand and develop a deeper connection to the country and its people. Tohar was raised in Bnei Nezarim, which is on the border of Gaza and Egypt. She is the sixth of eight children and the proud aunt of two nieces and one nephew. She enjoys traveling, reading on Shabbat and spending time with friends. Last year, Tohar worked in a Midrasha in Kibbutz Mordechai. Her experiences included working in the fields and tending to the animals, which enhanced her love for all sorts of wildlife. Having known each other since high school, Reshit and Tohar decided to come to America together to work in a school. Tohar explained, “I wanted to know how people live here, to meet them, to connect them to Judaism and to Hebrew.”

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Reshit was influenced by other girls who had previously served as B’not Sherut in America. “I heard what a great time they had in the States, and I wanted to have that experience as well. I love Israel so much and want to build a strong bond between young people here and Israel. We are so happy to be here!” Reshit and Tohar have big plans for the year ahead. They are planning many holiday programs, exploration of Israel activities, and infusing Hebrew into

the everyday lives of the children at HANC. In addition to their responsibilities in school, they are looking forward to meeting the extended HANC families, and appreciate all of the home hospitality for Shabbat and Yom Tov meals that the community is providing them. They are also hoping to travel in their free time and see as much of America as possible. HANC wishes to extend a hakarat hatov to the Shapiro family for generously providing a home for Reshit and Tohar in the heart of West Hempstead.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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After October 7, Her Cookbook Found an American Audience. Now It’s Helping Feed New Yorkers

or more than 15 years, Menuchah Armel, author of Straight to the Plate, built a cooking and catering career out of her home, preparing food for bar mitzvahs, sheva brachos, and other celebrations. Along the way, Temech, an organization dedicated to helping religious women in Israel build successful careers and businesses, helped Menuchah develop her career and bring the cookbook, Straight to the Plate, to fruition. Then came October 7. As small businesses across Israel struggled, ESEK was created to give Israeli entrepreneurs a way to reach customers and supporters around the world. ESEK began showcasing Menuchah and Straight to the Plate to an American audience.

The story continued when Menucha Publishers, despite the similar name, unrelated to the author, published a second edition of the cookbook with modest updates. And now the cookbook is being used to give back again. Menuchah Armel is partnering with Masbia Soup Kitchen Network, where supporters can receive Straight to the Plate with an eligible donation that helps Masbia provide food to families in need. “What struck me is how many mitzvahs became connected through one cookbook,” said Masbia Executive Director Alexander Rapaport. “Temech helped a woman build a career. ESEK helped bring an entrepreneur in Israel to a wider audience. A publisher gave the cookbook

another platform. And now Menuchah [the author] is using that same cookbook to help us put food on the tables of families in need.” It is an unusual example of philanthropy coming full circle: someone who benefited from a network of support is now using what she built to support someone else. At the same time, Masbia is collaborating with Massachusetts challah expert Mandy Silverman, known as Mandylicious, whose new cookbook, Twisted, celebrates challah, family, and community. Mandy grew up watching her mother help families through Tomchei Shabbos in Massachusetts, and she is now continuing that tradition by using her cookbook to benefit families receiving food through

Masbia. Two cookbook authors. Two very different journeys. And a chain of giving that keeps moving forward.

An Evening of Inspiration and Honest Conversation with Ohel

his past Wednesday evening, September 16, community members gathered at the White Shul for a powerful evening of inspiration, reflection, and candid conversation presented by The Ohel Kleinman Family Regional Center. Centered around the theme of entering the Yamim Noraim amid life’s challenges, the evening offered both meaningful chizuk and an unusually open conversation about mental health and the struggles that so many individuals and families quietly navigate. The evening began with David Mandel, CEO of Ohel, introducing renowned speaker Rabbi Paysach Krohn. Mr. Mandel shared a particularly personal connection with Rabbi Krohn, recalling that Rabbi Krohn had been his counselor in camp many years ago. Rabbi Krohn then delivered stirring divrei chizuk as the community prepares for the Yamim Noraim. Drawing upon Torah insights as well as elements of his own personal story, Rabbi Krohn spoke about approaching this sacred time of year while simultaneously carrying the challenges and uncertainties that are an inevitable part of life. His words offered a message of strength, perspective, and hope, along with heartfelt brachos for the year ahead. Following Rabbi Krohn’s remarks, Eli Portal, LCSW, Ohel’s Outreach and Partnership Coordinator, spoke about the

broad range of mental health resources available through Ohel and its Far Rockaway clinic. He highlighted the significant investment Ohel has made in the quality and training of its clinical staff, as well as in making care accessible to members of the community as quickly as possible. The evening then transitioned from inspiration to an intimate and candid discussion about the lived experience of mental health challenges. Moderated by Yaakov Langer, founder of Living L’chaim and host of Inspiration for the Nation, the conversation featured Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, founder of 18Forty, and Jessica Tsur, founder of CATCH Support. Rather than speaking about mental health only in the abstract, the panelists spoke openly about their own experiences. Rabbi Bashevkin shared aspects of his journey with anxiety, including the internal dialogue and struggles that can remain present even while a person is functioning, accomplishing, and moving forward in life. Jessica spoke courageously about her experiences navigating depression and anxiety and the complexities of living life while carrying challenges that may not always be visible to those around us. The honesty of the conversation helped underscore one of the central messages of the evening: mental health struggles do not exist somewhere outside

Jessica Tsur, Rabbi Bashevkin, and Yaakov Langer

Rabbi Krohn addresses the crowd

of our community. They are part of the lives of our friends, neighbors and families—and there is tremendous strength in creating communities in which people can speak openly and access support when they need it. Coming just after Rosh Hashanah and before Yom Kippur, the evening provided a meaningful reminder that entering the Yamim Noraim does not require leaving our struggles at the door. People enter this season carrying concerns about health, family, relationships, parnassah, mental health and countless other challenges. Alongside the inspiration and holiness of this time of year, there can also be space for vulnerability, connection, support, and hope.

The program concluded with an opportunity for attendees to connect directly with members of Ohel’s clinical leadership and learn more about the services available to individuals and families throughout the community. The evening was recorded, and Ohel hopes to make the program available to the broader community in the coming days, allowing its messages of chizuk, openness, and support to reach well beyond those who were able to attend in person.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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We Love Reading at HALB

DRS Freshmen Shabbaton

he second grade enjoyed a special “Book Tasting.” They went around to different tables filled with books from different genres to see which type of book interests them most.

Additionally, lower school students who completed the summer reading challenge enjoyed a special “reader’s breakfast” at school. We love reading!

he excitement was palpable as freshmen at DRS Yeshiva High School eagerly boarded the buses last week, ready to head to the annual Freshman Shabbaton, held at Camp Kaylie. “The goal of the Shabbaton is for everyone meet each other and create a sense of achdut within the grade in an enjoyable and fun way,” said DRS Menahel Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky to the freshman class. Upon arrival, students unpacked, davened Maariv, and headed to the gym for “Wacky Olympics.” Students faced off in shiur-vs.-shiur competitions in a variety of events, in which every student had a unique role. The night was far from over, as students enjoyed a late-night barbecue and basketball in the gym with their new friends. Students woke up Friday morning, eager for the events to come. After Shacharis, breakfast and shiur with the freshmen rebbeim, students

took to the gridiron for a competitive flag football tournament, while bonding with new friends. After the tournament, the class enjoyed the camp’s spacious facilities, and went go-carting, swimming and played sports before preparing for an amazing Shabbat to come. After a spirited Kabbalat Shabbat, seudat Shabbat with zemirot and divrei Torah, the annual Shiur vs. Shiur Family Feud, we celebrated with a hallmark DRS-style tisch with Rabbi Kaminetsky and rabbeim (and cholent and kugel, of course). The spirit continued with a lively Shacharit, kiddush, a creative session highlighting the boys “Fresh Start,” another spirited seudah, and intriguing shiurim and games throughout the day. The Shabbaton ended with slow songs and heartfelt words from Rabbi Kaminetsky. The boys are so excited for the friendships made and ruach experienced to last all four years of high school and beyond.

heart of a HAFTR education: Jewish learning is not meant to remain within the classroom. Our students are encouraged to understand Jewish traditions, experience them personally, and recognize the responsibility they carry toward others. For our third graders, Tashlich became more than a ritual. Their artwork became a gift. Their songs became a con-

nection. Their cards became a message of care. Together, these moments offered students a deeper understanding of what it means to live a Jewish life, one rooted in tradition, community, compassion, and responsibility. Because Jewish life is not only something we learn. It is something we live, share, and pass on.

HAFTR LS Visits the Nautilus

ome of the most meaningful Jewish experiences are the ones we share with others. For HAFTR’s third graders, the lessons of the Yamim Noraim season came to life during a special visit to the Nautilus Nursing Home. What began as a classroom experience became an opportunity to connect Jewish learning, tradition, and chesed across generations.

Students arrived with Shana Tova cards they had written themselves, along with water-inspired paintings they created to share with the residents. They sang Jewish songs, spent time together, and participated in Tashlich, bringing a familiar tradition into a new setting and creating a meaningful experience for everyone involved. The visit reflected something at the

Rav Elya Brudny, R”M in the Mirrer Yeshiva, accompanied by talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah on his weekly visit to the Yeshiva.

Dynamic Aseres Yemei Teshuva Programming at Central

t’s a new year at the Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central)! With the observance of Rosh Hashanah, Wildcats are excited for a year filled with new joys, new challenges, and new chances to grow and learn. Some of these growth experiences are familiar. On Tuesday, September 15, the Holliswood campus was open late to welcome Wildcat families into the building for Back to School Night. Parents were invited to walk through their student’s Monday schedule, meet teachers, and talk about the year’s curriculum, as well as spend time with grade deans and administration. Back to School Night was a tried and true return to the school year, while elsewhere on the calendar, new experiences made their impact. YUHSG’s FIRE (Friends Inspiring Religious Experiences) Luach Fellows, advised by Director of Israel and Religious Guidance, Senior Grade Dean, and Judaic Studies faculty member, Mrs. Yael Axelrod, took the initiative to facilitate meaningful programming in observance of the Aseret Yemei Teshuva, marked by teshuva, tefillah, and tzedakah. This year’s FIRE Luach Fellows – seniors Camryn Brunner, Maya Goykadosh, Annabelle Klein, and Sarah Wagman – worked to coordinate the events observing this period. The fellows hosted a schoolwide kumzitz for Rosh Hashanah on Monday, September 14. On Wednesday, September 16, YUHSG welcomed Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, Managing Director for Community Engagement at the Orthodox Union and the Rav of the Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton, who spoke to students about leaps of faith and reflected on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. And on Thursday, September 17, the school dedicated its Tzedakah Day to Daily Giving, which distributes funds to organizations in need every

day. The FIRE Fellows program, now in its fourth year, offers seniors leadership opportunities and experience in coordinating meaningful events and activities that encourage religious engagement. This year’s FIRE Luach Fellows will be joined by FIRE Ruach Fellows – seniors Nili Aharon, Noa Berman, Emma Katz, and Orly Spinner – who will also facilitate programming for YUHSG students. Together, the two Fellow teams will enrich the semester’s religious programming. “It has been incredible seeing the programs we’ve created come together and inspire others,” said senior Camryn Brunner. “I feel so privileged to be a FIRE Fellow, and I’m looking forward to many more amazing events throughout the year!” The fall semester continues at YUHSG with a short but dynamic week ahead of the holiday. The school will hold its annual Club Day event on Tuesday, September 22, giving Wildcats an opportunity to explore extracurricular offerings for the new year. And on Wednesday, September 23, YUHSG’s Pre-Med Club will hold the first in a series of events hosted in conjunction with the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOWMA). The event, “Beneath the Surface: A Live Ultrasound Session,” will feature guest speaker Dr. Ayelet Hilewitz, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Photo: MHB

Around the Community

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Around the Community

Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva, and Mr. Ronald Lowinger, president, greet talmidim before Yom Kippur at Yeshiva Darchei Torah

Shulamith ECC prepared for Sukkos with beautiful sukkah artwork

Celebrate a Century With AMIT By Michal Rosenberg

ow does an organization mark 100 years? At AMIT, this milestone is an opportunity to recognize a century of growth and thank the supporters who made it possible. And it is also a chance to build on that foundation with our students at the center, Israel’s future in focus, and our partners beside us. To give this historic moment its due, AMIT is hosting an extraordinary Centennial Mission this November 8-11. A celebratory spirit will run throughout the week, along with an abundance of hakarat hatov, gratitude, to those who made this moment possible. And at the heart of it all will be our students showcasing their creativity and accomplishments. The Celebration Begins AMIT will host the grand opening of its new Gabel & Straus Family Campus at Kfar Batya in Ra’anana, a place where AMIT’s history and its promise for the future come together. It was at Kfar Batya that AMIT founder Bessie Gotsfeld created a home for immigrant children arriving in Israel after of war, giving them the education and skills they needed to build up their own lives and their young country. Nearly 80 years later, that same ground is home to a center for learning and innovation that will inspire students and educators alike. There is no more fitting place to begin AMIT’s next 100 years. Mission participants will be among the first to experience the new campus in action, cutting the ribbon to officially open AMIT’s historic new home. Personalized tours will take visitors through the campus spaces, including

the Gwen Straus High School where students will already be learning and collaborating. Donors will have the opportunity to affix a mezuzah to their dedicated spaces, leaving their personal mark on the classrooms, laboratories, and centers that frame students’ days. Participants will get a first look at the interactive Deborah & David Isaac Visitors Center before gathering for the landmark campus dedication ceremony at the Evan & Layla Green Family Foundation Gogya Center. A true milestone moment, we will thank our steadfast partners whose vision and generosity brought this campus to life, laying the foundation for future growth. With Gratitude Gratitude is the theme of a festive “Legacy of Leadership” dinner at Olmaya in Jerusalem, recognizing AMIT’s past presidents in the U.S. and AMIT Israel’s Yoshvot Rosh leaders for their devotion and contributions to the AMIT Network and the lives of our students. The week will also include a more solemn moment as we go from “Darkness to Light” with the dedication of the AMIT Campus Memorial honoring fallen AMIT alumni and victims of terror. Their families will join us in paying tribute to their memories, together with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel’s chief rabbis, and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was taken hostage on October 7 and murdered in Gaza. We will then welcome the “light” of Torah as we dedicate the Kolatch Family Beit Midrash with a Hachnasat Sefer Torah ceremony, a powerful reminder that even after profound loss, Jewish life continues through Torah, learning, and the generations that follow.

Students Take Center Stage Those future generations will be front and center throughout the mission. Hundreds of AMIT students will put their talent and ingenuity on full display at the network’s Make-a-Thon: Fighting for Warriors. This year-long project, in conjunction with the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, pairs students with wounded IDF veterans and challenges them to invent solutions to help the veterans overcome limitations resulting from their injuries. A wonder of technical skills and problem-solving, and a masterclass in empathy and sensitivity, the Make-a-Thon is the embodiment of AMIT, integrating the real world into the classroom while contributing to the community. This November, participants will not only get to see the finished projects and meet the students behind them, they will also act as judges and add to the excitement of the day as they choose the winning entry. The spotlight on students continues at AMIT’s World’s Fair: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders, setting the stage for the Centennial Gala. Thousands of students will fill Binyanei Ha’Uma with creative, interactive exhibits that reflect their passions and showcase their ingenuity. It is a chance for mission participants to

meet the next generation face-to-face, not through statistics or stories, and see the potential that an AMIT education is nurturing. A Centennial Grand Finale For the Mission’s grand finale, participants will enter the theater at Binyanei Ha’Uma for a spectacular celebration of 100 years of AMIT. Thousands of students and educators will gather with national leaders and distinguished guests — including Israel’s Minister of Education Yoav Kisch and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and more — for an unforgettable Centennial Gala culminating in a live musical performance by acclaimed Israeli artist Chanan Ben Ari. This November, come see the impact you have made in person. Meet the students for whom you have opened doors. Walk through the classrooms you have built. Explore the new state-of-the-art campus you have made possible. Celebrate a century of achievement with us and be part of AMIT’s next chapter. For more information or to register contact Laurie Georgeou at laurieg@amitchildren.org or call 212-792-5025.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

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Mesivta Ateres Yaakov Welcomes Mr. Ronnie Adjmi

esivta Ateres Yaakov recently hosted Mr. Ronnie Adjmi, a successful businessman in the clothing manufacturing industry with affiliations to Champion and FILA, who came to speak to the talmidim about one of the defining nisyonos of our genera-

tion: smartphone technology. Mr. Adjmi shared powerful words of chizuk with the boys, explaining that true greatness is forged through nisyonos and that today’s culture, relying so much on technology, represents exactly that kind of test for young people and

adults. He encouraged the talmidim to see the challenge not as a burden, but as an opportunity for growth. His visit comes as the Mesivta continues to strengthen its Phone Freedom Program, part of the school’s broader mission to help talmidim clear away the

noise of constant digital distraction and remain connected with their ruchniyus. Mr. Adjmi reinforced the yeshiva’s mission that true success and happiness come only through a deep connection to one’s Yiddishkeit and Torah.

Sacrificing Control for Security: Irrevocable Trusts and State-Specific Asset Protection

reviously, we discussed the flexibility of the Revocable Living Trust (RLT) and its power to avoid probate. This week, we examine the Irrevocable Trust (IT), a specialized tool that requires sacrificing complete access over assets in exchange for powerful, long-term financial security, especially against the crushing cost of long-term care in New York and New Jersey. An Irrevocable Trust (IT) operates under an entirely different legal framework than its revocable counterpart, offering critical benefits that the RLT cannot: namely, robust, legally enforced asset protection. The Irrevocable Trust is the necessary structure for individuals and couples who wish to protect their accumulated wealth and preserve the family home for their children and grandchildren. Because the cost of long-term care can easily exceed $150,000 per year in the NY/NJ area, this type of planning is, for many, a middle-class imperative. The Irrevocable Trade-Off: Loss of Access, Gain of Protection When you create an Irrevocable Trust, you permanently transfer assets out of your personal name and into the trust. Once the assets are transferred, you, the Grantor, cannot easily modify or revoke the trust, nor can you withdraw the assets

for your personal use. This act of giving up direct access and control over the assets is what triggers the primary benefit: asset protection. Because you no longer legally own the assets, they are typically protected from future creditors, potential lawsuits, and, crucially, from being counted as an available resource when applying for Medicaid to cover expensive long-term care needs. This transfer starts the 60-Month Look-Back Period for Medicaid eligibility. The trust is therefore a long-term planning tool, designed to mature and become fully protective after that five-year window has passed. The Critical State-Specific Trustee Distinction (NY vs. NJ) The rules governing the Trustee of an Irrevocable Trust are one of the most critical differences that clients must navigate, and they heavily influence the practical impact of giving up control between New York and New Jersey. For New York (NY) clients, the state’s jurisprudence allows for greater flexibility in the structure of the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT). In a typical New York MAPT, the Grantor (the individual funding the trust) is permitted to retain the right to be a Co-Trustee or the sole Trustee. This is a significant practical advantage for our New York clients, as

they keep the ability to manage and invest the assets, sell or refinance the home. The loss of control is therefore less disruptive to daily life and provides ongoing peace of mind that they are guiding the management of their own assets, all while the assets are safely protected. In contrast, New Jersey (NJ) law is significantly more restrictive regarding the MAPT’s Trustee. To ensure the trust assets are definitively out of the Grantor’s control and inaccessible for Medicaid eligibility, New Jersey requires a fully independent Trustee. For a New Jersey MAPT to be a viable Medicaid planning tool, the Grantor cannot serve as a Trustee. The Trustee must be another party, typically a child, or a trusted relative. This means that New Jersey clients must be comfortable ceding direct day-to-day management control to their appointed Trustee from the moment the trust is funded. This greater sacrifice of control necessitates a higher level of trust and clear communication with the chosen fiduciary than is typically required in the New York model, underscoring the necessity of state-specific counsel. Tax Advantages: Grantor Trust Status and Step-Up in Basis Beyond asset protection, the MAPT is often designed to maximize tax effi-

ciency. As a Grantor Trust for income tax purposes, the trust avoids the complex and often higher tax rates that apply to non-grantor trust entities. Instead, all income flows back to the Grantor, who pays the taxes at their individual income tax rate. Furthermore, a properly drafted MAPT retains the ability for the property to receive a crucial Step-Up in Basis upon the Grantor’s death. This means that the asset’s value for capital gains calculation is adjusted to its fair market value on the date of death, which can effectively erase years of accrued capital gains. This feature, which can save beneficiaries potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes on a highly appreciated asset like a primary residence, is one of the most compelling reasons to use a MAPT over an outright gift to children. The modern Irrevocable Trust, when drafted by an attorney with dual-state expertise, offers a powerful, yet nuanced, mechanism to secure a family’s financial future by balancing complex legal requirements with tax and legacy goals. To learn how to protect you and your family, visit www.haaszaltz.com or call 516-979-1060. You can also email them at info@haaszaltz.com.

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t’s been an incredible zman at Yeshiva Nishmas HaTorah. The energy in the Yeshiva has been tremendous. The level of learning has truly been through the roof, with the boys shteiging in the Beis Medrash, pushing themselves in their learning, and creating an atmosphere of real growth. It has been especially exciting to see multiple talmidim step up and give chaburos of their own. B”H, the growth extended far beyond the regular seder hayom. Some of the highlights of the zman included a BBQ at the home of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Weinberger, shlita, with guest speaker

Rabbi Mordechai Berg of Ohr Yerushalayim. An exciting evening trip to Activate was a great start for the talmidim and rebbeim to bond, and an uplifting Pre-Rosh Hashana Kumzitz put the olam into the spirit of YomTov. The Start Strong Shacharis Program culminating with bowling and pizza, a Ping Pong Tournament, and so much more have helped shape the new year at Nishmas. We are incredibly proud of the boys and grateful to our parent body for their continued partnership and support. We are looking forward to building on this momentum when we return after Yom Tov, iy”H.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Elul Zman at Yeshiva Nishmas HaTorah

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The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Yeshiva Darchei Torah first grade rebbi Rav Dovid Leib Rodkin teaching his talmidim about the Arba Minim

YOSS Mechina celebrates our Tech-In-Check Superstars with a lively BBQ lunch, honoring their outstanding consistency, commitment, and dedication

50 Years of ArtScroll Part 28: ArtScroll Reads Between the Lines: The Interlinear Series

he popularity of the original ArtScroll Siddur and Machzor notwithstanding, there were two kinds of mispallelim who needed — or preferred — something different. The first group could be satisfied rather easily; the second was more difficult – it required a new approach to presenting the translation. Not at all simple, but, as the SeaBees (the U.S. Navy engineers during World War II) put it, “The hard jobs we do right away. The impossible one take a little longer.” The first group were the many people who want to be part of the davening, but who can’t read Hebrew. They may be aspiring baalei teshuvah or people who are curious about Yiddishkeit or who are guests of observant families. Obviously, a few hours in shul can be uncomfortable for them. The answer was a transliterated siddur, in which, for example, the words

lo yira libi appear alongside the Hebrew followed by its translation. That, plus the clear ArtScroll instructions, help them feel at home in shul. Our old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Heshe Seif, dedicated the transliterated Siddur and Machzor. Next need? A hard one. The original ArtScroll Siddur and Machzor present a smooth flowing Hebrew, and a smooth flowing English translation on the page facing it. However, this format makes it difficult to follow and understand the English word by word while reciting the Hebrew. The answer would be to make an “interlinear” edition, which means putting the English translation under the Hebrew word. So what’s the problem? It’s a big one. Actually, there are two problems: The sentence structure of Hebrew and English are not the same. For example, let’s go back to lo yira libi, which we translate accurately as, my heart would

not fear. A strict interlinear format that would place English under each Hebrew word, would read, don’t fear my heart! Doesn’t make much sense, does it? So the editor of the interlinear version had to be a master of sentence structure and meaning (see illustration). Baruch Hashem, Rabbi Menachem Davis is such a person, as evidenced by our interlinear volumes. There is another, more basic, problem. Hebrew reads from right to left, while English reads from left to right. The eye trying to read both simultaneously would be going around in circles, literally. It would be like an American stepping off a curb in England and instinctively look to the left while traffic is speeding toward him on the right! Consequently, an interlinear volume could not be published unless there was a solution to the right-left dilemma. A glance at the ArtScroll Interlinear Machzor will show the solution. After each word or phrase there is a barely obtrusive arrow, which directs the eye in the direction of the Hebrew. We consulted with observant specialists at Johns Hopkins University and found that this in-

novation solves the problem to an amazing degree. The arrows keep the davener’s eyes moving in the direction of the Hebrew. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it works. The result is a Machzor that many people find enormously helpful. Even people who are familiar with the poetic Hebrew of the piyutim encounter many words and allusions that baffle them. Now they can see both the Hebrew and English at the same time, without diverting their eyes to the facing page. The Siddur and Machzor were so well-received, that an entire Interlinear Series —dedicated by Jay and Jeanie Schottenstien and their children— was created, which include interlinear Chumash, Tehillim, Megillos, Selichos, Kinnus, Haggadah and more. Wishing a Gmar chasima tova to all! UP NEXT: Beyond English: ArtScroll Speaks to the World

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Voice N

tes

It’s 3 A.M. What Are You Doing? By Rabbi Keevy Fried

:37 a.m. 3:19 a.m. 4:46 a.m. These are the timestamps on some of the emails that show up in my inbox. The messages themselves are usually simple: “Just checking in. Have you heard of anything?” “Any updates?” “I wanted to see if anything came across your desk that might be a fit.” On the surface, they’re ordinary follow-up emails. But when enough of them show up at two, three, and four o’clock in the morning, you realize they’re about a lot more than following up. The emails are asking about jobs. The timestamps are telling a different story. They’re telling the story of people lying awake while the rest of the house is asleep, thinking about the mortgage, tuition, bills, interviews that went nowhere and resumes that never received a response. They’re wondering how much longer this is going to last, whether tomorrow will be any different from today, and whether anyone still sees what they have to offer. One of the hardest things about unemployment is that it doesn’t stay between nine and five. During the day, people keep moving. They make calls, send resumes, meet with recruiters, go on interviews and continue living life. They show up at simchas, answer the inevitable question of, “How’s the job search going?” and somehow keep themselves moving forward. But when the house gets quiet, the questions become much harder to ignore. When I open my inbox each morning, those emails are often some of the first things I see. Before I answer them, I find myself wondering what kind of night that person had. Did he sleep at all? How long was he awake before deciding to send that email? And then I find myself hoping that

maybe today will be different. Maybe today will be the day I can write back with something more than, “I’m still looking.” Maybe today will be the day I can tell someone, “I think I found something.” Those emails stay with me long after I’ve answered them because once you’ve seen enough of those timestamps, it’s hard not to think about the people behind them. At AimHire, we meet people who have spent decades building careers. They’ve managed teams, run companies, led departments and solved difficult problems. These aren’t people who suddenly forgot how to work, and they certainly haven’t lost their talent or experience. They simply need someone to notice them again. After enough months of applications, interviews and silence, even the most confident person can begin to question himself. Work is obviously about earning a living, but it’s about much more than a paycheck. It gives a person structure, purpose and the feeling that he is needed. It gives him somewhere to go in the morning and, at the end of the day, the satisfaction of knowing that he contributed something worthwhile. Maybe that’s why unemployment is so exhausting. It isn’t only because of the work involved in finding another job. It’s because the worrying continues long after the workday is over. There’s a tefillah we all know well: “Acheinu kol Beis Yisrael, hanesunim b’tzarah u’vashivyah, ha’omdim bein bayam u’vein bayabashah...” We usually think about those words in the context of war, physical danger, captivity and unimaginable suffering. That is exactly what the tefillah is talking about, and I would never compare unemployment to those situations. But I keep coming back to the very first word: Acheinu. Our brothers and sisters. Our family. The people looking for work aren’t files

in a database. They aren’t resumes sitting in someone’s inbox. They’re people we daven with. Their children go to school with our children. We see them in shul, at the supermarket and at simchas. Many of them are carrying a burden that most of the people around them know nothing about. When we say Acheinu, we’re reminding ourselves that another Jew’s struggle isn’t only his struggle. It belongs to all of us. Our community is extraordinarily generous. We help families with food, tuition, rent and countless other needs. That chessed is indispensable, and many families could not make it through difficult times without it. But maybe our responsibility doesn’t end there. Helping someone pay this month’s bills is important. Helping that person find meaningful work can change the direction of his life. It allows him to support his family again, regain his confidence and eventually become the person helping someone else. It isn’t only helping someone survive a difficult period. It’s helping him stand on his own two feet again. Maybe that’s what the next words of the tefillah are asking us to help create: “mi’tzarah l’revachah, mei’afeilah l’orah, u’mishiabud l’geulah.” For someone who has been out of work for months, that movement can be very real. It can mean going from feeling stuck to feeling that life is moving again, from wondering whether anyone still sees your value to knowing that someone does. Most of us don’t have a job to offer, but almost all of us have some way to help. We can make an introduction, forward a resume with a real recommendation or

pick up the phone and mention someone’s name before an opportunity passes by. Those things may feel small, but sometimes they’re exactly what opens the door. And even when they don’t lead directly to a job, they still tell someone something important: You haven’t been forgotten. The emails that arrive in the middle of the night are asking, “Have you heard of anything?” But I sometimes wonder if the timestamps are asking something else. “Do you still see me?” “Have I been forgotten?” If Acheinu really means our brothers and sisters, then our answer can’t simply be that we’re thinking about them. It has to mean that we’ll keep making calls, opening doors and doing whatever we can to help. Because that’s what family does. Maybe that’s what moving mei’afeilah l’orah looks like. Maybe it starts with a phone call, an introduction or an opportunity, and leads to something much bigger—a person getting his confidence back, his independence back and his ability to contribute again. And maybe, after far too many nights spent awake wondering what tomorrow will bring, it ends with something most of us rarely stop to appreciate. A full night’s sleep.

Rabbi Keevy Fried is the executive director of Aim Hire, a nonprofit that works closely with experienced professionals, particularly those over 40, to help them navigate unemployment and return to meaningful work with dignity. To lean in to help others, please visit aimhire.org or email info@aim-hire.org.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

In Memory Remembering My Mother

Mrs. Rita Kreinberg, a”h By Mrs. Chaya/Ivy Kalazan

s being the one and only child of a one-of-a-kind mother, I want to describe what it was like growing up in the home of my mother. My mother was a selfless giver and giver and giver. While every mother is devoted to her children, many people have their own life, their own job, their own pleasures, and they make sure to take good care of their children, too. My mother devoted every fiber of her being into enriching mine and my children’s lives! When I was in elementary school, I had a book report that was due. I forgot that it needed a bibliography. I called my mother from the school payphone and told her that I didn’t have a bibliography. As my mother did not drive, my mother took my whole pile of books, piled them into her bicycle basket, and rode over to school to make sure that I would have my books for the bibliography. At the shiva, my friends reminded me that my house was the MOST fun house. As I am an only child, we had an extra bedroom in our house that wasn’t in use. My mother used that room to put up a complete swing set for me and my friends. My mother would take me on Jamaica buses to Manhattan for puppet shows, concerts, and she made sure that every week I was at the dance studio getting tap and ballet lessons. My life was truly full of enrichment and wonder! That’s who my mother was. When I graduated high school and wanted to go to Eretz Yisrael for seminary, there was no thought of, “You are an only child. I want you to be home and near me!”

Whatever was good for me was amazing for my mother. When I was invited to stay for a second year as a madricha, I remember calling my mother. She did not say a word about my being away already a whole year and that maybe she and my father would want me back home. Her reaction was, “That’s amazing! If you want to stay, we are behind you.” When I got married, and my husband was dedicated to teaching Torah in Los Angeles, there was not one word from my parents about wanting their only child to be near them. And, after two years in Los Angeles, when we decided to move to Eretz Yisrael, my parents totally supported me. We had three children who were raised for the first few years in Eretz Yisrael, without a single complaint or even request that we come back to be nearby. It reminds me of Chana sending her one and only Shmuel to go serve in the Mishkan at age 3! It was totally not about her. My mother always focused on whatever was good for us. My mother’s parenting style was never, “We know best. We will tell you what to do and you have to listen.” Before all the parenting books taught about listening to your children and truly valuing who they are and what they say, my mother always felt that whatever I or my children were expressing was important and had to be respected. She always empowered my choices and my decisions, which implanted such a sense of confidence in us. My mother’s selfless giving was not only dedicated to her children. We always hear about the impor-

tance of chessed, and most people try to fit some chessed into their weekly or daily schedule. My mother lived chessed! Her whole inner perspective on any incident was always about what she could give to another. When we made my mother a birthday party with a violinist in one of the earlier years, my mother’s first reaction when she walked in and experienced the beautiful music was, “My best friend Gail would so appreciate this!” As Gail was already bed-bound at this time, my mother had us hire the violinist to come to her home and perform for her and her husband and friends. Any experience was never just about herself. It was always how she could give and share with others. She had personal relationships with the bank tellers and repairmen that she worked with (Jew or non-Jew), because she saw each person as a tzelem Elokim and a valued human being. When we would go to the bank, she would say to the bank teller, “I’m going to pick up a muffin and a cup of coffee for you. I’ll be right back.” When she got off the Long Island Railroad at the Inwood station, my mother would stop at the convenience store and buy a hot coffee for the engineer of the train. She didn’t look at community workers as there to serve her. She looked at them as tired, hard-working human beings who would enjoy and appreciate nurture and care, too. When my grandmother was in her 90s, she had a wonderful aide. At a certain point, my grandmother needed more care and was moved to a nursing

home. My mother kept up a personal relationship with the aide for years afterward, and when the aide came down with cancer, my mother was sending her a weekly check to help tide her over during her illness. When my mother worked in Manhattan on Union Square and East 14th Street, one of her coworkers was a Jewish Russian woman who came from a non-observant background. When my mother spoke to her about Shabbos, she said that she would want to keep Shabbos, but she was a single mom and needed the income to support her child. My mother started giving her a few hundred dollars a week for a period of time so that she could take off on Shabbos and be Shomer Shabbos. My mother’s perspective was always, “I am here to help!” I still remember being in shul on a Shabbos and someone describing to me and my mother that her mother was not so well and needed constant care. At that point, my mother herself was walking with a cane, and every step was a slow, difficult process for her. My mother’s first reaction was, “I’ll go visit your mother!” She never thought about her own limitations, but always about what she could do and give. As a child, I remember my mother spending every Shabbos going to St. John’s Hospital in Far Rockaway and going up and down the halls visiting the sick, climbing up seven or eight flights, or maybe even twelve, to visit people. It was that same hospital that serviced my mother on that final Shabbos. My mother also had what her sister

even a mother in the parent body! When my mother’s neighbor across the street, Yosef Potash, would shovel my mother’s snow, my mother would call Rabbi Bender and tell him what a wonderful talmid he has in the seventh grade who always comes to help her. Rabbi Bender said that over the decades, my mother must have called close to one hundred times sharing positive reports. Now, most people call a principal or a rebbe to share gripes or complaints, but my mother felt that if someone does

terward, my mother would thank Beth every summer for the wonderful air conditioner that she was benefiting from. If wonderful neighbors would send her some cut-up watermelon for Shabbos, she would insist each time that I go and buy them a gift to express her hakaras hatov. Rav Dessler, in Michtav Me’Eliyahu, explains that everyone is either a giver or a taker, and that one of the manifestations of a giver is a person who feels deep appreciation. They can’t take without giving back!

She walked five blocks to shul to hear shofar, and it took her about an hour and a half.

something good for you, you have to show the appreciation. Of course, the boy in question would get recognition and acknowledgement in class because “people in the community were calling in and talking about how special he is.” My mother appreciated every little thing that was done for her. Things that most people take for granted as normal were seen by her as exciting and wonderful. When we would go on airplanes, my mother would say, “Wow! We are eating airplane food!” She wasn’t putting that on to make us feel excited. She found true joy and pleasure in little things in life that most people just think of as normal. Here was food that she didn’t have to shop for, cook, or wash dishes for afterward — she just thought that was great! Every trip to the country was, “Wow, look at that! There’s a horse! There’s a cow!” We could feel her genuine joy and excitement over every little thing, and that became contagious for us. It made every little event in our lives joyous and exciting, too. When I was recently in the country teaching, my mother, in pain, was asking me if I was enjoying the beautiful trees and the beautiful lake. When someone did a tova for my mother, she did not forget it for years. A friend of mine, Beth Seidel, gave my mother an air conditioner that she wasn’t using anymore. For four years af-

My mother’s indomitable spirit and selflessness manifested itself again on her final week on this earth. My mother fell on Monday, and I was scheduled to teach in Lake George on Tuesday. After having her checked in

the ER and finding no breaks or inner bleeding, my mother insisted that I go and do my teaching. When I offered to come back and be with her over Shabbos, my mother said that, of course, I should stay there to teach and be in the country and that she will see me on Sunday. I guess this is what she meant. We know that my mother’s loving, positive energy and spirit will live on in anyone who reads this and is inspired to carry even a bit of that ayin tova, that thoughtfulness for every person, or that joy in the little things in life, into their home, their community, and family. We, her mishpacha, will try our best to carry on and follow her legacy. May any inspiration that people get from this printing be an ilui neshama for Bina bas Yehuda Aryeh. Tehei zichra baruch! ¹ I attribute my ability to teach in the world of kiruv to my mother’s modeling for me the connection to the outside world while maintaining a strong sense of who we are. ² My grandmother lived until age 99½ with my mother’s unbelievably devoted care.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

described as an “Indomitable Spirit.” My mother had such total dedication to each mission she was doing, and nothing was too hard. My mother was in public school for high school. I asked her how she was able to maintain keeping Shabbos and kosher when no one else around her did so. She said that there were Friday night dances at the school, or her classmates would go out to non-kosher restaurants, and she would simply never join in. My mother was always connected to and involved in the outer world but she had clear, firm boundaries. I remember when we would go to events in Manhattan, we would pass a non-kosher restaurant and she would say, “That’s not ours!” During the December holiday time, she would reiterate, “That’s not ours!” My mother embraced the bigger world but kept her boundaries strong.¹ I remember asking my father what made him decide to marry my mother. His answer was, “She was Shomeres Shabbos!” A little bit of a different shidduch world back then, it seems! My mother’s indomitable spirit infiltrated everything she did. When my grandmother was in her 90s,² my mother spent years taking buses to Kew Gardens every week to spend time with my grandmother, do her shopping and bills, and take her out in a wheelchair to Aron’s bagel shop. My mother didn’t just take care of her mother’s basic, essential needs. Again, she was always thinking up ways to uplift and enrich my grandmother’s life by giving her added fun and experiences. My mother would come back from Kew Gardens often at midnight or 1 AM on buses, but nothing was too much to take care of her mother. On Rosh Hashana, when my mother was still able to come to my house in Brooklyn, her walking was so difficult that she would painstakingly walk every step with her cane. She walked five blocks to shul to hear shofar, and it took her about an hour and a half. But she just kept plugging on! My mother had an enormous ayin tova on people and on the world. Rabbi Bender, who spoke at the levaya, attested that, in all his years of being a Rosh Yeshiva in Far Rockaway, he believes he got countless phone calls from my mother sharing POSITIVE reports about his talmidim — and she wasn’t

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

1. *

TJH

Centerfold

How Wise Are You? Trivia 1. A bat and ball cost $1.10 together. The bat costs exactly $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost? a. 5¢ b. 10¢ c. 15¢ d. 20¢

4. On a round-trip hike that begins and ends at exactly the same spot, do you travel more uphill or downhill? a. Uphill b. Downhill c. Exactly the same d. It depends on the route

2. You’re running a race and pass the person in second place. What place are you in now? a. First b. Second c. Third d. Tied for second

5. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world? a. Mount Everest b. K2 c. Kangchenjunga d. Nobody knows

3. A doctor gives you three pills and tells you to take one every half hour. How long will the pills last? a. 30 minutes b. 1 hour c. 1½ hours d. 2 hours

6. A man is looking at a photograph. He says: “Brothers and sisters I have none, but this man’s father is my father’s son.” Who is in the photograph? a. His father b. His son c. Himself d. His uncle

7. How many times can you subtract 5 from 25? a. Once b. Twice c. Five times d. Infinite times Answers: 1-A 2-B 3-B 4-C 5-A 6-B 7-A Wisdom Key : 6-7 Correct: You are a genius. Just kidding – these were not that difficult. You’re okay. 3-5 Correct: You are right down the middle, like a bowling ball. You have similar intelligence, I guess. 0-2 Correct: You are definitely as wise as a Wise potato chip!

Riddle Me This Decipher this code: YY U R YY U B I C U R YY 4 ME Answer to riddle: Too wise you are, too wise you be, I see you are too wise for me

You Gotta Be Kidding Me!

Fifteen people becoming meteorologists the second one raindrop hits the kugel. Suddenly, everyone has studied the radar, knows which direction the storm is moving, and has a very strong opinion about “that cloud to the left.”

A man goes to a therapist with a terrible problem.

Having your decorations survive 11 months in the attic, two rainstorms and 30-mph winds—then fall directly into the soup during kiddush.

The therapist says, “You understand that you’re a grown man?”

A father telling the children, “The bee won’t bother you if you don’t bother it.” Then the bee flies toward him, and he bolts into the house quicker than Ussein Bolt! The discovery that you have become the official waiter because you happen to be sitting near the door. “While you’re up…” – the most feared phrase of yom tov. You spend 7 hours decorating the sukkah and the first person who walks in says, “Oh, I didn’t know you are Lubavitch! (Yeah, you probably don’t get it: They don’t put decorations in their sukkah.)

“Doctor, I’m convinced that I’m a mouse.”

“I know what I look like. But deep down, I’m absolutely certain I’m a mouse.” So the therapist begins treating him. Weeks of therapy turn into months. Slowly, the man begins to improve. Finally, after nearly a year, the therapist asks, “Tell me: are you a man or a mouse?” The patient smiles. “I’m a man.” “And you’re completely sure?” “One hundred percent. I’m a man. I can’t believe I ever thought I was a mouse.”

Finally getting 18 people squeezed around the table and realizing the challah knife is inside in the house. There are not enough “nuhs” and “uhs” in the world to get me to stop balancing on my corner folding chair to go in for the knife – have the guy at the door do it.

The therapist shakes his “Congratulations. You’re cured.”

hand.

Having a sukkah heater that creates three separate climate zones. Seat 1 is Bermuda, Seat 5 is New York, and the poor guests from Miami are sitting in the Alaska zone.

Thirty seconds later, he comes running back in, slams the door behind him and dives under the therapist’s desk.

The man thanks him and walks out of the office.

The therapist says, “What happened?!” Massive construction proclamations that “next year we’re making the sukkah bigger.” I guess you can use the plans that you drew up in your mind for the past 14 years. A child spends six months announcing that this is the year he’s sleeping in the sukkah. Pillow, sleeping bag, flashlight, sweatshirt, water bottle… Nine minutes later: “I’m sleeping inside.” Having a guest enter your sukkah and immediately inspect the schach like he’s a municipal building inspection.

“There’s a huge cat outside!” The therapist stares at him. “But we just spent a year establishing that you are not a mouse!” The man says, “Doctor, I know that. You know that. But does the cat know that?!”

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Things That Only Happen In The Sukkah

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

From the Fire Sukkos

Going Out to Go In By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

ashem commanded us (Vayikra 23:43) to dwell in the sukkah “in order that your generations should know, yeidu…” The seforim hakdeoshim teach, based on this pasuk, that we acquire da’as, presence of mind, by sitting in the sukkah. But this is difficult to understand. How can we settle our minds more by leaving our homes and dwelling in a temporary structure? It would ostensibly be easier to settle one’s mind in the safety and tranquility of his own home where he is more comfortable and not subject to the elements. The Rambam even says (Moreh Nevuchim 3:43) that the joy of Shemini Atzeres is only complete because one is able to return back into his house from the sukkah. Why then do Chazal say that one must go into the sukkah to acquire presence of mind? Perhaps we can understand this better by delving into a related question. Rav Shaul Alter, shlita, son of the Pnei Menachem of Ger, zy”a, and the current Gerrer rosh yeshiva, writes about the miraculous escape from Nazi-occupied Poland by Reb Ahrele of Belz, zy”a, and his brother Rav Mordechai of Bilgoray, zy”a. Belzer chassidim and others from Eretz Yisroel, England, and the United States worked tirelessly to rescue these two holy brothers from the Nazis. The Rebbe was one of the Nazis’ most-wanted fugitives. Spies and Nazi-sympathizers were everywhere attempting to catch the Rebbe, but he was saved by one miraculous escape after another. The plan through which they were rescued was extremely complex, and second-by-second timing was critical if it was to have any chance of success. The most dramatic point in the entire episode was the planned crossing of the Nazi-controlled border between Poland and Hungary in the spring of 1944. Reb Ahrele and his brother shaved their beards and dressed as captured Russian officers being taken to Budapest for questioning. The

driver of the car in which they were to cross the border, who had been paid a handsome sum of money, drove Reb Ahrele, his brother, and the Rebbe’s shammas toward the Hungarian border. Nazi soldiers were everywhere as they drove. Because every aspect of the plan was scripted down to the second, everyone in the car was on edge. Suddenly, the Rebbe said he needed to get out of the car. The driver tried to convince the Rebbe that whatever it was could wait, but he insisted that he need to get out. The driver implored the shammas to convince the Rebbe to wait, as stopping the car would place all of them in grave danger, but it was no use. They pulled over despite the fact that the entire area was crawling with Nazis, and everyone waited to see what the Rebbe had to do that could not wait until later. When the Rebbe got out of the car, he merely walked over to a large rock on the side of the road and sat down. He placed his chin in his hand and simply sat there, thinking, for approximately ten minutes. He then returned to the car, and they continued on toward the border. When they crossed the border, the Nazis

guards looked at the Russian “officers” in the back seat, who nodded back at them. They waved the car on, and the brothers, through many more miracles and intensive planning by many people, eventually made it to Eretz Yisroel. Many years later, Reb Ahrele was speaking with Rav Mordechai Shlomo of Boyan, zy”a, when the latter asked him, “What were you actually doing during those ten minutes on that rock by the side of the road headed toward the Hungarian border?” Reb Ahrele answered, “I saw that the evil inclination wanted to confuse me, to take my presence of mind away from me. I therefore went out and sat down until my presence of mind returned.” One could ask more than four questions regarding Reb Ahrele’s actions and his answer to the Boyaner Rebbe. One question is: What about halacha? The Torah demands that one set aside virtually any mitzvah in the Torah in the case of danger. Danger certainly takes precedence over one’s desire to maintain his presence of mind, which is not even a mitzvah! How could the Rebbe have seemingly violated halacha by placing himself in danger?

Second, even if the Rebbe wanted to place his own life on the line in order to regain his presence of mind, how could he endanger his brother, shammas, and driver, all of whom could have been killed if the Nazis all around them discovered their true identities? Third, the Rebbe’s actions should have completely thrown off the plans his many supporters had spent months developing and which only had even a chance of success if they were followed to the script exactly. The Rebbe had even rehearsed various aspects of the plan in advance to make sure everything went smoothly. How could he have thrown all that away based on a last-moment desire to calm his mind? Finally, why did the Rebbe think that he would be able to achieve more tranquility by deviating from the plan and sitting on a rock surrounded by Nazis?! Would he not have been better able to achieve greater tranquility by remaining in the car headed on schedule toward the destination in the safety of the car than sitting unprotected, outside? Wouldn’t it have been easier to concentrate inside the car? While none of us can presume to understand the true intentions of the Reb Ahrele, with great trepidation, the Gerrer rosh yeshiva suggests the following possible explanation for the Rebbe’s actions. Reb Ahrele knew that the plan was extremely exact. He might have felt that he could re-acquire his presence of mind specifically by deviating from human plans. Perhaps he felt that the only way he would survive was if he recognized that “my life is G-d’s among those who wait for the morning…” (Tehillim 130:6). He may have meant to remind himself Who was in charge by deviating from human plans for a few minutes and entering a plane over and above human capabilities where “there is nothing other than Him” (Devarim 4:35). A similar incident occurred with the

davening, Shabbos, housecleaning, homework, work, and other schedules are, if we never take the time to step out of our daily routines, we become lost in the confounding confusion of human plans. That is where Sukkos comes in. The numerical value of the word sukkah is 91 – tzaddik, aleph – meaning “Go out.” By leaving our established homes and routines for a few days each year and entering into the suk-

the G-d of Avraham will help him.” Having a fixed place for davening means achieving presence of mind, focusing on who his is and why he is here. A person can sit in the same seat in shul for eighty years, but if he does not focus his mind on where he is and what he is doing, he can be everywhere in the world other than davening in shul. But if he makes his place for davening fixed, if he takes himself out of daily life and enters

If we never take the time to step out of our daily routines, we become lost in the confounding confusion of human plans.

kah, the “shade of emunah,” we thereby remind ourselves why we are here, what we are doing. The ushpizin for the first day of Sukkos is Avraham Avinu, about whom the pasuk (Bereishis 22:3) says, “And Avraham got up early in the morning.” Sukkos is like morning-time, before the race of the day has begun. It is separate and apart from the rush of life. If a person taps into this ability of Avraham Avinu to arise early in the morning to learn before davening, he connects to something above this world. In the morning, one has not yet eaten; that earthy-ness has not yet fully descended onto him. He has not yet become obsessed with his smartphone. This is a magical time to learn Torah. One can focus much more early in the morning than those who attempt to learn at night. While there are a few people who can concentrate and accomplish things at night, most people are too drained by the rat race of the day’s activities to truly accomplish much at that time. By getting up early like Avraham to learn before davening, one connects with that which says (ibid. 15:5), “And He took him [Avraham] outside and He said, ‘Please gaze at the stars…,’” which Rashi explains to mean, “He took him out of the space of the world and lifted him up above the stars…” Avraham had that ability to see the truth above the rush of worldly life. That is why the Midrash (Bereishis Rabba 42) says, “The whole world was on one side, and Avraham was on the other side.” Because he was able to transcend daily life from time to time, he had the power to go against the current of the world. He knew the secret of “getting out of the car.” That is why Chazal say (Brachos 6b), “Anyone who fixes a place for his tefillah,

the world of tefillah, then he is connected to the G-d of Avraham. When we go out to the sukkah, we look at the stars through the schach, about which Hashem told Avraham when he was elevated above the world, “Please gaze at the stars…” In the sukkah, we stand outside of the pattern of our daily lives. Even though we are less “secure” there, the very fact that we leave our

sensible human habits enables us to remind ourselves that behind the façade of physical life, there is nothing other than Hashem. He is why we are here. Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, zy”a, whose yahrtzeit is 25 Tishrei, the day after Isru Chag, once sent messengers to gather the entire community of Berditchev, men, women, and children, in the main shul on a regular winter Tuesday. Since it was not a special occasion, everyone came quickly, fearing that the tzaddik had become aware of some evil decree against the Jews in the city. But when everyone got there, Reb Levi Yitzchak approached the front of the shul with his tallis over his head, and called out, “Yidden! You cannot forget that there is a Master of the World!!” We must sometimes get out of the car of our sensible human plans and remember that there is a G-d in the world and that we are His servants. In the merit of the mitzvah of sukkah, may we merit to see the reestablishment of the fallen Sukkah of Dovid Hamelech, the Beis Hamikdash, soon in our days!

Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congreagation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Brisker Rav, zt”l, in his escape from Nazi-occupied Poland in 1940. He possessed a tradition that if one mediates upon the words “You have been shown to know that Hashem is G-d, there is nothing other than Him” (ibid.) to the point that the words fill one’s entire consciousness, he cannot be harmed by his enemies. He knew that he could concentrate fully on these words, but he did not know whether his nine-year-old son and two teenage daughters with whom he was traveling could do so as well. They prepared for the day they would have to board a train out of Poland by mediating on this pasuk for a week beforehand. Finally, when the day arrived, the Brisker Rav and his children filled their minds with the knowledge that there is nothing other than G-d as they boarded the train. Every time they passed a Nazi officer, it was as if they were completely invisible. The officers simply looked right past them. Rather than trying to work within the system, they rose above it and connected with the Infinite. We are not on the level of Reb Ahrele of Belz or the Brisker Rav. So what can we learn, on our level, from these accounts? We are caught up in our detailed plans and schedules with regards to our physical and our spiritual lives. We have our routines and like to arrange things in a specific way. We are caught up in the rush of daily life. Perhaps we can learn from Reb Ahrele that it is a good idea to sometimes get out of the car of life. We must sometimes leave our regular, fixed dwelling and go out into the temporarily dwelling of the Sukkah despite the fact that, from the perspective of human logic, it places us more at the mercy of the elements and makes us less secure. We must sometimes depart from the life to which we have become accustomed to to remind ourselves why we are alive and that there is a G-d in the world – that He is above everything. Perhaps this is why we daven in the Hoshanos on Sukkos, “Please save the soul from confounding!” On a simple level, we are asking Hashem to save us from outside forces which confound, embitter, and attack us. But on a deeper level, even our daily spiritual lives are confounded and confused. We get into a pattern of life and simply stick with it without thinking about why we are here and what we are doing. We establish schools, shuls, and yeshivos as well. But if we never step off the treadmill of daily life, we start to maintain these organizations for their own sake and not for the original purpose for which they were created. As a famous actress once remarked, “The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” As important as our learning schedule,

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Delving into the Daf

Is Civet Coffee Kosher? By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

opi luwak, also known as civet coffee, is one of the world’s most expensive and least-produced varieties of coffee. It is made from coffee beans that have been eaten by the Asian palm civet and other related civets and then passed through their digestive tracts. Civets are cat-like mammals. As the beans pass through the civet’s stomach, enzymes seep into them. The beans are eventually excreted, remarkably retaining their shape. After being collected, thoroughly washed, sun-dried, lightly roasted, and brewed, these beans produce an aromatic coffee with significantly less bitterness than traditional coffee. It is certainly one of the world’s most expensive coffees, with prices reaching as high as $635 per pound. If civet coffee seems lavish, Black Ivory coffee takes exotic pricing to an entirely new tier. Produced in Thailand, these ultra-rare Arabica beans are fermented inside the digestive tracts of rescued Asian elephants. The elephants’ natural stomach enzymes break down proteins in the beans, virtually eliminating bitterness and imparting smooth, subtle notes of chocolate and fruit. The yields are astonishingly low because the pachyderms chew up or lose most of the coffee beans. It takes roughly 70 pounds of raw coffee cherries to produce a single pound of whole roasted beans. The beans are hand-extracted from elephant dung by local caretakers, and the resulting brew can command up to $1,500 per pound, making it one of the rarest and most expensive coffees on earth. The question is: Are these coffees kosher? Interestingly, for those who keep halal, the Indonesian Ulema Council has ruled that civet coffee beans are permissible as long as they are properly cleaned. But what about kashrus?

The answer to this question may be found in our Daf. The Gemara in Bechoros (7a) raises the question of whether donkey urine is kosher. Apparently, in the times of the Gemara, people consumed it for medicinal purposes. Rav Sheshes concluded that it was not kosher. There is a question, however, regarding urine from horses and camels. Are they likewise non-kosher? Interestingly, a well-known drug called Premarin, which is used in hormone replacement therapy, is derived from the urine of pregnant mares. The name itself is an acronym for PREgnant MAre uRINe. According to one version of Rav Sheshes’s ruling, horse and camel urine are treated the same way as donkey urine and are not kosher. However, according to another version, horse and camel urine undergo only minimal processing in their hosts’ digestive systems and are therefore kosher. They differ from donkey urine, which undergoes more substantive processing. The Gemara then discusses a related subject. It is an undisputed halacha that honey from bees is kosher, even though a bee is certainly a non-kosher insect. The Gemara debates the reason for this halacha. Is it because of a special pasuk in the Torah that specifically permits bee honey, or is it because honey is not considered a true secretion of the bee? The latter explanation would be based on the principle of “Hayotzei min ha’tamei tamei,” that a product that comes from a non-kosher creature is itself non-kosher. However, the Gemara suggests that honey is not really a product of the bee. The bee functions primarily as a carrier and facilitator of the nectar that it sucks from plants. Since the nectar itself is kosher, the resulting honey is kosher as well. There is a halachic difference between these two explanations. What would be

the status of honey produced by other insects, such as the polistine wasp? If there is a special pasuk permitting bee honey, that heter would apply specifically to bee honey. But if the reason is that the insect merely transports and minimally processes kosher nectar, then honey produced by other insects would also be kosher. The Rambam rules that all types of honey produced by insects are kosher. He also rules that urine from a non-kosher animal is kosher. However, most of the other Rishonim, including the Ramban and Rosh, disagree with the Rambam. They maintain that only bee honey is kosher and that urine from non-kosher animals is not kosher. The Aruch HaShulchan notes that the rulings concerning wasp honey and horse urine are based on the same underlying reasoning. Can we apply this discussion to civet coffee? It is debatable whether a parallel can be drawn between coffee beans excreted by a civet and horse urine. Perhaps the coffee beans undergo more significant processing inside the civet and would therefore not be kosher even according to the Rambam. Furthermore, the Rishonim who disagree with the Rambam would seemingly rule that the beans are not kosher, since civet coffee is arguably no better than wasp honey or horse urine. Since this involves a potential issur d’Oraisa, we would seemingly have to rule stringently that civet coffee is not kosher. However, Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, disagreed. He reasoned that the coffee beans secreted by the civet remain whole. Although enzymes may have affected the bean, the bean itself has not changed form at all. This is halachically better than insect hon-

ey, which undergoes a change from nectar into honey. Rav Dovid Feinstein compared this to a case discussed by Tosfos involving a kosher fish found inside a non-kosher fish. The kosher fish is virtually identical to the fish that was swallowed. It did not undergo a substantive transformation inside the non-kosher animal. Therefore, Rav Dovid Feinstein reasoned that all of the Rishonim would agree that civet coffee is kosher. Anecdotally, I have heard that some other rabbonim disagree. So if you have the money to spare on this coffee, ask your local rabbi for guidance. There is an interesting additional issue with Black Ivory coffee. The coffee cherries remain in the elephant’s digestive system for a longer period of time, potentially raising the issue of kavush k’mevushal. Even a cold item that remains soaking in a non-kosher liquid for 24 hours can become non-kosher through the process of kavush. However, some suggest that this may not be a concern in this case. See Darchei Teshuvah 83. And finally, if the very thought of drinking civet coffee grosses you out, there may be an additional prohibition to consider: ba’al tishaktzu. One aspect of this prohibition is that a person may not eat something that repulses him. I hope this article wasn’t too repulsive.

Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow is a rebbe at Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway. In addition, Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead, NY. He can be contacted at ASebrow@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Headlines

Halacha

The Error in the Sukkah Bracha By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

o what does the bracha of laishev ba’sukkah actually mean? The bracha that is recited on the sukkah is “Blessed are You..,who has sanctified us with His mitzvos and commanded us to sit in the sukkah.” But what do these words truly mean? The Rambam (Hilchos Sukkah 6:12) writes that the words are quite literal. They mean to actually sit down. It is because of his understanding that he requires the blessing to be recited while standing – so that one can immediately sit down right before he performs the mitzvah. The Rosh (Sukkah 4:3), on the other hand, understands the words “laishev ba’sukkah” to mean “remain within” rather than “to sit.” According to this translation of the blessing, the “remaining” refers to every instance of being in the sukkah – not just sitting in it. On account of this, the Rosh writes that the blessing should be recited immediately before the

eating, since eating is the means of establishing oneself in the sukkah. The Ramban has a third interpretation of the words “laishev ba’sukkah.” He understands it to mean “to dwell in it.” This is different than the Rosh’s understanding of “remaining in it.” So how do we actually pasken? The Shulchan Aruch (OC 643:2) rules in accordance with the Rambam. Yet the Ramah (ibid) states that the custom is to follow the Rosh and to bless while sitting. The Pri Magadim, however, writes that even according to the custom of reciting the blessing while sitting, it is still a good idea to have the Rambam’s translation in mind when reciting the bracha.

mezonos in hand. He recites the mezonos. He then recites the laishev ba’sukkah. But of the 12 words in that latter blessing, he leaves out four of them. He leaves out, “asher kid’shanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu – Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us.” He recognized his error almost instantly after he took his first bite. The question is now what? Has he, post facto, fulfilled his mitzvah of reciting the proper blessing on the mitzvah of eating in the sukkah? Must he repeat that blessing? Must he repeat that first blessing also, the mezonos?

And Now a Question

We know the statement of Rabi Yochanan in the Gemara in Brachos (40b) where he states that any bracha that does not contain shaim u’Malchus – Hashem’s Name and Kingship – is not a bracha. It must also contain the shape

A yeshiva student has just finished davening and a rigorous learning session. The young man is singularly devoted to his studies. After the learning session, he enters the sukkah with some

A Brief Trip Through Halachos Errors In Brachos

and form of a bracha, such as starting with the word “baruch.” We also know that the Mishna Berura writes (214:3) that if one leaves out the word “Attah,” the bracha is still valid post facto. The same is true if one leaves out one of Hashem’s Names – either Hashem or Elokeinu – the bracha is valid post facto. We also know that if we leave out the word, “HaOlam” after the word, “Melech,” there is a debate between the first Lubavitcher Rebbe (based on Prisha 167:4’s citation of Tosfos) and the Erech haShulchan as to whether that is a fitting description of Hashem’s Kingship, leaving out “of the world” or “universe.” Chabad chassidim and many others hold that the blessing must be repeated because just plain Melech is not apt enough of a description. Others are more lenient and hold that it is. We also know that there is a concept of sharing some of the elements of the bracha, too. If a bracha is next to an-

matical formulation of: 12-4 = 27. Explained more fully: If one leaves out the 4 words of asher kidshanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu, one must: • Say Baruch Shaim k’vod malchuso l’olam vo’ed – 6 words • Re-recite the mezonos – 9 words • Re-recite the laishev ba’sukkah – 12 words All now totaling 27 words.

timately, he should have recited the boruch Shaim, he did follow the correct halachic protocol of what to do when one does not know what to do.

More Fundamental Aspects But let us get to the deeper and more fundamental aspects of the question. Why are we here? What is our overall role in the universe? What did the Holy sages

Rav Felman’s Psak Rav Felman, zt”l, cites a ruling of Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, zt”l, that a person who leaves out these four words has, in fact, not fulfilled the requirement of the blessing because he has left out the ikkar mashmaos ha’bracha, the essential meaning of the blessing. Rav Shteinman ruled that it is a non-bracha. That being the case, the remaining eight words constitute a hefsek ,and a new mezonos must also be recited. Before that, however, the young yeshiva student must say the words, “Baruch Shaim k’vod malchuso l’olam vo’ed.” This six word formula can repair the bracha levatala that was recited. Thus, we have the strange mathe-

The Jewish nation has been uniquely set aside for higher purposes than the mundane.

In our case, the Yeshiva bochur was unsure of what to do. He reasoned that since whenever there is a doubt as to whether to recite a blessing one should be lenient, he should eat the mezonos and not recite a Baruch Shaim k’vod malchuso l’olam vo’ed. Although, ul-

of Israel known as the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah mean to do when they made these two types of formulations of blessings – the blessings on foods, generally 9 or 10 words, and the formulation on mitzvos,generally 12 words? The Jewish nation has been unique-

ly set aside for higher purposes than the mundane. We are here to live a life of sanctity, of holiness. We are here to fulfill a special covenant that G-d Almighty, the Creator of it all, has made with our forebears, with Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov. We are not here to acquire stuff. We are not here to wallow in consumerism and consumption. We are not here to shop till we drop, so to speak. That is not the goal. Kedusha is the influence made upon our neshamos when we reach for dveikus, for allowing Hashem into our lives and for cleaving to Him. It is also the means that Hashem chose for allowing all of mankind, ultimately, to achieve holiness and kedushah. Hashem is the Ultimate Giver and wants to give to everyone. But giving without earning is meaningless. We earn our s’char by helping bring sanctity and kedusha into the world, by making a kiddush Hashem and not a chillul Hashem.

This article should be viewed as a halachic discussion and not practical advice. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

other one, it can share the first three elements, but this is not true of short brachos, only of long brachos. Long brachos are found in bentching and in Shemoneh Esrei. Only long brachos can share the first three elements. Shockingly enough, the issue is only first addressed in the Shalmei Todah written by Rabbi Shalom Ben Tzion Fulman, zt”l of Bnei Brak, a dayan in Rav Nissim Karelitz’s Beis Din.

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

School of

Thought

Building Memories By Barbara Deutsch

t’s been 25 years since 9/11, and for some reason that I cannot pinpoint, I hardly thought about the anniversary. Maybe it’s because it landed on erev Rosh Hashana, and I was happily involved in phone calls from family and friends, or because I live in Israel and I am physically and mentally far away from events in America. Time and distance do impact on the memory of painful images. I remember that day clearly. I had just begun my new position as JKHA Middle School principal, and I was scared of failure and the crazy long drive. I put up a good front, but my new responsibilities and highway driving tested my nerves and resiliency. I was determined to fake it during the first few orientation days. I got lost every single day on the way to and from school. Once I wound up on the Delaware Water Gap on my way home to Long Island. On the second day of school, when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers just a few short minutes after I arrived, I could not fathom that it was actually happening. Was I living in an alternate reality? I did my best to act professionally and to stay in control while the world held its breath in disbelief. I did not succeed. I remember where I was walking along Utica Avenue in Brooklyn on the day that

JFK was assassinated. People stopped in their tracks, held onto their heads, and shrieked in pain. For 9/11, I can easily conjure up the horrific images of people jumping out of windows, multiple families bereft, dead firemen, missing people, the Twin Towers collapsing, and planes hijacked. When I collected myself and took a moment to look out the JKHA huge plate glass windows, I looked up at the sky and asked Hashem, Why? Through the years, I never found resolution for that and many more whys, personal and public ones, that have emerged. I still ask. Most open questions continue to remain unresolved. When 9/11 happened, my “in America, we will always be safe” mindset shifted to vulnerable. Despite years of war and conflict, I feel safer living in Israel. From my Israel window, I see a New York that has lost its flavor for me. With a mayor who has no love for Jews and where open antagonism towards my people is rampant, I worry about family and friends who still call America home. Growing up as an immigrant, I took city buses and trains from my Brooklyn ghetto neighborhoods to my Lower East Side High School without fear. That truth is no longer taken for granted. I am praying that the new year will harken the start of safer times for all

of us. I don’t ever want to see pictures of Mandani and AOC smirking at the 9/11 memorial tributes; shame on them and their likeminded followers. Last year, I spent Rosh Hashana, most of the chagim, with my New York family. My mind is still fuzzy about the details of those weeks of intense pain following our family loss. My days were filled with visiting people or walking around feeling heavy and sluggish. I was going through the motions of living while in a fog-like coma My grandson Elly had been appointed the baal tefillah at the then-newly inaugurated YILC Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur minyan; I was determined to be there with and for him. I did my feeble best to connect to his wonderful tefillah. Motzei Rosh Hashana of last year, our beautiful, sparkly-eyed Sarah was born. Daniel and Ayelet left right after the chag and returned with a baby girl who is named after Anyu. Sarah is one of two golden lights in a mourning year of darkness. Baby Avi was born in January. As hard as it is to believe, the first year is behind us. As we look forward to 5787, we pray that this year will be better than the last. Our Israel family davens in KCD, a private small minyan where they pray neitz (as in very early). In days gone by in

New York, when shul ended by 3:00 p.m., you called it a win. In KCD’s minyan, we were eating lunch by 11:30 a.m. 5787 Rosh Hashana landed on Shabbat; there was no shofar blowing. During Elul, there was a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of not being able to hear shofar. My mentee, giyoret Yocheved, asked me why we also don’t say her favorite prayer, Avinu Malkeinu. In our sessions, we grapple with many questions that bother both of us. I offered to search for a Google answer. Yocheved felt funny looking up Torah questions in the same way that one would look for an answer to a secular question. According to Google (rabbis), on Shabbat, we don’t make private requests of Hashem. Mentoring a giyoret affords me a new lens with which to explore and navigate my own belief system. Things that seem simple and taken for granted by FFBs (frum from birth) begin to take on new meaning once you look for reasons and answers. During our post Rosh Hashana session, Yocheved and I talked about our shul and festive meal-times experiences. This past year, I also table-hopped a lot. We discussed interesting foods, their abundance and the sometimes weird flavors. There were also common awkward moments – “How did your husband die?” Sadly, that is

eat festive family/friend meals and sing. The flavor of the holidays is to be found in the people. Even when there are empty places around the table, time is devoted to remembering them and saying their names. I think Yocheved has mastered the essence of our people and faith; she simply wants to find her spot and to fully belong. Yocheved will be fine, and for insurance and back up, I enlisted a good rabbi friend who knows his stuff to help her. These chagim are a time for reflection and joy. It is up to us to be cognizant of what is going on in the world around us and to not be lulled into thinking that all is right when it’s so clearly not. There is no guarantee that the good that we take for granted will remain that way.

Things that seem simple and taken for granted by FFBs (frum from birth) begin to take on new meaning once you look for reasons and answers.

The contest considerably lengthened our time around the table; we did start early and there was no sleep in the afternoon, so no one cared. My 15-year-old grandson, Yosef, was one of the superstar blowers. As the happy contestants blew into their shofars, their faces got beetred, then redder and redder. It was pretty amazing to watch their determination and listen to the mostly beautiful notes. This was my very first time at a contest of this sort; as it turns out, the Levy family of Toronto and Maryland also own multiple shofars. During Elul, Noam, our youngest Levy, a senior in high school, used one of his to blow shofar for his CHAT classmates. Noam’s dad held a shofar blowing contest at his Maryland school, JDS. I guess it’s a family thing. I wonder if in days of old this indeed was a sport? My giyoret fears epic failure at the beit din; there happens to be a 50% passing rate. She is studying hard in preparation. The beauty of the chagim for me is not found in the knowledge of what is or is not permitted. Though we must take time to reflect and review who we are and who we aspire to be, I believe chagim are to be enjoyed and savored. Practicing Jews look for opportunities to pray as a collective,

The keening call of the shofar in shul, in school and around our tables, helps to remind us that we must be vigilant and aware that there are bad people who do bad things. We need to reflect again and again on our past mistakes and achievements in order to forestall a repeat of the horrors of 9/11, October 7, and too many more. I checked in with Elly after the second round of his YILC minyan. He had smoothed out some of the kinks that he felt needed to be addressed; his minyan is enhanced by the participation of the mispallelim. Hearing his father’s tefillot as he stood behind him blending his personal tefillah with his sons helped Elly’s songfilled words soar. That image of father and son davening together continues to resonate with me. I am comforted by the thought that Elly’s grandfather is proudly participating from his place in Shamayim; his beloved Grandpa is smiling.

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 still trying to figure out life in Israel.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

a question that I too often get and usually brush off with a terse comment. During one of Yocheved’s meals, a woman asked Yocheved, 30 years old and from Germany: “Holocaust survivor?” Yocheved smiled, speechless. She is better with her responses than I am. For my second Rosh Hashana meal, I went with my Israeli family to Danielle and Eli’s house; a long table, excellent food, and beautiful zemirot and conversation were there to be found. What I did not expect was that there would be a shofar blowing contest. It seems that every boy in both families has personal shofars which come in all shapes and sizes. The quality of the sound is dependent on the ability and tenacity of the blower,

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

My Israel Home

Acting on Conviction By Gedaliah Borvick

Rabbi Ze’ira Street in Old Katamon

few weeks ago, I was walking through Jerusalem’s Old Katamon neighborhood on my way to the iconic shteiblach minyan factory to catch Mincha when I found myself on Rabbi Ze’ira Street. I had seen the street sign before, but this time, the name caught my attention. I vaguely recalled learning about Rabbi Ze’ira and his extraordinary love for Eretz Yisrael, so when I got home, I decided to do some research and found a string of fascinating Talmudic stories about him. Rabbi Ze’ira lived in Babylonia, which at the time was the world’s leading center of Torah scholarship. He studied under the great sage Rav Yehuda and enjoyed the many opportunities for learning that came with living in the heart of the Jewish world. Despite these benefits, he longed to settle in Eretz Yisrael. This passion was so strong that the Talmud relates that he avoided his own rebbe because he knew Rav Yehuda disapproved of leaving Babylonia for Eretz Yisrael (Ketubot 110b). Soon thereafter, Rabbi Ze’ira made

aliyah. Having missed the ferry, he crossed the Jordan River on a makeshift rope bridge, and a Sadducee mocked him for not waiting for the next ferry. Rabbi Ze’ira replied, “A place that Moshe and

life and Torah in Eretz Yisrael offered something that could not be replicated elsewhere. It is therefore unsurprising that the Talmud attributes the famous statement, “The air of Eretz Yisrael makes

Having missed the ferry, he crossed the Jordan River on a makeshift rope bridge, and a Sadducee mocked him for not waiting for the next ferry.

Aharon did not merit to enter – who can say that I will merit to enter it?” (Ketubot 112a). The opportunity to live in Eretz Yisrael was simply too precious to delay. Rabbi Ze’ira undertook one hundred fasts so that he could fully absorb the unique Torah of Eretz Yisrael (Bava Metzia 85a). He had left the greatest Torah center in the world, yet he believed that

one wise” (Bava Batra 158b), to Rabbi Ze’ira. His aliyah, however, was not without its difficulties, and a number of stories relate how some of the local residents did not give him the warm welcome one might expect a Talmudic giant to receive. These challenges did not deter Rabbi Ze’ira, because his aliyah was rooted in

a deep belief that he belonged in Eretz Yisrael. So complete was Rabbi Ze’ira’s identification with Eretz Yisrael that upon his death, the Talmud records the following eulogy: “The land of Shinar (Babylonia) conceived and gave birth to him; the land of beauty (Israel) raised its darling. Woe to her, said Rakkat (Tiberias), for her most precious vessel has been lost” (Moed Katan 25b). Many Jews throughout history cherished Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Ze’ira was not unique in his love for the land. What distinguished him was his willingness to act on that conviction, even when doing so required great sacrifice. Perhaps that is why his name appears on a street sign in Jerusalem.

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

nspiration Nation

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Lucas Gage What Am I Doing? BY BrendY J. Siev

or fourteen years, Lucas Gage built a public identity around blaming Jewish people for nearly everything wrong in his own life and in the world. “Jew, Jew, Jew, the Jews, communist Jews, banking Jews, every morning,” he says now, describing his own old routine with something close to disgust. Then, one night, alone on a livestream, he stopped mid-rant and asked himself a question he couldn’t answer: “What am I doing?” He didn’t like what he found when he actually looked. Lucas was born in Italy in 1984 and moved to New Jersey with his family

as a small child. He was raised Roman Catholic in a household with a long military lineage: a great-grandfather who’d served as a Marine around the time of the Spanish-American War and a grandfather who flew for the Air Force in Korea. On September 11, 2001, seventeen years old and sitting in a dentist’s chair, he heard a plane had hit a building in New York. By the time he watched the towers burning from a hilltop near his house, something in him had already decided he needed to fight for his country. He enlisted through the delayed entry program before he’d even graduated high school and was on

In His Words… i’d rather be wrong and learn the truth than protect an identity built on being right. if i could snap out of this, other people who’ve gone down similar paths might be able to as well. don’t hate anyone… it’s like drinking poison and expecting others to die. i’ve been at war for 23 years. i’m over it. i want peace. i’d rather let go of a wrong belief than let it define me.

a bus to Parris Island forty days after his diploma. Lucas trained as a combat engineer rather than an infantryman and deployed to Iraq twice, five months in 2003 during the initial invasion, seven more in 2004 on reconstruction work, rebuilding what the first tour had helped tear down. He watched Marines die in front of him. An IED once struck his own Humvee and simply failed to detonate properly. He was eighteen years old at the time. What stayed with him afterward, he says, wasn’t only the combat itself, but a specific, grinding anxiety that never fully let up: not fear of dying outright, but fear of coming home maimed instead. No one in his unit was killed across either tour, a fact he still describes as pure luck. * * * Lucas got out of the army in 2006, relieved to be done, and immediately started struggling in ways he didn’t yet have language for. Community college, paid for through the GI Bill, became a pattern he couldn’t break, enrolling, doing reasonably well for a stretch, then simply stopping, semester after semester. A friend handed him a straightforward job in energy consulting, and the same pattern repeated there. He didn’t yet know what PTSD was. Looking for something to fix in himself, he drifted into performance and life coaching, studying figures like Tony Robbins and techniques like neuro-linguistic programming, years before he’d ever go on actual medication. Underneath all of it sat a harder question he couldn’t put down: the invasion he’d risked his life for had been justified, in part, by weapons that turned out not to exist. He wanted to know who had sent him to fight a war built on a lie.

That search for someone to blame pulled him through one conspiracy theory after another, September 11 trutherism, doubts about the Bush administration, until, in 2012, he read Mein Kampf. He says he’d had almost no real awareness of Jewish identity or antisemitism before that; growing up Italian-American, he assumed ethnicity mostly came down to how a last name sounded. Reading Hitler’s own account of blaming the Jewish people for Germany’s problems planted something that fully took root a short time later, when he encountered “great replacement” theory, the claim, still common in extremist circles today, that Jewish figures were deliberately engineering mass migration into Western countries specifically to dilute and eventually erase white European identity. He came to see nearly everything through that lens. * * * Lucas’ first real viral moment came early: a homemade video about “white genocide,” produced in the style of a video-game trailer, built around his own identity as a combat veteran willing to fight for the cause. It spread fast and pulled attention from figures like David Duke, who featured him on his show, and the neo-Nazi site Daily Stormer. Lucas says he was already something of a minor celebrity in that world years before most people had heard his current name, precisely because a Marine willing to say these things out loud was a novelty to that audience. Years later, after cycling through white-nationalist circles, a brief infatuation with Donald Trump as a unifying figure that soured over foreign policy, and a series of political ventures that went nowhere, he went viral twice more: first with anti-war content around the

wife and son in the house. “Kate, we’re getting swatted,” he remembers telling his wife, more than once. The harassment reached beyond just him, to his parents, his sister, even an ex-boyfriend of hers he says he can’t explain how anyone found. Around the same time, the alliances propping up his corner of the internet started coming apart from the inside. A friend he’d helped promote a cryptocurrency project with turned out to be running a scam that cost ordinary people real money; when Lucas called him out publicly, he says the friend simply lied about him in return, with no consequence inside their own circle. A private 2022 phone call with a Jewish critic named Dave Lang became, in hindsight, a marker of exactly how far he still had to go: he told Lang plainly that “all I want to do is get the bad Jews,” a line he now cites against himself as proof he was still thinking in the same collective terms he now rejects entirely. The final break came after the Charlie Kirk shooting, when Lucas watched people in his own online orbit invent conspiracy claims within hours and refuse to walk them back even after being shown they were false. People who’d followed him for years started calling him “a traitor” for simply asking for evidence. * * * What actually broke the pattern for good wasn’t a single confrontation. It was an accumulation of contradictions he could no longer explain away, and almost all of them ran through people he actually knew rather than arguments he read online. His doctor at the VA is Jewish and had cared for him well for a decade. The fertility specialist who helped him and his wife conceive their daughter is Jewish, too, and pushed the paperwork through himself rather than let it slow things down; Gage still calls him, simply, “a nice guy.” Another doctor, a surgeon who operated on him and spent his own time doing humanitarian medical work across Africa and China before passing away two years ago, left

him with a question he couldn’t answer: “How’s he a bad guy?” At the gym, a man named Baruch became a genuine friend, someone who told him plainly, “I liked you cuz you’re honest,” even during the years when Lucas’ own online persona would have driven most people away. Baruch is the one who introduced him to rabbis he still talks with today. At Costco, on ordinary afternoons, he’d watch Orthodox families with five kids wave him ahead in line, small courtesies that didn’t fit the picture he’d built in his head. None of them knew, at the time, who he was online. He knew exactly who they were, and increasingly couldn’t square the two. A friend from inside his own movement, someone who’d spent twenty years in it before leaving a year earlier, told him bluntly that the whole scene was “fake” and to just “go with your family.” Between that and the Charlie Kirk fallout, something in him finally gave out. “What have I become, honestly?” Lucas remembers asking himself. “I was sick of myself.” Looking back at his own old videos afterward, he says plainly, “I was out of my mind.” * * * What makes Lucas’ account of his turn in perspective genuinely interesting isn’t the collapse. It’s what he says let him actually walk through it. He describes a personal rule he’s held even from his Marine Corps days: he’d rather lose an argument and learn something true than protect a version of himself that was wrong. When the premise of his own military service turned out to be false, Lucas says he chose to let that belief go rather than let it define him forever. He applied the same rule here. “I look at being wrong as good,” he says. “I learned the truth. I win.” It’s a strange thing to hear from someone describing the collapse of fourteen years of public identity, and it’s also, in its own way, close to the heart of what teshuva actually asks of a person: not comfort, but honesty about what you got wrong, followed by the will to actu-

ally change direction. Lucas didn’t just quietly log off. He reached out to people he’d spent years opposing, including a local Orthodox journalist, and eventually sat for this conversation in the middle of Lakewood, the community he’d once treated as an abstraction and a target. He wanted something specific from it: for the Jewish families living near him to know he’d never posed a real threat, never carried a weapon, never meant the fear he may have caused. “I never meant to hurt them,” Lucas asserts. Rebuilding that trust matters to him more, at this point, than rebuilding any following he lost along the way. * * * Asked what he actually wants now, his answer isn’t dramatic. He’s put out two self-published books: one a collection of 99 personal-improvement lessons drawn from his own life; the other a work of political philosophy proposing a decentralized model that would let different communities preserve their own cultures within one country rather than forcing everyone into a single mold. He’s also submitted several academic papers in philosophy and epistemology for peer review, an intellectual direction he says found him almost by accident and that he now wants to pursue instead of politics. “I don’t like politics, actually,” he says. “I really don’t like them at all,” precisely, in his telling, because it rewards saying whatever plays rather than what’s actually true. “I’ve been at that war literally for 23 years,” Lucas explains. “I’m over it. I want peace.” He talks about wanting to build bridges between communities that have spent years talking past each other, not because he’s erased his own biases, but because, as he puts it, someone has to be willing to sit down without an agenda. Lucas also holds out a specific hope: that if someone as far gone as he was could find his way back, hearing that might loosen the grip on someone else still convinced there’s no way out.

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

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Russia-Ukraine war, and then, during the twelve-day war between Israel and Iran, with a song he wrote and titled “Boom Boom Tel Aviv.” He says it reached hundreds of millions of views within a day, was adopted as an actual protest anthem in Iran and elsewhere, and was eventually taken offline after an Israeli cybersecurity firm intervened. Lucas made no money from it. By his own account, watching people overseas genuinely rally around it, rather than simply laugh at an internet joke, unsettled him more than it satisfied him. By 2020, mass deplatforming during COVID and a growing exhaustion with the fight led him to reconsider the name he’d built all of this under, Angelo John Gage, a name that had, by then, been thoroughly tied online to every label he’d earned: antisemite, Nazi, extremist. His kids, he says, were starting to hear “your daddy’s that guy” at school. He picked a new moniker, “Lucas Gage,” partly for them, and partly, he admits, because he’d never liked “Angelo” much to begin with. * * * The rebrand didn’t hold for long. Two years later, the war in Ukraine and then October 7th pulled him back in harder than before. Lucas describes deliberately adopting a louder, more aggressive on-camera persona around that time, modeling the approach on other high-attention internet figures, because, in his words, “I let the warrior out like never before.” It worked, by his own account, better than he expected. “It worked too much, actually,” he says. He was locked out of Twitter for months over language he now describes as openly dehumanizing. That escalation came at a real cost, and not only to the people he was targeting. As his rhetoric intensified, he and his family became targets themselves: repeated false emergency calls sending armed police to his own front door in the middle of the night, once with his

The Jewish Home | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Dating Dialogue

What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

I’ve been dating a really cool guy for the past couple months. For the record, it takes a lot to impress me. This guy seems to have it all together. I’m impressed with many of his incredible qualities.

The problem now is kind of complicated. I was talking to a friend of mine, and she mentioned his name as someone she dated who she really liked. Apparently, they dated for a while, and then he dumped her. She still has no idea why it ended. She seems to carry a lot of resentment towards him, and this came out all naturally without even knowing that I’m dating him! I’m scared that if I continue dating him, she will be heartbroken if things work out between us. I really don’t want it to get in the way of our friendship. We have been tight since high school and have a lot of mutual friends. I’m also nervous that he will suddenly break up with me if he did that to her. I’m just really, really scared for this to go forward at this point. I’m trying to let it not affect me but it’s hard not to. I would love to hear the panel’s advice. Thank you so much. Tehilla*

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.

The Panel

Looking forward! Michelle, the “Shadchan”

The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. ehilla, I am wondering about you. The man you are dating is impressive and cool, to use your words. He seems to check all of your boxes and has incredible qualities. You are concerned about your relationship with your friend and your own feelings if you get dumped. You have said nothing about your own feelings about the young man. Have you developed a relationship of depth? Have you been vulnerable with him? Have you confided in him? Have you seen him deal with a problem? Have you navigated differences? How? Ask yourself a few questions and explore them with him and/or a trusted advisor. Is this a relationship that goes beyond a resume? Are you concerned about getting a great guy? Are you focused on just you and trying to protecting yourself and your friend? That is what is important now, not the what ifs. Everyone who dates must deal with disappointments. That’s the road to finding the right one as well as the path of emotional maturity. But are your own emotions involved at all? That is what you must gauge first.

The Shadchan Michelle Mond ou present two different issues, but thankfully, I think both can be worked through.

The Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler hings seemed to be going so nicely for Tehilla. And then, two months into what could be a very promising relationship, she suddenly has two brandnew things to worry about: her loyalty to her friend and her future with her boyfriend. Let’s take them one at a time. Worry #1: Your Friend Your friend dated this fellow. She liked him. He ended the relationship, apparently without giving her a satisfactory explanation. She was hurt and still harbors considerable resentment. That’s sad, but it doesn’t mean that you are doing anything wrong by continuing to date him. Dating exists precisely so that two people can determine whether they want to build a life together. Sometimes, one person wants to continue and the other doesn’t. Unfortunately, heartbreak is one of the risks we take when we date. If your relationship becomes serious, however, she should hear about it from you, not from the neighborhood grapevine and certainly not from a Mazal Tov WhatsApp. Sit down with her. Tell her that you value your friendship enormously, that you had no idea she had dated him, and that you hope she can understand that your relationship with him is separate from hers. If she is the good friend you believe her to be, I hope that her happiness for you will eventually eclipse her own lingering disappointment. There is also a certain irony here. You began your letter by telling us that it takes a lot to impress you, yet this fellow has impressed you tremendously. Apparently, he impressed your good friend, too. You two obviously have the same excellent taste.

T First, let’s deal with the breakup this guy had with your friend. There is no reason to believe that because he broke up with her, he will break up with you. You are two different people, and your relationships are not the same! There are so many reasons a relationship can end, and unfortunately, sometimes, one side does not get the closure they were hoping for. It is one of the painful parts of dating that many people face at one time or another. You also only know one side of the story, so there is really no way to know exactly what happened in their relationship unless you were in it. I would trust your gut about this guy and see where things go. If this continues to bother you and you feel like you need to address it, you can have a straightforward conversation with him. You could explain the circumstances surrounding how you heard the story and give him the opportunity to share his perspective. I also understand why you are worried about your friendship with this friend. If your relationship with this guy does work out, you will want to have a heart-to-heart with her. Talk to her about how much her friendship means to you. Give her the opportunity to express her feelings and respond to her with kindness and sensitivity. At the same time, if she walks away angry or resentful that this relationship worked out for you, it might be the right time to let the friendship fade. It is completely understandable for her to feel sad or even hurt given the circumstances, but a true friend should ultimately be able to be happy for you, even if there are complicated emotions mixed in.

Heartbreak is one

I hope you’re able to navigate this without allowing negativity surrounding your friend’s experience to taint your relationship. Try as much as you can to stay positive and allow your own relationship to unfold.

of the risks we take when we date.

Worry #2: Your Boyfriend This question is a little more complicated. The fact that he ended a relationship with your friend does not mean that he will suddenly end his relationship with you. Every relationship is different. Nor does your friend’s pain necessarily mean that he behaved badly. Nevertheless, now that you know about their history, pretending that you don’t know may leave you wondering and worrying. So, at an appropriate time, you should gently tell him what happened. Make it clear that you never, ever discuss with your friends who you are dating. But, completely out of the blue, one of your friends mentioned that she had previously dated you and was still confused and hurt by how things ended. Reassure him that your friend still has no idea that the two of you are now dating. Then, listen carefully to how he responds. Is he respectful when speaking about her? Does he show empathy for the fact that she was hurt? Does he acknowledge that perhaps he could have handled the breakup better? Or is he dismissive and callous? Those answers may tell you far more than the actual reason they broke up. Most importantly, Tehilla, don’t allow someone else’s unsuccessful relationship with a man you genuinely like cause you to worry that yours is destined to end the same way. Your friend’s experience is information worth knowing. It is not a prophecy.

Reader’s Response Yosef A Single really feel for you because I know how much something like this can get into

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Dear Readers, We want to offer YOU an opportunity to be part of the discussion! Please email us at MichelleMondShadchan@gmail.com, subject line “reader’s response,” if you would like to participate in the new “A Reader’s Response” columnist spot. We will send you a question and publish your answer in an upcoming Navidaters edition. If you have a question you would like the Navidaters to answer, please reach out to this email as well.

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your head. From my own dating experience, I’ve learned that sometimes you hear someone else’s experience with a person and suddenly you start questioning everything. You can definitely have an honest conversation with him about what happened, as it gets more serious, you should be able to open up on a personal

level and share your fear, but in a way of putting positives with your fears, but at the end of the day, you have to give yourself the chance to get to know him and see the relationship for yourself. You can care so much about your friend and still allow yourself to pursue something that could be really spe-

cial for you. If it’s meant for you, it’s meant for you. And when the nerves and overthinking start taking over, do something that helps you get out of your head, whatever makes you feel calm, and brings you back to yourself. Try not to let fear take away from what the two of you are building together.

Let the fear give you curiosity, not control you.

Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

ear Tehilla, This is such an uncomfortable position to be in. You didn’t knowingly start dating your close friend’s ex. You were already a couple of months in, already liking him, already allowing yourself to feel excited about where this might be going, and then suddenly you find out there is this whole history sitting underneath it. Of course you’re rattled. I think there are really two separate fears here, and they’re getting wrapped around each other. The first is your friend. Do I believe in “girl code”? Yes. I believe in loyalty between women. I believe we don’t knowingly walk into situations that we understand will deeply wound someone we love. I believe friendship carries responsibility. But I also don’t believe a person becomes permanently off-limits simply because a friend once dated him. Especially when you had no idea. You didn’t sneak around. You didn’t know she had feelings for him. You didn’t choose him over her. You found out after you were already involved. So I wouldn’t frame this as, “Am I betraying my friend by continuing?”

I would frame it as, “Now that I know, how do I move through this with integrity?” If this continues and starts moving toward something serious, I think she needs to hear it from you. Not from a mutual friend, not at a simcha, not six months from now when everyone else knows. From you. And I would be very gentle. Not apologizing for existing. Not asking permission. Not minimizing what happened to her either. Something along the lines of, “I need to tell you something because I love you and I don’t want you finding this out from anyone else. I had no idea you had dated him until you told me. I’ve actually been seeing him for the past couple of months. I can hear how painful that relationship was for you, and I don’t want to be insensitive to that. I also want to be honest with you about where I am.” She may be hurt. She may feel jealous. She may feel scared for you. She may even need a little distance at first. Those feelings don’t necessarily mean you’ve done something wrong. They may simply mean that life handed the two of you a very complicated situation.

The second fear is about him. “If he suddenly ended things with her, what is stopping him from doing that to me?” Nothing. And I don’t mean that in a scary way. I mean that dating always contains that risk. Anyone you date can ultimately decide the relationship is not right for them. You can ultimately decide the relationship is not right for you. The fact that he broke up with her does not, by itself, tell me something terrible about him. Most people who date seriously have ended relationships and been on the receiving end of endings. What I would be curious about is how he handles endings, conflict, vulnerability and discomfort. Did he disappear on her? Did he make promises he had no intention of keeping? Was there dishonesty? Or did he decide the relationship wasn’t right, end it, and she was left deeply hurt and still searching for an explanation that he simply couldn’t give her? Those are very different things. Your friend’s experience is worth listening to, but I would be careful about borrowing her nervous system. She is telling you what it felt like to be her in a relationship with him. You still have to notice what it feels like to be you. How is he with you when something

is uncomfortable? Can you ask a hard question? Does he communicate when he’s uncertain? Does he take responsibility when he hurts you? Can he tolerate your feelings without becoming defensive or disappearing? Do his actions feel steady? That is the information I would be gathering now. And I also wouldn’t turn your friend into an investigative source. There is a difference between hearing what she tells you and sitting her down for a full autopsy of their relationship. That can become painful and messy very quickly, and it can also make it impossible for you to know which feelings are actually yours. You sound like you really like this guy. So don’t run simply because suddenly there is fear in the room. Let the fear give you curiosity, not control you. Talk to your friend when the time is right. Stay awake in your own relationship. Ask good questions. Watch how he handles the places where relationships stop being shiny and easy. And allow both things to be true at once: you can care deeply about your friend’s heart, and you can also continue discovering whether this man might have a place in yours. Warmly, Jennifer

Jennifer Mann, LCSW, is a therapist and certified life coach in private practice in Cedarhurst, NY and via telehealth. She works with individuals, couples, and families, and is a part-time school social worker at Bnos Malka Academy. Her work centers on anxiety, relationships, life transitions, and narcissistic abuse. She integrates attachment-based therapy, cognitive behavioral approaches, and relational work, grounded in the belief that healing and growth emerge through honest, attuned, and meaningful human connection. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512.

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Health & F tness

I’m Fine. Just Overwhelmed By Rivka Kramer, PMHNP-BC

“I

’m fine. I’m just overwhelmed.” It is something many of us say without giving it much thought. Most of the time, it is probably true. Life can be overwhelming. There are work responsibilities, children, appointments, financial pressures, relationships, household responsibilities, and a constant stream of things that need to get done. Around Yom Tov, that load can become even heavier. Our schedules change, bedtime gets pushed later, there is more cooking and hosting, children are home, families spend more time together, and the routines that usually keep us grounded are suddenly different. So feeling overwhelmed during a busy period does not necessarily mean there is a psychiatric problem. In fact, feeling stressed when life is stressful is a very normal response. What I think is more important is noticing when that feeling does not settle down. Sometimes we keep calling it “stress” or “being overwhelmed” because those words feel familiar when what we are actually experiencing may be anxiety that has begun affecting the way we function. Anxiety does not always look the way people expect it to. We tend to associate anxiety with obvious worrying, panic attacks, or fears that something bad is going to happen. But many people with anxiety do not initially describe themselves

as anxious at all. They may tell me that they have become unusually impatient, that small things are suddenly getting on their nerves, or that they cannot seem to relax even when there is finally nothing they need to be doing. They may feel exhausted throughout the day and then get into bed only to discover that their mind is suddenly wide awake. For some people, it shows up as difficulty concentrating. They read the same thing several times without absorbing it, walk into a room and forget why they went there, or feel as though they are constantly jumping from one unfinished task to another. Others notice it physically. Their shoulders are always tense, their stomach feels unsettled, their heart seems to beat faster, or they have the uncomfortable sense that they need to keep moving. None of these symptoms automatically means someone has an anxiety disorder. They can occur for many reasons, which is exactly why it is important not to diagnose ourselves based on one symptom. But when several of these changes are happening together and continue over time, it is worth paying attention.

When Your Capacity Starts to Change One thing people often notice before they recognize anxiety is that their ability to tolerate ordinary stress seems to

have changed. Things they used to manage without much difficulty suddenly feel enormous. A child asking the same question three times, someone running late, an unexpected phone call, another errand added to the day. None of these things is particularly significant on its own, yet the reaction feels much bigger than the situation. This does not necessarily mean the person has suddenly become impatient or difficult. When our nervous system has been under stress for a prolonged period of time, we simply have less reserve. We are starting the day already somewhat depleted, so it takes much less to push us past what we can comfortably handle. Sleep is often a major part of this picture. We sometimes underestimate how much our emotional well-being depends on consistent, restorative sleep. A few nights of poor sleep can affect concentration, patience, appetite, energy, and the way we respond emotionally. When poor sleep continues, those effects become even more noticeable. This is particularly relevant during the Yom Tov season. There are late nights and long meals, different schedules, more socializing, children who may not be sleeping at their usual times, and sometimes travel or sleeping away from home. For most people, the body readjusts once regular life resumes. But

if someone already has underlying anxiety, depression, ADHD, or a mood disorder, significant changes in sleep and structure can sometimes make existing symptoms more noticeable. That does not mean we need to be rigid about our schedules or become anxious about losing sleep. It simply means that sleep is worth taking seriously, particularly if you know that your mood or anxiety tends to change when you are overtired.

“But There’s Nothing Wrong in My Life” One of the more confusing aspects of anxiety is that it does not always correspond neatly to what is happening around us. Someone can have a good marriage, healthy children, a stable job, supportive friends, and still experience significant anxiety. This can be difficult to understand because the person may look at everything that is going well and think, “What do I have to be anxious about?” But psychiatric symptoms are not determined solely by our circumstances. Biology, genetics, temperament, past experiences, sleep, hormones, medications, physical health, and current stress can all play a role. Sometimes there is an obvious trigger, and sometimes there is not. This is also why telling ourselves to “just stop worrying” is rarely effective when anxiety has become persistent. A

When Does Treatment Make Sense? The line I come back to often in psychiatry is functioning and quality of life. We are not trying to eliminate normal worry, sadness, frustration, or stress. Those emotions belong in a healthy life. The question is whether symptoms have become persistent enough that they are changing the way you live. Maybe you are still doing everything you need to do, but it requires much

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underlying problem matters. When medication is used, the goal is not to make someone stop caring or to remove every uncomfortable emotion. The goal is to bring symptoms down to a level where they are no longer consuming so much mental and physical energy and where the person can function more comfortably as themselves.

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person may understand perfectly well that a worry is excessive and still have difficulty turning it off. Knowing something logically and being able to regulate the physical and emotional response to it are not always the same thing.

Paying Attention We tend to think that seeking mental health care is something we do once a person reaches a crisis. I would much rather people pay attention earlier. You do not have to wait until you cannot work, cannot sleep, or cannot take care of your family. Sometimes the change is much quieter. You simply no-

Telling ourselves to “just stop worrying” is rarely effective when anxiety has become persistent.

more effort than it used to. Maybe you are avoiding situations because they feel like too much. Perhaps you are getting through the workday but coming home completely depleted, or you are functioning well outwardly while internally feeling tense almost all the time. Maybe sleep has become a nightly struggle, or the people closest to you have noticed that you are more irritable or withdrawn. Those changes matter even if you are technically still “functioning.” Treatment also does not automatically mean medication. Depending on the person and the severity of the symptoms, treatment may involve therapy, addressing sleep, exercise, reducing excessive caffeine, changing certain routines, learning how to respond differently to anxious thinking, or taking a closer look at what is creating chronic stress. For some people, medication is appropriate as well. SSRIs and SNRIs are among the medications commonly used for persistent anxiety disorders, but medication should never be chosen simply because someone says they feel overwhelmed. A good psychiatric evaluation looks at the larger picture. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related symptoms, medical conditions, medication side effects, and mood disorders can overlap considerably, and treating the correct

tice that you have not felt like yourself for a while. You are doing what you need to do, but everything seems to require more effort. You have less patience, less energy, and less room for the normal frustrations of life. Especially during a busy season, the answer may simply be that you need rest and a return to your usual routine. Not every difficult period needs a diagnosis, and not every uncomfortable feeling needs treatment. But when the weeks pass and the feeling does not lift, it is reasonable to become curious about why. There is an important difference between having a lot on your plate and feeling as though you can no longer comfortably carry the plate you have. Sometimes “I’m overwhelmed” really does mean that life is busy. And sometimes it is the first way we find the words to say, “Something has changed, and I think I need to pay attention to it.”

Rivka Kramer is a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She has a psychiatric private practice based in Cedarhurst, NY. She serves as a maember of the board of JANPPA, the Jewish American Nurse Practitioner Psychiatric Association. She can be reached at 917-905-3995.

The following insurances are accepted as payment in full or partial payment to the purchase of hearing aids. OXFORD, UNITED HEALTHCARE, AETNA, THE EMPIRE PLAN, UFT Teachers, HEALTHFIRST

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School of

Thought

By Etti Siegel

Dear Etti, My daughter came home very upset about something that happened in school. She feels her teacher was unfair to her and wants me to call the school. I’m torn. Part of me feels that if my child is hurting, I should advocate for her. But I also don’t want to be the parent who calls every time something doesn’t go her way or teach her that Mommy will fix every problem. How do I know when I should call the teacher or school, and when I should stay out of it and let my child handle the situation herself? - Trying to Find the Balance

Dear Trying to Find the Balance, This is one of those parenting questions where I wish there were a simple rule, but there isn’t. Should you advocate for your child? Absolutely. Should you call the school every time your child is unhappy? Absolutely not. The hard part is figuring out which situation you are looking at. Before you pick up the phone, you need to know three things: What is developmentally appropriate for a child this age? What actually happened in this particular situation? And what are the risks if I step in and if I don’t? A first grader who tells you, “Nobody played with me at recess” is very different from an eighth grader saying the same thing. A child who generally handles social situations well but comes home devastated one afternoon is different from a child who has struggled socially for years. A child who says a teacher embarrassed her once is different from one who has been coming home anxious about that class for three weeks. Context matters. I would start by listening. • “What happened?” • “What happened right before that?” • “What did you say?” • “What did the teacher say?” • “What do you think you could do tomorrow?” Those questions tell you a lot more than, “Do you want me to call your teacher?” Remember, you are hearing the story from someone you love dearly, but you are still hearing one side of a story. Children are not necessarily lying when their ver-

sion is incomplete. They see situations through their own eyes. So do adults! A child may genuinely believe, “My teacher yelled at me for no reason” and leave out the fact that the teacher had already asked the class to stop talking four times. Or your child may tell you something that makes you realize, no, this really does need adult intervention. Some children minimize the situation. If your child does that, when that child finally tells you something is wrong, pay attention. Other children come home every afternoon with a new catastrophe. You love them just as much, but you learn not to call the principal at 4:15 every day. Some children need a push to speak up for themselves. Others will confront anyone within a ten-foot radius and may need coaching in how to do it appropriately. Advocacy has to make sense with the kind of child you have and the child’s age. One of our jobs as parents is to gradually move from doing things for our children to helping them learn to do those things themselves. If your fifth grader believes a teacher misunderstood something, perhaps your first response is not, “I’ll call her.” It might be, “What could you say to your teacher tomorrow?” And help her practice. That is advocacy, too. You are advocating by giving your child the tools to advocate for herself. And sometimes the child tries, and it doesn’t work. Now you may decide it is time to step in. There are also situations where I would not wait for a child to handle it independently. Safety concerns, ongoing bullying, repeated humiliation, a serious academic problem that is not being addressed, or something that is significantly affecting a child emotionally requires adult involvement. Independence is a goal. It is not an excuse for adults to ignore something serious. But there is another side to this. Children need to experience some unfairness. I know. Nobody wants to hear that. They will get a part in the play that they don’t like. A teacher may misunderstand them. A friend may choose someone else. They may get a grade they think should have been higher. They may have to sit next to someone annoying. They may not make the team. If we rush in and fix every uncomfortable situation, we can unintentionally send a message: You cannot handle hard things without me. That is not the message we want to send. We want to say, I have your back, and I also believe you can handle things. Those are not opposites. Sometimes, having your child’s back means making the phone call. Sometimes, having your child’s

back means sitting on your hands while she makes the phone call or has the conversation herself. And sometimes, it means saying, “I understand why you’re upset. I would be disappointed, too. But I don’t think this is something Mommy needs to fix.” Will your child always appreciate that answer? Definitely not. There is one more thing I would add. When you do call the school, call to understand before you call to accuse. “I wanted to hear what happened from your perspective.” “My daughter came home very upset, and I’m trying to understand the situation.” “I know I’m only hearing one side. Can you fill me in?” Those openings make it much easier for a teacher to work with you. You may learn something that changes the whole picture. Or the teacher may learn something from you that changes hers. Does parent advocacy always improve a situation? No. Sometimes, parents step in too quickly and make a small problem bigger. Sometimes, a child is mortified that a parent called. Sometimes, the parent’s intervention prevents the child from developing a skill she was perfectly capable of learning. But there is something deeply important about a child knowing: If I really need my parents, they will show up. That means a lot. Know your child. Know what is appropriate for her age. Find out as much as you can about what actually happened. Think about the risk of stepping in and the risk of staying out. Then make your decision. Our goal is not to raise children who never need us, and it is certainly not to raise children who need us to fight every battle. It is to raise children who know we are behind them while they become increasingly capable of standing on their own. Wishing you a wonderful year! Etti

Mrs. Etti Siegel holds a MS in Teaching and Learning/Educational Leadership and brings sound teaching advice to her audiences culled from her over 35 years of teaching and administrative experience. Etti is an Adjunct at the College of Mount Saint Vincent/Sara Shenirer. She is a coach and educational consultant for Catapult Learning, FACTS Education Solutions, Brienza Academic Advantage, Yeled V’Yalda; is a sought-after mentor and workshop presenter around the country; and a popular presenter for Sayan (a teacher-mentoring program), Hidden Sparks, and the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. She is a frequent contributor to Hamechanech magazine and The Journal for Jewish Day School Leaders and has a weekly column in The Jewish Home. She can be contacted for questions and comments at ettisiegel@gmail.com.

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Parenting Pearls

A Sukkah of Safety By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

ukkos follows the intense days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. We’ve davened, fasted and searched our souls. Now we’re ready for the next step. Sukkos is the one yom tov where we are commanded “v’smachta b’chagecha,” to be happy in our holiday. There is simcha in Pesach and Shavuos, yet the commandment is only for Sukkos. We leave our homes, a seemingly safe location, to enter into a temporary structure that can be – and sometimes is – blown down by the wind. Beyond the great fun kids have eating outdoors, there is much symbolism behind the sukkah. While there are many topics we can discuss about Sukkos, I would like to focus on the role of security in a child’s life. Feeling secure is important for a child’s healthy development. Truthfully, it is deserving of multiple articles. Even as adults, we can appreciate how different we feel when we have security in our lives from when we don’t. In this area, children are usually more sensitive than adults and rely on those around them to provide it.

Defining Security While I’m sure the dictionary has a fine definition for the word “security,” I am more interested in how it applies to children. Here, I am defining security in children as a feeling of safety, both physically and emotionally. As adults, we have our own associations and ways we feel safe. For example, we often associate security with other life factors: secured windows and doors, having sufficient funds, etc. With children, it’s not based exclusively on location or physical surroundings. For example, a child can feel unsafe in a locked home but feel safe in a sukkah with their parents. It’s the role and presence of parents that create a feeling of safety for children. When we describe a parent’s “pres-

ence,” we’re not referring exclusively to a parent being physically “present.” Yes, an adult being physically present can create a greater feeling of security, but it’s more about the feeling we give them and the atmosphere we build in their lives.

Importance of Security Security is one of the prerequisites for development in childhood. Without this foundation it’s rather challenging – if not impossible – for children to develop many of the skills they will need. Growing up is a big job. They need to learn everything there is to know to become an adult, and they start off rather helpless. Some of the many items on their syllabus include learning basic self-care, language and mobility. They also need to understand higher concepts, such as abstract thinking, trust and interpersonal skills. A child’s ability to focus their energy on these important tasks is greatly improved when they know they can rely on the adults around them. Children should be able to be children and rely on their adults. When children can’t trust the adults around them will take care of them, they may feel the need to take on that role themselves. This isn’t to be confused with learning independence, which is positive for a child. A child who is focused on doing an adult’s job lacks the time and energy to do their own. A child that feels secure has the safety needed to take healthy risks and push themselves to do more. They know someone is behind them and that they themselves are capable individuals. They can begin to understand that the world around them is an overall safe place, and they can aim for goals and accomplish them.

Parental Role In many ways, it’s the parents that create that feeling of safety and security. Children see us as their protectors and source of everything. They are depen-

dent on us and need us to provide even their basic needs. Safety isn’t based exclusively on situation, location or other external factors. Yes, it’s easier to feel more safe in certain situations than others, but that’s not the only factor. Many of us recall Superstorm Sandy along with the confusion and lack of security that came from suddenly not having a safe home, electricity or heat. We had a difficult job keeping our children feeling safe under those circumstances, but we still worked hard to make choices that would improve the situation rather than worsen it. As adults, we can add more security even into situations that would otherwise feel unsafe. When we recognize our important role in maintaining a child’s sense of security, we can be extra mindful to do our part.

The Method There are many ways that parents build a feeling of security. I’d like to mention a few of them. Providing for a child’s physical and emotional needs is a prerequisite step. It’s impossible to feel safe without having one’s basic needs met. Providing food and shelter is obvious, but this also includes ensuring they have sufficient rest and knowing they can come to us when they are scared or upset. Another preliminary step is maintaining a consistent routine. Knowing what to expect provides stability to a child’s day. Because they lack a sense of time, young children, in particular, require a stable rou-

tine. It’s their daily routine that gives them an awareness of what to do now and what to expect in the future. Consistent parenting provides safety. When discipline and expectations are consistent, children know what is expected of them. They know that when they do the right thing they will be praised, but the wrong behavior can have consequences. This may seem obvious, but there are parents that can be haphazard in this area, and children never know if they will be praised, punished or ignored. Children also need to know that we will consistently support them and be there for them. They can only come to us if they know we will be their safety. If they are unsure of our response, they may hesitate to approach us. Ultimately, our security and safety come from Hashem. Davening is crucial, as is teaching children to know Who they can always rely on. Sukkos is a beautiful yom tov, full of beautiful mitzvos and lessons we can derive from them. May we take along with us all year these feelings of safety and Hashem’s constant love for us.

Sara Rayvych, MSEd, holds a master’s degree in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 15 years. Sara provides personalized parent mentoring services, addressing a variety of general and specific parenting concerns. She can be contacted at Sara.Rayvych@gmail.com with comments, questions or for private consultations.

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d for Thought

Yuzu: Modern Asian Kitchen By Nati Burnside

here is no shortage of kosher restaurants serving Pan-Asian food these days. What is a little harder to find is one that doesn’t require you to dress up, empty your wallet, or convince yourself that a $20 appetizer is somehow a reasonable thing to order. Yuzu: Modern Asian Kitchen in Brooklyn takes a more casual approach. It offers the familiar experience of a waiter-service Chinese restaurant, with plenty of the dishes you would expect to find on a Chinese menu, but then expands well beyond that with sushi, Japanese dishes, Korean specialties and more. The result is a restaurant that feels laid back without making you feel like you sacrificed quality to get there. That distinction is more significant than it might sound. Some of the kosher restaurants with similar Pan-Asian menus are designed as upscale destinations, where the food is certainly the star but the overall experience is more of an occasion. Yuzu is a place where you can simply go out for Chinese food. You can order fried rice for the table, get some dumplings, have a plate of crispy beef and, because this is 2026 and apparently we are no longer required to choose one Asian cuisine per meal, throw in some sushi and Korean fried chicken as well. It makes Yuzu particularly well suited to groups, where everyone seems to have a different idea of what constitutes dinner. When I was invited to Yuzu, I naturally started with sushi, and the Yamato Roll gave me plenty of reasons to keep going. It combines spicy salmon and spicy kani with lemon and crunch inside, while the outside has black pepper tuna, avocado, spicy mayo and sweet sauce. There are quite a few competing flavors in that description, but they actually work together very well. The spicy components give the roll some heat, while the avocado and sweet sauce provide just enough sweetness

and creaminess to balance it out. It is the kind of sushi that gives you a little bit of everything in every bite, which is exactly what I want when I am ordering a roll with a name that sounds like it belongs in a Japanese history textbook (Fun fact: Yamato is the ancient traditional name for Japan). The Hand Folded Wagyu Dumplings are another dish where a small decision makes a big difference. They can be ordered either pan-seared or steamed, and you absolutely want the pan-seared version. The exterior gets a nice crispness, while the Wagyu filling stays juicy and flavorful. But don’t make the mistake of simply popping the whole dumpling into your mouth. Cut it in half and dip it into the garlic scallion sauce, allowing the sauce to get inside the dumpling. This isn’t a case where the dipping sauce is optional. The sauce, garlic, scallion and Wagyu come together beautifully, and you’ll be wishing you had more of these dumplings. The Crispy Rice Salad takes what could otherwise be a fairly standard Asian salad and gives it something I always appreciate: texture. Romaine, cucumber, edamame, avocado, mint and cilantro are tossed with a soy-lime dressing, creating a fresh and flavorful salad on their own. But then crispy rice is sprinkled throughout, adding little bursts of crunch as you eat. It is a simple addition, but one that makes the dish much more interesting. There is a reason restaurants keep finding ways to put crispy rice into things. Apparently, vegetables become considerably more exciting when you give them something to crunch on. For the table, I would order the Japanese Fried Rice, and I would definitely add beef. The rice comes with egg, scallions, snow peas, red onion, carrots and bean sprouts, and there is something particularly satisfying about a fresh plate of fried rice arriving at the table rather than the

stuff that has been sitting around waiting for someone to order it. It is savory, full of vegetables and has enough going on to make it a worthwhile side even before you add the beef. Once you do, it becomes considerably more substantial and is an easy dish for the whole table to share. The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich is where Yuzu starts moving pretty far beyond what you might expect from your neighborhood Chinese restaurant. The flash-fried chicken has an excellent crunch and is coated with a gochujang glaze, while purple cabbage slaw and the brioche bun provide the contrast. The combination of spicy chicken and tangy slaw is particularly good. The slaw cuts through the richness of the fried chicken while adding its own acidity and crunch. It is one of those sandwiches where the sound you hear when you bite into the chicken is almost as important as the flavor. I was also pleasantly surprised by the Jersey Maple Salmon, largely because salmon isn’t normally something I get particularly excited about. Here, however, the combination of ingredients completely changed my mind. The salmon comes with a sweet chili maple glaze, vegetables and green onions, but the fried sushi rice patty underneath is what really makes the dish work. Getting a piece of the crispy rice together with the salmon, vegetables and glaze creates a combination of textures and flavors that is considerably better than any of the components would be by themselves. Even someone who isn’t a particularly enthusiastic salmon person can appreciate what is happening here. If you want to stick with one of the more traditional Chinese dishes, my choice would be the Szechuan Crispy Beef. The beef has the crisp exterior you want

from this kind of dish and is tossed with honey chili and Sichuan pepper. There is enough spice to make things interesting, but it doesn’t get to the point where the heat takes over the entire dish. More importantly, the texture holds up, so you get that satisfying contrast between crispy beef and the flavorful sauce. Yuzu has plenty of Chinese classics on the menu, but if I had to pick just one to represent that side of the restaurant, this would be it. And that is ultimately what makes Yuzu work. You can come here looking for the comforting familiarity of Chinese food and find it, but you don’t have to stop there. A group can start with sushi, share Wagyu dumplings and fried rice, order crispy beef, and then somehow end up arguing over who gets the last piece of Korean fried chicken sandwich. It is casual enough that you don’t need an excuse to come, but the food is good enough that you don’t need one anyway. For kosher diners who like Asian food, Yuzu occupies a particularly useful spot. It doesn’t try to turn every meal into a fine-dining event, but it also doesn’t treat “casual” as an excuse to cut corners. The menu is broad, the atmosphere is relaxed, and there is enough variety to keep a group happy even when everyone’s definition of Asian food is slightly different. Sometimes you just want good Chinese food without making a production out of it. Yuzu understands that—and then gives you sushi anyway.

Meat - Pan-Asian Waiter Service 1901 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (646)-844-0882 | YuzuBK.com Kehilla Kashrus

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In The K tchen

Crockpot Meat and Cabbage Soup Meat / Yields 10 servings / Freezer friendly

By Naomi Nachman

This is a great cholent alternative and an easy way to enjoy the stuffed cabbage flavors without all the work.

Ingredients • 2-3 pounds flanken 2 (28-oz.) cans whole tomatoes with their liquid or 2 cans crushed tomato

Preparation 1.

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat some oil and sear flanken on each side for

2-3 minutes, until meat releases from the pot.

1 large onion sliced

2. Set a large crockpot to high setting and add meat with all the pan juice to the

2 (14-oz.) bag shredded cabbage

bowl of the crockpot.

1 cup brown sugar 1 cup fresh lemon juice 4 cups water 1 teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper

3. Crush tomatoes lightly in your hand; then add the tomatoes and their liquid to bowl.

4. Add onion, cabbage, sugar, lemon juice, water, salt, and pepper. 5. Leave soup on high for 12 hours or overnight. 6. Remove meat from soup. Discard bones; shred meat into bite-size pieces. Return to soup.

Add salt and pepper to taste, as needed.

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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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

A 50-foot American flagpole, that’s probably my favorite purchase I’ve made… Right when you pull in, it’s right next to the football field, so it’s the only thing you … see. We have lights pointing up at it, and I almost got out of the car, I was like, ah, G-d, it’s so beautiful. - NFL player George Kittle, when asked what he purchased to celebrate his recent $76,400,000 contract deal with the San Francisco 49ers

A slowdown is critical in order to ensure AI serves the public interest. Pacing AI development does not mean giving up on this technology’s potential to produce life-saving benefits in fields like medicine — some of which we are already seeing. Rather, it is about setting up sensible guardrails so that AI does not completely escape human control and endanger our safety and collective future. - From a post by Kamala Harris about the dangers of AI…which, according to online AI detectors, was written by…AI!

Hamas has never been very active in the West Bank. - French Pres. Emmanuel Macron in his U.N. address

The grotesque absurdity of Emmanuel Macron’s statement is staggering. On Sunday, the eve of Yom Kippur, just two days ago, Netanel Shakron – a FRENCH CITIZEN and father of six – was murdered in his car by a Hamas terrorist in Judea and Samaria. With his final breath, he told his son to run. - Statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office in response in Macron’s wild and false statement

I normally don’t prepare for speeches. I like to just speak from the heart. I find that when you do things in your own words, when you actually speak from the heart, it comes across a lot better than when you let somebody else try to put words in your mouth. - Vice Pres. J.D. Vance in an interview with Greg Kelly

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We’re looking at ways to where we can identify individuals that are known, we call trigger pullers, in our community. - Seattle’s police chief in a press conference referring to criminals that shoot and kill people as “trigger pullers”

People don’t recognize me, that’s the good thing. I think that’s why I love the lifestyle because I can do whatever I want and no one bothers me. - Houston Astros star Yordan Alvarez, who is the frontrunner for AL MVP with a strong chance of becoming baseball’s first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012, telling the AP why he likes to go on RV trips anonymously with his family

He’s able to do what he’s doing and be able to stay calm because he’s got other things ahead of baseball. He really cares about his family, kids, his parents…like baseball on his list is in the bottom and that allows him to keep things in perspective and allows him to go out there and just relax and play and have fun. - Houston manager Joe Espada talking about Alvarez

Recently, I celebrated my 96th birthday with family and friends, including one of my great-grandchildren, who had just turned one. He’s moving a bit faster than I am these days. - Warren Buffett, in his letter to shareholders, announcing that he is stepping down as chairman of the board of Berkshire Hathaway and his son will be taking on the role

Shame on you, Mr. Mamdani. Shame on you for supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters who butchered our people. Shame on you for inciting riots against New York Jews. I’m coming to the UN. I’m going to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I’ve got to tell the truth about you. - Prime Minister Netanyahu

What a mockery you are. - Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) at a Senate hearing addressing FBI Director Kash Patel

You are the biggest mockery in the United States Senate, and you’re sitting next to Schiff. - FBI Director Patel, in response

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– Greg Gutfeld

Obviously, I’m not justifying or criticizing. I’m just reporting that’s the fact. - Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s younger brother, on CBS News talking about his claim in his new book that after Diana was killed in the car crash, her ex-husband, now-King Charles, “sounded giddily elated — like a lottery winner”

But Israelis still largely view themselves as the victims of Oct. 7. - The New York Times, which, after being denounced for the blatant anti-Israel bias showcased in this quote, removed it and then blamed it on an “editing error”

You can see a photograph of Korea at night. You see North Korea, it’s dark, there are no lights. And South Korea is completely illuminated. There are lights everywhere. With socialist totalitarianism, it is always the same. Democratic socialists do things a little more slowly. That is the only difference. - Argentina’s President Javier Milei at the U.N.

The very same people who said we’ll all be dead in 12 years because of global warming are now warning that “AI is going to kill us all” and “robots are going to attack us.” - Pres. Trump at the U.N.

Macklemore walked onto Ed Sheeran’s stage on tour, looked out at thousands of parents and kids WHO PAID $180 a ticket for a night of music, and decided to hijack the crowd with a “Free Palestine” rant. He thought he was being “brave.” He thought he’d get the usual Hollywood pat on the back for wearing his keffiyeh and lecturing everyday Americans. Instead, he got a hard dose of reality. One regular dad posted the brutal truth: “We paid for music, not a political speech.” For the first time since October 7th, a regular American stood up, pushed back, and the entire system moved. We are sick of uneducated lunatics using every stage in America to berate us with a worldview so tiny it fits into the words, “oppressor” and “oppressed.” We aren’t paying for your crazy anymore. You’re a performer. Just shut up and go sing. - Glenn Beck

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

So Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon took the same stage where they both agreed on the dangers of Artificial Intelligence, but they are still feuding over which one of them looks more homeless.

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Political Crossfire

The AI Danger That Matters Most? Falling Behind China By Marc A. Thiessen

ere is the real AI threat to humanity: the danger that Americans panic, hit the brakes on AI development, and lose the AI arms race to Communist China. Many are worried after former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon declared on X that AI “could kill us all by the end of the decade.” Other prominent researchers, such as former Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun, say the chance of that happening is “smaller than the probability of an extinction-level asteroid hitting the earth” and “a [heck] of a lot less likely than a nuclear Holocaust.” No one knows yet what the fast-moving field of AI will bring, but this much should be clear by now to everyone: today’s AI arms race is as consequential as the nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union was during the Cold War – but the danger of falling behind is far more severe. “We have to be as careful about it as humanly possible, but we cannot slow down because I think the consequences of falling behind or losing that advantage are arguably unlike anything that we’ve seen before,” said Chris Brose, president of Anduril, a defense technology firm that is pioneering autonomous and AI-driven systems. During the Cold War, if the Soviet Union pulled ahead in intercontinental ballistic missiles, the United States could always close the gap. Catching up was simply a matter of accelerating production. But with AI, Brose explained in a podcast interview, the technology “can continue to improve at a rate that, if you’ve fallen behind, it’s impossible for you to ever catch up.”

That’s because better AI builds better AI. As AI becomes self-improving, each new generation becomes the tool used to build the next one. So if China pulls ahead, its AI models will improve faster than America’s. “There’s such a thing as losing a lead that is never recoverable because the person has a technology that is constantly getting better in a way that your lesser generation is just incapable of ever matching and catching up to,” Brose said. “The consequences of that type of a fall-behind are catastrophic.” But the opposite is also true: if the United States pulls ahead of China in the

logical advance – from President Ronald Reagan’s strategic modernization and buildup of the U.S. nuclear arsenal to his Strategic Defense Initiative to build ballistic missile defense – and advocated a nuclear freeze. That was a terrible idea, because it would not have stopped the development of nuclear weapons. It simply would have ceded nuclear superiority to the Soviet Union. History appears to be repeating. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has

Today’s AI arms race is as consequential as the nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union was during the Cold War – but the danger of falling behind is far more severe.

AI arms race today, it can establish a lead that Beijing can never close. This is why the debate over slowing AI development in the U.S. is so important. Decisions made about AI today could determine whether America establishes a permanent lead – or falls perpetually behind. Today, irresponsible politicians are seeking to exploit Americans’ AI fears much as they exploited the fear of nuclear weapons in the 1980s. During the Cold War, the left opposed every techno-

announced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, which would pause all advanced AI development in the United States and permanently bar the development and deployment of superintelligent AI. That is an even worse idea than a nuclear freeze was. An “AI freeze” would not stop the development of AI; it would cede AI superiority to Communist China. The consequences of slowing or freezing AI development would go beyond the military realm. Nuclear weapons had

one single destructive purpose. AI, by contrast, will have enormous positive applications – offering the potential to cure disease, speed scientific discovery, help the economy become more productive, and promote human longevity, creativity and potential in myriad ways. At the same time, like any disruptive technology, AI carries risks and downsides, many of which are a mystery. It’s not possible to anticipate all the ways the technology will transform the economy, work and civilization for good or ill. The future of AI is a leap into the unknown. That is inherently unsettling. It needs to be developed responsibly – and Americans have agency to do so. But the United States cannot afford to stop or slow its development. Because America’s adversaries will not slow down. And even if some of the fears about artificial intelligence do come true, any problems would be far worse in the hands of a Chinese Communist Party with AI superiority. If China is allowed to pull ahead in AI development and harness that knowledge to achieve military superiority over the United States, that would pose an existential threat to humanity. Indeed, the very real danger of allowing a genocidal, totalitarian regime to possess superior AI is far greater than any hypothetical threat posed by AI itself. When it comes to AI, we don’t know where the arms race is going, but we know America needs to get there first. © 2026, Washington Post Writers Group

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Political Crossfire

By Bret Stephens

ast week, the long lists for the National Book Awards were announced. Among the 20 authors in the fiction and nonfiction categories, nearly all are [regular] white males. Most are also on the political right, some even on the far right. Remarkably, mainstream media outlets haven’t reported this, perhaps because they don’t think it’s noteworthy. It’s as if we were living in 1956 rather than 2026. If you’re scratching your head at this “news,” well, it’s because I made it up. Or rather, I inverted the particulars about the authors’ identities and their political views to make a point: If today, as a reader, you recoil at the thought of a time in which minorities were systematically marginalized when it came to the literary world’s public honors (and so much else), shouldn’t you also recoil now that the tables have been almost completely turned? And if you object to the right’s efforts to politicize the arts, won’t you also object when the efforts come from the left? For a sense of what I mean, let’s walk through the National Book Foundation’s announcement of the long list for fiction, 10 books selected out of 451 titles submitted by publishers. Hannah Lillith Assadi’s novel, “Paradiso 17,” is “inspired by the life of her late Palestinian father.” Kimberly Blaeser, a poet, is the “founding director of Indigenous Nations Poets.” Edwidge Danticat is a Haitian American writer whose novel “Dèy” reflects on “the many forms of mourning experienced through immigration, gentrification and diasporic identity.” Julián Delgado Lopera’s novel “Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You,” set in 1990s Bogotá, “explores Colombia’s [different] underground community.” Louise Erdrich, the highly acclaimed author of “Python’s Kiss,” is identified in her NBF biography as “a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.” Marlon James’ novel “The Disappearers” is a “[different] epic” set in Kingston, Jamaica. Valeria Luiselli is a writer born in Mexico whose “Beginning Middle End” spans “continents, languages and four

generations.” Kenan Orhan is a Turkish American writer; his first novel, “The Renovation,” is a story about a family migrating from Istanbul to Italy. Morgan Thomas’ book “Mad Eden” is about “a [different] healthcare worker” who has been diagnosed with autism. Oh, there’s also Alexander Maksik’s novel “Passengers,” a father-daughter story set in an airport. Maksik, who is Jewish, is, to my knowledge, white and male — details that, in a sane world, should have no bearing on whether his book deserves to make the long list. In this world, sadly, it makes him the lucky token. Then there’s the long list for nonfiction. Much of the same in terms of subject matter: There’s a book about “the rise of Islamophobia in America.” Another about “an experiment in [different] parenthood.” A third that’s “an argument against white paint.” (Really.) Last year’s nonfiction winner was a screed about the war in the Gaza Strip born of a viral anti-Israel social media post written weeks after Oct. 7. That book aside, one needn’t get into an argument about the quality of many of these works — at least a few of which, like James’ “The Disappearers,” are first-rate works of literature. But there’s no mistaking the identitarian drift and ideological leanings in the prize’s elevation of the au-

thors and their themes. This isn’t new. By my count, in the past decade, nine of the 10 winners of the National Book Award for fiction belonged to a minority group. In the nonfiction category, 10 of 10. Bluntly, the National Book Award has become a diversity, equity and inclusion checklist: Only authors with preferred identities, preferred topics and preferred politics stand any realistic chance of winning. Much the same goes for the Pulitzer Prizes. Of the past 10 years’ worth of winners for music and drama, nearly all have been minorities. Whether the winners are themselves minorities, they almost invariably win for work about minorities. For the prize in history, Kathleen DuVal won in 2025 for her history of Native American nations; Jacqueline Jones in 2024 for her account of Black workers in Boston during the Civil War; Jefferson Cowie in 2023 for his examination of white supremacy in an Alabama county in the 19th and 20th centuries; W. Caleb McDaniel in 2020 for his story of a former slave’s fight for justice in post-Civil War America; David Blight in 2019 for his biography of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. These are undoubtedly fine books. Are there no other subjects? One common retort is that until re-

cently, the prizes tended to neglect the experiences of minority groups. In fact, that hasn’t been true for decades; what makes the last decade different is the obsessiveness when it comes to matters of race. A second is that since, for so many years, relatively few minority writers won major literary prizes, the more recent spate of accolades amounts to a form of reparations. Maybe. But as an old friend of mine liked to say, turning the tables isn’t the same thing as achieving justice. And the bald politicization of the nation’s highest literary prizes is achieving several forms of injustice at once. It is devaluing the prizes themselves. The National Book Awards are no longer national in any meaningful sense; at best, they represent the recondite tastes of that fraction of the country for whom white paint really might be problematic. The Pulitzers, too, will rapidly lose altitude if they can find no other subjects worth honoring beyond race. It is deforming and hollowing out literary culture in America. Writers or scholars whose subjects or views don’t fit the preferences of prize givers will pay a price for their intellectual independence — the very thing a healthy literary culture ought to reward, not penalize. Others, as The Atlantic’s Tyler Austin Harper noted this year, will twist themselves into ideological knots for the sake of currying favor and funding. Still others, not keen on careers of penury and oblivion, will never become writers or scholars in the first place. And it is turning off a generation of readers hungry for literature judged only on the merits of the work itself, regardless of the identity of the author and free from the tedium of political orthodoxy. “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” I found that quotation, attributed to Ray Bradbury, on the Pulitzers’ webpage. The arbiters of today’s literary culture should think that one over carefully. © The New York Times

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Forgotten Her es

Hunting the Terrorists of October 7 By Avi Heiligman

s Israel marks three years since the horrific October 7 terror attacks in which more than 1,200 innocent people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage into Gaza, the conflict has entered a distinct new phase. While the majority of the hostages were released in subsequent exchange deals after being kept in horrific conditions, others never made it back home alive. The last of these exchanges took place a year ago, yet the conflict continues. While the IDF forces are still searching for and destroying Hamas infrastructure like terror tunnels, Israeli forces and intelligence agencies have made it a priority to hunt down, capture or eliminate every individual who crossed the border on October 7 or helped orchestrate the terror attack. An estimated 3,800 of the 6,000 terrorists who infiltrated Israel on October 7 were members of Hamas, with most belonging to the Nukhba force. The rest were from factions like PIJ (Palestinian Islamic Jihad), and some were “civilians.” During the attack, IDF forces and Israeli civilians killed over 1,600 of the terrorists while capturing about 150. Units like the Shin Bet and Unit 504 (IDF Human Intelligence) interrogated the captured terrorists and examined documents retrieved from the field. Soon, a clear picture emerged regarding how the attack was planned and executed, as well as who ordered it. A list of all operatives who crossed the border was compiled, and a dedicated unit named NILI (Netzach Yisrael Lo Yeshaker) was formed to identify, track and eliminate everyone involved in the attack. Facial recognition, social media pages, cell phone location data, video footage analysis, AI and information from captured terrorists are all used to identify and locate October 7 terrorists. Some of the terrorists fled Gaza, and NILI has been tracking them down in places like Judea and Samaria, Syria and Lebanon; one alleged terrorist was even found and arrested in Louisiana after his phone was traced to Kfar Aza on October 7. Israel has used similar units in the past, including

the Mossad unit tasked with tracking and assassinating members of the Black September terrorist group responsible for the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre. High-value targets, like the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, and military commander Mohammed Deif, were eliminated in 2024, but the hunt for the rank-and-file terrorists and other key

officials, and leading efforts to rearm the organization. Due to his vast knowledge of Hamas’s structure, personnel and tactics, Israel wanted to capture him alive. On September 1, 2026, undercover special forces operators disguised as members of Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades infiltrated Gaza City, penetrating Hamas security checkpoints. The forces reached

Undercover special forces operators disguised as members of Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades infiltrated Gaza City, penetrating Hamas security checkpoints.

leaders continues. Among the primary remaining targets was Mueen al-Arabid, chief of Hamas’s internal general security apparatus. Like Sinwar and Deif, al-Arabid did not actually cross into Israel on October 7, yet he was responsible for many aspects of the attack, as well as subsequent operations. Al-Arabid was directly involved in the transportation and hiding of hostages, facilitating the relocation of Hamas

al-Arabid’s home, captured him after he was wounded in a brief exchange of fire, and extracted him from the Gaza Strip. As a senior security figure, al-Arabid has provided a treasure trove of intelligence to Israeli authorities. Many of the terrorists have been killed by Israeli airstrikes, including two of the planners of the attack and eventual Hamas leaders, Izz al-Din al-Haddad and Mohammed Odeh. These two ter-

rorists were taken out eleven days apart after being tracked for weeks prior by IDF intelligence. Former hostage Liri Albag stated that al-Haddad was one of her direct captors and that he was the monster who oversaw the abuse of several of the hostages. Many other terrorists have been targeted through pinpoint airstrikes. Hamas cell leader Muhammad Habil, who murdered captured IDF soldier Noa Marciano, was killed in an airstrike earlier this year, along with three other Hamas terrorists involved in holding and murdering Marciano. Jihad Samih Mahmoud Ismail, who infiltrated Israel on October 7, commanded the Nukhba terrorists who abducted three IDF tankers – Capt. Omer Neutra, Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel, and Sgt. Nimrod Cohen – and killed the fourth member of the crew, Sgt. Shaked Dahan. Since the October 7 attacks, Ismail was involved in multiple ambushes on IDF troops and was recently targeted while attempting to attack Israeli civilians and IDF personnel. Identified as an immediate threat, he was eliminated by an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis. While Nimrod Cohen was released in October 2025 as part of a prisoner exchange, the other two soldiers were confirmed to have been killed on October 7, and their bodies were subsequently returned to Israel. Hardly a day goes by without news of another October 7 terrorist being eliminated by the IDF. In the past few weeks, PIJ cell commander Mohsen Farid Said Abu Hadaf, who infiltrated Kissufim and commanded a rocket cell, was killed in an airstrike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated in a joint statement, “Our message is clear: No terrorist is immune – and Hamas will not be in Gaza.”

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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Classifieds

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REAL ESTATE ZEVIZZ WOODTURNING JUDAICA Challah knifes, batei mezuzah, besamim holder, kiddish cups, havdalah candle holders, yad for sefer torah, pens, stenders, bowls and more 952-356-2228 MY MOTTO IS DON’T WAIT TO buy real estate Buy real estate and wait Your realtor for life 516-784-0856 Alexandra at Realty Connect USA

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Classifieds

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HELP WANTED

MISC.

WEALTH MANAGEMENT Office in Cedarhurst looking for in-office assistant 25-30 hours/week. Ideal candidate will be proactive, detail oriented, positive, and a team player. Must have willingness to learn about financial markets, financial planning, and account types. Email résumé to wmassistantjob@gmail.com

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SEEKING ELEMENTARY TEACHERS For current school year, starting from end of January: Seeking assistant teacher for General Studies. Candidate should have skills to take over for teachers if needed. Far Rockaway area boys’ school, M-Th, PM hours, strong support. Excellent salary. Possibility to continue for next year. Send resume to teachersearch11@gmail.com

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additional units available for Sale and Lease

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SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | The Jewish Home

2 family luxury townhouses on the beach, private Newly renovated Colonial in the heart of Old balconies, access to private beach and dock. Woodmere, featuring 8 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Ayelet (516)993-9561 Avigail (516)316-3452 STARTING AT $1.15M $2.899M

LAWRENCE

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Life C ach

We’ve Got You Covered By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

ain may pour through. Even in buckets. Wind may displace items. Some really treasured ones. Gusts may even shake the whole structure. Sometimes even topple a wall or two or three! And yet, you’re safer than ever! How, you ask? Because it’s actually not the place

that’s protecting you. It’s the realization. That doesn’t mean that when we build it — our homes for the eight days or the real ones — we can’t make it gorgeous, strong, or sturdy. We certainly can try anything. Just don’t think the materials or the financial insurance are ultimately what’s protecting you. That can be part of your personal ef-

fort — hishtadlus — to make it secure. But it just ain’t the real insurance or assurance that it will not somehow be affected. That, my friends, is what this holiday is about. There’s only one insurance that can guarantee that “we’ve got you covered.” And this holiday is one of the ads for it – a simple reminder that our safety is not in what we build, but rather, in what we build. Did that sound redundant? You bet it was. We delude ourselves by attempting

elements, to sit in a less sturdy home and recognize where true protection comes from? Sukkos challenges you to look up through the open roof — not a covered skylight — and see, not the sky, but the Heaven. And know you’re only as covered as your Father in Heaven allows you to be. You can realize, with great relief and joy, that you can luckily affect that outcome by working on strengthening the relationship. So, let the rains fall! The winds blow. The walls shake!

Don’t think the materials or the financial insurance are ultimately what’s protecting you.

to build physical safety. Though, not a bad start. Yet what we need to then realize is that it’s only as solid or flimsy as the Maker of the Universe wants it to be. If He wants something to remain erect, it will. And if He wants it to fall, then say goodbye. So this holiday asks you: Where are you placing your energy and your trust? What are you really building? Are you secure enough to brave the

It’s not your real concern – as long as you’re connected, you’re protected.

Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certifie d relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail.com.

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Spec ial Su kkoS Supp leme nt

epzgny onf

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Torah Thought

Sukkos By Rabbi Berel Wein z”l

he solemnity and awe of the Yomin Noraim gives way to the relaxation and enjoyment of the beautiful holiday of Sukkos. Sukkos is the holiday with many symbolic rituals and mitzvos attached to it. It revels in its beauty, in the four species and in the sukkah itself with its decorations and greenery. Family gatherings and chol hamoed outings contribute to the festivities of the holiday and to the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that we feel after Yom Kippur. It is no wonder therefore that the rabbis assigned to Sukkos the title of “the time of our happiness and rejoicing.” Even though the weather may not cooperate fully and the comforts of our home and dining room are not usually found in the sukkah, Jews have a great sense of enjoyment in sitting in the sukkah. Joy and satisfaction are not always connected to physical comfort or luxuries. Sukkos aims to make us feel happy on the inside, to be satisfied with our lot, and to have trust and faith in the coming good year and its blessings. Great

people sat in their Sukkos even in very cold weather even though the halacha prescribed that one who suffers discomfort in sitting in the sukkah because of weather conditions need not do so. They said that when sitting in the sukkah they experienced no discomfort at all so great was their satisfaction at being able to fulfill the commandment of being in the sukkah on Sukkos. Weather may affect our moods. It does not, however, deaden our souls or prevent one from being inwardly satisfied and joyful. When I was a child in my parents’ home in Chicago, we lived in an apartment building where there was absolutely no possibility of erecting a sukkah within its precincts. I trudged with my father to the large sukkah that the yeshiva had built in our neighborhood. I missed having my mother at the table, and the food was always cold by the time we arrived at the sukkah. I always wondered then why my father was nevertheless so serene and happy sitting in that large yeshiva sukkah surrounded by strangers and eating cold food. I made a

child’s commitment to myself that when I grew up, I would have my own sukkah. A few years after my marriage, I was able to purchase a home with a backyard where I happily began to build a sukkah. My Jewish neighbor promptly reported me to the building department of the city of Chicago for building a structure without a building permit. The next day, I went to the building department and obtained such a permit, which I prominently displayed. My neighbor shouted at me that “all of this nonsense is a nuisance to him.” I coolly invited him to come over and share a meal with us in the sukkah. He sputtered and left and never spoke to me again. That incident only fortified my resolve that come what may, I would always attempt to have my own sukkah on Sukkos. Sukkos concludes with the especially joyous day of Simchas Torah. Perhaps no other day of the year characterizes the relationship of the Jewish people to its Torah as does the day of Simchas Torah. Young and old, scholar and novice, the strictly observant and those who are

less so are nevertheless united on this one day of rejoicing in the uniqueness of Israel that the Torah has created. The day confirms the opinion of Rabbeinu Saadyah Gaon (ninth century Babylonia) that our nation is a united people only by virtue of our Torah. The virtue of Torah is that it gives our life a focus and a moral compass. It promises a future and immortality itself. It binds together disparate ethnic groups and bridges time and generations. No wonder, therefore, that Jews rejoice with it and are raised to the level of inner joy that requires no outside stimulus. Simchas Torah is not only the culmination of the holiday of Sukkos; it is the final summation of the months of Elul and Tishrei that preceded it. It is the counterpoint to our days of solemnity and gives clear meaning and purpose to our times of joy. How fortunate are we to have such a treasure that is accessible to all and eternal in its meaning and message. May the joy of the holiday accompany us throughout this new year. Chag sameach.

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From the Fire Sukkos

Dig Deeper By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

et us study a little chassidus together. The Yomim Tovim are the source for everything good in our lives. Pesach, for example, is “the holiday of our liberation.” Any redemption experienced by the Jewish people in general, or an individual Jew in particular, throughout history, comes from the holiness of Pesach. And Shavuos, “the holiday of the giving of our Torah,” is the source for any ability we have to learn or observe the Torah throughout all of history. Sukkos is “the holiday of our joy.” In what way is Sukkos the source and root of all simcha a Jew ever experiences? We can understand this on a superficial level and on a deeper level. On a superficial level, Sukkos is also called “the holiday of the ingathering.” This means that in an agricultural society, the crops are harvested at the begin-

ning of the summer and are then gathered into the granaries and storehouses around the time of Sukkos. Because our cupboards are full and we have everything we need, it is naturally a time of joy, gratitude, and expansiveness. On a surface level, this is why we feel joy at Sukkos time. But is this a source for all joy? There are a number of problems with such a suggestion. First, there is nothing unique to the Jewish people in rejoicing in the ingathering of the crops. This is something every human being can appreciate. This is in contrast with Shavuos, which is called “the holiday of the giving of our Torah” and Pesach which is “the holiday of our liberation.” Second, we know from Chazal (Avos 5:16) that “a love which is dependent on something, when the thing is nullified,

the love is nullified.” If our joy is dependent on having overflowing storehouses, that joy is by definition transient and ephemeral. There are people who believe they can only be happy if some series of external circumstances align precisely the way they want them. People tell me, “Ah, back in yeshiva in Israel I was happy.” Or, “when I was single and could go where I want whenever I pleased, I was really happy then.” Other people live for their children throughout their lives. But when the last child moves out of the house, what do they have to live for? What gives them joy? Some people are fortunate to be married to a spouse with whom they are happy. But many others are not so fortunate. But even if they are among the lucky ones, what happens when that person leaves the world?

Any happiness based on another person or some external circumstance will ultimately become nullified. The joy of Sukkos therefore cannot be based on some external circumstance. Such a superficial and fleeting joy cannot be the source for all joy, nationally and individually, throughout time. What is the joy of Sukkos? Anyone who has studied Mishnayos Sukkah (5:1) knows where the joy of Sukkos comes from: “Anyone who has not seen the joy of the water drawing ceremony [the Simchas Beis Hashoeva in the Beis Hamikdash] has not seen joy in his days.” The Mishnah continues that “there was no courtyard in Yerushalayim which was not illuminated with the light of the water drawing ceremony.” What was the nature of this joyous occasion? Yerushalayim normally drew its wa-

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ter from an elaborate system of aqueducts and mechanisms that were truly a wonder of engineering. But this system was not used to procure the water to be used for the water libations on the altar on Sukkos. This water was drawn from the Shiloach spring. And as anyone who has been there knows, this spring was not flowing with torrents of water. Rather, the water dripped in, solitary drop by solitary drop. The kohanim had to fight for every single drop that slowly rose up from the depths of the earth. At the beginning of creation, Hashem separated the upper waters from the lower waters. And ever since then (Tikkunei Zohar, 5:19b), the lower waters have been crying and saying, “We want to be before the King!” On Sukkos, we, who relate so deeply to the lower waters, dig deeply into every crack and crevice to draw out every drop of water from the Shiloach spring to bring it up to the King, up to the altar and connect them to their source. When the kohanim took the water up each of the fifteen steps, maalos, from the depths of the Shiloach spring, they said one of the chapters of Tehillim that began “A Song of Ascents, Ha’maalos.” Each little step was such an accomplishment.

Now we can understand the nature of the joy of Sukkos, which is the nature of a Jew’s ability to be happy throughout history. Happiness is not dependent on anyone, anything, any place, or any circumstance outside of oneself. Rather, joy and happiness come from one’s personal decision to work hard to eke

those who made the pilgrimage to Yerushalayim, he entered into the Simchas Beis HaShoeva, and the spirit of prophecy rested upon him.” And even though Yonah gave up on himself and descended into the boat to go to sleep and die in the storm (1:5), when he was swallowed by the giant fish, he davened

Joy and happiness come from one’s personal decision to work hard to eke out Divine success and elevation, drop by drop, from the earth.

out Divine success and elevation, drop by drop, from the earth. The Gemara (Yerushalmi Sukkah 50b) says that the prophet Yonah, whose book we just read on Yom Kippur afternoon, first drew down the spirit of prophecy from the Simchas Beis HaShoeva: “Yonah ben Amitai was among

(2:3-5, 7): “I called out in my distress to Hashem and He answered me, from the belly of the grave I cried out, You heard my voice. You threw me into the depths of the heart of the sea, a river surrounded me, all Your breakers and Your waves passed over me and I said, ‘I have been expelled from before Your eyes. Yet I will again gaze upon Your holy sanctuary!’ But You brought up my life from Gehinnom, Hashem my G-d!” When Yonah had lost everything and was sitting in a place no one would ever hope to emerge from or live, he had absolutely no external reason to rejoice or be happy. Yet precisely because he stopped hoping for salvation in any circumstance outside of his connection and relationship to G-d and His will, he finally began to hope and pray again. He once again drew the spirit of joy and prophecy when he turned to G-d’s will for him and not to his own will for himself. This is beautifully illustrated in a mysterious story once told by the Frierdiker Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, zy”a, at a farbrengen. In those days, some people made their living as an “organ grinder.” This was an individual who walked around town with a type of music box on wheels. He would set up his music machine at a street corner and start playing. He would have a young boy with him, usually an orphan whom he took care of in exchange for work, who would walk around the people who gathered to listen to the music, bang on a drum and call out, “More joy! More joy! More joy!” The Rebbe related that it once happened that after a certain organ grinder began playing, the boy who worked

for him did not start walking around and calling on everyone there to enjoy the music. The boy had simply gotten distracted and began daydreaming or playing by himself. He simply did not hear the organ grinder’s music. The man tried repeatedly to get the boy’s attention, but to no avail. Finally, after completely losing his patience, he walked over to the boy, in front of everyone present, and smacked him on the side of the head. Immediately, the boy “woke up” to a feeling of physical pain and complete humiliation in front of everyone present. Without hesitation, he began banging on the drum with a huge smile, calling out, “More joy! More joy! More joy!” At that point, the Rebbe ended the story. After the farbrengen, the chassidim began discussing the story. In Chabad, stories are not told for no reason. Everyone was trying to discern what the Rebbe had been trying to teach. One group of chassidim believed that the boy was completely heartbroken and humiliated, but that he called out “More joy!” out of a sense of obligation because he had no choice but that he felt no joy inside. The other group of chassidim maintained that despite the slap he had just received, the boy knew and felt, with every fiber of his being, that his entire existence was dependent on this man, and the man needed him to feel joy at that moment, so he felt sincere joy. The chassidim asked the Rebbe’s son-in-law, the future and last Lubavitcher Rebbe, zy”a, what he thought. He answered that there was no doubt at all that the second explanation was the correct one. May we merit to recognize, despite any pain and suffering that we may experience, that our ability to feel joy and happiness comes from hard work to draw out every drop of light and life from within the wellsprings within us and a recognition that we do not need any person, place, thing, or circumstance in order to connect to the ultimate joy. May we merit seeing the true joy of the Simchas Beis HaShoeva in person, in Yerushalayim at the reestablished fallen sukkah of Dovid HaMelech, may it be rebuilt soon in our days with the coming of Moshiach!

Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congreagation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.

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Torah Thought

Sukkos Our Annual Hug From Hashem By Rav Yaakov Feitman

e all want something from Hashem. We should not consider this as an imposition or that we are being presumptuous. Hashem is Avinu Shebashamayim – our Father in heaven – and He calls us “banim atem, you are My children.” Therefore, not only is there nothing wrong with asking Hashem for things, it is what He wants as well. The Gemara (Yevamos 64a) tells us that Hashem is misaveh, yearns, for our prayers. It is one of the major aspects of our relationship that we turn to Him for everything. The fact that we recognize that we have nothing without Him is implicitly one of the greatest ways that we praise Him. After the Yomim Noraim, the Days of Awe, and we feel that Hashem has listened to us and hopefully responded positively, we are ready for the next step and stage. That is a hug from the Ribbono Shel Olam. Just as a parent who has reprimanded a child, but wishes to demonstrate his love and affection, Hashem surrounds us with His Clouds of Glory, or

in our case, the sukkah itself. The Arizal (Shaar Hakavanos, Drushei Chag Hasukkos, No. 4) writes that “just as a father places his arms around his son and hugs him lovingly, so does Hashem hug us with the sukkah (Yosher Divrei Emes, Kuntres Sheini No. 57). But what exactly is the nature of this hug, and how can we hold that precious moment all year long? First of all, let us examine some of the sources for this sublime moment with our Creator. The pasuk (Shir Hashirim 2:6) states: “with memories of His loving support in the desert, of His left hand under my head, of His right hand hugging [enveloping] me.” The sukkah, with its two complete walls and a third even a tefach (just a few inches), symbolizes Hashem’s hug for us. The meforshim (Shemen Rosh, Shalosh Seudos, 3, Shabbos Chol Hamoed) add that although we visit Hashem all year long (Tehillim 27:4), on Sukkos, we come to stay with Him. We move into the sukkah, eat and drink in the presence of the Holy Shechinah. In fact, the

Gemara (Avodah Zarah 3a) proves that, unlike the rest of the nations, we earned Hashem’s love and His hugs by building and sitting in the sukkah even when all is not perfect. They kicked down their sukkah when it became uncomfortable. We sometimes have to back away and leave as well, but we do so reluctantly and with tears. We want to remain with Hashem; He therefore calls us back, and then we happily bask in His presence. This is the essence of Sukkos. But the sukkah reflects an even more profound love when our Father is not so pleased with us. The Medrash (Yalkut Shimoni Vayikra 23:42, No. 653) teaches, “Why do we build the sukkah right after Yom Kippur? Because Hashem judged us on Rosh Hashana and sealed our fate on Yom Kippur. In case, G-d forbid, we were penalized with exile, our Father in heaven allowed us to simply make a sukkah and leave our homes, considering it as if we had actually been exiled.” In other words, our heavenly Father shows His love for us by miti-

gating the punishment and enveloping us in His arms. We are, in fact, being sent away from our comfortable homes. But we annually feel His gentle caress as we sing, eat, drink, peer through the schach and realize that the One Above has not abandoned us. Rav Yonasan David, Rosh Yeshivas Pachad Yitzchok, Yerushalayim, (Kuntres Sukkos, Maamar 9) adds a new dimension to these concepts. He points out that the Ananei Hakovod, Clouds of Glory, which surrounded us after we left Egypt and returned after we were forgiven for the Sin of the Eigel, also separated us from the evil Eirev Rav. Only those who fully believed in Hashem as our loving Father were allowed inside this extraordinary abode. Furthermore, he reminds us that when Dovid Hamelech (Tehillim 27:5) speaks of our sojourn in the desert, he refers to the Clouds and Sukkah as “He will hide me in His Shelter… He will conceal me in the concealment of His Tent.” Rav Yonasan explains, based upon Rashi, that the

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double concealment “alludes to the Kodesh Hakodoshim, the Holy of Holies, which is even higher than anyone’s free will or personal avodas Hashem. There, no prosecutor can make charges or allegations.” That, too, is part of the special love we feel in the sukkah. We have been judged and have been forgiven; our teshuvah has placed us in Hashem’s good graces once again. We feel the hug from the very walls of the sukkah. Many Rishonim (Ramban, Vayikra 23:43; Chinuch Mitzvah 325) mention that the Clouds of Glory are symbolic of all the gifts we received in the desert – the maan from heaven, the traveling Well of Miriam, and the Clouds themselves which even pressed and cleaned our clothing. Another interesting addendum was shared by Rav Aharon Aryeh of Premishlan (quoted by his son-in-law in Divrei Meir). He states that the very fact that Hashem created warm furs and wool garments which can warm us in the sukkah is another gift from Hashem. Interestingly, the Chofetz Chaim, who lived through many cold Sukkos days in Radin, rules in his Mishnah Berurah (639:2) that on cold days one should wear warm garments

in the sukkah. He appropriately cites a halachic, not just pragmatic, reason. Quoting the Mogen Avrohom and Bais Yosef, he warns that if one is uncomfortable in the sukkah, he may actually be exempt from eating there because he is a mitzta’er – one who is suffering – and might have made a bracha l’vatalah, a

el to our appreciation of Hashem’s love for us on Sukkos. He doesn’t just give us things; He invites us into His holy home for an entire week of elevation, spiritual growth, and yes, great pleasure and enjoyment. We must use our powers of imagination and scholarship to put ourselves back into Auschwitz and the

We feel the hug from the very walls of the sukkah.

blessing in vain. In any case, it is clear that the Chofetz Chaim held that part of the sukkah experience is the pleasure of eating in the sukkah, despite the elements and challenges. To plumb even deeper, the Sfas Emes (Sukkos 5635) explicates the Torah term for Sukkos – “Chag Ha’asif, the Festival of the ingathering” (Shemos 23:16) as referring to Hashem gathering us into His home, the sukkah. I believe that the Gerrer Rebbe is here adding a new lev-

Soviet Gulag, where courageous Jews made sukkahs and ate makeshift meals under horrific circumstances. Amazingly, many of them who have reported and written about this experience highlight the incredible joy they felt doing the mitzvah even under those circumstances. Those holy and hardy souls reflected the point by the Gemara in Avodah Zarah that we didn’t kick down our sukkahs but made them in frigid Siberia and under the dangerous eye of the Na-

zis. Many survivors later recounted that they did not feel like a mitzta’er who is exempt from sukkah but like one who feels the hug of our benevolent Creator. Finally, Rav Yosef Tzvi Salant (Be’er Yosef, Parshas Emor) suggests that this is the reason for the dichotomy between Sukkos and all other mitzvos. In general, we say that the more difficult a mitzvah is, the greater the reward. Yet, on Sukkos, the mitzta’er is indeed exempt. However, if the entire point of Sukkos is that Hashem is giving us that precious hug but we are not enjoying it, we have not understood the message and we are not appreciating the hug. This also explains all those who shiver through a cold sukkah night or eat there despite the pouring rain. For them, it is an opportunity to implicitly declare that we love Hashem despite any outward conditions. It is His Shechinah that we seek, and this is sufficient for us. May we be able to enjoy and celebrate a pleasant and uplifting Sukkos, im yirtzeh Hashem.

Rav Yaakov Feitman is the rav of Kehillas Bais Yehudah Tzvi in Cedarhurst, NY.

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Under Our Father’s Protection By R aBBi Daniel G l ats tein

n the 15th day of the month of Tishrei, we celebrate the yom tov of Sukkos. The Torah commands us to sit in the sukkah to commemorate that [Hashem] caused Bnei Yisrael to dwell in sukkos when [He] took them from the land of Mitzrayim (Vayikra 23:43). The mitzvah to sit in the sukkah is codified by the Tur (Siman 625), where he explains that the “Sukkos” the Torah refers to are the Ananei HaKavod (Clouds of Glory) in which Hashem protected us upon our departure from Egypt. The Tur then points out a glaring problem: If the festival is meant to commemorate an occurrence that transpired when we left Mitzrayim, shouldn’t it be observed in Nissan? After all, that is when we departed from Mitzrayim! The Tur answers that were we to observe Sukkos in the month of Nissan, which is the very beginning of spring, onlookers would likely assume that we were simply eating outside to enjoy the pleasant spring weather. Rather, we wait until Tishrei, when the temperature has begun, to turn cold and the rainy season has begun, to make it clear that our actions are intended solely for the sake of the mitzvah. The Tur’s reasoning seems hard to grasp. Of whose misconception are we afraid? Jewish people who are

watching will surely know the purpose of the Sukkos. Is it the non-Jews to whom he is referring? This seems strange; we don’t find regarding other mitzvos that the perception of non-Jews is of material concern. Why would the mitzvah of sukkah be different?

When One emergeS hOlding a lulav, We knOW that he WaS aWarded a favOrable judgment. Another general question to ask about the yom tov of Sukkos is why we commemorate the Ananei HaKavod at all. To put the question in perspective, the Gemara (Taanis 9a) tells us that when the Jewish people left Egypt, they received three special gifts in the merit

of Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam, respectively. The mahn (manna) was given in the merit of Moshe, the Ananei HaKavod in the merit of Aharon, and the Be’er (Well) in the merit of Miriam. The Chida asks, if the Ananei HaKavod are worthy of being celebrated with a yom tov, why not institute a festival for the mahn and the Be’er as well? The Chida writes that erev Sukkos is a uniquely auspicious time to give tzedakah. R’ Chaim Vital would distribute funds to the poor on that day, and the Chida comments that this practice has Kabbalistic underpinnings. The Chida does not explain the esoteric reasons linking tzedakah to erev Sukkos. But perhaps, in line with the theme of being children of Hashem, we can uncover a deeper meaning of this custom. We find a unique feature to the mitzvah of sukkah, cited by the Shach al HaTorah (Vayikra 23:42). The sukkah is the “tzila d’hemnusa, the shade of emunah,” he writes, and therefore, a non-Jew should not be brought into the sukkah since a non-Jew does not have hemnusa.1 This, too, must be understood. What is it about the mitzvah of sukkah that makes it so restrictive, excluding entry to non-Jews? Perhaps the halacha that stands out most as specific to Sukkos is the idea of “mitzta’er patur min ha’sukkah, one who is in distress is exempt from the sukkah.” With regard to the other 612 mitzvos, we do not find a similar

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concept. Why is it that when it comes to the mitzvah of sukkah, those in distress receive a dispensation? The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 3a) states that in the End of Days, the nations of the world will wish to be rewarded just as the Jewish people are. Hashem will respond by offering them the mitzvah of sukkah. They will then build Sukkos upon their rooftops, whereupon Hashem will make the sun blaze like the heat of the summer. Unable to tolerate the heat, they will kick their sukkahs and leave. The Gemara asks, do we not have a principle that “one who is distressed is exempt from the sukkah”? The Gemara answers that while this is true, that does not give one license to kick the sukkah. The fact that the nations of the world will kick the sukkah demonstrates their incompatibility with receiving reward in the World to Come. This Gemara seems to be telling us that the rule that one who is in distress is exempt from the sukkah is the distinguishing factor between Jew and non-Jew. How do we understand this?

Sukkah for His Sons To answer the question of why we celebrate the Ananei HaKavod rather than the other two miraculous gifts we received, the Chida explains that the Ananei HaKavod were an open expression of Hashem’s fatherly love for us. The clouds enveloped us in a loving embrace; we were not only a free people, but a cherished people, cradled in the arms of our loving Father. This, says the Chida, is the primacy of the Ananei HaKavod over the mahn and the Be’er. The fact that we were regarded as Hashem’s children is a crucial component of Yetzias Mitzrayim and warrants a festival of its own. This is in line with what the Chida writes in the Rosh David, that from the day we left Egypt, the principle that we are Hashem’s children is the “foundation of all foundations.” In fact, the Chida writes, it is a mitzvah to publicize the fact that we are Hashem’s children. Although the Chida doesn’t point to any specific source that states that the Ananei HaKavod were akin to a father carrying a child, we do find this reference in Rashi. The Jews had questioned, “Is Hashem among us or not?” (Shemos 17:8). In explaining the severity of the transgression represented by this question, Rashi provides a parable of a child being carried on his father’s shoulders. His father grants him whatever he asks for, and yet, when someone approaches and asks the child, “Where is your father?” the child replies, “I do not know.” From Rashi’s parable, we see that when being transported in the Ananei HaKavod, we were considered like a child being carried by his father. With this idea, the Chida explains why one who is in

distress is exempt from the sukkah. The sukkah represents the loving embrace of the Ananei HaKavod; it is the place where Hashem envelops us in fatherly love. No father can tolerate watching his child in pain. Therefore, if one experiences a heightened level of discomfort while in the sukkah, he is permitted to leave, as Hashem does not wish to see His children in distress. The Chida continues that this is the meaning of the above-quoted Gemara in Avodah Zarah. Hashem offers the nations of the world the mitzvah of sukkah, and He then makes the weather unbearably hot. Hashem is communicating, “Only the Jewish people, My children, can leave the sukkah, for I do not wish to see their pain.” The nations of the world, however, do not enjoy this sort of relationship and therefore must remain in the sukkah even in uncomfortable conditions.

We Were nOt Only a free peOple, but a cheriShed peOple, cradled in the armS Of Our lOving father. According to this concept, the words of the Shach al HaTorah are quite understandable. Non-Jews are not invited into the sukkah, for the sukkah is the place where Hashem, our Father, bonds with His children. Those who aren’t children simply do not belong. Above, we quoted the Tur, who explained that Sukkos is in Tishrei so that it is clear to all that we are engaging in this act for the sake of the mitzvah rather than for personal leisure. We asked, why the concern for the onlookers? Now, we understand. The Chida explained that the Ananei HaKavod were an open expression of Hashem’s love for us. It is incumbent upon us to publicize the fact that we are Hashem’s children, and since sukkah, by its very nature, is the demonstration of this reality, it must be done in a way that is recognizable. Hashem’s love for His children should be blatantly obvious to all.

Symbols of Victory Aside from the mitzvah of sitting in the sukkah, the yom tov of Sukkos includes another mitzvah as well. On Sukkos, we are instructed to take the Arbaah Minim, Four Species (the lulav, esrog, hadas, and aravah), and hold them together in our hands.

The Midrash lends us insight into the depth of this mitzvah. The judgment of Yom HaKippurim is akin to a court case involving two litigants. Someone standing outside the courthouse cannot know who is victorious until one of the litigants emerges, proudly holding a palm branch2 in his hand. So too, says the Midrash, following Yom HaKippurim, we do not know which of the litigants is the victor. When one emerges holding a lulav, we know that he was awarded a favorable judgment. This “court case” refers to the annual reevaluation as to whether the Jewish people warrant to be held in regard above and beyond that of the nations of the world. The Chida explains that the means with which we merit this regard is teshuvah. By repenting and removing our sins, we justify our claim to exceptionality. As we have learned, teshuvah is attainable only by those who are Hashem’s children. Therefore, to emerge victorious, which can be accomplished only by doing teshuvah, it is critical to affirm our claim of being Hashem’s children. This we do through the Arbaah Minim. The Chida cites an incredible idea in the name of the sefer Toras Chacham, written by the great mekubal R’ Chaim HaKohen. We are taught that each blade of grass, every tree, each plant, etc. has its corresponding angel. There are four exceptions, however. The esrog, lulav, hadas, and aravah are not overseen by an angel — they are under the care of Hashem Himself. This, the Chida writes, means that the Arbaah Minim are uniquely connected to Hashem. They are like “the scepter of the king,” and only His children can make use of them. When we take the Arbaah Minim in our hands, we are affirming, once again, that we are Hashem’s children, capable of doing teshuvah, and thus we merit the full atonement offered by Yom HaKippurim. We have established that both the mitzvah of sitting in the sukkah and that of the Arbaah Minim connote the theme of the Jewish people being Hashem’s children. This lends us an understanding of the teaching of the Chida that one should give tzedakah on erev Sukkos. As we have learned,3 the institution of tzedakah flows from the reality that we are all Hashem’s children and He wants us to support one another. Therefore, in preparation for the yom tov of Sukkos, when we celebrate Hashem’s loving embrace, we make sure to give tzedakah, which establishes all the Jewish people as Hashem’s beloved children.

See She’eilos U’Teshuvos Rivevos Efraim, Chelek 8, Siman 457, which discusses this concept from a halachic perspective.

In Talmudic times, the victor in battle or in litigation would emerge bearing a palm branch.

See Chapter 6.

This article has been printed from The Mystery and the Majesty by Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, published by Artscroll. Rabbi Daniel Glatstein is the Mara D’asra of Kehilas Tiferes Mordechai in Cedarhurst, NY, and author of numerous seforim in Lashon Hakodesh and in English for ArtScroll. He is an international lecturer and maggid shiur. His thousands of recorded shiurim are available on Torahanytime.com, podcast, his website rabbidg.com, and other venues.

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Sparks of Light

What the Sweater Could Not Give Her By Rabbi Benny Berlin

ou probably can relate to the feeling of praying by rote. You open the siddur, you know exactly where you are without looking, and somewhere between Baruch She’amar and Shemoneh Esrei, your mind is a million miles away. I know the feeling well enough that on Shabbos I sometimes start klapping on my chest, saying Selach Lanu, before catching myself, since we don’t even say it that day. There is something strange about holding a book filled with words Jews have whispered through nearly every circumstance imaginable and somehow becoming so familiar with them that you barely notice the words coming out of your own mouth. There is a story told by Rav Yosef Friedenson that makes that thought uncomfortable. Friedenson survived seven concentration camps, and among the stories he carried out of Auschwitz was one about a young friend named Aviezer Burstyn. The two of them hauled carts of waste through the camp, work that was actually a privilege in Auschwitz. It gave them freedom of movement, occasional shelter, and access to the warehouse where the Germans sorted what they had taken from murdered Jews. One winter afternoon, a teenage girl across the fence near the women’s camp caught their attention, mouthing to them, “Sweater. Can you get me a sweater?” Burstyn smuggled one out and wore it hidden under his own clothes, hoping to find her again. Friedenson told him to give it up, that risking a beating made no sense. Burstyn was persistent. On the third day, he found her and passed the sweater through the fence. She stared at it, bewildered. She hadn’t asked for a sweater. She had asked for a siddur. A sweater was hardly a foolish thing to bring a freezing girl in Auschwitz. It could warm her body and might even

help keep her alive. But it could not give her what she had actually asked for. In a place designed to strip a person of everything, some part of her still wanted words with which to speak to Hashem. I think about the siddur sitting so comfortably in my own hands. She had none and desperately wanted one. I have one every morning and can forget I am holding it. That tension is built into how Chazal describe tefillah. Rabbi Eliezer warns in the Mishnah that one who makes his prayer kevah, fixed routine, has not offered real tachanunim. The Gemara in Berachos asks what kevah means, and Rabba and Rav Yosef answer that it is prayer in which a person is unable to introduce anything new. Chazal did not solve that problem by telling us to abandon the siddur. We need fixed words precisely because there are things too important to leave to inspiration, wisdom and forgiveness, healing and livelihood, Yerushalayim and redemption. But the same words that give prayer its structure can grow so familiar that we disappear

from them, saying Refa’einu without picturing anyone who needs healing, saying Shema Koleinu without asking what we actually want Hashem to hear. Dovid HaMelech, whose words fill so much of our siddur, describes himself with the phrase “Va’ani tefillah, I am prayer,” not simply that he recites prayer. The girl behind the fence faced one problem in tefillah. She desperately wanted to speak to Hashem but had no words with which to do it. She wanted the fixed words that generations of Jews had already found. But there is an opposite problem, too. Sometimes, we have all the words in front of us and still cannot find our own voice inside them. Sukkos ends with a day that speaks to that side of tefillah. Rav Nachman of Breslov teaches that the aravah, the plain willow branch used on Hoshana Rabbah, has no taste and no fragrance and represents dibur b’lo da’as, speech without complete understanding. There are moments when our words are polished and clear, and there are aravah moments, when we

do not fully understand what we are feeling and have no magnificent insight or perfectly formed prayer to offer. All we have are words that stumble out. Even those incomplete words can have a place before Hashem. Perhaps that is why, as Sukkos reaches its final day, we walk around the bimah again and again repeating one word: Hoshana. Save us. Hoshana. Save us. We put down the beautiful esrog, the towering lulav, and the fragrant hadassim, and are left holding only the aravah. After all the piyutim, all the carefully constructed language handed down to us, there comes a point when a Jew simply says it plainly: “Hashem, help me. I am still here. I still want to speak to You. I need Your salvation.” Maybe that is what makes the girl behind the fence so difficult to forget. She had the desire to speak to Hashem but needed a siddur to give her the words. We have the words, but sometimes we need to find the desire inside them. Tefillah somehow asks both of us. When we cannot find our own language, we borrow the words Jews have been saying for generations. And when even those words feel distant, we try to put something of ourselves into them. A name during Refa’einu. A thank you during Modim. A desire during Shema Koleinu. Or nothing more sophisticated than Hoshana, please help me. The sweater could have warmed her body. The siddur could give her the words. Hoshanos reminds us that once we have the words, we still have to bring ourselves. Hoshana.

Rabbi Benny Berlin is the rabbi of BACH Jewish Center in Long Beach, New York. For more information, visit www.bachlongbeach.com.

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The Jewish Nomads

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By Malkie SchulMan

Beit Halev, a home of healing

ith her signature headscarf, small nose ring and radiant smile, Maayan Ashush exudes warmth, energy and enthusiasm. Together with her husband, Ash (Ashriel), and their two young daughters, Odeh and Naya, ages 4½ and 2, this small Israeli family has made it their mission to strengthen Jewish life around the world in a big way. They’re presently getting ready to leave the city of Hoi An, Vietnam, where they’ve resided for the last two weeks, and will next travel to England. In the past four months, the Ashushes have been to the Philippines, Taiwan, the remnants of India’s once-thriving Jewish communities and other cities in Vietnam. They call themselves the Jewish Nomads because they’ve consciously decided to traverse the globe, spreading the light of Yiddishkeit to the four corners of the earth. They describe their lifestyle as “Chassidic hippie.” “If Shlomo Carlebach were alive today, I’d be sitting at his feet. He is definitely my rabbi,” says Maayan. “We’re religious, but we don’t fit into any box,” she adds. She recalls with a smile the time she visited

her aunt in the Five Towns. After they attended a kiddush together, her aunt remarked, “Maayan, you were by far the most interesting person at the kiddush!” From a very young age, Maayan dreamed of traveling. “My mother grew up in Chicago, and my dad comes from Zimbabwe and South Africa. They were very Zionistic and made aliyah before I was born. We lived in the Shomron until I was 8 years old. Then we moved to South Africa for my father’s work as a shaliach aliyah for the Sochnut.” When Maayan was 13, her family returned to Israel, settling in Beit Shemesh. Though she grew up dati, after serving as a combat soldier in the army for several years, she drifted away from religion. Ash was also born in Israel and grew up in Netivot in a traditional Tunisian family originally from the island of Djerba. “His parents actually still look like they just came off the boat from Djerba,” says Maayan with a laugh. When they first met, they were both searching spiritually.

“I’d just come back from a six-month tour of Africa and got a job in this cool vegan restaurant in Machane Yehuda where Ash was working. My goal was to make a lot of money so I could travel the world. I was young and gung-ho, ready to see the world. Ash is seven years older than me. He was already 30 and much more chilled.” Ash had also already studied in a yeshiva for ba’alei teshuva, so he was further along on his religious journey. “We liked each other,” Maayan shares, “but I told him, ‘Dating won’t work. I want to travel the world, and you want to stay here.’ He answered, ‘No, it’ll work. I’ll travel with you.’” On their first official date, Ash asked, “If I asked you to marry me today, what would you say?” “Yes,” was her immediate reply. Within six months, they were engaged, and six months later, they were married.

On the Road

“After our wedding, we told all our family and friends, ‘We’ll see you in five years.’ We were planning to travel all over the world,” Maayan says.

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After two years traveling through countries including Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, however, they ended up broke in California trying to sell clothing they’d created in Nepal. “It was a flop,” Maayan admits. Unsure of what their next step should be, they decided to spend Shabbos at Chabad in Vacaville, a city in northern California. “By that time, Ash was completely observant. I was still half and half,” Maayan shares. But that Shabbos with Chabad shluchim Chaim and Adele Zaklos changed the course of their lives. “They’re angels. Personality-wise, we’re so different from them, but their chessed is so inspiring.” Maayan and Ash stayed through Shabbos and remained for Melaveh Malkah, where Maayan got to show off her vegan culinary skills by preparing a delicious meal for everyone. “But Sunday morning, we were off.” Or so they thought. Their van wouldn’t start, and in a sleepy little town with no help readily available, they had no choice but to spend another night sleeping in it. “We ended up staying in Vacaville for six months, volunteering and working with Adele and Chaim.” By the time they left, Ash and Maayan had fallen in love with chessed, shlichus

“We’re teaching our children to love every Jew exactly the way they are.” and the Zaklos family. They knew this was what they wanted to do with their lives. Although they went on to forge their own path, Vacaville remained an important part of their story. “In fact, I gave birth to both of our daughters there,” says Maayan. “We bought a shed and converted it into a small home on a hill behind Chabad. Today, Chabad uses it as a guesthouse.” After they left Vacaville for the first time, it was around the time of Covid, and the only country that would allow them in without being vaccinated was Mexico. From there, they traveled to El Salvador. The Jewish community of El Salvador, composed entirely of converts, fascinated them. “We love the community,” says Maayan. “We’ve gone back four times already. We try to help them in any way we can.” Their time there helped crystallize what their unique path of shlichus would look like. They re-

alized they wanted to travel to Jewish communities around the world, sharing the beauty and simplicity of Jewish life. That opportunity came when a ba’al teshuva friend, married to a Thai convert and running Israeli House in Thailand, offered them a shlichus there. “It was very difficult,” Maayan recalls. “People generally come to party in Thailand. We weren’t like that anymore. We were looked at strangely. That’s when we started asking ourselves, ‘Why are we doing a shlichus that’s not ours?’ “ One Shabbat there were 600 people. “They were on their way to the Full Moon Party on the beach. They came dressed for the party and were in a rush at the meal because they wanted to go to the beach. Everyone was shouting and firing questions at me. I was so overwhelmed. I went upstairs to my room, took a scarf, tied it on my head, and went downstairs. In a second, I felt, ‘Now I can deal with all these people.’ I felt protected.” After davening, her husband saw her. “He had the biggest smile. He understood without talking that the scarf was what I needed as protection.” She describes it as a turning point. “At that moment, I understood the connection to what it means to be a Jewish woman. I also realized then that this place was not for me. Although the truth is, I would never have started to cover my hair if I hadn’t been in that situation.” Today, she says, her head covering has become an inseparable part of who she is. “I feel like I’m wearing a crown. Though tzinius, in general, is hard for me, my head covering always stays on. I really feel that this simple head covering connects me to my deepest roots, to the Imahos. Even with, or maybe also because of, my nose piercings, I sometimes feel like I could sit right down next to Sarah Imeinu and have a chat.”

savings – to invest in their venture. They rented a large house in Varkala, a relatively obscure coastal town about four hours from Cochin, posted a message in an Israeli WhatsApp group inviting people to join them, and opened for Shabbos. Chanukah began the following night. “The first Shabbat, we had 40 people sitting on the floor, eating together from boxes and pots. We didn’t know where to shop, where to buy kosher food or where to get anything. But even though it was a balagan, it was a magical Shabbat.” Varkala is one of the southernmost towns in India, near Sri Lanka. At the time, it wasn’t yet part of the “hummus trail,” the well-worn route followed by many Israeli backpackers. Today, thanks to Ash and Maayan, Beit Halev is a wellknown destination, attracting people from all over. Four years ago, however, when they started, the only ones who came were people who didn’t want to be with the crowds. “Those original pioneers became our pillars. They believed in us and supported us and helped Beit Halev become the safe and love-filled haven it is today.” Maayan shares a remarkable story of hashgacha pratis about how they found their current center.

Beit Halev

After Thailand, Maayan and her husband began to realize the dream they had cherished while they were dating: opening a community home of their own. They heard there were no Jewish centers in the entire state of Kerala, India, despite its rich Jewish history. Cochin, a major city in Kerala, had once been home to a large Jewish community, most of whom live in Israel today, and there is still a synagogue there. So, they set out for Kerala, committed to finding a place for their community home. “No one sent us, and no one gave us funds,” Maayan shares. “But we knew we had the spiritual keilim. The time had come.” Four days before Chanukah, they still hadn’t found a place. “We were still sleeping in a stinky guesthouse, but we were determined to open up.” They had $10,000 – the sum total of their

An open door at Beit Halev

Spreading and sharing the light

Making friends from around the world

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She explains, “Originally, we were renting a very nice, big place. But after two weeks, we were told we had to leave. The house belonged to a very Hindu family. They weren’t happy that we were lighting Chanukah candles and observing all our Jewish rituals in their house. I think the last straw was when we asked them to remove the temple that was in one of the rooms. They told us we had three days to leave. “In India, especially in a relatively small town like that, there are no real estate agencies. You literally have to walk the streets asking passersby if they know of any houses to rent. We knew we wouldn’t be able to make that happen in three days, so we told the owners that if they wanted us to leave, they had to find us another place. And they did! Three days later, we were in the beautiful center that has become our home.” “Beit HaLev is a community home. It’s not a restaurant with catered meals,” Maayan says. “Everyone pitches in.” The home is open 24/7, with a communal kitchen, two meals a day, daily workshops and classes, and space for art. Sleeping arrangements are not provided. Baruch Hashem, they just bought their first sefer Torah and are now running a campaign to renovate the kitchen. One of Beit HaLev’s traditions is to give a personalized challah cover to everyone who has

“At that moment, I understood the connection to what it means to be a Jewish woman.” visited the center when they get married. “One guy we presented with a challah cover was a not religious Israeli surfer living in Australia who traveled everywhere with a surfboard and a unicorn doll. He later became religious and married a Chabadnik. We made him a challah cover with a unicorn on a surfboard.” The Beit Halev center is open for six months a year, from Sukkos until shortly before Pesach, catering primarily to Israeli travelers. “We do get and welcome people from all over the world, including families with small children and older adults, but the majority are young Israelis, especially after the army. Many are suffering from PTSD,” explains Maayan. She shares some of the more profound experiences of their guests. “A while ago, an Israeli guy flew in from north-

ern India because he’d heard we had a special alternative healing Jewish space. He arrived with his friends on Simchat Torah. They told us it was his birthday, so we made him a cake, sang ‘Happy Birthday,’ put him on a chair and danced hakafot. He’d never celebrated Simchat Torah before.” Before the hakafos, Beit HaLev has a custom of inviting everyone to share how they’re feeling. “Everyone experienced October 7 in some way. Before we start, we go around and talk about how we’re holding both simcha and atzvut.” The young man volunteered to go first. “He said, ‘On Simchat Torah, they told me they couldn’t find my brother. I went to a friend’s apartment in Tel Aviv to distract myself. The problem was that his apartment was above a shul, and they were singing and dancing because it was Simchat Torah. I was cursing them because here I was, not knowing if my brother was dead or alive, and they were dancing. How dare they? A few days later, I discovered my brother had been murdered. For two years, I walked around hating religious people and anything connected to Simchat Torah. But while traveling in India, I realized I can’t continue living like this. I need to let go. I need to forgive. I need to find a safe space where I can dance with the Torah and change my relationship with the people who celebrate this day.’” “The ironic thing,” says Maayan, “is that we didn’t even have a real sefer Torah at that point. We danced with those stuffed toy sifrei Torah that children bring to beit haknesset. But he danced and danced and danced until three o’clock in the morning. I’ve never seen anyone dance like him.” The young man left the next day. He later wrote a beautiful Facebook post about his healing experience. But they never saw him again. “That’s what Beit HaLev is about,” sums up Maayan. “Healing through being there with love and holding space.” She emphasizes that they don’t impose religious observance on anyone. “We keep Shabbat and serve only kosher, cholov Yisroel food, but we don’t force anything on anyone.” She shares another story. “Every two weeks, we offer an ice bath to our guests. It’s a powerful experience, and we find it helps people let go of deep trauma they may be carrying.” One day, a man arrived at Beit HaLev. “I welcomed him with my usual greeting: ‘Hey, it’s so nice to meet you.’ He answered, ‘If you knew me, you wouldn’t say that. I’m not a very nice person.’” Maayan immediately sensed he was carrying something heavy. They encouraged him to try the ice bath, but he would only agree on one condition. “Normally, you can stay in the ice bath for up to three minutes. If you’re experienced, we allow up to six. He wanted to stay in for 15 minutes. I

started to feel he might be too much for me. I had to protect my energy, but we let him go.” Within a minute of entering the ice bath, he broke down crying. “Ash came and held him. Everyone who witnessed it started crying, too.” When he came out, he told them his story. Years earlier, he had survived a terrorist attack in which one of his siblings was killed. He had lost much of his hearing and wore hearing aids. Maayan says it was clear he had suffered severe PTSD and had built a wall around himself to avoid feeling his pain. “But after two days of pure nonjudgment, as soon as he got into the ice bath, everything melted.” She adds that she and Ash are careful not to speak lashon hara, so they hadn’t discussed his behavior even privately. “The young man felt that nonjudgment and was finally able to let go. After that, he became a different person. He came to every meal and every workshop.” She points out, “It just shows the power of love and acceptance. People can heal what they need to heal without us even knowing what they need to heal.”

A welcoming sukkah for all

Connecting to the Creator wherever they are

Some guests who have found friends and comfort

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Although Ash is a certified naturotherapist, a practitioner of natural therapies, and has private clients, Beit HaLev doesn’t operate as a professional therapeutic center. “We may one day, but right now, we feel what we can bring to the table is our open hearts. I was diagnosed with PTSD after I left the army. I understand it on a personal level. I connect with people just by looking into their eyes.” Most guests stay at Beit Halev for about two weeks. Many remain connected afterward through the community WhatsApp group, where members share updates and divrei Torah.

Living Their Shlichus

While Beit HaLev is open for only half the year, the Ashush family’s shlichus doesn’t end when the doors close. The following four months are their decompression time. During that period, they travel, partly to support Jewish communities around the world and partly to recharge, spend time together as a family, and do what they love most – traveling. Over the past two years, they’ve visited Jewish communities in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Bulgaria, Kosovo and North Macedonia. This year, they’ve traveled through India and parts of Asia. In Vietnam, for example, they spent time

“Not everyone can say they’re doing what they truly believe Hashem put them here to do.” with the Chabad community in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, which includes a mikvah, preschool, kosher restaurant and bakery. There are also other Chabad centers throughout the country. More often, however, they find themselves in smaller, less established Jewish communities. “We also visit places with no Jewish community at all. We’ve already figured out how to get kosher food so that’s not an issue.” Being vegan helps, as they can easily subsist on fruits, vegetables and beans. The remaining two months of the year are spent in Israel visiting family and friends. The weekend before Rosh Hashana, Beit HaLev hosts a large Shabbos gathering at a rented venue in Israel. Maayan says one of the greatest rewards of their way of life has been watching its impact

on their daughters. A few weeks ago, while they were in Taiwan, their older daughter, Odeh, spotted a young man wearing Shoresh sandals. “She pointed to him and said, ‘Hu Yehudi (he’s a Jew). Let’s invite him for dinner.’ Then this little 4½-year-old walked over to him and invited him. And he came!” Another recent moment especially touched Maayan. “Today, we saw a ten-year-old handicapped child sitting in a stroller. Odeh said, ‘She’s so lucky. She has such a big, beautiful carriage. Right, Mommy, we need to love everyone, even if they look or act different?’ Then she gently patted the girl on the hand. “We have two close friends who are missing limbs, one after being injured in combat and the other because of a medical condition she was born with. Carmel’s hand was amputated to the elbow when she was a few days old, and Uri lost his leg after being injured in Lebanon. Odeh thinks it’s amazing that Carmel can pick things using only her elbow. And Uri has a special bike. She thinks it’s cool. I feel that’s the beauty of our life because we’re teaching our children to love every Jew exactly the way they are.” She and Ash also make time to learn together. “We have a chavruta every day. Right now, we’re learning Rabbi Nachman’s Likutei Halachot. Learning halachot is hard for me. I’m trying to go into it gently and softly, to figure out why I feel such a disconnection from it. I’m trying to put my ego aside and understand that it’s bigger than me. Hashem gave halachot to make us bigger, not smaller. It’s like boundaries for children. They’re not meant to make them smaller. I may never fully understand it in this gilgul, but I know Hashem is holding my hand 24/7. I don’t know how to go without Him, but the practical work is hard. My neshama is hippie, so it’s a little harder.” Their nomadic lifestyle, she concedes, comes with sacrifices. They’ve missed important family milestones, including Maayan’s twin sister’s pregnancies and visits with her zeide in the United States. There is little stability. They homeschool their daughters, live and work together 24/7, stay up late and carry the constant challenge of funding Beit HaLev. “One Shabbat, we met someone at a Chabad House from Brooklyn who follows us on social media. She said, ‘You’re living the dream. How do you do it?’ The answer is because we choose to do it. It’s not as romantic as it may sound. Every single day, we wake up and choose this life. “But it’s really not a question of us choosing this lifestyle because it benefits us. It’s more like – this is who we are. This is our shlichut in this world. And we’re so grateful that we get to do it. Not everyone can say they’re doing what they truly believe Hashem put them here to do.” At the same time, Maayan says they’re prepared to change course, if that’s necessary. “We’ve signed on for ten years at Beit HaLev,

but our children are beautiful neshamot that Hashem entrusted us with. If we see at any point that this lifestyle isn’t good for them, we won’t push ourselves. We’ll follow where He leads us.” When it comes to the broader message as a Jew that she seeks to convey to the world, however, she is unequivocal. “People argue with me all the time about being an ohr la’goyim. They’re embarrassed by it because they think it sounds condescending. Why?” she asks. “Hashem made you a Jew. You need to shine. Be proud. Share the beauty of the life we have as Jews. Even though I hate social media, that’s why I’m on it. I want to show the divinity and beauty of Judaism.” She ends with an observation that lies at the heart of her philosophy. “We’re living in scary times, but this is part of our personal geulah and Klal Yisrael’s geulah. Be’ezrat Hashem, every day, we’re getting closer. There’s too much focus on hate in the world. There’s nothing more important than the mitzvah of v’ahavta l’rayacha kamocha. First, you have to love yourself, and then you can love another. “Hashem is waiting for us to love one another.”

The Ashush children enjoying Hashem’s beautiful natural world

A heart turned towards Jerusalem

A family that’s on the move

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Chol Hamoed

Places to Go, Things to Do

With the weather turning cooler and some days filled with sheets of rain, we hope that the sun will smile kindly upon us as we go on chol hamoed outings as a family this Sukkos. If we’re lucky enough to get balmy weather, we can take advantage of the wonderful experiences available outdoors. And if gimshei bracha shower upon us, there are interesting trips to go on indoors as well – so take your pick! Spending time with the family is the goal, wherever the day may take you. TJH has compiled a list of ideas, activities, and places to go for you to enjoy. Make sure to pack enough food, a portable sukkah, and music for the road and have fun!

Zoos and Farms Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11004 718-347-3276 White Post Farms 250 Old County Road, Melville, NY 11747 631-351-9373 Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center 431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 631-208-9200 New York Aquarium Surf Avenue & West 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224 718-265-FISH Prospect Park Zoo 450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-399-7339 Queens Zoo 53-51 111th Street, Flushing, NY 11368 718-271-1500 Central Park Zoo 64th Street & 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10065 212-861-6030

Green Meadows Farm Brooklyn At the Aviator Sports Center 3159 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-470-0278 Bronx Zoo 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460 718-220-5103 Long Island Game Farm 489 Chapman Boulevard, Manorville, NY 11949 631-873-6644 Schmitt’s Family Farm 6 Bagatelle Road, Dix Hills, New York 11746 631-549-3276 Union Square Greenmarket Union Square West, New York, NY 10003 212-788-7476 Lawrence Farm Orchards 39 Colandrea Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550 845-562-4268 Rose Hill Farm 19 Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook, NY 12571 845-758-4215

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Little Island Floating Park Pier 55 in Hudson River Park West 13 Street, New York, NY 10014

Greig Farm 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 12571 845-758-8007

Fort Tyron Park Riverside Drive to Broadway, W 192 Street to Dyckman Street, New York, NY

Scenic Attractions Central Park Boating, biking, the Great Lawn, model-boat sailing, carriage rides, carousel Between 5th & 8th Avenues and 59th & 106th Streets, New York, NY 212-360-3444 Bryant Park 6th Avenue, between W 40-42 Street, New York, NY 10018 212-768-4242

New York Circle Line Pier 83, West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 Pier 16, South Street Seaport, New York, NY 10038 212-563-3200 Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferries from Battery Park, NY 1 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004 212-363-3200 Old Westbury Gardens 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568 516-333-0048

New York Highline Gansevoort St. to West 30 St. between Washington St. and 11 Ave., New York, NY 212-500-6035

Sagamore Hill 20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay, NY 11771 516-922-4788

Brooklyn Bridge Park 1 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 718-222-9939

Sands Point Preserve 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, New York 11050 516-571-7901

Summit One Vanderbilt 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

Great Neck Steppingstone Park 38 Stepping Stone Lane, Great Neck, NY 11021 516-487-9228 South Street Seaport 89 South St., New York, NY 10038 212-732-7678

Save time! Purchase online adventureland.us

CholHamoedSuccos PARK HOURS Monday, Sept28 Wednesday, Sept 30 Thursday, Oct1

from 11:30 AM to 5 PM (NOT AVAILABLE TUESDAY, SEPT 29)

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens 900 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-623-7200 Brooklyn Heights Promenade Downtown Brooklyn—Remsen Street to Orange Street along the East River The New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458 718-817-8700 Governors Island 10 South Street, Slip 7, New York, NY 10004

631-694-6868

Wave Hill Public Gardens 675 W 252 St, Bronx, NY 10471 718-549-3200 Roosevelt Island Tramway 300 E Main St, New York, NY 10044 212-756-7476

718.471.8444

Each person entering the park MUST purchase a ticket, which includes rides.

Historic Richmond Town 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306 718-351-1611

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Bear Mountain State Park Route 9W North, Bear Mountain, NY 10911 845-786-2701

Luna Park Coney Island 1000 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224 718-373-5862

Harriman State Park Seven Lakes Dr. / Bear Mountain Circle, Ramapo, NY 10974 845-947-2444

Bayville Adventure Park 8 Bayville Ave, Bayville, NY 11709 516-624-7433

The Amish Village 199 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA 17572 717-687-8511

Sahara Sam’s Oasis and Water Park & Diggerland 535 N Route 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091 856-767-7580

Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355 888-973-2767

Kalahari Water Park and Resort 250 Kalahari Boulevard, Pocono Manor, PA 18349 877-525-2427 Yeshivamidwinter.com

Amusement Parks Adventureland 2245 Broad Hollow Road (RT 110), Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-694-6868 Adventurer’s 1824 Shore Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11214 718-975-2748

Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park 1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 833-263-7326 Six Flags Great Adventure 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Township, NJ 08527 732-928-2000 Hershey Park 100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA 17033 717-534-3900 ZooAmerica 201 Park Ave, Hershey, PA 17033 717-534-3900 Island Water Park 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 Yeshivamidwinter.com

Indoor Fun Parks Legoland Discovery Center Westchester 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10701 844-740-9223 Fun Station USA 3555 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314 718-370-0077 The Funplex 3320-24 NJ-38, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 856-273-9666 Laser Bounce 80-28 Cooper Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385 347-599-1919 Laser Bounce 2710 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, NY 11756 516-342-1330

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RPM Raceway Go-Karting 40 Daniel St, Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-752-7223

Maple Lanes RVC 100 Maple Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 516-678-3010

RPM Raceway Go-Karting 99 Caven Point Rd, Jersey City, NJ 07305 201-333-7223

Chuck E. Cheese 162 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550 516-483-3166

One World Observatory One World Trade Center, 117 West Street, New York, NY 10007 844-OWO-1776

Kids N Shape 162-26 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach, NY 11414 866-567-1989

Chelsea Piers Hudson River—Piers 59-62—New York, NY 212-336-6800

MetroRock Brooklyn 321 Starr Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237 929-500-7625

Edge at Hudson Yards 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001 332-204-8500

Area53 Adventure Park 616 Scholes St, Brooklyn, NY 11237 347-305-7448

Woodmere Lanes 948 Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598 516-374-9870

Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park 5 Prindle Ln, Danbury, CT 06811 203-942-2585

Funfest Bowling 6161 Strickland Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-763-6800

Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park 555 South Henderson Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406 484-235-5555 Long Island Adventure Park 75 Colonial Springs Rd, Gate #3, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798 631-983-3844 Flight Adventure Park 1850 Lakeland Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 631-619-6000 Trapeze School NY (Circus Academy) 30 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206 212-242-8769 Trapeze School NY (Circus Academy) 353 West St, New York, NY 10014 212-242-8769 Empire Adventure Park 1500 Old Country Rd, Westbury, NY 11590 516-992-6778 Urban Air 550 Gateway Dr #2, New York, New York 11239 347-732-5438 Urban Air 4422 2nd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232 347-732-5438 Urban Air 69 Wesley St, South Hackensack, NJ 07606 201-212-6454 Skyzone Trampoline Park 33 Lecount Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801 914-740-8272

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Skyzone Trampoline Park 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park, NY 11717 631-392-2600

Activate New York 24 Union Square East, New York, NY 10003 212-920-1807

Skyzone Trampoline Park 241 Market Street, Yonkers, NY 10710 914-510-9119

City Climb 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001 332-204-8500

Skyzone Trampoline Park 34 Spring Valley Market Place, Spring Valley, NY 10977 845-205-0081

Dave & Busters 1504 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY 11590 516-542-85011504 Dave & Busters 4661 Palisades Center Dr, West Nyack, NY 10994 845-353-1555

MaxLand 3843 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11235 917-936-2088 Launch Trampoline Park 163-50 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414 718-593-4204 Ferox Ninja Park 72 Noble St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 347-482-1580 Ferox Ninja Playground 65 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 347-308-7448 DEFY 77 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne, NJ 07470 973-302-3340

Lucky Snake Arcade 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 609-487-4652 Yeshivamidwinter.com Beat the Bomb 255 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 917-983-1115 Palisades Center 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack, NY 10994 845-348-1000 American Dream Mall 1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

iFLY 10-20 Borden Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 212-977-4359

Skating

iFLY 849 Ridge Hill Blvd, Yonkers, NY 10710 914-449-4359

Iceland Long Island 3345 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-746-1100

Topgolf 1013 US-1, Edison, NJ 08817 732-374-4097

City Ice Pavilion 47-32 32 Place, Long Island City, NY 11101 718-706-6667

Topgolf 5231 Express Dr N, Holtsville, NY 11742 631-977-7645

Long Beach Ice Arena 150 W Bay Dr, Long Beach, NY 11561 516-705-7385

Glow Golf Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City, NY 11530 516-747-3682

Northwell Ice Arena 200 Merrick Ave, East Meadow, NY 11554 516-441-0070

Smith Point Archery 215 E Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772 631-289-3399

Lefrak Center Ice Skating 171 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-462-0010

Rise NY 160 West 45th St, New York, NY 10036 718-701-4998

Big Snow 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073 833-263-7326

Activate New York (Roosevelt Field) 630 Old Country Rd, 2079B, Garden City, NY 11530 516-755-3075

United Skates of America 1276 Hicksville Rd, Seaford, NY 11783 516-795-5474

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Something Different Puppetworks 338 Sixth Avenue, Park Slope, NY 11215 718-965-3391 Build a Bear Roosevelt Field Mall 630 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 516-248-0027 Build a Bear 9015 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373 718-289-7135 Artrageous Studio 5 N Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 516-255-5255 Sloomoo Institute: Slime Museum 475 Broadway, New York, NY 10013 Sloomooinstitute.com

Brooklyn Clay Industries 63 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205 301-395-0143 Color Me Mine 123 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013 212-374-1710 Color Me Mine 177 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023 212-877-0007 La Mano Pottery 110 West 26 Street, New York, NY 10001 212-627-9450 Casa de Spin 81 Grand Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758 516-654-7746 Taro’s Origami Studio 95 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215 718-360-5435

Color Factory NYC 251 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013

Bury the Hatchet 25 Noble Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222 917-243-9696

Once Upon a Dish 659 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 516-742-6030

2BA Pilot Flight Lessons 9100 Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-662-8887 Classic Harbor Line Sailing Chelsea Piers, Pier 62, New York, NY North Cove Marina, Battery Park, New York, NY 212-627-1825 The Beast Speedboating W. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 212-563-200 Harlem Rocket Sightseeing Boat 125th Street West Harlem Piers, Harlem, NY 10027 917-819-6929 Bethpage Equestrian Center 499 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804 516-845-1000 New York Equestrian Center 633 Eagle Avenue, West Hempstead, NY 11552 516-486-9673

Museums Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street 212-245-0072 9/11 Memorial and Museum 200 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10006 212-266-5211

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Jewish Museum 1109 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128 212-423-3200 Museum of Jewish Heritage 36 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10280 646-437-4202 Living Torah Museum 1603 41 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218 718-851-3215

Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10028 800-662-3397 Frick Collection 1 E 70 St., New York, NY 10021 212-288-0700 Lower East Side Tenement Museum 103 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002 877-975-3786

Long Island Children’s Museum 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 516-224-5800

The Skyscraper Museum 39 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10280 212-945-6324

Spyscape 928 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019 212-549-1941

Citi Field Non-Game Day Tours 41 Seaver Wy, Queens, NY 11368 718-803-4097

Museum of Illusions 77 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10014 212-645-3230

Yankee Stadium Tours 1 E 161 Street, Bronx, NY 10451 646-977-8687

National Museum of Mathematics 11 East 26 Street, New York, NY 10010 212-542-0566

Madame Tussaud’s New York 234 W 42 Street, New York, NY 10036 212-512-9600

Museum of Ice Cream 558 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 866-665-1018

Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, NY 11721 631-854-5579

Banksy Museum 277 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013

Liberty Science Center Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305 201-200-1000

Brooklyn Children’s Museum 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4400 Jewish Children’s Museum 792 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-467-0600 Children’s Museum of Manhattan 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024 212-721-1234 NYC Fire Museum 278 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013 212-691-1303 Cradle of Aviation Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Garden City, NY 11530 516-572-4111 American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 212-769-5100

Crayola Experience 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042 1-866-875-5263 The Franklin Institute 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-448-1200 Please Touch Museum 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131 215-581-3181 Imagine That! Children’s Museum 4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, N.J. 07932 973-966-8000

TJH assumes no responsibility for the kashrus, atmosphere, safety, or accuracy of any event or attraction listed here. It is suggested to call before heading out. Have a great time!

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some good food By Sina Mizrahi

Tabbouleh with Pom Seeds This Lebanese salad is lemony (love), herb-packed (love more), and dotted with fine bulgur for heft and chew. It’s fresh and crisp and most of the work is chopping the vegetables finely. Fine bulgur, also called j’rish, drinks up liquid, so it’s a no-cook situation. You can substitute with cooked grains or even cauliflower rice, if needed. I add pomegranate arils for a burst of fruity tang.

Ingredients • ½ cup fine bulgur, rinsed • 1 cup boiling water • 2 ripe tomatoes, finely diced • 2 Persian cucumbers, finely diced • 1 bell pepper, finely diced • ½ red onion, finely diced • 1 jalapeño pepper, finely diced (optional) • 2 cups parsley leaves, finely chopped • ¼ cup loosely packed mint leaves, finely chopped • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 2 Tbsp lemon juice • 1 tsp sea salt • ½ tsp coarse black pepper • ¼ cup pomegranate arils

Preparation Place bulgur into a medium bowl. Pour in boiling water; cover. Set aside to allow bulgur to absorb moisture and plump up, 30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Toss to combine. Taste; adjust seasoning.

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Pretzel Chicken Strips with Jalapeño Honey Serves 4-6 I felt quite ingenious when, ten years ago, I ran out of breadcrumbs and crushed the pretzels my toddler left over from his lunch to coat chicken strips. It made for a delicious coating, and I patted myself on the shoulder for that clever move. I did not know it was already a thing; regardless, in my nest it was revolutionary. I upgraded it with a stroke of hot jalapeño honey (it’s barely spicy) and a dipping sauce. It is now complete. And my kids (and I) love it.

Ingredients ChiCken • 2 cups salted pretzels • 1 egg, beaten • ½ tsp granulated garlic • ½ tsp granulated onion • ¼ tsp sea salt • ¼ tsp black pepper • 1¼ lb. chicken breast, cut into ½-inch strips JAlAPeño Honey • ¹⁄₃ cup honey • ½ jalapeño pepper, sliced DiJon DiP • ½ cup mayonnaise • 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard • 1 Tbsp Jalapeño Honey

Preparation Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. in the bowl of a food processor, pulse pretzels until coarsely crushed, but some larger pieces remain; transfer to a shallow dish. in a large bowl, combine egg, granulated garlic, granulated onion, salt, and pepper. Add chicken; stir to coat. Dredge chicken in pretzel crumbs; transfer to wire rack. Generously coat with cooking spray; bake until golden and the edges are crisp, 12 minutes. Flip, spray with more oil, and bake for another 10-12 minutes. Prepare the Jalapeño Honey: in a saucepan, heat honey and jalapeño over medium-low heat until it reaches a light simmer. Remove from heat; steep for 5-7 minutes. optional: Strain through a sieve to remove jalapeño and seeds. Prepare the Dijon dip: Combine mayonnaise, mustard, and Jalapeño Honey in a small bowl. To serve: Transfer chicken to a serving platter; brush Jalapeño Honey on both sides. Serve with Dijon dip. Tip: line the baking sheet with foil for easier cleanup.

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Date Roll Cookies Makes 40 cookies These cookies are perfect, and I don’t say that lightly. They are a bakery staple I grew up with but only love the homemade version. The tender shortbread-ish crust wraps around sweet, sticky date paste in a union that even chocolate can’t improve. Make them plain first. After that (because there will be repeats), load them with halva, nuts, marzipan, chocolate chips; they handle it all. The powdered sugar dusts them beautifully, like a fresh blanket of snow. One batch makes plenty, so share the love.

Ingredients • 6 cups (750 g) sifted all-purpose flour • 2 tsp (10 g) baking powder • ½ cup (100 g) sugar • 2 tsp (10 g) vanilla sugar • ¼ tsp (2 g) fine sea salt • 1 cup orange juice • 1 egg white • 1 cup neutral oil • ½ cup (100 g) solid coconut oil, cut into chunks • 15 oz (450 g) date spread • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Preparation Preheat oven to 350°F. line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt. Add orange juice, egg white, oil and solid coconut oil; knead until a smooth dough forms. you can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Shape dough into a ball; cover and refrigerate 20 minutes. Divide dough into 4. on a lightly floured surface, working with one at a time, roll out into a 14x12-inch rectangle, smear with ¼ of the date spread and carefully roll lengthwise into a tight log. if the dough tears, pinch it back in place. With a sharp knife, slice into 1-inch pieces. Place cookies on the baking sheet, close together. Repeat with remaining dough, adding preferred toppings over the date spread before rolling (see Try This). Bake until golden brown, 24-26 minutes. Remove from oven; allow to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar. Transfer cookies to an airtight container; they will stay fresh for up to 5 days. or double wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Try This: Sprinkle chopped, roasted nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia, etc.), ground coconut, marzipan, shredded halva, or chocolate chips over the date paste for extra flavor. you can use fruit jams, chocolate spread, or lotus or nut butters instead of the date paste. The possibilities are endless – have fun! Note: if necessary, you can omit the egg white.

Recipes reproduced from Good Food by Sina Mizrahi with permission from the copyright holders ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications, LTD.

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Health & F tness

Sukkos is For Making Memories Let’s Make Them Safely By Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH (SA), FAAP

here is something very special about Sukkos with children. We build and decorate the sukkah, eat together outside, visit family and friends, and then Chol Hamoed arrives and everyone piles into the car for hikes, farms, zoos, amusement parks and family adventures. As a pediatrician, I’m all for it. Children should get outside, explore, run around and make memories with their families. But Sukkos also puts children into environments outside their normal routines, and a little extra awareness can go a long way toward keeping everyone safe.

Pay special attention to where you place the candles. Nothing more needs to be said about this. Eating in the sukkah can also change a young child’s normal routine. The halachos regarding eating inside or outside the sukkah, including requirements for children of different ages, are questions to discuss with your rav. From a pediatric standpoint, however, young children need to eat and drink appropriately. Don’t allow a little one to become overly hungry or dehydrated because the family’s yom tov schedule is different from usual.

Start With the Sukkah

On Chol Hamoed, Know Who is Watching Whom

Before leaving home for a Chol Hamoed trip, take a good look at the sukkah itself. Children love sukkah decorations, but make sure anything hanging overhead is securely attached and isn’t heavy enough to injure someone if it falls. Wind, rain or curious little hands can loosen decorations during yom tov, so check them periodically. Be careful with electrical cords, lighting and anything that could become a tripping hazard, and make sure outdoor electrical equipment is appropriate for outdoor use and protected from moisture.

One of the easiest mistakes on a family outing is assuming somebody else is watching the youngest child. Mommy thinks Daddy has him. Daddy thinks an older sibling has him. Everyone is walking together, and suddenly someone asks, “Where’s the three-year-old?” In a large family or group, be clear about which adult is responsible for each young child, particularly when entering or leaving an attraction, crossing a parking lot, hiking or spending time near water. Hiking deserves particular attention. Trails can have slippery rocks, tree

roots, steep drops and uneven terrain. Small children should remain close to an adult and shouldn’t be allowed to run far ahead just because the trail initially looks easy. The same applies around lakes, streams and other bodies of water. Young children require close, active supervision around water.

Water, Snacks and a Little Planning When children are having fun, they may not tell you they’re thirsty until they’re already feeling the effects. Bring plenty of water and encourage everyone to drink regularly, particularly during warm weather, hiking or other physical activity. Pack appropriate snacks as well. Candy and chips may be part of the Chol Hamoed experience, but children spending hours walking and running need something more substantial too. Fruit, sandwiches, crackers and other easy-to-carry foods can help keep their energy up. If your child has food allergies, bring foods you know are safe rather than assuming appropriate options will be available. With many Chol Hamoed attractions offering on-premises sukkahs, a little advance planning can make it easier to enjoy the trip, observe yom tov proper-

ly and make sure nobody has to starve while doing it. Don’t forget comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, sun protection and a realistic assessment of whether an activity is appropriate for the ages of the children you’re bringing.

Going Into the Woods? Think About Ticks If your trip involves wooded areas, brush or tall grass, ticks should be on your radar. Keep children on established trails when possible and dress appropriately. When you get home, check everyone for ticks, paying particular attention to less visible areas such as the scalp and hairline, behind the ears, under the arms and behind the knees. Check clothing, too. If you find an attached tick and are unsure how to remove it or what to do afterward, call your pediatrician. This isn’t a reason to avoid the woods. It’s simply a small precaution after a great day outdoors.

At the Petting Zoo, Wash Those Hands Petting zoos are fantastic for children. Let them feed the goats, see the sheep and enjoy getting close to animals. Just

what he or she is wearing. Think about writing your family’s name and cell number on a piece of paper and pinning it to an undergarment. Instruct your child how to retrieve it if they get lost. If they somehow become separated from you, instruct them to find a police-

Have a Plan For Crowded Places

man or security person and/or a mother with children. While we’re talking about amusement parks, remember that not every ride is appropriate for everyone. Children and adults with certain pre-existing health conditions — particularly heart, blood pressure, back or neck problems, or conditions that could be aggravated by sudden speed, drops or forceful movement — should speak with their doctor about which rides may not be appropriate. Sometimes the smartest ride at the amusement park is the one you decide to skip.

Amusement parks, zoos and other Chol Hamoed destinations can become extremely crowded. Older children should know what to do and where to meet you if the family becomes separated. For younger children, having a parent’s cellphone number somewhere on the child can be useful. Here’s another simple idea: before entering a crowded attraction, take a quick picture of your children. If a child becomes separated from you, you’ll have a current photograph showing exactly

Know When Your Child Has Had Enough Parents sometimes plan a Chol Hamoed itinerary as though completing every activity is a requirement. It isn’t. A five-year-old who has been walking for hours and whose sleep schedule is er-

Everyone is walking together, and suddenly someone asks, “Where’s the three-year-old?”

ratic and has spent the day surrounded by noise and crowds may simply be finished. This is an exhausted child, and not a child behaving badly. You don’t have to squeeze in one more ride or attraction because you paid for it or drove a long way to get there. Sometimes ending the trip an hour earlier allows everyone to remember it as a great day.

Have A Wonderful and Safe Sukkos None of this is meant to make parents nervous about Sukkos or Chol

Hamoed trips. Quite the opposite. Get out there with your children. Visit the farm. Take the hike. Pick the apples (and make me a cake or kugel). See the animals. Explore somewhere new. Just bring some common sense along with the snacks. Sukkos is a wonderful time for families to step away from their regular routine and create memories together. With a little planning and attention, we can help make sure those are positive memories. Years from now, those are the Chol Hamoed moments we want our children to remember … not the accident, injury or unexpected trip to the doctor that could have been prevented. As always, daven.

Dr. Hylton Lightman MD DCH(SA) FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician and the Medical Director of Suffolk Health Five Towns. He adores his patients and tolerates their parents. His life’s mission is to deliver quality health care to babies, children, teenagers and young adults so they bring their children and grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) to him. He loves what he does.

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remember that healthy-looking animals can still carry germs. After leaving the animal area, have children wash their hands thoroughly with soap and running water, especially before eating. With toddlers, don’t wait until you get home. We all know how quickly a twoyear-old can go from petting a goat to putting those same fingers into his mouth. Children should also be supervised when feeding or petting animals to reduce the risk of bites or scratches. If your child is bitten or scratched, wash the area immediately with soap and water and contact your pediatrician promptly to determine whether additional treatment is needed.

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Health & F tness

Don’t Let Your Diet Go Through the S’chach Eating Healthy Over Sukkos By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

ukkos is a time filled with family, friends, and an abundance of phenomenal food. With massive meals, desserts, snacks, and outings, it can feel like there is always another opportunity to eat. With a little planning and balance, you can enjoy the yom tov without feeling overly full or off track. With the first days and second days each lasting two days, there are four yom tov meals in each set of days. With so many meals close together, it can be helpful to create some balance between them. Not every meal needs to be a heavy meal, and you do not need to have every rich food at every meal. For example, if one meal is a heavier meat meal with several side dishes and dessert, consider making another meal lighter. A simple fish meal with vegetables, salad, and a lighter side dish can be a great way to balance things out.

Begin With a Plan Before Sukkos begins, take a few minutes to think about what the meals and days ahead will look like. When you know that there will be several large meals in a short period of time, it can be helpful to have a general idea of what you want to eat rather than simply eating whatever happens to be available. If you know that a particular meal will be heavier, consider keeping some of the other foods on your plate lighter. For example, if you are having a heavy main dish, you can pair it with vegetables and a fresh salad instead of several heavy side dishes. If there’s a dessert you really enjoy, plan to have that as your treat of the day and be mindful of other sweets that come up throughout the day. Planning does not mean creating a strict menu for yourself or counting ev-

Yom tov meals often include meat, and often red meat, but that does not mean you need to have red meat at every meal. Red meat is much higher in saturated fat and calories than poultry or fish, and eating it frequently can increase the risk of heart disease. When possible, choose leaner cuts of meat, such as lean beef or London broil, or choose chicken, turkey, or fish as your protein. This can be a simple way to add more variety and balance to your meals.

Enjoy the Foods You Love

ery bite. It simply means thinking ahead so that you can make intentional choices instead of making decisions when you are already very hungry or surrounded by tempting foods.

Don’t Skip Meals to “Save Up” It can be tempting to skip breakfast or lunch before a large yom tov meal because you know there will be plenty of food later. However, arriving hungry at a meal can make it much harder to eat comfortably and recognize when you have had enough. Instead, have a normal, balanced meal or snack earlier in the day. Something as simple as yogurt and fruit, eggs, cottage cheese with fruit, or vegetables can help keep you satisfied until the next meal. By eating normally during the day, you can make it easier to sit down at the meal feeling comfortable and in control.

Balance Your Plate When you sit down to a meal with many different choices, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Rather than trying to completely eliminate certain foods, think about how you can create a balanced plate. Start by including a source of protein, such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean meat, or another protein-rich food. Add vegetables or salad and then choose the carbohydrate or starches that you most enjoy. This could be potatoes, rice, kugel, or another starchy side dish. You do not need to have a little bit of everything simply because it is on the table. Look at the available choices and select the foods that you genuinely want. Taking a reasonable portion initially also gives you the opportunity to see whether you are still hungry before going back for more.

Healthy eating during Sukkos does not mean saying no to every dessert or favorite dish. In fact, trying to completely avoid foods that you love can sometimes leave you feeling deprived and make it harder to eat mindfully. Instead, choose the food that you really want and enjoy them. If your favorite dessert is being served, take a portion, sit down, and actually enjoy it. You do not need to feel guilty because you have dessert. At the same time, remember that you do not have to eat every treat simply because it is available. There is a difference between eating something because you truly want it and eating it because it happens to be sitting in front of you.

Healthy Options Keep healthy desserts and snacks that you actually enjoy available, such as apple compote, baked apples with cinnamon, fresh fruit, or fruit salad. Having nutritious options ready can help fill you up and satisfy your sweet craving, making you less likely to reach for less healthy, convenient foods. A bowl of fresh fruit or a pitcher of water can make healthy choices easy and accessible. When food is available throughout the day, it can be easy to eat simply

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because it is there, so try to be mindful of what you are reaching for and choose foods that will leave you feeling satisfied. With busy yom tov schedules, it can be easy to forget to drink enough water. Keep water nearby and sip throughout the day to stay hydrated and feel your best. Try to choose water as your main source of hydration rather than relying on sweetened drinks.

Listen to Your Hunger and Fullness One of the biggest challenges of Sukkos is that the clock can tell you it is time to eat even when your body is not particularly hungry. There may be a meal scheduled shortly after another meal, or everyone may be sitting down to eat simply because it is the traditional meal time. Before taking a large portion, check in with yourself. Am I actually hungry? If you are hungry, eat. If you are still full from the previous meal, you may not need a large meal. You can choose something lighter or have a smaller portion.

Make Movement Part of the Chag You do not need a formal workout every day to stay active during Sukkos. A short walk after a meal can be a refreshing way to get outside, enjoy the beautiful fall weather, and spend quality time with family.

Chol Hamoed: Pack Before You Go Chol Hamoed often means being away from home for several hours, whether you are taking a trip, spending the day with family, or traveling to a destination. Planning your food ahead of time can help you stay comfortable and avoid getting extremely hungry when there are limited options available. For a long flight or a day of travel with connections, pack convenient foods such as low-sugar or no-sugar-added protein bars, rice cakes with peanut butter, fruit, whole-grain crackers, or a sandwich. For long car rides, bring a small cooler or snack bag with foods such as fruit, cheese sticks, yogurt, cut-up vegetables with hummus, protein bars, crackers, or sandwiches. For children, easy-to-eat options such as fruit, applesauce pouches, cheese sticks, yogurt, crackers, pretzels, or small sandwiches can work well. Having food with you makes it easier to choose something satisfying when you are hungry instead of waiting until you are starving and then relying on whatever happens to be available. For families spending Chol Hamoed

at a hotel or organized program, the challenge can be a little different. There may be multiple food stations, buffets, snacks available throughout the day, and large meals prepared for guests. Remember that just because food is included does not mean you need to eat it every time it is offered. At a buffet, take a quick look at all of the options before filling your plate. Choose the foods you actually want and begin with reasonable portions. Include protein and vegetables along with the starches and other foods you enjoy. Programs may also have snacks, refreshments, and desserts available between meals. Instead of automatically taking something each time food is offered, check whether you are actually hungry. If you are, choose something that will satisfy you. If you are not hungry, it is perfectly fine to pass. Most importantly, do not feel that you have to be eating constantly. The goal of going away is to enjoy the experience, spend time with family, participate in the program, and have a wonderful Yom Tov, not to make every available food opportunity into a meal.

Don’t Try to Be Perfect Perhaps the most important strategy for a healthy Sukkos is to let go of perfection. There will probably be a meal where you eat more than you planned. There may be a dessert that you could not resist or a day when your meals are not as balanced as you would have liked. That is okay. Healthy eating is not determined by one meal or one day. What matters is the overall pattern. If one meal is heavier, simply return to your usual habits at the next opportunity. There is no need to skip meals, drastically restrict your food, or try to make up for what you ate. On Sukkos, allow yourself to enjoy your favorite yom tov foods while also listening to your body, stopping when you’re satisfied, and choosing lighter options when possible. With a little planning, balance, and mindful choices, you can enjoy Sukkos without ending the yom tov feeling like you need a reset. Chag sameach and a gezunt vinter!

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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Shmooze & Muse

Buy Stock in Cardstock By Mordechai Schmutter

t’s that time of the year again – when organizations send us things for free and ask for nothing in return. And hey! They also sent us a second envelope! Oh, their address is on it. They’re asking for money now? Everyone is davening for parnassah for the year, but they’re like, “Nah, we should just solicit it.” So they send us stuff. It’s like, “We sent you this item; now please pay us.” But it’s not an item you asked for or even want. It’s like thanking someone for something they got you that you already had, that they know you already had because they got you the same thing last year, and you now have to pay them for it. Though maybe I’m misunderstanding. Maybe we’re not actually supposed to be sending money, and they’re just sending us these things for free, as a thank you for paying them tuition in the past. Maybe we’re just supposed to put a thank-you note in the envelope. Do you think they’re surprised when people send money? “What are we supposed to do with this?” “I don’t know; add it to the pile.”

Are we supposed to send the Hoshanos card back in the second envelope so they can say, “OK, this family already has this. Let’s send them something else next year.” They always send the same two things: 1. A Hoshanos card. 2. A booklet of simanim foods for Rosh Hashana. Now, individually, these things are great and very useful. Hoshanos cards are great, because I only have so many hands, and Artscroll refuses to divide their Sukkos Machzor into a 3-volume set. But how often do I need a new one? What do you think is happening to my old ones? You think I’m just dropping them randomly all over shul as I go around? I need one per person who goes to shul and that’s it. I keep offering them to my guests, and they say, “I brought my own!” And I’m pretty sure the guests keep leaving them in my house, too. Simanim booklets are also great to have, because yes, I have a machzor, but some of the simanim are sticky. And the others involve fish. Or pomegranate juice. But then I have the booklet for the

next year, too! You’re the one who decided to laminate it! At this point, we have a simanim card for everyone at the table, which is nice in concept, but then each person insists that the correct nusach for each Yehi Ratzon is the one on the random card they picked up and not like the other people’s random cards that they picked up. Can we come to an agreement about what the carrots are for, please? Are they gezer or mehren? “Well, we already said sheyirbeh zechuyoseinu on the pomegranate.” “Well, we already said shetikra ro’a g’zar dineninu on the gourds!” “Well, we also said sheyirbeh zechuyoseinu again on the black-eyed peas.” Or at least put both possible Yehi Ratzons under the carrot and write, “Some say this one,” so that we don’t all shout out different Yehi Ratzons at the same time. Even the Artscroll machzor doesn’t write “some say,” in this one specific instance. This is the one instance. Meanwhile, I don’t have a card that has yom tov kiddush. No, for that I have to balance my wife’s machzor on top of

the challos. Sure, there are some things that we get that we do need to replace every year: Bedikas Chometz kits Calendars, September to September Omer reminders Candle-lighting magnets Oh, and also Shana Tovah Cards – the kind that your elderly relatives send you around Rosh Hashana that says, “Thinking of you on this new year.” “I’m thinking of you, too. I should probably get back to having kavana.” On the back of the card is the name of the organization, so that you can both send money. And then on the front, there is a picture of, say, a dove eating olives. “Oh, I think this one is for Parshas Noach.” The idea is that you’ll send them to other people. Which you will not, because you’re pretty sure they got them, too. And they know you got these for free. You’re not really thinking of them on this new year; you’re thinking, “How do I get rid of these before the organization sends me more?” Maybe if you keep

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them in a drawer long enough so the organization redesigns their front picture, you can send them to people who are not old enough to have gotten this design in the mail. Which is exactly what your grandmother did. But I guess the question is “Yeah, but what should they send?” Not every organization can send calendars. There’s such a thing as too many calendars. They can at least send slight variations every year, with a different design. Take a cue from the Shana Tovah people. Though maybe that would make it worse. There’s this kollel in my town that sent a magnet once with a tefillah to be protected from bad gezeiros. And you’re like, “That’s a nice thing to put on the fridge! Or the front door!” And then the next year they sent out a different tefillah to be protected from bad gezeiros. Maybe the first one didn’t work. They got a lot of negative feedback. Maybe a lot of people put it on their bumper and then other people tried reading it and crashed into them. “Do you guys have maybe a different tefillah?” And it turns out they did! But now

we have both hanging up, because we don’t know which one is more effective. This is not an easy thing to test scientifically. So sending items with slight variation isn’t always helpful. But maybe they can send entirely new things. It’s like they made certain things and then stopped. And yes, eventually people will be sick of getting

Kiddush, obviously. Tashlich – The full version. Laminated, in case it starts raining in middle. (Heads up: A lot of these things are going to be laminated.) Laminated Sukkos bentching – Not even the regular laminated. Super laminated. Like almost not see-through anymore. The ones we use have been

Can we come to an agreement about what the carrots are for, please? Are they gezer or mehren?

these new items, too. But the organizations can send them in a multi-year cycle. And that way, instead of carrying a heavy machzor everywhere, everyone would just be walking around with like 17-18 pamphlets in their jackets at all times. Plus their heavy machzor. So here goes:

dissolving from year to year. Kaparos – Also super laminated, in case the chicken gets excited. As someone who raises chickens, I actually know how to hold a chicken so that it won’t get excited all over you, but it requires two hands, so I can’t hold a chicken and a machzor. And this shouldn’t be a card that you wear on your wrist, because the only one who would be able to read that is the chicken. Tefillah for leaving the sukkah – Must also be waterproof, because you are definitely going to leave it in the sukkah. Hakafos – I can’t believe we have Hoshanos cards, but not Hakafos cards. It’s a no-brainer! Because sometimes you put your machzor on a table, and then when you come back, you can’t even find the table. And it should also have a sleeve feature, in case your arms are full, with a Sefer Torah and your candy and your kids and their candy. Birchas Kohanim – Instead of squeezing ten overlapping machzorim under your tallis. L’Dovid Hashem Ori – For when you’ve already closed the siddur. (“What’s everyone saying? Oh.”) Also Barchi Nafshi. Lulav-ring instructional card, designed like IKEA instructions. Maybe a series of cards with various techniques, in case one doesn’t work for you. Bowing mat – Nothing fancy. You’ve been bowing on paper every year until now. But maybe they should write something on it, like, “Head goes here,” because way too many people put it under their knees. Birchas Habanim for Erev Yom

Kippur. Large print, for those with grandchildren. This way, you don’t have to rest your machzor on your son’s head like a shtender. Hataras nedarim. Seriously. Large print, translated, transliterated, pop-up, whatever it takes. L’shana tova tikaseiv card. Tikaseivu? Tikasavna? This way, people can just read it off the card, with minimal eye contact. And then pass the card to the other person/people so he/she/ they can say it back. (“What do we say from multiple people to one person?”) There can be a chart, with pictures in the IKEA drawing style. Instruction cards for how to eat the new fruits -- There’s no way we’re eating these new fruits right or at the correct point in their ripeness cycles, because none of them are that good. Honestly, I don’t even know how to eat a pomegranate. Bentching for the rest of Pesach. Some kind of car freshener for after you clean it for Pesach. Matzah bakery scent? Marror scent? Wine scent? They can send a different smell every year! (“Ooh, this year it’s eggs!”) Cards that say, “This room has been cleaned for Pesach,” because those somehow disappear every year. (These should also probably come in different scents.) But OK, so maybe it would cost them more to do a different thing every year. Maybe they ordered a billion Hoshanos cards one year for a really good price, and they’ve been dipping into that pile every single year. “We couldn’t think of enough people to send this to! Take another one!” Is this why you keep getting them from organizations you’ve never heard of? “Yes, we did. Remember our son farhered at that yeshiva and didn’t get in?” “Oh, yeah. We should send them money.” Maybe they do plan to order something else when they run out, but they never do because everyone but you sends them back. So now they’re just unloading the entire pile on you, one year at a time.

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. He can be contacted at mschmutter@gmail.com.

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Are we investing too much in things that are only temporary?

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