An interview with Dr. Eli Mandelbaum, Psy.D Director of Clinical Coordination at SIMHA

A relationship is best understood as a living organism. It requires consistent energy and intentional maintenance to thrive. Just as a flower cannot flourish indefinitely without consistent watering and careful pruning, a partnership cannot flourish without a deliberate investment of time and attention to enhance connection.

As the season transitions into summer, the ecosystem of many relationships undergoes a significant shift. For many families, this period involves relocating to summer homes, adjusting to disrupted childcare routines, and navigating changes in physical environments. While summer is traditionally a time for relaxation, these transitions can introduce unique pressures that test a couple’s bond.

The Challenge of the Summer Ecosystem

Throughout the year, couples generally operate within a defined space and schedule. In the summer, that structure often dissolves. Families may find themselves staying with parents in cramped guest rooms or managing a split schedule where one partner remains in the city for the work week while the other stays at a summer home.

When dropped into a context filled with extended family and social obligations, it is easy for a couple to lose focus on one another. These scenarios often lead to missed opportunities, which are moments where connection could have occurred but was instead bypassed due to the noise of communal living or the logistics of summer camps. If one partner feels unsupported while navigating complex in-law dynamics or feels isolated due to a change in routine, the underlying security of the relationship can begin to fray.

Attachment and Security

At the heart of every resilient relationship is a secure connection. Similar to the way a child feels safe to explore a playground only when they know a caregiver is reliably present, adult partners function best when they feel a sense of security. Knowing that a partner is in your corner provides the confidence needed to navigate external stressors, such as critical comments from relatives or the exhaustion of solo parenting during the week. When that security is absent, minor conflicts (like a disagreement over dinner plans) can feel like major threats. Maintaining a secure base during the summer months requires a conscious effort to prioritize the partnership above the surrounding distractions.

Strategies for Relational Resilience

* Maintaining a Team Mentality: The primary partnership must remain the central priority. In environments where external influences, such as well-meaning but overbearing parents, can create friction, staying aligned as a unit is vital. This does not require being against extended family, but rather being consistently there for one’s spouse. Ensuring a partner feels supported in a crowded room is a key component of emotional safety.

* Developing Relational Muscle Memory: Just as athletes practice plays until they become second nature, couples benefit from practicing healthy communication during quiet moments. Building these habits early ensures that when the stress of a chaotic weekend or a difficult travel day hits, the couple has the muscle memory required to remain connected rather than reactive.

* Intentional Reconnection: Meaningful connection rarely happens by accident during the summer; it must be manufactured. Whether it is a twenty-minute walk after the kids are asleep, a quiet conversation before the day begins, or a scheduled date night away from the extended family, these small investments serve as the essential maintenance that keeps the relationship running smoothly.

* Practicing Radical Empathy: Transitions often trigger different stress responses depending on one’s role. In many summer arrangements, one spouse may be home with the children all week, managing the mental load and physical exhaustion of solo parenting in a temporary environment. Meanwhile, the other spouse may be enduring a grueling commute and long hours at work, returning to a vacation home that feels like a second job. Radical empathy involves validating these distinct pressures. The spouse returning from work must recognize the drain of constant childcare, while the spouse at home must acknowledge the strain of the professional grind and the commute. By validating each other’s specific burdens, couples prevent resentment and foster mutual understanding.

Ultimately, the goal of navigating these seasonal shifts is to ensure that the relationship remains a source of strength rather than a source of stress. By approaching the summer with a shared strategy and a commitment to mutual support, couples can transform a potentially taxing season into a time of deep reconnection. Moving through these transitions with intentionality allows the partnership to emerge more resilient, ensuring a solid foundation for the year ahead.

By Eddie Esses and Sari Setton

The upcoming November election cycle in New York represents a pivotal moment for our community: one defined not only by political contests, but by the continued rise of Sephardic representation and influence at the highest levels of state government. At the center of this movement stand Sam Sutton, up for re-election to the NY State Senate, and Joey Saban, now running for NY State Assembly after serving as Senator Sutton’s Chief of Staff.

Together, they have built one of the most effective, outspoken, and impactful legislative operations in New York. And the results speak for themselves.

A Record of Results: Senator Sam Sutton

For over 20 years, Sam Sutton served as the co-founder and President of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), delivering tens of millions of dollars in government funding to our community and advocating across government for our community’s biggest priorities. Last year, he took his public service to the next level with his successful bid for a seat in the NY State Senate.

In a short time thus far in office, Senator Sutton has delivered tangible, meaningful results for our community on a scale rarely seen. Most notably, he secured $20 million in security funding for religious institutions, ensuring that our schools, synagogues, and community institutions are protected in an increasingly dangerous environment. Additionally, he has brought millions more in direct funding to our community’s institutions – resources that strengthen education, social services, and communal infrastructure.

Legislatively, Sen. Sutton has proven equally effective. He successfully passed multiple bills through the Senate in a very short time frame, demonstrating both policy leadership and the ability to navigate Albany’s complex political landscape. He played a key role in defeating the City Council’s COPA bill, taking a firm stand against anti-business policies that would have harmed our community and our businesses.

Looking forward, his diligence continues with the major Buffer Zone bill, a critical initiative he introduced to create buffer zones around houses of worship to protect worshipers from intimidation and harassment. The bill is now being incorporated into the State Budget, an extraordinary achievement that underscores his growing influence in Albany.

 The Force Behind the Scenes: Joey Saban

While Senator Sutton has led from the front, much of this success has been powered behind the scenes by Joey Saban. As Chief of Staff, Saban has been instrumental in turning vision into reality – coordinating legislative strategy, managing negotiations, and ensuring that priorities become policy.

From securing historic funding to advancing complex legislation, Saban’s role cannot be overstated. His deep understanding of both the community and the political system has made him a driving force in these accomplishments. Now, as he steps forward to run again for State Assembly, he brings with him not only experience, but a proven track record of getting big things done.

By example, Saban initiated and coordinated the press conference with the governor after the anti-Semitic Swastika incident at Magen David, which led to securing the $20M in security funding for religious institutions. He’s also been the driving force behind the Buffer Zone Bill, coordinating the language of the bill and the full strategy behind passing it.

Looking Ahead: The Election That Matters

While primary elections will take place in June, both Sutton and Saban enter this phase without challengers – a testament to the strength of their campaigns and the broad support they have already built.

That means the real contest lies ahead in the general election this November.

We know that elections are not won in a single day – they are built over months of grassroots effort. Every community member has an opportunity to play a role, whether by volunteering time or making a contribution. Thanks to New York’s public matching system, even small donations are amplified 9-to-1, turning modest support into a powerful force.

A Defining Moment for Our Community

What Sutton and Saban have accomplished together goes far beyond legislation and funding. They have transformed our community’s civic engagement, elevating our voice, our presence, and our influence in ways that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago.

They have shown that our community can organize, lead, and win – not just for ourselves, but as a major force within New York politics. The path forward is clear. The leadership is proven. And the moment is ours to seize.

QUESTION: 

Dear Rabbi Ali,

Thank you for your monthly articles. They have helped me very much. Baruch Hashem, my marriage is very good, but I would appreciate some advice on how to handle certain situations.

Once in a while (maybe once or twice a week), my wife asks me to do something, and I’m happy to help. The issue is that if it’s not done her way or exactly how she wants, she sometimes becomes agitated and snappy. She might say things like, “Why did you mess it up  again?” or “Hurry up,” in an angry tone. I’m not sure whether I should just let it go or say something. I don’t want to cause a fight, but it does bother me. Or perhaps I’m making something out of nothing. I would really appreciate your guidance.

R’ Ali’s Response: 

You raised several important points. First, I want to commend you for working on your marriage and striving to grow. This is truly admirable. You mention that your marriage is already very good. You want to make it even better. This is a mindset others can learn from. Too often, people reach a level of comfort in their marriage and remain there. While that isn’t necessarily bad, it can be unfortunate when there is potential for something even greater.

Regarding your question – whether to let it go or to say something – I believe this stems from a common but mistaken belief that staying silent preserves peace, while speaking up creates conflict. In reality, the opposite is often true. When we suppress our feelings to avoid “conflict,” we may instead build resentment, and resentment can be damaging to a relationship if left unaddressed.

It’s important to move beyond the idea that expressing ourselves calmly and respectfully will lead to a fight. Many people feel this way because they’ve seen that when they speak up, their spouse becomes upset. However, in this case, it seems she may become upset, regardless. You might as well speak up, communicating in a way that allows for understanding and growth.

To be clear, you should feel comfortable expressing how you feel. For example, if she says, “Hurry up,” you might respond, “I understand you’d like this done quickly, but it’s hard for me to help when I feel pressured. I’m happy to help, just without that pressure.”

In  the case of “you messed it up again,” it may be better to wait for a calm moment and say something like, “I know you don’t mean any harm, and I’m glad to help, however when I hear that I ‘messed up again,’ it hurts.”

These are examples of healthy communication. The key is to be gentle, thoughtful, and kind. Avoid bringing these things up in moments of frustration or anger. That will only escalate the situation. A strong relationship depends on open and respectful communication. She may initially feel defensive, but over time, she will likely come to understand your perspective and may even improve how she expresses herself.

Finally, regarding your concern about whether you are “making something out of nothing” – if something consistently bothers you, and being bothered by this type of thing is considered normal, most likely it is worth addressing. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine what is “normal,” and in such cases, seeking the perspective of a wise and objective third party can be helpful.

One of the many cherished customs observed at Sephardic weddings is the singing of “Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov…” at the huppah.  These famous words are found in Parashat Balak (Bamidbar 24:5), which we read this month, and were, ironically, spoken by one of the earliest and most notorious Jew-haters of all time – Bilam, a gentile prophet who sought to annihilate the Jewish Nation by placing a curse on them. 

Bilam was summoned by Balak, the king of Moav, a nation whose neighbor – the Emorites – attacked Beneh Yisrael who responded by resoundingly defeating them and seizing their land.  Balak feared – irrationally – that Beneh Yisrael would invade Moav, too (despite the fact that Beneh Yisrael had no intention of doing so, and gave Balak no indication that this was their plan).  He therefore hired Bilam to place a curse on them and destroy them.  Bilam, an avowed and passionate Jew-hater, happily accepted the invitation, which also came with the promise of a generous financial reward.  The plan, however, backfired, as each time Bilam sought to curse Beneh Yisrael with his prophetic powers, Gd placed in his mouth beautiful blessings – including “Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov, mishkenotecha Yisrael – How good are you tents, Yaakov; your dwelling places, Yisrael.”

If we were asked to explain the reason for the custom to sing this verse at weddings, we would likely respond, very simply, that it speaks of the unique splendor of the Jewish home, and so we wish the new couple that they will succeed in building a beautiful home that would reflect the quality which Bilam praised.

This is certainly correct, but, if we probe a bit deeper, we will uncover an additional dimension to the relevance of “Mah tovu…” to the wedding ceremony.

An Ancient Wall

We begin with what at first appears as a trivial detail of the Bilam story – a detail so trivial, in fact, that we might have wondered why the Torah bothers mentioning it at all.

As Bilam made his way toward Moav, Gd sent an angel to discourage Bilam from going on this mission.  The angel made itself visible only to Bilam’s donkey – but not to Bilam himself – and on three occasions, it obstructed the road.  The second time, the donkey veered to the side to avoid the angel, crushing Bilam’s leg against the wall at the roadside (22:25).

Notably, the Torah refers to this wall with the definitive article “ha-“ (“the”) – “el hakir,” as though this was some kind of special wall that we would know about.  What distinctive, famous wall was there along the road from Aram Naharayim, in Mesopotamia, and Moav? 

Adding to the enigma is a comment by Rashi to the previous verse telling us that the fence along the sides of the road which Bilam traveled was made from stones.  Why did Rashi find this worth mentioning?  Would it have mattered to us if it had been made from brick or wood?

The answer is found in a passage in the Midrash Tanhuma, which traces the background to this story back to the times of our patriarchs.

Yaakov Avinu spent 20 years in the home of his uncle, Lavan, marrying his two daughters and building a large family and a large fortune.  When Yaakov finally decided it was time to leave, and set off toward the Land of Israel in the middle of the night, Lavan pursued him and his family.  Lavan’s intentions become clear in light of a vision he beheld the night before he caught up to Yaakov, in which Gd warned him not to cause him any harm (Beresheet 31:24).  It is clear that Lavan wanted to kill Yaakov and his family.  Ultimately, however, Yaakov and Lavan made a truce, and they formed a pile of stones as a symbol of their pact.  They declared that if either of them would pass this pile of stones to harm the other, he would be in violation of this truce.

Fascinatingly, the Midrash teaches that this pile of stones was the wall alongside which Bilam traveled, and against which his leg was crushed.  Bilam, the Midrash states, violated the oath by crossing this this wall, this boundary, to annihilate Yaakov’s descendants – because Bilam was actually none other than Lavan himself. 

This point is further developed by the Arizal, who writes that Bilam was a gilgul – reincarnation – of Lavan’s soul.  This explains the numerous similarities between them.  Both Lavan and Bilam deceitfully appeared righteous but were in truth evil.  Both sought to annihilate Am Yisrael – Lavan, by killing Yaakov and his family, thereby preventing the creation of Am Yisrael; and Bilam, by placing a curse upon them.  Both men received a nocturnal prophecy from Gd instructing them not to carry out their plan.  And both men originate from a place called Aram.  Not surprisingly, they shared these features, because they possessed the same soul.  Hence, Bilam violated his own promise by crossing the pile of stones to attempt to destroy Beneh Yisrael, for which he was punished, as the donkey moved against the wall as Lavan rode on its back.

This is why the Torah tells us about “hakir” – this special wall, and why Rashi found it necessary to explain that it was built from stones.  This point is crucial for the story, placing Bilam’s journey in a broader historical context, and presenting it as the continuation of Bilam’s attempts during his former life – as Lavan – to destroy Yaakov and prevent the emergence of the Jewish Nation.

When Evil Backfires

This connection between Lavan and Bilam sheds light on the pronouncement of “Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov…”

In one of the more emotional segments of the Haggadah that we read at the seder on Pesach, we chant that in every generation, enemies rise to annihilate us, “vehaKadosh Baruch Hu matzilenu miyadam – But the Almighty rescues us from their hand.”

Some commentators noted the deeper meaning of the word “miyadam” (“from their hand”) in this passage.  It means that Gd rescues us with the hands of our enemies.  The very efforts that they make to destroy us end up bringing us our salvation, and helping us endure, thrive and prosper.

There is perhaps no greater example of this backfiring of Jew-hatred than Lavan.  Lavan wanted to prevent our nation from being established – but he was actually the one who built it!  His two daughters, and the two maidservants whom he gave his daughters, produced the 12 tribes of Israel.  Nobody did more for the growth of the Jewish Nation than the person who hated the Jewish Nation more than anyone!

This irony forms the backdrop of Bilam’s exclamation, “Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov.”  At that moment, when Gd compelled Bilam to bless rather than curse, to look favorably and lovingly upon Beneh Yisrael, he saw the thousands of homes, the endless rows of tents, the beautiful, happy Jewish families, and recognized that he – in his previous life – created all this.  He saw these tents and exclaimed, “Look at what I built!  Look at this incredible nation which I brought into existence!” 

This proclamation might be the most embarrassing admission of failure in all human history.  Bilam conceded that he not only failed to stop the emergence of Am Yisrael – but he is the one who facilitated its emergence!  He proclaimed “Mah Tovu” to confess that his scheme backfired spectacularly, that he ended up building the nation that he tried to ensure would never exist.

The Greatest Response to Jew-Hatred

Once we understand this, we understand just what a powerful moment it is when “Mah tovu” is sung at a Jewish wedding.

At this moment, we think of Haman, of Ferdinand and Isabella, of Hitler, of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian regime, of all those who have tried to eradicate us throughout the millennia, and all those who spread malicious lies about the Jewish State and the Jewish People – and we recall Bilam’s thunderous concession of defeat.  As a bride and groom stand together to begin building a new Jewish home, we bring to mind Bilam’s failure, and the continued failure of all those who have sought or seek our destruction.  We look to the beaming, exuberant couple as our greatest response to the hostility shown to us, as the greatest revenge we can possible take against those who have persecuted us, and so we invoke the blessing of Bilam, which captures more poignantly than anything else the futility of the efforts to destroy the Jewish Nation.

In the face of the alarming rise of Jew-hatred in our time, this centuries’-old Sephardic custom teaches us what our response should be – building more beautiful Jewish homes, more “tents” and “dwelling places” that are worthy of Bilam’s effusive praise and admiration.  If our adversaries are taking to the streets and to social media to spew hatred and to support the terrorists seeking Israel’s annihilation, let us respond by redoubling our efforts to make shidduchim, to bring Jewish singles together, to create more Jewish families.  And let us recommit ourselves to enhance our homes – with greater shalom bayit (domestic peace), with greater respect for and selfless devotion to one another, with more Torah, with more sanctity, and with more happy, beautiful Jewish children.

As our enemies increase their efforts to destroy, we must increase our efforts to build.

May we continue to see the downfall of “Bilam” in all his manifestations, and may Hashem bless us with more weddings, more children, and more happiness, amen.

Pnina Souid

The Mitzvah Man Organization is there for anyone who needs help.  Sometimes those who reach out for help are extraordinary. Sometimes the volunteers are extraordinary. And sometimes the situations encountered are extraordinary. This story, which happened a few years ago, is a triple-header.

Thursdays the Mitzvah Man sends out a text asking for volunteers to bring flowers to Holocaust survivors and to stay for a short visit to brighten their day. One Thursday, a regular volunteer named Sally, a young woman in her twenties, answered the call. She received the name and address of a woman named Mrs. Markowitz.

A Woman of Valor

Sally arrived with flowers in hand and rang the bell at Mrs. Markowitz’s door. Sally had learned that Mrs. Markowitz was a remarkable woman. She lost her entire family in Auschwitz, including parents, ten siblings, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Despite the challenges encountered in Auschwitz (or maybe because of them) Mrs. Markowitz proposed a pact for the 42 women with her. She suggested that they all agree to keep Shabbat for the duration of their time in Auschwitz as a merit to survive the war. And if they did survive, they would continue to keep Shabbat thereafter. All 42 women agreed. Six months later they were liberated. Each one of them was profoundly thankful for surviving the war and for the pact they made.

Mrs. Markowitz, a”h, was 93 years old when Sally arrived at her door.  She lived alone. Her children lived out-of-state and her husband was no longer alive.

Sally began to worry when no one answered the door. Eventually, Sally heard a sort of shuffling noise, so she waited.  After 20 minutes, which seemed like hours, Mrs. Markowitz opened the door. She apologized for the delay, and explained that she had fallen the day before, and had been on the floor all night! Somehow, she had made her way to the door and unlatched it. Sally helped Mrs. Markowitz up and got her a drink of water and then immediately texted the Mitzvah Man.

He was praying Mincha at Landau’s when the message arrived.

He told Sally to call Hatzalah right away. She responded that she had already thought to do so, but when she informed Mrs. Markowitz of her intention, Mrs. Markowitz became hysterical and started screaming. She told Sally that she must not call Hatzalah under any circumstances! She had had enough of this life, and was ready to die. Sally determined that Mrs. Markowitz did seem stable, but even so, she was afraid to leave her. Despite being scared, Sally was determined to stay to help Mrs. Markowitz.

A Doctor Fulfills His Calling

The Mitzvah Man’s tried to focus. He pictured Mrs. Markowitz on the floor all night and his heart started to race. He wondered what could have happened and what could be done. He knew Mrs. Markowitz needed medical help pronto. The Mitzvah Man looked around and saw that the man seated behind him was Dr. Albert Matalon.

He realized that Dr. Matalon was a busy doctor, but he explained that there was an emergency he needed to attend to, and asked the good doctor to join him. Dr. Matalon agreed immediately.

They arrived in the apartment, and Dr. Matalon assessed Mrs. Markowitz’s situation. He softly rubbed Mrs. Markowitz’s hand and spoke to her gently.

“You are having mini strokes,” he told her. “We need to call Hatzalah.”

“No!” she responded emphatically.  “Let me have strokes! I am through with my life! I’ve been through so much! I want to see Hashem!”

Dr. Matalon explained, “You have life left in you. I will call Hatzalah and tell them to take you to the hospital in Manhattan that I am affiliated with.”

Mrs. Markowitz looked at Dr. Matalon and sighed. “I will go only if you will be my doctor.”

Dr. Matalon agreed on the spot. Mrs. Markowitz went to the hospital, was treated and recovered. She lived another six years, and passed away at 99.

The Mitzvah Man reflected on the hashgacha pratit involved in this story – starting with Mrs. Markowiz being matched up with a patient and dedicated volunteer, continuing with the doctor who “happened” to be sitting near the Mitzvah Man at Mincha, and concluding with Mrs. Markowitz’s recovery, Baruch Hashem.

Mrs. Markowitz saved lives by initiating the keeping Shabbat pact with the 42 women in her group in Auschwitz. Years later Hashem sent her special messengers to save her life.

Rabbi Yehuda Finchas

A kitchen accident left Sarah with a deep cut on her index finger, requiring five stitches and a thick bandage that wrapped around the entire finger. As the doctor secured the final layer of gauze, Sarah suddenly remembered netilat yadayim: “Doctor,” she asked anxiously, “can I get this bandage wet?” The doctor shook his head firmly. “Keep it completely dry for at least five days.” Sarah phoned me asking: “Is the bandage considered a barrier (chatzitzah)”?

Michael broke his hand while playing basketball, and it was now encased in a heavy plaster cast from his knuckles to his forearm. He wondered: Could he wash just one hand? Do I make a berachah – or am I now exempt entirely?

Chatzitzah in Netilat Yadayim

Netilat yadayim requires that water reach the areas halachically mandated to be washed without a chatzitzah – a barrier preventing water from contacting the skin. This includes dirt, tight rings, or in our case, a bandage.

The Status of a Bandage

The Rishon Lezion, Hacham David Yosef, in Halacha Berurah (Siman 161:9), explains that the determining factor is whether the dressing is considered permanent or temporary: If the dressing is loosely attached and removed periodically – such as a simple adhesive strip over a minor scrape – it is considered a chatzitzah and must be removed before washing.

If the bandage is securely affixed and is not meant to be removed due to medical necessity – to protect a healing wound or prevent infection – it is not considered a chatzitzah. In this case, the individual may wash with the bandage in place.

Fingers Versus Palm

The Shulhan Aruch (Orach Chaim 161:1) requires washing from the fingertips to the wrist, but Maran emphasizes that the essential requirement is washing the fingers. Therefore, if the bandage is on the palm or back of the hand, one need only wash the fingers themselves, as the presence of a dressing elsewhere does not invalidate the washing.

When the Entire Hand is Covered

So, Michael can do netilat yadayim on his fingers, as they are protruding from the cast – as ruled by Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, in Halichot Olam (vol. 1, p. 326). However, if his entire hand is injured and fully covered by a cast or medical dressing and cannot be washed at all, Hacham Ovadia (p. 322) rules that the person should wash the other, uninjured hand in the normal way and make the berachah as usual.

Multiple Layers of Bandaging

What about Sarah’s situation, where the doctor not only applied a bandage directly to the wound but also wrapped it with additional gauze or an elastic bandage to keep it secure?

The Halacha Berurah teaches that the outer layers used solely to secure the inner medical dressing are considered part of the healing bandage. Thus, the entire unit is judged as one fixed medical need, and is not a chatzitzah. There is no requirement to remove any part of it before washing, and one may recite the berachah without concern.

Healed Wounds and Scabs

If the removal of the scab causes pain, the scab is not considered a chatzitzah – even if the person would normally prefer to remove it. The key distinction lies in whether the person is makpid (particular) and whether it can be reasonably removed. Painful or harmful removal exempts the individual from removing it, and the netilat yadayim remains valid(Halacha Berurah §12).

Conclusion

Sarah does not need to remove her bandage. By washing the rest of her hand carefully, she fulfils the mitzvah properly – with a berachah. Michael should wash his fingers. Someone whose hand was entirely in a cast is exempt from washing that hand, but they still do netilat yadayim on their healthy hand, with a berachah.

It is important to note that these halachot apply specifically to chatzitzah in the context of netilat yadayim. In other halachot involving potential chatzitzah, one should consult their rabbi for guidance.

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 rabbi@torathabayit.com.

Sam Sutton

For the first time in years, M&S Softball is returning to an eight-team format – a nod to the league’s early days and another sign of just how much momentum surrounds the 2026 season.

What started back in 2008 as a competitive summer league built around community, rivalry, and neighborhood pride has evolved into one of the most talked-about summer sports experiences in the community. And now, entering its 18th season, M&S finds itself in the middle of a full youth movement.

Answering the Demand

The demand to be part of the league became impossible to ignore. So league officials made a rare decision: expand the field back to eight teams.

Originally slated for seven franchises, the 2026 season officially added an eighth squad captained by returning veteran Saul Tawil, whose newly branded “Take Two” team instantly became one of the biggest storylines of the offseason.

Tawil, who previously captained in earlier years, returns looking for redemption and a second chapter after years away from the captain’s chair. His addition not only deepened the player pool, but completely reshaped the strategy and intensity of this year’s draft.

The Draft

And the draft itself? It absolutely delivered. This year’s M&S Draft became a full-scale production.

Hosted live from the home of longtime M&S stalwart and Gold Glove winner Momo Levy, the atmosphere felt less like a neighborhood softball draft and more like a professional sports war room. Captains sat around laptops and draft sheets while trades, strategy discussions, and last-second debates intensified deep into the night.

The energy surrounding the event was impossible to ignore.

The livestream of the draft amassed over 600 live viewers throughout the night, while the packed war room featured more than 30 rookies alongside longtime league veterans – a visual representation of exactly where M&S stands today as the next generation begins taking center stage.

And for the first time, fans were able to experience the tension in real time as the draft was livestreamed on YouTube, complete with live reactions, interviews, and instant analysis.

Extra Excitement

Adding to the excitement was the debut of the “2026 M&S White Board Draft Breakdown Show,” hosted by brothers Sam and Max Sutton. The two went team-by-team breaking down every roster, debating steals of the draft, questionable reaches, roster construction, X-factors, and ultimately predicting who would emerge as legitimate championship contenders.

The conversations instantly became part of league lore: Who got the steal of the draft? Who reached too early? Which teams quietly built dangerous depth? And which roster has the best chance to survive a grueling summer?

Every captain left the night believing they had built a contender. And while every team has strengths, every roster also enters the season with legitimate questions. That uncertainty is exactly what has the community buzzing.

Youth and Veterans Join Forces

The youth movement across the league is impossible to miss. Young stars are no longer simply role players or developmental prospects – they are becoming franchise cornerstones. Several veteran captains leaned heavily into younger talent throughout the draft, signaling what many around the league believe is a changing of the guard within M&S.

At the same time, experienced veterans remain deeply embedded across the league, creating what may be one of the most balanced seasons in recent memory.

Look Out for Opening Day

The league itself is also expanding physically. Opening Day on June 4th will mark another major milestone for M&S as all eight teams will officially be in action on the same night at a newly-added league location, creating one of the biggest opening nights the organization has staged in years.

With four games running simultaneously, the environment is expected to resemble a full-scale summer tournament atmosphere more than a traditional opening night.

Exponential Growth

The growth surrounding M&S has become difficult to ignore. Between livestream coverage, weekly content, social media engagement, sponsor activations, interviews, highlight packages, and now long-form breakdown shows, the league has evolved into much more than just softball games. For many in the community, M&S has become a summer tradition and a centerpiece of the season. And if the intensity of draft night was any indication, the 2026 M&S season may end up being one of the most memorable yet.