23 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.
SAFETY
Dear Vues Master:
A tragic accident in Brooklyn’s Marine Park neighbor-
hood should serve as a wake-up call. A motorized scooter
rider was fatally struck despite heroic efforts by Hatzolah
and hospital staff. He was a member of our community,
and his loss has shaken many.
The growing use of motorized scooters—especially among
yeshiva boys—poses serious dangers. Sharing busy roads
with limited protection and visibility can be deadly.
Parents, rabbonim, and community leaders must address
this issue urgently. Stronger safety rules, helmet use, en-
forcement, and safer transportation alternatives must be
considered.
If even one life is saved through awareness, this loss will
not have been in vain.
LT
Vues Master’s Note: May his memory be a reminder for
all of us.
ANTI SEMITE
Dear Vues Master:
It is deeply concerning that Tucker Carlson, recently la-
beled “Anti Semite of the Year,” received public support,
or at least a lack of condemnation, from Vice President
JD Vance at the Turning Point USA conference. At a time
when public figures are rightly held accountable for rheto-
ric that can fuel hatred, it is notable that the Vice President
of the United States, and a leading contender for the 2028
presidential election, declined to denounce an individual
accused of promoting antisemitism.
This omission is more than a political footnote. It signals
to the public that serious allegations of prejudice may be
overlooked when convenient, raising questions about the
values and priorities of those in the highest offices. Anti-
semitism is not a partisan issue; it is a moral one. Leaders
have a responsibility to call out hate speech and stand in
solidarity with marginalized communities. Silence, in this
context, can be interpreted as tacit approval or, at mini-
mum, a troubling tolerance of harmful rhetoric.
As Americans prepare for future elections, it is critical
that candidates demonstrate not only political acumen but
also ethical clarity. How leaders respond to accusations of
bigotry reflects the standards they will uphold if entrust-
ed with the nation’s highest offices. The public deserves
transparency, accountability, and unequivocal denuncia-
tion of hate, regardless of political alignment.
Failing to confront antisemitism sends a dangerous mes-
sage: that political expediency can outweigh moral re-
sponsibility. Our leaders must remember that words have
power, and inaction in the face of hate has consequences
for us all.
DT
Vues Master’s Note: He is the worst of the worst!
ANTI SEMITE #1
Dear Vues Master:
Tucker Carlson’s recent conduct illustrates why public
figures with massive platforms must be held to basic stan-
dards of responsibility. Carlson is not a fringe provocateur
shouting into the void; he commands one of the largest
audiences in American media. When someone with that
reach repeatedly platforms extremists and traffics in rheto-
ric long associated with antisemitic conspiracy theories,
the consequences extend far beyond “just asking ques-
tions.”
StopAntisemitism’s decision to name Carlson its 2025
“Antisemite of the Year” should alarm anyone who cares
about civic norms. His interview with Nick Fuentes, a
known Holocaust denier and white nationalist, was not a
neutral journalistic exercise. It offered legitimacy to ideas
that have historically fueled discrimination and violence.
Similarly troubling are Carlson’s attacks on “Christian Zi-
onists” using dehumanizing language and his praise of so-
called historians who minimize or distort the Holocaust.
These choices are not accidental; they reflect a pattern.
Carlson often couches these moments in irony or skep-
ticism, allowing him to claim plausible deniability while
guests push narratives about Jewish “control” or disloy-
alty. This tactic is especially dangerous because it launders
bigotry into mainstream conversation, making it seem de-
batable rather than unacceptable. History shows where
such normalization leads.
At a time when antisemitism is rising in schools, online
spaces, and public life, influential commentators should be
working to lower the temperature, not inflame it. Criticism
of governments or policies is fair game. Repeating tropes
that target Jews as a group is not.
Media institutions, advertisers, and audiences alike should
demand better. Free speech does not mean freedom from
accountability, especially when speech contributes to real-
world harm. MT
]Vues Master’s Note: Disaster of a person!
DR. KEVORKIAN?
Dear Vues Master:
I write with profound disappointment and
deep alarm at Governor Hochul’s announce-
ment of her intention to sign the Medical Aid
in Dying Act, legalizing physician-assisted
suicide in New York. This decision marks a
tragic turning point for our state and for how
we value human life, particularly the lives of
the most vulnerable among us.
For more than a decade, Agudath Israel has
opposed physician-assisted suicide, and that
opposition remains unwavering today. Over
the years, the organization has held dozens
of meetings with legislators, presented public
testimony, made personal pleas to the gover-
nor, and issued action alerts that generated
thousands of calls and emails from concerned
New Yorkers. Together with our coalition
partners, these efforts surely delayed this mo-
ment. That it has now arrived reflects a sober-
ing societal shift in how life itself is regarded.
In a letter sent this past July, Agudath Isra-
el warned the governor that this legislation
represents a profound paradigm shift in how
New York treats life and its most vulnerable
citizens. It raises grave moral, medical, and
religious concerns that cannot be resolved
through procedural safeguards alone.
While we acknowledge the proposed amend-
ments adding certain protections, allowing
medical professionals to decline participa-
tion without penalty and preventing insurers
from denying end-of-life care, our opposition
remains steadfast. No set of amendments can
change the fundamental reality that physi-
cian-assisted suicide crosses a moral line
long held to be sacrosanct.
That line has now been breached. This is,
simply put, a dark day for New York.
AT
Vues Master’s Note: It is amazing how low
our morals have fallen!
HOMELESS
Dear Vues Master:
I strongly support City Council Member Inna
Vernikov’s opinion highlighting the dangers
of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s decision
to end homeless encampment sweeps. While
empathy for those experiencing homeless-
ness is important, abandoning policies that
maintain public safety and provide access to
shelter is neither compassionate nor practi-
cal.
During the Adams administration, encamp-
ment sweeps were conducted in a coordinat-
ed manner, pairing NYPD officers with so-
cial workers and organizations like Breaking
Ground—to offer services and move home-
less individuals into shelters. This approach
balanced the dignity of those in need with
the safety and quality of life of the broader
community. Many individuals accepted as-
sistance and left the streets for shelters, a tan-
gible outcome of a policy that worked.
Mamdani’s plan, by contrast, removes the
enforcement component, leaving tents, un-
sanitary conditions, drugs, and needles un-
checked. This policy reversal does not em-
power the homeless, it traps them in unsafe
conditions, and simultaneously jeopardizes
neighborhood safety, property values, and
the city’s livability. Encampments will per-
sist unchecked near schools, parks, and pub-
lic spaces, creating public health and safety
hazards.
True compassion involves combining out-
reach, shelter placement, and public safety,
not relying solely on slogans or hashtags.
Ending encampment sweeps is reckless and
inhumane, and it ignores the realities of ur-
ban homelessness. A practical, humane solu-
tion must include continued street outreach,
access to shelter, and enforcement when nec-
essary. We cannot sacrifice quality of life or
safety under the guise of empathy.
IW
Vues Master’s Note: New York’s homeless-
ness problem under Mamdani will be worse
than California’s. When is Inna running for
mayor?
CHANUKAH
Dear Vues Master:
I wanted to take a moment to express how
much I thoroughly enjoyed the last two Cha-
nukah editions of The Jewish Vues. Every is-
sue was an absolute delight to read! I loved
all the columns—they were thoughtful, en-
gaging, and covered a wide variety
of topics that really resonated with
me and my family. The fun ques-
tions and jokes added a wonderful
touch of humor that kept us smiling
every day.
Chanukah itself was truly magical
this year. My family celebrated with
joy and warmth, hosting parties and
gathering together to honor the holi-
day’s traditions. The Jewish Vues
made our celebrations even more
special. We relied on it to purchase
delicious food and thoughtful gifts,
and everything we chose was per-
fect.
I especially loved all the pictures in the pa-
per; they really brought the stories and arti-
cles to life! It’s wonderful how your publica-
tion combines meaningful content with such
engaging visuals.
I also appreciated how The Jewish Vues re-
flects the spirit and values of our commu-
nity. From insightful commentary to playful
features, every page made me feel proud to
be part of this vibrant community. I look
forward to each issue and always find some-
thing to enjoy and share with my family and
friends.
Thank you to the entire team for creating
such a wonderful, engaging, and uplifting
publication. It truly added joy and meaning to
our Chanukah celebrations, and I can’t wait
to see what future issues bring!
MR
Vues Master’s Note: We are blushing and
taking a bow! Thanks for showing apprecia-
tion!
KOVOD HATORAH
Dear Vues Master:
As we say goodbye to Chanukah this year,
we unfortunately must witness the Torah
once again being assaulted by those who seek
to eradicate it from Eretz Yisrael. Disturbing
news continues to emerge, with boys being
arrested, yungerleit beaten, and even a pres-
tigious Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Avraham Idan, at-
tacked and verbally degraded by police.
How is the land of our fathers, our oasis of
ruchniyus, being controlled by such a terrible
erev rav? The heart aches seeing lomdei To-
rah scorned by society. Torah learning, the
force that sustains the world—is somehow
the least respected pursuit.
Ask anyone in any profession to spend eight
uninterrupted hours in a beis medrash with-
out taking their eyes off the Gemara, and
most would struggle to last even one day.
Those who learn day in and day out, deep-
ly and with mefarshim, are accomplishing
something extraordinary. Their devotion to
Hashem is total.
Supporting them may not come with plaques
or public recognition, but it is a gift given
directly to Hashem. When gedolei hador are
cut off financially and cry out for help, we
must not turn away.
May we see an end to the modern-day Mi-
syavnim and merit to stand on the right side
of history.
KLMY
Vues Master’s Note: We need Moshiach!
KEEP THE LIGHT BURNING
Dear Vues Master:
There is a form of courage that rarely earns
applause: challenging falsehoods within
one’s own camp. That is why Ben Shapiro’s
recent speech at the Turning Point USA con-
ference deserves attention.
Rather than attacking opponents, Shapiro
confronted conspiracy theories and narra-
tives detached from evidence, even when
they veer into antisemitism. He spoke know-
ing the cost, and spoke anyway.
This mirrors Parshas Vayigash, when Yehuda
refuses to accept a false narrative. Chanukah
teaches the same lesson: truth is not negotia-
ble. The Menorah’s light symbolizes clarity
in the face of confusion.
Truth erodes when silence feels safer than
honesty. History is shaped by those who con-
front falsehood, even alone. That courage
keeps the light alive.
RMW
Vues Master’s Note: YES! What a lesson!
RIVIERA
Dear Vues Master:
The reported plan to transform Gaza into a
high-tech “Riviera of the Middle East” reads
more like a real estate fantasy than serious
policy. While rebuilding Gaza is urgent, this
vision ignores political and security realities.
The plan depends on Hamas disarming—an
outcome widely acknowledged as unlikely.
Donors are also unlikely to invest billions
without stable governance or security. His-
tory supports this skepticism.
The proposal glosses over the immediate hu-
man reality, offering glossy concepts while
remaining vague about displacement and
survival.
Without legitimate governance and security,
this plan is not a roadmap to peace, but an
exercise in denial. TYW
Vues Master’s Note: Just like Beirut was.
POLITICS
Dear Vues Master,
Like many Republican voters, I was disap-
pointed by Rep. Elise Stefanik’s withdrawal
from the governor’s race. Still, her decision
demonstrates political realism.
At the same time, I strongly support Nassau
County Executive Bruce Blakeman. A divid-
ed primary would have weakened Republi-
cans against Gov. Hochul. President Trump’s
endorsement of Blakeman sends a clear mes-
sage of unity.
While Stefanik will be missed, consolidat-
ing behind Blakeman offers the best chance
to restore accountability and make New York
safer and more affordable.
DPL
Vues Master’s Note: Blakeman is definitely
going to give Hochul a run for her money!
PAINTING
Dear Vues Master:
It’s not against the law to paint an antisemitic
mural, But that doesn’t mean a museum is
required to display it, especially when that
museum is funded by taxpayers.
The museum in question is the History
Colorado Center, a state institution, which
commissioned a local artist named Mada-
lyn Drewno to paint a portrait of Denver’s
Vietnamese immigrant community. Drewno
decided, instead, to paint a mural showcas-
ing anti-Israel and anti-Jewish themes, with
a few Vietnamese Americans thrown in. The
history center objected, and now Drewno and
the American Civil Liberties Union are ac-
cusing the museum of suppressing her right
to free artistic expression.
Several scenes in the mural indulge in Holo-
caust inversion by falsely accusing Israel of
committing “genocide” in Gaza. One charges
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) with
“funding genocide” because he supports en-
abling Israel to defend itself against the mass
murderers and gang rapists of Hamas.
It should be noted that comparing Israeli ac-
tions to those of the Nazis, which is what the
genocide slur implies, is antisemitic, accord-
ing to the IHRA definition of antisemitism,
which the Obama administration began using
more than fifteen years ago.
Several of Drewno’s images depict Jew-
ish money controlling American politicians,
one of the oldest antisemitic canards in the
book. In one, U.S. Senator John Hicken-
looper (D-Colo.) has dollar signs instead of
eyes. In case anyone misses her meaning,
Drewno explained to The New York Times
this week that she was referring to Hicken-
looper receiving donations from “pro-Israel
lobbyists.”
The mural also includes an image of a pro-
tester holding a sign that reads, “Congress Is
Not for Sale,” calling to mind the infamous
claim by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-
Minn.) that her colleagues support Israel be-
cause they are bribed by Jews. “It’s all about
the Benjamins,” Omar declared.
There are quite a few scenes involving pro-
testers in Drewno’s mural. Some show them
waving the official flag of the PLO, a long-
time symbol of the campaign to destroy Is-
rael and replace it with “Palestine.” No fewer
than thirteen PLO flags appear in the paint-
ing.
The most ironic aspect of the mural is an im-
age of someone holding a sign that reads,
“Sudan Stands with Palestine.” The Biden
administration labeled the ongoing slaughter
in Sudan as “genocide” because “Arab mi-
litias” there “have systematically murdered
men and boys, even infants, on an ethnic
basis, and deliberately targeted women and
girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and
other forms of brutal sexual violence.” That
description sounds a lot like October 7.
In Sudan, Arabs are massacring non-Arabs.
In southern Israel two years ago, Arabs mas-
sacred 1,200 non-Arabs. That is why both the
Arab militias of Sudan and Hamas are guilty
of genocide.
Thus, the sign Drewno painted should say
“Sudan Stands with Israel,” alluding to the
natural kinship of victims of genocide. In-
stead, in her mural, perpetrators of genocide
effectively “stand” with other perpetrators of
genocide, and Drewno cheers them on. The
slogan “Sudan Stands with Palestine” will be
remembered for its painful, unintended irony.
In its reporting this week on the Drewno con-
troversy, The New York Times noted that the
Colorado town of Vail last year canceled the
artist residency of Danielle SeeWalker be-
cause, as the paper put it, she “posted a piece
on social media that reflects her views on the
war in Gaza.”
The problem was not that Vail objected to
artists expressing their views on Gaza. The
problem was that the piece in question pro-
moted the same Holocaust-inverting lie as
Drewno’s mural, that Israel is committing
genocide in Gaza.
SeeWalker titled her painting G Is for Geno-
cide and wrote this accompanying text:
“Some days I have overwhelming grief &
guilt for walking around privileged while
people in Gaza are suffering.” Instead of ex-
pressing her grief by, say, donating her salary
to Gazans, SeeWalker opted to invert the Ho-
locaust and sue Vail when it objected.
The town of Vail decided to settle SeeWalk-
er’s suit out of court. It remains to be seen
whether Drewno will sue the History Colo-
rado Center.
It’s difficult to imagine that Drewno has any
legal grounds to force the taxpayer-funded
history center to display her antisemitic mu-
ral. But leaving legal technicalities aside,
let’s consider the moral angle.
What if the History Colorado Center com-
missioned an artist to create a mural about
the state’s African American community, and
the artist produced a painting that justified
lynching and apartheid and glorified white
supremacists marching through Black neigh-
borhoods waving racist flags?
Would that qualify as artistic free expression
that the public must support and display, or
would the bigoted mural be shunned?
In the United States, racist and antisemitic
artists are free to paint whatever they choose.
But that does not mean the public must em-
brace or fund them.
Dr. Rafael Medoff
Vues Master’s Note: Museums are run by
people who study art and are among the big-
gest antisemites, funded by Muslims.
MAMDANI’S ADMINISTRATION
Dear Vues Master
I am writing to express serious concern re-
garding the recent Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) report highlighting troubling connec-
tions among some of Mayor-elect Zohran
Mamdani’s transition appointees to anti-
Zionist and anti-Israel activism. According
to the report, at least one in five of the more
than 400 individuals appointed to advisory or
administrative roles has publicly expressed
views that the ADL characterizes as anti-Is-
rael, with some supporting actions that many
consider extreme or inflammatory.
While it is important to distinguish between
legitimate criticism of Israeli government
policies and antisemitism, the examples cited
in the report, endorsements of Palestinian
“resistance” shortly after a deadly Hamas
attack, public support for hardline activist
groups, and statements equating Zionism
with genocide, are deeply troubling. Lead-
ers and advisors in city government carry the
responsibility of protecting all New Yorkers,
and any rhetoric that appears to legitimize
violence or delegitimize a group’s identity
undermines that trust.
New York City thrives on diversity, civic
engagement, and open dialogue, yet these
principles require a foundation of mutual
respect and safety. Citizens deserve trans-
parency about the values and affiliations of
those shaping policy and advising the mayor.
I urge Mayor-elect Mamdani to ensure that
his administration actively upholds the safe-
ty, inclusion, and dignity of all communities,
while clearly denouncing hatred and extrem-
ism in any form. VT
Vues Master’s Note: If you think things are
bad for Jews in New York right now, just wait
until Mamdani takes office.
US REGULATORS OK WEGOVY
PILL FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Dear Vues Master
I’m thrilled to hear that U.S. regulators
have approved a pill version of Wegovy, the
groundbreaking weight-loss drug! I’ve been
taking the injectable form, Monjaro, for a
little over a year now and have seen signifi-
cant results. It’s helped me shed pounds and
regain a sense of control over my appetite,
which has been life-changing.
That said, the injections are expensive and
not something I enjoy. The idea of a daily pill
is incredibly exciting because it could make
this type of treatment more accessible and af-
fordable. The convenience alone, no needles,
no weekly shots, would make it easier for
people like me to stay consistent. Knowing
that clinical trials show oral Wegovy offers
nearly the same weight-loss benefits as the
injectable version gives me real hope that
others struggling with obesity might soon
have a simpler option.
Cost is always a major concern. Many
people avoid GLP-1 drugs because of the
high price, and even though some compa-
nies are negotiating lower costs, $1,000 a
month is out of reach for most. A pill that’s
easier to take and potentially cheaper could
be a game-changer, expanding access to
the hundreds of millions of Americans who
struggle with weight-related health issues.
This approval is more than just another drug
on the market, it’s a sign of progress in mak-
ing effective obesity treatment practical for
everyday people. I’m excited for the day
when managing weight doesn’t have to come
with needles or a massive price tag. MS
Vues Master’s Note: Sounds great, as long as
it’s healthy.
MONEY TALKS
Dear Vues Master
I am writing to express my disappointment
with the way some yeshiva administrations
treat families based on financial status. As a
parent who does not have significant means,
I have noticed a troubling pattern, when I at-
tempt to communicate with the administra-
tion regarding my son’s education or needs,
I am often met with indifference or outright
dismissal. In contrast, parents who are able to
contribute more financially are treated with
warmth, respect, and genuine attentiveness.
It is disheartening to feel that my family’s
financial limitations affect the level of atten-
tion and care my son receives. Every child
deserves to feel valued and supported, re-
gardless of their family’s bank account. Edu-
cation should not be influenced by wealth,
and the role of a school administration is to
ensure that all students and their families are
treated equitably.
I urge yeshiva administrations, and all edu-
cational institutions, to reflect on this behav-
ior. Policies and attitudes that favor wealthier
parents create unnecessary divisions within
a community and send a message that some
children and families matter less than others.
It is my hope that by raising awareness,
schools can recommit to fairness and inclu-
sivity, so that every parent and student feels
welcomed and respected. No family should
have to worry that financial status will de-
termine the quality of attention or care their
child receives. ZJ
Vues Master’s Note: Unfortunately, this is
how the world works. It shouldn’t be this
way, especially in our yeshivas. But when a
parent with money walks into a yeshiva, the
administration sees dollars and wants them,
so they end up giving those parents more at-
tention.