30 Sep 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.
PICTURES
Dear Vues Master,
As we reflect on the beauty and holiness of Sukkos, I feel
compelled to share a concern that has been on my mind for
several years now.
It has become increasingly common for people to hang large,
decorative pictures of living Gedolim in their sukkahs, some-
times alongside the traditional images of the Ushpizin, or
even in a more central place.
Let me be clear: I have the utmost respect for our Gedolim.
Their wisdom and guidance are pillars of our communities.
However, turning their images into sukkah “decorations”
feels deeply uncomfortable and perhaps even inappropriate.
The sukkah is meant to be a space of humility, spiritual focus,
and deep connection to Hashem. The mitzvah of sukkah re-
minds us of the Clouds of Glory and the temporary nature of
life, emphasizing reliance on Hashem, not on human great-
ness.
There is a clear difference between learning from Gedolim
and venerating their photos in a decorative or almost iconic
manner. Elevating images of living individuals to a central
part of our spiritual space risks blurring lines that our meso-
rah has always been careful to preserve.
There are also halachic and hashkafic sensitivities to consid-
er. Chazal and Poskim have long warned against behaviors
that resemble avodah zarah, or that might lead to misunder-
standings, especially among children.
I urge readers to think twice before decorating their sukkahs
with photos of living Gedolim. Let us honor our leaders by
learning their Torah and following their guidance, not by
hanging their portraits in ways that may distort true kavod
haTorah. L.Y.
Vues Master’s Note: In my sukkah, we have pictures of our
children, the future Gedolim!
MISTAKES
Dear Vues Master,
We love reading Rabbi Gil Student’s article in the Jewish
Vues every week, but I just had to write in after watching on-
line his brilliant response to the recent musical notes mishap
in Jewish Action magazine.
When it was revealed that the sheet music accompanying a
cantorial article was, of all things, “We Wish You a Merry
______,” one might’ve expected outrage—or at least some
communal hand-wringing. Instead, Rabbi Student gave us a
masterclass in Jewish humor and perspective.
His lighthearted take, blaming everyone from himself (for
quitting piano at age 10), to the Bais Yaakov graduate graphic
designer (who pulled the sheet music from clip art), to us
readers (for even recognizing goyish holiday tunes!) was
clever, self-aware, and refreshingly unbothered. Most impor-
tantly, he reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously.
But just when we thought the Jewish publishing world had
reached peak blooper, Mishpacha magazine unintentionally
outdid Jewish Action. Their Rosh Hashanah issue included a
photo labeled as a beis medrash, but it featured a prominent
cross, a Chanukiah next to the “Aron Kodesh,” and bochurim
facing the wrong way. You can’t make this stuff up.
In a world where every misstep is often met with public out-
rage or shame, these two hilarious editing blunders offer a
much-needed reminder: humans make mistakes—even in re-
ligious publishing. And sometimes, it’s okay, healthy, even—
to laugh.
Kudos to Rabbi Student for not only diffusing tension, but for
turning an innocent mistake into a moment of shared humor
and humility. If only all errors could be this harmless, and
this entertaining.
For Nechama’s sake, we graciously accept the apology. But
let’s be honest, we’re still humming the tune. BT
Vues Master’s Note: Does AI get anything right?
FALLING OUT OF THE RACE
Dear Vues Master,
I was deeply disappointed to hear that Mayor Eric Adams has
decided not to run for re-election. Whatever one may think of
his policies, there’s no denying that he was a strong and vis-
ible supporter of New York’s Jewish community, especially
at a time when rising antisemitism demands leadership, not
silence. His presence at community events, open support for
Israel, and vocal condemnation of hate crimes stood in stark
contrast to the lukewarm or vague positions of other candi-
dates.
I wish Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa would also drop out
of the race. Adams may not have been perfect, but he was
a steady, pragmatic leader who worked hard to balance the
interests of a diverse city. His departure leaves a vacuum that
none of the remaining candidates seem able to fill, particu-
larly when it comes to outreach and commitment to the Jew-
ish community.
Zohran would be a disastrous choice. He could very well be-
come the worst mayor this city has ever had, especially for
the Jewish population. His rhetoric reveals deeply troubling
views: he is openly anti-Israel, hostile toward Prime Minis-
ter Benjamin Netanyahu, and dismissive of the concerns of
Jewish New Yorkers. His positions go beyond
policy criticism and veer into what many see as
a pattern of antisemitic sentiment.
As we look ahead, it’s critical for voters to stay
informed about who truly represents the values
of this city. We must be cautious of candidates
who lack a clear track record on public safety,
religious tolerance, and support for all commu-
nities. The next mayor must be someone who
can unify—not divide—and who has proven
their ability to lead in times of crisis, not just
make empty promises.
Eric Adams brought a real, visible commitment
to protecting Jewish New Yorkers and fighting
hate in all its forms. That kind of leadership
matters. With him out of the race, it’s more im-
portant than ever that we scrutinize the remain-
ing candidates and ensure our city does not fall
into the hands of someone who lacks that same
dedication. MP
Vues Master’s Note: Cuomo is a disaster!
TRUMP BIBI DEAL IS A DISASTER
Dear Vues Master
The recently announced deal, brokered by
President Trump, endorsed by Netanyahu, and
supported by Arab states like Qatar, is nothing
short of a disaster. Let’s be clear: this is not
peace, it’s appeasement. It sends the wrong
message to our enemies, legitimizes terrorists,
and endangers not just Israel, but the entire free
world.
Even if Hamas rejects it, which they might, the
fact that such a deal is on the table shows how
far we’ve strayed from moral clarity. It treats
symptoms, not causes. It rewards terror with
negotiation, delays the inevitable next war, and
leaves the ideological infrastructure of jihad
untouched.
This deal empowers bad actors like Qatar, a
country aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood
and complicit in the October 7th massacre.
Forcing Israel to apologize to them is a dis-
grace, and frankly, a betrayal.
The fantasy that Arab states running Gaza or
the Palestinian Authority becoming “reformed”
will bring peace is dangerous naivety. We must
stop pretending that terror in a suit is different
from terror in a mask.
We need strength, not illusions. President
Trump should be pressuring Qatar to force
Hamas’s surrender and the unconditional re-
lease of our hostages, not making deals that
prolong the conflict.
This is not a breakthrough. It’s another political
gamble based on weakness. And if Hamas says
yes, God help us all.
Only total victory and the removal of jihadist
control from Gaza will bring true peace. BG
Vues Master’s Note: Until all the hostages are
back, nothing has happened.
NO CASINO IN CONEY ISLAND
Dear Vues Master
Baruch Hashem! I join countless Brooklyn res-
idents in celebrating the defeat of the Coney Is-
land casino proposal. After years of backroom
deals and flashy lobbying, the community’s
voice has finally prevailed, and the $2.3 billion
casino plan has flatlined.
Immense thanks and appreciation go to Brook-
lyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State
Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Councilman
Justin Brannan, Assembly Member Alec Brook-
Krasny and Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, for
their courage and moral clarity in opposing this
dangerous project. Their votes reflect the true
will of the people and have safeguarded our
neighborhoods from a development that threat-
ened to bring addiction, congestion, and chaos
to our beloved boardwalk.
This victory belongs to the people. Grassroots
organizers, faith leaders, environmental activ-
ists, and small business owners joined forces to
protect the soul of Coney Island. Special thanks
to the Sephardic Community Federation, whose
leaders Sam Sutton and Ronnie Tawil poured
tireless effort and passion into this fight. Their
leadership turned the tide.
Let this be a message to Albany and develop-
ers across the state: our communities are not for
sale. Development must uplift, not exploit our
neighborhoods.
Today, we celebrate a major win for common
sense, community, and the future of Brooklyn.
ST
Vues Master’s Note: This is great news!
VOTING
Dear Vues Master,
The current mayoral race has
created what I believe may be
unnecessary tension within the
frum community. I’ve seen let-
ters urging the community to
vote for Eric Adams, Curtis
Sliwa, or Andrew Cuomo for
mayor. (As of now, it appears
Adams is no longer running.)
A great deal of effort has been
made to promote one candi-
date over the others. Unspoken
is the fact that no one wants
Zoran Mamdani to be elected.
He is a known pro-Hamas, an-
ti-Semitic “socialist Democrat” in other words,
a communist, who supports government-run
grocery stores and promises “free” everything,
without explaining how the city would afford
it.
Mamdani has been leading in the polls, with
his closest competitor being Andrew Cuomo.
However, due to Cuomo’s deep unpopularity
among many in the frum community, some ar-
gue that we should vote instead for Adams or
Sliwa. This, in my view, is where the arguing
becomes unnecessary.
This year’s mayoral election will use the
Ranked Choice voting system. Under this sys-
tem, voters rank candidates in order of prefer-
ence—first, second, third, etc. If a candidate re-
ceives over 50% of the first-choice votes, they
win. If not, the candidate with the fewest votes
is eliminated, and those votes are transferred
to the next-ranked active candidate on those
ballots. This process continues until someone
secures a majority and is declared the winner.
So, if one truly does not want Cuomo to win,
they can rank Curtis Sliwa as their first choice.
However, if one wants Mamdani to win even
less than Cuomo (which I would hope is the
case for all frum Jews—especially given Mam-
dani’s threat to arrest Netanyahu), then Cuomo
can be ranked second, as insurance against
Mamdani winning.
IMPORTANT: With Ranked Choice Voting,
you do not have to rank all the candidates. Un-
der no circumstances should Mamdani be in-
cluded anywhere on your ballot—not even as
the last choice. Likewise, to prevent a Mam-
dani victory, Cuomo should be included, even
if only as a second or third choice. DZ
Vues Master’s Note: We are in trouble!
KOUFAX
Dear Vues Master,
I can still vividly recall the day.
The World Series was starting, and the best
pitcher in baseball was Sandy Koufax. Sandy
was our hero, he was Jewish, he was from
Brooklyn, and he played baseball. What more
could you ask for?
It was October of 1965, and the Dodgers were
playing in the World Series. The rumor mills
had already begun to churn. The first game was
scheduled to be played in Minnesota on Octo-
ber 6th. That day, a Wednesday, was Yom Kip-
pur. Would Koufax pitch?
He had never pitched on Yom Kippur before;
however, that was during the regular season
and this was the World Series.
Religion was nice, but this was the World Se-
ries!
To everyone’s surprise, and to our great pride,
Koufax refused to pitch.
On national television, he announced that he
was a Jew and would not play on Yom Kippur.
As we boys huddled in the lobby of the shul
that Kol Nidrei night, the talk was not about te-
shuva, it was about Koufax.
“Did you hear? Koufax wouldn’t pitch because
it was Yom Kippur!”
Sandy Koufax made a decision, and by doing
so, he made us proud Jews.
This was a time when yarmulkes in the work-
place were rare and almost never seen outside
of Boro Park. It was a time when you kept your
Judaism in the home, and we hoped the non-
Jews wouldn’t laugh at us as we walked to shul
on Yom Kippur in our Keds.
And here was Sandy Koufax, a Yiddle from
Brooklyn, just like us, telling the world that
tonight is Yom Kippur, and “I don’t pitch on
Yom Kippur.”
It is difficult for me to describe the feelings of
pride and joy we felt as we walked to shul that
Yom Kippur. Indeed, Sandy Koufax himself
was going to shul!
On August 7, 1972, Sandy Koufax became the
youngest person in the history of baseball to be
inducted into the Hall of Fame. No one since
has ever been inducted at a younger age.
This year, August 7th was also the first day of
Elul. In old Europe, they used to say that even
the fish in the ponds would shudder in fright on
the first of Elul.
For the next month, we will blow the shofar
daily (except for Shabbos and Erev Rosh Ha-
shanah).
The shofar awakens us to make decisions.
It awakens us to make the right decisions.
Those decisions are not always popular, and
they are not without critique.
We may be pressured to compromise our com-
mitment to keeping kosher in the workplace
from time to time.
We may face work deadlines, yet still choose to
leave the office early on Friday afternoon to be
home for Shabbos.
But we can all take a lesson from Sandy Kou-
fax and his decision to remain firm in his con-
viction to do what is right, regardless of the
pressure to sacrifice our principles.
Sandy Koufax had nothing to gain and every-
thing to lose when he stood up and said, “I
don’t play on Yom Kippur.” He did what he did
because he knew, based on where he was hold-
ing in his relationship with his Creator, that this
was the correct decision. His heart told him it
was the right thing to do.
Sandy Koufax wore jersey number 32. In 1972,
the Dodgers retired that number, and no one
who plays for the Dodgers can wear it again.
The gematria (numerical value) of the Hebrew
word lev (heart) is 32.
Sandy Koufax followed his heart that October
over 45 years ago.
The shofar in Elul awakens us to remember that
we, too, must follow our hearts—even and es-
pecially when it’s not the easy thing to do.
Listen to the shofar. Follow your heart.
Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman
Vues Master’s Note: Powerful letter , a true
Kiddush Hashem and Jewish inspiration.
AIRLINES
Dear Vues Master,
Boarding a flight to Israel on El Al should mark
the beginning of a meaningful journey. But that
joy can be crushed in seconds when the seat in
front of you suddenly reclines.
Let’s be honest, there is no room. These planes
are packed, and seat pitch is shrinking. Reclin-
ing may be your “right,” but it crushes the knees
of the person behind you and ruins their experi-
ence.
We all want to be comfortable, but not at the ex-
pense of someone else’s basic space. So here’s
a simple request: on crowded flights like these,
especially long-hauls, please stay upright, or at
least check before leaning back.
Let’s start the trip with mutual respect, not
bruised knees. BH
Vues Master’s Note: Going to Eretz Yisroel,
the Gemara says it is nikneis b’yisurin! So your
knee will be in pain!
HATE/LOVE
Dear Vues Master,
This past Shabbat afternoon, I attended a drasha
by my rabbi. On the Shabbat before Yom Kip-
pur, he gives a special drasha, and people come
from all over to hear it. It’s always inspiring.
Usually, there isn’t an empty seat in the whole
shul. In fact, I usually show up 30 minutes early
to get a seat. When I arrive, it’s usually empty,
and then people start piling in.
This Shabbat, I showed up 30 minutes early,
and it was already half full. By the time the
rabbi arrived, not only was there not an empty
seat in the house, there wasn’t even any stand-
ing room left.
The people who came to hear him included
men, women, and children ages 7 to 90. Not
kidding. They came from all over.
In fact, so many people came in from the in-
tense heat that I had to walk around with a bottle
of water, offering people a drink.
He said many beautiful things, but I want to
share two stories with you that are just incred-
ibly beautiful.
Both of these stories moved me deeply. (His
stories always do!)
Here’s the first one:
About a year ago, Clive Chitiz, father of fall-
en soldier Yaron Chitiz, was traveling back
to Israel from Heathrow. He was told that his
Thursday night flight was delayed until Friday
morning.
When he showed up for the flight on Friday, as
he was being checked in by the El Al security
representative, he told her that he really needed
the flight to leave on time so he could make it
back to his shul in Raanana for the Sabbath to
say the mourner’s Kaddish for his fallen son.
He explained that he promised himself he’d say
the Kaddish at least once a day, and because he
was staying at a random hotel after the flight
was delayed, he couldn’t say it, so he needed to
be back on time.
The representative explained that she was only
on the security team and had no say or informa-
tion about the flight’s departure.
The man thanked her and started walking to-
ward the gate.
A few minutes later, he got a phone call.
“Hi, this is Jasmine from security. To be hon-
est, I didn’t even know what Kaddish was, so
I Googled it. I learned that to say the Kaddish,
you need at least ten men above the age of 13. If
you want, I asked a few men to meet me by the
gate so you can say Kaddish before you board;
at least that way you’ll fly with the peace of
mind knowing you already said Kaddish today.”
Clive began to cry and ran toward the gate.
When he got there, he didn’t just find ten men.
He found every single man above the age of
13 who was on the flight waiting for him at the
gate.
Religious men. Ultra-Orthodox men. Secular
men. They were all waiting for him.
They recited a few chapters of Tehillim, and he
was able to recite the Kaddish for his son.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
This is what the Jewish people are about.
Okay, the second story, maybe even more beau-
tiful:
On the eve of Pesach, a man, let’s call him Da-
vid, was shopping at an Israeli supermarket.
Anyone who’s been to a supermarket in Israel
on the eve of Passover knows how chaotic it is.
Anyway, he bought what he needed and went
outside to unload everything into his car when
he noticed a huge dent in the door. He was obvi-
ously very upset.
To his surprise, he noticed a note on the wind-
shield.
The note said, “I’m so sorry I dented your car.
Here’s my number. Call me, and I’ll pay what-
ever it costs to fix it.”
David called the number, and the man apolo-
gized profusely for hitting his car.
After offering to pay for the damages, David
asked him a strange question.
“Do you have the money to pay me?”
The man was confused and surprised by the
question.
“Why are you asking me that?”
David told him that he noticed the note the man
had written was on a bank statement, and that
the account on the statement was nearly empty.
David said to the man, “I just wired $3,600 to
your account. Chag Sameach.”
Mi Keamcha Yisrael? What nation is like the
nation of Israel?
I guess you can understand why these two mag-
nificent stories made me super emotional.
It’s true there are many disagreements among
Jews, but at the end of the day, we are family
and will always show up for one another. Some-
times family members fight, but that doesn’t
change the fact that they’re family.
That’s our strength, and that’s why we will win.
That’s why we always win. When we are unit-
ed, we are strong. When we are united, Hashem
makes sure we win!
The world knows this, and they hate us for it.
They can hate all they want.
We will still win.
We will still be here long after the haters are
gone!
Loved these two stories and had to share them
with you! Hillel Fuld
Vues Master’s Note: Great!
MY PRAYER
Dear Vues Master,
Deep in your sanctum sanctorum Where not
even angels dare fly Alone on your throne high
in heaven You watch as we cry, as we die
Your children, whom you love and cherish Cry
out in their anguish and pain Widows and or-
phans so broken Whose lives are all shattered
again
Our nation, the one that you’ve chosen Calls
out to their father, their king How long will
their cries go unanswered By the one who cre-
ated all things
HASHEM hear our prayer: On your heavenly
scales of justice This one time let your mercy
allow Place the bodies and limbs of our fallen
And send the Redeemer now
בדמיך חיי בדמיח חיי
Country Yossi Toiv
Vues Master’s Note: We need Moshiach now!
GREAT KOUFAX ARTICLE
Dear Vues Master
I wanted to express how much I thoroughly
enjoyed the recent article in The Jewish Vues
by Ari Hirsch about Sandy Koufax’s decision
not to pitch on Yom Kippur during the World
Series. This story has always been an inspira-
tion to me, but the way it was presented in this
article brought it to life in a fresh and powerful
way.
What really stood out to me was the fascinating
interview with Rabbi Moshe Feller, the Chabad
Shaliach who had the incredible opportunity to
put tefillin on Sandy Koufax the very next day.
That detail added a whole new dimension to
the story, showing how Koufax’s personal act
of faith continued beyond the baseball field.
Rabbi Feller’s recollections were deeply mov-
ing and added a beautiful layer of Jewish pride
and connection to the piece.
Ari Hirsch did a phenomenal job writing and
organizing the article. It was clear, engaging,
and full of meaningful insights. It wasn’t just
about baseball or history, it was about standing
up for what you believe in, and the ripple effect
that one courageous decision can have on an
entire community.
Thank you for publishing such a well-written
and inspiring article. Stories like these are im-
portant reminders of how Jewish values can
intersect with everyday life in powerful ways.
I hope to see more articles like this in future is-
sues! GH
Vues Master’s Note: We love compliments!
NEW RABBI
Dear Vues Master,
The rabbi in a Russian town was a difficult man
and was not liked by his community. When the
city of Pinsk was searching for a new rabbi, this
rabbi applied for the position. However, the
people of Pinsk were aware of his reputation
and looked elsewhere.
The determined rabbi said to them: “I can prove
to you through a kal vachomer that you should
appoint me as your rabbi. If the people in my
own city don’t want me as their rabbi but in-
stead want me to be appointed as the rabbi of
Pinsk, then certainly, the people of Pinsk, who
want me to remain in my own city, all the more
so should want me as their rabbi!” JN
Vues Master’s Note: Flawed reasoning!