ELLEN GELLER KAMARAS

Here are three important updates regarding the contentious and glitzy Coney Project. First, Thor Equities revealed updated renderings on May 21, 2024, for its $3 billion casino, hotel, and entertainment complex, in its quest for the coveted downstate gaming license. Thor’s consortium consists of three partners, Saratoga Casino Holdings, which operates a racino (combination racetrack and casino) in New York’s Saratoga County, the Chickasaw Nation, a Native American Tribe that owns more than 20 gambling establishments, and Legends Global Planning, the proposed entertainment partner. Joe Sitt, Thor Equity’s founder, envisions turning Coney Island into a year-round destination instead of a summertime hangout, primarily limited to the boardwalk.  

Second, on June 27, 2024, the NYS Gaming Commission and Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) amended (for a second time) its timeline for the RFA (Request for Applications) to develop and operate a gaming facility in NYS.  The GFLB review process, community comment period, study of the impact on the neighborhood, and determination of who is awarded the license, are scheduled for some time in 2025. 

Over two years ago, in April 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed off on awarding three downstate licenses for casinos in New York. This was part of the $220 billion approved one year state budget.  

Applicants had originally hoped that the licenses would be awarded by the end of 2023 or by early 2024. 

Third, On April 18, 2024, the City Council voted to approve the Gaming Facility Text Amendment, which would create a framework within the zoning text to allow for the possible creation of up to three casinos citywide. NY State’s constitution was amended in 2013 to allow up to seven commercial casinos statewide. 

Coney Island is one of three downstate gambling casino sites in the NYC area for which developers and gaming companies are bidding for licenses.  There are eleven known applicants in the bidding war for these three casino sites. 

The Coney’s supporters predict an ace in the hole with increased employment, visitors, and money.  

Opponents see minimal economic benefits, point to the disappointing outcomes in Atlantic City, and are wary of increased crime and traffic and limited security resources.  They also voice serious concerns about the harmful influence of a casino on our children and families. 

Although the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is in favor of the Coney, Community Board (CB) 13 and most of its underlying four district neighborhood residents, remain opposed to Joseph Sitt’s application for The Coney Project.  Included in CB 13 is our own community and the Sephardic Community Federation . 

The Coney consortium continues to publicize that The Coney will bring an economic boom and will rejuvenate the iconic and aging summer playland.   

The May 2024 retooled drawings show “the gambling den” in the background of a luxurious 32-story 500-room hotel tower, expensive eateries, a 2,500-seat concert venue, 90,000 square feet of meeting and event space, retail and dining establishments, and a public green space. 

The Sephardic Community Federation (SCF) has worked tirelessly to preserve the community’s values, protect against addiction risks and economic disruption, and ensure a prosperous and vibrant future for all residents of Southern Brooklyn.  They took a leading position in encouraging other community organizations to join their fight against the Coney by creating the No Coney Casino Petition and website (www.noconeycasino.com/#SignthePetition). 

What You Can Do

• Sign the Sephardic Community Federation’s “No Coney Casino” petition electronically, which takes about 30 seconds. Go to: www.noconeycasino.com/#SignthePetition. 

• Sign the “Say ‘NO’ to Coney Island Casino!” started by residents of Coney Island and surrounding Southern Brooklyn neighborhoods, who are adamantly against having a casino built on the Coney Island peninsula (https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-coney-island-casino?signed=true). 

• Contact the officials listed below to find out who is representing them at the Community Advisory Committee meetings.  Communicate your questions and concerns to: 

NY State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, 718-727-9406.  

Assemblyman Michael Novakhov (District 45), 718-743-4078. 

Local City Council member Justin Brannan (District 47), 718-307-7151. 

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, 718-802–3700. 

Mayor Eric Adams, 311. 

Governor Kathy Hochul, 518-474-8390.

Some of us may feel apprehensive. As the weather turns cooler and summertime becomes a season past, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are weeks away. Another year is upon us, and the usual holiday preparations lead us to supermarkets, butchers, and clothing stores. Soon our minds become consumed as we think about how we will set our tables, what delicacies we will serve and what to wear when the holidays come.   

But we may – and should – also have a nagging feeling within, reminding us that the Day of Judgment will soon arrive, when our individual and national fates will be decided and everything hangs delicately in the balance. As the days rush by us at a dizzying speed, it becomes exceedingly difficult to pull away from the preparations that must be done in order to take a spiritual accounting of our lives.   

We may find that we’re so busy that we arrive at Rosh Hashanah without a game-plan for how to grow over the course of this critical season. Yet Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, has embedded within the Jewish calendar the Aseret Yeme Teshuvah – the Ten Days of Repentance, from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, which  give us that extra chance to improve ourselves. They are days of growth, change and introspection which afford each Jew the opportunity to take a few steps back and contemplate his or her spiritual standing. This is the time to take stock and become more keenly aware of who we are in relation to who we can be.  

In order to help ensure the success of this lofty undertaking, we present here 10 steps that we can take during these 10 special days, climbing rung by rung, one day at a time, up the spiritual ladder towards greatness.  

Step 1: Think Long Term 

Too many people go through life without ever contemplating exactly what it is they want out of it. The truth is that life is relatively short, and it is therefore incumbent upon each of us to go through it with specific goals in mind. When we’re clear about what our life goals are, we can make sure that our daily actions are geared toward achieving them. On the other hand, if our idea of what we want out of life is hazy, it’s easy to get sidetracked.  

It may be difficult to think about, but it is important to ask yourself questions that will clarify what you want your life to look like. What do you want people to say about you after 120 years? Would you like to be remembered as a kind, patient, compassionate and thoughtful person? Or would you be happy to be remembered as the one who wore the latest styles, owned the newest gadgets and knew the top news every hour on the hour?  

Step 2: The Business Plan 

Once you know your long-term goals, you can think about how you’ll achieve those goals. If you want to stop gossiping, or aspire to be more patient, how do you plan on getting there?  

Imagine that you own a business and want the bank to grant you a loan. Before you approach the bank manager, you would do everything in your power to develop a clear business plan which demonstrates how you would use any resources you’re granted to ensure the continued growth and success of your business.  

 So too, we are coming to Hashem during this time of year and asking Him to grant us a long life filled with blessings. What’s our plan for using the resources He gives us to do His Will and make the world a better place?  

Step 3: One Small Step 

Rather than jumping into growth headfirst and improving everything all at once, it’s important to be realistic. Time and again, we fool ourselves into thinking we can become perfect overnight. It’s like going to the gym, lifting the 100-pound weight and collapsing. Obviously it’s not possible to gain muscle in an instant, and a person who takes on more than is reasonable will burn himself out. 

The only way to be able to lift the 100-pound weight is by beginning with the lightest weights and working our way up from there. The same is true with spiritual muscles. Oftentimes our evil inclination convinces us to do everything at once because he knows it will be impossible for us to keep it up. We must be realistic with ourselves and be careful not to bite off more than we can chew. The important thing to remember is that the idea is progress, not perfection. Choose one or two areas to improve in, and move towards your goal with baby steps. 

Step 4: The Wedding Photo 

Once you choose one or two areas in which to improve throughout the year, know that the Ten Days is a time to behave with extra stringency. During these days, dress more modestly than usual, adhere to a stricter standard of kashrut and say extra Tehillim. Do extra even if you know you won’t be able to keep it up throughout the year. 

“What’s the point?” you may ask yourself. “Who am I fooling?” Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky shared an amazing message through a powerful parable. Imagine it’s the dead of winter. You’ve been sitting in bed all day, until you finally pull yourself out of bed, and as you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, you notice that you look like a complete mess. You put on big fluffy slippers and shuffle to the living room. And then you see it – your wedding picture on the mantle. You begin to look closely at the picture, and notice that this is you at your best. With a little extra effort, this is who you can be. 

Similarly, we take upon ourselves additional measures of stringency during these Ten Days to give ourselves a picture of what we look like at our best. We let ourselves know just how great we can become to inspire us to inch closer toward that ideal.  

Step 5: Know Yourself 

We each come down to this world to fulfill a particular mission. One part of this mission is related to our individual strengths. During these days, reflect upon your talents and figure out how you can use them to better the world. Hashem gave you your particular set of gifts for a reason. Try to discover what that reason is.  

The other part of this mission relates to our weaknesses. Refusing to fall into the traps that our weaknesses create for us enables us to achieve greatness. If you struggle with anger, anxiety, laziness or any other negative character trait, every time you desist from negative behavior you ignite a powerful spark of holiness that helps illuminate the world.  

Step 6: Hold Onto Prayer 

In his article, “How to Get Your Prayers Answered,” Rabbi Noach Weinberg, zt”l, wrote: “To pray properly, you have to understand that not only Gd loves you, but His love for you is infinite… If we appreciate what Gd can do for us, it is crazy not to stay in touch.” The Ten Days, when we are asking Hashem to grant us life and blessing, is the most opportune time to harness the power of prayer. 

Recognize that Hashem is our Father in Heaven. He is infinitely powerful, infinitely knowing and infinitely loving. He has all the resources we need for a good year. Speak to Hashem in your own words. Thank Him for all that He has done for you, and continues to do for you. Ask Him to bless you with life and blessing, and know that He will give you all that you need.  

Step 7: Act Charitably 

Reach beyond yourself and give to others. Give charity and act charitably toward those around you. Tzedakah has the power to mitigate or even change a harsh decree, so now is the time to be especially kind and generous to others.  

Step 8: Study Torah 

The Torah is our guidebook for living a successful and productive life. Now’s the time to immerse ourselves in Torah to be reminded what Hashem expects from us and to receive the keys for a good life which He offers us. Suggested areas of study are the laws of Shabbat, laws of lashon hara (negative speech about other people), and works of mussar (general religious instruction). 

Step 9: Be Grateful 

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in negativity and constantly think about what we don’t have. Practicing gratitude every day allows us to revel in all the blessings that Hashem constantly showers upon us. A Jew wakes up in the morning and immediately says, “Modeh Ani,” thanking Hashem for life. We have eyes, ears, health, hands, feet, food and clothing, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Take a little bit of time to make a list of all that you have to be grateful for, and review it constantly.  

Step 10: Trust 

Finally, have faith in Hashem. Trust in Hashem’s benevolence and kindness. Be optimistic, and know that Hashem is the ultimate Redeemer and will judge us favorably. All that is required of us is to be the best us we can be.  

May Hashem lovingly accept all of our good deeds and growth, and grant us a good and sweet new year, amen.  

By Rabbi Hayim Asher Arking and Rabbi Ezra Ghodsi

Before entering the sukkah, one should have in mind that Hashem commanded us to sit in the sukkah to remember that He surrounded our ancestors with the Clouds of Glory when they left Egypt. 

Throughout Sukkot, one should view the sukkah as his house. Therefore, eating, drinking, sleeping, and relaxing should be done in the sukkah. Nevertheless, while one fulfills a mitzvah every time he performs any of these activities in the sukkah, only the activities of eating, drinking, and sleeping strictly require a sukkah.  

What foods must be eaten in the sukkah? 

It is an admirable practice to ensure to eat all foods and drink all beverages – even water – in the sukkah. Foods made from any of the five principal grains – wheat, oats, barley, spelt, and rye – must be eaten in the sukkah if one eats a quantity of more than a ke’betzah, which is approximately 2 oz, or the volume of half an average pita.  Other foods (including rice, even though we recite the berachah of “mezonot” over rice) may be eaten outside of the sukkah.  

If one started eating a meal that includes at least a ke’betzah of bread, he may not eat or drink even the slightest amount of food or drink outside of the sukkah during his meal. One should not even leave the sukkah with food in his mouth during the meal. He may leave the sukkah during the meal only after he has swallowed the food or drink in his mouth. 

Which foods require the recitation of the berachah of “leshev basukkah”? 

The berachah is recited only when eating at least a ke’beitzah of bread or three ke’betzim of mezonot foods, excluding rice. 

When should one the berachah of “leshev basukkah”? 

Generally, when one eats a meal with bread, he recites the berachah together with the berachah of hamotzi recited over the bread.  On Shabbat and yom tov, however, the berachah of “leshev basukkah” is recited when reciting kiddush before the Shabbat or yom tov meal.  

If one forgot to recite the berachah before he started eating, does he recite the berachah in the middle of the meal? 

As long as one is still eating, even if he is eating dessert or just drinking, he may recite “leshev basukkah.” If, however, one is no longer eating or drinking, or if he already recited birkat hamazon, he may no longer recite the berachah. 

May one recite arvit early on the first two nights of Sukkot? 

On the first two nights of Sukkot, there is a requirement to eat bread in the sukkah. This is derived from the comparison indicated by the Torah between Sukkot and Pesach: just as there is an obligation to eat matzah on the first two nights of Pesach, there is an obligation to eat bread in the sukkah on the first two nights of Sukkot. As this constitutes a Torah obligation, it cannot be fulfilled until after dark, and therefore, one should not begin yom tov early. 

Similar to erev Pesach, one should not eat bread or mezonot foods after the 10th halachic hour of the day (around 4:30 pm) on erev Sukkot. 

How much bread must one eat on the first two nights of Sukkot?  

On the first two nights of Sukkot, one should eat at least one kezayit – approximately one ounce – of bread, within a time frame of four to five minutes. According to some opinions, one should eat a bit more than this amount. Throughout the remainder of the holiday, one is not required to eat bread.  

Must one repeat Birkat Hamazon if he forgot to add “ya’aleh veyavo” during Sukkot? 

On the first and second nights of Sukkot, when there is an obligation to eat bread, one who forgot to add ya’aleh veyavo in Birkat Hamazon must repeat it. At all other times during Sukkot, one does not repeat Birkat Hamazon. If one ate inside on the first or second night of Sukkot due to rain, and he forgot to add ya’aleh veyavo in Birkat Hamazon, he does not repeat it. Women never repeat Birkat Hamazon if they forgot ya’aleh veyavo during Sukkot. 

What does one do if he forgot to recite the berachah of shehehiyanu on the first night of Sukkot? 

The next morning, when he recites the berachah on his lulav and etrog, he should have in mind for the berachah of shehehiyanu to apply also to his sukkah.  

What is the proper practice to follow if rain falls on the first night of Sukkot? 

Preferably, one should wait for a short while for the rain to stop, and if it persists, then one may eat inside. If the rain stops after he ate his meal inside, before he went to sleep, he must eat at least an ounce (kezayit) of bread – preferably two ounces – in the sukkah.  

If one did not eat in the sukkah on the first night of Sukkot due to rainfall, he nevertheless does not recite the berachah of shehehiyanu the following day, even though he then eats in the sukkah for the first time. 

What if only a light drizzle falls? 

One should determine whether that amount of rain would force him to relocate if it were falling in his house. If it would, then at that point he is exempt from the obligation of sukkah and should eat inside. Otherwise, he should eat in the sukkah, though one who starts eating when a small amount of rain falls does not recite the berachah of “leshev basukkah.” 

When it comes to sleeping, even a slight amount of rain suffices to exempt a person from the obligation to sleep in the sukkah and allows him to sleep inside. 

What if the rain has stopped, but water is still dripping into the sukkah? 

If the amount of water dripping into the sukkah would be enough to force a person to move elsewhere if this were happening in his home, then he is not required to sit in the sukkah. But if the shechach is thick enough such that the rain is not entering his sukkah, he must eat in the sukkah. 

If one covered his sukkah with an awning when it started raining, must he remove the awning when the rain stops? 

Even if one is in the middle of his meal when the rain stops, he must interrupt his meal to remove the awning.  

If one had continued eating under the protection of the awning when rain fell, he does not repeat the berachah of “leshev basukkah” after removing the awning when the rain stopped. 

Must one return to the sukkah if the rain stops after he had moved inside? 

If one already sat down to eat inside because of rain, he is not obligated to return to the sukkah when the rain stops. If he nevertheless wishes to return to the sukkah, he recites a new berachah of “leshev basukkah.” Similarly, if one went to sleep indoors due to rain, he is not required to move back into the sukkah in the middle of the night when the rain stops. 

Is one allowed to travel on Sukkot to a place where he will not have access to a sukkah? 

One who must travel to a different city for business on Sukkot, and has no sukkah available to him where he is staying, is exempt from the mitzvah of sukkah. However, one who is traveling for vacation or pleasure is still obligated to eat and sleep in the sukkah, and thus such trips may not be taken on Sukkot if no sukkah will be available. 

Are children required to eat in the sukkah? 

Boys from the age of five or six, depending on maturity, are required to eat in the sukkah. Nevertheless, one may give such a child food that requires a sukkah even if the child might not eat in the sukkah. However, one may not tell the child that he must eat inside, and if the father sees his son eating inside, he should tell him to eat in the sukkah. 

Must one eat in the sukkah if it is full of mosquitoes, or if it is very cold? 

If the sukkah causes significant discomfort, such as if it is infested with flies or mosquitos, then one is exempt from the obligation to eat and sleep in the sukkah. If it is cold outside, one should wear warm clothes and eat in the sukkah. One who eats in the sukkah when it is very cold but wears warm clothing recites the berachah of “leshev basukkah.” One should also sleep in the sukkah with warm blankets, but if he is afraid of getting sick, he may sleep inside.