SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

LAURA SHAMMAH MS, RDN

MAGNESIUM IS ONE OF THE MOST ABUNDANT AND IMPORTANT MINERALS IN YOUR BODY, RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 300 BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS, SO IT’S NOT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT HAVING A DEFICIENCY CAN GREATLY IMPACT YOUR OVERALL HEALTH. THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A DEFICIENCY ARE VAST. SOME ARE SUBTLE, WHILE OTHERS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS.

You can have a magnesium deficiency if you don’t consume enough of the nutrient or if your body doesn’t absorb enough. Consuming too much alcohol and certain medications can deplete your body’s magnesium, as well. Magnesium plays an integral role in your body’s ability to keep your heart, kidneys, and muscles healthy. It also regulates nutrient levels, and keeps bones strong. Many people have a deficiency and aren’t aware of it. If you’re suffering from the following symptoms, you may be one of them.

WARNING SIGNS OF MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY
Fatigue
Feeling tired with a lack of energy is not uncommon, and it can be easy to blame it on several factors — from stress at work or a busy schedule to not sleeping well or running around with your kids. But one of the most common and early symptoms of a magnesium deficiency is fatigue. Because just about everyone feels tired at some point and the cause could be so many different things, it’s difficult to come to the correct diagnosis based on this symptom alone. Unfortunately, the fatigue won’t go away until your body gets the right amount of magnesium in its system.

Muscle Spasms & Cramps
Muscle spasms and cramping can not only be uncomfortable, but also quite painful. They’re uncontrollable and unpredictable, and they’re not something you can simply ignore and get on with your day. While athletes often suffer from muscle cramps due to inadequate stretching, dehydration, overexertion, and lack of proper diet, many other people suffer from them and it can be hard to figure out why. When a magnesium deficiency worsens, muscle spasms and cramping can be a sign. So if you suffer from regular cramping and spasms, this could be a warning sign of low magnesium levels.

While getting your magnesium levels to where they should be will likely ease your symptoms, you can try to get short-term relief by stretching and massaging the affected muscles. Vitamins D, E and B complex also play a role in preventing muscle cramps, so make sure you get your daily recommended dose of these vitamins.

Arrhythmia
Magnesium plays a vital role in overall heart health. It’s vital for proper muscle contraction. Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat, and magnesium directly helps you maintain a normal heart rhythm. Some studies have shown that maintaining a regular level of magnesium may even prevent some heart problems and diseases. In fact, magnesium is often used in medical settings when managing patients with arrhythmia. Some doctors prescribe magnesium for patients who are at risk of cardiac arrhythmia.

Dizziness
Sometimes dizziness hits you when you stand up too fast and then it quickly goes away. But when you have a magnesium deficiency and you experience dizziness because of it, it can last all day without relief, and it can be hard for your doctor to diagnose properly because so many things can cause dizziness. As a result, magnesium deficiency is often overlooked when trying to diagnose and fix the problem. Low magnesium levels can give you similar feelings as vertigo, making you feel not only dizzy, but completely off balance. If you’re experiencing dizziness, it could be a warning sign of magnesium deficiency.

As the deficiency worsens, so do the symptoms. If your levels continue to decline vertigo can make you unable to do regular day-to-day activities and miss work. If you’re experiencing dizziness, see your doctor.

Nausea & Vomiting
Similar to vertigo, if you have a low magnesium level, you may experience nausea and even vomiting. Though these symptoms are considered an early, but not necessarily severe symptom of magnesium deficiency, feeling nauseous is very unpleasant, and can greatly impact your routine. Those who suffer from regular nausea and/or vomiting, should ask their doctor if he/she thinks you may a magnesium deficiency.

Numbness
Magnesium impacts your nervous system, thus tingling and numbness can be a warning sign of a deficiency, particularly as it worsens. An insufficient amount of magnesium in the body, can prevent nerve and muscle functions from acting and reacting properly resulting in numbness in your face, feet and hands.

Although severe symptoms like numbness are rare, experiencing them can be quite scary. Numbness is not something to take lightly. See your doctor to figure out the cause.

Personality Changes
It might seem bizarre — and definitely not the first cause you’d jump to — but personality changes are a warning sign of magnesium deficiency. They may seem to come out of nowhere. Simple things can seem overwhelming, you may feel out of sorts, and you’re likely to notice the change but will most likely be unsure how to fix it or what’s causing it. And since many things can cause symptoms like this, a magnesium deficiency is often not considered when trying to diagnose the change.

Your change in personality can be cause by another symptom of magnesium deficiency — difficulty sleeping. Since sleep is vital for your mental, physical and emotional health, if a magnesium deficiency is what’s keeping you up at night it’s important you get your magnesium up to a sufficient and healthy level.

Anxiety & Panic Attacks
Everyone experiences a bout of anxiety or panic once in a while, but if you’re experiencing it regularly, it could be due to a magnesium deficiency. You may be quick to blame anxiety on the everyday stress of balancing your personal and professional life and schedule, but you could consider the role a magnesium deficiency has in causing anxiety and panic attacks, especially if you aren’t typically prone to these feelings. Unfortunately, if you’re suffering from anxiety, the stress can cause your magnesium levels to drop further, making it a vicious cycle.

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, see your doctor. It may be nothing, but it may also be magnesium deficiency.

FOODS THAT ARE RICH IN MAGNESIUM
Eating foods rich in magnesium may not cure your problem, but they may help.

Spinach
Pumpkin seeds
Chia seeds
Almonds
Cashews
Peanuts
Soy milk
Rolled oats
Whole wheat bread
Avocado
Brown rice
Milk

Laura Shammah MS, RDN has a masters degree in health and nutrition and is a registered dietitian. She has been operating her own private practice in both New York and NJ for over 20 years. She is happily married and has four children.

MARY ANNE COHEN, LCSW

A NEIGHBOR OF MINE CHALLENGED HER OVERWEIGHT HUSBAND TO LOSE WEIGHT, AND SO SHE BOUGHT HIM AN EXERCISE TAPE. HE RESPONDED CHEERFULLY, “GREAT! I’LL LISTEN TO IT IN THE CAR AS I DRIVE TO WORK!” WE ALL HAD A GOOD LAUGH AT THE LENGTHS HE WENT TO AVOID EXERCISE.

Americans have a complicated relationship with exercise. Mark Twain once declared, “Whenever I feel the urge to exercise come on, I lie down until it passes.” This comment is echoed by Lucy, from the comic strip Peanuts, “Exercise is a dirty word — every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.”

We are amused by these remarks because we all recognize that avoiding exercise is not healthy and that daily exercise benefits us greatly. We burn calories, discharge stress, improve our circulation, and lower our blood pressure; we sleep better and feel a sense of wellbeing from challenging our bodies.

So we then ask ourselves: If exercise is good, shouldn’t more exercise be better?

Not necessarily! Sometimes exercise becomes too much of a good thing. Instead of being a supportive friend, it becomes our worst enemy. Ellen represents the opposite side of the coin from healthy exercise. Ellen sets her alarm for 5:30 A.M. to go out running before school, she plays tennis five days a week, and works out on her treadmill most nights. Ellen cannot stop exercising even when she is tired or sick.

She is one of a growing number of women and men who has developed an exercise addiction. Because we hold exercise in such high esteem, we admire and envy those who devote great amounts of time to working out. Keeping fit has become a national pastime, and we often don’t realize when we, or someone we care about, is out of control with exercise.

Many terms have been put forth to describe behavior like Ellen’s: compulsive exercise, exercise bulimia, or exercise abuse.

Exercise is considered excessive:

1. When it significantly interferes with important activities. Marie often skipped family parties because she had to go to the gym. Sometimes she also cancelled going out with friends in order to finish her workout routine.

2. When it occurs at inappropriate times. In the throes of her addiction, Suzanne exercised late into the night with her bedroom light turned off. While her family slept, she was doing crunches.

3. When it occurs in inappropriate settings. Jessica, another exercise addict, ran in Prospect Park before sunrise — while it was still dark — despite the potential danger.

4. When the person exercises despite injury or other medical complications. Jeff had developed a stress fracture from jogging but continued despite increasing pain. Stacey developed a painful “tennis elbow” but felt compelled to keep playing.

5. When guilt, anxiety, or depression occur if a workout is missed. Exercise addicts use workouts to cope with depression or anxiety, and they experience guilt and distress if unable to perform their exercise ritual.

6. When the person does not take any days to rest or recover between workouts. The driving compulsion to keep exercising prevents the person from moderating their routine to allow the body a chance to recuperate.

Compulsive exercise has little to do with the pleasure of movement and health. Its roots lie in struggles around self-esteem, perfectionism, and control. Marsha described an inner pressure to continue her strenuous jogging regime despite having injured her knee. She had created a punishing routine for herself that was wearing her out but she couldn’t stop. Unlike most exercise bulimics who just want to be left alone to practice their compulsion, Marsha was exhausted and came to therapy to figure out how to help herself.

During the course of her therapy, Marsha expressed deep anxiety about her aging father’s impending death. She felt powerless and out of control to rescue him from his illness but, while jogging, she would find temporary relief from her worry about him. “I feel on top of the world when I’m jogging. But afterwards my body aches and I feel empty inside.” As a teenager, Marsha worried about being fat and had gone on fasts and liquid diets with a brief period of anorexia. We discovered this occurred around the time her grandmother was dying. It was very helpful for Marsha to see her pattern — the loss of someone she loved made her reach for something to take away her pain. Focusing on dieting or fat or calories or weight or exercise presents a temporary sense of control over painful feelings.

As Marsha moderated her workouts, she lost the escape from her fears that jogging provided. She became more depressed as she no longer could hide from her emotional stress. Often patients will leave therapy at this point in an attempt to avoid facing their pain. But Marsha did not “run away.” We helped her through “anticipatory grief” about her father’s looming death and also to resolve some buried guilt about her grandmother’s death that she had never faced. Although Marsha felt sadder before she felt better, she concluded, “Having the courage to face my inner demons actually made me feel stronger. My never-ending need to develop strong muscles ebbed when I felt stronger emotionally.”

If you would like support on your eating, weight, body and/or image journey, please feel free to reach out to the Mindful Eating Project. We will work with you to:

• Custom tailor an individual approach for your unique needs.
• Help you get the control for your eating back inside yourself.
• Develop and maintain healthy eating patterns.
• Regain body confidence.
• Unlock what may be keeping you stuck in your eating problems.

Schedule an initial assessment with The Mindful Eating Project, and we’ll help you determine if you can benefit from treatment. To start a confidential conversation about your eating, please contact us. Feel free to call (718) 336-MEND.

The Mindful Eating Project is a division of The Safe Foundation.

Mary Anne Cohen, LCSW, BCD is Director of The New York Center for Eating Disorders since 1982. She is also author of French Toast for Breakfast, Declaring Peace with Emotional Eating and Lasagna for Lunch. Mary Anne is a professional book reviewer for the largest international resource for eating disorders.

CLEM BRINGS HIS FAMILY TO THE UNITED STATES

CLEMENT SOFFER

THIS IS THE SIXTH AND FINAL INSTALLMENT OF MY FAMILY’S EXODUS FROM EGYPT, CLEMENT SOFFER’S LIFE STORY. IN THE LAST INSTALLMENT, CLEM LEFT NY. HE TOOK A BUS TO MYRTLE BEACH, WHERE HE IMMEDIATELY SEARCHED FOR A JOB. IN A VERY SHORT TIME HE WAS THE MANAGER OF A STORE. SOON HE WAS MAKING ENOUGH MONEY TO BRING HIS FAMILY TO AMERICA. HERE ARE CLEM’S WORDS.

One day I found out that one of my benefactors, Senator Jacob Javits, had passed a law to accept 5,000 Jewish Egyptian refugees and provide them with a green card allowing them to stay in this blessed country. That same week a man came into the store and asked me a lot of questions. When he left, I forgot about him.

I was eager to take advantage of the new law, so I arranged to leave for New York the following day. I flew to NY and went to the government office where I completed all my documents. Finally after several lines and interviews, I received my green card and my new social security card.

I was told that I would receive a work permit which would allow me to work legally for the first time. I was even looking forward to paying my fair taxes so I would be a contributing member of this wonderful country at last.

The best part of the trip was that I was able to place the names of all my family members on the list to be assigned visas as Egyptian Jewish refugees. I signed an affidavit that I would provide support for my family if the US government would allow them to come. I certified that I had saved in the bank $40,000, which at that time was like $200,000 today.

I guaranteed that I would have an apartment for them, and that I had a good job earning enough money that they would not be a burden on the US government. At last I received approval to bring my family to the US. My spine tingled with happiness.

I praised the Almighty for this enormous gift. I could not believe that I finally would be reunited with my family after being separated for such a long time. Plus, I would be bringing them to a fabulous country of freedom and comfort.

After corresponding with my family, I was not far from the bench I had slept on in the dead of winter with no food or money. I went to that wooden bench, and I carved my name on it. I promised myself that whenever I felt arrogant and very proud of myself, I would come back to remember my tough beginnings in the greatest country in the world. I thought about all the wonderful people who had helped me along the way. Then I returned to Myrtle Beach.

Shortly after my return, the same man who had asked me a lot of questions before I left, returned. This time he was accompanied by a sheriff and two police officers. He was an immigration officer and he was sure I was in the US illegally. He asked for my green card, which I happily handed to him along with my new social security card. Once again, Hashem saved me. Had the man asked me for those documents the first time he came into the store, I would not have had them, and I probably would have been arrested or deported. Egypt would not have taken me back. I would have been a man without a country. Instead, I showed the shocked immigration officer my documents and he welcomed me to the US.

Sometime in August I received notification that my family was approved to immigrate to the US. I cannot describe in words the happiness I felt. Tears rushed down my cheeks. My dream was becoming a reality. I read that notice maybe 100 times. I missed them so much. I could not wait to hug them and kiss them. It seemed like an eternity since I left them, but only three years had passed.

I continued to work as hard as I could, but I have to admit — I heard people my age at the beach and on the streets laughing and having fun — and part of me really wanted to join them. I missed the fun I used to have with my friends in Egypt, but I had to wipe from my mind all these frivolous thoughts and follow my father’s example — be dependable and shoulder my responsibility.

My family finally arrived in 1958. I rented a large three bedroom apartment in a two family house on 71st Street in Brooklyn, down the block from Ahi Ezer Congregation. I introduced my family to the wonderful people that had made me feel at home and were there for me in a foreign country.

The summer was coming to an end, and since Myrtle Beach was a summer resort, I decided to return to NYC and build a great future for myself and my family. On the flight back to NY I vowed to myself that one day I would pay back Rabbi Abraham Kalmanowitz zt’l for the great miracle of bringing me to my dream country. I vowed also to pay back all the good people who helped me, starting with the good hearted Mrs. Sophie Maslaton, Mr. Noury Dayan, and my wonderful adopted parents, Ruben and Esther Bibi, and Mr. Edward Massry zt’l.

I wondered how I could pay back people who had everything. Hashem rewarded me again, later in my life I was actually able to pay back my benefactors.

The grandson of Rabbi Abraham Kalmanowitz, Rabbi Chizkiya Kalmanowitz President of Asra Kadisha organization, asked me to help him and his organization save Jewish cemeteries all over the world that were being slated for destruction. I have been working with him, as a volunteer, saving Jewish cemeteries for the last 33 years. We have saved Jewish cemeteries in Egypt, Ukraine, India, Portugal, Germany, Belarus, Yemen and Lebanon.
Thank you Rabbi Abraham Kalmanowitz zt’l.

I didn’t know how to respect the memories of Mrs. Sophie Maslaton, Noury Dayan and his family, Reuben and Esther Bibi, Edward Massry and his family and the many other wonderful people who helped me. Then Hashem rewarded me by bringing to my attention the Council for the Rescue of the Syrian Jews, and I worked tirelessly for many years as their Executive Vice President along with their President, Alice Sardell, Marcos Zalta and Jack Mann, all great caring dedicated volunteers. With the tremendous help of Mr. Edmond Safra and his wife Lily and the power of Hashem, we were able to save the lives of 4,500 Syrian Jews. We brought them to safety in the USA from 1992 to 1995.

During that same time, Hashem gave me the opportunity to save the life of a Yemenite Rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Harrir of Chasdey Moshe. He was condemned to death in Yemen after being accused of being a spy for Israel. Thank you Hashem for always protecting and caring for me, for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my wishes to honor some of the greatest people in our community, may they rest in peace.

Thank you Mrs. Sophie Maslaton, thank you Mr. Noury Dayan and family! Thank You Mr. Rubin and Esther Bibi and family. Thank you Mr. Edward Massry and his entire family for your Hakarat Halev towards me.

And thank you, Clem Soffer for sharing your family’s history with our readers.

After his family’s expulsion from Egypt when he was 16, Clement Soffer came to the US and went to Mirrer Yeshiva. He founded Ahava ve Ahva Congregation and Chabad of Port Washington. He helped rescue Syrian Jews and saved hundreds of Jewish cemeteries. He received a congressional award in 1993 and was honored by Yeshiva University. He founded Beit Edmond Safra Synagogue of Aventura and Chabad of West Boynton Beach.

HILLEL YESHIVA HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON THE MYHSAL SOFTBALL LEAGUE, IMPRESSIVELY WINNING FOUR VARSITY AND TWO JV CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE PAST DECADE!

The flourishing Deal community, with its growing passion for softball, proved to be the ideal match. Thanks to the Deal Sephardic Network (DSN), our youth softball leagues have experienced a remarkable rejuvenation, equipping players with valuable skills.

The 2023 Hillel Heat Varsity team, under the guidance of coaches Jackie Picciotto, Jackie Ashkenazi, Joey Mizrahi, and David Rishty exhibited exceptional teamwork. Their chemistry, coupled with the expertise of the coaching staff, propelled them to a flawless 7-0-1 record, securing the Western division title. The spirited “WHO WHO WHO” boys were renowned for their uplifting chants and profound respect for both teammates and opponents alike.

In the opening round of the playoffs, Hillel delivered a commanding 5-0 victory over MAOR, showcasing impeccable defense and precise pitching by Marty Cohen. The semifinals saw a fierce battle against YDE, resulting in a scoreless tie until David Seruya’s pivotal hit, with Bruce Zekaria scoring the run to claim the lead. Eddie Kassin’s double and two RBIs sealed the outcome with a 3-0 triumph. Once again, Hillel’s unshakable defense, combined with Marty Cohen’s pitching, held YDE scoreless.

On June 19, 2023, Hillel traveled out to Long Island for the championship game facing off against the reigning champions, Mesivta Ateres Yaakov (MAY), in Valley Stream, NY. Despite MAY’s formidable 21-game winning streak, Hillel emerged victorious in the finals, triumphing with a hard fought 3-1 championship win. Noah Hakim’s diving play in the sixth inning saved the game, while Elliot Stein, Stevie Shalom, and David Seruya showcased their prowess with impactful hits and defensive plays. Marty Cohen’s superb pitching, allowing only one run across three playoff games, earned him the well-deserved MVP award.

The culmination of the season was a Deal-Brooklyn High School All-Star softball challenge at the C.A.R.E. Tournament. Deal all stars won an 8-6 thriller in 14 innings and Noah Hakim of Hillel Yeshiva won MVP honors.

Hillel extends their gratitude to commissioner Seth Gordon and the MYHSAL league for a fantastic year, and look forward to next season. Go Heat!

2023 HILLEL HEAT TEAM ROSTER

PLAYERS
Morris Ades
Joe Assa
Yosef Betesh
Albert Chehebar
Marty Cohen
Joe Dweck
Eli Franco
Isaac Gindi
Noah Hakim
Eddie Kassin
Abie Labaton
Isaac Mizrahi
Zvi Rishty
David Seruya
Stevie Shalom
Charles Shayo
Elliot Stein
Bruce Zekaria

COACHES
Jackie Picciotto
Jackie Ashkenazi
Joe Mizrahi
David Rishty

SHARON GIVATI

WHILE FATHER AND SON BONDING CAN ALWAYS BE A POWERFUL EXPERIENCE, A RECENT TRIP TO ISRAEL TOOK THAT EXPERIENCE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL FOR A GROUP FROM BROOKLYN. THEY WERE INVITED FOR A UNIQUE GLIMPSE INTO THE WORK OF COLEL CHABAD AND ALL THEY’RE DOING FOR ISRAELI CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

Founded in 1788, Colel Chabad is the longest continuously operating charitable organization in Israel, and is involved in a wide variety of activities to support the country’s needy populations. These activities range from direct financial support, to nutritional support, as well as a network of social programs and activities.

As part of the fathers-son trip, the group including Raymond Zaytoune, Henry Guindi, Nemo Gindi, Leon Guindi, Elliot Gindi, Jacob Yedid, Jacky Yedid and Joseph Guindi, had the chance to join Colel Chabad’s Bar Mitzvah For Orphans program that everyone described as an emotional highlight of their time in Israel. The bar mitzvah (a similar program is offered for bat mitzvah girls), brought over 120 boys to the kotel for their aliya l’Torah, followed by a fully-produced and catered party for family and friends. The boys have all lost a father or mother under tragic circumstances and for many of them, financial or practical considerations would mean they wouldn’t experience that rite of passage of entering into Jewish manhood that most take for granted.

“Being there to experience a bar miztvah with these boys, many of whom without a father to guide them, dance with them, or show them how to put on their new set of tefillin, was extremely emotional for the members of our group,” explained Colel Chabad’s Ephraim Duchman. “It allowed all of us to appreciate the power of Tzedakah, both financial and personal, to impact the lives of others for the better and that we have the power to make that difference in so many ways.”

Duchman said that Colel Chabad has been blessed to have a very close relationship with the Syrian community for many years and he is confident that this father-son trip will be instrumental in taking that legacy of support to the next generations. “It was incredible to watch how these kids became so quickly aware of the impact of their parents’ actions. It is one thing to know that our parents are caring for others by providing financial support, but when we are able to see those funds in action it takes that understanding to a whole new level.”

The group also visited the Beis Finger Rehabilitative Center, a home for adults with degenerative neurological conditions, where they can live in dignity and with full support for a productive life. Then they went to the “Warm House” in Tzfat, which takes care of children after school through bed time, providing them with food, tutoring, a hot shower and breakfast for the following morning.

Among the most popular and transformative programs operated by Colel Chabad is Pantry Packers. Well-known as part of any well-planned Israel itinerary, Pantry Packers invites families and groups of tourists to come to their Jerusalem warehouse to pack food packages that are then delivered to people in need all around Israel. Since its founding, 10 years ago, thousands of groups have participated in the experience.

The father-son group were treated to a special tour of the facility hosted by Rabbi Menachem Traxler who thanked them for their visit saying, “You are all proof of what it means to teach our kids by example and they will all return home knowing what it means to help others,” he said.

Rabbi Traxler and the Colel Chabad team are looking forward to seeing the families again at their annual summer concert with Mordechai Shapiro in Deal on August 22 and welcoming members of the Syrian community back to Pantry Packers in Jerusalem on their next trip.

Sharon Givati is a Jerusalem based freelance writer. Originally from New York, she lives in Israel with her husband and five children.

HIRSCH IBN YISROEL

RABBI MORDECHAI GERMAN, THE DEAN OF BE’ER HAGOLAH INSTITUTES IS NO STRANGER TO JEWISH EDUCATION. ASIDE FROM HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS AN EDUCATOR FOR MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, HE ALSO GREW UP IN A HOME STEEPED IN A CULTURE OF CARING FOR OTHER JEWS.

The home of his parents, Rabbi Avner and Rebbetzin Leya German of blessed memory, was a fortress of Jewish education and love for everyone. I reached out to Rabbi German to ask for his perspectives on Jewish education and for his dreams and aspirations for Be’er Hagolah and its students.

This is what he said: While Be’er Hagolah just celebrated its forty-third year, it is in a sense a young and fresh institution. “We are constantly looking to innovate and discover what it is that our students and families need. When we identify a need, we do everything we can to deliver a solution for the benefit of our students. We are now focused on the quality of our education more than ever. Whether it is advanced trainings for our staff, higher education degrees, or state certifications, we are building a hand-picked team of highly qualified educators.”

My vision for the school is that it should be a warm, safe, secure, and vibrant environment which our precious students delight in coming to every morning. My vision for our students is that they graduate from Be’er Hagolah ready and prepared to take on the world. They should hold their heads up high — proudly as Jews who will build families and contribute to our community in their own way. Whether they continue on to college immediately or first spend a year in Israel, they will have the foundation and relationships to build a career rooted in a lifelong attachment to Torah, mitzvot, and community. We are deeply proud of our thousands of alumni who have gone on to establish families and communities across the world.

The leadership team at Be’er Hagolah excites me. Each and every principal shares the same vision for our school and our students and they have dedicated their lives to educating the next generation. This year, we departmentalized our boys’ middle and high school divisions and we’re very proud to have Rabbi Michoel Grunhut as the principal of Judaic Studies and Rabbi Yehuda Waxman as principal of secular studies. We welcome the newest addition to our team, Mrs. Leah Kirzner, principal of the elementary school secular studies department, who brings us her expertise in curriculum building and teacher training and mentoring.

Mrs. Yeva Rakhamimova, who is a mother of three current BHI students and practices as an immigration attorney, shared her reflections. “Be’er Hagolah is a very nurturing community where relationships are made with parents, teachers, and the administration. My children are not only receiving the best Jewish education possible, but are also striving in secular studies. They are beginning to think like future developers and entrepreneurs. BHI offers top notch security, including armed guards, and constant communication between the parents and teachers. Be’er Hagolah is a family setting that gives care and love to the children and the parents. The office staff knows each parent by name and Rabbi German and other administrators are always eager and happy to try to resolve their concerns as best as they can. I’m so happy to be seeing my children grow up and prosper socially and academically in such a nourishing environment where they’re making lifelong friendships in a great community.”

Hirsch Ibn Yisroel is an accountant based in the American Midwest. He is also a freelance writer with a special interest in jewish life.

SANDRA LAZAR

ARE YOU TIRED OF KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR ENTIRE BUSINESS IN YOUR HEAD? ARE YOU READY TO START MAKING BUSINESS DECISIONS BASED ON FACTS INSTEAD OF PURE GUT FEELING? THEN THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO IS BEGIN PROPERLY TRACKING YOUR BUSINESS EXPENSES.

BUSINESS EXPENSES
Business expenses are the things your business spends money on to keep operating. They include things like:

• Rent
• Computers and other equipment
• Phone, internet, and utility bills
• Marketing and advertising costs
• Bank and merchant fees
• Gas, car, and other transportation costs
• Postage and shipping

Keeping tabs on these items helps you keep track of cash flow, takes the guesswork out of paying estimated taxes and claiming deductions, and most important, it helps you understand what you need to do to increase your profitability.

You’ll also need to keep track of your business expenses if you ever approach a bank for a loan, want an investor to put money into your business, or get audited.

Catching up on a backlog of improperly tracked expenses can take some time. However, it’s a fairly straightforward process.

HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF BUSINESS EXPENSES

Step 1: Separate them from your personal expenses
Tracking business expenses can be difficult when your business purchases come out of the same checking account you use for personal expenses. It also makes it challenging to understand the health of your business when you have additional expenses that aren’t relevant to the business.

For these reasons, it is best to open a separate, dedicated business bank account — with its own dedicated debit card or business credit card — for your company.

Step 2: Make sure you’re categorizing the transactions properly

Properly categorizing and recording your transactions helps you claim more deductions, make your life easier if you ever get audited, and generally makes looking through your financial records a much less painful experience.

Step 3: Hold onto your receipts
Did you know that the IRS requires you to keep records and receipts for any expenses you claim on your taxes at least three years after filing the return?

A great way to avoid breaking this rule while also saving time on your bookkeeping is to digitize your receipts using a receipt-scanning mobile app like Shoeboxed or a cloud-based system like Dropbox, Evernote, or Google Drive.

Step 4: Reconcile expenses with your bank accounts
This involves looking at the expenses you’ve recorded in your bookkeeping system and making sure that they match up with the expenses on your bank statement.

Bank reconciliations are your first line of defense against any mistakes you might make when recording your expenses. Ideally, you should be doing them at least once a month.

Step 5: Make sure you aren’t missing any of these popular small business expenses

To make sure you aren’t forgetting anything, we’ve put together a large list of the most common types of business deductions, broken into 16 different expense types.

• Advertising and promotion
• Business meals
• Business insurance
• Business interest and bank fees
• Business use of your car
• Contract labor
• Depreciation
• Education
• Home office
• Interest
• Legal and professional fees
• Moving expenses
• Rent expense
• Salaries and benefits
• Telephone and internet expenses
• Travel expenses

Remember that even if an expense is ordinary and necessary, you may still not be able to deduct all of it on your taxes. The rules around the tax-deductible portion of the rent you pay for your home office, client entertainment, and R&D costs, for example, can get particularly complicated.

Step 6: Make expense-tracking a habit
If you’re a busy small business owner with a million things to do, it’s easy to let bookkeeping fall by the wayside. One way to avoid that is to make it a habit.

Try setting aside and scheduling a ‘bookkeeping day’ once a month to stay on top of your transactions. Use that day to enter any missing transactions, reconcile bank statements, and review your financial statements from the last month.

Sandra Lazar graduated Brooklyn college in 1995. She has served as a CFO in a variety of businesses for the past 25 years.

BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER

AMONG MANY POPULAR EVENTS AT THE DSN BEACH CLUB THIS PAST SUMMER, FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS. THE PICTURESQUE COASTAL DESTINATION, EMBRACED OUR COMMUNITY’S TRADITION TO COME TOGETHER FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND FAMILY FUN.

These enchanting evenings under the stars captured the hearts of over 500 parents and children. Beach Club Program Director Caleigh Silvera stated “DSN Beach Club has fostered a sense of community and togetherness through the power of film.”

The first movie shown at the DSN Summer Stage was The Parent Trap. The event drew an excited crowd of eager moviegoers who were treated to an array of delightful offerings. Attendees had the opportunity to indulge in sushi from Outpost and savor a curated menu from Jelis, catering to diverse culinary preferences. The availability of DSN merchandise, popcorn, movie theatre snacks, pizza and much more enhanced the authentic movie experience. The ambiance was further enriched by crackling fire pits, the soothing beachfront location, and the mesmerizing starry sky, ensuring a captivating atmosphere for families to enjoy the massive outdoor screen.

Responding to popular demand due to the resounding success of the first movie night, DSN quickly hosted another unforgettable evening the following week. That next film was The Greatest Showman. DSN member Grace Chehebar stated, “Best movie ever! I love seeing DSN have this for our community.” Once again, DSN delivered an extraordinary event that brought families together. With a specialized menu designed to delight the taste buds, there was captivating entertainment and a breathtaking setting that continued to strengthen the sense of community and camaraderie among those in attendance.

Beach Club General Manager Keith Acker felt fulfilled. “Fostering community spirit through these nights exemplifies community building at its finest.” By offering these events, DSN continues to create a sense of belonging and unity. These gatherings provide an opportunity for people to come together, connect and share memorable experiences. The ambiance of the beach, combined with the magic of cinema, fosters a sense of enjoyment and appreciation.

The DSN Beach Club has created a platform for building lasting relationships and strengthening the bonds of community. DSN Beach Club has uniquely established itself as the go-to destination. Frieda Shamah, DSN Youth Director, was excited. “The success of these nights demonstrates the power of shared experiences, good food, the magic of film and fostering community building with lasting memories.” DSN member Jacqueline Musry brought her family. “It was really such a special night! DSN is such an amazing organization that never stops impressing the community. We are so blessed.”

INBAL KHABIEH

“A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN CAN CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY!” SUCH WAS THE MINDSET OF RUTH JEROME A”H, WHOSE PASSION FOR OPEN LANDSCAPES TRANSCENDED GARDENING AND EXTENDED TO A DEEP INTEREST IN HOW A SPACE CAN BE UTILIZED AND TRANSFORMED INTO SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL.

She imparted this love for landscape design to her son, Abe Jerome, and together they toured and enjoyed gardens all over the world. Four years after her passing, Abe Jerome carries on this legacy by leading the Ruth Jerome A”H Annual Garden Tour in collaboration with Director of the Sephardic Community Center’s Women’s Culture Club, Julie Sherr.

On July 12th, over 200 men and women gathered in Deal for the Garden Tour. The day began at the home of Rina and Ely Cohen, where guests received pink parasols and fans upon check-in. As guests entered the yard, they were greeted by delicious lunch options from Nicole’s Kitchen, which they enjoyed while overlooking a pool covered in hand-painted Italian tiles. Surrounded by palms and lush grass, the greenery perfectly complemented the ocean views and breeze. The group then proceeded to Jo Ann and David Levy’s home just across the street, which featured a yard and vegetable garden that overlooked the beach. The design of the garden was a perfect marriage between vintage and contemporary elements. This design approach was a common theme among many homes on the tour, as they had been occupied by multiple generations of the same family and managed to preserve family history while staying up-to-date.

After a relaxing moment enjoying the sea air, the group moved on to the home of Mimi and Lou Franco. There, they encountered a sprawling yard that included a miniature golf course, an expansive pool house, and an abundance of colorful flowers that created a delightful ambiance. With its diverse features and activities, it’s no wonder that the Franco family’s children and grandchildren gather at the home each weekend, with one even living there for the summer.

Following the visit to the Franco’s house, a short trip down the road led everyone to the home of Paulette and Morris Bailey, where they were served TeaToxx Iced Tea, which was a refreshing way for everyone to cool down. The different spaces in the yard, such as the tennis area, the pool area, and the patio, gave a sense of individuality to each activity while still bringing everyone together. These spaces were designed to cater to people of all ages and interests. Finally, the tour concluded at the home of Michelle and Jack Haddad. Guests traversed the expansive cobblestone driveway and were greeted by lush fountains circling over the pool, an expansive cabana, a dining table, seating area, and desserts. As everyone left the final stop, they received carefully curated gift bags containing a floral cocktail recipe book, a floral deck of cards, a colorful scarf, and Popsanity popcorn.

Each year, Abe Jerome and the Garden Tour Committee, in collaboration with the Sephardic Community Center, hand-select five or six homes for the Garden Tour. Not all of the featured gardens and pools are designed by Abe Jerome; sometimes none of them are. Nonetheless, Abe Jerome finds fulfillment in sharing his love and knowledge of gardens and spaces in honor of his late mother. The collaboration with The Center is the perfect alliance for what is not just a tour, but a celebration of family legacy, multi-generational use, occupancy, and development.

As we look ahead to the 5th Annual Garden Tour in 2024 B”H, we have a deeper love and appreciation for flowers, landscapes, and lineage. Abe Jerome’s wish is that a portion of the proceeds from the day will go to the Sephardic Center’s Senior Department. A heartfelt thank you goes to the staff of Abe Jerome and the Sephardic Center, as the Garden Tour would not be possible without their support. A special mention goes to Sonja Cabasso and Michelle Safdieh for their thoughtful and tireless efforts in making the Garden Tour a success. It is the hope of everyone involved that you not only stop and smell the roses, but also realize that the most lovely silence is that of growing things.

Inbal Khabieh is the Director of Education and Admissions for the Sephardic Center’s Early Childhood program. Preceding her career in education, Inbal’s first love was Journalism. She holds a Bachelors degree in politics and journalism She shares a passion for community, family, tradition and legacy – all the SCC’s core values. Inbal lives in Brooklyn with her husband Simon and 2 children.

WHO’S GOING TO CARE FOR YOU?

ARI BAUM, CFP®

IF YOU’VE EVER SEEN A LOVED ONE LOSE HIS OR HER CAPACITY FOR LIVING INDEPENDENTLY, YOU KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. BECOMING IMPAIRED OFTEN STARTS WITH UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES.

All too often, struggles with the normal activities of daily living are accompanied by the loss of dignity and rapid depletion of savings. You need assistance but might not want members of your family to handle more delicate tasks.

Here’s the hard truth: hiring help for your “long-term care” is not covered by Medicare, nor by most employer or retiree health plans.

Help does not come cheap, especially when it’s all out-of-pocket. Many folks prefer to stay in their home for as long as possible. Whether you’re cared for at a facility or at home, the expenses add up.

If you’ve helped a relative through this process, you probably want to avoid the stress and loss of dignity that come with having your spouse and kids (or others) make decisions for you. Planning ahead will help you maintain your dignity and independence.

SENSITIVE TRUTH #1
We’re all at risk of losing our future independence.
Your genetics could get in the way of the life you want in your upcoming years. Preparing a roadmap now, to provide for necessary care later, will help you feel less anxious about the risks. It will also help you navigate sensitive situations in the future.

Even if your family has no history of illness, the natural aging process causes all of us to lose our independence eventually. It’s not a matter of if it will happen, but when.

SENSITIVE TRUTH #2
Unforeseen expenses in your later years could empty your wallet.

Even with government programs such as Social Security and Medicare, the costs of living as an elder adult can come on suddenly and all at once. In fact, nearly a quarter of Medicare costs are spent in the last year of life. For example, the cost of a nursing home can exceed $90,000 per year — and could be much higher depending on where you get care.

What are the expenses? Even if you plan to remain in your home to avoid the high costs of a care community, you’ll need to prepare your home for aging in place. This could mean renovations, such as:

• Widening doorways
• Installing wheelchair ramps
• Adding walk-in bathtubs
• Remodelling the bathroom
• Putting in non-slip flooring

Home help comes with a hefty price tag. The cost of a home health aide is about $52,600 annually for 44 hours a week of help. Plus, you may suddenly find yourself needing more care that, which can only be addressed by moving into a nursing home or an assisted living community. The cost of memory care, should you need it, adds an additional layer of expenses.

Any of these expenses will significantly raise your cost of living and threaten your long-term financial security.

SENSITIVE TRUTH #3
Living independently tomorrow requires preparation today.

Most people want to live independently for as long as possible, including staying in their homes. Right now, especially if you’re watching self-sufficiency slip away from a loved one, you may be worried about what will happen to you when the time comes.

If you need care, who will provide it? If you have children, they’re a potential resource. That’s assuming that they live close enough to you, they don’t have to disrupt their standards of living, and they’re willing and able to take over these responsibilities.

On the other hand, you might not want your children to bathe you, as you bathed them when they were little. Or you might not have children or other relatives who can help. In these situations, you’ll need to hire someone.

Knowing what you want for your later years is key in making these decisions. Designing your roadmap for eldercare now will help you make cost-effective choices you might not be able to access later.

SENSITIVE TRUTH #4
The opportunities you have today may not be available tomorrow.

When it comes to paying for long-term care, a number of options are available to those who are currently healthy. But you may not be eligible for them past a certain age, or once certain illnesses have occurred.

One common choice for covering care costs is to self-insure or pay the expenses out of pocket. The risk is that you will run out of money or hurt your spouse’s lifestyle. It’s sadly common for children to receive diminished legacies or none at all, because the money was spent on the parent’s care.

An alternative to that is to buy a traditional long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy. It’s specifically designed to cover just your long-term care needs.

Another option is to buy what’s called an asset-based policy, typically a life insurance or annuity contract with a long-term care rider. Each insurance company structures them somewhat differently. In general, though, the amount paid for your long-term care is subtracted from the benefit you would otherwise receive from the contract.

Bottom line: you’ve got options, especially if you start planning early. Don’t wait to set your course for self-sufficiency in your senior years. It’s crucial to develop a strategy now that can be implemented quickly when needed. You already know what kind of independent lifestyle you want when you age, but you may not understand how to pay for it without draining your wealth.

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.

FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN OF SPECIAL NEEDS, IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT THE SPECIAL CHILDREN’S CENTER. SINCE THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS BEGAN REACHING OUT IN 1996, THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES CENTER OFFERS HAVE BEEN A GAME CHANGER FOR CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Chaya Bender and Jenine Shwekey are the women who started it all and are the most public faces of the Center today. “We never envisioned the size and scope of the Special Children’s Center,” said Chaya.

Jenine Shwekey clarified. “We were kids. It wasn’t our plan.”

Chaya added, “We came across people who needed help and we helped.”

They couldn’t believe what was going on behind closed doors of families with special needs children. They met overwhelmed parents, neglected siblings, and lonely special children, all in need of extra helping hands and communal caring. Families were struggling to cope and fighting a losing battle.

Back then, having special children was seen as a stigma by too many people, and the struggling families suffered the fallout. Chaya remembered an incident where a mother insisted that Chaya call when she arrived so she could make sure that her neighbors weren’t outside.

What a tremendous contrast to 2023, when hundreds of girls are on a waiting list to work at the Children’s Special Center and the Deal Camp. Hundreds more dedicated volunteers willingly give up their entire Sundays for the children. Volunteers and kids alike proudly wear Center T-shirts and sweatshirts. It’s incredible to see communities and families embrace and “adopt” children with special needs as their own! Today, the Center proudly services over seven hundred special needs children and adults, across their locations in New Jersey, Deal, Brooklyn, and Long Island.

And the dreams continue! After 10 amazing years in Brooklyn, The Brooklyn Center will finally get a state-of-the-art home of their own! Thanks to Alex and Harry Adjmi and Jack Scaba a property was located — 2990 Avenue U! The purchase was made possible by Marilyn and Jouky Chehebar who have been there for the Center since the first day. The Marliyn & Jouky Chehebar Brooklyn Building is currently finished with the interior demolition and is awaiting renovations. The Center needs your help to make sure that every child with special needs in Brooklyn has a magnificent building where they can spend their days.

Originally, Jenine and her friends, all high school girls, would run from one family to the next to help care for the special children and lighten the load for the parents. But they knew this wasn’t sustainable and were determined to find a central place for the kids to come to. They found an apartment and approached a rabbi for help to make it happen and he presented their idea to a potential donor. They were excited and passionate, and their pitch seemed to have made a powerful impression. The potential donor said, “It’s heartbreaking,” however, he said to the rabbi, “next time, come to me with older girls who have degrees in their hands and can actually do big things. Don’t come to me with little kids.”

Hearing these words, the young girls weren’t dejected, but rather empowered. Heading to the landlord of the apartment they wanted for “their kids,” owned by Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Pearl Herzog, Chaya and Jenine related what had happened. “Girls,” Mr. Herzog said, as he turned to the drawer and took out the keys, “it’s all yours.”

That was it — the Center’s first home. Although they moved at least ten times afterwards, and not every space they used was optimal, that apartment was a truly meaningful start. Next, they got a house, a setup that would last them a while. When they had outgrown the house, the township in New Jersey granted them an acre of land for one dollar. All they needed was a building! Jacob Mermelstein, of Ray Builders was introduced to the Center and a lifetime friendship was formed! He had an idea to do a barn-raising with each vendor donating their trade. The girls sat with the board members Harry Adjmi, Richie Dweck and Elliot Tawil, and they said “let’s make this happen.” Their outpouring of support and love has made a huge difference and continues to do so — 20 years later!

In the beginning, people would make supper for ten, fifteen, then twenty kids. Then volunteers would pick up the meals. While some things do change, and they’ve grown a lot since then, some things remain the same. A longtime friend of the Center, Esther Arking, still coordinates the food for the volunteers on Sunday and it’s all donated by local vendors.

Originally, the Center offered respite to the families twice a week, after school. Then they went up to three, four, five days a week. Now the center covers literally every day that a child is not in school. Every day after school, every Sunday, every legal holiday when their regular schools are closed, holiday trips, mid-winter trips and Shabbats.

Chaya set the scene: “Children finish school at 2:30. The schedules are impossible — they’re off more days than in school. How can a mother hold a job? Families were falling apart. They needed something they could rely on.”

“Everything the Center does is with two goals in mind: First, the families should be able to function. The parents and siblings should be able to live regular, normal lives. We want them to know we will be there for them, and they will be okay. Second, we want to give the special kids a Center, a place that belongs to them, a place with friends and understanding, and most of all, a place where they know, they can be anything.

To that end, the Center offers extensive support for families to help relieve the inevitable stressors they encounter. The after-school program offers a well-structured and packed schedule of learning and fun in a calm and supportive atmosphere. Run by a cadre of professionals with years of experience, the program includes a full Jewish learning curriculum for after public school, a drama program where children are introduced to and taught performing arts, a literacy program, a sensory program, a science program, and more.

It’s important to understand what an undertaking this is. Every child’s individual dietary needs are met. Every child gets the attention he or she needs to make sure dinner is eaten; some children might need forty-five minutes of careful feeding. After this comes time in the bathing spa. The Center offers haircuts every four weeks provided by volunteer barbers and hairdressers. The children go home fed, bathed, in pajamas, and ready to be embraced by their loving families.

And if the families face even more extenuating circumstances, there is a Center house with sleep-over options. A child spending the night outside the home once or twice a week allows the parents to schedule appointments and play dates for other children in the family, and often, just time to breathe. As for the Shabbat option, every Shabbat, the facility is filled to capacity. Just knowing this is available to parents, is a help for them.

A parent called the Center from New York inquiring about sleep-over options. “Wasn’t there even one facility in New York that offered overnights?” was the reply. “Yes,” replied the parent, “but they only take kids who sleep through the night.”

“Those parents take priority?” wondered Chaya. Who needs the help? Who can’t get a babysitter? “We get the kids who won’t sleep through the night, who can’t be with other kids. We deal with the hardest of the hard.”

The Center also deals with some of the hardest times of the year: the gap time before and after camp. These are hectic days with no school coverage, days filled with errands and appointments, getting other children ready for sleepaway camp, and doing back-to-school shopping. Imagine adding a special needs child to the mix. The Center offers the children structure with a full-day program, with a dedicated staff, from the day after school ends the day camp begins, and from the day after camp ends until the first day of school. Center Camp provides six weeks of fun for the children who don’t have a school program during the summer! The volunteers give up their days and weeks to give love, fun, and structure to the children who wait for camp all year round.

The Center’s mission is to keep kids at home with their families, but as the kids age, they have social needs that might not be met. To that end, the Center offers residential services. They opened the first kosher group homes in New Jersey. Jenine Shwekey said, “These kids thrive. They live with goals, they live in the community, their families are part of their lives.”

The Center’s yearly budget is $16 million, of which $11 million is covered by the state. They may need to raise $5 million a year but they won’t use those numbers as baselines to determine what services a child will be given. While the Center will bill for whatever services they can, it’s all hesed. Jenine and Yaakov Shwekey make it very clear.

Chaya told the story of a very difficult child they were working with in Brooklyn. The staff was struggling to help with his extreme behaviors, so they added a second personal aid and then brought in a BCBA therapist. Six months later he is independent and so proud of himself. The mother marveled at how far the Center was willing to go for her child, after other programs he attended threw him out once they got the maximum billing they could get for him.

Their big budget comes with other big numbers: 380+ staff, 700+ volunteers and 850 children and their families serviced by the Center.

But Chaya was emphatic on one point. “Even as we grow, we maintain the same family mindset we started with. We never become big and industrialized. The parents and staff are family to us.”

Chaya and Jenine’s optimism and willingness to help anyone shines through so strong.

Does the weight on their shoulders ever get them down? “We don’t live our lives like that,” Jenine said. “We live on the high energy of what we’re doing, the happiness we’re bringing, the lives we’re changing. We focus on our dreams, what we still want to accomplish. We just live our vision.”

A BOOK BY NORMAN D. LEVY

IN 1999, NORMAN D. LEVY FOUND HIMSELF AT A CROSSROADS. LIFE AS HE KNEW IT WAS CRUMBLING AROUND HIM. HIS BUSINESS WAS FAILING; HIS MARRIAGE DISSOLVING. HE WAS FACED WITH A CHOICE. EITHER RUN FROM HIS TROUBLES (ALL THE WAY TO CALIFORNIA FROM NEW YORK) OR STAY AND TRUST IN HASHEM — HE CHOSE TO STAY.

Leaning deeply into his faith and with the conviction that, more than anything else, he needed to be there for his children, Norman weathered the rocky roads that eventually led him into the light. Through prayer and resilience, he found his way to a better place, a happier life, surrounded by people he loves.

Through the course of his life transformation, Norman wrote about his experiences and then compiled those writings into a series of letters to his children. Each one included a lesson. In the letters he explained how to weather the storms, navigate the rough roads, and take moments to enjoy the path when it’s clear.

In 7 Highways of the Soul, we are shown that no matter what road you are on, if you invite Hashem to guide you, you will never be lost — only blessed.

Norman’s greatest wish is to assist others as others have helped him. He is strong in his faith and hopes that all those who are struggling find their way back home to Hashem.

“This book captures and describes so many great stories and lessons Norman learned over a lifetime facing many obstacles. Throughout, Norman illustrates and shares his wisdom and methods on how to persevere through challenging times to enjoy and create good times and memories to cherish forever,” said Sammy J. Sutton.

“This book should be kept close by, and read to your children and grandchildren to illuminate the road to leading a more meaningful life,” added David J. Beyda.
Available for purchase on Amazon.

FREDDY ZALTA

I WAS AROUND 20 YEARS OF AGE AND RIDING THE TRAIN WITH MY FATHER WHO WAS AROUND 72 YEARS OLD. WE RAN UP THE STEPS TO THE F TRAIN ON KINGS HIGHWAY. IT WAS AROUND 3 PM AND WE HAD THREE STOPS TO MAKE. THE LAST WAS TO PICK UP AIRLINE TICKETS.

“There is no way we will make it to El Al before they close.”

“Don’t worry,” my dad replied.
That was one of his catchphrases. Whenever I would get stressed he would pull that out. Or, “99 percent of the things you worry about never happen.”

Still I was never convinced. We got to the city a little after 4, we walked (it felt like he was running) towards our first stop. The man there was so happy to see my father, they kept talking and talking. As we left I told him, “Dad, we are running out of time, it’s already 4:30.”

“Don’t worry,” he said smiling.
It drove me crazy. How stupidly optimistic can someone be? I seethed inside. We made it to the next stop and once again the woman who met my father smiled and they spoke. We left at 4:55 and El Al was six city blocks away. “Dad we can’t make it.”

“Watch,” he told me, and he began his speed walk towards our final stop. “Are you hungry? Do you want something to drink?” He asked me.
“Maybe after we get to El Al, Pop.” He smiled.

In my eyes he was walking way too fast for someone his age. But he didn’t even show any signs of fatigue. Me, on the other hand, I was perspiring a bit and I was kind of out of breath. We went to cross the avenue against the light. He literally took my hand, put his other hand up, the cars stopped, honked and the drivers made faces or threw out some curses.

“Dad.”
“Don’t ever do this.” He said.
It was 5:07 when we got to El Al building and went up in the elevator. “Dad they are closed.” Ignoring me, he rang the bell. “They all went home, Dad.”

The intercom. “We are closed.”
“Tell Rivka it’s Sam Zalta.”
I thought to myself, “As if they know or care.”
Buzz, the door opened.

“Sam!” A tall man with a giant smile greeted him. An older lady ran to greet my father, “Come on in,” they said. There was a security guard who seemed to be an Israeli mossad agent. He smiled and said, “How are you Mr Zalta?”

I couldn’t believe this. We were not only late, but the office opened up and they actually made coffee for us. As we made our way back to Brooklyn he looked at me.

“You didn’t think I could do it, right?” I nodded. “Remember when there is a will, there is a way. Nothing is impossible.”

I was young, way more confident than I had the right to be. I was positive that I knew it all. I laughed at my father and in the end he got the last laugh. There were so many times in my life where I should’ve listened to him but I thought I knew better. It’s a disease of the young. They rush in where angels fear to tread and think they are invincible, they know better, and they will be smarter than the older generation. They think they know which key to use for each door which can lead them to the next room, the bigger office, the bigger house.

They think, “What does that old man know? ”How about years of experience failing and succeeding? It’s only now as I head towards my 60th birthday that I understand. So many missteps, so many keys leading to cold empty rooms. It’s only when it’s too late that the realization comes to us to admit we didn’t know as much as we believed we did.

So I think about my father, my parents really. The ability to understand that in the long run everything will make sense, an understanding that seemed to come naturally to them. But I understand that no one is born with that knowledge. The “you” you were at 21 is not the same “you” at any future date. We are meant to evolve physically and mentally. We must learn to discard the noise and embrace the music in our lives. Even in the silence when the noise of this world can be deafening we must find a way to make it through, and we will. That’s life. That’s the beauty of aging. We know so much more and are unafraid to admit when we do not. The inspiration, the experience and the evolution of ourselves guides us as we decide to “never go quietly into that good night.”

Freddy Zalta is an author for hire specializing in biographies.