27 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.
COPY
Dear Vues Master:
Last week’s cover of The FJJ left me both incredulous and
disappointed. In a world brimming with pressing issues, un-
told stories, and fresh ideas, how did a newspaper choose to
run a cover story on artificial intelligence, the exact same
topic The Jewish Vues had published just the day before?
One would hope originality remains a cornerstone of jour-
nalism, yet The FJJ seemed content to simply follow in a
peer’s footsteps.
The old saying goes, “Imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery,” but there’s flattery, and then there’s copying your
neighbor’s homework. Readers who follow both publica-
tions couldn’t help but notice the overlap.
The Jewish community deserves journalism that informs,
engages, and surprises, not pieces that leave us asking,
“Haven’t we already read this?” especially in the same
week. Countless stories await exploration, from cultural
traditions and community achievements to social issues
and historical reflections. Any of these would have been far
more meaningful than mirroring a peer.
We know The FJJ often tries to keep pace with The Jewish
Vues, but copying them in the same week? That’s a step too
far.
LP
Vues Master’s Note: I think their cover was done via AI, so
they don’t even practice what they preach. Pathetic!
SNOW
Dear Vues Master:
This past Sunday, the Tri-State area was hit with over a foot
of snow, yet many yeshivas held virtual classes on Monday,
and, for some, even Tuesday, instead of giving students a
proper snow day. While I understand that having an hour of
shiur on Zoom is reasonable, that should be the limit. A full
day, or two, of online classes during a snowstorm under-
mines both safety and well-being.
Traveling in icy conditions is not just inconvenient; it is dan-
gerous for students, parents, and staff. Roads and sidewalks
were treacherous, and a real snow day on Monday and Tues-
day would have allowed everyone to stay safe.
Snow days also serve an important mental and physical pur-
pose. Students need breaks to rest, recharge, and enjoy time
with family and friends. Attempting to replicate this over
Zoom turns what should be a refreshing pause into a stress-
ful screen session, defeating the purpose entirely.
Additionally, snow days foster community and joy. Shov-
eling driveways together, building snowmen, and playing
outside create memories that no virtual lesson can replicate.
For all these reasons, yeshivas in the Tri-State area should
reconsider their approach. One hour of shiur on Zoom is
understandable, but full days of classes during a snowstorm
are not. When nature calls for a pause, true snow days on
Monday and Tuesday, not Zoom days, are what our students
and communities deserve.
WT
Vues Master’s Note: If this were the only snow day, you
would be right, but we are getting more next weekend, so
stay tuned!
ALL HOSTAGES BACK!
Dear Vues Master,
With a heart full of gratitude, I write to mark the return of
Master Sgt. Ran Gvili HY”D, the last remaining Israeli hos-
tage in Gaza. The news of his recovery fills me with im-
mense relief and deep appreciation for the IDF’s courage,
dedication, and precision in bringing this long and painful
chapter to a close. Thank You, Hashem, for guiding this mis-
sion to success.
The intelligence and ground operations that led to his recov-
ery demonstrate the extraordinary capabilities of our mili-
tary and the tireless commitment of those who serve. That
the IDF successfully navigated the complexities of northern
Gaza, coordinating covert operations and meticulously veri-
fying information, is a testament to their professionalism
and unwavering determination to leave no soldier behind.
Watching our brave soldiers honor Ran Gvili HY”D by sing-
ing Ani Ma’amin and Hatikvah is a powerful reminder of
the resilience, unity, and spirit that define Israel. While the
loss is heartbreaking, the return of his remains allows his
family to begin the process of closure and to mourn with
dignity.
This moment reinforces the enduring bond between the IDF,
the people of Israel, and Hashem’s guiding hand. May Ran
Gvili’s memory inspire continued courage and faith in our
nation’s defenders, and may we merit a future of peace and
security for all Israelis.
With profound gratitude and heartfelt relief,
BT
Vues Master’s Note: Baruch Hashem!
ARMY
Dear Vues Master,
It seems that people have very short memories and are for-
getting that for about 75 years, the secular
state itself agreed that learning Torah was
important enough to warrant a military ex-
emption. That exemption was open to any
18-year-old who wished to enroll in yeshiva
learning as a full-time occupation. If someone
opted out and said, “I would rather do military
service and college,” it is inappropriate to be
angry at those who chose the other option.
We, as religious people, already know from
endless Gemara and halachic sources how
much Torah study brings protection. We have
seen this many times in Israeli history alone.
Military sources have openly admitted that
operations such as the 12-day war in Iran
could not possibly have been so successful
without divine miracles and protection.
Just to give one example: not one plane failed
during the entire operation. Not one pilot had
to eject, and we didn’t lose a single man. Think
about that. We went after a sworn enemy that
spent its entire government budget for over 45
years focused on one thing, building weapons
to destroy Israel. And not only did Israel take
out their air defenses in moments, but for 12
days Israeli planes flew freely in their skies as
if they weren’t even there.
As the pasuk says, “Hashem yilachem
lachem.” Many of these successes could not
have happened through military strategy alone.
When we have the power of Torah learning on
our side, anything can be achieved.
That is why it is so important not to take away
our spiritual soldiers from their mission, be-
cause doing so could bring great danger. On
the contrary, we should be sending them do-
nations and food to help them continue, espe-
cially under the evil sanctions levied against
them by the corrupt Supreme Court, which
consistently favors Arabs over Jews.
Let’s have the correct hashkafa and appreci-
ate the Torah warriors who accomplish what
many of us cannot do. Partnering with them—
whether through Adopt-a-Kollel or Keren
Olam HaTorah—is to your advantage. You
will be judged as someone who stood with the
lomdim when they were being beaten down,
and you will also earn learning credits for the
Torah they learn on your behalf, as Yissachar.
A smart man invests wisely. Be that guy.
KLMY
Vues Master’s Note: I don’t think anyone for-
gets because they want to, but because there
are too many protests!
INVEST
Dear Vues Master,
I am pleased to see Comptroller Mark Levine
considering a return to investing New York
City pension funds in Israeli government
bonds, and I believe this moment also calls for
some honest accountability.
The current controversy did not arise in a
vacuum. It was created by former Comptrol-
ler Brad Lander, who chose to let these bonds
expire in 2023 and walk away from a decades-
long investment practice that had served city
retirees well. Lander’s decision was portrayed
as a neutral move away from foreign sover-
eign debt, but in reality, it injected ideology
into what should have been a straightforward
financial judgment.
The result was that the city abandoned a
proven, investment-grade asset with a strong
performance history, without offering retirees
a clear financial benefit in return. That was a
mistake—and it is one the city is still dealing
with today.
Comptroller Levine is right to refocus the
discussion on fiduciary responsibility. Pen-
sion funds exist to safeguard the futures of
city workers, not to make political statements.
Evaluating bonds based on performance, sta-
bility, and risk is not controversial; it is the
comptroller’s job.
I am far less encouraged by Mayor Zohran
Mamdani’s approach. His open hostility to-
ward Israel and eagerness to use city policy
as a vehicle for his personal views risk further
politicizing pension investments. Whether
one agrees with him or not on foreign policy,
New York City’s retirees should not be collat-
eral damage in ideological battles.
Restoring these investments would be a step
back toward professionalism, responsibility,
and respect for the workers who depend on
these funds for a secure retirement.
PD
Vues Master’s Note: The bottom
line is that it is a good invest-
ment. It is not communist- or
socialist-based, so the companies
that generate the most dividends
will win out.
GREAT INTERVIEW
WITH RABBI
GIL STUDENT
Dear Vues Master I just finished
reading the Jewish Vues in which
Ari Hirsch interviewed Rabbi Gil
Student about AI through the lens
of the Torah, and I have to say, it
was phenomenal. The conversa-
tion was thoughtful, nuanced, and grounded in
both halacha and the realities of our modern
world. It’s rare to see such a sophisticated dis-
cussion about technology in a Jewish context,
and I came away inspired about how our tra-
dition can engage with the tools shaping the
future.
That’s why I was absolutely sickened to see
that this week’s Flatbush Jewish Journal cover
story, “Combatting AI Through the Koach
HaTorah,” took the exact opposite stance, and
worse, seemed to echo the same topic that was
in last week’s Jewish Vues. The biggest joke?
The cover image has a SynthID watermark,
proving it was either created or edited using
AI. You can’t make this stuff up.
While I believe copying is, as they say, the
sincerest form of flattery, it’s disturbing when
the result is a message that not only misrep-
resents the potential of AI but does so while
using AI itself. AI is now a fundamental fea-
ture of the modern economy, and it’s not going
anywhere. Our community can either learn
to responsibly engage with it or risk being
locked out of the modern world. That doesn’t
mean ignoring the very real risks, but thought-
ful, Torah-informed guidance like Rabbi Stu-
dent’s interview is exactly the conversation
we need, not fear-mongering that undermines
our ability to adapt.
Let’s have more of the former and less of the
latter.
IH
Vues Master’s Note: We love receiving com-
pliments! Thanks!
FUNNY
Dear Vues Master There is a strange and funny
pattern I’ve noticed in the places I’ve lived. In
daily life, I see the same people over and over
again, neighbors I pass in the hallway, familiar
faces I recognize from shul, or from my chil-
drens school at the same time every week. We
know each other by sight, maybe exchange a
quick nod or polite smile, but never actually
talk. Years can go by like this, with everyone
comfortably remaining a stranger.
What makes this especially amusing is what
happens the moment I go on vacation. This
seems to happen to me all the time, particular-
ly when I travel to places like Israel or Florida.
I’ll be walking through a hotel lobby, daven-
ing in shul, sitting by the pool, or strolling
down a busy street when suddenly someone
calls my name. It’s one of those same people
I’ve seen countless times back home without
ever having a conversation. Now they’re de-
lighted to see me, coming over excitedly, chat-
ting nonstop, and acting as if we’ve been close
friends for years.
The contrast is hard not to laugh at. At home,
where conversation would be easy and natu-
ral, we barely acknowledge each other. Thou-
sands of miles away, we suddenly have stories
to share and time to catch up.
Maybe distance makes us friendlier, or maybe
familiarity only feels safe when it’s unex-
pected. Either way, it’s a funny reminder that
sometimes it takes leaving home to finally
connect with the people who were there all
along.
MT
Vues Master’s Note: So true! My wife & I no-
tice that everytime we go on vacation.
SNOW STORM
Dear Vues Master,
This past weekend’s major snowstorm caught
many people completely off guard, leaving
a large number of yeshiva students, faculty
members, and administrators stranded at their
vacation destinations. What was meant to be
a brief and refreshing break from the regular
routine quickly turned into a stressful scram-
ble to return to New York in time for the re-
sumption of yeshiva and work.
As flights were canceled and roads became
impassable, people found themselves glued to
airline apps and customer service lines, hop-
ing for any available seat home. Airports filled
with exhausted travelers, many of whom were
juggling academic responsibilities, work com-
mitments, and family obligations. The pres-
sure was especially intense because the return
date was not flexible, classes were starting,
schedules were set, and expectations remained
unchanged despite the circumstances.
What made this situation even more striking
was that it wasn’t only students who were af-
fected. Teachers and yeshiva administrators
were also stuck, facing the same delays and
uncertainty. When even the people respon-
sible for opening the yeshivos and leading the
classes cannot make it back on time, it high-
lights just how disruptive and far-reaching this
storm truly was.
This snowstorm was a real surprise, both in its
severity and in the chaos it caused. It serves
as a reminder of how vulnerable our care-
fully planned schedules are to sudden weather
events, and how important flexibility and un-
derstanding are during such times. Hopefully,
this experience will encourage institutions and
employers alike to approach future disrup-
tions with greater patience and preparedness.
LT
Vues Master’s Note: It was such a surprise
that my daughter’s yeshiva closed on Monday
and Tuesday this week because most of their
administration was stuck in Florida!
DEBORAH LIPSTADT IS RIGHT
Dear Vues Master,
Soon after last week’s attack on a synagogue
in Mississippi, Prof. Deborah Lipstadt, the
former U.S. envoy for combating antisemi-
tism, suggested there might be a link between
the arson and the “Globalize the Intifada”
campaign mounted by Hamas supporters
around the world.
When the Mississippi arsonist was revealed to
be a far-right white supremacist, critics chal-
lenged Lipstadt, asserting that she should re-
tract her statement since the attacker was not
an Arab or a Muslim.
But Ambassador Lipstadt got it right.
The term “intifada” may have originated with
the Palestinian Arabs, but since October 7 it
has morphed into a general rallying cry for
war against Jews everywhere. The addition
of the word “globalize,” and the spread of
violence across the globe, proves it. Burning
Jews in Colorado and shooting Jews in Aus-
tralia are expressions of this new, globalized
intifada.
So is the targeting of synagogues. The burning
of the synagogue in Mississippi was cut from
the same cloth as the assault on Jews at a syna-
gogue in Manchester, England, last Yom Kip-
pur, and the recent besieging of synagogues
in New York and New Jersey. These outrages
are the handiwork of those whose hatred has
led them to view Jewish houses of worship,
anywhere in the world, as legitimate targets.
The fact that the attackers are sometimes
aligned with the far left and sometimes with
the far right is immaterial. Antisemites have
never been strictly bound by the political cat-
egories to which we reflexively assign them.
There is a long and sordid history of extrem-
ists from opposite ends of the political spec-
trum making common cause when the shared
objective is hatred of Jews and the Jewish
state.
As far back as the 1960s, European neo-Nazis
developed extensive ties with Palestinian Arab
terrorists. Belgian neo-Nazi Jean Tireault
served as an adviser to Fatah, the main faction
of the PLO. Swiss neo-Nazi François Genoud
raised funds for the Popular Front for the Lib-
eration of Palestine.
In the 1970s, the German neo-Nazi newspa-
per Deutsche National-Zeitung und Soldaten-
Zeitung printed appeals for volunteers to join
the PLO. German neo-Nazi activist Willi Pohl
assisted with logistics for the PLO massacre
of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olym-
pics, including driving the mastermind, Abu
Daoud, around Germany in the weeks leading
up to the attack.
Members of two neo-Nazi movements—the
“Adolf Hitler Free Corps” and the Hoffmann
Sports Group—were arrested in West Germa-
ny in the late 1970s and early 1980s for smug-
gling arms to the PLO and, in some cases,
serving in its ranks.
In our own era, white supremacists Nick
Fuentes, David Duke of the Ku Klux Klan,
and mixed martial arts fighter Jake Shields
have become enthusiastic boosters of the Pal-
estinian Arab cause. They regularly accuse
Israel of “genocide” and rail against “Zionist
control” of the media—using language identi-
cal to that of the anti-Israel far left.
Duke and radical-left British social media ac-
tivist Sulaiman Ahmed reportedly found much
in common when they met in Detroit in 2024.
Ahmed’s 500,000-plus followers on X did not
seem troubled by his embrace of the far-right
Duke. They see themselves as comrades in
arms in a new intifada that crosses political
and national boundaries.
Deborah Lipstadt is right. The first two intifa-
das were confined to Israel and the territories
it administers. But the third intifada has gone
global. Every shul, from Manchester to Mis-
sissippi, is now a target.
The poet and civil rights activist Maya An-
gelou once said, “When someone shows you
who they are, believe them the first time.”
Hamas supporters said, again and again, that
they intended to globalize the intifada. Now
they have done it.
Dr Refael Medoff
Vues Master’s Note: Of course this is what
happens. Say a lie often enough, and it be-
comes the truth in many people’s eyes.
TALKING TO MYSELF
Dear Vues Master:
Berel complained to the doctor that he was
suffering from a terrible illness. “I speak to
myself,” he said.
“So what’s so terrible about that?” the doctor
asked. “There are times I speak to myself as
well.”
Nodding, Berel responded, “Yes, Doctor, but
you don’t know what a nudnik I am.”
PL
Vues Master’s Note: I tell my psychiatrist to
collect the charges from the real me! As Jackie
Mason used to say!
LUNCH
Dear Vues Master:
Every day at lunchtime, Yankel opened his
lunch box and uttered the same complaint:
“Oh no, not a peanut butter sandwich again!”
One day, after several years, his co-worker
finally lost his patience. “For heaven’s sake,
why don’t you ask your wife to make you
something different?” he asked.
“That won’t help,” Yankel replied. “I make
the sandwiches myself.”
JN
Vues Master’s Note: Wow! A classic old joke!
SNOW AND ICE
Dear Vues Master:
As winter is upon us,
I would like to men-
tion a very important
matter.
I don’t think people
realize the repercus-
sions of not shovel-
ing the snow on their
property. That snow
turns into ice. It could
be that the elderly man
on your block won’t be able to walk to shul
because you didn’t shovel. It makes it danger-
ous for anyone walking on your property.
If you are on vacation, please make arrange-
ments with someone to take care of it for you.
It’s simply not fair for anyone who has to walk
where you didn’t do your duty.
Let’s all enjoy the winter and stay safe!
MB
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for the reminder!
BRACHA
Dear Vues Master:
After being mesader kiddushin at the wedding
of a kohen, the chatan was blessed by Rav
Simcha Meir of Dvinsk, who, among other
things, said:
“.ה‘ יתן ויקויים בך הכתוב: וקמץ ממנו הכהן”
The wedding guests were surprised to hear
this unusual bracha and asked what it meant.
The Rav explained: The Gemara in Berachos
says that when a man got married in the West,
he would be asked, motza or matza? The ques-
tion was whether the marriage fell under the
verse “matza isha matza tov” or under “motza
ani et ha’isha mar mimaves.”
The difference between the two lies in how the
letter mem is vocalized, with a kamatz or a
cholam. Thus, the bracha I gave to our chatan,
the kohen, was that “v’kamatz mimenu hako-
hen” should be fulfilled in him, that his matza
should be with a kamatz and not a cholam.
LM
Vues Master’s Note: We used to hear people
refer to a goatee as a Kamatz beard! Just say-
ing!
KRAFT GOING BACK TO
SUPER BOWL
Dear Vues Master
As a big football fan, I’m thrilled to celebrate
Robert Kraft leading the franchise to its 10th
Super Bowl appearance. This latest run feels
especially meaningful, not just because of the
win, but because of what it represents about
leadership, perseverance, and values.
This season was never supposed to look like
this. Turning early adversity into a 14–3 finish
and an AFC Championship victory speaks to
an organization that refuses to panic and never
stops believing. The gritty win over Denver
wasn’t flashy, but it was pure Patriots football:
smart decisions, resilience in brutal condi-
tions, and capi-
talizing on the
moment that
mattered most.
Watching this
team adapt and
fight its way
back to the Su-
per Bowl was
a reminder of
why this fran-
chise has been
the gold standard for so long.
Robert Kraft’s impact, however, extends far
beyond the scoreboard. His public commit-
ment to philanthropy, Jewish life, and support
for Israel reflects a belief that success carries
responsibility. He has consistently used his
platform to give back, supporting education,
hospitals, and organizations that strengthen
community and identity. That sense of pur-
pose adds depth to every championship ban-
ner.
Kraft has often spoken about emunah, grati-
tude, and blessing, and it’s hard not to see a
connection between those values and the cul-
ture he has built in New England. This Super
Bowl appearance is not just another football
milestone; it’s a celebration of principled
leadership.
Mazel tov to Robert Kraft, the Patriots, and
all of New England on reaching this historic
moment.
PR
Vues Master’s Note: He is a tremendous Baal
Tzedakah!
MORE SNOW
Dear Vues Master
Just days after New York City dug itself out
from the biggest snowfall we’ve seen in five
years, we are once again bracing for the pos-
sibility of another winter stormbthis coming
week. The snow piles are still gray and frozen
on our sidewalks, alternate-side parking signs
are barely visible, and many of us are still
catching up from the last disruption. Yet fore-
casters are already warning that another sys-
tem could be on our doorstep by the weekend.
Forecast models are tracking a developing
coastal storm off the Carolinas on Shabbos,
with the potential to move north and impact
the Northeast by Sunday. As anyone who has
lived through enough winters here knows, ev-
erything depends on the storm’s track. A shift
closer to the coast could mean a miserable mix
of rain and snow. Too far offshore, and we
may be spared entirely. But if the system takes
the “perfect” path, we could be staring down
another significant snowfall before we’ve
even recovered from the last one.
Meteorologists rightly caution that it’s too
early for exact accumulation forecasts. Still,
the setup is familiar, and the anxiety it brings
is just as familiar. Commuters, business own-
ers, parents, and city workers are all left won-
dering how much more disruption this winter
has in store.
Winter in New York has always demanded re-
silience. But as we watch yet another storm
take shape, many of us can’t help but sigh and
ask: haven’t we shoveled enough already?
TY
Vues Master’s Note: I think I need to move to
Florida already!