13 Aug SPEAK YOUR VUES WITH THE VUES MASTER
Please note that the author of Speak Your Vues is in no way affiliated with the publisher of
this paper. The author of this column is an independent third party contributor. The views and
opinions expressed by this author may not reflect the views and opinions of the publishers. If
one has any issues with any of the views, please write a letter to the Vues Master.
BIKE 4 CHAI
Dear Vues Master,
As a proud owner of a bungalow in Monticello, I am
thrilled to welcome the Bike4Chai finish line to our
town for the very first time! This incredible event —
which unites over 700 cyclists from around the world
in support of Chai Lifeline’s life-changing programs
— has always been a powerful display of tzedakah
and achdus. This year, however, feels even more spe-
cial, as the final stretch of the ride will end right here
at the Monticello Motor Club.
I’ve always loved visiting Camp Simcha, but it was
often crowded, and the grounds could get quite messy
due to all the visitors.
For years, the ride has traditionally concluded at
Camp Simcha, a place that holds deep meaning for so
many. While that tradition has been significant, mov-
ing the finish line to a public venue offers the entire
community a unique opportunity to be part of this ex-
traordinary moment. Now, we can cheer on the riders
in person, feel the energy of their accomplishment,
and join families, volunteers, and campers in a day of
celebration and unity.
The new finish line experience — complete with a
carnival, delicious food, music, and activities for all
ages — promises to be a day our community won’t
soon forget. But beyond the festivities, this event
serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved
when people come together for a cause greater than
themselves. The funds raised will support thousands
of children and families facing serious illness, and the
impact is truly life-changing.
Bike4Chai is about more than just cycling — it’s
about resilience, chesed, and heart. We are honored
that Monticello has been chosen as the new home for
this final triumph, and we look forward to showing
our support, spirit, and hospitality to all who ride, vol-
unteer, and cheer.
Welcome to Monticello, Bike4Chai — may this be
the start of a beautiful new chapter!
Warm regards, RS
Vues Master’s Note: Keep helping people help oth-
ers!
ISHAY RIBO CONCERT
Dear Vues Master I wanted to take a moment to share
my thoughts on the Ishay Ribo concert held last Thurs-
day in Bethel. It was truly an unforgettable experi-
ence. The event brought together over 11,000 people
from all different backgrounds, showcasing the power
of music to unite. The diversity in the crowd was in-
credible, with Jews of all ages and from various com-
munities and camps in attendance, all gathered for
their shared love of Jewish music and culture.
The atmosphere was electric, and what really stood
out was how respectful and well-behaved everyone
was throughout the night. It was clear that the attend-
ees were there to enjoy the music, and the entire event
felt positive and uplifting.
The highlight of the evening, for me and my family,
was when Avraham Fried came out and performed
with Ishay Ribo. It was a magical moment that had
the entire crowd on their feet. My children, especially,
were in awe—seeing two musical legends perform to-
gether was a memory they’ll cherish.
The only downside was the difficulty of getting out of
the venue after the concert. It took me over an hour to
leave, but this was a minor inconvenience compared
to the incredible experience we had.
Overall, my family and I had an amazing time, and
we’re already looking forward to the next concert.
Thank you to the organizers for bringing such a spe-
cial event to the Catskills.
JY
Vues Master’s Note: It was definitely a special eve-
ning!
MOTZEI SHABBOS NACHAMU
CONCERTS
Dear Vues Master,
It was amazing how many Jewish music singers were
in the Catskills this past Motzei Shabbos
Nachamu at different colonies. I remem-
ber the old days when everyone went to
the racetrack. Now, every colony brings
in its own entertainment.
GP
Vues Master’s Note: What’s crazy is how
much each colony spent to bring these
Jewish musicians! Colonies spent be-
tween $10k and $20k just for an hour and
a half performance.
VISITING DAY
Dear Vues Master,
I just wanted to take a moment to say
how much I absolutely love sitting in four
hours of bumper-to-bumper traffic just
to spend 2.5 hours at Visiting Day in the
Catskills. There’s truly nothing like the
thrill of watching your GPS arrival time
climb higher than your cholesterol. Who
needs a rollercoaster when you’ve got
Route 17?
It’s all part of the charm, really. You leave
at 6 a.m., hoping to beat the rush, and by
6:07, you’re already regretting every de-
cision you’ve made since October—when
you signed your kid up for camp. But
there’s something magical about watch-
ing the scenery not change for 45 min-
utes while your spouse plays DJ and your
7-year-old keeps asking if you’ve reached
“the country” yet.
But oh, the payoff: the look on your
child’s face when they finally spot you
through a crowd of 800 other sweaty,
over-caffeinated parents holding cases of
water. Totally worth the fact that your car
is now a disaster zone from all the snacks
that spilled on the way up.
And after those three blissful hours of
hugs, bunk tours, and hauling home all
your kid’s arts and crafts projects, you get
back in the car for the return trip—which,
if you’re lucky, is only mildly soul-crush-
ing.
So yes, I absolutely love the Visiting Day
traffic. It’s not just a drive—it’s a rite of
passage. A moving (very slowly moving)
love letter to parenthood.
RG
Vues Master’s Note: You forgot about
tips! And this is the revenge of your par-
ents who made the same trek for you!
42ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE
COUNTRY VUES
Dear Vues Master,
I know that this week’s edition is the 42nd
anniversary edition of The Country Vues.
I just want to say a big thank you to your
entire staff and all of your columnists.
My family absolutely loves your pa-
per. Every Shabbos, we read it cover to
cover. May you continue doing the great
work you do for the klal and spread-
ing Torah and goodness throughout the
world! Yasher Koach.
The Itzkowitz Family Monticello
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks!
Ve’Hamevarech Yisbarech!!
FUN QUESTIONS
Dear Vues Master,
My family loved the “fun question” edi-
tion of The Country Vues last week. It
was funny how the rav of my shul men-
tioned Ari Hirsch and the Country Vues
fun questions in his drasha. Please keep
up the good work—we are big fans!
PJ
Vues Master’s Note: I think we’ll start
calling it “drasha questions!”
MDY SHIUR IN THE
CATSKILLS
Dear Vues Master,
Why can’t R’ Eli Stefansky come to
the Catskills and have an MDY siyum
in Woodbourne? Imagine if he had his
shiur at the Woodbourne shul… The shul
would be packed to the brim! They might
even have to shut down Woodbourne.
I’m sure Rabbi Jungreis would welcome
him with a bracha—and cholent, too!
CB
Vues Master’s Note: You never know! It
might happen one day!
DRUNK
Dear Vues Master:
The bartender was surprised when a man
sat down by himself and ordered five
glasses of wine. He drank them one af-
ter another, then ordered four more. The
man drank those as well and surprised the
bartender by asking for three more. When
he finished those, he asked for two, and
finally, for one. When he finished the last
one, he said, “I really don’t understand it.
The more I cut down on my drinking, the
drunker I get.”
LK
Vues Master’s Note: That is like a liberal
blaming the gun, not the person pulling
the trigger.
DOCTOR
Dear Vues Master:
A child saw the bulletin from the shul an-
nouncing that the kehillah had just hired
a new rabbi, Rabbi Dr. Epstein. The child
was so excited that the new rabbi was also
a doctor that the next time he had a stom-
ach ache, he called the shul. “I would like
to speak to Rabbi Dr.,” the boy said. The
rabbi got on the line and asked how he
could help.
“Well, Rabbi,” the boy said, “I have a
stomach ache, and I was wondering what
you suggest I do.”
“Sorry, son, I’m not a medical doctor,”
replied the rabbi.
“What type of doctor are you?” asked the
boy.
“I am a Doctor of Philosophy,” was the
response.
The child thought for a moment and then
asked, “What type of sickness is that?”
Vues Master’s Note: What a sick letter!
Just kidding! Sounds like you doctored
this letter!
PHILOSOPHY
Dear Vues Master:
Two philosophers entered a building,
and the receptionist greeted them with a
“Good morning.” One of the philosophers
asked the other: “Do you know what she
was trying to say when she said ‘Good
morning?’”
Vues Master’s Note: Ha-ha! Sounds
funny to me. Does that mean I have the
wrong philosophy?
BELIEF
Dear Vues Master:
An epikoros, seeking to mock a talmid
chacham, asked, “In Parshat Balak it says
that the donkey of Bilam spoke in the lan-
guage of humans. Do you really believe
that’s possible?”
The talmid chacham responded, “Sure.
If a person like you can speak in the lan-
guage of donkeys, why shouldn’t a don-
key be able to speak in the language of
humans?”
Vues Master’s Note: I hear!!
SPEAKING PART
Dear Vues Master:
When Rabbi Yonatan Eybeshitz was a
youth, he went to the Royal Palace, where
he passed by a chapel containing a large
pesel. One of the guides, hearing about
his wisdom, requested that he say a few
words in honor of the pesel.
The young Yonatan did not hesitate. He
said: “A wise person does not speak be-
fore one who is greater than him. This
pesel is much greater than I. Let it speak
first, and then I will speak as well.”
Vues Master’s Note: Amazing! Sounds
like my kid who got the part of the fa-
ther in the play, so I told him to ask for a
speaking part!
FREEZING
Dear Vues Master:
Opening the freezer on Tu B’Av & Tu
B’Shvat was invented 400 years before
Lakewood!
Rabbi Nosson Nota of Hanovr zt”l, in his
Sefer Yon Me’tzula, describes the Yeshi-
va world of his time. Bein Ha’Zemanim
began on Tu B’Shvat and Tu B’Av, during
which the Rosh Yeshiva and Bachurim at-
tended winter and summer fairs.
These fairs became central to shiduchim,
as all Roshei Yeshivas and their Talmidim
were present. Parents with marriageable
children ensured their presence, leading
to hundreds, or even thousands, of shi-
duchim being arranged.
The Maharshal took a break in writing
his Chidushei Halachot in the middle
of a Mesechta (on Mesechta Shabbos &
Mesechta Sanhedrin). He writes that he
couldn’t continue because he had to travel
to the fair.
Vues Master’s Note: Sounds cool!
YEEDLE
Dear Vues Master,
“Hu V’lo Acher! I love Yeedle’s new
USB, which is vibrant, colorful, and very
creative. I told Yeedle that he has finally
emerged from MBD’s shadow and creat-
ed his own cool image. His voice sounds
more mature and professional. The whole
project clearly reflects a lot of time, effort,
and money that went into this elaborate
production, which didn’t come together
overnight but instead took many years. I
love the energetic music that elevates this
magnificent album to a whole new level.
Yeedle is cool and hip but also very emo-
tional and heartwarming. He features a
variety of composers, arrangers, choirs,
and singers on this very busy album, in-
cluding Mona Rosenblum, Moshe Laufer,
Yitzchok Fuchs, Aaron Razel, Eli Laufer,
Baruch Shalom, Yoili Dickman, Eli
Lishinsky, Yitzy Berry & Eli Klein, along
with, of course, MBD & Yossi Tyberg.
The choir is led by Moshe Roth.
The album kicks off with the gorgeous
song “Aval Anachnu,” which I fell in love
with right from the start. It was composed
by Heshy Rottenberg with a guitar solo by
Nachman Dreyer. Yeedle sounds amaz-
ing, especially when he gradually chang-
es keys in the middle of the song. With 14
tracks, this album gives you the complete
range: slow, fast, freilach, hoo’ra, and
heart-rending geshmak. I feel like drum-
ming on my dashboard!
On track 2, the cover song, Yeedle keeps
the beat and matches the two Israelis, Aar-
on Razel & Beni Horvitz, step for step.
“Hu V’lo Acher” (enjoy the rap— I can’t
daven that fast! LOL). Track 3, “Kumi
Ori,” is stunning. You’ll enjoy it and play
it over and over. It has a kumzitz style,
with the choir led by Herschel Brisk and
Avi Singolda on guitar. Track 4 features
Avi Avidani on drums. “Reu Reu” has a
great beat that’ll make you want to dance.
Track 5, “ATA Hashem,” features
MBD—like father, like son. There’s even
a video online. Yaron Gottfried plays the
piano. Track 6, “Hodu Lo,” features Nir
Graff & Eli Lishinsky on keyboards and
guitar, plus Danny Flamm on brass. Nice
rhythm. Track 7, “I Cried by Mimaakim,”
composed by Yitzchok Ben Arza, is very
emotional. It made me think about the
hostages.
Track 8, “PEGA,” is a lot of fun, about
getting rid of the yetzer hara, composed
by Lipa. Track 9, “Rum Lev Ashpiel,”
arranged by Mendy Hershkowitz and
composed by Moshe Feld, is nice. You’re
going to love the bagpipes on track 10,
“Vayehi Binsoa.” I felt like getting out
of my car and dancing on the Verrazzano
Bridge! Bagpipes by Jerry O’Sullivan.
Great job, Eli Laufer.
Track 11, “Yom Shekulo Aruch,” features
Aryeh Volnitz on bass, composed by Aar-
on Razel, who also composed the cover
song. Flautist: Itai Kriss. We also have a
Turkish G clarinet by Ismail Lunanovsky
(what a figure!). I almost forgot to men-
tion a qanun player, Amir Eliav.
Track 12, “Kol Tov,” features Yeedle
singing with his son, Chaim Lezer, who
sounds just like Yeedle and his grandfa-
ther! It was composed by Nachum Levi-
tan, with Hammond by Amit Harel. Track
13, “Kahn,” has a great beat, featuring
MBD with my favorite arranger, Yoeli
Dickman—just like Mona! I’ll be honk-
ing my horn to the drum rock beat. Enjoy!
Finally, track 14, “Motzi Asirim,” com-
posed by Yitzchok Fuchs, is a classic!
Featuring clarinet and flugelhorn by Nit-
zan Ain Habar and superb work from Eli
Lishinsky. Saxophonist Peter Wertheimer
also shines here. Yeedle truly shines on
this USB!
RMS
Vues Master’s Note: It’s been a while!
VISITING DAY
Dear Vues Master,
Am I the only parent who can’t stand Vis-
iting Day? Don’t get me wrong—I love
my son—but why do I need to shlep three
and a half hours to see him when he’s
coming home in a week?
RS
Vues Master’s Note: Don’t you realize the
entire Visiting Day is about TIPS! TIPS!
& MORE TIPS!!
SIYUM ON THE ROAD
Dear Vues Master,
There’s a new trend in Israel dur-
ing the Nine Days. A radio sta-
tion held a siyum on the air every
night throughout the Nine Days,
and people listened and ate meat
every day. Is that permitted? It
really doesn’t seem right.
KF
Vues Master’s Note: It’s called eating
fleishigs virtually!
LEIN
Dear Vues Master,
A lot of yeshivas these days are telling
bar mitzvah boys not to lein their parsha.
They believe it causes too much anxiety
and isn’t necessary. I disagree. I think
every boy should at least try to lein his
parsha. If it’s too hard, let him just lein
one aliyah or do the haftarah. If we don’t
push these boys, we may never discover
the great leiners of the future.
BL
Vues Master’s Note: I agree. It’s just our
lazy generation!
CANTEEN
Dear Vues Master,
How much money should a parent give
a child going to sleepaway camp for the
canteen? On one hand, you want your
child to have money for drinks and nosh,
but what about parents who worry about
their child eating too much junk food?
What should they do?
NH
Vues Master’s Note: Parents usually
know what type of child they have—but
money does talk!
TRIPS
Dear Vues Master,
It’s amazing how many trips these sleep-
away camps take their campers on these
days. When I was in camp in the ’80s and
’90s, we had one or two trips per summer.
Now it seems like these kids are going on
trips every other day! KW
Vues Master’s Note: In your days, there
was no internet, so kids had no idea what
other camps were doing. Today, they have
all that information in their hands, so they
get spoiled! Camps are just trying to keep
up with the competition.