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October 15, 2026

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Dear Readers,

ometimes, I feel like the yom tov season puts us into airplane mode. No, I’m not talking about how we’re flying high, although that is certainly true. I’m referring to the fact that during the yomim tovim, we operate on a different plane, untethered to many of our consistent, everyday responsibilities. When we’re told to buckle our seatbelts and prepare for a flight, we’re also asked to turn off our phones or put them on airplane mode – detaching our devices from all wireless signals. During the flight, we’re able to sit back and relax and take in our journey. There are no emails coming in, no phone calls or text messages or WhatsApps to grab our attention. The yomim tovim are like that. We’re so focused on the davening and the messages of the month that the responsibilities of the rest of the year fade into the background. Between tefillos and introspection and the busyness of preparing meals and hosting and building sukkahs and connecting with others, we are so absorbed in the loftiness of the days, that many mundane matters are almost overlooked. But then comes Cheshvan, and we’re told to take our phones off airplane mode. There are no more yomim tovim to prepare for, no more days spent fully in shul. And for most of us, we turn those “phones” on gingerly – we want to stay ensconced in that higher level of living that we enjoyed the past few weeks. But life goes on, and reality sets in, and pretty soon we are – ever so quickly – into work and homework and bills and appointments.

The trick, though, may be to remember that it is our choice to decide if we want to fully lock into the realities of life. Maybe we can ease into “real life” with the awareness that we are only turning on our phones, not turning off the connection we’ve forged over the past few weeks. Because the truth is, even when we’re back on the ground, we can still carry a little of that altitude with us. We can still rise above the noise and distractions of everyday life and remember that there is something greater than the endless to-do lists and responsibilities that fill our days. And perhaps that is our tafkid during these next few months: to recognize that even as we go about our daily routines, we can always switch back into airplane mode for a few moments. We can pause amid the chaos, disconnect from the constant demands on our attention, and reconnect with Hashem, with ourselves, and with the purpose of our journey. The connection we felt during the yomim tovim was never meant to be confined to a few special weeks on the calendar. It was meant to accompany us throughout the year, infusing even the most ordinary moments with meaning. The challenge of Cheshvan – and of all the months that follow – is to take the heights we reached during Tishrei and bring them down into the everyday. After all, airplane mode isn’t just for when we’re flying. Sometimes, it’s what helps us remember how to soar. Wishing you a wonderful week, 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.

Shabbos Zemanim

Weekly Weather | October 16 – October 22

Friday, October 16 Parshas Noach

FRIDAY

SHABBOS

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

AM Rain

Partly Cloudy/Wind

Sunny

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

70° 52°

55° 40°

57° 46°

64° 49°

67° 52°

68° 50°

67° 52°

Candle Lighting: 5:55 pm Shabbos Ends: 6:53 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 7:24 pm

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Contents

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

Community Happenings

NEWS

Global

National

That’s Odd

ISRAEL Israel News

Widow Whisperer by Barbara Deutsch 80

JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Wein on the Parsha

Surviving the Flood by Rav Moshe Weinberger

Delving into the Daf by Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

Headlines and Halacha by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

The Extraordinary Ordinary by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman

PEOPLE Inspiration Nation

Feeding an Army by Avi Heiligman

120

HEALTH & FITNESS School of Thought

Down the Rabbit Hole by Rivka Kramer

When Did an Egg Stop Being an Egg? by Dr. Hylton Lightman

100

TikTok Supplements by Aliza Beer, MS, RD

102

FOOD & LEISURE The Aussie Gourmet: Chicken and Cabbage Bake

108

Food For Thought

110

LIFESTYLES

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW

Parenting Pearls

The Renovation Roadmap

104

Book Nook

106

Where Did That Just Go? by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

126

HUMOR Centerfold

Shmooze and Muse by Mordechai Schmutter

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

112

Zohran Mamdani’s Moral Obscenity

116

The Plan To End the Ukraine War by David Ignatius

118

CLASSIFIEDS

122

Dear Editor, Rabbi Eytan Feiner conveyed a world-changing thought from Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. A fundamental question relates as to why Adam had to pray for rain. He lived in an ecosystem nourished by a river in lush surroundings. Rov Dovid answers that Adam’s prayers were meant for the world’s ecosystem, not his own. His prayer was for the world to reach its full bloom. The story is told of a yeshiva bachur who approached Rabbi Natan Tzvi Finkel, zt”l, before Rosh Hashana, telling him that he didn’t know what to pray for. The Rosh Yeshiva answered to pray for someone else. Our prayers should be for others as well as for ourselves. Regarding this week’s parsha, Rabbi Dovid Hirsch quotes the Arizal who says if you rearrange the letters of the word “macheini” from Moshe’s statement, “macheini na misifrecha,” erase me from Your book, where Moshe expresses to G-d to erase his name from the Torah if the generation is killed out, you come out with the words mei Noach, the waters of Noach, the indictment against Noach for failing to pray for his generation to be saved from the flood. Moshe rectified Noach’s failings, as he conditioned his life on the survival of the generation. One should pray for the world’s welfare, a mandate established in man’s first prayer. Steven Genack Dear Editor, Thank you for publishing the spread on how it feels to marry off a daughter. As a mother who just recently married off a first child, albeit a son, this feature really spoke to me as I’m sure it did to many others. Many of my peers have just entered this stage as well, and we often

mention how we would love guidance in navigating this particular area. If any of the local rabbanim, therapists, mentors would offer classes, I’m sure they would be well received! Thank you, AS Dear Editor, I was intrigued by the joint grandmothers’ letter that appeared in the Navidaters column in the pre-Yom Kippur issue. They addressed many valid issues, but I think they missed a major area. I find that many singles don’t fully understand how to handle the major responsibilities involved in marriage. They weren’t taught these skills. I don’t know if this fault lies with the parents or the yeshivos. I know a few boys who have dated girls whose parents pressure them to ask the boy for an engagement commitment. The girl does not yet understand that marriage involves more than just shared interests and having fun together. She is just following her parents’ demands. I think it would be extremely useful if yeshivos and kollelim taught both boys and girls some vital marriage skills. These should first include communication skills and proper etiquette. Even shadchanim should loosen some of the rules. I was surprised to learn that there is a rule that boys cannot tell the girl how good she looks on the first or second date. Why not? Don’t girls and boys like to be flattered? And why not be honest from the beginning? Dates are extremely expensive. I’m not suggesting that boys mention a specific amount that they can spend on a date. But I think they should not be pressured into going to a restaurant that is Continued on page 14

How often do you get your car washed?

34% 30% 16% 20% Never

Once a year

Twice a year

A few times a year

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Continued from page 12

beyond their budget. First, girls should respect this and not insist on going out to an expensive place or order one of the most expensive dishes on the menu. And, it should be acceptable for a boy to tell the date when he can’t afford a certain place. Both boys and girls should be taught some basic financial management. Seriously, if neither the future husband and wife have sufficient income to pay basic bills and food expenses, how can you expect a successful happy marriage when children and yeshiva expenses start mounting? I know that many such families survive on parents’ support, but even among wealthy parents, how long can this arrangement continue? Both boys and girls should be taught crisis management. How do they handle major problems such as a terminally ill spouse or a child? How about infertility, loss of a job, and even more minor problems such as a child failing in school, bullying, and an array of similar problems? Is the couple able to handle such tough situations calmly and work together, or do they get angry at each other or cave in? Lastly, even boys should learn some home economics. In my home, I plan almost all the Shabbat and Yom Tov meals. I shop for items, plan the menu, and I chop vegetables and cook or bake almost the entire Shabbat meal each week. I fit this into my already busy schedule. My yeshiva didn’t teach me these skills. I asked my grandmother and some other relatives, viewed some cookbook recipes, asked some friends for ideas, and I began doing this at a young age. Yes, there’s nothing wrong with men baking challahs. What do you think happens in a bakery? Yeshivos should be teaching some of these skills, and parents should fill in for what’s missing. I’m somewhat puzzled as to why most of these ideas aren’t being done. To me, these skills should be as important as

learning what Rashi says about something in the Gemara. How about knowing how to respond to what your spouse asks you to do about your child’s math homework? If we put a bit more emphasis on marriage skills, we can assure numerous more successful shidduchim and marriages. Daniel Feldman Dear Editor, Below is a list of radical legislation passed in the last few years by Democrats in New York State.  Replacing the word “mother” with “gestating parent” and “father” with “non-gestating parent.”  Gender X option on driver’s license.  Defeating legislation protecting girls’ sports from allowing boys. They reject basic biology and think gender is assigned at birth.  Medical Aid in Dying.  A state commission to consider reparations for slavery.  Bail reform, raise the age, and criminal discovery reform laws, which have released recidivist criminals to repeatedly commit crimes.  Decriminalizing loitering for purposes of prostitution. A pending bill would seek to expunge the records of those previously convicted.  Legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. If Democrats retain or increase their power then there will be more insane, left-wing policies in the future. Electing a Democrat increases the Democrat majority and helps advance their radical, left-wing agenda. Those who are elected as Democrats mostly vote with the party. Even if you may not agree with Republicans on some issues, the only way to save New York is to vote Republican. Sincerely, Moshe Tassalman

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to transform itself into a global business and tourism destination are facing a major challenge as deadly missile attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels threaten the kingdom’s security and economic future. A series of strikes on Riyadh’s international airport over the weekend killed at least 13 people, wounded more than 300 and forced widespread flight cancellations, casting uncertainty over several high-profile international conferences scheduled for later this month. The attacks come as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seeks to attract billions of dollars in foreign investment to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil-dependent economy. Among the upcoming events is the Future Investment Initiative, often called “Davos in the Desert,” scheduled for October 26. Prominent executives, including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, are expected to attend. Organizers insist the conference will proceed, promising extensive security measures at airports, hotels and meeting venues. However, concerns are already affecting attendance at other major events. Several leading energy executives, including the heads of ExxonMobil, Shell and BP, withdrew from the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, while Italy’s energy minister opted to participate remotely. The escalating attacks highlight a difficult choice for Saudi leadership: intensify military operations against the Houthis in neighboring Yemen or pursue negotiations to restore stability. “The Houthis’ ability to retaliate asymmetrically, in a way that hurts, puts the Saudi leadership in a quandary,” said Michael Ratney, a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis have increasingly targeted critical Saudi infrastructure, including oil refineries, pipelines and shipping routes, threatening the economic stability that the kingdom has worked to establish. Saudi Arabia has also sought additional American military assistance, but President Donald Trump has been reluctant to open another major military front as the United States continues its war with Iran. Trump said on Saturday that Washington was considering joining Saudi airstrikes against Houthi targets but indicated that communication with the militia was continuing. Meanwhile, Iran has offered to mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, although Saudi officials remain skeptical of Tehran’s intentions, being that they are the sponsor of the terror group. For Mohammed bin Salman, the stakes extend far beyond the immediate conflict. His sweeping economic reforms depend on convincing international investors, businesses and tourists that Saudi Arabia is a safe, reliable destination. “You can’t do that when people can’t land in your country safely,” noted Kristen Smith Diwan, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute.

Congo’s New Rebel Leader

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been named the leader of a new rebel coalition seeking to oust the government. The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) said it aimed to coordinate “resistance forces” to end “tyranny” in Democratic Republic of Congo and would pursue the goal “by all means, including force.” Kabila was sentenced to death in absentia for treason in October 2025. He had previously denied having links to the M23 rebel group. This week’s announcement highlights his direct involvement in an armed movement. The coalition was announced at a press conference at Kabila’s residence in Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo, which has been under the control of

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

the M23 since last year. M23 leader Sultani Makenga will serve as one of Kabila’s four deputies in the new movement. The other three also come from the AFC-M23 alliance which last year seized much of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo. The announcement of the new group comes days after Kabila delivered an address in which he said he would set out how Congolese people should act to “rescue” their country. On Friday, Kabila accused President Félix Tshisekedi’s government of disregarding proposals he had put forward last year, including some aimed at ending the conflict in eastern DR Congo. Kabila also accused the government of undermining constitutional rule, mismanaging the economy, and failing to improve security. He further alleged arbitrary arrests of political opponents and military officers. Kabila, 55, ruled DR Congo from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi took office following a disputed election. More than 100 militia groups are active in eastern DR Congo amid ethnic tensions and fighting for political power and control of lucrative natural resources. Tshisekedi’s second term ends in 2028, but in May, he said that elections, which are due then, may not be held because of the conflict. He also hinted that he may seek re-election for a third term “if the people want.” The parliament has since passed a bill that could pave the way for a referendum that could remove the constitution’s two-term limit.

Spain Bars Voting for Some Citizens Abroad

Spain’s Supreme Court has upheld a controversial decision barring potentially tens of thousands of newly naturalized citizens living abroad from voting in next month’s general election, dealing a setback to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as he fights to remain in power. The court on Monday rejected a government appeal seeking to restore voting rights to people who obtained Spanish citizenship through a 2022 law benefiting descendants of those who fled Spain

during its civil war and the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. The legislation granted citizenship to descendants of Spaniards who escaped political persecution during the 19361939 civil war and Franco’s subsequent dictatorship, which lasted until 1975. However, conservative and far-right opposition parties have accused Sanchez’s Socialist government of using the law to expand the voter rolls with potentially sympathetic voters, particularly from Latin America. In September, the Supreme Court temporarily suspended voting rights for certain beneficiaries, demanding additional documentation proving their connection to Spaniards who had been forced into exile. Monday’s ruling keeps that restriction in place for the November 29 election, although individuals who can demonstrate that their parents or grandparents fled political, ideological or other specified forms of persecution may still be permitted to vote. According to court figures, more than 163,000 people who obtained nationality under the law were registered as overseas voters as of August 1. An additional 97,000 applications had been approved but not yet added to the voter rolls, while more than 304,000 were still being reviewed. It remains unclear exactly how many voters will ultimately be excluded. Sanchez has strongly rejected accusations of electoral manipulation, accusing the opposition of attempting to strip Spanish citizens of their democratic rights. “What does this mean? That the grandchildren of the exiles of Francoism will not be able to vote, and the grandchildren of the Francoist regime will?” Sanchez asked supporters at a campaign rally on Sunday. Opposition leaders celebrated the court’s decision. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative Popular Party, said the ruling demonstrated that the judiciary had placed the public interest above the government’s political agenda. Far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal was more direct. “You cannot manufacture voters illegitimately and illegally,” he said, accusing Sanchez of attempting to manipulate the election. The dispute comes at a difficult moment for Sanchez, who called an early election after his government failed to pass housing measures intended to address widespread public protests.

With polls showing his Socialists trailing the conservative opposition, the battle over overseas voting rights has added another contentious issue to an already heated election campaign.

India Detains “Cockroach” Leaders

Police in India detained several leaders of a youth-led protest movement on Tuesday after they broke through security barricades at a heavily guarded demonstration site in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of the country’s top election official. The activists, members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were protesting a controversial revision of India’s voter registration lists that critics say could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were among those taken into custody after entering Jantar Mantar, a historic observatory that has long served as a gathering place for political demonstrations. Videos shared on social media showed protesters climbing over barricades, waving Indian flags, and chanting slogans before police escorted them away. Party founder Abhijeet Dipke posted footage of the detentions, declaring, “You cannot de-notify the resistance.” The confrontation came just one day after India’s federal government announced that Jantar Mantar would no longer be an authorized protest location. Authorities designated three alternative sites where demonstrations could be held with police permission. The decision followed several days of widespread unrest over changes to India’s electoral rolls. Opposition parties accuse the Election Commission of removing millions of names from voter lists in a move they claim benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Both the government and the Election Commission have denied allegations of political interference, maintaining that the revisions are legitimate administrative measures.

Demonstrators have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of overseeing a process that could prevent eligible citizens from voting. The controversy has triggered largescale demonstrations across New Delhi, with police deploying thousands of officers, closing subway stations and restricting access to major protest locations. Over the weekend, authorities detained thousands of demonstrators, including several journalists. Videos circulating online appeared to show police forcibly removing protesters and loading them onto buses. On Monday, opposition lawmakers marched through central Delhi toward the Supreme Court, while the main opposition Congress party filed a legal challenge to the voter list revisions. The Cockroach Janta Party, which gained prominence during student protests over examination irregularities earlier this year, has emerged as a prominent force in the demonstrations. Despite repeated detentions, its leaders have vowed to continue protesting. Ranka, broadcasting from a police bus following Tuesday’s arrest, appeared alongside other detainees and insisted that their movement would not back down. The demonstrations have intensified political tensions as Modi’s government faces growing criticism over the electoral changes and its handling of public protests. Cockroach Janta Party was founded by Abhijeet Dipke in May 2026 and parodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The movement started after the Chief Justice of India compared unemployed or critical young people to parasites and “cockroaches.” Although it has a massive online following, with millions of supporters across social media platforms like X and Instagram, it is not a formally registered political party with the Election Commission of India.

Nobel for AntiIsrael Jurist The decision to award the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to former United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay has sparked sharp criticism from Jewish advocacy organizations, which accuse the South African jurist of longstanding anti-Israel bias and defending antisemitic remarks. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday that Pillay, 85, would

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

receive the award for her work advancing international law and holding perpetrators of war crimes and genocide accountable.

However, critics argue that her record investigating Israel raises serious questions about her impartiality. “We are shocked that the Nobel Committee honored Navi Pillay,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of the Geneva-based watchdog UN Watch. “Her troubling record on antisemitism and gross breach of ethics in presiding over a notorious U.N. commission utterly disqualifies her from such an award.” Pillay, who served as U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014, was appointed in 2021 to lead a U.N. commission investigating alleged Israeli violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories. In September 2025, the commission issued a report accusing Israel of com-

mitting genocide in Gaza, allegations that Israel strongly rejected as politically motivated. The report did not constitute a ruling by an international court. UN Watch pointed to Pillay’s previous public statements, including her support for a 2020 campaign urging sanctions against Israel, arguing that she had demonstrated bias before accepting the investigative position. Another controversy arose in 2022 when fellow commissioner Miloon Kothari made remarks referring to a “Jewish lobby” allegedly influencing criticism of the investigation and questioned Israel’s membership in the United Nations. Pillay defended Kothari, saying his comments had been taken out of context. Kothari subsequently apologized for his remarks. Anne Bayefsky, president of Human Rights Voices, condemned the Nobel decision, accusing Pillay of using human rights institutions to undermine Israel. “This award stands as a testament to human wrongs,” Bayefsky said. During Pillay’s tenure as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Human Rights Council passed 39 resolutions slamming Israel. By comparison, North Korea was the target of six resolutions, and Iran was the target

of just four. Other serial human rights abusers, including Cuba, China, Pakistan, Russia, Qatar, and Turkey, were not highlighted at all for their abuses. According to human rights lawyer Emma Reilly, who was on Pillay’s staff at the Human Rights Council, Pillay did not simply shield China from sanction but actively assisted in its crushing of dissidents. According to Reilly, Pillay and her staff passed the names of 50 dissidents to the Chinese authorities, many of whom were detained, tortured, and “killed in concentration camps.” Reilly argues that Pillay is personally “complicit” in the genocide of the Uyghur minority in northwestern China. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Pillay’s decades of work fighting discrimination and strengthening international legal institutions. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated her, describing her as a champion of international law who had demonstrated that “the force of law must prevail over the law of force.” Born in South Africa during apartheid, Pillay became a pioneering judge and later served on international tribunals investigating atrocities in Rwanda and elsewhere.

11 Sailors Missing in Drone Attack

Eleven sailors were missing on Tuesday after a drone attack sank a cargo ship off the coast of Bulgaria, raising concerns about the growing threat to commercial shipping in the Black Sea as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues. Bulgarian authorities said two cargo vessels were struck by drones overnight, with one sinking near the coastal village of Krapets. Five crew members were rescued from the sunken vessel, identified as the Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity, while search-and-rescue teams continued looking for 11 others. A second cargo ship, the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3, was struck by three drones. All 15 crew members, including seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, were rescued without serious injuries.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

The attacks prompted Bulgaria to summon Russia’s ambassador, although Bulgarian officials stopped short of directly blaming Moscow. “This is absolutely unacceptable — another attack in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters,” Prime Minister Rumen Radev said in a televised address. Radev added that the consequences of the attacks “benefit the Russian Federation.” Russia has not publicly accepted responsibility for the incidents. Following a meeting with Bulgarian officials, Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova said she had received no information from Moscow’s Defense Ministry about attacks on commercial vessels and suggested that a third party might have been responsible. The latest incident comes just one week after another cargo ship was sunk by drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone, leaving nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian missing. European leaders condemned the latest attacks, warning that the conflict is increasingly threatening international maritime trade. “The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media. “Those responsible should be held accountable.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of deliberately endangering civilian lives and threatening global food supplies. “The Black Sea is a lifeline for global food security,” he said. Bulgaria has requested additional assistance from NATO and the European Union to strengthen surveillance of its airspace and coastal waters. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would continue adjusting its military presence along its eastern flank as necessary.

Starlink Arrests German police detained two more people on Tuesday in connection with a fire at a Starlink station in Poland last month, bringing ‌the total arrested to four. Poland said on Monday that two Turkish men had been detained in Germany on suspicion of being responsible for the blaze. The blaze at the Starlink station in central Poland in September engulfed its power system and backup generator. Poland said at the time it believed the

fire was an act of sabotage aimed at disrupting internet services, including the internet used by Ukraine’s military, and blamed Russia.

The woman arrested in Germany on Tuesday may have acted as a driver. Polish prosecutors will be assessing the extent of her involvement and decide whether there are grounds to seek her extradition. The woman’s nationality is not known. A spokesperson for Germany’s Federal Criminal Police said the agency coordinated the exchange of information between Polish and German authorities in connection with the detention of three individuals. Officials from several European Union countries have warned for months that Russia has been mounting sabotage, cyber, and other hybrid attacks across Europe to erode support for Ukraine. Moscow says such accusations are baseless and the result of anti-Russian hysteria.

Fridges Hacked in France

Officials were also working with other European governments amid concerns that the attack may have extended beyond France. Les Mousquetaires, which owns the Intermarché supermarket chain, said approximately 150 of its stores were affected. Refrigerators at some locations remained at dangerously high temperatures for roughly six hours, forcing the company to discard all potentially compromised food as a safety precaution. Dominique Schelcher, chief executive of Coopérative U, said his company’s supermarkets were also hit. “Targeting equipment essential to the preservation of fresh products and to the food supply of the French people is of extreme gravity and is unprecedented,” Schelcher wrote on X. French media reported that E Leclerc, the country’s largest supermarket chain, was also affected, with hackers allegedly triggering forced defrosting systems remotely at numerous stores. Meanwhile, supermarket operator Ahold Delhaize said it was dealing with a separate “security issue” and had taken some systems offline. Its Albert Heijn stores in the Netherlands and Belgium remained open, but the company’s app and delivery systems were disrupted, while some electronic price displays showed incorrect information. Delhaize supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg were also reportedly affected. It was not immediately clear whether the disruptions outside France were connected to the French attacks. According to a source close to Lecornu, ANSSI identified a vulnerability in software supplied by Danish engineering company Danfoss as part of its investigation.

UK: Iran Targeting Hackers launched a sweeping cyber- Our Military Sites

attack against French supermarkets on Sunday night, remotely forcing refrigerator temperatures to soar, and causing food losses and fires at hundreds of stores across the country. The Paris prosecutor’s office said Monday that the attack targeted connected refrigeration systems used by several major food retailers. In some cases, refrigerators were reportedly heated to as much as 50 degrees Celsius — 122 degrees Fahrenheit — for hours. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu directed the country’s national cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, to investigate.

Iran is increasingly targeting military installations in Britain, with a suspected September plot against a U.S.-operated air base representing part of a broader campaign, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency warned on Tuesday.

Ken McCallum, director-general of MI5, said Iranian operations in Britain have expanded beyond targeting opponents of Tehran’s government to include military facilities and other strategically important locations. Another “major shift this year has been Iranian ambitions to come at harder targets, like military sites,” McCallum said. He pointed to the September 27 security incident at RAF Fairford, a military base in western England used by American bombers during this year’s war against Iran. The incident “is not unique. There have been other examples, not just in the UK but around the world,” McCallum warned. The suspected plot prompted a major security operation, with dozens of nearby residents evacuated as armed police and military bomb-disposal teams searched the area. Investigators discovered gasoline in three vans but found no explosives. Seven men in their 20s were arrested and subsequently released on bail while investigations continue. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that the suspected operation was “almost certainly” orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Tehran has denied involvement, although Iranian officials have previously warned that military bases used to launch attacks against Iran are legitimate targets. The security scare prompted the United States to withdraw its bombers from RAF Fairford. McCallum also highlighted Iranian-linked arson and sabotage attacks against Jewish institutions in Britain, warning that Tehran and Moscow are intensifying their campaigns of covert operations and disruption. He said MI5’s work countering threats from foreign governments, particularly Iran, Russia and China, has quadrupled over the past decade. Beyond traditional security threats, McCallum raised concerns about artificial intelligence potentially helping terrorists develop biological weapons. He warned that AI could provide dangerous scientific information to extremists or even assist in creating previously unknown pathogens. “One risk is that AI could enable dangerous knowledge to get into the hands of people we would all rather didn’t have that knowledge,” he said. MI5 has established a new AI Threat Assessment Center to examine emerging dangers.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Describing Britain’s security environment as a turning point comparable to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, McCallum warned that rapidly advancing technology is creating unprecedented challenges for intelligence agencies. “Human history has given us no experience of facing an actor which is smarter than we are,” he said. “It is capable of outthinking us.”

Tragedy on a School Trip

A school trip near Israel’s northern border turned into a scene of tragedy and heroism on Monday when an unexploded ordnance detonated, killing a 15-year-old boy and injuring several other students. As emergency responders rushed to the scene near the Lebanese border, the wounded teenagers sprang into action, using belts, socks and whatever materials they could find to create makeshift tourniquets and help their injured friends. The deadly blast occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, when the group from the ORT Ma’alot school were hiking the Naftali Mountains Forest scenic route in the Ramim Ridge area. The school hike – a 3-day trip along the Israel Trail – was approved by authorities, despite a sign posted by the KKL-JNF Jewish National Fund warning of “war damage,” and announcing an “absolute ban on entering forests and campsites.” One student, struck by shrapnel in his leg, called his father on video for instructions on how to stop the bleeding. “He called me right away, we scrambled the [Israel Defense Forces], and Magen David Adom [paramedics] and explained at the same time how to make a tourniquet,” his father, Dvir Klein, recounted. Among those who rushed to help was 15-year-old Yair Frankenthal, a youth volunteer with Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s emergency medical service. Despite being injured himself, Frankenthal

began assessing his classmates and administering first aid. “After the big explosion I heard, I felt that I was injured too, but I immediately started checking who needed medical help,” he recalled. Frankenthal discovered one boy who was seriously wounded and had no pulse. He immediately began CPR, continuing until paramedics arrived. Emergency personnel praised the students for their extraordinary composure. “Despite the difficult scenes and distress, the boys cooperated with me in an extraordinary way,” one MDA medic said. “Each one tried to help his friend as much as he could, some even making tourniquets to stop the bleeding.” Tamir Duadi, a member of the nearby Kibbutz Manara civil defense squad, became emotional when describing the scene. “They were sitting there, holding their friends, taking care of them, making them tourniquets,” he told Channel 12. “Awesome kids did great work with me, until MDA arrived.” The student killed in the explosion was identified as ninth-grader Elazar Yair Wilensky. According to classmates, Wilensky had spotted what appeared to be part of a missile in a wooded area off the hiking trail. Fascinated by military equipment, he reportedly approached the object and began examining it before it suddenly exploded. Friends described Wilensky as exceptionally bright, curious, and knowledgeable about weapons and military technology. “He was particularly interested in wars, in missiles and weapons,” they recalled, saying he could identify different types of equipment and explain their functions in remarkable detail. Wilensky, 13, was the youngest of five siblings – three sisters and a brother – and was “smart, wise and full of joy for life. A loving and good friend, whose whole life was ahead of him,” according to his family. Wilensky was a competitive fencer, considered among the best of his age group in Israel, according to the Ynet news site. In total as of Tuesday morning, five children were in serious condition as a result of the blast. During the recent war, Hezbollah launched several Grad rockets containing dozens of BRB1-type (also known as A-09) submunitions at northern Israel. The rockets spread the submunitions over wide areas, and they often do not explode on impact. Images from Monday

indicated this was the type of ordnance encountered by the group. Authorities subsequently discovered additional explosive remnants in the area.

Kfar Saba Mayor Arrested

On Monday, police arrested Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa’ar and his wife, along with 15 other suspects, on suspicion of receiving bribes from individuals, some of them criminals, in exchange for tenders in various fields within the local authority. According to the Kan public broadcaster, an over a year-long undercover investigation by the Lahav 433 special crimes unit determined that bribes worth millions of shekels were involved in the entire tender period, a year after Sa’ar was elected. The probe found that known criminal elements in central Israel were involved in handling the bribes in exchange for winning tenders, Israel Police said in a statement, adding that the criminals committed violent acts during the period. According to Kan, the mayor’s wife, Meital Sa’ar, was in direct contact with the various businessmen and individuals with financial interests, some of them criminals, in exchange for cash. Those involved knew that a give-and-take relationship with the mayor’s wife was key so that she would operate behind the scenes to ensure they were favored to win tenders, Kan reported. According to the police, the mayor and the head of a financial firm would act to ensure the granting of tenders to the bribers. The cash received was allegedly used by Meital Sa’ar for international trips and luxury items, Kan reported, noting that the mayor drove a Tesla, while his wife drove an Audi. Additionally, police reportedly discovered in their investigation that criminal elements helped Sa’ar get elected by vote buying and convincing other candidates to drop out. Police suspected that the suspects committed crimes including public corruption, bribery, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, tax offenses, and more.

Police on Monday morning arrested 17 people, including the mayor and his wife and the head of the financial firm, who has yet to be identified. Seven others were detained for questioning. Searches of municipal offices and the couple’s home found organized collections of cash hidden in the home. Luxury watches and bags in the mayoral couple’s possession, and evidence of overseas flights and purchases were reportedly found by police. On their last international trip, Meital Sa’ar was questioned by customs over NIS 20,000 ($6,500) of cash in her possession. In response to the allegations, Mayor Sa’ar said in a statement that he understood “the concern and the questions” and that he intended to cooperate with the investigation.

Abbas Delays Elections – Again

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has once again postponed Palestinian elections, pushing a long-awaited legislative vote nearly a year into the future and blaming Israel for the delay. In a decree issued Saturday, Abbas canceled parliamentary elections scheduled for November 28 and announced that both presidential and legislative elections would instead take place on September 11, 2027. The decision means Palestinians will continue waiting for elections after more than two decades without a national vote. Abbas, 90, was elected president in 2005 for a four-year term. His mandate expired in 2009, but he has remained in power ever since, governing by decree. According to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abbas cited “obstacles posed by Israeli measures” and said conditions were not suitable for “free, fair and inclusive elections.” The decree blamed Israeli military operations, settlement construction, violence by settlers and travel restrictions in the West Bank. It also pointed to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and alleged Israeli restrictions preventing election officials and international observers from

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

fulfill his commitment to holding elections. French officials reiterated last week that voting was essential to restoring legitimacy to the Palestinian leadership.

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Code Global Trade

entering certain areas. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply rejected the accusations, accusing Abbas of using Israel as an excuse to avoid facing voters. “Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian corrupt dictator, who has not held elections in over twenty years, has once again deceived the international community,” Sa’ar wrote on X. He called Abbas’s claims against Israel “yet another ridiculous lie designed to

evade responsibility and accountability.” Abbas has repeatedly promised elections over the years, only to cancel or postpone them. The last Palestinian presidential election took place in 2005, while Hamas won the 2006 parliamentary elections. The following year, Hamas seized control of Gaza, driving out forces loyal to Abbas’s Fatah party. Since then, the Palestinian political leadership has remained deeply divided,

and Abbas’s popularity has declined amid widespread accusations of corruption and ineffective governance. Despite their rivalry with Fatah, both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad supported the latest postponement, arguing that more time was needed to resolve internal Palestinian divisions. The delay also comes despite international pressure for democratic reforms. France, which recognized a Palestinian state in 2025, had pressed Abbas to

Israel has revealed the name of the IDF’s emergency protocol for a civilian aircraft hijacking: Code Global Trade. The procedure was activated during the attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai passenger plane on September 30. Four F-16 fighter jets armed with airto-air missiles were scrambled over Israel after FlyDubai flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport, transmitted a distress signal. For several tense minutes, the Israeli Air Force prepared for the worst-case scenario: receiving an order to shoot down the passenger plane if it emerged that the hijacker intended to crash it into a populated area. The name of the military protocol, which was written in the wake of 9/11, was cleared for publication by Israeli military censors. The Israeli protocol addresses situations in which a civilian aircraft is turned from a means of transportation into a weapon against civilians. It includes procedures for scrambling fighter jets to escort the aircraft, attempting to establish contact with its crew, and, in the most extreme circumstances, intercepting and shooting it down while it is still airborne. The Israeli Air Force continuously monitors aircraft entering and leaving Israeli airspace and maintains contact with air traffic control towers in the region. Its assessments also incorporate intelligence information, including material provided by the Mossad and other intelligence agencies. If an aircraft is confirmed to have been hijacked and there is a danger that it will be deliberately crashed into a populated area, fighter pilots may be ordered to intercept it.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Red Cross Could Have Saved Lives

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has acknowledged that stronger pressure during negotiations to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas could have saved additional lives. In an interview with The New York Times published Saturday, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric reflected on the prolonged efforts to secure the release of Israelis kidnapped during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terrorist attack. “Pressure should have come earlier in the negotiations,” Spoljaric admitted. “We could have saved more lives.” Her remarks come after years of criticism directed at the Red Cross for failing to secure access to hostages held in Gaza, many of whom endured starvation,

abuse and prolonged confinement underground. Spoljaric defended the organization’s approach, explaining that gaining permission to visit hostages is often more difficult than negotiating their freedom. “Visiting hostages is much more complicated than bringing them back,” she said. She stressed that the captives should never have been used as bargaining chips. “They should have come back unconditionally as of Day 1. But that’s not the reality in which we operate, and so we have to work with the tools that we have.” Spoljaric revealed that she had conducted confidential discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was later killed by Israel. Her meeting with Haniyeh took place in Qatar. “These were tough discussions, and trust me, we are very frank in these meetings,” she said. The Red Cross faced intense scrutiny throughout the hostage crisis, particularly after declining to distribute medications intended for Israeli captives or verify that the supplies reached them. Former hostages have also publicly condemned the organization’s absence during their captivity.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council in March 2025, former hostage Eli Sharabi questioned why international humanitarian organizations had failed to intervene during his 491 days in Hamas captivity. “Where was the Red Cross when we needed them? Where was the United Nations?” he demanded, describing months of starvation and confinement in underground tunnels. That same month, former hostage Ohad Ben Ami told Germany’s parliament that he had not encountered a single Red Cross representative throughout his ordeal. “During the 491 days of my captivity, we didn’t see anyone [from the Red Cross],” he said.

Guilfoyle to Step Down The White House on Tuesday asked U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign amid an ongoing in-

vestigation into allegations of misconduct and improper financial dealings. “We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said during her first briefing in the role. “She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.” Guilfoyle, 57, a former television personality and longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, has faced growing scrutiny over allegations involving her conduct before and during her diplomatic posting. She is also the former fiancée of Donald Trump Jr.

The State Department’s inspector general has reportedly opened an investigation into Guilfoyle following reports that she sought financial favors and accepted luxury travel connected to wealthy Greek businessmen. Guilfoyle has denied wrongdoing. Among the most serious allegations is

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

a claim from Trump donor Eric Deters, who said Guilfoyle asked him to pay a $100,000 American Express bill shortly before her 2025 Senate confirmation hearing. Deters said Guilfoyle offered him access to senior Trump administration officials in return. “She was so desperate for that $100,000. It was a quid pro quo,” Deters said, adding that Guilfoyle told him he could ask her for “anything and everything in Trump world.” Deters said he ultimately did not make the payment. Attorneys for Guilfoyle have disputed his account, saying the money was owed to her for previous speaking engagements. They have also rejected allegations that Guilfoyle improperly accepted luxury travel, maintaining that she sought State Department guidance and complied with department regulations. Trump initially struck a cautious tone when questioned about the controversy last week, saying Guilfoyle had “always [been] very nice.” By Monday, however, his comments had become more pointed. “We’re looking at it,” Trump told reporters when asked whether he was considering dismissing Guilfoyle. “We’re not happy.” Vice President JD Vance had urged caution before the White House decision, saying the allegations should not be tried “in the court of public opinion.” “Let’s actually see what the facts are,” Vance said, adding that if misconduct occurred, “people have to suffer consequences for it.”

Rover Sets New Record on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover is going the extra mile — or, more accurately, the extra 28 miles. The six-wheeled robotic explorer has officially become the longest-traveling vehicle on another planet, logging 28.1 miles across the Martian surface since landing on the Red Planet in February 2021. The milestone surpasses the previous

record held by NASA’s Opportunity rover, which explored Mars from 2004 to 2018. Both vehicles have traveled farther than any rover sent to the moon. Perseverance reached the historic mark on Sunday while navigating terrain near the western rim of Jezero Crater, an ancient impact site that scientists believe once contained a lake many years ago. And despite spending more than five years navigating the rocky Martian landscape, the rover is showing no signs of running out of gas — figuratively speaking. “Perseverance’s engineering hardware and instruments are in excellent shape with all redundant systems still available,” Steven Lee, a project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, shared. Lee said recent evaluations indicate the rover could continue operating well into the 2030s, possibly even longer. Much of Perseverance’s remarkable journey has been accomplished without anyone behind the wheel. Its advanced autonomous navigation system, called AutoNav, handles approximately 90% of its driving, using cameras and three-dimensional maps to identify obstacles and chart safe routes. But Perseverance is doing considerably more than racking up mileage. The rover’s primary mission is to search for evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars, which scientists believe was once warmer and wetter than it is today. It has also collected rock and soil samples that could eventually be brought back to Earth for examination. Last year, NASA announced that Perseverance had discovered a possible sign of ancient microbial life in a reddish rock estimated to be many years old. Scientists have not confirmed that the finding represents evidence of life. Currently, Perseverance is exploring some of the oldest terrain encountered in the solar system. “The terrain we’re currently exploring may contain rocks older than any found on Earth,” Lee said. NASA has extended the rover’s mission through approximately 2028, allowing it to continue investigating ancient geological formations that may reveal whether Mars once supported life. Its original mission called for just 12.4 miles of driving. Having already more than doubled that distance, Perseverance is proving that, even on Mars, determination can take you a long way.

Ilhan Omar’s Home Raided

Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of a federal criminal investigation. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations, an investigative division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, executed a court-authorized search warrant at Omar’s residence on October 12. The Justice Department confirmed that the search was conducted as part of an ongoing criminal investigation but declined to provide details about the allegations. According to several news reports, the investigation centers on immigration documents submitted when Omar, who was born in Somalia, came to the United States as a child refugee. Federal authorities are reportedly reviewing paperwork completed by her late father. Omar, 44, has repeatedly denied allegations of immigration fraud, including longstanding accusations involving her previous marriage. The raid comes just three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, when Omar is seeking another term representing Minnesota’s heavily Democratic 5th Congressional District. Omar quickly condemned the search, accusing President Donald Trump of using federal law enforcement to intimidate political opponents. “I’m OK. Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement,” she wrote on social media. “I will not be silenced.” Trump, who has repeatedly clashed with Omar over immigration, Israel and other political issues, denied having any involvement in ordering the search. The congresswoman has been a frequent target of criticism from Trump and senior administration officials. Vice President JD Vance and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin have previously raised questions about her immigration history. Omar first entered Congress in 2019,

becoming the first Somali American elected to the House of Representatives. She is a member of the progressive group of Democratic lawmakers known as the “Squad,” whose members have frequently challenged Trump’s policies. House Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, denounced the raid as “deeply disturbing.” “For years, Donald Trump and farright extremists have relentlessly targeted Congresswoman Omar with vile personal attacks and baseless accusations,” they said in a joint statement.

Six Flags to Close 9 Rides

Six Flags has temporarily closed nine roller coasters at six amusement parks across North America following the death of a man who fell from a high-speed ride at Six Flags Over Georgia, outside Atlanta, this week. The closures were ordered as a precaution while authorities investigate the deadly incident involving the park’s popular Goliath roller coaster. According to Cobb County police, the man died after falling from a roller coaster on October 12. Several other passengers were injured. Witnesses told Atlanta television station 11 Alive that the man was ejected from his seat and struck parts of the ride three times as he fell. For now, it is uncertain why he fell from the ride. Six Flags officials said the decision to suspend operations on similar attractions was made “out of an abundance of caution.” The temporary shutdowns affect some of the company’s most prominent roller coasters, including Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois, and Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. Other affected attractions include Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario, Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina, and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island in Ohio. The Goliath coaster in Georgia, which opened in 2006, is among the park’s signature attractions. The towering ride

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

extensive combat operations during the ongoing war with Iran, was marked by food shortages, psychological strain, and prolonged separation from loved ones. Hundreds of family members gathered at the pier, waving American flags and holding welcome-home signs as the massive carrier entered San Diego Bay. For many, the emotional reunion followed months of anxiety and limited communication.

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reaches a height of 200 feet and sends passengers racing along its tracks at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. The incident has renewed concerns about amusement park safety, particularly on high-speed roller coasters that rely on specialized restraint systems to secure passengers during steep drops and sharp turns. Six Flags Over Georgia, which opened in 1967, has experienced several previous fatal incidents involving its attractions.

In 2002, a groundskeeper was killed after being struck by a passenger riding Batman: The Ride. Four years later, a 45-year-old man with a preexisting heart condition suffered a fatal heart attack aboard Goliath. In 2008, a teenager died after entering a restricted area beneath another roller coaster and being struck by the ride.

USS Lincoln Finally Home After nearly 11 months at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego on Thursday, bringing home approximately 5,000 sailors following one of the longest aircraft carrier deployments in modern U.S. Navy history. The 322-day mission, which included

“It was nerve-racking when he went days and weeks without communication,” said Lashonda Jones, whose 20-year-old son served aboard the ship. Some sailors returned to families that had grown during their absence. Eduardo Morales, 21, was among those preparing to meet his 5-month-old son for the first time. The Lincoln departed San Diego on November 21, 2025, before the war with Iran began in February. Its length of deployment came within five days of the 327-day record set by the USS Gerald R. Ford. Conditions aboard the carrier became increasingly difficult after Iranian attacks destroyed a major U.S. naval supply hub in Bahrain, forcing American forces to rely on supply routes thousands of miles away. Families reported that sailors received inadequate food portions and struggled with delayed or missing care packages. The extended deployment also took a toll on sailors’ mental health. Navy officials acknowledged that eight service members from the carrier strike group wanted to take their own lives during the mission. Despite those reports, military leaders defended the Navy’s handling of the deployment. “We never missed a mission. I also never missed a meal,” said Capt. Daniel J. Keeler, the carrier’s commanding officer, insisting that the ship maintained sufficient supplies to continue combat operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who joined the carrier for the final stretch of its voyage, praised the crew’s resilience and awarded it the Presidential Unit Citation. During the deployment, aircraft from

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

the Lincoln launched more than 10,000 sorties and dropped over 1.5 million pounds of munitions in operations connected to the Iran war. “My son makes me very proud,” said Jason Tisdale, a retired Navy master chief, fighting back tears. “I’m glad him and the rest of the crew are home safe.”

Pumpkin Poundage

Talk about a smashing success! A Rhode Island man has grown a pumpkin of truly enormous proportions, apparently squashing the world record for the heaviest pumpkin by nearly 300 pounds. Ron Wallace of Greene, Rhode Island, unveiled his gigantic gourd at a New England pumpkin-weighing competition on Saturday, where it tipped the scales at more than 3,000 pounds. The current Guinness World Record for largest pumpkin belongs to Ian Paton of England, whose 2,857-pound pumpkin claimed the title just a week earlier, on October 3. Wallace is awaiting official Guinness confirmation that his supersized squash has taken the crown. “It’s truly massive; it was a pleasure to grow,” Wallace said. The veteran pumpkin grower took home $3,500 in prize money, although he could have earned significantly more elsewhere. Other competitions reportedly offered prizes as high as $70,000, but Wallace preferred to celebrate the milestone close to home. “I was just ecstatic – the place just exploded,” he recalled of the moment his pumpkin was weighed. Wallace credits his success partly to a new growing strategy: raising his pumpkins in a greenhouse for the first time. But he insists the real secret ingredient is the generosity of fellow growers, who readily

exchange advice about soil, watering, and growing techniques. “The only way you create a 3,000-pound pumpkin is a community working together,” he said. Meanwhile, across the country, another pumpkin heavyweight was enjoying his own moment in the spotlight. Minnesota horticulture teacher Travis Gienger won the 53rd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, for the fifth time. His massive pumpkin, appropriately named “Rocky,” weighed 2,389 pounds and earned him $21,501 in prize money. Gienger and his family drove 35 hours from Minnesota, transporting the pumpkin — roughly the size of a small car — across the country. The victory was particularly sweet after his pumpkin cracked while growing last year, forcing him to miss the competition. “Five-time champion, that’s what we came here to do,” Gienger declared. Unlike Wallace, Gienger grew his pumpkin outdoors, battling freezing temperatures that made his achievement even more remarkable. His winning gourd will be displayed during a parade in Half Moon Bay this weekend. Life is gourd.

Cat Burglars

Police in Vietnam have busted a massive cat-stealing operation, arresting 12 men accused of snatching approximately 2,700 felines from neighborhoods across Ho Chi Minh City and selling them for meat. The alleged cat burglars prowled residential streets under the cover of darkness, trapping pets and stray cats before transporting them to a facility where they were held for resale. Meow! According to Vietnamese state media, authorities identified 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh as the fat cat who is the suspected ringleader of the operation. Investigators say Binh coordinated a network of suppliers who recruited motorcycle riders to scour neighborhoods between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., searching for unsuspecting cats. Each thief report-

edly captured between four and 10 cats per night, which were then delivered to Binh’s facility in the northern part of the city. Look what the cat dragged in: police raided the operation on July 8, discovering approximately 50 cats and dozens of traps used to capture the animals. The suspects reportedly admitted to stealing and selling roughly 2,700 cats, although authorities have not disclosed how long the operation had been running. Of the cats rescued during the raid, 13 have already been reunited with their owners. The remaining animals were placed in the care of a nonprofit animal welfare organization while authorities attempt to track down their families. Cat meat has traditionally been consumed in certain parts of Vietnam, particularly in northern regions and among older generations. Some people believe eating cat meat brings good fortune, although there is no scientific evidence supporting that belief. The practice, however, is increasingly falling out of favor as pet ownership grows and younger Vietnamese generations increasingly view cats and dogs as beloved companions rather than food. In a separate operation in June, police rescued more than 400 cats, at least 40 of which were eventually returned to their owners. Officers also discovered dozens of dead cats packed in ice. Under Vietnamese law, cats and dogs are considered private property, and stealing them can result in criminal prosecution, generally when the value exceeds approximately $77. For the owners of the rescued felines, the latest police operation has brought some long-awaited relief. As for the alleged cat burglars, it appears that the cat is out of the bag.

Clown Candidates in Brazil

Brazil’s elections have gone from political theater to a full-blown circus — and some of the candidates are taking their acts very seriously. Among the more colorful hopefuls seeking office this election season are

Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Mick Jagger, a samurai taxi driver, and a woman calling herself Tsunami Grandmother. No, the American presidents haven’t switched countries, and the singer hasn’t traded his microphone for a campaign podium. These are Brazilian candidates borrowing famous names and unusual nicknames to stand out in a crowded political field. Take Plínio Vicentin Júnior, a 59-year-old helicopter pilot campaigning under the name Plínio Trump. Driving a vintage Pontiac Grand Ville adorned with an American flag, Plínio Trump has adopted the U.S. president’s signature hairstyle, orange tie, handshake and even his distinctive walk. “Trump is likeable, iconic,” he explained. “Few people sneered at me. Most people smile and hug me.” Apparently, imitation is the sincerest form of political ambition. Not to be outdone, Henrique Barack Obama, 57, whose birth name is Cláudio Henrique dos Anjos, is running for a Senate seat representing Brazil’s Federal District. Although he bears little physical resemblance to the former American president, supporters say it’s all about the attitude. Mick Jagger, a 66-year-old carpenter named Walcy Calixto Vieira, is hoping to rock the vote in the state of Goiás. And the political oddities don’t end there. Tsunami Grandmother is hoping to make waves in the Minas Gerais state legislature, while a candidate calling himself Lonely Boy is seeking a congressional seat. Samurai Taxi Driver, a martial arts enthusiast known for wielding nunchucks in social media videos, is also throwing his hat — or perhaps his sword — into the ring. Brazil has a long history of unusual candidates, dating back to 1959, when approximately 100,000 voters cast write-in ballots for Cacareco, a rhinoceros at the São Paulo zoo. Election officials ultimately rejected the votes, leaving the rhino’s political career at a standstill. In 2010, a professional clown named Tiririca won a congressional seat with more than 1.3 million votes. His memorable campaign slogan was, “It can’t get any worse.” He went on to serve four consecutive terms, proving that sometimes the joke really is on the establishment. Under Brazil’s proportional representation system, votes cast for novelty candidates also boost their political parties, potentially helping other candidates win seats. So, while voters may think they’re sending a message by supporting a clown,

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

the Brooks River when he was just a cub in 2006. He earned his unusual nickname by hitching rides on his mother’s back as she swam across the river. Apparently, success runs in the family — and so does the extra padding. Unlike many large male bears, Backpack is known for his peaceful disposition. Rather than fighting other bears for prime fishing spots, he often sits quietly on a rock downstream, taking in the scenery. His official contestant profile praises his “quiet strength,” noting that he rarely displays aggression toward competitors. Backpack defeated Bear 910, herself the daughter of former champion Beadnose, who had previously knocked out Bear 132 and her three cubs in the semifinals.

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

they could actually be helping an entire political party. Unless, of course, the whole party is a bunch of clowns…which sometimes seems very likely.

Fat Bear Contest It’s official, although “bearly” believable: There’s a new heavyweight champion in Alaska, and he’s got plenty of weight

to throw around. A massive brown bear named Backpack has been crowned the winner of Alaska’s annual Fat Bear Week, defeating 15 other supersized competitors in a contest where packing on the pounds is something to celebrate. The hefty champion, officially known as Bear 89, edged out runner-up Bear 910 in a nail-biting final round, collecting 103,334 votes to his opponent’s 98,253. Talk about a grizzly competition.

The annual event, held at Katmai National Park and Preserve, allows wildlife enthusiasts worldwide to vote for their favorite well-fed bears as the animals prepare for winter hibernation. And while most people are trying to shed a few pounds, these furry contestants are doing exactly the opposite. Backpack, a roughly 20-year-old gentle giant, has quite the family pedigree. His mother, Holly, is a former Fat Bear Week champion who introduced him to

The competition celebrates an essential part of bear survival. During the summer and fall, Alaska’s brown bears gorge themselves on salmon, sometimes devouring as many as 30 fish daily. Large males can balloon to more than 1,000 pounds before hibernation, when they survive for months without eating or drinking and may lose up to one-third of their body weight. It’s the ultimate feast-before-the-fast strategy – seudah hamafsekes on steroids. This year’s contest featured 16 bears, including five bear families, reflecting the unusually large number of mothers and cubs spotted along the Brooks River. For Backpack, the victory was particularly sweet. As a young bear, he suffered a serious leg injury but recovered and grew into one of the river’s most imposing residents. Now, with a championship under his belt and winter approaching, Backpack can finally take a well-deserved rest. After all, he’s earned the right to sleep in. And that’s one victory he can take to the bear bank.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Around the

Community Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island Hachnosas Sefer Torah

spectacular display of Kavod HaTorah and Kavod Shamayim was seen this past Monday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvon, as the rebbeim and talmidim of Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island welcomed a beautiful new Sefer Torah presented by the Eichorn Family, lilu nishmas Mrs. Esther Eichorn, a”h. The Torah was greeted outside

the building by our Kindergarten through fourth grade classes. Each rebbi had a zechus to dance with the Torah, as their students danced along, showing the love and excitement for the Torah. The Torah was then brought into the building where the older talmidim of our fifth-eighth grades were eagerly waiting to

welcome and to be mesameach with it, before being placed into the yeshiva’s Aron. The program continued with Tehillim by our Sgan Menahel Rabbi Shlomo Dovid Pfeiffer and two meaningful speeches given by our Sgan Menahel Rabbi Avi Schulman and Mr. Elliot Mandelbaum. The yeshiva is very thankful and appre-

ciative to the Eichorn family for entrusting us with this special gift, and our talmidim look forward to using it at our yeshiva’s minyan. May the Torah together with all the mitzvos and brachos that come forth be a zechus for Mrs. Eichorn, a”h, and her family.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Around the Community

Math and English Fun at Lev Chana Hands-On Hearts at BYAM

t Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam, science is an engaging, handson learning experience. In Miss Karp’s seventh-grade class, students brought their lessons to life by creating models of the human heart using PlayDoh. This creative, interactive activity allowed each student to explore the heart’s structure and learn to identify its different parts. By combining creativity with hands-on learning, the students gained a deeper understanding of this important organ in a fun and memorable way.

he students in Lev Chana are busy improving their math and reading skills. The Kindergarten is working on recognizing and counting number centers. The preschool students are working on their letters with a fun ABC clothespin matching game!

Navi Celebration

orah Zukierman’s fourth grade girls at HALB received their Neviim for the first time! They

Rambam Welcomes IDF Soldiers For October 7 Commemoration

celebrated with delicious cupcakes and had the chance to decorate the covers for their Navi books.

YOSS Learns About Volcanoes

he fourth graders at Yeshiva of South Shore have been actively exploring the fascinating world of volcanic eruptions! The boys are immersed in an exciting cross-curricular unit that brings learning to life across all subject areas. Through reading expository texts, the students have discovered what causes volcanoes to erupt. They have also been graphing and mapping the Ring of Fire, learning firsthand accounts from people who have experienced volcanic eruptions, and exploring the landforms and climate conditions commonly found in volcanic regions around the world. In Science Lab, the boys have been learning about different types of lava and participating in hands-on activities and experiments to observe the effects of erosion and deposition. These interactive experiences allow the students to see scientific concepts in action and deepen

By Natan Aryeh

O their understanding of how volcanoes shape our world. The fourth graders are thrilled to step into the shoes of real geologists as they investigate one of nature’s most powerful and fascinating forces. With so much exciting exploration and discovery, this unit has sparked curiosity, inspired questions, and made learning about volcanoes an unforgettable experience!

n Oct. 7, Rambam welcomed two Israel Defense Forces soldiers through Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) for the first of two assemblies marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks. Students, teachers, staff, and administrators gathered to hear the soldiers reflect on their service and the responsibilities of defending Israel. An Israeli soldier and a British lone soldier shared their experiences serving in the IDF and offered a glimpse into daily life in the military. Their accounts helped students better understand the challenges faced by those serving to pro-

tect Israel and its people. Students also had the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from the soldiers about their experiences. An FIDF representative spoke about the organization’s work supporting IDF soldiers. The visit gave the Rambam community a chance to hear firsthand from those who serve and protect Israel. The soldiers’ stories and answers offered students and staff a new perspective and a greater appreciation for those who put themselves at risk to protect the Jewish people. Thank you to those who serve to defend Israel and to FIDF for supporting them.

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Remembering October 7 at HAFTR

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Fall fun at Shulamith ECC with pine cone painting

Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim Talmidim Visit the Ohel

s the new zman begins, talmidim of Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim started on an uplifting note with a meaningful visit to the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, zt”l, where they davened for hatzlacha in their Torah learning, personal growth, and upcoming internships. At Ateres Eitz Chaim, chinuch extends beyond the walls of the Beis Medrash. Alongside their Torah learning, talmidim participate in internships designed to develop practical skills, responsibility, confidence, and preparation for their futures, all while remaining firmly rooted in Torah values.

The visit reinforced a powerful message: Whether opening a Gemara or beginning an internship, true success comes through a combination of tefillah, hishtadlus, and siyata dishmaya. As Chazal teach, “Yagadta u’matzasa ta’amin,” through sincere effort, one can achieve great things. With heartfelt tefillos and renewed inspiration, the talmidim returned ready to embrace the opportunities of the new zman. At Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim, every talmid has unique strengths, unlimited potential, and his own path to greatness!

emembering October 7 means more than looking back. It means honoring the lives forever changed, learning from the courage of those who stood up for others, and reaffirming our responsibility to one another as part of Am Yisrael. Across HAFTR, students and faculty came together to mark the anniversary of October 7 through age-appropriate learning, tefillah, personal stories, and moments of reflection. Each division approached the day in its own way, united by a shared commitment to memory, Jewish identity, and connection to Medinat Yisrael. In Lower School, fourth- and fifthgrade students learned about the heroes of October 7, exploring the courage, sacrifice, and sense of responsibility demonstrated by those who helped others during an extraordinary time. The students also took upon a mitzvah to do in the merit of the heroes they learned about. In Middle School, students participated in a meaningful commemorative ceremony, creating space for reflection and collective remembrance. High School students heard from Mr. Mickey Flaumenhaft, who shared personal experiences from that day and the subsequent war, as a chayal, bringing the events and their lasting impact into a more personal and relevant perspective. Together, these experiences reflected an important part of a HAFTR education: helping students engage with difficult moments in Jewish history with sensitivity, understanding, and a deep

awareness of their connection to the Jewish people. Through learning and remembrance, students were encouraged to consider not only what happened, but also the courage, responsibility, and unity that continue to shape our collective story. We also hold close the HAFTR alumni currently serving in the Israel Defense Forces. They remain in our hearts and tefillot each day, and we take pride in the members of our HAFTR family who continue to serve Am Yisrael. As a school community rooted in Torah, compassion, and responsibility, we remain committed to ensuring that remembrance leads to understanding, that Jewish identity is strengthened through connection, and that our students recognize their place within the ongoing story of the Jewish people. May the memories of those we lost be a blessing. May those still affected by October 7 find healing and strength, and may we continue to pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and for peace for all of Klal Yisrael.

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The Reishes Chochma boys at Siach Yitzchok learned about the bracha of rain

The fifth graders at HALB focused on measuring the mass and volume of different items

YCQ Kicks Off Sunday Family Learning Program

eshiva of Central Queens kicked off its Sunday Family Learning program this past Sunday, welcoming students in Grades 5-8 and their families for a morning of tefillah, Torah, and inspiration. The opening program featured Rabbi Dov Keilson, Mashgiach Ruchani at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, an author, speaker, and musician, along with Rosh Chodesh Hallel. “Sunday Learning” provides an opportunity for families to spend meaningful time together while strengthening their connection to Torah and the school community. Each program begins with Shacharit, followed by breakfast, and an engaging shiur from a YCQ educator or guest speaker. YCQ alumni also attend the program, returning to learn alongside current students and families. Their participation reflects the lasting connections formed at YCQ and makes the program a gathering place for the broader school community.

This year’s guest speakers include Rabbi Mordechai Becher, a Yeshiva University instructor and author of Gateway to Judaism; Rabbi Moshe Bamberger, Mashgiach Ruchani at Lander College for Men and a prolific Torah author; and Rabbi Eliyahu Maksumov, an educator with EMET Outreach. They join an allstar lineup of YCQ rebbeim and school leaders who bring their own insights and enthusiasm to the program. With engaging shiurim, raffles, and end-of-year prizes, Sunday Family Learning helps students develop a love of Torah while creating opportunities for families to connect and grow together.

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Home-Buying and Financial Education Night

ore than 50 couples gathered at The Cheese Store on Monday evening, October 12, for The 5 Towns Pulse’s Young Couple Home-Buying & Financial Education Event, an evening focused on some of the biggest financial decisions facing young families. Hosted by The 5 Towns Pulse together with FM Home Loans and Bernath & Rosenberg, the free event brought home-buying, budgeting and investing into one community setting. Food and networking accompanied a program of presentations and an expert panel, giving couples a chance to learn together and connect with professionals in these fields. Chaim Homnick moderated the

event’s two panels and the Pulse’s Chaim Portal, aka DJ_CP handled music and video. Seeing more than 50 couples make time to learn about their financial futures was especially gratifying for the event hosts. Buying a first home, managing a household budget and beginning to invest can each feel daunting. Bringing those subjects into an accessible, shared conversation was at the heart of the evening. The program included a first-time homebuyer panel with Gabe Tennenberg and an introduction to budgeting with Zalman Krasnow of Mesila, followed by a second expert panel with questions and answers on investing and finances with Ted Stricker, a partner and CFP at Ber-

nath & Rosenberg alongside Jason Lieber, the founder of MYDA Capital. Together, these sessions connected the immediate goal of buying a home with the broader work of building a sound financial foundation. Home-buying decisions do not happen in isolation: they sit alongside a family’s expenses, debt, savings and plans for the years ahead. The evening gave couples an opportunity to consider those pieces together rather than treating each as a separate concern. The 5 Towns Pulse extends its thanks to FM Home Loans and Bernath & Rosenberg for co-hosting the evening, and to the presenters and panelists for sharing their time and expertise. Special thanks also go

to the event sponsors: Elevate Home Concierge, Mesila, MYDA Advisors, Maidenbaum & Madmon, Leah Scheininger of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Realty Connect, TNB Architecture, Zlotowitz Law, The Cheese Store, 5 Towns Restoration, Jworks Construction and Blue-Bird Insurance Agency.

suddenly heard a loud boom, and they all crouched down to the floor. Recognizing that the helicopter had been hit by Hamas rockets, causing an engine failure, the heroic pilot realized that he needed to make an emergency landing as soon as safely possible. After landing the aircraft near Kibbutz Alumim, the soldiers ran out in an open field and were immediately engaged in a gun battle with Hamas terrorists. The helicopter was struck again by a second rocket and burst into flames. Seeing the wreckage of the aircraft, which burned completely, made it clear that the quick decisions of their heroic pilot had enabled them to escape a direct hit with their lives intact. With no time to spare, the soldiers began their mission of protecting the Israeli families that were hiding in their safe rooms in the local kibbutzim, and to track down the terrorists that had infiltrated these communities. Putting their lives on the line, they walked for three kilometers until they reached Kibbutz Be’eri. Four hundred terrorists had entered this kibbutz and ultimately killed more than one hundred civilians and took thirty-two hostages back to Gaza. When Ira’s battalion arrived at 1:00PM, they were the first major IDF battalion to enter the Kibbutz. Ira’s service on that terrible day did not end in Kibbutz Be’eri. He went on to serve for one hundred days in Gaza, under very difficult conditions. In addition to searching for terrorists, their ultimate goal was to find the hostages. This was a very personal mission for Ira, since

his friend, Omer Neutra, was kidnapped into Gaza and he was hoping to find him and bring him home. Omer and Ira were childhood friends, attended the same school, and shared many Shabbat and Yom Tov meals with each other’s families. Sadly, he later found out that Omer was actually killed on October 7, and his body was returned to Israel as part of the ceasefire for a proper burial. After completing his army service, Ira returned to the United States and wrote a book about his experiences. “Once a Paratrooper: The Story of a Lone Soldier in the Gaza War” is the first book written by a lone soldier, and it is a heartfelt, riveting account of his service in the IDF He has dedicated his book in memory of three friends that he lost in the war: Omer Neutra, Amir Naim and Yair Avitan, z”l. The students at HANC, who sat silently in rapt attention as Ira spoke, learned a very important lesson. Not all heroes wear capes, but those who run towards danger to save the lives of others and defend our holy, ancient homeland of Israel, are the true heroes in our times. To see Ira before them and hear his remarkable experiences as a first hand defender of Israel on October 7 was truly inspiring and will leave a lasting impression on everyone who was privileged to hear him speak.

IDF Hero Visits HANC

t isn’t every day that you get to meet a hero, but on Friday at HANC’s Reinstein Family Campus in West Hempstead, the third through eighth grade students had that remarkable opportunity. Standing before them was Ira Kohler, who grew up in Plainview, attended Solomon Schechter Day School, went to Jewish summer camps, participated in Jewish youth groups, and lived a young life very similar to the lives of the children who were in the audience. At the age of 21, after graduating from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Ira made the bold decision to move to Israel in 2021 and enlist in the IDF. During the course of his presentation, Ira described his experiences as a lone soldier. Sharing maps, photos, videos and diagrams, he enabled his audience to have an inside view of what life

is like in the Israeli Army. Ira trained for eight months in a Paratrooper Brigade, and performed training exercises and guard duty in numerous areas throughout Israel. One week prior to October 7, his troupe was told that they needed to prepare for a war simulation exercise. It was scheduled to begin…on the night of October 7. Their equipment was all prepared, but instead of beginning a war simulation, their commander informed them that a situation was unfolding in the South, and they needed to go there instead to help defend Israel against the Hamas terrorists that had invaded the Gaza Envelope. Wearing head gear, protective eye shields, carrying their weapons and equipment bags, fifty paratroopers squeezed inside a helicopter that was meant to accommodate twenty-five to thirty people. During their flight, they

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Kulanu Celebrates Opening of New Center for Adult Services

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

BY5T’s kindergarten girls celebrated the start of their Alef Bais learning with a joyful parade. Wearing festive Torah crowns and beaming with excitement, the girls marked their first steps toward reading lashon hakodesh.

Welcome to HALB!

ew HALB parents enjoyed a beautiful evening at Rabbi Englander’s home where they had

the chance to meet the administration as well as each other. It was a great way to start the week!

ulanu Center for Special Services proudly celebrated the opening of its new Kulanu Center for Adult Services with a joyous Chanukat Habayit ceremony attended by community leaders, supporters, board members, staff, and friends. The event marked a significant milestone in Kulanu’s ongoing mission to provide meaningful opportunities, support, and community inclusion for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The new center will serve as a hub for a range of adult services, including Day Habilitation, Pre-Vocational and employment-focused programming, that support greater independence and inclusion. Guests gathered to tour the facility and celebrate the achievement. The ceremony featured remarks from Kulanu leadership and supporters who shared in the excitement of this important expansion of services. “We are not simply opening a building; we are opening new opportunities,” said Michael Appelbaum, Executive

Director of Kulanu Center for Special Services. “This center represents our commitment to ensuring that every individual we serve has access to programs, experiences, and relationships that promote dignity, independence, and belonging.” Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Dr. Beth Raskin, Founding Executive Director of Kulanu, said, “The opening of the Kulanu Center for Adult Services represents a commitment to ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities continue to have opportunities for growth, purpose, and connection throughout their adult lives. I am proud to be part of an organization that recognizes the potential in every person and works tirelessly to build programs that promote dignity, independence, and community.” Kulanu extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to making this vision a reality and looks forward to the opportunities this new center will create for adults throughout the community.

Kapetas Family Project 24: Participants Recognized at MAY Rosh Chodesh Breakfast

esivta Ateres Yaakov proudly recognized the two dozen talmidim who participated in the Kapetas Family Project 24 during the recent Sukkos Bein Hazmanim at a special Rosh Chodesh Breakfast held today. The program, which encourages bochurim to dedicate time to Torah learning during Bein Hazmanim, continues to foster a strong commitment to learning beyond the walls of the Yeshiva. The 24 participating talmidim demonstrated their dedication to maintaining their connection to Torah even while enjoying their well-deserved break. Organized by Student Activities Coordinator Rabbi Avromi Meyer, the pro-

gram is inspired by the well-known insight of Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz that 12 years plus 12 years is not the same as 24 consecutive years of learning. Project 24 emphasizes the importance of consistency in Torah learning and encourages talmidim to maintain their momentum throughout the year. The Rosh Chodesh Breakfast was further enhanced by the presence of guest speaker Rabbi Zev Davidowitz, Menahel of the Mechina at Yeshiva South Shore, who addressed the talmidim. The breakfast provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these dedicated bochurim and reinforce the Yeshiva’s emphasis on

making Torah learning an integral part of every talmid’s life, both in and out of the Beis Medrash. MAY extends its sincere appreciation

to the Kapetas family for their continued generosity and commitment to hachzakas haTorah, helping inspire the next generation of bnei Torah.

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Mock interviews with the YOSS Mechina Menahel and principal give eighth grade talmidim valuable practice and build confidence as they prepare for their high school interviews

Celebrating Rosh Chodesh at Gan Chamesh

he children at Gan Chamesh celebrated Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan with an exciting Rosh Chodesh Sing-Along. Roshi, the special Rosh Chodesh puppet, visited in honor of the rainy month of Cheshvan. He wore all his rain gear and told the children all about No-

ach, the Mabul, and the subsequent rainbow. The children danced and jumped under a big colorful parachute. Every child got a rainbow toy as a Rosh Chodesh gift. The children can’t wait to see Roshi again next month!

Flying High

Y5T’s first graders marked the start of saying “Mashiv Haruach” in davening by releasing balloons and watching the wind carry them sky-

ward. The joyful activity brought the words of tefillah to life as the girls celebrated Hashem’s power to make the wind blow.

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The Ganger Early Childhood Division of TAG rolled out the royal carPET to welcome the petting zoo in honor of Parshas Noach

Shulamith Commemorates October 7 HANC EC celebrated Parshat Noach with a petting zoo

Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island preschool petting zoo in Honor of Parshas Noach

hulamith School for Girls marked the third anniversary of October 7 with a powerful and meaningful program that left students with an inspiring message of emunah, courage, and resilience. The students had the privilege of hearing from Ira Kohler, a Long Island native who made aliyah and enlisted in Tzahal as a lone soldier, eventually becoming a paratrooper in the IDF. On October 7, 2023, Ira entered Kibbutz Be’eri, where he helped bring numerous Israelis to safety during the devastating attacks. Throughout his presentation, Ira shared his firsthand experiences from that day, showing the students photographs of the locations where he had been and walking them through the events as they unfolded. His personal account gave the girls a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the chayalim and the incredible courage and determination they demonstrated. One of the most powerful messages Ira shared was the importance of both his extensive IDF training and the tremendous nissim that Hashem provided throughout that day. He emphasized

how their preparation was critical to their safety, while recognizing the Yad Hashem that accompanied them through such dangerous circumstances. Adding an especially meaningful moment to the program, Morah Naomi Ben-Nun, a Shulamith Lashon teacher and mother of chayalim currently serving in the IDF, recited the Mi Sheberach for the chayalim. Her personal connection to those serving brought an added layer of emotion and significance to the tefillah.The program concluded with the students joining together in song, creating a beautiful moment of achdus, hope, and connection to Eretz Yisrael. As the girls left the program, they carried with them not only a deeper understanding of the events of October 7th, but also an important message: even during the most challenging times, we turn to Hashem with emunah, recognize His presence in our lives, and find strength in the resilience and unity of Klal Yisrael. Through this meaningful commemoration, Shulamith reinforced the importance of remembering, davening for our chayalim, and continuing to stand together with Am Yisrael.

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White Shul Yarchei Kallah

n the days leading up to the Yomim Noraim, the White Shul’s rabbonim led more than 40 members on a special visit to the Yeshiva of Philadelphia – a day devoted to preparing for the Yomim Noraim in the most fitting way: through limud haTorah. Arriving Wednesday night, the group heard divrei chizuk from Rav Shalom Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Philadelphia, and joined him in singing, setting a tone of chizuk and elevation. After Shacharis at the hotel Thurs-

day morning, they spent the full day in the yeshiva’s beis medrash – first seder with a shiur from Rabbi Feiner, second seder with a shiur from Rabbi Neuberger – immersed in the sugya of hiddur mitzvah. With the Philadelphia yeshiva’s warm hachnasas orchim adding to the ruach, the group returned home Thursday night uplifted: a full day of Torah, spent together, as the White Shul prepares to greet the Yomim Noraim.

YHT Marks October 7 with Remembrance, Resilience, and Unity

eshiva Har Torah commemorated October 7 with a meaningful program that invited students to reflect on the tragedy, honor the courage of those who responded, and consider their own connection to the Jewish people. Following an introduction by YHT’s Bnot Sherut, Naama and Tzofiya, students in Grades 5–8 heard from Sam Fried, a New York native and First Sergeant in Israel’s 890th Paratrooper Battalion. Fried shared his experience as a lone soldier and his decision to return to Israel after the October 7, 2023, attacks to rejoin his unit. His story brought a personal perspective to the meaning of responsibility, sacrifice, and standing alongside fellow Jews in their time of need. He also discussed his ongoing efforts to support Jewish organizations and combat antisemitism throughout the United States. Third- and fourth-grade students participated in classroom discussions

about how the Jewish people can come together during times of tragedy. These conversations encouraged students to recognize that even small acts of kindness and support can strengthen a community. Through remembrance and reflection, YHT reinforced a lasting message: every student has a role in caring for others and strengthening the bonds that unite the Jewish people.

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Talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Harriet Keilson Early Childhood Center enjoyed a visiting petting zoo in honor of Parshas Noach

Chai Lifeline Launches ChaiNation, a Community-Driven Fundraising Platform

hai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network, announced last week the official launch of ChaiNation, a new digital fundraising platform designed to empower grassroots supporters to build personal campaigns and teams in support of families confronting illness and crisis. For decades, Chai Lifeline has relied on community-driven initiatives, from neighborhood bake sales and marathon teams to school projects, to fund its year-round programs and services. ChaiNation modernizes that grassroots tradition into a unified, accessible hub, allowing anyone to launch a customized fundraising page in minutes.

The platform formalizes and scales the kinds of community-led efforts that have long fueled the organization. In May, a group of Chicago women organized a basketball tournament in memory of a friend, drawing players from across the country to raise funds for Chai Lifeline families. Over the summer, Yael of Brooklyn, New York, created a nighttime Glow Run in memory of her father, rallying her local circle to support children facing medical crises. In Los Angeles, Tirtsa, a Chai Lifeline mother, launched her own campaign and ran a half marathon to support the network that stood by her family. Whether an individual is running a 5K, organizing a pickleball tournament, or raising funds in memory

of a loved one, ChaiNation provides the tools to launch their initiatives with ease. “Our community has always been the heartbeat of Chai Lifeline,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening or chronic illness, the impact reaches the entire household. People constantly ask us how they can tangibly help. ChaiNation puts the tools directly into their hands, making it simple for anyone, anywhere, to take something they care about, whether a marathon, a family celebration, or a community project, and turn it into immediate relief for our families.” ChaiNation is built to turn individual passions into tangible relief for families

in crisis. Whether an organizer loves running, playing mahjong, or hosting neighborhood events, the platform provides an easy path to channel that personal energy into meaningful action. Every dollar raised through these campaigns directly powers Chai Lifeline’s vital network of programs, including case management, crisis intervention, i-Shine afterschool programming, Camp Simcha, family retreats, nourishing meals, hospital transportation, counseling, and more. ChaiNation is open to the public. To start a fundraiser, join an existing team, or learn more, visit www.chaination.org.

YUHSG Commemorates October 7 with Special Programming

ast week, the Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) resumed the semester after Sukkot. With the year’s theme, “Modeh Ani: Living with Gratitude,” and the YUHSG community’s efforts to recognize and appreciate goodness in the everyday in mind, Wildcats gathered on Wednesday

to remember and reflect on the events of October 7. Each year since 2023, the YUHSG community has marked the day with learning and special programming, and this year’s programming was notable. On October 7, the school followed a communitywide kumzitz with a visit from guest speaker Mrs. Rachel Gold-

berg-Polin, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l. YUHSG’s Mashgiach Ruchani, Rabbi Joshua Goller, introduced the events. “Today, we heard from a real hero of the Jewish people,” he remarked. “Rachel Goldberg-Polin is a model of strength, resilience, hope, and faith. Her presence inspired us and ignited our neshamos. Nobody left the room today the same as when they entered.” Mrs. Goldberg-Polin’s memoir, When We See You Again, was published by Penguin Random House in April 2026, at which point it became an instant New York Times bestseller. The memoir explores her experiences as her son, Hersh, then 23, was taken hostage at the 2023 Nova Music Festival. In conversation with seniors Camryn Brunner and Maya Goykadosh, Mrs. Goldberg-Polin discussed her special connection with Central, family life, and the loss of her son, highlighting the crucial nature of courage in the midst of tragedy and loss. YUHSG students and staff alike were completely absorbed in Mrs. Goldberg-Polin’s story, and her message of finding light in the

darkness resonated with each person in the room. Each YUHSG student received a copy of When We See You Again. The YUHSG community is grateful to Mrs. Goldberg-Polin for her wit, warmth, and wisdom – as well as her generosity. YUHSG will continue its gratitude initiative in the weeks to come, with a fall schedule filled with learning, meaning, and fun – all endeavors to appreciate. On Monday, October 12, YUHSG will open its doors to students, faculty, family, and friends for its annual Community Challah Bake. During the week of October 26, Wildcats will celebrate Shabbos Week, a week-long celebration of Shabbos marked by special events, learning, and embracing different aspects of tefillah. And on Sunday, November 1, YUHSG will welcome eighth graders and their families to the annual Open House, where prospective Wildcats will tour the Holliswood campus, meet current students and faculty members, and learn more about life and learning at YUHSG.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

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The fourth grade boys at HALB enjoyed a very special breakfast to kick off their first ever Sunday school with their rebbeim

Children at The Special Children’s Center Sunday program enjoyed a petting zoo in honor of Parshas Noach

Breakthrough in the World of English Sefarim: New Sefer Dorash Dovid in English Just Released By Yosef Sosnow

“O

ne of the greatest difficulties facing a person who wants to properly learn Chumash,” HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Kaminetsky, zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Torah Vodaas, said in a seminal drasha at one of the first Torah Umesorah conventions in the 1940’s, “is overcoming the childish perceptions of the stories and halachos in the Torah that they were taught in grade school.” Yes! It is very complicated to change one’s mindset. Therefore, as people grow older and their intellect develops, they often view the sippurei haTorah and mishpetei haTorah with the same simplistic, childish understanding embedded in their minds as children. Dorash Dovid on Chamishah Chumshei Torah Series II, a new, multi-volume set of sefarim that has just been published in English, transforms the way one learns Chumash by opening the mind and broadening one’s horizons. This set of Dorash Dovid is entirely new with more than one-hundred-andsixty-five maamarim – translating into multiple maamarim on each parsha. Yes, it is new, but at the same time, it is familiar as it is the second series of Dorash Dovid on Chumash to be published. It has been fifteen years since the groundbreaking first series of Dorash Dovid sefarim in English was first released, and this new, second series adds and enriches the library of any thinking person who wants a deeper understanding of the weekly parsha. “The Thinking Person’s Sefer on Chumash!” Dorash Dovid has been written by Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, renowned Nasi of Dirshu, the Torah organization that has transformed accountable limud

haTorah in Klal Yisrael and has enriched the Torah lives of hundreds of thousands of Jews the world over. In addition to being the visionary founder, leader and Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Hofstedter is also a prominent maggid shiur who delivers daily shiurim both in Gemara b’iyun and in Dirshu’s Kinyan Shas, Amud HaYomi and Daf HaYomi B’Halacha programs. Now, in addition to personally delivering shiurim, his chiddushim and deep explanations on the weekly parsha will be available to the wider public. Indeed, even a perfunctory perusal of Dorash Dovid reveals Rav Hofstedter as not only a visionary facilitator of harbatzas haTorah but a prime marbitz Torah in his own right. The sefer, based on years of shiurim and public speeches, is not a sefer of vertlach or pithy allegorical Torah thoughts. Rather, Rav Hofstedter has authored an unprecedented breakthrough in the Torah world that one astute talmid chacham called, “The thinking person’s sefer on Chumash.” Dorash Dovid is solidly based on the foundations set by the great Rishonim and Acharonim. Its objective is to clarify the Torah’s concepts and commentaries and to illuminate its messages. The enthusiastic approbations by leading gedolei hador of the previous and present generations, offer a window into the groundbreaking nature of the sefer. Every maamar in Dorash Dovid begins by presenting several questions which are then answered through an indepth, clear approach that opens new vistas into truly grasping the messages imparted by the Torah and our sages. Eye-Opening Questions, Transformative Answers In this unique work, Rav Hofstedter analyzes each parsha, virtually every

event and commandment in the Torah, and focuses on discerning the true depth of the Torah’s message to us. Sample questions that he addresses are, “Why wasn’t Noach successful in influencing the people of his generation?” “Why did Yaakov have to receive the brachos from his father through an act of deception?” “Why did the people sing shirah only after the splitting of the Yam Suf and not when they left Egypt?” “How can it be said that the Mishkan was built to atone for the cheit ha’egel if its existence was decreed before the creation of the world?” “If Bnei Yisrael hadn’t yet been told that blasphemy was subject to the death penalty, why did they imprison the blasphemer?” “Why did the spies that Yehoshua dispatched react differently from the meraglim Moshe sent?” “What was the reason Moshe was barred from entering Eretz Yisrael — was it his own actions or the nation’s faults that caused it?” “How does the obligation to return a lost object to its owner reflect the imperative of outreach to irreligious Jews?” Questions such as these on the weekly parsha come up all the time. They are questions you’ve wanted to ask but didn’t. The sefer Dorash Dovid addresses the above questions and countless others. Praised by Numerous Gedolim The previous volume of Dorash Dovid received haskamos from many of the Gedolei Hador who were living at that time such as HaGaon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, HaGaon HaRav Ahron Leib Shteinman, zt”l, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, HaGaon HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, zt”l, and HaGaon

HaRav Yitzchok Scheiner, zt”l. Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz wrote, “Rav Dovid has compiled an entire sefer of maamarim that are both illuminating and instructive filled with depth, mussar and yiras shomayim, all while based on the words of Chazal.” HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Scheiner, zt”l wrote, “Dorash Dovid contains words of hashkafa and mussar… that help guide anyone who seeks to follow in the path of Hashem.” “This sefer contains precious passages,” the Sanzer Rebbe, shlita, wrote in his enthusiastic haskama to the sefer, “Precious passages that the public will certainly gain from and enjoy” There is no question that Dorash Dovid will transform the way you learn Chumash and the way you understand the events and words of the Torah. If you are a person who doesn’t want to remain with the childish understanding of Chumash that you imbibed as a young child in cheder or school, as bemoaned by Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, then Dorash Dovid is a sefer that you will want to pick up week after week, Shabbos after Shabbos to find out, “What is the parsha really telling me? What lesson can I learn and apply to my personal life?” Dorash Dovid can be purchased in sefarim and Judaica stores across the country.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Around the Community

JSL Week 3 Recap

eek 3 brought another incredible round of JSL action! From overtime thrillers and shootout drama to buzzer-beaters, hat tricks, and unbelievable goaltending, our players gave us plenty to celebrate. A huge thank you to our Week 3 sponsors, FM Home Loans and Bernath and Rosenberg, for their continued support, and to the Maidenbaum Scholarship Fund for helping make JSL possible for more families! JSL JUNIORS K/P Hockey — 10:00 AM Maidenbaum 4, Papaya Events 1 — Yehuda Garbarskay delivered an outstanding all-around performance, helping Maidenbaum secure an impressive victory. Smash House defeated Three Pillars Real Estate Investments — Shmuel Brodskay was unstoppable offensively, exploding for FOUR goals in a tremendous individual performance! K/P Hockey — 11:00 AM Rip It 7, Wieder Orthodontics 4 — Ari Neumann was everywhere, combining tremendous hustle with impressive goal scoring to help Rip It take home the win. Blumenfrucht Rose 1 defeated SR Whee — Isaac Weinstein was a force offensively, finishing with two goals and two assists in a terrific performance! K/P Soccer Central Pizza Co. 3, Town Appliance 1 — Tzvi Steier led the offensive charge with two goals, helping Central Pizza Co. secure the victory! JSL HOCKEY 1st Grade Woodmere Lanes defeated Central Pizza Co. — Maishi Flegman was absolutely incredible between the pipes, while Akiva Katz made his presence felt all over the rink with a fantastic all-around game. Suffolk Health 5, SR Whee 5 — WHAT A GAME! This electric back-and-forth battle featured nonstop action, incredible energy, and plenty of excitement. Even the shootout couldn’t separate these teams! Abie Dachs scored twice in a memorable matchup that ended in a tie. Marciano PD 3, Mesila 2 — Every goal mattered in this closely contested showdown! Yakov Gutfreund came through with two huge goals to help Marciano PD escape with the narrow victory. 2nd/3rd Grade Five Towns Restoration 4, Collision

Depot 1 — Yakov Schiller delivered a HAT TRICK, while Gabriel Liner was outstanding in goal to help Five Towns Restoration secure the win. Aryeh Law Group defeated Central Pizza Co. — David Goldman led the way offensively with two goals in an impressive victory! Town Appliance 2, JNT LLP 1 — talk about a goalie performance! Efrayim Shapiro made more than 25 saves, including several enormous stops down the stretch, protecting a one-goal lead and carrying Town Appliance to victory. Smash House 7, Posh Home & Bath 6 — An absolute offensive explosion! Joseph Feldman put on a show with FIVE goals as Smash House survived a wild seven-goal performance to win by just one. 4th/5th Grade Batter defeated J-Works Construction — Arie Lishitz stole the spotlight with a HAT TRICK, powering Batter to victory. Frank Kitchen & Bath 2, Extreme Event Cleaning 1 (Shootout) — This defensive battle needed a shootout to determine the winner, and Abie Tennenberg delivered the clutch winning goal for Frank Kitchen & Bath! Elegant Lawns 7, Honda Valley Stream 3 — six-point game! Akiva Nematnejad was simply unstoppable, recording a hat trick AND three assists. An incredible offensive display! 6th–8th Grade J-Works Construction 6, Twillory 5 — Another instant classic! Yosef Bryks had an unbelievable five-point performance, scoring three goals and adding two assists to lead J-Works to a thrilling one-goal victory. Sperling Productions 6, Elegant Lawns 2 — Jack Braverman was sensational in net, turning in an outstanding goaltending performance to help Sperling Productions secure the win. Park Kitchens defeated Next Level Taste — Binyamin Flegmann and Shaya Frank both turned in excellent performances, helping Park Kitchens come away victorious. JSL BASKETBALL 1st/2nd Grade Smash House 4, Next Level Taste 2 — Yitzchok Meir Breskin delivered an MVP performance to help Smash House take home the victory! Rip It 2, Wieder Orthodontics 2 — Both teams battled hard in a tightly contested draw, with Yitzy Lazar earning MVP honors. 2nd/3rd Grade Posh Home & Bath 14, Altbanq 10 —

Izzy Nobel and Shua Badian both delivered outstanding performances, leading Posh to a well-earned victory. JNT LLP 12, TNB Architecture 10 — buzzer-beater alert! Shaya Muchnik came through in the biggest moment, knocking down the game-winning basket at the buzzer to give JNT an unforgettable victory! 4th/5th Grade Zlotowitz Law 24, Central Pizza Co. 18 — Meir Feuer earned MVP honors with an impressive performance, helping Zlotowitz Law secure the win. Marciano PD 22, Emporio 10 — Moshe Loeb led the charge with an MVP performance as Marciano PD put together a strong team victory. 6th–8th Grade JNT LLP 41, Reliable One Labs 30 — Elazar Gropper delivered a standout MVP performance, leading JNT LLP to an impressive 11-point victory. Brookville 51, Emporio 29 — Brookville’s offense was firing on all cylinders! Menachem Lipshitz earned MVP honors in a dominant performance. 5T Flag Football Recap Week 3 brought incredible finishes, huge catches, game-changing defensive plays, and nail-biters across nearly every division! From first grade through sixth grade, our players put on a show. 1st Grade TYH Giants 11, FSNY Dolphins 10 — GAME OF THE WEEK MATERIAL! In an absolutely crazy back-and-forth matchup, the Giants pulled out a thrilling one-point victory. Joey Kestenbaum was spectacular, making unbelievable catches and delivering a fantastic all-around performance! 2nd Grade Wieder Orthodontics Patriots 9,

Smash House Giants 9 — Neither team was willing to back down in this exciting tie! Jerry Pasternak made some great plays for the Giants, while Noam Nelkenbaum delivered an outstanding performance for the Patriots. Mr. Softee Seahawks 10, Marciano Jets 9 — Another one-point thriller! The Seahawks narrowly escaped with the victory behind a tremendous performance from Zev Spiegelman, who came up big for his team! 3rd/4th Grade CG Flooring Cowboys 7, Elegant Lawns Eagles 6 — What a battle! The Cowboys held on for a dramatic onepoint victory, with Yitzhalter making a huge difference on both sides of the ball, scoring and playing outstanding defense. Central Pizza Co. Chiefs defeated Rip It Ravens — Sev Tepper was a standout performer, making his presence felt throughout the game and helping the Chiefs secure the victory! Maidenbaum Jets 5, Mr. Softee Seahawks 2 — Gavriel Aryeh and AJ Fuchs both delivered excellent performances, leading the Jets to a strong victory. TYH Giants 4, PIP Packers 3 — Another game decided by the slimmest of margins! Yehuda Stein came through with a big-time performance as the Giants edged out the Packers. 5th/6th Grade Ondas Eagles 8, J-Works Construction Jets 5 — The Eagles put together an impressive offensive performance, with Avi Pelman and Ariel Fleckesher making huge plays to help lead their team to victory! Honda Valley Stream Packers 7, TYH Giants 6 — Another One-Point Finish! Avi Krigsman delivered some amazing plays as the Packers pulled out a thrilling victory over the Giants.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Around the Community

50 Years of ArtScroll Part 30: Going Deeper With Rashi

or centuries, Rashi has been the indispensable guide to understanding Chumash. His commentary appears deceptively simple, yet behind his concise words lie extraordinary depth and precision. For many English-speaking Jews, however, understanding even Rashi’s basic meaning was a formidable challenge. In 1995, the Sapirstein Edition of Rashi changed that. Dedicated by Morry Weiss, son-in-law of Mr. Irving Stone of “Stone Chumash fame,” the Sapirstein Edition presented Rashi’s complete commentary with a clear translation and explanatory words woven seamlessly into the text. Its notes supplied essential background, sources, questions, and answers and brought clarity to the “Father of Commentaries” for an enormous audience. At the time of its release, the Sapirstein Edition Rashi was precisely what that generation needed, having become an invaluable companion for parents, teachers, students, and anyone seeking to learn Chumash with Rashi properly. But something remarkable happened

in the years that followed. The level of Torah learning advanced dramatically and a generation of more knowledgeable and sophisticated learners came into being. People who once struggled to follow Rashi could now understand his basic meaning — and they wanted to go further. Mesorah Heritage Foundation could have pointed proudly to the success of the Sapirstein Edition and declared the job complete. After all, it remains an excellent and beloved work that continues to serve its audience beautifully. But that is not how Mesorah Heritage Foundation approaches Torah publishing. Recognizing the changing needs of the Torah world, Jay Schottenstein and his family stepped forward to sponsor an entirely new undertaking: the ten-volume Schottenstein Edition Elucidated Rashi on Chumash. General Editor R’ Eliezer Herzka and a team of accomplished scholars drew upon dozens of classic commentaries to create a phrase-by-phrase elucidation with comprehensive introductions, annotations, and insights. The project began with one defining

principle: Rashi did not write a single word unless he was addressing a question or textual nuance in the pasuk. There is always something “bothering Rashi.” Identifying that difficulty — and showing how Rashi’s words resolve it — guided the entire elucidation. Another principle guiding the work was that when Rashi offers multiple explanations, each resolves difficulties left unanswered by the others. Where appropriate, the notes show how the different explanations work together. The editors also wanted to reveal what emerges from Rashi beyond the basic explanation. The Insights add a new dimension, highlighting lessons and ideas found within his words — and giving the learning of Rashi greater depth, excitement, and geshmak. Another unique feature of this edition is Sifsei Yesheinim, a section that cites textual variations among many of the early editions of Rashi. The result is a work clear enough for a student, yet deep and thorough enough to enrich a talmid chacham, helping readers appreciate the brilliance within every

word. Now ArtScroll is releasing the Schottenstein Edition Rashi HaMevoar, bringing the scholarship, depth, and clarity of the Elucidated Rashi to Hebrew-speaking learners, with features even beyond the ones offered in the English editions. The Sapirstein Edition was perfect for its time — and remains perfect for readers seeking a basic translation and explanation. The Elucidated Rashi in English and Rashi HaMevoar in Hebrew were created for a generation ready to reach even higher. That progression embodies the Foundation’s and ArtScroll’s mission across fifty years: Never rest on yesterday’s achievements when today’s learners are ready for more.

HALB, SKA and DRS Commemorate October 7 with Former Hostage Andrei Kozlov

tudents from HALB Middle School, SKA and DRS came together at the Young Israel of Woodmere on October 7 for a powerful morning of remembrance and reflection, marking the anniversary of the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. At the center of the program was Andrei Kozlov, who was kidnapped by Hamas and held in Gaza for eight months before being rescued by the IDF in June 2024. The gathering opened with remarks from Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, Rosh Yeshiva of HALB, who reflected on the

significance of commemorating October 7 as a community and the responsibility to remember those who were murdered, pray for those still suffering, and recognize the extraordinary strength and resilience of Am Yisrael. Two HALB students then led the gathering in the recitation of Tehillim, setting a solemn and meaningful tone for the program. Rather than delivering a traditional speech, Kozlov shared his story through a conversation led by students themselves. DRS and SKA seniors Sammy Butler and Michal Mittan interviewed Kozlov

about his experiences on October 7, his capture and months in captivity, and his eventual rescue and return home. Kozlov’s firsthand account gave the students a deeply personal window into events they have been learning about and living through for the past three years. His story of survival and resilience brought the events of October 7 beyond headlines and history, allowing students to hear directly from someone who experienced their horrors firsthand. The program concluded on a powerful note of remembrance and Jewish uni-

ty. Kel Malei Rachamim was recited in memory of those murdered on October 7 and in the war that followed. Students and faculty then joined together in singing “Acheinu,” a prayer that has taken on added meaning throughout the Jewish world since October 7, followed by “Hatikvah.” For the students of HALB Middle School, SKA and DRS, the gathering provided an opportunity not only to commemorate a day of immense tragedy, but also to encounter the courage, faith and resilience that have defined the Jewish people in its aftermath.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

1. *

TJH Consultant’s Advice  evidence that you tried.

If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all

conclusion is the place where you got  Atired of thinking. is something you don’t get  Experience until just after you need it.

 opposite criticism.

For every action, there is an equal and

 He who hesitates is probably right.  mistake.

No one is listening until you make a

always occurs in private and  Success failure in full view. steal ideas from one person is  Toplagiarism; to steal from many is research.



Two wrongs are only the beginning.

Centerfold You Gotta Be Kidding Me! One day, Jimbo goes into a store. He gets an item and walks up to the cashier and says, “I’d like to buy this computer.” The cashier says, “Sorry, we don’t sell to rednecks.” But Jimbo is determined because he feels like that is the computer he has been looking for forever. The next day, Jimbo cleans up, takes a haircut and goes into the store to try and buy the computer. But once again the cashier says, “Sorry, we don’t sell to rednecks around here.” Jimbo can’t believe it. He thought he looked so good. Now, it is personal. So he takes his life savings of $3,000 and gets dental implants. Now he has a full set of teeth. As he prepares to go into the store, he checks himself in the mirror one last time and he looks great...a perfect haircut, sharply tailored suit, and a full set of teeth. Brimming with confidence, he walks up to the cashier to buy the computer. But once again, the man refuses to sell it to him. He says, “Sorry, we don’t sell to rednecks around here.” Jimbo says, “How in the

 employees who are still striving to reach Work is accomplished by those

world do you know I’m a redneck?”

their level of incompetence. The cashier sighed, sooner you fall behind, the more  The time you’ll have to catch up.

“First of all, that’s a microwave.”

1. How did the Yankees make history during the 2026 postseason? a. They were swept in the American League Division Series for the first time in franchise history. b. They hit the most post-season home runs in team history. c. They won a playoff game without recording a hit. d. Aaron Boone became the first manager to request a refund for his own playoff tickets.

4. With a payroll of approximately $358 million, how much did the Mets pay for each win? a. $1.2 million b. $2.4 million c. $3.6 million d. $4.8 million

2. How did the Mets make history during the 2026 post-season? (That’s a joke because they weren’t in it.)

6. Juan Soto was the Mets leading home run hitter with 27 out-ofthe-park hits. How many home runs did Ben Rice have to lead the Yankees in home runs? a. 27 b. 28 c. 34 d. 41

3. The Yankees finished the 2026 regular season with 93 victories. How many games did the Mets win? a. 93 b. 86 c. 80 d. 74

Riddle Me This

5. Mets rookie Carson Benge accomplished something no Mets rookie had ever done before. What was it? a. He hit three grand slams b. He hit 20 home runs and stole 22 bases c. He had a .350 batting average d. He hit for the cycle twice

7. Aaron Judge accomplished which of the following in the 2026 season?

a. Finished the season with more walks than games played b. Led the Yankees in home runs c. Hit 50 home runs for the fourth time d. Became the first Yankee ever to steal 40 bases Answers: 1-A 2-Hahahha…I mean BOOOOOOOOOO! 3-D 4-D 5-B 6-D 7-A Scorecard: 6-7 correct: You know way too much info about both teams. If you are a Yankees fan, you should not know any of the answers about the Mets. If you are a Mets fan, you should not know any of the answers about the Mets. 3-5 correct: You are right between the Mets and the Yankees…basically in the East River! 0-2 correct: Yes, sometimes, amnesia is a good thing.

A man has just finished painting his house and needs

something. He goes to a hardware store and asks for help in finding what he needs. The clerk shows him where the objects are and tells him that they cost $1 each. The man says: “I’m taking 600, so here’s $3.” What did he buy?

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Yankees & Mets 2026 Season Wrap-UpTrivia

Answer to riddle: His house number.

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Torah Thought

Parshas Noach By Rabbi Berel Wein z”l

he rabbis were not so much critical of Noach – as he is paid the highest of compliments, throughout the Torah as a righteous person – but they were wary of him. I have often felt that this attitude is born of the idea that Rashi himself states in commenting upon the origin of Noach’s name. Rashi makes a point that the name Noach should not be construed as a derivative of the Hebrew word “nacheim” – meaning to comfort – but rather it is derived from the other Hebrew word “noach” – meaning, rest, leisure, comfortable, but not comfort as in consolation. Rashi attributes this understanding of Noach’s name to the fact that he was the father, so to speak, of modern agricultural technological advancement and progress. The iron plow, the first great essential tool for farming developed for humans, enabling settlers to abandon a nomadic existence, was an invention of Noach. This was his great contribution towards the advancement of human technology. Noach therefore becomes the source

of human technological progress which grants us leisure, eases our physical workload and gives us many physical comforts in life. However, technology alone with all of its attendant blessings does not guarantee us any sort of men-

comfort to troubled souls. Hence Noach is viewed in tradition as being incomplete – technologically advanced but spiritually wanting – in short, a pretty accurate description of our current human society.

Technology alone with all of its attendant blessings does not guarantee us any sort of mental, spiritual or social comfort.

tal, spiritual or social comfort. It does not console us in our hour of grief nor does it strengthen our spirit in our moments of self-doubt and personal angst. If Noach could have achieved these goals, then Rashi points out that his name would have been Menachem – the one who brings true consolation and

The rabbis of the Talmud taught us that if “one tells you that there is wisdom, knowledge and skills present amongst the nations of the world you should believe him. However, if one tells you that there is Torah amongst the nations of the world, then do not believe him.” Judaism and Jewish society has

no basic argument against the advance of technology. We are not the Amish nor are we willing to be consigned a back seat in the drive to physically improve the human condition of life on this planet. Yet Judaism realizes that true psychological and spiritual comfort cannot be found in the latest version of the iPod. Noach’s technology can be enormously beneficial in a society that adopts Avraham’s values and beliefs. But bereft of any spiritual focus or restraint, technology run wild makes our world a more fearful place to inhabit and forces many to yearn for the good old, less technologically advanced eras that preceded us. Noach’s grand technology could not save the world from the ravages of evil that brought upon humankind the great flood described in this week’s parsha. Avraham’s grand values and holy behavior almost saved the seat of world evil, Sodom. The world is Noach’s world, but its survival is dependent upon the survival and eventual triumph of Avraham’s children, ideas and beliefs. Shabbat shalom.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

From the Fire Parshas Noach

Surviving This Year’s Flood By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

s we journey through the months of the year, we find mitzvos that are connected to each month and each holiday. The month of Mar Cheshvan seems to be an exception. There is very little mentioned about this month in the seforim. What, then, is the unique spiritual service of this month? The Zohar HaKadosh comments that there is one specific mitzvah that appears to be a passing event in Parshas Noach, but, in reality, is a mitzvah for all generations. This mitzvah is found in when Hashem told Noach, “Come into the teivah [ark], you and all of your household” (Bereishis 7:1). According to one widely accepted opinion among the Kabbalists, the month of Mar Cheshvan is a time designated for flooding, and the most intense flooding in Noach’s time occurred during this month. I, myself prefer air travel rather than arks or boats. Aside from occasional row-boating on the lake with my

family, I prefer to avoid these types of activities. Nevertheless, it behooves us to explore how we can perform the mitzvah of “come into the teivah, you and all of your household” in the times we live in now. Our rabbis teach us that the mitzvah of “teshuva (repentance) preceded the creation of the world” (Midrash Tehillim Ch. 90). The Rashba (Siman 9) and other commentaries have difficulty accepting this statement at face value. How can one discuss chronology before the creation of time itself which began with the word “Bereishis”? There are other similar comments in the Gemara that refer to creations that occurred before the creation of the world. For example, the Gemara states, “The Torah was hidden away 974 generations… before the world was created” (Shabbos 88b). The usual explanation offered in mussar seforim for this phenomenon is based on the Gemara (and other sources) which states, “Reish Lakish said: Hashem

does not afflict Yisroel unless He creates the cure first” (Megilla 13b). If we apply this principle to the statement regarding teshuva, one could posit that Hashem knew that the world would begin coming apart when people sin. He therefore preempted this by creating the teshuva process. This explanation does not adequately answer the question, and I believe our sages never used this explanation with regard to teshuva. A deeper explanation involves redefining the meaning of the word teshuva. While it is conventionally translated as repentance, this definition is just a small portion of the totality of teshuva. When the Gemara uses the term “preceded” to describe teshuva, it is not simply describing a chronological event, but refers to the purpose and goal of Creation. In other words, teshuva is the objective and purpose of Creation. How can understand this more clearly? When the world was created, there was a separation between Hashem and

His creations. The soul was separated from its source and implanted into a body. The purpose of teshuva is to return the creations to Hashem and to a state of “closeness to G-d is my good” (Tehillim 73:28). It is understood that a natural consequence of returning to Hashem involves removing obstructions that are in the way, including sin. If a husband was, G-d forbid, unfaithful to his wife and she is willing to give him a second chance, he must change his lifestyle and stop doing the destructive actions that were an obstruction to his relationship with his wife. The goal is to return to his wife and the means to this end is entering into a “clean” reality. Similarly, regarding teshuva, the inner meaning is to return. In the process of returning, we remove the obstructions of sin and enter a clean reality. Let us return to the teivah of Noach. The Ramban points out that any boat maker knows that the dimensions and shape of the teivah do not describe a

of the lamentation “Mourners of Zion.” What tune is used for the month of Mar Cheshvan? The niggun (tune) that is used while studying the Gemara.

Surviving the Flood The Baal Shem Tov teaches that the word teivah can also be translated as “word,” referring to a Jew’s words of Torah and prayer. Based on the pasuk, “In the six hundredth year in the life of Noach…all the wellsprings of the great deep burst open, and the windows of Heaven were opened” (Bereishis 7:11), the Zohar states “in the 600th year of the sixth millennium, the gates of supernal wisdom

he is causing to the chair, how could he approach Torah in this manner? Similarly, I have observed people walking with their hands in their pockets during davening or sitting with their feet crossed as if reading the Wall Street Journal. While we may have lost some of our sensitivities over time, we must realize the importance of entering into the spiritual teivah with our entire being. This applies whether one is studying Torah full-time or working. If a person is living in the world of the teivah, it will not occur to him to bring a phone into the beis midrash. He does not refrain from doing so because of fear that his teacher

The only way that we can hope to achieve “closeness to G-d is my good” is by sealing our hearts, minds and souls into the teivah.

will be opened as will the springs of earthly wisdom” (I Zohar 117a). Indeed, the 56th century from Creation corresponds with the period beginning in the mid-1700’s in the secular calendar. During these years, a confusing flood of information, both pure and impure, entered the world. To counteract the flood of impurity, Hashem revealed more openly the wisdom of the inner world of Torah, as personified by the Baal Shem tov, the Vilna Gaon, and others. We are living in a time of great flooding. If one disagrees with this, it is probably because he or she has already drowned. If one cares about holiness, he realizes how we must struggle to keep our heads above the water of impurities that surround us. A person who desires sanctity must enter into the teivah, the words of Torah and prayer, with every fiber of his being. This translates into coming to study Torah on time and putting one’s soul into the learning. At the end of time, the only way that we can hope to achieve “closeness to G-d is my good” is by sealing our hearts, minds and souls into the teivah. My Rebbe, Rav Dovid Lifschitz, zt”l, was one of the happiest and most loving people I have ever met, but there were certain things he could not tolerate. He could not understand how a person could lean back and tilt his chair while studying Torah, as if he were watching a baseball game. Putting aside the damage

will penalize him, but because he exists in a place of purity. To avoid drowning, a person must delve deeply into the inner Torah. If he sticks his head out of the teivah for a minute, he is finished.

The World of Illusion One wintry Friday, the Chiddushei HaRim, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter, founder of the Gerrer Chassidic dynasty, zy”a, once had a tremendous desire to go to Kotzk to be with the Kotzker Rebbe for Shabbos. After much effort, he found a simple Jewish wagon driver (who was not particularly mitzvah observant) willing to take him, but the wagon driver did not appear healthy and neither did his horses. They began the difficult journey, and soon a heavy snow began to fall. The Chiddushei HaRim tried to dissuade the driver from continuing, offering to stop in a nearby town for Shabbos. The wagon driver refused to be deterred, and he pushed his horses to go even faster. Suddenly, one of the horses collapsed and died. The wagon driver persisted in continuing the journey to Kotzk despite the Chiddushei HaRim’s protestations. They arrived in Kotzk just before candle lighting, and immediately, the other horse collapsed and died. The Chiddushei HaRim gave the wagon driver a hug, thanked him, and ran to the mikvah and to pray. He sent a group of chassidim to assure the wagon driver that he would

purchase two new horses for him at the conclusion of Shabbos. But the messengers reported back the unfortunate news that the wagon driver had also died, most likely as a result of the strenuous journey. The Chiddushei HaRim was distraught and did not conduct himself regularly the entire Shabbos. At the conclusion of Shabbos, he locked himself in a room, and the chassidim could hear him screaming and crying. Finally, he emerged with a smile on his face. He offered the following explanation: When the wagon driver passed on to the next world, there was a judgement against him in the Heavens because of his many sins, stating that he was deserving of Gehinom. At that moment, a great defending angel stood up and proclaimed, “How can we allow this Jew to go to Gehinom when he gave up his life to bring a tzaddik to Kotzk?” There was a big tumult in heaven, and finally, it was decided not to send him to Gehinom. However, because of his sins, he could not be allowed into Gan Eden either. Instead. he was relegated to the “World of Illusion” where he would continuously imagine himself as a wagon driver in Poland, driving his customers on a beautiful sunny day, in a handsome wagon, with four fine horses. This scene would continue for eternity, and he would not realize that he was in the World of Illusion. The Chiddushei HaRim could not leave this Jew in such a sorry state for all eternity, and he stormed the Heavens on his behalf until the man realized the false nature of the world in which he found himself and begged for whatever atonement would be necessary to bring him into Gan Eden. Entering into the teivah is the only way to avoid the World of Illusion that exists in our day. These delusions and fantasies may present as driving a nice car, elaborate vacations, popular entertainment, professional prestige and success, or an infinite number of variations on the wagon driver’s smooth Polish highway. The average Jew does not understand his purpose in this world. Closeness and attachment to Hashem is our purpose and anything that prevents this is “the flood.” May each of us be blessed to sing the niggun of Torah and prayer, not only in the month of Mar Cheshvan, but throughout our lives.

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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

seaworthy vessel. The Torah delves into the details of its dimensions, in an unusual way, similar only to the descriptions of the dimensions of the Mishkan and Bais Hamikdash. Superficially, it seems that the purpose of the teivah was to rescue a family from a flood. But there are many other ways Hashem could have saved them. The teivah was certainly a means to save a family from a flood, but this was not its main goal and purpose. To understand the ultimate purpose of the teivah, we must know more about the flood in the time of Noach. The Zohar HaKadosh tells us that the flood that appeared as water but was actually a flood of impurity. The pasuk states, “And it [the Flood] blotted out all beings that were upon the face of the earth” (Bereishis 7:23), meaning, a torrential downpour of impurity was unleashed into the world, and it destroyed all of creation, except for those who found refuge in the teivah. Ramchal explains that Hashem revealed something Noach called “the teivah of Noach” that would serve as a barrier between the impurity that was destroying the world and Noach and his family. We do not understand how this physical structure served as a protection, just as we cannot understand all of the benefits the Bais Hamikdash brought to the world. The teivah was clean reality, and “Hashem shut him in” (Bereishis 7:16). Hashem closed and locked Noach and his family inside the teivah so that they would remain untouched by impurity. When the Zohar tells us that the mitzvah of “come into the teivah, you and all of your household” is a mitzvah for every generation, it does not mean physically entering a boat. Even with regard to Noach, his physical protection was simply a natural consequence of being sealed in the spiritual world of the teivah. This bears a great similarity to entering the world of teshuva. Once one enters this world and establishes a true and deep relationship with Hashem, sin naturally becomes irrelevant. So how does the mitzvah of “come into the teivah, you and all of your household” apply for all generations? There is a custom in German Jewish communities that when reciting the blessing for the new month, they use a melody that is relevant to the holidays contained in that month. For example, they sing the blessing during the month of Adar to the tune of Megillas Esther, and they sing the blessing for the month of Av to the tune

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Delving into the Daf

Kosher Pork When Pigs Fly—or When Moshiach Comes? By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

he Gemara records a fascinating conversation between Yalta and her husband, Rav Nachman. Yalta pointed out that for every item or relationship forbidden by Divine law, Hashem provided a permissible equivalent. Liver, for example, can satisfy a craving for blood; the fat of wild animals can substitute for chelev; the brain of the shibbuta fish tastes similar to pork; and fish tongue can serve as a substitute for girutha, among other examples. When Yalta sought the permitted counterpart to meat cooked in milk, Rav Nachman instructed the butchers to provide her with roasted udders (Chullin 109b). As an aside, it is incredible that Tosfos, on the following daf, derives a halachic principle from Yalta’s statement that is not explicitly stated elsewhere in Shas! We are fortunate that she was so erudite and learned. Still, if a Jew is hankering for the taste of pork, Yalta points us in the right direction. Dr. Ari Zivotofsky and Dr. Greenspan embarked on a quest to identify the shibbuta fish, believing they had succeeded. However, the Gemara specifically states that the fish’s brain has a taste similar to pork. There is not enough substance in the fish’s brain to make harvesting it commercially viable. So, although this fish may offer a taste reminiscent of pork, it is unlikely to bring home the bacon. Speaking of which, an iconic pork product is bacon. Fortunately, substitutes are available, and some connoisseurs actually prefer lamb bacon to the porcine variety. Still, even its most ardent fans acknowledge that it is not exactly the same. Trying to pass off lamb bacon as the real thing can leave you feeling sheepish. In 2011, some farmers in Spain decided to raise organic geese. To their great surprise, the livers of these geese

tasted like pork. Recognizing the tremendous business opportunity of producing what might be called “kosher pork,” they had the livers tested. Three non-Jewish professional chefs in Europe, familiar with the taste of pork, served as guinea pigs and concurred that the flavor was indeed reminiscent of pork. It seemed that someone had discovered kosher pigs in a feather blanket! Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger ruled that the geese could be imported into Israel and sold as kosher, provided they were slaughtered properly. The announcement generated considerable interest, although the proposed importation was still being examined at the time. The venture apparently never materialized. Israelis might have gone hog-wild over the prospect, or at least, that’s “sow” I heard it. The opportunity may still be open for an enterprising entrepreneur. Perhaps someone will yet discover the goose that lays the golden bacon! The Gemara in Bechoros discusses another unusual possibility: a sheep giving birth to an animal that resembles a pig. Tosfos notes that the Gemara chose this particular example because

all the Tannaim would agree that an impure-looking animal born to a kosher sheep is kosher. Had the sheep given birth to a camel, Rebbi Shimon would maintain that the camel was not kosher. The Rashash comments that he cannot understand why there should be a difference between a camel and a pig. After all, they are both non-kosher species. Needless to say, Rav Elyashiv opined that the pig-like creature discussed in our Gemara does not taste like actual pork. It is merely a sheep in pig’s clothing. That option, too, failed to satisfy those hoping to sink their teeth into something resembling the real thing. The creature may look like a porker, but its family tree is anything but hogwash! Will a Jew ever be able to eat actual pork? Apparently, the answer is a matter of dispute: either when pigs fly or when Moshiach comes! Rabbeinu Bachaye states that some versions of the Midrash Tanchuma contain the following passage: “Why is a chazir called by that name? Because Hashem is destined to return it to us in the future, in the times of Moshiach.” The Hebrew word chazor means “to re-

turn,” hence the name chazir. The Toras HaMincha understands this Midrash literally. According to his interpretation, the prohibition against eating pork will be lifted in the times of Moshiach. Eating pork currently has a negative spiritual effect on a person, but in the Messianic era, we will be immune to that effect. Consequently, Hashem will lift the prohibition against consuming swine. Be’ezras Hashem, may we be zocheh to live in the times of Moshiach and experience this hog heaven! After all, there is no need to be pigheaded about the possibility of a future change in halacha. The Minchas Kenaos emphatically rejects this interpretation of the Midrash, considering it a ham-fisted explanation. He proposes an alternative understanding. The prohibition against eating ham is a chok, a Divine decree whose rationale is not readily apparent to us. The reason for the prohibition was revealed when the Torah was given, but that knowledge has long since been forgotten. In the times of Moshiach, Hashem will return to us the lost knowledge that explains why porcine meat is forbidden. The prohibition itself, however, will remain in full force. So, as the Minchas Kenaos sees it, piggy’s name comes back home with a brand-new backstory, but the actual bacon? Still strictly off-limits! The Yad Eliyahu seeks to resolve this debate based on a passage Daf Yomi learners recently studied in Bechoros. The Gemara states that Rabah bar bar Chanah said in the name of Rebbi Yochanan that when a person sees what appears to be a baby pig clinging to and nursing from a sheep, the sheep’s subsequent birth is exempt from the laws of bechorah, but the pig-like creature is forbidden to eat. This is because of the uncertainty surrounding its identity:

rives, when the prohibition against pork is still in effect. The Yad Eliyahu’s argument, then, may not be the knockout blow that it first appears to be. The Chasam Sofer offers a third interpretation of the aforementioned Mi-

as well. The pig of the Messianic era will begin to chew its cud, thereby acquiring the missing sign of a kosher animal. However, we will remain hog-tied when it comes to consuming leftover ham from a pig slaughtered before the

It seemed that someone had discovered kosher pigs in a feather blanket.

drash. He agrees that some swine may be consumed in the times of Moshiach, but he does not grant the pig a wholehog permit! He suggests that the two identifying signs of a kosher animal, split hooves and chewing its cud, reflect the nature of the animal itself. A pig already has split hooves, but it does not chew its cud. According to the Chasam Sofer’s interpretation, in the times of Moshiach, Hashem will change the nature of the pig and, consequently, its physiology

coming of Moshiach. Such meat will remain forbidden even after Moshiach arrives. Only meat from pigs that have acquired the newly added sign of chewing their cud will be permitted. Even in the Messianic era, the pig may have to get its act together before it can make the cut. The Chasam Sofer’s explanation also precludes the Yad Eliyahu’s resolution of the Gemara in Bechoros. Eliyahu HaNavi will still have to rule on the status of the leftover ham produced from the creature that looks like a pig. The fact

that pork from newly kosher animals will be permitted in the future does not resolve the status of meat from an animal whose identity and halachic status remain in doubt. Only new ham from pigs that chew their cud will be permitted. The old ham remains off the menu, even if the new pork gets the rabbinic green light! One thing is guaranteed: whether in the times of Moshiach, when some form of pig may become permissible, or in the meantime, when goose liver that tastes like pork might become commercially available, kosher connoisseurs will continue to search for a culinary substitute. Until then, we may have to be content with our shibbuta and lamb bacon. And perhaps, one day, whether through a change in the status of the swine or a breakthrough in kosher cuisine, we will cry wee, wee, wee all the way home.

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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Is it actually the offspring of the sheep, or is it a pig that merely resembles the sheep’s offspring? The Gemara adds that when Eliyahu HaNavi comes in the times of Moshiach, he will resolve the halachic status of this creature that looks like a pig. We will finally know whether the animal belongs in the kosher pen or the pigsty. If anyone can settle a dispute about a pig, it is surely Eliyahu HaNavi! The Yad Eliyahu points out that this Gemara presents a difficulty for the view that pork will become permissible in the times of Moshiach. If pigs will then be permitted, the question of the halachic status of this pig-like creature will be moot. Whether it is a malformed sheep or an actual pig, either way it will be permitted for consumption. What question will remain for Eliyahu HaNavi to resolve? Some point out, however, that the arrival of Eliyahu HaNavi is not synonymous with the coming of Moshiach. Eliyahu HaNavi will arrive before Moshiach. (See Eruvin 43a.) Therefore, the Gemara cited above is no proof. Perhaps Eliyahu will resolve the question during the period before Moshiach ar-

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Headlines

Halacha

Death of a Brother By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

wo brothers stand alone in a field. The stronger one pins the other to the ground. The weaker one begs for his life. The stronger one lets go, and moments later, he is dead. This is the Midrash’s account (Bereishis Rabbah 22:8) of how Kayin killed Hevel, read in shuls around the world just this past Shabbos. The Eitz Yosef explains in a few words how the weaker brother won: Hevel “did not guard himself.” Most readers nod and turn the page. Maran HaGaon Rav Alter Chanoch Henoch HaKohen Leibowitz, zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yisrael Meir HaKohen- Chofetz Chaim, did not turn the page.

Why did Hevel not guard himself? He could not have been fooled by the plea. A man facing death will say anything, and Hevel surely knew it. The Rosh Yeshiva explained that Hevel did guard himself, just not enough. The Midrash itself gives the reason: nismalei alav rachamim. A flood of compassion dulled, ever so slightly, his sense of mortal danger. Two lessons follow. First, a person is meant to feel overwhelming compassion even for a would-be murderer in his moment of need. Mild pity would never have clouded Hevel’s judgment about his own life. Second, even the noblest emotion can damage the seichel.

The cure is not less rachamim, for “an abundance of compassion is desirable without limit.” The cure is making sure the intellect stays ruler over the heart. That is one page (vol. 1, p. 30) of the newly released two-volume Chelkas Kohen al HaTorah. There are hundreds more like it.

A Sefer You Hear There are seforim that one learns, and there are seforim that one hears. Anyone who ever sat in the Rosh Yeshiva’s shmuessen will open these volumes and find himself back in the Beis Medrash. The cadence is there. The slow, deliberate build is there. Above all, the Slabodka mehalech is there, which the Rosh Yeshiva received from his father and rebbe, Rav Dovid Leibowitz, zt”l, who received it from the Alter of Slabodka himself. The volumes (Bereishis–Shemos, and Vayikra–Devarim with sections on Nach, Pirkei Avos and the sifrei mussar) were edited by Rav Chaim Tropper from tape recordings. They were published by Keren Moreshes Rabbeinu together with Machon Meforshei HaShas of Lakewood. None of this material has appeared in print before, and it stands as a worthy companion to the celebrated Chiddushei HaLev of Rav Binyamin Luban, shlit”a. The Rosh Yeshiva insisted that mussar is part of the very body of the Torah and must be learned like a sugya in Shas, with iyun and toil. As Rav Yisrael Salanter writes in Iggeres HaMussar, knowledge that merely sits in the mind changes nothing. Only deep analysis makes “a strong acquisition in the soul.” So the Rosh Yeshiva would take a Ramban, a Rabbeinu Bachya or a Maharsha, often a line others skim, and ask: What compelled the meforash to say this? What must he assume about the human heart? Chelkas Kohen preserves the entire process: the question, the rejected answer, the v’tzarich lomar, the conclusion, and the hisorerus l’maaseh.

The Man Who Couldn’t Tell Mine from Yours According to the Ramban, Efron told Avraham to bury Sarah immediately, before any payment. Yet Chazal describe Efron as a man who lusted for money. Shouldn’t a greedy man demand cash first? The Rosh Yeshiva’s answer (vol. 1, p. 91) is that Efron’s entire grasp of ownership was blurred, and the trait that blurs it is a deficiency in emes. A person comfortable with falsehood cannot fully grasp what ba’alus means, even about his own field. Avraham Avinu, perfected in truth, stood at the opposite pole. He could not consider the field his while any thread still tied it to another. One’s understanding of ownership rises and falls with the truth in one’s soul.

The Lentils the Torah Hid Why does the Torah first call Yaakov’s dish merely “a stew” and reveal only after the sale that it was lentils? Rabbeinu Bachya explains that the reader assumes something precious was involved and is then struck by Esav’s baseness. The Rosh Yeshiva (vol. 1, p. 101) points out that the Torah added no new information. It used a tachbulah of surprise purely to make an impression on the soul. From here comes a foundation of all mussar: knowing a fact and feeling it are worlds apart. There is also a lesson for every rebbe: present Torah in the way that will truly reach the talmidim.

Your Smile is Kiruv

The Day After the Yamim Noraim Chazal teach that preparation for the next Rosh Hashana begins the day after Yom Kippur. The Rosh Yeshiva taught that this preparation is limud hamussar. He cited Rav Yisrael Salanter’s teaching that one who firmly resolves to learn mussar is already reckoned

opposites in his heart: “I am a tzelem Elokim; what has sin to do with me?” and “I am small and weak; how did I dare defy Hashem?”

The Last Words of Moshe The Tanchuma relates that Moshe Rabbeinu feared his death would crush Klal Yisrael’s spirit. Yet his final words were: “See the end of flesh and blood.” Where is the comfort in that?

There are seforim that one learns, and there are seforim that one hears.

He also offered a tool for honest cheshbon hanefesh, drawn from Rashi on b’shagam hu basar (vol. 1, p. 33). A person should ask: What would I do if I were stronger, wealthier, and had nothing in the world to fear? Whatever evil would surface then is who he already is now, held back only by weakness. At the same moment, a person must hold two

The Rosh Yeshiva (vol. 2, p. 164) answers that these words are the comfort. Awareness that one’s end is the grave does not depress a person. It lifts him, because it reminds him that he is here on the Creator’s errand. Every worry and fear, the Rosh Yeshiva said, comes from forgetting this. His father, Rav

Dovid, zt”l, read “Better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting” the same way. One can compare only things of the same kind, so Shlomo HaMelech is teaching that remembering the day of death produces simchah, greater than the joy of the feast.

A Final Word Rav Tropper writes with humility that he does not claim to have plumbed the depths of the Rosh Yeshiva’s intent. Yet the care shows on every page, in the full citations, the cross-references, and the faithful preservation of the Rosh Yeshiva’s own structure. He urges readers not to stop at a first reading, since the more one toils in these words, the deeper they penetrate. That is the gift of Chelkas Kohen. It does not merely report what Rav Henoch Leibowitz, zt”l, said. It lets a new generation learn how he thought.

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

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OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

In Parshas Nitzavim, Rabbeinu Bachya teaches that Klal Yisrael will be called to judgment because its delayed teshuvah delays even Yishmael and Edom from coming under the wings of the Shechinah. If Klal Yisrael answers even for its bitterest enemies, the Rosh Yeshiva argues (vol. 2, p. 155), how much more so for distant brethren, toward whom arvus applies in full. The path he lays out requires not a single word of Torah. It calls for a warm countenance and a genuine smile. It calls for scrupulous honesty in business, pursuing even a rightful claim calmly and with derech eretz, and refusing to listen to coarse speech at work. Were every shomer mitzvos careful in these matters, he says, multitudes the world over would return.

an oseh teshuvah, a ruling Rav Yisrael promised is accepted in the Beis Din shel Maalah. The Rosh Yeshiva gave voice to the yetzer hara’s arguments: “Yesterday, you learned mussar, and today, you stumbled again. Why waste your time?” He answered with Rav Yisrael’s mashal of water dripping on stone. Each drop leaves a mark too small to see, but only when the drops never stop.

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Torah Thought

The Extraordinary Ordinary By Rabbi Heshy Kleinman

n 1976, Rav Avigdor Miller (Toras Avigdor) was asked why there are no Jewish holidays in the month of Cheshvon. He explained that it offers a welcome opportunity to make up for lost time: a full month of uninterrupted learning and work, with abundant opportunities for achievement. He concluded by inviting anyone with a better explanation to offer it. Far be it from us to offer a better explanation than Rav Miller’s, but his answer does raise an interesting question. A yeshiva student can readily appreciate the opportunity to return to uninterrupted Torah learning. But what about a businessperson or a homemaker? Wouldn’t Yomim Tovim provide them with precious opportunities to draw closer to Hashem? Cheshvon and the months through winter offer a golden opportunity to make the ordinary extraordinary. During the Yomim Noraim, we devoted ourselves to teshuvah and drawing closer to Hashem. During Sukkos, we rejoiced in His mitzvos and renewed our awareness of His presence in our lives. Yet these gains were never meant to remain within Tishrei. Cheshvan and winter invite us to carry our spiritual gains into the ordinary activities of everyday life. But how? Even when we sincerely want to preserve that spiritual closeness, we may still wonder: Can I find Hashem in an office, behind a keyboard? On a highway filled with traffic? In a kitchen with a sink full of dishes? Yet Dovid HaMelech gives us a remarkable and practical solution. Despite a life marked by war, betrayal, and suffering, he declared (Tehillim 27:4), “One thing I ask of Hashem, that is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of Hashem all the days of my life.” But how could Dovid HaMelech—or anyone—dwell in Hashem’s house all the days of his life? We earn a livelihood, care for our children, eat, sleep, and attend to countless daily responsibilities. The Gemara (Berachos 63a) teach-

es a fundamental principle: “In all your ways, know Him, and He will straighten your paths” (Mishlei 3:6). The Rambam (Hilchos De’os 3:2–3; Shemoneh Perakim, Chapter 5) explains that we can direct even ordinary physical activities, including eating, sleeping, and conducting business, toward serving Hashem. What matters is not only what we do, but why we do it. Rav Dessler (Michtav M’Eliyahu, Volume 1, pages 5-6) explains that attending to our material needs need not take us outside “the house of Hashem” when we regard the material benefits He provides as tools for pursuing spiritual goals. Consider something as ordinary as eating a meal. Chazal (Berachos 55a; Chagigah 27a) compare the table of a Torah scholar to the Mizbe’ach in the Beis HaMikdash. The Mishnah Berurah

have to leave the marketplace to remain connected to Hashem. The Chofetz Chaim (Kuntrus Chaim V’Chesed, page 9) once told a pharmacist how much he envied his profession. Every day, the pharmacist could provide medicine to sick people, help them recover, and sometimes save lives. The pharmacist explained that he worked simply to earn a living. The Chofetz Chaim urged him not to overlook the spiritual value of his work. When dispensing medicine, he should consciously intend to perform chessed and help save lives. Earning a profit need not

Can I find Hashem in an office, behind a keyboard? On a highway filled with traffic? In a kitchen with a sink full of dishes?

(167:45) explains that eating can be compared to offering a korban when a person eats to strengthen his body for avodas Hashem. The food remains physical, but his intention gives the meal a higher purpose. A few moments of thought before eating can remind him that the strength he receives can be used to learn Torah, daven, and fulfill mitzvos. The Ben Yehoyada (Berachos 63a) takes this idea into the marketplace. He explains Dovid HaMelech’s words (Tehillim 116:9), “I will walk before Hashem in the land of the living,” to mean that even while occupied with material matters, a person can regard himself as standing before Hashem when his activities are directed toward serving Him. He does not

prevent him from having those intentions. The pharmacist took the advice to heart. Over time, he became a respected communal leader. Years later, he attributed his spiritual growth to the intentions of chessed he had brought into his daily work. Although the pharmacist had not changed his profession, he had transformed the spiritual value of his work. Each time he dispensed medicine, he could now consciously intend to perform chessed and help save a life. What had once been simply a way to earn a livelihood became a daily opportunity to draw closer to Hashem. We too can bring that same spiritual awareness into our daily routines. Someone earning a livelihood may consciously intend to use that income to buy food for

his family, pay for his children’s Torah education, give tzedakah, and make it possible to devote time to Torah learning. A mother preparing a meal can have in mind that she is nourishing her family so they will have the strength to learn Torah, daven, and perform mitzvos. Even a trip to the supermarket can be approached with the intention of bringing home food that will sustain the family in serving Hashem. These are not new activities; they are familiar responsibilities approached with a spiritual purpose that reaches beyond the immediate task. This is how we can carry the gains of Tishrei into Cheshvan and throughout the winter. The closeness to Hashem we felt during the Yomim Noraim and the joy we experienced during Sukkos need not fade when Tishrei ends. We can bring them into our work, our homes, and the small “mundane” tasks that occupy so much of our day. Cheshvan and the winter months may have no Yomim Tovim, but they offer us a precious opportunity: to discover that our connection with Hashem is not confined to special days. It can accompany us through the ordinary days of our lives.

Rabbi Heshy Kleinman is the author of the Praying With Fire series and several other books published by ArtScroll/Mesorah, including Yearning with Fire, Praying with Meaning, The Power of Teshuvah, and Living with Hashgacha Pratis. He speaks on these and other related topics, and is co-founder and director of the V’Ani Tefillah Foundation, which provides education, inspiration, and practical tools for more sincere and effective prayer, including school tefillah programs, Tefillah Power, and the Kavannah Kuntres.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

School of

Thought

Widow Whisperer By Barbara Deutsch

ithout intention and with little desire, I have become a widow whisperer. Having gone through my first year without my partner, I can safely say that I have not liked any part of it nor have I reconciled myself to acceptance of the hard truths. Traveling the widowhood road has earned me my stripes as a good resource – certainly not an expert – on the navigation of a life I never expected or wanted. I have often wondered why it seems that in the weeks leading up to the Yomim Noraim that we lose a greater number of loved ones to the next world. Something that is even harder for me to accept is when someone dies the day before a chag, on the chag or even chol hamoed; there are all kinds of burial and mourning rules. When this happens, the shiva is cut short or postponed. It’s been my experience that the shiva week is healing and comforting. Erev Yom Kippur, my dear friend and colleague, Harvey Bachman, passed away after a long illness, losing him to a diagnosis that robbed him of the strength to be the giant of a man that he was to so many. His passing was not unexpected but incredibly hard. There was one day of shiva. An outpouring of messages to the family from colleagues and friends who were unable to pay their respects followed his passing. I worked with him at Yeshivah of Flatbush and was honored to be his friend. My friend Rivka lost her mother Judith during chag; the family needed to wait until after the chag was over to sit shiva. That is a long time. I met Rivka in my Jerusalem gym; she was one of the first and only people who was warm and friendly to me. There is a certain bond formed when you see someone at the crack of dawn. Over time and Pilates, we realized that our connection ran deep. I learned that I have known Rivka’s family practically my whole life. Her mother and her stepfather just recently fulfilled a

lifelong dream to make aliyah. Rivka set them up in a lovely Wolfson Towers apartment. It has panoramic views of the city. The building houses doctors and stores, and close by is our gym. As part of her daily routine, Rivka would drop by daily. Judith enjoyed two happy months in Jerusalem – not even close to enough time but that was all she got. When I went to pay a shiva call, I was given a very old picture album, the kind with a cloth cover and plastic pages, to flip through. I got to see and remember familiar faces from my childhood. The best was seeing Mary, her grandmother; Mary was a force to be reckoned with. On the living room wall a screen projected images of Judith’s wonderful life. I am sorry that I never got to meet this vibrant and beautiful woman. In the months following Bob’s passing, I could barely get through my daily tasks. I forced myself to go to the gym every morning. One day, Rivka greeted me and commented, “I see that you are still very sad. Rejoice in the fact that you had a wonderful life with a man whom you loved.” I did. I’m trying. Wednesday night in Beit Shemesh,

a great man was brought to his final home. Our YILC community has lost a magnificent tzaddik, David Kaszovitz. His funeral was held in his beloved YILC shul and was attended by anyone who knew his name. From the numerous hespeidim given by his rabbis, wife, children, and brothers, it is clear that David was beloved and respected by all who knew him. David was a man of Torah, and the shul was his home. He went to any minyan he could and caught up with the many members of the YILC community. David prepared young boys for their bar mitzvah; during Rabbi Trump’s beautiful hesped he asked that anyone who had a child taught by David to please stand. Most of the mourners stood to be recognized. There can be no greater legacy for a teacher than preparing young men for a life of Torah. David was a giver, not a taker. His illness forced him to be on the receiving end of an outpouring of loving kindness from his wonderful wife Naomi, children, family and friends. Especially telling about the man David was could be seen during his last weeks; the whole of the YILC community could not do

enough to help and comfort him. I read the Jerusalem Post every Shabbat. It’s loaded with articles about Torah, interesting events, places to visit, and profiles of interesting people. A profile of Dennis Prager was a highlight. Prager, a public voice, a scholar, writer and lecturer, fell hard last year. Unfortunately, he is now a quadriplegic who is dependent on his wife and caregivers. It is difficult to note that Medicare does not cover home care support for this type of catastrophic injury. This level of care only be provided in nursing homes. Prager lives at home and is cared for by his wife. He cannot do anything by or for himself. His poignant and meaning loaded message: “I choose to look at what I have and not at what I lost.” Though often difficult to accept, I need to learn from his example. I have achieved a level of expertise in widowhood and do not recommend it. I have been told that my openness and honesty, though often raw, is helpful. I will say that I have learned hard lessons the hard way, and that there is no easy ride. Grief never goes completely away. It leaves deep scars that are painful to the emotional touch. With a lot of hard internal work, it can dull. It is up to us to choose. During my Breslov class, Rebecca, my beloved saint of a teacher, taught us that in complete darkness we can search for the light. That “light” will lead to the healing that is our emunah. Harvey, David and Bob now share a forever home in Beit Shemesh and Shamayim. I am confident Bob is waiting to teach them the ropes. I am comforted in knowing that my special people are now buried alongside each other in Beit Shemesh.

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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

nspiration Nation

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Moran Stella Yanai Seeing G-d in the Details BY BrendY J. Siev

y the summer of 2023, weeks from turning 40, Moran Stella Yanai was in what she calls the best place of her life spiritually, mentally, and physically. She had made a habit of setting herself a new challenge every month, and that July’s challenge was the biggest yet. She wrote it into her phone’s calendar in her own words: surrendering to the unknown. Moran bought a one-way ticket to Thailand and went alone, refusing to plan the trip in advance, trusting that whatever she needed would find her. It did. A woman she met along the way saw the jewelry Moran had started designing and offered to introduce her to what she called the Nova family, calling it the best opportunity she could give her. On her very last night in Thailand, Moran fell into a six-hour conversation with a

stranger who, without her realizing it at first, traced every tool she had picked up through Buddhism back to its roots in the Torah and the Kabbalah. She flew home enlightened, she says, and went straight to work preparing jewelry for a festival she had never attended before. Still, something felt off in the days leading up to Nova Festival. She had never worked a weekend before, and everything about the plan felt unfamiliar. Months later, watching newly surfaced footage from the night before the October 7 massacre, she noticed herself in the crowd: while everyone around her danced freely, her body stayed closed, her eyes darting to check behind her, again and again, for reasons she could not have explained at the time. *

In Her Words… You just took a journey. Something is protecting you. i will be safe and sound. if you’re here, you have the tools to deal with this, and you must believe. i felt like my victory was so big, because i also won against myself.

Something about that night felt wrong from the start, though she could not explain why. Her merchandise table, usually crowded, sat untouched. Expecting a busy night, she had brought along a friend to help her sell, but when almost no one came to the table, she sent that friend to sleep and stayed up alone, drinking tea and glancing over her shoulder repeatedly. At one point, an elderly woman known at festivals for handing out handwritten notes pressed a folded paper into her hand. It read, “There is logic in the craziness.” Only near dawn, watching the sunrise, did Moran finally let herself relax, telling herself to be grateful for the moment. Then she saw two rockets streak across the sky, and everything after that, she says, went down from there. What followed was chaos, then flight, then capture. In the first minutes of running, a heavy fence toppled across her leg, injuring it badly enough that she would limp through everything that followed, though at the time she barely registered the pain and kept moving. Moran and her friend ran for hours, sheltering with a small group of strangers beneath a tree in an open field. Twice, in those early hours, different groups of terrorists caught her and let her go again, for reasons she still cannot explain. Believing she had been abandoned in the middle of nowhere, she screamed, and the wrong group heard her. She does not dwell in detail on what was done to her in the hours that followed, injuries to her legs, her jewelry

stripped from her, blows she absorbed the whole way. In the process, one of the men accidentally left a mark on her hand shaped like the Hebrew letter hey, the first letter of one of Hashem’s names, a scar she still carries. What she remembers most, though, is the moment she stopped resisting. “You just took a journey,” she told herself. “Something is protecting you. I will be safe and sound.” She repeated those words to herself like a mantra, over and over, as she was taken toward Gaza. *

Packed into a car with ten men, Moran closed her eyes and told herself she must be dreaming. The terrorist beside her, delighted, forced them back open so she would not miss the sight: the entrance to Gaza, and beyond it, thousands of people in the streets, celebrating, shouting in Arabic that G-d is great. Having served in the army years earlier, she understood, in that moment, exactly what a cheering crowd like that could mean for a hostage handed over to it. Her prayer changed in that instant, from a request to survive into a single, specific plea, repeated over and over in her head: just one hit to the head, hard enough that she would not feel whatever came after. The car eventually stopped in the middle of the crowd, and someone reached in to pull her out by the leg. She had long nails still, and nothing left to

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

lose, so she dug them into the man holding her. He screamed, someone shouted for the door to be shut, and someone else drove on instead of handing her over. She was, by chance or by something she still calls a miracle, spared what was waiting outside that car door, and taken instead to a hospital, the first stop in what would become fifty-four days of captivity. There, thrown onto an iron bed in a small room crowded with men who pushed one another aside to see what had been brought in, she was stripped of her shoes, her pockets, the jewelry still left in her ears. When guards finally set her injured leg in a cast, she read it as a kind of proof: no one puts a cast on a leg on a body they intend to kill soon after. She counts that moment as the first of many miracles she tracked that day, evidence, in her own telling, that something larger was watching over her. Later, trying to describe how unreal it all felt, she would say that even movie directors Hitchcock and Tarantino together could not have directed a scene like it. At the first house in Gaza, an interrogator pulled at the green cargo pants and boots Moran she had worn to the festival, convinced they marked her as a soldier, and demanded to know where she served. Moran tried to explain that the outfit was simply fashion, showing him the label on the pants and begging him to send for her shoes from the hospital to prove the same. He laughed in her face, unconvinced, and gave her a nickname instead: “Zara, fashion,” after the clothing brand, a name that stuck for the rest of her captivity even though he never believed the explanation behind it. In the strangeness of those first hours, one thing did not fit the cruelty around it: an interrogator leaned in close, smiling, and told her, “G-d loves you.” She never learned why he said it, only that it was one of several such moments in captivity she still finds hard to explain to anyone who was not there. Hours later, guards brought a second hostage into the room, a teenage girl, barefoot, in pajamas, with bright hair,

bright eyes, bright skin, unmistakably not Arab. Moran was not permitted to speak to her at first, and it took three days before she was allowed even one sentence, granted only after she asked twice. “If you’re here,” she finally told her, “you have all the tools to deal with this, and you must believe.” Protecting someone else, Moran says, gave her a reason to hold herself together that she might not have found for herself alone. She thought of it later the way flight attendants describe an oxygen mask: secure your own first, so you have something left to give. Bearing the punishments and the abuse that followed, she says, was something she could do for the younger girl beside her in a way she is not sure she could have managed for herself alone. *

Faith carried her through the fifty-four days that followed. With no calendar and no clock, she tracked the week by darkness alone, knowing that when night fell one day it meant Friday, and she would mark it by moving her hands through the motions of lighting Shabbat candles, the one prayer she knew by heart. Most mornings she built her own small wakening ceremony from scratch, thanking G-d for waking up, for the night’s sleep, for whatever the day already looked like, then asking from Him for whatever she needed most: justice, food, faith, strength, one day at a time. Most days, she says, were anxiety and gratitude at once. On the hardest ones, she let herself be angry at G-d without losing her belief in Him. “Today, I still believe in You,” Moran remembers telling Him, “but today, I’m angry, and I’m going to ask You why.” She looked for proof that she was being protected and found it in small things: a gun raised at her that was never fired, a fall that should have broken more than it did. One day, after being punished, she noticed a mark on the wall above her in the same shape as the hey scarred into her hand, that same

first letter of G-d’s name, and found herself smiling in the middle of her own pain, confusing the guard enough that he stopped. She quietly asked the younger hostage beside her if she saw it, too. She did. It was not, Moran says, a story she tells often, because it is hard for anyone outside that room to understand it as anything but strange. Inside it, she says, it was the opposite: proof she held onto that she was not alone and not losing her mind. Her captors, Moran says, were not sophisticated so much as ignorant, and that unpredictability frightened her more than open cruelty would have. She tried, daily, to reason with them, but whenever a conversation reached a point they could not answer, they would fall back on a single word, “occupation,” and she knew there was nowhere left to take it. One guard grew convinced, for a stretch of days, that an earring she wore was some kind of hidden radio device connecting her to the Israeli army and confiscated it. Another interrogator, who Moran says looked and sounded uncannily like an actor from an old Israeli film, listened to her account of coming to the festival as a jewelry vendor, nodded along as though he believed her, then flatly told her she was lying. He built an entire story around her instead: that she had come into Gaza on her own, on a secret mission, and had thrown away her rank insignia and her weapon before they found her. There was no version of the truth she could offer that competed with it. She was moved between five different houses and, by her count, eleven locations in total, never permitted to know where she was going or what was coming next. That cast on her leg became an anchor for her early on: she decided that no one would bother with that kind of effort if they meant to kill her soon, so she resolved to stay alert and remember everything she could. Still, she found ways to protect what little control she had. On her first day, she made herself a kind of contract: whatever food she was given, she would

eat, and whatever she was given, she would not give away, even though her instinct, after years as an animal rights volunteer, was always to hand her portion to someone else first. She had to relearn that instinct on purpose. She made peace in advance with foods she would normally never touch, telling herself she would find a way to manage even meat, which she avoids on principle, if it came to that. When it came to sharing a single bucket of water among three hostages to wash with, she let another go first once, then insisted on her turn after that, treating even something so small as a negotiation worth having, one more place to draw a line for herself. Moran also credits a kind of preparation she cannot fully explain. Two days before the festival, on a video call with her emotional trainer, she found herself unable to shake a recurring dream: someone coming to attack her, and her own leg refusing to move to defend herself. In the same conversation, unprompted, she brought up a documentary she had just watched about the Holocaust and asked her trainer a question that startled them both: could something like that happen again, with ordinary people turning violent in the streets. Her friends later told her she had seemed like a different person that entire week, unreachable, on edge. Another friend, also spiritually inclined, described a dream of standing at a large window watching square houses burn all around. Months later, describing that same dream to a fellow hostage who came from Be’eri, Moran was told it matched, almost exactly, the layout of that woman’s own kibbutz. “I got so many warnings not to go,” Moran says, and only in captivity did she come to see them as preparation rather than premonition, evidence, in her telling, that she had been given what she needed to survive before she ever needed it. *

On day forty-nine, guards told Moran to prepare to go home. She did not be-

Moran speaks openly today about forgiveness, though she is careful to draw a hard line against comparing her experience to the Holocaust, calling that history distinct and its scale incomparable to anything she endured. She points instead to survivors of that history she admires, people who found their own paths to reconciliation decades later and describes a private vision of her own version of that reckoning: sitting someday with her husband and children in a room across from the men who once held her, thanking them, she says, for the strength she found because of what she survived. In the early days after her release, Moran struggled with survivor’s guilt, scolding friends and family for leaving

water bottles unfinished or letting food go to waste, unable to explain why it mattered so much to her. She has come to understand the reaction as something close to what Holocaust survivors describe. When she watches footage of the hostages who came home after her, she says, she does not see what everyone else sees. She wonders whether they have socks, whether their clothes have been changed, whether they are cold – ordinary comforts most people never think to notice until they are taken from you. She often points to a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor who attends her lectures, a man she says radiates the kind of peace that only comes from having made peace with everything. During one talk, she watched him doze off during the hopeful opening and wake again just as she reached a more hopeful close, sleeping straight through the hardest parts. She has taken it as a kind of blessing to aim for herself. Asked what she would tell the people who prayed for her, she did not hesitate. She spoke of the thousands who filled the streets of Israel the night she came home, holding flags, waiting for her, a welcome she says filled her in a way she had never expected. “I can’t do it without you,” she tells audiences now, wherever she speaks. Her message is simple: change starts with each person choosing, in ordinary moments as much as in crisis, to be the kind of people worth coming home to. She thinks often about what freedom means now, especially around the holiday of Pesach. Her own advice, for the good times as much as the hard ones, is simple: let go of the small arguments, over seating, over who brought what, and hold onto what actually matters.

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

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

lieve them, and she was right not to. At the exchange point, a terrorist pulled her back by the shirt. “Not you,” he told her. “Not now.” The two other hostages with her were released that day. She was not. It took several more false promises, she says, before she finally boarded a Red Cross vehicle on day fifty-four, and even then, she braced herself for someone to change their mind and take her back. When she was finally freed and reunited with her mother, the moment matched, almost exactly, an image she had pictured over and over during captivity: her mother in a blue shirt, dancing, though she never dances, smiling, and hugging her with both arms instead of the one arm she usually offered. “I felt like my victory was so big,” Moran explains, “because I also won against myself.” Their relationship, she says, had not always been close before October 7. It is now.

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Dating Dialogue

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

Dear Navidaters,

Hi! Thanks for your amazing column (it’s the reason my family picks up the paper every week!). I don’t usually get to see it unless I’m home, which I was recently when I was home for bein hazmanim. I wanted to ask the panel’s advice on something that has

been weighing on my mind. I am in yeshiva in Lakewood, and my rebbi took me aside before bein hazmanim and told me it would be bad for shidduchim if I keep wearing my current hat. Apparently, since the brim is a bit wider than the current style (not the short, trendy brim), he claims it would put the girls off. Personally, I wouldn’t mind getting a new hat like that. Although we can definitely afford it and my current hat is relatively new, my parents are principled people. They feel that this comment was inappropriate, and also that the current trendiness of short-brimmed hats are more of a sense of style rather than anything ruchnius and totally defeats any purpose. To be honest, my father also thinks those hats look too small and quite ridiculous. My question is: do I follow what my rebbi has told me, or do I trust my parents on this? Thank you! Reuven*

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 Lisa Babich

hank you so much for your question! I think the answer really depends on you. From an outsider’s perspective, it does seem a little silly to think someone would be less likely to marry you simply because the brim of your hat isn’t exactly the right size. There is a concept of hishtadlus—doing our part and making an effort—and I’m not sure how significant the brim size is in your circles. Does a larger brim make someone look sloppy or outdated? Or is it simply a matter of personal preference, with each person having their own affinity for a particular style? These are questions worth asking yourself. If you look neat and presentable in your hat, I don’t necessarily see a problem with it. I should also add that there is a concept in emunah that the more power we attribute to something, the more influence we may allow it to have over us. If you begin to feel that the brim of your hat is the determining factor in your shidduch prospects, rather than placing your trust in Hashem, you may be giving the hat more weight than it deserves. I would be curious to hear more about what your rebbi was specifically pointing out. Was it really just the brim size, or was there something more to it? Is your hat very outdated or in poor or

unkempt condition? If your hat is perfectly fine and this was simply a recommendation, perhaps the best thing to do is take a step back, consider how you feel about it, and trust your judgment. Hatzlacha!

The Shadchan Michelle Mond

efore I begin responding to your letter, I want to reassure our readership that this was indeed a real quandary from a real person. As I solicit and vet the questions every week, I make sure every question we get is a real-life scenario, because at first glance, this is quite unbelievable! The reality of this question, though, sheds light on the society in which we live. I think your question is even more important than anything else because of this. Even though we teach our boys the values of the Torah and try to impart messages of limiting gashmiyus, our generation truly has a ways to go in regard to practicing what we preach. In my opinion, your emunah and bitachon that Hakadosh Baruch Hu will grant you an amazing zivug despite your brim length will be a bigger zechus than spending an extra $300 on a trendier hat. For an even bigger zechus, take that $300 you would have spent on a smallbrimmed hat and give the money to a tzedaka of your choice. As long as you

look outwardly polished and put together, you will be absolutely fine. You mentioned in your letter that your hat is relatively new. This shows me that we are not talking about a situation where you are looking shlumpy or outdated. You simply got what you liked at the time you bought it. Hashem will not punish you for that. On the contrary, I bet when you go out with your future wife and tell her that story, after being quite amused, she will be pretty impressed with your level of integrity. As an aside, I hope this question helps many think twice about the trivial, nuanced details we as frum Yidden may focus on. Whether it be brim length, shoe styles, belt brands, or shtreimel heights, these things don’t hold a candle to what is actually important in real life! These things mean nothing about what a person is like on the inside. Things like being non-judgmental, being a good person, being kind to others, living al

Can we dare to dream of a day when the measure of a person’s worth isn’t dependent upon such trivial nonsense as the width of a hat brim?

kiddush Hashem, etc. – those are the impressive qualities that will truly set us apart.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

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.

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

The Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler

hen I read your letter, I started laughing hysterically. My wife wanted to know what was so funny. I explained that someone made up a phony Dating Dialogue question that was really, really funny. I really appreciated the creative sense of humor that went into this prank letter. My wife explained, sadly, “Uh, Jeffrey, I was just on the phone with your very yeshivish cousin, Chana Shaina, and this hat thing is a very real issue for them. I don’t think this letter is a hoax.” This was very deflating information. At a time when huge numbers of young, educated people in this country and around the world are turning against Am Yisreal and Medinat Yisrael, we are worried about the design of hat brims?! It made me think of Martin Luther

King’s famous speech, when he said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” If this letter is indicative of the values we consider important, can we dare to dream of a day when the measure of a person’s worth isn’t dependent upon such trivial nonsense as the width of a hat brim? I suspect that your rebbi’s advice may have less to do with your dating prospects and more to do with his desire to encourage uniformity and conformity among his students. My recommendation is for you to wear whatever hat that you, personally, like. Any young lady who judges your worth by the width of your hat brim tells you a lot about her worth as a potential life partner. You want to marry someone who understands that the hat is not nearly as important as what is under the hat.

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

ear Reuven, I think there’s something interesting happening here that has very little to do with the actual hat. You have a rebbie telling you one thing and parents telling you another. Both are people whose opinions matter to you, and now you’re left trying to figure out whose advice to follow. I wonder if the more important question is how you feel about it. You mentioned that you wouldn’t mind getting a new hat. I’m curious

what that means. Do you actually like the shorter-brimmed hats? Do you feel that fitting in with the norms of your yeshiva community is important to you? Or are you mostly concerned that something as seemingly insignificant as a hat could somehow work against you in shidduchim? There’s nothing wrong with caring about how you present yourself or wanting to fit in. We all want to feel that

Reader’s Response Yehudah A Bachur from Bayswater

You may be giving the hat more weight than it deserves.

hat a deep question! Your parents aren’t telling you to do anything wrong, but your rebbi feels that you should be acting differently. By not stating your own opinion, I’m guessing that you don’t really care what hat is on your head; you just want to do what is right. There are three things to consider in responding to this question. First, don’t panic! Nothing can help or harm you unless it is decreed by Hashem. He can show your bashert a shiur on the importance of wide brims, make your hat go missing, forcing you to borrow small brim hat, or any of the other millions of options open to Him. The second thing is our responsibility of hishtadlus. This basically means to do what is normal. In this aspect, your reb-

we belong, especially in a community where so many of the people around us share similar expectations. And it can be frustrating when something that feels superficial to you is apparently meaningful to someone else. At the same time, I wouldn’t want you to make this decision out of fear. Your rebbi may be trying to help you navigate the world of shidduchim as he understands it. Your parents may be trying to protect you from feeling that you have to chase every trend. You can appreciate both perspectives without automatically adopting either one. Maybe take a little time to ask yourself what kind of person you want to be in these situations. How much do you want external expectations to influence your choices? When is adapting to your

bi is correct in advising you to get a cool hat. If it’s what everyone does, it could be proper for you. Third is our obligation to respect our parents. We don’t lose out from fulfilling this mitzvah. I would have a talk with your parents (perhaps with your rebbi) about your obligation of hishtadlus and fitting in. Even if a person has all of the ma’alos in the world, it could be that he won’t get a chance to be heard if he looks different. If your parents still feel b’shita that you should have a larger hat, you can confidently listen to them without worrying about missing your bashert.

community something that feels right to you, and when does it feel like you’re doing something just to avoid being judged? These aren’t easy questions, and you don’t have to have all the answers right now. Part of growing up is learning to hear the opinions of people you respect, take them seriously, and still develop the ability to make decisions for yourself. I hope you don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. When the time comes, you want to meet someone who sees you as a whole person. Your hat might be part of how you present yourself, but it isn’t who you are. Sincerely, 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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Shmooze & Muse

Penny Water By Mordechai Schmutter

id you know there were actual springs in Saratoga Springs? I did not. My wife knew. She brought it up on the Shabbos before we went on vacation this summer. She said, “If we’re going to be in the area, we should stop by Saratoga Springs,” and I asked, “What’s there?” and she said, “Springs!” I thought it was just a name. I grew up in Spring Valley. Did not see a single spring. Not even all of it was valley. So I looked it up in our ten-year-old AAA book, because it was Shabbos and it was in there. Most of the attractions in the book are outdated, and the prices are definitely outdated, but I don’t think this attraction that’s been around since at least after the Mabul has changed drastically in the last ten years. “Yeah, we got rid of the springs. It’s just a hike now.” These are not hot springs, though. They’re cold mineral springs. This was both disappointing and a relief, because it was 95 degrees outside on the day that we went on the way home from Lake George. We told the kids, “Water!” and they were like, “The whole Lake George was water.” It’s not the most exciting tourist attraction, but I figured we could maybe look at it like a factory tour of a place where they make mineral water. Yidden love factory tours – you show up, and they show you around like they’re training you into a job, and you’re thinking, “I don’t care about the history of how this place was started or the science of how it happens; I’m just here for the free samples.” And there were free samples, as long as we brought our own cups. Free water! It’s like a factory tour for people on a diet. And with this tour, you can have as many free samples as you wanted; not like one small bag of chips and then if you want more, they’re like, “You have to do the tour again.” The brochure says, “Walk around our

hiking trails and taste all the springs. They each have a different taste!” which was strange, because honestly, water should not have any taste. So at first, I too was thinking, “What’s so special? We have water at home. And it’s colder!” But it’s not about the water itself; it’s about the gadlus haborei. Like when we took the kids to Niagara Falls, which was gadlus haborei too, in that it was about water falling from a higher place to a lower place. So the springs are about water flowing from a lower place to a higher place. It should be even more impressive. See, normally only hot water comes out as geysers. Cold water just trickles out of the ground. But this water is carbonated, like seltzer, so it’s just constantly coming up. But apparently, it’s also about the amounts. It was not coming out of the ground at anything close to the same volume. There’s no Maid of the Mist, and no one needs raincoats. But then I read about the health benefits of this water. There are no health benefits to drinking from Niagara Falls that they advertise. They just advertise how many people they scoop out of the

river every couple of years. But throughout history, people have liked going to springs because of their healing properties. Hot springs, mainly, but any water that comes from the ground has healing properties. As opposed to the water that comes from the sky. I don’t know the science. One sign in their main office says, “The mineral springs at Saratoga have long been thought to have medicinal qualities. The most common ways to use the waters were drinking and bathing.” Okay, what were the less common ways? Do I want to know? Laundry and putting it underneath the pans at parties? The office also provided a map with a description of each spring’s medicinal qualities. For example: Tallulah Spring – alleviates dry mouth, narcolepsy, insomnia, athlete’s foot, and cavities. Hayes Spring – Corrects flat feet, carpal tunnel, werewolf syndrome, mad cow disease, and black death. Shonts Spring – relieves irritation from tzaraas, conjunctivitis, agoraphobia, Islamophobia, and hypochondria. Anyway, we drank from almost every spring and let me tell you – you could

definitely taste the minerals. As one of my sons put it, it tasted like drinking pennies. But they didn’t all taste like pennies. They had different flavors. Some of them tasted like licking a battery. I feel like this whole thing was a prank to get tourists to come and taste the water. They’re like, “Oh, you can taste all of them!” There was one spring that that smelled like stomach problems. We were standing over it, saying, “We’re not going to drink this one, are we?” when suddenly this guy in a local worker’s uniform with a logo and everything ran out of the underbrush with an empty water bottle, filled it from this spring, and immediately chugged it down. He told us, “This is my favorite one!” and he filled his bottle again. He was very definitely in on this prank. Then he filled up his bottle a third time for the road, and he left. This is his entire work break, including the back and forth. He only has two minutes at the fountain for his three daily bottles of stomach-problem water. We actually looked at the sign, and it said, and I am not making this up: “Orenda Spring – laxative and antacid. Rich in iron for strong blood.” What on earth is strong blood? The sign also said that inhaling the fumes increases one’s potassium iodide, which I hear is a necessary supplement. So we were wondering, “Maybe this one is good? If a local liked it…” No. It tasted like it smelled. But not to worry: According to signs in the office, all of the springs are tested every year to make sure they’re okay to drink. There’s an actual research lab on the property – the Simon Baruch Research Institute, named after a Jewish physician from the 1800s who “believed that the key to health is access to clean bath water.” According to my research at the Mordechai Schmutter Research Living Room, he was the country’s fore-

think you can just go around willy-nilly, drinking all the waters? You can’t take all the medicines at the pharmacy! Also, how much of it do you have to drink for it to heal you? Because this one guy drinks three bottles a day. Do the springs actually heal anything? Maybe it’s the hiking and drink-

up all day long to fill their bottles. So you have to stand in line for this spring, behind people who’ve schlepped in their water-cooler jugs. The weird thing is that they already live in the town. Where does their sink water come from? Not the existing springs?

But they didn’t all taste like pennies. They had different flavors. Some of them tasted like licking a battery.

ing water that actually does it. I mean all water is beneficial medically, in that it’s great for hydration. And you can also take pills with water. There actually was one spring that didn’t taste weird, though. It was called the State Seal Spring, and it came up in two places in the park. They put a parking lot right next to it, and the locals line

And they say Yidden are cheap. If we were, there would be a lot more Yidden living in Saratoga Springs; I’ll tell you that. Also, if there were Yidden, they would have found some way to monetize all of it. The weird thing was that this was the only spring that didn’t have any car-

bonation and also the only spring that wasn’t that cold. And it comes up in two places. Near the parking lots! The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. It definitely made us appreciate the water we have at home, though. We’re like, “Ich, we prefer bland water. That’s also cold.” And we couldn’t get the taste out no matter how much water we drank in the car. So we had to stop for soda at a rest stop, and it was like $5 a bottle, thus effectively canceling out all the benefits of the springs in one swoop. The soda was sparkling, too. But I would definitely recommend going if you want a fun afternoon of watching your loved ones slowly discover why the locals only line up at the one spring. Except for that one guy, who I think just really hates waiting in line.

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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

most advocate of free municipal baths, particularly in New York City. Baruch was met with continual resistance by politicians, such as Mayor Hugh Grant, who declared, “The people won’t bathe.” Though I think depending on the way you read that sentence, he could have said it more out of frustration. But eventually, Baruch persuaded the State Legislature to pass a law obligating cities exceeding a population of 50,000 to establish free bathhouse facilities, without which many of us would not be around today. There is also an actual bathhouse in the park, across from where they test the water, which, to my knowledge, is the only place in New York where you can bathe in seltzer. Legend says that if you bathe in these waters, you come out cleaner, you’re more popular, and you smell a little bit like pennies. I think if the waters really cured whatever the signs said, they would bottle it and sell it. They should at least tell you to maybe consult a physician before drinking from any of the springs. Anything that provides an effective medical ramification can also be bad for you. It depends what your body needs. You

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

School of

Thought

By Etti Siegel

Dear Etti, My middle school son always seems to need something

to look forward to. If he behaves well, he wants a prize. If we’re going somewhere, he wants to know what we’re buying. Before we’re even home from a family outing, he’s asking what we’re doing next. A small treat used to make him happy, but lately nothing seems to be enough. The same thing happens with privileges. Ten extra minutes of screen time becomes a request afor twenty. A special late bedtime leads to demands for an even later one. When we say no, he bargains and argues until we’re exhausted. The hard part is that rewards really do work, at least temporarily. Offer him something he wants, and suddenly he can get dressed quickly, finish his homework, or behave beautifully. It’s very tempting

to keep doing it. But I’m beginning to wonder whether we’re making things worse. I don’t want him growing up believing that ordinary responsibilities require a payoff or that there always has to be something exciting waiting around the corner. How do we motivate a child who always seems to need more? - Running Out of Carrots

Dear Running Out of Carrots, There is nothing wrong with rewards. We all enjoy having something to look forward to, and an occasional incentive can be a wonderful motivator. The problem begins when a child starts expecting a reward for doing things that are simply part of everyday life. I think there are actually two issues here. One is your son’s expectation that

cooperation should come with some sort of payoff. The other is his difficulty enjoying what he has without immediately wanting something more. Let’s start with the rewards. As a teacher, I have always believed that rewards have their place. They can be especially helpful when we’re trying to establish a new habit or encourage a child who is struggling with something. But once the child has mastered the skill, we need to gradually move away from the reward. Otherwise, we find ourselves offering prizes for things the child is perfectly capable of doing on his own. Your son knows how to get dressed, finish his homework, and follow the household routines. You’ve seen him do these things beautifully when there’s something he wants at the end. Now it’s time to help him understand that these are responsibilities, not opportunities to earn prizes. I wouldn’t announce that rewards are finished forever. That would probably create an unnecessary battle. Instead, I would quietly begin changing how often you offer them. Continue to recognize his efforts, but don’t automatically attach a treat or privilege to every expectation. The negotiating is another area I would work on. Your son sounds like a very skilled negotiator, and I suspect he has learned that if he keeps asking long enough, there is a reasonable chance that someone will give in. And who can blame a tired parent for occasionally agreeing to another ten minutes of screen time just to end the discussion? Unfortunately, when that happens, we’ve taught the child that persistence pays off. I would suggest deciding ahead of time which things are negotiable and which are not. There is nothing wrong

with occasionally allowing a later bedtime or extra screen time, but once you’ve made your decision, you don’t need to keep explaining it. “I know you’d like another ten minutes, but we’re finished for tonight.” If he comes back with another argument, you can acknowledge what he’s saying without entering into a debate. “I understand that you’re disappointed. My answer hasn’t changed.” And then stop discussing it. You may find that he initially argues even more because he’s accustomed to the possibility that you’ll change your mind. Give him time to adjust to the new expectations. Now, about his constant need for something more. Some children have a harder time waiting, accepting disappointment, or simply enjoying what they’re doing without thinking about what comes next. Your son may have become so accustomed to treats and exciting activities that the ordinary pleasures of family life don’t seem quite as interesting anymore. I would make a conscious effort to change that. Take him on an outing that doesn’t include buying anything. Go for a bike ride, play a board game, bake together, or spend an afternoon visiting grandparents. If he asks what you’re buying or what you’re doing next, don’t feel obligated to come up with something exciting: “We’re going to the park today. That’s our outing.” If he complains that it’s boring, that’s okay. He is allowed to be disappointed. You don’t need to convince him that he’s having a wonderful time or find something else to make him happy. You may be familiar with the famous marshmallow experiment conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel at Stanford University. Young children were offered a choice: They could eat one marshmal-

ing about. Waiting for something we want isn’t always easy, particularly for children, and it’s something they need opportunities to practice. Your son doesn’t need a marshmallow experiment. Ever yday family life provides plenty of opportunities. If he wants something in a store, suggest putting it on his birthday list. If he wants something expensive, help him save toward it. If he asks about the next family trip before you’ve even returned from this one, remind him that you’ve just had a lovely day

Continue to recognize his efforts, but don’t automatically attach a treat or privilege to every expectation.

and there’s no need to plan another one right now. These may seem like small things, but they give him practice managing the feeling of wanting something without immediately getting it. And please don’t stop giving him treats! There is something wonderful about surprising a child with an ice cream or an unexpected privilege simply because you want to. I would just try to make those treats your decision rather than something he has negotiated or demanded. In the meantime, pay attention to the moments when your son does manage himself well. If he accepts a disappointment without arguing, let him know you noticed. If he completes his homework without asking what he’ll get for it, acknowledge his responsibility. “I know you really wanted that, and I appreciated how you accepted my answer.” “You got ready so quickly this morning. That was a big help.”

You don’t have to make a production out of it. A sincere comment lets him know that you recognize his growing maturity. I would expect some resistance as you begin making these changes. After all, the old system was working quite well for him! Be patient, and don’t interpret every complaint as a sign that your approach isn’t working. Your son is in middle school. He has plenty of time to learn how to wait, handle disappointment, and enjoy what he already has. Your job is to give him opportunities to practice those skills, even when it would be much easier to offer another carrot. And perhaps, as he becomes less accustomed to getting something every time he asks, those occasional little treats will become special again. Warmly, 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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

low immediately, or wait and receive two. Some children managed to wait, while others found the temptation too difficult. The experiment became famous for its connection to self-control and delayed gratification. Later research showed that the findings were more complicated than originally believed and that a child’s ability to wait is influenced by many factors, including whether he trusts that the promised reward will actually arrive. But the basic idea is worth think-

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Parenting Pearls

Designing a Village By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

aising a child is a gargantuan task. Many new parents have looked at their tiny, precious bundle and felt the word “overwhelmed” was an understatement. Fortunately, we’re not meant to raise children alone. There is an often-quoted phrase that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Perhaps we should amend that to “community” to acknowledge the important role the greater community plays in our family’s lives. It creates the environment we raise our child in and guides the behaviors they see as the standard to emulate. There are many people in a child’s life beyond the immediate family and community they live in. We have family and friends that help round out our lives and enhance our child’s world. While there are many definitions for “family,” the people in a child’s life extend far beyond that core nuclear group. This was even more pronounced as we saw the shift of people over the yomim tovim as many families spent the holidays with extended family and others they are close to. Beyond the fun and bonding of family, extended relatives play an important role in a child’s life. While I am mostly focusing on the role of biological relatives, the term “family” often encompasses many others that we are close to like family, even if we don’t share genetics. Throughout this article, readers should feel comfortable using this more extensive definition for family.

Needing a Village We each have different personalities and traits that are all our own, and each person in our life contributes something unique. Just as we each add something individual to the world, we do the same towards others in our lives. As adults, we enjoy a variety of friends and trusted people. Children are no different. There are many types of wonderful people we will encounter. Some will be outgoing, others quieter. There are introverts

and extroverts. We have people who specialize in bein adam l’chaveiro and those who excel in bein adam l’Makom. We learn and gain from all of them. Children always need to know how much their parents love them. This is undeniable and crucial to their emotional development, but they also benefit from knowing they are loved by others. Think of the warmth and good feelings a child experiences when they can list the many people who love them and care about them. They also benefit from having others they can go to when they need. While we hope our kids will come to us with any issue they have, the reality is that children may not feel comfortable sharing everything with us. Sometimes, an aunt or uncle feels like an older but responsible buddy. Perhaps a grandparent is that cozy spot they can go to. We want that they should always have someone to go to and be there for them.

send voice notes and share scans of drawings and nachas notes. The number of ways we can interact has greatly expanded. As children, we would call relatives over the old-fashioned landline, but it was still somewhat distant because we couldn’t see them. Additionally, the lack of visuals kept the connection very abstract for little children. Many of us can remember the confusion or outright fear young children had hearing a voice that claimed to be their grandparent. The little one would frequently turn over and check the sides of the phone trying to find out where the person was hiding.

Think of the warmth and good feelings a child experiences when they can list the many people who love them and care about them.

At times, kids are upset with their parents and need a safe person to discuss it with. Often, just having another responsible adult they can go to for advice helps them have a clearer and calmer way of speaking when they eventually are prepared to speak with their parents.

Building the Village One of the benefits of technology is that we have more options for communication than ever before. Children can call, text and video chat with loved ones. They can

Being able to see the person they are speaking with creates a more meaningful connection than audio alone. They can see facial features, as well as facial expressions and body language. While a digital connection shouldn’t replace in-person bonding, it’s incredibly helpful for when a loved one can’t be physically present. This works both ways, and relatives, especially those who are limited in their ability to travel, can enjoy building a relationship with our precious children. There are innumerable mutual benefits. For example,

grandparents can see how their grandchildren are growing from day to day. Loved ones can also see how their elderly relatives are doing, and they can better keep track of their health, recognizing the first sign of concerning changes.

Expanding the Village While we often discuss the benefits of extended family, not everyone has a gaggle of relatives prepared to swoop in to give love and assistance. Even those fortunate to have extended family may not have relatives living close enough to make as meaningful an impact. Our village isn’t limited to those who share DNA or years of experiences with us. We have neighbors and friends who can be those additional loving adults every child needs. We can have “adopted” aunts and uncles and families that our children can build meaningful connections with. As parents, we have the opportunity to decide who we want in our child’s life and from whom they can learn and grow in their middos and avodas Hashem. We can create a loving space that encompasses those beyond the beautiful home we ourselves provide for our children.

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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Health & F tness

Down the Rabbit Hole By Rivka Kramer, PMHNP-BC

e spend so much time talking about what we eat, how we sleep, and how we manage stress. But what about what we consume mentally every single day? There is something fascinating, and perhaps a little unsettling, about how easily we lose track of time on our phones. You open Instagram to check one message, and before you know it, twenty minutes have passed. You have watched a video about parenting, followed by one about anxiety, then another about a celebrity’s divorce, and somehow ended up listening to a stranger explain the five signs that you might have an undiagnosed mental health condition. You never intended to spend your evening researching psychiatric symptoms. Yet here you are, wondering whether your difficulty concentrating means you have ADHD, whether your mood fluctuations suggest bipolar disorder, or whether your exhaustion is a sign of something more serious. Welcome to the rabbit hole of the algorithm. What makes this especially interesting is that we often spend considerable time exploring what is happening inside

a person’s mind without giving enough attention to what that mind is being exposed to throughout the day.

The Algorithm Knows Social media platforms are designed to learn what captures our attention. Every video we watch, every post we pause on, and every topic we return to provides information about what might keep us engaged. If you watch a video about anxiety, you may begin seeing more content about anxiety. If you linger on a post about relationship difficulties, your feed may gradually fill with stories about unhealthy marriages, emotional manipulation, and warning signs that something is wrong. The algorithm does not know whether you are watching because you are interested, worried, skeptical, or simply curious. It recognizes engagement and offers more of what appears to hold your attention. The problem is that our brains do not always experience repeated exposure as neutral information. Imagine a woman who has been feeling overwhelmed lately. She is managing a household, balancing respon-

sibilities, and struggling to find a few moments for herself. One evening, she comes across a video describing symptoms of anxiety. Some descriptions resonate with her, so she watches another video, then another. Over the following days, her feed becomes increasingly populated with content about anxiety, burnout, and emotional exhaustion. Eventually, she begins monitoring herself more closely. She notices every moment of irritability, every racing thought, and every physical sensation associated with stress. Experiences she previously considered ordinary now feel like evidence that something is wrong. Did she suddenly develop a psychiatric disorder? Perhaps she was already struggling with one. Perhaps the content helped her recognize symptoms deserving attention. But it is also possible that repeated exposure increased her anxiety and changed how she interpreted everyday experiences.

When Awareness Becomes Hyperawareness There is tremendous value in the growing conversation around mental health. For years, people suffered qui-

etly because they lacked the language to describe what they were experiencing or feared being judged for seeking help. Today, someone who has struggled for decades with attention difficulties may finally recognize the possibility of ADHD. A mother experiencing postpartum depression may realize that what she is feeling is treatable. Someone living with obsessive compulsive disorder may discover that their intrusive thoughts have a name and that effective treatment exists. This accessibility can be life changing and give hope. However, when psychiatric terminology becomes part of everyday social media language, the distinction between normal human experiences and clinical disorders can become blurred. Feeling distracted does not automatically mean someone has ADHD. Having an emotionally difficult week does not necessarily indicate bipolar disorder. Being uncomfortable in a social situation is not always social anxiety disorder. Psychiatric diagnoses require a broader understanding of a person’s history, symptom duration and severity, developmental patterns, and most

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

importantly, how symptoms affect daily functioning. A thirty-second video cannot provide that context. Yet repeated exposure to descriptions of symptoms may lead people to view themselves through an increasingly narrow diagnostic lens. Rather than asking, “Why am I feeling this way?” they begin asking, “Which diagnosis explains everything I am feeling?”

What We May Be Missing This is where I believe an integrative and curious approach to psychiatry becomes particularly important. When someone presents with anxiety, depression, irritability, poor concentration, or difficulty sleeping, our responsibility is not simply to identify symptoms and determine which medication might help. We need to understand the person experiencing them. What does a typical day look like? How much sleep are they getting? Are they eating regularly? Are they physically active? What are their stressors? How connected do they feel to others? What was their upbringing like, and what are their family dynamics? Another question deserves a place in that conversation.

cause of their symptoms, but it can become one of the factors keeping those symptoms alive. That is the essence of integrative psychiatry. We recognize that mental health is influenced by biological, psychological, social, environmental, and lifestyle factors that interact with one another. Medication can be tremendously helpful, and in many cases essential. Therapy can provide tools for understanding and changing patterns of thinking and behavior. But if we overlook the environment a person returns to after leaving the office, we may miss something important about why they continue to struggle.

The Invisible Comparison Game One subtle effect of social media is how it can quietly reshape our expectations of everyday life.

Sometimes, before changing a medication or adding another intervention, it is worth exploring whether daily routines are contributing to the feelings we are trying to treat.

When Scrolling Becomes a Way to Escape People do not always reach for their phones because they are entertained. Sometimes, they reach for them because they are uncomfortable. Boredom, loneliness, anxiety, sadness, and emotional exhaustion can make the quick distraction of a screen appealing. For a few minutes, scrolling provides relief. We do not have to sit with our thoughts, address a difficult conversation, or confront whatever is bothering us. But when distraction becomes our primary coping mechanism, we may lose opportunities to develop the emotional tolerance needed to navigate uncomfortable feelings.

It is worth exploring whether daily routines are contributing to the feelings we are trying to treat.

What are You Spending Your Time Consuming? Not just what you are eating or drinking, but what you are watching, reading, listening to, and mentally absorbing. Consider someone who reports difficulty falling asleep. We can explore psychiatric conditions, medication effects, caffeine intake, hormonal changes, and other medical contributors. All of these are essential. But what if that person spends the hour before bedtime scrolling through emotionally charged videos, frightening news stories, or content encouraging constant comparison? Even if physically tired, their mind may remain stimulated long after they put the phone away. Or consider a teenager struggling with self-esteem and sadness. We certainly want to assess depression, anxiety, bullying, and family stress. But we should also understand whether that teenager spends hours watching carefully edited versions of other people’s lives and comparing their appearance, friendships, or accomplishments to what they see. The content may not be the sole

We see beautifully organized homes, seemingly effortless parenting, successful businesses, perfect vacations, and marriages that appear endlessly romantic. Intellectually, most of us understand that people share selected moments rather than the entirety of their lives. Emotionally, however, comparison can still take hold. A mother who has spent an exhausting day caring for her children opens her phone and sees another mother preparing elaborate meals in an immaculate kitchen. A young woman already feeling insecure sees people who appear more attractive, accomplished, or socially connected. Over time, repeated comparisons can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and anxiety. Someone may come into an appointment reporting increasing unhappiness with their life, without recognizing how much time they have spent absorbing messages suggesting everyone else is doing better.

This does not mean screen time is inherently harmful. The more meaningful question is whether the behavior is serving us or gradually interfering with our ability to function.

Looking Beyond the Prescription Pad Two people can present with similar complaints of anxiety, poor sleep, and difficulty concentrating, yet the contributing factors may be entirely different. One may have an underlying anxiety disorder that responds well to medication and psychotherapy. Another may be experiencing chronic sleep deprivation. A third may be dealing with significant life stress, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, or an overwhelming daily environment. For some, digital habits may be amplifying symptoms already present. An integrative psychiatric assessment allows us to examine these possibilities together rather than assuming every symptom requires a separate prescription.

This is not an argument against psychiatric medication. Appropriate medication management is an invaluable part of mental health care, and delaying necessary treatment can have serious consequences. But good psychiatric care should also involve asking what else might be contributing to someone’s distress. Sometimes meaningful improvement begins with creating a healthier evening routine, reducing exposure to distressing content, protecting sleep, reconnecting with people in real life, or becoming more intentional about how time is spent. These changes are not substitutes for treatment when needed. They help create an environment in which treatment has the best opportunity to succeed.

Taking Back Control of What We Consume I am not suggesting we all delete our social media accounts. Social media can provide education, community, inspiration, and genuine emotional support. But perhaps we need to become more thoughtful about what we allow into our minds. Just as we pay attention to the food we eat because we understand its influence on physical health, we should consider the information we consume because it can influence our emotional well being. Notice how you feel after spending time online. Are you more informed, encouraged, and connected? Or do you walk away feeling restless, worried, inadequate, or overwhelmed? Remember that an algorithm is designed to hold your attention, not necessarily protect your peace of mind. Not every uncomfortable emotion needs to be analyzed, diagnosed, or explained by a stranger on the internet. Sometimes, we are tired, overwhelmed and sometimes life is genuinely difficult. And at times, those feelings deserve professional evaluation and treatment. Knowing the difference requires understanding the whole person, not just a collection of symptoms.

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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Health & F tness

When Did An Egg Stop Being An Egg? By Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH (SA), FAAP

atients are asking me about something they’ve been hearing about in the news. “Dr. Lightman, what’s going on with these fake eggs that don’t even come from chickens?” It’s a fair question. It certainly sounds strange. What we’re actually talking about isn’t a whole egg. It’s a specific egg-white protein produced in a laboratory setting using a technology called precision fermentation. The FDA reviewed the safety information submitted for these proteins and has essentially allowed them to be used as ingredients in certain foods. But the more I thought about the questions I was getting, the more I realized that the bigger conversation isn’t really about fake eggs. It’s about what we’re feeding our families and how far we’ve gotten from the source of our food. With all the things we can now do to food, are we sometimes forgetting how good food was to begin with?

Food Has Become Complicated Walking through a supermarket today is humbling because you almost need

a degree in microbiology to understand some of the packages. Everything seems to have been enhanced, fortified, reformulated, concentrated, flavored, substituted or engineered. There’s a new protein powder. A new “healthy” snack. A new drink promising better hydration. A bar promising enough protein to get your child through the day. A cereal with vitamins added back into it. Parents look at all of this and naturally wonder, “What am I actually supposed to feed my children?” My answer is usually not very exciting: Start with food. Protein should be first. Think chicken and fish. Then fruit. Vegetables. Eggs. Whole grains. Nuts and seeds when appropriate. Water. Meals made from ingredients you recognize. Your grandmother probably didn’t call this “whole-food nutrition.” She called it lunch.

Go Back to the Source We spend an enormous amount of time trying to figure out how to get more nutrition into our children’s diets. More protein. More vitamins. More fiber. Less sugar.

Those are important goals. But sometimes the easiest way to get better nutrition isn’t to find a product that has been designed to contain all those things. It’s to go back to the foods that contained them in the first place. Want vitamin C? An orange is a good place to start. Want fiber? Try fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Want protein? There are eggs, fish, chicken, beans, yogurt, nuts and many other familiar choices. An ordinary egg, for example, is already an incredibly useful food. It provides high-quality protein along with important nutrients, all wrapped up in a package that has worked quite well for a long time. We don’t always need to reinvent it.

The Front Of The Package is Advertising I encourage parents to turn the package around. The front is where companies talk to you. The back is where the food talks to you. “High protein.”

“Plant-based.” “Natural.” “Made with real fruit.” “Animal-free.” Those words may all be technically accurate, but none of them automatically makes something the best nutritional choice for your family. Look at the ingredients. Look at the added sugar. Look at what you’re actually buying. And most importantly, look at your child’s overall diet. A packaged snack isn’t going to ruin a healthy diet any more than eating one apple is going to fix an unhealthy one. It’s the pattern that matters. This also reminds me of how Rav Avigdor Miller, zt”l, so passionately taught us to appreciate Hashem’s incredible natural world. He could take something as simple as an apple or a potato and remind us to stop and appreciate the wisdom and goodness the Borei Olam put into His creations. We need to bring some of that wonder and appreciation back to the way we feed our families.

Perfection Isn’t the Goal I don’t want parents reading this and thinking they now have to bake bread

The Chickenless Egg Conundrum For most families, I don’t think this needs to become the next great food controversy. New technology isn’t automatically dangerous simply because it’s new. But new also doesn’t automatically mean better.

One important caution. Animal-free does not mean allergy-free. Because these products can contain proteins corresponding to those found in egg white, people with egg allergies may still react to them. Families managing egg allergies should continue reading labels carefully and speak with their pediatri-

Let Food Be Food I want children to know what an apple tastes like, not only apple-flavored snacks. I want them to recognize vegetables. I want them to understand that protein doesn’t only come in a wrapper with “20 GRAMS OF PROTEIN!” printed across the front.

With all the things we can now do to food, are we sometimes forgetting how good food was to begin with?

cian or allergist when they’re unsure. The FDA’s documentation specifically describes these fermentation-made proteins as egg-white proteins, including ovalbumin. For everyone else, I think the lesson is much simpler. We don’t have to be afraid of food science. We also don’t have to chase it.

I want families sitting down to meals as families whenever they can, in addition to Shabbos meals. And yes, sometimes I want an egg to simply be an egg. Not because everything “natural” is automatically better. That’s too simplistic. It’s because there’s tremendous value in building our diets around foods that

are nutritious, recognizable and familiar. Food technology will continue to change. There will be new ingredients, new processes and new products we haven’t even imagined yet. That’s fine. Our basic approach to feeding our families doesn’t have to change every time the food industry does. Go back to the source. Keep most of your family’s food simple. Read labels. Enjoy treats. Use convenience when you need it. Don’t panic about every unfamiliar ingredient, but don’t assume you need it either. Sometimes, good nutrition really can be that uncomplicated. 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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every morning and grow tomatoes in the backyard. (If you do, kindly share with me.) We have jobs. We have carpools. We have homework. We have children who announce at 7:42 in the morning that today is the day they were supposed to bring 30 individually wrapped snacks to school. Convenience foods have a place. Frozen food has a place. Packaged snacks have a place. Dessert certainly has a place. The goal isn’t to create a perfect kitchen. The goal is to make real, recognizable food the foundation and let the other things fill in around it. If most of what your child eats resembles something you could identify without reading the package, you’re probably heading in a good direction.

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Health & F tness

TikTok Supplements The Hype Behind Pills, Powders, and Peptides By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

upplements have become a major part of today’s health and wellness world. Creatine, peptides, berberine, magnesium, and NAD+ are just some of the products getting a lot of attention for things like muscle growth, weight loss, recovery, sleep, and healthy aging. However, just because a supplement is viral or popular does not mean that all of the claims about it are true. Some supplements have been well studied and have clear benefits. Others have shown some promising results but still need more research. There are also supplements where the claims being made online are much stronger than what the research actually shows. Knowing the difference can help you make informed choices and avoid spending money on products that may not provide the benefits they promise.

Creatine Creatine is one of the most researched sports supplements available, and its popularity is backed by substantial evidence. Creatine is naturally produced by the body and is also found in foods such as meat and fish. It is stored primarily in muscle, where it helps provide energy during short, intense activities. The strongest evidence shows that creatine can improve strength, power, and performance during activities such as resistance training and repeated high-intensity exercise. When combined with strength training, it can also support increases in muscle mass. Creatine may cause some initial weight gain because it increases water stored in the muscles. However, this is not the same as gaining body fat. Creatine is also being studied for possible cognitive and healthy-aging benefits. While some research is promising, these areas do not have the same

level of evidence as its benefits for exercise performance. Overall, creatine monohydrate is one of the better-supported supplements for people participating in resistance or high-intensity exercise. It is not a magic muscle-building supplement, but it can provide a real benefit when combined with appropriate training.

Peptides Peptides have become a major trend in the wellness and fitness world and are being studied for potential benefits related to muscle growth, recovery, injury healing, metabolism, skin health, and healthy aging. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can act as signaling molecules in the body, influencing processes such as hormone release, tissue repair, and inflammation. Different peptides have different functions, and their effects depend on the specific compound. People are increasingly interested in peptides because they are marketed for a

variety of health and fitness goals. Some hope to build muscle, improve workout recovery, support injury healing, lose body fat, improve skin appearance, or promote healthy aging. Certain peptides can influence hormone signaling, while others are being investigated for their effects on tissue repair and other biological processes. Some peptides, such as insulin and certain medications used for diabetes and weight management, are already ingredients in FDA-approved medications. However, many peptides promoted for muscle growth, recovery, and anti-aging, including BPC-157, CJC-1295, and ipamorelin, still lack strong human research confirming the benefits commonly advertised online. Promising results in animal studies do not necessarily translate into proven benefits in people. The method of administration depends on the specific peptide. Some are injected under the skin, while others are available as oral medications, nasal

sprays, or topical products. Many peptides are broken down in the digestive tract, making injections a more common route for certain compounds. However, the form a product comes in does not guarantee that it is effective. People may encounter peptides through physicians, wellness or anti-aging clinics, telehealth services, and online vendors. FDA-approved peptide medications require a prescription when classified as prescription drugs. Other peptides are marketed as experimental treatments, sometimes through compounding pharmacies. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and their safety and effectiveness are not established through the FDA approval process. The biggest concern is that the claims surrounding many peptides are ahead of the research. For some compounds, long-term safety, appropriate dosing, and effectiveness in humans remain uncertain. The FDA has raised concerns about certain peptides, including BPC-157, CJC1295, and ipamorelin, because of limited safety information and potential risks such as impurities and immune reactions. Product quality is another concern, particularly with injectable peptides purchased online. Products may not contain the advertised ingredients or concentration, and contamination or improper preparation can lead to serious complications. Peptides can also have unintended hormonal effects, interact with medications, or pose risks for people with certain health conditions. Anyone considering peptide treatment should consult a qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate the specific compound, its evidence, and its potential risks. A prescription or recommendation from a wellness clinic does not automatically mean a peptide is proven safe or effective.

Berberine

Magnesium Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays an important role in many functions throughout the body, including muscle and nerve function, energy production, and blood glucose regulation. Getting enough magnesium is important for overall health, and it is naturally found in a variety of foods, including leafy green vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and some fortified foods. Magnesium has also gained attention for its potential benefits for sleep, relaxation, and stress. Research suggests that magnesium supplementation may improve sleep quality, particularly in people who are not getting enough magnesium through their diet. There is also some evidence that it may support relaxation and help with stress, although research in these areas is still developing. For people who are not meeting their magnesium needs through food, supplementation can be a useful way to increase intake. Different forms of magnesium are available, and they can vary in how well they are absorbed and how they are tolerated.

among today’s wellness trends. It plays an important role in the body, and supplementation may provide additional benefits for certain people, particularly when dietary intake is low.

NAD+, NMN and the Anti-Aging Trend NAD+ has become a popular topic in the healthy-aging and wellness world. NAD+ is a molecule naturally found in the body that plays an important role in energy production and many cellular processes. NAD+ levels may change with age, which has led researchers to study whether increasing NAD+ levels could support healthy aging. Supplements such as NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and nicotinamide riboside (NR) are being studied because they can increase NAD+ levels in the body. Research has shown that

Supplements should be evaluated based on the evidence behind them, not simply how popular they are.

It can cause loose stools, especially at higher doses. • Magnesium Oxide: Contains magnesium and oxygen. It is often used for constipation, heartburn, and indigestion. Although it contains a relatively high amount of elemental magnesium, the body absorbs it less efficiently than some other forms, and it can have a laxative effect. • Magnesium Malate: Magnesium bound to malic acid, a compound involved in energy production. It is often marketed for energy, muscle discomfort, and fatigue. However, there is limited evidence that this particular form provides these benefits beyond its role in supplying magnesium. • Magnesium L-Threonate: Magnesium bound to L-threonic acid. It has gained attention for its potential effects on brain health, memory, and cognitive function because of research into its ability to increase magnesium levels in the brain. However, human research is still limited, and its cognitive benefits have not been firmly established. Overall, magnesium is one of the more well-supported supplements

these supplements can raise NAD+ levels, and studies are now looking at whether this may translate into benefits for energy, metabolism, exercise, and other aspects of healthy aging. The research so far is promising, but it is still too early to say that NAD+ supplements can slow aging or extend lifespan in humans. Some studies have found potential benefits in areas such as metabolic health and physical function, while other studies have not found significant improvements. Overall, NAD+ and its precursors are a legitimate and interesting area of research. They may have potential benefits for healthy aging, but more human research is needed before they can be considered proven anti-aging supplements.

What Matters Most Supplements can be helpful, but they are only one part of overall health. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and other daily habits continue to play an important role in supporting long-term health. Getting enough protein, fruits and vegetables, high-fiber carbohydrates,

healthy fats, and fluids provides the body with many of the nutrients it needs. For some people, supplements can help fill nutritional gaps or provide additional benefits for a specific goal. However, taking more supplements does not necessarily mean better health. The goal should not be to take every supplement that is trending. Instead, it is important to look at what a supplement actually does, what the research shows, and whether it is appropriate for your individual needs. When used for the right reasons, supplements can be a useful addition to an overall healthy lifestyle. The growing interest in supplements has brought attention to some products with strong scientific support, as well as others that are still being researched. Creatine is one of the most well-researched supplements for improving strength, power, and exercise performance. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays many important roles in the body and may also support sleep and relaxation, particularly when intake is low. Berberine has shown potential benefits for blood sugar and cholesterol, while its effects on weight are still being studied. NAD+ and its precursors, such as NMN and NR, are an active area of research with potential applications for healthy aging. Peptides are also being studied for a variety of uses, but the evidence varies greatly depending on the specific peptide. The most important thing to remember is that supplements should be evaluated based on the evidence behind them, not simply how popular they are. Some trends are supported by strong research, while others are still developing. Before adding a supplement, ask: What does it actually do, what does the research show, and is it something I may benefit from? That approach can help you make informed decisions and choose supplements based on your individual needs rather than simply following the latest trend. As always, any modification to diet, medication or supplementation should first be discussed with your primary physician.

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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Berberine has gained a lot of attention in recent years, especially for its potential effects on blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight. It is a natural compound found in several plants and has been studied for its effects on metabolism. Some research suggests that berberine may help improve blood sugar control and certain cholesterol levels, particularly in people with metabolic concerns. Berberine has also been studied for weight management. Some studies have found modest weight loss in people taking berberine, but the research is not as strong or consistent as the claims often made on social media. It is sometimes called “nature’s Ozempic,” but this comparison can be misleading. Berberine works differently from GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy and should not be considered a natural replacement for these medications. Overall, berberine is a supplement with some legitimate research behind it, particularly for certain metabolic health markers. However, more research is needed to understand who is most likely to benefit and how effective it is for long-term weight management. It can also cause digestive side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and bloating, and interact with certain medications, so it may not be appropriate for everyone.

Magnesium supplements come in several different forms. Each form is bound to a different substance, which can affect how well the body absorbs it, how it is tolerated, and its effects on digestion. While all forms can contribute to magnesium intake, certain types are more commonly chosen for specific purposes. • Magnesium Glycinate: Magnesium bound to glycine, an amino acid. It is popular for relaxation, stress support, and sleep because it is generally gentle on the stomach and less likely to cause diarrhea. However, evidence that it directly improves sleep or reduces stress is still limited. • Magnesium Citrate: Magnesium bound to citric acid. It is commonly used to support bowel regularity because it draws water into the intestines, helping soften stool and relieve constipation.

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Home Sweet Home

The Renovation Roadmap Vetting the People on Your List By Neil Schwartz, RA CPHD LEED AP

ast month, we went through who’s who on a renovation project. Now you have a list of names — people who were recommended and a few specifically not — but what do you ask them? While not exhaustive, here are some suggestions and, more importantly, what to look for in the answers

How Did You Get Into This? It’s a gentle question, people enjoy answering it, and it tells you a great deal. Why someone got into this field — and whether they’re still interested in it — carries directly into how they’ll work on your project. It also leads naturally into the more important question.

What’s Your Background and Experience? Listen for where and when they went to school, how long they’ve been doing this full time, and how long their business has been open. Someone three months out of school once tried to convince me he had five years of experience through summer and part-time internships. As someone who takes on interns, I can tell you that aside from the reduced hours, interns don’t carry the same workload or responsibility as employees. Architecture and interior design programs are notoriously rigorous. Good programs only accept students who already arrive with talent and a portfolio to prove it, then spend four or five years honing those skills through a kind of critical evaluation rarely replicated in the field. A certificate program doesn’t substitute for it, and neither does having a knack for design. What those years build is a way of thinking — design

judgment and a vocabulary for solving problems that haven’t come up yet. But school alone isn’t the answer either. Architects and designers should have both training and time in the field. For architects, that’s built into licensure, which requires documented experience and exams alongside the degree. For designers, the paths vary more, and the title isn’t protected everywhere. General contractors typically come up through construction, many starting as carpenters. The more time in the field, the more familiar they are with the trades and how each one works. Specialty consultants should be intimately familiar with their products — a kitchen designer should know cabinetry cold, a stone supplier should understand how different stones behave. You want someone who is more than a salesperson. So ask where the expertise actually came from and listen for specifics. Neither path alone makes someone ready to take responsibility for your home. The good ones have both.

Are You Licensed and Insured To Do This Work? This seems like a given. It’s not. Plenty of people working in home improvement are operating under someone else’s license. For architects and engineers, licensure is state-bystate, and any plans submitted to the town must come from a license holder. In New York, that’s searchable through the State Education Department’s Office of the Professions. Interior designers often don’t hold state licensure — it’s optional in most places — but they should be NCIDQ certified, or at minimum hold

a degree from an accredited institution. General contractors need to be registered with the township and able to pull permits; in New York City, the Department of Buildings website has it, and elsewhere a call to the local building department will confirm. If someone is working under another person’s license, make sure their insurance covers the job. You don’t want to be a step removed from the person actually responsible for it. Every professional on your project should carry liability insurance. Contractors are required to and should also carry workers’ compensation and disability — worth confirming, because if someone is hurt on your property and the contractor isn’t covered, that exposure can find its way to you. Do You Sell the Products You Specify? Often yes, and sometimes for good reason — strong relationships produce better pricing and deeper product knowledge. But a consultant should know what else is available and be able to tell you honestly whether what they carry is right for your project, with the resources to specify otherwise when it isn’t. What Exactly Would You Be Doing? Ask for their typical scope and ask what it excludes. What it leaves out matters as much as what it includes — most of the trouble on a project happens in the gaps between people’s assumptions about who was handling what. Where does their work hand off to the next person? What do they need from the architect, and when? What happens when something falls between two

How Big Is Your Office, and Who Will Be Working On My Project? Depending on the size of the company, the person you’re speaking with may have little involvement after they’re hired. Most business owners don’t. Find out who your main contact will be, how long they’ve worked there, and whether you can meet them. Can I Speak With Two or Three Recent Clients? Also worth asking whether they’ve done work like yours — your scale, your building type, your municipality. On references, skip “were you happy?” Nobody offers an unhappy client as a reference. Ask instead whether the project finished close to budget and schedule, how surprises were handled, whether they were easy to reach, what the best part of working with them

was, and what is one thing they’d improve. Then ask whether they’d hire them again. That last one tends to produce the most honest answer in the conversation.

See the Work, Not the Renderings Renderings are great. They help you visualize a space, and they’ve come a long way. But you aren’t going to live in a rendering. What you want to know is whether these professionals have actually completed the work they designed. Photographs of finished projects do several things a rendering can’t. They show the person understands not just how to design something but also how to get it built. They show the work can be realistically completed and still look good. They show enough care to spend the time and money photographing it. And they show a good enough relationship with the client after the project that they were welcomed back to shoot it — don’t underestimate that last one. Bonus points if you can match the renderings to the finished photos. And don’t be afraid to ask which you’re looking at. AI has made photorealistic rendering very easy, and some of it is extremely convincing.

Then Trust the Conversation Most people working on your project will spend sig-

nificant time with you, and you need to be comfortable with them. So pay attention to how the early conversations felt. Did they ask how you live? Did they flag things that needed more exploration rather than promising everything was simple? Could they engage with the goals you came in with — take them seriously, sharpen them, and tell you honestly where they conflicted with each other or with your budget? The wrong professional nods, agrees with everything, and starts describing a project you didn’t ask for. The right one will make your project clearer before you’ve hired them. Next month, we’ll talk about feasibility and preliminary budgeting — where ideas meet reality. See you then!

Neil Schwartz founded TNB Architecture + Interiors, which specializes in custom residential and hospitality work. Passive House certified and LEED AP, with more than two decades in the field and licenses across multiple states, he believes that craft, livability, and client vision have to work together from the very first conversation — and that a wellbuilt home should be beautiful, comfortable, and built to last. Find TNB on Instagram @tnbarchitecture or get in touch at neil@tnbarchitecture.com.

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scopes — do they resolve it, flag it, or leave it to you? Ask who handles filing and approvals, who coordinates the engineers, and whether those fees are included or separate. Most importantly, ask about the construction phase. Will they be on site supervising? For architects and designers, construction administration is a distinct phase of service, and scopes vary considerably. A project where they disappear once drawings are finished is a project where you absorb that coordination.

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Book

Marked

Nobody Told Him It Was for Dancers By Raffi Crouse

Reviewing: “Blessed: The Kabbalah of Alignment and Abundance” by Rabbi David Aaron Maggid Books. 2026. English. Hardcover. 216 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1592647361

abbi David Aaron agreed to prepare a friendhs son for his bar mitzva, and he took it reluctantly. Thirteen-year-olds aren’t his forte, he says, and he’s a teacher of adults. He sat down with the boy, Donnie, started in on the parsha and got nowhere, tried deeper material and got somewhere, tried Kabbala and was pleased with himself for finding the frequency. Then he asked if Donnie had questions. “I really only have one,” Donnie said. “Why do I have to have a bar mitzvah? What a burden to have to keep all these rules!” That question runs under the whole of “Blessed,” Rabbi Aaron’s new sefer from Maggid Books, an imprint of Koren Publishers, and he doesn’t pretend he had an answer ready. He had thrown the kid into the deep end, he writes, before he could doggy paddle. So he started over. Do you like basketball? Donnie loved it. Ever play without the rules? “Rabbi, without the rules there is no game!” What if they were the wrong rules, football rules in a basketball game? “That would be crazy. Super frustrating.” So your bar mitzvah, he told him, is the day you receive the rules of life, and only with these can you win the game of holiness and wholeness. Donnie got it. “So, we need rules; we need laws. But the right ones.” Donnie’s question isn’t a 13-year-old’s question, and Rabbi Aaron’s claim is that most people never get an answer. He puts the failure in a picture that stung me. A man finds a manual with the cover torn off and follows every rule in it. The skintight outfit. The meager lunch. His leg up on the office desk 100 times, four times

a day. The manual was for ballet dancers, and nobody told him. You can meet people, Rabbi Aaron writes, who meticulously try to fulfill all the rules and are “very unimpressive people, far from ideal human beings.” They have no clue the goal is holiness, or they don’t want it, or the rules became the goal. He’s careful here. People who truly play by the rules, with a sincere desire to be holy, “are always stellar human beings,” and you’ll rarely find a community as loving as a true Torah community. What the torn cover said: “The end game of life is holiness, which means to be wholly you, the ideal you. The way to accomplish that is by loving your neighbor as yourself.” Everything after that is the how, and it starts from a claim he never walks back. “Abundance is here, now and always. You don’t need to attract it.” Nothing is being withheld, the failure is at our end, and the 10 sefirot are his anatomy of receiving. Malchut, the lowest, is a radio, and the nine above it are the broadcast. The receiving isn’t private either. A code word for malchut is Knesset Yisrael, and a Jew alone on a mountain keeping every stringency can still, he writes, be a complete failure. Judgment works the same way, and it’s not the severity it sounds like. “You are never punished for your sins. You are punished by your sins.” The judgment never comes from G-d, he writes, but from our own poor reception of His good. Keter is the chapter a reader will argue with. He reads the Shema as saying that G-d is One rather than that there’s one God, so each of us is “some of the One.” Rabbi Tzadok of Lublin is his warrant: “The goal of the entire Torah is to com-

prehend the meaning of Anochi YKVK, Elokecha.” That turns the mitzvot inside out. “He is not imposing His will on you; He is exposing His will through you.” Plenty of readers will stop at “we are literally a part of Him.” He doesn’t leave it bare: “although we are not G-d, we are a part of Him.” Whether that holds for every reader is a fair question. I think it does. Chochma is the dream, bina is the plan, where the torn cover and Donnie’s answer both sit, and daat is determination. Chochma is the one he turns on you. The Zohar reads it as koach ma, the power of what, and the what is what G-d wants from you. He asks five questions, and the first does the damage: “What problem in the world really bothers you that you would like to help solve?” He answers it himself. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, it was the “great threat that assimilation posed to Jewish continuity.” Your talents are clues, he says, borrowing Rabbi Akiva Tatz’s carpenter, who works out his trade from the hammer and saw in his bag. Rabbi Aaron adds a piece. The bag also holds something broken. Your weaknesses, your problems, the family you were born into, clues the same way your gifts are. He brings Rav Kook on the morning bracha for all my needs, which Rav Kook reads to include all my problems. For a reader in the middle of something hard, this is the line: “Pain without purpose is suffering; pain with purpose is power.” The best scene in the sefer is in tiferet. A mother’s son, years into addiction, entered rehab, and the center called to say he’d walked out and was heading to her house. “Mrs. S., if he comes to your home, you cannot let him in. Otherwise, weeks

of progress will be destroyed.” The knock came while she was on the phone. Mom, it’s Joey, they gave me a little vacation, I just want to give you a hug. She told him she knew. He sat down on the steps to wait her out. It rained, then sleeted. He begged her for a coat, called her a horrible mother, told her he’d hate her forever. She held out, he went back, he finished his treatment. The test, in his reading, was whether her giving had been for him or for her own need to be loved back. Her greatest gift, he writes, was holding back. The proportions are my one real complaint. Malchut and keter take 70 pages between them, while netzach, hod and yesod share 18 at the end, and those three are the ones for dealing with the world outside you. Which brings us back to Donnie. The method is three verbs. Learn Torah to know what G-d wants, pray to want it, do the mitzvot to live it, and for anyone not there yet, act anyway and “fake it till you awaken it.” What the rules produce, he keeps within reach. Nobody is going to save the world, he writes, but everybody can save a world, since the Gemara in Sanhedrin says every human being is one. A phone call. A visit to someone sick. A meal for an elderly neighbor. That’s what the manual was for all along. The rules make dancers, and the dancing is love actualized, “through a smile, a kind word, a hug.” Yesod is the ninth, where everything above collects before it’s given over to you, and tuned into it, he writes, “You are blessed, and you are a conduit of blessings to others.” The tuning in is the work. His own last words are a bracha. May you be blessed.

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In The K tchen

Chicken and Cabbage Bake Serves 4 to 6

By Naomi Nachman

Everyone appreciates a quick-prep chicken dinner that comes with its own side dish built right in. I love how the cabbage slowly cooks in the juices from the chicken, soaking up all that flavor until it’s tender, savory, and absolutely delicious. Just a few minutes of prep, and the oven does the rest. Ingredients

Preparation

• 1 (16-ounce) bag shredded cabbage

• Kosher salt, divided • Black pepper • 8 chicken legs (drumsticks)

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

2. Spread the cabbage in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan. Season with salt and pepper.

• 2 to 3 tablespoons of your favorite spice blend

3. Season the drumsticks with the spice blend and salt, then rub with olive oil on

• Olive oil

both sides.

4. Arrange the chicken in a single layer over the cabbage. 5. Cover tightly and bake for 1 hour. Uncover and bake for another 30 minutes, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.

6. Serve with rice or roasted potatoes. 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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110

d for Thought

Casa by the Shore By Nati Burnside

he summer brought a number of new kosher restaurants to South Jersey, and over the next few months, I’ll be taking a look at several of them. I generally like to give new restaurants a little time to find their footing before writing about them. There’s a big difference between what a restaurant looks like during its first few weeks and what it looks like once the kitchen and staff have had a chance to settle into a routine. Casa by the Shore in Oakhurst is pretty much what you’d expect — and want — from a high-end Italian dairy restaurant. The menu covers all the classics, from pasta and pizza to fish and plenty of cheese, while adding enough interesting touches to keep things from feeling predictable. The restaurant’s website describes its food as Italian-inspired, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and dishes made from scratch. It’s the kind of place where you can come for a familiar plate of pasta or pizza or decide to branch out a little. When I was invited to Casa by the Shore, I noticed something particularly interesting about two of the appetizers. The Mac & Cheese Fritters and the Spinach Ricotta Gnudi are almost comically similar in appearance. Both arrive as four golden-brown fried balls sitting in a sauce and, at first glance, it’s difficult to tell which is which. The Mac & Cheese Fritters are served in Casa’s house pomodoro sauce, with the crispy exterior giving way to the creamy mac and cheese inside. It’s a very approachable appetizer and pretty much exactly what you’d expect from something called a Mac & Cheese Fritter — in the best possible way. The Spinach Ricotta Gnudi are the more Italian of the two, with spinach and ricotta making up the soft interior. They’re served in a vodka sauce, which adds another layer of richness to what is already a rich dish. The contrast between the crispy exterior and soft, cheesy center works particularly well here. Since these two are plated almost identically, ordering both for the table is almost like conducting your own little blind

taste test — except one is mac and cheese and the other is spinach and ricotta, so it’s not exactly going to fool anyone for long. The same idea carries over to the pasta, although the two choices are considerably easier to distinguish. The Gnocchi is the more classic option, and it’s a good example of how something simple can be done properly. The gnocchi were firm enough to hold their shape but soft on the inside, which is exactly what you want. Too soft and they turn into mush; too firm and you’re basically eating little potato rocks. These had the right texture and enough substance to stand up to whichever sauce you choose. Casa offers pomodoro, vodka or creamy mushroom sauce, so the choice is really up to your preference. I don’t think you can go wrong. The Tortellini takes things in a slightly more indulgent direction. The cheese-filled pasta comes in a mushroom cream sauce, giving the dish a rich, earthy flavor that pairs nicely with the pasta. The mushroom sauce is substantial without completely overwhelming the tortellini, and the combination makes this the choice for someone looking for a pasta dish with a little more going on. If the gnocchi is the choice for someone who wants a really good version of a classic, the tortellini is for the person who sees “mushroom cream sauce” on a menu and immediately stops reading. Pizza gives you another choice between familiar and somewhat more adventurous. The Vodka Pizza is exactly what it sounds like, with creamy vodka sauce, mozzarella and fresh basil. It’s a combination that has become almost mandatory on the menu of a good kosher Italian restaurant, but there’s a reason it keeps showing up. Vodka sauce and pizza work together extremely well, and the creamy sauce gives the pizza a little more richness than a traditional tomato-based pie. It’s the safer choice if you’re ordering for a group with varied tastes, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with playing it safe when the safe option is this good. The Mediterranean Za’atar Pizza goes in a completely different direction, com-

bining za’atar, olive oil, feta and Mediterranean herbs. The za’atar and feta give the pizza a savory, salty and distinctly Mediterranean flavor profile, making it a more unusual choice than the vodka pizza. I was particularly impressed that the feta actually melted on the pizza. Feta isn’t exactly known for turning into the kind of gooey, melted cheese you expect on a pizza, and I’m guessing the extreme heat of Casa’s wood-burning oven has something to do with it. The result was a really nice combination of the crispy, charred crust, melted feta and fragrant za’atar. This is the pizza I’d recommend if you want something that isn’t going to taste like every other pizza you’ve had lately. Finally, there’s the fish. One nice feature of the fish section is that the entrées come with your choice of two sides, which gives you quite a bit of flexibility in putting together your meal. The Maple Shallot Salmon is the more straightforward choice, with grilled salmon topped with a maple-shallot glaze. The sweetness of the maple works nicely with the savory shallots and the richness of the salmon, making this a fairly safe option for someone who wants a good piece of fish without anything too complicated going on. The side choices are worth paying attention to as well. Both of the potato options were excellent. The roasted potatoes came out nicely crisp on the outside, while the mashed potatoes were rich, creamy and very much on the dairy-heavy side. For the green vegetables, the choices included charred broccoli, string beans and sautéed spinach, and none of them felt like an afterthought. That’s important with a fish entrée, where it’s easy for the sides to become filler. At Casa, you can actually put together two sides that make the meal better rather

than simply taking up space on the plate. The Branzino with White Wine and Caper Sauce is the more interesting fish selection. The branzino is pan-seared and served with a white wine and caper sauce, giving the delicate fish some acidity and the salty bite of capers. It’s a classic preparation that lets the fish remain the star while still giving the dish enough flavor to make it interesting. And with two sides included, you can go with the crispy roasted potatoes, the rich mashed potatoes, or one of the vegetable options to round out the plate. That’s really what I liked about Casa by the Shore. For every diner who wants the familiar Italian comfort food, there’s something a little more adventurous sitting nearby on the menu. You can order gnocchi and vodka pizza and have exactly the kind of Italian dinner you were expecting, or you can go with gnudi, za’atar pizza and branzino and make things a little more interesting. Or, if you’re like me, you can order enough food to do both and call it research. Casa has the familiar foundation you’d expect from a high-end Italian dairy restaurant, but enough variety and creativity to make a return visit worthwhile. Dairy - Italian - Waiter Service (732)-508-9008 CasaByTheShore.com 232 Norwood Avenue, Oakhurst, NJ Jersey Shore Orthodox Rabbinate (JSOR)

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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

A year has passed, and I’m still learning to live again. It still hurts, I’m still healing, but I’m fortunate to experience moments that once seemed like a distant dream, almost impossible to imagine ever coming true. Thank you for this first birthday. Thank you to the Creator of the world for life. – Social media post by former hostage Segev Kalfon, marking one year since his return home from captivity in Gaza

Look, AIPAC wouldn’t be, they wouldn’t come here, if … El-Sayed didn’t sleep in a bin Laden jersey. - Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), while campaigning alongside Republican candidate Rep. Mike Rogers in Michigan, talking about radical Muslim Abdul El Sayed who is the Democrat candidate in the Michigan senate race

Today the Nobel Committee shamed itself beyond repair and demeaned the once great Nobel Peace Prize by giving it to the UN’s Navi Pillay. Pillay is an unabashed hater of America and Israel. - Social media post shared by President Trump

In her position she celebrated terrorists and rewarded Hamas. She conducted a phony “investigation” claiming to find that Israel committed genocide and urging prosecution. She has no credibility in any normal sphere and has never done a thing to foster peace. Just the opposite. But what could be expected from a committee that previously gave the once coveted peace prize to Yasser Arafat? - ibid.

I’m going to find out how much your ticket was, and I’m sending it to Israel. - Comedian Jerry Seinfeld when he was heckled by a pro-Hamas demonstrator at his comedy show

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As an American journalist who enjoys the democratic right to the freedom of speech, you have now become an apologist for Adolf Hitler. - The Polish envoy to the U.S. in an open letter to Tucker Carlson, who recently said that Hitler had grounds to attack Poland

Gen Z is apparently having a growing feud with capitalism. Which is funny, considering they are fighting capitalism entirely using $1,200 iPhones and high-speed Wi-Fi paid for by their parents. - Greg Gutfeld

After prison officials botched the execution attempt, convicted murderer Kristin Pike is now conscious and talking. Doctors say her condition has been upgraded from brain dead to Jasmine Crockett. – Greg Gutfeld

The convicted murderer got a get-well card from the governor saying, “Get well soon, so we can try to kill you again.” - ibid.

The tech world is panicking over new AI watchdogs and government oversight panels. Politicians are terrified that AI is going to learn how to manipulate human emotion, lie to the public, and siphon money out of the economy. Relax, guys—AI isn’t taking over; it’s just trying to run for Congress. - Greg Gutfeld

Should the worst words a fifteen-year-old ever wrote decide the rest of his life? That is the question now before the Portland Trail Blazers. – Statement from the lawyer representing Braiden Bell who landed his dream job as the television play-by-play broadcaster for the Portland Trailblazers only to be fired hours later when several tweets from 15 years ago were uncovered in which he disparaged Asian people and used a derogatory word for females

Braiden is not asking anyone to excuse what he wrote. He has owned it, without excuses. What he is asking is whether a boy’s words from fourteen years ago should outweigh everything the man has done since. If that is the standard, hardly anyone in any organization in America could meet it. Accountability means owning what you did and showing who you have become. - ibid.

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How many people died during the Biden administration? How many people died in custody during the Biden administration? Do you know?

I don’t have the data here - Montoya-Galvez in response

-Judge Judy Sheindlin in a recent interview with USA Today

Of course, you don’t! - Homan in response

I said, “You know, I’d love to be at my own funeral.” - Shelvy Neal, 80, of Georgia, explaining how she came up with the idea of throwing a funeral for herself, complete with a cardboard cut-out of herself in a casket

If they want to, they can say bad things, but I’m gonna be there and I might cut the mic. I’m gonna control my own funeral. - ibid.

FOMO: The funeral she refuses to miss - What was written on a cake served to funeral guests

And you could kind of understand that, for people who feel like they’ve had a series of hard times. If you look back on the last 25 years in our country, I was a senator from New York on 9/11. That was a trauma. The terrible financial crisis of 2008 was horrific for people. We had an election in 2016 that, you know, raised a lot of questions that we’re still trying to find answers for about what, what kind of really went on, and then we had COVID. - Hillary Clinton at a recent Democrat fundraiser, comparing her election loss to Trump in 2016 to other national tragedies such as 9/11 and Covid

Happy Indigenous People’s Day in advance to you and your family. - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a letter to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (who in the past lied about being Native American) in response to a letter that she sent him criticizing his handling of the economy

It is difficult to treat your concern as sincere. As the federal funds rate climbed from near zero to its highest level in 22 years, with inflation hitting a 40-year high, you were a cheerleader for the Biden Administration’s reckless spending. – ibid.

Rather than take my suggestion of studying introductory economics, you have continued your letter-writing crusade and participation in tabloid fodder about the Treasury Department. – ibid.

The clock is running. Thus far 1/11th of a Scaramucci. – Tweet by Anthony Scaramucci, who famously was fired after 11 days as White House Communications Director in Trump’s first term, weighing in on Katie Zacharia’s first briefing as White House press secretary which was pretty shaky

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

- Border czar Tom Homan when asked by CBS News’ immigration correspondent Camilo MontoyaGalvez about an allegation that 57 people have died in ICE custody since the start of the Trump administration

If you don’t like this country, go somewhere else. Don’t come to the greatest country in the world, the most successful country in the world, and say, “I want to change it.” There are other countries that are the something else that you want. Go there. Go there. But don’t come into my home and say, “I want to change it.”

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Political Crossfire

Zohran Mamdani’s Moral Obscenity By Bret Stephens

ew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani set off a firestorm of criticism last Wednesday morning with a social media post ostensibly intended to commemorate the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of Israelis. It devoted a brief paragraph to condemning Hamas and commiserating with its victims. The rest was a much longer denunciation of Israel’s “ongoing genocide in Gaza,” a “world in which occupation and apartheid continue” and a situation in which “our federal government continues its complicity with every arms shipment.” In response, Ammiel Hirsch, president of the New York Board of Rabbis, said the statement was “so offensive to so many Jews that it is hard to describe how offensive it is.” In fact, it’s a moral obscenity. Let me count the ways. It is obscene in the same way it would have been obscene if the mayor had commemorated the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 last month with a perfunctory nod to the victims of the day, followed by a much longer denunciation of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. What happened on Sept. 11 and Oct. 7 was undiluted evil, each an unprovoked visit of deliberate and maximalist violence on people who had done nothing to invite that violence other than being at the wrong place at the wrong time. It is obscene because many of the Jews murdered on Oct. 7, living in kibbutzim with conspicuously left-leaning politics, had been at the forefront of the peace movement, volunteering, for example, to drive sick Palestinians for treatment at nearby Israeli hospitals. Hamas wasn’t just killing and terrorizing the innocent; it was eliminating the good. It is obscene because Hamas didn’t just kill its victims in pursuit of a strategic objective. It tormented and slaughtered them like an army of serial killers who delight in the suffering of their victims. Parents were killed in front of their

children; children were murdered in their beds. A fieldworker was beheaded with a garden hoe. I know this because Hamas filmed itself doing this, and I forced myself to watch the film. I know because that same month, I visited the bedrooms where the kids had been murdered, their mattresses still soaked in blood. It is obscene because, whatever else you may think of the war, on the eve of Oct. 7 the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip was governed by a ceasefire. It was Hamas that chose to kick off the violence, just as the Japanese did in 1941 with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Whether in fistfights between people or wars between states, whoever throws the first punch forfeits the right to throw the last. It is obscene because Mamdani is being misleading when he speaks as if his prime objection to Israel is what it did after Oct. 7. In fact, the mayor has been an anti-Israel zealot at least since his college days, when, as a leader of Students for Justice in Palestine, he broke off collaboration with the left-leaning Jewish group J Street, which advocates a Pales-

tinian state, because it also recognizes the rights of a Jewish state. He’s written a rap professing “love” for five men convicted in a U.S. court of funneling money to Hamas. The day after Oct. 7, he issued a brief statement that said nothing about Hamas but immediately denounced Israel. Put simply, this is a mayor who first condemned Israel as guilty and then went about collecting evidence. It is obscene because, however much the genocide allegation against Israel is mindlessly repeated by people too lazy or prejudiced to understand the difference between war and genocide, that allegation is as false as it is sinister. False, because genocide is about killing whole classes of people for who they are rather than for what they did — and if Israel wanted to kill Palestinians as Palestinians, it never would have bothered mobilizing hundreds of thousands of its own soldiers for the war and losing hundreds in high-intensity urban warfare. Sinister, because the political purpose of the genocide allegation is to trivialize, if not erase, the attacks of Oct. 7 by making

them seem minor in comparison to the Palestinian casualties that tragically, but all-but-inevitably, followed. It is obscene because Hamas’ intentions toward Israel really are genocidal. Its leaders have often and publicly vowed to perpetrate future Oct. 7s. Had the group not been stopped by force that day, there’s no reason to think it wouldn’t have kept up its orgy of slaughter on its way to Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities. Yet one searches in vain for anything from the mayor except perfunctory, pro forma condemnations of Hamas. It is obscene because there’s an even more wretched purpose to the genocide charge against Israel, which long predates the recent war in Gaza. It is a specimen of Holocaust erasure: not the dumb kind, which seeks to deny Nazi Germany’s murder of 6 million Jews, but a more sophisticated version that accuses living Jews of genocide as a way of ending the historical Jewish claim to a long and ongoing history of persecution and near-annihilation that accounts for its need for a sovereign state capable of defending its people. Finally, it is obscene because Mamdani is the mayor for about 1 million Jewish New Yorkers, many with close relatives in Israel, who deserve better on a day of grief than to be offered the equivalent of an “All Lives Matter” homily. This is yet another of the double standards through which modern-day Jew hatred manifests itself: Whenever antisemitism is mentioned in progressive circles, it is inevitably accompanied by nods about Islamophobia or other bigotries. It would be better to have a mayor who, if only on Oct. 7, can say: Jewish Lives Matter. Israeli Lives Matter. Full stop. The lectures about Gaza can come some other day. © The New York Times

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Political Crossfire

“Make the Problem and the Solution Bigger” The Plan To End The Ukraine War By David Ignatius

aybe it’s a measure of Uk raine’s war time success that President Donald Trump has moved from deriding President Volodymyr Zelensky more than 18 months ago as a weakling with “no cards” to protesting his devastating attacks on Russian refineries. Last weekend, Trump’s abiding irritation with Zelensky led him into a diesel oil deal with Moscow that sharply undercuts a Russia sanctions law that Trump just signed. And the White House is threatening even worse – a cutoff in crucial intelligence support for Kyiv that a European diplomat conceded to me would be “hard to replicate.” But like so many Trump eruptions, this latest Ukraine flap obscures what may be a more important development: The United States and Europe are mov-

ing slowly toward a joint peace proposal that would deliver financial and security benefits to both Ukraine and Russia as a baseline for a territorial settlement that falls short of both sides’ war aims. The rationale for this vexed peace initiative draws on the maxim: Whenever you run into a problem you can’t solve, make it bigger. U.S. negotiators are trying to frame a package that addresses Ukraine’s and Russia’s postwar needs in a way that ends the bloodbath and leaves both countries better off – as a sweetener for a territorial compromise neither side will like. “We need to make the problem and the solution bigger to help both sides see what the postwar situation would be – and then make concessions,” explained a U.S. official familiar with the talks who gave me this detailed summary.

The diplomatic push came during a six-hour meeting last Friday in Florida hosted by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The meeting, which included Ukrainian officials and representatives of Britain, France and Germany, was held at the Shell Bay Golf Club, a development owned by Witkoff in Hallandale Beach. Trump wants Ukraine and Russia to stop bombing each other’s refineries as a condition for the U.S. peace initiative. That’s easy for Russia – Ukraine’s biggest refinery has already been battered by Russian attacks. But for Zelensky, it would mean holstering one of his strongest weapons. “Clearly, the Ukrainians’ ability to strike refineries is having impact on Russia’s economy,” the European diplomat said. “It has increased Zelensky’s leverage.”

Kushner and Witkoff asked the Ukrainians to halt refinery attacks at Friday’s meeting and warned that Trump would do the diesel deal, according to the American official; the official said that U.S. negotiators had made the request a half-dozen times in recent months, as diesel oil prices spiked. What followed was predictable: Zelensky balked; Trump did the deal (with the nakedly political aim of lowering prices as the midterm elections approach); Zelensky derided Trump’s decision as “weak”; and Trump threatened to cut off intelligence support. If Zelensky agrees to halt refinery attacks, “we’re back in, and we go to Moscow,” the American official told me. But what would Ukraine get – and give up – as part of the U.S.-European settlement that has been taking shape?

again, which the U.S. official described as equivalent to NATO’s Article 5. The official said Russia would also negotiate agreements with Europe that would address its security concerns, though it’s not clear what this would involve.

peace deal would specify how and when existing economic sanctions would be removed. The final piece of the deal would be the most unpalatable. Russia, which began the war hoping to conquer all

What would Ukraine get – and give up – as part of the U.S.-European settlement that has been taking shape?

A third pillar would be economic integration of Russia, Ukraine and Europe through an energy deal. One aspect might be a pipeline carrying Russian oil and gas to Europe, with Ukraine and Russia splitting the profits. Such a pipeline could sharply reduce European energy costs, the official said. In addition to providing Russia with “long-term access to the European energy market,” a

of Ukraine, would agree to a ceasefire along the existing front line, or “line of control,” as negotiators describe it. For Ukraine, that would mean allowing Russia to control the territory it occupies – including the bitterly contested area known as Donbas. One hurdle is that the line of control is fuzzy, given small shifts in the front almost every day. Though European leaders were

angry about Trump’s diesel deal, they appear committed to continuing the diplomatic process led by Kushner and Witkoff. “It’s a moment to take heat out of the situation and get back to work,” explained the European diplomat. The rationale for settling now is that this war has grown to become a nightmarish killing field. Russia has suffered more than 1.4 million dead and wounded. In August, Russia suffered 42,000 casualties, or about 1,400 per day, according to a British estimate. It’s a war of attrition, at enormous cost. This winter, it will become an economic slugfest as each side tries to ravage the other’s economy and increase the pain of civilians. Trump has rightly tried to end the war ever since he took office. But he still seems unable to grasp that Putin, the aggressor, wants victory rather than a truce. “Putin doesn’t look like he’s serious about peace,” said the European diplomat, drawing on intelligence reports. In his sanctions-busting diesel deal, Trump is tragically making it easier for Putin to continue this terrible war. © 2026, Washington Post Writers Group

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The package would have four basic components, according to the U.S. official. The message to Putin would be: Don’t just end the war with Ukraine. Make an economic and security deal with Europe that would restore stability to the region after an upward spiral of escalation. Ukraine’s reconstruction would be the first pillar. The World Bank and the investment firm BlackRock want to create a framework for meeting Zelensky’s myriad cash needs – for rebuilding the devastated areas of the country, providing benefits for families of dead and wounded soldiers, and restoring a shattered economy. Negotiators have asked Kyiv for detailed cost estimates – and assurances that this money wouldn’t be looted by postwar profiteers. So far, the Ukrainians haven’t provided numbers, but they’re expected to in the next few days unless the peace effort collapses. Security guarantees would be the second essential component. Ukraine would get a pledge from the United States and European nations that they would respond militarily if Russia attacked

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Forgotten Her es

Enough Food to Feed an Army By Avi Heiligman

he phrase “there is enough food to feed an army” did not originate in the military. Instead, it traces back to an 1894 march on Washington, D.C., by an activist named Jacob Coxey. “Coxey’s Army,” a group of unemployed men, relied on local towns and municipalities for meals, and the logistics of feeding such a large crowd captured national media attention. The phrase soon entered the national lexicon and is frequently applied to actual militaries. The history of military food in America ranges from soldiers relying on local communities for food to the development of sophisticated prepared meals and prepackaged rations. Continental Army soldiers during the Revolutionary War relied on food rations that were established by Congress. These rations were supposed to consist of milk, bread, meat, and vegetables (peas and beans), along with beer or cider. However, due to poor roads and supply chain failures, food shortages plagued the troops, especially during harsh winter campaigns like Valley Forge in 17771778. Militiamen, who filled the ranks of the army but weren’t full-time soldiers, mainly ate food they brought with them to the encampments. They also hunted for meat and foraged from local harvests. For both regular soldiers and militia-

men, local communities helped feed the troops when possible. Army food for soldiers during the Civil War was more organized than in earlier conflicts, as the North’s extensive railroad network transported supplies to Union troops. Salted meats and coffee were part of daily rations, along with flour biscuits and hardtack. Made from simple flour and water, hardtack was baked several times to remove moisture and extend its shelf life in the field. Sol-

hardtack or bake cornbread. For soldiers stationed in forts or sailors aboard naval vessels, permanent kitchens and dining halls were available and large amounts of food could be stored nearby. By the 21st century, the use of centralized mess halls for soldiers not stationed on the front lines became commonplace. During World War I, centralized kitchens were used to feed large numbers of soldiers at a single time, while those stationed too far from

Captured German soldiers were often shocked to see American troops receiving hot food directly in their foxholes.

diers despised hardtack, often writing letters home complaining about its rockhard texture, insect infestation, and having to eat it for weeks on end. Other rations included beans, peas, vegetables, and occasionally potatoes. Coffee was an essential staple for troops on both sides of the conflict, while campfires and kettles were used to cook meats, soften

a kitchen were given specialized rations depending on their location. Mobile field kitchens proved to be a game changer during World War II, bringing hot meals directly to soldiers near the front lines. The American M-1937 Field Stove allowed cooks to use gasoline fuel to prepare meals for a company-sized unit quickly. In contrast,

the German horse-drawn trailer kitchens – nicknamed “Goulash Cannons” – could feed a company, but troops had to leave the front lines to gather at centralized assembly points. Captured German soldiers were often shocked to see American troops receiving hot food directly in their foxholes. Naval forces also placed a high priority on high protein meals and used fresh ingredients when available. Some large ships and barges even had ice cream makers which proved to be morale booster for sailors and anyone on board. The logistics required to feed a military of 16 million service members were immense, requiring food to be shipped long distances across varying terrain and climate conditions. Special units, such as airborne troops, had to carry rations with them during missions deep behind enemy lines. There were five main types of rations. A-rations were fresh, refrigerated, or frozen food served in mess halls or bases. B-rations were served in field kitchens and consisted of canned or preserved foods. Occasionally, field kitchens would receive fresh or refrigerated food, especially if they were near a main supply route. C-rations were individual combat rations, allowing soldiers to eat three meat and three bread cans every day. K-rations were light-

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weight and were carried by airborne troops, while D-rations were chocolate bars designed as a high-calorie ration for emergency situations. Throughout the conflicts of the Cold War, rations continued to evolve, often including desserts and crackers with spreads like peanut butter or jelly. Freeze-dried rations were issued to Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRPs), and Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs) were introduced in 1981 to replace canned rations. In 1990, a Flame-

American soldiers eating K rations in Italy in October 1944

less Ration Heater was first used in the military to heat up the main entrée of the MRE without a flame. Kosher meals for Jewish soldiers in the army varied depending on the era, but often, the individual soldier had to look out for himself. There are several stories of Jewish soldiers during the Civil War receiving kosher food from the closest Jewish communities. By World War II, organizations like the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) helped to arrange kosher packages, especial-

Hardtack rations for soldiers in the Civil War

Supreme Commander General Eisenhower eating a C ration in 1943

ly around Yom Tov, for units stationed around the globe. However, for most of American history, Jewish soldiers had to do their best with standard field issues, often trading their meat rations for kosher components. In the 1990s, certified kosher MREs became officially available for Jewish service members. Feeding an army is a monumental logistical task, from sourcing ingredients to actually getting the food to soldiers on the front lines, wherever in the world they may be stationed. Whether

it is providing a morale-boosting meal right before combat or supplying specialized kosher MREs, maintaining a well-fed military has a proven track record of sustaining unit effectiveness and success on the battlefield.

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.

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

K rations during World War II

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Beautiful inground pool on a quiet street, located on one of Lawrence’s most sought-after blocks.

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7 Bedrooms • 7 Bathrooms • Home Office • Pool • Hot Tub • All Amenities Fully Furnished Price Upon Request

FAR ROCKAWAY

FOR RENT 4 BEDROOM, 2 FULL BATHROOM DUPLEX APT FOR RENT IN FAR ROCKAWAY 2ND & 3RD FLOOR OF A PRIVATE 2 FAMILY HOUSE. LOCATED 5 HOUSES FROM SEASONS EXPRESS. AVAILABLE MID OCTOBER $4000 PER MONTH TEXT/WHATSAPP ONLY

516.316.0877

Classifieds

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SERVICES

HOUSES FOR SALE

COMMERCIAL REAL ESATATE

HELP WANTED

MANAGEMENT STAFF WILL ASSIST you with: * Obtaining Medicaid and Pooled Income Trust * In-home Assessments, Individual and Family Counseling * Securing reliable home care assistance * Case and Care Management services Dr. S. Sasson, DSW, LCSW (718) 544- 0870 or (646) 284-6242

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT Services – Do Not Manage Your Properties Alone! Contact Aliyah Suites for all your real estate management needs and affordable office space near you! (516) 366-1049 Management@aliyahsuites.com Marc Jeret (MJ) Team Leader & Licensed Real Estate Agent

HEWLETT OFFICE FOR RENT

GREAT NECK BOYS YESHIVA High School is seeking qualified High School Science teacher to instruct two daily periods of Regents focused sciences. Classes meet Mon.Thurs. between 5:00 and 6:30. Strong content knowledge and teacher experience required. Competitive Compensation. E-mail recruitment@yeshivaofgreatneck.org

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 Don’t Get Stuck With a Two Story House Ya Know, It’s One Story Before You Buy It But a Second Story After You Own It! Call Dov Herman For An Accurate Unbiased Home Inspection Infrared Termite Inspection Full Report All Included NYC 718-INSPECT Long Island 516-INSPECT www.nyinspect.com

Beautiful 500 sq. ft. move-in-ready office off Broadway. Private bathroom. $1,600/month. Available now. Evan: 516-447-1018 CEDARHURST Prime Restaurant Location For Lease.

HOUSE FOR RENT

For more information:

Call/Text/WhatsApp Owner:

EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY In prime Lawrence 6 spacious bdrs, 5.5 bath plus add 2 bdrs in low level Low taxes, desirable cul de sac Walk to shopping, houses of worship, parks, LIRR 516-784-0856 Alexandra at Exp

(516) 206-1100 5 TOWNS - SHOWROOM/ Warehouse For Lease 4000 + 1000 SF Can divide - Parking included Next to LIRR - No broker fee Call/text/Whatsapp: 516-206-1100

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT A multi-tasker needed for general office work. The ideal candidate is someone who is detail-oriented, responsible, and can take ownership. Looking for someone who is eager to learn, and expand his/her skill set while possessing the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Experience with Excel required. Five Towns location. In-office position only, not remote. Please send resume to 5tpart.timecareer@gmail.com

ELISHEVA BAUM 917-620-0572

elishevabaum18@gmail.com @elishevabaum

NORTH WOODMERE WOODMERE CEDARHURST

New to the rental market! Beautifully redone

Quality New Construction!!! 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home on a spacious 74’ x 100’ Stucco Col. with 2 Story 9 ft Ceilings, Zone Heat which lot, located on a quiet,Entry tree-lined street.14Features freshly includes Radiant Heat, Anderson Windows with Lots of Natural painted interiors, vaulted ceilings, a formal living room, OPEN HOUSE 3:00-4:30 223Eik Hickox Avenue Light Throughout, Flr Fdnr, Magnificent Chefs with High End Totally Colonial. New. High Ceilings, Chefs diningrenovated room, and spacious eat-in kitchen. Appliances, Dble Ovens , 6Like Burner Cooktop with Pot Filler,EIK, 5 Bdrms. Prime Woodmere location! BEDS | 3 BATH | $6,500 24 Dishwashers, and more. Master Bdrm Suite with Luxurious Bath $1.659M and Walk in closet,+4 Bdrms and 2 Beautiful Bths ,2nd Flr Laundry Rm , Full Finished Basement with 10 ft Ceilings Huge Playrm 2 Bdrms and Bth laundry Rm storage, Beautiful Manicured Garden.

WOODMERE

WOODSBURGH CEDARHURST

WOODMERE LAWRENCE LAWRENCE

Grand brick Center Hall Colonial featuring a banquetsized dining room, private den, and stunning chef’s

Spacious Wide Line Expanded Ranch on Most Prestigious and eat-in kitchen with two sinks, high-end appliances, and Serene Cul-de-Sac in Village of Lawrence , Main Flr Master Bdrm custom cabinetry. Upstairs offers a spacious primary OPEN HOUSE 12:30-1:30 1068 Suite with Many Closets and Bthrm, Addional Main Flr highland Bdrm suite & Bath, with luxurious bath and walk-in closet, plus 3 additional Center Hall Huge Colonial with Main Level+Den 3 BRs Baths Lg Flr Fdnr Den, EIK, Mudrm, 4 Bdrms 23Bths onFinished Second Flr, Basment Beautiful bedrooms and 2Property baths. ASKING $3.49M Beautiful Wrap Around Property, $1.690M $999K

INWOOD CO-OPS/CONDOS WOODMERE CO-OP

LAWRENCE

261 Central Ave 1st Floor, Large Entry Foyer, Open Concept Kitchen. Large LR/DR Overlooking the Courtyard $229K

LAWRENCE

240 Central Avenue Spacious 1 Bdrm 1 Bth Apt in Well Maintained Elevator Bldg with Terrace Overlooking Garden, Near All $229K

Bright and spacious bi-level home on Barnard Ave in Woodmere, featuring an open-concept layout with a This spacious s/h col , in the prestigious of woodsburgh, sun-filled living room, dining room, village and kitchen. Offers sits 1/2 acre property in a. most serene setting, with beautiful 3+2on bedrooms, a home office/additional bedroom, and a waterviews, and magnificent sunsets . Flr banquet fdnr , versatile den/playroom. $1.135M COMMERCIAL RENTAL! 9 ,Room Drbdrm officesuite Suite, Located breakfast rm, main level NEW! den /fpl master with his inand theher Heart of Cedarhurst, room, Reception closets and bth + 4Spacious bdrms , waiting new bths, newly renovated Area and Exam Rooms, alllaundry on Mainrm, Floor. Close to of Public finished basement with playrm, lots storage, Transportation many special details thruout $1.9M+ $6,000

FAR ROCKAWAY

156 B 9th St Mint 2BR, 2 BTH Beachfront Condo This modern, well maintained professional medical with Wraparound Magnificent building is ideal Terrace, for doctors, dentists, chiropractors or Sunrise & Sunset a combination of professional practices. Built in 2004, $589K 29 Woodmere Blvd Apt 2B Renovated, 1 Bdrm this single- story, Class-A property Mint, offersCorner flexible space with 9ft Ceilings. Spaciousflow Eat In Kitchen, 2 Sinks, Granite designed for efficient and comfortable work areas. Counter tops S.S. lot, Appliances.Large Large Situated onand a level the buildingLvgrm/Dnr features aand large Bdrm/BR with Lotslot of Windows private parking with 18 dedicated spaces. Call for REDUCED details!! $299K

OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003

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Classifieds

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003

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

CARE MANAGER Remote (requires in-person home visits in NY) Support families facing serious medical or emotional challenges. Provide guidance, advocacy, and resource coordination from home or on-site. Training provided. BA or 2 years Care Management required Apply online: www. chailifeline.org/careers or email hr@chailifeline.org

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

SHMIRAS HALASHON

ARE YOU A DOULA? Or have a passion to be? Come join our great referral group and get access to a vast new clientele through Medicaid. JUST CALL 347-668-7886

MDS REGIONAL NURSE 5 Towns area Nursing Home management office seeking a Regional/Corporate level MDS Nurse to work in our office. Must be an RN. Regional experience preferred. 2-3 years MDS experience with good computer skills required. Position is Full Time but Part Time can be considered. Great Shomer Shabbos environment with some remote options as well. Email: officejob2019@gmail.com

UPSCALE EVENING & Ready-to-Wear Boutique opening on Central Ave seeks fashion-forward, friendly sales associates with retail experience. Full-time & Part-time. Text/WhatsApp 718-310-8550. BOOKKEEPER A Five Towns Real Estate Company is seeking a full-time Bookkeeper. The right candidate must be proficient with QuickBooks and Excel. They must also be self-motivated, organized, detail oriented, reliable, and able to work independently or as a team player. Warm, frum office environment with excellent salary & benefits. Please email resume to HR@capsprop.com

REGENTS EXPERT Tutoring regents in Algebra and Geometry A Darchei Torah instructor. Guaranteed results Text 347-491-8045 WhatsApp 347-767-1755

Text 516-303-3868 with a time slot of your choice to be careful on lashon hara. Be a part of the 1,000 people for klal yisroel!

BEIS HAMEDRASH CONG. Chasdei Uvois Oshpitzin Talmidei chachomim are willing to learn mishnayos, say kaddish and be the shliach tzibbur to daven for the umid on the yartzeit yom hashanah of your parents or close relatives or loved ones To arrange please call Rabbi Miller 917-445-6220

WOODMERE

27 Frost Lane Lawrence, NY 11559 (516) 374-4100 www.ftmr.com

We put the “Pro” in

Property!

An exceptional estate in the heart of Back Lawrence, 7+ bedrooms, over 5,600sf on a 37,026sf Lot. Avigail (516)316-3452 $3.790M

FAR ROCKAWAY

NORTH WOODMERE

Move-in-ready legal two-family home, Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths Miri (646)515-8813 $1.649M

Expansive high ranch in the valleys. featuring 6 bedrooms and 3 baths. Avigail (516)316-3452 $989K

Beautifully renovated 5 bedroom, 3 full bath splanch in an unbeatable location. Miri (646)515-8813 $1.525M

beautifully redone 4 bedroom, 2.5 Bath located 1 block from the bay and 1 block the ocean. Moshe (516)455-5364 $5,000/M

Spacious five-bedroom, three-bath Colonial in sought-after District 15 in Woodsburgh. Sarah (347)524-9147 $1.775M

This delightful 5bdr 3.5bth center hall colonial is filled with warmth, character, and charm. Ayelet (516)993-9561 $1.849M or $7,500/M

Beautifully maintained 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath home, located in the heart of Far Rockaway. Malka (516)967-1967, Ayelet (516)993-9561 $1.849M

Beautiful sun-drenched split-level, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths Nestled on a quiet, tree-lined block. Chana (516)449-9692 $1.378M

Fully renovated & beautifully redesigned home 5 spacious bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. Raizie (917) 903-1778 $2.999M

ATLANTIC BEACH

FAR ROCKAWAY

CEDARHURST

WOODSBURGH

WOODMERE

CEDARHURST

NORTH WOODMERE

CEDARHURST

WOODMERE

CEDARHURST

Open House 253 Court Place. Sunday Oct 18th 12:00pm-1:30pm

Don Miller

Tamar Miller

Hollywood, Florida (954) 300-3142 MillerRealtySouth.com

Newly constructed Commercial Building. 4/5 offices per suite includes a breakroom, private bathroom and parking. Raizie (917) 903-1778

charming three-bedroom, two-bathroom home nestled in the heart of Cedarhurst. Bryna (516)322-4831 $719K

HALLANDALE BEACH

MIAMI-MiMo District

The Olympus- 2 bedroom, 2 baths, Kayla (347) 729-9863 Chana (516)449-9692 $274K

4 bedrooms, 2 baths, Moshe (443) 630-2006 $985K

Rare opportunity to purchase fully occupied office building in the heart of Cedarhurst. Raizie (917) 903-1778 Moshe (516-455-5364 $2.39M

DEERFIELD BEACH

additional units available for Sale and Lease

2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, Chaim (516) 262-2144 $159K

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OCTOBER 15, 2026 | The Jewish Home

Charming 3-bedroom side-hall Colonial located Newly renovated Colonial in the heart of Old on the Woodmere/Hewlett border. Woodmere, featuring 8 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Avigail (516)316-3452 Avigail (516)316-3452 $990K $2.899M

BACK LAWRENCE

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 15, 2026

Life C ach

Where Did That Just Go? By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

t was here a minute ago. You can fill in the blank! Sometimes, it’s as simple as the saltshaker you were just using – that suddenly is nowhere to be found. But things do somehow disappear. Maybe it’s your cell phone. Your portable charger. Your pocketbook. Your car keys. Your cup of coffee you were just drinking. Or the olive oil. The list goes on. Somehow, things you just had a minute ago walk away on their own. Isn’t that true? How do they do that? And then it takes like a half-hour to find them. It’s just impossible to figure out this ratio. It takes a second to lose it, but way too long to reunite with it. And if you put your phone on silent, you’re really in trouble! Because then, even if you find someone to call it, it won’t be responding. Sometimes, you’re fortunate, and you left it on vibrate. Then you may see some items in the kitchen, a towel or the sweater you put down, suddenly moving on their own. And voilà – lucky you! –

you have found your phone. I, for one, have a bright strap on it, so once in a while seeing that hanging down saves me. I’ve taken to putting bright ties on the spices, the keys, even my coffee cup! Just to give myself a fighting chance of finding them quickly.

Is there some invisible force that floats into your space and transports your items to another location? Or are you really that ditsy? Thank goodness, they make cars bigger and kids louder so we don’t misplace them. Though there are those times you park in a parking structure and some-

It takes a second to lose it, but way too long to reunite with it.

This is no laughing matter. I could be making a brisket, and the garlic powder takes off for the hills. It seems everyone is trying to make their kitchens larger to have more room to work. But is it really worth it to give all these things more places to hide? This is really an enigma.

one definitely moves your car to another level! It’s certainly not on the one you parked on! Is it that we are busy? Distracted? Or are we living in spooky times that are outside our control? Whatever it is, it can drive us crazy. It may help to take a breath once in a

while, though I breathe constantly, and it hasn’t helped me. I think the time that we are trying to save by rushing and multitasking gets countered often by the time we spend looking for things. Still, what are we going to do? We are living in fast-paced times. There’s lots we want to get done. And there’s just one of us – but many devices, spices, and gadgets. So perhaps the best we can do is learn to laugh about it a little bit. Because slowing things down just doesn’t seem to be an option. And beating the system hasn’t happened to most of us yet.

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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