To Our Beloved Community,

We, the undersigned rabbinic leaders of the Syrian Jewish community, write to you with a message of responsibility, urgency, and obligation. At this critical juncture in our city’s history, we declare without hesitation: every eligible member of our community must vote.

This is not about politics. It is about our sacred duty, to our families, to our schools, to our yeshivot, to our synagogues, and to our way of life. Voting is not merely a right. It is a halachic and moral responsibility. It is a declaration that we care, that we are engaged, and that we will not stand idly by while the future of our people is at stake.

The decisions being made in the coming elections, for mayor and other critical offices, will shape the future of our yeshivot, synagogues, schools, neighborhoods, and religious freedoms. We cannot afford silence. We cannot afford apathy. We dare not be passive when our way of life is on the line.

We are living in a time when the values that have allowed our community to flourish are under growing threat. The upcoming elections will have real and lasting impact on the safety of our neighborhoods, the strength of our institutions, and the ability of our children to grow up proudly and freely as Jews. To sit this out is to abdicate our communal responsibility.

This is not optional. It is a mitzvah. It is a communal obligation, like tefillah, like tzedakah, like educating our children. When we stay home and do not vote, we weaken the very foundations of the blessings we have built over generations.

Over forty years ago, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l expressed this obligation with clarity:

“The rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights have allowed us the freedom to practice our religion without interference… Therefore, it is incumbent upon each Jewish citizen to participate in the democratic system which guards the freedoms we enjoy. The most fundamental responsibility incumbent on each individual is to register and to vote.”

We are blessed to live in a country that has allowed Torah to thrive. But that blessing must not be taken for granted. It must be protected with commitment, with unity, and with action.

We therefore implore and expect every member of our community to do the following:

Community of NY and NJ regarding voter registration

Register to vote. Show up to vote. Ensure your children, your siblings, and your friends vote. Speak about it.

Take it seriously. Treat it as a mitzvah, because it is. Our strength has always come from our dedication to Torah, to family, and to each other. With pride in our past and responsibility for our future, let us stand together, firm in our values and united in action.

May Hashem bless our community with continued protection, unity, and strength.

Rabbi Rahamim Aboud	Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz	Rabbi Ely Matalon
Rabbi Yehoshua Alfieh	Rabbi Shlomo Farhi	Rabbi Yitzhak Farhi
Rabbi Ovadia Alouf	Rabbi Joseph Faur	Rabbi Edmond Nahum
Rabbi Moshe Arking	Rabbi Moses Haber	Rabbi David Ozeri
Rabbi David Ashear	Rabbi Joey Haber	Rabbi Ezra Cohen Saban
Rabbi Yehuda Azancot	Rabbi Hillel Haber	Rabbi Reuven Semah
Rabbi Aviad Barhen	Rabbi Raymond Haber	Rabbi Albert Setton
Rabbi Ronald Barry	Rabbi Ike Hanon	Rabbi Yoshiyahu Shammah
Rabbi Yaakov Ben Haim	Rabbi Avi Harari	Rabbi Leibel Shapiro
Rabbi Haim Benoliel	Rabbi Rahamim Harari	Rabbi Sion Setton
Rabbi Raymond Beyda	Rabbi Abraham Hayoun	Rabbi David Shelby
Rabbi Joey Beyda	Rabbi Ricky Hidary	Rabbi Joey Soffer
Rabbi Yosef Carlebach	Chief Rabbi Shaul J. Kassin	Rabbi Joey Sourur
Rabbi Shmuel Choueka	Rabbi Moshe Lagnado	Rabbi David Sutton
Rabbi David Cohen	Rabbi Uri Lati	Rabbi Harold Sutton
Rabbi Eli Cohen	Rabbi Moshe Malko	Rabbi David Tawil
Rabbi Yohai Cohen	Rabbi Eli Mansour	Rabbi Ikey Tawil
Rabbi Joseph Dana	Rabbi David Maslaton	Rabbi Meyer Tobias
Rabbi Shlomo Diamond	Rabbi Max Maslaton
Rabbi Moshe Douek	Rabbi Shaul Maslaton

The day has the power to energize real change and help a person become unrecognizably different.

Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen

The spiritual forces operating at moments of beginning are unique. “Hakol holech achar harosh – Everything goes after the beginning” – the entire course of any process is determined by its beginning. This is because a beginning is a conception, and conception represents the laying down of the genes that are the blueprint for everything that is built later. The spiritual rule is that the closer something is to the moment of conception, the more potent and critical the forces: a small injury to the human body may not be of major significance for an adult. However, a fetus during its development is much more sensitive to such an event, and a minute change to the genes may have the most far-reaching results imaginable.

The Importance of New Beginnings

At the moment of conception all details are being coded most potently; it is therefore the most critical moment. No subsequent moment can ever have the intensity and significance of that first moment. The flash of conception contains everything. All later development is simply a revelation of what was created during that first flash.

Rosh Hashanah is the conception of the year and the next ten days are its gestation. That is why these days are so critical to the whole year. That is why a person is judged for the entire year as he appears on Rosh Hashanah – the personality as it exists then is the core. It will take supreme effort to change later. Change on Rosh Hashanah is much easier – one can manipulate the “genes” of one’s character then. People of spiritual knowledge take extreme care to live as perfectly as possible on Rosh Hashanah – the year is being conceived.

Rosh Hashanah’s Unique Energy

What is the source of this special energy? The first Rosh Hashanah ever, which of course must represent its true nature most powerfully, was the day of the Creation of man. That day of Creation was the world’s first Rosh Hashanah, and its climactic event was the Creation of the human. That is why this day always retains its power to re-create man. When we genuinely and intensely decide to elevate our personalities on Rosh Hashanah and become inspired to live the coming year as higher beings, we are using the day’s deeply rooted energy as the day of human creation. The day has the power to energize real change and help a person become unrecognizably different.

There is an idea that Adam was created at the very place that would later be the mizbeach (altar) in the Temple. “Adam mi’makom kaparato nivra – Adam was created from the place of his atonement.” His very first moment of life was generated from earth that was gathered from all parts of the world, but that was concentrated on the one spot that would later become the site of sacrifices – that activity that most powerfully atones and brings man close to the Divine. Adam’s moment of creation is at once the most intense newness possible and also contains the element of the most intense change possible – from sin to atonement, which is really new creation itself. Hence, the unfathomable power of Rosh Hashanah to help us to become new. Little wonder that the mystical custom is to minimize sleep on Rosh Hashanah.

Significance of the Order of the Tefillah

The service of the day reflects this idea of reaching for the root. The order of prayer is based on Malchuyot (kingship), Zichronot (memory), and Shofrot (shofar-blowing).

Kingship

Malchuyotrepresents the effort of renewing the root of all Creation and all service – establishing that Hashem’s rule is absolute and primary. Before accepting the yoke of specific mitzvotwe must accept Hashem’s kingship in general, as expressed in the famous mashal (parable) of a great king who was asked to decree laws for a country. The king agreed only on condition that the people first accept his sovereignty over them. Only then would his laws be binding and meaningful. The root of Creation is Hashem’s Kingship, and so too is the root of all spiritual growth. This realization is the most primary of all on Rosh Hashanah, and it requires a delving into the deepest level of ratzon (desire) during the prayer service to reach the consciousness of and desire for Hashem’s complete rule.

Memory

Zichronot represents the idea of remembering in true spiritual depth the points of origin of the world and of the Jewish people and its destiny. This deep form of memory is a re-entering of the male phase of new conception – to go back to the initial flash or spark and re-live it vividly and literally. The root of zachor, “remember,” is identical with zachar “male.” The connection should be obvious. Maleness is exactly that: a carrying over of the distilled essence of all previous generations in a seed that will form the next generation. The seed is a “memory” of the past. In fact, the words “memory” and “seed” are numerically equivalent in Hebrew. The work of memory, re-living the flash of creation, is perfectly fitting and necessary for Rosh Hashanah. 

Shofar-Blowing

Shofrotindicates, along the lines we have been discussing, reaching for the heart, reaching for the root of the neshama and the personality. The essence of the shofar is that it has a voice but no words. The mystics explain that the voice is the root of speech and contains far more than the individual finite words. Words may convey information, but the voice conveys the essence of a person. This is why prophecy is referred to as “voice,” not words: when Hashem tells Avraham to listen to Sarah’s prophetic advice the verse says: “Shma b’kola – Listen to her voice,” not “Listen to her words.”

Hashem tells the prophet: “Kra b’garon, al tachsoch – Cry out in your throat, do not hold back.” Prophecy is not from the mouth, the origin of words, but from the throat, the origin of raw sound. The blessing we pronounce on hearing the shofar is “lishmo’a kol shofar,” to “hear the voice of the shofar.” The shofar is raw sound, a raw cry, and that is why it has the power to open the neshama. All the words in the world cannot convey the emotion of the scream of a child in the night. The shofar is that scream.

Rosh Hashanah correctly lived should leave one supercharged. The energy achieved should be so great that the rest of the year can be lived accordingly – not as a continuation but as a constant experience of newness! Spark must become flame, and that flame must spark a new blaze, always. That is Jewish living. There is a mystical idea that being alive today because one was alive yesterday is called dying. Being really alive means that one’s life is generated today, not as a passive result of the past, but as an explosion of newness, now and always.

Spiritual Renewal

The Hebrew root ani meaning “I” has two fascinating derivatives, ana and ayin. The word ayin means “is not.” Ana is much harder to translate. It indicates an inexpressible pleading or longing as in: “Ana Hashem hoshi’a na,” the longing for redemption. These words, ayin “is not,” and ana, intense hope for the future, also mean “from where” and “to where.” When one wants to ask, “Where have you come from?” one says, “Me’ayin ba’ta?” When one wants to say, “Where are you going?” one says “Ana telech (or le’an)?” But incredibly, if one stops to consider the literal meaning of these expressions, a most inspiring depth becomes apparent: me’ayin ba’ta – “From where have you come?” literally means “You come from nothingness”! And ana telech – “Where are you going?” literally means “You are going to an inexpressibly great dimension”!

Hebrew, the language of holiness, is pregnant with spiritual depth. The simple, mundane idea of a person arriving from some previous place is expressed in common Hebrew as the transition from nothingness to his present state (yesh me’ayin – something from nothing!). In other words, the spiritual grasp of this moment is that it is relative to the previous moment, as existence compared to nothingness! That is newness! And from this moment to the next, the explosion is so great that it cannot be translated! That is the striving of a spiritually sensitive person, to generate a new inner life continually.  Avraham Avinu says of himself, “Va’anochi afar va’efer – And I am dust and ashes.” Torah is never mere poetry – every nuance has infinite meaning. What is the meaning of “dust and ashes”?

The idea is this. Ashes are the bare elements left when a substance has been completely burned. “Dust” of the earth is the rich soil in which growth takes place. Avraham, who most profoundly represents the idea of newness, of being the father, the founder of the Jewish people, who forged a whole new way of living, sees himself as constantly incinerating what he has become, in order to use those elements as soil for new growth. No element of his development is allowed to continue passively, here today because it was here yesterday. All of Avraham’s being is distilled into a memory that is the nucleus for a new birth – constantly! That is the power of hiddush, self-generating newness, the source of spiritual life and growth.

Dave Gordon

You think you’re too savvy to be scammed. We all do. But the unsettling truth is that modern fraudsters have elevated deception to an art form, weaving themselves into our daily routines and exploiting the people, institutions, and events we trust the most. In neighborhoods from Brooklyn to Lakewood, Monsey to Passaic, scams are no longer rare cautionary tales – they’re a weekly threat, circulating through WhatsApp groups, whispered in synagogue foyers, and cropping up in local newspaper headlines.

It starts small. An email from your rabbi. A call from your grandchild. A pop‑up on your computer. Each one feels just plausible enough, just urgent enough, to push you past skepticism. And then – in minutes – your savings, your peace of mind, and your trust are gone.

Here are real stories of fraud in our communities, reported by reputable media outlets, tied to exact dates and places. Together, they create a portrait of a crime wave hiding in plain sight.

The Brooklyn Computer Con

Recently, CBS News New York ran an exclusive story by investigator Mahsa Saeidi about a 75‑year‑old woman from Brooklyn who lost $100,000 in a deception that began with a locked computer screen. A pop‑up message told her to call a number. On the line, a voice claiming to be from Microsoft warned that her bank accounts had been compromised. The man guided her step by step – first to the bank to withdraw her funds “for safe keeping,” then to an in-person rendezvous. He gave her a secret code word – “red” – before sending a fake courier to collect the envelope. By the time she realized that she had been coached into surrendering money, the cash was gone.

Police say this hybrid scam – part tech support hoax, part old‑fashioned face‑to‑face con – is targeting older residents in Brooklyn who live alone. Its sophistication lies in how it turns modern technology’s veneer of authority into a weapon.

Social Security Scams in New Jersey

Government impersonation scams might sound like a distant problem, but a high‑profile case in New Jersey made headlines on April 24, 2025, when the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced that 68‑year‑old Deborah Bailey of Piscataway had pleaded guilty to stealing $150,903 in Social Security benefits. For eight years after her mother’s death, Bailey quietly continued to withdraw her late mother’s retirement checks. While that case involved a relative exploiting a loophole, the prosecution noted that fake “Social Security” calls are proliferating statewide – with con artists posing as federal agents who claim your Social Security number has been “frozen” and threaten arrest unless you transfer money immediately. Officials stress that legitimate agencies never ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, yet these methods appear in nearly every successful scam they investigate.

The Deepfaked Grandchild Emergency

The classic “grandchild in trouble” scam took on a sinister technological twist in March 2025, as NPRreported from the Upper West Side of Manhattan and Passaic, New Jersey. Senior citizens began receiving not only panicked phone calls but also what appeared to be FaceTime videos from their own grandchildren – begging for bail money after supposed car accidents or arrests. In one documented case, a retired couple wired thousands of dollars to an account provided by the caller, believing it was to secure their grandson’s release in Vermont. Only hours later did they discover he had been at home all along. Investigators believe Montreal‑based criminal groups are behind the wave, using stolen personal data and AI‑generated voice and video “deepfakes” to trick even the most cautious targets.

Fake Charity Appeals in Boro Park and Lakewood

When tragedy strikes – a fatal fire before Shabbat, a family caught in an anti-Semitic attack, or a sudden medical emergency – Jewish communities act quickly. Scammers know this. Media outlets from Hamodiato The Jewish Presshave covered how, during such crises, residents of Boro Park in Brooklyn and the yeshiva community of Lakewood, New Jersey, are bombarded with WhatsApp messages and phone calls from “fundraisers” claiming to represent respected charities. Messages often include blurred photos, real names from local news reports, and fabricated payment links redirecting donations to private accounts. In some cases, community members have emptied their savings on the assumption they were aiding neighbors, only to find that the “emergency fund” never existed. Misaskim, the respected crisis‑response group, has issued repeated public alerts warning donors to slow down and verify before giving.

The Rabbi Gift Card Scam

One of the fastest‑growing frauds doesn’t come out of a high‑tech lab, but it’s brutally effective. Last September, the Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert after multiple synagogues in the New York area reported emails and texts from scammers posing as rabbis or synagogue presidents. The messages used familiar greetings and urgent tones – “I’m at a meeting and need a favor” – and asked congregants to buy gift cards for “families in crisis” or “a shul project.” Recipients were told to scratch off the security strip, photograph the numbers, and send them back via text or email. Once the numbers are sent, the value is drained within minutes, leaving no recourse for the victim. The FTC emphasized that no genuine rabbi or community leader will ever make such a request.

Final Thoughts

Trust is a cornerstone of Jewish communal life. But trust without verification is exactly what scammers need to succeed. The cases from Brooklyn, Lakewood, Passaic, Monsey, and beyond – each documented by reputable news outlets or government agencies – remind us that fraud is both hyper‑local and globally connected. Whether it’s a stranger on the phone using your grandson’s voice or a longtime neighborhood business adding a “holiday surcharge,” scams today are designed to slip past your defenses.

The simplest, hardest lesson is to pause before you act. Make that extra call, search that name, confirm that email. In the war between caution and con artists, hesitation isn’t weakness – it’s strength. In our communities, a moment’s doubt can be the only thing standing between you and the next devastating loss.

Scam Tactics

These cases show common threads in modern fraud:

• They Impersonate Trusted Figures: a rabbi, a tech support representative, even a family member.
• They Manipulate Urgency: making you believe that hesitation will cause harm or loss.
• They exploit community knowledge: citing real local news, synagogue events, or religious obligations.
• They Adjust Tactics to Technology: using spoofed numbers, AI‑generated videos, or hacked email accounts.

What makes them especially dangerous in Jewish neighborhoods across NY and NJ is the deep‑rooted culture of trust and fast action in emergencies – the very qualities scammers weaponize.

Guarding Against the Next Con

FBI agents, state attorneys general, and local police departments give the same advice:

Verify Independently – Call known official numbers, not the ones provided in a message.

Slow Down – No legitimate cause will collapse for lack of a same‑day transfer.

Refuse Unusual Payment Methods – Gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers are almost always red flags.

Educate the Vulnerable – Hold scam‑awareness sessions in shuls, schools, and senior centers. Communities should also normalize healthy skepticism. In the United States, the FBI estimates that elders lose over $3 billion each year to these schemes. That’s a number that can only grow if people keep treating suspicious requests as impolite to question.

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to refresh your gear and set yourself up for a successful year. Whether you’re returning to campus, heading into a new classroom, or just embracing a fresh start, having the right gadgets can streamline your routine, boost productivity, and make everyday tasks more enjoyable. Here are eight standout items that are practical, thoughtfully designed, and ready to elevate your daily routine.

OXO Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner
Compact and affordable, the OXO Sweep & Swipe is the perfect tool for keeping your tech spotless. It features a retractable soft brush for sweeping dust and debris from keyboards, and a microfiber pad that effortlessly wipes smudges from screens on laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more. It’s a simple, effective way to keep your gadgets looking their best.

The Ridge Bolt Action Pen – Alpine Navy
Blending analog charm with premium materials, the Ridge Bolt Action Pen is a stylish alternative to screen time. Crafted from lightweight aluminum, this durable writing tool is satisfying to click, smooth to write with, and available in a range of finishes – from bold and modern to understated and classic. It’s a great addition to any student’s everyday carry.

Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0
Designed for students and professionals alike, the Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 combines sleek aesthetics with serious utility. It boasts a spacious interior with numerous compartments, including a dedicated sleeve for a large laptop and room for a tablet and accessories. Built to carry up to 50 pounds, it’s a rugged yet refined option for those on the move.

Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock
The Hatch Restore 3 is more than just an alarm clock – it’s a personal sleep coach. This smart bedside device uses a simulated sunrise to wake you gently, while offering calming sounds and a warm, sunset-like glow to help you wind down. With white noise and ambient sound options to mask distractions, it can improve your sleep quality night after night.

Pelican Marine AirTag Holder
When it comes to protecting your AirTag, the Pelican Marine Holder is unmatched. Constructed with a rugged, shock-resistant shell reinforced by ultra-strong Dupont Kevlar, it’s built to endure harsh conditions. The IP68 rating means it’s fully waterproof and dustproof, making it ideal for travel, outdoor adventures, or just everyday peace of mind.

SoundcoreAeroFit 2 Open-Ear Headphones
The SoundcoreAeroFit 2 delivers an open-ear listening experience that’s comfortable, safe, and surprisingly immersive. These wireless earphones rest outside the ear canal – no tips required – making them ideal for all-day wear. With a sleek design, customizable sound through the companion app, 10-hour battery life, and several color options, they offer exceptional value and performance.

Flashforge AD5M 3D Printer
For aspiring creators or experienced makers on a budget, the Flashforge AD5M 3D Printer is a standout choice. This compact machine can quickly print detailed, multi-material objects with ease. It features built-in auto-leveling and a user-friendly interface with touchscreen controls and app connectivity, making it a powerful tool that’s also beginner-friendly.Satechi Qi2 Trio Wireless Charging Pad
Apple users looking for an elegant, efficient charging solution will love the Satechi Qi2 Trio 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad. It can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously at full speed, thanks to Qi2 compatibility and MagSafe support. Its flexible design allows it to transform from a sleek upright stand to a flat pad, with Apple Watch support for both flat and nightstand modes.

Linda Argalgi Sadacka

This September is not politics as usual. It is a referendum on the future of New York City: Will we remain a city of law, prosperity, and safety, or will we hand the keys to Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a self-declared democratic socialist, a cheerleader for Hamas, and an enemy of the Jewish community?

Mamdani doesnot just sympathize with radicals – he is one. His rise is powered by the Democratic Socialists of America, whose ideology is embraced by the likes of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. It is the same movement that has pushed to defund the police, vilify Israel, and dismantle the economy. This isnot hidden information. It is Mamdani’s platform: weaken policing, punish the wealthy, and side with Israel’s enemies under the banner of “solidarity.”

The Record That Speaks for Itself

In Albany, Mamdani was the face of the “Not On Our Dime” bill (A6101/S606), a scheme to weaponize the courts against Jewish charities that support Israel. Leaders across the Jewish spectrum warned the bill would unleash harassment against mainstream institutions. This was not sloppy drafting. It was deliberate lawfare to punish Jews for standing with their homeland.

On moral issues, Mamdani’s record is equally alarming. He pledged support for dismantling long-standing restrictions on vice industries, signaling his willingness to erode the guardrails that protect families and neighborhoods. As mayor, he would have the authority to set enforcement priorities, shape budgets, and broadcast this agenda across the city.

The Company He Keeps

His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is not simply a Columbia University scholar. He sits on the Gaza Tribunal’sAdvisory Policy Council, a body known for echoing Hamas propaganda and anti-Israel positions. This alignment is not accidental. It reflects an ideology passed down and proudly carried forward.

What New York Would Look Like Under Mamdani

• A diminished police force, which would cause an increase in crime. A mayor wedded to de-policing means fewer officers, slower responses, and emboldened criminals.
• Jewish life under siege. A City Hall that normalizes “Not On Our Dime” gives a message to schools, agencies, and institutions that Jewish organizations are fair game, inviting harassment and intimidation.
• Economic punishment. Mamdani’s worldview is not about opportunity but is about envy. He seeks to abolish the wealthy, penalize hardworking New Yorkers, and drive out small businesses. Capital flight will not be a risk; it will be inevitable.

Families are already saying what once they only whispered: “If Mamdani wins, we’re leaving.” Community members are preparing to move to Deal, New Jersey, or Florida. This is not melodrama. It is rational self-preservation when Jewish life feels conditional, not guaranteed.

Why Registration Is Everything

Mamdani’s strategy is simple: count on apathy. He doesn’t need most New Yorkers to agree with him. He only needs enough people to stay home. That is how he won his primary, and that is how he plans to march into City Hall.

The answer is clear: register and vote. Every eligible voter must be on the voting rolls before the deadline. Applications must be received by a board of elections no later than October 25^th to be eligible to vote in the November general election. In the general election, your party doesnot matter. Republican, Democrat, Independent – if you are registered, you can vote. Two minutes online secures your voice. Do it now, and make sure your family and friends do the same.

The Bottom Line

This election is not about left versus right. It is about survival: safe streets, a working economy, and Jewish life in New York. Mamdani has shown us exactly who he is: a radical, a Hamas sympathizer, and an adversary of everything this city was built upon.

If you want a New York that protects families, rewards hard work, and refuses to launder anti-Semitism through policy, there are only two steps: register and vote.

Stop Mamdani. Save New York.

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Linda Argalgi Sadacka is a political strategist, writer, and community leader. She serves as lead strategist for World Likud.

By Rabbi Hayim Asher Arking and Rabbi Ezra Ghodsi

Why Do We Eat Symbolic Foods?

On Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to eat simanim – symbolic foods – representing blessings and hopes for the coming year. For example, we eat apples dipped in honey for a sweet year, pomegranates for abundant merits, and dates for the elimination of our enemies. Each food is often accompanied by a “yehi ratzon” prayer, linking its symbolism to a specific blessing for the year ahead.

Why Do We Eat Sweet, but Not Sour Foods on Rosh Hashanah?

It is customary to eat sweet foods and not have foods with a sour or bitter taste. This should be a siman – an omen – for the coming year that it shall be a sweet year. The sweetness of a food does not necessarily change its nutritional value or composition; however, the desire to eat something sweet and palatable prevails. So too, although judgement is being passed, and we know that we cannot avoid His judgement, Hashem grants the ability for the judgement to be sweetened in a way that allows us to gain the “nutritional value” and benefit of what He would like us to perform and accomplish in this world, yet in a way that is sweet and palatable.

Even more than the symbolism of foods eaten, one should be careful to exhibit a calm demeanor, not get angry, and just be happy, as this also portends the future year.

Why Are There Different Orders of the Simanim?

One can find in the Mahzorim two different orders for the simanim, one based upon the preference of order of blessings in general, and the other based on the successive order of vanquishing our enemies. Either way is good, and it is preferable for one to follow their custom.

Should Each Person Recite Their Own Blessing?

It is preferable for everyone to fulfill their obligation with the beracha of the leader of the household. When many people do a mitsvah together, it is a greater honor for Hashem, as the pasuk says, “be’rov aam hadrat melech – with more people performing a mitsvah together, it is the splendor of the King.” If one wishes to recite his own beracha and not be “yotzai” with the baalhabayit he may do so.

Why Should We Have a New Fruit on the Second Night?

All holidays outside of Erets Yisrael are each two days due to the sanctity imposed by custom of when the new month was determined by witnesses. Within Israel, all knew the determination of which day was Rosh Hodesh through messengers. However, outside of Israel, as it was distant, it may not have been known for a while, so two days of the holiday were kept. This custom infused this second day with holiness, and even after the custom of setting Rosh Chodesh by witness testimony was replaced with the fixed calendar system we follow today, the holiness of the second day continues with us. Rosh Hashanah, because it falls out on Rosh Hodesh, even in Erets Yisrael Rosh Chodesh was not known around the country until after the holiday. Therefore, this same custom of observing the holiday for two days had been rooted even then. Furthermore, the two days of Rosh Hashanah are of great symbolic nature, inherently considered like one long day. When it comes to reciting shehechianu, we recite it on both the first and second nights of each holiday. However, since Rosh Hashanah is considered as one long day, technically, one should not recite it on the second day. Therefore, the preferred way is to have a new fruit or a new suit or an item with which to recite shehechianu on in conjunction with the second night of the holiday. If you do not have a new fruit or new suit for the second night, you may still recite the blessing of shehechianu.

Victor Cohen

Over the past several decades, our community has been blessed with tremendous growth and success. Our institutions have flourished, our businesses have expanded, and our schools and synagogues have been beautifully renovated. Families celebrate joyous occasions with Pesach vacations, weddings, engagements, and large sebets. In many ways, community life has never been stronger.

Yet, this picture is not complete. Behind the scenes, there are families among us who quietly struggle to meet even their most basic needs. Some cannot put enough food on the table. Others find it difficult to afford a proper Shabbat meal or the extra expenses that come with our many Jewish holidays. For these parents, the most painful challenge of all is explaining to their children why they cannot provide what others seem to enjoy so easily.

In a community as blessed as ours, it may seem unthinkable that families could be struggling to put food on the table. And yet, this is a reality.

Thankfully, however, struggling families are not without support. For more than 25 years, theTomchei Shabbosorganization has stood quietly at the forefront of this effort – ensuring that families maintain their dignity by enabling them to enjoy large, scrumptious meals on Shabbat and holidays. Working discreetly and with great sensitivity, and without much advertising, publicity or fanfare, Tomchei Shabbos has become a lifeline for countless families.

Today, this vital organization turns to the community it has long served, asking for the help it needs to continue its essential work.

More Food to More Families

Based in Lakewood, NJ, the broader Tomchei Shabbos network is a 14 million-dollar organization, supporting over 2,000 families,each according to its particular financial needs. Those in the greatest need of assistance comeonce a week to receive food for Shabbat. Families who require less help making ends meet receive assistance monthly. There is also a “holiday-only section” providing food for those who need help only with their holiday expenses. Lines extend out into the highway as people receiving weekly or monthly assistance come to the Tomchei Shabbos warehouse where they are generously provided with food.

What sets Tomchei Shabbos apart from other organizations is its direct and efficient approach: it provides food itself, rather than simply offering financial assistance. By leveraging its infrastructure and strategic location in Lakewood, where food can be sourced at lower costs, Tomchei Shabbos maximizes every dollar to deliver more food to more families. With remarkable efficiency and complete discretion, the organization ensures that those it helps receive what they need while preserving their dignity.

For the past 25 years, our community has turned to Tomchei Shabbos under the dedicated guidance of Rabbi Ben Sion Kaye. Rabbi Kaye personally oversaw and carried out countless deliveries, often doing the work himself, to quietly and discreetly support families through Shabbat, holidays, and other occasions. His tireless efforts behind the scenes ensured that no family felt shame and that every table could be filled with the joy and honor befitting Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Tomchei Shabbat of the Jersey Shore

When Rabbi Kaye started this sacred work, he was delivering Pesach meals to 35 families. Unfortunately, the number of families in need of assistance has tripled.

For 25 years, Tomchei Shabbos’ Lakewood headquarters handled all this work themselves, but several months ago, around Pesach time, the organization soberly informed Rabbi Kaye that they would need our community’s assistance in order to continue providing food to our members.

Rabbi Kaye quickly convened a meeting with all the rabbis of the Jersey Shore to discuss the situation. They decided right away to move forward and open a new Sephardic Division of Tomchei Shabbat under the leadership of the director of development,Abie Tawil, who lives in Deal with his wife, Susan.And thus Tomchei Shabbat of the Jersey Shore was born.

The founders of the new division hit the ground running. Fundraising drives were held in the community’s synagogues each week. Numerous conversations were held with prospective donors, and significant sums of moneywere raised for struggling families.

“When we help others welcome the Shabbat, we’re welcoming blessing and peace into our homes,” says committee member Hymie Dana, who is heavily involved with Tomchei Shabbat. “Supporting Tomchei Shabbat is definitely a source of berachah for our homes.”

“Helping to feed those in need is one of the biggest mitzvot,” added Ricky Esses, who is also involved. “But giving a sense of joy and hope to these families on Shabbat and holidays is the greatest mitzvah. We must continue taking care of our community, and we must first start with those most in need. Tomchei Shabbat of the Jersey Shore does that.”

The Call of Our Community’s Rabbis

The initiative has been graced with the involvement of many community rabbis, who have lauded the organization’s work. Rabbi Shaul Kassin of Congregation Magen David said, “Tomchei Shabbat gives a tremendous amount of relief to these families who cannot imagine what they are going to do for Shabbat.”

“It is unimaginable in our eyes, but it really exists,” Rabbi David Ozeri noted. “We know for a fact that there are people in our community who cannot put food on the table for Shabbat.”

“There are families in our community that live down the block from you and me who can’t look forward to Friday night,” Rabbi Joey Haber said. “Tomchei Shabbat will ensure that every family in Deal is able to have the gift that all of us have.”

Rabbi Shlomo Diamond added, “We have an organization in our community called Tomchei Shabbat of the Jersey Shore that actually gives food to families throughout the year.”

Rabbi Moshe Douek of Eatontown Synagogue said that he personally knows many people who receive the boxes from Tomchei Shabbat, and when these packages, arrive, “a huge stress is taken off their head.”

“It is crucial for us to support Tomchei Shabbat because they support our community,” Rabbi Eli Mansour said.

Rabbi Joey Mizrahi called Tomchei Shabbat an “amazing organization” that “gives people basic necessities…that they need for weekdays, Shabbat, and just to live life with dignity.”

Rabbi Avi Harari of Ohel Yishak of Allenhurst described Tomchei Shabbat as “embodying the highest form of tzedakah,” noting how it extends help “with such discretion and dignity that families can rebuild their lives without shame, knowing their community stands behind them in their time of need.”

“Tomchei Shabbat is an organization that provides vital assistance to the families in need in our Jersey Shore community,” Rabbi Reuven Semah of Magen Abraham said. “Especially helpful are their food distributions during holiday times when expenses are high.” The rabbi then appealed to the community, imploring, “Please donate generously.”

“It is an honor to recommend Tomchei Shabbat, an organization which beautifully exemplifies the Torah values of caring for those in need,” Rabbi Aviad Bar Hen of Cedar Avenue Synagogue  said. “With dignity and compassion, they ensure that every family has access to Shabbat meals, fulfilling the sacred mitzvah of ma’achil re’evim – feeding the hungry.”

Many other rabbis also vouched for the organization, including Rabbi Shmuel Choueka, Rabbi David Tawil, Rabbi David Sutton, Rabbi David Nakash, Rabbi Raymond Beyda, Rabbi Meyer Yedid, and Rabbi David Ashear.

Becoming Eliyahu Ha’navi

Last month, to build on its growing momentum, Tomchei Shabbat held its inaugural community event at the home of Franny and Morris Beyda. The evening was both elegant and uplifting, bringing together inspirational speakers and community members united for a common cause.

The program opened with words from Rabbi Moshe Malka, who emphasized the importance of cultivating gratitude and avoiding attitudes that withhold blessing – such as excessive worry, anxiety, and ingratitude. When Hashem grants us blessings, he noted, we must share them. In this way, the work of Tomchei Shabbat – easing the worries of families in need and extending the blessings of our community to those less fortunate – embodies the path to continued success and divine favor.

Abie Tawil then spoke passionately about the responsibility we share as a community. “Through these few weeks,” he reflected, “I realized that we had to create this as a community. There are over 100 families who need our help. We have the sources, the distribution, and the mechanics to continue it. So we have to, and we have to save the ones who call the rabbis, saying, ‘We can’t afford to live without it.’ It’s so special that we have our community to step up and help our people.”

Shmuel Kairey told a story about a man who very much wished to meet Eliyahu Hanavi, and so he approached the Baal Shem Tov to ask where he could find him. The Baal Shem Tov told him to bring food to a certain town on Friday, and ask around for somebody to host him for Shabbat. He would then find Eliyahu Hanavi.

The man did precisely as he was told. He purchased food, brought it to the town, and asked around for hospitality. He ended up in the home of a poor orphan and widow. It was a beautiful Shabbat, but the man did not find Eliyahu Hanavi.

After Shabbat, he returned to the Baal Shem Tov, who told himto do the same thing the next Shabbat. Once again, the man bought food and went to the town. This time, already knowing the orphan and widow, he proceeded to their home, and spent another uplifting Shabbat with them – but once again, without encountering Eliyahu.

The Baal Shem Tov told him to go back once more, and so he made his way back to the town for Shabbat with more food.

This time, the window to the orphan’s house was open, and the man could hear the orphan, lying weakly in bed, saying to his mother, “I’m very sick, I don’t know what to do.”

The widow replied: “Hashem will send Eliyahu Hanavi again this Shabbat. He sent him the past two weeks, Hashem will send him again!”

The man stopped looking for Eliyahu Hanavi, as he understood what the Baal Shem Tov was trying to teach him. If you want to meet Eliyahu Hanavi, you should be like him. Take care of the orphan, take care of the widow, help those who cannot help themselves.

Through the work of Tomchei Shabbat, Shmuel Kairey said, “We are emulating Eliyahu Hanavi,” expressing his fervent hope that, with Gd’s help, the organization will continue assisting everyone in need.

Harry Adjmi, who led the fundraising rounds, spoke of his relationship with Rabbi Ben Sion Kaye of The Sephardic Torah Center, saying, “I don’t believe there is a single Jew in the world whom Rabbi Kaye does not have empathy for.”

He then added, “You couldn’t have heard more. Every rabbi in the community, whether they were on Joe Mansour’s video, or came this morning, showed up to support Tomchei Shabbat.”

Rabbi Meyer Yedid also spoke, emphasizing the important role that Jews have in the world. He explained that we were not chosen as Gd’s special nation because of our ability to do great things. Rather, “Hashem chose us because even when we are so big, when we get bigger, we ask more of ourselves.” We Jews are always saying, “I’m not doing enough!” – and this, Rabbi Yedid said, is one of the most special qualities of a Jew, his desire to continue doing more.

One committee member commented, “Since I started fundraising, we’ve gotten dozens of calls from people you’d never think of. The father’s trying to work and trying to make it work, even the mother is working. A lot of them are widows or divorcees.” People come to Tomchei Shabbat at their lowest, and it’s up to Tomchei Shabbat to help give these families the support that they need to get back on their feet.

No matter the circumstance – whether a family faces the loss of a loved one, a sudden job loss, or any unforeseen hardship – Tomchei Shabbat is there to lift them up, restoring hope, stability, and dignity with quiet compassion. It is a truly beautiful organization, built on the values of kindness and discretion, ensuring that no member of our community is left behind. With the continued support of the Jersey Shore community, Tomchei Shabbat will remain a steadfast source of strength, ready to help every family who turns to them in their time of need.

By Stuart H. Ditchek, MD
Board Certified PediatricianFaculty, NYU School of Medicine

The issue of childhood vaccinations is critical for parents to understand fully and not be influenced by parties that frankly will take no responsibility should a child be harmed by a serious and preventable infection.  During my early career and training, I witnessed the horror parents faced in the pre-vaccine era. I trained in the 1980s at Kings County Hospital which was an epicenter of care for many poor families and many new immigrant families.

Many came from countries that had very poor conditions, poor nutrition, and limited vaccination availability. We treated many cases of bacterial meningitis (typically Haemophilus Influenza B or Hib), whooping cough (Pertussis) and Measles.  Babies with whooping cough have sporadic but severe episodes of coughing spells to the point of turning blue (cyanosis).

Firsthand Experience in the Pre-Vaccine Era

The drooling and secretions would not allow the child to even take a complete breath. All we could do was provide oxygen by mask and hold the child until the coughing fit and choking resolved. Many suffered seizures as a result causing significant damage to their young brains.

In the case of bacterial meningitis which we saw frequently, there was not yet any vaccine (Hib  vaccine). Babies were brought to the hospital with fever and often poorly responsive as these infections act quickly and invade the spinal fluid surrounding the brain.

Spinal taps were a daily event in order to determine the extent and specific type of the infection. Virtually none of these babies left the hospital intact. Many died over days. Those that survived were often left with deafness, blindness, or severely cognitively impaired.  Since the vaccine introduction in the  early 1990s, the number of cases of invasive Hib infection in the United States has gone from 20,000 cases a year to less than 50 currently. This accounts for more than 99 percent reduction. I have not seen a case of Hib meningitis or invasive disease since 1991.

Measles victims were often admitted with classical rashes followed by high fevers, coughs and in many cases invasion of the lungs  and involvement of the developing brain(encephalitis). Many affected babies who were admitted died or were left with lifelong neurological impairment as Measles can destroy young brain tissue often  liquefying the damaged brain cells.  

Let’s take one more example that hit our community in the most catastrophic manner. The names have been changed for anonymity purposes. Years ago, Sara, a”h, was a young mother of a four-year-old child. Sarah was a patient in my practice in her later teen years. At the age of 26 years old, she developed rapid onset meningococcal disease (bacterial blood and brain infection). Despite dramatic efforts to save her, she succumbed to the infection within 36 hours. This was not uncommon in the pre-meningococcal vaccine era.

The meningococcal vaccine was approved several years later, too late to save Sara. Several years later when her mother Rebecca, a”h, was suffering from end stage cancer. I had the privilege of spending many hours with her. I asked if I could encourage apprehensive parents to vaccinate by using her name and discussing the tragedy. She looked at me and said, “Of course! Why should any parent ever suffer the loss of a beautiful child as we did when it is preventable? Please tell them what I said.”  I have not seen a single meningococcal infection since the vaccine has been implemented in my practice. 

Debunking Vaccine Myths and Ensuring Safety

The  anti-vaccine movement has exploded in recent years for a variety of reasons, all false and misinformation. They would have you believe that doctors are being paid and influenced by “big pharma” or  false claims  that vaccines cause autism. This issue has been studied repetitively over the last forty years with absolutely no evidence of that claim. They will also tell you that vaccines are not monitored for safety, also false.

Vaccines go through well over ten years of study before approval. I have participated in both successful and unsuccessful FDA-monitored vaccine trials and I can attest that the oversight is absolutely intense and multi-layered.

Parents should not confuse theemergency implementation of the COVID vaccine with childhood vaccinations. That vaccine was critically needed during the peak of the pandemic when we were seeing many thousands of deaths a week during the Spring and Fall of 2020. At this time, the vaccine saved millions of lives worldwide. The mandates that followed were certainly politically influenced on both sides of the aisle. The mandates had nothing to do with childhood vaccinations for the diseases being discussed. At this point, there is very little need for COVID vaccination except in the highest risk groups.

Just to give one final example of how serious an issue vaccine safety is to physicians. In 1998, the initial Rotavirus vaccine was being implemented nationally. Many agencies and organizations were responsible to monitor for variations in safety signals. In 1999, monitoring agencies noticed a possible safety signal raising the question of whether a very small number of babies who received the vaccine had developed a complication of the intestine called intussusception.

The CDC, FDA, and American Academy of Pediatrics acted very quickly. Within 24 hours, ALL pediatricians in the United States received a series of  faxes instructing  doctors to immediately cease vaccination with Rotavirus vaccine and to return all existing doses to the manufacturer. The vaccine was put on hold, reformulated, tested, studied, and reintroduced in 2006 with none of the complications seen initially. That is how vaccine surveillance worked in the 1990s and it has improved dramatically since then with even better computer modeling. Pediatricians take vaccine safety very seriously as we should do with all therapies and interventions. 

Currently, parents are being inundated with false information from anti-vaccine activists on social media. These are individuals who frankly feel that if they can create fear in young parents who will then refuse or delay vaccination, it will somehow validate their own dangerous actions.

The Measles crisis in Texas(January 2025)  was very serious with three deaths and many hospitalizations including ICU admissions. Almost all cases were proven to be unimmunized.

Israel is currently experiencing a serious outbreak with over 500 cases in the past three months reported and growing. There have been many hospitalizations and currently several toddlers on ECMO(extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) who are critically ill, both with lung involvement. Unfortunately, a two-year-old passed away in Jerusalem in mid-August.

ECMO is used when the heart or lungs are no longer capable of providing oxygen when severely damaged. The child is sedated and invasive access lines are placed in the child as a life saving last effort. The ECMO machine then functions essentially as an artificial heart and lung by removing blood from the body and oxygenating the blood externally. The blood is then returned the bodyThis is a very high risk situation which can result in strokes, blood clots, bleeding, and infection complications, all avoidable if the children would have been immunized. These are preventable tragedies.

If the crisis hits our community, it could lead to many cases of Measles in children and pregnant women who have impaired immunity during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are now many in the community who are avoiding vaccination, some by very nefarious means.

For those who have falsified vaccination records, they will be at very high risk when we are faced with new infections as the unimmunized account for more than 98 percent of new infections. What is especially dangerous to the public is that many with falsified records who come down with Measles will claim that they became infected despite immunization. This false claim will further erode trust in vaccinations which serves the anti-vaccine movement well.

Proper vaccination at 12 months and four years of age provides 98 percent immunity to children. Measles is a highly contagious infection which can remain in air particles in closed spaces such as rooms or elevators for several hours. The 2019 outbreak in the New York area had several terrible outcomes including children with encephalitis.

Why Vaccine Timing Matters for Babies

I am often asked why babies need to be immunized under a year of age. Some parents are attempting to tailor their own vaccine schedule starting late. This is a dangerous approach for a variety of reasons, most importantly the susceptibility of the young brain to infection.

Babies need to be protected from very young ages because they have limited ability to fight infections naturally. In addition, their immature blood brain barrier allows infection to invade from the blood to the young brain and damage the developing neurological system. Delaying vaccination until children are older makes absolutely no sense as it leaves the most susceptible, babies under a year of age, open to terrible outcomes should they get infected with one of these vaccine preventable infections.

In my practice, I have never, and will never allow modifications in the recommended vaccine schedules. The timing of vaccination was not created in a vacuum. It required many years of testing and research to know which vaccines need to be given and at what timing. Vaccines in 2025 are the safest vaccines and continue to be monitored as always. Seeing reemergence of these vaccine preventable diseases is devastating knowing historically how life was before many vaccines were available My prayer is that our communities will take these warnings seriously. Having a child is a gift and a privilege. It is not an experiment when being educated by those who quite frankly will take no responsibility when a child is stricken.