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I write these words of eulogy in New York, being unable to be with you in Seattle for the funeral of Elazar Behar. [The funeral took place on Monday, August 29, 2016.] I write with a heavy heart. Lazar was a lifelong friend and I—along with all of you—feel a profound sense of loss.

Did Esti Weinstein die in vain?

When we were in Jerusalem in late June, we heard the news of the suicide of Esti Weinstein, a 50 year old Israeli woman. She left a suicide note: “In this city I gave birth to my daughters, in this city I die because of my daughters.”

Palestinian terrorists perpetrated another heinous attack in Tel Aviv, murdering four Israelis and wounding nine others. Israeli police were quick to neutralize the two gun-wielding terrorists so that no further casualties resulted.

It is with sadness that I record the passing of Dr. Albert Arking of Potomac, Maryland. The world has lost an outstanding human being. Our family has lost a crown jewel. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother—and our distinguished Mehutan, father of our son-in-law Dan.

Our prayers are with the people of Israel as they once again are compelled to defend themselves against the forces of terror, hatred and destruction.

In recent years, there seems to be a proliferation of kasher food products that contain multiple rabbinic supervisions (hashgahot). If you buy a box of cookies or a packaged cake, you are likely to find several symbols of competing kashruth agencies. Why isn't one hashgaha enough?

A member of the Institute recently sent me an email. Here are his comments, although I've deleted the name of the rabbi to whom he referred. (Rabbi X isn't his real name.)