The Mishnah (Taanis 26) teaches us, “Mi’she’nichnas Av m’maatim b’simchah,” at the beginning of [the month of] Av, we should moderate our joy. Numerous disasters affected the Jewish people on Tish’ah B’Av, such as the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Our practices of mourning are increased as we enter the month of Av, and they become even more intensified in the week of Tish’ah B’Av.

Sam Berger has spent the last ten months hard at work in the New York State Assembly representing the electorate of District 27. There was no Democratic primary for the general election set for this upcoming November 5, when Berger will face local electrician Angelo King, a familiar face on the ballot, but who’s without the backing of the influential Orthodox Jewish bloc. Berger’s current term concludes New Years Day.

It is hard to believe that the summer is nearing its halfway point! The MTA building is bereft of its students, so it was time to start visiting the MTA talmidim where many are spending their summers. Visits began last week with a trip to Camp Kaylie and Camp HASC. The MTA talmidim and recent graduates were enjoying Color War at Kaylie, some as campers, and others as staff, while the MTA alumni at HASC were hard at work caring for their special campers. Each talmid was given a Summer Swag T-shirt and doughnuts.