Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

“You are all so proficient in Shas, Rashi, and Tosafot, that your minds are Talmudic minds and your reasoning is Talmudic reasoning,” declared the Rishon L’Tzion, Harav Yitzchak Yosef, shlit”a, to the outstanding young scholars of Shas Yiden.

“Such an assembly is an incredible kiddush Hashem, and hastens the Geulah,” added Maran Hagaon Harav Bezalel Rudinsky of Monsey, NY.

These heartfelt words of admiration followed an extraordinary “post-COVID 19” public exam in Yerushalayim conducted by these two great sages, testing outstanding students of the Shas Yiden Kollel on the entire Shas (Talmud). The text covered both the analysis of the text as well as the practical halachah.

“Such proficiency in Shas causes one’s reasoning to be not simply a personal opinion, but rather true Talmudic reasoning,” said the Rishon L’Tzion, adding, “You will thus easily arrive at the halachah in all areas throughout the Torah.”

The Remarkable Growth of a Unique Project

In just seven years, Shas Yiden has grown from one kollel in the town of Beit Shemesh with just over ten avrechim (young married students) to five kollelim serving a total of 76 avrechim geonim (outstanding young scholars). The kollelim are situated in Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Beitar, and London, UK. This rapid expansion was driven by the Nasi (chairman) of Shas Yiden, Maran Sar Hatorah Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a. After testing the avreichim geonim for years, Rav Kanievsky gave his blessing to the founder, Rav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, encouraging him to open additional kollelim. Planning is underway for a sixth kollel to open by Kislev 5782 (December 2021).

The demanding daily regimen maintained by each student of Shas Yiden is unique in the Torah world – completing the entire Shas five times a year (a total of 13,555 blatt), learning every Rashi and Tosafot, and committing this vast amount of material to memory. Students are accepted to the program after undergoing a comprehensive test on 450 pages of Gemara, and after demonstrating the ability and commitment to maintain this rigorous pace of learning, seven days a week.

“I was Blown Away!”

Shas Yiden’s public oral examinations are a remarkable spectacle to behold, as the students’ breathtaking knowledge is put on display. These public exams take place three or four times a year, and each time, the event makes waves throughout the Torah world, inviting great admiration and amazement. These events, which are recorded and accessible on the Shas Yiden website (www.shasyiden.com), have an incredible impact on all students of Torah, inspiring them to redouble their efforts to grow and master the Talmud.

Rav Bezalel Rudinsky, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Reuven and Rav of Cong. Ahavas Yitzchok in Monsey, NY, is an acclaimed scholar renowned for his mastery of Torah, who himself completes the Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi, and the Shulhan Aruch every year. He and his fellow examiner – the Rishon L’Tzion, shlit”a – tested the students for well over an hour, during which time the avrechim displayed their extraordinary proficiency in every corner of Shas.

After the exam, Rav Rudinsky declared, “I was blown away by the Shas Yiden. This gathering is an incredible kiddush Hashem – that Jews should know Shas in this manner! Such a gathering hastens the geulah (redemption), and if I can be part of it, I feel a great zechus (merit).”

Rav Rudinsky said that so many Jews throughout the world have been inspired and have increased their Torah learning since they heard about the phenomenon of the Shas Yiden Kollel network. “You have strengthened thousands of Jews in the mitzvah of acquiring Torah knowledge to the point where ‘the words of Torah should be accessible in your mouth such that if any man will ask you a question, you shall not fumble; rather, you should be able to respond immediately’ – which is the way of Shas Yiden,” he said.

The gathering, like all previous Shas Yiden exams, amazed everyone in attendance, showing the brilliance of the scholars who answered questions on all parts of Shas. However, this occasion was different in that most of the questions tested not simply knowledge, but rather the in-depth analysis of the text. The avrechim were asked to cite examples from all over Shas to conceptual questions, fielding questions whose answers could not be derived from a superficial knowledge level of Shas, and required incisive understanding and analysis. Not at all surprisingly, the avrechim weighed and considered all the volumes of Shas, and delivered in-depth responses, drawing upon sources from throughout Shas and other Torah texts, including the writings of recent poskim. The rabbis administering the exam were astonished, and asked, “You also know Hoshen Mishpat by heart?” – referring to the section of the Shulhan Aruch that deals with the complex, intricate halachot of monetary law.

This amazing rischa d’Oraysa (tumultuous Torah discussion) closed with the heartfelt words of the Rishon L’Tzion, who recalled how his late revered father, Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, who had mastered Shas at age 15, would encourage others to master Shas. He also spoke about those who support and ensure the vibrant continuity of Shas Yiden, announcing, “Shas Yiden is unique in the Torah world.”

To read the letters of the Rishon L’Tzion and Rav Rudinsky about the importance of Shas Yiden, to view the remarkable exam, or to receive more information about Shas Yiden and how to help support this network of kollelim, please visit www.shasyiden.com, or contact Shas Yiden at 718-702-1528 or 1274 49th Street #562, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

Some of the questions posed to the avrechim of Shas Yiden:

· How many practical implications are there of the question of whether the rule of safek d’Oraisa lechumra (we must act stringently in situations of uncertainty when it concerns a Torah law) applies on the level of de’Oraysa (Torah law) or miderabbanan (by force of rabbinic enactment)?

· The Brisker Rov is cited as stating that supporting a halachic position from the Torah is stronger than supporting it from empirical evidence, because the Torah’s verses reflect reality more accurately than the actual object or matter. How can this statement be proven from Shas?

· Why does the Gemara bring supporting passages from the Torah for a halachah stated in the Mishnah even when the Mishnah itself provides the reason?

· Is the concept of arvus (responsibility for the Torah obligations of one’s fellow Jews) applicable to gerim (converts)?

· If a borrower claims within 30 days of taking the loan that he repaid it, is he presumed to tell the truth, or do we assume that borrowers do not generally repay before the time limit of the loan?

· Is the birth of twins considered an extra “plus” for the father?

· The Bach claimed that the Talmud’s statement, “Rov ganveh Yisrael – Most thieves are Jews” is not to be taken literally. Bring proof to the Bach’s claim.

· Under which circumstances may one tell an untruth? What conditions apply? How many times – and where – is this mentioned in Shas?

· What is the source in Shas for the concept of a Mora d’asra – community rabbi?

Sophia Franco

It’s a random Tuesday, and a lump appears where it shouldn’t be. A bruise, or two. A headache that just won’t disappear. With Hashem’s help that day will never come, and we will never hear the word “cancer” spoken again out loud. But if it does, Gd forbid, know that help is just a phone call away.

Nancy Sutton, founder and president of the Morris I. Franco Cancer and Referral Center, has been guiding community members through the medical maze for almost thirty years, providing endless support, hope, and understanding. For so long she has been giving referrals and help to patients to choose the right doctors, hospitals, and treatments. Eleven years ago, she followed that work up with the founding of the Cancer Center, a place that envelops every patient with whatever they might need, before they even know they need it. Compassionate and nurturing, Nancy and her team’s experience is vast and unmatched. Their data bank is up to date and fresh, with names and often cell phone numbers of thousands of doctors. Their relationships with both hospitals and medical professionals garnered over years of travel and attention help provide a clear path to success for a patient who is probably at the most vulnerable point of their lives.

Renee Zarif, a recipient of that care, explains. “From the point a patient gets diagnosed until the point they find an oncologist, the fear that overtakes is incomprehensible. I was just 30 years old when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, married nine years. You can just imagine what was going through our minds. There are many medical referral organizations and individuals…but when we got to Nancy, everything changed. The knowledge she has, the doctors on speed-dial, and the personal way in which she shared her thoughts…she was certain, when we were so uncertain. She actually found a way to put us at ease.”

A Hand to Hold

Nancy not only guided the Zarif’s, but also sat right by their side at the first appointment. Renee continues, “We were so serious and nervous, and she was just calm. When we walked in, she said, ‘let’s get oatmeal and coffee,’ like it was a breakfast date. I was a wreck, and she brought comfort, making everything more tolerable. We talked with the doctor, and once he said that I was going to lose my hair, I tuned out. I couldn’t even hear the rest of what he was saying. Nancy was there, thank Gd, to ask all the right questions; She is the expert, and that doctor was Hashem’s gift to me.

“Nancy and her wonderful staff at the Cancer Center took care of everything, from transferring files from one hospital to another, to finding the right insurance, to getting a wig ready for me, and getting meals cooked for our family. Nancy’s mind is like a computer. She knows which doctor and which hospital is right for which patient. She’s ten steps ahead, and when you can’t think straight, that’s more valuable than you can ever know.”

Ralph Tawil is another fighter. One who is just beginning his journey. On the second day of Passover, he told his wife Tami that he was having trouble formulating his words. After the CAT scan, the doctor came to their room with a chair in hand. They knew the news could not be good.

Tami recalls, “The ER doctor sent us to NYU, where a new doctor recommended surgery within a day or two. I did not say the word ‘petrified’ even once. I couldn’t go there – I just put one foot in front of another. But surgery? Is this the right doctor? I knew I needed the expertise only the Cancer Center could offer. Nancy picked up my call while with her grandkids at Universal Studios in Florida. She settled them, and sat down. ‘I’m all yours,’ she said.

“Once I told her the story, she said, ’This is brain surgery! We need to research this! Give me some time.’ But when she called me back twenty minutes later, she was sure. This is THE guy. Do it. Afterwards, Nancy and I were talking twice a day at least. This was the right doctor for the surgery, but we needed a course of action going forward. Nancy told me to come in to the Cancer Center and see dedicated staff member Margie Mathews to collect copies of the scans to send out. I used to volunteer there, so to walk in, and be on the other side, as a patient advocate, it was surreal. I expected to get the scans and a list of doctors. Instead, Nancy was standing there with a big smile on her face, a hug ready, and a muffin in hand. I am good at many things, but doctors – definitely not my forte. Nancy sent our records all over America, and later on, she would usher us into Duke, in South Carolina. ‘Do you need a charter? We can arrange it,’ she asked. ‘What’s a charter?’ I answered. She would have been on the plane with us, if not for COVID. Instead, she joined us via zoom, all of it her joy – like we were doing her a favor, allowing her to help us.”

Joey Shamie explains the magic of the Cancer Center and the love, concern, and expertise that they provided when he needed it most. “When Adrienne and I faced the reality of my diagnosis, the first 911 call we made was to Nancy. She was in Israel on vacation, but of course, that didn’t stop her. She treated me like family – a brother – and gave 100% of herself. She made me feel like I had my own personal advisor and confidant, helping me to think things through to the best solution. Aside from that, she showed me first hand that we all love and care about each other in this community.”

Caring Connections

Rabbi David Ozeri recalls his first experience with the Cancer Center, ten years ago. “I brought in a patient truly traumatized by her diagnosis, and Nancy took her by the hand, introduced her to the staff, and calmed her in a way I never thought possible. I was amazed that something so complicated could be made so simple, and I never looked back. The patient received the best medical guidance and care available throughout her illness and she understood she was not alone; there was a light at the end of that dark tunnel. This is why the Cancer Center is always my first phone call in these situations.”

Nancy, her partners Sonia Didia, and Gerrie Bamira, who heads up the Deal division, and so many amazing volunteers, have learned that healing comes not only from medicine but from people. From the very first meeting they are thinking of what the patient needs now, and later on. Is it counseling? A babysitter? A wig? A manicure or massage? Yoga? Meals for their family? Most helpful seems to be a connection that is made early on with other patients who’ve had similar experiences.

When Ralph was invited to a men’s group and dinner, Tami was surprised he was open to it. “He’s so private,” she explained, “but Nancy managed to make him feel he was a part of something, and that she cared. It made him comfortable. I was also invited to a caregiver’s chat and get-together. Am I the caregiver, I asked myself? It’s an odd feeling to be part of a club I didn’t choose, but it’s comforting. It’s about showing you that somebody wants you to smile. It’s knowing we are in this together.”

Joey Shamie agreed, “We all love and care about each other, and have similar issues. We meet and talk on a regular basis. The Cancer Center treats us to beautiful meals, makes sure we have a round table, so we can all see each other, and provides the finest accommodations. It’s like they have an aerial view of what’s going on. Because of their experience and dedication to the cause, they know how important it is for us to feel good. It’s a fantastic way of being able to heal, and help others to heal.”

When Nancy called Renee and said, “We’re doing a mosaics class, I want you to come,” she scoffed. Renee is a physical therapist, and like Tami, had been on the other side of the equation, working at the Cancer Center helping patients. Nancy begged, and she showed up. “I came because I wanted to show my appreciation for all the Cancer Center was doing for me and my family. Meanwhile, it ended up being an incredible experience. I didn’t know anyone there, but quickly I became very comfortable. Who else could I talk to about the tricks to get through chemo? I laughed because I knew that Nancy had tailored that class to us, so we would lean on each other. It was a support group, incognito. We understood each other, perfectly, and that helped.”

The Red Carpet Treatment

While, of course, the Cancer Center is focused on medical treatment, both physical and mental, there is another facet of care that is tremendously appreciated by the patients and their families. Zarif continues, “Nancy called me a few days before I was supposed to start chemo. ‘I booked a Broadway show for you tonight, and dinner at La Marais.’ My husband was reluctant to accept the extravagance, but I knew it was a treat we could not refuse. That night was the first time in months that we did not talk about my disease, the chemo, or our problems. There were more dinners to follow, on a beach, by a pool, and even hotel stays. But that night was the first, and it had tremendous impact. We reflect on it often.”

Tami recalls a similar story, “At the end of April, Nancy invited Ralph and me to have a beautiful five-course dinner in a lovely backyard in Manhattan Beach. Just us and the waiter. She wouldn’t take no for an answer, and it was really magnificent. My husband is a quiet guy; he doesn’t like a fuss to be made, but this was nice. We got a cheesecake on Shavuot, flowers on Shabbat. There’s always something special, and it’s nice to know someone is thinking of us.”

Zarif continues, “Throughout my treatment, I kept asking Nancy, ‘What if it doesn’t work?’ and she would answer, ‘What if it does?’ When I was in the hospital for a month the Cancer Center helped get me a nurse, sent meals to my home every day, and delivered gifts to my kids – which really distracted them, and helped. When I finally came home, they set up a lunch for my husband and me by someone’s pool, and a dinner on the beach. I had many food restrictions then because of the treatment, but they paid attention to the details. It is a beautiful form of hesed, and it forced us to forget about everything for a little while. I can’t justify how much she helped me. It’s the medical part, yes. But more so, afterwards, emotionally. I’m self-sufficient, organized, and in control. I’ve been working most of my married life. To say I need help is hard for me. But Nancy and her team understood. They might be the only ones who did.”

Your First Phone Call

Joey Shamie continues, “Confidentiality is a burden that a cancer patient does not need. I encourage anyone that is going through these issues to open up and share, and accept the warmth and love that is around us. I am blessed to have the very best team in Adrienne and my children, who have never missed a single doctor’s appointment and have been by my side throughout. Adrienne keeps me positive and helps me concentrate on my amazing life. We are also blessed to have so many friends who come and offer support; both emotionally and effectively. Of course, I wish I never had it. But if I am honest, my experience over the last year has been the most rewarding of my life. Every person, gesture, doctor, nurse, and technician has helped steer me towards recovery. From the head of the hospital to the young ladies who take my blood, I cannot thank them enough. Know that everyone is going through it with you. And that everything you put out there in the world, comes right back to you.”

Tami continues, “Ralph said to me that knowing that I had Nancy to hold my hand made his journey easier. Obviously, everyone’s taking care of hm; he was glad to know that someone was tending to me, too. From the beginning Nancy treated us like she has nothing better to do and no one else to worry about, no matter how busy she is. At a time when you’re so vulnerable, it feels good to have someone in your corner who is so knowledgeable. She makes us feel like she is fully in charge of our care. It’s hard, but she makes it all a little easier.”

Dr. Herbert Pardes, Vice Chairman of NY Presbyterian Hospital explained, “On the one hand you can give surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. But if you pay full attention to the emotional and psychological needs of the individual like they do at the Cancer Center, you can expect better overall results. It is all interconnected.” The Morris I. Franco Cancer and Referral Center helps their patients with anything and everything imaginable, going above and beyond over and over again. Leaving no stone unturned, they are one of a kind. Their goal is to get their patients well, and they are very, very good at it. For more information about the Cancer Center and medical referrals, call (718) 787-1800 or visit us at nycancercenter.org.

DAVE GORDON

“Israeli politics are pretty messy, actually.” So said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during a CNN interview, about a month before he became the new prime minister, ousting long-time leader Binyamin Netanyahu, by cobbling together the most unlikely coalition Israel has ever seen.

In May 2021, Israel was still fending off attacks from Hamas. In the midst of it all, the new government was formed, with a coalition comprised of members from the left, the right, Arab parties, centrists, and even former rivals. After four elections in two years, the Knesset finally had a majority, with the following parties: Yesh Atid, Blue and White, Yamina, Labor, Yisrael Beiteinu, New Hope, Meretz, and United Arab List. Bennett is scheduled to hand off the prime minister position to Yair Lapid in two years in a scheduled rotation.

There has been speculation whether this motley group came together to knock Netanyahu off his perch, to avoid another election, or to further a different path. One thing is certain: it tied a bow around what has been forty-five years of Netanyahu’s political life.

Netanyahu’s History Rising to the Helm

Netanyahu eloquently defended Israel in the court of public opinion since 1978.

Twenty-eight -year-old Netanyahu debated the conflict between Israel and the Arabs for a Boston television broadcast. He said that “self-determination” for the Palestinians was a fiction fed to a gullible public. “The real core of the conflict is the unfortunate Arab refusal to accept the State of Israel. For 20 years the Arabs had both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and if self-determination, as they now say, is the core of the conflict, they could have easily established a Palestinian state, but they didn’t,” he said. “What we’re talking about here is not the attempt to build the state, but to destroy one.” This could have easily been said in 2021.

In 1984, Netanyahu was Israel’s representative to the UN. He later held various positions in the Israeli government; and in 1996 defeated Shimon Peres, serving three years as prime minister.

On Netanyahu’s watch, Israel became “The Start-Up Nation.” The water deficit turned around into a water surplus. Israel’s petrol dependency ended, and the country became energy self-sufficient. And its military gained the upper hand with the Iron Dome.

Netanyahu lost the 1999 election to Ehud Barak, but a decade later won again, becoming the longest serving prime minister in Israel’s history.

In 2001, in the midst of the Second Intifada, Netanyahu stated, “It is not a war of armed brigades, it is a war of bombers, snipers, murder, and terror. We are not engaged in a peace process. We wanted peace. Arafat wanted an entirely different agenda. He wanted a peace with no Israel. Not a peace next to Israel.”

This became fully evident after the Camp David failure in 2000, when Arafat set off a wave of terror. “We will not yield territory to somebody who overtly espouses the destruction of Israel and teaches hatred and fanaticism to the Palestinian children,” Netanyahu declared at the time.

“If this were really a dispute about territory, then it would have been solved long ago.”

In 2012, Netanyahu gave a memorable speech at the UN, reprimanding the world for turning a blind eye to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Netanyahu brandished a cartoon drawing of a bomb with a lit fuse, and a red line drawn through it, an illustration of how close the Islamic Republic could be to building an atomic bomb.

One of Netanyahu’s last major initiatives was the Abraham Accords. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have normalized relations with Israel, and closer relations were forged between Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. These new improved relations with Arab countries demonstrated that peace between Israel and her neighbors is possible, and need not be predicated on solving the Palestinian issue.

Naftali Bennet – The Rival Successor

Bennett, 49, began his political career as Chief of Staff to Netanyahu until 2008. As a member of the Knesset, Bennet moved through various portfolios, from Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Minister of Education, Minister of Defense, and leader of the New Right party.

Shortly before formally signing the coalition agreement, Bennet took to the podium to assure Israelis the following, “Some people might think this won’t be a right-wing government. I assure you; this will be a very right-wing government.” Some might be comforted to know that he was able to find common ground with disparate factions. Also, it is a good sign that he is the first Torah-observant PM, and will hopefully apply Jewish religious values to his leadership.

DAVE GORDON

Who would have predicted that a mob of violent anti-Israel protestors would ever physically disrupt Jewish diners at a sushi restaurant – in Los Angeles? This disturbing type of incident might have been a European phenomenon in days past, but now it has come to our doorsteps.

The crisis of rising anti-Semitism has reached a fever pitch across the U.S., and much of the West, seemingly spurred by the pretext of the eleven-day conflict between Hamas and Israel. Many are asking: What do we do? Are we still safe? How do we deal with the situation? Will this continue? How can we change the situation?

Anti-Semitic Incidents in New York and Beyond

In May, anti-Semitic acts in the U.S. were vile, harsh, violent, and unprecedented in number. New York Police Department statistics show that, overall, anti-Semitic crime is on the rise. The Anti-Defamation League reported that the sharp uptick in anti-Semitic acts is related to the recent tensions in Israel.

Close to home, the examples are terrifying. Take a look at incidents in New York City in the month of May alone. In Brooklyn, an arsonist set a fire next to a yeshiva and synagogue, and then struck a nearby Hasidic man several times in the head. A man wearing a kippah was kicked, punched, and pepper sprayed by pro-Palestinian protestors in Times Square.

Again in Brooklyn, three attackers wielding baseball bats chased Jewish children down the street.

While walking home from a rally in support of Israel, a man wearing a Magen David necklace was accosted by an individual who yelled, “What is that around your neck – does that make you a [expletive] Zionist?” Then he punched the Jewish man in the face.

In other parts of the U.S., the situation has been similar. In Albuquerque, a Jewish student was robbed and beaten. The assailants stole his watch and shoes and continued to beat him while onlookers just watched. The young man suffered internal bleeding and a concussion.

In St. Petersburg, Florida, The Florida Holocaust Museum was vandalized with graffiti including swastikas and spray painting “The Jews are Guilty.”

Handling Our Fears

David Assis, head of the Brooklyn Community Security Alliance and a member of Flatbush Shomrim, acknowledges that many Jews have become more jittery. He advises a commonsense approach to handling one’s fears. Assis stated, “Are people feeling safe? No. I think there’s definitely a fear in the air, and people are altering their lifestyles and their everyday plans because of that. But I think people need to not be afraid. Be smart about it.”

By “smart,” Assis means to keep your antennae up at all times. “The person who wants to do some harm is looking for a vulnerable person that’s not paying attention to their surroundings,” he said. “And while community members should keep their guard up, it’s important not to take it to extremes and panic.”

The Brooklyn Community Security Alliance helps religious institutions find ways to pay for security apparatuses. The organization offers safety instruction for various situations and trains volunteers how to protect themselves and the areas in which they live and pray. Currently, the organization is conducting educational webinars for people to know what steps to take to increase security. If people are feeling unsafe, Assis recommends taking Krav Maga classes, attending webinars to learn more about how to be pro-actively secure when outside, and to learn how to be watchful for intruders in synagogues.

Fighting Anti-Semitism

“Anti-Semitism is sometimes out on the surface where you could feel it, and sometimes it’s behind the scenes when you can’t see it, but it’s there. It might be cooking in the background and it’s just waiting for that opportunity to explode again,” Assis stated.

Sadly, many are getting the sense that we have to fight anti-Semitism on our own, without outside help, according to one outspoken activist.

New York resident and Israel advocate Virag Gulyas pointed out how Jews historically have fought for civil rights and have fought against social injustice alongside other minorities. However, Gulyas stated, when it comes to taking a stand against anti-Semitism, we have been alone in this fight.

“I do believe it is different now,” Gulyas said.

“So now, when the situation escalated in Israel, most of the people who marched with BLM protests joined the pro-Palestinian rallies. They feel that Blacks and Palestinians are both oppressed by the ‘evil Jews.’ They perceive Palestinians as the underdogs. This happens because there are zero consequences for Jew hatred. Absolutely zero.”

Gulyas gave a recent example of this. Kamau Bobb, the Diversity Leader at Google, posted anti-Semitic tweets, and as punishment, he was merely reassigned within the company. Had his hatred been targeted at any other minority group, he certainly would have been fired and shamed, she said.

Why Is the Current Anti-Semitism Different?

“It is silence and allowing anti-Semitism to happen that is a really big problem in the U.S.,” Gulyas stated. She said some lingering anti-Semitism is connected to age-old stereotypes, including how Jews are widely successful and “control the world,” versus other minority groups being perceived as poor victims.

The head of security of Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe (the Eatontown Synagogue), Jerry Goldberg, agreed that anti-Semitism in America of 2021 is different.

“This recent wave of anti-Semitism seems to be more deliberate, more violent, more widespread, and is occurring more often,” Goldberg said. “I don’t feel less safe. But I do feel more concerned. Having said that, knowing that this ongoing wave of anti-Semitism is out there provides the opportunity to exercise a heightened level of awareness. That is something we all should have.” Safety and security for our Jewish communities should always be a top priority, he asserted.

What to Do?

“If you see something, say something. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s probably one of the most important things we can do. Anti-Semitism doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon, and unfortunately there seems to be no shortage of people to remind us of that,” he said.

“Fortunately, there are very well organized and trained volunteer security groups protecting shuls and Jewish communities across the country. I am proud to be one of those volunteers,” Goldberg said.

Although far too many incidents of anti-Semitism have occurred recently, security experts offer encouragement to the Jewish community. It is never too late to be pro-active and make certain changes to better ensure our safety in our shuls, as individuals, and as a community.

Frieda Schweky

Hey it’s Frieda. Hope you caught my last article about matchmaking! A few matchmakers reached out to me with positive comments. I hope my article makes an impact. If you missed it you can check it out on communitym.org in the May 2021 archives.

Last month’s article was rather serious. But now we are in summer mode, so I decided to write a lighter article that offers easier reading about vacations during those lazy days of summer. When summer approaches, many of our community members pack up big time. They plan on a full summer away from home, at the Jersey Shore. It is truly a privilege to be able to leave city life in the hottest months of the year and to check out different scenery, where the pace of life is slower. This comes with a walloping price tag, which must include summer rentals, summer camp, and all the little things in between. I have been thinking: what could a family do with all that money if they didn’t do the typical Brooklyn to Deal trip and instead thought outside the box?

I asked around and was pleasantly surprised to hear that many people do plan alternative trips during summer! Before I tell you about them, let me just say I understand travel during this season is not possible for everyone. Working as a photographer, summer is my busiest season and it is also the most exciting. It wouldn’t make sense for my family to leave Jersey (our permanent residence) and go somewhere else in the summer. I’m sure that’s true for many of you, too. But I was still curious about what’s out there, so I interviewed some community members about their summer adventures. Let’s hear what they had to say.

Lea Mann – Short Summer Trips

“Since we got married we’ve been taking small summer trips. Our first one was to Lake George. My husband was familiar with it because his yeshiva used to take the boys there every summer. It was a fun trip. We rented a cute and cozy cabin on the lake. It had a little fire pit outside. We used it to cook things such as corn wrapped in foil. We also went boating, kayaking, and mini golfed. For whatever reason, in that area there’s a miniature golf place on every block!

“One summer we took a trip to Newport, Rhode Island where we took tours of old historical mansions. The mansions are massive, each one taking about an hour to tour because of its size. We listened to recorded tours with headsets and heard descriptions of each amazing stately home. These mansions were the private homes of wealthy business tycoons over a hundred years ago. It was a very fun trip. We stayed for three days and really enjoyed this mini vacation. However, I would not recommend bringing young children along for this one.

“Cape May was another awesome summer trip, and we did bring the kids along. It was so nice to see another beach town so different from ours. They had a boardwalk with activities like Point Pleasant. The kids loved it! We spent our days by the ocean, brought along our barbeque, and enjoyed dinner on the beach.

“Lastly, I’ll tell you about one of our favorite mini vacations – the Catskills. When you hear Ashkenazi Jews say they’re going ‘to the country’ this is what they mean. It’s upstate New York. We rented an Airbnb by the bungalow colonies. We were very much at one with nature. We fed wild ducks and the kids were able to jump right into a lake. There were lots of kosher options as far as restaurants and supermarkets. It was by far our favorite experience – we want to go back!”

As a person who loves adventure but lacks executive planning skills, I was very inspired by Lea’s trips. When my kids were growing up I was a bit overwhelmed. So I asked, is it really considered a vacation if you schlep the kids? Lea responded:

“Parents may think that since kids are generally not easy to bring out and around, it’s hard to travel with kids. I find that is actually not the case. When you take them on adventures they’re in better moods, they get along better, and new environments bring lots of distractions. They just enjoy it so much. I love seeing them so happy. They talk about our trips up to months after. I’m always glad I brought them along!”

Jill Greenberg – Out of Town Adventures

Let’s hear from Jill, who loves taking her family on summer trips.

“‘Get out of town’ trips are my specialty. I love going exploring and finding towns that are unfamiliar to us. I love being in nature that is so different from what I see at home. Take Lake Welch, for example. It’s about an hour and forty five minutes away from Deal. It’s so worth the trip, and you can stay right in town. The lake is near Monsey, NY, which has lots of kosher options to choose from. I think everyone should experience jumping into a lake. It’s like a natural pool – cold and clean, and really so refreshing!

“Cape Cod is a dream town. It is located about a five hour drive from Deal. When you land you will feel like you are in a story book setting. It is just beautiful. There are activities to be found, but just walking around and going into the shops is so pleasurable. I didn’t want to leave! From Cape Cod you can take a ferry to either Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. Both are beautiful options. I personally preferred Nantucket. We went on the ‘Bluff Walk,’ which was really stunning. I’m an artist and at some point I sat down with my pad and started painting. I was surrounded by beauty. At Cape Cod the sun sets over the water. It’s something magical to experience. After that we drove forty minutes to Boston to get kosher food. I highly recommend this trip to anybody. It was just incredible.”

I would love to check out this story book vacation. And it’s only a few hours away!

Erica Nadav – Brooklyn-Based for the Summer

Erica Nadav is my aunt’s good friend who stays in Brooklyn for the summer. She takes her family on weekend trips during the summer and also on larger trips during the gap days between school and camp.

“Summer trips are usually road trips. Our favorite place to go is the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. Every time we go we stay at different houses in different towns. We love to explore new places, and we take advantage of what each specific area has to offer. We do lots of hiking. It’s awesome to go on hikes that have waterfalls and different kinds of views.

“I feel like the best part is just getting out of our surroundings, out of the city and seeing what the world has to offer. Different towns are much more laid back and relaxing than in the city. It’s great to go into the wilderness and be surrounded by nature, sit by a fire pit, and do other things you can’t do in Brooklyn.

Violet Bernknopf – Head North!

“The summer pre-Covid we drove to Canada with our three kids. My older ones were eight and nine years old, and the baby was two. We went first to Niagara Falls and then to Toronto. It was a fun five-day trip between the end of camp and the beginning of school. The seven-hour plus drive with kids wasn’t terrible because they were excited for the trip and we were prepared. We brought an iPad for videos and coloring books. We played the license plate game with the older kids, and, of course, supplied lots of snacks. On the way back we got some ‘Are we home yet?!’ nagging but nothing too bad.

“Niagara Falls was a lot of fun. We went on a boat by the falling water and wore ponchos to stay dry. Behind the falls we took a walking tour of the natural tunnels, which was pretty cool. We enjoyed going on a Ferris wheel, mini golfing, and doing other fun things in the area.

“Next, we went to Toronto and visited the CN Tower (Canadian National Tower), which is over 1,800 feet tall. It has a glass floor and you can see all the way down to the street. Going up this tower is not for those who are afraid of heights! The kids loved it. We spent an enjoyable Shabbat in Toronto. Another stand out of the trip was a day excursion my boys went on. It was a pirate ship adventure. They went on a real boat and the whole crew was in costume. They acted out a show and had the kids look for hidden treasure. My boys had a blast. I know these memories will last a lifetime.”

Jacquline Elbaz – Mini Family Vacations

“I love to take mini-trips with my family. One year we went to Delaware during the summer, and we loved it so much it has since become an annual occurrence. I grew up staying in Brooklyn in the summer and now, so have my kids. We have friends here and don’t feel like we’re missing out on Jersey. In addition to the annual Delaware trip, we also take small trips to Hershey Park and other local attractions, We never really plan. When the time is right, we just pack up and go. I cook for a living so that part is simple, too. I just pack what I cook and it’s quick to do kosher on the go that way.

“Going to the Delaware beach is not an expensive trip. We stay at small hotels or rent Airbnbs. Sometimes we take the kids and sometimes we go with friends. It’s a tiny beach town, very clean and calming. We sit by the beach, the kids go to the water park, we walk around and shop at the local stores, or just hang out. You can take a ferry from Deal but we drive from Brooklyn. It’s about a five hour drive, or four if my husband is driving.

Melanie Falack – Go West, Young Man!

My good friend Melanie Falack sends pictures from her adventures that you wouldn’t believe. Her husband often travels to the West Coast for work a lot, which leads them to some not-so-typical road trip adventures.

“Every time my husband had a business show in Las Vegas we took the opportunity to travel the West Coast. We would plan a two to three week road trip, rent a camper van, and drive up the coast little by little. We’d specifically drive up or down the coastline because my husband likes to surf! We’d drive about two hours to our next destination, go hiking, see the sights, get back in our van for the night, travel to a new spot the next day, and have a brand-new adventure. We’ve driven around Vegas, Utah, the Grand Canyon, different lakes, etc. We’d do outdoor activities and see amazing national parks. One that really stood out to me was Death Valley National Park. It’s one of the hottest places on earth. Its sand is so white that in pictures it looks like snow!

“Once we drove through a really old town that’s since been made into a museum-type attraction. It was like stepping into a wild western film, but it was all real. We got to learn the history of the town. Most of these towns sprouted up around the gold rush. People would move to these dusty places in search of this shiny commodity. They’d raise families around the goal of mining for gold.

“I’ve done these trips when I was married, pregnant, with one kid, and then with two. It wasn’t easy but it was definitely an experience. We once left the kids with my parents and went on a crazy hike for three days off the grid. We planned to end it by a lake, and even brought swimsuits, looking forward to the culmination of our hike. When we got close, we found ourselves surrounded by snow, and realized the lake that we had planned this whole long hike around was frozen over!”

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I don’t know about you, but all these stories have me itching to explore America and all it has to offer, within and outside of the tristate area. Sightseeing, hiking, touring, visiting zoos and museums – there is so much to see and do!

If this article inspires a trip or anything else positive, I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to reach out on Instagram @friedaschwekyphoto or via email frieda@sephardic.org.

Thanks for reading!

Joey Braha and Ezra Sultan

For the Sephardic Community Center travel baseball team, it was a season that began with a lot of unknowns and even more rust to shake off as the players were returning after long layoffs. The pandemic had totally cancelled their 2020 season. Coaches Ezra Sultan and Jake Tawil knew they had their work cut out for them.

This group of 12 community boys hit the ground running in the tough Major League Division, winning their first 11 games and ending the regular season with a 12-1 record. This was clearly on the strength of some dominant pitching by their two stud power pitchers, Abie Antar and Eddie Braha, great game management by All- Star catcher Raymond “Mundo” Betesh, and consistently solid fielding behind them. Middle infielders Charles Sultan and Richie Mishan set the tone gobbling up grounders and making tough plays look easy. Outfielder Eddie Massre was up to the task, providing two incredible game-saving catches in the outfield.

With the pitching stifling opposing bats, and the defense locking down the opposition behind them, the way was paved for the offense to get to work. Youngster Charles Azar, veterans Stephen Zekaria, and Morris Kredi, and the rest of the lineup consistently set the table for the power-hitting bats of Samuel Chira, Alfred Harary, Julius Selzer, and Julian Horovitz to provide the pop. Things were lining up nicely for these Cyclones to bring home the first ever 12U championship to the Center.

The World Series – Hold on to Your Hats!

The World Series, however, proved that this bunch was not only talented, but was also incredibly resilient. After losing the opening game of the best-of-three series by a score of 4-3, the Cyclones now had their backs up against the wall. Needing to win two games in a row, they saw Abe Antar pitch a big time World Series Game 2 No-Hitter while putting together a convincing win by the score of 8-0.

The decisive Game 3 – WIN OR GO HOME! – did not prove to be as easy. After falling behind 1-0 in the second inning, the Cyclones evened the score at 1 apiece in the bottom of the 3rd with a shrewd steal of home. With two outs and a runner on first in the top of the 4th, an opposing batter laced a ball, splitting the gap in right center. Center fielder Eddie Braha chased it down, threw a bullet to Horovitz, who relayed it with a perfect throw to the catcher, Betesh, who applied the tag at home to preserve the tie and provide a huge momentum boost for the Cyclones!

The score remained knotted at 1-1 until the middle of the 6th inning with Antar keeping the opposing batters off balance, coupled with steady infield play by Kredi, Horovitz, and Chira. The team’s efforts set the stage for a dramatic bottom of the 6th!

The Dramatic Finish

After the lead-off batter was retired, Samuel Chira muscled a sky-high infield single and stole second. Julius Selzer battled in his at bat down 1-2, fouling off four pitches in an eight-pitch at bat. The final pitch saw him smack a grounder up the right side of the infield that would have ended the game, if not for a stellar play by the second baseman, who made the out. With Chira advancing to third on the sacrifice out, up came Alfred Harary. Game 3. Bottom 6. Two outs. Man on 3rd. (This is the type of moment dreams are made of.) Unphased by the drama of the moment, Harary took the first pitch he saw and lined a shot to the opposite field wall just over the right fielder’s glove, providing the Cyclones with a walk-off win and the rights to call themselves Brooklyn Champions!

Hakarat Ha-tov

The team would like to thank the coaches, as well as the staff of the SCC, especially Harry Chazanoff, for making this possible. The SCC Cyclones are looking forward to defending their title next Spring!

A Renaissance of Spiritual Splendor

Many of us have heard about the lifelong desire of the holy Ba’al Shem Tov to meet up with the Ohr Hahayyim Hakdosh – Rabi Hayyim ben Attar, zy”a, in the Holy Land. Legend had it that if these two great luminaries would meet in Eretz Yisrael, together they would bring Mashiach and usher in the final redemption.

The story is told that one Shabbat while eating seudah shlishit, the Baal Shem Tov sensed that the Ohr Hahayyim had just passed away. Before it was possible for anyone in Europe to have heard the tragic news, the Besh”t exclaimed, “The light of the West has been extinguished!”

Today, more than 250 years later, perhaps, this long-awaited meeting up is finally materializing in the form of the followers of the path of the Ba’al Shem Tov increasingly engaging with the revered Hachamim of the Edut Hamizrah and vice-versa.

In the courts of many of today’s Sephardic mekubalim, one sees throngs of Hassidim of Hungarian and Polish descent and tradition. Likewise, Sephardic communities regularly host prestigious rebbes, savoring the special atmosphere of the uplifting tisch – the rebbe’s Shabbat table. Jews from all walks of life stand in line to give a pidyon to a Chassidic rebbe, coming away encouraged the Rebbe’s wise counsel and effusive berachot.

The Deal community will have the good fortune to host the holy Rebbe of Chernobyl, Harav Menahem Nahum Twersky, shlit”a, this summer while the Rebbe is on a visit to the U.S. from his home in Bnei Brak. The Rebbe is no stranger to the Sephardic community. Sephardim from across Eretz Yisrael and communities around the world regularly visit the Chernobyler rebbe. The rebbe makes an annual trip to France to give hizzuk to the Sephardic community there.

Chernobyl

Chernobyl! Some might associate this name with a Russian nuclear disaster in the late eighties. But for the greater Torah community, the mere mention of that name evokes a sense of awe, of sanctity, of reverence. The holy Me’or Einayim – Harav Menahem Nahum Twersky, founder of

the Chernobyl dynasty, was a disciple of the Ba’al Shem Tov, and later, of the holy Maggid of Mezeritch. Founded over 250 years ago in the heartland of Jewish Ukraine, Chernobyl is likely the oldest Hassidut to still carry its original name and identity.

Today, in the heart of Bnei Brak, with satellite branches in cities across Eretz Yisrael, Chernobyl, under the leadership of the present Rebbe, represents a glorious empire of Torah, Avodah, and Hassidut. Nearly a century after this dynamic kehilla was decimated by the Ukrainian Bolsheviks, it has once again re-emerged as a vibrant continuum of this illustrious legacy.

The Chernobler community in Eretz Yisrael, established by the previous rebbe, Reb Meshulam Zusya, zt”l, is comprised of many hundreds of families whose lives are devoted to Torah and Avodah. Smaller communities of Hassidim are centered around the Chernobyler battei midrash in Beit Shemesh and Elad.

The incredible chain of events beginning with the previous rebbe’s escape from Russia to Eretz Yisrael, and then later once again from Galicia just before the outbreak of World War II, was a manifestation of the Divine Hand of hashgacha to perpetuate this great legacy for eternity.

Upon settling in Eretz Yisrael, his first initiative was to establish a Kollel, which he called Zichron Kedoshim in memory of his two spiritual mentors, his father and grandfather.

With the passing of the previous rebbe, Reb Meshulam Zusya in 5748, the mantle of leadership in Bnei Brak passed on to his eldest son, the present rebbe, Reb Menachem Nochum, shlit”a, namesake of the legendary Me’or Anayim.

The Rebbe

At the helm of this impressive empire of Torah and Avodah, of course, is the Rebbe himself, whose personal involvement guides its every aspect. Visitors to the Chernobyler Rebbe of Bnei Brak are enamored with the Rebbe’s personality as well as his yirat shamayim, the unique way in which his consciousness of Hashem’s Presence illuminates his scholarship and perception.

Under the Rebbe’s direction, the Chernobyl institutions and ideals they embody have earned their names as pinnacles of Torah, middot, yirat shamayim, and Hassidut. Strongly rooted in the teachings transmitted through the golden dynasty of Chernobyler Rebbes spanning eight generations, the Rebbe guides his followers on how to apply the timeless precepts of the Baal Shem Tov’s philosophy of joy and untainted sincerity in the service of Hashem to the challenges of today’s contemporary world.

Partners with the Rebbe

Observers of Chernobyl’s remarkable synthesis, blending time-honored tradition with advanced Torah learning, quickly become friends and admirers of the Chernobyler institutions. In addition to the tremendous merit of financing the worthy endeavors of Chernobyl, these donors are easing the tremendous financial burden borne by the Rebbe, allowing him to fully devote his time and energy to the many individuals who seek out his guidance and salvation.

The Rebbe does not take the nobility of these donors lightly. As is well known, the Rebbe’s eternal gratitude to those who support his endeavors, in which he has invested his entire heart and soul, manifests itself in the form of abundant blessings and pleas for Divine intercession.

The Rebbe spends many hours receiving Jews from all walks of life in search of his sagacious counsel, insight, and prayers on business and family-related matters, as well as downtrodden souls facing difficult challenges in need of salvation and assistance.

Yeshu’ot – Salvation

Countless well-known stories attest to the miraculous results yielded by the Rebbe’s intercession, prayers, and assurances.

A prominent Chernobyl donor, living in the United Stated, called up the Rebbe’s assistant on behalf of his 23-year-old niece.

While all the niece’s friends were happily married, she was still at home, waiting. She had an older single brother, and her parents did not want her to get married before him. Not seeing any hope in the near future, she felt depressed and dejected.

The donor, knowing that women do not usually enter the Rebbe’s room, asked the gabbai for a one-time exception, in order to allow her to hear the Rebbe’s berachah. Due to the sensitivity of the heartbroken girl’s predicament, the gabbai gave her special permission to stand in the room when the donor asked for a berachah.

On hearing the girl’s problem, the Rebbe replied in a clear voice: “You have to be happy,” he said. “Simha is the best segulah – be happy!”

The donor asked for the Rebbe to promise a yeshuah, but the Rebbe merely repeated his first reply: she should be b’simhah, and everything will work out.

The niece heard the Rebbe’s answer; she had to be happy, even though she could not see any hope in the future. The girl decided to make an effort – and it indeed helped: in a short time, her brother was engaged, and that same year she was married!

With such berachot, who needs promises?

Another well-known story took place several years ago. One of the Hassidim was invited to an exclusive fundraiser on behalf of the Chernobyl institutions, with a cover charge of $5,000.

Although he would give anything to be part of such a cherished occasion in the presence of the Rebbe, his financial situation simply did not allow it.

“I simply don’t have the means to spend that kind of money now,” he told the gabbai with a sigh. “The economic situation is difficult, and I don’t have an extra penny. I have no other option but to reject the offer.”

The next morning, the donor once again met the gabbai, but this time his voice was upbeat.

“I’m coming to the event! I have the money!” he excitedly declared.

The Chassid related that he heard from friends that a group was being formed to request that certain bank fees charged somewhat unfairly over the years be reimbursed. He also joined the group, hoping that if they are reimbursed he may also get something back.

However, the bank was not agreeing to the reimbursements, and all the requests were denied.

The individual knew that if the requests of such high-profile clients were rejected, there was little hope in his claim being honored.

Surprisingly, that same morning, the bank called him to say that he will receive $5,000 in compensation, the exact amount needed to attend the fundraiser to support the Chernobyl institutions!

“I know it wasn’t in my merit. The money was given for the Rebbe,” he said. “Apparently, when it comes to supporting the Rebbe and his institutions, even the banks are eager to help.”

The Rebbe’s upcoming visit to Deal is scheduled for early August. Details will be forthcoming.

Deal Connection

The Deal community has its own personal connection with the Chernobler Rebbe. Bahurim from Yeshivat Lev Aharon (Rabbi Laniado) in Jerusalem, among them many of our own children and relatives, regularly visit the Chernobyler Rebbe in Bnei Brak, seeking out the Rebbe’s insightful counsel, hizzuk, and effective berachot.