A Local Jewish News reader received this book in the mail. It’s a book attempting to proselytize to Christianity.

As many are aware, there was an armed car robbery last night in the heart of our community. We are thankful to Hashem that the victims were not physically harmed. We are grateful to the Cleveland Heights Police Department who quickly mobilized and apprehended the suspects. While we must Daven for continued safety in our community, it is also prudent to take the necessary steps to ensure our neighborhood is not an easy target in the future.

1) Lighting on your property: As is evident to anyone walking or driving around the streets occupied by a majority of the frum Cleveland Heights community, there are many houses that don’t leave their exterior lights on or don’t have adequate exterior lighting. Criminals love to operate under the cover of darkness; the #1 deterrent to criminal activity is bright lights.

• Keep Exterior Lights On Please walk the exterior of your property (front, side and back) to ensure that current lighting is adequate and in working order and make sure these are turned on each night. There are currently many inexpensive LED fixtures that cost pennies to run, many with dusk-to-dawn sensors that make this a true “set and forget” option. Adequate lighting can also prevent slips and falls to both yourself and any visitors/passersby.
• Make sure your address is clearly seen and is illuminated at night. This will allow emergency services to easily locate houses in case of need. Currently, many houses in our community are not easily identified which can ח”ו exacerbate an emergency situation.
• Streetlights: If you see an inoperable streetlight, report it: 888-LIGHTSS or firstenergycorp.com/service_requests/report-lighting-problem.html If trees are blocking the light, contact the City at 216.291.7300 to request a trimming.

Chaverim is offering free property safety assessments. A volunteer can visit your property at night to assess the lighting and safety and make any pertinent suggestions. If you would like to utilize this service, please complete this form: tinyurl.com/ChaverimAssessment or email: chaverimsafety@gmail.com. (Please do not call the Chaverim hotline.)

2) Make sure doors are locked This applies to car doors, house doors and garage doors. Aside from making sure you are not an easy target, this would prevent a criminal on the run from having any easy place to hide from law enforcement. It is always prudent not to leave valuables in plain sight.

3) Got cameras? Let us know! Many homes are equipped with either full-scale surveillance cameras or Ring-type devices. Chaverim is compiling a list of these cameras in case of any future incidents. Please complete this form: tinyurl.com/CHcameras to be added to this list or email: chaverimsafety@gmail.com (Note: List will be held in complete confidence by Chaverim leadership).

4) If you see something, say something! Any suspicious individuals or cars should be reported to the Police Non-Emergency number: 216-321-1234 This takes a moment and is very helpful in ensuring criminals and other unsavory characters are made to feel uncomfortable in our area.

B”H we live in a quiet and safe community. Your Hishtadlus can help maintain this, עד ביאת גואל.

(Reprinted with permission)

8/26/22 12:48AM – Baruch Hashem Gavi has been found safe and healthy.

***MISSING JUVENILE***

Gavriel Dovid Elimelech ben Michal Liba

Beachwood Police are looking for a 15 year old boy named Gavi. He is 5’5-5’7 with slender build. Gavi is high-functioning Autistic. He was last seen wearing jeans with rips, a yellow T-shirt with Converse shoes and a backpack. Anyone with information please call BPD at 216-464-1234.

Click to view the entire PDF: Pesach Home Electrical Safety 2022

We clean our homes and rid them of all chometz as we prepare to have a simchas Yom Tov.  Have we prepared our homes for a safe environment enabling a simchas hachaim?  The same as we look for any chometz, what should I look for, that could hurt my family?    In this article we hope to address some of the issues.

Click to view the entire PDF: Pesach Home Electrical Safety 2022

Click to view the entire PDF: Pesach Home Electrical Safety 2022

We clean our homes and rid them of all chometz as we prepare to have a simchas Yom Tov.  Have we prepared our homes for a safe environment enabling a simchas hachaim?  The same as we look for any chometz, what should I look for, that could hurt my family?    In this article we hope to address some of the issues.

Click to view the entire PDF: Pesach Home Electrical Safety 2022

Cleveland Eruv Society: Important public announcement – 2/18/22

Please note that the crosswalk by Halcyon and Cedar Roads is temporarily not in the Eruv. It has been re-positioned outside the Eruv and therefore is not usable at this time. The rest of
the Eruv is intact. Due to the weather, we are unable to fix it at this time.

For updates, please call the hotline 216-586-9222 in the next few weeks to see when it is repaired. Sorry for the inconvenience.

…if it’s possible to do so without damaging the costume.

…if it’s possible to do so without damaging the costume.

A message from the Vaad HaRabbonim-02.

From Gesher’s February Newsletter:

It has come to our attention that there is a dangerous scam going around,  where the scammer is posing as a Medicaid case worker. The scammer will validate the call by identifying the last four digits of the victims social security number and ask that you return the call to 800-640-6446. The correct County Medicaid hotline is 844– 640-6446. If any of our clients feel that they may have been affected by this, please give us a call.

Printable version of the Vaad Hatzedakos letter

Dear Members of the Cleveland Community,

An individual from Israel recently received a letter from the Vaad Hatzedakos to raise funds in Cleveland. It has come to our attention that upon a review of their accounts, a member of the community noticed that a check given to this individual and written to Chasdie Tovim Meoros was used to create a dummy (fake) check, which was then deposited. While we cannot be sure if this individual was responsible, the individual was flagged in the database that we share with a number of cities around the country.

We are notifying you so that you can review your accounts.

In light of this incident, it is worth reiterating that individuals raising funds in Cleveland should be encouraged to obtain a certificate from the Vaad Hatzedakos. The Vaad is available every day and is easy to contact. Participation in this program helps prevent questionable activity and ensures that members of the community can have confidence in their philanthropic activities.

Thank you,
Rabbi Mordechai Mandel
Vaad Hatzedakos of Ohio

The Luach Davar B’Ito reminds all that Purim costumes (especially hats from Eastern Europe) may contain Shatnez, and accordingly should be checked in advance of Purim to make sure that the costume is usable. Renting a costume may prove difficult if one is not able  to partially open it up to inspect for shatnez. The Luach also advises against costumes that can scare others and also reminds parents to double-check the wearability of a child’s costume to avoid last minute disappointment that the costume does not fit or falls apart.

(Image from chabad.org)

Trash pickup this week for Beachwood, Cleveland Heights, and University Heights is delayed by one day due to MLK Day.

From prnewswire.com via a tip from a reader.

Duncan Hines Classic White, Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti And Classic Yellow Cake Mixes Recalled Due To Potential Presence Of Salmonella

As of now this is a voluntary recall. The products affected are the following:

Consumers who have purchased these items are advised not to consume them and to return them to the store where originally purchased.  Conagra Brands is cooperating with the FDA on this recall and is working with customers to ensure the packages are removed from store shelves and are no longer distributed. Consumers with questions should call our Consumer Care team at 1-888-299-7646, open 9 am through 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday or visit www.duncanhines.com.

In the past few days, there have been multiple instances of heat-related medical emergencies in the local frum community.

These tips from CDC’s Extreme Heat Media Kit can help you prevent heat-related illnesses,
injuries, and deaths during hot weather.

Stay cool. Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness.

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible.
• Find an air-conditioned shelter.
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
• Avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Check on those most at-risk twice a day.

Stay hydrated. Because your body loses fluids through sweat, you can become
dehydrated during times of extreme heat.

• Drink more water than usual.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
• Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Remind others to drink enough water.

Stay informed. Stay updated on local weather forecasts so you can plan activities
safely when it’s hot outside.

• Check local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips.
• Learn the symptoms of heat illness.
• For more information, please click here.

(For those of you that don’t have internet access, please email info@localjewishnews.com and we’ll email you the pdf.)

Chaverim of Cleveland Yom Tov Fire and Safety Guide

Chaverim wants to remind you that on all yomim tovim–but especially when there are three days of yom tov–there are many increased risks from extra cooking, leaving stoves and ovens on, increased use of fire and more.

Please download and print the following guide to help identify potential safety problems and work to avoid or mitigate them. Of primary importance, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives. Please make sure yours are healthy. Never ignore a detector’s alarm.