Rabbi Yehuda Finchas

Sammy woke up on Shabbat morning, excruciating pain shooting through his jaw. He arrived at my door barely able to speak, his face contorted, clutching his cheek. “Rabbi,” he whispered, “the pain medication isn’t helping. I don’t know what to do – can I have my tooth pulled even though it’s Shabbat?”

Later that week, Dr. Isaac Levi, a Jewish dentist, posed a related question: “If a Jewish patient asks me to extract a tooth on Shabbat, would I be allowed to help?” I can walk to the dental surgery and all my assistants are non-Jewish, but I would still be the one performing the extraction, which will inevitably cause bleeding.”

The Potential Halachic Issues

Extracting a tooth on Shabbat raises several halachic concerns discussed by the poskim:

Chovel (Wounding): Causing bleeding is forbidden on Shabbat. Since tooth extraction almost always causes bleeding, this is a central issue.

Kotzer (Harvesting): Some poskim have compared removing a tooth to uprooting a plant from the ground. However, most authorities reject this comparison, arguing that kotzer applies only to items that grow from the earth – not to teeth.

Gozez (Shearing): Others suggest it may resemble cutting skin tabs, hair or nails (the melacha of gozez), which is also forbidden. Yet, many poskim disagree since gozez applies only to things that grow back, like hair or wool – not teeth.

Refuah: Engaging in medical treatment is rabbinically restricted on Shabbat.

Mesaye’a (Assisting in Prohibited Acts): If the patient opens his mouth, does he transgress Shabbat by assisting the dentist?

Despite these concerns, Maran the Beit Yosef (Orach Chaim 328, citing Orchot Chaim) writes that one who suffers tooth pain may instruct a non-Jew to extract it. This ruling is codified by the Rema (Orach Chaim 328:3). The Magen Avraham classified tooth extraction as a melacha, but the Biur Halacha argues it is only rabbinic, since the bleeding is not desired (psik reisha d’lo nicha lei), and Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, clarifies in Leviat hen (83) that the act is not considered melachah tzricha legufa and it is therefore derabanan.

Hacham Ovadia’s Analysis

Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in Chazon Ovadia (Shabbat Vol. 3, p. 337), provides a comprehensive halachic analysis that rests on several foundational principles:

Melachah She’eina Tzericha Legufa: The extraction is not done for the bleeding, but rather, to relieve pain. As such, it is not a constructive act in the classic Torah sense, and is classified  a melachah derabbanan (rabbinic prohibition).

Psik Reisha D’lo Nicha Lei: While bleeding is inevitable, it is neither intended nor desired. This further establishes its rabbinic rather than biblical status.

Mesaye’a Ein Bo Mamash: Minimal patient assistance (such as keeping the mouth open or turning the head) is not halachically significant in this situation. The patient is not transgressing Shabbat by cooperating with the dentist.

Conclusion

Tooth extraction on Shabbat is generally classified as a melachah she’eina tzericha legufa, accompanied by psik reisha d’lo nicha lei. It is therefore only a rabbinic prohibition. For someone in serious pain, halacha permits requesting a non-Jewish practitioner to perform the extraction, and the patient’s cooperation is not halachically problematic.

In Sammy’s case, if his pain was severe, halacha would allow him to ask a non-Jewish dentist to perform the extraction on Shabbat. As for Dr. Levi, who is Jewish, performing the extraction in such a case would be prohibited. If, however, there is any risk of infection spreading or other complications that could endanger life, the situation escalates to pikuach nefesh, and full treatment becomes not only permitted but is obligatory – even to be performed by a Jewish dentist, overriding biblical prohibitions if necessary.Rabbi Yehuda Finchas is a worldwide expert, lecturer, and author on Medical Halacha. He heads the Torat Habayit Medical Halacha Institute. He is the author of “Brain Death in Halacha and the Tower of Babel Syndrome” and “Nutrition and Hydration in Halacha.” To contact Rabbi Finchas, email [email protected].

Sam Sutton

Established in 2008, M&S Softball has never just been a league. It’s been a proving ground, a stage, and for many, a second home. Now entering its 18th season, the league finds itself at a defining moment – not by chance, but by design.

The truth is, leagues like this don’t survive by standing still. They evolve. They adapt. They find ways to honor what was while building what’s next. And right now, what’s next has arrived.

Over the past few seasons, the league began quietly shifting. As some of the longtime veterans started to wind down – careers entering their later innings or coming to a close – the opportunity was clear. This wasn’t about replacing them. It was about reinforcing the future. Slowly, intentionally, a new wave of players began to enter the league. Now, that wave has become a movement.

Leadership That Still Sets the Standard

For all the excitement around the new wave, the foundation of this league remains firmly in place. The captains are the cornerstone of the M&S Softball League. This isn’t a group learning on the fly. This is a room filled with experience, championships, and years of understanding what it takes to win in M&S (see sidebar). Together, this group doesn’t just run teams. They set the tone.

Best Is Yet to Come

This season’s player pool is filled – loaded, really – with young talent. Not just bodies to fill rosters, but real players. Pitchers who can command the zone. Infielders with range and instincts. Outfielders who cover ground and change games defensively. The level of athleticism, energy, and upside across the board is as strong as it’s ever been.

But what makes this moment even more unique isn’t just the youth – it’s where they come from. Many of these new players aren’t strangers to M&S. They grew up around it. They watched it. They heard the stories. And now, they’re stepping onto the same field. Sons of former players. Brothers of current stars. Names that already carry meaning within the league. M&S isn’t just continuing – it’s circling back.

A Full Generation Later

We’re now seeing the children of the very players who built this league step into the spotlight. And with that comes something you can’t teach – pride, pressure, and a deep understanding of what it means to be here.

One of the more intriguing storylines comes from a familiar name. A league veteran and Hall of Famer now has his son entering the mix. Momo steps into the league this year, carrying both the name and the expectations that come with it.

The same can be said for Elliott Dweck, son of league legend Isaac Norwood-Dweck. Known already for a slick glove, Elliott enters with a defensive reputation and a last name that holds serious weight.

Then there’s the next chapter of the Chehebar name. Solly Chehebar – better known as Big Solly – was part of this league from the very beginning. Now, his son steps in, with big shoes to fill and a legacy to live up to.

And in a move that speaks volumes about where the league is headed, reigning MVP Mo Shama has stepped aside, choosing to watch from the outside as the youth movement takes over. In his place, his nephew Abo Shama enters the league – a highly regarded defensive player from the local circuit, ready for his shot.

Up and Coming Stars

But it’s not just about legacy. There’s another group coming in – players with no ties to the past, no names to carry – just game. And in many ways, they may be the most dangerous.

Irving Setton enters as a 20-year-old infielder with pop, already turning heads after making noise in the BKS over the past few years. He’s also the brother of Leo Setton – an impact player from day one in this league – so the expectations are already there. Now, Irving gets his opportunity to make his own mark.

Joseph Abady carries a name that already echoes in M&S postseason history. His brother, Victor “Cream” Abady, built his reputation on big moments when it mattered most. Now Joseph steps in, with that same last name – and all that comes with it.

David Hakim brings a calm, composed presence – but his game tells a different story. Alongside his brother Noah, he adds another layer to this growing youth core.

Danny Levy, just 18, now joins the league alongside his brother Momo Levy, who has already made his mark in the outfield. The bloodline is there – but now it’s Danny’s turn.

And then there’s Joseph “J Money” Dweck, a slick-fielding third baseman who brings confidence and flair to the hot corner. Smooth with the glove and steady under pressure, he’s the type of player who can lock down the left side and make the tough play look routine.

The outfield continues to get stronger with Josh Abisror, a physical presence with real upside. And he won’t be alone – his uncle, Tovi Abisror, a former league champion, returns to the field. One looking to rise, the other already knowing what it takes.

Victor Hoffman makes his long-awaited debut. A colorful personality with real talent, the infielder brings both energy and edge to the dirt.

Bruce Novick arrives as one of the top prospects out of the Yeshiva league circuits. A true center fielder with instincts, range, and feel – he’s the real deal.

Three’s a Charm

And then there’s what might be the biggest storyline of them all – the arrival of a trio of rookie starting pitchers.

Zack Kairy leads the way, an award-winning young ace known for his ability to pound the zone and throw strikes consistently. Now, he takes the mound in a league where every inning matters.

Marc Sayegh, the flamethrower out of Brooklyn, brings both velocity and roots that run deeper than most. Having pitched in the first-ever M&S Kids League, he now returns fully developed and ready to make his mark.

And MD Applegrad, one of the most highly regarded arms from the LBA, comes in with experience, confidence, and something to prove. A champion elsewhere – but now chasing to be one here.

Three different styles. Three different paths. One shared goal – to make their mark on M&S.
And as if that wasn’t enough, another wave arrives with proven credentials.

Mo Dowek, Chatz Katz, and Shloimy Zlotnick – established LBA stars – make their M&S debuts, bringing with them a level of play that demands attention.

Right behind them is another group already opening eyes – Marvin Azrak, Adam Azar, and Yaakov Goodman – players who may be new to M&S, but are quickly making it clear they belong.

The Foundation Remains

And through it all, the foundation remains. The veterans are still here. They’re not being replaced. They’re passing something down.

And the league itself hasn’t changed. The standard is still the standard. Every game is still played with purpose. Every matchup still matters. With full live broadcasts, consistent media coverage, and a growing audience, the spotlight has never been brighter.

For the new players, this isn’t just another league. This is M&S. There’s history here. There’s expectation. There’s pressure. And now, there’s a new generation ready to take it on. The next chapter isn’t coming. It’s already here. Play ball!

THE CAPTIANS

At the forefront is Uri Adler, the reigning champion, who returns looking to defend his title and prove last season was no fluke.

Edmund Beyda, a champion in his own right, is back as well. A proven leader who knows how to build and manage a roster, Beyda brings intensity, structure, and a steady presence every time he takes the field.

Michael “Sabon” Salomon is one of the most accomplished players in league history and an active Hall of Famer.

Michael “Melech” Solomon continues to be one of the league’s true staples. A former champion and respected presence behind the plate, his leadership and consistency have made him a cornerstone of M&S for years.

Maurice Haber is woven into the fabric of this league. A champion, a competitor, and someone who has been here since the early days.

Hank Dweck returns to the captain’s chair with something still missing from his resume – a championship in M&S. Despite success in other leagues and a long list of accolades, that one title has remained just out of reach. The question now is simple: has he lost a step, or is this the year he finally gets it done?

Isaac Cohen isthe lone rookie captain. While new to the role, he’s far from unfamiliar with the league. A student of the game who’s been tapped into the softball world for years, Cohen now gets his opportunity to lead – bringing a fresh perspective into a room full of experience.

DAVE GORDON

Sirens, school cancellations, and crowded bomb shelters have become the “new norm” of life in Israel. Yet, Israelis have responded with resilience, strength, and communal bonding.

Community Magazine interviewed a cross‑section of Israelis about their lives and their resilience during this period. Israelis are all navigating the backdrop of alerts of possible sirens, often followed by actual sirens, indicating a missile has been fired towards their area. Their reflections exhibit what has changed since Iran and its proxies attacked: the way communities unite to support each other, the sense of purpose, and pride. Yes, families need to stay close to shelters. Certainly, everyone lives with a level of tension and uncertainty. There has been a financial toll on individuals and families. And in this small country everyone feels the losses.

How are Israelis coping, supporting one another, making sense of their fears, and still accessing faith when the future has rarely felt more uncertain?  Let’s hear from them.

Journalist Shanna Fuld, of Tel Aviv, originally from Queens, NY,  whose apartment was destroyed last June by an Iranian missile

How has your daily routine changed since the war?

In Israel, time is measured between sirens and alerts. When I am going to do anything, I think about what would need to be done before the siren happens. I have evacuated my apartment in the evening for about a month, so that I could sleep in an apartment that has a mamad (reinforced safe room).

You only have so much energy because you’re not sleeping great, and you might be subconsciously worried about being killed in a missile attack. With work, a couple of my gigs are canceled so I’m not getting paid, because I can’t fly and I can’t go to stuff.

What do people outside of Israel not understand?

People don’t understand enough of the frustration of how this disrupts people’s lives… what it takes to rebuild after your apartment has been hit. I was so blessed that my friend posted my situation in a WhatsApp group, and a bunch of women from Tel Aviv, whom I did not know, pulled together bags of their clothing for me and brought it to me at my hotel [where evacuees were resettled].

One person put together a makeup bag, basic cosmetics, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, and face moisturizer. That was the best thing anybody gave me. Community plays an aspect.

I didn’t ask for it, but people from my synagogue sent me donations. And you know what? It was so needed because my compensation package from the government came to me more than three months after the attack, and I couldn’t work for a couple of months because I was spending my days in government offices.

I needed a security deposit for a new apartment, new furniture, and food.

Everybody’s very acutely aware that you probably won’t die from a Hamas missile. You can shelter in the stairwell. But you can’t shelter in the stairwell for an Iran missile, because those are more powerful.

Asif Izak, native Israeli, -is chairman of Or Ofir Foundation, which fosters leadership, strengthens community ties, and builds bridges between Israel and the Jewish world, he is also Head of the Hof Carmel Regional Council

What have these past few months been like for your family?

Two of my children enlisted in the IDF over the past year, and we also have a younger daughter at home. The concern is constant, but alongside it there is also a great deal of strength that comes from family and community. We live in Kibbutz Hahotrim, within a community that demonstrates every day that mutual responsibility is not a slogan – it is a lived reality. This is true within our home, and it is equally true across Hof HaCarmel and throughout Israel.

Have there been evacuations in your area?

In Hof HaCarmel, we were not required to evacuate, but very quickly we found ourselves absorbing around 3,000 evacuees – from both the North and the Gaza border region. This represented about a 10 percent increase in our population in a very short time. We opened our communities, established two new schools for them, and supported them over many months. This was a very tangible expression of mutual responsibility – not just as an idea, but in daily action.

What gives you hope?

I have seen, firsthand, a powerful resurgence of solidarity and mutual responsibility across the country. Out of hardship, people are coming closer together, supporting one another, and strengthening their sense of belonging. These events also remind us how essential the State of Israel is – a place where the Jewish people can live in security, and take responsibility for their own future.

Award-winning Israeli journalist Aviva Engel, originally from Montreal

How has your daily routine changed since the war began?

I live about 30 minutes from Haifa, in Zichron Yaakov – in northern Israel, though fortunately not far enough north to be directly affected by the unrelenting rocket fire from Lebanon. While Purim was marked in a subdued, almost Covid-like way due to restrictions on large gatherings, Passover was remarkably quiet, thanks to the ceasefire.

The beginning of the war was particularly trying, with frequent sirens that required us to stay close to shelters at all times. Simple activities, like long walks, hiking, going to the beach, or even playing outdoor sports, were no longer possible. Thankfully, I work from home and have access to a shelter.

As for daily life, malls, grocery stores, and restaurants equipped with shelters have remained open.

Have you or people close to you suffered personal losses?

Since October 7, a relative’s partner was killed while serving in the IDF, and a friend’s child lost both legs on an IDF mission. We are continually inspired by their courage and heroism, and carry their sacrifices with us in our daily lives.

What does “normal life” mean?

There is an expression in Hebrew, lizrom – to go with the flow. Life right now is anything but normal, and I try to embrace that mindset as much as possible, recognizing how quickly circumstances can change.

Every quiet moment with loved ones feels like a gift, as do the children playing in the nearby schoolyard.

Rabbi Raphael Shore, originally from Canada, author and executive chairman of OpenDor Media

How has this war affected your family?

Being at home more has created a kind of closeness that daily life doesn’t always allow. At the same time, something unexpected has happened in the neighborhoods. People are meeting each other in bomb shelters, sometimes neighbors they barely knew before, and those moments, ironically, have created real connection.

None of this takes away from the stress. People are tired. Sleep is disrupted. But alongside that, there is something strengthening that’s happening, both within families and across communities.

How has this affected your children?

I see it most clearly through my daughter and her family. They have five kids under the age of thirteen.

The kids have been out of school for about a month, and suddenly the full responsibility shifts to the parents. It’s like running a full-time camp. You have to constantly create activities, keep the kids engaged, and make sure they’re not sitting around getting anxious. Sometimes they come over to our house and we do arts and crafts, to give everyone a bit of relief.

It takes a lot of creativity and a lot of extra energy. But what stands out is that families are really stepping up. There’s a strong effort to keep things as normal and as positive as possible for the kids.

Have you or your family experienced any personal loss?

I have a nephew who spent much of the past two years in Gaza. He lost more than twenty soldiers under his command. These are not distant events. They are deeply personal, and very hard.

What helps people keep going is a strong sense of purpose, and the feeling that we are not alone in this. There is a deep sense of family, not just within our own homes, but across the country.

It doesn’t take away the pain, nothing does. But it does help people carry it.

Our son is just finishing his army service this summer, but he’s been in a state of war from the very beginning. Even now, when he’s on base near Tel Aviv, they’re hearing explosions overhead regularly. It’s a constant reminder of what’s going on, and it’s not easy.

How has this affected your faith and hope?

Faith here is very strong, even if it doesn’t always look the way people expect.

There’s a perception outside of Israel that it’s a largely secular society, and in terms of formal religious practice that may be true for many. But the level of emunah, of belief and deeper awareness, is much more widespread than people realize.

In a time like this, that becomes very visible. People feel that we are living through something beyond the ordinary. You see it in the stories that come up almost daily, situations that could have ended in far greater tragedy and didn’t. Just yesterday, for example, a missile struck a building with a massive explosive that, had it detonated fully, could have leveled an entire block. It didn’t. Moments like that leave a strong impression.

Entrepreneur and author of Hinenu (Here We Are), David Shlachter, made aliya from California and resides in Tel Aviv

What has life been like for you and family?

Before the war, our daily life in Tel Aviv felt almost unusually smooth. Our kids’ school is two blocks away. We don’t have a car, and they bike everywhere. When the war started, that disappeared immediately. School shut down, work essentially stopped, and movement shrank to a very small radius around our building. Even something simple like going for a run or out to eat comes with the expectation that you may need to drop everything and get to a bomb shelter within minutes.

What has it been like in the shelters?

Two other families moved into our apartment because they didn’t have adequate bomb shelters, so at times we’ve had 15 to 18 people living together, including nine kids. There’s very little privacy, and no real separation between day and night, work and rest. That creates friction, but it also creates a kind of shared resilience. Practically, we’ve had to be flexible – sharing space, coordinating meals, helping with each other’s kids. Emotionally, it’s about staying steady for the children and for each other. There’s something stabilizing about not going through it alone.

How has this affected the kids?

The kids feel the disruption immediately. It’s obvious that they should be in school, that they need structure and normal interaction, and that absence is hard to replace. At the same time, they adapt in ways that are surprising. They’ve created their own routines – games, activities, and ways of passing time. Even the bomb shelter sometimes becomes a place where they play. What stands out is how quickly they normalize the situation.

Our nanny was called up to reserve duty in a search-and-rescue unit, and that shift was immediate. She went from being part of our daily life to being on the front lines responding to missile strikes. The emotional experience is a mix of concern and gratitude – knowing people close to you are in harm’s way, but recognizing that they’re the reason the rest of us have some degree of safety.

David Lange, originally from Australia, editor of news site IsraellyCool, whose stepson fell in battle in Lebanon

Since the Iran war began, how has your daily routine changed?

There was no change to my work routine, because I work from home.

But there were definitely changes to my travel routines. When we get a missile alert, we have one and a half minutes from siren to shelter. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of driving somewhere, because you might end up on the side of the road just ducking down.

Once I got stuck outside, I was near a shopping center so I pulled into the car park, ran out, and went into their shelter.

These days I don’t go for long shopping trips, because, obviously, I didn’t want to be stuck.

What kind of community support did you receive after your stepson was killed?

That’s one of the shining lights. When people found out, there were multiple communities in our city that were ready to do everything we needed. People provided meals and cleaned the house. Right before Pesach, there was no official shiva. But my wife and her ex-husband had an open house, similar to shiva where people come and pay their respects and talk, which I think is a very cathartic experience.

Hundreds of people came, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and a sheikh from a Druze village.  It really showed the unity of Israeli society. And it was just so comforting.

Has this affected your faith or hope? It doesn’t make us lose hope or faith. In fact, having the hope and faith helps us cope with the conflict, and anti-Semitism, which we’re seeing around the world.

Resilience in Israel is not a slogan or a moment of triumph – it is a daily practice, quiet and cumulative. It lives in the split-second decisions made between sirens, in the crowded shelters where strangers become neighbors, in the parents who steady their voices for their children, and in the communities that refuse to let anyone face loss alone. Resilience does not erase fear or grief. It strengthens people. In a country where uncertainty hums beneath the surface of ordinary life, resilience is found not in the absence of danger, but in the insistence on living fully despite it – holding fast to one another, to purpose, and to a deeper faith that even in the darkest moments, they are not alone, and that something larger is carrying them forward.

ELLEN GELLER KAMARAS

Are you familiar with the phrase, “Are you ready to flip the script?” Flipping the script can mean many things: rewriting your personal narrative, shifting your mindset to challenge the status quo, or making a bold, transformative change that turns everything around.

The phrase is often used when someone has been wronged and acts to change the power dynamic or uses an unexpected approach that results in a positive outcome.  More recently, it’s become popular with respect to personal and professional relationships.  In personal relationships, an example can be as simple as deciding where to go on a date.

The term flipping the script continues to inspire individuals to take back control by changing one’s perspective and create positive changes in their lives and communities.

Flipping the script encompasses the reversal of negative thoughts and situations into positive thoughts and opportunities.

Last month, I wrote about aging and older individuals feeling invisible.  Some strategies to “flip the script” when one feels invisible included: age out loud and share your wisdom, seek out community, and engage in intergenerational relationships. Please considerthe following strategies to flip the script in your personal life and in your career.

Shift Your Mindset

We often read about altering our lens to uncover new possibilities and to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones. 

A prime example of flipping the script is to change your perspective on setbacks or challenges.  Can you view them as learning opportunities or new chances for growth?   Know that adversity can breed strength. 

A first step in flipping the script is to reframe negative thoughts into positive thoughts or affirmations.  How often do negative thoughts pop into your head?  Research shows that unless we are occupied with positive thoughts, worrying is the brain’s default position. Your brain is a muscle that runs on autopilot.  We can learn how to keep negative thoughts and emotions in check by amplifying positive emotions.  Great leaders know that a positive attitude can be contagious.

Of course, we need time to process a negative event before we try to flip the script. An intelligent person pays attention to his or her mental health, not only physical health.  Know your triggers and your unhealthy thought patterns. Catch the early warning signs. 

Default Patterns

Are your default patterns regarding conflict or stress making you sick?

Try this challenge: when a negative thought enters your mind, think three positive thoughts, thereby training yourself to flip the script. Use the Three Cs of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT.

One of CBT’s core principles is that psychological problems are based partially on unhealthy ways of thinking. CBT identifies and challenges automatic thought patterns or “cognitive distortions” that contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress.

Catch the thought.  Check it for Reality.  Change it to a thought that is more positive or realistic.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

Dr. Carol S. Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University, created the concept of a “growth mindset.”   In her book, Mindset, she argues that the way you think influences the course of your life, starting as early as your preschool years. According to Dweck, we learn one of two mindsets from our parents, our teachers and our environment, a fixed or a growth mindset.  A fixed mindset provides that personal qualities such as intelligence and personality are innate and unchangeable.  For example, many of us were trained in this mindset, “It’s okay, I was never good at math. She’s naturally athletic, I can’t compete with her.”  Having a fixed mindset means feeling like you must constantly prove yourself that you have more ability than you were born with.

If you have a growth mindset, you believe you can change and improve. The abilities you are born with are only a starting point.  This means that with hard work, perseverance, and the right learning approaches, you can advance and get smarter.  People with a growth mindset view mistakes as opportunities to learn, are passionate about learning, and seek challenges to push themselves and to grow.

Find the Silver Lining

This coping strategy is one I learned from my mother, a”h.  It’s a simple yet powerful tool to reduce the results of hardships and enhance resilience by finding silver linings within difficult and painful circumstances.  When we seek a silver lining, we turn problems or stumbling blocks into opportunities.

Silver linings are simply the good aspects of challenging or painful situations. The ability to perceive silver linings comes with an optimistic mindset that promotes emotional resilience and the ability to adapt to future challenges.

Many of us discovered silver linings during the pandemic, such as pivoting to find a new career opportunity after losing a job.  Other examples include your flight getting cancelled but getting a refund and finding a great local staycation spot. Or your car breaking down, which caused you to  become more fit while biking to work.

Transform Setbacks into Steppingstones

Flip the script by using setbacks to propel yourself forward instead of letting them derail you. Embrace failure as a steppingstone to success rather than a defeat.  To achieve this, be open to growing, try new methods and attitudes, be creative, and analyze what went wrong.  And don’t forget to ask for feedback and to persevere.  This strategy is especially relevant to professional relationships.

Other successful methods in the workplace are recommending solutions instead of just highlighting problems during a meeting, stretching yourself to accept a project that is out of your comfort zone, being understanding rather than defensive, and showing gratitude to the rest of your team. 

Acts of Kindness

Let’s conclude with one of our best tools, acts of kindness.  Flip the script by exercising your hesed muscle. Research shows that being nice, kind, and empathetic to others can help you reduce stress AND improve your mood.  Acts of kindness release the feel-good chemical, oxytocin, in the brain.  Remember to set boundaries to protect your mental and emotional health.

Please share your feedback with me at [email protected].

Jenna Ashkenazie

In a world where fashion often moves fast, Anna Augusta has built something rare – an experience that feels truly personal. For over a decade in New York, she has been creating gowns with care, precision, and a deep understanding of each woman – where every dress becomes a true reflection of the client.

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Anna is inspired by the rich history of the ancient Silk Road – a place where cultures, styles, and traditions came together. This influence can be felt in her designs, which combines timeless beauty with a modern, elegant touch. Her journey to New York began in an international environment, arriving in the United States as the spouse of a representative at her country’s mission to the United Nations. Being surrounded by different cultures and perspectives helped shape her unique approach to design – one that feels both global and deeply personal. 

One-on-One Personal and Expert Guidance

What makes Anna Augusta truly special is the experience she offers her clients. In today’s world, it is very rare to work directly with a couture-level designer. At Anna Augusta, every bride is personally guided through the entire process, with Anna acting not only as a designer, but also as a trusted fashion consultant. Each gown begins with a thoughtful conversation – not just about measurements, but about personality, style, lifestyle, and the overall vision for the wedding day.

From there, the bride becomes part of the creative journey, actively participating in shaping her gown. Together, they refine every detail, ensuring the final design feels authentic, personal, and perfectly aligned with the woman who will wear it. This personal attention makes all the difference. Every gown becomes more than just a dress – it becomes a statement of the woman wearing it. The result is something truly unique, created with care, intention, and artistry. For Anna’s clients, this is not just a service – it is a seamless, stress-free experience and a truly memorable journey. 

This approach is what has made Anna Augusta so loved and trusted among her clients. Her gowns stand out not because they follow trends, but because they reflect real women and real stories.

Future Expansion

With the opening of BUY GOWN, Anna Augusta made her designs more accessible for women who need a beautiful dress right away. Clients can choose from a curated collection of wedding and evening gowns available for purchase or rent – while still enjoying high quality and thoughtful design. As demand continues to grow, Anna is preparing to expand into New Jersey, making it easier for clients across New Jersey and Pennsylvania to experience her work. At the same time, there is an influx of retail stores that are showing interest in carrying Anna Augusta designs, recognizing the uniqueness and craftsmanship behind each piece.

 Looking ahead, Anna Augusta plans to grow into a leading designer and manufacturer of modest and plus-size gowns, bringing elegance and attention to detail to a wider range of women. She is also expanding her evening wear collections, offering both one-of-a-kind couture pieces and ready-to-wear designs – so her clients can always feel stylish and confident.  In a time when everything moves at a rapid pace, Anna Augusta offers something truly special: personal attention, true craftsmanship, a seamless, stress-free experience, and gowns that are not just worn – but deeply felt.

On March 17, Allenhurst held its monthly town hall meeting. What unfolded was not routine civic discussion, but something more revealing: a series of firsthand accounts from Jewish residents describing experiences of exclusion, hostility, and discrimination that, until now, had largely gone unspoken.

For years, many in the community have described carrying quieter versions of these moments – interactions that felt off, or a sense of being unwelcome without a clear cause. At the town hall, those experiences were articulated.

One of the clearest accounts came from a woman who has lived in Allenhurst for ten years. When she first moved to town, neighbors did not realize she was Jewish and, she said, she encountered no issues. Once her Jewish identity became known, her experience changed. She described being asked where her horns were, facing assumptions that large numbers of people would live in her home, and being refused business outright by residents who told her they “don’t do business with Jews.” She also noted she had not experienced anti-Semitism before moving to Allenhurst.

Political Context and Public Scrutiny

These accounts did not emerge in a vacuum.

In May 2024, Frieda Adjmi, a Syrian Jewish resident and longtime Planning Board member, became Allenhurst’s first female mayor. Her election was followed almost immediately by an investigation into alleged voter irregularities, centered on a sharp increase in registrations. Critics suggested members of the Syrian Jewish community had improperly registered at seasonal homes.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office ultimately closed the investigation without charges or findings of wrongdoing. However, the scrutiny and the tone of its coverage left a lasting impression on many residents, who saw it as part of a broader pattern where Jewish civic participation was treated with suspicion.

The Graffiti Incident

Weeks later, in June 2024, a local grocery store transitioning to a kosher establishment was vandalized. Jewish stars were painted across the property, alongside the words “go home.”

The response raised further concern. Rather than preserving the scene for investigation, the public works department removed the graffiti before evidence could be fully examined. Although Mayor Adjmi directed that the incident be referred to the bias crime unit, she said she never received confirmation that such a referral occurred. The incident was not covered in the press.

By the time of the March town hall meeting, these and other episodes had escalated into Jewish residents feeling an increasing sense of unease.

As the meeting progressed, tensions in the room rose. Speakers who shared experiences of anti-Semitism were at times interrupted or dismissed. When Mayor Adjmi rose to close the evening, she addressed not only the incidents themselves but the reaction to them. She said that dismissing or mocking someone’s account of discrimination is itself a form of harm.

She then shared her own history.

Since the 1990s, Mayor Adjimi has experienced anti-Semitism in Allenhurst. As a young woman, she found her beach club locker repeatedly filled with garbage, with the phrase “Syrian Free in ’93” written inside. She recalled being advised not to confront the behavior, but to accept that some residents were resistant to change.

Long-Term Engagement

Instead, she became more involved in the community – raising funds for local services, leading projects, and working to build shared spaces. In the early 2000s, she helped create a public playground intended to bring children of different backgrounds together. More recently, she led the development of pickleball courts, despite opposition from residents concerned about the courts attracting outsiders.

On the first day of Passover, those courts were vandalized.

No single incident defines a town. Each can be explained, disputed, or minimized on its own. But taken together – the testimonies, the graffiti, the vandalism, the patterns of opposition described by residents – a broader picture begins to emerge.

The Broader Question

The central issue is not only whether anti-Semitic acts have occurred. It is whether they are being taken seriously when they do.

When incidents are not fully investigated, when public accounts are dismissed, and when patterns are treated as isolated disputes, the result is not neutrality, it causes erosion of trust. For those experiencing it, the message is not ambiguous.

Mayor Adjmi’s Closing Message

Mayor Adjmi ended the evening not with accusation, but with intent.

“I ran because I wanted to heal the pain, heal the hate,” she said. Her closing message was simple: a hope for mutual recognition and respect in a community that is still struggling to define both.

That may be the real test facing towns like Allenhurst. Not whether conflict exists, it always will, but whether a community is willing to confront uncomfortable patterns honestly, or allow them to remain just below the surface, where they are easier to dismiss, and are harder to resolve.