Mission Impossible
Dear Editor:
I’m exhausted. No, I haven’t been cleaning the fridge or junk drawer. Instead, I’ve just come back from another trek to Costco. This time I wasn’t going for 24 rolls of paper towels or toilet paper. Instead, I went to the superstore to purchase a wedding gift for the Bezos newlyweds. Surprised I was invited to the gala affair? Well, to be honest, I didn’t get an actual invitation, but I figured it just got lost in the mail. After all, aren’t I deserving of this grand invite?
First, I pass on the jewelry section. How can I compete with two humongous diamond rings? I wonder if one gets carpal tunnel syndrome lugging those two rings on one’s fingers. I could get them a lifetime’s worth of paper plates, plastic cups, and silver foil pans. But then, I don’t think Lauren does much cooking. How about thousands of Keurig pods? Even those would tax Mrs. Bezos’ limited abilities. Do you think she could use an ironing board and iron or a $399 Dyson vacuum cleaner?
This Venice gala was definitely not a “Takanah” wedding in Lakewood. The Bezos wedding was reported to have cost $50 million. Considering he’s worth $137 billion, that’s only –% of his worth (You figure out the math). This got me to wondering what I would do with $50 million. First off, I’d give ma’aser. Then, I’d buy a large apartment in Modiin and one in Yerushalayim. I’d have my house painted, new air conditioners installed, and the leaders and gutters cleaned in both the front and back of the house. Then I’d have all the maxi skirts I bought shortened. The leftover money would go to tzedakah and my kids. Oh? What about the Bezos’ gift? Well, that’s a Mission Impossible.
Debbie Horowitz
Moshe Hill Misses the Bigger Picture
Dear Editor:
I was curious to see what Moshe Hill’s take on the tax and spending bill that the Republicans just passed would be. After all, he had spent the campaign criticizing former President Biden’s economic policies, especially for how they impacted lower-income families, contrasting that with claims that President Trump would bring the economy back to how it was during his first term (although he never really got into the details of how that would happen). So the passing of such a far-reaching bill, combined with the ongoing tariff saga, seemed ripe for discussion. Maybe that will still come this week or in the near future.
But instead, in his latest column he focuses on taking Democrats to task for the blame game they played in reaction to the devastating Texas flooding. There might be some valid points there, but it should be noted that there are plenty of indications that the federal response wasn’t quite as flawless as Mr. Hill contends. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, with new revelations seemingly every day, so to say anything with certainty seems hasty. And let’s not forget, to cite just one example, that national Republicans with Trump at the forefront lied so much about the response to last year’s flooding in North Carolina that local Republican leaders had to practically beg them to stop.
But beyond that, Mr. Hill takes this as an opportunity to bash Democrats for their statements about climate change. However, he goes on to admit that the main question facing the government is what the effects of carbon emissions are, and what, if any, mitigating efforts should be taken to limit them. Well, as it just so happens, the aforementioned bill has a lot to say about that!
Legislation passed under Biden pushed renewable energy such as wind and solar, and gave incentives for related American manufacturing. Trump’s bill takes a sledgehammer to that, although some late changes make it not as severe as earlier versions. It still basically cedes growth in those burgeoning industries to China. And, of course, a big winner is carbon-emitting fossil fuels.
What’s the rationale for this? Beyond the longstanding Republican ties to the fossil fuel industry (which more than anything has colored their views on climate change), Trump just seems to hate the aesthetics of wind and solar to the point that he’s incapable of hearing competing arguments. (An example of his common willful ignorance was when he claimed that while wind equipment is all made in China, they don’t use it — that couldn’t be farther from the truth.) And he waxes poetic about “beautiful, clean coal.” But even if he’s referring to technology that can somewhat limit coal’s emissions, it still remains the most harmful energy source out there.
Is all this a good thing? A bad thing? The answer to that is more important than the tenor of some comments from over the years that Mr. Hill doesn’t like.
Yaakov Ribner
Still Delusional About the Democrats
Dear Editor:
Mr. Hecht is still delusional when it comes to his beloved Democratic Party. There is no such thing as a “moderate” Democrat anymore. Get your head out of the sand. They all say warm and fuzzy things but it’s always a lie.
Mr. Kadinsky last week quoted Tom Suozzi, a Democrat who represents northwestern Nassau and a small part of Queens. He is supposed to be a “moderate.” In his opposition to Mamdani becoming mayor, he said “...all paid for by huge tax increases.” Number one, the mayor doesn’t have taxing authority, so he’s lying about that. Number two, Suozzi and George Latimer, who you claimed was a moderate and replaced Jamal Bowman, by not voting to pass the Big Beautiful Bill, basically voted to increase all of Americans’ taxes!
Mr. Hecht, Mayor Adams has not been a very effective mayor. Former Governor Cuomo is responsible for the death of 15,000 people. He has no shot of winning. Maybe give Curtis Sliwa a shot? The man actually knows, lives, and breathes New York City. But you won’t because you only vote for the “D.”
I’m sure, Mr. Hecht, it was a typo, but Donald Trump is still our President. He’s not “former,” despite whatever wishes you may have. That’s a good thing because we are at a pivotal moment in history and there isn’t a single Democrat who could possibly rise to the occasion.
Shalom Markowitz
Who Was Haim Salomon? The Forgotten Financier of the American Revolution
Dear Editor:
Last Shabbos, I was walking with my family past the public library on Main Street when we noticed a small monument with a name etched into it: Haim Salomon. One of my children asked, “Who was he?” I paused, realizing I only knew a little. So, I decided to find out. What I discovered was a story that history books often overlook: a story of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering support for the birth of a nation.
Haim (Haym) Salomon was a Polish-born Jewish immigrant who became one of the most important, though lesser-known, heroes of the American Revolution. Arriving in New York City in 1775, he brought with him a deep knowledge of finance and fluency in several languages. A passionate supporter of the colonies’ fight for freedom, he quickly became involved with the Sons of Liberty and offered his skills to the revolutionary cause.
During the war, Salomon was arrested twice by the British for helping the American side. While imprisoned, he cleverly used his role as a translator to encourage Hessian soldiers to desert and even aided American prisoners. After escaping British captivity, he fled to Philadelphia, where he became a key financial broker for the Continental Congress. His most famous contribution came when he helped secure a critical loan that allowed George Washington’s army to march on Yorktown — an action that led to the final victory of the war.
Without Salomon’s financial support, many believe the American Revolution might have failed — or at least dragged on with devastating consequences. By 1781, the Continental Congress was nearly bankrupt. Its paper money was worthless, and European credit was limited. Salomon personally raised funds, sold war bonds, and even used his own money to keep the government running. He worked closely with Robert Morris, the Superintendent of Finance, and played a vital role in funding the final campaign at Yorktown.
What motivated Salomon was not just political ideals; it was also deeply personal. As a Jew who had experienced the restrictions and persecutions common in Europe, Salomon saw the American Revolution as a rare chance to help build a nation where people of all faiths could live freely. His support for independence was closely tied to his hope for a better future for Jews, where they could worship without fear and enjoy equal rights. He later helped found Philadelphia’s Mikveh Israel synagogue and fought to remove religious tests for public office in Pennsylvania.
That moment outside the library reminded me that American freedom was built not only by soldiers with muskets, but also by people like Haim Salomon - people who gave everything they had so others could live free. His story is a legacy of generosity, faith, and quiet heroism that still deserves our respect and recognition today.
David Simkhaev
Torah Jews Don’t Spread Fake News
Dear Editor:
During these Three Weeks, it is important to rectify what happened during this tragic time in our history. Build the world. In a world that’s filled with fake news, we have to be the ones who stand for truth, justice, and the Torah way.
The Gemara in Shabbos (104a) tells us why the letters that spell sheker (falsehood) stand close together while the letters that comprise the word emes (truth) are far apart. This is because falsehood is easily found, while the truth is only found with great difficulty.
There are so many lies told about the Jews: we are white colonists, we kill Palestinian civilians, we control Hollywood. Sheker is so pervasive that we can sometimes believe it ourselves, rachmana litzlan, and forward it many times. One should therefore do their due diligence and try to ascertain the truth of the statements they read - and certainly before sending them around. Even then, one should ask their rav if such messages should be forwarded at all. There are things that need to be said, yes, but think and ask first. Let peace go viral: share a d’var Torah, give a compliment, invite someone over for Shabbos. Do what is pleasing before Hashem.
We need not please the liars; they’re not going to like us anyway. Instead, we should ask ourselves: “What is the ratzon Hashem,” as Dovid HaMelech did. The result was 150 chapters of Tehillim: songs of praise to Hashem for any occasion. If we daven to Hashem, learn Torah, and make peace with our fellow Jew, we will merit the coming of Moshiach soon.
Chaim Yehuda Meyer
