Blogs | Community Magazine

PROPELed Goes to School

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July 2021

PROPEL is at the forefront of helping community women to assess their strengths and find the right career niche. Over the past six years, we have worked with close to 800 clients, providing individualized coaching and mentoring. We help women to network and offer stipends to help pay for training and higher education. Almost 300 women have either graduated from or are enrolled in a wide variety of educational or training programs. And, with the advent of the PROPELed program launched in August 2020, over thirty women are currently attending graduate school programs, pursuing careers in fields such as education and special education, social work, nursing, rehabilitation therapies, and more.

Choosing the best career can be daunting. And making that choice early is the best way to make progress towards your goal and get accepted to the right program. With that in mind, Gitta Neufeld, Educational Consultant at PROPEL, created and began presenting an innovative workshop series for the juniors and seniors in our community high schools. The three-part series challenged these young women to reflect on their skills, talents, and interests. The students completed inventories, and then explored the careers and vocations compatible with different personalities and interests. Gitta explained to the girls that a person is much more likely to be successful if he or she enjoys what they do and have a passion for it. She cautioned her audience “not to use these inventories to find your naseeb.” Gitta led an exciting discussion dealing with why certain careers appeal to specific personalities. Comments like, “That’s exactly what I’m like,” and, “This is so me!” filled the air.

Once participants had a general idea of possible fields out there, Gitta continued with a frank and detailed exploration of educational options after high school, describing the various possibilities and each option’s pros and cons. Gitta also spent time discussing the financial aspects of each program, including scholarships, government financial aid, and loans. Unfortunately, some community members have been victims of educational scams, and Gitta explained what to look out for.

Finally, the group explored entering the workforce. Noting that knowledge is critical for success, the students learned about professionalism, networking, and mentorships. Gitta stressed the need for tenacity and persistence, encouraging the girls to “never give up if you have a dream.” She reminded the students of the importance of self-care, and challenged them to demonstrate responsibility, growth, and confidence as they move to this next, exciting stage.

These workshops were held in a number of community schools. Below are some of the responses received from school teachers and administrators and from community members:

We’d like to thank you for a superb presentation to our high school girls this afternoon. The presentation was highly informative and compelling, clear and engaging. The girls appreciated the direct approach as well as the humor. I myself sat through the entire session and came away amazed. What an opportunity for our girls to have an organization in our community that sets its goals on helping future wives and mothers to be independent and financially capable!

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As a community rabbi, I’ve seen too many families fall apart due to financial strain and pressure. I can truly appreciate the benefits of Propel, especially as directed to young girls on the cusp of graduation and new beginnings. The girls are taught how to navigate a sea of options and possibilities, and this will certainly impact the future of our community.

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My husband was trying to guide my sister-in-law on what to pursue for her future after she graduates high school. My husband asked her what she likes to do best and was trying to narrow down options and see what would be best for her. However, he was not getting anywhere because either what he was talking about was too general or he didn’t have pinpointed options that would match what she was interested in. A few weeks later when we went to my in-laws’ for the weekend, we saw my sister-in-law engrossed in a pamphlet, so we asked her what she was reading. It was a pamphlet that Propel had put together to guide the young students towards a career they can pursue. It was amazing. My husband started reading out loud at the table and everybody was participating in saying how the descriptions match their personality and how a certain career would be a match for them.

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For the 2021-22 school year, plans are being developed to introduce these workshops into more of the community high schools and to integrate them into the schools’ career and college guidance programs.

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If you are interested in a career, please reach out to PROPEL and we can help you fulfill your professional goal. Call PROPEL at 646-494-0822 or Email: info@thepropelnetwork.org.

Please follow PROPEL on Instagram@propelnetwork.

Parenting Is a Privilege

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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Every parent wants their children to have the ability to live an active, productive, happy life. The question is how do we get the kids there?

Unfortunately, it is not unusual to watch families struggling with their children’s poor attitudes about doing work.

“Uch, I have to put my plate in the garbage?”

“I hate homework.”

“You always ask me to set the table.”

“Why do I always have to help you?”

These are nothing short of horrific comments that reflect the emotional demise of our generation.

The New Normal – Condemning Hard Work

First, let’s look at what has gone wrong in our society today. Why do people complain so much about having to work hard? Our great grandparents knew that hard work was good for them. Unfortunately, it became the norm in our society for people to avoid hard work. Let’s recognize that this new generation’s contempt for the value of hard work is all wrong.

In Dr. Martin Seligman’s book, The Optimistic Child, he states that he was baffled by the emotional state of American society that was plagued by rising levels of depression. So, he researched why this was the case in the second half of the 20th century. He looked to understand why it was that in a generation that had more conveniences than in any time in history, people were so miserable. Seligman concluded that for thousands of years, parents raised their children to believe that hard work was good for them. You want to be happy? Do something hard that affects positive change in the world around you. However, after World War II people adopted the belief that the best antidote to pain was indulgence. Basically, there was a cultural shift, where the old philosophy of “Do for your family, do for your country, do for your religion,”

became outmoded. It was replaced by the hedonistic take on life, “Do for yourself. Eat, drink, and be merry.” This take on life, however, is a sure recipe for misery! Many people sensed that something was wrong, and those are the ones who held on to the old value systems.

Tips to Raise Kids Who Embrace Hard Work

We want to raise our children to know that hard work is good for us. Use phrases often like, “We love hard work, hard work makes us smarter.” When you leave the supermarket with your children and everyone is carrying grocery bags to the car, make sure to comment, “What a gift! Carrying these groceries makes us stronger.” And say it like you mean it! When your children complain about a child in their class or a counselor in camp, after you have empathized with them, smile with confidence and say, “Who knows what great things in life this challenge with them is preparing you for?!”

Above all, modeling always takes the win! Let’s model for our children that we, too, love hard work. It will take time and mental energy to transform yourself into this type of person, but anyone can do it with patience and practice. Even though we live in an age of fast food and remote everything, we CAN remember that having the ability to do hard work is an awesome privilege.

And that leads us to recognizing that parenting is truly a tremendous privilege. Yup, waking up at night, changing diapers, being there emotionally, etc. are healthy opportunities for us. They are opportunities to give, to bring more joy into the world, to become happier people ourselves, and to help us reach our full potential. If our children see that we view things this way, they too will believe that hard work is good for us. Do whatever it takes to adopt this attitude. Attach fun to it. Put on music while you are changing your 12th diaper of the day. Take good care of yourself. And as your eyelids are drooping at the end of a long day of hard work, always remember that parenting is a privilege.

Dear Jido – July 2021

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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Dear Jido,

I’m a single working father of four. I’m often given unasked-for parenting advice from female parents who often, frankly, have much less parenting experience in general, and absolutely none with my own kids. This ranges from comments like, “Children often do better in their mom’s lap” as I’m booking airplane seats, to being the only parent on an email chain to get extra tips and help on a class project. I’m not sure that these comments are always meant in a helpful manner, and many of them seem to imply that men don’t really know how to parent their children. Any words of wisdom on this one?

Signed,

Father of Four

Dear Father of Four,

It is known that children relate to each parent in different ways. The Torah says, “Honor your father and mother” and also says, “A person should fear their mother and father,” putting the mother’s fear before the father’s, since according to our Sages, the fear of the father comes more naturally to a child.

A father generally represents strength and wisdom while the mother represents warmth and spirituality. Every child needs a combination of both.

It is a well-known saying that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Whatever that means is up for debate. But it is highly likely that you (and I as well), being a man, cannot fully understand the relationship that a child has to his/her mother and vice versa. I would say that, most likely, these women are giving you advice from their vantage point as females and mothers. Their comments are likely well founded, if not fully understood by fathers. In general, some people might act like jokers, and some might be sarcastic, but when it comes to the welfare of a child, most people take it very seriously.

Perhaps, do an experiment. Next time you get some unsolicited advice from a would-be do-gooder, run it by your oldest child. See what he/she says. You might find that it helps to complement the extraordinary effort you are putting in to raising your children, by yourself, to the best of your ability.

The wise man learns from everyone. Separate the wheat from the chaff and give your children the benefit of all four parenting traits (strength, wisdom, warmth, and spirituality).

Good luck,

Jido

Purchasing Power

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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A buyer’s purchasing power is now greater than ever. Purchasing power is defined by how much goods and services one can receive for their money. In our case, it refers to what type or size of house you can purchase. Since interest rates are now low, one can now buy a more expensive house at the same price but pay less in the long run.

Let’s take a look at the following example:

John Doe can only afford a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment (principal and interest).

The average mortgage rate currently in 2021 is approximately 3.1-3.3% while the average mortgage rate in 2019 was 4.45%. So, let’s make a basic calculation. If in 2019 John Doe bought a house with a loan amount of $410,000, assuming a 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 4.45%, his monthly principal and interest payment would be $2,065. However, if he were to purchase home in 2021 with a loan amount of $480,000, assuming a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, his monthly payments would also be approximately $2,076. That means that for the same amount of money, John can now afford a home that is over $70K more expensive than he could have purchased it for in 2019. (All prices and rates are on average. Rates and monthly payments are taken from Google mortgage calculator.)

That’s Amazing!

And you can be John Doe. You can afford more home with the same monthly payments because the rates are so low. This is one of the reasons I see an overabundance of vacant rentals because many people are choosing to buy now.

Electric Bill Overload

I am sure by now many of you have seen a difference on your electric bills. If you’re in the city your air conditioner is probably running full time. Here are some tips on how to save a little bit on your bill.

1. Cover your windows. Solar screens or mesh-like window screens are effective in blocking most of the heat that will enter via the windows. Window films are another great option, but they only work if the windows are closed.

2. Many times, we get home and we are boiling! We run over to the thermostat and turn it as low as possible. This does not cool your home any faster and can result in a bigger electric bill because of the excessive cooling. I know it’s hard to break this habit, but perhaps you can arrange a timer or a smart thermostat that will start the A/C at a normal temperature before you get home, so your house is cool to enter.

3. Give your A/C some TLC. An inefficient air conditioner raises your cooling costs. It’s running but not doing its job so well. Your filter should be cleaned at least once a month in the summer and even more if you have a dusty home or own furry pets. And if your A/C needs a little bit more help, hire a professional technician. It will save you money in the long run.

4. There’s a reason why barbecues are super popular in the summer. They keep the heat out of the house. Try to reduce the use of your stove and oven, especially midday. And I’m sure your family would be more than happy with a cool meal in the summer. Salads, fruit, and sandwiches are always delicious options.

5. Seal the leaks. We all know that feeling of having our A/C running full blast, but our kid left the door open. Check the most obvious leaks first, windows and doors. And then do a visual check inside and outside looking for any gaps the cold air can escape through.

Good luck battling the summer heat y’all! Feel free to share any other money-saving techniques with me. I’d love to expand my list. One place to reach me is my Instagram @TheBehfarTeam. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Mayor Sam Cohen Welcomes the Community to Deal

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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Mayor Sam Cohen Welcomes the Community to Deal

Dear Friends,

As we finally emerge from COVID-19, I am excited to welcome our residents and community members back to Deal for another exciting summer.

COVID-19 restrictions have eased dramatically and yet our highest concern at the Borough of Deal remains your health and safety. As we return to a true sense of normalcy, I want to remind residents to continue to exercise safety and caution during the busy summer months. We kindly remind cyclists to always wear a helmet and ride on the right side of the road, and please ensure that all bicycles are equipped with proper reflectors. Furthermore, we urge everyone to exercise extra vigilance with their vehicles and homes. When parking vehicles, please remove valuables and lock your car doors. As usual, should you have any concerns whatsoever, please visit us at: http://www.dealborough.com/ and fill out a “Report a Concern” form. If you require any immediate assistance, police, fire or first aid for an emergency, please dial 911.

While we remain focused on health and safety, we also continue with our pledge to maintaining the incomparable beauty and extraordinary services of the Borough of Deal as well. During the past year, we completed road resurfacing at Roosevelt Avenue, Monmouth Drive, Roseld Avenue, Woodford Road, Beringer Road, Whitehall Road, and Wallace Road. You will also notice upgraded Ocean Avenue street signs throughout the town with Norwood Avenue to follow. Furthermore, we continue to plant new trees, as well as replace struggling young trees.

On our beaches, it is critical that Deal both services beachgoers as well as manage its safety. Therefore, we have added lifeguards and will require a beach pass at all accessible points of entry. Please note Season passes can be purchased at Borough Hall and Individual weekday or weekend day passes can be purchased on the website: https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/deal/.

I would like to thank the Borough of Deal team for their tireless efforts this past year. And on behalf of our team at the Borough of Deal, let me be the first to share warm wishes for a wonderful summer together.

Sincerely,

Samuel Cohen

Mayor of Deal

Once Upon A Thyme – Fluffernutter Popsicles

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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Once Upon A Thyme – Fluffernutter Popsicles

A fluffernutter is a sandwich made with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff and usually served on white bread. You can’t go wrong with the classic combo of peanut butter and marshmallow. These popsicles are just like sinking your teeth into the creamiest peanut butter and fluff sandwich you can imagine. Plus, its topped with a crunchy layer of cracked sugar cone pieces and melted chocolate. What better way to usher in summer with this decadent and fun dessert that tastes like the fluffernutter sandwiches we loved growing up!?

Recipe:

2 cans coconut milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup fluff

1 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 sugar cones

1 cup mini marshmallows

6 oz. dark chocolate

1 tsp oil

Popsicle sticks

1. Place coconut milk, sugar, fluff, peanut butter, and vanilla in a food processor and blend until smooth

2. Crack the cones into small pieces with your hands. Save half on the side for garnish and use the remaining cracked pieces to place inside the popsicle molds along with the mini marshmallows.

3. Carefully pour the ice cream mixture inside the molds. Place popsicle sticks inside each mold and freeze for 7 hours or overnight

4. Melt chocolate with oil. Drizzle melted chocolate on top of the popsicle and sprinkle with remaining pieces of the sugar cone.

Hot Summer Gadgets & Gizmos

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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Summertime is not just about sunshine and barbecues – it also inspires hi-tech gadgets that make our lives simpler and more enjoyable. Check out some of this year’s hottest new gizmos!

Monos CleanPod

This handheld UVC sterilizer is one of the best new gadgets around. Just charge it up, stash it in a backpack, and you are good to go! To sterilize something, just press a button, wave the Monos CleanPod over any surface for half a minute and it will immediately get rid of viruses, bacteria, and all other types of germs.

MyZone MZ-Switch Heart Rate Monitor

This fitness tracker is ready for anything, even if you’re not. The MZ-Switch measures your heart rate to understand how much effort you’re putting into your exercise.

What makes it unique is that this tracker can slot into different straps to read your heart rate from your wrist, arm, or chest. And it’s waterproof, too!

Superstrata Bike

Send Superstrata your dimensions, riding style, and preferences and they’ll 3D print you a carbon fiber bike frame made to fit. Prefer a stiffer ride? A bike for commuting or for touring? Superstrata has over 500,000 possible combinations!

Rise Personal Garden

The Rise Personal Garden is a small, smart hydroponic garden that fits on your countertop so you can grow fresh food right in your home. This smaller version of the Rise gardens can grow four large plants, eight medium-sized plants, or a dozen small plants. You can grow a wide range of vegetables and even microgreens.

ButterOnce Corn Butter Knife

Corn on the cob is a summer staple, but can also be messy. These uniquely-designed butter knives keep butter on the corn and off of your fingers, so you can enjoy every kernel without worrying about the mess.

Sobro Cooler Coffee Table

This coffee table brings you right into the future! The multifunctional coffee table includes a refrigerator drawer to keep cold drinks on hand. If that was not enough, add on Bluetooth speakers, LED lights, and USB charging ports for tablets, laptops, or a cell phone. Add guests and you are ready for the party!

Cold Snap Frozen Treat Machine

Delicious homemade ice cream can be yours in minutes. The Cold Snap Frozen Treat Machine uses pods with pre-mixed ingredients, allowing your frozen treats to be dispensed directly from the pod to your bowl. Besides producing delicious frozen treats, including ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothies, and frozen coffees, this machine requires no clean up! Sweet deal.

Geneinno S1 Integrated Underwater Scooter

Explore coral reefs and other underwater treasures with this beautiful scooter. This amazing underwater scooter reduces the energy and time it takes to reach your maximum depths. Great for use in the deep sea, pools, and water parks.

Cocoon Spherical Tree Bed

Sleep under the stars or relax in the daytime with the Cocoon Spherical Tree Bed. This luxury tent getaway fits a double bed inside. Plus, you’ll have room for accessories, unlike an average-sized tent. Thanks to the lightweight aluminum structure, it can be hung from two trees, and the six anchor points of suspension improve stability when you sleep.

Milo Action Voice Communicator

Use the Milo Action Voice Communicator to connect with your friends while enjoying outdoor activities this summer. This gadget lets you share your adventures when you can’t use your phone. With no buttons to push, this hands-free device doesn’t require a cell signal or Wi-Fi. And it features six low-distortion microphones that suppress wind and background noise to provide clear calls.

Beware of the Fox

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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Tishah B’Av is a time for mourning, but also a time for hope. What has kept us alive and allowed us to flourish throughout the millennia of turbulent exile is our nation’s unique ability to find comfort and solace amid the hardship, to introduce faith and optimism even as we mourn and lament. We observe the three-week period of mourning, culminating with the fast of Tishah B’Av – but then we get off the floor and enter Shabbat Nahamu and a period of great confidence and hope.

One of the most famous and cherished examples of this uniquely Jewish trait is the story told at the end of Masechet Makkot of how Rabbi Akiva comforted his grieving colleagues. Rabbi Akiva and three of his distinguished peers were passing near the ruins of the Bet Hamikdash, and they observed a fox scurrying about, running from the area which had been the site of the kodesh hakodashim – the holiest chamber of the Bet Hamikdash. The three other rabbis wept, while Rabbi Akiva laughed. The three rabbis asked Rabbi Akiva why he was laughing, and he returned the question – asking why they were crying.

Rabbi Akiva’s colleagues were astounded. “We shouldn’t cry?!” they exclaimed. This was the holiest site on earth, where only one man was ever allowed to enter – the kohen gadol, who went inside that chamber only once a year, on Yom Kippur. How could they not cry upon seeing the site violated by a wild fox?!

Rabbi Akiva responded that he celebrated the sight of the ruins of the Mikdash because it marked the fulfillment of centuries-old prophecies. If the prophets’ predictions of destruction materialized, Rabbi Akiva said, then we can rest assured that their predictions of our nation’s glorious redemption will also one day be fulfilled.

The Other Fox

There is one aspect of this famous story which often goes unnoticed – namely, that this is not the only time that we find Rabbi Akiva talking about a fox.

An equally famous story is told elsewhere in the Talmud, in Masechet Berachot (61b), about Rabbi Akiva’s tragic end. The Roman government issued an edict banning Torah study, but Rabbi Akiva courageously defied the ban, and publicly taught groups of students. Ultimately, he was captured and tortured to death. Before Rabbi Akiva’s capture, a man named Pappos approached him and asked why he would risk his life by defying the authorities’ strict edict.

Rabbi Akiva replied by telling a fable of a fox who walked along the seashore and observed the fish frantically jumping about. The fox asked what they were doing, and the fish explained that they were desperately trying to avoid the fishermen’s nets.

“Why don’t you just come to the shore?” the fox asked, “You’ll be safe over here.”

“They call you the cleverest of the animals?!” the fish responded. “You’re not clever; you’re a fool!” The fish explained that if their lives were endangered in the water, the place where they were generally able to live, then certainly they would face even graver danger if they left the water, their life source, to live on dry land.

Similarly, Rabbi Akiva explained, if the Jews faced danger while living “in the water,” immersed in Torah learning, their very lifeblood, then they would face far greater danger if they abandon Torah study.

In this story, the fox represents the seductive lure of life without Torah. It is the voice that tries convincing us that life will be better, easier, and more fulfilling if we leave the “water,” our life of Torah commitment.

Lamenting Our Spiritual Exile

With this in mind, we can perhaps return to the story of the fox running from the site of the kodesh hakodashim.

The rabbis saw this scene as a frightening symbol – one which portended the realization of their worst fears. They foresaw the “foxes” of all kinds succeeding in luring Jews away from the “kodesh hakodashim,” Torah commitment. What disturbed them was something even worse than the rubble they saw at the place where thousands of Jews would assemble at the spectacular, sacred Bet Hamikdash to serve Gd. They were horror-stricken by the spiritual exile which they foresaw, the widespread departure from the “kodesh hakodashim,” Jews heeding the foolish advice of the “fox” and abandoning their heritage.

This tragic process had already unfolded many years earlier, during the time of the prophet Yirmiyahu. In one of the haftarot read in the weeks leading up to Tishah B’Av, we read Gd’s harsh condemnation of the people for “shetayim ra’ot” – “two evils” which they committed against Him (Yirmiyahu 2:13). First, “You abandoned Me, the source of life water.” Abandoning Gd under any circumstances is bad, but even worse, the Jews abandoned Him “to chisel for yourselves cisterns – broken cisterns which cannot contain water.” The Jews turned their back on their faith in favor of vanity, of hollow beliefs, of emptiness. They were lured and tempted by the various different “foxes” that convinced them they would be better off out of the “mayim hayim” – the “life water,” our source of spiritual sustenance. But what they found was “broken cisterns,” a life without meaning, without substance, without direction and without real values.

This was Rabbi Akiva’s colleagues’ greatest fear. They foresaw the years in exile when the Jews would be dispersed throughout the world, and exist as a small, disliked minority among other cultures and societies. The “foxes” all around them will lure them out of the “kodesh hakodashim,” away from Torah, and convince them to embrace the “broken cisterns” of the other nations.

The other rabbis wept, but Rabbi Akiva rejoiced. Rabbi Akiva was fully ignorant of Torah – and could not even read – until the age of forty. He was very, very far from the “kodesh hakodashim.” He lived a life bereft of Torah devotion. But once he decided to change, and to begin making his way towards the “kodesh hakodashim,” he not only succeeded, but emerged as one of the leading sages of the Jewish People. Rabbi Akiva’s life story shows that our departure from the “kodesh hakodashim” is not the end

of the story. We can always return. Even if the seductive lures of the “fox” succeed in drawing us away from our life source, we must trust in our ability to find our way back.

The Modern-Day “Foxes”

The rabbis’ tears are even more understandable if we assume that they foresaw the “foxes” of our generation, the relentless pressures that the modern Jew faces that threaten to pull him away from the “kodesh hakodashim.”

There are millions of such “foxes,” and they are all in the palm of our hands, or in our pockets. Technology has placed lures of many different kinds around us at all times. The distractions are endless. There is a bottomless pit of spiritually toxic material that is readily accessible around the clock. All this pulls us like a magnet out of the “kodesh hakodashim,” away from Torah, and it takes a great deal of strength to resist this force.

We face ideological “foxes,” as well. Our surrounding culture presents itself as morally superior to our beliefs and values, which it considers backward and antiquated, Heaven forbid. Our principles of faith and our lifestyle are ridiculed and condemned as immoral. We must reinforce our firm conviction that our way of life is the “be’er mayim chayim,” the “well of life water.”

Our surrounding culture has a very alluring appearance; it seems to offer enjoyment and satisfaction, and it claims moral preeminence. This illusion is the sly, clever “fox” trying to pull us out of the “water.”

The Torah says about the pit into which Yosef was thrown, “The pit was empty; it had no water” (Beresheet 37:24). The Gemara (Shabbat 22a) comments, “It had no water – but it did have snakes and scorpions.” The message of this statement is far more profound than a description of the life-threatening danger that Yosef faced. It warns us that when our society or community is “empty,” without “water” – a symbol of Torah – then it is very swiftly filled with “snakes and scorpions,” with immorality, decadence and corruption. Life on the “shore,” away from Torah, might seem appealing, but in truth, leaving the water is the worst decision we could ever make.

The story of Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues ends with them turning to him and saying, “Akiva, nihamtanu – Akiva, you have comforted us.” Let us, too, take comfort in Rabbi Akiva’s inspiring example, which shows that the door to the kodesh hakodashim remains open for us at all times, no matter how far we have strayed. We must not be discouraged by the sight of so many of our beloved fellow Jews being led out of the “water” by the “fox.” Rather than feel helpless and weep, let us follow Rabbi Akiva’s lead and feel confident about the future. Amid all the upsetting problems and daunting spiritual challenges that we face, we must also see what Rabbi Akiva saw – living examples of Jews who, despite it all, defied the “fox” and proceeded to the kodesh hakodashim. Wherever we look in our community, we see so many such examples, people who have overcome enormous challenges and withstood immense pressures to devote themselves to Torah. These individuals not only set an inspiring example for us to follow, but also give us hope, allowing us to feel comforted knowing that we will all, please Gd, make our way back to the “kodesh hakodashim” and be worthy of the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash, speedily and in our time, amen.

Hungry Mom’s Food Diary by Susan Zayat – Pastrami Stuffed Burgers

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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Hungry Mom’s Food Diary by Susan Zayat – Pastrami Stuffed Burgers

There is nothing like a nice BBQ after a long summer day. BBQ is one of my favorite dinners ever! And a BBQ leaves you with such warm memories. Here are some ideas to take your BBQ dinner to a whole new level.

Now, you can stuff your burgers with whatever you’d like. A few Ideas are: sautéed onions, jalapeños, and sautéed mushrooms. I usually make my own burgers, but you can use store-bought and then reshape them yourself.

For the Burgers:

1 lb. chop meat
1/2 grated onion
1.5 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. teriyaki sauce
2 tsp. parsley flakes
A sprinkle of allspice
Salt

1. Add all ingredients together in a bowl or foil pan and mix well.

2. Form patties to the size you’d like your burgers – but make sure half of them are a little thicker (you can probably make 4 patties from this amount of meat, which will be enough for 2 burgers).

3. Make a well (small indentation) in half of the patties (the thicker ones).

4. Sauté half an onion with approximately 4 slices of deli pastrami. Once sautéed, place the mixture into the well that you made in the patties.

5. Place a thinner patty on top and pinch together all around to close. Try to smooth out the outside to form a nice looking patty.

6. Grill based on how well-done you like your burgers.

Grilled Corn with Garlic Herb Oil

Boil fresh corn on the cob (that has been husked and cleaned of all silk) for around 10 minutes. Remove corn from the water, wrap individually in foil, and grill the ears for 10 minutes, flipping occasionally.

For the Garlic Herb Oil:

1. Heat up 1/3 cup oil.

2. Add in 2 cloves of crushed garlic and 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes.

3. Once the mixture becomes fragrant remove from heat and add in 2 sliced scallions, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

4. Brush the oil mixture over the grilled corn when ready to eat.

Baked Beans

This recipe is really simple but takes hot dogs, hamburgers, and smoked brisket to the next level. Trust me!

1. Sauté a chopped onion in a little oil.

2. Add in a can of vegetarian baked beans (Heinz are my favorite).

3. Add in 2 tbsp. ketchup and 2 tbsp. BBQ sauce. Give it a good mix and let it cook on the stove for around 10 minutes to get the flavors incorporated.

4. Make sure to mix every few minutes to prevent burning.

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Photo styled and photographed by Sarah Husney.

Sarah Husney is a food photographer servicing NY & NJ. She has clients from the food businesses in the community, upgrading their photos for Instagram and websites. She also takes photos for restaurants on UberEats, and is featured on Kosher.com for styling and photography. Contact info- 917 626 2991 /

@sarahhusney_foodphoto

From the Files of the Mitzvah Man – Always with Total Compassion

Community Magazine

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July 2021

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From the Files of the Mitzvah Man – Always with Total Compassion

Pnina Souid

People approach the Mitzvah Man organization every day looking for help. Recently, a Mitzvah Man volunteer, we’ll call Rabbanit C., was helping an elderly woman named Rina who was living in a shelter. Due to the horrible conditions at the shelter, Rabbanit C. and others concerned for Rina were working on finding her an apartment and providing the basics needed for her to move in.

Rabbanit C. said that they finally found a suitable place for Rina, but it was a bare apartment. All Rina was asking for was a second-hand bed to sleep in. Just having an apartment of her own with a place to lay her head would be a huge improvement over living at the shelter.

Mitzvah Man asked Rabbanit C., “Certainly Rina needs more than this. She has an entire apartment to furnish!”

Rabbanit C. replied, “Rina will be happy with the bed. She is a very humble woman and is embarrassed to ask for any help at all.”

“I will send out a text message to my volunteers and will let you know the results,” answered the Mitzvah Man.

The Mitzvah Man followed through right away, sending a text to all his volunteers explaining the situation and requesting a used bed.

Almost immediately responses from the Mitzvah Man volunteers started coming in. One volunteer replied that he is ordering Rina a new bed right now. The next volunteer said that he spoke with Rina personally, and confirmed that her apartment is completely empty. “I am ordering her a chair, table, and a desk to ship today, and I told her that if she needs anything else to please call me,” he told the Mitzvah Man. The third volunteer said that since Rina just came out of a shelter, she must need some food to start her off. He offered to donate $500 worth of food. A fourth volunteer very thoughtfully added his contribution, “I am sending new sheets, pillows, blankets, and other bedding to keep her comfortable.”

Soon afterwards another volunteer texted, “I own a lighting fixture store. I’m sending over all her lighting needs plus some furniture.”

Within 48 hours everything was delivered, including food to fill her refrigerator and freezer. Rina was thrilled. She did not have enough words to express her thanks for all of the amazing hesed she had received. It was hard for her to believe that she was living in a new place, which allowed her to live with dignity, and even with a plentiful amount of food. Rina felt like she was living in a palace!

Rina’s story is just one of many that typify the kindness and compassion, giving and caring that characterize the Mitzvah Man organization and the volunteers who give of themselves wholeheartedly.

If you would like to join their chain of hesed or if you know someone who is need of assistance, please call the Mitzvah Man organization at (866) 355-1825.

Follow the Mitzvah Man organization on Instagram @mitzvahman.