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

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

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

Cracks in the Presentation

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

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

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

Why Brooklyn is Central to the Story

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

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

Ethical Concerns and Calls for Disclosure

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

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

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

A Warning Sign

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Start With the Right Mindset

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

Prepared, not panicked, is the goal.

Choose Accommodations That Give You Control

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

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

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

Research Before You Go

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

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

Pack Food to Accommodate Delays

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

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

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

Medications Belong in Your Carry-On

All allergy medications should stay with you at all times.

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

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

Flying With a Food-Allergic Child: Communicate Early

Air travel can feel intimidating, but preparation helps.

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

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

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

Teach Confidence, Not Fear

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

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

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

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

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

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

Final Takeaway: Preparation Is an Act of Love

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

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

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

Wishing everyone safe and fun travels…

Jenna Ashkenazi

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

BUY GOWN Offers Options

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

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

Two Great Choices

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

QUESTION: 

Dear Rabbi Ali,

I hear so much about communication, and how it’s the key to a successful marriage. I completely understand that and I try to communicate with my husband. The problem is that most of the time he either shuts down or gets defensive. It seems like he is not capable of having a conversation. Does this mean that I have lost that tool of communication and have to accept it?

R’ Ali’s Response: 

I mention this often, but it’s worth repeating. It’s wonderful when people reach out for help. Most people will try to wing it or accept something that should not or does not need to be accepted. I commend you for reaching out.

I’d like to elaborate on the topic of communication before I give you some practical advice. You mention that a lot of marriage talk is focused on communication. There are many reasons for this. Number one, talking to your spouse is a way to connect. Whether it is expressing how you feel about them or is about a situation, or apologizing for hurtful words (please take this one seriously), communication is crucial for connecting to your spouse. Second, there are many things that need to be discussed.

Topics might concern your children, schools, parents, in-laws, finances, vacations, tuition – the list goes on and on. These things need to be discussed. In addition to the issues being important, many times the husband and wife have differing opinions. Interestingly, many people feel that they will just do things the way they like and their spouse should just go along. This is a mistake. There is so much to talk about, and dismissing addressing issues with, “I’m not good at communication,” is unhealthy and unproductive. 

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand that many people have a hard time communicating. However, I also understand that many people have anger issues. Often anger issues are addressed while lack of communication is not. Obviously, the comparison is a bit extreme. However, both issues can be harmful to a relationship and need to be addressed.

Many people tell me that they do not communicate well, and they would like some advice on how to communicate better. I have a few ideas that work most of the time.

Number one, if you have a more shy, reserved nature, let your spouse know that. Tell them that you realize you are not so great at communicating but you are trying. If there is anything that can make communicating easier for you, let your spouse know. Some people talk better while on a walk, on the phone, or through texting. I know couples who communicate through email!

Whatever it takes to get the ball rolling, try it.

Number two, it is very likely that you do know how to communicate, however, you are very sensitive (or just human). And when your spouse approaches you with emotions, you become fearful of how they will react (due to the many past reactions). Let them know this: “I want to communicate more. But I need to be able to speak freely.”

Lastly, try to set times for important discussions. Many people are very easygoing and abhor serious conversations. If you have time for serious conversations, it can feel like just another chore that you need to do for the relationship and or for the family.

Getting back to your original question, what can you do with a spouse who has a hard time communicating? You can speak to a third party who will be honest with you and try to detect if the problem is rooted in the way you approach your spouse. Maybe you’re too aggressive (unintentionally). There are so many ways to gently approach a topic. Also, as I’ve mentioned, you can set times to speak about important topics. 

And one more thing – many people shut down because conversations go in circles. If this is what’s happening, it makes sense that your spouse has a hard time communicating. My advice would be to think about all of these variables, try to detect if any apply to you, and talk it over with a third party for clarity. 

By Simha Mental Health Series

At SIMHA, our mission has always been to bridge the gap between our community members and the vital mental health support they need. Often, the calls we receive involve the heavy burden of cognitive decline, families struggling to understand why a parent is acting differently, or spouses feeling the weight of a changing relationship. To shed light on this sensitive topic, we recently sat down with Adina Segel, LCSW, the Jewish Community Outreach Social Worker at Caring Kind.

Dementia: More Than Just Memory Loss

One of the most common misconceptions Adina encounters is the confusion between “Dementia” and “Alzheimer’s.”

“Dementia is an umbrella term,” Adina explains. “It’s a syndrome that impacts memory, judgment, and behavior. Alzheimer’s is simply the most common cause of that syndrome.”

During our interview, Adina highlighted that different forms of dementia require different types of understanding:

Vascular Dementia: Often caused by mini-strokes, this form doesn’t always show a straight decline but rather “plateaus” where a person stays stable before another drop.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): This often hits younger individuals (in their 40s or 50s) and presents as drastic personality shifts or language struggles rather than simple forgetfulness.

Taking the Brain Off “Autopilot”

While genetics play a role, Adina is a firm believer in the power of prevention. “We want to take the brain off autopilot,” she says. Her advice is practical and accessible:

Physical and Dietary Health: Adopting a Mediterranean diet and maintaining daily movement are foundational.

Cognitive Novelty: Challenge your brain by doing everyday tasks differently. Brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand, take a new route home, or change your watch to military time.

Social Connection: For our community, staying active in shul or local social groups is not just a mitzvah, it is essential brain health. Social isolation is one of the leading contributors to rapid decline.

The Heart of Caregiving: Validation Over Logic

Perhaps the most moving part of our conversation centered on the “ambiguous loss” caregivers feel, the grief of losing the person you knew while they are still physically present.

Adina teaches a “gold standard” approach for when a loved one becomes paranoid or confused. If a parent insists a caregiver has stolen their wallet, for example, Adina advises against arguing with logic. Instead, use validation and redirection.

“Validate the feeling,” Adina suggests. “Say, ‘It must be so upsetting to lose your wallet. I would be upset, too.’ Then, redirect them. Say, ‘Let’s look for it together,’ and then pivot to a different activity like looking at old photos or having a cup of tea.”

A Resource for Our Community

At SIMHA, we know that mental health is a family affair. Caring Kind provides a 24-hour helpline and support groups tailored specifically for the Orthodox and broader Jewish community.

“We don’t want people to come to us only when they are in crisis,” Adina says. “Whether you are looking for preventative tips or are in the thick of caregiving, there is support available.”

As we continue to navigate these challenges together, remember that knowledge is the first step toward compassion. We are grateful to Adina Segal for her expertise and her dedication to the well-being of our community.

If you or a loved one are seeking mental health support or a referral, contact SIMHA at (718) 675-3000. For specific dementia-related support, reach out to the Caring Kind helpline at (646) 744-2900.

Since President Trump’s January 2025 inauguration to a second term, the president’s policies have been met with both applause and criticism. His intention is to recalibrate American power abroad and security at home, in ways that many argue are directly relevant to Jewish safety, U.S.-Israel ties, and the fight against anti-Semitic violence and terror.

American Jews are not the only ones watching this second Trump term with a wary eye and a running tally. In Israel, the conversations regarding Trump’s actions are strikingly similar.

Tal Rabina Weighs In

“Trump is the one who brought the hostages [home] alive, and for that he has a place of honor in Israeli history,” noted Tal Rabina, who has a reputation as one of Israel’s most reliable media professionals. Rabina is the Strategic Director for the American Middle East Press Association and is the Strategic Director and head of the Israel office of EJA, the European Jewish Association.

“In Israel, of course, they cherish his [Trump’s] determined fight against pro-Palestinian incitement on campuses, but beyond that, and only after that, do they wonder who he really is, what his motivations are, and especially what he will demand from Bibi in exchange for his personal support. Why does he embrace (Turkey’s) Erdogan so much, and to what extent will his business interests in Qatar – the instigator of institutionalized incitement against Israel in the world – demand prices from Israel that will be difficult for us to pay? I assume that, as in any other place in the world, when it comes to Trump, there are many more questions than answers.”

Focus on Results

Those questions about motives and high price tags for Trump’s programs sit alongside a debate over the president’s performance. Putting aside questions about Trump’s character and his intentions some choose to focus on whether the president has made good on his promises.

“If twenty years in the business sector have taught me anything, it’s that what separates the winners and the losers is execution,” Hillel Fuld told Community. Fuld is a former New Yorker, in Israel many years. He is a strategic business consultant and is an online political advocate. “Trump’s first year brought with it an unprecedented number of accomplishments and, unlike previous presidents, Trump doesn’t just talk, he puts his money where his mouth is and executes.”

Agricultural Trade with Israel

In December 2025, Trump signed a proclamation titled “To Implement the United States-Israel Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products and for Other Purposes,” implementing a bilateral arrangement to expand agricultural trade with Israel. The move deepens sectorspecific economic integration, giving Israeli producers preferential access to the vast U.S. market while offering American consumers and kosher food chains more Israeli products on American shelves.

For Jews and for Israel, this kind of trade policy is not just about chickpeas; it is a statement that the U.S.-Israel relationship is incorporated into everyday commercial ties.

Combatting Terror Groups

In November 2025, Trump issued an action designating certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). The order directs U.S. authorities to treat specified Brotherhood entities as part of the global terror infrastructure, tightening sanctions, travel restrictions, and financial controls against them.

For Jews who have watched Brotherhoodlinked movements traffic in anti-Semitic rhetoric and incitement against Israel, this step signals that ideological hostility crossing into operational support for violence will face real costs.

TikTok

In September 2025, the White House unveiled a policy framed as “Saving TikTok While Protecting National Security,” an attempt to keep the wildly popular platform operating in the United States while imposing new safeguards on data, ownership, and algorithmic control. The action pairs pressure on foreign owners and data flows with a message to young Americans that Washington is not seeking a blanket ban but rather seeks to promote a secure, Americancontrolled version of the app.

TikTok is known for virulent anti-Semitic content, tropes, and rhetoric. For Jewish users, particularly teens and campus activists who rely on TikTok for advocacy around anti-Semitism and Israel, the new policy raises a dual set of stakes. On the one hand, tightening foreign influence over the platform could reduce hostile information operations and disinformation campaigns that have fueled harassment and conspiracy theories about Jews. On the other hand, any restructuring of content moderation and recommendation systems will shape how Jewish stories, from October 7 to synagogue life, are surfaced or buried in the digital square.

Focus on Threats on U.S. Soil and UN Organizations

By June 2025, Trump followed his January immigration security moves with a proclamation titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” issued June 3, 2025. Building on an earlier executive order, this action narrows visa eligibility and travel for categories of foreign nationals deemed highrisk, instructing agencies to reassess visa programs, screening, and derogatory information sharing.

Jewish organizations have long walked a fine line on such policies: keenly aware that many jihadist plotters and extremist preachers arrive via legal travel channels, but also mindful of the Jewish experience as refugees and migrants. For some, these orders represent overdue rigor in keeping out those who preach anti-Semitic hatred or glorify attacks on Jews. For others, they require tight oversight to ensure that lifesaving asylum and family reunification are not collateral damage.​

In February 2025, Trump signed an action titled, “Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations.” The measure directs the administration to pull out of and defund the UNHRC (UN Human Rights Council), UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) and UNWRA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East). These organizations have been recognized as structurally biased against the United States and its allies, including Israel. After decades of onesided resolutions against Israel at the UN Human Rights Council and other bodies, this measure is longawaited.

White House Faith Office

In February 2025, the president announced appointments to a renewed White House Faith Office, designed to systematize engagement with religious communities, including Jewish organizations. The appointments signal an intent to consult faith leaders on issues from anti-Semitism policy to school safety and international religious freedom, embedding religious perspectives inside the policymaking process.

Jewish groups often struggle to have their concerns about hate crimes, campus harassment, or threats to synagogues translated into federal action. So, for many the renewed Faith Office was welcome, and those in favor believe that the new office can be a crucial conduit. It also sends a broader cultural signal that Judaism is recognized within the American tapestry not only as an ethnic or national identity, but as a religious voice that deserves a seat at the table when Washington debates morality, security, and freedom.​

Houthis Labeled as Terrorists

On January 22, 2025, Trump issued Executive Order 14175, “Designation of Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” initiating a process that led the State Department to redesignate the Houthis as an FTO and sanction key leaders. The order cites Houthi attacks that threaten American personnel and international shipping, as well as the group’s ties to Iran and their targeting of civilians.

Houthi missiles and drones have been fired toward Israel, and the group explicitly calls for death to Jews. By restoring terror designations Trump framed the move as aligning U.S. law with the reality of a group whose ideology and actions directly menace Israel and Jewish lives.

Restricting Entry to the US

Two related documents in January 2025 – an executive order “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” dated January 20, 2025, and the subsequent June 3rd entryrestriction proclamation define an overarching security doctrine at the border. The January order instructs agencies to reassess grounds of inadmissibility, toughen refugee and visa vetting, reviews deficient countries, and led to travel bans on nationals from a number of specific countries including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen.

For many Jews, whose synagogues and community centers have increasingly become targets, the focus on keeping out foreign extremists is welcome.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law July 4^th, 2025, contains an enormous defense and national security package, including roughly $150 billion in new defense spending including billions for shipbuilding, munitions, a proposed Golden Dome missile defense system, nuclear deterrence, IndoPacific operations, and military innovation in drones and artificial intelligence. For the Jewish community many were concerned by the bill’s massive cuts to Medicare ($1 trillion), projected to remove health coverage from 78 million Americans, and make millions more uninsured. But the bill also includes defense expenditures that can prove important for us including missile defense research, the deterrence of Iran and its proxies, and keeping vital sea lanes open whose closure might otherwise threaten Israeli security.

At the border, the law injects roughly $170 billion into security: wall construction, detention capacity, technology, and a dramatic expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, aimed at deporting up to one million people each year and making ICE the single most heavily funded law enforcement agency. For voters who prioritize strong borders as a defense against terrorists and transnational terrorist networks, these are welcome commitments.​ Others find the measures draconian.

Israel-Iran War

The brief Iran-Israel war of June 2025 began when Israel launched a large, coordinated air operation against key Iranian nuclear and missile facilities that posed an imminent existential threat. Iran responded with more than 500 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,000 attack drones directed at Israeli cities, energy infrastructure, and military bases. Tehran’s strikes also threatened U.S. assets and wider regional stability, raising fears in Washington, Gulf capitals, and European governments of a wider regional war.

The United States intervened directly, using stealth bombers and cruise missiles to hit deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and around Isfahan. U.S. forces also helped intercept incoming Iranian missiles and drones, effectively backstopping Israel’s defenses and signaling that Washington would not allow Iran to reset the strategic balance in its favor through missile terror or nuclear brinkmanship. The combined IsraeliU.S. strikes badly damaged parts of Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure and triggered retaliatory fire on a U.S. base in Qatar before a U.S.brokered ceasefire halted the war after twelve days.

Defense and Security

For Jews, one of the most striking elements is the embrace of advanced missile defense concepts like a Golden Dome, echoing Israel’s Iron Dome and signaling that lessons from Israel’s layered defense are feeding back into U.S. doctrine. The strategy’s emphasis on deterring Iran, hardening alliances, and rejecting “fruitless ‘nationbuilding’ wars” reflects a worldview in which American power is meant to be sharp, targeted, and overwhelming – an approach that many proIsrael advocates see as essential to containing regimes and militias openly dedicated to Israel’s destruction.

Taken together, these actions and doctrines describe a presidency that has invested heavily in a particular version of security: tougher borders, louder deterrence, deeper skepticism of hostile international bodies, and more explicit alignment with Israel’s security concerns. For American Jews, the stakes are immediate – from terror designations that constrain groups firing missiles at Israel, to UN funding cuts that challenge institutions long accused of antiIsrael bias, to trade deals and faithoffice appointments that pull Jewish life and Israeli partnership closer into the American mainstream.

Harley Lippman

Long Island-raised Harley Lippman is the founder and CEO of Genesis 10, a consulting firm. He serves on the boards of many businesses, educational, and cultural organizations and is an Executive Committee Member of AIPAC. Lippman believes that President Trump has brought a blanket of security and assistance to Israel.

“I would give President Trump very high marks in the first-year presidency,” Lippman said, citing tangible real results, including the hostage deal and brokering a ceasefire with Hamas, and secondly, Iran. “Not only did the United States give Israel the green light to attack Iran,” Lippman said, “but more importantly, America jumped in with Israel, to bomb the nuclear reactors. That’s extremely important.” Lippman also noted Iranians were able to stage a new revolution of late partly because they were emboldened by the U.S. and Israel’s actions.

Look to the Future

“What to watch out for?” Lippman asked. “Trump has to stay in the game. He has to make sure he continues to execute and to guarantee that his initiatives are ultimately successful. He needs to stay focused and disciplined… But Trump is feared. Trump is respected,” Lippman said.

Since his swearingin last January, Trump’s secondterm record reflects an effort to craft policies that include defending Israel’s security, confronting anti-Semitism, confronting terror, and building a military and border posture intended to keep Jews – and Americans – safer at home and abroad. Whatever one’s politics, the Jewish community will need to study, understand, and be aware of how these policies affect them, because the president’s policies will influence Jewish security, sovereignty, and moral debates in the years to come.

What Do My Kidneys Do?

The answer is, quite a lot! The kidneys, which are part of the urinary system, are two bean-shaped organs, each about five inches long and three inches wide – about the size of a fist. They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. The kidneys play an important role in keeping the body functioning properly. Some of their important jobs include making hormones that help control your blood pressure; making red blood cells; and keeping your bones strong and healthy.

Perhaps the kidneys’ most important job, though, is to filter your blood and help get rid of waste products from your body. As blood flows past cells and through tissues, it collects more than a hundred different types of waste, as well as any excess sodium, blood sugar, and water in the body. Carrying all these waste products, the blood then travels to the two kidneys, where the wastes and excess substances are made into a liquid called urine. The urine passes through two tubes called ureters, one extending from each kidney, until it reaches a kind of “storage bag,” called the bladder. From there the urine leaves the body.

The average person has one to one and a half gallons of blood circulating through his or her body. The kidneys filter that blood about forty times a day!

Filter System

The blood vessels entering your kidneys divide into smaller and smaller branches. These lead to tiny filtering units called nephrons , which are so small that you can only see them with a high-powered microscope. There are more than one million nephrons inside each kidney! Tiny as they are, these nephrons catch all the stuff your body doesn’t need, and they send it all out as waste.

Food for Thought

The kidney bean is named for its resemblance in both shape and color to a kidney.

Facts & Figures

Although the weight of the kidneys is less than 0.5 percent of the total body weight, they actually receive a lot more blood than the other organs in the body. Almost 25 percent of the blood pumped by the heart goes to the kidneys!

The Great Balancing Act

Another important function the kidneys perform is monitoring the amount of fluid in the body. If someone does not drink enough, and/or loses fluid through sweating, his blood contains less fluid than normal. When this blood passes through a certain part of the brain, special receptors detect the drop in water level, and the pituitary gland (housed in the brain) is stimulated to release a special hormone into the blood. When this hormone reaches the kidneys, it causes these wonder organs to increase the amount of water they absorb from the liquid they are filtering. Thus, more water is retained, and less water is sent out through waste.

Similarly, if someone drinks a lot of water, this extra fluid finds its way into the person’s bloodstream, and tells the brain receptors of the increased water level. This, in turn, informs the pituitary gland to release less of the special hormone. When the kidneys receive this message, they re-absorb less fluid back into the system, and more water is sent out through waste.

It’s pretty incredible that each little kidney, weighing just six ounces, is so complex and so advanced that some of its functions are beyond human comprehension. Surely, whatever we do know about the kidneys is enough to make us recognize the greatness and wisdom of the One Who created them.

What Are Kidney Stones?

If you ever heard someone complain that he was in pain because he had kidney stones, you probably wondered: What exactly are kidney stones, and how do they get inside the body?

Kidney stones are hard collections of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys when too much of certain minerals, such as calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus, accumulate in the urine. These minerals are normally found in urine and do not cause problems. However, under certain conditions, these minerals can become too concentrated, and then they separate out as crystals. When these crystals in the urine attach to one another, they accumulate into a small mass, or stone. That is called a kidney stone.

Kidney stones vary in size. They can be small, like a tiny pebble, or they can be a few inches wide, or even bigger.

Most kidney stones pass out of the body on their own, without causing any harm. The smaller the kidney stone, the more likely it will pass by itself. If a stone is too large to pass on its own, several treatment options are available. Pain medicine and plenty of fluids help most people with kidney stones get better.

Staying Hydrated

Kidney stones often have no definite, single cause, although several factors may increase the risk of them. The leading cause of kidney stones is a lack of water. Kidney stones are more commonly found in people who drink less than the recommended eight to ten glasses of water a day. When you aren’t well hydrated, your urine becomes more concentrated, with higher levels of certain minerals, and when mineral levels are higher, it’s more likely that a kidney stone will form.

A Busy Bean

Kidneys pump around 400 gallons of recycled blood every day!

Fact or Fiction??

Drinking milk causes kidney stones.

This is not true. Drinking milk, which contains calcium, does not cause painful kidney stones to form. As a matter of fact, some research suggests that drinking milk is associated with loweringone’s chances of having kidney stones. According to this research, it is not too much calcium that can cause trouble, but having too little of it.