47 F
New York
Thursday, March 28, 2024
spot_img
Home Blog Page 3

Purim – to Theme or Not to Theme?

Frieda Schweky 

 

 

As a child growing up in the heart of Flatbush, Purim was my favorite day of the year. I remember seeing people delivering large ornate baskets of treats and dancing and even sometimes singing in the streets with a real feeling of ahdut. My mom assigned my sister and me to go around to all our neighbors to deliver mishloach manot. I was so eager to see what each neighbor had come up with for a theme that year. When I was growing up my family dressed up for Purim, but we never had a coordinated theme. The neighbors always did! And their themes weren’t ever simple, they were always super creative. The family members not only had matching costumes, but they also matched their mishloach manot! Right down to the type of candy in the baskets, everything would be right on theme. One time, members of a family in the neighborhood all dressed up as elderly people, complete with gray hair and walking canes. Their mishloach manot was a pill organizer filled with all different treats that looked like pills. I thought: when I have my own family we’re always going to theme-it-up for Purim! And so we do! Here I’m going to discuss some of my past themes, and some of my friends’ and Instagram followers’ themes. I hope to inspire you to put in your creative efforts this year! And if themes aren’t your thing or seem overwhelming, you can still have a perfectly awesome holiday without them. No pressure, just have fun!  

 

 

Esther Antar 

 

We love picking a theme and going “all out.” Generally, I pick the costume and get the materials and then my husband builds and/or spray paints it and he does the finishing touches to make it work.  

 

Depending on the year, we mostly do it together. As we start building things, we make adjustments to make it more practical. The homemade costumes are unique and it’s fun to see everyone’s reactions to them. I know I won’t get to choose the theme forever, because as the kids get bigger, they get more involved and express their own opinions. Last year I picked a Lego theme. and I let my daughter designate the colors for each family member. That way, she felt she was involved. When we did a pasta theme, she chose what shape of noodle she would be. We also match the mishloach manot to the theme. 

 

One year our theme was bath time, so my husband dressed up as a person in the tub with an inflatable bath around him, my baby was a rubber ducky, and I was a bar of soap. We  did s’mores one year, and a fast-food theme! 

 

Olgi Hashemi 

 

Themes are my favorite, so Purim is where I get to have fun with planning my family’s costumes and matching mishloach manot! I’d love to just share some of the themes we did, so hopefully I can inspire others to get creative or even just copy me! One theme was milk and cookies. My husband and I were the milk and cookie and my baby son was a cow. We did a safari theme when I was pregnant with my daughter and was feeling extra-large. I was an elephant, my husband was a man on a safari with a blow-up alligator, and my son was a lion. A cute one that I’m proud of is my garden theme. We were a garden gnome, gardener, beekeeper, bumble bee, and a flower in a flowerpot.  

 

Michelle Sabo 

 

I do a theme because I like how it looks when we’re coordinated. I also match our mishloach manot to our costume theme. The first year doing a family theme we did a bee theme because my son’s name is Abie. As my kids got older, I started to let them choose the theme each year. This is what we did so far fireman/dalmatian, superhero, knights/dragon/princess, sailors, circus, and a baseball theme (our baby was a mascot). 

 

 

Yours Truly, Frieda Schweky  

 

One year, my family members dressed as fruit. I was a giant watermelon slice, my husband wore a pineapple tee shirt and hat, and the kids were a bunch of grapes, a strawberry, and the baby was a pineapple. For mishloach manot I got berry containers, lined them with white and red checkerboard tissue paper, and filled them with a bottle of homemade strawberry milk, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and fruity candies.  

 

Another time we dressed up as farmers, which was easier and less expensive. We all dressed in flannel and denim from our closets, and those who had overalls wore them. All the girls wore pigtail braids. Our baskets were similar to the fruit theme with the berry carton and the checkerboard tissue paper, except this time I gave an apple and apple juice in addition to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  

 

Another affordable theme we did was French mimes. We all wore black and white striped shirts with black berets. The girls wore red tutus for the bottoms. My mom had glass jars with red tops that she wanted to get rid of, so I grabbed them and filled them with red and black treats with some red tissue paper.  

 

I don’t generally make multiple different kinds of baskets. That would really overwhelm me. My kids and I give out the same baskets. If they have a specific class mishloach manot exchange where they just need about six mishloach manot to swap, then I give some candy and snacks with a small gift like a hairbrush or a pop-it. And, of course, I include our custom family label with our theme for the year.  

 

 

Rivka Grazi 

 

Last year’s theme was really my best one yet – and I’m honestly not sure if I can ever top it! We did IKEA! My husband, kids, and I all wore custom blue sweatshirts with the IKEA logo on front and “Hej!” on the back in yellow with black bottoms and white sneakers. I made us each employee lanyards with yellow straps, including the IKEA logo, picture of each family member, and name. Instead of making my baby’s lanyard into a necklace like the rest, his was a pacifier holder. My mishloach manot was a cardboard box with IKEA labels, including hot dogs, buns, pastrami, mini cardboard boxes with condiment packets, and bottles of soda. We also included the instructions! There were no words, just the box contents and directions in pictures that were hard to understand. Everyone got a kick out of our costumes. They knew what we were right away from the bright blue sweatshirts and contrasting yellow lanyards. 

 

I had another original idea I wanted to share. We dressed up in rain gear with yellow hats and boots, etc. We got my husband a yellow umbrella hat. Mishloach manot included all things in the “if all the raindrops” song – including dots for gumdrops, a water bottle, lemon drops. The thing that tied it all together was a picture of my daughter Roslyn all dressed up with an umbrella and the words to the song on it. It was very cute. 

 

My sister-in-law once dressed her entire family as Six Flags workers! It was so funny. She somehow matched her mishloach manot, too. 

 

Final Thoughts  

 

Wow, the creativity out there is really amazing! The spirit of the holiday is so exciting. Since I am writing about six weeks before Purim, I’m not sure what this year’s theme will be, but I’m sure it will work out in the end!  

 

I think it’s important to note that having a simple holiday with mismatched family costumes and mishloach manot with candy and snacks in a bag with a premade label can also be super special. If you’re inspired by this article but have too much on your plate to do something elaborate this year, that’s fine! There’s always next year or the year after. Life has seasons, especially as parents. There are times we can focus on making extra creative things, and there are times when we just get by. Hashem loves you, regardless! So, HAPPY ADAR! 

 

Until next month, 

Frieda Schweky  

 

Frieda is an event and portrait photographer. Check Frieda out on Instagram @ friedaschwekyphoto. For photography inquiries or article topic suggestions email her friedaschweky@gmail.com.

Dear Jido – March 2024

Dear Jido, 

My nine-year-old daughter has a good friend who is ALWAYS over at our house. She’s a sweet little girl, friendly, well-mannered, and easy to have around. She comes over after school three to four times a week, eats dinner with us at least twice a week, and sleeps over one or both nights of the weekend. The only night we never see her is Sundays, when she has dinner with her whole extended family at her grandmother’s house. 

I love this little girl, so I don’t mind. BUT – isn’t it odd that at such a young age, she’s never home? Also, I find it odd that her parents never reciprocate, say thank you, or send her with anything as a gift. I don’t have expectations, but I sometimes feel like an underpaid daycare. 

I really do not know much about her parents, or her home life, so I don’t want to say anything in case it jeopardizes her visits, especially if my home is her safe space. 

Should I just sit back and observe? Or should I speak up? 

Signed, 

Bonus Child 

 

 

Dear Bonus, 

 

The answer might be as simple as – you’re a better cook than her mother. Or perhaps she has so many siblings at home that things are more settled and enjoyable by you.  

 

Honestly, though, I don’t think so. Not at nine years old. Something is going on and it would probably be a great hesed for you to find out.  

 

A good way to break the ice is for you to bring her mother a special challah for Shabbat. Hopefully she will invite you in for a moment. Take a look around. Assess what you think might be unusual. Do your best to engage her in conversation. Be sure to tell her what a joy it is to have her daughter by you. Then ask her, “Don’t you miss her when she’s not home?”  Listen to her answer.  

 

If you detect something afoul, call SBH. If you think they’re just eccentric and have their own ways of doing things, then grin and bear it.  

 

It could be serious, it could be unusual, and it could just be your good bonus.
 

Jido  

 

One on One with Frieda Schweky

Ellen Geller Kamaras 

 

“I love my craft and improving my skills. To me, it’s an art. I want to give my clients the very best experience, family memories, and of course, portraits. This means continuing to grow and learn whenever I can…”   ~ Frieda ~ 

 

 

Frieda Schweky is a vibrant woman of many talents.  She shoots events, portraits, branding sessions, corporate headshots, and more. She’s based out of New Jersey and travels to New York frequently for work.   

 

I was thrilled when my editor recommended I interview Frieda, a co-columnist at Community Magazine. Frieda writes a popular monthly column, “Roundtable.” 

 

For several years, Frieda was the official community events reporter for Sephardic.org.  In addition, she is an ADHD activist and food blogger.  

 

Growing up 

 

Frieda was born and raised in Midwood, Brooklyn, to Miriam Mizrahi Chirazi from Egypt, and Danny Sabzehroo from Tehran, Iran.  

 

Frieda was a social person even as a youngster..  She attended East Midwood Hebrew Day for elementary school and Bay Ridge Prep High School. She loved the social aspect of grade school but was not what she called a “cookie cutter student.”  Frieda’s mom had her evaluated and she was diagnosed with ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. Bay Ridge Prep was a great fit for Frieda.  It had smaller class sizes designed for individualized education. After her freshman and sophomore years, Frieda was thriving and ready for mainstream classes. 

 

“I found out how I learn best, and I became a competent student. I’m so blessed. Baruch Hashem, I turned out even more (or just as) religious than some of my peers who studied in yeshiva high schools.” 

 

Frieda’s next stop was Fashion Institute of Technology with a major in Fashion Merchandising Management.  

 

Growing up, Frieda was obsessed with fashion magazines. Following her passion, she pursued fashion at FIT.  It was only later that Frieda realized it was the editorial photography that was attracting her. 

 

 

Her Core 

 

Frieda’s friends describe her as witty, fun, friendly, kind, positive, energetic, ambitious, flexible, and hard-working. “She is brave in putting herself out there in new social settings and has a young soul.” 

 

I would add warm, easy-going, authentic, and comfortable in her own skin.  

 

Frieda’s guidepost is to do the best in anything she undertakes. She invests time and effort in learning as much about photography as possible.  

 

Marriage, Family, and Career 

 

Frieda met her naseeb, Billy Schweky, at a hesed fundraiser, a volleyball tournament for Hatzalah and the two were married a few years later. 

 

Frieda enjoys athletics and focuses on mastering one physical activity at a time, such as yoga, surfing, and cross fit. 

 

The Schwekys live in Long Branch, NJ, with their children.   

 

Community 

 

“I am extremely involved in our community of which I couldn’t be prouder. I feel so privileged to live in a community that seeks to take care of those who need it.” 

 

As a former community writer at Sephardic.org, Frieda has written about dozens of amazing community organizations.   

 

Frieda is actively involved in PROPEL which enables community women to earn and help support their families while maintaining traditional values.  When Frieda decided to pursue photography, PROPEL’s ambassadors supported her to learn about her new profession and even hired her to shoot multiple events.  She was honored to give back to PROPEL by speaking at fundraisers about their influence in launching her career.  

 

Passions 

Frieda was always drawn to photography. “I was the high school kid with a DSLR camera strapped to her neck. I submitted pictures to the yearbook simply because I had them to share. However, I took pictures simply because I loved it.” 

 

To Frieda the title of “photographer” indicated a high level of expertise, so it took her years to confidently call herself a photographer and own it. 

 

Frieda’s main focal points are giving her clients an awesome experience as well as incredible pictures. 

 

“I focus on the experience aspect. I want my clients to look back on their photos and think ‘wow that was a fun day,’ instead of, ‘we got that over with and at least these pictures look good.’”  

 

She is proud of the client feedback she gets. Here is a typical example of a message she received after a brit milah.  “I really thought that it was going to be a stressful morning, but you managed to make it flow with ease and it was actually enjoyable.” 

 

Frieda views her photographs as art and that is what rouses her. “Art to me means using different angles or tools to make a portrait that is unique. An example of this is using a prism by my lens to alter reality.” 

 

She partners with families to make art that they will enjoy for years to come.  

 

Writing 

 

“For me, writing is like talking. It always came easy.”  

 

A creative writing class in Frieda’s high school freshman year really sparked her interest.  She went from writing a short story to starting on her own teen novel.  “I was eight chapters in before my social life took off and the project was left in the dust. It remains something I am proud of and may revisit in the future.” 

 

Around six years ago, Frieda’s friend Melanie Falack, who was working for SBH Career Division at the time, told her that Sephardic.org, a community website, was looking for a writer.  Frieda didn’t have much schooling in journalism, but she jumped at the chance to get paid to learn on the job.  Her talented editor, Shelly Forman, trained her along the way.  “It was writing bootcamp. I had to produce eight articles on community topics every week.” 

 

Frieda became the go-to person regarding community events and at times photographed the events, too.  She got her articles published in Community Magazine as an advertisement for Sephardic.org. This led to her next writing role. 

   

Frieda’s Feature Column 

 

Frieda began writing for Community in 2020. She crowdsources her ideas for articles, tapping into her contacts, usually her Instagram followers, for hot topics. 

 

Frieda’s style as a writer is similar to her style as a photographer, which feels comfortable and unique.  She interviews community members about the chosen hot topic for the month and shares their views. Included in her Roundtable column is her introduction to the subject, quotes from community members weighing in on the topic, and a conclusion, summarizing her findings.  The range of themes is broad and has included opinions regarding Pesach preparation, the back-to-school process, living with parents/in-laws for the summer, and more.  

 

Work-Life Balance 

 

“Achieving balance as a working mom is a learned skill. It took time to figure out and it’s still not perfect, but the goal of life isn’t perfection.” 

 

Frieda learned more about actively finding a balance during the pandemic.  Parties were paused at first, but in June 2020, there was a boom of events in Deal, and Frieda was eager and motivated to grow her photography business and take as many jobs as possible. 

 

Frieda’s husband is very supportive of her professional goals, encouraging her to be the best version of herself. 

 

Frieda volunteers at her children’s school by taking class pictures and photos for the yeshiva’s website. They also hire her for picture day.  Frieda’s kids enjoy seeing her at school and are proud of her profession.  She also adores taking pictures of her kids at her leisure. 

 

In raising her children, Frieda concentrates on all the positives so that they can see a determined mom who can have both a family and a career.   

 

Accomplishments 

 

Personal growth is a priority for Frieda, and she likes the person she has become. “I feel blessed to have learned incredible life lessons in rising to the occasion, when presented with life’s tests. Every hurdle is an opportunity Hashem is giving us to grow. As I get older, I better understand why we must earn olam haba and why it’s not just gifted to us.”  

 

Her secret to success is confidence. It’s the #1 thing she mentors young photographers/entrepreneurs about. “When you are confidently sharing with your clients what to expect and you believe in your business, you will succeed.” 

 

Downtime 

 

Frieda enjoys hanging out with her local friends, being in nature, hosting classes and get-togethers, and self-care.  She recently hosted a s’mores night for young mothers, many of whom had just moved to Deal with little-to-no family or friends. They played an ice breaker game, recited Tehillim for Israel, and mingled around the campfire.  Frieda’s other hobbies include skateboarding, hiking, and gardening.  

 

For fun, and to support local businesses, Frieda reviews food on her Instagram story.  Her segment is called “Feeding Frieda.” 

 

What’s Next  

 

Frieda’s next ambition is to photograph weddings. She photographed a small covid-style wedding in 2021 and the bride was thrilled with her pictures. 

 

“I can offer something different than my male peers: fresh originality to the portraits, a positive attitude to assure a good experience, feminine sensitivity on one’s most significant day, and stunning pictures to enjoy for years to come. I’m launching a wedding campaign soon, so please stay tuned on Instagram.” 

 

Connect with Frieda on Instagram @ friedaschwekyphoto or at friedaschweky@gmail.com 

 

 

Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach.  Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching.  Ellen is active in her community and is currently the Vice-President of Congregation Bnai Avraham in Brooklyn Heights.  She can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com(www.lifecoachellen.com). 

Unlock Your Potential with YU Global: The Future of Skills-Based Employment

Danielle Wozniak 

 

 

YU Global is where your ambition meets a sea of opportunity. In a world where the job market is rapidly evolving, YU Global stands at the forefront, offering a pathway to success for those seeking to either enter the job market for the first time or to find a new career path. Our mission is simple yet profound: to provide high-quality, competency-based education and training that equips you with the skills employers are actively seeking.  

 

The landscape of employment is changing. According to a recent study titled “The Emerging Degree Reset,” there is a significant shift in hiring practices. Employers are increasingly prioritizing skills over traditional degrees. The study reveals a notable trend: between 2017 and 2019, 46 percent of middle-skill and 31 percent of high-skill occupations experienced significant resets in degree requirements. This change is more than a short-term response to the pandemic; it represents a structural shift in the job market, opening up 1.4 million jobs to individuals without college degrees over the next five years.  

 

At YU Global, we understand that the key to unlocking these opportunities lies in skills-based training. Our certificates and trainings are meticulously designed to align with the demands of today’s job market. Regardless of your educational background, our programs are tailored to empower you with the skills you need.  

 

Our courses are not just online, making them convenient for your schedule; they are alive with interaction and engagement. We include activities, videos, readings, and opportunities to apply what you have learned. Each week, you will have the opportunity to connect with your peers and instructors in live online meetups, fostering a learning environment that is both collaborative and supportive. Our cohort-based, teacher-led approach ensures that you are not just a number in a system, but a valued and active member of a community of learners.  

 

The programs at YU Global are more than just educational courses; they are a journey towards a brighter future. By focusing on practical, employment-focused skills, we prepare you to not only enter the job market but to excel in it. Whether it’s improving your communication skills, mastering the art of problem-solving, or developing technical expertise in your chosen field, YU Global is here to guide you every step of the way. And when you finish your course – come to your cyber career center for free. We’ll help you find that job.  

 

In these challenging times, hope and opportunity are more important than ever. YU Global is committed to being a source of both. We are not just an education provider; we are a partner in your journey to success. With the shift towards skills-based hiring, there has never been a better time to invest in yourself and your future. Join us at YU Global, and let’s unlock your potential together. Visit global.yu.edu for more information. 

 

Danielle Wozniak, MSW, PhD, is the Vice President for Global Strategy and Development at Yeshiva University.

 

The Debate Over Proposed Coney Island Casino Continues

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

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

NYS announced the request for applications in January 2023 and now, a year later, the casino licensing process is still in its first phase. 

Questions and Answers Long Awaited 

In late August 2023, the NYS Gaming Commission and Gaming Facility Location Board released a 103-page report responding to the first round of questions from NY casino bidders.  Regulators addressed 613 queries and are reviewing the second group of questions submitted on October 6th.  There is no set timeframe for the answers. Due to the slow and methodical process performed by gaming regulators, licenses may not be awarded until 2025.   

The five-month turnaround for the first set of questions has surprised many, given that these casinos are expected to generate thousands of jobs, millions in local taxes, and billions in gambling revenue. 

Community Board 13 and most of its underlying four district neighborhood residents, remain opposed to Joseph Sitt’s (founder of Thor Equities) application for the Coney Project.  Included in Community Board 13 is our own community and the Sephardic Community Federation. 

Bidding War for Gambling Licenses 

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.  They include big names in gambling, such as Bally’s, Caesars, Hard Rock, and Las Vegas Sands.   

Sitt’s Coney project has been called a pie-in-the-sky plan.  Some say a Coney Island casino might be fun but it is unlikely that visitors would travel from NJ, Connecticut, or upstate NY.  Resorts World NYC(Genting Group) and Empire City Casino (MGM Resorts International) have been described as frontrunners for two downstate casino licenses.  

Developers who are looking to build tourist attractions near transit hubs like Times Square may have an edge in the bidding war.  Regulators may prefer two venues that have gambling already, Yonkers Raceway and Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. 

The Coney Project 

A 40-page public engagement report released last July by Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso had three responses opposing the Coney Project for every response in favor.  Over 200 people provided feedback. Reynoso remains undecided about the casino plan and says the project deserves a hard look. Former City Councilman Ari Kagan, who represented Coney Island, took a strong stance against the project. 

The Coney’s proponents predict an ace-in-the-hole with increased employment, visitors, and income for the area.  

 

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. 

 

The consortium continues to claim that The Coney will bring an economic boom and rejuvenate the iconic and aging boardwalk.   

 

Playing Dirty 

Joseph Sitt sponsored a nine-week basketball clinic in Coney Island and gave the children t-shirts with the logos of “The Coney” on the first day of the clinic. Large banners of “The Coney” were also used as a backdrop for the basketball clinic. Parents and coaches were not told of Sitt’s involvement.  

Coney Island community activist and member of Neighborhood Advisory Board 13, Kouichi Shirayanagi, wrote in an op-ed for the July 14th issue of Brooklyn News, stating, “Sitt’s use of the neighborhood kids to market his project shows a blatant disregard for the national problem [of youth gambling addiction]. This was not the first time Sitt has splashed his money out onto the community to promote his casino project, but exploiting neighborhood kids, turning them into walking billboards to drum up his bid to bring a major multi-hundred-million-dollar gambling conglomerate to the Coney Island Peninsula was a new low for him. Children should never be used to promote gambling, just as they should not be promoting cigarettes, alcohol, or anything else that is illegal to them.” 

 

New Developments 

The New York City Planning Commission is starting a seven-month process for a zoning text amendment that will help pave the way for casinos in NYC boroughs.  The amendment needs to be passed through community boards and borough presidents’ offices and adopted by the Commission itself before the NYC Council votes on it. 

Recap of the Casino Application and Award Process 

The Coney details depend on a request for proposals (RFA) issued by the NYS Gaming Commission in January 2023. The approval process was anticipated to be lengthy, and a determination was expected later in 2023 at the earliest. As of December 21, 2023, no determination was issued. 

Joe Sitt, a Coney Island native and real estate developer for Thor Equities, is vying for one of the three downstate casino licenses 

His goal is to turn Coney Island into a year-round destination instead of its current status as a summertime hangout, primarily limited to the boardwalk.  Thor expects to spend $3 billion to redevelop five acres that would include a casino, a roller coaster, an indoor water park, hotels, and museums.   

The Gaming Facility Location Board was tasked to oversee the application process and select the three NYC casino sites.  

After its review, the Board will make recommendations to the Gaming Commission, which is authorized to decide which licenses to award.  

The conditions required for the Gaming Commission to approve a casino application include gaining public support from community advisory committees and compliance with state and local zoning laws.  

Applicants to this RFA must first be approved by a community advisory committee and complete the municipal zoning process before the evaluation of any applications.  

The application process allows strong community opposition to defeat a casino bid before state regulators can even review the application. 

A local Community Advisory Committee was formed to hold public hearings for each application, and to issue formal findings of how much community support the proposed casino has. 

At least two-thirds of the committee members must approve the project before state regulators begin evaluating the application. 

Community Feedback 

Community Board 13 Chairperson of Coney Island, Lucy Diaz, declared: “We don’t want what Atlantic City has. We’re already drowning in traffic half the year. Now you want to bring more traffic in. We don’t want it.” 

Robert Cornegy, a former NYC council member, is a consultant for The Coney and describes his support for the casino in altruistic terms, committing to an economic development agenda. He has knocked on over 16,300 doors to get 4,000 physical signatures in favor of the casino.  As of August 23, 2023, the number of signatures reached 10,000. 

 

Local Opposition 

 

Last April 26th, Community Board 13 members voted online on an official resolution opposing the Coney.  The resolution passed by an overwhelming vote of 23-8, rejecting the casino proposal.   

The Community Board’s resolution is non-binding, has no legal bearing, and cannot singlehandedly stop the casino project.  However, Community Board 13 includes many local politicians who will have a legal say in the future and the Community Board’s vote does not look promising for the project.  

Former Councilman Ari Kagan backed the Community Board’s majority vote arguing The Coney will bring more traffic, crime, and mental health problems. 

 

The Sephardic Community Federation took a firm stand against the proposed casino.  Spearheading the “No Coney Casino” initiative, the SCF launched the website noconeycasino.com, urging all community members to sign a petition protesting the casino’s approval.   

 

Thor expects The Coney to bring 4,000 union jobs to the neighborhood.  Cornegy believes they will be decent paying, year-round jobs in hospitality, hotel, and gaming. In response, Community Board 13 Chair Diaz says these jobs are not necessarily the best match for the community. 

 

Another concern is that approximately 11,000 of Community Board 13 residents live in NYCHA housing.  Applying for casino jobs may lead to these residents losing their rent subsidies. 

 

A growing number of Coney Island residents are against The Coney, claiming it would usher in a wave of gentrification that also destroys Coney Island’s unique character.  

 

Conclusion 

 

As American baseball superstar Yogi Berra succinctly put it, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Developers are confident that the draw of promised financial gain, more jobs, and urban renewal will lure Coney Islanders into supporting The Coney’s bid for a mega casino complex. Detractors site strong community opposition to the project due to fears of more crime, traffic, pollution, and questionable financial gain as an indicator that it will not pan out. We will all have to wait and see. In the meantime, you can make your voice heard.

What Can You Do? 

 

Sign the “No Coney Casino” petition electronically, which takes only 30 seconds. Go to www.noconeycasino.com/#SignthePetition. 

  

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

 

  1. NY State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, 718-727-9406  
  1. Assemblyman Michael Novakhov (District 45), 718-743-4078 
  1. Local City Council member Justin Brannan (District 47), 718-307-7151 
  1. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, 718-802–3700 
  1. Mayor Eric Adams, 311 
  1. Governor Kathy Hochul, 518-474-8390  

Miracles of the 551st – Horror in a Hamas House

Miracles of the 551st 

Horror in a Hamas House 

 

Following up on an intelligence lead, we entered the home of a suspected Hamas terrorist and began searching for contraband.  Our efforts soon turned up various weapons such as assault rifles and explosive suicide vests with grenades. Proceeding to the next room, one of our commandos proceeded to search an ordinary looking chest. As he opened one of the drawers, to our collective horror, a grenade – with its trigger pin removed – fell to the ground. The chest had been booby trapped so that opening that drawer would cause the grenade to explode. Baruch Hashem, in a clear miracle, the grenade was dud and did nothing more than give us a good scare. 

 

 

Miracles of the 551st 

Civilian Subterfuge 

 

While on patrol, we saw what looked like two ordinary Gaza couples in traditional dress walking along a road controlled by the IDF. Someone in our squad detected something a bit unusual in the way the two women walked and directed our attention to the group who were approaching IDF positions. Snipers, who were part of my team, were instructed to train their rifles on each of the suspects and continued to observe their movements. Suddenly the two women started to remove their hijabs and revealed themselves to be men deceitfully carrying Kalashnikov rifles beneath women’s clothes. Baruch Hashem, before they could even position their weapons to shoot, our snipers were ready and successfully eliminated both of them.  

 

 

Miracles of the 551st 

Tracking a Terror Tunnel 

 

Hamas terrorists most often attack at dawn. One early morning in the Jabaliya neighborhood of Gaza, while we were on a mission to extract bodies, we were urgently alerted to the presence of a terrorist carrying a Kalashnikov rifle approaching our position. He was spotted from above by a drone and was seen attempting to sneak into the building where we were barricaded. 

 

We swiftly deployed into two detachments, one force was tasked with observation, while the other took up a strategic position. When the observation force detected that the terrorist was within the designated kill zone, we opened fire and quickly neutralized him.  

 

We recognized that the terrorist had likely emerged from a Hamas terror tunnel in the area. We were also operating under the assumption that hostages were possibly being held there in the nearby tunnels, and therefore needed to take extra care to identify such tunnels without necessarily destroying them. 

 

With that objective added to our mission, we set out shortly after to survey the area in search of a nearby tunnel shaft. I led the squad.  

 

As we moved through the alleyway from where we believed the terrorist had come, we approached a clearing amid the rubble of destroyed buildings.  

 

Unbeknown to us, our squad had come to within only a few meters of the tunnel. But we did not arrive unnoticed. A Hamas terrorist cell had apparently spotted us and triggered an explosive charge to detonate as we neared the tunnel entrance. It was a violent blast. 

An explosion of that size – which was also designed to destroy the tunnel entrance – should have taken out our entire squad. But we were only struck by small pieces of shrapnel. In an open miracle, thanks to Hashem, it turned out that at precisely the time when the bomb exploded, we were walking alongside a small, remnant of a wall, which absorbed all the shock of the explosion. If the explosion had occurred just a moment earlier or later, it is likely that many of us would not have come back alive.  

 

As it happened only one commando in our squad was lightly wounded and evacuated to the hospital (baruch Hashem, he is fine), but otherwise, we were all miraculously saved. 

After this incident, even the most secular soldiers among us began putting on tefillin. 

Why Doesn’t Hashem Show Us Why It Is Good?

Some people ask, if everything Hashem does is good, and Hashem is so kind and merciful, then why doesn’t He just show us how this is so? Why does He make things happen that seem bad, instead of just showing us how they are good?

The answer is that sometimes Hashem indeed does show us how seemingly negative events are truly for the best, but in other instances, as the Lev Simchah explains, He makes the situation look bad to give us the opportunity to trust in Him and thereby accrue the great benefits of this mitzvah. Trusting Hashem elevates a person to great spiritual heights and brings blessing and salvation, and Hashem therefore makes events appear difficult in order for us to earn these benefits.

The Gemara (Berachot 60b) tells of Rabbi Akiva who was traveling and wanted to spend the night in a certain town, but nobody agreed to host him. He was forced to sleep in the forest, and soon a lion came and ate his donkey, a cat ate his rooster, and a gust of wind blew out his candle. Throughout this ordeal, Rabbi Akiva reminded himself that everything Hashem does is for the best. The next morning, he saw that the town had been ransacked and all the residents were killed. If the attackers would have seen his light or heard his animals, he, too, would have been killed.

In a shmuz, Rabbi Chaim A. Yamnick raised the question of why Hashem had to resort to such measures to save Rabbi Akiva’s life. Certainly, He could have come up with some other way of ensuring that the attackers would not see him. Why did Rabbi Akiva’s animals have to perish and his candle blow out?

The rabbi answered that Rabbi Akiva earned this miraculous salvation by trusting Hashem when the situation looked bleak. It was specifically by insisting that everything was good when it looked bad that Rabbi Akiva earned the merit he needed. Trusting Hashem and believing that everything is good when it looks bad is what earns us great blessing and salvation, and this was how Rabbi Akiva’s life was spared

Miracle of Water

It is common (but mistaken) for people to think of the natural and the miraculous as opposites – one follows the laws of nature, the other transcends it. But seeing that the phenomena we are about to discuss is called the “miracle of water” by scientists themselves (a term rarely used in their world), it seems appropriate that we should use it here.

It is the nature of all materials to expand when hot and contract when cold. This is the reason why a small gap is left between the iron lengths of railway line, so that they will not bend or press up against each other after expanding in the summer or when heated by the friction of the train wheels.

In other words, as the temperature rises, a material expands and its volume grows; as the temperature drops, that same material shrinks and its volume contracts. This basic law of nature applies to all the matter existent in the world, without exception.

Unsolved Mystery

However, in contrast with every other substance in the world, it is amazing to discover that at a certain stage, water stops obeying the natural rule and acts in exactly the opposite manner – in complete contradiction of the law!

Between 39 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit, as water approaches its freezing point, it stops contracting and begins to act as if it were heating up. At these temperatures, water expands and increases in volume! How can this be? Scientists have no explanation for how this happens and cannot understand what makes water different from all the other substances in the world. However, they understand very well that this unnatural phenomenon is something of a miracle, without which, human life could not exist on Earth.

If water would continue contracting as it approaches its freezing point and its volume would continue to shrink, as is true for all the other substances in nature, ice would be heavier than water and would sink rather than float. If all the ice in the world had sunk during the cold periods, much of the world’s deep sources of water would have frozen and all the sea creatures within that water would have died.

In addition, without the miracle of water, each winter the northern ice seas would freeze into enormous blocks of ice. With the arrival of summer, the melting icebergs would create immense flows of water, which would flood the landmasses and drown everything upon them.

The One and Only

The only substance that contravenes the laws of nature – expanding rather than contracting in the cold – is the one most necessary for the world’s continued existence. Only water acts in this way, when it reaches the stage at which following the laws of nature would have an adverse effect on the world.

Scientists have no explanation for how or why this happens. However, we know that it is written: “For He spoke, and it was, He commanded, and it stood” (Tehillim 33:9).

He, who created the world and imprinted the natural laws onto it, is also the One who ensured the existence of the world He created. For Him, nature and the miraculous are one and the same. Both are brought about through His commandments and will.

WATER – In Its Gaseous State

Large concentrations of water are found at many places around the globe, yet who can move them to where they are needed – to irrigate the fields and fill the empty reservoirs? Can they be transported solely by artificial means, such as with pumps and pipes? What about those places lacking the necessary infrastructure or wealth required? Are they doomed to be dead and deserted forever?

With great frequency, vast quantities of water, weighing altogether millions of tons, rise to the sky and travel to those places where they are needed. During this process, liquid water is transformed into vapor, which is lighter than air, and forms a new state high up in the atmosphere, called clouds.

Another further advantage of the evaporation process is that any pollutants or salts in the water remain on the earth as solids, whereas the water vapor itself is clean and pure.

A different aspect of the water system is the special mechanism driven by the temperature differences around the globe. These cause the movement of air, which we call winds, to carry the vast volumes of evaporated water over continents and to the places where it is needed. Eventually, the air cools and the vapor condenses into droplets that are heavier than air. Then, of course, they fall to the ground as rain. In this way, water is distributed to every corner of the world, fills the empty reservoirs, irrigates the growing crops, and is there for us to use for drinking, washing, and all other uses.

Isn’t this mechanism wonderful!

How often do we notice that the water falls gently as drops that caress the earth and cause man no pain? This is another part of the amazing process that we tend to overlook. Despite their long airborne journey, falling to earth from great heights, the droplets do not touch each other – which might result in a great stream of water pounding our heads and stripping the earth of its topsoil, seeds, and delicate seedlings. This occurs even in strong winds – the drops of rain do not touch each other, but instead, fall together at an angle, as if in military formation.

WATER – In Its Solid State

Each autumn, various plants and crops drop their seeds to the ground, where they await the spring rains that will enable them to grow. However, if the outside temperature drops to 17 degrees Fahrenheit, all these seeds and seedlings will freeze and die, causing irreparable damage to the world’s food supply. How can we overcome this problem?

Let us suppose that scientists offer a “simple” solution to this dilemma: Spread a thick carpet containing trapped air over all the land surfaces in the cold regions, which will provide a layer of insulation between the air temperature of 17 degrees Fahrenheit and the ground temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This will protect the delicate seeds and seedlings.

This is a good idea, perhaps, but highly impracticable when it comes to covering large areas. Yet, that is only true in our terms – it is not true for the Almighty!

Hashem simply instructs the water vapor in the air to collect together in the atmosphere’s upper layers. When the atmosphere can carry no more (like a sponge soaked with water), the vapor freezes and forms droplets around tiny specks of dust, which had previously been lifted into the air by the wind, in accordance with a different instruction issued from on high. Once these tiny ice crystals have formed, they fall to earth in the form of snowflakes. Billions and billions of snowflakes pile one on top of the other, creating a beautiful, white carpet filled with air, which protects the plants. While the temperature above the snow layer can easily reach negative 48 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of the ground underneath the snow layer does not drop below 32 degrees. All the stored seeds and seedlings can stay alive underneath the soft protective blanket.

Hashem has granted snow another attribute that is beneficial for His creatures. At those times and places where rain would rapidly drain away and be lost before human beings can store the water, or where the reservoirs fill and empty quickly, drifts of mountain snow and ice function as storehouses for the frozen water until they melt in the spring.

SNOWFLAKES

Because the Omnipotent One is also the Supreme Designer, He has also given instructions that the ice crystals that constitute snowflakes always form in symmetrical, intensely beautiful patterns. To allow human beings to understand just a little of Hashem’s Omnipotence, He creates billions of snowflakes – that have fallen or will ever fall – each with its own unique shape. No two will ever be the same. Man’s simple intelligence finds it difficult to grasp or understand the “chance” creation of such perfect, symmetrical beauty, or the fact that such creation is repeated differently every time on an infinite number of occasions.

CONCLUSION

Water – in any state (liquid, gas, or solid) is truly miraculous!

Amazing Gizmos and Gadgets of 2024

Heads up! Look out for these new and impressive hi-tech devices to take you into 2024. 

 

Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Sunglasses 

Ray-Ban’s iconic shades get a serious upgrade. The Meta Wayfarer are a pitch-perfect recreation of the original, now with AI-enhanced features allowing you to take calls, listen to music, capture photos, and livestream anytime, anywhere. 

 

AnkerMake M5C 3D Printer 

Buying things is so 2022. Build almost anything you need at home – literally – with Anker’s compact M5C. It’s simple enough for 3D-printing noobs yet powerful enough for pros who demand lightning-fast creation of their latest projects. 

 

Segway Transformers Bumblebee Electric Gokart Pro 

Decked out in a legit Bumblebee yellow-and-black (or Optimus Prime red-and-blue) colorway, this high-performance go-kart is built for serious speed – up to 24.8 miles per hour, pulling more than 1g of acceleration in the twisties! 

 

Go 3 Action Camera 

The world’s best new action camera is also the smallest at just 35 grams! Clip it, stick it, or mount it to just about anything. This cool tech gadget records all your hardcore adventures in beautiful 2.7K, while FlowState Stabilization keeps every shot buttery smooth. 

 

Lava Me 4 Carbon Guitar 

Upgrade your acoustic-electric jam sessions. This guitar blends the best of both worlds, and the multi-touch display lets you mix, loop, and add effects on the fly. Sound like a band by hitting the live drums pedal and the effects pedal. And record your compositions, too. Plus, the carbon build is ultra-durable, responsive, and handsome. 

 

Rapsodo MLM2PRO Mobile Launch Monitor and Golf Simulator 

Swing, analyze, improve, and repeat with this portable golf simulator. Dual cameras create ultra-slow-mo GIFs of your swing, showing exactly how and where you struck the ball. Then, shot-tracer tech tracks the arch and angle of the ball after every drive. 

 

Xebec The Tri-Screen 2 

Two screens are better than one, but Xebec’s Tri-Screen 2 proves three are better still! Take your productivity to the next level with more screen real estate than ever. The best part? The desk accessory folds up with your laptop into a compact, take-anywhere package. 

 

Beast Health Beastmode Blender 

There are blenders, and then there are blenders. If you demand serious power for your morning smoothies, or maybe you just like to crush rocks in yours, the Beastmode Blender is your best bet. The 1,200-watt motor is beastly enough to tackle whatever you throw at (or into) it. 

 

Therabody RecoveryTherm Cube 

It’s time to ditch the disposable heating pads and old-school icepacks. Therabody’s all-new RecoveryTherm Cube is an ultra-portable device designed for both hot and cold therapy whenever and wherever you need it. The best part: unlike one-time-use alternatives, it’s reusable. 

The Ahavat Yisrael Project

Community Women from the Jersey Shore Unify to Fight Spiritual Battle 

 

By Mari Gindi 

 

 “…we, the women of the Deal community are contributing in our own way on the spiritual battlefield for Am Yisrael’s protection and success.” 

 

 

Over 200 women gathered together in Deal Synagogue last month in response to the horrific events of October 7th. We yearned for encouragement and guidance. We felt the strong desire to unify, to do something, anything, to help our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael at this very fragile moment in Jewish history.  

 

Mrs. Jackie Bitton spoke to us that night, emphasizing the importance of creating ahdut by strengthening our love and acceptance for every Jew. Inspired by her examples and the unending, unconditional love and hesed that was happening in Israel, we wanted to be a part of it, too. We wanted to connect to the soldiers, the families of the hostages, and the bereaved families of the fallen. We wanted to do something to show our solidarity and love for them all.  

 

We were intrigued when a unique learning program, just for women, was unveiled that would give us the opportunity to grow in Torah, enhance our love for each other, and create zechut for Am Yisrael 

 

The Ahavat Yisrael Project  

 

The book that was chosen, The Ahavat Yisrael Project, teaches us how to improve our interpersonal relationships and how to increase our love for our fellow Jew. The book is  set up as a daily study, for 40 days. Each day is broken down into two parts. The first part explains the things we should stay away from, such as rechilut, lashon hara, and ona’at devarim, while the second part focuses on the positive things we can incorporate into our lives to improve relationships, such as noticing good points, greeting people with a smile, and encouraging others with compliments.  

 

Unlike most projects, this one was set up to be learned with a partner or group each day. The lessons are read and then a discussion ensues to bring the points home by adding personal stories and struggles, advice, or asking and answering questions. Each person was given three names – that of a child who was being held hostage, an adult hostage, and a soldier that we are learning in the zechut for.  That really gave us a personal connection with what has been unfolding in Eretz Yisrael 

 

Learning live with someone each day was a new experience for most. The lessons really hit home, ranging from topics such as anger, character traits that lead to negative speech, how to respond to negative speech using the acronym D.E.A.F., respecting yourself, showing gratitude, feeling compassion, and not blaming.  

 

New Awareness 

 

The main thing was the awareness that came about from learning the different laws, given over with real life, relatable examples and easy-to-understand lessons. Many women wrote in how the evening was life changing. They so appreciated being a part of this beautiful group and as a result they now naturally hold back from speaking badly about others and they feel more positive towards all Jews. Some even said they gained new friendships with the partners they were matched up with.  

 

When news of hostages being freed surfaced, our group buzzed with shouts of joy – “Baruch Hashem, my hostage was freed!!” We felt a close connection and responsibility to these Jews whom we did not know, had never met, and probably never would. Yet we took our learning seriously, we tried to internalize its messages to contribute to the protection and success of our family in Israel by increasing our love for every Jew.  

 

Special Siyum 

 

As we approached the end of the book, the plans for a special siyum got underway. Over 300 women from the Deal community came out to the siyum to participate in this unique learning experience commemorating our achievement. We gathered again in the Deal Synagogue, this time with feelings of accomplishment and hope.  

 

We heard from a few women in the group who shared their personal experiences and feelings of growth from the learning project. We were encouraged and proud of their accomplishments, we related to them, we were part of a special group.  

 

Mrs. Chani Shelby offered words of encouragement and inspiration. Her moving stories left an impression on us, and her praise for our accomplishments left us feeling proud. Chani re-inspired us to continue to do our part in the war effort, by increasing our love for every Jew. 

 

The Learning Continues 

 

We felt charged up to continue with another round of learning for the protection of the Jewish nation. The book 40 Days of Caring was given out and we were excited to continue our learning the laws and ways of loving our fellow Jew.  

 

The finale of the evening was a fabulous kumtzitz with singer Susan Braha. We all felt the passion in her voice and the music literally lifted us up. In spontaneous solidarity we stood up and held hands in song with feelings of friendship, hope, and love.  

  

We are now halfway through our second round of learning and we’re going strong. We’re gaining so much from the lessons. We hear comments from people every day, wherever we go, about how the books have brought so much meaning into their lives, or how they naturally stopped themselves from speaking negatively about someone. The learning is making a positive difference in people’s lives. It is such an enriching experience! Everyone is gaining from our efforts. The ripple effect can be felt by the people around us as we enhance our love and acceptance for all Jews.  

 

We look forward to another siyum, and another, be’ezrat Hashem. In the meantime, the women of the Deal community are contributing in our own way on the spiritual battlefield for Am Yisrael’s protection and success.  

 

Our hope and our tefilla is that Hashem will look down on us with favor from our efforts and bring the geula sheleima be’karov! Amen.