13 Jan 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.
PSA
Dear Vues Master:
I am writing to alert the community to an important hala-
chic concern that many people may be completely unaware
of. A recent communal advisory from the Vaad L’Mishmeres
Shatnez warns that couches, upholstered furniture, and even
decorative pillows may contain shatnez (prohibited mixtures
of wool and linen), potentially leading to serious Torah viola-
tions in everyday life.
Many assume that shatnez is limited to clothing, yet the pro-
hibition applies whenever wool and linen are combined in a
manner from which one derives benefit. According to the advi-
sory, furniture, especially custom-made couches and pillows,
may be manufactured using wool fabric or padding together
with linen components. When a couch is soft or plush and a
person sinks into it, sitting on such furniture can constitute a
direct violation of “u’beged kilayim shatnez lo ya’aleh ale-
cha.” Even firmer couches that do not compress significantly
may still present a halachic problem.
This concern extends beyond one’s own home. When visiting
others, staying in hotels, or renting vacation properties, one
may unknowingly encounter couches or pillows containing
shatnez. The advisory further notes that, in some circumstanc-
es, merely having such items in the home may be prohibited,
similar to the well-known issue of shatnez curtains.
The Vaad L’Mishmeres Shatnez strongly urges that all furni-
ture and household items that may contain wool or linen be
professionally tested before use. Awareness is the first step in
prevention. I encourage readers to take this warning seriously
and to seek proper guidance to ensure their homes remain free
of this hidden prohibition. WT
Vues Master’s Note: Stay home!
COVER
Dear Vues Master:
I am writing to say how much I enjoyed last week’s front
cover of The Jewish Vues. It was one of those rare covers
that makes you stop, smile, and immediately want to show it
to someone else. The image of Mamdani paired with the un-
forgettable “Oy Yoy Yoyo” was inspired, sharp, and perfectly
captured the mood of the moment.
What made the cover especially effective was how it blend-
ed humor with pointed commentary. At first glance, it made
me laugh, but the longer I looked at it, the more it resonated.
The expression, the framing, and the caption worked together
perfectly. It felt unmistakably Jewish Vues: culturally savvy,
witty, and unafraid to say out loud what so many people are
already thinking.
Mamdani really is an “Oy Yoy Yoyo,” and the cover man-
aged to communicate that instantly without needing a long
explanation. More than that, it captured a deeper concern. If
this image is any indication, Mamdani seems poised to give
Jewish people a whole lot of “oy yoy yoy” moments over the
next four years. The cover summed up that anxiety with hu-
mor, irony, and a knowing nod that many readers immediately
understood.
In a media world where covers are often forgettable, this one
stood out. It was bold, memorable, and incredibly on point. It
reminded me why I look forward to each issue of The Jewish
Vues: you understand your readers and speak our language,
both literally and culturally.
Please extend my compliments to your editorial team. Last
week’s front cover was clever, timely, and truly enjoyable.
Sincerely, A Very Amused Reader
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks. We love such feedback!
SPEAKER
Dear Vues Master:
Julie Menin’s election as speaker of the New York City Coun-
cil feels like a welcome moment of reassurance at a time when
many Jewish New Yorkers have felt increasingly uneasy. Her
unanimous selection, long record as a centrist Democrat, and
clear commitment to combating antisemitism suggest a steady
hand at the second-most powerful post in city government. As
the council’s first Jewish speaker, Menin brings not only sym-
bolic significance but also a history of pragmatic governance
that many of us trust.
I was particularly struck by her emphasis on “dissolving divi-
sion” and “calming tensions.” In a city as diverse and politi-
cally charged as New York, that tone matters. The fact that we
now have the first Muslim mayor and the first Jewish speaker
serving simultaneously could, at its best, model respectful co-
existence and constructive disagreement. Menin’s presence
alone may reassure communities who worry that their con-
cerns about Israel and antisemitism will otherwise be side-
lined.
At the same time, it is hard not to wonder how much influence
she can realistically wield in the face of Mayor Zohran Mam-
dani’s deeply entrenched and openly hostile views on Israel.
While the speaker’s role is powerful, it is not unlimited, and
conflicts between the mayor and the council seem inevitable.
Checks and balances only work if both sides are willing to
engage in good faith.
Still, Menin’s election gives me cautious hope.
Even if she cannot resolve every dispute, her
leadership may slow the rush toward polariza-
tion and ensure that Jewish New Yorkers are
neither ignored nor dismissed. In today’s cli-
mate, that alone would be meaningful progress.
VF
Vues Master’s Note: Finally, a Jew with a
speaking part!
RUSSIA
Dear Vues Master:
Russia’s latest rejection of a U.S.- and Europe-
backed peace framework makes one thing
painfully clear: Vladimir Putin is not looking
for peace. He is looking for war, leverage, and
time. Moscow’s sharp dismissal of proposals
aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine fol-
lows a familiar pattern—denounce diplomacy
as “militarization,” blame the West for escala-
tion, and then continue the very aggression that
made negotiations necessary in the first place.
If Putin truly wanted peace, he would welcome
security guarantees that prevent future blood-
shed. Instead, the Kremlin frames any postwar
stability as a threat, because a stable, sovereign
Ukraine undermines the logic of Russia’s inva-
sion. Calling peacekeeping forces an “axis of
war” is not a serious argument; it is propaganda
designed to justify endless conflict.
The reality is that America’s options are limited.
The United States can supply weapons, impose
sanctions, and rally allies, but it cannot force
Russia to negotiate in good faith. The only way
to stop Russia outright would be direct military
confrontation—and that would almost certainly
lead to World War III. No responsible leader
wants U.S. and Russian troops fighting each
other with nuclear escalation looming in the
background.
That is why Putin holds the upper hand: he
is willing to prolong suffering, gamble with
global stability, and absorb economic pain to
achieve imperial ambitions. Peace requires
compromise. War requires only stubbornness.
Putin has chosen the latter.
Until Russia demonstrates a real willingness to
end its aggression, we should stop pretending
that rejected peace offers are misunderstand-
ings. They are choices—and they are choices
for war. ML
Vues Master’s Note: They will drag it out as
long as they can!
CRISIS
Dear Vues Master:
The shidduch crisis in the frum world, espe-
cially the disproportionate number of women in
their late twenties who remain single, requires
honest discussion and courageous change.
This is not a matter of personal failure, but of
a demographic and cultural imbalance that our
community can no longer afford to ignore.
By the time women reach their late twenties,
there are simply far fewer available men in
that same age range. Many men marry earlier,
marry younger women, or delay marriage while
remaining open only to significantly younger
ages. The result is a widening gap in which
capable, accomplished, and deeply commit-
ted women find themselves competing for a
shrinking pool of potential matches. This is not
anecdotal; it is a predictable outcome of long-
standing communal norms.
We must be willing to question assumptions
that have become entrenched. Encouraging
men to consider women closer to their own age,
and normalizing marriages where the woman
is the same age or slightly older, would imme-
diately ease pressure on the system. Likewise,
discouraging unrealistic age ceilings and rigid
expectations would allow more matches to de-
velop naturally.
Equally important is how we treat single wom-
en. Women in their late twenties are often at the
height of their emotional maturity, professional
stability, and spiritual clarity. They deserve re-
spect, inclusion, and advocacy, not pity or si-
lence.
Rabbinic leaders, educators, and shadchanim
must work together to address this imbalance
openly, with data, guidance, and communal ac-
countability. If we acknowledge the reality and
adjust our attitudes accordingly, we can move
toward a healthier, more compassionate shid-
duch culture, one that truly reflects our values.
BS
Vues Master’s Note: Hashem has done a fine
job running this world for 5,700-odd years. He
will figure out this disparity as well.
COMMON PAIN RELIEVERS CAN
CAUSE HEART PROBLEMS
Dear Vues Master
Many people assume that medicines sold with-
out a prescription are automatically safe.
Unfortunately, this belief can be misleading
and, in some cases, dangerous. Over-the-
counter pain relievers are among the most
commonly used drugs, yet growing medical
evidence shows that they can pose serious
health risks if used carelessly.
Doctors warn that non-steroidal anti-inflam-
matory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen,
naproxen and diclofenac, may increase
blood pressure and raise the risk of heart
attacks and strokes, especially when taken
in high doses or over long periods. These
drugs affect chemicals in the body that control
inflammation, but they also influence blood
vessels, fluid balance and kidney function. As
a result, they can place extra strain on the heart
and disrupt blood pressure control.
Even medications often seen as “safer,” such
as acetaminophen, are not completely risk-free.
Research suggests that long-term or high-dose
use may also raise blood pressure. For older
adults and people with conditions like heart
disease, diabetes, kidney problems or hyperten-
sion, these risks are even greater.
This does not mean people should panic or
avoid pain relief altogether. Occasional, short-
term use is generally safe for healthy individu-
als. However, the key message is caution. Med-
ications should be taken at the lowest effective
dose for the shortest possible time, and warning
signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath,
swelling or sudden weakness should never be
ignored.
We must treat over-the-counter drugs with the
same respect as prescription medicines. Read-
ing labels, following dosage instructions and
seeking medical advice when unsure can pre-
vent serious harm. A little caution today may
protect our hearts tomorrow. HT
Vues Master’s Note: Thank you for sharing
this important information; it raises awareness
about medication risks and encourages safer,
more informed health decisions.
ATTACK
Dear Vues Master:
Recent reports quoting President Donald Trump
have left many Americans asking an unsettling
question: when, exactly, does he plan to attack
Iran, and what is he waiting for? The president
says he is “looking at very strong options,” that
the military is “looking at it,” and that Iran may
be crossing a red line as protests there grow
bloodier by the day. Yet beyond ominous lan-
guage and social media posts promising that the
United States “stands ready to help,” the public
is left with ambiguity instead of clarity.
The situation in Iran is undeniably tragic. Hu-
man rights groups report hundreds of deaths and
thousands detained as protesters demand politi-
cal change amid crushing economic conditions.
These realities deserve international attention
and moral outrage. They also raise questions of
timing, resolve, and follow-through from an ad-
ministration known for acting decisively when
the moment demands it.
Is the president prepared to explain what U.S.
military action would actually accomplish?
How would airstrikes or retaliation protect Ira-
nian civilians, prevent regional escalation, or
safeguard American troops and allies already
within range of Iranian retaliation? If no deci-
sion has been made, why escalate rhetoric that
raises expectations of action while insisting that
planning is merely “routine”?
History shows that wars often begin not with
formal declarations, but with miscalculations
fueled by bravado and blurred red lines. Presi-
dent Trump has built his reputation on acting
when he believes strength is required, ignoring
hesitation and bureaucratic paralysis. If he be-
lieves military force is necessary, many expect
he will act swiftly and decisively. If not, contin-
ued threats risk creating confusion, instability,
and false expectations on all sides.
Americans deserve to know: is this a path to-
ward peace and accountability, or another
march toward an unnecessary war? TR
Vues Master’s Note: Attack early and often!
SECRETS
Dear Vues Master:
R’ בנט מרדכי of Prague was not surprised when
a wealthy קמצן rejected his request for צדקה.
But he could not remain silent when the קמצן
said, “I like to give בסתר צדקה, without anyone
knowing who gave and who received.” רבי
מרדכי responded: “It is really odd and perplex-
ing that the עבירות you commit בסתר—no matter
how much you try to conceal them, are all well
known. Yet not a soul has ever heard of the מעשי
צדקה that you claim to do בסתר.“
LK
Vues Master’s Note: It is such a secret that no
one knows about it, because it was never done!
BEN GVIR
Dear Vues Master:
I am writing out of deep concern and convic-
tion regarding the ongoing campaign against
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. I
support Ben Gvir unapologetically, and I be-
lieve the current effort to remove him is not
only misguided but deeply alarming for anyone
who values democratic norms.
What we are witnessing goes far beyond ordi-
nary criticism. Unelected activists and sympa-
thetic media voices are attempting to pressure
a sitting Supreme Court justice to predetermine
an outcome before arguments are even heard.
That is not the rule of law; it is rule by intimida-
tion. Calling this maneuvering “defensive de-
mocracy” does not make it any less dangerous.
Ben Gvir was lawfully appointed, enjoys public
backing, and faces no indictment, no convic-
tion, and no legal requirement for dismissal.
Stretching old precedents beyond recognition
simply to neutralize a political opponent un-
dermines faith in the judiciary itself. Judicial
discretion should never become a substitute for
the ballot box.
I support Ben Gvir because he speaks plain-
ly, refuses to apologize for defending public
safety, and represents voters who are too often
dismissed as illegitimate. One does not have to
agree with him to understand that removing a
minister without legal cause sets a precedent
that can be used against anyone, from any
camp, at any time.
This situation is alarming precisely because it
normalizes extraordinary intervention as if it
were routine. A democracy cannot survive when
outcomes are engineered through pressure cam-
paigns rather than law. The court should decide
on law alone. MK
Vues Master’s Note: Politics as usual!
WATER
Dear Vues Master,
You never really know when a household emer-
gency is going to strike.
After nearly 20 years with the same water tank,
I noticed low water pressure in the shower one
morning. Within a very short time, it became
clear that the tank had burst. Thankfully, I was
home and was fortunate to reach a wonderful
plumber who came immediately, removed the
old tank, and installed a new one. As many
homeowners know, the cost of such an emer-
gency is significant, and it reinforced the im-
portance of maintaining an emergency fund for
unexpected repairs.
The practical advice I’m sharing is something
my beloved father impressed upon me and my
siblings many years ago. May he rest in peace.
Whenever we leave our home for a weekend
or vacation, we shut off the main water supply.
Had this incident occurred while we were away,
the result could have been catastrophic—major
flooding, an enormous water bill, and a lengthy
and stressful insurance claim.
Equally important is knowing exactly where
the main water shut-off valve is located in
your home and how to use it. In an emergency,
this is vital information, and every adult in the
household should be familiar with it.
Another point, which may be less popular but
worth considering: I personally would not host
people in my home when we are not there. If
something like this were to happen while unfa-
miliar guests were present, they likely wouldn’t
know how to respond quickly or where to shut
off the water, turning a manageable problem
into a disaster.
As the saying goes, caveat emptor—buyer be-
ware. A little preparedness and foresight can
prevent a great deal of damage, expense, and
stress. RS
Vues Master’s Note: Good advice—otherwise
it won’t be water under the bridge, but rather
all over your basement!
WINNERS
Dear Vues Master:
A Jewish couple won the lottery and imme-
diately set out to begin a life of luxury. They
bought a magnificent mansion and surrounded
themselves with every imaginable material
comfort. They then hired a very proper, very
British butler and brought him into their home.
The day after his arrival, he was instructed to
set the dining room table for four, as they were
inviting the Cohens to lunch. The couple then
left to do some shopping. When they returned,
they found the table set for eight. They asked
the butler why he had set the table for eight
when they had specifically instructed him to
set it for four.
The butler replied, “The Cohens telephoned
and said they were bringing the blintzes and
the knishes.” MB
Vues Master’s Note: What about me and the
kishka?
KID YOU NOT
Dear Vues Master:
A Jewish mother said: “I have two daughters.
I named one החמש and the other החונמ. Both
are, Baruch Hashem married. החונמ has chil-
dren, but החמש doesn’t. When החונמ comes to
visit, I have החמש but don’t have החונמ. When
החמש comes to visit, I have החונמ but don’t have
LP” .החמש
Vues Master’s Note: That is so sad! May you
have lots of children and grandchildren!
CLIMATE ACCORD
Dear Vues Master:
President Trump’s decision to withdraw the
United States from the international climate
accord is being framed as reckless. I see it as
overdue honesty. For years, Americans have
been told that these sweeping agreements are
about saving the planet, yet they function more
like political theater than practical solutions.
They promise cooperation while delivering
bureaucracy, vague targets, and little account-
ability.
The accord asks the United States to shoul-
der outsized economic costs while competi-
tors receive flexibility, exemptions, or delayed
timelines. That imbalance is not leadership;
it is self-handicapping. Domestic workers in
energy, manufacturing, and agriculture pay
the price through higher costs and lost jobs,
while global emissions continue to rise regard-
less of our compliance. If an agreement cannot
demonstrably change outcomes, it becomes a
farce.
Supporters warn of diplomatic fallout, but real
cooperation begins with sovereign nations
making choices that fit their own realities.
America can invest in cleaner technology, re-
silience, and innovation without surrendering
control to international panels that voters never
elected. Progress driven by markets and local
ingenuity has historically outperformed man-
dates written thousands of miles away.
By pulling out, President Trump is asserting
that environmental stewardship and economic
strength are not mutually exclusive, and that
symbolic commitments should not override
measurable results. The United States should
lead by example through innovation, not by
signing onto frameworks that diffuse responsi-
bility and dilute accountability.
Criticism will be loud, but
independence often is. This
decision recognizes a simple
truth: agreements that constrain
Americans while excusing oth-
ers are not solutions.
Simon S
Vues Master’s Note: The climate dictated that
Trump should pull out of a corrupt organiza-
tion busy with everyone else except them-
selves. Hypocrites!
RAIN
Dear Vues Master,
On Shemini Atzeret, the chazzan, who had a
good voice but a bad reputation, recited תליפת
םשג. As soon as he finished, it began to rain. Af-
ter davening, he approached the shuls Gabbai
and proudly declared, “Heaven answered my
davening and brought rain to the world.”
The Gabbai replied, “I’m not surprised. Others
like you once brought a flood to the world.”
JV
Vues Master’s Note: These letters need to keep
flooding in!
POEM STATE OF OUR BEING
Dear Vues Master:
Sadness engulfs us
As one reflects
Upon the “ teeming Masses
Yearning to be Free”
Is that Not True In All Our History?
Those were the words and deeds
Yearning for Jews of Europe
Hoping to be freed
Poem of a Syrian Jewess
Named Emma LAzarus
Who spoke in in eighteen eighty three
Of then the Jews in Europe
Yearning to be FREE
Of antisemitism also then
As it repeats itself today again
Is it Not Always so in Our History?
As if a prophet
She knew NOT
That even in America
Our “freedom”Again is forgot
Is that not Our History – as it was always so?
In later years
After our poet was long gone
The poem was emblazoned on
The Statue of Liberty
For all to see
Would History be finally rewritten- would we
be freed
Would this be our welcoming land indeed?
They came to Ellis Island
There they embarked
They came in droves
And Emma’s poem
Followed them with” hopes”
That they were safe at last
Would our Fate prove otherwise?
She wrote
“Give me your tired
your poor
Your huddled masses
yearning to breathe
free”
As in the 1939s and
in 1883
Her poem hoped that we would finally see
A place to rest Our weary heads
And so she said
“Send us the wretched refuse of your teeming
shore’”
So they would suffer never more!
But that is not in our History is it?
And so the poem concludes:
“Send these ,the homeless ,tempest- tost to me
I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door”
This was to be the land that we
Were Yearning For!
Was this the end of History for us?
Was this the land that Lady Liberty
Had promised us that we would be
Embraced and finally
Set “free”?
But that was not a promise
To come true
For once again
We’re being tossed into the wind
And here we are today
Another song
Comes into mind
And that one is in Yiddish of some kind
It sings”just tell me if you please
Where should I go – turn west or to the east?”
“For every door is closed to me”
The world does not want us ,the Jew
And so we must anew
Leave Gollus that we call our “home”
So once again we ‘re told to ROAM
But in the face of those who demonstrate
Their obvious malice- their vitriol and hate
We must be strong
For this time we do not bend
Nor apologize nor fear
We stand tall and proud
We cow not to “that” crowd
The doors display our Mezuzot
Our men wear proudly their kippot
Raising our children as did our forefathers be-
fore
Living a life of CHESED and what’s more
Displaying our love for TORAH so dear
Without a reason to retreat –no not this year!
For we are Jews – we’re here to stay
Firmly declaring without fear
Proving to the world
That we will never disappear
Three thousand years
We have withstood all who INSIST
That we “begone”
But we RESIST
We live on as the nation of
HIS Choice
Listen World
As loudly and EVER PROUDLY
we do VOICE
AM YISROEL CHAI
Rachel Laufer Fischer
Vues Master’s Note: Beautiful Poem hope it
will be a happy poem next time!