By Simha Health in Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Schwartz

As we approach the holiday of Pesah, our homes often transform into hubs of intense activity. From the rigorous cleaning and scouring for hametz to the logistical gymnastics of hosting, it is a season of profound beauty but also one of significant stress. For many in our community, this stress goes beyond simple holiday jitters, often touching on deeper struggles with anxiety and religious Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), also known as scrupulosity.

In a recent community event hosted by the Simha organization, Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, Clinical Director of the Center for Anxiety Relief, shared vital insights on how to balance religious devotion with mental well-being.

Understanding Scrupulosity: The Doubting Disease

A common question arises this time of year: how do we distinguish between someone who is deeply devoted to religious practice and someone struggling with religious OCD? Dr. Schwartz explains that emotional disorders often exist on a continuum. While a devoted person might spend extra time in prayer or cleaning out of a sense of connection and peace, a person with OCD is driven by what is often called the doubting disease.

In religious OCD, an individual experiences intense anxiety around specific thoughts, or obsessions, such as the fear that they didn’t clean a room well enough or didn’t pronounce a word in prayer correctly. To mitigate this terror, they perform repetitive behaviors or compulsions. These acts are not performed for the sake of the mitzvah or to connect with Hashem; rather, they are a desperate attempt to escape the discomfort of uncertainty.

The Trap: Strengthening the Validity of the Doubt

A hallmark of religious OCD is the constant need for reassurance. Individuals may consult multiple rabbis, family members, or teachers to ask the same questions repeatedly in hopes of feeling sure. However, this seeking of reassurance actually fuels the disorder.

When a person repeatedly asks for confirmation that they have done enough, they are inadvertently strengthening the validity of the doubt. Each time they seek reassurance to escape anxiety, the brain learns that the initial doubt was a legitimate threat that required action. This trains the individual to rely on external validation rather than the clear guidelines provided by the law. Instead of finding peace, the person becomes more trapped, as the anxiety will eventually demand even more certainty, pushing the individual to go a drop more just to be sure.

Re-framing the Approach: Awareness Over Uncertainty

One of the most effective tools for managing scrupulosity is shifting the perspective from doing more to doing what is required. Instead of seeking more stringencies to feel safe, Dr. Schwartz suggests that one should be aware of what one does not have to do, such as in the case of a chumra. Halakha provides clear boundaries designed to protect our peace of mind. Concepts like bittul and selling hametz are specifically meant to cover concerns that the human eye cannot see. Dr. Schwartz emphasizes that sticking to the specific rules given by a single authority is actually an essential part of the mitzvah itself. Individuals should rely on finite, defined rules and then move on.

Reclaiming the Simha

The word simha means joy, and Pesach is referred to as Zman Simhateinu, the time of our happiness. Dr. Schwartz notes that we often have it backwards, becoming somber and anxious when we should be joyful.

The goal of Pesach is not a shot at perfection that leaves us depleted. Rather, the holidays are meant to charge our batteries for the rest of the year. By focusing on the simha and the kashrut in equal measure, we fulfill the will of Hashem while maintaining our mental health. As you prepare your homes, remember that a kosher Pesach requires a healthy mind as much as a clean kitchen.

---

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, the Simha organization provides a database of vetted therapists and specialists to guide you toward the right support. For more information, contact office@simhahealth.org.

Linda Argalgi Sadacka

Before serving on the New York City Council, Simcha Felder spent many years in the state senate, where he became known for his focus on local governance and quality-of-life issues affecting his constituents in the 22^nd Senate District. In 2022, during his tenure as a state senator, he came to my home to present a Woman of Distinction award in recognition of my work in the community. The visit offered an opportunity to meet his staff and hear about the challenges facing our neighborhoods. I was struck by the seriousness, discipline, and clear commitment to serving constituents exhibited by both Felder and his staff members.

MOCA – A Mixed Bag

Earlier this month, New York City announced the appointment of Phylisa Wisdom to lead the Mayor’s Office to Combat Anti-Semitism, known as MOCA. The office was created in response to rising anti-Semitic incidents across the city, particularly following the surge in hate crimes and communal anxiety after October 7.

On paper, MOCA’s mission is straightforward: coordinate policy, strengthen protections, and address anti-Semitism at a citywide level. But for many in the Orthodox Jewish community, the appointment raised deeper questions – not simply about one individual, but about representation, process, and trust.

Councilman Simcha Felder has been among the most outspoken voices on the issue. He  described the appointment as a “shanda” (Yiddish for something scandalously shameful).

That is strong language. He does not apologize for it.

“I’m not saying every administration has to include this one or that one,” Felder said. “But when you look at the numbers and see that Orthodox Jews are, by far, the greatest recipients of anti-Semitic attacks, it’s just common sense that [individuals with] their perspective should be represented.”

Visibility Exploited

Felder’s argument is grounded in a simple reality: visibility.

“If somebody gets on a train with a yarmulke,” he said, “and with a beard even more… it’s a very simple calculation [that this man is Jewish].”

Visibly Orthodox Jews do not blend in. Their Jewish identity is not theoretical. It is apparent. And when anti-Semitism manifests physically, it disproportionately targets those who are most visibly Jewish.

For Felder, any office created to combat anti-Semitism must begin with that lived experience.

Phylisa Wisdom’s Record

The new MOCA director previously worked at YAFFED, an organization that has been sharply critical of aspects of the yeshiva education system. That background, Felder argues, matters at a time when trust between City Hall and Orthodox communities is already strained.

Wisdom’s prior role at YAFFED is central to the concern. YAFFED has advocated for increased state oversight of yeshivas and has publicly challenged elements of Orthodox education. Many within the Orthodox community view the organization not simply as reform-oriented, but as adversarial – targeting institutions they consider foundational to Jewish religious life. For families who have experienced years of investigations, scrutiny, and political pressure surrounding their schools, that history is not abstract. It shapes their perception. When leadership of an office tasked with combating anti-Semitism comes from an organization that many Orthodox Jews feel worked against their core communal institutions, the issue becomes one of credibility. Trust, once strained, cannot be rebuilt by title alone.

The concern, as Felder frames it, is not personal. It is structural.

“This is not about rhetoric,” he emphasized. “It’s about responsibility.”

Felder Speaks Out

Felder recalls telling the mayor that he would prefer not to publicly criticize City Hall. “I would prefer not having to comment about anything that goes on,” he said. “But if somebody does something that’s outrageous… I have no choice but to respond. Not responding [by being  silent] is agreement.”

He is aware that speaking bluntly can carry political consequences. But retaliation, he suggested, cannot dictate principle.

“There’s always somebody around that would like to hurt me,” he said, “no matter what I say or don’t say. So, I cannot be concerned with that.”

The deeper issue, in his view, is representation.

Who defines anti-Semitism? Who shapes policy? And who is consulted before major appointments are made?

For Felder, visibly religious Jews must not be sidelined in those conversations. They are not an abstract constituency. They are the people most frequently encountering anti-Semitism on sidewalks, in parks, and on public transportation.

Confronting the Current Reality

Ora Sheri Toiv, Senior Advisor, framed the issue in broader terms.

“This conversation is not about rhetoric,” she said. “It’s about whether New York City is positioned to meet the current moment with clarity and seriousness.”

That clarity, Felder believes, requires acknowledging the reality on the ground.

At the same time, he draws a careful distinction between city governance and broader political debates. Before first running for office, a mentor gave him advice he has never forgotten.

Felder’s Mandate

“You are not the prime minister,” the rabbi told him. “If you are a city councilman, make sure the garbage gets picked up. Make sure the buses have better routes. Don’t louse up transportation.”

That guidance still shapes his approach.

“It is not by the constitution of the city,” Felder said, “that the job is to run foreign policy. The job is to make sure sanitation works, transportation works, playgrounds are built.”

In his district, he points to tangible improvements: parks constructed with tax dollars, infrastructure upgrades, quality-of-life interventions. Governance, he believes, must focus relentlessly on what directly affects families day-to-day.

But anti-Semitism is not separate from our quality of life. It is central to it.

Prioritize NYPD Resources

When asked what concrete measures the city should prioritize immediately, Felder’s answered: more NYPD resources.

“Additional NYPD resources are absolutely necessary,” he said. Felder has advocated for increased policing since the Mayor De Blasio era, often, he notes, as a lone voice. He acknowledged that Speaker Menin recognizes the need for stronger enforcement, but Felder stresses that recognition must translate into deployment.

Swastikas defacing yeshivas. Jewish cemeteries vandalized. “The other week,” Felder noted, “we had 100 swastikas at Gravesend Playground.”

These are not symbolic incidents. They are visible reminders of vulnerability.

The debate over MOCA cannot be divorced from this reality.

Governor Hochul Stands Back

Felder also addressed criticism surrounding the invitation extended to Governor Kathy Hochul following the anti-Semitic vandalism. He emphasized that the issue was not about personalities, but about the governor’s authenticity.

“Why didn’t the governor want to be photographed at the Magen David Yeshivah that was defaced with swastikas?” Felder asked. “It wasn’t a problem with distance. It’s literally right there.”

He argued that the visit felt curated, avoiding visible evidence of the anti-Semitic damage.

“She wanted a political photo-op that showed no evidence of the vandalism we dealt with that day,” Felder said. “I find that hypocritical.”

This Too Shall Pass

For readers who feel anxious or powerless, Felder offers neither denial nor despair.

“Gam zeh ya’avor,” he said. This too shall pass.

Felder points to history. “NYC has been in the dumps before,” he said. “And we’ve seen a really great mayor, like Rudy Giuliani for example, come in and turn things around.”

Change, in his view, is possible. But it requires engagement.

Get Involved

“People who want to have a direct say in how things are run in their neighborhood should go to their Community Board meetings,” Felder said. “Go to NYPD precinct council meetings. These are the places where every day people can show up and have a direct say.”

Felder has actively recruited community members to serve on local boards. Representation, he argues, begins locally.

For Felder, civic participation is key.

“Vote,” he said. “I would go so far as to say it is a sin not to vote.”

Trust between communities and government is fragile. If Jewish New Yorkers begin to lose confidence in institutions meant to protect them, the consequences extend beyond policy.

“Our government is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” Felder said. “They can only do the things we fear if we let them.”

Silence, he suggests, empowers overreach. Engagement restrains it.

Address Anti-Semitism Properly

Referring to the appointment of an anti-Semitism “czar,” Felder recalled a famous exchange from Fiddler on the Roof when a villager askes, “Rabbi, is there a proper blessing for the Czar?” The rabbi responds, “… Of course! May Gd bless and keep the Czar… far away from us!”

It was delivered with humor. But the underlying message was serious.

Institutions created to combat anti-Semitism must build trust, not deepen suspicion.

New York is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world outside of Israel. The stakes are not small. When anti-Semitism rises here, it reverberates far beyond city limits.

The creation of MOCA acknowledged that the problem is urgent. The debate surrounding its leadership reflects something equally significant: the Jewish community is engaged.

And in a city like New York, engagement is leverage.

The Path Forward

The path forward, Felder believes, is twofold. Speak clearly when necessary. Focus relentlessly on quality of life. Show up. Vote. Serve.

“If it hurts, you scream,” he said. “You don’t think about it.”

But after the scream comes the work.

Sanitation. Policing. Representation. Budget priorities. Civic participation.

Combating anti-Semitism in New York is not a slogan. It is a test of governance. And governance, at its core, is about whether the people who feel exposed and vulnerable believe their city is standing with them – not in theory, but in practice.

Victor Cohen

Completing the entire Shas is a monumental achievement. The nearly 70 masechtot (tractates) of the Talmud consist of 2,710 pages of intricate, complex analyses of an exceptionally wide range of topics, among which are interspersed numerous stories and anecdotes, as well as Midrashic interpretation of verses from Tanach – all in Aramaic. Shas is a tall mountain that many people take a lifetime to climb.

Once a year, however, a group of devoted men spend a day engrossed in the study of the Gemara so they can together complete the entire body of text. The annual Shas-A-Thon was held this year on Sunday, February 8^th, bringing together 600 participants who studied in havrutot (pairs), each of which covered 8-10 pages of Gemara.  In order to participate, every pair was required to raise $12,000 for ATIME, a special organization that helps couples struggling with infertility. What a beautiful combination of intensive Torah and hesed at the highest level!

Once the Shas was completed, the participants gathered for a festive dinner befitting the significance of their accomplishment, with uplifting speeches and a soul-stirring kumzitz.

We sat down with Shas-A-Thon participants Israel Sasson, Ezra Netanel, Yossi Abadi, and Rabbi Isaac Shamula from YDE to hear their stories about this special day, and with Simcha Gold, a longtime community advocate and dedicated supporter of ATIME who has participated in this event for the past seven years, to learn more about the amazing work done by ATIME to help couples bring children into the world.

a longtime community advocate and dedicated supporter of ATIME who has participated in this event for the past seven years,

“They Go All Out”

Rabbi Shamula shared that after he prayed shaharit that morning in Shaare Zion, there was a car outside waiting for him, ready to transport him to the Shas-A-Thon. The learning began promptly at 10:30 – and nobody could be late! The organizers therefore arranged transportation for all participants, helping to ensure that everyone started learning on time.

“You walk in, and you see they’re committed to making it a beautiful experience,” Rabbi Shamula continued. “They go all out. They want you to be as comfortable as possible so that when it comes to the learning, it’s smooth.”

Israel Sasson and his havruta – his son, David – arrived a full hour early, at 9:30, and they found a “huge breakfast” waiting for them. Ezra Netanel and Avrahmai Chams also enthused about the breakfast prepared for them.

“There was every type of coffee you could ever want there,” Ezra Netanel said.

From 10:30am, the enormous bet midrash was filled with the beautiful sound of 600 people from many different segments of the Jewish world learning Gemara.

As people approached the area, they were greeted by a loud noise. Rabbi Shamula recalls hearing somebody asked, “What is that?  Is it the AC?”

“No,” Rabbi Shamula replied. “It’s the sound of 600 people learning!”

A Race Against the Clock

At 1:30pm, after three hours of hard work, the participants were given a one-hour lunch break, which was followed by minhah. After minhah, the Gemaras were reopened – and this is where the pressure began to mount.

“Past minhah it gets very intense,” Israel Sasson said. “You’re up against the clock.” The material needed to be finished by 5:30pm, so those final two-and-half hours were especially charged.  

“By the time you finish, you feel like you finished the whole Shas even though you only did 10 dapim [pages],” Israel added.

As mentioned, each pair needed to raise $12,000. Those who raised $18,000 or more were rewarded with the opportunity to choose in advance which pages of Gemara they would learn. And then there were those for whom even $18,000 wasn’t enough.

“My havruta and I have what the organizers call a meshugas [quirk],” Yossi Abadi said. “Although ATIME asks us to raise $12,000, Rabbi Moshe Mustacchi and I raised this year over $36,000, and lifetime about $250,000.”

After the study of each daf (page), the participant scanned a barcode that signifies its completion, and then the dapim counter goes up on the big screen in the front of the room. Watching the daf count go up throughout the day is an exhilarating experience, as you witness the result of 600 Jews inching toward the completion of the entire Shas, one grueling line of Gemara at a time.

Unity & Togetherness

Naturally, being part of such a large group of students of Torah exposes the participant to many different kinds of people – including fascinating and inspiring figures. Israel Sasson met a young man at their table named Yossi Hecht, who sat in a wheelchair and would be unanimously described as the highlight of the day.

Regular Shas-A-Thon participants reunited and spoke with their old friends whom they met in previous years, and whom they see only at this annual event.

In addition to the 600 learners, there is a team of Shas advisors on standby in case someone has a question or is struggling to complete their section.

“It’s incredible,” Israel said. “You feel the unity [ahdut] and the togetherness to get over the finish line.”

The counter on the screen starts flying… 500… 1,000… 1,500… 2,000… 2,500… and then – 2710, dramatically signaling the completion of the entire Shas. The participants could not put into words the sense of accomplishment and gratification that they sensed.

But as exciting and uplifting as the learning was, the evening program – the dinner and kumzitz – was no less inspiring, and every bit as unforgettable.

 “I always say – I don’t know how they can top last year,” Ezra Netanel said. “But then I walked in and somehow, they did it.”

To celebrate the completion of Shas, ATIME provides the devoted participants an unbelievably wide array of dishes, desserts and beverages – truly a sight to behold.

Learning From Yossi

But for these outstanding, spiritually-driven individuals, it is the speeches – not the food – that bring so many of them back year after year. The speeches are always inspiring and meaningful. This year, one speech stood out from all the rest – the address given by the awe-inspiring Yossi Hecht.

Yossi suffered from cancer, and is bound to a wheelchair. Never despairing, and never stopping from extending the limits of possibility, Yossi – with Hashem’s help – recently welcomed his first child into the world. The Shas-A-Thon participants were spellbound upon listening to Yossi speak about his story.

 There was not a dry eye in the room.

The speech is available on Shas-A-Thon’s website, where it will, hopefully, reach a wide audience to spread Yossi’s remarkable message of hope and determination.

“If people who go through those challenges could make it,” Israel Sasson said, “then we could overcome the things that we call challenges in our lives.”

The evening concluded with a large kumzitz, with soulful singing and bonding

“They always have a song that is the unofficial anthem of Shas-A-Thon,” Yossi Abadi said. “It’s the song Vezakeini. When you have hundreds of men singing this in unison, this is by far the most emotional moment of the entire day, the culmination of everything we worked on, coming to fruition.”

This year’s kumzitz was graced by the presence of the Razel brothers – a remarkably talented team of arrangers, composers, and conductors.

“He’s playing piano with one hand and with the other hand getting everyone into it,” Ezra said.

Mordechai Ben David also made a surprise appearance.

“The dancing is unbelievable,” Ezra continued. “And you grab the guy next to you and you don’t even know who he is. You see guys you only see once a year and tell them, ‘I danced with you last year, I have to dance with you again!’”

Appreciating the Little Things

The night left a lasting impact on everyone who participated. And they keep coming back, year after year, finishing Shas together annually as a group.

“They do me a favor by allowing me to be part of it,” Rabbi Shamula said, expressing a sentiment echoed by many others. “Every year you finish and you think you have to be back next year.”

“One year,” Ezra said, “one of the speakers talked about his struggles having children. Then, that year he was happy to announce that he had triplets, and wanted to give everyone in the room a hug. The entire room then lined up, and he gave each person a hug.”

Israel Sasson, who learns with his son, David, spoke about how this experience affected his general outlook.

“It makes you appreciate the smaller things in life,” he said. “Life throws things at you and doesn’t always ask for your permission. People out there overcome hurdles that they perhaps didn’t anticipate. But on a different note, it makes you feel like there’s hope that no matter what happens in life, you can still move forward and overcome any hurdle.

“Shas-A-Thon breathes a fresh life into our daily routine and reignites our hope for a better future. Like a light at the end of the tunnel.”

ATIME’s Helping Hand

An estimated 20 percent of all couples struggle with infertility, and most of them do not know where to turn or how to begin to overcome this hurdle that stands in the way of their dream to build a family. ATIME is committed to holding the couple’s hand through every stage of the process, and ensuring they are given all the help they need along this journey. Ordinarily, it can take couples three or four years (!!!) to schedule an appointment for fertility treatment.  ATIME, with its large network of specialists, can usually arrange an appointment within just a few months.

The organization also offers logistical support, connecting the couple to various important resources, as well as knowledgeable rabbis to help them navigate the difficult halachic questions that arise in the context of fertility treatment.

No less importantly, ATIME offers much-needed emotional support, seeing to it that the couple never feels alone, that they always have a professional team accompanying them at every step along this difficult road. The organization runs Shabbat programs, getaways, and special events for families going through this process. Its staff also regularly checks in, and sends packages for Yom Tov.

“When they do an event,” Simcha Gold explains, “they want people to feel comfortable. For many of these couples, they want to give them an escape.”

The Shas-A-Thon is how ATIME fundraises for this important endeavor. Simcha says that most of the event’s participants do not struggle with infertility, but they recognize the vitally important service that ATIME provides, and they want to support its work. They solicit donations from generous sponsors who want to facilitate Torah learning as a source of merit for couples waiting for the blessing of children.

One of the most rewarding experiences for regular Shas-A-Thon participants is meeting and hearing from couples whose dream was finally fulfilled.

Ezra, who participated this year for the tenth time, said, “It’s amazing to see couples who started out walking alone, but who are now walking around in strollers. It’s a tremendous feeling of satisfaction knowing the learning you do helps someone.”

Yossi Abadi has participated in the Shas-A-Thon for 12 years, since 2014. In 2017, he and his wife endured the traumatic experience of a stillbirth. He credits Shas-A-Thon and ATIME with helping him overcome this tragedy.

“ATIME was there to help us through the grieving process. They provided whatever help we needed through therapy, logistics that we weren’t prepared to handle with regard to the baby, and, eventually, accompanying us during the next steps in our journey to continue on with our everyday lives. We feel tremendous hakarat hatov [gratitude] to the organization. As long as there are still Jewish couples out still praying and hoping for children, I’ll be there at Shas-A-Thon doing my best to help. “I pray and hope every year that the organizers of Shas-A-Thon will tell us, ‘We’re pleased to announce that there will be no need for a Shas-A-Thon this year because everyone throughout the Jewish Nation has a child in their homes.’ Until that time comes, though, you can bet we’ll be sitting and shteiging [diligently learning] for them.”

As Iran trembles, Reza Pahlavi Steps Forward as the Self-Declared Bridge

between Revolution and Democracy

Dave Gordon

Once a distant figure in exile, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has emerged as a rallying symbol for many Iranians demanding change. His name echoes through the streets during protests, reflecting a growing following inside and outside of Iran.

The son of the late shah fled to the United States after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and has leveraged his royal pedigree and a flurry of media appearances over the past year to raise his political profile.

Pahlavi’s Intended Role

“I think I’ve earned their [my followers’] trust and respect,” he said. “And, that puts me in a position to be impactful in that [leadership] role… I’m not shying away from that responsibility.”

Pahlavi aims to become a transitional leader should the current regime in Iran collapse.

“My role is to see to it that this process culminates in a temporary governance, while the Constitutional Assembly deliberates what exactly will be the rule of law of the land,” he said,  touting both secular and democratic values.  

U.S. Reactions

Washington remains cautious: As of Jan. 8, President Trump appeared reluctant to meet with Pahlavi. In mid-January, White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Pahlavi – until now, the only high-level American government official to do so, the news website Axios reported. According to polls cited in the article, one-third of Iranians support Pahlavi, while another third do not. 

“Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has re-entered Iran’s political imagination,” wrote Ali Siadatan, an Iranian Canadian educator, in the National Post. “Today, his support extends beyond traditional royalist circles, reflecting not nostalgia for the past but a search for continuity amid collapse.”

From the outside, the Iranian government’s hold on power appears at its weakest point since the shah was overthrown in the 1979 revolution. With street protests and violent government crackdowns the U.S. is keeping a sharp eye on events. On Jan. 26, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrived in the Indian Ocean, putting it closer to assist in any possible U.S. operations targeting Iran. The USS Gerald Ford is on its way to join the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Iranian Expats Weighs In

Should there be a power vacuum, Pahlavi is “the only alternative,” said Salman Sima, a former Iranian political prisoner who fled Iran to Canada and has organized numerous protests supporting Israel against Hamas. “It is really obvious these days, [that Pahlavi is] the only name you can hear from inside Iran.”

Sima believes the crown prince is a unifying figure who has found support among progressives and conservatives. “He doesn’t take a side, he doesn’t say ‘I’m going to be the shah,’ or ‘I’m going to be the president,’ or ‘I’m going to be the prime minister.’ All he said was a free election must be determined by the people of Iran.”

Iranian expat Dr. Amir Hamidi is the Chairman of the Board of Telo-Revers Anti-Aging Medical Laboratory. He is an internationally recognized expert in global terrorism, cybersecurity, and law enforcement. Regarding Pahlavi he said, “This isn’t a personality contest. In a national liberation moment, the real question is who can unify people, lower the temperature between factions, and keep the transition focused on democracy and the rule of law. He has been consistent on the essentials: a secular state, equal citizenship, rejection of revenge politics, and a future decided only by the Iranian people through free elections.”

The former Justice Department special agent, who also served as country attaché in the United Arab Emirates, added that Pahlavi has recognition across generations and across the political spectrum inside and outside Iran.

Hamidi claims that Pahlavi supports “any figure who places Iran’s sovereignty in the hands of its people, not in the hands of armed factions, foreign powers, or one-party ideologues – and Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has repeatedly said exactly that.”

Road Map

In July 2025, Pahlavi led a public whitepaper officially called the Emergency Phase Booklet. A whitepaper is an in-depth report to help readers understand a complex topic and present a problem-solving solution. The whitepaper included consultations from a wide array of experts. For starters, Pahlavi calls for Iranians “to be fully involved in the progress of our nation, as opposed to a very corrupt mafia that has been ruling our country all these years.

“I always believe that it’s important for people to have a road map to recovery, to understand what will happen post‑regime. What’s the alternative? How are we to re‑establish a process that will stabilize the country, bring about the opportunity for economic growth and investment?”  

Under Pahlavi’s leadership, Hamidi said, “people will have a true opportunity for prosperity, and for that, we have a very comprehensive project of what is to be done short term, mid‑term and long term.” Hamidi sees great potential when the regime falls: “Imagine just the amount of talent that exists within the Iranian diaspora,” he said. “Iran is not just simply an oil‑rich or gas‑rich country – imagine tourism just as an industry, and everything that can open up.

“I’ve talked to industrialists, economists, entrepreneurs, Iranians, and non‑Iranians that are waiting for this opportunity, once Iran is open again as a last untapped frontier,” Hamidi stated. The concern, of course, is that the country have healthy circumstances in order to be reintegrated in the free world, so investors feel comfortable and secure about their assets.

Pro-Israel, Pro-Holocaust Recognition

Reza Pahlavi, like his father, is aligns with Israel and the Jewish people, framing that stance as both historical and moral. He argues that Iranians reject the Islamic Republic’s genocidal anti-Israel and anti-Semitic policies and says a future democratic Iran should restore friendly ties with Israel and its neighbors, which he has labeled potential “Cyrus Accords.” He frequently invokes the legacy of Cyrus the Great – who allowed Jews to return to Judea after the Babylonian Exile. He cites the biblical connection between Persians and Jews, describing their relations as a “Biblical relationship” stretching back 2,500 years.                                                                                                                                                       He acknowledges shared values of human rights and religious tolerance. Pahlavi has insisted that, because Tehran denies the Holocaust, he has a particular duty as an Iranian leader-in-exile to honor its victims and reject denialism. He portrays the Islamic Republic as a driver of global anti-Semitism and terrorism, and cast himself and his movement as allies of Jews. 

In April 2023, Pahlavi traveled to Israel to carry a message of peace and friendship from the Iranian people, renew ancient bonds, and explore economic and technological cooperation, especially Israeli water technology that he argued could help remedy Iran’s severe water crisis. He attended the Yom HaShoah ceremony at Yad Vashem, declaring it his duty to honor Holocaust victims on behalf of Iranians, and stating that the current regime “doesn’t represent the Iranian people.”

During the trip he prayed at the Western Wall and met senior officials. For many Iranian Jews in Israel, his presence and rhetoric were a symbolic reconnection to an era when Jews felt protected under the Pahlavi monarchy, and as an affirmation that they remained participants of the Iranian story. 

Iran and Nukes

After a recent White House meeting with Netanyahu in February, President Trump insisted that Iran nuclear talks must continue. Trump has not restored the JCPOA, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the “Iran nuclear deal.” Instead, he has initiated a new round of negotiations under a maximum‑pressure framework.

The Crown Prince responded that nuclear weapons are “not a real estate deal that he [Trump] can cut with a regime that is very corrupt.” Pahlavi bristled at the notion of military intervention, “We don’t need to have an army coming into Iran. We have the boots on the ground already – the Iranian people who are there.” 

The actual war to fight, he insisted, is the ideological war, that has been the root of much of the unrest in the region for fifty years.

The Eye of the Octopus

“Radicals have always tried to recruit people out of desperation and ignorance, to brainwash them into one way of thinking,” Pahlavi said. “One of the key sources of this radicalization is the regime in Tehran. That’s where the eye of the octopus is. [The West has] been fighting the tentacles, but as long as the eye of the octopus is sitting there, you’re not going to eliminate the problem.” It starts with who bankrolls the terror sources:  “Follow the money trail,” he said, “Follow the funding. Once they’re gone, all of that disappears. The funding disappears. The root of the ideology disappears.”  That, he suggests, is how you get past the octopus, and back to the country beneath it: an Iran known less for sponsoring militias abroad than for the diversity and openness of its own society. “The beauty of Iran is the diversity of its culture,” Pahlavi said. “That’s the whole beauty of Iran, a nation state that for centuries had this mosaic of ethnic groups and different faiths living side by side.”  

Ellen Geller Kamaras

“Keep Moving” has become my guidepost for a healthy life, both physically and mentally.  Exercise helps every part of your body including your mind.  Exercise can help you feel good by improving your mood. 

Good for Body and Soul

When I get stuck or start dwelling on things that are out of my control, I go outside for a walk, rain or shine.  I start my mornings with a stroll on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and gaze at the lovely Manhattan skyline.  I take three deep breaths, and thank Hashem for creating such beauty and for giving me health and a wonderful family.  Some experts refer to this as an “awe walk.” An awe walk is a brief, intentional walk where the walker focuses outwardly on experiencing sensations of wonder, curiosity, and vastness in their surroundings. Consciously looking for beauty, nature, or novelty helps shift attention away from internal worries, reducing stress and boosting mental well-being.

The American Psychological Association has projected that one out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90.  One way to make that happen, with Hashem’s help, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including exercise.  Exercise can help prevent falls and injuries, keep your brain sharp and boost your energy levels.

For adults, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity at least five days per week. Adding in some resistance training to your exercise routine two to three days per week will provide extra benefits.  Engaging in 30 minutes of any type of physical activity five days a week may reduce your risk of dying from any cause by 28 percent and from heart disease by 20 percent.

Youngsters Benefit

The importance of daily exercise for promoting healthy physical and mental development applies to young people, too.60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day is recommended for children and teens.   Like adults, they should incorporate bone and muscle-strengthening exercises at least three times a week.

Incorporating biking, running, or swimming into your child’s routine enables them to deal with both physical and emotional challenges more successfully.  Daily exercise strengthens their bones and muscles, improves their cardiovascular health, helps them sustain a healthy weight, and enhances immune function.   Physical exercise improves children’s cognitive function, too, by enhancing brain health, memory, and attention, resulting in better academic performance.   Exercise also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.   Daily exercise elevates young people’s mood, reduces anxiety and depression, and aids in stress management.

When children form the habit of daily exercise at a young age, it sets the foundation for an active lifestyle as they reach adulthood and, in the future, it will help them to age well.

Indoor Exercise

Did the frigid winter get you down and discourage you from exercising?   Spending moderate amounts of time indoors and enjoying downtime has its perks and can help you reset and relax.  However, spending too much time at home has its drawbacks.  Its pitfalls include, but are not limited to, low levels of Vitamin D, sluggishness, weight gain, stress, anxiety, and depression.

To stay healthy, it’s even more important to exercise when you are stuck indoors for its physical rewards and mental health perks.  People who sheltered in place during the pandemic were encouraged to do regular physical activity at home to avoid becoming sedentary.

I was surprised to see how many steps I could score on my Fitbit watch without leaving home.  Plus, I have several dance and exercise apps on my phone to keep me moving.  My husband calls this “puttering,” but I call it straightening up and organizing the house.    Studies show that household chores count as exercise.  The positive effects were found to be the same whether one was walking or exercising at the gym, walking, or doing chores such gardening or vacuuming.  Mel Robbins is a  bestselling author, award-winning podcast host, and an expert on personal growth. She recommends dancing while doing dishes or cooking.

A 2026 study conducted by the AdventHealth Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh confirms that consistent moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise can significantly slow the structural aging of the brain, making it appear nearly a year younger. The study suggests that 150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise, (such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) can reduce a marker known as “brain-predicted age difference” (brain-PAD) in adults 26 to 58.

To Age Well

Take care to do these actions.  Sit on the floor, and get back up on your own. Do yoga, Zumba, or other regular physical activity, jump, and walk briskly. When asked a question, speaking to the point of the topic and do not ramble. 

If you can get outdoors to exercise, your body will net additional rewards.  The natural sunlight helps your body produce more Vitamin D, which is essential to a healthy immune system. If you are sun sensitive, or have had Basal cell carcinoma, make sure to apply sunscreen.  

Dopamine is the “feel good” neurotransmitter that acts as a chemical messenger in your brain to signal reward, motivation, and pleasure. It plays a critical role in movement, memory, and focus It is the brain chemical that is transmitted when we experience pleasure. 

Outdoor exercise can increase dopamine as well as serotonin (a chemical messenger that stabilizes mood, sleep, and digestion. It is often called the “feel good” hormone because it promotes feelings of well-being and safety) and other natural endorphin levels that support a positive mood.

What are we waiting for?  Let’s get moving!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach.  Her coaching specialties include life, career. and dating coaching.  Ellen can be contacted at ellen.kamaras@gmail.com (www.lifecoachellen.com).

HABAYIT: Providing Hesed Apartments and Comfort for Families Coming to New York for Critical Medical Treatment

Sometimes, everything changes with one step – not a grand gesture or a carefully planned move, but one small decision made in a moment of need.

No one plans for the moment when life takes an unexpected turn.

A diagnosis, a treatment plan, or an urgent medical need can send someone – or someone they love – across cities and countries to New York for critical treatment or surgery. Routine gives way to uncertainty, and families find themselves navigating unfamiliar ground.

And then, as the reality begins to settle in, a pressing question appears: Where will we stay?

Habayit was born out of that question. Not from a master plan, funding, or an organization already in place – but from one small, brave decision.

The First Step

A small group of real estate agents found themselves receiving the same call again and again. Families arrived in New York during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, exhausted and overwhelmed, far from home and desperate to find a place to stay. Short-term housing was nearly impossible to secure, and hotels were both unaffordable and impractical.

So they took one step.

They opened one hesed apartment for people who needed to come to New York for medical treatment – a furnished, dignified place where individuals and families could stay while focusing on healing.

There were no big expectations. The group of real estate agents believed they might be able to sustain one apartment – one family at a time. But the moment the need was shared, something extraordinary happened.

Other Steps

The community showed up.

Beds arrived. Sheets were dropped off. Pots and pans, furniture, toys, mezuzot, and sefarim followed. Volunteers stepped forward quietly and generously, transforming an empty space into a true home.

And then, one step led to another.

Our sages teach, “Open for Me an opening the size of a needle’s eye, and I will open for you an opening like the entrance of a great hall.”

When a person takes even the smallest step toward kindness, Heaven expands that step far beyond what we could accomplish alone. Habayit began with one small opening – and Hashem opened the doors.

Four Years In

Today, just four years later, Habayit has grown from that single apartment into 17 fully furnished hesed apartments, powered by hundreds of devoted volunteers and helping hundreds of families from around the world.

Families have come to New York from Israel, Panama, Mexico, London, Canada, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, and from many states across the United States – all in search of life-saving medical treatments. They arrived frightened and uncertain and found themselves held, supported, and cared for at the very moment they needed it most.

Sometimes, the impact of that care reaches even further. Over the years, Habayit has had the profound merit of welcoming four “Habayit babies” – children born to couples who came to New York for fertility treatments and were able to stay because they had a place to call home.

A Legacy of Kindness

At its core, Habayit is about dignity, sensitivity, and quiet hesed. The organization was founded in memory of the Baal Shem of Michelstadt, whose life was defined by compassion, generosity, and kindness towards all. That legacy lives on through every apartment prepared, every family welcomed, and every step taken on behalf of someone in need.

But Habayit’s story is not only about growth. It is about moments – moments when one seemingly small action quietly changed the course of a life.

Last year, Community Magazine published an article about Habayit. In one paragraph, it mentioned a painful reality – families who needed to come to New York for life-saving medical treatment, but there were not enough apartments to accommodate them.

Another Quiet Response

Among the readers was a man who took that paragraph to heart.

After reading the article, he reached out to Habayit. He explained that he had a fully set-up apartment. He didn’t need it at the time. If Habayit was ever full, he wanted them to have his number – just in case someone else might need a place to stay.

Nothing dramatic happened that day. There was no fanfare – just a reader who saw a need and chose to take one step.

A couple of months later, Habayit received another call – this time from a man who had come to New York from Israel for stage-four cancer treatment. Nearly seventy years old and alone, he had spent hours calling Jewish organizations, unable to find a place to stay. By Friday morning, he believed he would be sleeping on the street.

When he reached Habayit, there were no apartments available. All were full. But, because one man had read that article months earlier and acted, there was another option. He was given that phone number.

What happened next is best told in his own words.

A Letter Written to Habayit

The following letter was written by Yosef (name changed for privacy):

My name is Yosef. I came to New York from Israel to be treated for stage-four cancer.

I am almost seventy years old and could not afford to stay in a hotel while receiving treatment. One Friday morning, I spent three hours calling Jewish organizations, asking for help finding a place to stay. I was unsuccessful and did not know where to turn. Sleeping on the street felt like my only option.

I have no relatives in New York. Each call led me somewhere else, and it became clear I had nowhere to go.

When I spoke with someone from Habayit, I was given the phone number of a family who might be able to help. By then, I had very little hope left. Still, I called.

A man answered. After hearing my situation, he immediately told me that he and his wife were inviting me into their home.

I took the subway and arrived at their house. I was shown a private room and told I could stay as long as I needed. That was the first time I cried since being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

I am not a religious person, and I do not remember crying since childhood. Being welcomed by a Jewish family who had never met me before was overwhelming.

That Friday night, I sat at their Shabbat table. Only hours earlier, I believed I would be sleeping on the street. The warmth, kindness, and generosity I experienced is something I will never forget.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom,

Yosef

A Series of Small Steps

That life was changed through a series of small steps.

Community Magazine shared the story. One reader carried it in his heart and responded. And through those quiet choices, a man who feared sleeping on the street found warmth, dignity, and a place at a Shabbat table.

But his story is only one glimpse into the quiet ways small acts of hesed reshape lives. There was another moment – different in setting, but identical in spirit.

At a summer Habayit event, Rabbi Shlomo Farhi spoke about the quiet work being done behind the scenes – the phone calls, the apartments, the families arriving in need. By the time he finished speaking, there were tears throughout the room.

Before leaving, he added one more sentence. He explained that there was an urgent need for an apartment near Sloan Kettering. Families were coming for treatment, and there was simply nowhere for them to stay.

A few days later, the phone rang.

Someone who had heard about the urgent need reached out. The message had stayed with her. She explained that she had a furnished apartment right near Sloan Kettering and that Habayit was welcome to use it.

Within days, a family moved in. In the middle of fear and uncertainty, they had a place to stay. Since then, it has served as a safe haven for dozens of families whose loved ones were undergoing life-saving treatments.

Rabbi Farhi’s words did not end when the event was over. They traveled beyond the room, reaching a woman who chose to act. One small step – offering an apartment – became comfort, stability, and dignity for families in their most vulnerable moments.

A High Schooler Steps Up

Another time, the step seemed even smaller.

A high-school intern came to help at Habayit for the day. There were no urgent calls or emergencies. Instead of leaving early, he chose to organize the warehouse, which had become so crowded that it was difficult to move through. By the time he finished, everything was accessible and in its place.

That night, the phone rang.

A 36-year-old man from Panama had received devastating news from his doctors: if he did not get to New York immediately, he would not survive. He was flown in on an emergency medical evacuation flight and rushed straight to the hospital upon arrival. His family needed a place to stay – immediately.

Habayit had no available apartments. Brooklyn was full. Manhattan was full. Every other organization was full. There was only one option: an apartment that had not yet been set up.

Because the warehouse had been organized earlier that day, the team could immediately reach what they needed. Volunteers came running. Furniture was moved. Food was brought. Essentials were gathered.

By early evening, the apartment was no longer empty. The fridge was stocked. The beds were made. The space felt like a home.

While the man was in the hospital, his family arrived exhausted and terrified – and they had somewhere safe to walk into.

That life was saved because one small step had been taken earlier.

The Quiet Miracle

This is the quiet miracle of Habayit.

An organization built not on buildings, but on people. Volunteers who answer calls at all hours. Donors who give quietly. Families who open their doors. Teenagers who stay late to help.

The need continues to grow. Families are still calling. More lives can be helped.

If you would like to be part of this work – whether through donating, volunteering, or getting involved – Habayit would love to hear from you. And if you or someone you know has an empty or underused apartment in Brooklyn or Manhattan that could be used for hesed, that one step could change a life.

For all inquiries, please contact the Habayit office: 580-HABAYIT (580-422-2948). Because the story of Habayit doesn’t end here. It continues every time someone chooses to take one step.

Michele Shrem

This month we are discussing whether families should discuss finances with their children. Should the kids know about financial struggles that are going on in the household? When I was growing up, money was always a hushed subject.  But, these days should our children still be in the dark? Should families be open about their finances? Should children be told about family financial struggles? Let’s see what our community members have to say.

Sarah

When I was growing up we never knew anything about finances or any struggles. Everything was discussed behind closed doors. And, it was the same with other topics such as religion and politics. There was a sealed lid on family finances that was not opened until much later on, maybe when I was a teenager. I did learn how to handle a bank account through my mom. She took me to the bank to open an account when I started to babysit. I was lucky that she showed me how to save from a young age. Now, instead of saving for a special toy, I can save for a nice vacation!

Anonymous

As a Certified Financial Planner, I feel that shielding children from money discussions is a form of educational neglect. You can’t expect a young adult to have a credit card or to sign a lease if they have never even looked at a utility bill. They will have no conception of money and how to use it properly. I think it is a good idea to discuss finances early and often. You can start with the concept of earning, saving, spending, and giving, even at a young age. If a six year old does a household chore, you can give them a quarter to put into a piggy bank. Then, when it starts to add up, you can take them to a store to spend a little of it. You can also have a home tzedakah box to show them how to give, and even bring them to the organization to deliver the box. I also believe that children should know about struggles going on in a household. There is no need to make them feel nervous, but they can become more resilient. If you can’t go on a vacation one year, you can tell them why. You can suggest a weekend trip instead, and let them know that in the future, they will hopefully go on a larger vacation. When children are in the dark, they can imagine worse-case scenarios. If they know, they may even be able to help by assisting in the home, or not asking for high-priced gadgets.

Jojo

I am very cautious about treating children like adults. I In the current world, that is probably a very old-fashioned thing to say. I feel that discussions should be age-appropriate. I would not want my child to feel anxious. A home should be a very safe and supportive place for them. I advise against sharing serious financial struggles like a job loss for instance, unless they are at least in their teens. I don’t think that children younger than that can understand that problems are solvable, and that the problem may not be permanent. Financial instability can feel like a threat to a child’s safety.

Kelly

When I was growing up, money was very tight, and I knew that my parents struggled through the years. Because they kept me in the loop, I do pretty well for myself now, and I credit my parents for teaching me these skills. Now, I passed that down to my kids so they know the costs of things. I want them to be prepared and understand the value of a dollar. To me, total transparency is the way to go. If the water gets shut off, they should know why, because it builds hunger and a drive to never be in that position themselves.

Mrs. E

I don’t think that children should ever know about family financial hardships. I want my children to play and learn, while my husband and I share the burden. I would never even think of it as a topic for the dinner table. If my kids think that I’m scared, that will be the end of their childhood. My husband and I will hold onto the stress. As adults, I feel that we can handle stress better. There is plenty of time for them to stress about things later on in life. 

Diane

As a teacher of middle school students, I find that many of them have not had any discussions about finances at home. Kids actually do need help to understand why they have different things than their peers. There is a middle ground approach. You don’t need to tell them if you are broke, but you can tell them that certain things will take priority for a little while. This way, they can understand some of what is going on and understand the concept of a budget, without feeling inferior to their classmates and friends.

Mike

I like to have family meetings once in a while in order to talk about several things with my kids, including chores, issues they are having inside and outside of my home, and, of course, finances. I want my kids to see where the money goes. I try to be honest with them. For instance, if we overspent on groceries, and they can’t go to the movies.  Then they can see the math for themselves. They mystery of why I said “no” is then understood with logic.

Lisa

I knew growing up that my parents struggled. I could feel the tension in the air. My parents did not talk about it, and my imagination made it ten times worse. I think families should be in a situation together. As a kid left to guessing, I can tell you that it made me anxious and scared. Years later I found out that it was not as bad as I had thought. If I had known, all those years of worrying could have been avoided for me.

—

Ultimately, the line between helpful and harmful financial transparency is drawn at stability. Money discussions are helpful when they serve as a lesson for future independence. They become harmful when they serve to vent parental stress or become a source of childhood fear. By treating money as a neutral tool rather than a secret shame, families can equip the next generation with something money can’t buy: the wisdom to manage it well.

Michele

Jack Gindi

If you’ve been following my work, you know that last year I lost my eldest son, Shaun.

Nothing prepares a parent for that sentence. Nothing prepares you for waking up in a world that looks the same but feels entirely different.

A little more than a year has passed. I’ve learned that time doesn’t heal grief. It teaches you how to carry it. Some days feel steady. Others still knock the wind out of me. What has surprised me most over this past year is how many parents are walking this same road. In the United States alone, an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 families lose a child or young adult every year.

We are living through a quiet and deeply troubling moment in this country. After decades of steady progress, child and youth mortality rates have reversed course. In the last five years, deaths among children and young adults have risen drastically – driven by fentanyl, mental-health crises, gun violence, and despair. One public-health researcher called the shift “a red flashing light.” Behind every number is a family standing in the aftermath, trying to breathe through the unthinkable.

I know that place.

What I want to share here isn’t advice. It’s simply what helped me survive the first year after Shaun passed, moment by moment, breath by breath.

Earlier that day, before I knew Shaun had passed (November 20, 2024), I recorded a short video and posted it online.

“Don’t build a home in hardship. Don’t make mourning your address. Don’t let yesterday steal your tomorrow.”

At the time, I had no idea those words would become a lifeline, first for me, and later for others. After Shaun’s passing, I couldn’t imagine ever standing in front of a camera again. I wasn’t trying to get back to “normal.” That life no longer existed. My work, my health, and my sense of purpose all had to change.

Grief doesn’t just break your heart. It disorients you. It pulls you out of your body, out of your relationships, and out of any sense of direction. In the first months after Shaun’s passing, I gained weight, slept poorly, and felt the edges of myself blur. I wasn’t broken. I was overwhelmed.

What helped me wasn’t trying to fix my grief. It was giving myself something steady to return to.

L.I.F.E

I leaned on the same L.I.F.E. Mapping process I had originally built for families. It helped keep me going when everything felt unstable. I used it to notice when my body was taking the hit of grief and needed care, to stay connected to what I was feeling instead of shutting down, and to make sure I didn’t disappear from my family and friends.

Doing this didn’t make the loss easier. It helped me to keep living while carrying the loss.

Some days, “mapping my life” meant nothing more than getting outside and walking. Other days it meant sitting quietly and letting the tears come. Sometimes it meant reaching out instead of pulling away. And sometimes it meant remembering that even in grief, life still asks for presence, not perfection.

What I’ve learned this year is that grief doesn’t want to be rushed, but it’s not a place to live. Mourning is necessary. Pain needs processing. But if we don’t gently orient ourselves, if we don’t check in with our bodies, our inner world, our relationships, and our sense of meaning, grief can quietly become isolating.

For anyone walking a road of grief now, please hear this. You are not weak for feeling lost. You are human. And you don’t need a grand plan to survive. Sometimes a simple reminder, a daily check-in, or a steady structure is enough to get you through the next hour.

I don’t have your answers. I only have my story. But I believe this deeply. Our greatest heartbreak can also become a doorway to new meaning. Love doesn’t leave us when our loved ones pass on. It changes form. It asks us to carry it differently.

Shaun still walks with me – in my life, my work, my choices, and the families I support. His life ended in shock and pain, but it continues with purpose.

If you’re reading this as a person who has lost someone you love, or fears losing one, know this: You are not alone, and you don’t have to figure life out all at once. Stay connected. Stay honest. Take care of your body. Lean on others. And don’t let grief be the place where you live. Onwards, one breath, one day at a time.