I dropped into Queens for a day to attend the wedding of Tova Wolfson and Tzvi Hauben. Tova is the daughter of our dear friends Daniel and Estie, and she is also a beloved counselor at Camp Simcha, and, as a result, knows our Zeesy. While there, I visited the Rebbe’s Ohel for some prayer and visited the graves of my beloved mom and Bubbe who are buried next to each other. Every time I am there, I reflect on my blessing to have grown up in the presence of two incredible women, who, with genuine Jewish femininity, raised and guided my siblings and I with a unique worldview that is a combination of Chutpazh, sensitivity, kindness, wisdom and bold Jewish spirit.

In this week’s Torah portion, Terumah, we read about the contributions donated to the construction of the Tabernacle. How the Menorah was built, what design and materials were used for the beam sockets, the thoughtful layers of tapestries with animal imagery that adorned the structure, the perfection of the rings holding down the curtains, and so much more. Interestingly, the Torah teaches that the women not only donated to many aspects of the Tabernacle, but that they were superior to the men, showing up to donate even when it wasn’t obligatory. To the men it came mostly by command; to the women it came from their heart. This is a foundational concept brought to life by Jewish women throughout the generations.

As I sat at the Chuppa, on the 21st floor of Terrace on the Park, observing this young couple begin their journey to build a Jewish family, a Jewish home, it dawned upon me how blessed we are that Torah teaches us how to value the women in our life. When I sing Aishes Chayil each Friday night, it’s easy for me to think of Chavie who epitomizes those values, and of course to think of my mother, Bubbe, and all the Jewish women that came before them. When Benny Friedman sang these words of the Sheva Brachos to the bride and groom, “L-rd our G d, let there speedily be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem the sound of joy and the sound of happiness, the sound of a groom and the sound of a bride..”, I paused to marvel at how lucky this young couple is to begin their marriage with the phenomenal outlook, embedded in Judaism, on how they are to see, and treat, each other and what each of them brings to the relationship.

Kol Sason, Vekol Simcha!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

On Sunday we hosted the annual Super Bowl Party for Bozeman’s homeless population and it’s always eye opening. Shaking hands, hearing the stories, seeing the struggle; it pains the soul, invokes a desire to help and gives me an appreciation for all that I have. The next morning, Monday, I went to our local bank to initiate a loan wire for a Jew who needed a boost for six weeks. While talking to the young banker, I mentioned to her that Jews don’t charge each other interest on loans, we just do it to help and wouldn’t want to create a financial burden for the person who is already struggling. She was pleasantly surprised; she’d never heard of someone getting/giving a loan without interest.

In this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, we read about the commandment to help our fellow Jews with interest free loans. The Torah teaches that if we’re going to take collateral from the borrower against the loan, it can’t be something that they need for their life-functionality. So, if we take an article of clothing, something that they need to leave their home and go about their life, we need to return the collateral to them each morning. It’s basic dignity. We are to give loans with empathy, care and love; it’s an act of humanity, not a way to choke the person even further as they seek to crawl out of their financial challenges. I know too many people who fell into hard times, and it was the accruing interest on their debt that forced them deeper into the hole.

My Zayde and Bubbe, Reb Shimon Goldman & Esther Goldman of blessed memory, operated an interest-free loan organization from 1969 until around 2012. They’d give out millions in loans each year, and though they occasionally got burned by those who didn’t repay, most borrowers repaid properly, and thanks to my grandparents, they were able to retain their human dignity all along. Tzedakah, charity, is designated for poor people, but a loan is both for the rich and the poor, as sometimes the rich need cash flow to carry them through a tough time. It’s an incredible Mitzvah and is something that is reflective of Jewish values 101. In a world plagued by a need to always make another buck, let’s refrain from doing it through hurting those who are hurt already.

Ribis and Neshech ain’t a joke!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!