News

Our shul, the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, has had its share of “Hall of Fame” baalei batim: members who were loyal, dedicated, and wise – members who are beloved not just by peers but by the rabbi, as well.

The phrase quoted in the title is taken from T’hilim (Psalms) 117:1. It sounds familiar because we recite it in every Hallel. It concludes with, “because his kindness to us was overwhelming…”

A Russian prince once asked Rav Yitzchak of Volozhin to explain why non-Jews are expected to express praise to Hashem for his kindness to Israel.

The news this past week was in a tailspin. Damascus and its brutal dictator Assad fell to a group of bandits in a matter of days. Fifty years of oppressive family dictatorship have gone in a flash. Is that good news or bad news for the Jews? Hard to know. At least now, one major enemy has been defanged as Israel cleverly destroyed Syria’s entire abandoned air force, navy, and military bases. It seems to change the entire complexion of the Arab-Israeli situation.

I don’t know if it was prescient of me writing about Jimmy Carter last week, but the news of his death at 100 has just been announced. I have lots to say on Jimmy Carter, especially how negatively consequential his presidency has been for Jews. But it is better left for another time.

Back in 1938, actor/producer Orson Welles produced a live radio program called The War of the Worlds. In it, Welles – in a very convincing manner – reports on aliens from Mars invading Earth as they land in Grovers Mill, New Jersey. Although not intended, people listening to the program thought it was real, and that Martians were actually invading our country. A major panic ensued, for which Welles was later forced to apologize to the public.

Last week, I wrote about the year in review, as for who were the good guys and who were the bad guys when it came to supporting Israel. This week, I would like to dabble in my wishes and realities for the new secular year.