Author: The Thinking Yid

The Consequences of Uncontested Elections: Chaim Rose and Avrohom Fromovitz, CPA, Award Themselves Taxpayer Funded Lifetime Health Insurance

In March 2021, Chaim Rose was elected trustee of the Village of Chestnut Ridge. Shortly thereafter, for the first time ever taxes were raised 8% in one year. About a year later Avrohom Fromovitz, CPA, was appointed a trustee as well.

Soon after, in 2023, taxes were raised by an additional 45%.

In 2020 property taxes were $12.06 per $1,000.00 of assessed value. By 2025 property taxes were levied at a rate of $23.10 per $1,000.00 of assessed value, a 91% increase in just 5 years. To put things in perspective in the entire 5-year period from 2014 to 2019 property taxes increased by just 9% (from $10.54 to $11.48 per $1,000.00 of assessed value).

While burdening homeowners with dramatically increased property taxes, Fromovitz and Rose quadrupled their salaries, raising village employee payroll costs by several hundred thousand dollars. This may not sound like much, but Chestnut Ridge is a small village with a very small tax base. Small villages generally pay very low salaries. Rose raised his salary from $6,000.00 to $50,000.00 in a few years.

In 2024 after taxes had risen 71% from 2021 the village put out a misleading letter which blamed the dramatic tax increases on the rising cost of waste management, while failing to mention the village’s ballooning payroll costs caused by Fromovitz and Rose’s self-serving raises.

In reward for their prudent management, the leaders of Chestnut Ridge wholeheartedly endorsed Rose and Fromovitz, CPA, for reelection. Their support effectively prevented any serious challenge to Fromovitz or Rose.

After consolidating power Rose and Fromovitz continue to find new ways to enrich themselves at the expense of homeowners. Last month Fromovitz and Rose voted to provide themselves with free health insurance paid for by already struggling Chestnut Ridge taxpayers, which will undoubtedly lead to further tax increases. To add insult to injury, the law awards trustees with health insurance for life after 7 years, which  means that every time the village gets a new trustee who stays in office for the typical 2 terms, the village will be left with a legacy cost of a lifetime insurance policy.

To put things in perspective, Fromovitz is about 39 years old. If he takes this plan until 85 that means a bill to the taxpayers of well over one million dollars even before adjusting for inflation. For just one trustee.

“Nice work if you can get it.”

Avi Yankelewitz, Esq. The writer can be reached at avi@yankelewitzlaw.com

The Misconception of any “Schlesinger” Name’s Connection to Levite Origins

In Jewish genealogy, surnames carry rich historical and cultural significance. They reflect geographic origins, professions, or familial traditions—but not every surname ties directly to tribal lineage or religious roles. A new, unsupported claim has emerged regarding the surname Schlesinger: that it is connected to Levite lineage (Leviim). This claim lacks historical evidence and ignores the straightforward geographic origin of the name. Unlike surnames with clear ties to Levite or Kohen roles, such as Kasdan, Katz, or Levy, the name Schlesinger is firmly rooted in geographic tradition, not tribal heritage.

The Origin of Schlesinger: Geography, Not Lineage

The surname Schlesinger is a locative name derived from Schlesien, the German word for Silesia, a historical region in Central Europe (modern-day Poland, Germany, and Czechia). During the late 18th and 19th centuries, many Jewish families in German-speaking territories were required to adopt permanent surnames. Those living in or originating from Silesia often chose Schlesinger, directly referencing their regional roots.

This name is entirely geographic. Unlike surnames explicitly tied to Kohen or Levite heritage, such as Katz or Segal, Schlesinger carries no linguistic or historical markers of religious or tribal status. It is akin to other regional Jewish surnames, such as Berliner (from Berlin) or Frankfurter (from Frankfurt), which reflect geographic identity rather than spiritual lineage.

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R’ Zalman Yudkin: The Small Rabbi – A Giant Tzaddik

Reb Zalman Yudkin, zt”l, was a giant in spirit and faith, a true tzaddik whose life was a testament to the power of unwavering devotion to Hashem and Torah. For over two decades, Reb Zalman would visit Monsey biannually, spending eight weeks each year dedicated to raising funds for his beloved Yeshiva. He was graciously hosted by a local family who catered to his specific dietary needs, procuring Israeli-made products to ensure his adherence to his stringent kashrus standards. This family’s home became his base for his sacred work, reflecting the hospitality and chesed that is so valued in our communities.

Reb Zalman’s early life was marked by the harsh realities of living under Communist rule in Russia. Despite the oppressive regime’s attempts to crush all forms of religious expression, Reb Zalman stood firm in his faith. He endured multiple imprisonments and faced severe punishments for his religious activities, which included teaching Torah clandestinely and engaging in Jewish practices forbidden by the authorities. His stories of mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) for Yiddishkeit were not merely historical accounts, but lessons in courage and faith, deeply inspiring the bochurim and yeshiva leaders who had the privilege to hear him speak.

Even in the darkest times, when forced to attend secular schools, Reb Zalman’s parents instilled in him the importance of maintaining his Jewish identity. They used ingenious methods to shield him from heretical teachings and ensured he could observe Shabbos despite the risks. His resilience was further tested in the Russian army and later in German concentration camps during WWII, where he continued to practice his faith in secret, risking severe punishment.

After the war, Reb Zalman’s challenges continued, yet he never wavered. He used every opportunity to uphold his religious duties, even under surveillance or in captivity. His life in the Soviet Union, while fraught with hardship, was also marked by moments of divine providence and kindness, as seen when he protected a foreman who had allowed him to avoid labor in a factory, or when he met his future wife, a fellow Jew who had been disconnected from her religious roots.

Upon finally settling in Israel and then America, Reb Zalman’s mission evolved but his fervor did not wane. He tirelessly traveled to raise funds for his Yeshiva in Kiryat Malachi, aiming to instill Torah and yiras shamayim in the next generation of Jewish children. His fundraising trips were not merely transactional; they were deeply personal. Reb Zalman possessed an extraordinary ability to discern the struggles of those he visited, often providing them with comfort and brachos that were tailored to their personal challenges.

His impact extended beyond the spiritual realm. Reb Zalman had a keen intuition about the financial and emotional states of the families he visited. His visits were often the catalysts for spiritual reassurance and communal support. The stories of his interactions—whether giving a bracha for parnassa, consoling a distressed individual, or simply sharing a word of encouragement—demonstrated his profound empathy and understanding of human suffering and resilience.

Reb Zalman’s legacy is a beacon of faith, resilience, and compassion. His life’s work and the stories he shared continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have known him or learned of his deeds. His dedication to Torah, despite the adversities he faced, serves as a powerful example for all of us. May his memory be a blessing and continue to inspire Klal Yisrael to greater heights of avodas Hashem and maasim tovim.

Yehi Zichro Baruch.

Protecting Our Digital Lives: A Torah Perspective on Data Encryption

In today’s interconnected world, safeguarding our digital privacy is crucial. Just as we protect our homes and personal lives, we must secure our online information. This is where data encryption becomes essential.

Why Encryption Matters
Steven W Schlesinger and Shlomit Yanisky-Ravid emphasize the importance of encryption for protecting sensitive information, aligning with the Torah’s teachings on privacy and dignity. Just as we guard our speech and actions to protect our reputations and relationships, we must be vigilant in the digital realm.

Steps to Protect Your Data

  1. Use Strong Encryption: Employ robust encryption methods for all sensitive data, ensuring it remains unreadable to unauthorized users.
  2. Update Regularly: Keep your software and encryption tools up to date to protect against the latest threats.
  3. Secure Communication Channels: Utilize encrypted communication channels for emails and messaging to protect information in transit.
  4. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about the best practices for data security and educate your family and community.

Balancing Privacy and Security
The authors advocate for a legal right to data encryption, balancing personal privacy with government efforts to prevent crime. This balance is crucial, allowing us to protect our privacy while supporting community safety and security.

Torah Values in the Digital Age
The Torah instructs us to guard our tongues and actions, emphasizing privacy and respect. In the digital age, this means protecting our online information through encryption, thus upholding Torah principles in our digital interactions.

Conclusion
As we navigate modern technology, applying timeless values to new challenges is essential. Advocating for the right to data encryption helps protect personal information, uphold privacy, and honor the Torah’s teachings in the digital age.

For more detailed insights, you can explore the full publication by Schlesinger and Yanisky-Ravid here.

Schlesinger, Steven W, and Yanisky-Ravid, Shlomit. “The Right to Data Encryption” San Diego Law Review, vol. 59, no. 4, 2022, pp. 805-864.

What Has Happened To Lakewood?

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WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

I vividly remember my first impression of Lakewood almost 30 years ago, when I visited family members living in the small kolel town in New Jersey. In those days the kolel families were pretty much contained to a few block radius. There was a sense of comradeship and belonging that created a wonderful “one big happy family” type feeling. Simchas were a community event. (more…)

Is Trump the LAST Republican President?

Analyzing the results of the 2020 election is frightening – it might just be so. The first thing that stands out is the huge INCREASE of votes that each nominee received. Biden brags of the highest numbers of votes in American history, and Trump pats his chest with the highest votes any republican (even Reagan’s second term) ever received.

Looking closer reveals something different than the fraud claim. To put it very simply – in this election, the “voting machine” was brought into the homes of the people, and that made all the difference.

First, let us look at some FACTS (taken from the Pew Research Center- as they examined the 2020 election):

  • From 1800 to 1900, America had an approximately f 80% of the eligible voters turn out to vote. From the 1900s onward, it was hovering around 60%. For example – in the two previous elections, in 2012, it was 58%, and in 2016 it was 61%. Now in this latest 2020 election, the result was almost 67%.
  • In 2016 Americans cast 138 million votes, and in this 2020 election cast almost 161 million votes (out of 239 million eligible voters), an astonishing INCREASE OF 23 MILLION VOTES!
  • In this election, 59 million people voted by mail-in ballots (from 96 million early votes). As opposed to 2016, when only 33 million voted by mail-in ballots, a good part of it the military.
  • Young people 18 -29 yrs. Traditionally ranked as having the lowest turnout continuously hovering at 40 – 45%; as we saw in 2016, only 44% voted – now in 2020, they voted at a 55% rate.

Attorney General William Barr was one of President Trump’s most loyalist cabinet members (he was almost his lapdog doing his bidding). When he announced he is allowing his agent to get involved in checking for fraud, it should have been obvious to everyone that a real examination of the facts would take place. Among his investigators, there must have been many who had the same desire to get Donald Trump re-elected as we have. After two weeks, they returned to Mr. Barr – sadly telling him we found nothing, no WIDE voter fraud – except some procedures not followed, or some dead people voting, missing ballots, etc., basically nothing that would anywhere near change the election results. Now what is Barr to do – he desperately wants Trump to be president; however, he has to be true to the oath he took. It should have been clear to all of us – it is over. No matter how much we longed for President Trump to win, how great he was for Israel, we still have to face reality, and with a sad heart, must accept his defeat. (not expecting this from our Charedi community prone to every conspiracy theory, Covid hoax, Metitzah b’peh anti-Semites, Measles theories, etc.).

All those that swore to an oath to be fair (including the US Supreme Court) realized – was not fraud, but a shift in voting patterns was the answer to these spikes in votes. They observed that – as we allowed people to vote from their kitchen tables, the two main groups that traditionally had the lowest voting turnout now voted in this election. What pushed the election results for Biden was the inner-city non-white voter and the restless young. Should you examine only the in-person voting, Trump wins by a landslide.

Both of these groups far outnumber their preference for Democrats over Republicans. The Young who are wide-eyed sporting wild minds think they can solve all the world’s problems until they reach their 30’s and 40’s when reality sets in. The good part about them – they are too lazy or have “prior commitments” to show up to vote. The inner-city non-white have a vested interest since they are on the receiving end of social welfare programs. However, they also can’t be bothered or can’t get the voting day straight and are traditionally no-shows at the voting booths.

What is wrong with this kitchen table election setup? Everyone has the right to vote. If you are an American citizen, never worked a day in your life, fathered many children all on the government’s dime, took every program on the books, have no vested interest in anything financial, never paid a cent in taxes – you get to vote… and it is counted! This is the cornerstone of our union, signed and sealed in Philadelphia in the 1700s.

We conservatives have to face the fact and realize that America has changed, and there are now many more Democrats than Republicans. We may notice this in the last five elections; Democrats handily won the popular vote. How Bush and Trump got elected was the electoral college, where the two biggest groups that decisively prefer Democrats do not show up to vote. However, once we bring the voting booth to their living room couches, the Republicans stand no-chance. Even as Trump very successfully motivate the Republican base, look at the results!

The Democrats planned for this as they now boast of their success. They will be pushing and trying to widen mail-in ballots in the subsequent elections, cutting off any Republican hopes in the future. Nearly every independent election expert claim mail-in voting can be made lawfully by following the rules exactly:

The voter can request absentee ballots either through an online portal or by applying for a mail-in ballot. They provide their driver’s license number and date of birth to verify their identity for online requests. If they use an application, they must sign it for verification. When an application is received, county election workers compare the signature on the application to the voter’s signature on file. If it is consistent, a ballot is mailed to them. Before submitting an absentee ballot, a voter must sign an oath on the outer envelope. County election officials receiving the absentee ballot must compare the signature to the signature on file. The signatures must be consistent. If the signature does not match, the voter is notified and can take other steps to verify identity. If the signature does match, the ballot is separated from the envelope to protect the right to “ballot secrecy” guaranteed by federal law, and the vote is counted.

What is interesting, the Republicans on election committees, for many years, have always voted for mail-in ballots. They were hoodwinked by the Democrats and were taken – hook, line, and sinker in this election. There is one problem with the above; you can easily trace someone’s signature with a lightbox, where the untrained eye cannot notice it.

Every place where mail-in ballots will benefit one group, they will now look to push this agenda. I am sure in Israel this is being noticed, where on average, only 65% vote. The Charedi community’s votes are almost 90%, as the Gedolim go “publicly” to vote before shacharis and the Rebbes even before the mikvah. In the west bank, they also have a similar voting record, as they desire to expand the settlements. Who does not vote – the Tel-Aviv yuppies with no great vested interest; they go to the Army, they work for a living, as long as the restaurants, bars, movie theaters remain open, why bother? However, bring the voting booth to them and see what happens to the others’ outsized influence.

There is one setback, which might be why our American forefather chose to establish a day of voting in person. Keep in mind the mail service was already established. Why not use the mail to vote? They might have been worried about fraud or coercion by others. That is why a curtain is closed around you as you go into the voting booth, and even your spouse cannot go in with you. This problem would be highly prevalent in our Charedi community. In the 2016 election, the Satmar Rebbe stated publicly – all must vote for Hillary Clinton. They announced in all the shuls by the heads of the community and in the name of the heilige Rebbe – everyone without exception must vote for Clinton. Huge billboards plastered Williamsburg. Imagine their shock when their district’s results came in; over 85% voted for Trump. (wish we here in Monsey we would take a notion out of the Satmar Chassidim’s playbook). Now imagine if the Satmar Rebbe declares everyone must sign and give their ballot to some Moshe Shmiel Gabbai who will deposit it into the ballot boxes for you. Also, what stops a household head from forcing everyone to vote a certain way or what stops someone from offering $10 to a drug addict or to a poor woman to give him their signed ballot to drop in the box. All these things open up a can of worms. It just might be the forefathers realized “election in person” will keep voting fair. Early “in-person” voting does make some sense, but keep mail-in ballots for the elderly, infirm, and the military.

There is an advantage to mail-in ballots. How often do we not go vote, thinking it is not important and cannot be bothered to drag out? An example of this is the Monsey Library. We pay over 3 million for a library that has been shut down for the last ten months, On an average year, the library’s vote total is meager, and a good percentage are their employees – Now, imagine we can vote from our kitchen tables, how nice we would have a much greater say in how the community spends our hard-earned money. Maybe we also can save our precious community from becoming Brooklyn.

The fight over mail-in ballots starts now! The Republicans realize their fatal mistake, and the Democrats see a great opportunity to bury any Republican presidential hopeful. As Barr said, there might have been some fraud, but not where it can turn over the election. Trump is claiming it was not fair to allow mail-in ballots or extend the time frame. However, the Republicans voted for it and now realize their blunder. Should Trump still fight this out?? Many Republicans feel – we made a mistake, and let’s move on. However, if Trump keeps fighting, even as he will eventually not win, but might stop mail-in ballots in their tracks, giving Republicans hope in the subsequent presidential election.

However, if mail-in ballots are expanded, put up a picture of President Trump and have some old fond memories.

Author: 003

THE YESHIVA EDUCATION PROPOSAL: A True Understanding

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Mary Ellen Elia is the New York STATE Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York and the one proposing to implement the public school curriculum for Yeshivas. She is well respected and is responsible for the education for all New Yorkers. She has a strong background in education.

Richard Carranza is the New York City commissioner of education and a leftist radical in the mayor’s pocket. He can do what he wants to with the NY public schools, as that is the mayor’s territory. He has absolutely no say in private schools. Sure, he can try to push his agenda on private schools, but it will be shot down by the courts as we see time and time again. The courts agree, you cannot force someone in the private sector to do something that goes against their beliefs and religion. As we have seen when trying to force the Catholic Churches to offer abortions in their health plans. This is true on the federal, state and local level.

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The Skulener Rebbe Z”TL

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The huge turnout for the funeral exceeded almost everyone’s expectations. It was indeed larger than other great Rebbes’ funerals from the past generation. The question begs – Why? What did people see or feel, that brought forth this outpouring of grief, taking from their time to come to pay their last respects? To be honest, in his lifetime, The Skulener Rebbe did not have this level of commitment from Chassidim, nor did he have people flocking to his Tish or his Simchas. (more…)

Of Rebbes and Lotteries

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Reb Fishele Strykover, Reb Bunim of Pshyskhe, and The Lottery

Reb Fishele learned under the Maggid Reb Ber (Mezritch) and then with Reb Meilich of Lizensk. Later, he went to the Chozeh (seer) of Lublin, where he met the Yid Ha’kodesh and the Kotzker.

One day, sometime in the first quarter of the 19th century in the town of Strykov in central Poland, the Chasidisha court of the revered Rabbi Ephraim Fishele Shapiro, known as Reb Fishele Strykover, was thrown into turmoil. Without warning, Reb Fishele had withdrawn into his room and would not see or receive anyone (similar to what the Kotzker did for the last 20 years of his life). His Chasidim were dismayed. No longer could they go to their Rebbe the righteous one, for guidance or consolation. After much pleading and begging, still the Rebbe Reb Fishele did not want to leave his room nor speak to any of his Chasidim. For him it was over and done with, he is no longer a Rebbe!

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Tomorrow

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“See you later.”

How often do we hear/use this phrase?

We don’t even realize it, but this is a huge assumption. By saying this, one assumes that both, yourself and the other person, will be around later. This is bold reasoning when one considers the wide array of things that can occur and end either or both lives abruptly. We also use this line of thinking when we do something that we know is not good for our physical or spiritual self that we assume that we will fix at a later time. It is important to realize that no one leaves this world having completed their “to do list”. This does not mean that we should give up and stop trying! Quite the opposite. We should try our best all the time and prioritize what is important to us. Have parents? Make sure to spend time with them and tell them how you feel. Even if ‘they already know.’ The same goes with your friends, try to make time for them even if it’s for a few minutes.

Treasure the people in your life whom you care about and who care about you because in this life, nothing is for certain and very often we forget about that until it’s too late. So, love your family and friends, say it and show it. If you care about something show it, if you want to make a difference, do something. So many people don’t do anything and wait for tomorrow, not realizing that tomorrow is not guaranteed. One of the biggest issues we have especially in today’s society is how fast paced everything is. Everyone is busy all the time and we push things off thinking we will get around to it ‘later.’

Avoid this pitfall and  make everyday count, live life to the fullest. Talk to your family and friends, let them know you care for and appreciate them.

Be grateful for each day, because every day is a gift. 

 

In Memory of Elias Friedman

 

Author: 008

 

 

 

YOM HA’ATZMAUT 2018

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Happy 70th Birthday, Israel!!

A land where there is more Torah learning today than ever in Jewish History.  A new Jewish baby is born in Israel every four minutes. Biblical prophecies have come to life. Towns where our forefathers lived, such as Chevron, Beth El and Shilo, are replete with children, Shuls, mikvehs and thousands of fruit trees. A Jewish army has been established – the first in 2000 years to protect its citizens.  97% of boys receive a bris.  Most fast on Yom Kippur.   90% have a Pesach seder.   Perfect?   Not by a long shot. We know the country is rife with religious differences and difficulties. But deserving of praise and gratitude to our Father who gave us this special  gift?  Definitely!

The following excerpts were written by Zachariah Schwartzberg zt’l.  A survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto and the concentration camps.

“I have never seen any conflict between the love of Judaism and the love of the State of Israel.  I know too well what happens to defenseless Jews.  The historical circumstances of the rise of a sovereign Jewish country, coming as it did in the immediate wake of the Holocaust – the culmination of endless persecutions, was as clear an indication as could be that there is a G-d in charge of the world, a G-d who directs our destiny and orchestrated the stunning miracle of Israel’s resurrection from the ash heap of history.  To those like me who had seen firsthand the hatred of our enemies – the new reality of soldiers soundly defeating our enemies was a healing balm unlike any other to both heart and soul.  I watched the awestruck expressions of the young soldiers at the kotel as they listened to the sounds of the shofar. I couldn’t help but recall the faces of the Jewish boys I’d known in Poland who could never EVER have imagined such a scene and never lived to see it.  How different things would have been in the 30’s had there been an Israel.  In July 1976, when Israel mounted the Entebbe rescue that shocked the world,  I was besides myself with gratitude to Hashem”.

We must never forget the horrors of the past – always focus on our numerous blessings as we pave the way for our ultimate redemption, speedily in our days.

Author: 002

Dressing Up On Purim

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To dress up, or not to dress up? That is the question.

While studying the source of “dressing up on Purim” and along with some reasoning and deduction, I came to a conclusion as to how the custom came about. To begin, I will make this disclaimer: I do not want anyone to think I am 100% positive as to the accuracy of this theory, because no one can be completely sure how it started, since there aren’t any reliable sources focusing on this question. Please keep in mind, should one show where I have gone wrong, I am always ready and open to reasoning.

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Why The F.W.H.S.S. Wont Work!

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This new idea just presented to our community, while understanding the meaningfulness of trying a new system, in reality will do more harm than good. No one can deny there is a huge problem with singles, especially the older girls. Whose heart does not bleed for the parents of an older girl or boy doing everything and anything, going through embarrassments, agreeing to fork out their life saving, and not have to quietly watch their child keep suffering trying to find their shiddach. (more…)

Time to Assess the Lakewood Community
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We are all familiar with the saying “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.” The “oh my what just happened?” Why wasn’t I more vigilant?

Tonight in Lakewood, New Jersey an event was cancelled due to pressure from the powers that be. It was to be an evening of song and merriment with food and wine,starring two very popular singers from the frum Jewish world. It was decided by the hanhala that this event would possibly attract the wrong element, become rowdy and then possibly turn into an evening of mingling even though it was a kumzitz for men only.

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On Being Grateful

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How often do we utter the phrase “Can you do me a favor”? Some of us do so more than others, and on some days we do so more than on other days. When a person does us a favor we say “Thank you” and feel a sense of gratitude toward the person who is helping us out. This is the way we feel; whether the person helped us by lending us a pen or donating a kidney, the feeling of gratitude is present (with an obvious difference in the level of gratitude).

       If we can feel gratitude for something as small and trivial as someone allowing us to use their pen, then why do we not feel gratitude and take for granted the life that we were given along with the other great gifts that come with it? When you walk down the street, when was the last time that you thought about how great it is to be alive, how colorful the world is, and all its different smells and tastes? I can tell you that I do not have a great answer for this myself and it’s a problem. We go through life thinking about how great our lives would be if we only had a better sense of humor or drove a nicer car, and focus on the things that we don’t have while ignoring the things we do have until we don’t have them anymore.

     Instead of looking at our neighbor and wishing that we can have what he has, how about if we take the time to appreciate what we have, instead? What if we were to appreciate our parents being alive and living under the same roof, or the friends and family that you have, that you can walk and see, are pain free, and the list goes on. There are so many things to be thankful for, why look at the things that we perceive are lacking and preventing us from being happy? Instead, take time to thank the Almighty for the unique gifts he gave each of us to deal with our unique tests that we are given in this world.

      Instead of only crying out when we need something (although HKBH wants us to turn to him in our time of need), let us take the time to appreciate being able to see, smell, and spend time with our family and friends, and when we speak to HKBH say “Thank you” for the presents he gave us.

Author: 008

The Power of NO

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We live in a Modern, Western, and Liberal society (especially those of us who live in America, though these ideas are pervasive throughout the entire world). A world in which Yes is a byword. Where we give an unlimited and unbounded Yes to human rights, LGBTQ rights, healthcare, Nazi free speech, black power, police power, the list goes on and on. A world where we acknowledge every problem and attempt to make all people feel comfortable in whatever situation they may be in. Be it social, economic or political. A world where everyone is a winner; even those who could not cross the finish line. (more…)

Shidduchim and Female Weight Series (part 1)

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The following article is the first part of a seven-part series on shidduchim. The author can be contacted through the site. Use the follow button (on sidebar) to receive alerts when the next part is posted.

INTRODUCTION

I am a 23-year-old woman. I attended 3 Bais Yaakov schools. I also made friends from other schools and towns in sleep-away camp, so I hear about what goes on outside of Brooklyn as well. Therefore, when I say that I believe that this is a problem across the Jewish world, remember that I interact with people who don’t come from Brooklyn. All names have been changed for obvious privacy reasons. (more…)

Charlottesville Chaos and The Jews

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Should Jews Take Sides in the Charlottesville Chaos?

Since I was a very young boy, the number one thing that I have heard in regards to any political issue was always the question, “Is it good for the Jews?” The US has declared war against Iraq; fine, but “Is it good for the Jews?” Congress is trying to pass welfare reform; fine, but “is it good for the Jews?” So on and so forth. (more…)

Theologically Speaking

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For some reason there is a common occurrence found among people who enter into a debate or discussion. You will often find that at some point the conversation shifts from discussing the actual topic, to discussing people. This usually occurs when someone feels flustered or frustrated and “loses their cool”. They then begin to lash out at the individual who says something, instead of at what they actually said. Usually little children, and sadly politicians, will resort to this method of debate. But I have found that it has also snuck its way into our discussions about religion.

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Remember Who Runs The Show

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The past few weeks have been kind of rough. I have spent much time worrying about what will be and how things will turn out in the end. Money is always a concern for most people. How much we have? How much we make? How much we are going to make? How much are we spending and on what? Can we buy the stuff that we want? (more…)

Is Greek Wisdom Jewish?

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Jews, in the words of Tolkien (he of Lord of the Rings fame), are a “gifted people”. John Adams was fulsome in his praise. “They are the most glorious nation that ever inhabited this Earth. The Romans and their Empire were but a Bauble in comparison of the Jews. They have…  influenced the affairs of Mankind more, and more happily, than any other Nation ancient or modern.” Mark Twain: “His contributions to the World’s list of of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also way out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers.” (more…)

Improper Religiosity

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I was recently at a Shabbos sheva brachos, and the chosson and kallah arrived almost 45 minutes late to lunch after deciding to go home after kiddush. As a friend of theirs, I met them outside and mentioned that I understood they are the chosson and kallah but it is not correct to make more than 50 people wait to start the sueda. The kallah responded, “We are the chosson and kallah, there are cheshbonos”.  I was shocked by that response. (more…)

The Chareidi “Emes”

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There must be many thousands of Jews in the United and States and elsewhere who get their news from chareidi websites. I confess to reading these websites myself throughout the day. About a week ago, a story of a “Kiddush Hashem” appeared on a well-known chareidi website. It concerned the Korean Ambassador to the United Nations and his daughter who worked for a well-known Agudah leader. (more…)

Tzedaka: Blind Trust?

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I thought long and hard before writing the following words. For a couple of years, I dithered and I paused. For many months, I questioned whether I had the right to be critical of those seeking our assistance. But events that happened recently in Eretz Yisroel convinced me that some things had to be said, regardless of their sensitivity. (more…)

The Skver Vote

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The following is not a joke, it actually was recorded on their hotline

On Friday night in the big Shul in Square Town, the gabbai (sexton) called out “everyone must go out and vote for Hillary Clinton”. Since it was announced in Shul it was with the Rebbe’s guidance. When Trump was the winner, a rumor started that the Rebbe really knew (a Rebbe knows everything) Trump was going to win (more…)

The Berland Scandal

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With this latest conviction of Rabbi Berland, where he admitted to several counts of groping woman and kissing them. Let us not kid ourselves, this was a plea bargain where at these things, the perpetrator admits to lesser charges as to avoid more jail time. It is now clear to us, that with his admission of “just” fondling and kissing, we see that these claims by all the other women of what he did to them are completely true. (more…)

Shlomo Carlebach: A Tribute

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The Jewish people arose as a nation many millennia ago. From the dawn if its birth, at the time of the Revelation at Mount Sinai, events occurred that influenced the march of its history and were indeed the hinges that changed the course of our nation. At these junctures, people arose who became, sometimes unwittingly, the instrument of those historical changes. (more…)

Pray For Israel, And The Donald

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Now that the bitter and nasty fought election are over and there is a new President, we should all pray for his success. Still many are frightened, concerned, and some angry enough to take to the streets. This fear by so many is not that the “Right wing” won and there will be more conservative policies over next few years here, the fear is a totally different fear. The Republican agenda is much closer to my thinking then the Democrats, but I stayed home and did not vote this year, as I felt we were left with choice of either a macshefa (nasty person) or a mishugana (a nut job). (more…)