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Once Upon a Thyme – Honey Mustard & Caramelized Onion Roasted Potatoes

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March 2025

Adina Yaakov

Honey Mustard & Caramelized Onion Roasted Potatoes

While creating this recipe, I had my favorite honey mustard and onion flavored pretzels in mind. Why reserve an amazing flavor profile just for a snack? Potatoes are the perfect blank slate for the savory mustard and sweet caramelized onions and honey. This recipe boils the potatoes before roasting them, ensuring a soft center while remaining crisp on the exterior. Enjoy!

2 tbsp canola oil
2 onions, sliced into strips
3 lbs. baby red potatoes
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
3 tbsp honey
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

In a skillet, sauté onions in oil until golden, about 10 minutes until golden and caramelized. Shut off the flame and reserve both oil and onions on the side.
Boil potatoes in a large pot for 15 minutes. Drain potatoes, and cut potatoes in half.
Place potatoes on a sheet pan and toss with honey, mustard, salt, pepper, and just the oil from the caramelized onions. Spread potatoes evenly on the pan.
Roast uncovered for 20-25 minutes, flipping 1-2 times to get all sides evenly cooked.
Add reserved onions and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!

Living Emunah – Temperature Control

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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Rabbi David Ashear

Hashem controls every little detail of nature. Nothing just happens; everything is controlled directly by Him.

In Shir La’maalot, we read of the promise given to those who look to Hashem for help (Tehillim 121:6): “The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” The sun and moon provide great benefits to the world, but are also potentially harmful. The sun is the source of heat, and the moon controls the tides and thus the winds which in turn bring cooling breezes. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause melanoma, dehydration, and sunstroke, but Hashem promises that if we place our trust in Him, we will be spared the harmful effects of sunlight.

The Hebrew word for sun, shemesh, relates to the word shamash, which means “servant.” The sun is just a servant of Hashem, carrying out the will of Hashem. And thus in the future, our Sages teach, the sun will be a source of healing for the righteous and a source of calamity for the wicked. The very same sun will have two opposite effects on people, because the sun is only a servant bound to do what Hashem instructs it to do.

Regarding the cold, Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu Falk cites a remarkable comment made by Rashi concerning the pasuk (Tehillim 147:17) that says. “He casts His ice ‘like kefittim.’” Rashi explains the word kefittim as referring to the material used to stuff blankets. Hashem sends down cold and icy weather, in accordance with the amount of material one has with which to keep himself warm. He ensures that the poor man, who cannot afford to purchase warm garments and blankets, will be less affected by the cold than those with adequate protection. The Chiddushei HaRim makes a similar comment on the pasuk (ibid. 147:16) – “He provides snow like wool.” He explains that Hashem send harsh wintry weather in accordance with the amount of wool a person has, and the proportional to his ability to withstand and tolerate the cold.

Hashem not only controls the temperature in the world, but also controls the effect it has on each and every individual. Each person experiences the hot or cold weather differently. At the same time that Hashem is controlling the universe, He is also adjusting the temperature for billions of people!

This is something to think about the next time we are standing in the hot sun and see people around us suffering and sweating from the heat while we feel comfortable. Or when we are out in the cold and experience little or no discomfort while others are shivering. The extent of Hashem’s control over the world is simply mind boggling. We should thank Him for taking care of us and ensuring that we are able to tolerate the temperature. We also need to know that if we look to Hashem for help, then He will protect us from all harm posed by nature.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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Spring is coming and we all know that we need to transition our home from the colder months to the warmer weather that springtime brings.

Spring is the ideal time to tackle some home maintenance jobs. These will ensure your home runs more safely and smoothly in the months ahead. Preparation for the upcoming season involves more than just routine tasks. You have to prepare for the change in weather. Preparing will also enable you to address potential sources of damage and discomfort.

This year, spring will last for about six to eight weeks. By taking these proactive steps, you can ensure your home is functional and beautiful all season long.

Update Your Pest Control Contract

Make sure that your home is regularly inspected for mice, termites, and other house-damaging invaders.

Inspect the HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

Having an HVAC tech do a bi-annual, or at least annual check-up and service of your system is highly recommended. They should check ductwork for any damage and clean and service the furnace and A/C compressor. So many times, during home inspection the HVAC comes up with issues that require a credit (that must be given to the buyers) that could have been avoided with simple maintenance.

Clean the Gutters

Clean your gutters at least twice a year to prevent leaking or water getting into your home. You may need to do this more frequently if you have more trees hanging over your roof. When not done regularly, the backup of leaves can cause a leak and can result in more significant damage that we see when doing inspections.

Touch-Up Your Exterior Paint

Your house may have some peeling, chipping, or flaking paint. It would be better to re-paint your house now before summer’s heavy rains and high temperatures damage exposed surfaces.

Check the Deck

Spring is a great time to work on your deck. Refinishing and replacing rotten boards would make your deck look really great this season. Take note of particular safety concerns. Many times, appraisers from the bank require the deck to be fixed during contract negotiations.

DID YOU KNOW?

Brooklyn was once a city. In what is known as “the great mistake of 1898,” Brooklyn merged with New York City. Brooklyn’s land borders are exactly the same as those of Kings County, which means Brooklyn is, in a sense, its own county!

What’s Next With the Proposed Coney Island Casino

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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What’s Next With the Proposed Coney Island Casino

Ellen Geller Kamaras

The debate surrounding the controversial gambling complex, The Coney, continues, with emotions running high, and both sides reiterating their strong positions.

Pros and Cons

Opponents argue that the casino will only benefit the developers and investors, will change the character of iconic Coney Island, and will result in many harmful consequences to residents, children, families, local businesses, and visitors. The Coney will increase traffic, crime, illegal drugs, and intensify the gambling addiction crisis.

The Coney’s advocates contend that it will improve the quality of life for residents by offering needed economic prospects of new jobs and revitalization to a neighborhood that has grappled with seasonal ebbs and flows.

Public Hearings

Community Board (CB) public hearings began in January in response to Thor Equities’ application to build the 1.3 million square foot gaming facility in the heart of the Coney Island community. Thor plans on converting five acres of the Coney Island Boardwalk into a huge entertainment complex with a casino, convention center, hotel, and music venue. Thor Equities owns the five acres of land at Surf and Stillwell Avenues.

Gaming facility license applications by the eleven developers competing for the three gambling sites in and around NYC are due in the summer.

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

For each application, a local Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was formed to hold public hearings and to issue a formal finding of how much community support the proposed casino has.

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

If a CAC’s determination shows support is lacking, the application will not be forwarded to the NYS Gaming Commission and Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) Board for its review and issuance of a license.

A final decision on the three gambling licenses is expected by the end of 2025.

On the day of the January 9th CB 13 hearing, The Coney Consortium, announced before the hearing that they would create a $200 million community trust fund to support the area provided The Coney is approved. A board of local stakeholders would oversee the trust and decide what the funds would be used for, such as for Boardwalk enhancements and improving neighborhood safety.

Included in CB 13 is our own precious community.

Land Use

The January 9th hearing, held at the Coney Island YMCA, was the first of many, with public participation encouraged, in person or remotely. The hearing addressed a land use application submitted by The Coney developers to facilitate the construction of the casino if it receives a license.

The consortium asked NYC to close and “demap” the three main streets in the amusement zone that connects Surf Avenue to the oceanfront and transform these critical city streets into “landscaped pedestrian walkways” for the casino and the adjoining hotel’s benefit.

This demapping plan would jeopardize the safety of the millions of summer visitors and destroy the existing businesses encircling the casino complex. It would also impede emergency access to the Boardwalk, the beach and the amusement park and would create negative consequences to the nearby public school, disabled parking, and wheelchair accessibility to the Boardwalk and the beach.

Clips posted across social media showed a loud and heated stand-off at the Y with residents and business owners speaking out and disagreeing loudly about The Coney.

Significant Vote

The next CB 13 hearing on The Coney land use occurred on January 15, and a full board vote was convened on January 22. On January 22, CB 13 voted 24-11 against changing land use rules for The Coney. The vote denied Thor Equities’ application to close part of Bowery Street and purchase air rights above existing buildings to pave the way for the gambling facility.

Although the CB’s vote is only advisory and was specifically for the project’s proposed land use, its majority vote hints that a vote on the casino application could yield a similar

outcome. Public approval can significantly influence who will receive the three NYS gaming licenses.

SCF Takes a Stand

While not geographically included in CB 13, the Sephardic Community Federation is firmly opposed to The Coney gambling license application.

SCF has worked tirelessly to preserve the community’s values, protect against addiction risks and economic disruption, and ensure a prosperous and vibrant future for all residents of Southern Brooklyn. They took a leading position in encouraging other community organizations to join their fight against the Coney by creating the No Coney Casino Petition: see SephardicFederation.org..

Positive Parenting – Keeping Routines Exciting

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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Positive Parenting – Keeping Routines Exciting

Tammy Sassoon

While we all know how important routines are for our children, it is also important to infuse their daily schedules with some excitement. We want to send a message to our children that life is joyous and full of opportunities. However, when we think about routines and structure, it can evoke images of rigid schedules and boring repetition. Routines really can easily become stale, leading to boredom and resistance. The challenge lies in finding the sweet spot – balancing the benefits of routine while keeping things fresh and engaging for our little ones. It’s about injecting fun into the fundamentals of childhood, turning daily tasks into opportunities for connection and joy.

Use Creativity

The key to exciting routines is understanding that children thrive on novelty and play. This doesn’t mean throwing out the schedule altogether. Instead, it means creatively weaving in elements of surprise and choice within the existing framework. Think of it as adding sprinkles to a perfectly good cupcake – the base remains the same, but the added touch makes it much more appealing.

One effective strategy is to introduce variations within the routine itself. For example, mealtimes can become more engaging. Instead of simply placing food on the table, involve children in the process. Let them help with age-appropriate tasks like washing vegetables or setting the table. Present food in creative ways – cut sandwiches into fun shapes or arrange vegetables into a colorful face on their plate. Consider trying a new recipe together. The goal is to make mealtimes a shared experience, rather than just another item on the checklist.

Turn Up the Fun

Morning routines, often the most rushed and stressful part of the day, can also benefit from a dose of fun. Turn getting dressed into a game by setting a timer and challenging them to beat the clock. Create a “getting ready” song and dance routine. Offer choices whenever possible – “Do you want to wear the blue shirt or the green shirt?” – to give children a sense of control. A visual schedule, with pictures representing each step of the morning routine, can also be helpful, especially for younger children.

Another powerful tool for injecting excitement into routines is incorporating imaginative play. Transform everyday tasks into adventures. Brushing teeth can become a battle against “sugar bugs.” Cleaning up toys can be a treasure hunt and bedtime stories can be made more interactive by using puppets or creating shadow puppets on the wall.

Don’t underestimate the power of positive reinforcement. Acknowledge and celebrate your child’s cooperation and effort. Use verbal praise, stickers, or a simple high-five to show your appreciation. A reward chart, where children earn stars for completing tasks, can be a motivating tool. But ensure the rewards are meaningful and not just material possessions. Experiences, like a trip to the park can have far more impact than “stuff.”

Be Flexible

Flexibility is also crucial. Life with children is unpredictable, and routines will inevitably be disrupted sometimes. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the schedule when necessary. A little spontaneity can actually be beneficial, teaching children adaptability and resilience. If a planned activity needs to be changed, explain the reason to your child in age-appropriate words and give alternative options.

Ultimately, keeping routines exciting is about fostering a sense of joy and connection within the structure of daily life. It’s about recognizing that children are naturally curious and playful, and that routines should complement, not stifle, these qualities. By incorporating creativity, imagination, and a touch of flexibility, we can transform routines from mundane obligations into opportunities for shared experiences and lasting memories. And in doing so, we not only make our children’s lives more enjoyable, but we also strengthen our bond with them, creating a foundation of love and memories that will last a lifetime.

From the Files of the Bet Din

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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The Case

Our Big Brother

Alan was the founder and 80 percent shareholder of a successful wholesale corporation. His two younger brothers Stan and Steve were each granted by Alan 10 percent of the company shares, on account of their years of hard work and dedication to the business. After decades of successful partnership, unfortunately, Alan suddenly passed on, and he left his assets and total net worth to his wife and children. Stan and Steve, now in charge of the company’s financials, reviewed the accounting and detected a withdrawal of one million eight hundred thousand dollars back in 2017. The 1.8-million-dollar withdrawal was recorded by the company’s accounting as a distribution of profits to all respective shareholders. The funds were used to purchase a residential property in a suburban area. Much to the two brothers’ surprise they were listed as two percent partners for that purchase, as opposed to their respective 10 percent share. Stan and Steve notified Alan’s wife and children of the obvious error and requested them to correct the paperwork. When Alan’s wife refused to comply, Stan and Steve reached out to our Bet Din. They claimed they each owned an additional eight percent of the property, as well as its present appreciated value according to their respective shares.

Are the brothers entitled to an additional eight percent? Are they each eligible to receive 10 percent of the profits generated from the value appreciated? How should the Bet Din rule and why?

Torah Law

According to the ruling of the Shulhan Aruch, one who is appointed to make a purchase on behalf of another may not later claim that he made the purchase for himself. Nevertheless, if evidence or testimony exists that the representative indeed deviated from his mission, the above ruling is not applicable. Hence, if an appointed messenger somehow lists the deed of a property solely in his name, the messenger is the rightful owner. Since the contract and deed serve as evidence that he purchased the property for himself, he is its rightful owner and is required to immediately reimburse the stolen funds or unauthorized borrowed money to his sender.

It is important to note that a representative who misappropriates funds to make a purchase is liable for the loss or damage of the funds. He is likewise solely responsible for the property purchased should it depreciate and he is required regardless to reimburse the sender for the full

amount he stole. On the other hand, should the property value appreciate the representative is the sole beneficiary, as he is only required to return the original amount he misappropriated.

Therefore, in the instance in which a partner clearly deviates from his role by altering the shares of a purchase to his favor, he is required to immediately reimburse his partners with the funds he misappropriated. Upon reimbursement, the other partners are no longer entitled to their respective shares of the profits, but rather only to the reduced shares fiendishly designated to them. As aforementioned, this ruling is only applicable when clear evidence or documentation exists that the representing partner acted in such an illegal manner. Otherwise, the partners divide the profits according to their respective shares. Usually, when purchasing merchandise with company funds evidence does not exist to support a change in the percentages of the shareholders. Hence, the partners are required to divide the profits of the purchase according to their original agreement.

According to the ruling of the Shulhan Aruch, a Bet Din will protect a widow or orphan in instances in which a claim is brought forth against them regarding a matter that is only known to the deceased. Since the deceased is not available to defend his position, a Bet Din will not exact payment from his heirs. Regarding our case at hand, it is very possible that money was owed to the older brother and to collect money due to him he reduced the shares of his two brothers.

Often a Bet Din will intervene and rule beyond the letter of the law for the sake of peace between family members. In our case at hand, although by law the two younger brothers are not entitled to their claim, nevertheless, our Bet Din formulated a settlement enabling the family to maintain a peaceful working relationship. After all, the two brothers were now in control of the business, and the widow and her family need their continuous support.

VERDICT: Continuous Support

Although according to Torah law Stan and Steven were not even entitled to reimbursement for the money Alan took from the company as a distribution for their shares, nevertheless, for the sake of peace, our Bet Din formulated a settlement. As mentioned in Torah law, since Alan is not present to defend his position, a Bet Din is required to protect his widow and orphans and claims on their behalf. It is possible that Alan was owed money by his two brothers, and he chose to collect the debt by reducing their shares when purchasing the 1.8-million-dollar property in 2017. This possibility is far from remote, as three brothers who are partners for years regularly lend money to each other. Thus, by Torah law Alan’s wife is not required to make a payout. Nevertheless, since Stan and Steven were now managing the wholesale company and Alan’s wife needs their continuous support, with her consent, she reimbursed them for the money drawn from the company under their name. However, the profits generated from the purchase of the property were to remain at two percent each as listed.

YOU BE THE JUDGE

Turn of Events

Danny and Brenda were happily married for years. Danny operated a successful wholesale corporation throughout the early years of their marriage, and as a result the two enjoyed financial freedom and security. Unfortunately, tougher times arrived, and when the business suffered multiple setbacks, Danny equally divided the title of his private home to include Brenda as an owner. His intention was to somewhat protect the property from potential creditors seeking to collect payment in case of default. Two years later, Danny resorted to borrowing funds to sustain his company and signed personal liability notes to the lenders. The financial situation further deteriorated, and not only were the lenders seeking to collect their loans, but Danny and Brenda’s once happy marriage was on the verge of divorce. The two were no longer able to live peacefully together and mutually decided to terminate their marriage and they filed for a divorce. In Bet Din, the primary dispute was focused on their private home, which was listed in both of their names. Danny asserted that the property should first be sold to satisfy the outstanding debts that they accumulated, and subsequently the balance should be split. After all, the debts accumulated can largely be attributed to the high lifestyle they tried to maintain. He explained that his business capital was depleted due to their extravagant spending, which indirectly caused the company’s downfall. Furthermore, he claimed that the property was originally only in his name, which clearly indicates that he is the real owner. Brenda defended that she was not a partner in Danny’s business, and is not responsible for his debts. She said that she was unwilling to forfeit her share of the property on account of Danny’s inability to earn a living.

How should the Bet Din rule and why?

Community Highlights – Magen David Yeshivah Students Visit the New Anne Frank Exhibit

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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Community Highlights – Magen David Yeshivah Students Visit the New Anne Frank Exhibit

Last month, the MDYHS Names Not Numbers group visited the newly opened Anne Frank exhibit in the Center of Jewish History, with Program Directors Rabbi Elinatan Bitton and Mrs. Bruchie Weinstein. The beautifully curated audio-led tour was an eye opener for all these students, who were preparing to film and interview Holocaust survivors themselves through the NNN program. Their goal is to gain knowledge and to relate what they learned to their own survivors’ experiences and stories.

The exhibition initially established the backstory for the Frank family and introduced general information about the Holocaust. It then allowed those visiting to experience the Frank family’s struggle to keep safe and to protect themselves and others as they finally went into hiding. Visitors followed the Frank family after they were caught, deported, and the terrible aftermath that ensued.

Students were able to see a perfect reproduction of the “annex,” the attic rooms where the Franks, the Van Pels, and Mr. Pfeffer lived in hiding, as well as the bookcase concealing the entrance to the annex, and the steps leading up to it. All this, coupled with original artifacts (board game, clothing) that were brought from Amsterdam, made the students feel as if they were actually there, in the very rooms where Anne lived, loved, dreamed, hung her movie star pictures (they are there on her wall), and wrote what would become her legacy to them and to the world -her diary.

Shomrim Helps Nab Package Thief Driving Stolen Van Loaded with Stolen Goods

A package thief was arrested last month, thanks to the swift response of Flatbush Shomrim. A homeowner in the vicinity of Avenue S and East 8th Street witnessed his package being stolen in real-time via his Ring camera and immediately alerted Shomrim.

Shomrim volunteers quickly mobilized and tracked down the suspect, who was driving a van loaded with stolen packages. The NYPD later discovered that the thief had been tailing Amazon and UPS trucks, snatching deliveries moments after they were dropped off. Upon apprehension at Ocean Avenue and Avenue T, police also found a significant quantity of Fentanyl and crack cocaine in the suspect’s possession.

Further investigation revealed that the vehicle itself had been stolen, and the license plates had been taken from another car. The suspect is now in police custody, facing multiple charges related to theft, drug possession, and vehicle-related offenses.

Flatbush Shomrim urges residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity to prevent such crimes from occurring in the community.

Flatbush Shomrim can be reached at their 24-Hour Hotline – 718 338 9797 or via email: info@flatbushshomrim.org.

Voices of Vision

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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Inspiring conversations with the women shaping our community, one story at a time.

Ellen Geller Kamaras

“Everything I’ve achieved is with Hashem’s help, guidance, and blessings. During the pandemic, with my father’s memory as a source of strength, I channeled my energy into building a business that could bring joy to others.” – Sarah Idy Dahan

Please meet the vibrant and talented Sarah Idy Dahan, literally a fine princess. She is a successful hairstylist and founder of Hummingbird, a baby product/fashion brand that focuses on mothers.

Her middle name, Idy, is for Aidel. The Yiddish meaning is delicate or noble, whereas the Hebrew denotes that Hashem is eternal.

Sarah Idy’s last name Dahan is unique in that it is her parents’ last name and her married name. She married a man with the exact first and last name as her beloved father, Rabbi Chaim Dahan, zt”l.

Sarah Idy strives to live up to her meaningful names, and her parents’ and grandparents’ values and teachings.

Early years

Sarah Idy, the oldest of two girls, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Rivkah Cabasso Dahan and Chaim Yechezkel Shraga Dahan, a”h. Her mother was a Brooklyn-raised Syrian girl and her father, half Moroccan and half Hungarian, grew up in Monsey, NY. Sarah Idy refers to her family as a real “cholent or hameen!”

Chaim Dahan, a rabbi, hazan, and public speaker, studied at Telz Yeshiva in Cleveland for twenty years. He also served as a Rebbe at Shaare Torah in Brooklyn for two decades. Chaim’s father was brought from Morocco to NY by the Ashkenazi Mir Yeshiva. When Chaim’s Rosh Yeshiva in Telz, Rav Mordechai Gifter, zt”l, found out he was Sephardic, he encouraged Chaim to return to his Sephardic roots and heritage.

Sarah Idy’s mother was most recently the principal of YDE Girls Elementary School and is now living in Long Branch, close to her daughters. She is a School Leadership Consultant and is in private practice as a Therapeutic Energy Practitioner.

The Dahan family moved to Brooklyn when Sarah Idy was a year old. She attended Yeshiva Ateret Torah from first grade through high school. While she was a hard-working student, she admits to having loved school mostly for the social aspect. “As a child and adult, I was, and am still, a social butterfly. I always had many friends and loved meeting new people.”

Career Passions

Sarah Idy developed her passion for hairstyling at a young age while watching her paternal grandmother Ruthie Dahan, a significant role model, in action. Ruthie was a hairdresser and makeup artist and worked avidly until the day she died. “My grandmother had a magical way of making people feel beautiful, always wearing the biggest smile, and she became an integral part of everyone’s celebrations, helping them feel like their best selves.”

Determined to enroll in a professional program, Sarah Idy convinced the manager of a hair styling course to admit her at the tender age of ten. She still remembers introducing herself confidently to a room full of 12^th graders and married women.

At ten year of age, Sarah Idy was cutting hair and doing makeup for bar mitzvahs and engagement parties.

After high school, Sarah Idy enrolled in cosmetology school and then a makeup certification program. She did considerable research and her father accompanied her on all her interviews. Her experience at ARROJO Academy – Cosmetology School in trendy SOHO, was exhilarating and enabled her to flourish as a hairstylist.

Her hair business, HairbySarahIdy,allows Sarah Idy to fulfill her passion of making people feel good about themselves and bringing them happiness. “I have the privilege of helping them feel beautiful with the talents Hashem gave me.” Her clients come through word of mouth.

In addition to one-on-one and group hairstyling for semachot, Sarah Idy gives hairstyling classes for teenagers, teaching them to do their own hair. She feels honored to work with brides on their special day and to share their cherished moments with them.

One of her proudest accomplishments was doing hair on photoshoots for prominent clothing brands such as Junee’s and Tottini. It was exciting for her to see her work featured on the company websites and on posters in stores.

Sarah Idy’s Essence

Sarah Idy is warm, vivacious, spiritual, and easy to talk to. She describes herself as happy, creative, determined, passionate, authentic, and energetic. Sarah Idy added that she is detail-oriented, motivated, and a go-getter. “Whatever I put my mind to, I give it my all. I’m proud of my ongoing spiritual growth and my efforts to continuously become a better person, the best example for my family.”

Sarah Idy is grateful for the incredible values and life lessons her parents modeled. “They raised me with immense love and confidence, instilling in me the belief that I could achieve success in whatever I set my mind to and providing the tools to reach my highest goals.”

She feels comfortable both in the Sephardic and Ashkenaz worlds. Sarah Idy grew up in the Ateret Torah community and spent summers in the Ashkenazi Cleveland community.

A Match Is Made

Three young men with the last name “Dahan” were suggested to Sarah Idy as matches. None were related to her father. Her parents consulted a rabbi to confirm it was permissible to meet Chaim Menachem Dahan from Montreal who had the same name as her father’s. The mashgiach from Chaim’s kollel, Rabbi Benzion Kaye, made the shidduch.

When her future husband entered her home for their first date, Chaim recognized her father and said, “I remember we met when you spoke at Rabbi Diamond’s yeshiva three years ago and I remember exactly what you said: ‘the city of happiness is in the state of mind.’” Chaim earned major points with her dad with that recollection.

Sarah Idy and Chaim first lived in Lakewood, NJ, and moved to Long Branch recently. Her sister Zahava and her mother followed. The couple have three young children, a five-year-old son, a three-year-old daughter, and a boy almost two. Sarah Idy’s personal passions are her husband and children.

Hummingbird is Born

Hummingbird was conceived during the pandemic. Sarah Idy wasn’t doing hairstyling since semachot were on hold and there were many social distancing restrictions. However, the most significant impact of the coronavirus was personal. Sarah Idy’s father passed away suddenly from Covid. “Losing him turned my world upside down and left an immense void in my life. He was my best friend and also one of my greatest inspirations.”

“Becoming a first-time mother sparked a desire in me to create something meaningful, which led to the launch of Hummingbird. This new chapter coincided with a difficult time, as I was coping with the loss of my father. Motherhood was the true catalyst for turning my vision into a reality.”

Sarah Idy’s husband also played a pivotal role. It was his dream to start a business, and she credits him with being the driving force behind Hummingbird’s success.

Hummingbird’s mission is to inspire confidence in moms by providing products that blend comfort and elegance while creating a sense of connection and belonging. Every product is made with care, quality and safety, and attention to detail is prioritized.

Why Hummingbird? Hummingbirds go from plant to plant, pollenating, ensuring that natural vegetation and flowers thrive. They do this vital work lovingly and even hum while working. Mommies are very similar in that they bring the next generation to life and nurture the young into thriving adults.

Hummingbird’s functional and stylish products include cozy baby blankets, pacifier clips, buddy blankets, and other thoughtfully designed accessories. The blankets are hand-sewn in the U.S. and the other products are manufactured overseas in factories that align with the Dahans’ values and high ethical and safety standards. “I am truly blessed to be part of mothers’ special moments. Hearing positive feedback is incredibly rewarding and building positive relationships is what makes my business successful. I treasure spotting my blankets and shoes around town.”

Sarah Idy puts herself and her love into her products. She wraps all the gifts herself or with help from her kids and she includes handwritten notes. Sarah Idy listens to feedback, and treats every customer with the same respect and kindness she would expect.

Family and Balance

Being present for her children is Sarah Idy’s top priority. She generally plans her work calendar for HairbySarahIdy and Hummingbird around her children’s schedule. “I make it a point to put down my phone when they’re home from school and need my attention.” Her husband and children are her biggest cheerleaders for her hairstyling business and for Hummingbird.

Community

“I am incredibly blessed to be part of the Syrian community with its rich heritage and strong sense of connection.” Her family has become part of the Long Branch Rabbi Diamond Kollel community, a wonderful source of support and inspiration.

Sarah Idy contributes to the community by being an actively supportive neighbor and friend. “Whether it’s sharing advice, lending a hand, or celebrating milestones, community means showing up for each other and fostering meaningful relationships.”

Sarah Idy enjoys unwinding with a good book and a cup of tea.

What’s Next?

AtHummingbird, Sarah Idy is formulating content and programs to help mommies thrive and feel supported.

Contact Sarah Idy at hello@hummbrand.com, on WhatsApp (718-986-5466), which includes a complete product catalog, or on her website, https://hummbrand.com/.

Sailing Relationships

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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QUESTION:

Dear Rabbi Ali,

I’ve been married for 19 years and my marriage has been anything but good. My spouse has caused much heartache and refuses to change. We’ve been arguing about this for so long and I don’t believe he will ever change. I have never spoken to anyone about this and I don’t know where to turn. Do you have any advice for me?

R’ Ali’s Response:

As I mention often, anyone who feels that their marriage is not in a great place should not rely on a response in a short email. Although I try to offer a new perspective for you and the readers, I mainly offer food for thought, which is in no way, shape, or form a substitute for professional assistance.

I would like to address a few points that you mention that are relevant in many marriages and are not exclusive to those who are struggling.

First is something that I often see when counseling people. Couples wait far too long before they reach out for help. There are a number of reasons for this. The simple reason is that people are embarrassed to let others know that they are struggling. Although this is normal, there’s truly nothing to be embarrassed about. We call our rabbi for assistance with our children, business, or even struggles that we have personally, but with marriage we tend to hold back. People do not reach out for help also be because marriage is a private relationship and we’d rather not let people into our private lives. There are professionals who specialize in this area and keep everything totally confidential, so there is no need to refrain from getting help.

Another reason for waiting to seek help is that we feel maybe things will just work out, or “I’ll figure this one out.” This is also a huge mistake. If you are getting stuck with the same issues over and over again, most likely things will not “just work themselves out.” I’ve spoken to many people who were stuck with the same issue for five to fifty-five years. All they needed was a third party to point out where they were going wrong and to give a few simple tips to get things in order. Just as an example,a woman once called me up in distress and explained to me how overwhelmed she is and how her husband doesn’t help out at all. She drives five kids to school every day and picks them up. Of course, she has asked him to help out and he said he would but never did. I simply advised her to discuss with him the drop off and pickup and what works with her schedule and his. They made simple arrangements. I advised her to let her husband do his job, which most likely entailed letting him oversleep and drive the kids to school late for a day or two. After a week, she had things in order and he offered more help on top of what he was already doing. This is just an example of a couple in distress who needed a few tips to get things in order.

One more reason people refrain from seeking help is plain old stubbornness. Many people will realize that their relationship is not in such a good place, however more times than not, they believe that their spouse is causing all of the problems. They will say things such as, “I don’t need help, you do, go fix yourself.” Or, “Why am I going to couples counseling if I’m not the problem?” Although I do believe that one person can contribute to a bigger percentage of the problems, both spouses are contributing to some part of a relationship issue. This might be a hard pill to swallow but it’s true. Even if you feel as though your spouse is contributing to most of the problems in the relationship (which would need a third party to determine that) you are still part of this relationship and are responsible to do your best to make it work. You may not be at fault, but once you sign up for a marriage you are responsible to make it work. It’s reckless to sit back and wait for your spouse to change or get help. Be proactive, for yourself, your spouse, and your family.

An Open Letter To Our Community Fromthe Mitzvah Man

Community Magazine

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March 2025

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An Open Letter To Our Community Fromthe Mitzvah Man

Pnina Souid

Responding to Kaddish: An Appeal for Greater Awareness

Dear Fellow Community Members,

I am writing to address an important matter regarding the recitation of Kaddish in our synagogue and our collective response to it.

As we all know, Kaddish holds profound significance in our tradition as a prayer that proclaims the sanctity of Gd’s name. And we also know that some of the Kaddish prayers in the synagogue are recited by mourners during their year of mourning, and on the yahrtzeit, the anniversary of their loved one’s passing.

Our sages teach us about the tremendous spiritual power of responding “amen” to Kaddish, particularly the response of “Amen yehehShemeh Rabah.”The Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (119b) cites Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi’s teaching that answering “Amen yeheh Shemeh Rabah” with full concentration has the power to nullify harsh decrees.

I have observed with concern that some members of our congregation are not consistently responding “amen” at the appropriate points during Kaddish. While we may view this as simply squandering an opportunity to fulfill a mitzvah, I would like to draw attention to a deeper dimension of this matter.

When a mourner is recitingKaddish, he may be experiencing fresh grief or struggling with the pain of the loss, even if he is marking his loved one’s tenth yahrtzeit. Our attentive silence during their recitation and our unified response of “amen”at the appropriate moments express not only our reverence toward Hashem, but also our support and respect for the mourner in our midst.

I therefore respectfully urge our community to maintain attentive silence and respond “amen” with proper kavanah(concentration) during the recitation of Kaddish. Let us ensure that we honor both our obligation to Hashem and our responsibility to comfort and support our fellow congregants in their time of need.

Sincerely, Michael Cohen