Gambling is not only inconsistent with our Torah values, but also highly addictive, often destructively so.

Ellen Gellar Kamaras 

In early May, the NYC Planning Commission voted to approve the controversial proposal for the 1.3 million square foot casino and entertainment complex in Coney Island, “The Coney.”  It would extend over three blocks along Surf Avenue, with a casino, hotel, convention center, retail stores, and more.

The application headed to the NYC Council for a public hearing and final vote.

The Fight Is Not Over

On June 30, the NYC Council approved a rezoning that would allow Thor Equities to build the massive Coney. The results were 36-11 in favor of the project, with four abstentions.  The plan involves demapping part of Bowery Street [demapping means to remove a section of a street, taking it off street maps and replacing it with something else such as a park or housing] and purchasing air rights above existing streets and buildings, allowing for three high-rise towers and two pedestrian bridges.

The demapping would jeopardize the safety of the millions of Coney Island summer visitors and destroy the existing businesses surrounding the casino complex.  It would also impede emergency access to the Boardwalk, beach and amusement park and would have negative consequences to the nearby public school, disability parking, and wheelchair accessibility to the Boardwalk and the beach.

Despite NYC Council’s approval, The Coney, must still overcome a greater obstacle: Acquiring one of only three downstate casino licenses from the NYS Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB).

There is tough competition and a lengthy approval process:  Eight applicants including Thor Equities (“The Coney”) are vying for these three licenses.  Final proposals were due to the Board June 27^th with votes expected in September and a final decision set for December 1st.

Strong Opposition

“Thousands of opponents have formed coalitions to fight the plan in the borough’s iconic amusement district.” 

Ronald Stewart, a lifelong Coney Islander, was recently interviewed: “If you’re inside a casino, you’re not coming out to help the businesses on Mermaid Avenue, which are mom-and-pop businesses.”

The Coney Islanders Against the Casino was formed by Kouichi Shirayanagi, a Coney Island dad.  “A casino will bring extra crime, extra traffic, it will block our views of the amusement district.”

The community responses to “The Coney” have varied.  In January 2025, Brooklyn’s Community Board 13 voted against the land use change, 24 to 11.

Opponents argue that the casino will only benefit the developers and investors, change the characteristics of the iconic Coney Island, cause many harmful consequences to residents, children and families, local businesses and visitors, increase traffic, crime, and drugs, and intensify the gambling addiction crisis. 

Advocates

The Coney’s advocates contend that it will improve the quality of life for residents by offering needed economic prospects of new jobs and revitalization, to a neighborhood that has grappled with seasonal ebbs and flows.

Community Advisory Committee

For each application, a local Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was formed to hold public hearings and to issue a formal finding of how much community support the proposed casino has.

At least two-thirds of the committee members must approve the project before state regulators begin evaluating the application.

If a CAC’s determination shows support is lacking, the application will not be forwarded to the GFLB for its review and issuance of a license. 

Proposed Community Trust Fund

Before the January 9^th CB 13 hearing, The Coney Consortium announced that they would create a $200 million community trust fund to support the area provided “The Coney” is approved.  A board of local stakeholders would oversee the trust and funds allocation, e.g., using the funds for boardwalk enhancements and neighborhood safety. 

Adam Rinn, Artistic Director of Coney Island USA, which organizes the Mermaid Parade and sideshows, is skeptical about this fund. He claims that he has not been approached by the Consortium to discuss the fund and the expected expenditures.

Public Involvement/Community Disapproval

Included in CB 13 is our own precious community.

Although the CB 13’s vote was only advisory and was specifically regarding the project’s land use, its majority vote hints that a vote on the casino application could produce a similar outcome. Public approval can significantly influence who receives the three NYS gaming licenses.

In the June Community issue, Victor Cohen aptly articulated our community’s opposition to “The Coney” – “Easy access to a casino would … lure many – particularly youngsters – to try gambling. Gambling is not only inconsistent with our Torah values, but [is] also highly addictive, often destructively so.”

Victor Cohen

There are moments in life when the weight of pain or confusion becomes too much to carry alone, when the silent suffering becomes too much to bear. In those moments, therapy can be a lifeline – a source of clarity, hope, and healing. For countless individuals – especially teenagers – it can mean the difference between barely surviving and truly thriving, sometimes, even life and death.

Approximately 20 percent of teenagers suffer from a mental health disorder each year. Anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and behavioral/conduct problems are common challenges throughout adolescence. Emotional turmoil in teenagers often lasts beyond the moment, influencing their self-perception and relationships well into adulthood. Without appropriate support, many struggle to reach their potential, and often, untreated issues perpetuate a cycle of dysfunction that may affect future generations. Addressing mental health challenges early can prevent them from becoming deeply embedded in a young person’s identity and psychological makeup.

The emotional toll is rarely limited to the individual alone. Families often suffer alongside their child, grappling with uncertainty, stress, and heartbreak. While the need for intervention is urgent, the cost of quality mental health care is often staggering, far beyond what the average family can bear. Parents are left facing impossible choices: seek care they cannot afford, or watch their child continue to struggle without support. It is a tragic reality that, all too often, financial hardship stands in the way of healing.

That’s where Ezer LeNefesh steps in. This remarkable organization specializes in providing access to high-quality mental health care for teenage boys and girls whose families cannot afford it. Working hand-in-hand with schools and families, Ezer LeNefesh subsidizes interventions for teenagers to overcome their mental health challenges and reclaim their emotional well-being. With a network spanning over 700 schools and an astounding 80 percent success rate, the organization’s impact is as widespread as it is profound.

An Origin Rooted in Compassion and Vision

Founded in 2011 by Rabbi Chaim Epstein, zt”l, Ezer LeNefesh emerged from a deep recognition of a growing need. Rabbi Epstein, a respected figure in the Ashkenazic community and a close student of Rav Aaron Kotler, was renowned for his profound insights into emotional health. He observed that while therapy had the power to change lives, many families simply couldn’t afford it, and even when they could, there was little accountability for outcomes.

Determined to change this reality, Rabbi Epstein launched what can be likened to a “megafund” to subsidize high-quality mental health care for families in need, while implementing a system of accountability to ensure meaningful outcomes.

The initiative began with a fundraiser hosted in the office of philanthropist Ralph Herzka and quickly gained support from prominent rabbinic and communal leaders, including Rav Elya Brudny, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, the Novominsker Rebbe, zt”l,Rav Avrohom Ausbaund, zt”l, and many others. The mission was clear: save teenagers, save families, and ultimately, generations to come. Since then, the organization has gone on to help nearly 5,000 students access the support they need. Today, Ezer LeNefesh subsidizes an average of 100 therapy sessions every day.

How the Model Works – Efficiency and Oversight

What truly sets Ezer LeNefesh apart is its operational model. With a lean team of just four staff members operating on an annual budget of $4.3 million, the organization functions with remarkable efficiency. This is made possible through strategic partnerships with schools, where existing faculty members act as case managers for the teenagers in therapy. These mentors – principals, rabbis, or teachers – stay in regular contact with the student, ensuring progress and providing vital oversight.

This model eliminates the need for a large in-house staff while maximizing the reach and quality of care. Each student’s identity remains confidential, and all data is carefully anonymized. The case is carefully reviewed, maintaining both discretion and accountability.

Every case at Ezer LeNefesh undergoes a thorough review process, which includes evaluating the family’s financial situation and verifying the therapist’s qualifications. While the organization does not provide direct referrals, it maintains close relationships with respected referral networks, such as Relief Resources and SIMHA Health, to help ensure that therapists treating subsidized students are competent and appropriate for the presenting issues. In addition, Ezer LeNefesh draws on the guidance of a wide network of trusted clinicians who regularly consult on complex cases. This due diligence ensures that the care being subsidized meets the highest standards and that every dollar invested delivers a meaningful, lasting impact.

Regular follow-ups with parents, school faculty members, and case managers ensure that therapy is not just happening but that it’s working. If a student shows little improvement, Ezer LeNefesh doesn’t hesitate to reevaluate the treatment plan and pivot if necessary. This system of built-in oversight has driven the organization’s 80 percent success rate, with therapy durations generally ranging from two months to fourteen months, depending on individual needs.

Expanding into the Sephardic Community

I had the privilege of speaking with Jack Mizrahi, Director of the Sephardic Division and a key member of the leadership team, to gain an understanding of how this life-saving initiative is being brought to our community.

Jack Mizrahi spent his formative years attending Magen David Yeshivah, followed by a final year of high school at Yeshivat Shaare Torah. He continued his learning in several different yeshivot, including Mikdash Melech in Jerusalem, Sephardic Torah Center of Long Branch, and Yeshivat Ateret Torah. After marrying at age 22, he began tutoring boys in local community schools, where his natural rapport with children led to broader involvement with at-risk youth. It was during this time that his commitment to mental health advocacy began to take shape, as he recognized the urgent and often unmet emotional needs of the teenagers he worked with.

One pivotal encounter solidified this calling. While learning at night in Yeshiva, Jack befriended a younger boy who came nightly to study. Over time, he noticed the boy’s pronounced social discomfort and persistent anxiety about how others perceived him. Ultimately, the teenager revealed struggles with mental health and a significant history of trauma. Jack took immediate action to ensure the boy received the necessary care.

To his surprise, he discovered that Ezer LeNefesh had been quietly subsidizing thousands of dollars in therapy costs. Over the course of treatment, the boy made substantial progress – his anxiety became more manageable, his social interactions improved, and he began to function more effectively both at home and in school. While some challenges remained, the therapy clearly altered his trajectory and demonstrated the critical impact of accessible care. Witnessing firsthand how financial hardship could be the primary barrier to care, Jack became increasingly involved with the organization. He saw the silent suffering of many teenage boys and girls in the community and recognized that emotional healing could not wait for financial stability.

Driven by this conviction and with the encouragement of his Rabbis, he pursued advanced clinical training, completing rotations in some of New York’s top hospitals and psychiatric facilities, including Northwell Zucker Hillside Hospital, Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, and currently, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. As he completes his doctorate, he looks forward to bringing his expertise back to the community that inspired his journey.

Sephardic Division

As Jack became more deeply involved with Ezer LeNefesh, he identified a pressing need: the Sephardic community required a tailored approach that honored its distinct cultural norms, values, and sensitivities. Recognizing that effective mental health care must be culturally attuned, he established the Sephardic Division in November 2021 to bridge that gap.

The Sephardic Division’s inaugural event was hosted at the home of Eddie and Ceryse Mizrahi in May 2022 and has since become an annual gathering. These events have brought together leading psychologists, rabbinic voices, and mental health advocates – including Dr. David Rosmarin, Rabbi Joey Haber, Rabbi David Sutton, Dr. Shloimie Zimmerman, and Rabbi Avremi Zippel – united in their commitment to teen emotional health. Under Jack’s leadership, the division has grown rapidly. They have partnered with over 36 Sephardic schools across the country, with the vast majority of cases concentrated in New York and New Jersey. To date, it has facilitated over 11,500 therapy sessions and provided critical care to more than 200 teenage boys and girls from our community.

A Brighter Future Through Healing

Ezer LeNefesh’s success is not just measured by numbers – it’s in the lives reclaimed, in teenagers restored to joy and stability, and in families brought back from the brink. Their model is as effective as it is compassionate, combining emotional sensitivity with professional excellence.

In a world that often overlooks or misunderstands mental health, especially among teenagers, Ezer LeNefesh is not just filling a gap – it’s building a bridge. A bridge from pain to healing, from silence to support, from fear to hope for the future. Ezer LeNefesh’s impact continues to grow – but so does the need. Your support can make a significant difference in a teenager’s life, providing them with access to care that fosters healing, resilience, and hope. To learn more about donation opportunities, please contact Jack Mizrahi at jmizrahi@thekeren.com.

“Mental illness is like cancer of the soul, the only difference being that when someone is sick with cancer, people organize Tehillim chats and reach out to support them, but with mental illness, that is rarely the case.” –  Eddie Mizrahi

“I know firsthand… the community really has to understand that if they help this organization, they are helping our own people.”  –  Danny Srour

“I’ve known personally children that went for intense help through Ezer LeNefesh who today are married and running successful homes. Ezer LeNefesh success is what they are creating for years to come.”  – Rabbi David Ozeri

“I know an almana that came to us recently [before Pesach]… children have trauma, three of the children need therapy… [the community] paid for her clothing and food, but who’s paying for their therapist…that’s where Ezer LeNefesh comes in.” – Rabbi David Sutton

“If we support Ezer LeNefesh, there’ll be hundreds of homes in our community that will be strong in years to come because they got the little support they needed at its most critical moment.” – Rabbi Joey Haber

Q&A with Rabbi Moses Haber, LCSW

Rabbi Moses Haber, LCSW, a licensed psychotherapist in NY and NJ, is the founder of Makor, an addiction recovery center that integrates Torah-based spirituality with evidence-based therapy. He also offers private therapy to men struggling with anxiety, OCD, financial and relationship stress, and unhealthy coping behaviors.
Contact:RabbiMosesHaber@gmail.com | 718-564-9345

Q: What are the common issues you see people in the community struggling with?

Teenagers and young men often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms – like vaping, marijuana, or doom-scrolling – in response to stress, anxiety, financial insecurity, career pressure, shifting life goals, and the prospect of getting married. These struggles are often rooted in low self-esteem and lack of identity, leading to “future-tripping,” or paralyzing worry about life’s direction.

Common coping behaviors include substance use, gambling, inappropriate online content, and illicit relationships. While not always addictive, these often mask deeper, untreated mental health issues. Misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment often has adverse results.

Q: What are some practical tips you would give people who are grappling with those issues?

Having a Rabbi who is educated in mental health concepts can have a meaningful impact, especially since Rabbis are often the first person someone turns to in a crisis. I have found that when a Rabbi and a therapist work in partnership to support the client, the results are very promising.

There’s no shame in seeking help. Thankfully, more people in our community are beginning to recognize the value of therapy, but it may take some time to find a therapist whose style suits them. You may need to “date” a few therapists before finding the right fit. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all – some therapists focus on healing past trauma, others help clients stay grounded in the present, and some guide future planning.

Q:  How has Ezer LeNefesh impacted your work?

Therapy can be costly and hard to access. Many of my clients wouldn’t be able to afford care without the help of Ezer LeNefesh. Their support has enabled people to access life-changing—and in some cases, life-saving – treatment for themselves and their relationships.

Q: What is it like working with Ezer LeNefesh? My experience has been excellent. The process is simple, communication is clear, and payment is prompt. Most importantly, client confidentiality is always respected.

Q&A with Sonny Cohen, LCSW

Sonny Cohen, LCSW, is an OCD and anxiety specialist in private practice in Brooklyn. Most recently, he led an OCD clinical consultation group for therapists at Sephardic Bikur Holim. He can be reached at sonnytherapy@gmail.com

Q: What are the common issues you see people in the community struggling with?

As an OCD specialist, some of the most common challenges I see are difficulties with scrupulosity, or Religious OCD, which typically involves compulsive behaviors in performing mitzvot. I also work with forms of OCD that are less visible, where the compulsion is more mental, like a relentless game of inner ping-pong.

The work in helping clients get better involves psychoeducation: learning to identify how the obsessive-compulsive cycle develops and is reinforced, and how to disrupt it.

It’s gratifying to work with this population because, when left untreated, life can be extremely challenging. Yet, with Hashem’s help, proper treatment can allow the client to regain control of their life.

Q: What are some practical tips you would give people who are grappling with those issues?

The gold standard treatment for OCD is known as ERP, exposure and response prevention. First and foremost, make sure that your therapist is well-trained in ERP. OCD is unique in the respect that “normal” therapy can actually set the client back.

Secondly, educate yourself on ERP. The brain learns what to fear through experience. Exposures are about challenging ourselves by seeking out the very situations that trigger us. They teach the brain, through new experiences, that feeling not OK is actually OK.

Lastly, open up selectively to others who can empathize with you. Allowing others into our lives helps us feel understood, accepted, and supported, relieving the shame that often accompanies OCD.

Q: How has Ezer LeNefesh impacted your work?

Ezer LeNefesh has been an irreplaceable partner for both my clients and me. It’s no secret that psychotherapy is costly and often ongoing, putting it out of reach for many struggling families. That’s where the Ezer LeNefesh steps in – seamlessly assisting clients’ families by funding a large share of each session.

Q: What is it like working with Ezer LeNefesh? A pleasure. Their onboarding process for clients is quick and easy. Likewise, for me, the billing is painless; they pay their portion promptly, often the same day I invoice.

Victor Cohen

The close bond between our community and Hacham David Yosef, shelit”a, Israel’s current Sephardic Chief Rabbi – or “Rishon Letzion” – goes back many years. Long before his election as Chief Rabbi this past autumn, Hacham David frequently visited our community, and often welcomed our community’s youngsters while they were learning in Israel.

His recent visit, however – his first since assuming his prestigious post – was particularly meaningful. Despite his crowded itinerary, and his numerous responsibilities – including a meeting with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and former advisor, who is still an important figure in the shaping of the U.S.’s Middle East policy – Hacham David devoted a considerable amount of time in the Jersey Shore area. In fact, it seemed like he was almost everywhere throughout the town. He visited nine of our ten community synagogues (ten, if you include both his visits to the Park Avenue Synagogue…) where he prayed, taught, delivered words of encouragement and inspiration, and spread the warmth and light of Torah. It was truly a special week for our entire community, one which left us all uplifted and inspired.

Titan of Contemporary Halachah

Hacham David Yosefwas born on August 10, 1957, as the ninth child of Maran Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l. He attended the Or Yisrael yeshiva, after which he spent one year in the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak followed by a period of study in the Hebron Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

In 1990, he was appointed rabbi of the Har-Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem, a post he served for 30 years.  He also ran the esteemed Yehaveh Da’at kollel, and authored numerous scholarly works – most notably, Halachah Berurah, a 26-volume set that ranks among the most thorough contemporary works of halachah.  It follows the sequence of the Shulhan Aruch – the principal halachic code for Sephardic Jewry – and elaborates at length on the source of every halachah, citing an extraordinary range of works relevant to each passage in the Shulchan Aruch in order to apply the rulings to contemporary life. Halachah Berurah has become a crucial resource for all those seeking to understand halachah and its modern-day applications – studied and cherished by laymen and scholars alike.

Hacham David was named Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi – a ten-year position – on September 29, 2024, succeeding his brother, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef, shelit”a. As it so happens, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef also visited our community recently,during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June whichprevented him from flying home to Israel. Hacham David’s formal inauguration took place on December 11, 2024. Numerous rabbis from our community attended the event, including Rabbi Shmuel Choueka, Rabbi David Ozeri, Rabbi Edmond Nahum, and Rabbi Shaul Kassin.

The Chief Rabbi’s Week in Deal

Hacham David’s historic trip demonstrates his great devotion to worldwide Sephardic Jewry, and to our community in particular. Here’s a brief rundown of the Chief Rabbi’s visits during his recent stay in the Jersey Shore region:

• On Monday, July 7th, Hacham David visited Congregation Magen David of West Deal, praying with their 7:30am minyan, after which he delivered a lecture.

• On Tuesday, July 8th, Hacham David visited Beit Rachel– Larchwood Synagogue for their 7am minyan, and taught a class.

• On Wednesday, July 9th, Hacham David prayed with the Ohel Yaacob Congregation– Lawrence Avenue Synagogue, joining their 7:15am Shaharit, and gave a lecture on halachah at 8am with Rabbi Eli Mansour.

• On Thursday, July 10th, Hacham David prayed in Ohel Simha– Park Avenue Synagogueat their 6:50am minyan, and delivered a talk at 7:50am.

• On Shabbat, July 12th, Hacham David began the morning prayer with Congregation Beit Yosef, and then went to the Synagogue of Deal to join with their main minyan. Afterwards, he went to Safra Synagogue to speak at seudah shelisheet.

• On Sunday July 13th, he visited Congregation Magen Abraham– West Long Branch Synagogue. He then returned to Park Avenue Synagogue to deliver divreh hizuk (words of inspiration) before Minha.

• Finally, on Monday July 14th, he prayed Shaharit with Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe– Eatontown Synagogue.

All the families appreciate that you came, and you are now ambassadors of light for the hostages and victims.

ELLEN GELLER KAMARAS

“We are fighting a war within a war, a war between our story and theirs. Tourists who come to Israel now are our heroes.” – Israel Defense Force (IDF) Colonel 

Why at 69 years of age, did I join a delegation to Israel with the Women’s Division of Israel Bonds?  I will tell you.

First, let’s look at what an Israel Bonds mission is all about. It is not a way for tourists to see the Holy Land. An Israel Bonds mission provides an opportunity for committed individuals to travel to Israel to show their support for the country. Participants do not just sit on tour buses taking in the sights. They travel to different regions of Israel, including areas affected by conflict. They meet Israeli leaders and common folk. They experience Israeli culture and see the country’s amazing innovations. They participate in events that showcase Israel’s achievements and resilience.

According to the Israel Bonds website: The primary goal of Israel Bonds missions is to bolster the Israeli economy and demonstrate support for the country. Israel Bonds missions have a positive impact… fostering a sense of unity and providing vital financial support. In essence, an Israel Bonds mission is a tangible way for individuals to stand in solidarity with Israel and to contribute to its ongoing development and security.

The mission’s goal aligned perfectly with my goal – to support Israel in a tangible way. Also, I wanted to see things for myself, so that I could share with others what I learned and saw firsthand.

Israel Bonds Mission – My Personal Mission

My last visit to Israel before October 7^thbegan a day after the May 14, 2023 ceasefire between Israel and Islamic Jihad, ending Operation Shield and Arrow in Gaza.  I wholeheartedly joined in the exuberant celebration of Yom Yerushalayim, right in Yerushalayim!

Nearly two years later I asked myself: wasn’t it my responsibility as a Jew to witness what happened on October 7^th?  Only after doing so could I return to the U.S. to tell Israel’s story that I had seen firsthand, the real, resilient, courageous and strong story of our sisters and brothers.

As a child of Holocaust survivors educated in a Brooklyn girls yeshiva, my love for Israel was born from the ashes of the Holocaust. 

Every Shabbat, my parents shared their narratives of Nazi labor camps, hiding in the forest with no shoes or coats, eating potato skins, and seeing their loved ones shot. After being liberated by the Russians in the Spring of 1944 and being hospitalized they made their way to a Displaced Persons (DP) camp in Munich, Germany,  My parents expressed tremendous hakarot hatov, gratitude, to the brave Christians who hid them and to the American soldiers who housed them, taught them English, and gave them jobs.

Everyone in my yeshiva danced and sang in the streets when we heard that Israel had taken back the Old City of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War.

Considering my background it is no surprise that I am a strong supporter of Israel and I wanted to reconnect with Israel in a personal way. My family buys Israel Bonds as one way of supporting Israel. I joined the Women’s Division delegation of Israel Bonds also as a way to connect and bond with like-minded women from all over the U.S. who had the same focus, to stand with Israel.

Our Mission Begins: Sunday Night, May 11

We kicked off with an opening dinner at the Tel Aviv Hilton.  The first speakers were lone soldiers connected with the organization Ach Gadol, Big Brother (the organization is for both men and women).  Ach Gadol is the only organization with a system of personal accompaniment and 1:1 guidance for lone soldiers.  These young adults courageously came to Israel as teenagers, without family, to join the IDF.  Their commitment and love for Israel were palpable. 

The next speaker was Shiri Bibas’ older sister, Dana Silberman-Sitton. Shiri, a”h, was killed by Hamas along with her two beautiful red-headed children, Ariel and Kfir. Dana spoke about the tragic day that her parents, sister, and nephews were captured and later murdered.  At first she didnot know whether her parents were alive. Later their bodies were recovered, burned in the kitchen.  

At Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir’s funeral, Dana promised her five angels that the monsters beyond the fence wouldnot succeed.  “They will not defeat us. They will not break us…their mission failed because we united. . . we became stronger. . .invincible.”

We came to understand was that everyone in Israel knows someone who either was killed on October 7^th or in the ensuing war, was/is held hostage, or is in the IDF or the reserves.

Day One: May 12 – IDF Memorial

Our first official delegation day was spent in my favorite city, Yerushalayim. We paid tribute to the fallen IDF soldiers in the Memorial Hall opened in 2018 in the Har  Herzl Military Cemetery.  The “emotionally and architecturally impactful memorial” was designed to commemorate Israel’s military service members killed in the line of duty, and reflects that Israelis mourn both personally and collectively. The spiraling memorial winds around a 250-meter-long continuous Wall of Names. This Wall was originally composed of 23,000 commemorative bricks, each individually engraved withthe name of a fallen soldier and the date of death.  There are no titles, as all fallen soldier are considered equal. There is one brick for the 25,000 fallen on May 14, 1948, in the War of Independence.

Many bricks have been added since October 7^th. Each brick is illuminated by incandescent lights on each yahrtzeit date.

At the memorial’s inauguration, President Rivlin said, “Jewish and Israeli memory connects the past and present with the future and plants within us strength, as individuals and as a nation.”

We laid a wreath, to honor the soldiers and reservists who lost their lives protecting the State of Israel since October 7^th.  We were able to search for fallen soldiers we knew. I located the brick of my daughter’s high school classmate, reservist Shmuel Harari, a”h, 35, who was killed on 10/23/24, in Southern Lebanon.

Hadassah Hospital

Our next stop was Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem.  How fitting that a women’s delegation would visit Hadassah, founded by one of our most inspiring female leaders, Henrietta Szold.

The hospital, named after Queen Esther, who was also known as Hadassah, resembles a city. Szold was an American-born Jewish Zionist who devoted her life to tikkun olam, repairing the world, and to empowering women to heal.

In 1912,Szold established Hadassah, formally called Hadassah -The Women’s Zionist Organization of America. It was established asa volunteer organization for Jewish women.Szold had visited pre-state Israel in 1908 and saw the overcrowded conditions, families living without electricity and running water, and the dreadful poverty. 

Szold created an infrastructure for medical health clinics throughout the country. One of her proudest accomplishments was leading the Youth Aliyah, which saved thousands of orphaned children from the Nazis before and during World War II.

Our group were greeted by Barbara Sofer, the Hadassah Israel PR Director.  She introduced us to a foot soldier, Binyomin, who was there for his rehab session.  He described his multiple injuries on October 7^th and the amazing progress he has made with the help of the Hadassah rehabilitation staff. 

The Director of Hadassah Ein Kerem and the head nurse of General Intensive Care provided an overview of the mega facility, a teaching hospital that serves 1,345,000 patients.  Over one third of Jerusalem’s population  are Arabs. At Hadassah, everyone is treated equally regardless of their ethnicity.

Dr. Kedar, Head of Acute Care Surgery and Trauma Unit, showed us the Trauma Center where helicopters brought both civilian and military casualties from the October 7^thattacks. Dr. Kedar shared the details of several cases.

The Kotel

After Hadassah, we prayed at the Kotel and had a shehecheyanu blessing ceremony on a terrace above the Kotel tunnels.  We visited the renovated Cardo Roman market where merchants thanked us for coming to Israel. In fact, we were touched by the heartfelt thanks for our presence from so many of the Israelis we met – the vendors, hotel employees, tour guides, restaurant staff, and the speakers and soldiers we met. We toured the newly excavated tunnels beneath the Kotel.

Day Two: May 13 – Volunteering  

 

We headed to Gan Haim to volunteer at Leket Israel, Israel’s leading food rescue organization. Its focus is rescuing healthy, surplus food and delivering it to those in need through partner nonprofit organizations.  Recipients include single mothers, refugees, youth at risk, immigrants, and housebound elderly throughout the country. Leket has collected 31,402 tons of fruits and vegetables and 2,084,000 hot meals for 415,000 recipients with the help of 95,000 volunteers. 

 

Our job was to sort through huge crates of surplus fruits and vegetables and pack them into boxes to be delivered to schools. 

Next, we toured the Vitkin Winery on Moshav Kfar Vitkin, near Netanya. The family who established the vineyard in 2001 reintroduced ancient winemaking to Israel. 

Day Three: May 14 – The Gaza Envelope

Wednesday was the most emotional and impactful day. I am still processing what I saw and heard that day.

Our first stop was Kibbutz Kfar Aza,the second hardest hit kibbutz after Kibbutz Be’eri. Kibbutz Kfar Aza, founded in 1951, is just 1.9 miles from the Gaza border.  It is now a closed war zone.   Nearly every home in the community was either burned or riddled with bullet holes. We saw the evidence of both.  Twenty percent of the residents were murdered or taken hostage.

An IDF colonel and a young soldier, Ouriya, led us around the kibbutz, following in the footsteps of the residents and sharing the horrific events of October 7^th. 

Three hundred terrorists breached the kibbutz gate and went from house to house.  The kibbutzniks realized something was going on when they heard Arabic.  Fifteen volunteers trained as first responders ran to the armory. Fourteen were murdered.  Hamas knew where the armory was.  Palestinian workers who were befriended by the kibbutz members betrayed them and gave vital information about the kibbutz to Hamas to facilitate their attack.

The one survivor at the armory, Ofir Libstein, 50, a prominent politician, was murdered as he returned home.  His 80-year-old mother-in-law came outside to look and was shot dead.  Nitzan, Libstein’s 19-year-old son was murdered in the younger generation housing, after having saved his fiancé by throwing grenades at the terrorists.

Calculated Attack Against the Youth

The youth village was attacked the most viciously.  Hamas wanted to kill the youth and destroy the heart of the kibbutz.  Nineteen people were killed there and 17 young hostages were taken captive, including Emily Damari and the twins Ziv and Gali Berman. We saw the burned and shattered homes of these precious young souls.  The bodies were so badly burned that it took fifty days to recover a ring to be buried.

The IDF believes the October 7^th massacre was in the planning for ten years.  Hamas knew to first kill the female IDF observers at the border.  Terrorists ambushed Highway 232 first responders and the IDF.

Seeing the breach of the border, the Palestinians followed Hamas and entered the kibbutz to loot, murder, and rape.  Most of the kidnappings were done by civilians.

The parents in the home next to the border fence were murdered.  Two young children survived in the house and were on the phone with the first responders for 17 hours.  Their three-year-old was kidnapped with neighbors and thankfully was returned in the earlier hostage deals.

I will never forget the account of a young child on the phone with a first responder, who was asked to lock the front door of her house.  To do that, she was instructed to close her eyes while passing the body of her dead mother on the kitchen floor.

Today the kibbutz is practically empty. We saw the volunteers renovating the kibbutz buildings and gardens. The youth village is being rebuilt and is awaiting completion until the Berman twins return. 

Before we left Kfar Aza, Ouriya said, “All the families appreciate that you came, and you are now ambassadors of light for the hostages and victims.”

Nova Festival Site

The next stop was the Nova Festival site. The Nova Music Festival was an outdoor trance music festival set for the night of October 6^th, 2023, in Re’im Forest, a little over three miles east of the Gaza Strip. It was billed as a celebration of “friends, love, and infinite freedom.” The festival attracted about 3,500 participants, mostly young Israelis.

Our guide said,“When you walk through the Nova site, you look into the eyes of the victims through their photos, and you can hear their silent cries asking for their stories to be told.”

Seeing the pictures of the souls who were killed was heartbreaking.  Most attendees loved music and community, and as the posters in Israel stated, “They just wanted to dance.”

378 people were killed and many wounded.  Hamas took 44 Israelis hostage, and many were subjected to sexual violence. 

A white prayer tent was erected at the site.  A Torah was being written in memory of those killed and visitors were invited to purchase a letter in the Torah.

Sderot

Sderot is the largest Israeli city that Hamas attacked on October 7th.  Most of its 39,000 residents were evacuated to hotels across the country when the war began.

A Sderot resident said, “On October 7^th our lives changed forever. Our mission is to spread the stories about those who have survived to tell [these stories].”

In Sderot, we visited a recently opened virtual reality exhibit, “Survived to Tell.”  It was created by ISRAEL-IS, which leads the way in people-to-people advocacy, tackling the challenge of improving Israel’s global image. 

We learned about the remarkable stories of five survivors of the October 7th massacre.

Day 4:  May 15 – Jaffa/Tel Aviv

A woman named Liat came to our hotel to share her story of life with her husband, a super-warrior and Shin Bet (General Security Service) commander.  He was killed on October 7th battling Hamas terrorists.His picture cannot be shown, as undercover operations are still dependent on his work.

We then toured the old city of Jaffa and the Asif Culinary Institute of Israel, which tells the history and culture of Israel through food.   We sampled Yemenite, Ethiopian, and other multi-cultural delicacies in the Carmel Market.

At the closing dinner for the mission, we shared our impressions and our gratitude to Israel Bonds before heading to the airport. A siren indicating a Hamas rocket attack went off during check in. It reinforced what we had concluded during our trip, that Hamas must be eradicated.We all ran to the nearest “safe area.”

Conclusion

I leave you with these messages: Hamas isnot just Israel’s problem -Hamas is a world problem. Never again is now.  The horrors of October 7th can never be permitted to happen again. “We will dance again.” This is the title of a 2024 Israeli documentary, a retelling of the Nova Music Festival massacre. It has become a popular slogan in Israel, indicating that Israel will not succumb to her enemies or to despair. We will rebuild and we will, indeed, dance again. We are a people of hope and resilience.

Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach.  Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching.  Ellen can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com (www.lifecoachellen.com).

Sam Sutton

The 2025 M&S Softball season is underway, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned early – there are no clear favorites. Just clear intentions.

Kaboom!, captained by Uri Adler, leads the league at 3–1 behind a defense that’s been lights out. A. Saka has already notched three wins with a 2.52 ERA and the league’s lowest WHIP. Uri retooled his draft strategy this season and it’s showing.

Right behind them: Vandelay Industries, led by rising superstar Sammy Seruya, sits at 3–3. With a league-high 44 runs scored (and 50 allowed), the vibes are electric, if a little chaotic. After losing rookie pitcher Abraham Benhamu to an ankle injury, Sammy made a big move, scooping up veteran Selim Levy to stabilize the staff. The offense is loud. The defense is rounding into form. If they click? Look out.

Sitting at 1–1: five teams – all dangerous, and all different.

Stayin Alive (Captain: Melech Solomon) is scrappy, composed, and has one of the league’s toughest outs in Steven Gindi.

Thundering Hooves (Captain: Gabriel Abady) is keeping it loose, deep, and balanced.

Texas Longhorns (Captain: Max Yedid) is playing like a group of vets who’ve been here before – because they have.

King Salomon Part Deux (Captain: Michael Sabon Salomon) is anchored by the elite arm of Yitz Sutton, and headlined by former league MVP Zack Ashkenazi.

Sephardic Bananas (Captain: Edmund “The Phenom” Beyda) are winless but dangerous – and no one’s buying that 0–2 record means anything.

The Broadcast Booth Is Must-Watch

Let’s be honest – the games are only half the show. M&S Media is on another level: Nightly livestreams from M&S Park with a must-hear commentary crew and Sam I Am Productions delivering cinematic highlight packages worthy of prime time. Plus, there are new weekly shows, stat drops, and enough memes to keep the group chats humming. This is much more than just a softball league. It’s programming. It’s content. It’s competition. It’s culture. This is M&S.

What does it say about our society when we turn to death as a solution to suffering? Those are the thoughts of many after the Medical Aid in Dying Act (S.138) was recently passed by the New York Senate and Assembly. The legislation proposes legalizing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill individuals with a prognosis of six months or less to live. While supporters claim this measure offers a compassionate way to reduce suffering and preserve dignity, the legislation stands in direct contradiction to halacha and Torah principles.

The Sacredness of Life

From the perspective of halacha, life remains sacred even when clouded by pain, disability, or dependency. Halacha explicitly prohibits any action that hastens death. A person in the throes of dying (gosses) is still considered fully alive, deserving of care, not termination. In Masechet Semachot (1:3–4), Hazal teach: “One may not move a dying person… until he dies… One who touches or moves the gosses is considered as one who spills blood.” Rabbi Meir likens the dying person to a flickering flame: “Just as touching a fading flame can extinguish it, so too, touching the dying person can shorten their life.” The Gemara in Shabbat 151b reiterates: “One who closes the eyes of the dying person while the soul departs is a spiller of blood.” These sources reflect a profound reverence for life. Even subtle actions that hasten death – no matter how merciful in intention – are seen as serious Torah violations.

Undermining the Sanctity of Life

At the heart of the opposition to S.138 lies the concern that it sends a dangerous societal message: that some lives are no longer worth living and should be taken. This notion contradicts the foundational belief that every human life holds intrinsic value, regardless of condition, ability, or prognosis.“The souls are Mine” (Yechezkel 18:4). Halacha prioritizes the preservation of life over personal autonomy. A person’s control over their body does not extend to their life, because life is not personal property – it is a sacred trust from Hashem. The Rambam (Hilchot Rotze’ach 1:4) writes: “The soul of a person is the property of the Holy One, Blessed be He.” Similarly, Rambam (Hilchot Sanhedrin 18:6) rules that a confession to a crime deserving of capital punishment is not valid evidence in Beit Din, out of concern that a person may falsely confess to hasten their death. The Radbaz explains: “Because a person’s soul is not his own possession, but the possession of the Holy One, as it is said: ‘The souls are Mine.’”

Even fasting on Yom Kippur, if medically dangerous, is forbidden. Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, (Yechave Daat 1:61) rules: “If there is concern of possible danger to life, one must listen to the doctor and eat on Yom Kippur. If the patient is strict and fasts anyway, he is not considered pious – on the contrary, he will be punished.” This is based on the Torah’s words: “But for your own lifeblood I will require a reckoning… For man was created in the image of Gd” (Beresheet 9:5–6).

The Physician’s Role: Healing, Not Ending Life

Physicians are charged with healing. As the Torah states: “And you shall surely heal” (Shemot 21:19). Doctors are granted permission to treat and cure. Nowhere are they sanctioned to end life. Moreover, the mitzvah of “Do not stand idly by the blood of your fellow” (Vayikra 19:16) commands us to protect life, not to enable its end. Turning doctors into agents of death undermines the moral foundation of the medical profession and endangers vulnerable patients – especially the elderly, disabled, and those without strong support systems.

Conclusion: Choose Life

Though cloaked in language of dignity and compassion, the Medical Aid in Dying Act (S.138) represents a perilous shift in societal values. It threatens the sanctity of life, exposes the vulnerable to coercion or despair, undermines medical ethics, and contradicts deeply held halachic principles. A compassionate society does not solve suffering by ending life – it meets suffering with unwavering care. Pain medication should be administered to suffering patients, even on Shabbat (Hazon Ovadia, Shabbat, Vol. 3, p. 256). Halacha encourages alleviating pain, but strictly forbids taking actions that hasten death.

As with all complex end-of-life questions, one must seek guidance from a competent halachic authority. Organizations such as the Sephardic Division of Chayim Aruchim, launched specifically to address our community’s needs, are dedicated to offering sensitive, informed halachic support during these delicate moments.Rabbi Yehuda Finchas is a worldwide expert, lecturer and author on Medical Halacha. He heads the Torat Habayit Medical Halacha Institute. His latest book is “Brain Death in Halacha and the Tower of Babel Syndrome.” To contact Rabbi Finchas, email rabbi@torathabayit.com.