A Miraculous Morning In Tel Aviv
Dear Editor:
I am a living witness to the attack on the center of Tel Aviv yesterday morning at 4 a.m. I was staying in a safe room with three other women, pretty much as close as one could be to the direct hit. It’s very important that you understand the following:
This was a neighborhood of young, relatively “secular” Israelis who do not wear any kind of head coverings. They cover themselves more in tattoos than clothes.
From the young soldiers in the search and rescue crews who got us out of the apartment to the store owners on the street below, everyone was literally telling jokes, laughing, and smiling in the minutes and hours that followed the attack. The vast majority of us knew we had once again experienced another open miracle: we were safe and completely protected from evil by the Guardian of Israel—and that we are His children. The air was filled with a powerful Yirat Shamayim—Awe of the Greatness of our Creator in Heaven.
There was zero looting of any kind, despite none of the stores having windows or doors. How was it that not one person was killed? How was it possible that the rocket landed in the one patch of empty land—an unused parking lot in the center of all the buildings? (I often wondered what the purpose of that empty lot was. Now, I know.)
The majority of Israelis (of all faiths) know we dwell in truth, goodness, kindness, love, and righteousness. As I was rendered apartmentless, I wandered in and out of other people’s homes—some utterly destroyed, some still functional. Despite the damage, there was a tremendous sense of joy in the air!
I ended up resting on the sofa of two guys, Liran and Noam, who had just moved in the day before to their now-windowless apartment. By the time I arrived around 9:30 a.m., they had cleaned up all the glass, taped up the open spaces, put up shelves, arranged their plants, and unpacked their dishes. One had just returned a month ago after spending three years in Australia. He said, “Here we are home. Here we know what’s true.”
When the interviewer from ABC News asked me earlier, “Where will you go now that you don’t have an apartment?” I looked at him in an odd way and said, “Of course I will have somewhere to go. We are one family. There’s always somewhere to go in Israel.” And it’s true—everyone’s home is open to everyone else. We trust each other; we trust G-d, the One G-d who neither slumbers nor sleeps.
During the missile explosion, I was very calm and calmed others. We sang, we prayed, we recited Tehillim. I knew G-d was protecting us. We walked out without a scratch and found all three of my friend’s cats within a few hours.
I had a taste yesterday of what it would be like if we lived in a world where everyone shared Yiras Shamayim—Awe of Heaven. It was glorious. May this understanding—that we are all being watched over and are accountable to a Loving, Wise Source—spread globally.
Alana Rubin
Call On Governor Hochul To Veto Assisted Suicide
Dear Editor:
With heartbreak and outrage, we watch as New York hurtles down a perilous path. Last Monday night, the State Senate gave final legislative approval to the so-called “Medical Aid in Dying Act” (S138), a bill that would turn New York into a haven for assisted suicide.
This law allows anyone diagnosed as “terminally ill” to request a prescription for lethal drugs - based on a prognosis that doctors themselves admit is often wrong. For the first time in our state’s history, suicide is being granted the status of a legal “right,” undermining everything our Torah teaches us about the infinite value of life. The bill has precious few safeguards: there is no requirement for psychiatric evaluation, no strong protection for the vulnerable, and shockingly, no residency requirement. Incredibly, New York will now invite “suicide tourism,” with people from across America able to travel here, receive a deadly prescription, and end their lives under the state’s blessing.
Human life is marked by suffering - no one denies that. But once the state decides that anyone, on account of illness, has the “right” to kill himself, it proclaims that suffering can render life worthless. This is a message that chills the soul. We know, in our families and shuls, of people who have lived years, even decades, beyond a fatal prognosis, going on to bring simchah to their children and grandchildren. We are taught that “kol yom ve-yom chashuv” - every single day of life has meaning. To throw this away is a betrayal of our deepest beliefs.
Chayim Aruchim, a division of Agudath Israel of America, has spent years guiding families facing the toughest medical crises, advocating for patients’ rights to live with dignity according to halachah. They, and our rabbonim of Queens and across New York, stand united in urging the governor to veto this bill. Their tireless hotline (718-ARUCHIM) and halachic counsel are a lifeline for countless Jewish families, ensuring that no one has to navigate these battles alone.
We urge Governor Hochul to recognize the gravity of this moment. Do not let New York become the state that abandons its most vulnerable. Do not trade compassion for expedience. We, the Orthodox and Modern Orthodox communities, joined by our secular neighbors who cherish true human dignity, beg you to listen to the heartbreak in our community and recognize the irreversible harm that will follow if you let this law take effect: Veto this bill. Defend the sanctity of life.
You can reach the Governor at (518) 474-8390, via email at governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form, or by mail: The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State, NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224.
Let every voice be heard - let us storm the heavens and Albany alike.
Shabsie Saphirstein
Friday: Mount Sinai’s Mobile Prostate Van @ Cunningham Park
Dear Editor:
I’m pleased to share some important news with our community. Mount Sinai’s Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Van will be participating in this year’s 12th Annual Health Fair, taking place this Friday, June 27, at Cunningham Park. Attendees should enter through the parking lot on Union Turnpike and 196th Place.
From 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mount Sinai’s medical staff will be offering PSA blood tests to men aged 40 and older. These tests are vital in detecting prostate cancer early, when treatment is most effective. I encourage eligible members of our community to take advantage of this opportunity for a potentially life-saving screening.
The Health Fair continues until 5:00 p.m., with plenty of activities for all ages. Children can enjoy the Bouncy House now that school is out, and adults can explore wellness offerings such as yoga, health education, giveaways, and more.
It promises to be an afternoon of health, family fun, and community spirit and, with a little hope, some good weather too!
Shabsie Saphirstein
Hodu LaHashem Ki Tov, Ki L’olam Chasdo
Dear Editor:
Hodu LaHashem Ki Tov, Ki L’olam Chasdo. How thankful we as Jews should be. Those who love Eretz Yisroel should be. Those who are proud Americans should be. We are lucky to have such a courageous and bold leader as President of the United States. President Trump’s decision to strike Iran sends a strong message that America will not back down. Peace through strength. No appeasement.
China is now on notice. If they were thinking of taking Taiwan, I’m sure they’re scrapping those plans. Russia now knows not to attack any NATO country or it too will face the wrath of the U.S. Neither of those two countries has come to the defense of Iran in the aftermath of the strikes.
Unfortunately, for Democrats, everything is politics. No, Donald Trump will not be impeached. No, the strike was not unconstitutional. Could it be any clearer which party is for America and which is not?
In addition to the foolish attacks on our President, you have a sitting member of Congress walking in an airport with a pro-Palestinian anti-Semite rabble-rouser who has only gained temporary freedom by a leftist rogue judge. He will eventually be deported. A Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles tweets their thoughts and prayers for those who have been bombed in Iran. And a mayor and governor in New York who compare the out-of-control antisemitism to Islamophobia.
Let us continue to pray to Hashem that He continues to protect Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel, and the President of the United States.
Shalom Markowitz
Designated Survivor
Dear Editor:
11A! When you make your next plane reservation (hopefully soon on El Al), you might want to put a rush on the seat assignment. 11A was the seat designation for the lone survivor of that Air India crash that unfortunately took the lives of the other passengers. One might assume that this was the luckiest guy in the world, but psychologists would argue the point, saying this individual will mentally and emotionally suffer from “survivor guilt” the rest of his life.
This incident brought to mind several cases of this type of guilt. One is the hostages who have survived their ordeal in Gaza and must live with the gnawing question as to why they survived and their friends and relatives didn’t. Another relevant example pertains to the dilemma that widows and widowers face each day. I mention this because recently it was my husband’s yahrzeit. This was a man who attended Daf Yomi every day, went to every single minyan in shul, went to shiurim, and carried a Sefer Mishnayos wherever he went. Both he and I, at one point, were very ill. He didn’t make it; I, baruch Hashem, did. Yet I am constantly reminded of questions as to why I survived and he didn’t. The only answer I’ve come up with is: I woke up at 5:15 each morning to get him up to go to Daf Yomi.
I’m sorry that this letter is a “Debbie Downer,” but once in a while, one needs to face reality. By the way, if you are interested in watching a fictional survival show, tune in to Netflix and watch Designated Survivor. Lesson learned: forget seat 11A and just say Tefillas Haderech with kavanah.
Debbie Horowitz
Grounded
Dear Editor:
The winds are blowing fiercely,
Like the fall leaves, flitting, twirling,
We are shaken and tossed,
Yet here we stand.
The line that holds us
Is not the blurb that flies off a Twitter feed,
Nor the meme that gets thrown from coast to coast,
Circling the globe madly like the Road Runner.
We are held
By a strong, deep connection
To the oldest truth:
Ein Od Milvado —
There is none but Him —
By the lines of black and white letters
On old parchment,
Spelling out an ancient contract
That stands, even now,
Tugging on our souls,
The golden thread that says,
You are My people.
We are strong, like an old oak tree,
Rooted deep in the soil of our heartland,
Longing to return home.
We may bend. We may fall.
But we will not falter.
We are like
The man who played piano in the rubble,
His entire house filled with debris, yet there he sat,
A smile on his face,
“Od Yoter Tov” - more and more good.
We have been tossed around for over 2,000 years,
Yet we have been blessed.
Let us give praise to Hashem.
Let us sing out, even in the rubble,
Od Yoter Tov.
More and more good.
Thank You, Hashem.
Please keep us safe, so we can sing and pray.
Tonight, at 8:11, Shabbos enters through our doors.
Let us be, like that man,
Strong in spirit,
Joyous,
Full of life and gratitude.
Judith Dinowitz
The Forgotten
Dear Editor:
Mi k’amcha Yisroel? Jews are one big family that cares for and looks after one another. As soon as a need is identified, we create an organization, committee, fund—whatever it takes—to meet that need. We’re asked to give our time, resources, knowledge, or money, and often, we do. Outstanding organizations exist—and continue to be created—to support the sick, the elderly, struggling families, the poor, the widowed, divorced, childless, orphans, those who’ve lost loved ones, confused teens, older singles, baalei teshuvah, our hostages, our soldiers—the list goes on.
At the same time, most of us face personal and family challenges. It’s hard enough to meet our own emotional and daily obligations. Trying to also care for others can leave us feeling, Dayeinu—we have more than enough to deal with.
Still, research shows that helping others is one of the best ways to boost happiness. And while those who rely on these organizations are grateful, many simply want to be remembered. They feel forgotten.
We know it’s hard for a widow to attend a wedding alone after years with a partner, or for a single girl to go unaccompanied while friends arrive with husbands. Imagine if a friend called and said, “We’d love to pick you up—it would make our ride more enjoyable.” Or if someone told a mother caring for a sick child, “Could one of your kids come over tonight? My son likes him. Or my daughter’s free—can she help with homework?”
A Shabbos or Yom Tov invitation gives so much chizuk to someone lonely. An invitation that says, “Your presence would add to our happiness,” makes a person feel valued. A simple call - “I’m thinking of you” - means the world. Dropping off a flower or small box of candy sends the message: “You’re not alone. We recognize your pain and care. We’re davening for you because your well-being matters.”
Little actions mean so much. Words of encouragement change a person’s outlook, throw a lifeline to the drowning, and bring light and warmth to someone’s life. A person who tells a troubled teen, “Come talk anytime,” or says to a widow, “We’re always happy to have you for a meal - just let us know when,” is making a real difference. Telling a baal teshuvah, “We’re proud of you; ask us anything,” or telling an orphan, “If you need someone to come to your game, I’d be honored,” is breathing hope into a soul.
Smile at someone who seems down. Compliment someone who looks like she needs a boost. Talk to someone standing alone. Don’t let fear of saying the wrong thing keep you from doing something kind.
Everyone is going through something. Some wear sorrow on their sleeve; others hide it well. Look around. Ask, “What small thing can I do to make a difference?”
Do something for someone. One day - though I hope not - you may need someone to do the same for you.
(Thanks to my dear friend, a lovely widow, for encouraging me to write this letter.)
Ruki Renov