Hanukah FAQ

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December 2023

The misvah of menorah is an extremely beloved misvah (Rambam). All misvot have a standard way of performance and an enhanced and more meticulous way. By the strict letter of the law, one can fulfill his obligation by lighting only one candle each night. Hanukah is so beloved, that it has been unanimously accepted for all to perform the misvah in a superior manner. We begin with a single candle on the first night, then add a candle each night, until ultimately kindling eight lights on the final night. We hope the following guide will enhance your performance of this beloved misvah.

Who is required to light?

Both men and women are obligated in the misvah of lighting. Although it is a time-bound commandment, which women are generally exempt from, women are obligated in this misvah as they played a significant role, through Yehudit’s actions when she killed an important Greek general.

Unlike other misvot, such as eating massah or shaking lulav, where each person is required to perform the misvah individually, any one member ― man or woman over bar/bat misvah ― may light the menorah on behalf of the household.

Children under the age of bar/bat misvah may light any subsequent candles after the first candle is lit by an adult, provided that they have reached the age of chinuch (i.e., they understand how to perform the misvah).

I have a child studying out of town. Is he required to light himself?

Children who are supported by their parents and view their parents’ house as their home are still considered part of the household. Even if they are temporarily not living in the house, they can fulfill their obligation with their parents’ lighting.

The question becomes more complicated if the child is in a different time zone. For example, if the child is in Israel and the parents are lighting at home in America. At the time of lighting in Israel, it is not time to light in America, and when it becomes nightfall in America it is past the time for lighting in Israel. Therefore, it is preferable for the student to light himself, and according to some opinions even with a beracha. If the child is in a later time zone, for example, their home is in New York and the child is studying in L.A., then according to all opinions, a beracha is not recited.

What should I do if I am a guest?

One may fulfill his obligation with his host. The guest should participate in the misvah by acquiring partial ownership of the oil and wicks. For close family members visiting and sleeping over, we can assume the host gives them partial ownership, just as he allows them to eat and drink in his house without payment. Concerning other guests, it is preferable for the host to verbalize that he is giving the guest acquisition as a partial owner in the oil, wicks, etc.

Should I use candles or oil?

The miracle occurred through the flask of oil lasting eight days. Therefore, the preferred manner of performing this misvah is with olive oil; otherwise, candles are acceptable.

Every Friday night while reading Bameh Madlikin, we recite a list of wicks and oils unsuitable for Shabbat candles. Some are not suitable because they do not draw the oil well, thereby causing the flame to flicker, while others are not suitable because of their odor. The objective of Shabbat candles is to enjoy and benefit from their light, and we are worried one may mistakenly adjust or tilt the flickering candle for it to light better, or he might leave the room if there is an unpleasant odor. For Hanukah, however, these wicks and oils may be used. The Hanukah candles are not for our personal use. Therefore, even if they do not light well, we are not concerned that one may adjust the candles.

Where do I light?

Initially, the lighting would be outside, by the entrance to the courtyard or home, as a public display of the miracles Hashem has done for us. Nowadays, that we are in exile among other nations, it is recommended in most places to light inside so as not to incite our gentile neighbors. Although when lit inside, the menorah is primarily meant to be seen by those inside the home, we light the menorah by the window so that it is also visible to passersby.

How high should I place my menorah?

The menorah should be placed at a height where the flames of the candles are above three tefachim (approximately 9.6 inches), and preferably below 10 tefachim (approximately 32 inches). If the menorah would only be visible to passersby outside if placed on a higher window ledge, or if there are young children around, there is no problem placing the menorah higher than 10 tefachim.

Which side of the menorah do we start lighting from?

On the first night, we light the rightmost candle in front of the one lighting. On the second night, a second candle will be added on the immediate left of the first candle. And so on ― every added candle is placed in the next left slot. The lighting will always begin with the newest added candle (increasingly left) so that when you actually light, your direction will bring you to move your hand toward the right. The reason to perform the lighting in a rightward direction is like all Avodah ― service in the Bet Hamikdash where the setup of the service positions the Kohen to begin at a point where his direction during his Avodah will subsequently turn toward the right.

When is the preferred time to light the menorah?

The preferred time to light is twenty minutes after sunset (4:55pm in the NY/NJ), or at least within a half hour after this time. If one is unable to light then, he should strive to do so as soon as possible. It is important to light while there are still passersby outside, as it is still considered lighting at the proper time. In a situation where no one will be home until late at night, one may light, as long as it is still nighttime. However, one should endeavor to have at least one other family member awake, so that the berachot can be recited according to all opinions.

May I eat before I light?

Once it reaches within a half hour of the time to light the menorah one should not sit down for a bread meal. However, if one already started his meal before that half hour, he may continue, though he may light during his meal.

How do I get to the Hanukah party on time?

One does not fulfill his misvah with what was lit at a family Hanukah party unless he is sleeping there overnight (or was sleeping there already from the night before even though he will be leaving that evening). If one would like to light quickly at home and then go, then his menorah will have to stay lit for a half hour. After this time, it is permitted to extinguish the lights. Otherwise, one can light the menorah when arriving home (as long as it is before dawn!).

When do we light on erev Shabbat?

Although one should first light the menorah and then light the Shabbat candles, if the wife mistakenly lit the Shabbat candles first, the husband may still light the menorah afterwards. If the woman is the one lighting the menorah, and she lit the Shabbat candles first, lighting the menorah at this point will depend on if her custom is to accept Shabbat with the lighting of the candles or not.

What if my candles went out?

It is proper to keep one’s hand lighting the flame until most of the wick is lit before proceeding to the next candle. Once the fire caught onto the wick properly, even if it went out within a half hour, one is not required to light again. However, it is preferable. The leftover oil or candle from it extinguishing prematurely can be used for the next night. Otherwise, it should not be disposed of like regular garbage since it was dedicated for a misvah. Therefore, it is burned, similar to leftover sacrifices.

A project of “Ohr of the Shore.” For questions or comments, feel free to contact us at: faqs@ohrhalacha.org or (732) 359-3080.

Parking Meter Rates Rise in Brooklyn

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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New York’s increased parking meter fees officially began in Brooklyn last month.

Parking meter pricing increases of at least 20 percent are happening across the city, which the Department of Transportation says will help drivers to find short-term parking more easily, as the price hike will serve to keep more spaces open.

“By aligning meter rates with demand, we’re going to make it easier for drivers to find short-term parking because there will be greater availability,” the DOT said in a statement. The Department of Transportation also believes the higher rates will help reduce congestion and will support the local economy. Residents in Prospect Heights have different opinions on this change.

Eight-year-old Jonah, of Prospect Heights, says he is concerned his parents will have another expense.

“Everything is already so expensive in New York – it’s just how it is. And, like making the parking meters go up, making everything more expensive – I don’t think it’s good,” he said.

Michael Davis says he is a fan of the increase. He hopes it will deter New Yorkers from driving.

“We should discourage cars. People shouldn’t be using their cars,” said Davis.

NYU Hires Anti-Israel Professor to Lead New Department

New York University has hired a notorious Israel hater to lead a new center dedicated to indigenous studies, sparking outrage from top leaders at the school.

NYU announced the appointment of Eve Tuck, a professor of critical race and indigenous studies, on October 9^th – just two days after Hamas terrorists massacred 1,400 Israeli civilians.

Though her work is focused on native peoples, Tuck has found common cause with Palestinian terrorism — including defending Hamas’ deadly rampage. On Oct. 26, Tuck signed a letter blaming Israel for Hamas’ butchery.

“The past two weeks of horrific violence in Gaza resulted from 75 years of Israeli settler colonial dispossession,” the letter read.

“Colonized peoples have the right to defend themselves and to resist colonial violence. We support Palestinian liberation and their right as an oppressed people to resist colonialism and genocide.”

“I am appalled that her hiring continued in the middle of this toxic atmosphere,” said Elliott Bross, a board member of NYU’s Stern School of Business. “I call for the NYU to terminate her contract immediately.”

To voice your concerns – please contact the following people of NYU:

John Beckman – Senior Vice President for Public Affairs and Strategic Communications: john.beckman@nyu.edu / 212.998.6848

Deborah Broderick – Vice President for Marketing Communications: deborah.broderick@nyu.edu / 212.998.6825

Steve Heuer – Associate Vice President for Government Affairs:

steve.heuer@nyu.edu / 202.654.8329

Arlene Peralta-Avila – Senior Director of Community Engagement:

arlene.peralta@nyu.edu / 212.998.2401

Inspiring Messages from Rabbi Shmuel Choueka – Now Available in Softcover Book!

A new book, The Rabbi’s Message: Inspiring Insights into the Weekly Parasha, has been published with a collection of writings by Rabbi Shmuel Choueka, the Rabbi of Congregation Ohel Simha in Long Branch, N.J. For many years, Ohel Simha has been sending out the Rabbi’s divrei Torah on the parashah to its congregants, and now some of them have been made available to the public. Powerjews.com has compiled a book with a full year of the Rabbi’s weekly messages – one message on each parashah.

Within the pages of the book, Rabbi Choueka weaves inspiring insights into the parashah with stories and lessons that demonstrate his deep understanding of both Torah and human nature. This book invites readers to experience the parashah as if sitting in the Rabbi’s warm presence, benefiting from his knowledge and kindness.

The publisher took on this project for the sole purpose of spreading the words of Torah, and has made it available on Amazon at his cost – less than $5.00 a copy! To order a copy, go to https://a.co/d/4w5iC8S or scan the QR code below. You can also request a free digital copy by sending an email to info@powerjews.com. This will make the perfect companion for anyone’s Shabbat table!

Amid Rise in Anti-Semitism, NYS Releasing $45 Million in Security Funding for Yeshivot

The New York State Education Department will release $45 million for Non-Public School Safety Equipment (NPSE) for immediate distribution, six months earlier than originally planned, as Jewish institutions come under increased threat due to the Israel-Hamas war.

The $45 million of funds allocated for private school safety equipment was increased from $15 million in last year’s state budget to improve security measures at religious schools in recognition of the precipitous rise of anti-Semitic incidents. Funds from the 2023-24 budget were scheduled to be available beginning in April 2024, for schools to apply for as reimbursement. But last month, the Education Department announced that schools will now be able to apply for the funds immediately.

The Anti-Defamation League reports it has recorded a total of 312 anti-Semitic incidents between October 7th and October 23rd, 190 of which “were directly linked to the war in Israel and Gaza.”

State Sen. Simcha Felder, Deputy Majority Leader Sen. Michael Giannaris, and others are also seeking a doubling in the funding available this year, from $45 million to $90 million.

“No price is too high when we are talking about protecting children,” Felder said. “Safety and security is our top priority. Every yeshiva and Jewish school must have the funds necessary to ensure that to the best of their human ability every student, rebbe, and teacher is safe at school and will return home to their family at the end of the day.”

Maury Litwack, founder of Teach Coalition, called the announcement “an important step towards meeting the urgent needs of our Jewish Day School community, which is incurring substantial unanticipated costs simply to ensure that students, staff, and families are safe.”

Brooklyn Incumbents Kalman Yeger and Inna Vernikov Win Big in City Council Races

Brooklyn Councilman Kalman Yeger

Incumbent Democrat Kalman Yeger easily defeated Heshy Tischler in the 44th district in a race pitting two well-known Orthodox Jews against each other. Yeger won with over 80 percent of the vote. The 44^th district represents parts of Boro Park, Midwood, Kensington, Bensonhurst, and Gravesend.

Meanwhile, City Council member Inna Vernikov, a vocal supporter of Israel, also won reelection, with nearly 70 percent of the vote.

Vernikov’s 48th district covers Brooklyn’s Homecrest, Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, and Manhattan Beach neighborhoods. Vernikov, elected in 2022, serves as the Republican party minority whip in the council. Independent candidate Igor Kazatsker also ran for the district, falling well short of Vernikov and Adler. Democrat Adler is also Jewish, a fact she highlighted shortly before the race with a visit to the Chabad rebbe’s gravesite in Queens.

Vernikov was arraigned just days before the election for illegally bringing a pistol to a pro-Palestinian protest last month. Vernikov has a permit for the weapon, but under New York law, a demonstration is considered a “sensitive location” where firearms are prohibited.

Voters were focused on migrants and crime more than on other issues, but the Middle East war was also a factor, according to a Siena College poll released late last month.

A majority of voters – 57 percent – favored more aid to Israel, while 32 percent were opposed. Jewish voters favored more aid to Israel by a wide margin of 81 percent in favor and 8 percent opposed

Medical Halacha – Genetic Screening

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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Rabbi Yehuda Finchas

Max and Michelle scratched their heads as they looked at each other in dismay. They are looking forward to getting married and having children and just discovered that it is recommended that they first do genetic screening. “Rabbi, what should we do?” they asked. “We are both healthy, and this is causing us so much stress.”

Genetic screening before marriage involves testing for specific genetic conditions that could be passed on to children. On the one hand, receiving news of being a carrier of a genetic condition can cause distress for a condition that does not yet exist in a child who only might be affected by this disease. At the same time, knowing this information means that you can pro-actively take steps to prevent these diseases. For example, by doing in vitro fertilization with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), we can ensure the selection of healthy embryos, and thereby prevent a specific genetic disease from being passed on to children.

Rambam and Shulchan Aruch rule that caution is appropriate in choosing a future spouse and therefore, one should not marry into a family who are Mesoraim or Nichfim (Isurie Biah 21:3, S.A. EH 2:7 quoting Yevamot 64b). These cases are somewhat different than what we are dealing with, since the families mentioned have a known and established disease. In most cases, however, people do not know if they are a carrier of a genetic disease. Hacham Eliyahu Bakshi Doron (Responsa Binyan Av 5:65), discusses this at length and proposes principles and guidelines for finding the correct balance to screening.

Genetic Screening Before Marriage

Rav Bakshi starts by discussing testing for recessive genetic diseases, such as Tay-Sachs disease. A recessive trait means that for a child to be affected by the disorder both parents have to be carriers of the recessive gene. The parents are completely unaffected by the gene and each of their children has a 25 percent of being born with the disorder. He quotes Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, who permits genetic screening before marriage and argues that a person should not close their eyes to a common, deadly, and untreatable disease such as Tay-Sachs.

There are, however, many genetic disorders. We do not test for all of them and it is difficult to know where to draw the line. Each community has its own risks and different prevalence of specific disorders. Ashkenazi Jews have higher prevalence of Tay-Sachs disease, Gaucher disease, and cystic fibrosis. Sephardic Jews more frequently are afflicted with Familial Mediterranean Fever, Machado Joseph Disease, or GSD. The specific frequencies will depend on if you are from North African, Persian, or Syrian descent.

BRCA Mutation

Hacham Bakshi then discusses whether an adult woman should test for BRCA mutations, which may mean that she will develop cancers later in life. He poses the dilemma as follows: Central to halacha is the principle of preserving life, VeNishmartem Me’od Lenafshotechem, and therefore, even if there is a small chance of a disease, one should be concerned about preventing it. If so, BRCA screening should be obligatory. Alternatively, at this point the woman is not ill, has no reason to believe that she will develop cancer, and perhaps there is no need to screen and “look into the future.”

Hacham Bakshi explains that pikuach nefesh on Shabbat refers to situations when you are confronted with or can anticipate danger. He differentiates between an immediate danger – that permits desecrating even biblical Shabbat prohibitions – and situations in which there no threat or no danger at the moment, but only will arise in the future. For these latter cases, you may only desecrate rabbinic prohibitions to prevent the danger (Maran Beit Yosef OH 428 quoting Rabbenu Yerucham).

Using this principle, Rav Bakshi distinguishes between a family who knows they have the BRCA mutation and those that have no reason to assume they have it. He rules that only a woman from a family with high chance of having this mutation is obligated to check for it. But if the statistical likelihood is small there is no obligation, and we should trust in Hashem and follow the instruction of “Tamim tehiyeh im Hashem Elokecha” (“walk simply with Hashem your Gd”). He explains that you are only expected to follow normal standard practice; doing too much hishtadlut may be problematic, too.

In conclusion, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach, as each individual and community is different. Halachic authorities, geneticists, and physicians must work together to navigate the complexities of genetic screening and weigh up the risks and benefits tailored for each person. Undergoing PGD involves many questions and a posek should be consulted.

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

Thoughtful Hanukah Gift Ideas

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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When asked to write a Hanukah article, I wondered how I could help out my readers. I don’t know about you, but I really struggle to come up with good gifts to give. I have a lot of friends and family. I would love to show my appreciation with something meaningful or thoughtful just for them, but I wrack my brain and nothing comes to mind. So, to help myself, and hopefully some of you, I asked my Instagram followers to tell me about meaningful gifts they’ve given or received Even if it was not for Hanukah, a meaningful gift for any occasion might be a good Hanukah gift. too! Enjoy!

Elliot Levy @el_cuisine26

The Hanukah that we got engaged, my fiancé (at the time) and I agreed to not go big on Hanukah presents because her birthday is the next month. We agreed on a small sum that we would spend on our gifts for each other. We planned to exchange presents at her parents’ Hanukah party. My wife (fiancé at the time) loves perfumes, diffusers, and flowers. When it was time to exchange gifts at the party, I surprised her with a really nice gardenia- scented diffuser that was shaped like a gardenia. She loved it because she knew I had put thought into it and gave her something that she really liked.

Shortly after, she gave me my Hanukah present. At the time I was the kosher chef at Rutgers University. I was up at the crack of dawn cooking and recording videos on Instagram of me cooking bulk meals for the college students. She did research and put a lot of effort into her gift for me. She got me a chef coat that was meant for an executive chef, and she had it custom made to my exact liking and even had my Instagram handle embroidered into it. It was the perfect gift. I loved it so much and wore it in all my videos onwards.

Before my wife started working at her current job at SBH, she was working in a shop that sold furs. She always dreamed of having a fur of her own. After presents, dinner, and dessert (at her parents’ party) I told her, “Aleen, I know we agreed to stick to a certain budget and I know that you are a rule breaker, so now it’s my turn to break the rules,” and I handed her a giant box. She was so excited wondering what could be in this huge box. And lo and behold, inside was a beautiful brand-new mink jacket. She was so happy. It was very meaningful because we both put our hearts into the gifts and really thought it out. Items were exchanged that we both loved. She gave me a gift that said she supported me in my business dreams and I gave her something she had always wanted.

Shelly Shmool @byshelly

The most thoughtful gifts I’ve gotten have required people’s time. Or, the gift is a demonstration that I’ve been “heard.” Both types came to me last year. I had been complaining about paying so much for professional photos all the time. I myself am a professional photographer and I really value good photos. As a gift, my family and my friends all chipped in for a family shoot for me. It was so meaningful because I really didn’t expect it. I thought I was just venting to friends! Also, the photos are useful and I’m not a fan of useless gifts. Because I am a photographer, I’m never the friend that gets gifted pictures. Another great gift came after I had my second baby. At the end of the summer, my baby nurse took off. There was a point when my husband was out of the house and I felt like I was drowning. My friend came and took over the baby and I laid down with Sue (my two year old at the time) to go to sleep. When I got up, I saw my friend had gotten the baby down for a nap and had cleaned half my house! It was so helpful and needed at that moment. The way I see it, giving your time can one hundred percent be considered a gift.

Fanette Royzen

I once gifted my grandma with a toilet a few years ago because she pretty much has everything and she happened to need a new one. I knew hers was acting up. Also, this year I gave her a mattress as a gift because hers was old. I believe in being a practical gift giver!

Also (when I’m not gifting appliances and furniture) for small gifts, I love sending personalized gifts. Any gift with someone’s name embossed, printed, or embroidered on it makes it all the more special. I find that my friends and family really enjoy and appreciate my custom gifts!

Dale Levenson

I always love doing beautiful photo albums for my grandparents. I don’t order from Snapfish or Shutterfly, I like to order more professional ones. It’s not very creative, but they always love it! Last year my son got his grandpa for grab bag so I made the gift for him. I basically did a montage of the past two years and added captions for some of the pictures. It was well-received!

Terry Nigri

This is a funny one. My friend loves Ida Levy from @kitchenaccomplished, a community Instagram blogger, so we reached out to her. Ida was so sweet, she agreed to go along with our idea! She made a personalized video (also known as a cameo) wishing my friend a happy Hanukah! When it was time to exchange gifts at our annual Hanukah party, we played the video on a large screen tv and filmed my friend’s reaction. She couldn’t believe it. She was starstruck hearing Ida say her name and talk to her. We were all laughing over her genuine shock and awe. It’s a really great memory for all of us. We still laugh when we talk about it.

Debbie Gross

I’ve got one! My bubby had a lot of costume jewelry, and when she passed the family had to decide what to do with the pieces. We decided to keep the ones we always saw her wearing, which were her favorites. I took a gold ring that she wore very often and I loved wearing it. But it always left a green mark on my finger because it wasn’t real gold. A boy I was dating at the time brought it to a jeweler (without me knowing) and had the ring dipped it in real gold. It’s one of the favorite gifts I’ve ever received. It was just so thoughtful. It was so meaningful for me that this little ring that I used to see on my bubby’s hand all the time was given a “new lease on life” and was now a pleasure to wear.

Korin Kogan

My family went away for Passover and I couldn’t come (or that’s what I told them) but I wound up meeting them there for the second half of the holiday! I’m not sure if it classifies as a gift but they were so happy, so that’s what came to mind! When it comes to babies I typically send custom gifts with the new baby’s name on it. I recently sent my friend a diaper bag and bib with the baby’s name and also included a matching pacifier clip. She loved it!

Violet Bernknopf

I have back problems, herniated disc, etc., and my family gave me a back massager that you can put on a chair. I use it so much! It was the best gift I ever got. It’s like getting a deep tissue massage at home. It’s not fancy, but practical and appreciated!

Lisa Barnathan

I’m always telling my mother-in-law she should join me for yoga, because I love it and it helps me so much with my back pain. For Hanukah one year she had me in secret Maccabee and she gifted me a Lululemon yoga mat with a case!

Wow, so many good ideas! I love the idea of giving your time as a gift. After I had my first baby I was completely overwhelmed. My friend Natalie came over for a visit and realized I could really use some help. She organized my whole room and the baby’s things. I still talk about it nine years later. It was definitely a great gift. The past few years I’ve been making my father and my husband’s grandmother photo calendars for their desks. They absolutely love them. As a photographer, I always recommend photo gifts. I always like them, and think others would enjoy them, too. Pictures never go out of style. In fact, they get more valuable as time passes and they bring back good memories. In fact, I think I’m going to gift more than a couple of photo calendars this year. If you’re a friend or family member of mine, look out! This Hanukah you’re getting some photo gifts! (And yes, I have professional photos of most of my friends and family because I’m the one who takes and stores them!)

I hope everyone has a light and joyous holiday!

Until next month,

Frieda Schweky

Selecting the Right Insurance Policy

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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When it comes to home insurance, the age-old saying, “You get what you pay for,” couldn’t be truer.  Homeowners and renters alike often ﬁnd themselves walking a ﬁne line between aﬀordability and comprehensive coverage.  The key to navigating this balancing act is understanding that the type of balance you can achieve in home insurance is not just about cost, but is also about the level of protection it provides. 

A cheap policy may seem appealing at ﬁrst, but it might leave you vulnerable when the unexpected strikes.  Conversely, an overly expensive policy may oﬀer more coverage than you need.  The real challenge lies in striking the perfect balance between aﬀordability and adequate protection to ensure that your home and possessions are safeguarded without breaking the bank.

Below are some of the cost considerations when looking for a policy.

Type of Home Insurance Policy:  The type of home insurance you choose is a primary determinant of cost.  Homeowners insurance tends to be more expensive than renters insurance because it provides broader coverage, including protection for the structure of the home.  Assess your speciﬁc needs to select the right type of policy for your situation.

Coverage Limits:  The coverage limits you set for your policy play a crucial role in cost.  Higher coverage limits mean greater ﬁnancial protection but also result in higher premiums. Lower coverage limits may reduce your premiums, but they could leave you underinsured in the event of a signiﬁcant loss.  Strike a balance by considering the value of your possessions, the cost of rebuilding your home, and your budget when setting coverage limits.

Deductible Amount:  The deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in.  Opting for a higher deductible can lower your annual premiums, but it means you’ll need to cover more expenses in the event of a claim.  Alternatively, a lower deductible results in higher premiums but reduces your immediate ﬁnancial burden when making a claim.  Choose a deductible that aligns with your ﬁnancial comfort level.

Location:  Where your home is located can signiﬁcantly impact your insurance premiums.  Homes in areas prone to natural disasters, high crime rates, or other risks may have higher premiums.  Conversely, homes in safe, low-risk neighborhoods may enjoy lower insurance costs.  Your location’s speciﬁc risks and the likelihood of claims in your area inﬂuence the pricing of your policy.

Homeowners Insurance vs. Renters Insurance

Homeowners Insurance

This comprehensive policy is tailored for those who own their homes, whether it’s a single-family house, townhouse, or other stand-alone property.  Homeowners insurance is the most extensive option, covering not only the structure of the house but also personal belongings, liability protection, and additional living expenses. In the unfortunate event of damage or loss due to covered perils such as ﬁre, theft, or natural disasters, homeowners insurance provides ﬁnancial security for rebuilding the home, replacing possessions, and covering legal or medical expenses if someone is injured on your property. The level of coverage can be customized to ﬁt your needs, making it suitable for homeowners looking for all-encompassing protection.

Renters Insurance

Renters insurance is designed for those who lease their living spaces, such as apartments or rental homes.  Unlike homeowners insurance, renters insurance does not cover the structure itself, as that is typically the landlord’s responsibility.  Instead, it focuses on safeguarding personal belongings, providing liability protection, and covering additional living expenses in case your rented space becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event. Renters insurance is generally more aﬀordable than homeowners insurance, making it an excellent choice for tenants seeking to protect their possessions and mitigate liability risks.

The Lighter Side – December 2023

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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Daddy Phone Home

Sherry was home with her three young children getting dinner ready when the phone rang. Six-year-old Rachel picked it up and said, “Hi, Daddy!” and she began telling him about her day.

She then passed the phone to her brother and sister as was the custom whenever Daddy called from work.

When it was finally Sherry’s turn to talk, she took the receiver and said, “Hello.”

“Thank goodness, lady,” the voice on the other end replied. “I just called to tell you that the new dishwasher you ordered is here!”

Maxine T.

Fire Drill

David and his classmates at the Talmud Torah had just finished a tour of the local fire hall.

Before each student could leave, the fire chief quizzed him. He asked David, “What do you do if your clothes catch on fire?”

David replied promptly, “I don’t put them on!”

Alex B.

Good Advice

One day, Benjamin went to buy some stamps to send out his Hanukah cards.

He asked the clerk, “Do I have to stick them on myself?”

The clerk replied, “Well, it’d be better if you stuck them on the envelopes.”

Marc S.

Visting Grandma

It was just before Hanukah and Lisa, a grandmother, was giving directions to her grown-up grandson who was coming to visit with his wife for the first time since Lisa had moved to her new apartment.

“You come to the front door of the condominium complex. I am in apartment 3A.” Lisa told her grandson.

“There’s a big panel at the door. Use your elbow to push button 3A and I will buzz you in.

“Come inside and the elevator is on your right. Get in the elevator and user your elbow to press the 3 button.

“When you get out, my apartment is on the left. Use your elbow to ring my doorbell and I’ll open the door for you.”

“Grandma, that sounds easy,” her grandson replied. “But why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow.”

Lisa replied, “You’re coming to visit empty handed?”

Suzie K.

Don’t Judge

Two judges living in a small town in Upstate New York both got arrested for speeding on the same day. Rather than call the State Supreme Court for a visiting judge, each agreed to hear the other’s case.

The first man, Judge Thompson, took the bench, while the second, Judge Smith, stood at the defendant’s table and admitted his guilt. Judge Thompson immediately suspended both the fine and costs.

They switched places. Judge Thompson admitted that he was speeding, too. Thereupon Judge Smith immediately fined him $250 and ordered him to pay court costs.

Judge Thompson was furious. “I suspended your fine and costs, but you threw the book at me!”

Judge Smith looked at him and replied, “I know but this is the second such case we’ve had in here today. Someone has to get tough about all this speeding!”

Morris C

Lucky Latkes

Ariel took latkes to school for lunch during Hanukah.

“These,” he told his friend Daniel, “are what makes Jews so smart.”

“Let me try one then,” said Daniel.

“Tell you what, I’ll sell you one for five dollars,” said Ariel.

So Daniel gave him five dollars and then bit into the latke. “Hey, there’s nothing special about this!” he exclaimed.

“It must be working already!” said Ariel.

Makes Cents

Noah is always teasing his little brother Jacob.

One day he shows his friends what he does: he offers Jacob a choice between a nickel and a dime and when he does Jacob always chooses the nickel.

One of Noah’s friends feels sorry for Jacob so he takes him to one side and says, “You know, Noah is making fun of you. Even though the nickel is bigger, the dime is worth more.”

Jacob laughs and says, “I know that, but if I took the dime, he’d stop doing it. So far, I’ve made $20!”

Josh F.

Unhappy Landing

An El Al 747 was flying the busy Tel Aviv-New York route when the plane began having engine trouble. The pilot instructed the cabin crew to have the passengers take their seats and get prepared for an emergency landing.

A few minutes later, the pilot asked the flight attendants if everyone was buckled in and ready.

“All set back here, Captain,” came the reply, “except for one lawyer who is still going around passing out business cards.”

Elliot L.

Dreaming in Hebrew

Little Marty was having some trouble in Hebrew class.

To encourage him, his teacher, Morah Shalva, said, “You’ll know you’re really beginning to get it when you start dreaming in Hebrew.”

One day, Little Marty ran into class all excited, saying, “Morah Shalva! I had a dream last night and everyone was talking in Hebrew!”

“Great!” said Morah Shalva. “What were they saying?”

“I don’t know,” Marty replied. “I couldn’t understand them!”

Jacklyn E.

Hanukah Stamps

Miriam goes to the post office to buy stamps for her Hanukah cards. She says to the clerk, “Please may I have 50 Hanukah stamps?”

The postal clerk asks, “What denomination?”

Miriam says, “Oy vey, has it come to this? Okay, give me 6 Sephardic, 12 Yiddish, and 32 Ashkenaz.”

Debbie G

Doctor’s Visit

The day after Hanukkah, a man walks into the doctor’s office. He has a banana stuck in one ear, a carrot sticking out of the other ear, and a stick of celery up his nose.

He says to the doctor, “Doc, this is awful. What’s wrong with me?” The doctor replies, “Well, now the holiday is over, you need to start eating right.”

One-Liner

Q: Which hand is it best to light the menorah with?
A: Neither, it’s best to light it with a candle!

Ellen D.

Change of Plans

Winter vacation was over and the teacher asked little Cynthia Rosenberg about her family trip.

“We visited my grandparents in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” Cynthia replied.

The teacher asked, “Great, can you tell the class how you spell that?”

Little Cynthia replied, “Actually, we went to Ohio.”

Sharon N.

Baggage Claim

An Israeli student named Itzik who was studying at NYU was heading back to Israel for the holidays. When he got to the airline counter, he presented his ticket to Tel Aviv. As he gave the agent his luggage, he said, “I’d like you to send my green suitcase to New York, and my black suitcase to Boston.”

The confused agent said, “I’m sorry, we can’t do that.”

“Really??? I am so relieved to hear you say that because that’s exactly what you did to my luggage last year!”

Ezra A.

Defeating Spiritual Lethargy

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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Hanukah, as we all know, celebrates two miracles.

First, it celebrates the supernatural military victory of the small, untrained and barely-armed Hashmonaim over the powerful Greek army. In response to the Greeks’ harsh decrees banning religious observance, and their defilement of the Bet Hamikdash – even bringing idols into the sanctuary – the Hashmonaim waged a heroic war, and miraculously succeeded in ousting the Greek occupiers from the Land of Israel.

Secondly, of course, we celebrate on Hanukah the miracle of the oil. Upon liberating Jerusalem from the hands of the Greeks, the Hashmonaim cleansed the Bet Hamikdash, and rededicated it so they could again perform the service. When they wanted to light the lamps of the menorah, they discovered that all the oil ha been defiled by the Greeks, except for a single small jug, which contained only enough oil for one night of kindling. A miracle occurred, and this small amount of oil sustained the lamps for eight nights, until new oil could be produced and shipped to Jerusalem.

It appears, at first glance, that these two miracles are celebrated in two different ways. The nightly candle lighting, of course, commemorates the miracle of the oil, and the festive hallel prayer, which we recite each day of Hanukah, gives praise to Gd for enabling the Hashmonaim to triumph over the Greeks so our nation could again study and observe the Torah without fear.

There may, however, be a different way of viewing these two miracles and the way we commemorate them.

The Mystery of the First Night

The Bet Yosef (Rav Yosef Karo, author of the Shulhan Aruch, 1488-1575) poses what is undoubtedly the most famous question asked about the Hanukah celebration. He asks, since the lone flask of pure oil discovered by the Hashmonaim contained enough oil for one night, why do we celebrate eight nights, and not seven? After all, there was nothing miraculous about the menorah’s kindling on the first night; the miracle occurred on the second night, after the oil should have been depleted, and the miracle was then repeated on the next six nights. Seemingly, then, we should light candles in commemoration of this miracle for only seven nights, not eight. Why, then, did the sages enact an eight-day celebration?

The Bet Yosef offers three answers to this question, all of which have been subject to a great deal of analysis and scrutiny by later scholars, many of whom suggested other explanations.

Of interest to us in this context is the theory advanced by the Peri Hadash (Rav Hizkiya Da Silva, 1659-1698), who explained, surprisingly enough, that the candle lighting on the first night of Hanukah does not, in fact, commemorate the miracle of the oil. Rather, it celebrates the Hashmonaim’s victory which preceded, and facilitated, the rededication of the Bet Hamikdash and the miraculous kindling of the menorah. According to the Peri Hadash, then, the kindling of Hanukah lights on the first night celebrates one miracle, and the kindling on the other nights celebrates a second miracle.

To illustrate just how revolutionary a theory this is, let us imagine the home of the Peri Hadash before candle lighting on the first two nights of Hanukah. On the first night, as the family prepares for lighting, the rabbi told his family that they were lighting to celebrate the Hashmonaim’s miraculous victory over the powerful Greeks. On the second night, the Peri Hadash turned to the family and said, “Tonight we’re lighting for a different reason – to celebrate the miracle of the oil, that should have sustained the lamps of the menorah for just one night, but they burned for eight nights!”

We must wonder, according to this explanation, why would the sages want us to commemorate the military victory by lighting candles? Since when is candle lighting the appropriate manner of celebrating a triumphant war?

The Rebbe, the General, and the Four Species

It is told that following the liberation of the Jews from the Nazi concentration camps, General Dwight D. Eisenhower – who, of course, later became President of the United States – visited a displaced persons camp. A ceremony was held in honor of the general, and the one chosen to speak as representative of the thousands of Jewish survivors was the renowned Klausenberger Rebbe (Rav Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam, 1905-1994). After the Rebbe’s impassioned speech, General Eisenhower approached him and asked if he had any request, if there was something he needed.

The Rebbe asked him that he provide sets of arba’at haminim – the four species – for the Jewish inmates. Sukkot was approaching, and the Rebbe wanted to be able to observe this precious mitzvah.

General Eisenhower was very moved. Of all the things that the Rebbe could have requested at that time, after his entire family had been murdered, and he had no home and no possessions, he asked specifically for a set of four species. The general ordered that a special plane be sent to bring sets of four species for the Jews in the camp.

For the Klausenberger Rebbe, the highest priority was mitzvot. Now that he was finally extricated from the unspeakable torment of Auschwitz, he did not ask to relax, to be served a nice meal, to be given fine clothing, or to spend time in a luxury hotel. He viewed his newfound freedom as an opportunity to once again serve Hashem as he wished. This is what mattered.

An ancient example of the Rebbe’s inspiring request is the Hashmonaim’s rededication of the Bet Hamikdash.

After successfully waging a fierce, difficult battle against a large, formidable army, the Hashmonaim proceeded immediately to the Bet Hamikdash and began the process of cleansing it. Their highest priority wasn’t sleep, food, rest, or other comforts. Their first order of business was the Bet Hamikdash, the service of Hashem, for which they had waged this war.

This perhaps explains the otherwise perplexing text of the Al Hanissim prayer which we add to the shemonah esreh and birkat hamazon during Hanukah. In this prayer, we tell of the Hashmonaim’s victory, and of how they then went to the Bet Hamikdash to purify it, “and they lit candles in Your sacred courtyards.” Astonishingly, this text omits entirely the miracle of the oil, stating simply that the Hashmonaim kindled the menorah. We must wonder, how could we mention the kindling of the menorah after the Hashmonaim’s victory without saying anything about the extraordinary miracle that occurred?

The answer is that the sages who authored this text emphasize that the Hashmonaim’s victory was precisely for the purpose of kindling the menorah. This is what the struggle was all about – the ability to serve Gd. After rising against the Greeks to fight for their religious freedom, the Hashmonaim proceeded directly to the Bet Hamikdash to rededicate it and serve Hashem.

Pursuing Mitzvot

We can now easily understand the Peri Hadash’s theory, that the candle lighting on the first night of Hanukah celebrates the military victory over the Greeks. What he meant, perhaps, is that on this night, we celebrate the fact that this was the first thing the Hashmonaim did after winning the war – light candles in the Mikdash. We light candles on the first night to remember that immediately after defeating the enemy, the Hashmonaim did not have a banquet or hold a tickertape parade. They went straight to the Bet Hamikdash and made it functional again, because this is what they were fighting for – for the opportunity to serve Hashem.

This might also explain the concept of “mehadrin” that applies to the Hanukah candle lighting. The Gemara (Shabbat 21b) teaches that the basic requirement is to light a single candle each night, but the mehadrin – those who observe a higher level – light one for each member of the household, and the mehadrin min hamehadrin – those who observe an exceptionally high standard – light an additional candle each night. Of course, the accepted practice is to fulfill the mitzvah at the level of the mehadrin min hamehadrin.

Rashi explains the word “mehadrin” as a reference to those who pursue mitzvot, who always seek more opportunities. On Hanukah, when we commemorate the Hashmonaim’s heroic struggle, we observe the level of “mehadrin min hamehadrin” – of those who, like the Hashmonaim, make mitzvot their very highest priority. We are not satisfied with fulfilling our minimal obligation. Instead, we reach higher, striving for excellence. Following the example of the Hashmonaim, we do not want to be just “ok.” We recognize the singular value and importance of mitzvot, and so we extend ourselves to perform them on the highest standard possible.

Seen from this perspective, Hanukah is a time for us to focus on overcoming our spiritual lethargy, our acceptance of mediocrity in our Torah observance. Many of us relegate Torah learning and mitzvot to items on our “to do” list, things that need to be taken care of, along with our other responsibilities. The rededication of the Bet Hamikdash immediately after the victory over the Greeks shows us that mitzvot are to be our highest priority, the single most important area of our life, to which we must devote as much time, energy and attention as we can.

As we kindle the Hanukah lights, let us kindle as well a flame of spiritual passion and devotion, and ignite within ourselves energy and enthusiasm for Torah. Let us approach Hanukah as an opportunity to defeat our lethargy, and to revitalize our commitment to Gd. Just as the Hashmonaim dedicated the Bet Hamikdash anew, let us renew our dedication to mitzvot, placing them at the top of our priority scale, where they belong.

The Case – Under Attack

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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Joe rented out his luxurious beachfront villa in Ashdod to Sam for the duration of three weeks, commencing with the first day of Sukkot. The total cost of the rental for the three-week period was $10,000. Upon payment in full, Joe provided Sam with the keys to the Ashdod villa. With the barbaric attack of the Hamas terrorist group on the eighth day of the holiday, the city of Ashdod was subject to multiple missile attacks for the duration of the short-term rental. As such, within a few days of the attack, Sam evacuated the villa and traveled with his family back to Los Angelas. Prior to his departure he messaged Joe that he expects a refund in the amount of $6,666 dollars on account of the war. A Bet Din session was conducted via zoom, and while both parties apologized to our staff for disputing the matter during this tragic crisis, they both expressed that they were not wealthy people and needed the money to help their children. Joe, the homeowner, explained that since the rent was already collected in full, the ramifications of the war are the misfortune of Sam, the tenant. Sam countered that his vacation turned into a traumatic nightmare as he and his family spent all day in and out of the home’s bomb shelter with sirens and explosions sounding off overhead.

Is Sam entitled to a refund? Can Joe withhold the funds once collected? How should the Bet Din rule and why?

Torah Law

According to the ruling of the Shulhan Aruch, a property rental agreement is binding when either the tenant signs a contract, occupies the premises, or prepays the rent. Once an agreement is binding the tenant is required to comply with all the terms and conditions stipulated for the duration of the lease. Financial setbacks or other troublesome events do not absolve a tenant from paying rent as per his contractual agreement.

Leading halachic authorities debate the liability of a tenant who suffers from a personal occurrence beyond his control, preventing him from physically dwelling on the property. In the instance of a tenant’s death, some halachic authorities require the heirs of the tenant’s estate to continue paying rent for the duration of the contract. Other opinions absolve the heirs of an estate from paying rent once the tenant has deceased.

Additionally, while it is the opinion of the Shulhan Aruch that when a rented home collapses the tenant is entitled to a full refund of any future rent that was prepaid, some early halachic authorities differ. The latter opinion’s underlying reasoning is that once rent is prepaid, a tenant is technically viewed as an owner and must bear the brunt of the calamity. Even according to this dissenting view to that of the Shulhan Aruch, if the tenant did not yet pay, the landlord cannot collect rent for the time after the home collapsed. This latter ruling is limited to instances in which the calamity or disaster happened to private property.

The above-mentioned laws are applicable to all instances other than extenuating circumstances caused by a national disaster such as war or the like. Thus, by rule of all halachic authorities, if due to a national disaster a tenant is prevented from residing on the premises, he is absolved from his contractual obligation. Hence, if on account of war, plague, or pandemic, a tenant is forced to relocate, the tenant is entitled to breach his contract. In short, the need to flee from a property, or a legal restriction imposed by the government from dwelling on a property, are grounds to relieve a tenant from his contractual liability.

The underlying reasoning for the above-mentioned ruling is that a national disaster is viewed as a misfortune to the property owners of the city as opposed to the tenants. Since the landlords own the property and are in the position of authority, they are required to bear the loss in time of war or pandemic.

A Bet Din will evaluate the status of a city prior to determining whether it is unlivable. In the war at hand, the Southern cities of Israel like Ashdod were subject to a barrage of missiles on a regular basis. For at least the first number of weeks these cities suffered with ten to fifteen sirens sounding daily. Each siren caused the residents of the city to leave their homes and take shelter in a designated bomb shelter, or to shelter in their homes if they had a “safe room,” which has a specially reinforced metal door and heavy metal window shutters. At times, these cities were instructed by the government to take shelter until further notification. Such a national disaster is viewed as the misfortune of the landlord who is required to return the prepaid rent.

VERDICT: Better Times Will Come

Our Bet Din ruled in favor of Joe, the tenant, as we instructed Sam to refund him with the prepaid rent. As detailed in Torah law, in the instance of a national disaster in which a tenant cannot reside in a home without spending many of the hours of the day and night in an underground bomb shelter, the tenant is entitled to a refund. This is especially true with regard to a short-term luxury vacation rental. According to Torah law, a national disaster is viewed as the misfortune of the property owner.

Sam, the landlord, expressed that he already spent the entire sum he collected from Joe, and that he simply does not have enough money to reimburse him. Our Bet Din requested Joe to allow Sam to keep a third of the money owed and serve as a credit to be used in the future. Joe agreed to the arrangement and Sam began paying him the balance in monthly installments.

In Loving Memory of Vera Bat Carol, A”H

YOU BE THE JUDGE

Cease and Desist

An affluent Jewish congregation in the Tri-State area entered into a contractual agreement with Harold to construct a community center in the heart of their neighborhood. The complex was to include a synagogue, social hall, mikveh, and workout room. Harold hired out subcontractors for each of the different features of the project. The mikveh complex was subcontracted to Maurice, who was entrusted with the project based on his impressive résumé. But after the mikveh was completed, a bitter monetary dispute raged between Harold and Maurice regarding the total cost of the mikveh project. The two appeared in Bet Din to resolve the complicated matter, in which Maurice claimed he was owed a substantial amount of money and thus requested a “cease and desist” order, preventing use of the mikveh by the public until he was paid in full. He pointed out that the mikveh was built using his raw materials and his workers, and until he received the full payment, the mikveh should be forbidden to use. Maurice further noted that forbidding the use of the mikveh could also be beneficial to Harold in giving him leverage to recoup some of the additional expenses he had incurred from the congregation that hired him. Additionally, he claimed that since the local neighborhood maintained an operating mikveh in the area, preventing use of the new mikveh would not stop people from observing this important mitzvah.

Harold responded that while it is likely that he owed Maurice a minimal amount, he was by no means willing to make any further payments until their dispute was resolved. In addition, Harold felt it would be preposterous to punish the congregation until he makes whatever payment is required, given the small amount entailed.

How should the Bet Din rule? Does Maurice have a valid claim? Should the Bet Din prevent the opening of the mikveh until the matter is resolved?

Mabrouk – December 2023

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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Births – Baby Boy

David & Adina Gammal

Matthew & Adina Cohen

Mr. & Mrs. Morris Cohen

Morris & Gitta Braha

Tal & Rachel Chalouh

Eliot & Joyce Shamah

Jack & Arlette Salama

Gaby & Celia Mann

Richie & Esther Mishaan

Joe & Sara Aizer

Eli & Helen Cohen

Births – Baby Girl

Jimmy & Renee Mishan

Meyer & Joelle Gindi

Joey & Sandy Betesh

Isaac & Erica Mizrahi

Allan & Vanessa Tawil

Eliot & Renee Cohen

Daniel & Michele Cohen

Victor & Lorraine Shalam

Engagements

Joey Cohen to Lauren Savdie

Joshua Dayan to Norma Cohen

Eddie Sabbagh to Allison Harari

Mark Sakal to Leah Louz

Weddings

Joshua Goot to Cheryl Shalom

Mitchell Gemal to Karen Sardell

Abe Jemal to Caroline Sharaby

Jason Balassiano to Marlene Shammah

Meyer Sakkal to Rebecca Cohen

Jack Betesh to Amanda Kassin

Historic Washington Rally Underscores Support for Israel

Community Magazine

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December 2023

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Historic Washington Rally Underscores Support for Israel

Ellen Geller Kamaras

Nearly 300,000 participants joined together in Washington, D.C. for the March for Israel on November 14th. Additionally, 250,000 watched on livestream from around the world. The last rally of this magnitude took place in the 1980s to support Soviet Jewry.

A Diverse Crowd, Diverse Speakers

Supporters from across the U.S. joined together at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Synagogues, yeshivot, high schools, and Jewish Centers sent busloads of attendees, and many flew in from across the country. Jews of various backgrounds and non-Jews as well came to proclaim their unity with Israel and each other as we face the biggest threat since the Holocaust.

Omer Adam and Ishay Ribo, wildly popular Israeli pop icons, and the popular acappella group, the Maccabeats, performed songs of healing and hope throughout the program. Grammy-nominated artist, Matisyahu, whose real name is Matthew Miller, sang the well-known song, “One Day” in a surprise appearance. “The world has no idea how Jews come together,” he told the crowd. “Let’s go!”

The lineup of speakers included leaders of Jewish organizations, family members of hostages, Israel’s president and Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., a ZAKA representative, celebrities, influencers, politicians, college students, Jewish advocates, and supporters of Israel of other faiths.

Why We March

The massive March was put together in just ten days by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. It was promoted as “an opportunity for all Americans to come together in solidarity with the people of Israel, to demonstrate their commitment to America’s most important ally in the Middle East, to condemn the rising trend of anti-Semitic violence and harassment, and to demand that every hostage be immediately and safely released.”

Most of the speakers espoused robust support for Israel as it strives to defeat Hamas, despite being advertised as a “big tent event,” with a broad range of views. One exception was when Van Jones, CNN political analyst, was cheered for voicing solidarity with U.S. Jews but was jeered for calling for an end to the bombing of Gaza.

Regarding calls for a ceasefire, Ariel Ben-Chitrit, a 33-year-old federal government worker from Herndon, Virginia, stated,, “A ceasefire is a pause that would allow Hamas to rearm.” He expressed regret that Palestinian civilians were suffering and Gaza hospitals were being subjected to extreme conditions, but said the only way to end the conflict was to eliminate Hamas. “Hamas has proven they are not interested in peace.

Several speakers echoed Ben-Chitrit’s concerns regarding Palestinian civilians and conveyed regret that Palestinian civilians were suffering, and Gaza hospitals were being subjected to extreme conditions. However, they reiterated that the only means of ending the conflict was to eradicate Hamas, given that their heinous acts have proven they are not interested in peace.

Cries of Bring Them Home Now and Am Yisrael Chai rang out over and over during the rally.

Addressing Anti-Semitism

The program opened at 1pm with speakers expressing their outrage at the increasing global and U.S. anti-Semitism.

Speaking for college students, Columbia University student Noa Fay, affirmed, “I am a black, Native American, Jewish woman and I will not be silenced. I will continue to shout… We are far from hopeless. We are far from helpless.” She described how over 100 professors have advocated for the destruction of Israel on the Columbia campus.

Deborah Lipstadt was confirmed by the US Senate last year as the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, with the rank of Ambassador. 

Ambassador Lipstadt spoke in a strong voice proclaiming, “This government stands shoulder to shoulder against Jew hatred. We give anti-Semitism no sanction, no foothold, no tolerance, not on campus, not in our schools, not in our neighborhoods, not in our streets or the streets of our cities. Not in our government. Nowhere. Not now, not ever.” She closed her speech with, “Chazak v’amatz!” – be strong and of good courage.

Focus on the Hostages

Three family members of hostages addressed the crowd. Orna Neutra, mother of 22-year-old dual citizen Omer Neutra, urged every American to contact their elected representatives to help bring her son and all the hostages home. Omer was serving as a tank commander near Gaza when he was captured.

Alana Zeitchik shared her agonizing story. “I wake up each morning to remember this truth: My family is being held hostage by terrorists.”  Six of her family members were violently taken hostage from their kibbutz on October 7th.

Rachel Goldberg, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, asked, “Why is the world accepting that 240 human beings from almost 30 countries have been stolen and buried alive?”

Twenty-three-year-old Hersh ran into a roadside bomb shelter after escaping from the Nova Festival. Hamas threw grenades into the shelter. Witnesses reported they saw Hersh lose an arm (which he survived} and that Hamas took him to Gaza.

Political Figures Join In

Natan Sharansky, former Soviet refusenik and Israeli statesman, portrayed the Jewish people as “one fighting family, a family that is so strong, which has so much love. And know that there is only one outcome in this battle: our victory.”

Brooklyn’s own Charles Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, spoke and held raised hands with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Minority Leader, demonstrating that bipartisan leaders stand with Israel.

“Hamas’s goal was to scare us. Those perpetrating the poison of anti-Semitism around the world are trying to scare us, but we will not allow history to slide back to the days of the Holocaust when Jews were targeted and murdered and butchered.”

The program ended with musical performances by Adam and Ribo, the Maccabeats singing Gd Bless America, a group sing along of Am Yisrael Chai, and blessings for the attendees to return home safely.

AM YISRAEL CHAI!

fePhoto Credits: Morris Antebi

To Do List

Keep the hostages in the forefront in your prayers and on social media.
Contact your representatives to express your gratitude to President Biden and Congress for supporting Israel’s right to defend itself. Firmly request they continue to vote to approve aid for Israel.
Demonstrate our strength and unity. We will not allow the haters to intimidate us.
Recognize that Israel’s fight against Hamas is the same as the U.S. fight against ISIS.
Advocate for Israel everywhere, in your community, on social media, and with your friends and colleagues. Reach out to your alma mater to fully protect all Jewish students.