At Magen David Yeshivah, students were encouraged to Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) in celebration of World Read Aloud Day—a global event designed to highlight the joy and importance of reading. The initiative served as a powerful reminder for students of all ages to prioritize reading and appreciate the impact of storytelling.

For 30 minutes, students in grades K-5 paused their regular schedules, as 37 faculty members from multiple divisions read stories to the classes. By showcasing the importance of reading through example, these faculty members helped reinforce the significance of literacy in a meaningful and memorable way. The event not only emphasized literacy but also fostered a sense of excitement and enthusiasm for reading.
The teachers, administrators, security team, and all others who participated in this event brought their stories to life through animated readings and discussions. These shared reading moments helped students develop a deeper connection with books while reinforcing the importance of literacy as a lifelong skill.
Reading aloud has been proven to improve comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary, making events like World Read Aloud Day an essential part of fostering a love for literature. By hearing expressive readings, students were able to engage more deeply with the material and develop a greater appreciation for storytelling. Additionally, the presence of faculty members from various divisions emphasized the communal value of reading and showed students that literacy is a lifelong skill valued across all academic and professional fields.
Beyond the immediate joy of reading, the event also encouraged students to see books as windows to different worlds, ideas, and experiences. By immersing themselves in different stories, they had the opportunity to expand their imaginations, improve critical thinking skills, and gain insights into cultures and perspectives beyond their own.

By participating in D.E.A.R., Magen David Yeshivah students embraced the joy of storytelling, strengthened their reading skills, and celebrated the power of words. This event served as a meaningful reminder that books have the ability to inspire, educate, and bring people together.
As the students closed their books at the end of the day, they carried with them a renewed love for reading—a passion that will continue to grow well beyond World Read Aloud Day and into their everyday lives, shaping them into lifelong readers and learners.

Magen David Yeshivah (MDY) students showcased their commitment to kindness by raising an impressive, record-breaking for Chai Lifeline—the highest amount MDY has ever raised for this cause. Representatives from Chai Lifeline visited MDY to distribute prizes to the top fundraisers, recognizing their dedication to this meaningful cause.

As part of the celebration, Rabbi Simcha Scholar from Chai Lifeline visited MDY and presented a giant check showcasing the incredible amount raised. His presence further emphasized the impact of the student’s efforts and the significance of their contribution to the organization.
First, we would like to thank Rabbi Finkelstein! Without his help promoting and showcasing what it means to give, we wouldn’t have been able to raise as much as we had. We would also like to thank our top 10 fundraisers, who raised a record breaking amount.

Their selflessness played a crucial role in supporting Chai Lifeline’s mission.
“Every dollar raised goes directly to Chai Lifeline’s vital programs, it will support Camp Simcha Without Borders, an initiative that brings the joy of summer camp to children with serious illnesses. This program provides day camps and events in locations across the U.S. and beyond, allowing Chai Lifeline clients and their siblings to experience the fun of camp closer to home. Since 2020, over 1,200 children have participated in programs across cities like Baltimore, Miami, Los Angeles, and Monsey.

A Community Effort
All of this generosity couldn’t have been done without the community effort to help this wonderful cause. Our partnership with you is a testament to the values of kindness and compassion, inspiring future generations to make a difference. We thank each and every one of you who donated and made a difference in the lives of our children and the children abroad.

How Rabbi Grossman Transformed Lives and Inspired a Movement

Ever feel like the world’s a bit of a mess? It’s easy to get overwhelmed and think, “What can I possibly do?” But here’s the thing: history is packed with stories of ordinary people who did extraordinary things, simply by deciding to make a difference. Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman is one of those people – a real-life example of how one act of kindness can create a ripple effect that changes the world.

In 1967, Israel celebrated its victory in the Six-Day War. But amidst the jubilation, a young Rabbi Grossman saw a different battle being waged – a silent war on the streets, where a generation of Israeli youth was succumbing to crime, drugs, and despair. He saw children losing their fight for survival, and he knew he couldn’t stand idly by.
He heard whispers of Migdal HaEmek, a town riddled with poverty, crime, and abandoned youth. It was a place where hope had seemingly vanished, a place no rabbi dared to go. But at just 23 years old, Rabbi Grossman made a promise: he would dedicate one year to these forgotten children.

That single year became a lifetime. The pain, the struggles, the desperate longing for love and acceptance he witnessed in these children resonated deep within him. He couldn’t walk away. He ventured into the darkness, into the nightclubs and the haunts of gang members, not to judge, but to understand. He listened. He embraced. He brought light where only shadows existed.
Through unwavering warmth, boundless love, and an unwavering belief in their potential, Rabbi Grossman achieved the impossible. He transformed criminals into scholars, orphans into leaders, and broken children into builders of the future. He defied the naysayers and proved that even in the most desolate corners, hope can flourish.
Rabbi Grossman’s work embodies the very essence of the Torah’s command to care for the vulnerable. It’s not merely a suggestion, but a divine imperative: “You shall not pervert the justice due to the stranger or the orphan.” (Deuteronomy 24:17) “He upholds the cause of the orphan and the widow, and He loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy 10:18) These verses weren’t just words on a page for Rabbi Grossman; they were a call to action. He saw them as a mission, a responsibility he embraced with his entire being.
The impact of his dedication is immeasurable. Yossi, a hardened gang leader, found redemption and is now a Torah scholar guiding others. David, once homeless and hopeless, now serves as an IDF officer, protecting the very country he felt had abandoned him. Tamar, an orphan left to navigate the world alone, now empowers other orphans as a social worker. These are just a few examples of the thousands of lives touched by one man’s unwavering commitment.
Rabbi Grossman’s story challenges us: If one person can achieve such profound change, what’s stopping us from changing even one life? We often wait for grand gestures, for sweeping reforms initiated from the top down. But true change begins at the grassroots level, with individuals who choose to care. We don’t need to be Rabbi Grossman to make a difference. We don’t need to build institutions or rescue thousands. We simply need to take responsibility.
This means finding that struggling student and offering a word of encouragement. It means checking in on a lonely neighbor. It means volunteering our time, donating to causes we believe in, and uplifting those around us. It means choosing to believe in someone who has lost faith in themselves. Because the truth is, there’s a Yossi, a David, or a Tamar in every community, waiting for someone to see them, to believe in them, to remind them that they matter. They’re waiting for us.
Rabbi Grossman didn’t wait for the world to change; he changed the world. And the question we must ask ourselves is: Will we? We don’t need to perform extraordinary feats. We just need to start with one. One act of kindness. One child in need of guidance. One family requiring support. One neighbor longing for connection. When we step up, when we rise above our own concerns, we ignite a chain reaction of goodness that reverberates far beyond our own lives. As Maimonides, the Rambam, so eloquently stated: “There is no greater or more glorious joy than bringing happiness to the poor, to orphans, widows, and strangers. One who brings them joy is likened to the Divine Presence itself.” (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megillah 2:17)

Rabbi Grossman’s legacy is not just about the thousands of lives he touched, but about the ripple effect he created, inspiring countless others to follow his example. Let us be part of that ripple. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world. The power is within each and every one of us. Go out and ignite your spark. Find your “one.” And together, let us illuminate the world, one life at a time.

Eliav Ronan is a writer, speaker, and NYU-certified life and business coach specializing in personal growth, resilience, and purpose through Jewish wisdom and psychology. For 18 years, he has guided individuals toward fulfillment, sharing insights through his writing on Substack and other platforms. His forthcoming book, An Elevated Mindset: A Journey Through Life, explores faith, self-awareness, and resilience, accompanied by a website and podcast. Ronan speaks to diverse audiences, from students to professionals, on mindset, leadership, and personal growth. He lives with his wife and two children, splitting his time between Israel, South Jersey, and Florida.

On the evening of February 5, the DSN Beach Club played host to another unforgettable event—one that transcended mere storytelling and became a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Yaniv Ben Haim, a 24-year-old survivor of the harrowing October 7 attack at the Nova festival, stood before a rapt audience, sharing his harrowing journey of survival, faith, and perseverance.

This event was a product of remarkable collaboration, with DSN joining forces with the SCC, SCA, Chabad of the Shore, and Congregation Brothers of Israel to bring Yaniv from Israel to share his testimony. Moderated by DSN Executive Board Member Steven Kassin, the evening was a profound reflection on the darkest of times and the light that emerges from within.
Yaniv recounted his experience at the NOVA music festival, where he and his friends were caught in an unimaginable nightmare. With gripping detail and the support of a compelling PowerPoint presentation, he spoke of the many close encounters he had with death, the atrocities he witnessed, and the friends he tragically lost. Yet, amid the horror, there was an unexpected savior—an Arab man whom Yaniv now calls his “angel.” This story reaffirmed the complexity of humanity and the power of compassion in the face of hate.
“In the darkest moments, when fear took over, I realized I had two choices—give in to despair or hold onto faith—faith in myself and in G-d,” Yaniv shared, his words resonating deeply with those in attendance. His journey of escape, the lessons he has embraced since that day, and his unwavering belief in miracles served as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
The evening was made even more poignant by the presence of Yaniv’s family and mother in the audience, as she had flown in from Israel to hear her son share his story in this public setting. His cousin translated for him, adding an intimate and deeply emotional dimension to the night. DSN Member Mordi Kameo, whose wife is Yaniv’s cousin, stated that “Listening to Yaniv’s story left tears in the room- but happy and grateful tears. Tears of gratitude that Hashem protected him each step he took that day October 7. Hashem brought him back alive after being at the Nova festival, and now it was beautiful to have him share his story with all of us”.

Adding to the evening’s impact was the heartfelt participation of Chabad’s Rabbi Yaakov Greenberg and Chazan Shalom Jacobs, whose soul-stirring rendition of Mi Sheberach left the audience in solemn reverence. The room was thick with emotion, a collective moment of prayer and unity that underscored the event’s significance. Jacobs said, “It was an honor to spend the evening with another true hero. Standing in front of those who have literally put their lives on the front lines- for our people and our country- not just on October 7, but every day, was an indescribable experience. Singing in everyone’s presence gave each song a deeper, more powerful meaning, filled with gratitude, strength and resilience. Their bravery and sacrifice are beyond words, and it was a privilege to share this moment with them”.
The night was more than an opportunity to hear a survivor’s story; it was a moment of communal strength, remembrance, and reaffirmation of faith. Steven Kassin noted that the “DSN Beach Club continues to be a space where stories are honored, connections are deepened, and resilience is celebrated and I was deeply humbled to have been a part of it”.

Retirement is the dream, isn’t it? A time to leave behind the daily grind, travel, relax, & spend more time with loved ones. But the path to that dream can feel uncertain, especially when it comes to saving enough to fund the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to achieve. It’s a concern shared by many—what if your savings fall short, or worse, run out before you’re ready?

For many Americans, the figure of $1.5 million is seen as a benchmark for a comfortable retirement. But is that number right for everyone? Probably not. Your unique circumstances, from career choices to personal goals, shape what you truly need for your retirement years. The key to building confidence in your retirement plan is to understand where you stand today and where you want to be. Our team recommends starting with savings milestones based on your age.
By Age 30: Aim to have saved the equivalent of your annual salary. Starting early allows you to take full advantage of compound growth.
By Age 40: Try to have three times your salary saved. Balancing growing expenses while maintaining steady contributions is key at this stage.
By Age 50: Work toward saving six times your salary. This is a good time to focus on reducing debt and maximizing retirement contributions.
By Age 60: Aim for eight times your salary. Start thinking about your retirement timeline and whether working part-time might fit into your plans.
By Age 67: Ideally, you’ll have 10 times your annual salary saved if you’re planning to retire around Social Security’s full retirement age. For example, a $100,000 annual salary would mean a goal of $1 million.
These guidelines are not rigid rules but serve as helpful benchmarks. After all, everyone’s journey is different, and your savings trajectory will depend on factors like when you started saving, your income growth, and how your priorities evolve.
Beyond the numbers, the lifestyle you envision for retirement plays a major role in determining how much you’ll need. Do you dream of traveling the globe, or are you planning to downsize and simplify? These choices shape your financial goals as much as any milestone. For instance, retiring in a high-cost city may require a much larger nest egg than settling into a quieter, low-cost town. If international travel is in your future, budgeting for it in advance can ensure those dreams don’t stretch your finances too thin.
Another critical piece of the puzzle is timing. When you choose to retire has a direct impact on how much you need to save. Retiring earlier means you’ll need your savings to last longer, particularly if there’s a gap between leaving the workforce and the age you qualify for Social Security or pension benefits.
Of course, retirement planning isn’t just about the big picture; it’s also about the small, steady steps you take along the way. The earlier you start saving, the more powerful the effect of compound interest becomes, allowing your money to grow exponentially over time. Even small contributions in your 20s and 30s can make a huge difference by the time you’re ready to retire. If your employer offers a retirement plan with matching contributions, make it a priority to contribute enough to get the full match—it’s essentially free money for your future.
When you finally retire, your income will likely come from a mix of Social Security benefits, pensions, and personal savings. Knowing how much you can rely on each source and comparing it to your projected expenses will help you identify any gaps. If those gaps exist, creating a plan to close them—whether by adjusting your savings rate or considering part-time work in retirement—can provide peace of mind.
Retirement planning is not about chasing an arbitrary number; it’s about creating a roadmap for the life you want. The sooner you start asking questions and seeking clarity, the better prepared you’ll be to make informed decisions about your future. And while the process may seem overwhelming at times, you don’t have to go it alone. Working with a financial professional can help you clarify your goals, navigate the complexities of planning, and develop a personalized strategy that makes your dream retirement a reality.
The best time to start planning for retirement is yesterday, but the second-best time is today. Taking even small steps now can bring you closer to the retirement you deserve—a future that’s not just financially secure, but one where you can truly thrive.

The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult with a financial professional regarding your specific situation.

Ari Baum, CFP® is the Founder and CEO of Endurance Wealth Partners, with over 25 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. He brings his in-depth experience to Conceive. Believe. Achieve. for his clients.
Securities and Advisory services offered through Prospera Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Brokerage and Advisory accounts carried by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC.

Ari Baum, CFP®

Where Every Senior Matters

There is nothing in the world—let alone in our community—like Randi’s Care. Founded by the compassionate and visionary Randi Tamir, this heartfelt initiative is dedicated to enriching the lives of our seniors, our loved ones. More than just providing basic care, Randi’s mission is to make dreams come true. She goes beyond traditional caregiving, understanding each individual’s unique needs and infusing their days with joy, purpose, and excitement.

For many seniors, life can become monotonous—days spent in front of a television, accompanied solely by an aide. But Randi changes everything. She immerses seniors in engaging activities, from spirited games to dancing to lively music, reigniting the childlike wonder that time has dulled. Her presence brings energy and happiness into homes, lifting spirits and transforming routines.
Randi acts as an extension of the family, stepping in when loved ones, despite their best intentions, struggle to provide the level of care and attention their seniors truly deserve. She challenges them to dream again, taking them on outings to Broadway shows, shopping malls, and movie theaters. She doesn’t just care for seniors; she revives them, bringing light and laughter back into their lives. Her impact extends beyond the seniors—she revitalizes entire households, inspiring caregivers and aides to bring renewed enthusiasm to their roles.
Like a superhero, Randi arrives just in time to uplift spirits and transform moods. Now, by transitioning her initiative into a nonprofit, she aims to train a team to carry forward her mission, ensuring that every senior can experience the warmth, care, and excitement she brings.
Each visit begins with Randi arriving with a bag of games and a speaker playing Frank Sinatra, Arabic classics, or nostalgic hits from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Music, she believes, sets the tone, evoking memories and emotions that bring seniors back to life. She works closely with aides to ensure seniors receive the attention they deserve, and when a senior is hospitalized without support, she steps in—bathing them, giving manicures and pedicures, and applying makeup. For those who have aides, she joins in, adding fun and warmth to their care.
Randi’s essence is carnival fun—she brings a carnival to someone’s house. It’s all wrapped up in a whirlwind of excitement: painting projects, card games, hysterical fun, and multiple activities tailored for each person. She sets up games and fun stations—golf, spike ball, basketballs, oversized LEGOs, bowling matches, and more. Even those who struggle to move find themselves standing with support, laughing and playing. She creates whimsical playhouses, brings the joy of outdoor fun, and organizes lively bingo matches.

Randi’s infectious joy creates moments of magic—people who haven’t smiled in years light up with happiness. She transforms an ordinary day into an extraordinary celebration. It’s not just an activity—it’s a carnival of love and laughter right at home.
Randi calls her favorite day Sunday Funday—because why shouldn’t our seniors get to have fun too? Each Sunday, she brings extra energy, more games, and even more laughter, making it a day filled with joy and connection. She believes that every senior deserves to experience the excitement and joy that weekends bring.
More than just a service, Randi’s Care is a movement—a call to ensure that our seniors are never forgotten. They are the pillars of our families and communities, and they deserve to be cherished. Randi will not let us forget them. Whether by donating Shabbat meals, offering companionship, or simply showing up with a listening ear, she ensures that no senior feels abandoned. She is the person to call—the one who will be there when it matters most.

The Future of Randi’s Care:
Expanding Joy and Support
With this nonprofit initiative, Randi is removing financial barriers to care, ensuring that every senior, regardless of their financial situation, has access to dignity and joy. Through community donations and fundraising, her organization will provide essential services such as:

• Personal Care Assistance – Helping seniors with bathing, grooming, and hygiene, ensuring they feel their best.
• Companionship and Stimulation – Engaging them in music, games, and chair exercises to keep both their minds and bodies active.
• Special Outings and Celebrations – Taking seniors on meaningful trips, whether to a favorite store, a Broadway show, or simply a scenic walk.
• Medical and Emotional Support – Escorting seniors to appointments, offering comfort in difficult times, and ensuring they always have someone by their side.

Randi’s work has already transformed countless lives in hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences. Now, with the structure of a nonprofit, she can reach even more people who need her unique brand of care and love.

How You Can Help
If you’d like to support Randi’s mission, there are several ways to make a difference:

• Make a Donation – Every contribution helps bring joy and care to seniors in need.
• Volunteer Your Time – Whether visiting seniors, assisting at events, or simply offering companionship, every effort counts.
• Spread the Word – Share Randi’s mission with those who may need her services or want to support her cause.
  Through her nonprofit, Randi Tamir is ensuring that no senior is forgotten. With kindness, dignity, and a deep commitment to joy, she is revolutionizing senior care, one smile at a time. For more information on how to support Randi’s Care, call Randi Levy 917-353-9674.

There are moments when words fail—when language itself is too weak, too inadequate to capture the sheer magnitude of horror. This is one of those moments.
Consider the image: a mother, arms wrapped around her babies—not for herself, not out of fear, but in one final act of protection against the terror closing in. She wasn’t pleading for her own life. She was whispering to her children, soothing them as only a mother can, even as she knew that the monsters had come.
And they came. Let’s be absolutely clear: this was not war. This was not an accident. This was the calculated, premeditated slaughter of Jewish infants. Their only crime? Being Jewish. But the depravity did not stop there. When Hamas returned the bodies, they did so in locked coffins with no keys. The IDF had to force them open, wary of booby traps, because Hamas weaponizes even the dead.

Then came the final twist of cruelty. The woman’s body they returned? It wasn’t even Shiri’s. Forensic experts confirmed it—Hamas handed over a random corpse, as if any mutilated woman would suffice, shocking Israel and the world. Hamas chose to taunt, deceive, and desecrate. And how did Gaza respond? They celebrated. They poured into the streets like a parade, rejoicing over coffins. They cheered, danced, and raised their children—not to mourn, not to grieve, but to glorify the slaughter of Jews. The same people who demand “humanitarian aid” turned a funeral into a festival. Twenty-four hours later, they returned her body, claiming it was a simple mix-up.
And the world? The world watched. Oh, and let’s talk about the world. Let’s talk about the people who sip their overpriced oat milk lattes, adjusting their Gucci belts and Dior sunglasses between bites of their avocado toast, smugly convincing themselves they’re on the right side of history. The ones who scream about oppression from the comfort of their West Elm couches while living off trust funds their fathers built in the very system they claim to hate. These are the people who ripped down hostage posters, sneering as they tossed them into garbage bins between SoulCycle classes. The ones who chant “free Palestine” as they post selfies from their iPhones. The ones who sit in Brooklyn cafés, draped in designer brands, while celebrating the assault and murder of Israeli women.
They call themselves “activists.” They call themselves “progressives.” They call themselves moral. But let me tell you exactly what they are. They are frauds. They are accomplices to terror. Just as the world looked away during the Holocaust, they look away now. They look away from the babies burned alive. From the families tortured and executed in front of each other. They look away—or worse, they cheer.
But we will not look away. We will not let these faces disappear into history, reduced to another footnote in the world’s indifference. We will not allow their deaths to be excused as “the price of war” while their murderers are shielded by the lies of victimhood. And we will not be told to forgive. Forgiveness is for those who seek redemption. For those who acknowledge their crimes and beg for atonement. Forgiveness is not for monsters.

It is not for those who butcher Jewish babies and then parade their own infants as trophies. It is not for those who turn funerals into celebrations. It is not for those who hand over a mutilated body and call it justice. It is not for the latte-drinking, Prada-wearing, basement-dwelling “revolutionaries” who actively cheer for Jewish genocide. There can be no coexistence with those who celebrate death. There can be no peace with those who raise their children to revel in slaughter. There can be no mercy for those who have none.
So don’t ask me to temper my words. Don’t ask me to soften my rage in the name of diplomacy. Let’s not forget what happened on October 7. It was not just babies slaughtered in their homes. It was entire families burned alive, young women dragged from their beds and assaulted in the streets, elderly Holocaust survivors abducted from their wheelchairs. It was fathers shot in front of their children, concertgoers massacred in the hundreds, and human beings hunted down, executed, and desecrated—just for being Jews. This was the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
The world may want to forget. But WE will not. Because they did not get to wake up today. They will never see tomorrow. And that is an injustice so profound, so unforgivable, that it demands more than grief. It demands action. It demands vengeance. The world can wring its hands and issue its platitudes. But the only language these monsters understand is the one spoken through fire and iron. And that is exactly what they should receive.
No, we will not forget. And no, we will never, ever forgive.
In the face of such profound loss, we hold onto hope. We pray for the safe return of all those still missing. May they come back to us alive, and may their families find solace in their reunion.

Linda Argalgi Sadacka is a writer, political strategist, community organizer, and Jewish activist dedicated to combating antisemitism. A delegate for the ZOA in the WZO elections, she works to protect Jewish interests worldwide. Known for her impactful advocacy, media presence, and writing, she actively mobilizes communities and fights for Israel. Follow her on Instagram: @LindaAdvocate

Linda Argalgi Sadacka