Ellen Kamaras 

A growing number of our community members are homebound seniors. Ensuring that they get the best care possible in their golden years is our responsibility and our privilege. 

We know that the directive to take care of our elders comes from the Torah. The fifth commandment instructs us to “Honor your father and your mother” and in Vayikra 19:32 we are urged to “stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your Gd.”  

We gain wisdom from older adults and we are instructed to learn from them, to engage with them, and to support them. 

We learn in Pirke Avot 4:20: “One who learns Torah from the young, to what can he be likened? To one who eats unripe grapes…But one who learns Torah from the old, to what can he be likened? To one who eats ripe grapes or drinks aged wine.”  

The Graying of America 

Let’s add some context to what’s happening now in our country and the impact on our seniors. 

The nation’s population is getting older. The percentage of adults over 65 in the U.S. increased from 12.4 percent in 2000 to 17.3 percent in 2022. 

According to Census.gov, by 2030, all baby boomers (born after WWII between 1946-1964) will be age 65 or older.  Since 2010, ten thousand  baby boomers have turned 65 each day, a phenomenon referred to as “the gray tsunami.”  

Another reason the older population is becoming more significant is due to lower birth rates countrywide. According to Dr. Grace Whiting, CEO of the National Alliance of Caregivers, “We aren’t having enough children to take care of us in our old age. My in-law was one of six children, my husband and I were [each] one of two, and we don’t have kids. Extrapolate that out, and that’s what’s happening nationwide.” 

More Services Are Needed 

The need for caregiver and health services for individuals 65 and older is rising.  Census statistics are crucial since local, state, and federal lawmakers use them to determine how they will allocate billions of dollars of federal funds each year on critical public services.  

Studies show that senior citizens are living longer, often healthier lives.  The quality of life experienced in the senior years is dependent on several factors, including finances and the available support in the community from family, friends, social service organizations, and public services.   

Mental and physical engagement and positive social support also contribute to the health of our graying population.  According to the National Institute on Aging researchers have found that older adults can still learn new skills, although it may take a little longer. There is growing evidence that the brain maintains the ability to change and adapt so that people can manage new challenges and tasks as they age. Additionally, it has been found that socialization is essential for the psychological wellness of seniors.  

The Take Home Message  

What do all these statistics and studies mean for you and me? 

We are tasked with the privilege of ensuring our homebound seniors get their physical, emotional, and social needs met.  There is an urgent need in our community for enhanced health care for our homebound seniors. 

Homebound seniors are often socially isolated and have unmet physical care needs. Although they are homebound, they can still find joy through engagement and stimulation.  

Approximately two million older adults are completely homebound and another 5.5 million are partially homebound and have difficulty or need help getting out of their homes. The homebound population is a high-need, high-cost, vulnerable group.  

The number of Americans who became homebound increased during the pandemic. And  although the increased availability of telehealth medicine was welcomed by much of the population, it was less beneficial for homebound seniors. 25 percent of older adults did not own a cell phone and over 50 percent did not own a computer or have online access.  

There are wonderful and invigorating activities for our seniors in synagogues, community centers and senior centers.  Sephardic Bikur Holim and the Sephardic Community Center offer superior and life-enhancing programs for seniors who are physically able to travel to their venues.  

This begs the question – what about the homebound in our community?   

What can we do to improve the care our homebound loved ones receive and how can we ensure they have a good quality of life filled with joy? 

A New Vision for Our Homebound Seniors 

Morris Sutton is a community member who has made it his mission to offer our homebound seniors enhanced care – both excellent physical support as well as stimulating activities in their own homes. 

Morris is a highly experienced business and finance professional. He was dissatisfied with the many home care attendants recommended to him for his mother, Ruth Sutton, zt”l.  Ruth passed away at the age of 102 last December.  Morris moved into his mother’s apartment for four years to personally select, train, and supervise his mother’s aides.   

He recalls one attendant talking on the phone with her therapist for 45 minutes.  Morris made it clear to her that a therapy session should be done on her own time.  Other caregivers did not speak English or barely talked to his mother.  Through word of mouth, Morris succeeded in finding his mother first-rate aides who could meet her physical, social, and emotional needs. 

“Some seniors are home alone and it’s dangerous. Many are left watching TV for most of the day.  I want to make available the kind of quality care services that can lengthen our seniors’ lives and give them purpose and happiness, and keep them socially connected.” 

One afternoon, Morris met a home care professional on the Boardwalk, engaged in energizing activities with a few seniors. He was inspired. 

Morris decided that he wanted to give back to his community and share with others some of the lessons he learned while taking care of his mother. He had witnessed firsthand the benefits of having others listen to, talk to, and engage with his mom. 

The Goal of First-Rate Care 

His goal is to help community members get the enhanced care their homebound seniors deserve.  Morris is achieving his objective by working hard to locate highly qualified homecare aides through community referrals.   

He ensures the caregivers he recommends can attend to the physical needs of our loved ones and are willing and capable of being trained to engage with their clients and perform stimulating activities with them based on the individual senior’s abilities. 

Let’s conclude with a last comment on the familiar plea of King David in Psalm 71, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.”  

The Baal Shem Tov adds, “Let not old age and stagnation rule my habits and customs.” The Baal Shem Tov’s message is to continually renew one’s good habits and customs, so that when we get older, we will not suffer stagnation or spiritual decline. We take these words to heart, as we strive to provide our elders with the best care to keep them from stagnating, to keep them strong and healthy, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  

To connect with Morris please call him at 516-523-9688 or email morrissutton93@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). 

Victor Cohen 

On May 14th, residents in Deal, New Jersey, will vote to determine who will govern for the next four years. 

How Deal Governance Works  

Deal is governed by a non-partisan commission, as prescribed by the Walsh Act. The Walsh Act, signed into law in 1911 by then Governor of New Jersey Woodrow Wilson, permits municipalities to adopt a non-partisan commission form of government. The commissions in Walsh Act municipalities are composed of either three or five members, elected for four-year terms. The commissioners themselves elect one commissioner as mayor, who serves as the chair of the commission. Most towns or cities conduct highly political mayoral elections. In Deal, this is not the case. 

In In the upcoming Deal elections,  three commissioners are running for election, one of whom will become mayor, as mentioned above. A two-thirds majority of the commissioners is required to pass any ordinance or bill. All significant resolutions are decided in this manner. 

I was privileged to interview two candidates in this year’s election, newly appointed Commissioner Jack Kassin, and Mayor Sam Cohen. They are both part of the Simhon-Cohen-Kassin team, which is seeking reelection. Let’s hear what they had to say. 

Commissioner Jack Kassin’s Vision for Deal 

Mr. Kassin stated, “My vision is to make Deal into a very nice neighborhood, to keep the idyllic small-town feeling.” One of Kassin’s goals is to improve and beautify Norwood Avenue. He proposes  more consistent signage and making Norwood Avenue more pedestrian-friendly. Mr. Kassin also discussed possible renovations for the Deal Casino. 

Mr. Kassin has a proud legacy of working with local community institutions, such as the Lawrence Avenue Synagogue. He has been involved with the synagogue and has been part of its committee since its dedication in 1984. He said, “I am devoted to that synagogue, to the rabbis, the committee, and the members of that congregation.” 

Mr. Kassin said,  “DSN is one of the biggest blessings and accomplishments in our community in a long, long time, and we’ve had many, thank Gd.” 

All faucets of DSN are active in the winter, including the sports leagues, the restaurants, and the use of the buildings themselves. Mr. Kassin noted that Deal’s population  is growing year-by-year. “I pray that this growth continues and we build from strength.” 

Summertime in Deal 

During the summer Deal changes quite a bit. “When the summer comes around,” Mr. Kassin said, “of course it becomes very exciting, filled with events, fundraisers, weddings, engagements, brit milot, you name it! 

“In the summer, thank Hashem, every single synagogue in the area is booming. It’s a beautiful thing to see, a beautiful thing to have going on, and it involves men, women, and children.” 

Strong Commitment to Deal 

Mr. Kassin’s involvement comes from a desire to do his part to help in all aspects of the town. He is proud to be a member of his team. He concluded, “Our team, starting with Mayor Cohen and Commissioner David Simhon, has a proven track record – caring deeply for the benefit of the community. They are honorable men, with great integrity, they love and care for everybody within Deal. The motivation strictly concerns what is good for the town, what’s good for the year-round and summer-only residents, and what is good for the overall benefit of the community.” 

Mayor Sam Cohen Weighs In 

One might ask why Mayor Cohen made the move from Brooklyn (he lived in the 70s between O and P) to Deal. He said that when he got to Deal, “I noticed immediately how much better life was there.” Between the tranquility of the town, the less aggressive drivers, and the ease of parking, Mayor Cohen decided to make the move to Deal and he has never looked back. 

Thirteen years ago, Mayor Harry Franco, a”h, told Sam Cohen that there was an opening for one of the commissioner spots, and that he thought Sam was right for the position. Sam was elected as one of the commissioners. Tragically, within a year Mayor Franco passed away. After a few more years serving as commissioner, Sam ran alongside David Simhon with the goal of becoming Deal’s next mayor, and won. 

Mayor Cohen’s Praise of DSN 

Mayor Cohen praised DSN wholeheartedly, citing DSN’s strong influence on the Jersey Shore community. DSN brought people in Deal together, especially the youth. It provided community members with a central meeting place, which provided a venue for events, sports, and even restaurants. DSN truly lives up to its name as the “Deal Sephardic Network,” and acts as a unifying force for the community in Deal. 

Mayor Cohen  noted that at the opening of DSN, Steve Carasia, the former town administrator was honored. He worked tirelessly for the benefit of the community, unfortunately passing away this past year. Mayor Cohen said, “He was instrumental in helping us pave the way to many projects that we have implemented, and was a true friend to the community.” 

Current Status and Future Plans 

Mayor Cohen believes that Deal is on a very healthy path and is headed in the right direction. He notes that, “Deal boasts the lowest crime rate of any town in the area, and will continue to implement the latest security measures.” Due in large part to Deal’s robust monitoring system, Mayor Cohen said, “If any undesirables drive into town, we know within seconds.” 

Mayor Cohen’s main goal is to keep much of Deal as-is, keeping it from being overdeveloped. Currently, the town is healthy financially, and Mayor Cohen believes that leaving Deal in the steady, capable hands now at the helm is the way to ensure the best governing of Deal in the future. 

As for future plans, Mayor Cohen would like to see the Deal First Aid situated in their own building. Up until now they have been working out of the fire station. 

Mayor Cohen would like to beautify Norwood Avenue in partnership with Ocean Township. One project in progress is aimed at introducing plants that are more aesthetic and less intrusive. Mayor Cohen notes that despite bureaucratic red tape, the project is well on its way, and he takes pride in its progress.  

May Deal continue to prosper and be a source of blessing to all its residents.  

Rabbi Yehuda Finchas 

Ikey shared a serious dilemma. He is a medical student and his research entails experimentation on mice. Ikey is very fond of animals and asked me: “Rabbi, I know that our experiments may lead to a breakthrough in scientific understanding or even to a cure for a disease. But on the other hand, there is a fair bit of pain caused to the mice and other rodents. What should I do? Isn’t this a problem of tzaar baalei haim?”   

Moshe is an animal trainer who trains dogs to sniff out illegal substances for the police force. The training involves some discomfort and even cruelty to the dogs. He wanted to make sure that what he was doing was halachically acceptable. 

Animal experimentation has been vital to advancing medical science. Many life-saving medications and treatments were developed based on animal experimentation. On the other hand, causing pain to animals is biblically prohibited according to the majority of the poskim and is expressed through a number of different mitzvot. The Torah commands us to help unload the burden from a friend’s donkey (Bava Metzia 31a). Furthermore, “If you see your enemy’s donkey lying under its burden would you refrain from helping him? You shall surely help along with him” (Shemot 23:5). And one may not muzzle an ox while it plows a field (Devarim 25:4) as this can cause distress to the animal. In fact, we must be so careful in taking good care of our animals, that we must feed our animals before eating ourselves (Berachot 40a, S.A. OC 167:6, Kaf Hahaim 50). 

This is an area where we are taught to be particularly careful.  Rebbi was punished for his lack of compassion to a calf and his suffering only ended when he later had the opportunity to show mercy to an animal (Bava Metzia 85a). In contrast, Moshe Rabbenu was chosen to be the leader of Am Yisrael due to the compassion he showed to animals (Shemot Raba 2:2) [“If he can show compassion to an animal, he can show compassion to man.”]. 

Hacham Ovadia, zt”l, has numerous responsa on proper treatment of animals. In Yehave Daat (3:66) he prohibits bullfighting and expands that this even includes attending a bullfight as a spectator. He quotes the Noda Beyehuda who prohibits hunting for recreational purposes. “We only find the title, ‘hunter’ with regards to Nimrod and Esav (Beresheet 10:9, 25:27). But this is not the way of Avraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”  

And in Yabia Omer (YD, 9:3) Hacham Ovadia prohibits force feeding geese (which involves significant discomfort and even torture) and encouraged people to ban the sale of foie gras. At the same time, one may certainly visit a zoo, “For a person’s soul is moved by seeing the works of Hashem, as it says, “How great are Your works, Gd! All of them were made with wisdom (Tehillim 104:24).” Hacham Ovadia quotes how Maran Hida visited a zoo when he was in London to observe Hashem’s creations. 

Hacham Ovadia (Yabia Omer YD, 9:32) explains further that the prohibition of tzaar baalei haim is defined as inflicting unnecessary pain on animals. Consequently, he permits using doves in treating jaundice, as tzaar baalei haim does not apply when the action is necessary for human benefit. According to this principle, it is similarly permissible to perform clinical tests on animals for the purpose of developing medications and understanding disease in humans (Shevut Yaakov 3:71), always being careful not to cause any additional harm than is absolutely necessary. 

The Rishon Lezion, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef (Shu”t Rishon Lezion 1:5), was asked by the head of the Israeli police if they can train dogs to detect illegal narcotics, where the process would involve a certain level of suffering to these dogs. The Rishon Lezion, based on the principles above, ruled that if absolutely necessary, this would be permitted in order to ensure these dangerous narcotics would be out of harm’s way. However, any suffering to the dogs should be limited as much as possible. 

In conclusion, one must take great care not to cause cruelty to animals, however, as per Ikey’s and Moshe’s questions, since what they are doing is for human benefit it is permitted. However, they must try and minimize any harm as much as possible.  

Rabbi Yehuda Finchas is a worldwide expert, lecturer and author on Medical Halacha. He heads the Torat Habayit Medical Halacha Institute. His latest book is “Brain Death in Halacha and the Tower of Babel Syndrome.” To contact Rabbi Finchas, email rabbi@torathabayit.com.