Thursday, Nov. 10, 3-5pm at Green Road Synagogue (note the time change).

6 tons of fresh produce! Please bring an ID.

This is the LAST distribution of the season.

 

Orders must be placed by November 16^th, 5pm by either email: koshercatering@ameritech.net or by calling 216.401.7431.

Order pickups will be November 23^rd 2-6pm.

Other arrangements can be made if needed.

HAC Cleveland Market Pre-Chanukah boutique partners with the Cleveland Chesed Center to collect children’s winter outerwear.  Please bring your new or gently used childrens’ winter outerwear (coats, hats, gloves, boots, etc) to the HAC Cleveland Market at Yavne High School, Sunday, November 13 from 6-10 pm.  Look for our collection box!

 

With the Medicare open enrollment in progress through Dec. 7, Gesher is offering a free service to anyone looking for a clear path through the sign-up process. For the second year, Gesher is providing certified Medicare counselors to residents of Cuyahoga County. Anyone entering or currently enrolled in the Medicare system is eligible to seek help regarding the government-based health insurance.

We are proud that Jim Aust, OSHIIP Coordinator for Cuyahoga County has dedicated two days during November for free consultations at Gesher. Jim retired from Kodak 3 years ago, previously worked at American Greetings for 22 years, and has extensive experience in finances. He is one of the most sought after Oshiip volunteers in the state.

Ohio ranks number one in the nation as OSHIIP planning had saved enrollees more than $15 million.

Jim Aust said a consultation gives newcomers a better understanding of the sometimes complicated process of acquiring insurance. Those already enrolled in Medicare need to review their plan on a yearly basis. Factoring in insurance companies changing what they will cover, premium adjustments, and the changing healthcare need for the individual, a review is essential.

Companies will, at times, add or omit coverage of certain prescription drugs a person may need. If someone has a health condition that requires specific medication, they should not assume their insurance company will continue to cover it in the new year.

To schedule an appointment, contact Gesher at 216 862 4599 or info@geshercleveland.org

 

Feedback from previous participants:

▪ 75% of respondents said their OSHIIP consultation with Jim was extremely beneficial.

▪ 100% of respondents reported that Jim answered their questions very well.

▪ 100% of participants said they would recommend our OSHIIP service to a friend.

One participant said: “I thought I had found the best plan by myself. Jim from OSHIIP and Gesher saved me a significant amount of money on Medicare premiums!” Another shared: “I recommend anyone approaching retirement to have a consultation with Jim.”

We are excited to share with the community that through the generosity of CareSource Foundation we were able to secure additional funding for the teenage pilot program launched earlier this year.

Yesh Tikvah is an organization that brings hope to Clevelanders who need mental health care, but can’t afford it.  Up until now, Yesh Tikvah has served only clients 18 years or older. However, the need to serve teens in our community has been studied. In 2010, Dr. Mendel Singer, PhD., MPH did a survey of the three main schools serving the Orthodox community. Participants in the study answered questions about stress, depression, and living up to expectations. High school girls were given additional questions about body image.  The results across the board left no doubts. Forty three percent of Orthodox high school girls are bothered by their body image. Depression symptoms were reported in forty two percent of the respondents.

Yesh Tikvah has been able to initiate a pilot teen program with funding for ten teens. To qualify, applicants must have explored free or cheaper options (additional rules can be found on the website and in the guidelines).  All information is kept strictly confidential. To apply for adult Yesh TIkvah services, there is an application on the website,  www.ytforhope.org . For teen applications, please email Rabbi Joseph at alj@ytforhope.org   or call him at 216-403-2726.

(You can also read an OpEd supporting Hillary Clinton.)

“The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and ally – not a 20 percent traitor.” – President Ronald Reagan

“It’s because of you that a Marine can serve his country without hiding the husband he loves.” – President Obama at Hillary rally Nov 2^nd 2016

Many people in the Torah-observant community are agonizing over the question of who to vote for in this election. Their social values are overwhelmingly conservative and have therefore historically voted Republican. Due to a bizarre and unexpected turn of events, Donald Trump has emerged as the Republican nominee.

The question that faces us is this: Are we okay with Hillary becoming the next president? If the answer is ‘no’ then your only option is to vote Trump.

It is immature and pointless to say ‘I don’t want her so I’ll abstain from voting or enter a third-party name’. If you do not want Obama and Bill Clinton to have a third term as president, you must vote for Trump.  Otherwise you are helping to elect Hillary. It’s that simple.

Some sit on a “moral high horse”. They say, ‘Given Mr. Trump’s sordid past how will I explain my vote to my children?”

My answer is we are not electing the Rabbi or Saint in Chief. We’re electing the Commander in Chief. The most important responsibility of a President is to keep the citizenry safe. I do not look to my President for moral guidance, for virtues and for my life’s purpose. I ask of him just one thing, ‘keep America strong and our enemies on the run’.

If you believe that Hillary Clinton and her former boss Barack Obama, have succeeded in this mission, then by all means vote for her.

However, if you are concerned with Hillary…

• …continuing to deplete America’s military might and influence in the world;
• …allowing Iran to build a legal nuclear arsenal and sending them billions in former frozen assets;
• …failing to respond to our military trapped in Benghazi resulting in four dead Americans;
• …allowing tens of thousands of un-vetted Islamic refugees to flood our country;
• …associating with Huma Abedin, a woman with direct links to terror groups;
• …lying to the FBI about her private server, which we now are told, was hacked by our enemies;
• …hiring activists to foment violence at her rivals’ political rallies;
• …accepting millions to her Foundation from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries with a history of human rights abuses;

then your only option is to vote for Donald Trump.

I will also raise the issue of the Supreme Court appointments. The next president will very likely appoint 1-3 justices to the court. Hillary has told us she wishes to appoint judges who will advance her [radical] “social justice” agenda. This would easily impact America’s future for a half century, long after she has left the presidency.

Our daughters could be raised in a world in which they are forced to share bathrooms with “transgender men” and private institutions are forced to recognize “abominable marriages” and insure medical procedures that are against our Torah values.

What will you respond then, when they ask you why you sat back and allowed Hillary to become president?

To be clear, I am not a fan of Donald Trump and I am disappointed that he is our nominee. But the notion of a third Obama term should Hillary be elected, is quite unbearable.

Pro-Clinton advocates may harp on Trump’s moral failings and some of his questionable business practices. (I could do the same about Clinton and fill an encyclopedia.) These, however, are largely distractions designed to engage us emotionally rather than rationally.

Is Trump a conventional Republican? Most certainly not. Are there issues where I flat-out disagree with him? Most certainly yes. (His policy on trade is one example.) Will he adopt some controversial policies as president? Without a doubt.

But if I agree with him 80 percent of the time and with Hillary zero percent… who is the traitor?

 

Included are links that should be of interest.

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/ywn-videos/477462/watch-donald-trump-vows-to-protect-israel.html

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/481524/read-it-here-trumps-real-positions-regarding-israel.html

(You can also read an OpEd supporting Donald Trump.)

Any presidential election is important – but this election is different from any other election we have experienced in recent history. Instead of explaining why I am voting for Hillary Clinton, I want to share what I have been hearing from friends and family (and some Conservative journalists) who traditionally vote Republican, but this election are voting for Hillary Clinton and not Donald Trump:

1. Donald Trump’s campaign has surfaced the worst rise of anti-Semitism that we have seen in decades, perhaps since the end of WWII.  Time and time again, Donald Trump has refused to condemn racists and anti-Semites who use his name to further their disgusting ideologies. People like David Duke – head of the KKK – and those alt-right bullies who have attacked Jewish journalists on Twitter (even the very Conservative ones!) with nauseating and despicable Holocaust imagery and “cartoons.” The ADL (whose main purpose is to track and fight anti-Semitism) has called out Trump again and again for aspects of his campaign that encourage anti-Semitism or even invoke it. Trump’s assertion that he marched in the Israeli Day Parade in NYC and has a Jewish son-in-law shouldn’t be enough for our community to dismiss the new public rhetoric where neo-Nazis and white supremacists are encouraged to share and promote their views.
2. People say Donald Trump is good on Israel. Scores of conservative/Republican columnists and lawmakers have said clearly that Trump has ZERO foreign policy experience. In addition, his Twitter rampages make it clear that he has no self-control or any understanding of what is needed to be the country’s leader on the international stage. I’d be surprised if Trump understands the difference between Sunni Hamas and Shiite Hezbollah. Then people say well Trump is better than Clinton. Clinton, although somewhat constrained by Obama’s foreign policy while Secretary of State, has a clear and obvious history of standing behind and beside Israel. Clinton has been involved in Israeli/Palestinian peace negotiations. In 2014, Clinton brokered the cease-fire following the Gaza war. An interview with Jon Stewart of the Daily Show after the war in 2014 made Clinton’s stance on Israel very clear. She would not let Jon Stewart sympathize with the Palestinians, particularly not Hamas. She blamed Hamas for the state of Gaza and for the fact that Israel had to respond to the thousands of rockets fired on its people. She called out the destruction of the greenhouses and agricultural industry in the Gush for what it was – pure hatred of Israel. Google the clips – I think you’ll be surprised. Furthermore, Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of the Orthodox Union’s kosher division and Rav of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Englewood, N.J., publicly supports Hillary Clinton and has cited her deep and constant support for Israel. Clinton supports peace only through direct negotiations and opposes the BDS movement. In fact, Clinton wrote a public letter to the Methodist Church when the national Methodist Church sought to adopt a BDS resolution. It was her intervention that helped quash the BDS attempt.
3. Prominent national conservative journalists and thought-leaders have publicly declared they are voting for Clinton. But why you might ask? Columnists like David Frum in the Atlantic and Bret Stephens in the Wall Street Journal all give the same reason. Although they disagree with (almost) every policy Clinton espouses, they acknowledge the following:
   1. Clinton actually has significant government and public policy experience qualifying her for the office of the President. Trump does not..
   2. Trump has demonstrated time and time again he has no regard for democracy of the history and tradition of our great country. Bret Stephens called him “a threat to the republic.”  David Frum called him “the most anti-constitutional personality ever to gain a major-party nomination for the U.S. presidency.” These are conservative political thought leaders! Republicans who study these issues and politics for a living have concluded that while we could survive four years of HIllary implementing different policies from conservative ones Republicans hold dear, the nation (the NATION!) may not survive four years with Donald Trump as President. That is a sobering observation and you have every reason to believe these people.
   3. David Frum put it best – “To vote for Trump as a protest against Clinton’s faults would be like amputating a leg because of a sliver in the toe; cutting one’s throat to lower one’s blood pressure.”
   4. And to all those who keep claiming all of Trump’s “expert” advisers will control him, you all should know that government doesn’t quite work like that. Executives must make decisions and they alone must make them. They may get input and advise, but it’s clear from the campaign that Trump doesn’t take advice from anyone. Just today the news has reported that Trump’s campaign has refused to allow him to post on Twitter. Trump can’t even tweet without oversight. Is that a person capable of being president?
4. I could go on and on but I’ll just make one last point – Donald Trump is a lying, immoral womanizer who mocks those with disabilities, those with different backgrounds, and those who don’t fit into his definition of perfection. Morality in our community is paramount. We live by the Torah and so many of our halachos require modesty – in dress, in sight, in language, in composure. Trump’s comments and actions that have surfaced over the last few months have been abhorrent. So much so that I have heard others say they are afraid of their children hearing about any of it, it is to despicable to our way of life as frum Jews. How can we (anyone) stand by and let this person take the highest office in the land. How will be able to shield our children (and ourselves!) from the nivul peh, the continual revelations of immoral conduct, and the lack of respect and modesty with which Trump comports himself? I can’t answer this question and I know many of my other friends can’t either. And for all those who say that Bill Clinton is just as immoral, I might disagree with the premise, but I disagree more with turning away from a real presidential candidate because of what her spouse did. Trump did these things that have been reported on in the news. We, the light upon the nations, should support a candidate whose very essence is the absolute opposite of everything the Torah teaches us? While Agudath Israel can’t endorse a candidate for President, it should be noted that Shlomo Werdyger – Board Chair of Agudath Israel of America – is publicly supporting Hillary Clinton. That says something.

I hope that you will take the time before election day to google and read for yourself the various articles and the clip I describe above. On Tuesday, vote as a Torah Jew and vote for Hillary Clinton.

Congregation Zichron Chaim will be having an 8:00 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Maariv (Sunday through Thursday) in addition to the Maariv following Mincha.

Located on the beautiful HTC campus in Skokie, Illinois, we offer a multifaceted program of Torah Study, sports,
and recreational activities creating a camping experience that will change your son’s life, give him inspiring memories, and create friendships for life. Our 200 campers and staff come from over 50 communities coast to coast, and world over. Camp dates for this summer are June 27th through July 25th. Boys currently in 5th through 10th grade are eligible. The camp fee $2,310 and an early-bird discount of $250 is available until November 30th, 2016. A $150 discount is offered to new campers.

Click www.yhk.htc.edu for all the latest information, camp video, scrapbooks, scholarship information, calendars, and application.

Email: yhk@htc.edu

Chef Dave’s Catering Thanksgiving Takeout Menu – place your order online.

ATTN: Medicare annual enrollment (AEP) started already and ends Dec. 7th.
Wondering which of the many Medicare plans is right for YOU? Call me at (216) 835-1255 today!

With the Medicare open enrollment in progress through Dec. 7, Gesher is offering a free service to anyone looking for a clear path through the sign-up process. For the second year, Gesher is providing certified Medicare counselors to residents of Cuyahoga County. Anyone entering or currently enrolled in the Medicare system is eligible to seek help regarding the government-based health insurance.

We are proud that Jim Aust, OSHIIP Coordinator for Cuyahoga County has dedicated two days during November for free consultations at Gesher. Jim retired from Kodak 3 years ago, previously worked at American Greetings for 22 years, and has extensive experience in finances. He is one of the most sought after Oshiip volunteers in the state.

Ohio ranks number one in the nation as OSHIIP planning had saved enrollees more than $15 million.

Jim Aust said a consultation gives newcomers a better understanding of the sometimes complicated process of acquiring insurance. Those already enrolled in Medicare need to review their plan on a yearly basis. Factoring in insurance companies changing what they will cover, premium adjustments, and the changing healthcare need for the individual, a review is essential.

Companies will, at times, add or omit coverage of certain prescription drugs a person may need. If someone has a health condition that requires specific medication, they should not assume their insurance company will continue to cover it in the new year.

To schedule an appointment, contact Gesher at 216 862 4599 or info@geshercleveland.org

 

Feedback from previous participants:

▪ 75% of respondents said their OSHIIP consultation with Jim was extremely beneficial.

▪ 100% of respondents reported that Jim answered their questions very well.

▪ 100% of participants said they would recommend our OSHIIP service to a friend.

One participant said: “I thought I had found the best plan by myself. Jim from OSHIIP and Gesher saved me a significant amount of money on Medicare premiums!” Another shared: “I recommend anyone approaching retirement to have a consultation with Jim.”

Thanks to all our friends and supporters, the Music For Food Concert on Nov. 13th is SOLD OUT.

But you can still be part of this wonderful event by helping Kosher Food Pantry distribute food to 4,000 each month in our local community. Please make a generous donation today!
http://www.kosherfoodbankcleveland.org/concert/

Chef Dave’s Catering Thanksgiving All-You-Can-Eat Dinner Buffet – Reserve by 11/9 and save $$!! Make your reservations online.

(You can also view an OpEd opposing Issue 109.)

It’s clear from many in our community that they do not plan to vote in favor of Issue 109 – the operating levy on the ballot to fund the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District operating expenses.

I know that many in our community struggle financially and they consider this levy a burden.  But we should all consider this levy as an investment – in our community, our housing values, our neighbors, and the services that we or our neighbors directly receive from the District.

The challenges the District faces are not simple.  The state funding formula has placed the burden of operational funding on the residents of the District.  The CH-UH community is responsible for generating approximately 70% of the District’s operational revenue to keep the District at its current status quo.  This is not uniform across the state and CH-UH residents are unfairly and unequally burdened with this responsibility.

All of us know the importance of a quality public school system for our cities.  Our property values and our quality of life depend on a thriving and attractive public school district.  Therefore, the failure of the levy and its likely negative effects on the District’s ability to improve its struggling educational system affects us as it does all other residents.

Issue 109 is the smallest levy in more than 30 years.  The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School City School District has made $8 million in budget cuts over the past 18 months. They have also reduced spending on operations for each of the past four years.

This levy is necessary to protect our current levels of teachers and programming and to maintain the District’s educational offerings at its current level.  Even if we don’t have children in the schools, their performance affects all of us. We want engaged and well-educated neighbors. Strong public schools make for strong communities.

No doubt, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school district spends a lot of money on its students. Some people point to this as a reason not to support public education. I actually think it’s a fact about which we should all be proud.  Some of the recent “facts” levy opponents are highlighting about administrator salaries take the focus away from the fact that we need adequately paid teachers and administrators to obtain the educational outcomes we seek.  This levy is about maintaining a minimum level of educational services to these students.  We shouldn’t let misinformation take our eyes off the main purpose of this small levy.

In the face of reduced funding from the state, the burden for funding our schools is left to those who pay property taxes.  I will vote for Issue 109 so that we can sustain a strong public school system for the good of all that live in the district. And I will do it with pride. As a fellow community member, I ask you to join me in voting for the levy on November 8.

(You can also view an OpEd supporting Issue 109.)

Why I’m Voting NO on Issue 109

This Tuesday I’m voting NO on Issue 109, the Cleveland Heights University Heights (CHUH) property tax levy, and I want to explain why. The CHUH school district is asking us to approve a property tax increase that will increase taxes on each $100,000 of house value by about $200 a year, and give the school an additional $5.5 million a year on top of the current spending as reported on the Ohio Dept. of Education (DOE) website of about $107 million. Now an additional $200 may not seem like a lot, but voters should be aware that our property taxes are already the 4^th highest property taxes by house value (i.e. millage) in the entire state. 4^th highest out of 614 school districts in Ohio!

I will make the argument that not only should we not give the school an additional $5.5 million a year, but the school should actually be spending $28 million a year less, and our property taxes should actually be considerably lower than they currently are. Why do I say this? Consider the following:

1. The school is overspending by more than $28 million a year. The Ohio DOE website contains a very important report for analyzing school districts. The report can be found at http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Finance-and-Funding/Finance-Related-Data/Education-Fiscal-Data-Project. It is a report that compares each school district in Ohio with the other school districts in the county and with all the school districts in Ohio. The report shows that average spending per pupil in the CHUH school district is $19,671 versus $14,445 for all the school districts in Cuyahoga County. That’s an additional $5,226 for each of the 5,437 children reported in the school district, or 36% more than the county average. If you multiply the overspending by the number of children in the school you come to $28,413,762.
2. The school is grossly overstaffed. What is the school spending the extra $28 million on? I think part of the answer can also be found in the Ohio DOE report. The report shows that K-12 Pupil Teacher Ratio (which measures how many students there are in the district for every teacher employed by the district) of 11.6 for our school district and 14.7 for the rest of Cuyahoga county. This shows that the school has 20% more teachers per student than the average school district in Cuyahoga County. The report shows that school has 468 teachers and I believe the overall employment in the school is approximately 1300 people. This would suggest the school has 94 more teachers that it needs, and if we extend this ratio to the overall staffing, 260 overall positions too many.
3. The school is overpaying its staff. Another place the school could be overspending is salaries. The DOE Center for School Finance District Profile Report shows that average salary for administrators in CHUH is $105,743 but only $87,634 in Similar School District, or 20.6% more. The report also shows that average teacher salary in the CHUH school district is $73,709 and for Cuyahoga county, $68,848, 7% more.

Overspending of $28 million out of a budget of $107 million suggests the budget is 35% more than it should be, and that property taxes are higher than they should be. In fact the DOE shows that the CHUH average local (as opposed to state and federal) revenue per pupil is $12,578 versus only $5,413 for the statewide average. We are being excessively overtaxed. The CHUH school district needs to stop asking for more money and start fixing their overspending problem. The school is losing about 100 students per year and they do not seem to be reducing the size of the school system to reflect the loss of students. That’s why I’m voting NO on Issue 109.

Diane Hallum

Citizens Leadership PAC