From Ohio JFS’ Twitter:

Because of the partial federal government shutdown, the USDA has instructed states to make February SNAP benefits available early. State of Ohio benefits will be released today, Wednesday, January 16.

This is not a bonus. Households that receive an early issuance will not receive benefits in February. Those receiving benefits are strongly encouraged to plan accordingly and make any food assistance they receive in January stretch as long as possible.

If you have questions about your case, please call your county JFS agency. Contact information can be found here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.stm.

Snow expected Shabbos and Sunday. Snowfall in Pittsburgh is forecasted as up to 14″ and in northeast central Ohio up to 8″. Snowfall predictions for northeast Ohio haven’t been released yet (as of 12:40pm) but the National Weather Service says:

“This system has the potential to bring significant snow to much of the region on Saturday and Sunday” (NWS).

Temperatures are expected to drop into the teens and lower.

Young Israel of Greater Cleveland was proud to receive a grant from the Orthodox Union to create an innovative series of three events for the women of our community, combining Torah study with opportunities for social engagement.

Our second event was held on Motzei Shabbos, 1/12/19, with over eighty women of all ages in attendance. Daniella R. Botnick delivered an insightful shiur examining midrashic traditions about the central role women played in Egypt, followed by a delicious light dinner from Chef Dave’s Catering and Bar Sushi.

After eating and shmoozing, Adina Forouzon shared some of her passion and tips for getting organized, and the evening closed with a presentation from Karen Marocco on how focused breathing and mindfulness can help face life’s stresses. After a few breathing exercises, everyone left the event both relaxed and excited for the next program, im yirtzeh Hashem to be held in March!

Cleveland Heights City Council seeks applications for the open Council seat of Councilwoman Cheryl Stephens (who was elected to County Council). To be considered for appointment, please visit www.clevelandheights.com/CouncilApplication. The deadline for all applications is Tuesday, January 15th at 5:00pm.

Rabbi Chaim Ellis, LISW-S, a talmid of Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, teaches in the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland and works as a social worker at the Yeshiva Derech Hatorah. He practices as a Licensed Social Worker in private practice and provides trainings to schools and mental health agencies.

The recent tragedy that took place in Pittsburgh is shaking the core of Klal Yisroel. The fact that a tragedy of this magnitude can happen in America, a medina shel chesed, where those who died and suffered injuries only because they were Jews is shattering. We don’t ask why as we do not understand. However, a tragedy can bring up feelings, fears and uncertainties. How do we address our young who look towards us for warmth, security and love?

To ignore it may not be correct–if even possible–in today’s day and age where the news surrounds us and arrives at lightning speed.

Here are a few pointers you may consider when discussing this tragic event with your children:

• Allow your child to talk – Of course you have to know your child. Children who are more anxiety-prone may need more reassurance than others. Shlomo Hamelech says “Daageh b’lev ish yaschenah it” (Mishlei 12:25). The Gemara (Yoma 75) learns from this pasuk, that when one worries, he should talk it over with someone. Talking alone can relieve their fears and stress. Allow your children to ask questions and discuss their feelings.
• Stay calm – When talking to your children stay calm as they will mirror our reactions.
• Eisav soneh es Yaakov – Use age recommend language. Anti-Semitism is real and not new at all. This tragedy is a very clear reminder. However, baruch Hashem, we live in a medina shel chesed where outwardly most people act nice to us for the exception of some very bad people. This incident is an example of just that.
• Do something – In situations like this we all feel like we want to do something to help make a difference and help lessen the pain. Children are no different. Have them daven for the injured, write letters or draw pictures to the respective families who have suffered losses, rachmana letzlon.
• Acheinu kol Bais Yisroel – All Jews are our brothers. No matter where are brothers are “Haomdem bein bayom u’vein bayabosho…” whether they are in Eretz Yisroel or anywhere in the world, we feel and care for them like brothers. This will teach our children empathy and caring for one another; especially towards our acheinu beis yisroel.
• Where evil is found, courage is found – Our talk should focus more on the overwhelming good that takes place in a difficult time like this. Rather than focusing on motives, guns or violence let us focus on the heroism displayed by our police officers and the incredible chesed that our Jewish community displays.
• Safety – Reassure your child that you together with the community are working hard to keep their shuls or schools as safe as they can.
• Tefilla – The most important thing we can do is turn to tefillah and daven for our safety. Share with your child that tefilla is the most powerful tool that we have. In fact we have a specific tefilla that we daven so that people who have evil intentions should not harm us. This is said at the end of Shemoneh Esrei: “V’chol hachoshvim alai raah, meheirah hafer atzasam v’kalkel machshavtam — As for all those who think to do evil against me, speedily nullify their plans and disrupt their thoughts.” We ask Hashem to destroy their plans from the very beginning. In wake of this tragedy, this tefilla takes on a whole new meaning.

May we never need to have discussions like this again and may we be zoche to celebrate the ultimate simcha in the coming of Mashiach speedily on our days.

The murder of eleven people during a Shabbos service this morning in a Pittsburgh synagogue is a horrific tragedy and an outrage. Our deepest sympathies go out to the mourning families and friends of the victims who were targeted because they were Jews. We extend our deepest gratitude to the law enforcement personnel who arrived at the scene and captured the murderer. We also thank law enforcement across the country who are ramping up security measures around houses of worship.

There are simply no words of condemnation that can truly express our anguish and disgust at the perpetrator of this hate-fueled act or others like it. Any platform or group, including those on social media, that serves to stir up and metastasize bigotry and anti-Semitic hatred, needs to be called out and shut down for incitement of violence. Until all Americans confront the horror of anti-Semitism head on, our great Democracy will not have achieved its promise.

May those who were injured in today’s senseless violence have a speedy and complete recovery from their wounds.

Agudah Arba Minim TSA Travel Guidelines (PDF)

As in past years, Agudath Israel of America’s Washington Office has worked closely with agencies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help avoid potential problems for travelers carrying arba minim.

Both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have notified their respective field personnel about the upcoming Sukkos holiday and the increased level of travel by persons of the Jewish faith, many of whom will be carrying arba minim.

The notifications, which have been sent out to federal officials at airports and border crossings, emphasize the religious significance of these items and outline the rules and procedures that would help allay possible security and health issues that are of concern to the federal government. Prior to these agency steps, lack of familiarity regarding Sukkos and the arba minim had led to numerous incidents each year of inadvertent mishandling and mistreatment — including denial of entry — of these ritual objects.

The TSA Notice makes clear that the arba minim carried in airports, through security checkpoints or on aircraft, are not on the “prohibited items list” and provides instructions for travelers needing “special accommodations” in regard to checkpoint screening.  The CBP Guidance sets forth detailed information regarding the inspection process for arba minim entering the United States from foreign countries through designated American ports and points out that the agency is “committed to treating all travelers, including travelers who may be observing Sukkot, with respect and dignity at all U.S. ports of entry.”

“We are gratified by the ongoing sensitivity of these agencies to the religious concerns of our community,” said Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel’s vice president for federal affairs and Washington director. “They are taking meaningful and appropriate steps to accommodate our religious needs.”

He also praised Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel’s national director of state relations, for once again producing a one-page handout (see above or click here) that travelers can print out – or save to their phones – to familiarize themselves with the rules before traveling.

Bikur Cholim of Cleveland is grateful to General Manager of Motorcars Toyota, Mr. Matt Gile, and the Motorcars Group for generously offering a $200 donation in support of the organization each time their dealership is presented with a special coupon towards the purchase or lease of a Honda or Toyota.

If you already took possession of your vehicle without presenting a coupon or if you plan to purchase/lease in 2018, please call the Bikur Cholim office at 216/320-1771 or email info@bikurcholimcleveland.org.

We will be happy to send you a coupon.

Bikur Cholim of Cleveland is grateful to General Manager of Motorcars Toyota, Mr. Matt Gile, and the Motorcars Group for generously offering a $200 donation in support of the organization each time their dealership is presented with a special coupon towards the purchase or lease of a Honda or Toyota.

If you already took possession of your vehicle without presenting a coupon or if you plan to purchase/lease in 2018, please call the Bikur Cholim office at 216/320-1771 or email info@bikurcholimcleveland.org.

We will be happy to send you a coupon.

As the first year of our careers division comes to a close, we are happy to share with you our accomplishments so far!

Stats:

• 125 clients serviced
• 43 job placements
• 15 aptitude tests taken
• 15 vocational training enrollees
• 12 resumes written
• 3 startups mentored
• 2 vocational course offerings

Services We Provide:

• Resume writing
• LinkedIn profile branding
• Career counseling
• Job placement
• Vocational training
• Startup mentoring

With the expanding growth at Gesher, we have made significant changes to accommodate the growing needs of our clients. We have moved to a new and larger location that has classroom space to house our vocational training courses. Additionally, we have just launched our new and updated website, featuring all of our career division services!

Thank you to all of our partners for allowing us access to your wealth of resources and for your willingness to meet our needs and specifications. We would not be able to offer these services without you!

Thank you to our committee members for your assistance to network, guide, and advise our clients and for connecting our staff with the various companies, agencies, and recruiters.

Thank you to all those in the community who have sent us leads and tips.

We are truly grateful to everyone for all the various contributions and support you have made to make this mission a reality. May we continue to work together as a community to support each other and grow successful together.

Bikur Cholim of Cleveland is grateful to General Manager of Motorcars Toyota, Mr. Matt Gile, and the Motorcars Group for generously offering a $200 donation in support of the organization each time their dealership is presented with a special coupon towards the purchase or lease of a Honda or Toyota.

If you already took possession of your vehicle without presenting a coupon or if you plan to purchase/lease in 2018, please call the Bikur Cholim office at 216/320-1771 or email info@bikurcholimcleveland.org.

We will be happy to send you a coupon.

Bikur Cholim of Cleveland is grateful to General Manager of Motorcars Toyota, Mr. Matt Gile, and the Motorcars Group for generously offering a $200 donation in support of the organization each time their dealership is presented with a special coupon towards the purchase or lease of a Honda or Toyota.

If you already took possession of your vehicle without presenting a coupon or if you plan to purchase/lease in 2018, please call the Bikur Cholim office at 216/320-1771 or email info@bikurcholimcleveland.org.

We will be happy to send you a coupon.