Thanks to the generosity of Sharyn and Ezra S. Ashkenazi, PROPEL launched a new division designed to support the women entrepreneurs of the community. The division, PROPEL Entrepreneurs, was named in honor of PROPEL supporter Mrs. Chella Safra, and Rebecca Harary, co-founder of PROPEL.  

On February 1st, the new division hosted an impressive event at The Club showcasing remarkable working women who were all professionally successful and to whom  other community women could relate to who were aspiring to launch their own entrepreneurial dreams. The room was filled, and included in the audience were many PROPEL Ambassadors – there to support the next cohort of working women. Among them, Joyce Silverman of Joyce D. Silverman Interiors, Evet Balas of Light Lab, Julie Maleh of Jus by Julie, Joy Bijou of Hydrangeas & Co, Stacy Ayash, an interior designer, Barbara Kroub of Peace of Cake, Shelly Shmool of By Shelly, Nicole Cohen of Sketch 42, Alexis Cohen, designer of custom cakes and desserts, Karen Sabbagh, CBC Counselor, Celia Naomi, an artist, and Celia Beyda of On Reserve Events.  

PROPEL’s all women professional team, alongside its board of directors led by Dr. Gayle Krost, inaugurated PROPEL Entrepreneurs with an all-star panel that included Batya Cohen, founder of Floorplay, Julie Danziger, co-founder of Embark Travel, Jennifer Nisan, founder of Front Row Live, and Sonia Mosseri, founder of Still Here in New York. 

The female talent that evening included our moderators, three of PROPEL’s board members, Gitta Kaplan, attorney for Mamiye Brothers, Elaine Parker, Director of Business Development and Marketing Solutions at Promoshop, and Heleyne Mishan Tamir, co-founder and executive at luxury makeup brand, Surratt Beauty, as well as the owner of Bloom Bar Flower Market.  

The questions asked drew the audience into the personal stories of how each of these panelists came to create and grow their businesses.  

Julie’s honest, engaging, and humorous style kicked off the panel. We learned of Julie’s professional story, and how she came to head up Embark Beyond, a luxury travel company that boasts several hundred employees. Julie generously offered an incredible opportunity to a woman interested in becoming a travel advisor and agent, as Embark has its own training program.  

Sonia, always artistic and creative, shared her remarkable experiences as she built her fashion jeans business and beyond. The audience was touched by the story of how her father came to this country from Egypt with very little, but he had a pair of jeans that eventually became old and worn. These jeans became a symbol to Sonia, and eventually, along with her husband, Sonia capitalized on this idea and has grown a business that sells to major retail stores. They also opened their own storefront in downtown Manhattan.  

Batya was confident from a young age that she wanted to study to become an architect. While attending Pratt Institute, Batya acquired the training she needed and gained experience interning for several architectural firms. Batya began her business by consulting on furniture layouts, which quickly scaled to a one-stop-shop for Architectural & Interior Design services. Batya was incredibly professional and confident. She credited her husband with supporting her dream of building her own business. Today she heads up Floorplay, a growing business that employs a team of designers that work alongside Batya. 

Jennifer, in describing her professional journey, revealed that she started with earning a degree in social work. She explained that she always, however, had a passion for fashion. Her business of sourcing and acquiring luxury goods for clients began when she noticed it was somewhat difficult to obtain designer items, and she realized there was a market for consumers to pay her to find these items. Jennifer has grown an incredible business and has expanded her reach into this industry allowing her to be successful in her market.  

Each panelist was incredibly honest about balancing home life and work commitments. Many thank yous were given to husbands and mothers!  Strategies in the kitchen to ensure Shabbat dinner and beyond were shared, and stories of being present at family events while simultaneously attending work-related functions and meetings were acknowledged.

The audience was in awe!  

PROPEL has received many calls from burgeoning women entrepreneurs inspired that evening and hoping to build their own brands and businesses.  

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PROPEL: Call 646-494-0822 | Email info@thepropelnetwork.org | Instagram @PropelNetwork  

Pikuach Nefesh is a fundamental principle in Judaism that highlights the value and sanctity of human life. It means the “safeguarding of life” and emphasizes the importance of preserving and protecting human life above all else, at the expense of overriding all other mitzvot with the sole exception of the three cardinal sins of murder, idolatry, and adultery (Sanhedrin 74a).

Practically, this means that when someone’s life is in danger, it is not only permissible but obligatory to violate the halacha if necessary to save their life. For example, if a person suddenly takes ill on Shabbat, we are obligated to provide any lifesaving medical treatment, call the ambulance service, or drive to the hospital, even though these actions would otherwise be forbidden. When it comes to pikuach nefesh, we don’t need to be 100 percent certain that somebody’s life is in danger or that our possible treatment will definitely help. Even when in doubt, so long as our concern is real and our life-saving intentions pure, if necessary, we may violate halacha to try to save a life (Yoma 83a). If a person has a life-threatening illness and the only cure involves some violation of hamets, he must avail himself of this option, because just like all other mitzvot, saving a life takes priority over the prohibition of hamets. 

Judaism teaches that every human life is precious and invaluable and that it is our duty to preserve and protect human life. The mishnah declares, “Whoever saves a single life is considered as if they saved an entire world” (Sanhedrin 4:5). As Rambam reasons, this mitzvah intends to foster “compassion, loving-kindness, and peace in the world” (Mishneh Torah, Shabbat, 2:3). 

This is what Hacham Ovadia, zt”l, (Yechaveh Daat 1:61) writes regarding a seriously ill person, who is instructed by his physician not to fast on Yom Kippur: “If there is concern of possible danger to his life by fasting, one must listen to the doctor and eat on Yom Kippur, because pikuach nefesh overrides the mitzvah of fasting on Yom Kippur. If the sick person is stringent and fasts, has he not acted in a pious manner, on the contrary, he will be punished for this.”  

VeNishmartem Meod Lenafshotechem – Guarding One’s Soul 

The Torah furthermore instructs us, “Guard yourself and exceedingly safeguard your soul” (Devarim 4:9). The Talmud interprets this to mean that we are obligated to protect ourselves and others from potentially dangerous situations (Brachot 32b). Included in this mitzvah is the obligation to preserve our health with many halachot to help ensure our safety and wellbeing. Even though the Torah refers to our nefesh, our spiritual self, the Talmud extends this to our body and physical health as well. There is no contradiction between the two, and the message is clear and profound. We do not safeguard, protect, and care for our bodies merely as an end in itself, and certainly not as a vehicle for a self-glorification or idolization. Rather, we protect and embrace the physical self as it houses our soul. We maintain our physical health as a means of protecting, sustaining, and nurturing our souls.

Rabbi Moshe Rivkes concludes his commentary, Beer haGolah, on the Shulḥan Arukh, with an eternal message written over four hundred years ago but still relevant today: The reason why the Torah insisted a person protect his soul and his wellbeing is because Hashem created the world out of kindness, with the purpose of doing good to those He created. He wanted them to be able to recognize His greatness, perform His mitzvot and fulfill His Torah. However, anyone who places themself in danger acts as though he despises the Will of Hashem and in serving Him and there is no greater act of heresy and disrespect than that. 

With Hashem’s assistance, I will be writing a series of practical medical halacha columns elaborating on the mitzvot of Pikuach Nefesh, safeguarding one’s soul and one’s health. 

Rabbi Yehuda Finchas is a worldwide expert and writer on medical halacha, and his latest book is entitled “Brain Death in Halacha and the Tower of Babel Syndrome.” To contact Rabbi Finchas, email rabbi@torathabayit.com. 

Chayim Aruchim, a well-known organization that provides assistance and support to individuals and families during end-of-life situations, hosted a successful event last month to create awareness in the Sephardic community. The event was graciously hosted in the Brooklyn home of  Murad and Paula Nasiri, including rabbinical leaders, community activists, Chayim Aruchim Board members Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, Rivie Schwebel, and Chayim Aruchim’s Care Navigator Mrs. Leah Horowitz.  

Attendees were treated to an emotional audio-visual presentation where members of the Sephardic community shared their personal experiences of how Chayim Aruchim stepped in and provided crucial support during their own loved ones’ hospitalization and end-of-life situations.  

The moving testimonies by Sammy and Seymour Esses and Ike Sutton highlighted the importance of having a dedicated organization like Chayim Aruchim to assist and guide families during such trying times. 

The event featured a presentation by Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, who spoke about the many different services that Chayim Aruchim offers to help individuals and families navigate the difficult challenges that arise during end-of-life situations.  

“The overall mission of Chayim Aruchim, a project of Agudath Israel of America, is to help members of the Jewish community make decisions when confronted with critical illness,” said Rabbi Lefkowitz. “With a team of medically-trained Rabbis with many years of experience, doctors, legal experts, and high-level government policy advocates, Chayim Aruchim upholds the right of patients and their family to decide about their care.” 

Rabbi Raymond Beyda, Rabbi Raymond Haber, and Dr. Albert Matalon – who are all respected as leaders within the Sephardic community – are stationed at the helm of what is known as Mahon Hayim Aruhim, and will help guide Chayim Aruchim as it steadily grows. 

“Hayim Aruhim serves as a lifeline for the Sephardic community, by providing valuable guidance and 24-hour support to families navigating end-of-life issues,” said Rabbi Raymond Beyda. “We combine medical knowledge with Halachah to give direction in emotionally stressful situations.” 

Dr. Albert Matalon echoed those sentiments saying, “As a physician and as a Sephardic community member, I can tell you firsthand how much of a valuable resource Hayim Aruhim proves to be for anyone seeking assistance and guidance during difficult end-of-life situations.” 

The creation of Mahon Hayim Aruhim reflects Chayim Aruchim’s commitment to serving the needs of all communities, and ensuring that everyone has access to the support and resources they need during difficult times. By tailoring their services to the unique needs of the Sephardic community, the organization hopes to further spread awareness about what they do and ensure that everyone who needs their help can benefit from it. 

“It was truly inspiring to see so many members of the Sephardic community come together to support this important initiative,” said Rabbi Menachem Horowitz of Chayim Aruchim. “We are thrilled to be able to offer services to this community, and we look forward to continuing to provide vital support and guidance to families during end-of-life situations.” 

Chayim Aruchim’s 24-hour phone hotline is staffed by a team of trained experts who help families facing tough medical or end-of-life decisions choose the best path forward, both medically and halachically. It is for this reason that local families often turn to Chayim Aruchim when the life of a critically ill relative or elderly loved one is on the line.  

“In the Jewish community, there is a strong emphasis on the importance of preserving life,” explained Rabbi Horowitz. “There are many religious and ethical considerations to take into account, including issues related to palliative care, hospice, and end-of-life decision-making. We provide support to ensure the needs of both the individual and the family are being met with sensitivity and compassion.” 

As such, Mahon Hayim Aruhim will be specifically focused on servicing the needs of the Sephardic community. This is a significant development, as it will further spread awareness about what the organization does and ensure that the Sephardic community benefits from its services.   

Perhaps Rabbi Raymond Haber summed it up best when describing the inherent value of Mahon Hayim Aruhim from his perspective.  

“Hayim Aruhim has started to make a real impact in the care of critically and terminally ill patients in our community,” he said. “There’s nothing more sacred to us than life. People now have an address to help navigate these challenging moments.” 

For more information about the launch of Mahon Hayim Aruhim, please call 347-578-8200. For general information about the Chayim Aruchim organization, please call 718-ARUCHIM or visit www.chayimaruchim.com. 

Chaim Gold 

(L-R) Harav Messod Ben Shimon, Harav Yaakov Meir Stern, HaRav Moshe Shaul Klein, Harav Sariel Rosenberg, Harav Yitzchok Zilberstein, and Rav Dovid Hofstedter.  

Last month’s special gathering to celebrate the release of a new sefer was a historic occasion for the Jewish community. 

The memorable gathering, hosted by Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein at his home, was a celebration of the release of the first volume of Dirshu’s groundbreaking Shulhan Aruch on the Yoreh Deah. The new sefer will undoubtedly have a transformative impact on the learning of Yoreh Deah. 

World-Class Poskim 

It is extremely rare to find so many of Eretz Yisrael’s most senior poskim under one roof, but a simha of such magnitude warranted such an august gathering.  

Seated with the prominent posek, Rav Zilberstein were a number of  other highly respected poskim from Bnei Brak, including  Rav Moshe Shaul Klein, Rav Sariel Rosenberg, Rav Messoud Ben Shimon, Rav Yaakov Meir Stern, Rav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, and Rav Shmuel Eliezer Stern, as well as Rav Dovid Hofstedter, the nasi of Dirshu. 

Also attending the celebration was a large, distinguished group of great talmidei hachamim who were involved in the writing and editing the new publication. They were able to take the opportunity to get cogent advice and guidance on various matters pertaining to future volumes, which they are working on.  

The Unique Components of Dirshu’s New Shulchan Aruch  

More than a decade ago, Dirshu gifted the Torah world with the Dirshu Mishnah Berurah, a sefer that has become a classic. It was the first comprehensive sefer written alongside the Mishnah Berurah that brings the piskei halacha and additions of the various poskim in the more than 120 years since the Mishnah Berurah was originally published. It has become the go-to sefer for anyone looking up practical halacha on the Orach Chaim order of Shulchan Aruch, especially for areas of halacha involving the changes brought about by technology and day-to-day modern life.  

There is no Mishnah Berurah on Yoreh Deah and, in general, to learn the Shulhan Aruch on the Yoreh Deah order of the Shulhan Aruch requires significant  background.  

Over the years, wonderful new editions of the Shulhan Aruch have been published with bold, large letters and numerous other enhancements, making it easier to learn. What Dirshu, however, has done with the release of the first volume of a planned nine-volume set on Yoreh Deah is truly innovative. 

The beautiful Shulchan Aruch using the popular tzurat hadaf of Machon Yerushalayim’s edition has added two seminal commentaries on the corresponding page. The first commentary, entitled L’asukei Shemateta, explains the source in hazal for each halacha and then brings the sources for the psak from the Rishonim and Achronim, briefly explaining how the Rishonim understood the sugyot and determined their rulings.  

The second, longer, commentary, entitled Alibah D’Hilchata, concisely encapsulates each halacha, adding halachic rulings from the Achronim and later poskim up to the present time on practical halachot, along with modern-day scenarios based on the original psak of the Shulhan Aruch and its meforshim. 

In addition, Dirshu has included a comprehensive mafteiach (index) in the back, making it easy to find any halacha brought in that volume.  

Dirshu chose to begin with the portion of the regular Shulchan Aruch that comprises the third and final volume of Yoreh Deah, simanim 270-361, which covers hilchot sefer Torah, mezuzah, shiluach hakein, chadash, orlah, kilayim, bechorot, bechor beheima, and petter chamor.

Highlighted Speakers 

The event began with brief remarks by Rav Zilberstein. He quoted a Gemara from Gittin, “The world stands upon certain foundations – and who are those foundations? Those who teach halachot to the public!”  

Rav Dovid Hofstedter followed Rav Zilberstein. He began, “This is a very emotional time. This edition of the Shulchan Aruch has been published after much thought and many nisyonos. Rav Hofstedter concluded the event by citing something he had heard from his rebbi, Rav Simcha Wasserman, zt”l. He asked, “What is the secret of the success of the Mishnah Berurah? So many other great, illustrious geonim wrote sefarim and they have almost been forgotten. The Mishnah Berurah and the Chofetz Chaim’s other sefarim only increased in popularity. 

“The answer is that the Chofetz Chaim didn’t write sefarim to give over his own chiddushim. He wrote sefarim that were needed by Klal Yisrael. He was completely altruistic. Such sefarim, written solely for Klal Yisrael, are eternal. 

“It is our fervent hope that this sefer that is so important for Klal Yisrael will serve a great purpose for Klal Yisrael, and will be successful in being mekadesh Shem Shamayim!”

DAVE GORDON 

As the State of Israel celebrates its 75th birthday this month, let us honor the brave heroes who protect and defend the state on a day-to-day basis. They toil with unparalleled dedication to keep Israel’s citizens safe, and in doing so they face considerable challenges.

One such hero is Brigadier General Bentzi Gruber, who has served for nearly five decades in the IDF. He considers his service to be a “holy mission.”  It was just over forty-five years ago that Gruber first fought in the IDF, in Operation Litani in Lebanon, in March 1978. Today, Gruber is not only Brigadier General, but he is also the Vice Commander (reserves) of Division 252, an armored division of 20,000 soldiers. 

Gruber is also an entrepreneur, and has established Internet startups, been a real-estate developer, and serves on the boards of a variety of technology companies. Especially close to his heart is his IDF service. Let’s hear about this in his own words. 

Commenting on his army service he states, “After age 40, you can say ‘that’s it.’ But I decided to keep going.”.

“My mother and father survived the Holocaust. I’m named after my grandfather. He was sent to Auschwitz, and two hours later went to the gas chambers. If my grandfather even dreamed that his grandson would be a soldier in the Jewish army [and that dream came true] – that’s a big deal.” 

Ethics in the Field

Whereas tens of thousands of soldiers are under Gruber’s purview, tens of thousands elsewhere know him as the public face of the lecture program he launched 20 years ago, Ethics in the Field. The program’s mission is to shatter popular myths and present the facts missing in today’s discussion of how the IDF operates concerning counter terrorism. Ethics in the Field has been presented all over the world, to conferences, synagogues, military academies, campuses, and schools. It provides a window into the moral decision-making process that the Israeli army follows.

“People don’t understand how much effort we expend, to avoid collateral damage or killing civilians. We think ten times before any planned attack,” Gruber said. 

“You know how many rockets we threw into the garbage? I am talking about very expensive rockets,” he said of missions scrubbed due to humanitarian reasons. “People don’t have a clue how much we think about every target.” Our enemies, in contrast, “don’t blink about doing a lot of immoral things, including using humans as shields.” 

Gruber knows about these things firsthand. He fought in several wars, including the First Lebanon War (1982),  Operation Defensive Shield (2002), the Second Lebanon War (2006), and Operation Protective Edge (2014). His educational background is just as impressive. He is a graduate of Yeshivat Har Etzion, and the Jerusalem Institute of Technology. Gruber also received a PhD from The International University of Business and Law (London).  

Stress at the Checkpoints

Gruber says, “Checkpoints are very difficult places to be, morning to night. You have those who are belligerent or who are trying to smuggle things, and all the anxiety of dealing with those people. But at the same time, most people [coming through the checkpoints] are civilians. They are human beings.”

Once when Gruber served in a battalion near Bethlehem, one of his soldiers was rude to a Palestinian man at the checkpoint. Gruber instructed the soldier to buy flowers for the man he was rude to, and to deliver the bouquet to him at his house in a Palestinian village.

“The effect of that on his ethical behavior was amazing. Because he understood that I would not tolerate something like that,” Gruber said.

Even the way a soldier asks for identification is crucial, Gruber explained. “For some cultures, dignity and respect are so important. [Take] for instance, an elderly Palestinian man. If you ask for their ID in Arabic in a very stern way, you are off to a bad start. You should say, ‘Good morning. How are you? May I please see your ID?’ This is the way to do it.”  

Avoiding Burnout

Over time, it is inevitable that a soldier will get worn down, but Gruber cites that there are coping strategies to help.

“The word is shochek. In a car you have brakes, but the brakes wear and tear and eventually you have to replace them. This is what happens at a checkpoint. You wear down, and you wear down fast. So, what do you do?  If you start at a high, you won’t go down too low, as you continue to work the checkpoint and the days go by. If you don’t start with a high positive attitude, you will end up like garbage, working the checkpoints over time and behaving like an animal.”

It is predominantly for this reason he founded “Chesed in the Field,” a non-profit that brings together IDF reservists and chronically ill and disabled children for special events throughout the year, installing the values of community and social responsibility in the hearts of thousands of soldiers. This serves “to bring more sensitivity to the soldiers,” Gruber explained.  

Gruber on Leadership

With so many decades experience of commanding tens of thousands of soldiers, it is Gruber’s belief that the principles of leadership involve knowing what drives people to follow orders. “The main motivation for people all over – in hospitals, in high tech, for students, and in the army – is positive feedback.” 

The second motivator, Gruber said, is what he refers to as “glue.” “One of the secrets of leadership is – you can ask people to do something, but you have to love them. And they know if you love them or not.”

Even now, Gruber still feels a strong bond to two of his former soldiers now serving prison terms (for crimes unrelated to the army). Gruber sends them 200 shekels (about $57.00) every month to buy food in the prison cafeteria, and he visits them a few times a year.  

A Tough Decision 

Interestingly, that “glue” makes it more painful when dismissing a soldier for poor job performance. Gruber recalled a story that occurred when he was a commander of an intelligence brigade. He had known that group of soldiers for about fifteen years. After he dismissed them for not meeting expectations, they demonstrated in front of his house.

“It was like getting a divorce with a wife of that many years. I said to myself that my obligation was to have the best people, in the most important positions. If they’re not the best, I have to change them and bring new ones,” he said. 

“This was very tough. We fought together for many years. We knew each other many years. But on the other hand, I have an obligation to four thousand soldiers to do the best that I can. 

“The parents of the soldiers that I had fighting for me were relying on me to have the best people around to ensure their [sons’] safety. So, I had to perform a difficult ‘surgery’ to cut units.” 

Role Model to Many

Despite the difficult decisions Gruber has made, he remains a role model to many serving in the Israel Defense Forces. 

Gruber, who worked his way up from overseeing a three-tank squad at age 22, said that today he hears from a handful of people each week who are inspired by the words and deeds he stands for. He said, “They tell me, ‘You’ve changed the way I think about leadership and how to instruct people under my command.’”

He added that he can “see a change in the soldiers” he lectures to, and how they develop their leadership qualities. 

Israel is blessed to have a strong military presence to protect its citizenry, and we wish Brigadeer General Gruber only success as he continues his holy mission.