South Florida Community Voice_Feb 19

Adar Wine Sales

© The South Florida Community Voice Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in printed or digital form in whole or in part in any form without prior written permission is prohibited. The publisher reserves all right to edit all articles for clarity, space and editorial sensitivities. Submissions cannot be returned to sender. The South Florida Weekly Magazine is not responsible for the cash flow of any advertised product or service that appears in these pages. The South Florida Community Voice Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements in this publication, nor for the content of books that are referred to or excerpted herein.

Community Voice magazine is not responsible for the Kashrut or services provided by the advertisements. It is up to the consumer to verify the information.

Beyond the Headlines

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news

By Sivan Rahav Meir

What Do People Say After Keeping Shabbat for the First Time?

I recently had the opportunity to spend Shabbat in Jerusalem with 100 Israelis, most of whom were observing Shabbat for the first time. The Kesher Yehudi organization has been pairing charedi and secular Israelis for Torah study for many years. Lately, though, there has been a growing demand for something else: Shabbatot for those who want to experience Shabbat up close.

It was an extraordinary Shabbat of unity and holiness, filled with hugs, tears, song and deep conversations. Here are a few comments that people shared with me:

Irit said: “For the first hour of Shabbat, I kept reaching for my cell phone and panicking that it wasn’t on me. Then I remembered—it was off. But after such a magical twenty-four hours, I enjoyed being unplugged so much that I didn’t want it to end. I just didn’t feel like turning it on again.”

Tzion told us on Shabbat morning that he hadn’t been able to fall asleep on Friday night. “This was the first time I experienced Kabbalat Shabbat, a Shabbat meal, and then lectures and discussions, one after the other,” he said. “After so many hours of holiness, I felt like my soul was lit up. I reached such spiritual heights that I couldn’t fall asleep.” Some of the Shabbatobservant participants admitted they were envious. I felt the same

way.

Rabbanit Tzili Schneider, founder and CEO of Kesher Yehudi, told me that this longing for Shabbat has become a widespread phenomenon. The Jewish people, she said, are returning to their roots and to Shabbat. She offered a practical tip for Jews today: “Don’t regret what you didn’t do in the past. Be satisfied with what you’re doing now. Commit yourself to

gradual progress, with guidance from people who can accompany you on your journey. The main thing is to rejoice in every small step, every aspect of Shabbat that you bring into your life.”

She added that even those who already observe Shabbat should keep striving to deepen and elevate it. We can all ask ourselves, “How can I bring a little more Shabbat into my life?”

A Guinness World Record and What It Says About Us

A Guinness World Record has recently been broken in Israel. It’s a record of generosity and kindness. Last week, 2,000 kidney donors posed for a group photo at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, forming the largest gathering of organ donors in history.

Here are three takeaways from this remarkable event:

“On our way to donor 3,000!” This was the slogan for the

evening chosen by Rabbanit Rachel Haber, co-founder and chairwoman of Matnat Chaim (Gift of Life). But it is not just a slogan but a mindset. Even while celebrating 2,000 kidney donations, a world record, she was already looking ahead to the next goal.

Not everyone needs to donate a kidney—but everyone can give.

Rabbanit Haber told the audience: “Not everyone needs to donate a kidney, but everyone has what to give. You can lend an ear to someone in distress, smile at someone, extend a hand to help a friend or use your arms to hug them. The point isn’t that all of us should become kidney donors. The point is to live with the awareness that every limb the Creator gave us is meant to do good, all the time.”

The group photo is a counternarrative.

I took a moment to look closely at the group photo, and I encourage everyone to do the same. It can serve as a buffer against the images and opinions we’re bombarded with day after day. The media is constantly trying to drive wedges between us, and the effort only intensifies in an election year. But the most

meaningful “election” already took place: 2,000 Israelis chose to donate a part of their bodies to save the lives of brothers and sisters they had never met, people with whom they nonetheless share a deep soul connection.

And one more detail worth noticing: the modest, energetic woman behind this evening (and who is already focused on recruiting thousands more donors), is a charedi rabbanit.

So, don’t let rhetoric and cynicism shape the way you see your people. Look again at the picture. It may be the truest picture of who we really are.

Connecting Through Giving

How is love created? How do we foster involvement and commitment? This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Terumah, reveals a profound educational secret.

Just a few portions ago, God brought the Ten Plagues upon Egypt, split the sea for us, and gave us the Torah. And suddenly, He asks for our contribution, on our initiative, in order to build the Mishkan. What is the purpose of all these detailed technical instructions? Why must the people volunteer and bring beams, fabrics,

and precious materials?

Many commentators explain that God does not need our silver or gold; He wants our hearts, our partnership. Until now, the Israelites were largely passive, recipients of miracles and kindness. Now they become active. They take responsibility. They become part of writing the story. And the more we invest, the more we love.

This is true not only in building the Mishkan, but in relationships as well. The more we invest in a marriage, the more deeply connected we feel. In parenting, the effort we expend for our children strengthens our bond with them. In education, children need not only rights but also responsibilities in order to feel ownership and accountability. And in Torah study itself, the more we invest, the more we feel that it belongs to us.

Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler expressed this idea with a powerful statement: “More than giving is a result of love, love is a result of giving.”

Want to read more by Sivan

Google The Daily Thought or visit sivanrahavmeir.com

Washington’s Promise, America’s Test

By Jonathan Greenblatt

In August 1790, George Washington wrote to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island. His words were simple, but revolutionary: America would give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

Washington wrote that every good citizen should “sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

It was a promise. A compact between our early nation and its Jewish citizens: equal opportunity and liberty defended for all. I’ve been thinking about this promise as we observe Presidents Day this year, especially as antisemitism has intensified these past few years.

Indeed, some prominent commentators have argued that antisemitism is inevitable and that we need not waste any time fighting it. Instead, we must refocus on deepening our Jewish identity and joy.

This is a false choice, one that flies in the face of Jewish-American history and in what we need to survive. Jewish flourishing in an open society depends on two conditions at once: thick internal vitality and a public square where Jews can participate without intimidation or stigma. Either one without the other is unstable.

The challenges our community face now in America’s 250th year are real and daunting.

In January, an arsonist set fire to Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi—the state’s

oldest and largest synagogue. It was the second attack on this house of worship. In 1967, the Ku Klux Klan bombed Beth Israel because its rabbi supported the Civil Rights Movement.

Nearly six decades later, another antisemitic attack. And while fire destroyed the parts of the building, a Holocaust-surviving Torah emerged unharmed—a testament to the fact that while they can burn buildings, they cannot break the Jewish people. But here’s where we are today.

In 2024, ADL recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents—the highest number recorded since we began tracking incidents in 1979. On college campuses alone, incidents exploded by 84 percent.

A recent survey we conducted with Jewish Federations found that more than half of all Jewish Americans experienced antisemitism in the past year. Fourteen percent have developed exit plans in case things get worse.

This isn’t happening to some abstract “Jewish community.” It’s the grandfather walking to synagogue. The parent at work. The college student in class. The teenager scrolling on social media.

Following the attack on Beth Israel Congregation, Jackson Mayor John Horhn declared that targeting people for their faith is “morally wrong, un-American, and completely incompatible with the values of this city.”

These words matter. We rely on allies like Mayor Horhn. Because the truth is that recently many of our allies vanished when we needed them. Friends went silent. Organizations that claimed solidarity just disappeared. Neighbors who we thought would stand with us instead turned their backs.

So, Washington’s promise — to give bigotry no sanction — feels increasingly hollow as antisemitism flows freely on social media, universities still struggle to protect Jewish students, and Jews are violently assaulted on the street.

What’s at stake here extends far beyond the Jewish community. When antisemitism is tolerated (or disguised as political critique) it sends a clear message: bigotry belongs in America after all.

History shows us where that leads. Antisemitism is rarely contained. And when it gains ground, other forms of hate follow. When institutions fail to protect one vulnerable community, they es-

tablish a precedent that no community is truly safe.

In light of this, we cannot just hide or turn inward. We must act and claim the promise of our nation’s Founding Father.

At ADL, we’re not waiting for others to act first. We’re filing lawsuits—in 2025 we filed more cases than in our previous 100plus years combined. We’re training security personnel to protect synagogues and Jewish institutions. We’re monitoring elected officials in cities where antisemitism has been normalized. We’re building coalitions with allies across faiths who are committed to this fight.

Our Campus Report Card grades universities on how well

they address antisemitism and support Jewish life—and following ADL engagement, more than one-third of schools strengthened their policies enough to improve by a full letter grade. When Microsoft shareholders faced a BDS-aligned proposal, we mobilized through JLens, leading shareholders to reject discrimination disguised as corporate responsibility.

We’re documenting every incident. Demanding accountability from every institution. Doing what Jewish communities have always done — protecting ourselves when protection isn’t guaranteed.

Of course, Washington’s promise wasn’t just freedom from per-

secution. It was freedom to build, to contribute, and to flourish— the radical idea that Jews could be fully Jewish and fully American without contradiction.

But we haven’t fully realized that vision yet, which is why our efforts to combat antisemitism remain essential along with reaffirming Jewish values and building strong communities. We must defend our space in the public square and deepen our attachments in our private gatherings and lives. That is how we protect and deepen Jewish life in America.

NEW IN MIAMI!

Bais Medrash Of South Miami is designed for young men who are ready to grow, thrive, and develop the skills of a strong, confident Yeshiva bachur—both in learning and in life one boy at a time.

Whether post–high school or completing their final years of Yeshiva study, students benefit from a personal Rebbe relationship, combining over 50 years of rabbinic experience with a dynamic team of young, energetic Rabbeim. Together, they bring proven leadership skills from community building and advanced educational systems for teens.

The Bais Midrash is located in a beautiful, luxurious campus with high-end amenities, and luxurious dorms, creating an environment that supports focus, growth, and excellence.

Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Avshalom Baskin

Rabbi Baskin studied in Yeshivas Ohr Yisroel in Eretz Yisrael and Yeshiva Beis Moshe Chaim in Miami, earning a Master’s in Religious Education.

A seasoned mechanech and former post–high school rebbe, he serves as rabbi to the Israeli community in Orlando, authors Torah and chinuch seforim, and delivers widely followed shiurim. He is known for his warmth, passion, and commitment to helping talmidim grow into confident, connected adults.

Rabbi Hershel D. Becker

Served as a congregational rabbi in Miami for over thirty years. With his open, easy-going manner and deeply caring approach, he has earned a reputation as a renowned Jewish educator, engaging orator, and beloved spiritual mentor. Through his teaching, he provides meaningful resources that spark animated discussion, offering practical Torah-based guidance for building and strengthening interpersonal relationships.

And other young dynamic Rabbeim...

Solomon Leadership Program: Pillar of Persistence

By Avi Sragowicz, Ikey Odze, Ami Kattan, and Dr. Sarah Rosanel, MD, FACC

February 2026 | The Shul of Bal Harbour

At the Solomon Leadership Program at The Shul of Bal Harbour, under the visionary leadership of Rabbi Zalman Lipskar, this month’s session focused on one of the most essential pillars of Jewish leadership: Persistence. Rooted in Torah wisdom and translated into practical life lessons, the evening brought inspiration, reflection, and actionable growth to our fellows.

The program opened with Chapter Director Rabbi Shaya Farkash and Assistant Director Avromel Hayman, who framed persistence through a Torah lens. In Jewish life, persistence is not merely determination, it is sacred commitment. Rabbi Akiva began learning Torah later in life, starting with the Alef-Beis, yet through unwavering dedication he rose to become one of our greatest sages. King David, pursued and betrayed, remained steadfast in fulfilling Hashem’s will despite immense personal hardship. Their lives teach us that greatness is not born from ease, but from resilience in the face of challenge.

This message is echoed in a well-known story of someone who wrote to the Rebbe feeling anxious and powerless. The Rebbe’s response was clear: even when we feel depleted, Hashem grants us inner strength. Obstacles are not barriers meant to stop us, they are invitations to grow. The key is to continue forward, trusting that Hashem walks with us each step of the way.

Our guest speaker, Mr. David

Schottenstein, brought this lesson into the world of business and modern leadership. He described persistence as a “superpower” one that often outperforms talent or motivation. Motivation may ignite a beginning, but persistence sustains the journey. Failure, he emphasized, is not the opposite of success; quitting is.

He shared how, when launching his first suit company, he spent six months tirelessly pursuing a single client. Rejections were frequent. Calls went unanswered. Yet he continued. When he finally secured a meeting and the suits did not fit properly, he focused on service rather than surrender. Be-

cause he refused to give up, that same client later invested two million dollars into his company and became a powerful advocate for his brand. His story powerfully illustrated that success is not about avoiding setbacks, it is about enduring them.

These lessons moved from inspiration to application during our mentorship circles, guided by Mrs. Dina Kranz, Mr. Diego Goldfarb, Mr. Jake Bengio, Mr. Alexander Rindner, and Dr. Sarah Rosanel. Fellows reflected on how persistence, self-awareness, and faith shape everyday leadership decisions.

As fellow Avi Sragowicz shared,

Guest Speaaker

R a v Yo s e f Z v i R i m o n

Monday February 23

7:30 PM

Then and Now:

Providence in the Purim Story and Megillat HaTekuma -

National Revival Post October 7th

Light bites will be served

The lecture is open to the whole community

Rav Rimon is one of Israel’s leading rabbinic and public figures His visionary work has powerfully impacted Jewish communities both inside and outside Israel He combines rigorous scholarship with tremendous sensitivity to contemporary ethical, educational and social challenges

In 2005, Rav Rimon founded JobKatif to enable Israeli evacuees from Gush Katif to find jobs and settle in Israel. Today that initiative ( renamed "La’Ofek") works to rehabilitate sidelined Israelis such as Ethiopians, lone soldiers and youth at risk. On October 7th, Rav Rimon became “the Soldiers’ Rabbi” tirelessly visiting bases and front lines, organizing help for immediate physical needs and giving moral clarity and spiritual strength to soldiers, their wives and families as well as providing practical answers to thousands of difficult Halachic questions.

While continuing his work as a Posek, author and teacher, Rav Rimon recently founded Kuma to help widows of fallen soldiers rebuild their lives Rav Rimon has received numerous national honors including the Jerusalem Prize in 2023 and serves on Israel’s Health Service Committee for Pharmaceutical Drugs bringing ethical and Halachic perspectives to Government decision making Rav Rimon is Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, Rosh Yeshiva of Lev Academic Center ( JCT), President of the World Mizrachi Movement and is founder of Sulamot (which provides innovative Jewish educational and social initiatives to thousands of children, educators and families) and La’Ofek. He is married to Rabbanit Sharon and they are parents of 8 daughters and 5 sons-in-law

COMMUNITY NEWS

“In our group with Mr. Rindner, he teaches through personal stories that connect directly to the pillar. He challenges us with questions that push us to define our own perspective.” Mr. Rindner described his transition from New York real estate to owning RV home parks across the country, demonstrating that persistence is not limited by geography or circumstance.

One powerful takeaway from the session was the line: “The times you succeed will make up for your failures.” History offers countless examples of leaders who persisted despite setbacks. Their enduring impact reminds us that while failure may be frequent, persistence ensures that success carries greater weight.

The Solomon Leadership Program continues to cultivate young leaders grounded in Torah values and equipped with practical tools for life. Persistence is not simply about pushing harder it is about remaining anchored in faith, steady in effort, and committed to growth. When guided by Torah and strengthened by community, persistence becomes more than endurance; it becomes destiny.

Ami Kattan is a 15-year-old student at Scheck Hillel Community Day School and an active member of the school community. Passion-

ate about helping others, Ami takes numerous opportunities to do this, such as his position on Greater Miami NCSY. With a strong focus on leadership and personal growth, Ami seeks out opportunities to inspire and make a positive impact on those around him and become a better person.

Ikey Odze is a 17-year-old senior at KYHS. Born in New York, he moved to Miami two years ago and quickly embraced his new community. Ikey is passionate about sports, playing both hockey and soccer, and thrives on staying active and competitive. Whether on the field or the ice, he brings determination and team spirit to everything he does. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, making the most of his high school years and creating lasting memories along the way.

Avi Sragowicz is a 16-year-old junior at the Hebrew Academy of

Miami Beach. Born and raised in Miami, Avi embodies the vibrant spirit of his hometown. He enjoys playing basketball, watching sports, and spending time mentoring and helping younger children. Known for his warm personality and genuine kindness, Avi brings a bright and positive light wherever he goes. His energy, leadership, and caring nature make a meaningful impact on those around him.

Dr. Sarah Rosanel, MD FACC (info@drrosanel.com) is the Founder & CEO of a premier concierge medical practice, providing highly personalized cardiology and internal medicine care to high-profile patients worldwide. Graduate of the Technion and Maimonides Medical Center, she served as an attending at Memorial Regional Hospital before launching her concierge practice to focus on exclusive patient care. She was named one of Cardiovascular Business’s “Forty Under 40” and a 2025 Featured Doctor by Best in Florida Magazine. www. DrRosanel.com

Who says Israelis aren’t popular?

By Farley Weiss

Cultural stars seem to do well among fans. It’s the loud minority that can get in their way.

With the rise of antisemitism around the world, it may surprise many Jews, Israelis included, that they are actually looked upon favorably by a majority in the non-Muslim world.

Paradoxically, Jews are viewed as one of the most liked and most hated people in the world. Generally, the haters are a loud but small minority, though they impact the leaders of their countries and the media.

The selection of Israeli basketball player Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15 in California was partly due to his strong support among fan voting, in which he finished fifth among Western Conference NBA players. With the coaching and player voting, he finished seventh among all Western Conference.

Representing “Team World,” he was selected as a reserve, marking the first time an Israeli player has earned this honor.

While the 25-year-old didn’t make the starting line-up (fan voting accounts for 50% of the vote), he did get in some time on the court. Avdija played a total of 15 minutes across two round-robin matches.

The fact that an Israeli player who has received significant negative comments via social media and elsewhere could receive such strong popular support in fan voting shows that antisemites aren’t

as numerous as they may seem. A 2025 national poll conducted by the University of Maryland’s Critical Issues Poll team, led by Shibley Telhami, found that about 85 % of Americans view Jews positively and 76% view Judaism positively. It did find that those who view Jews least favorably of all demographics were among youth, which is a major factor why so many incidents occur on college campuses. It’s similar to the 2015 Pew poll that found a positive view of Jews among 89% of Americans.

As to the belief that Americans view Israeli Jews much better than Europeans, a similar fan voting system has long been in place for the Eurovision Song Contest, which began in 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland. In it, Euro-

pean countries and a few non-European countries send a singer to compete with an original song. Voting consists of 50% of fans voting and 50% of a vote by five music-industry professionals (called the jurors) from each participating country.

In May 2024, a year after the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, Eden Golan, just 20 years old, represented Israel in the Eurovision competition. Among fan voting, she finished second. As part of the post-Oct. 7 backlash, jurors gave her few points, and she wound up finishing fifth overall.

In May 2025, Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Nova music site massacre on Oct. 7 (who hid under dead bodies to survive), finished first among public vot-

ing by a large margin, with 297 public points, as compared to the Austrian candidate, who got 178 public points but came out the victor as a result of juror voting. Raphael, 24, won the popular vote over competitors in Belgium, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Australia and Luxembourg.

Among the jurors, she ranked 14th and finished second overall. Jurors who gave her 0 points— meaning, they did not rank her in the top 12—were the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and Australia. Despite their own populations ranking her first. There was no similar disparity among any other competitors in the voting.

Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands have announced that they are boycotting this year’s competition, protesting the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow participation by Israel. It will be interesting to see if the populations of these countries agree with that, as Eurovision remains quite popular among the average viewer.

Considering the anti-Jewish backlash in the world, it would seem that the only hope Israeli Jews would have had in such competitions would be if the non-fan voting were much more favorable, with the expectation that they would do poorly in fan voting. The fact that this situation is the opposite shows that Israelis and Jews worldwide have more support than realized. It also shows how a loud cultural boycott from a minority does not represent the larger majority of positive thinking when it comes to the Jewish state.

The goal is to better use that support to influence foreign policies and actions, especially of European governments.

Farley Weiss is the co-author, with Leonard Grunstein, of Because It’s Just and Right: The Untold Backstory of the U.S. Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel and Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, and a past president of the National Council of Young Israel.

SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 2026 West Palm Beach, FL

4:30PM

EXCLUSIVE VIP RECEPTION

* VIP requires a minimum $10,000 annual donation. 5:30PM

DINNER & GENERAL ADMISSION

Glatt Kosher

Black tie optional

P ASTOR JOHN CHARLES HAGEE Founder & Chair, Christians United for Israel

ZOA BARBARA & ELGIE GIBSON OUTSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONIST AWARD

HON. BARBARA FEINGOLD

FUS Holocaust Memorial Museum Council Member

RJC National Board Member & Florida Chair Political activist and Philanthropist

ZOA JUSTICE LOUIS D. BRANDEIS EXTRAORDINARY DEFENDER OF ISRAEL AWARD

RSVP

Kindly reply by MONDAY, MARCH 9

zoa.org/floridagala Or scan QR code

Honorees

LEO TERRELL, ESQ.

Chair, Department of Justice Task Force on Antisemitism

ZOA BEN HECHT EXTRAORDINARY WARRIOR AGAINST ANTISEMITISM AWARD

ROBERT MEYER, ESQ.

Prominent Hong Kong based Entrepreneur & retired Attorney

ZOA JUSTICE LOUIS D. BRANDEIS ADVOCATE FOR ISRAEL & WARRIOR AGAINST POLITICAL ISLAM AWARD

REP. RANDY FINE (R-FL)

Formerly, McKinsey & Company & Teaching Fellow, Harvard University

ZOA MORTIMER

ZUCKERMAN OUTSTANDING ISRAEL ADVOCATE MACCABEE AWARD

REP. BRIAN MAST (R-FL)

Chairman, US House Foreign Relations Committee

Recipient, ZOA Justice Louis D. Brandeis

It was Thursday night and the kitchen was glowing with the warmth of Erev Shabbos.

Mrs. Klein stood by the stove, a wooden spoon in hand, while little Shevy balanced on a step stool beside her, eyes shining with excitement. This week was special. Shevy was finally “big enough” to help prepare for Shabbos.

“Every Shabbos table has special foods,” Mrs. Klein explained gently as she skimmed the golden chicken soup. “The soup is warm and comforting. It makes everyone feel at home.”

Shevy nodded very seriously. “And kneidlach,” she added confidently.

Mrs. Klein smiled. “Yes, and kneidlach, I know how much you love them.”

She showed Shevy how she cleaned the chicken, added carrots and celery, sprinkled in spices, and let everything simmer slowly. The house already smelled like Shabbos.

“Watch the soup for a minute,” Mrs. Klein said, stepping out of the kitchen.

Mistaken identity

Shevy peered carefully into the pot. The broth was clear and beautiful. The carrots floated lazily.

But something was missing.

No kneidlach.

She looked around. On the counter nearby sat a pan covered in foil. Curious, she lifted it. Inside was a large loaf of gefilte fish that her mother had prepared for the first course.

Shevy’s eyes widened.

“Fishy” soup

“Hum... this looks like kneidel batter — this must be it,” she thought to herself. “Maybe Mommy forgot to roll them.”

With great concentration, Shevy took a scoop and carefully shaped perfect round balls. One by one, she dropped them proudly into the simmering chicken soup.

Plop.

Plop.

Plop.

She stood back, satisfied. The soup was now complete.

Danger alert

When Mrs. Klein returned, Shevy beamed. “Mommy! I put in the kneidlach!”

Mrs. Klein paused. “The kneidlach?”

She walked over to the stove and looked into the pot.

Floating peacefully in her chicken soup were several strange spheres.

She froze for a moment.

“Oh,” she said slowly. “I see…”

With admirable calm, she thanked Shevy for her help, tucked

her into bed for the night, and then quietly poured out the entire pot of soup. Another chicken was quickly on the way.

When her husband returned from night seder, she told him the whole story while chopping vegetables for round two.

He tried very hard not to laugh.

The shilah

“Wait,” he said suddenly. “If fish cooked together with meat in a pot on the fire… don’t we have to kasher the pot?”

“It wasn’t fleishig and milchig,” she answered. “It was fish and meat. That’s sakana, not issur.”

He nodded. “True… but I remember learning that sakana is treated even more strictly than issur.”

They looked at each other.

And at the same moment said, “Let’s call the Refuah B’Halacha Center.”

Within moments they were speaking to the Rav on call, recounting the entire episode — including Shevy’s impressive kneidel-shaping skills.

The Rav chuckled warmly. “When I was Shevy’s age,” he admitted, “I once tried improving my mother’s cholent.”

The halacha

Then he turned serious.

“Was the pot cooking on the fire when this happened?”

“Yes,” they replied.

The Rav explained: The Pischei Teshuva in Siman 116;3 discusses whether a pot in which fish and meat were cooked together requires hagalah because of Sakana

Sunday to Thursday: 12pm - 10pm Friday: 11am - 3:30pm OPENING HOURS Scan the code to order!

COMMUNITY HEALTH

(clearly in a case where the wasn’t sixty times more to be mivatel it). He brings the opinion of the sefer Tiferes Moshe that hagalah is necessary. However, the Divrei Malkiel (Chelek 2, Siman 53), was uncertain whether hagalah is required and ruled that after cleaning the pot thoroughly and waiting 24 hours, one would not need hagalah.

In practice, the Shevet HaLevi (Chelek 6, Siman 111) encourages performing hagalah.

They thanked the Rav and made the necessary arrangements.

Shabbos bliss

That Shabbos, the soup was once again golden and properly fleishig. The gefilte fish remained where it belonged.

And little Shevy sat proudly at the Shabbos table, glowing with

the knowledge that she had helped prepare for Shabbos.

Her parents, meanwhile, felt a different kind of glow — relief that the soup didn’t taste “fishy.”

Sometimes the sweetest part of Shabbos preparation isn’t the kneidlach.

It’s the memories simmering quietly in the kitchen.

At the Refuah B’Halacha Center, we are here to provide guidance for real-life challenges, big and small. Whether it’s a question about Shabbos, kashrus, or navigating difficult personal situations, our experienced Rabbunim are ready to listen and advise.

If you ever find yourself wondering about a medical halacha question — big or small, serious or just something that’s been on your

mind — remember that you don’t have to figure it out alone. The Refuah B’Halacha Center is here to help, with experienced rabbanim available to guide you through even the most sensitive or confusing situations.

Our Rabbanim;

R’ Yaakov Forchheimer shlit”a

R’ Noach Isaac Oelbuam shlit”a

R Uri Deutch shlit”a

R’ Micha Cohen shlit”a

R’ Moshe Zev Feldman shlit”a

R’ Baruch Hirshfeld shlit”a

R’ Daniel Neustadt shlit”a

R’ Avrohom Yaged shlit”a

We specialize in: Mental health, Shabbos, Treatment issues, Hospital stays, Fertility, Kashrus

We are here Sunday through Friday 8:00 am till 10:00 pm and erev Shabbos 10 minutes before candle lighting.

Refuah B’Halacha Hotline: 732 755 0851 or email us at www.refuahbhalachacenter.org

Operation Inspiration: Country Roads

It started out like any other ordinary day; a to-do list of errands and places to go, tasks to complete, and not enough time to get everything done. When I plan my days, I usually calculate my times pretty tightly and close together. I’ll use my GPS to figure out the most efficient route to accomplish all my tasks, and plan for what I’ll do when I get back. But once in a while, life throws you a curve. Or several, to be more precise.

One day I needed to go to a shop about 25 minutes from home. It’s heading north towards the Catskill Mountains, affectionately known as “the country,” but it wasn’t really that far upstate. I’d planned my trip carefully, and was making excellent time - until I wasn’t. Suddenly, perhaps a mile from where I needed to be, there was a backup. It started and didn’t stop. Cars lines up behind me, and I couldn’t see past the cars in front of me. Slowly we proceeded forward, and most cars were either turning around, or making a left. Finally, I reached the head of the line and saw the problem. Ahead on the road was a dump truck. It had overturned and was blocking both lanes of the road ahead. One thing I can tell you from experience is that Google Maps has a feature to report a lane closure, but not an entire ROAD closure. You’d think that would be important, but in order to report a closed road, you have to get out of the driving mode and jump through a bunch of hoops to do it. That means when a road closes suddenly, like, I don’t know, because a dump truck flips over, there’s no way to quickly alert others and allow Google Maps to reroute you.

By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

Instead, I ended up taking the left turn as did so many others. Though I was tantalizingly close to my destination, it was not to be. I had to take the detour down the winding country road. It added several miles to my journey, and at the end of that, I was nowhere near where I needed to get! Instead, I was on a different road, and directed by a kindly police officer to make another long detour, this one lasting close to ten miles, on small, winding, back roads where the speed one could travel was much less than on a highway or normal road. It ended up taking me probably an hour extra that I didn’t have. Eventually, I did make it where I had to go, and thankfully, since I knew where the problem was, on the way home I didn’t try to go back the way I’d come. Instead, I took a longer route to the highway, and finally made it back, two hours later than I’d planned.

But I didn’t lose my mind. I didn’t get angry. Frustrated? Maybe a little. But there was nothing I could do. It’s like when you get into an elevator and someone has pressed extra buttons before they left. You can be mad all you want, but you’re still going to all the floors you didn’t plan to. But what can you do? Well, on an elevator, not much. But in a car, there’s an option.

What I do when I’m going to be in the car for a while, like going to the airport to pick up my daughter from Israel at 5am, or if I’m running to the store on a twenty-minute roundtrip, is put on a shiur or Torah class. I have a few favorite speakers on TorahAnytime, and I like that I can adjust the speed to a faster rate so I can hear more in a shorter time. Some times I’ve covered several blatt of Daf Yomi on an airport run or longer, and sometimes I’ll review hilchos Shabbos or listen to stuff on the Parsha.

Regardless of what I pick, I feel like I’m making the most of my time, and doing something constructive while I’m on the road. Even though I might have planned to be somewhere else, I know that listening to Torah is the way to go. That’s what I did that day when I had to drive halfway around a mountain to get where I needed, and not only did I not get upset, but I felt accomplished. I felt I’d done what Hashem wanted me to do by using the time to come close to him.

When we keep this perspective in our minds, and look at the situations we’re in, asking what reason there might have been for it, we can cope much better. When we take advantage of the opportunities to grow in moments of challenge, we’re really reaching the right destination. I may have been making long, winding detours, but those country roads really took me home, to the place I truly belonged.

2026 – All Rights Reserved

Did you enjoy this column? Feedback is welcome and appreciated. E-mail info@JewishSpeechWriter.com to share your thoughts. You never know when you may be the lamp that enlightens someone else.

The South Florida Community Voice Cholent Championship

By Motti Kallus, Head of Operations, South Florida Community Voice Magazine

The morning after the Cholent Challenge, my feet were sore and my voice was tired. But what stayed with me wasn’t the exhaustion. It was the image of hundreds of Jews from across South Florida standing shoulder to shoulder, laughing, tasting, reconnecting, and feeling part of something bigger than themselves.

What we hosted this week was not just a food event.

It was community in its purest form.

About a year ago, we asked ourselves a simple question at Community Voice Magazine: What kind of event could truly bring South Florida’s Jewish communities together without speeches, without politics, without heavy programming — just something joyful and unifying?

If you don’t live here, you might not realize how spread out we are. From Palm Beach Gardens to Miami can easily take two hours (and with traffic, even longer.) Within that stretch, you have distinct neighborhoods, different levels of observance, and communities that rarely overlap in daily life.

You have Hasidic families, Modern Orthodox families, Traditional Jews. And many unaffiliated Jews who still feel deeply connected to their heritage.

South Florida’s Jewish population is large, but it’s dispersed. We wanted one night where Boca meets Miami Beach. Where North Miami Beach meets West Palm.

Where observant and less-observant Jews stand side by side.

Cholent felt like the perfect vehicle: It’s simple. It’s traditional. It’s shared history in a bowl.

Last year, we jumped right in and began planning only weeks before the event. We underestimated electrical loads. We split power across the building. We spent the entire night before the event checking crockpots and praying nothing would trip.

We expected maybe 200 or 300 people. The turnout exceeded expectations and the energy in the

room was undeniable. People lingered and talked and exchanged numbers. They asked when we were doing it again. That’s when we knew this couldn’t be a onetime idea. It had to become a tradition.

This year, we planned earlier, so we built smarter and elevated the experience.

Attendance grew dramatically — we estimate between 800 and 1,000 people throughout the evening. At one point, the hall was filled edge to edge. We went

COMMUNITY NEWS

through more than 4,000 tasting bowls.

But what impressed me most wasn’t the numbers. It was the quality. The cholents were better. The cooking system improved. The chefs collaborated instead of competed. On Wednesday night, when they came to prepare, it felt like its own celebration — music, fresh-cut meat on site, chefs helping each other, lending utensils and ingredients.

There was no ego in the room. Only pride. It felt less like a contest — and more like a reunion.

One of the things we are proud of at Community Voice Magazine is the relationships we build. We don’t just publish content, we connect with people.

This year’s Cholent Cook-Off featured an extraordinary panel of judges:

Alan Dershowitz – Renowned Constitutional Lawyer, Author & Harvard Law Professor Emeritus, known for his expertise in civil liberties

Steven Meiner – Mayor of Miami Beach

Yechiel Jacobs – Comedian and influencer

Zalmy Cohen – Founder of Hatzalah South Florida; living kidney donor

Rabbi Yochanan Klein – Founder and Director of Healing Hearts

Moshe Gubin – Chairman, Optimum Bank

Tzvi Berg – Founder, Royal Passover and culinary master

Sruly Meyer – Owner of SMG, a marketing firm; on the side he enjoys baking & cooking on @srulycooks

Yankie Markowitz - SBA Loan Group

gives out Tefillin & Mezuzahs to those who need via TefillinConnection.

These weren’t just recognizable names. They represented leadership, philanthropy, business, entertainment, and public service within our broader Jewish world. One moment that stood out to many of us was watching Alan Dershowitz taste all 33 cholents. He also gave a brief speech connecting his role in judging a cholent contest to the parsha and joking that he observed Taanit Cholent all day in preparation for the Cook-Off.

Throughout the evening, I kept noticing something powerful.

Hasidic Jews speaking with secular Jews. Modern Orthodox families sitting with people they had never met before. Doctors, business leaders, educators — all in the same room, without titles, just participants.

In South Florida, many Jews are

not formally affiliated — but they are proud. They feel connected. They want meaning. And for one night, everyone felt it. No speeches were necessary. No formal messaging was required.

When Jews gather around a dish their great-grandparents made hundreds of years ago, something unspoken happens - it reminds us that we are one people.

Next year, we will continue to grow — but thoughtfully.

It’s not about simply increasing numbers. It’s about refining the experience. Enhancing quality while strengthening the bridge between communities.

What started as an idea has become something much bigger. A yearly gathering. A reunion. A tradition. Because big things happen when Jews sit around a bowl of cholent.

And this year, we saw exactly that.

Motti Kallus Head of Operations Community Voice Magazine

Imagining the Future of our Jewish Day Schools and Yeshivot in an Age of Innovation and Technology

By Dr. Chaim Y. Botwinick

I recently heard a podcast featuring a futurist whose vocation is to engage in scenario planning for major corporations and institutions.

Scenario planning, is defined as a process which was created in the 1950’s by Herman Kahn of the Rand Corporation. It was then adapted by Pierre Wack at Royal Dutch/Shell in the early 1970’s in order to manage economic uncertainty.

The purpose of scenario planning (or as some refer to it as “what-if planning”) is to provide institutions and industry with an array of future options and eventualities by analyzing current events, assumptions, trends and variables.

Unlike “predictions,” scenario planning help guide institutions plan for their future in real time and are based on empirical facts that are inspired by intellectual curiosity, creativity, wisdom, knowledge and vision.

Over the past several years, scenario planning has been complimented and supported by AI technology. This has created technologically-driven strategic planning and innovation as never before experienced in history, making this planning process more in-depth, reliable and comprehensive.

After listening to the podcast, I began thinking about the numerous ways in which scenario planning can potentially assist our community imagine or reimagine the future of our Jewish day schools and yeshivot.

This inspired me to think about the following question:

Assuming our Jewish communities had unlimited funding and resources in support of our yeshivot and day schools, what would these institutions actually look like in the future?

Despite the fact that I am not a futurist by far, I started to reflect, dream, and imagine what our Jewish day schools can in fact become in the future if the “right conditions” where to exist.

The assumptions that follow are theoretical and based on current trends. Transcending these assumptions is a vision for the future of our Jewish day school community, unencumbered by today’s fiscal and philanthropic barriers, obstacles or challenges – such as affordability sustainability or a lack of human capital.

As we know, transformative advances in history are inspired by dreams, aspirations and vision. Many of these advances were once thought to be impossible or unimaginable. Nevertheless, they emerged and evolved as a result of society’s ability to stretch its creativity and imagination and to think boldly and creatively about “what could be”, as opposed to “what is” or “what was”.

Therefore, my theoretical starting point is as follows:

Imagine if day school affordability and sustainability were no longer a significant obstacle facing our day school/yeshiva school community. And, imagine our schools focusing all of their resources and energy on curriculum innovation and creativity, enhanced student learning and academic achievement, teacher recruitment, training and retention, as well as the creation of safe and attractive state of the art physical facilities.

In addition, what would our communities look like if we offered generous tuition subsidies for families in need, increased salaries for Rabbeim and teachers, impressive compensation levels for teachers and administrators; and, the creation of philanthropic conditions whose sole purpose is not limited to reducing or eliminating budgetary school deficits, but rather to focus on supporting educational creativity, and innovation as well as successful AI-driven initiatives in both limudei kodesh and chol

It’s so hard to believe that if these scenarios came to fruition that we would not experience a far more expansive, successful and robust Jewish day school or yeshiva community, unencumbered by obstacles.

But, is this thinking truly valid? Is this necessarily the case? Or might there be other important variables, realities or factors

COMMUNITY NEWS

which must first be addressed in order for school transformation to be realized?

Friends, the fact that I am even posing these questions suggests that there are indeed other obstacles, limitations, challenges and barriers which scenario planning may not or cannot necessarily address.

These may include what I refer to as the heart and the neshama (soul) of chinuch.

Educating our children is a sacred value, commitment and obligation. It is deeply anchored in our mesorah, in our heritage and in our very DNA.

In order for day school/yeshiva chinuch to grow, flourish and succeed, we must create a sense of urgency, obligation and responsibly. To be sure, as my Rosh HaYeshiva

once commented….all the creative technology and educational trappings and innovations in the world may help guide us in the learning process, but they are only tools that will never substitute the profound power of “intellectual curiosity” of chavuta learning or the profoundly important close relationship and interaction between a student and a teacher.

It is therefore imperative that we view the future of our schools through this prism of reality anchored in human relationships and interaction.

The Use and Over-Reliance of (AI) in our Jewish Day Schools and Yeshivot

As we move into the future, we see how AI technology in our schools has rapidly transformed chinuch through personalized

learning, automated grading, lesson planning and a host of custom tutoring and personalized learning opportunities. But, as we know, it is not the end-all or be-all.

As a teacher, school consultant and educator, I have witnessed more and more schools that use AI as a valuable tool to enhance the level of education in their respective schools.

Although it would be shortsighted to think about the future of our Jewish day schools and yeshivot in the total absence of these technological advancements, it is important to note that there are many other venues and tools at our disposal which impact upon the successful future of our day schools.

Friends, in spite of these technological innovations, and their

GLOSSY LABELS

2.5” square or round labels - 12 per sheet

$20 for first 2 dozen | $5 each additional sheet

3” square or round labels - 6 per sheet

$18 first 12 labels | $5 each add’l sheet

4”x5” rectangle labels - 4 per sheet $22 first 12 labels | $5 each add’l sheet

SHALACH MANOS TAGS

Size 2.5 x 4 with hole punch printed one side on choice of matte or glossy cover stock $30 for first dozen | $10 each additional dozen

LABEL & TAG PRICES INCLUDE NAME/TEXT CHANGES ON ALL COPYMASTERS DESIGNS OR YOUR SUPPLIED PRINT READY FILE. Custom design available (design fee may apply)

Additional sizes available Email to request a quote for other sizes, large quantities and design.

future utility in our schools, we must be extremely careful, diligent and circumspect regarding AI impact on student learning.

Over the past several years, I have seen way too many students who are dependent upon AI technology for quick-fixes and shortcuts in their studies and assignments – whether they be for reading, book reports, essays or critical thinking.

This does not bode well for the future as it shortchanges our student’s ability and capacity to think independently, conceptualize and imagine. It also minimizes social and academic interaction and skills which are so desperately required in today’s environment.

One Final Thought

As we imagine and re-imag-

ine the future of our Jewish day schools and yeshivot, we should remind ourselves that effective education is a dynamic teaching-learning process which is greatly dependent upon human contact, understanding, emotion and interaction.

It is important to know that our total reliance on AI technology has the potential to compromise and minimize student independent thinking, intellectual curiosity and motivation. It can also diminish the essence of chinuch and its reliance upon human interaction and the human transmission of information, knowledge and values from one generation to the next.

At the end of the day, as we imagine and re-imagine the future of our day schools and yeshivot,

SUPERIOR DRIVING SERVICES

we should not minimize technology; but rather embrace it carefully and cautiously with maturity and balance and as an important tool in our perpetual quest for quality chinuch and the realization of our mesorah

Remember, the future is now. And what we do today, will ultimately impact our future.

About the Author:

Dr. Chaim Y. Botwinick is a senior executive coach and an organizational consultant. He served as president and CEO of the central agency for Jewish education in Baltimore and in Miami; in addition to head of school and principal for several Jewish day schools and yeshivot. As an Influencer, he has published and lectured extensively on topics relating to education, resource development, strategic planning, and leadership development. Dr. Botwinick is co-director of LEV Consulting Associates and creator and host of the Chinuch Horizons podcast series. He is author of Think Excellence, Brown Books, 2011.

Generations Unite at Torah Academy of Boca Raton’s Grandparents’ Weekend

Torah Academy of Boca Raton’s recent Grandparents’ Weekend was a beautiful celebration of mesorah in motion, as generations gathered to share in the joy of Torah, chinuch, and the sacred continuity that links past, present, and future.

The weekend featured a range of signature events across multiple divisions, each thoughtfully designed to give grandparents and special friends a window into their grandchildren’s daily growth and learning. In the Early Childhood Center, guests enjoyed a beautiful brunch and presentations from yeshiva leadership before joining students outdoors for hands-on sensory activities, planting projects, and interactive learning stations. Rabbi Reuven Feinberg, Dean, reflected on the moment, noting, “When grandparents step into a child’s world of learning, they strengthen the bridge between past and future and help anchor our mesorah in living hearts.”

At the Yeshiva Boys Campus, grandfathers joined talmidim for a morning of learning and tefillah that captured the essence of Torah transmission across generations. The program featured uplifting choir performances, remarks from Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, and an extraordinary siyum after the entire student body learned portions of Seder Nezikin together. Rabbi Avrohom Niman, Director of Development and Finance, observed, “Seeing generations learn Torah side by side reminds us that our greatest legacy is not what we build, but what we transmit.”

The Girls Middle School production was another highlight of the weekend, drawing an audience of proud grandparents and families. Through music, choreography, and dramatic storytelling, the students showcased months of dedication, teamwork, and personal growth, reflecting the yeshiva’s belief that education nurtures confidence, creativity, and inner strength alongside academic excellence.

The girls division also hosted a beautiful Melava Malka for grandmothers and special guests, featuring a moving student video centered on the theme Chavivin Yisroel, emphasizing that every child is precious and chosen. Participants created painted puzzle pieces symbolizing how each individual strengthens the greater whole.

Milestone celebrations for first graders added to the joy, as both boys and girls marked receiving

their very first Chumash in heartfelt ceremonies filled with song, pride, and emotion.

For many attendees, the experience was deeply personal. TABR grandparent Rebbetzin Suri Luban, who has over a dozen grandchildren in the yeshiva, shared, “To see so many grandchildren growing in their Yiddishkeit is a zechus beyond words—it fills a grandparent’s heart with immeasurable nachas.”

Grandparents’ Weekend was more than a celebration. It was a living portrait of Torah Academy’s mission in action—nurturing children, transmitting mesorah, and strengthening the bonds that connect generations.

Torah Academy of Boca Raton is a Yeshiva with preschool, elementary, and separate boys’ and girls’ middle school divisions, serving 900 students this year. For more information, visit www.torahacademybr.org or call 561-465-2200.

The Quiet Revolution of the Or Akiva Yeshiva: Torah that Illuminates Life

By Yedidya Ben Shimol

The story of the Or Akiva Yeshiva is anything but conventional. Where else can you find an educational institution defined by these figures:

• The Head of the Yeshiva, Rabbi Yossi Alfasi: A Company Commander in the reserves, leading a unit where many of his soldiers are his own students from the Yeshiva.

• The Executive Director, Yedidya Ben Shimol: A Major and Company Commander in the reserves.

• The Faculty: 80% of the Rabbis have completed significant combat reserve duty during this war.

• The Alumni: 90% of the Yeshiva’s graduates are currently serving in significant reserve roles.

Despite the chaos of war, development has not stopped. We continue to move forward, choosing a life of profound meaning.

Choosing Life – Against All Odds

There are moments when the fate of an entire community is determined not in air conditioned boardrooms, but in the whispers of two field commanders hunkered down in the thick brush of the northern border. While Israel was still reeling from the trauma of October 7th, Rabbi Yossi Alfasi and Yedidya Ben Shimol—both Company Commanders in units of Golani veterans—found themselves making a fateful decision that would impact many homes across Israel.

Their conversation at the start of the war was brief, the kind only partners in battle and vision can have. On one hand: total uncertainty and frozen budgets; on the other: a dream of expansion. “Do we stop everything because of the war, or do we push forward with all our might?” they asked each other. The answer echoed from the mud of the North: We push forward. Not only did they refuse to freeze operations, they decided to establish the new Women’s Midrasha (Seminary) right now. Without clear financial answers, they moved ahead with a burning faith that the healing of this nation comes through building more layers of spirit and kindness.

The Book and the Sword: Leadership Without Exemptions

The “Shiluvim” Yeshiva in Or Akiva (yoa.co.il) is perhaps the

only place in Israel where the entire leadership of the institution is on the front lines. Rabbi Yossi, a father of nine who long ago passed the age of exemption, and Yedidya, who has served over 500 days of reserve duty, are not just “managers”—they are living examples.

Combined with the 80% of the faculty serving in significant reserve roles, they have created an educational model that has no equal.

Here, the military uniform and the Tzitzit blend together. When Rabbi Yossi commands his students from the Yeshiva in the field, the lines blur: the Commander is the Rabbi, and the soldier is the student. The deepest lesson in faith is delivered there, between ambushes, without a single word. They educate toward the love of the People of Israel, the Torah of Israel, and the Land of Israel—not from a podium, but from within sleeping bags.

“The Light of Akiva” – The Transformation of ‘A’

The true victory of Or Akiva is found not just in capturing military objectives, but in capturing hearts at home. The institution welcomes students from across the spectrum of Israeli society—including those from complex socio-economic backgrounds or those struggling with their religious identity. The Yeshiva doesn’t look for a “finished product”; it looks for the person within.

KIDS ZONE KIDS ZONE

10 FUN FACTS DID YOU KNOW THAT...

1. A giraffe’s tongue can be about 18–20 inches long, and it’s dark (purple/blue/black) to help protect it from the sun.

2. Octopuses have three hearts, and their blood looks blue because it uses copper instead of iron to carry oxygen.

3. Bananas are botanically berries, but strawberries are not (they’re called “aggregate fruits”).

4. Many sharks can go through thousands of teeth in a lifetime because they constantly replace them.

5. Bees can be trained to recognize simple human face patterns in experiments — pretty amazing for such tiny brains!

6. The Moon really does have moonquakes, caused by temperature changes and gravitational pulls from Earth.

7. Some penguin species give pebbles during courtship to help build a nest — not exactly a “proposal,” but still sweet!

8. The brain uses about 20% of the body’s energy at rest (for adults; in kids it can be even higher).

9. Baby kangaroos (joeys) are born extremely tiny — about the size of a grape or jellybean — and then grow in the pouch.

10. The number of possible chess games is incredibly huge — estimated to be around 10¹²⁰ (called the Shannon Number).

KIDS ZONE KIDS ZONE

UNSCRAMBLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS

WINE DEPARTMENT MANAGER

BREAKFAST CAFE & JUICE BAR MANAGER

Manage

Yitz Frid’s Award-Winning Cholent Recipe

Yitz Frid’s Award-Winning Cholent Recipe

Yitz Frid’s Award winning Cholent Recipe

BUSINESS DIRECTORY & CLASSIFIED

STRUGGLING?

Anxiety ~ Confusion ~ Grief ~ Trauma ~ Stress ~ Self-esteem

Your struggle is not the essence of who you are. Let’s discuss & explore Narrative Exploration for women of all ages. Julie Bernstein, MSW Trained & Supervised (929) 344-2535

SEAMSTRESS

Alterations, Dressmaking, including wedding clothes. Phone: (646) 413-4542

Wine News!

The new ‘Noble Wines’ catalog has arrived, featuring our latest selection of premium wines. Request your free copy by mail. Just text or email your address and we’ll deliver it straight to your door. Text: (845) 716-8306 or email: news@noblewinesinc.com

Seeking 5–10k SF warehouse within one hour of Miami port. Must have 1–2 loading docks. Please call Nathan at 845-764-1755.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY &

CLASSIFIED

List your local business, services available, real estate opportunities, Help Wanted, & more!

Basic listing: $10/weekName, number and email address

Enhanced listing: $25/weekUp to 25 words

(additional words $1/each)

Deadline:

Tuesday at 4pm for next week's issue

Contact: andrea@tsfcommunityvoice.com

In-Home Private Pilates for women to strengthen, realign, and ease pain. Personalized sessions and private events + Kosher Healthy Meal Prep. WellnessRena.com 305-404-3904 | WellnessRena@gmail.com

Computer, Laptop, iPad & iPhone Repair 954-367-3215 Free-Pickup-in-Aventura.FL

Coolstar Air Service llc A/C Install & Repair (954) 200-1369 | coolstarair@yahoo.com

IT Tech Support & Low Voltage Services 561-331-1680 | barry@navonpro.com

MOVE TO NORTH FLORIDA

Most affordable housing in the entire state Esformes Hebrew Academy of Ormond Beach

NOW HIRING

• Elementary teacher • Office manager

• School Event Coordinator • Drama & Music, Coach Part-time and full-time positions

Quiet suburb School and shul community EsformesHebrewAcademy.org Email resume to chanidaytona@gmail.com

Bringing Sensitivity To The Mental Health Needs Of The Jewish Community RAFAEL JAMES LCSW PSYCHOTHERAPIST (561) 903-2950

EMAIL: centerforempathyandhealing@gmail.com Florida Medicare & Florida Blue accepted

Top Handyman & Construction 848-318-6976, nikabrmv711@gmail.com

To place a Business Directory/Classified Listing contact: andrea@tsfcommunityvoice.com

Generational Wealth Is Built on Income, Not Assets

When families talk about building generational wealth, the conversation usually centers on assets. Investments, real estate, retirement accounts or business value.

But true generational wealth does not begin with assets. It begins with income.

Income is what builds assets. Income funds investments. Income pays mortgages, educates children, supports lifestyle and allows long-term planning. Without income continuity, even significant wealth can erode quickly.

At its core, we are in the income replacement business.

Every financial plan should begin with one simple question: What happens to this family if the income stops?

If a primary earner passes away prematurely, becomes disabled or retires earlier than expected, the impact is not just emotional. It is financial and immediate. Assets may need to be liquidated. Investments may be sold at the wrong time. Long-term plans may be disrupted.

This is where proper planning changes everything.

Life insurance is often misunderstood as a product. In reality, it is a strategic tool. When structured correctly, it replaces income, provides liquidity, protects investments from forced sale and ensures that retirement and estate plans stay intact.

Investments are designed to grow wealth.

By Glen R. Golish

Life insurance is designed to protect it.

Retirement planning is designed to sustain it.

Estate planning is designed to transfer it.

When these pieces are coordinated, families create stability not just for today but for decades. Generational wealth is not about chasing the highest return. It is about building a structure that survives uncertainty. Markets fluctuate. Tax laws change. Businesses evolve. But income replacement and liquidity create resilience.

Families who succeed longterm do not treat insurance, investments and estate planning as separate conversations. They view them as parts of one integrated strategy.

The goal is simple: Protect income. Grow assets. Preserve wealth. Transfer efficiently. That is how legacies are built.

At the end of the day, wealth is not measured only by account balances. It is measured by the security provided to the next

generation, the opportunities preserved and the stability maintained when life does not go according to plan.

Generational wealth is intentional. It is coordinated. And it always begins with protecting income.

About the Author

Glen R. Golish is the Founder and CEO of G Wealth Strategies and a Forbes-recognized Top Financial Security Professional. He works closely with families on comprehensive financial and estate planning, including cross-border considerations for those navigating U.S. and Israeli planning needs.

Important Disclaimer

Please seek qualified legal and tax advice before implementing any planning strategies, in conjunction with guidance from G Wealth Strategies.

Contact Information

3010 N. Military Trail, Suite 318, Boca Raton, FL 33431

Office: 561-869-4600 | Cell: 561-239-9400

www.gwealthstrategies.com

Investment Advisory Contact: Yosef Benson yosef@gwealthstrategies.com, 786-376-3548

Property & Casualty Insurance Contact Rafi Benzaquen rafi@gwealthstrategies.com, 516-476-6742

Using or Losing Your Home Equity

By Shmuel Shayowitz

I’ve had more than a few couples sit across from me with the same look in their eyes. It’s not panic, it’s fatigue. They’re working hard, paying bills, and somehow the numbers still don’t make sense. Recently, Carol and Andy* told me they had piled up over $80,000 in debt, between credit cards and personal loans. It started with a renovation that ran over budget and over schedule. Then came a few “temporary” 0% balance transfer offers that never got paid back. Before they knew it, they were staring at interest rates near 30% and monthly payments that felt like a chokehold.

What struck me wasn’t that they were irresponsible. They were normal. The trap is that debt compounds quietly, and then one day it’s loud. People avoid looking because they feel ashamed or overwhelmed. They hope for a raise or a refund to rescue them, when what they really need is a better gameplan.

Carol and Andy owned a colonial in Ulster County* that they bought years ago. Over the years, it has appreciated meaningfully. A big chunk of their net worth was sitting in their ‘home equity’ - the gap between what the house is worth and what they owe on the mortgage. They had heard the term “HELOC” but assumed it was complicated, risky, or basically the same as refinancing.

It isn’t. A home equity line of credit is a revolving line that sits,

often, as a second lien. It lets you borrow against your equity, draw funds as needed, and repay over time. Most importantly, it does not replace your first mortgage. That point matters more than ever. People don’t want to give up a 3% or 4% loan to move into a 6% or 7% world, which is one reason inventory is so tight. A HELOC can be a practical middle ground. You can tap equity you already built without touching the first loan.

Banks lend based on the loanto-value. Many lenders have historically allowed a combined loanto-value up to 90%, meaning your mortgage plus your HELOC could total 90% of the home’s appraised value. If your house appraises at $500,000 and you owe $400,000, that might leave roughly $50,000 of room. Appraisals, credit, and income still matter, but the math is the starting point.

Carol and Andy told me they wished they had done this when HELOC rates were in the 3s. It’s a common thought, but they don’t realize it is irrelevant. Most HELOCs are variable and move with the Federal Reserve. HELOC Rates are higher now than they were in 2020, but even if you got your line then, it would be higher now. But all that is changing as the Fed starts to cut rates more prominently.

Notwithstanding where HELOC rates are now, consolidating a 30% credit card into even an 7.00% or 8.00% line is still a meaningful

improvement. In their case, it could save them close to fifteen thousand dollars a year in interest alone, and it would finally turn their monthly payment into progress.

If you’re considering a HELOC, don’t only think about the rate. Think about access. When the economy wobbles, banks get conservative. They tighten guidelines, scrutinize income, get tougher on credit, and sometimes lowball appraisals. Your equity might still be there, but the bank may not be willing to lend against it as generously later. That’s why I’d rather someone explore options while they still have leverage, not when they are desperate, and banks are retreating. Your home equity is not free money. It’s an asset, and like any asset, it should be used with mindfulness. Of course, it’s critical to speak to a financial professional to figure out the specifics of your situation.

Shmuel Shayowitz (NMLS#19871) is a highly regarded Real Estate & Finance Executive, Writer, Speaker, Coach, and Advisor. He is President and Chief Lending Officer of Approved Funding, a privately held national mortgage banker and direct lender. Shmuel has over twenty years of industry experience, holding numerous licenses and accreditations, including certified mortgage underwriter, licensed real estate agent, residential review appraiser, and accredited investor, to name a few. Shmuel has successfully navigated through many changing markets and business landscapes, making his market insights and experience well-coveted within the real estate industry. He can be reached via email at Shmuel@ approvedfunding.com.