16 Dec 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.
TERROR
Dear Vues Master:
Who is not sickened by the tragic and devastating news
coming out of Sydney, Australia, about the horrific terrorist
attack on innocent Jews enjoying a Chanukah celebration?
At least 15 people were murdered and others injured, may
Hashem have mercy and avenge their blood.
When you say Al HaNissim, have in mind that Hashem
should once again fulfill: the wicked delivered into the
hands of the righteous, the arrogant into the hands of those
who study His Torah, the many into the hands of the few,
and the impure into the hands of the pure.
Please see the important Agudah statement, in which they
quote the rabbi’s final words about antisemitism and how
we should celebrate Chanukah.
For words of encouragement, see the Chofetz Chaim on the
footsteps of Mashiach from his sefer Shem Olam, Gate of
Strengthening, chapters 12, 13, and 14, how not to give up:
do not despair. These are the days preceding Mashiach, and
the birth pangs are intensifying, which is a sign that the re-
demption is close.
Moshiach is on his way, or perhaps he has already arrived,
and we simply need to open our eyes, like Hagar discover-
ing the well.
Avraham Fried will sing “Goodbye Exile,” Mordechai Ben
David will sing “Someday We Will All Be Together,” Rabbi
Shlomo Carlebach will sing “The Nation of Israel Lives,”
“Israel, trust in Hashem,” and Yaakov Shwekey will sing
“And the Holy One, Blessed Be He, saves us from their
hands.”
RMS
Vues Master’s Note: May we merit to see Moshiach soon!
GLORIA KAYLIE A”H
Dear Vues Master
This past Monday, we lost an extraordinary soul, Gloria
Kaylie. Her loss is felt not only by her family, but by the
countless people whose lives were touched by her generos-
ity, warmth, and sincere commitment to helping others.
Together with her husband, Harvey Kaylie, Gloria Kaylie
embodied the true meaning of being baalei tzedakah. Their
support was heartfelt and purposeful, given with humility
and with a deep sense of responsibility to Klal Yisrael. They
were devoted benefactors of Ohel’s Camp Kaylie, a place
that has brought hope, joy, and healing to so many children
and families over the years.
What made Gloria’s involvement especially meaningful
was that it was never distant. She visited Camp Kaylie of-
ten, taking the time to see firsthand the impact of what she
and Harvey helped build. Her presence at the camp meant
a great deal to the children and staff alike, reflecting how
personally she took her role as a benefactor.
I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Kaylie at the Ohel Din-
ner a couple of years ago, when she was honored for her
remarkable dedication and generosity. Even in that setting,
she carried herself with grace and humility, clearly more fo-
cused on the mission than on the recognition. It was evident
how deeply she cared about Ohel and the people it serves.
Gloria Kaylie leaves behind a legacy of chessed, compas-
sion, and genuine caring. May her memory be a blessing,
and may her example continue to inspire others to give with
the same heart and devotion.
AH
Vues Master’s Note: She was definitely a very special wom-
an & will be missed greatly!
CHANUKAH GELT
Dear Vues Master:
Chanukah is already underway, a time when we reflect on
the power of light to dispel darkness. It feels especially
appropriate to pause and appreciate those who bring light
into our children’s lives every single day: their teachers. Al-
though my wife and I no longer have children in school,
watching our children raise their own reminds us how much
of that light is nurtured by devoted educators whose quiet
dedication often goes unseen.
The growth a child experiences, stronger prayer, more confi-
dent learning, and a lifted spirit, does not happen on its own.
It is shaped by teachers who prepare long after the school
day ends, who notice subtle shifts in a child’s mood or prog-
ress, and who carry the responsibility for their students’
souls with love and seriousness. These daily acts, usually
hidden from parents’ view, build the foundation of a lifetime
of Torah learning.
As families share Chanukah gifts this week, it is worth re-
membering the longstanding encouragement from many
great Torah leaders to support Torah scholars during Cha-
nukah itself. A gift to a teacher, large or small, is more than
a polite gesture. It is a statement that we recognize them
as full partners in our children’s education. Even a modest
amount, paired with a warm note of sincere appreciation,
can be deeply uplifting. For those who are able to give more,
such support can ease the very real financial pressures of
this season.
One more thought: if you are grateful for your
child’s teacher, share that appreciation with
the school’s leadership. Positive feedback
strengthens an entire institution.
As the candles continue to burn this week, may
we honor those who help our children shine
every day.
NT
Vues Master’s Note: Checks can be made out
to…
MUSIC
Dear Vues Master:
I am writing to express my disappointment
with this year’s Chanukah music releases, spe-
cifically Six13’s “Golden,” tied to A K-Pop
Demon Hunters Chanukah, and The Maccabe-
ats’ decision to use the very same song. Chanu-
kah has always been a holiday rich with musi-
cal creativity, humor, and heart, which is why
this duplication felt particularly uninspired.
To be clear, the tune itself is catchy. It’s well-
produced, modern, and clearly designed to
appeal to a younger audience. However, I had
never even heard of the movie it supposedly
promotes, and without that context, the song
feels hollow and disconnected from the spirit
of Chanukah. Rather than enhancing the holi-
day, it comes across as a marketing tie-in that
prioritizes trendiness over meaning.
What disappointed me most was seeing two
leading Jewish a cappella groups choose the
exact same song. These groups are known for
originality and creativity. Releasing versions
of the same unfamiliar pop tune feels like a
missed opportunity, especially during a holi-
day that celebrates uniqueness, resilience, and
light.
Chanukah music has the power to educate, in-
spire, and unite. This year, instead of multiple
creative voices, we received an echo. I hope
future releases return to the thoughtful origi-
nality listeners have come to expect.
MT
Vues Master’s Note: You must be older, the
new generation has a different taste in music. I
remember my father lamenting my taste when
MBD released rockier songs. Today—ha!
COVER
Dear Vues Master:
I believe it was inappropriate for The Jew-
ish Vues two weeks ago to feature a photo of
Suchy Klein winning on the cover, and directly
beneath it run an article questioning whether
it is even halachically permitted to purchase a
lottery ticket.
While the article did not explicitly say that it
is forbidden, using his win to promote that dis-
cussion, while it was topical, came at the ex-
pense of making Klein look bad. Many people
likely saw the cover without reading the article
and assumed something negative about him.
Please issue an apology.
YMR
Vues Master’s Note: We have known Suchy
for many years. We understand how the jux-
taposition of the cover photo and the article
may have given the wrong impression. That
was never our intention. The article itself ex-
plains that, according to most halachic opin-
ions, playing the lottery is permitted. Its pur-
pose was to address a topical question, not to
criticize or single out Suchy personally. We
are very happy that Suchy won and it couldn’t
have happened to a nicer guy!
CHANUKAH LAMPS
Dear Vues Master:
When is lighting Chanukah candles considered
a Torah-level commandment?
The Divrei Malkiel (Volume 4, Responsum 1)
holds that the Torah obligation of “You shall
be blameless” applies even when people sus-
pect someone of violating a rabbinic prohibi-
tion.
In the case of a courtyard with two entrances,
front and back, where one must light at both
entrances so people do not suspect him of not
lighting the menorah, the lighting at the sec-
ond entrance constitutes a Torah obligation of
“You shall be blameless.”
MF
Vues Master’s Note: Let us all be mentchen so
there is no suspicion at all!
MINCHA
Dear Vues Master:
Rabbi Shalom HaLevi, a well-known preacher,
was once traveling by train and asked fellow
passengers to join him to form a minyan for
mincha. Seven men agreed, but two refused
and went to another train car.
Rabbi Shalom remarked: “I always wondered,
when we reach the Torah portion
Vayishlach, why sheepdogs are not
listed among the animals that Yaa-
kov sent as a gift to his brother Eisav.
Now I understand, dogs don’t join for
Mincha.”
MB
Vues Master’s Note: Not a joke!
Sometimes davening Mincha in the
winter is a test people fail.
POLICE
Dear Vues Master:
I am very glad that Police Commis-
sioner Jessica Tisch will remain in
her role after Mayor Adams leaves to join the
Mamdani administration. As a Jewish leader,
Tisch has consistently shown dedication to re-
ducing crime and antisemitism while protect-
ing the Jewish community and all New York-
ers.
While I have little faith in Mamdani’s leader-
ship, I trust that Tisch will continue serving
the city with professionalism and integrity.
Her experience and steady hand provide reas-
surance during this transition, and having a ca-
pable and committed leader at the helm of our
police department is truly comforting.
NT
Vues Master’s Note: Hopefully she will stick
around for a while!
IGNORED
Dear Vues Master:
The tragic Chanukah massacre in Sydney this
past Sunday was not simply an act of random
violence; it was the predictable outcome of
years of ignored warnings. Families, children,
and community leaders had been sounding the
alarm for months as antisemitic incidents rose
sharply across Australia. Threats, intimidation,
and vandalism were met with indifference,
while Jewish schools and synagogues were
forced to harden their security.
Leadership is measured not by solemn speech-
es, but by the ability to prevent foreseeable
harm. Anthony Albanese did not pull the trig-
ger at Bondi Beach, but his government’s inac-
tion created the conditions in which this attack
became inevitable. Repeated calls for decisive
action were met with downplaying and rhetori-
cal balance rather than moral clarity.
Internationally, Australia’s ambiguous stance
toward Israel and its responses to antisemitism
sent signals that emboldened extremists. Lo-
cally, Jewish communities pleaded for protec-
tion and leadership, only to encounter silence.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s warnings were explicit
and urgent. They were ignored.
Bondi was not the first warning; it was the
last. Condolences now ring hollow, and empty
promises insult the memory of the victims.
This was not merely a policing failure—it was
a failure of moral leadership. When antisemi-
tism is normalized, it turns lethal.
For failing to act when it mattered most, An-
thony Albanese must resign. Australia de-
serves leaders who recognize the danger of
silence and take action before lives are lost.
NN
Vues Master’s Note: Jews have been targeted
throughout history.
ADAMS
Dear Vues Master:
As Mayor Eric Adams prepares to leave office,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude
for his steadfast leadership and unwavering
support of New York City’s Jewish commu-
nity, particularly during moments of fear and
uncertainty.
In the wake of recent violent and antisemitic
attacks at home and abroad, Mayor Adams act-
ed with clarity, compassion, and resolve. His
decision to increase police presence around
shuls, menorah lightings, and Jewish institu-
tions during Chanukah sent a powerful mes-
sage: Jewish New Yorkers have the right to
practice their faith openly and safely, and the
city stands firmly with them.
Mayor Adams did not shy away from calling
out antisemitism for what it is, nor did he blur
the dangerous realities of extremist violence.
At the same time, he emphasized unity and
respect for all communities, making clear that
hatred has no place in our city. His words car-
ried moral weight, and his actions demonstrat-
ed real allyship, not just rhetoric, but policy
and protection.
For four years, Mayor Adams consistently
showed up for the Jewish community, in mo-
ments of celebration and in times of tragedy.
He understood that public safety is not ab-
stract; it is deeply personal. His support for
specialized law enforcement units and proac-
tive policing helped ensure that New Yorkers
could gather without fear.
As a New Yorker, and as someone who val-
ues courage and integrity in leadership, I say
thank you, Mayor Adams. Your commitment
to fighting antisemitism and protecting all
communities will not be forgotten.
MS
Vues Master’s Note: The mayor thinks he’s a
macabee.
HEART BROKEN
Dear Vues Master:
Every Jewish heart has been torn to shreds this
past Sunday morning. Every moral and de-
cent human heart aches as well. We ask pain-
ful questions: How can such evil occur? Who
would seek to harm innocent people gathered
for a Chanukah celebration? Why attack a
crowd whose only purpose was to celebrate
faith, light, and life?
The grief is real and overwhelming. This was
not merely an assault on individuals; it was an
attack on Jewish life itself. Terrorism seeks to
instill fear, drive Jews out of public spaces,
and silence Jewish expression. History has
taught us that the Jewish response must be the
opposite. We refuse to retreat. We respond by
strengthening who we are.
For more than two thousand years, the Jew-
ish people have endured persecution, tragedy,
and loss. Yet we remain. Not only have we
survived, we have emerged stronger. The rea-
son is simple and profound: good is stronger
than evil, love is stronger than hate, and light
is stronger than darkness. One act of kindness
can overcome great cruelty. One small flame
can dispel immense darkness.
So what can we do? We can daven and say Te-
hillim, drawing strength from words that have
sustained generations. We can give charity,
transforming pain into compassion and justice.
We can light our menorahs proudly, illuminat-
ing the darkness with Jewish resilience. And
we can stand together in unity, supporting one
another and declaring that we will not be bro-
ken.
This Chanukah, let us answer hatred with light.
RR
Vues Master’s Note: We need miracles!
WHO IS TO BLAME?
Dear Vues Master:
Is there a connection between anti-Israel senti-
ment and antisemitism? It is a question worth
asking in the wake of the massacre of Jews in
Australia.
In 2018, Australia’s conservative prime min-
ister, Scott Morrison, announced his country’s
recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. In
2022, Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese
was elected prime minister and quickly re-
scinded that recognition.
The Albanese administration also announced
that it would refer to Judea, Samaria, Gaza,
and the Old City of Jerusalem as “Occupied
Palestinian Territories” and would consider all
Jewish communities in those areas to be “il-
legal.”
Shortly thereafter, Australia declared it would
not sell weapons to Israel because of Israel’s
pursuit of Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Austra-
lia also supported United Nations resolutions
harshly critical of Israel.
Did this steady stream of anti-Israel policy de-
cisions create an atmosphere in which hatred
of Israel became acceptable, thereby encour-
aging antisemitism?
Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Anti-
semitism, Jillian Segal, stated last year that in
the weeks following October 7 there was a 700
percent increase in antisemitic incidents. The
Council of Australian Jewry reported a 300–
400 percent increase in antisemitic incidents
between November 2023 and August 2024
compared to the previous year.
A Monash University poll in June 2024 found
that 20 percent of Australia’s approximately
117,000 Jews personally experienced antisem-
itism in the prior year.
When pro-Hamas rallies erupted across Aus-
tralian cities, Prime Minister Albanese claimed
there was nothing he could do—despite the
fact that Australia’s Unlawful Processions and
Assemblies Act of 1958 allows the govern-
ment to ban public gatherings that may incite
religious or political discord.
Is it merely coincidence that antisemitism
surged while the Australian government dis-
tanced itself from Israel and tolerated pro-
Hamas activity? What lessons are extremists
learning from political leadership? When at-
tacking the Jewish state becomes acceptable,
fringe elements may conclude that attacking
Jews themselves will also be tolerated.
Notably, Prime Minister Albanese’s initial
response to the massacre of Jews celebrating
Chanukah did not mention Jews, Chanukah,
antisemitism, or terrorism. What message does
that send?
Dr. Rafael Medoff
Vues Master’s Note: I think they are focused
on “Islamophobia” because people are starting
to hate terrorists. The world is upside down.
WINES
Dear Vues Master:
The rabbi of a small town turned 80, and to
honor him, the community decided that each
of the 50 household heads would donate two
bottles of wine and pour them into a large cask
in the rabbi’s cellar. They did so, filling it to
the brim.
After the celebration, the pleased rabbi asked
his wife to bring him a cup of wine from the
cellar. She returned astonished, the cup was
filled with water. Seeing this, the rabbi ex-
claimed, “Deceivers, sons of deceivers!” Each
household had poured in water, assuming the
others would bring wine. That is how the cask
became full of water.
The rabbi’s wife began to curse them, but the
rabbi stopped her. “There’s no need,” he said.
“I will get even, they will provide us with
twice as much wine.”
That Shabbat, the rabbi stood at the lectern and
quoted Rabbi Berechiah, who taught in Mes-
echta Yoma: One who wishes to offer a wine
libation upon the altar should fill the throats of
Torah scholars with wine.
“I thank the community for your gift,” the rab-
bi said, “but unfortunately, one person ruined it
by pouring water instead of wine. I know who
it was, but I will not shame him publicly. Let
him bring four bottles of wine to my home af-
ter Havdalah tonight to atone, and he will be
forgiven.”
That night, the rabbi’s wife heard footsteps in
the yard. The rabbi told her to wait. The foot-
steps continued for over an hour. When they
stopped, the rabbi told her to go outside and
count the bottles.
She returned and said, “There are 200 bottles.”
MK
Vues Master’s Note: The rabbi knows best!
COLUMBIA
Dear Vues Master:
I am sickened and heartsick after reading the
findings of Columbia University’s Task Force
on Antisemitism. What the report describes is
not a minor lapse in campus climate or a clash
of heated political opinions. It is a wholesale
abandonment of the basic academic values a
university is meant to uphold. Columbia’s own
investigators detail, with disturbing clarity, a
culture in which Jewish and Israeli students
were singled out, humiliated, and pushed to
the margins by faculty members entrusted with
educating them.
Classrooms became ideological battlegrounds
where instructors injected unrelated anti-Is-
rael rhetoric, confronted students about their
identities, and, in some cases, hurled explicit
insults. When a student is called “one of the
murderers” for having served in the Israeli De-
fense Forces, or told “it’s a shame your people
survived,” that is not education, it is discrimi-
nation. When a professor publicly mocks a
student’s private email, or protesters disrupt a
lecture solely because a visiting Israeli scholar
is teaching, academic freedom has not merely
eroded; it has collapsed.
Equally troubling are the quieter abuses: pro-
fessors repurposing class time for activism,
relocating classes to spaces where “Zionists”
were declared unwelcome, or inserting po-
litical propaganda into courses on astronomy,
photography, and language. Even religious ac-
commodations were dismissed with a callous-
ness that betrays the university’s obligations to
its students.
Columbia cannot credibly claim a commitment
to open inquiry while allowing its classrooms
to become hostile and exclusionary. The task
force’s recommendations are not optional—
they are an urgent blueprint for restoring fair-
ness, intellectual diversity, and basic decency.
Columbia must act now. MW
Vues Master’s Note: What do you expect, an-
other sham university teaching and preaching
hatred.
GAMBLING IN NEW YORK
Dear Vues Master
On Monday, state regulators approved casino
licenses for three massive gambling develop-
ments in New York City, touting the promise of
hundreds of millions of dollars for mass transit
and public education. While the projected rev-
enue sounds appealing, New Yorkers should
be deeply concerned about the long-term costs
these casinos will impose on our communities.
Placing large-scale casinos in Queens and the
Bronx risks normalizing gambling in neigh-
borhoods that already face economic pres-
sures. Studies have repeatedly shown that
expanded gambling disproportionately harms
low- and middle-income residents, increas-
ing rates of addiction, debt, and related social
problems. No amount of upfront payments,
even $500 million per license, can fully offset
the strain on families, social services, and lo-
cal small businesses that often follow casino
development.
Supporters argue that these projects are
justified because the funds are earmarked
for subways and schools. But public edu-
cation and mass transit should not depend
on gambling losses to survive. Tying es-
sential services to casino revenue creates
a dangerous incentive structure and an un-
stable funding stream that fluctuates with
economic conditions and human hardship.
The requirement that casino operators
submit to oversight by an independent
monitor is a tacit acknowledgment of the
risks involved. Oversight may ensure com-
pliance with bidding promises, but it cannot
prevent the broader social consequences of
increased gambling access.
New York deserves sustainable, equitable eco-
nomic development, investments in housing,
infrastructure, and local businesses that up-
lift communities without exploiting them. We
should not gamble with the well-being of our
neighborhoods in exchange for short-term fis-
cal gains.
PS
Vues Master’s Note: All politicians care about
is making money.
CONEY ISLAND
Dear Vues Master
As a New Yorker who treasures Coney Island,
I am thrilled by the city’s historic commitment
of more than $1 billion to rebuild and reimag-
ine this iconic shoreline. This investment is
bold, long overdue, and deeply meaningful
for the families, workers, and small businesses
who call Coney Island home.
The reconstruction of the Riegelmann Board-
walk alone is reason to celebrate. For more
than a century, it has served as a gathering
place for joy, community, and resilience. Re-
building all 2.7 miles with climate resiliency
in mind will ensure that future generations can
continue to enjoy the ocean breeze, the board-
walk’s attractions, and the small businesses
that depend on it. At a time of rising seas and
stronger storms, treating our public spaces as
vital infrastructure is exactly the kind of lead-
ership New York City needs.
Equally exciting is the plan to create 1,500
new homes on the waterfront, with 25 percent
designated as affordable. This commitment
recognizes that Coney Island must remain a
place where working families can stay, grow,
and thrive, not be pushed out. Investments in
streets, sewers, and public spaces, along with
the $42 million renovation of the beloved Abe
Stark Sports Center, reflect a holistic approach
that values recreation, quality of life, and eco-
nomic opportunity.
This announcement reflects a vision of Coney
Island as more than “America’s Playground.”
It affirms it as a resilient, inclusive, year-round
community. For that, the city deserves real ap-
plause.
Vues Master’s Note: It’s about time!