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Dr. Mindy Boxer – Acupuncture for Orthopedic Pain

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Dr. Mindy Boxer – Acupuncture for Orthopedic Pain

Orthopedic pain is a big deal for many Americans, and it comes in many different forms including knee, hip, shoulder, and other joint pain. Acupuncture has been proven an effective tool to deal with orthopedic pain…even Harvard Medical School thinks so. 

Chronic pain can be debilitating for those suffering from it and directly impacts quality of life. People often treat chronic pain with anti-inflammatory medications (both prescription and over the counter), physical therapy, or with ice and heat, but those options don’t always provide long lasting relief. According to Harvard Medical School, “acupuncture is an option with a good track record that’s worth considering.”

Harvard cites a study originally published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that found acupuncture to be a valid and effective treatment for chronic pain conditions. “Research from an international team of experts adds to the evidence that it does provide real relief from common forms of pain. The team pooled the results of 29 studies involving nearly 18,000 participants. Some had acupuncture, some had ‘sham’ acupuncture, and some didn’t have acupuncture at all. Overall, acupuncture relieved pain by about 50%.”

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment varies for each individual depending on the severity of the condition, there are many who find relief through acupuncture treatment for their orthopedic concerns. Here are a few ways it can help.

Acupuncture is extremely effective at pain management by modulating pain signals and stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. There is also something known as gate control theory where the needling process used can activate nerve fibers that inhibit pain signals, following the gate control theory of pain.

Acupuncture can reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, aid in muscle relaxation, improve joint and mobility function, address nerve compression, and reduce the stress that so often comes with orthopedic and chronic pain.

What acupuncture does best is not to merely address the pain, but to treat the underlying cause of the pain. For example, acupuncture is often indicated to treat chronic pain conditions that radiate pain along a nerve pathway, pain causing muscle spasms, inflammation, scar tissue, and pain that is in multiple areas of the body.

The number of acupuncture treatments required to properly address these health concerns varies according to the severity of the issue. In general terms, a chronic condition might require one to two weekly treatments for several months, while the sudden onset of pain can likely require a fewer number of visits. For others, significant relief is found after just a single treatment.

Just a quick Google search of acupuncture and chronic pain studies provides ample reason to give this therapy serious consideration. One of the greatest benefits to receiving regular acupuncture treatments is that it doesn’t just relieve your current pain. Having regular acupuncture sessions can reduce your overall occurrences of pain.

When your acupuncturist carefully places those needles, it is going far beyond just pain management. Through regular acupuncture treatments, you can strengthen your immune system, decrease stress, lower your blood pressure and even improve your sleep.

If you struggle with chronic pain, acupuncture is a pharmaceutical free, low-risk option that studies prove can offer long-term benefits for your overall health, not just your chronic pain. Let your acupuncturist do a proper health assessment and develop a plan to get you out of pain and back on track to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Call and make an appointment today!

Dr. Mindy Boxer is a holistic practitioner who has grown into her specialties in an organic way. Understanding a range of disciplines allows her to integrate the wisdom of Ancient healing in combination with the most recent innovations in Scientific research. This dynamic blend has enabled Dr. Boxer to help patients in the prevention and treatment of disease for over 25 years.
At age 15, Dr. Boxer began her lifelong practice of Yoga & Meditation, read many Nutrition books, began Juicing her Vegetables, and explored and all Raw Diet.  Recognizing the importance of Nutrition in overall health, she earned her Ph.D. in 1986 in Nutrition and Human Behavior, providing her with a solid foundation to counsel and educate patients on how to attain health and vitality.
Her informative Lectures and appetizing Cooking Classes were the perfect forum to educate the community about the effects of food on Mood and Behavior, as well as in innovative ways to balance Body Chemistry in order to achieve overall well being.
Sensing a need to expand her training and understanding of the human body as a whole system, Dr. Boxer continued her studies in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine,  and in 1993 earned a Masters Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine. She is licensed by the Medical Board of the State of California in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine and is also licensed by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.
These diverse disciplines give Dr. Boxer a unique view of the human body and how to keep it functioning in an optimal manner. Her practice of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and Functional Nutrition have a profound effect on Hormonal balance, Rejuvenation, and Immune system enhancement.
Dr. Boxer has a particularly keen understanding of Women’s Health issues including Gynecological irregularity, PMS, Fertility, IUI & UVF support, Healthy Pregnancy & Delivery, and Menopausal issues. Her interest in the human body as a dynamic system has given her the understanding to deal with such problems as improper Digestion and elimination, Cancer Support, Allergies, back pain, tight neck and shoulders, carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory distress, chronic fatigue, Insomnia, Stress, Anxiety and Depression.
She has also studied the art and science of Homeopathy, earning her Diplomate in Homeopathy from the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy in 1995. This allows her to treat the whole person — physically, mentally, emotionally.

Phyllis Shallman – Unlocking Financial Literacy

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Phyllis Shallman – Unlocking Financial Literacy
The Imperative of Making Educated Financial Decisions

Financial literacy is more critical than ever in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing economic environment. Being well-versed in financial education is not merely an advantage; it’s an essential tool for understanding and navigating the intricate web of modern finances.

Financial literacy serves as the foundational key that opens up opportunities for individuals to make well-informed, strategic decisions that have the potential to direct their future toward a path of prosperity and security. By empowering ourselves with knowledge of financial principles and practices, we can better anticipate and manage financial challenges, ensuring a more stable and prosperous outcome for our personal and professional lives.

A comedian recently joked, “I HAVE A SMART PHONE, SMART TV, SMART FRIDGE, AND A SMART THERMOSTAT… I’M ESSENTIALLY THE DUMBEST THING IN MY HOUSE.” This quip, while humorous, encapsulates a profound truth about our era. Technology not only simplifies and enhances our daily lives but also intricately intertwines with nearly every aspect of them.

Technology has made many facets of our existence more convenient, from controlling the temperature of our homes remotely to keeping perishable foods at the perfect temperature without a second thought. Yet, this convenience comes at a cost: a growing dependency on technology for even the most mundane tasks, reducing our need to engage our brains in what were once routine problem-solving activities.

There are numerous benefits to being financially literate. It empowers individuals to take control of their finances, make informed decisions, and avoid common financial pitfalls. It also leads to increased confidence and self-reliance in managing personal finances. Financial education can help individuals create a budget, manage debt, invest wisely, and plan for retirement. These skills are crucial for achieving financial stability and, ultimately, financial freedom.

Similarly, as technology continues to evolve, so does the financial landscape, making financial literacy not just beneficial but essential for effective money management. Understanding the basics of budgeting, investing, and saving is crucial in an age where digital transactions are the norm and new financial tools and products are constantly being introduced. Just as we’ve learned to navigate our smart devices, developing a keen understanding of personal finance is vital to navigating the complexities of the modern economic environment, ensuring we can make informed decisions that benefit our financial health in the long term.

Unfortunately, financial literacy is not heavily emphasized in traditional education systems. Many individuals enter adulthood without the necessary knowledge and skills to manage their finances effectively. This can lead to a cycle of debt, stress, and financial insecurity.

However, it’s never too late to start learning about personal finance. There are numerous resources available, such as books, online courses, and workshops, that can help individuals gain a better understanding of financial concepts and strategies.

The Foundation of Financial Literacy

Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most celebrated and successful investors, famously stated, “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.” This powerful statement highlights the critical importance of financial literacy: the foundation of understanding. Without a deep and comprehensive grasp of financial principles, individuals often find themselves navigating uncertain waters, making decisions based on guesswork and intuition rather than solid, informed knowledge. This vulnerability can lead to missed opportunities and potentially harmful financial mistakes.

The journey toward financial education begins with mastering the basic but crucial concepts—budgeting, saving, investing, and understanding credit. These fundamental pillars are essential for building a secure financial future. Budgeting allows individuals to create a spending plan, ensuring that money is allocated efficiently and savings goals are met. Saving is crucial for both short-term needs and long-term goals, providing a safety net and the means to accumulate wealth. Investing is the key to growing wealth over time, leveraging the power of compound interest and the stock market to outpace inflation. Understanding credit involves knowing how to use credit cards and loans wisely, vital for maintaining good credit scores and financial health.

Sharon Lechter, the acclaimed author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, elegantly sums it up: “It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.” This statement encapsulates the essence of financial literacy—it’s about making informed decisions that increase your current wealth and ensure its growth and preservation for future generations.

Financial literacy equips individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the financial world confidently. It empowers people to make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary risks, and ultimately achieve financial freedom. As society continues to evolve and the financial landscape becomes ever more complex, the value of understanding and applying sound financial principles cannot be overstated.

The Impact of Informed Decisions

Making wise and informed decisions about money transcends merely amassing wealth—it’s fundamentally about crafting a life characterized by financial serenity. When individuals understand how money truly operates, they are empowered to make strategic choices. These choices not only help to sidestep the pitfalls of unnecessary debt but also enable saving for future endeavors and the prudent investment of resources. The timeless wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” remains profoundly relevant in our times, underscoring the value of financial literacy.

Imagine a society where everyone is armed with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage their finances. The benefits of such an empowered populace would be twofold. On a personal level, individuals would enjoy a significant reduction in anxiety related to financial matters, fostering a sense of well-being and security. On a broader scale, the economy would experience enhanced stability. A populace educated in financial management would likely lead to a decrease in the economic turbulence caused by the accumulation of personal debt, as more people would live within their means, save judiciously, and invest intelligently. This vision of a financially literate world is not only desirable but attainable with concerted effort and education.

The Role of Everyone in Financial Education

Educational institutions, local communities, and workplaces need to take an active role in promoting financial literacy. This type of knowledge should not be a privilege accessible only to those actively seeking it out; instead, it should be readily available and widely offered to empower individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their socioeconomic background or current economic status.

As the esteemed Nelson Mandela once eloquently stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This philosophy holds particularly true for financial education, which can profoundly impact an individual’s ability to make informed decisions, plan for their future, and navigate the complexities of financial systems. Comprehensive financial literacy programs can equip people with the tools necessary for economic stability, fostering a more informed and resilient society.

A Call to Action

This is your wake-up call to take proactive steps toward financial literacy: Start engaging with financial education for yourself and those in your circle. Remember, it’s never too early or too late to embark on the journey of learning how to manage your money wisely. Begin by seeking out valuable resources, attend insightful workshops, delve into informative books, and, perhaps most importantly, don’t hold back from sharing the wealth of knowledge you gather with others.

By expanding your understanding of finances, you’ll be doing much more than just improving your financial situation; you’ll be laying the groundwork for a financially literate and flourishing community. As you and those around you grow in financial wisdom, the collective benefit will manifest in better financial decisions, increased savings, and a stronger, more resilient economy. So, take that step today toward a brighter financial future for yourself and your community.

Remember, every incredible journey begins with a single step. It’s the first step that sets you on the path toward achieving your goals, no matter how daunting they may seem. Today, I urge you to take that crucial step toward financial empowerment. It’s not just about managing your money better, but about creating a secure future for yourself and your loved ones. Embrace the opportunity to learn, grow, and make informed decisions that will benefit you in the long run. Your future self will undoubtedly thank you for the wisdom and courage you demonstrate today.

Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz – Hear Me Out

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Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz – Hear Me Out

Operation Inspiration

One day, my wife looked at me and said, “You’re not even listening to me, are you?!” I thought, “Gee, that’s a strange way to start a conversation.”

Yes, this is a joke. It didn’t really happen, but humor is based in truth, which is why it makes such an impact when we can relate to a joke. There’s an idea that people tune out their spouses, when they should really be listening more, hence the joke.

I recently had an experience which drove the point home to me. I’d gone into a drug store to get something specific. It was a store I don’t generally go to, so the layout was unfamiliar to me. Therefore, when I walked in, to save time, I asked the cashier where to find the item. She said, “It’s in aisle 14 on the left-hand side.” So, I headed over to aisle 14, looked on the left-hand side, and I saw similar items to what I was looking for, but not the one I wanted. Not just the brand, but the category was not there. I walked back and forth, up and down the aisle, trying to find it.

Finally, I spied what I was looking for. It was on the bottom shelf. Now, I’m used to the standard marketing procedures where expensive items are put at eye-level, and cheaper ones are at the bottom. This time, both the name-brand and generic items were on the bottom shelf. In fact, I couldn’t even stoop low enough to read the tags so I took a picture with my phone and read the price labels from it!

I made my purchase decision and headed to the register. The cashier asked if I’d found everything OK, as they are trained to do. I let her know that, actually, I’d had a difficult time finding the item. I said I was surprised that it was on the bottom shelf. She replied, “I told you it was. Aisle 14, left-hand side, on the bottom.”

I might have argued, to say that she’d told me aisle 14, left-hand side, but not that it was on the bottom shelf. I certainly didn’t hear her say that, or I’d have known where to look. But I couldn’t say for sure she didn’t say that. It’s quite possible that I just stopped listening.

I realized that quite often, when people are giving us instructions, we feel we have enough information and we shut off. Whether it’s listening or reading, we’re done. I’m sure many of you have taken that famous test which says at the top, “Read all instructions before taking the test.” Then it begins by saying, “Choose the correct answer for each question …” and “Fill in each circle completely…” et cetera, et cetera, ad nauseum infinitum.

Towards the bottom of the instructions is a line that says, “Do not fill in any circles on this page. Put your pencil down and wait for your teacher’s instruction.” Most students don’t get that far and furiously begin to fill in the circles to answer what turn out to be relatively easy questions. As they do, they’re smiling to themselves with how well they’re doing at answering the questions. Only at the end, when the teacher reads all the instructions out loud, slowly, do they begin to feel sheepish about what they’ve done. They don’t feel so smart anymore, because they got it wrong!

They should have been sitting there with blank papers, but because they didn’t follow directions, they ended up doing unnecessary work and looking foolish. I remember getting this test in maybe sixth or seventh grade and there were one or two kids who didn’t write anything. I’m not sure whether they read everything first, or had heard about this test before, but they certainly were smiling and proud of themselves for not getting caught in the trap.

When this occurred at the drug store, and I realized that I’d stopped listening, I considered that this is something many of us do. We think we understand; we think we’ve got it covered; and we don’t need to hear any more. Often, like in my case, we end up struggling because we didn’t pay attention; because we tuned out when we only had part of the message.

So often, people hear what they want to hear. They ask a question of a Rav or respected individual, and then they stop listening when they get out of the response whatever they were looking for. It sounds like a good plan, but they’re actually setting themselves up for failure, potential struggles, and not living up to Hashem’s plan.

When our parents or teachers say things, we think we know better. We forget they’re speaking from experience, or rationalize that the world is different and they don’t know what is correct in THIS situation. Sometimes, we might even do it to Hashem.

At Har Sinai, we said Naaseh v’Nishma, we will do and we will listen. One understanding is that we will do what Hashem wants because we’re willing to listen to Him. All I’m saying is this: word to the wise; make sure you don’t finish listening before He’s finished speaking.

 

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Did you enjoy this column? Feedback is welcome and appreciated. E-mail info@JewishSpeechWriter.com to share your thoughts. You never know when you may be the lamp that enlightens someone else.

Zera Shimshon – Parsha Bechukosai

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Zera Shimshon – Parsha Bechukosai

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l – The Rejection of Rejection – BECHUKOTAI • 5771, 5784

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Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l – The Rejection of Rejection – BECHUKOTAI • 5771, 5784

There is one aspect of Christianity that Jews, if we are to be honest, must reject, and that Christians, most notably Pope John XXIII, have also begun to reject. It is the concept of rejection itself, the idea that Christianity represents God’s rejection of the Jewish People, the “old Israel”.

This is known technically as Supersession or Replacement Theology, and it is enshrined in such phrases as the Christian name for the Hebrew Bible, “The Old Testament.” The Old Testament means the testament – or covenant – once in force but no longer. On this view, God no longer wants us to serve Him the Jewish way, through the 613 commandments, but a new way, through a New Testament. His old chosen people were the physical descendants of Abraham. His new chosen people are the spiritual descendants of Abraham, in other words, not Jews but Christians.

The results of this doctrine were devastating. They were chronicled after the Holocaust by the French historian and Holocaust survivor Jules Isaac. More recently, they have been set out in works like Rosemary Ruether’s Faith and Fratricide, and James Carroll’s Constantine’s Sword. They led to centuries of persecution and to Jews being treated as a pariah people. Reading Jules Isaac’s work led to a profound metanoia or change of heart on the part of Pope John XXIII, and ultimately to the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and the declaration Nostra Aetate, which transformed relations between the Catholic Church and the Jews.

I don’t want to explore the tragic consequences of this belief here, but rather its untenability in the light of the sources themselves. To our surprise, they key statement occurs in perhaps the darkest passage of the entire Torah, the curses of Bechukotai. Here, in the starkest possible terms, Moses sets out the consequences of the choices that we, Israel, make. If we stay faithful to God we will be blessed. But if we are faithless the results will be defeat, devastation, destruction, and despair. The rhetoric is relentless, the warning unmistakable, the vision terrifying. Yet at the very end come these utterly unexpected lines:

And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break My covenant with them: for I am the Lord their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the Lord.

Lev. 26:44-45

The people may be faithless to God but God will never be faithless to the people. He may punish them but He will not abandon them. He may judge them harshly but He will not forget their ancestors, who followed Him, nor will He break the covenant He made with them. God does not break His promises, even if we break ours.

The point is fundamental. The Talmud describes a conversation between the Jewish exiles in Babylon and a Prophet:

Samuel said: Ten men came and sat down before the prophet. He told them, “Return and repent.” They answered, “If a master sells his slave, or a husband divorces his wife, has one a claim upon the other?” Then the Holy One, blessed be He, said to the prophet, “Go and say to them, “Thus says the Lord: Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.”

Isaiah 50:1; Sanhedrin 105a

The Talmud places in the mouths of the exiles an argument later repeated by Spinoza, the suggestion that the very fact of exile terminated the covenant between God and the Jewish people. God had rescued them from Egypt and thereby become, in a strong sense, their only Sovereign, their King. But now, having allowed them to suffer exile, He has abandoned them and they are now under the rule of another king, the ruler of Babylon. It is as if He has sold them to another master, or as if Israel were a wife God had divorced. Having sold or divorced them, God could have no further claim on them.

It is precisely this that the verse in Isaiah – “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you?” – denies. God has not divorced, sold, or abandoned His people. That too is the meaning of the promise at the end of the curses of Bechukotai: “And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away . . . and break My covenant with them: for I am the Lord their God.” God may send His people into exile but they remain His people, and He will bring them back.

This, too, is the meaning of the great prophecy in Jeremiah:

This is what the Lord says, He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the Lord Almighty is His name:

“Only if these decrees vanish from My sight,” declares the Lord, “Will Israel ever cease being a nation before me?”

This is what the Lord says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below be searched out, will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done!”

Jeremiah 31:35-37

A central theme of the Torah, and of Tanach as a whole, is the rejection of rejection. God rejects humanity, saving only Noah, when He sees the world full of violence. Yet after the Flood He vows: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done” (Gen. 8:21). That is the first rejection of rejection.

Then comes the series of sibling rivalries. The covenant passes through Isaac not Ishmael, Jacob not Esau. But God hears Hagar’s and Ishmael’s cries. Implicitly He hears Esau’s also, for He later commands, “Do not hate an Edomite [i.e. a descendant of Esau] because he is your brother” (Deut. 23:7). Finally God brings it about that Levi, one of the children Jacob curses on his deathbed, “Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel” (Gen. 49:6), becomes the father of Israel’s spiritual leaders, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. From now on all Israel are chosen. That is the second rejection of rejection.

Even when Israel suffer exile and find themselves “in the land of their enemies” they are still the children of God’s covenant, which He will not break because God does not abandon His people. They may be faithless to Him. He will not be faithless to them. That is the third rejection of rejection, stated in our parsha, reiterated by Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, axiomatic to our faith in a God who keeps His promises.

Thus the claim on which Replacement or Supersession theology is based – that God rejects His people because they rejected Him – is unthinkable in terms of Abrahamic monotheism. God keeps His word even if others break theirs. God does not, will not, abandon His people. The covenant with Abraham, given content at Mount Sinai, and renewed at every critical juncture in Israel’s history since, is still in force, undiminished, unqualified, unbreakable.

The Old Testament is not old. God’s covenant with the Jewish people is still alive, still strong. Acknowledgement of this fact has transformed the relationship between Christians and Jews and helped wipe away many centuries of tears.

Harvard announces new ‘Institutional Neutrality’ policy, vowing to stay out of politics

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Harvard announces new ‘Institutional Neutrality’ policy, vowing to stay out of politics

The landmark report comes two weeks after interim president Alan Garber cut a deal with a student anti-Zionist group which ended a ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment.’

By Dion J. Pierre, The Algemeiner

Harvard University has announced that it will no longer take sides in polarizing political debates, a decision which follows months of condemnation from Harvard students and faculty of Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories and its war to eradicate Hamas.

The university policy, described as “institutional neutrality,” is the final recommendation of a report issued by a faculty group which interim president Alan M. Garber convened to study whether Harvard “should use its official voice to address matters of social and political significance.” According to The Harvard Crimson, Garber, as well as the Harvard Corporation, has embraced it.

“The university and its leaders should not, however, issue official statements about public matters that do not directly affect the university’s core function,” the report says, citing reasons which crystallized the group’s consensus and outlining its expectations of high-level, non-faculty Harvard officials.

“Faculty members, speaking for themselves, have expertise in the respective domains of knowledge, and they may often speak about what they know. In so doing, however, they do not speak for the university,” it continues.

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“The university’s leaders are hired for their skill in leading at an institution of higher education, not their expertise in public affairs. When speaking in their official roles, therefore, they should restrict themselves to matters within their area of institutional expertise and responsibility: the running of a university.”

The report also argues that Harvard’s “integrity and credibility” are “compromised” when it privileges one point of view over another and that doing so sometimes offends groups it aims to “comfort.” Moreover, it emphasizes that Harvard’s business is education, not politics.

“If the university and its leaders become accustomed to issuing official statements about matters beyond the core function of the university, they will inevitably come under intense pressure to do so from multiple, competing sides on nearly every imaginable issue of the day,” it continues.

“The university is not a government, tasked with engaging the full range of foreign and domestic policy issues, and its leaders are not, and must not be, selected for their personal political beliefs.”

The landmark report comes two weeks after interim president Alan Garber cut a deal with a student anti-Zionist group which ended a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” that had been erected at Harvard Yard.

While Harvard made some concessions — including promising the group a meeting with the Harvard Corporation Committee on Shareholder Responsibility to discuss the possibility of divestment from companies linked to Israel and factoring mitigating circumstances into disciplinary decisions rendered in cases brought against students who illegally occupied school property — it refused to adopt a boycott of Israel as a condition of the students’ going home for the summer.

Harvard struggled in its responses to Hamas’ massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, a wavering that critics have attributed to left-wing bias among Harvard leaders.

The school, led at the time by a president who later resigned after being outed as a serial plagiarist, was allegedly late in condemning the terrorist group’s atrocities and became a newfound defender of unbridled free speech — an idea championed by conservative academics and intellectuals at a time when elite universities allegedly took steps to squelch free speech — when over two dozen groups issued a statement blaming Israel for the violence.

It is not clear how “institutional neutrality” will bear on the welfare of Harvard’s Jewish students, who, a recently filed lawsuit alleges, have been victims of and witnesses to vicious incidents of antisemitism.

In the hours after the events of Oct. 7, 31 student groups at Harvard issued a statement blaming Israel for the attack and accusing the Jewish state of operating an “open air prison” in Gaza.

Later, students stormed academic buildings chanting “globalize the intifada,” a mob followed and surrounded a Jewish graduate student, screaming “Shame! Shame! Shame!” into his ears, and the Harvard Law School student government passed a resolution that falsely accused Israel of genocide and ethnic cleansing.

In December, former Harvard president Claudine Gay told a US congressional committee that calling for a genocide of Jews living in Israel would only violate school rules “depending on the context.”

In February, Harvard Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine — a spinoff of a student group allegedly linked to terrorist organizations — shared an antisemitic cartoon on social media which showed a left-hand tattooed with a Star of David, containing a dollar sign at its center, dangling a Black man and an Arab man from a noose.

The group’s former leader, history professor Walter Johnson, later participated in a “Gaza encampment” protest in which students clamored for a boycott of Israel.

Source: World Israel News

Israeli Military Takes Full Control of Gaza-Egypt Border

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Israeli Military Takes Full Control of Gaza-Egypt Border
By Pesach Benson • 29 May, 2024

Jerusalem, 29 May, 2024 (TPS) — The Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday it was in full “operational control” of the entire Gaza-Egypt border and has so far located 20 tunnels leading into the Egyptian Sinai.

The 14 km strip of land along the border is known as the Philadelphi corridor, a buffer zone created to prevent weapons smuggling in 2006 after Israel disengaged from the Strip. But in 2007, Hamas violently seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority.

The army said troops were physically present in most of the corridor, except for a portion of near the Mediterranean coast which is controlled by surveillance and firepower.

The army said it was aware of the presence of some of the cross-border tunnels. Another 82 shafts within the corridor area that did not cross the border were also discovered and will be destroyed.

The IDF reportedly found dozens of rocket launchers placed by Hamas along the border, a politically sensitive area. The border is technically a demilitarized zone under the terms of the Camp David Accords signed in 1978.

Israel took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and most of the border on May 7.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 125 remaining hostages, 39 are believed dead.

Document Reveals How Hamas Plundered Gaza Banks of Millions

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Document Reveals How Hamas Plundered Gaza Banks of Millions
By Pesach Benson • 30 May, 2024

 

Jerusalem, 30 May, 2024 (TPS) — The Israel Defense Forces exposed a Hamas document, revealing on social media how the terror group planned to steal millions of shekels from Gaza banks.

“Revealing an internal document issued by Hamas, which shows a plan by members of the movement to plunder the safes of a bank in Gaza, followed by the theft of hundreds of millions of shekels from the branches of the Bank of Palestine in the Gaza Strip by Hamas a month later,” Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic spokesperson said on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.

The Bank of Palestine is the largest Palestinian bank with branches throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza.

The document was drafted by a Hamas figure identified as “Abu Jihad” and dated March 10. According to the document, “members of the movement robbed branches of the Bank of Palestine in Gaza and stole more than 400 million shekels,” Adraee said.

Adraee explained that in early February before the document was drafted, “thugs belonging to Hamas threatened Bank of Palestine employees in the Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City about withdrawing cash from the bank’s safes.” Adraee added that on April 16, one month after the document, “Hamas members stole hundreds of millions of shekels from the branch.”

Two days later, the same people stole tens of millions of shekels from another branch in Gaza City, and then on April 19, hundreds of millions of shekels were stolen from Bank of Palestine’s main Gaza City branch.

“While the residents of Gaza are experiencing an economic and social crisis, Hamas is stealing without any hesitation from civilians in the Gaza Strip for the sake of its survival and the survival of its members, and it finances its terrorist activities on the backs and out of the pockets of the people of the Gaza Strip,” Adraee said.

The war has put a squeeze on Hamas’s depleted finances. Israel seized Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on May 7, and on Wednesday, the IDF said it had full operational control over the entire 14 km border, depriving Hamas of 20 smuggling tunnels discovered crossing into the Egyptian Sinai.

Before it lost control of the border, Hamas also hijacked humanitarian aid trucks delivering food, water, medicine, fuel and other supplies from Egypt.

As well, Israeli forces have confiscated more than $12 million in shekels, dollars, and other currencies from Hamas strongholds, operatives and affiliated money changers.

The money was transferred to the Ministry of Defense’s finance division for counting, then delivered to the Bank of Israel and deposited into state coffers.

While Palestinian residents of Gaza are displaced by war, Hamas leaders have been enriching themselves and their families for years. As The Press Service of Israel reported in September, Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Khaled Mashaal and Musa Abu Marzouk have personal fortunes worth a combined $11 billion, while the organization’s leadership controls an investment portfolio worth $1 billion.

Before the war, Hamas imposed taxes of 20% on goods smuggled from Egypt, and while earning an an estimated $450 million annually from Gaza’s black market trade.

Iran is also believed to provide Hamas leaders with a $100 million expense account.

Meanwhile, The Press Service of Israel reported on Wednesday that a Hezbollah crowdfunding campaign has sparked controversy in Lebanon, with critics arguing that the terror group is coercing citizens to fund a jihad campaign that does not serve the country’s interests.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 125 remaining hostages, 39 are believed dead.

 

Knesset Advances Legislation Labeling UNRWA as ‘Terror Organization’

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Knesset Advances Legislation Labeling UNRWA as ‘Terror Organization’
By Pesach Benson • 29 May, 2024

Jerusalem, 29 May, 2024 (TPS) — The Knesset plenum approved a preliminary reading of legislation designating the UN Relief and Works Agency as a “terror organization” on Wednesday. The bill, which must clear further legislative hurdles, would pave the way for Israel to sever ties with the UN agency.

Specifically, the legislation authorizes the Foreign Ministry to make the final determination on the terror designation. The agency would then be stripped of its diplomatic immunity, tax-exempt status, and other legal benefits.

The bill’s preliminary reading passed by a vote of 42-6.

Following the vote, MK Avigdor Liberman, who heads the right-wing opposition Israel Beiteinu party, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Today it is more clear than ever that UNRWA, which assisted in the murder, kidnapping and rape of Jews during the October 7 attack, does not assist refugees, but only the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.”

UNRWA has been under fire for months, with Israeli officials demanding the agency be stripped of its authority in Gaza and defunded amid revelations that members of the agency’s staff participated in Hamas’s October 7 attacks.

Israel’s largest bank froze UNRWA’s account in February over suspicious financial transfers that the agency failed to adequately explain. Israeli forces discovered a Hamas complex located directly under the UNRWA’s Gaza City headquarters. Computer servers belonging to Hamas were directly connected to UNRWA’s electricity system.

Soldiers have found weapons stored in UNRWA facilities on multiple occasions.

Jerusalem’s deputy mayor accused UNRWA of undermining Israeli sovereignty over the city, among other things.

Reports released by IMPACT-SE and UN Watch documented UNRWA employees expressing support for the October 7 attacks on social media.

The UN probed Israeli accusations against 19 UNRWA staffers. But to Israel’s ire, the investigations were dropped as UN officials claimed the evidence presented was insufficient. As a result, Israel is bypassing UNRWA in distributing humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian refugees are the only refugee population with its own dedicated UN agency. The rest of the world’s refugees fall under the mandate of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Israeli officials have called for UNRWA to be closed and for Palestinian refugees to be brought under the responsibility of the UNHCR.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 125 remaining hostages, 39 are believed dead.

Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz – Be a Prepper

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Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz – Be a Prepper

Operation Inspiration

In a drug store recently, a magazine caught my eye while I was waiting in line. The name of it was “Prepper,” and from what I could tell by my brief glance, it was geared towards people who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it, (also referred to as: TEOTWAWKI.) Preppers are people who plan, prepare, and gain skills, in order to survive when things go kaploowie.

In the 1950s, preppers were the ones building fallout shelters in case of nuclear Armageddon, and loading them up with twenty-five years’ worth of canned food and other non-perishables. In more recent times, they’re the people who are able to live “off the grid” and who have sources of energy and water that can be used even in the event of a major natural or man-made disaster.

During the COVID pandemic, amateur preppers were the people who stocked up on things like Clorox wipes and toilet paper. When I was in a store trying to buy Clorox wipes, and the frum couple who got to the shelf two seconds before me cleared all twelve containers, leaving none for me, they were prepping. When I opened closets and cubby holes in my home and found toilet paper, even into 2024, I knew my wife had been prepping.

Well, I may not know how to light a fire without a stove, grow my own organic produce using rotten fruit and a plastic bag, or pick up radio signals with a Swiss Army knife, but recently I realized that I’m also a prepper.

I had gotten a package of ten boxes of tissues from a wholesale club and was stocking them on the shelves in my garage. Before I put them down, I was pulling off the cardboard cover of each to reveal the plastic where the tissues come out of, and pressing my fingers into the perforated slit of the plastic to open it completely. It struck me that most people probably don’t do that when they put tissues in their garage. Why was I doing it?

Anyone who is reading this can probably answer that questions. Obviously, I was preparing them for Shabbos use. If you finish a box of tissues on Shabbos you can’t simply grab a closed box and tear off the cardboard circle protecting the opening. You’d be tearing, making the box into a usable dispenser, and other Shabbos no-no’s. If you want to have tissues on Shabbos, you’ve got to prep beforehand.

In fact, Chazal advise us all to become preppers in this way. The expression, “He who prepares on Erev Shabbos shall eat on Shabbos,” can be explained very pragmatically as I just did. If you want hot food on Shabbos, you’ve got to prepare your cholent beforehand, cook it, and keep it warm in a permissible way. On Shabbos you won’t have the chance to cook food, and that’s what the preppers of the world think. If there’s no power plants operating, no trucking companies moving goods, or anything similar, what will you do? But these preppers are short-sighted.

You see, they’re only concerned with the few years of life they have on this planet. We, as Jews, are preppers for a much longer future, one that is not just a potential need, but certain to occur. There may never be a nuclear holocaust or EMP that shuts down the power grid, but one day, we will all leave this world and enter the next. All we will have is what we prepared while we were here.

Mesilas Yesharim compares this world to the dry land and Olam Haba to a sea voyage. We will only have on the ship what we packed along in advance. Once you’re on the ocean, there’s no way to buy things to sustain yourself. In order to “live” in Olam Haba, you need a full complement of Torah and mitzvos. If you really planned well, you’ll set up subscriptions to keep having deliveries made to you. No, they aren’t coming from Amazon. The recurring merits are the fruits of the seeds you planted here during your lifetime. If you raised a family or influenced others in a positive way, and they do good things, those are dividends you’ll keep receiving, and that will keep you better supplied. But you need to be preparing in advance.

We’re now in the time of counting the Omer. As we count up the days, we recognize we’re getting closer to something big, and that we need to prep for it before it arrives. The forty-eight ways to acquire Torah are much harder to do in a single day. That’s why we have time now, so we’re thinking ahead and doing what we can ahead of time.

Think of the people in your life who get this. The ones who spend their time in Torah and mitzvos, collecting chesed and zechusim which will sustain them in the days ahead, when there will be no chances to “earn points,” are just like those people stockpiling their bunkers for a day which may never come, only better, because we know it’s inevitable. That’s valuable knowledge to have, and should inspire us all to prepare for the next world.

To paraphrase an old ad jingle: I’m a prepper; he’s a prepper; she’s a prepper; we’re all preppers. Wouldn’t you like to be a prepper too?

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