Linda Dayan

To say that designing a home is not an easy process would be to state the obvious. In the beginning every room feels like a hurdle to cross, and every corner requires deep thought. After designating what room serves which purpose it is important to think of design. What feelings are you aiming for the house to give off? Would you like it to feel more modern or traditional? More clean or warm? Would you like for the entire home to share a color scheme or would you prefer that each room has its own character? Are you looking more at deep blues or faint yellows? It’s fun to map out but easy to be overwhelmed by everything. And this is without mentioning the hardware! Gold, silver, or copper? Marble or metal? Every choice is carefully thought out. Every choice impacts the future of your home. This is especially true when considering a newly built foundation, and deciding what fixtures would not just look best, but would work best for the home. A lot goes into transforming an empty structure into a livable home, and Home and Stone has been aiding all who need this since 1984. 

Expertise Coupled with Honesty

Home and Stone provides luxury products for one’s bathroom, kitchen, and hardware needs. The store also offers a wide array of cabinet and tile options. Almost everything the store provides is available to be seen and felt at their showroom in Brooklyn. When collaborating with Home and Stone a visit to the show room is a must. It is one thing to view a product in a catalogue and another to touch it. However, what is special about the Home and Stone showroom is the expertise of the team. The store has been open since 1984, and in those years the team has been carefully curated to include staff with the insight and experience to discern what product best fits a client’s needs and vision. Highly trusted brands may not always put out highly reliable items, and it is Home and Stones’ specialty to recognize which products these may be. 

Along with expertise, the showroom offers honesty. It is made clear that you are not purchasing a fixture from a seller but are working with an expert to find exactly what it is that you need. If a part was lost on an old piece, someone will be there to help find what works best as a replacement. And if something new is needed someone will be available to help decide what is right for your home. The team at the showroom is dedicated to finding pieces that are both beautiful and reliable. We believe that aesthetics should not be sacrificed for durability, and durability should not be sacrificed for aesthetics and so Home and Stone will only recommend products that accommodate both your artistic vision and practical functionality.  

First Class Experience

The Home and Stone team members are experts in their field; experts focused on providing the best service possible to all. The store’s promise is simple: “From concept to completion, we’re dedicated to providing a seamless, first-class experience.” This experience begins the second you walk into the room but does not end once you walk out. The store prides itself on being with clients from start to finish of the journey. Whether it is buying a hardware set or a singular door knob, Home and Stone will be with you all the way. But what does this mean? How can a luxury experience extend outside of the purchase and  installation? It’s simple, it means being with the customer all through the delivery process. For example, if someone was building a new home for the summer they would need to order a lot of items, and with big orders comes the fear that not everything will make it. In a new home every detail counts.

It is not easy to live in a home that has everything but the kitchen sink. Tiles, tubs, handles, mirrors, hinges, and knobs are equally as important to the home as beds, couches, carpets, and curtains. One thing slipping through the cracks is not always easy to remedy, and oftentimes it is a struggle to track and acquire that item. But not through Home and Stone. Home and Stone has been working with advanced digital tracking systems when many others were still relying on paper. The shipping system is airtight. When something leaves the warehouse it is logged when it has left and where it is enroute to. Every detail of the shipping process is documented. Once an item leaves the warehouse to be shipped it is easily accounted for up until the moment it reaches your doorstep. Should a client want to track a package the entire way it would be very easy, as its location is constantly available. This is because Home and Stone believes in a seamless experience from start to finish. The diligent shipping process is done with utmost care and speaks of the company’s dedication to its clients and its word. 

Accommodating Glitches

In the case of building a home, often things do not go perfectly according to schedule. Completion of a house can sometimes be put on hold by weather, or injuries, or a whole list of other things you would never imagine until it happens. For example, if a house was meant to be ready by May and completion had to be pushed off to July due to delays, and your delivery was scheduled for May, what then? Home and Stone offers a solution. Any package may be held for as long is needed. If it’s two, three, four months it makes no difference. Until the house is ready for installation nothing will be delivered. Clients have no need to stress that their fixtures will be left on a doorstep with no door. There is also the absence of financial stress. We hold orders at no extra cost to our clients. Part of the luxury experience promised is the knowledge that once the items are purchased Home and Stone will do everything possible to get you your items on time and intact, whether that delivery is at the time or later than expected. To add extra fees would contradict the promise of a first-class experience. For us, it is important for the client to feel taken care of. We would hate to add to the many stresses of creating and finishing a new home. 

Making A House A Home

Home and Stone is well versed in what it takes to make a house a home. It is a long and challenging process but the team understands it is also a journey of joy and wonder. Many who walk in are either creating a home for the first time or have been anticipating renovations for a while. The experience is exciting. At Home and Stone, there is experience threaded into every recommendation made, there is care woven in the way those on the floor understand the person’s vision, and there is diligence in the meticulous process in which everything is finally completed. The service provided by the Home and Stone team is one that tells clients that their excitement is shared. That this is not just a job, but is an experience shared by both client and expert. The team understands that for many, walking through the doors of the showroom is a crucial step in a monumental part of their lives, so the team strives to match the importance of the moment with excellence. 

In recent weeks, social media users encountered what appeared to be a familiar figure: a bearded, Hasidic-looking rabbi delivering short, daily messages about faith, personal growth, and material success. Operating under the name “Rabbi Menachem Goldberg,” the accounts quickly built tens of thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok.

The videos followed a consistent format. The speaker offered brief inspirational teachings, often framed in religious language, and typically concluded with a call to purchase paid digital products, including e-books and guides marketed as tools for spiritual and personal improvement.

To many viewers – particularly those accustomed to seeing rabbis and religious teachers online – the content appeared credible. But journalists and attentive followers soon began noticing signs that something was off.

Cracks in the Presentation

Israeli media outlets reported that viewers raised questions as the videos accumulated. The Hebrew used in the clips was often vague or oddly constructed, lacking clear references to traditional Jewish sources or recognizable teachings. Visual inconsistencies also stood out. The synagogue-style backdrops shifted between videos and included Hebrew text that appeared nonsensical or poorly formed, with design elements that did not match real or recognizable Jewish settings.

Further scrutiny focused on the persona’s biography. Linked sales pages described “Goldberg” as a Brooklyn-based rabbi with decades of experience and a proprietary method combining Jewish wisdom with financial prosperity. Yet searches of rabbinic directories, community records, and public databases did not surface any real individual matching that description.

Eventually, journalists reported that the figure was not a real rabbi at all, but an AI-generated persona, created using generative tools capable of producing realistic video, voice, and visual presentation.

Why Brooklyn is Central to the Story

The claim that “Rabbi Goldberg” was based in Brooklyn gave the episode particular resonance. Brooklyn is home to one of the largest and most diverse Jewish populations in the world, including many Hasidic and Orthodox communities where rabbinic authority is grounded in personal accountability, communal recognition, and long-standing relationships.

In those communities, a rabbi is not simply a content creator or motivational speaker. Rabbinic authority is earned through years of study, public service, and direct engagement with people’s lives. The idea that a fictional, AI-generated figure could present itself as a Brooklyn rabbi – and successfully monetize that identity – struck many observers as especially troubling.

Ethical Concerns and Calls for Disclosure

The exposure of the AI persona sparked a broader debate in Israel about trust, authority, and transparency in religious content online. The Tzohar Center for Jewish Ethics responded by warning that presenting AI as a human religious authority can mislead audiences, particularly when viewers associate a rabbinic figure with responsibility, accountability, and moral judgment.

Tzohar emphasized that halachic and ethical guidance depends on human judgment and real-world context – elements an artificial intelligence cannot provide. In its statement, the organization argued that while AI tools may have a place in education or content production, they cannot serve as substitutes for real rabbis in matters that affect religious practice, communal norms, or personal decision-making.

The center called for clear disclosure standards, urging that audiences be explicitly informed when religious or spiritual content is generated or delivered by AI, especially when it is packaged to signal religious credibility.

A Warning Sign

The “Rabbi Goldberg” episode illustrates how quickly generative AI can blur the line between authentic religious leadership and manufactured authority. For communities like those in Brooklyn – where trust in religious figures is deeply rooted in personal knowledge and lived experience – the case serves as a cautionary tale.

As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, the challenge facing religious communities, platforms, and audiences alike will be determining how to preserve transparency, trust, and accountability in an increasingly synthetic digital landscape.

Years ago, I received news that would permanently shift the course of my family’s life – my daughter was diagnosed with serious food allergies to nuts and sesame, along with environmental and animal allergies. At the time, the medical world offered very little support. We got a diagnosis, a prescription, and were sent on our way. No roadmap, no reassurance. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed. It was lonely, scary, and disorienting.

But like many parents in crisis, I turned that fear into action. First, I made it my mission to protect my daughter. Then I realized – if I was going through this, other parents must be, too. And maybe, just maybe, I could make their path a little smoother.

Since then, I’ve spent years educating myself, creating allergy-safe routines at home, and learning how to navigate a world that often doesn’t fully understand or accommodate food allergies. I started sharing my journey through a blog, which resonated with fellow allergy moms in ways I never expected. It helped them feel seen, supported, and not so alone. That sense of community is what keeps me going.

Today, I continue this work through my Instagram platform and by working directly with families to develop allergy-safe household systems. From meal planning and emotional support strategies to communication tips and action plans, I help families feel more confident and in control.

How to Travel With a Food-Allergic Child – and Still Enjoy It

By Paulette Cohen (The Nut Job Mom) and Frieda Schwecky

By the time you’ve booked flights, packed chargers, and triple-checked everyone’s shoes, traveling with kids already feels like a full-time job. Add a food allergy into the mix, and suddenly every meal, snack, and stop along the way can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth many allergy parents learn over time: traveling with a food-allergic child doesn’t have to be scary. It does, however, require intention.

With the right preparation, travel becomes not just manageable, but empowering. Your child gains confidence. You gain peace of mind. And the entire family gets to focus on what vacations are actually about: connection, memories, and joy.

Here’s how I prepare to travel with my food-allergic child and how you can, too.

Start With the Right Mindset

Before packing a single bag, preparation begins with mindset. Food allergies are serious, but fear alone doesn’t keep children safe. Planning does. Kids are incredibly perceptive, and when they sense parental anxiety, they internalize it. A calm, confident approach reassures them that while allergies matter, they are manageable. Think of travel not as a risk, but as a familiar routine in a new location. You already manage allergies every day at school, at birthday parties, and at restaurants close to home. Travel simply extends those skills into a different setting.

Prepared, not panicked, is the goal.

Choose Accommodations That Give You Control

When possible, accommodations with a kitchen or kitchenette make all the difference. Control over food reduces stress, especially during mornings, late nights, or unexpected schedule changes.

When booking a place to stay, look for a refrigerator, a microwave, an oven, and enough space to store safe foods separately. Hotels can work, too, but call ahead to ask about refrigeration for medical needs, allergy accommodation, and if they can store and heat up your food.

Even if you plan to eat out, knowing you can always fall back on safe food provides invaluable peace of mind.

Research Before You Go

Before leaving home, do your research. Locate nearby grocery stores, allergy-friendly restaurants, and urgent care centers and hospitals.

Save addresses, menus, and screenshots directly to your phone. When you arrive tired, hungry, or jet-lagged, the last thing you want to have to do is to scramble. Many parents find comfort in identifying one or two “safe” go-to restaurants or grocery stores near their destination. And remember: vacation meals don’t need to be elaborate to be meaningful. Simple, familiar foods can still be special when you’re together somewhere new.

Pack Food to Accommodate Delays

Travel delays are inevitable and can happen. Pack as though you may need to get through 24 to 48 hours without reliable access to safe food.

Smart food packing includes shelf-stable snacks, breakfast items your child eats regularly, easy meals (instant oatmeal, pasta, soups), comfort foods (sandwiches, small to-go foods), and extra snacks for unexpected delays.

Bring more than you think you’ll need. Extra food doesn’t mean extra worry – it means flexibility.

Medications Belong in Your Carry-On

All allergy medications should stay with you at all times.

Carry-on essentials include: At least two epinephrine auto-injectors, antihistamines, any additional prescribed medications, and a written allergy action plan.

Check expiration dates before traveling, and consider splitting medications between bags if possible. Never rely on checked luggage or destination pharmacies for emergency needs. This step alone can dramatically reduce anxiety.

Flying With a Food-Allergic Child: Communicate Early

Air travel can feel intimidating, but preparation helps.

Before flying notify the airline of your child’s allergy, review their allergy policies, and pack all food regardless of airline accommodations.

On the plane, wipe down tray tables and armrests, keep medications accessible, and remind children not to accept food from others.

While airlines cannot guarantee allergen-free environments, clear communication allows families to make informed decisions.

Teach Confidence, Not Fear

One of the most powerful tools a food-allergic child can have is confidence. Before traveling, it’s important to have clear, age-appropriate conversations with your child about their food allergy. Talk through which foods are safe, how they can speak up for themselves, what to do if something feels uncertain, and when they should come to you right away. These discussions don’t need to be dramatic. When allergies are normalized rather than framed with fear, children are more likely to advocate for themselves – a skill that extends far beyond vacation.

Advocating for a child’s safety can feel uncomfortable, especially in unfamiliar places, but asking questions is never rude. At restaurants, communicate clearly, ask about preparation methods and cross-contact, and trust your instincts. If a situation doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to leave. Choosing safety without apology shows children that their health matters and that setting boundaries is both necessary and empowering.

Travel often includes social situations like family gatherings, group meals, or buffets, which require extra awareness. Before arriving, communicate your child’s allergy clearly and explain cross-contact concerns calmly. Offering to bring safe food can ease tension and ensure your child is included. Even when others promise accommodations, having backup food is essential. Being prepared prevents awkward moments and helps your child feel secure rather than singled out.

Maintaining routine while away from home can also support allergy management. Children thrive on predictability, especially when navigating new environments. Keeping regular meal and snack times, offering familiar foods, and maintaining clear expectations around eating can reduce anxiety and help children make safer decisions when they’re tired or overwhelmed.

It’s also important to let go of the idea of a perfect trip. Not every meal will work out, and not every plan will go as expected – and that’s okay. Traveling with a food-allergic child isn’t about eliminating risk, but about managing it thoughtfully while still enjoying life. Flexibility and perspective make challenges easier to navigate and often lead to the most meaningful memories.

Despite the extra planning and vigilance, travel is worth it. Food-allergic children gain confidence as they learn that the world is navigable, their needs are valid, and preparation empowers them. Food allergies don’t define who they are, but learning to live confidently with them helps shape who they become.

Final Takeaway: Preparation Is an Act of Love

Preparing to travel with a food-allergic child is not about control. It’s about care. Every snack packed, every question asked, and every boundary set communicates to your child:

You are safe. You are capable. And you deserve to experience the world.

With preparation, awareness, and confidence, traveling with a food-allergic child can be not just manageable, but meaningful. 

Wishing everyone safe and fun travels…

Jenna Ashkenazi

When thinking about the brand Anna Augusta, people might think this bridal brand is like all the others, that may create beautiful dresses, but do not really care about their customers. Anna Augusta is different. Each customer is valued, no one is treated less than anyone else. That is to be expected with the one-on-one appointments with Anna herself (where she creates custom gowns to perfectly accentuate each bride). But customers who do not choose a one-on-one appointment can also see how much the staff at Anna August cares by looking at Anna Agusta’s store BUY GOWN.

BUY GOWN Offers Options

At BUY GOWN, customers have a chance to see the kinds of dresses Anna offers without needing the one-on-one appointment. Customers can see a select number of evening gowns, all custom made and couture. BUY GOWN offers evening gowns for many different occasions, available for purchase or rental. Speaking to Kamila, the sales manager at BUY GOWN, it’s easy to see how unique the store is, which is why so many people chose Anna Augusta and BUY GOWN.

“For us, it’s never just about the gown,” Kamila says. “It’s about trust, connection, and making sure every client feels beautiful and supported. When someone leaves happy and confident, that’s our greatest success.” That mindset is what makes BUY GOWN and the Anna Augusta brand stand out in the NYC market. “Our flexible business model is built around people. We don’t just sell gowns – we build long-term, family-like relationships with our clients, always aiming to make them feel cared for and satisfied,” Kamila stated.

Two Great Choices

Other than the trust that is built between the staff and clients, the store has unique features that make customers turn to BUY GOWN when looking for a gown for an event. Customers can choose to rent a gown from the store, instead of buying it. In fact, about 80 percent of customers rent their gowns at BUY GOWN, rather than buy them. Renting gives the customer the ability to wear a showstopping gown once, for a fraction of the price, and not have to worry about long term storage. For those who purchase gowns, there is more room to customize the gown to their liking, and they can wear it as many times as they’d like.

Jack Gindi

Every February, winter sets in. We spend more time indoors, but we don’t get more connected. In fact, research shows couples fight more during these cold months, not less. We talk about caring for our neighbor, but what about giving our family more grace first?

I’ve lived through enough winters to see a pattern: the cold brings couples closer physically but often pushes them apart emotionally. Research now confirms what many of us feel – relationship conflict increases during these months.

The Loneliness Epidemic

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared an epidemic of loneliness. Nearly half of all American adults feel isolated, and for one in three, that feeling hits them every single week. We’re more connected digitally than ever before, yet we’ve never been further apart. We’re losing the art of true connection, and it’s a structural problem in human relationships.

I think about my early days in real estate. You’d have all these guys in the office, all different backgrounds, different beliefs, all hustling hard. We’d argue about current events, share lunch, celebrate each other’s deals. Nobody scheduled “connection time.” It just happened because we showed up, in person, every day. Today, the average American has fewer than five close friends, and a staggering 17 percent report having none at all. We’ve traded job sites for social media feeds, and we’re paying the price in our well-being.

My son Shaun had a gift for this kind of connection. He didn’t ask, “How are you?” he’d say, “What’s going on in your world?” That small shift invited real conversation. He instinctively knew how to make people feel seen. It’s a lesson I carry with me every day.

The Foundation of Marriage

But there’s a load-bearing wall that continues to support the structure of our happiness: marriage. Study after study shows that married people are consistently, significantly happier than their unmarried peers. A recent Gallup poll found those who are married are far more likely to be thriving. It’s not the piece of paper that creates this happiness premium; it’s the daily, intentional act of building a life with someone else.

This is where the Balance pillar of L.I.F.E. Mapping becomes so critical. Balance isn’t about a perfect 50/50 split between work and life. It’s about the integration of all our parts – our Body, Being, Business – into a harmonious whole, supported by the relationships that give it all meaning. It’s about designing a life where connection is not an afterthought, but the central beam that holds everything up.

In my own marriage of over fifty years, I’ve learned that love isn’t a feeling; it’s a project. It requires daily maintenance, honest communication, and a shared blueprint. It’s about creating rituals, the “important little things” we’d say to our kids at bedtime, and the non-negotiable Sunday morning coffee together that reinforce the foundation of your connection. A staggering 78 percent of married people feel closer to their spouse than to any other adult. That’s not an accident; it’s the result of intentional design.

So this February, I invite you to look at the blueprint of your heart, at the structure of your bonds. Are you building a life of intentional relationships, or are you living in a house of digital isolation?

Rebuild Loving Connections

So how do we fix this? We need to set a new navigation strategy. Here are three simple ways to start rebuilding loving connections right now:

The Analog Dinner Hour: For one meal, all phones go in a basket.

The Living Room Time Capsule: One night a week, break out a board game or a deck of cards. The silence we now fill with scrolling used to be filled with conversation.

The Front Porch Visit: Pick one person you care about and give them the gift of your undivided attention. A real phone call, a front-porch chat.

Loneliness is a crack in our national foundation, but it’s a crack we can repair, one relationship at a time. The data is clear: a deep, meaningful connection is the most powerful predictor of a thriving life. This month let’s not just celebrate family. Let’s prioritize the work of building the riches of feeling safe, appreciated, and seen. The blueprints are available to all of us. We just have to start building them together, right here, right now.

Because a life of balance isn’t about having it all. It’s about having the people who matter most, and building a world with them, for them, every single day.

Jack Gindi helps families navigate life’s challenges through the I Believe in Me Foundation. Contact: jack@ibelieveinmefoundation.com.

Michele Shrem

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often compared to the discovery of fire or the invention of electricity. This new technology is changing the path of civilization. Today, AI is no longer a futuristic concept confined to scientific laboratories. It is the silent engine behind our morning playlists, the ghostwriter in our office software, and the diagnostic eye in our hospitals.

However, as AI integrates into the intimate spaces of our homes and the high-stakes environments of our workplaces, a significant debate has emerged: is AI a helpful, good assistant or is AI a disruptive force that is harmful to us? Community members have different opinions about AI altogether and also concerning where we should draw the line. Let’s hear what different community members think. Included here are both men and women, some who work on site, others who work remotely. Included in this small survey are stay-at-home moms and dads as well.

Ezra M.

To me, AI is the ultimate force in productivity. From my perspective as a CEO, AI is the greatest gift to the modern workforce. By automating boring, repetitive tasks – data entry, scheduling, and basic reporting – AI frees my employees to engage in deeper work projects. At work, the line is drawn at routine. If a task is predictable, AI should handle it. This does not mean that you will be able to replace workers, but it changes them, allowing a single employee to produce the output of a ten-person team. This can potentially allow an employee to move up the ladder at a faster rate.

Jeannie T.

My worry is the fear of losing my job and being unemployed in the future. If AI can do my job better and faster than I can, this is a real concern, not just for me, but for many out there in the job force. If hundreds of employees are cut from a company, leaving a smaller work force, the companies will do better as they keep those salaries to mix into their revenue. The only losers in the whole thing are the employees. Not only that, but finding another job will be a tremendous problem, since many companies will be doing the same thing. The middle class who have jobs in certain fields such as coding, accounting, and research, will be replaced. We need to ensure that AI remains a tool used by people rather than as a substitute for employees.

Teddy A.

I feel like AI is an intrusive presence in my home. I feel that voice-activated assistants and predictive smart homes create a life that saps the human brain. If you need AI to decide the temperature of your room, the music you hear, and the grocery list you prepare, are you still the master of your own domain? We should be able to be ourselves and make our own decisions. AI can be helpful when it can execute a command, but harmful when it anticipates one without our consent.

Lori P.

Privacy is extremely important to me, and with AI, I feel that my entire life is on display for the whole world to see. To me it is like a hungry machine that keeps eating and eating my personal data. With every keystroke, AI is listening to everything and even tracks our sleep patterns. While AI should be helpful to us, I feel like I live under heavy surveillance. I have read books about dystopian worlds, but I never thought that the world I live in would be so similar. I don’t feel that AI should be allowed to eavesdrop and store intimate behavioral patterns and on top of that make money by selling the information to outside third parties. To me, AI is scary.

Michele S.

As a writer, my take on AI is very complex. On one hand, it can create a masterpiece in seconds. But to what end? It uses millions of works done by other people and without monetary compensation. It lacks the uniqueness of the human experience and threatens the livelihood of writers, artists, designers, and others. Nothing is original anymore. AI should be a canvas, not the painter. For myself, I am always torn between using it. Now, I have gained the experience that allows me to use AI as an assistant, and for me, this works. I can still be creative, but instead of taking an hour to think of a better way to say something, I can get the help I need in an instant, and still be able to not lose my train of thought.

Anonymous Community Doctor

In the medical field, the argument for AI is overwhelmingly positive. AI algorithms can detect Stage 1 lung cancer or rare retinal diseases with higher accuracy than human specialists. In the home, AI-powered wearables [for cardiac or other patients] can predict a heart attack before the wearer feels a chest pain. Here, AI can be a real asset to human life by using it as a diagnostic tool, but the responsibility of care is still the burden of the doctor. I feel that something that benefits my patients is a tool that I must use in order to keep them safe and live a longer life.

Judy T.

As a mother and a teacher, I feel a unique challenge. AI can provide personalized tutoring to a child at home, adapting to their specific learning pace. However, it also enables a culture of “shortcut learning” via tools like ChatGPT. The idea is that AI is helpful for supplementation but harmful for substitution. The development of critical thinking is a very important skill, which will be lost. AI should help a student understand a concept, not write the essay for them.

Raymond A.

I happen to work in a technical field, and I feel that AI is only as good as the data being fed into it. How is AI making decisions and reaching conclusions? We need to make our own decisions and not leave it to AI. This is a very dangerous road to go down. The information can certainly be biased, based on so many factors. I think this can be very harmful, especially for children and young adults who may not fully understand how to use AI properly as an assist, and not as a resource to provide a full-blown answer for important matters. Whether it is used to figure out a homework problem, peer issue, medical problem, or anything else, if the information entered is not accurate, and a young person sees it on there, they may then factualize the information, and then we have a big problem.

Nathan C.

AI is a double-edged sword. It hardens our cyber defenses but also accelerates the spread of false information and market-manipulating disinformation. The challenge isn’t just about authenticating the source – it’s about data integrity. When bad actors inject fraudulent data into the training loop, the AI becomes a megaphone for deception. We don’t just need to know who wrote it, we also need to ensure the underlying data hasn’t been corrupted.

Goldy R.

Is anyone going to actually think on their own? If AI doesour work, manages our homes, and solves our problems, do we lose the very challenges that give life meaning? I think AI can be harmful, since it is removing the need for a person to think and to expend effort to think outside of the box. Creativity will lessen over time, and to me this is very sad.

In conclusion, it seems that most of our community members do not like AI for home or work, based on a variety of reasons. Many feel that the line between helpful and harmful AI is a moving target that requires constant monitoring. The consensus is that at work AI should be used as a co-pilot to assist us, while leaving the final decisions to people. At home, the line should be drawn when it infringes on our privacy or our ability to be present for those around us. Our homes should remain a sanctuary where people are allowed to live without the constant gaze of Big Brother. Ultimately, AI is a mirror of its creators. If we value efficiency above all else, AI will be a cold, efficient master. If we value empathy, creativity, and privacy, we can steer this technology to be the most helpful assistant humanity has ever known.

Michele

The hall in the Geulah neighborhood of Yerushalayim was filled with Torah greatness—132 avreichim Gaonim Shas Yidden, along with Gedolei Torah who would be testing them on the entirety of Shas, as well as their financial supporters who came to witness this astounding scene—when Hagaon Rav Reuven Elbaz proclaimed: “Seeing this many true gaonim… I am nearly convinced that we are obligated to recite the berachah of Baruch Shecholak… He Who has shared of His wisdom with those who fear Him!”

Hagaon Rav Menachem Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Nesiv Hada’as, added: “I have had the merit to sit in great and illustrious batei Midrash, alongside great men of mastery in Torah—including in the esteemed Kollel Ponovezh—and to serve as an attendant to some of the greatest Gedolim from the previous generation —but I have never seen Talmidei Chachomim such as these.. It’s worthwhile coming from faraway countries just to witness this!”

History Repeats—Yet Continues to Astound

The phenomenon of seeing the Gaonim Shas Yidden display utter and complete mastery of the entire Shas is not new—in fact, “Shas Yidden” is now celebrating its eighteenth year. The Torah world has become accustomed to this annual sight which is repeated annually in all its glory—and yet, it continues to astound all those privileged to witness it, because it touches something so deep within the Jewish heart.

There isn’t a Yid who has witnessed the site of this exam and wasn’t affected by it. Baalei batim report having taken on a new shiur, accomplished talmidei chachamim have resolved to invest more in the mastery of Shas, and young bachurim attest to having the scope of their aspirations and life goals altered forever.

And so, it is an historic event—even if it transpires every year—to see on one dais 132 young men, from every stripe and denomination in Klal Yisrael, drawn from the seven Kollelim under the Torah empire known as “Shas Yidden” located in every major Jewish metropolis, as they undergo a rigorous exam on, literally, the entire Shas, and respond with crystal clear answers that display an astounding mastery reminiscent of previous generations in Klal Yisrael.

This year’s bechinah took place at the legendary Yeshiva Ohr Hachaim, founded and led by Hagaon Rav Reuven Elbaz, in conjunction with a siyum on the entire Shas by each of the avreichim. And indeed, to be present and to witness the glow and the joy on the faces of the Shas Yidden was to walk away with ohr and chaim—light and life—in the depths of one’s heart.