To the Editor:
On June 3 Jewish Family Service of MetroWest will recognize four couples who have meant so much to the Jewish Community in MetroWest, New Jersey at large and to JFS MetroWest in particular.
We are recognizing Thelma and Richard Florin and Audrey and Norbert Gaelen, both from West Orange, and Sandi and Mark Rosenbaum and Linda and Jeffrey Zissu, both from Short Hills, at our annual Evening of Laughter at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills.
These four couples have made generous capital gifts to JFS MetroWest, enabling the agency to expand its infrastructure to meet increasing social service needs in our community. They have also shared perspective, advice and insights over the years.
All four couples have supported Jewish causes throughout MetroWest and served on the board or as advisors to the boards of various local Jewish agencies. They are true pillars of the community and models of philanthropy.
We look forward to recognizing them for their support and friendship to JFS MW through the years.
Reuben Rotman
Executive Director, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest
To the Editor:
I found all three articles regarding segulot in last week’s Jewish Link interesting. I am not a Talmud chachama or any kind of genius. I am just a common sense kind of gal. Every time I see one of these advertisements for some kind of miracle rebbe I always wonder who the rebbe’s public relations department is because they do a good job. In life when people feel desperate, they seek desperate measures. I can think of a few separate friends who visited a miracle rebbe in the area in the last few months. Each one tells the tale of where our modern Orthodox Jewish society is.
One friend flew up here from the south with her gorgeous 26-year-old son. He went out on dates constantly and neither one could figure out why he could not find his mate, so of course they needed one of these miracle rebbes. Well, I have known this kid since childhood. Yes he is gorgeous, yes he is on the partner track in a well-established law firm, and he presents well. The problem is he is kind of a nasty s.o.b. Word is out among the young women dating at this age about him. Mostly about his personality and how girls don’t want to think of him as a serious marriage candidate. He doesn’t need a miracle rebbe, he needs a good therapist.
Another friend lives right here in town and she cannot understand why the boys will not go out with her beautiful daughter. She believes only the miracle rebbe will help. Honestly her daughter is lovely and has a wonderful personality as well as a very good job. The problem is she does not know how to put a comb through her hair and dresses like my bubbe. No one ever told her how to stand up straight and it is as if she is trying to make herself disappear. Many of the 20-something-year-old girls think this persona means you are perceived as a much frummer girl. Not really. Just sloppy.
My generation, the people that have children 20 years old and up, have closed our eyes as to what our children really are. When they were growing up we never let them fail at anything, which would build character. We have not taught our boys and girls how to dress like they are B’nei Yisrael and stand straight with pride in who they are. Before people start feeling desperate enough to throw their money down the drain going to some miracle rebbe they should ask their friends and relatives to be very honest with them about their child. Most times a few quick fixes will be much better with money you would waste on the miracle rebbe. It would be better spent on your child.
Name Withheld on Request
Teaneck
