Sam Sutton

Summer in Deal means one thing: M&S Softball is back, and the 2025 season promises to be its most competitive, content-rich, and exciting chapter yet.

Every roster in the league is packed with ultimate die-hards. This isn’t casual softball. This is M&S – a summer-long battle between competitors who live for the moment and play for legacy.

Lights, Camera, Legacy: M&S Media Coverage

What truly elevates M&S Softball is its unmatched media presence.

Every game is livestreamed – and it’s not just about watching; it’s about being immersed. Co-commissioner Max Sutton leads the live play-by-play with a revolving cast of colorful commentators, bringing sharp insight, unpredictable energy, and off-the-cuff chemistry. Max is as unpredictable as it gets – and that’s what makes the broadcasts unforgettable.

After the final out, the production keeps rolling. High-definition highlight packages drop after every game – edited tight, loaded with emotion, and narrated by the unmistakable cadence of co-commissioner Sam I Am. His energetic professionalism, sharp wit, and ability to turn routine plays into unforgettable moments has made his voice as much a part of the M&S experience as the game itself. Whether it’s a walk-off bomb or a clutch defensive stand, Sam brings it to life like only he can. It’s more than a recap – it’s a retelling. A rewatchable. A moment in motion.

All content lives on the league’s growing YouTube channel: youtube.com/@samiampro.

And for real-time reaction and unfiltered banter? That’s where M&S Smack Talk thrives – a league-wide WhatsApp chat where highlights are shared, opinions are formed, and no moment goes unnoticed.

Carpool Chronicles: Built for the Whole Community

As summer heats up and M&S Softball takes center stage, Carpool Chronicles with Hank continues to be the most talked-about show in community sports media.

Hank Dweck is the cog of the show – the one driving the analysis, the controversy, and the conversation. His takes are sharp, his rankings are bold, and his delivery keeps players locked in and fans talking.

From Day 1, Carpool Chronicles was never just about M&S. It was designed to spotlight all major community leagues – from softball to basketball and everything in between – and it has quickly become the go-to source for authentic commentary, accountability, and banter. While Hank delivers the insight, Sam I Am hosts the ride, teeing up topics, pressing buttons, and guiding the show with the pacing and polish that’s made it one of the most-watched pieces of content in the community. Together, they’ve built something bigger than a recap – they’ve created a voice for the players, the fans, and the culture.

Seven Teams. One M&S Cup. All-In.

The M&S Cup isn’t just a trophy – it’s a piece of league history. Every champion since 2008 is etched into its base. And every player in 2025 wants to be next. Meet the captains and their squads:

Sephardic Bananas – Captain: Edmund Beyda

King Salomon: Part Deux– Captain: Michael “Sabon” Salomon

Stayin’ Alive – Captain: Michael “Melech” Solomon

The Thundering Hooves– Captain: Gabe Abadi

The Long Horns– Captain: Max Yedid

Vandelay Industries– Captain: Sammy Seruya

Kaboom!– Captain: Uri Adler

Each team was drafted with purpose – a mix of veterans, breakout stars, and clutch performers – all with one mission: Lift the Cup!

The full 2025 M&S schedule is now available at www.MandSbaseball.com.

Jenna Ashkenazie

More and more people are using medications to help them to lose weight. While weight loss medications have been around for decades, there has been a rise in popularity, fueled by discussion of the topic via social media in the past few years.

Ozempic is one of the most well-known weight loss medications today, although it was never actually meant to be used for weight loss. The medication was created to help Type 2-Diabetes patients, and has FDA approval for treatment of diabetes. It is not approved by the FDA for promoting weight loss. Doctors began to notice that a very common side effect of the Ozempic shot is weight loss, and clinical trials in 2021 showed weight loss results with non-diabetic patients. It was at that time that Wegovy, another anti-diabetes medication, became FDA approved for promoting weight loss.

How These Medicines Work

Medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy are GLP-1 agonists are a class of medications that mimic the actions of the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone help regulate blood sugar, manage appetite, and helps digestion. This is why these medicines were originally created to help diabetics. The difference between the two medications, however, has to do with the doses. While both medicines contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, Wegovy’s contains a higher dose, which is why it is FDA approved for weight loss and Ozempic isnot. An article in the online publication UC Davis Health weighs in on the topic “Can weight loss medications really help you lose weight?” It states, “Prescription weight loss medications work in one or more of the following ways: decrease appetite, increase feelings of fullness, interfere with fat absorption, and target cravings.”

It was not a war they wanted, but when it was over, they found themselves with huge swaths of precious territory.

We refer here not to the modern miracle of Israel’s Six-Day War in 1967, but rather to our ancestors’ miraculous conquest of two large kingdoms east of the Jordan River shortly before they crossed into the Land of Israel.

Beneh Yisrael asked Sihon, ruler of the Emorite Kingdom, permission to harmlessly cross through his country to shorten their journey to their homeland.  Sihon not only refused, but quickly mobilized his army and launched an unprovoked attack.  With Gd’s help, Beneh Yisrael vanquished Sihon’s army and, in fact, his entire kingdom, seizing theterritory.  Og, king of the neighboring Bashan region, mistakenly thought he could succeed where Sihon had failed, and attacked Beneh Yisrael.  He, too, suffered defeat, and his territory – like that of Sihon – fell into Israelite hands.

Two of Beneh Yisrael’s twelve tribes – Reuven and Gad – saw the great economic potential posed by the vast, verdant pastures of the newly-conquered territory.  Herdsmen by profession, the men of these tribes approached Moshe and asked to permanently settle this region.  Rather than cross over with the other tribes into Eretz Yisrael, the land of Avraham,, Yitzhak and Yaakov, the people of Reuven and Gad preferred to remain east of the Jordan which was perfectly suited for their large flocks of cattle.

As Bad as the Spies?

Moshe responded by harshly censuring these tribes for making such a request.  He compared them to the meragelim – the ten spies whom he had sent to scout the Land of Israel nearly forty years earlier.  The spies returned with a frightening report, and discouraged the people from proceeding into the land, convincing them that they were powerless against the fearsome armies of the Canaanites in Eretz Yisrael.  The people were seized with terror, and decided not to proceed.  Gd killed the spies, and punished the nation by leading them through the desert for forty years until that entire generation perished.  Moshe charged that the tribes of Reuven and Gad were just like the spies, refusing to enter the land, preferring to remain where they were.

Reuven and Gad then clarified to Moshe that this was not their intention.  Their plan was that their men would join the other tribes across the Jordan River and assume a leading role in the war effort, in the conquest of Eretz Yisrael.  Only after the victory over the enemies and the successful capture of the land would the men return to their wives and children back east of the river, where they would permanently reside.

Moshe accepted this arrangement.  He instructed his successor, Yehoshua, that if the tribes of Reuven and Gad fulfill their promise, and join the other tribes in the military campaign to seize the Land of Israel, then they were to be given the region east of the Jordan River as their permanent territory.

Let us consider Moshe’s harsh accusation that the people of Reuven and Gad resembled the spies.  We must ask, is this really true?  Even if Moshe deemed their request inappropriate, how were they like the spies?  Did they try to frighten the people?  Did they deny Gd’s ability to help Beneh Yisrael defeat the armies of Canaan? 

To answer this question, we need to revisit the story of the spies, and, specifically, to understand who the spies were and what drove them to do what they did.

A Story of Misguided Piety

The Torah (Bamidbar 13:3) refers to the spies with the term “anashim,” which Rashi interprets as denoting men of distinction.  Moshe chose for this important mission not ordinary people, but rather some of the most important and distinguished members of the nation.  As Rashi emphasized, the meragelim were righteous men at the time they were selected for this job.  But something led them astray, and drove them to betray their mission and convince the people not to enter the Land of Israel.

Some rabbis advanced the bold, counterintuitive theory that it was specifically the spies’ piety that caused their downfall.  Precisely their fierce passion for spirituality and for closeness to Gd caused them to insist on remaining in the desert rather than proceeding to Eretz Yisrael.

In the desert, Beneh Yisrael lived a purely spiritual existence.  They were sustained supernaturally, with manna falling from the heavens, and a miraculous well traveling with them to provide water.  They were protected by Gd’s “clouds of glory” that encircled them, and their clothes never wore out.  They had no need to work for a living, and they spent their days learning Torah from Moshe and Miriam.  There was practically nothing mundane about their lives.

This would change drastically upon crossing into Eretz Yisrael.  Once in the land, they would no longer receive miraculous food and water.  They would need to farm and to build homes, cities and infrastructure.  They would need to train an army to fight wars against bitter enemies with advanced weaponry.  No longer would they spend their days immersed entirely in Torah and spiritual devotion.

And this, some explain, is what the spies feared.  They wanted to remain in the desert.  They were not prepared to forfeit their miraculous, spiritual existence, their ability to abstain entirely from mundane activities and devote their time and attention exclusively to spirituality.

But this kind of piety was gravely misguided.  We are not placed in this mundane world in order to escape it.  Rather, we are here to infuse our mundane world with spirituality.

Serving Gd in the “desert,” when all of one’s physical needs are miraculously provided for, when one has nothing to do but listen to Moshe Rabbenu’s teachings, is relatively easy.  There are few temptations and few religious challenges.  We are not meant to serve Gd under those pristine conditions, without struggle.  Instead, we are meant to embrace the challenge of engaging in the realm of the mundane while elevating this realm through strict Torah observance and by allotting considerable amounts of time for spiritual engagement. 

If a person has all his material needs cared for, he does not need to struggle to show his religious commitment.  But if a person needs to work for a living, and he wakes up early to pray with a minyan, and he learns Daf Yomi on the train, and he conducts all his business affairs ethically and courteously, and he refrains from work on Shabbat and holidays despite the loss of revenue, and he retains his beliefs and valueseven while engaging with people who do not share those beliefs and values – he truly shows his devotion to Gd.  This is how we are meant to serve Gd.

For this reason, the spies’ piety was misguided.  We are to serve Gd in the Land of Israel, within the realm of natural, mundane living, and not in the ideal conditions of the “desert.”

The Spiritual Shepherds

Possibly, this was also the mistake of Reuven and Gad.

Their desire to remain east of the Jordan River might have been spiritually driven.  Rather than cross into the land, where they would have to work as farmers, spending their days plowing, sowing, harvesting and collecting, they wanted to live as shepherds, enjoying the calm and serenity of the open pastures.

Several of our nation’s greatest spiritual giants, such as Yaakov, Moshe, and King David, worked as shepherds, and for good reason.  Shepherding, we might say, is spiritual work.  The shepherd merely walks with his herds among the fields, where he finds himself alone with his Creator.  This profession allows a person to spend his day in “hitbodedut,” in silent meditation, in solitude, speaking to and connecting with Gd. 

This might be what the people of Reuven and Gad wanted.  They sought the spiritual life of shepherding over the busy life of farming.  They wanted to bond with the Almighty the easy way – in the open pastures east of the Jordan River, rather than embracing the struggle of injecting spirituality into the farmer’s grueling workday.  This was their mistake, for which Moshe compared them to the spies.

It was only once they committed to join the war effort, to assume the challenge of infusing the realm of the mundane with spirituality, that their request was granted.

Unity Through Struggle

The message conveyed by this story, then, is that Torah isn’t supposed to be easy.  We aren’t meant to observe mitzvot only under pristine, ideal conditions.  To the contrary, we display our commitment precisely by remaining loyal to Gd when this loyalty requires struggle and sacrifice.

We might apply this message to the period we begin this month – the period of ben hametzarim, when we mourn the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash, a calamity which, tradition teaches, befell us on account of the sin of sinat hinam, hatred and strife among our nation.  This is a time customarily observed as a time for focusing on how to improve our sense of unity and togetherness, on eliminating tension and fighting, creating closer bonds with our fellow Jews.

We must remember that ahdut – unity – requires struggle.  We don’t create ahdut by loving and respecting our fellow Jews when this is easy – when we have no reason to dislike them, when we agree on everything, when we see things the same way.  We build ahdut precisely when it’s difficult, precisely when we have reason to feel resentful, when we have strong disagreements, when we rightly oppose that which someone else said or did.  This is how we achieve unity – through struggle, by overcoming our instinctive feelings of disdain and resentment, by truly loving and respecting those whom we might feel justified in disliking.

Let us embrace this struggle, and make the commitment to bond with all our fellow Jews, both within our community and beyond, so we can, once and for all, cure the destructive ill of sinhat hinam and become worthy of our final redemption, may it come speedily and in our times, amen.

“By defending ourselves, we’re also defending others. We’re defending our Arab neighbors, our Arab friends in peace, we’re defending Europe, we’re helping defend also the United States, which helps us all the time in our defense. This is an important mission.”

–  Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Dave Gordon

In the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched a massive and coordinated military campaign against Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. The operation, codenamed “Rising Lion,” marked the most extensive Israeli assault on Iranian soil since the Iran-Iraq War, targeting not only nuclear facilities but also the upper echelons of Iran’s military and scientific leadership. The codename comes from the Biblical verse that points to s victorious future for a powerful Israel: Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion (Numbers 23:24).

The Israeli cabinet divided the Book of Psalms between them before making the decision to launch an attack on Iran. Hours before the operation, Prime Minister Netanya was photographed at the Kotel, placing a note between the cracks of the Wall.

According to BBC News and a public address from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the decision to strike came after intelligence confirmed that Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium to build multiple nuclear bombs and was actively assembling weapon components. Netanyahu, addressing the nation, declared that further delay would have meant an existential threat to Israel.

Israeli Air Force Strikes

At around 3:30am in Iran, the Israeli Air Force unleashed waves of airstrikes across the country. More than 200 fighter jets participated, hitting dozens of strategic sites – nuclear enrichment complexes in Fordow, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Tabriz, Tehran, Qom, and others, according to Col. John Spencer.Ballistic missile bases in Piranshahr and IRGC HQ in Kermanshah were hit. IRGC headquarters in Kermanshah, Iran was reportedly attacked.

Various reports say that Netanyahu and his cabinet played up a public riff to throw Iran off the scent, and make them believe no military actions would occur.

The IAF deployed massive bunker-buster bombs in a direct strike on Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility, one of the regime’s most fortified and strategically critical nuclear sites, according to a June 13th story in BBC News.

The Mossad in Action

The strikes were meticulously planned, with months of Mossad-led intelligence gathering culminating in simultaneous commando raids, sabotage operations, and drone attacks launched from within Iran itself, according to BBC News.

In a separate operation, the Mossad operatives embedded sophisticated attack technologies inside civilian vehicles near high-value air defense installations, according to a Free Press report.

At the onset of the Israeli strike, these hidden systems were triggered, destroying Iran’s defensive radar and interception capabilities, clearing the skies for the IAF.

Long before the aerial attack, the Mossad had already established a covert drone launch base within Iran, smuggling in explosives over time. During the main assault, these drones were launched at surface-to-surface missile launchers housed at the Asfaqabad base near Tehran. The attack neutralized a major component of Iran’s offensive missile threat.

Confirmed Casualties

In the Israeli operation, several of Iran’s most senior military and nuclear figures were killed. Confirmed casualties included IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, Armed Forces Chief Mohammad Bagheri, and nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. Ali Shamkhani, a key adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a principal negotiator in nuclear talks, was also reportedly killed, as was Khosal Reza Mossvarini, a senior officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp intelligence headquarters in Tehran was set on fire.

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin declared, “At this time, we can say that we have achieved full aerial superiority over Tehran’s skies.” Military experts cited by outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider note that Israel’s suppression of Iranian air defenses allows its warplanes – including older F-15s and F-16s – to drop bombs from within Iranian airspace, and not just rely on long-range missiles.

Iran Retaliates

Iran’s retaliation was swift but less effective than anticipated, revealing limitations in its ability to inflict mass casualties on Israel, largely due to the effectiveness of Israeli missile defenses. Iran launched several waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli cities, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and northern towns.

The Associated Press reported that some Iranian missiles were intercepted in the sky above the Jordanian capital, Amman.

By  June 16th, at least 24 Israelis were killed and some 600 wounded from Iranian missile attacks, fired at Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, according to Israel Hayom. Reports of buildings collapsing and fatalities in Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv, and other cities are confirmed. A Bat Yam apartment building was hit, according to the Times of Israel, where seven were killed and a hundred injured. In the northern Arab city of Tamra a home took a direct hit and four family members were killed, reports Times of Israel. 

Israel’s Reach and America’s Folly

Israel’s unprecedented ability to strike deep into Iranian territory – including the heart of Tehran – has shattered long-held assumptions about Iran’s security and exposed vulnerabilities in its air defenses. The operation’s sophistication, involving covert Mossad operations and drone strikes launched from within Iran, has demonstrated a new level of operational reach and intelligence dominance.

In a recent National Post exclusive interview by this author, the pro-Israel exiled Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the former Shah of Iran, cautioned the world against the continued folly of “the policy of containment, or appeasement” saying that “after 40 years of this, how much more proof do you need that it doesn’t work?” He condemned the Obama-Biden administration for releasing to the Iranian regime billions that only allowed the mullahs to fund more of its terror-spreading extremist proxies.

He added on X on June 14th, “The Islamic Republic and its incompetent and criminal leaders have dragged Iran into war.”

World Leaders Weigh In

Various world powers had differing responses to the Israeli attack.

The German government, represented by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, did not condemn Israel’s bombing of Iran. German officials emphasized Israel’s “right to defend its existence and the safety and security of its citizens,” particularly in light of the perceived nuclear threat from Iran. At the same time, Germany called for restraint and diplomacy from all parties, urging both Israel and Iran to avoid actions that could escalate tensions further.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed “grave concerns” over Iran’s nuclear program and affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, but stated, “Now is the time for restraint, calm, and a return to diplomacy. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate.”

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has called for de-escalation following Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. She warned that “further action risks triggering a broader regional conflict with devastating consequences,” and urged both Israel and Iran to “refrain from actions that further destabilize the region.” Anand reiterated that Canada “always favors negotiated resolutions and encourages the involved parties to engage in dialogue,” emphasizing diplomacy as the path to enduring peace and security in the region.

The Iranian Regime – Axis of Terror

A year ago, the Iranian regime launched over 380 rockets and suicide drones at Israel in a coordinated attempt to murder civilians and ignite an all-out war. Meanwhile, it armed the Houthis, who fired rockets into Israel. The regime controls Hezbollah, and Iran bankrolled and orchestrated the October 7th massacre, the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Israel is standing on the front line against a regime that has exported Jihad, terrorism, and death across the globe, and turned Islam into a weapon of political conquest. But now, Netanyahu stated, “Iranian leaders are packing their bags” amid Israeli airstrikes.

What is unfolding in Iran might lead to the return of pre-revolutionary Iran, to the return of Western values, and the end of colonial Islamic darkness. And if it does, it will have been Israel paving the way, striking deep, standing firm, and saving the world from the continued grip of this evil.

Thousands in Iranians are now flooding the streets, not in fear, but in defiance and celebration of this now-crippled Islamic regime.

Netanyahu and Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement June 14th, addressing President Donald Trump by saying: “You’ve been an extraordinary leader: decisive, courageous, clear vision, clear action. You have done great things for Israel. You’ve been an extraordinary friend to the Jewish state and to me personally.

“And we appreciate what you’re doing now, helping protect Israeli lives against the criminal regime in Iran… By defending ourselves, we’re also defending others. We’re defending our Arab neighbors, our Arab friends in peace, we’re defending Europe, we’re helping defend also the United States, which helps us all the time in our defense. This is an important mission.

“Our enemy is your enemy. And by doing what we’re doing, we’re dealing with something that will threaten all of us sooner or later. Our victory will be your victory.”

An Open Miracle

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel sums up the feelings of many of us. He tweeted on June 13th, “If you didn’t believe in miracles before, you should now. The skill, precision, and dramatically successful results of Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities and missile silos, coupled with Israel’s interception of more than 100 attack drones launched against it by Iran before any drone crossed into Israel airspace, tells you pretty clearly that Gd is at work here, and whose side He is on!”

Dave Gordon

Israel is facing one of the most intense periods of global pressure in recent memory. From the devastating war in Gaza, to escalating threats from Iran and its proxies, the nation’s security and legitimacy are being challenged on multiple fronts. Here in the United States, pro-Palestinian demonstrations – many of them increasingly hostile and disruptive – have taken hold on college campuses, in city streets, and even in corporate boardrooms. The fallout has extended beyond protests to economic pressure, as the BDS movement gains traction and companies reevaluate their ties to Israel.

For those watching these developments with growing concern, the question is urgent: What can I do?

While most of us are not policymakers or diplomats, we are consumers. And the choices we make – where we spend, what we buy, and whom we support – carry weight. That’s where the concept of a buycott comes in. Unlike a boycott, which seeks to punish, a buycott is a deliberate act of support: choosing to spend money on Israeli products, Israeli-owned businesses, or companies that refuse to bow to anti-Israel pressure. It may seem small in the face of global unrest – but history has shown that even modest consumer actions can make a difference. At a time when Israel is under siege in more ways than one, buying a bottle of wine, a jar of hummus, or a box of Israeli chocolates can become an act of solidarity. A buycott won’t end a war – but it sends a message: Israel is not alone.

“We have a problem,” exclaimed Brooklyn resident, Mr. Levy, to his wife.  He had discovered a pint of their favorite ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s, in the freezer. He told her that from now on they would no longer be buying that brand.

Was it the heksher?Mrs. Levy asked. Hadthe Kof-K kosher supervision been pulled from the product? No, and no. Mr. Levy responded that Ben and Jerry’s would no longer be considered kosher in their eyes because the company had decided to capitulate to the anti-Israel movement BDS –  boycott, divestment, and sanctions. The family agreed to no longer buy or eat Ben and Jerry’s, taking a principled stand against the company that has not only misguided views of Israel, but to their minds, contributes to harmful and hateful messaging. In 2021the company said that selling the ice cream in Judea and Samaria was “inconsistent” with their values, and it would not renew its licensing agreement for distribution there.

The company’s position has remained consistent, a move that led to a backlash, including divestment by some investors, and legal disputes with Unilever, its parent company.

Ben and Jerry’s Grows Colder on Israel

In fact, the ice cream company’s independent board has recently intensified its criticism, labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” in a May 2025 statement. This marks one of the strongest corporate denunciations of Israel’s conduct in the conflict, and has further strained the relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever.

Unilever has publicly distanced itself from the board’s statements, emphasizing that the views expressed are those of Ben & Jerry’s board and not the parent company.

But the ice cream maker’s political stance is not an isolated incident. While few major North American corporations have formally endorsed BDS, several have taken actions or made statements that align with BDS goals. Several well-known companies have withdrawn from Israel or made operational changes in response to pressure from BDS.

Other Corporations Bow to BDS Pressure

In December 2024, Brooklinen disclosed that it had moved all production out of Israel during 2023. The company cited years of pressure from BDS activists as a key reason for this decision.

In November 2024, 7-Eleven closed all eight of its stores in Israel. This marked a rare full market exit by a major international retailer, following sustained boycott pressure.

In December 2023, Puma announced it would not renew its sponsorship of the Israeli Football Association. While the company claimed the decision was unrelated to the Gaza war, it came after years of global boycott campaigns targeting Puma for its ties to Israeli settlements.

Chevron US, targeted for its investments in Israeli gas, halted expansion of a gas field in 2024 due to pressure. Starbucks experienced significant sales declines and laid off at least 2,000 employees in the Middle East in 2024. The company’s CEO acknowledged the negative impact of the boycotts in both the region and the United States.

The Earth Day Network, the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, cut ties with SodaStream in 2014, and KQED Public Radio removed SodaStream from its donor gifts after BDS advocacy. In August 2024, San Francisco State University divested from companies including Lockheed Martin, Palantir Technologies, Leonardo, and Caterpillar after a three-week student solidarity encampment.

And finally, in 2024 Pitzer College became the first U.S. institution to end its study abroad program in Israel, following student-led BDS organizing.

These examples illustrate that BDS campaigns have, in several cases, led to marked changes in the operations, finances, or policies of targeted companies and institutions.

Consumer Choices Influence Corporations

These changes  illustratethat consumer choices can influence corporate behavior. It is therefore incumbent upon supporters of the Jewish people and Israel to redirect spending to counter the effect – to make spending decisions that align with our values.

Several organizations and websites actively track companies and corporations that are considered pro-Israel. These resources are often used by so-called activists and consumers interested in boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaigns. But those who support Israel can use them in reverse – choosing to purchase items on the “no buy” list.

You can find “no buy” lists on websites like StopBds.com, The Islamic Information, The Witness, Who Profits, Investigate, the BDS movement official website, and the Buycott app. They often highlight companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Palantir, SodaStream, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Siemens, Google, Amazon, Airbnb, Booking.com, Disney, and Scotiabank as all having some dealings with Israel or Israeli companies. Of course, that’s a shortlist.

Another answer to combating the hate is to specifically choose Israeli-made products in the supermarkets, or to subscribe to by-mail box subscription services that send items each month from Israel, such as Lev Haolam, which ships monthly subscription boxes around the world, featuring artisan products from Israel, particularly from Judea and Samaria.

Buycott Campaigns – a Creative Proactive Response

There are several documented instances where “buycott” campaigns -efforts to proactively purchase Israeli goods or support Israeli companies – have made a financial difference or provided a visible counter to boycott movements. While such campaigns often gain traction during periods of heightened tension or boycott calls, concrete examples of measurable financial impact are less frequently publicized compared to boycott successes.

The most notable example of an Israeli wine buycott involving the Toronto Jewish community and the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) occurred in July 2017, during a high-profile controversy over the labeling of wines from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria.

On July 11, 2017, the LCBO, acting on a directive from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), instructed vendors to halt the sale of wines labeled “Product of Israel” if they were produced in Judea and Samaria or other territories “occupied” by Israel since 1967. This directive specifically targeted wines from Psagot and Shiloh wineries.

Canadian Jewish Community Push Back

The news of the directive spread rapidly through social media and Jewish community networks in Toronto. Pro-Israel organizations, including B’nai Brith Canada and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), mobilized supporters to protest the removal of Israeli wines from LCBO shelves. There was a strong push within the community to not only voice opposition but also to demonstrate support for Israeli products by purchasing them – a classic buycott response.

Community members were encouraged to visit LCBO stores and buy Israeli wines, both to show solidarity and to counteract the effects of the boycott call. Social media posts and community bulletins urged people to stock up on Israeli wines, and some stores reported increased demand for these products.

The buycott was accompanied by lobbying and public statements from Jewish organizations, emphasizing both the economic and symbolic importance of supporting Israeli goods in the face of boycott efforts.

The intense backlash – including the surge in purchases – combined with political pressure led to a rapid reversal of the original directive. By July 13, just two days later, the CFIA announced it was rescinding its order and allowed the wines to return to LCBO shelves. This was widely seen as a victory for the buycott campaign and the broader pro-Israel community in Toronto.

International Push Back

In other examples, after boycott protests at stores like Trader Joe’s or Sainsbury’s in the UK, pro-Israel shoppers have organized counter-protests, buying out entire stocks of Israeli products and sometimes causing products to sell out. This has been reported in various media over the years.

SodaStream, an Israeli company that has faced years of BDS pressure, has also benefited from buycott campaigns. After the company was targeted for setting up in its Judea and Samaria factory, pro-Israel consumers and organizations in the U.S. and elsewhere promoted SodaStream as a symbol of coexistence and Israeli innovation. During periods of boycott, SodaStream’s sales in certain markets actually increased as supporters made a point to purchase its products.

Ahava, an Israeli cosmetics brand made from Dead Sea minerals, has been a frequent BDS target. In response, buycott campaigns have urged supporters to purchase Ahava products, especially during anti-Israel protests at stores in the U.S. and Europe.

While exact figures are rarely released, Israeli trade officials and advocacy groups have credited buycott campaigns with helping to offset the impact of boycotts and in some cases even boosting sales of targeted goods.

Sabra Hummus Saved!

The Sabra Hummus buycott campaigns in the U.S. were most visible on college campuses, where BDS activists targeted the brand due to its Israeli ownership and alleged support for the Israeli military. In 2010, a pro-Palestinian student group at Princeton University called for a boycott of Sabra hummus, equating its purchase with supporting Israeli military actions.

In response, a counter-campaign called “Save the Hummus!” was launched by pro-Israel students and community members. This buycott encouraged students and supporters to purchase Sabra products and generated national media attention for its creative and positive messaging.

The buycott was successful: the boycott effort failed, and Sabra remained available on campus. The campaign is cited as a model for how grassroots buycott efforts can effectively neutralize BDS activism.

Meanwhile, The Park Slope Food Coop, a progressive grocery store in Brooklyn, became a battleground for BDS activists in 2012 seeking to ban Israeli products, including Sabra.

In response, a grassroots group called “More Hummus Please” mobilized community members, local rabbis, elected officials, and advocacy organizations to oppose the boycott and to encourage the purchase of Israeli goods, including Sabra hummus.

The buycott and advocacy campaign helped defeat the proposed boycott, and Sabra products remained on the shelves.

Campaigns and Counter-Campaigns

At DePaul University and at other campuses, student groups campaigned to remove Sabra from dining halls. These efforts were met with counter-campaigns by pro-Israel students who encouraged others to buy Sabra and voice support for its continued sale. In most cases, the boycotts were unsuccessful, and Sabra products remained available, partly due to visible buycott support and advocacy from the broader community.

However, in 2024 Israeli food giant Strauss Group sold its stake in Sabra to PepsiCo, a move attributed in part to ongoing boycott pressure.

Multiple retailers, including Pemberton Farms, Balady Foods, and Harvest Coop, have removed Sabra products from their shelves following BDS campaigns. But now, Israel supporters know where these stores’ values are and can choose to buy elsewhere.

The Enduring Strength of the Jewish Community

The recent wave of boycotts and divestment campaigns, and the resulting changes in corporate behavior, have posed undeniable challenges for the Jewish community and supporters of Israel. Yet, as history has shown, adversity often reveals the true character and resilience of a people.

Despite mounting pressures, the Jewish community has responded not with despair, but with unity, creativity, and collective action. From grassroots buycott campaigns that turned the tide at liquor stores and on college campuses, to the mobilization of advocacy organizations and everyday consumers, the community has demonstrated its ability to adapt, organize, and stand firm in the face of adversity. These efforts have not only mitigated the impact of boycotts but have also sent a powerful message: attempts to isolate or delegitimize Israel will be met with unwavering solidarity and renewed commitment.

This resilience is rooted in a long tradition of overcoming hardship through mutual support and resourcefulness. Whether rallying to keep Israeli products on store shelves or finding new ways to express their values through conscious consumerism, the Jewish community continues to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

In the face of campaigns designed to divide and weaken, the Jewish community’s response has been to come together, amplify its voice, and support one another with determination and hope.

QUESTION:

Dear Rabbi Ali,

I would say that this has been an issue in my marriage for as long as I could remember.  At least two to three times a week we argue about money. My wife likes spending lavishly, many times beyond our means, whereas, I like to live a more conservative lifestyle and to save money. She says that I am cheap, but I don’t think so. What does one do when two people just have different approaches to money? Is there any way to deal with this without fighting?

R’ Ali’s Response:

I will address your specific questions, but I’d like to mention a few things that people need to hear on this topic. The peer pressure of the Jewish community can be very intense. Trying to keep up with our friends and neighbors is no easy task. It’s important to understand that some people care very much about keeping up with others and some don’t care so much. If your spouse feels this pressure, it won’t help to debate it. Rather, accept it for what it is and deal with it. This is not to say that your spouse is correct. That is a completely different topic. On the other hand, some people don’t care much about what others are doing and live within their means. It’s important to acknowledge that as a sign of good character and be grateful for that. Calling your spouse “cheap” for not wanting to spend recklessly is wrong and insensitive. The spouse who is calling the other one “cheap” may be looking at a special and noble person and may not even recognize it.

Another important point that I believe all wives must hear, is that your husband cannot “make money.” All he can do is his ownhishtadlut. He works hard because that is what Hashem wants him to do. However,Hashem is the One who ultimately decides how much money he will have. I say this because many women are resentful that their husbands are not “making it” like their friends or family are. If the husband is working hard, there’s not much more that he can do. Complaining to him about his lack of wealth makes him feel horrible, worthless, and possibly makes him feel like a failure. 

Getting back to your question. You specifically asked, “What does one do when two people have different approaches?” I have seen many couples with many differences who seem to work their differences out just fine. However, I see other couples with minimal differences who struggle tremendously. It’s not about the differences, rather how you deal with them. If you have a good relationship, respect each other, and communicate nicely, most things will not become major issues. I don’t know the details about your relationship, but money is not usually an issue, even with different approaches, when the relationship is good. This is not to say that you don’t have a good relationship, I’m just giving you food for thought. Maybe you two need to work on communication, not money philosophies.

You mention that your wife keeps spending beyond your means. I’m not sure how you addressed this in the past but it obviously is not working. I have two ideas on how to deal with this specific problem. I call this a problem for obvious reasons. It seems like your wife spends money that you simply don’t have. If you had the money, that would be an entirely different question. The first idea would be to communicate to her in a different way. Until now you probably just argued with her. I have mentioned this approach in the past but it’s worth repeating. Approach your wife when there is no issue at hand. Make sure she and you are both relaxed. Tell her how you’d love to buy her everything that she wants (and mean it). However, we really need to stick to this budget for now. Hopefully, one day we will be able to spend much more. With this approach, it’s not about pointing the finger at “her spending habits,” it’s about the reality.

If this doesn’t work and she says that she needs more money, you should follow up with the next step. You should calculate the exact amount of your monthly income. Then, tell her this is how much I make and this is how much we can spend. Please understand that we cannot go over this budget for now. There are other ideas regarding setting boundaries, but I believe that anything drastic should be spoken over with a professional or a rabbi. I don’t see why you cannot sit down with your wife and a rabbi and propose the question to him. 

Wishing you much success, and, of course, if you pray to Hashem for assistance and clarity then you’re sure to have a wonderful relationship.

Excitement is mounting among the thousands of Oraysa students around the globe as they approach the end of their study of Masechet Ta’anit. The students have been working hard for the last three months, learning and reviewing this Masechet, which focuses on the fasts to be observed and prayers to be recited in situations of drought. Masechet Ta’anit also includes numerous aggadic (non-halachic) sections which present vital, fundamental concepts relevant to one’s service of Gd.

With this Masechet nearing completion, the students of Oraysa are now preparing to begin the next Masechet – Moed Katan, which deals mainly with the halachot of Hol Ha’mo’ed (the interim days of Pesach and Sukkot), and the halachot of avelut (mourning). This program affords students a unique opportunity to delve into these topics which are somewhat less familiar than many other sections of the Talmud.

Moed Katan is the second-to-last Masechet in Seder Moed, and the students are already excitedly anticipating their siyum celebrating the completion of this seder, scheduled for the beginning of Kislev, 5786 (end of November of this year). The siyum will be celebrated here in the United States, as well as in Israel and Europe. Thousands of Oraysa participants are expected to attend each event to mark this special milestone and monumental accomplishment.  This celebration of the completion of an entire seder will be the first of its kind since the Oraysa program was founded nearly six years ago, marking the culmination of 12 Masechtot – hundreds of pages of Gemara.

The Oraysa Amud V’Chazara program was developed in collaboration with leading Rosheh Yeshivah and Torah sages to meet the growing demand for a Gemara learning framework that balances consistent progression with meaningful review. This worldwide initiative is designed to unite and empower devoted students through a structured daily learning regimen that incorporates both new material and review of previously studied material. The pace is perfect for mastering the Talmud and retaining the knowledge. The structured yet flexible approach makes the program accessible to the entire spectrum of Torah learners – from kollel students to educators to laymen. Oraysa enables every participant, regardless of his background and schedule, to grow in Torah scholarship and deepen his connection to Torah learning. Numerous different resources are provided to participants on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, both digitally and in print, to help with the study, including world-class shiurim available in video or audio format.

The Oraysa project has, with Gd’s help, seen extraordinary growth with every new Masechet, as new study groups continue to form, and new participants continue to join throughout the world.

Oraysa has become a global movement, connecting approximately 30,000 participantsin 370 groups across 100 cities worldwide.

Join thousands of Oraysa students as they embark on their journey through Masechet Moed Katan. Savor the satisfaction of learning in a goal-oriented way with a built-in system for review and retention, ensuring that every pagestays with you for years to come.

To join the program, for more information, or to help establish a study group in your community, please contact Oraysa at 914.8.ORAYSA or email info@oraysa.org.