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Once Upon a Thyme – Sushi Pie

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July 2023

I love using my kitchen gadgets for more than one purpose. Peelers can be used for peeling vegetables, and to slice thin slices of cheese too. Pasta strainers can be used to separate herbs from their stems by pulling their stem through the holes. Think your springform pan is just for cheesecake? Think again! This Sushi Pie uses your springform pan to create a beautifully layered dish that is sure to amaze your guests. You can swap tuna steak for surimi seafood sticks or salmon filets.

2 cups arborio or sushi rice

¼ cup rice vinegar

4 tsp sugar

2 lbs. tuna steak

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup shredded carrots

2 cucumbers, spiralized or sliced into super thin strips

1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced

½ cup crispy fried onions

1 bunch chopped scallions

1 cup sweet sauce

Sriracha (optional)

Spicy mayo (optional)

½ cup white and black sesame seeds

Cook rice according to instructions. While the rice is cooking, heat the vinegar, sugar, and 1 tsp of salt in a separate pot and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. When the rice is cooked, transfer it immediately to a large mixing bowl and drizzle it evenly with the sushi vinegar.

Pat tuna dry and then sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides. In a pan, sear each side for 3-5 minutes, or more for well done. Slice thin and set aside.

In a large springform pan, place half the cooked rice. Pat down with the back of a spoon to flatten. It’s imperative that each layer is compact to prevent movement when serving.

Arrange the tuna steak slices, cucumbers, carrots, half the crispy fried onions, and half the sweet sauce on top of the rice.

Add the remaining rice, sandwiching the tuna and sliced carrots between the rice. Pat down firmly to create a smooth flat surface.

Place the avocado slices, crispy fried onions, and scallions on the last rice layer. Drizzle sweet sauce and then sprinkle with sesame seeds.

To serve, carefully remove the side of the springform pan. Serve immediately.

Recipe, photo and styling by Adina Yaakov, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. For more recipes follow @onceuponathyme__ on Instagram or www.OnceUponAThyme.com

The Lighter Side – July 2023

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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Language

A mother mouse and her three children crept out of their hole into the kitchen and began feasting on some delicious bits of food. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Mother Mouse saw a cat slinking toward them. The cat was between the mice and their hole.

The mother mouse puffed up her lungs and went, “Woof! Woof!” The cat turned tail and ran. With that, the mother quickly led her children back to safety in their hole.

When they were settled and breathing normally, Mother Mouse said to her children, “Now, what’s the lesson from that experience?”

“We don’t know,” the baby mice squeaked.

“It is this,” said Mother Mouse. “It’s always good to know a second language!”

Dorna Delrahim

Bagel Bargaining

Charlie put two bagels on the counter and asked, “How much for these bagels?”

“It’s two for a dollar,” replied the cashier.

Pointing to just one of them, Charlie asked, “How much for this one?”

“Sixty-five cents,” replied the cashier.

“Ok,” Charlie said, placing a quarter and two nickels on the counter. “I’ll take the other one, then…”

A Vexed Vet

After a long day spent visiting an endless array of horses and cows with sore legs, Mark the Veterinarian finally returned to the animal clinic.

He discovered a slow leak in one of his truck tires, and although he was exhausted, he mustered the strength to drive to the service station.

The mechanic knew immediately that he was dealing with a tired veterinarian after Mark carefully explained to him that his truck seemed to be lame in the right hind tire.

Yitzy D.

Fitness Survey

My friend sat down with a new client at her gym to review her application. She noticed that for the question “To what do you attribute your fitness issues?” the woman wrote, “Horrendous eating habits.”

“What makes you say that?” my friend asked.

The woman replied, “I can’t spell atrocious.”

Frieda M.

Double Trouble

A man arrived at the hospital with two burned ears.

“How did this happen?” the nurse asked.

“The phone rang while I was ironing my shirt,” he explained, “and I picked up the iron instead of the phone.”

“So how did you burn the other ear?”

“They called back.”

Sarah D.

Top Ten Observations on Growing Old

10. Going out is good, coming back home is better

9. When people say that you look “great,” they add, “for your age.”

8. Now you get discounts on everything… hotels, flights, and so on, but you’re too tired to use them.

7. You forget names, but it’s okay, because other people forgot that they ever knew you.

6. Your spouse is depending on you to remember things that you don’t remember.

5. You sleep better on a lounge chair than you do in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep.”

4. You miss the days when everything worked with just an on and off switch.

3. You go out to dinner but you go home by 9pm. Next week it will be 8:30pm.

2. You read 100 pages into a book before you realize that you’ve already read it.

Being old is good in some ways: old songs, old photos, and, best of all, old friends!

Jack V. Grazi

Administering With Care

A nurse was making the rounds, giving out medication, checking blood pressure and temperature, and tending to the patients’ other needs. When she stopped at an elderly patient, she politely asked before checking his blood sugar, “Which finger should we use this time so that it won’t hurt too much?”

“Yours!”

Eddie C.

The Draft Interview

Robert was being drafted into the army. When it came his time to meet with the drafting officer, he was asked what his present work was.

“I work for Dr. Pepper.” Robert responded.

Little did Robert know that the next day he’d find himself placed in the Medical Corps.

M. Hazan

Sailor Sickness

Sailors have a well-deserved reputation for concocting excuses to get out of work detail. Once, an officer received a call from a sailor saying he was sick and there was no way he could leave the barracks.

“What’s wrong?” the lieutenant asked.

“I’m in a coma,” he responded.

Steven Shweky

Orange Juice

Somebody once saw a man staring at an orange juice bottle, so he approached to ask him what he was doing.

He answered, “It says, ‘concentrate.’”

S. Semah

Lights Off

When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside in order not to attract pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, “It’s no use, Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights.”

Eddie Gindi

When Turtles Fly

Deep within a forest, a little turtle lived together with a family of birds for many years. One day he began to climb a tree, in an attempt to fly. After tremendous effort he reached the top, jumped into the air waving his front legs and crashed to the ground. After recovering, he slowly climbed the tree again, jumped, and fell to the ground. The turtle tried again and again while a couple of birds sitting on a branch watched his sad efforts.

Finally, the female bird turned to her mate. “Dear,” she chirped, “I think it’s time to tell him he’s adopted.”

Shmuel Lalehfar

Short-Term Injury

A client filed a claim for short-term disability insurance benefits after injuring a knee. In order to process his claim, he was asked the obvious question, “And which knee is it?”

He replied, “Mine.”

Rachel A.

A Sure Cure

The local pharmacist was used to answering all sorts of questions. Once, a customer came in asking for a cure for hiccups. The pharmacist thought a good scare might do the trick, so he quickly reached across the counter and gave the customer a heavy slap on the back. Apparently, he slapped harder than he needed, as the customer lost his breath for a minute.

“Did that cure the hiccups?”

“I don’t know,” the customer replied. “I’ll have to check my wife, who’s waiting in the car. She has the hiccups.”

D.

Medical Confusion

While transcribing medical audiotapes, a colleague came upon the following garbled diagnosis: “This man has pholenfrometry.”

Knowing nothing about that particular condition, she double checked with the doctor. After listening to the tape, he shook his head.

“This man,” he said, translating for her, “has fallen from a tree!”

Jack V. Grazi

Mabrouk – July 2023

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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Births – Baby Boy

Mark & Paulette Yedid

Yohay & Hanna Albo

Morris & Frieda Brown

Eddie & Ruthie Gindi

Births – Baby Girl

Ike & Hannah Levy

Mr. & Mrs. Nechemia Katz

Amir & Caryn Schacher

Bar Mitzvahs

Steven, son of Abdo and Cynthia Ades

Mikey, son of Victor and Sharon Esses

Raymond, son of Gaby and Raquel Habert

Engagements

Sam Cohen to Rebecca Daner

Ezra Sutton to Marcelle Shammah

Netanel Ovadiah to Rena Arking

Alfonse Missry to Yvette Antebi

Joshua Goot to Cheryl Shalom

Nisso Ozer to Paulette Ashkenazie

David Levy to Karen Matalon

Jack Horowitz to Debra Greenstein

Abe Cohen to Esther Chalouh

Weddings

Steven Srour to Victoria Cohen 

Reuven Semah to Stella Gindi

Bert Chabot to Lizzie Nasar

Sam Zalta to Joyce Mishan

Riddles – July 2023

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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Riddle: Thankful Patron

Submitted by: Irwin T.

It was an especially hot day and a man was walking in the desert. In the distance, the man suddenly saw a restaurant. He rejoiced, ran to it, and immediately asked the waiter for a glass of water. Instead, the waiter pulled out a gun and pointed it at the man’s head. The man replied with, “thank you.” Why did the man thank the waiter?

Last Month’s Riddle: Pet Peeve

A pet shop owner had a parrot with a sign on its cage that said, “Parrot repeats everything it hears.” Davey bought the parrot and for two weeks he spoke to it and it didn’t say a word. He returned the parrot but the shopkeeper said he never lied about the parrot. How can this be?

Solution: The parrot was deaf!

Solved by: Madeline Gabbai, The Blum Family, Morris Kabani, Solly Kabani, Bella S., Mordechai Sabbagh, David Dweck, Marielle Dushey, The Big Cheese, and Mayer Chemtob

Junior Riddle: A Numbers Game

Submitted by: Molly B.

There is a 3-digit number. The second digit is four times as big as the third digit, while the first digit is three less than the second digit. What is the number?

Last Month’s Junior Riddle: Strange Subtraction

How can you take 2 from 5 and be left with 4?

Solution: F  I V  E – Remove the 2 letters F and E from five and you are left with IV – which is the Roman numeral for four!

Solved by: The Blum Family, Morris Kabani, Bella S., The Shmulster, Solly Kabani, Mayer Chemtob, Rachel Esses, and Big Mike.

How to Bring Out Creativity in Children

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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Tammy Sassoon

It is not true that some children are able to come up with creative ideas, while others are not. Since to be creative actually means “to come up with original ideas,” why would some people have access to their imaginations, while others are shackled to believe that they do not have an imagination that can produce great ideas? If one is aware that every idea comes from Hashem they also understand that ideas are limitless. 

What can we do as parents to help our children see that they do, indeed, have the ability to be creative?

Foster Creativity From an Early Age – If you have not yet nurtured your children’s creativity, have no fear, it’s never too late. Teach your children now about how creativity works. This can have a profound impact on a child’s overall growth and success. Encouraging creativity in children not only enhances their imagination and problem-solving skills, but also instills confidence, adaptability, and a lifelong love for learning. We will soon explore effective strategies to inspire and cultivate creativity in children, enabling them to unlock their full potential and embrace a world of endless possibilities.

Create an Environment of Exploration – To stimulate creativity in children, it is crucial to provide them with an environment that encourages exploration and discovery. Surround them with stimulating materials, such as books, art supplies, building blocks, and puzzles. Allow them to freely explore and experiment with these resources, fostering curiosity and a sense of wonder.

I like to use the words, “I wonder…,” while my children are figuring things out. They often come up with responses I never would have thought of. By providing many opportunities for unstructured play and imaginative activities, children can unleash their creativity and develop critical thinking skills.

Ask Open-Ended Questions – To foster creative thinking, it is important to ask open-ended questions that encourage children to think beyond simple answers. Encourage them to express their thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Instead of simply asking, “What color is this?” you can ask, “Why do you think the sky can have different colors at different times of the day?” By doing so, you prompt children to think critically and to explore possibilities.

Embrace Mistakes As Opportunities To Grow – One of the most significant barriers to creativity is the fear of making mistakes. Children need to understand that mistakes are an integral part of the learning process and should be embraced as opportunities for growth. Create a supportive environment where mistakes are seen as steppingstones to success, encouraging children to take risks and to explore new ideas. Celebrate their efforts, and help them to learn from their mistakes. This approach cultivates resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to think outside the box.

Support Collaboration and Communication – Creativity thrives in collaborative environments where ideas are shared and refined. Encourage children to collaborate with their peers, siblings, or parents on creative projects. Group activities foster communication skills, empathy, and the ability to appreciate different perspectives. Working in teams enhances problem-solving abilities and stimulates innovation.

Incorporate Mindfulness Exercises and Techniques Into Their Lives – When children learn breathing exercises and how to focus on the present moment, it helps them to develop a calm and focused mindset, which is conducive to creative thinking.

Inspiring creativity in children is a gift that will serve them throughout their lives. By creating an environment with the above-mentioned strategies, we can nurture the creative potential in every child. By fostering creativity, we empower children to become innovative thinkers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners, equipping them with the tools they need to navigate an ever-changing world. And of course, when children (and adults, for that matter) are engaged in creative endeavors, they get to enhance the world around them and enjoy healthy feelings of self-worth.

Sefer Torah Dedication Ceremonies Honor Hacham Ovadia Yosef, ZT”L, and Rabbi Shlomo Korach

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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Sefer Torah Dedication Ceremonies Honor Hacham Ovadia Yosef, ZT”L, and Rabbi Shlomo Korach

Avi Kumar

In a beautiful display of granting kavod l’Torah, two celebrations in honor of the hachnasat sefer Torah of a magnificent sefer Torah, dedicated in memory of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, and Rabbi Shlomo Korah, occurred days apart in Brooklyn and Jerusalem. The sefer Torah, donated by the Syrian community, is housed in a stunning silver casing. It was written in Jerusalem and is permanently housed in Bnai Yosef Synagogue in Brooklyn, home to one of the largest Sephardic communities in the United States. The celebrations took place in Brooklyn on May 14th and in Jerusalem on May 18th.  

Both events were blessed with pleasant weather and featured delicious food, and plentiful drinks. The musical accompaniment lent an uplifting spirit to these special celebrations. Approximately 200 people participated in the dedication ceremony in Brooklyn, and in Jerusalem.  

Memories of Hacham Ovadia, zt”l

It was a special zechut for Israeli-born Rabbi Uziel Admoni, 44, to organize the events. In fact, he attended both events in person. He said, “I had a special relationship with both rabbis, and was personally ordained by Hacham Ovadia in 2010.” 

Admoni, a member of Bet Din Torah U’Mishpat, described Hacham Ovadia as “one of the greatest religious leaders we have had in our generation.” Hacham Ovadia Yosef was born in 1920 in Ottoman Iraq and moved to Israel at the age of four. He boldly made the halachic ruling that determined that Ethiopian Jews were to be considered halachically Jewish. This was critical to facilitating the aliya of many thousands of Jewish refugees from Ethiopia. 

Rabbi Elie Abadie, Senior Rabbi of the UAE, said, “Hacham Ovadia Yosef wanted to unify all of the Sephardim under one roof and tradition. And he eventually turned out to become the ultimate Sephardic leader of the last one hundred years, if not more!” 

“He returned the Sephardim’s pride and put them at the forefront of Israeli society, whether it be it in Torah scholarship or social and political advancement.”

Hacham Ovadia was especially known for his special trademark – giving an affectionate smack/caress to the face of youngsters who he was fond of. Many of his followers warmly recall his affectionate pats. Hacham Ovadia visited the Bnai Yosef Synagogue whenever he visited the United States. 

Hacham Ovadia Yosef passed away in October of 2013. The sefer Torah dedications fell almost a decade since his passing.

Celebration in Jerusalem

The gathering in Jerusalem was a memorable event, attended by many rabbis, yeshiva students, members of the Knesset, and city officials, notably members of the Shas party. 

Noteworthy among the rabbis was Rabbi Shlomo Amar, former Chief Rabbi of Israel and the current Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Rabbi Amar was a talmid of Hacham Ovadia Yosef. Rabbi Amar wrote a letter in the sefer Torah and blessed the donors at both events, in New York and Jerusalem. 

A Special Symbol of Unity

Rabbi Admoni commented, “Something notable was that the sefer Torah was donated to a shul that has many members and it ultimately represents unity. Both rabbis [who were honored with the writing of the sefer Torah] were very well-known public figures who spoke about the importance of this unity. And our relationship with both of them was based in Torah values and halacha.”

A special feature of the new sefer Torah is its smaller size, which allows even the younger set to carry it comfortably. Dan Frija, a member of Bnai Yosef for over 20 years, said, “This stunning Torah was just the correct size for an average person to carry and it’s especially more convenient for teenagers who would have the privilege to handle it.”

“You must see the look in children’s eyes when they’re allowed to carry a sefer Torah for the first time. So, having this particular Torah made ‘just the right size’ will go a long way!” Frija concluded, “It was a magnificent event!

Rabbi Uziel Admoni

Abe Shrem, son of the synagogue’s former cantor Gabriel A Shrem (1964-86), said, “Rabbi Admoni knows how to draw in students to study. He knows how to come down to their level and has a great sense of humor. No words can describe the love he has for his students and we are grateful for his work.”

Shrem’s father tragically passed away in Israel while attending his grandson’s bar mitzvah. Shrem still has tremendous gratitude for Eddie Sitt, then the administrator of the synagogue, who organized for Shrem’s father to be buried at the Mount of Olives. 

Rabbi Admoni said, “Some communities have difficulty getting sifrei Torah and many here felt uplifted that they were able to contribute.

Maybe one day those who were inspired by this sefer Torah dedication will be able to contribute themselves, enabling the passing on to the next generation the values that we have had for generations and hold so dear. 

“The Torah is one thing that unites all Jewish communities across the world. It is written in the same way with the same letters. Although we might drive different cars and live in different houses and in different countries, our Torah is what we all have in common.”

Many praised Rabbi Admoni for his work, and voiced that Bnai Yosef is, indeed, privileged to house the new sefer Torah, which is so meaningful. May it serve to inspire all those who pass through Bnai Yosef’s doors. 

Dear Jido – July 2023

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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Dear Jido,

My father is hurt and even a little angry that I haven’t shared the latest details with him about our son’s battle with an illness. He found out about what’s going on from my sister, who just assumed Dad would know what’s happening.

I know my father means well and I feel bad that he’s upset, but the problem is that whenever I try to talk to him about stuff like this, he immediately goes into “stand-back-because-we’re-gonna-fix-this-right-now” mode, which is exhausting, especially since I am already exhausted. Besides, he can’t really suggest anything that we haven’t already tried or that we’re currently doing for our son. I just need him to listen. How do I get my father to just listen?

Signed,

Exhausted

Dear Exhausted,

“Ask your elders and they will tell you” (Devarim 32:7). Sometimes you don’t have to ask and they will tell you anyway. Yes, that’s the way with some of us older folks, we think we know everything. Many times, we do. 

Probably the best way to get your father to listen is to get him to talk. This is my suggestion. Call him and say, “Dad, when can we talk about Junior? I need about half an hour.”

Go there with pen and paper. Write down in advance all the areas of help/therapy that your son needs. Ask Dad what he recommends in each area and write all his recommendations down. Now he has told you everything. 

Then review in column three everything you’ve already done in each area. Undoubtedly, there will be avenues that you have already explored in each of your father’s recommendations. Review them, debate them, discuss the outcomes. Tell him what else you’ve done. 

If your father really is a take-charge guy, there HAS to be an area you did not yet pursue. Let him know you will look into it. Now you’ve taken 90 percent off the table. Give him the kavod of looking into his suggestions with a promise that you will get back to him. 

This will convince him that you are doing/have done everything that he’s thought of since you’re also going to be taking his lead on the remaining items. You’ve now covered 100 percent of his ideas in one sixty-minute session. (I know I said 30 minutes – but it WILL take longer.) You will leave knowing you have given your father the proper respect and consideration and hopefully have addressed ALL of his bravado on this very sensitive, emotional subject for the last time. 

Refuah shelemah for your son – all should be well. 

Jido

One on One with Vanessa Broochian

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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“We sell happiness. Seeing the happiness our gifts bring to people is fabulous. Ilan and I are thrilled when we receive group pictures of our customers wearing our swag.” – Vanessa

Who is Vanessa Benun Broochian? Vanessa is an energetic, creative, warm, and driven wife, mom, and entrepreneur, who sells happiness. That’s right! She is the creator of Frostings by Venee, a one-of-a-kind decorative apparel shop that also offers trendy accessories, gifts, toys, and much more. 

Born to Mona and Jack Benun, Vanessa grew up on the Jersey Shore and attended Hillel Yeshiva for elementary and high school. Her father is of Syrian descent and was born in America. Her mom was born in Egypt. Vanessa is the third of four daughters. Her sisters are Rebecca, Sabrina, and Jasmine. The sisters became especially appreciative of their roots when their mother and maternal grandmother took the girls for a trip to Egypt.

Jack modeled a strong work ethic, and Mona was very creative and graciously opened her home to guests and family. The Benun girls were blessed to participate in many parties in their childhood home and they helped their mother shop, decorate tables, and more.

Vanessa recalls, “I was loud and friendly, the funny kid, the class clown. I was always creative, even as a young girl. When I didn’t like something, I was very honest. I knew presentation was important and I could make my school projects look good even when I wasn’t that strong academically.”

Vanessa and her sisters described her special essence as creative, energetic, friendly, outgoing, and driven. Although super focused, Vanessa is easy going when connecting with customers. She loves people and she loves working!

College and Career

After high school, Vanessa studied in NYC at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). “I had around seven majors in my college years. I knew that I loved art and was into fashion.”

She took courses in display and exhibit, window decorating, and event planning. “The event planning classes were very intense. I worked for a local wedding event planner, which was overwhelming, particularly when we built the huppah right before the bride and groom entered! The commute to NY and back to NJ was also very tough.”

After a year, Vanessa transferred to Brookdale Community college in New Jersey and received her associate degree. She then felt more confident about what she wanted to major in and returned to FIT to study marketing and advertising.

“When the September 11th terrorist attacks hit, I didn’t feel safe in Manhattan and enrolled in Monmouth University in NJ. I majored in communications and minored in art, proudly graduating with honors. It took me five years to complete college. I loved Monmouth and learned a lot. Our mom didn’t finish college, so it was important for us to.”

As we follow Vanessa on her path to adulthood and entrepreneurship, you will see that she was gifted with the ability to think out of the box and to find new businesses and artistic outlets.

After graduation, Vanessa traveled the world with her sisters and then moved in with Sabrina in Manhattan. Since Vanessa loved shopping, the two started an ecommerce business and bought trendy closeout items and sold them on eBay. Their merchandise included hot accessories and clothing that celebrities were wearing. “We loved the hunt! We were ahead of our time since this was before Instagram.”

Vanessa laughingly admitted that she even booked her honeymoon around product releases.

Marriage and Kids

Vanessa met her naseeb, Ilan Broochian, at the West Deal Synagogue at a mutual friend’s wedding. Ilan’s father is Israeli Persian and his mom, a”h, was American Ashkenazi. Vanessa’s and Ilan’s minhagim were very similar. Ilan, a Brooklyn boy, asked Vanessa to try living in Brooklyn. “I gave it one year, but I missed the suburbs. I was pregnant with our first child when we moved to New Jersey. Ilan loves the Jersey Shore!”

They have one daughter, Esther (14) and two sons, Jack (11) and David (7). Vanessa is still very close with her sisters.

When Vanessa married Ilan, she was busy with her eBay enterprise. After giving birth to Esther, Vanessa realized it was harder to keep up her business as a mom. The eBay fees were increasing and she lived far away from NY. Vanessa continued the ecommerce venture part-time, but missed the rush and feeling of achievement of her full-time career.

Frostings by Venee Is Born

Vanessa adored dressing up Esther and put rhinestones on her clothing and accessories. When Vanessa decorated Esther’s shorts with rhinestones and brought her to day camp orientation, the other mothers asked Vanessa if she would sell the rhinestone shorts to them. “Esther is fourteen, and I haven’t stopped selling items like those shorts since that day.”

Vanessa began to decorate apparel with rhinestones, choosing the business name, Frostings by Venee. Frostings refers to the rhinestones or bling on the clothes, accessories, and gifts. “Some people decorate cakes, we frost clothing. Venee, is short for Vanessa and sounds like Monet. My dad helped me with the name. I wanted to be a jewelry designer in high school and liked sparkling things.”

When Jack was born, Vanessa also decorated his clothes, and he wore them to Mommy and Me, where they were a big hit. She got an iPhone and discovered Instagram!

For the first five years, Vanessa ran Frostings out of her Oakhurst home. She enjoyed working from home and being close to her family. In those early years, Vanessa would sell in schools, shuls, and boutique shows. She went to events in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Jersey and built a following.

Frostings Branches Out

The business grew and Vanessa needed more room and more privacy. When she went to lunch at Diet Gourmet in Long Branch, she noticed the For Rent sign next door. It was down the block from her home. She rented the space and has been so happy with it.

Customers come from New York, the Midwest, California, and even Montreal. Frostings ships throughout the U.S. and to Canada. Frostings is a hot spot for the Sephardic families who come to the Jersey Shore for the summer season, and presents are shipped to overnight camps all summer long.

In the past decade, Frostings has branched out from rhinestones to patches, screen printing, chenille, vinyl printing, and embroidery.

Most of Frostings’ clientele comes from word of mouth. “We are so grateful for the entire Jewish community, our cheerleaders, who support us and enable us to sell such fun things. I so enjoy seeing customers who visited the store as children, return with families of their own.”

Ilan is the backbone of the business and is the yang to Vanessa’s yin. Ilan joined Frostings full time in 2017 and the two complement each other well. “Even when Ilan was working in the camera business, he helped me with Frostings, and without him we couldn’t have come this far. Ilan is the more organized and structured person. I do the buying and selling, and Ilan does the financial, the technical side, and graphics. We give each other needed space.”

The Pandemic and Beyond

Covid hit right after a very busy Purim season. The Broochians decided to work and print from home. “We changed the theme of what we printed and added printing equipment in our basement. We made quarantine sweatshirts, masks, bar/bat mitzvah swag, and birthday packages, which we sent out as people couldn’t attend semachot in person.”

They focused on remote gift giving and celebrating. Frostings became a gift store with presents shipped throughout the country.

Running Frostings from home with three children to home school was very stressful, but Vanessa and Ilan appreciated being busy with customers rooting for them.

Today, Frostings is one half a gift store, with the printing shop in the back. The shop has toys, gifts, and apparel. Gifts are customized for every age, including adults.

Vanessa says proudly, “We sell happiness. Seeing the happiness our gifts bring to people is fabulous. Ilan and I are thrilled when we receive group pictures of our customers wearing our swag.”

Balance

“We are so grateful for Shabbat when we can be with our children. Ilan and I are workaholics and are always striving to improve our work-life balance.” Hands down, Vanessa says that the children are their greatest accomplishments, and the kids love Frostings. Their oldest is a paid gift wrapper during busy times.

Vanessa unwinds with self-care and by chilling at home. Ilan enjoys sports. The family takes time off for “yeshiva week.”

Please connect with Vanessa at sales@venees.com and follow her on Instagram@frostings by_venee or drop in.

New Flashing Lights Make Long Branch Intersection Safer

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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New Flashing Lights Make Long Branch Intersection Safer

Last month, pedestrian safety at the Jersey Shore got a major boost from the Pallone administration of Long Branch. The intersection of Cedar and Hoey Avenues, a four-lane roadway, has long been a trouble spot for pedestrians walking to or from the Sephardic Torah Center (Rabbi Diamond’s Kollel). Previous attempts to manage the problem with enhanced signage have proven insufficient. At the request of several community activists, Long Branch agreed to install a flashing yellow light system that will hopefully have a greater impact on drivers than signs alone.

The challenge faced by planners was whether to install a continuous-flashing or a pedestrian-activated system. Traffic experts opined that the direct activation option was the more effective choice, since a continuously flashing light would ultimately become just one more traffic device ignored by drivers.

Of course, pedestrian-activated flashing lights would present halachic problems on Shabbat and holidays when pedestrians are unable to push the button to activate the lights. The issue was brought to Rabbi Shmuel Choueka of Park Avenue Synagogue, who ruled that due to the dangers posed by this crossing, it would be permissible to hire a non-Jew to press the button on behalf of Jewish pedestrians. The Kollel has graciously agreed to arrange such a system during peak crossing hours on Shabbat and holidays throughout the summer season.

The Long Branch Jewish community is grateful to Mayor John Pallone, Police Captain Frank Rizzuto, City Administrator Charlie Shirley, and Public Safety Director William Broughton for their continued commitment to the safety and welfare of our community.

Summer Safety Tips

by Assemblywomen Marilyn Piperno and Kim Eulner

To ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer, it is essential always to keep safety in mind when in and around the water.

Assemblyman Kean’s bipartisan water safety bill, A618, which we co-sponsor, will help reduce the risks when venturing into the ocean by teaching children water safety. But until its passage, extra precautions should always be taken when around the water. Swimming in lakes, oceans, and pools requires caution and preparation. Awareness of tides, flags, and designated swimming areas is essential. Bring a swim buddy and consider potential dangers like rip currents and temperature changes.

Also, be sure to wear a life jacket or other protective gear and avoid the consumption of alcohol.

Finally, remember to slather on sunscreen. When safety measures like these are observed correctly, it is inevitable that lasting memories will be produced for years to come and that no harm will come from a beautiful day spent on the shore.

MDY High School Celebrates a Night of Appreciation

Magen David Yeshivah High School students celebrated the end of their internship season with a Night of Appreciation with “The Game of Life.”

Senior students gathered in the high school after working at their internships, reconnecting with their friends and teachers, reading their reflections, and telling stories of their experiences.

Co-founder and Senior Case Manager of Chaim Medical, Mr. Nathan Hoffman, spoke about recognizing and using the opportunities that are presented to us for good. Rabbi Eli Mansour spoke about students maintaining their spiritual level after graduation, and senior Linda Buchris recalled what she learned from her internship with Judge Gina Abadi.

Etz Haim: Shining Light on the Parasha

Rabbi Amram Sananes and Jack Rahmey are proud to announce the release of their new book, Etz Haim: Shining Light on the Parasha.

This book of compiled essays on the weekly parasha includes meaningful and heartwarming stories, commentaries by esteemed talmidei hachamim, and concise, easy-to-read lessons that the whole family will appreciate. These divrei Torah will perfectly enhance every Shabbat table!

The book is available to purchase at Eichlers, Mekor Judaica, and Tehilat Yitzchak in Brooklyn.

Turning Clean-up Into a Sport

Community Magazine

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July 2023

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Frances Haddad

It seems as if you’ve tried everything to get your kids to do their chores. You’ve assigned tasks, commanded, and pleaded, yet your home still resembles the aftermath of an avalanche. Your children are no more motivated than they were before you lost your voice the umpteenth time you said, “Clean your room!” You’ve continually met resistance, and to top it off, you’ve basically forgotten what color your countertops are since they’re piled high with clutter.

During the last months of school, kids came down with “spring fever,” and now that summer’s here, it’s unrealistic to expect them to finally buckle down and put their things away. All they want to do is run around and play sports. So, it’s time for a new perspective. Get creative, and make cleaning into a sport! Here are some tips for making clean-up time (almost) as fun as play time.

Race Against the Clock

Using a timer is a fantastic way to motivate kids to work quickly. Instead of giving an indefinite amount of time to pick up toys that are strewn across the living room, give them a chance to beat the clock! Set the timer on the oven or your cell phone. Make sure to countdown an amount of time in which the task could be completed, but also keep in mind that kids may get restless if the timer is left running too long. Somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes is probably best.

Set the timer and say, “On your marks, get set, go!” Before you know it, your kids will be scurrying across the room trying to put everything back in its proper place. And they may even ask for another round!

The 10 Things Game

Does a room in your house look like a tornado bulldozed through it? The “10 Things Game” is a great way to get rid of a big mess without the stress that clean-up usually entails. This is how it works. Take out two laundry baskets, a marker, index cards, and scotch tape, and label one basket “put away” and the other “give away.” Then get a garbage bag and label it, “throw away.”

Here is where the game begins! Tell your kids that the object is to put 10 things from the messy room into each basket and to fill the garbage bag with all the “throw away” items they can find. Your daughter’s toys go into “put away,” the used plastic cup goes into “throw away,” and the outdated shirt goes into “give away.” Set your timer for 10 minutes. When time’s up, the “throw away” is discarded and the “give away” is sent to the local gemach. Each child should take a bunch of things from the “put away” basket and return them to their rightful place. With this game, every kid is a clean-up champion and the room becomes functional!

Some ideas for other clean-up games: points for every toy put in the toy box, or counting down as kids collect “treasures” that fit the colors they were assigned. There are so many ways to take this, so get creative and get your kids moving!

Pump It Up

Music can transform even the most mundane clean-up routines into a party. Got dirty dishes? Put on a song with a really fast beat, and before you know it, the job will be done. Pop your favorite Yaakov Shwekey CD into the stereo, amp up the volume, and dance with the broom in one hand and the Bounty in the other! Your kids may follow suit soon enough.

Superstar

Kids love charts. Hang one on the wall in your child’s bedroom. Each time the child accomplishes a task, place a star-shaped sticker on the chart. When your child earns 10 stars, he can receive a small token. A boy may appreciate a matchbox car, and a girl may like scented erasers. Use whatever you feel will motivate your child. (Shy away from unhealthy candies and treats!) The entire family can also work together. After 50 stars from all the children’s charts, it’s time for a pizza party!

The camaraderie that results from working together and having a blast will strengthen family bonds and will show kids that taking care of the home can be a fun and worthwhile mission. Cleaning can become a dream!